No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 612: Double act with Lady Historian [7k extra chapters, monthly tickets requested! ]

The temperature is still a little chilly in the early spring nights.

Ouyang Rong did not ask any more questions about the nightmare.

After taking a look at the light blue bellyband on Zhao Qingxiu, he grabbed the quilt and covered her with it, hiding the exposed part of her round shoulders.

This small, exquisite, silky light blue bellyband should have been bought by Pei Shisan Niang when she took the embroiderer to the coat shop in the East Market.

Before the embroiderer moved into the quiet courtyard, the clothes, socks, bellybands and underwear she wore were all made of coarse linen, in a simple and monotonous linen color.

That is, the clothes of poor girls.

How could a young girl like her have such delicate thoughts as to make some exquisite works on her bellyband?

Just enough.

In addition, the embroiderer was blind, and she didn't know the pattern of anything that the clever Pei Shisan Niang bought for her, so of course she just wore it obediently.

But it’s true, Ouyang Rong thinks this light blue bellyband is extremely beautiful, mainly because the embroiderer is very thin, so thin that she is unhealthy.

But she is not as short as Ms. Rong.

Slim and graceful, with good bone structure.

This is a great clothes hanger, and the same is true for wearing this kind of bellyband.

Ouyang Rong took a closer look at the bed in the dark bedroom.

Isn’t this better looking than the previous set of burlap underwear?

Don't ask how Ouyang Rong knew it.

The embroiderer is a blind, mute, disabled girl. There are many details in her life that she cannot take care of. Ouyang Rong comes over from time to time to take care of her daily life. Even though he is a gentleman, he occasionally walks into the courtyard and the shadows of some cloth or small clothes hanging on the long rope in the corner of the courtyard hit him in the face. It is difficult to avoid them at the first time. He can't just walk with his head down. Well, even a gentleman can't avoid suspicion sometimes. Just don't let the righteous spirit in your heart leak out.

But Ouyang Rong was not sure whether the embroiderer was also aware of this, or whether she really did not treat him as an outsider, or was not on guard against gentlemen.

Anyway, so far, since the embroiderer moved in, only a grown man like her has come to this quiet courtyard.

Ouyang Rong is in the self-reflection room.

"ah!"

Zhao Qingxiu, whose little head was buried in the quilt, suddenly raised her head, opened the quilt, got out of bed, put on her shoes, and put on her clothes.

"Why go?"

Zhao Qingxiu lowered her head, tied the knot of the sky-blue blindfold ribbon behind her head, and pointed in the direction of the kitchen.

Except when sleeping, she would cover her blind eyes with a sky-blue ribbon.

"Okay, heat up the food slowly, no rush, I'll eat..." Ouyang Rong changed his words: "I'm not very hungry... Wait, change the blindfold to a clean one."

Ouyang Rong seemed to remember something. He passed by Zhao Qingxiu, trotted out, went to the clothesline in the yard, and took out a clean and tidy sky-blue ribbon without even looking at it.

He had previously specifically instructed Pei Shisan Niang to go to the coat shop in the East Market and have ten new sky-blue ribbons specially cut for them to be used in rotation.

The material of the ribbon is also the best on the market, the softest and most comfortable.

The two stopped on the corridor.

Ouyang Rong re-tied the blindfold for the blind girl who was facing him with her face upturned.

He pursed his lips.

After being blinded, Ouyang Rong understood.

This is not for the sake of appearance, but to protect the eyes and prevent foreign objects such as dust, sand, dirty water, etc. from entering the eyes and causing injury and infection.

In addition, Ouyang Rong had read a miscellaneous book somewhere that said blind people may be very sensitive to light. They are not completely blind. Bright sunlight or light may irritate their eyes.

It is better to cover it with a clean ribbon. After all, there is no such thing as sunglasses in the previous life to replace it...

On the corridor, wind chimes are swaying, making crisp sounds.

Zhao Qingxiu tilted her little face up, carefully feeling the movements of the two slender hands that were patiently tying her at the back of her head.

Feeling Tan Lang's seriousness and concentration.

