Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 858 Side Story: Main Story (Male and Female Leads)
The imperial examinations were held in the fourth year after the new emperor of the Great Liang Dynasty ascended the throne.

Bianjing became even more prosperous due to the influx of scholars. The inns near the Imperial Examination Hall, the Imperial Academy, and the National Academy were already fully booked, and scholars who arrived later had to choose places to stay a little further away.

"Why don't you go check out the South City Wharf?" a vendor pointed to a candidate wearing a tattered robe. "The inns over there might still be places to stay, and they're cheap."

The test taker frowned upon hearing this: "Is that a water transport terminal?"

“Yes,” the vendor said with a smile, “you knew?”

The examinee's expression immediately changed, and he angrily flung his sleeve: "You look down on people like that, how dare you be so contemptuous of me."

The vendor, who meant well, became angry upon hearing this: "I was just trying to give you some pointers, how can you accuse me of something wrong?"

"The South City Wharf is a place where peddlers and laborers stay, yet you want me to stay there. Isn't that just deliberately making fun of me?"

The vendor finally understood the reason behind the examinee's words, and draped the towel over his shoulder, saying, "So you look down on us and don't want to live with people like us."

"Then just pretend I didn't say anything."

As soon as the vendor finished speaking, the examinee was about to step forward to argue further when his arm was grabbed. He turned his head and saw a stranger's face.

The newcomer was also dressed in a scholar's robe, but his complexion was rather dark, and his clothes were even dirtier and more tattered than the examinee's. He was covered in dust and grime. He did not speak to the examinee, but instead bowed to the vendor and said, "I want to go to the South City Wharf. Could you please tell me the shortest route?"

Upon hearing this, the vendor's anger vanished instantly, replaced by a smile: "You're from the Northwest?"

The visitor nodded: "Indeed. We candidates from the Northwest were originally traveling with a merchant caravan, but I was delayed by half a day and only just arrived..."

The vendor said, "I happen to be going to the South City Wharf. I'll show you the way."

The visitor readily agreed and even helped the vendor push the cart, the two talking as they walked.

"There are many scholars from the Northwest who come to take the imperial examinations!"

"In the past two years, the county magistrates and prefects have been diligent in their work on education, opening more prefectural schools and academies in the Northwest, which is why we have this kind of situation."

"For those who don't have money to take the exam, the merchants' association will give them travel expenses and food... I heard that it will be much cheaper for us to eat and stay at the South City Wharf."

As the two voices faded into the distance, the examinee who had been arguing with the vendor heard these words and his face grew even more somber.

The innkeeper's waiter came out and said, "Since you don't like the inn, you should find somewhere else quickly, lest you can't find a place to stay before dark."

"You're really ignorant."

"So what if they're peddlers and laborers? Do you even know who owns the South City Wharf? You look down on those shops? Back then, to help the imperial court quell the rebellion, the owner sold all the shops and only bought them back in the last two years. Besides, many of those peddlers and laborers... made contributions during the rebellion. What do you know? And you dare to put on airs here?"

"A person like that would be a terrible official..."

"Alright," the innkeeper said to his waiter, "go inside and greet the guests. Don't gossip."

The waiter pointed at the examinee. Actually, there was something else he didn't say. You know, the master's husband is the top scholar in the Liang Dynasty. How could the post station not be worthy of him?

However, since the person in charge wouldn't let him speak, he could only mutter a few words under his breath.

The manager left with his staff. The examinee wanted to make a scene, but he found that everyone around him was giving him strange looks, so he had no choice but to slink away.

……

Two people sitting opposite each other in the teahouse across from the inn witnessed this scene.

Xu Huaiyi turned his head first and said, "In just a few years, there have been some changes in various parts of Daliang."

For example, with more candidates from the Northwest and Southeast, Bianjing became even more prosperous, with ships constantly coming and going at various water transport docks... Although there was still infighting in the court, it was ultimately suppressed by Wang Bingchen, because the new emperor still trusted this prime minister. Sometimes Xu Huaiyi also felt strange. It is said that a new emperor brings a new set of ministers, so why did this young emperor not seem to have any intention of replacing the old prime minister?

Could it be that they're afraid the old one will leave, and an even more capable younger one will come along?
Even though Wang Yan was not in the imperial court, they would still hear his name all the time. One was from the Military Equipment Bureau, and another from the Maritime Trade Office. They said that he always interfered in the affairs of these two places by taking advantage of his status as a son of a high-ranking official.

However, whenever impeachment memorials were submitted to the Secretariat, the Emperor would keep them in reserve and not issue them. After a while, the officials roughly guessed the Emperor's intentions.

During the court session, the young emperor inquired about the recent situation of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, essentially warning the officials below: if Wang Yan stopped interfering, would they be able to raise more money and build more military equipment? If not, they should all shut up!

Just as Xu Huaiyi was thinking this, a voice came: "Young Master Xu, you're having tea with me because you want to ask about that case from back then, right?"

Xu Huaiyi was an upright and incorruptible official. When criminal officials entered the Dali Temple, they would be scared half to death upon seeing him. But for some reason, Xu Huaiyi would always subconsciously feel fear in front of this person.

Xie Yuyan, dressed in an apricot-colored cloak, was twenty-four or twenty-five years old. She was even more beautiful than before. When she smiled, her eyes were clear and bright, and she looked graceful and charming. Yet, her expression was dignified and authoritative, making it impossible for anyone to feel any frivolity.

