CHAPTER 391: CHAPTER 388: WARMING HANDS

"Mr. Song, please get up!" Du Zheng personally helped Song Xian up, "The Emperor has granted your request. Those escorting Xiao Xingzong will be temporarily detained, and our family will take people to listen to the trial."

A hint of joy flashed across Song Xian’s face: "Sir, is this... really true?"

"How dare I speak carelessly," Du Zheng said with a sigh, "Mr. Song, even if you wish to offer advice next time, you can’t do it like this. Your repeated retorts were only possible because we are the Heavenly Family; even in anger, only a penalty of twenty strokes was given to you."

As Du Zheng spoke, he personally helped brush off the snow accumulating on Song Xian’s legs.

Song Xian hurriedly stopped him: "Sir, please do not do this."

"It was the Emperor’s order," Du Zheng said, "to have our family take good care of Mr. Song. The Emperor still cares about you, fearing your old injuries have not healed."

Upon hearing this, Song Xian immediately bowed in the direction of the palace, then reached out to grasp Du Zheng’s hand: "Lord Eunuch, let’s hurry to the Ministry of Justice Prison. By reaching a result early, we shall not disappoint the Emperor’s grace."

Seeing Song Xian like this, Du Zheng felt even more that Song Jiedu did not know the inside story, otherwise, how could he be eager in such a situation?

"Mr. Song, listen to what our family has to say," Du Zheng said, "Xiao Xingzong has not been poisoned mute."

"What?" Song Xian exclaimed in surprise, "This... isn’t... When we returned to the Capital, I spoke to Xiao Xingzong, he couldn’t say a word. Even when the doctor applied medicine to his hand, he didn’t utter a sound. How is this possible?"

"It’s absolutely true," Du Zheng said, "But exactly why this is, we will only know after a thorough investigation."

Song Xian’s expression changed from shock to joy, then quickly turned into a frown, clearly finding the current situation utterly perplexing.

Du Zheng said, "Having finally caught Xiao Xingzong, of course, we must examine the matter clearly. Mr. Song, don’t be too impatient. Whether it’s the Ministry of Justice or the Imperial Censor, both are skilled in handling cases. Besides, there’s our family listening in as well, so just go back and wait for the news at ease."

It was then that Song Xian calmed down. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Lord Eunuch."

"In the end, it was Mr. Song who captured Xiao Xingzong," Du Zheng said, "Our family is just doing our part."

Du Zheng looked at the sky: "It’s getting late, Mr. Song, you should go back. We will conduct the trial overnight and will soon have a conclusion."

After speaking, the eunuchs by Du Zheng’s side handed the golden sore medicine to Song Xian.

Du Zheng was the first to get on the sedan chair, taking several eunuchs to the Ministry of Justice.

After sending them off, Song Xian turned to find Chang An, and saw Chang Yue standing beside her.

Chang An stepped forward: "The Commandery Princess has arrived."

"Where?" Song Xian followed Chang An’s gaze, only to see Xie Liangchen walking towards them from a distance.

In this cold weather, how long had she been standing there? Song Xian quickened his pace to meet her.

"Are you cold?" When Song Xian was receiving his twenty strokes, he pondered whether he should show a little weakness upon seeing Liangchen to receive her concern. But now, seeing the figure standing in the snow and wind, all those thoughts were forgotten.

"The snow is getting heavier," Song Xian said, "Let’s go back to the Prefecture first."

Xie Liangchen didn’t move. She moved the veil from over her head, looking up at him with a pair of clear eyes.

Xie Liangchen asked, "What about you? Does it hurt?"

Song Xian felt like he was the snow landing on her forehead, melting instantly in that warmth.

Song Xian shook his head: "It doesn’t hurt."

What a liar. When she came over, she glimpsed from afar; Song Xian remained motionless, kneeling there, his shoulders and head covered with snow.

Never mind kneeling in the snow; just standing at a distance for a while, her feet were already numb from the cold.

