CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 53 RECOGNITION

Mr. Dongli’s question, the old woman didn’t answer immediately.

The entire Chen Family Village is filled with happiness, especially when those children eagerly come forward to recognize the medicine, each face full of hope. Although she only walked around the Chen Family Village once, she could see everything clearly.

Walking in the village, she suddenly remembered the Northwest under the governance of Prince Guangyang, and the image of Prince Guangyang and the Princess appeared before her, making her feel a pang of bitterness in her chest.

Miss Xie is also a smart person. She knows that collecting medicine with the villagers will definitely compete with the pharmacists, so she processes the Huang Jing at home. But where does Miss Xie plan to sell this processed Huang Jing?

She really wanted to know to what extent Miss Xie would lead the Chen Family Village.

Xu Tingzhen retracted her thoughts, turned to look at Mr. Dongli, "That village has no problems, you can rest assured." After saying that she walked towards her residence, which was adjacent to Mr. Dongli’s courtyard.

"Why don’t you come inside and talk, I can also help you ponder..."

Before Mr. Dongli could finish his words, the old woman reached out and closed the two wooden doors, leaving Mr. Dongli’s smiling face behind them.

Li You watched the scene of the teacher being shut out, and couldn’t help but open his mouth wide in surprise. A teacher could also fall into such a predicament?

Just as Li You wanted to speak, Mr. Dongli widened his eyes: "Why aren’t you going to the government office, staying here for what?"

A dignified court official, upon hearing this, dared not delay and quickly walked away.

Watching the back of Li You, Mr. Dongli showed a hint of gratified expression. After many years, his apprentice still remembered to act on behalf of the people, proving he hadn’t taught the wrong person entirely.

He also knew that Li You had been secretly searching for him, but he didn’t want to appear again, not wishing to serve anyone, especially the high and mighty Emperor.

He once thought the Emperor was a rare wise ruler, but he indeed underestimated the power of the throne; it can make a person lose their true self.

...

Song Xian received news from Chang Yue, and instructed someone to delve deeper, discovering the whereabouts of that old woman.

Not only that, but it also conveniently resolved Song Xian’s confusion.

Song Xian knew Li You went to Zhenzhou to meet an old man but always didn’t know the identity of that old man.

Li You and the old man stayed in the room together, and the spies sent by Song Xian didn’t overhear their conversation.

Until today, when the old woman returned to her residence, Li You and the old man welcomed her outside.

Li You was respectful in front of the old man and warmly called him "teacher."

There are few people whom Li You would call in this manner, and the question that’s been circling in Song Xian’s mind for days suddenly had answers. He already knew Li You well, matching the old man’s age, could it be Li You’s teacher, the long "deceased" Mr. Dongli?

Before Daqi was founded, Mr. Dongli was already assisting the current Emperor, and Li You apprenticed under him. But in the third year of Yuanping, Mr. Dongli left the Capital City to recuperate due to illness; the following year, news of his death spread, and he hasn’t appeared since.

Time has passed so long, even if Song Xian was reborn, he still couldn’t guess Li You’s visit to Zhenzhou and meeting Mr. Dongli.

Cheng Yanzhao also heard of Mr. Dongli’s name.

Cheng Yanzhao wondered, "If he really is Li You’s teacher, did Li You come to find him just for himself or under the Emperor’s orders?"

If it’s under the Emperor’s orders, is the Emperor preparing to invite this teacher back to the court as Minister of the Secretariat?

Minister of the Secretariat is the position of Prime Minister.

Song Xian pondered, in the previous life this teacher didn’t appear beside the Emperor, he also hadn’t heard of Mr. Dongli still being alive.

Cheng Yanzhao couldn’t decipher what Song Xian was thinking, so he kept asking questions: "Someone who knows that teacher went to Chen Family Village and met Miss Xie, why did they make this trip?"

Perhaps it’s because Mr. Dongli valued the approach of the Chen Family Village, suggesting possibly Mr. Dongli might agree with Song Xian.

Song Xian raised his eyes, he understood Cheng Yanzhao’s meaning. Cheng Yanzhao hoped Mr. Dongli would stand on his side, once Mr. Dongli became the Prime Minister, it would naturally benefit him.

Song Xian knew things from the previous life could be changed, but this matter hasn’t reached the favorable moment, though it is indeed a good opportunity for him.

Cheng Yanzhao leaned closer, lowering his voice: "Perhaps the third time will come soon, you truly found someone who can work for you."

Song Xian’s slender eyes looked over, frightening Cheng Yanzhao into shrinking back.

Song Xian calmly instructed Chang An: "Is there still toad oil sent by Miss Xie?"

Chang An bowed: "Yes."

Song Xian casually said: "Put some in Mr. Cheng’s soup."

Cheng Yanzhao covered his mouth and hastily waved his hands, swearing he would never be overly talkative again.

Chang An walked out; fearing the chef might tamper with his food, Cheng Yanzhao quickly followed.

The room quieted down, Song Xian paced to the window, perhaps he should visit Chen Family Village and give her a few pointers.

"Young Master," Chang An reported as he entered, "Old Mrs. Song had someone send for you to return to the mansion."

After Song Min was imprisoned, Song Xian hadn’t returned to the National Guardian General Mansion. Old Mrs. Song missed her grandson and had someone go fetch Song Xian early in the morning to have breakfast with her.

Everyone in the National Guardian General Mansion knows that this time the master and the young master had quite a serious dispute. The guards from both sides got into fights and were injured; the Third Young Master was even imprisoned, while the master kept a stern face, leaving early and returning late, and Madam lost interest in food and drink, staying in her room crying all day. Second Young Master, who hadn’t yet recovered from his injuries, had to get out of bed and comfort the Madam.

The master scolded together with Second Young Master, and in his defense, Second Young Master became too agitated, causing his back injury to reopen.

In short, troubles kept coming one after another, and the people in the mansion were careful even while walking, not daring to make any noise for fear of inviting trouble.

As Song Xian stepped into the mansion, those serving around him held their breath, cautiously responding.

Entering Old Mrs. Song’s courtyard, he saw in the main hall, Song Yu was talking to Old Mrs. Song. Song Yu looked up and saw Song Xian, quickly stepping out of the room.

"Big Brother, you’re back." Song Yu greeted Song Xian.

Song Xian seemed not to see, his steps continued forward.

"Big Brother," Song Yu was particularly patient today, "couldn’t you help Song Min for the sake of our close family ties? I’m afraid he won’t endure being in jail for long, mother said if Min could return, we’ll move to Dingzhou, leaving this ancestral house for you to use."

"Second Young Master Song, you’ve found the wrong person," Song Xian said indifferently, "This case is reviewed by Li You, whether asking for punishment or mercy, it shouldn’t fall on me."

Song Yu instructed the servant to send a message to Madam Rong, he had pleaded with Song Xian in his grandmother’s courtyard with all his might, but unfortunately, Song Xian wouldn’t relent.

Madam Rong received the news and couldn’t help but cry again. Min was suffering in prison, and as his mother, she was helpless, only able to find ways to send him some food inside.

Madam Rong advised the servant, "After entering the prison to speak with the Third Young Master, I will think of another way."

Song Xian entered the room and greeted Old Mrs. Song.

"Rise, rise," Old Mrs. Song smiled at her grandson, "I was just about to take a walk in the garden, now that you’re back, walk with me."

Song Xian responded, promptly stepping forward to support Old Mrs. Song, who stood up, ready to walk forward, but suddenly knit her brows and fell back into the chair.

Song Xian’s expression immediately changed.