After Wang Lengran finished speaking, he turned to look at Ouyang Rong and smiled.
Everyone saw his gentle demeanor, coupled with the old man and the young man, the two Jiangzhou officials were seated close to each other.
They all subconsciously thought that their relationship was harmonious, and this was a joke based on their deep friendship.
After all, the distinguished nobles attending the banquet tonight come from all over Jiangnan Province and are all outsiders.
Only Master Sihui, who is a local, and other celebrities at the table, vaguely noticed the strange atmosphere between the Jiangzhou chief and lieutenants, but he was still a minority in the field.
At this moment, in the hall, most of the guests' eyes fell on the young man in plain clothes wearing a fox white fur shawl, with inquiring and curious eyes.
I wonder what kind of gifts this world-famous gentleman would give?
In the back row of the hall, Yan Liulang, who was calling Li Heng brothers and bragging about the Ming Dynasty, felt a thump in his heart. He frowned and looked at Wang Lengran, who smiled like an old fox.
This person is so annoying. He put Mingfu on such a high pedestal with a compliment, and he finished everything he said, leaving no room for Mingfu to explain.
I would like to ask, if the gifts from the Ming Dynasty are as expensive as those young talents with peacock wings in full bloom, wouldn't it violate the status of a gentleman?
Everyone in the custody field can't help but wonder, how can a strong-minded and upright official with clean sleeves have such wealth?
So after tonight's banquet, any rumors can spread.
It’s true that the smile hides a knife and the mind is vicious.
Yan Liulang was anxious.
He suddenly remembered that Li Dalang had casually mentioned during the meal that day, Amei, Miss Li, had sent a personal maid to send a heavy gift to the Ming Mansion for later use, and the Ming Mansion also accepted it.
"Oh? Is there anything else like this?"
Lady Bu Yao, who was sitting in front of the main table, opened her mouth and looked at Ouyang Rong, her expression was very interesting:
"Young Master Ouyang also gave you a gift? Why are you so polite, Mr. Ouyang? The Seventeenth Mother is already very happy that you fellow academy brothers can come to the banquet, so there is no need to be more polite."
Xie Xue'e shook her head politely:
"If brother knew about it, he would have to reprimand me for being rude."
She turned to look at Xie Lingjiang, whose pretty face looked a little unnatural, and her tone was a little accusatory:
"Seventeenth Mother, it's true. Before the birthday banquet, didn't you tell the teacher and fellow disciples not to be too polite? Did you forget to inform Mr. Ouyang?"
Ouyang Rong took a deep look at Wang Lengran, moved his eyes away, and said seriously to Xie Xue'e and the guests:
"Madam, don't blame junior sister. I insisted on sending it to you. It's my junior sister's birthday. How can a senior brother come here empty-handed?"
Xie Xue'e raised her eyebrows slightly, Ouyang Rong shook his head gently and continued:
"But I'm shy in my pocket, and the small gifts are not as valuable and generous as those of you gentlemen, so I'd better not show off my shame and disturb everyone's meal."
"No, no, no, Mr. Ouyang is humble."
Wang Lengran waved his hands and smiled sincerely:
"It doesn't matter if the gift is small, the gift is light but the affection is heavy. It's not a shameful gift. Why don't Lord Ouyang take it and let everyone see it. You see, everyone is quite curious about Lord Ouyang's way of giving gifts."
He stood up, looked around, and said with emotion:
"It is said that gifts reflect character. Mr. Ouyang usually works in an orderly manner in Jiangzhou Hall and takes care of everything. I and all my colleagues see it and appreciate it very much. I think the gift must be good. I don't know if it will be possible after today." It becomes a beautiful story."
Ouyang Rong looked at the old fox king Leng Ran, then looked at the plate of braised crucian carp in front of him, and shook his head.
He seemed to be muttering with emotion, wasn't he just picking up the food in front of you? As for dragging him into chasing after him like this?
Seeing the fox-white fur young man's nonchalant and indifferent attitude, Wang Lengran's bright smile froze slightly. Several friends and subordinates who had close relationships with him saw this and immediately started to help:
"Don't be embarrassed, Mr. Ouyang. We are all our own people and want to see it."
