Chapter 470: 284. Pei Shisan Niang sincerely returns her heart, and makes an appointment with Embroidery Girl for the Lantern Festiva

284. Pei Shisan Niang sincerely returns her heart, and makes an appointment with Embroidery Girl for the Lantern Festival

Being called by Ouyang Rong to help, Pei Shisan Niang felt flattered.

On the day Su Xing was released from the Supervisory Court, after "submitting and recognizing the master" in the carriage, Ouyang Lianghan's reaction was very flat.

At that time, he said they would talk in detail another day, and let her go back and wait for the call.

However, Pei Shisan Niang waited for several days in her own luxurious mansion, thinking about it day and night, tossing and turning on the step-bed paved with famous Western Region silk.

But she just couldn't wait for the call of the new young master.

Pei Shisan Niang was restless, not thinking about tea or rice.

Even in the past few days, she was so panicked that... could it be that this young new master, who is kind-hearted but has thunderous means, doesn't need her?

Or maybe he looks down on her, and she is not qualified to be his white glove?

Pei Shisan Niang's heart was very panicked and frustrated.

Not being needed is not only the greatest contempt, but also the embodiment of her cheapness or even lack of value.

And cheap and valueless things are usually swept into the trash heap, or sent out for waste utilization.

It's not that Pei Shisan Niang thinks too much, her fate now is held in the hands of the new Jiangzhou Jiangzhou Cishi Ouyang Rong.

In the Jiangzhou officialdom and the Jiang Nan Circuit officialdom, those with discerning eyes all tacitly agreed that she and this batch of Yangzhou merchants like Shen Bingqiang were all winners of this Great Buddha site selection dispute, and Ouyang Lianghan's spoils of war.

Left for him to deal with.

So for the time being, no peers came to fall into the trap and knock on her bamboo pole; so after leaving the Supervisory Court, it was calm, and the Jiangzhou Jiangzhou Cishi's Mansion and the Jiangzhou Hall returned all the industries under her name as if nothing had happened...

But smart people know whose label is now on her, just like the fresh pork leg on the pork stall in the vegetable market, stamped with the stall owner's seal.

The formation of this tacit understanding is actually very simple.

The one who handled these procedures for Pei Shisan Niang and others that day and sent them out of the Supervisory Court safely was the Jiangzhou Judicial Adjutant Beside Yan Liulang.

Anyone who knows who this Yan Adjutant is, knows whose confidant he is.

Everyone knows it without saying it.

Previously, the backers of this Yangzhou merchant group led by Pei and Shen were Jiangzhou Jiangzhou Cishi Wang Lengran and Lin Cheng, the Lingtai Lang of the Xia Guan who supervised the construction of the Xingzi Fang Great Buddha.

During that period, under the leadership of Pei and Shen, the power of this Yangzhou fellow-townsman chamber of commerce expanded rapidly in Jiangzhou, a major state of water transport and trade in Jiang Nan, and even swallowed more than half of the land in Xingzi Fang.

The limelight was unparalleled for a time, but it also accumulated quite a few grievances from all sides.

However, at that time, they were powerful, and these voices were not obvious, suppressed to death.

But privately, I don't know how many people they had grudges with, or maybe it was just the simple jealousy of peers who couldn't see them doing well.

It's just a pity, flowers are embroidered, fire is cooking oil.

The fate of these white-glove merchants is like this. Once the backer falls, if they don't climb onto a new backer immediately, they are fat meat, and anyone can take a bite.

Now, the only survivor, Pei Shisan Niang, who led the Yangzhou merchants, was not only released safely, but also took back all her industries unscathed, and was able to live safely until now.

If it weren't for the face of the new number one person in Jiangzhou, would everyone think they were eating temple food?

Even though this new acting Jiangzhou Cishi Ouyang Lianghan has always had a kind, loving, and honest image in front of the public, everyone tacitly agreed on this convention.

If it is discovered that the new Jiangzhou Cishi Ouyang Lianghan really just released Pei Shisan Niang according to official business and returned the industries according to normal procedures.

Then, while everyone is full of respect, the hands they take will definitely be faster and more ruthless than the others.

