Chapter 652

Yinbing Study, inner room.

Ye Weilai lowered her head, stepped down from the bed, and grabbed Ouyang Rong's sleeve tightly, refusing to let go.

She tried to stuff the letter into Ouyang Rong's sleeve.

Ouyang Rong pushed it back with unquestionable firmness.

"This is not child's play; you must be obedient. I am very moved that you have worked hard to accompany me these days, but this is not a solution. I have delayed you; now you should return to the right track. Go, return to the capital."

Ye Weilai was on the verge of tears and couldn't help but say:

"Why not return to Nanlong?"

Ouyang Rong pursed his lips:

"Weilai, remember I said once a long time ago that being my bed-warming maid was a waste of your talent. Since there is a broader world in Luoyang, you should go there.

"Letting you study with peace of mind in Xunyang for the past two years was actually to prepare for this moment."

Ye Weilai said subconsciously: "But Nu'er studied only to... to..."

"I know, you only studied hard because you were bullied by Rong Zhen when you first met her. That spirit is very good; you should maintain it."

Ouyang Rong patted Ye Weilai's shoulder encouragingly:

"Silly girl, it's not that I don't want you anymore; it's just letting you go to Luoyang first. When I find Xiuniang, I will go there too, and we will be reunited then.

"Besides, you won't be without support there. Wait, take this."

Without waiting for Ye Weilai to argue, Ouyang Rong turned and went to the study, returning shortly with a wooden hairpin in his hand.

Ye Weilai looked at the hairpin, then at the icy white jade hairpin on Ouyang Rong's head.

This wooden hairpin was one Ouyang Rong had replaced; he had worn it previously, and all the women recognized it.

"After you arrive in Luoyang and hand the letter to the Xiao Shimei, you can take this hairpin and find anyone.

"I mean, you can give it to the Xiao Shimei, or to Lady Rong, or even to the little princess. Hmm, Dalang is also fine. Anyway, you choose one person, give her the wooden hairpin, and then stay by her side.

"Choose a place that makes you comfortable. I know that although you have a good relationship with the Xiao Shimei and seem to have decent relationships with others—being very sociable—you still have your own likes and dislikes. Now you choose for yourself; I will not interfere.

"After choosing the person, the one who receives this hairpin will take good care of you. You will settle down like that, and wait for me and Aunt to go over."

Ye Weilai was moved, and under the pull of Ouyang Rong's palm, she gripped the wooden hairpin tightly.

She looked at Ouyang Rong in a daze, then spoke after a while:

"Tanlang, Nu'er is very, very afraid that I won't be able to see you again."

Ouyang Rong smiled:

"They say that those who survive a great disaster are destined for good fortune. Let me calculate: how many times have I not died? Hmm, there is plenty of good fortune ahead. If they want to take my, Ouyang Lianghan's, life, they have to see if their own lives are tough enough."

Ye Weilai seemed to accept her fate, sniffed, and asked:

"Tanlang is sending Nu'er away—what is he going to do? Is it inconvenient to bring Nu'er? But Nu'er is very obedient; wherever Tanlang tells Nu'er to wait, I will wait. I won't hinder Tanlang from doing serious business."

She tried to argue again.

Ouyang Rong waved his hand: "Then go to Luoyang and wait."

Ye Weilai hesitated: "Where is Tanlang going? Did the government find the traces of the Yue women?"

Ouyang Rong turned and walked toward the door, leaving behind a sentence:

"They didn't find them, but since they are all hiding and won't come out, fine, I will go there myself."

The next day.

Ouyang Rong took the initiative to find Hu Fu.

"Did Eunuch Hu not sleep well last night?"

Seeing the dark circles under Hu Fu's eyes, he couldn't help but ask.

Hu Fu waved his hand and yawned:

"No, no, just stayed up a bit late. I went to experience the Xunyang customs."

"Xunyang customs?"

Ouyang Rong's tone was strange, and he couldn't help but size up this tall, bearded eunuch.

