Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 243 Baby
Wang Yan tied the cloth strips properly, then picked up a sock and put it on Xie Yuyan.

Changing the dressing was originally a very difficult thing to do, but it became very easy when it was handed over to Wang Yan.

If it weren't for the slight coolness emanating from the wound, she would have thought it was completely healed. The strips of cloth he was wrapping were becoming increasingly neat and precise, more so than the initial chaotic attempt.

The room was silent until her feet touched the ground again, then he looked up and said, "Please settle the medical fee, my lady!"

When their eyes met, Xie Yuyan couldn't help but smile, and then easily caught the smile in his eyes as well. All his previous guardedness, after surviving a life-or-death experience, could now be let down.

Xie Yuyan touched the jade pendant at his waist, which Wang Yan had worn since childhood: "I have no money, so I'll use this to pay off my debt." He took this opportunity to return the jade to Wang Yan.

"Why weren't they given to those people?" Wang Yan looked at the intact mutton fat jade and reached out to take it.

Xie Yuyan said, "Naturally, it's because it's too valuable. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to afford to compensate if it were lost." Actually, at that moment, she didn't want to be touched by those people, even if only temporarily…

Actually, she had almost forgotten that before she met Wang Yan when she was a child, she had seen his calligraphy and articles and really liked his handwriting.

As a result, her handwriting later became somewhat similar to Wang Yan's.

In her most innocent and carefree youth, he was the most amazing child prodigy in her heart.

“Once something is given away, there’s no reason to take it back,” Wang Yan said. “Besides, it’s only because of you, my wife, that it’s been kept intact. From now on, it belongs to you, my wife, and you can do whatever you want with it.”

Wang Yan gently stroked the jade pendant twice with his fingers, then placed it back in Xie Yuyan's hand.

Xie Yuyan wanted to refuse, but Wang Yan said, "The fish-shaped tally bestowed by the court is not easy to give away, and Wang's name card is not as good as this jade pendant. Madam, keep it; it may be useful in the future."

After he said that, the jade pendant really did become something she deserved.

Without giving her another chance to refuse, Wang Yan changed the subject, saying, "Chen Rong is going to follow you, Madam?"

He washed his hands, brought over the clay stove, and began brewing tea for the two men. It was tea from the magistrate of Guan County; the two had tasted it and found it delicious. It was hidden in a small compartment on the bookshelf in the second hall of the yamen. The magistrate, busy and dizzy from his work, was unaware that half of his treasured tea was missing.

If you don't keep your treasures hidden, others will covet them.

Xie Yuyan said, "And then there are those refugees."

When this was mentioned, Xie Yuyan said to Wang Yan, "We need your help, Lord Wang, in their scheme to make a living by smuggling salt."

Concealing it isn't out of the question, but it would be better to take advantage of this meritorious service to clear the way and obtain a pardon, so that you won't have to worry about anyone bringing up the past again.

The fewer handles we have, the better.

Wang Yan nodded: "I will appeal to the court. The people had no choice but to flee into the mountains, which was ultimately due to the coercion of corrupt officials. The villagers of Chenyao Village lost seven lives because they were hunted down by the governor's troops in order to preserve evidence. Furthermore, Zheng and others went all the way to Mingzhou to seek help. In short, the court should reward them."

These people knew he was an imperial envoy sent by the emperor, and that he had helped him escape danger and plead his case, demonstrating their continued trust in the court. This was exactly what the emperor and his court officials wanted to hear.

Since they've already found someone to take the blame, all they have to do is demonstrate the emperor's boundless grace.

If this matter is handled well, the people in the mountains will be able to come out openly and honestly.

Xie Yuyan nodded. Zheng Shi arrived in Mingzhou with her entourage and immediately followed the Mingzhou troops back to Guan County. Ignoring the Mingzhou prefect's obstruction, she came to the yamen. Upon seeing that she was safe and sound, Zheng Shi herself fainted from exhaustion and slept soundly all night before waking up. If anything had happened to her, Zheng Shi would probably not have survived.

Xie Yuyan added, "We should be able to leave the county government office tomorrow."

As Xie Yuyan finished speaking, Wang Yan met her gaze.

"Guess..." "You said..."

The two spoke almost simultaneously, but Wang Yan stopped and let Xie Yuyan speak first.

"Prefect Liu is dead, isn't he?" Xie Yuyan asked.

Wang Yan nodded: "The Imperial Guards stopping at Xingren Prefecture is a message to him."

Xie Yuyan said, "However, I don't know if it's the Emperor's own idea or if someone is secretly persuading him."

Logically speaking, the authorities should have ordered a thorough investigation of Prefect Liu.

But someone was able to dissuade the officials from this idea with just one sentence.

Wang Yan said, "The Emperor once wanted to promote Prefect Liu to the Privy Council, but my father and others blocked it. Now that something has happened in Daming Prefecture, if Prefect Liu goes to the capital to be tried, the Emperor will inevitably lose face."

The person you wanted to appoint turned out to be a rebel; this shows a lack of discernment in people.

It seems to be the government's intention, but it's also the result that some people want.

After brewing a bowl of tea, Wang Yan handed it to Xie Yuyan: "Would you like to continue?" He was naturally referring to the matter of officials colluding with merchants to smuggle goods.

Xie Yuyan seemed not to answer Wang Yan's question: "The porcelain from the new kiln has just been fired and must be sold to the capital. After all this trouble, almost losing my life, if I can't make money, wouldn't I be at a loss?" The Liu family is ultimately a minor player. If the person behind them isn't found out, this whole ordeal in Daming Prefecture will be of little use. In just two or three years, another Prefect Liu can be raised.

After saying that, she looked at Wang Yan and asked, "Where is the master?"

Wang Yan's eyes darkened slightly: "Since we've started, we must nip it in the bud. Otherwise, if things continue like this, it won't be long before..."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yuyan's thoughts drifted away. She remembered that Wang Huai had mentioned that Wang Yan said that within fifty years, the Great Liang would inevitably fall into chaos. Wang Yan had foreseen this long ago, which was why he vigorously promoted the new policies. Unfortunately, even after becoming the prime minister, he was still powerless to reverse the political situation and could only prolong the life of the Great Liang.

Wang Yan had no idea what Xie Yuyan was thinking. Just as he was about to ask, he heard a sound coming from outside.

"Inspector He."

"The master is talking to Madam Xie."

He Tan has returned to Daming Prefecture. As expected, he wasn't sent far enough. Fortunately, the situation in Daming Prefecture has stabilized, otherwise the He family wouldn't have been able to extricate themselves so easily.

Wang Yan added charcoal to the brazier beside him and handed it to Xie Yuyan before turning and walking out.

When He Tan arrived in the courtyard, Sang Dian would not have been able to stop him if Xie Yuyan hadn't been there.

Seeing the door open, He Tan frowned and stepped forward: "Didn't we agree that I would investigate the He family's affairs before taking action against them?"

Light was shining through the room.

Wang Yan didn't speak, but instead turned around and closed the door, completely concealing everything inside.

“Brother, let’s go to the east room to talk.”

He Tan understood Wang Yan very well. Wang Yan's expression seemed no different from usual, but deep down he exuded a strong and unyielding spirit.

This person is rather strange. He Tan glanced into the room; Wang Yan seemed to be hiding some treasure, afraid that someone might see it.

Originally filled with anxiety and anger, seeing this... Wang Yan's anger dissipated by more than half, and he even had the mind to do other things, which showed that... the situation was indeed not so urgent.