No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 780 The Disappearing Embroiderer

While Banxi was talking to Ye Weilai, Xie Lingjiang, Yan Liulang, and Li Xian's family had already arrived one after another.

Everyone stopped tacitly outside the courtyard of Yinbingzhai. They did not enter the house, but just looked through the door at Ouyang Rong's back as he stood in the middle of the courtyard.

All were silent.

Ouyang Rong picked up the ice-white jade hairpin. When others saw it, he lowered his head slightly, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the dust off the hairpin.

The handkerchief was white in color, but stained with dried blood... Ouyang Rong had used it to wipe the blood from the throat of the witness Qian Chen, which had splattered on his green shirt when he was killed in public by Wei Wu, on the high platform of the main grotto.

At the moment, he used it to wipe his hairpin.

Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Weilai were closest to the scene and saw that Tan Lang's hand was holding the hairpin and his fingers were so white from being pinched.

"Long Ling..."

The ice-white jade hairpin was turned, making a sound.

Banxi stood up hastily and said:
"Sir, it was this hairpin that made the noise! ​​Sister Xiu Niang walks very lightly, and her hairpin usually doesn't make any noise unless there's wind. It was the hairpin that made the noise in the courtyard that led me to go check, and I discovered that she had fainted and been abducted."

She supported herself on the ground with her palms, and she didn't know if she had pressed down on the broken porcelain pieces again. The wound was bleeding profusely, and she clenched her fists in pain. At this time, her eyes were blurred with tears, so she subconsciously raised her bloody hand to wipe her tears.

Ye Weilai quickly grabbed Banxi's injured hand and bandaged it.

Zhen Shuyuan stared at the ice-white jade hairpin for a while, and said with self-pity:
"Tan Lang, it's all my fault. I didn't go to find the embroiderer right away when I got home. I was careless..."

Ye Weilai couldn't help but speak up for Zhen Shuyuan, feeling guilty:

"It's not Madam's fault. According to what Banxi said and the time it took for the tea to cool, Madam Zhen had just arrived home when Sister Xiu Niang was kidnapped. She couldn't have come in time. It was my fault for being careless and not letting Banxi come alone. I should have come to guard her. It's all my fault. I feel guilty towards Tan Lang..."

Ouyang Rong listened silently as Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Weilai vied to take the blame.

He glanced down at the ice-white jade hairpin, then looked at his maid who was sitting among the broken porcelain pieces, crying timidly with blood flowing from her palms.

The young man in the scholar's robe acted a little strange at this moment. He chuckled and nodded, muttering to himself:
"If not on the table, then on the recipe..."

Except for the crying, there was silence inside and outside the courtyard, and everyone heard it.

Li Xian and others remained silent.

Even though they arrived late and didn't hear everything, the scene in the courtyard, coupled with the fragmentary words of the husband and his wives, had already outlined a general idea of ​​what had happened.

The moment the embroiderer's ice-white jade hairpin sounded, it seemed obvious what had happened behind the courtyard wall.

At this moment, no one dared to disturb Ouyang Rong who was standing quietly in the courtyard.

Xie Lingjiang didn't dare to go either. In fact, she could think of more truths and was closer to understanding the eldest brother's emotions than Li Xian's family.

Have a deeper understanding of the meaning of "If it's not on the table, it's on the recipe."

Because Ouyang Rong had previously asked Xiu Niang to pass a message to her second senior sister, she had told Xie Lingjiang about it when they met in the ruins of the palace.

The young lady in white and barefoot was obviously the embroiderer's second senior sister. She came to Yinbingzhai to find the embroiderer, and after the embroiderer sent Ye Weilai away, she must have told the second senior sister all the messages from the eldest senior brother... However, at this moment, the solemn situation in the courtyard was still happening.

Xie Lingjiang felt the same turbulent emotions.

She suddenly walked into the courtyard, squatted down beside Banxi, and checked his injuries. She stood up, walked to Ouyang Rong, grabbed his wrist, and whispered:
"Banxi suffered some minor injuries, including a heavy blow to the head. He will be fine after a while of rest. It's not serious."

Ouyang Rong held the ice-white jade hairpin in his hand and said nothing.

Li Xian and the others entered the yard one after another. Lu Ya went to the wall, walked around it and came back, saying to Ouyang Rong seriously:

"There are several footprints on the wall. They belong to the same person. However, the footprints are slightly deeper. They must be someone holding someone in their arms. They walked in a hurry."

Yan Liulang also walked behind Ouyang Rong and whispered, "Mingshou, I have asked my subordinates to investigate, focusing on monitoring Xingzifang. If there is any news about the whereabouts of the embroidered lady, they will report it as soon as possible."

The young man in Confucian robes seemed to come to his senses and put away the ice-white jade hairpin.

The calm words brought silence to the courtyard.

"Thank you all, sorry to waste your time. Prince, Junior Sister, Taoist Lu, you should go now. Pei Shisanniang has prepared the boats and will depart from Xunyang Ferry to Longcheng. Well, the old Taoist's advice is still very accurate. Let's listen to him and take the Longcheng route.

