Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 853 Side Story: Main Story (Part 3)
When the eldest son of the Prince Wang got married, the streets were filled with people who came to join in the fun.

The Wang family distributed auspicious fruits along the way, which attracted many children to scramble for them. Fortunately, the wedding procession had enough people to keep the scene under control. A few people who broke the rules were reprimanded by the patrolling soldiers and dared not act recklessly.

Although the Wang family was a prominent family, Wang Bingchen was the prime minister of the court, and Wang Yan was a famous child prodigy, the father and son had always acted very cautiously in recent years. But this time was obviously different. Wang Yan made a big show of it, as if he was afraid that no one would know.

"This is to announce it to the world!"

In the teahouse, Prince Huai stood by the window and looked down at the long wedding procession. Suddenly, he felt a surge of emotion and spoke it out unconsciously.

The eunuch behind him immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness...you..."

The Prince of Huai waved his hand to indicate that he understood. He was now the heir apparent, and he had to be mindful of his words and actions, carefully considering each word before speaking. He could not afford to say a single wrong word.

He used to think that this position was great, as it allowed him to take what his father wanted, vent his anger for his birth mother, and, of course, fulfill his own desires.

But he also knew that the chances of success were slim. He needed to endure and preserve his life before making any further moves. Thinking of this, the Prince of Huai suddenly stroked the teacup in his hand. Who knew that everything would suddenly take a turn for the better, not only prompting the Prince of Qin to risk a rebellion, but also bringing the Jiang family behind him into the picture.

We will capture them all.

So he naturally ended up sitting in that seat.

When he couldn't sleep at night, he pondered carefully and gradually realized that this change started in Daming Prefecture, or more precisely, when Xie Yuyan was taken to Daming Prefecture.

Even now, he still doesn't understand what kind of person she really is.

The Prince of Huai's gaze fell on the bridal sedan chair once again.

For some reason, he felt a little envious of Wang Yan. If he could marry such a wife, he would give her the same grand occasion, let her marry into the royal family in style, promise her the position of empress, and let her bear an heir... If he were to die before her, he could entrust her with the affairs of state.

A variety of thoughts flashed through my mind.

"Your Highness, it's time for us to return to the palace."

The eunuch urged him on from behind, and Prince Huai nodded, his regret vanishing instantly. Compared to what he wanted to do, these things were nothing.

Perhaps one day, when he grows tired of life in the palace, he will remember these things again.

……

On the street, onlookers were discussing the matter animatedly.

What is the groom holding in his arms?

"It looks like... a bottle?"

"What bottle? That's a treasure bottle."

Upon hearing this, someone said, "Shouldn't the bride carry the baby to her husband's house? Why has the procedure changed, and now the groom is carrying it?"

"It might be... a new set of customs; wealthy families have even more rules."

"Oh dear," a woman in the crowd exclaimed, "My brother is getting married in a couple of days. I'll have him hold the treasure vase then; maybe that will bring more prosperity to the family."

"Yes, you can't go wrong by following along."

"This sister-in-law is so lucky; we didn't know about her before."

The sister-in-law was all smiles as people talked about her brother's wedding when someone bumped into her. She immediately frowned and looked over, only to see a pale-faced, haggard man squeeze through the crowd. The man was very tall but extremely thin, dressed in coarse cloth clothes, and looked like a down-on-his-luck person.

“Hey,” the sister-in-law noticed the man staring intently at the sedan chair, as if he wanted to see the person inside through the window, so she couldn’t help but remind him, “Don’t stare at the bride. It’s rude. Be careful you don’t offend her.”

The man opened his mouth: "That's my second younger sister..."

"What?" The sister-in-law thought she had misheard. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Xie Chengxin shut his mouth. His second sister wouldn't acknowledge him as her older brother, so... it was pointless to say anything. Thinking this, he took a deep breath, his eyes shining with sincerity and goodwill, hoping that everything would go smoothly for his second sister after she married into the Wang family.

Unfortunately, he had nothing to send as a token of his appreciation.

This is because he had only been released from prison a little over a month ago.

The court, mindful of his past actions in capturing members of the demonic cult, granted him leniency. He had assumed his second brother would also come out with him, but after inquiring, he learned that his second brother had actually colluded with the landlord. With witnesses and evidence to prove it, there was no room for denial.

