Green Mountain
Chapter 257 - 202, Offering an apology with a stick on the back

Chapter 257: 202, Offering an apology with a stick on the back

The long night extended through the streets as Liu Quxing cried for a long time.

Only when his crying lured his father outside did he hurriedly wipe away his tears and pull his mother away.

Chen Ji stood quietly in the darkness of a nearby alley, watching, until the long street was empty again, then stepped out of the shadows, holding Wu Yun.

He gazed in the direction Liu Quxing had gone and murmured in a low voice, "Liu Quxing has been very diligent in studying medicine. My master once said that in a short while, he would be able to see his own patients, and Taiping Medical Hall, along with all its medical books, would be left to him. It wouldn’t be a waste."

Wu Yun: "Why not tell Liu Quxing the truth? You’ve done so much and yet you’re misunderstood."

Chen Ji: "I can’t say it."

Wu Yun, puzzled: "Why can’t you say it?"

Chen Ji: "Success lies in secrecy, disaster in disclosure."

Wu Yun, taken aback: "Disaster in crabs?"

Chen Ji explained, "To save the Commandery Princess, we must take risks and inevitably commit acts against the rules. If others come to know that we intend to save the Commandery Princess, they’ll connect the covert things we do back to us. This is why Bai Long instructed me to be cunning. Liu Quxing isn’t good at keeping secrets. Knowing too much could actually bring him fatal trouble."

Wu Yun meowed softly: "Yet, being misunderstood by a friend is truly saddening."

Carrying Wu Yun through the long night street, Chen Ji gently exhaled a breath of white fog: "It’s fine. What we need to do doesn’t require understanding from anyone."

"Oh..."

Chen Ji, smiling, said, "We’ll soon head to the Imperial Capital, cheer up. I’ve heard that the Lantern Festival there is spectacular. The entire city dazzles with fiery-red and silver brilliance, splendor everywhere, a celebration from dusk till dawn for six days and nights. We’ll be spending New Year’s Day and the Lantern Festival there, and I’ll take you to see it."

"Alright," Wu Yun replied, still somewhat downcast.

By the time Chen Ji returned to Mingquan Garden, it was midnight.

He stood outside the courtyard, looking at the open gate and the lights lit inside, pondering, "I remember turning off the lights when I left. Who could be here at this hour?"

Wu Yun replied, "It’s Chen Wenzong’s scent."

Relieved, Chen Ji walked into the house, only to find that charcoal had been lit inside, with the windows cracked open for ventilation, and Chen Wenzong was asleep next to the mother-of-pearl tea table.

He approached and gently tapped the other’s shoulder, "Elder brother?"

Startled awake, Chen Wenzong sat up straight, "You’re back. Where have you been, why not in the house?"

Chen Ji skillfully avoided answering: "Why visit so late at night, brother?"

Recalled to his purpose, Chen Wenzong hurriedly explained, "I remembered you hadn’t lit the charcoal fire in your room, so I had someone bring over the Silver Silk Charcoal from West Mountain Kiln in my room. It burns odorlessly and can keep a gentle heat for two hours, perfect for warming through the night."

Chen Ji glanced at the copper stove, "Brother, you are thoughtful."

Chen Wenzong reached into his clothes to fetch something; however, having whipped Chen Wenxiao and Wang Gui twenty times each during the day, his arms were sore and swollen, almost unable to lift.

With great effort, he tremblingly pulled out a string of Buddhist Treasure beads and said warmly, "Chen Ji, today I reviewed the list of debts that Wenxiao has accumulated in various gambling houses, falsely under your name, totaling 1,700 taels of silver. As your elder brother, I couldn’t let you suffer this injustice. I’ve withdrawn this amount from the Chen family’s public funds as compensation."

Chen Ji looked at the Buddhist Treasure beads, his expression unreadable.

Did he lack money?

He did.

The Ice Flow from Prince Jing, like a storm, swirled within his Dantian.

He needed money, a lot of money, to gradually extinguish each flow of Ice.

Inside Chen Ji, one hundred and eleven flows of Ice burned fiercely; perhaps igniting the remaining over 490 flows could allow him to step into the Seeking Dao Realm and become a true Grand Official.

In his moment of worry, Chen Wenzong had brought a timely rescue.

This elder brother, though somewhat rigid and old-fashioned, could indeed be called an upright gentleman. In the Chen Mansion, perhaps this was the only brother worth befriending.

Chen Ji accepted the Buddhist Treasure with a smile and said, "Thank you, elder brother. It’s getting late, you should also return and rest early."

