No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 572: There are pupils who are better than their fathers, and there are girls who compete for their husbands! [Please give me a monthly ticket! ]

In the front house of Xunyang Palace, the Lantern Festival banquet was in full swing.

Xunyang Prince Li Xian, as the Jiangnan Pacifier appointed by Empress Wei, was stationed in Jiangzhou in the rear. He and Qin Jingzhen, the Jiangnan Road Marching Commander who led troops in Jiangnan and the southwest front, were one inside and one outside, and had an extraordinary status.

Especially not long ago, after the rebels in the Tiannan underworld prevented the Buddha from landing and Wei, Lin and Wang died heroically, the dispute over the route of the Donglin Buddha was indirectly ended and Ouyang Lianghan was invited out of retirement again.

The Wei family’s forces in Xunyang City have been wiped out, and the situation in Jiangzhou has become clear!
So how could the Lantern Festival dinner held tonight by Xunyang Palace, in the name of appeasing the scholars and gentry of Jiangnan, not be lively and bustling?

All the prominent aristocratic families and nobles from Jiangnan came. Among them, the representatives of the aristocratic families in Jiangnan were the Wang and Xie families, as well as the people in charge sent by the chief officials of various states and counties. Even several branches of the Li clan princes far away in Lingnan and Jinling sent their direct descendants to come and recognize their relatives and rekindle the clan ties.

This is not a complete stance of allegiance, but rather a congratulation and support for the victor. Of course, some noble families, civil and military officials who had previously been "holding their money and watching" will also become active.

This kind of romantic banquet and socializing may seem useless, but it is the breeding ground for the formation of new interest groups.

In short, a Lantern Festival dinner marked that the influence of Xunyang Palace had reached a new level, breaking through certain obstacles and projecting itself onto the entire Jiangnan Road.

The detail that Xie Xue'e appeared in the palace tonight made Ouyang Rong realize this more deeply.

I remember that every time Xie Xue'e came to Xunyang City, she kept her distance from Xunyang Palace. In this respect, she was different from her brother Xie Xun.

At the last birthday party for her junior sister, Xie Xue'e didn't even invite the Xunyang Palace. Instead, she routinely invited Wang Lengran, who was partial to the Wei family.

But today, she appeared at the Lantern Festival dinner at Xunyang Palace, dressed in her best, and hitched a ride with her junior sister and mentor Xie Xun, and entered the venue smoothly.

This is a set of skilled small combos used by the Five Surnames and Seven Families, the top families in Jiangzuo. We have only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg...

In addition, Junior Sister just casually revealed that there is an expert in the palace tonight.

Ouyang Rong understood it almost instantly without asking any further questions.

Someone from the Sanqing Taoist sect is coming.

I don’t know if it’s the familiar expressionless Lu Ya, or other members of Taiqing and Yuqing Patriarch Hall.

And one thing worth noting is that compared to Li Dalang, the people of Sanqing Taoist sect seem to be closer to the little princess.

When Lu Ya came to Xunyang Palace with the talisman left by Yuan Lao Tianshi, Ouyang Rong noticed it and saw Lu Ya next to Li Guoer several times.

However, when Ouyang Rong asked half-jokingly one time, Lu Ya said that his master, Yuan Lao Tianshi, had left some divinations for the little princess, and he went to interpret the divinations. After he finished speaking, he glanced at Ouyang Rong one more time.

Ouyang Rong didn't ask any more questions after hearing this, but the last time the little Mo Jing Miao Si was seriously injured by the mantra, the healing elixir used was what Lu Ya asked Ouyang Rong to ask Li Guo'er for...

The lights are just coming on, in a gallery in the back garden of the rear house.

While chatting with his teacher Xie Xun, Ouyang Rong glanced to the front left and saw the back of a dignified and elegant lady in gorgeous attire, who was walking arm in arm with his junior sister in red.

Knowing that the men wanted to talk about serious matters, the aunt and niece spontaneously walked aside and talked about some private matters between women.

