Chapter 119: The Chen Family's Third Son

Zhang Zhuo?

Chen Liqin?

The Liu family wants to make a move against these two? These two are court-appointed officials!

In the dim prison cell, the flame of the oil lamp on the wall suddenly flickers.

Yuan shopkeeper lies flat on the table, letting the secret agent bandage his wound, and the secret agent's actions also slowly stop.

Golden Pig, who was originally leaning close to Yuan shopkeeper's ear, subconsciously stands up, his eyes wide as he looks at Chen Ji: "They want to kill Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin? How about I send some secret agents to protect these two? After all, Lord Chen is your..."

Chen Ji's right hand suddenly presses down on Yuan shopkeeper's wound. In an instant, Yuan shopkeeper's miserable scream echoes through the inner prison, drowning out all other sounds.

After a moment, Chen Ji slowly asks: "What did the Liu family say?"

Yuan shopkeeper gasps: "Liu Mingxian confidently said that after tomorrow, within this Yu state, only the Liu family will remain, and no one else will interfere."

Chen Ji asks again: "Did he mention the specific plan?"

Yuan shopkeeper's face is pale: "Why should I tell you?"

"I see you're talking nonsense," Chen Ji presses expressionlessly on the wound on Yuan shopkeeper's thigh. The place that had stopped bleeding bursts open again, and Yuan shopkeeper screams violently.

Just as he is about to continue tearing open the wound to find the artery, Golden Pig pulls Chen Ji's arm and walks out of the prison cell, lowering his voice: "I know you are anxious to save your father, but you haven't learned interrogation methods. Your hands have no measure, you absolutely cannot accidentally kill such an important prisoner."

Chen Ji is silent.

He simply doesn't care about Chen Liqin's life or death; he just wants to use this opportunity to 'mistakenly' kill Yuan shopkeeper, to avoid implicating Yun Fei and himself. But now Golden Pig has stopped him in time, and there's no opportunity left.

Chen Ji has to sigh: "Lord, I was too impatient."

Golden Pig laughs heartily: "Earlier, I heard you wanted to sever ties with the Chen family and was puzzled. How can someone really cut off blood relations? Presumably, you were just saying angry words at that time, angry at your father for sending you to Taiping Medical Hall as an apprentice."

Chen Ji hums in agreement.

Golden Pig pats Chen Ji's shoulder: "Don't be anxious, I guarantee I won't let Lord Chen be harmed. I've carefully thought about it. The Liu family indeed has the ability to kill Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin in Yu state, but they absolutely won't openly oppose the court now. So what the Liu family wants to do is just drive the two away, they won't harm their lives."

"How will the Liu family do it?"

"Frame them."

Chen Ji looks at Golden Pig: "Your meaning, Lord, is that the Liu family wants to frame Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin, forcing them to be transferred to other positions... Does the Lord know the itinerary of these two lords tonight?"

Golden Pig immediately replies: "Today, the two want to host a banquet for all the new scholars, holding a Luming Banquet."

There are two banquets in the imperial examination process: The first is the Luming Banquet after the autumn session, where the new scholars are banqueted; the second is the Qionglin Banquet after the palace examination, where the new successful candidates are banqueted. This has been the old rule of the Ning dynasty for hundreds of years.

Chen Ji asks: "Where is the Luming Banquet being held?"

"Welcome Immortal Building," Golden Pig greets Xifeng and quickly strides outwards: "We will now go to Welcome Immortal Building. Tonight, we will not only protect Lord Chen well, but also seize the Liu family's handle! They dare to frame court-appointed officials. Not only my Secret Agent Department cannot tolerate the Liu family, even the court, the Xu family, and the Chen family, cannot tolerate them!"

Chen Ji glances at Golden Pig's back, then silently looks back towards Yuan shopkeeper.

Golden Pig stops and turns back, his gaze passing through the dim long tunnel: "Go, what are you standing there for?"

"Coming."

Welcome Immortal Building was originally named Rich and Noble Workshop.

On the auspicious day of its opening, an immortal crane came from the west, landing on the orange-colored glazed tiles of the roof.

Thus, the owner temporarily hired craftsmen to make a stone crane and placed it in front of the door, changing the name to Welcome Immortal Building.

