Song Xian looked at Cheng Yanzhao, who was eating noodles.
The Song Family and the Cheng Family were old friends; he knew Cheng Er since he was three. Later, they went to the military camp together, where Cheng Er helped him manage military supplies.
When he raised forces, Cheng Er also went south with him.
Now seeing Cheng Er again, Song Xian couldn't help but feel momentarily dazed. He had almost forgotten that Cheng Er was like this before — very talkative in front of him, to the point that even eating couldn't stop his mouth, almost to an unbearable degree.
Except for when leading troops into battle, Cheng Yanzhao was practically a playboy, often seen in brothels, taverns, and gambling houses. Until Cheng Er fell for Miss Meng, who married someone else and then died in the chaos, Cheng Er never smiled again.
Noticing Song Xian watching him, Cheng Yanzhao lifted his head: "What's wrong? Am I doing something incorrectly?"
Song Xian shifted his gaze away.
Cheng Yanzhao swallowed the noodles in his mouth, eagerly drank two mouthfuls of soup, and then continued, "Seriously, who just left?"
Song Xian did not answer, instead dropping his gaze back to the official documents. Even as he faced the two personas of Cheng Er in his new life, he still could not understand Cheng Er's transformation due to Miss Meng, who, in Cheng Er's eyes, surpassed family, friends, and even comrades.
Cheng Yanzhao, unaware of the change in Song Xian before him, was intensely curious about the identity of the female relation; aside from the maids serving, he had not seen any other women here.
Thus, when the woman they encountered on the road left, Cheng Yanzhao was astonished to see Chang Yue escorting her away.
When Cheng Er wanted to take a good look, he missed the best opportunity as the woman sharply lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.
Cheng Er attempted to ride his horse forward, but Chang Yue blocked him, stating, "She was summoned by the Master."
Cheng Yanzhao keenly sensed there was more to this, so he hurriedly came to inquire of Song Xian.
"When did you meet her?" Cheng Yanzhao continued, "Why bring her here? It's so late; isn't her family worried?"
Song Xian remained silent.
Cheng Yanzhao felt that Song Xian was particularly tolerant of him today, perhaps due to a happy encounter with a woman?
"Don't keep things to yourself; speak out for freedom," Cheng Yanzhao advised while finishing the meal in front of him and picking up the empty bowl, his expression showing he was unsatisfied.
"Is there more?" Cheng Yanzhao opened the door to ask Chang An outside.
"No," the chef responded, "Does Mr. Cheng want another bowl? However, it might taste different."
Indeed, someone else made this dish, and that person was likely no longer in the courtyard.
Cheng Yanzhao's thoughts flickered briefly, then he closed the door again and returned inside, asking Song Xian, "You won't disclose the identity of that Miss, but can you tell me where the chef was hired?"
Song Xian didn't even move his eyebrows.
Cheng Yanzhao said, "I'll exchange ten warhorses for her to cook for me for a while, considering you don't care, and you don't eat the food made by the chef."
Song Xian was not tempted.
Cheng Yanzhao said, "Then twenty horses? Thirty... surely thirty will do? I can't get more."
Seeing Song Xian's expression still indifferent, Cheng Yanzhao felt increasingly unusual — could someone who loved warhorses endure such temptation?
Hearing this, Song Xian finally lifted his eyelids: "What do you want to say?"
Cheng Yanzhao said, "Tell me what's going on with that woman, or lend me the chef for a few days, and I'll exchange warhorses, is that okay?"
Song Xian's joy at seeing Cheng Yanzhao again was now utterly worn away, and he said flatly, "No."
Cheng Yanzhao's expression completely froze; he seemed to have figured something out: "Could the new chef and the Miss actually be the same person?"
Song Xian's expression remained calm, but Cheng Yanzhao got his answer, staring incredulously at Song Xian.
Under that gaze, Song Xian raised his head, revealing a questioning look in his eyes.
Cheng Yanzhao sipped tea to steady himself: "A Xian, you've found someone you fancy?" So long without any news around Song Xian, he was starting to think Song Xian had a hidden ailment.
Song Xian frowned, his face unpleasant; he didn't speak because of the matter of rebirth, and Cheng Yanzhao was clearly mistaken.
Song Xian casually said, "Focus all your energy on politics; that way, Song Er won't stir up trouble in the city."
Even being asked this much, Song Xian still wouldn't explain, making Cheng Yanzhao more curious. Since people couldn't run away, he resolved to see that Miss in person next time he had the chance.
Cheng Yanzhao withdrew his thoughts, with Second Young Master Song pulling in officials and merchants everywhere, the intention glaringly apparent. The North was just stabilized; whoever manages the North well would achieve great merit in the court.
Is it Song Er trying to steal credit, or Song Qizheng's favoritism wanting to support the second son's rise? Or perhaps both?
Thinking of these made Cheng Yanzhao's eyebrows show some anger: "During the war with the Liao Army, why not make Song Er the vanguard? You are the legitimate eldest son, and even if Mrs. Rong is favored, she is the second wife. The position of Military Governor can be temporarily set aside, but if your father wants to pass the command of several towns' garrison troops to Song Er, don't blame us for being rude."
