Chapter 573 Rong Zhen: Miss Xie, take a good look, this is how you use a "tanlang" (a type of male prostitute). [Seeking monthly votes]
[Merit: 1,910]...
[Merit: 1908]...
[Merit: 1906]...
Back when Ouyang Rong secretly used his junior sister and Lady Rong as punching bags and experience boosters to happily farm merit points...
I never imagined that this day would come with such a backlash.
So the two kings can't see each other, right?
When two merit experience packs collide, does a positive result equal a negative result?
Dude, a little loss of merit is fine, but a huge loss means you're going to have to give back all the merit you secretly earned before?
And damn it, it drops in even double quantities, enough for two people, so simple and straightforward.
Even Buddha liked to watch... and care about this?
We can't just sit here and wait to die.
At the entrance to the hall, Ouyang Rong secretly tried to pull his arms out, but felt as if they were clamped and he couldn't move them. He frowned and spoke:
"Lady Rong, Junior Sister, is there some misunderstanding...?"
"Shut up!"
"Senior Brother, don't interrupt!"
As if on cue, Rong Zhen and Xie Lingjiang simultaneously turned their heads to interrupt.
[Merit: 1906]...[1902]...[1898]...
Ouyang Rong: ...?
Seeing that he was speechless, the two women turned around and looked at each other.
Rong Zhen said coldly, "It seems that Miss Xie has something she wants to talk to me about?"
Xie Lingjiang tilted her head slightly: "There's nothing to talk about with you."
Rongzhen nodded: "Yes, there's nothing to talk about."
Xie Lingjiang raised her chin: "I'm too lazy to talk to you."
What do you want to talk about?
You know what we're going to talk about.
How would I know what you want to talk about?
"Didn't you talk to me first?"
“Okay, let’s talk,” Rong Zhen said loudly, raising her head high.
"Let's talk!" Xie Lingjiang drawled out, her tone unwavering.
However, the two who had clearly said they wanted to "talk" ended up staring at each other with unwavering eyes, but neither of them actually said anything to talk.
The air at the entrance to the hall fell silent once again.
At this moment, Xie Xue'e stepped forward.
She glanced at Xie Lingjiang and Rong Zhen's bloodless fingers, which were tightly gripping Ouyang Rong's sleeve, and nodded in reprimand:
"Wanwan, this is a lady-in-waiting from the palace. How can you speak like that? You must not be impolite."
As she spoke, Xie Xue'e raised her hand and covered Xie Lingjiang's clenched fist, pulling her hand down.
With one arm freed, Ouyang Rong breathed a sigh of relief and gave her aunt a grateful look.
Unfortunately, Xie Xue'e didn't even glance at him. Her gaze passed over Ouyang Rong's shoulder and landed on the silent Rong Zhen, where she smiled and said:
"Please forgive her, Lady Historian. Wanwan is just that competitive. If I have said anything too harsh, please forgive me. I am speaking to her myself. Hey, etiquette is essential; it is the tradition of the Xie family."
After saying that, she took Xie Lingjiang's hand and said earnestly:
"Why did you speak so harshly just now, Wanwan? Really, Lady Historian, you came here tonight not for official business, but for private matters, right? As His Majesty's personal envoy, Lady Historian represents His Majesty's authority. How could you possibly use public resources for private purposes?"
"And coming so late must be because of an emergency, otherwise why would we disturb the Lantern Festival?"
"The Lady Historian is certainly not the kind of selfish and rude person who disturbs the people's livelihood. Besides, who says that a Lady Historian who lives a simple life in the palace can't wear a new dress on the Lantern Festival? Why do you care about that?"
"Perhaps the Lady Historian had just changed into a new dress after the Lantern Festival and then had to rush here because of an emergency. What else could it be? Would the Lady Historian be capable of such girlish scheming? Hey, next time, Wanwan, you mustn't be so impulsive and speak without thinking."
The noblewoman, with a smile and understanding demeanor, offered advice in public.
Xie Lingjiang's pretty face was tense, and she pouted without saying a word.
Rong Zhen loosened her grip on Ouyang Rong's forearm, and her hand slipped from her sleeve. She silently turned her head and looked directly at Xie Xue'e, who had "spoken for her." Her hand under her sleeve gradually clenched into a fist.
