Chapter 638

538. A Banquet of Parting

When Magistrate Ouyang Rong looked over with an expressionless face.

Wang Caozhi had already "whooshed" to his feet and said to Magistrate Ouyang Rong with a straight face:

"Brother-in-law, Xie Xiao Niangzi Zhen, I have reflected and reviewed; this luncheon was prepared a bit hastily. The Prince is heading north, and it's not good to make a scene, so I could only discreetly purchase some food and wine from the largest restaurant in Hanyang County. The banquet could only be held in the open air, which is a bit shabby..."

He sighed, looking somewhat guilty:

"However, isn't it popular among Shenjing Luoyang scholars now to have banquets with floating wine cups on winding streams? I am a vulgar merchant, but Brother-in-law and the Prince are not. It just so happens that Shiniang and I can bask in your reflected glory and pretend to be refined for once."

Hearing this glib tongue, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan smiled dumbly:

"Alright, you did a good job; it's clear you put your heart into it. Stop playing around with Tanlang."

After Zhen Zhen Shuyuan spoke, Magistrate Ouyang Rong looked away.

Wang Caozhi remained composed, as if nothing had happened, neither arrogant nor rash.

He, along with Pei Pei Pei Shisan Niang, Uncle Shun, Sister Caishou, and Banxi, were all called by Li Wang Lixian to take their seats.

Li Wang Lixian asked with concern:

"By the way, Tanlang, is Army Supervisor Yan alright?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong replied:

"Yan Liulang is guarding Prince Xunyang City, safe and sound."

Li Wang Lixian said with relief: "That's good. With a good role model like Tanlang, Yan Liulang is indeed performing his duties as the Jiangzhou Army Supervisor quite competently."

Wei Mei bypassed Li Wang Lixian and suddenly interrupted:

"Tanlang, just now when you saw them off, did Mistress Miao Zhen say anything?"

Li Wang Lixian's expression changed slightly; as Wei Mei looked at him, he hurriedly picked up the ice pack on the table to continue soothing his face, incidentally covering his expression.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong shook his head:

"She didn't say anything. Xie Xiao Niangzi Official Mistress Miao Zhen left directly and didn't leave any words behind."

Speaking of this, he turned his head to look at the straight-faced Li Wang Lixian, feeling somewhat curious in his heart about what exactly Li Wang Lixian and Mistress Miao Zhen had talked about when he went to find her not long ago, and why the Princess Consort Wei Mei had taken action to discipline her husband.

But curiosity is curiosity; Magistrate Ouyang Rong never meddled in other people's family affairs.

Just as Li Wang Lixian and Wei Mei didn't really meddle in his private affairs either.

"Oh, is that so?"

Wei Mei's expression was as usual, and she asked Li Wang Lixian with great patience:

"Have Wang Qilang and her finished talking? It's still not too late to chase after her now; after all, she is a life-saving benefactor."

Li Wang Lixian subconsciously waved his hand:

"Finished talking, finished talking... wait, I have nothing to say to her; how can there be a saying of finished or unfinished? Meiniang, don't tease me, haha."

The atmosphere at the table was quiet, with only Li Wang Lixian's laughter, so the laughter seemed all the more awkward.

Everyone was looking at their noses and their hearts.

Li Wang Lixian hurriedly used the ice pack to soothe his face, blocking it. After a while, he changed the subject:

"By the way, Tanlang, when are we departing?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong stared at the wine cup in front of him, not raising his head as he said:

"Tomorrow morning. Caozhi, Shiniang, and I still need to plan the route north, and we'll go to Hanyang County this afternoon to purchase some things.

"Now that there are no pursuers, we are like fish entering the vast sea, unimpeded. Your Highness, everything should be kept simple, so we will take the fastest route back to the capital and stop as little as possible along the way."

"Good, I will follow Tanlang's arrangements entirely."

Li Wang Lixian nodded with pleasure, looking at the methodical Tanlang, a warm current flowing through his heart.

