Chapter 569 Ouyang Rong: Embroiderer, I won't take advantage of you for free! [Seeking monthly votes!]
The scene before my eyes looked just like an innocent girl being tricked into going home by her scoundrel brother with a candied hawthorn.
In Yuan Huaimin's eyes, this is pretty much the same as the one that creates a sense of déjà vu.
"Brother Lianghan, where did you pick up this poor little girl so early in the morning?"
Yuan Huaimin walked out of the study, sporting dark circles under his eyes, and asked in surprise.
Ouyang Rong ignored him, took a soft hand in his, and strode forward, passing in front of Yuan Huaimin.
Zhao Qingxiu followed him blankly.
She remained quiet throughout the journey.
Clutching a long, narrow cloth bag, she held onto a white jade hairpin tightly in one hand, while her other hand was being led by Ouyang Rong.
It made a clear and melodious "tinkling" sound all the way.
It's just like those little toys that lure and coax abducted little girls so they won't cry or make a fuss.
When Yuan Huaimin saw the ice-white jade hairpin he had been longing for in the hands of the rather strange girl blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon, his eye twitched slightly, and he quickly followed her:
“Brother Lianghan, didn’t you say that this is your mother’s heirloom, a family heirloom hairpin, and that you don’t give it away easily?”
Ouyang Rong approached the carriage, and the coachman Ali jumped off. Ouyang Rong whispered a few instructions to him.
Ali glanced at the girl with the sky-blue ribbon blindfold that his young master had inexplicably brought back, asked no further questions, turned and left to find Yan Liulang.
"Brother Huaimin, are you very familiar with the abbot of Chengtian Temple?"
Ouyang Rong turned around and asked, interrupting Yuan Huaimin's grumbling and dissatisfaction behind him.
"We're quite familiar, what do you want...?"
"Take me there. I need to ask you to do something. I need to get some paperwork done at the Beitian Nursing Home. I want to take someone with me."
Yuan Huaimin's expression changed slightly, and he said righteously:
“Brother Lianghan, this is wrong, at least it shouldn’t be done. She’s already so pitiful…”
"So we need to take her out and take good care of her so she can't be hurt again. I'm worried about leaving her in the yard."
"But the way you picked people up..."
Yuan Huaimin's gaze fell on the two people's clasped hands, and his expression grew increasingly suspicious.
Ouyang Rong remained expressionless and calmly spoke:
"She couldn't see the road clearly, so it's not unusual for me to help her."
He held the mute girl's soft hand tightly under his sleeve, refusing to let go.
"Besides, what are you thinking, Brother Huaimin? I am an old friend of this girl with a pitiful background."
As Ouyang Rong spoke, the girl with the sky-blue ribbon blindfold who had been "forced to follow" behind him, who had been silent, turned her head and faced him with her blindfolded face... Zhao Qingxiu seemed to be thinking something as well.
Yuan Huaimin asked curiously, "An old friend?"
"Yes, I've seen you before."
Ouyang Rong nodded.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Huaimin stepped forward, stepped over him, and said to Zhao Qingxiu with a righteous and imposing expression:
“Young lady, please rest assured and tell me whether Brother Lianghan coerced you or not… Oh, here are witnesses and physical evidence.”
As he spoke, he reached out for the icy white jade hairpin in Zhao Qingxiu's hand, but he missed. Before his friend behind him could react, he tried again, but missed again.
The girl in front of me, blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon, was clearly looking down, but I just couldn't grasp what her seemingly frail hands were clutching, even though she was holding a long, narrow cloth bag in her arms, which made her movements quite restricted.
The girl, blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon, seemed to belatedly raise her head. Chao Yuan Huaimin tilted his small face slightly, his eyes, covered by the ribbon, "looking" at him with an innocent and puzzled expression.
Yuan Huaimin: ...
Ouyang Rong's lips twitched, and he brushed Yuan Huaimin aside: "Stop fooling around, lead the way."
The latter stared blankly at his palm, rubbed his face, and muttered, "Hmm, looks like I really drank too much last night, I'm still a bit sluggish..."
