Green Mountain
Chapter 387 - 313, Bodhisattva

Chapter 387: 313, Bodhisattva

Chen Liqin, wearing a red official robe, hurriedly pulled Chen Ji through Little Yingtai.

They passed by Xiangzhou, Lotus Wind Four-sided Pavilion, Mountain Viewing Pavilion, and Little Feihong without pause, as if wolves were chasing them. He paid no heed to the looks from the servants and maids until they returned from Zhuozheng Garden to Qingzheng Garden, where he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At the entrance of Silver Apricot Garden, Chen Ji broke free from his grasp and cupped his hands in salute: "Mr. Chen, I have reached my residence."

Chen Liqin stood still, pondering how to speak. But with the coming and going of maids and servants nearby, he never got the chance to speak.

Chen Ji probed, "If there’s nothing else, may I go back?"

Once the surrounding servants had dispersed, Chen Liqin suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Go find Official Hu and ask him to transfer you to the border army... If you don’t want to go to such a harsh place, Taiyuan Prefecture or Xianyang Prefecture are good options too. The lamb stew in Xianyang is delicious, and Taiyuan’s spicy noodles are also worth trying. Generally, officials transferred out of the Imperial Capital get promoted by one or two ranks. Official Hu is your teacher Wang Daosheng’s teacher, so using this connection, he won’t treat you unfairly. I’ll prepare some gifts for you; go tomorrow, no, go today!"

Chen Ji asked carelessly, "Why is Mr. Chen suddenly urging me to leave?"

Chen Liqin replied solemnly, "Don’t get involved in the matters of the eldest and second households anymore; too many have already been dragged in! Don’t think that because you’ve built an executive officer’s status, you’re any great. There are six Grand Officials just in Qingzheng and Zhuozheng Gardens whose realms far exceed yours! This is the Imperial Capital, this is the Chen family, the dragon vein is here, and all the power in the world converges here. An executive officer can’t make a scene!"

Chen Ji shook his head, "I don’t understand what Mr. Chen is saying."

In desperation, Chen Liqin exclaimed, "Is it not good to be a bit mediocre? Live your own life well, be a small to mid-level official, and only need to be accountable to your salary and the people. That immense power, though it seems glamorous, is poison, it’s not something our third household can contend for!"

Chen Ji remained silent.

Seeing him contemplating, Chen Liqin’s tone softened, "I’ll go and fetch some silver for you; don’t return to the Chen family tonight."

Chen Ji hesitated, "Where to go?"

Chen Liqin thought for a moment, "Go to the Eight Great Hutongs. Visiting the brothel is fine, or go to the Qingyin Small Class to listen to opera, if that doesn’t work, I hear the gambling house is quite lively at night too."

Chen Ji was taken aback; what kind of father encourages his own child to visit gambling houses and brothels?

Chen Ji pondered, "Does Mr. Chen want me to sully my name to hide my talent?"

In a sincere tone, Chen Liqin said, "I know you have youthful ambitions, but you don’t need to hide your talent outside for long, just until the dust settles between the eldest and second households. Three years, wait three more years."

Chen Ji sighed lightly, "Mr. Chen, I cannot wait for so long."

Chen Liqin anxiously paced back and forth, "You’re still young, you don’t understand the dangers here. That Chen Lizun seems to protect you at every turn, but it’s just a tactic to win people over. What happened this morning was merely to sow discord between the father and son of our third household. Their schemes are endless; this is not the first time, and it won’t be the last."

Casually, Chen Ji asked, "How can I trust what Mr. Chen says?"

Chen Liqin paced back and forth in front of Silver Apricot Garden, thinking for a moment before saying, "If my guess is correct, once your mother... once your legitimate mother arranges a small household marriage for you, they will certainly come forward again and find a truly illustrious marriage for you, offering a considerable betrothal gift to make you remember their kindness. Let me think, the Qi family, they will certainly arrange a marriage alliance between you and the Qi family. Qi Zhenzhuo’s sister is at the age of waiting to be wed, and as a legitimate daughter matched to you, a bastard, you can only be grateful."

Chen Ji was puzzled, "Is Mr. Chen so sure?"

Chen Liqin said firmly, "Absolutely sure!"

Chen Ji asked further, "But how could the Qi family agree to marry their legitimate daughter to me, a bastard?"

