The heavy vermilion-painted gates of Chen Mansion were slowly pulled open to reveal a crack by soone from the inside.
A servant peeked out through the crack and saw Chen Ji, then imdiately closed the gate again.
Chen Ji did not urge them but waited quietly in front of the gate.
He heard the servant call out from behind the gate, "Housekeeper, housekeeper! The Third Young Master has returned, what should we do?"
Footsteps could be heard from inside, and the housekeeper frowned, "How many tis do I have to tell you, there are only two young masters in the Chen family. Where did this Third Young Master co from?"
A mont later, the vermilion gates were once again opened, just wide enough for one person. The housekeeper stood in the opening, sizing up Chen Ji from head to toe.
Finally, his gaze settled on the blue bundle on Chen Ji’s shoulder, "You... how have you co back?"
Chen Ji asked calmly, "Have the rules of Chen Mansion changed? When does a mber of the Chen family have to obtain the servants’ permission to return to their own ho?"
The housekeeper’s expression changed, "It’s not about getting my permission. It was the master who had you go to the dical Hall to apprentice. If you’re coming back now, shouldn’t you at least ask the master?"
Chen Ji, with his hand on the beast-head knocker of the gate, gently pushed, and the gate swung open.
The housekeeper intended to block the gate but was almost toppled over by the force of the opening.
Chen Ji strode forward as the housekeeper stumbled but steadied himself, getting up to grab Chen Ji’s arm, "How can you barge inside like this? The master is not ho. Whether you can return to the Chen Mansion or not, you have to ask the master first!"
However, just at that mont, a voice ca from the front hall, "Early in the morning, what is all this commotion? This is the residence of the Luocheng Magistrate, not so common marketplace dwelling."
The servants steadied themselves as Chen Ji looked up to see a middle-aged woman in a purple stand-collar robe with a pure gold crown on her head, a sun-green jade centerpiece set in the center of the crown, and a top pin of glassy blue and white jade inserted at the top of her hair bun. Even Princess Consort Jing rarely dressed so formally.
Such detailed and exquisite attire was sothing that only Consort Yun usually wore.
Chen Liqin’s first wife, Mrs. Liang.
Chen Ji turned and bowed in respect, "Auntie."
Mrs. Liang stood on the steps of the main hall, her eyes full of smiles as she looked at him, "You’ve finally returned. Yet after only two years, how co you’ve beco a stranger? You used to call mother, and now you only call auntie. If word of this gets out, people will really think we’ve grown estranged. They’ll mock the Chen family for lacking proper manners."
In the Ning Dynasty, legitimacy made a difference; a bastard could only call his birth mother "Aunt", whereas he was to call his legal mother "Mother".
But no matter what, Chen Ji could never bring himself to utter those two words. He could endure anything else, but this was where he drew the line.
He bowed again, skillfully changing the subject, "Auntie, Prince Jing Mansion has been sealed, and it has beco untenable at Taiping dical Hall. I plan to return ho to study the classics with my brothers, to prepare for the next imperial examination."
Mrs. Liang, not taking offense to his avoidance, lifted her arm, and imdiately a maid ca forward to support her, "Wenxiao told you’ve nded your ways, which is certainly good news. However, you’ve studied dicine for two years now — wouldn’t it be a pity to give that up halfway? Coincidentally, I’ve heard that Elder Qiao from the Imperial Hospital is looking for an apprentice, perhaps..."
As she spoke, a horse-drawn carriage slowly stopped outside, and the wooden wheels made a sharp clacking noise as they rolled over the cobblestone pavent.
Chen Ji turned his head, only to see Chen Liqin in his crimson official’s robe lifting the carriage curtain, aided as he alighted by the coachman.
Officials of the Ning Dynasty had to arrive at the governnt offices before dawn at around 5 to 7 AM, and after dealing with official business, they would return ho for lunch between 9 to 11 AM.
As Chen Liqin stepped through the gate and looked up to see Chen Ji and the bundle on his shoulder, his eyes lit up, "When did you return? The city has been in turmoil these past few days. Where have you been? I was quite worried.""
Chen Ji smiled and gave a respectful bow, "I have been at Taiping dical Hall and haven’t gone anywhere else."
Chen Liqin paused for a mont, "Is that so? Then what is this now...?"
Chen Ji explained, "Prince Jing Mansion and Taiping dical Hall are to be sealed. I plan to return ho to prepare for the next imperial examination."
