Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 5 Entering the game
He Tan walked to the brazier to warm his hands, and the image of the thin, small child from the Yang family came to mind.

"He was just a seven or eight-year-old child. His older brother died in battle at Jinmingzhai."

The man at the desk stood up and walked over. He wasn't wearing official robes, but only a light blue robe with a fox fur coat over it. He was tall and slender. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell directly on him, making his skin appear smooth and fair. His nose was high and straight, and his eyes were exceptionally clear and bright, his gaze even more penetrating.

"Which one?" the man asked.

He Tan said, "The Yang family of Yong'an Ward." He had just sent someone to fetch the documents, intending to find this person.

Without thinking, the man blurted out, "Yang Yi, a native of Yong'anfang in Daming Prefecture, served as a captain in the Jingwei Army. He was once ordered to defend Jinmingzhai. The generals of his unit reported his military merits. If he had not died in that battle, he would now be a deputy captain."

Thinking of the defeat at Jinming Village, He Tan frowned and sighed after a long while: "How did you know?"

The man said, "On the way here, I saw the documents my brother was carrying."

He Tan couldn't help but reveal a warm smile. He couldn't remember the documents sent to him in such detail. When it comes to erudition and a strong memory, no one can compare to Wang Hechun.

He Tan and Wang Hechun are cousins. When Wang Hechun's father was young, he was transferred to the southwest. His mother was weak and could not stand the climate in the southwest, so she stayed in Yuhang to recuperate. During those years, He Tan's mother took care of the two children. He Tan's name is a homophone of "He" in Chinese, so she chose this cousin name to show her closeness to the He family.

He Tan and He Chun sound like brothers. Besides, not many people know this courtesy name. He Tan calls him that in public to conceal his identity.

He Tan told Wang Hechun what he had seen at the Yang family's house: "I've also thought about it. It's a bit of a coincidence that the fire just happened to lead the military patrol to discover the harmful act."

He had just arrived in Daming Prefecture and assembled this military patrol force. Countless people wanted to find out about him and speculate on his purpose in taking office.

"But thinking about it carefully, the orphan and widow might have been desperate and just wanted to make a scene. If someone did it on purpose, it would be too thoughtful. Just now, I didn't think there was such a person."

As the two were talking, a clerk came in to report that the Yang and Xie families had all been brought to the yamen. General Chen had invited a doctor and a midwife to examine the woman's injuries first.

The clerk said, "I'm afraid it will be difficult to ascertain the woman's identity."

He Tan sat up straight, his expression solemn, waiting quietly for what was to come.

The clerk bowed and said, "That woman remembers nothing."

He Tan frowned.

The clerk also found the matter very troublesome and subconsciously looked at Wang Hechun. This Mr. Wang had come to Daming Prefecture with Inspector He and should be Inspector He's advisor. He had dealt with all the backlog of documents in the yamen in just one or two days. Perhaps he had some good ideas.

To the clerk's surprise, Wang Hechun acted as if he hadn't heard anything, and was casually tossing chestnuts into the charcoal brazier.

“Don’t let this matter get out,” He Tan said. “Take the woman to see the Xie family first, then take the Xie family to the prison for interrogation. The woman doesn’t remember, but the Xie family who bought her should know something about it.”

The clerk immediately went to make the arrangements.

The aroma of chestnuts quickly wafted from the charcoal fire, smelling very sweet.

“The Yang family and the Xie family are both merchants in Daming Prefecture,” Wang Hechun said, pausing for a moment. “It’s a pity that the child is too young, otherwise he might have been able to help the Yang family.”

Upon arriving in Daming Prefecture, He Tan not only needed to have his own soldiers but also to secretly plant his own people. The imperial court was about to promulgate many new laws, which would inevitably provoke opposition from the old guard; their smooth implementation was crucial.

However, even the most intelligent seven- or eight-year-old child is not of much use.

While the two were discussing official business, the clerk had already led the physician and midwife to the inner courtyard.

The clerk instructed Zhang: "When the midwife is examining you, you must not say anything."

Zhang responded.

The doctor first examined Xie Yuyan's injuries, and then let the midwife come forward.

"Oh dear, what a ruthless person it must be to do such a thing," the midwife said. "You're lucky to be alive; you're so badly injured, yet you're still alive."

