Chapter 587 The Mysterious Sword Qi from the Murals of the Underground Palace! [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]
"The cleaning women arranged by the Prince of Xunyang's mansion come to clean every half month. They are responsible not only for maintaining the inner residence of the Su family, but also for this Meilu Garden."
"However, the plum grove courtyard in the Plum Deer Garden where you stayed is personally managed by Miss Aqing. She doesn't allow the cleaning ladies to touch it and comes over every three days. I gave her a key so that she doesn't have to go through the trouble of coming to the Dragon City Hall to get the key every time."
"Hey, what happened to the grape trellis in this garden? No one took care of it over the winter, and with the wind and snow, it's all fallen down like this, and it's even blocking the path. Those cleaning women are really something..."
"Mr. Ming, let's go this way. Don't take this path yet. Wait for them to clean up. If we want to go to the Plum Blossom Courtyard, we can go this way..."
Inside the Sika Deer Park, on a long corridor slightly covered with dust and fallen leaves.
Magistrate Diao stopped mid-sentence, and Ouyang Rong, dressed in a scholar's robe, had already passed him.
Ouyang Rong walked quietly with his hands behind his back, heading straight in a certain direction as if he knew the way well.
"Indeed, Your Excellency has lived here for so long, you must know the place better than I do, haha..."
Magistrate Diao scratched his pointed head, which was covered by a few white hairs under his official hat, and chuckled awkwardly, still smelling of alcohol.
Ouyang Rong smiled slightly.
It was afternoon, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the vines on the long corridor, dappling the ground at their feet.
The midday wind rustled the leaves.
The slight intoxication also helped me sober up quite a bit.
Ouyang Rong and Magistrate Diao had just returned from the Yuanming Restaurant in the bustling city.
Yesterday, Li Dalang, in his capacity as the Prefect of Jiangzhou, launched an inspection tour of several counties to appease officials and the people.
After Ouyang Rong finished explaining things to Rong Zhen and Wang Cao at the Xunyang Grottoes, he discreetly followed them out of the city.
He promised Lady Rong that he would return to Xunyang City within three days. After all, he still held the position of governor and had important matters to attend to. Out of respect for the Prince of Xunyang, everyone agreed to escort the ambitious prince for a while, which would be sufficient.
The carriages of the Prince of Xunyang and the Prefect of Jiangzhou arrived at Penglangdu in Longcheng County in the morning.
Magistrate Diao led a group of officials from Longcheng to the dock to receive them. Then, under the enthusiastic welcome of the local elders, they moved to Yuanming Restaurant for a welcoming feast.
Ouyang Rong was rather low-key; he didn't even wear his official robes. After only a few drinks, he excused himself by saying he couldn't hold his liquor and left Li Dalang to deal with the enthusiastic officials, villagers, and folks on his own.
Ouyang Rong returned to Meiluyuan with the enthusiastic companionship of Magistrate Diao.
On the long corridor, Magistrate Diao, who was following behind, turned around and glanced back.
The servant named Ali, who was by the Mingfu’s side, was carrying a long, rectangular zither case, a cloth bag, and a pastry box, and was silently following not far behind them.
Magistrate Diao blinked, took a few small steps forward, and leaned close to Ouyang Rong, whispering apologetically:
"My lord, I have been so busy these days. The prefectural government and the female historian of the Censorate have been issuing orders to arrest rebels. I haven't had a chance to celebrate your promotion to Academician of the Academy of Literature and your promotion to Prefect of Jiangzhou. I should have taken the time to go to Xunyang City to report to you... Congratulations, my lord."
Ouyang Rong glanced at Magistrate Diao's smug and proud expression.
"He's just acting governor; his official position is still Sima of Jiangzhou. As for being a scholar at the Xiwen Pavilion, he hasn't been there yet, so who knows what the situation is like there?"
"Your Excellency is too modest!"
Magistrate Diao wanted to say more, but the two had already arrived at the plum grove courtyard.
Ouyang Rong strode forward, took out the key, and opened the courtyard gate.
