Green Mountain
Chapter 168 - 124, Misunderstanding

Chapter 168: 124, Misunderstanding

"Hey, wake up!"

"Chen Ji, wake up!"

Chen Ji felt a heavy pat on his shoulder and, in his sleep, he subconsciously grabbed the hand and twisted it behind the person’s back.

The captured person cried out in pain, "Ouch, let go quickly!"

Chen Ji suddenly awoke, realizing this wasn’t the inner prison, not the fiery hellscape beside Mudan Bridge, and certainly not the perilous city gate tunnel.

He inhaled the dense scent of books and the aroma of pine-soaked ink, indicative of Zhi Xing Academy, with only rows of bookshelves present and no sign of swords or danger.

Chen Ji hastily let go, and upon looking carefully, to his shock, he discovered that he had captured none other than the fiery-red clad Zhang Xia.

This is bad.

How did he end up capturing her?

While Zhang Xia rubbed her wrist, she frowned and said, "What kind of habit is this? It’s one thing to sleep while standing, but to lash out after waking?

Chen Ji apologized, "Sorry, sorry, I was sleeping heavily. I was just having a nightmare about being chased, and I reacted defensively when I was startled awake."

Zhang Xia eyed Chen Ji suspiciously.

She recalled the scene, feeling amazed by his speed; she hadn’t had a chance to react before her right hand was captured, leaving her unable to move.

Chen Ji politely suggested, "Second Miss Zhang, how about you come with me to Taiping Medical Hall later? I’ll ask my master to prepare some medicine for bruises and sprains for you."

However, Zhang Xia waved a dismissive hand, "No need, I’m not that delicate!"

Chen Ji asked again, "Second Miss Zhang, what did you want to tell me just now?"

But Zhang Xia got straight to the point, "Earlier, I misunderstood my father’s words, thinking that we were to be engaged. In the heat of the moment, I ran to you and spoke nonsense. I came to apologize, but since you twisted my arm today, I consider us even!"

Chen Ji puzzled, "Apologize?"

Zhang Xia hummed in affirmation, "If you really want an apology, I don’t mind giving one."

Chen Ji observed Zhang Xia, her phoenix eyes sharp like willow-leaf blades, unnervingly precise.

He pondered and then said, "It was just a misunderstanding earlier, no need to apologize. Clearing it up is good enough. I wish Second Miss Zhang all the best in finding a worthy match."

Zhang Xia looked at Chen Ji, "Were you not angry before?"

Chen Ji, unwilling to dwell on the matter, replied, "Not angry, let’s just put this matter behind us."

"Alright," Zhang Xia accepted the closure, but then asked, "Why were you late today? You look like you haven’t slept all night."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Zhang Xia shifted the topic, "I heard from my father that you are having a disagreement with Mr. Chen and refuse to return to the Chen family. But since you have the ambition to stand on your own two feet and now have the opportunity to study under Mr. Wang, you should cherish it. Why squander your prospects?"

Chen Ji solemnly replied, "I am preoccupied with important matters; being late was unintentional."

Zhang Xia inquired with curiosity, "What matters?"

"Sorry, I cannot say."

Zhang Xia earnestly advised, "Today is the first day of school; even the most pressing matters should be postponed. This is not only for the sake of your future but also out of respect for Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang is highly respected and not easily accessible to ordinary scholars. I hope you appreciate this and learn well from him."

Chen Ji spoke softly, "Being late on the first day is indeed improper. I will apologize to Mr. Wang in person later."

Zhang Xia, noticing the redness in his eyes, doubted, "You didn’t go to the Gambling House as the rumors say, did you?"

Chen Ji calmly said, "Second Miss Zhang can think what she likes."

No sooner had he finished speaking than they heard a voice nearby, "If he didn’t go to gamble, why else would he be late?"

...

...

Chen Ji looked over to see Chen Wenzong and Chen Wenxiao side by side, with Chen Wenxiao teasing, "Zhang Xia, he definitely went gambling last night. You’d better be careful, in case Lord Zhang really intends to marry you off to..."

Zhang Xia abruptly cut Chen Wenxiao off, "Without evidence, how can you be so certain? Who I marry is none of your concern, is it?"

Chen Wenxiao was taken aback.