The yamen runners had just fetched water for Xie Yuyan to wash up, making it easier for the doctor to diagnose her injuries. After washing away the thick makeup and dust from her face, her bright and beautiful features were revealed.

Against that face, the strangulation marks on her neck looked even more grotesque.

Not only did the midwife praise it, but Xie Yuyan was also genuinely surprised when he suddenly saw the appearance of this body.

This face actually looks somewhat like hers. If it's all just a coincidence, it seems like it was destined. Or maybe this body really has some connection with her from her previous life.
"Come with me to the inner room," the midwife said softly. "I'll check if you have any more injuries." Xie Yuyan didn't dislike having the midwife examine her. She didn't know much about this body, and it would be good if the midwife could help her find out some of the truth.

She didn't care about the outcome; she just wanted to understand the situation as clearly as possible to avoid any unforeseen complications later.

Given Xie Yuyan's personality, she wouldn't be manipulated by others, but that doesn't prevent her from understanding "herself."

"My wife is still a virgin."

"There were marks of binding on his wrists and ankles, and bruises on his body, which suggests he has suffered a lot."

"Those who survive a great calamity are sure to have good fortune in the future," the midwife comforted Xie Yuyan. "Your wife will surely be wealthy and safe in the future."

As the doctor and midwife were about to leave to report, Xie Yuyan stepped forward anxiously: "I wonder if I can still remember things from before?"

The doctor stroked his beard and shook his head: "It's hard to say. I once had a patient who fell off a mountain and hit his head. He didn't wake up for three days and has been mentally impaired ever since... You are fortunate in your case."

Xie Yuyan looked disappointed, and her eyes were filled with confusion.

Just as Zhang was about to step forward to persuade him, Xie Yuyan's eyes immediately cleared up as soon as the doctor and midwife left, and the dejected look on his face vanished instantly.

Zhang saw this and was stunned, speechless for a moment.

Xie Yuyan looked at Madam Zhang: "There's something I'd like to ask you to do."

Zhang nodded subconsciously.

Xie Yuyan said, "If the government cannot find out my background immediately, I want to stay in the Yang family."

Zhang didn't understand: "What do you mean?"

Xie Yuyan said, "Stay in the Yang family, be your daughter-in-law, and be Sixth Brother's wife."

Zhang was astonished. In her opinion, this young lady must have come from an extraordinary background and was so intelligent. Wouldn't it be a disservice for her to stay in a family like hers?
"Why?" Zhang said, "My son was just a yamen runner, and he died in battle on the frontier. It was one thing for you to be harmed before, but knowing the truth you still have to go through with this marriage... If you want to remarry in the future, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to marry into a good family."

Xie Yuyan couldn't help but smile. In her previous life, she had married an emperor, served as empress dowager, and then remarried a false emperor. She had never cared about her reputation.

Zhang continued, "I'm afraid you'll regret it and miss out on a good marriage."

Having experienced so much in her past life, Xie Yuyan had no desire to remarry. Even if she did meet someone she liked, she would naturally find a way to be with him.

These things, which are extremely important to others, are simply a matter of "useful" versus "useless" to her.

In the current situation, if their origins cannot be clarified, they will inevitably become refugees or clients. Yang Liulang's wife is more likely to be drawn into this situation, so why should she add to her troubles?

Xie Yuyan said, "Now that I have taken on the identity of Liulang's wife, I will naturally take care of you and Qin Ge'er."

Xie Yuyan glanced towards the door as she spoke, "There's still time; you can take your time to think it over."

“I agree,” Zhang pursed her lips and made her decision. “If you are willing to stay, I am naturally willing. If Sixth Brother is gone and you want to leave in the future, I will go to the clan to ask for a divorce certificate for you.” She had witnessed the woman’s methods; for Qin’er’s sake, she would agree to anything.

As soon as Zhang finished speaking, a commotion was heard outside.

"My lords, why are you arresting this old woman? I've worked in the brokerage business for so many years, and every single transaction has been clean and honest. Is there some misunderstanding here?"

As soon as the matchmaker finished speaking, she saw the door of the room next door open, and then she opened her eyes wide and saw a familiar face.

The matchmaker's legs gave way, and she fell to the ground, her face turning deathly pale.

"Ghost... It's haunted! This... this..." In her panic, the matchmaker reached out and hugged the servant's leg. She recognized him; this was the corpse the Xie family had bought, the one she had personally helped put on the wedding dress.

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(End of this chapter)