Green Mountain

Deep in the night.

On the five towers, the Jiefan Guard pressed their waist knives and wore straw coats, their gazes cold and piercing.

Forty-two Jiefan Guards, forty-two hand crossbows, tightly encircled the Red Leaf Villa until each red lantern went out.

Fuxu Courtyard.

Zhou Kuang led eleven young men guarding the door of Prince Fu's bedroom. When tired, they cradled their swords in their arms and leaned wherever they could to sleep.

Juxian Residence.

The Crown Prince sat alone in the courtyard, lost in thought, while Mr. Liao led ten or so attendants from the Eastern Palace guarding the surroundings of Juxian Residence.

The spacious Red Leaf Villa was squarely arranged, like a chessboard waiting for moves to be made.

Tonight, surely many would find it hard to sleep.

At this moment, Chen Ji sat alone on a stone bench in the courtyard, resting with his eyes closed, prepared for any potential danger.

He occasionally opened his eyes to look at the towers, but the Jiefan Guards on them appeared to be genuinely guarding the Red Leaf Villa, as they made no other moves throughout the night.

Creak, the door sounded.

Chen Ji turned to see Zhang Xia carrying a cup of tea, walking out and sitting down on the stone bench next to him. She wet her finger with tea and drew a map on the stone table.

With a few strokes, she outlined the contour of Fragrant Mountain and continued extending into the distance.

Chen Ji watched intently, but then heard Zhang Xia say, "Tomorrow, my brother and I will go with you to the spring hunt. These people disguised as Jiefan Guards, who knows what they're up to? Staying at the Red Leaf Villa might lead to silencing, so it's safest to follow you."

Chen Ji nodded, "Alright."

Zhang Xia pointed to a corner of the map, "We're now at the foot of Fragrant Mountain. When the spring hunt begins tomorrow, we'll immediately part ways with the Crown Prince and Prince Fu, the further, the better. We'll pretend to hunt first, then head to Incense Burner Peak when we're far enough, and then turn east."

Chen Ji chuckled, "That is indeed my intention. Winning the spring hunt doesn't matter, we can give it up."

Zhang Xia used her finger to wet the tea again, drawing a route, "After leaving the spring hunt area, don't return directly to the capital. Head straight to Yuquan Mountain. Yuquan Mountain is where the Forbidden City draws water daily, guarded by three hundred Jiefan Guards, with spies lurking around. No matter what these people want, they wouldn't dare approach Yuquan Mountain."

Yuquan Mountain.

Chen Ji pondered for a moment, "We'll go to Yuquan Mountain then."

Zhang Xia looked him over, "I just slept for one two-hour period, let me take the second half of the night watch."

Chen Ji smiled as he refused, "I am an Innate Realm Executive Officer. In critical times, I can stay awake for three days and nights without a problem."

Zhang Xia glanced at him, "I am also an Executive Officer now."

Chen Ji shook his head, "You haven't been practicing for long. Don't worry, leave it to me. It'll be fine."

Zhang Xia seriously scrutinized Chen Ji, then looked up at the starry sky, "Chen Ji, you're really quite timid."

Chen Ji laughed and said, "Am I really that timid? You're the first to say so."

Zhang Xia spoke dreamily, "Yes, your courage is indeed quite small. You're afraid of betrayal, disappointment, causing trouble for others, and implicating others, so you take everything on yourself until you can barely breathe."

Chen Ji was speechless.

Zhang Xia turned her head to look at him, "But you really don't have to be this way. We are friends, aren't we?"

Chen Ji smiled broadly, "Yes, we are friends."

Zhang Xia softly affirmed, "Go inside and sleep, I'll keep watch until dawn. Only four hours left."

Chen Ji was silent for a moment and slowly got up, "Alright, call me if anything happens."

Just as he stood up, there was a knock at the yard gate.

Knock, knock, knock.

Chen Ji and Zhang Xia exchanged glances, neither speaking, each guessing who might be at the door.

The Crown Prince? Prince Fu? Yangyang? Jiefan Guard? Qi Zhenzhuo?

Knock, knock, knock.

The knocking resumed, and a woman's voice gently asked, "Is Young Master Chen resting?"

Zhang Xia whispered a reminder, "Qi Zhenzhu."

Chen Ji, puzzled, approached the door, resting his hand on the latch but not opening it.

