Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power
Chapter 20 - 19 Father and Son

Chapter 20: Chapter 19 Father and Son

The sound of footsteps approached, and Song Xian appeared in Old Mrs. Song’s courtyard.

Jiao lowered her head and glanced at the increasingly close official boots, involuntarily shivering and collapsing onto the ground.

Song Xian only returned to the city at dawn with Steward Xu, heading to the grain shop, Papermaking Workshop, and various government offices to arrest people, because he anticipated Jiao and others would come to ask grandmother for help.

Now that he was back at the Song Family, it was also because grandmother needed to rest. It was time to clean up these people.

"Grandmother."

Song Xian walked through the door, his eyes fixed on his grandmother, who was sitting on the soft couch. Grandmother was spirited and beamed kindly upon seeing him.

As Song Xian made eye contact with Old Mrs. Song, a surge of emotion rose in his heart. He never expected to see his grandmother again.

Returning here suddenly, Song Xian, though accepting the current situation, only now felt his restless heart completely soothed.

Old Mrs. Song didn’t expect her grandson to stop in front of her. She carefully scrutinized Song Xian for a moment before saying, "During war times, you’re always out in the wind and rain, unseen all day. Now the Liao have fled, why can’t we find you? Look, your eyes are bloodshot."

Song Xian’s eyes weren’t bloodshot; he was momentarily melancholic but appeared calm to others, who assumed he was overly fatigued.

Old Mrs. Song seemed to have cast aside family matters, solely focused on catching up with her grandson.

Song Xian sat down beside her, and Old Mrs. Song promptly asked, "Have you eaten? Did you sleep well last night?"

Song Xian nodded, "I worried you, grandmother."

Song Xian’s mother died after giving birth to him, leaving him to be raised by Old Mrs. Song, who originally intended to protect her grandson as he grew up. However, due to frequent wars, Song Xian was sent to the military early, causing Old Mrs. Song to often blame her son.

Song Qizheng married Madam Rong as a second wife and had Song Yu and Song Min, who were both beloved.

Every time she saw Madam Rong’s children happily playing, Old Mrs. Song’s heart ached for her eldest grandson even more.

Old Mrs. Song and Song Xian talked as if no one else was present, with Madam Rong silently accompanying them until she noticed the steward nodding towards her.

Madam Rong realized Song Qizheng had returned.

So the drama was about to start.

Madam Rong coughed and looked at Song Xian, "Xian, what’s really going on today?"

Song Xian had been arresting people throughout the city with Steward Xu, surely holding a lot of evidence. Yu’s efforts in Zhenzhou to gain favor among people were likely uncovered.

She needed to turn the situation around for Yu before Song Xian could lodge a complaint.

Whether it’s the grain shop or the Papermaking Workshop, what Yu did was minor.

These years, Song Xian had grown stronger militarily, and the master harbored suspicions towards his eldest son. If Song Xian was disposing of people this way, wasn’t it a blatant power struggle?

As long as the master and Song Xian were at odds, what did it matter who was right or wrong? Wouldn’t it depend on whom the master chose to protect?

Song Xian did not respond, instead looking at the housekeeper: "Help grandmother to the inner room to rest; I will talk to her later."

Old Mrs. Song understood her grandson’s intent, nodded, and left with the housekeeper.

Song Xian sipped his tea.

Madam Rong softened her tone, as if pleading, "Your father just took over the Northern Border, no matter what happens, shouldn’t you discuss it with him first."

Song Xian glanced at Chang An, who placed accounts and confessions on the table.

With a cold expression, Song Xian said, "Does the Madam know that Steward Xu was working for Song Yu? Now you’re pleading for Song Yu, but before asking, you should look at those things."

Since entering, Song Xian had never called her "mother."

Madam Rong had long grown accustomed to this, but today Song Xian appeared even colder than usual.

Song Xian’s eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp and unfeeling: "Steward Xu secretly colluded with government offices and merchants. Before the court’s aid arrived, the government offices had already ordered coarse grain from the grain shop.

The price of coarse grain was half again as high as in Qi State, and such profiteering rampant throughout Zhenzhou.

Who gave them the courage to act this way?"

Song Xian’s deep voice made Madam Rong’s heart race.

Song Xian continued, "Don’t forget how Zhenzhou City was defended, the bloodstains on the walls haven’t dried yet. We fought for the prosperity of Daqi, for the stability of the people, not for shameless, monstrous individuals to find a place to flaunt their power.

Under my watch, they break the law knowingly; I have no qualms sending them to their end."

Seeing Song Xian’s deep eyes, Madam Rong couldn’t help shivering.

Finally, Song Xian looked up, "Is Song Yu at home? Please call him, I’d like to give him a chance to explain."

Madam Rong’s limbs were cold, only hoping Song Qizheng would arrive quickly.

Song Xian’s patience was evidently thin; with a glance at Chang An, Chang An was about to go fetch Song Yu.

"You pinned such a charge on my second brother while he was too ill to rise."

Song Min, wearing a sapphire-blue robe, burst into the courtyard. His face was expressionless, angrily staring directly at Song Xian: "Even if Steward Xu is with my second brother, so what?

Everybody knows your methods; who would trust the testimonies you extorted?"

Madam Rong could barely say, "Min, do not speak to your elder brother this way!"

Song Min sneered, "Does he consider us brothers? Has he ever called you ’mother’? He’s eager for our demise early on.

If he truly wants to uncover the truth, let Steward Xu be brought forward, questioned in front of grandmother and mother, then see if it’s real or fabricated evidence."

Hearing Mr. Song mention Steward Xu, Jiao outside the door struggled up, eagerly kowtowing for mercy.

Song Xian said, "I will let you see Steward Xu."

Song Min’s tense demeanor just started to relax when he heard Song Xian ask Chang An, "Where is he?"

Chang An bowed and reported, "Outside the city at the mass grave."

Song Min hesitated at first, then anger welled up from his heart: "You’re playing me."

Song Min, with a more volatile temperament than Song Yu, could no longer restrain himself in this situation, and was about to grab Song Xian: "Where are those officials you took from the government office? How have you dealt with them?"

Before the North had settled, he and his second brother had begun drawing these people in, now all seized by Song Xian, how could he repress his anger?

Song Min said, "Who do you think you are? Is the Song Family yours to control, or is Zhenzhou City yours to command?"

Before Song Min could touch the hem of Song Xian’s garment, Song Xian’s arm swung, immediately causing pain in his shoulder, pushing him several steps back.

Song Min barely steadied himself and fiercely approached again, ready to punch Song Xian’s face, yet Song Xian didn’t give Song Min a chance to fight, instead kicking Song Min in the stomach.

With a "thud," Song Min flew to the ground, his face pale as waves churned inside him, nearly making him vomit. Beaten so severely, his eyes reddened with rage. Ignoring the pain, he staggered up again, charging at Song Xian.

"Xian."

Before Song Xian could act, Madam Rong rushed in, pleading, "Please, he’s your brother, don’t be so ruthless, let’s talk it through peacefully."

Seeing Song Xian behave this way, she suddenly blurted out, drawing his attention to the entrance, where two figures appeared — one was Song Qizheng.

With no hesitation, Song Xian dodged Song Min’s incoming arm, gripping his collar and slamming him into the Eight Immortal table.

Almost simultaneously, Madam Rong gasped, as if punched too, awkwardly collapsing to the floor.

"Rebellious son." Song Qizheng barked, gripping the sword at his waist, striding into the room.

With a "clang," the sword unsheathed, its edge aimed straight at Song Xian.