Chapter 500: 372. Everyone Has Eight Hundred Heart-Eyes

372. Everyone Has Eight Hundred Heart-Eyes

"Magistrate Ouyang, the Prince seems to be in the study. Should I take you over?"

"No need, I know the way."

"That's true. It's me worrying blindly, haha. It just so happens that the Prince's study is near the inner residence, so it's inconvenient for me and the guards to go over."

"Hmm. By the way, General Li, are you not used to living in the Prince's Mansion? The climate in Xunyang City is different from Luoyang; the humidity is very heavy, and rain falls whenever it wants. You actually don't have to wear heavy armor and cover your faces all the time."

"That's not the case. I am a southerner myself. Although I stayed in Luoyang for a long time, I often returned to my hometown in the south to offer sacrifices to my ancestors when I was young. Now that I'm back, I only feel extremely close.

"Moreover, the Prince and Princess are very kind and enthusiastic. The Princess even arranged a courtyard with higher ground and less humidity in the Prince's Mansion for me this morning."

"Oh? General Li is from where in the south?"

"A person from Yuanzhou."

"I've heard of it; it's a good place."

"Magistrate, you flatter me."

At high noon, Ouyang Rong's carriage had just driven into the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

When he encountered a patrol team of the Bai Hu Guard, the figure in the lead was a familiar young general in white robes.

Li Congshan, who had just returned from the Xunyang Grottoes in the morning.

Ouyang Rong carried a rope of fresh bamboo shoots and got out of the carriage, chatting for a few words with Li Congshan who came up to cup his hands.

His expression was calm, and just as he was about to say goodbye and leave, he walked a few steps and looked back:

"By the way, General Li, taste some fresh food with the soldiers later. Duck and bamboo shoot soup; the back kitchen will send some over later. You martial artists have it hard, so you should nourish your blood."

Li Congshan, who was about to put on his white silver tiger mask and leave, was stunned for a moment, and cupped his hands again:

"Ma, many thanks, Magistrate."

Ouyang Rong looked at the expression on his young and resolute face, nodded gently, and smiled.

"By the way, where did Lady Mistress Miao Zhen go? Didn't she come back with you?"

"Uh... it seems she is resting in the courtyard. The Princess arranged a rather remote courtyard for her. She said she likes quiet, so she went to close the door and practice in seclusion, leaving me to patrol."

"So that's how it is. Good, then General Li go ahead and get busy. Hmm, as for the inner residence and the Prince's study, General Li had better go there less; the Prince and Princess also like quiet."

Ouyang Rong gave a half-smiling reminder.

"That's for sure!"

Li Congshan nodded vigorously:

"I understand the rules. This time I was ordered to come to protect the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, not to monitor anything; I won't overstep."

He said this solemnly, and then showed an embarrassed expression:

"However, after all, I am an outsider who just arrived. I don't know some of the taboos or minefields in the Prince's Mansion. Magistrate Ouyang is familiar with the Prince's Mansion and is favored by the Prince and the Heir, so I hope you can remind me a few words at necessary moments to avoid making mistakes by accident."

"Easy to say, easy to say."

In the long corridor, Ouyang Rong gently helped Li Congshan up.

The two looked at each other and smiled, exchanged pleasantries, and parted ways.

Ouyang Rong remembered that during the morning meeting, when the second agenda was discussed—that is, whether to swap out Li Congshan with Wei Mi's Bai Hu Guard—this young general in white robes had kept his head lowered the whole time, his expression a bit dejected.

Later, when the second agenda was tied and shelved, Ouyang Rong also went to observe Li Congshan's expression for the first time, and didn't see him gloating or looking proud.

In the long corridor, Ouyang Rong looked back.

He looked at the back of the young general in white robes who had put on his white silver tiger mask again, and the Bai Hu Guard soldiers standing guard every ten steps around him.

From the angle he looked back.

Every white silver tiger mask had its corners of the mouth turned downward.

They were somewhat unhappy.

