In the winter days, the air was bone-scrapingly cold. Zhang Zhuo, dressed in a large lapelled green robe, waved toward Chen Liqin from afar, his face bearing the kind and intimate smile of reuniting with an old friend.
Chen Liqin's expression, however, changed slightly: "Lord Zhang, forgive my bluntness, but you and I are not people who walk the same path to begin with! Why must we return to the Capital City together?"
Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily and cheerfully: "Lord Chen, what kind of words are these? You and I were partners in Luo City, and we are both being promoted and transferred together. If we do not return to the Capital City together, outsiders watching might think we both lack broad-mindedness and tolerance, and are unable to tolerate each other."
Chen Liqin said testily and irritably: "Lord Zhang, do not speak in innuendos and point at the mulberry tree to curse the locust tree! The two of us have no private personal relations. It is still better not to set out together!"
Stroking his beard, Zhang Zhuo asked with keen interest: "Are you worried, Lord Chen, that my presence by Chen Ji's side will overshadow you as a father?"
Chen Liqin said angrily: "Lord Zhang, do not make baseless conjectures! This humble official sees the carriages of your Zhang Family lined up closely like fish scales, and truly doesn't dare to get close!"
The Chen Family heavily valued reputation and gate lintel status, fancying themselves pure and noble. With Zhang Zhuo so blatantly pulling hundreds of carriages of wealth and goods away upon leaving his post, how could Chen Liqin possibly be willing to set out together with the Zhang Family?
When the time came and they were seen by others, they might even think that he and Zhang Zhuo had embezzled and accepted bribes together!
Zhang Zhuo also wasn't angry. He took a few steps forward, wanting to grab Chen Liqin's hand to show intimacy, but unexpectedly, Chen Liqin hurriedly shrank his hands back into his sleeves: "Lord Zhang, if you have something to say, then say it! Do not get handsy and physically touch me!"
Zhang Zhuo laughed cheerfully: "Lord Chen, do not overthink it! Later, your Chen Family's convoy will go in front, and my Zhang Family will follow behind, maintaining a distance. This way, no one will misunderstand you!"
Chen Liqin grew suspicious: "Lord Zhang, why must you insist on traveling together with me, ah?"
Smiling, Zhang Zhuo patted his shoulder: "Lord Chen is about to enter the Eastern Palace's official bureau very soon. Is it not okay for this Zhang to get close to a future 'meritorious official who assisted the dragon' in advance? Lord Chen, you currently represent the Crown Prince. Could it be you want to reject my Zhang Family and Xu Family a thousand Li away on behalf of the Crown Prince? Does the Crown Prince know about this matter?"
Chen Liqin opened his mouth, but failed to speak any words.
In recent years, the Struggle for Succession had grown increasingly fierce. The rumors between the Crown Prince, Prince Fu, and Prince An had long since become idle gossip and wild talk in the streets. At a time like this, the Crown Prince naturally hoped for as much assistance as possible. The Xu Family had never yet stated their stance on the matter of the Struggle for Succession. If he became hostile and fell out with Zhang Zhuo, what would the Crown Prince think of him?
Thinking up to this point, Chen Liqin actually truly found himself pinched and manipulated by Zhang Zhuo, with nothing to retort.
Zhang Zhuo gave a 'haha' laugh, turned around, and walked away. Following along the Chen Family's convoy toward the back, he asked loudly: "Chen Ji! Chen Ji! Which carriage are you on?"
Chen Ji gently lifted the carriage curtain, jumped off the horse carriage, and cupped his hands: "Lord Zhang."
Zhang Zhuo leaned close, his voice pressed extremely low: "Regarding Wang Chongli's death, did their investigation reach you?"
Chen Ji also lowered his voice: "Replying to Lord Zhang, this matter's investigation did not reach me."
"It's good that it didn't! Last night, I couldn't sleep the entire night, deeply afraid there would be some more wind blowing and grass moving," Zhang Zhuo breathed a sigh of relief. Following that, he prudently and cautiously exhorted: "Currently, the Prince Jing case is already hanging unresolved, and Wang Chongli's identity is sensitive. His death implicates a massive scope of matters! All along the journey north, there will be Secret Spy Division spies setting up checkpoints to interrogate and inspect everywhere. When the time comes, I hope you will step forward, so as to not let them open the chests and inspect my Zhang Family's wealth and goods. These hundreds of carriages of wealth and goods absolutely must be delivered safely to the Capital City! Otherwise, my, Zhang's, life will be in dire peril!"
Chen Ji suddenly realized the truth. So it turned out Zhang Zhuo wanted to borrow his identity as a Gyrfalcon to escort and protect the journey! That was why he had waited here so early!