Chen Liqin explained, "As long as they negotiate, and before the wedding, you’re adopted into the eldest household as a Legitimate Son Imitation, with the Chen family’s future business entrusted to you, why wouldn’t the Qi family agree? It’s a highly profitable trade!"

At this moment, a servant came running over, "Master, the carriage is ready, you will be late for attendance."

Chen Liqin glanced at the servant and whispered to Chen Ji, "Whether it’s true or not, let’s wait and see."

Chen Ji stood at the door, watching Chen Liqin’s red-clad figure disappear into the distance, then turned and pushed open the door.

Inside, Xiao Man was holding a little black cat, listening intently. Seeing Chen Ji suddenly push the door open, she panicked, "Young Master, you hold it, I’ll go fetch hot water to wash your face."

Chen Ji did not take the little black cat but smiled and said, "Eavesdrop if you want, no need to be so flustered."

Xiao Man was relieved, "Judging by the master’s words, the morning’s council met with quite a few issues? Did they give you a hard time?"

Chen Ji sat on the stone stool under the apricot tree, drumming his fingers on the stone table, answering cryptically, "I might know who’s been buying my information from you."

Xiao Man widened her eyes, "Who is it?!"

Chen Ji said calmly, "The Chen family’s eldest branch. They’ve gone to great lengths to select someone for adoption."

Xiao Man realized, "No wonder. No wonder they can always find someone to relay messages within the Chen Mansion, and why when I keep watch at Little Yingtai, they manage to snatch the information in a moment’s lapse. It must be someone very familiar with Little Yingtai."

At this point, she cautiously asked, "Does the Young Master truly wish to marry? If you do, what about the Commandery Princess?"

Chen Ji smiled and said, "I will refuse everything, but before refusing, we must see if Mr. Chen’s speculation is correct."

Xiao Man, astonished, said, "Refuse? Young Master, by your parents’ orders and the matchmaker’s words, how can you refuse? When the time comes, you won’t have to agree; the Chen Mansion will naturally arrange your marriage, and on the wedding day, you just obediently enter the bridal chamber with the bride, regardless of who she is."

Chen Ji remained silent for a long time.

Then, before the wedding, he would rescue the Commandery Princess and escape to the Jing Dynasty.

After he escapes, whether the Chen and Qi families lose face is not his concern.

At this moment, Xiao Man suddenly sighed.

Chen Ji looked at her, "What is it?"

Xiao Man worriedly said, "Though I don’t know the Commandery Princess, if a single Chen Mansion is so complicated, how dangerous must it be within the palace prohibitions? How will she cope?"

...

...

Jingyang Palace.

The morning bell from the Bell and Drum Tower drifted from the north, crossing over the red palace walls and golden glazed tiles, falling into the cold and desolate palace confines.

The chubby Xuan Su stood by the back hall door, shouting hoarsely, "Everyone get up for morning lessons!"

She suddenly pushed open the vermilion-painted door, letting the cold wind pour inside the hall.

The Daoist nuns all quickly slipped out from under their covers, skillfully tying up their hair, donning their Daoist robes, and filing out silently.

As Bai Li got off the floor bed, she carefully avoided the nearby chamber pot and quietly dressed herself.

She turned to see Zhu Lingyun struggling, wearing her Daoist robe askew, hands raised above her head but unable to properly tie up her hair.

Zhu Lingyun pleaded, "Sister, help me."

Bai Li stepped forward, reaching out to help Zhu Lingyun with her hair while gently saying, "You need to quickly learn to live on your own, learn to dress, learn to braid your hair, learn to sweep and mop, learn the Taoist scriptures... They’re just waiting for us to make mistakes."

Zhu Lingyun’s eyes reddened, "Sister, I can’t stand this place anymore, who can save us?"

Bai Li softly replied, "No one will come to save us... It’s done."

She looked at her younger sister, wiping her tears, "Don’t cry, the more you cry, the happier they are."

Just then, Princess Yongchun, with her hair disheveled and Daoist robe loose, walked out. Bai Li hesitated for a moment but gently tugged at Princess Yongchun, fastening her robe properly, and pulling her hair together with a wooden hairpin.

As soon as it was done, Princess Yongchun pushed her away and ran out in her clattering shoes, "Brother Zhuoyuan! I’m going to find Brother Zhuoyuan!"

Zhu Lingyun supported the stumbling Bai Li, "Sister, why did you help her? She’s just a madwoman."

