Chapter 554 The beautiful woman submits to her master, and the new governor receives another's wedding dress.
"She seems to be very afraid of you."
Night, the prosecutor's office.
Ouyang Rong walked out of the ward and onto the corridor. Rong Zhen stood gracefully in front of the railing, her back to him, and suddenly spoke.
"Huh? What do you mean you're afraid of me? Who?" Ouyang Rong asked, his expression momentarily blank.
"President Pei."
Rong Zhen turned around, looked directly at Ouyang Rong, and spoke in a solemn tone.
"Is there?"
"Um."
Rong Zhen nodded and said softly:
"As soon as you approached to speak, she started trembling all over. These details can't be hidden from me. Moreover, although Chairman Pei didn't look at you much, his attention should have been on you the whole time, and he was very concerned about your reaction."
"The emotions revealed by those subtle movements are probably second only to your fear of the moon."
After listening, Ouyang Rong chuckled, put his hands behind his back, walked to the railing next to Rong Zhen, and gazed at the night view outside the corridor.
Rongzhen saw that he was calm and composed, speaking in a joking tone:
"Looking at it this way, maybe she wasn't frightened by the moonlight just now, but by me."
Rong Zhen looked away from him and shook her head:
"Her fear of the moon is real, but her fear of you is also real. This President Pei is probably afraid that you will retaliate against her. I have inquired about this."
"After you were demoted to Sima and Lin Cheng and Wang Lengran took over, the matter of the renovation of the old houses in Xingzifang that you had been suppressing was lifted by them. Chairman Pei and the late Shen Bingqiang, eager to curry favor with them, became their henchmen."
"President Pei probably knows she has offended you badly. Now that you have not only been promoted to governor but also hold the power of life and death, she is naturally afraid of your retaliation. This is only human nature. She does not know that you are magnanimous, a true gentleman who handles official business impartially and does not hold grudges."
After listening, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but sigh:
“That makes a lot of sense. Lady Rong’s considerations are very thorough.”
Rong Zhen tilted her head slightly, thought for a moment, and whispered:
"It's not good to keep her worried and scared. Come and check on her more often these next few days, make your stance clear, clear up any misunderstandings, and reassure her. Don't let her speculate wildly. Anyone would be scared by your calm expression just now, let alone a shrewd and sensitive businesswoman like her..."
"good."
Ouyang Rong looked at the palace-dressed girl in front of him, who was always thinking of him and patiently giving him instructions, and nodded.
A moment later, however, he changed the subject:
Are you hungry?
"What?"
Rongzhen was slightly taken aback, thinking she had misheard.
I asked, "Are you hungry?"
"Hungry... I guess."
"What do you mean by 'hungry'? Doesn't Lady Rong even know if she's hungry or not?"
Ouyang Rong chuckled, shook his head, and turned to leave.
"Wait, Liu Lang is over by the carriage. I'll have him bring the chicken soup over. Please, Madam, have a taste. This black chicken, yam, and red date soup was made by my aunt herself; it's fresh out of the pot and still warm..."
Rong Zhen asked in a slightly strange tone, "Did you specifically ask your aunt to make this for me?"
Ouyang Rong honestly shook his head:
"No, it was brewed for me by my aunt. I was originally planning to take it to the main hall in Jiangzhou to share with Liu Lang and Chief Secretary Yuan, but I learned on the way that Madam Pei had woken up, so I brought it along."
Seemingly oblivious to the stern expression on the pretty face of the palace-dressed girl before him and the gradually downward curve of her lips, he smiled and said:
"Didn't Lady Rong say that we should make our stance clear and appease her? It's a good opportunity to have Liu Lang send some chicken soup over to nourish her."
"However, let's try some too. If Lady Rong is hungry, wouldn't that be perfect? Hmm, is Lady Rong feeling unwell? Why does she look a little pale..."
Ouyang Rong was halfway through his speech when he noticed the lady of the house looking at him expressionlessly, and asked in a low voice.
"No." Rong Zhen asked with great patience, "Has Governor Ouyang finished speaking?"
"Um, I think I'm done."
"oh."
Rong Zhen nodded, turned and left, leaving behind the words:
"I'm not hungry, and I don't like eating and drinking during official business. Governor Ouyang, please enjoy your drink. You can send some to Chairman Pei, it's up to you." Her tone was cold and distant.
