Green Mountain

In the crowd, Bai Xingzhen, small and thin at the age of twelve, appeared particularly youthful. But as he stood under the lamp in a white robe, with something hanging from his waist, he faintly resembled a noble young master of Shangjing.

Chen Ji was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Fulfilling the promise with you is something I must do upon returning to Shangjing. Zhaolei cannot repay you, but if we meet on the battlefield one day, I will spare your life."

Bai Xingzhen grinned and said, "Don’t underestimate me; you treated me like a child just now. When you meet me on the battlefield, you’ll know how formidable the Bai family’s troops are."

Chen Ji replied with a hum, "Maybe we’ll never meet on the battlefield in this lifetime?"

"That would be best. I hope both dynasties can live in peace without any more fighting," Bai Xingzhen tugged at his sleeve and walked deeper into Pingkang Square, "That woman Liyang should still be at the Huaye Xianghui Building; let’s have a meal first."

Pingkang Square, also known as North City, is the ’Powerful Officials’ District’ of Shangjing City.

Nanqu Lane is the most favorable and spacious street in the square, where the best taverns and brothels in Shangjing City are located.

The performers there are famous for their talents, excelling in poetry, lyrics, music, and drinking games. Famous figures from the Jing Dynasty like Yang Miaoyi and Wang Tuan’er reside here, new scholars, Hanlin officials, nobles, and descendants of prestigious families all are esteemed guests.

Bai Xingzhen stood outside a brothel, eager to try, "Will you take me in for a look? This is Wang Tuan’er’s place. They say she is as beautiful as a heavenly immortal, and her singing can attract heavenly larks. The Fourth Prince is captivated by her, running to Nanqu every day..."

Before he could finish, Chen Ji grabbed him by the collar and walked forward; Bai Xingzhen wriggled free, "Alright, alright, I won’t go to the brothel! I already said not to treat me like a child; don’t carry me around like that again!"

He led Chen Ji to a tavern entrance, "Here are the two taverns at the entrance of Nanqu. Let’s go upstairs and sit by the window; as long as the old master and that Liyang woman come to Nanqu, we will certainly see them."

Chen Ji looked around.

The tavern on the right was named ’Pipa Bar,’ and the one on the left was named ’Not as good as the Western Capital Road.’

Chen Ji puzzled over the name on the left, "This name..."

At this moment, a clamor came from above.

He looked up and saw scholars standing on the balcony on the second floor of both taverns, engaged in an exchange across Nanqu Lane.

A scholar on the left loudly recited, "Loosen the keys to open the layered city, Heavenly Street’s myriad torches brighten."

A scholar on the right paused momentarily, then continued, "Green cords entwine pine and cypress, flowing clouds coil around the Imperial City."

Immediately, a scholar on the left continued, "Stepping in song with flourishing blossoms, pursuit teams hold bunny lanterns..."

The verses drew out the girls from nearby brothels, leaning against the balustrade with silken handkerchiefs covering their faces, giggling incessantly.

At this moment, a young scholar upstairs at ’Not as good as the Western Capital Road’ hesitated, unable to continue his verse; suddenly, a girl called out teasingly, "Young lad, do you need help? Overlook the joyous place, high platform beckons the stars!"

The young scholar who received the help quickly clasped his hands in thanks, "Thank you, miss!"

The girl covered her face with a coquettish laugh, "Just thanking me with words? Come, I’ll teach you to write poetry."

The young scholar blushed.

Girls throughout the lane began to laugh, "Sister Tuan’er, spare him!"

"So she’s Wang Tuan’er!" Bai Xingzhen looked up excitedly, "So indeed charming and alluring, no wonder the Fourth Prince is enchanted by her."

Chen Ji pointed upstairs, "What’s happening here?"

Bai Xingzhen explained, "This is called poem-linking. Spring is the time for our dynasty’s Imperial Examinations, so scholars traveling to the capital for exams have nothing to do but drink and link verses in Nanqu. Each person follows with a line of verse, and if one side cannot follow within thirty minutes, it is considered a loss. Look, the tavern on the left is opened by Tokyo Road nobles, and the one on the right by Western Capital Road nobles; they’ve been in competition for many years. If one side wins, they get to award the other a plaque to hang at their door for an entire year."

Chen Ji suddenly understood; "Not as good as the Western Capital Road" originated from such a win, stinging the other side for a whole year.

He pondered and then turned toward ’Not as good as the Western Capital Road,’ Liyang Princess and Tokyo Dao Jiedu Envoy Jiang Yushou were allies, if they visited Nanqu, they should enter the Tokyo Road tavern.

...

...

The two went up the stairs one after the other. By the time they reached the second floor, the railings were filled with young scholars, leaving no space for Chen Ji and Bai Xingzhen.

Bai Xingzhen lowered his head, took a silver ingot from his wallet, and tossed it to the waiter, "Bring us a table by the window; I’ll pay for their drinks."

The waiter hurried to a table where a young scholar had only ordered a pot of thin wine and two small plates. Weighing the silver in his hand, he gestured to Bai Xingzhen and Chen Ji, whispering a few words.

The scholar saluted Chen Ji, carrying his plates to an inner table.

