Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 470 Just One Step Away

Liu Erlang's lips moved, but he didn't say anything more.

Master Liang waved his hand and said, "I think you gentlemen are very lucky. You've chosen the right path, and your careers will be smooth. I don't know how many people want this opportunity."

Huang Zongwu looked at Liu Erlang, a fierce glint in his eyes.

When Master Liang saw this, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. He said these words not only to deal with Liu Erlang, but also to tell Huang Zongwu and the others not to be led by the nose by Liu Erlang.

If Liu Erlang is unwilling, he has many other people who can make this happen.

“It’s getting late,” said Master Liang. “If we delay any longer, and someone notices something amiss and reports it to the authorities first, the young gentlemen will be in a difficult situation.”

Even Hu Ying nodded in agreement this time.

Huang Zongwu looked at Liu Erlang: "Erlang, what do you say?"

Liu Erlang took a deep breath and said, "Let me change my clothes, and then I'll go to the yamen with you." With that, he got up and walked out.

But Master Liang said, "Why go elsewhere to change clothes? You can stay inside."

Liu Erlang put on a stern face: "What do you mean by this? Since I have agreed, I can go with you."

“That’s not necessarily true,” said Master Liang. “This is Erlang’s house. Erlang might be soft-hearted and send someone to deliver a message to Xie Shi. If that happens, we’ll all be finished.”

Liu Erlang clenched his fist.

Master Liang chuckled: "We can't be careless about this kind of thing. Besides, you don't have many guards at home. Liu Zuolang hasn't returned home yet, and there are only your mother and sister in the inner quarters. You don't want anything to happen to them, do you?"

Liu Erlang's heart tightened, and without thinking of anything else, he turned around and ran outside.

Master Liang did not stop him, letting Liu Erlang reach the door.

The door was pulled open, and Liu Erlang bumped right into the person standing outside. The person helped Liu Erlang up: "Erlang, what happened?"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Liu Erlang was immediately overjoyed. He gripped the man's arm tightly and said urgently, "Quick, let someone see my mother and sister, they..."

“They are both well,” He Daosheng said with a smile. “Don’t worry, Erlang, with me at home watching over them, Madam and Fourth Sister will be fine.”

Liu Erlang's eyes narrowed instantly. He stared at He Daosheng in disbelief, trying to see through He Daosheng's skin to his inner self.

He Daosheng reached out and patted Liu Erlang on the shoulder: "I've said it before, the Liu family will have to rely on Erlang in the future. Whether the Liu family can bring glory to the family depends entirely on Erlang."

A buzzing sound filled Liu Erlang's ears. No wonder He Daosheng supported him in writing the tabloid, no wonder their manuscripts had disappeared, and no one had come in to check on the situation while they were arguing here. It turned out there was a traitor inside.

Liu Erlang had many questions for He Daosheng, but Master Liang was clearly losing patience and urged, "Let's go quickly, lest we mess things up."

He Daosheng added, "Second Brother, just go ahead and do what you need to do. I'll take care of things at home."

Liu Erlang felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. He didn't bother to change his clothes anymore and followed Master Liang and the others blankly as they walked outside.

The moment he stepped out of his house, only one sentence occupied Liu Erlang's mind.

Those were the words that Madam Xie had her sister deliver to him.

"Since he's taken on the role of editor of the Bianjing tabloid, he has to take full responsibility for whatever the outcome may be."

The Liang family carriage stopped at the entrance of the Kaifeng Prefecture government office. Master Liang turned to look at Liu Erlang and said, "Erlang, take the tabloid inside and just tell me where the articles in the tabloid have been altered and where they are not written by you."

"Remember, go straight to the government office; someone will be waiting for you there."

Liu Erlang nodded haphazardly, and Huang Zongwu stepped forward and grabbed his arm: "Don't worry, we'll go with Erlang." This was said to Liu Erlang, and also to inform Master Liang that after the matter was accomplished, his credit should not be omitted.

