CHAPTER 266: CHAPTER 263: SOMETHING’S WRONG

It might be because there are more people around.

This time, Xie Liangchen did not immediately look away but continued to gaze quietly at Song Xian until she finished drinking the water in her bowl, and then she turned away to busy herself.

Song Xian liked this feeling of ease and warmth. Previously, he had never imagined there would be a day he would sit on a small stool, basking in the sun against the wall, surrounded by a group of children.

No governmental affairs, no official business, just waiting to eat. If he could help in the kitchen, even better. These thoughts surged in Song Xian’s heart, causing his body to act a bit uncontrollably. However, considering all the eyes here and the fact that Sister Chen hadn’t made up her mind yet, he dared not make such a move, knowing she would definitely get mad.

Next time, even the wall edge would be gone, and the small stool would fearfully be discarded.

Song Xian turned his head to talk to Chen Zigeng, finding it a way to ease his mind.

Chen had grown taller, though not as fast as a few like Hei Dan. Unlike the other children, Chen Zigeng had a scholarly air, with thin calluses on the fingertips of his right hand, showing he often used a brush to write.

Song Xian asked, "Are Mr. Dongli’s courses heavy?"

"It’s that I want to write myself," Chen Zigeng said, lowering his voice, "Brother Chang Yue said you were like this when you were young too. Whether you can write well isn’t about being smart."

Song Xian stroked Chen Zigeng’s hand, saying, "To earn one’s own face, hard work is needed."

Chen Zigeng glanced at his Sister in the kitchen and said, "I’m fine, it doesn’t hurt at all. It’s different for Sister. She’s been busy these days, not only writing a lot but also making medicine at the Familiar Medicine Institute. Her hands have developed calluses, and not long ago, she accidentally got medicine on her hand, which caused several cracks on the back of her hand."

"Now it’s not visible, but when she touches water, it worsens. In a few days, Sister will have to boil that medicine again."

Song Xian frowned, looking at Xie Liangchen, "What kind of medicine did she get on her?"

Chen Zigeng replied, "It’s said to be used for selecting silkworm eggs. Once the eggs are soaked, it can identify the good from the bad."

"The silkworms hatched from poor eggs, even if able to spin silk and form a cocoon, the cocoon would be thin and small, or might just die before spinning. Selecting earlier is twice as effective for the result; the better the cocoon, the more silk can be spun."

Song Xian said, "Your Sister has been busy with this lately?"

Chen Zigeng nodded, "This method was determined by Sister and Mr. Xu traveling to several places in Zhaozhou, consulting many farmers and combining their methods for selection. Sister and Mr. Xu then concocted the medicine according to ancient formulas. The smell of the medicine is sour, and Mr. Xu coughed severely while boiling it. Later, Sister wouldn’t let Mr. Xu stay at the Familiar Medicine Institute, and she did it herself behind closed doors."

"Sister said that when raising silkworms next time, the medicine will be a great help."

While talking, Chen Yuyu began setting up tables and chairs with several children.

Chen Yongsheng also came over to talk to Song Xian, and with people surrounding him from inside and outside, his gaze became overwhelmed, and he immediately felt a bit empty inside.

Though he knew she was right there, the distance between them remained.

General Song hadn’t visited Chen Family Village for a long time, and villagers were more enthusiastic than usual. The women busied themselves with cooking, and several others were chatting with Song Xian.

"In just a month, we’ll be able to eat in that big house in the village," said Chen Yongsheng. "The house is built, but needs drying out. Stone slabs will be laid on the floors to keep clean during rains, and everyone can gather there to talk."

Chen Yongsheng indicated with his hands, "The house is even bigger than this yard, with several tables inside. When there are many people, the tables can be joined together. Actually, the Familiar Medicine Institute can hold more people too. But nobody knew the General would come today, so it’s not cleared, with herbs piled up."

Song Xian said, "I was just passing by on the official road and suddenly wanted to come by to take a look. Chen Lizheng told everyone not to fret."

Even as Song Xian spoke so, it couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of Chen Family Village. Bowl after bowl of food was brought over, lined up on the tables.

Looking around, Song Xian noticed although there’s that amount to eat, the people in Chen Family Village hadn’t gained much weight, but their complexions had improved, and people appeared sturdier than before.

Chen Yongsheng originally had dark skin, but now often ran about outside, turning even darker. His son Hei Dan was the same, undoubtedly showing they were father and son.

The changes in Chen Family Village truly brought joy.

Gouzi, who joined Chen Family Village, had smiles on their faces, seated with assistance and listening to the conversations.

Xie Liangchen, Mrs. Gao, and Chen Yuyu brought over the food they had prepared, and Chen Zigeng quickly cleared the space in front of Song Xian, allowing the steamed duck to be placed there.

Chen Zigeng didn’t forget to say, "Sister’s cooking is the best."

Song Xian nodded, increasingly feeling a camaraderie with Chen.

Looking at big and small, Xie Liangchen sighed from the bottom of her heart, "I’ll go make some soup."

"It’s enough," Song Xian, amidst the crowd, said to stop her, "There’s enough food, no need to make anything more."

Xie Liangchen was about to speak, thinking Song Xian didn’t like those brothy dishes, when she felt Song Xian’s gaze on her hand.

Recalling the cracks on her hand from recent days, Xie Liangchen looked at Chen Zigeng questioningly, worried he might have disclosed everything to Song Xian.

Both big and small were silent, but it felt as though if she turned back to the kitchen, Song Xian would bring it up openly.

Fine, she decided not to go back.

Xie Liangchen said to Mrs. Gao, "Aunt, no need to make more." The food brought by each household was enough.

As Xie Liangchen sat down, the atmosphere shifted again, and everyone’s gaze focused on their Sister, especially the children.

The one supporting the entire Chen Family Village was Xie Liangchen, and there was no second master in this house.

Before eating, Old Mrs. Chen spoke with Mrs. Gao, "Tell me, why do the children like General Song so much? General Song has such a good temperament, not getting bothered being surrounded like this."

Mrs. Gao said, "Isn’t he a General after all? Not only do the people of Chen Family Village like him, but tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of soldiers under his command can like him too. What’s that word called? Able to bring many together."

Nearby, Xu Tingzhen put down her chopsticks, "Adored."

Old Mrs. Chen teased Mrs. Gao, both amused and frustrated, "Look at your words, such a good word, ruined by you... Hugging together... aren’t you embarrassed."

Mrs. Gao said, "If I go to the clan school a few more times, I’ll learn them all. When there’s something you can’t express, you’ll have to ask me."

Xu Tingzhen didn’t continue talking with Old Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Gao endlessly but discreetly glanced toward Song Xian’s direction. She held the matter of Cui He in her heart, making her look over at Song Xian several times. Coincidentally, she found twice that Song Xian looked toward her, and beside her was Liangchen.

Each time, Liangchen kept her head down, eating the glutinous rice in her bowl.

Something seemed off.

"Miss Chen," Xu Tingzhen suddenly spoke.

Xie Liangchen raised her head, but Xu Tingzhen held back her words, thought for a moment, and changed course, "After the meal, General Song will talk about Cui He’s matter, right? I’d like to hear it too."