Green Mountain
Chapter 205 - 160, A Deal

Chapter 205: 160, A Deal

The usually quiet Taiping Medical Hall suddenly became bustling with commotion.

Prince Jing, like a whirlpool, dragged with it old decayed leaves and branches, pulling into this place all the visible and invisible disputes and dissent.

The strong servants led by Consort Yun dispersed around the courtyard, their vigilant eyes making the space seem crowded.

Behind Consort Yun, a strong servant disdainfully sized up the humble courtyard: the snow had not been cleaned up properly, the crevices between the blue bricks retained moss, and the large water tank in the corner was missing a small piece, the bamboo broom leaning against the wall was balding.

Only the apricot tree wrapped in red silk cloth in the center of the courtyard seemed pleasant to the eye.

One of the strong servants reached out to touch the red cloth on the tree branches, only to be grabbed by the wrist by Liang Mao’er, who said gruffly, "Don’t touch!"

The servant struggled several times before managing to pull back his arm, muttering quietly, "As if I want it?!"

At this moment, Xibing, leaning to the side, was frantically gesturing to Chen Ji from behind Consort Yun, signaling him to quickly step back.

However, Chen Ji did not retreat, instead, leaning on the Whale Blade, he said, "Lady Consort Yun, please stop, you cannot go in now."

Consort Yun looked at him expressionlessly, "Do you know what you’re doing?"

Chen Ji replied seriously, "Reporting to the Lady, I know what I am doing. My master is currently administering acupuncture to the Prince, he cannot be disturbed. This matter concerns the Prince’s life; I hope the Lady will understand."

Consort Yun sneered, "How do I know you’re not plotting against the Prince’s life? Move aside!"

With that, she ignored everyone and walked straight toward the house, treating Chen Ji as if he were invisible.

Consort Yun was much more domineering than Princess Consort Jing; with each step she took, Chen Ji had to step back.

Just as Chen Ji was about to be forced back into the house, he said in a low voice, "Lady, I have some well-meaning advice, I wonder whether you would like to hear it."

Consort Yun slowly came to a halt, now only a step away from Chen Ji.

She waved her sleeves, signaling the strong servants to step back several paces, and then gazed at Chen Ji in a low voice, "In what capacity are you speaking to me?"

As a medical apprentice or as a Jing Dynasty spy?

Chen Ji said, "The Lady need not concern herself with my identity; just judge whether my advice is useful."

Consort Yun slightly raised her chin, "Let’s hear it."

After choosing his words carefully, Chen Ji lowered his voice and said, "On the Prince’s way back after retrieving the Commandery Princess, he encountered a man with a Buddha tattoo on his wrist. At first, the Prince did not care, but later the Princely Heir mentioned to the Prince that this person had visited Bai Li several times, and the Prince’s complexion turned sour."

Consort Yun remained composed, "What does this have to do with me? Don’t tell me you’re fabricating stories just to hold me here."

Chen Ji said earnestly, "If the incident had not occurred, I would never be able to make it up. If the Lady recognizes this person, it would be best to inform him to leave Luocheng City soon. Otherwise, once the Prince awakens, he might search the entire city for him, and then it would be impossible for him to escape."

Consort Yun’s expression changed slightly.

Chen Ji knew he had guessed correctly, that man indeed had a secret connection with Consort Yun!

But his correct guess brought him no joy, for Consort Yun’s reaction exactly led his speculation towards the worst outcome, a truth the Commandery Princess was unwilling to face.

Consort Yun furrowed her brows slightly, "How do I know whether your words are true?"

Chen Ji answered openly, "If the Lady does not believe me, she may ask the Princely Heir or the Prince."

Consort Yun fell silent without expression; the next moment, she turned and walked away with a sweep of her robes.

After taking a couple of steps away, Consort Yun suddenly turned back to ask, "How is the Prince’s health?"

Chen Ji thought for a moment and then said, "My master has just informed Princess Consort Jing that the Prince has at most three months left."

Just then, the sounds of dense footsteps and armor scraping echoed outside Taiping Medical Hall, causing a harrowing chill, as the Royal Mansion Guards surrounded the front gate and the outer wall, sealing off any exit.

Chen Ji stood on the main house’s steps looking up, only to see Feng Daban dressed in plain clothes, striding forth like a meteor, not intending to stop even when he reached Chen Ji.

Feng Daban was a member of the Ritual Supervision planted by the Prince’s side; with troops surrounding Taiping Medical Hall and barging in, Chen Ji could not deduce their intent.

In an instant, Chen Ji raised his Whale Blade towards Feng Daban, and not until that moment did Feng Daban finally stop, calmly avoiding the blade by a hair’s breadth.

As the blade sliced past Feng Daban, he casually flicked the side of the blade with his finger, producing a buzzing sound as the Whale Blade vibrated intensely.

Chen Ji’s hands tingled and, with a somber expression, he stepped back.

Feng Daban smiled in admiration, "It didn’t break; what a good blade!"

Chen Ji gripped the handle tightly again, placing the Whale Blade horizontally before him.

Seeing that Chen Ji still refused to move aside, Feng Daban said in a soft voice with a smile, "The young calf is not afraid of tigers, but grows horns and then fears men. Young man, you seem a bit reckless."

Chen Ji calmly said, "It has nothing to do with recklessness."

Feng Daban smiled nonchalantly and continued walking towards the main house.

The atmosphere between the two was like a taut string, ready to snap at any moment.

She Dengke and Liu Quxing stood up nervously and involuntarily, Liang Mao’er also quickly approached Chen Ji, but it was already too late.

Just as Feng Daban reached Chen Ji, he gently lifted his right hand, a palm slowly moving towards Chen Ji, appearing very slow, yet Chen Ji had the impression of a tsunami rushing towards him.

