Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 212 Anxious

Chen Rong didn't completely trust the imperial court; after what had happened, he understood some things. They were innocent, but with the interests of the court and its officials involved, how easy was it to get justice?
However, the angel in front of them would not risk Feng Chuan's life to gain their trust.

The lives of these refugees are not worth as much as those of a commander.

Even if it's not really about investigating a case, but rather some kind of power struggle between officials, as long as Wang Tianshi is at odds with Prefect Liu, they still have hope of overturning the case.

Han Tong and the people of Chenyao Village should not be branded as deserters and bandits from now on, so it is worth it even if they have to risk their lives again.

"What should we do next?" Chen Rong looked at Wang Yan. "We'll follow the adults' instructions."

Wang Yan said, "I will send your evidence to the capital, along with the matter of Daming Prefecture using the military workshop to smuggle goods, and report it to the court in secret."

“Once the authorities order a trial, your grievances will naturally be redressed.”

This might be the best outcome. Chen Rong felt more joy and hope than apprehension. If it really was this way, they would be able to reunite with their families down the mountain.

Madam Zheng also showed a happy expression. She looked apologetically at Wang Yan and Xie Yuyan: "We were... frightened. Sir... Angel, Madam, please don't blame us."

Xie Yuyan nodded and asked Madam Zheng, "How is things at home?"

"All is well," Madam Zheng breathed a sigh of relief. The eldest daughter-in-law was willing to talk to her and wasn't angry. "We had discussed and made arrangements before coming here."

When Zheng mentioned "having made arrangements," a glint of light flashed in her eyes, clearly indicating that she was exceptionally confident.

Xie Yuyan sensed something was amiss: "Could you tell me how you did it?"

Chen Rong was slightly taken aback. He didn't understand what his sister-in-law was saying and wondered why Madam Xie would ask such a question.
Madam Zheng pursed her lips: "I've already discussed it with Grandma and my sisters-in-law. The day after I leave, they will lead the villagers away from Daming Prefecture. That way, no matter what goes wrong, the villagers can temporarily avoid it."

Xie Yuyan's heart sank, and he immediately turned to look at Wang Yan, whose gaze also became deep and unfathomable.

"what happened?"

Upon seeing this, Zheng immediately became nervous.

Xie Yuyan looked at Madam Zheng: "Where did you send them?"

Zheng said, "We hid some food in the mountains north of Daming Prefecture. If we dug it up, it will last for half a month." They had made preparations beforehand and thought they were quite prepared.

They were near Wei County, southwest of Daming Prefecture, while the villagers of Chenyao Village went north.

Wang Yan and Xie Yuyan stood up almost simultaneously.

Wang Yan instructed Zheng: "We'll go to Daming Prefecture first, then you'll lead the way. We need to find the people from Chenyao Village as quickly as possible."

Although Zheng didn't know what was happening, she was already starting to panic.

"Why...why are you all in such a hurry..."

Xie Yuyan said, "We obtained evidence from the military equipment workshop in Daming Prefecture, killed Feng Chuan and others, but captured Tan Xiang and made him cover it up properly. It's possible that Prefect Liu won't find out for a few days."

They used these few days to search for other evidence.

Xie Yuyan then changed the subject: "But the large-scale outflow of people from Chenyao Village, especially at this time, heading north, will inevitably attract the attention of Prefect Liu."

“Any disturbance in Daming Prefecture will alert them.”

"Moreover, it was the entire village that was leaving."

Zheng's eyes widened; she hadn't thought of any of this. She had simply asked her grandmother to report to the imperial court that someone in their village had contracted smallpox and that the entire village should avoid crowds.

Such things have happened in previous years, but it's different now... If the imperial court really goes to investigate, they will be exposed.

"Then what should we do?" Zheng asked.

Wang Yan looked at Chen Rong: "How many men do you have here? Take your sticks and leave with us."

Without hesitation, Chen Rong immediately turned around to call for help. North of Daming Prefecture lies Guan County, and they missed Chenyao Village just like that.

Xie Yuyan and Wang Yan exchanged glances, hoping that they could still make it back in time.

……

Daming Mansion.

Liu Mansion.

After Liu Shizhang brought the news back yesterday, Prefect Liu carefully looked through the tabloid in his hand and inquired about the cases involving the Yang and Xie families.

He hadn't paid much attention to it before, because merchants like the Yang family and Madam Xie were simply beneath his notice. But now that such a commotion had erupted in Daming Prefecture, he finally took notice.

Liu Shizhang sat carefully beside Prefect Liu, helping him process official documents, and occasionally looked up to see his father's expression.

After a while, Prefect Liu put down the tabloid.

Liu Shizhang hurriedly stepped forward to pour tea for his father.

Prefect Liu said calmly, "Where exactly did the Yang Xie family come from? Has anyone investigated?"

Liu Shizhang was taken aback and said, "She's just a woman who was kidnapped and trafficked..."

After saying this, Liu Shizhang noticed his father's face darken, and quickly added, "I heard that the woman forgot her past because of her injury, so there's no way to find out anything."

“An ordinary woman couldn’t have done these things,” said Prefect Liu. “She not only managed to outwit the entire Yang and Xie families, but also gathered so many scholars to print tabloids.”

Liu Shizhang said, "Father, do you mean that her coming to Daming Prefecture was deliberately arranged by someone?"

Prefect Liu could not confirm these details.

“She sells Buddhist charcoal and clay stoves not for money, but for fame,” Prefect Liu raised his eyes. “From the beginning, she was intentionally gathering manpower and reputation.”

"What happened today was not accidental. She took the initiative to approach the Xie family, which implicated the officials of Daming Prefecture."

Liu Shizhang hadn't considered this; he had always thought that the Xie family had a grudge against that woman.

"Her departure from Daming Prefecture was also preordained."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shizhang wanted to argue, "How could a woman have so many thoughts?"
Liu Shizhang tentatively voiced his guess: "My son investigated, and it seems she had no prior relationship with He Tan, so..."

Prefect Liu said in a deep voice, "So you don't think she's intentionally targeting our Liu family?"

Liu Shizhang nodded.

"How much trouble do you think an insignificant merchant, especially a woman, can cause?"

"That's true. This shouldn't have happened in Daming Prefecture."

Liu Shizhang pursed his lips: "That tabloid might be a coincidence, but apart from that... everything is still under our control."

"Are you sure?" Prefect Liu's voice carried a hint of authority, a prelude to his anger.

Liu Shizhang dared not speak again and immediately stood respectfully in front of Prefect Liu: "I will send someone to investigate immediately."

He would have people inspect every possible place in the city where problems might arise.

Just as Liu Shizhang was about to leave the house, Prefect Liu's voice came from behind: "Don't focus all your attention on the surface. The scholar's disturbance may be an attempt to cover up other commotions in the city."

"With He Tan gone, Daming Prefecture may still be unattended."

Prefect Liu's gaze fell on the tabloid, where the words "Daming Prefecture Tabloid" stood out.