Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power
Chapter 52 - 50: Mixed Feelings

Chapter 52: Chapter 50: Mixed Feelings

The steward mentioned Su Huaiqing, and Madam Su slightly frowned.

Su Huaiqing was her eldest son, but he grew up beside Old Master Su and bore a resemblance in character to him.

In this marriage matter of the Xie Family, Huaiqing followed the arrangements of Old Master Su to the letter. If she hadn’t come to the Xie Family for this trip, Xie Liangchen might still be clinging to Huaiqing.

After Xie Liangchen wrote the marriage annulment letter, she dared not hide it and had it sent to the hands of Old Master Su. She thought, once the pharmacy in Zhenzhou opens, she would return to the Su Family, and even if Old Master Su heard about her role in the matter, most of his anger would have subsided, and he wouldn’t make things difficult for her because of an outsider.

Unexpectedly, there was no letter from Old Master Su, but one from Huaiqing came instead.

"Where’s the letter?" Madam Su extended her hand.

The steward bowed and handed the letter through the window.

Madam Su was greeted by the elegant handwriting of Su Huaiqing. Every time she saw her son’s writing, it was as if she saw his handsome appearance, and she felt a burst of joy. However, the content of the letter made her eyebrows furrow tightly once again, full of anger.

Su Huaiqing was accusing Madam Su of using methods she should not have to annul the engagement with Xie Liangchen.

Su Huaiqing wrote: "In the past, when Xie Liangchen’s father saved our grandfather, he gave his all, even nearly losing his life. Such a debt of gratitude cannot be repaid just by finding Miss Xie.

Now that Miss Xie’s parents have passed away, leaving her all alone, how can we abandon the agreement made back then?

Once Grandfather’s health is slightly better, I will go to Zhenzhou. Grandfather has entrusted this matter to me to handle, and Mother should not go to the Xie Family."

Madam Su put away the letter and looked at Nanny Lv beside her: "Huaiqing says he’s coming to Zhenzhou to personally handle the engagement between the two families. What does he mean by this? Xie Liangchen has already written the letter, so why is he still coming? Could he be planning to ask Xie Liangchen to marry into the Su Family?

Between the lines, he is mocking me and blaming me for forcing Xie Liangchen. You have seen this matter with your own eyes, was I forcing her? Clearly, she wanted to annul the engagement herself."

Nanny Lv quickly comforted Madam Su: "You are right. Upon returning, I will report to Old Master Su."

Madam Su sneered: "You are my person, how could Old Master ever believe you? The elder and the young one in the Su Family have exhausted me. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be suffering this way."

Nanny Lv rolled her eyes and lowered her voice: "Perhaps, Elder Master’s visit might not be a bad thing."

Madam Su raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"

Nanny Lv lifted the curtain, glancing in the direction where the people of Chen Family Village left: "Miss Xie insists on becoming a farm girl. Look at her appearance now; how is she different from those common people? How could someone as dignified as Master Huaiqing marry her?"

Hearing this, Madam Su felt somewhat reassured, but recalling Xie Liangchen’s cunning demeanor: "Xie Liangchen is not an ordinary girl. I’m afraid she might scheme against me again and act pitiful in front of Huaiqing. Huaiqing is the softest of hearts. What if she manages to beguile him?"

This left Nanny Lv unsure of how to comfort her.

Madam Su rode along the way, full of anxiety, with the image of Xie Liangchen’s charming face flashing before her eyes. When they say "beauty brings chaos," they were talking about things like this. Having experienced this herself, how could she let Huaiqing be deceived? If Xie Liangchen dares to play tricks again, she wouldn’t hesitate to take action.

The carriage stopped at the gate of the Su Family’s temporary residence. As Madam Su was striding inside, she heard a voice from behind: "Aunt."

Madam Su was initially startled, but upon seeing her niece’s familiar smiling face, she rushed forward eagerly: "Why have you come?"

Miss Lin helped her mother, Shen, off the carriage.

The Lin Family was Madam Su’s maiden family. Her elder brother was assigned to Qi State as a county magistrate, soon to take office. Upon receiving the news, the Lin Family first sent Shen along with Old Mrs. Shen and her two children to Qi State to establish a home.

Seeing her sister-in-law and niece, Madam Su was naturally overjoyed.