He said sincerely: "I understand now. Please rest assured, Lord Zhang; this humble official will definitely escort the Zhang Family's wealth and goods to the Capital City."
Just at this time, Zhang Xia was seen dressed in a fiery-red robe, walking over while leading Zaozao, and handing the reins into Chen Ji's hands.
Chen Ji asked in confusion: "Second Miss Zhang, what is this for?"
Caressing Zaozao's cheeks, Zhang Xia explained: "My mother won't let me ride a horse to show off ostentatiously anymore. I figured you definitely aren't the type to hole up inside a horse carriage either, so I'm lending Zaozao to you for a few days. You can return her to me once we reach the Capital City."
Saying that, she patted the saddle, pointing at a long cloth bag lying across the front of the saddle, and said in a low voice: "The saber you entrusted to me previously is right in this cloth bag! Seeing as it never had a scabbard, I sought someone to forge a set for you... I'm also not sure if you'll like the style of the scabbard or not. If you don't like it, I'll look for an opportunity to forge an even better set in the future."
The Whale Blade.
The five-foot-five-inch long blade was almost as tall as a person, making it exceptionally eye-catching. Chen Ji was unable to bring the saber back to the Chen Family previously, so he had stored it in the Zhang Estate, entrusting Zhang Xia to help keep it safe.
Someone had once promised to help match a set of scabbards for him, but didn't make it in time. Consequently, he had stopped keeping the matter of matching a scabbard on his mind. He didn't expect Zhang Xia to have done it for him.
Zhang Xia continued speaking: "Inside the saddlebags next to the saddle, there's also some beef jerky made by Wu Xin Ji, and preserved fruit plums from the candied fruit shop. When you're idle with nothing to do on the road, you can chew on them."
Reaching out, Chen Ji stroked the cloth bag: "Many thanks, Second Miss Zhang."
Zhang Xia laughed carelessly and brightly: "You've helped my Zhang Family a lot; what's there to be polite about! Moreover, didn't I say it already? We share a life-and-death friendship from Longwang Village!"
While speaking, Zhang Zhuo's legitimate wife, Madam Xu, was seen walking out from the teahouse with slow, graceful steps. Zhang Zheng lacked his usual jumpy liveliness, following behind obediently and honestly.
Madam Xu's clothing was simple and unadorned. Her white large-lapelled robe wasn't embroidered with complicated patterns, nor did it have gold or silver thread bordering. On her head, only two wooden Hairpins were casually inserted to coil her hair up; she wasn't ostentatious and flashy like Madam Liang.
She walked calmly to stand in front of Chen Ji, smiling warmly: "You are Chen Ji?"
Inside the horse carriage, seeing Madam Xu walking over, Xiaoman immediately lifted the window curtain, pricking up her ears to eavesdrop.
The wooden chest in the carriage produced a rustling sound. She hurriedly sat on the wooden chest to prevent Su Zhou from suddenly crawling out.
Outside the horse carriage, Chen Ji cupped his hands and bowed: "Replying to Madam, this humble one is exactly Chen Ji."
Madam Xu didn't speak, sizing him up from head to toe, and then from toe to head. Only then did she speak slowly: "I heard you were an apprentice at Physician Yao's place previously, but recently want to return to the Chen Family to pursue studies and test for Official Honors?"
With just this single sentence, Chen Ji knew that Zhang Zhuo hadn't informed Madam Xu about his matters... Could it be Zhang Zhuo didn't trust his own wife?
At the side, Zhang Zhuo smoothed things over with a haha laugh: "Madam, it's getting late. Let's return to the carriage."
Madam Xu cast a light sidelong glance at him, but didn't reply to his words.
Zhang Zhuo gave two awkward laughs: "Then I'll head back to the carriage first!"
Madam Xu watched Zhang Zhuo leave. A moment later, she looked back at Chen Ji and said in a warm voice: "A prodigal son returning is more precious than gold; for you to rein in your horse at the edge of the cliff proves you are still a good child. It's just that the matter of pursuing studies requires investing a hundred times, a thousand times, ten thousand times the energy before one can stand out from the crowd. You should concentrate your mind and study diligently alone, and do not become distracted by other matters again."
Chen Ji said softly: "Madam speaks truly. I will faithfully follow your teachings."
Seeing that he wasn't rebellious or disobedient, Madam Xu finally broke into a smile: "Chen Ji, do you have a girl you fancy in your heart?"
Falling silent for a moment, Chen Ji responded: "Replying to Madam, no."
Madam Xu nodded: "There are many good girls in the Capital City. Once we return to the Capital City, I can also keep an eye out for you, and see if there are any good families whose social status is well-matched with yours."
Zhang Xia's eyes widened: "Mother, Chen Ji and the Commandery..."
