195. Chen Mansion

The heavy vermilion lacquered door of the Chen Mansion was slowly opened a crack from the inside.

A servant looked through the crack in the door and saw that it was Chen Ji, so he immediately closed the door again.

Chen Ji did not urge him, but just waited quietly in front of the door.

He heard the servant shouting from behind the door: "Butler, butler! The Third Young Master is back, what should we do?"

There were footsteps inside the door, and the housekeeper frowned: "How many times have I told you that there are only two young masters in the Chen Mansion, where did the third young master come from?"

After a moment, the vermilion lacquer door opened again, a gap as wide as a person's width. The butler stood in the crack, looking Chen Ji up and down.

Finally, his eyes fell on the blue bag on Chen Ji's shoulder: "You...why are you back?"

Chen Ji asked calmly, "Prince Jing's Mansion is gone, and the Taiping Medical Clinic is gone too, so I have no choice but to come back."

The housekeeper rolled his eyes and twitched his mustache: "Chen Ji, it was the master who asked you to go to the clinic as an apprentice. Now that you want to come back, you should at least ask the master first, right?"

Chen Ji reached out and pressed on the animal heads on the red door, then gently pushed it open.

The housekeeper wanted to block the door, but was almost pushed to the ground.

Chen Ji walked straight inside. The housekeeper stumbled and stood up, trying to grab his arm: "How dare you barge in? The master is not at home. You have to ask the master before you can return to the Chen Mansion!"

However, at this moment, a voice came from the front hall: "What's the commotion so early in the morning? This is the residence of the Luocheng Tongzhi, not a common teahouse."

Chen Ji looked up and saw a middle-aged woman wearing a purple stand-up collar and a large lapel. She wore a pure gold crown on her head, a heart-shaped ornament inlaid with bright green jade was inserted in the middle of the crown, and a glass-type blue and white top hairpin was inserted on the top of her bun. Even Concubine Jing rarely dressed so formally on weekdays.

Such a detailed and exquisite headdress has only been seen on Concubine Yun.

Chen Liqin's first wife was Liang.

Chen Ji turned around and bowed, "Madam."

Liang stood on the steps of the main hall, looking at him with a smile: "You're finally back, but how strange it is that you've been away for two years? You used to call me mother, but now you just call me Madam. If this gets out, people will really think we're mother and son apart, and they'll also laugh at us for having no rules in the Chen Mansion."

In the Ning Dynasty, there was a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Illegitimate children could only call their biological mothers "aunt" or "little mother", but they had to call their legitimate mothers "mother".

But Chen Ji could not utter these two words no matter what. He could endure other things, but not this one.

He bowed again and changed the subject: "Madam, now that Prince Jing's mansion and the clinic have been sealed, I plan to return home and study the classics with my brother while I wait for the next imperial examination."

Seeing that he refused to change his words, Liang did not get angry.

She raised her arm, and a maid immediately reached out to support it. "I heard from Wenxiao that you've reformed, which is good, but you've already been studying medicine for two years. Wouldn't it be a pity to give up halfway? I just heard that Master Qiao from the Imperial Hospital is looking to take in a disciple. How about..."

As he was speaking, a carriage slowly stopped outside the door, and the wooden wheels made a hard clattering sound as they pressed against the bluestone road.

Chen Ji turned around and saw Chen Liqin, dressed in a red official robe, lifting the door curtain and being helped down by the coachman.

Officials of the Ning Dynasty had to go to the yamen before dawn at the hour of Mao, and by the time they reached the hour of Si, it was time to finish their official business and go home for lunch.

As Chen Liqin stepped into the room, he looked up and saw Chen Ji and the bag on his shoulder. His eyes lit up. "When did you come back? Where have you been these past few days with all the chaos in Los Angeles? I was worried about you for a while."

Chen Ji smiled and saluted: "I'm just at Taiping Medical Clinic, I haven't been anywhere else."

Chen Liqin was stunned for a moment: "Really? Then what are you doing now..."

Chen Ji explained, "Prince Jing's Mansion and Taiping Medical Clinic are about to be sealed. I plan to return home and prepare for the next imperial examination."

"Okay, okay," Chen Liqin said three times in a row, pulling Chen Ji's arm and walking inside. "You should think so. Studying medicine is ultimately a minor path. Being able to read the classics and serve as a shepherd in the future is what a real man should do. In a year, I will send a letter to Donglin Academy and discuss your admission with the dean."