"Truly worthy of being her aunt." The girl in palace attire suddenly said, her clear eyes staring coldly at her.
"Oh dear, is Lady Historian angry?" Xie Xue'e covered her mouth in surprise with her jade hand.
But in the next instant, Xie Xue'e found herself unable to move. The eyes of the female historian of the Yin-Yang School in front of her were as deep and alluring as an abyss, with a faint red tinge at the depths of her eyes.
"How dare you!" Xie Lingjiang's eyebrows shot up. She took a step forward, her figure flashing before her aunt. A clear, Confucian rebuke rang in Xie Xue'e's ears. She immediately exhaled a long breath of orchid-scented air. The newly awakened noblewoman, adorned with hairpins, was well-versed in worldly affairs and naturally knew what she had discovered. A hint of anger appeared on her beautiful face. "You..."
Just then, a serious and solemn voice rang out, "Alright, E'niang, Wanwan, sit down." This instantly dispelled the tense atmosphere at the doorway.
Xie Xun spoke. He stepped forward, first glancing at his beloved disciple's embarrassed appearance, then turning his gaze to the three women facing off. He sighed and sincerely addressed Rong:
"Ms. Rongzhen, you are a guest of honor. Please sit down and have some tea. I have often heard Lianghan mention you in his letters. He said that Ms. Rongzhen helped him a lot in Xunyang City and he is very grateful to you."
Rong Zhen's beautiful fox-like face remained expressionless, and she didn't say a word. Her only movement was to put her hands, which were originally hanging down, behind her back and turn her head to look at the night view of the garden outside the hall.
Xie Xun turned his head and sighed at Ouyang Rong:
“Lianghan, Wanwan mentioned in her letter that you were very busy, but I didn’t quite understand at the time. Now I realize that even the Lantern Festival has so many things to do.”
"Teacher, I have been negligent tonight..."
"It's nothing, no problem."
Xie Xun interrupted Ouyang Rong, stroked his long beard, and continued speaking in a loud voice:
"Ms. Rongzhen, how about this?"
"I rushed to Longcheng today and will be leaving in a day or two. I won't be staying for long."
"But the affairs of the court cannot be delayed. As the chief official, Lianghan is entrusted with the imperial mission. It is his duty to work hard, and we should share in his honor. How can we hold him back?"
"How about this? I see that the matter at Xunyang Grottoes is only being requested by Lady Rongzhen, and Vice Director Song is not present. It seems that it is not in a great hurry. Lianghan, you should go there with Lady Rongzhen first and see if we can resolve it sooner, or see if we can put it aside for the time being after it is dealt with."
"Then, Lady Rongzhen suggested that Lianghan come back early so that he could have a bowl of dried glutinous rice balls with me, so that we, master and disciple, could be reunited tonight. Hmm, these dried glutinous rice balls were also made by Wanwan with E'niang in the kitchen. She spent the whole afternoon making them, and Lianghan and I still want to have a bite tonight."
Gan Yuan is similar to the Tang Yuan of Ouyang Rong's previous life, but in this era, it is also known as "Tang Zhong Lao Wan" or "You Hua Ming Zhu".
The name Gan Yuan symbolizes the hope that the Great Gan Dynasty would be peaceful and prosperous, and that its people would be reunited and happy.
After listening, Rong Zhen frowned slightly and remained silent for a moment.
“Father, there’s no need to be so polite with her… And these dried glutinous rice balls are for you. Whether Senior Brother eats them or not is up to him. Let’s not make things difficult for him…”
Xie Lingjiang stepped forward, but was stopped by Xie Xun's gaze.
Ouyang Rong immediately nodded:
"No, I love dried glutinous rice balls, I have to eat a bowl with the teacher!"
Then he turned his head and said to Rongzhen with a serious expression:
"Ms. Rong, let's go quickly. After we finish our business, I need to come back to visit my teacher. It's been so long since we last met, and I miss him terribly."
Rongzhen pursed her pink lips into a thin line, looked at him for a while, then turned and left without saying anything more.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ouyang Rong strode to Xie Lingjiang's side, grasped her hand, and quickly whispered in her ear:
"If you like sweet things, junior sister, prepare some sugar syrup. It's best to dip dried glutinous rice balls in it. I'll teach you how to make it when I get back. Oh, and put this away carefully..."
Xie Ling glanced at her senior brother.