Ouyang Rong divided the bamboo shoots he had snatched from Li Dalang and Yan Liulang into three portions.

He only brought one portion to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

When he walked into the main gate of the study, he handed them to Princess Wei Mei with a smile.

"Princess, have the back kitchen boil some soup, and send some to Li Congshan and the others later."

"Good, Tanlang is still the most thoughtful."

Before Ouyang Rong came in, Wei Mei seemed to be lecturing Li Dalang with her hands on her hips. After taking the bamboo shoots, her face changed in a second, and she nodded with a full smile.

Seeing this, Li Dalang's expression was extremely resentful as he looked at his dashing and handsome friend.

Inside the study, the Wang Lixian family, Ouyang Rong, Xie Lingjiang, Yan Liulang, and Lu Ya were all there.

Everyone was in their usual seats.

"Tanlang, what was the reason for staying at the Xunyang Grottoes just now?"

Wang Lixian asked impatiently.

Everyone's gaze was cast over.

Ouyang Rong said a few simple words, sat down leisurely, and had just taken a spring pear from his little junior sister's hand when he heard Li Guoer, who was stroking a cat, ask with a frown:

"Do you not trust Li Congshan? Does this child have a problem? Isn't he arranged by Commandant Yi Qianqiu? Could it be that this female general also has ill intentions? Besides, this time the resolution vote failed, and that Lady Did Rong Zhen didn't stand on our side either. If there are also tricks, this woman must also be vigilant."

After Wang Lixian and the others returned, they should have told the women everything about the Xunyang Grottoes.

Hearing this, Ouyang Rong took a bite of the pear.

"Whether it's calling Mistress Miao Zhen back or directly arranging for the Bai Hu Guard to come over to assist in the defense, those who don't know would think the Prince and the Prince's Mansion can be manipulated at will.

"I don't know if Li Congshan has a problem, but hitting a pole when there are dates or not—didn't these two agendas thrown out this morning expose quite a bit of intelligence, and also allow us to probe the positions of several people?

"Now we know that Duan Quanwu and Qiu Shenji are in the same group, and the Bai Hu Guard's Commandant Yi Qianqiu, Li Congshan, and others, even if they don't have as deep a connection as Duan Quanwu, their positions are also biased toward that side.

"So, transferring Duan Quanwu away this time is a good thing for us; this person is the easiest to collude with the Wei clan."

Li Guoer listened and suddenly asked:

"Are you worried that Li Congshan is also the same as Duan Quanwu? Has he received favors from Qiu Shenji?"

"Just in case, try to do this and examine this person."

Ouyang Rong turned his head and carefully exhorted Wang Lixian and Wei Mei:

"Prince, Princess, try to win this person over during these days and see how he reacts."

Wei Mei also nodded:

"Good, let's see the relationship between this young man and that Mistress Miao Zhen. If the relationship is close, I guess he's not a good thing either."

Wang Lixian was about to speak, but when he heard the two words "Mistress Miao Zhen," he didn't dare to answer.

There was a lot of coughing in the room, and everyone changed the subject.

Li Guoer frowned and said:

"Li Congshan is only ordered to come to guard the Prince's Mansion, and so is Mistress Miao Zhen; they aren't sent by Grandmother to monitor. No one dares to support them openly, and if they do support them, then the possible enemies will naturally emerge. Use this point well; there is a lot of room for operation here.

"If it really doesn't work, we will use the Xunyang Prince's Seal and the Jiangzhou Magistrate's Order to temporarily transfer them away. If they don't leave, that's violating the order; certain intentions will be revealed, and they won't have a leg to stand on."

"Makes sense."

Li Dalang nodded and added: "And we also have General Wei's secret help."

Wei Mei beamed with joy:

"Father is still reliable; he found a reliable junior. I see in the letter that this clan nephew Wei Mi threw away the pen to join the army and became a Xuanwu Guard Commander at the age of thirty.

