Chapter 199: Promotion

Chen Mansion, Mingquan Garden.

Different from the Listenquan Garden filled with miscellaneous items, this place was clean and simple.

In the courtyard, wax plums were planted. It was the season of blooming pink flowers. Under the plum tree was a square fish pond, clear to the bottom. Red and white interspersed brocade carp, when not moving, seemed to float in the air.

The ground was laid with new green bricks, the roof with new tiles, the interior with new tables and chairs, and a step-pulling bed that had just been made by the carpenter.

Chen Ji surveyed the courtyard, but there was no joy on his face.

Chen Liqin's transfer order would arrive any day now. No matter how good Mingquan Garden was, it was only a temporary residence.

At this time, a young servant followed behind him, step by step.

Chen Ji turned back to examine him: "Why are you following me?"

The young servant hurriedly cupped his fists and replied: "Master arranged for the small one to come over and serve the Third Young Master... Originally, maidservants were arranged, but it's too late today, and a broker cannot be found. Tomorrow, Master will send people to Luocheng West Market to find a broker to bring registered maidservants over for you to select."

Chen Ji suddenly realized that he was now a 'Young Master' of the Chen Mansion.

He casually said: "Mingquan Garden does not need anyone to serve, and there is no need to buy maidservants. Go out, I want to speak with Zhang Adult."

The young servant said awkwardly: "Master said..."

Chen Ji waved his hand: "Go out, I'm not making things difficult for you. Just repeat my exact words to Chen Adult."

The young servant's eyelids twitched when he heard the words "Chen Adult." He bowed his hands and took his leave.

After the young servant left, Zhang Zhuo, with his hands behind his back, exclaimed in the courtyard: "Chen Liqin didn't arrange any of the Chen Mansion's previous maidservants for you. He was worried that Liang shi would arrange her people in your courtyard again, secretly make things difficult for you, and pass on information. This Chen Adult, ah, is actually like a bright mirror in his heart, knowing everything."

Zhang Xia muttered: "Chen family people are always like this, or rather, Donglin Party people are always like this. They say one thing and mean another, pretending to be confused while knowing the truth."

Zhang Zhuo surveyed Mingquan Garden: "Liang shi is really good to her maternal younger brother, ah. The renovation of this courtyard took effort, enough to rebuild a courtyard. No wonder she didn't want you to live here. Now she's probably heartbroken to death."

He turned back to look at Chen Ji, only to see Chen Ji bowing deeply at the waist, sincerely saying: "Many thanks, Zhang Adult, for helping out."

Zhang Zhuo quickly took two steps forward to help him up: "What are you doing? During the Liu family's soldier disaster, you stepped up to save my Zhang family from water and fire. Helping you with this small matter is nothing. Besides, I came here idly today. Coming to Chen Mansion is truly more wonderful than listening to opera."

Zhang Zheng laughed heartily and said: "Where does listening to opera compare to performing opera, which is addictive?" Having said that, he also mimicked Chen Ji's posture and bowed deeply: "There was no opportunity before, but today I thank you face to face. You saved my Zhang family with great kindness and virtue. I, Zhang Zheng, will never forget. If I can rise to high office in the court later, there will certainly be a generous reward."

Zhang Zhuo immediately blurted out a scolding: "With your stupid appearance, you can't even understand books, yet you're learning opera lines? You'll rise to high office, my foot!"

Zhang Zheng said aggrievedly: "It's you who won't let me participate in the imperial examination, ah. If that Chen Wenxiao can pass the provincial examination as the top scholar, why can't I? Let my maternal grandfather help me, ah, I also want to be an official."

Zhang Zhuo laughed in anger: "The bloody storms inside the court may be more dangerous than the blade lights and sword shadows of the Jianghu. Jianghu people might still show mercy to enemies, but the lords inside the court will exterminate anyone who blocks their path to the end. Not letting you, this stupid fool, be an official is for your own good."

Zhang Zheng was not angry and continued to laugh: "If I can't be an official, I can't be an official, ah. My Zhang family's intelligence, you occupy seven points, my younger sister occupies four points. If I'm a little stupid, then I'm a little stupid, ah."

Zhang Zhuo was both amused and speechless: "You can't do arithmetic? This adds up to eleven points. The total is ten points. Where did this extra point come from?"

Zhang Zheng was stunned for a moment: "Ah, is that right? Then consider me owing you one point."

Zhang Zhuo sighed.

Chen Ji at the side seriously explained: "Zhang Adult, my thanks are not for today's matter, but for the Zhang family covering for the Crown Prince and others leaving the Ning Dynasty. In this world, the Zhang family is willing to risk their lives to help me. I will certainly engrave it in my heart."

That day during the prison break, without the Zhang family's connections through the Qintianjian Xu Shu and Buddhism, Chen Ji would have been helpless.

