Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 307 Giving Gifts
When Xia Ziqiao heard her mother speak, she subconsciously glanced at her younger sister, who stopped sewing.

Xia Ziqiao's heart stirred, and he said, "The eldest son of the Xie family is far inferior to the second son; he didn't even come to the house today."

This did indeed displease the Li family.

Although the Xie family and the Xia family haven't officially broken off their relationship yet, Xie Shumi's wife, Zhou, has visited their home several times, clearly indicating that she's interested in his second wife.

Since we've already set out to do this, we should try to get Xie Chengxin to visit us as often as possible.

Many gifts were sent, but why didn't the person attend? Was Xie Chengxin unwilling?

“And the Wang family,” Xia Ziqiao said, “Mother should just give up on them. Both Wang Yan and Wang Zheng are arrogant and haughty.”

Xia Ziqiao repeated what Wang Zheng had said.

"They treat us like we're nothing. It's not like our Xia family's daughters can't get married. Why should we put up with their attitude?"

Madam Li nodded, agreeing with the point. She was also giving it a try; many people had previously tried to find a spouse for Wang Yan, but none had worked out, and even the Empress Dowager's attempt to act as matchmaker had been rejected by Wang Yan.

That's how people are; they always feel that their family is different. When others encounter setbacks, they think that if they succeed, they will be the first to be envied by others.

Besides, the Wang family of Taiyuan is already prosperous, so it would be best to form a marriage alliance with them.

But since her son said so, Li had no choice but to give up.

"It was just a test anyway, so if it doesn't work out, then so be it."

Li then brought up the porcelain trade: "I hadn't thought of what you mentioned before. I'll ask the Ge family in a bit, and it turns out that's the case. So I'll make some preparations."

She paused here, then said, "But you should ask your father about that tabloid."

Xia Ziqiao replied, "Mother, don't worry. Erlang reminded me, so I won't do anything reckless."

Madam Li waved her hand: "Get along well with Xie Erlang. He has such good judgment, so I'm sure Xie Shumi treats him well, raising him like a legitimate son. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to handle everything."

Xia Ziqiao nodded: "Erlang is very capable. He is good at studying and has excellent martial arts skills. His archery skills, which can hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces, are difficult for ordinary people to match. The reason why Xie Shumi likes him is because Erlang saved his father's life on the battlefield."

Li raised her eyebrows: "Such a thing is true?"

Xia Ziqiao said, "Erlang has a very long scar on his arm, which was left when he saved Xie Shumi. My son saw it with his own eyes, how could it be false? Last year, when Xie Shumi went to the Northwest, he also took Erlang with him."

Why not bring the eldest son? Besides the fear of danger on the battlefield, which necessitated leaving the eldest son at home, there was also the fact that bringing the eldest son, Xie Chengxin, would be of no use.

Xie Chengrang, the illegitimate son, was able to help Xie Shumi.

It's true that there's a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, but in some matters, you can't force it, especially when it comes to leading troops into battle. If a son can help, why not use him?
Li said, "It seems that even if the Xie family business cannot be passed on to Xie Erlang in the future, Xie Erlang will still have a place to stand."

Xia Ziqiao felt indignant on Xie Chengrang's behalf: "He saved Xie Shumi's life, yet he wasn't recognized as a legitimate son by his wife. Xie Shumi is far too heartless."

Li's face darkened: "Is this something you can say?"

Xia Ziqiao had no choice but to shut up. When the servants reported that Minister Xia had left the office, Xia Ziqiao immediately got up and went out to greet him.

Xia Erniangzi also packed her things and returned to her room.

As they emerged from Li's room, Xia Erniangzi's maidservant followed them. The two entered the inner room together, closed the door, and the maidservant handed over a delicate box.

Although she didn't say anything, Xia Erniangzi already knew who had sent it.

It was easy to figure out who else had come today besides her own family. After the maid left, Madam Xia opened the box, inside was a smooth and round northern pearl. Madam Xia examined it for a long time, quite pleased with it.

He's just an illegitimate son, where would he get the money to buy this?

Xia Erniangzi closed the box. Although she had come to give her brother a birthday gift, she secretly harbored such thoughts. If she gave this Northern Pearl to her father and let him take it to the Xie family, Xie Chengrang's life would be over.

The situation he risked his life to achieve has all come to naught.

Xia Erniangzi felt as if she held people's lives in her hands. Almost unconsciously, she didn't take the box out, but instead hid it in a secret compartment by the bedside.

Just wait and see. Don't underestimate him just because he's an illegitimate son now. He might actually have a chance to persuade his family to let him take over the family business in place of his legitimate brother.

……

After parting ways with Xia Ziqiao, Xie Chengrang did not return directly to the Xie residence, but instead went to a secluded courtyard.

As soon as he entered the gate, the servants in the courtyard immediately crowded around him.

Xie Chengrang took a sip of hot tea, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Go to Jiangnan and tell the cloth merchants to prepare some inexpensive cloth that is sturdy and durable."

He told the Xia family about the porcelain because he didn't have any porcelain business. Besides, porcelain was too conspicuous, and he was doing all his business behind the Xie family's back. If he were discovered, it would be a huge loss.

Besides, it's not like you can only sell porcelain. The same principle applies to cloth. While others are fighting tooth and nail in front of you, he can quietly make a fortune.

Based on the information he had gathered, Madam Xie of Daming Prefecture was not someone to be trifled with, so he wouldn't be foolish enough to step in himself. His warning to everyone to be careful of this woman was a way of leading others to resolve the problem.

Xie Chengrang wrote several letters and had his servants take them south. When the time was almost right, he returned to the Xie residence, where he encountered a dejected Xie Chengxin.

"Brother," Xie Chengrang said in a low voice, "What's wrong? Haven't you found them?"

Xie Chengxin shook his head: "No."

Last autumn, the two brothers went hunting in the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a horse-drawn carriage surrounded by wolves, and the two brothers decisively stepped in to rescue it.

Xie Chengxin saw the woman in the carriage.

The woman's beauty was unlike anything Xie Chengxin had ever seen in his life. Unfortunately, in order to get the woman's carriage away first, the two groups separated.

Since then, Xie Chengxin has been depressed and desperately wanted to find that person.

"It's really strange, how could they just disappear? We clearly saw the carriage heading towards Bianjing City."

“I did see her at the temple a month ago, but in the blink of an eye, she… disappeared.”

Xie Chengxin didn't go to the Xia family to deliver birthday gifts because he was looking for someone.

"How's the Xia family doing?" Xie Chengxin asked. "Did they say anything?"

Xie Chengrang shook his head: "The Xia family also said that our gift list was too generous. My elder brother is always with Father handling official business, so it is normal for him to be unable to get away once or twice."

Xie Chengxin nodded: "That makes sense."

He was actually hesitant about whether to agree to the marriage, if he could find that woman...

Xie Chengxin could only sigh. He hadn't even seen a shadow of her, nor did he know where she was from. There was no point in saying anything now.