The corners of Wei Mei's and Li Su Dalang's mouths were also filled with uncontrollable smiles, their hearts feeling warm.

Whenever Tanlang was around, the things they worried about, every time they asked, Tanlang had a contingency plan or had already solved them; there was a sense of security in being the first to worry about the worries of the crowd.

Li Wang Lixian sipped his wine in small mouthfuls, smacked his lips, and sighed:

"Twenty years in a flash. Speaking of which, I've almost forgotten the Shenjing Luoyang dialect. Before we enter the Imperial City, passing by Zhuque Avenue, we must sit down and eat a bowl of mutton paomo. Tanlang must also have a good taste of it, and the Eight Great Delicacies of Shenjing Luoyang, the 'Open Mouth Smile,' the Golden Jujube, the Five-Spice Twisted Crisps..."

Hearing about food, Sister Caishou swallowed, her small face filled with longing.

Li Su Dalang listened, feeling a bit confused.

Li Su Guoer was quiet, picking up food and sending it to her lips, chewing carefully.

Compared to the rough northern delicacies that sounded like they were mixed with wind and sand, she, raised by the water and soil of the south, seemed to prefer refined southern dishes.

Wei Mei seemed worried about something and gave serious instructions to Li Su Dalang and Li Su Guoer:

"Li Fusu, Su Guoer, remember, although you grew up in the south, you are authentic northerners. Your Li ancestors, for hundreds of years, galloped on horseback west of Liangzhou, on the land from Yumen to Gaochang, bending bows and drinking in the wind and sand."

She instructed carefully: "Once you return to Shenjing Luoyang, you will be the purest northerners, the most noble descendants of the Guanlong region. There is no need to be inferior or timid; you can boldly make an appearance and get to know the children of other prominent noble families. No, they should be the ones proactively approaching you."

Li Su Dalang scratched his head: "I'm not very good at making friends. With Tanlang and Yan Liulang by my side, I can be more open, but as for my younger sister, Mother, you don't need to worry at all."

He smiled and pointed at his own sister, his tone filled with a brother's doting:

"The standards for a young gentleman and a young lady are different. Different water and soil produce different people. My sister has the appearance of a beautiful and graceful southern young lady, which is a heaven-sent advantage. Once we go to Shenjing Luoyang, I don't know how many eyes she will hook and how many noble sons she will attract. The young ladies of those northern noble families couldn't catch up to my sister's national beauty even if they rode horses."

Lu Ya, who had remained quiet at the table, nodded seriously:

"That's right. Master said that for a young woman, having the appearance of a southerner while being a northerner is a great blessing. When the current Saint was young, she had this kind of appearance, coupled with a different temperament like a hammer striking a fierce horse, which caught the attention of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gao Zong..."

The deadpan-faced Daoist was halfway through speaking when someone tugged at his sleeve under the table. He turned his head in confusion to look at Ru Shixiong Zhang beside him.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu looked straight ahead.

Wei Mei and Li Su Dalang both took it as a compliment.

Wei Mei touched her slightly sallow face and said proudly: "Su Guoer is like me, just like I was when I was young, as fresh and lively as a little cabbage."

Li Wang Lixian:...

Li Su Dalang:...

Li Su Guoer couldn't listen anymore; she stiffened her face and stopped her mother and brother from teasing her.

Li Su Dalang laughed out loud and filled his sister's cup with wine, noticing his sister looking to the side and winking at him.

Li Su Dalang turned his head and saw Magistrate Ouyang Rong drinking alone, his cup already empty, so he hurriedly filled it:

"Why is Tanlang drinking alone?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong didn't touch the wine cup, his eyes fixed on the wine reflecting his handsome face, and he said without raising his head:

"Aunt, Ye Weilai is staying behind. Tomorrow morning you can only return to Nanlong alone. I will have Shiniang send you back."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, who was tasting the fish soup Rong Zhen had boiled, looked somewhat reluctant, but prepared to nod:

"I'll listen to Tanlang..."

