Chapter 591 Ouyang Sima, who shoulders the responsibility of one city and thirteen counties [Seeking monthly votes!]
Whether it's "Lianhong" or "Honglian," reading it forwards or backwards doesn't make any difference.
Ouyang Rong coughed, gave up, and put the sword box away again.
He tossed the small purplish-red stamp in his palm.
He examined it carefully.
Since these were relics that Master Chungma kept with him until his death, they must have been important to him, or rather... to Donglin Temple.
The reason is simple: after the Mad Emperor's sword was stolen, the swordsmiths on the west bank of Butterfly Creek were killed one after another. The largest Qi cultivator force in the vicinity, Donglin Temple, was also massacred by the Mad Emperor's personal guards. All the Qi cultivators of Donglin Temple on the surface were killed, and the lineage of their incense was cut off.
Master Zhongma still carried the new Ding sword and hid in the underground palace, refusing to come out.
In such a life-or-death matter, he couldn't possibly not have made the worst-case scenario plan beforehand.
The items he brought into the underground palace were all of great importance, and their status was related to the Lotus Sect's lineage. It's like when a fire breaks out, ordinary people would first take out their most prized possessions.
“Red Lotus… Lotus Sect… It can’t be a token of the head of the Lotus Sect, can it? It doesn’t seem like it. Otherwise, Master Shandao and the others would definitely recognize it. Why would they give it to me?”
I studied it for a while, but still had no clue.
Ouyang Rong temporarily put away the small purplish-red seal.
The carriage arrived at the mansion in Huaiye Lane.
As soon as Ouyang Rong entered, he was told that a guest had arrived.
He took the warm towel that Ye Weilai thoughtfully handed him at the door, wiped his face, and went into the living room to take a look.
At the very end of the two long rows of chairs in the living room, Rongzhen and Wang Caozhi each sat on one side, with tea placed in front of them.
Zhen Shuyuan sat beside her, representing her beloved nephew in entertaining the guests.
The beautiful woman in the red dress with a mole on the corner of her mouth was dignified. As she raised her cup to drink tea, she would occasionally glance at the lady-in-waiting that her beloved nephew often mentioned.
Seeing Ouyang Rong walking in while wiping his face, Rong Zhen and Wang Caozhi turned their gazes toward him.
Wang Caozhi stood up immediately, not even having time to put down the tea in his hand.
Rongzhen remained seated.
After not seeing her for many days, the lady of the palace looked the same as before. However, after the Lantern Festival, she changed back into her original plain white dress, but she still kept a pair of mandarin duck jade hairpins on her hair.
Today, Zhen Shuyuan, who was also wearing a pair of mandarin duck jade hairpins, turned her head and glanced at the same hairpin on her head.
"Ouyang Lianghan, didn't you arrive this morning? Why are you only coming back now? Where did you go? I couldn't find you in the main hall of Jiangzhou or the governor's mansion."
Rongzhen, who had been waiting for an unknown amount of time, put down her teacup, frowned, and asked.
Ouyang Rong didn't answer immediately, but exchanged a glance with his aunt.
"My love is back? Lady Lady and Nephew Wang arrived this morning and have been waiting for some time. Why didn't you say anything when you returned? I only learned of your arrival this morning from Lady Lady and Nephew Wang."
"Brother-in-law, you didn't go to see Sister Xie, did you?" Wang Caozhi asked, winking.
Rongzhen turned her head and looked at Wang Caozhi opposite her.
The latter seemed not to have seen it.
"Ms. Rong, you've kept me waiting, but you're certainly well-informed."
Ouyang Rong walked in, found a seat nearby, and asked the two men with some curiosity:
"Ms. Rong, what brings you here?"
Rongzhen picked up her teacup, lowered her eyes, and blew on the already cold tea.
“It was Wang Caozhi who insisted on finding you, so I came along as well.”
Wang Caozhi shrugged:
“Hey brother-in-law, it seems you still don’t realize your current position. The entire city of Jiangzhou and its thirteen counties are on your shoulders. Once your boat arrives at the ferry, within half an hour, everyone in the city who needs to know will know.”
"We can't handle any more."
Ouyang Rong's face hardened.
Wang Caozhi rubbed his hands together and stepped forward.
"Brother-in-law..."
“Wang Caozhi”.
Rongzhen suddenly shouted.
"Um, what is it, Lady Historian?" Wang Caozhi turned around, confused.
"go out."
Rong Zhen spoke calmly.
"..."
Such bossy behavior would have made most people blush.
Fortunately, Wang Caozhi was an old merchant with a thick skin, and his expression didn't change after hearing the two words uttered by the lady-in-waiting.
But his tone was somewhat mournful:
“Ms. Rong, I have something to discuss with my brother-in-law. You were just a casual acquaintance, why are you asking me to leave…”
Rongzhen raised her eyelids and glanced at him.
