Chapter 458: Two hundred forty-eight, Princess's invitation, Chrysanthemum Poetry Gathering

Two hundred forty-eight, Princess's invitation, Chrysanthemum Poetry Gathering

"Sister Qin has left?"

Deep within the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, on a vermilion building located in a garden of layered peaks and ridges.

A young girl in a peach-red skirt with a peerless, fairy-like appearance pushed open a window of her boudoir and asked without turning her head.

Between her brows was a bright red plum blossom makeup mark, and her tone, while lazy, carried a hint of coquettishness.

"Hmm, she left the evening before yesterday."

Inside the warm pavilion, which was full of the style of a deep-boudoir lady, another red-clad, pretty girl sitting sideways on a beauty couch roasting by the fire nodded and answered with a light hum in her nose.

"Why didn't you mention it? I didn't even have time to see her off. Did Xie Jie go?"

Li Guoer asked, her eyes examining a plate of chrysanthemums on the windowsill that had not yet withered with some surprise.

"No, Father sent a letter that day, and I had to send it to the Prince's Mansion. Sister Qin saw that I was busy, so she told me not to send her off. She was also in a hurry to return to the front line to see Elder Qin, so she didn't bother with those sad partings."

Xie Lingjiang supported her chin with one hand and held a chess piece in the other, thinking about where to place it, shaking her head lightly.

On the chessboard in front of her, it was very clear that she was playing against Li Guoer.

But at this moment, her beautiful brows were slightly furrowed, and she was hesitant about where to move; while Li Guoer still had the leisure to open the window and admire the flowers.

It was very clear that there was a move that had slightly stumped her.

At a certain moment, Xie Lingjiang relaxed her brows, and with a "clack," the white piece held by her two jade fingers landed on the chessboard.

The snow-white, flawless white piece set off her fingers, making them even whiter and more tender, and the flesh at her nails was a cute pale pink.

Her ten fingers were pointed, resembling newly peeled green onions.

When the noble Xie lady lowered her head to ponder, two strands of dark hair between her forehead slipped down, scratching her straight, upturned nose.

The two onion-like fingers that were retracted after placing the piece scratched the itchy spot on her nose.

Hearing the sound of the piece being placed, Li Guoer returned from the window to the fragrant couch and chess table in a leisurely manner.

"Xie Jie's hands are truly beautiful." She blinked her eyes.

"Play your chess, so much talk." Xie Lingjiang wrinkled her small, exquisite nose.

Li Guoer glanced at the chessboard and, almost without thinking, returned a move.

Then, changing from the posture of playing chess to the posture of supporting her chin with her hands, she continued to blink her pretty eyes, watching Xie Lingjiang, who was furrowing her brows and pondering again, and asked:

"If I don't talk, no one will accompany you to talk. Your beloved Ru Shixiong doesn't have time to accompany you."

Xie Lingjiang kept a straight face, lowered her head to look at the chess, and didn't want to pay attention to someone.

Li Guoer's expression became even more interested, examining Xie Lingjiang's expression.

She just liked this serious, upright, noble Xie lady, this "female gentleman" appearance of Xie Jie; it was a bit inherited from Mr. Xie.

"Ru Shixiong has his own things to do. He doesn't need me to follow him recently. You don't understand our way of getting along; it's not that kind of sticky, glue-like relationship..."

"Isn't he just attending poetry gatherings and traveling through mountains and rivers recently..."

Li Guoer suddenly changed the subject and asked:

"What is he doing?"

Xie Lingjiang's expression did not change at all, as if she hadn't understood, and she said softly:

"Although we didn't go to Xunyang Ferry to see Sister Qin off the day before yesterday, Ru Shixiong was there at the time. He said he just happened to encounter it."

Li Guoer's gaze examined Xie Lingjiang's expression, seeing no clues, and asked:

"What did he go to Xunyang Ferry for the day before yesterday?"

"He came back after attending a poetry gathering in the afternoon... Rong Zhen was also there... cooperating with her to find the owner of 'Butterfly Loves Flowers'..."

