Chen Residence, Mingquan Courtyard.

Unlike the cluttered Tingquan Courtyard, this place was clean and elegant. Wintersweet trees, currently blooming with pink flowers, were planted in the courtyard. Beneath the plum trees was a crystal-clear fish pond where still red and white koi looked as if they were floating in mid-air.

The ground was covered with new green bricks, the roof had new tiles, and inside, there were new tables, chairs, and a canopy bed that a carpenter had just finished making.

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

Chen Liqin’s transfer order was expected in a few days, and no matter how pleasant Mingquan Courtyard was, it would only be a temporary residence.

At that moment, a young servant followed closely behind him.

Chen Ji turned and looked at him. “Why are you following me?”

The servant quickly cupped his hands and replied, “Master arranged for me to serve the Third Young Master. Originally, maids were to be arranged, but it’s too late today to find a broker. Tomorrow, Master will send someone to Luocheng West Market to find one and bring maidservants from the slave registry for you to choose from.”

It dawned on Chen Ji that he was now a ‘young master’ of the Chen Residence.

He said casually, “Mingquan Courtyard doesn’t need servants, and there’s no need to buy maids. You can leave; I need to speak with Master Zhang.”

The servant looked troubled. “Master said—”

Chen Ji waved his hand. “Go out. I won’t make things difficult for you; just repeat my words to Master Chen.”

When the servant heard the words “Master Chen,” his eyelids twitched. He bowed and excused himself.

After the servant left, Zhang Zhuo, with his hands clasped behind his back, marveled in the courtyard. “Chen Liqin didn’t assign the former maids from the Chen Residence to you because he was worried that Madam Liang would send her people to your courtyard again to secretly cause trouble and relay information. This Master Chen, his heart is actually like a clear mirror; he knows everything.”

Zhang Xia muttered, “The Chen family has always been like this, or rather, the Donglin partisans have always been like this: saying one thing while thinking another, pretending to be confused while perfectly understanding.”

Zhang Zhuo surveyed Mingquan Courtyard. “Madam Liang is truly generous to her brother from her maiden family. The effort put into renovating this courtyard is enough to build a new one. No wonder she didn’t want you to live here; now she’s probably heartbroken.”

He turned to look at Chen Ji, who bowed deeply and sincerely said, “Thank you, Master Zhang, for your help.”

Zhang Zhuo quickly took two steps and helped him up. “What are you doing? During the Liu family’s disaster, it was you who stepped forward to save my Zhang family from calamity. Helping you with this small matter is nothing. Besides, I had nothing to do today, and coming to the Chen Residence is truly more exciting than watching a play.”

Zhang Zheng chuckled cheerfully, “How can watching a play be as enjoyable as acting one out?”

After speaking, he also imitated Chen Ji’s manner, bowing deeply. “I didn’t have the chance before, but today I can thank you in person. I, Zhang Zheng, will never forget your immense kindness in saving my Zhang family. If I can ever rise to a high position in the court, I will certainly repay you handsomely.”

Zhang Zhuo cursed, “With your foolishness, you can’t even understand what you read, and you’re quoting lines from plays? You’ll be in a high position in court, my foot!”

Zhang Zheng said, feeling wronged, “You’re the one who wouldn’t let me take the imperial examinations. If even Chen Wenxiao could excel in the classics exam, why can’t I? Please, ask Grandfather for help; I also want to be an official.”

Zhang Zhuo was so annoyed he laughed. “The bloodshed and storms in the imperial court are far more dangerous than the flashing swords and glinting blades of the martial world. People in the martial world might still show mercy to their enemies, but the lords in the imperial court will annihilate anyone who obstructs their path. Not letting you, this fool, be an official is for your own good.”

Zhang Zheng didn’t get angry and still chuckled cheerfully. “If I don’t become an official, then I don’t. Of our Zhang family’s intelligence, you account for seven parts, and my sister accounts for four. It’s fine if I’m a bit foolish.”

Zhang Zhuo was torn between laughter and tears. “Can’t you count? That adds up to eleven parts, but there are only ten in total. Where did that extra part come from?”

Zhang Zheng was stunned for a moment. “Ah, is that so? Then I’ll consider myself owing you one part.”

Zhang Zhuo sighed.

Chen Ji explained seriously from the side, “Master Zhang, my thanks this time are not for today’s matter, but for the Zhang family’s protection of the Crown Prince and others in their departure from the Ning Dynasty. In these times, the Zhang family is willing to risk their lives to help me; I will certainly remember this.”

On the day of the prison break, if not for the Zhang family leveraging their connections with Xu Shu from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and the Buddhist sect, Chen Ji would have been at his wit’s end.

Zhang Zhuo sighed. “I have always admired Prince Jing’s character, and helping the Crown Prince isn’t entirely for your sake. Currently, the Crown Prince and your master are sailing south; they should reach Lushun Port in the Jing Dynasty in about two months after some detours. However—”

Chen Ji asked, “However, what?”

