Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 851 Side Story: Main Story (Part 1)

Beijing.

Xie Yuyan had been back in Bianjing for six or seven days. She left quietly and returned quietly without causing a stir, because she did not want the Liang court and officials to focus their attention on her.

She had done what she needed to do and really didn't want to deal with those people anymore.

She slept until the sun was high in the sky, drank some soup, but was still too lazy to get up. So she simply held Ah Li in her arms, leaned against the couch in the warm pavilion, and read a few books. These books were brought to her by Yang Qin; they were Mr. Tong's new works, mostly travelogues and accounts of her experiences. She had read some of them when she was young in her previous life, and now, even when she saw the same articles, she felt a different kind of enjoyment.

Those mundane family stories that she couldn't get into before, she can now read in one go.

As Zhang walked into the courtyard, she ran into Yu Mama, who was heading to the kitchen. She immediately pulled Yu Mama aside and asked, "Ayan, are you still not up?"

Mother Yu smiled and said, "You're up, but you're reading in the warm room!"

Zhang nodded subconsciously: "Looking at the accounts again..."

“No,” said Madam Yu, “it’s a book that Ninth Prince brought back.”

Zhang was quite surprised. After Ayan came back this time, she seemed different from before. She was no longer busy from morning to night... She seemed much more relaxed.

“That’s really true…” Madam Zhang naturally didn’t want A-Yan to overwork, “That’s how it should be.”

Madam Yu nodded in agreement. She had personally experienced those dangers when she went out with Madam Yu. On the surface, she pretended not to be afraid, but her palms were sweating. She was able to hold on because Madam Yu was by her side. She believed that Madam Yu would eventually win against that landlord.

The eldest daughter-in-law could not rely on others; she not only did everything herself but also had to be at the forefront.

After the battle, and the long journey back, they were naturally exhausted and needed to rest and recuperate.

Zhang smiled and said, "Then I won't go in. Let Ayan..."

Just as she finished speaking, a window opened, and Xie Yuyan's face appeared: "It's cold outside, Mother, come inside."

Seeing this, Zhang nodded and went into the house with a smile.

Zhang thought Xie Yuyan would ask her about family matters, just like before.

They don't have many shops left in Bianjing, but their dyeing workshops and porcelain businesses are still operating. However, since returning, Ayan hasn't seen the managers from either of these businesses.

Zhang was considering whether to send someone to fetch the account books, but unexpectedly, Xie Yuyan enthusiastically told her about what Tong Chen had written.

"It says there was an old man who lived to be ninety years old and had more than 120 children. When he was twenty, his first child was already six or seven years old."

Zhang was initially surprised when she heard Xie Yuyan speak, but later she took what she had heard to heart.

"So, that old man never got married? He just went away for a month every year, and when he was in his sixties or seventies, his children would come to his door to acknowledge him as their ancestor?"

Xie Yuyan nodded: "These children come from all walks of life, and the gifts they give to the old man on his birthday are getting more and more unusual."

"They weren't born to the same mother, were they?" Zhang frowned. "This... is outrageous! What will people say if word gets out? Who is Mr. Tong writing about?"

Xie Yuyan shook his head: "None of those children would reveal the identity of their biological mother. The old man only said that she was a gift from heaven. Every year when he left home, a fairy would appear in his dreams to give him guidance... The details cannot be told to others."

“They probably dare not say,” Zhang said. “Who knows, that old man…the birthday celebrant is some high-ranking official or a member of a prominent family.”

"How dare they sell this book? If they find out, they'll probably take it all away."

Xie Yuyan smiled and said, "Perhaps it can be sold for a long time. In a couple of days, I'll have Qin Ge ask Mr. Tong if he's willing to print a large quantity. When Liu Erlang was running a tabloid, the court raided a bookstore. I wonder what's happening to that bookstore now. If we can buy it back at a lower price, we can make some good business."

Compared to Xie Yuyan's leisurely life, Wang Yan was extremely busy. This battle resulted in the capture of the King of Qin and his neighbor, which can be described as a great victory, but it also attracted many impeachments from censors.

