Chapter 314: Forty-three, The Beauty Takes the Lamp in Anger

Forty-three, The Beauty Takes the Lamp in Anger

Ouyang Rong's minor cold became the top priority for the Huaiye Lane residence and the Xunyang Wang Fu over these two days.

The Xunyang Wang Fu sent imperial physicians and precious medicinal herbs one after another.

There was also hot ginger soup, though it was unclear if it was brewed by Wang Fei Wei Mei or the little Princess.

Of course, on the surface, it was all sent in the name of the Prince of Xunyang, Li Xian, being thoughtful toward his subordinate assisting in the Buddha-building.

Ouyang Rong felt it was a minor illness.

But as soon as he returned to the residence, female relatives like Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Weilai surrounded him with concern, serving him attentively.

The entire household, nearly a hundred people, revolved around him alone.

A careless sneeze could frighten maidservants like Banxi into trembling and rushing about.

There were also noble ladies in silk skirts who would press up to him, tirelessly saying "Tan-lang should take his medicine," which made Ouyang Rong's head spin.

Even returning to the Yinbingzhai courtyard at night offered no rest.

Zhen Shuyuan, who rarely disturbed Ouyang Rong's private space, would frequently run to the courtyard under the cover of night, bringing warm clothes and quilts, looking around, and checking his living quarters.

The way the female relatives in the house acted as if they were facing a great enemy, being so cautious, made him somewhat helpless.

"Tan-lang, I went to the temple today to burn incense and pray for blessings for you."

Zhen Shuyuan entered the door carrying a bowl of medicinal soup, speaking as she walked, followed by Ye Weilai and Banxi.

In front of the desk, Ouyang Rong temporarily put down his pen, closed his eyes, rubbed his brow, then opened them and took a look.

Behind him, the white-haired girl with a slender frame was struggling to hold a basin of hot water, while the Silla maid was holding a bundle of brown-leafed herbs and followed them in.

Ouyang Rong sat sideways, letting Ye Weilai and Banxi take off his boots.

He washed his feet with hot water soaked in mugwort.

Zhen Shuyuan placed a bowl of pitch-black, steaming medicinal soup on the table and said softly:

"Tan-lang, it's time to take your medicine."

Ouyang Rong was immediately vigilant: "What is this? It wouldn't be talisman water or incense ash, would it?"

"It's medicine Wanwan brewed herself, saying it's a secret divine formula for dispelling cold hidden by their Xie clan. Tan-lang, have a taste."

"I won't taste it." Ouyang Rong shook his head firmly: "I was originally fine, but after being messed around by you all, I might really get sick."

Zhen Shuyuan looked troubled: "Wanwan took the time to run over and deliver the medicine, busy back and forth. Wouldn't it be a waste of her good intentions?"

Ouyang Rong devised a plan: "Just don't tell her."

"Big Brother, what shouldn't you tell me?"

Just then, the sound of the courtyard gate opening came from outside, accompanied by Xie Lingjiang's clear, melodious voice, her tone curious.

"Wanwan is here?"

Zhen Shuyuan turned back in surprise, and Ouyang Rong's expression changed slightly.

Zhen Shuyuan went up to welcome Xie Lingjiang into the room and led her in.

"It's nothing major, that bowl of medicine you sent, Tan-lang said..."

Zhen Shuyuan turned to speak, but her words suddenly choked off.

She saw that the medicine bowl in front of her beloved nephew Ouyang Rong was now empty, cleaner than someone's face.

Beside him, Ye Weilai and Banxi were looking at Ouyang Rong in a daze with stunned little faces.

"Uh..."

Xie Lingjiang was curious: "Aunt Zhen, what did Tan-lang say?"

Zhen Shuyuan: "He said..."

Ouyang Rong wiped his mouth and nodded solemnly: "He said the taste was not bad."

Xie Lingjiang smiled, her pretty face looking a bit embarrassed:

"As long as you don't find it bitter. It's my first time brewing it, the appearance might not be very good, but I added two pieces of maltose. When I was little and afraid of the bitterness when drinking this medicine, Father would take a piece of maltose for me to hold..."

