CHAPTER 115: CHAPTER 113: DISTANCE

Xie Liangchen packed up her things and came out of the weaving room, immediately spotting Tian Huizhen rushing over with her people.

Tian Huizhen smiled and said, "I heard from Uncle Chen that you want to buy wool. Coincidentally, my family knows a trade caravan that recently acquired some furs from Ba State. The wool isn’t as good as the Wang Family’s, but it’s inexpensive. I thought you’d like to take a look, so I had someone bring some over for you."

As Tian Huizhen spoke, she instructed her household staff to carry the wool into the weaving room.

Tian Huizhen was a meticulous person, understanding exactly what kind of wool the Chen Family Village needed—not the finest quality, but good enough to keep warm.

Xie Liangchen examined the wool and bought fifty pounds from the trade caravan.

Watching Xie Liangchen handling the accounts, Tian Huizhen thought to herself that she previously believed it was quite impressive her father maintained a trade caravan. But compared to supporting the entire Chen Family Village like Xie Liangchen, it was really nothing. With this thought, handling her usual household affairs no longer felt burdensome.

She also learned from Liangchen to prepare for a rainy day. She bought some wool and fabric for the caravan workers and prepared some sheepskin to make soft armor for her father. The remaining leather would make a perfect pair of boots for Chen Zigeng. Of course, Tian Huizhen wouldn’t mention these in advance to Liangchen; she considered them part of Brother Geng’s New Year’s gift.

"When will Uncle Tian return?"

Xie Liangchen and Tian Huizhen chatted as they walked towards the village entrance. Normally, she would ask Tian Huizhen to stay for more conversation, but it was getting late, and Tian Huizhen needed to get back to the Tian Family, so she didn’t insist on her staying.

Tian Huizhen replied, "Yesterday, I received a letter from my father. He’ll only be back in Zhenzhou at the beginning of next month."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "Tell Uncle Tian not to delay. This winter is cold, and we don’t know when it might snow heavily."

Tian Huizhen recalled, "You’ve been practicing your boxing and archery recently, right? I’ll come by in a few days to see how much you’ve improved."

The last time Tian Huizhen narrowly won against Xie Liangchen, but she dared not slack off. She learned daily from the uncles in the caravan, who used to be the handymen of the escort agency and were quite skilled.

She learned more from the uncles not just to keep winning against Liangchen but perhaps to inspire her during their sparring. At the very least, as they played and sparred, she couldn’t fall too far behind Liangchen, who was becoming increasingly skilled.

Tian Huizhen said, "I should have stayed, at least to meet General Song."

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but be startled by Tian Huizhen’s words. At first, it seemed like she knew Song Xian would return tonight, but she quickly realized Tian Huizhen was talking about the day the Song Family came to the Chen Family Village for a meal.

Lowering her voice, Tian Huizhen asked Xie Liangchen, "Is General Song as terrifying as the rumors say?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head, "No, General Song even teaches my younger brother and the village children archery." He would guide her boxing and kicking in the evenings.

Tian Huizhen, concerned for Xie Liangchen, said, "In the past, when my father delivered goods to the Song Family Army, he heard from the National Guardian General’s officers that General Song was unpredictable and often killed without reason. But now it doesn’t seem that way; General Song has done a lot of good for Zhenzhou.

But you still need to be cautious. After all, it’s risky for the people to fight against the officials. Chen Family Village almost got accused of colluding with the Liao people this time, which scared me terribly. Fortunately, Lord Li You wisely investigated, and the Chen Family Village was safe.

I know you’re a good person. General Song has helped Chen Family Village, and you want to repay him in your heart... but you still need to make plans for yourself. Don’t get involved in conflicts, or if something goes wrong, it could be dangerous."

Tian Huizhen squeezed Xie Liangchen’s hand tightly, truly frightened by what happened to Chen Family Village. She came this time just to give Xie Liangchen a warning.

