CHAPTER 93: CHAPTER 91 HEAVEN KNOWS, EARTH KNOWS

The candlelight illuminated Wang Jian’s face.

Wang Jian bowed respectfully, "Third Young Master, you have arrived."

Song Min raised his head, looking sharply at Wang Jian, "How are you handling things? Weren’t the medicinal herbs ready? Why the sudden delay for several more days?"

Wang Jian hurriedly apologized, "It’s my oversight, I didn’t anticipate that the Official Medicine Bureau would suddenly grade the herbs. The herbs from Chen Family Village all received Grade A ratings. Now, to impersonate the herbs from Chen Family Village, we must have similar quality herbs."

Indeed, Wang Jian hadn’t expected this. He had visited Chen Family Village several times and had seen herbs being moved out from the Familiar Medicine Institute. Those improperly processed herbs were unusable, and the people of Chen Family Village had no choice but to burn them.

All of this he had seen with his own eyes, and Old Mrs. Chen sighed frequently, even wanting to stop Miss Xie from continuing to process the herbs.

Just a few days ago, the people of Chen Family Village were still at a loss.

Who could have predicted that Chen Family Village would suddenly present thirty-eight herbs, with each one rated as Grade A? From Wang Jian’s speculation about Chen Family Village, the prepared herbs should only have been graded as Grade B or C by the Official Medicine Bureau.

Song Min slammed his palm on the table, "Useless, how long have you been at Chen Family Village? Everything was ready, yet you say the herbs are not suitable."

Wang Jian lowered his head even further.

Song Min continued, "Where are the herbs from Chen Family Village? Didn’t you say they would sell the herbs?"

Wang Jian said, "Previously, I sent wool over and mentioned purchasing herbs. The people of Chen Family Village didn’t refuse, which gave me some confidence, but now... they still haven’t agreed."

Song Min didn’t want to wait any longer. He desperately wished to cut off Song Xian’s head and hang it high on the city wall.

"Then don’t use the processed herbs, use the ordinary herbs," Song Min said. "At that time, we just need someone to identify them as from Chen Family Village..."

Wang Jian couldn’t help but say, "If the court investigates in the future, and we have no actual evidence, there could be trouble. Besides, we need to let the National Guardian General see it personally..."

Wang Jian’s words slowly calmed Song Min’s excited mood, "I’ll find the herbs myself." After being in the North for so many years, how hard could it be to find some herbs? It’s not only Chen Family Village that has Grade A processed herbs. Previously, he thought he could leave everything to Wang Jian, but now he had to do it himself.

Song Min instructed Wang Jian, "Once I’ve prepared everything, I’ll have someone inform you."

Wang Jian said, "Rest assured, Third Young Master. Leave the rest to me. I will lead the people of Chen Family Village there, ensuring they can’t escape indictment."

Wang Jian, upon leaving the courtyard, quickly walked out of the alley, cautiously glanced behind him to confirm no one was following, and finally took a breath of relief. The humble demeanor he had just exhibited in front of Song Min was now completely gone.

He hadn’t realized how difficult dealing with Chen Family Village would be. To avoid arousing the village’s suspicion, he had to act cautiously. Fortunately, Song Min wasn’t entirely useless.

After walking for half an hour, Song Min finally got up and left Zhenzhou, donning a black cloak, advancing slowly in the dark, like a thief.

Song Min gritted his teeth. This was the last time. After killing Song Xian, he’d take over Zhenzhou and become the Military Governor.

Once out of the city, Song Min’s guard approached, "Third Young Master, where are we heading?"

"Qi State," Song Min said, "to find County Magistrate Lin." County Magistrate Lin had mentioned the Su Family’s pharmacy to him before.

...

The people of Chen Family Village always worked at sunrise and rested at sunset, but tonight many couldn’t sleep.

Those Grade A placards were truly delightful to see.

That day, they brought out rice, cooked and enjoyed it together, happily discussing future days.

Everyone’s eyes were on Miss Xie and Mr. Xu.

"Mr. Xu said he would teach us the method of processing herbs."

"The processed herbs sell well. In the future, we can do business with the Paper Workshop, trade herbs, sell herbs, and even make woolen goods in winter..."

Hearing this was like a dream.

Finally, people gradually dispersed, returning to their homes.

Mr. Xu also went to rest, while Xie Liangchen stared at the placards on the table, silent for a long time.

Old Mrs. Chen’s eyes became moist, then dry, then moist again. Whenever something good happened, she especially missed her two children.

"Go to sleep!" Old Mrs. Chen ordered, "There are other things to do tomorrow, staring at these placards won’t fill your stomach nor clothe you."

Chen Zigeng helped store the placards in a wooden box, then handed it to Old Mrs. Chen, "Grandmother, don’t open it again." After all, it was Grandmother who insisted on taking another look.

The three of them lay on the kang.

Xie Liangchen was extremely tired, closed her eyes, and soon fell into a drowsy sleep. She didn’t know how long she slept before a thought suddenly flashed through her mind, waking her up instantly. The scene in Song Xian’s study immediately came to mind.

Song Xian handed her a letter, but deliberately dodged when she reached out.

She was surprised at the time, not expecting such an act from Song Xian. She stared blankly at him, waiting for him to speak.

Song Xian remained silent, once again handing the letter to her.

Such teasing behavior, had it been anyone else, she wouldn’t have reached out. But it was Song Xian, and from her understanding, he wasn’t a frivolous person. So she cautiously reached out again, only for him to dodge once more.

His deep eyes were filled with more mirth, his raised eyebrows carrying a hint of teasing.

At that moment, he finally provoked her.

When he handed the letter over again, she didn’t fall for it. One hand aimed for his cheek, while the other grabbed for the letter.

To her surprise, Song Xian suddenly froze, standing there motionlessly, so her fist landed squarely on his nose.

Xie Liangchen closed her eyes, but the scene lingered in her mind. She clearly saw him furrow his brow, revealing a slightly wronged expression, like a well-behaved child suddenly subjected to violence.

Their eyes met for a long while before Song Xian suddenly lowered his gaze, placing the letter on the table and pushing it towards her.

As she got hold of the letter, Song Xian leaned against the table, his head gradually lowering. Her heart softened, and she instinctively supported him, letting him slowly lie on the table under the weight of his own body.

Fortunately, no one else was in the room.

Sigh. Xie Liangchen sighed inwardly at this point.

Will Song Xian remember after he sobers up? She hoped he wouldn’t.

In that case, only heaven and earth would know, and she knew.

She would naturally keep this incident buried deep, never to mention it again.

Xie Liangchen turned over, suddenly unable to sleep.

If Song Xian did remember, would he come to settle accounts?