Chapter 276: Two: Does Ru Shixiong Have Quirks?

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Two: Does Ru Shixiong Have Quirks?

No way, even a gentleman should guard against craftsmen—Two: Does Ru Shixiong Have Quirks? "When did you learn this skill, Wanchan?"

At the Huaye Lane residence, Magistrate Ouyang Rong had just returned from duty when Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang arrived right behind him.

Before coming, she had evidently bathed and perfumed herself; her small face was flushed like an apple, and in this early winter season, a bead of moisture glistened on her fair forehead beneath her bangs—the fragrant sweat from the steam of her bath.

Just as they were about to have dinner, Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang said nothing, ran to the kitchen, and made a bowl of longevity noodles for Zhen Yi, placing it on the table as a welcome feast.

At this moment, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan tasted the noodles, her eyes brightening as she asked curiously.

Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang propped her chin on the back of her hand, watching everyone savor the noodles, her eyes curled into crescents.

She struggled to suppress the upward curve of her lips:

"It was back in Longcheng. You all weren't there, and Mei Lu Yuan had no cook or anything—just empty and silent.

"Every time I was busy with Ru Shixiong on official duties, we forgot to eat, and when we returned late, our stomachs were hollow."

She glanced at someone, her tone slightly plaintive:

"Ru Shixiong cooks and prepares dishes so slowly, and he always keeps thinking about yesterday's leftovers—he won't make anything new until he finishes them."

"Hey, by the time he brings the dishes out, the vegetables would've gone cold long ago."

"So I had to do it myself—and accidentally, my cooking improved a bit." Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang sighed solemnly.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong, who had been buried in his meal, couldn't hold back and looked up to interject:

"Where am I slow? You're sitting there, begging for food—I'm sure you think I'm slow."

"Besides, you only know how to boil noodles—three hacks... no, one hack."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong defended himself, shook his head, and reached for the noodles with his chopsticks.

But with a "whoosh," the large bowl in front of him vanished—he grabbed nothing but air.

"Hmph, Ru Shixiong doesn't get to eat."

Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang pushed the bowl toward Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, her slender hand guarding the noodles, her pretty face stern:

"This is for Auntie Zhen. One hack isn't good enough for Ru Shixiong."

"Cough, after careful thought, Sister really does have some skill—her noodle-boiling talent is already quite impressive."

"Ru Shixiong flatters me—don't eat my noodles again."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong blinked. "Then don't expect me to cook either." Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang turned her head. "Do it if you want."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded decisively. "I'll do it."

Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang paused, turned to look at her innocent-looking Ru Shixiong, unaware she'd been teased, and sniffed, turning away:

"Even if you cook, I won't eat it." Magistrate Ouyang Rong inwardly sighed in guilt.

But sensing Auntie's watchful gaze, he stopped teasing his junior sister, picked up a bite of the "slightly spicy" hometown dish, made by the silver-haired girl beside him.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong turned and smiled gently at Ye Ye Weilai, who had grown noticeably quieter.

Watching the two bicker, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan found it both amusing and exasperating, yet her heart stirred slightly as she glanced at Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang, eyes narrowed in vigilance against Ru Shixiong stealing noodles.

They hadn't seen each other in half a year, yet Wanchan and Tanlang's relationship had changed noticeably. Before, Wanchan ate with rigid propriety, her demeanor serious, shaped by the Five Surnames and Seven Clans' upbringing—she never joked like this at the table with her and Tanlang, or any "outsiders," speaking always solemnly and dull.

Now she seemed to have been corrupted by Tanlang—could unorthodoxy be contagious?

The keen-eyed woman in the silk skirt murmured inwardly.

That night, in the flower pavilion, only four sat at the dinner table: Magistrate Ouyang Rong, Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, and Ye Ye Weilai.

The other maids, standing by the table, occasionally laughed along with Auntie Zhen's banter, their glances flickering now and then toward the young official buried in his meal.

With a male master at home, it was like having an anchor—whether Auntie Zhen or the tea-serving maid, smiles came more naturally, the vast mansion now filled with life and warmth, shedding its cold emptiness.

This was the common norm under the era's rites and laws: a man was needed as the central pillar.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan pushed aside other delicacies and ate only the longevity noodles made by Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang, praising them endlessly.

Indeed, the two women—big and small—mutely ignored the spoilsport Magistrate Ouyang Rong.

Reunion after separation truly sparked lively conversation.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan put down her chopsticks, took Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang's slender hand in hers, and began chatting, first scolding Magistrate Ouyang Rong—anyone hearing this might think Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang was the real niece, and Magistrate Ouyang Rong was some foundling who ate rice for free.

Surprisingly, Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang did not resist the affectionate, intimate words of the silk-skirted woman, chatting along with her.

Her bright eyes, attentive ears, and patient expression seemed genuine, not feigned.

Yet only half a year ago, this Chen Jun Xie noblewoman had found such domestic chatter tedious and annoying.

Today, Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang had come dressed in a gown—a high-waisted, pleated tulip skirt.

The waistline raised below her bosom, accentuating her slender, curvaceous figure into something light and ethereal.

