Chapter 513: Three Hundred Eighty-Five: Xie Lingjiang: Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary, Walk Slowly, I Won't See You Off

"By the way, what about that... wine?"

Just as Ouyang Rong climbed onto the rooftop terrace of Xunyang Tower, he suddenly remembered something and turned his head to ask the beautiful maidservant who was respectfully following him.

He had rushed back from the Xicheng Gate to Xunyang Tower for his appointment. Yan Liulang was guarding downstairs, and upon learning of Ouyang Rong's return, the proprietor of Xunyang Tower and the famous pipa courtesan, Qin, had both enthusiastically rushed to welcome him, but they were all gently waved away and declined by him. He only left one beautiful maidservant to lead him upstairs to the terrace he had reserved in advance.

The beautiful maidservant asked softly:

"Is the Lord referring to our tower's Basin Water Wine?"

"Yes, yes, that's the name. Brother Huaimin stored it at your restaurant; bring it all. He should have mentioned it to your proprietor when he came over in the evening."

The beautiful maidservant praised:

"He did mention it. This is a famous Xunyang wine. Official Yuan, who loves wine, only stored two and a half pots at my tower, and he even inscribed a poem to praise it... 'Xunyang has much fine wine, it can make the cup not dry.' That's what it refers to..."

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"'It can make the cup not dry, but it can make people dry, right?' Good, bring it all up. Don't save it for our Official Yuan, otherwise, it would be looking down on him." He laughed.

"Yes, Lord, please wait a moment. This servant will find the proprietor and go to the cellar to get it."

Watching the beautiful maidservant leave gracefully, Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze, pulled a chair from the table, threw his body into it, pressed his hands on the armrests, and exhaled a long breath.

He looked around at the exquisitely and properly arranged terrace.

He picked up a bundle on the table and opened it.

This was handed to him by Yan Liulang before he went upstairs, prepared according to Ouyang Rong's instructions.

The bundle opened, and inside was an exquisitely packaged black sandalwood box and a bouquet of freshly picked flowers, with dew still condensed on the petals.

Ouyang Rong did not open the black sandalwood box.

He nodded with a slightly satisfied expression.

It might be a bit tacky, but there were no women who didn't like flowers and gifts, followed by gold and jewelry.

They were creatures who loved romance and a sense of ritual to begin with.

Even if they said it was old-fashioned, their hands reaching for the flowers were not slow at all.

If you didn't send them, that's when problems would arise, because other young ladies had them, and she couldn't be without them.

Women loved to observe details and then add some self-imagination.

If you had them, she might not necessarily imagine the good aspects, but if they were missing, she would definitely imagine the bad aspects.

The flowers and gifts themselves weren't worth much money, but they could reflect whether you had put your heart into it; the intention behind them was the most valuable thing in a woman's eyes.

Of course, this was based on the premise that she liked you; if she didn't like you, sending flowers and gifts would be old-fashioned and boring, or even considered greasy.

However, Ouyang Rong's set of processes and sense of ritual was still very advanced in this world.

In the current Great Zhou, many men had the mindset of a "great husband," not even caring enough to say "drink more hot water," fearing it would be unscholarly, fearing being called a "henpecked husband," unless they were the kind of cream-faced scholars who were professionals at having affairs, sweet-talking, and knowing how to coax young ladies—but this was also looked down upon by the mainstream public opinion of Great Zhou.

Ouyang Rong didn't have this mindset baggage.

Plus, he was a Prefect of a Prefecture, busy with official business, yet he could be meticulous and patiently prepare these "small things"... Anyway, the look Yan Liulang gave Ouyang Rong just now was very admiring.

Able to bend and stretch, he deserved to marry a woman of the Five Clans; it should be him!

Which young lady wouldn't like it?

Clearly, they had already confirmed their relationship, yet it was as romantic as when they first met.

It was not without reason that Miss Xie was eaten to death by the Prefect.

Placing the bundle on the cabinet at the entrance of the terrace where it was easy to pick up, Ouyang Rong looked at the bright moon overhead.

