Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 168 Strange
Yang Qin knew that his sister-in-law must have another idea, and he couldn't help but want to ask her about it, but Zhang grabbed him.

"Go do your homework, let your sister-in-law rest."

Yang Qin had no choice but to leave reluctantly, but then he had another idea. He would go do his homework first, and then come over to listen when Shi Yong and Xiao Shan arrived.

After washing and grooming himself, Xie Yuyan leaned back on the couch, the words Wang Yan had spoken echoing in his mind. What connection did he, a civil official, have with that war?
In his previous life, the Great Liang Dynasty was defeated by the Northern Qi Dynasty. The court was filled with voices blaming Wang Yan, saying that he and his cronies were rampant, spreading poison throughout the land and misleading the people. If it weren't for him, the Great Liang Dynasty wouldn't have had an empty treasury and its people would not have suffered so much. If the Great Liang Dynasty had perished, Wang Yan would have been nine-tenths guilty. Some even cursed him as a badger spirit who had cultivated into a demon.

These civil officials, when criticizing and impeaching others, were full of integrity and righteousness, but when the Northern Qi army attacked again, they ran away faster than anyone else.

She was brought out of the Taoist temple and reinstated as Empress Dowager. Her first act was to capture several fugitive civil officials and behead them.

Her reputation for madness also began around that time.

Thinking about it this way, she realized that she and Wang Yan did indeed have some kind of connection, it's just that this connection wasn't very good.

Xie Yuyan's fingers tightened slightly; the hand warmer was still warm.

In her past life, she had heard and read those words about Wang Yan, but many of them were not to be taken seriously.

At least, he wasn't as arrogant and disrespectful to women as rumored; otherwise, he wouldn't have this hand warmer.

Then why didn't he marry? Was he truly determined to become an immortal? She didn't believe it; why would someone who cultivates immortality be attached to the imperial court?

Setting the book aside, Xie Yuyan instructed her mother, "Go buy a few chess manuals tomorrow."

As for who wrote it, that's not that important.

In her previous life, she had seen very few other people's chess manuals besides Wang Yan's. At this time, Wang Yan's chess manuals probably hadn't been printed yet, since he was still too young.

A moment later, Yang Xiaoshan and Shi Yong arrived.

After Xie Yuyan and the other two drank some hot tea, he said, "Go back and select a few trustworthy people. You don't need too many, six or seven will do."

The manpower we need now is mostly from the Yang family and Sanhe Village, people that Shi Yong and Yang Xiaoshan know best.

Xie Yuyan continued, "However, to explain this to them, I might have to go to the county jail."

Shi Yong and Yang Xiaoshan exchanged a glance.

Xie Yuyan said, "Logically speaking, there is no danger to their lives. I will find a way to get them out before New Year's Day, but nothing is absolute. We need to make it clear first that we will not force those who do not want to do it."

Shi Yong believed that Madam Xie would not allow them to do anything illegal, and even if they absolutely had to... well... regardless of what others said, he would definitely go.

Shi Yong said, "Just tell me what you need, Madam!"

Yang Xiaoshan nodded, "Don't worry, Madam, we'll definitely find the right people."

Xie Yuyan said, "When the Xie family's pottery kiln fires its second batch, these people will accompany the three old craftsmen to inspect the kiln."

This... seems quite ordinary!
Shi Yong couldn't help but ask, "Why did you say you wanted to go to jail, Madam?"

“The Xie family will try to stop us and frame you for making the first move,” Xie Yuyan said. “We will then take you to the county government.”

Yang Xiaoshan realized: "Isn't the Xie family acting like this out of the ordinary?"

Xie Yuyan said, "The Xie family doesn't have that ability, but the people behind them can."

Shi Yong asked, "Are we really going to go to court?"

Xie Yuyan nodded: "I only have a few requirements. First, you can't really hurt anyone. Although the Xie family will definitely frame you, as long as you don't actually lay a hand on them, even if you are wronged for a while, I will clear your name."