It's simply that this case was never handled properly from the beginning, which caused internal strife. He Tan, Wang Yan, and others committed too many killings, executing court officials and generals without consulting the court.

Some of the families behind the officials who followed the King of Qin out of the capital were unwilling to sink with the King's ship. Naturally, they would use money to bribe people and ask them to plead their cases. They would say that they were first deceived by the King of Qin and then ostracized by Wang Bingchen and his son, and had no choice but to make such a decision. Such absurd excuses actually had supporters. In the end, they just didn't want this slaughter to befall them.

They should have merit in protecting imperial power, but they should not bear the infamy of being cruel officials, creating too many obstacles in their official careers and causing their ancestors' reputations to suffer.

By lending a helping hand now and sparing the families of those corrupt officials from disaster, one can gain a great deal of goodwill.

Just as these voices were growing louder, various government offices suddenly received a notice that a grand court assembly would be held at the Daqing Hall the following day. Immediately, opinions were divided and various speculations arose.

As the officials took their positions in the Daqing Hall, a series of footsteps sounded, and the next moment, the Emperor of Liang appeared before them. Everyone had thought the Emperor wouldn't survive the winter, but unexpectedly, the emperor and his ministers would meet again. A wave of jubilation swept through the court, and any doubts vanished with the grand court assembly.

……

"Sister." Yang Qin and Yan Sui ran in one after the other.

“The streets are so lively today,” Yang Qin said eagerly after bowing. “Why don’t we go and stroll around the market together?”

Yan Sui had not seen Xie Yuyan for a long time, and for two consecutive days he returned home with Yang Qin. He liked to stay by Xie Yuyan's side the most, and he was willing to be tested on his studies by Xie Yuyan.

“Okay,” Xie Yuyan agreed, “then let’s go together.”

The family dressed up and boarded a horse-drawn carriage to go to the market to join in the fun.

When the emperor was unwell, all the officials prayed for his well-being, and music was banned in the capital, making the city deserted. Now that the emperor's condition has improved, the ban has finally been lifted, and the city has returned to its former bustling state. Merchants are taking to the streets to shout their wares. Yang Qin and Yan Sui are holding hands tightly, afraid of being separated by the crowds.

Xie Yuyan bought two tiger-head hats for them to wear. Normally, children this age would definitely refuse to wear them, but in this atmosphere, the two of them complied with Xie Yuyan's wishes without any struggle.

After strolling through the market, the family ate mutton noodles at a stall.

Because they were having so much fun, they forgot the time, so when Wang Yan arrived at the mansion at the South City Wharf, the entire courtyard was deserted.

Wang Yan wanted to go to the market to look for her, but thinking about the noisy crowd, he figured he would probably have a hard time finding her. Besides, A-Yan had finally gone out, and he didn't want to spoil her fun, so he went straight to Xie Yuyan's house.

“My lord, please sit down. I will have the kitchen prepare some food for you.”

Wang Yan nodded in response to Xie Wang's words.

Before the food from the kitchen had even arrived, Wang Yan noticed the book Xie Yuyan had casually placed face down on the table. He picked it up and saw it was the story of the Old Man of Longevity who encountered a fairy and fathered a hundred sons. Wang Yan's brow furrowed even more deeply; a sense of familiarity washed over him. He flipped to the front and saw the author's name, confirming his suspicions.

Ah Yan must have seen all this... so... she deliberately left him alone at home.

Given Ayan's personality, she probably wouldn't.

If not this time, what about next time?

If I happen to be pregnant at that time, will this affect the fetus?

Thinking of this, Wang Yan immediately picked up the books and turned to walk outside.

"My lord, what's wrong with you..." Xie Wang stood there, stunned and at a loss for what to do.

Sang Dian immediately followed.

Wang Yan mounted his horse and ordered Sang Dian, "Find Tong Chen for me."

Seeing his young master in such a state, Sang Dian dared not delay and hurriedly led people to search for him. Since Tong Chen had entered the capital, he had only been to a few places, so it would not be difficult to find him.

