CHAPTER 170: CHAPTER 168 PRETENDING

Xie Liangchen and Tian Chengyou are looking at the map together.

Miss Xie had a trading team led by He San in her previous life, so she was very familiar with these matters. However, these cannot be disclosed to Tian Chengyou, so she listened more and talked less beside Tian Chengyou.

But Tian Chengyou was still excited. He felt that Miss Xie was knowledgeable; even if she hadn’t traded, she could understand what he was saying.

Xie Liangchen said, "The weather in the North is very volatile this year. Mr. Tian should at least wait until the beginning of February before setting out."

Tian Chengyou nodded, "Although most preparations are almost done, there are still some minor affairs to take care of. By then, it will already be February."

February is still very cold, and Tian Chengyou also doesn’t plan to travel too fast. He intends to visit Zhaozhou and Xingzhou first.

Miss Xie mentioned earlier that she planned to visit the iron mine in Xingzhou and also open a blacksmith shop in Zhaozhou; transporting iron ore back and forth is also a business. Miss Xie suggested that before the spring plowing starts, villagers could help and earn some silver coin.

Tian Chengyou said, "Miss asked people from the village to go with us to Xingzhou, and I’ll leave some people to help."

Xie Liangchen did not refuse. Given the relationship between the Tian Family Trading Team and Chen Family Village, being too polite would create unnecessary distance.

Xie Liangchen said, "When you go out this time, you should also pay attention to these places." She pointed at the map, referring to inns opened along the official routes where travelers would stay overnight, and shops that sell simple goods.

Tian Chengyou understood, "Miss Xie wants to open finished medicine shops along the way?"

Xie Liangchen nodded, "For now, we’re just looking around, asking about rental prices for shops, and roughly knowing what to expect. The finished medicine business is just starting, and we need to send the recipes to the Official Medicine Bureau to prevent future impersonations. Damaging our medicine’s reputation is minor; what’s more concerning is people losing their lives from counterfeit medicine."

Tian Chengyou nodded, "Miss Xie’s considerations are thorough."

Xie Liangchen said, "The finished medicine for Mr. Tian is the same. I need to take it to the Official Medicine Bureau first, so there’s evidence. It’s not that I don’t trust Mr. Tian, but you never know what might happen on this journey. If Mr. Tian encounters someone sick among the trading team, he can confidently use the medicine."

Tian Chengyou didn’t know how many times he admired Miss Xie in his heart. Miss Xie considered all these trivial matters.

Xie Liangchen said, "Have you memorized how to use the medicine? I will ask twice again when you take the medicine."

Tian Chengyou laughed heartily, "Miss Xie emphasized the importance of this matter, I wouldn’t dare be careless."

When Tian HuiZhen walked into the room, she happened to hear her father’s laughter and knew that the discussion between her father and Liangchen must have gone smoothly. Ever since her father’s return to Zhenzhou, he had become different. Merchants who frequently visited used to say that her father had accumulated enough silver coin and had grown more temperamental. Businesses he used to engage in, he now pushed back with an air of superiority.

Tian HuiZhen knew it was because her father had gained insight into what should be done and what shouldn’t, and according to him, he was planning for the long term.

For example, raw materials and wool are things found in the North, and they mainly transport these goods, regularly delivering to various regions, so that stores would order from them and wait for their goods.

Tian Chengyou said, "That’s about it, I have a rough plan in my mind. Miss Xie can take a rest, and I’ll go find village chief Chen for a chat. Before trading, I want to have the team members visit Chen Family Village, so we can all have a lively time."

Tian Chengyou went to find Chen Yongsheng, while Xie Liangchen and Tian HuiZhen gathered to chat.

Tian HuiZhen whispered, "Zigeng said those two horses were given to Chen Family Village by General Song?"

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Tian HuiZhen said, "Those are good horses. Even with silver coin, they’re hard to buy." She knew this because her father spent a whole year to find a good horse for her.

