Chapter 555 Junior Sister and First Wife Love to Check Up on Each Other [Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Tickets!]
Ouyang Rong was actually quite interested in the new cauldron fire that appeared in the [Craftsmanship] section.
However, at present, the sword and the person are separated, so research is not possible.
Speaking of which, Lin Cheng's mourning hall has been set up at the Xingzi Lake construction site for almost a month and hasn't been taken down yet.
The deputy supervisor, Song, hasn't been removed yet. I heard Rongzhen mention it casually before. Granny Song goes to burn incense every day. Also, because the golden Buddha head is still kept at the construction site, she stays overnight at the Xingzi Lake construction site.
Even if it's a case of an elderly person burying their child, this is going on for far too long.
Ouyang Rong felt that it would be impolite to continue offering the gifts.
The main problem was that it prevented him from secretly retrieving the sword.
After using the Shangqing ultimate technique "Divine Decree," I had no choice but to temporarily hide the [Craftsmanship] in Xingzi Lake amidst the chaos.
However, there is one thing you can rest assured about.
[Craftsmanship] Staying at the bottom of Xingzi Lake is indeed safe.
The mythical sword, having lost its wielder, was already dull and lifeless.
In addition, since Ouyang Rong awakened for the second time at Donglin Temple on Dagu Mountain, he had inexplicably gained the ability of "gathering wind and energy". The sword energy of [Craftsmanship] also became hidden and concealed along with its male master.
Therefore, once it exceeded the sword master's control, its true form was merely a "glass iris petal," which at most emitted a faint blue light under the sunlight.
Right now, somewhere suspended at the bottom of Xingzi Lake, no one can find it except for the unlucky fish that swam by and split in two.
Could it be that Granny Song and the female officials of the Imperial Observatory could drain Xingzi Lake dry?
If it weren't for the legendary swordsman's exclusive cauldron fire that unexpectedly lit up along with the Twin Swords Technique of Light and Darkness, Ouyang Rong wouldn't have been unable to run over in broad daylight and retrieve the sword right under the nose of a high-grade Yin-Yang School Qi cultivator.
However, it's better to be safe than sorry.
If, while retrieving the sword, this strange cauldron fire were to erupt again, causing a severe impact—for example, evaporating all the water in Xingzi Lake—that would be quite embarrassing.
We need to choose a time when Granny Song and the other female officials are not around.
After bidding farewell to Pei Shisan Niang, Ouyang Rong, inside the carriage, withdrew his hand from the sword box and stroked his chin.
Adhering to the principle of creating opportunities when none exist.
He immediately turned his head:
"Go to the Control Yuan first."
"Yes, young master."
...
One hour later.
At the entrance of the Control Yuan.
Ouyang Rong walked out calmly, with Rong Zhen carrying a lantern, walking alongside him.
"You mean, the West Gate has been repaired and the Buddha head from the Xingzi Lake construction site can be transported out?"
"Well, the fact that your Censorate's personnel are scattered in two places is not a long-term solution. It would be better to immediately transport the Buddha head to the Xunyang Grottoes construction site and store it together with the large stone Buddha. Deputy Director Song and the others should also go there to join them. This will make it easier for your Astronomical Bureau to work together..."
"Alright, I will speak to Senior Song about it."
"Wouldn't Deputy Supervisor Song be reluctant to leave his beloved disciple's mourning hall?"
"Although Senior Song is known for her domineering and violent temper in the Luoyang Astronomical Bureau, and I heard from the Grand Astrologer that she was even more irritable when she was young... However, Senior Song's loyalty to His Majesty is beyond question, and she will prioritize the overall situation. Isn't the last time she received His Majesty's edict to go and invite you an example?"
"Alright, then I'll leave the matter of Granny Song to you, Lady Historian."
No, it's you who's been worrying.
"On your first day in office, you've arranged so many things in an orderly manner. I heard you even went to Xingzifang during the day to inspect the mess left by Wang Lengran and those Yangzhou merchants..."
In front of the carriage, Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen stopped. The latter turned her head to look at his face and corrected him seriously, her tone somewhat praising.
