No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 706 Are you also attending the birthday ceremony? [Please give me a monthly ticket! ]

"What are you thinking about, Sister Xie?"

Xunyang Palace, a boudoir.

When Li Guoer carried the cat into the room, she waved her hand gently, signaling the maids around her to keep quiet.

After sending away all the maids, she came to the center of the courtyard where Xie Lingjiang was staring at a potted orchid in a daze.

Li Guoer accompanied Xie Lingjiang to look at the orchid for a while, and she suddenly asked a question.

"Aim~"

At this moment, the cat in Liguo'er's arms saw the bulging chest stretched by the red cloth in front of it, and raised its two claws into the air, trying to break free from the arms, but its eyes were immediately covered by the poor hostess with an expressionless face.

Xie Lingjiang slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at Li Guoer, only to see her ask:

"Sister Guo'er, do you think that marriage fortune telling is really accurate?"

Li Guoer glanced at Xie Lingjiang's somewhat serious and competitive expression, chuckled, and asked back:

"Whose signature is first?"

"Don't worry about who it belongs to. Do you think it's accurate?"

Li Guoer said calmly:

"If it's good, it's allowed. If it's not good, it's not allowed."

Xie Lingjiang frowned slightly and refuted:

"Sister Gu'er is a little too utilitarian."

Li Guoer said confidently: "Otherwise, who would still believe in Buddha? Of course, only the good ones should be believed, and the bad ones are just nonsense."

Xie Lingjiang seemed to want to argue, but then slowly closed his mouth and said nothing.

Li Guoer asked again:
"Your signature?"

Xie Lingjiang shook his head.

Li Guoer smiled and said, "That's your senior brother's, right?"

Xie Lingjiang looked away: "I guess so."

"What do you mean by counted as..." Li Guoer said halfway, then reacted and smiled even more: "Oh, it's the signature between him and another woman, um, it's that embroiderer girl, right?"

Xie Lingjiang stopped talking.

She had told Li Guoer about the matter of the embroiderer after she came back last time.

This matter was also spread privately among Li Xian's family, and now they all knew about it.

However, Li Xian, Li Dalang, Wei Mei and others did not dare to bring up the matter in front of Ouyang Rong and pretended not to know.

Because when they were in Longcheng, they had never told Ouyang Rong after he woke up that the embroiderer had cured him and left quietly, so they inevitably felt guilty...

Li Gu'er put down the man and was about to jump into Xie Lingjiang's arms, but was kicked away by a foot that stretched out from under Li Gu'er's long skirt.

Ignoring the clear stupidity in her eyes, Li Guoer suddenly clapped her hands twice and said:
"Yes, of course."

Xie Lingjiang frowned and retorted:
"If it's that effective, then everyone in the world should just go to the temple to pray for divination instead of talking about love or affection."

Li Guoer nodded in agreement, showing an exceptionally flexible viewpoint.

"That makes sense. Well, then it's not allowed. Very not allowed. It's even the opposite."

Xie Lingjiang immediately reached out and blocked Li Guoer's mouth. She said hesitantly:
"That can't be said. There are some tricks involved. It must be a good marriage because she is a good person. How can the Buddha treat her badly?"

Li Guoer looked at Xie Lingjiang's incoherent face with a half-smile, then thought about it and chuckled:
"I see. Is that stick too good? Oh, Sister Xie, you want her to be good, but not too good, right? Even better than you, it would seem like you are an outsider who is destroying their relationship? Right or wrong?"

Xie Lingjiang: ...

Li Guoer saw the stunning red-dressed lady in front of him frown, stood up, clapped his hands, walked back to the house, and said:
"It's incomprehensible. I don't know what you are talking about."

Li Guoer said leisurely:

"You know what I'm talking about. Sister Xie is getting better and better at playing dumb."

Xie Lingjiang ignored him.

Li Guoer followed into the room and asked calmly:
"My brother went to the Governor's Mansion for a meeting this morning and just came back. He said that the date for the celebration of the Great Buddha has been set. It will be on the fifteenth of this month, which is seven days from now at noon."

Xie Lingjiang nodded: "Got it."

