Chapter 319: Forty-nine, One Wave Just Left and Another Wave Comes

Forty-nine, One Wave Just Left and Another Wave Comes

"Tan-lang seems to have slept more soundly these past two days."

Yinbingzhai, study.

Ouyang Rong, with his black hair draped over his shoulders, was squatting at the door of the room, ignoring his image, gargling with warm, thick tea and brushing his teeth with a willow twig.

Inside the door, by the copper basin in the inner room, Ye Weilai rolled up her sleeves, revealing her white, smooth arms, and wrung out a hot towel for him, saying to herself.

Ouyang Rong paused, lowered his head and spat out the gargle water, looked at the courtyard of green bamboo with insect sounds for two eyes, and asked without turning his head:

"How do you know."

"Every time I woke up in a daze a few days ago, only Nuer's legs were pressing on Tan-lang, and Tan-lang's sleeping posture was upright. But when I woke up these two mornings, Tan-lang's legs also accidentally pressed on Nuer, and also pressed Nuer's hair."

Ye Weilai wrung the towel hard with her thin arms and nodded firmly:

"Tan-lang must be sleeping more soundly than the previous days."

Ouyang Rong put down the willow twig toothbrush, walked into the room, took the hot towel handed by Ye Weilai, and covered his face to wipe.

He freed one hand, rubbed Ye Weilai's bun-haired head, and a buzzing voice came from under the hot towel:

"The little head is quite smart, if only this cleverness wasn't often used to report 'little reports' to your Xie sister."

Ye Weilai stuck out her pink tongue.

Looking, she found something, and she said happily: "Tan-lang's complexion is good, the cold seems to be better."

"Hoo" Ouyang Rong put down the towel and let out a long breath, sighing:

"Weilai, I feel more and more that Yinbingzhai has buried you, and you shouldn't spend your whole life doing these chores of serving tea and water."

Ye Weilai shook her head: "Nuer is afraid outside, this is Nuer's home, Nuer won't leave, and besides, if Nuer leaves, who will take care of Tan-lang."

She stretched out both hands, subconsciously wanting to take the towel that had cooled down.

Ouyang Rong looked at her, didn't give it, walked forward alone, rolled up his sleeves, put the towel into the copper basin with hot water, and washed his face by himself:

"Afraid? Why do I feel that it should be others who are afraid of you, um, no matter where you go, you can adapt and integrate quickly. This is a rare talent, you haven't discovered it yourself."

Looking at Ouyang Rong who didn't need her, Ye Weilai felt a little frustrated,

She actually never understood why Tan-lang didn't like servants to serve him.

Even now that he is a Commandant of a province, there is only Ye Weilai as a nominal concubine in the room, and

Look at the male masters in other people's houses; which one, upon returning home, doesn't act like a great lord, being served by maids and servants? Both sides feel nothing is amiss and view it as a matter of course.

Ye Weilai whispered:

"If I don't serve Tanlang, what else can I do? Except for Tanlang, people outside all despise my Hu blood and white hair."

Ouyang Rong dropped the towel, turned his head, and said softly, "Who says a woman must always use her beauty to please others?"

Ye Weilai bit her lip: "But not everyone is like Xie Jie, with family background, talent, and beauty..."

Ouyang Rong frowned slightly: "There should be other ways to use one's brains, for the clever and outstanding women in this world."

"Hmm, then where do the extraordinary women of this world go? Except for those like Xie Jie who were born into high-ranking families, the innate restrictions are few."

Ouyang Rong frowned and thought for a moment, sighing a little at the restrictions of this era:

"It seems there are indeed very few. Study in an academy, become a talented woman or a female scholar to make a name for oneself?"

"Cultivate Qi to enter a hidden sect, like Lady Yunmeng, or roam the world of martial arts and become a legendary female knight?"

"Or perhaps enter the palace to accompany the monarch. Hmm, I hear that the Grand Astrologer of the Palace Astronomical Bureau, the colorful-robed female historians, and other favorites before the Empress are one person below ten thousand, and even the officials in the court must treat them with caution."

He looked thoughtful and muttered: "By the way, Weilai, which path do you want..."

"Is that so?" Ye Weilai nodded, her small face serious and earnest:

"Actually, there is another path, which is to assist an extraordinary man by his side, to be a virtuous helper behind him, and to make a name for ourselves in later generations together, like the extraordinary women in historical romances, such as Hong Fu Nu."

Ouyang Rong was taken aback; he didn't react for a moment, then nodded: "In that case, I suppose that counts too."

Ye Weilai stood on tiptoe and pecked his face swiftly: "I choose this path."

The white-haired maid leaned back slightly, patted her small chest, and said:

"So, Tanlang, isn't it already like this now? I'm skipping fifty years of detours, stepping directly into place, arriving at Tanlang's side in advance to provide warm and powerful support for this extraordinary man who is destined to be remembered in history."

Ouyang Rong couldn't help but look at the white-haired girl before him, who had a serious little face and was holding clothes for him with both hands.

The corner of his mouth twitched.

"Fetching a basin of water and handing me a towel is what you call powerful support, right?"