Xie Liangchen replied, "I know."

Tian HuiZhen was naturally happy that Chen Family Village had horses, but she was also faintly uneasy, "Did General Song say they were given to Zigeng? Didn’t he mention giving one to you? Why two horses?"

Xie Liangchen said, "It’s also for plans after the spring plowing. The mountains are a bit far hence having horses makes communicating back and forth easier. One horse is for Zigeng, while the other allows Hei Dan and some others to learn."

Upon hearing this, Tian HuiZhen felt more relieved, "Do you know how to ride a horse? I came on horseback. Shall we go for a ride together?"

Xie Liangchen knew how to ride a horse, and as the weather was nice today, she felt inclined to go out and get some fresh air as Tian HuiZhen suggested.

Tian HuiZhen said, "If you need help riding, I’ll be there to assist."

Xie Liangchen nodded.

The two sisters went horse riding together, making Chen Zigeng and Hei Dan envious.

Watching the two figures heading behind the village, Hei Dan stared without blinking, "Zigeng, when do you think General Song will come teach us? Since the sister can ride... why not teach us?"

Chen Zigeng said, "The sister mentioned she’s not good at teaching. Maybe it’s like what the teacher said, if you want to write well, you have to start from holding the pen, without any sloppiness."

Hei Dan closed his mouth that had been open for ages, wiping away the drool at its corner, "Well, then wait, no idea when General Song will come."

Chen Zigeng said, "General is sick."

Hei Dan said, "Then I’ll squat in the chicken coop every day to pray to the gods to bless General Song with a speedy recovery."

Hei Dan used to pray in the chicken coop, hoping the family’s three hens would lay eggs every day. Now it’s cold, and the chickens stopped laying eggs, but he still went to ask every day, maybe the gods listened and rolled an egg out of the chicken.

Now he doesn’t want eggs, he wants General Song to come to Chen Family Village.

Hei Dan’s prayer seemed to work.

When Xie Liangchen and Tian HuiZhen returned to the village after their ride, they happened to see Song Xian arriving at the village entrance with his men.

Song Xian had spotted Xie Liangchen riding over a long time ago. He pretended to be composed, fearing that revealing anything would make Xie Liangchen unwilling to use the horses he gifted next time.

Song Xian kept his gaze forward, appearing very cold and stern.

Xie Liangchen and Tian HuiZhen stepped forward to greet him.

Song Xian then said indifferently, "I’m here to teach Zigeng to ride a horse."

Xie Liangchen said, "My younger brother is here; let me lead the way for the General."

Song Xian entered the village and first visited Old Mrs. Chen, then called Chen Zigeng and Hei Dan together with a few others, leaving Chen Family Village.

Chen Yongsheng and Tian Chengyou only had enough time to step forward and greet him.

After everyone left, Tian HuiZhen let out a breath, "I always felt General Song looked quite intimidating." Saying this, she reached to hold Xie Liangchen’s hand.

Only then did Xie Liangchen realize Tian HuiZhen’s fingers were cold from fright. Merely seeing Song Xian had scared her quite a bit, yet she herself felt nothing, even thinking Song Xian was in a good mood today.

Perhaps it was because she had been threatened with a knife at her throat by Song Xian shortly after being reborn, compared to that, such a cold expression seemed trivial.

Tian HuiZhen originally thought one of those two horses was for Xie Liangchen, but after seeing Song Xian, her worries disappeared entirely. Someone like Song Xian would never covertly show favor to Liangchen under the guise of Zigeng.

Song Xian left Chen Family Village with a restrained air, appearing calm and collected, but his thoughts were all about Tian Chengyou.

The Tian Family members could stay in Chen Family Village, yet he could only make a brief round, taking a few kids away.

However, to make Xie Liangchen lower her guard, so they could privately meet as before, he had to keep up appearances.

Much like with this gift, he had initially used the wrong approach, and so he had to start over.