Liu Erlang got off the carriage, looked at the Kaifeng Prefecture government office, clenched his fists and then relaxed them. Finally, he took a deep breath and was surrounded by people as he walked towards the government office.

As Liu Erlang, the constable standing at the door, was wondering how to speak, the constable smiled and said, "Gentlemen, are you here to file a complaint with the authorities?"

Huang Zongwu nodded.

The constable immediately said enthusiastically, "I will take you to the government office."

The yamen runners of Kaifeng Prefecture, who were usually arrogant and haughty, were now being so attentive... The men looked at each other and immediately saw the same conclusion in each other's eyes.

The constable was pre-arranged.

Thinking of all this, the group felt fortunate. They were glad they had followed orders and come to the government office. The person who arranged everything behind the scenes must be no ordinary person and was not someone they could deal with.

The constables led the way, and they walked slowly.

The Kaifeng Prefectural Government Office was one of the busiest government offices, with many people coming and going.

"Quickly send it to the Second Hall; the officials from the Ministry of Justice are waiting."

Hearing an official giving instructions from not far away, Liu Erlang saw a clerk carrying a stack of documents walking towards the second hall. Suddenly, Liu Erlang slowed his pace, and taking advantage of Huang Zongwu's inattention, he took a step to the right and then ran forward.

The second hall isn't far from here; you can get there by running through the short corridor in front of you and going through a door.

The constable leading the way was taken aback when he didn't expect Liu Erlang to suddenly change his mind. By the time he came to his senses, Liu Erlang had already run towards the second hall.

"Grab him!" the constable shouted, and immediately more people reacted.

Huang Zongwu was about to go forward when he was stopped by the other constables.

Huang Zongwu couldn't help but get anxious: "I'm going to arrest someone, why are you blocking me?" His stubborn argument only earned him angry glares from the constables.

Ignoring the commotion behind him, Liu Erlang was focused on finding the officials from the Ministry of Justice. The officials waiting for them in the Kaifeng Prefecture courtyard must have been arranged by Master Liang and his men, so he could only tell the truth to officials from other government offices.

The reason he asked so many detailed questions was to get inside information so that he could counter-accuse Master Liang and others of making false accusations.

He knew he only had one chance to escape, so he fought with all his might.

The second hall was right in front of him, with only one yamen runner at the door. Liu Erlang was overjoyed and rushed over without thinking. His frail body burst out with greater strength than ever before, and he actually managed to push the yamen runner away.

Pushing open the door, Liu Erlang stepped inside smoothly. His gaze swept across the room and he spotted the official sitting in the chair.

The man was dressed in a scarlet official robe and was holding a document in his hand. When he saw Liu Erlang, he clearly showed a look of surprise on his face.

“My lord,” Liu Erlang immediately knelt down, “I am the eldest son of Liu Huizeng, the Assistant Compiler of the Secretariat. I have been coerced into falsely accusing Xie, a woman from the Yang family in Daming Prefecture, of treason. Now my mother and sister are being held hostage by villains, and I have no choice but to come to the Kaifeng Prefecture. I beg you, my lord, to quickly send people to my home to rescue my family and arrest the owner of the Liang family bookstore in the West Market and the officials on duty in the Kaifeng Prefecture. I have learned some details about this case and will report back to you in detail. This matter also involves the vassal lords of Banjing Hall. The fact that they can collude with vassal lords to set a trap shows that they have been secretly dealing with the vassal lords. They are the ones who are truly plotting the rebellion. I beg you, my lord, to investigate thoroughly and do justice for us.”

A look of bewilderment flashed across the official's face, but he quickly regained his composure. Perhaps some of Liu Erlang's words sounded quite significant, so his expression became exceptionally solemn again.

Before the official could speak, a man came out from the inner room.

Liu Erlang immediately looked over.

The man wasn't wearing official robes, just a blue robe. He was only in his early twenties, with a refined face, but his eyes revealed a hint of arrogance and cynicism.

“Xia…” Liu Erlang couldn’t help but exclaim, “Xia Ziqiao.”

When Liu Erlang uttered the name, his mind went blank.