Chapter 636 Savoring Sweetness [Begging for Monthly Tickets in Mid-Month!]
News came that the young governor had left his seat to use the restroom once, but then had to leave midway through the meeting due to other commitments.
The Yangzhou businessmen who participated in the unified rental housing project in Xingzi were not surprised.
Everyone knows that Governor Ouyang is a very busy man, managing both the governor's office and the Jiangzhou government, overseeing the entire city of Jiangzhou and its thirteen counties, and also bearing the heavy responsibility of building the Donglin Buddha for His Majesty.
Public affairs are clearly so busy.
It is commendable that he has been able to frequently visit Xingzifang and devote some of his energy to matters that directly affect the livelihoods of Xunyang residents, such as the renovation of the Xingzifang rental housing.
This even made Pei Shisan Niang and other Yangzhou merchants feel proud.
Coming to the dinner tonight is an exception among exceptions.
Since Governor Ouyang took office again, have you ever seen him attend any banquets or feasts?
He even declined to attend the Lantern Festival banquet hosted by the Prince of Xunyang's mansion a few months ago, leaving a group of high-ranking officials and scions of noble families who had traveled from afar to meet him with great admiration to leave disappointed.
If it weren't for the fact that, near the end of the Lantern Festival banquet, the little princess had relayed a message for him, bringing back a poem, "Qing Yu An: Lantern Festival," which captivated everyone and was later recognized as the best Lantern Festival poem, there would have been no shortage of gossip.
However, it also reveals the noble character of this young governor.
According to Pei Shisan Niang, president of the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce, who once inadvertently revealed that Governor Ouyang would go home for dinner every night, rain or shine.
Of course, Pei Shisan Niang didn't say which family it was.
Even after explaining it clearly, it was still difficult to suppress the boundless admiration that the merchants of Yangzhou had for this governor.
Such a family-oriented and principled man is truly a model husband of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Therefore, it is truly unprecedented for Governor Ouyang to be able to attend the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce's celebratory banquet tonight and have a few drinks.
Everyone was so honored that they had no complaints about the so-called departure midway through the event.
As for the possibility that this young governor might not be a good drinker and might flee in a sorry state...
What? Isn't Governor Ouyang famous for being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk?
...
A gentle evening breeze blew along the shore of Xingzi Lake.
Ouyang Rong's head, which had been spinning, suddenly sobered up considerably.
For overly rational people, occasionally indulging in a drink and experiencing a slightly tipsy state is a novel experience.
The restaurant hosting tonight's victory banquet is quite large, comparable to Yunshui Pavilion, and not far from Xingzi Lake.
Ouyang Rong, who was enjoying the breeze by the lake, glanced back at the dazzling lights of the restaurant behind him.
Emerging from the banquet, Ouyang Rong's eyes were slightly tipsy. Along the way, many things flashed through his mind, and his thoughts were quite unpredictable.
There are swaying orchids being watered on the windowsill of the Longcheng Meilu Garden.
There are strange inscriptions on the bronze short sword.
A few nights ago, when everything was quiet, Xiao Mo would sneak out of the closet and search his clothes and belongings for any traces of other bad women. The sneaky noises made kept him awake, so he had to pretend to turn over to scare her back.
In addition, there was the embroiderer's thin yet burning body temperature on the kitchen stove in the quiet courtyard last time, and the smooth collarbone on one side covered with hickeys from him.
Actually, because the embroiderer was so thin, when he forcefully picked her up and carried her to the stove, his waist was hurt by her slender pelvis, but Ouyang Rong didn't say anything at the time...
A multitude of senses and a multitude of thoughts flew past his eyes.
Finally, accompanied by a sudden burst of fireworks in the sky behind, everything merged into one, becoming a quiet and graceful silhouette that occupied the entire heart at that moment.
Fireworks reflected in Ouyang Rong's eyes.
What is the embroiderer doing now? Is she waiting for him, or is she asleep?
Ouyang Rong turned his head and looked towards a certain location on the opposite shore of Xingzi Lake.
No lights were lit in the quiet courtyard.
Just before evening, he had already sent Pei Shisan Niang to the secluded courtyard to inform Xiu Niang that he wouldn't be going back for dinner that night, and that she should probably be asleep by now.
"Mr. Ming, where are we going now?"
Hearing the cautious call, Ouyang Rong came to his senses.
He turned his head and saw Yan Liulang who had followed him.
Pei Shisan Niang also came along, hanging at a distance behind them.
Along the way, while Ouyang Rong was slightly drunk and lost in thought, the two of them silently followed behind without disturbing him.
