No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 618: The man is not a man, the old friend is not an old friend [5k, monthly ticket required! ]

A quiet courtyard, under a pear tree.

The four of them sat around the stone table, picking up dishes and eating.

After Ouyang Rong opened his mouth, the atmosphere at the table fell into awkwardness.

It was dark, the nearest light was in the lobby, and the light was a little dim over at the stone table in the courtyard.

It was hard to see the specific expression on Fang Juxiu's face.

However, Fang Shengnan had already immersed herself in eating.

Although she didn't know what her sister said to the handsome young man who they mistook for a suitor in the carriage during the day.

But based on her understanding of her sister, she could roughly guess something.

Fang Shengnan felt embarrassed for her sister.

"what?"

At the table, Zhao Qingxiu was still wearing her apron, holding the bowl in her little hands, and she spoke out of curiosity, breaking the silence.

There was a bowl of prepared water on the table. She dipped her finger in the water and wrote something on the table.

【What happened during the day? Have you seen it?】

Ouyang Rong nodded and said with a smile:

"Well, it's just a chance encounter, it's... a misunderstanding, anyway, it's not a big deal, the two girls, eat more, don't be polite, after all, we are destined to be together."

After being given a chance by Wen Xin, Fang Shengnan nodded quickly:
"Master Ouyang is right. We are destined to be together. We met each other through fighting."

Fang Juxiu, who had been keeping silent with his head down, couldn't help but turn around and glare at her when he heard his sister's next words.

She pursed her lips, took a bite of rice from the bowl, and couldn't help but look up and look at the handsome young man opposite her who was picking up food for Yue Chuzi with a calm expression.

Like her sister, Fang Shengnan glanced over and looked at Ouyang Rong curiously.

The two girls felt that they seemed to have discovered something extraordinary during this trip...

Ouyang Rong pretended they didn't exist and casually asked Zhao Qingxiu a few questions, asking if anything inconvenient happened when he was not at home today, and then told her some interesting things that happened to him during the day.

They are all trivial matters of daily life.

But Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan noticed that the virgin girl seemed very happy to chat with him and listen to him. Her little hands kept writing on the table, and there was a lot more smile on her little face than before.

And this Mr. Ouyang also showed no signs of getting tired of it. He lowered his head, looked intently at the beautiful handwriting hastily written on the desk, answered her seriously, and spoke to her.

The two of them are very skilled and in sync.

For example, at this moment, there was a grain of rice on the corner of the virgin lady Yue's lips. Mr. Ouyang simply reached out, picked up the rice, and put it into his own rice bowl, then continued speaking with a calm expression.

Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan had only seen this kind of tacit understanding and smooth cooperation in their daily lives from their own parents. Their parents had been married for many years and were still well-known for their love...

Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan looked at each other, both with complicated expressions.

Some of them are shocking, while others are unbelievable.

This is the legendary Yue Virgin. Although she has the lowest seniority among the female monarchs, she is the first in line to inherit Yuanjun. In the future, the first and second female monarchs of Yunmeng will have to listen to her...

How dare you take advantage of her and eat the rice from the corner of her lips?

Fang Shengnan couldn't help but secretly pinch her thigh, and her mouth hissed in pain.

Fang Juxiu stared at Ouyang Rong and Zhao Qingxiu intently, his eyes fixed on them, as if he wanted to see the reason behind it.

After Ouyang Rong took away her rice, Zhao Qingxiu, who was blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon, subconsciously raised her hand to touch the corner of her lips.

Zhao Qingxiu's face suddenly turned red, as if she felt the burning gazes of the two young sisters, Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan, who had just arrived.

[The soup is ready]

When the Fang sisters saw the virgin lady of Yue, whose eyes were blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon, leaving a message on the table, they wiped their aprons with their little hands, and hurried to the kitchen to serve the soup.

There was some silence at the table.

"You two don't want to eat, what are you going to do to me?" Ouyang Rong took a bite of food and said without raising his eyelids.

Fang Shengnan swallowed her saliva, and before she could speak, Fang Juxiu took a deep breath and said calmly as much as possible:

"Master Ouyang, my surname is Fang, my name is Juxiu, and people around me usually call me Xiu Niang. Master Ouyang, please feel free to do as you please."

"Yeah." Ouyang Rong responded calmly: "Fang Juxiu, what a good name."

Fang Juxiu, who was used to being praised, thought that he was just being polite and courteous.

She turned around and prepared to continue introducing Ouyang Rong: "This is my sister..."

