Chapter 946 A Completely Different Person
Qingliang Valley Dining Hall.
Outside the door, it was dark, the wind was strong, and it was drizzling.
A group of Yue women arrived late at night, standing outside the door with umbrellas. The Yue woman with the gilded plaque who led the way frowned slightly after hearing Ouyang Rong's words.
Some deep eyes scanned the honest-looking young man in front of him.
Compared to the other cooks in Jianze's various dining halls, Ouyang Rong was the youngest, and also a man.
Like the Sun family and the Zhu family, most of the cooks were older women.
Just then, a silver-medal Yue woman next to her leaned close and whispered in her ear:
“Senior Sister Li, this matter has been reported to Lantang. This young man is young, but his situation is somewhat special... but he still meets the requirements…”
Senior Sister Li listened quietly to her junior sister's words, then stared at Ouyang Rong for a while.
Ouyang Rong met her gaze for a moment, then clasped his hands in a fist salute and said:
"It's better for you to be cautious, fairy. We have already tasted these dishes beforehand. We can taste them again, just in case."
Senior Sister Li looked at him for a while, ignored his words, turned her head and spoke to the junior sister beside her.
The tone seemed somewhat dissatisfied:
"It's just making some vegetarian meals, so simple, and it doesn't require much cooking skill. Keep everything simple, is it really necessary to go through all this trouble to change people? Besides, what if the Queen gets used to the vegetarian meals from before?"
"This is an unnecessary act. If Your Majesty asks about it, I will tell you the truth."
Senior Sister Li gave a light snort. It was unclear whether she was speaking to Ouyang Rong, or to Junior Sister Yutang who had just interrupted and the other Junior Sisters Yutang who were following behind her.
Or perhaps... it was heard by a junior sister who wasn't present.
Her statement was quite telling.
There were quite a few people in the audience who could tell.
Ouyang Rong remained expressionless throughout, his eyes fixed on Senior Sister Li, as if waiting for her to answer the earlier question about "tasting the food"... He seemed not to have heard what she said afterward.
Wu Cui looked up and quickly glanced at Senior Sister Li's expression.
Beside them, a kind-hearted but clueless old woman guarding the gate was oblivious to the atmosphere on the field.
He offered an untimely word of support:
“Fairy, Madam Hong is indeed feeling unwell. She said so herself and even took leave voluntarily. Perhaps it's due to her age; everyone has some minor ailments. It's alright if we ourselves are unwell, but we can't let it affect the Fairy and the Goddess's meal. That's of utmost importance…”
"This young brother Liu, don't let his youth fool you, he's a good cook. I heard he was selected through the Zhutang examination, so his background on the mountain is definitely clean."
"His chicken soup is loved by the Six Goddesses and Fairy Li from Lantang. His culinary skills are also well-known. You fairies may not know this because you have been cultivating in seclusion in the valley for many years, but Brother Liu's deeds are famous outside the valley. It's not just empty fame. It's good that he was transferred to the night shift this time, so that we can improve the food in the valley."
After these words were spoken, the dining hall fell silent for a moment.
The kind-hearted cook was all smiles, laughing and joking.
However, Senior Sister Li and the others did not laugh, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.
The kind-hearted old lady seemed to sense something was wrong, looked around, and hesitated to speak.
Let's go.
Senior Sister Li suddenly spoke, turned around and walked past several silver-medal junior sisters, leading the way out of the gate and leaving with an umbrella.
Before leaving, she left behind a sentence, seemingly in response to Ouyang Rong:
"There's no need for a tasting; you don't need to come. Remember, the vegetarian meals at night should be the same as before. Don't overdo it. In Qingliang Valley, the standards for a good cook are different from those outside. Wu Nujun should be pure and abstinent, and Yutang should also be pure and abstinent, focusing on cultivation and only eating vegetarian meals."
Ouyang Rong, who had remained motionless the entire time, finally moved, walked to the door, and woodenly clasped his hands in a fist salute:
"I've learned a lot. Farewell, fairies."
Senior Sister Li didn't even turn her head.
Only one silver medalist among the crowd turned around and glanced at him.
A group of Yue women, carrying food boxes and holding umbrellas, walked forward and disappeared into the dark rain.
Ouyang Rong returned to the stove.
The kind-hearted old lady asked in confusion, "Why do the fairies seem unhappy?"
The other cooks also looked confused. Among the crowd, Wu Cui glanced at Ouyang Rong, who remained silent.
After the Jade Hall Fairies took away the vegetarian meal, the Qingliang Valley Dining Hall became relatively quiet.
However, they cannot leave yet; they must wait until the Jade Hall Fairies finish their meal and retrieve their bowls and chopsticks.
Qingliang Valley is very large. By the time we finish all this, it will probably be late at night.
Ouyang Rong took the initiative to tidy up the stove, and Wu Cui came over and lent a helping hand:
"I'll do it."