"Very good, very good, very good," Chen Liqin repeated thrice, taking Chen Ji by the arm and walking inside, "It’s right for you to think this way. Practicing dicine is only a petty path. To be learned in the classics and one day govern a region, that is what a true man should aspire to. After New Year’s Day, I will send a letter to Donglin Academy, to speak to the Mountain Master about your enrollnt."
Just as Chen Liqin was pulling Chen Ji inside, Mrs. Liang interjected from the sidelines. "My lord, let us take our ti with this matter. Chen Ji has just returned to the mansion. You need not fuss over his studies right now. He’s been on the edge, watching the military turmoil from Liu Family unfold near Prince Mansion; surely he hasn’t been eating or sleeping well. I’ll arrange accommodations for him first so he can have a proper rest."
Chen Liqin ca to his senses and quickly instructed the housekeeper, "I rember so ti ago we prepared Mingquan Garden for the stay of a brother-in-law from the Liang family. Now that he has left, it’s perfect for Chen Ji to stay. Wang Gui, arrange for Chen Ji to be settled in Mingquan Garden."
Mrs. Liang cheerfully interjected, "My lord, you are confused. Mingquan Garden is temporarily used for guests, it’s too far from the main residence. We ought to arrange for Chen Ji to stay close to Wenzong and Wenxiao to foster brotherly closeness, and he can easily consult them with any academic difficulties."
Chen Liqin stroked his beard, seemingly thoughtful, "That makes sense."
Mrs. Liang directed the housekeeper, "Wang Gui, lead Chen Ji to Tingquan Garden for his accommodation."
Chen Liqin remarked with feeling, "The lady thinks of everything. Our ho truly benefits from your presence."
Mrs. Liang smiled modestly, "My lord flatters ."
...
...
At the entrance to Tingquan Garden, the housekeeper smiled as he removed the padlock from the door and pushed it open.
Inside the small courtyard, it was piled high with miscellaneous items from the mansion — tiles and green bricks for repair work were stacked in two rows, and more than a dozen barrels of tung oil for wood preservation were placed around.
The corner of the housekeeper’s mouth curled up slightly, and he looked back at Chen Ji smugly, "Please, Third Young Master, from now on, you will live here."
But Chen Ji was unconcerned; he walked into the yard and pushed open the door to the main room.
The room was cluttered with old furniture discarded by the mansion; bare bed planks were piled high with docunts from the Luocheng City Governnt.
He passed his hand over a table, wiping up a thick layer of dust.
The housekeeper said nonchalantly, "If you’re not satisfied with this place, you can go talk to the lady. This is not sothing I can decide."
Chen Ji replied offhandedly, "It’s quite nice here."
"Hmm?" The housekeeper was stunned for a second, "What did you say?"
Chen Ji replied with a smile, "I said it’s quite nice here. It’s quiet, just a bit dirty."
The housekeeper hurriedly said, "A military disaster broke out in Luocheng a few days ago, and these past few days the servants have been busy cleaning up the chaos in the mansion, so we can’t spare anyone to help you right now."
Chen Ji looked at him deeply, "No matter, I can clean it up myself."
The housekeeper was sowhat uneasy, unsure of what dicine Chen Ji was selling in his gourd, he took a few steps out with doubt, "This is what you said yourself, if the master asks about it, don’t bla ."
Chen Ji laughed, "Don’t worry, having a place to stay is good enough already, I couldn’t be more grateful."
The housekeeper grew even more anxious, his head bowed in thought, wondering if Chen Ji had any other plans for him, this Chen Ji who had left the mansion for two years and now seed inscrutable upon his return.
While pondering, a servant rushed to the front gate of Tingquan Garden and reported, "Housekeeper, the master sent to ask if the arrangents for the Third Young Master’s living quarters are ready. If so, lead him to the back hall. The master said he has so matters to instruct him on before lunch."
The housekeeper answered loudly, "All is ready, I’ll be right there!"
...
...
In the back hall of Chen Mansion, a plaque hung overhead with the golden lacquered characters, "Reverence for the Master’s Way."
On the left side, the couplet read "In utmost poverty to the bone, yet one finds a path to life itself; better to read books than to starve."
On the right side, the couplet read "When learning does not yet satisfy the soul, one must endure all kinds of refinent; to prosper in letters is to prosper in fate."
Chen Ji looked up at this, picked up his robe, and stepped over the threshold.
Inside the back hall, Chen Liqin and Mrs. Liang were seated dignifiedly on Taishi Chairs, while Chen Wenzong and Chen Wenxiao sat at lower positions.
When Chen Wenzong saw Chen Ji, he imdiately got up joyfully, "You’re finally willing to co back? No wonder father said there was a pressing family matter and called us here in a hurry."