Unexpectedly, the handsome young man took a mouthful of rice, chewed it, and murmured:
“The fragrance of sandalwood sways across the river, and the rain suddenly falls. Only when the emotions are condensed and the strength is determined can one raise his sleeves… Is this the line?”

"What?" Fang Juxiu was stunned and said subconsciously.

Ouyang Rong shook his head: "Nothing, go on, girl."

Fang Juxiu lowered his head to taste it, then looked up at Ouyang Rong:

"I have never heard of this sentence before. You are really good at writing."

Ouyang Rong shook his head modestly.

Fang Shengnan, who was standing by, couldn't wait to interrupt:

"What about me? Do you have any good poems for my name? Well, my name is Fang Shengnan. You can call me whatever you want, Mr. Ouyang. Just call me Nan Niang. Do you have any good poems to match it?"

Ouyang Rong, who was eating leisurely, almost choked.

"Cough cough cough..."

"What's wrong, Master Ouyang? Are you feeling unwell?"

Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu looked at Ouyang Rong with concern as he put down his bowl and coughed.

Ouyang Rong lowered his head and covered his mouth, coughing a few times. He couldn't help but look up at the carefree young man in blue opposite him.

"It's alright, Xiu Niang, Nan Niang... never mind, I'll just call you First Madam Fang, Second Madam Fang."

"That's fine, even though calling my sister old sounds a bit old." Fang Shengnan giggled.

Fang Juxiu glared at her.

Just then, Zhao Qingxiu returned with a large bowl of steaming fish soup. She touched the edge of the plate with her hands and pad it with a wet towel.

Seeing this, the Fang sisters immediately stood up to help.

"I'll do it." The two girls said hurriedly.

Ouyang Rong was about to stand up, but stopped halfway.

He raised his eyes and looked at the two girls who respectfully took the fish soup from the embroiderer's hands.

A large bowl of fish soup was placed in the middle of the table.

Ouyang Rong stood up at this time and scooped a bowl for the embroiderer first.

He then served a bowl to Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan who were watching him secretly. He smiled politely and said in a gentle voice:

"I seldom talk about family matters. I really didn't expect that friends like you would come to visit me today. I was in a hurry and didn't have anything to offer. I only have some Taoshouzhai cakes and fish soup... I hope the two Miss Fangs won't mind."

"Nothing, in fact, we didn't expect..."

The two girls shook their heads like rattles.

At this moment, they saw Zhao Qingxiu, who was sitting next to Ouyang Rong and drinking soup, raised her head. Her blindfolded little face seemed to be facing them, and she shook her head imperceptibly.

Fang Juxiu held down his loud-mouthed sister and changed the subject:
"How did Master Ouyang know Little...Little Embroiderer?"

She swallowed the word "young lady" and followed Ouyang Rong in changing her words.

"It's a long story."

Ouyang Rong smiled brightly:
"I met you before at the Beitian Nursing Home in the Donglin Temple in Longcheng. We were old friends. At that time, I was recuperating from an illness in the temple, and one night I fell into a dry well..."

He briefly recounted the time when he first met the embroiderer, his eyes filled with reminiscence:

"I really didn't expect that the embroiderer would come to the Beitian Nursing Home in Chengtian Temple again. We met under the fireworks that morning... Sometimes I have to sigh at the fate in this world."

Fang Shengnan had a serious face at first, but as she listened, she couldn't help but be moved:
"We met in the underground palace... It all started with the fate of passing water... We meet again today. Sir, what a good saying it is that we are both wanderers in this world. Yes, it is a blessing to meet old friends."

Fang Juxiu was speechless when he saw his sister's expression as if she had been hurt.

She was not so sentimental. She frowned slightly, her eyes showing some worry, and looked at
"Just old friends?" Fang Juxiu asked sharply.

The two daughters of the Fang family looked at Ouyang Rong and Zhao Qingxiu who were sitting very close to them.

Unlike Zhao Qingxiu who was quietly eating like a nobody, Ouyang Rong said calmly:

"Speaking of which, I have always wanted to meet the family of the embroidered lady, to... get to know them. The embroidered lady usually doesn't talk much and is like a confused person. As her sisters and friends, if you know anything about them, could you please help to let me know?"

At this moment, the blindfolded girl with the sky-blue ribbon, who had been keeping her ears perked up, suddenly touched Ouyang Rong's empty soup bowl, stood up, and seemed to want to scoop some more soup for him.

Ouyang Rong shook his head and held her down: "No, I'm full."

Seeing this, Fang Juxiu pursed his lips, observing Zhao Qingxiu's expression from the corner of his eyes, and then he spoke calmly, continuing the topic that was interrupted by the young lady:

"We don't know much about her family... Actually, we don't know much about them. We just know... they are very busy and away from home all year round, so they sent her to the Beitian Nursing Home."

