Chapter 618 Not a Male Mother, Not an Old Friend [5k views, please vote!]
A quiet courtyard, under a pear tree in the center.
The four sat around a stone table, eating and picking at each other's food.
After Ouyang Rong spoke, an awkward atmosphere ensued at the table.
The sky was dark, and the nearest lights were in the lobby, while the light around the stone table in the courtyard was rather dim.
The specific expression on Fang Juxiu's face was not clearly visible.
However, Fang Shengnan had already buried her head in her rice.
Although she didn't know what her older sister had said to the handsome young man they mistook for her suitor in that carriage during the day.
However, based on her understanding of her sister, she could roughly guess some of the clues.
Fang Shengnan felt embarrassed for her sister.
"ah?"
At the table, Zhao Qingxiu, still wearing her little apron, held a bowl in her small hands and made a curious sound, breaking the silence in the room.
There was a bowl of prepared water on the table. She dipped her finger in the water and wrote words on the table.
What's wrong with it during the day? Have you ever seen it?
Ouyang Rong nodded and said with a smile:
"Well, it was just a brief encounter, a bit of a misunderstanding. Anyway, it's nothing important. Please eat more, ladies. By the way, we seem to have a connection."
Wenxin offered her a way out, and Fang Shengnan quickly nodded:
"Young Master Ouyang is right. It's fate that brought us together. We became friends after a fight."
Fang Juxiu, who had been keeping his eyes down and silent, couldn't help but turn around and glare at her when he heard his sister's last words.
She pursed her lips, picked up her bowl, took a bite of rice, and couldn't help but look up to sized up the handsome young man across from her who was calmly serving food to Yue Chuzi.
Like her sister, Fang Shengnan glanced at Ouyang Rong out of the corner of her eye, curiously observing him.
The two women felt that they had discovered something extraordinary during this trip...
Ouyang Rong acted as if they didn't exist, casually asking Zhao Qingxiu a few questions about whether anything inconvenient had happened while he was away today, and then told her about some interesting things that had happened to her during the day.
They're all just mundane matters like firewood, rice, oil, and salt.
However, Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan noticed that Yue Chuzi seemed very happy to chat with him and listen to him talk. Her little hands kept writing on the table, and her smile was much brighter than before.
This young master Ouyang, too, showed no impatience, lowering his head and focusing intently on the neat handwriting hastily written on the table, answering her questions earnestly as he spoke to her.
The two worked together very well and were very skilled.
For example, right now, when the young lady of the Yue family had a grain of rice stuck to her lips, this young master Ouyang simply reached out, picked off the rice, casually put it into his own rice bowl, and continued speaking with a calm expression.
This kind of tacit understanding and smooth cooperation in their daily lives was something Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan had only ever seen with their own parents, who were known for their loving relationship even after many years of marriage...
Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
Some of these reactions were shocking, while others were utterly unbelievable.
This is the legendary Yue Chuzi. Although she is currently the lowest-ranking member of the Queen's Palace, she is the first in line to succeed the Yuanjun. After she succeeds as the Yuanjun, the First and Second Queens of Yunmeng will have to obey her obediently...
You little rascal, how dare you take advantage of her by stealing rice from the corner of her lips?
Fang Shengnan couldn't help but secretly pinch her thigh, hissing in pain.
Fang Juxiu stared intently at Ouyang Rong and Zhao Qingxiu, his gaze fixed on them as if trying to discern the truth behind their actions.
After Ouyang Rong took away her rice, Zhao Qingxiu, whose eyes were blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon, subconsciously raised her hand to touch the corner of her lips.
As if sensing the intense gazes of her two newly arrived friends, Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan, Zhao Qingxiu's face suddenly flushed red.
The soup needs to be cooked.
The Fang sisters saw that the Yue maiden, whose eyes were blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon, left a message on the table, wiped her apron with her two small hands, and hurriedly ran to the kitchen to fetch soup.
It was rather quiet around the table.
"Why are you two staring at me instead of eating?" Ouyang Rong said, picking up a bite of food without even lifting his eyelids.
Fang Shengnan swallowed hard. Before she could speak, Fang Ju took a deep breath and tried her best to remain calm:
“Young Master Ouyang, my surname is Fang, and my given name is Juxiu. People around me usually call me Xiu Niang. Please make yourself at home, Young Master Ouyang.”
“Hmm.” Ouyang Rong responded calmly, “Fang Juxiu, a good name.”
Fang, who was used to being praised, thought he was just being polite and flattering.
She turned her head immediately, preparing to continue introducing Ouyang Rong: "This is my younger sister..."
