Green Mountain

In the bustling tea house, Lu Qian, Lu Xun, Lu Gen, and Jiang Liuxian were stationed in four directions, firmly controlling the first floor of the teahouse, enclosing Chen Ji, Lu Jin, and Bai Xingzhen at the table.

Jiang Liuxian’s gaze had always been on Chen Ji’s eyes, until now, she finally confirmed that the masked young man she met outside Chongli Pass that day was indeed Chen Ji.

She slowly grasped the knife handle, ready but withholding.

At this moment, Chen Ji raised his head.

He did not look at Lu Jin, nor Jiang Liuxian, but at Si Caogui behind Lu Jin, who was gazing at him with a complex expression.

Bai Xingzhen looked left at Lu Jin, right at Chen Ji, unable to grasp the situation for a moment, only feeling the atmosphere was heavy and eerie.

He tried to create a diversion: "Council Chief Executive Officer, some tea?"

"Thank you, Duke, but I haven’t had tea in a long time," Lu Jin smiled and shook his head, beckoning the attendant: "Please bring me a pot of plain water, thank you."

Bai Xingzhen praised: "Rumor has it that the Council Chief Executive Officer lives like an ascetic monk everyday, no alcohol, no tea, no meat, no fine clothes, sticking to simple meals. It’s really true."

Lu Jin was not pleased by the compliment: "It’s not worth mentioning."

Under the table, Chen Ji silently clenched his fist, the sword seed in his arm creeping out, poised within his cuff.

He spoke calmly: "What does the Council Chief Executive Officer need me for?"

Lu Jin earnestly scrutinized Chen Ji, as if trying to memorize his facial features: "The County Lord of Songmo is promising in youth, I have a nephew around the same age. Speaking of which, I do miss him; sometimes I wonder if he eats well, stays warm, and avoids danger."

Chen Ji picked up the tea for a sip, nonchalantly: "Why doesn’t the Council Chief Executive Officer bring the nephew with him for careful guidance? With your cultivation, surely he would achieve great things."

Lu Jin laughed: "I have too many enemies, frequently attacked. In the thirty-seventh year of Lisheng, twelve assassination attempts, thirty-eight, seven attempts, and in the fortieth, over twenty. Assailants poisoned, incited mutinies, bribed those close to me, sparing no means. To ensure my family’s safety, I must hide them in the countryside, only there can I ensure their survival in this chaotic world."

Putting down the teacup, Chen Ji said: "The Council Chief Executive Officer makes sense; indeed, it’s better to keep them hidden."

Si Caogui behind Lu Jin wanted to speak but hesitated, while Bai Xingzhen only grew more confused.

Just then, the attendant brought the plain water; initially exuberant, but upon nearing the table, felt chills, swallowing his words.

Putting the pot on the table, he swiftly retreated.

Lu Jin lifted his sleeves and poured himself a cup of plain water: "Times have changed. In the past, I struggled and could barely protect myself; now I’ve gained the skill to shield my family and plan to bring them back to Shangjing."

Picking up a piece of golden butter pastry, Chen Ji casually asked: "How does the Council Chief Executive Officer plan to arrange for this nephew?"

Lu Jin smiled: "My nephew surpasses me, a prodigy combining mastery in both literate and martial skills; literate enough to rival aristocratic families, martial enough to face myriad foes..."

Bai Xingzhen wondered aloud: "How could Lord Lu tell his nephew is a genius in literature and martial arts while secluded in the countryside? Literate skills to challenge the aristocrats, does he brawl with local gentry and nobles? Martial enough to face countless adversaries, could he have triumphed with a hoe over neighboring villages for water sources?"

Lu Jin did not reply, carried on: "I think, if my nephew comes to Shangjing, let him train in the army for a few years, and when the time is right, take charge of the Hu Ben Army as Great Commander, later serve as Military Governor governing a region. Upon his return to the Central, embodying the posture of Vice Prime Minister."

Bai Xingzhen widened his eyes: "Isn’t the Council Chief Executive Officer shamelessly favoring his own in promotions, is that suitable?"

Suddenly, Chen Ji asked: "How is your relationship with your sister, Council Chief Executive Officer?"

Reflecting, Lu Jin said: "Since young, my sister and I lost our mother and father, then aunt and uncle colluded with villains to seize our family’s title, leaving only us siblings to rely on each other. Later, when I ventured south to establish my career, misunderstandings arose, yet we are still each other’s closest family; there’s no conflict that cannot be resolved."

Chen Ji asked again: "What misunderstanding?"

Lu Jin sighed: "Due to a hastily received transfer order, I left Shangjing in a rush without farewell, making her think I was driven by cowardice, resulting in ten odd years of disdain."

Bai Xingzhen glanced left, right again, feeling like an invisible presence: "Are you two really not going to say anything to me? I am a Duke after all."

Chen Ji could not verify Lu Jin’s words at this moment, only stared into Lu Jin’s eyes: "Where is your sister now, Council Chief Executive Officer?"

Lu Jin replied with a smile: "She caused a scene in Shangjing last night and returned home now, rest assured, no one will trouble her."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Last night, only Si Caogui, Lin Chaoqing, and Mrs. Lu could have caused the commotion in the city. He didn’t know what role Si Caogui played in it, but he almost immediately guessed what Mrs. Lu was there to do... to kill Lin Chaoqing for him.

