Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 517 Sorrow and Joy
Upon hearing Wang Yan's question, Wang Bingchen frowned, his face showing a hint of anger: "How can the new policies be implemented smoothly without officials who support them?"

"Xia Mengxian and Xu Wei were not acting under my orders. I was unaware of their actions before this."

Wang Yan did not back down despite his father's harsh words: "But Father will not investigate Xia Mengxian's crimes in depth because Xia Mengxian is willing to hand over the power of the Ministry of Justice. He will also worry that the case of the Ministry of State Affairs will implicate more officials who support the new policies."

Wang Bingchen stared at Wang Yan.

Wang Yan said calmly, "Father has unknowingly fallen too deep."

"If someone were to diligently promote new policies and achieve initial success in office, but privately embezzled money, would Father impeach him if he found out about his actions?"

"If there were a person who, in order to implement new policies and achieve merit, did not hesitate to suppress the people and conceal the drawbacks of the new policies, would Father support him or stop him?"

"If officials who oppose the new policies obtain incriminating evidence against the New Party, what will Father do? Will he exchange favors with them? Or will he remain fair, honest, and impartial?"

After a pause, Wang Yan said, "Now that I have entered officialdom, I have my own political views and do not need to completely obey my father's orders. At home, I am a son, but in the court, my father and I are both subjects of the Great Liang, and we should each have our own opinions."

Wang Bingchen stared at Wang Yan, his hands trembling slightly beneath his sleeves, his eyes filled with disappointment. He took a deep breath to compose himself: "So you want to stay in the capital?"

Wang Yan did not deny it.

"To act as the emperor's eyes and ears? To keep the two ministries in check?" Wang Bingchen said, "Do you know what others will say about you?"

Wang Yan didn't care: "They're just favored officials."

Wang Bingchen seemed to no longer recognize his son, who had once been a distinguished scholar, but had fallen to such a state.

"Without the protection of the Wang family and me, if you go astray in the future, no one will be able to save you."

Wang Yan bowed to Wang Bingchen and said, "Father, there is no need to worry. Since this is my own path, I will walk it myself. Whatever the outcome, it is no one else's fault."

"It's getting late, son, go home and rest."

Wang Yan turned to leave as he spoke.

"Wait," Wang Bingchen called out to him, "Where did you go just now?"

Wang Yan remained silent.

Wang Bingchen asked, "Have you been seeing someone outside...?"

This time, Wang Yan didn't let Wang Bingchen continue speaking; he didn't want to hear any words of slander against Xie Yuyan from anyone else.

“Father,” Wang Yan said, “if I have someone I admire, I will bring her home to meet you and your parents, as long as she is willing.”

A thought flashed through Wang Bingchen's mind. If Wang Yan hadn't found a woman he liked, he wouldn't have said such a thing, and... this woman held a significant place in his heart.

As the father, he could naturally continue to press the matter, but the outcome might destroy the last vestige of their father-son relationship.

Wang Bingchen suddenly realized that he too could feel apprehensive, apprehensive about his own son.

Wang Yan bowed again, then turned and walked out of the study. Just now, he seemed to have the upper hand over his father, but he felt no relief whatsoever.

His father was the person he admired most, so often, even when they disagreed on political matters, he would not openly refute him. But now it was different; since he was to take control of the political situation, he could not afford to hesitate in the slightest.

As Wang Yan walked through the moon gate, he saw two people standing not far away.

Mrs. Lin was waiting there with her stewardess.

“Brother Yan”.

Upon hearing his mother's voice, Wang Yan hurried forward and asked, "Why aren't you resting, Mother?" "I was just about to go to sleep," Madam Lin replied, "when I heard you were back."

As she spoke, Madam Lin shone the lantern she was holding on Wang Yan: "Let me see, you've lost some weight, but you look quite well...and these clothes..."

Madam Lin reached out and straightened Wang Yan's robes before continuing, "They make my son look very handsome. In my opinion, they are better than any of the robes we have at home."

Wang Yan couldn't help but smile.

Madam Lin was even more delighted to see this, and her suspicions were confirmed: "Have you eaten?"

Wang Yan nodded: "It's been used, Mother can rest assured."

Madam Lin nodded repeatedly: "It seems that the people in the small kitchen won't have to wait around anymore."

Wang Yan accompanied Madam Lin into the main house. Madam Lin lowered her voice and said, "You must remember the food and clothing. If there is anything your mother can do for you, just tell me."

Wang Yan replied, "I understand."

Madam Lin yawned at the opportune moment: "Alright, I'm tired, you should go back and rest too! We have to go to the yamen tomorrow, let's talk properly after this busy period is over."

Wang Yan escorted his mother back to the main house before returning to his own courtyard.

Mrs. Lin watched her son's retreating figure, then looked at the stewardess and said, "What did I tell you? Not coming home this late, he must have... gone over there."

"I see that Brother Yan is exceptionally happy, so it must be about time."

Having someone to care about makes all the difference. Madam Lin, being an experienced woman, naturally understands this very well. Before, she was worried that Yan-ge'er wouldn't be able to win the young lady's heart, but now she can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The head maid said, "However, isn't that lady a bit too formidable?" The madam had sent her out to inquire about the matter, and it was only after asking that she learned of all the things Lady Xie had done.

Madam Lin raised her eyebrows slightly: "Not impressive enough to make my son think of you like this?"

The head maid thought about it and agreed: "I was just worried that the lady was too conspicuous."

“That’s good,” Madam Lin said, “so that people won’t think I’m too soft-hearted and easily manipulated. If I’m smart and capable, those demons and monsters won’t dare to approach me.”

The matron nodded.

Madam Lin glanced outside and yawned again: "Loosen the bolt, blow out the lamp, I'm going to rest."

The head maid said, "Master..."

“Let him calm down in the study,” Madam Lin said, taking off her clothes and lying on the bed. “He’s old and already looks unattractive. He’s always looking gloomy, which is really annoying.”

The head housekeeper wanted to laugh but dared not. The lady had been frail since childhood, and it was thanks to her personality that she was not plagued by illness.

……

Liu family.

Liu Erlang knelt before his father's bed, looking at the strips of cloth wrapped around his father's body. He couldn't help but feel extremely remorseful: "It's all my fault. If I hadn't been so ambitious, our family wouldn't have suffered this calamity."

Liu Hui waved his hand, his gaze towards Liu Erlang filled with affection, but his expression quickly turned serious: "Do you think that I went to the Dengwen Prosecutor's Office because of you?"

Liu Erlang nodded subconsciously: "Father only obeyed Wang Yan's orders to save his son."

Liu Hui frowned: "Don't bother participating in the palace examination. With such aptitude... you still want to achieve anything in your official career? I'm afraid you won't even know how you died."

"Instead of placing all my hopes on you, I'd rather go the extra mile. You can expect to benefit from my guidance in the future!"