At the Huaiye Lane residence, Ouyang Rong had just returned from his shift, and Xie Lingjiang had just arrived.
Before coming here, she seemed to have taken a bath and incense, and her little face was as red as an apple. Now in the early winter, there were small drops of water hanging on her white forehead under her bangs, which were the fragrant sweat from the hot mist of the bath.
Just as it was time to prepare for dinner, Xie Lingjiang ran to the kitchen without saying a word, made a bowl of longevity noodles for Aunt Zhen, and put it on the table to wash away the dust.
At this moment, Zhen Shuyuan's eyes lit up after tasting the noodles with her red lips, and she asked her novelly.
Xie Lingjiang propped up his chin with the back of his hand and watched everyone tasting the noodles, his eyes turning into crescent moons.
She tried hard to suppress the raised corners of her lips:
"It was when we were in Longcheng. Aunt Zhen and you were away, and Meiluyuan didn't have a cook or anything, so it was empty.
"Every time I'm busy with official duties with my senior brother, I forget to eat. When I come home late, my stomach is flat."
She glanced at someone with a slightly resentful tone:
"Elder brother cooks very slowly, and I don't know why he is always thinking about the leftovers he had from yesterday, and won't make new ones until they are finished.
"Well, the day lily will probably be cold by the time he brings it over.
"So I had no choice but to come here in person. By accident, my cooking skills were slightly improved."
Xie Lingjiang sighed seriously.
Ouyang Rong, who was immersed in cooking, couldn't help it anymore and raised his eyes to interject:
"Why am I too slow? Junior sister is sitting there crying and waiting for food. I must be too slow.
"Besides, you can only make noodles, three pieces of noodles... no, one piece of axe."
Ouyang Rong defended his innocence, shook his head, and stretched out his chopsticks to sandwich the noodles.
But with a "whoosh", the large noodle bowl in front of him disappeared, and the chopsticks were empty.
"Humph, senior brother, don't eat it."
Xie Lingjiang pushed the bowl in front of Zhen Shuyuan, protecting the noodles with her bare hands, and her pretty face tightened:
"This is for Aunt Zhen. How can I serve my senior brother with a stick?"
"Ahem, after thinking about it carefully, junior sister actually has two brushes, and her noodle talent is already very powerful."
"Senior brother, I'm sorry. From now on, junior sister, don't eat from me."
Ouyang Rong blinked, "Then don't think about me cooking in the future."
Xie Lingjiang tilted his head: "Do it if you like."
Ouyang Rong nodded decisively: "Do it."
Xie Lingjiang was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at the senior brother who had a harmless look on his face. Unexpectedly, he was eaten tofu, and he hummed and turned away:
"I won't eat it even if you cook it."
Ouyang Rong secretly blamed himself.
However, noticing his aunt's appraising gaze, he stopped teasing his junior sister and took a bite of the "slightly spicy" hometown dish, which was cooked by the silver-haired girl next to him.
Ouyang Rong turned his head and smiled at Ye Weilai, who seemed to have become quieter.
Seeing the two bickering, Zhen Shuyuan was a little bit dumbfounded, but her heart moved slightly and she glanced at Xie Lingjiang, who was squinting to guard against his senior brother getting in the way.
We haven’t seen each other for half a year, and the relationship between Hanhan and Tan Lang seems to have changed a lot. In the past, Hanhan was very strict when eating, and had a somewhat serious temperament. Coupled with the family tradition of Qiwang, the fifth surname, she and Tan Lang never interacted with her at the dinner table.
Lang and other "outsiders" who make such jokes are quite serious and boring.
Now it seems that those who were led by Tanlang are a little unruly. Could it be that being unruly can also be contagious?
The woman in the skirt, who had a keen sense of words and emotions, had some murmurs in her heart.
Tonight, in the flower hall, there were only four people at the dinner table, Ouyang Rong, Xie Lingjiang, Zhen Shuyuan, and Ye Weilai.
Ban Xi waited for the other maids at the table, laughing with Mrs. Zhen who was joking and chatting from time to time. From the corner of their eyes, they glanced at a young man in official uniform who was immersed in cooking.
