Huaiye Lane mansion, hall.

Ouyang Rong went to the door, sent the guests away one by one, and made arrangements.

I saw that people were almost gone.

Ouyang Rong returned and saw Xiu Niang, junior sister and aunt Wei La sitting around the table.

There were few people at the moment, and the few girls were no longer restrained. They even helped the maid who was clearing the table next to her, handing over plates and other things, while chatting.

The main topic is that Zhen Shuyuan is guiding.

However, both she and Xie Lingjiang focused on Zhao Qingxiu, who was listening quietly.

The topic also vaguely revolved around Zhao Qingxiu, but most of them were answered by Xie Lingjiang.

Seeing Xie Lingjiang and Zhao Qingxiu looking like sisters, Zhen Shuyuan's eyes felt a little relieved.

At this moment, seeing Ouyang Rong return, the atmosphere around the table became a little quieter, and several girls either lowered their eyes or lowered their heads.

Ye Weilai winked at Banxi and the others, and Banxi and the maids who were cleaning the table quietly stepped back and gave up their positions.

The hall seemed lonely.

The bright candles were lit for most of the night. Now that the maids are missing, they continue to add more, and they are gradually extinguished or dimmed.

But the remaining red wax shone a festive red light on the faces of the girls.

Ouyang Rong took a closer look.

The embroiderer is very beautiful. After taking off the azure ribbon, her lacquered eyes, which were originally slightly dim, looked mysterious and deep under the red light, as beautiful as obsidian.

Xie Lingjiang's pretty face is as delicate as a flower. Her red dress and red candles set off her fairy skin and fair skin, making her look like a bride.

Ye Weilai has long silver-white hair, as white as blood, and sapphire-like eyes, with a hint of exotic charm like a witch.

Zhen Shuyuan is wearing a sapphire blue skirt, sitting dignifiedly, with round pearls, without losing the mature charm of an older woman...

If this situation were placed in front of an ordinary man, it would definitely be a feast for the eyes.

But Ouyang Rong glanced at it for a few times, then returned to his seat and asked casually:

"Auntie, what are you talking about?"

Well, as a gentleman, he pays more attention to business matters.

"Have all the guests sent away?"

Zhen Shuyuan asked.

Ouyang Rong said with a refreshing smile:

"Well, we have just made arrangements for Da Lang and the others, and arranged a rest in the back house. They will leave tomorrow morning. Mrs. Xie has a house in Xunyang City, so she went back first. Liu Lang and Shi San Niang also went back. They will go back tomorrow morning.

Something's wrong."

Zhen Shuyuan asked again: "Tan Lang will also be busy tomorrow. Do you want to rest early? The three-day holiday I invited is over. I heard you tell me that tomorrow I will go to Xunyang Grottoes to attend some ceremony."

Zhao Qingxiu was on the side. Ouyang Rong did not take up the next topic. He waved his hand:

"Nephew, I just went over to make up the numbers and go through the motions. I won't be the main character tomorrow... Besides, I don't have to go too early tomorrow. Brother Huaimin asked me to go together before. At dinner in the evening, he wrote again and said he would like to go.

Just go early and let me take care of myself, so there's no rush."

Xie Lingjiang spoke:

"Elder brother, I will accompany you tomorrow morning."

Ouyang Rong first looked at Zhao Qingxiu who turned a deaf ear and lowered his head to clear the dishes.

The embroiderer didn't seem to be interested in his official duties and never asked.

He glanced at the junior sister again, spoke briefly and to the point, and said softly:

"We'll see in the morning, but Junior Sister will send Dalang and the others back first. If there's time, we can go together together. The main thing is to see if Brother Lu can come back. Everything will go as planned."

He did not elaborate on the plan in front of Zhen Shuyuan, Zhao Qingxiu and Ye Weilai. Only Xie Lingjiang nodded lightly.

Ouyang Rong glanced at the night outside and said to himself:

"According to the agreement, he should be able to return to the city before tomorrow morning, so there is no need for junior sister to guard him alone."

Seeing that the two of them had finished chatting, Zhen Shuyuan interrupted at the right time:

"Okay, Tan Lang, just make your arrangements. Don't let my birthday gift delay your business. Let's not talk about it anymore."

