Chapter 730 A Refined Young Woman Enters the Family, Serving Tea and Changing Her Address [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]
The main hall of the mansion in Huaiye Lane.
Ouyang Rong went to the door, saw the guests off one by one, and made proper arrangements.
Seeing that most of the people had left.
When Ouyang Rong returned, he saw the embroiderer, his junior sister, his aunt, and Wei Lai sitting around the table.
With fewer people around, the women were no longer reserved. They even helped the maids clearing the table, handing them plates and such, while chatting together.
The main topic was being guided by Zhen Shuyuan.
However, both she and Xie Lingjiang were focused on Zhao Qingxiu, who was listening quietly.
The conversation also subtly revolved around Zhao Qingxiu, but Xie Lingjiang mostly answered on her behalf.
Seeing Xie Lingjiang and Zhao Qingxiu acting like sisters, Zhen Shuyuan felt a sense of relief.
At this moment, seeing Ouyang Rong return, the atmosphere around the table quieted down a bit, with several women either lowering their eyes or bowing their heads.
Ye Weilai gave Banxi and the others a wink, and Banxi quietly led the maids who were originally clearing the table to leave, making room for them.
The hall became deserted.
The bright candles had been burning for most of the night, but now that there were no maids to replenish them, they were gradually going out or becoming much dimmer.
But the remaining red candles cast a festive red glow on the women's faces.
Ouyang Rong took a closer look.
The embroiderer was exceptionally beautiful. Her dark eyes, which had appeared somewhat dull after the removal of the sky-blue ribbon, now held a mysterious and profound beauty under the red light, as striking as obsidian.
Xie Lingjiang's pretty face was as beautiful as a flower. Dressed in red and with red candles, her fair skin was accentuated, making her look like a bride.
Ye Weilai has long, silver-white hair, as white as blood, and sapphire-like eyes that, in her gaze, possess a subtle, exotic allure reminiscent of a witch.
Zhen Shuyuan, dressed in a royal blue silk dress, sat gracefully, her figure radiant and full of mature charm, exuding the allure of an older woman...
If this scene were to happen to an ordinary man, it would be a real treat for his eyes.
But Ouyang Rong glanced at it a few times, then looked straight ahead, returned to his seat, and casually asked:
"Auntie, what are you talking about?"
Well, as a gentleman, he pays more attention to important matters.
"Have all the guests left?"
Zhen Shuyuan asked.
Ouyang Rong smiled brightly and said:
"Yes, I just settled Dalang and the others in. They've arranged a courtyard for them to rest in the back. They'll leave tomorrow morning. Madam Xie has a house in Xunyang City, so she went back first. Liulang and Shisanniang also went back; they have things to do tomorrow."
Zhen Shuyuan asked again, "Tanlang, you must be busy tomorrow too. Why don't you rest early? Your three-day holiday is coming to an end. I heard you say that you have to go to Xunyang Grottoes tomorrow to attend some kind of ceremony."
Zhao Qingxiu stood to the side, but Ouyang Rong didn't continue the conversation; he waved his hand dismissively.
“Nephew, I’m just going there to make up the numbers and go through the motions. I’m not the main character tomorrow… Besides, I don’t need to go too early tomorrow. Brother Huaimin asked me to go together before, but he wrote to me again during dinner tonight, saying that I should go early and that I can do as I please, so there’s no rush.”
Xie Lingjiang spoke:
"Senior Brother, I'll go with you tomorrow morning."
Ouyang Rong first glanced at Zhao Qingxiu, who was ignoring him and tidying up the dishes.
The embroiderer seemed uninterested in his official duties and never asked about them.
He glanced at his junior sister again, and said succinctly and softly:
"We'll see tomorrow morning. But Junior Sister, take Da Lang and the others back first. If there's enough time, we can go together. It mainly depends on whether Brother Lu can come back. Let's proceed according to the plan."
