On the breakfast table.
Mrs. Zhen looked sideways and silently looked at Ouyang Rong's silent expression.
She couldn't help but show concern in her eyes.
While Wei Lai was serving porridge to Ouyang Rong, he changed bowls.
The woman in the skirt asked insinuatingly:
"Why is Tanlang eating so slowly today? Why, the county government is not busy anymore? Didn't I hear Huanhan say before that the affairs of the sluice gate and the new canal are heavy?"
Ouyang Rong came back to his senses and took a long breath:
"I'm almost done with my work. I'll have some free time today and tomorrow. There will be a very important ribbon-cutting ceremony the day after tomorrow... There are a lot of things going on that day."
Zhen asked: "At that time, will Tan Lang come back to eat at night? Do you want to wait for you?"
Ouyang Rong didn't reply.
He looked a little inexplicable and was glanced at a few times by Mrs. Zhen.
At this moment, Wei Lai walked up to Ouyang Rong, carefully held the rim of the porridge bowl with both hands, and bent down to put it down.
Ouyang Rong turned his head and took a look.
Wei Lai is wearing a moon-white undershirt today, with a short undershirt on the upper body, a long skirt on the lower body, and a high waist.
I don’t know whether it’s because the underskirt is too small, or because the little girl was careless on purpose, but the long skirt on the lower body is compact and looks very close to the body.
Especially the narrow waist and hips that were cut, and the taut fabric perfectly outlined her slender waist, and the rounded arc that rose and fell below it.
Wei Lai's hips are not too big, but her figure is well-proportioned, and the concave and convex curves, like gourds, complement each other.
There was only one person in this hall who knew that he had experienced the firmness of the buttocks and the beautiful youthful sensuality during a certain family ritual.
But at this moment, he had no time to think about this.
Wei Lai put the porridge bowl away, slowly retracted her hand, and tried to wipe her red fingers on the corner of her short jacket before turning around and leaving.
Ouyang Rong suddenly stretched out his hand, grabbed her thin waist, took her into his arms, and hugged her.
The white-haired maid let out a frightened "Ah" and was caught off guard, falling into her master's arms.
For a moment, Wei Lai was still dizzy, a little confused about the situation, and sat on Ouyang Rong's lap with her straight buttocks.
In a hurry, she looked around and felt the gazes coming from all around, like swift arrows.
Suddenly, Wei Lai's face quickly turned red like rouge.
It was also the first time for her to experience this kind of situation of leaving the Meilin courtyard and hugging and getting close to the owner in public.
After all, night is night and day is day.
Wei Lai knew very well that she could be obsessed with her master in private, but she must restrain herself in public during the day.
She was jealous and secretly spat at Hu Meier for seducing her master, and was labeled a bitch.
But what if he accidentally ruins his master’s reputation as a gentleman!
She is absolutely to blame for her death.
However, at this moment, someone seemed not to care at all about the collapse of his character as a gentleman.
His right arm curved generously around Wei Lai's waist.
All the eyes of the Zhen family's daughters were focused on the husband and his personal maid.
Previously, despite being praised by Mrs. Zhen and envied by her companions, Wei Lai was still able to remain calm and collected.
At this moment, she was stuck in her master's arms, but she was so embarrassed that she buried her face in his chest, her ears were so red that she didn't dare to see anyone.
She wanted to push the man's chest down with both hands, but she was unwilling to resist her sweetheart or go against his intentions in the slightest.
But like now, being hugged so intimately by the male master in broad daylight seemed wrong, too naked.
So helpless and shy, Wei Lai's mouth trembled and called out: "Master... Master... someone... someone is here..."
Early in the morning, in front of everyone in the hall, Ouyang Rong held Wei Lai in his arms. He turned his head and said to her seriously:
"Don't call me master, call me Tanlang like my aunt."
Wei Lai was startled when she saw Ouyang Rong's focused and serious gaze.
In the hall, the other women except Zhen heard this and looked at the white-haired maid with envy and jealousy in their eyes.
As if he had realized something, Wei Lai whispered in a trembling voice and murmured the title in front of everyone: "Tan Lang..."
But Ouyang Rong didn't look at her anymore. He turned back and looked at Mrs. Zhen across the table, who had remained silent the whole time.
The woman in a skirt seemed not surprised by her nephew's surprisingly high-profile declaration of some kind of intimate relationship.
The corners of Zhen's mouth dotted with light moles curled up slightly, and her eyes squinted at Ouyang Rong, who was hugging Wei Lai.
While she was smiling, her eyes were meaningful.
The beautiful woman's eyes seemed to be able to speak.
He seemed to be saying to Ouyang Rong:
Well, Tanlang, I finally know that I have made it clear that I want to take in a house of concubines. Before marrying my wife, I must first bury a guarantee for the incense of the Ouyang family.
Seeing this, Ouyang Rong temporarily swallowed the words on his lips and asked:
"Why are you looking at your nephew like this?"
