Chapter 570 Pei Shisan Niang's Sincere Heart Returns; She Makes a Date with the Embroiderer for the Lantern Festival [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]
Pei Shisan Niang felt flattered to be called upon by Ouyang Rong to help her.
On the day Su Xing was released from the Overwatch Council, after she "submitted and acknowledged her master" in the carriage, Ouyang Lianghan's reaction was quite indifferent.
They said they would talk about it another day and told her to go back and wait for their call.
However, Pei Shisan Niang waited for several days in her luxurious mansion, thinking of him day and night. She tossed and turned on her canopy bed covered with precious Western silk, longing for him constantly.
They just waited and waited for the call of a young new master, but nothing came.
Pei Shisan Niang was uneasy and couldn't eat or drink.
In recent days, she has even felt a sense of unease... Could it be that this kind-faced but ruthless young master doesn't need her?
Or perhaps he looked down on her, and she wasn't qualified to be his front woman?
Pei Shisan Niang's heart was filled with panic and frustration.
Being unwanted is not only the greatest contempt, but also a manifestation of her cheapness and even worthlessness.
Cheap and worthless items are usually swept into the garbage dump or sent away as waste.
It's no wonder Pei Shisan Niang is overthinking things; her fate is now in the hands of Ouyang Rong, the new governor of Jiangzhou.
In the official circles of Jiangzhou and Jiangnan Circuit, everyone with discerning eyes tacitly agreed that she and Shen Bingqiang, along with other wealthy merchants from the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce, were the victors in this battle for the location of the Giant Buddha, and were Ouyang Lianghan's spoils of war.
Let him handle it.
Therefore, no one from her industry came to take advantage of her misfortune or try to extort money from her; that's why things were calm after she left the procuratorate. The Jiangzhou Prefectural Government and the Jiangzhou Grand Hall even returned all her properties in full, as if nothing had happened...
But smart people know that she is now labeled by someone, just like a fresh pork leg on a pork stall in the market, stamped with the stall owner's seal.
The formation of this tacit understanding is actually quite simple.
The person who helped Pei Shisan Niang and the others complete these procedures and safely escorted them out of the Supervisory Council that day was Yan Liulang, the Judicial Advisor of Jiangzhou.
Everyone knows that this Military Advisor Yan is someone's trusted confidant.
Everyone knew the unspoken agreement.
Previously, Pei Shisan Niang, Shen Bingqiang, and other merchants in Xunyang had the backing of Wang Lengran, the governor of Jiangzhou, and Lin Cheng, the Xia Guan Lingtai Lang who supervised the construction of the Xingzifang Buddha.
During that period, under the leadership of Pei and Chen, the influence of this Yangzhou fellow townsmen chamber of commerce rapidly expanded in Jiangzhou, a major city for water transport and trade in the Jiangnan region, and even swallowed up most of the land in Xingzifang.
It enjoyed unparalleled popularity for a time, but also accumulated a lot of complaints from all sides.
However, at that time they were powerful, so these voices were not heard and were suppressed.
But privately, he has made enemies with countless people, perhaps even just colleagues who are simply jealous and don't like him.
Unfortunately, all that was done was to create a riot of color and a blazing fire.
Such is the fate of these merchants' front men: once their backers fall, if they don't immediately find new ones, they become easy prey, and anyone can take a bite.
Currently, Vice President Shen Bingqiang died along with Wei Shaoqi, Wang Lengran, and Lin Cheng. Pei Shisan Niang, the only survivor, was not only released safely, but also had all her assets recovered without incident, and is still alive and well.
If it weren't for the influence of the new top official in Jiangzhou, would everyone think they were just eating vegetarian food?
Even though this new acting governor has always been seen as kind, benevolent, and incorruptible, people initially accepted this as the norm.
If it is discovered that the new governor Ouyang Lianghan was merely acting in accordance with official business by releasing Pei Shisan Niang and returning the property through normal procedures.
Filled with admiration, everyone was sure to act faster and more ruthlessly than the last.
