The heavy, vermilion-lacquered gate of the Chen Residence was slowly pulled open from the inside, revealing a narrow gap.

A servant peered through the gap, saw Chen Ji, and immediately closed the gate again.

Chen Ji did not urge him, simply waiting quietly in front of the gate.

He heard the servant call from behind the gate, “Butler, Butler! The third young master is back, what should we do?”

Footsteps echoed from inside the gate, and the butler frowned. “How many times have I told you, there are only two young masters in the Chen Residence. Where would a third young master come from?”

A moment later, the vermilion-lacquered gate reopened to a man-wide gap. The butler stood in the opening, scrutinizing Chen Ji from head to toe.

Finally, his gaze landed on the blue bundle on Chen Ji’s shoulder. “You… why are you back?”

Chen Ji asked calmly, “Have the rules of the Chen Residence changed? Do members of the Chen family now need a servant’s permission to return home?”

The butler’s expression shifted. “It’s not about my permission. It was the Master who sent you to the medical clinic as an apprentice. Now that you want to return, shouldn’t you at least ask the Master?”

Chen Ji placed his hand on the beast-head knocker behind him and, with a gentle push, opened the gate wide.

The butler, who had intended to block the entrance, nearly stumbled backward from the force of the opening door.

Chen Ji walked directly inside. The butler, steadying himself after a stumble, got up and reached for his arm. “How can you just barge in? The Master isn’t home. Whether you can return to the Chen Residence or not needs to be decided by him!”

Just then, a voice came from the main hall. “What’s all this commotion so early in the morning? This is the residence of the Tongzhi of Luocheng, not some bustling market alley.”

The servants stood still. Chen Ji looked up and saw a middle-aged woman wearing a purple high-collared jacket. A full crown of pure gold adorned her head, with a vibrant green jade hairpin centrally set, and a translucent blue-and-white top-knot pin secured at the apex of her bun. Even Consort Jing rarely dressed with such formality.

Such elaborate and exquisite headwear was something Chen Ji had only ever seen on Consort Yun.

This was Chen Liqin’s first wife, Madam Liang.

Chen Ji turned and bowed respectfully, “Aunt.”

Madam Liang stood on the steps of the main hall, looking at him with a warm smile. “You’re finally back! But after two years away, why have you become so distant? You used to call me ‘Mother,’ but now it’s just ‘Aunt.’ If word gets out, people will truly think we’ve grown apart and mock the Chen Residence for lacking manners.”

In the Ning Dynasty, there was a strict distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. An illegitimate son could only call his birth mother “Aunt” (Yiniang), but had to address his legitimate mother as “Mother.”

However, Chen Ji found it impossible to utter those two words. He could endure other things, but not this.

He bowed again, changing the subject. “Aunt, now that Prince Jing’s Estate has been sealed, Taiping Medical Clinic is no longer a viable place to stay. I plan to return home, study classical texts with my elder brothers, and prepare for the next imperial examination.”

Madam Liang saw that he wouldn’t change his address, but she didn’t get angry. She raised her arm, and a maidservant immediately stepped forward to support her. “I heard from Wenxiao that you have turned over a new leaf, which is certainly good. But you’ve already studied medicine for two years; wouldn’t it be a pity to give up halfway? Coincidentally, I heard that Old Master Qiao from the Imperial Academy of Medicine is about to take on new apprentices. Perhaps you could…”

As she spoke, a carriage slowly pulled to a stop outside the gate, its wooden wheels making a hard clattering sound on the bluestone path.

Chen Ji turned to see Chen Liqin, dressed in his red official robe, lifting the carriage curtain and being helped down by the driver.

Officials in the Ning Dynasty would go to the yamen at dawn, before the sky was fully light. By mid-morning, they would have finished their official duties and returned home for lunch.

As Chen Liqin stepped through the gate, he looked up, saw Chen Ji and the bundle on his shoulder, and his eyes lit up. “When did you return? With all the chaos in Luocheng these past few days, where did you go? I was quite worried.”

Chen Ji bowed with a smile. “I was just at Taiping Medical Clinic, didn’t go anywhere.”

Chen Liqin paused for a moment. “Is that so? Then why are you…”

Chen Ji explained, “Prince Jing’s Estate and Taiping Medical Clinic are about to be sealed. I plan to return home to prepare for the next imperial examination.”

“Good, good, good,” Chen Liqin repeated three times, pulling Chen Ji by the arm as they walked inside. “It’s right for you to think this way. Studying medicine is ultimately a minor path. Being able to thoroughly understand the classics and govern a region in the future—that is what a true man should do. After the New Year, I will send a letter to Donglin Academy and speak with the headmaster about your enrollment.”

