Chapter 433

Two hundred and seven, Fate

The sound of the carriage bumping made the atmosphere even more silent.

After a while, Eldest Young Master Li spoke.

"So what exactly happened to Qin Ying?"

Ouyang Rong pulled a straight face: "You tell me what happened to her."

"Didn't I not have anything happen?"

He asked back: "What else do you want to happen?"

"Tanlang, anyway, I didn't do anything today. I'll go find her now and just tell her like this; I'll just tell the truth anyway."

Ouyang Rong looked at his good friend who was spreading his hands in front of him and frowned:

"But that Jade Person tea ceremony was something you ordered yourself, and it was something you wanted to do. I can only say that an accident happened later, which is why you didn't commit a mistake.

"So Young Xie Xiao Niangzi Qin being angry this time is not without reason. If it were me, I would be angry too. You can't say she's being unreasonable, nor can you think that just because you didn't do anything, explaining your innocence is enough. That's not enough, far from enough.

"In the final analysis, it's an attitude problem. Attitude is very important, Dala. You need to correct your attitude.

"And before correcting your attitude, you can't lie to yourself; you have to ask yourself and define this matter first."

"Alright, I'll correct it, I'll ask myself, I'll define it."

Eldest Young Master Li nodded and asked very seriously:

"Then Tanlang, how did you coax Young Xie Xiao Xie Xiao Niangzi in the past? How did you make your stance?"

Ouyang Rong glared: "Why are you asking me? I've never been like you, Dala."

Eldest Young Master Li sighed:

"Indeed, I just had a blind date break down, and there's no sign of the finish line yet, unlike you, Tanlang. The nature of your situation should be more serious."

"Shut up."

Ouyang Rong was expressionless and pointed out solemnly:

"I asked you to reflect and define it, not to define me. We're talking about your matter now; don't look left and right and talk about other things."

"Alright."

Eldest Young Master Li was a bit dejected, raised his hand to lower the carriage curtain, and said softly:

"Just now I almost caused trouble for Tanlang. Tanlang has worked hard."

Ouyang Rong hummed: "As long as you know."

Eldest Young Master Li raised his head and asked again:

"By the way, why did Qin Ying come to Yunshui Pavilion? Why on earth was she drinking tea with Wei Shaoqi?"

"What do you think?"

Ouyang Rong was speechless and wished he could wake up his somewhat slow-reacting good friend:

"Your corner is about to be dug up by someone else, and you're still here asking a hundred thousand whys."

"Uh, why is it dug up?" Eldest Young Master Li was stunned.

"Oh, oh."

He reacted, rubbed his face, and muttered to himself:

"Wei Shaoqi wants to pursue Qin Ying, right? The Wei clan also wants to marry into the Qin family."

"Mm." Ouyang Rong nodded: "Think about how to deal with it."

Eldest Young Master Li muttered: "Deal with what? If he wants to pursue, let him pursue."

"What did you say?" He looked over.

"No... nothing."

Ouyang Rong frowned and looked at Eldest Young Master Li.

He always felt that he was becoming more and more displeased with this kid.

A moment later, he pondered and reviewed the situation, sighing lightly:

"Our previous direction was wrong. Our attention was all attracted by that Princess Anhui who appeared suddenly. It turns out Wei Shaoqi had another goal in coming to Xunyang City, which was Qin Ying, to promote the Qin-Wei marriage. What a good plan."

Remembering something, Ouyang Rong said with a serious expression:

"Dala, do you know that because of your Jade Person tea ceremony matter today, Young Xie Xiao Niangzi Qin agreed to Wei Shaoqi, letting him follow her out of the city to hunt the day after tomorrow?"

His tone was somewhat dissatisfied.

But he didn't expect that after Eldest Young Master Li finished listening, he wasn't angry but happy, saying joyfully:

"What? Hunting out of the city with her? Then this Third Young Master of the Wei Wang Fu will definitely regret it. I don't understand why these people keep jumping into fire pits."

Eldest Young Master Li restrained his expression, was silent for a moment, and said:

"Tanlang has always said I'm in the wrong, meaning all the fault lies with me, but doesn't she have things she didn't do right either?

"She said in the morning that she was going to hunt in the autumn out of the city and invited me to go together. Although I refused with an excuse, looking at it now, she actually knew I wouldn't go from the beginning; she was just asking.

"She didn't go to the autumn hunt in the morning either, but came to Yunshui Pavilion to meet that Wei Shaoqi."

Speaking of this, Eldest Young Master Li stopped talking and turned his head away.

Ouyang Rong sighed:

"But she, she might just be dealing with the arrangements of her elders. Looking at it, she already clearly refused Wei Shaoqi later."

Eldest Young Master Li interrupted:

"Tanlang, in the final analysis, she didn't completely confess to me, and I didn't completely confess to her.

"Actually, there is one thing we must both admit, and that is, Qin Ying doesn't really like me that much, does she?"

Ouyang Rong was silent.

The topic reached a stalemate.