The afternoon sunlight, tinged with golden hues, fell on the bluestone slabs of the courtyard.
A swing sways in the wind.
It's been a long time since I last visited. The Plum Grove Courtyard seems unchanged, except that the smell has become slightly stale.
It was early spring, and tiny green shoots emerging from the soil dotted the yard.
In addition, the plum grove behind the small courtyard, which connects to the inner courtyard of the Su family mansion next door, is in full bloom in January and February.
Jade branches cast sparse shadows, mossy branches are adorned with jade, and small emerald birds roost together on the branches.
A vibrant atmosphere of early spring is palpable.
As Ouyang Rong entered the courtyard, his gaze was immediately drawn to a pot of orchids with buds yet to bloom on the windowsill of the study.
He stepped forward.
Magistrate Diao, oblivious to anything amiss, followed Ouyang Rong into the courtyard, still chattering incessantly, spittle flying everywhere:
“My lord, houses are things that need to be lived in for a long time. No matter how new and magnificent they are, once no one lives there for a long time, they are prone to collapse and become dilapidated in a few years.”
"On the other hand, some poor old houses, which are often inhabited, have become newer over time and have not collapsed... The older generation superstitiously says that people maintain a house, and the bigger the house, the more it needs the presence and energy of people to sustain it..."
"So, it's still Miss Qing who takes it seriously. She comes every three days to clean up and air out the house. Occasionally, I even see her taking a nap in the yard..."
"Hmm, what is Your Excellency looking at? It must be Miss Aqing watering these orchids."
Standing by the window, Ouyang Rong looked down at the orchid buds that were about to bloom.
This is also an old friend.
I remember it was first given to him by his junior sister Ailan. Later, Ouyang Rong was obsessed with the idea of going to the Pure Land Palace to exchange for the blessing of "Returning Home" and leave. On that day, he quietly bid farewell to everyone. Before leaving, he was talking to this plate of orchids.
How beautiful it was last year on this day, in this very doorway, where faces and peach blossoms reflected each other's rosy hue.
"This flower is delicate. Watering should be done when the soil is dry but not parched, and when it is moist but not wet. It also needs good ventilation and sunlight, and should be repotted frequently."
"When my junior sister entrusted me with taking care of this flower, I was quite troubled. Later, when I went to Xunyang City, I forgot to take it with me... The fact that you've taken such good care of it and it's budding is truly touching, Aqing."
Ouyang Rong looked on with a sigh.
Magistrate Diao smiled and was about to speak when a shout came from outside the courtyard gate:
"Brother."
Ouyang Rong looked back.
A graceful young girl stood at the gate of the courtyard, her figure upright and slender like a willow, with a pair of bright and beautiful eyes.
She seemed to have rushed over, a few strands of hair falling across her clean forehead, and she was slightly out of breath.
Facing the gazes of Ouyang Rong, Magistrate Diao, and Ali, the slender girl placed her hands in front of her abdomen, holding a sewing kit, and lowered her head slightly.
"Ah Qing, it's been a long time."
Ouyang Rong smiled warmly and stepped forward to greet him.
Ah Qing had already raised her head, jumped down three steps in one step, and ran lightly into the courtyard.
After a long time, Aqing no longer had the thin, malnourished physique she once had. Her once droopy yellow hair had been replaced by jet-black hair, and although her skin wasn't fair, it was a healthy wheat color.
Girls are often precocious, and during puberty, when they grow rapidly, they look different every year.
"Brother..."
She was somewhat excited and about to speak when she paused after calling out the titles, her dark eyes glancing sideways at Magistrate Diao and Ali.
Upon seeing this, the two immediately left the courtyard as if nothing had happened.
The two remained, referring to each other as brother and sister.
"Brother, you came so suddenly without saying a word. I only heard it from my sister-in-law when she happened to be passing by the Yuanming Restaurant."
Aqing's tone was slightly resentful.
Ouyang Rong coughed: "It was a last-minute decision. By the way, what brings Aqing here?"
He glanced at Aqing's attire and the sewing kit in her hand.
