Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power
Chapter 51 - 49: Given to You

Chapter 51: Chapter 49: Given to You

When Xie Liangchen was at the Su Family, she practiced horsemanship and archery with her Martial Arts Master. Back then, she had a caravan, so it was always beneficial to learn more things.

Especially before she killed Ji Yuan, she deliberately trained herself to master the sleeve arrow, but the sleeve arrow and the bow were different. In any case, what she knew was perhaps still considered decent by outsiders, but in the eyes of Song Xian, it could only be described as...

Xie Liangchen said, "Just a little bit."

Saying that, she glanced again at the bow on the table, "I probably can’t pull this bow." Seeing the bow and its string, she knew it wasn’t something she could use.

Song Xian said, "Take it outside and try."

After speaking, Song Xian got up and walked straight towards the yard.

Xie Liangchen liked this bow very much and reached out to pick it up and examine it. Although the bow had been set aside for a while, the black lacquer of the bow body was still shiny.

This is the Black Lacquer Bow.

Xie Liangchen tried to tug the bowstring and found it very difficult to pull.

Sounds came from the yard; Xie Liangchen wasted no time and hurriedly walked out.

Chang An had someone set up the arrow target and handed Song Xian’s usual bow to him, but Song Xian did not take it.

Xie Liangchen understood and quickly walked a few steps to deliver the Black Lacquer Bow she held.

Song Xian drew an arrow from the Arrow Quiver. As Xie Liangchen was about to look closely, she felt her vision blur, and almost instantly, an arrow pierced into the target.

As if it was expected, Song Xian turned to Xie Liangchen, "Did you see it?"

Caught off guard, she was asked if she’d seen it?

Xie Liangchen hadn’t even spoken before Song Xian handed over an arrow, "Try it."

With her thumb, she hooked the string, wedging the arrow’s nock at the notch of her finger.

Song Xian took a closer look and noticed at some point, there was a piece of leather-like material on her thumb; it was an aid for pulling the bow.

Only now did Song Xian realize that this bow weighed over seventy pounds, truly something a woman couldn’t pull.

Taking her here to shoot was merely intended for some advice, but now it seemed like he was intentionally making it difficult.

Surrounded by men in his past life, Song Xian regarded Xie Liangchen differently than ordinary domestic women. Much like dealing with Xie Shaoshan and the Song Family, they had each accomplished their part without anyone helping or supporting the other, each standing equally.

Only in that instant did he realize, after all, there was still a difference.

She had her strengths but also insurmountable weaknesses, just as in her endeavor to kill Ji Yuan from the front, she couldn’t do it and had to use herself as bait in a life-or-death trap.

While Song Xian pondered, Xie Liangchen shot the arrow. She lacked enough strength and couldn’t pull the bow fully, so the arrow fell short of the target. But she had anticipated this, adjusting her direction slightly when drawing the bow, aiming the arrowhead a bit higher.

Though the arrow fell, it still pierced the target. Although it was a distance from the bullseye, Xie Liangchen was already quite satisfied.

"Hey, how can you use this bow," Chang Yue again ate a bowl of chicken soup, rinsed his mouth several times, and came over with renewed spirit.

"This bow is too heavy; some men can’t even pull it. Just as it happens, I have a small bow prepared for the Deputy General’s brother." Cheng Yanzhao gestured for a follower to bring it over.

A new hemp-backed bow was brought up in moments.

Cheng Yanzhao gleefully bent the bow and shot an arrow; it landed beside Song Xian’s arrow.

Cheng Yanzhao beamed with pride, "Don’t bother with A Xian’s Black Lacquer Bow. My bow suits Miss Xie better."

Song Xian stood by silently, watching as Cheng Yanzhao hovered around Xie Liangchen, never uttering a word.

Mr. Cheng always dealt with people cordially. His constantly upward mouth corners made him exceptionally approachable, starkly contrasting Song Xian’s demeanor.

Anyone who came would rather first speak with Cheng Yanzhao than provoke Song Xian.

Xie Liangchen was different; her main debtor stood before her, and she saw no one else.

She saluted Cheng Yanzhao, "Thank you, sirs, for such a valuable bow. Chen Family Village can’t possibly make use of it." It’s true—they couldn’t make use of it, not to mention the expensive arrows costing a few silver coins each, or a regular bowstring a few silver coins; let alone her Black Lacquer Bow’s string. If it accidentally broke, how could she compensate?

She continued, "We have crude hunting bows in our village."