Zhang Zhuo looked Chen Ji up and down. “I originally thought you would go with them to the Jing Dynasty, but you didn’t leave.”

Chen Ji explained, “My task isn’t finished yet.”

Both Zhang Zhuo and Zhang Xia understood that only one thing could keep Chen Ji here, and that matter was harder than ascending to heaven.

Zhang Zhuo pondered for a moment. “You returned to the Chen family; are you trying to use their influence to rescue the Princess?”

Chen Ji did not answer.

Now, even Yunyang and Jiaotu believed he had betrayed Prince Jing. Within the Ning Dynasty, the only people who knew his true intentions were White Dragon, Golden Pig, Zhang Zhuo, Zhang Zheng, and Zhang Xia.

Zhang Zhuo patted his shoulder. “I’m afraid you’re thinking too simply. To rescue the Princess, you must first clear Prince Jing’s name; only then can the Princess be absolved of guilt. But everyone in the Chen family is a master at protecting themselves; they won’t speak up for a convicted rebel.”

Chen Ji said, “Thank you, Master Zhang, for your concern; I have my own methods.”

Seeing that he didn’t want to say more, Zhang Zhuo stopped asking and instead earnestly said, “When I pulled you to the Zhang Residence just now, although there was an element of pretense, it was also sincere. Why don’t you join my Zhang family as my adopted son, or—from now on, your affairs will be my affairs. Once I enter the Grand Secretariat and become a Grand Secretary, things will eventually take a turn for the better.”

Chen Ji asked curiously, “How would things take a turn?”

Zhang Zhuo looked around. “The one who wants to kill Prince Jing is His Majesty, but His Majesty will have the day he passes away. That will be the turning point.”

Chen Ji was taken aback. The current Emperor called himself the Longevity Emperor, devoting himself to cultivating the Dao for longevity, seeking eternal life.

Zhang Zhuo’s words were already treasonous; he would never have spoken them aloud if not to truly close individuals.

Just this level of trust was not easy to come by.

Zhang Zhuo’s words also seemed to offer him a path to rescue the Princess, but it was too dangerous. Even though he practiced the path of the Mountain Lord, he had never entertained such a bold idea.

He decided to put it aside for now.

Chen Ji hesitated for a moment, then finally confessed, “Master Zhang, I indeed came to the Chen family to rescue the Princess, but I never counted on the Chen family.”

Before he finished speaking, footsteps were heard from outside the door.

Chen Liqin strode in, followed by a servant carrying a tray filled with melons and small cucumbers.

Zhang Zhuo’s eyes lit up, and he exclaimed admiringly:

“Only your Chen Residence knows how to enjoy life,” he said. “To be able to acquire such rare items in winter, and you’re even willing to use them to entertain us—very good indeed!”

Chen Liqin responded indifferently, “Master Zhang, it seems this is the first time you’ve ever praised your humble subordinate.”

Zhang Zhuo reached for a small cucumber. “You deserve the praise!”

Chen Liqin, however, blocked his hand. “Master Zhang, you’re praising too soon. These aren’t for you; they’re for Chen Ji.”

Growing fruits and vegetables in winter in the Ning Dynasty was not easy. After the first snow, ordinary families could only find radishes and cabbages for vegetables, and fruits were even harder to come by, costing a fortune.

The capital had a Hot Spring Bureau, which specialized in managing the hot springs in the imperial suburbs and cultivating melons, cucumbers, and chives in high-temperature caves around the hot springs, commonly known as ‘cave produce.’

‘Cave cucumbers’ were extremely small, less than two inches long, yet one could sell for over a thousand *wen*. If officials or nobles in the capital served melons or cucumbers when entertaining guests, it was a huge show of prestige.

Zhang Zhuo’s eyes darted around. “Where did these cucumbers come from? Is the Chen family living so luxuriously?”

Chen Liqin said casually, “There’s a hot spring on Longmen Mountain in Luocheng. I had someone buy a hot spring long ago and grow fruits and vegetables there.”

After speaking, he placed the tray on the stone table in the courtyard and said as gently as possible, “Chen Ji, eat more. If it’s not enough, I’ll send someone to Longmen Mountain to get more fresh ones.”

Chen Ji didn’t decline, cupping his hands in thanks. “Thank you, Master Chen.”

Chen Liqin was speechless for a moment.

Just then, a servant ran in from outside the door and joyfully exclaimed, “Congratulations, Master, congratulations! Someone from the capital has arrived, bringing your promotion decree!”

Chen Liqin suddenly turned around. “Really?”

“How would I dare to deceive you with such a matter?” The servant ran into the courtyard and, seeing Zhang Zhuo, quickly bowed. “Master Zhang is also here! Your promotion decree has also arrived and is on its way to your residence!”

Zhang Zhuo raised his eyebrows. “Mine too?”

Chen Ji unconsciously looked towards the sky. He knew that he would eventually have to leave Luocheng.