Chapter 943 The lady who eats fast food at night
While coldly rebuking her, Chen Jiaxin pointed outside the pavilion with her chopsticks.
Ouyang Rong pretended not to understand.
He sighed and said, "It's like this down the mountain, which is why we want to go up. Even if we don't have a chance to become immortals, staying here is still a good thing."
Chen Jiaxin looked him up and down, and seemed to find him more pleasing to the eye.
She took the initiative to ask:
"I heard you have a younger sister. Do you live with her? Are your parents still alive?"
Ouyang Rong spoke calmly:
"Yes. Father passed away early, and Mother has been bedridden for many years, recuperating in a temple."
Chen Jiaxin didn't ask any further questions and casually replied:
"Is your younger sister taking care of you over there? It must be tough for you to be out there all alone. I'll talk to Madam Chen and give you an extra allowance in addition to your wages at the canteen. If you have the chance to go to Taoyuan Town, you can also go to Chen's Pharmacy and get some herbs."
Ouyang Rong glanced at Chen Jiaxin, his tone serious:
"Thank you, Miss."
Chen Jiaxin remained silent, picked up some food, and ate for a while.
The taciturn young man standing to the side turned his gaze away, politely avoiding staring at her.
After a while, Chen Jiaxin put down her chopsticks and gently exhaled.
Out of the corner of her eye, Ouyang Rong noticed that most of the sweat on her temples had evaporated. After finishing her meal, she leaned back lazily, her elbows resting on the railing back, her gaze drifting towards the direction from which the spring water flowed outside the pavilion.
The snow-white Wu dress she was wearing was the same as the one Ah Qing was wearing. It was exclusive to the direct disciples of the Queen's Palace. Ah Qing had left one at home when she left in a hurry last time.
The white dress has a long skirt, and the waist is not belted, making the figure look very slender. If she stands in the wind, she will look even more ethereal and fairy-like.
For some reason, when Ouyang Rong saw this dress, he inexplicably thought of that night in the kitchen when A Qing lifted her skirt without saying a word, revealing her calves and the bow on her underpants.
In the entire Yunmeng Sword Marsh, besides the wearer, he was probably the only one who had ever seen the exquisite parts beneath that snow-white Wu skirt.
Ouyang Rong slightly averted his gaze, no longer looking directly at him.
Chen Jiaxin probably never imagined the images and thoughts flashing through the mind of the dull young man in front of her.
Having almost finished eating, she took out a handkerchief, gently wiped the corner of her lips, and suddenly said:
"Your cooking skills are indeed excellent for these meat dishes, but how are your vegetarian dishes?"
Ouyang Rong subconsciously checked again:
"Vegetarian food?"
"Um."
Chen Jiaxin nodded, and said calmly:
"Today, the old lady who was on night duty in your place, who used to cook vegetarian meals at night, was sent to Qingliang Valley in the middle of the night."
Ouyang Rong first frowned, then relaxed his brows.
He had lived at Donglin Temple for a long time, so he was quite familiar with vegetarian meals.
Down in the mountains, it is popular in temples or Taoist monasteries, or among some hermits, wealthy and powerful lay Buddhists.
It's simple yet not simple; there are many nuances to it.
For example, one should avoid the five pungent spices and eat them at regular times. In some parts of the Zhou Dynasty, there was also the custom of "not eating after noon".
Ouyang Rong suppressed the thoughtful look in his eyes, and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute:
“I didn’t know there were such rules. Are the meals at night different from those during the day? I know how to make vegetarian meals. Just make them light and simple. I used to work in a temple, so it’s something I’m good at. Thank you for your advice, Miss.”
Chen Jiaxin stared at him for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"Knowing you'd be good at this, I didn't tell you beforehand and just had someone arrange it." A half-smile played on her lips as she asked, "By the way, aren't you curious why I suddenly asked you to work the night shift?"
Without hesitation, Ouyang Rong said in a taciturn and honest tone:
"The young lady paid me and told me to go wherever she wanted. There's no other reason why."
He then asked another question in detail:
"Can cooks also deliver meals to Qingliang Valley? Is there someone specifically assigned to collect the meals? I'm only responsible for cooking and supervising the meals at the Qingliang Valley dining hall, right?"
Chen Jiaxin was quite satisfied with his answer and tossed him a piece of fruit as a reward.
Her reply to him was a bit convoluted:
"Under normal circumstances, that's correct, but under abnormal circumstances, it's not correct either."
Ouyang Rong nodded, understanding instantly.
Wu Cui's booklet was a gift from the goddess when she was on night duty and went into Qingliang Valley again, seemingly to deliver food to the water dungeon.
That time must have been a special case.
He asked directly:
"What did you need me to do the day I brought in the food?"
Chen Jiaxin was quiet for a while, then turned her gaze away and looked at the curtains hanging at the entrance of the pavilion.