Ouyang Rong coughed, actually wanting to say that this was not a mess, not even a burden, but a great gift of political achievement.
However, in the end, he still did not offer an explanation.
First, such matters, which are matters of expertise, cannot be clearly explained to a high-ranking court lady like Rongzhen, who is an outsider.
Secondly, if this incident hadn't happened, it would be difficult to explain why Pei Shisan Niang would become so close to him and even seek refuge with him.
Well, let Lady Historian indulge in her imagination.
It's best to imagine that he only forgave Pei Shisan Niang reluctantly.
Moreover, Ouyang Rong had already informed Rong Zhen about his meeting with Pei Shisan Niang that afternoon while he was at the Censorate.
There was really no need to hide it; there might have been female informants from the Control Yuan following them at the time.
"It was just our duty, Miss Rong and I... Please stay, don't see us off."
With Rongzhen watching him go, Ouyang Rong boarded the carriage.
"Wait!" she suddenly called out.
"What's wrong?"
Ouyang Rong paused in his action of lifting the carriage curtain, turning back in confusion.
Rong Zhen, holding a lantern, turned halfway around, no longer facing him directly, but gazing into the distance, her eyes seemingly fixed on the night sky. She spoke casually:
"Please thank your aunt on my behalf and the Censorate. The chicken soup that Military Advisor Yan brought yesterday was very warming and nourishing. The ladies of the Censorate praised it highly after tasting it. I will bring gifts to visit her next time."
"Oh, okay..."
Ouyang Rong hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
I was wondering if Rongzhen had tried it. Before she left yesterday, didn't she say she didn't like eating and drinking during official duties? It seems like she and her subordinates from the Control Yuan had tried some...
Unfortunately, Rong Zhen had already turned and left, and quite quickly at that, the lantern in her hand swaying uncontrollably from side to side.
Ouyang Rong boarded the carriage again, left the Censorate, and soon returned to his residence in Huaiye Lane.
Rong Zhen asked him to bring it, but Ouyang Rong didn't.
Because my junior sister came, and my aunt was busy, she didn't have time.
"Aunt Wei is inviting you and Aunt Zhen over for dinner."
When Ouyang Rong returned home and entered the hall, before he could even sit down, Xie Lingjiang hooked her arm and pulled him out the door.
Today she was wearing a silver-red jacket and a blue satin vest, the vest slightly covering two prominent breasts on her upper body.
But what's most eye-catching is the lotus root-patterned, dark-patterned, gold-embroidered, pleated fish-scale skirt she's wearing.
This type of skirt, known as the "horse-face skirt," was worn by women while riding horses. Its distinctive feature was its wide skirt, resembling the face of a horse, hence its name. This design not only accentuated a woman's graceful figure but also covered her legs, reflecting the relatively open-minded attitude of women in the Zhou Dynasty.
However, in this era, it was indeed clothing exclusively for noble ladies, and ordinary people could not wear it.
Ouyang Rong glanced at it a couple more times.
Yan Liulang was also in the hall. After finishing his shift, he changed out of his casual clothes and came over. Judging from his cheerful expression, he must have been invited as well.
Judging from the scale of the event, it must be that news of Ouyang Rong receiving the imperial decree, being promoted and granted an official title, has been sent over, and Li Xian's family is happy for him and has invited him over for a celebratory meal.
Speaking of which, it's been more than half a month since Ouyang Rong last appeared; he was busy with the Spring Festival.
"Wait, I need to change my clothes too. My official uniform is inconvenient."
"No need. I brought you a set of clothes. They were handmade by a tailor from my aunt's clothing shop in Yangzhou. Senior Brother, you are now a scholar of the Xiuwen Academy. Scholars are the most prestigious among the elite in Luoyang, and their attire should be somewhat different from that of ordinary scholars."
Xie Lingjiang looked at his helpless expression on his profile and explained seriously.
"There's such a saying?"
