CHAPTER 373: CHAPTER 370: SO SWEET

When Xie Liangchen raised her head, she saw Song Xian sitting not far away. Her mind was constantly focused on the accounts, unaware of how long Song Xian had been there.

Song Xian was speaking with Chen Zigeng, presumably looking at the coursework left by Mr. Dongli for Chen Zigeng.

Xie Shao Yuan was sitting not far away speaking with Chen Yongsheng.

Everyone was busy with their tasks, and Xie Liangchen felt a sense of tranquility.

Noticing her gaze, Song Xian lifted his head, their eyes met, and Xie Liangchen saw a smile in Song Xian’s eyes.

Song Xian was very busy every day, having to visit various government offices. The court dispatched officials to the Eight States, and although this appeared as a fair promotion, in reality, each had their own intentions. Naturally, Song Xian tried to choose officials who could get things done, especially those who supported Prince Guangyang.

These matters could only be conducted in the shadows.

Recently, after Xie Liangchen entered the Capital City and made preparations for the Eight States, many officials took notice and understood what kind of situations they would face in the Eight States.

Not to mention that Xie Liangchen and Song Xian were already engaged, just the changes in Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou over the past year were enough for everyone to understand Song Xian’s attitude.

Song Xian approved of the actions of Chen Family Village, and when governing the Eight States, he naturally would mirror the practices of Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou.

Seeing this clearly, the officials interested in going would surely recommend themselves to the superiors.

The collaboration between Xie Liangchen and Song Xian, both overt and covert, would attract good officials for the Eight States, making future administration easier for Song Xian.

"How much is left unaccounted for?"

Chen Zigeng went to speak with Xie Shaoshan, as Song Xian walked over and whispered, "I am free now and can help Sister Chen."

"No need," Xie Liangchen replied, "It’s almost done. I’ve sent someone to inform the fur shops, and tomorrow they can start selling wool felt. Various uses for the wool felt were carefully explained by Second Uncle and Zhong Dong to those shopkeepers and assistants, so it should go smoothly."

It wasn’t just that; those shopkeepers cleared out their stores and would only display the wool felt goods from Zhenzhou tomorrow. Xie Liangchen also promised that no matter how much silver coin the wool felt goods sold for in the future, she would share the benefits with these shops that first sold the wool felt goods.

This matter would soon spread among the merchants, and in the future, whenever Chen Family Village had new goods, many shopkeepers would be eager to give selling a try.

However, the new goods from Chen Family Village wouldn’t be sold casually. The sale conditions and methods would have to follow the requirements of Chen Family Village.

When selling goods, the uses of the goods needed to be clearly explained, and Chen Family Village understood these goods the best, neither exaggerating nor falsely reporting but also not undervaluing themselves.

"Then take a break."

Xie Liangchen felt a warmth at her fingertips, her fingers were already held by Song Xian. She swiftly glanced at Xie Shao Yuan, but Song Xian’s tall figure stood as a solid shield, ensuring no one could see their joined hands.

Song Xian softly remarked, "Your fingers are cold."

His palm was scorching, gradually warming her.

Xie Liangchen did not pull her hand back but let Song Xian hold it for a while before signaling for him to release it.

When their hands separated, Xie Liangchen’s cheeks were slightly flushed.

"You must be tired after a busy day," Xie Liangchen said, "I’ll go pour some water for you."

"No trouble."

Song Xian replied, reaching out for the tea bowl on the table.

Their exchange was very quiet, not audible to others, and with Chen Zigeng speaking with Xie Shao Yuan and Chen Yongsheng, no one was looking their way.

"That’s mine..."

Xie Liangchen couldn’t stop in time and saw Song Xian’s lips part slightly, drinking the remaining water from the tea bowl.

When the tea bowl was set down, Song Xian’s lips glistened with moisture.

"What kind of tea is this?" Song Xian bent down, his voice even softer, "It’s sweet."

Xie Liangchen lowered her eyes, not meeting Song Xian’s gaze: "Just ordinary tea leaves." She didn’t find it sweet when drinking.

Song Xian said, "Perhaps because it’s Sister Chen’s tea, it tastes especially sweet."

To avoid overstepping, Song Xian stepped back two paces, putting on a very proper demeanor, watching Xie Liangchen from a distance, then turned to leave, returning with a tea kettle.

Chen Yongsheng noticed and remarked, "How can we let you fetch hot water?"

"I didn’t have the servants bring it in," Song Xian replied, "It’s better not to let them into such places."

Song Xian referred to the people arranged by the Xu Family in the residence.

"Brother," Chen Zigeng went to take the tea kettle, "I’ll pour water for everyone."

Chen Zigeng went around filling everyone’s tea bowls with hot water, ending with pouring it in front of Xie Liangchen.

The tea bowl was still the same one, only... it was different now.

Chen Zigeng said, "Sister, drink more hot water."

Song Xian had just used this tea bowl; how could she pick it up to drink again?

Xie Liangchen glanced at a certain someone pretending to be nonchalant.

Song Xian was the first to lift the tea to drink: "It’s cold outside; drinking hot water can warm you up."

"Huh, is there molasses in this tea kettle?" Chen Zigeng took a sip, "It’s really delicious."

Song Xian nodded. As he came over, he directed Chang An to prepare it in the kitchen: "The Old Madam has some too, as do Second Aunt and Hei Dan."

Chen Zigeng nodded, sipping his tea in small sips, and after finishing, he looked at Xie Liangchen: "Sister, give it a try!"

Xie Liangchen sighed inwardly, picked up the tea bowl to taste it, and indeed it was sweet. When she set the tea bowl down, she gave Song Xian a look; Brother Song didn’t drink the tea, lowering his head slightly, his fingers stroking the tea bowl, his eyes like crescent moons.

"Sister," Hei Dan entered, "The granny from the palace said you should go to the backyard to learn etiquette."

Xie Liangchen stood up. This etiquette needed to be learned for two more days, and then she could enter the palace to give thanks, marking the end of matters in the Capital.

"I’m going now."

Xie Liangchen got up and walked out.

Song Xian watched Xie Liangchen’s back, feeling an immediate emptiness as she walked away, the joy dissipating and replaced by coldness.

He didn’t feel this way before, but now, whenever he couldn’t see Xie Liangchen, the days seemed especially hard to endure.

When leaving the government office, Cheng Yanzhao wanted him to return to the Cheng Family with him, but he refused, only thinking about seeing Sister Chen sooner. The moment he saw Sister Chen, all the hardships disappeared like smoke.

He had never been so attached to someone; deep down, it felt very comforting.

...

The news in the Capital spreads quickly.

After the poetry gathering at the Xie Family dispersed, people soon started inquiring at the stationery and fur shops.

The wax paper hadn’t been sold yet, but the fur shops had the wool felt sent by Chen Family Village.

The stores selling Zhenzhou wool felt opened their doors at first light, and people were already waiting outside.

Manager Jiao, witnessing this scene, couldn’t help but feel amazed, wondering what luck he had for the people from Chen Family Village to choose his shop.

"Today selling wool felt is of secondary importance," Manager Jiao announced loudly, "Before selling, I want to explain the differences between Zhenzhou wool felt, flower felt, and the usual."

"Understanding these will help you see you’re getting a good deal with this wool felt."