“Has the second son found Chen Ji?”

“No.”

“Has the second son apprehended Chen Ji’s subordinate, the Pao Ge?”

“Yes, he has.”

“Have you extracted anything from him?”

“Nothing.”

In the Wen Dan Tang, Elder Chen sat with his eyelids lowered, deep in thought, while Chen Xu stood respectfully to the side.

Many days had passed, and those in the capital with an agenda were all waiting for Chen Ji to appear. Yet, the man himself was nowhere to be found, even seemingly oblivious to his subordinate Pao Ge’s arrest.

Elder Chen suddenly smiled.

Chen Xu was puzzled, “What is the family head smiling about?”

Elder Chen chuckled, “I smile because the eldest legitimate son of the esteemed Chen family’s second branch is about to suffer a setback at the hands of a mere illegitimate son… The second son is too arrogant, so arrogant that he believes Chen Ji can do nothing to him. But as it is said, ‘Virtue moves Heaven, reaching all places; pride brings loss, humility brings gain’ — this is the way of Heaven.”

Chen Xu respectfully said, “In truth, it is also because the family head has spent years pruning the second master’s wings, otherwise Chen Ji would not have had such an opportunity. However, Chen Ji’s disregard for the Pao Ge’s life is somewhat unexpected; I had thought him to be a person of loyalty and integrity.”

“He who hesitates will suffer,” Elder Chen raised his eyes to look outside the Wen Dan Tang. “If he were to falter because of the Pao Ge, he would be a step below others.”

Chen Xu whispered, “Master, Meng Ji arrived in the capital this morning and had an audience with His Majesty at noon. He still hasn’t emerged, presumably detained by His Majesty.”

“We are waiting, and His Majesty is also waiting,” Elder Chen said hoarsely. “Today the Xing Bang is being posted, making the inner and outer city the liveliest. Meng Ji has also arrived in the capital. If Chen Ji is to make a move, it will likely be today.”

Chen Xu tentatively asked, “Master said the second master cannot be kept, so why haven’t you sent me to act against him?”

“There’s no need to rush,” Elder Chen said slowly. “Young people are, after all, immature and too impatient. This Chen Ji uses me as a blade, and why can’t I use him as a blade? Let’s wait a little longer.”

Chen Xu did not understand, “What is Master waiting for?”

Elder Chen stroked the armrest with his fingers. “Calculating the time… it’s almost right. Go and welcome them.”

Chen Xu was startled.

At this moment, the voice of a servant boy sounded outside the Wen Dan Tang, “Second Master, the family head is waiting for you inside the Wen Dan Tang.”

Chen Lizhi strode into the Wen Dan Tang and angrily said, “You all allowed that Chen Ji to cause trouble; don’t tell me you think that if my second branch suffers, your first branch won’t be implicated?”

Elder Chen was unconcerned by his tone. He merely pointed to a chair and said indifferently, “He who has thunder in his heart but a calm face can be appointed a great general. Jing Shu, you must possess composure in your work. No matter how great the matter, you can always sit down and discuss it first. There is no obstacle that cannot be overcome.”

Chen Lizhi’s expression changed several times, but he eventually sat down, defiantly saying, “You of the first branch are watching from across the river; don’t blame me if I drag the entire Chen family to the slaughterhouse for public execution when the time comes.”

Elder Chen picked up his teacup. “You have little ability, but your capacity for causing trouble is immense. If you believe you can drag the Chen family into confiscation and execution, by all means, try it.”

Chen Lizhi was silent.

Seeing his silence, Elder Chen continued, “Jing Shu, unless absolutely necessary, one should not immediately think of death, let alone dragging everyone else to their deaths. This Chen family is not just my Chen family, it is also your Chen family. Your second branch still has eleven people waiting to take the provincial examination, one participating in this imperial examination, twelve seventh-rank officials, three fifth-rank officials, and Chen Zhengyang is even the Surveillance Commissioner of Luzhou. Are you really planning to drag them all to their deaths as well?”

Chen Lizhi showed a troubled expression.

Elder Chen smiled and said, “This is not just your personal affair, nor is it a decision you can make alone. If there were only you in the second branch, the first branch would not have contended with your second branch for so many years.”

