Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power
Chapter 46 - 44: Rebuke

Chapter 46: Chapter 44: Rebuke

The Second Old Master Xie was momentarily stunned and quickly looked at Song Xian, only to see Song Xian’s expression was stern and unfriendly.

"I am the patriarch of the Xie Family." Although the Second Old Master Xie was anxious, he could not lose composure in front of his clan members. He respectfully saluted Song Xian, not knowing what Song Xian would say after stopping them.

Could it be because of Xie Shaoshan’s case?

Logically, since the case had been handed over to the Zhenzhou County Government, someone of Song Xian’s status shouldn’t be concerned with them.

The Second Old Master Xie was lost in thought and considered many things in that moment.

Song Xian then said, "Have you fulfilled your duty as the patriarch?"

The heart of the Second Old Master Xie sank.

The cold voice rang out again: "Holding the power of the clan in your hands, you should be able to manage clan affairs. Allowing clan members to seize land and oppress orphaned girls should be your responsibility as the clan head. It’s due to the patriarch’s indulgence that things have escalated to this point."

Each word was like a knife, making the Second Old Master Xie’s hair stand on end, and cold sweat instantly soaked his clothes.

Before the Second Old Master Xie could speak, Song Xian’s voice became even deeper: "Why are you here today? Are you trying to pull strings to exonerate Xie Shaoshan?"

The Second Old Master Xie quickly replied, "I wouldn’t dare."

Song Xian pressed further: "You wouldn’t dare? Then why are you here?"

The Second Old Master Xie’s throat felt as if it were being tightly gripped by someone.

Song Xian said, "If there was no government office to uphold justice, would you just sit by and watch Xie Shaoshan’s actions?"

The Second Old Master Xie trembled as he said, "No... we wouldn’t, we are just here to inquire about the case."

Song Xian’s eyes glinted with a hint of amusement, but the smile was as cold as winter snow, causing everyone to lower their heads when his gaze swept over them.

Song Xian said, "If you had even a little bit of concern for your clan members, you wouldn’t have forced people out of the clan. Such a major incident is known to everyone, and yet you only come now, dragging your feet."

The Second Old Master Xie hurriedly said, "General, please calm your anger..."

Clearly, Song Xian did not wish to hear more from the Second Old Master Xie: "As a patriarch who cannot manage affairs fairly, you still carry some airs. You truly shouldn’t come to the government office to gather information; you should wait at home, and perhaps the government office might invite you as a guest in a few days."

The Second Old Master Xie’s face flushed red immediately. It wasn’t that he hadn’t heard the news; he just couldn’t figure out the details and feared making a mistake that would implicate him. He waited until there was a definite outcome before showing up.

Just like when Xie Liangchen wanted to return to the Chen Family, if not for the decision by the Chen Family and the official document from the Prefecture, he wouldn’t have intended to intervene. There were other reasons as well. Firstly, because of the child Chen Zigeng, who kept sending things to him on behalf of his sister, and he remembered the respect shown by Old Mrs. Chen to their grandchildren. Secondly, Xie Shaoshan showed less respect in his words since he had a few shops, so he took the opportunity to reprimand Xie Shaoshan.

But all of these were thoughts he kept to himself; how could Song Xian know? Each word seemed as if it could see right through him.

If the Second Old Master Xie felt ashamed by the scolding, Mrs. Qiao beside him was utterly horrified, wishing to leave at once, fearing staying any longer would land her in prison.

Song Xian suddenly fell silent, only staring at the Second Old Master Xie. The Second Old Master Xie felt weak all over and tremblingly said, "With such a grave mistake by Xie Shaoshan, the Xie Family will not protect him. After going back, I will also admonish the other clan members."

Song Xian still remained silent.

The Second Old Master Xie swallowed and bowed again: "Someone like Xie Shaoshan is unworthy of remaining in the Xie Family."

Song Xian finally spoke again, "The patriarch of the Xie Family can take the silver coins to keep Xie Shaoshan in the clan. As long as the members of the Xie Family abide by the laws of Daqi in the future, it won’t concern me, and there’s no need to put on a show in front of me."

The Second Old Master Xie had previously considered this, but now all such thoughts were gone. He shouldn’t have followed Mrs. Qiao to the government office in the first place, or he wouldn’t have been discovered by Song Xian.

