Chapter 653 I'm Really Not an Orthopedic Specialist! [Seeking monthly votes in September! Monthly vote giveaway!]
At dusk, the setting sun shines on the ancient temple.
In a courtyard that was a complete mess.
The stone table and its surroundings have been cleaned up, and several plates of side dishes and thin porridge sent from the vegetarian restaurant are placed on the table.
However, the monks from Chengtian Temple who delivered the vegetarian meal left the food box at the door and left in a hurry, not daring to linger or take another look.
A silence fell over the table.
Ouyang Rong and Yuan Huaimin sat facing each other without saying a word.
The latter, with a bruised and swollen face, sat upright, though he would occasionally reach for his lower back and secretly gasp.
Sitting next to him was a menacing figure, glaring at him menacingly.
Since Ouyang Rong met Yuan Huaimin, he had never seen him so honest and simple.
Compared to when Ouyang Rong was in charge of him, he was now much more submissive and obedient.
The two are both friends and superiors. They can joke around in private, and occasionally take leave to slack off, unless it's a matter of principle.
At this moment, Yuan Huaimin felt as if he had encountered his natural enemy.
His entire being exudes cowardice.
At the table, each of the three had a bowl of thin white porridge in front of them.
The portly landlord, Li Yu, didn't come over for dinner. He wasn't hungry. He was squatting on a stone slab in the courtyard, which was covered with broken branches and sticks, looking down in a depressed mood as he searched for any surviving straight sticks and unusual branches.
No wonder I have no appetite.
When gods fight, mortals suffer.
Yi Qianqiu, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, sat at the table with his arms crossed, looking impatient.
The whip, which was just as powerful as the one used to whip a horse, lay quietly beside her porridge bowl.
Yi Qianqiu's gaze fell on Yuan Huaimin, her roommate who had a penchant for the bizarre and unusual.
Just then, a bowl of porridge was brought out from the side and poured a little more porridge into her bowl.
"Please calm down, Qiu Niang. I'm sorry, there's not much fancy food in this Jiangnan temple. We only have some thin porridge and pickled radishes to serve you. I remember you have quite a big appetite..."
"roll."
Yi Qianqiu didn't even look at him, uttering a single word.
Yuan Huaimin swallowed his words and obediently withdrew his hand.
He turned around with a weary and sorrowful expression, and met Ouyang Rong's gaze, who was curiously observing him.
“Qiu Niang is my cousin,” he muttered to himself.
“Cousin?” Ouyang Rong realized and asked in surprise, “You two have different surnames, one is Yi and the other is Yuan.”
"He changed his name and surname."
"Change your name?" Ouyang Rong asked curiously, "Isn't the surname Yuan good enough? Why change it out of the blue?"
"Let her change it. It originated from the Tuoba clan anyway, so what's the big deal if she changes it again?" Yuan Huaimin scratched his head, his attitude quite magnanimous, and continued:
“I come from the main branch of the Yuan family of Jingzhao in Chang'an. Qiu Niang comes from the fifth branch. Her branch has long lived in Yizhou on the border. She is the daughter of my seventh uncle. My seventh uncle is very powerful. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he had already served as the governor of Yizhou. He is a prominent figure in the fifth branch and even in our Yuan family of Jingzhao.”
"When I was a child, my seventh uncle would often bring Qiu Niang with him when he returned to the capital to report to the emperor. Every time, she would stay at my house. The house was very close to the courtyard where I studied. Over time, we became acquainted. Qiu Niang and I were... childhood playmates."
He didn't dare look at the gaze his "cousin" was casting at him.
Yi Qianqiu suddenly grabbed the bowl of porridge in front of him and threw it onto the ground beside him.
Yuan Huaimin's eyes widened, his gaze shifting between pity for the white porridge on the ground and a cold stare at Yi Qianqiu:
"Qiu Niang, what... what is this...?"
"I'm not hungry, so don't eat anymore. You're eating like a pig."
After saying this with a cold laugh, she reached out and tried to snatch Yuan Huaimin's bowl of porridge again, spilling it on the ground.
"You... how can you be so rude? You just smashed things and now you're wasting food... There are outsiders here... Hey, you're still like this, so uncivilized..."
