Chapter 390: One hundred forty-four, there are bad people among the common people

One hundred forty-four, there are bad people among the common people

No way, the gentleman also guards against craftsmen. One hundred forty-four, there are bad people among the common people "Is Madam Pei really from Yangzhou? How is she like a Prince Xunyang know-it-all, knowing the route of the official's journey like the back of her hand."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong smiled and praised.

Pei Thirteenth Lady felt a bit awkward in her eyes, covering it with a smile:

"Where, where, can't be called a know-it-all, and there is absolutely no such thing as mastering the route. I dare not do such tracking."

"It's just that the vigorous posture of Magistrate Ouyang Changshi can be seen from a long distance, like the bright moon in the night among the traffic and crowd, making it difficult for me and the common people to ignore."

Not far from the Jiangzhou Hall, Magistrate Ouyang Rong rode back from Hanlei Ink Studio. At the corner, he met Pei Thirteenth Lady's carriage waiting. The latter had been waiting with a smile for a long time, so Magistrate Ouyang Rong curled his lips and teased a few words, and Pei Thirteenth Lady hurriedly denied it.

"Tell me, what's the matter? I'll give you the time of an incense stick. If it's still the matter discussed at Yunshui Pavilion last time, forget it, don't delay both sides' time. Madam Pei should be very busy doing business."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong shook his head and said.

Pei Thirteenth Lady apologized with a smile:

"Magistrate Ouyang Changshi is truly humorous. After listening to a little instruction from Magistrate Ouyang Changshi in his busy schedule on the second floor of Yunshui Pavilion last time, I benefited a lot, like enlightenment."

"I wrote down Magistrate Ouyang Changshi's words, and after going back, I thought about it carefully, deliberating on the words, and had some insights. Isn't this, I have some new ideas and plans..."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and touched the side face of Dongmei who was stealing grass on the side of the road, and reported the number calmly: "Half an incense stick."

Pei Thirteenth Lady immediately shut her mouth, pursed her vermilion lips, and then threw out an invitation:

"Coming here today, there is one more thing, entrusted by someone, there is a lunch banquet, wanting to invite Magistrate Ouyang Changshi."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong shook his head: "Forget the lunch banquet, this official won't go to disturb..."

"It's an invitation from the family of the little girl that Magistrate Ouyang Changshi and Young Lady Chenjun Xie helped yesterday, wanting to thank the noble person properly."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's words stopped, his dark eyes slanted down, and he looked at the noble lady with a scarf looking up and smiling softly under the horse.

"Oh." He nodded.

It was just one syllable, but Pei Thirteenth Lady heard two different tones, the latter one cold.

"Magistrate Ouyang Changshi misunderstood."

Her tone was helpless, and she didn't dislike the dirt at all, holding the extra horse rope hanging by Magistrate Ouyang Rong's hand, her voice even had a hint of coquetry:

"I happened to pass by when I came back from admiring maples outside the city yesterday, and then I discovered this matter of Magistrate Ouyang Changshi loving the people like a son. After Magistrate Ouyang Changshi and Young Lady Chenjun Xie bought the red leaves, the little girl was disappointed. Seeing that she had an injury on her hand, I saw it and couldn't bear it, so I asked someone to help her bandage the wound."

"But the little girl is kind-hearted and cannot bear to part with her benefactor; she wants to express her gratitude and repay him, and even when injured, she kept muttering about it... Sigh, my heart softened, so I decided to go with the flow and help her out. That's why I wanted to go to Prince Xunyang City and set up a banquet to help her invite the benefactor."

The noble lady looked up at the young man on horseback with a well-maintained small round face, looking at him with eyes full of expectation, and said aggrievedly:

"But I won't hide it from Magistrate Ouyang Changshi, I do have selfish motives in doing this, and I also want to take the opportunity to see Magistrate Ouyang Changshi more and enhance our feelings..."