Before she finished speaking, her wrist was caught by Madam Xu: "Starting a family and establishing a career is the top priority in life; how can it be delayed? Chen Ji, do you say my words are right?"
Chen Ji said humbly: "I wouldn't dare trouble Madam with this matter."
"Zaozao is the precious treasure at the tip of Xia'er's heart. For her to be able to lend Zaozao to you indicates you are the most intimate of friends. It does no harm for me to help a friend of hers a bit. Alright, let us set off," Madam Xu held Zhang Xia's wrist and walked toward the Zhang Family's convoy.
"Mother, what are you doing, ah?! I still have words I haven't finished saying to Chen Ji! Don't make me lose my friend!" Zhang Xia tried several times to break free from Madam Xu's hand, but failed every time.
Madam Xu cast a sidelong glance at her, shouting in a low voice: "Shut your mouth! If we continue letting you do as you please like this, who in the Capital City would still dare to marry you in the future?!"
Zhang Xia pulled a bitter face: "If no one marries me, it's fine too, ah! Your daughter will simply stay by your side to show filial piety for a lifetime! In any case, there are no men in the Capital City that catch my eye either!"
Madam Xu said angrily: "Nonsense words!"
After saying that, she led Zhang Xia back to the front of the horse carriage.
A page hurriedly knelt down, lowering his body to allow Madam Xu to step on his back to board the horse carriage. Zhang Xia didn't step on the page; instead, with a light leap, she jumped up herself.
Chen Ji looked at Zhang Zheng. Zhang Zheng coughed lightly: "Don't take it to heart, ah! My sister and I have personalities that fear neither the heavens nor the earth, but we only uniqueness fear her. There's no helping it."
Chen Ji smiled and said: "How could I? Brother Zhang needn't worry."
Waiting for Zhang Zheng to leave as well, Xiaoman puffed out her cheeks with anger, pulling open the window curtain to say: "Is Young Master not angry?"
Chen Ji remained expressionless: "What am I angry about?"
Xiaoman muttered: "Madam Zhang said she wanted to find a well-matched marriage for you... This so-called 'well-matched social status' means a Concubine's Son paired with a concubine's daughter, and a Legitimate Son paired with a legitimate daughter! How is she truly wanting to help you, ah?! She is clearly reminding you not to harbor ideas about the Second Miss Zhang!"
Chen Ji smiled: "Previously, there were rumors spreading in the streets that the Zhang Family and Chen Family were going to arrange a marriage alliance. It's normal for her to harbor this worry. It's just that she doesn't know Second Miss Zhang and I are friends, and it's not what she thinks."
Xiaoman curled her lips: "That's good then! Otherwise, you'd still have to suffer their anger!"
Chen Ji didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "You control quite a broad scope of things!"
Xiaoman murmured softly: "I'm just caring about you!"
Chen Ji patted Zaozao's neck, mounted the horse, and spurred the horse all the way toward the wonton shop beside the city gate pass.
Arriving before the wonton shop, the 'diners' at several wooden tables involuntarily stood up one after another, saying in a low voice: "Lord Chen."
Sitting on Zaozao's back, Chen Ji looked down at them from above, saying expressionlessly: "All of you, sit down. Later when the city gates open, let the convoy of vehicles behind pass through altogether."
After saying that, he tugged the reins and turned back. A diner wiped his mouth, lowered his head to exit through the wonton shop's back door, and took a detour to the city gate pass to give instructions on the matter.
The city gates opened. The long convoy drove through the city gate pass. The Secret Spies unexpectedly didn't even inspect the simplest of Travel Permits anymore!
Chen Ji felt somewhat lamentful. It turns out that as of today, he too had become a big shot or important figure in the eyes of others.
Waiting until the long convoy had fully driven out of the city gate pass, he also rode Zaozao, slowly passing through those two heavy vermilion-lacquered large doors, passing through the dark and mottled city gate tunnel.
After riding a certain distance away, Chen Ji finally couldn't resist turning his head back to look.
Draped in a black full-length cloak, with the long saber lying across the saddle in front of him, Chen Ji halted his horse and stood still.
He saw the vermilion-lacquered large doors slowly close behind him, shutting the scenery of Luo City away little by little. It was as if someone was saying to him:
Young lad, do not turn your head back again.
Chen Ji took one last deep look, and only then exhaled a breath of white mist, turning his horse back to catch up with the convoy.
Poking her head out from the carriage, Xiaoman asked: "Young Master, you look like you aren't too happy?"
Chen Ji smiled: "What a pity."
Xiaoman was confused: "What is a pity?"
Chen Ji didn't answer.
What a pity. People say Luo City's flowers resemble brocade, yet when I arrived, it did not happen to be Spring.
(End of this chapter)