CHAPTER 278: CHAPTER 275 THE HEART’S ATTACHMENT

Old Mrs. Chen listened to Old Mrs. Song’s words, and her heart was stirred. Old Mrs. Song wouldn’t say such things lightly.

The two old ladies had met several times and were already familiar with each other. Many words were not hidden from one another. Old Mrs. Chen felt that Old Mrs. Song saying this in front of her was in fact seeking her advice.

Perhaps as a rural village woman, she might not have much to offer, but she could at least help ease Old Mrs. Song’s worries: "Do you have a favored granddaughter-in-law in mind?"

Old Mrs. Song smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Xie Liangchen, sitting beside them, suddenly felt a wave of tension. She didn’t know if Song Xian had mentioned this to his family. What Song Xian had previously said to her meant waiting for her to think it through, so he probably wouldn’t inform the elders, right?

Old Mrs. Song said, "It’s just me thinking wildly by myself. This time Xian went to the expedition, and I was the only one from the Song Family to see him off. I can’t help but think, he’s so young and risking his life in the military, and at home, there’s only an old woman like me to worry about him. If it weren’t for all of you being around back then, I couldn’t have felt at ease."

On the day Song Xian left for Baimaling, the people of Zhenzhou escorted him ten miles out of the city.

Thinking about this, Xie Liangchen recalled that the day before Song Xian’s departure, he came to Chen Family Village asking for this and that. She had prepared medicine and pig fat for Song Xian early, applying the pig fat every other day for half a month, taking care of his old injuries properly.

Yet he insisted that his shoulder was still in pain, so she had to fry some salt, put it in a pouch for him to use as a warm compress, instructing him not to overwork during training.

Listening to the rain outside while cooking on a clay stove in the house, he sat on a small stool, and his gaze was impossible to ignore.

Xie Liangchen quickly withdrew her thoughts, just in time to hear Old Mrs. Song asking the grandmother, "How did you consider things when you married off your daughter? Tell me about it."

Old Mrs. Chen laughed and said, "We rural folks don’t have so many rules."

Old Mrs. Song nodded: "Rules or no rules, marrying off a daughter is all about a single thought. How did you choose a son-in-law?"

Old Mrs. Chen said, "We met the son-in-law while fleeing from famine. He helped us a lot. My husband and I saw that he was of good character and trustworthy. He also promised to be good to my Yuan Niang and vowed to marry only her, even if they had no offspring, he would never take a concubine."

Recalling what the son-in-law said back then, Old Mrs. Chen’s cheeks felt warm: "In short, even if there was only one bite of food, he would give it to Yuan Niang. My son-in-law, we didn’t choose wrong; indeed, he was extremely good to Yuan Niang."

Listening to Old Mrs. Chen referring to her mother by her nickname and recounting her parents’ past, a warm current flowed through Xie Liangchen’s heart.

Old Mrs. Chen smiled with pursed lips: "We weren’t looking for any dowry, just hoped the two could live happily together. My old man used to say, silver coins and wealth are lifeless things, people shouldn’t be tied to lifeless things. As long as the person is good and Yuan Niang is willing, we agreed."

Old Mrs. Song nodded repeatedly as she listened: "Old sister’s words are true, that’s exactly right."

Old Mrs. Chen said, "That’s why I say we rural folks don’t have those rules. Don’t laugh at me, but I was a child bride bought by my in-laws. But before marrying my husband, my mother-in-law asked me if I was willing.

That became the rule. When our two children got married, we also listened to their wishes. But families like yours are different, so you just listen to our stories as anecdotes."

Old Mrs. Song thought carefully: "Saying it like this, there’s even more for my Xian to lack... Xian’s mother passed away early. As a grandmother, I’m ultimately not a mother and can’t attend to many things properly. I always felt I’ve owed him, so from when Xian was young, I’ve been saving a dowry for him.

I originally thought it might be useful? Now that I think about it, alas!"

Old Mrs. Chen chuckled: "General Song doesn’t need a dowry. Relying on the General himself is enough."

Old Mrs. Song looked at Old Mrs. Chen: "Is it?"

Old Mrs. Chen didn’t hesitate: "Of course, it is. However... you can’t lack a dowry. The bride’s side needs to know your sincerity, right? Find a good matchmaker when the time comes, present General Song’s military achievements over the years, and sincerely propose marriage. How could it not succeed? You’ve seen all kinds of storms; these are minor things."

Old Mrs. Song shook her head: "It’s not a small matter. What if I get flustered and lose my composure, causing displeasure to the bride’s family?"

Old Mrs. Chen thought Old Mrs. Song was joking: "If you don’t mind, call on me to go with you when the time comes. Though I may not speak, I can stand beside you and give you courage, can’t I?"

Old Mrs. Song pursed her lips and smiled: "Just standing there won’t do, I also need help persuading."

Old Mrs. Chen agreed: "If you truly need me, I will certainly help persuade."

A thought suddenly came to Xie Liangchen’s mind. If she and Song Xian... and the formal proposal from the Song Family stood in front of her grandmother, would her grandmother hesitate? Would Old Mrs. Song bring up today’s conversation to have her grandmother persuade herself?

Perhaps by then, her grandmother would regret her words today.

Xie Liangchen quickly suppressed her thoughts. Why would she think such things? She never considered marrying Song Xian.

Chen Zigeng looked at his grandmother, then at his silent sister. He couldn’t figure out the current situation. Did the General successfully win his sister’s favor?

The two old ladies were chatting and laughing when the Song Family’s housekeeper quickly walked in.

"Old lady, there’s good news," the housekeeper wore a broad smile, "The young master has won a victory, and the army has entered Xinzhou."

Old Mrs. Song’s face immediately blossomed with joy.

Old Mrs. Chen offered congratulations to Old Mrs. Song.

"Congratulations to us both," Old Mrs. Song took Old Mrs. Chen’s hand, "Look at that, as soon as you came, good news arrived."

Old Mrs. Chen said, "Rest assured, General Song is proficient in both literature and martial arts. The former dynasty’s people were afraid even before they fought."

Old Mrs. Song, delighted, said, "Your words are making me embarrassed for Xian."

Old Mrs. Chen said, "I’m just speaking the truth."

"As long as you like it," Old Mrs. Song raised the corners of her mouth.

Though it was just the beginning, the quick news of victory indicated the momentum of Song Xian’s troops was unstoppable.

Xie Liangchen had to wait for Chang Yue to inquire at the government office to learn the details. Only after completely capturing Xinzhou would the most crucial step be solidified.

Old Mrs. Song stood up: "Such good news, I’ll have the kitchen prepare more dishes. Let’s celebrate for Xian."

Old Mrs. Chen, thinking of the National Guardian General, had not seen the General or the General’s wife since arriving at the Song Family.

One can imagine General Song’s situation at home. With his mother passing away early and only a grandmother sincerely good to him, it’s been hard on the child.

Old Mrs. Chen said, "When the General returns, let’s go to the village for a celebration. I noticed the General, though not saying much, enjoys the excitement."

Old Mrs. Song held Old Mrs. Chen’s hand: "I noticed it too. No other place, Chen Family Village is different for Xian, even when eating... In his own home, he never ate so much."

Never had she seen her grandson so active, going to Chen Family Village every few days.

Old Mrs. Song looked at Chang Yue in the courtyard. Now even the accompanying household generals stayed. Though fighting at the border, his heart was at Chen Family Village.