Lu Jin looked at Chen Ji and said warmly, "What are your plans for the future, Songmo County Marquis? Will you stay in Shangjing as the Right Guard Middle General, or do you plan to leave Shangjing?"

Chen Ji replied calmly, "I haven’t decided yet."

Lu Jin did not press him: "You have done a great service in protecting, and should take good advantage of the experience at the Right Guard. Your future is limitless, and glory and wealth are within easy reach. Whenever you’ve made up your mind, you can come find me."

Saying this, Lu Jin stood up, saluted Bai Xingzhen, and left with big strides. Si Caogui hesitated at every step before finally following Lu Jin.

Chen Ji watched as the other party got on a carriage, disappearing beyond the door, escorted by guards, silent for a long time.

Bai Xingzhen paced for a while and suddenly asked, "You’re Lu Jin’s nephew, aren’t you?"

Chen Ji did not answer, lost in thought.

Bai Xingzhen exclaimed, "You have an uncle as the Council Chief Executive Officer, why go to the trouble of concealing your identity and mixing into my Bai Family? Wouldn’t it be easier to turn to him? Oh, I understand, you resent he’s treated your mother harshly, so you refuse to rely on his power. Yet today he came to the door, practically begging you to stay. If you go to him, it will be a smooth path ahead."

Chen Ji still did not respond.

Bai Xingzhen stuffed a piece of pastry into his mouth and mumbled, "First grind a few years at the Right Guard, then a few years as a Great Commander in the Hu Ben Army. Once you take on the role of a Military Governor and return to the Central, with my support, plus the Council Chief Executive Officer and Princess Liyang aiding you, becoming the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is just around the corner. Then you truly will be beneath one person yet above tens of thousands... Tsk tsk! No wonder that woman Liyang said you’re her greatest support! With Lu Jin’s current power, he could treat the Fourth Prince as a discard and turn to ally with Liyang. By then, Yuan Xiang might not be your match..."

Bai Xingzhen took a sip of tea: "Oh, are you and Liyang meeting at the Pingkang Square South Curve on Lantern Festival Night? You must take me along. I’m one of Liyang’s supports now; that woman ought to respect me more."

Just then, someone at the adjacent table discussed last night’s happenings: "I was hiding on the second floor, listening to footsteps on the roof. The Marquis shot a flurry of arrows, yet that man in Hu Ben Army’s leather armor, with a shake of the straw coat, sent the arrows back. I watched through the window crack as the Imperial Guard fell from the rooftops like rain..."

"The three of them were shouting for their brother and sister, they must be siblings. The brother and younger brother protected that elder sister during the escape. The elder brother had escaped but came back to save the younger brother, very touching!"

Bai Xingzhen listened in shock, "What nonsense is that?"

The next moment, someone said, "I live in Datong Square. I saw that woman nearly escape to the city gate, but then a man and a woman came chasing, following her out of the city."

"What man and woman? It’s the Temple of Martial Arts’ Chang Sheng and Qiubai. These two are formidable, with Chang Sheng mastering the Heaven and Earth Talisman Array and Qiubai excelling in the iron-bodied Eight Extremes Shattering Fist. They’re oft mentioned in the storyteller’s tales. I heard recently they were pursuing a woman who stole the Holy Relic of the Weapon Master into Shangjing, and it turned out to be last night!"

"Not just those two. This morning, as I was entering the city, I saw the Right Martial Guard’s Vanguard Camp departing. They must be out to pursue that woman."

An elder asked confusingly, "Why is that woman being hunted? Isn’t it said that the Imperial Guard and Temple of Martial Arts lost her trail? How did she show up on her own again?"

"Who knows?"

Chen Ji took a deep breath and turned to Bai Xingzhen: "Sorry, I can’t take you to see the Lanterns on Lantern Festival Night."

Bai Xingzhen was startled, then suddenly realized and whispered, "Are they talking about your mother?"

Chen Ji headed towards the door, but Bai Xingzhen quickly grabbed his wrist, hurriedly whispering, "Wait!"

Chen Ji looked back at him.

Bai Xingzhen asserted, "Ride Zhaolei, Zhaolei can travel a thousand miles in a day!"

Chen Ji was slightly stunned before bowing and giving a cupped fist salute, sincerely saying, "Thank you, Duke Huang!"

Bai Xingzhen grinned, "Finally called me Duke Huang, now remember to treat me with more respect in the future!"

"Certainly!" Chen Ji strode out of the teahouse, unhitched the harness, mounted the horse, and galloped southward.

Bai Xingzhen quickly stepped to the teahouse door, holding the frame, watching Chen Ji as he gradually rode away, remaining silent for a long time.

Turning his head, he was suddenly startled to see Old Ears had returned unnoticed, standing by the table, gathering pastries into his clothes.

Bai Xingzhen asked with irritation, "Where did you run off to earlier?"

Old Ears, with pastries bundled, hurriedly ran out, casually commenting as he passed Bai Xingzhen, "You do bear some resemblance to your father."

Bai Xingzhen stood still, stunned.

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