CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 78 SERENITY

Xie Liangchen was slightly surprised, not expecting Song Xian to proactively offer help.

Xie Liangchen’s unusual expression flickered by quickly, something that others wouldn’t notice, but Song Xian caught it: "What? Have I been treating you poorly usually?"

"No," Xie Liangchen hurriedly replied, "Master has always treated me very well."

Song Xian looked at her demeanor and knew she wasn’t speaking from the heart.

Xie Liangchen continued, "Apart from the large pot for the Familiar Medicine Institute, we are not in a big rush for other things. If Master can help me get a document from the government office, I can have the blacksmith make the pot sooner."

Song Xian nodded, "I’ll have someone send the document to Chen Family Village tomorrow."

After saying this, Xie Liangchen quickly mentioned Wang Jian, "Wang Jian sold quite a lot of wool to Chen Family Village, and his prices are cheaper than usual merchants. These days, he often comes by delivering wool, and we have become familiar with him."

If Wang Jian is indeed a spy, he has now achieved the purpose of getting close to Chen Family Village and could strike at any time.

Song Xian said, "Continue interacting with Wang Jian; if he makes a move, I’ll have someone inform you."

Xie Liangchen responded again.

The group walked towards Old Mrs. Chen’s courtyard.

Xie Liangchen looked around; Chang An and the guards were beside them, and at this moment, it was just her and Song Xian walking together, even her younger brother was nowhere to be seen.

Chang An heaved a sigh of relief. He had purposely sent Chen Zigeng to inform Old Mrs. Chen that there were six of them staying outside the village, and asked her to prepare more food. He did this in order to give Master and Miss Xie more time to talk.

As for eating Chen Family Village’s food today, he would have someone make up for it tomorrow, so Master wouldn’t hold it against him later.

After considering these things, Chang An snapped back to reality and noticed that the surroundings had fallen silent. Master and Miss Xie were walking side by side, both seemingly without words to say.

Chang An was inwardly anxious, wishing that Master would find something else to talk about. Sigh, after so many years of seldom speaking in front of others, he had developed the habit.

Xie Liangchen understood Song Xian’s temperament; unless there was a matter, it was best not to speak. She felt that this was fine; they had returned here together, and she knew very well what he was pondering.

As for what she needed to do, she understood it clearly too. Establishing the Familiar Medicine Institute now was helping him and herself.

"Can the Familiar Medicine Institute produce medicine to treat the plague?"

Song Xian’s voice sounded again, his question aligned perfectly with what she was contemplating.

Xie Liangchen raised her eyes. According to past events, Zhenzhou would face a plague in spring the following year. Since she knew about it early, she naturally had to think of a way to prepare in advance.

Xie Liangchen nodded but realized that Song Xian, walking ahead, couldn’t see her gesture, so she said, "I hope it can be of help."

Song Xian looked at the bustling Chen Family Village. In the previous life, when the plague ravaged Zhenzhou, places like Chen Family Village wouldn’t be spared the devastation.

Many in Chen Family Village could have lost their lives.

Whether it was the smoke rising from the village, the children running around, or the busy villagers with smiles on their faces, Song Xian’s heart suddenly softened.

"If it’s done well, it won’t just benefit Zhenzhou," Song Xian said, "Let me know if you need anything."

This was the second time today that Song Xian had voluntarily offered help. Xie Liangchen ran his words around in her mind, knowing his intentions. Song Xian and she both didn’t want that plague to wreak havoc on the populace again.

Xie Liangchen said, "Rest assured, Master, I wouldn’t dare to slack off on this matter."

Hearing her earnest voice made it clear that she was wholeheartedly dedicated to the task, especially since Chen Family Village was involved. He trusted her for this reason, knowing she would have clarity in crucial moments.

Upon arriving at Old Mrs. Chen’s courtyard, Xie Liangchen quickly rolled up her sleeves and entered the kitchen.

Song Xian sat in the courtyard while Chen Zigeng brought some wild mint water to him. This water was the same as what Li You drank at the government office, and though Song Xian hadn’t seen Li You’s teacup, he could smell the mint’s fragrance.