No one knew what they were talking about, but Xie Xue'e, as Ouyang Rong's aunt, turned back from time to time and glanced at her beloved niece on behalf of her.

Xie Xun walked in front, followed closely by Ouyang Rong. As for Wang Caozhi, he was even more sensible. He followed the two of them obediently, looking curiously at the elegant gardens in the palace.

Xie Xun waited for his disciple for a while, but Ouyang Rong did not catch up and was still half a step behind.

Xie Xun laughed and shook his head; the two continued walking forward for a while.

"Lianghan, this jade hairpin is very beautiful. Did Kankan pick it for you?"

"No, my aunt gave it to me. She said it was a relic from my mother's past."

"I see." Then he asked, "Why didn't you come to the banquet today? Many people want to see you, especially the young master sent by the Prince of Xiang."

Ouyang Rong said succinctly:
"Your Majesty has given us a lot of rewards, but until the Donglin Buddha is completed, the rewards are all empty. You are too proud and arrogant to make friends everywhere instead of doing your job... For the dinner, the prince and the crown prince will be enough. If there is anything, the little princess can help you with your advice. I should focus on my work and avoid socializing these days."

"Liang Han is indeed clear-headed, and every word he says is brilliant."

The two chatted for a while, then Xie Xun stopped and looked back, patted Ouyang Rong on the shoulder, and said with emotion:

"This trip to Luodu was very glorious. I haven't been so prominent in years. Liang Han really made me proud."

“The students just did what they were supposed to do.”

"Should do it?"

Xie Xun smiled and said:
"The last time I came to Xunyang, we had dinner together at the Huaiye Lane residence. Didn't Lianghan promise to be at ease and wait for the right opportunity, and not do anything..."

Ouyang Rong calmly explained: "That's it, didn't we do it?"

Xie Xun kept smiling, looked at his beloved disciple meaningfully, and took the initiative to skip the topic:
"No matter what, it's time for Liang Han to show his strength."

"Teacher Miao praised it."

Ouyang Rong sighed, looked at the bright moon in the sky, and seemed to be talking to himself:
"The teacher always praises the students like this, and always supports the students at the first time, even if many people laugh at the students for being stupid. Just like when he contradicted His Majesty in the Golden Palace, he was able to get out of jail because of the teacher's connections and face. Later, he drowned in Longcheng, and went down the mountain to fight the bully Liu family after recovering from his illness... The teacher never seemed to stop the students from doing anything, and didn't worry... Did the students do something wrong and embark on a path of no return."

"I am worried, of course I am worried. As a teacher, I also like to worry. But correction and guidance are what I do to my pedantic and old-fashioned students, or to you who are still studying in the academy.

"At that time, Liang Han needed to be taken care of by the teacher, just like a new tree seedling, which needed to be cared for and straightened at the beginning."

Xie Xun smiled, stroked his beard for a while, and then his expression gradually became serious as he said:
"But after leaving the academy, students like Liang Han, like trees, have grown up, straightened, straightened, and lush... There is no need for teachers to nag and correct them anymore."

The well-dressed middle-aged scholar pointed at a tall tree outside the gallery with his index finger, turned around and asked seriously:

"Liang Han, do you know when I realized that you have grown straight and upright?"

"Wh…when?"

"That day, just like tonight, when the moon was above the treetops, I had just returned to my study after finishing my teaching, when I saw your little sister walk in with a look of surprise and admiration on her face. She held a court newspaper in her hand and asked me if I knew Ouyang Lianghan. It sounded familiar, and I wondered if he was one of her senior brothers from the past."

Xie Xun looked at Ouyang Rong's slightly stunned face and said softly:
"When I received the report from the palace, I learned that you had just returned to the capital after mourning for your father and had been appointed as an imperial censor. Your future was bright, so I prepared a coffin and left a message. I went into the palace alone, risking my life to accuse the princess and directly advise the empress.

"There was no light in the study that day, and the words on the official newspaper were dim and blurry, making my eyes dizzy.

