Ouyang Rong held the golden oil sesame cake wrapped in oil paper and boarded the waiting carriage on the street.
He gave the order casually, and the coachman responded immediately, and the carriage turned towards Xiu Shuifang and drove away.
In the early morning, the dew on the weeds on the roadside was shaken off by the "clack-dap-dap" of the horse's hooves.
In the carriage, the golden oil sesame cake was a bit hot to the touch just after it came out of the pan. Ouyang Rong changed his hands several times before trying to take a small bite.
The hot cakes filled his hungry stomach. He leaned on the back of the car seat and breathed a long sigh of relief.
The carriage Ouyang Rong sat in was entering the city from the west gate.
He has been outside the city these two days.
All food, drink and accommodation are provided at Shuangfeng Peak.
The construction of the Giant Buddha in Xunyang Grottoes is entering a critical stage, and he needs to go and watch it in person.
Ouyang Rong finished the sesame cake and the rest of the oil paper. After hearing the children playing outside the carriage, he folded a paper airplane.
He opened the curtain and flew out of the paper airplane with a smile.
Watching the group of runny-nosed children chasing paper airplanes in the sun go away.
Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze and sniffed the fabric on his left and right shoulders.
I haven't taken a shower in a few days, so I happened to go to my junior sister's place to take a hot spring bath.
The junior sister has been living in Jingyiting recently, so it is convenient for her to accompany Qin Ying to attend the elegant gathering banquet.
Not long after, the horse-drawn carriage drove into the back gate of Jingyi Court.
Before Ouyang Rong got off the car, he took out a long cloth bag from under the seat of the carriage and carried it inside.
After seeing Xie Lingjiang outside the door of the quiet boudoir, he handed her the long cloth bag.
Ouyang Rong walked directly into the hospital.
Xie Lingjiang skillfully held the long cloth bag and followed him step by step.
As if she had just woken up, Xie Lingjiang had a plain oval face with no make-up, and it was naturally sculpted. Her satin-like hair was tied casually with only a red rope.
She rubbed her gloomy almond-shaped eyes from time to time, and her demeanor had the lazy temperament of a beauty who wakes up late to do her makeup.
"Why did you come back suddenly?"
"I'm going back to the city to take care of the accumulated official business. I'll take a look at you by the way."
"Go and wash it off quickly, your body smells like sweat."
"Not together?"
"You think beautifully."
"I'll just go to the hot spring to get some water and wash it off. There's no need to waste it."
"You can just mess with it, huh."
"You don't drink, what's wrong with me taking a bath? Oh, I remembered, that was someone's foot washing water, right? No wonder you attach so much importance to it, it turns out you are reluctant to part with it."
"You are not allowed to mention it again." The beauty with no makeup glared at him fiercely, and asked a little unhappy: "You still use this foot wash?"
Someone was noncommittal and blinked: "So after I washed you that day, did you like it and secretly went to wash it again?"
"Who is as shameless as you?"
"I understand, it's not fun to soak your feet alone without me. It seems I have to come."
"You, go take your bath and don't talk nonsense."
Xie Lingjiang let out a squeak and pushed his chest lightly.
Ouyang Rong smiled and stopped teasing his junior sister.
"You have a set of clothes left here. I'll bring them to you. Waiting."
Approaching the hot spring that both of them were familiar with, Xie Lingjiang suddenly spoke, turned around and ran to get some clothes.
However, Ouyang Rong felt that she was looking for an excuse to run away, fearing that he would cause trouble and drag her into the water in the middle of the shower.
Ouyang Rong laughed and shook his head, too lazy to expose her.
Perhaps because he had to go to Jiangzhou Hall to handle official business in the morning, he came to take a shower this time and came down the whole way without causing any trouble.
When he came to the hot spring, he fetched water from a wooden bucket, washed it casually, and put on the clean clothes that his junior sister had just found.
Xie Lingjiang, who purposely squinted his eyes to observe carefully from a distance, looked at the senior brother who was wiping his hair honestly under the sun, and found that he did not mention anything bad about asking her to hand over towels and clothes. Xie Lingjiang felt in his heart
I can't help but feel something novel and weird.
Did he change his nature? It's rare that he didn't do anything bad.
But...she felt a little disappointed in her heart. What was going on?
Xie Lingjiang, who was standing quietly aside, looked away, bit his lip, and secretly criticized his random thoughts in his heart.
"The clothes are all sweaty and dirty, and I don't know how to change them. No one cares about you outside. I just wear the same clothes and don't know how to change them..."
She muttered to herself.
However, Ouyang discovered that the junior sister bent down to clean up his dirty clothes without stopping. She crumpled them into a ball and held them in her arms. After lowering her head and taking a sniff, her little face turned her head in disgust...
"Why did you take it with you when you went to the Twin Peaks this time?"