Chen Lizhi’s expression grew weary. After pondering for a long while, he finally said, “This nephew’s visit has no other intention; I am simply tired of the officialdom of the capital and intend to resign and return home to teach and write in the family academy in Luzhou. Only Wen De and Chen Yu will remain in the capital. The elders of the second branch’s clan have not interfered in family matters for ten years, and will now listen to the family head’s command.”

Elder Chen let out a long sigh of relief.

For a family as vast and influential as the Chen family, matters could no longer be resolved by simply eliminating one or two people.

After the assassination of the Chen family’s Minister of Revenue more than ten years ago, Elder Chen had painstakingly managed for over a decade, only to secure half of Luzhou.

And now, Chen Lizhi admitted defeat.

Elder Chen stroked the armrest with his fingers, remaining silent for a moment before finally saying, “Let Wen De also return to Luzhou to study.”

Chen Lizhi suddenly looked up. “Is the family head truly unwilling to even tolerate Wen De?”

Elder Chen slowly said, “It’s not that I cannot tolerate him. He is too restless in the capital now. With his talent, he could have taken a ministerial position, but he is now stalled as a Vice Minister of the Board of Rites. If he goes to Luzhou to cultivate his mind for eight years and then returns to the capital for reinstatement, perhaps he can achieve even greater things.”

Chen Lizhi’s face was ashen, but he eventually agreed, “Good!”

Uttering the word “good,” Chen Lizhi seemed to lose a surge of energy, suddenly appearing ten years older.

Elder Chen looked up at him. “What burden are you truly carrying?”

Chen Lizhi stood up and bowed, answering vaguely, “This nephew will return now to draft my resignation. I hope the family head will keep his word.”

Elder Chen watched Chen Lizhi’s retreating figure and casually instructed Chen Xu, “Find Chen Ji and tell him that I will give him an explanation within a year. For now, he must endure.”

Chen Xu bowed and exited the Wen Dan Tang. “Understood.”

At this moment, in Baobei Hutong in the east of the city, the vermilion gates of the Gong Yuan swung open.

The crowd gathered outside cheered excitedly, “The results are out!”

A minor official from the Gong Yuan, holding a saber, pushed back the crowd. “Quickly step back! If you press forward again, you will be charged with obstructing the Gong Yuan, and your families will be confiscated and you exiled!”

A minor official carried a ladder and a pot of paste.

They brushed the paste onto the wall of the Gong Yuan, then unfurled the large Xing Bang and pasted it up. Before the Xing Bang was even fully posted, a sharp-eyed man had already discerned the name of the Hui Yuan, and turned to run out of Baobei Hutong.

Outside the alley, his companion waited with a horse. Seeing him emerge, he immediately offered the reins. “Did you see it?”

“I saw the Hui Yuan! Block the people behind me!” The man took the reins, swung onto the horse, and galloped away. “Young Master Chen Wenzong of the Chen family on Fuyou Street has attained the Hui Yuan!”

At the entrance of Baobei Hutong, his companion, seeing another person rushing out of the alley, immediately pretended to accidentally bump into him, knocking him to the ground.

The person who was hit was furious. “Beat him up!”

The man blocking the way lay on the ground, clutching his head. Though being beaten, a smile still played on his lips: delivering good news to the Hui Yuan, and it was the Hui Yuan from the Chen family on Fuyou Street. The reward money alone would be a huge eight hundred taels, enough to support a family of several for several years.

It should be noted that the imperial examination was not like the palace examination, which awarded the Zhuang Yuan, Bang Yan, and Tan Hua, nor like the provincial examination, which awarded the Jie Yuan, Ya Yuan, and Jing Kui. Only the Hui Yuan had a special title, and only the Hui Yuan received the largest reward.

More and more people rushed out of Baobei Hutong, mounted the fast horses prepared by their companions, and galloped off to deliver the good news. “Young Master Shen Ye of Huqiu Poetry Society has passed!”

Those who passed the imperial examination were called Gong Shi.

Although they had not yet participated in the palace examination and were not Jin Shi, the palace examination never eliminated anyone. Therefore, passing as a Gong Shi meant one was already a Jin Shi. This was a great joy.

The man rode to Fuyou Street, shouting loudly, “Congratulations to Young Master Chen Wenzong of the Chen family on Fuyou Street for attaining the Hui Yuan!”

