Chapter 527

399. Junior Sister vs. Embroidery Maid, Rong Zhen vs. Ouyang Rong 【Two and a half days left for double monthly votes】

"The Young Master probably can't come today; he has to accompany his aunt at home."

"Mm."

"Why did Embroidery Maid buy so much pounded rice? Winnowing grain, turning the millstone, rolling it into noodles? Everything was fine, so why make noodles? Are you preparing them for the Young Master?"

In the morning, a luxurious carriage returned from the market. On the way, Pei Shiniang curiously looked at Zhao Qingxiu, who had purchased some different ingredients today.

Zhao Qingxiu nodded, then shook her head.

【I am making noodles, but not for Tanlang to eat. I am making them for Aunt Zhen and Xie Gu. This is called longevity noodles, to celebrate a birthday.】

Pei Shiniang said calmly:

"Does Embroidery Maid know her name?"

Zhao Qingxiu hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Pei Shiniang thought for a moment and did not continue speaking.

The luxurious carriage arrived at the entrance of the quiet little courtyard and parked.

Pei Shiniang helped carry a few bags of pounded rice into the courtyard.

It rained last night and the ground was slippery today. Pei Shiniang helped Zhao Qingxiu with these tiring chores and did not let the servants step foot into this courtyard.

In the main hall of the courtyard, after putting down the items, Zhao Qingxiu fumbled around, drew a bowl of water, and handed it to Pei Shiniang.

"Ah ah."

"You're welcome, Embroidery Maid, no need to thank me."

Pei Shiniang looked at the delicate and pretty young girl in front of her with a smile and waved her hand, saying:

"Actually, Embroidery Maid, if you ever need any help, you can tell me at any time. I will definitely do my best to help you."

【Okay.】

Pei Shiniang discovered that her sleeve had been gently tugged. Zhao Qingxiu in front of her lowered her head and smiled softly.

Pei Shiniang also smiled and couldn't help but dotingly touch Zhao Qingxiu's head, carefully messing up her hair.

Although this Embroidery Maid was a blind girl, in her daily life, she lived silently just like an ordinary young lady, possessing a persistence in believing she was a normal young lady.

For example, every time before going out to buy things, she would sit in front of the dressing table and apply makeup in front of the bronze mirror she clearly couldn't see. However, of course, she still had to find someone to help her comb her hair and tie her braids. After the Fang sisters left, these things were all done by Pei Shiniang.

Pei Shiniang was also extremely happy to do so.

Besides this, Embroidery Maid also insisted on fumbling around to cook meals and wash and dry clothes for the Young Master.

The days in this little courtyard were spent in a down-to-earth and positive manner.

If one didn't look at her eyes covered by the sky-blue silk ribbon.

She was truly no different from a normal young lady.

Pei Shiniang was a woman and understood women's thoughts quite well. Embroidery Maid roughly felt that even though she was disabled to this extent, she could still give her beloved everything a normal husband and wife's small family should have.

Physically disabled but strong-willed—this is exactly what it is.

Seeing this clearly, Pei Shiniang liked Zhao Qingxiu even more.

She was a mercenary and snobbish merchant woman, it was true, but she also knew that true feelings are hard to buy with a thousand gold, and a heartless person is hard to keep with ten thousand silver.

Therefore, even though Pei Shiniang had initially taken care of Embroidery Maid painstakingly just to please the Young Master.

But after getting along for so long, she had begun to genuinely like this kind and gentle young lady from the bottom of her heart.

The two women who had just returned to the courtyard drank tea and rested in the main hall for a while. Zhao Qingxiu prepared to go to the kitchen to try making longevity noodles.

Pei Shiniang held a teacup, lowered her eyes, and was lost in thought, then suddenly said:

"Embroidery Maid, it won't be long until Lady Zhen's birthday. If you move out of this courtyard in the future and go to live with the Young Master at Huaiye Lane..."

She paused in her speech, glanced around to make sure no one was there, and lowered her voice to say:

"If you have anything you need to order on weekdays, you can also tell me. As long as I can do it, I will definitely not be careless. Mm, I also wish you and the Young Master a lifetime of happiness and an early birth of a precious child."

Pei Shiniang spoke with a beaming smile.

After Zhao Qingxiu heard clearly, her originally puzzled little face "poofed" and flooded with a blush.

"Mm mm mm..."

She lowered her head, stammered, and ran to the kitchen in a bit of a rush.

In the main hall, Pei Shiniang couldn't help but laugh.

"Truly pitiful, no wonder the Young Master loves her so much."