Liang said gently, "Master, this matter can be discussed in the long run. Chen Ji has just returned home, so please don't talk about his studies for now. He is watching the Liu family's rebellion coming and going at the edge of the palace. He must be eating and sleeping poorly. I will arrange a place for him to stay so that he can

Good rest."

Chen Liqin suddenly realized and quickly explained to the housekeeper, "I remember that when Liang's brother-in-law came a while ago, Mingquan Garden had just been cleaned up. Now that he's gone, it's a perfect place for Chen Ji to live. Wang Gui, take Chen Ji to Mingquan Garden and settle him down."

Liang scolded him, "Master, you're confused. Mingquan Garden is a temporary residence for guests and is too far from the main house. We should place Chen Ji next to Wenzong and Wenxiao so that the three brothers can get closer. If he has any academic questions, Wenzong and Wenxiao can help him."

Chen Liqin stroked his beard, thoughtfully saying, "That makes sense."

Liang instructed the housekeeper, "Wang Gui, take Chen Ji to Tingquan Garden and settle him down."

Chen Liqin sighed, "Madam, you are so thoughtful. Our family is so grateful to you."

Liang smiled and said, "Master, you are too kind."

…

…

Chen Ji followed the housekeeper through the Chen Mansion's five-in-five-outlet mansion, passed through the hanging flower gate, walked past the screen wall, and hurriedly walked along the rain corridor with blue bricks, gray tiles and red pillars.

The Chen Mansion was so big that it didn't seem like the residence of a prefect. In his impression, the palaces of some small princes of the Ning Dynasty only had people entering and leaving them five times.

Each courtyard has an independent main house, east and west ear rooms, east and west wing rooms, and back houses. The entire Chen Mansion is like a maze.

When they arrived at the gate of Tingquan Garden, the housekeeper removed the copper padlock on the door with a smile on his face and pushed open the rotten door.

The small courtyard was filled with miscellaneous items, including tiles and blue bricks used to repair the house stacked in two rows, and more than ten barrels of tung oil used to preserve the wood of the house.

The housekeeper raised his lips slightly and turned back to observe Chen Ji's reaction: "Third Young Master, you will live here from now on."

Chen Ji didn't care. He walked across the yard and pushed open the door of the main house.

The room was filled with discarded tables, chairs, and benches, and the bare bed board was piled high with documents from the Luocheng government office.

He ran his hand across the table, picking up the thick dust.

The housekeeper said earnestly, "Third Young Master, if you are not satisfied with this residence, you can go and talk to the Madam. I cannot make the decision on this matter."

Chen Ji said casually: "It's nice here."

"Hmm?" The housekeeper was stunned for a moment: "What did you say?"

Chen Ji smiled and said, "I think this place is nice and quiet, but it's a little dirty."

The housekeeper hurriedly said, "There was a war in Luocheng a few days ago. The servants have been busy cleaning up the mess in the mansion these days, so I can't assign anyone to you."

Chen Ji looked at him deeply and said, "It's okay, I can clean it myself."

The butler was a little nervous, not knowing what Chen Ji was up to. He took a few steps outside, half believing and half believing. "You said that yourself. If the master asks about it, don't blame me."

Chen Ji smiled and said, "Don't worry, having a place to stay is good enough. I can't express my gratitude enough."

The butler became even more nervous, lowering his head to wonder if Chen Ji had any other tricks up his sleeve waiting for him.

However, he felt a little relieved when he thought of how cowardly and helpless Chen Ji had been: What kind of trouble could a bastard who had been cowardly for more than ten years cause?

While he was thinking, a servant ran to the gate of Tingquan Garden and shouted, "Godfather, the master sent me to ask if the Third Young Master's accommodation has been arranged. If so, take him to Wenyun Hall. The master said he has something to ask him before lunch."

The butler answered loudly: "It's arranged, I'll be right there!"

…

…

There is a plaque hanging in the Wenyun Hall of the Chen Mansion with three large gold-painted characters reading "Teacher's Honor".

The couplet on the left reads: "Although I am poor to the bone, I still have a way to live. It is better to study than to starve to death."

Couplet on the right: "If you are not satisfied with your studies, you must hone yourself in various ways. A good literary talent means a good fortune."

Chen Ji looked up, picked up his clothes and stepped over the high threshold.

In the hall, Chen Liqin and Liang sat on the armchairs on the left and right, while Chen Wenzong and Chen Wenxiao sat at the bottom.

When Chen Wenzong saw Chen Ji, he immediately stood up with joy and said, "Third brother, you finally came back? No wonder father said something important happened at home and called us here in a hurry. I just asked him what it was, but he kept it a secret and refused to tell me."