Pei Shisan Niang and the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce, who lost their big backer, let alone the female officials in the Supervisory Court who carried the imperial mandate, even any small official in the Transfer Division at the Xunyang Ferry could knock on a bamboo pole, find a reason to block the passage document, and make her unable to withdraw from Xunyang City safely...

It is precisely because she deeply understands the logic in it that Pei Shisan Niang was so panicked when Ouyang Lianghan ignored her these few days.

Where is it calm around? It is clearly full of crises, and there are evil dragons hidden in the calm water and green pool.

And back then in the Supervisory Court, just after waking up, Pei Shisan Niang hesitated and struggled, and finally decided to tell a certain dream to Female Official Rong Zhen, wanting to pray for the protection of the Supervisory Court's female officials.

Looking at it now, it's a pity... no, it's not a pity, it's the ancestors blessing, fortunately I didn't go to say it! Otherwise, my life would be gone.

Anyway, that evening, seeing Ouyang Lianghan still walking into the ward with concern, and Female Official Rong Zhen, who is the messenger of the Saint, being close and trusting him, and even recommending him... the terrified Pei Shisan Niang really fainted.

Not to mention that dream, just say one point, which is also the scene that Pei Shisan Niang was most impressed by after waking up:

That "blue moon" bypassed her alone, and killed Shen Bingqiang, who was not important compared to Wei Shaoqi, Lin Cheng, and Wang Lengran, with blood splashing all over her face... thinking carefully, the only difference between her and Shen Bingqiang is that she didn't provoke him, and she helped cheer at the birthday banquet of Xie Shigui's daughter...

All clues and judgments were connected, and after Pei Shisan Niang was scared out of her wits, she became more and more convinced of a certain truth.

Dark, too damn dark.

Young Master Wei, Young Master Lin, and the buried Wang Jiangzhou Cishi, Shen Bingqiang, didn't die unjustly at all.

The means of this gentle young man are simply chilling.

Realizing this, how could Pei Shisan Niang not keep her mouth shut, and how could she not kneel and bow after going out of the Supervisory Court?

And she is not a man, she is just a little woman who loves to do business and earn copper coins.

And now, she has already lowered her head and acted small, but this master is slow to use her.

Pei Shisan Niang was naturally panicked and worried all day long.

Even couldn't help but guess, does he think she is useless, and wants to send her out, for example, as a favor... sent to that noble lady of the Chen Jun Xie family, used to please the Xie family's daughter, just right, that noble lady is also in Yangzhou, operating the Xie family's chamber of commerce industry.

Of course, this is considered a good result, the most afraid is... this master really does official business, doesn't need her to do anything, then she really can't walk out of Jiangzhou.

Thinking of this, Pei Shisan Niang couldn't help but shiver.

And now, waiting until today, this young new master finally called her again and boarded her carriage!

Although... the request made is a bit strange.

But it's also doing things for him, right?

Being able to do things for him means she is his person!

In the luxurious carriage, Pei Shisan Niang was grateful, lowered her head to wipe the slightly red corners of her eyes, and immediately covered her mouth, seeming to be smiling.

Seeing the beautiful woman laughing foolishly after receiving his order.

Ouyang Rong looked at her with a strange expression.

Although the crisp sound of wooden fish that rang in his ears continuously just now quite confirmed Pei Shisan Niang's sincere heart of returning, which made him feel a little relieved.

But at this moment, Ouyang Rong still couldn't help but mutter in his heart, could it be that this merchant woman really has Stockholm syndrome?

Likes to find a master?

However, he is so handsome, it is indeed cheap for her, although he has no such hobby at all.

But, respect and understand.

Ouyang Rong sighed, and checked the merit value after it rose.

Merit: 1912

There seems to be nothing to do at the moment, in the luxurious carriage, the two stared at each other.

Pei Shisan Niang looked eagerly, and asked weakly:

"May I ask Young Master, what other instructions, please don't be polite with me."

Ouyang Rong shook his head, preparing to get off the carriage.

"Wait."

His expression turned to one of sudden realization as he remembered something. From the bundle he carried with him, he took out a crumpled ball of purple-gold silk shawl—the very one Pei Pei Shisan Niang had left behind in his carriage earlier.