"..."
Ouyang Rong watched the unpredictable female historian's figure disappear around the corner, but he was used to it and shook his head.
He turned and glanced in the direction of the sickbed.
"Legophobia... Interesting. Are you more afraid of the moon, or more afraid of me? Which one scared you so much that you fainted... Never mind, it's all the same."
Ouyang Rong patted his sleeves, put his hands behind his back, and strolled away.
She went to find Yan Liulang to deliver chicken soup.
It must be delivered to her personally by Yan Liulang.
...
Pei Shisan Niang's awakening kept the Censorate busy for a while.
As the primary eyewitness to the murder case involving the collapse of the Xingzi Lake Buddha, Rongzhen and a group of female officials were unwilling to give up and questioned her about many things, but to no avail.
Pei Shisan Niang did not know why she was the only one who survived.
To say that she was an accomplice of the Butterfly Love Flower's owner would be too obvious. Besides, if that were the case, it would be easy to cover it up. All she needed to do was inflict some minor injuries, or spare Shen Bingqiang's life so he could keep her company, leaving only Wei Shaoqi, Lin Cheng, and Wang Lengran to die...
After all, it's better to live two lives than just one, so it's better to keep a low profile.
But there are no "what ifs," this is just how it is.
After repeatedly confirming that Pei Shisan Niang had a clean background and no motive for murder, Rong Zhen and the other female officials had no choice but to turn their attention to investigating those whom Shen Bingqiang had offended or those whom Pei Shisan Niang had done favors for.
This is another huge undertaking, and the case is progressing at a snail's pace once again.
However, through persistent efforts, Rongzhen obtained a relatively detailed statement, clarifying a key point:
That cauldron-shaped sword, shaped like a bright blue moon, was indeed the first to emerge from the face of the Buddha's head.
This further supports the possibility that Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen once discussed: that the Ding Sword was originally hidden inside the Buddha's head, and that the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower either used the Qing Tong Mask to transform and evade the Qin music, or that the Hidden Lord used the invisibility ability of the Tortoise Shell Longhorn Beetle he consumed. This makes perfect sense...
With a vague sense of direction, Rongzhen got busy again.
After the Spring Festival holiday, Ouyang Rong took over the main hall and governor's mansion in Jiangzhou the next day and began to deal with the mountain of affairs.
Using the pretext of delivering chicken soup to appease Ouyang Rong, Yan Liulang stayed at the Censorate. When Pei Shisan Niang was interrogated by the female officials, Yan Liulang was also present, and even offered many suggestions that the female officials found useful...
That afternoon, Ouyang Rong, who had been busy for most of the day, walked out of the governor's mansion.
He boarded the carriage, closed his eyes, sat upright, rubbed the bridge of his nose wearily, and said softly, "Let's go for a stroll in Xingzifang."
In Xingzifang today, including the Xingzi Lake construction site, large areas of former slum buildings have been vacated, forcibly sold off, and razed to the ground.
A small portion of these lands were in the hands of the governor's office, while the rest were mostly in the hands of wealthy merchants in Yangzhou, such as Pei Shisan Niang.
Ouyang Rong lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and silently gazed at the drastically changed streets outside, including Qingyang Hengjie.
He suddenly remembered the question Yan Liulang had asked him last time.
How should we handle this?
"How to handle this... Isn't this something anyone can do? It's so simple! They've already taken all the blame, leaving this huge, clean patch of land. All that's left is to build new houses on it hand over to me, eh..."
Ouyang Rong sighed, looking a little embarrassed.
When he first took office in Xunyang City, he actually had no ambition to mess with Xingzifang. Because the excesses outweighed the benefits, the existence of such urban slums had its own meaning and operating logic. Forcibly correcting it would only make the problem change and reappear elsewhere.
But now, Wang Lengran and others have boldly touched the forbidden zone, risking infamy, and forcibly pushed forward, which has opened up the situation in Xingzifang and left him with a good legacy... However, the people of Xingzifang, whose interests were previously harmed and suppressed by Wang Lengran and the governor's mansion, still need Ouyang Rong to appear and appease them, to appear as a "righteous official".
However, doesn't this give off a sense of déjà vu, like an unscrupulous government playing both the good cop and the bad cop? But Xingzifang has already reached this point, so there's no going back, or the losses would be even greater. He has no choice but to reluctantly pluck this political achievement that Wang Lengran has longed for for so long...
