Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 580 Admonition
Upon hearing the words "vegetarian year-round," Xie Chengxin's hand trembled. Fortunately, he noticed it in time and deliberately reached for his cup to cover it up.

Prince Huai continued, "It is indeed difficult to find members of the Demonic Cult. Unless they gather in one place to plot something, it is hard to find anything suspicious."

"When the cult was being suppressed, the Imperial Guards went to provide support and discovered that the monks in the temples were hiding members of the cult. They had hidden the Mani statue inside the Buddha statue so that they could worship openly."

Xie Chengxin said, "These people are indeed cunning."

“In fact, the so-called demonic cults have never been caused by gods or Buddhas, but by people,” said Prince Huai. “Whether it is the Maitreya cult or the Manichaean cult, they have been passed down for a hundred years. Some of their doctrines also encourage people to do good, but they have been used by people to achieve their own goals.”

"Every dynasty has its good and bad sides. Corruption among officials and the oppression of the common people by powerful gentry and nobles—which dynasty hasn't had these problems? The sorcerer cult uses these issues to increase public resentment, spreading the message that 'those who join our ranks will receive food and clothing' to win people's hearts. On the other hand, the court will also blame its failures on natural disasters and man-made calamities. The sorcerer cult is just one of the reasons officials use to shirk responsibility. In this way, the sorcerer cult becomes the most heinous of crimes..."

Prince Huai felt he had said too much, and Xie Chengxin might not understand. If it were Wang Yan or Lady Xie standing next to him, they might be able to say a few words to him.

Xie Chengxin fell into deep thought, and after a long while, he finally said, "What exactly do those cults want? To... to change dynasties?"

The Prince of Huai said, "That depends on who uses them and when. But it's all about seizing power. Most of the members of the Demonic Cult are ordinary people, but some high-ranking officials have also been bribed by the Demonic Cult."

Upon hearing this, Xie Chengxin asked, "Why would someone in such a high position and with so much power be bribed?"

The Prince of Huai laughed and said, "Even you, Prime Minister Wang, have experienced ups and downs in the court. Who can have a smooth career all the time? Although there are few who are helped by a cult in times of crisis and rise to prominence in the future, there are still some."

Xie Chengxin nodded subconsciously: "It was all due to selfishness that the demonic sect took advantage of the situation. If we didn't have such thoughts, we would never have been involved with those people."

At this point, Xie Chengxin added, "I wonder how much trouble the Demonic Cult will stir up in the capital this time?"

“Some things are beyond our control,” said the Prince of Huai. “If we knew what those cultists were planning, we could naturally stop them and prevent more innocent people from being dragged into it.”

"Unfortunately, not everyone has such an opportunity."

Xie Chengxin tightened his grip slightly.

“It seems we won’t be able to see Lady Xie today,” Prince Huai said, looking at Xie Chengxin. “If Lady Xie encounters any members of the Demonic Cult, they will definitely keep investigating.”

Xie Chengxin asked, "Why?"

"Haven't you heard?" Prince Huai said, "Lady Xie was kidnapped and sold to Daming Prefecture, and almost lost her life. People from the Demonic Cult often do such things, and these kinds of people should be the ones she despises the most."

At this moment, Xie Chengxin once again saw admiration in the eyes of the Prince of Huai. The words his father had told him to say were on the tip of his tongue, and now was the most appropriate time to say them, but he just couldn't bring himself to say them.

Compared to his wife, his home was shrouded in darkness, and his father was becoming increasingly incomprehensible to him.

The two drank another cup of tea before getting up and walking out of the teahouse.

Prince Huai said, "Why don't we go and take another look at the South City Wharf?"

Xie Chengxin did not refuse.

The two strolled along the dock and saw large ships docking, boatmen busily unloading cargo, and teahouses packed with people. As they wandered around, they overheard people talking about Lady Xie.

As they emerged from the South City Wharf, Prince Huai looked at Xie Chengxin again: "What does Young Master Xie think of Lady Xie?"

Xie Chengxin nodded and said, "She's...a remarkable woman."

The Prince of Huai sighed, "A woman like this truly deserves a good ending. Don't you agree?"

Xie Chengxin's back stiffened instantly.

……

Returning home from the South City Wharf, Xie Chengxin could still hear the words of the Prince of Huai. He felt that the Prince of Huai's words were quite profound.

It might be because he... felt too guilty.

"Young Master." The steward stepped forward and bowed.

Xie Chengxin asked, "Where is my mother?"

"Madam did not go out today; she should be in the main courtyard."

Xie Chengxin strode towards the inner courtyard. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he heard his third brother, Xie Chenghan, reciting his lessons.

When the head housekeeper saw Xie Chengxin arrive, she hurriedly stepped forward to lift the curtain.

Xie Chengxin entered the room and saw Madam Zhou sitting in a chair, looking at Xie Chenghan with a smile in her eyes.

Xie Chengxin waited until Xie Chenghan stopped before stepping forward to pay his respects.

Madam Zhou nodded: "Where have you been again? I haven't seen you all day." As she spoke, she picked up the porcelain bowl next to her, about to drink the medicine soup inside.

"Mother," Xie Chengxin hurriedly stopped her, "why are you still taking your medicine?"

Madam Zhou found Xie Chengxin somewhat strange: "To recuperate, one naturally needs to use medicine."

Xie Chengxin gritted his teeth: "I heard from the steward that Mother is recuperating because she wants to have another baby brother for us?"

Madam Zhou's expression changed, and she immediately scolded, "You're not young anymore, what nonsense are you spouting? Is this any of your business?"

Xie Chengxin looked at Xie Chenghan: "Third brother is intelligent and has always been favored by Mother. If that's the case, why have more children?"

“My mother already has a son and a daughter. Every woman faces danger during childbirth. My mother is so old, why do this? Besides, even if she forces herself to get pregnant, she may not be able to give birth to a son.”

"Even if she has children, what if they are as stupid as me? Would my mother have to have more children?"

Madam Zhou took a deep breath, a surge of anger rising in her head: "What on earth is wrong with you? Even if you're jealous of your third brother, you shouldn't act like this. Are you afraid I'll have another younger brother who will compete with you for the family fortune?"

"I really doubt whether an eldest brother like you will be able to manage this family well in the future."

Xie Chenghan glanced at his mother and then at his elder brother. His usual quick wit reminded him to go along with his mother's words. He stepped forward and blocked Xie Chengxin's path: "Elder brother, don't make Mother angry. She is only thinking of the family and hoping that our Xie clan will prosper."

"Having many children brings good fortune and longevity, which is a good thing. Besides, the doctor who treated my mother said that if she recovers, she will naturally be able to conceive again."

Xie Chenghan tried to tug at Xie Chengxin's sleeve, but Xie Chengxin pushed him away instead: "What do you know? Having another child doesn't mean Mother has to risk her life."

“At a time like this, you… should advise your mother not to have those unnecessary thoughts.”

Xie Chenghan stood there, stunned.

Before Xie Chengxin could speak, he saw something come flying at him and hit him squarely on the forehead.

Xie Chengxin felt a burning pain as a jade pomegranate fell and rolled a long way.

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(End of this chapter)