Having a male host at home is like having a backbone. From Mrs. Zhen down to the little maid serving tea, there are more smiles on the faces unconsciously. In such a large mansion, there is more life and warmth, and there is less.
Cold and empty.
This can be regarded as the norm for thousands of families under the etiquette and law of this era, and they need a man to be the backbone.
Zhen Shuyuan pushed aside other delicious dishes and specially ate the longevity noodles made by Xie Lingjiang herself, which she was full of praise for.
Well, the two girls, one senior and one junior, tacitly "ignored" Ouyang Rong, who had just disappointed him.
Reunion after separation really makes people talk more.
Zhen Shuyuan put down her chopsticks, grabbed Xie Lingjiang's plain hand and touched it, and started to chat with her. First, she helped her criticize Ouyang Rong. Those who didn't know better thought that Xie Lingjiang was her niece and Ouyang Rong picked it up by eating rice for free.
Xie Lingjiang surprisingly did not reject Mrs. Luoqun's intimate words and chat with him.
Judging from her bright eyes and her attentive listening expression, she is very patient and does not seem to be faking.
Although only half a year ago, a certain noble lady of the Xie family was quite fed up with this kind of filial piety among women.
Xie Lingjiang came here wearing a dress today. It was a high-waisted tulip pleated skirt.
The waistline was raised below the bust, which made her slim and plump figure look light and elegant.
The hem of the goose-yellow shirt on the upper body is tied into the high waist of the skirt, which raises the waistline. Coupled with the elegant purple silk, it makes the figure even more slender and agile.
Like a female fairy who has been relegated to the mortal world.
But this kind of high-waisted pleated skirt also has a small drawback, or rather, it's a shortcoming unique to junior sisters. It's quite a big drawback...it makes it look a little bulky.
You need to endure the "humiliation" and bear the burden.
However, who knows whether this is a big disadvantage or a big advantage.
Xie Lingjiang had a lively chat with the Zhen family's parents.
At the other end of the table, Ouyang Rong was chewing vegetables and lowering his head to eat. He only interrupted to defend himself when his aunt wanted to reveal his dark history.
But naturally, the little junior sister who was overflowing with curiosity dug her into the ground.
Being teased by the two girls together.
Ouyang Rong laughed and shook his head, silently eating.
At a certain moment, he looked around at the bustling flower hall and heard the ringing laughter of the women at the dining table.
I feel a little warm in my heart and my face is peaceful.
On the day he came down from the mountain after recovering from his illness, he climbed out of the underground palace again, lowered his head silently, and put on the identity mask that belonged to this life.
No more avoiding these.
A small chopstick reached out and picked up a piece of fresh fish fillet and placed it in Ouyang Rong's bowl.
The dazed look in his eyes faded, he turned around and met Ye Weila's sapphire blue eyes.
The silver-haired girl smiled softly at Ouyang Rong, buried her little face in the bowl, and picked up the rice obediently.
Unlike Ban Xin, who could only stand aside with envy in his eyes, Ye Weilai could serve at the table.
She is now Zhen Shuyuan, and even Xie Lingjiang tacitly agrees that she is Ouyang Rong's concubine.
Because of Ouyang Rong's previous arrangements, Ye Weilai had returned to her hometown in Nanlong to worship her ancestors and burn incense, and was officially accepted by the Ouyang family in Nanlong.
Even though many clan elders had previously disagreed with allowing a woman from a foreign barbarian tribe to enter the profession.
But Ouyang Rong and Zhen Shuyuan both agreed, so naturally they couldn't point fingers and had to acquiesce.
However, even though she could serve dinner, Ye Weilai was extremely quiet at the dinner party.
She sat on Ouyang Rong's left hand side, with only half of her butt touching the stool. The silver-haired girl stood up from time to time to pick up food for Ouyang Rong.
Moreover, he showed great respect for Xie Lingjiang, who was sitting opposite him, without any intention of interrupting the topic or grabbing attention.
