CHAPTER 350: CHAPTER 347: A GOOD MATCH

Song Qizheng sat in the chair, his gaze sweeping around, feeling as if he were in a dream.

Even when Song Qizheng was most deeply misunderstood by Song Xian due to Mrs. Rong’s instigations, he never imagined that one day he would come to a village to propose marriage for Song Xian.

What he saw was indeed a real village, with the most ordinary villagers, yet who would have thought, although Chen Family Village was indeed a village, it was never ordinary from the outset. The earliest village chief, Chen Youli, dared to risk saving the Commandery Princess from the Prince Guangyang Mansion, escorting her safely to Zhenzhou, while the people of Chen Family Village kept this secret firmly for nineteen years.

Upon understanding the identities of Chen Family Village and Xie Liangchen, Song Qizheng comprehended thoroughly. No wonder back then, Song Min, trying to harm Song Xian through Chen Family Village, failed. Neither Xie Liangchen nor Song Xian could be compared to Song Min or Song Yu.

Perhaps it is precisely these repeated incidents that have led to the current marriage.

Song Qizheng withdrew his wandering thoughts, looked at Old Mrs. Chen and Xie Shao Yuan, and instead of displaying his National Guardian General’s might, he courteously said, "I came abruptly, hoping old madam and Brother Xie will not mind."

Xie Shao Yuan smiled and replied, "The National Guardian General is too polite."

Song Qizheng glanced at Old Mrs. Song, who nodded.

Only then did Song Qizheng speak, "This visit is regarding my son Song Xian’s marriage. Miss Xie has a virtuous and intelligent character; both my mother and I are fond of her. If she could become the eldest daughter-in-law of the Song Family, it would be a blessing for both our family and my son."

Old Mrs. Song seemed somewhat satisfied. Her eldest son, who was usually not eloquent, today managed to speak from the depths of his mind, though the words of praise for Liangchen were somewhat lacking.

Pinglu Jiedu Envoy Cui Gui judged the timing right, then spoke up: "The National Guardian General invited me to be the mediator to propose to Old Mrs. Chen and Old Master Xie. The eldest son of the National Guardian General, Song Xian, is twenty this year, has studied and practiced martial arts from a young age, and joined the army at fifteen. He is the Commander defending Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou, and not long ago, led his troops to the eight states..."

Chen Yongsheng stood outside the door, hearing the words inside the house clearly, yet his mind remained blank. It was indeed about Song Xian.

Commander Song, General Song, there was no other person.

The image of Song Xian appeared before Chen Yongsheng’s eyes. The Song Family had taken a liking to Liangchen, and as long as Aunt and Brother-in-law agreed, General Song would become the son-in-law of Chen Family Village.

Chen Yongsheng’s legs felt weak, partly from shock, partly from sheer astonishment.

Since the Song Family had formally come forward, they must have privately informed Aunt and Brother-in-law earlier. This meant that the things Miao Zigui did to him also happened to Aunt and Brother-in-law; yet he still told Brother-in-law that he didn’t understand his feelings.

Chen Yongsheng turned around to see Chen Zigeng focusing intently on eavesdropping, yet this lad’s face showed no bewilderment, only joy.

"You," Chen Yongsheng grabbed Chen Zigeng, "Did you know?"

Chen Zigeng nodded, of course he knew, he had known for a long time, otherwise how could he always call him "General Brother."

Chen Yongsheng’s eyes widened, "Who told you?"

Chen Zigeng blinked his eyes and touched his head; does anyone need to tell him? Naturally, he used his eyes to see and his brain to think.

Chen Yongsheng felt devastated; even Chen Zigeng knew... yet he hadn’t noticed a single clue.

Chen Yongsheng was still in shock when he was suddenly grabbed by Mrs. Gao, who looked at him with wide eyes, ready to speak.

Afraid of causing a commotion, Chen Yongsheng covered Mrs. Gao’s mouth and quickly pulled her out of the courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, the villagers of Chen Family Village were waiting there, having heard of the National Guardian General’s visit, Zheng and others had rushed out from the weaving house.

