Green Mountain
Chapter 383 - 310. Chen family business

Chapter 383: 310. Chen family business

"So hot, so hot!"

Xiao Man came running in from outside Silver Apricot Garden, carrying a steaming pot of spicy noodles.

Zhang Zheng quickly stood up, took the clay pot from her hands, and anxiously placed it on the stone table in the courtyard. As they put down the pot, both of them burned their fingers and instinctively touched their earlobes.

Xiao Man complained, "The Chen family servants are so fickle. The other day when we returned to the Imperial Capital, they were all calling me Miss Xiao Man so attentively. Today, once they saw me go into the kitchen, those nannies hid all the meat without saying a word. If I hadn’t been quick, they’d have taken even the oil, salt, and sauces. Young master, what are we doing staying here? We might as well buy a small house on Chessboard Street, which would also make it easier for you to report to the Governor Mansion in the future."

Zhang Zheng chuckled, "Exactly, with a small house, Ah Xia and I can visit you without having to mind the Chen family’s attitude."

Chen Ji twiddled his chopsticks, "There’s a significant figure who wants me to stay in the Chen Mansion in exchange for giving the Commandery Princess a way out."

Zhang Zheng paused, "Who?"

Chen Ji was silent for two breaths, "The Spy Department, Feng Wenzheng."

Zhang Zheng realized as he scooped noodles into bowls, "What’s that Mr. Feng asking you to stay in the Chen family for? Does he want to move into the Chen family like he did with the Liu Family?"

Chen Ji shook his head, "I don’t know. He only instructed me to retrieve the Chen family’s smuggling account books... but that man rarely speaks the truth, so I don’t know if he actually wants those account books."

He pondered, "That man speaks and acts in contradictory ways. Only when everything settles will we understand his true intentions. I’ve even asked him what he wanted, and he said he already told me... but I don’t know which sentence he was referring to."

At this moment, Zhang Xia suddenly stopped chanting scriptures and said, "Wenzheng."

Chen Ji was startled, "What about Wenzheng?"

Zhang Xia softly replied, "Wenzheng is not a name, but a posthumous title. Throughout thousands of years of posthumous title traditions, ’Wen’ is the most esteemed, symbolizing profound knowledge and great achievements, while ’Zheng’ represents steadfastness and unwavering loyalty. Only those with great contributions and virtues can receive the posthumous title of ’Wenzheng,’ the ultimate pursuit of our dynasty’s scholars, a title pursued till death. So, when he gave himself this alias, it was to demonstrate his ambition."

Xiao Man asked curiously, "So, is this Mr. Feng a good person or a bad person? I heard Zhang Zheng mention him before, saying he likes to kill people..."

Zhang Xia smiled and patted her head, "These people are all very complicated; let’s leave it to future generations to judge."

At this time, a knocking sound came from outside Silver Apricot Garden.

Xiao Man was on guard, "Could the Second Lady be coming back for more trouble?"

Zhang Xia put down his bowl and chopsticks, smoothed his white robe, and calmly said, "Xiao Man, go open the door. Whoever comes today must be sent back."

Xiao Man got up to open the door, which creaked open, revealing a middle-aged couple outside the wooden door, with several maids and servants holding "Chen Mansion" lanterns behind them.

The couple appeared quite distinguished.

However, the middle-aged man had a clean-shaven face and wore a simple dark blue Confucian robe, which made him look more like an ascetic Taoist priest if not for his square cap.

The woman was quite beautiful, wearing a plain cross-collar gown with a shawl, her thick hair tied up with only two wooden hairpins, making her stand out more without any gold or jade adornments.

Or rather, gold and jade would seem superfluous on her.

Chen Ji hesitated... who were these two people? He had never seen them before.

Were they Chen Lizun of the first house or Chen Lizhi of the second house? Only these two fit the age.

But if they were outsiders, Zhang Xia would surely give him a hint. However, it seemed even Zhang Xia didn’t expect that Chen Ji couldn’t recognize all his family members.

Under the soft lantern light, the middle-aged scholar glanced at the stone table and said warmly, "Why are you eating so simply? Didn’t the kitchen at Qingzheng Garden prepare any dishes for Silver Apricot Garden?"