"But I don't know why, from that moment on, I knew very clearly in my heart that you had embarked on a path where I could no longer nag and guide you, and you could only walk forward alone.

"If a teacher calls a student like this back and gives him long-winded instructions, it will only delay the student and cause harm.

"It's probably because the teacher doesn't know what's ahead, but as Liang Han said in his famous essay "On Teachers" that was circulated in the capital a few days ago, there is a sentence in it, so the disciple does not have to be inferior to the teacher, and the teacher does not have to be better than the disciple. Just as the saint said, the blue is derived from the blue, but the blue is worse than the blue.

"I am not sure whether your 'green' is better than my 'blue', but it is certain that the green is better than the blue. I am very pleased but also very curious about what Lianghan's path will be like."

Ouyang Rong listened in silence. Xie Lingjiang and Xie Xue'e, the aunt and niece who were whispering in the front, and Wang Caozhi who was looking around in the back seemed to have paused and listened eavesdropped.

Xie Xun sighed, and Ouyang Rong felt that he had squeezed his shoulder harder:

"To be honest, I have taught many students, and many of them have followed me all the year round. They obey my words and deeds, and even when I am not around, they often follow my arrangements, send letters to ask for advice, or visit me to answer their questions.

"But there are only a few students who can really let me see that they have the potential to surpass their teachers and at the same time, they will embark on a new path without looking back. Liang Han is one of them, and he is also the most brilliant one so far."

At the end, he seemed to be talking to himself, repeating in a low voice:
"You asked me, Master, am I worried that you might go astray and fall to your death? Of course I am worried, but as long as you don't regret it and can bear the consequences, then this path is the right one. Who says you can't beat Lan?"

Ouyang Rong raised his head, his face calm:
"No wonder the teacher never denies me." Xie Xun suddenly smiled and pointed to his side with his hands:

"Liang Han no longer needs to follow behind the master, but can take a step forward and walk side by side with the master."

Ouyang Rong shook his head seriously and bowed:
“The teacher goes first, and the student has a long way to go without the teacher.”

Xie Xun chuckled, shook his head and stopped forcing it.

After a while, the group returned to the reception hall.

On the way, Xie Lingjiang caught up with Ouyang Rong and prepared to travel together.

Ouyang Rong turned around and glanced at Wang Caozhi who was grinning.

The latter spread his hands, as if to indicate that he could not help.

Ouyang Rong actually knew that Wang Cao was coming this time, because he was the one who called him in advance.

The construction of the Donglin Buddha will officially begin after the Lantern Festival, and coordination with Wang Caozhi and others is needed.

Ouyang Rong looked up at the sky, his face showing a slightly worried look.

"What are you looking at, Senior Brother?"

"Fireworks, fireworks."

He pointed his finger above his head.

Xie Lingjiang smiled faintly:
"After I finish my work with you, we'll go there too." She suddenly leaned in close and whispered in his ear, "Does this skirt look good on you, Senior Brother?"

Ouyang Rong looked down, but couldn't see his toes.

Neither her toes nor his toes could be seen.

"nice……"

"That's good."

Xie Lingjiang smiled sweetly, then wrinkled her nose: "By the way, what are you going to do later?"

"Forehead……"

Just as Ouyang Rong was about to answer, the group arrived at the door of the reception hall.

Suddenly, everyone noticed that Ouyang Rong was standing still at the door.

"Ms. Rong?" Ouyang Rong was stunned and asked.

Xie Xun, Xie Xue'e, Wang Caozhi and others looked curious and followed his gaze.

In the lobby, there was not only Pei Shisan Niang, but also a cold figure of a young girl in palace dress. She was sitting on a chair with her sleeves rolled up, staring straight ahead. She hadn't drunk any tea and no one knew what she was waiting for.

"Ouyang Lianghan, why are you here? Why don't you stay in Huaiye Lane? I can't find you when I have something to do."

