"Tanlang came back so late, have you eaten yet?"

"have eaten."

"Then I'll ask Banxi to inform the chef to continue simmering the black-bone chicken soup. You can drink it tomorrow morning."

"good."

"Hey, what is this, sweet-scented osmanthus cake? Tanlang likes to eat this?"

"Oh, a friend gave it to me. He asked me to bring a box back for my aunt to try. She said that the pastries from Taoshou Zhai are the best in the south of the Yangtze River."

"You're so good, why are you giving me your body?"

"Perhaps she heard me mention that Auntie is prone to dizziness from time to time, and she thinks eating more desserts can help replenish your health."

"Really, good friend Tanlang, with such a delicate mind, he must not be that old boy Yuan Huaimin, nor Liulang, nor the deceased son, right?"

"Well, yes, it's really not."

After saying that, Ouyang put the pastry box on the table, turned around and left without saying another word, leaving the following words before going out:

"Auntie, please give it a try. After all, I have good intentions. My nephew went back to the yard to wash up. He is a little tired today... Wei La, go and boil some hot water..."

Zhen Shuyuan watched her beloved nephew disappear into the dark night.

She looked back at the pastry box, opened it, picked up a piece, and looked at it carefully for a while.

The beautiful woman in the skirt looked thoughtful...

Another day and night.

The hazy and cool drizzle was shrouded in a layer of night,

Ouyang Rong came home late again and walked into the courtyard holding an umbrella.

Zhen Shuyuan, who was waiting in the hall while eating melon seeds, stood up happily and led half of the waiting maids to greet her. The beautiful woman in a skirt was the first to take over the moon-white oil-paper umbrella that her beloved nephew lowered his head and gathered up.

"The collar is wet. Tanlang wipes his head."

"Um."

"I asked Wei Lai to prepare a bowl of longan and white fungus... Hey, what is this?"

Zhen Shuyuan saw the wooden box handed to her by Ouyang Rong, took it curiously, opened the lid and took a clear look at the items inside.

"Wooden comb?" She looked confused.

"Well, I have a good friend who is very clever and made some wooden combs and gave one to my nephew. He didn't have any use for it. She asked me to give it to my aunt."

"Does your friend also know how to do such fine craftsmanship..."

Zhen Shuyuan murmured and asked calmly: "Tan Lang has been busy with official duties at Xingzifang during the day, and has dinner at this good friend's house?"

"Well, it's this friend. She happens to live near Xingzi Lake. The food in the yard is good. I finished my work and it was time for dinner. I was too lazy to run back and ate there nearby." Ouyang Rong said in a calm tone.

"How come Tan Lang, your good friend, keeps giving me things from time to time..." Zhen Shuyuan glanced at Ouyang Rong, paused, and then spoke: "Don't Tan Lang know that wooden combs are usually given to each other between lovers?

Yes, it means that I will give you my hair and grow old together."

She saw a look of interest on Ouyang Rong's face: "What if it's a gift for an elder? Is it appropriate? Doesn't it also have this meaning?"

"There's not so much emphasis on sending gifts to elders...it can be regarded as filial piety."

Zhen Shuyuan groaned, then shook her head for a moment, put the delicate wooden comb back into the box with a vermilion soft cloth interior, pressed down the lid of the box, and said:

"But it's still a little strange. He's so nice. He gives me this and that. I give him some gifts from time to time. I guess there's something wrong. I want to ask Tanlang for help.

"Tan Lang is better to be cautious. Now that you are in a high position as governor, it is indeed easy to attract some speculators. The former Pei Shisanniang is still a little worried..."

Ouyang Rong took the half-thick hot towel, held it in both hands, buried his face in it, and wiped it. His voice came out buzzing and a little dull:

"Auntie, please accept it. It's okay. This good friend has nothing to ask me to do. I can still tell this about my nephew. It's just that we have a good relationship and she has a good-natured nature that respects her elders."

When Zhen Shuyuan showed an expression of hesitation, Ouyang Rong pulled off the towel covering his face, gently pushed the wooden comb box into Zhen Shuyuan's arms, and chuckled:

"And I also made it clear that you are not allowed to give away anything that is too expensive. Well, aunt, just accept it without worry. It is better not to live up to the little kindness from this junior..."

"Okay, as long as Tanlang knows what's going on." She lowered her head and looked at the wooden comb box, her eyes slightly raised, and she looked at Tanlang's expression.

"Well, there are quite a few."

Zhen Shuyuan reluctantly put away the wooden comb box and handed it to the waiting maid who looked curious.

