The Chen Estate's heavy vermilion gates were slowly pulled open a crack from the inside.
A manservant peered out through the crack. Seeing that it was Chen Ji, he immediately shut the doors again.
Chen Ji didn't urge him, merely waiting quietly in front of the gates.
He heard the manservant shout from behind the doors, "Steward, Steward! The Third Young Master has returned. What should we do?"
Footsteps sounded from within the doors, and the steward frowned. "How many times have I told you all? There are only two young masters in the Chen Estate. Where did a third young master come from?"
A moment later, the vermilion gates reopened a crack wide enough for a person. Standing in the crack of the doors, the steward looked Chen Ji up and down.
Ultimately, his gaze landed on the blue cloth bundle on Chen Ji's shoulder. "You... why did you come back?"
Chen Ji asked calmly and even-temperedly, "Have the rules of the Chen Estate changed? Do members of the Chen Family now need a servant's permission to return to their own home whenever they please?"
The steward's expression changed. "It's not about getting my permission. Back then, it was Master who sent you to the medical clinic to be an apprentice. Now that you want to return, you have to at least ask Master first, right?"
Chen Ji reached out a hand, pressed it against the beast-head knocker on the gate, and with a gentle exertion of force, pushed the main doors open.
The steward originally wanted to block the doors, but was almost pushed over by the force of the doors opening.
Chen Ji walked straight inside. The steward stumbled before finding his footing. Getting up, he immediately tried to grab Chen Ji's arm. "How can you just barge in? Master isn't home. Whether you can return to the Chen Estate or not must be approved by Master first!"
However, right at this moment, a voice transmitted from the front hall: "What's all this ruckus early in the morning? This is the residence of the Luo City Vice Prefect, not some marketplace entertainment house."
The manservants immediately stood still and at attention. Chen Ji looked up, only to see a middle-aged woman wearing a purple high-collared garment with a large lapel. A pure gold full crown was worn atop her head; a heart-picking hairpin inlaid with Bright Green Jade was inserted right in the center of the full crown; and a top hairpin made of glass-type jadeite mixed green and white was inserted at the very top of her hair bun. Even Consort Jing rarely dressed this formally on ordinary days.
This kind of meticulously elaborate and exquisite set of head ornaments was something Chen Ji had only ever seen on Consort Yun.
Chen Liqin's primary wife, Madam Liang.
Chen Ji turned, clasped his hands, and bowed in greeting. "Eldest Mother."
Standing on the steps of the main hall, Madam Liang looked at him with a beaming smile. "You've finally returned. It's just that after leaving for two years, how have you become so estranged? You used to call me Mother in the past, but now you only call me Eldest Mother. If word of this gets out, outsiders will truly think we mother and son have become estranged, and they will laugh at our Chen Estate for having no rules or Propriety."
In the Ning Dynasty, there was a strict distinction between legitimate and concubine-born. A Concubine's Son could only address his biological mother as "Auntie", while he had to address the primary legitimate wife as "Mother".
It was just that no matter what, Chen Ji found it utterly impossible to call out those two words. He could endure anything else, but this matter alone was impossible.
He was seen clasping his hands and bowing again, changing the subject. "Eldest Mother, now that Prince Jing's Estate has been pasted with sealing strips, the Taiping Medical Clinic is also no longer a place I can stay. I intend to return home, study the classics and scriptures alongside my elder brothers, and wait for the next Imperial Examination."
Seeing him refuse to change his address, Madam Liang didn't get angry either. She raised her arm, and a maid immediately reached out to support her. "I heard from Wenxiao that you have already turned over a new leaf and thoroughly reformed yourself. This is naturally a good thing. But you have already studied medical skills for two years; wouldn't it be a pity to give up halfway? It just so happens I heard that Elder Qiao from the Imperial Academy of Medicine is about to take in an apprentice. Why don't we..."
