Chapter 522: 394. Eldest Yuan Shijie and Second Yuan Shijie will like him... probably

394. Eldest Yuan Shijie and Second Yuan Shijie will like him... probably

In the antique, pitch-black room, a suspected blood-stained bronze vessel appeared.

The atmosphere was mysterious and strange.

However, the cute action of the delicate-faced blindfolded girl tilting her head slightly reduced this serious atmosphere.

On the blade of the bronze long sword, a line of characters was faintly engraved:

Entangled with the evil dragon for too long, this body will turn into an evil dragon.

Staring at the Dream Abyss for too long, the Dream Abyss will stare back.

However, covered by large areas of dark red blood spots, near the hilt of the sword, only two simple characters were clearly revealed:

Evil Dragon.

Zhao Qingxiu seemed very familiar with this sword. Her white, delicate fingers stroked the blade, and her fingertips lingered on the two characters "Evil Dragon," rubbing them for a moment.

She pressed her fingertips on the characters "Evil Dragon," and crimson spiritual energy traveled along her meridians to her fingertips, injecting into the sword.

In the dim room, the large patches of dark red blood spots on the blade suddenly lit up, fading from dullness to a bright red like vermilion blood,

like a red-hot branding iron in a furnace.

The "scorching red light" on the sword illuminated the furniture in the surrounding darkness.

The line of characters originally covered by the blood spots became increasingly distinct, as if about to break free from the cover of the blood spots and break out of the cocoon.

Clatter, clatter, clatter—!

The whole sword began to tremble.

But listening carefully, besides the "clattering" metallic trembling sound, there was also a deep yet fragmented strange sound, similar to the sound of some kind of flute.

Dragon chant.

Yue Chuzi holds the sword, and there is a dragon chant in the marsh.

Feeling the bronze long sword in her hand become scalding hot, approaching a certain extreme point, Zhao Qingxiu, who was blindfolded by a ribbon and lowering her head to watch the sword, gently withdrew her two fingers.

The small sword test was over, and she slowly put away the sword.

She had always carried this sword with her, even when lurking near the Xingzi Lake construction site, she never left it.

It was only after meeting Tanlang by chance and being led back to this courtyard by Tanlang to settle down that she slightly hid this sword.

This was left to her by her Master, and it was a key to a place called "Dream Abyss."

At the same time, it was also... a key for some things to leave that place.

Second Yuan Shijie told her not to fear the "Evil Dragon."

Eldest Yuan Shijie told her that the "Evil Dragon" feared her.

Whether the "Evil Dragon" feared her or not, Zhao Qingxiu didn't know.

But Zhao Qingxiu knew that the Female Monarch's Hall could not be without her.

Therefore, last time, in the letter to her Senior Sisters, she was able to be a little willful...

Zhao Qingxiu's small face was calm. She sheathed the sword, re-wrapped it carefully with gray-white cloth strips, hid it in the wardrobe, and pressed it on a folded red signature paper.

This red signature was the marriage fortune she had sought at Chengtian Temple last time. According to Tanlang's description, this was a top-tier fortune.

It read: A good match? A divine couple. What more could one ask for?

Thus, it was carefully collected by her, just as important as this sword.

In front of the wardrobe, the blindfolded girl turned around and faced the silent, dark room.

She stood quietly for a while.

Her small face was lost in thought, and at some moment, not knowing what she remembered, she suddenly smiled.

Her smile was like a flower, and the two dimples on her cheeks were very, very sweet. Zhao Qingxiu even hummed the melody of a childhood nursery rhyme from her hometown.

Next time she saw Eldest Yuan Shijie and Second Yuan Shijie, she would personally hand this top-tier marriage fortune to them to see.

She and Tanlang were a divine couple.

After happily enjoying herself for a moment, the girl in love wiped her hands on her greasy cooking apron, patted her hot red cheeks with one hand in a slightly coquettish manner, and walked toward the kitchen to continue washing the dishes.

Zhao Qingxiu quietly waited for Second Yuan Shijie.

"How is it, are you two full?"

"I'm not sure if I'm full, but Brother Yu is definitely full. I saw him choking on his food. Uh, although the dishes made by the Young Mistress are delicious, Brother Yu shouldn't be this exaggerated, right? Could it be that the food hasn't been good in my courtyard these days?"

Ouyang Rong and the two walked by the lake, the former asking with a smile, while Watching Yuan Huaimin talked eloquently, teasing Li Yu.

"No, no, I was just really hungry today."

Li Yu said, burying his head in embarrassment.

Watching Yuan Huaimin laughed heartily:

"Then next time if Lianghan invites you to eat at the Huaiye Lane residence, you'll have to stuff yourself to death. The food there is also good. Lady Zhen is truly a good housekeeper. I don't know how you've had such good food since you were young, Lianghan, yet you're still so scholarly and thin."

Ouyang Rong curled his lips: "This is called being lean and capable, what do you know."

Watching Yuan Huaimin nodded: "Good, good, good, short and capable."

"?"

Watching Yuan Huaimin changed the subject: "However, the Young Mistress is a bit too thin. You two are quite a match. But I saw the Young Mistress not speaking throughout, and those covered eyes, could it be..."

