Chapter 566 The Mute Girl Hasn't Left! Huaimin Hasn't Sleeped Either [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]
Bang bang—!
"Huaimin, Huaimin, hello, hello, is Yuan Huaimin asleep yet?"
Bang bang bang—!
Ouyang Rong knocked on the door in the middle of the night and called out with concern.
The courtyard was quiet for a while, then a loud thud was heard, as if someone had fallen off the bed in one of the rooms.
Immediately afterwards, with a creak, the inner door must have been pushed open, and there was a series of hurried footsteps getting closer and closer to the courtyard gate.
Just as Ouyang Rong, who was holding a zither at the door, was waiting with a look of satisfaction for his brother Huaimin to open the door.
The footsteps in the courtyard suddenly faded away.
"Squeak—!"
The door closed, and there was even the sound of it being locked again.
Someone returned to the bed.
Ouyang Rong: ...?
"Yuan Huaimin, Yuan Huaimin, hey! I know you're not asleep, why did you turn back halfway? Open the door, open the door quickly."
"I'm asleep." The person inside the room turned over.
Ouyang Rong said sternly, "If you don't open it, I'm going in."
“I was really asleep, but I was woken up by this noise… If you leave now, I can fall asleep right away…”
Before Yuan Huaimin could finish his complaints, they heard a loud "bang" as the courtyard gate was kicked open from the outside.
He was trying to fall asleep with his eyes closed when his eyelids twitched.
"Huh, the door wasn't locked. Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Ouyang Rong nodded in satisfaction, entered the courtyard, put down the zither case, and wandered around for a while.
Instead of going into the locked master bedroom, he went to the kitchen.
Yuan Huaimin buried his head in the quilt and covered his ears, but the clattering and crashing of pots and pans outside was incessant.
Unable to bear it any longer, I rolled out of bed, walked barefoot to the room, and opened the door.
"What does Brother Lianghan want to do?" he asked with a mournful expression.
"I'll borrow the kitchen to make some snacks to go with the drinks. It's fine, you go to sleep, we won't bother each other, just pretend I'm not here..."
"Hey, your yard is nice. It even has its own kitchen. The old yard I lived in was too small. Even the rats couldn't fit in there, and I had to mooch vegetarian meals from them."
"As expected of the Prefect of Jiangzhou, the new accommodation is quite nice. But now that Brother Huaimin has become successful, has he forgotten his old friend?"
"This time they just wouldn't open the door. Next time I come, I wonder if two burly men will open it and just grab me and throw me into the lake..."
Ouyang Rong rolled up his sleeves, lit the stove, and shook his head with a sigh.
Yuan Huaimin's eyelids twitched as he listened, and he said helplessly:
"Brother Lianghan, you're joking. How am I supposed to sleep with all this noise?"
"That means you're not tired enough. So Brother Huaimin is also a night owl and hasn't slept yet. Come on, let's go enjoy the fireworks and drink tonight. We won't leave until we're drunk."
Ouyang Rong carried two jugs of yellow wine out of the kitchen and greeted him with a smile.
Yuan Huaimin shook his head helplessly, then nodded.
"The yard isn't very tidy, so it's not very convenient," he said apologetically.
"It's alright, we don't need it. Let's go out for a walk."
Where should we go shopping?
"Xingzi Lake, isn't there a pavilion in the middle of the lake? Let's go."
"Okay, I'll... change my clothes."
Yuan Huaimin turned around to rummage through his clothes, but Ouyang Rong followed him inside in a flash.
"Brother Lianghan, what are you doing here? I don't have anything good in my master bedroom... really, nothing."
"Do you think I'm like you, someone who likes to take other people's things? Come in and put your violin case away."
"Brother Lianghan, if you're not going to play, why bring your instrument?" He was speechless.
“I’m happy to play, but I don’t want to. Is that not allowed? You can choose not to play the zither, but you must bring it with you. That’s called the demeanor of a gentleman. Brother Huaimin, when you’re out in the world, your identity is something you give yourself.”
"..."
Yuan Huaimin changed into a scholar's robe and exclaimed with emotion, "The position of Jiangzhou Sima is truly magical. Brother Lianghan has changed so much in just one term. Luckily, I was dismissed early. It's not that I was lazy, but being the Jiangzhou Sima was tough."
Ouyang Rong ignored him, put down the zither case, and looked around.
Do you have any hairpins?
What are you going to do?
"Use it."
Ouyang Rong spoke succinctly, opened his wardrobe, took out an ordinary jade hairpin, moved to the bronze mirror, took out the icy white jade hairpin from his head, and instead inserted this ordinary jade hairpin.
Yuan Huaimin darted forward and reached out to grab the icy white jade hairpin that Ouyang Rong had taken off.
"Alright, alright, use it as you like. I'll give it to Brother Lianghan. Oh, Brother Lianghan, you're so kind of you to give me such a nice one as a return gift..."
In the next instant, he grabbed at nothing.
Ouyang Rong simply flipped his hand and put away the icy white jade hairpin, glancing at him:
"Brother Huaimin, you're dreaming."
