Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power
Chapter 32 - 30 Competing_2

Chapter 32: Chapter 30 Competing_2

Madam Rong felt her limbs turn cold.

As they were speaking, a steward came to report: "The master has sent millet porridge and some dishes for Madam."

Song Qizheng was always busy with affairs outside, yet he still cared about his wife and son at heart.

In no time, the table was filled with food.

Madam Rong glanced at the dishes and knew they were meant to nourish someone; despite not expressing it, the master was concerned about Yu.

Madam Rong’s heart softened, and she wanted to use this to persuade her two sons.

But Song Min spoke first: "Father thinks sending these things can appease mother and us brothers; we’ve been fooled by father for so many years."

Madam Rong wanted Song Min to shut up. If these words reached the master’s ears, he would surely punish him.

"Mother, don’t be afraid," Song Min said, "even if father finds out, he would simply beat me up. But once Song Xian controls the entire Song Family, who knows what fate awaits me and Brother."

Madam Rong shivered.

Song Min continued, "Look at how he’s naturally cold and ruthless; he never smiles in public nor gives us any face. Even if we beg at his feet, he won’t spare us.

Mother, don’t forget how Song Xian incited people to assassinate father. If he can lay hands on his own father, what about us?"

Madam Rong was left utterly helpless by her son’s words: "Then what should we do?"

Song Min glanced at Song Yu lying on the divan: "Mother should tell father to give Brother some of the household generals by his side; whether or not we survive depends on how many troops we have."

Madam Rong understood Song Min’s intention; she needed to find a way to protect her two children.

Song Min quickly stood and headed out: "I need to gather some news."

Madam Rong wasn’t reassured: "Don’t act recklessly."

Song Min smiled lightly: "I won’t let anyone manipulate me. Even if I can’t do anything, I must find out what Song Xian is plotting."

Madam Rong wanted to stop Song Min, but he smiled and said: "Mother, take good care of Brother."

Finishing his words, Song Min didn’t look back as he walked out of the house to a nearby teahouse.

Song Min went upstairs, where someone was already waiting.

"Third Young Master."

Song Min looked over; someone had been waiting for him. Upon seeing him, that person showed an eager expression and quickly came forward to greet him.

Song Min wore a broad smile, appearing very amiable. He lifted his robe and sat on a chair: "Sit and talk; no need for formalities."

Mr. Dong obliged, and nervously took a seat, waiting for Song Min to speak.

"How is it? Did you find everything out?" Song Min asked.

Mr. Dong immediately replied: "I figured it out. The one who offered the prescription at the Paper Workshop is Xie Shaoshan’s niece. Xie Shaoshan was a ’Scholar’ in the twelfth year of Yuanping, and has some business in Zhenzhou. His niece was kidnapped when she was young and was just found recently."

Mr. Dong carefully reported the Xie Family’s matters to Song Min, especially Xie Liangchen’s background.

After recounting all this, Mr. Dong continued: "I asked Xie Shaoshan, they don’t know Mr. Song, nor do they know where their niece got the prescription."

Song Min looked at Mr. Dong: "Are they being truthful?"

Mr. Dong dared not speak falsely: "A few days ago, Xie Shaoshan asked me, hoping to work for Second Master and Third Young Master. The day Steward Xu was caught, Xie Shaoshan and I were waiting for him at the tavern.

It was that day Xie Shaoshan’s niece left the Xie Family and followed her grandmother to Chen Family Village."

Song Min turned the teacup in his hand; the matter sounded more like a coincidence. The Xie Family’s prescription happened to help Song Xian.

Mr. Dong softly said: "I hinted to Xie Shaoshan to inquire about things in Chen Family Village."

Song Min raised his eyes: "If the matter is handled well, naturally there will be benefits for you."

Mr. Dong stood and quickly expressed gratitude: "Being able to work for Third Young Master is our fortune."

Song Min said no more, and Mr. Dong bowed and slowly exited the teahouse.

With no one else in the teahouse, Song Min picked up the teacup and took a sip, finding the tea not as bad as he thought. Indeed, as Dong Jiang said, dealing with the Xie Family isn’t difficult.

As long as Li You is informed there’s no real "prescription offering," and it was all arranged by Song Xian to deceive Shangguan, everything will take a turn.

Song Min didn’t take the Xie Family and the villagers of Chen Family Village seriously. Even if the Xie Family coincidentally offered the prescription, the one who fueled it was Song Xian. Without Song Xian, the villagers wouldn’t accomplish anything.

A mere farm girl like Xie Family is more than enough for Dong Jiang to handle, while he would keep an eye on Song Xian here, hoping to catch Song Xian ordering the villagers of Chen Family Village.

...

Chen Family Village.

Old Mrs. Chen listened to her granddaughter’s incessant chatter beside her.

"From now on, eggs shouldn’t be sold."

"The house needs to stock up on good things."

"Look, when General Song came this time, did we have nothing good to give him when he left?"

Xie Liangchen decided to take advantage of Song Xian’s reputation to change her grandmother’s habits.

Old Mrs. Chen wished to refute her granddaughter but found some logic in her words.

Old Mrs. Chen finally couldn’t resist saying: "That’s General Song. Would he really care if we gave him eggs?"

"Why wouldn’t he? It’s the thought," Xie Liangchen said, "we can collect four eggs a day, eat three, and save one. Next time General Song comes, we can boil a few for him."

Old Mrs. Chen calculated carefully; her granddaughter’s plan seemed off. Saving eggs was to thank General Song, yet among four eggs, three went into their stomachs, making General Song seem secondary.

Xie Liangchen skillfully continued her tasks, occasionally conversing with her grandmother, and snickered seeing her grandmother’s unwilling expression.

"If grandmother can’t bear it, we can eat all the eggs ourselves."

Old Mrs. Chen quickly said: "Of course, I can bear it." Her granddaughter’s stomach seemed like a bottomless pit; no amount of eggs could satisfy it.

The courtyard filled with herbs, and Xie Liangchen looked at Chen Yongsheng: "Second Uncle, it’s time to send them into the city, make three or four trips, and it’ll be dark."

Chen Yongsheng nodded, instructing people to carry the herbs to the Paper Workshop.

Xie Liangchen looked at Chen Zigeng: "Brother, go with them and keep track of the herbs’ quantity; if other families send in herbs for the Paper Workshop, keep them separate and make sure the steward sees everything clearly and accounts are settled."

Chen Zigeng nodded.

Once Chen Yongsheng’s people left the village, Xie Liangchen sat down to rest, intending to call Old Mrs. Chen to drink water, when she looked up and saw Second Master Xie approaching.