Ouyang Rong's smile remained unchanged. After walking for a while, he made a nasal "mm" sound.

Watching Yuan Huaimin sighed:

"Truly a bitter-fated woman. Lianghan, treat her better. It's clear the Young Mistress is very fond of you."

Ouyang Rong pursed his lips and didn't speak.

Li Yu suddenly asked:

"How did the Young Master meet the Young Mistress?"

Ouyang Rong didn't look back, speaking concisely: "Reunion of old friends, mutual affection. The word 'fate' is truly wonderful."

Li Yu had been lowering his head, following behind Ouyang Rong and Watching Yuan Huaimin.

Hearing this, he lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, preparing to speak, when he suddenly discovered that the young man in Confucian robes in front had turned his head at some point, his sharp gaze fixed unblinkingly on his face, which was mixed with hesitation.

"Yo, Young Master, why are you looking at me?"

Li Yu asked with a forced smile.

Ouyang Rong watched quietly for a while, until Watching Yuan Huaimin turned his head in curiosity, and then he spoke softly:

"I wanted to say something, but it slipped my mind when it reached my lips."

Li Yu restrained his smile, and a moment later, continued to smile.

Ouyang Rong sent them off for another stretch, and Watching Yuan Huaimin took the initiative to say:

"Alright, Lianghan, go back early to accompany the Young Mistress. Her eyes are inconvenient, it's better for you to take care of her more."

"Mm."

Ouyang Rong stopped, preparing to say goodbye.

Watching Yuan Huaimin touched his chin, thought of something, and slowly frowned:

"By the way, I remember you have a marriage contract with that Xie clan noble girl. Does Miss Xie know about the Young Mistress's matter?"

Ouyang Rong was silent for a moment and replied: "I will tell her."

Watching Yuan Huaimin seemed to be thinking for his friend and asked again:

"Then does the Young Mistress know about Miss Xie?"

"She knows."

"That's fine then."

Watching Yuan Huaimin breathed a sigh of relief, patted Ouyang Rong on the shoulder, and said with a serious face:

"Such a good girl, traditional and polite, she probably entrusts her whole life to you. You must treat her well. You must never be a heartless man who abandons a good girl to marry a noble girl. Otherwise, I, Yuan, will also break off relations with you and draw a line. Although Lianghan has many friends and might not care about me, I still have to say this. I can't stand such things where lovers can't become spouses."

Ouyang Rong looked at his friend who had rarely become reliable and serious, and nodded:

"Me too, waiting for your and Commander Yi's wedding wine."

"...?"

Watching Yuan Huaimin left while grumbling, his mouth full of "insulting to the refined."

Ouyang Rong smiled.

Watching Yuan Huaimin and Li Yu returned to the courtyard of Chengtian Temple.

After entering the gate, Watching Yuan Huaimin glanced at Li Yu and suddenly said:

"Why are you absent-minded? Do you know the Young Mistress?"

"No, no."

"That's true, the Young Mistress doesn't seem to know you either."

Watching Yuan Huaimin went to take a bath, leaving Li Yu standing in the courtyard.

The plump squire looked up at the sunset and murmured to himself:

"Is it a good fate or... an evil fate... truly a muddled account..."

Dusk.

Ouyang Rong walked with his hands behind his back, heading toward the quiet courtyard.

Halfway there, the figures of Yan Liulang and Pei Shiniang appeared.

The latter had brought the former over.

The secret sentries near the quiet courtyard were all the responsibility of Pei Shiniang and her people.

Only Pei Shiniang knew Ouyang Rong's whereabouts when he was here, and Yan Liulang had to find her first.

Occasionally, when Ouyang Rong was alone in private with Xiuniang in the quiet courtyard, if it wasn't convenient, Yan Liulang would be stopped.

Yan Liulang came before Ouyang Rong and first handed over an object wrapped in red cloth with both hands.

Ouyang Rong glanced at it; it was the Yunmeng Token found on Master Yizhi.

This bronze short sword was slightly different.

He took it casually and put it into his sleeve.

"Magistrate, the Yue female spies from Taoshou Studio and Chengtian Temple who were captured have all been locked into the Jiuzhou Jail as you ordered, temporarily detained.

"That Master Yizhi has been confined in a straw hut in the temple specifically for detaining criminal monks. Chengtian Temple is very cooperative; it's considered to be detained in the name of the temple abbot and the monks, and I have also sent people to supervise.

"Mm, after all, this bald donkey is a monk from Hanging Temple. Locking him directly into the jail would easily attract the intervention of the female officials of the Censorate and the State Censor. Now the Saint reveres Buddhism, and the whole country follows suit. If someone from the Wei clan reports it, it would be bad if Luoyang orders the Censorate to re-investigate the case. It's considered a compromise plan.

"As for the Fang sisters, they have already been escorted back by Fang Yiwu and are strictly confined. I have also sent people to station in the Fang residence to supervise at all times. Without your order, these two sisters cannot come out.

"By the way, as you ordered, in your private name, the Jiangzhou Hall is collecting some precious medicinal herbs to send to that Lady Fang for treatment. You are truly kind-hearted, Fang Yiwu is now completely devoted to you..."

