Green Mountain

Chen Ji took the food box from Xiao Man's hands and placed it on the stone table. Xiao Man, on the other hand, looked at the little monk with her nostrils up: "You're talking nonsense, when have I asked you to do so much work?"

As Xiao Man spoke, she tilted her head up hard, not daring to look at the little monk, fearing that a glance would reveal her thoughts.

The little monk looked at her nostrils and suddenly jumped in place, stretched his neck, and made eye contact with her mid-air, seeing through all her thoughts.

Xiao Man was panic-stricken: "Ah!"

She grabbed the little monk's arm with her left hand, clenched her right fist, pursed her lips, bit her jaw, and thumped the little monk's back loudly.

Chen Ji took out the bowls and dishes from the food box: "I really didn't expect the two of you together would look like this..."

At this moment, there was a knock on the door.

The door was open, and Chen Lizun stood outside with his body turned: "Chen Ji, I have something to discuss with you."

Chen Ji got up and went out the door, curiously asking: "Uncle, what do you command?"

Chen Lizun said warmly, "The six rites at home have been prepared properly. After the Imperial Examination is over, I will take charge and add you to the family genealogy, then go to the Qi Mansion to propose to Third Miss Qi for you."

Chen Ji was silent for a moment: "Uncle, can the proposal matters be postponed?"

Chen Lizun said earnestly, "You're of age to start a family. I consulted Xu Shu from the Observatory, who said that March 8th is suitable for a proposal. Seven days after the proposal, we'll ask about the name and match the eight characters. After half a month, we'll receive the blessings, settle the engagement, and send the betrothal gifts. It takes another two months to select a wedding date, and the marriage will still have to wait half a year. By then, it will be winter, and you'll be twenty years old––just the right age."

Chen Lizun continued without waiting for a response: "Xu Shu mentioned there will be a comet next year; if we encounter it, the marriage will be postponed an additional forty-nine days. He also calculated that something major will happen in the Imperial Capital next year, still unknown whether good or bad. If it's something bad, we'll have to delay one hundred and eight days more... We can't afford to delay further."

Chen Ji was stunned listening to this. Was Xu Shu really accurate, or just talking nonsense?

And the dates for marriage and funeral of the capital's officials and nobility are all decided by his words alone?

Chen Lizun patted Chen Ji's shoulder with a smile: "I hear you have already privately given a hairpin to Third Miss Qi. We're family; there's no need for embarrassment, just wait for my good news."

Without waiting for Chen Ji's response, Chen Lizun turned and left.

Chen Ji silently calculated that the proposal did not require his involvement, and there were still more than eight months until the marriage... enough time.

He shouted into the courtyard: "Xiao Man, you all take care of the house, I'm going to the Governor Mansion."

Xiao Man replied, running out with a package of brown leaves, and handed it to Chen Ji. Chen Ji took the package and walked out the side gate, casually stuffing it into Si Caogui's arms: "The egg pancakes Xiao Man made today are quite tasty."

Si Caogui didn't refuse it this time, placing the package in his arms: "Please get on the carriage, young master. Where to today?"

Chen Ji replied: "To the Yulin Army Commander's Mansion."

Si Caogui paused for a moment; Chen Ji hadn't gone to the Yulin Army for duty on time in a long time. On the rare occasion he was on time, it felt unfamiliar.

...

...

The carriage moved out of Fuyou Street, and in the distance, the voice of children shouting could be heard: "Yesterday, Mr. Lin from Lin Chaojing and the young master from the Hongnong Yang Family had another masterpiece at Bianyifang!"

Chen Ji lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw a child holding a stack of bamboo paper high over his head.

A sedan chair stopped next to the child, and the master inside handed out a piece of broken silver through the curtain, purchasing a sheet of copied poetry written on bamboo paper, then the sedan lifted and left.

A servant from a noble family approached: "Child, my lady asks if there is any new poetry by the young master from the Cui Family of Qinghe."

The child hurriedly replied: "Sir, the young master from the Cui Family did not attend the Literary Meeting yesterday."

The servant waved his hand: "Let's go."

With the Imperial Examination approaching, scholars from all over the world gathered, making the excitement in the Capital not just limited to the name announcement at the Eastern Hua Gate or the top three flower parade, but an event that lasted an entire month.

In recent days, the vendors at the Ghost Market in Panjia Garden outside the city have stopped selling antiques and entryways and instead hide in the fifth night watch to sell "exam topics," each claiming to be relatives of the Academic Administrator or Vice Academic Administrator.