Mr. Xu and Chen Yuyu also walked out of the Familiar Medicine Institute.

"Village chief, what happened exactly?"

"Yes, what business does the National Guardian General have? Could it be the court coming to commend Chen Family Village?"

Chen Yongsheng shook his head and slowly said under everyone’s gaze, "The Song Family has come to propose marriage for General Song Xian to Aunt and Brother-in-law."

Upon hearing this, the place fell silent.

Chen Yongsheng saw many astonished eyes, but among them, two people were only slightly surprised, and quickly regained their composure.

One was Mr. Xu, the other was Chen Zhongdong.

It wasn’t surprising for someone as smart as Mr. Xu to suspect something; Chen Yongsheng could convince himself that he was not as perceptive as Mr. Xu.

But Chen Zhongdong...

Chen Yongsheng glared at Chen Zhongdong, wondering about his expression of "Oh, I knew this would happen" and "Finally, we don’t have to hide anymore."

"Really?"

"The Song Family has taken a liking to our Miss Chen?"

"Wow, worthy of the National Guardian General Mansion, what keen insight."

"No wonder they rise to high office."

After the excitement, everyone seemed to come back to their senses—it’s General Song, who repeatedly won battles on the battlefield, who helped Chen Family Village sell medicinal herbs to the Paper Workshop, General Song.

"If Aunt agrees, how should we address General Song when we see him in the future?"

"Of course, he remains General Song."

Chen Yongsheng also realized now—he wasn’t sure how to address him. With his relationship to Aunt and Brother-in-law, would General Song call him "Second Uncle?"

Trying to calm himself, Chen Yongsheng thought, no, this isn’t what he should be pondering now. As Second Uncle, he should be considering...

Chen Yongsheng gave up, what could he ponder? For so long, he hadn’t noticed a hint, yet here they were with formal proposals, while he assumed it was an edict from the court, no wonder his brother-in-law commented on his poor sight.

Indeed, his sight was truly poor.

Just after sighing, Chen Yongsheng turned and saw Xie Liangchen coming back from the Paper Workshop.

"Miss Chen," Mrs. Gao stepped ahead to meet Xie Liangchen, "You cannot go inside now; come, head to Aunt’s place first."

Xie Liangchen, having seen the Song Family’s carriage at the village entrance, now observed Mrs. Gao and others’ behavior, immediately guessing the discussions happening in Grandmother’s house. Though she tried to appear calm and collected, she still blushed slightly.

...

Inside Old Mrs. Chen’s house.

Cui Gui recounted Song Xian’s situation and then smiled, "I came to Zhenzhou because of Cai Rong’s affairs, and upon arrival heard that several villages in Zhenzhou gathered military supplies to send to Song Xian, which deeply moved me."

"Song Xian has been defending Zhenzhou not just for a day or two, surely Old Madam and Old Master Xie have some understanding of him; otherwise, they wouldn’t trust Song Xian like this. With such a connection, adding a marriage would be a wonderful thing, wouldn’t it?"

After Cui Gui finished speaking, Old Mrs. Song held Old Mrs. Chen’s hand, "If old sister could agree, once Liangchen enters the family, she will surely not suffer grievances. I dare not say more, but my Xian will definitely treat Liangchen well."

Song Qizheng turned to Xie Shao Yuan, "Song Xian is usually reticent, but he fulfills his promises, this... Old Master Xie can be assured."

Even if Song Qizheng doesn’t fully understand his eldest son, he knows well that once Song Xian is set on something, no one can sway him. Song Xian rushed his mother to come to Chen Family Village to propose, worried about any possible upheaval in the court. Once the engagement is named, no matter what happens, Song Xian can confidently assert himself without affecting Miss Xie’s reputation.

Seeing the conversation had reached this point, Xie Shao Yuan nodded, "General Song is fair and upright, and very approachable when dealing with people."

Upon hearing the word approachable, Song Qizheng felt puzzled; is that how Song Xian is perceived by Old Master Xie?

Being strict with himself while kind to others ensures he will never go astray. Xie Shao Yuan continued, "He is an excellent match."