Yan Liulang had been busy all afternoon, sweat on his forehead, and he reported one by one with cupped hands.

Ouyang Rong walked in front and nodded gently.

Finally, a hint of a smile appeared on the corner of the blue-clothed constable's mouth:

"With this, the Yunmeng Sword Swamp's spies in Xunyang City have been wiped out by us. However..."

"However what?"

"The Censorate has some objections to this sudden operation led by you, especially since you didn't notify them beforehand. They now also want to participate in the case handling and examine the new prisoners in the Jiuzhou Jail."

Since the arrival of reinforcements from the four major imperial guards in Luoyang, Rong Zhen and the Censorate had devoted all their energy to the Xunyang Grottoes.

The Jiuzhou Jail in Xunyang Ward, where the Censorate previously detained death-row prisoners involved in the Tiannan Jianghu rebels, had all been transferred to the New State Jail near the Xunyang Grottoes on the outskirts of the city.

Old Yang Tou and the others had all moved there.

So, the Jiuzhou Jail had become empty some time ago, and this time it was just right for Ouyang Rong and the Jiangzhou Hall to use.

Ouyang Rong's voice was calm:

"No female official is allowed to step into the Jiuzhou Jail, not even Lady Rong. You just reply that they should guard the Xunyang Grottoes well. As for Xunyang City, I am fully responsible. They are not allowed to act without authorization and enter the city to disturb the people.

"This is my official seal, and the Prince's order. I will explain this matter to Lady Rong personally; they don't need to talk too much."

Ouyang Rong took out a Magistrate's seal and a dark silk document from his sleeve and handed them over.

Yan Liulang took them carefully and nodded heavily.

"Understood." He paused and asked again: "Magistrate, how should we deal with these spies in the jail?"

Ouyang Rong was silent for a while:

"Keep them locked up first. Do not use torture or interrogate dead people. Wait until the Great Buddha lands before talking."

"Yes, Magistrate."

Yan Liulang accepted the order and prepared to leave. Before leaving, he remembered something and said with a difficult expression:

"Magistrate, there is one more thing. Lady Rong Zhen sent someone to the Jiangzhou Hall this afternoon."

Ouyang Rong frowned immediately: "Why didn't you say so earlier? Is her information so sensitive?"

"It's not about our case handling today. She sent someone to find you."

"Find me?"

"Mm, Lady Rong Zhen sent a message, sternly asking where you ran off to, whether you are still teaching the zither, and why you left without saying goodbye this morning?"

Ouyang Rong:...

When Ouyang Rong returned to the quiet courtyard, Zhao Qingxiu had finished washing the dishes and was in the main bedroom.

Hearing the sound of Ouyang Rong's return, she ran to the door of the main bedroom herself, holding onto the threshold, and tilted her head to "look" in the direction of the footsteps.

With the absence of Fang Shengnan, who liked to shout loudly, the courtyard was much quieter, returning to the loneliness when Zhao Qingxiu first moved in.

However, winter had passed and spring had come, and several months had passed. It was now the season of birds singing and flowers blooming, so it wasn't "cold" and clear.

Tonight, the moon above was also exceptionally bright.

"Why come out? No need to meet me every time."

Ouyang Rong's tone was helpless.

But Zhao Qingxiu didn't make a sound, raised both hands, groped forward, and walked quickly toward him.

In the long corridor, the two were at opposite ends.

Seeing this, Ouyang Rong also stepped forward quickly to meet her.

Seeing this slender and weak delicate body, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but hug her tightly.

The two collided, and Zhao Qingxiu also hugged him tightly with both arms.

They hugged under the eaves.

Just then, two swallows in the courtyard flew back to the mud nest newly built under the eaves.

With the Fang sisters gone, the two who had already confirmed their relationship became somewhat unscrupulous.

Hugging desperately in the dim, unlit corridor, both wished they could knead the other into their own arms.

Ouyang Rong buried his face in her hair and took a deep breath of the clear, secluded fragrance.

Zhao Qingxiu tilted her head, and her sandalwood mouth actually bit his ear.

Ouyang Rong, who was still restraining himself, was like a torch lit in the dark night, completely unable to hold back.

He directly picked up Xiuniang in a princess carry and strode into the nearest room beside them, but it was the west bedroom where Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu had slept.

Zhao Qingxiu's face was red, and she realized she had gone to the wrong room. Her small face was flustered, and she pushed his thick chest a few times with both hands:

"Ah... ah ah."

She shook her head anxiously, wanting to say that this place wouldn't do, it wasn't allowed.

However, she was ignored by Ouyang Rong, who was already obsessed with the atmosphere.

Even Zhao Qingxiu's little bit of "refusal" pushing was mistaken by Ouyang Rong as a special interest added deliberately by the beauty, and his heart swayed.

Somewhat savagely, he threw Zhao Qingxiu heavily onto the fragrant, soft, vermilion bed left by the Fang sisters, which still had many hair strands...

On the table in the room, a candle went out with a "whoosh," also shyly closing its eyes.

——————

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or2 ===== CHAPTER 523 =====