CHAPTER 426: 334. LONG TIME NO SEE

In the early morning, before the rooster crows.

Chen Ji opened his eyes on the bed, his hand brushing over the delicate satin of the bedding, always finding it somewhat awkward.

Outside the bed, Xiao Man woke up on the small chair upon hearing the sounds, with the little black cat in her arms, she tentatively asked, "Sir, are you awake?"

Chen Ji lifted the quilt: "Xiao Man, help me change to a coarse cotton quilt today."

Xiao Man was puzzled: "Sir, is it uncomfortable to sleep? This satin quilt is quite expensive, ordinarily, it’s not something people buy even if they have money."

Chen Ji jested at himself: "Perhaps I don’t match up to such fine things. Every time my hand touches the satin, it catches on the threads."

Xiao Man suddenly understood: "The satin is delicate, with threads intricately woven, noble officials and lords have no calluses, hence don’t feel discomfort, Sir has too many calluses on his hands, so the calluses snag the threads... What kind of young master from a wealthy family has so many calluses? They never toil in such rough work."

Chen Ji smiled: "I am certainly no young master."

He got out of bed, put on his boots, rolled up his sleeves, picked up a shoulder pole in the side room, and headed out. The cobblestone path at the Chen Mansion was covered with a thin mist, the curved pole weighing on his shoulder, and the cool morning breeze brushing against his face, bringing an indescribable comfort.

The servants and maids of the Chen Mansion were already awake, busy preparing hot water and breakfast for the various courtyards.

A maid came towards him, upon seeing Chen Ji carrying the pole, slightly bowed her head.

Xiao Man, dressed in a light green skirt, followed closely behind Chen Ji, noticing the maids giggling, she whispered a reminder: "Sir, perhaps it’s better not to carry water anymore, the servants in the mansion say behind your back that you have the habits of a mud leg."

Chen Ji was indifferent: "Ignore them, I just like carrying water."

Arriving at the well in Qingzheng Garden, he cranked the wooden handle to set the bucket into the well. Even the sound of the wooden crank was solid and reassuring.

Seeing her advice didn’t work, Xiao Man changed the subject: "Sir, you’re attending the Literary Meeting at the Qi Mansion tonight, have you decided what you’ll wear? I’ll prepare it in advance for ironing."

What Xiao Man meant by ironing was using a three-foot-long iron loaded with aloes powder to press the clothes. This ironing method not only smooths clothes but also leaves a fragrant aloes scent.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Ji said: "Just wear the black tunic."

With the little black cat in her arms, Xiao Man deliberated: "If you ask me, you should go to Chessboard Street’s Liangji to make a few new outfits. You’re a big figure now, future Literary Meetings and banquets will be inevitable, always wearing those two outfits won’t work. The officials and nobles in the Imperial Capital have keen eyes, they decide how to treat you based on the jade pendants and clothes you wear—if you wear the same outfit to this Literary Meeting as the last, they’ll think you are poor and have only one decent outfit for show."

Chen Ji burst into laughter: "I’m just a humble Yulin Army household, what kind of big figure? Let them look down if they wish. Haven’t I told you, we should save money, save lots and lots of money."

Standing by the well, Xiao Man widened her eyes: "Sir, didn’t you just occupy the Eight Great Hutongs and the Glass Factory, earning plenty of Peace Money each month? That place is the most prosperous in the outer city, nowhere else is so lively."

Chen Ji patiently explained: "Every month, I should be able to collect over ten thousand taels of silver, but these must be given nine-tenths to the Zhang Family, the remaining thousand or so needs to maintain a workforce. To control the outer city’s business, manpower is indispensable."

Dejected, Xiao Man said: "Isn’t that toiling for nothing then?"

Cranking the wooden handle, Chen Ji lifted the bucket and said with a smile: "It’s not for nothing, Xiao Man, manpower can lead to silver, there are always ways."

With some understanding, Xiao Man said: "Sir’s business way differs from Aunt’s way."

Curious, Chen Ji asked: "How is it different?"

Xiao Man pondered: "Aunt relies on thrift and calculation, you rely on taking."

Startled, Chen Ji then laughed: "Thrift and calculation are not as quick as seizing silver."

Softly murmuring, Xiao Man said: "Anyway, remember to come back early from the government office this afternoon, at least change into something proper. Sir, tonight’s Qi Family Literary Gathering isn’t simple, it surely relates to your marriage."

Chen Ji paused his work: "Oh?"

With a secretive air, Xiao Man said: "I heard from the mansion’s servant, Lady has been to the Qi Family several times lately, Mr. Qi Xianshu from the second house of the Qi Family also visited our Chen Mansion, it should be related to your marriage. At tonight’s Literary Gathering, Mr. Qi might want his family’s girls to secretly observe you, grand families do things like this."

Chen Ji responded with an "Hmm."

Worried, Xiao Man said: "I previously asked Sister Duanwu, currently, the Qi Family has three girls waiting for marriage, among them, two are legitimate daughters—Qi Zhaoning and Qi Zhaoyun—and a concubine daughter named Qi Zhenzhu, but don’t know which one they intend to marry you to. Speaking of family status, it should be Qi Zhenzhu, but if you are adopted to the first house..."

Pausing, Xiao Man furtively observed Chen Ji’s expression: "Then it would definitely be marrying you to a legitimate daughter."

Chen Ji remained silent, focusing on cranking water.