At this time.

In front of Welcome Immortal Building, carriages and horses are gathered, and people are continuously cupping their hands and bowing.

Chen Liqin and Zhang Zhuo wear large red official robes, standing out among a crowd of blue-robed officials.

Taking advantage of the candidates entering the building to be seated, Zhang Zhuo leans towards Chen Liqin's ear and says: "Chen Ji has agreed to King Jing's request to go to Zhixing Academy to study, but all your little schemes have been exposed by Princess White Carp. To me, the simplest method is to cane that steward in your mansion to death to let her vent. Why bother with all these twists and turns? That steward is not a good person anyway!"

Chen Liqin glances at Zhang Zhuo: "My mansion's steward has worked diligently for more than ten years, he has worked hard even if he has no merit. Lord Zhang keeps talking about beating and killing, it's a disgrace to culture."

Zhang Zhuo says in a bad mood: "Do you really think that with his three brothers studying in the same academy, they can develop brotherly affection and think of your good? You might as well go to the City God Temple or Laojun Mountain to burn incense and ask the Dao Lord to show his spirit!"

Chen Liqin's face darkens: "As long as he can learn some real knowledge, I, as a father, have also done something for him. As for whether he thinks of my good, that's his business."

Zhang Zhuo laughs in anger.

He shakes his robe sleeves, turns, and walks into the building: "Just don't forget our agreement!"

Outside the back door of Welcome Immortal Building, Golden Pig wears a bamboo hat and lightly knocks on the door.

Xifeng pulls open the wooden door from inside and welcomes Golden Pig and Chen Ji in: "Lord, a dragnet has already been set up around. If people from the Liu family come to cause trouble, they will definitely come but not return."

Golden Pig snorts and walks forward into Welcome Immortal Building: "You're quite good at boasting. If you're so capable, why do you need me to come!"

Xifeng mutters in a low voice: "Yesterday, you still called me Department Head..."

Golden Pig suddenly turns around: "What are you damn muttering? You're definitely not saying anything good!"

Xifeng quickly smiles: "Nothing, Lord, you are wise and divine!"

Golden Pig coldly laughs, leads Chen Ji to sneak into Welcome Immortal Building, and hides behind a pillar, silently observing.

In the great hall, more than thirty candidates sit around round tables, raising cups and drinking together, the atmosphere enthusiastic. At the main table, the top five scholars from the autumn session sit beside Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin, their positions unexpectedly higher than those of other officials.

At the banquet, an official raises his cup and stands up, smiling at Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin: "I haven't congratulated the two lords yet."

Zhang Zhuo is slightly startled: "Lord Xing, what joy is this? My son didn't participate in the imperial examination."

The blue-robed official smiles: "The day before yesterday, the second miss of the Zhang family personally said at the polo match that you want to betroth her to the young master of the Chen mansion, this won't be false. Now you two are officials in the same mansion, and the two families are joyfully forming a marriage alliance, it can be said to be a double joy."

As these words are spoken, Welcome Immortal Building actually quietens down. The candidates silently look towards the main table, their gazes sweeping over Chen Wen Zong and Chen Wen Xiao, all filled with envy.

Lord Xing's gaze also shifts to Chen Wen Zong and Chen Wen Xiao, and he asks curiously: "Two lords, may I know which young master the second miss of the Zhang family is betrothed to?"

Before Chen Liqin can speak, Chen Wen Xiao at the side laughs: "Not us two brothers. The one Lord Zhang has taken a liking to is our third brother."

Golden Pig behind the pillar slowly looks towards Chen Ji. Isn't that the third brother of the Chen family?

Chen Ji doesn't pay attention to his gaze, only lowers his head and listens.

At the banquet, someone whispers: "The third son of the Chen family? Is that the gambler who was sent to the medical hall?"

"Shh, don't let Lord Chen hear!"

"Strange, why doesn't Lord Zhang betroth his daughter to Chen Wen Zong? Even Chen Wen Xiao would be fine."

Golden Pig silently sizes up Chen Ji.

He sees Chen Ji quietly standing behind the pillar, as if the matter being discussed at the banquet has nothing to do with him.

