Chapter 671 Xie Lingjiang: Lady Historian, please take care and don't see me off! [Seeking monthly votes!]
"By the way, what about that wine?"
As soon as Ouyang Rong reached the rooftop of Xunyang Tower, he suddenly remembered something and turned to ask the beautiful maid who was respectfully following him.
He rushed back to Xunyang Tower from the west gate to keep his appointment. Yan Liulang was on guard downstairs. When he learned that Ouyang Rong had returned, the owner of Xunyang Tower and Qin Da, the pipa player, came to greet him warmly. However, he politely waved them off, leaving only a beautiful maid to lead him upstairs to the rooftop he had booked in advance.
The beautiful maid asked in a soft voice:
"Are you referring to the basin of wine in our building, sir?"
"Yes, that's right. It's the name Huaimin. He has it all at your restaurant. Bring it all back. He should have mentioned it to your owner when he came over tonight."
The beautiful maid praised:
"Yes, I have mentioned it. This is a famous wine from Xunyang. Even the wine-loving Lord Yuan only has two and a half jugs in my collection, and he even wrote a poem praising it... Xunyang has many fine wines, enough to keep your cup from getting dry. That's what they're talking about..."
Ouyang Rong nodded:
"It can keep the cup from getting dry, but it can make people feel irritable, right? Alright, bring it all out. Don't skimp on Lord Yuan's cup, or it would be disrespectful to him." He said with a smile.
"Yes, sir, please wait a moment. I will go to the master to fetch it from the cellar."
Seeing the beautiful maid gracefully depart, Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze, casually pulled a chair from the table, slumped into it, gripped the armrests, and let out a long breath.
I looked around and saw the exquisitely decorated rooftop.
He picked up a bundle from the table and opened it.
This was handed to me by Yan Liulang just before I went upstairs; it was prepared according to Ouyang Rong's instructions.
The bundle was opened, revealing an exquisitely packaged ebony box and a bouquet of freshly picked flowers, with dew still clinging to the petals.
Ouyang Rong did not open the ebony box.
He nodded with a slightly satisfied expression.
It may be a bit tacky, but no woman dislikes flowers and gifts, followed by gold and jewelry.
They are creatures who love romance and rituals.
Even though he said it was old-fashioned, his hands were quick to take the flowers.
The problem will only arise if you don't give it to her, because all the other girls have it, and she can't be without it.
The woman loved to observe details and then add her own imagination.
If she has something, she might not necessarily imagine the positive aspects, but if she lacks something, she will definitely imagine the negative aspects.
Flowers and gifts themselves are not worth much money, but they can show whether you have put your heart into them. The sentiment behind them is what women value most.
Of course, this is based on the premise that she likes you. She will like whatever you give her. If she doesn't like you, she will find your flowers and gifts old-fashioned and boring, or even disgusting.
However, Ouyang Rong's procedures and sense of ritual were still quite advanced for this world.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, many men still hold a "manly" mindset and wouldn't even bother to say "drink more hot water," for fear of being seen as uncivilized or being called a shrew. Unless they are the kind of pretty boys who are professional adulterers, good at sweet talk and charming young women, but even they are looked down upon by the mainstream public opinion in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Ouyang Rong, on the other hand, did not have this kind of mental burden.
In addition, he was also the governor of a prefecture, and he was busy with official duties, yet he was meticulous and patient in preparing these "small things"... Anyway, the look Yan Liulang gave Ouyang Rong just now was full of admiration.
He's flexible and adaptable; it's no wonder the magistrate married a woman from one of the five surnames—he deserved to marry her!
Which young lady wouldn't like that?
Even though they've already established a relationship, it's still as romantic as when they first met.
There's a reason why Miss Xie is completely under the control of the Ming family.
After placing the bundle on a cabinet at the rooftop entrance for easy access, Ouyang Rong glanced at the bright moon overhead.
Today is the fifteenth of the lunar month, and the moon is full and bright.