After handling the dirty clothes, Xie Lingjiang returned holding the long cloth bag and tilted his head to ask.
"in case."
"To guard against those unconvinced merchants?"
"Yes, you must be on guard against others."
"Actually, just let Rokuro keep an eye on it. Senior brother... you are really cautious."
"You have to be cautious. Junior sister may think that the benefits of Xingzifang are not that great, but for those people, it is enough to take risks."
"It makes sense." Xie Lingjiang nodded lightly and quickly understood.
In fact, this is also the reason why Ouyang Rong likes to talk to little junior sister Xie and often acts as a mentor to her - junior sister is not stubborn and arrogant, but is considerate, listens to what is right, and has a gentle temperament that is unique to women.
What man doesn't love?
She looked straight at Ouyang Rong:
"However, that Pei Shisanniang doesn't look like someone who can't figure it out. They happen to be from Yangzhou. They know my aunt's methods and power. If they dare to do something small, they have to think about how to deal with her in the future."
"I'm just afraid of being stunned." Ouyang Rong whispered. Xie Lingjiang lowered his head and untied some cloth bags.
"Ahem, stop talking."
"Reason." Her eyes squinted slightly.
"There is a Yunmeng Jianze sword inside. The craftsman needs to hold it down and not leave it at will. Don't let the little one slip out."
"oh."
Xie Lingjiang nodded. He did feel that the sword box was much heavier than before, and he was curious:
"This sword has great sword energy."
"Follow its owner."
Before Xie Lingjiang could ask any more questions, Qin Ying's voice sounded outside the yard, coming to find her.
Ouyang Rong put on his coat and went out hand in hand with Xie Lingjiang.
Xie Lingjiang and Qin Ying are going to Xunyang Palace to find Li Guoer and go with them.
Before Ouyang Rong went to the Jiangzhou lobby, he also wanted to find Li Xian and Li Dalang to discuss the recent situation, so he happened to be on his way.
A group of people rode in a carriage and arrived at Prince Xunyang's Mansion.
After the two girls got off the bus, they said goodbye and left.
Ouyang Rong turned around and went to the study, and happened to meet Lu Ya who was leaving the study.
"Where is Director Lu going?"
"Her Royal Highness, the little princess, will travel to Kuanglu later. The prince has asked Pindao to accompany him for protection."
Ouyang Rong nodded, thought of something, and asked calmly:
"Has Director Lu recently gone to Xingzifang to look for the Huang family?"
"Went there the day before yesterday."
"I have never asked why Director Lu often goes to see them. Is he just looking after them?"
Lu Ya hesitated.
"Not entirely."
"Appreciate further details."
"Actually, I have told Her Royal Highness the little princess about this matter. It is not a secret. The little girl named Huang who Mr. Ouyang helped has a predestined relationship with the sect of Pindao."
Lu Ya stopped talking at the end of his words.
Ouyang Rong raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at the young man in Taoist robes with a paralyzed face below.
"It's fate... I understand. But does your Shangqing Sect also accept Kun Dao?"
"The Shangqing, where the poor Taoist is, has teachings without distinction, unlike the Taiqing and Yuqing, which reject heterogeneous disciples or Kun Dao."
"I see."
Immediately, there was a silence between the two of them.
Not long after, Ouyang Rong said goodbye to Lu Ya, finished handling things in the study, and left the Prince Xunyang's Mansion. He took a long cloth bag with him to Jiangzhou Hall.
After arriving at the main hall, he put aside his ordinary long cloth bag and turned to deal with his official duties.
He didn't deceive the younger junior sister when he was in Jingyi Court just now. It was indeed inconvenient for Takumi to leave the Mo family's sword box.
It needs to suppress Xuezhongzhu's snow-white sword named "Zhishuang". Well, although it also comes with a purple bellyband.
It seems that Yan Liulang came after learning about Ouyang Rong's return in advance.
Ouyang Rong asked him.
"Liu Lang, what are you doing now with Pei Shisanniang and those Yang Shang that you have been keeping an eye on?"
"There hasn't been much movement recently, but there are frequent gatherings. Pei Shisanniang is doing pretty well, but those Yangshang merchants made some complaints about the Ming Dynasty at the private dinner."
After hearing this, Ouyang Rong nodded:
"Just complain. I can't control what you say in private. You continue to stare. Remember, the most important thing is to keep an eye on them to see if there are any signs of... contact with Wang Lengran."
"Yes. Wait. Mingfu means..."
Yan Liulang couldn't help but look sideways.
Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and said nothing.
After thinking for a while, Yan Liulang frowned and thought:
"He was dealt with so badly by the Ming Dynasty before, and his majesty was completely lost. Recently, the Wei family has suffered another setback. This person surnamed Wang should not dare to do it."
"It's not that I'm worried or scared. The main thing I don't like is unexpected feelings. Rokuro just pay attention to this aspect and report any situation."