Song Xian observed Xie Liangchen’s bowed demeanor, wondering what she was calculating: seemingly placing herself in Chen Family Village, yet, observing her composure with Song Qizheng and Li Youshi, he knew she wouldn’t be content with staying confined to that corner of the world.

"Indeed not suitable," Song Xian said mildly. "If you ever face danger, your speed at drawing the bow and shooting is of no use."

Without waiting for others to object, Song Xian immediately instructed Chang An, "Give her a Crossbow."

Xie Liangchen lifted her gaze.

Song Xian said, "If you know how to shoot, you’re bound to be good with a Crossbow."

The Crossbow required no significant force.

Chang An handed a small crossbow to Xie Liangchen.

Song Xian said, "For self-defense."

These three words made it impossible for Xie Liangchen to refuse.

She stepped forward to return the Black Lacquer Bow to Song Xian.

Song Xian didn’t reach out to take it. Instead, he said, "You did well this time. Keep the bow for your brother; he might need it someday. Also, I’ll give you ten arrows. If he wants to learn, have Chang Yue teach him, and if you’re unfamiliar with the Crossbow, ask Chang Yue too."

With Song Xian’s words, Xie Liangchen couldn’t refuse but wondered how many years until her brother could use it. Although unusable now, her brother would definitely be delighted upon seeing the bow and would carefully treasure it.

Cheng Yanzhao secretly smiled while watching Song Xian leave and casually tossed his bow to an attendant.

"Miss Xie," Cheng Yanzhao approached and said, "The noodle dish you cooked earlier was truly delicious. This time, I bothered you again for chicken soup. As I said before, if you need my help, just let me know."

He paused, "By the way, when Miss Xie cooks again, could you avoid using those ingredients? If you do add them, give it to A Xian instead of me; I request you, Miss Xie."

Cheng Yanzhao bowed deeply, but Xie Liangchen quickly stepped aside, "There’s no need to, Lord Cheng, a common girl wouldn’t dare."

Before he could speak further, Song Xian’s voice from inside the house called out, "Let’s go!"

Xie Liangchen nodded at Cheng Yanzhao and then strapped on her bamboo basket, following Chang Yue out of the yard.

As they approached the Papermaking Workshop, Chang Yue stopped, "I’ll be nearby. If there’s anything, just tell me, Miss."

Xie Liangchen nodded, realizing that over a meal, everyone became much more familiar. Song Xian wasn’t as cold as perceived in her past life, and Cheng Yanzhao wasn’t as reckless as rumors suggested.

As for the Black Lacquer Bow and small crossbow wrapped behind her, they were unexpected gains.

Outside the Paper Workshop, Chen Zigeng had already grown anxious from waiting and sprinted over as soon as he saw Xie Liangchen.

"Sister," Chen Zigeng grabbed Xie Liangchen’s hand, "How did it go? Was it smooth?"

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Chen Zigeng noticed the extra bundle behind Xie Liangchen, "Did Sister buy something?"

"No," Xie Liangchen lowered her voice, "It’s a gift from General Song to you."

Chen Zigeng exclaimed with surprise, "What?"

Xie Liangchen smiled and said, "A Black Lacquer Bow and ten feathered arrows."

Chen Zigeng was eager to open the bundle immediately after hearing this. As the siblings whispered, Hei Dan approached with a group.

"Sister Chen, we’ve unloaded all the herbs; we can return to the village now..." Hei Dan spoke halfway and sniffed, moving closer to Xie Liangchen, wondering if his nose was malfunctioning. Why did he smell chicken soup fragrance on Sister Chen?

"Let’s go," Xie Liangchen called to the Chen Family Village folks, "Let’s go home together."

The people of Chen Family Village headed towards the city gates.

Coincidentally, the Su Family’s herb delivery team had just entered the city.

Inside the carriage, Madam Su lifted the curtain for a peek at Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng walking among the crowds. Her eyelids lifted slightly, her face seemingly smiled with a mix of disdain beneath it.

The Shopkeeper approached to report, "Madam, we’re building Trade into the Paper Workshop, the government office handed it to Chen Family Village."

"I know," Madam Su softly opened her lips.

Upon hearing about Xie Liangchen collecting herbs in Zhenzhou, Madam Su was somewhat surprised, not expecting Xie Liangchen to have such skills. But after thinking it over, it was merely because she knew the papermaking technique allowing her to sell herbs.

Ultimately, they were just mere tricks, and the government office—seeing Xie Liangchen’s "recipe contribution"—let her deliver herbs, but this privilege wouldn’t last indefinitely; eventually, the herbal shops would take control.

"Madam," the Steward outside murmured again, "The Master sent a message, saying he learned about the cancellation of the engagement."