CHAPTER 267: CHAPTER 264 THICK-SKINNED

The dinner concluded in a lively manner.

Old Mrs. Chen sent the children away and accompanied Song Xian to sit in the main room. A moment later, Xie Liangchen and Xu Tingzhen followed them inside.

Chen Zigeng tidied up the courtyard. Once the gate was closed, silence descended.

Xie Liangchen served tea to everyone, and Chen Zigeng took the opportunity to sneak into the room and sit in the corner.

Xie Liangchen glanced at Song Xian. In the presence of others, General Song, as always, appeared righteous and authoritative. If not for the moments when he looked at her unabashedly when others weren’t noticing, one might think that the conversation in the east room had never happened.

In this regard, Xie Liangchen greatly admired Song Xian. His skills were quite profound, showing no trace of abnormality.

Xu Tingzhen was the first to ask, "General Song, what about Cui He?"

Song Xian replied, "On the surface, Cui He committed suicide in the Capital City’s Ministry of Justice Prison, and his body was sent to the graveyard. Secretly, I brought him to Zhenzhou, and he is currently in the Zhenzhou Prefecture government office."

Upon hearing the words "on the surface," Xu Tingzhen knew that Song Xian had other plans.

Song Xian continued, "The matter of Cui He was requested under a secret edict from the Emperor, and few are aware of it. The Emperor sent a trusted eunuch to handle it, so there shouldn’t be any leaks unless something unexpected happens."

Old Mrs. Chen and Xu Tingzhen thought Song Xian was unaware of Xie Liangchen’s identity, so when it came to matters regarding their territory, they had Xu Tingzhen speak to Song Xian.

Xu Tingzhen said, "The General knows I also hail from the territory, so I will speak frankly."

After a pause, Xu Tingzhen continued, "Did Princess Jiahui frame General Song and Military Governor Du to gain the territory of Prince Guangyang?"

Song Xian nodded.

Xu Tingzhen went on, "What are the General’s thoughts on the territory?"

Song Xian stated directly, "If all goes well, I will lead a military expedition to the eight states this autumn."

Xu Tingzhen widened her eyes. She hadn’t expected Song Xian to unhesitatingly divulge these plans. It showed the trust Song Xian had toward Chen Family Village.

Moreover... the court was finally going to march on the eight states. In her emotional state, Xu Tingzhen almost stood up, taking a deep breath before saying, "What the General said... is this certain?"

Song Xian’s gaze was clear, and there was an unwavering dignity in his expression: "There are always unforeseen events, and until the final moment, I cannot guarantee anything to you, sir. However, I’ve been planning for the expedition to the eight states for a long time. This trip to the Capital was also to request troops from the court. Since the Emperor allowed me to bring Cui He back, it signifies the granting of military power."

"The court’s political situation is currently unstable, with remnants of the previous dynasty secretly colluding with the Liao people. They have become the greatest threat in the North. As long as they remain, the people of the North cannot be at peace. There are few military generals in Daqi whom the Emperor trusts and who can bear such a heavy responsibility. By siding with me and Du Zhuo and punishing Princess Jiahui, the Emperor has shown us special favor. Using the two of us is naturally the most appropriate choice."

Xu Tingzhen could feel her heart beating wildly, her hands and feet turning cold.

With the plan set for this autumn, Xu Tingzhen instinctively asked, "Is there time?"

Song Xian replied, "Last year, the Liao were driven out of Juma River in the North, and the soldiers have been diligent in training ever since. Two thousand troops were added at the beginning of the year, establishing twelve additional camps. The current soldiers are no different from those during wartime. If we wait another two years, we’ll need a complete reorganization. It’s better to seize the opportunity now and take the eight states in one go."

Xu Tingzhen knew Song Xian was right, but every advantage has its drawbacks. It’s true the troops don’t need reorganizing, but it’s also true that capturing the eight states won’t be easy.

Song Xian said, "The eight states still have subordinates from the time of Prince Guangyang. Princess Jiahui sent Cui He several times but failed to recruit Old General Zhang, the leader. Unable to bring them under her control, Princess Jiahui has secretly used the hatred of the former dynasty and Prince Guangyang’s old troops to stir up trouble multiple times."

"Princess Jiahui is adept at using covert methods. She has planted many spies in the eight states, watching Old General Zhang and others. I suspect she intends to use Old General Zhang to pave the way for her at a critical moment. If chaos arises in the eight states, it would be the best opportunity for a military attack."

