CHAPTER 392: CHAPTER 389 RARE

The twenty blows from the Palace Department are not the same as the killing rods in regular government offices; these twenty blows are the price for defying royal authority.

Leniency is only slightly given when dealing with elderly civil servants. Since Li You didn’t give special instructions, Song Xian took the beating solidly, though it didn’t break his bones, it left him bloodied and bruised.

When Xie Shao Yuan came in, Chang An had just exposed the wounds. Song Xian heard footsteps and wanted to cover them up, but was stopped by Xie Shao Yuan.

Xie Shao Yuan said, "No need to hurry, let me have a look."

Song Xian felt slightly awkward. He often got injured, but it was always Chang An, Chang Yue, and the medical workers in the army who treated him, even his grandmother hadn’t seen him like this. Having someone suddenly so concerned felt quite unfamiliar.

Especially since this person was his future father-in-law, like a biological father.

Xie Shao Yuan frowned, "The injuries are severe." It seemed Mr. Li didn’t help secretly either; this time, Song Xian paid a considerable price, and it appeared to be a major issue.

Chang An said, "I carefully felt the bones; it should all be superficial wounds. We’ll invite the Imperial Physician to examine it later."

Xie Shao Yuan didn’t leave but said, "Apply the medicine!"

Whoever came to see the injury, the external wounds were always treated first. The injury had been frozen for too long and tormented along the way back; the sooner it was treated, the better.

After Chang An applied the medicine on Song Xian, he stepped out.

Song Xian was about to get up to speak to Xie Shao Yuan, but felt a weight on his shoulder as Xie Shao Yuan pressed him back, "Lie down and recover properly."

As he spoke, Xie Shao Yuan carefully covered Song Xian with a quilt, "There’s no need to bother today; just rest here."

Listening to Xie Shao Yuan’s gentle voice, Song Xian suddenly recalled seeing Song Qizheng caring for a sick Song Yu when he was young. He had to admit there was an indescribable envy then, but such a scene never happened between him and his father.

At least, at this moment, he had the same feeling.

Xie Shao Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Was it Xiao Xingzong’s side that made a mistake?"

Song Xian nodded, "Xiao Xingzong spoke up and probably revealed the inside story of Prince Guangyang’s demise back then."

Xie Shao Yuan frowned.

Song Xian continued, "I’m afraid the Emperor suspects we had a hand in it."

Song Xian explained the entire cause and effect to Xie Shao Yuan in detail. He hurried into the palace before the Ministry of Justice could send out the news, just to dispel the Emperor’s suspicion of him.

Xie Shao Yuan immediately understood after thinking it over, realizing that the reason Song Xian stood up to the Emperor and endured this beating was to prevent the trouble from eventually impacting him and his daughter.

By standing in front, whether it was him or Liangchen, they would naturally remain safe.

"You child," Xie Shao Yuan said, "don’t be so reckless in the future. Advising the Emperor is one thing, but don’t anger him. You must know that the Emperor’s intentions are difficult to predict. This time, it was twenty blows, but if your official position were really stripped, or worse, if your life were at risk..."

Song Xian said, "Please rest assured, Father-in-law. Before doing this, I thought it over many times and wouldn’t act recklessly. At most, it’s just some superficial pain, and it’s worth it for a clean resolution."

Chang An brought medicinal tea, "The Commandery Princess brewed it; it can dispel cold and relieve pain. Master, drink it while it’s hot!"

"I’ll do it," Xie Shao Yuan took the medicine from Chang An, "drink it in one gulp; drinking it slowly makes it harder to swallow."

Song Xian complied and drank the medicine in one gulp. Beside him, Chang An felt that this scene was indescribably warm. The master had never received such care from the elder master in the prefecture, thanks to the family of the Commandery Princess.

Xie Shao Yuan said, "If there really is someone secretly manipulating this, who do you think it would be?"

Song Xian said, "There are two most suspicious people. This affair, once stirred up, is unfavorable to the Emperor. If we were allowed to be suspected by the Emperor, it would be killing two birds with one stone."