On Tianqiao, a game of Crow's Oracle was played: craftsmen used rotten meat to hang on a Kick-Dou Diagram, with bamboo tags inscribed with the names of exam candidates. If a crow carried away someone's name, it was considered a sign of great fortune.

The Gambling House also opened bets on who would become this year's top scorer, second place, and third flower.

It was extraordinarily lively.

At this time, the sound of copper bells came from Chang'an Street, and Si Caogui steered the carriage aside to avoid it.

Chen Ji peeked through the window slit, just in time to see a group of monks carrying a majestic Buddha statue slowly approaching.

Thirty-two monks carried a massive Sumeru Base, accompanied by other monks holding a copper bell in their left hand and incense in their right. Occasionally, their left and right hands would collide, sparks from the incense and crisp sounds from the copper bell created a splendid spectacle.

A procession.

Chen Ji had seen this scene in Luocheng City as well, where the vendors on Anxi Street knelt in a row praying for Buddha's blessing. This time, some officials mocked from the side of the road: "They say that the parade team hired by the Yang family's daughter from Wanfu Temple is to bless Lin Chaojing's top three ranking. Judging by the Yang family's setup, they must be planning to snag a son-in-law beneath the ranked list..."

Si Caogui leaned against the carriage, coldly watching while eating the egg pancake, muttering under his breath: "The Southern people are extravagant, pouring all their thoughts into such pointless matters. Wanfu Temple is nothing but money-hungry; it can't compare to even a bit of our Jing Dynasty's Kujue Temple."

Chen Ji laughed: "Lord Si Cao is forever clear-headed."

As the parade passed, Si Caogui steered the carriage back on route: "Once my Tiger and Leopard Cavalry marches south, we must clear out this paper-thin luxury."

Before reaching the Governor's Mansion, the sound of hoofbeats approached, keeping pace with the carriage.

Chen Ji lifted the curtain to see Qi Zhenzhuo riding on a warhorse, joyfully exclaiming: "Master, we should set off for an outing to Fragrant Mountain at noon. The Crown Prince has arranged a banquet there, and my sister has already set off."

Chen Ji remained seated in the carriage without responding.

At that moment, two fast horsemen came from East Chang'an Avenue heading directly towards them: "Great Victory! Great Victory!"

Chen Ji felt a surge of surprise, just as he saw a courier from the post station carrying a bamboo tube labeled "Six Hundred Li Urgent, interceptors will have their families exterminated," dismounting and running into the Ministry of War. Another courier rode straight through Chengtian Gate and only dismounted at the Imperial Palace Gate, handing the bamboo tube on his back to the Jiefan Guard, who then carried it with both hands into the palace.

Qi Zhenzhuo reined in his horse, puzzled: "Master, who are we at war with to have such a great victory?"

Chen Ji frowned, indeed. No news of the Ning Dynasty being at war with anyone; where's this victory coming from?

Could it be Wang Daosheng?

Calculating the time, the Ning Dynasty's reinforcements led by Wang Daosheng had been adrift at sea for more than half a month, still unsure of Mr. Feng's plans amidst them. If they had indeed reached the shore early and launched a surprise attack on a place in the Jing Dynasty, then this great victory might indeed be Wang Daosheng's doing.

Chen Ji sat in the carriage, and saw Si Caogui turning his head, staring intently at the Ministry of War.

Not good, Si Caogui would likely contact Si Caoding as soon as possible to probe into this great victory. If it really was Wang Daosheng's victory report, they might suspect leaks coming from him.

He needed to distract Si Caogui, confirm the victory, then make a long-term plan.

Chen Ji smiled at Qi Zhenzhuo and said: "Let's set off to Fragrant Mountain now. The Crown Prince is the National Reserve, keeping the Crown Prince waiting wouldn't be right."

Qi Zhenzhuo paused for a moment, then gleefully responded: "Alright, alright, let's go now!"

Chen Ji patted Si Caogui's shoulder: "Leave the city, head to Fragrant Mountain via Fengtai, and we'll arrive by evening."

Si Caogui seemed hesitant; he wanted to find out what kind of great victory was worth a six hundred li urgency. Ordinary victory reports were only four hundred li urgent at most; it must have been a solid Guyuan-level victory to deserve six hundred li urgency.

But after hesitating for a while, he finally turned the horse to adjust the carriage's direction towards Xizhi Gate.