CHAPTER 120: CHAPTER 118 APPOINTMENT

Su Huaiqing traveled from Cangzhou all the way to Zhenzhou, planning to visit Madam Su in a few days. Along the way, aside from traveling, he was pondering the case of Song Min’s collusion with the enemy, and did not initially notice the figures walking by the roadside.

Until the voices of several children intermittently reached his ears.

They were discussing medicinal herbs.

"Sister pointed out to us for the second time... what we’re looking at is Rehmannia."

"Fresh Rehmannia needs to have its tops and rootlets removed, fresh Rehmannia... is cold and slightly bitter, clears heat and generates fluids. When processed, it can be steamed or stewed with wine until black, cooked Rehmannia is slightly warm, sweet in taste, nourishing yin... and tonifying blood."

Hearing this, Su Huaiqing slightly slowed down, turned his head, and saw a few figures in rough cloth clothes, with several children gathered around a young girl.

A quick glance didn’t reveal the young girl’s face clearly.

Then he heard someone say, "The one in my hand is called Qingwan, also known as Reviving Grass. It’s warm and slightly bitter, can be honey-roasted... Sister has Daqing in her hand, which she picked for mother who has a sore throat..."

As they got closer, the young girl turned to look in their direction, seemingly reaching out to protect the children beside her. However, one child stepped in front of her first.

Immediately, the fleeting face of the young girl appeared in his view, and then quickly formed a familiar face in his mind.

That was Miss Xie.

Su Huaiqing immediately turned his horse around.

Su Huaiqing had heard of the Chen Family Village and knew that Miss Xie was leading them in collecting medicines. Recently, she had processed dozens of medicinal herbs that were graded as Grade A by the Official Medicine Bureau.

Hearing is not as vivid as seeing with one’s own eyes. At this moment, the vague image of Miss Xie in Su Huaiqing’s mind gradually came into focus.

Su Huaiqing dismounted, and the servant promptly followed his steps towards Xie Liangchen and the others.

Xie Liangchen was grateful to Su Huaiqing, whether in her past life or present. Su Huaiqing had saved her, and in her previous life, she lived for many years with the Su Family, listening to Old Master Su’s accounts of Su Huaiqing’s past. Many medical books she read at the Su Family were personally copied by Su Huaiqing.

Even though she and Su Huaiqing didn’t spend much time together, they were connected by a marriage proposal, living as his widow for many years.

Because of this relationship, meeting again now felt less distant, though only just.

Su Huaiqing said, "I didn’t expect such a coincidence, encountering Miss Xie even before reaching Zhenzhou City."

Xie Liangchen replied, "My younger brothers and I are also heading into the city."

Su Huaiqing’s gaze fell on the bamboo baskets carried by Xie Liangchen and her companions. "Have you been identifying medicinal herbs in the mountains?" Winter is not the best time for digging up herbs, but those familiar with them can search for their traces to know where to collect them in spring.

Xie Liangchen nodded. Su Huaiqing was not wrong in his guess, but she wouldn’t share more details with him.

Su Huaiqing said, "My grandfather and I knew you had returned to the Chen Family Village. Due to being entangled in affairs, I didn’t come to Zhenzhou immediately. This trip is to visit Old Mrs. Chen."

Su Huaiqing didn’t mention the marriage proposal but spoke of visiting his grandmother, making it easier for her to respond.

Xie Liangchen would not refuse, "Thank you for your trouble, sir." Old Master Su and Su Huaiqing probably want to clarify the marriage proposal, so meeting once seems appropriate.

After speaking, Su Huaiqing didn’t hurry to leave, but said, "You’re carrying things, do you need my help?"

Xie Liangchen said, "Thank you, sir, but these are just dried herbs, they’re not heavy. We can carry them back to the village ourselves."

"Very well," Su Huaiqing said, "I’ll visit the Chen Family Village another day."

Xie Liangchen bowed again.

After this, Su Huaiqing didn’t delay further, mounted his horse again, and headed towards the city.

Watching Su Huaiqing’s figure move forward, Xie Liangchen didn’t delay either, calling Hei Dan and the others to continue the journey. Xie Liangchen raised the herbs in her hand, "What is this?"

The children gathered around her eagerly responded, "Silver Chaihu... slightly cold in nature..."

Su Huaiqing hadn’t gone far and faintly heard voices behind him, though the sounds became increasingly blurred until they vanished completely.

Su Huaiqing’s face bore a gentle expression. In truth, without visiting the Chen Family Village, he had already roughly understood Miss Xie’s attitude towards the marriage proposal.

His grandfather and he hadn’t fully anticipated it; though they only spoke a couple of sentences, it was clear that Miss Xie was a thoughtful person, not easily manipulated by her mother and the Xie Family elders. Returning to the Chen Family Village was probably her own decision.

Regarding him and the Su Family, she didn’t care much. Just now, her demeanor was calm and unguarded, her thoughts unhidden.

The Su Family and the marriage were no longer of any importance to her.

Chen Family Village.

Su Huaiqing briefly recalled. He hadn’t noticed Xie Liangchen’s attire, only noting the knitted hats on their heads. Even if the Chen Family Village wasn’t as formidable as rumored, it certainly seemed very different.

After entering the city, Su Huaiqing planned to first go to his own pharmacy, Baiji Hall, then meet with Qin Maoxing to see Song Xian. Given his status and dignity, Song Xian would naturally not pay heed, but with Qin Maoxing’s official position, perhaps Song Xian would consent for the sake of the current case.

Upon reaching the entrance of Baiji Hall, Su Huaiqing turned and instructed the servant, "Take my calling card to the Chen Family Village. Tomorrow I will visit Old Mrs. Chen to pay my respects."

Having encountered Miss Xie, he didn’t intend to delay further. Since he had spoken of it, it would be rude not to visit promptly.

The servant responded.

Su Huaiqing stepped into Baiji Hall. The steward was taken aback upon seeing him, not expecting him to arrive so quickly.

Su Huaiqing entered the backyard without delay and instructed, "Bring the account books."

The steward’s heart trembled; he hesitated before finally saying, "Madam wants to review the account books; they were sent to Qi State."

Su Huaiqing nodded, "Tell me the figures for purchasing medicine and the silver coins, and I’ll verify them myself."

The steward thought Su Huaiqing would stop asking since the account books were with Madam, but unexpectedly, he wanted to audit them on the spot. Calming himself, he said, "The figures are considerable, it might be inconvenient. How about..."

Su Huaiqing interrupted the steward, his face still gentle, but his eyes carried a non-negotiable solemnity, "You speak, I can remember and calculate."

Cold sweat dripped from the steward’s forehead.

Su Huaiqing said, "Don’t let anyone inform my mother, otherwise if something happens to the Su Family, you won’t be able to bear the responsibility."

...

Xie Liangchen met up with Chen Zigeng, then went to the market to buy honey, wine, vinegar, and other items, filling the bamboo baskets they carried before returning to the Chen Family Village.

On the road, Xie Liangchen told Chen Zigeng, "I met the Su Family’s young master."

Chen Zigeng immediately suppressed his smile, full of caution and protective of his sister, "What’s the Su Family planning now? Did he trouble Sister?"

"No," Xie Liangchen’s expression was relaxed, "The Su Family’s young master will visit grandmother, and I don’t think there will be any more issues after that."

Xie Liangchen wanted to meet Su Huaiqing, also to inquire about the details of how he saved her, hoping to learn something about the family that adopted her.

Ever since finding wooden teeth from the words of those at the Wang Family, Xie Liangchen had felt a bit uneasy, unable to figure out what happened in the past, always on edge, as if something unexpected might happen at any moment.