Continuing, Xiao Man said: "I’ve investigated thoroughly for you. Apparently, Qi Zhaoyun has a sweetheart—a literati from the South named Huang Que. That Qi Zhaoning never backs down, she is the most unruly noble young lady in the Imperial Capital, having driven away several private tutors at the Qi Family."

Laughing, Chen Ji said: "So fierce?"

Xiao Man snorted: "Fierce what’s fierce, the fiercest woman in the Imperial Capital is the second sister. Just recently did I learn the second sister had a former nickname, everyone calls her the Rouge Tiger."

"Rouge Tiger?" Chen Ji was surprised.

"Yes," Xiao Man grinned, showing two small canine teeth: "They say second sister is formidable, having read through thirty thousand volumes at the Imperial Academy, everything except Women’s Precepts, making her a female scholar. At the Xu Mansion Literary Meeting in Jianing 26th Year debating scripture, she used doctrines from the Doctrine of the Mean to debate opponents into silence, losers had to swallow three spoons of paper ash. Second sister said back then this was called ’ancient wisdom transformed to current use,’ helping those literati broaden their minds."

Chen Ji was stunned: "So fierce?"

Xiao Man laughed even more gleefully: "At first, the scholars were willing to invite her to literary gatherings, but later they dared not send invitations... I wonder how she changed, becoming more docile."

Chen Ji bent down to pick up the carrying pole and started walking back. Xiao Man cautiously probed, "Young master, do you plan to refuse the Qi family’s marriage proposal? I’m afraid it’s not up to you."

Chen Ji calmly said, "Since I can’t refuse, I won’t refuse. It’s better to settle the marriage sooner and get the industries of Aunt back."

"Indeed," Xiao Man nodded, "Once the engagement is settled, the lady won’t have any reason to delay. Young master, do you intend to rescue the Commandery Princess and then leave the Ning Dynasty?"

Chen Ji responded with a hum.

Xiao Man’s eyes darted around: "Then when you leave, can you leave Aunt’s industries to me? After all, you won’t need them anymore."

Chen Ji laughed heartily, "Sure, all yours."

Xiao Man’s eyes sparkled, who knows what little calculations he was making.

...

...

Chen Ji tidied up and left, arriving at the side gate of the Chen Mansion. The servant, seeing him, hurriedly helped open the door: "Greetings to the Third Young Master."

As the door swung open, the servant suddenly froze, instinctively taking a step back.

Chen Ji also paused upon exiting the side gate, seeing dozens of Yulin Army soldiers standing outside in dark clusters, whispering to each other. Upon seeing him, they immediately stood up straight.

The force they had just emanated was imposing. Each face sharp as a blade, they greeted: "Mr. Chen."

The Chen family’s servant was so frightened he didn’t know whether he should call the Grand Official in charge at the mansion.

Chen Ji glanced at him: "It’s alright, don’t panic."

He lifted his foot and stepped over the threshold, with the Yulin Army following him out of the alley. Only then did the servant let out a long breath and hurriedly closed the side gate of the Chen Mansion.

Outside the door, Chen Ji asked with a smile: "Why have you all come here."

Li Xuan stood firm, bowing to him, "This time, we all relied on you to escape trouble. Not everyone has the skill to go in and out of the Imperial Prison twice."

Qi Zhenzhu excitedly said, "Master, how did you do it? Everyone thought they’d suffer in the Imperial Prison again, but in the blink of an eye, everyone got promoted. My brother-in-law became the governor of the Yulin Army, and I became the commander. Master, do you know, the position of Yulin Army governor has been vacant for seventeen years!"

Chen Ji was puzzled, "That long?"

Duobao sighed, "Mr. Chen, when we were in Guyuan, we offended you in many ways, but fortunately, you bear no grudge..."

Lin Yanchu said, "Mr. Chen, following Chen Wenren left us frustrated in many ways, but now that I’ve ventured with you, life hasn’t been in vain."

Chen Ji raised both hands: "Stop, stop, you’re scaring me."

Qi Zhenzhu laughed heartily: "See, I told you, my master isn’t someone who likes pleasantries. I already told you not to be so sickeningly flowery in your words. Tonight, at the Qi Family Literary Gathering, I mentioned to my father that while the literati chat in the White Crane Hall, our Qi family is having a banquet for the Yulin Army brothers in the adjacent Mountain and River Hall, with a stash of thirty-two-year-old huadiao wine. We won’t leave until we’re drunk!"

Amidst the laughter, Chen Ji suddenly froze.

A familiar figure, wearing a bamboo hat and straw sandals, with gray trouser legs rolled up halfway, like a groom who just entered the city.

Li Xuan followed his gaze but only saw the horses and carriages on West Chang’an Street. There was nothing where Chen Ji looked: "Chen Ji, what’s wrong?"

Chen Ji said with a smile: "It’s nothing. I just remembered I forgot something. You all head to the Governor Mansion first. I need to return for a moment."

With that, he turned and walked away without looking back, disappearing into the flow of horses and carriages.

As a carriage passed by, Chen Ji calmly ducked into Shibei Alley, and then turned right into Shuangmazhuang Alley.

In the next moment, the groom standing at the front of the alley stopped and turned around: "It’s been a long time, sir!"

He raised his head, smiling broadly beneath the bamboo hat.

Si Caogui.

Si Caogui, who fled with Wu Hongbiao to the Jing Dynasty.

Dressed simply, just as he was in Luocheng City, as if Chen Ji had parted from him not for months, but only days.

Chen Ji had thought he would never see the other again, but now the other brought the black shadow of the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department, returning to the South.

...

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