CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 165 SENT OUT

Chen Zigeng naturally felt delighted upon hearing this.

Song Xian asked, "Are you afraid of horses?"

Chen Zigeng shook his head.

Xie Liangchen raised her head to look at Song Xian. Previously, Song Xian had turned cold-faced in the kitchen of Chen Family Village and angrily left with Old Mrs. Song; she thought when they met again, it would be like the time she had just been reborn and she would have to be constantly cautious so as not to provoke the creditor’s wrath... Yet, she hadn’t expected this kind of scenario.

Song Xian seemed to have forgotten that matter, reverting to his manner during the New Year at Chen Family Village.

As Xie Liangchen found herself momentarily lost, Chen Zigeng’s voice reached her ears, "With the Yellow Ox at home, Hei Dan and I feed it every day, not a bit afraid. Once, Hei Dan was almost kicked by the ox, but I pulled him away just in time.

Second Uncle and Fourth Uncle have been teaching me boxing and kicking, and Sister often advises me from the side. My lower base is steadier than anyone else’s, so even if I encounter danger, I can dodge quickly."

Song Xian said, "So, you have your Sister’s advice to thank for."

Xie Liangchen felt undeserving; all this was taught by Song Xian. She wondered if Song Xian had intentionally mentioned it, and as she thought so, she glanced at Song Xian again.

Song Xian was focused on conversing with the younger brother, showing no signs of anything peculiar.

Xie Liangchen’s doubts gradually dissolved.

"Since that’s the case, I don’t need to worry anymore," Song Xian said as he took hold of Chen Zigeng’s hand, "Come out with me."

Just talking and now going out?

Chen Zigeng was slightly startled, and after a brief exchange of glances with his sister, Xie Liangchen glanced at the cloak on the rack.

Chen Zigeng perceptively said, "General Song, your illness hasn’t healed yet; wear a cloak before going out."

Song Xian nodded, reached for the cloak, put it on, and then led Chen Zigeng towards the courtyard.

Xie Liangchen followed behind, somewhat unclear about Song Xian’s intentions.

As the three arrived in the backyard, they saw Chang An leading two ponies over.

Cheng Yanzhao, standing beside them, chuckled and said, "These were chosen by A Xian before the New Year, kept in the camp all the while, and A Xian brought them back this time from Baimaling.

If he hadn’t fallen ill, he might have sent them directly to Chen Family Village."

No matter how intelligent a child Chen Zigeng was, upon learning the horses before him were gifts for them, his face lit up with a joyful smile. Although these two horses weren’t as tall as the one General Song rode, they shared the same spirited air in their eyes. Seeing Chen Zigeng approach, they arrogantly shook their necks, their hooves slightly restless.

Chen Zigeng wasn’t afraid; he always felt the village’s Yellow Ox was decent but had too mild a temperament. It became familiar within just two days, lacking excitement.

As Chen Zigeng was thinking this, he noticed the two ponies before him suddenly calmed down, their heads refraining from unnecessary movements.

Chen Zigeng turned to see Song Xian, inwardly admiring General Song’s prowess.

Song Xian said, "Take these two horses back with you. Feed them well every day, lead them on walks nearby, and get familiar with them sooner. When I have the time, I’ll go to Chen Family Village to teach you how to ride."

Chen Zigeng looked at Xie Liangchen, uncertain whether to accept the two horses.

Not to mention how expensive horses were now, these two horses wouldn’t even be found at the market, and even if they could be bought with silver coin, it would be a price they couldn’t bear.

Song Xian said, "Learn before spring plowing; then, someone will need to deliver messages back and forth from the village to the mountains."

Xie Liangchen hadn’t anticipated Song Xian’s thorough consideration, having two horses in the village would allow for mutual message and goods exchange.

Cheng Yanzhao laughed, "See, wasn’t I right about him?"

Xie Liangchen understood Cheng Yanzhao’s implication, that Song Xian was a man with a cold exterior but a warm heart.

Sigh, Xie Liangchen silently sighed.

"Then thank you, General Song."

Song Xian brought the horses back despite being ill... Xie Liangchen felt reluctant to refuse further.

Hearing his Sister’s agreement, Chen Zigeng’s smile grew even brighter.

Song Xian instructed Chen Zigeng, "After taking them back, don’t ride them secretly."

Chen Zigeng nodded with a smile, "The horse’s back is high; I can’t get on myself."

Song Xian’s voice was slightly lower, "You’ve practiced boxing and kicking; if you step on something, you’ll be able to mount. If you fall because of messing around, I won’t go to Chen Family Village to teach you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zigeng abandoned the idea entirely.

Song Xian said, "This isn’t a trivial matter. If you want to learn well, you must solidly start from the beginning."

Chen Zigeng acknowledged the teaching with a nod.

Cheng Yanzhao interjected with a laugh, "A Xian, your illness hasn’t healed; going to Chen Family Village in a couple of days won’t be delayed."

Xie Liangchen said, "It’s still early before spring plowing; a few days won’t make a difference, and since General Song is ill and has been traveling, he should take a good rest."

Song Xian seized the moment to look at Xie Liangchen; since she arrived this time, he hadn’t looked at her closely, now noticing she was no longer exuding that distant demeanor from the kitchen, which made him feel relieved suddenly.

It seemed Cheng Yanzhao was of some use after all.

Having delivered the gift, Song Xian felt lighter-hearted, but it was immediately followed by a fit of coughing.

Xie Liangchen instinctively said, "The wind here is strong; General should return and rest."

The medicine and pear soup were both ready, so Xie Liangchen, along with Chen Zigeng, bid farewell to Song Xian, "We’ll be going back now."

Song Xian set down the brush he was holding, "The sleeve arrow you requested, it’ll be sent over from Xingzhou soon; then I’ll have Chang An deliver it to you."

Xie Liangchen certainly wouldn’t inquire about the cost of the sleeve arrow at this moment.

Never mind, General Song was ill; she’d go along with his wishes to avoid breaking the newly softened atmosphere.

Xie Liangchen thanked him before preparing to leave.

"Wait a moment."

Song Xian spoke, halting the young woman’s steps.

Meeting eyes, Song Xian wasn’t sure what to say. With Chen Zigeng present, some words were hard to express, otherwise, he might apologize to her, as he hadn’t thought adequately about the mountain matters.

Song Xian was quickly surprised by his own thoughts.

A moment later, he reverted to a normal tone, "Stay attentive; the Northwest is unsettled."

Xie Liangchen responded, "If anything unusual is found, send a message to the General."

Once Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng departed, Song Xian returned to his documents.

Cheng Yanzhao approached, "How much have you read? Oh, aren’t these still the same ones from when they arrived?"

Song Xian furrowed his brow.

Cheng Yanzhao showed no fear, "I praised you so much in front of Miss Xie, then you turn around and discard me. What now? No next time?"

With that, Cheng Yanzhao shook his head.

"Just say what you mean," Song Xian said.

Cheng Yanzhao sighed, "It’s probably not easy."

Song Xian paid no heed to Cheng Yanzhao, and once Cheng Yanzhao left, he murmured, "Then we’ll take it slowly."

...

Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng headed back to Chen Family Village.

With no one else around, Chen Zigeng asked softly, "Sister, what’s going on between you and General Song?" He had a feeling that General Song was behaving oddly today but couldn’t pinpoint the reason.

Xie Liangchen’s heart sank, fearful her brother had noticed something, "Why do you ask?"

Chen Zigeng didn’t know how to articulate, glancing over to see Hei Dan running over.

"Sister, Sister," Hei Dan panted as he spoke, "Fourth Uncle rescued someone, hurry back and take a look."