Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 312 Sweet
It's getting late, and Wang Yan should leave.

Footsteps came from the doorway, and then Mother Yu cleared her throat, clearly trying to pass a message to the people inside.

Before Xie Yuyan could speak, Wang Yan blew out the lamp, plunging the surroundings into darkness.

Yang Qin's voice rang out at this moment: "How are you, sister-in-law? Were you frightened?"

Mother Yu said softly, "No, my wife has already retired for the night."

"I just saw the lights on inside." Yang Qin pushed open the door and saw the light before quickly walking over.

Madam Yu looked behind her: "It's destroyed now." Sure enough, the more you do something, the more skilled you become. In terms of secretly meeting with the eldest daughter-in-law, Lord Wang is now a master.

Yang Qin was somewhat disappointed. He had thought he would be able to say a few words to his sister-in-law, but... it's good that she's alright.

Mother Yu said, "It's getting late, Jiulang, you should rest early, we have to travel early tomorrow morning."

Yang Qin responded, then reached up and touched his head. He didn't know why, but sometimes he felt that his sister-in-law was intentionally avoiding them.

house.

Xie Yuyan, having adjusted to the darkness, looked at Wang Yan beside her by the faint moonlight.

Although his face was not clearly visible, the contours of his cheeks were even clearer. Xie Yuyan's gaze swept over his forehead, nose, lips, and jaw. If this were a painting, the lines depicting his features would be just right, and anyone who saw it would find it impeccable.

Xie Yuyan was moved. She got up and walked to the table, where she found a brocade box and handed it to Wang Yan.

The box was opened, and inside were the nets she had woven.

"You did this?" His voice was much gentler than usual.

Xie Yuyan responded.

His eyes seemed to become clearer, and a smile silently crept onto his face. He shed his usual poise, calmness, and composure, and at this moment, Wang Yan was exceptionally genuine.

After a long while, he came to his senses: "Ayan, your cooking is really good."

"I haven't prepared anything, how can I repay you?"

Just as Xie Yuyan was about to shake her head, a soft look suddenly appeared in his eyes, and then she felt her waist tighten as she was pulled into a warm embrace.

He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Thank you, Ayan."

Xie Yuyan's ear felt as if it had been burned.

Xie Yuyan couldn't help but laugh; no one had ever expressed gratitude like that before.

Wang Yan needed a long time to express his "gratitude" to her.

It wasn't until Madam Yu outside couldn't help but clear her throat again to remind Wang Yan that her mistress needed to rest.

People might not feel anything if they're constantly cold, but once they find a warm place, they don't want to leave. Wang Yan pulled Xie Yuyan to a chair, made her sit down, and reached out to relight the oil lamp.

He only stepped out the door after seeing the lights in her room come back on.

Xie Yuyan held the cup; the warm water had just been poured by Wang Yan.

She must have gotten used to being with him; just now, she seemed less nervous and only felt distracted.

Xie Yuyan picked up the water and drank it. It was just ordinary warm water, but it had a hint of sweetness.

……

Upon receiving news that Wang Yan would be arriving in the capital today, the Emperor personally dispatched officials to receive him. Such favor was rare, but not surprising given Wang Yan's status. This wasn't solely due to his connection to Prime Minister Wang; Wang Yan was also a secret envoy sent by the Emperor to Daming Prefecture. Ultimately, Wang Yan did not disappoint the Emperor; the entire Daming Prefecture was thoroughly investigated, and Prefect Liu and other officials either committed suicide or were arrested. The Emperor used this major case to intimidate the court.

If the case were discovered by someone else, the emperor would lose face, since Liu Heng is a trusted minister.

Therefore, the emperor was naturally delighted and would certainly remember Wang Yan's great contribution.

Also present to greet him were members of the Wang clan, colleagues from the court, and those who were close to Wang Yan.

Wang Zheng got up early and changed three robes before choosing the blue one, preparing to go to the city gate with his clansmen.

Wang Bingcheng looked at his son and frowned: "What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and go!"

Wang Zheng pursed his lips and said, "Won't too many people go? It's not like it's a holiday..." His elder brother didn't like this kind of thing at all, especially since his sister-in-law was also going to the capital with him.

When the time comes, it will be inevitable to distinguish between primary and secondary matters. If the sister-in-law is neglected, the eldest brother will be even angrier.

Wang Bingchen, sitting in the main seat, looked at his nephew and seemed to see some clues on his face.

Upon being glanced at by his uncle, Wang Zheng immediately became obedient and respectfully bowed, saying, "Uncle, Father, I'll be on my way now."

Wang Bingchen nodded, and Wang Zheng walked out quickly. If he had children in the future, he would never intimidate people like that, and he would never bring up his elder brother to scare them. He would be a rare kind father.

After Wang Zheng had walked away, Wang Bingcheng looked at his elder brother and said, "We didn't get anything out of that brat after all. Could it be... that we're overthinking things?"

Wang Bingchen put down his cup: "No." Wang Zheng's words just now further confirmed his guess. Wang Zheng was always eager to greet Wang Yan, never so hesitant, as if afraid of doing something wrong. There must be something they didn't know.

“Since we’re already back in the capital,” Wang Bingchen said, “let’s just wait and see how things develop!”

……

When Wang Yan and his party arrived three miles outside Bianjing City, they saw a crowd of people who had come to meet them.

Having handed over the criminals to the Ministry of Justice, Wang Yan considered his official duties temporarily complete. Colleagues and members of the Wang clan immediately came forward to exchange pleasantries. Wang Yan saw Wang Zheng, his steward, and the smiling members of the Wang clan.

He turned his head to look behind him.

The Yang family's carriages that were originally following behind had disappeared, clearly having been sent away.

There is a distinction between officials and merchants; status and position are what officials and aristocratic families care about most.

Wang Yan frowned.

Fortunately, he had made arrangements in advance; otherwise, he probably wouldn't have been able to maintain that businesslike expression on his face right now.

He Tan, who was beside him, said in a low voice, "Things will be fine once we get to the capital. I'll find a way to get you out of here tonight so you can go and look for people." He was really kind-hearted. He didn't even look at Wang Hechun's uneasy expression before offering to help.

Wang Yan did not respond, because the two of them were already surrounded, and Wang Yan had to dismount to deal with the crowd.

Not far away, the Yang family's carriage was stopped by a group of soldiers.

"Stop, everyone! What are you all doing, crowding forward?"

"Didn't you see those carriages and horses in front of you?"

The Yang family's coachmen had been informed in advance that they could only continue their journey after Lord Wang entered the city, so they were not in a hurry and simply stood there quietly waiting.

Compared to the bustling scene ahead, their place was calm and undisturbed, seemingly no different from the ordinary people waiting to go to the city.

However, the peace lasted only a moment before a commotion erupted. Two men suddenly started arguing and began to approach, bickering as they drew closer.

The men grew increasingly agitated as they cursed. Suddenly, one of them reached out and shoved another man, who, seemingly caught off guard, stumbled a few steps and fell straight forward, crashing into Xie Yuyan's carriage.