Li Guoer pointed his index finger at his lips and asked casually:
"What about Madam Zhen's birthday gift? It's not you who's going to host it. When is it?"

Xie Lingjiang said without thinking:
"The fourteenth of this month."

"One day earlier than the celebration ceremony?"

"Yes, that was the idea of ​​the eldest brother. He wanted to stagger the celebration ceremony on the fifteenth of this month. It would be better to do it earlier. He said it would avoid any more trouble."

She counted on her fingers again and said:
"It's just in time. There are still a few days left. The things needed for the birthday gift and the gifts from my aunt and the others will arrive in the next few days... I will send out some invitations today and notify some people..."

Li Guoer nodded and held out her hand: "Then I have to prepare some gifts as well. By the way, where is my invitation?"

Xie Lingjiang subconsciously asked, "What invitation? Are you going too?"

"?"

Li Guoer said with a straight face: "Didn't you nod and agree last time?"

"Really? Oh, I almost forgot."

Xie Lingjiang nodded slightly, as if he had just remembered.

Li Guoer pouted: "Your mind is all on Xiu Niang. On the birthday, Ouyang Lianghan will bring her back."

"Ah."

"What do you feel?"

"What a taste."

"Forget it, you're always being stubborn. I'm too lazy to talk to you."

Li Guoer went out and left.

Xie Lingjiang was left to continue to be distracted and dazed.

Li Guoer returned to her boudoir, climbed up to the red building, came to a bookshelf, and took out a large book.

She took out a piece of red paper that was tucked inside.

There were many wrinkles on the red paper, but after being stuck in the book for many days, it was smoothed out a little.

Li Guoer bent the red paper, wrapped it around a finger, raised the finger, placed it in the midday sun in front of the window, squinted and looked at it for a while, then said slowly:
"Thank you, sister. This one seems to be better than yours."

In the next yard, Xie Lingjiang, who was thinking about something, sneezed for no reason.

She sniffed, looked around in confusion, and tilted her head slightly.

Who is thinking about her?

First, let’s rule out the eldest brother, humph.

……

Ouyang Rong left the Governor's Mansion and returned to his residence in Huaiye Lane to have dinner.

Originally, Wang Caozhi and Pei Shisan Niang were summoned in the morning to discuss an important matter after the meeting.

However, regarding Qian Chen's matter, Wang Caozhi needs to communicate with County Magistrate Meng for a while, which will facilitate their work over there. It seems that there will be no time during the day.

Ouyang Rong asked Pei Shisan Niang and others to go back and wait while he went back to his residence in Huaiye Lane to eat.

In fact, Magistrate Diao did not leave and was going to stay in Xunyang City for two days. However, Ouyang Rong asked Yan Liulang to entertain him, so he would not meet him for the time being.

After lunch, Ouyang Rong prepared to go to Xunyang Grottoes in the afternoon.
However, before going out, he went back to the study in Yinbingzhai, grabbed a lazy little guy from the closet, threw him into his sleeve, and went out together.

"Xiao Rongzi, why do you want to take me out today?"

Ouyang Rong stopped and asked: "Then you go back?"

"No." Miao Si said firmly, grabbing his sleeve: "You have to take me with you when you go out to play." "I'm not taking you to play." Ouyang Rong warned sternly: "Please help me keep my literary spirit, don't leak it."

"Oh, so you have something to ask of me again. You are really utilitarian, little Rongzi."

"You eat my food and drink my drinks, and then you go to squeeze the ink, isn't that utilitarian? This is called mutual benefit, and only in this way can it last long."

"That's true. I hate IOUs the most. Humph. But why are you suddenly concerned about Wenqi? It feels like you haven't mentioned this for a long time. Is there someone in the Sitianjian who is still looking for him?"

Ouyang Rong sat in the carriage that was slowly driving out of the west city gate. He glanced at the destination, Shuangfeng Peak, and said softly:

"in case."

Miao Si changed into a comfortable position, lying on his legs, with her hands on the pillow and legs crossed, and said leisurely: "It can be seen that he has done too many bad things and feels guilty."