The main gate of the Chen mansion was wide open. Chen Xu, dressed in a black Daoist robe, strode out. He waved his hand, instructing his servants to present eight hundred taels of silver. However, his mind was not on the imperial examination, nor was he in a hurry to go back and report the good news.

Chen Xu looked across Fuyou Street and saw a person waiting under the opposite eaves, awaiting orders. He signaled to the person, who then turned and walked towards the south of the city.

Chen Xu stood in front of the Chen mansion, hands clasped in his sleeves, quietly waiting.

As dusk settled, lanterns were hung in the various residences along the street, and the pedestrians on the bluestone path gradually thinned. Yet, Chen Xu still did not receive the news he desired.

At the first quarter of You Shi, a peddler carrying a pole passed in front of the Chen mansion and gently shook his head at Chen Xu.

At the third quarter of You Shi, another officer from the Five City Patrol patrolling on horseback passed by and gently shook his head at Chen Xu.

Chen Xu waited in front of the Chen mansion until midnight, Zi Shi. All twelve of the Chen family servants he had dispatched returned to report. All twelve groups of people had failed to find Chen Ji.

With a grim expression, he returned to the Wen Dan Tang and found Elder Chen already asleep in his grand armchair.

Chen Xu called softly, “Family head.”

Elder Chen slowly opened his eyes. “Didn’t find him?”

Chen Xu was ashamed. “No, we didn’t.”

“It’s not your fault; his ability to elude even you is his skill,” Elder Chen looked at the night outside the hall and softly sighed, “It seems he is determined to have the second son die.”

Chen Xu was puzzled. “How so?”

Elder Chen pondered, “Today was an excellent opportunity; there was no need to wait any longer. But if he doesn’t appear today, then we can only wait three more days.”

“The day of the palace examination, when the Zhuang Yuan parades through the streets?”

Elder Chen nodded. “During the Zhuang Yuan’s parade, the Yu Lin Jun will serve as an honor guard. Under their cover, Wang Gui can be brought into the palace, ensuring absolute safety. At that time, with all eyes on them, no one will dare to clash with the imperial guards’ procession. Li Xuan is a Xun Dao Jing official, and few would be capable of killing someone right under his nose.”

Chen Xu was startled. “Is he truly going to send Wang Gui into the palace?”

Elder Chen was unusually perplexed. “I originally thought he was just bluffing, but now I find him somewhat unfathomable. Could it be that he doesn’t intend to use me, but is instead convinced that Wang Gui alone can condemn the second branch? What exactly does Wang Gui know?”

Chen Xu whispered, “I can arrange for manpower…”

Elder Chen smiled. “If we act, it will break the rules. His Majesty is probably waiting for our Chen family to take such a risk.”

He slowly rose, leaning on the armrest, walked out of the Wen Dan Tang, and looked up at the plaque above the entrance.

Then he looked at the couplets on either side of the Wen Dan Tang. The upper couplet read, “Impoverished to the bone, there is still a sliver of life; better to study than starve to death.” The lower couplet read, “Learning not yet satisfying, one needs a hundred kinds of tempering; when words flow freely, fortune also flows.”

Elder Chen touched the golden characters on the couplets. “I’m old now. I used to eat three large bowls of rice at every meal and walk with a brisk gait. During the Luzhou famine, I didn’t close my eyes for three days and three nights. Back then, I never thought I would get old. Now, I find myself somewhat unable to grasp the thoughts of young people.”

Chen Xu quickly said, “Family head, you are still strong and will surely live a long life.”

Elder Chen laughed heartily. “I am not His Majesty; I never deceive myself with such talk. Old is old.”

“I have served for forty-seven years, and in this grand imperial court, I have encountered many rivals. But most of them were steeped in decline, making moves and trades only for stability, utterly lacking vigor. Now, with Zhang Zhuo entering the cabinet in his prime, and with my Chen family’s son causing unrest in the capital, there’s a renewed vitality… Chen Xu, Chen Ji must not be allowed to succeed in this matter.”

Chen Xu’s expression shifted slightly. “Master wants to protect the second master?”

Elder Chen smiled. “No, I just suddenly felt a competitive spirit. I want that young man to know that even a twilight crane can defeat a young tiger.”