"However, please rest assured, Magistrate Ouyang Changshi, the feelings I mentioned are serious friendships, hmm, the fish-and-water relationship between officials and the people, absolutely nothing serious."

"Since that incident at Prince Xunyang Tower, I have deeply reflected and seriously repented. I will never do those messy things again. This lunch banquet will not have those little ladies with no eyes and light bodies, it will be open and aboveboard."

"And... sigh, with Young Lady Chenjun Xie here, I wouldn't dare even if I had eight hundred guts. That Madam Chenjun Xie in Yangzhou would have to tear me apart if she found out."

"Therefore, I hope Magistrate Ouyang Changshi and Young Lady Chenjun Xie will give me a chance, and it can also be considered as giving that little girl named Huang Meilu Xuan and her father who wants to toast and thank him a chance to thank him."

The time of an incense stick had passed, Magistrate Ouyang Rong sat on the horse without moving, staring at Pei Thirteenth Lady for a while.

The latter was stared at for a long time and smiled awkwardly.

Except for not hitting a smiling person, if it weren't for the favor of Pei Thirteenth Lady and Wang Caozhi coming forward to raise the price and give him face at Xiao Shimei's birthday banquet, Magistrate Ouyang Rong actually didn't want to pay attention to her. What's there to talk about with a merchant full of copper smell.

In the quiet atmosphere where Pei Thirteenth Lady's neck was sweating and gradually becoming nervous, finally, Magistrate Ouyang Rong spoke softly:

"Only this once.

"After work, at the second quarter of noon, I and Wanwan will arrive at Prince Xunyang Tower. Don't arrange those messy things like before. Keep everything simple. Just have a meal and chat, understand?"

"Understand, understand."

Pei Thirteenth Lady breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a bright smile: "Must arrange properly, respectfully welcome Magistrate Ouyang Changshi and Young Lady Chenjun Xie."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong turned to leave, but heard Pei Thirteenth Lady add a sentence:

"By the way, Magistrate Ouyang Changshi, seeing you helping others yesterday, I and some companions were also deeply touched, and decided to take out some things to donate unconditionally..."

The tone was a bit flattering.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong waved his hand:

"This is your own business, it has nothing to do with this official. Spontaneous organization by the people, this official supports it in principle, as long as it goes through regular channels. Remember to go to the Jiangzhou Hall to register yourself."

"Good, good, good, at noon at Prince Xunyang Tower, respectfully welcome Magistrate Ouyang Changshi and Young Lady Chenjun Xie to visit."

Under Pei Thirteenth Lady's smiling gaze, Magistrate Ouyang Rong walked into the Jiangzhou Hall without looking back.

After he left, the noble lady's smile slowly faded, she turned and boarded the carriage again, and ordered:

"Return to Prince Xunyang Tower."

Listening to her tone, it seemed that she was in a good mood.

The carriage arrived at Prince Xunyang Tower, Pei Thirteenth Lady stepped down gracefully, and was immediately surrounded and warmly received by a pile of merchants in brocade clothes.

They were all wealthy merchants from the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce.

"President Pei, how is Magistrate Ouyang Changshi?" A wealthy merchant asked expectantly.

Pei Thirteenth Lady smiled slightly. The noble lady who had been coquettish and flattering in front of a young man not long ago stood on the purple sandalwood stool she stepped on when getting off the carriage, scanned her companions lightly:

"Magistrate Ouyang Changshi said, he will arrive at the second quarter of noon."

The wealthy merchants showed joy one after another and started flattering.

"President Pei is still amazing, able to invite that lord."

"President Pei has worked hard."

Pei Thirteenth Lady waved her hand and dropped a sentence: "Just perform well today, don't talk nonsense that shouldn't be said, I will speak..."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Under a burst of flattery, Pei Thirteenth Lady walked into the building with ease.

Along the way, it was full of people, very lively.

Today's Prince Xunyang Tower had a lot of visitors, even the owner was receiving distinguished guests at the door.

