Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 418 Losing Money
Zhang was still somewhat uneasy after hearing Xie Yuyan's words.

Yesterday, the Guo family's fleet helped stop a group of members of the Demon Cult, but in the blink of an eye, they were taken to the yamen. If it weren't for the arrival of officials from the Dali Temple, Guo Chuan and his men would have been imprisoned.

The situation in Bianjing was changing rapidly, far more alarming than in Daming Prefecture.

Although the case seems to be settled now, who knows what other mistakes might happen later.

Zhang said, "Why don't we wait until Guo Xiong returns before we go?"

Xie Yuyan smiled and said, "If you're as worried as Mother is, even if Guo Xiong comes back, the yamen might arrest him again."

"Don't worry, Mother, I know what I'm doing."

Zhang nodded in agreement.

Yang Qin could only watch longingly from the side. Since arriving in Bianjing, his sister-in-law no longer took him with her when doing anything, so he could only go to the academy to study every day.

Sure enough, Zhang urged Yang Qin, "Hurry up and go out, or the teacher will punish you again."

Yang Qin puffed out his cheeks: "How can Mother say 'I'm going to be punished again'? I've never been punished by the teacher before."

Xie Yuyan couldn't help but smile at Yang Qin: "It's best that you can go to school every day. If you can establish a family and not cause your mother any worry when she gets old, that will be a great achievement for you today."

If the youngest child in the family can go to school, then life is peaceful. If even the elderly and children are anxious, then the family is facing its most perilous time.

Yang Qin's eyes lit up: "If that's what you say, sister-in-law, then I'm not useless. Studying hard will bring prosperity to the family."

“Yes,” Xie Yuyan bent down to help Yang Qin straighten his clothes. “If you go out for a walk, the neighbors will all know that our family is safe and sound. After a while, someone will accompany you to study.”

"Really?" Yang Qin's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this. He wanted to say something, but fearing he would be late, he waved to everyone and said, "Then I'm off."

Looking at the scene before her, Zhang couldn't help but smile, feeling very pleased. However, she also knew who was now supporting the Yang family. If Qin Ge'er became successful in the future, she only hoped that he could help A Yan.

“I’ll go get the hand warmer,” Zhang said to Xie Yuyan. “You’re feeling cold, so you can’t be careless.”

Sometimes, Yu Mama would deliberately save a hand warmer for Zhang Shi, so that Zhang Shi could take care of the eldest daughter-in-law and feel more at ease.

Xie Yuyan boarded the carriage and headed towards Yunqi Temple.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Xie Yuyan saw Duan Dalang and Zheng Sanye coming to greet him.

"Madam." The two bowed in greeting.

Xie Yuyan nodded: "Where are the people from Yunqi Temple?"

Third Master Zheng said, "Right here in our newly renovated courtyard, besides Yunqi Temple, the Shen family, who are preparing to buy land, have also come."

The group walked towards the courtyard while talking.

The steward of the Shen family saw the approaching people from afar and couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Why are there women here?"

Master Miaojing was also unaware of this, and simply put her hands together and said, "This humble nun only just learned that the owner of this house is actually a woman."

The steward of the Shen family was taken aback and hurriedly sent someone to inform the master and madam.

Normally, given the Shen family's status, the master and mistress wouldn't need to come in person. However, without this merchant, they wouldn't have been able to find Fourth Miss. Now that they're asking the merchant to give up the land, whether out of gratitude or apology, they should make this trip.

Since it is a female relative who has come, it would be better to have the lady of the house come along as well.

"Madam."

When Xie Yuyan and the others arrived, Steward Shen greeted them first: "Thank you for your trouble, Master. My master and mistress are currently offering sacrifices nearby. I have already sent someone to inform them." Xie Yuyan nodded and led Third Master Zheng and Duan Dalang into the courtyard.

The pavilion has been built, the furniture has been moved in, and most of the courtyard has been renovated. The irrigation ditches around the courtyard have been completed, and it will be finished in another month or so.

Unfortunately, this is the only way to end it.

Duan Dalang sighed, "It's much better than the one we built at the South City Wharf. If it can open, it will definitely be packed with customers."

Xie Yuyan didn't feel sorry: "Good things come to those who wait, and this step is something we always have to take."

Duan Dalang seemed to understand somewhat, but he didn't quite understand why he had to take this step.
As the group was talking, Shen Zhongzhen and his wife, Madam Gao, arrived. Accompanying Madam Gao was their second daughter-in-law, Sun Niangzi. Abbess Miaojing walked at the back, no longer resembling the Great De Ni. Instead, she was hunched over, and every move she made exuded fear and timidity.

Master Zheng had already had a room prepared so that everyone could sit down and talk.

Although there were men in the room, Xie Yuyan still removed her veil.

Madam Gao was taken aback when she saw the true face of her employer; she hadn't expected the girl to be so young. She looked only sixteen or seventeen, yet she was managing such a business with a group of people…

Thinking about this, Madam Gao couldn't help but wonder if the owner behind the scenes was too embarrassed to come forward and had specially sent a woman to show weakness so that they would give her more compensation.

However, Xie Yuyan's calm demeanor made Madam Gao feel that he was no ordinary person and did not seem like someone who would scheme.

Madam Gao put aside her thoughts and said, "You must know about my family's affairs, Madam. If it weren't for Madam's plan to build a private road, which alerted Mingzhen, my child would not have been exonerated."

"For this alone, my family should thank my wife."

Xie Yuyan said, "Madam, there's no need to take it to heart. In the end, it's all because the villains have something to hide that they've given themselves away."

Seeing that the woman before her didn't take advantage of the situation to assert her authority, Madam Gao immediately felt a bit more favorably disposed towards her. Even if one wanted to repay a debt of gratitude, no one would want to be oppressed and held hostage.

Madam Gao continued, "We should have repaid you, but there is another matter that will put you in a difficult position."

Xie Yuyan nodded: "I heard that the Madam's family wants to buy this land, so we can no longer open shops here."

Now that the words were out, Madam Gao breathed a sigh of relief: "That's right. Madam spent a lot of money repairing this place, and we will compensate you double, including the time and effort spent. If you need a shop, my family can help you find a suitable one."

Given Madam Gao's status, the fact that she could discuss things with Xie Yuyan like this was naturally because of Shen Si Niangzi. They wanted to handle Si Niangzi's funeral arrangements peacefully and didn't want to cause any more trouble that would disturb her peace.

Xie Yuyan understood all these principles; the Shen family would agree to any reasonable request, but…

Xie Yuyan said, "We have spent a lot of money here, so we should compensate you if we leave. However, the Shen family should not have to pay for this."

Madam Gao looked at Xie Yuyan with some surprise: "Then... who should pay?"

Xie Yuyan looked at Abbess Miaojing, who felt as if that seemingly light gaze had weighed a thousand pounds on her, and she trembled involuntarily.

A soft voice came from behind: "What do you think, Master?"

Master Miaojing opened her mouth: "This humble nun...does not quite understand what the kind person means."

Xie Yuyan's expression remained calm and composed: "Did the nun collude with others to set a trap for me?"

"Didn't you ever think that after I opened the shop, I would find an excuse to take the land back and give it to someone else?"

"We've put in so much hard work and resources, only to end up with nothing?"

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