Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 293 Begging
Wang Yan looked up at the darkening sky.

Xu En then realized that it was already quite late, and it was really inappropriate to go to the Yang family now.

“Then let’s go tomorrow,” Xu En said. “We must get some more ceramic vases.”

Wang Yan, however, was not as anxious as Xu En: "I heard that Yangjia Kiln has been preparing for the border market these days."

Xu En was naturally unwilling to let it go so easily. Having just witnessed such power, how could he give up? Thinking of the rumors of the past two days, he hurriedly asked, "Didn't the official sent by the court already prepare to take the Buddhist porcelain to the capital?"

"There's still some time before the border market opens, so one more kiln of mine shouldn't make a difference, right?"

Having said that, Xu En looked at Wang Yan and said, "Lord Wang, please put in a good word for me. This thing is much more important than the porcelain sent to the border market."

Fearing that Wang Yan would refuse, Xu En said, "I won't take these for nothing. I'll pay the money, and after we go to the capital, I'll also ask the Emperor for credit on behalf of Madam."

Upon hearing these words, Wang Yan said, "Then I will go with Prefect Xu tomorrow."

Xu En immediately smiled.

Wang Yan turned around: "Actually, Chief Xu doesn't need to do that. As long as you explain the reason to Madam Xie, I believe she will agree."

“But,” Xu En said, “the matter of black oil must not be known to others.”

Wang Yan suggested, "Then let's find another reason."

Xu En's mind raced, and he immediately understood: "The army needs this ceramic bottle. I can equip the left and right platoons with it first. I can't say for sure about other things, but I still have this authority. In this way, not only will Madam Xie not know about the black oil, but she also won't be able to sell the ceramic bottle to anyone else."

Xu En thought this idea was really good.

If one simply makes up an excuse to buy the pottery bottle, there's no way to stop Madam Xie from putting it around in the market. After all, besides storing water and grain, this pottery bottle can also be used to hold wine and draw water. To prevent people from making and selling it, there needs to be a suitable reason.

Supplying the army would undoubtedly be the best explanation.

"Madam Xie has done a great service by using this item to make firearms. The court should reward her accordingly. Why don't we have the pottery kiln make pottery bottles for the army?"

Xu En felt that this matter could be accomplished.

“Since Chief Xu has already made up his mind,” Wang Yan said, “there is no need for me to go with him.”

Xu En nodded: "Alright." As a civil official, Wang Yan shouldn't have too close a relationship with merchants.

Sang Dian, standing nearby, couldn't help but glance at Xu En a couple more times. This Xu En was a good judge of character; he had said everything that his young master should and shouldn't have said. The reason his young master didn't go with him to see Madam Xie was because he was afraid that in the future people would question whether Madam Xie had followed the Wang family's path.

Judging from Xu En's words, the young master did not want to associate with merchants, but sometimes what seemed unintentional was actually intentional.

After speaking, Xu En went to look at the place where the pottery bottle had exploded.

The rocks were all charred black, and the heat even melted the snow and ice next to them, burning the withered branches below.

This was only tried twice; if the timing could be perfect, the results should be even better.

Holding a small stone in his hand, he instructed his men, "Cover this up."

Everything was in order, and Xu En followed Wang Yan into the city. These past few days, investigating the case and reviewing the accounts daily had been incredibly frustrating for Xu En.

This wasn't his forte to begin with, and he's only managed to get to this point through sheer patience.

When the ceramic bottle exploded, it seemed to release the emotions he had been suppressing, and he felt invigorated. This thing was simply his savior.

How could he not like it?
Xu En couldn't help but smile again, and he wondered if it was just his imagination, but he inexplicably felt a cold gaze fall on him.

Xu En turned his head and saw Wang Yan standing to the side. He didn't seem to have offended Wang Yan, so... there must be a mistake.

The two returned to their respective residences.

Wang Yan strode into the courtyard, and Sang Dian hurriedly said, "I'll go get some clothes for my lord right away." Now that they were going to the Yang family, they had to change out of their official robes to avoid being too conspicuous.

After the clothes were delivered, Sang Dian was busy sending someone to inform Madam Yu in advance. Every time the young master went to see Madam Xie, he had to do it secretly, but he couldn't make the decision himself.

If Sang Dian hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that her husband had fallen into such a state.

When the master and servant arrived at Yong'an Ward, they were immediately led through the back gate.

Madam Yu said, "Today, Madam summoned the clansmen for a meeting, and there are too many people coming and going. If we go through the front gate, we will have to wait for half an hour... then... we will have to trouble you, sir."

Actually, even when Yu's mother said the word "wronged," she felt a little uneasy. Those two words didn't seem to fit with Lord Wang at all.

However, there was no more suitable way to say it. She made some arrangements at the back door so that she could take Lord Wang directly to the small study in the backyard. In this way, apart from the eldest daughter-in-law and herself, no one else in the Yang family would know. This secrecy made it seem as if Lord Wang was someone to be ashamed of.

Xie Yuyan was still in the front yard, so Wang Yan had to wait inside the house.

Madam Yu was about to brew tea when she saw Wang Yan wash his hands and walk towards the clay stove. His familiar manner made it seem as if he considered this place his own home.

"Has the lady eaten the medicinal food I sent?" Wang Yan asked Mama Yu.

Mother Yu reported, "He ate a big bowl."

"How did you sleep last night?" Wang Yan then asked.

Mother Yu said, "It will be a little late, but the night will be very peaceful."

Wang Yan nodded. He had asked Sang Dian to bring official documents when he came, and now he could sit down and review them. Mama Yu quickly reached out and turned on the oil lamp.

When Xie Yuyan arrived at the study, she was somewhat dazed. Although there was another person in the room, it didn't seem abrupt. She and Wang Yan seemed to have suddenly become familiar with each other, and she didn't feel uncomfortable because he was always around.

Wang Yan looked up and their eyes met.

Xie Yuyan had never known before that a person's gaze could carry warmth, gentleness, and the ability to make one lower their guard.

The atmosphere in the room thus became more gentle.

Xie Yuyan walked over and saw the tea that Wang Yan had ordered. It was just waiting for some warm water to be poured in before its aroma filled the air.

Wang Yan skillfully picked up the teapot, and then she was able to taste the flavor she liked.

But today was different from before; he only ordered her a cup of tea, while he himself had nothing in front of him.

"Why aren't you drinking?" Xie Yuyan asked.

Wang Yan looked at her, a strange emotion in his eyes: "I'm so thirsty from the long journey that I don't want to drink anymore."

Xie Yuyan raised an eyebrow slightly. What was the reason?
On the road... traveling...

Why not drink water on the way?

She didn't voice her confusion, but conveyed it to him with her eyes.

"I just saw Xu En."

Xie Yuyan immediately understood and couldn't help but smile. No wonder there was no water to drink on the way; it turned out there was no pottery bottle.