Chapter 644: 544. Three Brocade Pouches

544. Three Brocade Pouches

Pei Shiniang took Madam Zhen and other female relatives to part ways with Xie Lingjiang and Wang Lixian's group outside Hanyang County.

At the time of parting, Xie Lingjiang and Rong Zhen both tacitly went to see them off and went to the Hanyang County ferry.

Madam Zhen seemed to have a lot to say to Xie Lingjiang.

Madam Zhen had taken a fancy to Xie Lingjiang as early as when her nephew took office in Long City. At that time, her nephew was still a sesame-seed county magistrate who was demoted and frustrated.

Looking back now, it was indeed wishful thinking to let her nephew try to marry a five-surname woman like Xie Lingjiang at that time.

It was just that, at the time, it was the upright, humble, and elegant family style of the Xie Xun and Xie Lingjiang father and daughter, plus the identity of senior brother and junior sister, that made Madam Zhen give birth to this excessive "ambition" that she hadn't cleared up.

As for whether Madam Zhen had self-knowledge when she was striving for this high-climbing marriage, and whether she was blushing or not when helping her nephew do this kind of eating swan meat... although in the eyes of this lady in a silk skirt, her own nephew was the most excellent in the world and worthy of anyone, she had lived as a widow in the countryside of Nanlong, raising the only seedling in the family alone, and haggling with village women and shrews. She would definitely not be a truly ignorant village woman, and at the very least, she would have a bit of a woman's cunning and shrewdness amidst the "ignorance."

Moreover, the more insecure the environment a person has lived in, the easier it is to deeply perceive the class differences of everyone in the new environment.

Madam Zhen finally had self-knowledge.

Because of this, she had always maintained a unique friendship with Xie Lingjiang.

In the days after leaving Long City and first arriving in Xunyang City, Xie Lingjiang often ran to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion. Madam Zhen and she could be considered to have become best friends of a certain age.

Ye Weilai had been staying beside Madam Zhen for a long time and could feel this point more and more, so she had always had extra respect for Sister Xie.

Although her nephew Ouyang Rong was now rising rapidly and his status was rising, he was no longer unworthy of Xie Lingjiang's five-surname woman status. Even around her nephew, rivals who could faintly compete with Xie Lingjiang for the position of mistress appeared from time to time.

For example, the Female Historian Rong Zhen whom Madam Zhen saw at the moment seemed to be a favorite beside the current emperor, and seemed to have a noble status as a princess, being a relative of the Sage.

However, if Madam Zhen were to make the decision at this moment and choose a niece-in-law,

Her choice would remain unchanged.

It can be understood that Xie Lingjiang, who came the earliest, is the white moonlight in Madam Zhen's candidate for niece-in-law.

The power of white moonlight lies in the fact that even if the white moonlight herself comes again, it doesn't matter.

Although the context is like this, Madam Zhen didn't show it too obviously.

At least when Xie Lingjiang and Rong Zhen came to see her off at the ferry, she didn't show any extra partiality, just pulling one young lady to talk, and completely ignoring the other.

This is also the cunning and intelligence brought by the lady who has been tempered by the trivial matters of village shrews.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts in every household originate from the initial trivialities.

For the peace of her own Tanlang's family, Madam Zhen had always been very cautious.

For example, Ye Weilai, who was happily following Tanlang far away, often heard a certain Madam Zhen muttering to herself: My Tanlang is a person who does big things. We can't hold him back. Everyone in the house should be safe...

Moreover, it is a courtesy for the younger generation to come to see them off, regardless of the purpose. It is a heart, and the elders are very useful. This is called knowing the etiquette.

Arriving at the ferry, they parted reluctantly.

Madam Zhen originally had a lot to say to Xie Lingjiang.

Mainly because when they parted in the morning, there were many people around, and Tanlang left quickly, and it seemed they didn't have a good parting, and it wasn't appropriate to be dawdling.

Madam Zhen, the anchor of Tanlang's family peace, naturally wanted to help encourage and comfort a few words.

However, Rong Zhen, who was following beside her, made the lady in the silk skirt take back her words.

After some polite greetings, Madam Zhen smiled and said:

"Wanwan, go back first. Female Historian Rong, please stay."

Rong Zhen suddenly said:

"Madam can call me by my nickname, no need to be an outsider."

Madam Zhen was stunned.

Pei Shiniang and Banxi beside her had already tacitly retreated to the deck to keep watch and wait, leaving the place to the three women.

Madam Zhen asked in a low voice:

"What is your nickname?"

Rong Zhen's voice was small, as if talking to herself: "Mother liked to call me Rong'er before."

Madam Zhen smiled and said: "Then I will also be bold and call you Rong'er. Rong'er, you can call me Aunt Zhen in the future. At home... it's all called like that."

Rong Zhen didn't understand the little mystery in the lady's words. Sensing Xie Lingjiang's gaze, Rong Zhen couldn't hold her face, looked to one side, and spoke quickly:

"Madam, then next time you come to the capital, remember to find me. But I might not be able to come out in the palace. But it's okay, I will go to see you when the time comes."