At first, Zhao Qingxiu didn't really like being covered with this sky-blue ribbon.

As if to remind everyone that she couldn't see.

But just like Tan Lang who is now taking good care of her eyes.

On the day she became blind, after the eldest and second elder sisters came back from seeing Old Monster Sun, they immediately told her to wear the ribbon and to protect her blind eyes, not to let them get lost again...

"All right."

Ouyang Rong had no idea about the strange and stubborn request from the senior embroiderer. After tying the knot, he took a step back with a satisfied look on his face.

Zhao Qingxiu touched the knot behind her head with her little hand. The knot was shaped like a butterfly.

"Hey."

She tilted her head slightly and smiled sweetly.

Ouyang Rong only felt that there was a snow lotus blooming in the evening breeze before his eyes.

Not noticing someone's gaze, Zhao Qingxiu groped her way to the stone table, lifted the bamboo cover that protected the food on the table, and took the cold food to the kitchen one by one...

Ouyang Rong quietly looked at the slender figure squatting beside the stove in the kitchen, groping for wood with her two small hands, and patiently trying to light the fire, and pursed his lips.

While Zhao Qingxiu was heating the food, he walked around the yard. When he passed by the pear tree, he caught a noisy cricket, but after thinking about it, he let it go.

Ouyang Rong clapped his hands and looked back at the courtyard. The lights were dim and it felt a little deserted.

On weekdays, when he was not at home during the day, the embroiderer usually only moved between the bedroom, the courtyard and the kitchen.

Very monotonous.

Otherwise, they would go to Donglin Temple, nominally to have breakfast at its vegetarian temple, but most likely...

Ouyang Rong suddenly asked:
"Xiu Niang, do you like civet cats?"

There was a pause in the kitchen.

"what?"

She seemed a little confused.

Ouyang Rong opened his mouth and said:
"The neighbor's cat has given birth to kittens. How about I pick one for you to raise?"

Zhao Qingxiu paused in her busy movements, raised her right hand with her sleeve rolled up, and wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

"Ey."

The little head shook, and a strand of hair slid down the forehead, making the little face look very charming.

Ouyang Rong asked calmly:

"Why not? It's too lonely to be alone. I heard from Pei Shisan Niang that you sometimes go to Chengtian Temple to eat in the morning. Do you like the hustle and bustle?"

Zhao Qingxiu, who was heating up food in front of the stove, lowered her head slightly, as if busy. It was unknown whether she heard Ouyang Rong's words.

Ouyang Rong waited for a long time, but there was no response.

He turned his head and looked at the empty court.

I think so. Such a small yard doesn’t seem to be brave enough to do parkour every day.

Although not all civet cats are as naughty and courageous as "Youzhong".

But the embroiderer is so quiet in nature that it is not very suitable for her to keep a civet cat. It would be better to give her some embroidery needles and threads to let her pass the time.

And just now, when Ouyang Rong passed by the dressing table in the bedroom, he did see some cloth and other things for needlework. The embroiderer should have been making clothes in her free time recently...

Ouyang Rong sighed softly.

Putting aside the fact that having a raccoon cat can provide companionship.

To be honest, he didn't like the embroiderer going to Chengtian Temple, especially if his previous guess was correct.

Besides...if the embroiderer keeps a cat, it would provide them with an extra bond, right?

Just like at the family dinner at Xunyang Palace today, although it was very tactless, everyone actually liked the lame kitten who was sometimes timid and sometimes brave, even the little junior sister who was stepped on by it and was thousands of miles away from it was no exception.

"Yeah."

Hearing the embroiderer's happy voice, Ouyang Rong came to his senses and found that the food had been heated up and the embroiderer was coming over with a plate.

Ouyang Rong went to lend a hand and brought out plates of food.

"How come there are so many?" He couldn't help but touch his stomach.

"Ah?" Zhao Qingxiu tilted her head.

Seeing her puzzled and worried expression, Ouyang Rong changed his expression and said seriously:
"That's great. I'm hungry. Come on, come on, eat."

Only then did Zhao Qingxiu breathe a sigh of relief.