Seeing Yan Liulang break the silence by speaking to Ouyang Rong, Pei Shisan Niang immediately stepped forward, following closely behind Ouyang Rong, and asked softly with concern:
"Young master, would you like to go back to the embroiderer's courtyard and visit her?"
Ouyang Rong did not answer the two.
Yan Liulang couldn't help but glance at Pei Shisan Niang again, his eyes showing a hint of surprise.
The woman's intuition was astonishing.
With a few "whoosh" sounds, several more fireworks shot straight into the sky from the direction of the restaurant where the three had just said goodbye, piercing the enchanting spring night and resounding throughout Xingzifang.
People in other neighborhoods are probably wondering why fireworks are being set off all of a sudden.
It's estimated that only these Yangzhou merchants would be so extravagant, making such a grand celebration banquet with all sorts of festivities.
However, it's a boon for children who love watching fireworks. Right now in Xunyang City, countless children are enjoying the cool breeze in the dark courtyards, gazing up at the fireworks with dreamy expressions.
Ouyang Rong suddenly turned around and walked towards Qingyang Heng Street.
Yan Liulang and Pei Shisan Niang dared not ask and silently followed.
Arriving at Qingyang Hengjie, I noticed that most of the courtyards were brightly lit, as I had just moved into my new home and was looking around at familiar places. Many people were still awake.
Ouyang Rong seemed to only want to stroll around and check if there were any problems. He walked and stopped, and suddenly stopped in front of a courtyard.
The courtyard was brightly lit, and the silhouette of an old woman sitting on a reclining chair, enjoying the breeze, could be faintly seen.
Yan Liulang glanced at the courtyard and suddenly felt that the location was somewhat familiar, as if he had been here before.
Before he could think any further, the figure of the prefect standing in front of him moved and entered the courtyard.
Yan Liulang and Pei Shisan Niang obediently followed them inside.
As soon as Ouyang Rong entered the courtyard, he startled the family. Although he was not wearing official robes, most of the families who moved in that afternoon had seen his face at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance of Qingyang Hengjie Street and knew that Governor Ouyang was a handsome young man, which made him easy to recognize.
The family, surnamed Cheng, warmly welcomed Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong asked a few questions, looked around the courtyard, and then glanced at the old woman from the Cheng family who had just been sitting in the courtyard.
This courtyard was built on the original site of the Wang family's old residence on Qingyang Heng Street.
Ouyang Rong heard about this matter from Lady Rong and Prince Xunyang Li Xian on several occasions.
Every time Lady Rong mentioned it, she seemed a little disappointed, and Prince Xunyang also kept it in mind.
Now, a new house has been rebuilt, but the Wang family mother and son are no longer here. After their tragic deaths, the rest of the family members scattered like birds and beasts.
With Qingyang Hengjie now under reconstruction, no one has returned to inherit the house, so this Cheng family has moved in as tenants.
Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze, offered some warm greetings, and told them that if they had any requests, they should feel free to make them.
After a short while, seeing that nothing was amiss, Ouyang Rong bid farewell in a gentle voice, and the Cheng family warmly saw him off at the door.
At this moment, the old woman from the Cheng family entered the house, then returned. Pushing aside her children's help, she took out a piece of gray cloth wrapped around her and stubbornly stuffed it into Ouyang Rong's hands.
Upon opening it, I found a bag full of candied fruit made from bayberries.
Ouyang Rong instinctively handed it back, intending to politely decline.
The old lady of the Cheng family shook her head and nudged his arm forward, her eyes filled with eager anticipation.
This is a specialty of their hometown, and the candied fruit itself is quite precious.
It was one of the most popular snacks among children in this era. However, candied fruit was generally only affordable for wealthy families. Ordinary families, like the Cheng family, could only pick some wild bayberries to make candied fruit. Although the taste was much worse, at least they had something to eat. It was mainly given to children during festivals or to elderly people who had a bitter palate.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips, and under everyone's gaze, reached out his hand, preparing to pick one.
At this moment, Pei Shisan Niang suddenly stepped forward and helped take the large bag of candied fruit.
Yan Liulang immediately moved closer, picked up a piece, put it in his mouth, and quickly chewed and swallowed it.
After a while, he nodded to Ouyang Rong, as if to say that it tasted very sweet.
Ouyang Rong didn't look at the two of them, but calmly picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.
"Put it away."
After giving Pei Shisan Niang a word of instruction, he turned around and sincerely thanked the old woman from the Cheng family.
Before leaving, Ouyang Rong stopped at the threshold, looked back, and glanced at the family who had moved into their new house and were living happily together.