"Hmph, that's because Senior Brother doesn't know how prestigious the scholars of the Xiuwen Academy are. In the past, the Xiuwen Academy was mostly the private domain of the most outstanding young men from the powerful families of the two capitals and the five surnames and seven noble families."
"My eldest brother received the endorsement of His Majesty and Prince Xiang, and was promoted to the Xiuwen Academy as a poor scholar... My aunt even wrote to me today asking about this, saying that Uncle Su praised you privately and is discussing preparing a gift for you..."
Ouyang Rong rubbed his forehead and casually said, "Isn't the scholar of the Xiuwen Academy just someone who compiles and proofreads books, and edits the history of the previous dynasty and the veritable records of the current dynasty? Oh, and can also teach students."
"The professors are not ordinary students. In theory, they can teach and lecture to princes of the royal family, or even the emperor."
"Oh, the little pageboy who accompanies the emperor in his studies."
"No, what little pageboy? This is a springboard, a springboard that many Confucian scholars in the world can never reach in their entire lives."
Xie Lingjiang took his arm and walked out. She was originally very serious, but he made her roll her eyes cutely. She stretched out her slender index finger and tapped her senior brother's straight nose. He leaned back and dodged.
"In any case, he is definitely not a so-called idle writer who dabbles in literature."
Ouyang Rong nodded: "Alright, a high-ranking imperial palace page."
"...??"
Just then, the two were passing by the door. Ouyang Rong pointed to the door gods and couplets passing by and changed the subject:
"Junior Sister, did you see me dressed like this when you came in..."
Xie Lingjiang interrupted his spellcasting:
"This? Oh, my family has one too. The Qin family sends them every year. Senior Brother, don't listen to their nonsense about only painting three pieces a year to give away. You don't know, Uncle Qin used to be so bored in Yangzhou that he painted this stuff every day and collected a whole bunch. For a while, he would give them away to everyone he met."
Ouyang Rong: "..."
So this is how you fool the younger generation, Mr. Qin?
A casual remark from the noblewoman Xie left Ouyang Rong feeling utterly bored.
That's the downside of raising a woman in a wealthy family.
"Hey, where's Auntie?" he asked, looking around.
"She's changing clothes. Thanks to her son, Aunt Zhen is now a fourth-rank imperial lady, the Lady of Jian'an County. My aunt also asked me to prepare a gift for her, a formal dress for a lady of the county. Aunt Zhen likes it very much and is still trying it on in the room..."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong immediately knew that he would have to wait outside for at least another fifteen minutes.
This is the norm when accompanying women out, whether they are young or old.
As he walked out of the gate, Ouyang Rong originally planned to transfer to his junior sister Xie's carriage, since it was more spacious there, and he and his aunt could ride together.
He instinctively walked towards Xie's carriage, when he immediately felt resistance at his elbow.
Looking back.
He met the gaze of Xie Lingjiang, who was also turning around.
Judging from the direction she was facing, she was just about to walk towards Ouyang Rong's carriage.
Xie Lingjiang tugged at his arm and swayed it slightly in a coquettish manner, biting her lip:
"Take your seat."
After saying that, she pulled Ouyang Rong into his carriage.
As soon as he entered the carriage, Ouyang Rong saw Xie Lingjiang looking around, her small nose twitching like a mouse.
Ouyang Rong remained calm: "What is Junior Sister doing?"
"Whose scent is this?"
She asked with a gentle expression.
Ouyang Rong honestly replied, "Um, it should be Pei Shisan Niang's. She just asked Liu Lang to come see me this evening."
As Xie Lingjiang spoke, she reached out her delicate hand and explored Ouyang Rong's crotch.
Ouyang Rong thought to himself, "Damn it!" and subconsciously brought his legs together, trapping the beauty's soft hand between them.
Xie Lingjiang's face immediately flushed red, and her voice was annoyed:
"You...you let go."
“No way.” Ouyang Rong shook his head like a rattle-drum: “Absolutely not in the car, this is a matter of principle.”
"Pah, what are you thinking, Senior Brother? I'm just getting something from below. Let go."
Ouyang Rong was slightly taken aback, his legs spread apart. Xie Lingjiang glared at him and then expertly took out the sword box from under his seat.