After a while, Ouyang Rong spoke slowly:

"But you have to go coax... go apologize.

"Especially now that the Wei clan has entered the scene, they are eyeing the fat meat of marrying into the Qin family. We can't let them succeed.

"The relationship was clearly good before; we must maintain it. We can't let her hate you and do something out of spite, which would end up benefiting the Wei clan."

He rubbed his face, then opened the carriage window a bit to let in some air.

Ouyang Rong blew into the cold wind and said:

"And it's not just from the perspective of interests and gains; from the perspective of a friend, Wei Shaoqi is not a good match. This person is tyrannical and irritable, yet likes to disguise himself and act. He acts one way in front of people and another behind their backs. He might also be acting in front of Young Xie Xiao Niangzi Qin. We can't sit by and watch Young Xie Xiao Niangzi Qin be deceived by such a person."

"Makes sense."

Eldest Young Master Li nodded in agreement, paused, looked at Ouyang Rong, and said:

"But no matter how things are between us and Qin Ying, it shouldn't reach the point of becoming enemies."

"Why are you so certain?"

"Because Tanlang is here. Not just Qin Ying, I can feel that the old Master Qin also appreciates Tanlang very much and has a good impression of him."

Ouyang Rong pursed his lips and didn't speak.

Eldest Young Master Li looked around and started searching in the carriage.

"What are you looking for?"

"Is there an extra outer robe? I'm a bit cold."

He had left in a hurry just now, and his outer robe had been left in the Earth-grade private room.

Ouyang Rong said calmly:

"You're afraid that if you go back to the residence dressed like this, Father Li will find out and you'll be in big trouble."

Eldest Young Master Li whispered in defense:

"Didn't I wear inner clothes? Why is Tanlang saying it as if I'm not wearing clothes?"

"Stop searching. I don't know what's in my carriage either. Don't dig out a sachet for me."

"As expected of Tanlang."

Eldest Young Master Li sighed with emotion.

Ouyang Rong looked at Eldest Young Master Li up and down with a suspicious gaze.

"What is Tanlang looking at?"

"You're dressed like this, and you still say you were just drinking tea and nothing happened."

Ouyang Rong was quite speechless:

"I don't blame Wei Shaoqi for fighting you to the death. Disheveled clothes, whoever sees it will be anxious."

Eldest Young Master Li recalled:

"I really didn't lie. Actually, at that time, after chatting for two sentences, I already realized that she had gone to the wrong private room, or rather, she had been arranged wrongly; she wasn't the kind of tea artist for the Jade Person tea ceremony. I guessed at the time that she might be a new tea artist who didn't do those indecent things."

Ouyang Rong sighed: "Fortunately, you aren't stupid and didn't do anything chaotic because you were stifled."

"What stifled? Tanlang, don't talk nonsense."

Eldest Young Master Li corrected someone.

"Then when we went in, why did you take off your coat and lie on her lap?"

"It's my habit when drinking tea. I pillow on the tea artist's lap first, doze off for a while, smell the tea fragrance, and fall asleep immediately. Tanlang can try it too; you'll feel very relaxed when you wake up. This is also the reason why I like going to the third floor of Yunshui Pavilion.

"So, I asked her to do that at the time. She hesitated for a moment and asked if I was too tired. I said yes, and she lowered her head and said it was okay, but I had to keep my word.

"Tanlang, actually I felt in my heart at the time that she would refuse, but I didn't expect her to agree. When I asked her why she agreed, do you know how she answered?"

"How did she answer you?"

"She raised her head at the time, stared into my eyes timidly yet boldly, and said, your eyes won't lie, you are a good person, you definitely won't bully me, and... you seem very tired."

Ouyang Rong asked: "And then?"

"What then? What then do you want to hear? Then I took off my outer robe and lay down, and then I was drowsy and about to fall asleep when I was woken up by your knocking on the door, and later I was broken into by Wei Shaoqi, and it became like this..."

"Oh, now that you know she has the status of a Wei clan princess, what are your feelings?"

"I can only sigh at fate."

Ouyang Rong didn't speak, as if digesting it.

Eldest Young Master Li wanted to say something but stopped. At this time, Ouyang Rong suddenly asked:

"Is she waiting for someone?"

"Waiting for whom?"

"What is this Princess Anhui doing staying in the Earth-grade private room? Wasn't this private room booked by you?"

Eldest Young Master Li pondered: "Maybe she went to the wrong room."

"If she went to the wrong room, then she still came. If she didn't go to the wrong room, then she's probably staying in another private room. Although you won't encounter her, but..."

Ouyang Rong's words paused, and he frowned in thought:

"Wei Shaoqi is in the Heaven-grade private room, meeting Qin Ying for tea, and Wei Anhui is staying in the private room next door. Why is this?

"Could it be that she's waiting for Wei Shaoqi? Or is she preparing to be introduced and meet Qin Ying to build a relationship?

"But since she cares for her so much, why is she at ease letting Wei Anhui stay in the private room alone? What about those guards? Why didn't she bring them up?"

