Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 536 Good Father
Many wealthy families required that the women who married into their families be intelligent, knowledgeable, and well-mannered, especially adhering to the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues.

In this way, she can both manage the household affairs and wholeheartedly consider the well-being of her husband's family.

This is especially true for matriarchs of aristocratic families. If they had to choose between having a broad vision and observing proper etiquette, they would have to choose the latter. People with high standards of vision, if they cannot be controlled, can bring disaster.

A woman must rely on her husband's family to live in order to leave this house. On the contrary... if she has other choices, how can she be guaranteed to share honor and disgrace regardless of right or wrong?

The women naturally understood that observing proper etiquette to gain their husbands' families' trust was a way of survival. Relying on their husbands in everything was also a sign of their acceptance of their husbands' families, and only in this way could they obtain the opportunity to manage the household.

Xie Yuyan was clearly not that kind of person. She would never agree to give up her business and her status as a senior member of the Wang family and enter the inner quarters of the Wang family. To put it bluntly, she had no intention of marrying into the Wang family at the moment. Otherwise, she would have been more restrained when she arrived in Bianjing.

Therefore, when Wang Bingchen learned that the woman Yan Ge'er admired was Xie Niangzi, he knew that he and his son would find it difficult to reach a consensus on this matter.

But he also wanted to learn more about this Lady Xie.

What are this woman's plans? Is she using Yan Ge'er, or even the Wang family?

Wang Bingcheng didn't think that much about it: "Actually, brother, you can meet with that Lady Xie, not necessarily for Hechun. You can talk to her about the new laws. From Daming Prefecture to Bianjing, at least she is not on the side of the old party."

"The smooth implementation of the Market Regulation Law will depend on the guilds in Bianjing. Perhaps Lady Xie can help."

Wang Bingcheng's thinking was very simple: the reason why Xie Niangzi's matter could not be resolved was because they did not understand each other. Only when they had the opportunity to meet would they be able to see each other clearly.

This father and son cannot remain in this cold relationship forever.

If one beating doesn't work, Wang Zheng will beat him twice. That should make him obey. After all, he's useless. At most, he can only run away to his mother's house and hide for a few days.

Hechun is no good. That child can do too many things and can cause chaos in the entire Wang family.

Wang Bingchen ultimately did not agree to meet Xie Yuyan, but instead instructed Wang Bingcheng to keep an eye on the situation at the porcelain shop and inform him of any progress.

Wang Bingcheng returned home, washed up, changed his clothes, and went straight to Wang Zheng's courtyard.

Wang Zheng is writing in his study.

Wang Bingcheng's stern face immediately broke into a loving smile upon seeing Wang Zheng.

Why are you working so hard today?

Wang Zheng put down his brush and bowed respectfully to his father: "I've been going out a lot these past few days, so I can't fall behind in my studies."

Wang Bingcheng walked up to Wang Zheng and reached out to pat Wang Zheng's shoulder, but Wang Zheng was startled and dodged backward.

"What are you hiding from?" Wang Bingcheng said. "Stop writing. I haven't eaten yet. Have the kitchen bring over some food so we can have a bite."

Wang Zheng was flattered. His father had found out that he had run away from home, and he thought he would get a beating, but he didn't expect his father to be so kind and gentle.

The food was set on the table, and Wang Bingcheng poured a glass of wine and handed it to Wang Zheng: "I just came back from your uncle's house. I heard that Hechun hasn't been home lately. Do you know why?"

Wang Zheng pursed his lips: "Brother is probably too busy at the yamen."

Wang Bingcheng sighed: "You've grown up, you have your own thoughts now, and you're different from before."

Seeing his father's dejected look, Wang Zheng couldn't help but say, "Father, is something troubling you lately? Why don't you tell me? Perhaps I can help you."

Wang Bingcheng said, "Your elder brother did things behind your uncle's back. Some people in the clan came to ask about it, and the officials of the Central Secretariat also had some complaints. Some even said that your uncle and your elder brother and son had put on a big show just to put Xia Mengxian and others to death."

"Your uncle has a tough job in the imperial court."

Wang Bingcheng sighed, picked up his glass of wine, and drank it all in one gulp.

Wang Zheng had always been concerned about family matters since he was a child. Seeing his father like this, he was also anxious, but he didn't know what to do.

“This family can’t fall apart, can it?” Hearing his father say this, Wang Zheng couldn’t help but persuade him again: “My brother has his own reasons, but he is definitely doing good things.”

Wang Zheng was slightly drunk, but for some reason, his mind was much sharper than usual: "They captured those people in Daming Prefecture... and... and built a blast furnace to smelt iron ore. This year... that furnace will definitely be completely finished."

“My brother has never mentioned this to anyone, nor has he ever claimed any credit.”

Wang Bingcheng's eyes flickered slightly, but Wang Zheng did not notice.

Wang Bingcheng asked, "Is that all?"

“Of course not,” Wang Zheng said. “After you returned to Bianjing, didn’t you also imprison Minister Xia? Among all the officials in Daliang, who can compare to you?”

"My father told my eldest uncle not to worry, that his elder brother was so smart and would surely do well in the future."

Wang Zheng's voice grew softer and softer, and his head kept drooping.

Wang Bingcheng, seeing his useless son, realized that beating him wouldn't work, so he tried getting him drunk to get some information out of him, but... he couldn't get anything out of him.

Wang Bingcheng had no choice but to put down his wine glass and reach out to pull his son back into the house.

“Besides,” Wang Zheng muttered, “he also has his sister-in-law helping him.”

Wang Bingcheng's hand froze, and he almost dropped his son on the ground.

"Who are you talking about?" Wang Bingcheng asked. "Sister-in-law...who is she?"

“Sister-in-law,” Wang Zheng said, “my letters to you have all been intercepted by my brother…”

Wang Zheng pouted in dissatisfaction: "If you keep doing this, I'll run off to find my sister-in-law just like the cat, and never talk to him again."

Wang Bingcheng's heart sank. Things he was unsure about before were now confirmed by his own son.

"Are you referring to Lady Xie, the sister-in-law you're talking about?"

Wang Zheng nodded slightly, then, as if remembering something, he half-covered his mouth with his hand: "I know a secret, but I can't tell anyone..."

"Brother is actually very afraid of sister-in-law."

With a thud, Wang Zheng was finally thrown into the chair, his head slamming heavily against the table.

Wang Bingcheng's expression changed repeatedly. It seemed he couldn't entrust someone else to keep an eye on Xie Niangzi; he had to go and see for himself.

As for Wang Zheng...

Let him continue going to the porcelain shop. It's hard work for him too. Every now and then, let his son practice his drinking skills.

……

In the past few days, nine more merchants have left by boat.

The porcelain they took away was less than half of what was agreed upon in the contract.

But these merchants left happily, unwilling to linger for fear of wasting time.

The number of merchants coming to the porcelain shop has begun to decrease. Yesterday there were twenty people, but today there are only seventeen. Chen Yixiu, the leader of the merchants, is quite dissatisfied.

In six days, Madam Xie will have to step in to resolve their matter. She can't go back on her word, otherwise, what will become of Master Xing's prestige?

Chen Yixiu hoped that Xie Niangzi wouldn't be able to come up with a solution, which was also the purpose of his trip.