As Chen Liqin led Chen Ji further inside, Madam Liang remarked from the side, “My dear, this matter can be discussed at length later. Chen Ji has only just returned to the residence; please don’t harp on about his studies just yet. He was near the Prince’s Estate, witnessing the Liu family’s rebellion come and go, so he surely hasn’t eaten or slept well. Allow your humble wife to arrange his living quarters first, so he can get some proper rest.”

Chen Liqin suddenly realized. He quickly instructed the butler, “I remember we just cleaned up Mingquan Courtyard when Madam Liang’s younger brother visited a while ago. Now that he’s gone, it’s perfect for Chen Ji. Wang Gui, arrange for Chen Ji to settle into Mingquan Courtyard.”

Madam Liang interjected with a smile. “My dear, you’re mistaken. Mingquan Courtyard is only for temporary guests and is too far from the main quarters. We should arrange for Chen Ji to stay near Wenzong and Wenxiao, so the three brothers can be closer and readily help him with any academic doubts he may have.”

Chen Liqin stroked his beard, deep in thought. “That makes sense.”

Madam Liang then instructed the butler, “Wang Gui, lead Chen Ji to Tingquan Courtyard to settle in.”

Chen Liqin sighed appreciatively, “My wife, you always think of everything. Our household truly relies on you.”

Madam Liang smiled sweetly. “You flatter me, my dear.”

In front of Tingquan Courtyard, the butler, with a faint smile, removed the padlock from the gate and pushed open the door.

Inside the small courtyard, household clutter was piled high. Tiles and bluestones for repairing the residence were stacked in two rows, and over a dozen barrels of tung oil, used for preserving timber, were stored there.

The corners of the butler’s mouth curved slightly. He turned and cast a triumphant glance at Chen Ji. “Please, Third Young Master, this will be your residence from now on.”

Chen Ji, however, paid no mind. He walked straight in and pushed open the door to the main house.

Inside the room, discarded old tables, chairs, and benches from the residence were stacked. Tall piles of documents from the Luocheng Prefectural Office lay on the bare bed frame.

He ran a hand across a table, stirring up a thick layer of dust.

The butler said casually, “If you’re not satisfied with this accommodation, you can speak to Madam about it. I cannot make decisions regarding this matter.”

Chen Ji remarked nonchalantly, “This place is quite good.”

“Hm?” The butler was momentarily stunned. “What did you say?”

Chen Ji smiled and said, “I said it’s quite good here. It’s quiet, just a bit dirty.”

The butler quickly explained, “Luocheng experienced a military uprising a few days ago, and the servants have been busy cleaning up the cluttered areas of the residence these past few days. We haven’t been able to spare anyone to help you.”

Chen Ji gave him a meaningful look. “It’s alright. I’ll clean it myself.”

The butler felt somewhat uneasy, unsure of Chen Ji’s intentions. He took a few steps backward, still half-doubting. “You said that yourself. If the Master asks, don’t blame me.”

Chen Ji laughed. “Don’t worry, having a place to stay is good enough. I’m already grateful.”

The butler grew even more uneasy, lowering his head to ponder if Chen Ji had some trick up his sleeve. After two years away from the residence, Chen Ji had become rather unfathomable upon his return.

While he was thinking, a servant ran up to the entrance of Tingquan Courtyard and said, “Butler, the Master sent me to ask if the Third Young Master’s living quarters have been arranged. If so, please lead him to the back hall. The Master said he has some matters to instruct him on before lunch.”

The butler replied loudly, “It’s arranged. We’re going now!”

In the back hall of the Chen Residence, a plaque hung above, inscribed with the three gold-lacquered characters: “Revere the Master’s Way.”

On the left side, a couplet read: “Though poverty pierces to the bone, there is still a way of life; better to study than to starve.”

On the right, another couplet read: “If learning is not yet satisfying, it requires myriad trials; academic success brings good fortune.”

Chen Ji glanced up, then lifted his robes and stepped over the threshold.

Inside the back hall, Chen Liqin and Madam Liang were seated upright in grand armchairs, while Chen Wenzong and Chen Wenxiao sat in the subordinate positions.

Upon seeing Chen Ji, Chen Wenzong immediately stood up with delight. “You’ve finally decided to come back? No wonder Father said there was an important family matter and urgently called us over.”

Chen Wenxiao slouched in his chair, pouting. “You said you’d never come back before.”

Chen Wenzong frowned, turned to Chen Wenxiao, and quietly snapped, “Shut up!”