"Hey, Xie Xiao Niangzi Zhen, wait."

Wei Mei interrupted with a smile:

"Tanlang, why not just take Xie Xiao Niangzi Zhen back to the capital together? Don't go back to Nanlong. It just so happens that Ye Ye Weilai also has to cultivate all the way to the capital. Xie Xiao Niangzi Zhen doesn't have anyone close by her side, which is ultimately inconvenient. Besides, Xie Xiao Niangzi Zhen is not young anymore; as a nephew, you should often accompany her and fulfill your filial piety.

"Moreover, this time returning to the capital, we have the great merit of the Cauldron Sword, so the danger is very small. It won't be a big problem for Xie Xiao Niangzi Zhen to follow, unlike when we first arrived in Prince Xunyang City."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's expression seemed moved, but she was reasonable:

"Tanlang, I am fine with anything; I'll follow your arrangements. Whether it's you going to the capital first to gain a firm foothold and then picking me up, or me following you now, both are fine. Come to think of it, I haven't been to Shenjing Luoyang yet, so it can be considered seeing the world, seeing how the people in the Imperial City live, and how it's different from our Jiang Nan."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong didn't speak again, and everyone laughed.

Wei Mei took the opportunity to talk about the local specialties and scenery of Shenjing Luoyang, which made Zhen Zhen Shuyuan sigh with emotion.

As everyone laughed, they couldn't help but glance at Magistrate Ouyang Rong.

As the invisible backbone, everyone's peripheral attention had actually been on him all along.

But at this moment, they discovered that Tanlang hadn't been laughing at all.

The young man in the Confucian robe lowered his head, untied the Moonlight Long Sword and the Red Lotus Sword Seal from his waist, got up, and walked over, placing them on Li Wang Lixian's table, stacking them neatly.

This strange action immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.

Li Su Dalang asked in confusion: "Tanlang, what are you doing..."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan asked with concern: "Why aren't you eating? Is the wound still hurting? Later, let Ye Weilai..."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong returned to his seat, lowered his head to tidy his cuffs, sat down slowly, and said:

"Aunt misunderstood, and the Princess Consort also misunderstood. I am not returning to the capital; it is you, Your Highness, who are returning. I will see you off tomorrow morning, and I will return to Prince Xunyang. Staying today is to see you off."

The whole place went silent instantly.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong didn't look around, picked up the wine cup in front of him, and drank it in one gulp.

After exhaling a long breath, he said softly:

"I am going to bring Sister Xiuniang back. I promised to take her to Shenjing Luoyang."

In the open clearing, one could hear a pin drop.

There was only the slight splashing sound of the trickling stream.

Pairs of eyes were cast toward the young man in the Confucian robe who had spoken so solemnly.

They wanted to speak but stopped.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's eyes were a bit red.

Rong Zhen looked straight at Magistrate Ouyang Rong.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang lowered her eyes, quietly staring at the lady's dress she had specially changed into today.

In fact, since everyone reunited yesterday, there was one question that everyone had been trying to avoid.

That was the matter of Sister Xiuniang.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang had asked once.

But Magistrate Ouyang Rong hadn't answered in detail.

Li Wang Lixian and the others were afraid to ask, fearing they would reopen Magistrate Ouyang Rong's scars.

Because the matter of Sister Xiuniang was very sensitive.

However, at this very moment, the thing they feared most had happened.

Just because some things aren't mentioned doesn't mean they don't exist.

Especially for someone like Magistrate Ouyang Rong, who is firm in temperament and insists on his own principles.

Yet, it was precisely because they knew this that everyone was even more afraid to ask... it sounded somewhat contradictory.