Ouyang Rong ignored her, and she muttered again:
"Oh, right, I remembered something. Last time you said you beat up those female monarchs and taught that big female monarch a lesson, but you didn't capture anything, trophies or anything. How come you came back empty-handed? Don't you usually like to steal things?"

"What do you know? When masters fight, they should stop when the time is right. He is injured and runs away. It is impolite to chase him. Also, which eye of yours saw that I like to steal things?" Ouyang Rong said seriously with a serious expression.

"Your sword case isn't full of them... okay, but it still feels weird. Are you really that powerful?"

The little black spirit muttered quietly and made a suggestion: "How about you beat them up next time, and then bring me along so that I can take good care of them?"

Ouyang Rong:?

Miaosi's serious explanation:

"It's nothing special. I just want to see you use my ink to beat them to a pulp. Hehe, why do you look like that? You can't do it, right? Don't worry, I'll give you enough ink as long as you can do it again."

Ouyang Rong seemed not to have heard it. After a long while, he nodded absentmindedly:

"Hmm."

Miao Si glanced at him who was ready to agree and snorted.

Half an hour later, in a pavilion next to the main cave on the north bank of Shuangfeng Peak, Ouyang Rong waited for a while and finally saw the girl in palace dress walking towards him calmly.

"Ms. Rong..." Ouyang Rong explained in detail the arrangements for the celebration ceremony on the 15th of this month.

Rong Zhen nodded slightly. In fact, she had received the news from her trusted female official Li who had returned from a meeting that morning.

After listening to Ouyang Rong's story, she suddenly asked a slightly strange question:

"When is your aunt's birthday?"

Ouyang Rong said casually: "Um, the fourteenth of this month."

"It's the day before the ceremony, right? Perfect."

Ouyang Rong was stunned for a moment and asked, "What's the matter? Why is Ms. Rong asking this?"

Rong Zhen said calmly: "It depends on the time. If I have time, I will go and take a look, for your sake."

Ouyang Rong frowned, "You're going too? You're not guarding the cave anymore? Actually, you don't have to give me this kind of face. Your Majesty's business is more important."

Rong Zhen looked away a little: "That's why I said that I would go only when I have time."

Ouyang Rong cautiously probed: "Ms. Rong should be very busy and not have the time."

She said with a straight face, "Are you afraid that I will go there empty-handed and eat and drink for free?"

"I have absolutely no such intention..."

Rong Zhen interrupted:
"Don't worry, it's not free food and drink." She changed the subject and said, "By the way, I got news this morning that there is new activity from the pirates in Hukou County."

Ouyang Rong turned his head sharply: "What's the noise?"

"Recently, a group of Qigong practitioners have emerged from the pirates in Hukou County. Among them, there are mid-level Qigong practitioners who are quite difficult to deal with. Duan Quanwu sent an urgent letter asking for help. I have discussed with Commander Yi and, for the sake of caution, we are preparing to send 300 more troops to Hukou..."

Ouyang Rong, who was originally frowning as he thought about the previous incident, gradually calmed down.

After a while, he asked, "Will sending so many people over affect the defense of Xunyang Grottoes?"

Rong Zhen answered neatly: "No."

Ouyang Rong waved his hand:
"It's good that Ms. Rong and Commander Yi are sensible. Then send them."

She glanced at Ouyang Rong's frowning expression, raised her small chin slightly, and said in a cold voice:
"I know what you're worried about. We've finally sent a group of extra people over this time. The more people the better for the defense of Xunyang Grottoes. Don't worry, Duan Quanwu will bring these White Tiger Guards back before the celebration ceremony and rush back to defend."

"It's right to pay attention to these pirates." Ouyang Rong put his hands behind his back and paced in the pavilion for a while. He continued in a steady voice:
"Ms. Rong overlooked one thing. During the last time we closed down Shuangfeng Peak for flood control, these pirates from Hukou County approached Xunyang City. Although for some reason, they retreated and hid in the water, it clearly shows that the deception we set up at Shuangfeng Peak at that time did not escape the suspicion of those rebels in Tiannan Jianghu and they took action."