"If it's not for me, then why did you change it?"
"The clanging and banging was just because it was noisy, I didn't say it was for you. Take it! Don't touch it." Ouyang Rong pointed warily at Yuan Huaimin's outstretched hand.
“It’s not a gift, it’s a loan,” Yuan Huaimin emphasized.
"Borrowing is just lying to your friends."
"..."
The two bickered back and forth the whole time, and after getting ready, they went out together.
Not far from the courtyard gate, the coachman Ali jumped off the carriage, took the wine jug and snacks from their hands, and obediently followed behind Ouyang Rong and Yuan Huaimin.
The three of them went to the pavilion in the middle of Xingzi Lake to drink and watch the fireworks.
...
Beitian Salon.
A group of injured, disabled, elderly, and children gazed at the distant fireworks.
In the southwest corner of the courtyard, the slender girl still sat with her knees drawn up, facing the lake, seemingly lost in thought as she gazed at the dark water.
At one point, Xingzifang, which had been quietly watching the fireworks displays of the neighboring neighborhoods, finally got its own fireworks display.
It's unclear which wealthy family in Xingzifang set off this firework.
It is not far from Xingzi Lake and Chengtian Temple. With a "whoosh!", it exploded in the gloomy gray sky.
Colorful sparks were scattered everywhere.
The light that burst forth in that instant briefly illuminated a small part of Xingzifang.
It also includes the pitiful figures inside the Beitianji Temple of Chengtian Temple.
The fleeting light of the fireworks finally illuminated the face of the slender girl in the southwest corner, even if only for a moment.
Tonight, she neither watches fireworks nor uses lanterns; her eyes are covered by a sky-blue ribbon that goes around the back of her head.
Judging by the color, it was the same ribbon that Ouyang Rong had seen at A Qing's doorstep, though at the time, he had only seen it from behind...
The slender girl with her eyes covered by ribbons had an unnaturally pale face. Without the embellishment of her eyes, which were as clear as autumn water, her expression appeared somewhat blank.
Zhao Qingxiu remained motionless, facing the lake, where the fireworks in the distant sky were reflected.
Her face was as calm and still as the dark lake, without the slightest ripple.
Because there are things more important than fireworks.
Zhao Qingxiu's slender fingers were clutching a small seal inside her sleeve.
It is the Crimson Lotus Sword Seal.
It can capture the sword energy of that cauldron sword.
Right now, as Zhao Qingxiu approached the lake, the sword mark in her sleeve became quite hot.
She knew what the "star" that fell into Xingzi Lake that day was.
【Craftsmanship】.
The old swordsmith revealed his real name in a secret letter.
Zhao Qingxiu took a deep breath.
That day, the operation was exposed. The eldest senior sister was not there, so the second senior sister and the people of Tiannan Jianghu fought against the enemies of the Imperial Observatory and Xuanwu Camp in advance.
She did not reveal herself, but instead used her airtight body to advance, preparing to take the Buddha's head directly.
This was the true purpose of the operation, and she was the final link in the original plan.
However, the original plan was safer, it's a pity the senior sister wasn't there, otherwise the ritual could have been performed even better...
In the end, Zhao Qingxiu, who had infiltrated the Xingzifang construction site, never expected that someone would make a move before her.
Moreover, it was a thunderous strike.
Just by listening to the sound, Zhao Qingxiu knew how spectacular that sword strike was.
It is the swordsman!
Near the Xingzi Lake construction site, there was a swordsman who, just like her, hid and destroyed the Donglin Buddha a step ahead of her.
Zhao Qingxiu was certain that this was definitely not her senior sister's arrangement, because the Queen's Palace had not had a hidden ruler for a long time.
However, the sword used by this swordsman was the "crafted" sword that the old swordsmith of the Longcheng Ancient Yue Sword Shop originally intended to return to Yunmeng Sword Marsh, and it was also the original glimmer of hope for the birth of a new hidden lord in Yunmeng Sword Marsh.
That's why the Crimson Lotus Sword Seal reacted in this way.
And for some unknown reason, after the swordsman finished his strike, he threw the [Craftsmanship] into Star Lake.
They were in a hurry to leave and, fearing the cauldron and sword would become a burden, temporarily abandoned them in the lake.
Or... the swordsman is already dead, killed by the female officials of the Imperial Observatory?
Regardless, she was the only one there at the moment, and by using the Crimson Lotus Sword Seal, she discovered the Cauldron Sword in the lake.
The female officials of the Imperial Observatory did not notice this; otherwise, they would have drained the lake a few days ago.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have retreated so easily.
Zhao Qingxiu turned her head slightly, seemingly facing the Xingzi Lake construction site on the opposite bank.
Zhao Qingxiu stayed at the Beitian Nursing Home for another reason: the deputy director of the Imperial Observatory had been staying at the Xingzi Lake construction site, guarding the Buddha statue and a mourning hall.
The female officials of the Imperial Observatory investigated very thoroughly, and the Beitian Charity Home was also searched, but they did not suspect her.
Just then, a young novice monk peeked out from the entrance of the Beitian Charity Home.
