Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 442 Hiding
Xie Yuyan did not reach out to take the waist token offered by the Prince of Huai.

Not all tokens of affection are useful, especially those that carry a sense of testing.

Xie Yuyan said, "In the end, the case of Lady Shen was due to the fact that the Shen family never gave up searching, which made the murderer panic and eventually exposed his true colors. It was also thanks to Lord Xu of the Ministry of Justice's keen observation that this result was achieved."

"I have already received the Emperor's commendation and the Empress Dowager's reward for enshrining the relic box, so I cannot accept the Prince's waist token."

The Prince of Huai was offended but not angry: "What you say makes sense, Madam. I was being presumptuous." As he spoke, he naturally put the waist token away again.

When Madam Gao heard Xie Yuyan's refusal, she was worried that it would cause trouble. Seeing that the matter was resolved so easily, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

“However,” said the Prince of Huai, “there is no reason to take back what has been said. If the eldest daughter-in-law encounters any trouble, she can still send someone to the Prince’s residence.”

Before Xie Yuyan could refuse, the Prince of Huai looked at Wang Yan and said, "Hechun, come with me to take a look at the relic box."

Wang Yan knew that A Yan wouldn't accept the waist token. His A Yan was different from others; she would only take what she wanted herself and never needed anyone to promise her anything. But hearing Xie Yu Yan's words, he couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart. He had carefully hidden that joy at the bottom of his heart, but if he relaxed even slightly, it would surface.

Wang Yan withdrew his thoughts and followed the Prince of Huai into the main hall.

The Prince of Huai entered the hall and immediately went to look at the relic box on the offering table.

“It is truly remarkable, the color is exceptionally vibrant,” said Prince Huai. “The previous dynasty had already mined coal, but unfortunately it was never used. If Lady Xie’s coal kiln porcelain business is successful, people will naturally follow suit, and coal will be able to flourish in the Great Liang.”

The Prince of Huai seemed to have forgotten his earlier actions and continued to interact with Wang Yan as usual.

His gaze fell on the lotus-shaped lid of the reliquary.

"I heard that someone saw a Buddha statue inside a lotus flower?"

Wang Yan said, "Although it is the same thing, everyone sees it differently."

Prince Huai nodded, and after a moment of silence, he said, "It's a pity that I won't be able to see the Buddha statue appear today, but since the reliquary is enshrined in the temple, there will be another chance in the future."

Wang Yan's gaze deepened slightly; the words of the Prince of Huai were clearly pointed.

Prince Huai turned to look at Wang Yan again: "After this incident, the border market will definitely have a lot of porcelain from Daming Prefecture. Lady Xie is indeed clever. No wonder she was able to help He Chun in Daming Prefecture."

Wang Yan said, "In the case of Daming Prefecture, Madam Xie risked her life to do a lot of things, but not for me, but for the imperial court."

"Merchants and common people like Madam Xie, who follow the government's orders and laws, are instead suppressed by corrupt officials. It is precisely because they trust the government that they obey the government's arrangements and help the government collect evidence of the crimes of Prefect Liu and others."

The Prince of Huai nodded. As a man, he knew better than anyone that a man might mention many women, but if he truly liked one, he would carefully hide her away, lest she be coveted by others.

Countless people want to establish a connection with the Wang family.

However... Wang Yan was afraid that the Wang family would bring trouble to Lady Xie.

In Wang Yan's heart, she was a woman who was not even worthy of the Wang family.

Thinking about it this way, Prince Huai felt that Xie Wenjing in his memory became blurry again. Perhaps what he saw back then was just a fleeting glimpse. But that's alright, he can still explore slowly.

After leaving the main hall, Prince Huai bid farewell to everyone.

He had said enough to Xie Niangzi today. Just as he said, there's plenty of time, and one day he'll see through her true colors.

As Prince Huai was about to leave Baode Temple, he happened to run into the Xie brothers, Xie Chengxin and Xie Chengrang.

Xie Chengxin smashed the porcelain Buddha, feeling utterly dejected and wishing he could return home immediately. Xie Chengrang saw Xie Yizhi off and then arranged for a carriage. Once everything was ready, the two of them prepared to go and fetch Madam Zhou and Xie Erniang.