She opened the sword box with great skill and took a look, then her delicate hands searched through it again.
Ouyang Rong felt that his junior sister seemed to be more skilled than him.
Finally, Xie Lingjiang picked up a purple-gold shawl with a subtle fragrance and tossed it onto the seat next to her.
She leaned back into her seat, her hands cupping her chin, her bright eyes fluttering as she gazed at him expectantly.
"Yes, Senior Brother, please continue. I'm listening."
Ouyang Rong said with a serious expression, "This was also something she left behind. I plan to return it to her next time. If you don't believe me, Liu Lang can be my witness."
"I believe it, of course I believe it. But when she got on the bus, she probably didn't sit down; she was kneeling, right?"
"Ah, how did you know that?" Ouyang Rong was speechless. "Did Junior Sister see it? Was she nearby at the time?"
Xie Lingjiang, resting her chin on her hand, pouted and gestured towards her feet:
“These damp marks, the marks are clear, indicate that someone knelt at your feet.”
Ouyang Rong looked down and indeed saw two faint oval-shaped wet stains on the floor. He was speechless for a moment, then reached out and rubbed his foot against them, hastily explaining:
"This...this is sweat, right? I didn't really notice the ground, but I remember she was both scared and excited at the time, and her forehead was indeed covered in sweat, and her hair was all wet..."
"Anyway, junior sister, it's definitely not what you think. Don't misunderstand, how could I do such a thing, especially in a carriage in broad daylight..."
The indecent wet stains on the ground made Ouyang Rong want to beat Pei Shisan Niang to death!
Unexpectedly, Xie Lingjiang looked at him with a strange expression:
"Otherwise what? What else could it be but sweat? It hasn't rained outside these past few days, otherwise why would her body be wet? What do you think I'm thinking, Senior Brother?"
Ouyang Rong looked closely and realized that Xie Lingjiang's puzzled expression didn't seem fake, so he immediately joked:
"It's nothing, it's nothing. Junior Sister is so smart; she saw it right away. Senior Brother is so dull."
"No, that's not right, you definitely don't mean that."
Xie Lingjiang narrowed her long, slender eyes slightly, placing a pale, white index finger in front of Ouyang Rong's lips, and asked:
"Senior Brother, tell me honestly, did you mistake me for something else? What other dampness could there be besides sweat? Tell me quickly, I want to hear it, is there something I don't understand?"
Looking at his serious junior sister, who loved to check up on him and whose warning radar was always on full display, Ouyang Rong opened his mouth slightly, and finally uttered three words with a solemn expression:
"I was so scared I peed my pants."
"...??"
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingjiang and Ouyang Rong stared at each other in silence for a while.
In the next instant, the blushing Xie noblewoman grabbed a crumpled purple-gold shawl from the side and threw it at him.
But Ouyang Rong dodged it. With lightning speed, he lunged forward, grabbed his junior sister's wrist as she raised the object to throw, and at the same time twisted his arm, quickly pulling Xie Lingjiang into his arms, embracing her delicate body from behind.
One round, and the battle is over.
The senior brother firmly subdued the junior sister.
Not far from the carriage, Yan Liulang, who was waiting in the breeze, was startled. He turned his head to look at the carriage that had just twitched, muttered "What are Master Ming and Miss Xie doing?", and then looked away to continue waiting for Madam Zhen.
Inside the carriage, there was a moment of silence.
"You...you let me go! You attacked me sneakily and cheated! Try again if you dare!"
Xie Lingjiang gritted her teeth and crushed the powder.
"They may not have the ability to attack again, but they do have the ability to launch a sneak attack, and a very strong one at that."
Ouyang Rong shook his head, then nodded.
After saying that, his hands, which were embracing his junior sister from behind, began to skillfully explore and place them where they should be.
Xie Lingjiang, who came to check up on him tonight, was planning to roll over on his lap and sneakily pinch his nose, but the next second, her body went limp and she collapsed...
The carriage fell silent.
————
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(End of this chapter)
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