Chapter 335 One wave has just left, and another one comes.
"My dear, you seem to be sleeping more soundly these past two days."
Yinbingzhai, the study.
Ouyang Rong, with his long black hair flowing down his shoulders, was squatting on the steps at the entrance of the house, rinsing his mouth with lukewarm strong tea and brushing his teeth with willow twigs, completely disregarding his appearance.
Inside the room, beside the copper basin stand, Ye Weilai rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair and smooth arms, and wrung out a hot towel for him, saying something to herself.
Ouyang Rong paused, spat out the mouthwash, glanced at the bamboo grove filled with the chirping of insects, and asked without turning his head:
How did you know?
“A few days ago, every time I woke up in a daze, only my legs were on top of Tanlang, and Tanlang was sleeping upright. But these past two mornings, when I woke up, Tanlang’s legs were also accidentally on top of me, and they even pressed down on my hair.”
Ye Weilai twisted the towel tightly with her slender arm and nodded firmly:
"Tanlang must be sleeping more soundly than he has been these past few days."
Ouyang Rong put down the willow toothbrush, went into the room, took the hot towel that Ye Weilai obediently handed him, and wiped his face.
He freed one hand and ruffled Ye Weilai's hair, a buzzing sound coming from under the hot towel on his face:
"Your little brain is quite clever and bright. If only you weren't always 'tattling' to your older sister Xie."
Ye Weilai stuck out the tip of her pink tongue.
She glanced at him, noticed something, and said happily, "My dear, you look much better. It seems your cold is gone."
"Phew~" Ouyang Rong put down the towel, let out a long breath, and sighed:
"Wei Lai, I feel more and more that Yinbingzhai has wasted your talent. You shouldn't have spent your whole life doing these chores of serving tea and water in the house."
Ye Weilai shook her head: "I'm afraid outside. This is my home. I won't leave. Besides, if I leave, who will take care of Tanlang?"
She reached out with both hands, instinctively wanting to take the cooled towel.
Ouyang Rong glanced at her, didn't give her the towel, and walked forward alone. He rolled up his sleeves, put the towel into the copper basin filled with hot water, and began washing his face.
"Afraid? I think it's others who are afraid of you. Hmm, you can adapt and integrate quickly no matter where you go. That's a rare talent, you just haven't realized it yourself."
Looking at Ouyang Rong, who could support himself even without her, Ye Weilai's face showed a little disappointment.
She never really understood why Tanlang didn't like being served by maids and servants.
Even now that she has become the governor of a prefecture, she only has Ye Weilai as a nominal concubine to serve her in her house. There are no maids who live with her at all. In fact, with only her in the house, it seems that she is not really needed.
Look at the male heads of other people's houses. When they come home, they are all treated like royalty, served by maids and servants. Neither side feels that it is inappropriate and takes it for granted.
Ye Weilai whispered:
“If Nu’er doesn’t serve Tan Lang, what else can she do outside? Apart from Tan Lang, everyone else despises Nu’er’s white hair and beard.”
Ouyang Rong tossed down the towel, turned around, and said softly, "Who says a woman has to use her beauty to please men?"
Ye Weilai bit her lip: "Not everyone is like Sister Xie, with a good family background, talent, and good looks..."
Ouyang Rong frowned slightly: "There must be other ways to use one's brain, for intelligent and outstanding women in this world."
"Hmm, where do all the extraordinary women in this world go? Apart from Sister Xie, who comes from a high-ranking family and has very few innate limitations."
Ouyang Rong frowned and thought for a moment, then sighed at the limitations of this era:
"It seems there are indeed very few such opportunities. Studying at an academy and becoming a talented woman or a virtuous lady to gain fame?"
"To cultivate Qi and enter a secluded sect, like the Lady of Yunmeng, or to roam the martial world and become a legendary female knight-errant?"
"Or perhaps enter the palace to serve the emperor. Hmm, I've heard that the Grand Astrologer of the Imperial Observatory and the Lady in Colorful Robes, among other female officials and favorites in front of the empress, are second only to her and above all others. Even the officials in the court have to be careful around them."
He looked thoughtful, muttering to himself, "By the way, Wei Lai, which one do you want..."
"Is that so?" Ye Wei nodded, her little face serious as she said:
"Actually, there is another way, which is to assist an extraordinary man and be a virtuous wife behind him, so that they can become famous together in the future, like the extraordinary women such as Hong Fu Nu in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms."
Ouyang Rong was taken aback and didn't react for a moment. He nodded and said, "So, it seems that counts."
Ye Weilai tiptoed and quickly pecked him on the cheek: "I choose this one."
The white-haired maid leaned back slightly, patted her small chest, and said:
"So, Tanlang, isn't it already like this? I've saved myself fifty years of detours and come directly to Tanlang's side ahead of time, providing warm and powerful support for this extraordinary man who will be remembered in history."
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but look at the white-haired girl in front of him, whose small face was serious and who was holding his clothes in both hands.
His lips twitched slightly.
"Fetching a basin of water and handing over a towel is considered strong support, right?"
