Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 719 Revenge
Wang Bingchen had not seen his wife with such a solemn expression for a long time. The last time was when his father was demoted and the family was in turmoil. His uncle brought people to the house to interfere, and his father refused to do as his uncle suggested. His mother then fell ill on some pretext, and his wife took over the management of the household affairs.

That time he discovered that although his wife seemed gentle, she was actually determined. Once she set her mind on something, she would do it no matter how difficult it was.

Despite her poor health, the lady has silently supported the entire Wang family over the years. He has experienced ups and downs in the court due to the new laws, and the lady has always supported him behind the scenes. Occasionally, she may utter a few words of complaint, but they are all for the sake of her eldest son.

Thinking of this, Wang Bingchen nodded: "I will think of another way." Even if the person he recommended cannot go to Fujian now, he will still get a clear understanding of the current situation.

Madam Lin nodded and looked at the steward, instructing her to fetch an outer robe.

"This clothing is too thin. It's going to rain soon. Wear more clothes."

Reminded of this, Wang Bingchen did feel a chill in the wind blowing on him.

"I'll have someone prepare some food and bring it to your study in a bit. Remember to eat it."

Mrs. Lin gave her further instructions.

Wang Bingchen responded with a light "Don't go to too much trouble," before turning and leaving.

After taking a few steps, a smile appeared on Wang Bingchen's face.

Sure enough, if you go along with Madam, everything will be fine. Otherwise, how would he have the chance to complain? After all, you need someone to care about you to put on airs, right?
……

In prison.

Xie Yizhi huddled in a corner, listening to a rustling sound not far away. It was a rat gnawing on the leftover food that had fallen to the ground.

This rat comes out every day, and Xie Yizhi uses it to make a living.

For the past two weeks, no one has interrogated him; instead, his subordinates have been being led in and out of the room.

Some stubbornly endured the torture, while others, even before leaving the cell, shouted and confessed, pinning all the blame on him. Yet, even so, the presiding official never questioned him once.

He did not believe that this was because the court was concerned about saving face and was preparing to treat him leniently, and that some of the charges would not be pursued further. On the contrary, he felt that the court should convict him directly.

The maritime trade was a huge affair, and too many officials had benefited from it. After he was arrested, those people wished he would be killed as soon as possible so that those officials who had not yet been exposed could escape unscathed.

Xie Yizhi silently sneered. They saw he was useless and decided to kick him while he was down. He had done many bad things, but without the Demon Sect and him, the maritime trade of Daliang would not have been so prosperous. Besides, apart from this matter, he had devoted himself to the Daliang court and helped the emperor with many things, yet the emperor showed no regard for their relationship.

After an unknown amount of time, footsteps sounded again outside the cell. Xie Yizhi closed her eyes and silently waited for the shouts to come. When people were interrogated, they would always make a last-ditch effort like this, knowing it was useless, but still trying to probe unwillingly. They would gain nothing but lose face.

To his surprise, the footsteps stopped in front of his cell door this time.

Xie Yizhi opened her eyes and, in the dim light, saw someone open the cell door and bend down to walk in.

Xie Yizhi wanted to calm down, but his heart was pounding so hard that he barely managed to compose himself.

He remained leaning against the wall, simply watching the person approach. The person walked right up to him and then squatted down.

Xie Yizhi laughed in front of that person, and after a long while, he said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "You still came."

Xie Chengrang once told him that if he cooperated with his employer, the employer might find a way to save the Xie family.

But in his eyes, this was nothing but empty talk. He was already a prisoner, with no power in his hands, unless he could bring enough benefit to his master. Besides, he didn't care about his clansmen; words like "preserve the Xie family" wouldn't sway him at all.

Therefore, this is a deal where neither party is willing to make an offer, and no consensus can be reached. Unless, one party suddenly becomes very sincere.

Xie Yizhi said calmly, "Let me guess, did Xie Yuyan and Wang Yan track you down? Or did their antics in Fujian disrupt your plans?"

"Should I thank Wang Yan and Xie Yuyan? If they hadn't pressed me so hard, you wouldn't have thought of me."

Xie Yizhi didn't hide anything and guessed the other party's identity directly. Anyway, he was a dying man and was no longer afraid of anything.

Sure enough, the man whispered, "Wang Yan is going to marry Xie Yuyan."

Xie Yizhi's face froze.

The man continued, "Xie Yuyan is about to become Prime Minister Wang's daughter-in-law. Perhaps Wang Yan will become Prime Minister in the future, and then she will be granted an imperial title."

"Yet your entire family was wiped out by her, and Xie Shumi doesn't harbor even the slightest resentment?"

Xie Yizhi's face tightened, veins bulged on her forehead, and her eyes showed barely concealed anger.

Seeing that the time was right, the man didn't continue speaking, but let Xie Yizhi think it over on her own.

Finally, Xie Yizhi let out a long sigh of relief: "What did Wang Yan and the Xie family do?"

The man said, “The Xie family bought the Demon Sect’s large ship and planned to become maritime merchants. Your capture and the destruction of the Demon Sect have given her an opportunity. She has porcelain and has opened trade routes on land and inland rivers, so she has no shortage of goods. If she continues to do this, she will soon have a place at sea.”

"By then, all your plans over the years will have benefited her."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yizhi said sarcastically, "Aren't you the same? You planted spies around me just to steal the business at sea, thinking that if I fell, you would reap the benefits. You never expected Xie Yuyan to cause such a commotion."

The words that were about to come out were immediately swallowed back. Even though Xie Shumi had fallen to this state, he was still not easy to deal with. After thinking for a moment, he changed the subject: "I wonder if Xie Shumi has any way to deal with Xie Yuyan? If Xie Shumi can help, we will also prepare a sum of money to secretly help your wife and children when they are exiled, so that they can survive. Then we will give this money to them so that they will have no worries in the future."

Xie Yizhi showed no emotional fluctuation: "I'm about to die, and I can't control what happens to them in the future. What can I do if you can't keep the promises you've made to me now?"

The man hadn't expected Xie Yizhi to be so indifferent to his own flesh and blood. He was just thinking that this matter was going to be troublesome and that he would have to return empty-handed when he heard Xie Yizhi say, "But you guessed one thing right: I want Xie Yuyan dead."

Whether she is Xie Wenjing or Xie Yuyan, she must die.

Xie Yizhi's gaze was deep: "She wants me dead, so she'll have to die with me."

He may disregard others, but those who harm him must never live, much less enjoy a lifetime of wealth and glory.

The man was overjoyed and was about to speak again when Xie Yizhi raised her eyes and looked directly at him: "Since I have agreed to deal with Xie Yuyan, you might as well grant me a few more requests."

The man said, "As long as we can do it."

“Yes,” Xie Yizhi said. “It’s a small matter for you.”

The man immediately agreed.

Xie Yizhi said, "Come closer."

(End of this chapter)