Chapter 657 Rong Zhen: From Cold to Attentive, It's Amusing to Think About [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]
Why didn't you leave?
"Why should I leave? I am the Left Supervisor of the Construction of the Donglin Buddha. It would be strange for me to stay here."
"Oh, really?"
"Isn't that so?"
"Suit yourself, just move aside."
Outside the bamboo grove, on a small path.
As soon as Rong Zhen stepped out of the bamboo forest, Ouyang Rong blocked her way.
The former frowned as he spoke, while the latter gave a serious reply.
Ouyang Rong stepped aside.
Rong Zhen walked past him with a cold expression.
Ouyang Rong glanced at her back for a moment, then followed her.
The sound of the zither played in the bamboo forest for quite a while, about half an hour. Ouyang Rong did not go in, but waited for Rong Zhen outside.
Not long after the music stopped, he saw the lady of the house walk out of the bamboo forest, still looking deep in thought.
However, upon seeing him, Rongzhen's face immediately turned cold.
Ouyang Rong followed Rong Zhen for a while.
The two people, one tall and one short, stood one in front of the other.
The height difference between the two was rather odd, and the passing female officials and guards couldn't help but glance at them.
Wait until you reach a secluded spot.
What are you carrying in your hand?
Rong Zhen suddenly asked without turning her head.
"Bamboo shoots, these spring bamboo shoots are so fresh."
Ouyang Rong laughed and picked up the bamboo shoots he had "borrowed" from Dalang and Liulang, giving them an admiring look.
"I know it's bamboo shoots. I'm asking you why you're bothering me with this?"
Rongzhen asked without any emotion.
Ouyang Rong corrected him seriously:
"What do you mean by 'persistently'? We're just having a normal business discussion. But the reason I brought it up is to give it to you, so you can nourish yourself. This stuff is good for your energy and blood."
"I'm sorry, I don't like accepting bribes."
"It wasn't a bribe, it was just a colleague showing concern, something I did on a whim."
"I also dislike social interactions; they're too troublesome."
"No need to repay the favor, it was just a small favor, a token of my appreciation, please forgive me."
"Okay."
"Alright, where does Lady Rong live now? In the bamboo grove? I'll help you carry it over and put it away for you."
After a few words, before Ouyang Rong could even smile, they heard Rong Zhen's faint voice from ahead:
"Thank you. There's a ditch ahead; please help me put it in."
Ouyang Rong choked.
After a while, he asked in confusion:
"Ms. Rong probably doesn't live in the ditch."
Rongzhen was too lazy to answer, so she turned around and looked him up and down.
Ouyang Rong immediately stopped, holding the bamboo shoots in his hand, and subconsciously stood up straighter.
Rong Zhen scrutinized her for a while, and an impatient look appeared on her cold face:
"Isn't Governor Ouyang busy with his work in Xingzifang, Xunyang City? I thought you were so engrossed in your work that you didn't want to leave. You only had time to come and take a look after the Donglin Buddha was finished."
“Ms. Rong, what are you saying? You’re being too polite. I’ve been keeping a close eye on the progress at the Xunyang Grottoes. Wang Caozhi and the others report to me every day… I haven’t been lax at all.”
"Perhaps."
Rongzhen withdrew her gaze, continued to gather her sleeves and move forward, answering calmly.
"Um, where does Lady Rong live? These bamboo shoots..."
"I already said, throw it into the ditch, if you bring it to me..."
Ouyang Rong shook his head:
"That won't do, it would be a waste of such good ingredients. How about this, I'll take it back for you and make a duck and bamboo shoot soup for Lady Rong. I'll bring it back another day, and Lady Rong can just drink it directly, which will save you the trouble."
"I've heard that Ms. Rong lives a simple life in private, and probably doesn't cook or make soup..."
"Who says it can't be? Which eye of Governor Ouyang saw that? Remember to go see the doctor as soon as possible."
"Alright. I misspoke. I didn't expect Lady Rong to be concerned with such trivial matters."
Ouyang Rong nodded and asked:
"Should I take these bamboo shoots home to cook, or should you take them home to cook?"