"Master Ouyang is too disappointed. Anyway, Master Wang and everyone else, please don't be embarrassed. Perhaps Master Ouyang's gift is indeed inconvenient..."
Ouyang Rong turned a deaf ear and refused to be provoked.
Other guests in the hall gradually sensed that something was wrong. They watched the show with their hands down, and some even started to boo.
At the main table, Young Master Zhu from the Hongzhou governor's family and Wang Hengzhi, a direct descendant of the Langya Wang family, temporarily looked away from the noble daughter of the Xie family, and looked at Ouyang Rong with interest.
The youngest son of the Prince of the Li clan named Li Yi was about seventeen or eighteen years old. He had a young face but wore a high crown. He did not squint or look directly at Ouyang Rong and Wang Lengran. His attention was entirely on Xie Lingjiang.
Li Yi picked up the wine glass and signaled to Xie Lingjiang. His posture was serious and polite, and his tone was friendly:
"Seventeenth Mother, don't pay attention to those common people. Say goodbye to Jinling. We haven't seen each other for three years. Let's have a drink."
Xie Ling, who was frowning and paying attention to something, said without turning back:
"How many times have I told you, don't call me Seventeen Mother, Li Yi, it's been a long time since I last saw you, why have you become so different?"
Wang Hengzhi turned around and interjected:
"That's right, Sister Huanhan. If you haven't been in Jinling these years, you wouldn't know that Li Yi is getting more and more arrogant, and now he is trying to be your equal, Sister Huanhan."
Li Yi blushed a little: "Wang Monkey, you..."
Xie Lingjiang turned his head and said to Wang Hengzhi with a straight face: "What are you, Sister Huanhan? Don't shout randomly. How you shouted before, you should shout now."
Li Yi gloated.
Wang Hengzhi sneered: "Okay, thank you sister."
Li Yi had admiration hidden in his eyes and said cautiously:
"Sister Xie, my father recently purchased a hunting ground not far from Xunyang City. In a few days, just like when we were children, how about Sister Xie taking us to hunt deer and catch rabbits."
Xie Lingjiang did not answer.
Li Yi and Wang Hengzhi, who were discussing in a low voice, turned around and saw that Xie Lingjiang was looking slightly sideways, paying close attention to the movement on the field and forgetting to speak.
Li Yi and Wang Hengzhi followed Xie Lingjiang's gaze and frowned at a young man with fox-white fur.
Sister Xie is very familiar with him personally?
Before they could hesitate to ask more questions, they heard the host Xie Xue'e, who was the focus of the audience, stand up and speak in front of everyone:
"Young Master Ouyang, I have given instructions that if you fellow students in the academy send expensive gifts, I and Seventeenth Mother cannot accept them, so..."
She tilted her head and said involuntarily: "Come here, go get the gift from Mr. Ouyang."
Ouyang Rong, who originally looked down at Wang Lengran and other people who were making noises, slowly turned his head and stared at the lady Bu Yao who was stabbed in the back at the main table.
Xie Xue'e smiled and looked at Ouyang Rong.
He glanced at the familiar skirt knife at his waist calmly.
Wang Lengran looked at Xie Xue'e with some surprise, and smiled while stroking his beard.
Yan Liulang, who was in the back row in the distance, suddenly clenched his fists, his face flushed, and he felt sorry for Mingfu.
As the host of the dinner, Miss Xie's aunt would just settle the matter and settle the matter. Why was she so rude and opened the ceremony in public without the Ming Dynasty's wishes?
"don't want."
Just as everyone was watching the show curiously, a panicked female voice suddenly sounded from the field.
Xun Sheng looked around and saw Xie Lingjiang stood up.
Everyone was slightly stunned.
Xie Lingjiang turned towards Ouyang Rong, biting his lips and apologizing: "I didn't mean to prepare that gift."
Everyone didn't know why.
He knew that the junior sister was talking to him, but Ouyang Rong didn't answer and lowered his eyes, not looking at her.
