CHAPTER 215: CHAPTER 213: SNEAKY SMILE

The silhouettes darted through the forest, bypassing the official road and taking more difficult paths to leave Chen Family Village.

Chang Yue’s subordinates followed them at a distance, occasionally stopping to check for traces the individuals left behind, then resumed the pursuit. After making a large circle to confirm they weren’t being followed, the spies headed east.

East of Zhenzhou was the territory of the Henghai Jiedu Envoy.

Chang Yue’s subordinates continued the follow while also signaling back the updates to Chang Yue.

Old Mrs. Song happened to come from Chen Family Village as Chang Yue delegated more guards to escort the elderly lady and took the opportunity to report everything to Xie Liangchen.

Chang Yue said, "The spies are heading toward the Familiar Medicine Institute and the weaving room behind the village."

Xie Liangchen nodded; it should be because her fourth uncle returned to Zhenzhou and that people from nearby villages came to learn how to use the spinning wheels, which alarmed those spies.

They want to know what Chen Family Village is up to.

This also indicates that the plan remains airtight, and outsiders can glean no substantial information.

Chang Yue said, "They don’t dare to approach too closely, and can only see that there are quite a few people in the weaving room and the Familiar Medicine Institute."

Xie Liangchen had already discussed with her fourth uncle, who would go to Daming Prefecture and talk to the shopkeepers, explaining that Chen Family Village was producing finely patterned woolen fabrics, which would be sold in the shops afterward.

Such instructions were given intentionally to make the spies believe Chen Family Village would continue working on these woolen fabrics, with no other intentions.

It made sense for her fourth uncle to buy the looms and spinning wheels.

As for whether they were making woolen fabrics or spinning yarn — such details were known only to the village chief and her grandfather who had been part of the plan discussions. The villagers learning to use the spinning wheels didn’t know, and the spies would come away empty-handed.

Chang Yue said, "General Song isn’t in Zhenzhou, so be extra careful. Recently, there have been people coming and going from nearby villages to Chen Family Village. If you notice anything unusual, inform me immediately."

Chang Yue feared overlooking something, as he couldn’t follow the villagers to the weaving room. In the end, it was because General Song didn’t fully secure matters, otherwise, they wouldn’t need to be so furtive.

Xie Liangchen replied, "I understand, it will be hard on you all during this period."

Chang Yue hastily bowed and said, "Please don’t say that." He wasn’t dim; he’d noticed each time General Song came to Chen Family Village, and understood General Song’s intentions.

Xie Liangchen returned to the weaving room, continued examining her spinning wheel designs. The newly-acquired wheels were foot-operated rather than hand-cranked. The downside was that the spinning wheels were too small and used too few ingots, but adding more ingots would require some effort.

As night descended, Xie Liangchen adjusted the lamp’s brightness, while papers piled up beside her, becoming a thick stack.

With her experience in making wind boxes, although modifying a spinning wheel was complicated, it was not impossible. The tight timeline was the issue. Some guidance would speed up the work considerably.

Once they crafted the items, they had to buy spinning wheels and adapt them swiftly to the required specifications — the more wheels they had, the greater their advantage.

Xie Liangchen pondered whether to ask General Song for military craftsmen assistance, since Song Xian was guarding Zhaozhou, finding such people shouldn’t be hard.

Should she enlist Song Xian’s help?

After a brief contemplation, Xie Liangchen marked her spinning wheel designs meticulously and intended to give them to Chang Yue to show Song Xian and request a military craftsman’s opinion.

As she exited the weaving room, she coincidentally saw Chen Zigeng approaching.

It wasn’t early anymore, and Chen Zigeng had come to fetch his sister to sleep, unexpectedly bumping into her along the way. Usually, Chen Zigeng might not care, but ever since considering that General Song might stay in Chen Family Village for a long period, he’d become more alert. Sensing his sister was moving slightly hurriedly, clutching something, and upon spotting him, hid the object in her sleeve.

Chen Zigeng blinked, pondering what secret his sister was keeping from them.

Having dealt with cunning yellow foxes and listened to many such stories, some slyness had rubbed off on him, so he didn’t expose her. Instead, he nonchalantly tugged her sleeve, saying, "It’s late; Sister, you should rest!"

Upon moving his arm, he heard the sound of paper rustling.

Hmm, Chen Zigeng wondered internally — could it be the spinning wheel designs that his sister was hiding? Who was she planning to show them to?

Xie Liangchen looked down at her brother, suddenly finding his smiling expression somewhat peculiar.

...

One day later.

Cangzhou.

Henghai Jiedu Envoy Cai Rong reclined on a pillow as Lishu fed him preserved fruits.

Since returning to his jurisdiction, Cai Rong had been busy dealing with significant and minor matters, having to guard against Song Xian while ensuring Qin Maoxing was monitored.

His oldest son was in the Capital City, and his younger son still an infant, leaving him with few capable aides. If he hadn’t found evidence of clandestine contacts between Qin Maoxing and Song Xian, he’d still have Qin Maoxing handling tasks.

But the important authority he wouldn’t vest in Qin Maoxing.

Cai Rong mulled over this, embracing Lishu, finding her slender waist his favorite feature.

"It was hard on you accompanying me to the Capital City," Cai Rong said. "I’ve had a pearl hair accessory set prepared, which I’ll have delivered to you tomorrow."

Lishu remained indifferent, replying, "Thank you, my lord."

Cai Rong was accustomed to Lishu’s aloofness; among the many women in his mansion—some graceful, others charming—she intrigued him the most. Her indifference only made his desire stronger.

However, tonight Lishu seemed particularly cold.

Cai Rong frowned, asking, "What’s the matter?"

Lishu shook her head, eventually lifting her clear eyes, "Will the court punish you again?"

Turns out she was worried about him.

Cai Rong chuckled, "I’ve fought for Daqi my whole life. Although Song Xian captured some Liao spies, those spies were swayed by my deputy general, who colluded with Song Min. One intended to kill his elder brother, while the other sought to seize my military power. Ultimately, it was an oversight on mine and Song Qizheng’s parts.

Since the court continues to employ Song Qizheng and Song Xian, they can’t demand I relinquish the Henghai Jiedu Envoy post."

After speaking, Cai Rong squinted, "The Emperor is ruthless too. After following him for so many years, not a bit of support when trouble came. Publicly, he executed several of my deputy generals, stripped my military power, and covertly holds my son as leverage... Is it because he feels I’m too old and useless?"

Lishu noted, "No one knows the northern affairs better than you. If the Emperor doesn’t rely on you, who can he turn to?"

Cai Rong snorted, "Precisely because I understand the North too well that the Emperor fears me, worried I might defy court control, yet doesn’t dare act rashly against me. Though Daqi was established, its foundations remain shaky. Replacing me with another would be ideal for him.

The Emperor initially intended for Song Qizheng to check me. After the incident, he wanted to elevate Song Xian.

Though Song Xian won some victories and manages Zhenzhou well, he’s still too inexperienced to contend with me."

Lishu poured tea for Cai Rong, recalling Princess Jiahui’s requests, she pursed her lips and said, "My lord, you can’t underestimate Song Xian. I’ve heard... both Song Xian and his underlings in Chen Family Village are quite formidable. What’s the true background of that village, anyway? Can a common village achieve that much?"