Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 248 Protecting
Upon hearing his sister-in-law's voice, Yang Qin immediately got up and welcomed Xie Yuyan into the house.

Xie Zishao had some doubts, but considering the relationship between Master Zhiyuan and his tenth sister, he figured that while others might not be able to agree, Master Zhiyuan would certainly agree to whatever his tenth sister said.

Xie Zishao had nothing more to say, but the outside was already bustling with activity as food was being brought to the flower hall one after another, making it even more festive than during the New Year.

“Let’s go,” Xie Yuyan said to Xie Zishao, “Let’s have dinner first.”

Xie Zishao stood up and looked at the happy Yang clan members, and suddenly felt a sense of family reunion during the Lunar New Year.

"Uncle Xie."

The Yang clan members stepped forward and bowed to Xie Zishao.

Xie Zishao suddenly felt as if he had been in another world. He still remembered the scene when he brought the coffin to the Yang family to send off the bride. The Yang family also called him that. However, he did not care at the time. In his opinion, this was not a marriage at all, but another sin for the Xie family.

But unexpectedly... the person in the coffin would bring an end to the Xie family.

He once called Xie Yuyan "Tenth Sister," intending to try and join forces with her, but now they seem to have truly become family.

This must be the most unforgettable banquet of his life.

Xie Zishao was pulled into the lively atmosphere by the Yang clan members. Smelling the aroma of food wafting over, Xie Zishao smiled. He knew that many people would love to attend such a banquet, and he was incredibly lucky.

……

The atmosphere in the prefectural government office of Daming Prefecture was tense and solemn.

The Imperial Guards were stationed outside Daming Prefecture, and the one who led the troops was Xu En, the Palace Attendant.

After Xu Enjin entered Daming Prefecture, he first captured the Liu family and their associates, and then entered the prefectural government office with Wang Yan and He Tan.

After the group entered, all the documents in the yamen were sorted out. They would review them first, and then send the relevant evidence to the capital.

"Lord Wang, Inspector He." Xu En bowed respectfully upon seeing Wang Yan.

Military officers are not as important as civil officials, and the court has always relied on Prime Minister Wang. If nothing unexpected happens, Wang Yan will surely become a cabinet minister in the future.

As for He Tan, he is also a rare talent in Daliang, and Xu En would not offend these two without reason.

While he was being polite, he couldn't neglect his official duties. Xu En looked at He Tan and said, "Inspector He, please tell us in detail where you went before and after leaving Daming Prefecture, so that we can report to the court."

When He Tan arrived in Daming Prefecture after receiving the news, the Emperor had already ordered the Imperial Guards to quell the rebellion. When He Tan reached Guan County, Prefect Liu had also committed suicide by poison. The two never saw each other again. He Tan had conveniently avoided all these crucial moments.

As Xu En listened to He Tan recount what had happened, he couldn't help but glance at Wang Yan, who was sitting upright beside him, and couldn't help but feel admiration.

Wang Yan had everything arranged perfectly, so even if someone wanted to impeach He Tan, they would only be implicated by the He family.

He Tan has also made contributions in investigating cases in Daming Prefecture. In addition, he has captured rebels and deserters. Even if he can not atone for his mistakes, he can at least keep his official position.

After asking He Tan, Xu En asked again, "I heard that this incident has affected many people in Daming Prefecture?"

Before entering the city, Xu En sent people to find out as much as possible about Daming Prefecture. Since he had been sent to do this job, he could not believe anyone's word. If he made a mistake, he would not be able to explain it to the officials when he returned.

He learned that what the eunuch Huang said was largely the same, except that Wang Yan saved the villagers of Chenyao Village after the eunuch Huang left Daming Prefecture.

None of that matters. What's worth investigating is that it involves a group of people of unknown identity. Based on the scouts' descriptions, Xu En suspects that they are members of the sorcerer cult.

Wang Yan remained expressionless: "Prefect Xu needs to examine the case files of Han Tong and Chenyao Village. These people all have grievances."

