CHAPTER 113: CHAPTER 111: THE AGREEMENT

Xie Liangchen felt Song Xian’s gaze, so she looked up to see if Creditor Song had other instructions.

"Look, this face," said Old Mrs. Song, "could anyone eat their meal while looking at it?"

Old Mrs. Song’s words were quite fitting, and Xie Liangchen almost laughed out loud. Fortunately, she was a person of strong will and didn’t show her emotions easily.

Song Xian saw her naturally lower her head again, but between her seemingly unimpressive brows and eyes, there was a clear trace of amusement.

Old Mrs. Song turned and instructed the housekeeper: "Set the food for the young master in the outer room."

Then she looked at Xie Liangchen: "Send him outside, would you stay in the house with me for the meal?"

To avoid suspicion, with just one sentence, Old Mrs. Song had sent her grandson out. There was no way Xie Liangchen could refuse: "I’ll do as you say, Old Mrs. Song."

"Good." Old Mrs. Song was overjoyed.

Song Xian reluctantly stood up and said to Old Mrs. Song, "Please eat more, Grandmother." Then he walked outside.

The housekeeper sent Song Xian out, smiling beside him: "Old Mrs. Song hasn’t been this cheerful for a long time. She’s in good spirits today and even had Miss Xie accompany her for a walk in the garden. It made us all feel a lot livelier."

Song Xian instinctively replied, "It’s not quite..." Compared to Chen Family Village, it wasn’t really lively here, but on closer thought, it was all thanks to Xie Liangchen.

The housekeeper didn’t understand Song Xian’s meaning.

Song Xian didn’t continue, not even sure himself what he meant just now.

Song Xian asked, "Did Madam come by?"

The housekeeper replied, "Madam wanted to come and pay respects to Old Mrs. Song, but she didn’t agree. Then when Master returned, he called Madam away."

These were all within Song Xian’s expectations.

He sat down in the outer room, and as he picked up his tea to drink, the servants were busy setting the dishes. Laughter came from inside again, though he wasn’t sure what was being discussed.

The conversation between the two was soft, and although Song Xian wasn’t far away, he couldn’t clearly hear them, but the quiet conversation between the elder and the younger allowed him to relax.

Such a pleasant mood was rare.

Song Xian looked at Chang An guarding the door, and Chang An, understanding, instructed his men: "Guard outside Old Mrs. Song’s courtyard. Don’t let anyone in." The front yard was full of Master’s trusted generals, and for a moment, Master couldn’t come, so only Madam Rong and Second Master might visit.

Song Xian hadn’t eaten all day. Once he smelled the familiar scent of food, he felt a deep hunger.

The housekeeper watched beside him, astonished, thinking Miss Xie’s cooking must be excellent. Old Mrs. Song ate a lot, not to mention even the young master started his third bowl.

It was her first time seeing the young master like this in all her time serving Old Mrs. Song.

After eating, Old Mrs. Song had Xie Liangchen support her to the garden.

Old Mrs. Song said, "Usually, the medicinal meals with Huang Jing are both bitter and numb, not as good as what you brought."

Xie Liangchen smiled, "This is prepared by us in Chen Family Village."

To this day, Old Mrs. Song still found it surprising that a village could accomplish so much.

Old Mrs. Song asked, "After setting up your Familiar Medicine Institute, did you send all the herbs to the Official Medicine Bureau?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head, "Only a portion was sold to the bureau; the rest goes with caravans to various places." Planning to sell overseas in the future, to even farther places.

Old Mrs. Song turned to gaze at Xie Liangchen’s bright eyes, thinking that even though this child is a girl, she is capable of accomplishing great things.

Old Mrs. Song said, "If my health wasn’t failing, I would surely visit Chen Family Village to see the Familiar Medicine Institute and the loom you mentioned. I’ve seen my share of the world, no doubt I could use that loom if given the chance."

Xie Liangchen laughed, "When your mood improves one day, let someone inform me, and I’ll come to escort you to the village."

Old Mrs. Song couldn’t help but laugh, "You." Without mentioning her illness, she talked about her mood. Upon reflection, she wasn’t bedridden; she was simply lethargic, unable to muster energy.

As the hour approached, Xie Liangchen escorted Old Mrs. Song back into the house, bowed, and took her leave.

Old Mrs. Song said, "Visit when you can, and keep me company with conversation."

Xie Liangchen replied, "I’ll come once every three days to prepare medicinal meals for you. Is that acceptable?"

Old Mrs. Song smiled again, for who knew how many times today, "Good, let’s settle it like that. I’ll wait for you at home."

Xie Liangchen bowed once more and slowly left Old Mrs. Song’s courtyard.

"Miss," the housekeeper caught up and said, "Old Mrs. Song had a carriage prepared, and the chef in the prefecture made some pastries for the village children, which you may take back."

Xie Liangchen quickly thanked her, "Please thank Old Mrs. Song on my behalf."

"It’s a small matter," the housekeeper said, "Old Mrs. Song’s joy is thanks enough, and the prefecture will send a carriage in three days to bring you to Chen Family Village..."

Coming to pick her up from Chen Family Village every time?

Xie Liangchen quickly refused, "I appreciate Old Mrs. Song’s consideration, but there’s no need for the carriage..."

Before she could finish, Song Xian’s voice came, "The Official Medicine Bureau just started using Chen Family Village’s herbs; it is not advisable for Chen Family Village to be too conspicuous now. Song Family’s carriages are too noticeable. When Miss Xie comes to the prefecture, I will send someone to escort you covertly."

Now understanding, the housekeeper said, "The young master indeed thinks everything through."

Song Xian continued, looking at Xie Liangchen, "Today’s items will be sent to Chen Family Village by my men."

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Chang An turned to the housekeeper, "Where are the items? Please take me to retrieve them."

The housekeeper led Chang An away, while the servant standing nearby hesitated on whether to lead Xie Liangchen out of the prefecture, only to hear Madam Rong’s voice not far away.

"Stand aside, I want to say a word to Xian."

Xie Liangchen turned her head and vaguely saw Madam Rong’s figure. She was about to evade when Song Xian’s tall silhouette blocked her way.

Song Xian said, "Take the path through the bamboo grove."

Xie Liangchen nodded, ready to find her way forward.

"I am free tonight."

Song Xian’s voice came again from behind, and Xie Liangchen paused, unsure of the meaning of his words.

Song Xian added, "We can see if your boxing and kicking have improved."

So that was his intention. Xie Liangchen nodded in response.

Song Xian was offering guidance, and she naturally couldn’t refuse, though she was slightly apprehensive, wondering if he wanted to repay her for that drunken punch.

Xie Liangchen accelerated her pace, yet before leaving the courtyard, she heard Madam Rong’s sorrowful cries.

"Xian, mother begs you, save your third brother!"

Turning her head, Xie Liangchen saw Madam Rong falling to her knees in front of Song Xian.

Against Madam Rong’s backdrop, Song Xian appeared exceptionally indifferent.

Seeing this Song Family, Xie Liangchen shook her head. Though Chen Family Village was impoverished, it was far warmer than here.

Upon exiting Song Family’s gate, Chang An stood waiting with his men.

Seeing the food boxes on horseback, Xie Liangchen could almost envision the scene once these items were brought into the village.