Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 372 Satisfaction
Looking at Xie Yuyan's expression, Mother Yu wondered what had just happened, but she had a feeling that the group of people on horseback were definitely not ordinary.

She felt something was "unusual," not because of the people's identities, but because of the old lady's attitude towards them.

“Madam,” said Madam Yu, “do you recognize those people?”

Xie Yuyan said, "Those are Xie Yizhi, the Privy Councilor of the Great Liang, and his illegitimate son Xie Chengrang. The rest are probably people from the Ministry of War and the Imperial Guard."

"These people must be inspecting the city's defenses, since the envoys from the vassal states are about to arrive in Bianjing."

The two simple sentences seemed unremarkable, but Yu's mother's expression grew increasingly solemn.

The eldest daughter-in-law could address the Privy Councilor by his official title, yet she clearly stated the person's title and name. Not only that, she recognized the Privy Councilor's illegitimate son at a glance...

Madam Yu thought of Madam Xie's identity. Could it be that Madam Xie remembered something from the past and thus became acquainted with the Xie family?

The eldest daughter-in-law was married off to the Yang family by the Xie family of Daming Prefecture. After waking up, she forgot her origins and simply kept the surname "Xie". At the time, she thought it made sense, since the eldest daughter-in-law had forgotten everything.

Now she had some doubts: could it be that the eldest daughter-in-law's surname was Xie? So she went along with it and kept her own name.

Madam Yu didn't guess any further, after all, it was the Privy Councilor's residence.

But she knew that the lady of the house might have other reasons for coming to the capital besides the porcelain trade.

Madam Yu clenched her handkerchief and looked at Xie Yuyan again. Not only was the eldest daughter-in-law literate, literate, and able to draw, but she was also good at calculations and had a meticulous mind. What kind of family could raise such a woman?

She had underestimated the situation.

It seems she needs to learn not only incense seal making, but also many similar items, so that she can truly help her mistress in the future.

……

Xie Yizhi led his men on a tour of the outer city of Bianjing, inspecting several garrisons before stopping to rest.

Xie Chengrang hurriedly brought a bowl of hot tea from the tea stall and offered it to his father.

Xie Yizhi drank her tea and looked at Xie Chengrang, saying, "Have you looked at everything carefully?"

Xie Chengrang responded, "The number of garrison personnel has doubled compared to usual. The person who was speaking to Father just now should be from the East and West Guards of the Palace Guard."

"The horses they rode were different from those of the regular Imperial Guards."

Xie Yizhi nodded in satisfaction. His illegitimate son was much smarter than the eldest legitimate son. If Xie Chengxin had come with him, he wouldn't have been able to see anything.

The emperor's reliance on the East and West Guards of the Palace Guards shows that he doesn't trust the people below him.

Xie Chengrang saw his father's thoughts: "When I was organizing the documents for you, I glanced at them. Five years ago, when the envoys from the Western Regions came to the capital, the defense of Bianjing was handed over to the Palace Guards. This year, only the East and West Guards are being assigned to assist in the investigation. This shows that the Emperor trusts you, Father."

Xie Yizhi smiled.

Anyone who thinks they are being relied upon by the government will inevitably feel a little smug.

With no one else around, Xie Yizhi looked at Xie Chengrang and asked, "How is the Xia family? Has Xia Wulang told his family about your brother?"

Xie Chengrang lowered his head and said, "It's all my fault. I really shouldn't have brought Wulang home. The He family has been in trouble lately, and Wulang is unhappy. That's why I thought I'd talk to him, but I didn't expect things to go wrong."

“It’s not your fault,” Xie Yizhi said. “You were quite thoughtful to think of going to the Xia family at a time like this.”

Xie Chengrang said, "The He family can't get away with this?"

Xie Yizhi didn't respond, only saying, "It just so happened that chaos broke out on the Bian River when the coal arrived in the capital. There are quite a few new fleets, and it's difficult for those four families to control them all. Without the He family, this game is completely messed up, and it will take a lot of effort to put things back together." "That's not all. The He family has been confirmed guilty of trafficking, and those surviving women are evidence. In addition, more than ten skeletons were unearthed on the estate. It's a miracle that the He family escaped and that no one else was implicated."

"The He family father and son attempted suicide in prison last night, but were rescued by Xu Huaiyi and his men."

Xie Yizhi returned the teacup to Xie Chengrang: "There's still more to this case."

If the He family father and son were dead, the case would be mostly closed. Unfortunately, the family wasn't decisive enough, and Xu Huaiyi managed to find out. This path is clearly not viable.

Hopefully, the He family father and son can hold on and not implicate others.

Xie Chengrang said, "Then the Xia family..."

“It’s alright,” Xie Yizhi said. “They’re just in-laws, and from a collateral branch at that. Even if they were from the main Xia family, they would have someone to protect them.”

The Xia family's money bag cannot be lost; at least for now, no one can replace the Xia family.

Without money, many things cannot be done.

This is why Xie Yizhi wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Xia family.

“Maintain good relations with Xia Wu,” Xie Yizhi said, “so that we can know immediately if anything happens over there.”

Xie Chengrang replied, "Son will remember."

Xie Yizhi frowned again when she thought of her eldest son. It didn't matter if he wasn't smart, as long as he was obedient. But for the past few months, Xie Chengxin seemed to be possessed, often avoiding him, and wouldn't listen to anything he said.

"If your elder brother mentions where that mistress is," Xie Yizhi said, "tell me immediately." Xie Chengxin could not cheer up until he drove that woman out of Bianjing. He directly classified the woman who had an affair with his son as a mistress, not even a concubine.

Xie Chengrang hesitated for a moment: "Why don't you have a good talk with my elder brother? After all, it's all for his own good. Isn't my elder brother close to our grandfather? He can't let our grandfather down."

Xie Yizhi snorted coldly: "Now you still need to be persuaded? You're really useless."

Thinking of this, he became even angrier. Fortunately, seeing that the people from the Ministry of War were coming over, Xie Yizhi regained his dignified expression, waved his hand, and Xie Chengrang immediately stepped aside.

The father and son were busy for half a day before returning to the city. On their way back to the Xie family, Xie Yizhi saw Xia Ziqiao waiting there.

Xia Ziqiao stepped forward and bowed to Xie Yizhi, saying, "Uncle, may you be well."

Xie Yizhi asked, "Are you looking for Erlang?"

Xia Ziqiao nodded: "There are some things I need Erlang to help me figure out."

Xie Yizhi looked at Xie Chengrang and said, "Go ahead. If you come back late, let the servants know so the kitchen can prepare separate meals for you two."

Watching Xie Chengrang and Xia Ziqiao leave, Xie Yizhi sneered inwardly again. If it were Xie Chengrang who was dealing with the Xia family, he wouldn't need to worry.

It's a pity we can't follow the prescription exactly, otherwise we could just switch the eldest son and the illegitimate son and the problem would be solved.

……

Xie and Xia sat down in the teahouse, and the tea server immediately served them tea.

The two didn't rush to speak, but sipped their tea. After the tea server left, Xie Chengrang looked at Xia Ziqiao and asked, "Have you discovered another great place? Why are you so happy?"

Xia Ziqiao smiled and said, "Erlang understands me best after all. I did as Erlang suggested and went for a walk on the Bian River. I didn't find any problems, but I did find some fun."

"And we can also get involved."