"What is Magistrate Ouyang thinking? I was just taken by Registrar Yuan to listen to some music; it's a pipa piece unique to Xunyang.

"And Commander Yi was there too. How could I and Registrar Yuan mess around? Registrar Yuan is very honest. It can be seen that when Registrar Yuan goes to such places, he really only listens to the music and doesn't touch the red dust. He truly loves musical art."

Hu Fu sighed with emotion and touched his stubble.

Ouyang Rong was speechless and gave a subtle warning:

"Eunuch Hu, be careful of Registrar Yuan. He is a night owl used to staying up late; don't be influenced by him too much."

"Good, good, good. Magistrate Ouyang's words are golden."

Hu Fu flicked his large sleeves, looking righteous, and snorted:

"From today on, I will stay away from Registrar Yuan, this fox friend."

Just then, Watching Yuan Huaimin and Commandant Yi Qianqiu happened to walk into the main hall and heard Hu Fu's righteous words.

Watching Yuan Huaimin was also stunned.

He turned his head and exchanged a glance with Commandant Yi Qianqiu.

Commandant Yi Qianqiu's face turned cold instantly.

The next moment, Watching Yuan Huaimin turned and ran outside.

Commandant Yi Qianqiu also disappeared from where she stood.

Immediately, Ouyang Rong and Hu Fu heard the sounds of wrestling and dislocation coming from outside.

Watching Yuan Huaimin's voice was very urgent:

"Qiuniang, Qiuniang, you followed last night too. You know I only listened to music and didn't do anything. It was already the fifth watch when I went back with you; there was no second half... Ouch!"

Hu Fu felt a bit embarrassed and prepared to go out.

He was pulled back by Ouyang Rong, who brought up serious business.

He was very serious:

"Leave him alone. Don't look at how he's crying out in pain; he's actually enjoying it. Don't disturb them."

Hu Fu was stunned and suddenly realized:

"So he likes this style. I said they are together all day long, why don't I see them being lovey-dovey? So this is their way of being close."

"Exactly."

Hu Fu turned back and asked:

"Does Magistrate Ouyang have any instructions?"

Ouyang Rong spoke:

"When Eunuch Hu returns to the capital this time, can you help me take someone with you?"

"Who?"

"A female family member. Eunuch Hu has imperial guards escorting you, so it will be safer."

"No problem, but I can't take her into the palace. When we get to Luoyang, how about sending her to your Xiao Shimei?"

"That is exactly my intention. I will trouble you, Eunuch."

The two reached an agreement. At this time, Commandant Yi Qianqiu walked into the hall, followed by Watching Yuan Huaimin, who was limping but had a serious face.

Commandant Yi Qianqiu cupped her hands:

"Magistrate Ouyang, the handover in Xunyang City has been completed. This subordinate is prepared to return to the capital with Eunuch Hu. I wonder if that is acceptable."

Hu Fu looked at Ouyang Rong and Commandant Yi Qianqiu strangely, not quite understanding why Commandant Yi Qianqiu, as the Commander of the White Tiger Guard, needed to consult Ouyang Rong's opinion.

But thinking about it, this Magistrate Ouyang's bearing was indeed very convincing.

Ouyang Rong exchanged a glance with Commandant Yi Qianqiu and saw her sincere eyes.

He nodded:

"Commander Yi, please do as you wish."

Ouyang Rong looked at Watching Yuan Huaimin: "Are you not going back?"

Watching Yuan Huaimin scratched his head:

"Why would I leave? I am the Registrar of Jiangzhou; I cannot leave without a transfer. Besides, isn't Lianghan here?"

Commandant Yi Qianqiu suddenly spoke:

"If things go smoothly, Huaimin will leave another day. My father originally prepared to arrange it, but if Magistrate Ouyang is unwilling, let Huaimin stay by your side; it is also an opportunity for him to learn."

Watching Yuan Huaimin was speechless.

Ouyang Rong said: "But I might not stay in Xunyang; perhaps I will leave too."

