CHAPTER 395: CHAPTER 392 RESULT

When Xie Shao Yuan entered the room, he saw Song Xian lying on the kang flipping through official documents, while Liangchen sat far away, holding a small bowl and dissolving medicine pills.

Chen Zigeng stepped forward and took over his sister’s task: "Today, I’ll be the one to dissolve the medicine, and later I’ll help Brother change his dressing."

Xie Liangchen handed it over with a smile: "Alright, I’ll leave it all to you."

Chen Zigeng glanced at his General brother, who looked in good spirits, not like someone who was ill. It must be thanks to Sister’s care.

Xie Liangchen stood up: "I’ve arranged to visit the Li Family with a few young ladies today."

Xie Shao Yuan replied: "Is it to look at the herbal medicine illustrations?"

Xie Liangchen nodded: "We should be able to compile a booklet before leaving the capital. As long as the first booklet is done well, the subsequent albums will be much easier."

Song Xian looked outside, the snow had stopped but the wind was still strong: "Wear extra clothes when you go out, there has been some movement in the capital these past days, have Chang Yue bring more people with you."

Xie Liangchen responded: "Understood."

After Xie Liangchen left, Song Xian withdrew his gaze.

Xie Shao Yuan asked: "How much of the official documents have you read?"

Song Xian, in front of Xie Shao Yuan, was quite forthright: "Not much."

Xie Shao Yuan sighed inwardly, men who marry virtuous wives may differ in other aspects, but they all have thick skins.

Xie Shao Yuan said: "Are there so many matters to attend to in the eight states right now?"

Song Xian replied: "These are the roster of officials sent by the Ministry of Personnel. Some are students of the Capital Governor. The Governor has always been clear-minded as an official, so his students must be outstanding. Our previous considerations were not wrong, ever since Liangchen sold pink wax paper and wool felt in the capital, many officials who wish to work have requested to be stationed in the eight states."

Xie Shao Yuan nodded.

Song Xian smiled: "Liangchen has been a great help to me."

Of course, Xie Shao Yuan took pride in hearing Song Xian praise his daughter, it always brought joy to his heart.

Xie Shao Yuan said: "The court has summoned you to the capital, wanting everyone to see who will take over the eight states in the future. Eight-tenths of the Pseudo King’s officials can’t be used, and the vacancies are numerous. Deciding who goes to the eight states is not just about selecting officials, but also about officials selecting you. Only when political views are aligned can there be achievements."

Song Xian seized the opportunity: "Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou are stable now. In the coming years, I’ll focus on the affairs of the eight states."

"Xinzhou is close to the other states. Next spring, I want to take Liangchen to Xinzhou and carve out a place for the Chen Family Village there. Xinzhou to Zhenzhou has some distance, having footholds in both places will make things convenient for everyone. What does Father-in-law think?"

Xie Shao Yuan pondered; what Song Xian said was indeed sensible, though... Song Xian mentioned taking Liangchen to Xinzhou in the spring, how would he take her there? Liangchen could go by herself, why would she need him unless she accompanied him as his wife?

With the groundwork laid, Song Xian was certainly going to mention the wedding date next.

Xie Shao Yuan spoke before Song Xian could: "Next spring? Do you think it’s feasible?"

Song Xian’s plans were uncovered, yet he wasn’t anxious, he boldly continued: "It’s feasible. I’m no longer young, Grandma has actually already prepared the betrothal gifts, it’s just that the residence in Zhenzhou hasn’t been renovated, but I don’t plan to marry there."

Xie Shao Yuan was a bit surprised: "You want to go to the ancestral residence in Dingzhou?"

"No," Song Xian said, "Father-in-law is aware of my relationship with my father. Even though Mrs. Rong and Song Yu are currently imprisoned, human sentiments are not laws, and what has been done cannot be forgotten after sentencing. My father and I cannot interact like ordinary father and son."

Xie Shao Yuan seemed to understand a bit: "Then you..."