Zhang Xia disdainfully said, "Even if I were truly engaged to him, that would be a matter between us. You say he’s not suitable, I say he is. Don’t think I don’t know how you attained your place at the top of the Autumn Imperial Examination. I asked my father to copy some of your and others’ essays. Chen Wenzong’s and Lin Chaojing’s work were truly excellent, but your essay on National Governance Strategy was utter nonsense. What exactly have you learned in the past three years at Donglin Academy?"

Chen Wenxiao’s face turned red with embarrassment, "You... how can you be so ungrateful? I was just speaking up for you."

"I need you to speak up for me?" Zhang Xia retorted with a sneer, "I heard you’ve been attending banquets everywhere, accepting congratulations. I suggest you stay home and not embarrass yourself discussing articles with others, lest you give them a good laugh!"

Chen Ji too was stunned; Second Miss Zhang had a fiercely sharp tongue.

She was not just targeting him but fairly disdained anyone lacking in knowledge!

Meanwhile, Princess Bai Li and the Princely Heir were parting from Wang Daosheng and had just entered the hall when they saw Zhang Xia speaking animatedly.

Princess Bai Li stepped forward to shield Chen Ji, her delicate brows raised as she asked, "Zhang Xia, what are you up to now?"

Zhang Xia glanced at Bai Li and then at Chen Ji, letting out a surprised noise.

Before she could speak up, a carriage pulled up to the entrance.

Zhang Zhuo lifted the carriage curtain and greeted everyone inside, "It seems everyone is here."

The Princely Heir, Princess Bai Li, Chen Wenzong, and the others greeted him with a bow, "Lord Zhang."

Zhang Xia approached the entrance and curiously asked, "Father, why have you come?"

Zhang Zhuo chuckled, "I was just passing by and thought I’d pick you up on the way home."

Zhang Xia frowned, "I am not a child anymore; you don’t need to pick me up! If others see this, they’ll think I’m spoiled!"

"It’s just on the way, and it’s only natural for a father to pick up his daughter. No one would say anything about it," Zhang Zhuo stepped down from the carriage, passing by Zhang Xia’s figure to pull Chen Ji aside.

Everyone in the front hall looked at each other with bewilderment. Zhang Xia, watching her father’s absent-minded silhouette, suddenly felt that he hadn’t come to pick her up; instead, he had found an excuse to see Chen Ji!

Behind a bookshelf, Zhang Zhuo lowered his voice and asked, "Do I need to explain a thing or two to Wang Daosheng for you?"

Chen Ji looked at Zhang Zhuo with a strange expression, "When did Lord Zhang discover my identity?"

Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard with an air of smugness, "I never forget a face. Just by looking at someone’s walking posture or even hearing their footsteps, I can recognize the person."

Chen Ji sighed inwardly and said with a bow, "I hope Lord Zhang can help me keep this a secret."

Zhang Zhuo smiled, "Rest assured, rest assured."

As he was speaking, Zhang Zhuo’s expression darkened slightly, "It’s a pity that you couldn’t follow the official examination route; otherwise, after next year’s palace examination, you could have assisted me and been the wings to my tiger. Now that you’ve joined the Ritual Supervision, once a part of the Eunuch Party, always a part of it—those civil servants will never accept you again."

"I appreciate your kind intentions, Lord Zhang, it’s no trouble at all."

Zhang Zhuo asked, "Do you need me to explain to Wang Daosheng about your tardiness today?"

"There’s no need," Chen Ji shook his head, "I will go apologize to Mr. Wang myself. It’s better for Lord Zhang not to stay here much longer; it may arouse suspicion."

"Very well," Zhang Zhuo turned to leave, taking Zhang Xia’s wrist and boarding the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Zhang Xia scrutinized her father, "You didn’t come for me, did you? You clearly came specifically to see Chen Ji!"

Zhang Zhuo pondered for a moment before explaining, "You acted recklessly yesterday, spouting nonsense to that Chen Ji. I had to explain things to him."

Zhang Xia quickly said, "Don’t worry, Father, I’ve already made it clear to him that we have no engagement. But this Chen Ji is quite strange, showing up late on the first day of academia. No wonder everyone says he’s good for nothing."

Zhang Zhuo found himself at a loss for words.

He gently pulled back the curtain of the carriage, looking at Chen Ji, who stood at the academy’s entrance, preparing to watch the carriage leave.

This young man had performed a great service the night before, saving thousands of lives in front of the West City Gate, yet he couldn’t mention it to anyone around him.

Zhang Zhuo reflected softly, "It must be hard to be misunderstood."