Zhen Shuyuan and the others discovered that Tan-lang had become unexpectedly obedient.

After chatting with the Xiao Shimei for a while, seeing that it was late at night, the Xiao Shimei and the Aunt left one after another.

Only Ouyang Rong and Ye Weilai remained in the study.

Ouyang Rong let out a sigh of relief.

Finally gone.

He took out the official documents and continued to bury his head in handling the affairs he hadn't finished during the day, telling Ye Weilai to go to sleep first.

Most of his energy recently had been put into the construction of the Donglin Great Buddha, and a lot of Jiangzhou livelihood affairs had piled up on his desk. By the way, there was also the congratulatory speech for the provincial school sacrifice tomorrow; he had to prepare it overnight...

Therefore, these days, Ouyang Rong was not deliberately ignoring scholars like Yue Ziyang.

It was just that he was truly too busy to spare the time to waste his breath with them...

Unknowingly, Ouyang Rong stayed up until near dawn, and the sky outside was dim and bright.

During this time, Ye Weilai, who woke up in the night, urged him several times to sleep, but was brushed off by him.

Ouyang Rong put down his pen and stretched.

He didn't notice that in the courtyard, a red-clothed figure was holding a bowl of pitch-black, steaming medicinal soup, slowly approaching the study window with a cold pretty face, her narrowed eyes staring at him with dangerous light.

Then...

It is said, the beauty takes the lamp in anger, asking the man if he knows what hour it is!

After some commotion, the study door was thrown open, and Xie Lingjiang grabbed the lamp on the table with a straight face and strode out.

Inside the dimly lit door, having lost the lamp, the white-haired girl, who had just crawled out of the quilt in a daze and was wearing only a small emerald green bellyband, buried her head like she had made a mistake, tugging at her fingers, standing in place as punishment.

Ouyang Rong looked a bit guilty, raised his head to quickly drink the bitter medicine in the bowl, touched the face of the self-reproachful Ye Weilai, and silently chased out the door.

Whether it was because she wasn't familiar with the paths in the residence or some other reason.

Xie Lingjiang didn't walk very far, and it was easy for someone to catch up.

Ouyang Rong didn't mention what had just happened and calmly changed the subject:

"Wanwan must have forgotten to add the maltose; why is it a bit bitter?"

"I added it..."

Xie Lingjiang immediately frowned and turned her head, her expression wanting to speak but stopping, looking at Ouyang Rong's harmless expression. She suddenly hummed,

Not wanting to answer someone who was lying with his eyes open.

Ouyang Rong blinked, stepped forward to hold the beauty's jade hand, and walked toward the small path in front, with the dawn twilight as the background.

The wind of early spring morning blew against their faces, making people somewhat awake.

Ouyang Rong turned his head and said to Xie Lingjiang, who was pouting slightly as if sulking:

"Wait until I finish this busy period, alright? I absolutely won't stay up late in the future."

Xie Lingjiang was expressionless: "Big Brother said the same thing last time."

"Last time was last time, this time is this time, this time for sure."

"Humph." She turned her face away.

Immediately, the two walked silently for a while.

Ouyang Rong felt the Xiao Shimei holding his hand tighten a little.

Ouyang Rong also squeezed her.

Xie Lingjiang suddenly nodded seriously: "They are all talking nonsense."

"Ah, what?"

The abrupt sentence made Ouyang Rong somewhat confused.

Xie Lingjiang turned her face and looked at him:

"Those scholars who have nothing to do and are full say that you didn't submit a memorial before, or that you submitted a memorial to curry favor and support, and are fearing death."

She gritted her teeth: "They are all talking nonsense. Big Brother, don't pay attention to them."

Ouyang Rong laughed: "Why does Xiao Shimei still care about this?"

"Doesn't Big Brother feel angry?"

"What's the use of being angry? Can being angry mean doing nothing?"