He didn't explain the plan in detail to Zhen Shuyuan, Zhao Qingxiu, and Ye Weilai; only Xie Lingjiang nodded slightly.
Ouyang Rong glanced at the night outside and muttered to himself:
"As agreed, he should be able to return to the city before tomorrow morning, so Junior Sister won't have to stay here alone."
Seeing that the two had finished talking, Zhen Shuyuan interjected at the opportune moment to interrupt:
"Alright, my dear, as long as you have your plans, just don't let my birthday gift interfere with your business. Let's not talk about this anymore."
She tilted her chin up, gesturing to the bowl of hot white rice that Zhao Qingxiu was holding, untouched, and said:
"You accepted their toasts at the banquet, and they noticed you didn't eat much. Sit down and eat something. The embroiderer has served you some rice to fill your stomach... Your stomach is full of wine, you'll easily vomit tonight..."
"good."
Ouyang Rong smiled and, under the watchful eyes of the four women, sat down in the empty seat between them.
The embroiderer in her left hand, Xie Lingjiang in her right.
He took the white rice that the embroiderer handed him with a gentle smile and ate a few mouthfuls.
Until Xie Lingjiang asked a question:
"I think I saw Rongzhen come in just now when we were eating. She took up half the table by herself."
Ouyang Rong's smile faded, and he answered seriously:
"I didn't notice. They must have gone back. Lady Rong said she was going to the Censorate on business and was passing by. She must have something to do."
Xie Lingjiang tilted her head slightly and looked towards the door.
Zhen Shuyuan glanced at him discreetly, then took out a string of Buddhist prayer beads and, facing Ouyang Rong, gave him instructions:
“My lord, you should return this string of Buddhist prayer beads she gave you tomorrow. It would be impolite for us to accept a gift when we were just passing by for a meal. I was about to say something, but there were too many people around, and it would be difficult to refuse. I couldn’t embarrass her in public.”
Ouyang Rong noticed that his aunt seemed to be winking at him. He reached out to touch the prayer beads, but instead touched a smooth hand.
It is Xie Lingjiang.
Ouyang Rong, Zhen Shuyuan, and Ye Weilai saw that she had reached out gracefully and pressed down on the prayer beads first.
This noble lady from the Xie family, with light makeup and a composed demeanor, spoke:
"No need to return it, just accept it."
"Next time, senior brother, please be more careful. When someone comes to a banquet, you can't be negligent. You should drink with them and make them feel at home."
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "There's no need to try to please her. We've worked together for so long, we have some relationship. She's also a straightforward person."
"No, has Senior Brother forgotten that she actually has the ability to cause trouble?"
Xie Lingjiang glanced at Zhao Qingxiu beside her and said meaningfully:
"We need to keep her calm and prevent her from becoming resentful or making things difficult for us."
Ouyang Rong seemed to frown and ponder for a moment before speaking:
“I’ll go there tomorrow and have a chat with her to test her attitude. I don’t think Lady Rong will be angry; she’s always so cold about everything.”
"Really? They're all so cold..."
Xie Lingjiang glanced at Ouyang Rong's serious muttering expression, said nothing, picked up the eighteen-bead Buddhist prayer beads, and handed them back to Zhen Shuyuan.
The latter accepted it as well.
At this moment, Zhao Qingxiu stood up, took a cup of hot tea and two gift boxes, and solemnly came to Xie Lingjiang and offered a toast.
The women were somewhat surprised.
Xie Lingjiang instinctively reached out to help.
Zhao Qingxiu writes carefully:
【elder sister】
Xie Lingjiang seemed to understand something, took a deep breath, tilted her head slightly, and suppressed her emotions.
After a short while, he took the hot tea, took a serious sip, and called out:
“Sister Embroiderer, from now on, you can live here. Don’t worry too much, I will come to see you often.”
Zhao Qingxiu neither nodded nor shook her head, but simply put her arm around Xie Lingjiang's arm and smiled silently.
A moment later, the gift box was handed out.