Yuan Huaimin's face was indeed bruised and swollen, resembling a pig's head, but this pig's head stubbornly retorted with a few words.
Seeing Yi Qianqiu reach out his hand.
He hurriedly bent down and hugged the bowl, desperately protecting the mouthful of rice, and began to tug at her hand holding the rim of the bowl, trying to resist stubbornly.
"What playmate? This sounds like childhood sweethearts. So Commander Yi and you have such a good relationship."
Ouyang Rong suddenly spoke, letting out a soft chuckle.
He turned to Yuan Huaimin and began to persuade him:
"Looking at it this way, you really are a pair of enemies. Brother Huaimin, when Commander Yi came to Xunyang, he came to see you as soon as possible. He was so enthusiastic and excited to see you that he accidentally broke a few bottles and jars. It's normal. They say that guests from afar are always welcome, especially since you are childhood sweethearts. You are an honored guest. It wouldn't be too much for you to talk by candlelight all night or sleep side by side. You are a man, so don't be so petty."
"What do you mean by 'accidentally'?"
Yuan Huaimin's swollen face flushed red again, resembling a pig's liver.
“Brother Lianghan, you call this a little bit of bottles and jars? This is not a matter of being stingy or generous.”
Yi Qianqiu let out a cold laugh:
"What a load of rubbish about childhood sweethearts. I'm lucky he survived when I tried to kill him with a bamboo stick as a kid. Talking late into the night? Does he even deserve that title? He's just nagging in my ear like a woman."
The two spoke almost simultaneously and looked at each other.
Yi Qianqiu was holding the rim of Yuan Huaimin's porridge bowl with one hand, while Yuan Huaimin was hunched over and holding the bowl in his arms.
She pulled hard, causing Yuan Huaimin to take a step forward, but she couldn't pull him out. So she laughed and pushed him forward. Yuan Huaimin, who was pulling the rice bowl backward, didn't react in time and staggered backward.
Judging from the stunned look on his face, followed by a look of deep grief and indignation, it was clear that the white porridge had been spilled all over him.
Yi Qianqiu abruptly withdrew his hand and patted the dust off with both palms.
Looking at Yuan Huaimin, who was frustrated and angry, she had a smug look on her square face.
Ouyang Rong caught a glimpse of the subtle expressions on the two men's faces, then looked away and handed his bowl of porridge to Yuan Huaimin.
"It's okay, eat from my bowl."
Yi Qianqiu glanced sideways at Ouyang Rong.
Yuan Huaimin was truly sullen. He lowered his head and didn't even wipe the porridge in his clothes. He took the bowl of porridge that Ouyang Rong handed him and drank it in silence.
Yi Qianqiu didn't move either. He picked up the original copy of "The Peach Blossom Spring" from the side and examined it quietly.
However, the way she raised her hand made Yuan Huaimin, who was "sulking," mistakenly think that she was picking up a whip.
As if by reflex, Yuan Huaimin pushed the bowl of porridge in front of Yi Qianqiu.
Ouyang Rong: ...
Yi Qianqiu: ...?
Even though he had come to some conclusions about the relationship between the two, Ouyang Rong was still speechless.
That's so cowardly.
It was completely suppressed, almost like being controlled by bloodline.
"Get out of your stinky bowl."
Yi Qianqiu swept the bowl of porridge in front of him back, but not a drop of porridge spilled, and it returned perfectly to Yuan Huaimin.
She questioned:
"You get all excited as soon as you start eating. You just got whipped a few times, and your voice was quite loud when you were howling like a ghost. Your body isn't bad, so why did you take the day off today?"
"You dare ask for leave now that I'm here? Are you tired of living?"
Yuan Huaimin lowered his head and said sullenly, "How was I supposed to know you were coming over?"
"Didn't you see the imperial edict issued to Jiangzhou?"
"I didn't look closely; it's just a sinecure..."
Yi Qianqiu retorted sternly, "The Chief Clerk of Jiangzhou is a sinecure? How come when Ouyang Lianghan was the Chief Clerk, his reputation spread all the way to Luoyang, but as soon as you took office, it became a sinecure, and you can't even fart for half a day? You're really useless."
Yuan Huaimin did not look up:
"You've already said I'm useless, you know that, so why say so much?"
Yi Qianqiu cursed again: "Useless good-for-nothing."