A short while later, led by Yuan Huaimin, the three of them went to the main hall of Chengtian Temple to find the abbot.
Ouyang Rong's mind was actually focused on Zhao Qingxiu behind him, who seemed to have calmed down and gone with the flow. However, he remained calm on the surface, glanced at Yuan Huaimin's dark circles, and asked:
"You had a hangover last night, why are you up so early? Have you really changed your ways?"
"Don't even mention it, it makes me angry just thinking about it."
Yuan Huaimin's face darkened:
"I forgot that today was the Lantern Festival holiday. I woke up early this morning and saw the sunlight by the window. I thought I had overslept and was late, especially since you weren't here. I thought Brother Lianghan had secretly left me again and gone to work by himself. I was so scared that I ran to the Jiangzhou Hall without even washing my face. It turned out that I was the only one there to go on duty. It's really infuriating... I had to do my roll call for nothing."
He pounded his chest and stamped his feet.
Ouyang Rong sighed, "This must be a passion. Like the Jiangzhou Sima, the Jiangzhou Chief Clerk is quite inspiring to you."
Yuan Huaimin: ...?
Zhao Qingxiu followed behind Ouyang Rong without making a sound, silently listening to her lord and his colleagues' daily life, and at one point tilted her head slightly.
...
The midday sun shone on the plaque of the Beitian Jiyangyuan (a type of orphanage) inside Chengtian Temple.
After seeing off the monks, including the abbot of Chengtian Temple, who had tried to ingratiate themselves with him, and after chasing away Yuan Huaimin, Ouyang Rong turned around and glanced at Zhao Qingxiu, whose small hand he had been holding the whole time.
He had just discussed adoption and care with the abbot of Chengtian Temple. She remained quiet and silent throughout, without any objection.
Although Ouyang Rong is the acting governor of Jiangzhou, he is currently recognized as the top official in Jiangzhou, wielding immense power.
However, at this moment, adopting a poor blind and mute girl from a small foster home in Chengtian Temple was still done step by step according to procedure, without overstepping any boundaries.
Once the procedures for leaving the temple were completed, all that was left was for the embroiderer to pack her luggage and depart.
The two had been holding hands all morning, and their hands were covered in sticky sweat.
Ouyang Rong casually released her hand, took out a handkerchief, and handed it to her to wipe herself. Then, he reached out to ask for it:
"Give it to me."
"ah."
"Give me the hairpin. Thank you for helping me for so long... Why do you look so reluctant? Here's what we'll do: you go inside and pack your things first. We can talk about the hairpin later. I can tell you like it, but it's my mother's keepsake and I can't give it away so easily."
He made up an excuse in a very serious manner.
Zhao Qingxiu weakly replied, "Ah."
"What? You're asking me how to give something as a gift? Hmm, that's a tough question for me. Let me think about it."
The embroiderer opened her mouth and nodded, tilting her head back to gaze longingly at the icy white jade hairpin above.
Ouyang Rong's eyes darted around, and he spoke seriously:
"This is a memento from my mother, so it cannot be taken lightly. If it is to be given away, it can only be given to someone worthy of it, a woman as good as my mother. That would be its proper home."
To everyone's surprise, Zhao Qingxiu looked dejected and lowered her head, letting out a frustrated sound: "Ah, oh."
For some reason, Ouyang Rong understood instantly, and a smirk appeared on his lips:
"What? You're saying you're not as good as my mother, that you're not worthy? What are you saying..."
He shook his head helplessly, softening his tone slightly:
"You don't have to be exactly like my mother, just a little bit like her, like cooking a meal, right? Embroidery Girl, it's like this, this time I'm taking you out to improve your living conditions, but I can't just support you for free, I guess you'd be too embarrassed to take advantage of me, right?"
"Speaking of which, my mother is a pretty good cook... You could cook a meal, it's no problem, you can learn even if you don't know how, and help improve my meals. If you like it, I'll give you this hairpin as a keepsake another day,"
Zhao Qingxiu's small face froze for a moment, then she nodded immediately, but after a short while, she shook her head.
"Um, is there any inconvenience in shaking your head?"
Zhao Qingxiu shook her head anxiously.
