Chapter 374: Refute

When he returned to the Chen residence, it was already late at night.

As soon as the carriage came to a stop in front of Qinzheng Garden, Chen Ji leaped out.

Minister Si Cao Gui reminded him, "You must also be careful within the Chen residence. Have your maids personally cook your meals; do not rely on outsiders, lest you be poisoned without knowing it."

Before reaching the gate, Chen Ji suddenly turned around and said earnestly, "Thank you for protecting me tonight, Minister."

Si Cao Gui shook his head, responding indifferently, "There's no need for such formalities. Protecting you is merely for the greater cause."

Chen Ji smiled. "Still, I must say thank you."

With that, he knocked on the side door and went inside.

Si Cao Gui watched the brown wooden door slowly close, leaning against the carriage, lost in thought.

Inside the Chen residence, Chen Ji walked along the bluestone path, and from a distance, he saw the lights of Ginkgo Courtyard still on, its door ajar.

He arrived at the entrance.

Xiao Man and the young monk were both absent from the courtyard. He saw Chen Liqin sitting on a stone stool, his right arm resting on a stone table, supporting his forehead.

Hearing footsteps, Chen Liqin slowly raised his head. "Why are you only returning now? You shouldn't be lingering outside too long these days; it's not very peaceful out there."

Chen Liqin's dark complexion was flushed with a reddish tinge, and his eyes were slightly clouded, indicating he had been drinking.

Chen Ji cupped his hands. "Has Minister Chen been waiting long?"

Chen Liqin skipped the pleasantries and stated directly, "Pack your things. I'm being transferred to Jinling as Tongzhi in a few days, and you will come with me. Don't bring too much; we can buy what we need once we get to Jinling."

Jinling was the founding capital of the Ning Dynasty, but the capital was later moved to Jingcheng for defense against the Jing Dynasty.

After the capital relocation, Jinling, having been established as the capital by the founding emperor, could not be easily abolished by later generations due to ancestral traditions. Thus, Jinling continued to exist as a secondary capital, even retaining its Five Palaces and Six Ministries.

Initially, all Ning Dynasty political affairs were handled in Jinling, leading to the saying 'Ning Dynasty's political foundation is in the south.' It wasn't until Emperor Chengzu's reign that the center of power shifted north.

Currently, the Five Palaces and Six Ministries in Jinling are mostly staffed by elderly and infirm officials, dispatched there 'to oversee affairs' under the pretext of 'Jinling's simple matters,' though they hold no real power. This place also serves as Zhang Zhuo's primary source of income from selling official positions and titles.

The Tongzhi of Jinling is also different from those in other regions, holding a rank of Zheng Sipin (Grade Four, Senior).

Chen Ji cupped his hands. "Congratulations on your promotion, Minister Chen. However, I am a Baihu (Centurion) of the Imperial Forest Army, so I'm afraid I cannot leave."

Chen Liqin stood up. "It's no problem. With Zhang Zhuo looking out for you, he'll handle your transfer order."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Seeing Chen Ji unmoved, Chen Liqin immediately softened his tone and persuaded him, "Everyone says the capital is prosperous, but in truth, Jinling is even more so. Merchants gather there in great numbers, and wine banners hang high. Over forty li of the city are paved with massive stones, every district has a theater, the Pipa Lane resounds with music day and night, and carriages and horses throng through Jubao Gate..."

Chen Ji smiled. "Minister Chen, I am not staying because the capital is prosperous."

Chen Liqin changed his tactic. "There are also 'thin horses' (euphemism for courtesans) skilled in storytelling, and at night, hundreds of pleasure boats sail on the Qinhuai River, each hosting dozens of famous courtesans..."

Chen Ji shook his head, interrupting him. "Minister Chen, this isn't the kind of persuasion you're good at, nor do you need to resort to such clumsy arguments. I understand your intention, but I cannot leave."

Chen Liqin, in a drunken state, exclaimed, "What do you know? You know nothing! Do you know about the decades of animosity between the First Branch and the Second Branch? Do you know how the Chen family's Second Branch became the head of the family decades ago, and how they met their demise? Do you know why our Chen main family split into three? There's too much resentment and strife involved; it's absolutely not something you can get involved in! I've told you many times, do not participate in the affairs between the First Branch and the Second Branch. When they see red, they truly cause deaths!"

As he spoke, Chen Ji saw two shadows appear on the main house window: one with a double-bun hairstyle, and another with a smooth, rounded head...

These two pressed their ears against the window, wishing they could tear the paper to hear better.

Chen Ji kindly reminded Chen Liqin, "Minister Chen, please calm down, no need to rush. Don't let others overhear and make a joke of us."

Chen Liqin took a few deep breaths and slowly said, "Let them quarrel if they wish. The Second Branch's Chen Lizhi is malicious, but isn't the First Branch equally cunning? Their own internal dirty laundry is endless, so why would you wade into this muddy water? Listen to my advice: come with me to Jinling and don't return for the next few years."