A monk on night watch in the courtyard saw this, went over, listened to the young novice's words for a while, then turned around and came to Zhao Qingxiu, calling out to her.
"It's for you."
Zhao Qingxiu stood up and walked over.
Blindfolded with ribbons and without anyone's support, her steps were unusually steady, just like when she cheerfully told her senior sisters... It's okay, she can see even more clearly now.
The young novice asked in a low voice, "Aren't you... going back to find your 'family'?"
The slender girl, her eyes blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon, shook her head.
"I heard that the officials on the other side have all left," the young novice monk reminded him.
Zhao Qingxiu nodded.
The young novice monk and his old monk master had some connection with Yunmeng Sword Marsh... This time, in addition to being able to conceal her strength and avoid the sound of the zither, Zhao Qingxiu also benefited from the identity they arranged for her at the Beitian Aid Home.
"Ah," she uttered.
This sounded like a thank you, spoken in a soft and weak tone.
However, the young novice knew that the beautiful young girl in front of him was very independent and strong. During her time at the Beitian Aid Home, she hardly ever troubled him. He even heard from the monks that she often helped take care of some elderly and young people in the home who were unable to take care of themselves.
Looking at the pitiful, slender girl in front of him, the young novice hesitated to speak.
"Did you see it? Never mind, you couldn't see it. The government has issued a warrant for the arrest of your 'family'..."
Just then, Zhao Qingxiu suddenly turned around and looked towards Xingzi Lake.
"W-what's wrong?" The young novice was taken aback.
Zhao Qingxiu took out a small seal from her sleeve. It was burning hot and faintly glowed red.
She looked up and glanced at Xingzi Lake.
A short while later.
"Hey, where are you going? You...you can't see, how come you're running faster than me..."
At the entrance of the Beitian Aid Home, only the helpless cries of a young novice monk remained.
...
Xingzi Lake, the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
A small boat is moored beside the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
Two figures were brewing wine and enjoying the lake view.
However, one of the figures was somewhat reluctant, but was still pulled into drinking by another figure.
Ali, the coachman, remained silent as he took a small stove and other items from the boat and entered the pavilion, where he devoted himself to brewing wine.
Silently listening to his young master pat his chest and assure Mr. Yuan in front of him that he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.
A short while later, still flushed with wine and with a sense of exhilaration, he was quite bold and outgoing.
Fireworks for the Lantern Festival occasionally burst into bloom in the night sky.
Yuan Huaimin didn't dislike drinking, but his only complaint was why he had to stay up all night drinking during a holiday. He wished it were a weekday, so that he could have an excuse to ask for leave the next day after being dragged into a hangover by Governor Ouyang.
Now, during the Lantern Festival holiday, he got drunk, which would be a waste of precious holiday time.
Ouyang Rong had no idea about Yuan Huaimin's shrewd calculations. He raised his glass and silently pondered for a while.
He frowned slightly at one point.
No, the location of this pavilion in the middle of the lake is still quite a distance from the "craftsmanship" at the bottom of the lake.
Unable to communicate with the sword, infuse it with spiritual energy, and ride it ashore.
This was something Ouyang Rong hadn't expected.
Throwing something into the lake might feel good for a moment, but it'll be a hassle when you have to retrieve it.
Ouyang Rong sighed.
Fortunately, they didn't try to catch the moon while Deputy Supervisor Song and the others were still around, otherwise they would have been even more helpless.
Hearing the noise beside him, he muttered something almost imperceptibly.
"The sword wielder's lifeline is like this: the sword itself only needs to lie motionless at the bottom of the lake, but the sword wielder has many more things to consider. They have to secretly keep watch, find a good spot to retrieve it, and if it's too far away, they have to go in personally..."
"What is Brother Lianghan saying?" Yuan Huaimin asked, puzzled.
"No, I didn't say anything."
Ouyang Rong waved his hand.
Yuan Huaimin didn't pay any attention.
Before long, the two men in the pavilion were drinking heartily.
One of the figures, who claimed to be able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, picked up his wine glass, stood up, and walked to the railing, as if inviting the lake's reflection to drink together.
Yuan Huaimin's face was as red as a ripe fruit. He shook his drunken head, leaned on the table, and turned to invite him:
"Come here, Lianghan...wait, where is he?"
Yuan Huaimin rubbed his drunken eyes. One second he saw his friend standing by the railing, the next he was gone. Instead, a three-foot-high wave of water rose outside the railing, and he seemed to hear a "plop" sound.
"master!"
Before Yuan Huaimin could even turn his head, Ali had already jumped into the lake to rescue him.
Yuan Huaimin muttered blankly, "Is this all there is to being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk?"
After saying that, he tilted his head back, opened his mouth wide, and poured the warm, turbid wine down his throat.
"This Brother Lianghan is really lame..."
After a loud burp reeking of alcohol, Yuan Huaimin collapsed, head tilted to the side, drunk.
At this moment, someone is drunk inside the pavilion, and someone has fallen into the lake outside.
The night sky overhead is moonless tonight.
But in the lake, a moon quietly rises...
(End of this chapter)
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