Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 571 Internal Response
Wang Yan and Xie Yuyan knew less about the Xie family affair than the Prince of Huai, but they were equally suspicious of the rebellion in Shaozhou.

Xie Yizhi replaced the real Xie Erniang with a fake Xie Wenjing. When she saw Xie Yuyan, she refused to acknowledge her. This alone is enough to prove that there is something wrong with the Xie family.

Furthermore, as they investigated the case, many people and events pointed to Shaozhou.

Xu Wei once served as a military advisor in Shaozhou. The third manager they captured also mentioned Qujiang in Shaozhou to Xie Yuyan.

The Prince of Huai said, "The current Princess Consort of Qin, Jiang Zhenru's own brother, also died in the battle of Shaozhou. It was because the commander of the Shaozhou rebels was captured and it was proven that he was the mastermind behind the Guangnan East Road mutiny that my father's crimes were cleared."

"Do you now feel that someone is orchestrating a grand scheme in the shadows, creating the situation we have today? What would have happened if we hadn't discovered this?"

"Xie Yizhi is being controlled by someone because of some secrets. If Xia Mengxian doesn't catch her either, at least half of the court will fall into other people's hands."

That "other person" naturally refers to Xia Mengxian and the person behind the Third Manager.

“And the Prince of Qin’s mansion,” said the Prince of Huai. “If my guess is correct, the Prince of Qin’s mansion will also be in their hands.”

"Isn't it terrifying to think about it carefully?"

"If this game continues, I wonder who will lose?"

But unfortunately, few people would believe it if it were said now. Factional struggles and the fight for the throne can obscure everything, and the truth would be seen as a conspiracy...

“The reason I brought Hechun here is because I was afraid that if we met in private, we would be criticized,” said Prince Huai. “Sometimes, the status of a member of the royal family is not as useful as that of a minor official. But similarly, my status can easily arouse suspicion.”

"Guess what Xie Yizhi is thinking right now?"

Before Wang Yan could speak, the Prince of Huai continued, "He must be wondering if I've figured something out, otherwise why would he keep chasing after Lady Xie's carriage?"

"Did Xie Wenjing slip up somewhere?"

"Should I investigate further? This matter can't be suppressed. If I report it to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, what will happen to the Xie family? As long as Xie Yizhi causes trouble, we might find an opportunity to catch him red-handed."

This is the first step.

This also marked the beginning of uncovering the Shaozhou case.

“Moreover,” said the Prince of Huai, “there are still members of the Xie family willing to help us.”

……

A thunderclap resounded in the sky.

The rain started again in Bianjing, where the sun had just cleared up.

Xie Yizhi had just finished his official duties. He dismissed his attendants and headed toward the main house with a stern face. Just as he entered the corridor, he saw a shadow flash beside him.

Xie Yizhi immediately shouted, "Who is it?"

Then a figure emerged from behind the rocky hill.

Xie Yizhi couldn't see the man's face clearly. Just as she was about to call for the guards, the man spoke up, "Father...it's...it's me."

Xie Chengxin stepped forward.

"what are you doing here?"

The lanterns lit on the corridor cast an eerie light on Xie Yizhi's face. Upon seeing this, Xie Chengxin stopped in his tracks and almost backed away.

Xie Chengxin swallowed hard, and in his panic, a handkerchief fell from his hand.

Xie Yizhi's eyelids twitched immediately. It was clearly a woman's silk handkerchief. Looking at Xie Chengxin's disheveled appearance, he knew everything. He was immediately filled with rage: "You're good for nothing all day long, just indulging in debauchery. I won't let you go out, so you just run wild in the mansion."

Xie Yizhi's voice startled the steward of the manor.

The steward arrived with his guards.

Xie Yizhi said, "Go and ask who was with him just now, and sell them off." Xie Chengxin hurriedly waved his hand, "No, there was no one else. This handkerchief belongs to... to a woman outside. I... I just wanted to climb over the wall and went out, but I didn't expect to run into my father."