Yuan Huaimin remained silent, but instead ate with relish.
"You're getting cocky just because I said you're fat?"
Yuan Huaimin held the bowl of porridge, turned his back to her, and ate his rice with his head down.
Yi Qianqiu reached out to grab the whip.
Ouyang Rong quickly intervened to break up the fight:
“Wait, actually… actually, it was indeed inconvenient for Brother Huaimin to go today. When I rushed to the main hall of Jiangzhou, I borrowed a set of clothes from him. He didn’t have any proper clothes to wear, so he simply came back and didn’t go to greet you.”
Even Li Yu, who was picking up twigs nearby, couldn't stand this lame excuse and turned around.
Yi Qianqiu remained silent, his eyes fixed on the original scroll of "The Peach Blossom Spring" beside him.
Ouyang Rong suddenly had a whimsical idea and asked:
"Were you two ever engaged?"
The atmosphere was quiet for a moment.
About three breaths later, Yuan Huaimin shook his head vigorously, but he was still swallowing food and didn't have time to speak.
Yi Qianqiu had already spoken up for him:
"That was a joke between the elders when we were kids. Even if it wasn't a joke, it would never come true because that good-for-nothing doesn't deserve it. I can't be bothered with him. I was so disgusted by him that I even changed my surname. It's only been a few years since then. If Governor Ouyang asks any more questions and disgusts me, don't blame me for not knowing how to treat guests."
Her expression was indifferent, and her tone was warning.
Yuan Huaimin added with a serious expression:
"That's roughly the idea. Besides, we are cousins. How can we be engaged? It doesn't conform to the ethics of the sages and the etiquette of Confucianism. It's absolutely unacceptable. In the past, during the Northern Wei Dynasty, when the Tuoba clan was still a barbarian tribe and not yet fully civilized, there were instances of emperors marrying their blood sisters. But now it's the Great Zhou Dynasty. How can we go back to the past!"
"Qiu Niang's words were rough but reasonable, and she is quite right. Brother Lianghan, this matter is absolutely not something to joke about, and we must not mention it again."
"Okay, I'm fine now, I'm full."
Ouyang Rong glanced at the two men who both sounded very serious, then immediately got up, walked towards the door, dusted himself off, and left.
If it's truly impossible, then why did the elders in the clan establish this marriage as a joke in the first place? Or rather, can a marriage be a joke?
Ouyang Rong secretly shook his head, neither pointing it out nor intending to investigate further, and chose to leave.
"You guys continue eating. Um, I'll be going now. Since Commander Yi is here, you two haven't seen each other for many years, so have a good time to get to know each other better. As for your clothes, I'll return them to you clean next time we meet."
Yuan Huaimin looked reluctant to part, while Ouyang Rong strode out of the courtyard without looking at him, a faint smile on his face. Before leaving, he paused and turned back to greet Li Yu.
"I suddenly remembered something. Come out for a second, I need to tell you. Also, why don't you stay at my place tonight..."
"Okay, sure."
Li Yu, still bewildered and grieving over the destruction of the special branch, followed Ouyang Rong away.
After the two left.
Only Yi Qianqiu and Yuan Huaimin remained in the courtyard.
"You and Ouyang Lianghan are very close?"
Yi Qianqiu suddenly asked.
"Yes, a close friend."
"Do you know that he has essentially usurped your position as the Chief Secretary of Jiangzhou?"
"Those who are capable should do more work."
"Ha, you're quite generous."
"What exactly is Qiu Niang trying to say?"
"He later became a scholar of the Imperial Academy, but you, you were promoted from Sima of Jiangzhou to Prefect of Jiangzhou, which is still a nominal position with no real power. You're really useless."
"Qiu Niang, stop cursing. If you keep repeating this, it's not that scary after you hear it so often."
"A dead pig isn't afraid of boiling water!"
Yuan Huaimin asked in surprise, "Qiu Niang can recite rhymes? Is she going to test me...?"
"What will the exam be about?" Yi Qianqiu asked, frowning.
"It's nothing, I just said it naturally."
Yi Qianqiu suddenly stood up, walked over, and closed the door.
He returned to the table, but instead of sitting down, he stood in front of Yuan Huaimin and threw "The Peach Blossom Spring" on the table.