At this point, he raised his eyes: "And a group of demon cultists were also killed by my men."

He Tan raised his eyes slightly. Wang Yan still took all of this on his shoulders. He thought that Wang Yan's willingness to do so must be related to Xie Yuyan, but what exactly was the relationship? He Tan was itching to know, but Wang Yan was very tight-lipped.

Xu En indeed questioned, "Didn't those people leave any survivors?" "No," Wang Yan said decisively, "In the midst of war and chaos, we cannot afford any more mistakes."

Xu En nodded: "I will report this matter truthfully to the Emperor."

“There is one more person,” Wang Yan said, “Tan Xiang, the deputy commander of the Daming Army. He once attacked the weapons workshop with Feng Chuan and was captured by me.”

“I promised him that as long as he led us to find more evidence, I would report to the court that he would redeem himself through meritorious service. After that, he did a good job and was dutiful. Xu Duzhi, don’t forget to include him in the official documents.”

Wang Yan's voice was low and deep. When he mentioned Tan Xiang, Sang Dian had already brought the man outside the door and made him kneel down.

Tan Xiang's forehead touched the ground, his whole body trembling. He vaguely heard Wang Yan mention "atone for his crimes through meritorious service," and he almost burst into tears of joy. Wang Yan had at least fulfilled his promise to him.

According to the customs of the Great Liang Dynasty, he might be exiled to the frontier or forced into hard labor, but he would at least be spared. However, there were certain things he couldn't say carelessly.

As long as Wang Yan is not questioned, his words will be effective.

Xu En said, "Lock him up!"

At a command, Tan Xiang was immediately taken away.

“There are still a number of criminals imprisoned in the government jail,” Wang Yan said, “and we need to interrogate them one by one.”

Xu En said, "The Emperor has ordered the Ministry of Personnel to dispatch personnel, who will arrive in Daming Prefecture soon. This is a major case in Daliang, and we must investigate it carefully to live up to the Emperor's trust."

When this was mentioned, Wang Yan looked at Xu En and said, "Since we're on the topic, there's something that you, Chief Xu, need to think about carefully."

Xu En didn't understand Wang Yan's meaning. He looked up and met Wang Yan's unusually deep gaze, which made him feel a chill.

Wang Yan said, "It has been verified that Prefect Liu and others used the military equipment workshop to transport goods."

Xu En nodded.

Wang Yan continued, "Since the soldiers were transporting goods, where did the military equipment that was supposed to be delivered go?"

Xu En was stunned.

Wang Yan said, "If the armory never actually produced those weapons and materials, then this is a case of embezzlement. But what if the armory produced the weapons and then disappeared without a trace...?"

Xu En took a while to recover, his expression shifting from surprise to delight, and then to doubt. Wang Yan hadn't investigated such a significant point but had instead entrusted it to him.

This could be a tremendous achievement, or it could be a disaster.

But it's still an opportunity; at least he can report to the emperor after returning to the capital. No matter what the outcome of the case, he will be credited with a contribution.

Before he came, he was afraid that Wang Yan would find out everything. He wouldn't steal credit from Wang Yan, but it would be too incompetent to find out nothing at all.

Now that he has achieved something, he can rest easy.

If he focuses his attention on this, he and Wang Yan will be able to deliver on their promises smoothly.

Xu En bowed to Wang Yan and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Wang."

It seemed like a happy ending for everyone. He Tan breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Yan did this precisely because he was afraid that Xu En would cause trouble everywhere and might accidentally grab Xie Yuyan.

He didn't want these people to target her at all.

Wang Yan is now like a mother hen spreading her wings to protect her chicks. However, he's not fighting the eagle, but rather wanting his chicks to do whatever they want where no one can see them.

He Tan couldn't understand at all how the person who had previously spoken ill of Xie Yuyan had changed so drastically. How much of Xie Yuyan's charm had he been given?