Today is the 15th, the moon is round and bright.

The tall tower stands by the river, and the evening breeze blows slowly.

Ouyang Rong patted the railing and waited quietly, not looking inside his dantian at the spiritual energy changes for the time being, waiting to see when he returned to the study of the Yinbing Studio.

Time passed second by second.

At 9:30 PM, there was still no sign of anyone.

Ouyang Rong frowned slightly.

Could it be that she was still cultivating?

In fact, Ouyang Rong didn't know why his Xiao Shimei was so internally competitive; it seemed to have started when he recovered from his illness in Longcheng. Seeing her looking relaxed on the outside but tense on the inside, he didn't know if something had stimulated her...

While his thoughts were wandering, a burst of footsteps came from the staircase.

Ouyang Rong immediately perked up, turned around to welcome her, and reached out to touch the bundle.

"Just in time..."

He was halfway through his sentence when his expression froze, and his hand on the bundle also stopped.

"Xie Xiao Niangzi... Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary Rong."

Ouyang Rong exclaimed in surprise, only to see Rong Zhen clutching a zither box, rushing up with a cold face.

Behind her followed Yan Liulang, who was hesitant to speak; it seemed he hadn't been able to stop her.

Seeing Ouyang Rong walking over to welcome her on the terrace, Rong Zhen seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but her expression remained cold.

Behind her, Yan Liulang cast a look of pleading guilty at Ouyang Rong.

Ouyang Rong waved his hand slightly, and Yan Liulang retreated first.

Walking onto the terrace, Rong Zhen looked around somewhat impatiently.

"This Palace has been looking for you all along, Ouyang Lianghan. Why did you run back here? Why did you leave without saying goodbye at the Xicheng Gate just now? This is not your style. Not even a greeting—are you unhappy? Did this Palace do something to offend you tonight, are you dissatisfied with this Palace, so you left early? Hmph, this kind of temper tantrum is too childish. You... eh."

She was criticizing him, but her eyes gradually saw the arrangement on the terrace clearly, especially the exquisite small tea table in the bright moon and clear breeze. The whole terrace had only this one open-air table, with an oil lamp lit, creating a very good atmosphere, as if waiting for someone to sit down.

Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary's eyes changed slightly, with a look of suspicion:

"Who are you waiting for?"

Ouyang Rong answered solemnly: "No, not waiting for anyone, just having a drink by myself. Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary, what is the matter? It's windy here, let's go downstairs, we can talk while we walk..."

Rong Zhen, however, rooted her feet and asked: "If you want to drink, why don't you drink at home? Why choose to drink here? Also, where is your wine?"

Before Ouyang Rong could answer, a figure appeared on the staircase.

"Lord, the wine you wanted has arrived."

The beautiful maidservant held a tray with three wine pots, walked up to the terrace gracefully, and placed them on the table in front of Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen.

The beautiful maidservant first curiously sized up the ice-beauty-like girl in palace attire, then looked at Ouyang Rong, who was somewhat restrained beside her. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, then quickly retreated.

"Lord, Young Xie Xiao Niangzi, you two chat slowly, the night is just right."

Ouyang Rong immediately explained: "This is not my wine, it's Yuan Huaimin's. They brought the wrong one..."

Rong Zhen lowered her head to look at the Basin Water Wine in exquisite packaging, and suddenly interrupted:

"No wonder Secretary Yuan left so early this evening and even took Commander Yi with him."

Ouyang Rong frowned: "Ah?"

Rong Zhen turned her head and stared at him: "Are you angry? This Palace was indeed absent-minded tonight and didn't care about your feelings."

He shook his head: "No, Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary's business is important, you have to take good care of the old senior's side."

Rong Zhen pursed her lips, sat down in the extra seat, stared at the wine pot in front of her, and lowered her head slightly:

"This Palace cannot drink too strong wine; my heart will beat inexplicably fast. I have rarely touched alcohol in the past."

Ouyang Rong immediately reached out to take the wine tray: "Then don't drink it. Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary, tell me what you came for, let's talk about business..."