Xie Xue'e frowned, then relaxed, turned around and said, "Seventeenth Mother, sit down."
"No." Xie Lingjiang shook his head and said in a stubborn tone: "There is no reason to open guests' gifts in public."
Xie Xue'e said in a calm tone: "Your father said not to accept heavy gifts."
"Father didn't say anything."
"I didn't tell you, I told you."
"Auntie, you lied..."
"Seventeenth Mother!"
Xie Xue'e suddenly turned her head, frowning, and looked at Xie Lingjiang.
The stunning little girl dressed up today was interrupted in public, her pretty face turned red.
"lady."
At this time, the clever maid came over, walked to Xie Xue'e's side, and respectfully handed over a gift box.
Xie Xue'e glanced at the long gift box, took it immediately, and opened it directly.
Under the extremely curious eyes of everyone, the lady took out a long umbrella from the long gift box.
Xie Xue'e opened the oil-paper umbrella. The ribs seemed to be newly made, and there was a newly painted picture of a lady on the fan.
She took a closer look and at the same time let everyone on the field have a clear look at it.
"umbrella?"
The guests in the hall looked at each other.
Wang Lengran raised his eyebrows slightly, as if he was a little surprised, but the smile on his face did not change. He glanced at Ouyang Rong, who had his eyes lowered and said nothing, and he suddenly said:
"I only gave you an oil-paper umbrella. It seems that Mr. Ouyang is really frugal, but..."
Wang Lengran changed the subject:
"I heard someone say before that Mr. Ouyang and Miss Xie have a very good friendship. Why did Mr. Ouyang give Miss Xie an umbrella worth a few cents on her birthday? Well, something worth a few cents. , there is indeed less copper smell.”
He smiled and said: "But it seems that the relationship between Master Ouyang and Miss Xie is not as good as imagined.
"Well, it may be that Mr. Ouyang is frugal, but frugality is frugality, and it would be too stingy to treat people close to you like this..."
The governor of Jiangzhou paused in his words, smiled and shook his head, without saying much.
"Oh, Mr. Wang is really good at talking."
Yan Liulang pushed his chair with a bang and stood up, clasping his fists and cupping his hands, his face full of sarcasm:
"Just now, it was my lord who said 'properties are less important than affection', and now it's your lord who said giving umbrellas and picking them up. Lord Wang has said everything."
Wang Lengran said calmly: "How can an umbrella worth a few pennies be meaningful?"
Yan Liulang argued: "This is made by Mingfu himself. It took a lot of effort. Do you outsiders know how busy Mingfu is with affairs and spends all his free time on it? Isn't this a heavy thought..."
"Okay." Ouyang Rong suddenly spoke and said calmly to the blushing Yan Liulang:
"Rokuro, why bother talking?"
The young man with fox white fur stood up in public and left his seat.
"Where are you going, Mr. Ouyang?" Xie Xue'e asked sideways.
He waved his hand and calmly walked to the door: "If you are not welcome, madam, why are you still here?"
Xie Xue'e shook her head: "How can I not welcome Mr. Ouyang? It was just a misunderstanding just now. Just clarify it."
After saying that, she handed her hand to the clever maid and smiled:
"Put it away. It's not an expensive gift. We, Mr. Xie of Chen County, can accept it."
For some reason, when some of the old nobles and nobles who were watching the show saw this, their expressions were not mocking at all. Instead, they looked at Ouyang Rong who had been humiliated by the Xie family of Chen County with strange eyes. They looked at it again, and there was a faint feeling... ...a look of envy.
He seemed to feel that being humiliated by Mr. Xie of Chen County was not something he should be ashamed of.
Some people looked slightly sideways, looking at a pretty little birthday girl tonight...
Li Yi, Wang Hengzhi, and Mr. Zhu didn't gloat over their misfortune. Instead, they became strangely quiet. They silently turned to look at Mrs. Xie, who had specially invited them to come. Their eyes were complicated...
The smart maid put away the oil-paper umbrella and took it away. Master Sihui and other celebrities at the table couldn't help but take a second look.
"It's too humiliating!"