Ouyang Rong waited for a while, but she didn't speak. He looked up and glanced at her.
Her profile was calm, devoid of any smile, making it difficult to discern her true feelings; her tone was indifferent.
"You should prepare the vegetarian meals properly. If you have the chance to deliver the meals sometime, please keep an eye out for an old man with a full head of white hair in the prison, wearing a black crane-feather cloak. If my information is correct, his surname should be Sun. That cell should be quite deep inside. No rush... Once you find him, there's no need to say much to him. Just act as usual. Just remember his cell number and tell Madam Chen as soon as you get out."
Chen Jiaxin finished speaking in one breath, rambling on for once.
Ouyang Rong's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was in turmoil.
According to Chen Jiaxin's description, he was very familiar with this little old man, and coincidentally, he also had the surname Sun.
One of the three people Ouyang Rong encountered when he woke up in the Pure Land Palace was an old Taoist priest nicknamed "Little Biscuit".
He was brought here by the embroiderer both times to help Ouyang Rong with his illness.
Ouyang Rong didn't need to ask why Chen Jiaxin was looking for him; he could roughly understand.
He had personally experienced Master Sun's medical skills.
It's not about asking Master Sun for help; could it be that you want to chat with him?
Ouyang Rong glanced at Chen Jiaxin.
She didn't look sick, and if she really was seriously ill, she could naturally go directly to the Fifth Lady, who guarded the prison, who was also her master.
There's no need to go through all that trouble; we can be straightforward.
Then there's only one possibility: given her status, it's inconvenient for her to let her master, the Fifth Lady, know about the matter that requires Sun Laodao's help.
Chen Jiaxin waited for a while, but received no reply. She frowned and asked:
Did you hear that?
"Uh-huh."
Ouyang Rong nodded, his expression somewhat confused, and asked a question:
"Wait, a prison cell? Are there prison cells in Cool Valley? Where are they?"
Chen Jiaxin seemed unwilling to waste her breath, but seeing Ouyang Rong's bewildered expression, it was understandable.
After all, we'll be relying on him for this matter later.
The young woman pursed her lips, and after a moment, a light, airy voice rang out:
"There is a water dungeon within the sect, which is an important place for the sect and holds some people. This dungeon is located in Qingliang Valley. Every night, the Qingliang Valley dining hall leaves people on duty to provide meals for this dungeon. However, only one meal is needed each night. No meals are needed during the day. The meals are generally vegetarian, consisting mainly of grains, vegetables, and fruits, and cannot contain alcohol or meat."
"In addition, there is one more thing you must remember: the vegetarian meal must be delivered between midnight and dawn, when the moon is still shining. This is the fixed time for the meal; it must not be delivered early or late. This is the most important thing, and you must remember it."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong didn't ask any further questions, but slowly nodded, as if he didn't understand anything, and said:
"I understand. Are there any other people in this prison? I mean, besides the people imprisoned here, are there no members of our sect guarding them? Would they like some good food? I can make some delicious food and bring it over."
"No need, just make vegetarian food, don't overdo it."
Chen Jiaxin refused immediately, then lowered her eyelids slightly and said casually:
"There are people there; Master is there year-round."
Ouyang Rong asked with a puzzled expression:
"The Five Goddesses? If she's inside, why doesn't Miss go in directly? From what Miss is saying, it sounds like she's never been inside before, or rather, it seems like she's never been deep enough?"
Chen Jiaxin frowned slightly, seemingly also somewhat unhappy, though it was unclear who she was targeting.
“Master forbids me from going there often. There are some taboos about that place, and it’s hard to explain to you. Just do as I say.”
Ouyang Rong nodded slowly.
As if remembering something, she asked another question:
Do the Five Goddesses also eat vegetarian meals?
Chen Jiaxin squinted: "Whatever Master eats, that's what we eat in prison."
Ouyang Rong vaguely gleaned something from the order in which this sentence was emphasized.
"So, it's because the Five Goddesses love vegetarian food that they also eat vegetarian food in the water prison?"
"You can interpret it that way, but don't go around telling everyone about it."
"clear."
Chen Jiaxin glanced at the honest-looking young man in front of her who had readily agreed:
"The food you prepare during the day in the dining hall is delicious, but I haven't seen my master eat it since I came to the valley. She only eats vegetarian meals at night."
Ouyang Rong asked calmly, "Then is the habit of not eating overnight also..."
He only said half of what he meant.
"Um."
Chen Jiaxin nodded slightly:
"This is Master's habit. She thinks it is best to eat vegetarian food between midnight and dawn."
"I see. Thank you for mentioning it, Miss. I know what to do now."
Ouyang Rong looked somewhat enlightened.
Inside the dining hall, being a servant meant being kept out of touch with the world. It was clear that you needed someone higher up to get information; just a few words from them could reveal a lot.
