CHAPTER 404: CHAPTER 401: A HAPPY OCCASION

Song Xian understood the principle of moderation and bowed to Xie Shao Yuan: "I will go pay my respects to Old Mrs. Chen, and I’ll visit again tomorrow."

Being together every day doesn’t really require a visit; it’s just an opportunity to get closer.

Though Xie Shao Yuan sighed inwardly, he couldn’t help but be very satisfied with Song Xian. Despite seeking various opportunities to come privately and often lingering at home, he was very respectful in public, respecting Liangchen and not making things difficult for him.

Truly impeccable.

Song Xian went to bid farewell to Old Mrs. Chen and also met Mr. Dongli and Mr. Xu. Mr. Dongli helped him get introduced to the Zhaoyi Jiedu Envoy. He brought a gift from the Capital City to express his gratitude to the two gentlemen.

Before leaving the capital, Li You met him privately and informed him that several students of the Capital Governor are truly talented. Whether Song Xian could achieve anything in the eight states or recruit them would depend on him.

Li You also provided a roster of spies planted by the Emperor. These individuals cannot be moved for now to avoid arousing the Emperor’s suspicion towards Song Xian.

Li You also inquired about Prince Guangyang’s case. Li You had some insights into the events of those years, and now he had concrete evidence. Song Xian could feel Li You’s disappointment in the Emperor; otherwise, Li You wouldn’t have come to meet him.

Mr. Dongli said, "My disciple isn’t very smart and is somewhat stubborn, always grateful for the Emperor’s recognition. Even after I retired, he has stayed by the Emperor’s side. Now, with many truths becoming clear, he will slowly understand."

"Not just Li You, but many ministers in the court are like this."

Mr. Dongli stopped at that.

Song Xian thanked Mr. Dongli once again.

After Song Xian left, Mr. Dongli looked at the books, pens, ink, and inkstones, as well as some paintings he received from Song Xian. He took out an unfolded piece, which was the "Congratulations Painting" by a famous artist of the previous dynasty.

There were also some cup sets and other items that came in pairs.

Xu Tingzhen glanced over at them. Despite being older, his eyes still had a hint of avoidance, unable to face them with Mr. Dongli’s calmness.

Mr. Dongli stroked his beard, carefully appreciating the painting. Song Xian was undoubtedly a sensible young man.

After Song Xian left, Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng helped Old Mrs. Chen come to see Mr. Dongli and Mr. Xu.

Xie Liangchen assisted Mr. Xu in the kitchen, where they were making herbal tea for Mr. Dongli.

This time, upon returning, Xie Liangchen noticed that Mr. Dongli’s spirits had improved significantly, and his face had regained some vitality, likely due to Mr. Xu’s daily herbal remedies.

Xie Liangchen said, "When are you planning to hold the wedding ceremony, Mr. Xu?"

Xu Tingzhen smiled, "I haven’t asked you yet, and here you are concerned about me. We’re both old now, so there’s no need for a grand ceremony. Just prepare the documents, perform the rites, and move our belongings together."

Xie Liangchen said softly, "When I was in the Capital, I made some embroidery for you. Though I’m clumsy and had help from my second aunt, I will personally make the robes for both gentlemen."

Xu Tingzhen looked at Xie Liangchen, surprised that she was getting married at this age. Now she and Dongli had no family and relatives, but fortunately, they had two disciples, like their children.

"Don’t be too worried," Xu Tingzhen said, "you still need to prepare your own dowry."

Xu Tingzhen then asked about Xie Liangchen’s situation in the Capital, and the two examined the medicinal herb illustrations.

Xu Tingzhen said, "Once the eight states start growing and harvesting medicinal herbs, these illustrations will be useful."

Xie Liangchen said, "There’s much to prepare before the spring plowing; we have to start the Paper Workshop and make large spinning wheels. We can also improve the previous spinning wheels. Song Xian took the spinning wheel designs to the Military Equipment Supervision for modifications, and they seem fine, but we need to test if they can be produced."

Xu Tingzhen said, "Are these spinning wheels intended for the eight states?"

Xie Liangchen nodded, "Let my fourth uncle take people to the eight states and find some craftsmen there to make the large spinning wheels. Mr. Xu knows many states have workshops that make weapons and tents, but the items produced in the workshops in the Eight States are quite rough, and improving them will require manpower."

"If we were to start building workshops to make weapons now, it might raise suspicion from the court. Instead, we can modify the spinning wheels and use blacksmith shops as a cover to recruit and train our craftsmen."

Creating the wool felt and pink wax paper is meant to attract dedicated craftsmen to the eight states.

There’s much to be done.

Xu Tingzhen smoothed Xie Liangchen’s hair and said, "Don’t overwork yourself."

Xie Liangchen responded.

Xu Tingzhen said, "You’ll be heading to Xinzhou in a few days, won’t you?" Observing Liangchen’s demeanor, it was obvious she was concerned about the situation in the eight states and would go ahead to check.

Xie Liangchen said, "I promised Hu Zi that I’d return to visit them once things are settled here." She was always worried about Hu Zi and the others, unsure of how they were doing. They likely still weren’t eating rice, but they should be able to eat enough coarse grains.

The previous trip to Dai State was due to the chaos of war, and this time she hoped to bring more to genuinely help everyone through the crisis.

Xu Tingzhen said, "When will we see the eight states filled with crops? It’s quite close; once you go the spinning wheels will be there, and once we have the market, we can trade for wool and make thread tassels, woolen fabrics, and wool felt."

"Step by step, it will get better within two years."

With the herbal tea ready, Xie Liangchen, Xu Tingzhen, and Old Mrs. Chen went inside. After exchanging just a couple of words, they heard the sound of Old Mrs. Chen snoring echoing in the room.

Xie Liangchen and Xu Tingzhen exchanged smiles,

Xu Tingzhen took the wool felt and covered Old Mrs. Chen with it. Xie Liangchen stoked the charcoal fire; she hadn’t heard her grandmother snore so loudly in a long time.

It’s because they finally felt at ease at home.

...

Song Family.

Song Xian changed clothes and went to Old Mrs. Song’s room.

Song Qizheng, having heard that Song Xian could make it to Zhenzhou today, left the government office early to wait with Old Mrs. Song.

When the father and son met, their demeanor remained distant, but fortunately it was no longer as tense as before. Song Qizheng asked Song Xian about matters in the Capital, and hearing his son respond formally, he couldn’t sit still, stood up saying he had matters at the government office, and left the courtyard.

With Song Qizheng gone, Song Xian’s expression softened.

"Come quickly and tell me," Old Mrs. Song said with a smile, "How does Old Master Xie treat you now? Has he agreed to let Liangchen marry you soon?"

Song Xian sat beside Old Mrs. Song: "It’s not completely settled yet, but if grandmother proposes it, it’s almost certain."

Old Mrs. Song nodded with satisfaction: "That’s good."

Song Xian poured hot water for Old Mrs. Song and took out some pastries he brought from the Capital: "Grandmother, have a taste. They’re not overly sweet, so should suit your palate."

Looking at her grandson’s demeanor, Old Mrs. Song felt that her grandson had changed greatly. Before, he’d only visit her briefly, hastily coming and going, unlike now, where he sat so peacefully.

"Tomorrow, grandmother will go to Chen Family Village," Old Mrs. Song said, "to set your wedding date early. So you can be at ease. If it doesn’t work, I’ll stay at Chen Family Village for a while."