"Oh." Ouyang Rong lowered his head and nodded, seemingly not surprised at all, and continued to pick up the chopsticks to eat.

"By the way, do you two girls have a place to stay in Xunyang City? How about staying overnight tonight?"

Fang Juxiu hesitated and said, "Actually, I have something else to do. I may not be able to live here anymore."

"What's going on? Where are you going?"

"Go to Chengtian Temple to worship Buddha on behalf of my father..."

"Oh, it's not far."

After hearing this, Ouyang Rong turned to Zhao Qingxiu and said:
"I almost forgot. I brought some pickled radishes from Donglin Temple last time. There's still a can left in the car. It's a good opportunity for your friend to come over and try some together."

He smiled and greeted.

"Please wait a moment, ladies. I'll be right back."

Ouyang Rong got up and went out.

The two girls saw him walk through the lobby and before leaving, he picked up a long musical instrument case on the cabinet at the door and walked out.

This long musical instrument case was not seen when Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan came in. It should have been an accompanying item that he placed there when he came in later.

A handsome young man in a scholar's robe walked away holding the zither.

Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan looked at Zhao Qingxiu.

Zhao Qingxiu shook her head at them and pointed to the still warm food on the table.

The two girls had no choice but to lower their heads and continue eating obediently, but their performances were different.

Fang Shengnan looked around, curiously sizing up this cozy courtyard that was gradually taking on a homely feel.

Fang Juxiu was obviously more worried, with a hint of worry between his furrowed brows. He looked at Zhao Qingxiu's expression from time to time, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

After a while, Ouyang Rong came back slowly, the violin case disappeared from his arms, and he held a can of pickled radish between his fingers. He gestured to them and said with a smile:
"Taste it."

The Fang sisters politely tasted a few bites, their eyes lit up slightly, and they began to praise it.

Ouyang Rong also chuckled and chatted with the two girls for a while.

After dinner, Ouyang Rong ran to the kitchen to help Zhao Qingxiu wash the dishes.

At this time, seeing that it was getting late, Fang Juxiu gave a wink, and Fang Shengnan, who was greedy for cakes, immediately stood up.

The two girls went to the kitchen and bowed and said goodbye.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong and Zhao Qingxiu sent them to the door.

Fang Shengnan didn't understand her sister's thoughts and felt reluctant to leave.

Fang raised his sleeves and turned back to prepare to speak.

At this moment, the sound of footsteps and iron colliding suddenly came from outside the yard.

Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu were suddenly shocked.

"Dong dong dong——!"

I saw a blue-clothed constable with a group of yamen soldiers knocking on the door impatiently.

"Don't move. We are under the order of the Supervisory Council and the Governor's Office to search the suspicious houses in Xingzifang. Please cooperate."

Ouyang Rong seemed puzzled, and walked up to the blue-clothed constable who was facing the man with his nose pointed at him and asked:
"What are you searching for at this hour of night?"

The blue-robed captain snorted coldly and took out a bronze dagger to signal:
"This item is a token of the rebels. According to the latest news, Xingzifang will be searched again, so anyone who hides this item will be punished by death."

Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu were shocked. The government actually had the Yunmeng Order? And they were conducting a massive search!
Fang Shengnan nervously grasped something in her sleeve, looking at Zhao Qingxiu with a guilty look, and raised her sleeve to look at the wall in the courtyard, frowning as she calculated something... At this time, the two girls saw Mr. Ouyang next to them and smiled lightly, walked forward, pulled the blue-clothed police chief with a bad expression aside, and whispered to him.
"Yan Captou..."

The blue-clothed captain looked impatient at first, but after the handsome young man stuffed something in his hand and showed him a token, his expression softened slightly.

"So it's Sima Ouyang... Sorry to bother you, but the rules cannot be changed... Let's put it this way, we still have to investigate, you ask the women to leave..."

The intermittent words of the captain surnamed Yan reached the ears of Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu.

"Of course I will cooperate. I will cooperate. Go ahead and search, sir."

Ouyang Rong's voice suddenly became higher.

Captain Yan led his men in with a stern face.

Ouyang Rong turned around and winked at Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu.

The two girls understood immediately and took Zhao Qingxiu to stay in the courtyard, allowing the detectives to search the hall.

Ouyang Rong stood in front of the three women, and Zhao Qingxiu grabbed his clothes with her small hands, quietly and gently.

Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu glanced at the handsome young man's motionless back for a few more seconds, with some gratitude in their eyes, and their impression of him changed greatly.

