Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 40 Scary
Madam Yu hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. When she met Xie Yuyan's gaze, she immediately sobered up and gave up on trying to persuade Madam Xie.

How much of what Madam Xie did could she truly see through? She just needed to do as Madam Xie instructed.

Watching Yu's mother leave, Zhang was somewhat worried: "She is, after all, one of He's people. I wonder if she might have other ideas?"

If Xie Yuyan were to tell He about this, and He were to take advantage of the situation, all his efforts would be in vain.

Xie Yuyan said, "People are useful, so keep them by your side. If they have other intentions, they will go somewhere else."

Zhang nodded. She would ponder Xie Yuyan's words several times each time, hoping that if she could learn even a little from them, it might be of help in the future.

“Mother, don’t worry,” Yang Qin said, “Sister-in-law has made arrangements.”

"Let's go!" Xie Yuyan looked up at the sky. It had snowed all night, and although it had stopped, it was still a bit colder than yesterday. Getting things done early would save them from having to go out in this kind of weather again.

The gatekeeper of the Yang family watched the old lady's departing figure and subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

Ever since the eldest daughter-in-law entered the family, everyone in the Yang clan has been on edge, especially these past two days, after the yamen finished arresting people and held a clan meeting. The elders of the clan all inquired about the news from the clan head, who stubbornly refused to say a single bad word about the eldest daughter-in-law.

The second wife took over the family business from the third wife a few years ago. Is it going to be handed back to them now?

"Sister-in-law, are you cold?" Yang Qin asked. "My mother told me to go out and buy two steamed buns for you to keep warm."

"It's not cold." Knowing that she would be going out today, Zhang had wrapped another layer of fur around her shoes overnight. Although it was not as comfortable or warm as in her previous life, it was the best thing Zhang could offer. There are many clever people in this world, but most of them cannot win a few sincere hearts.

In her past life, General Yang treated her this way, and in this life, Zhang and young Yang Qin are the same.

As I walked out of the main street, the snow in the alley hadn't been cleared yet. My feet crunched on it, making a pleasant sound.

Xie Yuyan rarely walked in the snow for such a long time. Looking at the scenery on the street, walking through it, she felt a sense of novelty.

“Sister-in-law,” Yang Qin pointed to a path, “no one has walked there before. I’ll go and leave a trail of footprints for you to see.”

As Yang Qin turned his head to speak, he stumbled. Xie Yuyan instinctively tried to warn him, but before she could utter a sound, Yang Qin had already fallen flat on his back into the snowdrift.

This sight immediately drew laughter from the children nearby. Xie Yuyan, seeing Yang Qin's disheveled appearance as he got up, couldn't help but slowly raise his lips as well.

Two people, one older and one younger, walked along the road, stopping and starting intermittently.

“This is the West Market, it’s packed with people,” Yang Qin pointed forward. “Across the street, there are several large restaurants, and later in the day, it’s bustling with carriages and horses.”

Daming Prefecture was one of the four capitals of the Great Liang Dynasty. In recent years, it has become somewhat deserted due to the war in the north. Now that the border is stable, it will gradually return to its former prosperity.

Xie Yuyan looked at the few figures huddled in the corner, covered in a thick layer of snowflakes, clearly indicating that they hadn't moved for a long time.

A patrol of soldiers came from the side, went forward to investigate, and a few moments later several people were carried away.

Yang Qin watched the people walk away and said, "After winter sets in, there are more refugees in and around the city. Last night's heavy snow must have frozen many people to death."

Xie Yuyan asked, "Why don't they go to Puning Temple in the south of the city?"

Yang Qin muttered the name "Puning Temple," then looked at Xie Yuyan: "Sister-in-law, who told you there's a 'Puning Temple' in the south of the city? There's only 'Baode Temple' there. 'Baode Temple' is very dilapidated, with few monks and hardly any incense offerings. I often see those monks going out to beg for alms. Where can they possibly house refugees?"

