Chapter 637: 537. A Small Reunion

537. A Small Reunion

Near noon.

Inside the main tent, everyone was reunited, and the atmosphere was full of joy.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze from Ye Ye Weilai and Sister Caishou.

Li Su Xian's couple, with Li Su Dalang, were asking after Zhen Zhen Shuyuan.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong didn't participate, but was pulled by his aunt by the sleeve and couldn't leave, so he asked Li Su Xian for the night pearl back, held it in his hand, and looked down at it.

Mistress Miao Zhen's words from the morning echoed in his ears again.

He showed a thoughtful expression.

Thinking carefully, the night pearl flew out of his arms last night and rose slowly, but that scene was somewhat similar to his usual deployment of the sword 【Craftsman】.

It was just that it was replaced by a tripod sword.

But both were the starting style of the 【Cold Scholar】 supernatural power, Return to the Fields and Gardens.

Because he knew he hadn't deployed the sword, Magistrate Ouyang Rong subconsciously ignored this detail at the time.

Now it seems that only an outsider like Mistress Miao Zhen saw it clearly, and Rong Zhen as well, who also defaulted to him deploying the sword at the time.

But only Magistrate Ouyang Rong himself knew that apart from redeeming a blessing in advance, he didn't exert any influence on the night pearl.

And the 【Cold Scholar】 supernatural power, until now, only Magistrate Ouyang Rong had used it, almost exclusively his own.

Except for Tao Yuanming who descended from the gods.

The sword formula of "Return to the Fields and Gardens" was only mastered by Magistrate Ouyang Rong alone and had not been leaked... wait, that's not right. Back when Li Guo'er had her birthday gift, he gave a copy, and only Li Su Dalang and Li Guo'er had seen it.

However, the brother and sister were both keeping secrets for him...

Magistrate Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and pondered, frowning for a while.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan and Li Su Xian's couple noticed his distraction, but no one spoke to disturb him.

The two sides continued to chat familiarly, and Zhen Zhen Shuyuan said sadly:

"After separating in Longcheng, the more I thought about it, the more worried I became, so I asked Wang Caozhi and Madam Pei to stop the boat and turn back. However..."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan looked at Magistrate Ouyang Rong and found that her beloved nephew had returned to his senses and was looking at her. She said first:

"However, Tan Lang, rest assured, I won't be a drag. Before returning, I first asked that brat Wang Caozhi to go to Longcheng to inquire about the news of Prince Xunyang City, confirmed that the danger in Prince Xunyang had been lifted, and that you were safe and sound and had gone south to chase the Prince, only then did I turn back to find you."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong put the night pearl back into Li Su Xian's hand, temporarily hiding that doubt.

He caught a glimpse of two familiar figures at the door and turned to look.

It was Wang Caozhi and Madam Pei Thirteen.

The two of them, like Lu Ya and Zhang Zhang Shixiu, were standing guard outside the door.

The short youth was laughing, chatting with his acquaintance Lu Ya. Seeing Magistrate Ouyang Rong's gaze cast over, he winked, showing no respect for his elders.

Madam Pei Thirteen looked at him with concern, and after making eye contact with him, she seemed to have found a backbone and let out a long sigh of relief.

The beautiful woman in a scarf smiled and curtsied, bowing gracefully.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded lightly, greeted his two right-hand men from a distance, then withdrew his gaze, and answered in his mouth:

"It was the nephew who was late for the appointment. Aunt and the Prince waited for two days in Longcheng, almost ruining things. It was the nephew's fault."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan shook her head vigorously, looking distressed, and gently wiped the wound on his shoulder with a handkerchief.

"What fault or not? You are the backbone. We rely on you entirely. Although I feel warm, Tan Lang always loves to take risks, leaving danger to himself and stability to us. I often have nightmares in my heart, about you, and I'm like a frightened bird..."

Li Su Xian was also ashamed: "Tan Lang has worked hard."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong looked at Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, whose pair of dark circles under her eyes couldn't be covered even with rouge, and the bloodshot eyes in her whites, and pursed his lips.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan choked and then smiled: "It's okay, don't mention this. It's good to be safe, safe is good."

Wei Mei grabbed her hand, and Li Su Xian also said happily:

"Everyone says there are four great joys in life, but in this Prince's view, in times of war and chaos, relatives and friends are safe, although not separated, but reunited, this is also a great joy! Let's drink a big cup."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan smiled and said:

"Alright, alright, that's settled. When the time comes, this Prince and Mei Niang will toast Lady Zhen a cup."

