Green Mountain
Chapter 357 - 295, Rule

Chapter 357: 295, Rule

"Was it misfortune or fortune when the right eye twitches?"

Chen Ji sat in the main hall of the Fengtai Posthouse, subconsciously rubbing his right eyelid. Since waking up in the morning, his right eyelid had been twitching incessantly, causing his heart to feel uneasy.

Zhang Xia, who wore a fiery red outfit, explained with a smile: "There are many sayings about it. Typically, people north of the Yangtze River say the right eye twitch indicates misfortune, while people south of the Yangtze River say it indicates fortune. According to Daoist yin-yang theory, the left eye is associated with yang and auspiciousness, while the right eye is associated with yin and bad luck."

Chen Ji rubbed his right eyelid again and whispered: "Then it must be misfortune... Could it be that someone is secretly harming me?"

The little eunuch Xiao Man, sitting on his right, overheard and glanced stealthily at Mrs. Liang in the distance, saying in a low voice: "Young master, it must be her!"

Zhang Xia curiously asked: "Could it be caused by not sleeping well? Later, let Xiao Man wet a cloth with hot water and apply it to your eyelids."

Chen Ji put his hand down: "No need; it will stop twitching soon."

Zhang Zheng lay helplessly on the table: "How long must we stay in Fengtai? We’re so close to the Imperial Capital, why suddenly stop?"

After seventeen days of ceaseless journey, since leaving Guyuan, they had concealed their identities and didn’t relax until they crossed the boundary of Shan Province.

Just when everyone thought the rest of the journey would be smooth, the Crown Prince stopped in Fengtai for three days without proceeding.

No one knew why the Crown Prince, near the capital, didn’t return to the Imperial Capital.

Suddenly, Zhang Xia spoke in a low voice: "I guess the Crown Prince doesn’t want to return to the capital disgraced."

Chen Ji looked over, only to hear Zhang Xia continue: "My father once said the most difficult ’position’ in the world is being the Crown Prince. Everyone thinks he’s high in status, but he has no real power. The Emperor both hopes for his achievements and guards against his changes. Father guards against son, son guards against father, brother guards against brother."

Zhang Zheng widened his eyes, his hair standing on end: "Don’t learn to speak from your father, speaking so recklessly."

"What’s the harm in talking to Chen Ji," Zhang Xia glared at him and then looked at Chen Ji: "The road to seizing the throne hinges firstly on the Emperor’s favor and secondly on allies. Too many allies invite the Emperor’s suspicion; too few allies won’t accomplish anything. This time the Crown Prince went to Guyuan intending to control the Hu Family backing Prince Fu, but since he didn’t succeed and if he returns to the capital humbled, families might turn to Prince Fu."

Chen Ji sighed: "The road to seizing the throne is like climbing to the heavens on a single-log bridge; one misstep leads to eternal doom."

Zhang Zheng asked quizzically: "But the Crown Prince doesn’t seem worried; he even has the mind to burn incense and pray to Emperor Wenchang at Qingfeng Temple."

Just then, the sound of horses and carriages appeared outside Fengtai Posthouse, and a convoy stopped at the entrance.

A young man in a green robe and round-collar official attire eagerly served his surroundings, placing horse stools and lifting car curtains.

A middle-aged man, wearing a flat hat, red robe, and jade belt, stepped out of the carriage and politely saluted at the posthouse entrance: "May I ask if you are with the Yulin Army?"

Qi Zhenzhuo stood up: "Yes indeed."

Zhang Xia quickly reminded: "An official from the Inner Court wearing a Three Mountain Hat but not a Python Robe, should be a Standard Fourth Rank; accompanied by a green-robed eunuch wearing a flat hat of the Sixth Rank, likely a Commander Eunuch from some department. However, if it’s the Imperial Stables, he should be escorted by guards, not little eunuchs; the Food and Drink Supervisor, Treasure Supervisor, Seal and Ribbon Supervisor, Direct Chief Eunuch, Divine Chief Eunuch, Imperial Supervision, and Head Supervisor wouldn’t come out; the Ritual Supervision we’ve all seen... hmm, he’s Wang Chao from the Chief Eunuch of Equipment, who manages the imperial ceremonial formations and is typically uncompetitive, belonging to the Empress Dowager."

As soon as Zhang Xia finished speaking, the middle-aged man outside said softly: "Court Minister, Commander Eunuch of the Chief Eunuch of Equipment, Wang Chao, seeks an audience with the Crown Prince."

Xiao Man’s eyes shone: "Sister Axia is amazing!"

"Commander, please wait a moment," Qi Zhenzhuo quickly ran upstairs. Half an incense stick later, the Crown Prince gracefully descended the stairs, holding his robe.

Wang Chao hurried forward a few steps: "Your Highness, we haven’t seen each other for months, you’ve become so thin!"

The Crown Prince smiled: "What official business brings Commander Wang to Fengtai?"

Wang Chao chuckled: "Your Highness might not know, but now in every tea house in the Imperial Capital, your stories are being told!"

The Crown Prince was puzzled: "Oh? What stories about me?"

