CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 54: TAKING OVER

Song Xian instructed the housekeeper to summon the doctor, and bent down to lift Old Mrs. Song onto the soft couch.

At this moment, Old Mrs. Song was already awake and waved her hand: "No need, it’s an old ailment. I only had my pulse checked yesterday, calling the doctor won’t result in a new prescription."

Old Mrs. Song knew something had gone wrong at home, and always wanted to call Song Xian back for a talk. Only when she felt a bit better, she didn’t expect to be like this now, making it impossible for Song Xian to accompany her to the garden.

After steadying herself, Old Mrs. Song felt somewhat better and allowed Song Xian to help her up.

Song Xian felt his grandmother had become even thinner.

The housekeeper whispered: "Lately, the old lady has not had much appetite; you, sir, should persuade her to eat more."

Old Mrs. Song gave the housekeeper a reproachful glance.

The housekeeper lowered her eyes, not daring to say more.

Song Xian instructed: "Serve the dishes, I’ll accompany grandmother for the meal."

Old Mrs. Song patted Song Xian’s hand: "I’m fine, not going out all day, so naturally, I can’t eat much, while you can’t afford to do the same."

Old Mrs. Song sighed: "Those past matters should be left behind."

Back then, Song Xian was poisoned in his food and taken to the sea, since then, Song Xian was more cautious than before; those around him are personally trained by him to be loyal only to him. Some were household generals given by Song Qizheng to Song Xian but are now wholeheartedly following Song Xian.

Old Mrs. Song knew this was good, but inexplicably felt discomfort in her heart; her grandson lived as if without vitality.

Song Xian’s gaze softened rare: "Don’t worry, grandmother, it’s been so many years, I’ve forgotten it all."

Old Mrs. Song asked: "Haven’t they found the family who saved you?"

A picture of Xie Liangchen flashed in Song Xian’s mind, but he answered: "No."

"I hope their family is safe and well," Old Mrs. Song held Song Xian’s hand tight, "My health is getting worse, hoping to have a chance to thank them in person."

A tight feeling struck Song Xian’s chest, he comforted Old Mrs. Song: "Grandmother, take care of yourself, your health will gradually improve."

Old Mrs. Song merely nodded with a smile.

The grandson and grandmother ate together.

The kitchen delivered simmered chicken soup, and the housekeeper served two bowls, one to Old Mrs. Song, and another in front of Song Xian.

The housekeeper knew that sir’s appetite was poor and he never drank soup, yet she inadvertently noticed sir took a sip.

A hint of surprise flashed across the housekeeper’s face, Old Mrs. Song noticed too, she asked after he raised his head: "How is it? Tasty?"

"Tasty," Song Xian replied, "Grandmother, have some more."

Just then, Song Xian remembered the Huang Jing stewed chicken that Xie Liangchen once cooked; this bowl in front seemed to have medicinal ingredients as well, yet tasted numb and bitter, not as good as Xie Liangchen’s.

After the meal, Old Mrs. Song asked again: "Why hasn’t Yanzhao come to see me?"

Song Xian replied: "He knew I was coming back for a meal with you, recently he’s had a poor appetite, fearing to spoil your mood."

Old Mrs. Song felt her grandson seemed in good spirits, even speaking to her about Cheng Yanzhao.

After the happiness came concern for Cheng Yanzhao: "I’ve seen many children, he has the best appetite among them, if he’s not feeling well, he should see a doctor."

Song Xian recalled Cheng Yanzhao’s voice, inexplicably loud: "Don’t worry, grandmother, he just ate too much."

Overeaten.

Old Mrs. Song felt tired and had Song Xian help her lie on the couch.

Seeing his grandson about to leave, Old Mrs. Song said: "I heard about the matter, it was your father and third brother’s fault, your father said, he will head to Dingzhou in some days and will reprimand Song Yu and Song Min."

Song Qizheng conveyed his decision through Old Mrs. Song.

Withdrawing to Dingzhou and giving Zhenzhou to him, this is Song Qizheng’s deal.

Song Xian didn’t care, in a previous life he took over all Song Qizheng’s soldiers, sending him off to Jin City for recovery, Song Qizheng passed away before Song Xian even rose. So taking Zhenzhou wasn’t really anything.

Old Mrs. Song sighed: "I still remember when you were born, your father was so fond of you, taking you from the nurse, saying you looked like him, when you were three, he chose Chang An and Chang Yue from over a hundred household generals’ children, nurturing them as your aides.

Chang An and Chang Yue have indeed always been loyal to you, yet you and your father... sigh..."

Old Mrs. Song didn’t want to say too much to upset Song Xian, unable to sway her son, she couldn’t have her grandson remain aggrieved.

Song Xian left Old Mrs. Song’s courtyard without pause, heading straight out of the National Guardian General Mansion.

Despite being Song Qizheng’s legitimate eldest son, the National Guardian General Mansion wasn’t his home.

Song Xian headed to the government office, spotting Cheng Yanzhao immediately upon arrival.

Cheng Yanzhao beamed: "Li You wants you to take over Zhenzhou’s garrison, Zhenzhou is yours now."

When Li You came north, holding power, he could decide to give Zhenzhou to either Song Qizheng or Song Xian, letting Song Xian take over Zhenzhou first, the documents from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War would follow shortly.

Song Xian wasn’t surprised by Li You’s decision but didn’t expect it this soon. Song Xian vaguely felt this had some connection with Mr. Dongli and the old woman.

Taking over the garrison is no small task; Song Xian had no spare time to go to Chen Family Village, he instructed Chang An to inform Xie Liangchen straightforwardly about the old woman’s matter: "No need to hide, tell her directly, she knows what to do."

Chang An responded but reminded Song Xian: "We are heading to the Zhenzhou military camp, should we have Chang Yue accompany?"

"No need," Song Xian responded without hesitation, "He gets things done, I trust him." Song Xian worried about Xie Liangchen, so he let Chang Yue go to watch over, now that the old man might be Mr. Dongli, it’s even more crucial to have Chang Yue observe all her actions.

Chang An had other considerations; he and Chang Yue were sir’s trusted aides, trusted aides are like another life for sir, though unlike ordinary masters, sir often saved their brothers in peril.

Nonetheless, trusted aides are irreplaceable; not to mention, Chang Yue has many subordinates serving him.

Even now, sir hasn’t summoned Chang Yue back; this hadn’t failed to amaze Chang An.

Song Xian and Cheng Yanzhao busied themselves for three days, finally having their own forces stationed in Zhenzhou. With worries for Old Mrs. Song, recalling her fondness for Taihe Inn’s dishes in the city, he took Chang An along to Taihe Inn.

Upon reaching the entrance, Song Xian spotted two figures squatting near Taihe Inn from afar.

One big, one small.

A young girl with double buns holding a wooden box, her right hand drawing on the ground with a stick, while her brother toyed with an abacus beside her.

Indeed, it was Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng.

Song Xian was unaware of what she was doing at the inn’s entrance.

The attendant approached to lead Song Xian upstairs, while Chang An, sensing sir’s intention, asked: "What are those two children doing at the entrance?"

The attendant didn’t grasp Chang An’s meaning initially, peeking out before understanding suddenly: "They’re selling medicine, have waited for the shopkeeper all day, would you like me to chase them away if you find them bothersome?"

Chang An was startled, responding quickly: "Who asked you to chase them away?" How was Miss Xie selling medicine at the inn again?