Green Mountain-Chapter 569 - 429: Literary Courage

Chen Ji turned around and watched Zhang Zhuo’s figure disappear into the gate of the city. Looking up, he saw the sky’s dark clouds blocking the moon.

Lu Jin.

That uncle, never met and always like a massive shadow, untouchable and inscrutable, was the reason Chen Ji preferred to go abroad rather than stay in the Jing Dynasty.

He saw the other side descend into obscurity and then return to power, step by step climbing to the highest point of Jing Dynasty to become the Vice Minister. Now that the Council Chief Executive Officer Yuan Cheng was captured alive at Lushun Port, did this have the other’s involvement?

Chen Ji could not tell.

Xiao Man waved her hand in front of his eyes: "Young Master?"

Chen Ji snapped back to reality, turned around, and walked briskly towards Fuyou Street.

Xiao Man, holding a Little Black Cat, jogged behind him: "Where is the Young Master going?"

Chen Ji replied in a low voice: "Back to the Chen family."

Xiao Man followed, crossing Chang’an Street with a worried expression: "Young Master, are we really going back to the Chen family? The second household wants to kill you. This time, you’ve offended the family head, and both the first and second households. If you go back today, those people will stage a ’Three Department Joint Trial’ at Wendan Hall. It’s better not to go back."

Chen Ji said nothing, just walked swiftly.

Xiao Man continued to speak alongside him: "I’ve checked a house recently, not far from the Zhang Family. A small house is on sale at a broker’s for only four hundred taels of silver. It’s a two-courtyard house, new bricks, new tiles, and premium lumber..."

Chen Ji glanced at her: "We only have four hundred taels of silver, so a two-courtyard house on Xuanwu Gate Street only costs four hundred taels of silver? Who’s so kind? Lord Zhang Zhuo or your second sister?"

Xiao Man froze: "Lord Zhang..."

Chen Ji looked at the Little Black Cat she was holding and suddenly asked: "Are you sure this Little Black Cat was handed to you by your second sister personally?"

Xiao Man was puzzled: "Yes, that night, my second sister gave it to me herself. Why is the Young Master asking?"

Chen Ji remained silent.

Either Zhang Zhuo or Zhang Xia is lying.

Who is lying? And why lie?

Xiao Man asked: "Does the Young Master really want to go back to the Chen family?"

Chen Ji replied calmly: "Yes, there’s still work to do."

On the court, everything was calm, and even the main instigator posing as the Jiefan Guard was no longer investigated, as if nothing had ever happened.

But Chen Ji couldn’t act like nothing had happened. Unless the Chen family’s second household is nailed down, they will return sooner or later, and the struggle between them is relentless.

And now, someone in Qingzheng Garden can serve as evidence against the second household.

...

...

Fuyou Street.

Chen Ji walked faster and faster, arriving outside the Chen Family’s Qingzheng Garden, and directly climbed over the white walls and gray tiles, heading straight for Bamboo Garden.

Xiao Man followed Chen Ji and climbed into Qingzheng Garden but turned around when she heard the little monk shouting outside the wall: "Don’t leave me behind!"

She rolled her eyes, ran to the side door, complaining while unclasping the latch: "So stupid! Never practice properly, you’re useless! Come in quickly!"

The two chased after Chen Ji but saw from afar that he stopped outside Hanmei Garden.

Bamboo Garden is the residence of Chen Liqin and Mrs. Liang, while Hanmei Garden is the residence of Chen Wenzong.

Chen Ji was looking for Mrs. Liang, but upon arrival saw maids and servants moving boxes onto horse carts, with no sign of Chen Wenzong.

Today is the day the Imperial Examination Hall opens, so in theory, he should have already returned to the Chen family.

Chen Ji asked: "What is happening here? Where’s Brother Wen Zong?"

Chen Wenzong’s first-class maid quickly explained: "To report to Third Young Master, the Mistress has passed away, and Young Master Wenzong is exhausted and will go to the Chen family ancestral tomb for three years of mourning. He left riding swiftly at 5 p.m., and we’re here packing his things."

Chen Ji’s heart sank.

The Mistress passed away?

Mrs. Liang is dead?

He asked in a low voice: "How did she die?"

The maid spoke frantically: "The Mistress caught a cold, and her health worsened day by day. On the day Young Master Wenzong entered the Imperial Examination Hall, we don’t know what happened, she sent us to the kitchen to prepare herbal medicine, and when we returned she was lying on the bed, breathless."