Unexpectedly, the handsome young man took a bite of rice, chewed it, and softly recited a line:
"The sandalwood rustles in the sudden rain, emotions are concentrated and strength is firm before raising one's sleeves..." Is this the line from?
"What?" Fang Juxiu was taken aback and said subconsciously.
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "It's nothing, please continue, young lady."
Fang Juxiu lowered his head to savor the taste, then looked up at Ouyang Rong:
"I've never heard of such a line before, sir. You truly have excellent writing skills."
Ouyang Rong shook his head modestly.
Fang Shengnan, standing to the side, couldn't wait to interject:
"What about me? Do you have a good poem for my name? Hmm, my name is Fang Shengnan. You can call me whatever you like, Young Master Ouyang. Just call me Nan Niang. Do you have a good poem to go with it?"
Ouyang Rong, who was leisurely eating, almost choked.
"Cough cough cough..."
"What's wrong, Young Master Ouyang? Are you feeling unwell?"
Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu looked at Ouyang Rong, who was coughing after putting down his bowl, with concern.
Ouyang Rong lowered his head, covered his mouth, coughed a few times, and couldn't help but look up at the carefree young man in blue opposite him.
"It's alright, Miss Fang, Miss Fang... never mind, I'll just call you Madam Fang, or Second Madam Fang."
"Okay, although it makes my sister sound a bit old." Fang Shengnan chuckled.
Fang Juxiu glared at her.
Just then, Zhao Qingxiu returned carrying a large bowl of steaming fish soup, her hands touching the edge of the plate and using a damp towel as a cushion.
Upon seeing this, the Fang sisters immediately got up to help.
"I'll do it," the two women said eagerly.
Ouyang Rong was about to get up, but stopped halfway.
He glanced up at the two women who were respectfully accepting the fish soup from the embroiderer.
A large bowl of fish soup was placed in the center of the table.
Ouyang Rong then got up and ladled a bowl for the embroiderer.
He then served a bowl to Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan, who were secretly observing him, one after another. He smiled politely and said in a gentle voice:
"The embroiderer rarely mentions her family. I really didn't expect that you friends would come to visit today. In the rush, I don't have much to offer, only some Taoshouzhai pastries and fish soup... I hope you two Miss Fangs won't mind."
"It's nothing, we didn't expect it either..."
The two women shook their heads like rattles.
At this moment, they noticed that Zhao Qingxiu, who was sitting next to Ouyang Rong and drinking soup with her head down, raised her head. Her small, blindfolded face seemed to be facing them, and she shook her head almost imperceptibly.
Fang raised his sleeve and pressed down on his younger sister, who was speaking rather rudely, then changed the subject:
"How did Young Master Ouyang come to know... Little Embroiderer?"
She swallowed back the words "My Lady" and followed Ouyang Rong in changing her address.
"It's a long story."
Ouyang Rong laughed heartily:
"I met him before at the Beitian Aid Home of Donglin Temple in Longcheng. We were old friends. At that time, I was recuperating from an illness at the temple when I fell into a dry well one night..."
He briefly recounted his first encounter with the embroiderer, his eyes filled with reminiscence:
"I really didn't expect that the embroiderer would come to the Beitian Aid Home of Chengtian Temple again. We met that morning under the fireworks... Sometimes I can't help but marvel at the fate in this world."
Fang Shengnan, who had initially been stern and serious, couldn't help but be moved as she listened:
"Our meeting in the underground palace... began with the act of passing water... and now we meet again. Young master, what a fine saying, 'We are both wanderers in this world.' Indeed, it is a fortunate thing to meet an old friend."
Fang Juxiu was speechless at the sight of her younger sister's dismayed expression.
She wasn't so sentimental; she frowned slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes, as she looked at...
"Just an old friend?" Fang Juxiu asked astutely.
The two Fang sisters looked at Ouyang Rong and Zhao Qingxiu, who were sitting very close to each other.
Unlike Zhao Qingxiu, who was quietly eating and doing nothing, Ouyang Rong said with a calm expression:
"Speaking of which, I've always wanted to meet the embroiderer's family, to... get to know them. The embroiderer is usually quiet and a bit of a simpleton. If you two, as her sisters and friends, know anything about them, could you please help me spread the word?"
At this moment, the girl with the sky-blue ribbon blindfold who had been listening intently suddenly touched Ouyang Rong's empty soup bowl, stood up, and seemed to be about to ladle some more soup for him.
Ouyang Rong shook his head and pressed her down, saying, "No need, I'm full."
Seeing this, Fang Juxiu pursed her lips, glancing at Zhao Qingxiu's expression out of the corner of her eye, while calmly continuing the topic that had been interrupted by this young mistress:
"We don't really know much about her family, we just know that they are very busy and away from home all year round, so they sent the embroiderer to the Beitian Nursing Home to live."