Having lost her powerful backer, Pei Shisan Niang and the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce are now vulnerable. Not to mention the female officials in the Censorate who hold imperial authority, even a minor official in the Transport Bureau at Xunyang Ferry Terminal could extort a hefty sum from her and find a reason to withhold her travel permit, preventing her from safely leaving Xunyang City...
It is precisely because she understands the logic behind this that Pei Shisan Niang has been so flustered these past few days when Ouyang Lianghan has ignored her.
The surrounding area was far from calm; it was clearly fraught with danger, with a monstrous dragon lurking in the still waters.
Furthermore, back in the Censorate, when she had just woken up, Pei Shisan Niang hesitated and struggled before deciding to briefly tell Rong Zhen about a certain dream, hoping to ask the Censorate for protection.
Looking back now, it's a pity... no, not a pity, it's thanks to our ancestors that I didn't say anything! Otherwise, I would have been in serious trouble.
Anyway, that evening, when she saw Ouyang Lianghan walk into the ward with a concerned look on his face, and when Rongzhen, the envoy of the saint, showed him closeness and trust, and even praised him highly... Pei Shisan Niang, who had barely shut her mouth, was really frightened into fainting.
Leaving aside the dream, let's just talk about one thing, which is also the scene that Pei Shisan Niang remembers most vividly from that day after she woke up:
That "blue moon" bypassed her, instantly killing and beheading Shen Bingqiang, who was insignificant compared to Wei Shaoqi, Lin Cheng, and Wang Lengran, his blood splattering all over her face... Thinking about it carefully, the only difference between her and Shen Bingqiang was that she hadn't provoked him, and she had even helped him out at the Xie family's noblewoman's birthday banquet...
All the clues and judgments came together, and after being terrified, Pei Shisan Niang became even more convinced of the truth.
It's so black, it's fucking black.
Young Master Wei, Young Master Lin, and those who were buried with him, such as Governor Wang and Shen Bingqiang, died without any injustice.
The methods employed by this seemingly frail young man were utterly terrifying.
Having fully realized this, how could Pei Shisan Niang not keep her mouth shut? And how could she not kneel down after leaving the Censorate?
She wasn't a man; she was just a woman who loved doing business and making money.
Now, she has already humbled herself and acted as a servant, but her master is still reluctant to use her.
Pei Shisan Niang naturally panicked and looked worried all day long.
He couldn't help but wonder if he thought she was useless and wanted to send her away, perhaps as a favor... to the noble lady of the Xie family in Chenjun, to please the Xie family's daughter. Coincidentally, that noble lady was also in Yangzhou, managing the Xie family's business guild.
Of course, this is still considered a good outcome. The worst fear is that... this master really does business strictly and doesn't need her to do anything. In that case, she really won't be able to leave Jiangzhou.
Just thinking about this made Pei Shisan Niang shiver.
And now, today, this young new master has finally summoned her again and made her board his carriage!
Although... the request was a little strange.
But it's also helping him with his work, isn't it?
If someone can do things for him, it means they're one of his people!
Inside the luxurious carriage, Pei Shisan Niang was moved to tears. She lowered her head to wipe her slightly reddened eyes, then covered her mouth, seemingly breaking into a smile.
He saw the beautiful woman stand there grinning foolishly after receiving his order.
Ouyang Rong gave her a strange look.
Although the clear, resonant sound of the wooden fish that had just rang in his ears confirmed Pei Shisan Niang's sincere submission, it put him at ease.
But at this moment, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but mutter to himself, could this merchant woman really have Stockholm syndrome?
Do you like finding a master?
However, he's so handsome, she's really lucky, even though he doesn't have any of those kinds of fetishes.
But let's respect and understand.
Ouyang Rong sighed and checked his merit points, which had increased.
[Merit: 1,912]
For the moment, nothing seemed to be happening. Inside the luxurious carriage, the two stared at each other.
Pei Shisan Niang looked at him expectantly and asked in a weak voice:
"May I ask if there is anything else you need, sir? Please don't stand on ceremony with me."
Ouyang Rong shook his head and prepared to get out of the car.
"etc."