After speaking to herself, the beautiful woman put down her teacup, took a small bell from her sleeve and left it on the table, then turned and walked toward the door.

"Embroidery Maid, the old rule: if you have something, ring the bell. I'll go out and get busy for a while."

Pei Shiniang left these words and left the quiet little courtyard. Zhao Qingxiu began to tinker with the longevity noodles in the kitchen.

Although she was blind and mute, her five senses were sharp, and she was very familiar with this kitchen. She even knew clearly where it was suitable to lie down; she had studied it with Tanlang... Zhao Qingxiu, who was lowering her head and kneading dough on the cutting board, had her little face turn slightly red. She shook her head gently, shaking off this slightly dirty thought influenced by Tanlang.

Regardless, she was nimble with her hands and feet. After tinkering for a quarter of an hour, she finally finished a bowl of noodles.

Zhao Qingxiu stretched out a finger, endured the heat, and reached into the pot.

She dipped her finger and tasted a bit of the soup.

Without eyes to distinguish the heat and whether the soup and noodles were cooked, she could only use her skin's tactile sensation to test them. This was one of the many experiences Zhao Qingxiu had summarized after becoming blind.

Zhao Qingxiu smiled softly and wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

Taking a clean porcelain bowl, she scooped up a bowl of longevity noodles and carried it out of the kitchen.

Arriving at the main hall, she placed the longevity noodles on the table, covered her eyes, and looked around, as if she had looked around the quiet little courtyard.

"Ding ding dang—"

"Long ling—"

Zhao Qingxiu rang the bell Pei Shiniang had left behind.

At the same time, a sudden breeze swept across the corridor, blowing the icy white jade hairpin that Zhao Qingxiu often wore on her hair, making it ring crisply.

The sound of the bell and the collision of jade echoed in the empty courtyard.

For a moment, the courtyard seemed even more desolate and empty, with a hint of ethereal atmosphere.

Tanlang's clothes hanging on the clothesline in the courtyard were also blown bulging by the wind, as if they had been put on by an invisible wind.

Zhao Qingxiu tilted her head slightly to wait, listening intently.

She heard the familiar footsteps of a woman coming from afar.

"I'm coming..."

She called out at the courtyard gate outside, as she approached.

Zhao Qingxiu was just about to open her mouth to respond when she heard Pei Shiniang's footsteps outside stop abruptly.

Immediately after, there was a burst of strange yet familiar dialogue, both women.

Pei Shiniang's voice sounded again, somewhat stammering:

"Tha... thank..."

"Stop thanking. Who is the person hidden? Is it you or someone else?"

This voice was originally somewhat gentle, but the owner of the voice's words at this moment were somewhat cold and desolate.

"I didn't."

Pei Shiniang outside the door seemed to speak subconsciously, but after noticing something, she immediately shut her mouth and changed her words:

"That's not what I meant. Listen to me, there is actually a distant relative of mine temporarily staying inside..."

That gentle yet cold woman's voice interrupted:

"Your distant relative is quite fond of giving gifts to people. The four words 'Long Wu Xiang Wang' (Never Forget Each Other) have all been given away."

She seemed to chuckle and nod:

"Move aside."

She repeated it again, as if she had sniffed, with a slight choked nasal sound.

Pei Shiniang's voice was somewhat panicked:

"Miss Xie, please... my relative is unwell and it is inconvenient to see people..."

Just at this moment, another crisp voice belonging to a young lady sounded, strange and arrogant, but it seemed to be muffled, slightly dull as if separated by fabric:

"Girl Xie, don't listen to her. The ink I, this Immortal, smelled is pointing to this courtyard. 'Distant relative' my foot. This merchant woman loves to lie. I, this Immortal, remember that she once schemed to bully Little Xuan's family. She is the most cunning, bar none!"

The young lady who called herself 'this Immortal' shouted, somewhat fanning the flames:

"Quick, quick, quick, go in and catch them in the act. Let's see which vixen it is. Hmph, that brat doesn't come home for dinner every day and comes home so late at night. I, this Immortal, have long seriously suspected him. It's still me, this Immortal, who is god-like in foresight. Hehe, the nemesis of bad men, best at catching them in the act, bar none!"

"..."

The next second, only two sounds were heard coming from outside the door in succession:

"Miss Xie, please be understanding..."

Pei Shiniang said halfway.

"Pa—!"

An incredibly crisp slap sound resounded inside and outside the courtyard gate.

The whole world fell into silence.

With a creak, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

In the main hall, Zhao Qingxiu turned her head back.