Ouyang Rong casually tossed the charming and alluring purple-gold silk shawl toward Pei Pei Shisan Niang.

"Take it, wear it well."

Who would have thought that one end of the purple-gold silk shawl would accidentally land on her shoulder and neck, while the other end landed at Ouyang Rong's feet.

Both were stunned.

At this moment, Ouyang Rong happened to be sitting upright on the seat, while Pei Shisan Niang was maintaining the posture of just lying on the carpet, and hadn't gotten up yet.

They maintained this high and low status posture, and the atmosphere in the carriage fell silent.

Pei Shisan Niang seemed to understand something in seconds, her apricot eyes widened, and her round face also turned red.

Three breaths later, the beautiful woman slowly lowered her head, raised her hand to grab the purple-gold silk shawl on her shoulder, and obediently wrapped it around her neck a few times, even tying a loose knot. Immediately after, she knelt and crawled forward, picking up the other end of the purple-gold silk shawl at his feet. With her head buried deep, she held it with both hands and offered it to the young man sitting upright above her.

Ouyang Rong:...

A moment later, a purple-gold silk shawl was tossed out of the carriage, landing far away.

The carriage curtain was lifted by a big hand in a bad mood.

Only to see inside the carriage, the beautiful woman whose red glow on her face hadn't dissipated, looked blankly at a certain Confucian-shirted young man jumping off the carriage and turning his back, his back a bit hurried.

Approaching sunset, by Xingzi Lake.

At the end of an old street, there is a quiet and elegant small courtyard.

The quiet courtyard is not far from Donglin Temple, and it is also one of the few courtyards by Xingzi Lake that was not demolished due to the Xingzi Lake construction site back then.

In the past, the property rights of this courtyard seemed to belong to an official family from another prefecture in Jiang Nan, who stayed here temporarily when they came to Xunyang City to worship Buddha on special days of the year.

The courtyard has three entrances, and there is a shadow wall flower screen in the front hall, carved with birds and flowers, decorated with style, reflecting the taste of the original owner.

However, in Ouyang Rong's view, the most praiseworthy and satisfactory thing about this courtyard is that there are fewer steps and thresholds, which seems to be specially designed for an elderly couple with inconvenient legs and feet in the owner's family back then.

It happens to be convenient for Embroidery Girl's daily activities now.

Ouyang Rong is very satisfied with this courtyard. This Pei Shisan Niang's handling of things is still quite reliable, quite useful, such a rare courtyard, she found it quickly in an afternoon, and handled the check-in procedures...

This merchant woman's ability is still okay, except for the suspected tendency to be abused and recognize a master, well, otherwise, how could she, a woman, even if the family is rich, just like this, be able to hold the position of president of a large chamber of commerce.

Sunset, dusk.

The carriage driven by A-Li was parked at the entrance of the quiet courtyard, and there seemed to be a woman sitting quietly in the carriage, waiting for something.

A carriage paved with famous Western Region silk was also parked in a small alley not far outside the quiet courtyard.

In the alley, Ouyang Rong took Beside Yan Liulang, took the keys and land deeds from Pei Shisan Niang, thanked her, and turned to leave.

Pei Shisan Niang, who was kneeling and sitting in the carriage making tea, lifted a corner of the curtain with her little finger, and curiously glanced at the carriage in front of the quiet courtyard.

In the carriage, there seemed to be a faint, slender, and beautiful side profile of a young girl, motionless.

Beside Yan Liulang, who was following Ouyang Rong, suddenly turned his head.

His cold gaze scared Pei Shisan Niang into putting down the curtain immediately, lowering her eyebrows and pleasing her eyes, not looking at what shouldn't be looked at.

However, in her heart, she still envied the little lady whose name she didn't know and whose identity she didn't know.

Truly eight lifetimes of blessings, to be able to get the young master's favor, personally take care of and settle down...

"Miss Embroidery, do you like it?"

Ouyang Rong walked into the quiet courtyard and asked with a smile to the girl with the sky-blue ribbon covering her eyes who was twisting her head left and right, seeming to be "looking around".

"This time I specially picked one with fewer thresholds, so you won't trip."