Li Su Xian laughed heartily, waving his big hand and making the decision directly.

However, the bruises and swelling caused by his fall by the river were a bit out of place, slightly affecting the style of the head of the family, causing Magistrate Ouyang Rong, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, and the maids like Ban Xi to look sideways.

After promising boldly, as if remembering something, Li Su Xian pulled Wei Mei to one side and asked something in a low voice. Everyone couldn't hear the words.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong vaguely heard some words from Wei Mei's reply.

"The imperial physician said... your Qi and blood are weak... drink less for health... limited to two cups."

I don't know when, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's gaze turned to Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang and Rong Zhen there.

The two women had called Ye Ye Weilai away and were whispering instructions.

However, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's gaze fell on the white-dressed palace girl among them.

Behind her, Ban Xi was holding a lacquer box, which Magistrate Ouyang Rong found somewhat familiar.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan reached out, and Ban Xi handed over the lacquer box.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan touched it, and the lacquer box was warm, as if it contained hot food.

She opened the lacquer box.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong, Li Su Xian, and the others nearby instantly smelled a fishy fragrance.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan looked inside and withdrew her gaze, muttering in her mouth:

"Tan Lang, why is this Lady Historian Rong Zhen boiling soup? So polite..."

When she arrived at the door just now, when she got off the carriage, everyone rushed forward to greet her.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan was surrounded by everyone at the time and didn't think much,

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan was surrounded by the crowd at the time and didn't think much of it; she subconsciously accepted all the water skins and hot towels handed to her, including this lacquer box.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan vaguely remembered it being presented by this noble lady official with the cold expression; after handing it to her, the lady official had slowly stepped back.

Like everyone else around, she did not steal the spotlight, leaving the position of honor for the welcoming to Li Wang Lixian and his wife.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong whispered, "It should be a small gesture of hers, Lady Zhen, please accept it."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan noticed that Li Wang Lixian and his wife both turned their heads away, as if they hadn't heard and weren't getting involved in the topic.

A woman's unique intuition made her take another look at her nephew.

"Fine, as long as you have a plan in mind, Tanlang."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong felt that his aunt's final glance was somewhat meaningful.

A short while later, the communication over there concluded, and Li Su Guoer, Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang, and Rong Zhen returned one after another, bringing the white-haired girl and the round-faced maid with them.

Li Su Guoer said softly:

"Sister Caishou has no problem with it; she is willing to learn."

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang and Rong Zhen nodded almost simultaneously.

"Ye Weilai has no problem either; she said as long as you nod, Ru Shixiong, it's fine."

"I can teach her Qi Refining on the road."

Rong Zhen pointed again at the round-faced maid and said to Magistrate Ouyang Rong:

"Let your Xiao Shimei teach this one; whoever is faster can try the sword first."

The atmosphere went quiet for a moment.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang said coolly to Magistrate Ouyang Rong:

"Let Ye Weilai choose for herself; there is no need for others to decide for her. Ru Shixiong, please also trouble yourself to tell the Lady Official to stop worrying unnecessarily."

With the two women standing so close, Magistrate Ouyang Rong could hardly actually pass on the message.

He felt the atmosphere all around them growing increasingly rigid.

Ye Ye Weilai couldn't help but look at Miss Chenjun Xie and Lady Official Rong Zhen, who were being unusually enthusiastic toward her today.

The white-haired girl suddenly asked, breaking the silence like a lifeline:

"Tanlang, such a divine object, why aren't you the one holding it?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong patted her small shoulder, his voice gentle:

"I already have one. Too much of a good thing can be counterproductive; occupying another sword wouldn't be appropriate. It has been with me for so long without recognizing me as its master, which already says a lot. Besides, I no longer meet the conditions for it now; it makes no difference who among you takes it."

Sister Caishou asked curiously, "Why must it be a woman?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong was rendered speechless.

The others also looked over, waiting for his answer.

Li Su Dalang chimed in, "Speaking of which, men should be fine too, right? Why not let Yan Liulang try?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong coughed.

He was reminded again of that golden blessing containing the peach-colored fine threads.

He couldn't very well say outright that he had deduced it from the blessing, which vaguely hinted that this cauldron sword was related to women, could he?