They were given to Xie Lingjiang and Ye Weilai respectively.
Xie Lingjiang opened it and saw that it was a sachet, which she put away.
Ye Weilai also opened it and found a white jade hairpin. She happily thanked her.
The two women also gave gifts.
Xie Lingjiang gave her an exquisite wooden comb, made of small-leaf sandalwood, and combed her hair before handing it to her. He also whispered a few words in her ear. Zhao Qingxiu seemed very happy, and slightly turned her head towards Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong also felt that the comb looked familiar; it seemed to be the one he had given to Xie Lingjiang back then.
He pursed his lips, understanding what his junior sister meant.
Ye Weilai returned the gift with a small bundle.
Zhao Qingxiu put away the comb, and just as her hand was about to reach into the small bundle, Ye Weilai stopped her:
"Sister Embroiderer, open it when you get home tonight," she said, blinking.
Zhao Qingxiu paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Ouyang Rong noticed a red color inside the small bundle that was half-opened.
He remembered that Ye Weilai had embroidered something a few days ago, but she hadn't told him what it was, though it was definitely made of fabric.
Looking at the three warm and loving women in front of her, Zhen Shuyuan had also reached into her sleeve to retrieve something, but she paused and stopped.
She suddenly felt that she should look forward and that there was no need to bring up the past again. What's past is past, and things are fine as they are now. This girl never complained, so why reveal her identity and the matter directly? It's good that the two of them understand each other without saying a word.
But some things are already scars, so what's the point of reopening old wounds?
Zhen Shuyuan smiled and took her hand out of her sleeve.
She took Zhao Qingxiu's and Xie Lingjiang's hands and gently patted them:
"They are all good children."
Both women turned their heads slightly in embarrassment.
...
Night falls.
Yinbingzhai bedroom.
The group of women had just finished catching up and said goodbye to Zhen Shuyuan.
Zhen Shuyuan asked Ouyang Rong to arrange a courtyard for Zhao Qingxiu.
Xie Lingjiang and Zhen Shuyuan left together, saying that she was tired and wanted to accompany Zhen Shuyuan to the Buddhist hall to sit for a while, and asked Ouyang Rong to make arrangements for the embroiderers.
Ouyang Rong nodded and brought Zhao Qingxiu directly to Yinbingzhai.
Zhao Qingxiu had already familiarized herself with Yinbingzhai that afternoon, so she naturally knew what he meant, and her face turned bright red.
Ye Weilai followed, but she wasn't there to be a third wheel; she was there to get her sleeping clothes so she could sleep with Xie Lingjiang.
In her words, she wanted to catch up with Xie Lingjiang.
But the two women see each other every day, so what's there to reminisce about?
Ouyang Rong was naturally aware of the three women's thoughts.
In a sense, today's work is the beginning of a career as an embroiderer.
Xie Lingjiang knew that because of the embroiderer's status, she could not be married openly.
Tonight, let Ouyang Rong spend some quality time with her and give her a sense of occasion.
So they all tacitly made excuses to leave, leaving Ouyang Rong and Zhao Qingxiu alone.
Back in the bedroom, Ye Weilai took the embroiderer to take a bath.
Ouyang Rong sat at his desk, and while waiting, he glanced inward at the Pagoda of Merit.
The merit has increased significantly, exceeding the six thousand merits, and has overflowed.
He glanced outside and coughed twice.
Shortly after, Ye Weilai finished bathing and left the bathroom, seemingly to fetch clothes for Zhao Qingxiu.
After delivering the new clothes to the bathroom, she informed the staff and immediately left, carrying her pillow with her.
Ouyang Rong asked instinctively, "Where's the embroiderer? She hasn't finished washing yet."
Ye Weilai, whose long, silvery-white hair was styled in a high bun, smiled and said:
"Sister Xiu Niang has washed her hair and is drying it now, so please be slow. Please wait for her to get dressed, my lord. I'll take my leave now; Sister Xie is still waiting for me."
