Green Mountain
Chapter 105 - 80, as easy as turning over one’s hand

Chapter 105: 80, as easy as turning over one’s hand

"Lord Jin Zhu, what does the Jing Dynasty traitor we’re supposed to capture look like?"

"Dark and indistinct, no one has seen his face clearly."

"How tall is he, specifically?"

"That’s also hard to judge."

Well, that makes things easier...

Chen Ji had imagined that he might be caught due to some oversight, and he had also considered the possibility that Gui and Wu Hongbiao had not escaped and would betray him in the inner prison.

After returning to the Medical Hall last night, he remained in a state of high alert, keeping the silver on his person, ready to flee to the ends of the earth with Wu Yun at a moment’s notice.

But what Chen Ji had not expected was that the Spy Department would have him try to capture himself...

He felt a hint of puzzlement, "My lord, why me? With your superior intelligence and wisdom, why have me do the job?"

In the main hall of the Medical Hall, Jin Zhu was dressed like a tenant farmer, a wide-brimmed hat on his head, the straw rope accentuating his double chin, which looked slightly comical.

Jin Zhu took off the hat and placed it on the counter, then grasped Chen Ji’s hands earnestly, "Don’t sell yourself short. You have managed to find evidence against the Liu Family for Yun Yang and Jiao Tu, which clearly shows your capabilities. I might as well tell you, the Luocheng Spy Department has been infiltrated, and because of a leak, we failed to capture the Jing Dynasty traitor last night. Now in the Luocheng Spy Department, the only person I can trust is you."

Old Yao closed his ledger and silently headed to the back courtyard, afraid he might burst into laughter if he stayed longer.

Jin Zhu was famous for three things in the Imperial Capital: First, his patronage to Heavenly Horse; second, his fussy taste for good food; and third, his shrewdness.

Such a shrewd man was currently holding hands with the real culprit, talking about trust.

Chen Ji silently withdrew his hands, "Why don’t you personally capture the Jing Dynasty traitor?"

Jin Zhu laughed and explained, "The most important task for me now is to root out the infiltrator. So, you and I will split up. You do your part; I’ll do mine. I will assign six spies to follow you and ensure your safety."

Jin Zhu added, "You must capture the Jing Dynasty traitor. If you succeed, the credit is yours; if you fail, don’t blame me if I turn my back on you. That’s how the Spy Department operates, not even fraternal ties can interfere with business."

After thinking for a moment, Chen Ji said, "Lord Jin Zhu, I am willing to try to capture this murderous Jing Dynasty traitor, but I have a request. Please keep my identity a secret. As you know, this is Liu Family territory, and there are definitely more than just Liu Shenyu involved with the Jing Dynasty. If I distinguish myself too often, I may incur the Liu Family’s hatred."

Jin Zhu laughed, "Don’t worry. The reason I came to see you in this disguise was exactly to conceal your identity. Tonight, during the 9 to 11 PM hour, at ’Yingke Restaurant’ in Hongyi Lane, someone will be waiting for you there."

With that, he put his hat back on and left.

Just then, a carriage stopped at the entrance of the Medical Hall; the curtain was lifted from the inside, the coachman quickly brought a stepping stool and assisted a mustachioed middle-aged man down from the carriage.

Chen Ji recognized the man—it was the steward of Chen Mansion, whom he had seen before when he had returned home with items during time off.

The steward wore a bejeweled official’s hat and thick-soled black boots; even his clothing was of a pale green satin robe. This steward looked less like a steward and more like a government official.

Jin Zhu walked past the steward as he exited, casting a surprised glance at him before hurrying away.

But as the steward stepped off the carriage, he casually strode into the Medical Hall, looking around with interest. When he saw Chen Ji, he smiled and asked, "How do you like it here?"

Chen Ji stood calmly by the counter, "What brings you here?"

The steward gestured to the coachman outside and received a string of Copper Coins, handing them to Chen Ji, "300 coins, count them."

Chen Ji did not reach out to take them, his voice calm and composed, "No need to count, just put them on the counter."

The steward’s hand, still offering the money, paused in mid-air before casually tossing the Copper Coins onto the counter. He leisurely stroked his mustache, "Do you think 300 coins are too few? Are you aware of how many people died in the summer floods in Henan Province? Nowadays, 300 coins can buy a maid’s indenture in South Henan and West Henan. It’s not easy for your family to provide for your tuition fee—don’t be ungrateful."

Then, Bai Li came out from the back courtyard, calling as she walked, "Chen Ji, come and help make dumplings. Dumplings are best made together... Oh, who is this?"

Upon seeing Bai Li, the steward’s expression changed instantly, his demeanor becoming subservient, "Commandery Princess Bai Li, I’m the steward from the Luocheng City Prefecture. Last Lantern Festival, I accompanied my lord to a banquet at the Prince Mansion and saw you from a distance."

Bai Li, surprised, "Have we met? I don’t remember."

The steward hesitated for a moment, "I was sitting with the other servants..."

"Oh... Are you here for Chen Ji? Then you talk; Chen Ji, come quickly after you’re done and help with the dumplings," Bai Li said, returning to the back courtyard.

The steward watched her leave, uncertain and confused, then turned to Chen Ji, "Why is Commandery Princess Bai Li at Taiping Medical Hall?"

Chen Ji casually explained, "She has a good relationship with my master, so she visits often."

The steward appeared relieved; he had thought that by being sent to the Medical Hall, Chen Ji had turned his misfortune into luck and caught the favor of the Commandery Princess from the Prince Mansion.

Shifting the subject, he began to give orders, "In three days, Master Wenzong and Master Wenxiao will take part in the Autumn Imperial Examination. Last night, my lord instructed me to call you home for a meal the day after tomorrow."

Chen Ji glanced at him, "Please report back that I am busy with my studies and cannot return."

The steward’s face darkened, "You no longer listen even to my lord’s words? Have you forgotten the grace of being raised in the Chen Mansion? If so, you might lose even the monthly 300 coins for your tuition fee."