Chapter 274: Two Hundred and Eighty-Five: Champion of Longcheng [Volume One Ends]

Two Hundred and Eighty-Five: Champion of Longcheng 【Volume One Ends】

Not possible—a gentleman should also guard against craftsmen. Two Hundred and Eighty-Five: Champion of Longcheng 【Volume One Ends】. Clutching a pile of oil-paper-wrapped sesame cakes, the heat seared through his clothing, burning his chest skin. Magistrate Ouyang Rong was fully sobered.

He left the sesame cake stall and shoved the entire impulsive purchase into the hands of a passerby.

Only three cakes remained: two he stuffed into his bosom.

He tore open the oil paper of one, bent his head, and devoured it in large bites.

His mouth, stuffed with cake, suddenly curled into a smile—sad, faint. He remembered how Ashan bought him sesame cakes for breakfast, how every time Ashan passed Peng Lang Ferry, he silently bought two cakes to take home for his mother and sister.

Amid the slightly odd glances of passersby, Magistrate Ouyang Rong quickened his pace, striding toward the outer edge of Peng Lang Ferry, his back turned to the dock where boats and his junior sister waited.

A surge of impulse rose in Magistrate Ouyang Rong's heart—he wanted to see Saving Aqing and Aunt Liu.

Only now did he suddenly understand why, despite being promoted to fifth rank, he had felt no joy these past days.

He understood why his brows had remained furrowed while packing his bags and gazing at his sword by lamplight.

He understood why today he had let go of restraint, allowing the villagers' wine to drown him.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong took a deep breath. The three sesame cakes pressed against his chest, warm, heating his heart. His steps grew faster. He crossed a bustling street and spotted several city clerks approaching—he immediately turned and ducked into an alley.

Hua Xuanji, a thin-lipped, cold-eyed female worker emerged from the alley, merged into the crowd, and silently passed the searching clerks.

Leaving Tanlang Ferry, Magistrate Ouyang Rong removed his bronze mask and tucked it into his sleeve. He flagged down a cart and headed to Ashan's home on the city's outskirts.

Seeing the familiar house ahead, his steps slowed, until he stopped ten zhang from the courtyard wall.

He touched the warm sesame cakes cushioned against his chest and paced back and forth before the yard.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong kept glancing back at the low, rammed-earth courtyard wall—easy for him to leap over.

"Why's there no sound inside? What are Saving Aqing and Aunt Liu doing? Is Saving Aqing quietly sitting on her small stool, deftly weaving clothes—or resting, daydreaming, folding paper, studying the iris-fold technique I taught her...?"

"And Aunt Liu? The physician said she's awake or unconscious, her body unharmed, but she mustn't be startled—mustn't be told about Ashan. Is she still lying on her sickbed, staring out the window, muttering when Ashan will return...?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's feet felt as if poured with lead—he couldn't take another step, couldn't leap over the low earth wall ahead.

Suddenly, he saw the courtyard gate swing open from within—someone stepped out. Not Saving Aqing. A young woman.

The woman was unfamiliar, dressed in white, a sash tied at her waist, carrying a basin of murky water with floating vegetable leaves. She walked to a jujube tree outside the yard, poured the water out, propped one hand on her hip, wiped sweat, and breathed heavily to rest.

Smoke curled gently upward from within the courtyard behind her.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong blinked, then realized—the young woman must be Ashan's betrothed. The Six Brothers had mentioned her before.

"I recall—Ashan and she were only betrothed... Yet she still stays at Ashan's home, tenderly caring for his parents and little sister? She's a kind, dutiful woman, as honest as Ashan. Ashan didn't choose wrong."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong felt both comforted and pained—he remembered how that taciturn man had boldly, earnestly invited his lord to the wedding.

The young woman didn't sense the hidden, wind-and-qi-concealed figure nearby. Standing beneath the tree, her gaze, slightly worried, fixed on a road leading out of the village—as if waiting for someone.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong frowned slightly. Had Saving Aqing gone out? Where to?

At that moment, Magistrate Ouyang Rong saw the young woman's eyes brighten. She exhaled deeply and stepped forward to meet her.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong followed her gaze.

The last sliver of sunset had sunk; night slowly descended. On the dim road far away, a slender, delicate figure approached, joining the young woman.