He didn't pick up the wrong "little leg" of Chen Jiaxin.
Indeed, a true man needs to be flexible and adaptable.
If we really did what Miao Si suggested and fought that "little vixen" to the death, hanging her up and whipping her, then we wouldn't have the convenience we have now.
The martial arts world is not just about fighting and killing.
Similarly, when infiltrating Yunmeng Sword Marsh to find the embroiderer, one cannot simply fight and kill with Zhi Shuang and forcibly abduct her as before. One must first "become one of them," understand the advantages and disadvantages of each party, and then choose the right opportunity to make a move.
Perhaps we can even turn hostility into friendship and resolve the issue peacefully.
Of course, the premise is that Lady Zhi Shuang doesn't immediately know his identity, otherwise, given her violent temper, she won't listen to any explanations or discussions, and the first thing she'll do upon seeing him is beat him to death...
As if on cue, Chen Jiaxin turned to look at him and asked shrewdly:
"What kind of expression is that?"
Ouyang Rong suppressed his emotional expression and began to ramble on in a serious tone:
"I admire the Five Goddesses. They have been vegetarian for many years. They must have a compassionate and kind heart and do not want to kill. Although it is despicable for some temples down the mountain to use Buddhism to make money, I have met some benefactors who, like the Five Goddesses, are truly sincere and compassionate. There is no pretense in their actions."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jiaxin glanced at him again, remaining noncommittal.
Ouyang Rong stepped forward, went to the table, and slowly began to clear away the bowls and chopsticks.
The food on the table was all eaten clean, clearly indicating that they were starving, although Chen Jiaxin appeared very nonchalant while eating.
But the plates that are empty don't lie.
After a short while, he slowly said:
“Miss, this custom of not eating vegetarian food overnight is something I’ve never heard of before. It doesn’t seem like it’s from around here.”
He nodded.
"Hmm, it's definitely not a Buddhist custom, nor is it a Taoist practice of fasting and worshipping gods... The habit of eating vegetarian food in various places down the mountain is mostly inherited from these two places."
Chen Jiaxin squinted at him:
"You seem to know quite a lot; you have some knowledge."
“As you know, I used to work at a temple. That temple was very popular, and the abbot was very capable. He liked to send us to investigate the popularity of other temples. Over time, I learned a lot.”
Chen Jiaxin seemed somewhat hesitant, and said vaguely:
"Master and Grand Master Uncle are not from the Great Zhou Dynasty."
Ouyang Rong looked curious:
"Not the Great Goddess either... Miss, I heard that the Sixth Goddess and the Fifth Goddess look very similar, it seems to be..."
"Yes, Master and Sixth Uncle are sisters. They were brought back to Jianze by Grandmaster, who was traveling outside the realm."
Chen Jiaxin didn't explain where "outer realm" was, and seeing this, Ouyang Rong didn't ask any more questions. He quietly tidied up the table and put the empty bowls, chopsticks, and plates back into the food box.
He had just circled half the table when, from his vantage point, he could clearly see Chen Jiaxin's entire body behind the table.
Behind her lay a long sword, somewhat like A Qing's; it was unclear whether this was a standard accessory for those who joined the Queen's Palace.
In addition, Ouyang Rong glanced at the waist tag hanging on Chen Jiaxin's waist.
Although it differs from ordinary Yue women in that it features special carvings and inscriptions, it is still made of peach wood.
What are you looking at?
Chen Jiaxin's cold voice suddenly rang out.
The pavilion fell silent, with only the rustling of the evening breeze through the curtains at the pavilion entrance.
Ouyang Rong closed the box and said calmly:
“My mother was a farmer, and she often told my sister and me a principle.”
"You have to be patient when you plant in spring, and you'll see heavy ears of wheat in the autumn harvest. If you rush to plant rice seedlings and water them before they've taken root, a rainstorm will ruin them all..."
"Slow and steady wins the race; steady progress is worse than aimless busyness."
Chen Jiaxing remained silent for a moment, staring at the dull young man in front of him who had failed to be selected for the Bamboo Hall. At a certain moment, he chuckled softly:
"Is everyone in the sect talking about how a young lady broke through to the eighth rank? Are Song Zhian and Yu Mili hoping to make a fool of me?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "I didn't see anyone laughing, but there are indeed some rumors circulating."
Chen Jiaxin turned her head, her face turned to him, and leaned on the railing with one hand. She casually tossed the handkerchief she used to wipe her mouth into the wind, where it drifted into the spring water. With the tinkling sound of the dark spring water, it drifted down the mountain, and no one knew where it would end up in the deep pool under the waterfall.
Ouyang Rong saw that her beautiful eyes reflected the spring water, turning it as dark as the water itself, and said softly:
"No need to guess, it's Liu Qing. Ha, he's outdone again."
(End of this chapter)
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