Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 80 Snooping
"What are you all making such a racket about?"

No sooner had the Yang family members finished speaking than the voices of the two old ladies came from outside.

Old Mrs. Yang was helped into the door by Yang Yu, the second son of Yang Mingshan.

"Second Madam".

The clansmen all stood up and bowed to Old Madam Yang, but the old lady looked at Xie Yuyan. Xie remained seated in her chair, her expression indifferent, without the slightest hint of humility.

Normally, she would have stepped forward to teach him a lesson, but now... she had to suppress her anger for the time being.

The situation in the Yang family became increasingly unfavorable for her. Previously, only women from the clan would come to visit the three branches of the family. However, as Xie Yuyan's water shop became more and more prosperous and the lotus root charcoal he produced was sold out by the cartload, the men in the clan also began to get restless.

There are several of the direct relatives of Zeng Taiweng's brothers in this room.

Xie Yuyan showed no intention of stepping down, so the second old lady had no choice but to sit on the chair next to her. She raised her eyes and looked around, feeling a tightness in her chest. She hadn't felt this kind of oppression in a long time. Even though the old master was in jail, the case hadn't been decided yet, and her own son was still the deputy magistrate. Yet this Xie family member was kicking her while she was down, showing her no respect whatsoever.

"I came here this time to ask on behalf of the clansmen," the second old lady looked at Xie Yuyan, "You said before that you had a business deal to do, and several young men and women followed you with money. Is the business you mentioned a water shop?"

The tribespeople listened attentively.

Xie Yuyan responded, "Yes."

The two old ladies asked again, "Can't the rest of the clan also do business in the water shop?"

Xie Yuyan said calmly, "I made it clear beforehand that only those clansmen who were willing to pay money could do this deal. At that time, I had just taken over the family. Some followed me, some watched the show, and some even wished that I would make a mistake, just like the third branch of the family back then, and be suppressed from then on, with no chance of ever making a comeback."

"Since everyone does this, how can I treat everyone the same without discrimination?"

The members of the Yang clan all avoided eye contact.

Xie Yuyan continued, "For me, making money is the easiest thing in the world. Today I can open a water shop, and tomorrow I will have even bigger business."

"but……"

As Xie Yuyan spoke, she leaned forward slightly, and the cat in her arms opened its pair of dark eyes. With its glossy fur, it looked rather majestic.

"Even if I have a lot of money, I can't give it to those who curse me and hate me, can I?"

Upon hearing this, several clansmen's expressions changed. They had privately cursed Xie Shi, how could a woman who had just entered the Yang family be allowed to take charge of the household affairs? How could they possibly believe it?

Besides, Xie is so young, she doesn't even know her own background, yet she wants to do business in Daming Prefecture. It sounds ridiculous.

Most of the men and women that Xie managed to appease were from collateral branches or direct relatives, especially those with elders in their families. Even when the two old masters were in charge, everyone had to maintain a harmonious atmosphere on the surface. He was in charge of the household affairs and had to show respect to her both openly and secretly. But when it came to Xie Yuyan, she wanted to change the rules.
It's one thing that Madam He couldn't even manage the household affairs, but she also wanted to interfere in Madam Yang's businesses?

Xie was right; they were prepared to see the joke, but they never expected Xie to actually make the deal.

“Sixth Brother’s daughter-in-law is right,” a clansman couldn’t help but say. “However, the reason we didn’t bring any money is because we’re too unfamiliar with each other. Now that we see how well you’ve run your water shop, if you still have business to do, why not bring the clansmen along?”

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the two old ladies said, "We can't interfere with the water shop business, but what about selling lotus root charcoal?"

These words resonated with everyone.

They could tolerate the water shop, but the lotus root charcoal business was a much longer-term one.

and……

Another clansman cleared his throat: "I see... the clay stoves you sell all come from the Yang family's porcelain kiln."

This is the key.

Xie Yuyan had already anticipated that the Yang family would come to inquire once they learned that the porcelain kiln had been reopened.

