CHAPTER 424: CHAPTER 421 OUR OWN PEOPLE

Xie Liangchen understood her father’s emotional burden.

After the father and daughter met in Dai State, her father hardly mentioned the matter of her mother. She understood this in her heart and refrained from asking, fearing to reopen the wound in her father’s heart.

Her father’s coughing illness seemed to have improved now, but Mr. Xu had specifically instructed her to be cautious. Years of accumulated illness are not easy to heal and, if there’s any setback, not only would previous efforts be wasted, but the recurrences would be more severe as he grows older.

Now, what could grief her father is her mother, so she always handles this matter with care.

But now, mentioning Liu Xi, skilled at sea navigation, certain matters were unavoidable.

"Father," Xie Liangchen said, "Was Liu Ji always interacting with Liu Xi because of mother?"

Xie Shao Yuan nodded: "Back then, I wanted to save you and your mother, but was severely injured too. Luckily, Liu Ji rescued me. When I woke up, only then did I know you were sent to the Li Family, and Liu Ji and the others didn’t find your mother’s body."

Xie Liangchen guessed that her father’s emotional burden lay here. If her mother’s body was properly buried, her father would have surely taken them to pay respects and wouldn’t avoid mentioning it altogether.

Xie Shao Yuan continued: "After all these years, it’s not that I necessarily want to find something. It’s just... I can’t let it go, thinking of visiting after your marriage."

Xie Liangchen said: "Father, I understand your intent, but your illness isn’t cured yet, and it’s still cold, leaving me worried. If you wish to go, why not bring more people for safety?"

Xie Shao Yuan asked: "Do you think there’s anything inappropriate?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head: "Given our current situation, it’s inevitable that some are watching us, and with the affairs of the eight states unresolved and lack of manpower, being cautious is wise."

Xie Shao Yuan carefully considered and realized he hadn’t thought thoroughly. Given his lingering old illness, he shouldn’t undertake risky actions worrying Liangchen.

"I’ll first let Liu Ji take more people to investigate," Xie Shao Yuan said, "and then decide the next step based on findings."

Xie Liangchen felt relieved: "I’ll discuss with Song Xian to find two suitable people to accompany them; this way, perhaps they can find people sooner."

Xie Shao Yuan said: "That sounds good."

After finishing their talk, the father and daughter headed towards the Familiar Medicine Institute.

Xie Shao Yuan asked: "When you married, did the National Guardian General say anything?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head: "No, Song Xian’s residence was acquired by himself, and some things were already separated from the National Guardian General Mansion. Yesterday we merely served tea to my father-in-law, nothing else, father, rest assured."

Xie Shao Yuan was not very assured. Song Qizheng and Song Xian had a strained father-son relationship. Though he wouldn’t talk about their meetings, Liangchen was after all a junior here, couldn’t have conflicts with Song Qizheng, neither too deep nor too shallow.

"Father-in-law wanted to give me some wealth, trying to use this to change his current situation with Song Xian," Xie Liangchen said, "I hadn’t spoken when Song Xian refused, almost directly confronting father-in-law."

Xie Shao Yuan paused.

Xie Liangchen said: "If it weren’t for my presence, Song Xian might not have made such a scene. Ultimately, Song Xian was afraid father-in-law would continuously influence him through me, leaving me having to manage dilemmas sometimes. By cutting off this avenue, my future would be more relaxed, even if needing refusal, there would be a reason."

With Song Xian acting so before her, she can later claim "I can’t make the decision" when declining similar matters.

Xie Shao Yuan nodded in satisfaction: "Song Xian is quite meticulous."

Xie Liangchen smiled and was about to speak when Xie Shao Yuan said: "You’re protecting him too, trying various ways to speak for him in front of me."

"I’m not speaking for Song Xian," Xie Liangchen said, "I’m just afraid father worries."

Xie Shao Yuan said: "No wonder your grandfather says girls are outgoing." As soon as he said this, he regretted it and couldn’t help coughing.

Xie Liangchen laughed and asked: "Why did grandfather say so? Did he discuss this with father? Meaning mother sided with father?"

These three questions, Xie Shao Yuan didn’t want to answer any, merely saying: "Your second aunt came, so properly thank her. She got up before dawn to prepare; even if marrying her own daughter, she probably wouldn’t be this diligent."

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but smile.

"What are you father-daughter duo secretly talking about," Mrs. Gao approached and said, "Son-in-law wanted to come but feared disturbance, standing over there for quite a while."

Xie Shao Yuan said: "It’s still early, today was meant for returning visit, going back later is fine."

The voice was slightly louder, Song Xian approached humbly and said: "Father is right. Grandmother also instructed us not to rush back. Once the house here is settled, we’ll move in to stay permanently."

Hearing these words, Xie Shao Yuan felt more at ease and looked at Song Xian: "Mr. Li gave Mr. Dongli two tins of good tea through Zigeng. Mr. Dongli gave me one tin. I heard you can’t drink? Let’s have tea together later!"

Everyone sat down.

Old Mrs. Chen and two teachers sat at the head, followed by Xie Shao Yuan, Song Xian, Chen Zigeng, and the rest squeezed together without any primary seating, both old and young, making the room much warmer.

Chen Yuyu whispered to Dan’er beside her, Chen Dandan said: "Sister has been gone only two days, but somehow seems different now, looking even more dignified."

Chen Yuyu laughed: "Sister was always like this." From the first time Sister visited the village, she knew Sister was a person capable of great deeds.

Though Xie Liangchen was married, everyone was still chatting and laughing much like before.

Song Xian listened to everyone’s lively chatter, recalling his first visit to Chen Family Village, where everyone behaved quite cautiously around him, yet even then felt the village’s warm atmosphere.

Comparing now, treating one’s own kin and outsiders differs significantly.

Song Xian lowered his head and whispered in Xie Liangchen’s ear: "Madam, am I considered a Chen Family Village member now?"

Xie Liangchen seriously replied: "You have to check if your household registration is in Chen Family Village, and ask if the village chief is willing for the village to add another household member."

Song Xian slightly moved his arm and touched Xie Liangchen’s hand resting on the table: "The village chief also listens to Sister Chen."

Xie Liangchen couldn’t suppress her smile: "When the spring plowing starts, work hard, and only then might I consider."

Song Xian said: "Sister Chen said, we must not slack off, hoping for results soon."

Xie Liangchen blushed; Song Xian’s words seemed to have another meaning to her. Upon turning to look at him, she saw his expression natural, gaze clear and sincere.

Ultimately, her skin wasn’t as thick as his.

After the meal, Hei Dan noticed Chen Zigeng seemed often contemplative.

"What’s going on?" Hei Dan asked Chen Zigeng.

"Nothing," Chen Zigeng casually replied. Now that Sister and Brother-in-law are married, there’s no need for him to meddle, so no need to deliberately eavesdrop for information.

Yet just now... while helping Second Aunt with soup in the small kitchen, he accidentally overheard Sister and Brother-in-law discussing household registration.

Why did those words seem both understandable and confusing to him?