Chapter 416 Blind Dates Are Not as Good as Health-Preserving Tea
Xie Xue'e is gone.
The day after Qin Jingzhen and the vanguard of Jiangzhou set off, they left Xunyang and returned to Yangzhou.
Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang personally went to Xunyang Ferry to see them off.
Before boarding the ship, Xie Xue'e, surrounded by her beautiful maids and servants, turned back and said to Ouyang Rong:
"Spend more time with Seventeenth Sister when you have time. How busy can a Prefect of Jiangzhou be? Really, is the Prefect of Jiangzhou this busy? When your uncle was the Prefect, I never saw him so busy that he didn't come home."
"After I finish dealing with things in Yangzhou, I will come to Jiangzhou again. I won't inform you in advance, and you are not allowed to tell me either. If I find that you are missing again, I won't be so lenient with you."
“…” Ouyang Rong.
Okay, okay, random checks from time to time, right?
Under the glare of the noblewoman with the hairpin, someone nodded solemnly.
Xie Xue'e paused for a moment, then asked Ouyang Rong for a recipe for Dongpo pork. She said that her uncle-in-law, Su Youwei, also enjoyed good food, so she wanted to make it for him to try, as a small token of her appreciation as his nephew-in-law.
Ouyang Rong has no objection.
After Xie Xue'e left, Ouyang Rong accompanied his junior sister to stroll around the West Market for a while.
However, seeing that Ouyang Rong often seemed lost in thought, Xie Lingjiang guessed that he was probably thinking about building the Buddha statue. She rolled her eyes at him and reluctantly let him go.
Ouyang Rong immediately felt guilty and explained:
"We're currently arranging for the Qin family to join the partnership. We need to notify all the merchants and managers who previously invested and draft new articles of association..."
"I've arranged everything these past few days. Three days from now is my day off, so I'll spend the whole day shopping with you. How about that?"
"ensure?"
"Yes, I swear..."
"Forget it, no swearing." Xie Lingjiang interrupted, glaring at her with a stern face: "Just agree, why make a swearing oath? What if there's an emergency later?"
Ouyang Rong felt a warmth in his heart. He turned around by the roadside, picked out a candied hawthorn, and handed it to her.
"Like a child."
Xie Lingjiang muttered to herself, but her hands didn't slow down at all. She stuffed the candied hawthorn into her sleeve, turned around, and left.
Where to?
"Going back to the Prince's Mansion, and you won't go shopping with me, what else am I supposed to do? Come on, don't overwork yourself these next few days." She waved her hand as she turned away.
Ouyang Rong looked ashamed, his brows furrowing slightly, and called out to her:
"Wait, about Dalang..."
"Don't worry, with Guo'er and me here, everything has been arranged. You don't need to urge us. If you wait until someone as busy as you remembers to make the arrangements, it will be too late."
"I'll go back to the Prince's Mansion first, take a bath and change my clothes, and then go shopping with Miss Qin in the afternoon and attend a gathering of scholars by the waterfall at Mount Lu."
"Guo'er should be picking out clothes for Dalang now, and also trimming his appearance. This afternoon, Guo'er will take him out, pretending to attend a literary gathering. She'll find a way to let the two of them get to know each other, have a chance encounter, or a dramatic meeting of talented scholars and beautiful women, something like that... Guo'er has prepared all the poems, lyrics, and essays, one for each of them. She has plenty of ways to attract the attention of the Qin family's younger sister."
Ouyang Rong was speechless. The more he listened, the more it sounded like someone was swindling and deceiving innocent women. But Li Guo'er was the one who had swindled her sister-in-law.
He quietly watched his junior sister's lively and beautiful figure in her red dress leave.
"Keep it up, Dalang."
Ouyang Rong muttered something to himself, then turned and went back to his work...
To be honest, Ouyang Rong wasn't particularly opposed to bringing Li Dalang and Qin Ying together.