Ouyang Rong nodded with a stern face: "At such a young age, he's already so 'enlightened.' What will he be like in the future?"
As he spoke, he gave her a pat on the back.
"My love, it hurts..." Ye Weilai pouted, covered her head, and squatted down.
Ouyang Rong shook his head speechlessly, walked into the warm inner room, and changed into his official robes.
Ye Weilai helped out in various ways.
Ouyang Rong frowned slightly, as if he was silently pondering something.
Before leaving, he saw Ye Wei staring at him expectantly, and the girl asked nervously:
"Is Tanlang still thinking about what just happened?"
"Hmm." Ouyang Rong remained noncommittal.
"I don't want to leave my beloved for even a moment..."
Let's not talk about this now, we can talk about it later.
After a pause, Ouyang Rong asked, "Continue learning to read and write. By the way, have you finished reading the stack of books that Empress Yuanzheng gave you?"
"I finished reading it a long time ago."
"Why didn't you say so earlier? I was busy and didn't ask. You're just pretending to be stupid and being lazy, right?"
"No," she weakly defended herself, "I thought that was all."
"Next, after you finish reading these books, I will do some spot checks."
"How come there are so many? How come there are still more...?"
"Since you're so smart, then read more books. In a few days, I'll find some time to teach you arithmetic and how to use an abacus..."
Ouyang Rong waved his hand, patiently instructing, "I'll ask Wanwan again later to see what she can teach you. You can't be lazy anymore, understand?"
"Oh." Ye Weilai said weakly, suddenly remembering that the embroiderer also liked to teach.
Why do people all seem to enjoy teaching her?
"Hmm?" Ouyang Rong's voice became more nasal.
"I...I understand." Ye Weilai perked up.
"That's more like it."
Ouyang Rong walked out of the courtyard, preparing to go on duty.
“My love.”
Ye Weilai suddenly called out to Ouyang Rong.
The latter turned around and looked at him curiously.
The silver-haired girl, her face flushed, stood on tiptoe by the courtyard gate, peering at someone's retreating figure, and called out:
"Being able to wait for you to come home from work every day, and being able to stay by your side every night, makes me really, really happy."
Ouyang Rong paused only slightly before continuing forward, waving his hand and adopting a relaxed expression.
“But I’m different. Seeing you so young yet playing so easily every day makes me feel a hundred times worse than when I’m so busy I can’t even take my feet off the ground.”
Ye Weilai: "..."
Ouyang Rong smiled, went out and left, not teasing her anymore.
In the warm spring of March, the air gradually warms up.
Ouyang Rong's minor cold had improved considerably, and he no longer wore that white fox fur shawl.
I immediately felt much refreshed.
That white fox fur shawl was nice, but it was a bit too flashy, even though his junior sister, aunt, and Ye Weilai had all praised him for how good he looked in it.
But Ouyang Rong always complained that it made his face look too handsome.
"I don't rely on my looks for a living. By the way, could you please be a little more discreet..."
Someone muttered to himself, carrying a strange unease, as he arrived at the Jiangzhou main hall. After a busy morning, lunch was delivered from Huaiye Lane.
During meals.
Yan Liulang stepped forward silently and whispered in his ear:
"My lord, General Qin has contacted me through some channels, saying he wishes to see you."
Ouyang Rong was slightly taken aback.
I thought that after Lan Changhao's matter was over, the two would return to their original distance and the tacit understanding would disappear.
In the afternoon, we went to the usual spot, Yunshui Pavilion.
Because of the need to avoid suspicion, the meeting process was quite complicated and had to be done secretly.
Inside the private room, Ouyang Rong and Qin Heng met again, with a cup of hot tea placed in front of them.
Qin Heng, who had left somewhat indignantly last time, seemed much calmer now. He clasped his hands in apology:
"Last time I was emotional and left rudely, which was quite willful. I hope Chief Secretary Ouyang will be more lenient with me."
"It's alright, I understand."
Ouyang Rong waved his hand dismissively.
"What brings General Qin here today?"
Qin Heng shook his head: "It's nothing to trouble Chief Secretary Ouyang. I just wanted to... express my gratitude."
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "But my memorial was useless. The soldiers of the Third Regiment were still postponed for another year."
Qin Heng shook his head:
"That's not how it works. Chief Clerk Ouyang's letter to the soldiers of the Third Regiment was already a form of help."
His face showed some guilt:
“Prefect Ouyang may not know that your memorial opposing the matter has already spread in the high-level council of the Zhechong Prefecture. After General Yang and others found out, they privately made some criticisms of you, and their words were quite harsh.”
"I heard that a few days ago, before Chief Secretary Lan left, he looked unwell and parted on bad terms with you when you came to see him off."
Ouyang Rong interrupted, shaking his head seriously:
"It's alright. I'm not familiar with them anyway. Wang Lengran has always controlled military affairs, and I don't usually have contact with the generals of the Zhechong Prefecture. With my superiors acting like this, it's no wonder they would say something good about me."
He paused, then added, "Only General Qin is willing to see me."
