Green Mountain
Chapter 118 - 89, Gai Kiln

Chapter 118: 89, Gai Kiln

In the afternoon at Cuiyun Lane.

A white horse slowly stopped in front of Chen Mansion. Chen Wenzong gracefully dismounted, and as he touched the ground, a young servant hurried forward to take the reins and the riding crop from his hand.

Chen Wenzong silently lifted the hem of his robe and stepped over the high threshold, walking towards the depths of the red gate.

A strong servant approached, holding a gleaming copper basin, "Young Master, would you like to wash your face?"

In the basin was prepared hot water, with a white cloth laid over the edge. Chen Wenzong picked up the cloth, dampened it with the hot water, and wiped his face twice, from forehead to chin, and only then did he feel somewhat refreshed.

Chen Wenzong folded the white cloth neatly and replaced it on the edge of the basin, quietly asking, "Where is father?"

The strong servant replied in a low voice, "After the Master ordered the execution of the servant that embezzled money, he arranged for a carriage to go to the government office; it seems there are still some official matters to attend to."

"And mother?"

The strong servant answered, "Lady is out with Mrs. Zhang, they went together to the Clothing Store to select some silks and satins."

"What about Wenxiao?"

The strong servant continued, "The second young master went out with friends, saying they were off to have fun at East Market."

Chen Wenzong felt a moment of disorientation. Today, a servant had died in the household, yet it seemed like no one was affected, everything was as usual.

"Where is the steward?"

"After being flogged, the steward was carried back to his room to rest."

"I will go check on him," said Chen Wenzong, passing through the long vermilion corridor and into the servants’ quarters.

Just as he entered the courtyard, he heard the steward cursing, "That little bastard is now relying on Prince Mansion’s support and has grown a stiff spine, even dares to complain about me in front of the Master... Ah, be gentler with the medicine!"

There was a slap sound from inside the steward’s room, as if someone had just received a crisp slap to the face, followed quickly by a servant’s flustered voice, "I’ll be gentler."

Chen Wenzong frowned; the steward’s tone was completely different from what he had ever heard, like a changed person.

He walked up and lifted the cotton curtain, only to see the steward lying bare-bottomed on the bed, while a servant applied ointment to him, with a plate of candied fruit and pastries placed beside the bed.

When the steward noticed Chen Wenzong entering, he immediately got up and pulled up his trousers, saying gratefully through tears, "Young Master, why have you come here to see me? This dirty place where the servants live is not a place for you."

Chen Wenzong spoke gently, "You’ve been flogged with ten lashes, it’s not light; you must rest well... just now I went to look for Chen Ji but couldn’t bring him back."

The steward said earnestly, "Young Master, why bother looking for him? Don’t be fooled by his pretense now; it’s nothing but a desperate attempt to gain the Master’s pity. If you and the Master just ignore him, he will find a way to return to Chen Mansion after some days."

"Why?"

The steward pledged fervently, "You might think he truly doesn’t want to come back, but can he really give up the glory and wealth of Chen Mansion?"

Indeed, the Chen family has been officials for generations, and the current head of the family Chen Luchi is the Minister of Revenue. How many can let go of such a family pillar?

But as Chen Wenzong recalled the Chen Ji he had just seen, he clearly felt that the other’s expression was determined and calm, truly wishing to sever all ties with Chen Mansion.

He remained silent for a long time, "Steward, rest well. I’m going to read, and tell the kitchen they need not prepare dinner for me tonight."

"Yes."

Chen Wenzong went out and crossed the deep courtyard, returning to his own room and sat down at the desk, intending to review some classics. He flipped through the books but couldn’t concentrate.

The day after tomorrow was the Autumn Imperial Examination. He smoothed out a sheet of Xuan paper with a piece of black jade, intending to write an essay, but though his brush was dipped in ink, he couldn’t bring himself to write.

The reprimands of the Commandery Princess and the laughter and chatter from the ox cart resonated in Chen Wenzong’s mind, unable to be settled.

After a moment, he stood up and walked out, saying to the servant waiting at the door, "Prepare the horse."

Chen Wenzong hurried to the door, mounted his horse, and lightly squeezed the animal’s sides, galloping towards the south of the city.

He wanted to sincerely apologize to Chen Ji. His brother had been injured, and he had never shown concern—indeed, he had failed in his duties as an elder brother.

...

...

The official road after the snow was muddy and uneven, and as he drew closer to Liu Family Village, the road became blacker, covered with coal cinders leaked from the ox carts.

Liu Family Village was not as quiet as one might imagine. At the entrance, traders were coming and going, with a constant stream of ox carts, some transporting clay in, others carrying ceramics out.

Several chimneys stood tall in the village, continuously spewing white smoke into the sky. Strong men, wearing single garments and straw shoes, were busy loading and unloading goods even in the early snow.

The whole Liu Family Village was a giant ceramic kiln factory.

Chen Wenzong, riding on horseback, waved to stop a strong man and asked gently, "Excuse me... have you seen the Princely Heir and the Commandery Princess?"

The strong man looked puzzled, "The Princely Heir and the Commandery Princess here? Why would they come to a place like this? You must be mistaken, young master."

Chen Wenzong fell silent for a moment. He too thought he was in the wrong place, yet Chen Ji had clearly mentioned Liu Family Village in front of the Medical Hall.

He asked again, "Then have you seen a group of eight people come to Liu Family Village? There’s a monk among them."

The strong man suddenly realized, "Ah, you’re talking about them! They’ve just used a golden hairpin to lease the abandoned kiln factory from the Zhou family. It’s the third house on the left after you turn."

"Thank you," Chen Wenzong threw him two Copper Coins and continued on through the mud. Seeing his dignified presence on a tall horse, the laborers respectfully cleared the way in the middle.

It wasn’t long before he heard the laughter of Chen Ji reverberating from afar, "Make sure to cover your noses and mouths with cloth, if you breathe in the dust, you’ll feel terrible for half a day."

Chen Wenzong reined in his horse at the entrance of the kiln factory, looking at the muddy ground left after the snow melted, and at his clean soled boots, hesitating whether to dismount or not.