Li Wang Lixian whispered:

"Tanlang..."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong suddenly turned his head, pointing at the Moonlight Long Sword and the Red Lotus Sword Seal:

"Your Highness, keep these two items safe. They concern the Cauldron Sword. In the unlikely event that Sister Caishou and Ye Weilai haven't reached the ninth level of Qi Refining on the road, or if they have reached the ninth level but the true name on the little Princess's note doesn't match and the Cauldron Sword isn't activated, then you can only offer the Night-Shining Pearl Cauldron Sword directly. At that time, you can use these two items to activate and prove it in front of the Saint."

Li Wang Lixian didn't look at the Moonlight Long Sword or the Sword Seal; his eyes remained fixed on him.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's expression was calm. Beside him, Li Su Dalang stood rooted to the spot, speechless, so he poured himself wine, took a sip, and continued to instruct:

"Wang Caozhi, you follow the Prince to the capital. Shiniang, you stay behind for now and send Aunt back to Nanlong.

"Ye Weilai, you follow the Xiao Shimei and Xie Xiao Niangzi Official Rong Zhen well. Cultivate Qi diligently on the road and do your best. If you don't become the Sword Master, it's fine. I know your temperament; you will definitely be the most diligent learner. Perhaps it's just not in your fate; don't blame yourself."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong turned his head and pointed at Li Su Guoer for everyone:

"I am not here, so if there is anything difficult to decide, the little Princess's advice should take priority. The little Princess is brave and decisive in major matters, so the Prince and the Heir can rest assured and listen to her."

He said to Li Su Guoer again:

"Young Xie Xiao Niangzi Qin knows many people in Shenjing Luoyang, all of whom are noble children and famous ladies. The little Princess likes making friends, so you can write to Young Xie Xiao Niangzi Qin often to open up the situation."

Finding that everyone was looking at him, Magistrate Ouyang Rong pointed at himself calmly:

"This time it really isn't being willful. First, I have to return to Prince Xunyang City; I can't let Yan Liulang clean up the mess alone. Second, Sister Xiuniang hasn't returned, so I cannot leave."

Zhang Zhang Shixiu suddenly asked:

"Is the Sister Xiuniang that Young Master Magistrate Ouyang speaks of the one from the Yue Lady Yue Chuzi Pavilion?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong nodded, his gaze toward him somewhat probing.

Zhang Zhang Shixiu pondered:

"I heard Junior Brother Lu mention it... I remember that before leaving that day, I saw the Second Xie Xiao Niangzi taking Sister Xiuniang back to the villa. At the time, Sister Xiuniang seemed to be in a coma and seriously injured. The First Xie Xiao Niangzi and Second Xie Xiao Niangzi were quite anxious, as if they were sending her back to the Sword Marsh to treat her injuries."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong fell silent abruptly.

A short while later, he suddenly nodded:

"Thank you. Can you help me find the location of the Xie Xiao Niangzi Yunmeng Sword Marsh? Xie Xiao Niangzi Yunmeng is too vast."

Zhang Zhang Shixiu hesitated for a moment, then nodded:

"This Daoist will do his best, but you must be careful of the Xie Xiao Niangzi Official Pavilion; they are not easy to talk to, so Young Master, do not provoke them."

"Good." Magistrate Ouyang Rong narrowed his eyes slightly: "Daoist, just help me find the location of the Xie Xiao Niangzi Official Pavilion. I will go and pay a visit personally. Daoist Lu Ya should have told you that I am very reasonable and very polite."

Rong Zhen couldn't help but glance sideways.

Lu Ya didn't notice anything wrong and replied: "Young Master Magistrate Ouyang is indeed kind to others, Ru Shixiong Zhang, rest assured."

"Good." Zhang Zhang Shixiu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that this Young Master Magistrate Ouyang was indeed elegant and easygoing; in the short two days he had known him, his calm and reasonable character had left a deep impression on him.

After giving general instructions, Magistrate Ouyang Rong calmed down and went to eat his food.

The people around him remained silent.

Some of them wanted to speak but stopped.