Yan Liulang left his seat angrily and followed Ouyang Rong.
Wang Lengran tried his best to suppress the corners of his mouth, shrugged, and sat down with an innocent look.
Looking at the backs of Ouyang Rong and Yan Liulang leaving the table, Xie Xue'e frowned and wanted to speak.
"lady."
Suddenly someone spoke.
Xie Xue'e turned around and saw that Wang Caozhi, who had been eating quietly until then, stood up.
"What's the matter, Mr. Wang?"
Wang Caozhi scratched his head and said with a somewhat embarrassed expression: "Madam, since this umbrella is not valuable, can you give it to me as a gift?"
Xie Xue'e was curious: "How can this work?"
Wang Caozhi thought for a moment, then raised his finger with a serious look on his face: "I can offer you one hundred taels of silver."
Xie Xue'e was slightly stunned.
Wang Lengran frowned, then calmly relaxed, with a slightly sarcastic tone: "Young Master Wang is really loyal."
But this time.
"Madam, how about selling it to me for five hundred taels of silver?"
Everyone looked at Miss Qin who had been playing the pipa and asked timidly. She smiled softly at everyone: "I really like this umbrella."
Xie Xue'e looked confused.
Wang Caozhi still raised his finger and opened his mouth to quote another price. The next moment, a silver bell-like laughter sounded, interrupting his words:
“Mrs. Came out early.”
Pei Shisanniang walked out of the kitchen with the shopkeeper of Xunyang House with an apologetic look on her face.
Xie Xue'e looked at this handsome woman wearing purple and gold silk, and asked curiously: "What's the urgent matter, Your Excellency?"
"Thank you, Madam. I also want this umbrella. I am very happy to see you."
Pei Shisanniang stopped and turned her back to a certain Jiang governor. She bent her legs and saluted:
"I am willing to pay a thousand taels of silver to buy this umbrella, how about it? Even if I borrow it for three days, it will still be a thousand taels. I will return it after three days, so as not to take away my wife's love."
The whole place was silent, and Wang Lengran's old face gradually became ugly.
Xie Xue'e was surprised and uncertain: "You..."
"lady."
Master Sihui stood up suddenly. He stared at the picture of a lady on the umbrella without blinking, his expression surprisingly serious:
"Three thousand taels, ma'am, this umbrella from Pindao Temple has a fate with my Buddha. I am willing to pay three thousand taels. How about selling this umbrella?"
Pei Shisanniang frowned and looked at these annoying celebrities with dissatisfaction: "Five thousand taels!"
Master Sihui refused to give in. "I'll add another five hundred taels to the poor man."
"I'll add five hundred taels, six thousand taels! I really like this umbrella, especially that picture... Can you guys part with it?"
Several celebrities from Xunyang couldn't help but get up and started arguing with Master Sihui and Pei Shisanniang.
On the contrary, Wang Caozhi, who was the first to grab it, was a little stunned, as if he didn't expect that his brother-in-law's umbrella had become a hot commodity, and he couldn't even get his turn.
The atmosphere at the dozens of other dining tables filled with nobles and nobles was a little quiet. They all looked at this scene in a daze. Some people couldn't help but rub their eyes and look carefully at the ordinary handmade oil-paper umbrella.
A bamboo umbrella that costs just a few cents on the street is worth more than six thousand taels?
This price can cover all the expenses of Xunyang Tower tonight, and even the sum of all the gifts sent by everyone.
So many people are rushing to grab this umbrella made by this young man with fox white fur?
"Master, you..."
The sudden change caused Wang Lengran's face to turn the color of pig liver. The words he just said were like loud slaps, swirling back to his face, burning.
Xie Xue'e also looked surprised and uncertain.
The smart maid next to her looked around, holding a light oil-paper umbrella. She was trembling, as if she couldn't hold it steady.
Xie Lingjiang, who had a pretty and guilty face, stared blankly at the oil-paper umbrella that became the focus of the competition.
She slowly turned her head, looked at the handsome back of her senior brother who had already walked to the door, and opened her small mouth emptyly.
There are thousands of words.
(End of chapter)
