CHAPTER 298: CHAPTER 295: GUILTY CONSCIENCE

Cheng Yanzhao knew his position in Song Xian’s heart. Although Song Xian often found him annoying, their bond exceeded that of blood brothers, certainly unlike the Song Family’s kind of brotherhood.

In short, Song Xian would always tell him whatever was going on, and if Cheng Yanzhao wanted to know something, he would ask directly. This arrangement worked well between them, until today...

Song Xian first revealed an uncontrollable joy, but when Cheng Yanzhao tried to inquire further, he received a cold gaze that warned him not to continue prying.

Cheng Yanzhao’s heart felt entrapped in limbo, neither rising nor falling, truly uncomfortable.

"Tomorrow morning I’ll lead the troops for the final sweep," Song Xian said, "and then move southward."

Song Xian spoke earnestly, and Cheng Yanzhao dared not joke further, summoning the military leaders to join him in his camp for a meeting.

As for why Song Xian, who had already risen, required everyone to gather in Cheng Yanzhao’s camp... no one dared to speculate or inquire.

When Xie Liangchen awoke, it was already past 1:00 PM. She slightly moved her leg and felt something unusual on her foot. Rising to look, she found her foot wrapped in cloth with some medication applied.

A nearby old woman immediately stepped forward and said, "The lady has awakened, the General told us to check on you. I saw your foot was injured and just applied medication."

The foot injury came from traveling, which Xie Liangchen initially didn’t mind, simply rinsing it with water, thinking it would heal after a few days. Yet, Song Xian took advantage of her sleep to invite the military’s medical worker.

Xie Liangchen thanked the medical worker, tidied her dress, and noticed the meat porridge on the stove.

This must be left for her by Song Xian.

Sitting down and consuming a bowl of porridge, Xie Liangchen felt fully awake, recalling the events of last night, her cheeks grew hot again. She had come here only to worry about Song Xian’s injury, not expecting things to turn out like this.

Xie Liangchen pulled back her thoughts, not to delay any further, needing to promptly calculate the required herbs for Chu Er and the others to return to the Chen Family Village and ask Mr. Xu to prepare them.

Sitting on a chair, Xie Liangchen used a counting tool to finalize the numbers before stepping out of the camp.

Upon seeing Chang Yue outside the camp, Xie Liangchen hadn’t yet spoken when a voice nearby said, "Miss Chen, you are here."

Xie Liangchen looked up and saw Chen Yongsheng and Chen Chuchu.

Chen Yongsheng and Chen Chuchu had been helping in Xinzhou, arriving two days after Xie Liangchen.

In the past two days, Old General Zhang took Lishu and Yu Niang to local villages to gather supplies and immediately sent them with Chen Yongsheng and others.

After unloading the supplies, Chen Yongsheng came searching for Xie Liangchen, and before he could inquire about her whereabouts, he spotted his relative coming out of the largest camp.

Suddenly called by her uncle, Xie Liangchen felt a bit panicked but quickly regained her composure.

"How is General Song?" Chen Yongsheng asked without suspicion.

Xie Liangchen said, "General Song was injured, but fortunately, the injury isn’t severe, and after taking medication, he’s improved."

Chen Yongsheng breathed a sigh of relief, "That’s good." As long as General Song was well, everything else was minor.

Chen Yongsheng glanced inside the camp, "Is General Song inside? Should we announce?" Regardless, he had to meet with General Song.

Xie Liangchen said, "He’s not here."

Chen Yongsheng said, "Weren’t you just checking General Song’s injury? I thought..."

Xie Liangchen denied, "No."

Xie Liangchen feared her uncle’s next question might be: Then what were you doing inside?

The main commander’s camp shouldn’t be casually entered by outsiders; explaining might be difficult.

Before Xie Liangchen could speak, Chang Yue said, "General Song has just left, likely to inspect the camp."

Xie Liangchen secretly breathed a sigh of relief. What was wrong with her? Clearly, any reason could have sufficed, yet she had pondered for a long time, unsure of what to say.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yongsheng fully understood. Since General Song was absent, there was no need to proceed, so he turned to Xie Liangchen, "Let’s find a place to talk."

Xie Liangchen nodded. Truthfully, speaking in Song Xian’s camp would be the most suitable, with Chang Yue standing guard outside to ensure they weren’t disturbed.

However, considering she’d have to provide an explanation to her uncle, Xie Liangchen decided against it.

The uncle and niece found a secluded corner beside Ao Cang.

Chen Yongsheng spoke softly, "That person was found."

Xie Liangchen’s heart stirred; she knew who Chen Yongsheng was referring to, the one who had alerted Xu Tingzhen.

After the event, Chen Yongsheng quietly led people to investigate. Fortunately, among the refugees, someone had noticed a stranger’s face; they inquired about the person’s appearance and sent people to search for clues.

Chen Yongsheng said, "Initially, inquiries revealed information both east and south of Zhenzhou. After careful investigation, the southern individual turned out to be a small merchant, who often moved among several counties."

Xie Liangchen asked, "Is the eastern person suspicious?"

Chen Yongsheng nodded, "This person stayed at the inn for just one night and then disappeared. He told the inn staff he was there to collect herbs, but asking the nearby herb-growing villages, none had seen him visit."

If he were seeking herbs, Liangchen had previously advised pursuing; however, the person displayed particular concern for Zhenzhou’s situation. If he heard about Cai Rong’s rebellion, he ought to remain nearby, so instructions were given to villagers to continue surveying nearby.

Being residents of Zhenzhou, looking for someone would not attract attention, making it much easier to gather information.

Persistent in the search, they finally tracked down his whereabouts again.

Xie Liangchen asked, "Where did he go?"

Chen Yongsheng said, "He continued northward, uncertain if headed to Dingzhou or Yizhou."

The checkpoint at Yizhou was unstable, Xiao Xingzong was advancing troops against Juma River; naturally, besides the court’s troops, no one should head there now.

Yet, Xie Liangchen felt the person was indeed heading to Yizhou.

He could warn during critical times, clearly surveilling the Liao people and having an understanding of Xiao Xingzong. Heading north might imply seeking Xiao Xingzong?

Xiao Xingzong’s forces were attacking south to Yizhou, west to Lingqiu, ambitious to seize advantages during this opportunity.

Song Qizheng and Qin Maoxing’s troops went to defend Yizhou, Song Xian’s army wasn’t far from Lingqiu.

The battle could erupt at any moment.

Yet, whether it was Song Qizheng or Song Xian, confrontation with the Liao forces was a routine matter.

But what was the person who had warned her approaching Xiao Xingzong trying to achieve? Gather information? Or... some other plan? Who exactly was this person?

Did they know the whereabouts of her father and mother?

Xie Liangchen was still pondering when she heard Chen Yongsheng beside her say, "General Song."

Only then did Xie Liangchen snap back to reality, her gaze focusing, looking toward Song Xian who was striding over.

Song Xian had donned armor, evidently about to exit the camp.

Chen Yongsheng stepped forward to greet, and after a few words with him, Song Xian seized the moment of his inattention to direct his gaze at Xie Liangchen.