"Embroiderer, do you want me to draw your eyebrows tomorrow?
"Uh, don't you let me draw? Do you want to give me a surprise? What's so surprising? We've never seen each other before...
"Okay, a little surprise is just a little surprise. Let Thirteenth Niang help you tomorrow. She is also a woman. You can just put on some light makeup. There is no need to be too grand. We are all family members. Let's have dinner together tomorrow night. You
How come it is easy...
"Okay, okay. Do you want to be a little more solemn and leave a good impression on my aunt and others? Well, actually the impression is already very good, but you don't know it, Xiu Niang..."
Quiet little courtyard, in the main wing.
Zhao Qingxiu is sitting on the embroidery stool next to her boudoir couch, her little head wearing a sky-blue ribbon is lowered, and she is folding clean clothes with her skillful hands.
Ouyang Rong sat casually leaning to the side, supporting his head with one palm and leaning his elbow against the bed.
I chatted with the embroiderer all the time.
Tomorrow is Zhen Shuyuan's birthday, and it is also the last day of Ouyang Rong's vacation. After two or three consecutive days of vacation, his state has become a little more relaxed, or in other words, he has lost some of the so-called "class feeling" in his previous life.
On the embroidery bench, Zhao Qingxiu's little blindfolded face showed concentration, and she was doing the chore of folding clothes seriously.
From time to time, she would take out her hand and dip it in a bowl of water on the table next to her to write. Ouyang Rong laughed and answered for a while.
If outsiders didn't know, they would think he was talking to himself, but only Ouyang Rong knew that this was the way he and Xiu Niang interacted with each other.
Here, Ouyang Rong unconsciously talks more.
Seems lively.
At the moment, Zhao Qingxiu is folding some men's clothes, Ouyang Rong's.
The two items that Ah Qing sent from Longcheng a few days ago are also among them.
The little girl knew the measurements of Ouyang Rong, her sworn brother, very well. For some reason, she got it just right every time. The embroidered Confucian shirt was neither loose nor tight. Ouyang Rong wore it very comfortably, but maybe he wore too much.
Now he is used to it, except for the last time, when he wore clothes sewn by his little junior sister. Only then did he realize how good this little stepsister's craftsmanship was, but of course he couldn't say this.
Zhao Qingxiu actually made clothes for Ouyang Rong, sewing them stitch by stitch, even after she became blind, she did not delay.
At the moment, she quietly folded Ouyang Rong's many clothes for a while and neatly stacked them on the boudoir couch.
Zhao Qingxiu stretched out her small hand, took out a relatively new Confucian shirt sewn by Ah Qing, and touched it quietly.
She went to write:
【Tanlang, what color is this clothes】
Ouyang Rong replied: "Yuebai."
Zhao Qingxiu put down this shirt, took out a second Confucian shirt, and signaled to him.
Ouyang Rong took a look and saw that it was also sewn by Ah Qing.
【What about this one】
"Cyan." He answered.
Zhao Qingxiu tilted her head slightly, seemed to think for a while, and then wrote:
[What kind of clothes does Sister Xie like to wear on weekdays, and what about Wei Lai and the others]
Ouyang Rong thought for a while and replied:
"My junior sister likes red. As for Wei Lai, she likes to wear pink and white recently. She always thinks she is too white and wants to suppress it.
"My aunt is an elder, and her colors are dark and conservative. She can wear blue, black, and red. Recently, Ah Qing gave her a festive red silk. She likes it very much..."
【Are there any other sisters?】
When Ouyang Rong heard this, there were some black lines on his forehead. He licked his lips and said:
"Xiu Niang, what are you thinking about in your little head? What about other sisters? Besides them, who else is there in the family? I have said it several times, so I don't believe it."
Zhao Qingxiu wiped off the wet writing on the table with her small hands, rewritten it, and changed the wording:
[In addition to Sister Xie and Wei La, which other women will come to Aunt Tanlang’s birthday party tomorrow night?]
Ouyang Rong shook his head:
"There will be some, but you don't have to worry about them. They are all outsiders. I will deal with it. The embroiderer doesn't need to care about their opinions."
As soon as Ouyang Rong finished his answer, he found that the delicate girl in front of him, who tilted her head, stuffed a stack of green Confucian shirts into his arms.
"what?"
Zhao Qingxiu smiled and wrote: [Okay, Tan Lang will wear this one]
"Now?"
[Of course it’s the birthday party tomorrow night]
Only then did Ouyang Rong realize that the embroiderer asked these questions because she was matching his clothes.
"Wearing blue, oh."
Ouyang Rong looked indifferent and put away the blue Confucian shirt and took it back later. He would wear this tomorrow night.
Looking back, he asked:
"Then what will the embroiderer wear?"
Zhao Qingxiu lowered her head slightly, a little shy, and wrote four words:
[I wear plain white]
Ouyang Rong was curious: "Why are you dressed so plainly?"
Zhao Qingxiu didn't answer and continued folding clothes.
Ouyang Rong suddenly realized:
"I understand, you are wearing white and I am wearing blue. I want to show that we are innocent, right? It is a clean introduction."
"..."