Xie Lingjiang pressed her lips into a red line, feeling the temperature of his palm. After walking for a while, she said softly:

"I haven't asked, what did Big Brother's memorial write? Is it the same as what I thought before?"

"What did you think it was like?"

"Just like when you remonstrated with Princess Changle in the capital."

Ouyang Rong shook his head: "It can't solve the problem."

"So this time?"

"I calmly calculated an account with the Empress. How much does it cost to build the Great Zhou Praise-Virtue Hub and the Buddha statues in the four directions, and what is the annual tax revenue of the Great Zhou and the four provinces where the statues are built? Then I used Jiangzhou's annual fiscal situation as an example..."

Xie Lingjiang listened in a daze.

The sky before dawn was like a dark, cyan curtain backdrop.

She vaguely saw Big Brother turn his head, his sickly face gaunt and calm, as if narrating a simple, routine matter:

"Compared to firmly opposing the Hub and the Buddha statues, and completely flattering the Empress and supporting the construction of both,

"I chose a compromise.

"In that memorial, I suggested extending the deadline for building the Great Zhou Praise-Virtue Hub and the Buddha statues in the four directions, giving each province ample time to raise funds.

"And the specifications for both were also relaxed. For example, the Great Buddha doesn't necessarily have to be a statue built on flat ground; thirty zhang is perhaps too high..."

Xie Lingjiang didn't know why, but her mood was exceptionally calm, silently listening to the calm statement of this sickly Jiangzhou Commandant.

"In addition, on behalf of the Jiangzhou government office, I rejected the Empress's twenty thousand guan of 'powder money' and distributed it to the relatively poorest Guizhou. I also made a rather flattering suggestion that the heads of the four Great Buddhas should all be carved according to the Empress's likeness."

Xie Lingjiang's eyes widened slightly.

As he spoke, Ouyang Rong himself laughed and turned to ask with a smile:

"Does it not quite fit the image of me in Wanwan's heart?"

Xie Lingjiang pondered: "Not really, just a bit surprised that Big Brother is so... calm."

"It should be 'hypocrite'."

Ouyang Rong laughed at himself and pointed to the northern sky:

"The Empress doesn't necessarily not know that building the Praise-Virtue Hub and the Buddha statues in the four directions will waste national power and face heavy resistance. But for an emperor, face is sometimes more important than right or wrong.

"Between absolute obedience and hard opposition, if there can be a voice that is both decent and pragmatic, she is more likely to compromise and adopt it. However, it also depends on whether the officials below pass the ladder beautifully."

Xie Lingjiang sighed: "No wonder Big Brother settled for the second best. This... is actually correct."

Ouyang Rong took the lamp from Xie Lingjiang's other hand. On the garden path covered in dawn dew, his dark eyes reflected a candle flame that was hard to extinguish:

"But this doesn't mean that Master Ji, Jiangzhou Cishi Li, and Censor Wei are wrong. In a sense, they stubbornly crashed into the wall and bled, which actually helped the compromising me.

"Although looking at it now, that memorial of mine was also of no use."

Xie Lingjiang waved her sleeve and replied, her tone decisive:

"But Big Brother is definitely not the coward fearing death that Yue Ziyang and the others say, and should not be misunderstood like this."

The young man in the white fox fur let go of the hand full of the beauty's fragrant sweat.

He held the lamp and moved forward.

"If it were me at the time of Longcheng, I would have done the same as Master Ji and Jiangzhou Cishi Li."

"Why has Big Brother changed now?"

Ouyang Rong stopped holding the lamp, turned back and said: "Because the Pure Land is fake, and this place... is hell. I understand now that in my lifetime, I may never be able to turn it into a Pure Land."

Xie Lingjiang was stunned, "Then what should be done?"

Ouyang Rong smiled, his tone relaxed: "What else can be done? Just muddle through. Can I leave it?"

Seeing Big Brother suddenly winking and making faces at her, Xie Lingjiang, who was lost in thought, couldn't help but laugh.

"Actually, it's fine as long as it gets better and better." He narrowed his eyes and said.