"Good, good, good, you are busy."

Madam Zhen said kindly: "I will return to Nanlong first, wait for Tanlang's news, and then go to the capital together, and then we will gather well. If Xiuniang is also there, it would be better, and it would be more lively."

"Mm, mm."

Rong Zhen nodded, preparing to hold back a few words.

Who would have thought that Madam Zhen was like a person who had nothing to do, and took the hands of Xie Lingjiang and Rong Zhen respectively.

Rong Zhen was surprised to be held by such an elder of the same sex for the first time, but a joy of being flattered appeared in the depths of her eyes.

Whether intentional or unintentional, this didn't treat her as an outsider.

However, when the young girl in palace attire saw Madam Zhen holding Xie Lingjiang with her other hand, she restored her habitual cold face, just like usual.

Madam Zhen held Rong Zhen's little hand, looked at the eighteen-seed Buddhist beads on her wrist for a few more times, and asked curiously:

"Did Tanlang return this to you?"

"Mm."

Madam Zhen lifted Rong Zhen's back of the hand and waved it, joking half-jokingly:

"You gave it to me as a birthday gift last time. I felt your hands were very skillful then. Looking at it now, it's true, white, tender, and small, and you shouldn't have done any tiring housework."

"Mm... na..."

The young girl in palace attire responded shyly. Facing such praise, she was not good at words.

Madam Zhen didn't make things difficult for her, and spoke kindly to Xie Lingjiang for a few words.

Finally, she tilted her head to look at the two women, and urged kindly:

"It just so happens that you are both going to Luoyang. Tanlang is not there. If there is anything in Luoyang, you can help each other. One more person means one more support. It's not really an outsider. You look... should be of similar age. I heard Tanlang say it. Interact more, contact more, maybe you have some common interests."

Hearing common interests, Rong Zhen didn't know why, but suddenly thought of the bold bad things Lianghan did last night. She had never fantasized about this aspect before. She had been practicing in the palace, clearing her heart and desires, and practicing for many years, but at the moment, the heart of a 6th Grade Jade Girl of the Yin-Yang School was somewhat chaotic, stained with dust, and she actually came up with such shy things...

At this moment, Rong Zhen felt quite ashamed, but not knowing what she thought of, her eyes glanced at the noble lady in red beside her.

Her gaze quietly fell on Xie Lingjiang, as if she was examining something, or trying to explore Xie Lingjiang's interests, or her abnormality after hearing Madam Zhen's words.

It's a pity that Xie Lingjiang's expression was calm, gentle, and generous, without any different color, and even nodded, answering Madam Zhen's instructions appropriately.

Rong Zhen looked at Xie Lingjiang's tall figure and the plump and towering line somewhere.

The Female Historian's expression turned cold, she lowered her eyes to stare at her toes, and her mind became chaotic again.

After a while, the boat was about to leave. Rong Zhen couldn't stand it anymore, said goodbye to Madam Zhen, and left in a hurry.

Only the two women were left at the ferry.

Madam Zhen looked at Xie Lingjiang's complexion, which seemed as usual.

Xie Lingjiang said goodbye gently:

"Madam, have a safe journey."

Madam Zhen looked around and said quietly:

"Wanwan, don't worry. I have already discussed it with your aunt. There is no reason for what has been discussed to change.

"It just so happens that this time I will return to Nanlong in Luling to inform the clan elders and relatives. Big things should naturally be handled in a big way, and we must be fully prepared."

Xie Lingjiang bit her lip for a moment, and nodded forcefully:

"Mm, I understand, Aunt Zhen, don't be too overworked."

"It's okay, I'm also a life of toil, and I'm used to it. As long as we can share the worries for Tanlang in the back, it's fine."

The two women finished speaking and parted reluctantly.

After a stick of incense, Xie Lingjiang stood at the ferry, watching the boat carrying Madam Zhen go away.

Her pretty face was calm, she looked at the river water for a while, and turned around silently.

Walking through the bustling city of Hanyang County, walking out of the city gate, she returned to the place where Wang Lixian's group was resting.

Xie Lingjiang touched the protective amulet fragrant sachet in her arms, her red lips pursed slightly.

There were many things she wanted to say to him.

But on the way here just now, she heard Li Guoer mention that before she brought the jade pendant back, Ru Shixiong had sat alone in her tent and waited for a long time.

Although she looked at it when she returned to the tent to pack her luggage before leaving, Ru Shixiong seemed to be writing something with her pen and ink, but Xie Lingjiang still understood that heart.

Just then, Xie Lingjiang's face was slightly stunned.

She took out the protective amulet fragrant sachet.

She didn't pay too much attention when she received it from Ru Shixiong's hand before parting, but now she felt it carefully, and there seemed to be more things in this fragrant sachet.