As she spoke, a horse carriage slowly stopped outside the doors. The wooden wheels rolling over the bluestone paved road produced hard, clattering sounds.
Chen Ji turned his head, only to see Chen Liqin, clad in a red Official Robe, lifting the carriage curtain and being assisted down by the driver.
Officials of the Ning Dynasty had to go to their government offices at the Hour of the Mao (5 AM - 7 AM) before the sky was even bright. By the time the Hour of the Si (9 AM - 11 AM) arrived, they had just finished handling their official duties and it was time to return home for lunch.
The moment Chen Liqin stepped through the doors, he looked up and saw Chen Ji and the cloth bundle on his shoulder. His eyes lit up. "When did you return? With the Turmoil of War in Luo City these past few days, where did you run off to? You had me worried for quite a while."
Chen Ji smiled and bowed in greeting. "I was just at the Taiping Medical Clinic; I didn't go anywhere."
Chen Liqin froze for a moment. "Is that so? Then what are you doing now with..."
Chen Ji explained, "Prince Jing's Estate and the Taiping Medical Clinic are going to be pasted with sealing strips. I intend to return home and prepare for the next Imperial Examination."
"Good, good, good." Chen Liqin said "good" three times in a row. Grabbing Chen Ji's arm, he walked inward. "It's only right that you think this way. Studying medicine is ultimately a minor path. Being able to thoroughly read the classics and scriptures, and in the future guarding and governing a region as an official, is what a true man ought to do. After New Year's Day, I will send a letter to Donglin Academy and discuss your enrollment with the Mountain Chief."
Just as Chen Liqin was pulling Chen Ji inside, Madam Liang spoke up from the side, "Master, this matter ought to be discussed at length. Now that Chen Ji has only just returned to the estate, don't nag him about his studies just yet. Watching the Liu Family's military mutiny coming and going right beside the Prince's Estate, he definitely didn't eat well or sleep well. This concubine will first arrange a place for him to stay and let him rest properly."
Chen Liqin suddenly realized. He hurriedly instructed the steward, "I remember a while back when my Liang Family brother-in-law visited, we had just cleared out the Mingquan Courtyard. Now that he's left, it's perfect for Chen Ji to live in. Wang Gui, arrange for Chen Ji to settle down in the Mingquan Courtyard."
Madam Liang laughed and spoke up out from the side, "Master, you are confused. Mingquan Courtyard is for temporary guest stays; it is too far from the main courtyard. We must arrange for Chen Ji to stay next to Wenzong and Wenxiao, so that the three brothers can get closer to each other. If he has any academic confusions, it will also be convenient to ask Wenzong and Wenxiao to answer them for him."
Stroking his beard, Chen Liqin was deep in thought. "That makes sense."
Madam Liang instructed the steward, "Wang Gui, lead Chen Ji to the Spring Listening Courtyard to settle down."
Chen Liqin sighed with emotion. "It is still Madam who considers things comprehensively. The family is truly fortunate to have you."
Madam Liang gave a sweet smile. "Master overpraises."
...
...
In front of the Spring Listening Courtyard, the steward removed the padlock from the doors with a face full of smiles and pushed open the door leaves.
Within the small courtyard, it was piled high with the estate's miscellaneous items. Roof tiles and black bricks used for repairing the residence were stacked in two rows, and over a dozen barrels of tung oil used to preserve wooden building materials were stored there.
The corners of the steward's mouth hooked up slightly. Turning his head, he cast a complacent glance at Chen Ji. "Please, Third Young Master. You'll be living here from now on."
However, Chen Ji didn't mind at all. He walked straight inside on his own and pushed open the doors to the main room.
The room was piled with discarded old tables, chairs, and benches from the estate. Even the bare bed boards were stacked with high piles of official documents from the Luo City government office.
He ran his hand over a table, wiping away a thick layer of dust.
The steward said casually, "If you are unsatisfied with this residence, you can go speak with Madam. I cannot make the final decision on this matter."