Unlike water shops, turning the Yang family's porcelain kiln completely into her own will inevitably require a lot of effort.

"This... clay stove is... something the Yang family used to do..."

"Yes."

The two old ladies felt a pang of anxiety as they watched Xie Yuyan's face darken.

As expected, Xie Yuyan said coldly, "It was the porcelain kiln that the Yang family sealed off. The kiln was reopened and fired with lotus root charcoal that I made. The porcelain stone used was also bought by me with money. My uncle made the clay kiln. What does it have to do with you all?" "That piece of land... belongs to the Yang family."

Someone suddenly whispered something.

“In that case,” Xie Yuyan said, “if we rebuild the kiln in a different location, wouldn’t that completely sever ties with the Yang clan?”

The room fell silent instantly, something no one had expected.

Is Yang Mingde now completely under Xie Yuyan's control?

The group looked at each other, still vivid in their minds how Yang Mingde had pleaded back then. It wasn't impossible for him to betray the clan like that.

Seeing that they couldn't control Xie Yuyan, the clansmen all looked to the two old ladies.

The old lady clenched her hands. She really didn't want to talk to Xie, but thinking of her grandfather and Yang Mingshan who were still in prison, she had no choice but to endure it.

Moreover, she had been watching Zhang Shi closely, and Zhang Shi seemed somewhat nervous when Xie Yuyan mentioned wanting to rebuild the kiln in a different location. The second old lady felt that something was amiss; Xie Yuyan actually had no spare resources to rebuild the kiln, meaning that she must have already spent most of her money.

“That’s not what the clansmen meant,” the second old lady said. “We may not understand other businesses, but we do know a thing or two about kiln firing, and we all want to lend a hand.”

"Yes, that's what it means."

Others quickly echoed in response.

The two old ladies continued, "Back then, when the kiln was sealed off, there was no other way. The porcelain we produced simply couldn't be sold. If you have a solution, the clan is willing to contribute money and effort."

This time, Xie Yuyan finally spoke up: "We're just trying to fire some clay stoves. Whether it will work or not, we'll have to keep trying."

“That’s alright,” the tribesman said. “Is there anything we can help you with? Just let us know.”

"This time, I'll listen to my sixth sister-in-law."

"Whatever Madam says, we will do."

Xie Yuyan listened to these words, and when the noise gradually subsided, his eyes flickered slightly: "There is indeed a deal right now."

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but rejoice.

Xie Yuyan said, "However... as before, I will not tell you what to do. Those clansmen who are willing to follow, please bring your money to the Third Branch tomorrow."

"This time, the limit is still three days."

The clansmen in the room looked at each other. Some felt relieved, while others were happy but also worried, since Xie Yuyan had not made things clear this time.

Some people were still undecided about how much money to bring.

Having finished speaking, Xie Yuyan showed no intention of lingering any longer. Holding the cat, he stood up and said, "I won't see you off any further."

After Xie Yuyan left the house, Yang Yu helped the two old ladies up.

As soon as they stepped out of the courtyard of the third house, some of the clansmen followed the second old lady.

"Grandma, tell me, what is she planning to do this time?"

The two old ladies sneered. What else could they do? Even if they hadn't come, Xie Yuyan would have made a scene again, her goal being to get the clansmen to willingly hand over their money to her.

She came here to gather information for the Xie family and, incidentally, to persuade the old fogies in the clan to intervene and coordinate with the Xie family to completely take down the Xie clan.

The second old lady said, "What she's going to do... we can't be sure yet, but I know she definitely doesn't have any money left." Otherwise, Zhang wouldn't have been so nervous, and given Xie's personality, she wouldn't have agreed so readily to let the clansmen send money over.

The Yang clan members were astonished: "That water shop made a lot of money. Renting a shop and hiring people doesn't cost too much. Those young men and women who took the money actually took away deposit contracts..."

"Perhaps she bought the land with silver." Land where coal could be dug up.

This is the information the Xie family wanted her to find out.

(End of this chapter)