He asked through the wooden door, "Is there something Miss Qi needs?"

Qi Zhenzhu calmly replied, "Young Master Chen, take me away."

Chen Ji abruptly turned to look at Zhang Xia, both of them bewildered by Qi Zhenzhu's unexpected request, uncertain of her intentions.

Zhang Xia nudged her chin towards the door, suggesting Chen Ji get to the bottom of it.

Chen Ji pondered briefly, "Where does Miss Qi intend to go?"

Qi Zhenzhu said softly through the door, "Anywhere, as long as I can leave the Qi family. Young Master Chen, don't worry, I came to you after everyone fell asleep. If you are unwilling, I'll pretend I never said anything after tonight."

Chen Ji could imagine the courage it took to visit at such a late hour.

Perhaps it was the provocation from Qi Zhaoning today, or the accumulated grievances of the past that made her seek a path for herself.

Qi Zhenzhu stood outside the door, quietly gazing at the tightly closed wooden door, "Young Master Chen, my mother was the leader of a brothel but was sent to a subordinate by my father after giving birth to me. The nanny told me that my mother couldn't even get a bowl of hot soup the day she was in labor. As a bastard, you must understand the hardships I face daily in the Qi Mansion."

Chen Ji looked back at Zhang Xia, who silently mouthed: Why are you looking at me? Speak!

Chen Ji, having thought for a long while, refused, "Miss Qi, we have no entanglements, no need to discuss this with me. I, too, am entangled with others, unable to look after anyone else."

Qi Zhenzhu was silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Young Master Chen, I know your heart belongs to Princess Bai Li. I also know you bought that plain silver hairpin for her. You're waiting for her to come out. The alliance between the Qi and Chen families is by no means your intention. Also, Miss Zhang Xia…"

Zhang Xia lightly coughed.

Qi Zhenzhu smiled gently, "So Miss Zhang Xia is here too."

Zhang Xia casually said, "You continue."

Qi Zhenzhu continued, "I am different from Qi Zhaoning. She only wants the best, but I know you and I are not meant to be. You won't spend much effort on me, and I won't have any hopes for you. When you find the time right, you can use 'childless' as a reason to dismiss me. I will have no regrets or grievances and will only be grateful."

Chen Ji seriously contemplated what Qi Zhenzhu had said.

This woman, usually silent, sees many things clearly.

Chen Ji spoke, "But this matter, I'm afraid neither of us can decide."

"After this spring hunt, the Chen family is likely to propose to the Qi family." Qi Zhenzhu pondered, "Official Xu is already advanced in age, and the Qi family's informants within the Xu family report that Official Xu has repeatedly called people by the wrong names, even mistaking the attendant student for the Observatory's Deputy Director Xu Shu a few days ago. Civil documents from the court are now being handled by Lord Zhang on behalf of Official Xu for review. Qi and Chen families both want to vie for the position of Cabinet Minister. That is what they desire, and as for who will marry you, they don't care."

Chen Ji turned to look at Zhang Xia. These secrets about Official Xu were unknown to outsiders.

Zhang Xia hesitated momentarily and nodded lightly.

Qi Zhenzhu was indeed speaking the truth!

At this moment, Qi Zhenzhu said outside the door, "Young Master Chen, Qi Zhaoning is definitely not a suitable match. It would be better to choose me instead."

Chen Ji's fingers tapped on the door bolt and suddenly heard a voice from next door, "Qi Zhenzhu, where did you go?"

Qi Zhenzhu whispered, "Please, Young Master Chen, reconsider. I'm leaving."

Chen Ji turned back and sat down beside the stone table. Zhang Xia teased, "This Miss Qi has quite the courage, staking everything on you. But indeed, you are her best choice, she wishes you never truly notice her."

Chen Ji thought for a moment, "But I won't choose her."

Zhang Xia was curious, "Why?"

Chen Ji seriously analyzed, "Qi Zhaoning is jealous. If I choose Qi Zhenzhu over her, she will surely go mad and torment Qi Zhenzhu. Qi Zhenzhu might endure for a glimmer of hope, but I've planned to rescue the Commandery Princess and take her far away before the wedding. In the end, Qi Zhenzhu might endure for months only to find nothing waiting for her—that would be true despair."

Zhang Xia sighed lightly, "I see."

