Chapter 295

Twenty-Four: The Young Lady Wants to Marry

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Xie Xuee did not issue an order to see the guest out.

However, when she looked at Wang Lengran, who had a sheepish expression, even a fool could see the disdain and disgust in her cold, haughty gaze.

Not to mention the shrewd nobles and famous scholars who filled the hall.

It was only out of the Xie family's upbringing and the wholesome family tradition of six hundred years of not publicly insulting scholars that they did not erupt on the spot.

The banquet continued according to the established schedule.

However, since the little birthday star of the night had already run off with someone, the subsequent segments were naturally just a formality, with Xie Xuee soothing the guests and offering apologies to conclude.

At the table, Wang Lengran sat as if on pins and needles, even though Xie Xuee had not cast a single glance his way since her cold stare a moment ago.

Yet, sitting among these guests who were prominent figures in the Jiang Nan Circuit, Wang Lengran still felt his old face burning.

His reputation was in ruins.

With events having developed to this point, the verbal reactions of the surrounding nobles had long since pieced together the general picture of the incident.

How could Wang Lengran not know by now that Xie Xuee's targeting and pressure on Ouyang Rong was their own family matter?

From beginning to end, he was the only outsider jumping up and down.

Even Xie Xuee agreeing to his proposal just now, to take out Ouyang Rong's gift and open it for all to see, might have been to help Ouyang Rong clear his name of the suspicion of corruption for "giving a valuable gift"...

Thinking back to not long ago, he, a dignified Prefect, appeared as a clown in the eyes of the veteran nobles who had long since grasped the "Xie family suppressing their son-in-law" incident.

Wang Lengran's face was like an overripe, rotten eggplant, splotched with blue and purple.

Master Master Si Hui asked cautiously, "Prefect Wang, are you alright?"

"I'm... I'm fine."

"But why is your face so red..."

"Hahaha, the wine tonight, I've had too much, had too much."

Wang Lengran forced a laugh and brushed it off.

"Snort."

A few disdainful snorts seemed to come from the neighboring table of nobles.

Wang Lengran's smile froze, a rush of blood went to his head, and his fists clenched until they rattled, yet he dared not turn his head to look in that direction.

He even had to maintain his smile.

Wang Lengran faintly heard the voice of Old Qin, a veteran noble with deep ties to the military, coming from behind him.

The old man was calmly instructing the younger generation around him not to invite certain "miscellaneous people" from Jiangzhou to future banquets and celebrations hosted by the Qin family.

Master Master Si Hui, Daoist Qin, and other famous Jiangzhou scholars who were sharing a table with a certain "miscellaneous person" could not help but glance sideways.

Those who had been preparing to offer a few words of comfort quietly shut their mouths.

Subsequently, they moved away from Wang Lengran without a sound, and some of the more quick-witted ones even turned their heads toward the main gate, in the direction where the Jiangzhou Executive Assistant had left holding the hand of the Xie family's noble daughter.

By now, everyone could see the underlying meaning of the banquet hosted by Madam Xie and the Chen Jun Xie clan tonight:

Besides the tradition of supporting the Xie daughter and the routine "public humiliation" of their son-in-law, there was also the subtle act of endorsing Ouyang Lianghan, the newly designated candidate for son-in-law.

Perhaps the Chen Jun Xie clan would not interfere in Jiangzhou affairs or take a clear stand in the struggle between the Li and Wei clans.

But as the new Xie son-in-law, Ouyang Lianghan was not to be lightly insulted by outsiders, especially in the Jiang Nan Circuit.

Even in the unlikely event that he failed in his struggle, everyone should give him some face out of respect for his status as the new son-in-law of this century-old noble house, and not go too far.

It was almost a blatant declaration.

Of course, there was also the purpose of introducing Ouyang Lianghan to the veteran nobles of the Jiang Nan Circuit and bringing him into the circle.

Some circles are not something you can join just because you have money or even power.

