Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 428 Served on the Table
Xie Yuyan saw the two nuns off at the door and watched them gradually disappear into the distance.

After discussing the matters of Ciyun Nunnery and Baode Temple, Abbess Jingyuan took her leave, only saying that once the arrangements at the nunnery were complete, she would ask Xie Yuyan to come and check on the dyehouse.

Guo Xiong limped over: "Madam, what is this nun doing?"

While Xie Yuyan was talking to the nun, the Guo brothers did not go in. Although they were both rough men, they were able to judge the situation and know how to behave appropriately.

Xie Yuyan first checked Guo Xiong's leg: "How badly is it injured?"

Guo Xiong felt a warmth in his heart, then said rather nonchalantly, "It's all a small matter. That corrupt official was eager for a confession and ordered the jailers to be harsher, but he didn't dare to take my life. In the end, it was just a little physical pain. It's just that this leg is useless; it was injured on the battlefield and can't withstand any more strain."

Xie Yuyan said, "We can't be careless. We should ask the doctor to come and change the dressing every day. You should also move around less during this period."

Guo Xiong nodded.

Guo Chuan said, "If I had known it would be like this, I would have gone in my brother's place back then."

Guo Xiong glared at his younger brother: "Wait until you're in charge of the fleet before you say things like that. Since I'm Tsunade, these things are naturally my responsibility. The people in the fleet usually listen to me, so do you expect me to back down when it comes to a critical moment? If that happens, who will trust me in the future?"

"Since I'm in this line of work and earn more money than others, I have to do my job well."

Guo Chuan realized he had misspoke and quickly said, "I understand."

Xie Yuyan looked at Guo Chuan: "Help your elder brother into the house and sit down."

No matter how well you think things through, some people will inevitably suffer as a result. She tries her best to avoid such things from happening, but things can change in an instant, and when the pressure comes down, everyone still has to bear it.

The group sat down in the room. Xie Yuyan then said, "The two nuns have come to resolve the aftermath of Yunqi Temple's affairs. If we can reach an agreement with them, we might be able to do some business with them."

Guo Chuan asked, "Madam, are you referring to the business of dyeing cloth?"

Xie Yuyan nodded.

Guo Chuan said, "The nunneries in Bianjing sell some cloth. Although the goods are not as good as those in cloth shops, they are cheaper. When I was looking for Second Sister, I went to many places in Bianjing, so I know about these things."

Xie Yuyan said, "What Master Jingyuan was talking about was printing and dyeing fabrics. They want to use coal, but they don't know how to build a stove, so they want to ask us for help."

Guo Xiong asked, "Does the lady want to do this deal?"

Xie Yuyan did not hide anything: "If we can reach a good agreement with the nunnery and both parties can benefit, it would be a good deal."

There are many advantages to doing business with Ciyun Nunnery. She doesn't have to pay the transaction fees or impose unreasonable taxes, but the downside is that she can't control the business.

Unlike the charcoal and porcelain kilns, where everything was done according to her instructions.

When Madam Yu saw Xie Yuyan pause slightly at this point, it was clear that this business was not so easy to do, or at least not as easy as it sounded.

After saying this, Xie Yuyan looked at Guo Xiong and said, "I'll have a carriage take you to your lodgings in a bit. Take good care of yourself during this time."

Guo Xiong was about to say it was nothing, but Xie Yuyan continued, "There's plenty of time ahead, and there will be many things for you to do in the future."

Guo Xiong then nodded.

After seeing the two brothers off, Madam Yu brewed Xie Yuyan another cup of hot tea: "Madam, those two nuns just now... weren't they unusual?"

She could tell that Abbess Jingyuan spoke very little. Although she had come to discuss the reliquary with the eldest daughter-in-law, her words were filled with certainty.

Xie Yuyan nodded.

Mother Yu said, "Then if they want to do business with Madam, won't they...?" Such people can go back on their word at any time, and it's really dangerous to try to profit from them.

Xie Yuyan said, "Ciyun Nunnery needs stoves and coal, but it's not urgent. They can wait a little longer. In a few months, skilled craftsmen will make more stoves suitable for burning coal."

"They've come looking for us now... simply to find out what's going on with us."

Hearing this, Madam Yu became even more worried: "Then is the eldest daughter-in-law still going to agree to their demands?"

Xie Yuyan smiled slightly: "I know where they came from." Mother Yu looked at Xie Yuyan.

Xie Yuyan said, "It was the Shen family who wanted to keep the reliquary in Bianjing, but they didn't say anything because they were grateful to the reliquary for bringing Shen Si Niangzi's injustice to light. They also felt more awe for the reliquary and didn't want to put me in a difficult position."

"If they want to have both, it's not something the Shen family can do. They will inevitably have to seek help from someone of higher status."

It's not hard to guess who's more powerful than the Shen family; they're right in front of us.

Xie Yuyan used her to deal with Minister Xia and his associates.

In other words, she deliberately drew the attention of the Cining Palace.

Mother Yu seemed to understand something.

Xie Yuyan continued, "Bianjing is different from Daming Prefecture, it's difficult to get a dish served here... but we can prepare a dish first."

……

Master Jingyuan returned to Ciyun Nunnery with her disciples.

The master of ceremonies was already waiting in the meditation room.

"How was it?" the master of ceremonies asked.

Master Jingyuan said, "I agree."

"It just so happens that the Emperor has already sent someone to invite the abbot of Baode Temple to the capital. After Master Zhiyuan arrives, the name of Yunqi Temple will be changed, and the reliquary will be enshrined in the temple."

The person who enshrined the relic box was naturally Madam Xie.

The emcee looked at Abbess Jingyuan and asked, "Did she agree without even thinking it over?"

Jingyuan nodded.

"She agreed to come to Ciyun Temple to repair the stove?"

Master Jingyuan said, “Benefactor Xie agreed to come to the nunnery for a visit. In my opinion, that is already a promise. Moreover, Benefactor Xie did not inquire into my background.”

The emcee said, "She didn't say anything?"

“She didn’t say it,” said Abbess Jingyuan, “but it’s clear she probably guessed it.”

Is she really that clever? The master of ceremonies frowned slightly. Having served the Empress Dowager for so long, he had seen many clever people, but very few had caught the Empress Dowager's attention with just one thing.

“In that case,” the emcee said, “let’s see what she does next!”

Although the Empress Dowager only said a few words, the fact that she sent Abbess Jingyuan to see Lady Xie shows that she still thought Lady Xie was more outstanding than ordinary people.

By personally offering the reliquary to the temple, Lady Xie will gain fame. Perhaps the Empress Dowager bestowed this favor upon Lady Shen because of her.

Unbeknownst to her, the Cining Palace and the Shen family had arranged a sedan chair for her.

The master of ceremonies frowned slightly, feeling that this Lady Xie was not worthy of the Empress Dowager's attention.

It should be noted that the Cining Palace has not taken any action for a long time.

After this, Xie Niangzi's porcelain business will finally take off, and she'll definitely be able to sell it at the border market. From this perspective, Xie Niangzi is indeed a capable person.

"Keep a close eye on her," the emcee said. "Who knows, she might be after the Cining Palace."

If there is conclusive evidence that Lady Xie had ulterior motives from the beginning, then this matter must be thoroughly investigated.

One more chapter, keep going!