CHAPTER 94: CHAPTER 92 CARELESSNESS

When Song Xian opened his eyes, the sky was already bright.

Outside the door came the voice of Cheng Yanzhao.

"He’s not awake yet? Doesn’t he usually sleep only one or two hours a day?"

"Did you finally have enough of him and knock him out? What did I say? You should have acted earlier; I’m here to back you up if he rebels."

No one responded to Cheng Yanzhao.

Cheng Yanzhao continued noisily, "Isn’t this improper? Even if you feel sorry for your master, you should have chosen a better time. I didn’t know anything last night and followed his commands like a big animal, running around all night."

It was rare for Song Xian to sleep so soundly, and he felt inexplicably refreshed, but half of his good mood was disturbed by Cheng Yanzhao’s chattering.

Can’t this guy just be quiet?

Song Xian got up from the bed, swiftly pulling down the robe from the rack, and with a stretch of his arms, the robe fit neatly onto his body.

Song Xian began to fasten the buttons while carefully recalling the events of last night, frowning slightly.

Yesterday, he had been talking with Xie Liangchen in the study; she had made a bowl of rice wine with eggs, and when he mentioned her father, he received news that Housekeeper Zhao and his son had seen her father in Dengzhou.

It could be confirmed that Xie Liangchen’s father did not die at sea in June of that year. Housekeeper Zhao saw her father in Dengzhou in September, and he was rescued at sea in October.

Thinking about it this way, Song Xian increasingly believed that the people who rescued him might very well be Xie Liangchen’s family. Although it couldn’t be confirmed, the more he investigated, the less simple Xie Liangchen’s father seemed.

He sent people to the sea in Dengzhou to inquire about information; although the matter had passed six or seven years ago, careful investigation should yield some clues.

At this thought, Song Xian vaguely felt a peculiar sensation in his nose. He lifted his hand to touch it, and then he felt a dull pain at the tip of his nose.

Song Xian frowned, and his mind went blank with no related memories. He immediately searched his thoughts again. What happened after he mentioned her father’s matter to Xie Liangchen?

It seemed like he was going to give her a letter to look at, but then... he couldn’t remember anything after that.

Song Xian thought he would not be negligent. Whenever someone asked him about anything he had done, he could clearly recall it.

But there was actually a blank spot when it came to last night.

"Master."

Chang An heard the noise in the room, took a deep breath to compose himself, and only then did he bring in water for Song Xian to freshen up.

Song Xian dressed properly and went to the study to speak with Cheng Yanzhao.

"Finally awake." Cheng Yanzhao’s eyes were fixed on Song Xian as if watching the sun rise from the west.

Song Xian, unaffected as usual, with no discernible emotion on his face, lifted the robe and sat down on the chair, raising his head to look at Cheng Yanzhao.

Song Xian said, "Did you see the person?"

Cheng Yanzhao also straightened up, "Song Min went to Zhenzhou last night and then to Qi State. Someone is also following him, and there will be news delivered today."

Everyone Song Min has met will not get away.

Song Xian continued, "Recently, there has been quite a commotion in the border garrison."

Cheng Yanzhao pondered for a moment: "What do they want to do? After framing you, without waiting for the court to send someone to investigate, do they want to start a rebellion for suppression?"

Song Xian replied calmly, "The war with the Liao has temporarily subsided; keeping me is of no use to them. Having orchestrated such a meticulously thought-out plan to accuse me of treason, naturally, they won’t give me a chance to live. As for my subordinates, they also can’t take them in, and keeping them would be a threat. It’s better to further accuse me of inciting rebellion, and eliminate the problem entirely."

Cheng Yanzhao knew that Song Qizheng had always been wary of Song Xian, but he didn’t expect that Song Qizheng would take such a ruthless approach.

Cheng Yanzhao said, "You are, after all, his legitimate eldest son." Even he, an outsider, couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart thinking about it, Song Xian...

At this thought, Cheng Yanzhao looked at Song Xian. Song Xian seemed to be discussing ordinary political affairs, as if Song Qizheng and Song Min were unrelated people to him.

Anger filled Cheng Yanzhao’s heart. They had fought for Song Qizheng as the vanguard for years. Just as they were settling into stability, he was eager to "kill the donkey after the grinding is done."

"I’ll go to the outer camp now." Cheng Yanzhao turned and left after speaking.

After Cheng Yanzhao left, Chang An brought in porridge and small dishes.

Song Xian’s gaze fell on those bowls and plates.

Chang An was about to leave, but Song Xian called him back, "What happened last night?"

Chang An felt a moment of guilt in his heart, looked up at Song Xian, "Master, last night you ate the rice wine with eggs made by Miss Xie, and then you fell asleep." He told a lie, hoping the heavens wouldn’t strike him down.

Song Xian’s eyes, as cold as deep pools, were fixed on Chang An, "Fell asleep?"

Chang An replied, "I didn’t think that Master would get drunk on rice wine either."

Upon hearing this, Song Xian took a long breath. It seemed it was indeed true; there was no other explanation but drunkenness.

He fell asleep, then what about Xie Liangchen?

Song Xian continued, "Did I say anything before falling asleep?"

The master is worried about losing face in front of Miss Xie. Chang An shook away the memory of the master deliberately snatching the letter, and with a guilty conscience said, "No, Master told Miss Xie the news about her father, and then you fell asleep on the desk."

Chang An repeated the excuse he had prepared the night before, "Miss Xie was startled and called for me. Seeing that you were fine, I said it must be because you were too exhausted these past days."

Chang An coughed, "Afterwards, I asked Chang Yue to escort Miss Xie back to Chen Family Village."

What Chang An said somewhat relieved Song Xian. He stood up, ready to have breakfast, a thought flickering so quickly through his mind that he couldn’t grasp it.

Rice wine.

It was indeed his carelessness.

...

Xie Liangchen and Mr. Xu were busy at the Familiar Medicine Institute for a few more days.

This time Chen Yuyu and a few others were also brought into the Familiar Medicine Institute.

Old Mrs. Chen did not dare to go in. Firstly, seeing them work hard made her heart ache, and secondly, she was afraid of making a mistake that would cost money, so she stayed at the door every day, reminding those entering the Familiar Medicine Institute to be careful and not break anything.

After another busy day, as Chen Family Village was preparing to cook, the steward from Wang Jian’s side hurriedly entered the village.

The steward first saw Old Mrs. Chen and immediately approached her, "Madam, my master has met with an accident, can you bring some people to help?"

The steward’s eyes were red, his clothes covered in dust, making him look very distressed.

Old Mrs. Chen’s face changed, "What happened? Speak slowly, what happened to Mr. Wang?"

The steward wiped the sweat from his forehead, "My master took some people to buy wool. The mule was startled on the road, and the cart fell into the mountain. My master was also on the cart. We searched all over the mountain and haven’t found him... I thought perhaps more people might be able to find the master..."

Before Old Mrs. Chen could say anything, the steward looked up at the sky, "It’s going to snow. If we delay any longer... it’s going to be cold and dark. I really fear..."

Tears streamed down the steward’s face.

Seeing this, Old Mrs. Chen said, "Don’t worry, don’t worry, Mr. Wang is kind and has good fortune, he’ll be fine. I’ll find the village chief now and have him lead people up the mountain with you."