Xie Chengxin thought about all the little things he had done with his second brother and felt that the world was truly insane. Fathers and sons, husbands and wives, brothers—none of them could be trusted.

His true family members all had another side. His third brother was too young to die, but unfortunately he fell seriously ill in prison and didn't make it.

His eldest sister had been married for a long time. Upon hearing of the trouble at home, she not only failed to send a single word but also did not send anyone to inquire about the situation. Xie Chengxin could understand this; after all, his eldest sister also had family and was afraid of being implicated.

In the end, everyone in the family except him and his second sister was gone.

This time, even his maternal grandfather's family was implicated. In order to collect the bodies of his parents and younger brothers, he went to their door to borrow money, but in the end he only got ten taels of silver.

The money he might not have cared about on ordinary days has now become all he has.

He was buried in a few thin coffins. With the remaining money, he bought some rice and found a job as a laborer. He has barely survived to this day, and only now does he realize how difficult it is to be an ordinary person.

As the bridal sedan chair moved further and further away, Xie Chengxin subconsciously followed for a few steps, but unfortunately there were too many onlookers blocking his way, so he had to give up.

Dejected, he walked back, thinking of going to the docks to find some work, when suddenly someone patted him on the shoulder.

Xie Chengxin looked over and then he saw an unfamiliar face.

"Are you Xie Dalang?" the man spoke first.

Xie Chengxin nodded subconsciously.

"Do you recognize me?" The man pointed to his nose.

Xie Chengxin bowed deeply and apologized, "I'm sorry, brother, I... I probably can't remember."

The man pointed towards the bridal sedan chair: "That's my tenth sister."

Xie Chengxin couldn't figure it out for a moment.

Xie Zishao pulled him aside: "When Ayan was in Daming Prefecture, she married Yang through the Xie family..."

Xie Zishao didn't finish speaking, but Xie Chengxin already knew what he was going to say.

Xie Chengxin said, "I know who you are."

"What are you doing now?" Xie Zishao asked. "If you don't have a job, you can come to the South City Wharf to find me. I can always find you a way to make a living."

Xie Chengxin was naturally willing, but he was also afraid...

"What are you thinking about?" Xie Zishao asked. "The fact that you were able to get out proves that your tenth sister isn't holding a grudge against you. If you're willing to endure hardship..."

"Yes," Xie Chengxin said, "I can." He doesn't need to earn too much money, as long as he can live out the rest of his life in peace and stability.

Xie Zishao nodded, acknowledging the agreement, and then turned to chase after the wedding procession.

Xie Chengxin stared blankly at Xie Zishao's back. Everyone in the family said that his second sister was ruthless. If she was really ruthless, how could so many people follow her wholeheartedly?
Ultimately, it was the Xie family who wronged her.

Thinking of this, Xie Chengxin bowed in the direction the bridal sedan chair had left.

……

"The bridal sedan chair is almost here."

The steward informed Wang Bingchen and Madam Lin, and Madam Lin instinctively stood up.

"Madam, please don't be anxious," Wang Bingchen whispered a reminder. As an elder, he had to maintain his composure, otherwise the guests would think that his son Hechun was almost unable to find a wife, even though that was the truth.

Wang Bingcheng watched this scene with a smile. He was overjoyed that his nephew was getting married, let alone his brother and sister-in-law.

Thinking of this, he deliberately walked up to his elder brother and whispered, "I remember that you seemed a little dissatisfied before..." But now, whenever someone mentions that Ayan, a woman, is out in the public eye doing business, his elder brother will glance at her and then coldly retort, making the person lose face.

Now, his old face can no longer hide his joy; if he doesn't control it, his mouth might stretch all the way to his ears.

Wang Bingchen glared at his younger brother.

The two were exchanging playful glances when Wang Zheng rushed in, shouting, "Welcome, sister-in-law! Welcome, sister-in-law!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Bingchen could no longer hide his smile and loudly proclaimed, "Let the music begin, to welcome my fine son and daughter-in-law!"

　Once I started writing, I realized there was so much to explain. I'll use the wedding as an opportunity to talk about the outcomes for some people, and then I'll get to the part that's not so easy to write. I'll start writing first thing tomorrow morning!
　　(End of this chapter)