Ouyang Rong remained silent, but he also joined in the help.
This is why the cooks were willing to speak up for Ouyang Rong. Although he was the head cook and managed the night shifts, he was not arrogant at all, unlike Sun Shi who bossed people around. Naturally, the cooks found him very agreeable.
Wu Cui buried herself in her work for a while, and then, at one point, said softly:
"It shouldn't be a big problem. This Fairy Li is probably just trying to scare the servants. The Five Goddesses are kind and gentle, and they rarely make things difficult for us servants. Moreover, this goddess is different from the other goddesses. She doesn't care about worldly affairs. To put it bluntly, she doesn't get involved in anything and focuses on cultivation."
"The Jade Hall in the valley is also in the same style... Fairy Li probably dislikes change, which is why she said those angry words."
"Yes, thank you for your guidance."
Ouyang Rong didn't even blink, wiped his hand on the butcher's apron, and said:
"There aren't many Jade Hall Fairies, are there? The vegetarian meal we prepared is enough for our small group."
Perhaps it was Ouyang Rong's calm demeanor that made Wu Cuigao glance at him and become slightly more talkative:
"There aren't many people because Yutang is special. It's different from Qiutang, Lantang, and Caotang. It doesn't handle sect affairs or assign tasks. It's located in Qingliang Valley, far from the hustle and bustle outside, forming its own little world..."
"This is a privilege granted to the Jade Hall Fairies by the Queen Mother's Palace. The five goddesses who are the most pure and desireless are in charge of this hall. Once you enter the Jade Hall, you only need to do one thing."
Ouyang Rong thought for a moment and interjected, "Only concerned with cultivation?"
"Yes, that's right. All you need to do is cultivate quietly and recklessly strive to improve your cultivation level or reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Therefore, in a sense, the Jade Hall is one of the most prestigious halls in the hearts of the Yue women of the sect. However, the selection criteria are even stricter than the assessments we participate in. Those who can be selected are the best of the best among the Yue women of the sect."
Ouyang Rong seemed to be deep in thought, as if he had thought of something, and asked:
"Why is it located in this cool valley? What are its special features?"
Wu Cui glanced around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, whispered:
"Qingliang Valley is the sacred ground of our sect. Inside... there are important cultivation resources such as the library, the cave, and the sword carving. Guiyu Hall guards it. Fairies from other halls outside the valley who want to borrow books or take treasures need to apply to Guiyu Hall before they can enter the valley temporarily."
"For example, some fairies who are close to breaking through to a higher realm will apply to come here for a period of quiet cultivation..."
Ouyang Rong noticed a hint of envy on Wu Cui's face as she gazed at the night view of the valley outside the window and said:
"Being near the water tower, one gets the moon first. The Jade Hall Fairies' cultivation level is also the highest among all the halls in the entire Sword Swamp. Although they don't have the practical experience of the Autumn Hall Fairies who often go out, their cultivation level is far superior."
"I understand, it's like a school in town."
Ouyang Rong nodded and glanced at the small booklet she was flipping through beside her.
He suddenly said:
"So, just like you, staying in the Qingliang Valley Dining Hall is like having a privileged position."
Wu Cui paused for a moment, looked at him, and said in a stiff tone:
"You too, Liu Aliang, you also want to take advantage of your proximity."
Ouyang Rong's words were ambiguous, but they were the truth:
What I want is different from what you want.
Wu Cui looked somewhat skeptical and said:
"Even Fairy Li noticed that something was wrong, and you still think you can fool me?"
Ouyang Rong didn't answer. After tidying up the stove and catching his breath, he asked Wu Cui seemingly casually:
"They come to collect their meals every night?"
"Most of them are."
Ouyang Rong then asked, "After we finish the vegetarian meal, they will bring out the bowls and chopsticks themselves, so we don't need to go get them?"
"Um."
Wu Cui paused, glanced at the door, and then said:
"It's definitely tonight."
Why tonight?
Wu Cui pointed to the night rain outside the door:
"It's raining, and the mountain paths in the valley are muddy and sandy. It's dangerous for us to go in. Only the Jade Hall Fairies can move freely, and they won't let us go in to retrieve or deliver anything."
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Wu Cui had been staying at the Qingliang Valley Dining Hall for a long time, and she usually liked to observe silently, so she was obviously very clear about these things.
Ouyang Rong asked, as if speaking to himself:
"If it's basically not possible, then it's possible in some situations."
Wu Cui glanced at him but did not reply.
Ouyang Rong pointed to the booklet beside her:
“I’ve heard about you. You went in to deliver food, and this sword manual was given to you by the fairy in the valley.”
“They are goddesses,” Wu Cui interrupted, emphasizing, “the five goddesses.”
Ouyang Rong smiled and said, "Oh, it's the Five Goddesses."
Wu Cui frowned and asked, "Did Aunt Zhu say that? She loves gossip the most, she's such a chatterbox."