"Aunt, Wei Lai, help Ban Xi treat his wounds, and then follow the original plan. Now that the luggage is ready, follow the prince and take the ship to Longcheng County. Once we get to Longcheng, we'll decide based on the situation. It's best to go our separate ways and return to Nanlong first, and then wait for my news."

Ouyang Rong put away the hairpin, turned around, and his face had returned to calm.

As if nothing had happened, he calmly arranged everyone's route of action.

However, Xie Lingjiang, Li Xian, Li Guoer, Zhen Shuyuan, Ye Weilai and others did not feel relieved at all when they saw this. Instead, their faces were filled with worry and solemnity.

Because although Ouyang Rong had made arrangements for everyone implicitly, he had already hinted at his own stay or departure.

"Junior Sister, Master Lu, you must protect the prince on this trip."

As everyone was hesitant to speak, Ouyang Rong turned around and glanced at Yan Liulang, who was standing behind him with a sword in hand, agreeing to stay:
"Liu Lang, pack up your things, select some people to go with you, protect the prince along the way, and send him to Luoyang."

Yan Liulang's eyes widened slightly, and then he shook his head vigorously:
"Mingshou, I don't want to go anywhere now. I just want to stay in Xunyang City. In this critical moment, I am a soldier in Jiangzhou and have the duty to maintain stability. How can I escape from the battlefield and abandon the people in the city?"

Ouyang Rong ignored him and continued to make arrangements. He said to Li Xian, Li Guoer and others in a gentle voice:

"Although Liu Lang is impatient, he is good at doing things and can handle things on his own. If the implementation of the middle strategy is successful and the prince needs someone, he can come."

Before Li Xian and the others could get anxious, Yan Liulang took the lead and said:

"Mingfu, if you don't leave, I won't leave either. Wherever you go, I'll go! I, Yan Wuxiu, don't want the splendor and wealth in Luoyang. Today, the matter in Xunyang City is more important. Mingfu, please let me stay. I've never begged you before, but I'm begging you just this once."

His tone was firm and sincere.

Ouyang Rong tilted his head and glanced at the blue-clad captain who had never disobeyed his arrangements before.

Pairs of eyes inside and outside the courtyard looked at the silent Ouyang Rong.

Perhaps it was because Yan Liulang took the lead in speaking that the others no longer had any concerns and began to speak frankly.

Li Xian asked worriedly:

"Tan Lang, aren't you going back to Beijing with us?"

"Your Highness, please leave first. I have something to deal with and cannot accompany you for the time being. I hope Your Highness will forgive me. With Junior Sister and Taoist Lu Ya, Your Highness can leave the city without any worries."

Li Xian continued to ask:
"Tan Lang, why are you staying here? Is it about this embroidered lady? Are you sure you can get her back? Yunmeng Jianze doesn't seem to be easy to mess with..."

Ouyang Rong turned a deaf ear to him, turned around, and reached out to Zhen Shuyuan who was staring at him:

"Aunt, is the string of eighteen seeds that Rong Zhen gave you still there? I guess the embroiderer didn't have the time to tell you. Please lend it to me." Zhen Shuyuan stared at her nephew's calm face for a while, turned around silently, and went to get the eighteen seeds.

Like Zhen Shuyuan, everyone on the field saw someone's attitude and had different reactions.

Xie Lingjiang lowered his head slightly and looked at the mess on the table:
"Big Brother, we came out of Dragon City together, and we have an agreement to share the same fate. If we want to leave, we leave together, and if we want to stay, we stay together.

"If you really want to go look for someone... to look for Sister Xiu Niang, we can discuss it. You must not act alone. How can we run away and you face it alone?
"How about this, we can wait for you in Dragon City without delay."

Wei Mei also advised in a low voice, changing the angle:
"Tan Lang, judging from the current situation, you can't actually do anything if you stay. It's enough for Yan Liulang to stay in the Jiangzhou Hall to maintain stability. He can stay, but if you take the risk of staying, it would actually be a waste of talent... A son of a wealthy family should not sit in the hall.

"Although you are the official of Jiangzhou in terms of duties, your talents should be used on a bigger stage, such as Luoyang. That is where you can display your talents and benefit more people. Don't lose the big picture while picking up sesame seeds."

The Princess of Xunyang sighed and said in a soft voice:
"Tan Lang, come with us. There will always be a way to solve Miss Xiu Niang's problem. It's not a bad idea to put it aside for now. In fact, from the fact that this Ban Xi girl just fainted and was not hurt, it can be seen that Miss Xiu Niang's sisters still know their limits. They may be a little arrogant, but they are not completely hostile and ignorant of etiquette.

"Miss Xiu Niang's master will not harm her. When we return to the Divine Capital and gain a firm foothold and expand our strength, it will be convenient for us to talk with Yunmeng Jianze later. This is called taking a long-term view. It is far better than being like a fish on a chopping board and unable to hold our heads straight like now..."

Wei Mei suddenly turned around and pulled Li Dalang's sleeve:

"Da Lang, what do you think?"

As a good friend, Wei Mei thought that Ouyang Rong might listen to Li Dalang's words, so she winked at her eldest son.

