vstars Chapter 515 The Past of the Ouyang Family
Chapter 515 The Past of the Ouyang Family
Jiang Xiaoqi had come prepared, and after she finished speaking, Ouyang Ming expressed his understanding.
He directly summoned someone to bring up all the case files related to Yang Guozhong, the Earl of Chengen, for Jiang Xiaoqi to review.
"Thank you!"
Jiang Xiaoqi didn't waste any words and seriously flipped through the case files, occasionally raising a few key questions, which Ouyang Ming patiently answered.
Jiang Xiaoqi borrowed the writing brush and ink from the Dali Temple to record some key information.
Originally, Jiang Xiaoqi just wanted to find an excuse to visit Ouyang Ming for a while, but unexpectedly, he made some new discoveries about Yang Guozhong's case.
I don't know if this discovery will be useful to the Second Prince and the Empress, but let's just consider it a lucky find. In any case, this trip wasn't a complete waste.
The case file wasn't very thick, but I read it carefully, which took about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
After reviewing all the contents, Jiang Xiaoqi put the case file back in its place.
"I apologize for disturbing you today and for taking up Lord Ouyang's time."
"Where? We're all doing our jobs for the imperial court. Just say whether it's bothering us or not."
After exchanging a few brief pleasantries, Jiang Xiaoqi made a gesture of taking her leave.
Just as he was about to leave, Ouyang Ming called him back.
"Lord Jiang, may I ask if your esteemed teacher is the great Confucian scholar Ouyang Zheng?"
Jiang Xiaoqi stopped in her tracks, somewhat surprised that Ouyang Ming would suddenly bring up his master.
Upon further reflection, I understood.
He and his senior brother had asked their master about his relationship with the Ouyang family in the capital, since the surname "Ouyang" was quite rare.
What was Master's response back then? Oh, right, he just smiled and didn't answer.
Hmm, Master didn't answer.
"Exactly."
Ouyang Ming seemed somewhat excited, abandoning his usual composed demeanor, and took a few steps forward.
He realized his rashness for a moment and gave an embarrassed smile.
"My esteemed teacher, the great scholar Ouyang, has been kind to me and taught me. I wonder where he is now? Would you be so kind as to tell me?"
"Uh~"
Jiang Xiaoqi knew exactly where her master was; it was she who suggested that her master go to Chunyi Hot Spring.
He just didn't want to reveal his master's whereabouts. Who knew if this Ouyang Ming might be someone working for the Fifth or Sixth Prince?
What if the Fifth Prince and his group find the person the Third Prince couldn't find in the end? That would be disastrous.
Although Master is resolute, being constantly disturbed must be annoying, right?
Ouyang Ming seemed to sense Jiang Xiaoqi's dilemma and kindly said that there was no need to go into details, he just wanted to know if the great scholar Ouyang was doing well and if he was in good health.
"Oh, my master is very healthy. His chronic ailments have been mostly treated over the years, and he is in better condition than before."
"Really!? That's good, that's good. The old gentleman always likes to stay up late reading, which is very bad for his health."
Jiang Xiaoqi sensed a genuine concern in his voice, and reluctantly revealed that his master was currently a guest at a friend's house and was having a very comfortable time.
Of course, it wasn't mentioned which friend it was or where they lived.
Ouyang Zheng had countless friends in his youth; let them guess!
"Knowing about Mr. Ouyang's current situation puts my mind at ease, Lord Jiang. If Mr. Ouyang ever contacts you, please take the liberty of mentioning me and tell him that young Ming is doing quite well now, so that he can rest assured."
Ming boy? Oh! It's Lord Ouyang. Is that how Master used to address Lord Ouyang? Then it seems we're quite close.
"Yes, I understand. If Master sends a letter, I will definitely pass on the message for you."
"Thank you! I'm so grateful for your help!"
Ouyang Ming's attitude had completely changed from when they first met; his gaze towards Jiang Xiaoqi now held a hint of affection? Was it affection?
This sudden display of kindness made Jiang Xiaoqi feel extremely uncomfortable.
Sigh~ If this were one of Master's former students, should I address him as "senior" or "elder brother"?
Ahem, neither seems quite appropriate. After all, Lord Ouyang is about the same age as Jiang Wenqing. Jiang Xiaoqi can't bring himself to call someone the same age as his father "senior brother."
Moreover, it also has a hint of trying to build a relationship or get closer to someone.
In the end, Jiang Xiaoqi was personally escorted out of the Dali Temple by Ouyang Ming, which drew attention from many officials of the Dali Temple.
Good heavens! When did their Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices become so approachable and warm-hearted?
Could it be because this Lord Jiang is exceptionally handsome? Everyone appreciates beauty; even their leader is no exception!
After Jiang Xiaoqi left, Ouyang Ming looked at his subordinates' strange gazes, not understanding why.
Returning to his spacious "independent office," a flood of memories pounded at his temples.
Mr. Ouyang, no, it should be said that he was his cousin...
Back then, I was neglected by my family, and it was my uncle who defied all opposition and took me under his wing for several years to teach me.
If it weren't for those years, I would never have been able to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi after the establishment of the new dynasty, and I wouldn't be able to hold the rank of fourth grade official now.
He now holds a place in the family, but the former leader of the family has been away from the family for many years and has become a wandering hermit.
My uncle, though sincere and honest, still couldn't forget the pitiful kindness shown to him by the previous emperor.
Even though his own sister was already the Empress Dowager, he had no intention of returning to the capital to reunite with his family, and thus continued to exile himself.
He didn't know if his uncle's insistence was right or wrong, but judging from the fact that his uncle allowed his young disciple to participate in the imperial examinations of the Great Zhou Dynasty, his uncle had accepted the new dynasty.
However, the knot of national subjugation cannot be untied from the heart in ten or twenty years.
Is the reason why his uncle refuses to let him go because he feels he is powerless to save the crumbling dynasty?
But isn't the change of dynasties the most normal thing? The wheels of history always crush the past and keep moving forward.
My uncle has written so many books, he must know this principle.
But just as a doctor cannot heal himself, my uncle could not resolve his own inner conflict.
Whether it was people sent out from their own families or the Empress Dowager and the Emperor from the palace, all their efforts were in vain.
Even after finally finding out that his uncle had settled in Yunqing Mountain, he still refused to see anyone and wouldn't give face to anyone.
Over the years, everyone in the court has known about the Empress Dowager's wishes. In order to curry favor with the Empress Dowager and the Ouyang family, everyone has gone to great lengths, and Yunqing Mountain has lost its tranquility.
The Empress Dowager had no choice but to issue an imperial edict forbidding outsiders from disturbing the peace of Yunqing Mountain.
Over the years, all that people know is that the great Confucian scholar Ouyang Zheng has taken in two young disciples, but no one has found out who these two people are.
Ouyang Ming was able to recognize Jiang Xiaoqi thanks to Jiang Xiaoqi's handwriting.
Although Jiang Xiaoqi practiced calligraphy on his own, the style and spirit of his calligraphy naturally reflect that of his teacher.
Jiang Xiaoqi has essentially exposed her own identity.
He never imagined that, despite coming to gather military intelligence, he would be the one being spyed on instead.
It's just that everyone in the Ouyang family is a reincarnation of a fox.