Green Mountain
Chapter 350 - 290, See you again in the future.

Chapter 350: 290, See you again in the future.

Xiao Wu crawled out from the secret passage in the stable, brushing off the hay on his body as he walked out. "Guest, why are you alone?"

Chen Ji didn’t answer but countered, "Where have you been?"

Xiao Wu’s eyes darted around uncertainly. "Me? I went down to check if there are any hidden Jing Dynasty spies left in the passage."

Chen Ji knew he wasn’t being truthful and replied calmly, "I brought back the shopkeeper’s corpse; you all should bury him properly."

Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then cupped his fist and said, "Guest, you are truly righteous. From now on, I will be the shopkeeper of Dragon Gate Inn. Should you return to Guyuan and give any orders, Xiao Wu will risk life and limb without hesitation!"

Chen Ji felt a stir in his heart, his sharp intuition telling him that the change of shopkeeper at Dragon Gate Inn was not something Xiao Wu could decide on his own—nor even Third Master Hu.

He glanced at Xiao Wu and casually remarked, "No need for courtesy. I knew the shopkeeper, and it wouldn’t be right to see him dragged away on a cart. By the way, did Third Master leave you any message to pass on to me?"

Xiao Wu shook his head. "No, Third Master didn’t leave any instructions."

Chen Ji spoke offhandedly, "What about the eastern backer?"

Xiao Wu instinctively answered, "The eastern backer didn’t..."

At this point, Xiao Wu became alert and clammed up.

Chen Ji was finally certain—Xiao Wu had indeed just snuck out of the city through the secret passage to meet the mysterious backer behind Dragon Gate Inn.

This person was also in Guyuan!

Chen Ji was planning to extract more information but suddenly heard the sound of footsteps outside the inn.

He turned his head to look and saw the Crown Prince leading a group of people back to the inn. Among them were Chen family members, Zhang Xia, and others. Zaozao had also somehow returned to Zhang Xia’s side, with Wu Yun perched atop her head.

As his gaze shifted again, he saw Mrs. Liang with a dark expression standing behind Chen Liqin. When she noticed Chen Ji studying her, she immediately turned her head away.

Dragging a rudimentary cart behind her was Wang Gui, with a straw mat wrapped around Chen Wenxiao on it.

Upon spotting Chen Ji, Qi Zhenzhuo hurriedly waved. "Master!"

Xiao Man glared at him. "Shameless fool! Does our young master recognize you as his apprentice?"

With that, she carried a bundle of horse meat wrapped in palm leaves and jogged to Chen Ji’s side, saying in a low voice, "Young Master, please eat something. This is the horse meat we saved for you."

Chen Ji responded with a light grunt but did not take the horse meat, instead focusing his attention on the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince unexpectedly cupped his hands toward him and said warmly, "Now that the dust has settled, I can finally thank my virtuous brother Chen Ji. If not for you, I would have died countless times."

Chen Ji silently studied the Crown Prince. This supposed expendable heir to the nation displayed no anger on his face, as if nothing had ever happened—he still seemed the gentleman as polished as jade.

Yet, the way he referred to himself had changed—from "I" to "Gu" (the royal self).

Chen Ji cupped his hands in return. "Your Highness needs no courtesy. I was simply fulfilling my duty... What plans does Your Highness have now?"

The Crown Prince turned to Li Xuan. "What does Lord Li think?"

Li Xuan, standing nearby, cupped his hands and replied, "Your Highness, the Ritual Supervision blatantly disregarded the life of a national heir. Once we return to the Imperial Capital, we must submit a report against them and demand an explanation on behalf of Your Highness."

The Crown Prince glanced at him and then smiled slightly. "What harm is there in sacrificing one life to exchange for all the elite forces of the Heavenly Strategy Army? Lord Li, upon returning, you must never mention this again. If anyone inquires, simply highlight Lord Li’s meritorious victories."

Li Xuan’s face froze, and he hurriedly lowered his head. "If I achieved any merit, it was due to Your Highness’ excellent guidance."

The Crown Prince smiled faintly, leaving the comment unanswered.

Chen Liqin stepped forward. "Your Highness, our immediate priority is to leave Guyuan as soon as possible while there’s still daylight, to avoid unnecessary complications. If we travel quickly, we can reach Tianshui County by tomorrow night."

However, as soon as he said this, Li Xuan, Qi Zhenzhuo, and all the members of the Yulin Army turned their eyes to Chen Ji.

Even the Crown Prince gently inquired, "What does the Right Guard think?"

Chen Liqin hesitated to speak.

Chen Ji lowered his head to ponder for a moment. "Lord Chen’s words are reasonable. There may yet be Jing Dynasty spies hidden among the citizens; it would be wise for Your Highness to depart from Guyuan early. Moreover, Guyuan is in ruins, and reaching Tianshui County would allow us some time to settle."

The Crown Prince nodded. He asked no further questions of Chen Liqin, nor of Li Xuan or Qi Zhenzhuo, and made an immediate decision. "We shall follow the advice of the Right Guard. Depart immediately."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving no room for hesitation.

In the distance, Mrs. Liang watched as her husband lost all his authority within the Eastern Palace. She stood silently for a moment.

When her gaze shifted to Chen Ji and Xiao Man, her eyes were filled with hatred.

Beside her, Wang Gui, his face shadowed, muttered, "Madam, if you wish to avenge the Second Young Master, you cannot allow Chen Ji to rise further. If he truly succeeds, the Second Young Master would have died in vain."