The pretty girl folding clothes had a dumbfounded face.
Ouyang Rong nodded with satisfaction: "The embroiderer is still thoughtful."
Zhao Qingxiu shook his head and waved his hand.
Ouyang Rong continued to praise himself, his face not red and his heart not beating.
Zhao Qingxiu had no choice but to blush, lowered her head, and continued folding her clothes virtuously.
Ouyang Rong suddenly said with a serious face to the blind and mute girl who was smart and diligent:
"Actually, embroiderers don't have to worry about these little things. They don't have to dress so plainly because they are afraid of stealing their limelight... Well, many women in the world are eager to dress conspicuously and beautifully and become the focus of the audience. How about you, how can you keep a low profile?
Even if it's a very important day like tomorrow, you should be low-key and modest."
Zhao Qingxiu lowered her head and did not answer, her expression unclear.
Ouyang Rong looked at her who was as gentle as water, reached out and touched the girl's thin cheek, gently held it up, and said very seriously:
"No matter how you dress, you will actually be the protagonist tomorrow night. Everyone is watching you. There is no point in hiding..."
Zhao Qingxiu suddenly stretched out her hand, blocked Ouyang Rong's mouth, shook her head at him, and seemed to be begging him sadly not to say anything.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.
He lowered his eyes and glanced at the blue scholar's shirt in his arms, and continued:
"Aqing is in Longcheng and can't come. I'll wear the clothes you made, not hers."
Ouyang Rong had told Zhao Qingxiu about Ah Qing before, and she knew that he had such a foster sister.
When Zhao Qingxiu heard this, she shook her head and wrote with concentration on her face:
[Wear sister Ah Qing’s. She is better at needlework than me. I can’t see her. She can’t sew as well as her. She is very good at such a young age. With such skill, Tanlang should wear hers.]
Ouyang Rong blinked his eyes and asked:
"Does Ah Qing have some of the skills you had when you were a child?"
Zhao Qingxiu smiled but did not answer.
Ouyang Rong silently looked at the blind and mute girl in front of him for a while.
Watch her quietly packing her clothes and house.
There seems to be a peaceful mood in the chest.
He didn't know how long he had been busy, but Ouyang Rong saw Zhao Qingxiu stand up and run to the kitchen, and he followed him.
In fact, he shouldn't have come today, or should not stay too long. He should spend more time with Zhen Shuyuan and Xie Lingjiang. After all, the former is the birthday girl. He finally has a holiday, so he has to stay at the Huaiye Lane mansion and spend more time with them.
Accompanying her is the universal filial piety today.
However, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but come over. He was used to worrying, and he was always a little worried and wanted to come and take a look.
Fortunately, Zhen Shuyuan understood him quite well and didn't say anything. She just told him to go home for dinner tonight and to come back before the second day of Xu Chu. He couldn't be late.
Tomorrow is her birthday ceremony, and some relatives from Nanlong will arrive this afternoon, including the patriarch and several elders of the Nanlong Ouyang clan, as well as relatives from the Zhen clan of my aunt's natal family...
Ouyang Rongdu needs to entertain as the young man of the family. Anyway, the closer to the birthday party, the busier he becomes.
In this farming era, the countryside was not considered a run-down, despised, and unavoidable place, and there was no such thing as a country bumpkin.
There are four classes: scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants. The status of farmers is not low, but merchants have a low status. The rulers of the past dynasties have emphasized the emphasis on agriculture and the suppression of business.
Therefore, it is a great honor to return to your hometown in fine clothes and honor. No matter how powerful your career is outside or how big your official position is, after you become a beggar in old age, you will most likely return to your hometown to retire leisurely and be able to work with your own strength.
To rise from a humble family to become a gentry and county magistrate is considered to be the ultimate in personal influence... unless you are so awesome that you can break through the ceiling, reach the sky, be granted a royal title, and be promoted throughout your family.
At present, Ouyang Rongguan is a bachelor of Xiuwenguan and acting as the governor of Jiangzhou. He is already a famous person in his hometown of Nanlong. Although he was a famous scholar in the past, he has now reached a higher level and is Nanlong.
A tough man who has been rare in the county for more than ten years and has a good reputation throughout Luling Prefecture.
You must know that the scholars in Luling are very good. They are known as one Jinshi per ten miles. They are famous throughout Jiangnan Road. They are also the "recruitment place" that Bailudong Academy values and the farming and reading heirs are just ordinary people in Luling.
of standard configuration.
In every Luoyang imperial examination, there are only a few places for Southern Jinshi, but almost one of them will be occupied by scholars from Luling, which is the same as the minimum living standard. From this point of view, someone's fellow countrymen in the court really don't count.
few.
Ouyang Lianghan, who was once the seed of reading, was born in this atmosphere of "everything is inferior but reading is good". He was pulled up by Zhao's mother and Zhen Shuyuan, and he fought his way out of this hellish reading environment.
The king of Xiaojuan in Luling's time later became the Tanhualang in the first year of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Therefore, when Ouyang Rong governs Jiangzhou, he is most dissatisfied with the state schools and county schools that are half dead and have difficulty getting out of the Jinshi. This may be because of the developed water transportation. Most of the young people in Jiangzhou seem to like to engage in business.
