CHAPTER 165: CHAPTER 163 VISITING THE SICK

Chen Family Village.

Xie Liangchen placed the booklets sent by Su Huaiqing aside and looked up at Xu Tingzhen.

Xu Tingzhen said, "What do you plan to do?"

Had it been something else, Xie Liangchen might not have thought much of it and would have simply returned it to the Su Family, but the herbs listed in these booklets are often needed in the North.

Even so, Xie Liangchen wasn’t about to blindly accept it.

Xie Liangchen said, "These few herbs, suitable for cultivation in the North, were test-grown by the Su Family. After a few days, I’ll write to Old Master Su; either the Su Family grows them themselves and we won’t intervene this year, or they can give us silver coin, but we won’t accept this favor."

Xu Tingzhen nodded, "Since you feel that you shouldn’t owe the Su Family a favor, it’s best to make things clear."

Although Xie Liangchen had looked through the booklets, she ensured that without discussing it properly with the Su Family, she wouldn’t use the methods written in them to cultivate herbs.

Xu Tingzhen had always found Liangchen’s handling of matters appropriate, everything was cleanly managed without any lingering troubles. Their relationship with the Su Family was the same; after their engagement was annulled, they wouldn’t accept grand gifts from the Su Family either.

After their conversation, the two of them went to check the finished medicine prepared for the Tian Family Trading Team, as the New Year was quickly passing, and the Tian Family Trading Team was also about to depart Zhenzhou.

Coming out of the Familiar Medicine Institute, Xie Liangchen headed home and spotted Chang Yue halfway there.

Xie Liangchen seized the moment when no one was around and quickly walked over.

Chang Yue whispered, "Miss Xie, Chang An is here, waiting for you just behind the village."

Arriving at the back of the village, Xie Liangchen saw a very anxious Chang An.

"Miss Xie," Chang An spoke before Xie Liangchen could say anything, "could I trouble you with something?"

Seeing Chang An in such a state, Xie Liangchen had a slight guess that he must have come without Song Xian’s knowledge.

Xie Liangchen said, "If I can help, I will certainly do my best."

Chang An felt joy in his heart, though his brows were still furrowed, "Miss Xie, could you make a pot of Sanqi Tea for me? Our master is ill."

When Song Xian left Chen Family Village, he was in good health. How could he have fallen ill in just a few days? Xie Liangchen asked, "Did the doctor say to drink Sanqi Tea?"

Chang An shook his head, "No... no... the master refused to see a doctor, but when you previously sent Sanqi Tea, it worked well for him, so I thought of you to ask for your help."

"Without consulting a doctor, you shouldn’t just use medicine," Xie Liangchen said, "What exactly is the master suffering from?"

Upon hearing that Sanqi Tea shouldn’t be consumed casually, Chang An explained Song Xian’s condition.

"He had a fever after returning and had the medical worker at the army brew medicine three times. It was slightly better the next day, but then he heard something happened at the border garrison, so he had to take us to Baimaling.

We were there for four or five days, and on the way back, the master developed a cough, especially heavy at night. I listened from outside and he couldn’t sleep at all.

The master thought it was just a minor illness and refused to see a doctor for a diagnosis. He handled official duties each day with little rest, and in a few days, he’s due to go to Zhaozhou. You can imagine how many things are awaiting him in Zhenzhou, Zhaozhou, and with the border garrison. The master hardly has a decent meal and is stricken with illness on top. Even a body of iron couldn’t endure it.

Seeing this worsening situation, I took advantage of my trip out to handle affairs to sneak over here."

Although Song Xian’s gesture of gifting the mountain land had made Xie Liangchen somewhat suspicious before, hearing Chang An say that Song Xian was seriously ill, she disregarded any concerns about avoiding suspicion.

Xie Liangchen pondered for a moment, "Chang An, enter through the village entrance and say you want to see Mr. Xu."

Chang An understood that Miss Xie intended to go with Mr. Xu to see the master.

Though Chang An felt joy, he sighed inwardly, suspecting that this person whom the master liked was indeed different, clear-headed and not easily deceived. Fortunately, the master was truly ill.

Though the outcome wasn’t as Chang An had initially hoped, he managed to bring Miss Xie back, and it was ultimately good for the master to see her.

Xu Tingzhen, Xie Liangchen, and Chen Zigeng went together to Song Xian’s small courtyard.

As they left Chen Family Village, Chen Yongsheng was so worried that he almost followed along, but Chang An tactfully dissuaded him.

With so many eyes around, the master probably wouldn’t be able to speak a single word with Miss Xie alone. It was truly nostalgic for those times when Miss Xie would discreetly visit the small courtyard.

Back then, the master didn’t know how to cherish it, always with a stern face. Does he regret it now?

Song Xian handed the document in his hand to the clerk, "Have County Magistrate Qu take a look, and be sure to send a copy to Zhaozhou as well tomorrow."

Li You wrote a letter to Song Xian, informing him that a decree from the court would come after the New Year for Song Xian to guard Zhaozhou, so Song Xian could begin making preparations.

Once taking over Zhaozhou, there were many matters to handle, one of which was to open several more blacksmith shops.

Having given instructions, Song Xian raised his head and saw Chang An waiting outside.

Song Xian felt a stirring in his heart.

Chang An stepped forward and said, "Master, Mr. Xu and Miss Xie have arrived."

Xie Liangchen entered with a medical kit alongside Xu Tingzhen, and her gaze fell on Song Xian.

Song Xian appeared haggard, his figure somewhat thin, eyes and nose slightly reddened, his voice hoarse and nasal as he spoke.

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but marvel at how, in just a few days, General Song had worn himself out to such an extent.

Song Xian invited Xu Tingzhen to sit down for a pulse diagnosis, his eyes subtly glancing at Xie Liangchen.

Xie Liangchen sat by the desk, wetting the pen, ready to note down the prescriptions Xu Tingzhen dictated.

Song Xian could sense Xie Liangchen’s attentiveness. Why did she bring Mr. Xu over with her? To ensure a correct diagnosis, as...

People like to give themselves peace of mind, and even in such illness, Song Xian didn’t want to make himself more miserable, though he understood that Xie Liangchen probably did this to avoid suspicion.

In any case, the fact that Xie Liangchen recorded the prescription herself eased Song Xian’s heart a little, as if warming a heart once chilled by the cold wind.

Xu Tingzhen removed his fingers and said, "Wind evil has invaded the body, the lung’s qi is blocked, and combined with internal heat rising, several decoctions are required to improve the condition."

Xie Liangchen listened closely to Xu Tingzhen’s words and carefully wrote down the prescription before handing it to Chang An to get the medicine.

Chen Zigeng said, "I’ll stay here with Sister to help the General with the decoction."

Song Xian looked at Chen Zigeng, feeling that teaching Chen archery had not been in vain.

Xie Liangchen asked Xu Tingzhen, "Can some medicinal diets be used?"

Xu Tingzhen replied, "No need. The dosage in the prescription is enough; it’s better for the food to remain light."

Xie Liangchen responded, "Then I’ll go make some pear soup."

Seeing Xie Liangchen head towards the kitchen, Song Xian’s face brightened again.

Everyone went about their respective tasks.

Xu Tingzhen returned to Chen Family Village first, while Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng stayed behind.

Xie Liangchen was making pear soup, while Chen Zigeng brewed the medicine.

The pear soup was not yet ready when Xie Liangchen heard Cheng Yanzhao’s voice behind her, "Thank you, Miss Xie. If it weren’t for Mr. Xu who came to diagnose A Xian, we wouldn’t know what to do.

A Xian is quite stubborn, which has worried Miss Xie."