CHAPTER 217: CHAPTER 215 ACQUAINTANCE SILVER ALLIANCE ADDITIONAL UPDATE 1

Song Xian lifted his foot and prepared to walk outside.

"Master," Chang An quickly intervened, "Your official uniform isn’t properly worn yet."

Song Xian was brought back to reality and went into the inner room to properly adjust his attire.

Song Xian asked, "Where are they?" Could it be in the front courtyard?

Chang An responded, "Chen Family Village rented a courtyard in Zhaozhou for the wind box, Miss Xie went there with others."

Song Xian nodded calmly. Xie Liangchen naturally had to go to Chen Family Village when she came to Zhaozhou; she couldn’t just come directly to find him, as he was no match for Chen Family Village.

Yet, one ought to be content; at least Miss Xie was willing to come to Zhaozhou, even though it was for the spinning wheel. It was also she who had Chang Yue deliver the spinning wheel design to him.

Just this one thing gave Song Xian a good mood.

Song Xian instructed Chang An, "Go to the military camp and inform them that there will be no drills today."

Chang An was pleased for the brothers in the camp, as they had been tirelessly working both day and night; now they could finally have some rest. He thought that when Master eventually married, he would tell the brothers who had helped them.

Chang An and Song Xian left the courtyard.

Xie Liangchen, Chen Zigeng, and Chen Chuchu were walking through the streets of Zhaozhou. Xie Liangchen wanted to look at the iron shops, planning to visit the villages later; almost every village in Zhaozhou was involved in sericulture.

"Sister," Chen Chuchu said, "Look, the wind boxes used by these iron shops were made by us. Everyone says that I, Zhong Dong, and the two lads from Sun Family Village have the best craftsmanship."

As Chen Chuchu spoke, someone happened to greet him.

Chen Zigeng observed, "Everyone knows Second Brother."

Chen Chuchu’s face lit up, believing he brought prestige to his sister, so he hastened to say to everyone, "This is my sister."

The people at the iron shop were well aware of the sister from Chen Family Village; every time they met Chen Chuchu, he would mention his sister, saying the wind boxes were her creation, that she instructed them to forge farming tools, and that she sold medicine, prepared medicine, and led people to treat epidemics.

Now having finally seen the sister from Chen Family Village, the crowd was somewhat incredulous.

That sister, it turned out, was just a gentle and weak young girl. Could such a delicate girl honestly be so capable? Perhaps the lads in Zhenzhou were exaggerating?

Previously, the people at the iron shop wondered that, if such a talented person came to Zhaozhou, she might indeed accomplish something. Now upon seeing this young girl, many just chuckled it off.

Seeing the doubt, Chen Chuchu was about to speak again but was held back by Chen Zigeng: "Second Brother, let’s continue onward!" He knew his sister was good; there was no need to prove it to others—time would tell, and too much talk was futile now.

The three continued forward, passing through this street, Xie Liangchen planned to return to the courtyard rented by Chen Chuchu. Chang Yue had reported to General Song, and soon they would meet the military craftsmen from the Ministry of Construction.

Just as she was thinking, Xie Liangchen suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Old Master, this is the place."

Xie Liangchen followed the voice and indeed saw a familiar face—it was He San.

He San was supporting a sixty-something old master, about to enter the inn beside them. That old master she knew well; many of the skills she learned in medicine and commerce were taught by him.

That was Old Master Su.

"Miss Xie."

The lad beside Old Master Su glanced at Xie Liangchen: "Old Master, it’s Miss Xie from the Xie Family, look..."

Xie Liangchen had met that lad too; he had previously come to Zhenzhou with Su Huaiqing.

Old Master Su turned around.

Since they were recognized, they couldn’t avoid it anymore. Xie Liangchen led Chen Zigeng and Chen Chuchu forward to greet Old Master Su: "You are Old Master Su, aren’t you?"

Old Master Su assessed the three siblings, his weary face blossoming with a smile: "I thought I’d meet you in Chen Family Village, but I didn’t expect to see you in Zhaozhou. Do you three have urgent matters? Would you care to step inside and say a few words?"

