Green Mountain
Chapter 252 - 197, good person

Chapter 252: 197, good person

The bitter wind howled desolately.

Chen Ji stepped over the threshold of the back hall of Chen Mansion, not looking back as he strode away.

Having been through much, when Chen Ji looked back at Chen Wenxiao, he felt that the other was merely a minor nuisance, akin to a small pebble on the road that could be kicked aside or simply ignored.

But Chen Ji held grudges.

Outside the back hall of Chen Mansion, Chen Wenxiao was held down on a long bench by a servant, who hesitated to beat him.

Chen Liqin stood on the steps, his tone stern as he said, "Hit him, why aren’t you hitting?"

The two servants, holding whistles, glanced at each other, then covertly looked towards Mrs. Liang.

Following their gaze to Mrs. Liang, Chen Liqin rushed forward to snatch the whistle and struck Chen Wenxiao’s buttocks fiercely: "What is ’benevolence’?"

Chen Wenxiao could only focus on the pain and cried out, unable to answer the question. Perhaps, even if he had not been struck by the whistle, he still wouldn’t be able to answer.

Chen Wenzong whispered from the side, "The Master said, ’The mountain’s nature is benevolent; benevolence nurtures all things. Being genuine and kind, treating others with sincerity, and taking pleasure in helping others, this is benevolence.’"

Chen Liqin swung the stick down again: "What is ’righteousness’?"

Crying bitterly, Chen Wenxiao managed to say, "Righteousness... to those above, be loyal and righteous, to those below, be kind and just!"

Chen Wenzong added, "The Master said, ’The noble man understands what is righteous, the inferior man understands what is profitable. To be rich and honored unnaturally is to me like a passing cloud. Righteousness is the conscience, it is morality.’"

Chen Liqin hit him once more: "What is ’propriety’?"

As the Magistrate of Luocheng, on normal days, he would shoulder bags of earth on the riverbank during flood seasons. His skin was tanned, and his hands were extremely strong.

Chen Wenxiao, struck by these three blows, almost passed out from the pain, too occupied to answer: "Mother, save me..."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Wenzong said quietly, "Parents are kind, and children are filial. Brothers are friendly, and the younger siblings are respectful. If the ruler is benevolent, then the subjects are righteous. Husband and wife are distinct, the old and the young have their order, friends are trustworthy; these norms constitute propriety."

Chen Liqin’s expression faltered when he heard the phrase ’parents are kind, and children are filial,’ then he swung down the stick fiercely, not bothering to ask the remaining questions.

Chen Wenxiao lay on the bench, crying out loud: "Father, there’s something strange afoot! Chen Ji has just returned, and Yun Yang and Jiao Tu came to visit immediately after, it must be that he conspired with these two."

Chen Liqin knew that Jiao Tu and Yun Yang’s visit was meant to pressure him. This was not something Chen Ji could interfere with, and naturally had nothing to do with him.

He burst into fury: "How dare you throw dirt on your own brother!"

Mrs. Liang saw his fierce expression and quickly stepped forward: "My lord..."

Chen Liqin said viciously: "Today, no one is allowed to plead for this beast!"

Mrs. Liang fell silent for two seconds, then hurriedly said: "I am not trying to plead for Wenxiao, I know now that Wenxiao has committed a grave sin and wronged Chen Ji. In the future, I will make sure to compensate him well. Wenxiao, quickly apologize to your father!"

Chen Wenxiao cried out in panic: "Father, I know my mistake! I will never dare again in the future!"

Chen Liqin’s expression softened slightly, and the whistle in his hand slowed down: "Chen Ji lost his mother at an early age, which was an unfortunate event, yet how could you, as his elder brother, bear to treat him so? Moreover, over the years, you have incurred huge debts from gambling and acquired bad habits. Before the imperial examination, I will punish you with house arrest, and you are not allowed to go out and play on your own anymore!"

Mrs. Liang agreed: "Rest assured, my lord, I will keep a tight watch on Wenxiao and will not allow him to leave the mansion. As for Chen Ji, I will certainly take good care of him, find the best teacher for him, seek an excellent marriage for him, provide him with the best clothing and living conditions, and give him the same monthly salary as Wenzong and Wenxiao."