Song Xian drew the reins and rode his horse away from the crowd.

Not until Song Xian’s figure disappeared did the Xie Family members come to support the Second Old Master Xie.

The Second Old Master Xie’s vision went black, and he almost fainted right there.

"Let’s go," the Second Old Master Xie said hoarsely after a long pause, "let’s go back."

General Song Xian was furious because Xie Shaoshan had plotted against him. If the Xie Family still supported Xie Shaoshan, there wouldn’t be a good outcome.

The Second Old Master Xie thought of the eggs Chen Zigeng had given him and realized he had to visit the Chen Family Village, hoping Old Mrs. Chen could speak a few good words on their behalf to General Song Xian.

Cheng Yanzhao and Song Xian left the government office together, only then displaying a smile full of deep meaning. He had seen Song Xian reprimand people before, but someone of the Xie Family Patriarch’s status was still not enough for Song Xian to speak.

"How about it?" Cheng Yanzhao said, "If you’re still concerned, we can go to the Chen Family Village..."

Before Cheng Yanzhao could finish, a gust of wind rushed towards his mouth. He barely dodged it; had it hit, he wouldn’t have been able to save his two front teeth.

Cheng Yanzhao covered his mouth, his eyes still full of amusement.

Finally, Song Xian found some peace and quiet. He spoke those words to the Xie Family Patriarch only because he was annoyed by unnecessary complications.

This time, the Chen Family Village did quite well. As he said, it’s rare to find someone capable of handling things.

...

Chen Family Village.

Xie Liangchen sat on the kang calculating accounts.

After today’s events, collecting medicine tomorrow would be much easier. However, the two herbs, yangtao vine and huang shu kui, had their picking times. After September, the medicinal effects would be far less than before. Song Xian urgently needed a large quantity of herbs, considering this.

They were not like those unscrupulous medicine merchants who made a lot of silver coins in a single trade. Therefore, the silver coins earned were only enough to stockpile some rice and grain for the villagers.

The paper workshop’s business could only last until October. The community couldn’t lose their livelihood because of it, so she had to speed up and truly establish the medicinal herb business.

But moving from selling two herbs to becoming a genuine medicine merchant still had a long way to go.

Old Mrs. Chen returned from outside and saw her granddaughter sitting there, lost in thought about something.

"Miss Chen," Old Mrs. Chen said, "It’s about time, take a break!"

Xie Liangchen looked towards the kitchen: "Grandmother, is the meal ready?"

Old Mrs. Chen said, "It’s almost ready."

Xie Liangchen asked, "Rice? With eggs?"

"Yes." Old Mrs. Chen sighed to herself; without eggs, Miss Chen wouldn’t eat. She gritted her teeth and used a lot of oil to make the eggs like Miss Chen.

Old Mrs. Chen said, "Next time, you should cook!" Keeping busy means she won’t have to see it, and Miss Chen can only fuss with these.

"Alright," Xie Liangchen pondered, "After a few days, we can buy some meat and make meat sauce rice."

Old Mrs. Chen’s eyes widened, her heart jumping to her throat. They’d just started eating eggs, and now she’s thinking of meat.

Old Mrs. Chen said against her conscience, "Eating meat isn’t good."

Xie Liangchen thought it over carefully—it indeed wasn’t good. Her huang jing was almost ready to be steamed and dried, and huang jing with chicken would be best to nourish her grandmother and younger brother.

Seeing her granddaughter nod obediently, Old Mrs. Chen was about to breathe a sigh of relief.

Xie Liangchen lightly said, "We should buy an old hen."

Old Mrs. Chen stumbled, nearly falling, and glared at her granddaughter while steadying herself.

The two of them were just locking eyes when Chen Zigeng entered the door: "Grandmother, Sister, someone from the Xie Family has come."

Xie Liangchen slightly lifted her eyes; what are the Xie Family members here for? She didn’t like them. When she was sent to the Su Family, not a single elder from the Xie Family came to intervene, which is why she decisively left the Xie Family in this lifetime.

Chen Zigeng astutely said, "I followed along the way; the Second Old Master Xie asked me if I was acquainted with General Song Xian, and if General Song Xian said anything to him?"