Xie Lingjiang, who was chatting, also took a look at Ye Weilai and asked her to try the noodles. Well, just don't give it to the senior brother.
Ye Weilai had already stood up and poured a bowl of milky white fish soup for Zhen Shuyuan and Xie Lingjiang in turn, and then poured another bowl for Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong came to his senses.
At this time, out of the corner of his eye, he saw an extra word on the table at his hand.
It's Ye Weila's beautiful handwriting, written with water stains, and it's vaguely visible:
install.
Ouyang Rong couldn't help laughing.
It's safe to have a girl in the family, right?
He casually stretched out his finger, dipped it in water, and added another word inside the word "安".
Ye Weilai, who was carrying a bowl of rice, noticed Tanlang's movements.
Holding the chopsticks, he was stunned for a moment, lowered his head and looked intently...
A few moments.
I saw the silver-haired girl's face buried in her chest, and there was a faint blush on her ears and neck that lingered.
A white hand stretched out and hurriedly wiped away the water stains on a certain word "banquet" on the table with the palm of his hand.
Although she was embarrassed by Tan Lang's impropriety, Ye Weilai felt a warm feeling in her heart.
This can be regarded as a tacit understanding unique to the two people who were originally master and servant.
Tanlang has not forgotten.
"Hey, who would have thought that the family in the Su Mansion next door are actually members of the Li clan."
Zhen Shuyuan and Xie Lingjiang happened to be chatting about old events in Longcheng. Mrs. Luoqun put down her chopsticks, sighed for a while, and then asked about the current situation of the old people in Longcheng.
When she heard about Liu Ashan, Zhen Shuyuan immediately turned around and asked:
"Tan Lang, where are Ah Qing and Aunt Liu now and how are they doing?"
She looked regretful and told Ouyang Rong seriously:
"This family is all good people, and Ah Shan is even more loyal. Tanlang must take good care of him. Do you hear me... Well, I shouldn't have messed around with Ah Shan like that before. An honest person shouldn't be like this... The remaining Ah Qing and
Aunt Liu, Tan Lang should take care of her on your behalf."
Ouyang Rong nodded and said nothing while eating.
Xie Lingjiang said for him:
"Don't worry, Aunt Zhen, Senior Brother is sensible, Longcheng has already made arrangements for the aftermath."
"That's good." Zhen Shuyuan nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.
Immediately she remembered something and asked again:
"By the way, where is Master Shandao? He went to Luoyang and hasn't come back yet?
"Speaking of which, the incense from Donglin Temple is quite effective. I have to find an opportunity to fulfill my wish. Tanlang was able to recover from his two injuries and was finally promoted safely.
"When I first went there, I prayed a lot and made a lot of wishes. It's hard to say that there was really some kind-hearted Bodhisattva who was blessing me."
Zhen Shuyuan was frightened when she heard about the incident in Dragon City. At this moment, she patted her chest with her palms and said with lingering fear.
"Master Shandao?"
Xie Lingjiang seemed to remember something and said with a smile:
"He is living a very good life. The month before last, he escorted Shenyu Xiangrui to Shendu, and together with the Donglin Temple of the Lian Sect, stole the show.
"I heard that even the empress of the Wei family personally met him once in the Great Buddha Hall of Shangyang Palace and asked him about Mahayana Buddhism.
"I don't know how Master Shandao answered. Anyway, Empress Long Yan was so happy that she seemed to have been taught the truth of Buddhism and returned home with a full load.
"Master Shandao also received a yellow and purple cassock as a gift. Although he is not serving as a national teacher, it is such an honor...
"Looking at the world of Buddhism, among the thousands of monks, there are not more than two hands who can wear yellow and purple cassocks.
"Well, now, he is an eminent monk who protects the country."
Xie Lingjiang turned around and joked:
"Senior Brother, when we talk to Master Shandao from now on, we can't be so casual. We have to be polite. This is an eminent monk who protects the country."
"The eminent monk who protects the country." Ouyang Rong followed his junior sister and nodded: "It's amazing."
Xie Ling Jiang Xiaoyingying:
"By the way, Senior Brother, didn't Xiufao mention it from time to time when he sent a letter to greet you a few days ago?