As Ouyang Rong's expression turned strange and his feelings became complicated, Yan Liulang suddenly climbed into the carriage.
"Your Excellency, the Censorate has released Pei Shisan Niang back home."
What about the task I assigned you?
"As you instructed, I have stayed by your bedside these past few days. This merchant woman is secretly afraid of me, but she is very honest and has not said anything out of line. She is a smart person... As you instructed, I also returned all of her properties that the government had sealed up in front of Lady Rong. I did not cheat or mistreated her."
“Okay.” Ouyang Rong said casually.
"but……"
"But what?"
Yan Liulang gestured outside with his eyes: "Your Excellency... this merchant woman has only been home for a short time, and she has come to me again, wanting to see you."
"oh?"
Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow slightly...
Before long, in the dim alley under the twilight, a plump and beautiful woman followed Yan Liulang out. She wore a black silk veil hat and a green brocade cloak, and underneath she wore a luxurious black silk dress with red trim on the sleeves. Pei Shisan Niang, who dressed expensively and meticulously even when she was in a hurry to go out, was led by Yan Liulang to the carriage in the shadows. She took small steps forward and climbed into the carriage.
Inside the car, Ouyang Rong, who had been resting with his eyes closed, had just opened them and hadn't even had a chance to speak when a fragrant breeze wafted over.
Pei Shisan Niang dropped her veil and took off her cloak. With a thud, she knelt on the hard wooden planks of the carriage, crawled a few steps, and suddenly lunged forward to hug his legs.
"Master, this lowly servant knows his mistake."
Ouyang Rong leaned back and raised both hands to show his innocence: "Get up first!"
"This lowly servant must not rise. This lowly servant has made a mistake. My master is merciful and magnanimous, not only sparing this lowly servant's life but also restoring this lowly servant's family property. This lowly servant is overwhelmed with gratitude and has no way to repay this kindness. In this life, I am willing to serve my master as a cow, a horse, a slave, and a servant, and to be loyal to my master..."
This beautiful woman, who wielded considerable influence in the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce, actually referred to herself as a lowly slave. She hugged his leg, tilting her round face—a face radiating the dignified and virtuous charm unique to women from Jiangnan—upturned, her eyes glistening with tears as she gazed longingly at his handsome face.
"I beg my master to take this lowly servant in. My master is wise and mighty, like a dragon and a tiger, the greatest man in the world. This lowly servant was foolish and arrogant before, blind to the value of a gem. Now I have come to my senses, ashamed and repentant... This lowly servant's admiration for my master is like a surging river..."
Ouyang Rong silently observed her for a while, pursed his lips, and after a moment, spoke seriously:
"If you're willing to help me and do some practical things for the people, that's fine, but you have to change how you address me. Stop calling me 'lowly servant.' We have a proper relationship... a cooperative relationship." He corrected him earnestly.
"Yes, yes, yes, this lowly servant understands." Pei Shisan Niang nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with gratitude as she saw him agree.
"..."
Ouyang Rong was speechless, but the clear sound of the wooden fish in his ear made him take another look at her.
Pei Shisan Niang's voice was timid: "This servant...this concubine didn't say anything in the Censorate. Master was simply acting on behalf of Heaven."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ouyang Rong said calmly.
Pei Shisan Niang suddenly realized, and a fawning smile appeared on her face: "Yes, mistress, I was just talking nonsense."
Her eyes, still brimming with tears, rolled upwards as she cautiously observed the subtle twitch at the corner of the young master's mouth... Having witnessed that mythical, overwhelming, and unparalleled power, the beautiful woman was now completely convinced and held the unassuming, frail scholar before her in awe, almost like a god.
"Master..." she called out softly.
"Don't call me master," Ouyang Rong said helplessly.
"Then...Young Master?"
Ouyang Rong remained silent, seemingly acquiescing.
Pei Shisan Niang immediately changed her address, sweetly calling out, "Young Master~"
She asked quietly, "Does that Lady Rongzhen have feelings for you? Is she in love with you?"
Ouyang Rong's left eyelid twitched, his face expressionless: "What nonsense are you talking about? We're just colleagues. If you keep talking nonsense, get out."
