CHAPTER 347: CHAPTER 344 SEEKING BAOSHAN

Old Mrs. Chen listened to Xie Shao Yuan recount the events of that time and couldn’t help but sigh deeply, recalling how her daughter had also died on that day.

Old Mrs. Chen said, "It was a kind fate."

Xie Shao Yuan responded.

Old Mrs. Chen thought of Old Mrs. Song mentioning she would visit again these days: "Since Song Xian has told you, he must have already written to inform the elders in his family. You should also be prepared."

As they spoke up to this point, Chen Zigeng happened to push the door open and enter the room.

"It’s getting late," Xie Shao Yuan bent down to pick up Chen Zigeng in his arms and weighed him, "Prepare yourself and get some rest."

Chen Zigeng smiled and reached out to hug Xie Shao Yuan’s neck, and the two of them chatted as they walked outside.

Chen Zigeng said, "Uncle is also tall."

Xie Shao Yuan caught the implication: "Who else is tall?"

"The General is tall," Chen Zigeng replied, "Brother also held me like this and carried me to the bathroom."

Xie Shao Yuan asked, "Did you go at night?"

Chen Zigeng answered.

Xie Shao Yuan laughed, "Afraid you might wet the bed."

The two went straight to the kitchen, where Xie Liangchen had boiled water. Xie Shao Yuan used a basin to fetch some hot water for Old Mrs. Chen to soak her feet.

Old Mrs. Chen urged Xie Shao Yuan to leave: "Go on, I can wash myself." No one lets their son-in-law fetch water to wash feet.

Chen Zigeng said from the side, "Can I help? Uncle fetches water, and I’ll wash Grandma’s feet."

Xie Liangchen stood at the door, watching her father kneel and serve her grandmother, while her younger brother laughed and joked alongside, unconsciously allowing a hint of a smile to appear on her face.

The kitchen had boiled another pot of water, left for Chang Yue and the others to use, and only then did Xie Liangchen return inside to rest.

After blowing out the lamp, she heard her grandmother’s slight snores, and Xie Liangchen felt that everything was finally settled.

...

Song Family.

At dawn, Old Mrs. Song got up and took her people to walk around the storeroom. In fact, she had already prepared all the gifts for the official visit to Chen Family Village. These gifts were meticulously chosen by her, yet every time she thought about it, she felt they were still not good enough.

"Let’s not take those fabrics; it’s like urging people to do needlework," said Old Mrs. Song. "Who has time to make those? We can complete them ourselves by then."

The housekeeper smiled and said that even if the date is set early, they cannot bring the bride back until the next year: "Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time." Isn’t this just the first step?

Old Mrs. Song sat on the chair and saw Song Qizheng entering the courtyard briskly.

Song Qizheng first bowed to Old Mrs. Song before sitting on a chair beside her.

In the sunlight, Old Mrs. Song looked over and noticed that her son’s temples were gray, and there were wrinkles on his forehead and at the corners of his eyes.

Being her own son, Old Mrs. Song couldn’t help but feel a surge of tenderness, but she also resented his lack of growth, turning the family into this state, having to suffer the consequences himself. It began with the wrongful treatment of Mrs. Feng and her sworn brother, which was the root of all troubles.

"Mother," said Song Qizheng, "are you preparing gifts for Xian?"

Old Mrs. Song, although she hadn’t spoken openly to Song Qizheng, didn’t deliberately conceal it either; whatever happened in this household, Song Qizheng would know.

Old Mrs. Song took a sip of tea and then responded.

Song Qizheng asked, "Is it Miss Xie from Chen Family Village?"

Old Mrs. Song nodded, "We don’t know if they will agree yet."

Song Qizheng was silent for a moment. He initially wanted to discuss Miss Xie’s background with his mother, being the granddaughter of Prince Guangyang. This status might not settle well in the future. However, considering the choice he made by picking Mrs. Rong—collaborating with Xiao Xingzong to conspire against Song Xian and plotting against her husband to elevate Song Yu—he reconsidered.