"He said that he and his master were coming back from the capital of God soon, and they were going to build a new Donglin Temple in Xunyang City.
"He also said that he would build the tallest Amitabha statue in the world in the new Buddhist temple to protect the country of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
"That's what happened."
Ouyang Rong wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief and turned his head to look out at the night.
Jiang Governor, who has been in office for more than half a month, narrowed his eyes slightly:
"Is it interesting to build a big Buddha?" He murmured.
"It's really amazing."
Zhen Shuyuan on the side also frowned and looked north when she heard this.
Her eyes were full of admiration:
"I was right before. Master Shandao really kept his secrets secret. Although the incense fee was a bit expensive, he always tried to get me to ask for a fortune in a roundabout way.
"But it's normal for masters and other capable people to have a little bit of personality quirks, just like Tanlang likes some bondage..."
Sensing the glances coming at her quickly, Zhen Shuyuan, who accidentally spilled the beans, quickly shut up.
Xie Lingjiang's beautiful eyes were slightly angry, and her delicate body was a little tense: "Bind...bundle?"
Ye Weilai opened her mouth and stuttered: "Tan... Tan Lang also has quirks?"
As half of the client, Banxi lowered his head and had red ears.
Ouyang Rong, who was bowing his head in thought, nearly spit out the fish soup. He quickly put the bowl down and wiped the corners of his mouth. He was helpless and speechless:
"Auntie, what are you talking about? Don't spread rumors."
Zhen Shuyuan waved her hand: "It's a misunderstanding...it's just a random guess made by this stinky girl Banxi, and she talked nonsense with me."
Semi-detailed: "..."
Zhen Shuyuan looked serious and held Xie Lingjiang's hand: "Huanhan, don't take it seriously."
Xie Lingjiang: "..."
Sensing the strange look from the younger junior sister, Ouyang Rong's mouth twitched fiercely. Why does it feel like you are getting darker and darker?
"Auntie." Ouyang Rong said ruthlessly: "Your nephew, I have a good reputation in this life, and I am full of righteousness. One day I will be ruined by your mouth."
"Hey Tan Lang is talking nonsense, how can it be so serious..."
The woman in the skirt was stiff-spoken, but she still felt a little guilty and waved her hand:
Zhen Shuyuan explained it, and the girls didn't ask any more questions, so they gave up.
Ouyang Rong's face was expressionless.
Not long after, dinner was over.
"Auntie, I'm going to see off my junior sister."
Ouyang Rong said without turning his head.
He and Xie Lingjiang walked out of the dining hall together, walked along the corridor and walked outside.
This mansion in Huaiye Lane originally belonged to the Xie family of Chen County. Xie Lingjiang had an elegant courtyard in the southeast corner of the mansion.
It's not far from Ouyang Rong's bamboo forest courtyard.
However, in the Xunyang Prince's Mansion not far away, she also had a courtyard carefully prepared by Wei Mei and Li Guoer, which was regarded as a boudoir.
There are two places to live, depending on the situation, whichever is more convenient.
However, in the past half month, she has been living with Prince Xunyang's Mansion most of the time. After all, her duty is to protect them.
Today's bath incense is also in the boudoir over there. After all, the Xunyang Palace has more maids to serve.
Although Xie Lingjiang suddenly tried to learn cooking skills recently, her living habits as a rich and noble daughter are still difficult to change...
Tonight, Xie Lingjiang will also return to guard there.
The two walked side by side, silent and silent.
Ouyang Rong suddenly smelled a hint of fragrance and turned his head to look.
It seems to be the tulip pleated skirt worn by the younger junior sister.
This is a goose-yellow dress dyed from tulips. It is bright in color and has a faint fragrance of tulips.
After coming to Jiangzhou City, she dressed up as a man less often...
Xie Ling Jiang suddenly turned around.
Ouyang Rong quickly glanced at the scenery outside the corridor.
"Does it look good, Senior Brother?"
"..."
Thank you Brother Chaoyun for the reward, I love you so much, touch me!