“Murder!”

On both sides of Zhengyangmen Street, a bystander suddenly exclaimed, “Murder!”

At these words, the common people instinctively retreated dozens of steps. Even the figures who had been moving behind the crowd just moments ago merged into the crowd and disappeared.

Someone suddenly shouted, “Why panic? The Yulin Army killed a ruffian who obstructed the imperial procession. It’s nothing serious!”

Another person in the crowd loudly proclaimed, “Yes, someone obstructed the imperial procession. The Yulin Army should act decisively. There’s nothing wrong with that!”

Lin Yanchu killing Wang Gui was in accordance with the rules. No matter what, Wang Gui had obstructed the procession. Killing him without question was not only right, but meritorious.

But rules are rules, and human nature is human nature.

On the long bluestone street, the Yulin Army all reined in their horses and stood still. They did not pay attention to the common people passing by, but looked at Lin Yanchu in disbelief.

Then they looked at Chen Ji.

Qi Zhenzhuo said in a dry voice, “Master, is there no other way? Or perhaps we can accompany you to Wumen to state the facts?”

Li Xuan no longer cared about the procession. He turned his horse from the very front of the procession to Qi Zhenzhuo, and said in a low voice, “Nonsense! Are you going to stage a military remonstrance? How many heads do you have to go to Wumen for a military remonstrance?”

He turned to Chen Ji, “It has come to this. We’ll settle accounts later. With your abilities, finding another way to deal with him is not difficult. With so many common people watching now, let the procession send the Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua to the Qionglin Feast first.”

Chen Ji stood still, letting the wind on the long street blow over him, looking down at Wang Gui’s body lying in a pool of blood.

He ignored Li Xuan, looked up along the dripping long halberd, and stared at Lin Yanchu, “Because of money, or power?”

Lin Yanchu’s lips trembled, unable to speak.

Qi Zhenzhuo cursed, “You son of a bitch, he’s asking you a question!”

Duo Bao held the long halberd at Lin Yanchu’s neck, “Believe it or not, I’ll cut off your head right now? Do you remember who got you out of the Zhaoyu Prison?”

Li Xuan also asked in a deep voice, “Who instructed you?”

Lin Yanchu ignored the long halberd at his neck, gritting his teeth and denying, “No one told me to do this. He obstructed the procession, and deserved to die. I am the Emperor’s close attendant, the Imperial Guard. When encountering ruffians obstructing the procession, I can kill first and report later!”

Chen Ji nodded, “That’s a smart way to put it. No matter who asks, you must stick to that statement to survive.”

Lin Yanchu was slightly startled.

Chen Ji’s tone changed, “Then the question is, I also obstructed the procession. Do you kill me or not? If you don’t kill me, isn’t that dereliction of duty?”

Lin Yanchu looked troubled, “Sir, don’t force me.”

Chen Ji sighed softly, “Clever tactic.”

He was not talking about Lin Yanchu, but Chen Gelao.

A small, hidden move easily stirred the chessboard.

At first glance, it didn’t seem particularly brilliant. A Gelao high in the imperial court should kill invisibly to appear unfathomable. Yet now, blood was shed and people were killed.

But Chen Ji thought carefully. The opponent had made a casual move early, placing it by his side. This foresight was extremely clever.

It was even a bit ironic.

Seeing Chen Ji’s silence, Lin Yanchu finally felt some pity and turned his head away, “Sir, this might be the only chance my Lin family has for generations, and there won’t be another. I owe you a favor and will definitely repay it in the future.”

Qi Zhenzhuo angrily said, “How will you repay it?”

Duo Bao’s eyes were bloodshot, “If you want fame and fortune, can’t Sir give it to you? Can’t you earn achievements by your own ability?”

Lin Yanchu lowered his head and said, “I am different from you sons of officials. Even if I have ability, I may not be able to bring glory to my ancestors. I am the only son in my family, and I cannot be a live-in son-in-law like Sir Li.”

Qi Zhenzhuo was furious, “What the hell are you saying?”

But at this moment, Chen Ji no longer looked at Lin Yanchu, nor did he pay attention to the commotion, but looked towards the roadside.

The common people had all retreated ten zhang away. Only one person remained.

The man was dressed in a black Daoist robe, composed and calm.

Chen Xu.

Seeing Chen Ji looking at him, Chen Xu immediately bowed to the Yulin Army, “Gentlemen, please allow this humble one to speak a few words privately with my young master.”

Qi Zhenzhuo and the others looked at Li Xuan, Li Xuan looked at Chen Ji, and Chen Ji nodded slightly.

Several people scattered their horses.

Shen Ye teased from not far away, “Hey, do you still remember, we are parading the streets?”

Li Xuan cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, “Zhuangyuan Lang, please wait a moment.”

Shen Ye laughed, “No problem, no problem, just in time to watch a good show!”

Chen Xu came before Chen Ji and said gently, “Young master, you won’t lose anything if this person dies, it’s just one less vent for your anger. The second master will set off for Luzhou tomorrow, and the entire Qin Zheng Yuan will be yours. The second master will not attack you again. You only need to wait another year, and the family head will definitely give you a satisfactory explanation.”