Not to mention money; look at Pei Shiqi, didn't the wealthy salt merchant still try his best to curry favor and befriend Ouyang Rong?

And the power of officials like the Jiangzhou Executive Assistant, who seem so glamorous, also has an expiration date; it cannot be held for long, and who knows when they might lose their influence.

Because of this, the veteran nobles from all over the Jiang Nan Circuit tonight, as well as Xie Xuee representing the Xie clan, could give the cold shoulder to a high-ranking official like Jiangzhou Prefect Wang Lengran, and even sneer behind his back.

Circles of nobles like these are like "old money"; what they need is a class solidification that has completed a reasonable transformation. This is the only way to lasting wealth and status, or what is often called the "Heavenly Scion."

One of the simplest and most efficient ways to complete this identity recognition is through bloodline or marriage...

At this moment, listening to the veteran nobles like Old Qin around him talking with relish and kind laughter about the young man in the white fox fur.

Without needing to look, in the future, the gatekeepers and servants at the Executive Assistant's residence would inevitably be trembling as they received invitations to banquets from various princes and nobles, and the formal attire for each banquet might become a small annoyance for the Executive Assistant.

Daoist Qin and other local Jiangzhou scholars felt a hint of envy in their eyes.

This is the glory and benefit of marrying a noble woman from the Five Surnames; not to mention the added prestige to the family name and the various invisible gains for the rest of one's life, bringing a boost in status to both the individual and the family.

All of this is even more so for a scholar of humble origins.

A certain Jiangzhou Prefect also understood this, his envy and regret beyond words. A short while later, as soon as the banquet ended, he, feeling uneasy, hurriedly said his goodbyes and left the hall where he had lost all his dignity.

From then on, this Jiangzhou Prefect's reputation in the circle of Jiang Nan nobles and scholars was ruined, and even the attitude of the Jiangzhou scholar circle toward him might become subtle...

No one cared about Wang Lengran's dejected departure.

Xie Xuee maintained a smile, standing at the entrance of Xunyang Tower, sending off the veteran nobles who had attended the banquet in the cool river breeze.

Suddenly, silver snakes crawled across the pitch-black night sky.

Boom—!

The sound of thunder arrived late.

Raindrops pelted the eaves above the heads of the crowd in front of the door.

The sound of rain outside the tower went from sparse to frequent and loud.

A bit of rain, blown sideways by the river breeze, hit the hems of Xie Xuee's and Old Qin's robes as he was about to leave.

"Young Lady Xie, please go back in. You've worked hard tonight helping your niece... Oh, it's raining."

Old Qin took the umbrella handed to him by a younger generation member and turned to say with a smile:

"The gift your son-in-law gave was truly prescient."

Mentioning that person and the gift, Xie Xuee's mouth twitched, and she said helplessly:

"Tonight, I have let you see a joke, Qin Bo."

"No, no." Old Qin waved his hand heartily, turned his head to look at the curtain of rain hanging from the eaves, and sighed:

"Ah, youth is truly wonderful. Flowers may bloom again, but a person never returns to their youth."

After speaking, the tall old man left with his younger attendants under the umbrella, not forgetting to add a laughing remark before leaving, teasing the noble lady with the dangling hairpin:

"It's going to rain, and the young lady is going to marry. Hahahaha."

Xie Xuee shook her head with a laugh.

After the guests had all left, she turned to look at the curtain of rain and frowned slightly.

"Speaking of which, was the goal achieved tonight, or not? Ah, how did it turn out like this? It didn't scare that kid at all."

A complex expression appeared on the noble lady's face.

Tonight, she and the Xie family were clearly there to support Shiqi Niang and show off their noble status, all to wake up a certain blockhead.

But looking at it now, the blockhead was indeed woken up, but he woke up a bit too thoroughly. He didn't treat her and the others as outsiders at all, directly taking Shiqi Niang away in public. This progress was a bit too fast, although it wasn't impossible...

But in the end, he left a mess that she had to stay and clean up.