Ouyang Rong always felt that her figure was a bit sneaky.
However, given the current atmosphere, it's understandable that she left quickly.
As expected of the maid in our own household, she's so sensible.
Ouyang Rong nodded secretly. In fact, he didn't have much of that thought tonight; he just wanted to keep the embroiderer company.
After all, he and his junior sister weren't engaged yet, so they couldn't share a room, let alone sleep together immediately. Even if they didn't do anything, just sleeping together... In any case, his junior sister and the embroiderer would definitely shake their heads in embarrassment and refuse.
Some things take time; we haven't reached that point yet.
The fact that Junior Sister was able to leave tonight, biting her lip, shows the demeanor of a senior wife. Allowing Ouyang Rong to accompany the embroiderer is already a huge concession.
Ye Weilai certainly wouldn't mind; she's the most "indulgent" towards her beloved husband. But the embroiderer would definitely be shy...
Don't try to take too big a step at once, or you might end up making a mess of things.
Eating at the same table and sleeping in the same bed are two different things.
Ouyang Rong stroked his chin, lost in thought.
"ah!"
A girl's exclamation suddenly came from the direction of the bathroom.
It was the embroiderer's voice.
Ouyang Rong rushed over instinctively.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah ah."
Zhao Qingxiu seemed to be telling him not to come in.
However, Ouyang Rong had already pushed the door open halfway and saw that the embroiderer seemed to be standing behind the screen.
He could only see her silhouette; the embroiderer wasn't actually exposed.
Moreover, he also noticed a small garment lying at the foot of the clothes rack outside the screen, wondering if it had been accidentally dropped by the embroiderer while she was taking out clothes.
Ouyang Rong covered his eyes with one hand and walked in without any ceremony:
"It's okay, I won't look. I'll help you pick up your clothes."
He was upright and dignified.
On the screen, Zhao Qingxiu's slender silhouette squatted down, seemingly shaking her head urgently.
"Ah ah ee ee ya ya..."
"I really won't watch it."
Ouyang Rong said he wouldn't look, and he didn't open the gaps between his fingers covering his eyes. He slowly walked to the clothes rack, squatted down, and picked up the small garment on the ground. It looked like a pair of underwear. The fabric seemed to be of high quality, thin and soft, and it was absorbent and quick-drying.
Ouyang Rong didn't grope the young woman's underpants; instead, he hooked his finger around them and handed them behind the screen.
The next second, the panties were thrown out from behind the screen and landed at his feet.
"What's wrong? Are your hands wet? Did you slip again?"
Ouyang Rong's tone was curious.
He picked it up again and handed it in.
Less than three breaths later, it was thrown out again.
Ouyang Rong frowned immediately, picked it up again, but before handing it over this time, he felt it slightly and his fingers touched a hole.
Is your underwear torn?
He was startled and couldn't help but look down for a closer look, when he suddenly discovered... that the thin red underwear was actually open-crotch!
Ouyang Rong was immediately embarrassed and stood there awkwardly.
"This thing has an open crotch? Isn't it for kids?" That was his first thought.
However, he then vaguely remembered that this seemed to be a custom in some parts of the Great Zhou Dynasty. It seemed to be something that the bride wore on her wedding night, and its purpose was definitely not just to relieve herself at night.
"Ah ah..."
Inside the screen, Zhao Qingxiu crouched by the bathtub, hiding her slender body. She lowered her head shyly and covered her shoulders with her hands.
Her small ears, hidden by her wet, dark hair, were so red they looked like they were about to bleed.
Ouyang Rong suddenly turned his head and saw a small, open bundle next to the clothes rack. Without even guessing, he knew where the open-crotch red underpants came from.
He couldn't help but turn around and glare in the direction Ye Weilai had left.
Good grief, so the gift you gave your new older sister was open-crotch pants, huh?
For a moment, the air inside and outside the screen fell silent.
The atmosphere gradually became strange.
(End of this chapter)
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