CHAPTER 464: 354. IMPERIAL MUSIC BUREAU

The emblem on the chest of a Sixth-rank Military Officer.

Legend says that a tiger gives birth to three cubs, one of whom will be a bia, a tigercub without stripes, often abandoned by its mother, which mostly does not survive.

But those bia who do survive, living off bones and rough meals, grow ferociously vicious and battle fiercely; they have no intact skin while alive, and no unbroken bone after death.

Chen Ji did not pay attention to the carriage at first, but as he passed by, he heard a familiar voice say, "Young master, the old master heard you’re visiting the Imperial Music Bureau to watch an opera today and specially sent me to wait for you outside the Governor Mansion. He also instructed that from now on, your outings will be taken care of by me."

Chen Ji slowly turned his head, only to see someone with a bamboo hat, keeping their head low as they emerged from the side of the carriage.

Si Caogui.

A haunting presence.

Chen Ji furrowed his brow; had Si Caogui transformed himself into the Chen Mansion’s coachman? Or had he been hiding within the Chen Mansion’s coachmen’s quarters since coming to the Imperial Capital?

But the Chen Mansion is not a place one can just walk into; how could he infiltrate the Chen Mansion so easily after only being back in the Ning Dynasty for a month? Unless someone from the Military Intelligence Department within the Chen Mansion could make decisions.

Who could it be?

Is it someone from Zhuozheng Garden, Qingzheng Garden, or a significant figure from the main or second branch of the Chen family?

Chen Ji felt a headache, as with Si Caogui lurking near him, it was like being cornered on a cliff. Regarding the matter of the salt permit, what should be disclosed to Si Caogui, and what must not, all needed careful consideration.

Si Caogui, seeing Chen Ji not speaking, politely lifted the curtain for him, "Young master, please board."

Chen Ji bent down and entered the carriage, sitting near the door. The carriage began to move slowly, and Si Caogui’s voice came through the curtain, "Young master, directly to the Imperial Music Bureau on Bensi Lane?"

Chen Ji replied calmly, "Yes."

Si Caogui said steadily, "Hold on tight."

Inside the carriage, Chen Ji closed his eyes, his thoughts racing: Why was Si Caogui suddenly getting so close to him, and did anyone else in the Military Intelligence Department know his identity?

He opened his eyes and tentatively asked, "Does the Military Intelligence Department not trust me, thus requiring the esteemed Lord Si Cao to come and watch over me?"

Yet Si Caogui’s voice came again from outside the carriage, "No need to overthink, I’m by your side not to surveil but to protect. Since you’re contesting the inheritance with the second branch of the Chen family, naturally, you need to be wary of underhanded tactics. From what I’ve gathered, the second branch of the Chen family is unscrupulous from top to bottom. If they can’t beat you outright, they’ll use covert methods. You’ll see my use then."

Chen Ji closed his eyes again, falling silent.

Si Caogui continued, "Helping you contend for the Chen family heirship is the greatest opportunity for our Military Intelligence Department right now. However, due to your special status, you can’t be easily exposed, thus I personally came to support and guard you."

The curtain swayed, and the evening sunlight slipped through the gap, fleeting across Chen Ji’s face.

He remained silent for a long time, quietly said, "Thank you."

Si Caogui asked, "Have you been to the salt shop? What do you know about the Chen Family Salt Shop?"

Chen Ji felt a stir in his heart; it seemed Si Caogui’s information was outdated, and the other side was not in the Imperial Capital yesterday?

He replied, "I went yesterday morning, but several shopkeepers avoided me, giving me the cold shoulder. In the evening, I led the Yulin Army to seize their salt permit, planning to start fresh."

Si Caogui was startled, "Seize the salt permit? Why didn’t you consult with me beforehand?"

Chen Ji replied nonchalantly, "This matter shouldn’t need discussing with you, should it?"

Si Caogui said in a deep voice, "The contest for the heirship is far-reaching; it concerns the great southern conquest plans of our Jing Dynasty. It’s no longer just your personal affair; how can it be taken lightly?"

Chen Ji said nothing more.

Si Caogui pondered for a moment, "What do you need the Military Intelligence Department to do?"

Chen Ji’s mind was stirred; in the current situation, Si Caogui seemed more anxious than him, "What can the Military Intelligence Department do?"

Si Caogui thought for a moment, "Make those shopkeepers die suddenly. Rest assured, it will be done like an accident, leaving no trace for others to find."

"No, frequently using assassination methods in the Imperial Capital might draw the Spy Department’s investigation," Chen Ji tested, "Is there anyone who can exert pressure on the salt shop from the official side?"

Si Caogui hesitated, "I can’t achieve that."

Chen Ji understood; it’s not that the other party couldn’t do it but rather that Si Caogui hadn’t fully trusted him, unwilling to expose the key figures in the Military Intelligence Department.

Si Caogui seemed to sense Chen Ji’s mood and immediately reassured him, "Don’t worry, if you can take over the Chen family, the entire Military Intelligence Department can leverage the Chen family to spread across every corner of the Ning Dynasty. In such a significant matter, the entire department will naturally support you in times of critical need, not leaving you to fight alone."

Chen Ji quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

While contemplating, Si Caogui said, "Young master, we’ve arrived."

Like a proper coachman, he set up the footstool outside and used bamboo strips to lift the curtain for Chen Ji.

Chen Ji bent down, exited the carriage, and said softly, "There’s no need for such formality, Lord Si Cao."

Si Caogui glanced at him, "Young master, I said before, you and I are spies, and the act can’t go wrong, the cost is a lifetime... Young master, please."

Chen Ji stepped down onto the footstool and without a backward glance, headed deeper into the Imperial Music Bureau.