Chapter 435

Two hundred and ten, Tanlang is even more formidable

"What did you say?"

Rong Zhen doubted if she had misheard and asked, stunned.

Ouyang Rong shrugged:

"Right? I said it myself, it sounds just like a daydream. If I say it out loud, no one will believe it."

"A former child bride? That means you've known each other since childhood, so why did she become a Yue maiden?"

Rong Zhen frowned and continued to press:

"Are you very close to her? Are you still in contact now?"

Ouyang Rong's mood was a bit low; he turned his head to look at Ye Weilai and said softly:

"Untie Weilai. Weilai knows more about these things; to be precise, the person who knows her is Weilai. I haven't seen her while awake for a long time."

"Seen her while awake? What does that mean?"

Amidst her confusion, Rong Zhen turned around, raised two fingers in a sword gesture, and tapped the white-haired maid sitting nearby several times with a speed invisible to the naked eye.

Ye Weilai's straight-backed body tilted forward like an avalanche, and Ouyang Rong immediately supported his personal maid, who had gone as soft as mud.

"Are you alright?" he asked in a low voice.

Ye Weilai shook her head.

She panted, looked at Rong Zhen, whose eyes were blinking unceasingly, and then looked at the encouraging gaze of Ouyang Rong.

Hesitating for a moment, she roughly recounted how the embroiderer had once pretended to be a cook and hid in the Meilu Garden to protect Tanlang, without describing too many details.

Rong Zhen listened silently, turning her head to glance at a certain person from time to time.

"So this sword move of yours was learned from her back then?"

"Mm."

Ye Weilai said in a low voice, her eyes fixed on the short sword on the ground:

"She told me to protect Tanlang well, but... it's this servant who is useless."

Rong Zhen pursed her lips and asked again:

"What is her name?"

Ouyang Rong shook his head: "I don't know, I only know a childhood nickname she once used, Sister Xiuniang."

"Sister Xiuniang? And she was a mute girl?"

Rong Zhen lowered her eyes and pondered to herself:

"The secular names of hidden female lords are generally secrets. Most use the titles inherited from the Female Lord Pavilion to show themselves to others, because entering the Yunmeng Sword Swamp means casting aside the bonds and karmic obstacles of the red dust. At the same time, it is also to prevent enemies from finding their former families."

She raised her head and stared at Ouyang Rong:

"Ouyang Lianghan, I didn't expect you to have some small bond with a hidden female lord. I also don't know which rank this female lord called 'Sister Xiuniang' holds in that Female Lord Pavilion."

Ouyang Rong did not speak.

He picked up the short sword and slowly returned it to its scabbard, not knowing what he was thinking about.

Rong Zhen looked at his expression.

"Such an important matter, why have I never heard you mention it before?"

Ouyang Rong countered: "Would Female Official Rong tell me everything on her mind?"

"Are you still thinking about her? Still regretting missing out?"

Ouyang Rong was lost in thought for a while, then revealed a brilliant smile:

"I wouldn't say that; I like to look forward. Just as she discarded her former name to start a new life, I also have a new life, new status, and responsibilities.

"Fate arises from emptiness; knowing that such a fate existed is enough. Some things are actually quite good kept in one's heart without being spoken."

Rong Zhen shook her head:

"But this palace opened your scars today."

"Female Official Rong also has her own difficulties; I understand."

"You aren't angry?"

"I was angry just now, but I'm not angry now."

"Why?"

"As I said, I understand."

Ouyang Rong said softly:

"As the head of the Xunyang female officials, Female Official Rong cannot let go of suspicious points just because of personal friendship. Investigating cases requires getting to the bottom of things. Even if I am the Jiangzhou Chief Clerk, I cannot be an exception."

Rong Zhen was silent for a while:

"If everyone were as reasonable as you, it would be great."

"I'll take that as a compliment from Female Official Rong."

"It's the truth, without any sarcasm."

"I know."

