CHAPTER 412: 409 CHAPTER SMOOTH

The Liao people across from Lingqiu kept watching as Song Xian rode into the city, and everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Song Xian has returned to Dai State Pass."

The Third Prince Ge Kun said with a gloomy face, "Go back and report!" After being captured by Song Xian, it was difficult to return to the Liao State, and this time he was utterly humiliated.

Originally intending to lock himself at home permanently, he didn’t expect the Empress Dowager and his father to assign him this task, making him face Song Xian once more.

Upon seeing Song Xian again, what resurfaced in Ge Kun’s mind was the scene when he was captured by Song Xian. He understood the painstaking efforts of the Empress Dowager and his father, trying to lift him from this shadow, but he didn’t know when he could muster the courage to lead troops against Song Xian again.

The Empress Dowager was reminding him that since he wasn’t confident in leading troops against the Qi people, for the time being, he shouldn’t entertain other thoughts and should focus on managing the market well.

...

When Song Xian returned to the city, Chang An came to report: "The Commandery Princess has arrived in Dai State, and she is in Wang Family Village teaching everyone to use the spinning wheel."

Just in time. He had retrieved the fur, and the spinning wheels were ready. Next, they could start washing the wool and spinning the thread tassel.

Chang An said, "Ge Kun also returned with his men, and a few deputy generals are watching here. The place isn’t far from Wang Family Village, and if there’s anything, they’ll report to the village."

It means the lord can go to see the Commandery Princess.

Song Xian naturally wanted to see Liangchen immediately, but the Liao troops hadn’t gone far, so he still felt uneasy.

Song Xian said, "Wait a little longer, and use this opportunity to drill the troops." After settling matters here, he would return to Zhenzhou for the wedding, making sure the pass would not have any errors during his absence.

Chang An responded, "I’ll immediately have the deputy general come to the central army tent."

It took a whole day to deliver the large spinning wheels to three villages in Dai State.

Liu Erniang, Zheng, and some women began to teach everyone how to use the spinning wheels.

The women used the spinning wheels inside the house, while kids like Hu Zi stood guard outside the courtyard.

Seeing Xie Liangchen come out, Hu Zi immediately approached: "Sister Chen, are you tired?"

Xie Liangchen was about to shake her head when she saw Hu Zi open the bamboo basket in his arms, revealing a tea flask inside.

"Sister," Hu Zi said, "The water is still warm; drink some before going to Qiao Family Village."

Xie Liangchen felt a softness in her heart and took the bamboo basket from Hu Zi: "Have you been carrying it just now? Isn’t it heavy?"

"Not heavy," Hu Zi said crisply, "Sister, drink up quickly; it’ll cool down soon."

Xie Liangchen poured a bowl of water and drank it; the warm water was very sweet. She looked at Hu Zi, and Hu Zi’s smile deepened.

Hu Zi said, "Sister, I’ll lead the way to Qiao Family Village."

It felt like being back during the Dai State’s military actions, when Hu Zi had led her to the surrounding villages.

Along the way, Hu Zi kept talking about recent matters: "They all said Sister wasn’t coming back, but I told them Sister would keep her promise and definitely return."

Hu Zi became increasingly happier, "Tonight, Sister, stay at my house; Uncle from the village helped set up a new bed, and I’ve been planning to let Sister stay when she returns, squeezing in with Brother from Uncle’s house."

Xie Liangchen could imagine how, during such winters, Hu Zi constantly planned for her, eagerly awaiting her arrival in Dai State.

Hu Zi and a few little kids walked beside Xie Liangchen. Everyone listened to Hu Zi, occasionally bursting with laughter. Xie Liangchen looked at these children and felt a greater sense of closeness, as if she returned to Zhenzhou. Back then, she too led the kids like Hei Dan to gather herbs in the mountains, with Hei Dan and others reciting medicinal materials as they walked.

"Up ahead is Qiao Family Village, Sister," Hu Zi said, "Do you remember? During the Dai State’s military events, you came over..."

Before Hu Zi could finish, they heard a commotion.

"Grab him."

"That’s him, don’t know how he sneaked into the village."

The Qiao Family Village residents surrounded a man.

"These past few days many have come to the village, and he mingled among them. I sensed something was off," a woman said loudly, "I followed him and indeed saw him head toward the yard with the spinning wheels."

"What were you going to do? Spy on the spinning wheels or try to damage them?"

The woman’s voice was loud, and coupled with the villagers’ round-eyed stares with an unwilling-to-let-go demeanor, it instilled terror in the man’s expression.

"I didn’t," the man stammered, "I just heard your village has a large spinning wheel and was curious, so..."

"Don’t deceive us," the woman said, "County Magistrate Qu mentioned, villages wanting large spinning wheels could approach the government office, and even if you don’t go there, explain to the village chief. Sneaking like this shows insidious intentions."

"Right, Second Sister-in-law is correct," the villagers said, "With the village chief absent, let’s bind him first and wait for the chief’s return to send him to the government office."

The villagers gained resolve, swiftly proceeding to bind the man tightly with grass ropes.

The loud woman said, "Our spinning wheels haven’t been put to use yet, and already someone tries this; how can this happen in the future? More people are needed for patrolling the village."

Seeing the matter resolved, Hu Zi and his friends came forward, and the villagers noticed Xie Liangchen.

Xie Liangchen stepped forward, and everyone wanted to pay respects, but she hurriedly said, "I came to see the spinning wheels; please, everyone, don’t be so courteous."

The previously angry woman softened upon seeing Xie Liangchen: "The Commandery Princess didn’t know; he was hiding in the courtyard, intending to enter the room with the spinning wheels once we left. How could I let him succeed? I shouted, and he saw he was discovered, turned to flee, but luckily we were prepared."

This woman was from the village chief’s family, commonly called Second Sister-in-law Li, a straightforward person.

Second Sister-in-law Li said, "These spinning wheels are more important than our lives; how could we let anything happen to them?" She had seen firsthand how Zhenzhou people worked tirelessly to produce them.

Among the three spinning wheels made, one was placed in their village, representing trust, and she wished to watch them day and night for assurance.

Second Sister-in-law Li added, "Such people should not be allowed into the village in the future."

Seeing the villagers’ cautiousness, Xie Liangchen felt relieved.

With spinning wheels now in use in Dai State, once she was married, the other states would also be prepared.

As they were about to move into the village, they heard the sound of hooves approaching; it was the Song Family’s House General coming to report.

Chang Yue listened to the message and approached Xie Liangchen: "The lord sent people to deliver the wool to the government office; once the documents are ready, the village chief will retrieve it."

Xie Liangchen asked, "Where’s Song Xian now? Still at the pass?"

Chang Yue nodded, "The lord asks you not to worry; everything is smooth over there. Staying behind is also for troop training; early tomorrow, he will return to Dai State."

Xie Liangchen said, "I understand."

Chang Yue pursed his lips: "The lord also asked... if you’re ready over here? Once he returns, he will take you back to Zhenzhou..." to marry.

It was getting increasingly hard for him, yet the lord had him deliver such words.