CHAPTER 166: CHAPTER 164: SPEAKING GOOD WORDS

Xie Liangchen spoke to Cheng Yanzhao like this for the first time.

Cheng Yanzhao stood at a respectable distance from her, purposefully keeping Chen Zigeng between them, and bent slightly when speaking, afraid of being impolite.

When Xie Liangchen had met Cheng Yanzhao outside Song Xian’s small courtyard, he had stared at her with the demeanor of a profligate son, but today he seemed like a different person.

Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng saluted Cheng Yanzhao.

Xie Liangchen said, "General Song is busy with state affairs, all for the people of Daqi. We hope we can be of some help."

Cheng Yanzhao looked into Miss Xie’s clear and honest eyes, feeling disheartened for Song Xian. Miss Xie was just short of saying that General Song loves the people like his own children, being like a parent in their hearts.

The difference is indeed quite vast; one has gone to the Capital City, the other hasn’t even left Chen Family Village.

Cheng Yanzhao sighed internally, pitiful that before getting married, he must pave the way for Song Xian. The thought left a bitter taste: "Actually, I came unannounced to see Miss Xie because there’s something I wish to ask."

Xie Liangchen said, "Please do, Lord Cheng."

"I’ve always been worried about A Xian’s health. Although he’s not that old, he’s indeed suffered many injuries over the years..." Cheng Yanzhao sighed here, "I know Miss Xie and Mr. Xu have prepared medicinal food for A Xian and sent pig fat. If things continue like this, I don’t know if A Xian’s injuries will heal?"

Xie Liangchen said, "Mr. Xu stated that besides medicine, General Song needs to recuperate himself for his old ailments."

Cheng Yanzhao’s worries deepened: "How can one recuperate under these circumstances? The injury on A Xian’s shoulder, he might not have explained it thoroughly, but the worst blade wound was left when he was captured by the Liao people. That time, A Xian was fortunate to be rescued by a family at sea; otherwise, he would have lost his life.

When A Xian was held captive, he couldn’t attend to his wounds promptly. Later, the saltwater seeped in, and by the time my father found him, his wounds had already begun to fester. But A Xian refused to go to the city for treatment with my father, just because after the family rescued him at sea, they disappeared.

That family either got washed away by the sea or were harmed by the Liao who captured A Xian. A Xian stayed by the shore, waiting for the family’s whereabouts to be found in the sea and around until he finally fainted from exhaustion."

Xie Liangchen hadn’t known about this part.

Cheng Yanzhao continued, "From this incident, one can tell that A Xian is a person of deep loyalty.

This is not to boast about A Xian. Such officials are rare in Daqi. I’ve witnessed many generals flee at the battlefront over the years, or outright defect to the Liao. Northern Border’s stability owes at least half of its success to A Xian.

If Mr. Xu and Miss Xie have any means to save A Xian, please do all you can."

Xie Liangchen said, "Lord Cheng is too generous in his words."

Judging from A Xian’s recent condition, Cheng Yanzhao felt he wasn’t wrong in using the word "save."

Cheng Yanzhao continued, "A Xian has a cold exterior but is warm inside. Given some time, Miss Xie will come to know.

The Chen Family Village and Miss Xie have done so much for him, and he keeps it all in his heart. He’s straightforward and never schemes against those he trusts.

I can see that A Xian trusts Chen Family Village, trusts Miss Xie. Miss Xie, rest assured, with A Xian around, Chen Family Village will be safe."

Xie Liangchen knew Cheng Yanzhao wasn’t mistaken; Song Xian indeed is such a person.

Cheng Yanzhao lowered his voice, "Miss Xie, should A Xian say anything inappropriate while you and Mr. Xu treat him, I beg your understanding. A Xian is accustomed to being aloof; since I’ve known him, apart from Old Mrs. Song and my father, he hasn’t shown favor to anyone.

Even though I’ve been by his side for years, if one day he smiles or gives something to someone, it would certainly surprise me."

