CHAPTER 367: CHAPTER 364: OLD ACQUAINTANCE

After Xie Liangchen fell into the water in Dai State, her past memories gradually began to return, including the years she grew up in Yuezhou.

At that time, she was called Li Suining.

The person who got off the carriage was Meng Changshu, the daughter of Meng Su, who was the Governor-General and concurrently the Governor of Yuezhou. Governor Meng’s mother resided in Yu Yao, and when Meng Changshu fell seriously ill while visiting her grandmother in Yu Yao, she was brought to the Li Family for treatment, staying there for a few days for convenience.

Her adoptive parents, in order to protect Xie Liangchen, did not allow her to meet outsiders, thus Xie Liangchen only had a fleeting encounter with Meng Changshu. After recovering from her illness, Meng Changshu visited the Li Family twice.

The adoptive parents used Xie Liangchen’s frail health as an excuse to prevent her from meeting Meng Changshu.

After Old Mrs. Meng passed away, Meng Changshu seldom went to Yu Yao.

Before the epidemic in Yuezhou, Meng Changshu even sent a few medical books from the Capital City to the Li Family couple.

In her past life, Xie Liangchen didn’t remember these things and was unaware of her connection with Meng Changshu, yet she remembered clearly what happened to Meng Changshu later.

Meng Changshu married Ji Yuan, who later accomplished much in Jiangnan due to the Meng Family. Meng Su died at sea, and after Meng Changshu suffered a miscarriage, she fell seriously ill and passed away within a few years.

Xie Liangchen knew Ji Yuan all too well. Thinking back, Meng Su and Meng Changshu’s deaths might not have been that simple. If Ji Yuan had not assumed Meng Su’s authority so early, Ji Yuan would not have been valued by the Emperor and would not ultimately be tasked with leading troops against Song Xian.

Xie Liangchen and Meng Changshu exchanged greetings and immediately noticed a probing look in Meng Changshu’s eyes, shifting from inquisitive to certain, and with a touch of joy.

"Miss Meng," Xie Liangchen spoke first.

"Do you remember me?" Meng Changshu exclaimed with surprise, "Are you really Suining?"

Miss Xu didn’t know what "Suining" meant as mentioned by Meng Changshu. The two before her seemed both unfamiliar and oddly familiar.

Miss Xu asked, "You two know each other?"

Meng Changshu nodded, "We had a fleeting encounter during childhood. At the time, I didn’t know Suining was her."

Miss Xu grew increasingly confused.

Meng Changshu looked at Xie Liangchen. She had heard her grandmother speak of Prince Guangyang’s granddaughter, who was said to have been raised by the Li couple in Yu Yao, famed for their medical knowledge, who caught illness while saving others during the epidemic.

When her grandmother was seriously ill, Meng Changshu stayed in Yu Yao to care for her and later suffered from a sudden illness herself, thanking Mr. Li from Yu Yao for providing a good remedy. Her grandmother had asked her whether the Li family that treated her was the same family caring for Prince Guangyang’s descendant.

What an unlikely coincidence, she had thought, yet her father’s letter indicated otherwise, suggesting the epidemic in Yuezhou and Yu Yao was not a natural disaster but the result of foul play likely stemming from Xiao Xingzong. The Huaiji County Magistrate was secretly investigating Liao spies, making it easy for Xiao Xingzong to use the epidemic against them, and Prince Guangyang’s people who secretly helped nearly fell victim as well. After the court knew that Prince Guangyang’s descendants were still alive, they sent people to Yu Yao to investigate.

Meng Changshu once interacted with the Li Family couple, leading her father to suspect that the caregivers of Prince Guangyang’s granddaughter could very well be the ones who treated her illness.

Meng Changshu had seen the Li family’s young lady, named Li Suining. After hearing of the Li couple’s passing and that Miss Li was missing, she always worried about Miss Li’s safety.

Could Miss Li really be Prince Guangyang’s descendant? Even if Miss Xu hadn’t sent her an invitation, Meng Changshu would meet Miss Xie to clarify this matter.

Upon seeing Xie Liangchen, Meng Changshu examined her carefully, her features faintly resembling Miss Li’s.

Yet, at that moment, Meng Changshu couldn’t be certain until she saw the joyful look in Xie Liangchen’s eyes, confirming she’d not made a mistake.

Who would have thought to meet an old acquaintance here after so many years, and that the once Li Suining would now be Xie Liangchen. Meng Changshu felt a wave of emotion.

Miss Xu, unaware of the inner details, and Meng Changshu unable to explain immediately, said, "I’ll share with you later when I have time, sister."

Meng Changshu, known as a talented lady since young, might have helped at the poetry gathering if she were familiar with Xie Liangchen, making Miss Xu feel today’s event might take an unexpected turn.

"This is Miss Li, whose father serves as a drafter at the Dragon Pavilion." Without needing Miss Xu to speak, Meng Changshu introduced Miss Li to Xie Liangchen.

Meng Changshu said, "Miss Li’s given name is Ru Chu, we call her A Chu, similar to my own name, so sometimes we don’t know if we’re calling her or me."

As she spoke, the Secretariat’s daughter from the Cao Family arrived.

The two Miss Cao’s immediately went next to Miss Xu, the young ladies exchanged greetings.

"Is this Miss Xie?" asked the Third Miss Cao in a low voice.

Miss Xu nodded.

The Fifth Miss Cao said, "I was just about to have her clean the carriage, thinking she was a servant here, but fortunately, Sister Xu’s steward reminded me she was Miss Xie’s aunt."

"Thanks to Sister Xu’s help, we avoided much trouble."

After these words, Miss Xu felt slightly better.

As more guests arrived, Miss Xu was surrounded by more people, with the ladies sitting and chatting in the flower hall, Mrs. Gao accompanied by several maids offered tea and pastries.

The courtyard suddenly became lively.

Taking advantage of the lack of attention, Meng Changshu drew Xie Liangchen aside to speak: "Back then, Mrs. Li said your body was frail and unfit to meet guests, was it because..."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "My adoptive mother was afraid outsiders would learn of my identity."

Meng Changshu understood there must have been many untold stories, but every person has something that cannot be easily mentioned, so she refrained from probing deeply: "Who would have thought... sigh... Mr. Li and Mrs. Li were good people. They took great care of me during my time in Yu Yao. I heard you were selling medicinal herbs and opened the Familiar Medicine Institute in Chen Family Village; it must be because you learned medicine and pharmacology from them."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "In Zhenzhou I also met a teacher who taught me diagnosis and medicine making. He was instrumental in establishing the Familiar Medicine Institute."

Meng Changshu was happy for Xie Liangchen. She glanced back at the flower hall, "What made you think of holding a poetry gathering? You just arrived in the Capital City, unaware of the local situation. All eyes are on you, and some may harbor ulterior motives, which might lead to trouble if not handled well."

Xie Liangchen looked at Miss Xu, "Miss Xu is helping me organize it."

Meng Changshu sighed inwardly. The Xu Family was the Empress’s maternal family, their intentions couldn’t be questioned lightly, and she hoped Miss Xu truly meant well.

"Sister Chen," Miss Xu suddenly called out, "It’s getting late, shall we begin?"

Xie Liangchen nodded and walked over with Meng Changshu.

Miss Xu said, "Let us follow the usual custom, taking turns composing poems, and those deemed the best written will be counted at the end to see whose poems are most numerous, what do you think?"

Everyone agreed enthusiastically.

Miss Xu looked at Xie Liangchen, "As the host, why not start with you, Sister Chen?"

All eyes turned to Xie Liangchen.