"yes."
Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze, opened a volume of official documents in his hand, and was about to ask Yan Liulang to retreat and work, but the latter had no intention of leaving immediately. Instead, he took out a letter from his arms and handed it over.
"Wait a minute from Ming Mansion and Longcheng. There is a new letter sent this morning."
"Whose is Dragon City?"
"Master Diao."
Ouyang Rong took the envelope with some curiosity, opened the sealing wax, and took out a piece of letter paper with the familiar handwriting of Magistrate Diao on it.
He glanced at it and saw that there wasn't much in it, but immediately his face froze for a moment.
It was not Magistrate Diao who was looking for him, but Ah Qing, who was rare, and Magistrate Diao helped write the letter.
In the letter, the little girl only mentioned one thing.
The evening before yesterday, the tall Orchid with flaming blond hair came to see her again.
Xuezhongzhu seemed to be fulfilling the promise made by Sanhuiyuan before leaving that day, to visit Aqing again and ask for his opinion again.
Of course Ah Qing declined, and cleverly cooperated with his elder sister-in-law and his mother to provide cover for his absent "brother".
Xuezhongzhu probably didn't notice anything. After being declined, he left a little disappointed, but still left a piece of jade to Ah Qing, saying that he would use it when she changes her mind...
Ouyang Rong put down the letter and felt a little warm in his heart about what Ah Qing and the others had done.
After a while, he frowned slightly again and said to himself:
"Are you just here to see Ah Qing, or are you doing something along the way..."
But what Ouyang Rong wanted to know more was whether Xiu Niang came with Xuezhong Zhu, but unfortunately Ah Qing didn't mention it in the letter.
Just when Ouyang Rong was contemplating Yue Nu's movements, outside the lobby, Yan Liulang suddenly ran back and said in a deep voice:
"Mingfu, Miss Xie is looking for you. It seems there is something urgent. She is waiting for you in the yard next to the back door."
"What happened?"
"She didn't talk to her humble position and urged you to come over quickly..."
Before Yan Liulang could finish speaking, Ouyang Rong immediately stood up and strode out. After a while, he rushed to the side courtyard by the back door.
Opening the door, I immediately saw the tall figure in red dress wandering in the yard.
"What's wrong, little junior sister, didn't you take Miss Qin to attend the gathering? Why did you come here?"
Xie Lingjiang's face was a little complicated, and he took out several items and handed them over.
"Elder brother, look at these..."
Ouyang Rong's eyes narrowed slightly and fell on the junior sister's hands.
I saw a basket of red leaves and three oil-paper umbrellas in her hand...
…
The night is as black as ink, and the autumn wind howls.
A corner of Xingzifang is filled with courtyard houses that have been in disrepair for a long time. At this moment, they are all hidden in darkness.
The population density of the low-cost housing area in Xingzifang is definitely the highest in Xunyang. Some people joke that if a tile falls from the roof, it can hit two people, one tall and one short.
But now, it's already midnight, and most of the households here have turned off their lights and rested. Only the occasional black shadows of people getting up to relieve themselves at night flash by. There are no bright lights that stay up all night and have fun like those on the banks of the Xunyang River or in several other wealthy neighborhoods.
.
At this moment, in a dark room in a dilapidated courtyard, snoring sounded regularly and rhythmically, and most people fell asleep.
There was a "squeak" sound.
Half of the cabinet door was quietly pushed open from the inside.
A little head wearing a lotus crown poked out of the cabinet and seemed to look into the dark room.
After repeatedly confirming that the Huang family's father and daughter were asleep on the straw mat, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Shao Qing, a little girl wearing black Confucian clothes, skillfully jumped down from the top of the cabinet, without making too much noise the whole time. She was lighter than a cat, but her expression was vaguely serious.
In the past, she would often sneak to Hanlei Ink Studio to look for food and enjoy the autumn breeze while Huang Xuan and Huang Feihong were sleeping.
However, tonight, she did not have the same expectation and cheerful mood as before.
Miao Si turned around and glanced at the dark night outside the window.
The three-day period has arrived.
Tonight is the deadline set by the cold and cold girl.
Shao Qing, in the room, the little figure of a little girl wearing a Confucian dress disappeared.
On the straw mat in the house, the bearded man was still fast asleep and turned over; the little girl who was lying on her back with her eyes closed didn't know what she was dreaming about. She murmured a few times in her sleep and smiled at the corner of her mouth...
(PS: I drove back to my hometown today. I was on the road all day and didn’t arrive until 2 a.m.. The update was coded in the car, so I felt a little motion sick while swaying around.
I saw a lot of traffic jams along the way, most of which were caused by traffic accidents.
The Spring Festival is around the corner, brothers, please pay attention to safety on the road, and don’t be impatient when driving. Finally, the Spring Festival is approaching, I wish everyone all the best!)