Although Shiqi Niang's expression at the time seemed very happy and blissful, Xie Xuee naturally knew that her niece's silly look meant she was satisfied with tonight.

But as her aunt, she felt a bit annoyed... This kid didn't follow her script at all.

Xie Xuee couldn't help but turn her head to look at the increasingly heavy and misty curtain of rain, frowning and muttering:

"Cook noodles for her? But it's windy and rainy outside, where is this kid taking my Shiqi Niang?"

Leaving the hall filled with warm stoves, just walking out the main door, the river breeze brushed her face, cool and refreshing.

But the hands of Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang, interlaced and held together, were gripped tighter and tighter.

The two held each other tightly, afraid of losing the other for even a moment.

Ouyang Rong walked in the very front, leading her forward.

Xie Lingjiang held a precious oil-paper umbrella in one arm, following closely behind, her slightly dazed little face and pink cheeks becoming increasingly hot.

The scattered passersby stopped in curiosity, looking at this strange pair of man and woman.

Ouyang Rong didn't care about the surrounding gazes at all, moving forward without looking aside.

He didn't know where he was going either; he just wanted to take the Xiao Shimei out. After leaving the door, he didn't even distinguish the direction, plunging headlong into the beautiful night scenery by the Xunyang River.

Ouyang Rong felt that their pressed palms were full of sweat; he didn't know if it was the Xiao Shimei's sweat or his own.

Her plain hand was like a soft shoot, soft and damp, like a piece of Hetian warm jade that could be squeezed to release water, making his heart flutter, and he couldn't help but squeeze... and squeeze again.

The stunning young lady behind seemed to react to something, noticing the gazes of passersby, her cheeks flushed red. Fortunately, the night covered it a little, otherwise, she would have no face to see anyone.

Ouyang Rong felt the Xiao Shimei's plain hand behind him shrink back with a little force, struggling symbolically.

He still didn't let go, even gripping tighter.

Finally, walking to a deserted small path, Xie Lingjiang's weak voice came:

"Let go for a moment, I need to tie my skirt, it's in the way of walking, wait... wait until later to hold hands."

When she said the words "hold hands" at the end, her voice was as thin as a mosquito's.

Ouyang Rong stopped and turned around. Xie Lingjiang didn't have time to brake, bumping into his arms.

Ouyang Rong took the opportunity to hold her shoulders, just about to look into her eyes to speak, when Xie Lingjiang immediately squatted down, hurriedly tying a knot in her skirt.

Xie Lingjiang, with her head lowered, had a flushed little face. The man's breath that had just brushed her face made her heart thump, and she almost thought the Ru Shixiong was going to domineeringly kiss her.

But after squatting down in shyness to avoid it, Xie Lingjiang suddenly regretted it in her heart, the more she thought about it, the more she regretted it.

She looked up with a guilty conscience, preparing to explain, but saw the Ru Shixiong also squat down, and even pulled out the skirt knife from his waist.

The young man in white fox fur lowered his head and cut off the long skirt hem of the stunning young lady that was dragging on the ground.

But he didn't throw it away as Xie Lingjiang had expected. He rolled up the dress hem as if it were a treasure and stuffed it into his bosom.

Then he stood up and pulled her up again.

"Alright." Ouyang Rong calmly sheathed the knife.

Xie Lingjiang: "..."

Ouyang Rong asked: "Heartache?"

Xie Lingjiang shook her head, then burst into laughter, looking at him, who was stunned, with bright eyes.

Ouyang Rong asked in a daze:

"What are you laughing at?"

Xie Lingjiang looked away and gathered her courage to scold: "Laughing at you for being a blockhead."

Ouyang Rong thought about it and laughed too. Thinking back carefully, he was indeed quite a straight man, acting purely on intuition.

Ouyang Rong suddenly spoke: "But doesn't someone like a blockhead?"

Xie Lingjiang blushed and looked away: "Who likes it, don't talk nonsense."

A certain "old love-talk assassin" smiled and stretched out his palm, tilting his head slightly, signaling to her.