Zhang Xia asked curiously, "Father, what are you talking about?"

Zhang Zhuo pulled down the curtain, speaking casually, "My daughter, when judging someone, don’t just listen to what others say; you have to understand them for yourself."

Zhang Xia said, "Who cares, I won’t have anything to do with him in the future. It’s none of my concern what kind of person he is."

Having said that, she suddenly jumped off the carriage and shouted loudly, "Zaozao!"

The next moment, a group of date-red steeds burst out from a small alleyway.

As Zaozao passed by Zhang Xia, it didn’t stop. The girl, quick-eyed and quick-handed, grabbed the saddle and lightly leaped onto the horseback, "Father, just go home; don’t ever come to pick me up in the future!"

Zhang Zhuo sat in the carriage, watching his daughter ride away into the distance, and uttered, "My dear girl, you speak too soon."

...

...

Inside the front hall of the Zhi Xing Academy.

Chen Wenzong and Chen Wenxiao had already left in a carriage.

Bai Li tugged gently at Chen Ji’s sleeve, "I asked my mother about it yesterday; that Zhang Xia is just a reckless madcap. You mustn’t take her words to heart. Years ago, she audited classes at the Imperial Academy next to the Imperial Capital, giving several scholars there a hard time. And somehow Official Xu dotes on her, and the Deputy Director of the Observatory, Xu Shu, spoils her too. Nobody can do a thing about her."

Chen Ji smiled, "It’s all right. Commandery Princess and Princely Heir, you both should head back to the Prince Mansion for now. I still need to go and apologize to Mr. Wang in person."

The Princely Heir shrugged, "Then you’d better be careful. Mr. Wang is very strict, and we can’t help you."

With that, the Princely Heir pulled Bai Li to leave.

Bai Li frowned, "Brother, don’t pull me like that. Let’s go help Chen Ji plead for mercy."

The Princely Heir whispered, "Why should we go there, just to get scolded together? Mr. Wang has been unhappy with me for a long time!"

Chen Ji, listening to the voices fading away, straightened his clothes, and stepped into the back yard.

The back yard was neat and tidy, with a plum tree planted in the southwest corner, its buds ready to blossom.

Mr. Wang, dressed in a blue Confucian robe, held a scroll and stood under the plum tree with his thoughts seemingly elsewhere. A white paper flower adorned his chest.

Chen Ji stopped at a distance and bowed, "Master, last night I was delayed due to... "

Without turning his head, Wang Daosheng calmly asked as he looked at the plum blossoms, "Was it something important?"

Chen Ji earnestly replied, "Yes."

Wang Daosheng said indifferently, "Which do you think is more important, attending school on time today, or accomplishing that task?"

Chen Ji hesitated for a moment, "Accomplishing the task is more important."

Wang Daosheng remained calm, "Then that’s enough."

Chen Ji was puzzled, "Master?"

Wang Daosheng’s gaze slowly swept over him, "Here at Zhi Xing Academy, I can’t offer career advancement in officialdom, only lessons on how to be a person. The greatest principle in the world isn’t as important as one’s true heart. If your conscience is clear, follow it."

Chen Ji bowed again, "I understand."

Wang Daosheng walked towards the main room, but just before entering, he suddenly changed the topic, "However, you must remember that breaking the rules comes with a punishment. This is how the world works, and Zhi Xing Academy’s rules are no different. If you’re late again, be ready to accept your penalty."

"Understood."

Chen Ji watched the empty courtyard and glanced at the plum tree, feeling that this Wang Daosheng was somewhat peculiar, different from Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin.

He seemed like a maverick scholar who only preached his own philosophy.

Chen Ji took a deep breath and turned to leave.

But just as he stepped out the door, he stopped short. Across the street, he saw Jin Zhu wearing a broad hat, squatting and occasionally glancing at the breakfast joint next door, where turnip cakes and dough sticks were bubbling in the oil.

Chen Ji surveyed Anxi Street and then quickly approached Jin Zhu, "Lord Jin Zhu, we’ve only been apart for a few hours; you needn’t miss me so dearly, do you?"

Upon hearing the voice, Jin Zhu suddenly looked up, his eyes sparkling, "You think I want to keep finding you? Your Cultivation Path has arrived in Luocheng City ahead of schedule! Bizarre, my letter praising your work should have reached the Imperial Capital just yesterday; how did your Cultivation Path get here today?!"