Mrs. Liang remained expressionless. "The Crown Prince now trusts Chen Ji alone; his rise is already a reality."

Wang Gui spoke in a low voice, "Madam, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. Even the court ministers themselves have been replaced batch after batch. Who can guarantee the Crown Prince won’t grow suspicious of Chen Ji someday? Besides, the Crown Prince is not the only royal in the court; there’s also Prince Fu..."

Mrs. Liang’s eyes turned cold as she glanced at Wang Gui. "Silence. Is that something you can speak of so casually?"

Wang Gui lowered his head. "This lowly one was merely saying, Madam surely has her plans. Additionally, there’s another matter that must be quickly addressed."

Mrs. Liang said coldly, "Don’t beat around the bush."

At this moment, Zhang Xia was leading Zaozao over to Chen Ji, speaking in hushed tones.

Wang Gui took a glance at Chen Ji, then at Zhang Xia. "Madam, look at those two."

Mrs. Liang replied calmly. "What about them?"

Wang Gui took a deep breath. "Madam, those two seem respectful and proper, but Chen Ji has saved the Second Miss Zhang not just once. Back at Dragon Gate Inn, the two even shared the same room... Should he win the Zhang Family’s support, it’ll be like adding wings to a tiger. We must separate them first."

Mrs. Liang said evenly, "How should this be done?"

Wang Gui spoke softly, "Chen Ji is already of marriageable age. In the past, his engagement was delayed because he was apprenticing at the Medical Hall. Now that he holds a Sixth Rank official position, it’s the prime time for him to establish a family. As his legitimate stepmother, it is only right, both by law and ethics, for you to arrange his marriage."

Mrs. Liang said flatly, "He likely won’t acquiesce."

Wang Gui lowered his gaze. "Parental orders and arranged marriage—what right does a bastard have to decide his own marriage? Even if this matter were debated in court, it should be you who decides. If he still refuses, it would be considered unfilial. The master also dislikes Lord Zhang and the Zhang family, so he likely won’t stop you."

Mrs. Liang fell into thought.

Wang Gui continued, "In the Imperial Capital, there are many high-ranking legitimate daughters among the noble families waiting for marriage. If Madam could secure a high-born bride for this bastard, not only would no one criticize you; they’d praise you as a magnanimous stepmother."

Mrs. Liang’s eyes shifted slightly. "Do you have someone in mind?"

Wang Gui replied confidently. "I do, and you will certainly be satisfied."

By this time, the Crown Prince and his group had already left the inn, and Mrs. Liang moved to follow them, with Wang Gui dragging the cart behind her.

As they exited the city, the border army infantry had already cleared the collapsed bricks and rubble from the city gate tower, opening up a narrow path. Outside the city, a towering pile of firewood had been stacked, where corpses from within the city were being burned to prevent epidemic outbreaks.

Passing by the incineration site, Mrs. Liang silently stared at the flames for a long time before saying to Wang Gui, "Push Wenxiao in."

Wang Gui’s expression changed. "Madam, aren’t we bringing the Second Young Master back to the Imperial Capital?"

Mrs. Liang’s feature flickered with the firelight, the searing heat waves distorting her face. "If I bring him back, should anyone ask how he died, how am I supposed to answer?"

Wang Gui hesitated. "But the Crown Prince knows the truth..."

Mrs. Liang sneered. "The Crown Prince was captured in battle—do you think he’d proactively bring this up? He’d rather everyone forget everything about Guyuan. Whoever dares speak will die."

Still, Wang Gui hesitated, unwilling to push Chen Wenxiao into the flames.

Mrs. Liang, seeing him hesitate, bit her lip, grasped the cart herself, and pushed it into the inferno, allowing the fire’s tongues to consume everything.

On the dirt road outside Guyuan, everyone was traveling on foot.

The Yulin Army soldiers were exhausted, yet no one complained—not even Qi Zhenzhuo spoke a word.

At that moment, the sound of horse hooves came from behind.

Li Xuan turned his head and saw Zhou You leading dozens of riders through the gaps in the city gate wreckage, catching up to them.

Li Xuan placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, his voice tense. "What is it, General Zhou? Do you intend to leave us here?"

As he spoke, the Yulin Army soldiers simultaneously drew their swords, their expressions cold and impassive.

Someone licked their chapped lips, ready to fight at any moment.

Zhou You sat atop his horse, surveying the Yulin Army, then burst into laughter. "When the Silver-armored Yulin Army arrived, gallant and impressive, I, Zhou You, never held you in high regard. Now that you’re beaten down and disheveled, I suddenly find myself respecting you more."

After saying this, he dismounted, holding the reins as he approached, offering them to Li Xuan. "It’s a long journey ahead. A horse will make it easier. Farewell."

Li Xuan and the Yulin Army were stunned.

They watched as the border soldiers also dismounted uniformly, handing their reins to the Yulin Army members. "Farewell!"

For a moment, the Yulin Army didn’t know how to respond. All they could do was stiffly accept the reins and instinctively mutter the same: "Farewell."

It turned out the other party had come specifically to deliver horses.

After leaving the horses behind, the border soldiers turned and strode back into the aged and majestic city of Guyuan, like prisoners who had voluntarily accepted exile.

Li Xuan mounted a horse and turned back, gazing longingly for a while before finally urging his steed onward.

"Farewell."