He tried to pull his leg away, but couldn't kick away the beautiful woman who was clinging to his leg.
“Okay, just colleagues.” She shrank back, her eyes darting around.
Ignoring the deformation and pressure of her bulging chest, Pei Shisan Niang hugged him even tighter, resting her chin obediently on his knees, gazing admiringly at his cold face:
"Well... Young master, you are truly remarkable. Even the Lady Historian from Luoyang, who serves the Emperor and is so noble and proud, listens to you... your colleague without question..."
Ouyang Rong felt his right leg sink into a ball of soft, warm cotton. He tried to move, but the carriage was too small, and he couldn't get out.
He had no choice but to turn his head away, pointing to the streets of Xingzifang outside, and whispered a few instructions... Pei Shisan Niang agreed to everything. Sitting on the ground, she obediently tilted her head, as docile as a cat, pressing her cheek against the inside of his calf, her red lips even getting some of the mud-stained fabric of his clothes, and whispered: "What belongs to me is yours. If you need those plots of land, I will transfer them to your name tomorrow..."
"I don't need it... Never mind, you should go back now. It's too late. We can talk in detail later."
"Yes, Master...Young Master."
Pei Shisan Niang looked reluctant to leave, but still picked up her veil and cloak, put them on, and obediently departed.
The night was deep outside, the sky was cloudless, and a full moon hung high in the sky.
But this beautiful woman, reborn, was not afraid at all; her atherosclerosis had vanished. She returned to her luxurious carriage, instructed her servants and coachman to return to her mansion, her face flushed beneath her veil, unable to conceal her excitement and joy…
Behind them, Ouyang Rong watched her carriage drive away, somewhat speechless. "Does she have some kind of Stockholm syndrome?"
The scent of the Western Region spices used by Pei Shisan Niang still lingered in the carriage. He composed himself, opened the window to let the smell dissipate, bent down to pick up the purple and gold shawl she had forgotten on the ground, and casually stuffed it under the seat.
Looking at the alluring and enchanting purple-gold shawl, Ouyang Rong's eyes remained as calm as a lake.
Whether it's Stockholm syndrome or acting skills, it doesn't matter. But this businesswoman's choice was quite clever.
After Yan Liulang gave her chicken soup and returned all her properties, she should have known that with so much land in Xingzifang that he would never let her leave Xunyang unscathed.
Ouyang Rong's move to return everything was more like a warning.
But he actually just wanted her to cooperate obediently, because the reconstruction of Xingzifang needed her... At most, she wouldn't make money, but he wouldn't let her go bankrupt or exploit her. Ouyang Rong wouldn't do such a thing.
But Ouyang Rong did not expect that Pei Shisan Niang would kneel down directly, prostrate herself and acknowledge her master. Was she terrified and completely subdued?
Or is this the rule of the game in this era?
Merchants are lambs to the slaughter in front of officials; after the storm, the winner takes all? Was Pei Shisan Niang simply acting according to the rules? Especially after witnessing his lenient actions, she directly chose to submit to him, tacitly agreeing—since it wasn't destroyed, it must be the spoils the winners wanted—and thus obediently surrendered?
That makes sense. Since there's no way to resist anyway, it's better to take the initiative than to be forced against one's will. This way, one can also use the opportunity to curry favor with the winner.
Moreover, her humble and subservient attitude, her subservient and obedient following, was even more extreme than her previous bond with her brother-in-law, Wang Caozhi. She had brought her own wealth and completely switched sides, becoming his front man.
And after all that, Ouyang Rong felt a little embarrassed that she had really suffered a loss.
"I feel like she took advantage of me..."
Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Whether she has ulterior motives or not, it's all the same... it's all the same."
His eyes were indifferent. At that moment, his hand, which was stuffing the purple and gold shawl under his seat, touched a long, narrow zither case.
Ouyang Rong looked up at the rising moon outside the window, and then, through the thin fabric of his purple-gold robe, he stroked the empty sword case, his eyes flickering slightly.
The blue moon that Pei Shisan Niang feared was still at the bottom of Xingzi Lake, because Granny Song was still guarding the Buddha statue and the mourning hall by the lake...
"It's not good to stay in the lake forever, even though the water is deep enough... I have to find a chance to pull him out." He muttered, rubbing his face.
(End of this chapter)
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