It was Saving Aqing. That familiar small frame, the familiar butterfly knot tied at her waist—he recognized her instantly. He had taught her to tie it.

Why had Saving Aqing's ruqun grown looser...? She'd grown thinner, more worn... Magistrate Ouyang Rong's nose tingled. He opened his mouth toward the air ahead—but as if his meridians had been sealed, no name came out.

He watched the young woman and Saving Aqing turn and walk back into the courtyard. The young woman asked: "Didn't your elder sister see him?"

"I saw him," replied the slender girl, shaking her head, eyes slightly dazed. "But there were too many people—so many seeing off my lord. I couldn't push through..."

The young woman thought a moment. "Did he see you?"

"Maybe he didn't... or maybe he did. My lord drank so much wine, the noise around him was overwhelming. I called out a few times—he seemed to look over, but I don't know if he actually saw me. I... I don't know."

Saving Aqing lowered her head, staring at the bundle of patterned cloth clutched in her arms.

"Maybe my lord didn't want to see me. It's fine—he'd only be reminded of sorrow." The young woman reached out, gently stroking the girl's dejected little head.

"Think positively, little sister. Maybe he just forgot. Maybe he didn't see you today. He didn't mean to avoid you."

"Oh."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong froze. Saving Aqing had come to see him off too? But he'd been drunk on farewell wine from the villagers, his mind foggy, sluggish—he hadn't seen her.

The young woman took the patterned cloth bundle from Saving Aqing, opened it, and pulled out a clean, neatly folded Confucian robe. She traced the fine, tight stitching, her tone regretful.

"Little sister, you stitched this so long. You should've sent it sooner."

"It's... it's fine."

Saving Aqing forced a smile, tugging the sleeve of her sister-in-law to reassure her. "I'll go find Brother Yan. He can send it for me. It'll be the same."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong could no longer hold back. "Who says it's the same?"

He stepped out of the shadows, strode forward, and took the Confucian robe from them.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong unfolded it, shook it out, tried it on against his body, and looked at the two stunned women with solemn seriousness.

"I had to come try it on—if it's too tight or too loose, I'll need you to help me adjust it."

"L-Lord..."

Saving Aqing's eyes widened, filled with spirit. She stared at the smiling young man with the back-sling—surprised, delighted, flustered.

"Y-You... didn't you leave by boat?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong raised his hand, paused briefly, then continued forward, ruffling Saving Aqing's hair.

"Foolish girl."

He turned to the astonished young woman and offered an apologetic smile. "You've worked hard these past days."

The young woman shook her head vigorously.

Outside, night had fallen. The three didn't linger. They entered the courtyard. Magistrate Ouyang Rong asked: "Where's Aunt Liu?"

The young woman pointed to a quiet western chamber, finger to her lips, shushing.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded silently.

The young woman wiped her apron, her face brightening, and hurried to the kitchen to prepare a meal for their honored guest.

Saving Aqing flushed with excitement, as if bursting with words.

She led Magistrate Ouyang Rong to the main hall, where the dining table stood, urged him to sit, then dashed off, her bright, spirited eyes sparkling, to pour tea.

"No, no need to trouble yourself."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong reached out, stopped Saving Aqing, and pulled her down beside him. "I came because I have something I need to say to you."

Saving Aqing looked at him curiously, whispering: "My lord, please speak."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong corrected seriously: "Remember—from now on, don't call me 'my lord.'"

Saving Aqing stiffened slightly—but his next words stunned her: "Call me Ahxiong. Or Tanlang."

"Ah..."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong placed his hand on her thin shoulders.

"I won't call you Saving Aqing anymore. I'll call you Amei."

"Ashan was my comrade. His mother and sister are now my mother and sister. I will fulfill filial duty and care for them!"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong took a deep breath, unable to hold back his words:

"I'm not good at saying sentimental things. I always believe actions carry more weight than words—like Ashan did."

"That's why I never came to see you before—only sent the Six Brothers to check on you. Aside from feeling ashamed to face you, I simply wanted to act quietly. But I've already treated you as mother and sister."

"Yet I also feel guilty. Having a son and brother like me may not be good for you, mother and daughter."