"Therefore, Princess Jiahui wants her chosen people to obtain the military power to attack the eight states."

Even Chen Zigeng understood this time. He realized there was much more to it. Just as Mr. Dongli said, every battle is not as simple as it appears on the surface. To win, one must be prepared in both obvious and obscure ways.

However, what Mr. Dongli talked about were things written in books. What lay before Chen Zigeng now was happening in reality. Unconsciously, he squeezed a handful of cold sweat in his palm, increasingly admiring his General Brother.

Song Xian said, "I have reported all this to the Emperor. Bringing Cui He out is to have him secretly return to the eight states and find the spies Princess Jiahui placed to gather intelligence. Old General Zhang is a man of righteousness. We cannot allow him and the people to become pawns in someone else’s hands."

Xu Tingzhen interjected, "General Song trusts Old General Zhang? I thought that with the issue involving Princess Jiahui, General Song would have a different perspective on Prince Guangyang’s lineage."

Upon hearing this, Xie Liangchen suddenly understood the implication of Song Xian’s words. He intended to inform her grandmother and Mr. Xu not only about the expedition to the eight states but also to raise the topic of Prince Guangyang’s lineage, so they wouldn’t mistakenly think he harbors any misunderstanding about Prince Guangyang.

He’s really cunning.

Xie Liangchen felt like Song Xian had sprouted a fluffy fox tail, which was wagging incessantly at her.

"I have always revered Prince Guangyang," said Big-Tailed Song Xian, "and that’s precisely why I urged the Emperor to severely punish Princess Jiahui. The Emperor agreed to strip her title once the case is thoroughly investigated. When I left the Capital, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Rites were already drafting the official documents."

Upon hearing this, Xu Tingzhen could hardly restrain the joy in her heart.

Song Xian said, "The reputation of Prince Guangyang cannot be tarnished by someone like Jiahui."

At this, Song Xian’s gaze deepened as he stared at Xu Tingzhen: "Mr. Xu is from the eight states, and naturally, he is deeply connected to his homeland. Rest assured, Mr. Xu, in time, I will lead troops to reclaim the eight states, striving to protect the people of the eight states as much as possible, for the sake of the people and the loyalty Prince Guangyang demonstrated in those days."

"I am saying this before you, Mr. Xu, and have said so before the Emperor. Should there indeed be a direct heir of Prince Guangyang, I am willing to wholeheartedly follow their lead, assisting them in reclaiming the eight states. If there isn’t a true heir, I will undertake to complete the unfinished business of Prince Guangyang."

Hearing these words, Xie Liangchen’s cheeks felt hot. If Song Xian didn’t know her identity, his words would be ordinary. But he did know, yet he spoke like this.

It was shameless, as shameless as one could be.

In the corner, Chen Zigeng was also stunned, convinced that his General Brother must know that Sister was the direct granddaughter of Prince Guangyang. He used to think his brother was excellent at commanding troops and martial arts, but now he realized that when it came to speaking such words, no one could match him.

He’s even more brilliant than those described in the private books in Mr. Xu’s study.

It took Xu Tingzhen a moment to respond. She bowed toward Song Xian: "If the people of the territory knew that it was the General leading troops to reclaim their land, they would undoubtedly rejoice."

Song Xian seized the moment and took his leave: "If there is anything, instruct Chang Yue to find me."

Xu Tingzhen could hardly recall how she saw Song Xian off or how she returned to the room. Even now, she felt as if she were in a dream, and everything seemed less real.

Xu Tingzhen looked at Old Mrs. Chen: "If anyone can take back the territory of Prince Guangyang, it will surely be General Song?"

Sitting down, Xu Tingzhen murmured, "Perhaps someday... Liangchen’s identity could also be revealed to others."

What kind of timing would that require? Old Mrs. Chen said, "We shouldn’t expect that, only hope that General Song wins a resounding victory."

Old Mrs. Chen mused, General Song’s earlier words were indeed moving, and she almost shed tears. But if General Song were to learn that Prince Guangyang indeed had descendants alive, and it was Miss Chen.

If he continued to claim wholehearted loyalty, oh, wouldn’t that be mortifying?

Old Mrs. Chen said, "I wonder if there’s anything we can do to help?"

Xu Tingzhen turned to Xie Liangchen: "What do you think, Miss Chen?"

Xie Liangchen, holding a bowl of tea to her lips, suddenly choked on the tea she was about to swallow.

What could she say? She didn’t want to cover for Song Xian any longer, but wanted to tell the truth.