Chen Ji stood up calmly and cupped his hands, "Returned late, so I didn’t disturb the kitchen."

The middle-aged man smiled and said, "No matter, the kitchen is always prepared with Immortal Wine stewed Poria and ten pots of Qilin Embryo and Xi Shi’s Tongue. Calling them to be sent over isn’t much trouble... won’t you invite us in for a sit?"

Chen Ji cupped his hands, "Please come in."

The middle-aged man approached the stone table and took a look at the clay pot, "I just returned late from the government office and only had a bowl of stewed Poria. Could I have a bowl of these spicy noodles?"

Before Xiao Man could come over, Zhang Xia had already stood up to serve the noodles and then stepped aside.

By the stone table, only Chen Ji and the middle-aged couple sat, while the servants and maids waited at a distance, not getting close.

The middle-aged man took a small bite of the spicy noodles and then set down the bowl and chopsticks, smiling, "Not bad... Qing Gui just returned to the Imperial Capital from Luocheng City and didn’t even come see me. When you were detained in the Imperial Prison, your friends by your side should have come to find me immediately. Today I heard you were detained, so I went to the Ritual Supervision at once. Only then did I learn you were already released."

The woman chuckled, "Master, Chen Ji is now of age and has made great achievements in Guyuan. We shouldn’t call him by his childhood name anymore, we should use his formal name."

Qing Gui?

Who is Qing Gui?

It took Chen Ji two breaths to realize it was his childhood name, one even Chen Liqin never called. How strange, who are these middle-aged people, and why are they so familiar with him?

The more Chen Ji listened, the more things seemed off.

He replied ambiguously, "Thank you for your concern."

The middle-aged man said gently, "No need for formalities with me. When your father went to Luocheng City, I told him to leave you in the Imperial Capital, and I would take care of you, but he stubbornly refused. Later, he took you to Luocheng City and then sent you to the Medical Hall as an apprentice, leaving me speechless... why don’t you move to Zhuozheng Garden? I know you love koi fish, and the pond at Koi Garden is always well-maintained."

Zhuozheng Garden?

This is Chen Lizun, head of the main house of the Chen family and Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

And the woman beside him should be his legitimate wife, from the Liu Family.

But strangely, the Spy Department’s records indicate that the main and third houses of the Chen family are not close and often have disputes. Yet, they treat me so kindly?

Wait!

Chen Ji’s heart was stirred, and he replied, "Reporting to the great master, living in the Silver Apricot Garden is quite good, it’s close to the side door, making it more convenient to come and go."

Chen Lizun did not press further: "Do as you please."

Beside him, the Lady of the Liu Family inquired eagerly, "How have you been in Luocheng City? We haven’t received a letter from you in three years. Last year, your elder uncle contemplated stopping by Luocheng on the way south to Jinling, but with the autumn harvest approaching, he ultimately prioritized official duties."

Chen Ji whispered, "It’s alright; I’ve been doing quite well in Luocheng City."

The Lady of the Liu Family asked again, "Have you been injured in Guyuan?"

Chen Ji shook his head, "I haven’t been injured."

The Lady of the Liu Family sighed in relief, "It’s good that you’re unharmed. Fortunately, you’re now in the Yulin Army, which is a leisurely government office, so there’s no need to worry about further danger. By the way, in a few days, I’ll invite the shopkeeper from Wang’s Clothing Shop to the mansion to tailor some clothes for you. Your current ones seem rather worn..."

As she spoke, she reached out to tug Chen Ji’s sleeve, but Chen Ji instinctively drew back his left hand.

The Lady of the Liu Family was momentarily stunned, then smiled to cover the awkwardness: "When the shopkeeper arrives in a few days, I’ll have a servant lead him to find you..."

After speaking, she looked at Zhang Xia, who stood by the side: "This must be Second Miss Zhang then, truly full of spirit. I knew your mother from when we were young; we even played polo together, though she played much better than I did, and I was left to eat her dust."

Zhang Xia politely replied, "Thank you, Aunt, for the compliment. My mother has mentioned you, saying that no matter how well she played polo, it could not overshadow your brilliance. All the scholars and gentlemen went to see you."

