Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 65 Seeing Through

The room fell silent for a moment.

Wang Yan said calmly, "Do you know that based on just a few words you uttered, the imperial court can arrest you?"

Wang Yan had not yet entered the Secretariat and his power was not yet fully established, so Empress Dowager Xie had no reason to give in.

Xie Yuyan said, "Lord Wang, don't scare me. The court needs evidence to convict me."

"If you really want to deal with me, you should wait until my village association is well-known throughout Daming Prefecture before you make your move."

"However, it will be the Imperial City Guard from the capital who will come then, not you, sir."

Wang Yan's voice was cold: "Aren't you afraid of the Imperial City Guard coming?"

Xie Yuyan said, "I am just a widowed woman, and the Yang family is not a prominent family. They do not own much land or shops. Taking me down will not bring them any benefits."

In just a few words, the current situation was explained clearly.

The matter that could alarm the superior must be a lucrative one. Even if a widowed woman gathered a crowd, it would be difficult to accuse her of treason or plotting rebellion; at most, she would be judged as having attempted to commit adultery.

However, by then, the people she has gathered will be of use, and there will surely be people who will speak up for her and defend her, and the lawyers she has supported will become her mouthpieces.

Wang Yan said, "Your sale of lotus root charcoal has deprived those charcoal merchants of their profits. Have you ever considered that they might bribe the Imperial City Guard with money?"

“That’s perfect,” Xie Yuyan said with a smile as he looked at Wang Yan. “I’ve given Lord Wang a very generous gift.”

“Ordinary merchants are normal to suffer losses. When they do business, they are prepared for profits and losses. Besides, if they can’t sell charcoal, they can sell lotus root charcoal or coal. Only those who hoard and speculate will fail in their schemes and lose money instead of trying to steal a chicken. Such people usually have powerful backers, otherwise they would not dare to do such things.”

"The money they earn is built on human lives. They should not only not lose money, but also lose their lives."

Xie Yuyan paused slightly at this point.

“I had already calculated this before I started selling lotus root charcoal. Even if someone were to target me, the magistrate wouldn’t stand idly by,” she said, a slight smile playing on her lips. “The magistrate can’t just watch the people freeze to death in the snow because they can’t afford firewood.”

Wang Yan had clearly anticipated Xie Yuyan's explanation.

"You don't remember the past, yet you know these things perfectly well."

When Xie Yuyan talked about these things, she probably didn't even realize it herself; her eyes and brows no longer held any restraint, but instead exuded an undisguised confidence.

People only reveal their true selves when they're doing what they're good at. Wang Yan carefully observed the gleam in Xie Yuyan's eyes.

He wanted to dispel the fog and see what kind of person she was.

Xie Yuyan said, "Knowing this doesn't require remembering the past. The proclamation posted by the court has already made it clear. The court opened up the markets to benefit the people. The Northwest has been at war for years, and the people have suffered greatly. The restoration and prosperity of private trade will allow the people to earn some money during their busy farming season so that they can pay the court's taxes."

"In the end, this law is not enacted for the wealthy. If we allow them to amass large sums of money, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse? The court only wants more people and ordinary citizens to benefit from it."

“I sell lotus root charcoal and hot water, and I make very little profit because I share the money that one person earns with ten or even a hundred people. How many of them actually benefit? This one thing alone provides a livelihood for so many people during the winter. And I believe that this is the kind of good business.”

Before Wang Yan could speak, Zhang's heart was pounding in her throat. The two people in the room were talking peacefully, but suddenly the tension turned so high.

Moreover, for some reason, both Wang Zhubu and Xie Yuyan in front of her had changed their faces, making them seem extremely unfamiliar to her. Zhang Shi couldn't ignore Xie Yuyan at this moment, so she was about to speak up to persuade them, but was pulled back by Yu Mama.

Yu's mother shook her head at Zhang.

Seeing Wang Yan's deep gaze.

Xie Yuyan said, "Your Excellency cannot have this result without leaving me with nothing to rely on. Dealing with the wealthy and powerful is not easy; it requires rallying the hearts and minds of the people."

“I can’t always ask the patrol inspector’s office for help, and Inspector He can’t stay in Daming Prefecture forever. If we rely on Inspector He to achieve temporary results, new wealthy merchants will appear in less than six months after he leaves, and all of Inspector He’s efforts will be in vain.”

"Therefore, the only one who can deal with those people is the patrol inspector He, but the common people who have worked and lived in Daming Prefecture for generations."

