Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 305 Tips
As Xie Chengrang listened to Wang Zheng speak, he habitually scanned the entire room and saw only a worker fiddling with a clay stove on the floor.

A moment later, two more people entered carrying tea and snacks, followed by a tea server.

Wang Zheng often comes here, and the tea master knows his habits. Although Xie Chengrang came twice today, he didn't ask any questions. As for the extra "waiter" in the room, he pretended not to see him.

Wang Zheng felt relieved when he realized that no one was paying attention to Yang Xiaoshan.

The people under my sister-in-law's command are indeed very capable.

Bringing his thoughts back, he answered Xia Ziqiao's question: "The family hasn't said when my elder brother will return to the capital. I'm not going out because I missed too much schoolwork when I went out before, which has nothing to do with my elder brother going to Daming Prefecture."

Xia Ziqiao naturally didn't believe it, but Wang Zheng always kept his mouth shut whenever Wang Yan was mentioned.

Xia Ziqiao said, "When they come back, some case files will definitely be sent to the Ministry of Justice, and then it will be my father's turn to be busy."

Wang Zheng nodded: "Isn't there also the Dali Temple?"

“That’s true,” Xia Ziqiao said, “but since many officials are involved, most of them still need to be reviewed by the Ministry of Justice.”

Wang Zheng looked bewildered, as if he didn't understand the intricacies of the situation.

This made it impossible for Xia Ziqiao to continue the conversation.

Xie Chengrang, who was standing next to him, took a sip of tea and looked at Wang Zheng: "Wang Erlang, when you went to Daming Prefecture, did you see them selling Buddhist charcoal and clay stoves? You are familiar with Tong Zixu, so you should have seen their tabloids, right?"

Wang Zheng may not understand matters of the imperial court, but since he knows Tong Zixu, he can no longer shirk his responsibility to deal with tabloid matters.

“I’ve read the tabloids,” Wang Zheng said. “They’re all about recent events and cases in Daming Prefecture. I’ve also seen the Buddhist Charcoal… a lot of people in Daming Prefecture use it.”

Xie Chengrang continued, "I heard that the person selling Buddhist charcoal and clay stoves is a woman?"

Before Wang Zheng could speak, Xia Ziqiao interjected, "They are, after all, a merchant family. They don't know any manners. They actually let a woman show her face in public, and... she's a widow."

“A woman from a good family would never do such a thing. Even if she didn’t care about herself, she would tarnish the reputation of the women in the clan.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Zheng immediately frowned: "Ziqiao, you are mistaken. Madam Xie was entrusted by the eminent monks of Baode Temple to make Buddhist charcoal and sell it to the people. A pound of Buddhist charcoal only sells for a few coins, and it has saved countless lives over the winter. How could doing such a good deed damage her reputation?"

Xie Chengrang's eyes flickered slightly. It seemed that Madam Xie was very good at winning people's hearts and could get Wang Zheng to defend her.

"Why are you in such a hurry, Erlang?" Xia Ziqiao said. "I was just saying it casually."

A casual remark has ruined someone's reputation. Wang Zheng barely managed to suppress his anger, realizing that his volatile emotions would cause trouble for his sister-in-law.

“Wulang,” Xie Chengrang looked at Xia Ziqiao, “that merchant is indeed formidable. I heard she opened a new kiln, and the porcelain she produces this time may be sold at the border market.”

Xia Ziqiao, however, was unimpressed, a look of disdain flashing across his face.

Goods that can be sold at the border markets are all backed by powerful families, officials, or wealthy gentry. How can someone just appear out of nowhere and try to steal the spoils? If it were that easy, the imperial court wouldn't have sent Xing Lao down to select porcelain.

Wang Zheng ignored Xia Ziqiao and instead asked Xie Chengrang, "Has the porcelain expert returned to Beijing?"

Xie Chengrang shook his head: "It seems not yet, but it looks like it will be soon. In another half month, the envoys from the vassal state will arrive in Bianjing."

The envoys needed to determine what goods the two countries would trade at the border market, and then write it down in a booklet to take back to their respective vassal states.

