Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 516: Soft
As soon as Xie Yuyan finished speaking, Wang Yan on the bed turned over, turned his face away, and pretended not to have heard anything.

Xie Yuyan couldn't help but find it amusing; this person would use any method to avoid leaving. Thinking of this, she put down her book, got up, and walked over. Before she even reached the bedside, she heard Wang Yan say, "After we go back, you certainly won't get any rest."

"Someone is waiting in the study."

These words were spoken by Prime Minister Wang.

Wang Yan's tone was low and he sounded particularly pitiful.

If you don't know him, you might be fooled.

Wang Yan dared to bypass the Secretariat and play this trick on the Emperor, so how could he be afraid to go back and face his father?
Sensing Xie Yuyan approaching, Wang Yan turned around and, before she could react, pulled her to sit down on the soft couch.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll be stuck in the government office again."

Xie Yuyan nodded. In her previous life, she knew Wang Yan as someone who spent his days living in the government office. Wang Zheng often used this incident to teach Wang Huai a lesson.

But now it seems a bit reluctant.

Wang Yan said, "It's already very late when I leave the office, so it's not appropriate for me to come to the South City Wharf again, is it?"

Xie Yuyan couldn't help but smile again. She seemed to understand why she felt more and more relaxed in front of Wang Yan. Since he was no longer unpredictable, she naturally didn't need to be on guard anymore.

Before Xie Yuyan could speak, Wang Yan continued, "How long will it be before we can meet again this time? You're in charge of reorganizing the Bianjing porcelain industry, it won't be any easier for you than it is for me."

Her words sounded no different from usual, yet every sentence seemed to have a hook, waiting for her to respond.

Xie Yuyan said, "You can come even if it's late. I'll let the gatekeeper know."

"If it gets too late, it's not good to make a fuss about leaving... I'll have someone clean up the yard next door, you can rest there."

Wang Yan finally earned a place for himself. He appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was pounding like a drum. He said softly, "My wife has made a promise. Don't go back on your word."

Xie Yuyan looked into his slightly bright eyes: "That courtyard was also bought with the money you gave me..."

The implication was that it wasn't intentionally left for him. Wang Yan naturally didn't believe it; his heart felt as if a piece of candy had melted, bringing him a sweetness he had never experienced before.

“Money won’t buy a house on its own,” Wang Yan said. “Someone has to be willing to think of me first.”

Wang Yan took Xie Yuyan's hand again.

Their fingers intertwined, and the calluses on his hands gently brushed against her, causing a ticklish sensation to rise in her heart once again.

……

Wangfu.

Wang Bingchen sat in his study reading documents. Tonight, the Wang family did not receive any guests, allowing the Prime Minister Wang to enjoy a rare moment of peace.

However, the prime minister's emotions were clearly not as calm as they appeared.

"Not back yet?"

When the steward entered and served tea, Wang Bingchen asked him about it.

The steward naturally knew who his master was asking: "Young master, he hasn't returned home yet. Perhaps... there are other matters to attend to."

Wang Bingchen snorted coldly: "He was released from the Ministry of Justice prison a long time ago, and he didn't go to Kaifeng Prefecture or Dali Temple, so where else could he have gone?"

The person in charge dared not respond.

Wang Bingchen said, "Go ask the madam what she sent back to say, and how long it will take for her to return home?" The steward pursed his lips and said with a forced smile, "The madam's stewardess just came."

Wang Bingchen raised his eyes: "What do you mean?"

The steward swallowed hard: "Madam didn't mention the young master's matter, she just told the master that she wanted to rest early, so the master shouldn't go back to the main house."

After saying this, the matron left behind a bed and blankets.

Upon hearing this, Wang Bingchen wanted to say something, but he suddenly caught his breath and coughed.

The steward was startled and hurriedly stepped forward to pat Wang Bingchen on the back: "Master, don't worry. Madam... didn't mean anything by it. It's understandable that Madam was worried when her husband was away for two days. Now that he has finally returned to the capital safely, Madam can finally relax and sleep peacefully."

Wang Bingchen snorted coldly.

Thinking that Madam Lin was deliberately going against him, Wang Bingchen looked at the steward and asked, "Does Madam know something?"

In the past, no matter when Wang Yan returned, Madam Lin would have to wait for him. The kitchen would have to prepare food and keep hot water on hand. In short, everyone in the mansion would be busy.

Why did things turn out like this tonight?
The steward shook his head: "What the master means is..."

Wang Bingchen assumed the steward was unaware, so he waved his hand and said, "Go down!"

The steward bowed and withdrew, and Wang Bingchen's gaze returned to the official documents. The collusion between the Ministry of Justice and the Secretariat meant that both the Secretariat and the Privy Council were guilty.

Both he and Xie Yizhi had to submit memorials to plead guilty. It was impossible for both of them to resign and return home, and the Emperor would not allow it. However, after this incident, they would inevitably face impeachment from the censors.

None of that mattered. Wang Bingchen took a deep breath. He didn't care whether he became the prime minister or not; what he cared about was the new policies.

The new policy was blocked and could not be implemented, and all the previous preparations were in vain.

"Master, the young master is back," the steward rushed in to report.

Wang Bingchen looked up and saw the curtain being lifted, and Wang Yan striding into the room.

Wang Bingchen's gaze swept over his son. Wang Yan's clothes were clean and tidy, unlike someone who had been traveling for many days. His eyes were still bright and energetic, showing no signs of fatigue.

“Father.” Wang Yan bowed respectfully.

Wang Bingchen looked at his son, wanting to say many things, but not knowing how to begin.

When did this deep rift develop between father and son?
Back then, he was implicated by his father and transferred to the southwest. Yan Ge'er traveled a long distance to visit him, and he felt only gratitude and heartache. Yan Ge'er also stayed by his side, studying with him and asking him for advice on the classics and articles.

He had always believed that Yan Ge'er resembled him the most, and that everything he had in the future would be inherited by Yan Ge'er. Now he suddenly realized that reality was quite different from his expectations.

Wang Bingchen poured two cups of tea and invited Wang Yan to sit beside him.

The time it takes to drink a cup of tea is a moment that truly belongs to the father and son.

"Do you know that by doing this, you are giving the Emperor an excuse to weaken the power of the Secretariat? With this shift, the hard-won balance between the power of the Chancellor and the power of the Emperor may be tilted as a result."

Wang Yan said, "I know."

"Knowing this, you still did it?" Wang Bingchen said. "If the court becomes unstable in the future, all the blame will fall on you alone. Is this the result you wanted?"

Wang Yan raised his eyes, his face deep and serious. The warmth he had just received from Xie Yuyan was now rapidly dissipating, and his expression became increasingly cold and stern.

"So, is this what Father wanted—the Secretariat controlling the court officials, Xia Mengxian colluding with merchants to smuggle goods, and wielding absolute power in the Ministry of Justice?" Wang Yan asked. "Father, in order to promote the new policies, you didn't hesitate to form factions. You protected those who supported the new policies and suppressed those who resisted them. Where is Father's 'public spirit'?"

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