Ouyang Rong paused and sighed as he asked:

"Actually, Female Official Rong already trusts me enough. Not only did you help plead for the extension, but at the recent Supervisory Court meeting, Female Official Rong strongly recommended that I attend, helping to persuade Wei Shaoqi, Wang Lengran, and the others.

"To be honest, sometimes when I think of these things, I am also a bit flattered."

Rong Zhen asked: "So you just said that you have also always regarded this palace as a mutually trusting comrade-in-arms?"

"That's right."

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"So today, being investigated by Female Official Rong to the bottom of things, I don't feel there is anything wrong with it. Female Official Rong has already done her utmost."

Rong Zhen averted her gaze:

"This palace doesn't like to say mushy words, but I have to mention that regarding the incident in Huang Xuan's family courtyard back then, this palace owes Chief Clerk Ouyang and Commandant Yan a debt of gratitude for saving my life."

Ouyang Rong immediately pressed:

"Is it because of this incident, and the matter of helping to retrieve a certain... a certain item, that you are so tolerant and trusting of me?"

He originally wanted to mention that washed-white purple bellyband, but halfway through, Rong Zhen turned her eyes to look, so Ouyang Rong tactfully changed his words.

Rong Zhen did not answer Ouyang Rong's question.

She sat alone in the carriage for a while, and when she spoke again, she was already expressionless:

"Regarding today's matter, many thanks to Chief Clerk Ouyang for your cooperation. The matter of illicit relations with a Yue maiden is indeed a misunderstanding. This palace is already aware of the specific details and the reasons behind it."

Ouyang Rong and Ye Weilai were both slightly stunned.

Rong Zhen's words were rigid and formal, and her voice was quite loud; people outside the carriage could vaguely hear clearly.

"However, there is still some evidence that needs to be supplemented for this matter. For example, this personal maid of yours needs to prove that she was not involved in any past experiences in the Yunmeng Sword Swamp. Tomorrow morning, please have Chief Clerk Ouyang send her proof of origin or redemption contract to the Supervisory Court. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

Ouyang Rong looked straight ahead and loudly cooperated.

Rong Zhen stood up, lifted the carriage curtain, and left the carriage.

She got off the carriage to instruct the other female officials.

Ouyang Rong and Ye Weilai, who remained in the carriage, exchanged a glance.

The latter took back the short sword and said in a low voice:

"Tanlang, just now..."

Ouyang Rong's expression was frowning, as if he were pondering something; he interrupted without looking back:

"Wait for me."

He immediately left Ye Weilai behind and got off the carriage first.

He saw that in the courtyard, a group of female officials were retreating like an undercurrent, disappearing into the dark shadows.

Rong Zhen was at the courtyard gate, talking to a slightly chubby young man with a faint expression.

Ouyang Rong walked over and greeted them.

"Lord Lord Lingtai Official Lin."

"Chief Clerk Ouyang."

Lin Cheng also cupped his hands and replied, then turned his head and continued:

"Since it's nothing, just a false alarm, then I will head back first. If Female Official Rong has such a big operation next time, please don't forget me. After all..."

He smiled slightly at the expressionless Rong Zhen:

"After all, the Great Fate Master and my teacher sent me here to assist Female Official Rong as well. Please don't treat me as an outsider."

"Lord Lord Lingtai Envoy Lin, please return."

"Good."

Watching Lin Cheng and the group of female officials leave, Rong Zhen turned back and glanced at Ouyang Rong.

"Ouyang Lianghan, do you still have something?"

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"Go up and have a cup of tea?"

Rong Zhen frowned slightly, but still agreed.

The two soon arrived at the Green Lotus private room on the third floor again.

Just after sitting down, Ouyang Rong did not go to make tea but said directly:

"I have a clue that I want to provide to Female Official Rong."

"What clue?"

Ouyang Rong said calmly:

"A clue regarding the Wei Shao-xuan case back then."

Rong Zhen immediately turned her head, and he saw her brows locked tightly:

"You have a clue?"