His expression suddenly changed, as if he remembered something. He took out a crumpled purple-gold shawl from the bundle he had brought with him. It was the very shawl that Pei Shisan Niang had left in his carriage earlier.
Ouyang Rong casually tossed the alluring purple-gold shawl to Pei Shisan Niang.
"Here, wear it."
Who would have thought that one end of the purple and gold shawl would accidentally fall onto her shoulder and neck, while the other end would fall at Ouyang Rong's feet.
Both of them were stunned for a moment.
At this moment, Ouyang Rong was sitting upright in his seat, while Pei Shisan Niang remained in the same position as when she was lying on the carpet, and had not yet gotten up.
They maintained their up-and-down position, and the atmosphere inside the car became quiet.
Pei Shisan Niang seemed to understand something instantly, her almond-shaped eyes widened, and her round face turned bright red.
Three breaths later, the beautiful woman slowly lowered her head, raised her hand to grab the purple-gold shawl on her shoulder, and obediently wrapped it around her neck several times, even tying a loose knot. Then, she crawled forward on her knees, picked up the other end of the purple-gold shawl at his feet, buried her head, held it in both hands, and handed it to the seated young man above.
Ouyang Rong: ...
A moment later, a purple and gold shawl was thrown out of the carriage and landed far away.
The carriage curtain was pulled open impatiently by a large hand.
Inside the carriage, a beautiful woman with a lingering blush on her face stared blankly as a young man in a scholar's robe jumped off the carriage with a stern expression, his back view somewhat hurried.
...
It was nearing dusk at Xingzi Lake.
At the end of an old street, there is a quiet and elegant courtyard.
The quiet courtyard is not far from Chengtian Temple, and it is one of the few courtyards on the shore of Xingzi Lake that were not affected by the Xingzi Lake construction site and were not demolished.
Previously, the property rights of this courtyard seemed to belong to an official family from another continent in Jiangnan, who would stay there temporarily when they came to Xunyang City to worship Buddha on special occasions each year.
The courtyard has three sections, and there is a screen wall with flowers carved with birdsong and fragrant flowers in front of the entrance hall. The decoration is quite stylish and reflects the original owner's taste.
However, in Ouyang Rong's opinion, the most praiseworthy and satisfying aspect of this courtyard is that it has relatively few steps and thresholds, as if it was specially designed to take care of the elderly couple who owned the courtyard and had difficulty walking.
This has made it easier for the mute embroiderer to carry out her daily activities.
Ouyang Rong was very satisfied with the courtyard. Pei Shisan Niang was quite reliable and useful; she had found such a rare courtyard and completed the check-in procedures in just one afternoon…
This businesswoman is quite capable, except for the fact that she seems to have a masochistic tendency to follow a master. Otherwise, even if her family is wealthy, she wouldn't be able to become the president of a large business guild.
The sun is setting in the west, and dusk is falling.
The carriage driven by Ali was parked at the entrance of the quiet courtyard. Inside the carriage, there seemed to be a woman sitting quietly, waiting for something.
A carriage frame covered with precious Western Region silk was also parked in a small alley not far from the quiet courtyard.
In the alley, Ouyang Rong, accompanied by Yan Liulang, received the key and land deed from Pei Shisan Niang, thanked her, and turned to leave.
Pei Shisan Niang, who was kneeling inside the carriage making tea, lifted a corner of the curtain with her little finger and glanced curiously at the carriage in front of the quiet courtyard.
Inside the carriage, there seemed to be a slender and beautiful young woman's silhouette, motionless.
Yan Liulang, who was following behind Ouyang Rong, suddenly turned around.
His cold gaze startled Pei Shisan Niang, who quickly lowered the curtain, her head bowed, and refused to look at anything improper.
However, in her heart, she still felt incredibly envious of that young woman whose name and identity she did not know.
It's truly a blessing beyond measure to have earned the favor of this young master and have him personally take care of and settle me in...
"Miss embroiderer, do you like it?"
Ouyang Rong walked into the quiet courtyard and smiled as he asked the sky-blue blindfolded girl who was turning her head to the left and right as if "looking around".
"I specifically chose one with a low threshold this time, so you won't trip over it."
"OK."