Ouyang Rong quickly pulled a small inkstick from his sleeve and stuffed it into Xie Lingjiang's hand.
It is the original ink stick of a certain little ink spirit.
Little Mo Jing almost died laughing when she heard the two girls arguing and someone getting the short end of the stick.
However, Miao Si was ultimately a coward. With the Fairy with the debt outside, she didn't dare to be too presumptuous and quietly transformed back into her original form.
Ouyang Rong chuckled and went out, with Pei Shisan Niang obediently following behind.
Xie Xue'e stood beside Xie Lingjiang, taking in the little squabbles between the two younger women.
Turning her head to glance at her composed, stroking-bearded elder brother, she suddenly glanced sideways at Wang Caozhi, whose face had turned red from holding back his anger the entire time, and said calmly:
"You go too. You'll be part of the Xunyang Grottoes tour. Accompany Lianghan and help our Lady Historian with some matters."
Yes, yes.
Wang Caozhi understood immediately.
He scurried out the door, followed by Ouyang Rong and the others, their figures disappearing into the distance.
Only Xie Xun, Xie Lingjiang, and Xie Xue'e remained in the hall.
Xie Xun and Xie Xue'e exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with helplessness.
Xie Lingjiang stood alone, her eyes lowered, and after a moment, murmured:
"Why didn't you discuss that reward with your daughter last time, Father?"
A seemingly random sentence caused Xie Xun's expression to change slightly.
The old father could not answer, and the noblewoman Xie's head, which had been buried deep in her chest without her noticing, was now bowed.
Feeling guilty, Xie Xun turned his head and coughed twice.
Xie Xue'e stepped forward and gently patted her beloved niece's round shoulder, whose brows were furrowed with worry.
"Why is Wanwan getting angry with a palace maid? It's precisely at times like these that you should be more magnanimous."
"Auntie, she was the one who gave me the cold shoulder first and deliberately came to my face to get in my way," she said, her almond-shaped eyes slightly wide and her cheeks puffed out.
"You have to hold back. At least be gentle and tolerant towards him. You can express your dissatisfaction slightly and let him coax you, but you must never keep a sour face. No man likes that."
"You need to let him know that you can appease him by gently apologizing and sincerely coaxing him, and then talk about other things, understand? Men all fall for this trick..."
Xie Xue'e whispered something in her slightly reddened ear.
Xie Xun had already walked to the side.
Xie Lingjiang muttered softly, "Auntie, was I really that mean to him just now?"
"Um...it's alright. Actually, at times like this, it's important to make a clear statement."
"Then he must not know what that lady is thinking, or why I'm angry, right?"
"It's hard to say. Men often pretend to be confused, but some are genuinely clueless, like a block of wood... However, the more outstanding a man is, the more women will compete for him. If no women are competing for him, you should reflect on whether you've made a mistake in choosing a partner," Xie Xue'e pointed out.
Xie Lingjiang lowered her eyes and pondered for a while, then suddenly looked up and asked curiously:
"Is this how my aunt teaches me, or is it the same way my uncle teaches me?"
Xie Xue'e barely lifted her eyelids: "He wouldn't dare."
Xie Lingjiang: ...
...
Where to?
"Xunyang Grottoes, where else would you go? Do you really think I came here specifically to find you for no reason?"
Ouyang Rong boarded the carriage and casually asked a question. Rong Zhen, who was sitting upright inside the carriage waiting, gave a cold reply.
Ouyang Rong nodded: "Well, that's true. I remember that Lady Rong doesn't usually come to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion unless necessary."
"It's good that you... know."
Rongzhen lifted the carriage curtain, glanced at Wang Caozhi who had followed the convoy, frowned slightly, and then quickly let go.
The curfew was lifted tonight, and the Lantern Festival market was bustling and lively. Xingzifang was crowded with people, with carriages vying for space and caravans passing by continuously, leisurely passing through the west gate and heading towards Xunyang Grottoes.
Wang Caozhi and Pei Shisan Niang rode together in a carriage.
The two carriages were somewhat similar, and the atmosphere was quiet.
Rongzhen didn't want to pay attention to him, while Ouyang Rong closed his eyes to rest.
Wang Caozhi, however, kept his eyes fixed on the night view outside the car, paying no attention to the woman beside his brother-in-law.
Pei Shisan Niang didn't give him much of a look.
