Chapter 20: How come my cousin was in his bedroom?
Ji Chengning was startled when he woke up because there was a dark thing lying next to him. He looked closely and saw that half of the bed was covered with hair.
It was jet black, long and thin, with a cool scent that was a mixture of bitter medicine and incense.
Ji Chengning made a move, and the long hair slid into his palm like water.
Yes, Cui Yao.
Ji Chengnin was not fully awake yet, and thought blankly for a moment, then—wait, Cui Yao?!
Why was my cousin in his bedroom?
Miss Cui had probably taken care of him all night without taking off her clothes. She was kneeling on the soft cushion under the bed, her head resting on one arm. Her hair was already messy, and her dark black hair was falling smoothly.
"surface……"
He suddenly fell silent.
Cui Yao was probably a light sleeper. Hearing such a soft sound, his long eyelashes trembled slightly. He slowly opened his eyes, which still held a hint of weariness.
Upon seeing the perfectly fine Ji Chengnin, he first smiled and said softly, "Your Highness, you're awake."
Ji Chengnin's ears tingled a little, and he muttered, "Where did Chizheng and Huaide go to slack off? Why is my cousin being made to keep watch at night?"
Cui Yao listened to him muttering softly, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly. He stood up and took the still-warm medicine bowl. "It's not that the young master's people are being lazy, but I'm thinking that everything started because of me, and it has affected the young master. If I'm not there, how can I be at ease?"
Ji Chengnin told the truth, "It has nothing to do with you."
Even if he didn't go out with Cui Yao, he would go out with others. Whether he could make it in time to save the person was unknown, but saving a life was always a good thing.
Then he realized that his words might seem perfunctory, so he laughed and said, "It's just a cold, it's nothing serious, cousin. Your brother is as strong as a lion from the Imperial Stables, so you can rest assured."
Cui Yao paused in her hand holding the bowl, and the jade spoon collided with the bowl with a "click".
Ji Chengnin looked up in confusion.
Cui Yao sat down by the bed with the medicine in her hand, her voice becoming even softer, "Your Highness was afraid I would worry, so drink this bowl of medicine and I will feel at ease."
Ji Chengning glanced at the medicine bowl out of the corner of his eye. The medicine was red and black, and the sour and bitter smell was pungent. Even Meng Po soup might not look like this. The young marquis's expression changed drastically, but then he smiled and changed the subject in what he thought was a nonchalant way, "After I fainted, who came?"
Cui Yao held the bowl steadily. "Imperial Physician Wang has arrived, and the old lady has also sent someone to see him." Ji Chengning looked at his face, and as soon as the two made eye contact, the young marquis immediately looked away. "The eldest son and the third son were also coming, but they were stopped. And..." He paused deliberately.
Ji Chengnin lived up to expectations and took the bait, "Who?"
"Lord Ji has arrived," Cui Yao nodded, "This medicine was sent by Lord Ji." He pushed the medicine bowl forward slightly. "Hmm?"
Ji Chengning knew he had caused his second uncle a lot of trouble, especially since His Majesty had appointed him to replace Xu Jing'en in his official position. The feud between Xu Sheng and the Ji family had become very serious.
He held his breath, faced death with equanimity, picked up the medicine bowl, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
As the medicine rushed down his throat, Ji Chengnin's expression changed drastically. He felt as if a fist was roughly stirring something in his mouth. The taste of the medicine was not exactly bitter, but rather a mixture of bitterness and spiciness. In the end, even the tip of his tongue went numb, while his throat and stomach felt hot and burning.
He stuck out his tongue and gasped twice, his mouth feeling extremely bitter, even the breath he inhaled tasted sweet.
Cui Yao thoughtfully offered Ji Chengning a cup of honey water.
Ji Chengnin was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. He drank half a cup before putting it down, complaining, "Is this a bowl? This is a whole vat!"
Cui Yao just smiled and gently coaxed, "Good medicine tastes bitter."
Perhaps it was because the medicine was too bitter, Ji Chengnin felt as if a layer of fog in his mind had dissipated, and he felt much more refreshed. He hummed, wanting to refute, but he was troubled by the fact that it was really true.
Cui Yao took the medicine bowl, her gaze sweeping over the damp marks on the rim.
