Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 439 Reaction
Xie Chengrang reached out and firmly supported Xie Chengxin. Even if he didn't understand what had happened, he couldn't let his elder brother get into trouble in such a situation.

That's a matter of face for the entire Xie family.

Xie Chengrang's hand pressed firmly on Xie Chengxin's shoulder. Xie Chengxin seemed to only then come to his senses slightly, and then he spoke, "Second Aunt..."

"She looks like my second aunt."

“Second Aunt…she…has passed away a long time ago,” Xie Chengxin grasped Xie Chengrang’s wrist. “Look, isn’t that right?”

Xie Chengrang raised his eyes and his gaze fell on the woman.

The woman's face seemed somewhat familiar to him. Unlike Xie Chengxin, he was an illegitimate son and was rarely brought out to meet with the Xie family when he was young.

Therefore, she doesn't have many memories of her second uncle and aunt. If she thinks about it carefully, this woman does resemble her second aunt somewhat, but perhaps it's because the relic box is too bright, which just happens to illuminate her brow, revealing a dazzling and intimidating sharpness.

This was Xie from Daming Prefecture, completely different from what he had imagined. She was neither a common woman nor a scheming merchant.

The woman walked right up to him, and whether it was an illusion or not, her steps seemed to pause slightly. Xie Chengrang inexplicably felt a chill creeping over him.

Xie Yizhi's face was ashen, his eyes devoid of any emotion, becoming unusually calm. He quietly watched the woman holding the relic box, as if afraid of missing her every move and glance. He seemed perfectly composed from head to toe, even slowing his breathing, as if he were standing in the imperial court. No matter what the emperor said, he remained unmoved, and no one could discern what he was thinking.

"Thank you, Privy Councilor."

A voice suddenly rang out at that moment, and Xie Yizhi couldn't help but shudder. He immediately composed himself, hoping that no one would notice, and then looked in the direction of the voice, where he immediately saw Wang Yan.

Wang Yan's eyes showed a hint of concern: "Is Xie Shumi feeling unwell? He's been trembling just now."

Xie Yizhi cleared her throat: "No... I was just looking at that reliquary... and felt a little..."

He was at a loss for words when, thankfully, a voice rang out.

"I saw it, I saw Buddha."

"May Buddha protect us! May Buddha protect us!"

Such commotions could be heard from time to time in the crowd. Some people stared intently at the reliquary with a frenzied expression, and one even knelt down with his hands clasped together.

“Buddha, Buddha is in the lotus.”

After one person "saw" the Buddha, believers knelt down one after another, some chanting scriptures, and others immediately making vows and praying for blessings.

The Western Xia envoys were the same; they couldn't help but begin to perform Buddhist rituals.

Xie Yizhi was just about to take the opportunity to relax her tense nerves a bit, so she could think carefully about what was going on with the woman in front of her.

Wang Yan was clearly not so easily fooled: "Did Privy Councilor Xie also see the Buddha just now?"

Xie Yizhi had no choice but to reply: "No, but the reliquary was indeed fired differently, and the color was more vibrant."

After saying this, Wang Yan didn't speak again. Xie Yizhi was about to think that the matter was over when she saw the guard next to Wang Yan reach out with a handkerchief in his hand.

Wang Yan kept his gaze forward: "You can use Xie Shumi to wipe your sweat. It's still chilly in early spring, so please take care of yourself."

It was unusually warm today, with not a trace of chill in the air. Xie Yizhi felt that Wang Yan's words had a hidden meaning. He unconsciously looked at the woman again, his gaze becoming even more profound. He did not take the handkerchief that Sang Dian handed him, but instead took out his own from his sleeve and gently pressed it against his forehead.

But when he took the handkerchief off, there was no sweat on it, and Xie Yizhi's hand stiffened slightly.

When Xie Yizhi came to her senses and looked around again, the woman had already walked up to Master Zhiyuan and handed him the reliquary. The clear sound of the temple bell rang out.

Amidst the humming sound, novices and monks filed out, following behind Master Zhiyuan, and together they escorted the reliquary toward the main hall.

The onlookers and the general public couldn't help but want to follow, but fortunately the imperial guards stopped them, otherwise the scene would have become extremely chaotic.

Xie Yizhi didn't care about any of that, because he saw the woman walking towards them.

At this moment, countless thoughts flashed through Xie Yizhi's mind. He vaguely remembered that the message sent back from Daming Prefecture mentioned the case of the Xie family in Daming Prefecture. The Xie family was injured by kidnappers and forgot everything after waking up, so they did not know her background or origin.

Now Xie Yizhi only hopes that the news is true, and that from now on... she will be a widowed woman. Such a person may enjoy temporary glory, but life is unpredictable, and some minor disturbance may cost her her life.

The woman stopped in front of him, and Xie Yizhi's heart felt like it was about to leap out of his throat.

The waiting time was exceptionally difficult.

After an unknown amount of time, the clear, melodious voice finally rang out: "Lord Wang."

Xie Yizhi clenched her fist slightly. He seemed not to have noticed that the woman's gaze was clearly fixed on Wang Yan's face.

Wang Yan looked at the Left Monk: "Madam, is it not a meritorious deed for you to offer up the relic box?"

Zuo Senglu hurriedly bowed to Xie Yuyan, saying, "This is immeasurable merit." Since Lord Wang had spoken, how could he not step forward and say the same thing?
Zuo Senglu continued, "May the benefactor enjoy good health and all good fortune in this life."

Just as Xie Yuyan was about to express her gratitude, Wang Yan interjected, "The reliquary that Lady Xie made helped Lady Shen to clear her name. Given time, it will surely bring justice to Lady Xie as well."

Xie Yuyan curtsied: "Thank you for your kind words, sir." She had originally intended to thank Zuo Senglu, but now that Wang Yan had spoken, she naturally wanted to thank him as well. This man really schemed even for such a small thing.

As Wang Yan finished speaking, Shen Zhongzhen and Madam Gao stepped forward. After the ceremony ended, they offered incense to their two children before hurrying back to the temple.

I happened to see Xie Yuyan present the reliquary to the abbot.

Madam Gao took Xie Yuyan's hand and said, "Madam has done a great favor for our Shen family. We will always remember it. If you ever need anything from the Shen family in the future, please just ask."

Xie Yizhi frowned slightly. He should have discovered the truth sooner, so that she wouldn't have had to stand in front of so many people, and even be on good terms with the Shen family.

"The Empress Dowager also bestows rewards." The master of ceremonies and the scribe led the female historian over.

The lady-in-waiting held a sandalwood box in her hands.

"The Empress said that the reliquary has relieved her of a worry. Now that the reliquary is enshrined in Baode Temple, as a return gift, she will also give the lady a jade ruyi."

Xie Yuyan bowed and accepted the jade ruyi with both hands.

Dianji smiled and said, "I hope that everything will go smoothly for you in the future, and that you will live a carefree life."

Xie Yizhi's gaze deepened. The situation before him was clearly more complicated than he had imagined. Before he even realized it, chains had been tied around his feet.

No matter what he does now, it seems he can't escape.

Since that's the case... he might as well make the best of a bad situation. A ruthless thought suddenly flashed through his mind, and his expression became firm. His gaze returned to calm, and he ignored the woman in front of him as if they were complete strangers.

See you tonight