CHAPTER 409: CHAPTER 406: IT’S ALL IN THE PAST

Mrs. Gao finished speaking and took Xie Liangchen’s fingers to look at them. Miss Chen was capable in everything she did, however, her needlework was another matter; it wasn’t that Liangchen did it poorly, but she had to put in twice the effort, resulting in hands full of wounds, unlike others who only needed half the effort.

Xie Liangchen asked, "Which day has been set?"

Mrs. Gao raised her head, rare to see Miss Chen’s cheeks blushing with a hint of shyness in her eyes, she laughed and said, "Could it be any other day? Old Mrs. Song is staying here to ensure the earliest possible date is set, February 26th."

No matter whose female relatives they were, when encountering a sincere prospective family like the Song Family, one must give some respect. The entire Chen Family Village could see that the Song Family genuinely wanted to bring Liangchen into their home.

It was no wonder the Song Family acted this way; who wouldn’t want such a wonderful Miss Chen?

February 26th, and it was almost February now, Xie Liangchen felt like she hadn’t prepared anything.

Was she really getting married soon?

Mrs. Gao looked at Xie Liangchen’s dazed look and softly said, "Don’t worry, the Song Family promised that in the future you could bring your husband to live in Chen Family Village, not like many families where once the daughter is married, she’s seldom able to return home. From now on, we will still be together."

Mrs. Gao paused slightly here: "If your husband dares to treat you poorly, just let us know, we will all protect you."

Upon hearing these words, Xie Liangchen nodded, "Second Aunt, I understand."

She was dazed not because she was afraid of getting married, but because she thought of her previous life’s bewilderment. When she left Zhenzhou back then, her heart felt desolated. She lost her parents at a young age and was kidnapped. Even though she finally found her family, she ended up sold off to the Su Family by her Second Uncle, thereafter becoming powerless in everything she did, not knowing where her future lay, trapped in darkness.

Now, it was different. Everything ahead was clear. She knew she was marrying someone she loved, believing that he would treat her well and cherish her. She knew that no matter how difficult the road ahead, they would face it together.

Although there was the nervousness of becoming a wife, there was also anticipation and joy.

Mrs. Gao said, "Mr. Dongli’s robe is about to be sewn, and whatever needs stitching afterward, we will help you."

Xie Liangchen responded, with her needlework skills, she could only make clothes for the two teachers, her grandmother, and father. For the rest, the village’s women had to help her.

With the wedding date so near, they had to rush to make many things.

Xie Liangchen asked, "Is Old Mrs. Song still talking with Grandmother and Father?"

"Yes," Mrs. Gao laughed, "the old lady still has many questions for your Aunt; it’s my first time seeing such a groom’s family, wanting to ask the bride’s family for their opinions on everything."

While Mrs. Gao was speaking, Chen Yuyu entered the room.

Chen Yuyu happened to hear this, and interjected, "It’s Sister’s blessing."

"Blessings are earned," Mrs. Gao looked at Chen Yuyu, "You too, your Second Uncle agreed to the Miao Family but with prior conditions that you mustn’t be wronged. Learn well from your Sister; being humble doesn’t earn respect, true skill does. Isn’t this how our Chen Family Village is?"

Chen Yuyu nodded seriously, "I... I will learn well from Sister."

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but laugh; what was originally her matter had now made Yu’yu so tense.

Mrs. Gao continued, "What else was discussed?"

Chen Yuyu lowered her voice, "Old Mrs. Song said that we are too busy with too many preparations, that much of the needlework doesn’t need us to do it since the Song Family has everything ready. If we really find it not good, she would send their embroideresses to help, and said not to worry about the formalities, Sister can do whatever she wishes during this period."

"Even if she leaves Zhenzhou, she can take more people with her."

Mrs. Gao felt increasingly satisfied; it was rare for the Song Family to be so considerate for Liangchen.

"I’ll go take another look at the front," Mrs. Gao instructed Xie Liangchen, "You just sit at the Familiar Medicine Institute, and I’ll come to tell you if there’s news."

After Mrs. Gao left, Chen Yuyu stepped forward a few steps, "If brother-in-law knows the wedding date is set, he’ll be surely delighted."

A few days ago, Song Xian left with colleagues for the eight states. Among them were Chen Yongyi and others. They would first go to Xinzhou and then to Dai State. Counting the time, they should now be nearing Wang Family Village.

...

Song Xian arrived in Xinzhou, first meeting with Old General Zhang and others, then went to the government office to attend to business. Lately, officials sent by the Ministry of Personnel had been arriving one after another.

Once the state and county officials took office, the slightly chaotic situation would begin to improve.

Zhang Weihe thought Song Xian would spend at least some days in Zhenzhou. Unexpectedly, Song Xian arrived quickly in Xinzhou and decisively instructed arriving officials to report to their posts within seven days.

The officials left by the Pseudo King were all to be reviewed. Those found corrupt and abusive would be imprisoned, while those conscientiously carrying out their duties could remain after verification.

Over the past days, Song Xian handled the most urgent matters overnight and the next day, led his team towards Dai State.

Compared to Xinzhou, Dai State, having experienced repeated wars over many years, was in even worse condition.

Upon hearing the Military Governor had arrived, the people of Dai State greeted him along the road, with many praises heard.

"Nineteen years... the court finally reclaimed the eight states..."

"We are grateful for the court’s relief efforts."

Song Xian reined in his horse, dismounted, and broke through the crowd to find an old man.

The old man was emaciated, his complexion sallow, dressed in rough cloth; he stood there shivering, shouting along with the others.

"Grateful to the Daqi Court..."

The old man sensed a stir around him, raised his head, and found that the Song Military Governor should be on horseback, was now standing before him.

As the old man bent his legs to kneel, Song Xian firmly held his arm.

Song Xian said, "There’s no need for that, old man."

"Military Governor Song." The old man didn’t know what words of gratitude to say.

Song Xian asked, "Who made you come here?"

"This..." The old man instinctively looked at the not-far-off government officials.

Those officials were leftover from the former regime. After the Pseudo King was captured, they were anxious, fearing repercussions from Song Xian. They organized the locals to welcome the Governor in an attempt to curry favor.

Song Xian followed the old man’s gaze, and those officials nearly kneeled on the spot.

Withdrawing his gaze, Song Xian continued asking the old man, "Has the court’s relief grain been enough?"

"No one’s starving," the old man replied, "The relief grain is sufficient, there’s no longer any hunger..."

The old man hadn’t finished when he noticed his shrunken stomach being touched, yesterday he’d only eaten some coarse grains and husks, leaving him empty.

Song Xian asked, "Is this what you call full?"

The old man stood there in shock, unsure of what to say or whether this was fortune or misfortune. His legs softened slightly but the Military Governor’s gentle gaze reassured him, preventing him from fainting from fear.

"I know the relief grain isn’t enough," Song Xian said, "but I will find a way to feed everyone. You’ve all endured much hardship before, but those days are over."

"From now on, anything previously unspeakable can now be said, as there will be those who will speak on your behalf. The government office... is everyone’s; the officials inside are your parents in governance."

The days of shivering in darkness, struggling in pain, are gone.

All the endless pain that couldn’t be spoken, all the fear and resentment, are gone.

All of it is over.

"From this day on, as long as it’s a place guarded by me, Song Xian, if any officials oppress or force the people, they will be imprisoned."

After saying this, some of the solemnity left Song Xian’s face, and he said to the crowd, "There are people who have brought enough food for all to eat."

Only then did the people regain their senses, one by one, their eyes reddened as they looked at the young Military Governor, their gazes filled with hope.