Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 742 Commitment
After everyone met Xie Yuyan and exchanged a few words, Jiang Qi felt that was enough. So he clasped his hands in a fist and said to everyone, "Elder Xing has had a long journey. Today, let Elder Xing rest well. I have booked Xiangyiju. Please do me the honor of coming over for a seat. This is also a way to celebrate Elder Xing's journey."

Upon hearing Jiang Qi's words, Shang Wenchao and the others naturally agreed. They took turns bidding farewell to Xie Yuyan and then left with their entourage.

Not far from where he walked, Shang Wenchao instructed the manager to arrange for the merchants' attendants and employees to stay in his restaurant. The restaurant was not big enough, and the attendants could not be made to wait. They were there to welcome the lady of the house, and they all had to be properly taken care of. Otherwise, how could they have the face to sit with the lady of the house and discuss business?

As the people outside gradually dispersed, Xie Yuyan, along with Madam Zhang and Madam Lin, entered the courtyard.

Chen Shangjun arranged everything according to Zhang's instructions. The courtyard was kept exceptionally clean, and clothes and hot water were prepared. A fragrant aroma wafted from the kitchen.

Xie Yuyan looked at everything in front of him and immediately relaxed.

This is truly home.

After being away from home for many days, stepping through the door fills my heart with tenderness and joy.

Wang Yan still needed to go to the palace to report to the Emperor, so he couldn't delay for too long. Besides... in the current situation, it seemed that no one would pay attention to him.

Wang Yan stepped forward and bowed to Madam Lin and Madam Zhang.

Madam Lin waved her hand: "Go ahead and do your work! Don't worry about this place." It would delay their conversation if she stayed a little longer. Her son could come whenever he wanted, and she should see her daughter-in-law whom she had been looking forward to for so long.

There were still many people outside the courtyard. If Wang Yan changed clothes at Xie Yuyan's place, people would inevitably gossip. However, he didn't want to go back home again, so he simply borrowed a room at the nearest inn, quickly washed up, put on a clean official robe, and hurriedly rode away. He hoped to return quickly, but feared that things might not be up to him.

After Wang Yan left, Madam Lin breathed a long sigh of relief and looked at Xie Yuyan with a smile: "You must have had a hard time. You must have been very reserved following them the whole way."

“Every time the father and son were seen walking around in front of me in their official robes, I wished they would leave home as soon as possible. It made everyone else nervous, as if there would never be an end to it.”

“It’s different once I step out of the house. If there’s official business, I’ll go to the government office. Whether I’m lying down or leaning against something in the inner courtyard, feeding the fish or picking flowers, no one will bother me.”

Xie Yuyan chuckled as well, confirming that it was indeed true.

“Alright,” Madam Lin said, “there’s no one else here now, so you can go change your clothes and catch your breath.”

Zhang nodded in agreement.

Xie Yuyan said, "Then I'll come back to talk to Madam later."

As Yu's mother accompanied Xie Yuyan to wash up, a smile never left her face.

Xie Yuyan found it strange and couldn't help but look over. Mama Yu knew what she meant, so she said, "This servant saw that Madam Lin treated the eldest daughter with kindness and affection, and couldn't help but feel happy for her."

She had previously worried that it would be difficult to enter the Wang family, but now that she had met Madam Lin, she felt much more at ease.

Madam Lin went out of the capital to welcome the eldest daughter-in-law. This act alone ensured that no one would dare to neglect the eldest daughter-in-law when she visited the Wang family in the future.

Moreover, Madam Lin and Madam Zhang get along so well... Anyone with eyes wouldn't say that the Wang family dislikes the eldest daughter-in-law for having been married before.

The fact that they could have such a pleasant conversation shows that both of them had put in a lot of effort. Even before the eldest daughter-in-law returned to the capital, Madam Lin was already in frequent contact with Zhang Niangzi, which shows how satisfied Madam Lin was with the eldest daughter-in-law.

As Madam Yu straightened Xie Yuyan's clothes, she looked at her closely again and realized that the eldest daughter-in-law was more beautiful than anyone else.

Xie Yuyan looked at Madam Yu and said, "You should rest too. Leave the work at home to the steward."

Madam Yu replied, "This servant understands."

Madam Zhang and her men prepared a meal, intending to wait for news from Wang Yan. However, Madam Lin said, "Don't pay any attention to him; he won't go hungry." Yang Qin, sitting next to her, subconsciously nodded in agreement.

Mrs. Lin is right. There are so many places to eat, why insist on coming to his house?
With this in mind, Yang Qin ate every last grain of rice, leaving none for anyone else.

Zhang frowned as she watched, worried that Yang Qin might overeat and upset his stomach.

Chen Shangjun served tea, and Zhang deliberately kept Xie Yuyan and Madam Lin in the room to talk, while she took Wang Zheng and Yang Qin to the courtyard to watch them try out the new bow.

Madam Lin looked at Xie Yuyan and said, "My Yan'er has not handled some things well enough, which has caused Ayan to be implicated." Ayan is smart, so she doesn't need to hide anything from him.

"After you left the capital, rumors started circulating, and I tried to have them suppressed... but someone was secretly stirring things up, trying to link you with the Wang family, so as to force my master to protect himself."

"Although this rumor ultimately failed to influence Xie Yizhi's case, it still damaged Ayan's reputation, which was truly inappropriate."

There was no need to spell it out clearly; Xie Yuyan already understood Madam Lin's meaning. He told her about the recent news circulating in the capital and explained why he had come to visit Zhang at this time.

Xie Yuyan raised his eyes: "I expected this to happen before I left the capital, so I was prepared. Speaking of which, this case was started because of me, and Young Master Wang was willing to help... so no one is implicated, so Madam doesn't need to take it to heart."

"Me and Wang Langjun..."

An ordinary woman would never mention these things, especially since Madam Lin was willing to let the Wang family take full responsibility, so she could maintain her dignity and reputation by staying in the background.

However, Xie Yuyan thought about Wang Yan's feelings for her, which had always been open and honest. There was nothing to hide in front of Madam Lin. Her relationship with Wang Yan should have its dignity.

It cannot be revealed to outsiders, but can be admitted to close relatives.

"I met Wang Langjun in Daming Prefecture. By chance, we were able to support each other and rely on each other through several dangerous situations, never abandoning each other."

"My lord treats me with sincerity, and I reciprocate that sincerity."

For some reason, Xie Yuyan suddenly remembered the scene when she met Wang Yan in the garden in her previous life.

Even if they met at the Wang family's residence, it would only be a fleeting glance, and they would never have much interaction.

I didn't think much of it then, but now that I think about it...

A pang of sadness welled up in her heart, a slight ache in her chest.

Fortunately, at that time, she regarded him at most as someone worthy of respect, so even when he passed away, she only felt regret.

This shows that Wang Yan is now indispensable to her, and has even become the most important person in her heart.

Since fate has given them a chance, and she has already agreed, then she will not change her mind.

We must make her say something to Madam Lin...

Xie Yuyan's gaze deepened slightly. She could sense Madam Lin's loving motherly heart, which was why she was willing to reveal the truth.

"These words and these sentiments are as clear as day and night."

(End of this chapter)