Xie Lingjiang said softly, lowering her head slightly, as if examining the chessboard, making Li Guoer unable to see her expression for a moment.

"Rong Zhen? That colorful-clad female official with a very big ego?"

Li Guoer asked with a smile: "How does Xie Jie know?"

Xie Lingjiang pursed her lips: "Ru Shixiong told me when he came back."

"Tsk tsk, so honest, mainly just being frank, right."

Li Guoer asked with a smile again: "Xie Jie, aren't you going to show some reaction?"

"Show what? Go play your chess."

Xie Lingjiang rolled her eyes at her, not in a good mood.

Li Guoer tried hard to suppress the corners of her lips, patted her shoulder, and sighed: "As expected of a boudoir lady from the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, truly magnanimous, born with the demeanor of a principal wife."

Xie Lingjiang didn't really want to pay attention to her.

But after a moment, after placing a piece, she still raised her head and said with a serious little face:

"That night, during the discussion in the study, didn't Ru Shixiong leave halfway?

"He wasn't unhappy. Afterwards, he told me that he always has some auditory hallucinations recently, especially in the Prince's Mansion, the Jiangzhou Hall, and other places where he was often located, and also when we were discussing matters together.

"Only when the night is deep or when attending some joyful poetry gatherings is it slightly better."

Xie Lingjiang's eyes held a trace of heartache. She bit her lip and paused for a while, then exhorted:

"So Ru Shixiong didn't intentionally alienate us. Sister Guoer, tell Uncle and Aunt later, let them not worry blindly."

"Auditory hallucinations?"

Li Guoer's slender index finger tapped her chin lightly:

"So that's how it is. But why auditory hallucinations for no reason? Does the Prince's Mansion need to invite an imperial physician..."

Xie Lingjiang shook her head, concise and comprehensive: "No need, this matter... might be related to that Daoist lineage..."

Li Guoer immediately stopped talking, her eyes somewhat meaningful.

A moment later, the two beauties on the beauty couch continued to play chess. Li Guoer seemed to be distracted, somewhat inattentive; while Xie Lingjiang had a serious and focused expression on her face.

But soon, Xie Lingjiang, who was hesitant about where to move again, placed two pieces in succession.

She threw the piece and admitted defeat.

Li Guoer's expression did not change, and she poured the small handful of black pieces in her palm into the box one by one.

Xie Lingjiang stood up, preparing to say goodbye and leave. Li Guoer suddenly said:

"Haven't seen him for several days. Father and Brother are quite worried about Ouyang Lianghan. Since he is prone to auditory hallucinations and likes to attend poetry gatherings, let's host one. It just so happens that we can meet and chat.

"Recently, the matters of Lin Cheng and Wei Shaoqi have made everyone feel bad and the atmosphere is serious.

"It just so happens, let's host it in the name of the Chrysanthemum Poetry Society. I will be the host and invite some Xunyang celebrities.

"Although we can't intervene in the Great Buddha of Xingzi Ward, in Ouyang Lianghan's words, it's that the money bag and the sword handle are both in their hands.

"But our Xunyang Prince's Mansion cannot be completely silent. The literati and the hearts of the people are still toward us. At least the pen is still in our hands. The Prince's Mansion must also have some sound and show some appeal, so as not to be bullied by some sycophants."

Li Guoer put away the chessboard and patted her small hands.

"Xie Jie, you go invite Ouyang Lianghan and ask him if he will come."

Xie Lingjiang hesitated for a moment, nodded lightly, and asked:

"It's best not to let Ru Shixiong compose poetry. You know the situation."

Li Guoer curled her lips slightly: "I've never seen him compose any poetry. Don't worry, no one will make things difficult for him."

Hearing this, Xie Lingjiang didn't explain either.

At this time, Li Guoer said with a smile:

"Besides, I won't invite that Rong Zhen either."

Xie Lingjiang stood up and waved her hand to leave: "As you wish, it doesn't matter whether you invite her or not."

"It really doesn't matter. Then shall I invite her?"

Xie Lingjiang immediately turned her face away and kept a straight face:

"It's not even certain whether he will come."