Chen Ji looked into Hanmei Garden: "Did you call a doctor?"

The maid hurriedly replied: "Yes, we did. The doctor prescribed medicine, saying it was no big deal, but even after taking the medicine, the Mistress’s health did not improve."

Xiao Man’s eyes darted around: "Wait a moment, normally when a Lady passes away, she should be laid to rest at home for three days, at least until Young Master Wenzong returns from the Examination Hall. Why send the coffin to the ancestral tomb in Lu State early? Who made this decision?"

The maid replied with a trembling voice: "I... I don’t know."

Xiao Man pressed the dagger against the maid’s chin: "Tell me!"

The maid, with a sobbing voice, explained: "The decision was made by the Second Master. We servants don’t know anything, and such matters are beyond our concern."

Xiao Man withdrew the dagger.

Chen Ji frowned.

He had previously conjectured that the second household of the Chen family used the Five Mad Soldiers because Mrs. Liang colluded with them and informed Chen Lizhi about the affair in Guyuan, so she was their accomplice.

This was a lead to nail down the second household, and Chen Ji returned to the Chen family for Mrs. Liang, but now it was severed.

Mrs. Liang was silenced by the second household of the Chen family.

At this point, Chen Ji asked the maid: "Is Brother Wen Zong not participating in the Imperial Examination?"

The maid shook her head: "With the passing of the Mistress, Young Master will mourn for three years and not participate in the Imperial Examination. Even Third Young Master, you, must wear mourning for a year."

Indeed.

With the passing of the mistress, the legitimate child wears mourning for three years, and the bastard child wears mourning for one year, unable to become an official or marry. Even the Cabinet Minister during the current reign cannot be exempted.

Only if the Emperor issues a decree of "lamentation" can one remain in office.

No wonder Zhang Zhuo said, "Since you’re dismissed this year, come help me," Chen Ji was puzzled at how Lord Zhang was certain he’d be dismissed "for a year."

Indeed, both Emperor Ning and Zhang Zhuo knew that Mrs. Liang had died, and Chen Ji must mourn for a year. Dismissal was merely a convenient punishment. Even if he wasn’t dismissed, he’d have to resign voluntarily to mourn.

Chen Ji looked at the chaotic Hanmei Garden, with papers scattered everywhere. He bent down to pick them up, still able to see Chen Wenzong’s neatly written essays and annotations on the papers.

Unfortunately, three good years of Chen Wenzong’s work had gone to waste, and three years hence, who knows what the court will become.

Of the Chen family’s third house, some dead, some gone, only he remained.

Wait.

Chen Ji looked at the maid: "Where’s Wang Gui?"

The maid was bewildered: "Huh? I don’t know where Wang Gui went. Haven’t seen him for days."

Chen Ji pondered: "Let’s go."

He walked along the stone path towards Silver Apricot Garden, only to see Chen Xu, who was by Official Chen’s side, waiting at the door.

The other wore a black robe with embroidered clouds and had a wooden hairpin in his hair.

Chen Xu, though not a Taoist, wore a Daoist robe as casual wear, as did the scholars, young and old, in the Imperial Capital, including Emperor Ning. Hence, all sorts of Daoist robes were common in the inner city.

Compared to the Taoist Daoist robe, the scholar’s version had many patterns, a city fashion.

Seeing Chen Ji approach, Chen Xu politely cupped his hands and said, "Young Master, the Family Head is discussing matters in Wendan Hall, please follow me there."

Xiao Man whispered beside him: "Young Master, don’t go, it surely won’t be anything good."

Chen Xu kept his hands within his sleeves: "The Family Head ordered, Young Master never relied on the Chen family, everything today was achieved by risking your own life, so the family can’t demand much from you. However, as a member of the Chen family, some truths must be made clear, after today, whether to stay or go, whether as friend or foe, is entirely your choice."

Chen Ji calmly said, "If I don’t go, I’m a foe?"

Chen Xu smiled humbly, answering without answering: "The Family Head is still waiting."

"Then let him wait a bit more," Chen Ji brushed past him, "I’ll wash away the blood and change clothes before we talk."

Chen Xu hesitated to speak, but eventually allowed Chen Ji to enter.

"Xiao Man, you all wait outside too," Chen Ji closed the courtyard gate, taking off the blood-stained clothing alone inside.

The spring night was cold.

He let Chen Xu wait outside, using a wooden ladle to scoop cold water from a tank, pouring it over his head repeatedly.

