Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 234 Awesome
Xie Yuyan meant it as a joke, but it unexpectedly drew Wang Yan's attention.

A smile played in his eyes as he gazed at her for a long while before saying, "How about we do it all over again when we get back to Yong'an Ward?"

Xie Yuyan couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing, but unexpectedly, this aggravated the wound under his ribs, and he subconsciously reached out to touch it.

"Be careful."

Xie Yuyan felt a warmth on her hand and, when she came to her senses, found herself being pulled by Wang Yan. She looked up and saw a handsome and upright man in front of her, dressed in official robes. The scarlet outer robe made his features appear even clearer, and especially since his cold gaze had faded, he looked exceptionally radiant, as if he had stepped out of a painting.

When Empress Dowager Xie was in power, rows of people in purple and scarlet robes stood in the main hall. Every time she saw them, she felt both reliance and annoyance.

Dealing with these people every day was truly exhausting. When needed, she could act as regent; when the Great Liang overcame its difficulties, she became a thorn in the side of these important officials. It was almost as if they hated each other.

Under such circumstances, how could she possibly find the official robes of the Great Liang Dynasty beautiful?
But now she thinks that the official robes chosen by Daliang are quite good, and are truly eye-catching.

Everyone says that when you're young, your willpower isn't strong enough. But after coming here, it's as if she's gone back several decades. She's repeatedly felt that Wang Yanlang is exceptionally handsome, unparalleled in the world.

Xie Yuyan felt he had been watching for a while, so he coughed and said, "I'm getting up."

Wang Yan still didn't let go, but said, "Your foot is injured, let me help you get used to it first."

Xie Yuyan did not refuse.

When traveling, she didn't feel anything; she stepped on countless sharp rocks and branches on the mountain, but she didn't care about the pain. Now that she's settled down, every wound on her body is retaliating.

After regaining her footing, Xie Yuyan breathed a sigh of relief, and Wang Yan naturally let go of her hand. However, he picked up the cloak and draped it over her shoulders, helping her fasten the front buttons. Inadvertently, his fingers brushed against her chin.

Xie Yuyan pretended not to notice, but Wang Yan thought of the moment when she decisively handed him the dagger, asking him to kill and silence the witness. He realized that she wasn't always so decisive.

Only after pushing open the door did Xie Yuyan feel the cold outside.

As darkness fell, the sound of footsteps echoed within the government office. Xie Yuyan looked up; the sun had set, but moonlight still shone through. She took a deep breath. The Liu family was doomed now. Thinking this, she turned to look at Wang Yan, a relaxed smile spreading across her face.

"Lord Wang."

Xie Yuyan called to him; at times like this, she always felt she had to say something.

When their eyes met, she whispered, "Has what I told the adults come true?"

At that time, she said she wanted Daming Prefecture.

Wang Yan nodded: "Madam Xie's intelligence is unmatched."

Xie Yuyan's cheeks suddenly flushed, but he retorted, "Lord Wang is the same."

The praise was genuine, without any ulterior motives; his eyes lit up, and his smile was so sincere. As Wang Yan watched, a smile involuntarily crept onto his face.

……

Beijing.

The office was brightly lit, and the two prime ministers and several Hanlin scholars had not left, but were reading the daily memorials.

The reason why things are so busy is twofold: firstly, the festival has just ended and there is a backlog of official business; secondly, the diligent Prime Minister Wang is not as fast as before.

Wang Bingchen looked at the note in his hand and then looked towards the door.

The people on duty exchanged glances, all knowing that Minister Wang was waiting for news from Daming Prefecture.

The night before last, the Emperor suddenly summoned the Chancellor, the Privy Councilor, the Hanlin Academician, and others to the palace.

Wang Bingchen found it strange at the time. What could be so urgent that they couldn't wait until dawn? Why must both Grand Secretaries of the two ministries be summoned to the palace? Normally, in such a situation, at least one Grand Secretary would refuse to answer the summons to avoid causing unrest in the capital. But that night, the Emperor had issued a decree requiring him to go. Thus, Wang Bingchen donned his official robes and went to the palace gate, where he encountered Grand Secretary Xie.