Of course, it cannot be ruled out that it is because too many people were demoted to Jiangzhou by the imperial court. The common people feel that it is not necessary to be involved in the official position. After all, the end point of a large number of demoted officials is their starting point... It is simply ridiculous.
die.
No matter what, Ouyang Rong now stands on the highest stage of the Nanlong Ouyang family. On the birthday of his aunt Zhen Shuyuan, there are clan leaders and clan elders coming to celebrate her birthday, which is quite crowded.
But Ouyang Rong discovered that there was still one missing family, Ouyang Rong's mother was from the Nanlong Zhao family. He had also asked Zhen Shuyuan a few days ago if he wanted to invite someone from the Nanlong Zhao family to come over, but Zhen Shuyuan rejected it.
I don’t know why…
Come to the kitchen.
Ouyang Rong saw Zhao Qingxiu making soup with her back to him.
He walked over, took a look, and saw some herbs floating in the pot. The soup was milky white, similar to fish soup.
This seems to be called Sanbai Yangyan Decoction, which contains Chinese herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala, Bai Poria cocos, white peony root and licorice, hence the name "Sanbai".
Ouyang Rong accompanied Xiu Niang to buy these herbs a few days ago. She said that the recipe for Sanbai Beauty Decoction was casually taught by Sun Laodao. This medicinal diet can regulate the spleen and stomach and can whiten women. This time
Just in time to use it.
Ouyang Rong curiously looked at the medicinal soup being brewed.
This is one of the birthday gifts that Xiu Niang will give to her aunt tomorrow night. At that time, she will also serve a bowl of hot longevity noodles and take them to the Huaiye Lane mansion to honor her aunt.
Zhao Qingxiu checked the soup cooking situation, then turned and returned to the main room, accompanied by Ouyang Rong.
After returning to the house, Zhao Qingxiu took out an unfinished piece of embroidery from the bedside, lowered her head and continued sewing stitch by stitch.
Ouyang Rong took a look and saw that it looked like a small blue sachet.
He walked around the house and found that there was a brand new wooden box on the embroiderer's dressing table, which looked like a jewelry box.
Ouyang Rong walked over and opened the brocade box a crack. As soon as he took a look, he heard Zhao Qingxiu's "Ahh" sound from behind. He took back his hand and returned as if nothing had happened.
Just now I saw only a touch of white, like a white jade hairpin.
Ouyang Rong suddenly remembered that the embroiderer seemed to have said that she would prepare gifts for junior sister and Wei La.
I don’t know who the blue sachet and the white jade hairpin were given to.
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but think of his junior sister again. Wei Lai and his aunt seemed to have mentioned that they also wanted to give the embroiderer a meeting gift. They didn't tell him what they wanted to give specifically...
"I'm so nervous..."
Ouyang Rong shook his head.
After staying with him for a while, seeing that it was getting late, Ouyang Rong said goodbye and left.
Before leaving, he warned:
"Xiu Niang, have a good rest tonight. I may be a little busy during the day tomorrow. Let Thirteenth Niang accompany you and pick you up in the evening..."
"Uh-huh."
After finishing his instructions, Ouyang Rong picked up the bag containing the blue Confucian shirt and strode out.
Before boarding the carriage, he looked back.
Zhao Qingxiu, who was bidding farewell to him, stood in front of the door with her slender figure, holding the door with both hands.
The red walls of the small courtyard on both sides set off the silhouette of her plain white dress in a quiet, ethereal and charming way.
Ouyang Rong smiled and waved his hand.
"Go back to the house."
Zhao Qingxiu stood on tiptoes, held the door with one hand, waved hard at him with the other, and opened her mouth slightly:
"Ahhh."
It seemed like he was telling him to be careful on the road.
Ouyang Rong never looked back, he was a neat person.
He was as light as a swallow and stepped onto the carriage, leaving the reluctant blind and mute girl by the door. Then the blind and mute girl was gently held by Pei Shisanniang, who replaced Ouyang Rong, and comforted her into the house.
On the way back, Ouyang Rong routinely called Yan Liulang and asked about the situation.
The news that the thin-faced man named Qian Chen was found in Guanyin Temple has been taken to Prince Xunyang's Mansion by Ouyang Rong.
After Li Xian, Li Guo'er and others found out, they all breathed a sigh of relief. This was a side confirmation of the guesses they had made during their previous discussions.
Yan Liulang reported skillfully, there was no important news.
However, Ouyang Rong estimated that Duan Quanwu should have returned with half of the soldiers in Hukou County.
Calculating the fastest distance, even if they took the water route, they would not reach Jiangzhou until the morning of the 15th, which was already after the fourteenth birthday ceremony.
At least for this day, there is no need to worry.
What's more, Ouyang Rong had warned Lu Ya in advance that this young Taoist priest with facial paralysis would also come back with Duan Quanwu and others.
With Lu Ya watching over him, it shouldn't be a big problem. Even if there is an accident, he can at least report it as soon as possible.
Thousands of thoughts gathered together, Ouyang Rong looked forward and rubbed his face vigorously.