"what ever."
Rongzhen's tone was impatient.
Ouyang Rong suppressed his laughter:
"Then let's get off here."
Rongzhen realized what was happening, turned around abruptly, stared at his face, not missing a single subtle expression.
How did they agree so easily? I feel like I've fallen into some kind of persuasive trap.
Under the death stare, Ouyang Rong's expression was strange:
"Why are you looking at my face, Lady Rong? Is there something on it?"
He touched his face as he spoke.
Rongzhen turned her head away angrily and strode forward, the hem of her light purple palace dress fluttering slightly with her hurried steps.
It seems he wanted to get rid of a shameless colleague.
Unfortunately, she encountered a persistent and unforgiving man.
What exactly do you want?
Rong Zhen asked coldly.
"The matter discussed in the morning meeting."
"Oh, I voted against the second item, causing a tie and preventing Li Congshan from being replaced. Are you unhappy about that?"
"No, I can understand Ms. Rong."
"Is that so? I thought you were coming to teach me how to do things."
The cold, palace-dressed girl in front of him unconsciously raised her chin slightly.
"How could I dare? Lady Rong abstained from the first resolution, which was already a great concession."
“I understand Lady Rong’s concerns. The Xuanwu Guard was specially requested by Lady Rong. One of the two Xuanwu Battalions has already been transferred to the southwest front, leaving only a thousand men. If we send Xuanwu Guard soldiers to suppress bandits in Hukou County and another three hundred to relieve them at the Xunyang Prince’s Mansion, then there really won’t be many Xuanwu Guard soldiers left, which will affect Lady Rong’s deployment of defenses at the Xunyang Grottoes.”
Rong Zhen remained silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a cold laugh:
"Heh, you enjoy trying to figure me out so much? What if I have ulterior motives?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head:
"My name is Lady Xinrong."
"Is this how you usually talk to your junior sisters? You're so good at praising people."
Ouyang Rong was helpless:
"They're not the same thing at all, how can you compare them? Lady Rong is joking."
Before Rongzhen could answer, he seemed to remember something and asked:
"By the way, the third topic of this morning meeting, the deployment of defenses at Xunyang Grottoes, was not mentioned much by Lady Rong. She also did not explain the purpose of General Wei Mi and a thousand Xuanwu Guard soldiers staying at Xunyang Grottoes."
Rong Zhen frowned, remained silent for a moment, and then said:
"Didn't we agree before that you would be in charge of the construction of the Donglin Buddha, and you don't need to worry about anything else? I will definitely protect the Donglin Buddha and you... As for the statue officials, I and the Censorate will take care of the defense."
"That's what they say, but the rebels in Tiannan Jianghu are causing more and more trouble. I can tell that Lady Rong is a little nervous. I also want to do my part."
Rongzhen pursed her lips and did not answer.
Ouyang Rong then probed further:
"Alright, I'll withdraw Wang Caozhi. I'll be coming over frequently these days. It's the final stage of the statue's creation, almost at the point of finishing the work. I think it's best if I oversee it personally. If you have any instructions or suddenly think of anything, you can contact me directly. It will be much more convenient."
Rong Zhen paused briefly, but still did not answer.
The two walked forward for a while.
Ouyang Rong asked:
"Then, when Commander Yi first arrived at Shuangfengjian last time, did he also have a private conversation with Lady Rong and Granny Song about the deployment of defenses?"
Rong Zhen hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Ouyang Rong immediately felt that the bamboo shoots in his hands were worth it.
While the iron is hot, ask:
"By the way, I remember Lady Rong said last time that she wanted to introduce a senior to me, saying that they shared the same love for playing the zither. I wonder if the senior is still around, since he disappeared after that."
"You've disappeared without a trace."
Rong Zhen blurted it out, then immediately regretted it and changed her words:
"Can't I just forget by accident? Fine, Ouyang Lianghan, you're so petty. So you've been remembering all along. Do you feel like I owe you something?"
"No, I was just asking out of curiosity," Ouyang Rong shook his head.
"Oh."