Chen Wenzong shook his head, "I still have some matters to ask you."

"What matters?"

Chen Wenzong suddenly said, "Confucius said, ’To govern with virtue is like the North Star staying in its place while all other stars revolve around it... how do you interpret this verse?"

Chen Ji stared dumbfounded, "What is that?"

Chen Wenzong sighed, "It seems that in these past two years at the Medical Hall, you have neglected the study of the Classics. However, it doesn’t matter, as your brother, tomorrow I will start guiding you again. Since you are to take the civil service examinations, you cannot remain negligent."

Chen Ji’s expression changed and the candlelight in the room flickered, "Elder brother, this isn’t good, I’ve just returned."

Chen Wenzong’s expression hardened, "Time waits for no one, day and night. After three years, you will partake in the provincial examinations. How much more time can you afford to waste? Do not resist, or else don’t blame me, your brother, for being ruthless. If I could discipline Wenxiao, I could also discipline you."

Chen Ji exclaimed, "Ah?"

Chen Wenzong walked out, "Rest early."

Chen Ji watched Chen Wenzong’s retreating figure saying to himself, "Wu Yun, do you think my brother has become addicted to disciplining others?"

...

...

Meanwhile, in the Chen family Buddhist hall, the lamps were still burning.

A faint smoke wafted from the hollowed copper stove in the room, spreading the scent of sandalwood with the smoke.

Mrs. Liang had removed her luxurious headgear and knelt respectfully on the cushion in front of the Buddha, moving the Buddhist beads in her hands while silently reciting Buddhist Scriptures.

Chen Liqin watched her through the window for a moment. He had intended to seize the opportunity to lecture her again, but seeing her devout repentance, he merely shook his head and walked away.

Hearing the departing footsteps, Mrs. Liang slightly looked up towards the window slit and continued her soundless recitation of Buddhist Scriptures.

"Lady, please save me!"

Mrs. Liang heard someone pleading outside the door and stood up to open it.

In the night, Wang Gui knelt on the cold bluestone, begging, "Lady, save me."

Mrs. Liang calmly said, "You are not dead, what is there to save? You were just punished by Wenzong during the day. Shouldn’t you be resting and healing rather than seeking me out?"

Wang Gui prostrated on the ground, "My master told me just now to stay here in Luocheng City to look after the property, not allowing me to return to the Imperial Capital. Please, Lady, consider my old mother back home, she is getting on in years. Help me plead for a chance to return and tend to her."

Mrs. Liang looked down at Wang Gui, "Why seek mercy from me? I am reflecting on my actions just like you."

Wang Gui hurriedly said, "I know that today you saved me because Chen Ji and I are mortal enemies, thus sparing my life could be useful."

Mrs. Liang’s eyebrows slightly raised, "That’s Chen family’s Third Young Master. Why would I keep someone he loathes? You’re too clever for your own good."

Despite the scolding, Wang Gui persisted, lowering his voice, "Lady, it’s no coincidence that Yun Yang and Jiao Tu came to the Chen Mansion, just as Zhang Zhuo and Zhang Xia visiting is no coincidence."

Mrs. Liang remained silent.

Wang Gui continued, "The Zhang Family can be ignored; once we are back in the Imperial Capital and inside the grand Chen Mansion, they surely won’t come to the Chen Mansion every day. Speaking of those two zodiacs, I have acquaintances in the Imperial Capital, and my mother has connections in the palace. She will definitely help you clarify the matters. If Chen Ji is found associating with Eunuch Party... the master has hated the Eunuch Party all his life and would not tolerate him."

Mrs. Liang paused then said, "Wang Gui, you’ve asked the wrong person. Your conflict is with Chen Ji, so long as he holds a grudge, the master will too. If you’re smart enough, you would know what to do; if not, just stay here to watch over the property."

Wang Gui pondered for a moment, then struggled to his feet, "I understand."

Dragging his battered body to the woodshed, he stripped off his shirt, revealing his heavily wounded back. Gritting his teeth, he tied sticks of wood onto the mangled flesh of his back, making his way to Mingquan Garden.

Upon reaching Mingquan Garden, Wang Gui knocked on the courtyard door and knelt outside.

He was shivering with cold, his lips turning purple as he shouted loudly, "Third Young Master, I have offended you in the past. Today, having been enlightened by the Eldest Young Master, I have come to a realization. Knowing the gravity of my sins, I ask for your punishment. Even if Third Young Master decides to end my life today, I have no complaints."