Soon, someone's third dinner of the night was over.

Then he ran over and washed the dishes together with the embroiderer.

Walking out of the kitchen, Ouyang Rong touched his slightly round belly beneath his Confucian robe and let out a long sigh.

"It's getting late. Embroidery lady, please take a rest. I'll go back first."

"Ah."

"correct."

Ouyang Rong seemed to remember something and took the initiative to ask:

"The cake you bought last time was quite delicious. Was it called Tao Shou Zhai? Why don't you buy it again? I really like it."

Zhao Qingxiu was sending Ouyang Rong to the gate of the courtyard.

Ouyang Rong looked back and laughed heartily.

"How about this, don't stay bored at home these two days, and don't go to Chengtian Temple. You can't go there every day to draw lots, it will only work after a while. Let Pei Shisanniang accompany you shopping, and buy some cakes from Taoshouzhai."

Hearing the words "Taoshouzhai", Zhao Qingxiu paused and nodded.

"OK."

……

"I'm sorry, I'm a little late. I just had to deal with a small matter and I won't delay us.

"Well, I heard from Governor Ouyang that you are the leaders of the powerful noble families, martial arts halls, and market gangs in Xunyang City. In the words of the so-called underworld, you are the most important figures in the underworld and white world of Xunyang City.

“But, at the same time, we are also citizens of the Great Zhou who pay taxes according to the law.

"Today, I have asked Governor Ouyang to call you all here. I have no other intentions. Don't worry, I will not play the good cop and the bad cop with Governor Ouyang, or use carrot and stick to harass you or squeeze you out of your bones.

“You may not trust me, but you can certainly trust Governor Ouyang, whose reputation is known all over the world.

"I came here today for two small matters."

morning.

Xunyangfang, the residence of the Jiangzhou governor.

Rong Zhen, accompanied by eight stern-faced female officials, strode into a hall with a plaque that read "Integrity and Honesty". They passed in front of two rows of guests and stopped three feet in front of Ouyang Rong, who was serving tea at the top seat with his head lowered.

She did not look at Ouyang Rong, nor did she sit down next to him. She immediately turned around and raised her slender index finger expressionlessly towards the serious-looking powerful gentry, gang leaders, and martial arts school leaders in the hall.

"First, I want to ask everyone if you are satisfied with the public security in Xunyang City these days. You should have no objection to the many measures taken by my Supervisory Council and Governor Ouyang's Jiangzhou Hall to eliminate violence and protect the good, right?"

The men sitting in the two rows of seats in the lobby were all silent.

Some people exchanged glances.

Some people carefully looked at this legendary lady historian from the capital.

Some people also glanced sideways at the young governor who was quietly drinking tea with his head down behind the cold girl in palace dress.

Rong Zhen looked around the silent hall and nodded calmly:
"If you have any, you can bring it up first. I have specially invited a highly respected state censor to come here today. He is standing at the door. If you have any dissatisfaction, please speak directly to the old censor. The report will be delivered to the censorate in Luojing in a few days.

"If it's more serious, such as accusing me and Governor Ouyang of favoritism and abuse of power, and there's solid evidence, this memorial can be quickly submitted to the palace and put on the imperial case.

"Everyone can speak freely now. Let's solve this small matter first. Once there is no objection, we can move on to the next small matter."

The cold palace-dressed girl turned around and faced north, and bowed her hand towards Luoyang, which was far to the north.
"Well, this is the Queen's wisdom. She understands the people's sentiments and listens to them."

She had a stern face, but her tone and attitude were somewhat sincere.

Everyone looked at each other.

After a while, no one in the hall stood up and spoke.

The atmosphere was somewhat solemn and dead.

At this time, Ouyang Rong put down the teacup and exhaled gently.

"Whoo~"

Everyone who was watching their noses and their hearts immediately turned their heads to look.

I thought he was going to speak.

Rong Zhen also turned slightly and glanced sideways at a close comrade-in-arms with whom she had a great friendship.

Ouyang Rong leaned back in his chair, holding the handles of the armchair with both hands, looking straight ahead, motionless.