High-rise buildings stand on the riverbank, and a gentle evening breeze blows.
Ouyang Rong patted the railing and waited quietly, not yet examining the changes in the spiritual energy in his dantian, but waiting to check it when he returned to his study in Yinbingzhai.
Time passed second by second.
At the second quarter of Hai hour, there was still no sign of him.
Ouyang Rong frowned slightly.
Is he still cultivating?
In truth, Ouyang Rong wasn't sure why his junior sister was so introverted. It seemed to have started when he recovered from his illness in Longcheng. This seemingly relaxed but inwardly tense demeanor made him wonder if something had triggered her...
As my thoughts wandered, I heard footsteps coming from the stairwell.
Ouyang Rong immediately perked up, turned around to greet him, and reached out to touch the bundle.
"You've come at the perfect time..."
He froze halfway through his sentence, his face blank, and his hand on the bundle stopped moving.
"Ms. Rong."
Ouyang Rong exclaimed in surprise, only to see Rong Zhen, carrying a zither case, barge in with a cold expression.
Yan Liulang followed behind her, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back; it appeared he hadn't managed to stop her.
Seeing Ouyang Rong come to greet her from the rooftop, Rong Zhen seemed to breathe a slight sigh of relief, but her expression remained indifferent.
Yan Liulang, standing behind, cast an apologetic glance at Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong waved his hand slightly, and Yan Liulang withdrew first.
Stepping onto the rooftop, Rongzhen looked around impatiently.
"I've been looking for you, Ouyang Lianghan. What are you doing back here? Why did you leave without saying goodbye at the West Gate? That's not like you. You didn't even say hello. Are you unhappy? Did I do something to offend you tonight? Are you dissatisfied with me, so you left early? Hmph, this kind of tantrum is too childish. You... eh."
As she criticized, her eyes gradually took in the arrangement on the rooftop, especially the exquisite little tea table in the bright moonlight and gentle breeze. This was the only open-air table on the entire rooftop, lit by an oil lamp that created a wonderful atmosphere, as if waiting for someone to sit down.
The lady-in-waiting's expression shifted slightly, a hint of suspicion in her eyes:
Who are you waiting for?
Ouyang Rong replied seriously, "No, I wasn't waiting for anyone. I was just having a drink by myself. What brings you here, Miss Rong? It's windy here. Let's go downstairs and talk as we walk..."
Rongzhen, however, stood firm and pressed on, asking, "Why don't you drink at home? Why choose to drink here? And where's your wine?"
Before Ouyang Rong could answer, a figure appeared in the stairwell.
"Sir, your wine has arrived."
The beautiful maidservant carried a tray with three wine jugs on it, and gracefully walked up to the rooftop, placing it on the table in front of Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen.
The maid first looked curiously at the ice-cold palace-dressed girl, then glanced at the somewhat reserved Ouyang Rong beside her. She covered her mouth with her handkerchief, smiled, and quickly retreated.
"My lord, young lady, please take your time chatting. The night is beautiful tonight."
Ouyang Rong immediately explained, "This isn't my wine, it's Yuan Huaimin's. They served the wrong thing..."
Rongzhen glanced down at the elegantly packaged bowl of wine and water, then suddenly interrupted:
"No wonder Chief Clerk Yuan left so early in the evening, and took Commander Yi with him."
Ouyang Rong frowned: "Huh?"
Rongzhen turned her head and stared at him: "Are you angry? Tonight I was indeed absent-minded and didn't pay attention to your feelings."
He shook his head: "No, Ms. Rong's matter is important, we have to take good care of the senior."
Rong Zhen pursed her lips, sat down in the extra seat, her eyes fixed on the wine pot in front of her, and lowered her head slightly.
"I can't drink strong alcohol; it makes my heart beat faster for no reason. I rarely drink alcohol in the past."
Ouyang Rong immediately reached out to collect the wine tray: "Then we won't drink. Please tell us why you've come, Lady Rong, so we can discuss serious matters..."