At the doorway, which she couldn't see clearly because her eyes were covered by the sky-blue silk ribbon, a figure in red appeared.

Red like fire.

And cold like ice.

At the courtyard gate.

Ouyang Rong, who had rushed over, stared blankly at the quiet little courtyard after hearing Rong Zhen's words.

Rong Zhen pointed to the reddish slap mark on Pei Shiniang's face:

"So, do you feel one is too few? Prefect Ouyang doesn't mind the crowding at all."

She said with a smile:

"I find it crowded."

Ouyang Rong suddenly came back to his senses and licked his dry lips.

Pei Shiniang wanted to speak, but Rong Zhen cast a cold gaze.

Pei Shiniang retreated while gathering her courage to speak quickly:

"Young Master, Miss Xie has already gone in. I am useless and didn't stop her. Lady Rong came half a stick of incense late and indeed didn't go in, but she didn't call anyone to surround and capture them either..."

"Pa—!"

An extremely crisp slap sound rang out suddenly.

Pei Shiniang's face was already swollen, both with slap marks. She covered one side of her face with one hand, lowering her head deeply.

Ouyang Rong, who had reacted, stepped forward and blocked in front of her.

Rong Zhen lowered her eyes, wiped her hands carefully with a handkerchief, and said indifferently:

"I am talking to Prefect Ouyang. Is it your place to interrupt?"

Ouyang Rong frowned: "Lady Rong is going too far."

"Does your heart ache for her?"

Ouyang Rong shook his head.

Rong Zhen tilted her head:

"The one in the courtyard must be heartbroken, right?"

Ouyang Rong did not answer, his expression calm, his speaking speed as usual:

"Lady Rong, wait for me for a moment. I need to handle some family matters. Regarding Embroidery Maid, I will give you an explanation."

Rong Zhen laughed:

"Who cares for your explanation? Go explain to His Majesty. I will first arrest this woman, then report it to the imperial court."

Ouyang Rong turned his head abruptly:

"You are not allowed to go!"

Rong Zhen's expression was stunned for a moment, then she turned her head slowly:

"You are yelling at me, ordering me?"

She did not refer to herself as 'Ben Gong' (I).

"Ouyang Lianghan, who gave you the guts and qualifications to yell at me and order me?"

Ouyang Rong's expression and voice were as firm as iron:

"It is not an order, it is a plea!"

"Is this your attitude when begging someone? Do you really think I am your subordinate? Ouyang Lianghan, I hope you have such a tough expression when you see her in prison."

After speaking, Rong Zhen turned around and left abruptly.

But the next second, her arm was grabbed by Ouyang Rong, and Rong Zhen's petite and exquisite young girl's body was pulled back straight.

Only to see her two eye sockets were somewhat red, her chest heaving violently, and the words spat out from her pale lips were mocking and indifferent:

"Let go of your dog hands. If you grab me again, I'll chop them off, and then I'll submit a report accusing you of molestation..."

"Lady Official!"

Ouyang Rong interrupted suddenly:

"I only have this one request. Please... please accommodate me. I admit this is a selfish motive, but it will absolutely not delay official business. I guarantee that if I violate this, you may... dispose of me!"

Rong Zhen heard him using the toughest tone to say the softest words.

In all the time they had known each other, she had never heard such soft words from Ouyang Rong's mouth.

His pair of sword-like brows and star-like eyes were staring at her unblinkingly.

Full of determination.

Rong Zhen took a deep breath, turned her head away, not letting him see her eyes, and spat out one word without emotion:

"Scram."

Ouyang Rong shook his head, blocking in front of her, motionless like a mountain.

Rong Zhen turned back fiercely, glaring at him:

"Let go of your dog claws."

Ouyang Rong still shook his head, but changed to the other hand.

He changed from grabbing her bare forearm to grabbing her forearm covered by the sleeve fabric, as if respecting and avoiding suspicion.

The two of them pulled silently on the spot for a while.

Rong Zhen's free hand was behind her back, her fist clenched until her five fingers turned white.

"Fine!"

She suddenly spoke, raised her chin, and smiled:

"Within three breaths, besides destroying my mouth, give me a reason not to report it. Three, two, one..."

Just as her last number was spat out, Ouyang Rong shouted loudly:

"I will definitely teach you the old musician's zither piece, Lady Official!"

"I already know it."

"Including the essence!"

Rong Zhen sneered:

"Just you."

"Just me!"

Her tone was stiff:

"I am stupid, I don't know how."

"I will keep teaching! Until you know it."

"Fine, teach me for a lifetime then."

