CHAPTER 231: CHAPTER 228: HARD TO PART

Xie Liangchen reached out and patted her brother on the shoulder: "There are so many matters to handle in Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou, where would General Song find the time to go to Xingzhou."

Chen Zigeng’s face showed a flash of disappointment: "Then I’ll go with Sister."

Old Mrs. Chen said to her grandson: "The journey is too long, why would you follow and cause trouble for your sister?" She knew why her granddaughter was going to Xingzhou at this time, and her grandson naturally knew as well, that’s why he was so anxious.

"Don’t worry," Xie Liangchen said, "General Song has arranged for the Song Family’s House General to follow secretly." She didn’t want to make it so clear, but there was no hiding anything from the clever minds of the elder and the young one in this room.

Chen Zigeng’s eyes lit up, knowing that Brother would have arrangements, yet he still thought the General Brother would accompany Sister to Xingzhou. Last time when they went to Zhaozhou, wasn’t Brother not very busy? Yet since the spinning wheel started, Brother has been following, sometimes coming early in the morning, even saying he was on his way to the camp, when in fact he had hurriedly returned.

Now Sister is going so far to Xingzhou, and there might be danger, would Brother not go?

Chen Zigeng asked again: "Is Chang An going with Sister?"

Xie Liangchen said: "It’s Chang An’s brother, Chang Yue."

Chen Zigeng asked: "Is he a blood brother?"

Xie Liangchen nodded, having Chang Yue handling this matter was enough.

Chen Zigeng knew that General Song had capable people around him, Chang An was one, so his brother Chang Yue must be reliable too.

Old Mrs. Chen felt more at ease, yet still grumbled to her grandson: "Why are you talking so much today?"

Xie Liangchen smiled as she continued to arrange the things to take, besides clothes for changing, there was the sleeve arrow, small crossbow, and the whip that Hui Zhen had given her.

Since that time Song Xian was drunk, they had only met a few times briefly, mainly discussing matters of Daming Prefecture, with hardly any time for other talk.

She was busy too, and ever since that night, she felt an odd feeling whenever she saw Song Xian. Using woven goods as an excuse, she often stayed with Mr. Miao, Zheng and others, reducing the occasions of being alone with Song Xian.

As long as this period passes, everything will return to normal, and thinking back on that night, it feels less uneasy.

As for Song Xian... he forgot most things due to being drunk, and with time fading, probably not much is left.

"Liangchen, are you ready?" Chen Yongsheng’s voice came from outside.

"Ready."

Chen Zigeng welcomed Chen Yongsheng inside. Chen Yongsheng didn’t bring much, just a small bundle; both were traveling light.

Old Mrs. Chen advised: "If you encounter bad weather, rest for a while, don’t rush."

Chen Yongsheng replied: "Don’t worry, Aunt, the village relies on you during this time."

Old Mrs. Chen waved her hand: "I am here, nothing will go wrong. With the day still early, go now!"

Xie Liangchen picked up the bundle and walked out with Chen Yongsheng, meeting Tian Huizhen and two twelve or thirteen-year-old boys from the Chen Family Village waiting outside.

Tian Huizhen said: "I need to help mobilize the cart and horses at home, so I can’t go with you to Xingzhou. Our family’s employees going to Xingzhou are familiar with the route. I’ve instructed them to be vigilant on the journey; if anything happens, just instruct them, they consider you as family like us."

Tian Huizhen worriedly handed Xie Liangchen a map: "Having a couple of extra is always good."

In her previous life, Xie Liangchen had traveled with He San’s caravan before. From Zhenzhou to Xingzhou wasn’t far, so she wasn’t concerned.

At the village entrance, she mounted her horse, riding behind Chen Yongsheng as the entire trading team set off grandly towards Xingzhou.

Not long after they started on the official road, Xie Liangchen heard urgent hoofbeats behind her. Turning her head, she saw Song Xian leading people to catch up.

Chen Yongsheng also saw Song Xian, and instinctively reined in his horse: "Is General Song here to see us off?" It was said that these days the border garrison was restless; unexpectedly, General Song had come at this time.

Chen Yongsheng and Xie Liangchen dismounted one after another.

Song Xian also leapt off his horse, and they exchanged greetings.

Xie Liangchen felt Song Xian’s gaze on her, and she naturally raised her eyes to meet his.

Song Xian looked at Xie Liangchen and said, "Be extra careful on this journey."

Chen Yongsheng responded: "We brought quite a few people this time, besides those from Chen Family Village, there are also Sun Family Village and Xiahe Village..."

While listening to Chen Yongsheng, Song Xian’s eyes never left her.

Xie Liangchen pursed her lips and took the opportunity during the pause in conversation to say: "General Song, rest assured, if anything happens, we’ll let you know promptly."

"I will accompany you to Zhaozhou."

Song Xian suddenly said, leaving Chen Yongsheng stunned: "How can this be? The General has numerous affairs..."

Song Xian said: "Baimaling is not settled. With Miss Xie traveling as well, if it weren’t for matters at the government office, I would accompany you all the way to Xingzhou."

Chen Yongsheng felt that General Song was surprisingly friendly today.

Song Xian continued: "We should set out early."

Since General Song said so, Chen Yongsheng could not refuse, so the convoy started moving again. Taking advantage of Song Xian’s inattention, Chen Yongsheng went over to Xie Liangchen: "Liangchen, don’t you feel something different about General Song?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head as she looked at that tall figure.

Chen Yongsheng said: "General Song made this trip probably for our sake; we must remember this gesture and not let down General Song’s goodwill towards the Chen Family Village."

What the speaker unintentionally said, the listener took to heart, and Xie Liangchen turned her gaze to Song Xian. At that moment, Song Xian on horseback turned his head, and their eyes met. It took Xie Liangchen a lot to maintain her composure.

Traveling together until they reached Zhaozhou, Song Xian had to stop.

Watching Xie Liangchen’s figure gradually disappear into the distance, Song Xian wished he could spur his horse forward and openly accompany her to Xingzhou.

Even though they couldn’t speak on the road, just seeing her made him feel at ease.

Cheng Yanzhao, knowing that Song Xian had come to Zhaozhou, hurried over with his men. Seeing Song Xian’s demeanor, he said: "Enough, if you continue seeing them off, those people will be scared away."

Song Xian steadied himself and instructed Chang An: "Has Sui State responded yet?"

Chang An replied: "Not yet, probably in the next couple of days."

Song Xian said: "It’s important, they won’t fail to send someone. If Du Zhuo also doesn’t understand the importance, then we have nothing to discuss with the Du Family."

...

The Chen Family Village’s trading team was transporting goods to Xingzhou again.

Because the caravan was carrying too many goods, they traveled slower this time.

After traveling all day from morning until night, the workers were somewhat weary. Although it was already late, they were close to Xingzhou, so Chen Yongsheng discussed with the Tian Family Trading Team’s steward to push on directly to Xingzhou for rest.

"Everyone pick up the pace," Chen Yongsheng said, "we’ll rest after entering the city."

There were almost no other travelers on the official road, and the Tian Family Trading Team’s steward and workers were particularly cautious, constantly watching their surroundings.

Suddenly, the forest beside them echoed with birdsong, making the Tian Family Trading Team’s steward frown immediately.