"Because I still wear many masks, bear many responsibilities. The things I must do will anger many. The places I must go hold great danger—perhaps even greater than the Li family. The situation may be even harsher than Longcheng."

"Like the Prince Xunyang City I'm about to enter—it's no better than Longcheng. It may be turned into a larger iron cage, meant to trap and kill me and the Li household."

"So I dare not come near you, dare not visit often. I dare not even bring you to Meilu Garden to live in luxury—for fear someone will spot you, find my weakness."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong pulled the oil-paper bundle from his bosom, slowly peeled it open, and whispered:

"This 'ignoring you, quietly caring for you'—it's calm, rational. But what makes us human is that moment when we abandon reason and act on impulse."

"Saving Aqing—no, Amei—these words, if I don't speak them to your face, they'll fester inside me, haunt me daily, never bring peace."

Saving Aqing stared at him blankly. Magistrate Ouyang Rong held out a golden sesame cake with both hands, his smile radiant.

"So I came to say: Amei, wait for me, okay?"

"Wait until I break through this final chain of danger—until the seas and skies open wide—then I'll come back for you. Leave Jiang Nan. Let's go see the glorious Shenjing Luoyang together!"

Saving Aqing's face flushed crimson. Her pink lips trembled. "L-Lord—Ahxiong—yes! I—I'll wait for you with Mother."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong smiled broadly.

Saving Aqing suddenly asked a foolish question: "So... you mean adopted sister, not real sister?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong blinked. "Of course—how could we have blood ties? But don't worry—this adopted sister is no different from a real one."

Saving Aqing opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated. Suddenly, Magistrate Ouyang Rong took off his sword case and handed it to her.

"By the way, I almost forgot—this is here."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded: "That elder once wanted to give you something." Saving Aqing tilted her head, half-understanding: "It's called... Jiangzuo?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded. "The old master once meant to give it to you."

Saving Aqing tilted her head, half-understanding. "It's called... Craftsmanship?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded gently, opened the sword case. "Actually, you're its true qi-bearer. The old master planned to send you and it together to Lady Yunmeng Sword Marsh."

"Lady Yunmeng Sword Marsh?"

"A very powerful place. Perhaps... even suitable for you, Amei."

Saving Aqing asked: "Will you go there too?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong shook his head. "I'd never go there—it's full of female cultivators."

The girl with the "Yue" character embroidered on her forehead shook her head. "Then I won't go either."

【101】 Magistrate Ouyang Rong sighed, then pointed to the "glass-like iris petal" inside the case.

【102】 "Amei, you really don't want it?"

【103】 Saving Aqing didn't even look. Her nimble little hands closed the case and pushed it back to him. "You protect us, Ahxiong."

【104】 Magistrate Ouyang Rong frowned, about to speak—but Saving Aqing glanced at the new Confucian robe, seemed more interested in it, stood up, and handed it to him.

【105】 "Ahxiong, try it on. See if it fits."

【106】 Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded, changed into the new robe.

Saving Aqing pointed to his waist, her delicate brows slightly furrowed: "The size seems a bit loose."

"It's fine—bigger is better than smaller; it'll last longer."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong spoke casually, stood up, undressed as he turned to glance at the night outside the room.

Saving Aqing suddenly asked: "Are Miss Chenjun Xie and the others still waiting for you at the dock?" "Mm."

"Brother, hurry along," the delicate girl urged, helping him fold his clothes and tuck them into a patchwork cloth bag.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong took the patchwork cloth bag, hesitated, then rose.

Saving Aqing suddenly opened her slender arms and whispered: "Can I hug you?" Magistrate Ouyang Rong froze slightly.

Saving Aqing looked up at him: "I just wanted to measure your waist—next time I'll make you a proper autumn shirt."

"Oh, okay."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Saving Aqing embraced briefly, then parted. Magistrate Ouyang Rong shouldered his sword case again; Saving Aqing bowed her head and saw him out of the main house.

The young woman heard footsteps and stepped out of the kitchen, asking regretfully: "Master, won't you stay for dinner?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong glanced at the sky, his expression slightly hesitant: "I could eat something."

At that moment, a long-silent voice came from the western wing room:

"Who's in the courtyard?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong, Saving Aqing, and the young woman fell silent at once. Old Lady Liu had woken up.

