CHAPTER 117: CHAPTER 115: FEARLESS

Song Xian walked all the way back to the city, bypassing the government office and heading straight to the small courtyard.

After serving Song Xian and helping him freshen up, Chang An gently closed the door.

"What’s wrong with the master? Is he feeling unwell somewhere?" The staff came to ask, as it was unusual for the master to retire so early for bed.

Chang An glared at them: "Go to the government office and inform them to leave those matters for tomorrow."

The staff was still peering towards the room, looking like they had words left unsaid.

"What?" Chang An frowned, "The master has been busy for so many days; can’t he take a break?"

"Yes, he can." That person dared not say anything else and scurried away.

Chang An stayed guard at the door, listening to the quiet inside. He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. He had been by the master’s side, watching him busy every day, always fearing he would overwork himself.

The master was someone who didn’t take care of himself, ignoring even the advice from those around him, fortunately, now having Miss Xie with him.

Chang An pondered silently in his heart. Once these Sanqi Teas are finished, should he send a message to Chang Yue to remind Miss Xie to brew more tea?

Song Xian slept soundly, quickly falling into dreams after lying on the bed. He didn’t know how long he slept when he vaguely heard people talking.

It was outside Song Qizheng’s Central Army Tent, where someone was softly discussing.

"The master is only sixteen; letting him lead as the vanguard seems a bit of a joke. I don’t know why the general agreed."

"You’re just thickheaded. The master is the general’s legitimate eldest son. Fighting the Liao people will boost our army’s morale. Plus... as you and I both are aware... The master, though young, is not afraid of dying. The general still has to lead us in siege, so it’s best he makes the vanguard."

Song Xian recalled this was what he heard in the army the first time he volunteered to be the vanguard.

The vanguard excelled in fierce battles, sometimes even using themselves as bait; this was the position he carved out for himself in the army.

No shelter needed from anyone, just relentlessly forward.

Just like the first time he saw Xie Liangchen, her fierce and determined demeanor made him feel familiar, as if he saw himself from back then.

Drowsiness overtook him again, pulling him into a deeper dream.

He didn’t know how much time passed when a scene appeared before him again, everything dark around, only muddy seawater rushing in from all sides.

Song Xian felt himself trapped inside a wooden cage, soaked through with seawater; he vaguely spotted a figure approaching him.

His injured eyes stung sharply with the salty, acrid seawater, but he stared unblinkingly as that person drew closer and closer.

Finally, that figure reached before him, with pale hands gripping him tightly, dragging him, trying to pull him and the heavy cage upwards.

Clearly, her strength wasn’t enough, so she could only accompany him and the cage as they continued to sink.

In his anxiety, he was about to shake off that hand, but her fingers entwined with his, refusing to let go.

Seawater surged into his nose, his chest ached with heat, nearly fainting from lack of air, when suddenly a ray of light fell from above, turning the murky seawater a clear, bright blue, and the person before him became clearer than ever.

It wasn’t a child but a young girl.

Her clear eyes were filled with determination, calmness, and stubbornness; her dress cast under that beam of sunlight, glowing golden-yellow.

That was Xie Liangchen.

His wooden cage was suddenly opened, his entire person swimming upwards with her, the surrounding seawater no longer icy and bone-chilling, but carrying a warmth.

The water surface was just above his head, getting closer and closer, finally breaking through the surface, the burning in his chest dissipating...

Song Xian suddenly opened his eyes, morning sunlight poured into the room. Though not yet reaching the bed, he sensed that warmth.

He lay awake, pondering motionlessly, finding that sunlight remarkably similar to that in his dream.

After a while, Song Xian got up. Perhaps because of a good sleep, he felt particularly refreshed and clear-headed. He put on the robe Chang An had prepared long ago.

Moments later, Song Xian came out of the room as Chang An brought out a bowl of reheated Sanqi Tea from the kitchen.

"Master."

Chang An approached to speak, but just upon greeting, the bowl in his hand was taken by Song Xian.

Song Xian drained the Sanqi Tea in one gulp, then looked at Chang An.

Song Xian said, "Is it diluted?"

Chang An was taken aback by the question: "No, not at all."

"It’s not as bitter," Song Xian said, "Prepare some food to go, and accompany me to train the troops."

He no longer needed anyone to clear the path before him or have someone support him from behind. With his strength, he would steady the situation, making others wary to covet easily.

...

Song Family.

Song Qizheng emerged from the study, both he and his trusted aides and advisors bore expressions of fatigue.

After the incident with Song Min, the National Guardian General Mansion seemed outwardly calm but was in upheaval beneath the surface, with unrest even more so within the camp.

After discussing all night, they came to a consensus that Li You would escort Song Min to the capital, and the court would also require Song Qizheng to accompany him. This time upon entering the capital, Song Min’s life was hard to guarantee. Song Qizheng still needed to convince the Emperor of his ignorance regarding his son’s dealings with Tongliao.

"Where did the master go?" Song Qizheng asked the steward of the mansion.

The steward replied, "The master rested yesterday in his own courtyard, and this morning he’s gone to the camp to train the troops."

Though said to train troops, it was actually to reassure the army that regardless of what happens, the Song Family would remain at the Northern Border.

Song Qizheng cast a glance at his confidant beside him.

The confidant immediately said, "We should return to camp as well." They could prevent the soldiers from currying favor with Song Xian, but no one could stop the direction of people’s hearts.

In times of crisis, everyone feared the accusation of collusion, yet Song Xian could offer them reassurance.

Song Xian did nothing wrong, just like every battle, appearing at precisely the right place without being prompted.

Song Qizheng could not blame Song Xian nor question him in front of the soldiers because Song Xian’s actions were flawless. He could not let internal conflict within the Song Family affect their soldiers; Song Xian conducted himself with ever-increasing strategy, neither arrogant nor impatient, methodically approaching his goals.

Once the confidant and household generals departed, Song Qizheng made his way indoors toward Madam Rong’s courtyard, right as a figure rushed out from the main room.

It was Madam Rong, looking haggard and utterly disheveled.

"Dear," Madam Rong’s eyes were red and swollen as she grabbed Song Qizheng’s hand, "What’s the solution? Any strategy to save Min?

This time Min knew he was wrong; he won’t dare next time. As long as he can live, anything is fine; whether punishment or fine from the court, it doesn’t matter. If not, dear husband, you have monumental achievements, surely you can exchange for Min’s life, right?"

Song Qizheng quietly met Madam Rong’s gaze, and after a moment, he finally spoke, "Clean yourself and change clothes; I’ll take you to see Min in prison."

Madam Rong’s eyes widened in surprise: "Dear, I knew you must have a way."

Song Qizheng swung his arm to push past Madam Rong, proceeded a few steps, then stopped: "The last time."

Madam Rong’s smile froze: "Dear, what do you mean by the last time? Why is it the last time?"