"What do you mean?"

Watching Yuan Huaimin, Commandant Yi Qianqiu, and Hu Fu looked at the young magistrate in surprise.

Ouyang Rong took a memorial from his bosom and handed it to Hu Fu.

"Besides entrusting you to escort that female family member to Luoyang, I have one more thing to ask of you."

"This is?"

Ouyang Rong handed the memorial to Hu Fu and said earnestly:

"You must help me present this to the Phoenix Terrace."

Hu Fu didn't open it and suddenly said:

"Is Magistrate Ouyang still planning to resign?"

Ouyang Rong said earnestly:

"Yes, I have been feeling unwell recently, perhaps the aftereffects of drowning in Longcheng have flared up. I plan to recuperate for a few months and request to temporarily resign from the position of Acting Magistrate of Jiangzhou, returning to the rank of Jiangzhou Registrar."

Commandant Yi Qianqiu seemed to understand something, and it was confirmed again. She looked at Ouyang Rong with meaningful eyes, not surprised at all, and asked:

"Not even bringing your female family member, where does Magistrate Ouyang plan to go to recuperate?"

Ouyang Rong looked at her.

Hu Fu and Watching Yuan Huaimin also looked over curiously.

Ouyang Rong joked:

"Perhaps the Donglin Temple in Longcheng."

Hu Fu looked at the young magistrate who clearly didn't look sick and sighed:

"Miss Xie and Mr. Xie were indeed right."

Ouyang Rong tilted his head:

"What do you mean?"

Hu Fu sighed:

"Before I received the imperial decree to leave the capital, Miss Xie and Mr. Xie came with Shunbo at night and entrusted me that if I arrived in Xunyang and you, Magistrate Ouyang, planned to resign, I must stop you."

Ouyang Rong was silent.

Hu Fu lowered his voice:

"First, Magistrate Ouyang is now a good official in His Majesty's eyes; resigning is not that easy. Although you are the Acting Magistrate of Jiangzhou, I heard that the Ministry of Personnel is already drafting the procedures to make you the formal magistrate. You will likely receive the appointment letter in a few days.

"Second, Mr. Xie and Miss Xie are worried that after you resign, there won't be a better position for you later, so they suggested that I must stop you at this time and let you find a smoother way."

Watching Yuan Huaimin couldn't help but ask: "A smoother way, what way?"

Actually, Ouyang Rong already knew roughly, but before he could speak, Hu Fu whispered:

"If you really must leave Xunyang to get busy, Magistrate Ouyang, just change the excuse. Just ask for a three-month leave, saying you are recuperating within Jiangzhou. At that time, whether you go to Longcheng or go sightseeing anywhere, you can use the excuse of recuperating your body and mind."

Ouyang Rong frowned: "Isn't this dereliction of duty and laziness?"

Watching Yuan Huaimin was anxious and corrected him seriously:

"Hey, how is this dereliction of duty and laziness? This is clearly working while injured, performing one's duties faithfully."

Ouyang Rong: "..."

As expected of you, Brother Huaimin, you always have the power to drag everyone into being lazy and salty, and you do it with peace of mind. Everywhere you go, you destroy the environment.

Actually, Ouyang Rong understood a bit why the Xiao Shimei and his mentor Xie Xun guarded against him beforehand, because he had a precedent when he was in Longcheng County.

Back then, in order to go to the Pure Land Underground Palace and redeem his merits to return home, Ouyang Rong directly resigned from his position as County Magistrate, preparing to leave all by himself.

In the eyes of Xie Xun and Xie Lingjiang, Ouyang Rong was the kind of upright person who would rather suffer losses than occupy a position without doing anything.

Ouyang Rong fell into silence.

Actually, even if he didn't submit a memorial about recuperating, he still occupied the position of Jiangzhou Magistrate. It was very simple to slack off normally; he could just let Yan Liulang handle everything.

But he just felt that this move was very improper.