"When it comes to offering incense and praying to Buddha, the people of Daming Prefecture prefer the Jieyang Temple in the west. However, that temple doesn't give alms all the time; at most, they cook some porridge in the twelfth lunar month." Xie Yuyan was momentarily dazed. Decades later, Puning Temple was a very famous temple. Back then, she fell seriously ill on her way to the imperial palace and happened to stay at Puning Temple. The abbot of Puning Temple told her many stories about the old temple. The abbot specifically mentioned that in the winter of the seventh year of the Zhiping era, Daming Prefecture experienced heavy snow for months, and Puning Temple provided relief to hundreds of refugees.

It seems that the bald monk was just making up lies to claim credit. He had no idea about the ancient temple's past. Otherwise, how could he not know that at that time, Puning Temple was still called Baode Temple?

Yang Qin asked, "Would you like to visit Baode Temple, sister-in-law?"

Xie Yuyan nodded: "Let's wait a few days!" Perhaps it was different from the rumors of later generations, but she did want to see the true appearance of Baode Temple, which could be considered a return to familiar places.

Once outside the West Market, the crowds thinned out considerably. The only barrier between them was a gate; if the gate were open, this place would be connected to the West Market.

Xie Yuyan looked up and saw the words "Anyi" written on the archway. Once the market was fully open, this would be a good place. When she met Wang Hechun yesterday, she specifically asked about it. The court would post notices in the next two days, and the market gates would be opened in ten days. Previously, merchants could only do business in the market, but after the new decree was issued, some shops could also be opened in the market.

The wealthy merchants of Daming Prefecture must have known the news long ago and bought or rented their larger properties. It's definitely too late to act now, but finding a small house among them won't be difficult. This is like her first step in Daming Prefecture. She doesn't need to take big steps; she just needs to firmly plant herself in the middle and then devour them one by one.

Before we knew it, Mr. Tong's courtyard was right in front of us.

Yang Qin straightened his clothes: "Sister-in-law, do you remember the way back?"

Xie Yuyan said, "I've remembered."

Yang Qin nodded and instructed, "Sister-in-law, go home early. If you can't find your way, ask around for the patrol office. General Chen will definitely be able to send you home."

Such a young child, yet he worries about so many things; no wonder he has a full head of white hair so early.

Xie Yuyan waved to Yang Qin, turned around and was about to find a way forward when he saw a figure flash beside him and a person walked out.

Xie Yuyan was not surprised. She had sent Yang Qin to study because she had guessed that someone would be waiting for her here.

Moreover, if the people actually come, there might be more to the case in Chenyao Village from back then. The lotus root charcoal she sent was a stepping stone, leading some people to her, which is why she chose lotus root charcoal for her first transaction.

Just as she told Wang Hechun, those who are opposed to those people are inevitably ordinary people.

Lotus root charcoal is exactly what ordinary people need, and selling it will allow her to get to know more people. Besides, those highly profitable goods are inevitably controlled by large merchants, making it difficult for her to get involved.

“I am Chen Ping’s mother,” Zheng said. “Your wife asked Qin’er to deliver those lotus root charcoal ...

Xie Yuyan did not respond to Zheng Shi, but instead asked, "Is my wife familiar with the area?"

Zheng replied, "I know a little."

Xie Yuyan said, "I want to rent a room and need to find a matchmaker. Does my wife know anyone like that?"

Madam Zheng was surprised that she could help Lady Xie, and immediately said, "Yes... I will take Lady Xie there."

“That’s excellent,” Xie Yuyan said. “We can talk as we walk.”

After watching Xie Yuyan's retreating figure, Madam Zheng inquired about this Lady Xie in detail. From what she learned, Lady Xie was quite formidable; she had even sent an elder of the Yang family to prison yesterday.

She was still hesitating whether or not to meet this ruthless person.
But now she felt that Lady Xie was not as scary as the rumors suggested.

(End of this chapter)