Ouyang Rong was concise and comprehensive:

"Last year, I was the Longcheng County Magistrate. I experienced the disaster relief, water control, and the Liu family sword shop incident entirely.

"At the last Supervisory Court meeting, I didn't plead for the Yunmeng Sword Swamp because of the child bride matter, but because I felt from the start that there was someone else involved. The Yunmeng Sword Swamp might have been deliberately misled and drawn in."

"Who do you think the murderer is?"

He lowered his head to clean the tea set and said slowly:

"Is it possible that Wei Shaoqi and his party were not murdered in the Yunmeng Swamp, but were already murdered back in Longcheng, and their Xin Dingjian was intercepted?"

"What do you mean?"

Rong Zhen locked her brows in confusion.

"But besides the Yunmeng Sword Swamp, what other force in the vicinity could silently resolve Qiu Shenji and Wei Shaoxuan and their group?"

Ouyang Rong shook his head:

"I don't know. But Female Official Rong can ask Third Young Master Wei if their people witnessed Wei Shaoxuan and Qiu Shenji appearing together later when they were in Longcheng?"

His tone was steady as he defended a certain sword swamp:

"Since that owner of the Butterfly Loves Flowers can impersonate Wei Shaoxuan, why couldn't the tracks going to the Yunmeng Sword Swamp also be impersonated?"

Rong Zhen was thoughtful: "That makes sense. Ouyang Lianghan, what basis or clue do you have?"

Ouyang Rong raised his eyes:

"I'll mention a suspicious person; Rong Zhen can go back and ask Wei Shaoqi and the others if they know him."

"Who?"

"The third son of the Liu family, Liu Zilin."

"The Liu family?"

"Yes, the Longcheng Liu family back then." Ouyang Rong nodded, and at the same time, he noticed Rong Zhen's expression was somewhat unusual, so he immediately asked: "What, does Female Official Rong know him?"

"It's nothing, you continue."

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"Back then in Longcheng, the eldest and second young masters of the Liu family died one after another. Afterwards, it was discovered that only this third young master of the Liu family was missing; he was neither seen alive nor dead."

Rong Zhen murmured: "Liu Zilin..."

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"Anyway, I didn't see him again, and I don't know if the Wei family people saw him. If I'm not mistaken, that Xin Dingjian of Wei Shaoxuan is related to the Ancient Yue Sword Shop of the Liu family.

"As the third young master of the Liu family, Liu Zilin likely also knew the secret of the Xin Dingjian. Who wouldn't have ambition for such a mythical object? Not to mention that these three Liu brothers were none of them good people."

Rong Zhen suddenly said:

"This palace knows that the eldest young master of the Liu family, Liu Ziwen, was killed by the second young master, Liu Zi'an, and the death of Liu Zi'an was also secretly planned by Liu Zilin."

Ouyang Rong looked at Rong Zhen with suspicion.

"These were all revealed by Wei Shaoqi's side. This palace has gone to investigate the Liu family's affairs these past few days and has also learned some things."

"No wonder Female Official Rong had that expression just now." Ouyang Rong realized, then asked: "Then where is Liu Zilin? Did he go to seek refuge with the Wei Wang Fu?"

Rong Zhen shook her head: "No, Wei Shaoqi said he was missing."

Ouyang Rong frowned:

"Looking at it this way, this Liu Zilin indeed has some suspicion.

"During the time Wei Shaoxuan and Qiu Shenji came to Longcheng, I saw Liu Zilin always following by their side; he was a loyal lackey of the Wei family. The matter of backstabbing Liu Zi'an should have been coordinated by him with the Wei family.

"But why didn't he go to seek refuge with the Wei Wang Fu later to represent the Liu family and receive a generous reward?"

Rong Zhen was thoughtful:

"Either he's dead, or there's something fishy..."

She suddenly lowered her voice and said:

"Ouyang Lianghan, regarding the Liu family, Wei Shaoqi found this palace last night and privately told me one thing, which is also an important clue."