Before Li Guoer could speak, Xie Lingjiang had already stood up and walked away quickly.

"Heh, saying one thing while meaning another."

Li Guoer's expression was calm, her tone laughing lightly.

Late at night.

Outside Xunyang City, within a luxurious manor belonging to a Squire Yuan, a poetry and calligraphy gathering had just ended. The guests either dispersed or slept in the manor for a night.

The Yuan family's manor in the suburbs was very imposing.

There was a curfew in Xunyang City late at night, so one couldn't enter the city and had to wait until morning. Many people stayed overnight under the host's persuasion, or simply got drunk until dawn.

Outside the manor, in a pitch-black forest, a carriage was waiting quietly.

Xie Lingjiang sat in the carriage, her clear eyes looking at the curtain in front with some distraction.

A moment later, a drunken figure walked from the wall, lifted the carriage curtain, and drilled into the carriage.

"Ru Shixiong."

"Let's go, go to Brother Huang's house."

Ouyang Rong, who had been full of drunkenness bidding farewell to the host of the Yuan family not long ago, regained his sobriety as soon as he sat down, let out a sigh of relief, and gave an order.

"Okay."

Xie Lingjiang didn't ask much either.

Recently, Ru Shixiong often attended wine gatherings and poetry gatherings inside and outside the city, and from time to time, he didn't return to the city at night. Slowly, it didn't attract too much attention.

Even now, many people in the manor still thought that this Ouyang Sima, who was "also not asleep," was sleeping soundly in a luxury house with a beautiful concubine... but the beautiful concubine had been drunk to sleep.

Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at a small farmhouse in the suburbs and stopped quietly outside the back wall.

"Wait for me."

Xie Lingjiang, who was preparing to accompany him, heard Ru Shixiong drop a sentence and turned to jump off the carriage.

Before getting off, he also took out a heavy bundle from under the seat and brought it in.

Xie Lingjiang sat back in her seat, watching Ru Shixiong's back as he climbed over the wall into the courtyard.

She turned her head, and the small farmhouse reflected in her gaze had no lights and was pitch black.

After Ouyang Rong entered the courtyard, the lights in the farmhouse were slow to come, still pitch black.

Xie Lingjiang closed her eyes, held her sword across her knees, sat alone in the carriage, and waited patiently.

Don't know how long passed.

A touch of fish-belly white appeared on the distant horizon.

With a creak.

The courtyard door was pushed open from the inside.

Xie Lingjiang opened her eyes and saw Ru Shixiong's figure appear at the door, the bundle in his hand gone.

He was being sent out of the courtyard door by three people who walked out of the courtyard.

Xie Lingjiang saw with sharp eyes that besides a burly man with a thick beard, there were two figures who were both familiar and strange:

A petite and thin young Daoist nun figure, and a dull, paralyzed-faced young man figure. One tall and one short, both carrying peach wood swords.

She only saw Ru Shixiong wave his hand at them without turning his head, so the three of them turned around and returned to the courtyard.

Ru Shixiong pressed his felt hat and quickly got on the carriage.

Xie Lingjiang withdrew her gaze and helped him sit down.

The carriage continued to move.

"Is Xiaoxuan back? And Fellow Daoist Lu?"

"Hmm."

As soon as Ouyang Rong entered the carriage, he let out a long, turbid breath and responded noncommittally. He began to close his eyes and rest his mind.

Xie Lingjiang wanted to speak but stopped.

Ouyang Rong suddenly spoke and exhorted: "Don't say anything to the Prince's Mansion for now."

"Okay."

Xie Lingjiang didn't ask much.

This was the tacit understanding between the two.

"Are the auditory hallucinations better?" She asked with concern.

Ouyang Rong, who had his eyes closed, just nodded lightly and didn't mention much.

Xie Lingjiang felt a warmth in her palm, lowered her head to look, and saw that he had grabbed her hand and was stroking the back of her hand.

Ru Shixiong's palm was very warm and thick.

She felt a bit steady in her heart.

"Junior Sister has worked hard."