This was certainly not the medicine that Ji Lin ordered someone to prepare.
However, as long as he says it was a gift from Ji Lin, Ji Chengning will obediently and willingly drink it all in one gulp.
Cui Yao lowered her eyes, trying her best to hide the almost uncontrollable gloom in them.
With his back to him, Ji Chengning smiled obliviously and said, "Cousin, you must be exhausted from keeping watch all night. Why don't you go back and rest? As you can see, I'm perfectly fine now."
Cui Yao turned her head and smiled, "Okay."
After seeing Cui Yao off, Ji Chengning first took a bath and changed his clothes. Then, A Luo forced him to eat a couple of bites of chicken porridge and side dishes before he was able to leave to find Ji Lin.
According to the laws of the imperial court, except for officials on duty, all officials of all ranks in the capital were entitled to a three-day holiday during the Flower Festival.
Ji Chengning asked Kan Zhu and learned that Ji Lin was in Wangle Hall and was not discussing matters with anyone else, so he quietly went in.
"Um?"
However, Ji Chengning looked around and found that there was no one in the main hall, only a few scrolls and a cup of tea scattered on the table.
The tea had long since cooled down, as if Ji Lin had been gone for a moment.
Ji Chengning was a little confused, thinking he had mistaken the bamboo. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard a slight noise coming from the inner room.
Yes, the click of striking a tinderbox.
He handled the musket every day, and had heard that sound at least eight hundred times, if not a thousand. He was certain that the inside was full of books and scrolls, and if a clumsy servant accidentally set the scrolls on fire, it would surely cause a great disaster.
Thinking of this, Ji Chengning walked around the screen and went straight into the inner room.
"Swish—"
Ji Chengning pulled back the curtain.
What met the eye was not the vast collection of books that one had imagined. The inner room, separated by three walls, was not large, only about two zhang in front and behind. The majority of the room was a shrine, on which stood a statue of a deity with bowed head and a compassionate expression. It was only ten inches tall, but the carving was extremely exquisite.
The only flaw is that the statue is yellowish and is not made of the common porcelain or jade, but rather—locust wood.
How can you use locust wood to make statues?
Ji Lin was standing in front of the altar, holding three thin incense sticks, when she heard the sound and turned her head.
The faint red dot was positioned right at the center of Ji Lin's lower lip, much like a blood-red mole.
Ji Lin looked at him.
The statue was looking at him.
Compassionate, slender eyebrows looked down at him, while Ji Lin's extremely cold eyes also looked down at him.
Ji Chengning was startled.
For a fleeting moment, Ji Chengning felt that the statue and his second uncle looked somewhat alike. The dim candlelight made the living person and the dead object seem to have the same face.
When Ji Lin saw that it was Ji Chengnin, her furrowed brows slowly relaxed. He turned to the side and, as usual, inserted the incense into the burner.
“I’ve heard about what happened in the palace,” Ji Chengnin said softly. “I’ve caused trouble for my second uncle.”
Ji Lin said calmly, "You know you've gotten yourself into trouble, but you're not beyond redemption."
Ji Chengnin's eyes flickered, but he didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Is Second Uncle very unwilling for me to become an official in Qinglu Guard?"
Ji Lin paused in holding the incense.
"Click".
A piece of incense broke off in his palm and slipped down.
Ji Lin then forcefully crushed the broken half of the incense stick, piling it together with the thick embers in the incense burner.
Ji Chengning was dumbfounded by his actions, having never seen his second uncle worship the gods like this before.
Regardless of which deity the statue represents, who would break and crush the incense halfway through offering it to someone? Is this a prayer? It's clearly an act of enmity!
Ji Lin turned slightly to the side. "How do you know?"
Ji Chengning said, “I am serving in the Qinglu Guard. This position is not very high-ranking, and I only do small tasks such as inspecting the capital. However, it has always been a position that only His Majesty’s confidants can hold. It is a coveted position that can directly reach the Emperor’s ears. If such a good thing falls into my lap, even if my second uncle is angry that I am impulsive, he will not even give me a smile.”
Ji Lin picked up another incense stick, neither confirming nor denying it.
"Secondly, if we can turn a blind eye to the fact that Lü Wei is inspecting the capital, he will surely make many connections with high-ranking officials. But if he is a fool who cannot tolerate any wrongdoing and does not know how to be flexible, he will only offend people."