Chen Ji did not speak.

Chen Xu earnestly said, “Young master, victory and defeat are common in war. Forcing the master to make this casual move has already far surpassed your peers. But losing to the master is not shameful. How many Prime Ministers in the court have lost to him… The path you have to travel is still very long. The Chen family will all be yours in the future. Come home with this humble one. The master specifically instructed that dinner has been prepared for you at home tonight, with your favorite guotadoufu.”

However, at this moment, a dull drum sound was heard from the Drum Tower.

At first, it was one drum, then the eight large drums on the east city wall also roared in unison, thundering to the heavens and earth.

This was not the evening drum, it was a battle drum!

Chen Xu frowned slightly and looked north with everyone else.

A variable?

Why did the drums suddenly sound on the city wall?

After a moment, the drums on the north, south, and west city walls also began to beat, extremely invigorating, as if thousands of soldiers and horses were rushing towards them!

Finally, the horn sounded!

Chen Xu’s expression changed, realizing what had happened.

Gradually, a voice came from afar: “General Wang has captured the Jing Dynasty’s Privy Councillor alive, bringing twelve personal guards, and is returning to the capital from Chaoyangmen! All nine gates are open, and all officials will welcome him at Wumen!”

“All nine gates open, all officials welcome!”

Wang Daosheng has returned to the capital!

Chen Xu suddenly looked at Chen Ji, “You delayed for fifteen days, were you waiting for Wang Daosheng?”

Chen Ji cupped his hands, “Precisely.”

Chen Xu was surprised and uncertain, “He disembarked from Taicang Port in Suzhou, traveled by land, traversed prefectures and counties to display military might to the world. This was an itinerary set by His Majesty. According to the imperial edict, he still had to wait half a month before returning to the capital. He returned early for you; this is against the rules!”

Chen Ji retorted, “What rules?”

Chen Xu looked north and sighed, “This humble one admits this move is indeed effective. This humble one also underestimated the weight of Sir Wang’s personal disciple. When Sir Wang returns to court, regardless of how his defiance of the imperial decree is handled, as long as he supports you with his great achievement, His Majesty will give him face. When Wang Gui is tried, the second master will be exiled three thousand li at the lightest, or beheaded for public display at the heaviest.”

Chen Xu’s tone changed, and he looked directly at Chen Ji, “But young master, even if Wang Daosheng returns with a great victory, you now have no witnesses, and he can’t help you much. Discussions before the emperor must be reasonable. If there’s no reason, His Majesty… no one can overstep. This humble one is even somewhat fortunate that the master took this casual step in advance, otherwise, things would truly be irretrievable.”

Chen Ji smoothed the creases in his clothes, “Steward Chen, do you think I want to send Wang Gui to the palace for trial?”

Chen Xu was puzzled, “No?”

Chen Ji smiled, “No.”

The next moment, hoofbeats came from Zhengyangmen, and a person galloped over.

Chen Xu turned his head to look, only to see a servant of the Chen family dismount before him and hastily say, “Young Master Chen Wenren, who was living in seclusion in Jinling, has been captured by Wang Daosheng and sent to Wumen to have an audience with the Emperor!”

Chen Xu took a slight step back.

Chen Wenren?

Why this move? All is lost!

Chen Wenren had previously been exiled to Lingnan. Midway, he bribed the escorting officials and lived in seclusion in Jinling. This was a common tactic used by noble officials. How many exiled officials were living in seclusion in Jinling, not just Chen Wenren?

Setting up a modest house in Jinling, changing names, and as long as they acted discreetly, they could live as wealthy elders for a few years, waiting for the Emperor to issue a general amnesty.

This matter could be big or small.

To put it simply, usually no one would investigate deeply. It was merely forging household registers and travel permits, and evading responsibility. The Chen family could resolve it by paying tens of thousands of silver taels.

To put it broadly, if this matter were brought up at this critical juncture, and especially if Wang Daosheng personally captured him, it would be considered a crime of deceiving the emperor.

Chen Xu never expected that Chen Ji would make this move to destroy the Chen family’s second branch!

He took a deep breath, “Young master used Wang Gui as a cover, a truly brilliant move of ‘mending the plank road openly while sneaking through Chencang’.”

Chen Ji cupped his hands to Chen Xu, “You are too kind.”

Chen Xu, however, was not angry, but only curiously asked, “How did young master know Young Master Wenren’s whereabouts? Was he not well hidden?”

Chen Ji calmly replied, “Chen Yue, the head manager of the Chen family’s salt business, went to Jinling to manage the second branch’s business. Chen Wenren’s living expenses were all drawn from his counter. This person owed me a few fingers back in the reed marsh of Shanchuan Tan.”

Chen Xu shook his head, “Young master, Chen Yue is a true villain. He will not repay you this favor.”

Chen Ji smiled, “So I promised him that if the salt certificate business reached Jinling, he would be the head manager.”

Chen Xu shook his head again, “That’s not enough.”

Chen Ji then said, “Otherwise, he dies.”