She turned around and wanted to say a few more words, but Ouyang Rong had already thrown down the towel and left, preparing to go back to Yinbingzhai to rest.

"By the way, this friend is actually an old friend. My aunt may know him."

When you walk to the door, smile and say something.

Zhen Shuyuan asked strangely: "Old friend? Do you know me? Who is it? Could it be Ah Qing and the others?"

"I should have seen her in Longcheng. She came to Xunyang this time. She is relatively low-key, so it is not convenient for most people to know. She is not Ah Qing, but she is almost..."

As Ouyang Rong spoke, he left the hall and walked away.

Zhen Shuyuan watched her nephew, who spoke casually, walk away gracefully, and murmured with her red lips:

"An old friend from Longcheng? Have you seen him before? Strange..."

Three days later, in the morning.

In the breakfast hall of the Huaiye Lane residence, Ouyang Rong and Zhen Shuyuan sat across from each other to have a meal.

Ouyang Rong was neatly dressed in red official uniform, immersed himself in drinking porridge, and was about to leave after eating.

Zhen Shuyuan wore her hair high on her temples today. A wooden comb, along with hosta jewelry, were inserted somewhere on her temples for decoration, giving her a dignified and noble look.

Zhen Shuyuan stared at Ouyang Rong for a while, her eyes fell on the ordinary jade hairpin on his crown, and suddenly asked:

"By the way, Tanlang, where's your mother's hairpin passed down from the clan? I haven't seen you wearing it for a long time, Tanlang. Could it be that you gave it to me as a gift, right?"

Ouyang Rong shook his head without raising his head. He didn't say anything in response, and his attention seemed to be focused on the rice.

Zhen Shuyuan nodded slowly:

"Indeed, the last time Hanhan came to visit me, I saw a mandarin duck jade hairpin stuck in her hair. It should be a gift from Tanlang. Tanlang also gave me one during the Lantern Festival before.

"If I give your mother that hairpin to her, Huanhan will wear it every day..."

Zhen Shuyuan couldn't help but smile.

Ouyang Rong also smiled, but still said nothing.

Zhen Shuyuan continued her conversation and said tentatively:

"So the hairpin is still at Tanlang's place, right?"

"No, I'm giving it away for now."

"Temporarily? Give it away?" Can these two words go together? Zhen Shuyuan asked with a curious look on her face.

"Well, I have a friend who really likes this hairpin, so I'll lend it to her to wear for a few days."

"Did Tanlang borrow such an important thing so easily...and why are we good friends..."

Zhen Shuyuan looked embarrassed. Although she usually only took care of her family affairs and never asked about Tan Lang's affairs outside, at this moment, she couldn't help but look at Tan Lang's face as calm as a flat lake, and still asked: "Is it Yuan Huaimin?"

"No, but he is quite greedy, so I won't lend it to him." Ouyang Rong smiled.

"Who is that?" she asked.

"Hmm."

Ouyang Rong put down the bowl of hot porridge, took the white handkerchief from Ye Weilai, and wiped the corners of his mouth gently:

"It's the one who gave my aunt a small gift a few days ago. I've been eating at other people's places these days, and she gave her so many thoughtful gifts. I'm always a little embarrassed. Since I like it, I'm wearing it for the time being.

It doesn't matter, um, I told her the importance of this hairpin, it is a relic of my mother, and I want my aunt to nod... I won't be ungrateful."

Zhen Shuyuan was about to speak after hearing this, but was interrupted by Ouyang Rong's chuckle:

"So don't worry, aunt, my nephew will definitely not let Brother Huaimin have sex in vain."

He in turn comforted Zhen Shuyuan.

The latter opened his mouth slightly and nodded hesitantly when he saw his beloved nephew's calm look.

"Okay, okay."

Ouyang Rong straightened his clothes, stood up, and prepared to leave.

"Tan Lang, is this good friend of yours a boy or a girl?"

Zhen Shuyuan suddenly raised her head and asked.

Ouyang Rong immediately smiled lightly:

"Don't worry. Mom, this hairpin is not strictly for women. It can be worn by both men and women. Didn't my nephew wear it in the same way in the past? Auntie, don't worry about me."

Zhen Shuyuan:……

Ouyang Rong put his hands behind his back and walked out of the door.

Zhen Shuyuan glanced at the bowl of porridge in front of her which she had only taken a few mouthfuls of. She stood up directly and walked out of the breakfast hall, followed by the waiting maid, and caught up with Ouyang Rong.

Zhen Shuyuan sent Ouyang Rong to the gate.

"Auntie, is there anything else going on?"
To be continued...