"Hmph."

Xie Lingjiang's hand was silently raised halfway, then shrank back. She raised her little face and puffed out her fragrant cheeks to ask:

"Blockhead, speak first, what is our relationship now?"

Ouyang Rong raised his palm and gently brushed away a few strands of hair hanging on her forehead, tucking them behind her exquisite right ear.

Then, his two fingers couldn't help but pinch Xie Lingjiang's rounded little chin, which was chubby.

The young man in white fox fur didn't speak, carefully pinning her hair, looking at her with gentle eyes.

Everything was unspoken.

A sweetness suddenly surged in Xie Lingjiang's heart, the sweetness of bitterness turning to sweetness.

She took the initiative to grab his palm.

"Where are we going?"

Ouyang Rong thought about it: "Let's go back to Huaiye Lane first. We walked too fast just now and forgot to call the carriage, but we've walked halfway now, so let's just walk back."

"That's fine." Xie Lingjiang said immediately.

Ouyang Rong held her and continued to walk the streets, but after only a few steps, suddenly, thunder sounded overhead.

Hua Xuanji, the rain poured down.

"Oh no, why is it raining."

"Where's the umbrella?"

"Oh!"

An oil-paper umbrella was opened, and the two stood shoulder to shoulder, squeezed under the umbrella.

Her left hand held the umbrella handle.

His right hand held her soft hand and the umbrella handle.

Ouyang Rong quietly turned sideways, giving up half a shoulder's space.

A certain delicate body under the umbrella also moved without a sound, also giving up half a shoulder.

As a result, this "lack of tacit understanding" of modesty caused both of them to be drenched on one side of their bodies.

The rain fell harder and harder. Suddenly, a violent river breeze mixed with rain swept toward the two. The bamboo oil-paper umbrella rattled, the ribs were hard to support, and it began to bend.

Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang were instantly soaked through.

The latter cried out, but Ouyang Rong suddenly laughed loudly, looking up at the rain: "Hahaha, to hell with the umbrella, it's the same as not having one, forget it."

He threw the oil-paper umbrella worth eight thousand taels into the wind and rain.

Holding the important person beside him, he ran forward.

"Ah, my umbrella!" Xie Lingjiang looked back, her beautiful eyes wide.

"So stupid, stop using the umbrella, hurry up, find a place to hide from the rain first."

In the wind and rain, he continued to say loudly:

"If you like it, I will make umbrellas for you every day in the future, to shield you from the wind and rain."

Xie Lingjiang turned her head in a daze. In the sound of thunder and rain, she shouted loudly:

"Okay! This is what you said, Ouyang Lianghan, you are not allowed to lie to me!"

After a pause, the stunning young lady's wet, pretty face was stern, and she earnestly exhorted:

"And my longevity noodles, you are not allowed to renege on the debt either."

Ouyang Rong nodded helplessly: "Okay, okay, okay!"

The stern-faced Xie Lingjiang suddenly burst into a smile, her lips curling up sweetly. She followed him forward very obediently.

Wherever the Ru Shixiong went, she followed, not afraid of getting wet.

A short while later, the two turned a street corner and immediately saw a temple standing in the rain curtain ahead, warm lights shining, the temple gate not closed.

Ouyang Rong turned his head: "It's too late to go back to Huaiye Lane, let's go into the temple to hide from the rain and dry by the fire first. This kind of temple in the city should have guest rooms for donors to stay overnight."

"Okay."

The two ran over hurriedly. Obviously, it would be faster if they let go and ran separately, but they clumsily held hands and wouldn't let go.

Not long after, they finally rushed into the temple.

A short while later, the monks on night duty in the main hall of the temple saw two drenched figures rush from the rain curtain into the main hall.

This pair of handsome and beautiful man and woman looked at each other as if no one else was around, both panting with their hands on their knees. After seeing the other drenched like a drowned rat, they were both laughing foolishly.

Several monks were stunned for a moment.

(End of chapter)

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