Chen Wenxiao shrank his neck and said nothing more.

“Ahem,” Chen Liqin cleared his throat. “I called you three brothers here today to instruct you: from now on, you must work together wholeheartedly and not have any more estrangement. As the saying goes, ‘Brothers in arms for tigers, father and son for battle.’ After I pass, you three brothers will still need to look out for each other in the imperial court. No one else can be truly relied upon.”

Chen Wenzong quickly bowed. “Father is right; Wenzong will certainly bear that in mind.”

Chen Ji said with a smile, “I will certainly learn diligently from my elder brother and take him as my role model.”

Chen Liqin looked at Chen Wenxiao and said gravely, “And you?”

Chen Wenxiao, still seated, reluctantly mumbled, “Me too.”

Chen Liqin retorted angrily, “Sit up straight! You don’t know how to stand or sit properly. I see you’re even worse than Chen Ji now!”

Chen Wenxiao opened his mouth but remained silent for a long time.

At this moment, Madam Liang placed her teacup on the side table and spoke. “By the way, Chen Ji, I’ve heard rumors in the market that you, the Prince’s heir, the Princess, and others together created cement. Is it true that you receive annual dividends from the newly established Construction Preparations Bureau?”

Chen Ji responded calmly, “Where did Aunt hear about this?”

Chen Wenxiao sneered. “Liu Quxing from your Taiping Medical Clinic already told his family. For this grand occasion, his family even specially hosted a banquet for relatives and friends. What, are you still not going to admit it?”

Chen Ji smiled. “There’s nothing to admit or deny. It is true. I indeed receive two thousand five hundred taels of silver annually from the Construction Preparations Bureau.”

“How much?” Chen Wenxiao suddenly stood up. “Liu Quxing only receives a few hundred taels. Why do you get so much?”

Chen Ji remained silent.

Madam Liang smiled gently and turned to Chen Liqin. “I suddenly thought of this today because I have some concerns. Young people enjoy amusements, and Chen Ji previously caused trouble with gambling. Now that he has finally returned to the right path, your humble wife worries that too much money in his hands might lead him to make a big mistake again.”

Before Chen Liqin could speak, Madam Liang continued, “My dear, it’s truly not easy for Chen Ji to turn over a new leaf now. This is precisely the time for him to immerse himself in diligent study, and we absolutely must not let him fall back into bad habits. Your humble wife’s thought is this: Chen Ji should deposit this money with the Chen Residence’s public funds. I won’t touch it, and if Chen Ji needs any silver, he can report it and withdraw it. Once he passes the imperial examinations, I will return all the money to him at once.”

Chen Liqin mused, too much money in a young person’s hands indeed made them prone to developing bad habits.

He cast a sidelong glance at Chen Ji, momentarily unsure how to respond.

His son had just returned to the residence. If he suddenly demanded that Chen Ji hand over such a large sum of silver, there was a risk that Chen Ji might get upset and leave again.

Chen Ji, however, clearly understood that his legitimate mother was not trying to seize his money.

While two thousand five hundred taels was a significant sum, it wasn’t overly tempting for the Tongzhi of Luocheng. Moreover, Chen Liqin was no ordinary Tongzhi; the Chen family was well-established and deeply rooted—how could they possibly lack money?

Madam Liang said these things solely to provoke him into leaving again.

In the strange and solemn atmosphere, Chen Wenxiao suddenly spoke. “Father, I think Mother is right. If Chen Ji hadn’t had those past misdeeds, it would be fine, but now there’s a precedent. We absolutely must not leave the silver in his hands. It’s for his own good.”

Chen Liqin pondered for a moment, then looked up at Chen Ji. “What do you think?”

Chen Ji smiled. “Aunt’s consideration is thorough; I have no objections.”

As his words fell, a servant stumbled and ran in, nearly tripping over a brick seam in the courtyard as he rushed. “Master, this is bad!”

Chen Liqin’s expression darkened. “What’s the meaning of such a panic? The sky hasn’t fallen!”

The servant stood outside the door, his face ashen, and reported, “Master, there are eunuch factions outside the gate. They claim to be Jiao Tu and Yun Yang from the Secret Intelligence Directorate!”

Chen Liqin suddenly shot to his feet. “What? Who’s here?”

“Jiao Tu and Yun Yang!”

Chen Liqin swayed slightly.

A gnawing worry had always plagued him: the proclamation he had previously written for Master Feng, condemning the rebels, was still missing. If that proclamation fell into the hands of the eunuch factions, he would be equally guilty as the Liu family!