Chen Liqin’s face eased again, and the whistle in his hand paused in midair, finally ceasing to fall.

Seeing his father stop, Chen Wenxiao immediately seized the opportunity and got up from the bench: "Father, be assured, I will reform myself from now on."

Chen Wenzong frowned: "Who told you to get up?"

With that, he rolled up his sleeves, took the whistle from Chen Liqin, and swung it down hard: "What is ’wisdom’?"

Chen Wenxiao screamed: "Ah! Brother, what are you doing?!"

Chen Wenzong demanded angrily: "I’m asking you, what is ’wisdom’? Answer me!"

Just then, another servant came running: "My lord, Magistrate Lord Zhang has come with his children."

Chen Liqin frowned: "What’s he here for?"

The servant bowed his head: "The servant does not know, Lord Zhang did not say."

Chen Liqin gestured to Chen Wenzong to stop: "Don’t rush, don’t let outsiders see and laugh at us."

But Chen Wenzong ignored him and continued to swing the whistle: "What is ’trust’?"

Seeing this, Chen Liqin sighed internally.

He instructed Mrs. Liang: "I will go to the entrance to welcome them, make sure Zhang Zhuo doesn’t come to the back hall here."

...

...

Chen Ji walked along the winding path towards the back of the mansion, returning to Tingquan Garden. He looked around the courtyard filled with tiles and green bricks, then sat down on the neatly stacked bricks, lost in thought.

Wu Yun lightly jumped onto his lap and meowed softly, "Are you satisfied now?"

Chen Ji, supporting his chin, gazed towards the corner of the courtyard and replied casually: "It’s not about being satisfied or not. A person like Chen Liqin, he can’t bear to lay a heavy hand on Chen Wenxiao, and Mrs. Liang, who is eloquent, will not mistreat Chen Wenxiao either. It is said that a troublesome child comes from indulgent parents. Had they ever been tough with him, Chen Wenxiao would not have ended up like this."

Wu Yun thought for a moment, "Then I’ll go lick all their pastries later, and then take a shit on Chen Wenxiao’s pillow!"

Chen Ji stood up with solemn respect, "Fierce!"

"Hehehe."

"Hehehe."

At that moment, Wu Yun looked at the messy courtyard, "What about this place? It’ll probably take you two or three days to clean it up by yourself."

Chen Ji laughed, "No need, someone will come to clean up."

Wu Yun was stunned for a moment, "There are people like that in Chen Mansion?"

Chen Ji patted its head, "Don’t worry, you’ll have to deal with the Chen family often from now on. I’ll teach them how to be good people."

...

...

In front of Chen Mansion, Chen Liqin clasped his hands in greeting, "Lord Zhang has been my neighbor for many years but has seldom visited my estate. What brings you here today?"

Zhang Zhuo smiled, "Mr. Chen, your words are sharp. If outsiders heard them, they might think there has been a long-standing rift between the Luocheng City Government and us. Zhang Zheng, Zhang Xia, quickly present the gifts we brought, lest Mr. Chen criticizes the Zhang family for being neglectful in our duties."

Chen Liqin’s beard trembled, "Why resort to sarcasm, Lord Zhang?"

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily, "You’re overthinking it, Mr. Chen. I’m not here to see you."

Chen Liqin was taken aback, "Then what is Lord Zhang’s intention in coming here?"

Zhang Zhuo asked curiously, "There was nothing urgent at the government office today, so I went to Taiping Medical Hall to look for Chen Ji to play chess. When I arrived, I found the Medical Hall locked and sealed. I thought it over carefully; he has nowhere else to go, so he must have returned to Chen Mansion... Has he returned?"

Chen Liqin breathed a sigh of relief, "He has returned; he has already been settled down in the mansion."

Zhang Zhuo drew out his oh, taking Chen Liqin’s arm and walking inside as if he were the master of Chen Mansion, "Come, Mr. Chen, lead me to him."

