CHAPTER 413: CHAPTER 410 BUSY

Xie Liangchen listened to what Chang Yue said and immediately looked at the household general riding away. She didn’t know how to describe Song Xian.

Previously, she was surprised at how quickly the Song Family’s invitation was sent out, with the wedding date settled, and the officials of the Zhenzhou Government Office knew about it the next day.

Now it seemed she had some clues. This was probably all unintentionally leaked by Song Xian.

If they stayed here a few more days, everyone would likely know, wouldn’t they?

Xie Liangchen looked at Chang Yue: "Do you think Song Xian told anyone about these things after he came here?"

Chang Yue, of course, knew what the Commandery Princess meant: "The Eldest Master went to handle affairs at the government office as soon as he arrived, then went on an inspection tour, and later to the checkpoint to prepare for the market... he probably... hasn’t found the time."

Chang Yue dutifully spoke the truth, so he said "hasn’t found the time." If it were Chang An, he would surely cover for Song Xian. Thinking of this, Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but laugh, "I also think he hasn’t had the time to tell."

When Xie Liangchen talked with Chang Yue, the people from Qiao Family Village were waiting by the side. Seeing Xie Liangchen approaching, Second Sister-in-law Li stepped forward again.

"The Commandery Princess must have a lot to attend to," Second Sister-in-law Li said, "Once you’re done here, you’ll have to return to Zhenzhou for the wedding. It’s not many days until February 26."

Xie Liangchen was surprised they also knew February 26... it seems she underestimated Song Xian. Even as busy as he was, he had time to let such things slip out.

At this moment, Song Jiedu seemed just like a child.

"Do you really trust Song Xian?"

"They’re just making use of you."

"What Daqi, what Prince Guangyang, not to mention the Eight States, even the land occupied by the Qi people, it should all belong to the Gao Family."

"They brought spinning wheels so you would serve them. When you spin the thread tassel and sell it for silver coins, it will all be for Song Xian and Zhenzhou. How could it possibly be for you?"

The speaker was a man caught sneaking into the village.

Recently, many such people were arrested in the Eight States, and quite a few were held in prison. Some officials couldn’t escape punishment, but some people fooled by the Pseudo King had not committed any serious crimes, so the court wouldn’t impose harsh penalties.

Second Sister-in-law Li said, "See, I told you this man had a problem. After all these years under the Pseudo King, what kind of days have we lived, and yet there are still people wholeheartedly thinking of the Pseudo King."

Second Sister-in-law Li was always straightforward. Her words made the people of Qiao Family Village echo, "If the Pseudo King stayed in the Eight States for a few more years, Dai State would probably be empty of people."

"Several villages in Dai State are completely wiped out, yet the taxes haven’t decreased each year. When natural disasters occur, it’s hard to wait for the court’s relief, which turns out to be grain mixed with sand and moldy old supplies."

"And then, how come when we earn silver coins, it’s the court’s and Zhenzhou’s? The court and the village chief made it clear that we know exactly what we should earn."

"Take him to the government office."

"Yes, take him to the government office now."

The people of Qiao Family Village escorted the man away to the government office.

Xie Liangchen watched the man, and just as their eyes met, perhaps feeling guilty, he immediately lowered his head.

After the group escorting him disappeared in the distance, Xie Liangchen turned to Chang Yue, "Have someone keep an eye on the government office."

At first, the man merely deflected by saying he was curious about the weaving machine. How did he suddenly bring up the Pseudo King? If he truly supported the Pseudo King, it would be understandable; now, many in the Eight States were imprisoned because of the Pseudo King. However, care must be taken to ensure no one takes advantage of the situation, claiming to be serving others while pretending to be so.

Doing so prevents their true intentions from being exposed, and even if they end up supporting the Pseudo King without committing a severe mistake, they might get away with just a beating and get sent back to their place of residence for supervision, without severe punishment.

In such times, caution is necessary.

Once this matter was arranged, Village Chief Qiao also arrived.

Xie Liangchen said, "The furs from Liao have already been sent to the government office, and soon we’ll be able to collect wool."

Currently, the village can’t afford to buy wool and has to wait until it’s spun into thread tassel and sold for silver coins, which will then be given to the government office. It’s essentially borrowing the wool from the government office first.

In the past, only the government offices would borrow grain from them. Who would have thought there would be a time when the government office borrowed from them?

Village Chief Qiao said, "Have people prepare the items for washing the wool."

Qiao Family Village became lively just like Wang Family Village, while Village Chief Qiao led people to the government office. Once the government office received the documents, they could bring the wool back to the village.

Washing wool needed to be dried too, so the sooner they started, the better. The villagers were all waiting for the wool to arrive and didn’t want to waste any time.

"Here it comes, the village chief brought the wool back."

"Quick, inform the women, let’s first divide the wool and then start washing it."

These years, the villagers had suffered too much, so working hard in labor was nothing too significant for them. Before long, the village was bustling with activity.

Xie Liangchen went to see everyone dividing and washing the wool. Before long, Madam Zheng also brought people over to help.

The villagers were not yet skilled but worked with great care.

It wasn’t until nightfall that everyone had to stop.

Second Sister-in-law Li said, "We continue at first light tomorrow. As long as it doesn’t snow in the next two days, we can dry the wool quickly."

As she said this, she sighed, "Still too slow. If only it were summer."

But it wasn’t slow. So many people worked together, and the yard was full of wool drying. Everyone put all their energy into it. In the afternoon, no one arranged for meals, and when eating a mixture of grain husks and coarse grains in the evening, every face had a smile.

Madam Zheng and Xie Liangchen returned to Wang Family Village and stayed at Hu Zi’s house.

Madam Zheng took Xie Liangchen’s hand, "In a few days, you should head back to Zhenzhou. We’ll handle things here."

Xie Liangchen nodded, seeing the situation in Dai State, and felt relieved.

After a busy day, several people quickly fell asleep after freshening up.

When Xie Liangchen woke up the next day, already dressed, she heard a commotion outside the courtyard. After getting ready, she went out and saw Song Xian standing outside.

The villagers in Wang Family Village still feared Song Jiedu, not daring to step forward to speak.

Madam Zheng invited Song Xian inside.

Taking advantage of the moment when others had left, Song Xian approached Xie Liangchen, "Is there anything else to do today?"

Xie Liangchen replied, "I still need to visit a few more villages."

"Alright," Song Xian said, "I have prepared fast horses. We must leave by tomorrow at the latest."

Xie Liangchen nodded.

"We can’t delay any longer," Song Xian’s voice softened, "It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, Sister, please care for me."

Xie Liangchen’s cheeks immediately warmed. Before Song Xian could say anything more, she hurriedly said, "I understand. We’ll leave tomorrow."

Song Xian’s eyes were filled with mirth, "Then I’ll go back and wait. Tomorrow at chenshi, I’ll arrive with the horses to pick you up."