"oh."
Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and nodded, seemingly unsurprised, and continued eating with his chopsticks.
"By the way, do you two young ladies have a place to stay in Xunyang City? Would you like to stay the night?"
Fang Juxiu hesitated for a moment and said, "Actually, I have some things to take care of, so I might not be able to stay here."
"What's the matter? Where are we going?"
"Go to Chengtian Temple to pay respects to Buddha on behalf of my father..."
"Oh, it's not far."
After hearing this, Ouyang Rong turned to Zhao Qingxiu and said:
"I almost forgot, I brought some pickled radishes from Donglin Temple last time, and there's still a jar left in the car. Since your friend is coming, you can try some together."
He smiled and greeted them.
"Please wait a moment, ladies. I'll be right back."
Ouyang Rong got up and went out.
The two women saw him walk through the lobby, and before leaving, he picked up a long, rectangular violin case that was placed on the cabinet by the door and went out.
This long, rectangular instrument case was not seen by Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan when they first entered the room; it must have been one of his belongings that he left there when he entered later.
After the handsome young man in a scholar's robe left with his zither.
Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan turned their gazes to Zhao Qingxiu.
Zhao Qingxiu shook her head at them and pointed to the still-warm food on the table.
The two women had no choice but to lower their heads and continue eating obediently, though their behavior differed.
Fang Shengnan looked around curiously, taking in the warm courtyard that was gradually taking on the feel of a homely family.
Fang Juxiu was clearly more preoccupied, a hint of worry showing between her furrowed brows. She kept glancing at Zhao Qingxiu's expression, hesitant to speak.
A moment later, Ouyang Rong returned leisurely, the zither case gone from his arms, replaced by a jar of pickled radishes held in two fingers. He gestured to them and said with a smile:
"Try it."
The Fang sisters politely took a few bites, their eyes brightening as they praised the dish.
Ouyang Rong chuckled and chatted with the two women for a while longer.
After dinner, Ouyang Rong went to the kitchen to help Zhao Qingxiu wash the dishes.
At this moment, seeing that it was getting late, Fang raised his sleeve and gave a wink, and Fang Shengnan, who loved pastries, immediately got up.
The two women went to the kitchen, bowed, and took their leave.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong and Zhao Qingxiu escorted them to the door.
Fang Shengnan didn't understand her sister's feelings and felt somewhat reluctant to part.
Fang raised his sleeves and turned around, ready to speak.
Just then, the sound of footsteps and the clanging of metal suddenly rang out outside the courtyard.
Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu were immediately startled.
"Thump thump thump—!"
A constable in blue robes, accompanied by a group of soldiers, impatiently knocked on the door.
"Don't move! We are here on orders from the Censorate and the Prefectural Governor's Office to search suspicious residences in Xingzifang. Please cooperate obediently."
Ouyang Rong seemed puzzled and stepped forward to ask the blue-clad constable at the front, whose nostrils were pointing straight at the man:
"What are you looking for so late at night?"
The blue-clad constable snorted coldly and drew a bronze short sword, gesturing towards it:
"This item is a token of the rebels. According to the latest news, Xingzifang will be searched again, so anyone who keeps this item is guilty of a capital crime."
Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu, standing behind, were shocked. The government actually had the Yunmeng Token? And they were conducting a large-scale search!
Fang Shengnan nervously clutched something in her sleeve, her gaze towards Zhao Qingxiu filled with guilt. She then glanced at the courtyard wall, her brow furrowed as she calculated something… At that moment, the two women noticed Ouyang Gongzi beside them smiling slightly. They stepped forward, pulled the unfriendly-looking blue-clad constable aside, and whispered…
"Captain Yan..."
The blue-clad constable was initially impatient, but his expression softened slightly after the handsome young man handed him some things and showed him a token.
"So it's Commander Ouyang... I'm sorry to bother you, but the rules can't be changed... Well then, we still need to investigate. Please have the women leave..."
The intermittent words of the constable surnamed Yan reached the ears of Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu.
"Of course I'll cooperate, I'll definitely cooperate. Officer, please search."
Ouyang Rong's voice suddenly rose in pitch.
Yan, the constable, led his men in with a stern face.
Ouyang Rong turned around and winked at Fang Shengnan and Fang Jushou.
The two women immediately understood, and, taking Zhao Qingxiu with them, remained in the courtyard, allowing the constables to search the main hall.
Ouyang Rong stood in front of the three women, and Zhao Qingxiu gently grabbed his hem with her small hand.
Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu glanced at the handsome young man's motionless back, their eyes filled with gratitude, and their impression of him changed drastically.
