Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 337 Too late

Xie Yuyan opened another box, which was full of utensils.

The room was fully equipped with everything one might need for a trip, including a teapot, a cup holder, an incense burner, a hand warmer, a chair cushion, and a footrest.

In addition to these boxes, there was even a small screen.

Xie Yuyan pointed to several incense burners: "These incense burners are all used for different purposes. Some are used to perfume clothes, some are used to perfume rooms, and some are placed on tables. Don't you know how to use them?"

Mrs. Yu shook her head, but she immediately said, "But if you look closely, you should be able to tell."

"To learn how to make incense seals, you need to use molds as well. Practice more these next few days."

Mother Yu responded again.

Xie Yuyan said, "We didn't bring many people this time, so we have to rely on you alone. There can't be any mistakes."

Mother Yu knew that the eldest daughter-in-law's entrustment of all these things to her was a sign of her trust.

"Madam," said Madam Yu, "what are we doing?"

Before Xie Yuyan could tell Mother Yu the news that Yang Xiaoshan and the others had found out, she said, "Go to the estate to watch the wrestling match in two days."

"It's a privately run establishment."

As for how to get the invitation... it might take her some effort, but it wouldn't be difficult for Wang Yan.

Xie Yuyan suddenly realized that using Wang Yan's influence had made her much more free. She looked again at the box containing the tube tops; how could a man who was not yet married have acquired such things?
……

In a small courtyard in the capital, Wu Amei, a famous embroiderer from the Great Liang Dynasty, was having her two sisters-in-law massage her back. She hadn't slept for two days and two nights, and felt her eyes were about to go blind. One day, a group of people suddenly arrived, bringing her a large amount of gold and silver, and told her to do nothing but sew clothes for them.

This deal was very profitable, but it also had many requirements. The clothes had to be sewn well and the matter couldn't be publicized, otherwise she would lose a large sum of money.

Looking at the money, Wu A-mei agreed, then kept her mouth shut and buried herself in her work. Fortunately, she was skilled, and she had several other embroiderers helping her; otherwise, how could she have delivered on time?

"Tell me, who were those dresses made for?"

Wu Amei's expression changed, and she immediately reached out to silence her sister-in-law: "Is there any need to say more? It's naturally the women in the family."

The sister-in-law lowered her voice even further: "Why do the women of high-ranking and wealthy families use ordinary fabrics to make their dresses?"

Wu Amei thought about it carefully: "That means... she doesn't want people to know her identity. Wealthy families have many rules, and women can't move around freely, but they can go out quietly."

This was the result of Wu Amei's long-term thinking. However, thinking about those expressionless, dark-faced people... she felt that there were other secrets. She often visited the mansions of high-ranking officials and nobles, and perhaps one day she would find out the truth.

……

Two days later, the brothers Guo Xiong and Guo Chuan rowed their boat to find Zhao Kun. Seeing the smile on his younger brother's face, Guo Xiong sighed inwardly. Just then, Guo Chuan turned around, and the two brothers' eyes met. Guo Chuan immediately whispered, "Thank you, elder brother."

Perhaps in Guo Chuan's view, the biggest problem was his older brother. Now that his brother had finally agreed, he could finally save Feng Erniang.

Guo Xiong looked at Zhao Kun standing on the shore. His wife said that she would tell his second brother the truth at the right time, but he thought it was not the right time yet and that they should wait.

The ship slowly docked, and Zhao Kun stepped forward to greet them, saying, "You've finally arrived. Without further ado, let's get to the cargo."

Guo Xiong and Guo Chuan nodded and led their boatmen through a path to the carriage parked there.

Zhao Kun pointed and said, "That's all."

Guo Chuan nodded. Although he was anxious to save lives, he did not forget to be careful and cautious: "Inspect the goods first, then we will move them."

Zhao Kun laughed and said, "Would I lie to you?" Guo Chuan smiled obsequiously and said, "It's the rule. We need to check it beforehand to avoid any disputes."

Zhao Kun had no choice but to agree, and watched as the Guo brothers, Guo Xiong and Guo Chuan, opened the boxes of goods one by one, and resealed them after confirming that there were no problems.

Zhao Kun said, "I've already found the people. They'll come to pick us up after we get a short wait on the shore. Once the goods enter the city, the price will increase by at least 10% to 20%."

Zhao Kun was overjoyed. Others thought it was because he had sold the spices for a good price, but in reality, it was because the Guo brothers had finally fallen completely into the trap.

"Move them," Guo Xiong ordered, and the boatmen immediately went to move the boxes.

As Zhao Kun watched the boxes of spices being carried into the cabin, his smile grew ever wider.

Zhao Kun said, "Then I'll go into the city and wait for your news." To be on the safe side, he wouldn't go into the city with the goods, which had been the rule for a long time. Now that Zhao Kun was leaving, the Guo brothers wouldn't suspect anything.

Sure enough, Guo Xiong nodded and said, "We'll meet inside the city."

As Zhao Kun left, Guo Xiong and Guo Chuan prepared to board the ship. Just as Guo Chuan was about to board another ship, Guo Xiong grabbed his younger brother and said, "Stay with me, I have something to say to you."

Guo Chuan was about to ask his elder brother what he was going to say when he heard Guo Xiong instruct the boatmen, "No matter what happens, don't panic. Just follow my orders."

The boatmen responded enthusiastically.

The boats began to sail down the river towards Bianjing (Kaifeng).

Guo Xiong looked at the river in the distance, seemingly forgetting to talk to his younger brother. Guo Chuan was even more nervous than Guo Xiong, constantly looking around. Finding no government boats on the river, he took a deep breath and exhaled.

“Brother,” Guo Chuan said, “after this, I will listen to you.” He knew he had gone too far recently and would apologize to his brother whenever he had the chance.

Guo Xiong did not agree, but instead said, "You can remember this for the rest of your life, there's no need to tell me these things over and over again."

Guo Chuan pursed his lips.

Guo Xiong looked at Guo Chuan: "You keep telling me that you feel from the bottom of your heart that this shouldn't be the case, right? You want my consent not because you respect me as your elder brother, but because you trust me a bit more, since I usually do what I promise."

Guo Chuan's expression changed.

Guo Xiong said, "But have you ever thought about it? Your repeated coercion has made it impossible for me to think things through as usual. By bringing up our status as brothers, I can no longer be your elder brother, and I can no longer support the entire Guo family as before, carefully making plans for the whole family."

"Instead, it puts us and the boatmen who are with us in danger."

“Guo Chuan,” Guo Xiong’s voice was low and stern, “I want you to remember this day. If something like this happens again, neither of us will have a good end.”

Guo Chuan looked surprised and fearful. His elder brother's voice was stern, and what was most frightening was the unsettling emotion it conveyed, as if something bad was about to happen.

"Did you remember?" Guo Xiong demanded.

Guo Chuan subconsciously replied, "I'll remember."

“Swear an oath,” Guo Xiong continued.

"I," Guo Chuanzheng didn't know how to speak. His mind was a mess, and the words stuck in his throat. "I..."

Guo Xiong sighed deeply: "It's too late."

Guo Chuan followed Guo Xiong's gaze and saw several large ships approaching. Officials in green robes stood at the bow of the ships, with unfriendly-looking constables standing beside them.

Guo Chuan instinctively wanted to order his men to turn around and run away, but Guo Xiong grabbed his arm: "It's too late."