Chen Liqin frowned.

As if Zhang Zhuo didn’t see his expression, he joked with a smile, "Mr. Chen, previously he harbored much resentment towards Chen Mansion, refusing to come back no matter what. Now that he has finally returned, you as his father better not be foolish again."

Chen Liqin was slightly angry, "I know full well how to be a parent, Lord Zhang need not instruct me."

Zhang Zhuo smoothed his beard, "Heh, then I’ve spoken out of turn."

Chen Liqin led Zhang Zhuo deeper into the mansion, while Mrs. Liang, accompanied by two maids, was already waiting on the path.

She held her fists loosely and bowed deeply to the right, greeting, "Lord Zhang."

Zhang Zhuo’s smile was pleasant, "Sister-in-law, my wife often thinks of inviting you to pray at Tuoluo Temple. When we both have a free moment, we should visit each other more often; don’t let yourself be stifled here in Chen Mansion."

Mrs. Liang smiled faintly, "I shall heed Lord Zhang’s instructions."

Zhang Zhuo didn’t linger on the conversation and continued walking with Chen Liqin.

Mrs. Liang asked curiously, "Where are you and Lord Zhang going, my lord?"

Chen Liqin explained, "Lord Zhang once formed a friendship with Chen Ji at Taiping Medical Hall, and they became chess friends despite their age difference. Lord Zhang has now come to find Chen Ji to play chess and ease his boredom. My Lady, please go prepare some good tea and send it later to where Chen Ji lives; don’t neglect Lord Zhang."

Mrs. Liang’s expression shifted slightly, and with another deep bow, she said, "I understand, my lord, but since Chen Ji has just moved in, I fear there might not be enough furniture for so many guests. How about my lord leads Lord Zhang to the study while I call for Chen Ji?"

Zhang Zhuo seemed contemplative.

Before he could speak, Zhang Xia suddenly said, "Auntie, don’t trouble yourself, I’m familiar with Chen Ji, and it would be more comfortable to visit his garden."

Mrs. Liang smiled kindly, "Second Miss Zhang, you are yet to be married; it would be improper for you to go to Chen Ji’s room."

Zhang Xia glanced at Mrs. Liang with a gentle smile, "You worry too much, Auntie. My father and brother are with me. If anyone dares to gossip, my father and brother will flay their skin."

Zhang Zheng chuckled, "Exactly!"

Just then, a mournful wail resounded from deep within the residence. Zhang Xia looked around, searching for the source of the sound, "What is that noise? Is Chen Mansion punishing a servant today?"

Chen Liqin’s face darkened, and he hurriedly led the way forward, "Today a servant in the mansion broke the rules, and I’ve had the housekeeper discipline them properly. This way, please, Lord Zhang."

They passed through the deep courtyard and arrived in front of Tingquan Garden.

Chen Liqin pushed open the door and entered, only to see Chen Ji sitting on top of two stacks of green bricks, holding Wu Yun and staring into space.

At that moment, as Chen Liqin gazed upon the ruins of the courtyard, he was rooted to the spot.

Zhang Zhuo was also shocked. He walked into the courtyard, looked left and right, then hastened forward to push open the main house’s wooden door, revealing the chaotically piled tables and chairs inside.

He turned back in astonishment, "Mr. Chen, if your Chen Mansion cannot accommodate a bastard, then give him to me; Zhang Mansion has room."

Chen Liqin opened his mouth but was speechless for a long time. He slowly looked towards Chen Ji, his throat dry, "You..."

Chen Ji hurried to his feet, "Mr. Chen, I didn’t expect honored guests to visit; I have been remiss... I’ll clean up the courtyard right away."

Chen Liqin leaned against the door frame, staring at Mrs. Liang for a long time, weighing his options, and then slowly said, "It must be that the servants misunderstood the arrangements."

Mrs. Liang quickly understood and said sharply to the maids, "Summon the housekeeper. Didn’t I arrange for Chen Ji to stay at Mingquan Garden? Why has he been brought to Tingquan Garden? Is this how he normally conducts things?"