Ouyang Rong did not answer, but continued to ask:
"You've been in there a few times, was that the only time?"
Wu Cui didn't answer, but stared at him and said:
“You said you didn’t want anything, but you kept asking me questions because you were trying to find out.”
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "I mean, we have different goals. Everyone has selfish motives, otherwise we wouldn't have come up the mountain."
Wu Cui asked, "Then tell me, what are your ulterior motives?"
Ouyang Rong smiled, half-jokingly:
"I will become the best chef, so that all the goddesses in the Sword Swamp can taste my excellent cooking skills."
Wu Cui kept a straight face:
Do you think I'd believe that?
Ouyang Rong nodded: "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you, so it's better not to say anything."
After listening to his explanation, Wu Cui seemed somewhat unhappy and turned to her work, not wanting to pay him any attention.
Ouyang Rong chuckled inwardly, took off his apron, and walked to the door. A string of beaded curtains made of rainwater hung from the eaves of the doorway.
He stared at the dark rain curtain in the direction of Qingliang Valley, lost in thought.
Clearly, what Wu Cui said was basically unacceptable, and the implied possibility was that Chen Jiaxin had told him to wait quietly a few days ago.
However, unlike Wu Cui, who relied solely on luck and had no background, Ouyang Rong had connections—well, connections within the valley.
Having a powerful backer makes everything easier and faster.
Ouyang Rong stood under the eaves with his sleeves up, gazing at the distant mountains and listening to the sound of rain.
Inside the dining hall, Wu Cui glanced at the doorway out of the corner of her eye, then suddenly turned her head again, staring intently at the thin back of the young man outside the door, lost in thought for a moment.
For some reason, the figure gave her a strange feeling, making her initially mistake it for a stranger. Only upon closer inspection did she realize that it was Liu Aliang's clothing.
In that brief glance, the young man's back was as straight and imposing as a towering cliff, something that an ordinary, taciturn young man wouldn't possess.
If she had to describe it, it was somewhat like she had the good fortune to have seen several goddesses, whose backs also possessed a similar unique charm.
How could such a striking presence appear on a young chef?
But when Wu Cui thought of Liu Aliang's wooden face, she couldn't help but shake her head.
This Liu Aliang, if you look at her from the front and back separately, her temperament and style are completely different. I wonder if it's just a hallucination caused by her working late into the night...
Ouyang Rong was unaware of what Wu Cui was thinking in the dining hall behind him. As he watched the rain with his sleeves tucked in, he mentally reviewed the words and actions of the group of Yue maids led by Senior Sister Li.
Clearly, Chen Jiaxin is also a member of the Jade Hall. As the direct disciple of the Fifth Lady, her status within the Jade Hall is even more prestigious and special.
However, with her current rudimentary qualifications—not yet at the eighth rank and just entering the hall—she is not yet capable of commanding the winds and rains within the Jade Hall, commanding a hundred responses at a moment's notice.
From Wu Cui's description, we can see that this Jade Hall is similar to an academy, a pure place that emphasizes cultivation and strength.
Even if you are the direct disciple of the female ruler, if your cultivation is low and you do not show talent, you will be looked down upon.
Therefore, there are quite a few senior sisters in the Jade Hall who are superior to Chen Jiaxin in terms of aptitude and cultivation.
After all, they are all talented female cultivators selected from among hundreds, so why should one of them be the coward?
We can glean some clues from Senior Sister Li's words and attitude just now.
Moreover, based on Ouyang Rong's feelings and experiences from these meetings and interactions with Chen Jiaxin.
Given Chen Jiaxin's flamboyant and arrogant personality, as well as her controlling nature, she definitely wouldn't be very popular with her senior sisters in Yutang.
Unlike Aqing, who was quiet, sensible, obedient, and kind, thus winning the favor of her senior sister and master.
It's estimated that many Yutang Yue girls, like Senior Sister Li, find this new junior sister unlikable.
Not only is he arrogant, but he also likes to use the name of the Fifth Lady to act domineeringly and interfere in the affairs of the Jade Hall.
Actually, if the Five Women Lords were in charge, things would be fine. At least they would be under their watchful eyes, and Chen Jiaxin and Senior Sister Yutang would be more restrained.
However, just as Wu Cui said, even she knew that the Fifth Lady was leisurely and abstinent, kind-hearted and gentle, and did not like to meddle in affairs.
Without this constraint, the Jade Hall would naturally be lively.
Ouyang Rong recalled Li Shijie's furrowed brows and eyes, nodded, and felt that her analysis was probably correct.
As expected of Chen Jiaxin, after tearing each other apart in the new Yue Maiden assessment, she went to tear each other apart in the Yutang, which focuses on cultivation. She's been "fighting" all the way, no wonder she likes to "form cliques" so much and climbed over to recruit him as her "little brother".
With such a temporary teammate, Ouyang Rong was unsure whether to be happy or worried.
(End of this chapter)
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