Chen Ji remarked casually, "It's quite nice here."
"Mhm?" The steward froze for a moment. "What did you say?"
Chen Ji said with a smile, "I said it's quite nice here. Quiet and peaceful; it's just a bit dirty."
The steward hurriedly said, "Luo City suffered from the disaster of war a few days ago. The manservants have all been busy cleaning up the messy areas of the estate these past few days, so there's no way to allocate manpower to you."
Chen Ji cast a long, deep look at him. "It doesn't matter; I will clean it myself."
The steward felt a bit apprehensive, not knowing what medicine Chen Ji was selling in his gourd. He walked outward half-believing and half-doubting. "You said this yourself. If Master asks about it, don't blame me."
Chen Ji smiled. "Rest assured, just having a place to stay is good enough. I'm too busy being grateful to complain."
The steward became even more apprehensive. He lowered his head, pondering if Chen Ji had some other hidden trick waiting for him. After two years outside the estate, Chen Ji had actually become somewhat unpredictable and unfathomable upon his return.
While he was pondering, a manservant ran up to the front of the Spring Listening Courtyard and said, "Steward, Master dispatched me to ask if the Third Young Master's living arrangements have been settled. If they have, bring him to the rear hall. Master says he still has some things to instruct him on before lunch."
The steward answered in a loud voice, "It's arranged! We're heading over right now!"
...
...
In the rear hall of the Chen Estate, a plaque hung high above, inscribed with three large, gold-painted characters: "Reverence for the Teacher's Path".
The couplet on the left read: "Though poverty pierces to the bone, as long as a sliver of life remains, starving to death is inferior to studying."
The couplet on the right read: "If one's studies do not yet satisfy the heart, it is precisely the time for myriad tempering and refinement; when one's writing flows smoothly, one's fortune will flow smoothly."
Chen Ji looked up to glance at them, then lifted the hem of his robe and stepped over the threshold.
In the rear hall, Chen Liqin and Madam Liang sat solemnly in the grand armchair seats, while Chen Wenzong and Chen Wenxiao sat in the lower seats.
Seeing Chen Ji, Chen Wenzong immediately stood up in delight. "You're finally willing to come back? No wonder Father said there was a major event in the family and hurriedly summoned us over."
Slouching crookedly in his chair, Chen Wenxiao curled his lips. "Previously he even said he'd never come back again."
Chen Wenzong frowned. Turning to look at Chen Wenxiao, he shouted in a low voice, "Shut up!"
Chen Wenxiao shrank his neck back and stopped speaking.
"Ahem." Chen Liqin cleared his throat. "I summoned you here today to instruct you three brothers. From now on, you naturally ought to work together with one heart and combined efforts; do not have any more estrangement between you. As the common saying goes, 'When fighting a tiger, rely on biological brothers; when going to the battlefield, rely on father and son soldiers.' After my hundred years, it will still be you three brothers looking out for and supporting each other in the imperial court; others cannot be considered to have true hearts."
Chen Wenzong hurriedly clasped his hands and bowed. "What Father says is absolutely right. Wenzong will definitely bear it carefully in mind."
Chen Ji said with a smile, "I will definitely learn diligently from Eldest Brother and take him as my role model."
Chen Liqin looked at Chen Wenxiao and said in a deep voice, "And you?"
Sitting in his chair, Chen Wenxiao said unwillingly, "Me too."
Chen Liqin angrily rebuked, "Sit properly! You don't stand like a person should stand, and you don't sit like a person should sit. The way I see it, you are currently even worse than Chen Ji!"
Chen Wenxiao opened his mouth but couldn't say a single word for quite a while.
At this time, Madam Liang placed the teacup in her hand onto the small table and spoke up. "By the way, Chen Ji, I've heard rumors in the marketplace saying that you, the Prince Heir, the Commandery Princess, and others together created an object called Cement, and that you can collect dividends every year from that newly established Construction and Preparation Bureau. Is this matter true?"