Zhang Zhuo sighed: "I have always admired Jing Wang's conduct. Helping the Crown Prince was not entirely for you. Now the Crown Prince and your master are taking a boat south, approximately two months later via a roundabout route to Jing Dynasty's Lvshun port. Only..."

Chen Ji asked: "Only what?"

Zhang Zhuo looked Chen Ji up and down: "I originally thought you would go to the Jing Dynasty with them, but you didn't."

Chen Ji explained: "My matters are not yet done."

Zhang Zhuo and Zhang Xia both understood. Only one matter could make Chen Ji stay, and this matter was harder than ascending to heaven.

Zhang Zhuo thought for a moment: "You returning to the Chen family, is it to borrow the Chen family's power to save the Princess?"

Chen Ji did not answer. Now even Yunyang and Jiaotu thought he had betrayed Jing Wang. Within the Ning Dynasty, the only people who knew his true intention were Bailong, Jinzhu, Zhang Zhuo, Zhang Zheng, and Zhang Xia.

Zhang Zhuo patted his shoulder: "I only fear you are thinking a bit simply. To save the Princess, you must first clear Jing Wang's charges, only then can the Princess be acquitted. But the Chen family, from top to bottom, are experts at wisely protecting themselves. They will not speak for a treasonous minister."

Chen Ji opened his mouth and said: "Many thanks for your concern, Zhang Adult. I have my own methods."

Zhang Zhuo saw that he did not want to say more and no longer asked. He turned and earnestly said: "Earlier, I pulled you to Zhang Mansion. Although there were elements of acting, it was also truly sincere. How about you become my adopted son in my Zhang family, or... after that, your matters are my matters. Once I enter the cabinet and become a cabinet minister, things will always turn around."

Chen Ji curiously asked: "How will they turn around?"

Zhang Zhuo looked left and right: "The one who wants to kill Jing Wang is His Majesty, but His Majesty will always have a day of passing away. That time is the turnaround."

Chen Ji was startled. The current emperor claimed to be the Wanshou Emperor, devoted to cultivating dao for longevity and seeking eternal life.

Zhang Zhuo's words were already treasonous. If not for truly close people, he would never say them.

This trust alone was not easy. And Zhang Zhuo's words seemed to provide him with a way to save the Princess... but it was too dangerous. Even with his cultivation of the Shanjun path, he had never made such bold assumptions.

Put it aside for now.

Chen Ji hesitated for a moment, finally saying frankly: "Zhang Adult, I came to the Chen family indeed to save the Princess, but I never counted on the Chen family people..."

Before his words finished, he heard footsteps outside the door.

Chen Liqin strode in, followed by the young servant holding a tray. On the tray were muskmelon and small cucumber. Zhang Zhuo's eyes lit up, and he praised: "You Chen Mansion truly knows how to enjoy, ah. In winter, you can actually get these rare items, and you're still willing to take them out to entertain us. Not bad, not bad!"

Chen Liqin responded neither warmly nor coldly: "Zhang Adult seems to be praising this humble official for the first time."

Zhang Zhuo reached out to take a small cucumber: "I should praise!"

Chen Liqin blocked his hand: "Zhang Adult is praising too early. These may not be for you. They are for Chen Ji."

In the Ning Dynasty winter, planting melons and vegetables was not easy. Ordinary families, after the first snow, could only see radish and cabbage. Fruits were even harder to come by. The capital had the Soup Springs Department. This department specially managed the capital's suburban hot springs, and planted muskmelons, cucumbers, and leeks in high-temperature caves surrounding the hot springs, commonly known as 'cave goods'.

'Cave cucumbers' were extremely small, less than two inches, and one could sell for over a thousand cash. If capital officials and nobles entertained guests with muskmelon and cucumber, it was the greatest display of prestige.

Zhang Zhuo's eyes darted about: "Where did your cucumbers come from? Is the Chen family's life so luxurious?"

Chen Liqin casually said: "Luocheng Longmen Mountain has hot spring eyes. I had people buy a hot spring there early on and plant melons and fruits there."

Having said that, he placed the tray on the courtyard stone table, speaking as gently as possible: "Chen Ji, eat more. If it's not enough, I'll order people to go to Longmen Mountain again to get fresh ones."

Chen Ji did not decline and cupped his hands in thanks: "Many thanks, Chen Adult."

Chen Liqin was speechless for a moment.

Just at this time, a young servant ran in from outside the door, shouting joyfully: "Congratulations, Master! Joy to Master! People have come from the capital and brought your promotion document!"

Chen Liqin suddenly turned around: "Really?"

"The small one wouldn't dare to lie about this matter!" The young servant ran into the courtyard and saw Zhang Zhuo, hurriedly saluting: "Zhang Adult is also here, ah. Your promotion document has also arrived and is going to your mansion now!"

Zhang Zhuo raised his eyebrows: "Mine too?"

Chen Ji unconsciously looked up at the sky. He knew that he was finally leaving Luocheng.