He picked up the tea and took a sip, experiencing a refreshing taste.

As Song Xian drank tea, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen. In the kitchen, Old Mrs. Chen couldn’t find a way to help, so she sat at the door spinning wool.

Song Xian suddenly recalled studying as a child in his grandmother’s room. Back then, his grandmother was in good health, sitting on the couch doing needlework with him, and his father often came to hear him recite and teach him swordplay.

He loved hearing his father talk about military matters, knowing the dangers of the army, and made a silent vow to study military strategy, practice riding and archery, to one day stand with his father on the battlefield, serving as a vanguard to protect him.

He successfully trained to have a set of skills, yet the end result was not becoming Song Qizheng’s right-hand man on the battlefield, but rather becoming someone Song Qizheng was wary of.

He couldn’t tell whether it was his original intent or the current outcome that was laughable.

Song Xian suddenly came back to himself, realizing he hadn’t thought of these matters in a long time. Perhaps Chen Family Village felt serene to him, causing him to lower his guard for a moment.

Chen Zigeng stayed by Song Xian’s side quietly, not curious when Song Xian didn’t speak, sitting there silently.

In Chang An’s eyes, they exuded an air of worldly tranquility.

Song Xian lifted his eyes, noticing the target standing in the courtyard, and said, "Have you been practicing archery?"

Chen Zigeng replied, "I practice with Sister, and Hei Dan and others, using the hunting bow Second Uncle made for us."

Song Xian said, "Bring it over for me to see."

Chen Zigeng answered and turned to run into the house.

It was then that Song Xian began to observe the house where Old Mrs. Chen and her two grandchildren resided. The house had clearly been recently renovated, with thickly thatched roofs and a woodshed full of firewood.

For the first time, Song Xian felt that the village chief of Chen Family Village wasn’t too bad. At least he understood who was responsible for Chen Family Village’s current state and took extra care of Old Mrs. Chen and her grandchildren.

A moment later, Chen Zigeng returned with two bows: "This one’s for my sister." Saying that, he handed it to Song Xian for inspection.

Chen Zigeng then lifted another smaller one in his hand: "This one’s mine."

Song Xian examined the bow in his hands; it was quite basic but decently made. He pulled the bowstring easily, finding it lacking power; the arrows shot from it wouldn’t be very lethal.

"Try shooting an arrow," Song Xian looked at the target.

Chen Zigeng’s face was full of joy.

The aroma of the stewing rabbit meat gradually filled the air, with mushrooms soaking up the thick broth, adding more sweetness. After simmering for a while, she transferred the rabbit meat into a large clay pot to continue simmering over a small fire.

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but think, Song Xian was indeed fortunate; only because he had happened upon the rabbit caught today she knew what to make. Otherwise, she really wouldn’t know what to cook.

She stir-fried dried radish with oil, sprinkled a layer of crispy roasted soybeans on top, and placed the river fish caught by Hei Dan and the others in the pan to fry until golden.

Finally, she made a wild vegetable soup.

The rice was enough for Song Xian and his group, and there were plenty of dried radish and river fish. While the rabbit meat was a bit scarce, she had added many mushrooms, and the broth from the slow cooking could be used for soaking the rice.

Xie Liangchen finished cooking and stepped out of the kitchen, noticing two silhouettes standing nearby.

Song Xian was bending over holding her brother’s hand, both eyes fixed on the arrow. Moments later, the arrow flew with a "whoosh," hitting the target dead center.

Not only did it hit the bullseye, but the arrow was embedded in the target by more than an inch.

Chen Zigeng’s eyes widened, his cheeks flushed with joy, and in his excitement, he turned and threw himself into Song Xian’s arms.

Xie Liangchen was startled, knowing Song Xian was someone who didn’t like being approached. Wouldn’t her brother be reprimanded for this?

With this thought, she couldn’t help but step forward.

Perhaps her sudden movement caught the attention of those in the courtyard. Song Xian turned his head to look at her, and Xie Liangchen quickly withdrew her anxious expression.