The bottom of her pale yellow blouse was tucked tightly into the high waist, lifting her silhouette further, paired with a flowing crimson shawl, making her appear even longer and more graceful.

Like a celestial maiden banished to mortal earth.

But this high-waisted pleated skirt had one small flaw—or rather, a flaw unique to the junior sister—a flaw that was quite significant... it made certain areas appear bulky.

One had to endure the burden.

But who knew whether this was a major flaw or a major advantage? Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang chatted merrily with Auntie Zhen.

At the other end of the table, Magistrate Ouyang Rong chewed his food, buried in his meal, only interjecting to defend himself when Auntie tried to dredge up his past misdeeds.

Naturally, his curious junior sister dug up everything, and the two women teased him together.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong chuckled and shook his head, silently eating.

At one moment, he glanced around the lively pavilion, the crisp, bell-like laughter of the women beside the table ringing in his ears.

A faint warmth stirred in his heart; his expression grew calm.

On the day he recovered and descended the mountain, after crawling out of the underground palace again, he had silently bowed his head, donning the mask of this life's identity.

He would no longer avoid these things.

A small chopstick reached over, placing a slice of fresh fish into Magistrate Ouyang Rong's bowl. The distant look in his eyes faded as he turned—meeting Ye Ye Weilai's sapphire-blue eyes.

The silver-haired girl smiled softly at Magistrate Ouyang Rong, then buried her face in her bowl, obediently eating. Unlike Banxi, who could only stand aside with envy, Ye Ye Weilai was now allowed to sit and eat.

She was now tacitly accepted by Zhen Zhen Shuyuan—and even Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang—as Magistrate Ouyang Rong's concubine.

Thanks to Magistrate Ouyang Rong's prior arrangements, Ye Ye Weilai had returned to her southern homeland to honor her ancestors and burn incense, thus formally accepted by the Nanlong branch of the Magistrate Ouyang clan.

Though many clan elders had previously disapproved of admitting a foreign barbarian woman.

But since Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Zhen Zhen Shuyuan had both agreed, no one could interfere—only silence remained.

Yet though permitted to sit at the table, Ye Ye Weilai remained unusually quiet during the banquet.

She sat to Magistrate Ouyang Rong's left, barely touching the seat with half her buttocks, the silver-haired girl rising frequently to serve him food.

Moreover, she showed exceptional respect toward Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang across the table, never interrupting or stealing attention.

Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang, mid-conversation, glanced at Ye Ye Weilai and told her to try the noodles—just don't serve them to Ru Shixiong.

Ye Ye Weilai rose, pouring a bowl of milky white fish soup for Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, then for Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang, and finally for Magistrate Ouyang Rong.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong came back to himself.

At that moment, he caught sight of a character written beside his hand on the table—Ye Ye Weilai's elegant script, formed by water droplets, faintly legible: "An."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong couldn't help smiling.

A woman in the house brings peace, right?

He casually dipped his finger in water and added another character inside the "An."

Ye Ye Weilai, still eating from her bowl, noticed Tanlang's movement. Her chopsticks paused slightly; she lowered her gaze to look... a moment passed.

The silver-haired girl buried her face in her chest, her ears and neck flushing with a faint, lingering pink.

A small, pale hand reached out, swiftly wiping away the water-written character "Yan" with her palm.

Though flustered by Tanlang's unorthodoxy, a warmth flowed through Ye Ye Weilai's heart.

This was the unspoken bond between the former master and servant—Tanlang had not forgotten.

"Hey, who would've thought the family next door at Su Fu were actually kin of the Li clan?"

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan and Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang had just been discussing old events in Longcheng; the silk-skirted woman put down her chopsticks, sighed, then asked about the current state of Longcheng's old residents.

Upon hearing about Liu Ashan, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan immediately turned and asked:

"Tanlang, where are Saving Aqing and Aunt Liu now? How are they faring?"

Her face filled with regret, she sternly warned Magistrate Ouyang Rong:

"They're all good people; Ashan was especially loyal. Tanlang, you must take good care of them, do you hear me?... Oh, I shouldn't have treated Ashan so carelessly before—good honest folk shouldn't be used like that... Saving Aqing and Aunt Liu left behind—you must support them in his stead."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded, eating silently. Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang answered for him:

"Auntie Zhen, rest assured—Ru Shixiong knows what he's doing. Everything has been properly settled in Longcheng."

"Good." Zhen Zhen Shuyuan nodded, exhaling in relief. Then she remembered something and asked again:

"By the way, where's Master Venerable Shan Dao? He went to Shenjing Luoyang—hasn't he returned yet?"

"Speaking of which, the incense at Donglin Temple is remarkably efficacious. I must find a chance to fulfill my vow—Tanlang's two illnesses were both cured, and he was finally promoted safely."

"When I first went there, I made many prayers and wishes—perhaps there truly is a benevolent Bodhisattva watching over us."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, recalling the terrifying events in Longcheng, patted her chest lightly, still shaken.

"Master Venerable Shan Dao?"

Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang seemed to recall something and smiled:

"He's doing splendidly. Last month, he escorted the divine jade auspiciousness to the Divine Capital, and along with the Lotus Sect's Donglin Temple, he stole all the spotlight."

"I heard even the Wei Empress herself received him personally in the Great Buddha Hall of Shangyang Palace, inquiring about Mahayana Buddhism."

"No one knows how Master Venerable Shan Dao answered, but the Empress was overjoyed—seemingly granted a Buddhist truth, she returned triumphant."

Her face filled with regret, she solemnly admonished Magistrate Ouyang Rong: "This family are all good people, and Ashan is especially loyal and upright—you must take good care of him, do you hear me?... Oh, I shouldn't have treated Ashan so carelessly before; a honest person shouldn't be treated like that... The remaining Qing and Aunt Liu, you must take responsibility for their support."

This family are all good people, and Ashan is especially loyal and upright; you must take good care of him, do you hear?... Oh, I shouldn't have treated Ashan so carelessly before—good honest people shouldn't be treated like that... The Qing and Aunt Liu who stayed behind, you must see to their support.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded and ate in silence. Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang spoke for him:

"Aunt Zhen, don't worry—Ru Shixiong has his limits. Everything's been handled in Longcheng."

"That's good." Zhen Zhen Shuyuan nodded, exhaling in relief. Then she remembered something and asked:

"By the way, where's Master Venerable Shan Dao? He went to Shenjing Luoyang—hasn't he returned yet?"

"Speaking of which, the incense at Donglin Temple is remarkably efficacious. I must find a chance to fulfill a vow. Master Tan's two illnesses were both cured, and he was finally promoted safely."

"The first time I went, I made many prayers and wishes—perhaps there truly is a compassionate Bodhisattva watching over us."

Hearing of the events in Longcheng, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan had been terrified; now she patted her chest lightly, still shaken.

"Master Venerable Shan Dao?"

Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang seemed to recall something and smiled:

"He's doing splendidly. Last month, he escorted the Divine Jade auspice to the Divine Capital, and with the Lotus Sect's Donglin Temple, he stole all the spotlight."

"I heard even the Wei Empress received him personally in the Shangyang Palace's Great Buddha Hall, inquiring about Mahayana Buddhism."

"No one knows how Master Venerable Shan Dao answered, but the Empress was overjoyed—as if granted a Buddhist truth—and returned triumphant."

"But it's normal for lofty masters like him to have eccentric quirks—just like Master Tan's fondness for binding..."

Sensing a flurry of glances shooting toward her, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan snapped her mouth shut.

Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, her slender frame tensing: "B... binding?" Ye Ye Weilai stammered: "M... Master Tan has quirks too?"

Banxi, half a party to this, lowered her head, ears flushed red.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong, lost in thought, nearly spat out his fish soup. He quickly set down his bowl, wiped his lips, and sighed helplessly:

"Auntie, what are you talking about? Don't spread rumors."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan waved her hand: "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding—it was Banxi, that naughty girl, making wild guesses and telling me nonsense."

Banxi: "..."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's face turned solemn as she took Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang's delicate hand: "Wanwan, don't take it seriously."

Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang: "..."

Sensing her junior sister's curious glances, Magistrate Ouyang Rong's mouth twitched violently—how did you make it worse by trying to explain?

"Auntie," Magistrate Ouyang Rong said coldly, face stern: "My lifelong reputation, my whole upright aura—someday it'll be ruined by your mouth."

"Oh, Master Tan, you're exaggerating—it's not that serious..."

The woman in the silk robe insisted, but her voice lacked conviction; she waved her hand: "Enough, enough. Auntie won't joke anymore."

After Zhen Zhen Shuyuan explained, the women dropped the subject. Magistrate Ouyang Rong's expression remained blank.

Hua Xuanji after, the evening meal ended.

"Auntie, I'll see Xiao Shimei off."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong said without turning.

He and Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang stepped out of the dining pavilion, walked down the long corridor, and headed outside.

This residence in Huaiye Alley originally belonged to the Chen Commandery Chen Jun Xie Clan; Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang had a refined courtyard in the southeast corner.

It wasn't far from Magistrate Ouyang Rong's bamboo grove courtyard.

But she also had a meticulously prepared courtyard in the nearby Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion, designated as her private chambers.

She stayed at either place depending on convenience.

Yet for the past half-month, she mostly resided at the Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion—her duty required her to protect them.

Today's bath and incense ritual was also conducted in that private courtyard, since the Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion had more maidservants.

Though Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang had recently taken up cooking, her habits as a noblewoman were hard to break overnight.

Tonight, Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang would return to guard them. They walked side by side in silence.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong suddenly caught a faint fragrance and turned his head. It seemed to come from Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang's saffron pleated skirt.

Made from saffron grass dye, the pale yellow gown glowed vividly, faintly releasing the scent of saffron grass.

Since arriving in Jiangzhou City, she'd worn male attire less often. Chen Jun Xie Chen Jun Xie Lingjiang suddenly turned back.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong swiftly glanced at the scenery beyond the corridor. "Pretty, Ru Shixiong?"