Magistrate Ouyang Rong said to everyone with a serious face:

"It is better to stick to women if possible; this cauldron sword should be suited to women, and it wouldn't be a good fit for men. Besides, the Saint currently likes to promote women. Sister Caishou, you and Ye Weilai are of a suitable age; starting Qi Refining now holds great prospects."

That makes sense.

Everyone nodded like chicks pecking at grain.

The current political correctness of the Great Zhou is that women are superior to men.

The reigning Empress also heavily promotes female officials.

It's a very simple logic: if women were inferior to men, then on what grounds is she, Wei Zhao, the Empress of the Ages, ordering around all those great men in the imperial court?

Magistrate Ouyang Rong sighed; whatever else one might say about this Saint, she is truly the number one person of this era when it comes to women's liberation. It would be even better if she were older and had fewer male favorites.

"Your Highness, Young Master Magistrate Ouyang."

Qin Ying's voice came from outside.

The people in the main tent turned to look; at the entrance, the figures of Qin Ying and Qin Qin Yanqing appeared.

Behind them, outside the main tent, stood the distant figure of a middle-aged lady official.

It was Mistress Miao Zhen.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong walked over first: "What is the matter?"

Qin Ying smiled:

"The hour is late, so we will take our leave first. After escorting Lady Official Mistress Miao Zhen and the Bai Hu Guard back to Prince Xunyang City, Brother Qin Yanqing and I must return to the main army camp to report. Grandfather is still waiting for us to return. If there is anything further, you and His Highness can send a letter to Grandfather, or if you have any words now, you can write a letter, and we will take it back."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Li Wang Lixian exchanged a glance.

Qin Ying saw the young man in the Confucian robe turn his head back with a calm expression, saying mildly:

"Very well, a letter is unnecessary. Please thank your Grandfather on behalf of His Highness and myself. You may pass on a message: just say... like Duke Hu, Old General Qin and the Duke Hu estate will always be the door gods for the people of Great Zhou; no matter whose house it is, they will be posted during the New Year, and the Prince's Mansion will be the same."

Upon hearing this, Qin Qin Yanqing took two extra looks at Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Li Wang Lixian.

When the amiable gaze of that Prince of Prince Xunyang fell upon him, Qin Qin Yanqing lowered his head again, observing the rule of not looking at what is improper.

Li Su Guoer's eyes flickered as she looked at Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, her clear gaze lingering on the face of this young man in the Confucian robe who had perfectly conveyed his message with such understatement.

Some things cannot be conveyed by letter.

It is not just because of the reserve unique to scholars.

Qin Ying whispered the words over, as if memorizing them.

Compared to the silent Qin Qin Yanqing, she was carefree, waving her small hand as she said:

"No problem, Young Master Magistrate Ouyang, rest assured. Before New Year's Eve this year, no matter where you are, I guarantee a stack of door god couplets will be sent to you and His Highness. They are all drawn by Grandfather himself. Grandfather doesn't draw many each year, but I am responsible for laying out the paper and grinding the ink, so I can easily get them."

She said to Magistrate Ouyang Rong and the people in the main tent with a beaming smile:

"Last time Grandfather learned that you had posted the door god couplets he sent at your residence on Huaiye Lane, he was smug for a long time. He boasted to me that even Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, the recognized literary scholar and Confucian gentleman of Shenjing Luoyang, had posted the ink work of a rough fellow like him at his own door, and that it was truly a piece hard to come by outside. Giggles, Grandfather is sometimes just like an old child."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong smiled: "Heh, very well. I will see you off."

"Mm!"

Qin Qin Yanqing prepared to politely refuse, but after glancing at Qin Ying, who had agreed immediately and was beaming with joy, he withdrew his words, remained silent, and followed behind his cousin.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong went out to see them off.

Logically speaking, Rong Zhen should also go to give instructions to her colleague Mistress Miao Zhen.

However, Magistrate Ouyang Rong looked around and did not see the Lady Official following.

Looking back, he saw Rong Zhen still remaining over by the main tent, sitting together with his aunt, Ye Weilai, and the others.

But just before leaving, he clearly remembered Rong Zhen getting up to follow... did she go back halfway?

An incense stick of time later.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong stood alone by the side of the official road, watching the two large detachments of the Xuanwu Battalion and the Bai Hu Guard move into the distance, dust rolling.