Bai Li shook her head, "It’s fine."

Xuan Su leaned against the door, sneering, "Can’t even take care of yourself and still want to help others? Help yourself first."

Bai Li stood at the door, calmly asking, "We’ve never offended you, so why do you keep making things difficult for us?"

Xuan Su mocked, "I’m not making it difficult for you, but teaching you the palace rules. Feeling uncomfortable just because you sleep next to the chamber pot? Who didn’t sleep there when they first arrived? Who didn’t sweep and mop when they first arrived? Who didn’t have some prestigious status before coming in? This is Dongliu Palace. Without grinding away at your temper, you might make a big mistake someday!"

Bai Li led Zhu Lingyun out, ignoring her.

When they arrived at the main hall of Jingyang Palace, Xuan Zhen was meditating on a cushion, exuding an otherworldly aura like a virtuous and esteemed teacher of Tao.

There were cushions laid out in the hall, and somehow Princess Yongchun was already sitting cross-legged on one, waiting for the morning lesson.

Once everyone was seated, Daoist Xuanzhen waved a horsetail whisk with her right hand and struck the Bell and Chime with her left hand. After hitting it 108 times, she finally began, "The Tao that can be told of is not the eternal Tao..."

Everyone followed the reading until the Hour of Chen, then stopped.

Not looking at anyone, Xuan Zhen calmly stood up, leading everyone in the ceremony of three kneels and nine kowtows to the Three Pure Ancestors, and then retreated to her private side hall.

At this moment, four little eunuchs carried in eight vermilion lacquered food boxes, placed them in the hall, and left, eager not to stay a moment longer.

Xuan Su took a food box to personally deliver to Xuan Zhen, then returned and led the Daoist nuns back to the side hall, sitting around three tables to eat.

Bai Li and Zhu Lingyun also wanted to sit, but the Daoist nuns left them no space. Bai Li noticed an empty spot beside the table and was about to sit when Xuan Su signaled the other Daoist nuns, who immediately shifted to block the seat.

Bai Li searched around the table for a while, then stood aside, no longer wasting time.

Zhu Lingyun, full of anger, was about to argue but was held back by Bai Li, who whispered, "Endure it for now, it will get better."

Xuan Su took a bite of a steamed bun and laughed, "Princess Bai Li is indeed more mature and composed than Princess Lingyun. Don’t worry, you won’t starve. After we finish eating, there will naturally be something for you to eat."

After a stick of incense’s time, the Daoist nuns dispersed, leaving only Bai Li, Zhu Lingyun, and Princess Yongchun. All that remained on the table were leftovers; every bun had been purposefully bitten in half, not a single one left whole.

Zhu Lingyun, sulking, said, "I don’t want to eat anymore!"

Bai Li was silent for a long time, then stepped forward, picking up half a bun, carefully tearing away the parts that had been bitten.

She handed the small half of the bun to Zhu Lingyun, gently saying, "I used to not believe there was senseless evil in this world, but now, I do. But we still have to live on; as long as we’re alive, maybe there’s still hope."

Zhu Lingyun hesitated for a moment, just about to reach out, when Princess Yongchun snatched the bun and stuffed it into her mouth.

She made a gesture to hit Princess Yongchun, "You madwoman!"

Bai Li quickly pulled her back, "I’ll get you another piece."

Zhu Lingyun angrily said, "Sister, why do you help her?"

Bai Li picked up another bun soaking in vegetable soup, meticulously tearing away the edges, "It doesn’t matter, we’re all pitiful people."

Princess Yongchun foolishly pointed at Bai Li and said, "Hehehe, Bodhisattva! Living Bodhisattva! Bodhisattva, can you help me find Brother Zhuoyuan?"

Bai Li shook her head, "Sorry, I can’t help you."

Princess Yongchun, munching on the bun, turned and walked away, "Then you’re not a Bodhisattva."

Zhu Lingyun wiped her tears with the back of her hand, "Sister, how long do we have to endure? Think of a way to find the Empress Dowager; she’s part of the Liu Family. She will surely help me, and by then, I can bring you to Cining Palace. Even if we can’t leave the palace for a lifetime, it’s better than staying here."

Bai Li casually picked up half a bun and took a bite, leaning against the side room’s doorframe and looking up at the sky, "The Empress Dowager probably can’t even protect herself... Just endure a little longer, we still need to endure for decades."