Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 91 Easy to deceive
As soon as Wang Zheng finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent, and several pairs of eyes fell on him.

The echoes in Wang Zheng's ears reminded him again and again of what he had just said. In his panic, his mouth remained open for a long time.

The county magistrate's gaze shifted from Wang Zheng to Xie Yuyan, and he began to wonder what the relationship was between the Wang family and this Lady Xie. Why did Wang's young master call Lady Xie "sister-in-law"?
So who is Wang Zheng's brother?

The county magistrate was completely confused.

Xie Yuyan spoke first with a smile: "Young Master, where is this title from?"

After a long pause, Wang Zheng stammered, "I...I...I don't know either."

Xie Yuyan couldn't help but smile. The mature and composed Wang Zheng was actually like this when he was young. If Wang Huai saw this scene, he would probably be shocked and would not believe that this person was his father.

Xie Yuyan said, "It's good that the young master wasn't frightened."

Since he had made a mistake, he had to take full responsibility. Wang Zheng forced himself to lower his head and said, "It's alright, little brother. It was my fault for being impolite." Since he was wrong, he simply admitted it.

After he called out "little brother" twice more, everyone thought the young man was indeed a bit simple-minded.

The county magistrate stroked his beard, noticing that Madam Xie showed no sign of panic; perhaps they were overthinking it.

Those were members of the Wang family of the Great Liang Dynasty. For members of the Wang family to refer to themselves as "younger brothers" would move anyone, except for members of the imperial family. Only those unaware of their true identities could remain so calm.

Xie Yuyan didn't want to dwell on this matter and changed the subject, saying, "It's your first time in the village, so you're following me too closely."

Wang Zheng nodded.

“My lord,” Meng Jiu said, “let’s move forward! We can see better if we get closer.”

The county magistrate then put on a businesslike expression again and continued walking.

In the courtyard of the iron smelting plant, there were piles of coal. The coal was jet black and shiny, and when it was piled up, it looked like a small mountain. The county magistrate couldn't help but sigh, no wonder Madam Xie said that they didn't lack that little bit of coal.

Perhaps because the fire in the stove was too strong, you could feel a wave of heat hitting you as you stood at the door.

Several busy men were gathered around the huge furnace. Some were constantly pulling wooden boxes in their hands, while others squatted down and stared at the molten iron flowing out.

Exclamations followed immediately: "It's out! It's out! It's even faster than before!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the courtyard rushed forward.

The county magistrate also wanted to see, but was blocked by several men.

"Try again."

The group responded in unison, but when they turned around to get back to their own business, they noticed the county magistrate standing beside them.

The county magistrate also spotted two familiar faces among these people.

These two men were blacksmiths in the government office workshop. Usually, they would instruct their apprentices on how to forge iron, and only when there were important items would they do it themselves. But now, both of them had rolled up their sleeves and were holding sledgehammers, clearly doing it all themselves.

Upon seeing the county magistrate, the two men bowed, and one of them said, "The molten iron has been refined, and we need to make tools immediately, so we won't say any more to you, sir."

Then, the two blacksmiths began to swing their hammers, and the clanging sound of their hammers echoed through the courtyard once again.

"What is this...?" the county magistrate coughed, "What are you building?"

Mother Yu said, "It should be an item from the government office."

Hearing this, the county magistrate felt a little better. If these two were forging iron for Lady Xie, he would have looked rather embarrassed.

After walking around, he found nothing amiss. The county magistrate was also surprised that such a large mine was so well-organized.

The county magistrate couldn't help but ask, "Is Madam Xie an expert in mineral resources?"

Xie Yuyan said, "Just be careful. After all, human life is at stake, and we cannot be negligent."

The county magistrate nodded: "I hope every mine owner can do the same."

Xie Yuyan replied, "Yes."

The certainty in the tone gave the county magistrate the illusion that the mining situation would soon change. The magistrate left with his workshop staff, and the Yang family's carriage was led over by a servant, following behind him.