Qin Ying rode on a white horse, following at the very rear of the procession, the last to withdraw. She was somewhat chattering away:

"Young Master Magistrate Ouyang, you are going to Shenjing Luoyang with His Highness, right?

"I grew up in Shenjing Luoyang, and I know quite a few friends there; there are the sons of the Northern Capital nobility who frequent the Southern Music Quarter of Pingkang Lane, riding white horses with silver saddles; there are the youths of the Five Mausoleums who get drunk every night in the water pavilions of Yongxing Lane, spending thousands of gold; and there are also some sisters I met when I was eating vegetarian food and cultivating at Yuzhen Temple on Mount Mount Zhongnan...

"Oh right, there are also the young ladies from high-ranking official families living in Jishan Lane, but that little circle of theirs loves to hold poetry gatherings at the Shanglin Park, and they would even use Xue Tao paper for toilet paper if they could. The threshold for an invitation is knowing how to write in the official pavilion style. Anyway, they never invite me, but your name is so famous there—the Peerless Gentleman Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, the youngest scholar of the Xiuwen Pavilion... Hehe, if they knew I was so close to you, they would really have to invite me this time."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong listened quietly, saying "Mm" from time to time.

Finally, the main force was all on the road, and Qin Ying had to follow. She looked back with reluctance:

"Young Master Magistrate Ouyang, please return. There are many things I want to say, but Brother Qin Yanqing is in a hurry, so I will explain in a letter another day."

"Take care."

"Take care, Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan!"

After seeing Qin Ying off, Magistrate Ouyang Rong returned.

Alone, he passed through the now-deserted Left Bank camp.

He looked down and saw that the shallow grass by the riverbank, which had been ankle-deep, had completely disappeared, consumed by the horses of the hundreds of armored soldiers.

Looking out, it was empty.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong lifted his robes, rowed a boat across the river, passed the rapids, and returned to the main tent.

Except for Pei Pei Pei Shisan Niang waiting at the entrance, no one else was in the tent.

"Young Master, please follow me; everyone is dining in the woods."

Pei Pei Pei Shisan Niang bowed and led the way. Magistrate Ouyang Rong arrived at an open clearing in the woods where a trickling stream flowed by, one that could be crossed in half a step. Small tables were set up on both banks of the stream, divided into seats of honor and guest seats.

He looked around; everyone had already taken their seats.

"Tanlang, everyone is waiting for you. Come, sit here."

Li Su Dalang jumped up excitedly and pulled Magistrate Ouyang Rong to his seat.

As soon as he sat down, Li Wang Lixian looked around, and seeing everyone safely reunited, he also acted like a big child, so happy he was almost dancing.

"Good, good, everyone is here, not a single one missing."

This Prince was clearly a man of deep emotion; everyone was already familiar with this, and they all laughed happily.

Li Wang Lixian was in high spirits, drinking several cups in a row, his face flushed, and he couldn't help but cover his mouth and cough.

Wei Mei patted his back and rolled her eyes at him:

"I told you to drink less. It's the last cup of wine, and you still think you're a young man like Tanlang or Su Dalang?"

Li Wang Lixian chuckled sheepishly.

After Magistrate Ouyang Rong sat down, he sized up the seating arrangement.

Li Wang Lixian's family was naturally sitting at the head of the table in the seats of honor.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong had been pulled over by Li Su Dalang and was sitting between him and Li Su Guoer. Li Su Dalang was enthusiastically pouring wine for Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Li Su Guoer.

Next was Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's seat for the guest of honor, close to the main seats.

However, the closest to the main seats was Rong Zhen; she was at the head of Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, sandwiched between Zhen Zhen Shuyuan and Li Wang Lixian and his wife, after all, Lady Official Rong Zhen held the status of a True Immortal Commandery Princess.

The upper seats were the more honorable side, mostly referring to the left-hand side.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang sat to the right of Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, which was the lower seat, and Ye Ye Weilai sat below Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang.

In the past, she had always sat right next to Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, but with Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang here, she naturally had to move back.

However, Ye Ye Weilai didn't say a word; she took the initiative to set the bowls and chopsticks for Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang and Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, and even got up to walk over and set them for Rong Zhen.

Looking out from Magistrate Ouyang Rong's perspective.

To Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's left was Rong Zhen, and to her right was his Xiao Shimei.

One didn't need to guess to know that this was likely arranged by Wang Caozhi.

This kid knew exactly who was the elder at the table.