Before he could finish speaking, with a "pop," Rong Zhen's slender jade hand had already pried open the cloth cover of the wine mouth and started pouring wine.

Ouyang Rong:...

Rong Zhen poured half a cup into the small wine cup in front of her, paused, then tilted the wine pot and added a little more, seven-tenths full.

Picking up the small wine cup with two fingers, she lowered her head and sniffed: "There is an urgent matter. By reason, this Palace shouldn't drink alcohol, but if you can help, making an exception is not entirely impossible."

"It's fine, you don't have to drink, I'll help directly." Ouyang Rong waved his hand, sat on the stool, and asked cautiously: "However, Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary, tell me first what the favor is."

"Do you still remember the pieces played by Old Senior Yu when he was touring Mount Kuanglu before?"

Ouyang Rong looked at her serious expression, hesitated slightly, and nodded: "I remember."

"Can you still play them?"

Ouyang Rong nodded again: "I can."

Rong Zhen suddenly breathed a sigh of relief: "Teach this Palace."

Ouyang Rong asked calmly:

"Among those six pieces, is there the one Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary is looking for?"

Rong Zhen stared at the water in the wine cup, was quiet for a while, and suddenly took a sip.

"Actually, that zither piece is a fusion of these six pieces."

"Fusion?" Ouyang Rong revealed a tone of surprise.

"That's right!"

Rong Zhen sat cross-legged, her waist involuntarily straightened, and she chanted softly:

"Distant bridges are clear and shallow, a lotus boat floats; Mount Dai cannot block the pine stream's flow. Emerald mountains are seen from afar, the pear pavilion stands; there is still the sound of the valley, empty and lingering."

He asked: "What is this?"

"You weren't in that carriage just now and left early, so you didn't hear the old senior's words and the zither sound. This seven-character quatrain was mentioned by the old senior."

"He said that according to this poem, that is, Distant Bridge, Yu Yu Lianzhou, Mount Dai, Pine Stream, Emerald Mountain, Pear Pavilion, Sound Valley... in this order, to merge the zither pieces, you can get that true piece."

Ouyang Rong's expression was thoughtful, and he suddenly asked:

"Aren't there seven? Is one missing?"

Rong Zhen nodded solemnly:

"That's right, one piece is missing, corresponding to 'Yu Yu Lianzhou'."

Ouyang Rong recited the seven-character quatrain to himself and touched his chin:

"Arranged in order, 'Distant bridges are clear and shallow, a lotus boat floats' is the first couplet. Yu Yu Lianzhou is the second image to appear, which means the missing 'Yu Yu Lianzhou' piece should be placed in the second position."

Rong Zhen narrowed her eyes slightly: "That's right."

Ouyang Rong looked up at the moon and exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

This time, he finally knew what was missing from that zither sound.

Keeping this order firmly in mind, he looked at Rong Zhen with a hint of gratitude.

Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary sometimes really didn't treat him as an outsider.

"Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary telling me this, aren't you afraid that I'll know this piece and leak the secret?"

Previously, Ouyang Rong thought that the zither piece the old musician and Rong Zhen needed was just some formation killing move within the Directorate of Astronomy; only now did he know that this was a sword art! And Rong Zhen was definitely clearer about it.

Rong Zhen didn't speak, looked ahead, and raised her cup to take a sip of wine.

After a while, she opened her mouth:

"You have to teach this Palace, you must swear."

Ouyang Rong was helpless:

"Why swear? It was yours to begin with. Since I listened and learned it, of course I'll teach you."

Hearing this, Rong Zhen turned her head and stared straight at him with cold eyes.

Ouyang Rong discovered that there was a flush appearing around her eye sockets.

Her chest was also heaving somewhat... no, it was her racing heartbeat.

He glanced at the small wine cup that was half empty in Rong Zhen's hand.

"Fine, I swear to teach Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary the zither piece with all my might."

Ouyang Rong raised his hand and nodded solemnly. Thinking of something, he couldn't help but advise:

"Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary, don't drink anymore. Didn't you say that drinking makes your heart beat faster? What if it's an illness?"