Xu Huaiyi didn't dare to examine it closely, pursed his lips and said, "I'm just bringing up an old case from a few years ago, and I still have a few doubts..."

Although those people had already been dealt with back then, and the case had long been solved in everyone's eyes, a knot remained in Xu Huaiyi's heart.

Xie Yuyan said, "I thought Xu Shaoqing would have asked me this six years ago, but I didn't expect it to be delayed until now."

Xu Huaiyi exclaimed in surprise: "Madam, you guessed it?"

Xie Yuyan nodded: "Xu Shaoqing thinks there are still some suspicious points about the death of Master Xie back then. Although Xu Shu confessed that Master Xie was killed by her, you still feel there are still doubts."

Xu Huaiyi was a meticulous person when it came to cases; anyone else would never have made this trip. Xu Huaiyi said, "Xu Shu did confess, but she was vague about some details, especially the injuries on Old Master Xie's body, which did not completely match what was written on the autopsy report."

"Xie Chengxin also went to the estate that day, but unfortunately he arrived a little late and only saw Xie Yizhi by Xie's side... so I have never been able to find any concrete evidence."

“Logically speaking, even if Xu Shu intended to kill Old Master Xie, she wouldn’t need to do it herself. She sent people from the Demon Sect to Bianjing anyway, so her subordinates could have easily assassinated him. Why would she have to do it herself?”

Xu Huaiyi paused here: "A few days ago, another member of the sorcerer sect was escorted to Kaifeng Prefecture. I went to inquire about it, and one of them, who had worked for Xu Shu, confirmed that Xu Shu had not gone to Bianjing when Old Master Xie passed away."

Xie Yuyan said, "That's why Xu Shaoqing made up his mind to come to me."

Xu Huaiyi looked at Xie Yuyan: "I know it's a bit presumptuous of me to believe the one-sided story of that heretic cultist, but I..."

Xie Yuyan finished speaking for him: "I feel guilty if I don't ask."

Xu Huaiyi remained silent, which was taken as an admission.

Xie Yuyan said, "I also have some guesses about this matter."

Xu Huaiyi immediately said, "Please speak, Madam."

Xie Yuyan took a sip of tea before continuing, "Xu Shu wanted to get a way out for her daughter, so she confessed a lot in prison. For her, getting merit was the key. She didn't care whether the details of the case she confessed were different from the facts."

"If she says that she sent someone to assassinate Old Master Xie back then... but the person she sent is dead, how can she prove the truth? Wouldn't the case be even more unsolvable?"

"At that time, I was wrongly accused by Xie Yizhi and was eager to get away. She simply took the blame upon herself, so that even if the court questioned her, she could confront Xie Yizhi."

"That's why we got this result."

"Does Lord Xu think this deduction is reasonable?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Huaiyi was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses. He had thought of many reasons, but none of them were as simple as what Madam Xie had said.

Perhaps... that's how it is.

Xu Huaiyi took a deep breath, stood up and bowed to Xie Yuyan: "Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Madam."

Xu Shu assisted the imperial court in investigating the case, thus saving her daughter Xie Wenwan's life, which can be considered as achieving her goal.

Now, all of this can finally be put to rest.

Just as Yu's mother was about to help Xie Yuyan up, there was a commotion at the top of the stairs, and then a tall figure strode over and took over from Yu's mother.

He gently wrapped his arm around her, protecting her tightly.

At this moment, Xu Huaiyi realized that Madam Xie's belly was swollen, indicating that she was pregnant.

He had only heard that Madam Xie had returned to the capital, so he hurriedly sent his servant to deliver a letter, unaware that Madam Xie was pregnant.

Xu Huaiyi looked apologetic: "If I had known, I would never have troubled you, Madam."

Xie Yuyan smiled and said, "Young Master Xu, you don't need to take it to heart. Even if you hadn't invited me, I was prepared to come and take a look. It's just a few words, it really doesn't take much effort."

Xu Huaiyi glanced at Wang Yan beside him. The young man's expression seemed normal, but one could still see a hint of displeasure in his deep eyes. So he didn't linger and took his leave after exchanging greetings with Wang Yan.

After Xu Huaiyi had gone far away, Wang Yan escorted Xie Yuyan downstairs and into the carriage.

Looking at the arm that was still wrapped around her waist, Xie Yuyan said, "There are still four months until you give birth. Aren't you being a little too cautious?"

A warm breath came from beside his ear, and Wang Yan whispered, "The midwife said that we can't be careless with the first pregnancy."

Xie Yuyan had no choice but to let Wang Yan have his way.

After a moment, Wang Yan said, "Xu Huaiyi is asking about Old Master Xie's case?"

Xie Yuyan said, "He can only let it go after he asks me for confirmation." As long as the reasons she gave could convince him.

Wang Yan adjusted his position to make Xie Yuyan more comfortable leaning against him: "Given Xu Huaiyi's temperament, if you don't say anything, he might keep thinking about it."

Xie Yuyan raised her head, her warm nose brushing against Wang Yan's neck: "Right, but who knows? Anyway, there's no real evidence left."

A case without solid evidence is inherently an unsolved mystery.

She paused slightly, then continued, "Actually, Xu Shaoqing should have let me speculate whether, given my temperament, I would have killed Old Master Xie back then."

The result she gave might be different from what she had just given.

She will.

Only by killing Old Master Xie and plunging Xie Family Village into chaos could she successfully leave with the members of the Demonic Cult.

She wouldn't investigate the truth, because both Old Master Xie, who covered everything up, and Xie Yizhi deserved to die.

(End of this chapter)