As if he had been stared at for too long, he covered his mouth with his fist without looking away and coughed slightly.

It's like he's saying... why are you looking at me? I'm just having a nourishing morning tea, you guys go on.

"Okay, since there is no objection, then please go back, old censor, close the door, and let's talk about the second little thing. Don't worry, it won't delay everyone from going back to eat lunch at noon."

Rong Zhen said calmly. As soon as the words fell, everyone saw a group of black-armored soldiers with stern expressions appear on the corridor at the entrance where the old censor disappeared, surrounding the gate.

Before these old foxes from both the underworld and white world of Xunyang City could take a closer look, the door was closed tightly with a "bang".

The morning sunlight was kept out, and the light in the lobby was dimmed several levels.

It gave the men, who were originally accustomed to the sunlight, an experience of feeling as if their eyes went dark.

The water in the teacup beside me seemed to have cooled by two degrees.

"What...what little thing?"

A wealthy man named Guo, who was well-known at Xunyang Ferry Wharf and made his fortune in water transportation, plucked up his courage and asked tentatively.

"Does anyone of you know Yunmeng Ling?"

Rong Zhen asked curiously.

The lobby was silent.

Ouyang Rong, who was sitting behind Rong Zhen, looked around the lobby.

Everyone looked confused.

The tyrant surnamed Guo looked puzzled:

"Yunmeng Order? What is this?"

Another big man who runs a martial arts school is scratching his head:
"I've heard of Yunmengze, but not Yunmengling. Are the two related?"

"Yes, what is the use of this thing? Why are the Lady Historian and the Governor looking for this thing?"

Everyone was whispering and asking questions. Rong Zhen seemed not surprised by the reaction and spoke calmly:
"It is like this. The Supervisory Council has received the latest report that someone in the city is secretly colluding with the rebels and is trying to plot chaos and obstruct the construction of the Buddha statue ordered by Your Majesty.

"The news said that the rebel force Yunmeng Jianze issued something called Yunmeng Token to those who had secret dealings in the city as a token of their secret meetings."

"So I invited you here today because I want to ask you, do you know this thing? You are active in the underworld and white world of Xunyang City, so you should have a wide range of information. This thing is a clear proof of conspiracy, arrest anyone who finds it."

The men still looked puzzled.

A powerful country gentleman named Fang asked weakly:
"Lady Historian, Lord Governor, what does this Yunshen Order look like?"

Ouyang Rong then spoke:
"We don't know yet, but we have a clue? We should know soon."

"Clues? What clues?" Everyone was curious.

Rong Zhen frowned and turned around to look at Ouyang Rong, seemingly dissatisfied with his talkativeness.

Ouyang Rong immediately shut up and continued drinking tea.

Everyone became more and more curious.

Rong Zhen pondered for a moment and said:

“To be honest, the person who reported it has already provided a list of seven or eight companies in the city that are highly suspicious.

“If there are careful people among you, you should have noticed that there are several powerful families in the city who were not invited.

"At this moment, people from the Overwatch Council and Xuanwu Camp are raiding their house, arresting them first and searching for this thing.

“I believe that we should be able to get news about Yunmeng Order within today.

"The reason why I'm notifying you to gather today is because Governor Ouyang has specifically recommended you to the Supervisory Council, saying that you are law-abiding citizens who have not committed crimes for a long time, and you are well-informed, so you may be able to help the Supervisory Council find the fish that have slipped through the net."

Everyone's eyes widened, and many of them breathed a sigh of relief and cast grateful glances towards Ouyang Rong.

Rong Zhen waved his hand:
"Did you guys give any clues?"

After discussing it, everyone knew nothing. However, they all patted their chests and promised that they would help the Supervisory Office and Jiangzhou Hall search for clues about Yunmeng Order after returning.

Rong Zhen nodded gently:

"Okay, I'll wait until today to interrogate the prisoner and get the Yunmeng Order. I'll let you know then so that it will be easier for everyone to search."

"Good good."

"Ms. Madam is so thoughtful."

Everyone expressed gratitude and praise.