Madam Zhen hummed: "Isn't Tan Lang looking at Auntie too?"
"The aunt also saw it."
"Auntie is not blind."
Mrs. Zhen was annoyed, but she was in a surprisingly good mood today and nodded with satisfaction:
"In addition to self-cultivation and governing the country, Tan Lang finally remembered that he also had the responsibility of passing on the family lineage."
Ouyang Rong smiled and said nothing.
Mrs. Zhen tilted her head slightly, not caring that Wei Lai was right in front of her, and asked rudely but honestly:
"Are you sure Tanlang really likes this white-haired girl?"
Ouyang Rong looked at her with red phoenix eyes and said:
"Even my aunt likes her, how could I not like my nephew?"
"Hmph, you make Auntie look like an old stubborn person who breaks up marriages in operas. All this is just for you. As long as you like it, then so be it. Auntie has nothing to object to."
Mrs. Zhen rolled her eyes at Ouyang Rong, shook her head, picked up the small celadon bowl, and took a sip of porridge.
The hall of Meiluyuan was quiet. Wei Lai, Ban Xi and other maids were holding their breaths and concentrating. The only words in the hall were the words of the male master and the eldest lady.
And the two of them, in a few words, verbally finalized the new title of a certain personal maid as a concubine.
Like the envious maids waiting for him, Wei Lai, who has foreign eccentric blood, understood the meaning of the conversation between Ouyang Rong and Zhen without missing a word.
She straightened her back and widened her blue eyes. She didn't care about being shy for a moment. She hugged Ouyang Rong's waist tightly and kept murmuring: "Tan Lang Tan Lang..."
Ouyang Rong patted her back gently and put her down. Wei Lai reluctantly hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go.
But the smart little girl immediately realized Ouyang Rong's reminder. Wei Lai broke away from his warm embrace, touched the ground on her toes, and turned around excitedly.
The white-haired maid who had gained her new status knelt down to offer tea to the beautiful woman with a mole on her lips in the seat opposite her, and bowed meekly.
After the ceremony, the atmosphere was joyful and the other maids all congratulated each other.
Next to the small round table, next to Ouyang Rong, there is also an embroidery stool.
Ouyang Rong watched the whole process with a smile. After finishing the last mouthful of porridge in the bowl, he suddenly put down the bowl and said:
"Auntie, is the 'July and a half' coming soon in my hometown?"
Zhen was stunned, thought for a moment, and nodded: "Yes, it should be next month. Why, Tan Lang is willing to take time to return to his hometown in Nanlong to worship his ancestors?"
The "half-July" in Ouyang Rong's mouth is the Hungry Ghost Festival, which is a folk nickname in Jiangnan Road.
It is also the official festival of the Zhou Dynasty.
Due to the Li Qian, the predecessor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the state religion was Taoism, so the three Taoist festivals of Shangyuan, Zhongyuan and Xiayuan received special attention. Even the royal family would set up dojos and hold solemn sacrifices.
Folks also attach great importance to this, especially the Hungry Ghost Festival, which is a day to worship ancestors and mourn lonely souls, especially in southern states and counties with a strong clan atmosphere.
Ouyang Rong is currently serving as the Dragon City Order. Under special circumstances, there is no need to go back to his hometown in Nanlong thousands of miles away to burn incense and worship his ancestors.
In addition, the Ouyang clan in Nanlong can only be regarded as a local common people. In Jiangnan Road, there are many such local common people, just like there are several in the towns and villages of Longcheng County under Ouyang Rong's current rule.
They are not as sophisticated as the Jiangzuo clan who have been rooted in Jiangnan Province for hundreds of years.
In addition, although Ouyang Rong's single-lineage house is not currently the patriarch's house of the Nanlong Ouyang clan, its status is relatively transcendent.
It was all because of him that he was nurtured as a scholar and a weak scholar.
He can also be regarded as the most promising among the Ouyang brothers in the farming and education family. Well, he is the hope of the whole village.
The other members of the Ouyang family still expect Ouyang Rong to be a high official. Naturally, his house has a transcendent status in his hometown, and the other houses vaguely revolve around him.
Therefore, it would be okay if Ouyang Rong did not go back during the Zhongyuan Festival. The people in his hometown would understand and would enthusiastically prepare the blood food for him to sacrifice to his ancestors.
Just when Mrs. Zhen was wondering why Tan Lang suddenly mentioned this matter.
Ouyang Rong looked calm and said softly:
"I have been taking a break recently, and I often dream about my deceased relatives and the scenery of my hometown. When I wake up and think about it, I miss them so much that I have been gone for a long time... Unfortunately, I have responsibilities and I cannot return to my hometown to worship my ancestors for the time being.
"Auntie, let's go on behalf of my nephew. The clan members are worshiping their ancestors in July and a half. No one from our lineage has been there, so it really doesn't look good."