"Ashan? Is it Ashan back? Ashan, my son, have you returned?... Saving Aqing, Yunniang, where are you? Go call Ashan over..."

From within the western wing room, the old woman's excited voice rang out, followed by the soft rustle of her getting out of bed and putting on shoes.

The three by the courtyard gate grew tense.

Yunniang, Ashan's widow, hurried toward the western wing to soothe Old Lady Liu.

Saving Aqing gently pushed Magistrate Ouyang Rong out the door and lowered her voice:

"Master, you go ahead—we'll take care of things here."

After speaking, she turned and ran into the western wing, her small face filled with worry, joining her brother-in-law's wife Yunniang to calm Old Lady Liu.

Standing at the dimly lit courtyard gate, Magistrate Ouyang Rong took a few steps forward, then suddenly stopped, his hand brushing the inside of his sleeve...

Inside the western wing, Saving Aqing and Yunniang crouched beside the bed, holding down Old Lady Liu's thin, half-shod leg as she tried to put on her shoes.

"Mother, you misunderstood—it's not Brother. Brother... Brother hasn't returned yet."

"Really? Then... when will Ashan come back?"

Looking at the old woman's eyes full of hope, Saving Aqing felt sorrow, her mouth opening but no sound coming out: "Brother... he..."

Old Lady Liu suddenly interrupted: "Ashan? You—you've returned!"

Saving Aqing and Yunniang froze, turned, and were both startled. "M... Mother."

A stoic man stood at the door, strode to the bed, knelt on one knee, and tightly gripped the old woman's cool, wrinkled hands, whispering: "I'm back."

Old Lady Liu wept uncontrollably, embracing Liu Ashan: "Ashan, Ashan, you've finally returned! Where have you been all this time? They said you left the gate—why didn't you say goodbye to your mother?"

Old Lady Liu wept; Liu Ashan bowed his head in silence, appearing dull. After a moment, he pulled a greasy sesame cake from his bosom and placed it in her hand.

Overcome with joy, Old Lady Liu wept again, wiping her tears and scolding: "Ashan, wasting money again..." But her tone couldn't muster any real anger.

Liu Ashan pushed the cake toward her, his eyes hopeful, urging her to taste it. Reluctantly, she bit into it: "Fine, fine—it's delicious, delicious..."

"Come, come, go eat—after such a long journey, Ashan must be starving."

The frail old woman, who had been bedridden, suddenly rose with surprising agility, scampered to the kitchen, and began cooking. Her complexion glowed, restored to full vigor.

Liu Ashan gave a slight nod to Saving Aqing and Yunniang. The two women's eyes lit up with sudden understanding; silently, they went to help in the kitchen.

Fifteen minutes later.

The main house was brightly lit—brighter than it had been in a long time. A square dining table was once again filled with seats.

The family was reunited.

At the table, Old Lady Liu happily served Liu Ashan dish after dish.

Under the watchful eyes of the three women, the stoic man buried his head in his rice, accepting every dish offered without protest.

Saving Aqing quietly served an extra-large bowl of rice to her mother, who had long refused food. To everyone's surprise, the old woman finished it all—yet her eyes never left her returned son, constantly piling food onto his plate.

About half an hour later, the meal ended. Liu Ashan set down his chopsticks, then suddenly knelt on one knee, grasped his mother's hand, and gave a solemn farewell.

He said he would leave tonight with Master to take up his post in Prince Xunyang City, where he would stay for some time.

The joyous expression on Old Lady Liu's face slowly faded. She turned her head toward the night outside the door, gazed quietly for a moment, then nodded absently, offering no resistance:

"Good. Travel safely."

The young man wearing the heavy mask exhaled softly, nodded to Saving Aqing and Yunniang, then strode out of the main house.

As his figure reached the courtyard gate, the main house behind him suddenly echoed with Old Lady Liu's calm, hoarse voice:

"My son... is he brave?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong froze rigidly. Saving Aqing and Yunniang trembled, both lowering their heads.

Silence settled over the room and courtyard.

The youth at the door suddenly turned back—his face covered in a bronze beast mask, shaped like a fox's head, its bronze sides curled upward in exaggerated, wide smiles: a radiant, joyful grin.

"Bravest in Longcheng."

Some people die, but not completely...