Green Mountain

Outside Zichen Hall, the grand Nuo dance unfolded, drums and music resounding in unison.

Inside Zichen Hall, the palace eunuchs carried in the first grand course—whole mutton "Mo Hu"—in a smooth, flowing line.

The eunuchs first presented the whole mutton Mo Hu to those in the front row—Yuan Xiang, Lu Jin, the Princes, and the others. Just as they were about to serve the second row, they saw Bai Jian give a subtle signal.

One eunuch followed Bai Jian’s line of sight, instantly understood, and carried the tray straight toward the corner of the last row.

When the whole mutton Mo Hu was placed on the table in front of Princess Liyang and Bai Xingzhen, neither of them picked up their chopsticks; they only sat side by side behind the table, silently staring at the goose meat on the platter.

Neither of them spoke nor moved their chopsticks; they sat there like two statues, no one knowing what they were holding out for.

A moment later, it was the younger Bai Xingzhen who finally could not hold out any longer.

He said, feigning nonchalance, "Sister Liyang, earlier today you tied me up and dragged me to the porridge stall for someone’s sake. Who was that person?"

Princess Liyang suddenly understood. "So it really was because of him."

Bai Xingzhen’s expression changed. "What did I say? Because of him what? Your Highness, have you misunderstood something?"

Princess Liyang smiled with a glint in her eyes. "For Duke Huang to ask after this person so out of the blue, what else could it be for? I suppose the one who saved the Emperor tonight must be him."

She then changed her mind. "No, that’s not right."

Bai Xingzhen asked in puzzlement, "What’s not right?"

Princess Liyang lifted her head, watching as one minister after another ate while secretly casting glances in their direction.

She pondered aloud, "The Bai Family has always been cautious, never leaning toward any particular Prince. If he had only earned merit by saving the Emperor, that would not be enough for you to stake a heavy wager and never look back. So, he not only saved my father, he saved you as well, isn’t that so?"

Bai Xingzhen said, somewhat vexed, "You woman are too sharp; I don’t want to talk to you anymore."

Princess Liyang’s smile blossomed as she picked up a piece of goose meat for him with her chopsticks. "Everyone wants their allies to be a little clever, don’t they? Rest easy, Duke Huang. I, Liyang, dare not promise much, but if you do not fail me, I will not fail you."

Bai Xingzhen said sulkily, "Sister Liyang, don’t overthink it. Allies or no allies, I’m only sitting by your side today to keep you alive. The Bai Family won’t truly go to war for you."

Princess Liyang glanced at the frequent looks cast their way in the great hall, her smile deepening. "That’s already enough."

Bai Xingzhen picked up a piece of goose meat and asked in a low voice, "That man has nerves of steel, daring to impersonate the Bai Family’s Army to enter the Imperial Capital... You clearly know him well. Who is he really?"

Princess Liyang covered her mouth with a laugh. "Duke, he is my greatest backing; how could I casually give him away?"

Bai Xingzhen held it in for half the day. "Forget it if you won’t say!"

At this moment, Emperor Jing raised his cup three times in a row; dishes flowed in like water. The atmosphere inside Zichen Hall also began to loosen. Since the ministers could not approach the Imperial Throne, Emperor Jing stepped down from it to clink cups and drink with them, chatting idly.

After several rounds of wine, Emperor Jing said in a resonant voice, "This is a common feast. My lords, relax the formalities and drink your fill!"

The ministers answered in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

But even with Emperor Jing’s words, the banquet remained solemn without being stiff, lively without descending into excess. Yuan Xiang, Lu Jin, and the Princes still sat properly behind their tables, while the ministers left their seats in turn to offer them toasts in an orderly fashion.

Emperor Jing sat upon the Imperial Throne, observing with interest, and quietly asked Bai Jian, "Have you counted?"

Without a moment’s thought, Bai Jian replied, "Those who went to toast the Fourth Prince: twenty-seven. Those who went to toast the Sixth Prince: forty-one. There are still forty-three who have not moved."

Just as he finished speaking, the Left Prime Minister of the Ministry of Personnel suddenly rose, holding his cup, and walked through the sea of watching eyes to Princess Liyang’s table. He bowed and said, "Your Highness, at year’s end and the turning of the season, I wish you and your household peace and health, and all things as you desire."