Chen Xu finally nodded, “That makes sense… This humble one still doesn’t understand one thing, please enlighten me, young master. Please don’t find this humble one troublesome, these matters all need to be reported to the master one by one.”

Chen Ji said, “Please ask.”

Chen Xu pondered, “Who did you send for this trip? Zhang family’s assassins? No, they haven’t left the capital recently…”

This time, Chen Ji did not answer.

Chen Xu remained unperturbed, suddenly breaking into a smile, “So, young master has other trump cards. This humble one has worked for the Chen family for twenty-seven years, and today I finally met someone capable. Young master, before going into the palace today, the master instructed this humble one to relay a message to you if you won.”

Chen Ji said calmly, “What message?”

Chen Xu bowed deeply, “This world belongs to you young people. Paoge was rescued by the master’s people this morning and sent to Meihuadu. This man is tough and didn’t say anything, but he can be relied upon as a right-hand man.”

With that, Chen Xu turned, took the reins from the Chen family servant, and mounted his horse, heading towards Zhengyangmen.

Chen Ji looked towards the applause and saw Shen Ye clapping and praising, “First, you fought your way back from Changping County, and today you overcame all difficulties to kill your enemy. Truly exhilarating.”

Chen Ji cupped his hands and apologized, “I apologize, I stole your thunder, Brother Shen.”

Shen Ye smiled and pointed at him, “You do owe an apology, but not just for this one thing. Lord Zhang and I conspired to launch a wave of reforms during today’s imperial examination. You know, since ancient times, reforms have always led to loss of life. I was risking my family and my life, prepared to die heroically, intending to leave my name in history. Unfortunately, you broke the situation a few days ago, and I became an expendable chess piece.”

Shen Ye continued, “And today, I was clearly the Zhuangyuan, yet the limelight is all on you.”

Chen Ji was astonished.

The next moment, Shen Ye laughed heartily, “This won’t do! I am the Zhuangyuan. This page of history, the eighteenth day of the third month of Jianing thirty-two years, should belong to me!”

As he spoke, Shen Ye spurred his horse and rode off towards Zhengxifang.

The Yulin Army wanted to stop him, but it was too late.

Qi Zhenzhuo urgently said, “Brother Shen, don’t just run around, you’re breaking the rules!”

Shen Ye burst into laughter, “You’ve broken so many rules today, does my one more matter?”

He came before the common people watching, “Move aside, move aside!”

The common people made way for him to pass.

“The Zhuangyuan Lang ran away!”

“Let’s see what he’s going to do!”

Shen Ye galloped through streets, and the common people chased after him. His run actually managed to pull everyone’s attention back to him!

Gradually, everyone realized something was amiss. How did they end up in the Badahutong?

Arriving outside the gates of Meihuadu, Shen Ye tightened the reins and slowed his horse.

He looked up at Hanmeilou across the street, where Liu Su, the head courtesan, stood leaning on the railing. “Oh, isn’t that the Zhuangyuan Lang? Why have you come to my humble abode instead of parading the streets in glory?”

The head courtesan Liu wore a light green Yun Jin Luo Shang, like a fairy from clear waters.

The onlookers whispered, not understanding.

Amidst everyone’s gaze, Shen Ye loudly proclaimed, “Does Head Courtesan Liu still remember? I promised you that if I could be named outside Donghuamen, I would write you a poem as the Zhuangyuan to help you become famous throughout the land!”

Head Courtesan Liu covered her mouth and chuckled, “It’s rare for the Zhuangyuan Lang to still remember. So, are you fulfilling your promise today?”

“My promise is worth a thousand jin!” Shen Ye said with a smile as he began to recite:

“At three, recited six classics; at childhood, a hundred poems.
At the Golden Hall, served the nation’s policy; with a vermilion brush, named Zhuangyuan.
Wearing flowers, exited Wumen; leaning on a horse, passed Chengtian.”

Shen Ye paused here.

The common people scratched their ears in agitation. Someone loudly asked, “Zhuangyuan Lang, what’s the last line?”

“Hurry up and recite it!”

But Shen Ye ignored them completely, letting himself be blown to the forefront of public attention.

Head Courtesan Liu stood leaning on the railing, her arm resting on the wooden rail, her eyes sparkling with a teasing smile. “What, can’t you write the last line? The Zhuangyuan Lang, wearing flowers, exited Wumen, leaning on a horse, passed Chengtian, truly spirited and the focus of all eyes… and then?”

Shen Ye gazed steadily at Liu Su in the sky, “The world vies to see me, I see the fairy by the railing.”

Liu Su’s eyes sparkled, as if with water, but her mouth still casually said, “Zhuangyuan Lang, the lyrics you wrote for my employer on Andingmen Street, I heard about them. How is it that you wrote them so well for her, but for me, they’re not even well-structured, like something a child would write?”

Shen Ye burst into laughter, “Perhaps I wrote it when I was a child? I wrote this poem when I was nine years old, waiting to give it to you.”

Liu Su was slightly startled.

Then she casually tossed her handkerchief down from the tall building and turned to enter Hanmeilou.

Along with the handkerchief, Liu Su’s light words drifted down.

“Hmph, glib talk!”

(End of chapter)