Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 716 Visit
Madam Zhang was startled and didn't know what to do for a moment. She was still holding a piece of clothing in her hand and was about to walk out.

"My lady," Chen Shangjun quickly stopped her, "put the things down first, take your time... I'll have someone tidy up the main room."

Zhang Niangzi looked at Chen Shangjun: "Is she really the wife of Minister Wang?"

Chen Shangjun nodded.

Zhang Niangzi's mind went blank for a moment before she came to her senses and vaguely guessed what was going on. It wasn't that gossip wouldn't reach her, but she thought it unlikely and didn't take it to heart.

But today... people have arrived. Should we come to interrogate them, or...?
Madam Zhang pursed her lips, a resolute expression gradually appearing on her face. If anyone were to criticize A-Yan, she wouldn't care about being the wife of a prime minister; she would stand up for A-Yan and drive them out of the house.

Thinking of this, Madam Zhang took a deep breath and looked at Chen Shangjun: "Don't embarrass Ayan later."

Chen Shangjun replied, "Don't worry, madam. We're not from Daming Prefecture, but we run a legitimate business here. We won't let anyone bully us." However, looking at the lady of the Wang family, she didn't seem to have any bad intentions. The servants of the Wang family were exceptionally polite to her. Even when inquiring whether Madam Zhang was at home, it was the lady herself who lifted the curtain to ask.

Zhang Niangzi handed the clothes to Chen Shangjun, straightened her dress, and walked outside.

The courtyard wasn't small, but Madam Zhang was in a hurry and soon arrived at the gate. She looked up and saw that there were indeed two people standing at the door.

Standing in front was a young woman, dressed in a lotus-colored jacket and a three-pleated skirt. She didn't wear many hair ornaments, but the red-gold comb in her hair bun already made her look dignified and graceful.

"Madam Zhang?" Madam Lin asked first.

Zhang had gathered all her strength, but at this moment she had nowhere to release it, especially when Madam Lin smiled... everything vanished without a trace, simply because that smile was too kind.

Zhang nodded subconsciously.

Madam Lin's smile deepened: "I am Hechun's mother. I have come to pay my respects to you today, Madam... I apologize for not informing you beforehand."

Zhang stood there stunned. Madam Lin's expression showed no malice, but rather a hint of caution.

Only when you care enough will you worry about what is not right. Zhang was very familiar with this expression because she was like this most of the time.

She just didn't understand why Madam Lin would act this way.
Zhang's question deepened Madam Lin's worry. However, she didn't speak further, but waited for Zhang to come to her senses.

A moment later, Zhang remembered to invite the person inside.

"Why don't you... come inside and talk..."

Madam Lin's smile deepened, clearly delighted by Zhang's invitation: "Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam Zhang."

As the two women, mistress and servant, entered the house, Madam Zhang quickly explained, "We're moving, so the yard is a bit messy. Please be careful when you walk, Madam."

Mrs. Lin thanked her.

Zhang hurried ahead to lead the way. Her mind was in a mess, and she just wanted to get the person into the house as soon as possible. However, once Madam Lin sat down, she realized that her idea was wrong. After arriving here, she would have to entertain the Prime Minister's wife.

Fortunately, Madam Lin spoke up quickly. “Actually, I should have come to pay my respects much earlier,” Madam Lin said, “but I was afraid it would be too abrupt. Several times I passed by the South City Wharf and wanted to knock on the door, but after thinking about it, I decided it was inappropriate and held back.”

Zhang was completely confused.

Madam Lin continued, "You should know my husband, Hechun, right?"

When Wang Yan was mentioned, Zhang had a lot to say. She said with gratitude, "Lord Wang has helped us a lot. When we were in Daming Prefecture, he sent Qin Ge books and found him a tutor. When we came to Bianjing, he would come to test Qin Ge's studies whenever he had time. We were lucky to meet Lord Wang."

Madam Lin listened carefully, and only after Zhang finished speaking did she say, "How can we let Madam Zhang address him like that? How can a young girl bear such a thing? Madam Zhang should call him Hechun, or Yan Ge'er."

Zhang immediately refused: "How can you do that?"

Madam Lin said seriously, "He is a junior. You are already giving him face by calling him Hechun. Otherwise, try calling him after he returns to the capital. He will definitely respond happily."

Upon hearing Zhang mention "Lord Wang," Madam Lin inwardly scolded her son for being so disappointing. After all this time, he still hadn't even managed to earn a proper address.

Zhang was still confused about the situation and didn't know how to respond when she heard Madam Lin sigh: "My son is so dull-witted, always with a stern face. Not only is he unlikable, but even the cats in the house run away whenever they have a chance. I, as his mother, can't tell whether he's happy or sad, let alone outsiders. No wonder Madam Zhang is distant from him."

“No, no,” Zhang quickly explained, “we respect Lord Wang.”

“How could he possibly be respected?” Madam Lin said. “He didn’t do anything special. He just studied and got an official position. Without A-Yan in Daming Prefecture, how could he have escaped danger? Let alone made any contributions. Even after returning to Daming Prefecture, it was only because A-Yan was by his side that he was praised by the emperor and got a job in the Imperial Secretariat.”

“I’ve been saying for a long time that we should come and thank A-Yan properly, but he just wouldn’t agree. He’s afraid that our visit would distract A-Yan and cause gossip, which would be even worse.”

This sounded correct, but Zhang found it a bit strange. Why was Madam Lin addressing her so intimately?
Madam Lin said, “My lady, you don’t know, I only have this one son, but I’m no different from mothers with four or five children. I can’t figure out what he’s thinking at all, and I’ve worried myself sick over him. There used to be rumors that he was obsessed with Taoist cultivation… To be honest, my lady, I’ve already secretly found a Taoist temple for him and secretly prepared a house outside the temple, just in case he really has a change of heart and wants to go and cultivate, then I’ll go and accompany him. If he doesn’t want to, I’ll stay by the temple.”

"He lived in fear for over ten years, but thankfully he didn't go down that path."

Zhang was unaware of such a thing and suddenly felt sympathy for Madam Lin. Even a child so intelligent could have worries. So she softly comforted her, "Your Majesty..."

Zhang didn't say "Sir," but she also didn't want to address Wang Yan by his childhood name, so she just said, "Not only will you have a bright future, but you'll also find a good wife. In the future, you can look forward to being surrounded by your children and grandchildren and enjoying the bliss of family life."

After Zhang finished speaking, she noticed that Madam Lin remained silent, staring intently at her with a glint of light in her eyes. Just as she was wondering what was going on, Madam Lin suddenly stood up and bowed to her.

“What you said, sister, really resonated with me. If that were truly the case, it would be wonderful. But… I’m not greedy. No one can predict what his career will be like. As long as he can find a soulmate to accompany him for life, that would be a blessing our whole family has accumulated over several lifetimes.”

Zhang hurriedly helped Madam Lin up. Madam Lin was tense all over and didn't know what to do. She never expected that Madam Lin would bow to her.

"Madam, why is this?" Zhang said, "How can I accept such courtesy from you?"

“Indeed,” Madam Lin said, looking at Madam Zhang. “If it weren’t for Madam Zhang, my son might have been left alone for the rest of his life.”

(End of this chapter)