CHAPTER 326: CHAPTER 323 ENTHUSIASM

"Father."

"Father."

A clear voice echoed in her ears, the same way she had called her father when she was little.

Although everything seemed as if it were behind a thick veil, making it hard to see clearly, her heart was already filled with joy and warmth.

That was her father.

Xie Shao Yuan’s face showed a loving smile as he watched his daughter, with a stunned expression, walk towards him. He quickly went forward to embrace her, reaching out to touch Xie Liangchen’s head: "Our Ah Chen has grown so much."

But in his heart, she was still the little girl he could lift with one hand.

Xie Shao Yuan’s voice was gentle: "It’s my fault, these years have been hard on you."

Xie Liangchen’s nose tingled, and tears involuntarily streamed down her cheeks. At this moment, her heart felt a wave of weakness, wanting to immerse herself in her father’s embrace, once again letting him shield her from the storm.

"Father, you’re back."

"I’m back."

Xie Liangchen looked up with a smile: "It’s good that you’re back." No grievances, no sadness, just the relief that her father was safely back.

Thinking of this made Xie Liangchen’s heart ache.

And mother...

The father and daughter tacitly did not mention her, Xie Liangchen understood either something happened to her mother, or they were powerless to save her. She leaned towards the first possibility; her mother must no longer be here, or else her father wouldn’t return alone, looking so haggard.

"All right," Xie Shao Yuan said gently, "let’s get through this immediate difficulty first, and then we can talk properly."

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Xie Shao Yuan said: "The Liao troops have been attacking the city continuously, and our forces here may be insufficient, you..."

Xie Liangchen interrupted her father: "I’ll stay to take care of the wounded. We lack medical workers here, and there aren’t enough supplies. Some injuries need immediate attention."

Xie Shao Yuan didn’t persuade her further, only nodding: "Okay, we’ll stay together."

The father and daughter, despite not having seen each other for years, were still able to communicate so well, knowing they couldn’t just escape once they were safe; they had to stand with the soldiers in the city until the last moment.

Chang Yue nearby hesitated to speak, wondering if Old Master Xie just agreed like that? Wasn’t he afraid of what could happen if the Liao forces breached the city? With Old Master Xie’s words now, even if he tried to persuade endlessly, it would be futile. No matter where the master might be now, knowing this would surely make him anxious.

The father and daughter didn’t say much before they had to part. Xie Liangchen continued to treat the wounded while Xie Shao Yuan went out to inspect the situation in the city, seeing if there was anything he could do to help. After all, he had tangled with Xiao Xingzong for many years and had some understanding of the Liao people, perhaps he could be of assistance.

Before leaving, Xie Shao Yuan gave his daughter a long, deep look, feeling extraordinarily content in his heart. Even as he turned to leave, he wore a smile on his face.

He hadn’t expected to have a day to reunite with his daughter, and as he smiled, tears dropped from his face, thinking how wonderful it would be if she were still here.

"I know, you’re the one watching over us."

Xie Shao Yuan’s vision blurred, faint sounds reached his ears: "Brother Yuan, you must survive, go back... and look after Ah Chen... our... Ah Chen."

Xie Shao Yuan’s heart answered: "Our Ah Chen is very well, she’s great, you can rest assured."

Xie Shao Yuan ascended to the tower; the Liao people were just clearing the battlefield, yet to initiate the next assault. Looking at the Liao troops below and considering the condition within the city and the supplies brought up, Xie Shao Yuan roughly estimated they might withstand two or three more rounds of attacks.

He had heard before coming that Song Xian might have reinforcements, but it was unclear when they would arrive.

"The reinforcements have arrived."

A single sentence disrupted Xie Shao Yuan’s thoughts.

"General Cheng is here."

Xie Shao Yuan followed the city defense leader down the tower, only to see a team of light cavalry dismount, led by a young man in his twenties.

After the young man dismounted, without asking about the battle situation, he quickly pulled aside a Song Family’s House General and whispered, "How is Miss Xie?"

Standing behind just now, Xie Shao Yuan paused, having been observing the young man. Although he spoke softly, Xie Shao Yuan guessed what he was talking about by watching his lips move.

The young man was inquiring about Liangchen’s condition.

Xie Shao Yuan’s gaze deepened; he was concerned about Zhenzhou and knew about the troops stationed there. This General Cheng must be Cheng Yanzhao, a competent general beside Song Xian.

Cheng Yanzhao rushed to Dai State Pass with reinforcements, and the first thing he should ask about is the critical battle situation. Why was he specifically asking about Liangchen? Could it be that this General Cheng has feelings for Liangchen...

In conversation, Chang Yue came forward.

"Miss Xie is doing well," Chang Yue said, "and we’ve also rescued Old Master Xie."

Hearing this, Cheng Yanzhao’s heart finally settled. When he departed from Taiyuan Prefecture, Song Xian looked serious, solemnly patting his shoulder.

Although Song Xian hadn’t spoken a word, Cheng Yanzhao read the meaning from Song Xian’s expression: entrusting everything, life and property, to you.

"As long as Miss Xie is fine," Cheng Yanzhao said, "we can win this battle..."

As long as Song Xian maintains his demeanor, there won’t be any issues.

Cheng Yanzhao wanted to say more, then suddenly realized Chang Yue’s latter remark, they had also rescued Old Master Xie. Who was Old Master Xie? Miss Xie’s father?

Cheng Yanzhao didn’t have time to think more; Chang Yue already came forward to greet Xie Shao Yuan.

Cheng Yanzhao turned and looked over, indeed seeing a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties.

"This must be Old Master Xie," Cheng Yanzhao first greeted Xie Shao Yuan, "Uncle, how are you doing? Miss Xie and Chen Family Village have set their minds at ease."

Cheng Yanzhao’s eyes slightly brightened, as though he empathized.

Suddenly encountering the enthusiastic Cheng Yanzhao, Xie Shao Yuan didn’t know how to respond, hastily moving forward to support Cheng Yanzhao: "General Cheng, this isn’t necessary."

"It is necessary," Cheng Yanzhao said, "I can’t stay to talk with Uncle now, but once the battle is over, I will definitely visit and apologize."

Indeed, there wasn’t time to say much; Cheng Yanzhao needed to organize the troops to face the Liao people’s next attack.

"Uncle, rest assured," Cheng Yanzhao said, "A Xian asked me to hold on for three days. Within three days, he will surely quell the Taiyuan battle and bring reinforcements to Dai State. As long as A Xian is here, we will definitely win this battle."

Cheng Yanzhao finished speaking and went up the tower with the Deputy General to inspect the battle situation.

Military supplies were moved to the tower, Cheng Yanzhao’s mind slightly fluctuated on the verge of battle, recalling carefully, he shouldn’t have been impolite, right? In the end, he made sure to say a few good words for A Xian to Old Master Xie.

Only one person could be this thorough.

...

Xie Shao Yuan pondered the meaning behind Cheng Yanzhao’s words earlier. Clearly, he didn’t know the Cheng Family elders. Cheng Yanzhao addressed him as uncle and mentioned A Xian repeatedly, indicating they were close friends.

Both drawing in and showing himself, what is he up to?

Xie Shao Yuan contemplated for a while before asking Chang Yue: "How old is General Cheng? Does he often visit Chen Family Village?"