Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power
Chapter 44 - 42 - s Protecting You

Chapter 44: 42 Chapters Protecting You

As Song Qizheng stood up, Xie Liangchen’s face changed and she couldn’t help but step back two paces.

Chen Zigeng sensed something unusual about Xie Liangchen and instinctively called out: "Sister."

Before Song Qizheng could speak, it was as if the presence of this brother and sister pair had deflated his momentum. His usual intimidation failed to materialize and instead evoked suspicion from Li You.

Song Qizheng missed the opportunity to speak, only to hear Li You continue to ask: "Besides the few herbs drawn here, do you recognize any other medicinal materials?"

Xie Liangchen nodded: "Sir can take this humble girl to the pharmacy, where I can identify the medicinal materials in public."

Upon hearing the words "identify in public," Song Min couldn’t help but grit his teeth. The first thing he did was to have this farm girl recognize the herbs, but the result was that she couldn’t tell them apart.

Now the farm girl herself suggested it, so confidently, clearly unafraid of Li You verifying it.

Was she just putting on an act earlier in the small courtyard?

Impossible, Song Min’s eyes squinted with a fierce glint. He could see through the girl at a glance; the Xie Family had no special qualities, always led forward by him. Perhaps Dong Jiang hadn’t told him the truth to deal with Song Xian?

"I will take you," Li You said, "without clarifying, this matter will always be criticized by others; you must understand this principle."

Xie Liangchen responded, her past life involved years of trading medicinal herbs. Taught by Old Master Su and her mentor, she was familiar with every herb from the North to the South, and even maritime imports. She stood there through her own merit, leaving her unshaken.

In Li You’s eyes, it made him more convinced that Xie Liangchen wasn’t lying.

Such a matter, if lied about, would be uncovered immediately.

With this settled, Li You aimed to resolve another issue. He turned to Song Qizheng: "National Guardian General, who brought Miss Xie to the mansion?"

Song Qizheng looked at Song Min: "Explain the origins to Mr. Li clearly, leave nothing hidden."

Song Min found himself in turmoil, unable to make sense of everything, forced to speak with gritted teeth: "A merchant named Dong Jiang brought Miss Xie; the statement documents were his. I believed them to be true upon seeing them.

Now... after hearing Miss Xie’s words, I’m also confused. Perhaps, sir, you should summon Dong Jiang."

As Song Min finished speaking, footsteps sounded outside, followed by several government officials dragging someone into the room.

Song Min turned and found the person on the floor was Dong Jiang.

Dong Jiang met Song Min’s gaze, his eyes evasive, fear rising on his face.

Song Min’s heart sank as if a mountain weighed down upon him, leaving him immobile.

Dong Jiang stammered: "Mr. Li... it was Mr. Song who told me to do it, first to have Xie Shaoshan gather information at Chen Family Village, then capturing Miss Xie for questioning, leaving documents as evidence.

He even persuaded Xie Shaoshan to report it to the government office; I acted under orders..."

Song Min’s eyes widened like knives, desperately wanting to flay Dong Jiang alive. He couldn’t contain himself before Dong Jiang finished speaking, and shouted: "Who told you to say that? Who’s manipulating you against me?"

Having been beaten and interrogated by Li You, Dong Jiang’s face was pale; this fear drove him to collapse onto the ground.

"Spare me, Third Young Master," Dong Jiang trembled, "spare my life..."

Song Qizheng stood in a daze, never expecting Dong Jiang to speak thus, contradicting what Song Min had told him.

Song Qizheng glanced at the grim-faced Song Min, then addressed Dong Jiang: "Was it not you who brought the person to the Song Family?"

Dong Jiang dared not lie: "No, it was under the Third Young Master’s orders."

Song Qizheng maintained his turbulent emotions: "Then why did Song Min punish you?"

Cold sweat dripped from Dong Jiang’s forehead: "A ruse, to... to make the Great General believe, enabling the Great General to question the master."

With his assumptions proved, Song Qizheng still felt a jolt, as if struck hard in the chest.

Not only did Song Min deceive him, but sought to use his hand against Song Xian?

Song Qizheng turned to Song Min, his gaze filled with authority: "Is what he says true?"

"False," Song Min gritted his teeth to deny, "Someone is using him to harm me."

Upon hearing this, Song Qizheng instinctively avoided eye contact with Song Xian.

Li You, shrewd from years in office, grasped the situation with a glance. Song Qizheng trusted Song Min more than Song Xian, and, now with evidence clear, clung to the belief that this was Song Xian’s scheme.

Song Xian, seated, remained unchanged in expression, seemingly accustomed to such matters.

Li You couldn’t help but sigh internally—what had driven Song Qizheng and his eldest son to discord? After all, they guarded the Northern Border together, falling to this state for what reason?

Having fostered doubt, Li You asked Dong Jiang directly: "Was anyone directing you?"

Dong Jiang shook his head incessantly: "For four years, I’ve worked under both the Second and Third Young Masters. I’m also familiar with Steward Xu. Xie Shaoshan sought my aid to meet Steward Xu, hoping to connect with both young masters..."

As Dong Jiang recounted how he met Xie Shaoshan and dealt with the Chen Family, any remaining doubts dissipated.

Song Qizheng looked at Song Min with disappointment. Song Min had engaged in such deeds beneath his oversight.

Abducting a civilian girl, framing his brother, even involving Mr. Li, not only brought disgrace upon the National Guardian General Mansion, but implicated the Chen Family villagers, accusing them of oppressing commoners, endangering his Military Governor appointment.

Song Qizheng was nearly overwhelmed with rage, regretting not investigating earlier before Li You’s arrival, which might have avoided this outcome. He queried Miss Xie’s truthfulness; evidently, she hadn’t spoken honestly to him.

Was Miss Xie shocked and unable to respond or had she intentionally withheld information?

"Guards," Li You commanded, "take everyone involved in this case to the government office."

Li You meant everyone, naturally including Song Min.

Previously, Song Qizheng mitigated Song Yu’s punishment, sparing him with minor flogging; now, he couldn’t intervene to keep Song Min.

"Father." Song Min pleaded with Song Qizheng.

"Silence," Song Qizheng replied, "The National Guardian General Mansion defends the Northern Border, devoted to the nation and people, tolerating no oppression of the populace."

Completing his statement, Song Qizheng saluted to Li You: "Mr. Li, this case involves the Song Family, and I should not interfere, but if any assistance from the Song Family is needed, please send word."

"Father... Father..."

Government officials stepped forward to seize Song Min, and Song Min cried out: "Dong Jiang falsely accuses me, Father cannot trust one-sided words."

Song Qizheng ignored him, allowing Song Min to be dragged away.

Li You said: "I will head to the government office to handle the case, and will not further disturb the General."

Song Qizheng personally escorted Li You, a polite distance tinged with estrangement between them.

After a few steps, Li You beckoned to Chen Zigeng: "We’ve found your sister, come with me to the government office for some tea."

Xie Liangchen naturally followed Li You.

As they passed by Song Xian, her eyes flickered, avoiding others, meeting Song Xian’s gaze.

Song Xian said nothing, but Xie Liangchen could discern the debtor’s good mood.

Song Xian also knew Xie Liangchen was certainly elated; bringing out the medicinal herb diagram now was indeed the perfect opportunity to make a name for herself.

Everything was understood without words, no need for explanations to outsiders.

As Song Xian left the Song Family courtyard, Cheng Yanzhao immediately approached with a meaningful smile: "I heard a woman protected you earlier? Apart from your grandmother, that’s a first, isn’t it?"

Cheng Yanzhao winked and asked, "What to do? How will you repay her?"