There was no escape!

Just when the palm was about to land on Chen Ji’s face, Prince Jing’s weak voice came from inside the house, "Has Feng Daban arrived? Come in."

Feng Daban’s palm abruptly halted in front of Chen Ji.

The wind from his palm blew Chen Ji’s hair back sharply, even the curtain behind him was blown open, causing the oil lamp inside to flicker.

Feng Daban withdrew his hand and asked with a smile, "Young man, the Prince has spoken; aren’t you going to move aside?"

Chen Ji put down the Whale Blade and emotionlessly retreated to one side.

Feng Daban took a deep look at him before lifting one side of the curtain and lowering his head to enter, "Prince, how are you feeling now..."

As the curtain fell, the sounds inside the room were isolated.

Chen Ji leaned against the window, trying to sneak a listen to the conversations inside, but found he couldn’t hear anything; it seemed both Feng Daban and Prince Jing had lowered their voices.

His gaze returned to the courtyard, and he watched the back of Consort Yun hurry away from the Medical Hall before he finally let out a long sigh of relief.

She Dengke and the others quickly gathered around, "Are you alright?"

Chen Ji shook his head, "I’m fine."

He sat on the low stone steps in front of the main house and sighed, "What is all this trouble about?"

She Dengke hesitated before asking, "Chen Ji, where did you get that knife? And when you brandished it just now, you looked quite impressive, even more so than the men from the Cao Guild at the East Market Pier..."

Chen Ji thought for a moment and said, "Brothers, go rest first. I’ll explain everything tomorrow... If it’s not necessary, don’t come near Master’s room for now."

With that, he slowly closed his eyes and sank into the Qingshan Dream Realm.

...

...

After an unknown amount of time, someone lifted the curtain of the main room.

Chen Ji suddenly opened his eyes just in time to see Feng Daban lowering his head as he hurried away.

This expert from the Ritual Supervision, planted by the Prince Mansion, didn’t take another glance at Chen Ji, while the Royal Mansion Guards still surrounded the Medical Hall unmoving like an iron barrel.

Not even a bird could fly into the Taiping Medical Hall now.

Prince Jing called from inside the room, "Young man, come in."

Chen Ji entered the room, "Prince, what do you need me for?"

Prince Jing, sitting on the bedside, pulled out the silver needles from his body once again and said in annoyance, "Next time, don’t say that your master is performing acupuncture on me; otherwise, every lie you tell means I get poked again. If I’m not sick now, I’ll be poked into sickness."

Chen Ji also lost some of his respect and replied irritably, "Prince, if I don’t use that excuse, what else could I say? If you didn’t run around recklessly, would I need to tell such lies?"

Prince Jing soothed him with a smile, "Alright, alright, you’re just guarding the door, why get so angry about it? Is there still food in the kitchen? Go get me another bowl."

Chen Ji lamented, "You really don’t see yourself as an outsider, do you? There’s no food left in the kitchen. If you want to eat, I can cook now; it will take about three quarters."

Prince Jing expressed regret, "That’s too long."

He then earnestly studied Chen Ji, who sat at the edge of the bed, "Young man, how about we make a deal?"

Chen Ji hurriedly said, "No way!"

Prince Jing’s interest piqued, "Why not? There are countless people in this world who wish to make deals with me, why do you avoid it like the plague?"

Chen Ji explained, "Your Highness, your status is precious. Anything associated with you is more than I can handle. You should find someone more capable. I think my master would be suitable."

Old Yao glared at him, "You sure know how to get me into trouble!"

Prince Jing laughed, "For the next few days, I’m going to conceal my identity and handle some matters, but I need a trustworthy guard by my side. How about this: for every trip you take with me, I’ll give you fifty taels of silver."

Chen Ji leaned against the doorpost and said, "I won’t go. Being your guard is too dangerous; I wish to live past ninety just like Master."

Old Yao stroked his beard, "Given your temperament, that seems a bit difficult."

Chen Ji suspiciously asked, "Have you calculated this, or are you just trying to scare me?"

Old Yao spoke leisurely, "I can’t predict your future accurately anymore. A few days ago, I did a reading and it said that you’d be duped when you’re over nine hundred years old."

Prince Jing touched his chin, "You drank fake Mengpo soup?"

Chen Ji managed a smile through his frustration, "You’re really off the mark."

Prince Jing turned to him, "You and your master should stop with your jests. Back to the matter of our deal: if you guard me and an Executive Officer tries to kill me, I promise you won’t have to lift a finger. How about it?"

Chen Ji suddenly asked, "Prince, why me?"

Prince Jing also sighed, "Indeed, why you?"

Chen Ji was puzzled, "Hmm?"

He always felt that there was more to Prince Jing’s words.

Prince Jing spread his hands with a smile, "Young man, there’s no one else I can trust by my side. Just agree, if I met with trouble, Bai Li and Yunxi would be fatherless, and the annual 2,500 taels of silver you’re promised would also be without a destination."

Chen Ji narrowed his eyes, "How can a promised share be reneged upon? Are you threatening me?"

Prince Jing laughed heartily, "Yes, I’m threatening you."

Chen Ji helplessly said, "How can a powerful Vassal Prince be so shameless?"

Prince Jing spoke with deep meaning, "Otherwise, how do you think I became a powerful Vassal Prince?"

Chen Ji stood up, "I can temporarily act as your guard, but let it be known in advance: if an Executive Officer makes a move, I will turn and run at the first opportunity."

"Rest assured," Prince Jing pulled back the bed to walk towards the secret passage.

Chen Ji was startled, "We’re leaving now?"

"Yes, right now."