Wang Chao explained: "Seven days ago, the border army swiftly arrived at the capital bearing news of Guyuan’s great victory. Someone bought stories from the border army, and now your command of the Yulin Army, slaying over six hundred, and Commander Li’s decapitation of enemy commanders, are the hottest stories in capital tea houses. If a storyteller doesn’t tell your story, the tea house has no customers; but if they do, the tea house is overflowing."

The Crown Prince was amazed: "Really?"

Chen Ji felt this scene was eerily familiar.

Previously, when he won the scripture debate against the Bodhisattva at Lu Hun Manor, Zhang Li wrote storybooks overnight and spread them across the north and south of Yangtze River. Storytellers would receive one hundred copper coins for each telling, suppressing the Buddhist Sect’s influence and competing for followers.

No wonder the Crown Prince wasn’t in a hurry to enter the capital but instead went to Qingfeng Temple to burn incense and pray to Emperor Wenchang, secretly letting the Dao Court build his momentum.

At this moment, Wang Chao smiled: "Your Highness, the common folk are eagerly inquiring about your whereabouts, all looking forward to your return to the capital. When you do return, the people will line the streets and shower you with flowers, creating a lively scene."

The Crown Prince shook his head: "That’s not good; it can disturb the people."

Wang Chao laughed: "How could it disturb the people? They’ll be overjoyed. His Majesty has also heard of this and has summoned you to return to the capital tomorrow, to meet at 5 p.m., and dine together. I am here to escort you back to the capital... In addition, there’s Lord Li and Chen Ji."

Chen Ji’s heart moved.

The Crown Prince asked: "When shall we depart? Shall we leave now?"

Wang Chao smiled: "No rush; entering the palace to meet the Holy Emperor is of utmost importance, and there are many preparations to be made. Firstly, your attire and coronet, which are on the way. Tomorrow, you will appear in your splendor, showcasing the Heavenly Family’s majesty to the people. Moreover, as this is Chen Ji’s first time meeting the Holy Emperor, there are several rules he must learn."

The Crown Prince nodded: "Very well, I’ll leave it all to Commander Wang."

Wang Chao beckoned to the person behind him: "Wang He, I have some words to speak with His Highness. Once the carriages are parked, instruct Chen Ji on the palace protocols, ensuring he does not make any mistakes before the Emperor, jeopardizing the promising future of this young hero."

The green-robed eunuch behind hurriedly bowed: "Yes."

The Crown Prince led Wang Chao upstairs. Chen Ji glanced around the main hall and then addressed Wang He: "Let’s go upstairs; it’s quieter in the guest room."

Wang He smiled: "Chen Ji, please wait in your room; I’ll come once the carriages are parked."

Chen Ji agreed: "Alright."

Then, he led Xiao Man, Zhang Zheng, and Zhang Xia upstairs.

As Wang He led the carriage to the backyard, Mrs. Liang also approached: "Eunuch Wang."

Wang He was startled: "Who might you be, Madam?"

Mrs. Liang took out a tael of broken silver from her sleeve and handed it to Wang He with a smile: "I am Chen Ji’s mother. He finally has the chance to meet the Holy Emperor; I hope you will carefully instruct him on palace etiquette, ensuring he doesn’t make any mistakes before the Emperor."

Wang He weighed the silver in his hand, sneering: "Don’t worry, Madam."

After Mrs. Liang left, he muttered softly and tucked the silver into his sleeve.

...

...

Wang He went to Chen Ji’s guest room, entering without any formalities and began speaking rapidly: "Tomorrow, when you meet the Holy Emperor, wear dark-colored clothes without yellow, white, green, or red hues; carry no items on you. You will enter from Xuanwu Gate, wait at the East Gate, and be searched by the Jiefan Guard; no swords, seals, or even slips of paper are allowed..."

Wang He recited the rules with ease, speaking so fast that it was almost impossible to follow or remember.

Xiao Man was displeased: "Why speak so fast?"

Wang He sneered; these were the rules one tael of silver could buy. As long as he mentioned everything, whether they remembered it was their problem.

He then said briskly: "Chen Ji, I’ve covered everything. Remember it well today, and don’t delay the important matters tomorrow."

With that, he turned and left. Xiao Man wanted to stop him, but Zhang Xia held him back.

After Wang He departed, Xiao Man complained: "Why are there so many rules for entering the palace? And what’s with this eunuch, seems like he’s deliberately making things difficult for our master?"

Zhang Xia calmly explained: "Without instruction, even if you enter the palace and meet His Majesty, you could easily be punished. During the previous Emperor’s reign, a humble-born scholar enchanted the Emperor with his writings before his exam, showing potential to be the top scorer. But during the palace exam, no one advised him on protocols, and he was found with a slip of paper at the East Gate, flogged out of the palace; another scholar was criticized for improper kneeling posture by court officials. Xiao Man, these rules are meant to devour people."

Xiao Man panicked: "What should we do? If this ruins our master’s future..."

Zhang Xia smiled, pointing to his head: "Don’t worry, I’ve memorized all these rules."