Chen Ji diverted the topic, "About Official Xu..."

Zhang Xia looked at the stone table, "The Xu family keeps things secret, but there's no wall without cracks. Nowadays, official documents are no longer sent to Wenhua Palace but to the Xu Mansion, where my father reads them after dispersing the court each day. Although my father has the ability to remember everything at a glance, he is overwhelmed by the workload."

At this moment, a strong wind arose, causing the large trees in the courtyard to sway.

The wind started blowing.

...

...

In early years, spring hunting was an extremely grand affair.

Before hunting, the Observatory must divine the auspicious dates, and before departure, one must go to the Mountain and River Altar to worship, informing the ancestors and seeking protection. There is also altar worship for the mountain god and earth god outside Red Leaf Villa, praying for a plentiful harvest and warding off fierce beasts.

Emperor Ning will personally attend the exercise field to inspect accompanying royalty and ministers along with the Imperial Guard.

During the hunt, the Yulin Army will designate the hunting grounds and guard it, strictly forbidding civilians from entering.

Following this, the Imperial Three Camps will drive beasts to shrink the hunting ground, and Emperor Ning will shoot the first arrow to hunt the first beast, known as "opening the enclosure." After opening, the armies compete, showcasing their martial prowess to the world.

After hunting, Emperor Ning will present the prey as offerings to the heavenly gods and subsequently hold a merit discussion and reward ceremony.

However, when the Crown Prince presided over the spring hunt, the affair became progressively simpler each year, eliminating the enclosure and opening ceremony, even arbitrarily setting the hunting dates.

Earlier, the Three Major Camps would bring hundreds of troops, but later barely a hundred attended.

This year, as the Crown Prince lost influence, even fewer from the Imperial Three Camps attended, merely sending a few people for symbolic appearances.

In the morning, a clerk from Red Leaf Villa struck a copper gong.

Chen Ji, Zhang Zheng, and Zhang Xia squatted side by side by the water tank, using cut willow branches dipped in green salt to brush their teeth. The three simultaneously rinsed with water, spitting it onto the green bricks together.

Chen Ji glanced surreptitiously at the Jiefan Guard on the fortress tower, wiping his mouth with his sleeve, "Today, make sure to stick close to me, disregard everyone else."

A knocking sound came from outside the courtyard, and Qi Zhaoning shouted, "Chen Ji, let's go! Brother Crown Prince wants to worship the mountain god and after that, open the enclosure!"

Chen Ji went to open the door. Once open, Qi Zhaoyun looked fatigued, Qi Zhenzhu wore a veil hiding her expression, while Qi Zhaoning squeezed her way inside.

She ignored others and looked around the room. Seeing the beds in the main room and east and west wing rooms had been moved, she nonchalantly walked out.

Zhang Zheng wondered, "Why did you take a tour?"

Qi Zhaoning said casually, "I'm just looking around. Maybe your courtyard is different from ours."

At this moment, a clerk arrived urging, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Crown Prince is about to worship the mountain god, please proceed promptly."

Chen Ji replied, "We'll go right away."

When everyone arrived outside Red Leaf Villa, the altar at the foot of the mountain was already set up, with offerings upon tables.

The Crown Prince wore a crisp and neat white archer's outfit, approached the offering table, and took incense handed by Mr. Liao. This incense was carried by Mr. Liao to ensure nothing went wrong.

Prince Fu lazily stretched at the rear, maintaining a slovenly demeanor, jabbing, "Someone set a good precedent, henceforth everyone must bring their own incense for worship, what others prepare is uneasy indeed."

The Crown Prince's expression remained unchanged, as if he heard nothing.

After worship, the Crown Prince mounted his horse and led the entourage into the woods.

Prince Fu gradually withdrew his lazy demeanor, turned calmly to Zhou Kuang, "This time I broke the house arrest order, I'm bound to get a harsh beating upon return. Remember, don't let my suffering be in vain. Let's go, add some entertainment for His Royal Highness."

After speaking, Prince Fu mounted his horse, Zhou Kuang beckoned to his men, and winked at the soldiers of the Five Armies Camp, whereupon dozens of them rode forward, encircling the Crown Prince.

Chen Ji turned to look, realizing the fortress tower at Red Leaf Villa was now devoid of the Jiefan Guard.