We traveled in silence until we arrived at Xunyang Grottoes.
Rongzhen came to Ouyang Rong about a problem concerning the placement of the Buddha's head, which was neither a major nor a minor issue.
Jiangzhou is located in the south, where the climate is humid. The Buddha head has been placed outdoors for a long time, which makes it prone to rust and dampness. It is necessary to have an experienced person to guide it on how to place it properly.
Ouyang Rong had gone deep into the grassroots of Longcheng and was particularly proficient in it.
Half an hour later, the matter was properly resolved.
Ouyang Rong looked up at the night sky; the moon was high in the sky, around nine or ten o'clock at night.
There should still be time.
"Could she still be waiting?" he muttered to himself, then took his leave and returned to Xunyang City with Wang Caozhi and Pei Shisan Niang.
Rongzhen followed.
"What is this, Your Excellency?"
"Going back to rest, it's on the way."
"All right."
The group returned and passed through the west gate.
Ouyang Rong first sent Pei Shisan Niang away.
Wang Caozhi was originally going back to the palace along the same route, but he felt uneasy under the gaze of the lady-in-waiting, so he took the initiative to leave and temporarily kept his carriage far behind, within the range that the lady-in-waiting could barely tolerate.
On the night of the Lantern Festival, the streets were congested, so the two had to get off the carriage and walk through the bustling streets.
The surrounding area was filled with vendors hawking their wares in celebration, and families going out to admire the lanterns.
Halfway there, Ouyang Rong realized that Rong Zhen showed no sign of leaving.
"Why isn't Lady Rong leaving yet? Shouldn't we be going back to the Overwatch Council by that road...?"
"What, are you trying to get rid of me?"
"No."
"I've changed my lodgings and still have a bit to go. Let's travel together..."
"All right."
"Are you hungry?" Rongzhen suddenly asked.
Ouyang Rong was taken aback and turned to look at her.
"What are you thinking about? I still owe you a meal, but I'm too lazy to delay any longer. I'll pay you back tonight. Come with me."
Rong Zhen walked forward without looking back, her tone as impatient as if she were disgusted by stupidity.
Ouyang Rong then remembered that he did indeed owe a meal, but he had forgotten about it since it hadn't been mentioned in a long time... so he had no choice but to obediently follow along.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Rongzhen treated Ouyang Rong to dried glutinous rice balls. The two of them ordered a bowl each and quietly finished eating under the fireworks. A certain lady-in-waiting put down her bowl and went to pay the bill.
The two left the restaurant together, walked out the door, and the evening breeze made their sleeves flutter.
"Ling—" The icy white jade hairpin on Ouyang Rong's headdress made a crisp sound. Rong Zhen didn't turn her head, keeping her eyes straight ahead. After walking forward for a while, she suddenly said:
"If you insist on changing it... that's not impossible."
"Huh, what do you mean by 'change'?" Ouyang Rong asked with a puzzled expression.
Under the dim light, the girl in palace attire seemed to blush deeply. She took two quick steps forward, then suddenly turned around and walked to the left towards a bustling street adorned with lanterns.
"Where is Lady Rong going?"
Ouyang Rong asked a strange question.
She turned her head away from him, and the tone that came through was stiff and formal:
"Let's go take a look. There are so many people gathered around. Maybe an accident has happened. Let's go check it out, just in case."
Ouyang Rong: ...
He frowned and muttered, "Maybe we should mind our own business and head back early. There are patrolling officers to handle this."
"What kind of official are you, turning a blind eye? What if there are rebels hiding here, endangering public order? Come quickly!"
Rongzhen rebuked him with a stern face, but continued walking, insisting on pulling him in that direction.
Ouyang Rong gazed into the distance and saw a food street where lion and dragon dances and lantern displays were taking place, and it seemed to be crowded with couples...
"Why would a traitor go to a place like this for no reason..." he wondered.
"You're not a rebel, how would you know what they're thinking?"
"..." That's so damn true.
Ouyang Rong tentatively asked, "Does Your Excellency mean... that lecherous and despicable master of the Butterfly Love Flower?"
"Uh-huh."
Rong Zhen didn't turn her head, her steps slightly hurried, so Ouyang Rong had no choice but to shut up and follow...
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PS: I'm begging for some monthly votes mid-month! or2
(End of this chapter)
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