CHAPTER 342: CHAPTER 339 INTIMACY

Xiao Xingzong looked at Hu Gu, who had fallen to the ground. Hu Gu was severely injured, still bleeding profusely, and was evidently beyond saving.

Zong Pu couldn’t possibly protect him and leave.

Xiao Xingzong turned to the Liao officials, "Do you want to kill me?"

"We dare not," the Liao official replied coldly, "The Empress Dowager has decreed that before the matter is investigated, we must detain Lord Zhao. Lord Zhao must understand, as it concerns the safety of the Third Prince, we cannot be careless."

After speaking, the Liao official waved his hand again, and those surrounding Xiao Xingzong stepped forward.

The sounds of fighting immediately erupted inside the army tent. The Liao official watched the scene with a smirk, his face full of flippant expression.

First Zong Pu fell, then Xiao Xingzong was subdued.

"Take them away," the Liao official ordered, "Don’t neglect Lord Zhao."

Xiao Xingzong was pressed as he exited the army tent, hearing the mocking laughter of the Liao official behind him: "What Thirteen Grand Protectors, ha, really think you’re one of our Liao people? You’re just a dog of the Empress Dowager."

Xiao Xingzong looked towards Dai State Pass, as if he could see Song Xian standing on the watchtower. He had plotted for over ten years, yet was now falling into Song Xian’s hands.

A look of hatred flashed in Xiao Xingzong’s eyes.

...

Xie Liangchen entered the army tent while Song Xian was still reading the official documents.

A fragrance of food wafted in, and Xie Liangchen placed the food box on the table.

Song Xian walked over and held Xie Liangchen’s hand, "So cold? Didn’t I ask Chang An to tell you not to come over, I’ll go to the village to see you later."

Xie Liangchen naturally had other tasks to do. She brought villagers to boil, wash, and dry the cloth strips for bandaging wounds, delivering them just in time for the afternoon dressing.

Just as Xie Liangchen was about to speak with Song Xian, she noticed Song Xian gazing steadily at her.

"What’s the matter..."

Before finishing her words, they turned into an exclamation.

Xie Liangchen felt a tightness at her waist, her feet lifted from the ground, already caught in Song Xian’s arms, and in the blink of an eye, she was sitting on the table.

Song Xian bent down to move a brazier, placing it beneath Xie Liangchen’s feet.

Soon, Xie Liangchen’s feet were enveloped in warmth.

The cold wind stirred the tent, but inside one felt no chill at all.

Song Xian reluctantly withdrew his hand; he had long since noticed her slender figure, and now realized that her waist was impossibly thin, and she was lighter than his iron spear.

The two were extraordinarily close, each could hear the other’s breathing. Xie Liangchen instinctively curled her fingers, clenching tightly her dress.

"Song Xian."

Xie Liangchen saw that he had no intention of leaving for quite a while, so she couldn’t help but call softly.

At the sound of her voice, Song Xian’s heart seemed to flutter, he leaned forward and kissed the top of her dark hair.

Xie Liangchen was slightly surprised. Song Xian’s movements were gentle, yet she seemed able to feel every tiny detail.

His lips moved slightly downward, the warm sensation fell upon her forehead.

Heartbeats quickened further.

"Thump-thump, thump-thump" echoed like thunder, indistinguishable between hers and his.

Xie Liangchen suddenly pressed her hand against Song Xian’s chest; she truly felt Song Xian’s heart beating quickly and heavily beneath her palm.

It was as if she had been scorched; she was about to move her hand away when Song Xian’s palm pressed down, intertwining their hands once more upon his chest.

His lips continued downward, falling on her brow, then her nose bridge.

"Song Xian."

"Song Xian."

Xie Liangchen’s voice gradually became urgent, and Song Xian finally stopped, just leaning in to embrace her.

His voice tried to smoothen out yet was still hoarse, "Just hold for a while."

Xie Liangchen’s cheeks turned crimson. After a long moment, she spoke again, "The food will get cold; the villagers went through great trouble to catch this wild chicken and stewed it for a long time, don’t waste their kindness."

"I’ll eat," Song Xian said, "I’ll eat it all."

Song Xian got up, moved a chair, and pulled his cloak from outside his armor to cushion the chair.

Xie Liangchen, having experienced this once, naturally understood Song Xian’s intention. Before Song Xian could turn and come to carry her off the table, she jumped down herself.

Song, suddenly missing a moment to embrace his Sister, felt slightly disappointed. But considering his previous excessive actions, he dared not push his limits. Seeing Xie Liangchen about to pick up the cloak, he said, "The tent is damp and cold, the cloak is clean, just sit."

Was she rejecting the cloak? Did she think...

Seeing Song Xian’s stubborn gaze, Xie Liangchen sighed inwardly, oh well!

The chicken broth and rice were cooked with millet instead of sorghum.

Song Xian first served a bowl to Xie Liangchen, then served himself and sat down.

Xie Liangchen had already eaten with her father, but seeing Song Xian not start, she accompanied him in eating another meal.

After the meal, Song Xian said, "News came from the pass, Xiao Xingzong has been detained."

Song Xian intentionally released information to the Liao, now leaving the Third Prince untouched, intending to use him to trade for Xiao Xingzong, though these words didn’t come from the Daqi Court, Empress Dowager Xiao didn’t dare to risk it, so she naturally detained Xiao Xingzong.

With this matter settled, Song Xian said, "The court’s relief grains will arrive soon. Next, the government office will need to verify household registrations and begin distribution."

Xie Liangchen didn’t expect it to be so quick.

Song Xian smiled at Xie Liangchen, "Today I visited several nearby villages, heard you’re returning to Zhenzhou, villagers couldn’t help feeling sad, Yu Niang and others reassured them that you would surely return."

Song Xian’s eyes brightened, "I really wanted to walk over and say to them, in some time I’ll definitely bring Sister Chen back."

Zhenzhou villagers were already packing up, and in a day’s time, they would set off to return to Zhenzhou.

Knowing they were about to part, Song Xian was particularly clingy, staying in the army tent chatting with Xie Liangchen for quite a while, then personally sending Xie Liangchen back to the courtyard where the women stayed.

Only when Xie Liangchen blew out the lamp did Song Xian, standing outside the courtyard, finally turn and leave.

Xie Liangchen let out a long sigh, recalling Song Xian’s earlier impetuous action, her cheeks quietly flushed, burning hot.

...

Xie Shao Yuan and Xie Liangchen set out with the villagers from Zhenzhou to leave Dai State.

Dai State’s residents came out early to see them off.

They accompanied them for ten miles.

Old General Zhang didn’t travel with them this time. Dai State had many matters needing his assistance, there’s plenty of time ahead, and Old General Zhang resolved that helping Song Xian stabilize the eight states was imperative.

Song Xian accompanied with his troops.

After leaving Dai State, Xie Shao Yuan couldn’t help but search for Song Xian, "Go back, there’s still Liao forces outside the pass, and until the court’s army arrives, you shouldn’t be away for long."

Song Xian glanced at Xie Liangchen not far away.

Xie Shao Yuan said, "With me here, nothing will go wrong."