"Hmm."

Zhao Qingxiu also couldn't sit still, touched a circle of mahogany furniture in the front and back halls, and her little head nodded lightly.

After a while, her thin body stopped in the open space in the center of the courtyard, twisted her sideburns dancing in the wind in the evening breeze, spun around in the wind, her skirt flew, and she stopped slowly. The girl with the sky-blue ribbon covering her eyes tilted her head slightly, placed her palm by her earlobe, seeming to listen to something.

Ouyang Rong hugged his chest, leaned against the door panel, and watched this scene silently... Just then, Beside Yan Liulang, who was guarding the door, entered the door, looked straight ahead, and whispered:

"Mingfu, the abbot of Donglin Temple, brought the responsible monks of the Beitian Jiyang Yuan to visit, saying they were concerned about the accommodation of the blind and mute girl."

Ouyang Rong raised his eyebrows. In name, this was a routine visit, and it was impeccable. The Beitian Jiyang Yuan indeed had to prevent strangers from adopting orphans and disabled people and then not taking good care of them... but the intention of these Donglin Temple monks to make friends and curry favor was known to both sides.

Ouyang Rong's expression was calm, he went out to pick them up, and dealt with it. The old monks of Donglin Temple wandered around casually, of course, they didn't dare to make things difficult, and they had long received Ouyang Rong's instructions to call him Ouyang Sima the whole time... Finally, the two sides talked happily.

However, during the reception of these monks, Ouyang Rong found that there was a short, chubby little novice monk among them, whose eyes often looked in the direction of Embroidery Girl, and a chubby little face seemed to want to say something but stopped.

Zhao Qingxiu sat on the stone stool, facing the courtyard, motionless, as if in a daze, but at a certain moment, she shook her head slightly at the little novice monk's concerned gaze;

The little novice monk breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately his eyes were a bit complicated, quietly looking at Ouyang Sima who was talking and laughing with the abbots, with a bit of panic and fear in his eyes.

Ouyang Rong smiled and entertained the whole time, without revealing a trace of abnormality.

Half an hour later, at the entrance of the quiet courtyard, Ouyang Rong sent away this batch of Donglin Temple monks. Beside Yan Liulang approached and asked in a low voice: "Mingfu, that little monk is not right..."

Ouyang Rong shook his head, Beside Yan Liulang immediately stopped, retreated silently, and only Ouyang Rong and Zhao Qingxiu remained in the courtyard.

Before he could turn his head, Zhao Qingxiu drilled into the kitchen, bang bang bang—! A burst of movement of pots and pans suddenly came from inside the kitchen door.

Ouyang Rong was stunned, looked at the dark sky, hesitated for a moment, and shouted:

"Miss Embroidery, forget it today, Auntie is still waiting for me to go back to eat Lantern Festival rice, it might be very busy at night, you just settled down, rest first..."

The sound in the kitchen stopped abruptly. After a while, only to see the girl with the sky-blue ribbon covering her eyes, walking out of the kitchen with her head down, standing in place, a few fingers twisted together.

"Hmm... ah..." The sound was an answer, but Ouyang Rong saw that she didn't take off the apron on her body for a long time, just standing in front of the door without speaking.

The atmosphere in the courtyard fell silent.

Just then, a few fireworks exploded in the distant sky, and the lively fireworks of the Lantern Festival began.

But it also set off the loneliness of this courtyard more and more.

Ouyang Rong saw her missing little finger, his heart softened, and he gritted his teeth and said:

"Then how about this, you... you wait for me, I'll go back to finish dinner first, after handling the things there, I'll pass by at night... pass by and come over, you cook a midnight snack for me? Hmm, anyway, there is no curfew, and I can take you out for a stroll then..."

The little girl with the sky-blue ribbon covering her eyes had a happy little face, made a "yi ya ya" sound, ran forward, pushed his back with both hands, and pushed him toward the door.

It was to let him go early and return early.

Ouyang Rong walked out a few steps, looked back at the girl who was sitting on the stone stool in the courtyard, supporting her chin, looking at the fireworks in the night sky, waiting quietly... he regretted promising in advance a little bit.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 471 =====