"When he was young, I liked him, but although he was brave in character, he looked as beautiful as a girl and was often bullied by his peers in the clan. After growing up, the elders in the clan originally arranged for him to be a noble Grade 9 Secretary, but he only served for two months, complaining that the Secretary was too idle, so he threw away the pen to join the army, went to the border army grassroots alone, fought hard, and relied almost entirely on no help from the clan...

"He truly has the style of a son of my Wei clan. Qilang, Tanlang, my Jingzhao Wei clan still has some ability."

The wife was talking excitedly and even glanced at him. Wang Lixian nodded repeatedly:

"Truly a worthy nephew."

Ouyang Rong suppressed his laughter and turned his head:

"By the way, I saw Princess Anhui today, and she was still wearing that mourning garment... It seems this blood feud is very difficult to resolve."

Everyone knew this was said for someone to hear, and they all glanced at a certain person.

Li Dalang looked straight ahead.

Not long after, everyone dispersed.

Ouyang Rong went to find Xie Lingjiang and Li Guoer first, and asked about the location of that peach blossom forest in Mount Kuanglu.

In the evening, he returned to the Huaiye Lane residence.

Ouyang Rong took out the other third of the bamboo shoots and handed them to Ye Weilai.

"Tanlang, this is..."

"Stew a duck, boil some soup; I need to take it tomorrow morning."

"Oh."

The next morning.

Ouyang Rong rushed to the Xunyang Grottoes as scheduled.

He brought a box of duck and bamboo shoot soup for Did Rong Zhen.

The latter glanced at him, took the soup, and left.

Did Rong Zhen didn't take Ouyang Rong for a stroll; she was also a very busy person.

Ouyang Rong wasn't annoyed either, walking around the Xunyang Grottoes alone and participating in it.

Like this, it continued for two days.

Every day he brought a bowl of fresh hot soup for Did Rong Zhen.

However, there were many people at the Xunyang Grottoes, so Ouyang Rong brought more hot soup to let Commandant Yi Qianqiu, Wei Mi, and others have a taste.

Commandant Yi Qianqiu wasn't polite; she drank the soup as usual, but her expression was the same as always, and she left after drinking.

Wei Mi put down the soup bowl slightly and smiled, saying:

"Magistrate Ouyang and Lady Rong have a very good friendship."

Ouyang Rong shrugged:

"Can a friendship that has gone through life and death not be good? Back at the Huang family courtyard, at the critical moment, it was I who carried Lady Rong out..."

His tone was somewhat joking.

Wei Mi laughed, drank another mouthful of soup, and suddenly said:

"Duan Quanwu has left."

Ouyang Rong looked at him calmly and nodded: "Hmm."

Yesterday, Duan Quanwu had already left with five hundred Bai Hu Guard soldiers.

At present, there were still 1,200 Bai Hu Guard soldiers at the Xunyang Grottoes, commanded by Commandant Yi Qianqiu, and 1,000 Xuanwu Guard soldiers, commanded by Wei Mi. However, they were all under the overall command of Commandant Yi Qianqiu.

Although the most critical position, the guard duty of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, was taken over by Li Congshan, at least here at the Xunyang Grottoes, with Wei Mi and others present, there was a lot of room for operation.

Just as Li Guoer said a few days ago, if the situation is urgent, then micro-manage...

Wei Mi put back the soup bowl and touched his stomach:

"Is this soup stewed by the Magistrate's family?"

Ouyang Rong said calmly:

"The one from a few days ago was. Today's old chicken stewed with mushrooms was rewarded by the Prince, saying it was personally stewed by Princess Wei to reward the soldiers guarding the Xunyang Grottoes."

"So that's how it is."

Hearing the three words "Princess Wei," Wei Mi's expression didn't change, but Ouyang Rong noticed that Wei Mi's gaze lingered on his face for a long time.