The next moment, Chen Liqin speaks: "This matter is a misunderstanding. Lord Zhang Zhuo only mentioned it twice in jest earlier, we two didn't take it seriously. My son is stubborn, not worthy of the second miss of the Zhang family."

Lord Xing's hand holding the wine cup stiffens, and he says awkwardly: "Then why did the second miss of the Zhang family..."

Zhang Zhuo smiles and explains: "That was just her overhearing my conversation with Lord Chen afterwards, mistakenly thinking that Lord Chen and I had already settled this matter. She's a little girl, she hears wind as rain, and ran out to say it everywhere herself, causing a misunderstanding. I hope everyone won't spread it randomly."

Lord Xing shrinks back and sits down: "So that's how it is, so that's how it is."

However, Zhang Zhuo's words take a turn, and he says with interest: "But I think you are all misunderstanding that boy Chen Ji. As the saying goes, hearing is believing, seeing is real. I have met him several times, and I privately think he is not as bad as you all say. Not only me, but even King Jing now praises him highly. Presumably, there was some misunderstanding before."

Chen Liqin looks at Zhang Zhuo in surprise.

Behind the pillar, Golden Pig lowers his voice, happily: "Your father and your elder brothers didn't speak up for you, but this Lord Zhang and I see eye to eye! Don't pay attention to them, cultivate properly, establish merits properly, and wait until you rise to the Twelve Zodiacs. Copying their families and exterminating their clans will be as easy as turning over your hand!"

Chen Ji looks at Golden Pig with a complex expression, for a moment not knowing how to react...

The moon rises to the top of the three poles.

In Welcome Immortal Building, the candles and lamps have been changed once again. The new scholars are competing to recite poems and compose couplets, showing off in front of Zhang Zhuo.

However, everything is safe and sound. The storm that Chen Ji and Golden Pig are waiting for does not come.

As the Luming Banquet is about to end, if the Liu family doesn't make a move, there will probably be no opportunity.

Golden Pig stands behind the pillar until his legs are numb, puzzled: "Damn, don't tell me the wind leaked again?"

Chen Ji shakes his head: "It won't. Xifeng specifically kept an eye on the secret agents and didn't let them leave. No one could report the news."

Golden Pig leans on the pillar and rubs his temples: "Could it be that the Jing dynasty thief is deceiving us?"

Chen Ji closes his eyes in thought.

Not right.

Yuan shopkeeper didn't deceive them. At this time, the other side is about to rely on the Secret Agent Department to save his life. How could he possibly deceive them on a small matter?

But what exactly does the Liu family want to do?

What would the Liu family do to make Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin sneak away from Yu state?

Golden Pig says: "They are about to disperse, let's withdraw as well."

"Not possible."

"Huh?"

In the darkness behind the pillar, Chen Ji suddenly opens his eyes and looks towards Golden Pig: "The Liu family wants to make a move, and the place is not here!"

Golden Pig is surprised: "Huh?"

Chen Ji asks: "Does the Lord happen to have the king's command flag or token?"

Golden Pig shakes his head: "How could I carry that kind of thing on me? If it were lost, I would lose my head. Wait, why are you asking about this..."

Chen Ji takes a deep breath.

He is only seen taking out a piece of gray cloth from his sleeve to cover his face, lowering the brim of his bamboo hat, and quickly coming to Zhang Zhuo's side: "Lord Zhang, the Secret Agent Department has matters needing your assistance. Please follow us for a trip."

Zhang Zhuo slightly narrows his eyes: "Secret Agent Department? This official is a fifth-rank prefect. You say let me assist, and I will assist?"

Chen Ji is silent for a moment, then says solemnly to Zhang Zhuo: "Lord Zhang, please rest assured, we are not arresting you to the inner prison, but we have matters needing your assistance. If we miss the timing, probably tens of thousands of refugees outside the city will die, and you will also lose your bright future."

Listening to Chen Ji's voice, Zhang Zhuo suddenly shows a doubtful expression.

He gazes into Chen Ji's eyes, and Chen Ji does not retreat or avoid.

Finally, Zhang Zhuo calmly stands up, smoothing the wrinkles of his large red official robe with both hands, and says indifferently: "Then this official will follow you for a trip."

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