Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 605 Departure
After Xie Yizhi and his advisors finished discussing their countermeasures, he sent his advisors out to deliver the message. Once all these matters were completed, he summoned Chunxi for questioning.

"How is Wenjing?" Xie Yizhi asked. "Is she still insisting on leaving Bianjing?"

Chunxi hurriedly said, "After taking the medicine given by the master, the second mistress fell asleep. When she woke up, she ate some food and then rested again. The madam sent someone to ask her, and I told her that the mistress had caught a cold and was feeling unwell. The madam told her to stay in the room and rest."

Xie Yizhi nodded in satisfaction: "She is too worried. This calming and stabilizing pill will only benefit her. Take it twice a day as scheduled, and she will gradually get better."

Chunxi said, "If...my wife continues to be this sleepy..."

“Then let her sleep more,” Xie Yizhi said. “It’s better than her overthinking. If she really panics and someone notices something is wrong, I won’t be able to help her.”

Chunxi nodded: "This servant understands."

Xie Yizhi waved her hand: "Go down. You should stay home as much as possible these days. We'll talk about everything once things have settled down outside."

Chunxi had no other choice but to follow Xie Yizhi's arrangements.

Emerging from the study, Chunxi carried a lantern and hurried toward Xie Wenjing's courtyard. For some reason, she felt as if someone was watching her from behind. Suddenly, she realized that it was pitch black behind her, with only the swaying shadows of trees.

……

early morning.

As soon as the gates of Baode Temple opened, the novice monks who were there to greet guests saw a group of people coming this way. Before they could even see who it was, Yan Sui rushed out beside them.

"Madam."

Yan Sui was carrying a cloth bag and was about to go to the academy to study when he unexpectedly saw Xie Yuyan as soon as he stepped out of the temple gate.

Xie Yuyan hasn't been to the temple for a while. Yan Sui occasionally accompanies Yang Qin to the residence at the South City Wharf, but even when he sees Madam Xie, he only exchanges a few words with her, as she is indeed too busy.

"What brings you here today?" Yan Sui tugged at Xie Yuyan's sleeve affectionately. He was able to live a peaceful life in Bianjing thanks to his wife's help, and he was truly grateful to her.

Xie Yuyan reached out and tidied Yan Sui's cloth bag. The heavy little bag contained books and food. He had to get up early every day to go to the academy and didn't return until dark. It was really hard work.

Xie Yuyan asked, "Do you enjoy studying at the academy?"

Yan Sui nodded: "I like it."

Xie Yuyan took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Yan Sui's forehead: "That's good."

She vaguely recalled her past life. On the day she returned to the palace, her master asked her, "Are you willing to go back?"

Without hesitation, she said, "I'm willing." At that point, the only option was to fight for herself and forge her own path.

At that moment, the master sighed and said, "That's good."

Time may change, but they still stand facing each other, saying almost the same things, but she knows the outcome will be different.

“Tell me if you don’t like it,” Xie Yuyan said. “Tell me what books you want as well. If I’m not in Bianjing, tell Qin Ge’er.”

Yan Sui nodded.

She also hopes that her master can have less helplessness and more spontaneity in this life.

“Master is at the temple,” Yan Sui said. “Madam, please go in!”

Yan Sui started walking down the mountain, but soon stopped again: "If you're not busy, Madam, please come often."

Xie Yuyan responded, and Yan Sui then skipped and hopped out.

Mother Yu smiled and said, "Xiao Jinzhu is different from when he was in Daming Prefecture. Back then, he would frown all day long, wander around the foot of the mountain, help people carry things onto carriages, and work up a sweat, earning only one coin."

“Now we don’t have to think about those things, and we can concentrate on our studies. Ninth Prince is the same way, with a scholarly air about him. That’s how they should be at their age.” Xie Yuyan said, “But they won’t be like this when they take the provincial examinations in a few years.”

Madam Yu's smile deepened: "Then I'll accompany you to deliver their meals."

Xie Yuyan looked at Mother Yu and said, "Actually, you don't need to come with me out of Beijing."

“I’m used to being by Madam’s side,” said Madam Yu. “If you don’t let me go, I’ll feel restless and the days will be even harder to bear.”

Xie Yuyan said nothing more, and the two of them headed towards the main hall.

Master Zhiyuan received the news and waited in front of the main hall, holding a box in his hands.

Xie Yuyan and Master Zhiyuan performed Buddhist rituals. Master Zhiyuan opened the box and said, "This is a Buddhist medicine that was recently made. The medicinal materials were stir-fried with salt and processed to increase their efficacy and reduce their toxicity. Then they were made into honey pills and sealed in a wax shell. However, there are only two kinds of pills available now, and the applicable symptoms are written on them."

"There are thirty such boxes in total. The quantity is not large, so you will have to make careful consideration when using them."

Zhiyuan received many letters from the temples in the border town. The situation of the border people was just as Zhao Zhongliang had described. They lacked medical care and medicine all year round. Many seriously ill people were thrown into the mountains before they even breathed their last. He also hoped that these pills could save some people.

Xie Yuyan said, "Thank you for your hard work hosting these past few days."

“Since it is Buddhist medicine, then it is my duty,” Master Zhiyuan said, bowing in Buddhist salutation. “If it can save lives, then it is also a Buddhist achievement.”

The two walked into the meditation room while talking.

Xie Yuyan said, "When I am not in the capital, you can go to find Wang Langjun if you need anything."

Master Zhiyuan raised his eyes, a hint of worry on his face: "Where is Madam planning to go?" He already had a guess in his mind. Back when Zhao Zhongliang and the others left the capital, they had said that the remaining Buddhist medicine would be sent to the border town by someone else.

Xie Yuyan nodded: "I will give the Buddhist medicine to Zhao Zhongliang."

Master Zhiyuan felt a vague unease. He didn't know what Madam Xie was planning to do, but anything Madam Xie did personally was always very dangerous.

Master Zhiyuan thought for a moment, then took off a string of Buddhist prayer beads from his wrist and handed it to Xie Yuyan: "May Madam have a safe journey and return home safely."

Xie Yuyan accepted the Buddhist prayer beads and solemnly bowed to Master Zhiyuan, saying, "Thank you, Master."

Master Zhiyuan escorted Xie Yuyan out of Baode Temple. Watching her receding figure, Master Zhiyuan began to silently recite scriptures. He usually didn't want Xie Yuyan to come, but now he felt... it would be better to let her stay in the temple, at least there were fewer dangers here.

Xie Yuyan boarded the carriage and instructed Yang Xiaoshan: "No need to stop, go to the dock now."

The carriage stopped at the Bianhe Wharf, where the Guo brothers, Guo Xiong and Guo Chuan, immediately came to greet them. Xie Yuyan boarded the boat first, followed by Yang Xiaoshan and the others.

Everyone sat down, and Guo Xiong shouted, "Start the boat!"

A dozen or so boats slowly moved forward.

When they were some distance from the riverbank, Xie Yuyan saw two people and two riders standing on the riverbank outside the city.

That's Wang Yan.

……

Wang Yan stood on the dock, watching the ships gradually sail away.

Once the fleet had completely disappeared from sight, Sang Dian reminded him, "My lord, shouldn't we... go back?"

Wang Yan pulled on the reins, and the tenderness in his eyes vanished completely, replaced by calmness and sharpness.

He needs to resolve things quickly so he can marry Ayan sooner.