Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 652 The Worst Result
Zhou Zhaochang wanted to stop Xie Wenjing from continuing, but before he knew it, Wang Yan had just stepped in front of him.

Zhou Zhaochang felt a chill run down his spine.

Xie Wenjing laughed again, then pointed at Xie Chengxin and Zhou Zhaochang: "You still want to hide it? They only showed up when you were about to ambush me because they were afraid you would deny it."

"If you didn't have something to hide, why would you make your move at this time?"

“It’s not just you. Xie Yizhi knows who I am, knows who my mother is, and I am Xie Yizhi’s biological child. Without the money my mother gave Xie Yizhi, how could he be where he is today?”

"Didn't you want me dead? Didn't you want to capture me?"

"In that case, when we get to the government office, I will tell you all the truth and let everyone see what kind of people the Xie family really are."

"Is the so-called demonic sect you speak of truly filthy, or the high-ranking officials of the imperial court who appear glamorous in public?"

Xie Chengxin stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do next.

It wasn't until Wang Yan said, "Since this matter concerns the Xie family, Xie Dalang and Supervisor Zhou should avoid suspicion. This woman and her servants will be taken away by me and the Prince."

He then looked at the Prince of Huai and asked, "What does Your Highness think?"

The Prince of Huai said, "It is quite appropriate for the Court Attendant to do this."

Zhou Zhaochang clenched his fists. If he were to target Prince Huai and Wang Yan, he would surely be discovered, and that would mean certain death. Therefore, a direct confrontation was not an option.

Zhou Zhaochang thought for a moment, then walked toward Prince Huai. In his opinion, Wang Yan was more difficult to deal with, while Prince Huai had some connection with the Xie family.

Zhou Zhaochang whispered to the Prince of Huai, "Your Highness... Xin'er and I are not trying to hide the truth from the court, it's just that the matter has not yet been investigated."

“You absolutely cannot believe these people’s one-sided stories. Back then, Master Xie and his wife were killed by the demon cultists. How could the Xie family have any dealings with the demon cult? Even if they did… they must have been deceived.”

The Prince of Huai's face was not as cold and stern as Wang Yan's; instead, it appeared somewhat gentle. However, his words were exceptionally firm and left no room for argument: "In that case, it should be handed over to the court for handling. Xie Shumi holds a high position and wields great power; countless eyes are watching him. If he makes a mistake, he will surely be seized upon and never let go."

These words carried a hint of threat, and Zhou Zhaochang dared not speak again.

"I am a court official," Xie Chengxin pleaded with Wang Yan, mustering his courage.

Wang Yan raised his eyes: "What the Prince said just now was too vague. Given Xie Shumi's position, most court officials would not dare to question him. But if you delay any longer, I will definitely impeach Xie Shumi for abusing his power and acting recklessly."

These words made Zhou Zhaochang tremble, and Xie Chengxin also subconsciously took a step back.

A moment later, Sang Zhi, Sang Dian, and two guards of the Prince of Huai arrived with three escaped members of the sorcerer cult. These three were the same people who had driven the mule cart westward to escape.

Only then did Xie Chengxin realize why Wang Yan and the Prince of Huai had arrived first; it turned out they had split up with their guards.

Wang Yan mounted his horse, and Zhou Zhaochang, Xie Chengxin, and the others dared not stop him any longer. They handed Xie Wenjing and Chunxi over to Sang Zhi and Sang Dian, and then escorted the remaining members of the demon cult to the city with the two of them.

Chunxi has remained silent since her arrest, seemingly resigned to her fate. However, Wang Yan knows that Chunxi is smarter than Xie Wenjing.

Sure enough, on the way, Chunxi seized the opportunity to say, "Lord Wang... if I tell the whole truth, will the court be able to treat me leniently?"

Wang Yan seemed not to hear her and ignored her.

Chunxi continued, "I know where the Holy Sect's people are in each prefecture... Lord Wang..."

Wang Yan urged his horse onward, completely ignoring her.

Chunxi didn't speak again, because she understood why Wang Yan was acting this way. She was originally a maidservant by Xie Erniang's side, and Xie Wenjing's successful replacement of the real Xie Erniang was largely due to her efforts.

Based on this alone, Wang Yan would not give her any chance.

...The Privy Council.

The Privy Councilor, who had just entered the room, whispered something in Xie Yizhi's ear.

"The truth about my family has been revealed."

Xie Yizhi, who was reviewing the documents, suddenly changed her expression: "Who is it?"

The Privy Councilor pursed his lips: "Initially, they were captured by Xie Dalang and Supervisor Zhou, but later Prince Huai and Wang Yan also arrived."

Xie Yizhi was stunned for a long time. He never expected that Xie Chengxin was the one who ruined things. So he asked again, "Not Erlang?"

The Privy Councilor replied, "Yes... Eldest Son."

Xie Yizhi showed no panic, his face remaining as calm as ever. He continued to ask questions, wanting to gain more control: "Did they already discuss this amongst themselves, or did they act independently?"

The Privy Councilor thought for a moment and said, "It seems that this was not discussed beforehand."

Xie Yizhi pondered for a moment; he had already anticipated Xie Yuyan's departure from the capital. A wise person wouldn't do anything foolish at a crucial moment.

Xie Yuyan's departure from the capital and the protection of Wang Yan made him more vulnerable to being schemed against.

Either Xie Yuyan was too arrogant, or she had arranged everything to lure him into a trap.

The latter is more likely.

Although he had considered this, he had no choice but to send someone anyway. He knew that while scheming against others, one could also be schemed against. He instructed his envoy not to act rashly, but to understand Xie Yuyan's intentions before taking action, lest he be caught red-handed, and especially not to meet with Xu Shu easily.

He cautiously sought opportunities, still believing that no one could be perfect in every aspect, and that a few days could bring about earth-shattering changes.

Now, the messenger has not sent any news back, but something has happened in Bianjing first.

This matter must have been orchestrated by Wang Yan.

Wang Yan used Xin Ge'er to expose Xie Wenjing's true identity.

“What was bound to happen has finally happened,” Xie Yizhi said. “In the end, we couldn’t stop them.”

Both Xie Yuyan and Wang Yan are exceptionally intelligent, and with the addition of the Prince of Huai, it's no wonder they are not easy to deal with.

The Privy Councilor replied, "They have taken the man to the Dali Temple. Wang Yan should immediately go to the palace to report this matter. In less than half an hour, Your Excellency will probably be questioned."

Xie Yizhi could have figured these things out without the Privy Councilor's prompting. Besides, what the Privy Councilor really wanted to ask was: "What should we do?"

Xie Yizhi put away the documents in front of him and instructed the Privy Councilor: "Bring a charcoal brazier."

A charcoal brazier was brought over, and some documents were thrown into it, quickly turning to ashes.

After a long while, Xie Yizhi finally said, "Let's do as the old master has arranged!"

The Privy Councilor responded immediately to the order.

Xie Yizhi waved him off to get busy, while she continued burning the documents.

After the documents in his hand were burned and the smoke in the room dissipated, there was a noise outside. Then the clerk knocked on the door, and Xie Yizhi looked up to see Xu En step into the room.

"Thank you, Grand Councilor," Xu En said, "The Emperor wants to see you, so please pack your things and come with me now!"

(End of this chapter)