Aqing smiled gracefully and generously:
"I was at the ancient Yue sword shop on the west bank this morning. Do you remember that sword tassel workshop, brother? I was teaching the new female workers how to weave sword tassels there..."
Ouyang Rong listened silently for a while.
After the Liu family fell, the Guyue Sword Shop returned to the government-run operation of Longcheng, which also included the Sword Tassel Workshop.
This time, however, the Guyue Sword Shop was no longer the only dominant player on the west bank of Butterfly Creek. Other swordsmiths and wealthy merchants were allowed to forge swords, jointly promoting the prosperity of the sword-making industry in Longcheng County.
As a result, many private sword shops have gradually opened on the west bank, each with a different name. All of these sword shops need Aqing's workshop to produce sword tassels.
Because of her skillful hands and the fact that she was the younger sister of Liu Ashan, a martyr who fought against floods in Longcheng, Aqing was rehired by the government-run sword tassel workshop and became a highly respected female craftswoman, teaching the new female workers how to weave sword tassels.
The job offers a generous salary and good benefits, and most importantly, Aqing seems to be very happy with it.
Ouyang Rong smiled.
"Brother, do you have any plans for tonight? How about we go back to Sanhui Temple for dinner together?"
Ouyang Rong nodded calmly: "Okay, but I have to leave tomorrow."
Aqing looked slightly disappointed, but quickly cheered up and playfully circled around Ouyang Rong, her little face beaming as she said:
“Brother, official duties are of utmost importance. I heard from Lord Diao that you are now the highest-ranking official in Jiangzhou, and even the Prince treats you with utmost respect…”
Ouyang Rong smiled but remained silent.
Aqing suddenly tugged at the hem of his scholar's robe and looked down at it carefully:
“It seems like it’s too big. Have you lost weight, brother? This dress that was made last year is too big for you.”
"Well, that's how clothes are, they get bigger the more you wear them, and bigger ones are more comfortable."
“No, my brother is often in the public eye, so he needs to be presentable. His clothes must fit properly.”
Having said that, without giving him a chance to refute, Aqing immediately squatted down, skillfully opened the sewing kit, took out the tools, and said in a measured and methodical manner:
"Let me measure you, brother."
"Huh? How do I measure it?"
She slightly turned her gaze away, "Brother, open your arms wider."
"Oh, oh." Ouyang Rong subconsciously spread his arms.
Aqing took a small step forward, nestled into his arms, and stood on tiptoe to give him a light hug.
Ouyang Rong couldn't understand the process of these tailors taking measurements to make clothes, so he could only let her do it, but he always felt that Aqing was a little slow this time.
They hugged for a long time.
"Is Aqing ready?"
"Uh-huh."
The girl finally finished taking her fill, albeit slowly.
The two parted ways.
The little girl squatted down and quietly put away her sewing kit. Perhaps it was from the bright sun overhead, but one of her earlobes on her neck looked congested with blood, like a red agate shining through the sunlight.
The two then chatted about Liu's mother's health.
At this moment, Aqing's gaze fell on the orchids on the windowsill, and she smiled faintly, saying:
"Brother is so thoughtful, letting it air out and get some sun. Last time I came, it was a rainy day, so I closed the doors and windows."
"I came here today just as I was about to open it, but I let my brother get there first."
Ouyang Rong's expression froze for a moment:
"It was like this when I arrived; the windows were open. Didn't you open them?"
Aqing was taken aback and shook her head: "I didn't. I thought it was my brother who opened it."
Ouyang Rong frowned and remained silent.
"Could it be that another cleaning woman came in and cleaned?"
Aqing lowered her head and counted the days on her fingers:
“They come about once every two weeks. The most recent one was just the day before yesterday. However, they don’t have the key to the Plum Grove Courtyard, only the key to the Plum Deer Garden gate.”
As she spoke, Aqing took out a key from her sleeve and looked at it with a puzzled expression.
"Could it be that they climbed over the wall to get in? And then they saw Lan Hua cooped up inside and opened the window to let in some fresh air..."