Moreover, he had been struck with a rod earlier; how could it not hurt?

Xie Liangchen did not question Song Xian but tiptoed to adjust his hairpin. The warmth of her hand melted the snow, smoothing down the strands of hair that had fallen.

Xie Liangchen’s gaze was indescribably gentle: "The hairpin was a little messy, it’s fine now." No matter what, Song Xian was always neat and proper, even after being beaten, without any flaw.

Song Xian looked at her and saw his reflection in her eyes, then a corner of his eye slightly lifted into a smile.

In the snow and wind, he took her hand and hid it in his sleeve.

Song Xian’s hand had lost its usual warmth, stiff and cold like the snow. Noticing this, Song Xian released Xie Liangchen’s hand: "I’ll warm them up with a hand warmer when we go back..."

He hadn’t finished speaking when his hand was gripped back. Looking up, he saw Xie Liangchen with a slight smile: "We’ll ride ahead to the mount."

Her palm warmed his fingertips, holding him firmly along the way, just as he usually held her.

...

When Song Xian and Xie Liangchen arrived at the Xie Family, Old Mrs. Chen, Xie Shao Yuan, and the others had already received the news.

"Brother was beaten?" Calm Chen Zigeng’s face was also full of shock.

Mrs. Gao looked at the heavy snow outside: "Why, after being beaten, did he have to kneel at the palace gate? In such cold weather... and isn’t General Song a meritorious official? He just won a battle; why was he beaten?"

Mrs. Gao hadn’t heard much about court affairs; although she knew the officialdom wasn’t simple, General Song had just won in battle and retrieved Xiao Xingzong.

Each of these deeds is enough to be praised for a lifetime. Even if it couldn’t be praised forever, it shouldn’t lead to a beating now, right?

Xie Shao Yuan, not knowing the inside story, guessed it must be related to Xiao Xingzong. If something concerning Xiao Xingzong could conflict Song Xian and the Emperor, it would surely be Prince Guangyang’s case.

Song Xian was punished possibly because of them.

"They’ve returned, Liangchen and General Song both have come back." Chen Yongsheng quickly walked into the courtyard.

"Go straight to the east courtyard," Mrs. Gao said, "I’ll bring over a couple of braziers."

Hei Dan went with Mrs. Gao to help, and Chen Zigeng helped lift Old Mrs. Chen. The group hurried to check on Song Xian’s condition.

The colder the weather, the worse the injury gets. Old Mrs. Chen was extremely worried. The Capital City wasn’t a place to stay long. One word from the palace, a reward if they wish, a punishment if they will—not liking this place, after returning to the North, she didn’t want to come back anymore.

As people entered the room, they heard Xie Liangchen instructing Chang An: "Fetch some warm water; clean the master’s wounds first, then apply the external medicine."

Chang An responded affirmatively.

Xie Liangchen said, "Check carefully to see if there are any internal injuries."

Chang An replied, "Rest assured, Commandery Princess."

As he finished speaking, Chang An saw Old Mrs. Chen and Xie Shao Yuan approaching to pay respects, but Song Xian in the room quickly stepped forward first.

Old Mrs. Chen motioned to Song Xian: "Go see to your injuries quickly, don’t let us worry, we’re all family, no need for formalities at a time like this."

Song Xian still adhered to protocol and said afterward: "The Palace Department wasn’t too harsh; Grandmother and Uncle need not worry. The medicine will soon set it right."

Xie Shao Yuan also said, "Go quickly! Don’t take this weather lightly."

Song Xian and Chang An turned to the inner room.

Old Mrs. Chen held Xie Liangchen: "What exactly is the reason behind all this?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head: "I didn’t have time to ask in detail."

Father and daughter exchanged glances. Xie Shao Yuan, knowing his guess was mostly accurate, listened to the sounds from the inner room, sighed, and went in. He needed to personally see Song Xian’s injury, lest the child hides the bad and reports only the good.