Chen Ji remained entirely composed. "Where did Eldest Mother hear this from?"
Chen Wenxiao sneered. "Liu Quxing from your Taiping Medical Clinic told his family everything. For this great, joyous occasion, his family even specially hosted a banquet to entertain relatives and friends. What, do you still wish to deny it?"
Chen Ji smiled. "There's nothing to admit or deny. This matter is true. I indeed can collect two thousand five hundred taels of silver from the Construction and Preparation Bureau every year."
"How much?" Chen Wenxiao abruptly stood up. "Liu Quxing can only collect a few hundred taels. Why can you collect so much?"
Chen Ji kept his mouth shut and didn't answer.
Madam Liang gave a gentle smile, turned, and said to Chen Liqin, "Thinking of this matter suddenly today, I also have some worries in my heart. Young boys love to play around and have fun. Chen Ji previously caused a complete ruckus over a gambling incident as well. Now that he has finally managed to Realize Errors and turn back, this concubine worries that with too much money in his hands, he might muddleheadedly brew up another massive mistake."
Before Chen Liqin could speak, Madam Liang continued, "Master, it is extremely difficult for Chen Ji to turn back like the prodigal son returning. Now is precisely the time for him to bury his head in arduous studies; we absolutely cannot let him be tainted by evil habits again. This concubine thinks this: Chen Ji should temporarily deposit this sum of silver in the Chen Estate's communal funds. This concubine will not touch it. Whenever Chen Ji needs silver, he can come report it and withdraw it. Once he passes the exams and attains Official Honors, this concubine will give all the silver back to him at once."
Chen Liqin was deep in thought. With too much money in the hands of a young boy, it was indeed easy to be tainted by evil habits.
From the corner of his eye, he cast a glance at Chen Ji. For a moment, he didn't know how to open his mouth.
This son of his had only just returned to the estate. If he suddenly demanded the other party hand over such a large amount of silver, there was no guarantee the other party wouldn't just leave in a huff again.
And Chen Ji was very clear: this legitimate mother of his wasn't actually plotting for his silver.
Although two thousand five hundred taels was a lot, it wasn't overly tempting to a Luo City Vice Prefect. Furthermore, Chen Liqin was no ordinary Vice Prefect; the Chen Family had a massive tree with deep roots. How could they lack money?
Madam Liang saying these words was for the explicit purpose of angering him into leaving again.
In the bizarre and heavy atmosphere, Chen Wenxiao suddenly said, "Father, I feel Mother is completely right. If Chen Ji didn't have that track record filled with terrible deeds in the past, it would be fine. But now that we have the warning of the overturned cart ahead, we absolutely cannot leave the silver in his hands. This is also for his own good."
After much deliberation, Chen Liqin looked up at Chen Ji. "What do you think?"
Chen Ji smiled. "Eldest Mother's considerations are comprehensive; naturally, it is perfectly acceptable."
As his voice fell, a manservant stumbled and ran inside. While running, he almost tripped over the cracks between the bricks in the courtyard. "Master, this is bad!"
Chen Liqin's expression darkened. "Running around in a panic, what kind of proper decorum is this? The sky hasn't fallen yet!"
Standing outside the door, the manservant reported with an ashen, earth-colored face, "Master, members of the Eunuch Faction have arrived outside the gates, claiming to be Jiao Tu and Yun Yang from the Secret Spy Division!"
Chen Liqin shot to his feet abruptly. "What? Who arrived?!"
"Jiao Tu and Yun Yang!"
Chen Liqin's body swayed.
He had always had a lingering anxiety in his heart: the Anti-Rebel Manifesto he previously wrote for Mister Feng was still nowhere to be found. If the Eunuch Faction managed to obtain that Anti-Rebel Manifesto, he would be guilty of the exact same crimes as the Liu Family!
(End of this chapter)