Ouyang Rong remained silent and glanced at the orchid bud on the windowsill.
If it wasn't them, then who could it be?
Could it be my junior sister? Impossible, my junior sister has always been in Xunyang City, as has the Xunyang King's family.
But besides them, who else is familiar with his courtyard?
Moreover, only Ouyang Rong and A Qing have the key to the Meilin Courtyard; others can only access it by climbing over the wall.
If it were a stranger or an enemy searching the front wall, that would be understandable. But why would they search his orchids and let them get some ventilation and sunlight?
Could it be that the enemy happens to be someone who loves orchids?
That's a bit far-fetched.
Moreover, Aqing comes every three days. The last time she came was three days ago. This means that the person who opens the window to help ventilate the orchids does not stay in the plum grove courtyard for more than three days.
Ouyang Rong was deep in thought.
Aqing curiously examined the soil around the orchid, then spoke:
"It's already been watered, so there's no need to water it again today."
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly and said, "I didn't water it. The person who watered it should be the same person who opened the window."
Before Aqing could speak, he suddenly turned to ask her:
"Has that blonde-haired Hu woman come looking for you again?"
"No."
Aqing shook her head.
Ouyang Rong nodded slowly and walked into the house with A Qing.
Before entering the house, he turned and glanced at the key in Aqing's hand.
Ouyang Rong suddenly remembered that he had indeed kindly given a "stranger" the key to Meilin Courtyard, but he had later returned it.
...
night.
Dagushan Mountain, Donglin Temple.
In the backyard of the Beitian Salvation Home, beside a dry well.
A tall, slender figure reappeared.
With a long sword at his waist and a pastry box in his hand, he walked to the well, skillfully grabbed the rope, and slid into the well.
After meeting Aqing in the afternoon, Ouyang Rong went back to Sanhui Courtyard with her to visit Liu's mother.
We had dinner at Sanhui Temple and stayed overnight at Donglin Temple.
In the dead of night, the night owl Ouyang Rong quietly got up without waking the women of Sanhui Courtyard and rushed to the Pure Land Palace, which was also the real purpose of his trip.
My toes just touched the floor of the Pure Land Palace.
"My lord, that's the Avici Hell above..."
A young monk with a dull and lifeless gaze immediately got up from the ground. His gray monk's robe was dirty, and he stepped forward with his palms raised.
But the next moment, he stopped speaking, because an open, fragrant pastry box was being held by two fingers and dangling in the air... The dirty monk stared intently at the pastry box and swallowed hard.
"If I were to bring osmanthus cake from the deepest hell, I wonder how you would respond, Master?" Ouyang Rong asked seriously.
Xiuzhen calmed down, hugged the food box, and walked blankly to the side. Her dirty, black hands reached directly into the box, scooped up some pastries, put them in her mouth, tasted the sweetness, and grinned foolishly.
Ouyang Rong smiled and drew his Moonlight Longsword from his waist.
His expression calmed down, and he picked up a luminous pearl relic in his other hand, walking step by step toward the wall depicting the Jataka tales of the Buddha.
When Master Zhongma was trapped in the underground palace, before he suffocated from the thick smoke, he left the Cold Scholar Sword Manual "Return to the Countryside" on the palace wall.
At that time, the lotus tower above the underground palace was on fire, the temperature inside the underground palace was scorching, and thick smoke was billowing. How did Master Zhongma quickly carve a sword manual on the wall?
The most likely possibility is that Master Zhongma stole the cauldron sword forged by the Mad Emperor.
When the four characters "归去来兮" (Gui Qu Lai Xi) carved on the stone base below the lotus stone seat are activated, the hazy moonlight emanating from it, along with the "归去来兮辞" (Gui Qu Lai Xi Ci) stone carving on the wall, is, if I'm not mistaken, the sword energy of this mysterious cauldron sword!
Ouyang Rong glanced at the luminous pearl relic in his hand. The light it emitted under the moonlight was similar to the moonlight sword energy on the wall!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