"Okay, if it's inconvenient, then forget it."
Ouyang Rong took the initiative to offer a way out.
Rongzhen pursed her lips.
After a moment, she said:
"There's nothing inconvenient about it, but you need to know some musical skills and theory, preferably the pipa, so we can have something in common. Otherwise, it's useless to introduce it to you."
Ouyang Rong nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly asked:
"Is this venerable elder the one who played the zither in the bamboo grove just now? Does he also live in this bamboo grove? I noticed that Lady Rong went in quite hastily just now."
Rongzhen glanced at his curious expression.
"Yes, that's right."
Finally, he responded.
Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow slightly.
The piano music played at the Xingzihu construction site that day was very strange.
Only after reviewing the events did he realize that the music could display the spiritual energy cultivation beams of enemy Qi cultivators within a certain range, similar to expanding the field of vision and leaving hidden enemy Qi cultivators nowhere to hide... The music that day did indeed catch everyone off guard.
The elder who could play this special zither music was definitely not simple; it could be seen as one of the trump cards that Rongzhen and Deputy Supervisor Song were preparing at Xunyang Grottoes.
This should also be part of the defense deployment at Xunyang Grottoes this time.
The image of the old man carrying a hoe that Ouyang Rong had just encountered in the bamboo forest flashed through his mind again.
He nodded slightly.
“Ms. Rong’s words make a lot of sense.”
Rongzhen looked at him and asked:
"You could understand that piano music just now?"
Ouyang Rong came to his senses and smiled:
"I know a little bit."
Rong Zhen frowned slightly:
"That's true. I've seen you carrying a violin case and going to see Yuan Huaimin and the others privately from time to time, so your violin skills must be quite good..."
Ouyang Rong said embarrassedly, "Couldn't it be that the poor students have too many stationery items?"
"What's the meaning?"
"It's okay, you can continue."
Rongzhen glanced at him with some displeasure.
"Can you please stop interrupting? Are you even listening when I'm speaking?"
"Okay, go ahead."
Ouyang Rong was not annoyed.
Because we're too familiar with each other.
Rong Zhen hesitated for a moment, and seeing that no one was around, she lowered her eyes and stared at her toes, and said:
"I was busy going inside and didn't greet you. It wasn't intentional neglect; I was going to... learn the zither."
"Learn to play the zither?" Ouyang Rong asked in surprise.
"Um."
Rongzhen hesitated for a moment, then whispered:
"The senior is willing to teach me a piece of music, but it depends on my aptitude."
"Comprehension?"
"Yes, the old master said that this piece of music is very difficult. If you don't have the talent, you just don't have the talent. He hasn't met anyone with that kind of talent in a long time. Otherwise, he would have kept it to complete the task long ago, and he wouldn't have been dragged over here at his age..."
"The old master said that he once saw a talented musician in the troupe of musicians at Shangyang Palace in Luoyang, but unfortunately he didn't have the chance to mentor him..."
"Anyway, now it all depends on my comprehension. The senior also said that he hoped I could be more comprehension-oriented and learn it sooner... Indeed, there isn't much time left, so I have to hurry up and study."
"I will strive to fully comprehend this melody before I encounter that lecherous thief again, so I can take my revenge..."
Ouyang Rong asked instinctively, "A lecherous thief?"
"That's the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower."
Rongzhen spoke each word clearly.
Because she was standing in front of him and speaking with her head down, Ouyang Rong couldn't see her specific expression.
But his scalp tingled.
Good heavens, Lady Historian is brewing a deadly move, is she doing this to her close comrade-in-arms?
"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"
After a moment of silence, Rongzhen frowned and asked.
"fine."
Ouyang Rong looked up at the sky, and with his free hand, he shook out a string of sandalwood prayer beads from his sleeve. These were the same beads that Vice Supervisor Song had given to Lin Cheng to save his life.
If only it could truly escape death and take revenge, thus absolving the Butterfly Love Flower Master of his sins and wiping the slate clean... Unfortunately, it cannot escape death.
