Green Mountain
Chapter 254 - 199, Promoted and transferred

Chapter 254: 199, Promoted and transferred

Chen Mansion, Mingquan Garden.

Unlike the cluttered Tingquan Garden, this place was clean and elegant.

There were wax plum trees planted in the courtyard, which were in season, blooming with pink flowers. Underneath the plum trees, there was a clear fish pond where the red and white koi, when still, seemed to float in mid-air.

The ground was paved with brand-new blue bricks, the rooftop was covered with brand-new tiles, and inside the house were brand-new tables and chairs, as well as a newly made step bed by the carpenter.

Chen Ji surveyed the courtyard, yet no joy could be seen on his face.

Chen Liqin’s transfer orders would arrive in the next few days; even a splendid Mingquan Garden was nothing more than a temporary residence.

At that moment, a servant followed closely behind him.

Chen Ji turned around to look at him, "Why are you following me?"

The servant hurriedly clasped his fists in reply, "The master arranged for this humble one to serve the Third Young Master... It was supposed to be a maid, but it’s too late today to find a broker. Tomorrow, the master will send someone to the Luocheng West Market to find a broker, who will bring the registered maids for you to choose from."

Chen Ji realized then that he had already become a ’princely heir’ of the Chen family.

He casually said, "Mingquan Garden doesn’t need anyone to serve, and there’s no need to purchase a maid. Go out, I need to speak with Lord Zhang."

The servant hesitated, "The master said..."

Chen Ji waved him away, "Go on, I won’t make it difficult for you. Just relay my exact words to Mr. Chen."

Upon hearing "Mr. Chen," the servant twitched, bowed, and retreated.

After the servant left, Zhang Zhuo, with his hands clasped behind his back, exclaimed in wonder as he looked around the courtyard, "Chen Liqin didn’t arrange for the Chen Mansion’s previous maids to serve you, probably because he’s worried Mrs. Liang might sneak her people into your courtyard to cause trouble or pass along secret messages. This Mr. Chen, his mind is really like a bright mirror, knowing everything."

Zhang Xia muttered, "It’s the way of the Chen family, or perhaps the Donglin Party, to say one thing and think another, feigning ignorance while fully aware."

Zhang Zhuo looked around Mingquan Garden, "Mrs. Liang really cares about her brother, the effort she put into refurbishing this courtyard, enough to rebuild another. No wonder she didn’t want you to live here, she must be heartbroken now."

He turned back to look at Chen Ji, only to see Chen Ji bow deeply, saying sincerely, "Thank you, Lord Zhang, for lending a hand."

Zhang Zhuo swiftly took a couple of steps to help him up, "What are you doing? When the Liu Family’s military conflict broke out, it was you who stepped forward to save my Zhang family from calamity. Helping you with this small matter is nothing. Besides, I had nothing better to do today, and coming to the Chen Mansion was truly more interesting than watching a play."

Zhang Zheng chuckled, "Watching a play is nowhere near as satisfying as acting in one."

After saying that, he also imitated Chen Ji, bowing deeply, "I didn’t have the chance before, but now that I can thank you in person, I will never forget the great kindness you showed in saving the Zhang family. If I ever rise high in the court, I will surely repay your generosity."

Zhang Zhuo swore irritably, "With your foolishness, you can’t even understand your studies, yet you mimic the lines from plays? Rise high in the court, my foot!"

Zhang Zheng replied, aggrieved, "It’s because you wouldn’t let me take the civil service exam. If Chen Wenxiao can become the top scholar, why can’t I? Ask grandfather to pull some strings, I also want to be an official."

Zhang Zhuo laughed in exasperation, "The strife and bloodshed in the court are far more dangerous than the blades and shadows of Jianghu. In Jianghu, there might be mercy for enemies, but the lords in the court finish off anyone who stands in their way. Keeping you out of office is for your own good."

Zhang Zheng wasn’t offended and kept his cheerful demeanor, "Then I won’t be an official, so be it. In terms of wits, the Zhang family has them: you have seven parts, my sister has four parts, and if I’m a bit foolish, then so be it."

Zhang Zhuo couldn’t help but laugh and cry: "Do you even know how to count? That adds up to eleven parts. We only have ten parts in total, where did this extra part come from?"

Zhang Zheng paused, "Oh, is that so? Then I guess I owe you one part."

Zhang Zhuo sighed.

Chen Ji spoke up seriously from the side, "Lord Zhang, my gratitude is not for what happened today, but for the Zhang family risking their lives to cover for the Princely Heir and others as they left the Ning Dynasty. Given the current state of the world, the Zhang family’s willingness to gamble their lives to help me is something I will always engrave in my heart."

On the day of the jailbreak, without the Zhang family using Xu Shu’s connections with the Observatory and the Buddhist Sect, Chen Ji would have been out of options.

Zhang Zhuo sighed, "I have always admired Prince Jing’s character, helping the Princely Heir was not entirely for your sake. Right now, the Princely Heir and your master are sailing southward, and in about two months they should reach the Lushun Port of Jing Dynasty, it’s just..."