The Lady of the Liu Family was silent for a moment, showing no joy, and quietly replied, "Those are things of the past."

Chen Lizun looked at everyone, stood up, and said to Chen Ji, "Since you friends are having a gathering, your aunt and I won’t disturb you further. I have to visit Tanggu tomorrow, so I’ll see you when I return to the Imperial Capital."

Chen Ji cupped his hands in salute, "Take care, Uncle."

Chen Lizun and the Lady of the Liu Family turned and left the room, as the servants, holding lanterns, attended to them on either side, guiding them through Little Yingtai and back to Zhuozheng Garden.

Once the Silver Apricot Garden regained its tranquility, Zhang Xia suddenly said, "I know why Mr. Feng wants you to return to the Chen family."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Zhang Zheng and Xiao Man were puzzled, "Why?"

Zhang Xia confidently replied, "He hopes Chen Ji will return to the Chen family and be adopted into the main house, to inherit the Chen family’s estate."

Xiao Man’s eyes widened, "Really? I’ve never heard anyone mention that before. At Qingzheng Garden, everyone says the adoption is supposed to bring the second house’s bastard son, Chen Yu, to be adopted by the great master. Even the second master frequently talks about adopting Chen Yu."

Zhang Xia quietly explained, "To my knowledge, the main house controls eighty percent of the Chen family’s assets, and the second house has long coveted it. Naturally, Chen Lizun prefers to adopt from the uncontentious third house."

Xiao Man wondered, "No wonder the adoption matter has lingered for so many years without fruition... But since the main house favors our young master, why haven’t they adopted him yet?"

Zhang Xia pondered, "It’s likely the second house is causing interference. Perhaps three years ago, when Chen Liqin was reassigned to Luocheng City, it was a ploy by the second house to send the third house away."

Xiao Man looked at Chen Ji with bright eyes, "Young Master, you should stay at Zhuozheng Garden. Once you’re adopted, you can be listed in the clan genealogy, and the future of the Chen family will be yours. As Aunt says, this is a highly rewarding venture with little upfront cost."

Zhang Xia chuckled, "Let your young master think about it. After all, even if he is adopted, he must wait for the Chen family head and Chen Lizhi, the main householder, to die before your young master can take over. He would have to play the son role for decades, and your young master is not one to swallow his pride easily."

Xiao Man’s eyes darted, "Then after being adopted, if he kills them, won’t the young master be able to inherit the Chen family?"

Zhang Xia and Zhang Zheng’s expressions changed, "You..."

Before the words could be spoken, a meow came from inside the room.

Chen Ji turned his head to look inside the room.

Xiao Man exclaimed, "I forgot it."

She ran into the room and brought out a small, black, furry cat. Chen Ji wondered, as the black cat resembled Wu Yun, yet he didn’t know when it had arrived, "What is this?"

Xiao Man explained, "On the day you were taken to the Imperial Prison, Second Sister gave it to me, saying that raising it at home wouldn’t arouse suspicion."

Chen Ji looked at Zhang Xia, who explained, "Father was convinced that the one in the Empress’s arms was Wu Yun. Many people know you have a black cat, and its sudden disappearance might arouse suspicion, so I was sent to the Six Livestock Farm to quickly buy a similar one."

Chen Ji expressed appreciation, "Thank you."

Zhang Xia nodded, stood up, and said, "It’s getting late, my brother and I should go back to rest..."

She walked to the door, turned back to look at Chen Ji, and said, "If you can be adopted into the main house and become a ’Legitimate Son Imitation,’ you would be eligible to preside over sacrifices and inherit the family estate. If you wish to save the Commandery Princess, having this identity would surely yield twice the result with half the effort, and even the Cultivation Path could receive numerous supports. However, you must be careful, for the succession struggles within the family can be just as perilous as royal power battles, and the second house will not give up easily."

Chen Ji nodded, "I understand."

Zhang Xia sighed lightly, "I wonder how the Commandery Princess is faring in Jingyang Palace. The Chen family must have installed trusted insiders as eunuchs in the palace. If the Chen family’s assistance could be secured, the Commandery Princess’s life in the palace might improve."