If you look around, you will find that there are both wealthy merchants in Jiangzhou, famous scholars, and scholars with fame... all invited to Prince Xunyang Tower, as if attending a grand lunch banquet.

This is not keeping everything simple at all, it is clearly a grand banquet.

Pei Thirteenth Lady went upstairs with ease, asking the maid beside her along the way:

"Is that father and daughter here?"

"In the Narcissus box."

The maid's expression was hesitant.

Pei Thirteenth Lady glanced: "If you have anything to say, say it quickly."

"They didn't live in the large residential courtyard that Madam gave them last night, and are still living in the original small courtyard."

"Heh." Pei Thirteenth Lady smiled lightly.

The little girl's vigilance is quite strong.

She shook her head, not caring.

The boat is already done, now that people have been invited, the momentum has been successfully borrowed. This father and daughter actually don't have much use, but, before toasting in public, they still need to be stabilized and cooperate obediently.

Speaking of which, she didn't mean to harm this father and daughter. The house was indeed given, and she wouldn't take it back, and she was too lazy to take it back.

Pei Thirteenth Lady suddenly felt that her title of great philanthropist was well-deserved.

Therefore, this lunch banquet inviting Magistrate Ouyang Changshi can be said to be a win-win-win. It is beneficial to everyone present. Even if Magistrate Ouyang Changshi comes, there is no reason to blame her for inviting so many people.

When the time comes, just toast and apologize, and speaking of which, so many people came spontaneously after hearing the name of Magistrate Ouyang Changshi, it can't be said that she invited them...

Pei Thirteenth Lady nodded, turned her head to look at the lively downstairs, and the distinguished guests who came to support after hearing the name of Magistrate Ouyang Changshi.

This is the power of Jiangzhou Magistrate Ouyang Changshi. Right now in Prince Xunyang City, who doesn't know that the Jiangzhou Cishi's words may not be as effective as Magistrate Ouyang Changshi, who is trusted by the Prince of Prince Xunyang?

Anyway, as long as Magistrate Ouyang Changshi can be invited, she has thought of all the excuses for the explanation, and will not make Magistrate Ouyang Changshi angry enough to flick his sleeves and leave. Pei Thirteenth Lady will grasp the degree well.

Actually, this is also the advantage of a woman who is clever in all aspects, suitable for this kind of occasion, acting as a lubricant, allowing men to have the opportunity to talk about "big things."

"Indeed didn't arrange messy things, just have a meal, there are a few more people..." She muttered: "Since Magistrate Ouyang Changshi doesn't like beauties and jewelry, then he must like a good name, right? Wealth, color, name, must love one?"

A while later, Pei Thirteenth Lady walked into the Narcissus box and spoke gently, soothing the Huang family father and daughter.

"Madam Pei, is it really just a toast?"

"Yes."

"Isn't it just the few of us, what's going on with those people outside?"

"Don't know, maybe other people are holding a banquet."

"Will the noble person really come?"

"Of course, I am familiar with the noble person, they have already agreed to come at noon. Later when people come, they will talk about some things first, when the time comes someone will call you, you go out to toast, thank Magistrate Ouyang Changshi Magistrate Ouyang for his help, just say whatever you have to say."

"Oh..."

"Why is Little Meilu Xuan holding an ink stick?"

"Newly bought."

"Oh, thought it was to be given to Magistrate Ouyang Changshi, actually you don't need to give anything, Magistrate Ouyang Changshi lacks nothing, you'd better not give it, just have the heart. For noble people, sincerity and honesty are the correct way to get along, understand?"

"Understand, not giving to the noble person."

"That's good, teachable."

Pei Thirteenth Lady chatted with Huang Meilu Xuan in the box.

But what she didn't know was that on the first floor lobby downstairs, there was a paralyzed-faced Daoist youth who had been sitting at a table in the corner of the lobby drinking tea and listening to music since the Huang family father and daughter arrived at this building. He had been drinking tea for almost two hours.