Chen Wenxiao lounged on his chair, curling his lips, "Earlier you said you would never co back again."
Chen Wenzong frowned, turned to Chen Wenxiao and scolded in a low voice, "Shut your mouth!"
Chen Wenxiao shrank his neck and said nothing further.
Chen Liqin cleared his throat, "The reason I’ve called you here today is to remind you three brothers to join hearts and hands from now on, and not to have any more estrangent. As the saying goes, ’Brothers fight tigers, sons and father go to war’—after I’m gone, the brothers must rely on each other, and others cannot be counted on for true loyalty."
Chen Wenzong hurriedly bowed, "Father is right, Wenzong will certainly bear this in mind."
Chen Ji said with a smile, "I will surely learn from my elder brother, taking him as my role model."
Chen Liqin looked at Chen Wenxiao, his voice stern, "And you?"
Chen Wenxiao sat on the chair with reluctance, " too."
Chen Liqin beca angry, "Sit up straight! When standing, you have no presence; when sitting, you have no grace. Right now, I think you are even worse than Chen Ji!"
Chen Wenxiao opened his mouth but couldn’t speak.
At that mont, Mrs. Liang placed her teacup on the table and spoke, "By the way, Chen Ji, I’ve heard rumors in the marketplace that you, along with the Princely Heir and Commandery Princess, invented sothing called cent. I heard you get dividends every year from that newly established Construction Preparation Bureau. Is it true?"
Chen Ji replied calmly, "Where did Madam hear such news?"
Chen Wenxiao sneered, "The Liu Quxing from Taiping dical Hall has told everyone. To celebrate this great joy, his family even specially threw a banquet for friends and relatives. So, you still don’t want to admit it?"
Chen Ji laughed, "There’s nothing to admit or not admit, it’s true. Indeed, I can draw 2,500 taels of silver from the Construction Preparation Bureau every year."
"How much?" Chen Wenxiao sprang up, "Liu Quxing can only get a few hundred taels, why can you get so much?"
Chen Ji remained silent.
Mrs. Liang smiled gently, then turned her head to Chen Liqin and said, "I suddenly thought of this today because I’m worried. Young n love to play, and Chen Ji has previously caused trouble with gambling. Now that he has finally found his way back, I worry that having too much money might lead him to make big mistakes again."
Before Chen Liqin could speak, Mrs. Liang continued, "My lord, it hasn’t been easy for Chen Ji to reform his ways. He needs to concentrate on his studies and not fall back into bad habits. This is what I think—we should keep this sum of silver safe in the Chen family public funds. I will not touch it, and when Chen Ji needs money, he can co and request it. When he passes his examinations, I will give him all the silver at once."
Chen Liqin mulled over this, young n with too much money indeed tend to fall into vices.
He glanced at Chen Ji, montarily unsure of how to proceed.
His son had just returned to the family, and if he suddenly demanded such a large sum of silver, there was no guarantee that his son wouldn’t take offense and leave again.
Chen Ji knew very well, in fact, that his stepmother wasn’t after his silver at all. Although 2,500 taels was a considerable sum, it wasn’t alluring enough for a magistrate. Moreover, Chen Liqin was no ordinary magistrate—the Chen family was too well-established and well-connected to lack money.
Mrs. Liang’s words were intended to drive him away once again.
Amidst the strange and heavy atmosphere, Chen Wenxiao suddenly said, "Father, I think mother is right. If Chen Ji didn’t have such a bad record before, it would be one thing. But now, with previous examples before us, we mustn’t leave the silver in his hands. It’s for his own good too."
Chen Liqin looked up at Chen Ji, "What do you think?"
Chen Ji smiled, "Madam is being very considerate; there’s no reason not to agree."
As the words fell, a servant stumbled in, nearly tripping over a brick in the courtyard, "Master, there’s trouble!"
Chen Liqin’s face darkened, "What’s all this panic for? The sky isn’t falling!"
The servant stood outside the door, his face ashen as he reported, "Master, there are n from the Eunuch Party outside, claiming to be Jiao Tu and Yun Yang from the Spy Departnt!"
Chen Liqin shot up from his seat, "What? Say that again, who has co?"
"Jiao Tu and Yun Yang!"
Chen Liqin staggered.
A nagging worry always plagued his heart, for the anti-rebel proclamation he had written to Mr. Feng was still unaccounted for.
If that proclamation were to fall into the hands of the Eunuch Party, he would be implicated with the Liu family as well!
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