Wang Yan calmly retorted, "Not you?"

Xie Yuyan nodded: "It's not bad if it's me too. As a woman who has been kidnapped and sold into slavery, I'll attract more trust. I've already put myself in this situation, shouldn't I get some benefits?"

Wang Yan narrowed his eyes: "Others only gain a stable life, wealth and glory, but you can stir up a storm when you gain something."

The atmosphere in the room was heavy. Zhang clenched her hands, almost unable to breathe, fearing that Xie Yuyan would say something else that would completely enrage the registrar, Wang. Xie Yuyan's gaze drifted into the distance: "When a plate is full of rotten meat, attracting a swarm of flies, instead of constantly swatting away the flies, it's better to thoroughly clean the plate. If you want to rectify Daming Prefecture, you need someone who can stir up trouble."

Silence fell in the room once again.

The silence was broken this time by the cat in Xie Yuyan's arms.

With a meow, it drew the attention of Xie Yuyan and Wang Yan. Then it began to lick its paws with great focus, looking truly adorable.

Unexpectedly, Xie Yuyan's heart softened, and his gaze lost its previous sharpness.

“My lord,” Xie Yuyan’s face returned to its usual calm, “I will go to the yamen in a few days to inquire about the morning and evening markets around the Imperial Camp.”

This means seeing someone off.

Wang Yan had no intention of leaving.

“You said you’d go with us,” Wang Yan said, “and do things for us without expecting anything in return. It’s not that you think it’s fair to profit from it, but that you don’t want to get too close to us, and you don’t want to be controlled by us.”

“If one day He Tan and I are framed, and if this is to your advantage, you will not hesitate to turn against us and use us as a weapon to kill us.”

"Do you think I should be on guard?"

Of course, she could use the power of the He and Wang families to accomplish these things, and even ask Wang Yan for help in times of crisis, but that would truly turn her into a pawn in their hands. In her past life, she never submitted to anyone or any authority, and in this second life, she has even less reason to do so. No one, no matter who, should try to put chains on her.

Whether it's He Tan or Wang Yan, she can rely on them for support now. But once they fall, she'll find another way out. If it benefits her, she'll help; if it doesn't, she won't take any risks. So she needs to distance herself from them now.

Xie Yuyan smiled and said, "It is not a good thing to be too involved with a merchant. Your Excellency is a proud son of heaven, and you will surely have a bright future. You cannot have such a stain on your body."

She had close ties with merchants and was also a widow. Xie Yuyan was already able to come up with dozens, even hundreds, of impeachment memorials for Wang Yan's political enemies.

Even if their political enemies don't take action, the Wang family will not allow it.

What if I don't care?

Xie Yuyan was slightly taken aback.

Wang Yan continued, "Just now, my lady didn't mean to address me as 'Sir,' but rather to say that Da Shun City... with the war breaking out in the Northwest, Da Shun City is a crucial point."

"Does my wife want to know the outcome of the battle in Da Shun City, or is she certain that Da Shun City is not stable?"

"This is something that ordinary merchants could not accomplish."

“It’s good that my wife is rallying people’s hearts. At least we’ll stay in Daming Prefecture. Right now, we’re all on the same road and no one can leave. So let’s make the most of this journey. As for what happens next… no one can say for sure.”

He suddenly realized that even if things remained elusive, it was better than having no news at all. As long as she was in front of him, he would eventually be able to see through her.

Xie Yuyan's expression remained unchanged, as if she hadn't understood what Wang Yan was saying, but Wang Yan had long since stopped judging the truth from her expression and words.

"My lady, you don't need to go to the government office. If you want to set up a temporary market around the Imperial Camp, just go ahead and do it. The military advisor will lead people to patrol the area."

Wang Yan stood up.

Xie Yuyan suddenly realized that Wang Yan's visit this time was not to stop her, but to confirm her intentions.

Taking two steps forward, Wang Yan seemed to remember something and turned to look at Xie Yuyan: "What did you say your name was?"

Xie Yuyan said, "My surname is Xie, and my given name is Yuyan."

Wang Yan nodded: "I know your name now."

The Xie Yuyan before him did not look like the one he remembered, but his words and actions were exactly the same.

After several attempts to test him, he was certain he wouldn't admit his mistake, even though many details still puzzled him.

More than a decade ago, he regretted not asking her name.

Now I've finally heard her say it herself, even if it might be false...

(End of this chapter)