Shi Yong replied, "I will keep everyone in check."

Xie Yuyan continued, "Secondly, I need you to smash a few clay furnaces, and make the commotion as big as possible."

Shi Yong said, "I will follow Madam's arrangements."

Xie Yuyan said, "There will inevitably be rumors circulating in the third neighborhood, and you will suffer some injustice."

This time, Yang Xiaoshan spoke first: "This is simple. Who hasn't experienced these things?" Before Madam came, their situation in the Yang clan was much more difficult than this.

Moreover, since Madam knew beforehand, they will eventually get their money back for what they suffered. Xie Yuyan looked at Shi Yong: "Be careful, you still have to go to Xingzhou after New Year's Day."

Shi Yong said, "Don't worry, Madam, I know what's important."

Performing in a play is just a formality; you can't risk your life. While making a big fuss, you also have to protect your own people. If you really do something outrageous, someone will have solid evidence against you, and then you'll never be able to explain yourself.

After Shi Yong and Yang Xiaoshan left, Yang Qin emerged from the corner.

"Sister-in-law, what if we're really framed?"

Xie Yuyan looked at Yang Qin: "Are you scared?"

Yang Qin shook his head: "Don't worry, at worst we can sue them. If we can't get justice in Daming Prefecture, we can appeal to the Emperor."

"Read less of those storybooks," Xie Yuyan said. "Is the drum for petitioning so easy to beat?"

Yang Qin meant that, he just didn't make it clear.

Xie Yuyan continued, "Aren't there still members of the Wang family from Taiyuan in Daming Prefecture?"

Yang Qin's eyes lit up as he thought of Registrar Wang: "So, this is why Sister-in-law went to the temple to see Registrar Wang?"

Originally, yes, but in the end... we only played a few games of chess.

……

The backyard of the patrol office.

When He Tan entered the room, he found Wang Yan setting up a chessboard. He instinctively turned to leave.

Before Wang Yan turned nine, he was always defeated by him, but after Wang Yan turned nine... he never won against him again. Only after seeing clearly that the black and white pieces were all arranged on the chessboard did He Tan feel relieved and step forward.

"You've seen a good game record and are reviewing it?"

Wang Yan said, "Brother, take a closer look."

He Tan sat to the side, watching Wang Yan skillfully place his pieces.

“Black has the upper hand and seems to understand White’s moves very well,” He Tan said, looking at Wang Yan. “You play White.”

He Tan was familiar with Wang Yan's chess style and could tell at a glance: "You played these moves well, but they seem to be useless against Black. Black had already anticipated this..."

"Huh, why is it not working in the later stages?"

It's not that it's really no good, it's just that it's not as good as before.

Wang Yan said, "I've changed my strategy."

She tried two more games, and she was able to break through his usual moves. It was as if she already knew the outcome, but whenever he changed his tactics, her skill level was clearly not as good as before.

Put the chess piece back into the chess basket.

He Tan was somewhat surprised: "No debriefing?"

Wang Yan said, "No need." He had already found the answer.

When they first met at the Yang family home, she showed a slightly surprised expression, and he guessed at that moment that she might know his identity.

Now he was certain that she knew him and had some understanding of him, but had never interacted with him like this before; otherwise, she wouldn't feel both familiar and unfamiliar with him.

So that's how they were perceived by her.

Wang Yan suddenly felt a little disappointed.

He quickly gave a wry smile. He was clearly about to let go, so why did he keep testing the waters whenever he had the chance? What result did he really want to achieve?
“I’ve heard about it,” He Tan said, taking a sip of tea without noticing anything unusual about Wang Yan. “Madam Xie is truly an extraordinary woman; she actually led a group of people to smash the Xie family’s clay stove.”

Wang Yan said calmly, "This is nothing. In a couple of days... she'll make an even bigger scene."