Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power
Chapter 42 - 40: Can’t Do It

Chapter 42: Chapter 40: Can’t Do It

In the courtyard, the atmosphere was tense with swords drawn and crossbows ready, a sight that would naturally instill fear in ordinary people.

But after Chen Zigeng saw Xie Liangchen, he cast aside any sense of danger from his surroundings; his eyes were solely on his sister.

Watching Chen Zigeng’s figure, Song Xian recalled the scene when Xie Liangchen attempted to assassinate Ji Yuan.

She was covered in blood, yet she persevered through clenched teeth, her eyes glued to Ji Yuan until he died before her.

Even at the brink of death, she waved her hand, calling out to her brother.

Song Xian suddenly understood why she was so determined to seek revenge against Ji Yuan; her brother cared for her just as much.

Song Xian never thought Xie Liangchen was wrong; on the contrary, he admired her courage and temperament.

However, later on, this matter strangely implicated him.

Song Xian felt a slight tightness in his chest, and just at that moment, he saw a hand reaching out from the crowd, trying to stop Chen Zigeng. He stepped forward and kicked it away.

The person flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground, a mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth, and he quickly lost consciousness.

With this powerful kick from Song Xian, it was clear that no one dared to act rashly.

Song Qizheng and Song Min looked grim, but Song Xian acted as if nothing had happened, the hint of frustration in his eyes dissipating as he regained his composure.

Behind Song Xian, Xie Liangchen reached out to catch Chen Zigeng. Of course, she didn’t miss the figure that Song Xian had kicked away; in the blink of an eye, so thrilling that she didn’t even see how Song Xian had moved.

Chen Zigeng looked up, his red eyes gazing at Xie Liangchen.

"Sister," Chen Zigeng’s voice trembled, "are you alright?"

Xie Liangchen softly replied in Chen Zigeng’s ear, "Don’t worry, Sister is fine."

As she spoke these words, Chen Zigeng’s tears began to flow.

Xie Liangchen went to wipe Chen Zigeng’s tears; her brother’s fear was genuine. Even though he was clever, he was still just a child, and suddenly unable to find her would no doubt leave him in a panic.

Chen Zigeng reached out and held Xie Liangchen’s hand with his cold fingers, as if he’d never let go regardless of what happened, trying to stand firm in front of Xie Liangchen, wanting to shield her from the wind and rain.

"Sister doesn’t need to be afraid," Chen Zigeng said, "Li You is here." He had brought Li You.

Xie Liangchen’s nose tingled, and she nodded gently.

As the siblings reunited, Li You also entered, seeing the chaos at the Song Family, he turned to Song Qizheng, "What has happened in General Song’s home?"

After speaking, he looked at Xie Liangchen, "Why is Miss Xie here?"

Song Qizheng suppressed his anger and came forward to invite Li You, "Let’s talk in the main hall."

Li You didn’t refuse, but he glanced at his attendant and said, "Bring Miss Xie along."

Song Min’s eyes flashed with sarcasm; now that Li You wanted to take them away, Song Xian could only stand by and watch, not daring to step forward and stop it.

After inviting Li You to sit, Song Qizheng looked embarrassed, "Please forgive the disturbance, Mr. Li."

Li You didn’t respond, waiting until Song Xian, Song Min, and the Xie siblings entered the door, then he looked at Xie Liangchen, "Was Miss Xie forcibly brought here?"

The panic in the young girl’s eyes hadn’t faded, her hair was disheveled, her face streaked with tears. When she heard Li You’s question, her lips parted, and upon thinking of something, she trembled, her gaze quickly sweeping over Song Qizheng and Song Min, and finally lowered her head.

Xie Liangchen said, "No, no one... no one kidnapped me."

Li You remained calm, "Then why are you here?"

Song Qizheng felt a chill in his heart; Li You didn’t ask him but instead questioned Miss Xie, was this because he was suspicious?

Xie Liangchen paused for a moment and still didn’t lift her head, "I... I was invited as a guest, they wanted to ask me a few questions, I..."

At this point, the young girl suddenly became nervous, "I’ve already answered."