Then he teased:

"Back in Luoyang, I heard people say that Magistrate Ouyang is handsome and extraordinary. You were the Tanhualang personally appointed by His Majesty at the Apricot Garden Banquet back then. Now that I see you, it's really true. No wonder Lady Did Rong Zhen, who has always been like a flower on a high ridge, is willing to accept Magistrate Ouyang's soup."

Ouyang Rong turned his head suddenly: "Lady Rong's soup is finished?"

Wei Mi immediately straightened his back, lowered his head, and was about to slip away.

A short while later, he saw Ouyang Rong's half-smiling expression.

He looked back and saw no sign of Lady Rong.

Wei Mi was both angry and amused:

"Magistrate Ouyang is too dishonest. This 'wolf is coming' game cannot be played too much."

Ouyang Rong asked with a smile:

"Then General Wei should also tease me less. It doesn't matter if I'm teased, but if it spreads to Lady Rong's side, it will be a big deal."

"Fine, fine, fine."

Wei Mi waved his hand impatiently.

After a brief silence, the two looked at each other and laughed.

A certain tacit understanding arose spontaneously, in what was left unsaid.

Before leaving, Wei Mi said casually:

"By the way, there is something slightly strange. On the afternoon we arrived, the Xuanwu Guard and the Bai Hu Guard were originally traveling together. Upon learning that water bandits from Hukou County were attacking the water transport grain route, Commander Yi took troops to help, didn't bring the main force, and after defeating the water bandits, didn't return to rendezvous, but abandoned the main force and rushed to the Grottoes immediately. I don't know why she was in such a hurry... Does Magistrate Ouyang know?"

Ouyang Rong narrowed his eyes upon hearing this.

For no reason, he thought of the abnormality when Commandant Yi Qianqiu first arrived at the Xunyang Grottoes and pulled Did Rong Zhen and Mother Song aside for a private discussion.

Facts later proved that it had nothing to do with beating or excluding him.

Then it must involve official business.

Could this oddity be related to the inconspicuous oddity Wei Mi mentioned?

Why did Commandant Yi Qianqiu rush over without waiting for the main force after defeating the water bandits...

Ouyang Rong was silent for a moment, reached into his sleeve, and touched the bronze short sword wrapped in white cloth.

His expression was thoughtful.

The day Commandant Yi Qianqiu arrived, she only brought two water bandit heads and this Lady Yunmeng Order on horseback.

Could it be that she was in a hurry to discuss with Did Rong Zhen and Mother Song because of this Lady Yunmeng Order?

Could it be that Commandant Yi Qianqiu saw something from this bronze short sword?

Ouyang Rong shook his head: "I don't know either. Maybe... she was anxious. If there is a chance, I will ask Commander Yi."

Wei Mi looked at him and nodded gently:

"Good."

A short while later, Wei Mi left. Seeing that it was getting late, Ouyang Rong packed up the soup bowls and food boxes and prepared to return to the city. At this moment, Did Rong Zhen hurried over and returned several empty soup bowls.

She handed the bowls to Ouyang Rong and suddenly said:

"This bowl of old chicken stewed with mushrooms, that old senior also likes to drink it quite a bit. Bring some more tomorrow, and see if we can have a meal together at noon, which can be considered an official introduction.

"By the way, it's best if you bring the zither you often play..."

Ouyang Rong was overjoyed and nodded lightly:

"Hmm, hmm, I have time for a meal."

Did Rong Zhen walked away with her hands behind her back and light steps.

Ouyang Rong let out a long breath.

Lady Commissioner finally loosened her mouth.

He turned his head to look at the sky, left the Grottoes, and returned to Xunyang City.

When entering the West City Gate, he found that it was still early, and Ouyang Rong looked up:

"Go to Xingzi Lake, the usual place."

"Yes, Young Master."

Ouyang Rong lifted the carriage curtain and looked at Xingzi Lake in the sunset glow in the distance.

He suddenly thought that the three-day restraint period set by Xiuniang seemed to be up, and he didn't know what the so-called reward was...

———— ===== CHAPTER 501 =====