Ouyang Rong muttered to himself, a series of questions that made Eldest Young Master Li stunned and scratch his head:

"Tanlang can really think of so much."

"It's not that I think too much; it's that there's something suspicious about it."

"Then what does Tanlang think is going on?"

Ouyang Rong was silent for a moment, narrowed his eyes, and said:

"You go back, hurry up and handle the matter with Young Xie Xiao Niangzi Qin, and then inquire about it."

"Inquire about what?"

"You... let me see, did Young Xie Xiao Niangzi Qin not come alone this time? Is there also an older or younger brother of the same surname who also secretly came to Xunyang City, just like Wei Shaoqi waiting for her? Wei Anhui is also waiting for that person, and might even... have mistaken you for that person."

Eldest Young Master Li leaned back slightly and looked at Ouyang Rong.

He touched the back of his head, somewhat amazed:

"How does Tanlang's head turn so fast."

"Stop praising; it's useless to praise. I still have to say what I have to say. Do you remember what I told you?"

"I remember." Eldest Young Master Li nodded like a pounding pestle.

"Alright, then go."

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Xunyang Wang Fu, and Ouyang Rong took off his outer robe and handed it to Eldest Young Master Li.

He waved his hand.

After sending Eldest Young Master Li away, he breathed a long sigh of relief and turned to instruct A-Li to return to the Jiangzhou Hall.

"Tanlang means, you need Ye Weilai's old redemption contract?"

"Mm, Aunt should have kept it, right?"

"Tanlang didn't ask me to tear it up before? Uh, I do have it. I remember putting it in a box; I have to go find it."

"I did ask you to tear it up, but I also knew that you, Aunt, would likely keep it quietly... That's good, thank you, Aunt."

In a flower hall of the residence in Huaiye Lane, Zhen Shuyuan looked curiously at her calm nephew sitting in the chair, then turned to go out and return to the bedroom to get the item.

Ouyang Rong watched his aunt's graceful back disappear at the entrance.

In the morning, he had sent Eldest Young Master Li back to the Wang Fu and had been busy in the Jiangzhou Hall for most of the day. As soon as he got home after work, he sought out Zhen Shuyuan to ask for something.

A short while later, he brought the market contract document for Ye Weilai's redemption and returned to the Yinbing Study.

Just as he walked into the room, he saw Ye Weilai sitting at the desk, one hand supporting her chin, eyes lowered as she flipped through a thick volume.

During this period, the white-haired girl had been studying, her temperament had become visibly quieter, and she had gradually developed a scholarly air.

Ouyang Rong walked to the table, Ye Weilai came back to her senses, hurriedly covered the book, and stood up: "Tanlang, you're back."

Ouyang Rong placed his large hands on her shoulders and gently pressed her back into the seat: "These two mornings, you were the one who went to Zhenguang Street in Xingzi Ward personally, right? You didn't let Banxi and the others do it for you?"

Ye Weilai flicked her little finger against the hair at her temple, smiled, and nodded: "No, I didn't forget Tanlang's instructions; I was the one who went."

"Mm, that's fine." Ouyang Rong urged: "Remember to go buy flowers and fruits on time, and by the way, pass by the courtyard on Zhenguang Street and take a look at the flower pot on the wall."

Ye Weilai reached out to stroke Ouyang Rong's somewhat thin right cheek, feeling a bit of heartache in her eyes, and asked: "Tanlang asked me to go because you don't trust others? Is there something important over there?"

Ouyang Rong didn't commit himself, raised his hand to cover her slender little hand that was holding his face: "Nothing abnormal happened on the way, right?"

"Abnormal?"

Ye Weilai pondered with her little face, shook her head, and asked in a low voice:

"Is there something going on with General Qin's family recently? Why is Tanlang paying attention to it again, asking me to watch the flower pot signal?"

Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and didn't answer.

He just said softly: "Continue going tomorrow."

"Alright, Tanlang."

Ouyang Rong reached out and rubbed the white-haired maid's little head, asking for no reason:

"Does Weilai still hate that female scribe named Rong Zhen?"

Ye Weilai immediately became quiet, lowered her little head, placed her two hands on the books on the table, and organized them. A moment later, she murmured:

"I hated her before, but now... it's better. It's more that I understand that her arrogance and ignoring people is not without reason. Instead of hating her, it's better to improve myself."

"You've made progress."

Ouyang Rong said with a smile.

Ye Weilai said in a low voice: "Actually, there is one most important point."

"What?"

Ye Weilai turned her gaze away: "I heard Tanlang and her have been very close recently."

"Who did you hear that from?" Ouyang Rong couldn't help but ask.

Ye Weilai looked at him a bit more, and said in a low voice:

"That little one called the Female Immortal of Ink. She also said that Rong Zhen is some bad woman."

The corner of Ouyang Rong's mouth couldn't help but twitch.

"Weilai, listen less to her nonsense."

He urged seriously.

She tilted her head: "Is it the bad woman who is talking nonsense, or is it the being very close that is nonsense?"

(End of chapter)