CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 124: GOOD PEOPLE

Old Mrs. Chen thought carefully and felt that her grandson made a lot of sense.

Xu Tingzhen said, "Liangchen mentioned that several familiar medicines from the Su Family’s Pharmacy were just as good as the ones we make." Meaning, if they were Su Family’s herbs, it could be explained.

Chen Zigeng said, "So we should thank General Song; he truly has our best interests at heart."

Old Mrs. Chen felt a bit regretful: "We didn’t prepare anything beforehand, and when General Song left, we didn’t give him anything." Luckily, he drank a bowl of tea.

After speaking, Old Mrs. Chen carefully recalled her conversation with Su Huaiqing, ensuring that it did not touch upon that case. Before the case is settled, if anyone from the Su Family comes again, she would avoid meeting them, being exceptionally cautious.

Xie Liangchen glanced out the window; she had her suspicions, so she listened attentively to every word from Su Huaiqing, afraid of missing anything. Su Huaiqing, however, did not probe or ask them anything, but rather shared all he knew.

Yet Su Huaiqing’s return to Zhenzhou at this time was no coincidence, after all, next February he must go to the Capital City for the Ministry of Rites exam, while other examinees are peacefully studying at home, Su Huaiqing came to Zhenzhou.

In her previous life, after marrying into the Su Family, she heard Madam Su mention that before the Ministry of Rites exam, Su Huaiqing was not in Capital City, she didn’t know what he was doing, could it be related to this matter?

Xie Liangchen was contemplating when she smelled a fragrant aroma, and Chen Yuyu entered the room holding chicken soup.

"Sister, eat something," Chen Yuyu said, "It’s perfectly cooked, and Aunt added Huang Jing."

"Everyone eat, everyone eat," Old Mrs. Chen said, "We slaughtered the fattest chicken, a big pot full."

Old Mrs. Chen had long understood that her granddaughter had too many concerns, if she didn’t make more, her granddaughter wouldn’t bear to eat.

Xie Liangchen felt a warm flush in her heart from the continual enticing aroma.

Her grandmother was someone who felt painful eating meat, yet she stewed a chicken and knew to add Huang Jing.

She fell ill slightly, leading to such efforts.

"Eat quickly," Old Mrs. Chen said, "It’s made to be eaten, why just watch?"

Xu Tingzhen rarely chuckled: "Not sentimental?"

Old Mrs. Chen feigned indifference: "Bought to be eaten, it wasn’t wasted, why feel heartache?" But this chicken was prepared for the New Year, she’ll need to buy two more in a few days, as things get more expensive towards year’s end.

Old Mrs. Chen’s heart still twisted, but she endured, lest she lose face in front of Mr. Xu, and above all, nothing outweighs her granddaughter’s health.

After the meal, Xu Tingzhen planned to go to the Familiar Medicine Institute, and before leaving she couldn’t help but ask Xie Liangchen: "Are Wang Jian and his people really spies from Liao?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head: "I don’t know, but from Mr. Li and General Song’s words, it seems likely."

Xu Tingzhen said: "Finding those wooden teeth wasn’t easy, they were hidden so discreetly, a moment later they’d be swallowed.

Be extra cautious in the future, Liao people and the remnants of the previous dynasty are adept at scheming, the more upright a person is, the more they’ll suffer, the world lacks fairness."

Xu Tingzhen seldom said such things, Xie Liangchen asked: "Have you seen Liao people and remnants of the previous dynasty yourself?"

Xu Tingzhen didn’t immediately shake her head but said: "Many northern battles originated because of them, I have seen much, inevitably feeling reflective."

Xie Liangchen continued: "Is it because of Prince Guangyang?"

At this name, Xu Tingzhen’s face flashed with alert, her gaze landing on Xie Liangchen’s face, almost blurting out: How do you know?

But she calmed herself as the words reached her lips: "Why do you ask?"

Xie Liangchen said: "You mentioned that your family was from Prince Guangyang’s territory, and it’s now occupied by the remnants, so I guessed you might have experienced that battle."

Xu Tingzhen sighed deeply: "Exactly, Prince Guangyang was schemed against by Liao people and remnants, his territory invaded, and Prince Guangyang Mansion was bloodshed, the court’s troops arrived a few days late, only rescuing one collateral of Prince Guangyang, and two years ago his daughter was titled Commandery Princess.

Last year the Commandery Princess went to Liao State to pay tribute to Prince Guangyang, and many people who fled from his territory went to see, I joined the crowd.

The Commandery Princess cried heavily, comforting people that the court will reclaim the territory, allowing everyone to return home.

Don’t say that the Commandery Princess couldn’t have any true feelings for Prince Guangyang and Princess, even those people, after several wars and so many years, were settled everywhere by the court, who still thinks of going home? It’s merely a way to rally, the court wants to eradicate remnants by levying more taxes and recruiting soldiers, in the end, it’s all a strategy.

I’ve traveled to the countryside, practicing medicine, seen too much, during wars, the ground covered with starving people, how many can a healer save? If I hadn’t met you, this entire set of medical skills and methods of preparing herbs would likely be buried with me."

Xie Liangchen reached out to grab Xu Tingzhen: "Teacher, it’s peaceful now, things will get better."

Xu Tingzhen said: "Let’s hope so!"

Just as Xu Tingzhen spoke, laughter from Hei Dan and some others was heard outside, a few children each holding chicken soup and a bun, eating cheerfully.

Old Mrs. Chen went out to welcome them: "Eat slowly, there’s plenty, today you’ll all eat your fill."

Xu Tingzhen couldn’t help but smile, after staying in Chen Family Village her whole demeanor softened, saying things she’d never have said before to Liangchen.

Looking at Chen Family Village like this, she was more willing to believe that the future would get better.

...

Su Huaiqing left Chen Family Village and hastened towards the Official Medicine Bureau.

"Go find General Qin," Su Huaiqing instructed the servant, "Tell General Qin that I’ll bring the steward and shopkeeper of the pharmacy to the government office shortly, if all goes well, we can explain the whole matter to Lord County Magistrate."

The servant responded, feeling slightly puzzled: "Master, didn’t we just meet General Song? Why not inform General Song about this?"

Su Huaiqing recalled Song Xian’s recent aloofness and detachment.

"I have no ties with General Song," Su Huaiqing said, "I’m just a scholar; even if there’s something pivotal to report, I must go to the Zhenzhou Government Office first; even if it’s critical, it needs government officials to report it to General Song."

Su Huaiqing and the servant went separate ways.

About an hour later, in the Zhenzhou Government Office, Qu Chengmei, who was reviewing documents, heard a report: "Sir, Su Huaiqing from Baiji Hall is here with the pharmacy’s steward and shopkeeper, and together they have the pharmacist from the Official Medicine Bureau."

Qu Chengmei was a bit surprised: "What are they here for?"

The clerk said: "Su Shengyuan is here to verify medicines, he suspects that the herbs used in the false accusation against Chen Family Village came from the Su Family, so he brought related personnel, asking for an inquiry from your Lordship."

Qu Chengmei was intrigued: "Is there such a thing?" The recent happenings and people he encountered, he truly had never experienced before.

Qu Chengmei got up to go to the main hall, not forgetting to instruct the clerk: "Report to General Song."