Chapter 218: Unfortunately

In the frigid winter air that bit to the bone, Zhang Zhuo, wearing a large blue collar, waved from a distance towards Chen Liqin, his face bearing the warm smile of reuniting with an old friend.

Chen Liqin, however,’s face changed slightly: “Lord Zhang, forgive my directness, you and I are not on the same path, why must we return to the capital together?”

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily: “Lord Chen, what words are these? You and I were partners in Luo City. If we don’t return to the capital together, others will see us as narrow-minded, thinking we can’t tolerate each other, wouldn’t they?”

Chen Liqin said with exasperation: “Lord Zhang, don’t be circuitous, beating around the bush and criticizing indirectly. You and I have no personal friendship; it’s better not to set out together.”

Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard and asked with interest: “Is Lord Chen worried that with me by Chen Ji’s side, I will overshadow you, his father?”

Chen Liqin said angrily: “Lord Zhang, do not make wild guesses! I see your Zhang family’s carriage train is quite extensive and well-organized, and I truly dare not get close!”

The Chen family valued reputation and lineage, considering themselves noble and pure. How could Chen Liqin possibly be willing to set out with the Zhang family when Zhang Zhuo was so openly leaving office with over a hundred carriages of wealth and goods?

If people saw them together then, they might even think he and Zhang Zhuo were both corrupt!

Zhang Zhuo wasn’t angry. He took a few steps forward, wanting to grasp Chen Liqin’s hand to show closeness, but Chen Liqin quickly pulled his hand back into his sleeve: “Lord Zhang, if you have something to say, just say it!”

Zhang Zhuo laughed cheerfully: “Lord Chen, don’t overthink it. Later, your Chen family’s carriage train will go first, and my Zhang family will follow behind, maintaining a distance. That way, people won’t misunderstand you!”

Chen Liqin became suspicious: “Lord Zhang, why must you go with me?”

Zhang Zhuo smiled and patted his shoulder: “Lord Chen will soon be entering the Crown Prince’s office. Can’t I, Zhang, get closer to a future official who will follow the dragon? Lord Chen, you now represent the Crown Prince. Do you mean to say that on behalf of the Crown Prince, you want to reject my Zhang family and the Xu family? Does the Crown Prince know about this matter?”

Chen Liqin opened his mouth but could not speak.

In recent years, the struggle for the throne had become increasingly intense. Rumors about the Crown Prince, Prince Fu, and Prince An were already widespread in the streets and alleys. At this time, the Crown Prince naturally hoped for as much support as possible. The Xu family had always remained neutral in the succession struggle. If he and Zhang Zhuo became enemies, how would the Crown Prince view him?

Thinking of this, Chen Liqin was indeed caught by Zhang Zhuo and had no way to refute him.

Zhang Zhuo chuckled, turned around, and left. He walked back along the Chen family’s carriage train, loudly asking: “Chen Ji, Chen Ji! Which carriage are you in?”

Chen Ji gently lifted the carriage curtain, jumped down, cupped his hands, and said: “Lord Zhang.”

Zhang Zhuo came closer, his voice very low: “Has Wang Chongli’s death been investigated to you?”

Chen Ji also lowered his voice: “Reporting to Lord Zhang, this matter has not yet been investigated to me.”

“Not good. I didn’t sleep all night yesterday, fearing something else might happen,” Zhang Zhuo sighed, then carefully entrusted: “The case of Prince Jing is still pending. Wang Chongli’s identity is sensitive, and his death is widely implicated. All the way north, Secret Agent Division spies have set up checkpoints everywhere. At that time, I hope you can step forward and not let them open and inspect my Zhang family’s wealth and goods. This hundred carriages of wealth and goods must safely reach the capital, otherwise my life, Zhang’s, is in danger.”

Chen Ji suddenly realized that Zhang Zhuo wanted to use his Hai Dongqing identity for protection and escort, which is why he had been waiting here early.

