Chapter 836 Filial Piety Between Grandparents and Grandchildren
The cicadas' chirping weaves a net among the locust leaves, trapping the wispy heat of summer.
Summer days are long and the warmth lingers.
On the threshold in front of the main hall, Ouyang Rong touched the pipa that was placed on his lap.
It was so hot from the sun that it was almost burning to the touch, even though I hadn't bounced it more than a few times.
The quiet courtyard had been empty for a long time, but recently a black cat has come and visits from time to time. No one knows which family it is.
The black cat seemed to have taken this quiet courtyard as its own territory. When we first met, it strode gracefully over the wall, its brownish-green eyes reflecting Ouyang Rong, who had come with a pipa, with a hint of wariness.
Whether it was because the young man in the scholar's robe, who seemed like an "uninvited guest," had a gentle and kind face, or because his clumsy pipa playing had made him sleepy, I don't know.
The black cat lazily lay on the east wall behind the swing, its eyelids drooping. It didn't go into the yard, but it wasn't particularly afraid of people either.
It was separated from Ouyang Rong, who was sitting on the west threshold, by a courtyard.
Before Yan Liulang arrived, the two lived peacefully together.
"My lord, a messenger has arrived from Luoyang. He is a Hu Fu envoy. In addition, I heard him whisper that he also brought a letter from Miss Xie."
Yan Liulang has a loud voice.
The black cat, which was dozing on the wall, was startled, and a string of plum blossom marks was instantly imprinted on the green tile.
Yan Liulang ignored the little wildcat and looked at Ouyang Rong expectantly:
"What Your Excellency has been waiting for these past few days, is it Envoy Hu, who knew that someone would be sent from Luoyang?"
Ouyang Rong did not answer, but only asked:
"Where is the envoy from Huzhong?"
"In the main hall of Jiangzhou, Chief Secretary Yuan is entertaining you. Your Excellency, the arrival of Envoy Hu this time should be good news. He looks very happy. Your colleagues in the government office are also very excited and happy for you. It seems that there was no punishment for what happened at Shuangfengjian last time."
Ouyang Rong patted his bottom, stood up, picked up his pipa, passed by Yan Liulang, and walked out of the courtyard.
"Let's go back to the Jiangzhou main hall."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Yan Liulang was about to turn around and follow.
"Longling—Longling—"
The young man in the scholar's robe who was walking ahead suddenly turned around and looked back at the courtyard.
Yan Liulang was stunned, but then he realized that it was a special yet familiar sound.
However, when the two looked back, they found a white jade hairpin lying on the stone table. The black cat that had just escaped returned, seemingly seeing that Ouyang Rong and Yan Liulang had left and were preparing to move back in. It jumped onto the table and haphazardly rubbed the white jade hairpin with its paws.
"Go away, go away, go stay over there."
Yan Liulang noticed that Mingfu's dark eyes had dimmed slightly behind him, so he immediately put on a stern face and stepped forward to shoo away the black cat.
Ouyang Rong waved his hand:
"It's alright, let it stay there, it'll make it more lively."
He walked silently over, took the ice-white jade hairpin, and turned to leave.
Yan Liulang glanced at Ouyang Rong's back and obediently followed.
The two left the quiet courtyard together and boarded the carriage.
On the way, Yan Liulang tried to find topics to talk about and liven up the atmosphere:
"My lord, where is the big white fish? I haven't seen it."
Ouyang Rong had already taken off the wooden hairpin from his head and inserted the ice-white jade hairpin left by his mother into his hair to secure his scholar's cap.
He was looking down at a compass, which he wore at his waist along with the jade pendant from the academy that Xie Lingjiang had given him.
Upon hearing this, he put down his compass, smiled, and said:
"Since the black cat was there, I sent it a little further away to keep it out of sight. It should still be wandering around Xingzi Lake now. There are fewer people at night, so it will come back."
Yan Liulang subconsciously said:
"Are you afraid that its floating motion will scare the black cat and pedestrians?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head seriously:
"No, it's because I'm afraid it will be frightened."
Yan Liulang was somewhat speechless.
Ouyang Rong was not lying. Although the white sturgeon was extraordinary, it was somewhat timid and usually afraid of meeting strangers. It just liked to follow him.
Ouyang Rong had figured out its nature.
They say they appear and disappear like ghosts.
But sometimes it hides when there are many people around, and then it comes out again at night when no one is around.
What a coward.
If it weren't for the occasional glimpse of Yi Qianqiu and other remnants of the battle at Shuangfeng Peak, Ouyang Rong would have almost forgotten that the mythical white dragon that was the culprit was actually transformed from this white sturgeon.
That's a disgrace to the dragon race.
Ouyang Rong shook his head.
"By the way, do you have any news about Master Zhang?"
"not yet."
Ouyang Rong touched the compass that was faintly responding and muttered, "It should be soon."
Yan Liulang drove the carriage back to the main hall of Jiangzhou. On the way, he saw the Prefect staring blankly at the compass and sighed softly.
"Don't worry, Your Excellency. The Longhu Mountain behind Master Zhang is quite powerful. They might bring news of Yunmeng Sword Marsh tomorrow."