Xie Yizhi's already pent-up anger flared up instantly. He snatched the stick from the guard's hand and raised it to strike Xie Chengxin.

The steward rushed forward to persuade him, but how could he stop him? He hurriedly urged Xie Chengxin, "Sir, run, run!"

“I made an appointment with the Prince tomorrow,” Xie Chengxin said, covering his head and trying to hide. “If Father beats me, I will be unable to keep my appointment.”

Upon hearing "Prince," Xie Yizhi immediately stopped.

Xie Chengxin waited for a while, and only after confirming that his father had stopped hitting him did he slowly lower his hand.

Xie Yizhi's voice remained stern: "What does the Prince of Huai want with you?"

"Buy Buddhist porcelain..." Xie Chengxin said, "The Prince of Huaijun wants to buy a few pieces of Buddhist porcelain for his palace."

Xie Yizhi frowned.

Xie Chengxin muttered in a low voice, "I didn't want to go in the first place. If my father hits me a few more times, I'll have an excuse to refuse."

Xie Yizhi's gaze fell on Xie Chengxin again: "Why don't you want to go?"

“Your Highness,” Xie Chengxin swallowed, “I think he’s not really interested in buying the Buddhist porcelain, but rather in meeting the porcelain merchant.”

"He hasn't even married my second sister yet, and he's already eyeing another woman. If it weren't for the fact that he's a prince, I would definitely teach him a lesson on how to be a son-in-law of the Xie family."

Xie Yizhi's irritability stemmed from the Prince of Huai. He had heard the news while at the yamen that the Prince of Huai had stopped Xie Yizhi in the street, and his heart sank. After all, the Prince of Huai had seen the real Xie Wenjing before, so would he recognize her?

Hearing Xie Chengxin's words now, Xie Yizhi became even more worried. It was clear that the Prince of Huai wanted to use Xin Ge'er to investigate Xie Yuyan's identity.

If he forbids Xin Ge'er from going, the Prince of Huai will become even more suspicious.

Xie Yizhi coldly ordered Xie Chengxin, "Come with me to the study."

Xie Chengxin had no choice but to agree and quickly followed behind Xie Yizhi.

The father and son sat down in the study, and Xie Yizhi then asked, "When did it start?"

Xie Chengxin was stunned for a moment, and it seemed that it took him a while to understand Xie Yizhi's meaning: "Father is talking about that old man? It was just these last two days... When I was talking with Prince Huai in the teahouse, I happened to see that old man being surrounded by people heading towards the porcelain shop."

"I thought Prince Huai wanted to open a porcelain shop, so I advised him that his porcelain business had just run into trouble and the market was still unclear, so he should wait and see before making a move."

"Who knew, he was staring at that Xie woman the whole time."

Xie Yizhi waited for Xie Chengxin to continue, but Xie Chengxin stopped.

"And then?" Xie Yizhi pressed for an answer.

Xie Chengxin said, "That's all. Then he asked me to go buy Buddhist porcelain."

"Father, shouldn't you give Prince Huai a warning and tell him to give up those thoughts?"

Xie Yizhi took a deep breath. Xin Ge'er obviously hadn't figured out the situation yet, but keeping Xin Ge'er by the side of Prince Huai would allow them to find out some information.

He would know immediately if the Xie family joined forces with the Prince of Huai.

“You are the eldest brother. Shouldn’t you stop the Prince of Huai from doing those things?” Xie Yizhi said. “If I speak up, things will never end well.”

Xie Chengxin nodded subconsciously, clearly finding Xie Yizhi's words quite reasonable: "Otherwise, let Chengrang go. Chengrang knows how to talk... he..."

Xie Yizhi's face darkened, and Xie Chengxin immediately shut his mouth. He really didn't want to go, and he didn't want to face either Prince Huai or Lady Xie.

(End of this chapter)