Commandant Yi Qianqiu suddenly said: "Has Magistrate Ouyang ever thought about the people of Jiang Nan? If you just leave like this, what will happen to them?"

Ouyang Rong frowned:

"There is nothing that needs me right now. I have already wrapped up the aftermath of the Great Battle at Twin Peaks."

Commandant Yi Qianqiu shook her head: "Has Magistrate Ouyang forgotten the war in the Southwest?"

Ouyang Rong fell silent instantly.

Commandant Yi Qianqiu analyzed calmly:

"Although there is no war in the Southwest now—I don't know if it's because of the influence of the Great Battle at Twin Peaks—the rebel army has rested for a while, but autumn is coming soon. These rebels will come at any time. Magistrate Ouyang is the main logistics official relied upon by Grand General Qin. If you leave directly, who will preside over the rear of this Southwest front?"

Ouyang Rong was silent for a moment and sighed.

He had clearly been busy all along, thinking he was about to get away, but there was always responsibility pressing on his shoulders.

Seeing this, Hu Fu's eyes lit up.

Watching Yuan Huaimin also gave Commandant Yi Qianqiu an appreciative look, but he was bruised and swollen, and a twitch of his eyebrow pulled at the pain, causing him to hiss and gasp.

Ouyang Rong was silent for a while and nodded slowly.

"I will first submit a memorial to ask for leave to recuperate within Jiangzhou. If the imperial court has a suitable candidate, they can send them directly to take over my position as magistrate. If there is no suitable candidate, I will continue to act as magistrate. If the war situation changes, I will perform my duties faithfully. However, my primary position is still Jiangzhou Registrar; I have never forgotten this point."

"Good!"

Hu Fu and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

Watching Yuan Huaimin nodded in agreement:

"Yes, yes, yes. You say Jiangzhou Registrar—hey, I don't know why you like this position so much, Lianghan, when it's clearly a bad-luck position that others avoid."

Ouyang Rong did not commit.

He went to the main hall, took paper and pen, changed the memorial, and used new rhetoric.

Shortly after, the new memorial was handed back to Hu Fu, who put it away solemnly.

Hu Fu set a departure date, at which time Ouyang Rong would bring Ye Weilai directly to follow the imperial decree team back to the capital.

Commandant Yi Qianqiu and Miao Zhen would also leave together.

As for Watching Yuan Huaimin and Yan Liulang, they would continue to stay in Xunyang City as Ouyang Rong's deputies.

"Liulang, are you really not going to Luoyang?"

On the carriage returning to the Huaiye Lane residence, Ouyang Rong suddenly asked Yan Liulang, who was driving.

Yan Liulang held the reins seriously, driving on the long street:

"My Lord, you know me; I just like staying by your side. As for going to Luoyang to be a big official, I don't care for it, unless you go too, My Lord."

Ouyang Rong was silent for a moment and said:

"It has wronged you."

Yan Liulang shook his head firmly:

"No, it is you who have been wronged, My Lord."

The atmosphere was quiet for a while, and Yan Liulang couldn't help but turn back and ask:

"Are you going to Longcheng to recuperate, My Lord?"

Ouyang Rong sat with his hands in his sleeves, murmuring:

"I have to go visit Mother Liu and Aqing; I haven't seen them for a long time."

Night.

Yinbing Study.

Ouyang Rong rose, wearing his robe, and came to the desk.

On the bed, the white-haired girl who was completely obedient and convinced was exhausted, sleeping soundly with her fair little shoulders bare.

On a late summer night, her slightly flushed little belly was covered by a quilt, so there was no fear of catching a cold.

By the desk, Ouyang Rong took out a scroll and slowly spread it on the table.

In the dead of night, when the lamps were dim.

The young man before the table pinched his fingers and took out various items from the painting to inspect them one by one...

——————

【The next chapter is a monthly ticket extra, which needs to be unlocked on its chapter interface. It is just a heroine's personal extra and does not involve the main plot. It doesn't matter if you don't read it! It does not affect the main plot of the text, just extra extra plot!】