Based on his past life's experience with countless women and his cybernetic ability to spot a womanizer, this Miss Qin is indeed a good person and a good match for Li Dalang.
You can tell from the fact that she traveled a long way to send her grandfather off to take up his post and go to war. Although you may have heard the grandfather and granddaughter bickering like a pair of clowns, you can tell that the grandfather and granddaughter have a very deep affection for each other.
Moreover, Qin Ying, who was seeing off Qin Jingzhen and the soldiers who were suppressing the rebellion on the city wall yesterday, seemed to be in low spirits and somewhat melancholy.
Women who are filial are generally not bad people.
Ouyang Rong nodded.
In the afternoon, Ouyang Rong did not participate in the "chance encounter" between Li Dalang and Qin Ying at the gathering of famous scholars; it was all handled by his junior sister and Li Guo'er.
However, the next evening when he returned to his residence in Huaiye Lane, he met his junior sister who had come to freeload a meal and casually asked her about the situation.
She said that the chance encounter between the talented man and the beautiful woman yesterday went smoothly, and Qin Ying had a good impression of Li Dalang after he shaved his beard and had some affection for him.
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but ask, "Junior Sister, how do you know how others feel?"
Xie Lingjiang glanced at him and said, "Of course I asked afterward. Women like to whisper among themselves. Didn't you know that, Senior Brother?"
"Whispers?"
"That's right."
"You're talking about this all the time? You're not wary of me?"
"The boundaries of what women whisper to each other... well, you wouldn't understand even if I told you."
Ouyang Rong put down his bowl, his expression slightly suspicious: "You weren't talking about me, were you?"
"Dream on." Xie Lingjiang didn't look up, reaching for some food.
"Then why don't you just ask directly, even in a whisper? Wouldn't that make Miss Qin realize your intentions?"
Xie Lingjiang looked at him strangely: "Otherwise what?"
"What else?"
Xie Lingjiang laughed: "Senior Brother, you don't think that Sister Qin is stupid, or that all women are stupid? That they really can't see through a man's intentions?"
Ouyang Rong, somewhat confused, asked, "What do you mean?"
"No matter how well arranged, most women are actually quite perceptive about these chance encounters. Sister Qin probably saw through Dalang's intentions long ago, and could even deduce that it was arranged by me and Sister Guo'er."
"But some things don't need to be hidden; they are tacitly understood."
"For a woman, being explicitly pursued by a man is a very proud and happy thing. Given this mentality, a man would rather be direct and bold, and make his intentions clear, than to approach her in secret or with ulterior motives."
"Then it's either a success or a failure. Even if it doesn't work out, in a woman's eyes, it's seen as being carefree and frank, without any indecisiveness or fussiness..."
"Actually, I still think the arrangement of the meeting of talented men and beautiful women at yesterday's gathering was too troublesome. It was just that Guo'er insisted on packaging it up and giving her brother a persona of being resourceful and talented. It was unnecessary."
"I think it's better to have a simple meeting, show your personality and style, and be more authentic."
"Besides, Dalang's conditions aren't bad either. Let them date. Like the eldest brother said before, let the two of them date and see if they're compatible. If they are, great. If not, then forget it. Why force it..."
"However, it seems that Uncle and Aunt Wei have high expectations for me. The whole family is brainstorming together, and I don't want to spoil their fun. Well, if you have any questions, just tell me. It's only useful if you tell me."
Ouyang Rong's chopsticks paused in the rice, and he slightly opened his eyes:
“What you say makes sense, but you two, acting as matchmakers, have so many theories to back them up, how come…”
He stopped talking.
Xie Ling and Jiang Qi asked, "What? What happened?"
"It's nothing, I forgot what I was going to say."
Ouyang Rong buried his head and continued eating.
What I really wanted to ask was, with all those theories, how come he was so naive when his junior sister was pursuing him...?
Clearly, keeping quiet saved his life.