She took a deep breath and pointed to the scroll, word by word:
"You're so generous, giving away everything in the house so casually. Do you know that you almost got into big trouble this time? If someone were to report you, not only would you lose your head, but you would also implicate the entire Yuan family of Jingzhao, and even drag your father and me down with you."
"My father and I have worked hard in the court all these years, while you? You just sit around enjoying wealth and luxury all day long."
Yuan Huaimin lowered his head and ate in silence.
After a while, he said hoarsely:
“I know I’m prone to getting into trouble, just like back then, so I’ve been behaving myself in Jiangzhou all these years, not competing or fighting, and I really don’t want to cause you or any trouble for you.”
“This scroll was given to Mr. Wu before. I was ignorant at the time and did not know that it would have such a serious impact as you described today.”
He paused, then changed the subject:
"Is Qiu Niang in danger this time? Liang Han said those bandits are very powerful, and even Lady Rong had to ask the court for help."
Yi Qianqiu suddenly asked:
"What's it to you? What's the use of caring? Even if I told you, would it be of any use to you?"
Yuan Huaimin fell silent.
The atmosphere quieted down.
Yi Qianqiu asked, "You're not going to argue at all? You don't even want to say a word against me?"
Yuan Huaimin shook his head: "I don't curse Qiu Niang, and I don't curse anyone."
She sneered: "So everyone bullies you, everyone treats you like a fool! You think you have many friends, that you're impressive and prestigious, but actually people just think you're stupid and easy to fool. They can get a lot of good things by being your friend, so of course they're willing to be your friend."
“That Ouyang Lianghan just did the same thing. You don’t even need to guess. Other colleagues in the Jiangzhou officialdom are the same. You’re secretly pleased with yourself for being a good person. Hmm, you really are a benevolent benefactor.”
Yi Qianqiu smiled and began to praise him.
Yuan Huaimin shook his head:
“I don’t know about others, but Brother Lianghan is not like that. He truly considers me a friend. He is very capable and a person who puts his knowledge into practice. He is full of energy every day, but he is never arrogant. He is also willing to take care of me, just like you, Qiuniang. He really wants what’s best for me. It’s not fake. It’s just that I’m too lazy and not ambitious enough.”
Yi Qianqiu nodded calmly: "Oh, just like that Mr. Wu, right? You also said that he is both a teacher and a friend."
Yuan Huaimin nodded slightly:
"More or less, but they won't harm me. I'm sure of that, and I'm not stupid."
"It's just that Mr. Wu had a lot on his mind. He seemed to often think about things that were hard for ordinary people to understand. In the later stages, his mind became so chaotic that it affected his superb painting skills."
"Brother Lianghan is much better. He is clear-headed and has the demeanor of an ancient gentleman, but he also has a kind of indescribable temperament. This is a new kind of gentleman's demeanor that I have never seen before. I am a stupid person who is easily depressed and consumed by internal strife, but he is not consumed by internal strife at all. He is emotionally stable and can even enlighten me. In other words, I am the one who consumes his emotions. This is a true friend."
Yi Qianqiu quieted down and stared at his head as he buried himself in his food and muttered to himself.
After a while, she suddenly asked, "Alright, since it wasn't Ouyang Lianghan who bullied you, has anyone in Jiangzhou ever humiliated you?"
"No...no, I don't think so. There were people who gave me the cold shoulder before, but since last year, with Lianghan around, no one has done anything excessive to me, and the atmosphere in the yamen is quite good." Yuan Huaimin smiled, quite content with his lot.
"As for Lianghan's aunt, although she complains about me, she has never chased me away whenever I go back for lunch. She's a bit like Qiu Niang in that respect—both have a sharp tongue but a soft heart... By the way, Qiu Niang, why are you concerned about this? You must never tell outsiders about my temper..."
"Screw you!" Yi Qianqiu cursed, turning her head away from him.
After a short while, she picked up the original copy of "The Peach Blossom Spring" with its scroll changed and examined it closely. Facing north, she began to speak, word by word:
"Yuan Huaimin, I've come today to ask you one question: do you want to return to Guanzhong, to Chang'an?"
Yuan Huaimin paused, his rice bowl still in his hand.
...
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(End of this chapter)
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