After saying this, he went to grab her cup.

But he was dodged by the girl with red eye sockets.

She drank the half cup of wine in one gulp, glared at Ouyang Rong, and even looked a bit smug.

But not long after, Rong Zhen's body began to sway, and she suddenly burst into curses:

"You're the one who's ill, Ouyang Lianghan, you're the one who's seriously ill! You only know how to make people drink, you're really low, wasting your reading of the sages, insulting the scholarly style, a beast in human clothing!"

Perhaps because she had stayed in the palace for too long and had too good an upbringing, the girl in palace attire only knew these old-fashioned cursing words, and their lethality was about equal to zero.

However, Ouyang Rong felt that he had suffered a loss; he clearly hadn't done anything, yet he had to endure this scolding, and he didn't know who to reason with.

"Why, feeling guilty and not speaking?" Rong Zhen sneered with a flushed face: "Have the guts to do it but not the guts to admit it? Coward, really a coward."

"First, Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary is drunk, scolding me is invalid." Ouyang Rong held up two fingers calmly and said unhurriedly: "Second, I didn't know Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary would come, the wine wasn't forced on you, and it wasn't even mine..."

At this moment, a fiery red figure suddenly appeared on the staircase, like a fire in the dark night.

"Ru Shixiong... Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary?"

Xie Lingjiang's figure paused, and she shook her head apologetically:

"It's fine, you two go ahead."

She said in a gentle tone, turned around, and left, walking gracefully down the stairs.

"Wait, Xiao Shimei, Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary came to discuss business."

Ouyang Rong immediately stood up and called out to her.

Xie Lingjiang didn't commit, tilted her head slightly:

"Since Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary is here, don't neglect her. We're not in a hurry."

Rong Zhen seemed to understand something and looked around at the terrace and Ouyang Rong's expression.

"Bang."

She put down the wine cup in her hand, stood up immediately, flicked her sleeves, and left.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have disturbed you with official business." She said with a cold face as she went downstairs.

Xie Lingjiang stopped, looked sideways at Rong Zhen. Rong Zhen passed by her side; the two were one tall and one short, and the height difference was a bit large, but Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary walked out with the domineering aura of 1.8 meters despite her 1.5-meter height.

Under Ouyang Rong's awkward gaze, Xie Lingjiang suddenly stepped forward, took the bundle, opened it to take a look, and suddenly turned her head and shouted:

"Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary, are you drunk and confused? You forgot your sandalwood comb and flowers."

"This Palace is not drunk, they are not this Palace's!" Rong Zhen retorted subconsciously.

But immediately reacting to something, her ears turned red, and she didn't turn around.

"Oh, then I misunderstood, sorry."

Xie Lingjiang looked at her petite back, nodded gently, then looked at Ouyang Rong, walked over to hug him, and raised her hand to carefully tidy his collar;

"Thank you, Ru Shixiong, for the gift. You put your heart into it, I like it very much."

She said very softly.

But the voice was not small.

Rong Zhen took a deep breath, turned her head, and didn't look at the red-clothed woman smiling softly above.

She said seriously to Ouyang Rong:

"Prefect, rest early. Before 7:30 AM tomorrow morning, come to the Xunyang Grotto to find this Palace. Hmm, don't forget your vow from just now."

Before Ouyang Rong could nod, Xie Lingjiang smiled and replied politely:

"It also depends on whether Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary can get up. How many cups of wine did you drink to get this drunk? Xie Xiao Niangzi Secretary, walk slowly, I won't see you off. Watch out for the night road."

Ouyang Rong was about to open his mouth, but immediately closed it, looking straight ahead.

Xie Lingjiang also stared straight ahead, calm and composed, smiling as she watched the cold girl in palace attire leave with somewhat hurried steps.

A plain hand was resting gently on the flesh of Ouyang Rong's waist...

——————

Ouyang Rong looked at the blue-clothed constable who was blinking at him and nodded gently.