Despite it being broad daylight, Wang Caozhi felt a chill and couldn't help but shiver.
Upon seeing this, Ouyang Rong glanced at Zhen Shuyuan.
"Oh, right, I just remembered something I need to ask you, my dear nephew Wang. Would you mind coming out for a moment, my dear nephew?"
Zhen Shuyuan stood up and greeted them warmly.
"Okay, okay."
Wang Caozhi obediently followed them out.
Before leaving, Zhen Shuyuan said to Ye Weilai:
"Get the lady a fresh cup of tea; it's gone cold. You girls are so careless."
After saying this, the graceful and elegant woman in her flowing dress smiled and said:
"My lord, Lady Historian, please have a seat. I shall take my leave now."
Zhen Shuyuan and Wang Caozhi went out together.
Ye Weilai stepped forward to pour tea, but found that Rong Zhen's teacup was only seven-tenths full, meaning she hadn't drunk a drop.
But just now, when Ye Weilai was standing aside waiting, she saw Rong Zhen holding this cup of tea and pretending to drink it.
So you didn't actually take a single sip?
The white-haired girl couldn't help but glance at the aloof, palace-dressed girl in front of her, who seemed to be about the same age as her.
"What are your orders, Lady Historian?"
Not noticing the slight unease on Ye Weilai's side, Ouyang Rong chuckled and asked Rong Zhen.
"Why didn't you disembark at Xunyang Grottoes instead of taking the long way to Xunyang Ferry?"
"Um, is there a difference between going back to the city first and going to the cave first?"
"Yes, it means that your mind was in the city at the time, not with the Buddha."
Ouyang Rong said in a serious tone, "Actually, I just couldn't sleep in the middle of the night and was hungry, so I wanted to go to a breakfast shop in the East Market before dawn to have a meal."
"Hmph, that's for the best." Rong Zhen snorted lightly, then turned her head and said seriously;
"It's not safe outside lately, and it might be in the city too. I'm against you going out this time."
"How so?"
“Yesterday, while you were away, our men captured a group of spies who were rebels.”
After listening for a while, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but glance sideways:
"A traitorous spy?"
"Hmm, they're still pretty stubborn. Senior Song accidentally killed two of them, and there are two more being interrogated. I wonder if we can get them to talk."
"Well, no wonder Lady Rong is so cautious today."
Ouyang Rong sighed.
"Otherwise, what else could I possibly have to discuss with you privately?"
"That makes sense."
At this moment, Rongzhen turned her head, her small face serious as she gave him a serious instruction:
“Ouyang Lianghan, I suspect that there are already rebels hiding in the city. They are like insects; every time we catch one brood, it means that several broods have already sneaked in.”
"I've come here to remind you that you need to be extra careful these next few days. As the official in charge of the statue's creation, you're easily targeted by rebels."
"I am a rather low-key official."
"But in the eyes of the rebels, they are all so-called corrupt officials of the imperial court, so we still have to be careful."
She frowned slightly:
"The fact that we were able to catch the spy this time is thanks to the fact that we had previously taken down several of the Yunmengze rebels' spies in the city. The spies hadn't been updated in time, and some people came to walk into our trap. It was a bit of luck."
"However, those rebels in the southern Jianghu are not stupid. They will definitely replace the old ones and try to infiltrate the city by all means."
"Now, even ordinary martial arts practitioners should not be allowed into the city. In the next few days, you and Chief Secretary Yuan should discuss conducting a general search of the city, especially those outsiders who have recently entered the city. Search them thoroughly. I will send people to cooperate with you."
Ouyang Rong covered his mouth and coughed lightly:
"Alright, I'll make the arrangements this afternoon."
"Alright, I trust you to get things done."
Ouyang Rong calmly sipped his tea.
The two chatted about official business for a while before ending the conversation. Seeing that the atmosphere was getting a bit awkward, Ouyang Rong asked:
Is there anything else?
"Is there anything else you want?"
Rongzhen lowered her eyes and asked in return. At this moment, she picked up the teacup, blew on it, and finally took a sip, letting out a long sigh.
Ouyang Rong chuckled and turned to call Zhen Niang and Wang Caozhi back.
Rongzhen interrupted without looking to the side:
"However, it's good that you came back safely this time. You are not allowed to leave the city again, and you are not allowed to accompany the Prince of Xunyang on his trips."
"good."
Rongzhen then asked, "By the way, where is the heir of the Prince of Xunyang? Didn't he come back with you?"
"Well, the Crown Prince still has several counties to inspect and won't be back so soon. As for me, I was in a hurry and didn't want you ladies to worry, so I saw the Crown Prince off for a while and then came back early."
"Ha, you don't seem to care about our worries at all."
"You flatter me, Lady Rong. I am truly touched by your concern."
"I don't care if it's warm or not. It's best if that Prince Xunyang comes back later so he can stop bothering Princess Anhui and avoid upsetting Senior Song."