This foolish woman always thought the Liao people were working for her until being dragged around in their escape and suffering all kinds of humiliation. Although she isn’t dead, she is now half-mad, shouting endlessly in prison.

Her two sons, Song Min is already dead, and Song Yu won’t escape the law of the land.

What right does he have to question Song Xian? Besides, with Song Xian’s temperament, he is beyond his control.

Song Qizheng said, "Since Song Xian has thought it through, I will go and invite Baoshan to come."

Old Mrs. Song was prepared, waiting for Song Qizheng to question further, but unexpectedly, he didn’t say much. Has he matured after setbacks? Not as stubborn as before?

Old Mrs. Song asked, "Who are you inviting?"

"Because of Cai Rong’s matter, the Pinglu Jiedu Envoy is currently in Jizhou," Song Qizheng said. "If I leave now, I can bring him by nightfall, and tomorrow we can visit Chen Family Village."

Old Mrs. Song nodded, "I calculated that tomorrow is an auspicious day."

"No time to lose," Song Qizheng stood up, "I will go now."

Watching Song Qizheng’s departing figure, Old Mrs. Song sighed. If there hadn’t been the misunderstanding with Mrs. Feng, nor Zhao Xingzong’s intentional provocations, how nice would this family have been? It wouldn’t have ended up like this.

Fortunately, Xian is like his mother, not his father.

Old Mrs. Song also let the housekeeper help her up: "Let’s go light a stick of incense for Xian’s mother and tell her about this good news."

On the way, Old Mrs. Song confided to the housekeeper, "Do you think Liangchen will like that headpiece? Although it looks old-fashioned, and filigree is popular now, this set has been passed down in the Song family. For such a big event, it’s appropriate to choose it, and we can order other styles in the future."

The housekeeper smiled and said, "This set should indeed be chosen."

Joy refreshes the spirit, and Old Mrs. Song felt as if she had endless energy, not having felt so comfortable in body and mind for many years.

Old Mrs. Song silently wished in her heart for the marriage to go smoothly.

...

Xie Liangchen had a good sleep. After getting up, she went to work in the Familiar Medicine Institute.

"There are many Chaihu on the mountains in Dai State," Xie Liangchen said. "The price of Chaihu has always been good. The medicinal materials suitable for planting here should also be fine over there."

"There are also a lot of mulberries and hemp, so we can raise silkworms next year."

Xu Tingzhen, who hadn’t returned for a long time, recalled many past memories from Xie Liangchen’s few words: "The eight states have a vast land, governing them well isn’t easy, but fortunately, Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou are ahead, providing a model."

Zhenzhou blazed a trail first, coupled with the fact that all Daqi is setting up Official Medicine Bureaus, requiring plenty of medicinal materials.

Xie Liangchen said, "Winter is coming, and we can’t do much, but we can’t just wait. We must first teach everyone to make thread tassels." During her time in Dai State, Xie Liangchen had thought about this matter and planned to send Liu Erniang back to Dai State.

Xie Liangchen glanced at Gouzi, who was sitting outside choosing medicinal materials, thinking that perhaps when next year’s weather improves, Gouzi could also come along for a trip back.

With this thought, there are many things left to do.

After speaking with Xu Tingzhen, Xie Liangchen was about to check the weaving room when she saw Chen Yuyu running over.

Chen Yuyu’s face was flushed, biting her lip as if hesitant to speak.

"What’s the matter?" Xie Liangchen asked softly.

Chen Yuyu pulled Xie Liangchen to a corner, "Sister knows about it, right?"

Xie Liangchen deliberately teased her, "Knows what?"

Chen Yuyu bit her lip harder, "Miao Zigui... I..."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "Yes, I’m aware."

"I just heard Miao Zigui mention it," Chen Yuyu said, "He said he’s willing to come to Chen Family Village."