Ouyang Rong put on a straight face and nodded: "At such a young age, you've become so 'enlightened'; what will you be like in the future?"

As he spoke, he rewarded her with a flick to the forehead.

"Tanlang, it hurts..." Ye Weilai pouted, covered her head, and crouched down.

Ouyang Rong shook his head speechlessly, walked into the warm inner room, and changed into his official uniform.

Ye Weilai busied herself helping him.

Ouyang Rong frowned slightly, as if silently contemplating something.

Before leaving, he saw Ye Weilai staring at him eagerly, and the girl asked with a nervous tone:

"Is Tanlang still thinking about what just happened?"

"Hmm." Ouyang Rong was noncommittal.

"I don't want to leave Tanlang for even a moment..."

"Let's not talk about this for now; we'll discuss it later."

After a pause, Ouyang Rong asked: "You continue to learn to read and write. By the way, have you finished the stack of books I gave you after the New Year?"

"I finished them long ago."

"Then why didn't you say so earlier? I was busy and didn't ask, so you were playing dumb and slacking off, right?"

"No." She defended herself weakly: "I thought there were only that many."

"Go on, read these next few books, and I will spot-check you."

"Why are there so many? Why are there still more..."

"Since you have a clever brain, read more books. In a few days, when I have time, I will teach you arithmetic and how to use an abacus..."

Ouyang Rong waved his hand and urged her tirelessly: "Later, I will go ask Wanwan to see what she has to teach you. You cannot be lazy anymore, do you understand?"

"Oh." Ye Weilai was listless, suddenly remembering that Sister Xiuniang also liked to teach her.

By the way, why does everyone like to teach her?

"Hmm?" Ouyang Rong's nasal sound deepened.

"I... I know." Ye Weilai perked up.

"That's more like it."

Ouyang Rong's back walked out of the courtyard, preparing to go on duty.

"Tanlang."

Ye Weilai suddenly called out to Ouyang Rong.

The latter turned his head and looked at her curiously.

The silver-haired girl, standing on tiptoe beside the courtyard gate and looking at someone's back, had a flushed face and shouted:

"Being able to wait for you to come home from duty every day and being able to guard you every night, I am really, really happy."

Ouyang Rong's back only paused slightly; he continued forward, waved his hand, and put on a relaxed expression:

"That's different for me. Seeing you so young, yet playing so easily every day, is a hundred times more uncomfortable than me being so busy I can't keep my feet on the ground."

Ye Weilai: "..."

Ouyang Rong smiled, left the house, and didn't tease her anymore.

In the third month of spring, the air gradually warmed up.

Ouyang Rong's minor cold had improved quite a bit, and he no longer wore that fox-fur cloak.

He immediately felt much more refreshed.

That fox-fur cloak was good-looking, but it was too flashy, even though the Junior Sister, Aunt, and Ye Weilai had all praised him for looking good in it.

But Ouyang Rong always disliked it, as it made his face look too handsome.

"It's not like I'm eating based on my looks; by the way, can't you let me be low-key..."

Someone muttered, carrying a strange annoyance, and arrived at the Jiangzhou Main Hall. After a busy morning, the Huaiye Lane sent over lunch.

During the meal.

Yan Liulang approached silently and whispered in his ear:

"Magistrate, General Qin used some channels to contact me, saying he wants to request an audience with you."

Ouyang Rong was slightly startled.

He thought that after the Lan Changhao matter ended, the two would return to their original distance and tacitly avoid each other.

In the afternoon, it was the same old place at the Yunshui Pavilion.

Because of the need to avoid suspicion, the meeting process was quite complicated and secretive.

Inside the private room, Ouyang Rong and Qin Heng met again, with a cup of hot tea placed before them.

Qin Heng, who had left with some indignation last time, looked much calmer now. He cupped his hands apologetically:

"Last time I was emotionally agitated and left rudely, which was quite willful. I hope Chief Clerk Ouyang will be understanding."

"It's nothing, I understand."

Ouyang Rong waved his hand indifferently.

"Then, General Qin, what is the matter with your visit today?"

Qin Heng shook his head: "Nothing to trouble Chief Clerk Ouyang with, I just wanted to... wanted to express my gratitude."

Ouyang Rong shook his head: "But my memorial was of no use; the soldiers of the Third Regiment are still delayed for another year."

Qin Heng shook his head:

"You can't calculate it that way. Chief Clerk Ouyang submitting a memorial to speak for the soldiers of the Third Regiment was already a help."

His face looked a bit guilty:

"Chief Clerk Ouyang might not know, but the matter of you submitting a memorial in opposition has already spread in the high-level council hall of the Zhechong Prefecture. After General Yang and the others found out, they had some criticisms of you in private, and the remarks were unpleasant.

"And I heard that a few days ago, before Chief Clerk Lan left, his face didn't look very good, and you parted on bad terms after seeing him off."

Ouyang Rong interrupted and shook his head earnestly:

"It doesn't matter. I wasn't close to them in the first place. Wang Lengran has always held onto military affairs, and I don't usually have contact with the Zhechong Prefecture generals. With the superiors having such an attitude, it would be strange if they spoke well of me."