Before she could finish speaking, with a "pop," Rong Zhen's slender hand had already pried open the cloth cap of the wine bottle and poured the wine.
Ouyang Rong: ...
Rongzhen poured half a cup into the small wine cup in front of her, paused, then tilted the wine pot and added a little more, filling it to seven-tenths full.
She picked up the small wine cup with two fingers, lowered her head and took a sniff: "It's urgent. In principle, I shouldn't drink alcohol, but if you can help, making an exception isn't entirely out of the question."
“It’s alright, you don’t need to drink, I’ll help you directly.” Ouyang Rong waved his hand, sat down on the stool, and asked cautiously, “However, please tell me what kind of help it is, Lady Rong.”
"Do you still remember the pieces that Mr. Yu played when he was traveling in Mount Lu?"
Ouyang Rong glanced at her serious expression, hesitated slightly, and nodded: "I remember."
Will it still be played?
Ouyang Rong nodded again: "Yes."
Rong Zhen suddenly breathed a sigh of relief: "Teach me."
Ouyang Rong asked calmly:
"Among those six pieces, is the one that Ms. Rong is looking for?"
Rongzhen stared at the surface of the wine in the cup, remained silent for a while, and then suddenly took a sip.
"Actually, that piece of music is a fusion of these six pieces."
"Integration?" Ouyang Rong asked in surprise.
"That's right!"
Rongzhen sat cross-legged, her back straightening involuntarily, and softly murmured:
"A lotus boat floats on the shallow bridge in the distance, and the mountain cliffs cannot stop the pine trees from flowing. From afar, the pear pavilion stands amidst the verdant mountains, and the valley still echoes with the sound of the wind."
He asked, "What is this?"
“You weren’t in that carriage just now, and you left early, so you didn’t hear the old master’s words or the sound of the zither. This seven-character quatrain was mentioned by the old master.”
"It is said that by following this poem, namely, the distant bridge, the lotus boat, the Daiyan cliff, the pine tree by the stream, the green mountain, the pear pavilion, the valley of sound... and combining them in this order, one can obtain the true piece of music."
Ouyang Rong looked thoughtful, then suddenly asked:
"Aren't there seven? Is one missing?"
Rongzhen nodded solemnly:
"That's right, a piece of music is missing, corresponding to 'Lotus Boat'."
Ouyang Rong recited the seven-character quatrain to himself, then stroked his chin:
"In order, 'A lotus boat floats on a distant bridge over a shallow stream' is the first couplet, and the lotus boat is the second image to appear. In other words, the missing 'lotus boat' melody should be placed in the second position."
Rong Zhen narrowed her eyes slightly: "That's right."
Ouyang Rong looked up at the moon and exhaled a long breath.
This time he finally understood what was missing from that melody.
Remembering this order, he looked at Rongzhen with a hint of gratitude in his eyes.
The lady of the house sometimes really doesn't treat him like an outsider.
"Ms. Rong, are you not afraid that if I know about this piece, I will reveal its secrets?"
Previously, Ouyang Rong thought that the zither piece that the old musician and Rong Zhen needed was just some kind of formation and killing move within the Imperial Observatory. Now he realized that it was a sword technique! And Rong Zhen must know it even better.
Rongzhen didn't speak, but looked straight ahead and took a sip of wine.
After a while, she spoke:
"You must teach me, swear it."
Ouyang Rong was helpless:
"Why swear an oath? It's yours to begin with. Since I audited the class, of course I'll teach you."
Upon hearing this, Rong Zhen turned her head and stared directly at him with her cool eyes.
Ouyang Rong noticed that her eyes were a little red.
My chest started to rise and fall... no, my heart was beating faster.
He glanced at the small wine cup in Rong Zhen's hand, which was half empty.
“Very well, I swear to teach Lady Historian the zither music with all my might.”
