CHAPTER 248: CHAPTER 245 TOO TALKATIVE

Xie Liangchen sprinkled medicinal powder on Song Xian’s wound and then wrapped it with a cloth.

Xie Liangchen said, "Chang Yue is more easygoing. It’s easier to ask him questions than Chang An." Xie Liangchen hadn’t expected it would be so easy to get information from Chang Yue; she thought he was naturally taciturn.

Thinking of Chang Yue’s helpless expression, wanting to lie but unable to do so, Xie Liangchen found it amusing.

Under the lamplight, her expression relaxed again, which pleased Song Xian.

Her visit tonight was both joyful and worrisome for him.

He was concerned she might get hurt, yet happy that she was somewhat beginning to care for him.

Song Xian said, "When Chang Yue and Chang An first started following me, they were thirteen and fifteen. Chang Yue was talkative yet couldn’t read people.

When I instructed them on tasks and merely glanced at them, Chang An would arrange everything, while Chang Yue remained clueless about what had happened.

In private, Chang Yue complained I wasn’t clear in my instructions."

Xie Liangchen glanced at Song Xian.

Song Xian raised an eyebrow, "Are you wondering why, despite my dissatisfaction with Chang Yue, I still keep the brothers around?"

Xie Liangchen hadn’t spoken yet, but Song Xian, though seemingly displeased, had eyes filled with amusement.

Song Xian said, "Am I so unsympathetic as to reject them for a flaw?"

Xie Liangchen laughed, "It’s evident the master can tolerate those around him, displaying broad-mindedness."

"Don’t intentionally flatter me," Song Xian replied, "I instructed Chang An and Chang Yue to protect you well and not to reveal the assassin incident, yet they failed in their task and must return for punishment."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "Although this was my idea, Chang An and Chang Yue are your people. It’s entirely up to you to decide how to handle them."

Song Xian was moved; she clearly wanted to plead their case but didn’t know how. Instead, she beat around the bush. Though her manner was ordinary, he saw it as a sign of vulnerability, making his thoughts stray.

Song Xian said, "How about you give it a try?"

Xie Liangchen slightly raised her eyebrows, evidently not understanding Song Xian’s meaning.

Song Xian said, "Why don’t you try pleading? Let’s see if I’ll agree."

Xie Liangchen fixed her gaze, wondering why Song Xian, though sober, seemed like he was drunk and rambling. She wasn’t sure when talking to the debtor became so challenging.

"Or perhaps I should bribe General Song," Xie Liangchen began packing her medicine box, "If General Song doesn’t blame Chang Yue and Chang An, I won’t charge for today’s consultation."

After saying this, Xie Liangchen took out a bottle of medicine from her box: "I’ll give General Song another bottle of medicine powder. This is newly made by the Familiar Medicine Institute in Chen Family Village, especially effective in stopping bleeding."

Is this a way to plead?

Song Xian accepted the medicine bottle, paused as if contemplating, and finally tucked it into his chest.

Xie Liangchen probed, "Does this mean you’ve agreed?"

Song Xian nodded, "But there’s one condition. After joining me, Chang Yue spent three years learning to control his tongue. We’ll see if he reverts this time.

Now that he’s protecting you, when he returns, he must be like his former self before going to Chen Family Village. Otherwise... he’ll have to find work there and won’t receive Song family wages."

Xie Liangchen secretly took a deep breath, realizing it wouldn’t be simple.

Song Xian said, "The Familiar Medicine Institute in Chen Family Village will start making finished medicines for the Official Medicine Bureau, so someone must protect it to prevent mistakes. In the future, Chang Yue won’t need to protect you in secret; he’ll directly reside in Chen Family Village."

Is this an open path for Chang Yue? Though the Familiar Medicine Institute in Chen Family Village indeed needs prefecture officials, Chang Yue might be too heavy-handed for the task.

Song Xian said, "Previously I hadn’t considered this. The Chen Family Village caravan faced danger, and Liao spies caused trouble, so precaution is necessary.

Right now, dealing with the Liao is crucial, and the finished medicines are vital, so we mustn’t be negligent."

Nonsense. Xie Liangchen understood this was merely an excuse Song Xian found for Chang Yue, portraying it as selfless.

Song Xian held the most power in Zhenzhou, so Xie Liangchen had no grounds to oppose.

Xie Liangchen glanced outside; Chang An and Chang Yue had mostly finished arranging things, and it was time for them to head back down the mountain.

In a voice only Song Xian could hear, Xie Liangchen said, "I must thank you, master, for helping me find my parents; you have often opposed Xiao Xingzong, and those Liao now see you as an enemy that must be eliminated. I wonder how many more assassination attempts will follow."

"I’ll take it as you worrying about me," Song Xian smiled slightly, "Have you forgotten who I am?"

Song Xian referred to how she had seen his previous life and knew he would be the ultimate victor, holding the North firmly.

Xie Liangchen instinctively said, "But now things are different from before."

Song Xian wasn’t like this in the past.

"What’s changed?" Song Xian’s eyes seemed to sparkle, "Is it the world or I who have changed? For better or worse?"

Xie Liangchen hadn’t spoken yet.

Song Xian stood up, "I think if things have improved, then there’s no need to worry. Moreover, for me, having another chance and being better than before is a great fortune.

One good day often outweighs a lifetime."

Xie Liangchen watched as Song Xian gracefully walked out. Those unclear, confusing words seemed to serve as a reminder to himself and perhaps to her as well.

Was he hinting the change was because of her?

She understood his meaning: the suddenly narrowed distance, the concern and support, the smile directed at her, the drunken calls of "Liangchen" and "Sister."

Things had grown more harmonious with Song Xian, yet she constantly worried.

Because she hadn’t figured it out.

Xie Liangchen sighed deeply, not knowing exactly what she was fretting about.

Chang Yue, as instructed by the master, handed He Kuan to the household general to be sent back to Dingzhou. He returned to the room to help Xie Liangchen with the medicine box, "Thank you, Miss Xie, for speaking on our behalf to the master."

Chang Yue spoke smoothly, sounding unlike someone hesitant to speak, which made Xie Liangchen feel uneasy.

Xie Liangchen said, "The master didn’t intend to punish you. He even mentioned the situation when you brothers first followed him."

She said this as a reminder to Chang Yue; he would eventually return to Song Xian’s side and must remember Song Xian’s preferences.

Chang Yue said, "Chang An is smart but had poor health in his youth. My boxing and kicking skills were always good, but while with the master at the military camp, I was hit by a stone, injuring my organs. The master kept us, helped us recover peacefully."

Chang Yue thought for a moment, "The master’s temperament is odd, unlike others."

Xie Liangchen was surprised that Chang Yue spoke so candidly.

Chang Yue said, "Doing bad things openly but not letting others know his good deeds, afraid that others might find him soft-hearted, always wears a cold face as if needing no one, but... the old lady said the master was clingy as a child."

Thinking of Song Xian’s drunken demeanor, how he followed her everywhere, lingered by her side, wasn’t that clinginess?

Turns out he’s clingy... afraid of being abandoned.

Chang Yue wanted to continue, but Xie Liangchen stopped him, "Enough."

She felt like she was gossiping about Song Xian with Chang Yue behind his back, finding it quite amusing. If they brewed some tea, brought dried fruits and meat snacks, it would be perfect to snack while listening.

Such thoughts kept growing...

It was better to stop Chang Yue for now.

Xie Liangchen sighed, unsure if Chang Yue could return to his original self.