CHAPTER 106: CHAPTER 104: SUFFERED A LOSS?

Xie Liangchen stood still under the passageway, and Song Xian quickly walked over.

Chang An was standing guard nearby, and no one would hear the conversation between the two.

Xie Liangchen knew Song Xian wanted to ask about the wooden teeth matter, and she knew how to answer. However, she was surprised when Song Xian, standing still, spoke in a low voice, "Did you suffer any losses?"

Xie Liangchen was momentarily stunned, and only understood Song Xian’s meaning after a moment. Song Xian referred to whether they had been deceived or injured because of Wang Jian or something else.

"No," replied Xie Liangchen, "It went smoothly. Before we could make a move, Mr. Li arrived." She didn’t even use her hunting bow.

Since Song Xian asked her, she felt obliged to reciprocate.

Xie Liangchen asked, "Is everything smooth on your side, big brother?"

Song Xian’s expression didn’t change: "Still investigating people related to Vice General Qiao. The general guarding Juma River will be escorted to Zhenzhou in a few days."

Xie Liangchen did not know who Vice General Qiao was, but she figured that since Song Xian mentioned this person, he must be esteemed in Song Qizheng’s army.

With Wang Jian externally and Vice General Qiao internally, this setup is precise and likely not orchestrated by someone like Song Min. Most probably, the Song Family indeed has Liao spies.

"There’s one more thing," Xie Liangchen looked at Song Xian. "Those familiar medicines are likely from the Su Family’s Pharmacy."

Song Xian watched Xie Liangchen’s eyelashes move slightly downward. When he raised his eyes again, his gaze was clear, as if he had understood everything.

Song Xian asked, "How do you know?"

Xie Liangchen replied, "I specifically watched during the Official Medicine Bureau’s selection. I remember every pharmacy’s Grade A herbs clearly. I am familiar with the Su Family’s medicine recipe. I have carefully identified them, and they are indeed from the Su Family."

Either Wang Jian is associated with the Su Family, or the Su Family is secretly dealing with Song Min.

Song Xian explained, "Song Min knows Madam Su’s maternal brother."

So that’s how it is.

Xie Liangchen said, "When I was at the Su Family, I didn’t find anyone secretly communicating with the Liao people. However, during that time, County Magistrate Lin was killed when the Liao attacked Juma River, Old Master Su was gravely ill, and Madam Su lost her authority to manage the household.

Su Huaiqing’s death in the past was also peculiar. I don’t know if it’s related to this matter."

Upon hearing the name Su Huaiqing, Song Xian realized that in the past life, Xie Liangchen was Su Huaiqing’s wife and had been widowed for many years.

Song Xian’s brows furrowed momentarily, but the expression quickly disappeared, even unnoticed by himself.

Song Xian spoke again, choosing not to inquire about the Su Family, instead asking, "How did you know about those wooden teeth? Encounter them in the past?"

Xie Liangchen replied, "No, it might be related to the memory I lost. Someone must have taught me to beware of such people." She didn’t know too much, so she couldn’t explain it clearly to Song Xian. Since this matter involved spies, she couldn’t conceal it, and there was no need to hide it now.

Song Xian didn’t ask further: "I’ll have Chang Yue continue to follow you. If there’s any issue, just look for him."

Xie Liangchen wanted to bow and take her leave, but before she could lower her head, Song Xian had already walked away.

Upon leaving the government office, Chen Yongsheng and Old Mrs. Chen were waiting at the door.

Chen Zigeng went to report safety to Mr. Dongli, and everyone waited until Chen Zigeng returned to the government office before returning together to Chen Family Village.

A group of people cheerfully walked on the official road. After a night of thrilling events, the matter was resolved, and everyone showed relaxed expressions on their faces.

Old Mrs. Chen walked and scolded, "Truly, people cannot be judged by appearances. The old lady used to think Mr. Wang was a nice person, but who knew his heart was so dark? No wonder it ended this way. What do you call that? Virtue unfit for wealth will certainly bring disaster."