"I know you’re more thorough than I imagined," Tian Huizhen said, "but I’m afraid you might not see clearly up close... whether you like hearing it or not, I have to say it."

"Got it." Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but laugh. She knew Tian Huizhen meant well, but she couldn’t explain her relationship with the creditor to Tian Huizhen.

After sending off Tian Huizhen, Xie Liangchen returned to Old Mrs. Chen’s courtyard.

Old Mrs. Chen was sitting at the table stitching a shoe sole. Seeing Xie Liangchen, she poured a bowl of water and placed it next to her granddaughter, "Don’t work too hard. The work at hand can’t be finished in just a day or two."

Xie Liangchen nodded and looked at Chen Zigeng, who was sitting nearby doing accounts, "I just bought fifty pounds of wool, one pound ten wen. Make sure to record it well."

Old Mrs. Chen widened her eyes and waved her hand in front of Xie Liangchen’s face. Was her granddaughter dreaming? Sitting at home, how could she have bought fifty pounds of wool? Even in her dreams, she was thinking about spending money?

...

When Song Xian arrived at Chen Family Village, he saw a figure moving in the kitchen. He frowned and was about to take a closer look when the figure turned her face.

The moonlight shone on her graceful silhouette. Though he couldn’t see her features clearly, Song Xian recognized it was Xie Liangchen.

What was she sneaking around searching for in the kitchen?

Song Xian stood in the shadow of the corner wall, watching Xie Liangchen moving around the kitchen.

He didn’t know what was so interesting about her sneaky manner; it was quite boring, but Song Xian stood there for a long time until Xie Liangchen walked out of the kitchen.

"Hiding a chef in the kitchen?"

A voice came, and Xie Liangchen shivered. She turned and saw Song Xian walking over, his tall figure seemingly able to block the moonlight above.

Xie Liangchen was about to step forward and salute.

Song Xian said, "Do you need someone else to do your weaving? Do you also need a chef to secretly help with cooking every time?"

Xie Liangchen stared at Song Xian, so he had heard what she said to Old Mrs. Song? If he heard that, then what about later...

Song Xian continued, "If you don’t go make food for my grandmother, should I tie you up and lock you away?"

Xie Liangchen knew tonight wouldn’t be simple; she didn’t expect General Song to be so petty-minded.

Xie Liangchen said, "The General didn’t say that; I was just trying to make the old lady happy." Song Xian hadn’t threatened to lock her up, but he did say he’d kill her.

"Wishful thinking," Song Xian said coldly, "letting you eat for free? Who owes whom a debt?"

For some reason, General Song’s icy words made Xie Liangchen want to laugh, but she tried her best to hold it in. With a serious face, she said solemnly, "You’re right, sir. I won’t talk nonsense next time."

Song Xian squinted at her; she spoke softly, claiming she wouldn’t talk nonsense anymore. Would she stop trying to please his grandmother? She must have realized this was intentionally blocking his words.

"Are you ready?" Song Xian looked at an empty corner of the courtyard.

Let him see if her boxing and kicking skills have improved faster than her lip service.

Xie Liangchen adjusted her clothes and quickly walked over.

As usual, Song Xian allowed her only the use of her hands and feet, just standing still to dodge.

But this time, she didn’t easily get dodged out and fall again, and the duration was much longer than the first time.

Song Xian was quite surprised. She remembered all the losses from last time clearly and didn’t easily attack his lower body but instead seriously threw punches at him, as if seeing him as a post.

Never before being treated as a training post, Song Xian felt both amused and annoyed.

A punch brushed past his cheek, and due to her vigorous activity, her breath was slightly labored. The breeze during the night blew her hair, brushing it across her cheek.

It was like a drop of water falling into his heart lake, creating ripples, but there was nothing beautiful about it... rather, it was...

Instinctively, Song Xian felt a tingling sensation in his nose as if that punch had indeed landed solidly on his nose.