It can be said that it was a cup of tea, a whole morning, stepping on the threshold of the minimum consumption, and he would not pay an extra copper coin even if he died.

If it weren't for the owner often emphasizing quality and politeness, and not being allowed to drive away any paying guests, the shop assistant responsible for this table area on the first floor would really want to drive this poor and obstructive paralyzed bull-nose away.

Just as it was approaching noon and the lunch banquet at Prince Xunyang Tower was about to begin, the shop assistant finally got an excuse to clear the lobby. He grabbed a menu and ran over excitedly, preparing to drive people away, but when he returned and looked, his expression froze instantly.

The figure of the paralyzed Daoist youth was gone.

The shop assistant looked at the empty seat and couldn't help but mutter:

"Count you as having vision... hey, why didn't you swallow the tea leaves, bah, really shameless."

I saw the teacup on the table, not a drop left, only a few chewed tea leaves remained. The shop assistant cleaned them up with disgust.

The action was fast, because today, the wealthiest batch of Yangzhou merchants in Prince Xunyang City were going to banquet that famous Jiangzhou Magistrate Ouyang Changshi. It seemed to be a charity banquet, saying that the Yangzhou merchants felt the personality charm and earnest teachings of Magistrate Ouyang Changshi, and decided to donate money to the poor people in Xingzi Fang, specifically to solve their worrying living conditions.

Although the shop assistant didn't understand why these stingy merchants suddenly felt so touched and donated money, it didn't prevent him from earning a tip today. Even if a drop of oil flowed from the fingers of these wealthy merchants, it would be enough for ordinary families to eat for half a year.

The news of the charity lunch banquet seemed to have spread throughout the West City, and distinguished guests came like clouds. Today, the lobby had to be cleared to set up tables, full of guests.

The waiter quickly put the matter of the free-loading Daoist priest behind him, speeding up his cleaning, not daring to slack off before the arrival of the important figures...

After finishing the morning's official business, Magistrate Ouyang Rong went straight to the back door of the Jiangzhou Hall.

A carriage from the Prince Xunyang Wang Fu was parked quietly at the door, looking like it had been waiting for a long time.

Just agreed with Pei Thirteenth Lady this morning for the lunch banquet, Magistrate Ouyang Rong immediately sent someone to the Prince Xunyang Wang Fu to notify Xiao Shimei, calling her over to gather and go together.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong boarded the carriage and saw Xiao Shimei sitting by the window, with a quite familiar bamboo basket on her knees, containing poetry red leaves and a folding fan.

Before he got on the carriage, she seemed to be lowering her eyes and flipping through the poems on the red leaves. The autumn sunlight shone on a flawless side face, with a bit of the taste of quiet years.

"Senior Brother."

"Waited long? Didn't I ask the messenger to tell you to come later?"

"It's okay, I wanted to come early myself, just right, nothing to do in the morning."

"Oh."

The two chatted for a while, and the carriage slowly started, driving toward Prince Xunyang Tower by the river.

They were both traveling light, going to the banquet.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong wore a felt hat, the crimson official uniform of the morning had been changed, same as yesterday's attire, everything was simple.

On the moving carriage, he explained the morning banquet to Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang. The latter didn't care and listened to his arrangements.

Just when the carriage approached a street not far from Prince Xunyang Tower, it suddenly braked, the coachman made a sound, the carriage seemed to be stopped by someone, Magistrate Ouyang Rong frowned, lifted the curtain, and looked out.

"What happened... Daoist Friend Lu?"

Lu Ya boarded the carriage with an expressionless face, sat down unceremoniously in front of Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang, and suddenly asked a question that exceeded the expectations of the two:

"Young Master Magistrate Ouyang, Daoist Friend Chenjun Xie, what is the background of that Pei Thirteenth Lady who invited you to the lunch banquet, and what business does she do?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong couldn't help raising an eyebrow. ===== CHAPTER 391 =====