Zhen frowned slightly:
"I'm a woman. Even if I go back to Nanlong for the seventh month and a half, I won't be able to burn incense. Tanlang, I can't do what you men do. I can only burn paper beside you. Why don't you stay here?" Dragon City, during the Ghost Festival, let’s find a suitable place by the water to burn paper and offer sacrifices from a distance.”
Ouyang Rong shook his head and insisted:
"Aunt, you'd better take a trip back to my hometown for me. It can be regarded as a tribute to my ancestors. As long as you can bring it with you. In fact, to be honest with aunt, my nephew has been a little restless recently and feels empty. Do not know why.
"Thinking about some major events around me, it seems that worshiping ancestors during the Ghost Festival is one of them. I would rather believe that it exists than not. Auntie, please go back to your hometown and sacrifice your ancestors for me, so that my nephew and I can feel more at ease. .”
There was a smile on his face and he looked at Ms. Zhen seriously.
The latter looked a little hesitant, as if he was reluctant to leave, but the woman in Luoqun was thoughtful after all. She pondered for a while, looked at Ouyang Rong's face for a while, and asked in a low voice:
"Is it because my aunt is in Dragon City and is delaying my nephew's work? Is it causing some inconvenience?"
When Ouyang Rong heard this, he was silent for a while, then thought about a reason, and said calmly:
"It can be considered one of the reasons. Auntie, to tell you the truth, the situation in Dragon City has been unstable recently, and I am a little worried about involving you.
"While these two days have settled down, you should go back to your hometown for a while. After the Hungry Ghost Festival, I will send a letter home based on the situation. It won't be too late for you to return to Dragon City by then."
Mrs. Zhen listened quietly for a while, nodded, and sighed:
"I see... Tanlang has been worried about these things recently..."
Ouyang Rong saw that there was still some hesitation and confusion on this aunt's face.
He tried his best to put on a smile, waved his hand and said relaxedly:
"Don't worry, aunt. It's okay for my nephew to stay here alone. Just leave some cooks and helpers to help with cooking and laundry.
"It's just...well, it's only a month or two of separation. Anyway, I still have three years to serve in Dragon City. After worshiping my ancestors on the Ghost Festival, if you really miss me, you can go back directly. There will be a long time to come. It's just a temporary farewell. Don't in a hurry."
Mrs. Zhen hesitated to speak. She raised her head and glanced at her nephew's face several times. At a certain moment, her hesitation disappeared. She smiled hard at Ouyang Rong and nodded in agreement:
"Okay then, let's go back and celebrate the Ghost Festival. Tanlang, please be safe. When your aunt is not here, you have to take good care of yourself. Remember to eat three meals a day. I will leave some maids to take care of your life, by the way. , Wei Lai is here..."
Before Zhen could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Ouyang Rong raising his hand:
"Weila is also going back with aunt to worship our ancestors, so you don't need to accompany me."
The face of the white-haired maid who was still immersed in the joy of being recognized by her status suddenly changed: "Master... Tanlang, I will stay with you. Who will take care of your daily life when I leave? I don't want to go back, okay?" good."
Ouyang Rong didn't turn his head, looking at the drifting clouds above the eaves outside the door that would never return. He spoke with a somewhat unquestionable tone:
"You go back with your aunt. On the Ghost Festival next month, you can also burn some paper. The ancestors of the Ouyang family are buried under those mounds. After you burn paper and kowtow, they will also bless you. From now on, you will also Become a member of the family.
"besides……"
After a pause, he withdrew his gaze from Liuyun and turned to look into Wei Lai's sad gray-blue eyes. The man frowned and said:
"While I'm away, you should follow your aunt well and listen to her in everything. Aunt is a bit sharp-tongued and may be too harsh sometimes, but she treats her own people really well. As long as you are well-behaved and filial, she will also be nice to you. Understand?"
Wei Lai opened her mouth, as if she had thousands of words to say, but finally, under Ouyang Rong's serious gaze, she slowly closed her mouth,
The white-haired girl lowered her head in frustration, frowning.
They were about to separate as soon as they had determined their identity. How could the ups and downs of life be so quick?
She stared at the floor and murmured: "Will we be separated for two months at once..."
Zhen couldn't help but glance at her nephew's calm expression.
For some reason, the observant woman in Luoqun always felt that his instructions to Wei Lai sounded very much like the instructions given before a long separation...
Although the discussion over breakfast is just a small episode in the day, its impact is not.
That day, after Ouyang Rong went out, Meiluyuan became busy up and down.
Like a lazy guy who suddenly gets up to shake himself off.
Early the next morning.
The atmosphere outside the gate of Meiluyuan was lively. Liu Ashan and eight men, each driving a carriage, stopped in front of the steps.
The door of Meilu Garden is open.
Mrs. Zhen, with Wei Lai with a listless face behind her, directed the maids and servants to pack the gifts one by one, load them into the carriage, and prepare to leave.
(End of chapter)