Xie Lingjiang walked to a quiet place, opened the fragrant sachet, leaned against the firelight, and lowered her head to look carefully.

Only to see, besides Xiuniang's sign king paper, there were three small brocade pouches, and a piece of curled paper wrapping these three small brocade pouches.

She first unfolded the curled paper and browsed through it.

In less than three breaths, Xie Lingjiang became serious instantly, and put away the paper and brocade pouches without changing her expression.

She looked around.

Wang Lixian's family, Zhang Shixiu, Lu Ya, Wang Caozhi, and others were all resting by the campfire, Li Guoer returned to the carriage... They were not paying attention to her.

Xie Lingjiang came to the nearest fire without anyone, and threw the paper into the flame.

The paper turned into ashes inch by inch under the licking of the flame, and words like "Luoyang," "Crown Prince," and "Marriage" were faintly visible on it.

Xie Lingjiang gripped the three fragrant sachets tightly, as if nothing had happened, and tucked them into her arms.

She walked forward with big strides in red clothes and green hair.

According to Ru Shixiong's secret letter, the first brocade pouch would be handed to Wang Lixian outside Luoyangcheng.

The timing of the second brocade pouch was even more interesting; it was the day Wang Lixian ascended as Crown Prince...

If they hadn't reached these nodes, for example, if they hadn't successfully reached outside Luoyangcheng by any chance, then the words Ru Shixiong hid in the brocade pouch would never be seen by anyone.

After the meal in the wild, Li Guoer didn't go to the campfire to chat.

Sending Xie Lingjiang away, Li Guoer returned to the carriage, sat alone for a while, and didn't light the lamp.

In the darkness, she whispered:

"Cannot refine Qi..."

She lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at the starry sky. Taking advantage of the summer starlight, she took out two paper drafts from her arms, stroked them, and opened them slowly.

Starlight was faintly exposed on the paper.

Barely visible, one of them was "Gui Qu Lai Xi Ci."

The other was a zither score, handwritten.

It looked like the ink hadn't dried for long.

Two sword techniques were placed on the small tea table in the carriage. Li Guoer tapped the table with her fingers, supported her little chin with one hand, and murmured with an inexplicable tone:

"But I can recite them backward... Gui Qu Lai Xi... Seven-Absolute Poem Zither Music..."

At the same time, another carriage.

Wang Lixian had just boarded the carriage when he suddenly found the night pearl in his arms somewhat hot.

He took it out and looked at it curiously.

Wei Mei noticed the abnormality and turned to ask: "Qilang, what's wrong?"

Wang Lixian put away the night pearl again and shook his head.

Wei Mei saw this and urged:

"Keep the night pearl, and that long sword and seal well. Follow Tanlang's arrangements."

"This Prince understands."

At this time, Li Dalang boarded the carriage, bringing some newly picked fruits.

Wei Mei smiled and greeted him.

Wang Lixian looked out the window, not knowing what he thought of, and murmured: "Is it safe? The old Celestial Master's words are really spiritual. Looking at it now, the road to Long City is indeed safe. If so, that prescription..."

He touched a small piece of paper in his sleeve unconsciously.

Wang Lixian didn't lie to Ouyang Rong and his family last time. There was indeed a prescription inside.

It was just an ancient, simple medicine that Elder Yuan Celestial Master had painstakingly sought for another person back then, but until that person died suddenly, there was no chance to bring it.

Li Dalang turned his head curiously:

"What is safe? What is Father talking about?"

Wang Lixian came back to his senses, smiled and dealt with it:

"Nothing, just sighing that we have finally reached this step. This journey is really safe."

"Yeah, fortunately Tanlang is here. But after arriving in Luoyang, we have to rely on ourselves first."

Li Dalang nodded in agreement, his face somewhat expectant as he asked:

"Father, do you say Luoyang is really that prosperous? Is it busier than the Xunyang Ferry in Xunyang City?"

"More than that, the Xunyang Ferry can't even compare to the busyness of those grain unloading ferries outside Luoyangcheng. Dalang will know when he goes."

Li Dalang showed a look of longing.

Wang Lixian turned his head slightly, looking at his eldest son's stubble face in a daze.

His eyes became somewhat trance-like.

A familiar scene flashed in his mind unconsciously.

It was also this stubble face, this voice, just not the same person.

In the ruins of the Prince's Mansion that day, the old Celestial Master also used this face, grabbed his hand, and spoke in a low voice in his ear.

"Prince, this poor Daoist is ashamed of Gao Zong... Just in case, this poor Daoist is just saying just in case, if the Prince really inherited this disease from Gao Zong, do not eat this medicine unless it is a last resort and the pain is worse than death..."

Inside the carriage, Wang Lixian lowered his head and put away the prescription, sitting upright.

His face was gentle, he looked around, laughed heartily toward his wife and children:

"Let's go, take you home. When we arrive at ZhuZhu Street, we will have a bowl of mutton bubble bread, hahahahaha." ===== CHAPTER 645 =====