"Don't be too happy yet."

Rong Zhen suddenly spoke coldly, and swept his cold eyes over everyone:
"I don't really trust outsiders like you. If it weren't for Ouyang Changshi's promise, I would have searched you house by house. It would take time, but I would rather kill a thousand people by mistake than let one go.

"However, Governor Ouyang disagreed, fearing that we would disturb the good people and affect innocent people. He also said that you are law-abiding, have a family and a career, and are not the kind of fools who collude with the rebels. I reluctantly accept it, but I will start by looking for you according to the list.

“As for you, you can report each other from now on. If you can find this thing and the person who is having an affair, the Supervisory Council will give you a generous reward.

“In addition, I would like to emphasize one more point. Your properties are all in Jiangzhou City. These rebels are deeply hated by the court. If anyone has secret dealings with the rebels, they will be beheaded and their entire family will be executed.

"You all have families, so you'd better think about your families. Can the monk run away but the temple also run away?
"Anyway, from today on, the whole city is under martial law, and no family is allowed to move out on a large scale. The same applies to you all, do you understand? This is why I temporarily agree with Governor Ouyang's suggestion and trust your bottom line for the time being..."

Rong Zhen finished speaking in a bad tone.

Everyone said yes.

"Thank you for your trust, Madam! We will definitely cooperate with the Overwatch Council."

"Yes Yes Yes."

Everyone expressed their loyalty sincerely.

"Okay, go back first and wait for our news. This palace and Governor Ouyang still have to deal with those families who didn't come. Let's go over and see how the house seizure is going. Humph."

Everyone dispersed.

The lobby emptied.

Rong Zhen suddenly calmed down.

He glanced back.

Ouyang Rong didn't look at her. He lowered his head and poured a cup of tea for the lady who had wasted so much saliva.

"Are you thirsty?"

"You seem relaxed and silent, so what's the point of you coming here? I can do it alone."

Ouyang Rong said seriously: "It is more convenient to admire the elegance of the lady in the back."

Rong Zhen:……? ?

……

Fang Yiwu followed the large army and walked out of the Jiangzhou Governor's Mansion.

He is the current patriarch of the southern family of the city. He is strong and powerful, tall and strong, with a square face with clear contours. His square face makes him look strong and resolute, as if he had been carved. He looks quite decent at first glance, but he is over 40 years old, and his black clothes can hardly hide his big belly.

While waiting for the carriage, Fang Yiwu and his friends on the road once again denounced the Tiannan underworld rebels who were delaying everyone's money-making and affecting the people's livelihood in Xunyang.

"Why would they choose to rebel? Going against the imperial court is courting death."

"That's right! Why are there so many rebellions? In the final analysis, isn't it all about the struggle for power and uneven distribution of benefits?"

A group of wealthy and powerful people agreed very much.

To be honest, although they are famous figures in Xunyang City, the Tiannan Jianghu is very large, including Jiangnan Road and Lingnan Road, with nearly a hundred prefectures.

The local underworld in Xunyang City or Jiangzhou is just a small fish pond. The lower the level of the so-called underworld, the more it is about human relationships and worldly affairs, rather than fighting and killing. In fact, everyone is doing business.

Previously, outside the construction site of the Xingzi Lake Buddha, the fight between the Qigong practitioners from the Tiannan Jianghu and the Qigong practitioners from the Great Zhou Dynasty was, in their eyes, a fight between gods.

At this time, a large number of black-armored soldiers and female officials in white clothes poured out of the governor's mansion in the rear and rushed to various places in the city. It was obvious at a glance that their target was clear.

Obviously, it was what Madam Historian said, to arrest the suspect families on the list who were not present.

Everyone at the door looked at each other, some of them couldn't help licking their dry lips, looking relieved that they were not affected by the disaster.

"Luckily, Governor Ouyang guaranteed us. Otherwise, if we searched like this, we would be in big trouble. What if there is another frame-up... Hey, they say that soldiers are like combs, and it's easier to deal with the King of Hell than with the little devils. This is really an unprovoked disaster..."