Bai Xingzhen casually sat down beside the table, reciting dish names as if announcing a menu: "Red Sheep Branch Staff, Camel’s Hoof Soup, Luminous Shrimp Roast..."

Chen Ji was not in the mood to eat or drink, nor did he care to listen to recitations. His gaze remained fixed downstairs, searching for Old Yao’s figure. He waited left, then right, but even by 9 to 11 PM, the eaves of the tavern were already adorned with poems by young scholars, yet the other party hadn’t come to Nanqu.

Bai Xingzhen, seemingly contemplative, lowered his voice and asked, "Could it be that the old master assumed you’ve already left the Jing Dynasty and thus decided not to come?"

Chen Ji was silent for a moment, "No."

At this time, a group of people walked past downstairs, with the first three entering the brothel next door, and the remaining eight guarding the front and back entrances. This group came quietly as if not intending to alert others.

Bai Xingzhen craned his neck to observe for a moment: "It’s the Fourth Prince, the one supported by Lu Jin."

Chen Ji pondered for a brief moment before standing up: "Let’s go. This place has become a site of contention; it’s not suitable to linger."

Bai Xingzhen was shocked: "Not waiting anymore?"

Chen Ji resolutely said: "I brought you out, so I must take you back. Let’s go. I’ll take you back to the Duke Mansion and then return to wait."

Bai Xingzhen unwillingly grumbled as he got up: "The Fourth Prince often comes to find Sister Tuan’er; it’s nothing new. He’s here for pleasure, so why has this become a place of contention... Hey, they’re here!"

Following Bai Xingzhen’s gaze downstairs, Chen Ji saw Old Yao, Princess Liyang, Liang Gou’er, Liang Mao’er, and the Princely Heir Zhu Yunxi arriving together, smiling heartily, while Jiang Pan led six guards at their sides.

Bai Xingzhen pulled Chen Ji back to the chair: "Sit down quickly; the old master has come specially to meet you. Don’t miss out."

Chen Ji sat back in his chair, looking down at the scene below, just as Princess Liyang lifted her head to glance over.

After their eyes met, Princess Liyang nonchalantly looked down to chat and laugh with Old Yao: "Sir, you must be tired from walking. Let’s find a place to eat. The delicacies of Nanqu Lane are unique to Shangjing City."

But instead of entering Chen Ji’s place named "Not as good as the Western Capital Road," Princess Liyang held Old Yao’s arm and entered the tavern opposite, settling on the second floor.

Princess Liyang ordered dishes from the waiter, focusing on her orders without glancing again in Chen Ji’s direction, and even Old Yao and Liang Gou’er followed suit.

Chen Ji frowned slightly, his gaze scanned downstairs again, where over twenty young men had silently swarmed into Nanqu Lane, standing guard beneath the tavern opposite.

Their eyes were sharp, and short knives were hidden in their sleeves, their sturdy frames scarcely concealed by winter clothes.

Two young men ascended to the second floor of the tavern, sitting at the neighboring square table to Princess Liyang, slowly eating two small plates, their eyes subtly glancing towards Princess Liyang.

Lu Jin’s Imperial Guard?

The sound of footsteps echoed, as Chen Ji silently retracted his gaze towards the stairway beside him. Two members of the Imperial Guard had split off to join him on the second floor of his tavern, sitting at a table with their eyes fixed intently on Princess Liyang opposite.

Chen Ji silently looked towards the second floor of the opposite tavern, separated by a mere ten feet wide Nanqu Lane, yet unable to sit together for a reunion meal, not even utter a word.

At this moment, scholars were still composing verses, having written over a hundred lines on the theme of Lantern Festival Night.

Amidst the clamor, Chen Ji glanced over as dishes were served, tableware arranged, when Princess Liyang suddenly called out: "Waiter, add another pair of chopsticks; we have one person who can’t come so place the bowl and chopsticks as if he’s joining us for the reunion meal."

Chen Ji was momentarily taken aback.

He watched as the waiter brought over a bowl and chopsticks, and Princess Liyang placed an empty bowl aside, handing the chopsticks to Old Yao.

Old Yao placed a piece of grilled lamb into the empty bowl; Liang Gou’er added a piece of sashimi with a mocking laugh, Liang Mao’er placed a sesame paste cake, while Zhu Yunxi put in a piece of Jade Rice Paste.

Princess Liyang cheerfully took another empty bowl, filled it generously with wine, and set it aside, before lifting her sleeve to pour for the others: "The New Year’s Eve cup is filled with wine; where is there no kinsfolk? Drink fully!"

Chen Ji watched as Old Yao and the others clinked their cups with the bowl on the table and drank deeply. He sniffed, instinctively reaching for the table to drink before remembering they hadn’t ordered wine.

Bai Xingzhen’s eyes twinkled, calling out loudly: "Keeper, bring wine, bring the best!"

The waiter brought a jug, and Bai Xingzhen rose to pour a full cup for Chen Ji and himself, lifting his cup: "Down it!"

Chen Ji silently picked up his cup and drank it all in one go.

Bai Xingzhen tilted his head back, sending the wine burning down his throat, his eyes tearing up as he fanned his mouth: "So spicy, so spicy! What’s so good about this stuff?"

...

There’s another Chapter tonight, everyone can read it by the morning

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