Song Xian only felt that the pain was so clear.
His nose tingled, straight to his eyes.
On the battlefield, he had suffered many injuries, but none that would suddenly make him recall so clearly.
It seemed as though the injury was not only on his body but in his heart.
Making him feel surprised, as if he suddenly lost face without warning.
Before Song Xian could regain his composure, his body once again instinctively counterattacked.
He wouldn’t let anyone hit him at such times, especially not squarely on the face.
Song Xian reached out to grab the incoming fist. If it were someone else, they might have twisted the arm directly, but the touch revealed the fist to be soft and delicate, and he was suddenly startled. He immediately changed his twisting to a pulling motion, then released his hand.
With a "bang," Xie Liangchen fell into the nearby pile of medicinal herbs.
Song Xian stood there, lost in thought, staring at Xie Liangchen’s back. This time he truly intended to teach her boxing and kicking, never expecting to throw her out again.
This habit of instinctively counterattacking when sensing danger was long developed, because he was often in perilous situations, he could not afford to relax vigilance for even a moment. Cheng Yanzhao, and those around him like Chang An and Chang Yue, all knew and wouldn’t suddenly get too close to him.
The last time he threw Xie Liangchen was because she launched a surprise attack, this time it was because he was inattentive.
Song Xian looked towards the pile of herbs. The person lying on it did not get up immediately, and he couldn’t help but step forward, completely forgetting her previous "all’s fair in war."
"I didn’t do it on purpose."
He uttered the words, and Song Xian froze—he actually explained?
Whether it was due to the sudden awkwardness in the atmosphere or his awareness of his unusual behavior, Song Xian frowned immediately.
The sudden silence made him eager to turn the situation around.
Song Xian said, "You’ve indeed made some progress. I couldn’t dodge in time and had to counteract." His eyebrow furrowed even deeper as he spoke.
Otherwise, how to explain that despite agreeing to let her use both legs and arms, he suddenly stretched out his arm for defense?
The person in the pile of herbs was still motionless.
Song Xian continued, "Do you need me to pull you up?"
"No need to trouble you, sir." Xie Liangchen slowly climbed up.
Actually, when she swung that punch, she knew it wasn’t quite right. The moment her body was thrown out, she suspected Song Xian recalled.
But since she did it, she wasn’t afraid, and just wanted to get up to face him. She suddenly heard Song Xian’s words, and thus was stunned there.
It was just a fall. When Song Xian wanted to teach her boxing, she was prepared, and moreover, this fall was much lighter than the previous one.
Unexpectedly, Song Xian would make an explanation, so momentarily she didn’t regain her senses, and simply waited for him to finish speaking.
Song Xian watched Xie Liangchen get up, seeming no different, then she reached out from the pile of herbs and dragged out a tattered bag.
Xie Liangchen handed it in front of Song Xian: "Today I saw grandmother and aunt talking sneakily, knowing they must have again hidden bran and porcelain soil. I couldn’t find it in the kitchen, but when I fell, I happened to feel it."
Song Xian was vexed, so she didn’t get up immediately, only rummaged for the bag, without saying what he felt. Luckily Xie Liangchen seemed unaffected.
Though he felt some relief, there was a slight sense of discomfort.
However, in a moment, Song Xian returned to normal: "Porcelain soil? Isn’t Chen Family Village no longer short of rice and grain? Why still hide bran and porcelain soil?"
"It’s a habit," Xie Liangchen said, "starved for so many years, always afraid of suddenly facing famine one day, enough grain is never sufficient, also fearing heavy snow in winter, at that time refugees and bandits may appear. I won’t discard the bran, but will first hide it.
After all, bran can still fill the stomach, but it can’t be given to grandmother, lest she start planning too early."
Listening to her words, Song Xian recalled the epidemic in the North during past life: "In another half-month, the weather will be completely cold, the city will open porridge factories, and the government office will distribute some coarse grains."
Xie Liangchen smiled: "Sir guards Zhenzhou, indeed different." In the past life, Song Xian went to the Northwest border while Zhenzhou wasn’t in such a state under Song Qizheng.
Though knowing she deliberately spoke favorably, Song Xian’s frown slightly eased as he remembered the grandmother’s joy today; he said, "Grandmother is comforted with you speaking with her."
Xie Liangchen said, "Old Mrs. Song gave me many pastries, the children in Chen Family Village all tasted them, each asking me to thank the lady."
Song Xian said, "In the past life...my grandmother passed away shortly afterward, now hoping she remains healthy."
Xie Liangchen said, "This time did you invite a famous doctor to diagnose Old Mrs. Song?" When visiting the Song Family today, she carefully observed Old Mrs. Song, though she was not skilled at feeling pulses, she felt the old lady’s illness was more of the heart.
Song Xian nodded: "Mr. Xu is skilled in medicine, I’ll invite him to diagnose grandmother at home in the coming days."
Xie Liangchen responded again.
After saying these things, suddenly there was no knowing what more to say, Xie Liangchen was considering mentioning precautions for epidemic, but she hadn’t had a chance to discuss making finished medicine with Mr. Xu yet. Unsure if it could be done, it seemed premature to inform Song Xian now.
In hesitation, the topic broke off. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel⟡fire.net
After a long silence, Xie Liangchen thought Song Xian should leave, but unexpectedly, Song Xian suddenly said: "Do you think it’s bitter?"
Xie Liangchen looked up at Song Xian: "Sir, are you referring to Chen Family Village?"
Song Xian nodded: "Even though you married into the Su Family in the past life, your living conditions were superior to here, at least you didn’t need to hide bran."
Xie Liangchen didn’t hesitate: "Being here together with grandmother and brother is better than anything, even if past life in the Su Family I lived in luxury all life, it doesn’t compare to a single day here.
Speaking of this, thanks to you, sir, if not for you, I might not have returned here. I’m not trying to explain... that matter is truly hard to clarify, in any case, I remember what I said back then, I will repay you, sir."
Until now, Xie Liangchen still didn’t know if rebirthing was due to her or Song Xian, yet to avoid Song Xian thinking she wanted to make excuses, she first needed to make clear.
For some reason, Song Xian not only didn’t blame but seemed rather joyful.
Song Xian and Xie Liangchen locked eyes: "You don’t have to be so careful, as long as you don’t do anything harmful toward me, I won’t take your life, nor will it implicate those around you."
The girl’s bright eyes reflected the clear moonlight.
"What?" Song Xian said, "Don’t believe my words?"
"I believe," Xie Liangchen bowed to Song Xian, "Thank you, sir."
Song Xian moved his gaze away: "If Chen Family Village encounters difficulties, feel free to let Chang Yue come find me. I’ll be in Zhenzhou and Qi State these days."
The wind was slightly chilly.
Song Xian said: "Go back!" Finishing, he turned and walked out.
Watching the direction Song Xian left, Xie Liangchen only realized after a while, perhaps Old Mrs. Song spoke for her in front of Song Xian, hence Song Xian was willing to have a bit more trust in her?
For the debtor to change from fierce to amiable was undoubtedly beneficial to her.
Song Xian walked out of Chen Family Village, Chang An hurriedly brought the horse over.
For some reason, Song Xian didn’t want to ride the horse, instructed: "Walk a bit."
Facing the north wind, Chang An tried to speak but was filled with gusts, such weather truly wasn’t suitable for "walking."