CHAPTER 164: CHAPTER 162: EXHAUSTED AND INJURED

New Year’s Day.

Through wind and rain, General Song, who hadn’t fallen ill for many years, finally tasted the overpowering onslaught of sickness.

He lay in bed the entire day, his fever subsided, but his runny nose and tears wouldn’t stop.

Originally wanting to continue resting, news of scouts at Baimaling forced General Song, burdened with responsibility, to review documents while recuperating, and he had to get up the next day to lead troops to investigate the situation.

This trip lasted four days, and when Song Xian returned, his illness hadn’t improved, he ate little, and even developed a cough.

Cheng Yanzhao, fearing that Song Xian might jeopardize his life, couldn’t help leading people ten miles out to welcome him back.

From afar, seeing Song Xian returning with a single majestic rider, Cheng Yanzhao couldn’t help rolling his eyes.

Some people, like stubborn mules, deserve what they get when they work themselves to death yet still keep their pride, as if anyone would pity them.

Song Xian sat in the military tent, carefully reviewing the map and rubbing his red nose with a handkerchief. The fierce onset of this illness puzzled him as to why he couldn’t recover.

Cheng Yanzhao inquired carefully about the situation at Baimaling before removing his helmet and entering the tent.

Though there was charcoal fire in the winter tent, it was still cold; recovering here was assuredly impossible.

Cheng Yanzhao said, "There’s nothing more here, come back to the city to rest with me."

Song Xian nodded, handing the paper in his hand to Cheng Yanzhao: "We caught three scouts this winter in the Northwest; remnants from the previous dynasty are restless."

The matters involving Song Min and the Henghai Jiedu Envoy somewhat altered the Northern situation, causing the remnants of the previous regime to stir.

After speaking, Song Xian covered his mouth and sneezed into the handkerchief.

Listening to Song Xian’s thick nasal voice and seeing him visibly thinner, Cheng Yanzhao, though initially concerned, felt a laugh bubbling up.

Perhaps because for many years, Song Xian always presented a neat appearance to others, this time... he was indeed too disheveled.

Cheng Yanzhao, having gathered some information from Chang An, roughly guessed the reason behind it all.

After finishing the documents, knowing Song Xian had moved troops to Baimaling and wouldn’t cause trouble for a while, Cheng Yanzhao started addressing Song Xian’s personal matters: "What happened? Weren’t you fine when you were celebrating at Chen Family Village?"

Cheng Yanzhao couldn’t fathom what could have gone wrong? Spending New Year at Chen Family Village was such a great opportunity; as long as Song Xian didn’t keep a stern face and maintained proper etiquette, especially with Old Mrs. Song’s assistance, there shouldn’t have been any significant error.

"Did Old Mrs. Song speak with Old Mrs. Chen? That’s unlikely, it’s not the right time yet."

"Did you speak with Miss Xie?"

Song Xian didn’t want to mention it, but after holding it in for several days, he slightly frowned when he heard Cheng Yanzhao’s latter question.

Cheng Yanzhao immediately caught the key point: "You spoke? And she didn’t agree?"

Song Xian remained silent.

Cheng Yanzhao found it improbable and continued, "Didn’t express clearly, just probed?"

Song Xian still didn’t speak, but thinking about that piece of mountain land, he rolled the document in his hand.

Cheng Yanzhao said, "You probed and Miss Xie sensed it, then she refused you subtly? You can’t be that foolish, can you? Can’t even probe properly?"

Cheng Yanzhao, who was accustomed to provoking people, found Song Xian, who was tired and ill, less resilient as usual. When Song Xian looked at Cheng Yanzhao, there was a hint of anger in his eyes, and his face became unusually unpleasant.

Cheng Yanzhao, realizing he had guessed right, said, "Then tell me, how did you probe? Let me help you figure out where it went wrong."

Song Xian didn’t bother to engage with Cheng Yanzhao.

Cheng Yanzhao continued, "Did you just blurt it out? You need to choose a good moment, when she’s in a pleasant mood, and best bring something along..."

Song Xian finally couldn’t bear it, "How do you know I didn’t bring anything?" These days, he had been pondering what went wrong and why she left no room for personal feelings.