Bai Jian leaned closer to Emperor Jing and said, "A man of the Left Minister’s faction. In the past, he often impeached Princess Liyang."

Emperor Jing stroked his beard, his gaze falling from afar upon Princess Liyang. He saw her rise with a smile, lift a cup to clink with the Left Prime Minister’s, and tilt back her head to drain it in one go.

Immediately after, another person rose and stepped forward to toast Princess Liyang, then another, one following on the heels of the last without end.

Emperor Jing watched for a while and asked, "How many now?"

Bai Jian murmured, "Twelve. Some are from the Left Minister’s faction, some from the Six Ministries, all ministers who have been suppressed for years by Yuan Xiang and Lu Jin."

At this point, Bai Jian lifted his eyes to steal a glance at Emperor Jing, then lowered his lids again. "Your Majesty, Her Highness is magnanimous indeed; these are all men who have impeached her."

Emperor Jing said carelessly, "Bai Jian, are you also planning to leave yourself a way out?"

Bai Jian bent even lower, replying in fright, "This Court Minister would not dare."

Emperor Jing smiled faintly and said no more.

By now, Princess Liyang had drained cup after cup; her cheeks were already flushed.

When the ministers at last ceased, Bai Xingzhen cast her a glance. "Others only take a sip—why are you drinking so much?"

Princess Liyang filled her own cup once more and drained it alone.

She set the cup down and let out a long breath of pent-up gloom. "Because I’m happy."

Bai Xingzhen looked at the hall full of ministers and curled his lip. "Those are all people who impeached you, and you can still drink with them."

Princess Liyang smiled, her words tinged with a hint of drunkenness. "Duke, in this court, the most harmful things are hatred and vanity."

Her voice had scarcely fallen when Emperor Jing’s voice sounded from the Imperial Throne. "Liyang."

That voice passed through the lofty, magnificent dome of Zichen Hall, as if descending from the heavens. Princess Liyang suddenly raised her head and said in a clear voice, "Your daughter is here."

Emperor Jing spoke slowly, "Little Fourteen is still young. I permit you to Open Door and be assisted."

Yuan Xiang’s drooping eyelids suddenly snapped open, and the hand with which Lu Jin was serving Yuan Zhong dishes also paused.

So-called Open Door did not mean moving out to live separately, but that a Prince was allowed to recruit men of humble origin and talent on his own, appointing them as the household’s Chief Historian, Sima, Military Secretary, Cang Cao Canjun, Military Officer...

Ordinary Princes could only have a scant few Attendants; only a Quasi-Heir could Open Door.

This was a complete set of appointments that did not need to go through selection by the Ministry of Personnel, nor fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Secretariat and Minxia. After accession to the throne, they could be transferred directly into the Central Secretariat, the Imperial Censorate, and the Six Ministries to take charge, so as to prevent powerful ministers in court from hampering them.

At present in the Jing Dynasty, the only ones who had been allowed to Open Door were the Fourth Prince and the Sixth Prince.

Princess Liyang sat in a daze for a long time, as if she had not yet reacted.

Emperor Jing teased, "What, you are unwilling?"

Princess Liyang came back to her senses, rose from behind the desk, and walked to the center of the palace path.

Outside Zichen Hall, under the night sky, there were thousands of people performing exorcism dances in the firelight. Under the hundreds of candles within Zichen Hall, all the ministers turned their heads to look at her.

Under the gaze of the multitude, Princess Liyang, dressed in men’s attire, alone upon the dragon-and-phoenix red carpet in the very center of the grand hall, bowed down to the ground: "Your daughter Liyang thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace."

The New Year’s Eve grand banquet began at sunset and did not disperse until the fifth period of night.

By the fifth night watch, the starlight was fading, the candles within the hall were about to burn out, and the ceremonial officer intoned praises in a loud voice. The assembled ministers rose and took their positions, then performed three grand bows.

Bai Jian said in a clear voice, "The vigil rite is complete. All of you may return home to rest on holiday."