Ouyang Rong's cheeks puffed up, with some ruthlessness:

"I absolutely will!"

He added another sentence:

"I will definitely teach you. Those who break their word will be torn to pieces..."

Rong Zhen, who was originally smiling, interrupted suddenly:

"Why would I need to do the tearing? You go in, the Xie family girl will tear you in half. I'll collect your corpse for you. Haha, hahaha."

She laughed dryly twice, her expression gradually becoming bored. She turned her face away, her eyes looking into the distance with a desolate look.

No more words.

Ouyang Rong tried to let go of his hand and found that Rong Zhen didn't move again.

Seeing that the most unstable factor had been temporarily stabilized, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Temporarily having no time to ask how she discovered Embroidery Maid, he immediately turned his head and rushed toward the courtyard.

At this time, Pei Shiniang, who had been standing on the spot being punished and covering her face, caught a glimpse of a blue-clothed constable's figure returning.

Yan Liulang stood not far behind Rong Zhen and Pei Shiniang, standing with his hands behind his back, looking straight ahead, not saying a word, like a transparent person.

Rong Zhen didn't pay attention to him, her dark eyes staring straight at the courtyard ahead, not knowing what she was thinking.

Pei Shiniang couldn't help but turn her head to look at this colleague who also worked under the Young Master.

Yan Liulang stared unblinkingly, even faintly puffing out his chest.

Pei Shiniang's eyes were incredibly resentful...

From Rong Zhen's side to the entrance of the quiet little courtyard, it was less than twenty meters.

Even though it only took a few short breaths, Ouyang Rong felt as if a century had passed.

Approaching the courtyard, Ouyang Rong's originally hurried footsteps became slower and slower, slowing down.

The courtyard in front of him was incredibly quiet.

It was like a pitch-black, unknown abyss.

To say he was afraid or scared, that wouldn't count.

But to say he was calm and indifferent, that wasn't it either.

Ouyang Rong was not a timid or cowardly person to begin with.

On the contrary, when he truly encountered major events, a great courage would surge in his chest.

In terms of career, whether major or minor, he was decisive and courageous.

And in terms of feelings, it was slightly different;

For the daily jealousies of the women in his household, he would be slightly timid and cowardly, trying his best to avoid their conflicts.

But when truly encountering major emotional events, at critical moments, he would become very courageous, and instead, there was nothing to fear.

That is to say, when it involved women, he was timid in minor matters and courageous in major ones.

Ouyang Rong adjusted his breathing while straightening his collar, and finally, he came to the courtyard gate on tiptoe.

The courtyard gate was ajar.

He placed his palm on the bronze ring on the wooden door for knocking.

Slowly gripping it tight.

Ouyang Rong suddenly felt that most of a person's life is actually plain and stable, but in the middle, there will be special nodes one after another. You don't know when the interpersonal relationships of your entire life will be suddenly disrupted, causing earth-shaking changes. Some changes are good, some are bad, and most are unknown. The gears of fate will suddenly accelerate.

Just like him today, at this moment.

Clearly, it was the same as every time he came over in the past, wearing that most comfortable cyan Confucian robe, coming here in a low-key and ordinary way, preparing to enter the courtyard to eat the food Embroidery Maid cooked.

But today, the changes behind this door in front of him were unknown.

At this very moment, Ouyang Rong was incredibly clearly aware of this point, but it seemed... it was of no use.

Rumble—

Above his head, in the thick black clouds pressing forward in the northern sky, came bursts of muffled thunder. It was as if a wild beast from the wilderness was hiding in the clouds, roaring in anger.

The rain that didn't finish falling last night was about to pour down again.

It couldn't be avoided.

Ouyang Rong didn't look up, took a deep breath, and without further hesitation, pushed the door and entered.

He walked into the main hall.

What entered Ouyang Rong's eyes was a strange and peculiar scene, which made his originally tense face pause for a moment:

Beside the Eight Immortals table, a fire-red beautiful figure sat upright.

It was the only figure in the main hall.

Xie Lingjiang's red skirt trailed on the floor, her hands holding chopsticks, holding a noodle bowl, lowering her head to eat noodles.

The white-skirted figure of Zhao Qingxiu was not seen in the main hall.

Ouyang Rong looked left and right, and finally, in the backyard, he vaguely caught a glimpse of Embroidery Maid's figure.

She was... in front of the clothesline, trying hard to stand on tiptoe, collecting those few pieces of his men's clothing.

The entire courtyard was calm and peaceful.

Just like in the past... perhaps.

——————