After an incense stick had burned, the constables finished their search, returned to the courtyard, and reported with clasped hands:
"Boss, there's nothing wrong."
The constable surnamed Yan relaxed slightly.
"Then let's go."
He waved his hand, leading his men to prepare to leave. Before leaving, he turned back and gave Ouyang Rong a few words of advice:
“This area is under martial law recently. We have issued a strict order to find the person. Most of the patrol teams are not under my jurisdiction, so if your female relatives go out, they will also be checked for identity. They will be treated the same as everyone else. It would be best if you let them move around less.”
"Understood, thank you for your hard work, Officer Yan."
"It's nothing hard or not, we're all doing our jobs for the Prefect and the Lady Historian. You're the same, helping Chief Secretary Yuan with the reconstruction of houses in Xingzifang. You come all this way every day, so far from home, and you even have to set up a separate courtyard for yourself. It must be hard work for you..."
"No, no."
Ouyang Rong saw Constable Yan and the others out the door.
Hearing conversations coming from the lobby, Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu exchanged glances, seemingly lost in thought.
Ouyang Rong returned with his hands behind his back.
Fang Juxiu helped Zhao Qingxiu out and found that this young master Ouyang had a calm expression, as if he was already used to being searched.
Fang Shengnan looked in the direction the blue-clad constable had left, her eyes suddenly understanding why the virgin Yue had not been discovered by the authorities.
Fang Juxiu calmed down and asked without showing any emotion:
"So, young master, you also hold an official position?"
"The position of Sima is just a minor, idle official... Recently, there have been many such searches. If an ordinary widowed woman were to encounter these soldiers, she would inevitably be bullied for a while. Some malicious ones would even take the opportunity to search her body... The two young ladies should be careful to protect themselves when they go out."
Ouyang Rong's expression was humble, he brushed it off with a single sentence, and then gave a serious warning.
Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan didn't quite understand the complicated official positions in the government, but they did understand the attitude of the blue-clad constable.
The rank of Sima should be similar to that of the military constable, they are considered to be of the same level. After Young Master Ouyang revealed his identity, the constable's tone was still quite polite, and they were giving each other face.
Before Fang could raise her sleeves to think further and ask more questions, Fang Shengnan clasped her hands tightly and expressed her sincere gratitude: "Thank you very much for your righteous help, Young Master Ouyang."
"It's nothing, not worth mentioning. You are my friends, guests from afar, so we shouldn't neglect you... By the way, it's getting dark. Are you two ladies about to leave? I can give you a ride in my carriage, but it's going towards Xunyangfang. By the way, where are you going again?"
“Chengtian Temple…” Fang Juxiu hesitated.
Ouyang Rong pointed outside the door:
"Oh, but I saw Constable Yan leading his men towards Chengtian Temple. I guess they're going to check for rebels. If you don't mind the trouble and the danger of being searched..."
"Actually, there's no rush, please wait a moment, young master."
Fang Juxiu suddenly pulled her younger sister aside and whispered something to her. When she returned, she smiled gracefully at Ouyang Rong, who was not looking at her, and chose to stay.
"That's fine, it'll be good to keep the embroiderer company and stay for a few more days."
The handsome young man was straightforward, hospitable, and warm-hearted. He laughed heartily, then turned and carefully instructed, "Embroiderer, you can let your two friends stay in the left wing..."
After making the arrangements, he dusted off his sleeves and left with a flourish, saying he would come back tomorrow.
Watching the young master Ouyang's figure disappear into the night.
Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu turned around at the same time and looked at Zhao Qingxiu, who had been listening quietly from beginning to end.
Fang Juxiu looked apologetic:
"We apologize for disturbing you, Your Highness. We sisters rushed over and almost attracted the government officials, ruining your hiding place... Actually, we did have somewhere to go, but it seems we'll have to stay a while longer."
“We didn’t mean to linger. As you just heard, there are government officials outside. We’ll have to wait until there are fewer of them before we leave…”
"Uh-huh."
Zhao Qingxiu reacted with surprising calmness.
"By the way, when will you be leaving, Your Highness? The Second Lady is very worried about you..."
Fang Shengnan lowered her voice.
Fang Juxiu saw again the same wistful look on the young lady's face as she gazed into the deep night ahead, a look she had seen once before.
Even the usually rational and calm Fang Juxiu still couldn't understand it.
Zhao Qingxiu suddenly smiled, stretched out her hands, and groped her way to the left wing to make the bed, warmly welcoming the new sisters.
Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu exchanged glances, both looking surprised. The two women had no choice but to step forward and respectfully offer their help.
That night, I stayed behind in a daze...
(End of this chapter)
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