Song Xian in his previous life wouldn't tolerate it, and in this life, he'd naturally have no hesitation at all.
As they were speaking, Chang An came in to report: "Steward Xu confessed. He said that he secretly contacted those bandits because he followed Second Young Master's orders. The intention was to recruit them to work for Second Young Master."
Song Xian looked up at the sky. Once it was dawn, he would take people back to the Song Family to avoid disturbing his grandmother's sweet dreams.
...
Xie Liangchen lay back on the bed. Although she had been anxious and frightened tonight, with the matter now resolved, she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
Outside, Chang Yue heard the steady breathing from inside the house and was slightly surprised. Coming out of Master Chen's room, it was impressive how quickly she could fall asleep again.
Chang Yue disappeared into the darkness, continuing to guard the Xie Family.
As dawn broke, Xie Liangchen heard Old Mrs. Chen's voice: "Bring more of that millet porridge. No wonder my granddaughter's injury hasn't healed! How can she regain her strength eating so little?"
The Xie Family steward looked at the table gradually filling with food, his face turning a bit grim. It was enough for four or five people, and Old Mrs. Chen was clearly making trouble for them.
Thankfully, this was the last meal.
Xie Liangchen got out of bed, found someone had already prepared the water, and after washing up, walked out of the inner chamber.
Chen Zigeng was peeling eggs, three pure white eggs placed in a porcelain bowl.
Seeing Xie Liangchen, Chen Zigeng stood up: "Sister, it's time to eat."
Xie Liangchen sat down, and the three eggs were pushed in front of her.
Chen Zigeng said, "Sister, eat more, so you can get better quickly."
To Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Zigeng, the dishes on the table were excellent. The two of them usually saved any eggs they had to sell at the market. Chen Zigeng had almost forgotten what eggs tasted like.
Although Chen Zigeng craved those eggs too, he wanted more to leave them for his sister and grandmother. His sister ate three, his grandmother ate one, leaving six more, enough for another two days.
Just as Chen Zigeng tried to shake off thoughts of the white eggs and was about to bite into a flatbread, he noticed an egg had mysteriously appeared in his bowl.
Chen Zigeng looked up to meet Xie Liangchen's eyes.
Xie Liangchen said, "If you don't eat, neither will I."
Chen Zigeng looked at his sister, his nose stinging with emotion.
"Alright, alright," Old Mrs. Chen said, "Eat up. In the future, when we have our land, why should we worry about not having eggs to eat?"
Xie Liangchen nodded: "Grandmother is right. Not only will we have eggs, but in the future, we'll buy a bigger house in Zhenzhou than here."
Old Mrs. Chen's face flushed for her granddaughter, daydreaming in broad daylight.
After eating, the Xie Family steward came over and said, "Everything is loaded onto the cart."
This was a prompt for them to leave.
Xie Liangchen stood up: "Has Madam Su arrived? I will have a word with her before I leave." With everything in hand, it was time to turn the tables.
In the garden.
Madam Su was speaking to Mrs. Qiao.
The steward stepped forward to report: "Old Mrs. Chen, Mr. Chen, and the young lady are coming this way, saying they wish to speak with Madam Su."
Mrs. Qiao looked at Madam Su. They all knew Madam Su came early for Mr. Su and Ru Lan's marriage negotiations. Could it be that Xie Liangchen thought the Su Family couldn't bear to lose her?
"It's good to meet," Madam Su said, "to make things clear and avoid future complications."
Mrs. Qiao was secretly pleased to hear this. Xie Rulan's heart raced. A future mother-in-law like Madam Su was indeed a blessing.
When Xie Rulan was overwhelmed with emotions, she saw Xie Liangchen walk straight to the stone table and sit beside Madam Su.
Madam Su's face bore its usual smile, while Xie Liangchen was relaxed with a slight smile. The breeze gently brushed her hair, exuding an indescribable elegance.
Madam Su secretly admired her. With such beauty, if she became a concubine, she'd surely be favored, and if she could remain content, she'd enjoy wealth all her life.
But she wasn't suitable for their Su Family.
Xie Liangchen handed over the withdrawal letter: "Madam Su helped me retrieve my father's mountain land, so I give you this withdrawal letter. The friendship between our families is thus settled, and we owe each other nothing hereafter."
Madam Su's hand trembled. She hadn't expected Xie Liangchen to speak so frankly in front of the Xie Family, but she quickly regained her composure. She had what she wanted, and the rest didn't matter.
Mrs. Qiao's smile froze. Wait, what did Xie Liangchen just say? Madam Su helped her get back her mountain land? What did that mean?
Xie Liangchen knew what Mrs. Qiao was thinking. She turned her head and looked at Mrs. Qiao: "The government office's document on the mountain land was obtained by Madam Su for me. I promised the Su Family that as long as I could retrieve my mother's dowry and my father's assets and leave the Xie Family smoothly, I would withdraw from the engagement to the Su Family, and from then on, we have nothing more to do with each other."
Mrs. Qiao's mind buzzed. Were they colluding all along? She looked at Madam Su's smiling face in disbelief.