After a pause, "Only General Qin is willing to see me."

Qin Heng shook his head, his face still showing some apology.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly reported an address in Xingzi Lane.

"This is..."

Before Ouyang Rong could finish asking curiously, he lowered his eyes and said calmly:

"My wife loves to raise crabapple flowers; there has always been a pot of crabapple flowers on the wall of our house.

"If there is nothing wrong, my wife will not change the flowers. But if, in the future, the crabapple flowers on the courtyard wall disappear and are replaced by a pot of bright red azaleas, could Chief Clerk Ouyang come here again to drink tea together?"

Ouyang Rong remained calm: "Very well."

Immediately, the two discussed the details of their future meetings.

Not long after, both left cautiously and low-key.

Ouyang Rong returned home with a hint of joy in his eyes.

He hadn't expected Qin Heng to make such a gesture.

He was willing to send a signal.

Although Ouyang Rong had always restrained himself and did not explicitly tell him about his difficulties, Qin Heng should have vaguely known about his predicament with the Xunyang Prince's Mansion recently.

Because the Jiangzhou Zhechong Prefecture had long tacitly borne the responsibility of guarding the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

And all Jiangzhou military affairs were held by Wang Lengran.

Therefore, Qin Heng's hint this time was very obvious:

If an azalea pot is placed on the wall, it means there is something involving him and the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

If the crabapple flowers are placed as usual, it means everything is safe and sound.

As the Right Guo-Yi Commandant of the Jiangzhou Zhechong Prefecture, Qin Heng is considered the deputy chief of the Zhechong Prefecture and the third or fourth in command of Jiangzhou military affairs.

Almost no movement in the Zhechong Prefecture could be hidden from him.

From now on, Ouyang Rong would no longer be completely in the dark about Jiangzhou military affairs; if there were any major movements by the troops near Jiangzhou, at least he wouldn't be blind.

Ouyang Rong immediately summoned Ye Weilai, who was practicing calligraphy, and gave her some instructions.

Subsequently, she had one more task:

Every other day, go out,

Go to the bustling market in Xingzi Lane to buy flowers and fruits,

On the way, pass by a certain residential street, take a look at the crabapple flower pot on the wall of a certain courtyard to see if it has been replaced by an azalea pot, and report it in time...

The next day, Ouyang Rong suddenly received two letters in succession.

One was from his teacher, Xie Xun.

One was from the Censor-in-Chief, Shen Xisheng.

The letters mentioned that Li Zhengyan, Wei Shaoqi, Du Shuqing, and Wang Junzhi, who had been demoted due to the Great Zhou Songde Tian Shu turmoil, would arrive in Jiangzhou in a few days.

Previously, they were all members of the Bao-Li faction, and they had a good friendship with Xie Xun and Shen Xisheng.

After this group of "demoted celebrities" left the capital, they traveled south along the Grand Canal and stayed in Yangzhou for a period of time. It is said that a group of frustrated people were addicted to the smoke and flowers of Yangzhou.

And now, the deadline for taking office stipulated by the imperial court was approaching, and they had to take up their posts, so they continued along the Yangtze River together on the way.

The ships would pass through Jiangzhou, because Wang Junzhi and Du Shuqing among them were demoted to Jiangzhou; one was a Jiangzhou Doctor, and the other was a Longcheng County Assistant, which was quite a coincidence with Ouyang Rong.

However, Jiangzhou had long been a place for demoted officials, so it was normal.

Xie Xun and Shen Xisheng both asked Ouyang Rong in their letters to receive them well.

If it weren't for the political turmoil caused by this Tian Shu that ruined their official careers,

Li Zhengyan, Wei Shaoqi, Du Shuqing, Wang Junzhi, and others were all pillars of the original Bao-Li faction, or rising stars.

Some were even no worse than Ouyang Rong is now.

Especially the leader, Li Zhengyan.

He came from a high-ranking noble family in Guanlong; his ancestors were founding dukes, and he still held a hereditary title. Moreover, he was knowledgeable and had extensive connections.

In the words of his teacher Xie Xun's letter, if it weren't for the change of dynasty and the Emperor and the Wei family deliberately suppressing the Guanlong nobles, this person would definitely not have only reached the position of a prefectural governor before the turmoil.

Ouyang Rong rarely saw his teacher praise someone so much, so he kept a mental note.

In addition, this Li Zhengyan wanted to visit the Xunyang Prince, Li Lixian, and had sought connections to reach the two of them.

So now, Xie Xun and Shen Xisheng sent letters over, and this matter logically fell onto the student Ouyang Rong.

The two urged him to "properly introduce" them.

Ouyang Rong frowned slightly:

"Visit the Xunyang Prince's Mansion? Properly introduce? The teacher's choice of words is becoming more and more exquisite.

"Hmm, jargon, right? It was said, but it seems correct, only the difficult problem has fallen on me...

"Hey, there are two new colleagues; it seems it's going to be lively again."

Since his elders had entrusted him, he had to take it seriously and prepare to "properly" receive them...

(End of chapter)