Piece by piece, the icy water washed away the dust and blood from his hair and skin until the skin turned red before stopping. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Only then, after washing away the dust and blood, did he feel he’d come back alive, returning to the bustling Daning.

Chen Ji looked down at the healed wound on his forearm.

He returned to the room, put on clothes previously sent by Chen Lizun, and found new fabric strips to wrap his forearm, then stepped out.

Chen Ji once more brushed past Chen Xu, not letting him lead the way, instead walking ahead himself: "Let’s go, to Wendan Hall."

Chen Xu watched Chen Ji’s back without anger, instead showing admiration: "Young Master’s return to the Imperial Capital this time has a touch of the Chen family’s poise, power begets nourishment."

...

...

Wendan Hall, the eight red gates stood open.

Without waiting for a servant to announce, Chen Ji crossed the threshold on his own, standing inside Wendan Hall.

Official Chen sat in the Taishi Chair, eyes closed in meditation, Chen Lizun and Chen Lizhi sat on either side, Chen Wende stood behind Chen Lizhi.

Chen Ji stood in the hall, cupping his hands to say: "Unworthy descendant Chen Ji, greets the Family Head."

With that, he chose a seat on the left and sat, no longer standing.

Chen Lizun hesitated but ultimately said nothing.

Chen Lizhi raised an eyebrow, his gaunt face with a shaking goatee: "No manners."

Chen Ji said calmly: "Second Uncle, what are the Chen family rules? Is it for elders to scheme against juniors?"

Chen Lizhi sneered: "Where does that come from? You young whelp, don’t speak nonsense."

"Enough," Official Chen spoke slowly with eyes still closed: "He already has a title, sitting is fine, indeed there should be a place for him in Wendan Hall."

Without waiting for others to speak, Official Chen continued: "Back then I asked Chen Yu and Chen Ji how they viewed the Chen family’s eight rises and falls. Chen Yu answered, the family thrives or declines based on people. Chen Ji answered, leverage is temporary, one must establish one’s own power. Now it seems, Chen Ji wasn’t merely boasting, he certainly accomplished it."

Chen Lizun and Chen Lizhi had differing expressions, each with their own thoughts.

Official Chen chuckled, his eyes opened: "A mighty Chen family raised a lone wolf, not the lone wolf’s fault, but the fault of Chen Liqin and Mrs. Liang. It was the Chen family that wronged Chen Ji, shaping his nature today."

Chen Ji remained unfazed.

Official Chen said coolly: "But Chen Ji, there’s an old truth. If you want to go fast, it’s best to travel alone. If you want to go far, you must travel together with others. My Chen family has weathered thousands of years this way, if everyone were lone wolves, my Chen family couldn’t become influential nor withstand eight rises and falls... Do you understand this reasoning?"

"I understand."

Official Chen looked over, intently staring at Chen Ji sitting opposite: "Since you understand, then speak. I’ve already stationed Chen Xu at the city gate watching you, why don’t you heed advice? My Chen family shares a boat with the Crown Prince, fate entwined, and I am the Crown Prince’s teacher. In Your Majesty’s eyes, my Chen family is part of the Eastern Palace Faction, and so it is in the eyes of the world."

Official Chen spoke firmly: "Chen Ji, do you understand, you too are part of my Chen family on this great ship. Or perhaps, you don’t wish to rely on the Chen family, intending to establish your own? If you betray the Chen family this time, you’ll be its enemy."

Chen Ji turned to meet Official Chen’s gaze: "A family seeks not perpetual victory, but avoidance of defeat. In the past, the Chen family only backed the Crown Prince, all eggs in one basket. Now I’ve helped the family back Prince Fu, avoiding defeat... The Chen family should thank me."

Official Chen remained silent for a long while, suddenly laughed heartily, echoing within Wendan Hall: "What gives you the audacity to place bets with the family on Prince Fu?"

Chen Ji said calmly: "One shouldn’t first seek power and money, but courage."

Official Chen, upon hearing this, carefully observed Chen Ji, his expression approving: "Good, very good, among the Crown Princes my Chen family has assisted, numbering twenty or so, few have courage. Chen Ji, you’re more important than the Crown Prince."

He turned to Chen Lizun, raising a hand to point towards Chen Ji: "Go inquire with the Qi family. Ask if they still want the marriage alliance, if they regret, speak soon, I’ll choose another virtuous, gentle, and dignified lady, Qi Zhaoning doesn’t suit him."