They chatted warmly for a while.

Shen said: "I heard the papermaking workshop in Qi State is also using a new water slip method. Currently, they need a lot of medicinal materials. Have you inquired about it? Can you speak to the workshop and secure this business deal?"

Madam Su’s expression changed.

Shen noticed the difference: "What’s wrong?"

Madam Su said: "The court awarded that business to the person who offered the formula."

"Who is it?" Shen pressed.

Madam Su said: "It’s the girl from the Xie Family who was once engaged to Huaiqing."

Madam Su recounted the story of Xie Liangchen returning to Chen Family Village.

"A bunch of commoners collecting herbs?" Shen was incredulous, "How could they possibly do it well?"

The people of Chen Family Village not only did well, but they also increased the herbs they delivered daily. Now, neighboring villages around Zhenzhou were helping them gather herbs.

Madam Su scoffed: "In the end, it’s the court giving them some face. The sons of the National Guardian General are fighting, which conveniently allowed people from Chen Family Village to take advantage of."

Shen sighed in relief: "I thought a major herbal merchant had arrived, as long as they don’t hinder Su Family’s business, that’s good."

While Madam Su appeared unconcerned, she was preoccupied with the recent accounts. The herbs collected by the Su Family in Zhenzhou had noticeably decreased. It was said that some villagers were unwilling to sell herbs to them. She had rushed from Dingzhou to get to the bottom of this matter.

It was said that Xie Liangchen identified herbs in front of Li You, yet it was unclear if this was true. Besides selling the two types of herbs to the paper mill, did Xie Liangchen have any other plans?

Madam Su thought she might be overly worried. How could a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl threaten the Su Family?

...

In Chen Family Village.

Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Zigeng were both looking at the Black Lacquer Bow and the small crossbow on the table.

Chen Zigeng picked up a feathered arrow and gently stroked the feathers on the tail, but before his fingers could touch it, Old Mrs. Chen stopped him.

"Don’t touch it," Old Mrs. Chen said, "Those are carved feathers. Such a large bird is hard to catch, and one feather sells for a high price. I’ve seen it in the market."

Old Mrs. Chen clicked her tongue: "And you exchanged this for a toad and an old hen?"

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Old Mrs. Chen praised: "General Song Xian is indeed wonderful, not only sending us food but also helping us secure the business with the paper workshop, and now he lets you bring these back.

How is it that you are returning the favor? I feel like we owe General Song more and more?"

Chen Zigeng couldn’t resist picking up the Black Lacquer Bow, his fingers trying to pluck the bowstring. Though he carefully avoided using force, he could not manage it at all.

Chen Zigeng’s eyes went wide. He had used Uncle Chen’s hunting bow before and could pull it, yet he couldn’t manage this one.

Without waiting for Xie Liangchen to answer Old Mrs. Chen, Chen Zigeng said: "Sister, do you think General Song uses this bow in battle?"

Xie Liangchen shook her head: "Probably not, General Song no longer uses this bow." Observing how easily Song Xian handled bows, she figured he found this bow too light.

Chen Zigeng asked: "He uses something better than this?"

Not sure if it was better, Xie Liangchen said: "It must be heavier than this."

Chen Zigeng took a cold breath, his eyes filled with admiration for Song Xian.

"Sister," Chen Zigeng said, "When I grow up, I want to be like General Song, fighting enemies on the battlefield and defending the borders."

Xie Liangchen was startled. In a past life, her brother had no such thoughts, whether it was sitting for the imperial exams or going to sea; he had nothing to do with military generals.

Xie Liangchen reminded Chen Zigeng: "Don’t you also want to sail a big ship?"

Chen Zigeng’s expression turned contemplative: as a boy, he wondered how he could decide what he truly wanted to do in the future.

Chen Zigeng was not quick to respond, wondering whether he could both sail a big ship and fight as a military general.

Old Mrs. Chen advised: "Why not put everything away before someone becomes envious of it?"

Xie Liangchen quickly took the small crossbow: "Grandmother, don’t put this away just yet."

She still wanted to practice with it. Song Xian had given it to her to take care of: "Let’s not store this away first. I still want to practice using this crossbow."

Just as they were talking, they heard a knock on the door from outside, followed by Hei Dan’s voice: "Sister Chen, come out quickly, someone is here."