The two met, exchanged greetings, and then walked towards the palace.

Actually, things were quite peaceful in Daliang during this period.

At least that's how it looks on the surface.

It was a festive time, and families were gathered together in joyful harmony; no one had the energy to cause trouble. Even the border town was peaceful, and no battle reports reached the capital.

But why is the emperor in such a hurry to summon them?
The two men were lost in their own thoughts until they saw the disheveled eunuch Huang.

Wang Bingchen's heart sank immediately.

The eunuch Huang was going to Daming Prefecture, and the emperor ordered him to come and greet him, which shows that something happened in Daming Prefecture.

“Lord Wang,” the eunuch Huang stepped forward, his eyes red, “I have been fleeing for my life, and I have finally seen the Emperor and Lord Wang.”

Huang, the eunuch, was right. He dared not take the main road and had to sneak around to get out of Daming Prefecture. It was as if the heavens were deliberately working against him; he encountered heavy snow on the way and dared not seek refuge at the post station, almost freezing off his toes.

With such heavy snow, it was impossible to move an inch, and in the end... even the horse collapsed.

Fortunately, he found a farmer's house and drank a few bowls of hot water, which brought Huang back to life. However, that night he started to feel feverish again. In his dizziness, he saw Huang's ancestors, who scolded him for cutting off the Huang family line and kicked him out.

If it weren't for that kick, Eunuch Huang felt he would have lost his life.

The Emperor was still waiting, so Eunuch Huang couldn't say much. He waited until the two ministers and the Hanlin scholar arrived before recounting in detail what he had seen and heard in Daming Prefecture.

Huang, the eunuch, escaped back to the capital with evidence and Wang Yan's secret report. He had escaped death, but Wang Yan remained in Daming Prefecture to investigate the case.

"Where is Inspector He?" Xie Shumi thought of He Tan. "Is he not in Daming Prefecture?"

Huang, the eunuch, shook his head: "When Wang, the angel, was investigating the case, he found that the He family was involved. Just then, the documents for the transfer of northern generals after three years were issued. There were many people being transferred this time, and manpower was needed to go and assist in the dispatch. Wang used this as an excuse to send Inspector He away, so that Inspector He could avoid suspicion."

“Wang Tianshi said that he sent a supplementary copy of the documents concerning this matter to Beijing.”

The Hanlin scholar found the document and showed it to everyone. The document did not explain why Inspector He was avoiding suspicion, so he thought it was not a big deal.

Who knew that the government in Daming Prefecture would change so drastically.

Using arms workshops to smuggle goods and attempting to kill angels were enough to anger even saints.

That very night, the emperor decided to mobilize troops to go to Daming Prefecture.

Wang Bingchen hurriedly wrote down the imperial edict and sent it out before dawn.

But the Imperial Guards must be mustered and set off again... This will really delay things for quite a while, and I don't know if Wang Yan can hold out for it.

Wang Bingchen was getting old, and his only son was this eldest son. Since receiving the news, he had been unable to sleep at night, constantly fearing that something might go wrong. The entire Wang residence was in a state of tension. Madam Wang, whose health was already poor, was now even more ill and bedridden.

These matters, both at home and outside, caused Mr. Wang to lose weight in less than two days.

Xie Shumi put down his pen and looked at Wang Bingchen: "It's getting late, Minister Wang, why don't you go back and rest first? If there's anything important, I'll have someone deliver it to your residence."

Wang Bingchen waved his hand, naturally refusing to agree.

As they were talking, Eunuch Huang came and brought a table of food bestowed by the Emperor.

He had done a great service this time, and was able to walk by the Emperor's side. Huang, the eunuch, was grateful to Wang Yan from the bottom of his heart. Seeing how worried Wang was about his eldest son, he couldn't help but want to step forward and say, "Don't worry, Prime Minister Wang. Wang is very capable and has people helping her. Although she is a woman, she is... extremely powerful."