"Wh... what clue?"

Ouyang Rong asked calmly:

"Why wasn't there any news? Did Wei Shaoqi find you alone?"

"Mm, no one else was notified."

Rong Zhen nodded, looked around, then narrowed her eyes slightly and said:

"Wei Shaoqi organized those secret letters of Li Li and learned from them that the Liu family once had a guest advisor named Yuzhi, who followed the crooked and evil paths of a sorcerer. It is said that she could use a bronze mask to change into the appearance of others."

Ouyang Rong immediately raised his eyebrows.

"A bronze mask?"

Rong Zhen gritted her teeth: "Yes, a bronze mask. What a coincidence."

Ouyang Rong revealed a solemn expression:

"Like this... mm, doesn't it all string together?"

"That's right. The clues string together."

Rong Zhen nodded heavily: "This missing Liu Zilin indeed has great suspicion."

The two were silent for a while, each lost in thought.

Rong Zhen stood up:

"Ouyang Lianghan, this clue of yours is very useful. This palace will go find Wei Shaoqi now to confirm the situation again."

"Good."

Ouyang Rong immediately stood up, and the two walked out of the main building of the Cloud Water Pavilion.

Ouyang Rong escorted Rong Zhen all the way to the back courtyard gate.

He turned back, preparing to return to a carriage waiting in the courtyard.

Outside the courtyard gate, in the shadows where the lanterns couldn't reach, the cold girl in palace attire suddenly looked back:

"Ouyang Lianghan."

"What's wrong?"

"You spoke of a bit of your own selfishness tonight, but what if I told you that this palace also has selfishness in coming to Xunyang City?"

Ouyang Rong followed up and asked:

"What selfishness does Female Official Rong have?"

Rong Zhen stood with her hands in her sleeves, her specific expression unclear.

After a moment, Ouyang Rong asked cautiously: "Why did you stop talking?"

"I'll tell you when I have time. You should rest early."

Rong Zhen waved her hand, turned her head, and walked away.

Ouyang Rong had a curious expression, watching the back of the somewhat inexplicable girl fade into the distance.

After a while, his expression gradually calmed down, he sighed softly and muttered:

"That's right, who doesn't have selfishness... You have words left unsaid, and I am the same."

Ouyang Rong rubbed his face and returned to the carriage.

"Return to Huaiye Lane."

Ouyang Rong gave an order, and the carriage slowly started.

"Tanlang."

Inside the carriage, Ye Weilai, who had been waiting the whole time, suddenly hugged Ouyang Rong.

Ouyang Rong lowered his head to look at her small head buried in his chest, full of long silver-white hair, and his palm gently patted her thin back.

Regarding what happened to Ye Weilai this afternoon, Ouyang Rong did not ask a single word.

"The redemption contract is on the top of the bookshelf. You take it down and pack it well in a while. See if there is anything missing, get it ready, and I will take it to the Supervisory Court tomorrow."

"Yes, Tanlang."

The white-haired maid nodded, and then, she couldn't help but say in a low voice:

"Did Tanlang foresee this long ago?"

Ouyang Rong still did not answer.

"Were you afraid this afternoon?"

Ye Weilai shook her head vigorously:

"Nu'er knew that Tanlang was always there, so I wasn't afraid. Tanlang is a master of strategy, unmoved as a mountain; Nu'er has been influenced by you, so naturally, I cannot hold you back."

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"Not bad. Reading books these days, with ink in your belly, at least your ability to praise people has improved."

"Nu'er is speaking from the heart."

The white-haired girl lying in his arms raised her head and said seriously.

In the somewhat dim carriage, her pair of blue eyes looked at her Tanlang's calm face with a bit of distraction and longing.

When she was restrained this afternoon, she really wasn't afraid anymore, and didn't cry with red eyes like last time.

Because at a certain moment, she suddenly felt...

Compared to the cold girl in palace attire and the other female officials who used force to crush others, Tanlang is even more formidable.

(End of chapter)