The candied fruit, which had been in my mouth for a while, had a subtle aftertaste; it was indeed quite sweet.
The three left Qingyang Hengjie.
We strolled along the lake and headed back towards the carriage.
On the way, Pei Shisan Niang carried a package of candied fruit, while Yan Liulang followed behind carrying a sword.
Ouyang Rong broke the silence by speaking without turning his head:
"Why is Thirteen Sister here too? Isn't she hosting the banquet?"
"I still prefer to stay by your side, young master; it makes me feel more at ease."
“In the past, you wouldn’t have felt comfortable at all.”
Ouyang Rong chuckled softly.
Pei Shisan Niang hesitated for a moment, then boldly spoke up:
“I used to be very afraid of you, young master. Although I’m still quite afraid now, I feel more at ease with you.”
"Yes, I feel at ease."
Pei Shisan Niang nodded and repeated, watching his retreating figure as she said:
"I feel at ease not only when I'm by your side, but also in Xingzifang and Xunyang City."
"Weren't you ever at ease before?" Ouyang Rong asked with a smile.
“In the past, I always thought of myself as a stranger in a foreign land, thinking that I would leave as soon as I made money, go wherever I could make money, and leave immediately when I could not make money, and go to the next place where I could make money, just like the stops one after another for a traveler.”
Pei Shisan Niang raised her head and said earnestly:
"Sometimes when the night is quiet, I feel a little empty inside. When I wake up from a dream, I don't know where I am for a moment, or rather, it doesn't matter where I am, like a ghost."
"And now?"
"Now... I've met the young master, I've met Military Advisor Yan, and I've met many interesting people from Xunyang. In recent days, I've also persuaded my colleagues to invest most of their money in this Xingzifang."
“My lord, I didn’t feel much before, but when I watched these houses being built little by little, when I saw them rising from the ground like skyscrapers, when I saw the families living there together, and the joy on their faces, I suddenly understood what you wanted to do.”
Ouyang Rong remained silent and walked ahead.
At this point, Pei Shisan Niang's tone became somewhat embarrassed, and she shook her head, saying:
"To be honest, when I first followed your instructions to build these ordinary houses that didn't make money and were hard to recoup my investment, I felt a little heartbroken. I felt like I was wasting hard-earned money, and even felt like it would be a huge loss if I didn't make any money."
"But as I gradually accepted them, as I watched them being built and people moving in, and as I saw this joyful and lively scene today, I suddenly felt relieved and realized that it wasn't so bad after all, and that I felt a sense of peace."
"Safe and sound?" Yan Liulang raised an eyebrow.
"That's right, it's safe."
Pei Shisan Niang nodded, her eyes regaining some luster:
“If I had followed my old ways, I would have bought all these mansions and estates. Although I would have made more money, I would have treated it as just a business. In business, of course, profit is paramount. I would have only pursued higher profits. No matter how luxurious, exquisite, or unparalleled these houses were, they would still just be things to be bought and sold. I only talk about money, not feelings.”
"Now, are we talking about feelings?"
"Not really. After the house on Qingyang Main Street was completed, I suddenly felt very at ease. I haven't felt this sense of security for a very long time."
"Well, when I first made money in business and used it to improve the lives of my family, I experienced it once. At that time, I felt that I did it with my own ability and that I had a talent for doing business. I was excited and thrilled. Seeing my family's happy smiles made me feel very at ease."
"But later on, I don't know when it started, we began to pursue maximum profit more and more, and we gradually lost many other things, including some ethics and moral principles, some compassion, and even my parents. I went back to see them less often, and only sent them a sum of money regularly so that they could live comfortably in their hometown."
"But I've become restless. From Yangzhou to Jiangzhou, before I even met you, my heart was completely unsettled. It seems that only by earning profits and gradually gaining a more prestigious status can I vaguely feel a sense of existence, but it's still very unsettling. I often wake up in the middle of the night from nightmares..."
She raised her head and said softly:
"Just now, I accompanied you, young master, to the Cheng family's courtyard. I even had the leisure to examine the details of the eaves, doors, and walls, and I was quite satisfied with them. They may not be as exquisite as those mansions, but they just gave me the patience to look at them. I don't know how to describe this feeling. I'm rambling a bit. Please forgive me, young master and Military Advisor Yan..."
Pei Shisan Niang sighed, a sigh of relief mixed with a sense of relief.
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly and said nothing more.
Yan Liulang laughed heartily:
"Thirteen Sister is at peace with herself. In the words of the Ming family, this is called alienation. Power and force are the easiest to alienate people, followed by money."