The three exchanged a few words, and Xie Chengxin then recounted the earlier commotion.

Prince Huai patted Xie Chengxin on the shoulder: "Donate more incense money to the temple another day and ask for a peace charm to carry with you."

Xie Chengxin asked with a bitter face, "Does the Prince also think it's unlucky?"

The Prince of Huai said, "I don't believe in these things, but if you care, then pray for peace and tranquility, and you'll be at peace with yourself."

Upon reaching the temple gate, Prince Huai mounted his horse and galloped for a while before reining it in. The guards accompanying him, unaware of what was happening, turned to look at their master and saw that the prince's brows were relaxed and a smile was on his face.

His prince seemed to be in a good mood. "It seems that the imperial decree bestowing the marriage should be carefully preserved."

……

After a whole day of fussing, Mrs. Zhou felt utterly exhausted.

Thinking of probing the truth about the Xie family, she did meet the woman, but it also made her somewhat worried, as she feared that the woman might be difficult to deal with.

Xie Wenjing hadn't said much while she was in the temple. It seemed like a lot had happened just now, but she didn't understand any of it.

The carriage stopped in front of the Xie residence. Madam Zhou asked the steward, "Has the master returned home yet?"

The steward nodded: "They've been back for half an hour, and they're in the study right now."

Madam Zhou went straight to the main house, but the steward stopped Xie Chengrang: "Second Young Master, the Master summons you."

Xie Chengrang didn't bother to change his clothes and hurriedly followed the steward to the study.

When they entered, Xie Yizhi was reading a document. Xie Chengrang remained silent, simply standing quietly to the side.

"After I leave, is there anything else going on at the temple?" Xie Yizhi's voice rang out.

Xie Chengrang immediately replied, "No, but... the Prince of Huai has arrived at the temple."

Xie Yizhi slightly raised her eyes: "Did the Prince say anything to you?"

Xie Chengrang said, "The Prince only heard that my elder brother had broken the Buddhist porcelain and offered him some words of comfort."

Xie Yizhi remained silent for a long while, as if she hadn't heard anything.

Just as Xie Chengrang thought everything was alright and was about to take his leave, Xie Yizhi spoke up again: "Why was your elder brother so alarmed when the Xie family was enshrining the relic box?"

Xie Chengrang recalled Xie Chengxin's panicked expression and shook his head: "I don't know, but... it seems that my elder brother said that the woman looked like my second aunt. I guess that's why my elder brother was so frightened."

Xie Yizhi paused, then raised her eyes again, her gaze appearing more profound than usual: "Is there anything else?"

Xie Chengrang thought about it carefully: "That's all. After that, I think I saw it clearly, so my brother didn't mention it again."

Xie Yizhi nodded, then instructed, "Don't let your elder brother think about that Buddhist porcelain again."

Xie Chengrang responded.

Xie Yizhi waved her hand, signaling Xie Chengrang to step back.

The door was closed again, and a person came out from the inner room.

He was Xie Yizhi's advisor.

Xie Yizhi's voice was low: "Xin Ge'er was also at the estate that day."

The advisor whispered, "Are you afraid that the eldest son saw something?"

Xie Yizhi nodded. In the temple, Xie Chengxin's gaze had been unusually flustered, and he subconsciously assumed that Xie Chengxin had recognized the woman. But Xin-ge'er shouldn't have seen his second aunt before, unless it was on that day…

Now it seems that Xin Ge'er was panicked because Xie Shi resembled his second brother's wife.

“If he saw it but didn’t say anything,” Xie Yizhi said, “then he must have other thoughts in his mind.”

The aide whispered, "Since the master has suspicions, I will keep a close eye on the eldest son in the future. However... given the eldest son's personality... he probably won't..."

Xie Chengxin wasn't very clever, but he was kind-hearted, which was why Xie Yizhi didn't suspect him too much.

After saying this, Xie Yizhi asked, "How's it going on your end? Have you found out where Qiao Si is?"

The aide nodded: "That Qiao Si... died last December."