Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 308 is not a good omen.

Xie Chengxin reached out and patted his second brother on the shoulder.

If it weren't for his second brother's help, he, the eldest son, would probably have had an even harder time at home. And who knows what the situation would be like when the third son grows up in a few years? So he could only ask his second brother for help.

“I told Father that when the border market opens this year, we’ll do everything we can to get you a good horse from the Northwest. Then we brothers will go hunting and show those people what we’re capable of.”

Xie Chengrang smiled and nodded, "Thank you, elder brother."

As the two were talking, they saw Xie Wenjing come out of the house, wearing a silver fox fur cloak, standing there gracefully. Seeing her two brothers, she walked over and bowed.

Xie Chengxin asked with a smile, "What are you going to do, Second Sister?"

Xie Wenjing lowered her head slightly, her expression appearing quite calm: "I'll accompany my mother out for a while."

Xie Chengxin nodded, letting Xie Wenjing leave with her people. Once she was out of sight, Xie Chengxin said, "Life is all about fate. If she hadn't saved Prince Huai, do you think Father would have allowed her to return to the capital?"

Xie Chengrang remained silent.

Xie Chengxin stared at his younger brother: "You don't really think she's our mother's biological daughter, do you?"

Xie Chengrang was momentarily surprised: "Why not?"

“I don’t know about other things,” Xie Chengxin said, “but given my mother’s personality, she would never have left her own flesh and blood in the countryside for so many years.”

Besides, the relationship between my mother and grandmother was just so-so, so it was impossible for her to be so filial.

Xie Chengrang's expression also became serious: "Then she..."

Xie Chengxin said, "She was probably born to my father's mistress. My mother wouldn't allow her to enter the house, so my father simply sent her to keep my grandmother company. If it weren't for the insistence of the Prince of Huai, he would have just married her off to someone else or sent her to a nunnery."

“It’s not possible now. No matter what, Mother has no choice but to accept her as her own. She can’t be mistreated at home or outside, and she has to take her to banquets all over the place.”

At this point, Xie Chengxin's face showed a hint of disgust: "In this family, nothing else matters, only whether you are useful or not."

As the eldest son, he was poorly educated and unsuccessful in both academics and martial arts. He was often scolded for this, and he could never forget the disappointed looks in his father's and mother's eyes.

After the birth of his third brother, it became even more obvious. Because of his intelligence, his mother always talked about him. If it weren't for the custom of the dynasty that the eldest son of the legitimate wife would inherit the family business, he would have been sent away from home long ago to make way for his third brother.

“When I take over the Xie family in the future,” Xie Chengxin said, “I promise you that I will definitely register you under my mother’s name, so that all your descendants will have the status of legitimate children.”

Xie Chengrang's eyes flickered with gratitude. He bowed to Xie Chengxin and said, "Thank you, elder brother."

The two brothers walked excitedly into the courtyard, but after only a few steps, they were stopped by the steward who had caught up from behind: "Master is back. Please come to the study to talk, gentlemen."

Xie Chengrang and Xie Chengxin looked at each other, clearly indicating that something had happened.

Xie Shumi changed out of his official robes and quickly went to his study. When he saw his two sons waiting there, the tense expression on his face eased a little.

Xie Chengxin sat steadily, while Xie Chengrang placed a cup of tea in front of Xie Shumi.

Xie Shumi moistened his lips before saying, "The old eunuch and the eunuchs we sent out have brought back the porcelain that replaced the porcelain from Daming Prefecture."

This matter was normally difficult for Xie and his son to discuss, but since it became involved with the case in Daming Prefecture, Xie Shumi has paid special attention to it. This time, he even specially submitted a memorial requesting that the eunuch accompany Xing Lao on his journey.

But the result was not as expected.

Seeing his father's darkening face, Xie Chengrang vaguely guessed the outcome. He averted his gaze to avoid provoking his father, but Xie Chengxin didn't share this thought. Xie Chengxin said, "Old Han Xing should know his limits. He couldn't have brought back porcelain from a small kiln, could he?"

Xie Shumi glanced at his eldest son, then suddenly felt too lazy to speak. He had already made it very clear that even if the third son were here, he wouldn't ask such a question.

“From the Luzhou kiln,” Xie Shumi said coldly.

Xie Chengxin had never heard of this kiln, but he noticed his father's strange attitude, so he looked to Xie Chengrang for help.

Xie Chengrang pursed his lips: "Is it the Xie family's kiln?"

Xie Shumi nodded.

"She opened a kiln in Luozhou...it must be a large kiln."

Upon hearing this, Xie Shumi immediately perked up: "How do you know?"

Xie Chengrang said, "Being able to abandon the kilns in Daming Prefecture and go to Lanzhou instead, and even have Han Xinglao bring back the porcelain, must mean he has extraordinary abilities."

"That woman was also a clever one. Knowing that Daming Prefecture was under everyone's nose, she deliberately chose another place to rebuild the kiln. Judging from the name of the place, Lanzhou is rich in minerals. They must have discovered a porcelain stone mine there. Since it is next to a porcelain stone mine, the kiln must be quite large."

Xie Shumi revealed a look of relief: "The news that came back is similar to what you said, except that this time she has produced Buddhist porcelain again, and many people have seen the Buddha's light. At present, the kilns near Daming Prefecture are all following her lead."

Xie Chengrang said, "So the result is already very difficult to change."

After a moment's thought, Xie Shumi said, "Perhaps we can find the problem elsewhere and take down the Luzhou kiln, but I'm afraid she has other plans."

“There must be,” Xie Chengrang said, “but we don’t know how many pieces she has.”

Xie Chengxin finally found an opportunity to interject: "How did such a person suddenly appear? Is there really no one behind her? If it is found out who she is related to, Father can write a memorial to impeach her."

Seeing that Xie Shumi did not react, Xie Chengrang continued, "Why don't we have someone thoroughly investigate the Wang and He families? This woman might have been arranged by these two families."

Why would they specifically choose such a woman and send her to Daming Prefecture, only to have her end up in the hands of kidnappers? And then arrange a ghost marriage for her? Xie Shumi felt that his eldest son was beyond redemption.

The woman's identity needs to be investigated, but it won't be as simple as Xie Chengxin said.

Xie Chengrang said, "Now that news of Elder Han Xing has reached the capital, that woman should be arriving soon. I will send more people to gather information, and report back to the manor immediately if we find anything amiss."

Xie Shumi nodded, indicating that the arrangement should be made in the same way as Xie Chengrang.

Xie Chengxin frowned. His father was deliberately suppressing him again. What was the difference between what he said and what his second son said? Didn't they both start the investigation from that woman?

Seeing Xie Chengxin's dismissive expression, Xie Shumi said in a deep voice, "Don't provoke the Wang family or the He family. Just stay in your residence and don't act on your own."

Despite his reluctance, Xie Chengxin replied, "Your son understands."

He waved for his two sons to leave, and then Xie Shumi picked up his pen to write a memorial. Unexpectedly, a drop of ink fell onto the snow-white paper without his notice.

Xie Shumi frowned, his heart skipped a beat; this was not a good omen.

I won't be able to update the second chapter tonight because I have a fever again.

I had a fever about two weeks ago, which got better after taking antiviral medication. This time, I suddenly had a fever again and have been lying at home for almost two days without getting better. Now I'm planning to go to the emergency room to get checked out.

Please take good care of your health, everyone. Health is the most important thing. Eat well, don't stay up late, love you all!