Green Mountain

When returning to the Chen Mansion, it was already late at night.

As soon as the carriage stopped in front of Qingzheng Garden, Chen Ji jumped off the carriage.

Si Caogui reminded him, "Even in the Chen Mansion, you must be cautious. Have your maid cook personally, and don't let outsiders handle it, lest you get poisoned without knowing."

Before reaching the door, Chen Ji suddenly turned back and earnestly said, "Thank you, Master, for watching over me tonight."

Si Caogui shook his head and coldly replied, "No need for such formalities, protecting you is merely for the greater cause."

Chen Ji smiled, "I still have to say thank you."

With that said, he knocked on the side door and walked inside.

Si Caogui watched the slowly closing brown wooden door, leaning against the carriage, lost in thought.

Inside the Chen Mansion, Chen Ji walked along the bluestone path, and from afar, he could see the lights in Silver Apricot Garden were still on, even the door was open.

He arrived at the door.

Xiao Man and the little monk were not in the courtyard, and he saw Chen Liqin sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, supporting his forehead with his right arm resting on the stone table.

Hearing footsteps, Chen Liqin slowly raised his head, "Why did you come back so late? You shouldn't stay out too long these days; it's not very peaceful outside."

Chen Liqin's dark complexion was flushed with wine red, and his eyes were slightly cloudy, suggesting he had been drinking.

Chen Ji clasped his hands and said, "Has Mr. Chen been waiting here for a long time?"

Chen Liqin didn't exchange pleasantries and directly instructed, "Pack your things, I will be reassigned to Prefect of Jinling in a few days, and you will go with me. There's no need to bring much; you can buy whatever you need in Jinling."

Jinling was the founding capital of the Ning Dynasty, and later, due to the defense against the Jing Dynasty, the capital was moved to the Imperial Capital.

After the relocation, since Jinling was the capital decided by the Founding Ancestor, subsequent generations adhered to ancestral traditions and felt it inappropriate to abolish it, so Jinling continued to exist as an accompanying capital, even retaining the Five Prefectures and Six Ministries.

Initially, the political affairs of the Ning Dynasty were all handled in Jinling, which gave rise to the saying "the political center of the Ning Dynasty is in the south" until the time of the Cheng Ancestor when the power focus shifted to the north.

Nowadays, the officials in the Five Prefectures and Six Ministries of Jinling are old and weak, sent there under the pretense of "simple duties in Jinling," but in reality, they hold no real power...this is also the main source of income for Zhang Zhuo's selling of official titles.

Furthermore, the position of Prefect in Jinling is unlike other places, being of Standard Fourth Rank.

Chen Ji clasped his hands and said, "Congratulations to Mr. Chen on your promotion, but I am a Hundred Households of the Yulin Army, I fear I cannot leave."

Chen Liqin stood up, "It's not a problem; you have Zhang Zhuo to take care of things, he will handle the reassignment orders for you."

Chen Ji said nothing.

Seeing Chen Ji unmoved, Chen Liqin softened his tone and persuaded, "Everyone says the Imperial Capital is prosperous, but Jinling is even more so. It's a gathering place for thousands of merchants, with tall wine banners. The streets within its forty plus miles are paved with large stones, with theaters in every block, and Pipa Lane's music never stops day and night, while Jubao Gate is bustling with carriages and horses..."

Chen Ji smiled, "Mr. Chen, I didn't decide to stay because of the Imperial Capital's prosperity."

Chen Liqin changed his rhetoric, "There are also thin horses adept at storytelling there, and at night, countless pleasure boats sail along the Qinhuai River, each hosting dozens of famous courtesans..."

Chen Ji shook his head and interrupted, "Mr. Chen, this isn't your forte, and there's no need for such poor persuasion. I understand your intention, but I cannot leave."

Chen Liqin drunkenly said, "What do you understand? You know nothing! Do you know the decades-long feud between the First House and the Second House of the Chen family? Do you know how the Second House took over the position of Family Head decades ago, and how they perished? Do you know why my Chen family's main house split into three? There are too many grievances in these matters, and it isn't for you to meddle in! I've told you many times, don't get involved in the affairs between the First House and the Second House; once they get bloodthirsty, it could truly cost lives!"

As he spoke, Chen Ji noticed a couple of shadows in the main house window, one with double-wigged hair and one with a smooth and round head...

These two individuals pressed their ears to the window, as if eager to tear through the window paper to listen.

Chen Ji kindly reminded Chen Liqin, "Mr. Chen, calm down, don't let others hear and make a joke of it."

Chen Liqin took a few deep breaths and slowly said, "If they want to fight, let them fight. The Second House, Chen Lizhi, is vicious, and the First House is no less cunning. Their own filthy affairs are endless; why would you get involved in this mess? Take my advice, come with me to Jinling, and don't return for a few years."

Chen Ji shook his head, "I can't."

Chen Liqin exploded with anger, "You must come, whether you can or cannot!"

Chen Ji calmly replied, "Mr. Chen, I have matters to attend to in the Imperial Capital."

Chen Liqin suddenly sneered, "What matters? Isn't it just that you've cozied up to Zhang Zhuo? But let me tell you clearly, Second Miss Zhang's marriage isn't determined by Zhang Zhuo, it's determined by his wife, and she won't let her daughter marry a bastard! Unless you join the Zhang Family by marrying in!"

Inside the window, Xiao Man's shadow suddenly stood up straight, seemingly about to rush into the courtyard. The little monk tightly held her back, preventing her from rushing out.

Chen Ji calmly said, "Mr. Chen, you're speaking out of turn after drinking, it's better to go back and rest early."

Chen Liqin earnestly said, "I'm telling you to go to Jinling for your own good..."

Chen Ji suddenly interrupted, "Why should Mr. Chen pretend to care deeply about me? At the Prince Jing Mansion, didn't you choose Chen Wenxiao over me?"

Chen Liqin froze, "You...how do you know? Was it Zhang Zhuo who told you? Or Zhang Xia?"

Chen Ji smiled, "Mr. Chen, I mean no harm, nor am I sad about it. I just wanted to tell you, you've only ever been worried about getting entangled in matters yourself. You're a person adept at protecting yourself, so just go to Jinling confidently. Rest assured, I won't implicate you."