Zhang was holding the hand warmer and was about to breathe a sigh of relief, having managed to avoid any suspicion from the yamen officials. She was relieved that everything had turned out alright, but then she noticed that Madam Yu's complexion was not good.

"Next time Madam goes out, she should take a few more guards with her," said Madam Yu, lifting the curtain to look outside. "I wonder if that person followed?"

Xie Yuyan held the cat in her arms, her expression calm. She used Wang Yan's waist token to borrow people from the government office, just in case someone would secretly try to harm her.

With He Tan not in the city, some people inevitably started to have their own ideas.

Ordinary people who go to the village to investigate will not be noticed by those guarding the outside. Only when they discover an assassin who can threaten her life will they release the fox to warn her.

Xie Yuyan did not inform Zhang Shi of these things in advance, so as not to make Zhang Shi nervous. However, Mama Yu knew very well that the sudden appearance of the cat had really startled her. She barely managed to keep herself from giving herself away in front of the county magistrate.

"With the county magistrate and the young master present, he wouldn't dare to make a move."

In case of an emergency, Wang Yan's men will also appear, but... that would ruin her plans.

Zhang was about to ask him more questions.

"Oh," Madam Yu couldn't help but exclaim, "Why did that young man come with us?"

After entering the city, the Yang family's carriage would return to the south wing, taking a different route from the county magistrate and the others.

The young man did not travel with the county magistrate, but instead followed them south.

I just called her "sister-in-law," so am I supposed to go home with her now?
Xie Yuyan looked at Madam Yu: "Have a servant ask if the young master has time to come over for a cup of hot tea."

"My lord, we've taken the wrong path."

Wang Zheng didn't know how he had unconsciously followed the Yang family's carriage. He only came to his senses when the servant reminded him, and his face immediately turned red with embarrassment.

He probably... was too eager to know where his sister-in-law lived.

But it would be inappropriate to just show up like that. He was racking his brains for a suitable excuse when he saw the Yang family's servant running over.

“Young master,” the servant said, “my mistress said that if you want to ask about the tabloids, you can come to the Yang family for a cup of tea.”

Tabloid?

Wang Zheng's eyes lit up. Tong Zixu and the others had been busy with the tabloid lately, working day and night and often arguing heatedly. It was Madam Xie who wanted to start the tabloid, so it made sense for him to come and ask about it.

Xie Yuyan watched as Wang Zheng followed the carriage into Yong'an Ward...

After Wang Yan passed away, Wang Zheng took charge of the Wang clan. People said that he had a lot of his elder brother's style, being cautious and meticulous, keeping the Wang clan away from disputes.

I never imagined he was so easily fooled when he was young.

It was common for guests from the third branch of the family to visit, and the servants of the Yang family properly led Wang Zheng to the main hall.

After bringing in hot tea, Aunt Yu left.

When Wang Zheng came to his senses, he found that only Xie Niangzi, himself, and the servant beside him were left in the room. The servant kept winking at him, obviously reminding him that such behavior was improper.

Just as Wang Zheng was about to stand up and take his leave, he heard that clear voice say, "If you really want to avoid trouble, you shouldn't have helped me hide the copper mine."

Wang Zheng's expression froze. He was so careful, how could he have been seen?

Xie Yuyan continued, "It's too late to regret it now. In front of the county magistrate, I didn't expose the fact that there was copper in the coal mine, and I even followed him home."

"Whether they conspired with me beforehand, or came to extort money from me with something on their hands, it's hard to say either way."

Wang Zheng opened his eyes wide in surprise. He never expected that Lady Xie would say such things. Wasn't Lady Xie a virtuous and gentle woman?
"No...no...I just feel..."

"Are you referring to the strict separation between men and women, young master?" Xie Yuyan said calmly. "Is it that being in the same room as each other will cause gossip, or that you, young master, risking your life to protect me will invite even more criticism?"

(End of this chapter)