Unexpectedly, Li Dalang lowered his head and remained silent, without opening his mouth to respond.

Wei Mei raised her eyebrows and reached out to pinch his waist.

Li Dalang dodged to the side and said in a sullen voice:

"Although I also want Tan Lang to go back to Beijing with us, I am not qualified to teach Tan Lang. I am still a little confused about matters of love between men and women. Tan Lang is definitely better than me... Mother, what we can consider, Tan Lang can naturally consider, so there is no need to persuade him."

Wei Mei glared and tried to knock Li Dalang with a chestnut: "You little bastard, you..."

When everyone was trying to persuade Ouyang Rong, Li Guoer walked around the stone table and suddenly turned back:

"You said that you heard the sound of the white hairpin first, and then heard the sound of the tea bowl breaking, and then you entered the yard. Was the white hairpin that fell on the ground torn off when you and the girl in white were arguing with the embroiderer, or was it already on the ground when you entered the yard?"

Li Guoer spoke in a calm tone. Everyone in the courtyard was stunned for a moment, then realized that she was asking about Banxi.

Banxi was being carefully bandaged by Ye Weilai, with a confused look on her face:

"what?"

Li Guoer's pretty face was covered with a white veil, so her expression could not be seen. She changed the question:
"Did you see with your own eyes that the embroidered lady was knocked unconscious by the lady in white?"

Ban Xi shook his head.

Li Guoer asked again: "When you were outside the courtyard, did you hear any other noises? Sounds that seemed to be the girl in white making a move?"

Ouyang Rong looked at Li Guoer.

He frowned, as if thinking for a long time, and shook his head:

"It seems not...I forgot and didn't pay attention."

Li Guoer turned her head, looked straight into Ouyang Rong's eyes, and said softly:

"There are too few key clues, so it's all speculation, but we can't rule out the possibility that it was some kind of accident, so you have to take that into consideration."

Li Guoer paused here, looked at Ouyang Rong's calm posture with his sleeves rolled up, and sighed softly:
"It would be best if you didn't miss this possibility. Well, no matter what, it was really arrogant and contemptuous to knock out your maid and take her away without saying a word."

On the field, except for Li Dalang, the indecisive Li Xian, and the female relatives like Ye Weilai who did not express their opinions, everyone else tried to dissuade them.

Ouyang Rong rolled up his sleeves and lowered his eyes.

At this time, Zhen Shuyuan finally returned and handed Ouyang Rong a string of eighteen-bead Buddhist beads.
Ouyang Rong took the eighteen seeds, looked around at everyone, and suddenly handed the zither-shaped sword case to Yan Liulang.

The latter was stunned for a moment, then quickly took it with joy, stood behind Ouyang Rong, holding the box for him.

Ouyang Rong said to everyone except Yan Liulang:

"In Longcheng County, you can wait for me for a day or twelve hours. If I am not here, you must leave immediately, return to Beijing or Nanlong."

Of course, everyone understood what Ouyang Rong meant, and they all looked worried.

Ouyang Rong waved to Pei Shisanniang who was waiting quietly at the door, and walked towards her, as if giving her final instructions.

Li Xian's figure couldn't help but hunch over a bit, and he looked worried and a bit like he had lost his backbone:
"Tan Lang, without you, I feel uneasy going to the capital. Without your brilliant plan, I always feel like I'm walking on thin ice and can't sleep at night..."

Ouyang Rong, who was walking towards the gate, suddenly turned around and said loudly:
"Your Highness, you must take risks to change your life; things of extraordinary significance mostly happen by chance; only unimportant things have thorough plans!"

Li Xian stood there in a trance, while everyone frowned and lowered their heads to chew.

Ouyang Rong strode forward.

Xie Lingjiang stared fixedly at the tall back of his senior brother.

It seems that the eldest brother did not just say this message to Uncle Li.

Wei Mei wanted to persuade him again, but Xie Lingjiang changed sides at the last minute:
"Just let him go. Let's not hold back. Let's leave immediately and take a boat to Dragon City."

Since even Xie Lingjiang had expressed his opinion in this way, it was difficult for others to persuade him and they had to follow his lead and start to evacuate quickly.

Before retreating, Xie Lingjiang came to Ouyang Rong, silently took out a protective sachet from his waist and handed it to him.

The stunning lady in red turned and left, leaving no pretentious farewell words, only a simple statement:
"This sachet is a gift from the embroiderer at my birthday party. There is a red lottery stick inside. It was clearly obtained by her and she likes it very much, but she insisted on giving it to me... Find her back and return the lottery stick to her. I am unworthy of her lottery stick."

Ouyang Rong opened the sachet and pulled out a red paper folded into a square shape. It looked familiar.

It was the marriage lot that the embroiderer asked him to open and read, but he couldn't help but lie and report it to the king.

Ouyang Rong quietly opened the red paper.

I only saw the signature on the paper:

【A perfect couple? They are like a fairy couple. What more could one ask for?】

[Interpretation: A perfect couple, a perfect match, living together forever, no need to look for a better match! ]

This is the first sign of marriage.

Sign King.

(End of this chapter)