Xie Shao Yuan said, "Are you talking about Prince Lu and Prince Qi?"

Song Xian nodded.

Xie Shao Yuan took a long breath, "I didn’t expect there to be so many twists and turns before Xiao Xingzong’s execution."

Song Xian said, "Now, it’s beneficial for us. At least before Xiao Xingzong and Gao Yu’s deaths, the truth from back then was revealed, paving the way for the future."

Hearing Song Xian’s words, Xie Shao Yuan’s gaze turned slightly deep, and he remained silent for a long time, "In the end, we’ve dragged you into this affair."

"Father-in-law," Song Xian said, "you don’t have to worry about this. Even without Prince Guangyang, Chen Family Village, you, and Liangchen, I would do the same. Things in this world are just like that; birds of a feather flock together, and one can only follow one’s own path."

"Liangchen and I are on the same path, which is why we met."

Xie Shao Yuan no longer refuted and nodded, "Alright, rest for a while. Your eyes are red; take good care of yourself."

After speaking, Xie Shao Yuan walked out of the room.

Outside, Old Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Gao were talking with Xie Liangchen, while Chen Zigeng was sitting on the side with bright eyes. Nothing happening in the house could escape his notice.

Seeing Xie Shao Yuan come out, Chen Zigeng jumped off the chair first and walked to Xie Shao Yuan, "Uncle, how is Brother?"

Xie Shao Yuan said, "The wound is still oozing blood, and it will hurt for a few days. Be careful these few days; he appears to be quite cold, with burning palms and red eyes."

Old Mrs. Chen said, "At this time, the most feared thing is catching a cold. Don’t let him go home these few days; let him recover here."

Xie Shao Yuan nodded, "Let’s talk outside, let Song Xian rest for a bit."

After saying that, Xie Shao Yuan looked at Chen Zigeng, "Your sister still has to boil the medicine. You stay here to help."

It was his way of tacitly allowing Liangchen to stay and care for him. That pesky kid had better understand this and not betray his trust, otherwise, he’d let that kid suffer even more injuries.

Song Xian heard the sounds of Old Mrs. Chen and Xie Shao Yuan leaving. After a while, there were footsteps again. He looked up and indeed saw Xie Liangchen.

Song Xian first looked at Xie Liangchen’s shoes; seeing that she was still wearing the pair from the journey back, he immediately said, "Why haven’t you changed your shoes? Aren’t the shoes soaked?"

Still worrying about her shoes at this time...

Xie Liangchen said, "When I was brewing the medicine for you just now, they were dried by the fire. I’ll change them later."

Song Xian’s face turned slightly red, evidently from being out in the cold for too long.

"I’m alright now," Song Xian said, "if not for Father-in-law insisting I rest, I could get up now."

"You’re not the one to decide that," Xie Liangchen sat on the edge of the bed, "if you don’t take good care of yourself, when you’re old and suffer the consequences, who will take care of you?"

Song Xian’s eyes immediately showed a smile, "Won’t Sister take care of me?"

Xie Liangchen said, "I won’t."

Despite Xie Liangchen’s words, she took Song Xian’s hand to look at it. The skin on the back of his hand and the little finger was red, evidently frostbitten.

She took out ointment to carefully apply it over, gently massaging. Though the frostbite was light, if not treated, it would itch and could develop into chilblains.

"Let Chang An look at your feet later."

Song Xian stared blankly at Xie Liangchen, watching her lowered eyes, the shadows of her eyelashes cast on her face, and just wanted to reach out and hold her in his arms.

"Don’t move," Xie Liangchen pulled his quilt, "if you mess up the quilt again, I won’t take care of you."

Song Xian obediently lay back down.

Though he couldn’t move, watching quietly like this was also nice.

Just as they were about to enjoy a rare moment of peace for the two of them, a voice came from the courtyard, "Is Song Xian inside? I’m going to see how his buttocks have been beaten up!"