He sincerely said: “I understand now. Please rest assured, Lord Zhang, I will certainly escort the Zhang family’s wealth and goods to the capital.”

Just then, Zhang Xia, dressed in a fiery red robe, led Zao Zao over and handed the reins to Chen Ji.

Chen Ji asked doubtfully: “Second Miss Zhang, what is this?”

Zhang Xia stroked Zao Zao’s cheek and explained: “My mother won’t let me show off by riding a horse. I thought you probably aren’t someone who likes to be cooped up in a carriage either, so I’ll lend you Zao Zao for a few days. Return him to me when we reach the capital.”

Saying that, she patted the saddle, pointed to a long cloth bag horizontally placed in front of the saddle, and said in a low voice: “The knife you entrusted to me earlier is in this cloth bag. I saw it didn’t have a sheath, so I found someone to make a pair for you… I’m not sure if you like the style of the sheath. If you don’t, we can find another opportunity to make a better pair later.”

The whale knife.

Its five-foot-five-inch long blade was almost as tall as a person, especially eye-catching. Chen Ji had no way to bring the knife back to the Chen family earlier, so he left it at the Zhang residence and entrusted Zhang Xia to guard it.

Someone had once promised to help him match a pair of sheaths, but they hadn’t come, so he no longer thought about getting sheaths made. He didn’t expect Zhang Xia to do it for him.

Chen Ji reached out and stroked the cloth bag: “Thank you, Second Miss Zhang.”

Zhang Xia laughed: “You have helped my Zhang family so much, there’s no need to be polite.”

As they spoke, Zhang Zhuo’s wife, Xu Shi, elegantly walked out of the tea house, and Zhang Zheng, no longer as flighty as before, honestly followed behind.

Xu Shi was simply dressed, in a plain white large collar with no complex embroidery or gold or silver thread edges. She only casually inserted two wooden hairpins to coil up her hair, unlike Liang Shi who was so ostentatious.

She walked composedly to Chen Ji, smiled gently, and said: “You are Chen Ji.”

Inside the carriage, Xiao Man saw Xu Shi coming and immediately lifted the window curtain, straining her ears to listen.

Sound came from the wooden box inside the carriage. She quickly sat on the wooden box to prevent Su Zhou from suddenly jumping out.

Outside the carriage, Chen Ji cupped his hands and bowed: “Reporting to Madam, I am Chen Ji.”

Xu Shi did not speak, but looked him up and down, then down and up, before slowly opening her mouth: “I heard you were an apprentice with Imperial Physician Yao earlier, and recently you want to return to the Chen family to study and gain recognition.”

With just this one sentence, Chen Ji knew that Zhang Zhuo hadn’t told Xu Shi about him… Could it be that Zhang Zhuo didn’t trust his wife?

Zhang Zhuo awkwardly chuckled from the side: “Madam, it’s getting late, let’s go inside.”

Xu Shi gently glanced at him, not responding.

Zhang Zhuo gave an awkward laugh: “Then I’ll go ahead!”

Xu Shi watched Zhang Zhuo leave, and after a moment, she looked at Chen Ji again and said warmly: “A prodigal son returning is worth more than gold. If you can rein in your wild ways, you are still a good child. However, studying requires a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand times the effort to excel. You should be single-minded and not be distracted by other matters.”

Chen Ji softly said: “What Madam says is true, I will follow your teachings.”

Xu Shi saw that he was not defiant and finally smiled: “Chen Ji, do you have any woman you admire?”

Chen Ji was silent for a moment before responding: “Reporting to Madam, no.”

Xu Shi nodded: “There are many good women in the capital. When we return to the capital, I can also help you pay attention and see if there are any good families that are a suitable match for your background.”

Zhang Xia stared with wide eyes: “Mother, Chen Ji and the county…”

Before she could finish, Xu Shi grabbed her wrist: “Starting a family and establishing a career is the most important thing in life. How can we delay Chen Ji? Am I right?”

