CHAPTER 341: CHAPTER 338 TAKE DOWN

Even though Song Xian was clearly four or five years older than her, the way he called her "Sister" came more naturally with each passing day.

Xie Liangchen felt Song Xian’s hand slowly fall to her waist, cautiously leaning closer to her.

"Stay with me a little longer," Song Xian said, "I’ll massage your hand."

Xie Liangchen said, "If there’s something urgent, Hu Zi will come looking for me."

"Alright," Song Xian said, "then let’s wait until Hu Zi comes."

After finishing his words, Song Xian began to knead Xie Liangchen’s fingers with just the right amount of pressure, making one feel very relaxed.

Song Xian held her gently and said softly, "It’s getting cold, I need to return to Zhenzhou before it snows."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "The Emperor mentioned he’d allocate a few states to you for winning battles, at least for the next year or two, you’ll often be managing affairs in the Eight States, right?"

Song Xian looked at Xie Liangchen, "Will you come? This used to be Prince Guangyang’s territory, will you come?"

Xie Liangchen smiled slightly, "Even if it weren’t Prince Guangyang’s territory, I’ve promised a few villages to come help, teaching them to recognize and process herbs. In Dai State, there are farmers who raise cattle and sheep, and this place is suitable for grazing. I also want to teach everyone how to make thread tassels."

Song Xian asked, "Do you like Dai State? It’s rather cold here."

Xie Liangchen didn’t speak.

Song Xian looked down at Xie Liangchen, seeing the smile curling at the corners of her mouth, "During this time, Zhenzhou has left a lot of wool, mostly poor-quality mixed wool, but we can add some cow and camel hair to make wool felt."

Xie Liangchen added, looking at Song Xian’s legs, "I’ll make a pair of long wool felt boots. Would General Song be willing to wear them?"

"Wear them," Song Xian replied immediately, "I’ll wear them every day during winter."

Neither of them spoke further. Song Xian quietly half-embraced Xie Liangchen, finishing massaging one hand and then reaching for the other.

Until they heard Hu Zi’s voice outside, "Sister Chen, we’ve sorted all the herbs."

Xie Liangchen then stood up.

Song Xian whispered, "The herbs are sorted, isn’t there nothing else to do? Can Chang An say you’re not here?"

That was out of the question. Before leaving Dai State, Xie Liangchen still had to take care of patients in a few villages. Hu Zi and a few children would be going with her. If she went missing, Hu Zi would be searching high and low.

Xie Liangchen asked, "Hasn’t General Cheng been looking for you?"

The military camp must have accumulated quite a number of documents, hasn’t it? At this time, several documents come from the court each day, all requiring Song Xian’s personal attention.

Xie Liangchen said, "I’ll go see the wounded soldiers in the camp later."

Visiting the wounded soldiers would naturally allow her to see Brother Song as well.

Song Xian grudgingly agreed, letting go of her hand, watching her walk out.

In the courtyard, Hu Zi’s joyful voice echoed, "Sister, we’re all ready. I even memorized the herbs you asked me to yesterday. I don’t believe you, test me."

Xie Liangchen replied warmly, "Okay, let’s test you while we walk."

The two gradually walked away. After tidying his robe, Song Xian also stepped out, with Chang An immediately following, "An urgent document has arrived from the Capital City. General Cheng is waiting for you in the Central Army Tent."

Song Xian nodded and strode out of the courtyard.

"Is General Song dealing with urgent matters?" The villagers speculated in low voices when they saw Song Xian leave, "He seemed quite happy when he arrived, but looked grim when he left."

"Could there be another battle?"

"Don’t say that, it makes people anxious."

"I’ll go ask Village Chief Wang."

The villagers thought such an important matter must be reported to Village Chief Wang. As the main general of Daqi, the good or bad fortune could be seen on General Song’s face.

...

With Song Xian guarding Dai State, Xiao Xingzong’s troops only dared to remain outside Ying County.

Upon hearing the Third Prince was captured, Empress Dowager Xiao immediately sent troops to Ying County to assess the situation.

"Why was the Third Prince leading the expedition, instead of you commanding the troops?"

Xiao Xingzong had to answer this question every day. After he failed to capture Xie Liangchen, the Third Prince Ge Kun’s troops blocked him at Lingqiu.

All the troops Empress Dowager Xiao agreed to send were under Ge Kun’s command. Even though Xiao Xingzong had some help, they were no match for those forces.

Xiao Xingzong appeared more haggard than before. Although unharmed from the battles, his eyes were deeply sunken.

Xiao Xingzong said, "I advised the Third Prince not to personally lead an attack on Dai State, but the Third Prince..."

A Liao official said coldly, "So, Mr. Xiao did nothing wrong, and it’s all because the Third Prince insisted on his own way?"

Xiao Xingzong’s adopted son Zong Pu couldn’t help but say, "My foster father did advise him several times, we can all testify to that."

The Liao official looked at Zong Pu with a sardonic expression, "Don’t forget, you are a subject of Liao, and must consider everything for Great Liao."

These words made Xiao Xingzong frown.

Zong Pu’s eyes flashed with a fierce look, "What do you mean by that? Are you suspecting my foster father?"

Xiao Xingzong raised a hand to stop Zong Pu from speaking further.

A few of the Liao officials exchanged glances, then one of them spoke, "With so many troops lost, even the Third Prince was captured, yet Mr. Xiao managed unscathed. I heard that after the Qi people won the battle, Song Xian was absent for a long time. Yesterday, when Mr. Xiao led the troops out, Song Xian was personally on the city wall. What’s the explanation for this? Isn’t it a case of Mr. Xiao colluding with Song Xian, helping him to easily seize the Eight States?"

Xiao Xingzong said, "Song Xian came merely to capture me. I’ve defected to Great Liao, and I’m an enemy of the Song Family father and son, planting spies within the Song Family Army. Song Xian has long wanted to eliminate me."

Although Xiao Xingzong said this, he knew the Liao people wouldn’t believe him. When he saw Song Xian standing on the city walls, he already understood Song Xian’s intention.

Song Xian wanted the Liao to doubt him; the move was simple yet highly effective. With the Third Prince captured, Empress Dowager Xiao questioned him, and now suspicion has increased. It seems he has no foothold left in Liao.

Xiao Xingzong stood up, "I have been discussing with the esteemed officials how to rescue the Third Prince. If the lords wish to punish me, it doesn’t need to be done hastily."

After saying this, Xiao Xingzong walked toward the exit.

"Where are you going?"

The voice of a military leader rang out just as Xiao Xingzong was blocked by him.

Xiao Xingzong frowned.

"The Empress Dowager is worried about the Third Prince’s safety and is anxious. I advise Lord Zhao not to waste time,"

Previously, the Liao people respectfully called him "Mr. Xiao," but now they’ve reverted to using his original surname, showing evident disregard for him.

They had long awaited this day.

Xiao Xingzong took a deep breath but couldn’t suppress the tickle in his throat, breaking into a coughing fit.

"Lord Zhao should take better care of his health," the official remarked, "The Empress Dowager is still waiting for you to return to the Capital City and report everything in detail. Before coming to Great Liao, Lord Zhao was a formidable general of the Qi people. Why, even in alliance with Gao Yu’s troops, couldn’t you capture Dai State?"

Upon hearing this, Zong Pu intended to argue with the official again, but was interrupted by a cry of agony from outside, and moments later, he saw Hu Gu rushing in, his face covered in blood.

Hu Gu, with blood streaming from his mouth, cried out, "Foster father, be careful, they’re planning to attack you..."