She raised her chin, gestured to the untouched bowl of hot white rice that Zhao Qingxiu was holding in her hand, and said:

"You just received the toast from them at the banquet. I saw that you didn't even eat a few dishes. Sit down and eat something. The embroiderer served you a meal to cushion your stomach... What can you do if your stomach is full of wine? It's easy to vomit at night.

…”

"good."

Ouyang Rong smiled happily, and under the gaze of the four women, he sat in the vacant seat between them.

The left hand is embroidering the girl, and the right hand is thanking Ling Jiang.

He took the white rice handed over by Xiu Niang with a smile and took a few bites.

Until Xie Lingjiang asked:

"Where's Rong Zhen? I saw her coming when we were having dinner just now. She occupied half of the table by herself."

Ouyang Rong's smile faded and he answered seriously:

"I didn't pay attention. She must have gone back. Rong Nu Shi said she was going to the Overwatch Council to do some work. She passed by here and she must be busy with something."

Xie Lingjiang tilted his head slightly and looked out the door.

Zhen Shuyuan glanced at her calmly, took out a string of Buddhist beads, faced Ouyang Rong and told him:

"Tan Lang, you can send this string of Buddhist beads back tomorrow. I'm just passing by for a meal. It would be inappropriate for us to accept gifts from others. I just wanted to say it, but there were so many people at that time that it was difficult to refuse.

, you can’t offend others in public.”

Ouyang Rong saw his aunt winking at him. He reached out to touch the Buddhist beads, but he touched the smooth back of her hand.

It's Xie Lingjiang.

Ye Weilai saw Ouyang Rong and Zhen Shuyuan. She took the first step and gracefully stretched out her hand to hold the beads.

This noble lady of the Xie family put on minimal makeup and spoke calmly:

"No need to pay it back, just take it first.

"Elder brother, please be more careful next time. How can you neglect someone when she comes to a banquet? You should drink with her and make her feel at home."

Ouyang Rong shook his head: "There is no need to deliberately please. We have worked together for so long and we still have some friendship. She is also a straightforward person."

"No, senior brother, have you forgotten that she is actually capable of causing trouble?"

Xie Lingjiang glanced at Zhao Qingxiu on the side and said with some meaning:

"Then we have to stabilize her and not let her get resentful and make things difficult for her."

Ouyang Rong seemed to frown and think for a moment before speaking:

"I'll have a chat with her tomorrow to test her attitude. Rong Nu Shi shouldn't be angry. She's very cold towards everything."

"Really, are they all cold..."

Xie Lingjiang glanced at Ouyang Rong's serious expression and said nothing. He picked up the eighteen-seeded Buddhist beads and handed them to Zhen Shuyuan again.

The latter also accepted it.

At this time, Zhao Qingxiu stood up, took a cup of hot tea and two gift boxes, solemnly came to Xie Lingjiang and offered a toast.

The girls were a little surprised.

Xie Lingjiang subconsciously helped him.

Zhao Qingxiu wrote carefully:

【elder sister】

Xie Lingjiang seemed to understand something, took a deep breath, tilted his head slightly, and suppressed his emotions.

After a while, he took the hot tea, drank it seriously, and shouted:

"Sister Xiu Niang, from now on, you will live here. No need to think too much, I can also visit you often."

Zhao Qingxiu didn't nod or shake her head, she just held Xie Lingjiang's arm and smiled silently.

After a while, the gift box was handed over.

They were given to Xie Lingjiang and Ye Weilai respectively.

Xie Lingjiang opened it and saw that it was a sachet, so he put it away.

Ye Weilai also opened it and found a white jade hairpin, and thanked her happily.

The two daughters also gave gifts.

Xie Lingjiang gave her a delicate wooden comb, made of small-leaf red sandalwood, to comb her hair and handed it to her. He also whispered a few words. Zhao Qingxiu seemed very happy and tilted her head slightly towards Ouyang Rong.

Ouyang Rong also felt that this comb looked familiar, as if he had given it to Xie Lingjiang.

He pursed his lips and understood what the younger junior sister meant.
To be continued...