"Hmph, you only have a mouth." Xie Lingjiang deliberately kept a straight face and said.

"Who said that? Obviously I also have a pair of hands."

Ouyang Rong suddenly opened his eyes and pulled her into his arms.

The latter immediately felt a pair of big hands begin to "stir up trouble" in the small piece of red thin bodice inside her bosom...

A rosy glow surged on her pretty face.

Naturally, her small hands pushed forward.

But she didn't succeed in pushing him away.

Not pushing away completely meant not pushing away at all.

Finally, the force of her pushing became smaller and smaller, until it was negligible, leaving only a symbolic push...

Mmm... Ru Shixiong seems to especially like this place, just like... just like a child...

She thought.

Inside the carriage.

The two snuggled and sat embracing.

The girl with a red face buried herself in the young man's arms.

Sss—!

Only after hearing a rustling sound of ropes and straps.

A woman scolded:

"You, how are you so skilled..."

"Used to it, I'm more familiar with this one..."

"...?"

Snuggling for a moment.

The woman lying in his arms spoke, her voice still carrying a trace of unavoidable trembling:

"Don't pinch... don't mess around, there, there is a matter..."

Ouyang Rong lowered his head, burying his face in the top of her hair, muttering:

"You say yours, I'll do mine, mmm, sobering up."

"Where do you look like you're drunk? Such clever strength, only knowing how to ruin and trample on people..."

Xie Lingjiang's tone was sad and shy.

She gently pinched the flesh at his waist. A moment later, she shifted her soft hips with some embarrassment, adjusting to a position that was convenient for him to move while also allowing her to comfortably experience it.

Xie Lingjiang cleared her throat, which was as soft as her delicate body, and brought up the matter of Li Guoer's poetry gathering.

"Chrysanthemum Poetry Gathering? What is that?"

"It's like this: there is a pot of chrysanthemums in Guoer's courtyard. With the cold wave ushering in winter, all the flowers have withered, but this one alone has not. It is somewhat strange. She is using this as an excuse to hold a Chrysanthemum Poetry Gathering. In this early winter, instead of chanting about winter snow, she wants to chant about autumn chrysanthemums..."

Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment, then asked:

"When is it?"

Xie Lingjiang gave a date and said softly, "Probably the morning of three days from now."

"Three days from now..."

Xie Lingjiang saw Ouyang Rong take a map out of his sleeve, lower his head to look at it, and narrow his eyes, appearing to be deep in thought.

He put the map away and said with a calm expression:

"Fine. Tell the Princess I will arrive on time."

"Alright."

Xie Lingjiang nodded and added softly:

"Actually, the Wang Fu is also very concerned about you. The uncle and the eldest brother will likely attend this poetry gathering as well. If the eldest brother has no other business, you should keep them company that day."

"Understood."

Ouyang Rong suddenly said again:

"Actually, this poetry gathering comes at just the right time."

"What do you mean? Right time for what?"

"Those few days are actually very busy, with many places to visit. It just so happens that I had half a day free, and this fills it," he said with a smile.

"Doesn't that mean you won't have any time to rest at all?"

Xie Lingjiang was speechless, not knowing what was good about that, and couldn't help but take another look at him.

She saw the eldest brother lifting the carriage curtain, the pale yellow morning light from the horizon falling upon his calm face.

Xie Lingjiang noticed that the carriage had just entered the city and was passing through the archway of the Xicheng Gate.

Xie Lingjiang followed the eldest brother's gaze and looked outside.

The Xicheng Gate had just finished being repaired.

When they had returned from the front lines on horseback last time, the old, weathered bricks they had seen had all been replaced with new ones.

Although this caused the archway of the entire city gate to be slightly narrower and the ceiling a bit lower.

But after being reinforced, it was much safer, and there would no longer be instances of loose bricks falling down from time to time, affecting the endless stream of people entering and leaving the city below.

At this moment, Xie Lingjiang noticed that Ouyang Rong's gaze seemed to be lingering on the reinforced new bricks.

A short while later, she saw him withdraw his gaze, his lips seemingly murmuring two words.

"Not bad."

(End of chapter)