Hearing this, Li You turned his head to look at Song Qizheng, "Did the Great General invite Miss Xie to the residence as a guest?"

Song Min frowned slightly, feeling something was wrong; he hadn’t instructed Miss Xie to say this in front of Li You.

From her appearance, how could she look like a guest? Li You would definitely grow suspicious.

At this thought, Song Min felt it could no longer wait, he stood up and bowed to Li You, "Sir, I have a document here for your review."

Once Li You read Miss Xie’s confession, he would stop being fixated on who invited Miss Xie here and focus instead on who deceived the court.

Li You turned to look at Song Min; his face stern with a businesslike air, "Bring it over."

Song Min took the document from the steward and personally handed it to Li You.

Li You unfolded the document and carefully reviewed it; after a while, he moved his gaze away and asked Xie Liangchen standing in the room once more, "You don’t understand herbal medicine? Nor do you know the ’Paper Medicine’ formula? Someone secretly instructed you to go to the Papermaking Workshop?"

Xie Liangchen stood frozen for a moment before finally nodding, while next to her, Chen Zigeng urgently said, "No... it’s not like that... my sister knows about herbal medicine, that formula is hers."

Chen Zigeng forcefully tugged at Xie Liangchen’s hand, "Sister, tell the truth, Mr. Li will stand up for you, tell the truth..."

Li You slapped his hand on the low table, "Such audacity, who ordered you to deceive the court officer?"

Except for Song Xian, all eyes in the room fell on Xie Liangchen.

Finally, Xie Liangchen turned her head to look at Song Xian.

Song Xian, who was sitting upright and proper, happened to raise his eyes as well; their gazes met, and the girl’s eyelashes trembled with tears, her lips pressed tightly together, her eyes filled with resistance and struggle.

Li You seemed not to notice Xie Liangchen’s peculiar look and intensified his tone, "If you remain stubborn, I’ll have to interrogate the rest of the Chen Family Village."

The girl’s shoulders suddenly slumped down.

Seeing this, Song Xian finally frowned, looking straight at Li You, "Why make things difficult for the people of Chen Family Village, sir?"

Upon hearing this, Song Min spoke, "What do you call making things difficult? Deceiving the court officer is serious; whether guilty or not, it must be examined before knowing. With so many people in Chen Family Village, she can’t be the only one with inside knowledge."

Song Min felt smug, looking at Xie Liangchen, "Have you thought carefully about your reply to Mr. Li?" The farm girl was always timid; with this intimidation, she would surely be frightened enough to spill everything.

Once again, the room fell silent.

After an uncertain amount of time, the girl’s voice rang out once more, but this time with a stronger tone, "The person who deceived the court is me; arrest me, but don’t drag others into it."

Having said this, Xie Liangchen looked at Song Min, then focused on Song Qizheng’s face; her gaze held fear, anger, and defiance, "No matter what, I can only say this. You might take my life, but you cannot make me harm others."

Song Min’s expression changed slightly, and Song Qizheng sensed something amiss.

Xie Liangchen’s complex gaze gradually hardened, "Otherwise, even if I save Chen Family Village, everyone will resent me. My uncle, the village chief, the men and women of the village old and young all understand gratitude and would never betray those who treat us kindly. When the Liao people invaded, the villagers did not endure humiliation to survive, much less frame those who genuinely care for us.

General Song Xian gave us ten days to gather medicine, allowing us to be fed and clothed. How could I falsely accuse General Song Xian? Even if you kill me, kill the entire Chen Family Village, it still cannot be done."

Xie Liangchen finally mentioned Song Xian, but it was not the result Song Min wanted. What did she say? She would not frame Song Xian? So who instructed her to frame Song Xian?

Song Min suddenly felt uneasy; he hadn’t anticipated the situation would suddenly change, catching him off guard.

After Xie Liangchen finished speaking, she looked at Chen Zigeng, "Brother, is the item I told you to keep close with you?"

Chen Zigeng nodded, carefully retrieving it from his chest.

Holding the cloth-wrapped item, Xie Liangchen walked towards Li You, "Whether or not this girl understands herbal medicine, sir can immediately ascertain."