Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 153 Anxious

As Liu Si Niang carefully examined Madam Xie, a figure slowly emerged in her mind.

She wanted to make another comparison, but at that moment Madam Xie raised her eyes.

Liu Si Niang seemed to have done something wrong, and almost lowered her head to hide.

Just then, Mrs. Yu entered the room with tea and snacks. Seeing this scene, she couldn't help but feel strange. Why was this young lady from a scholarly family so reserved?
He looked as if he had been frightened by someone.

Which painting does Fourth Sister like the most?

Hearing Xie Yuyan's question, Liu Si Niang inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief and went to look at the paintings openly. The paintings were a bit far away, so she had to lean forward. In this way, she and Madam Xie were much closer, and the previous distance and unfamiliarity disappeared considerably.

"Actually, I like my brother's chrysanthemum painting the most."

Xie Yuyan nodded: "It is painted extremely well."

"And what about you, Madam?" Liu Si Niang asked. "Which one do you like?"

“I think they are all excellent,” Xie Yuyan said, picking out a painting of orchids. “This orchid has a more artistic conception.”

Liu Si Niang, however, did not notice anything special.

Once they started talking, the two of them spoke much more smoothly.

Liu Si Niang said, "Those tabloids that Madam prints are especially interesting. I wonder how Madam came up with them?"

A smile appeared on Xie Yuyan's face: "Does Fourth Madam know about the case in Yong'an Ward?"

Liu Si Niang nodded.

Xie Yuyan then asked, "When did you find out?"

Liu Si Niang said, "When you were selling face wash soup, I vaguely heard some things. If I had to say what the whole story was, it would be from the tabloids."

As they talked, Liu Si Niang suddenly realized: "Is that why you, Madam? That's why the tabloids were talking about this case at the beginning."

Xie Yuyan said, "It's rumored that this is a strange case. Rather than letting people speculate, it's better to explain it clearly ourselves. It just so happens that Shuntong Water Shop sells face wash soup, and people often ask about the recent events in Daming Prefecture."

"I was thinking of printing some other things on it, as long as they are not matters of the court or gossip in the market... people who buy them might find them useful."

Liu Si Niang nodded in agreement. The cases in the tabloids were well-chosen, and there was also all sorts of news from Daming Prefecture. If someone bought a copy, they would be able to understand clearly what had happened in Daming Prefecture recently.

“Madam, do you know that there have been many more people going to the county government to submit their lawsuits lately?” Liu Si Niang said. “My second brother went to the government office to help out and saw that the clerks were extremely busy.”

Liu Si Niang smiled and said, "Many of them have hired lawyers. If this continues, the lawyers in Daming Prefecture will be able to rival those in the capital."

At this point, Liu Si Niang paused: "I heard that Madam doesn't remember things from before?"

Xie Yuyan nodded: "I injured my head, so I can't remember a lot of things."

Liu Si Niang said with some regret, "It's a pity, otherwise we could have looked for our family members."

“The Yang family has treated me very well,” Xie Yuyan said. “Why worry about something whose outcome is unknown?”

Liu Si Niang was taken aback by these words, and a sense of apology welled up in her heart: "It was my fault for being so talkative, please don't be angry, my lady."

Xie Yuyan said, "Fourth Miss, you don't need to take it to heart."

Liu Si Niang felt that she had talked too much today, saying things she shouldn't have.

Taking a sip of tea to compose herself, Liu Si Niang continued, "Will Madam print the tabloid again? I think the articles in it are all excellent, if..."

Xie Yuyan nodded: "If Fourth Sister has any good articles, you can send them to the bookstore. As long as the gentlemen think they are useful, they can be printed in the tabloids."

Liu Si Niang was both surprised and delighted: "Really? The bookstore will have many articles submitted. If you don't mind, Si Niang, you can help with the selection, but..."

Liu Si Niang saw Xie Yu Yan's expression suddenly turn serious, and her heart sank as well.

Xie Yuyan's face suddenly relaxed: "This job doesn't pay much money."

This alternation of tension and relaxation caused Liu Si Niang's emotions to suddenly snap, as if she had stepped into thin air. The taut string snapped, and she burst out laughing.

“I don’t need money, I…” Liu Si Niang blushed after a long while, “I’m willing to do these things.”

In the past, she would only hold poetry gatherings with a few familiar ladies, but compared to tabloids... those were just women finding amusement for themselves.

This tabloid was widely circulated and read; moreover, it became the source of stories for storytellers. Most importantly, it was genuinely useful.

In the past, she couldn't participate in what her second brother and his friends did, but now that this tabloid was also run by women, she couldn't resist trying her luck.

Madam Xie agreed.

Liu Si Niang was overjoyed.

The two talked for a while longer, from the water shop to the charcoal shop, and Liu Si Niang felt that she couldn't do any of it. She had been hesitant before, feeling that visiting a merchant's house was beneath her dignity.

"Madam, be careful of the Liu family," Liu Si Niang couldn't help but say before leaving.

She didn't know how to say the rest. Someone like Madam Xie should be able to understand.

After receiving the return gifts from the Yang family, Liu Si Niang boarded the carriage and lifted the curtain to take another look at the Yang family's gate, which seemed to be less low than she had initially seen.

Someone dares to challenge the Liu family like this...

This is no ordinary thing.

As Liu Si Niang recalled her conversation with Xie Da Niangzi, the previously vague feeling suddenly became clear.

“I know who she resembles,” Liu Si Niang suddenly said, “She… resembles Xie Er Niang.”

After saying this, Liu Si Niang breathed a sigh of relief.

She only resembles Xie Erniang, but she is not Xie Erniang.

It's impossible for any female member of the Xie family to be living outside. She had previously thought that perhaps she had discovered something, but now it seems to be purely coincidental.

“Madam,” the head housekeeper reminded her, “you can’t just say things like that. A family like the Xies doesn’t want such rumors to circulate.”

The unfounded rumors that the women were stranded and taken away by kidnappers would bring trouble to the Xie family and also incur their displeasure.

You should know that Xie Erniang is destined to enter the Eastern Palace.

If something really serious happens, it's not something the Liu family can handle.

Liu Si Niang hurriedly nodded: "I understand. That's impossible. How could I say such a thing? Besides, I've only met Xie Er Niang twice. Perhaps I'm mistaken."

I first met Xie Erniang at the Xie family's villa.

Xie Erniang was in poor health and had been recuperating, so she did not receive any guests.

However, later, the Xie family found a miracle doctor who really cured Xie Erniang. Not only that, but she was also asked to marry by the Prince of Huai, which was truly a double blessing.

As Liu Si Niang was thinking this, the carriage stopped in front of the Liu family's house. Just as the head housekeeper helped her out of the carriage, Liu Er Lang came to greet her.

"How is it? Did it get delivered? What did they say over there?"

Liu Si Niang couldn't help but be a little surprised. Why was her second brother in such a hurry?