Chen Ji humbly said: “I dare not trouble Madam with this matter.”

“Zao Zao is Xia’er’s most precious treasure. The fact that she can lend Zao Zao to you shows that you are close friends. It’s no trouble for me to help her friend. Alright, let’s set out,” Xu Shi took Zhang Xia’s hand and walked towards the Zhang family’s carriage train.

“Mother, what are you doing? I still have things to say to Chen Ji. Don’t make me lose my friends!” Zhang Xia tried several times to pull free from Xu Shi’s hand, but couldn’t.

Xu Shi glanced at her sideways and said in a low voice: “Shut up. If I continue to indulge you like this, who in the capital would dare to marry you?”

Zhang Xia said bitterly: “It’s okay if no one marries me. Your daughter will just stay by your side her whole life and fulfill her filial duty. Anyway, there are no men in the capital that I look up to.”

Xu Shi said angrily: “Nonsense!”

Having said that, she led Zhang Xia back to the carriage.

A young servant quickly knelt down and bowed low, letting Xu Shi step on his back to get into the carriage. Zhang Xia did not step on the servant, but instead lightly leaped up.

Chen Ji looked at Zhang Zheng, who lightly coughed: “Don’t take it to heart. My sister and I are fearless, only afraid of her. There’s nothing we can do.”

Chen Ji smiled: “How could I? Brother Zhang, no need to worry.”

After Zhang Zheng also left, Xiao Man angrily pulled open the window curtain and said: “Young master, aren’t you angry?”

Chen Ji said calmly: “What am I angry about?”

Xiao Man muttered: “Madam Zhang said she wants to find a suitable match for you… This so-called suitable match means an illegitimate son matches an illegitimate daughter, and a legitimate son matches a legitimate daughter. How is she genuinely trying to help you? She’s clearly reminding you not to have any ideas about Second Miss Zhang.”

Chen Ji smiled: “Earlier, there were rumors in the streets that the Zhang family and the Chen family wanted to form a marriage alliance. It’s normal for her to have this worry. But she doesn’t know that Second Miss Zhang and I are friends, and not as she thinks.”

Xiao Man pouted: “That’s good, otherwise you’d have to put up with their anger!”

Chen Ji laughed and cried: “You’re quite concerned.”

Xiao Man whispered: “I care about you.”

Chen Ji patted Zao Zao’s neck, flipped onto the horse, and spurred him towards the wonton shop by the city gate.

Arriving in front of the wonton shop, the several “eaters” at the wooden tables all stood up on their own and said in a low voice: “Lord Chen.”

Chen Ji sat on Zao Zao’s back and looked down at them, saying calmly: “All sit down. The city gate will open soon, and the vehicles behind will be released one by one.”

Having said that, he turned the reins back. An eater wiped his mouth, lowered his head, and left through the back door of the wonton shop, going around to the city gate to arrange matters.

The city gate opened, and a long train of carriages drove through. The Secret Agents didn’t even check the simplest road permits.

Chen Ji sighed slightly. By now, he too had become a significant figure in the eyes of others.

After the long train of carriages had all driven out of the city gate, he also rode Zao Zao, slowly passing through the two heavy vermilion painted main doors and the dim, mottled city gate tunnel.

After riding for a distance, Chen Ji finally couldn’t help but turn his head to look back.

Chen Ji wore a black cloak, with a long knife horizontally across the saddle, standing his horse.

He watched as the vermilion painted main doors slowly closed behind him, little by little shutting in the scenery of Luo City, as if someone was telling him, young man, do not turn back again.

Chen Ji took one last deep look, then exhaled a puff of white mist, turned his head, and caught up with the carriage train.

Xiao Man poked her head out of the carriage and asked: “Young master, you don’t look very happy.”

Chen Ji smiled: “It’s a pity.”

Xiao Man was doubtful: “Pity what?”

Chen Ji did not answer.

Pity, people say the flowers of Luo City are like brocade, but I did not arrive in spring.