Chen Ji shook his head. "No."

Chen Liqin flared up in anger. "Whether you want to or not, you must come with me."

Chen Ji calmly replied, "Minister Chen, I still have things to do in the capital."

Chen Liqin suddenly sneered. "What things could you possibly have? You just think you've latched onto Zhang Zhuo, don't you? But I'll tell you plainly, Zhang Zhuo doesn't have the final say in Miss Zhang's marriage; his legal wife does. How could that woman possibly let her daughter marry a concubine's son? Unless you marry into the Zhang family as a live-in son-in-law!"

Inside the window, Xiao Man's shadow suddenly stood upright, as if about to rush into the courtyard. The young monk held her back tightly from behind, preventing her from storming out.

Chen Ji calmly said, "Minister Chen, you are speaking carelessly due to drink. You should go back and rest early."

Chen Liqin earnestly said, "My asking you to go to Jinling is clearly for your own good..."

Chen Ji suddenly interrupted him. "Minister Chen, why pretend to care so much about me? At Prince Jing's estate, you chose Chen Wenxiao, not me."

Chen Liqin froze. "You... how did you know? Did Zhang Zhuo tell you? Or Zhang Xia?"

Chen Ji smiled. "Minister Chen, I mean nothing else, nor am I upset about it. I merely wish to tell you that from beginning to end, you were only concerned about being implicated. You are someone who is good at protecting your own interests; go to Jinling, and rest assured, I will not involve you."

Chen Liqin flared up in anger. "Me, protecting my own interests? I merely don't want to waste time on the Chen family's petty squabbles. Isn't it better to use my valuable self to benefit the common people?"

"Benefit the common people?" Chen Ji mused. "Minister Chen, where were you when the people of Guyuan were in peril?"

Chen Liqin opened his mouth but said nothing.

He had been hiding on the rooftop of Dragon Gate Inn.

Chen Ji looked directly at Chen Liqin. "While Minister Chen was protecting his own interests in Guyuan, Brother Wenzong dared to denounce the Jing Dynasty's villains... Does Minister Chen still remember the half-city of people who died in Guyuan? Does Minister Chen still remember the thirty-four Chen family members poisoned at Guyuan Post Station? Minister Chen has probably forgotten, but I haven't, and neither has Brother Wenzong. That's why he locks himself in his courtyard, studying day and night, never leaving."

Chen Liqin hesitated. "I haven't..."

Before he could finish, Chen Ji bowed to him. "Minister Chen, take care."

Chen Liqin swayed, then walked out with dim, lifeless eyes. It wasn't until he returned to his own Qingzhu Courtyard that he regained his composure.

Madam Liang came out from the main house and called for a maid to bring hot water for him.

She dampened a cloth with hot water. "Did you have business dealings today, my lord? I've asked the kitchen to prepare a hangover soup with green plums and lotus seeds; it will be brought to you shortly."

Chen Liqin, looking at her profile, instructed, "Madam, I am being transferred to Jinling. Pack your things and come with me. Once in Jinling, we can acquire a larger residence, so you won't have to endure looking at others' expressions here in Qinzheng Garden."

Madam Liang's movements suddenly froze, her hands submerged in the water, forgetting to wring out the cloth.

Chen Liqin loosened the collar of his robe, asking confusedly, "What's wrong?"

Madam Liang lowered her gaze. "My lord, you may go to Jinling yourself. Wenzong will soon take the imperial examination, and I must stay in the capital to look after him."

Chen Liqin said in a deep voice, "He is grown now; he doesn't need your care."

Madam Liang looked up and said gently, "My lord, he is my only child, and the only one I can rely on in this life; I must stay by his side. Jinling is a long journey. I will have the servants prepare your luggage shortly. The carriage cushions should be thickened, and you should also take some books for the road..."

Chen Liqin stood stunned for a long while, his hands slowly dropping. "Alright, alright. I'll go to Jinling alone. All of you stay in the capital."

He stumbled into the house. Madam Liang tried to help him, but he pushed her hand away.

Madam Liang no longer tried to help, simply standing still in the courtyard, watching Chen Liqin enter the house.

With a thud, the house door was heavily closed by Chen Liqin. Madam Liang stood in the courtyard for a long time.

**Ginkgo Courtyard.**

Chen Ji pushed open the door of the main house. Xiao Man and the young monk suddenly turned their backs. Xiao Man, who knows where she found a rag, began wiping the table in an exaggerated manner.

The young monk closed his eyes, holding a string of prayer beads, silently reciting the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Purvaprani-dhana Sutra.

Chen Ji exasperatedly said, "Alright, what are you pretending for?"