"Do you want to make it better and better?" Xie Lingjiang couldn't help but look at Big Brother more: "I always feel Big Brother is becoming more and more like the Master."

"How so?"

"Well, equally peaceful and steady, equally... hard to distinguish between right and wrong."

Ouyang Rong waved his hand: "Illusion. I don't even know the Master and haven't met him."

Xie Lingjiang blinked: "But someone's gift has already been sent to the Master's study. Speaking of which, who asked Father to help him send that little trinket over?"

Ouyang Rong's face was habitually thick like a shield:

"Isn't it because I heard that he also likes to calculate accounts? I call this a gentleman's friendship as light as water. No, it's called respecting the old and loving the young."

Xie Lingjiang hummed: "Humph, old fox, little fox."

Ouyang Rong suddenly pointed to the white sky in the east, "Alright, it's dawn, time to go back."

After speaking, he turned and left.

Xie Lingjiang looked at the back of someone holding the lamp and slipping away, covering her mouth and shouting crisply:

"Wait, you are not allowed to worry about official documents anymore, go back and rest."

"Rest my foot." Ouyang Rong waved his hand: "There is a provincial school sacrifice in the morning at the Temple of the Most Holy Teacher; I have to go early."

"Alright, wait for me." Xie Lingjiang chased after him: "I'm going too."

Inside the carriage, Ouyang Rong lay on the Xiao Shimei's round, taut thighs and dozed off.

They arrived at the Temple of the Most Holy Teacher on the same street as the Yunshui Pavilion.

The Temple of the Most Holy Teacher was newly built the year before last and was still brand new and imposing.

Now in early spring, before the provincial school started, a ceremony to worship the Most Holy Teacher needed to be held.

Ouyang Rong and Wang Lengran, as local officials, were also in charge of the provincial school's education and needed to personally lead the young and old to follow the rites and sacrifice to the sages.

However, Wang Lengran had long ago "asked for leave due to illness" and couldn't come. When the news spread, it was naturally sneered at privately by the scholars, but the former obviously didn't care.

The morning sun spread over the high-curved eaves of the temple.

Ouyang Rong arrived early with the Xiao Shimei and Yan Liulang, walked into the temple with a calm expression, and went to meet the officials in charge of the provincial school.

Some scholars coming in and out of the gate were stunned, turned their heads, rubbed their eyes, and looked at Ouyang Rong's back in surprise.

It seemed they hadn't expected this low-key Commandant, who had always been "avoiding" them, to come to the scene in person.

The provincial school scholars ran to call each other.

Soon, the news that Jiangzhou Commandant Ouyang Lianghan had come to preside over the sacrifice at the Temple of the Most Holy Teacher spread among the Jiangzhou scholars.

The public opinion of the Xunyang City literati rose like the rising sun above their heads and heated up rapidly.

The provincial schools of all provinces were originally the base camp of scholars, and the past arguments were even more intense. Yue Ziyang was a regular visitor in the Jiangzhou provincial school, often spreading bold remarks, and had the flavor of an opinion leader.

Ouyang Rong didn't know that Yue Ziyang and other scholars had threatened to have him come forward in person to talk to the Jiangzhou scholars a few days ago.

However, Yue Ziyang, who made the threat, probably knew it was somewhat unrealistic.

After all, the Liuzhou tragedy had just happened, and the officials in all parts of the Ten Circuits of the world were staying far away from the impassioned scholars, and the imperial court was also turning a blind eye.

But today, Ouyang Rong actually "responded" and arrived as promised.

The Temple of the Most Holy Teacher was crowded with Jiangzhou scholars, all of whom came to participate in the opening sacrifice that they used to find boring.

The scholars seemed not to have expected that they would have such great influence, so they clamored hard, their emotions excited.

The sun gradually rose into the high sky.

When the sickly young man in the white fox fur cape walked onto the high platform in the center of the square where the sage statue was erected, they began to clap messily.

Ouyang Rong looked at the crowded crowd below, lifted his eyelids, and felt slightly surprised.

As usual, he began his sacrificial speech in a gentle tone.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 315 =====