Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 741 Welcome
Zhang knew that what she had done was really nothing, and that Ayan said it to make her happy... but it was precisely because of this that she felt even warmer inside.

Despite the hardships of her journey, Ah Yan still took her feelings into consideration and kept talking to her. Even with Madam Lin by her side, she was not neglected in the slightest.

Thinking about it carefully, Ayan was just like that. When they were in Daming Prefecture, they didn't do anything, but Ayan stayed to protect them. People in the clan used to say that Ayan needed a place to stand, but after getting to know Ayan, she realized that Ayan didn't need to do that at all. Ayan could do whatever she wanted without relying on the Yang family.

Therefore, Ayan felt only gratitude towards the mother and son.

Their home now will always be Ayan's home, because without Ayan, they would have been wandering outside long ago, and they would never have such a peaceful and comfortable life.

Zhang's eyes were full of smiles: "Before, we were busy moving and didn't have enough manpower. Madam Lin also brought people to help out, which is why the business of the shops and the house was not delayed."

Putting herself in his shoes, Zhang also wanted Ayan and Madam Lin to get along better, so she brought up these things on her own initiative.

Before Xie Yuyan could speak, Madam Lin said, "If I'm just keeping you company and talking to you, that would be considered helping out... that's certainly true."

The three chatted and laughed, and time flew by.

Madam Lin sighed inwardly, thinking how clever her son was to find such a perceptive person.
Even under her watchful gaze, she showed no sign of restraint. Every movement was just right, and her demeanor was not the stiffness taught by the nanny, but rather a natural and innate quality.

If you want to pinpoint what's wrong...

That is, some parts seem slightly deliberate, such as the gentle smile with the corners of her mouth, which A-Yan probably rarely shows on a daily basis.

In other words... that expression didn't quite match Ayan's temperament.

Ah Yan should just sit there, without saying a word. Everything is under control, and she doesn't need to cater to anyone.

Madam Lin was very satisfied. When she married into the Wang family, she had endured many years of hardship and grievances until she gave birth to Yan Ge'er. Only then did she gradually straighten her back a little. Looking back, she felt that she had been too disappointing back then.

Ayan will not have to suffer the same torment as her, because she will surely be able to suppress those elders of the Wang clan.

How can we ensure harmony and peace within the entire clan? It's not about being virtuous and patient, but about being insightful, combining kindness with severity, so that no one dares to harbor any ill intentions.

This is why those tribesmen wanted to stop the marriage.

Once Ayan entered the family, she didn't need to establish her authority or prestige at all; the things she did outside were enough to make people wary of her.

The carriage continued forward when suddenly a commotion was heard outside. Just as Madam Lin was about to inquire, a voice came from outside reporting, "It's people from the porcelain merchants in the capital."

Wang Yan and Xie Yuyan made no attempt to conceal their whereabouts; news of their arrival in the capital must have already spread, so it's not surprising that someone came to visit.

Jiang Qi and his men had been waiting outside the city gate for a long time. When they saw the carriage coming from afar, they happily went to greet it. However, when they heard that Elder Xing was riding in the Wang family's carriage, they dared not go forward. Only after the carriage stopped and Xie Yuyan got off did Jiang Qi step forward.

"Old Xing," Jiang Qi said with a smile, "you're finally back."

Xie Yuyan asked, "Does the porcelain business have any backlog of business?"

Yes, there are some, but none of them are major issues. Jiang Qi said, "Everything that Elder Xing instructed has been done. The goods at the border market have not been delayed, and the price of Bianjing porcelain has stabilized, even lower than before."

No sooner had Jiang Qi finished speaking than a man hurriedly dismounted; it was Xie Zishao.

"Tenth Sister!" Xie Zishao hadn't even stood up properly when he rushed forward, his whole body like a thrown stone, crashing into Xie Yuyan.

However... he was stopped halfway by an outstretched arm.

Xie Zishao looked at Wang Yan with dissatisfaction: "I'm looking for my tenth sister, does Wang Dalang have to interfere?" He had also heard those rumors. If the rumors were true, he wouldn't have to be afraid of Wang Yan anymore. In terms of seniority, Wang Yan would have to call him elder brother.

Wang Yan said calmly, "Xie Qilang, watch your step." Xie Zishao looked down and saw that there was no path under his feet. Just as he was about to speak, Wang Yan kicked a small stone in front of him.

Xie Zishao pursed his lips. Before, when no one noticed anything amiss, Wang Yan would at least pretend, but now he's not hiding anything at all? He's openly threatening him.

Xie Zishao took a step back, and taking advantage of Wang Yan's inattention, he quickly ran behind Xie Yuyan, then stuck his head out and gave Wang Yan a provocative look.

Xie Yuyan couldn't help but find their actions amusing.

"How's the coal kiln doing these days?" Xie Yuyan asked Xie Zishao.

Xie Zishao's eyes shone brightly as he said triumphantly, "Seven or eight new porcelain kilns have come here to test-fire porcelain, and three or four of them have already been successfully fired. Now, we are preparing to build coal kilns at these kilns."

Xie Zishao's "firing" does not mean that porcelain can be fired in a coal kiln, but rather that new shapes and new glazes can be fired.

"Xu Sange and I renovated the coal kiln together, and the new kiln can fire more porcelain."

Xie Zishao pointed to the crowd, and Xie Yuyan immediately spotted Xu Sanjian.

Xie Yuyan said, "Thank you for your hard work."

"What are you saying, Master Xing?" Xu Sanjian said. "Without you, we wouldn't even have a porcelain shop anymore, and I also enjoy making these things."

Xie Zishao had been working at the kiln for many years, and he was much darker and thinner than before, but he was exceptionally energetic and no longer looked like he had been when he was in Daming Prefecture, when he was worn out by wine and women.

Xie Yuyan got back on the bus, and the now-larger group continued their journey.

The carriage didn't stop until it reached the South City Wharf.

Xie Yuyan sold her shop at the South City Wharf, but the person who bought the post station and restaurant was Shang Wenchao, a merchant from Qingzhou. Originally, Shang Wenchao was going to do business with Xie Yuyan in the perfume business. When he heard that Madam Xie was going to dispose of the shop at the South City Wharf, he immediately bought the shop for more money than the market price.

After acquiring the shop, Shang Wenchao made no changes, adhering to the same rules as Madam Xie, as did the other merchants who bought land at the South City Wharf Market.

Apart from the change of owners, everything else remained the same, so although the South City Wharf had changed hands, there were no major changes.

Upon seeing Xie Yuyan's carriage, the merchants, laborers, and boatmen on the dock all gathered around it.

Shang Wenchao stepped forward and greeted Xie Yuyan: "How is things going for you in Fujian, Elder Xing?"

Xie Yuyan looked at Shang Wenchao and the others. She was able to successfully buy a seagoing vessel in Fujian thanks to them.

Xie Yuyan said, "The sea trade routes have been opened."

Shang Wenchao and the others offered their congratulations. Shang Wenchao said, "When Madam has more money in the future, she can take the shop back at any time."

“Yes,” the other merchants chimed in, “we haven’t changed anything, and the lady can take it back at any time.”

Xie Yuyan shook his head and said, "Since it has been sold to everyone, there is no way to take it back, unless you want to sell it. I happened to have some money on hand at that time, so I could bid for it."

Everyone laughed. Some people really did have such plans, like Shang Wenchao, who wanted to do business with Madam Xie for a long time and didn't care about these shops.

But some people didn't think that way. They had finally gotten this profitable shop, and they were forced to say these words by the crowd. They were afraid that Xie Yuyan would really take the business away. Hearing this, they couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

(End of this chapter)