Song Xian replied: "I want to marry in Chen Family Village. Naturally, the houses and lands I’ve acquired over the years will all be handed over to Liangchen. I’ll also tidy up the residence in Zhenzhou. Wherever Liangchen likes to live, we’ll go there. I mentioned leaving land in Xinzhou for the same reason, so everyone is together, and no matter what we do, it’ll be convenient."

"After we marry, I’ll go out to inspect the camps, knowing that Liangchen is with Father-in-law and Grandmother does bring me peace."

Xie Shao Yuan softened: "The marriage should take place in your courtyard first, and where to live afterwards is up to you. From the capital, we’ll start preparing the wedding. I’ll discuss the specific date with your grandmother."

Song Xian gratefully prepared to kneel and thank Xie Shao Yuan, but was pushed back by Xie Shao Yuan: "Recover well from your injuries; it’s unfit to marry wounded. Your health is important, we have ample time."

Song Xian noted: "I see Father-in-law practices martial arts in the courtyard daily."

Xie Shao Yuan nodded: "Mr. Xu says daily exercise helps my lung condition. Unfortunately, the injury affected the root, and I can’t manage the set of martial arts from my youth now."

Song Xian said: "Once I’m healed, Father-in-law can teach me the martial arts, and I’ll refine it for you."

Xie Shao Yuan chuckled: "It’s alright; my matters aren’t urgent."

The two men continued talking for a while longer before Xie Shao Yuan stepped out of the room. Chen Zigeng approached and grabbed Xie Shao Yuan’s hand eagerly: "Uncle, has Sister’s wedding date been set before the spring plowing?"

Xie Shao Yuan pinched Chen Zigeng’s nose: "You seem eager for your Sister to marry soon?"

Chen Zigeng shook his head: "Brother said he wants to move to Chen Family Village. With Sister married, not only doesn’t she leave, but she can even bring Brother back. What’s bad about that? I’ve been looking forward to it."

Chen Zigeng spoke quickly, and Xie Shao Yuan caught the secret: "When did you know?"

"A long time ago," Chen Zigeng laughed, "when Brother frequently came to Chen Family Village, I knew. That was even before everyone started making thread tassels."

So early?

Xie Shao Yuan was surprised to learn that the first to know about these matters wasn’t the grandmother, but Zigeng, the child.

As Xie Shao Yuan exited the courtyard, he saw Chang An rushing over.

"Master," Chang An saluted Xie Shao Yuan, "There’s movement at the Ministry of Justice. I came to deliver news to you."

Xie Shao Yuan asked: "Has the verdict been reached?"

Chang An responded: "People from the Palace Department went to the Jiang Family and captured Vice General Jiang, who frequently interacted with Wei Junshi. This Vice General Jiang was once a trusted person beside Commander Wang in Xizhou."

Xie Shao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, now he could relax: "Quickly inform your master!"

...

Du Zheng wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and looked at Vice General Jiang who was brought in: "I’ve also been awake the entire night, if there’s anything you need to say, say it clearly. The Emperor is waiting for me to report back. If I’m late, I will face punishment."

Vice General Jiang appeared uneasy: "Did the eunuch make a mistake?"

"No mistake," Du Zheng picked up an account book, "Wei Junshi drugged his colleague to replace him in escorting Xiao Xingzong, and that medicine was bought by your steward, here’s the account book from the pharmacy, everything is recorded clearly."

"Not me," Vice General Jiang said, "that’s because someone at home had a cough, and the steward went to get medicine for it. Please see if the medicine is for treating a cough?"

"Treating a cough, but it can also induce diarrhea," Du Zheng chuckled, "didn’t expect Vice General Jiang to remember so clearly."

After finishing, Du Zheng waved his hand: "Why wait? Escort Vice General Jiang for interrogation."

Vice General Jiang was taken to the torture room, and soon, the sound of screams could be heard.

Du Zheng washed his hands: "Time to return to the palace." He had to hurry to report the matter to the Emperor.

Indeed, someone instructed Wei Junshi, but that person was clearly not Song Xian.