After an incense stick of time, the detectives finished their search and returned to the courtyard, clasping their fists and reporting:
"Boss, it's no problem."

Captain Yan's expression relaxed a little.

"Let's go then."

He waved his hand and led his men to leave. Before leaving, he turned back and reminded Ouyang Rong:

"This area is under martial law recently. The higher-ups have issued a strict order to find the person. Most of the patrol teams are not under my jurisdiction. So if your female relatives go out on the street, their identities will also be checked. It's the same for everyone. You'd better keep them away from going out."

"I understand. Thank you for your hard work, Captain Yan."

"It's not hard at all. I'm working for the Ming Mansion and Lady Historian. You're also helping Yuan Changshi with the reconstruction of the houses in Xingzifang. You travel so far every day, so far away from home, and you have to set up a separate courtyard to rest. It's also hard work..."

"Where."

Ouyang Rong sent Constable Yan and others out the door.

Hearing some conversation coming from the lobby, Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu exchanged glances, as if thinking about something.

Ouyang Rong returned with his hands behind his back.

Fang Juxiu walked out with Zhao Qingxiu and found that Mr. Ouyang had a calm expression, as if he was already accustomed to being searched.

Fang Shengnan looked in the direction where the blue-clad constable left, her eyes suddenly enlightened, and she somewhat understood why Yue Chu Nujun had not been discovered by the government.

Fang Juxiu calmed down and asked calmly:
"My lord, you still hold an official position?"

"The post of Sima is a minor official with little time and effort... There have been many searches like this recently. If an ordinary widow encounters these soldiers, she will inevitably be bullied for a while. Some bad-hearted ones will even take the opportunity to search me... The two girls should take care to protect theirselves when they go out on weekdays."

Ouyang Rong looked humble and just passed it over with one sentence, then gave a serious warning.

Fang Juxiu and Fang Shengnan didn't quite understand the complicated official positions in the government, but they did understand the attitude of the blue-clothed captain just now.

The official position of Sima should be similar to that of the captain of the army, and should be considered to be of the same rank. After Master Ouyang revealed his identity, the captain of the army spoke in a polite tone, trying to give each other face.

Without waiting for Fang Juxiu to think carefully and ask more questions, Fang Shengnan clasped her fists and expressed sincere gratitude: "Thank you very much for your help this time, Master Ouyang."

"It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning. You are my friends, and you are guests from afar. Naturally, we should not neglect you... By the way, it's getting dark, are you two going to leave? I can send you off in my carriage, but we are going to Xunyangfang. By the way, where are you going?"

"Chengtian Temple..." Fang Juxiu said hesitantly.

Ouyang Rong pointed outside the door:

"Oh, but I saw Captain Yan leading his men to Chengtian Temple. I think they are going to investigate the rebels. If you don't mind the trouble and the danger of body searches..."

"There's no rush, please wait a moment, sir."

Fang Juxiu suddenly pulled his sister aside and had a conversation in a low voice. When he came back, he gave Ouyang Rong, who was not looking at him, a graceful smile and chose to stay.

"That's fine. I can stay for a few more days to accompany the embroiderer."

The handsome young man was cheerful, hospitable and enthusiastic. He laughed loudly, turned around and said carefully: "Xiu Niang, you can let your two friends live in the left wing..."

After finishing the arrangements, he patted his sleeves, walked away gracefully, and said he would come back tomorrow.

Watching the back of Mr. Ouyang disappear into the night.

Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu turned their heads together and looked at Zhao Qingxiu, who had been listening quietly from beginning to end.

Fang Juxiu looked apologetic:
“Sorry to bother you, my lady. We two sisters rushed here recklessly and almost attracted the government officials, ruining your hiding place… Actually, we have a place to go, but now it seems that we have to stay a little longer.

"We didn't stay here on purpose. My lady, you just heard it. There are government officials everywhere outside. We have to wait until there are fewer of them before we leave..."

"Uh-huh."

Zhao Qingxiu's reaction was surprisingly calm.

"By the way, when will you leave? The Second Lady is very worried about you..."

Fang Shengnan lowered her voice.

Fang Juxiu saw again the little face of the virgin princess of Yue looking into the deep night ahead, revealing the same dazed look that she had seen not long ago.

Fang Juxiu, who was always rational and calm, still didn't understand.

Zhao Qingxiu suddenly smiled, stretched out her hands, groped to the left wing to make the bed, and warmly welcomed the new sisters.

Fang Shengnan and Fang Juxiu exchanged glances, both of them were stunned. The two girls had no choice but to step forward and help respectfully.

That night, I stayed here in a daze...

(End of this chapter)