Ouyang Rong raised his hand, nodded solemnly, and, as if he had thought of something, couldn't help but offer his advice:
"Ms. Rong, please stop drinking. Isn't it said that drinking alcohol can cause your heart to race? What if it's an illness?"
After saying that, he tried to snatch her cup.
But the girl with red-rimmed eyes suddenly dodged it.
She downed half a glass of wine in one gulp, glancing at Ouyang Rong with a hint of smugness.
But after a short while, Rongzhen began to sway, and suddenly burst into a tirade of curses:
"You're the one who's sick, Ouyang Lianghan! You're seriously ill! All you do is force people to drink. You're so vulgar, a disgrace to scholarship, a beast in human clothing!"
Perhaps due to spending too much time in the palace and being too well-mannered, the palace girls only knew these old-fashioned insults, which had virtually no offensive power.
However, Ouyang Rong felt he had been wronged. He hadn't done anything wrong, yet he was being scolded. Who could he reason with?
"What, feeling guilty and not saying anything?" Rong Zhen sneered, her face flushed. "You have the guts to do it but not the guts to admit it? Coward, you really are a coward."
“First, Lady Rong was drunk, so her insults against me are ineffective.” Ouyang Rong calmly held up two fingers and said slowly, “Second, I didn’t know Lady Rong would come. The wine wasn’t forced on you, and it wasn’t even mine…”
At that moment, a fiery red figure suddenly appeared on the stairwell not far away, like a fire in the night.
"Senior Brother... Lady Historian?"
Xie Lingjiang paused, then shook her head apologetically:
"It's alright, you guys go ahead with your work."
She spoke gently, turned and walked away, her graceful steps leading down the stairs.
"Wait, junior sister, Lady Rong is here to discuss something. Liu Lang should have already told you, right?"
Ouyang Rong immediately stood up and called out to her.
Xie Lingjiang remained noncommittal, tilting her head slightly:
"Lady, please don't be slow. There's no rush for us."
Rong Zhen seemed to understand something, and looked around at the surrounding rooftop and Ouyang Rong's expression.
"Bang."
He put down his wine glass, immediately stood up, and left with a flick of his sleeve.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you with official business." She walked downstairs with a stern face.
Xie Lingjiang stopped and glanced at Rong Zhen. Rong Zhen passed by her. The two were tall and short, with a significant height difference, but the lady of the house, who was only 1.5 meters tall, exuded the domineering aura of someone who was 1.8 meters tall.
Under Ouyang Rong's awkward gaze, Xie Lingjiang suddenly stepped forward, took the bundle, opened it, glanced at it, and then abruptly turned and called out:
"Your Excellency, are you confused? You forgot your sandalwood comb and flowers."
"I'm not drunk, it's not me!" Rongzhen retorted instinctively.
But then she realized what was happening, her ears turned bright red, and she didn't turn around.
"Oh, then I misunderstood. I'm sorry."
Xie Lingjiang looked at her petite back and nodded gently. Then she looked at Ouyang Rong, walked over and hugged him, and raised her hand to carefully straighten his collar.
"Thank you for the gift, Senior Brother. It's very thoughtful, and I really like it."
She spoke very softly.
But the sound was quite loud.
Rongzhen took a deep breath, turned her head, and did not look at the smiling woman in red above.
She said earnestly to Ouyang Rong:
"Your Excellency, please get some rest. Tomorrow morning, before the second quarter of the hour, come to the Xunyang Grottoes to find me. And don't forget your vow from earlier."
Before Ouyang Rong could nod, Xie Lingjiang smiled and politely replied:
"It would require Lady Historian to be able to get up. A few cups of wine and you're already this drunk. Lady Historian, please take care and be careful on your journey at night."
Just as Ouyang Rong was about to speak, he immediately shut his mouth and looked straight ahead.
Xie Lingjiang watched intently, calmly and with a smile, as the cold, palace-dressed girl's somewhat hurried figure disappeared.
A delicate hand rested gently on Ouyang Rong's waist...
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(End of this chapter)
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