Qin Heng shook his head, his face still showing some apology.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly gave an address for Xingzifang.
"This is……"
Before Ouyang Rong could finish his question, he lowered his eyes and calmly said:
"My wife loves to grow crabapple trees, and there has always been a pot of crabapple blossoms on the wall of our house."
“If there’s nothing else, my wife won’t change the flowers. But if, in the future, the crabapple blossoms on the courtyard wall are gone and replaced with a pot of bright red azaleas, would Prefect Ouyang, would you be so kind as to come here again and have tea with me?”
Ouyang Rong remained calm and said, "Okay."
Immediately afterwards, the two discussed the details of their future meeting.
Before long, they all left cautiously and discreetly.
When Ouyang Rong returned home, a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.
Unexpectedly, Qin Heng made such a statement.
Willing to send a signal.
Although Ouyang Rong had been restraining himself and not explicitly telling him about his difficulties, Qin Heng must have recently become aware of his predicament with the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.
Because Jiangzhou Zhechong Prefecture had tacitly assumed the responsibility of guarding Xunyang Prince's Mansion.
Wang Lengran controlled all military affairs in Jiangzhou.
Therefore, Qin Heng's implication this time is quite clear:
The presence of azalea pots on the wall indicates that it relates to his affair with the Prince of Xunyang's residence.
If you display the crabapple blossoms as usual, then everything is fine.
Qin Heng, as the Right Commandant of the Jiangzhou Garrison Command, was essentially the deputy commander of the Garrison Command and the third or fourth most important military figure in Jiangzhou.
He could hardly hide anything that happened in Zhechong Prefecture.
From now on, Ouyang Rong will no longer be completely clueless about military affairs in Jiangzhou. If there are any major movements by the troops near Jiangzhou, he will at least not be blind.
Ouyang Rong immediately summoned Ye Weilai, who was practicing calligraphy, and gave her some instructions.
Then, she had another task:
I go out every other day.
I went to the bustling market area of Xingzifang to buy flowers and fruits.
If you pass by a residential street, take a look at the begonia flowerpots on the walls of a courtyard to see if they have been replaced with azalea flowerpots, and promptly notify others...
The next day, Ouyang Rong suddenly received two letters.
One of the letters was from teacher Xie Xun.
One of the letters was from Shen Xisheng, the Imperial Censor.
The letter mentioned that Li Zhengyan, Wei Shaoqi, Du Shuqing, and Wang Junzhi, who were demoted due to the Great Zhou Songde Tianshu Incident, would arrive in Jiangzhou soon.
Previously, they were all members of the pro-democracy faction and had a good relationship with Xie Xun and Shen Xisheng.
After leaving Beijing, this group of "exiled celebrities" traveled south along the Grand Canal, stopping in Yangzhou for a while. It is said that this group of disillusioned individuals became engrossed in the city's vibrant atmosphere.
Now, the deadline for taking office set by the imperial court is fast approaching, and he must go to his post. So, they continued along the Yangtze River together.
The ship would pass through Jiangzhou, because Wang Junzhi and Du Shuqing, who were among the passengers, had been demoted to Jiangzhou. One was a scholar in Jiangzhou, and the other was the magistrate of Longcheng County. They had a connection with Ouyang Rong.
However, Jiangzhou was a place where officials had been exiled for a long time, so that's to be expected.
Both Xie Xun and Shen Xisheng asked Ouyang Rong to treat them well in their letters.
If it weren't for the political turmoil caused by the Tian Shu point, which ruined his official career...
Li Zhengyan, Wei Shaoqi, Du Shuqing, Wang Junzhi, and others were either the mainstays of the original conservative faction or rising stars.
Some of them are even no worse than Ouyang Rong now.
Especially Li Zhengyan, who was in charge.
He comes from a noble family in Guanzhong and Longxi, and his ancestors were founding dukes whose titles are still being inherited. Moreover, he is exceptionally talented and has a wide network of connections.
To paraphrase what his teacher Xie Xun lamented in his letter, if it weren't for the change of dynasties and His Majesty's and the Wei clan's deliberate suppression of the Guanzhong nobles, this man would definitely have achieved far more than just the position of governor of a prefecture before the turmoil.
Ouyang Rong rarely saw his teacher praise someone like this, so he kept a watchful eye on it.
In addition, Li Zhengyan wanted to pay a visit to Prince Xunyang, Li Xian, and sought help from the two of them through personal connections.
So now, with Xie Xun and Shen Xisheng sending letters, the matter naturally fell to the student Ouyang Rong.
The two instructed him to "make a proper introduction".
Ouyang Rong frowned slightly:
"A visit to the Prince of Xunyang's residence? A proper introduction would be appreciated. Teacher's choice of words is becoming increasingly refined."
"Hmm, slang, right? I said it, but it's like I didn't really say it. It's just that the problem has fallen on my shoulders..."
"Hey, there are two new colleagues. Looks like things are going to get interesting."
Since his elders had entrusted him with this task, he had no choice but to take it seriously and prepare to "properly" receive them...
(End of this chapter)
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