"Alienation..." Pei Shisan Niang pondered carefully.
"That's right."
Yan Liulang nodded emphatically, looking with admiration at the silent figure of the prefect.
“This is how you conduct legitimate business now. The old way of pursuing profit was too unhealthy and easily led to failure. In other words, simply making money from money is endless. Using money to mobilize resources and do something real is the only way to be down-to-earth and have peace of mind.”
His eyes held a hint of reminiscence:
"Doing business is like this, and so is being an official. I was like this when I was in Longcheng until I met you, Magistrate. After following you, I also developed a similar sense of security as you."
Pei Shisan Niang stared blankly at the quiet Ouyang Rong in front of her.
At this moment, the three of them came to the carriage and stopped one after another.
Ouyang Rong accepted the candied fruit brought by Pei Shisan Niang, and before getting into the carriage, he patted Pei Shisan Niang on the shoulder.
"Thirteenth Sister, go back and rest early. Sixth Brother, come up here."
Pei Shisan Niang, filled with mixed emotions, was left behind, while Yan Liulang followed Ouyang Rong into the carriage.
After an incense stick had burned, the coachman Ali saw that the military advisor Yan got off the carriage with a serious expression and hurriedly left.
As the carriage continued its journey, Ouyang Rong opened the bundle containing candied fruit and glanced inside.
He bent down and pulled out a small gourd from under the seat, shook it by his ear, and filled the gourd with thick, cloudy wine mixed with talisman ash.
Ouyang Rong remained silent for a while, then closed his eyes and entered the Pagoda of Merit.
My gaze fell on the cyan-gold characters above the small wooden fish:
[Merit: 8,301]
A dinner party plus a walk afterward added another hundred to my bill.
It's rare to have such abundant merit points.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips and left the Pagoda of Merit.
Opening his eyes, his perspective returned to the slightly bumpy, dimly lit carriage.
"Ali will have to work hard again tonight."
Ouyang Rong suddenly spoke.
A muffled sound came from outside:
"It's no trouble at all. I brought some provisions and am willing to guard you, young master." He paused, then unusually asked, "Young master, is there any danger in that temple?"
This simple man's intuition... Ouyang Rong didn't answer, but said softly:
"Find a secluded spot behind Chengtian Temple and stop."
"yes."
Inside the carriage, Ouyang Rong leaned back in his seat, head down, his hand gently patting a packet of candied fruit and a small gourd of wine on his lap.
His eyes were somewhat unfathomable, and his expression was unclear.
"Whoosh."
"Crack—!"
Another firework streaked across the night sky on the opposite shore of the lake.
Ouyang Rong's eyesight returned, and he turned to look at the fleeting fireworks outside the window for a while.
His eyes were lost in thought for a moment.
"Wait, let's go to that courtyard first."
Ali seemed to be taken aback for a moment, but immediately replied, "Yes, young master."
The carriage turned around and headed towards a quiet courtyard by the lake not far away.
Ouyang Rong lowered his head, opened the bundle of candied fruit, picked out a piece of candied fruit, and carefully wrapped it with the handkerchief his junior sister had left beside him.
He stuffed the wad of handkerchief and the small gourd of wine under the seat and placed it next to the violin case.
After doing all this, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the quiet courtyard and slowly came to a stop.
Night had fallen, and Ouyang Rong glanced around; the courtyard was pitch black.
According to the healthy routines of the embroiderer and the Fang sisters, they went to bed early; he arrived too late.
Ouyang Rong got off the car carrying a bag of candied fruit. He glanced at the courtyard gate, and without hesitation, pushed it open and went inside.
He walked very lightly.
Walk through the silent lobby and into the backyard.
The several side rooms were dark and quiet.
He placed the bag of candied fruit on the stone table, bumped into something, and looked down to take a look.
Once my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could immediately see that there were several dishes covered with bamboo baskets on the stone table.
He unconsciously touched the bowl with the back of his hand. Whether it was because the spring weather was getting warmer or because he was feeling a bit cold after sobering up, the bowl was faintly warm.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips, stood there for a while, then turned to leave.
Tonight, he has another very important matter to resolve at Chengtian Temple.
Just then, a familiar, crisp sound came from behind:
"Longling—!"
Ouyang Rong paused.
"Ah, ah..."
In the darkness, a woman called out to him softly.
...
——————
(PS: It's mid-month, I'm begging for a round of guaranteed monthly votes that refresh mid-month, please vote, my good brothers~ or 2)
(End of this chapter)
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