Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 250 Close eyes
Seeing that Xu Huaiyi was silent, Xu En thought he had persuaded him.

"Once this case is over, and you return to the capital smoothly," Xu En said, "I will put in a good word for you with the Emperor and get you back to the Dali Temple. Your aunt and uncle are too old to handle any more trouble."

"Once things settle down, I'll go to the Gao family again and bring up your marriage to Gao Wu Niangzi again."

Upon hearing the word "marriage," Xu Huaiyi frowned. He had already begun discussing marriage with the Gao family, but because of his demotion, the Gao family refused to agree to marry their daughter to him again.

He had met the fifth daughter of the Gao family a few times and liked her, but it was a pity that it ended like this.

“If they’re unwilling, then so be it,” Xu Huaiyi said. “I won’t force them.” He knew that not everyone dared to offend Xie Shumi, given his position, so he didn’t hold a grudge.

“You,” Xu En didn’t know what to say, “you’re such a blockhead… If you were a little more quick-witted, why would right and wrong be so important? I should have known better than to let you take the Ming Law exam.”

Xu Huaiyi knew that he had caused Xu En a lot of trouble, and even though he did not agree with what Xu En said, he was unwilling to argue with him.

"I'll listen to my older brother."

Xu En was relieved, but he still cautioned, "Wang Yan is very clever; don't have any ideas under his nose."

Xu Huaiyi said again, "After arriving in Daming Prefecture, I saw those case files, and Wang Yan was probably right."

Wang Yan's actions are clear for all to see, and there's really nothing to question. So far, he's only discovered those two places.

“The Wang family father and son would not embezzle, much less collude with those like Prefect Liu. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been sent to Daming Prefecture. Since the Emperor thinks this way, you shouldn’t cause any more trouble.”

How could anyone possibly find fault with Wang Yan's new policies? This is also why Xu En was willing to follow Wang Yan's lead.

After they finished talking, they went to rest.

Xu Huaiyi's residence was close to the county government office. After he settled in, he summoned the constables to inquire about news, all of which concerned the Xie family of Daming Prefecture.

He came here also for the Xie family of Daming Prefecture.

Although the Xie family of Daming Prefecture and the Xie family of Kaifeng were not of the same clan, when he was investigating the case of the old prime minister of the Xie family, he received some information that the Xie family of Daming Prefecture often had private dealings with Xie Shumi.

So, is this case in Daming Prefecture related to Xie Shumi?
The matter of Xie's old master can no longer be investigated, but Xu Huaiyi still believes that there is something fishy about the Xie family, especially Xie Shumi.

He couldn't get involved with the Xie family in Kaifeng, but he could still inquire about matters related to the Xie family and perhaps uncover some clues.

When officials from the capital asked questions, the constables naturally had nothing they couldn't say.

"The Xie family has done nothing good; Xie Chongjun was arrested a long time ago."

"It all started with the strange case of Madam Xie."

……

The constable told Xu Huaiyi everything he knew.

"How many times has the Daming Prefecture tabloid been published?" Xu Huaiyi suddenly asked. "Is there any way to buy them all?"

Xu Huaiyi took out a few pieces of silver from his pocket and handed them to the constable: "Could you please buy these for me?"

Xu Huaiyi suddenly realized that the case in Daming Prefecture was much more interesting than the case files he had been reviewing in the Ministry of Justice.

In just a few months, Madam Xie alone sent many prisoners to the county jail, and all of them were involved in the case of selling smuggled goods.

The Yang and Xie families may seem insignificant in this major case, but wasn't the case started with them?
So... they may have all overlooked one person.

—That Madam Xie.

Where did Madam Xie come from, and what exactly does she want to do?
Xu Huaiyi felt it was necessary to investigate thoroughly.

……

After the Yang family had seen all the guests off, Yang Qin helped the drunk Xie Zishao to his room to rest.

He accepted every toast offered by the Yang clan members, and before long, two jugs of wine were empty. At this rate, how could he not get drunk?

As he was being helped away, Xie Zishao mumbled, "I only have this one tenth sister."

"In the entire Xie family, only my brother and I are left."

“We are both the younger Xie, Tenth Sister. From now on, wherever you ask me to go, I will go.”

Fortunately, Xie Zishao fell asleep immediately after lying down in bed.

The courtyard gradually quieted down; the previous bustle and the current tranquility both made people feel very comfortable.

“Madam,” Mama Yu stepped forward, “the yamen has sent someone.”

Mother Yu handed the letter to Xie Yuyan, saying, "It's for you."

Xie Yuyan recognized the letter from the writing on it as coming from Wang Yan. With someone from the capital arriving, Wang Yan should be tied up at his office; why would he be thinking of sending her something?
"Has the person left?" Xie Yuyan asked.

Mother Yu shook her head: "Not yet, they said they need to call the old doctor over to ask her a few questions."

Naturally, this refers to the old woman doctor who changed Xie Yuyan's dressing.

Wang Yan was worried about her injury... He had always taken care of her personally before, and knowing that it would be inconvenient for her to return to the Yang family, he specially sought out a female doctor. Even so, he still sent someone to inquire.

Xie Yuyan felt a warmth in her heart.

"Take the person there, and bring some hot tea and pastries."

Mother Yu responded, "It's such a cold day, and they still come to deliver a letter. Of course, we must treat them well."

After Mother Yu left, Xie Yuyan unfolded the letter, looked at it under the light, and then frowned.

Just then, Madam Zhang brought in the cheese and saw Xie Yuyan still sitting at his desk. She couldn't help but say, "You've had a long day, get some rest."

Xie Yuyan hesitated slightly, but still looked up at Zhang Shi: "Mother, call Qin Ge'er over, I have something to tell you."

Perhaps it shouldn't be brought up now, but putting myself in her shoes, if she were Zhang, I would want to know the truth sooner.

Zhang's heart sank when she saw Xie Yuyan's slightly serious expression.

"Mom, sister-in-law..."

Yang Qin ran into the room, but when he sat down, he realized that the atmosphere in the room was a bit strange, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

Without hesitation, Xie Yuyan said, "Sixth Brother was killed by Yang Mingshan and his son in collusion with the Xie family."

Zhang and Yang Qin were both stunned.

Xie Yuyan handed the note to Yang Qin: "This was given to me by Lord Wang."

"When the county magistrate was interrogating the Xie family steward in the prison, he mentioned Liu Lang's case and learned that Liu Lang was killed because he caught Yang Mingshan and others colluding with officials to transport smuggled goods."

Yang Qin's eyes widened, and a surge of anger was about to burst forth, enough to set the paper in front of him ablaze. After a long while, he gritted his teeth and said, "They...they killed my brother."

Xie Yuyan said, "When Liulang wrote home to inquire about Yang Mingshan and Yang Ji, he probably wanted to confirm this matter." At that time, she became suspicious, which is why she paid attention to Yang Ji.

Although the matter was not fully investigated, the murderer was sent to prison early on.

Zhang was stunned and couldn't come to her senses for a moment. She never imagined that Liu Lang hadn't died in the war, but had been murdered.

They not only harmed people, but also tried to use Liu Lang's reputation.

She actually agreed to a marriage alliance with the Xie family; those were the people who killed her sixth son!