His fingers deftly twirled the prayer beads, concealing his fluctuating emotions. Matching the murderous intent brewing within the female historian, he lowered his voice and asked:
"Hmm, so what kind of deadly move is this zither music from the old master?"
Rongzhen glanced at him but didn't speak immediately.
Ouyang Rong's expression remained unchanged.
"Hmm, is it the same zither music that was heard in Xingzifang last time? I heard it can be used to locate the hidden Qi pillars of Qi cultivators, or... is it an enhanced effect, a secret technique kept by the old master?"
While observing Rong Zhen's expression, he changed his question.
Rongzhen's statement is ambiguous:
"You seem to know quite a lot, and your mind works pretty fast... That's about right, it's a unique skill."
She then let out a soft sigh.
"Unfortunately, I lack the aptitude for music, and my learning has been somewhat halting these past few days. Fortunately, the old master is patient. Although I'm not worried about him getting impatient and leaving, I am afraid that time will run out..."
Ouyang Rong noticed a hint of sorrow creeping into Rong Zhen's expression.
Previously, this lady-in-waiting was always stern-faced and cold-hearted, devoid of any emotion.
Now, however, she privately reveals some of her daughter's little complaints.
Rong Zhen took a deep breath and said:
"In addition, the senior teacher said that he also values the occasion for inspiration when teaching music, so there is no fixed time. He will play a piece occasionally, and he hopes that I will not go too far, otherwise I will miss it and have to wait for the next chance... That's why I rushed over just now..."
Ouyang Rong realized: "No wonder Lady Rong also asked the Prince to move to Xunyang Grottoes for this morning meeting. It turns out he couldn't get away."
Rongzhen shifted her gaze to the headless Buddha statue not far away, and murmured to herself:
"This time there was not much gain either. Why is it so difficult? My aptitude is clearly not low. What kind of talent is being sought?"
"It's okay, take your time."
Ouyang Rong offered a comforting word in a broad voice, and after a moment, softly raised the question:
"I have found the peach blossom grove that Lady Rong asked me to look for last time. I know where it is. I have sent people to confirm it on site. I will give you a reply in the next two days. Once it is confirmed to be a peach blossom grove, I will inform Lady Rong as soon as possible."
"good."
Rongzhen nodded immediately.
His previously cold expression softened slightly.
After a while, she asked again:
"Where is the peach orchard? How far is it from Xunyang City? It's useless if it's too far."
"It's not far from Mount Kuanglu. It's quite a coincidence. Last time, when my junior sister and the little princess of the royal palace went to Mount Kuanglu to visit an ancient temple, they happened to see a peach grove and casually asked the monks about its location."
Rongzhen nodded slowly.
Ouyang Rong was curious:
"However, I have a question: Why would Lady Rong be looking for the peach blossom grove all of a sudden?"
"Why are you asking so many questions?"
Rongzhen seemed to find him somewhat of an eyesore:
"Just do as I say."
"good."
The two walked quietly for a while longer.
Rongzhen suddenly stopped and said:
“You bring me a bowl of soup every day.”
"Huh?" Ouyang Rong didn't react: "What soup?"
Rongzhen strode forward, leaving behind a sentence:
"Secondly, meeting with the senior is not out of the question. Perhaps there are some things I don't understand that I can ask you for advice, to gather our wisdom, although it's probably not very useful..."
"Finally, you are not allowed to disobey me, not allowed to point fingers, and not to look at or listen to anything improper. Do you understand?"
Ouyang Rong was stunned for a moment.
He realized that the lady was referring to his decision to stay behind and participate in the defense.
"Okay."
Ouyang Rong immediately broke into a bright smile.
Then, the two entered the cave.
Princess An Hui's carriage was waiting ahead.
Rongzhen stepped forward to greet them.
Ouyang Rong glanced over there, decided not to join the commotion, and turned to leave...
As Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen approached Princess Anhui's carriage, a square-faced man wearing a white cloth strip on his head subtly turned his head, glancing at Rong Zhen's figure for a moment, then at Ouyang Rong.
Finally, he watched Ouyang Rong's figure disappear into the distance.
...
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(End of this chapter)
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