Chen Wenxiao sat crookedly in his chair and curled his lips: "Earlier, you said you would never come back."

Chen Wenzong frowned and shouted at Chen Wenxiao, "Shut up!"

Chen Wenxiao shrank his neck and stopped talking.

"Ahem," Chen Liqin cleared his throat. "I called you here today to remind you three brothers to work together from now on and avoid any further estrangement. As the saying goes, brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons fight in battle. A hundred years after I'm gone, the court will still need you three brothers to watch over and support each other. No one else can be considered sincere."

Chen Wenzong bowed hastily and said, "Father is right. I will definitely keep this in mind."

Chen Ji smiled and responded, "I will definitely learn from my elder brother and take him as my role model."

Chen Liqin looked at Chen Wenxiao and said in a deep voice, "What about you?"

Chen Wenxiao sat on the chair and said reluctantly, "Me too."

Chen Liqin shouted angrily, "Sit up straight! You don't know how to stand or sit properly. I think you're worse than Chen Ji now!"

Chen Wenxiao's face changed: "I am Yuzhou Yayuan, what is he? How can he compare with me!"

Chen Liqin said coldly: "Your Ya Yuan... let's not talk about it!"

At this moment, Liang placed the teacup on the table and said, "By the way, Chen Ji, I've heard rumors in the market that you, the Crown Prince, the Princess, and others have created cement, and you receive dividends every year from the newly established Construction Engineering Bureau. Is this true?"

Chen Ji remained calm and asked, "Where did you hear that, Madam?"

Chen Wenxiao sneered, "Liu Quxing from your Taiping Clinic has already told his family about this great event. His father even threw a banquet to entertain relatives and friends to show off. What? You still don't want to admit it?"

Chen Ji smiled and said, "There's no need to admit it. This is true. I do receive 2,500 taels of silver from the Construction Preparation Bureau every year."

"How much?" Chen Wenxiao stood up suddenly. "Liu Quxing can only receive a few hundred taels, why can you receive so much?"

Chen Ji kept silent.

Liang smiled gently, then turned to Chen Liqin and said, "I suddenly thought of this today, and I'm worried. Young people like to play, and Chen Ji had a gambling incident before. Now that he has finally come to his senses, I'm worried that he's too rich and may make a big mistake."

Before Chen Liqin could speak, Liang continued, "Master, it's not easy for Chen Ji to turn over a new leaf now. It's time for him to study hard. We must not let him fall into bad habits again. This is what I think. I will leave this money with Chen Ji in the Chen Mansion. I will not touch it. When Chen Ji needs money, he can come and report to withdraw it. When he passes the imperial examination, I will give him all the money."

Chen Liqin pondered. It was true that young people with too much money were more likely to develop bad habits. As a parent, one's biggest worry was their children going astray. He had been heartbroken when Chen Ji had taken to gambling, and he absolutely could not let him make the same mistake again.

But when he glanced at Chen Ji, he didn't know how to start.

His youngest son had just returned home. If he suddenly asked the other party to take out so much silver, he might leave in anger again.

But Chen Ji knew very well that his stepmother was not trying to take advantage of his money.

Although 2,500 taels was a lot, it was not too tempting for the Luocheng Tongzhi. Moreover, Chen Liqin was not an ordinary Tongzhi. The Chen family was well-established and had deep roots, so how could they be short of money?

Liang said these words in order to anger him again and leave.

In the strange and solemn atmosphere, Chen Wenxiao suddenly said, "Father, I think Mother is right. If Chen Ji hadn't had such a bad record before, it would be fine. But now that we have learned from the past, we must not leave the silver in his hands. This is for his own good."

Chen Liqin thought about it again and again, then looked up at Chen Ji: "What do you think?"

Chen Ji smiled and said, "Madam, you have thought it through carefully. Nothing is wrong."

As he finished speaking, a servant stumbled in and almost tripped over a crack in the bricks in the yard. "Master, this is bad!"

Chen Liqin's face darkened. "How can you be so flustered? The sky hasn't fallen yet!"

The servant stood outside the door, his face pale as he reported: "Master, there are eunuchs outside the door, claiming to be Jiaotu and Yunyang from the Secret Service!"

Chen Liqin stood up suddenly: "What? Who's here?"

"Bright Rabbit and Cloud Sheep!"

Chen Liqin's body swayed.

He had a burning concern: the proclamation he had written to Mr. Feng to smite the rebels was still missing. If the eunuchs got their hands on it, he would be guilty along with the Liu family!

(End of this chapter)