His subsequent words were heavier, as if to emphasize:
"This incident shows that these pirates are capable of approaching Xunyang City. If they can come once, they can come a second time. Moreover, some mid-level Qigong practitioners have appeared this time. They are definitely not ordinary pirates. In addition, Hukou County is adjacent to Xunyang City. If there were no White Tiger Guards blocking there, the defense forces along the coast from Hukou County to Xunyang City would not be able to stop them at all."

Rong Zhen nodded slightly: "That makes sense, so what you mean?"

Ouyang Rong suggested: "On the day of the Buddha's celebration ceremony, General Duan's men will stay in Hukou County and stay put to contain the pirates."

Rong Zhen shook his head directly: "I'm afraid Duan Quanwu won't do it. Have you forgotten that before he went to Hukou County to suppress the bandits, he asked to meet the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower in person. On the fifteenth day, he will lead the team back to defend."

Ouyang Rong asked back: "How did he know that on the fifteenth day, the owner of Dielianhua... and the rebels from Tiannan Jianghu would come?"

"That day was the day when the Buddha was completed. It was what the rebels thought was their last chance. It was very likely."

Rong Zhen analyzed it and couldn't help but sigh: "This warrior is really willful. How about this? Anyway, a group of reinforcements have been sent now. He has a lot of people. When the time comes, half of them will stay in Hukou County to continue to block the pirates, and he will bring the other half back to defend the Big Buddha."

Ouyang Rong nodded reluctantly: "Alright."

Afterwards, they exchanged opinions on the details. After the discussion, Ouyang Rong bid farewell to Rong Zhen and returned to Xunyang City.

When the carriage passed through the west gate and entered the city, Ouyang Rong, who had been lost in thought all the way, suddenly ordered:
"Go to the palace."

"Yes, son."

Arrived at Xunyang Palace.

Ouyang Rong did not go to look for his junior sister or Li Xian. He turned around and came to a small courtyard and knocked on the door politely: "Knock knock knock——"

"Is Fellow Daoist Lu here?"

There was some movement in the quiet courtyard. After a while, the gate was pushed open and a young Taoist priest walked out. He still looked the same, with an old Taoist robe, a peach wood sword on his back, and a paralyzed face.

Lu Ya looked Ouyang Rong up and down:

"What's the matter?"

Ouyang Rong also looked at him.

Lu Ya was not in Xunyang City some time ago. He was running around outside, looking for the whereabouts of his senior brother named Zhang Shixiu.

Until a few days ago, when Ouyang Rong's way to Shuangfengjian was blocked for ten days, he rushed back and has been guarding the palace ever since.

Ouyang Rong first asked politely:
"Master Lu, do you have any news about the senior brother from Longhu Mountain?"

Lu Ya shook his head seriously and answered truthfully:
"No, I went back to the ancestral hall once and also went to Mount Longhu. Senior Brother Zhang has not returned yet, but an uncle from the Tianshi Mansion said that the green lotus in the thunder pool of the Tianshi Mansion that is related to Senior Brother Zhang's fate is still intact."

Ouyang Rong nodded thoughtfully and said:
"Oh, there's something."

"please say."

Ouyang Rong whispered something to Lu Ya.

Lu Ya pointed at his paralyzed face and asked:
"Can you please go to Hukou County to help investigate?"

Ouyang Rong nodded:
"After thinking it over, I realize that there is no one more suitable than you, Taoist Priest. If you have no objection, I will take you to meet a few people later. One of them is Magistrate Meng of Hukou County... You just need to follow them."

Lu Ya frowned and said, "What about the palace? I heard from the prince that he might also attend the Big Buddha Festival on the 15th of this month, and I need to go with him."

"You must return quickly before the 15th of this month, regardless of whether you have any clues or have found the person."

After a pause, Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and said:

"Well, it's best to follow the White Tiger Guards from Hukou County back to Xunyang City. Logically, Duan Quanwu will bring back half of the troops before the 15th. You follow them. If there is any unusual movement, report it immediately."

"Okay, but I have to report to the prince and the little princess first."

Ouyang Rong glanced at Lu Ya's expressionless face, turned around and walked out, waving his hand:
"Go."

His figure paused, smiled and said:

“It doesn’t matter who you report to.”

(End of this chapter)