Until Wei Mei's worried voice broke the silence:

"Wang Qilang, stop drinking..."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong turned his head to look, only to see Li Wang Lixian with his head lowered, saying nothing, drinking wine cup after cup.

Li Wang Lixian waved his hand, burying his head to pick up food, his expression unclear:

"It's fine, my body is cold, drinking a few more cups will warm me up..."

As soon as he finished speaking, he was choked by the wine, coughing until his face was flushed red.

Wei Mei hurriedly patted his back, somewhat angry:

"You said it yourself, last time the Heavenly Master Yuan whispered to you to pay more attention to your health, regulate your schedule, and drink less strong alcohol..."

"Alright, Meiniang."

Li Wang Lixian suddenly shouted to stop Wei Mei.

The latter was stunned.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong turned his head sharply and immediately asked: "Your Highness, what exactly did the Heavenly Master Yuan leave behind?"

"Don't listen to Meiniang taking things out of context. That day the Prince's Mansion was burned, and I was a bit startled, so my complexion wasn't good, that's all. The Heavenly Master probably remembered my father, Emperor Gao Zong's illness, but the Heavenly Master also said it was fine, just a precaution. I still remember when Emperor Gao Zong was critically ill, the Heavenly Master went to look for medicine, but it was to no avail later."

The atmosphere was quiet, and everyone exchanged glances.

Li Su Guoer was somewhat uneasy and gave Lu Ya a wink.

Lu Ya stepped forward, took Li Wang Lixian's pulse, and after a short while, shook his head:

"There is indeed nothing to worry about, but he still needs to be seen by an imperial physician. My medical skills are average, certainly not as good as my master's."

Li Wang Lixian said helplessly: "I told you it was fine. Think about it, if there were something wrong, would those imperial physicians sent by the Empress from the capital not be able to diagnose it? They've already seen me several times."

"That's true."

Everyone then breathed a sigh of relief.

At this time, Magistrate Ouyang Rong said with a smile:

"Let's eat first."

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang suddenly asked:

"When is Ru Shixiong leaving?"

"Finish the aftermath in Prince Xunyang City, bring Sister Xiuniang back, and then find an opportunity to return to the capital to find you all."

Li Su Guoer said at the right time:

"Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, if you don't return to the capital this time, there won't be such a good excuse next time. We can only wait for Father to gain a firm foothold, and then we can maneuver to transfer you back to the capital. You must think it through."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong smiled and said: "I'll wait for your good news."

Li Wang Lixian and the others were moved.

Looking at the young man who treated wealth and rank like dirt, they didn't know what to say.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang had actually vaguely guessed some of it before, and at this moment, her heart was filled with regret. She looked at her Ru Shixiong and pleaded:

"Can't you leave two days later?"

"No, I'm leaving tomorrow. Xiao Shimei, don't be willful."

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang looked at his gentle smile and suddenly felt that she shouldn't have been jealous and ignored him last night.

She had wasted a night of time together.

At this time, she saw Rong Zhen opposite her also looking straight at Magistrate Ouyang Rong, her ten fingers in her sleeves seemingly clenched, also filled with regret.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang took a deep breath.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong greeted them, and everyone continued to dine.

It was just that because of Magistrate Ouyang Rong's parting words weighing on their hearts, the air in the whole place was somewhat stifling.

Before everyone took their seats, they thought it was a reunion dinner, but looking at it now, it was a parting banquet.

A short while later, Magistrate Ouyang Rong finished eating first, stood up, and greeted Wang Caozhi and Pei Pei Pei Shisan Niang:

"You all eat first. I'll take Caozhi and Shiniang to Hanyang County to purchase supplies...

"By the way, I'll keep watch tonight. You all get some good rest; you still have to travel tomorrow."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong got up and left, disappearing from sight.

Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang, Rong Zhen, and Li Wang Lixian's family sat in their original seats, and for a long time, the food in front of them remained completely untouched.