Green Mountain
Chapter 358 - 296, Sworn Brotherhood

Chapter 358: 296, Sworn Brotherhood

Chen Ji once thought that having an audience with the Emperor would be like the scenes in movies he had watched, where a eunuch would lead him through gray tiles and red walls to the Imperial Palace paved with green gold bricks, and he would answer whatever the Emperor asked.

The reality was more rigorous and grandiose than he had imagined.

In the Ning Mi posthouse guestroom, Zhang Xia meticulously explained the protocols to Chen Ji: "Tomorrow, officials from Honglu Temple will first come to check your grooming... Which outfit do you plan to wear? Bring it here for me to see."

Chen Ji took out a black high-collared robe from his luggage: "Will this do?"

Zhang Xia was taken aback: "This? Yes, it’s fine. Now let’s talk about taboo subjects. The present Holy Emperor avoids the word ’death.’ When referring to soldiers who died in the Guyuan battle, use ’eternal glory’ instead; never mention the word ’ghost,’ as the Holy Emperor dislikes it. For example, change Ghost Gate to Divine Gate..."

There were sixty-seven taboo words, and Zhang Xia wrote them all down on paper for Chen Ji to remember.

Zhang Xia continued to warn: "If you cough or sneeze before the throne, you must immediately apologize, or you risk the imperial punishment; if Your Majesty is enraged, you must immediately remove your crown and apologize; when entering the palace, civil servants use the east steps, the Crown Prince’s Right Guard is a military officer, so you must use the west steps; if Your Majesty does not permit you to look up, never look up..."

Zhang Xia explained the rules for as long as ten minutes.

Zhang Zheng was listening so attentively for the first time, he exclaimed: "No wonder Father said not to let me become an official for my own good. If I became an official, I would probably be punished every day!"

Xiao Man scoffed: "You talk as if becoming an official would grant you an audience with the Emperor."

Zhang Xia glanced at him: "Thankfully, Chen Ji belongs to the Chen family. Otherwise, Honglu Temple would have investigated his ancestors three generations back by now. Since ancient times, having an audience with the Emperor has always been the most stringent. An Imperial Censor once said: ’Upon entering the Imperial Palace Gate, one trembles and sweats, not out of fear of the ruler, but of the axe and halberd!’ Do not disturb Chen Ji, let him quickly memorize these matters."

Xiao Man muttered: "Exactly, if you cause our young master to be punished in the palace tomorrow, hmm!"

Zhang Zheng rolled his eyes and kept silent.

After teaching the rules, Zhang Xia began instructing Chen Ji on the common knowledge before the throne: "First-Grade Officials wear the White Crane Embroidery, and currently there are only three of them: Grand Preceptor Xu, Grand Protector Hu, and Mr. Qi. However, their accessories are distinct, making them easy to identify. Official Xu wears a gold foil crown, a gift from the present Holy Emperor to the Cabinet Minister; Official Hu wears a mutton fat jade belt, bestowed by the previous Emperor; Mr. Qi holds the Blood Rhinoceros Tablet, its texture like blood threads, different from everyone else..."

Chen Ji asked: "No Imperial Tutor?"

Zhang Xia explained: "An Imperial Tutor is usually honored posthumously; it’s rare for a living person to receive this honor."

Zhang Zheng and Xiao Man listened until their heads drooped in drowsiness.

In the dimly lit guest room, Zhang Xia patiently taught, while Chen Ji diligently learned from morning till evening, even the way to walk and stand.

Zhang Zheng fell asleep on the table and woke up hungry, finding Chen Ji sitting in the sunset, reciting rules from a thick stack of papers, while Zhang Xia quietly watched opposite him.

He watched the orange-yellow sunset glow through the window onto both of them, feeling reluctant to interrupt.

Until dusk fell, until dawn was about to break.

Zhang Zheng felt disheartened, recalling how just a few days ago he was valiantly battling in Guyuan, earning fame, but now was submerged in endless protocols, humbling himself.

Yet life seemed like that, unknowingly becoming tranquil, turning into stagnant water.

After a long silence, he suddenly asked: "Chen Ji, do you think Axia is impressive?"

Chen Ji replied with a smile: "Very impressive, if the court allowed women to take the Imperial Examination, others wouldn’t stand a chance."

Zhang Zheng then turned to Xiao Man: "Xiao Man, do you think Axia is pretty?"

Xiao Man perked up: "Pretty, Sister Axia is both impressive and beautiful, without the affectation of noblewomen."

Zhang Zheng looked at Chen Ji, pretending to casually joke: "We’ve been through so much together, Axia has helped you wholeheartedly, and you’ve saved her several times, how about..."

Just then, Zhang Xia’s expression changed, she grabbed Zhang Zheng and walked out.

Not until they had left the Fengtai Posthouse did Zhang Xia stop in the dark.

She turned and stared at Zhang Zheng: "Brother, what did you mean by those words just now?"

Zhang Zheng irritably said: "What do I mean? I’m your brother, I understand his gaze, how can I not know? I’m trying to help you!"

Zhang Xia angrily said: "I don’t need your help!"

Zhang Zheng also became angry: "Without my help, when will you break this window paper? We just survived life-and-death in Guyuan, if I don’t help you now, I fear you’ll end up like the formalities of an audience with the Emperor, having just fought valiantly, but then buried in tedious rules! If too much time passes, you’ll forget about Guyuan."

Zhang Xia sternly said: "Do you know what Chen Ji has struggled for to get here, nearly in the palace now? You truly think it’s to become an official? No, it’s for the Commandery Princess!"

Zhang Zheng paced back and forth outside Fengtai Posthouse, he took a deep breath and walked back to Zhang Xia: "Axia, Chen Ji can’t save the Commandery Princess."

These words, in the night, struck like thunder.

Zhang Zheng slowly said: "Father told me clearly, to save the Commandery Princess, we must first vindicate Prince Jing. To vindicate Prince Jing, the Emperor must admit his mistake. How could the Emperor, appointed by Heaven, admit he was wrong? The Commandery Princess’ case has become unresolved. She won’t die, but will always have to stay in Jingyang Palace and practice Taoism."