Before Ouyang Rong could speak, she grabbed his hand and wrote a few words in his palm. Ouyang Rong felt the coolness of her slender fingertips.
He asked curiously, "You mean, there are too many people in your family, and you're scared? Well, that makes sense. Cooking for such a large family is definitely a waste of your time."
Zhao Qingxiu nodded at the first part, but when she heard the last part, she quickly shook her head and hurriedly explained.
Ouyang Rong suppressed his lip, not giving her time to explain, and nodded, saying:
"So you agree? You can do it all by yourself? Okay, here's what we'll do. I'll arrange a separate courtyard for you to live in. Just tell me if you need anything, and I'll come over often and cook for you."
"Ah ah."
Zhao Qingxiu nodded with some delight, grabbed Ouyang Rong's hand, and shook it.
Ouyang Rong smiled, and the two discussed the reward of the ice-white jade hairpin.
"You mean I have to put this hairpin in your hair for you?" He asked curiously upon learning this condition.
Zhao Qingxiu lowered her head and whispered "Ah." Ouyang Rong thought for a moment and nodded.
"Can."
The matter has been finalized.
However, after discussing so much, there was one thing that no one questioned: whether the blind woman could cook.
Zhao Qingxiu did not question it because, as an experienced cook, she was very confident.
Ouyang Rong, however, seemed not to have considered this point and overlooked it.
A moment later, Zhao Qingxiu walked lightly into the Beitian Nursing Home and began packing her luggage.
Ouyang Rong smiled, watching her happy figure disappear into the distance. Then, his smile faded, and he glanced down at the icy white jade hairpin, muttering, "Does she like it that much...?"
At this moment, Yan Liulang arrived, glanced at the long, narrow cloth bundle the girl was carrying in the distance, and whispered:
"Sir, this looks like a murder weapon. Should we investigate further and find out who sent her to the Beitian Nursing Home? If there's a problem, we can eradicate them completely..."
Ouyang Rong suddenly said, "No need, Sixth Brother. Don't investigate her matter anymore, and don't mention it to anyone, not even your aunt and junior sister... Oh, and the Censorate."
He spoke seriously.
"Uh, yes, Your Excellency."
Yan Liulang nodded blankly, then frowned and muttered to himself:
"Is Master Ming afraid that Miss Xie will find out? Master Ming, Miss Xie is sometimes doing it for your own good... As for Lady Rong, what right does she have to be so strict with Master Ming..."
Ouyang Rong was silent for a moment, glanced at Yan Liulang who was very close to his junior sister, pursed his lips, and said softly:
"Sixth Brother, do you still remember when I was rescuing Di Gongzha in Longcheng and accidentally fell into the water, did that female knight in Wu clothing pass by on the way? The one who saved me once?"
“Of course I remember… the woman in Wu clothing, wait a minute.” Yan Liulang immediately realized and blurted out, “Does Your Excellency mean that she is that Yue woman…”
He uttered the last two words, then instinctively stopped, worried for Ouyang Rong:
"Did you encounter her this time out of gratitude...? It seems you're putting yourself in danger. I don't know why her companions spared her. Also, her sect is now opposing our government and trying to destroy the Donglin Buddha. As the chief official in charge of the Donglin Buddha, what if you are harmed by her or her sect..."
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "Just don't tell anyone, I'll take care of everything else."
"Yes, Your Excellency. Your Excellency's gratitude is truly admirable." Yan Liulang nodded earnestly. This time, everyone worked together to help and offer advice: "There might be some loopholes in her admission procedures, as well as her identity in Xunyang City. I will go and check and fill in the gaps."
"Okay. By the way, have you called them over?" Ouyang Rong turned and asked.
"Okay, I'll wait outside."
"Tell her to wait a moment."
Ouyang Rong reinserted the white jade hairpin into her hair ornament, turned around, and continued to wait.
"yes."
Yan Liulang withdrew.
Before long, Ouyang Rong met Zhao Qingxiu in front of the Beitian Aid Home. They boarded a carriage together and drove out of Chengtian Temple.
A luxurious carriage followed obediently behind Ouyang Rong's chariot.