Rongzhen nodded gently.
She glanced at Ye Weilai, who was standing to the side, obediently pouring tea for her.
Suddenly asked:
"By the way, your personal maid hasn't been in contact with the Yue woman anymore, has she?"
Ouyang Rong glanced at Rong Zhen's expression without making a sound.
Before he could speak, Ye Weilai shook her head vigorously: "No."
Rong Zhen's icy expression softened slightly:
"That's good, otherwise I would never forgive you."
Ouyang Rong suddenly tilted his head back and drank the tea in one gulp. He was slightly out of breath, then turned his head and smiled:
"If my childhood sweetheart were to return, wouldn't that make things difficult for Lady Rong?"
Rong Zhen asked curiously, "What's so difficult about it? Why not arrest them immediately and keep them around for the New Year?"
"..."
"What, Lord Ouyang, are you still clinging to old feelings?" Her small face held a half-smile, and she asked in a huff, "Didn't you tell me before that it was something from when we were little, and that it's all in the past?"
Ouyang Rong's expression remained unchanged, and he waved his hand:
"It's all in the past. I was just asking. What a coincidence! Sometimes I feel that life experiences are truly amazing. When I was a child, I read a book that said, 'In the morning, a peasant; in the evening, a courtier.' I wondered what the court was like back then."
Ouyang Rong looked on with a sigh, and Rong Zhen, who hadn't paid much attention to the previous topic, listened to his later words as if she empathized with him. She put down her teacup, looked directly at Ouyang Rong, and said earnestly:
“Ouyang Lianghan, you have to keep moving forward and upward. You have to leave behind many people and things. This is the fate of people like you. You can’t escape it, especially since you come from a poor family. There are some people and things that you have to choose to give up.”
Ouyang Rong countered, "Is Lady Rong also this type of person?"
Rongzhen glanced at him but did not answer.
The two chatted for a while longer.
After a couple of cups of tea, Rongzhen left, taking Wang Caozhi, who hadn't exchanged more than a few words with his brother-in-law and dared not voice his grievances, with him.
After sending them away, Ouyang Rong sighed softly.
He first went back to his study and placed the Mo family sword box and the purple-red seal there.
Ye Weilai boiled water, and Ouyang Rong, covered in sweat, took a bath and used incense. He came out of the bathroom wearing only a thin undergarment, packed some things, and after calculating the time, he left in casual clothes, looking refreshed.
Fifteen minutes later, in a side hall of the mansion in Huaiye Lane.
Ouyang Rong walked in calmly. In the side hall, two figures were quietly drinking tea and waiting.
It was Yan Liulang and Pei Shisan Niang who arrived silently, without anyone noticing.
Neither of them looked at the other; they had been waiting silently with their eyes fixed straight ahead.
Unlike when Rongzhen and Wang Caozhi came to visit, when the group of female relatives received them with great politeness.
Zhen Shuyuan, Ye Weilai, Banxi and other women were not seen in the side hall at the moment.
Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and adjusted his cuffs as he sat down.
"Get to the point."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Ouyang Rong first listened to Yan Liulang's report on the events in Xunyang City over the past few days.
Seeing that there was nothing too important, he asked Yan Liulang:
"Where is Chief Secretary Yuan?"
"Today, Chief Clerk Yuan is on leave and is not in the main hall of Jiangzhou. He should be at his residence in Chengtian Temple in Xingzifang. If Your Excellency is looking for him, I can call him here."
"As expected of him, he took the day off while I was away. No need, he's probably still sleeping in right now."
Ouyang Rong curled his lip: "Besides, if we call him over, he'll have to mooch lunch, and his aunt will have to cook. She's sure to give him a hard time."
"Yes, Your Excellency." After a short while, Yan Liulang, who had received his errand, withdrew, and Ouyang Rong then turned to look at Pei Shisan Niang, who had been waiting quietly.
While Ouyang Rong was chatting with Yan Liulang, the beautiful woman seemed to be in a daze and ignored him. Only when Ouyang Rong's gaze fell on her did she come back to her senses.
Their eyes met.
"Young master."
Pei Shisan Niang smiled sweetly and stood up to bow.
"No need."
Ouyang Rong waved his hand to interrupt.
Looking at her smile, I knew that everything should be fine at Xingzifang, and the embroiderer... hadn't left either.
"Young Master..."
Pei Shisan Niang wanted to speak, but it was time for her routine report.
Ouyang Rong suddenly stood up:
"Let's go to Xingzifang and come with me to buy some pork."
"pork?"
Pei Shisan Niang, who was originally going to report on the embroidery, looked puzzled but obediently followed.
...
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(PS: I finished one chapter today. Looking at the current number of monthly votes, I still owe twenty chapters!)
No cheating, brothers, remember the number of chapters you owe. Finally, I'm begging for another round of monthly votes!! (or 2)
(End of this chapter)
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