If next time...

Song Xian didn’t continue the thought; as soon as he recalled returning from Chen Family Village and finding two small wooden sticks tucked under his belt while changing clothes, his cheeks flushed. He didn’t know if it was due to embarrassment, anger, or some other emotion.

Cheng Yanzhao asked, "What did you give?"

Song Xian wanted to clarify, so he replied, "Mountains."

"What?" Cheng Yanzhao doubted his ears, "You gave mountains?"

Song Xian lifted his eyelids, as if looking at an idiot: "What? Is there something wrong? Spring farming requires herbal planting; if I don’t give mountains, what should I give?"

Cheng Yanzhao suppressed the urge to smile, fearing if he laughed, Song Xian wouldn’t continue, "Let me ask one more, how many... mountains did you give?"

Song Xian said, "Three or four mountain peaks."

Cheng Yanzhao stifled a laugh again; out of all, gifting "mountain peaks" to your sweetheart, Song Xian was probably the pioneer.

Seeing Cheng Yanzhao’s expression, Song Xian coldly said, "What? Did I do wrong? Su Huaiqing sent things that she collected; I glanced and they were just some copied books. Are my gifts not as good as his?"

Cheng Yanzhao inwardly cursed that Song Xian deserved it: "His gifts were books, the content weighs more than the gift; even if Miss Xie didn’t want them, it would be hard to refuse. You, on the other hand, gave deeds, so much mountain land, what were you intending? Were you proposing? No wonder you were seen through."

From what occurred at Chen Family Village, Cheng Yanzhao could discern Miss Xie’s character—definitely not the kind pursuing wealth and grandeur, otherwise, he wouldn’t need to worry for Song Xian.

A woman like that isn’t easy to court.

Song Xian was utterly uninformed and clumsy in this area; he was bound to face setbacks. If it weren’t for Song Xian, Cheng Yanzhao wouldn’t have bothered to inquire. Firstly, the two were like brothers, and Song Xian spoke more to him than to others. Secondly, Cheng Yanzhao felt quite anxious seeing Song Xian’s aloof demeanor, worried that Song Xian might miss a good match.

Cheng Yanzhao asked, "Now what? Is she completely ignoring you?"

Song Xian recalled the scene when leaving Chen Family Village; Xie Liangchen was more well-mannered than before, outwardly appearing more respectful.

Yet this respect was a form of distancing.

Cheng Yanzhao deeply sighed: "Su Huaiqing is far away in the Capital City, and you are right by her. If you can’t even compare with him, you should reconsider what to do next?"

Noticing Song Xian’s sharp gaze, Cheng Yanzhao hastily said, "Don’t rush, don’t rush, take your time, the situation isn’t irreparable yet."

Song Xian picked up water for a sip, his throat burning with pain.

"Let’s go back and rest first," Cheng Yanzhao said, "Find a way to ease things."

Saying so, Cheng Yanzhao looked at Song Xian, "Miss Xie hasn’t heard of your illness yet, right? If she knew, perhaps she’d come to make medicinal dishes."

Song Xian’s expression turned indifferent, coldly he said: "Mind your own business."

Cheng Yanzhao said, "You plan to leave it at that? You’ve tested her, she didn’t agree, Xie Liangchen’s marriage likely can’t be decided by her elders alone.

If she’s unwilling then there’s no chance, you’d be reasonable to let it go, so stop thinking about it. I won’t ask again, how about that?"

This time, Song Xian didn’t argue with Cheng Yanzhao, instead, he stood up and walked out.

Watching Song Xian’s back, Cheng Yanzhao couldn’t help but chuckle.

Song Xian left the camp, instructed his household general to keep a close watch on the Northwest, dismissed everyone, then rode alone two miles. Seizing the moment when no one was around, he sneezed again.

His nose and tears wouldn’t stop flowing.

Almost losing General Song’s dignity.

Taking a deep breath, Song Xian returned to the small courtyard to rest. Once he lay down, he asked Chang An, "Is there any Sanqi Tea left?"

Chang An, understanding without exposing his master’s intent, said, "Yes, you rest, I’ll fetch the Sanqi Tea now."