"That's right, Madam Historian also listened to the advice and was very observant. The plaque in the hall was hung correctly."

The powerful man surnamed Guo sighed.

Fang Yiwu listened silently, agreeing from time to time or laughing along.

Soon, he left his companions and quickly got on his own carriage.

"Go back to the south village."

"Master, you're not going to the dock today?"

A personal servant who had followed him for many years asked curiously.

Fang Yiwu shook his head vigorously: "No, let's go back to the farm in the south of the city."

"But the stewards over there are waiting for the master, and they just sent someone to ask..."

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Fang Yiwu's expression suddenly changed.

The servant was so frightened that he quickly got out and drove the car obediently.

The carriage hurriedly left Xunyangfang, passed through the west city gate, and arrived at a large building on the southern outskirts of the city.

Fang family manor.

Hurrying into the manor lobby.

"Master, the lady is here to see you. It's about the eldest and second young ladies..."

"Go away."

Not having time to deal with the old butler, Fang Yiwu pushed him away and hurried deep into the back house.

The Fang family is one of the most powerful families in Xunyang City. One of their ancestors was a military officer in Daqian. They settled down in Xunyang City and made a fortune by relying on their connections. They bought land... and now they are considered a major taxpayer in the city.

When Fang Yiwu was young, he was determined to join the army, but was suppressed by his elders at home. Later, he rebelled and wandered around the world. After struggling for a while, he was "helplessly" called back by his elders and inherited a rich family business.

It would be great to go home and inherit the family business. Isn't this better than living in the open air?

However, although he returned to Xunyang City, Fang Yiwu still had a heart of advocating martial arts and chivalry, and was not satisfied with collecting rent from farms and shops.

So, a few years ago, I set up a few martial arts schools in the city and funded some gangs. I made a name for myself in Jiangzhou, although it was a pay-to-win game...

Now I am over 40 years old and have three sons and two daughters. Apart from a dull life and a lack of excitement, I have everything I need. When I have nothing to do, I can brag to my children about my experiences in life when I was young.

But today, it seems that the excitement has come.

The Fang family's manor in the south of the city covers a large area.

In the past, when a hero was entertaining friends from all over the country, he would show off his wealth in a humble manner, but now... the disadvantages of having too big a family have suddenly become apparent.

Fang Yiwu walked for a long time, making many turns, and finally arrived at a remote three-story building deep in the manor.

He opened the locked door and rushed up the stairs.

Arriving at the top floor attic, there is a library in front of you.

Fang Yiwu wiped the sweat off his face, shook his hands, opened the door with the key, walked to a bookshelf, and began to look through it.
It seems that he is arranging books.

Fang Yiwu was sweating profusely as he sorted things out, muttering to himself, "Where did I put it, where did I put it..."

"What are you looking for? Do you need help?"

Just then, a curious female voice came from behind.

Fang Yiwu was furious and blurted out without looking back:

"Who let you in? You're asking for a beating!"

After he finished shouting, he suddenly thought the voice sounded familiar. He looked back and was immediately frightened.

A cold girl in palace dress appeared at the door. Her footsteps were as silent as a cat's, and she followed Fang Yiwu into the study.

Fang Yiwu didn't even know when she came.

It's over!

Fang Yiwu's face suddenly turned pale and the book in his hand fell to the ground.

It was loud.

Rong Zhen stood at the door of the study with her sleeves rolled up, not even looking at Fang Yiwu, and looked around this remote study with a curious look on her face.

"Hey...hey...why did Madam come to my humble abode? Aren't you here to check...to check the people on the list?"

Before Fang Yiwu could explain, a sound of footsteps rang out at the stairs.

Behind Rong Zhen, a group of female officials in white rushed into the study.

It soon filled the attic study.

Rong Zhen passed by Fang Yiwu and said in a nonchalant tone:

"You're on the list."

Fang Yiwu fell to the ground.

Under the man's shocked and horrified gaze, a group of cold female officials began a careful search.

……

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(PS: 7k two-in-one, plus more, still owe 14 more

I beg for a monthly ticket!! or2)