"Uh-huh."
Half an hour later, they returned to the main hall of Jiangzhou.
Ouyang Rong prepared to go to the main hall to see Hu Fu.
Halfway there, I suddenly turned back.
At the entrance, a young Taoist priest stood, seemingly having rushed over and been stopped outside by the yamen runners.
"Master Zhang."
"Prefect Ouyang".
Zhang Shixiu said helplessly to the yamen runners on either side:
"I'll say I know your governor."
Ouyang Rong didn't go to the main hall for the time being, but immediately took Zhang Shixiu to the side hall...
After an incense stick has burned, inside the main hall.
Yi Qianqiu, feeling relieved, stayed by Hu Fu's side with Yuan Huaimin.
"Envoy Hu, what did they say in Luoyang?"
Khufu smiled without saying a word and put down his teacup.
"Wait for Governor Ouyang to arrive."
Yi Qianqiu had no choice but to suppress his anger for the time being.
She glanced at Yan Liulang standing at the door, somewhat puzzled as to why Ouyang Rong hadn't arrived yet.
Just then, Ouyang Rong appeared in the corridor.
"Prefect Ouyang, you've finally arrived! I've missed you so much!"
Hu Fu, who had been calmly drinking tea, suddenly stood up and, even faster than Yi Qianqiu beside him, rushed out and grabbed Ouyang Rong's hand.
Yi Qianqiu and Yuan Huaimin were both stunned.
Seemingly surprised by Hu Fu's cheesy manner, Ouyang Rong, who was deep in thought, was also taken aback.
However, he reacted quickly, dodging Khufu's outstretched hand and only allowing the latter to grab his sleeve.
But it still feels a bit strange.
Although Ouyang Rong knew that this hand-holding greeting was very popular in Luoyang, the capital city, he didn't know where it came from.
When classmates or teachers who are close to each other are excited or happy, they will hold hands or grab sleeves to show their care and affection.
However, Ouyang Rong still couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Envoy Hu has been waiting for a long time."
"I won't wait long, but what urgent matter was Governor Ouyang busy with just now? I think Officer Yan, who went to look for you, has already returned."
Ouyang Rong nodded, somewhat embarrassed:
"It was an urgent matter, but it has been taken care of. Please forgive me, Envoy Hu."
Khufu smiled and said:
"It's alright, it's alright, we understand. You capable people are all forgetful."
Yi Qianqiu, Yuan Huaimin, and the others couldn't help but glance at Hu Fu.
Logically, Hu Fu was an imperial envoy from Luoyang, and local officials should have been trying to curry favor with him and become acquainted with him.
But with Ouyang Lianghan, it seems like the situation is reversed.
Anyone who didn't know better would think that Ouyang Lianghan was the envoy sent by the emperor.
"What brings you here, Envoy Hu?"
"Ahem, it's nothing serious. By the way, His Majesty's decree: Prefect Ouyang, Chief Clerk Yuan, and Commander Yi, receive the decree!"
Following proper etiquette, everyone received the imperial decree in front of the hall.
Khufu read out the decree.
The content was simple, yet it was unexpected by everyone except Ouyang Rong.
First, regarding the battle at Shuangfengjian, no one was blamed. They were simply instructed to continue holding their posts, to continue compiling statistics on the casualties according to regulations, and to remain on standby for further deployment.
However, the imperial edict ordered the Jiangnan government, including the Jiangzhou Grand Hall, to issue a full-scale arrest warrant for Yunmeng Jianze and not let any Yue woman go.
This was a complete falling out, and it was the harshest wording the imperial court had ever used against the martial arts world. It was like two groups of people fighting, and the one who had suffered a loss said a harsh threat in front of his followers: "Remember this, if you have the guts, don't leave after school."
As for Yi Qianqiu, the commander of the White Tiger Guard, and Miao Zhen, the lady-in-waiting, the imperial decree only instructed them to hand over their current affairs to the Jiangzhou Grand Hall and then set off back to the capital to return to their original posts.
It was a neutral adjustment, without any promotion or demotion.
Even so, Yi Qianqiu felt relieved.
Yuan Huaimin turned to look at his cousin, whose eyes were filled with joy, and sighed.
He knew that Qiu Niang wasn't concerned about personal honor or disgrace, but rather worried about dragging down the Yuan family of Jingzhao. Although she had long since changed her surname and was making public appearances, the court tacitly acknowledged her ties to the Yuan family of Jingzhao. In case one day, the extermination of nine generations of her family would be carried out by the Yuan family of Jingzhao...
In fact, judging from Khufu's attitude after his arrival, this imperial edict was not bad news.
The reason why most people were surprised was because of the content following the imperial edict.
The emperor rejected Ouyang Lianghan's request to resign as acting governor of Jiangzhou and scholar of the Xiuwen Academy.
The general idea is that the responsibility for the Battle of Shuangfengjian does not lie with him; he and the Jiangzhou government have done their best.
He forbade Ouyang Lianghan from resigning and encouraged him to continue to hold his post and first clean up the aftermath in Xunyang City.