Ouyang Rong did not go to see Pei Shisan Niang for the time being.
Inside the carriage, Ouyang Rong and Zhao Qingxiu sat facing each other.
Zhao Qingxiu was quiet and still.
Ouyang Rong silently observed her, pretending not to see the long, narrow cloth bag she was carrying, and showing no curiosity about its contents.
Zhao Qingxiu suddenly grabbed Ouyang Rong's hand and lowered her head to write.
Ouyang Rong closed his eyes and felt the characters on his palm.
Zhao Qingxiu: Could we stay by Xingzi Lake, not too far away?
He opened his eyes and asked, "Are you afraid of the outside?"
Zhao Qingxiu simply wrote: "When I leave one day, without saying goodbye, don't worry, continue on your journey."
Ouyang Rong suppressed his emotions and spoke in a teasing tone:
"Did you leave without saying goodbye like you did at Donglin Temple a few times before? Did your family come back to pick you up? Why is it like you have an enemy, and you keep having to change places?"
Zhao Qingxiu turned his head away and did not respond. He reached out and stroked the interior decoration of the carriage he often rode in, seemingly very interested.
The carriage traveled for a while, moving further and further away from Chengtian Temple, and Ouyang Rong frowned slightly.
After a busy morning, I found the embroiderer and had a great harvest, but it feels like I've forgotten something.
Strange, what could it be?
Ouyang Rong frowned...
Meanwhile, in an empty hall of Chengtian Temple, a sword case lay silently among the piles of debris behind the Buddha statue.
【Craftsmanship】： ? ? ?
...
In the afternoon, after temporarily settling the embroiderers, Ouyang Rong finally remembered what was missing.
Feeling guilty, he returned and retrieved the "craftsmanship" possessed by the resentful woman.
Someone almost forgot the main purpose of their trip to Xingzi Lake to try and catch the moon.
A moment later, in a dark alley, Ouyang Rong bent down and climbed into the private compartment of a luxurious carriage.
Inside the carriage, a beautiful woman who had been waiting for a long time was kneeling beside a small tea table, carefully brewing tea.
Seeing Ouyang Rong walk in, her face lit up with surprise and delight. She immediately put down her teacup, lay face down on the carpet, her shapely figure revealing an exaggerated curve, and buried her head in her mouth, biting her lip.
"master……"
"Let's finish this."
Pei Shisan Niang was taken aback, and immediately crawled forward to deal with the cup of tea that hadn't yet absorbed the flavor.
"I mean, you should calm down."
Pei Shisanniang:...
Ouyang Rong waved his hand and casually gave the order:
"Please help me rent a courtyard house by Xingzi Lake, the more secluded and quiet the better."
"Yes, young master. May I ask if this is where you reside? Actually, you could stay at my humble abode, which is not far from Xingzi Lake..."
Ouyang Rong glanced at Pei Shisan Niang, who immediately knelt down again at his feet, her face pressed against his boots, and said:
"I shouldn't have asked, please don't be offended, sir."
"How much?" Ouyang Rong reached into his pocket and asked gently.
"What belongs to you is mine, young master. How could I dare to take your money?" she said earnestly.
"That would be like getting something for free, no way, I can't do that."
As Ouyang Rong spoke, he calmly withdrew his hand from his already empty arms.
Actually, the Huaiye Lane mansion is rich, the junior sister is rich, and the Xunyang Prince's Mansion is even richer, but we can't ask them for money, otherwise the embroiderer's affair will eventually be exposed.
Judging from the embroiderer's reaction this afternoon, she was probably afraid of seeing the women in Huaiye Lane, especially her aunt, who knew her... She might scare her away if they met, and she wouldn't even be able to keep her mother's icy white jade hairpin.
"But talking about money is indeed vulgar. I won't take advantage of you for free. Tomorrow, bring me the account books of your Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce, including the land deeds for all the land you purchased in Xingzifang... I'll take a look and offer some humble opinions. You can take them as a reference. Consider the consultation fee as rent."
"Thank you, young master!"
In an instant, Pei Shisan Niang's face lit up with joy.
(End of this chapter)
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