Zhao Qingxiu couldn't stay still either. She touched all the mahogany furniture in front of and behind the hall, nodding her little head repeatedly.
Before long, her slender figure stopped in the open space in the center of the courtyard. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear in the evening breeze, twirled around in the wind, her skirt billowing, and then slowly stopped. The girl, whose eyes were blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon, tilted her head slightly and placed her hand by her earlobe, as if she were listening intently to something.
Ouyang Rong stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the door, silently watching this scene... At this moment, Yan Liulang, who was guarding the door, entered, his eyes fixed straight ahead, and he clasped his hands in a low voice:
"Your Excellency, the abbot of Chengtian Temple has come to visit you with the monk in charge of Beitian Nursing Home. They said they are concerned about the accommodation of the blind and mute girl."
Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow. In name, this was a routine visit, and there was nothing wrong with it. The Beitian Aid Home did need to prevent a strange man from adopting a disabled orphan and then neglecting to take good care of him... But both sides were well aware of the intentions of these monks from Chengtian Temple to curry favor with him.
Ouyang Rong remained calm and went out to welcome them in. After dealing with them briefly, the abbot of Chengtian Temple and the other old monks strolled around casually. Of course, they dared not make things difficult or find fault. Moreover, they had already been instructed by Ouyang Rong to address him only as Ouyang Sima throughout the entire conversation. In the end, the two sides had a very pleasant conversation.
However, during the time he was entertaining these monks, Ouyang Rong noticed that one of them was a short, chubby little novice monk whose eyes often looked in the direction of the embroiderer. His chubby little face seemed to want to say something but hesitantly.
Zhao Qingxiu sat on the stone bench, facing the courtyard, motionless, seemingly lost in thought. But at a moment, under the concerned gaze of the young novice monk, she shook her head slightly.
The young novice breathed a sigh of relief, but then his eyes became somewhat complicated as he glanced furtively at Ouyang Sima, who was chatting and laughing with the abbots. There was a hint of panic and fear in his eyes.
Ouyang Rong greeted them with a smile throughout, showing no sign of anything amiss.
Half an hour later, at the entrance of the quiet courtyard, Ouyang Rong watched the group of monks from Chengtian Temple leave. Yan Liulang leaned closer and whispered, "My lord, something's not right with that little monk..."
Ouyang Rong shook his head, and Yan Liulang immediately fell silent and withdrew, leaving only Ouyang Rong and Zhao Qingxiu in the courtyard.
Before he could turn around, Zhao Qingxiu rushed into the kitchen, and a series of clattering sounds came from inside.
Ouyang Rong was taken aback. He glanced at the dim sky, hesitated for a moment, and then shouted:
"Miss Embroidery, let's skip it for today. My aunt is waiting for me to come back for the Lantern Festival dinner. She'll probably be quite busy tonight. You've just settled in, so please rest first..."
The sounds from the kitchen abruptly ceased. A moment later, a girl with a sky-blue ribbon blindfolded herself walked out of the kitchen, stood there, and clenched her fingers together.
"Hmm... Ah..." The voice indicated agreement, but Ouyang Rong noticed that she didn't take off her apron and just stood in front of the door without saying a word.
The atmosphere in the courtyard became quiet.
Just then, several fireworks exploded in the distant sky, marking the start of the Lantern Festival's lively fireworks display.
But this only serves to accentuate the loneliness of the courtyard.
When Ouyang Rong saw her missing little finger, his heart softened, and he gritted his teeth and said:
"How about this, you...you wait for me, I'll go back and have dinner first, take care of things over there, and then I'll...I'll come over on my way tonight. How about you make me a midnight snack? Hmm, there's no curfew anyway, and I can even take you out for a walk later..."
The girl, blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon, suddenly beamed with joy. She babbled incoherently, ran forward, and pushed him toward the door with both hands.
He needs to go and come back as soon as possible.
Ouyang Rong had only walked a few steps when he looked back at the girl sitting on the stone bench in the courtyard, chin in hand, gazing at the fireworks in the night sky... He slightly regretted agreeing in advance.
(End of this chapter)
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