Wang Zheng nodded subconsciously.

Xie Chengrang suddenly found it very interesting. Judging from Wang Zheng's expression, he must have seen Madam Xie in Daming Prefecture and approved of her actions. It wasn't surprising that Wang Zheng had dealings with Madam Xie, who printed tabloids. If Wang Zheng deliberately concealed it, it would only prove that the Wang family and Madam Xie had an extraordinary relationship.

So, Madam Xie wasn't a pawn arranged by the Wang family.

That person is even more amazing.

Single-handedly, in just a few months, taking advantage of the imperial court's rectification of Daming Prefecture, he replaced the Xie family of Daming Prefecture. Just who was this person?
It was already somewhat strange that the eunuchs and senior officials dispatched by the imperial court had not yet returned to Bianjing. Perhaps soon, surprising news would reach the capital.

Perhaps Lady Xie's porcelain will indeed be able to enter the capital.

Xie Chengrang wasn't as simplistic as Xia Ziqiao. The prefect of Daming Prefecture, Liu Heng, had committed suicide, and officials of Daming Prefecture had been arrested. Even a small merchant could get involved in such a major event; surely sending porcelain to the capital wouldn't be much easier?
After drinking a few more cups of tea, Xia Ziqiao, feeling rather bored, stood up and said goodbye to Wang Zheng: "When your older brother comes back, I'll host a banquet at home."

Wang Zheng said, "If there is nothing at home, I will definitely go."

Wang Yan was not mentioned.

Xia Ziqiao frowned, stood up to say goodbye to Wang Zheng, and followed Xie Chengrang as they mounted their horses and left the teahouse.

Once they were out of sight, Xia Ziqiao said, "The Wang family's sons are arrogant and don't give anyone any face. It's fortunate that my mother has a better opinion of them..." He almost blurted out the rest of his sentence.

The family was looking for a husband for their younger sister, and the Xie and Wang families were among the candidates their mother was considering.

Xie Chengrang's elder brother, Xie Chengxin, was the eldest son. He had visited the Xia family several times and was considered a decent person, but unfortunately, his reputation was not as good as Wang Yan's. If one had to choose between Wang Yan and Xie Chengxin, Wang Yan would naturally be the better choice.

Unfortunately, he was unable to invite Wang Yan several times.

Now, an invitation is sent to Wang Zheng, asking him to bring Wang Yan along, but Wang Zheng refuses to fall for it.

Xie Chengrang seemed not to understand Xia Ziqiao's meaning, and simply comforted her, "The Wang family has strict rules, so they probably dare not agree to it casually."

“I used to think so too, but now…” Xia Ziqiao shook her head, “Didn’t you hear? Wang Zheng actually argued with me for a widow.”

"I don't believe it if you say they don't know each other."

Xie Chengrang nodded in agreement.

Xia Ziqiao's eyes lit up immediately, and he said, "You think so too?"

Xie Chengrang said, "However, we don't know the truth. It's best for Wulang to keep these things to himself in private and not to say them out loud, lest they become a handle against him."

Xia Ziqiao nodded. This was what he liked about Xie Chengrang; Xie Chengrang was clever and always able to remind him at crucial moments. Since meeting Xie Chengrang, he had said the right thing several times in front of his father, which made his father very satisfied with him.

If only someone like that could be his brother-in-law, it would be wonderful. Unfortunately, Xie Chengrang is just an illegitimate son of the Xie family, and he is really not a good match for his younger sister's status.

Xia Ziqiao snorted coldly: "The Wang family's sons always act so aloof. If they really have an affair with a widow, I wonder if Minister Wang will still have the face to face the court."

He needs to tell his mother about this when he gets back, so that she won't have any thoughts about marrying into the Wang family.

Just then, Xie Chengrang said, "After you get home, Wulang, remember to tell your father what happened at the teahouse."

Xia Ziqiao didn't understand: "Why is that?"

Ah, my birthday is in a few minutes!

Hehe, I might go to bed early tonight and not stay up late. Birthday privilege, get some rest early.