Xiao Man hastily dropped the rag and said with a giggle, "Young Master finally refuted Third Master; you should have refuted him ages ago. Years ago, Auntie said that Third Master had grand ambitions and spoke beautifully, but alas, his mind was filled with straw."

The young monk opened his eyes.

Before she finished, Xiao Man angrily said, "Close your eyes!"

The young monk obediently closed his eyes again.

Chen Ji was astonished. "What's wrong?"

Xiao Man hesitated. "This monk has mind-reading abilities; he can see through others' thoughts just by looking them in the eye. It's truly terrifying. Young Master, why did you bring such a monk home? Please quickly send him back to Yuanjue Temple, or else my... your thoughts will all be seen through by him."

Chen Ji burst into laughter. "It's alright, I'm not afraid. Young monk, open your eyes, it's fine."

As soon as the young monk opened his eyes, Xiao Man closed hers again. She fumbled her way towards the door. "Young Master, I'll go heat some water for you to wash your face... Ouch!"

With her eyes closed, Xiao Man tripped over the threshold and nearly fell.

"Are you alright?" The young monk, with an innocent expression, ran to help Xiao Man up.

Xiao Man frantically fled towards the side room. "Ahhh, don't come any closer!"

Once the room quieted down, Chen Ji wondered, "You're teasing her on purpose, aren't you?"

The young monk put his palms together, a pious look on his face. "Amitābha, I've been teasing her all day."

Chen Ji: "...You're not exactly an easy one yourself."

At the third watch, when Chen Ji woke up, Xiao Man was asleep by the side of the bed, her head nodding, holding the small black cat. The young monk had been sent by Xiao Man to the east wing room.

He quietly got up, stealthily left Ginkgo Courtyard, and went to the side wall of Qinzheng Garden.

Chen Ji lightly sprang up, hooked his hand onto the eaves, and quietly crouched on the grey tiles of the side wall, silently observing the outside. Once he confirmed no one was around, he headed straight for Anding Gate.

He needed to scout the location in advance.

The Altar of the First Sericulturalist is located outside the capital, about three li past Anding Gate.

At that time, the Imperial Forest Army would lead the procession with ceremonial guards, the Jiefan Guards would provide central protection, and the Five City Horse and Military Command would be dispersed along the streets, shouting at pedestrians to clear the way. The Empress would leave the palace through Bei'an Gate, turn onto Shuntianfu Street after passing the Drum Tower, and then turn onto Anding Gate Street to exit the city.

Chen Ji pondered whether there would be an opportunity to swap the Princess along the way. Or if there was a way to create chaos, abduct her, and then send her to the outer city to hide.

Han Tong was the Princess's biological father; would he be willing to risk execution to send her away?

Chen Ji observed the route for a long time but ultimately dismissed the idea. Anding Gate was too close to the Imperial Palace, less than two li away in total. If firearms were used to create chaos, the nine gates of the inner city would likely close immediately: Dongzhi Gate, Xizhi Gate, Chaoyang Gate, Desheng Gate, Anding Gate, Xuanwu Gate, Chongwen Gate...

There would be no time to escape the inner city.

Furthermore, all high-ranking palace officials would be alerted. The Jiefan Guards and the Secret Intelligence Bureau would frantically scour the inner city. Even the Chen, Qi, Hu, and Xu families would have no reason to impede the inner court's search; anyone who did would be considered an accomplice.

Moreover, Chen Ji wasn't sure how much risk Han Tong was willing to take for the Princess.

He turned back.

As he passed Chessboard Street, a carriage approached from the opposite direction. Chen Ji lowered his head, darted into the shadows under the eaves, and quickly departed.

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of Bianyifang. The person inside did not alight but silently drew back the curtain, watching Chen Ji's retreating figure disappear into the distance through the gap.

Only when Chen Ji was completely out of sight did the person inside lower the curtain.

The coachman went to Bianyifang and knocked on the door. Someone inside opened it and emerged, standing in front of the carriage, cupping his hands. "Our master has finally returned to the capital."

The coachman used a bamboo stick to lift the curtain, revealing a woman in black robes seated upright inside the carriage.

The woman, wearing a black veiled hat, calmly asked, "Are there any urgent matters recently?"

The man standing by the carriage nervously reported, "To answer our master, Xiao Jiu was blinded by money and accidentally lost 400,000 frontier household salt certificates. Chen Yue of the Chen Family Salt Bureau promised him the use of 400,000 salt certificates, to be returned in full after the task, along with 20,000 taels of silver as commission. Now, the Chen Family Salt Bureau's matter wasn't resolved, and those 400,000 low-priced salt certificates cannot be recovered."

The woman asked calmly, "Where is Xiao Jiu?"

The man lowered his head and reported, "He's currently hanging from a rafter, being beaten by Third Master."

The woman lifted her skirt and alighted, walking into Bianyifang. "What's the use of beating him? The priority is to get those 400,000 salt certificates back. I've never made a losing deal in my life."