The Princes and ministers first went before the Imperial Throne to take their leave, and then the civil and military officials, following the order of civil servants on the east and soldiers on the west, walked slowly out of Zichen Hall. The courtyard torches at the palace gates were extinguished one after another, and only then could the New Year’s Eve grand banquet be said to have fully dispersed, leaving behind a ground full of disorder, whirled about along the floor by the cold wind.

After Princess Liyang’s carriage left the palace, it went straight to Ban Zheng Square, and when it reached the gate, the Maids helped her alight and return to the residence.

But Princess Liyang, drunk and dizzy, flung off the Maid’s arm and staggered toward the back courtyard. "Don’t follow me."

Alone, she passed through the long courtyards and, from afar, heard the sound of a wooden sword cleaving the air.

Princess Liyang pushed open the small gate to the back courtyard and saw Zhu Yunxi alone in the yard wielding a blade, his body steaming with heat.

She ignored Zhu Yunxi and instead sat down by the stone table in the courtyard, shouting with drunkenness, "Master, are you awake?"

A moment later, Old Yao, with a single outer garment draped over his shoulders, lifted the curtain and came out, saying irritably, "Yelling like a ghost at the crack of dawn—careful or the dog-catcher will haul you off with a loop..."

The next instant, the Princess Liyang who had all along held her head high and chest out, smiling in Zichen Hall, said nothing upon seeing Old Yao. She suddenly threw her head back and burst into loud sobs, letting the tears soak her temples.

In that crying, it seemed as though there was a sky-filling grievance mixed in.

The words Old Yao had been about to speak slowly faded away and turned into a sigh.

...

...

Duke Huang Mansion.

The Maids and servants rose early to sprinkle water and sweep the courtyards. A middle-aged scholar walked through the estate, and when the Maids and servants saw him, they all bowed and saluted. "Chief Steward."

Mr. Feng inclined his head slightly and came to the front of the West Wing. Even through the gate he could smell the strong stench of wine from within.

He furrowed his brows and pushed open the gate, only to see Chen Ji sitting alone on the stone steps, holding Wu Yun in his arms, lost in thought. The room behind Chen Ji, facing the opposite way, resounded with thunderous snores.

Mr. Feng went straight to the door, lifted the curtain, and glanced inside, then said in some surprise, "Old Ears? Why is he here?"

Chen Ji asked in puzzlement, "How do you know this man?"

Mr. Feng let the curtain fall. "I bought information from him twice. His intelligence has almost never gone wrong. Aside from asking a high price, he has no other faults... Why is he here?"

Chen Ji weighed his words as he explained, "This man and I shared a ship to Korea, and then he followed all the way here to Shangjing City. He has many identities—he’s served as a high official in Korea, he’s also been the Big Leader of mountain bandits in the Jing Dynasty, and he’s even been the Chieftain under Old Rong in Shangjing City..."

Mr. Feng arched his brows. "What kind of nonsense is that. Where did you all go last night? Did you take Duke Huang out with you?"

Chen Ji gave a soft "mm." "Yes."

Mr. Feng pondered. "You are far too bold. If he discovers that you are not Bai Wu..."

Before he could finish, they saw the Second Steward, panting for breath, run to the gate of the courtyard. "Chief Steward, Lord Duke has been found. He just returned from the palace, and says that last night he was at the New Year’s Eve grand banquet in Zichen Hall the whole time. There’s also a eunuch from the palace at Lord Duke’s side, who says he brought an Imperial Decree."

Mr. Feng said in surprise, "An Imperial Decree?"

The Second Steward cast a glance at Chen Ji, as if he had swallowed a fly. "They say it’s an Imperial Decree for Bai Wu. Because he rendered merit in guarding the throne last night, he is enfeoffed as Songmo County Marquis, granted five hundred mu of permanent land, and a fief of seven hundred Common Households."

Mr. Feng whipped his head around to look at Chen Ji.

The Second Steward went on, "Oh, and, the eunuch also said that His Majesty has appointed him Right Guard Fourth-rank Captain, concurrently serving as Forbidden Army Instructor, to oversee the drilling of Crossbow and mounted archery!"

Mr. Feng opened his mouth, but for a long time no words came out.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!