Hearing Ouyang Rong's voice, Rong Zhen stood up as if he was woken up from a nap during lunch break, and spoke as coldly as the tea on the table.

I don’t know how long she waited, but her patience seemed to have reached its limit.

Pei Shisanniang, who was sitting opposite, also wiped her sweat and stood up: "Sir, the lady wants to see you for something, it seems urgent."

"Could this lady official be..."

Xie Xun noticed that his daughter's originally smiling face suddenly calmed down and said nothing. He walked up to her and asked.

"Rong Zhen." The girl in palace dress called out and asked, "You are Mr. Xie, right?"

"Exactly."

Rong Zhen's complexion improved a little, but his voice was still stiff:
"There's something going on at Xunyang Grottoes, and Ouyang Lianghan needs to go over there. I'm sorry to interrupt your master-disciple meeting, and I hope you understand."

"What's going on during the Lantern Festival?"

"This is the emperor's order, and also the mission of Master Ouyang. The matter at Xunyang Grottoes cannot be sloppy at all, and it is not convenient to disclose it. I hope Mr. Xie understands my difficulties."

Xie Xun cast an inquiring look towards Ouyang Rong.

Ouyang Rong's expression remained unchanged. He could not help but glance at Rong Zhen. Pei Shisanniang thought Ouyang Rong was looking at her, so she weakly raised her right hand. She was a little transparent tonight, so she carefully interrupted:
"Thank you, young lady, thank you, Mr. Xie, Madam Xie, the matter at Xunyang Grottoes is indeed urgent. This is why I came to see Master Ouyang tonight. For this reason, Master Ouyang even declined the Lantern Festival dinner at the palace with regret..."

Ouyang Rong coughed and had to stand up:

"Junior sister, the matter at Xunyang Grottoes is urgent and cannot be delayed. Madam Pei and I will go over there to take a look. You stay with the teacher first. If I come back early..."

Xie Lingjiang lowered her eyes and kept silent with a stern face. Halfway through what he said, she raised her pretty eyes and gave him a look that said, "Okay, you decide. I'll do whatever you want. I don't care."

Ouyang Rong paused, turned his head silently, and began to try to enlighten Rong Zhen:
"Ms. Rong, I will go with Junior Sister. She happens to be free and can help. What do you think..."

"Don't go!"

"no!"

Xie Lingjiang and Rong Zhen said almost in unison.

Ouyang Rong's face changed slightly, and the sound of music dropping in his ears made him tremble with fear.

Rong Zhen and Xie Lingjiang both stared at him with their beautiful eyes. Since they came in, they hardly looked at each other.

At this time, Rong Zhen took the initiative to step forward, holding Ouyang Rong's arm and walked out:

"Miss Xie said she can't go. You heard it. Let's go."

Ouyang Rong felt the strength of her small hand gripping his forearm. It was the first time for them to have physical contact. Ouyang Rong was also stunned. Before he could react, he was pulled to the door. He quickly turned around and said:

"If Junior Sister doesn't want to go, then wait for me and Madam Pei..."

"Lady Historian picked Lantern Festival to do some serious business. She changed into a new color palace skirt that she used to wear every day. It seems that she really has some serious business to do."

Xie Lingjiang suddenly spoke.

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent. Rong Zhen, who was about to step out of the door with one embroidered shoe under her palace skirt, also paused in mid-air.

After a while, the girl in palace dress retracted her jade feet from under her skirt, slowly turned her head, and looked with her clear eyes at Xie Lingjiang, who also took a step forward and grabbed Ouyang Rong's other arm tightly without letting go.

The two women each grabbed one of his arms, as if they wanted to break him in half.

Passing over the shoulder of Ouyang Rong who was caught in the middle, the two lines of sight collided in the air.

Although the noisy heat of the Lantern Festival banquet was still coming from outside the door, Xie Xun, Wang Caozhi, Pei Shisan Niang and others felt that the temperature in the entire lobby had silently dropped by two degrees.

(End of this chapter)