Xie Liangchen strangely looked at Old Mrs. Chen, "Where did this saying come from, grandmother?"

Old Mrs. Chen pointed at Chen Zigeng: "See, Brother Geng recited it. I am quite clever, after listening to it several times, I remembered it."

Old Mrs. Chen’s face flashed with pride, thinking that if she were a man, who else would become a top scholar? Surely, she’d be a person who embody both virtue and wealth.

Old Mrs. Chen sighed in her heart, while Chen Yuyu and Hei Dan respectedly gazed at the slightly hunched figure of the old grandmother, feeling her to be enigmatic.

Until Chen Zigeng’s voice sounded untimely: "Grandmother, what I recited was virtue unfit for position will bring disaster."

Old Mrs. Chen’s face went slightly red, and she waved her hand with authority, "It’s almost the same; understanding the meaning is enough. Brother Geng, you cannot just read undeniably."

Chen Zigeng still wanted to discuss the meaning with Old Mrs. Chen, but Old Mrs. Chen took larger strides. Her skirt’s hem swept like a mighty gale, though deep down, her heart was leaking cold wind: "Let’s move quickly, Mr. Xu has been hungry all day, and what would happen if he goes hungry? You all are clueless, you can’t just grab the Grade A label and abandon the teacher."

Mr. Xu ranked third in Old Mrs. Chen’s heart, behind the Kitchen God and her granddaughter, shining brilliantly.

Upon reaching the Chen Family Village gate, looking at the thatched houses, Old Mrs. Chen felt somewhat melancholic, wondering when Chen Family Village would have silver coins.

As Old Mrs. Chen contemplated, she saw a person in official attire standing at the village’s entrance.

Children from Chen Family Village ran circles around the person, who patiently showed them a smile. When he finally saw Old Mrs. Chen and the others return, his eyes lit up, showing considerable excitement.

Old Mrs. Chen paused, speculating on the person’s official rank, when Chen Yongsheng beside her said, "This is Vice Envoy Jia from the Imperial Hospital, an official in charge at the Official Medicine Bureau."

Old Mrs. Chen’s eyelids twitched; it was a sign of good fortune nearing.

"Miss Chen," Chen Yongsheng called out to Xie Liangchen, "come quickly."

Chen Yongsheng didn’t greet Jia Si immediately, but waited for Xie Liangchen to walk ahead, then followed her towards the village’s entrance.

"Mr. Jia," Xie Liangchen stepped forward to bow.

Jia Si, unlike his indifference at the Official Medicine Bureau, beamed and said, "The Official Medicine Bureau has selected the herbs, and I have specially brought the document. Your village can send eighteen types of herbs to the Bureau."

Jia Si heard at the Zhenzhou Government Office that Mr. Li You returned to Zhenzhou to capture Liao spies and that Chen Family Village made great contributions. Initially, he wanted to stall a bit, assessing the situation before speaking. Faced with such conditions, he couldn’t sit still any longer, eager to deliver this document to Chen Family Village before Mr. Li You and Song Xian ask.

Learning that the village’s herbs could provide eighteen types for the Bureau, everyone was delighted, with Old Mrs. Chen smiling broadly first.

Wow, this is indeed true! Her granddaughter’s Familiar Medicine Institute succeeded. Let her calculate, three pounds of herbs earn a piglet, while the whole Chen Family Village has dozens of families. In no time, every household can hear the piglets’ oinks.

Chen Yongsheng respectfully received the document, and Xie Liangchen invited Jia Si to visit the village.

"Not today," Jia Si replied, "I’m too busy and must return to the government office. There’s plenty of time ahead." If Mr. Li You and Song Xian knew he accepted gifts from people of Chen Family Village, he wouldn’t enjoy any favorable outcome.

Jia Si departed gracefully in the wind.

Chen Zigeng tugged at Xie Liangchen’s sleeve and whispered, "Sister, seeing so many officials, still, my senior brother and General Song are the best."

Mentioned by her younger brother, Song Xian’s words echoed again in Xie Liangchen’s ears.

"Did you suffer any losses?"

Did he consider her as one of his own?