Xie Lingjiang looked at him suspiciously.
Zhen Shuyuan, who had been quietly listening, suddenly agreed:
"Ling Jiang's analysis makes sense. Just let nature take its course. What is meant to happen will happen, and what is not meant to happen cannot be forced. As for elders and relatives, they can play the role of matchmaking at the beginning. In the end, it depends on the fate and destiny of the two children themselves."
"But if a child is outstanding, there's no need to worry too much. Like gold, its brilliance cannot be hidden... Just like our family, I've understood this principle for a long time. You see, I don't really interfere with Lianghan. I let him do things himself, and I know Wanwan will definitely like it very much..."
Zhen Shuyuan subtly praised her family's "treasure trove of parenting tips".
As if recalling their impulsive first meeting at Dagushan, Xie Lingjiang blushed instantly, buried her face in her rice bowl, and carefully ate her rice, her mouth slurring:
"What you just said, that was actually Guo'er's analysis, and I think it makes sense."
Ouyang Rong's lips twitched slightly.
You're all theoretical masters, aren't you?
"Senior Brother, don't scoff. If you're so capable, why don't you do it yourself? Can you do a better job than what Guo'er and I arranged?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head, unmoved by any provocation:
"You guys come on, why should I get involved? A decent person should do a decent job, okay?"
After dinner, the proper person saw off the junior sister.
For the next two days, he spent his days running between the Jiangzhou Grand Hall and the Xunyang Grottoes.
I went back to study the "True Teachings" in the evening, consuming merit points, and slowly explored cultivation methods.
Having used up nearly two thousand merits, Ouyang Rong has mastered most of it, but there are still some perplexing points that need further consideration.
However, this scripture was a rare and profound text from the Shangqing school, and Ouyang Rong found it inconvenient to consult with Taoist practitioners, nor did he have any friends around him who studied this kind of thing, so he could only slowly study it.
On the day before the holiday, Ouyang Rong finished dealing with the Qin family's joining the business, which was unanimously agreed upon by Wang Caozhi and other merchants who had already joined.
This was mainly due to the leading support of the two major investors, Wang Caozhi and Xie Xue'e. Other wealthy merchants also dared not offend the Qin family, so the resolution was passed unanimously.
Finally, a day off has arrived.
Early in the morning, Ouyang Rong, wearing a skirt-shaped knife, went out incognito and met Xie Lingjiang in the bustling market of Xingzifang. Turning around, he saw Qin Ying there as well.
Ouyang Rong greeted the latter.
The three of them went shopping together.
"Where's Dalang? Didn't he say he was going shopping? We've never seen him before."
Ouyang Rong looked back curiously.
"We had planned to go together, but he arrived before you and said he wasn't feeling well and went back to rest."
"oh."
Ouyang Rong nodded, his brows furrowing slightly. Why was he feeling unwell when he was perfectly healthy?
When I saw him at the Prince of Xunyang's residence last night, he was still lively and energetic.
Without much thought, Ouyang Rong accompanied the two beauties for a short while, when they suddenly encountered an unexpected person.
Pei Shisanniang.
"My Lord Chief Secretary, what a coincidence! I am here to greet you."
A luxurious carriage slowly pulled up beside Ouyang Rong and his entourage. The elegant lady in a shawl, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, stepped down from the carriage with a surprised tone. She greeted Xie Lingjiang and the others, then turned to Ouyang Rong and his companions and sincerely invited them to have tea.
Ouyang Rong was about to refuse, but Xie Lingjiang spoke up first.
"I'm sorry, Madam Pei, my sister Qin and I need to go shopping, so we'll have to go later. Senior Brother, you go ahead and do your work. Madam Pei seems to be busy. You two chat, we'll go shopping and come back to find you later."
Her dignified and elegant demeanor as a mature woman drew the attention of Qin Ying and Pei Shisan Niang.
Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll be back in a bit."