Chen Ji asked, "It’s just what?"

Zhang Zhuo sized Chen Ji up, "I originally thought you would accompany them to the Jing Dynasty, but you didn’t leave."

Chen Ji explained, "I still have unfinished business."

Zhang Zhuo and Zhang Xia both understood that there was only one thing that could have kept Chen Ji behind, and that task was more difficult than reaching the heavens.

Zhang Zhuo pondered for a moment, "Have you returned to the Chen family because you want to use the Chen family’s power to rescue the Commandery Princess?"

Chen Ji did not answer.

By now, even Yun Yang and Jiao Tu believed that he was the one who had betrayed Prince Jing. Within the Ning Dynasty, the only ones who knew his true intentions were Bai Long, Jin Zhu, Zhang Zhuo, Zhang Zheng, and Zhang Xia.

Zhang Zhuo patted him on the shoulder, "I fear you’re thinking too simply. To rescue the Commandery Princess, you first have to exonerate Prince Jing so that she can be freed of her charges. However, everyone in the Chen family excels in maintaining their own safety and would never speak out for a traitor accused of plotting rebellion."

Chen Ji finally spoke, "Thank you for your concern, Lord Zhang, I have my own methods."

Seeing that he did not wish to say more, Zhang Zhuo did not press further but earnestly said, "Earlier when I pulled you to the Zhang Mansion, although there was an element of pretense, it was also with genuine intent. Why don’t you join the Zhang Family as my adopted son, or... from now on, your issues will be mine. Once I enter the cabinet and become a cabinet minister, there will always be a chance for change."

Chen Ji asked curiously, "What kind of change?"

Zhang Zhuo glanced around, "It is His Majesty who wants to kill Prince Jing, but His Majesty will have his day of demise, and that will be the turning point."

Chen Ji was taken aback. The current ruler styled himself Emperor Longevity, devoted to the practice of Taoist longevity techniques, seeking eternal life.

What Zhang Zhuo had just said was treasonous. Such words would never be spoken unless to someone he was truly close to.

This trust alone was not easy to come by.

And yet Zhang Zhuo’s words seemed to offer him a path to save the Commandery Princess... though fraught with danger. Even though he had cultivated the Mountain Lord Sect’s Scripture, he had never contemplated such a bold plan.

Best to set it aside for now.

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Ji finally admitted, "Lord Zhang, my return to the Chen family is indeed to save the Commandery Princess, but I never had any expectations of the Chen Family..."

Before he could finish, footsteps were heard from outside.

Chen Liqin strode briskly in, followed by a servant holding a tray bearing sweet melons and cave cucumbers.

Zhang Zhuo’s eyes lit up, expressing his admiration, "The Chen Mansion knows how to enjoy life indeed, managing to get such rare delicacies in winter, and even willing to serve them to us, very good!"

Chen Liqin responded indifferently, "It seems to be the first time Lord Zhang has complimented me."

Zhang Zhuo reached for a cave cucumber, "Deserved praise!"

But Chen Liqin blocked his hand, "Lord Zhang, you’ve praised too early. These aren’t for you, they are for Chen Ji."

In the Ning Dynasty, growing fruits and vegetables during winter was not easy. After the first snowfall, common households could only see vegetables like radishes and cabbages, with fruits being extremely scarce and expensive.

In the capital, there was the Hot Spring Bureau responsible for managing the springs located outside the capital. They cultivated sweet melons, cucumbers, and leeks in the warm kiln caves surrounding the hot springs, commonly known as ’cave goods’.

Cave cucumbers were very small, less than two inches long, but they could sell for thousands of cents apiece. If officials hosted guests with sweet melons or cucumbers, it was a sign of great honor.

Zhang Zhuo glanced around, "Where did these cucumbers come from? Does the Chen family live such a luxurious life?"

Chen Liqin replied offhandedly, "There are hot springs on Longmen Mountain in Luocheng City. I had people purchase a hot spring early on and plant melons and fruits there."

After speaking, he placed the tray on a stone table in the courtyard, trying to be as gentle as possible, "Chen Ji, eat more. If it’s not enough, I’ll order someone to fetch fresh ones from Longmen Mountain."

Chen Ji did not refuse, thanking him with a bow, "Thank you, Mr. Chen."

Chen Liqin found himself at a loss for words.

Just then, a servant dashed in from outside, excitedly announcing, "Congratulations, my lord, congratulations! People from the Imperial Capital have arrived with your promotion papers!"

Chen Liqin whirled around, "Is it true?"

"Why would I dare deceive you with such matters?" As the servant entered the courtyard and saw Zhang Zhuo, he quickly bowed, "Lord Zhang is here as well, your promotion papers have also arrived, and they’re being taken to your mansion as we speak!"

Zhang Zhuo raised an eyebrow, "Mine too?"

Chen Ji involuntarily looked towards the sky, knowing that he would ultimately have to leave Luocheng City.