Half an hour later, Tong Chen, who had just finished drinking with some classmates, was dragged out of bed by Sang Dian.

After seeing Wang Yan's face clearly, Tong Chen sobered up considerably.

Wang Yan handed the book to Tong Chen: "Where is this old man with hundreds of children that you wrote about?"

There is no such thing as an old man of longevity; it's all made up by Tong Chen. But even so, Tong Chen could come up with eight hundred different answers for anyone else, but this person in front of him is Wang Hechun, and he can't be fooled at all.

Furthermore, Tong Chen was indeed feeling guilty, because he wrote this precisely by referencing... the legend of Wang Yan's encounter with the immortals.

Now that the person in question has found him... what can he possibly say?
“If I find out you’ve written this again,” Wang Yan said gravely, “you can forget about getting a good night’s sleep.”

If Tong Chen continues like this, one day a child might come looking for him. He doesn't care, but he can't explain it to his "immortal" family.

"You are not allowed to write anything that relates to me."

Seeing the serious-looking Wang Yan, Tong Chen had no choice but to agree.

Wang Yan felt much more at ease. He used to not care and let them talk as they pleased, but now it's different... Even if there are rumors, they can only be about him and A Yan.

A thought suddenly popped into Wang Yan's mind: since everyone is curious about his encounter with the immortals, why not let him write it himself?

……

Xie Yuyan returned to the courtyard and heard that Wang Yan had come and gone, assuming he had important official business. After washing up, she lay in bed, preparing to continue reading Tong Chen's book, only to find that the book was missing.

Xie Yuyan looked around the room, wondering if something had dragged it away. She looked down at Ah Li in her arms and thought it was unlikely.

Then it could only have been taken by Wang Yan.

Xie Yuyan couldn't help but laugh out loud. Tong Chen had already written "Old Man of Longevity," but it still couldn't escape Wang Yan's eyes. It seemed that the words "encountering immortals" were not to be touched lightly in his mind.

It seems her proposed deal is off.

……

Master Jingyuan chose an auspicious day to enter the palace and preach to the Empress Dowager.

In fact, after returning to Bianjing, she wanted to go to Cining Palace, but the Empress Dowager was too busy and had not been able to free up her time to summon her.

The details of the arrest of the mastermind had already been written in a secret letter to the Empress Dowager. This time, she was just going to tell some details to amuse the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager has lost some weight, but her spirits are still quite good.

"In the end, he actually managed to shoulder the burden," the Empress Dowager said, "which surprised me somewhat." The Emperor's illness had long since improved, and she thought he would pretend until the end and completely push the matter of the rebels onto her.

Master Jingyuan whispered, "Could it be that the Emperor has suffered a fundamental injury this time?" Even if he recovers, it won't last long.

The Empress Dowager nodded: "In the end, we still have to curry favor with the new emperor." In the end, the history books will only say that the Emperor cleared all obstacles for the next emperor.

The Empress Dowager had seen far too many of these kinds of dramas.

"Doesn't Your Majesty intend to meet Lady Xie?" Jingyuan then asked.

The Empress Dowager thought for a moment and smiled slightly: "They've disappeared."

Jingyuan responded, "The Empress Dowager did not summon Lady Xie to the palace precisely because she cares for her and wants to prevent Lady Xie from being targeted by those with ulterior motives."

Jingyuan suddenly realized that the Empress Dowager might value Lady Xie even more than she had thought.

"How is the sea?" the Empress Dowager suddenly asked Jingyuan.

Jingyuan nodded: "The ship is rocking, but... the sea is vast and the scenery is excellent."

The Empress Dowager's smile deepened. She looked at the master of ceremonies and the person in charge of the decorations: "After I am gone, you will all go to the sea with Jingyuan, so that you can see for me whether it is really as good as I thought."

After saying all this, the Empress Dowager felt a little tired, so she actually asked Jingyuan to preach to her.

In a daze, the Empress Dowager fell asleep. In her dream, she stood on a large ship and truly saw the boundless sea.

　A long chapter, with some random thoughts.

　　The next chapter is expected to be about their marriage.

　　(End of this chapter)