Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 335 Preparation
The reason why the same embroiderer cannot be used is to prevent Madam Lin from finding out the truth.

Therefore, this matter must be carried out discreetly.

Sang Dian immediately became excited. He had heard that some young masters had been meeting famous courtesans at night, and his guards had been secretly covering for their masters.

There are also those who, after being engaged, secretly go to see their wives.

They had never done such work before, and outwardly he would scoff at it. Deep down, he despised those people, knowing his husband was an upright and honorable man.

However... now that this matter has fallen on him, he doesn't feel it's so bad.

Sang Dian was eager to try.

Wang Yan looked carefully. Some things could be taken from his room, while others he had to procure himself.

He was never particular about what he used; he used whatever was provided in the mansion.

But it's different now.

He just wanted to buy her the best things.

Lord Wang felt like he was carrying a pot of burning coals in his heart, but upon closer examination, he realized he had poured cold water on his conscience. He knew far too little. If only he had known this day would come, he should have been more careful in the past.

Sang Dian went out to inquire about the news, and Sang Zhi took the opportunity to bring in hot tea. Then he saw his husband setting out all the incense burners in the room and inspecting them one by one.

Sangzhi had no idea what was so strange about this incense burner. Could it be... that the young master's affairs involved these things?
Soon, Sangzhi noticed that her husband's brows were furrowed.

"Are there any better incense burners in the house?"

Sang Zhi was taken aback, then replied, "These were all carefully selected by Madam." In the past, the young master would not even glance at them. What's wrong with him today?
Wang Yan said, "Isn't the style too ordinary?"

This really stumped Sangzhi. He had a feeling that his recent tasks might be difficult, and more importantly, they didn't know where the source was.
Later that evening, Madam Lin, worried about her son, brought some cheese to check on him. Seeing the lights on in the house, Madam Lin couldn't help but sigh. Both father and son were so busy. The master's family received many visitors every day, and even now, there were still people waiting at the gatehouse. Even the carriage rental people from Bianjing knew to come to their mansion to wait for work.

That's fine, since the master is used to it anyway. But Yan-ge'er just came back from Daming Prefecture, can't he be allowed to rest for a while?
A servant knocked on the door, and Madam Lin lifted the curtain and entered the room, where she saw her son sitting at his desk.

"I heard you don't eat much tonight," Mrs. Lin complained. "You should take care of your health."

Wang Yan responded and led Madam Lin to sit down to the side.

Madam Lin intended to say a few words and leave, but she was surprised to find that her son was unusually clingy to her today. He even asked her what kind of incense she was burning and noticed the pearls on her embroidered shoes.

This unfamiliar feeling made Madam Lin unsure why Yan Ge'er was suddenly concerned about the women's clothing.

Madam Lin came out of Wang Yan's courtyard and stopped halfway, asking Li Mama beside her, "Did Yan-ge'er laugh just now?"

Madam Li immediately replied, "Yes, she smiled. I saw it clearly."

“He hasn’t listened to me about family matters in a long time,” Mrs. Lin said. “He wasn’t like this before.”

Li's mother replied, "My son was very considerate when he was little."

Thinking of this, Madam Lin felt a surge of resentment: "Ever since Yan-ge started his studies, he has been bound by the Wang family, and the master has imposed many restrictions on him, always telling him about things that happen in the court..."

“If he wants to do those things, he can do them. Why does he have to drag my son into it?” “All he does all day is talk about the new policies. He argues with his fellow villagers and classmates until they are red in the face. People who used to be close to him are now estranged from him. I used to be very close to my wives, but now we can’t even see each other.”

"Yan Ge'er is so young, yet we've burdened him with everything. Anyone would find it unbearable. Every time I think about it, I regret it. If I had known, I wouldn't have let Yan Ge'er start his education so early. He could have had a few more years of peace and quiet."

"It's better when I'm here, but when I'm gone, he won't even have anyone to talk to."

Madam Li hurriedly advised, "Madam, please take good care of your health. When you are a hundred years old, your husband will be eighty. Wouldn't you be able to protect him for the rest of his life?"

Madam Lin waved her hand.

"Moreover," Madam Li continued, "the young master is doing well now, so perhaps he has found a woman he likes. Maybe one day he will tell you and ask you to propose marriage."

Li's mother had said such things before, but today, when she heard them from Mrs. Lin, they sounded different. She recalled the way her son had looked at her clothes so carefully... Perhaps it really was true?

……

Zhao Kun has been very anxious these past two days. He thought that Guo Xiong and Guo Chuan had been tricked and that all he had to do was wait for the two brothers to come and collect the spices, and then his job would be done.

To be on the safe side, he will leave Bianjing for a while and return to do business once the situation calms down.

Although he missed out on making money, the four families compensated him.

He could get a large sum of money without having to work hard, so why wouldn't he do it?
Once the case is settled, when he returns to Bianjing, he will have powerful backers on the Bian River. In short, the time to make money will come later.

The plan was good, but things went wrong again, and the two brothers started arguing. One wanted to ship the goods in several trips, while the other wanted to ship them all at once.

Zhao Kun naturally wanted them to choose the latter. The more goods they smuggled, the more serious their crime, and the more conclusive the evidence would be. No one could overturn their case.

“I can only wait two more days,” Zhao Kun said. “The rented courtyard is due soon, and I have no money left, so I can only sell the spices to merchants in the city.”

Guo Xiong nodded and turned to leave, but Guo Chuan said, "We will definitely come to pick up the goods in two days."

Zhao Kun naturally hoped that no further complications would arise.

In fact, Guo Chuan didn't understand why his older brother had agreed and then gone back on his word. Was he deliberately dragging things out like this?
After leaving Zhao Kun's place, Guo Chuan chased after him. Before he could even ask any questions, Guo Xiong interrupted him, saying, "Give me two more days to think it over and gather some information. This time, I'm not lying to you. Just two days. If I change my mind again, you can take the boat and leave."

Guo Xiong did not tell Guo Chuan the truth. His younger brother was now being deceived, and Guo Chuan could not completely believe what he said.

He couldn't take the risk, because it might implicate that woman. Guo Xiong didn't know much about her yet, but he knew that after this incident, he would learn more.

Guo Chuan stared at Guo Xiong, the trust between brothers prevailing, and he replied, "If you go back on your word again, I will really do it myself."

Guo Xiong said, "I will definitely not stop you when the time comes."

Two more days should be enough.

After calming Guo Chuan down, Guo Xiong went to see Madam Guo to inform her of what had happened.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Yang Xiaoshan moving several boxes and cages. Guo Xiong waited for a while before Yang Xiaoshan led him into the house.

Xie Yuyan looked at Guo Xiong: "I've found out the news. I should be able to see Feng Erniang in two days."