Cheng Yanzhao wanted Miss Xie to understand that Song Xian’s actions, like foolishly gifting a mountain, were due to inexperience, as he’s rarely "shown favor," especially to a young woman.

Xie Liangchen suddenly felt an inexplicable emotion, slightly annoyed, recalling the scene of Song Xian holding sugar and handing her a deed. Perhaps she refused too harshly.

Song Xian doesn’t show favor because, as a child, he tried to please Song Qizheng, but in the end, Song Qizheng doubted and abandoned him, leaving a significant emotional scar on him.

Later, Song Xian became withdrawn and taciturn, unwilling to speak, and in his own words, he feared misinterpreting feelings, assuming others liked him when they truly didn’t.

The gifting of the mountain deed was also because he thought it was what she needed most at present, she...

Xie Liangchen realized this and her mind cleared suddenly. She felt her rejection was due to Song Xian getting too close; she wasn’t wrong, so why feel guilty? She nearly let Cheng Yanzhao sway her.

A matter is a matter; why connect it with Song Xian’s childhood experiences?

Xie Liangchen said to Cheng Yanzhao, "Lord Cheng, rest assured, Mr. Xu has a physician’s benevolent heart and always keeps General Song’s shoulder injury in mind. Mr. Xu will not shirk what he can do, and I, as his disciple, although not skillful in medicine, will certainly do my utmost to help."

Cheng Yanzhao appeared sincere, sighing in his heart once more. He often heard that a woman’s heart is made of water, but he wasn’t sure what that meant. He thought the heart of Miss Xie before him might be made of iron, impervious to change.

Now, even if A Xian were to express his feelings, Miss Xie would definitely not agree.

Cheng Yanzhao spoke about Song Xian’s pitiful situation to allow Miss Xie to understand the reasoning behind Song Xian’s "foolish" gifting of the mountain, hoping it would ease Miss Xie’s defenses and lessen her anger.

But too many words might arouse Miss Xie’s suspicion. Using the pretext of treatment to speak this much, it was time to stop.

Coincidentally, Chen Zigeng’s medicine was ready.

Chen Zigeng grasped Xie Liangchen’s hand, "Sister, we can pour the medicine now."

Xie Liangchen deftly poured the medicine into a bowl, cooled it slightly, and intended to give it to Cheng Yanzhao. Considering Song Xian’s current condition, she decided to personally deliver the medicine into the room.

Chen Zigeng accompanied his sister.

Upon entering, the siblings saw Song Xian seated uprightly on a soft couch. Perhaps influenced by Cheng Yanzhao’s words, Song Xian appeared diminished, resembling the pitiable young Song Xian.

Xie Liangchen placed the medicine on the table.

Song Xian looked up and said, "Thank you."

Xie Liangchen spoke gently, "General, please take care of your health."

Song Xian reached for the medicine bowl, feeling the scorching heat on his fingertips, causing him to pull back.

"What’s wrong, is it hot?" Xie Liangchen thought it shouldn’t be, raising her hand to test it, finding the bowl warm but not scalding.

Feeling Xie Liangchen’s concern, Song Xian hurriedly lowered his gaze, afraid of revealing any sign.

Once Xie Liangchen withdrew her hand, Song Xian tried to take the bowl again, finding it no longer hot, proving it wasn’t the bowl that scalded him.

Xie Liangchen said, "Take your medicine on time, General, and you’ll recover soon. Later, you may also want to try some pear soup."

Song Xian nodded, wanting to speak two more words to Xie Liangchen. Seeing her bringing Xu Tingzhen and holding onto Chen Zigeng with a cautious demeanor, he refrained from making her more wary.

Song Xian glanced at Chen Zigeng, "I heard it was you who helped with my medicine?"

Chen Zigeng responded affirmatively.

Song Xian smiled at Chen Zigeng, "Thank you, once I’m better, I’ll teach you archery and horse riding."