Standing amidst the bustling crowd, after bidding farewell to Xie Ling and Jiang, Ouyang Rong looked around and led Pei Shisan Niang to the nearby Yunshui Pavilion.
He went up to the second floor with practiced ease, led Pei Shisan Niang to a seat by the window, and casually asked:
"What brings you here, Madam Pei? Surely it's not just to invite me for tea and reminisce. But speaking of which, I was indeed honored by your presence at my junior sister's birthday banquet at Xunyang Tower."
"Of course, and besides, I truly admire you, Chief Secretary."
Pei Shisan Niang smiled gently.
Ouyang Rong remained unmoved, drinking his tea in silence.
Pei Shisan Niang took the initiative to start a conversation, and after chatting for a while, seeing that the atmosphere was just right, she brought up:
"My lord, is there still a shortage of funds for the construction of the Xunyang Grottoes? I am willing to contribute some..."
After listening to the conversation, Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is Madam Pei no longer going to handle the renovation of the old houses in Xingzifang?"
Pei Shisan Niang smiled sheepishly.
Ouyang Rong didn't ask her how she knew the inside story of Xunyang Grottoes, and directly refused the matter.
He put down his teacup and, under the disappointed gaze of the elegantly dressed lady, rose to take his leave.
Just as he reached the stairs, Ouyang Rong suddenly caught a glimpse of Li Dalang and Yan Liulang's backs out of the corner of his eye.
The two appeared to have finished their meal and were walking arm in arm up to the third floor, seemingly preparing to enjoy a health-preserving tea ceremony to warm themselves up in the late autumn.
"Um?"
Ouyang Rong followed with suspicion, went up to the third floor, pushed open the door to the private room where they had just sat down, walked to Li Dalang who looked surprised, and sat down:
"Big Brother, what brings you here?" he asked, then pressed on earnestly, "You didn't invite me to your tea party, did you?"
Li Dalang couldn't help but look at Yan Liulang.
Yan Liulang shrugged:
“Da Lang said he was in a bad mood, so I brought him here to relax. Why is Magistrate Ming here too? Wasn’t he supposed to be with Miss Xie today?”
Ouyang Rong did not answer, but turned his gaze to Li Dalang, his eyes carrying a scrutinizing look.
Ouyang Rong was a little unaccustomed to seeing Li Dalang after he shaved his beard, but he did look much younger and didn't have the same "young but old" feeling as before.
Li Dalang lowered his head, blowing on the tea leaves, not daring to meet his gaze.
Ouyang Rong suddenly asked, "Don't you like it?"
Li Dalang gave a wry smile. The tea was too hot for his mouth, so he put down the teacup and looked away.
Ouyang Rong's tone was a little stiff: "So you like coming here to drink health-preserving tea, right?"
Li Dalang hesitated for a moment, then answered truthfully:
"Actually, it doesn't matter whether the tea is good or not, and the women aren't as pretty as those in the Prince's Mansion. What I miss is the atmosphere here, so carefree and unrestrained, which is something the Prince's Mansion doesn't have."
Ouyang Rong shook his head with a stern face: "No, you just want to drink health tea, you're despicable."
"...Uh, no, that's not it."
The young master of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion spoke with a helpless tone, pondered for a moment, and then his eyes lit up as he described:
"I still remember when I was holed up in the piles of books at Longcheng Juxian Garden, reading day after day. It was Lianghan who took me out for the first time to broaden my horizons."
"Lianghan, me, Liulang, Ashan, and I came here for the first time to eat. We accidentally discovered that this restaurant is not so serious but has a hidden wicked side... The tense and exciting feeling of exploration is still unforgettable. It was really interesting."
"Now that we know it's not serious anymore, it's lost much of its meaning. So now I'm not here to drink tea, but more to reminisce and remember my former self."
“…” Ouyang Rong.
"..." Yan Liulang.
You are despicable.
(End of this chapter)
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