If the court finds a suitable candidate for governor and a handover is possible, the governor will be transferred back to the capital's Xiuwen Academy depending on the circumstances.
In general, their attitude was to comfort and encourage, without any sense of blame.
Yi Qianqiu and Yuan Huaimin both looked at Ouyang Rong with some surprise.
They never expected that Ouyang Rong's previous memorial would take all the blame upon himself and even resign from his post to plead guilty.
I've seen people take the blame in the past, but I've never seen a high-ranking leader voluntarily take the blame.
Yi Qianqiu looked at Ouyang Rong with a complicated expression, and a hint of shame in her eyes... She silently lowered her head.
Seeing this, Yuan Huaimin sighed and said to Ouyang Rong with some resentment:
"Why didn't Lianghan discuss his resignation with us? What if the imperial court actually agreed?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head, his tone serious: "I really want to resign."
The crowd was speechless and couldn't understand it, so they all tried to offer advice.
"Alright, let me talk to Governor Ouyang."
Hu Fu dismissed the crowd and pulled Ouyang Rong aside.
Ouyang Rong saw that this bearded eunuch was in good spirits and full of energy.
"Prefect Ouyang, are you aware of the current situation in Luoyang?"
He asked with a beaming smile.
Ouyang Rong said softly, "Your Excellency, please speak."
Khufu lowered his voice:
"The prince and his family have already entered the palace and are serving the emperor. The whole family lives in the palace. The emperor especially favors the little princess and takes her to court sessions. Everyone says it's a case of special affection between grandparents and grandchildren..."
Khufu recounted the story in detail.
Ouyang Rong reacted indifferently, simply saying "Oh".
This time it was Khufu's turn to be stunned.
"It seems Governor Ouyang had already guessed this..."
Ouyang Rong remained silent.
Khufu looked around, covered his mouth with his hand, and muttered to himself:
"Prefect Ouyang, if I'm not mistaken, you orchestrated the Prince's trip to the capital this time?"
Ouyang Rong glanced at him and changed the subject:
"Is there anything else, Envoy Hu? I'll have someone arrange a courtyard, how about the one you stayed at last time?"
Khufu scratched his head in frustration:
"Prefect Ouyang, Your Excellency, Your Excellency, I beg you, please tell me quickly, is it true or not? Oh dear, what's the point of keeping us in suspense? Everyone knows you are the son-in-law of the Prince of Xunyang."
"Tell me quickly, how exactly did you win over the Emperor this time? How did things go so smoothly? When I first heard that the Prince was returning to the capital, I was worried that it was too hasty and that things might be risky..."
"The very next day, the Emperor ordered the Yinglong Gate of the palace to be opened, allowing the Prince to enter openly and legitimately, not secretly in the middle of the night. I heard that the Emperor even brought the Prince and the Crown Prince to see the Master..."
Ouyang Rong listened silently, then said noncommittally:
"Your Highness should have informed the Emperor upon returning to the capital that your residence was burned down by rebels and that you are in critical condition, hence your return to the capital for refuge."
Khufu was speechless, but his desire only intensified.
“Governor Ouyang, do you think I’m a three-year-old? Although I don’t know the reason why the Emperor is pleased, it’s definitely not as simple as it seems on the surface. And others may not know, but I do know how much the Prince listens to you on important matters…”
Ouyang Rong glanced at the bearded eunuch's curious and inquisitive expression.
From this perspective, the news of the offering of the Ding Sword has not yet spread, and the outside world is probably unaware of it.
At least until Khufu received the imperial decree and left the capital, no one in Luoyang knew about it...
However, the announcement of that cauldron sword is only a matter of time, but it is impressive that the sage can wait so patiently.
There must be some undercurrents in Luoyang right now. The sudden return of the Xunyang Prince's family to the capital will disrupt the balance of power in the struggle between Li and Wei, especially since they brought with them a cauldron sword...
Ouyang Rong remembered something and asked curiously:
"By the way, what does Ambassador Hu mean by the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren?"
Khufu casually remarked:
"The little princess presented the emperor with a luminous pearl, which the emperor was delighted with. At the little princess's suggestion, he had it set in his crown and carried it to court... It truly shows the deep affection between grandmother and granddaughter, and the kindness of the emperor and the filial piety of the daughter."
Ouyang Rong: ...
Why does Governor Ouyang have such an expression, and why is he not saying a word?
"N-nothing."
Khufu, seemingly lost in thought, let out a sigh:
"So, people are really like this, changing with the times. No one knows when they will fly up. Most people in the court love to curry favor with the powerful, but they don't know how to see the big picture."
"Just like this little princess, when I first saw her in Xunyang, I guessed that the Emperor would probably like her, because she looks so much like the Emperor when he was young. Governor Ouyang, look, this time when she comes to the capital, isn't the bond between grandparents and grandchildren evident? Now the palace servants are all discussing what title the Emperor will bestow upon the princess. According to the titles of princesses in this dynasty, such as Princess Chang Le, the new title should have the character 'Le' in it..."
Yes, yes, yes.
Hearing what had just been said, Ouyang Rong had nothing to say and could only nod repeatedly.
(End of this chapter)
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