Regardless of the circumstances with the Su family, encountering Old Master Su in this place made it unreasonable to turn and leave.

Xie Liangchen answered and followed Old Master Su into the inn, securing a table there, and they all sat down.

Old Master Su looked at Xie Liangchen and asked, "How is your grandmother?"

Xie Liangchen replied, "Thank you for your concern, grandmother is healthy; she’s even joined in spring farming with everyone this year."

Old Master Su nodded repeatedly: "I haven’t visited Zhenzhou in many years. Last year, I wanted to come and take a look, but health wasn’t good. This year, I went to the capital and heard Zhenzhou opened an Official Medicine Bureau. Huaiqing noted that the finished medicine from Chen Family Village was rated Grade A by the bureau. I thought I’d head north after resolving that, but unforeseen epidemics delayed me until now."

In her past life, Xie Liangchen often conversed with Old Master Su. Upon meeting him again in this life, an undeniable familiarity surfaced.

He San stood beside Old Master Su, tending to him, creating a scene remarkably reminiscent of a moment from her former life.

After speaking for a while, Old Master Su coughed several times, prompting He San to swiftly rub his back.

Xie Liangchen gazed out of the inn. Old Master Su traveled to Zhenzhou with an illness, but for what purpose? Without any attendants?

Old Master Su did not bring up the marriage agreement between the two families. As Huaiqing had discussed with him, those matters were in the past, persistently revisiting old affairs would only cause discomfort for Old Mrs. Chen and Miss Xie.

Old Master Su stated: "The court has established new Official Medicine Bureaus in Xingzhou and the West Mansion. We, the medicine merchants, wish to supply medicine to the bureaus; this time coming to Zhenzhou mainly to observe the Medicine Bureau."

Xie Liangchen nodded: "In the past month, many medicine merchants have come to Zhenzhou."

Old Master Su said: "Our Su family lost its way in the North, yet the pharmacy must continue operating, finding ways to rebuild our reputation. Frankly, such matters alone might not have warranted this journey, but upon hearing about your development of finished medicine in the capital, I found myself unable to sit still."

Old Master Su chuckled as he spoke: "Finished medicine is indeed alluring, and your formula is commendable; the ancestors left numerous canonical formulas that merit realization."

Old Master Su was passionate about medical theories and herbs, and even while ill and confined indoors, he always kept medical books at hand. Xie Liangchen deeply admired Old Master Su in this regard.

Xie Liangchen said, "Once in Zhenzhou, if you wish to visit the Familiar Medicine Institute of Chen Family Village, feel free to send word."

"Good, good," Old Master Su was visibly delighted, "Surely I’ll have Huaiqing take me there. Our Su family has traded medicinal herbs for years, yet still remains short-sighted in some aspects, indeed rightfully regretful!"

There was nothing more to add, so Old Master Su inquired about Chen Zigeng: "Have you studied?"

Chen Zigeng nodded: "I have."

Old Master Su continued: "Did you hire a tutor or establish a clan school? Huaiqing informed me, it seems Chen Family Village will certainly establish a clan school this year."

Chen Zigeng replied: "Both. I have a tutor, and the village has built a clan school; both brothers and sisters are studying."

Old Master Su sighed: "Once I arrive in Zhenzhou, I must visit Chen Family Village."

Discussion carried on as the sky grew overcast, prompting Xie Liangchen to rise and take leave: "We’ll host you again in Chen Family Village."

Old Master Su nodded, preparing to have the valet fetch an umbrella.

"No need," Xie Liangchen said, "The place we’re headed is not far from here, just a few steps away."

Saying so, Xie Liangchen bowed farewell to Old Master Su, lifted her feet, and walked towards the door.

After stepping out of the inn, a gust of wind blew, rain sprinkling onto Xie Liangchen’s face while Chen Chuchu led the way at the front. As Xie Liangchen caught hold of Chen Zigeng to follow, an umbrella suddenly unfurled, sheltering them both from above.