Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 242 Can't Win

Chen Rong was feeling annoyed when he noticed a hint of seriousness in Zheng's gaze.

In fact, Madam Xie had also reminded him that he should either completely sever ties with her, otherwise, if those members of the demonic sect came looking for him, they would definitely target them.

If he accidentally reveals any information because of this, ugh... what nonsense!

In short, it's better for him to live under Madam Xie's watchful eye.

Having been through all that, and having gone through life and death together, the bond between them is definitely special. If he didn't follow someone like that... wouldn't he be foolish?

"Don't worry, Madam," Chen Rong said, "I will never tell anyone. Madam is dealing with those people for our sake. How could I be so heartless?"

Madam Zheng nodded in agreement: "No one can get a single word out of our mouths."

Xie Yuyan smiled slightly: "This secret doesn't need to be kept for too long."

Chen Rong was unaware of the situation.

Xie Yuyan said calmly, "One day, even if they find out, they can only watch from the sidelines."

Chen Rong pondered these words carefully, then suddenly realized something, and goosebumps rose all over his body, but this was quickly followed by joy. Knowing that he had been tricked, yet not daring to make a move against the person, that situation meant either the demonic sect had declined, or Madam Xie had become exceptionally powerful.

A person who has been wandering in the mountains for a long time can no longer live a conventional life. He hesitated before because he wanted to join the army. He was very envious of watching Sang Dian lead people in training every day.

But now, he has completely given up on that idea. Madam Xie is no ordinary person, and working with her will not be boring at all.

Don't be fooled by how imposing Sang Dian and his gang usually appear; with just a casual remark from Madam Xie, they completely pale in comparison.

Chen Rong was fortunate to have met a boss like Madam Xie in his life.

“I’ll go and select people right away,” Chen Rong said. “I’m familiar with them all, and I’m sure I can choose some good ones for Madam.”

but……

Chen Rong hesitated slightly: "How many people do we need?"

Xie Yuyan asked, "Do you know about Yizhou?"

Chen Rong nodded; of course he knew.

"I mean, how big is our kiln?"

Chen Rong suddenly paused again as he spoke. He looked at Madam Xie, and a thought arose in his mind: Impossible, right? It can't be, can it? Didn't my sister-in-law say that Madam Xie started out selling lotus root charcoal and hot water? She shouldn't be able to buy so many porcelain kilns.

Chen Rong swallowed hard and cautiously probed, "Does Madam mean that Luzhou is our kiln site?"

Xie Yuyan said, "I have had someone buy 60% of the porcelain kilns in Liuzhou."

The kilns in Luozhou had already declined by this dynasty because the porcelain they produced was not the white-glazed type that people prefer today. Therefore, it wouldn't have been difficult for Xie Yuyan to buy those kilns.

“There are also porcelain stone mines,” Xie Yuyan said. “The kilns in Lanzhou… should have already started firing porcelain by now.”

"Should?" Chen Rong looked puzzled.

Xie Yuyan noticed his question: "Before I left Daming Prefecture, I had already arranged for people to go and fire the kiln."

Chen Rong was even more astonished.

Madam Xie must have anticipated that something would happen, yet she still remembered to prepare these things beforehand.

It's clear they had anticipated their victory over Prefect Liu.

What kind of person is he?

After a long pause, Chen Rongcai said, "Therefore, we are willing to accept anything that can get things done."

Xie Yuyan nodded. "Then I understand," Chen Rong seemed to suddenly become exceptionally energetic. "Among the refugees, some had worked in porcelain making. They ended up wandering because their families owned porcelain kilns and couldn't pay their taxes. Others... even if they didn't know how to make kilns, they were willing to work hard."

Xie Yuyan said, "At this point, they haven't stained their hands with the blood of innocent people, so at least they are kind-hearted. They didn't become bandits, but made a living by hunting, so they are upright people."

Chen Rong felt that these words were like a compliment.

However, Chen Rong was still somewhat worried, fearing that Madam Xie would refuse to accept them after learning the truth: "We... also buy smuggled salt from the Western Xia people and sell it to nearby farmers."

Xie Yuyan raised her eyes and met Chen Rong's gaze: "Otherwise, how are we supposed to survive?"

Chen Rong suddenly felt a lump in his throat and his eyes welled up with tears. No matter how much he had experienced over the years, he had never felt this way before. He lowered his head, then suddenly stood up and solemnly bowed to Xie Yuyan.

"From now on, I, Chen Rong, am willing to serve Madam Xie wholeheartedly."

When Chen Rong came out of the house, he happened to run into Wang Yan at the door.

A layer of snowflakes had accumulated on Wang Tianshi's shoulders.

Chen Rong subconsciously looked up and saw that the snow wasn't heavy, indicating that Wang Tianshi had been outside for quite some time.

Is it because they were inside that they've been waiting here?

Sang Dian, standing nearby, glanced at Chen Rong, and his heart sank. He had just told his lord that Chen Rong's men were good and could join the army, and he had even deliberately let Chen Rong see their training.

He could tell that Chen Rong was interested, so... that's why he approached the young master. If the young master agreed, he would immediately try to recruit him.

However, the young man said, "They won't come here."

Sang Dian could clearly see that Chen Rong intended to come, so why was her husband so certain? Only at this moment did Sang Dian understand her husband's meaning.

Chen Rong will go to Madam Xie's place...

Moreover, there was no room for maneuver, because Chen Rong's gaze towards him no longer held respect or envy, but had become utterly ordinary.

Sang Dian felt a chill in his heart. He must have been compared to Chen Rong in his mind, and naturally, he lost.

Several days of demonstrating his martial arts skills couldn't compare to a single meeting with Madam Xie? Sang Dian felt an urge to cry. When he looked at his husband with a wronged expression, his heart clenched again, only to find his husband smiling.

In this invisible struggle, he was the only one who got hurt.

Wang Yan took off his cloak and handed it to Sang Dian, then pushed open the door and went inside.

The door closed, leaving Sang Dian outside.

Silently looking up at the sky, Sang Dian felt even colder.

Wang Yan warmed himself by the fire in the outer room and washed his hands before carrying his medicine box to Xie Yuyan's side.

Xie Yuyan's foot injury requires daily dressing changes, and she seems to have gotten used to it, with Wang Yan taking care of these matters personally.

She also wanted to try to change things... Yesterday she asked the old woman in the yamen to do it, but the old woman was really too timid. She was terrified at the sight of blood and was flustered. She kept forgetting this or making mistakes.

Xie Yuyan was also defeated and had no choice but to send someone to invite Wang Yan again.

Whether the old woman was truly incapacitated or someone had instructed her behind her back, she didn't care anymore. She just wanted to change her medicine comfortably and recover as soon as possible.

Empress Dowager Xie had no desire to suffer any hardship that she shouldn't have to endure.

Wang Yan sat on a stool, lifted Xie Yuyan's feet, carefully removed the cloth covering them, skillfully replaced the medicinal mud, and sprinkled on a layer of medicinal powder.

Xie Yuyan also looked at Wang Yan. If he hadn't been told, he would have really thought that Wang Yan was a young doctor.

“If I were to retire and return home someday,” Wang Yan looked up and met Xie Yuyan’s gaze, “wouldn’t I be able to practice medicine and support my family?”

Xie Yuyan followed up on Wang Yan's words: "Then it's not Lord Wang, but the famous physician Wang Langzhong."