Ji Lin hummed in agreement, signaling Ji Chengnin to continue.
He focused intently on working the tinderbox.
His second uncle had used the pen for many years, and his fingertips were covered with a thin layer of calluses. His skin was pale and looked slender and dexterous, but he couldn't even start a fire properly.
Ji Chengning was almost amused by Ji Lin's awkward movements.
As soon as Ji Lin looked up, Ji Chengnin immediately stopped smiling, took the tinderbox, and easily lit it with a flick of his fingers. "Second Uncle," he said solicitously as he stepped forward.
"You're absolutely right." Ji Lin lit the incense with the flame from Ji Chengning's fingertip, but didn't rush to insert it.
The wisps of fragrant smoke obscured Ji Lin's face.
"What would you do if I told you I really didn't want you to go?"
Ji Chengnin said bluntly, "Then I won't go."
Ji Lin stared at him. The boy smiled, looking completely innocent and spoiled. After a long while, she calmly exposed him, "You're lying."
Ji Chengning touched his nose.
It would be a lie to say I don't want to.
Ji Chengning was indeed not interested in being a civil official, nor did he think that he was capable of being one. He wished to live his life like his father, the Marquis of Yongning, leaving the border as a young man and returning home in glory, or dying on the battlefield. Only such a magnificent life would not be a wasted one.
But clearly, neither the emperor, nor his second uncle, nor his grandmother, who devoted herself to Buddhism and remained detached from worldly affairs, wanted him to conquer the northern deserts.
If you can't go to the frontier, then being a military officer is a good alternative.
His long hair swayed on his shoulders as he moved restlessly.
Hair is a reflection of blood, and Ji Chengning was in the prime of his life, with a strong and healthy body. His hair was jet black and shiny, and although it was not short, it always gave people a very solid feeling.
Ji Lin remained silent for a moment.
He took two steps forward.
Ji Chengnin did not move.
He was still growing, and his second uncle was taller than him. To make eye contact with his second uncle, Ji Chengning had to tilt his head slightly.
His face remained expressionless, but his breathing became slightly rapid.
Why is my second uncle standing so close to me?
He thought to himself, "It can't be just to slap me, can it?"
Ji Lin raised her hand.
Ji Chengning abruptly closed his eyes.
Seeing this, Ji Lin felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
The expected pain did not come, nor did it even feel like a palm strike. Ji Chengning quietly opened his eyes and secretly looked at his second uncle.
His eyes met those of his second uncle, whose expression was unreadable.
Ji Chengnin shrank his neck.
This dog looks just like a little dog that has just gotten into trouble, pretending to be willing to be punished but actually observing its owner's every move. Its cunning and cleverness are written all over its face, making it both funny and sad.
But Ji Lin had a genuine question in mind—who wanted to hit him?
Ji Lin patted Ji Chengning on the shoulder.
Ji Chengning was horrified.
His second uncle didn't say a word to him, didn't nag, and didn't give him a cold look.
It’s over!
The young marquis was struck dumb.
Seeing Ji Lin about to leave, a sudden idea struck him. He bent down and grabbed Ji Lin's leg.
"Second Uncle!"
Ji Lin was startled by his actions and taken aback by his mournful and plaintive voice.
I doubt that even when he dies, the young marquis will cry so emotionally.
"Second Uncle, if you don't want me to be an official, then I won't be one. If you don't let me cause trouble, I will stay at home from now on and never go out to cause you any trouble. Second Uncle, I only have Grandma and you left as my family. If even you don't want me," the young marquis's usually calm voice suddenly trembled, "please don't abandon me."
A thousand sweet words are all lies; only that last, slightly hoarse cry of "Please don't leave me" is truly sincere.
Ji Lin's heart skipped a beat. "Get up."
Ji Chengning hugged him, looked up at him, and shook his head pitifully.
Ji Lin then reached out, grabbed his shoulders, and lifted him up like a kitten or puppy.
"Who said we don't want you anymore?" Ji Lin said coldly. "Instead of wasting your time with acting cute and silly, you might as well take out the law and learn about the rules for being an official. You're taking office tomorrow, and with your mind empty, how are you going to be an official!"
Ji Chengnin: "..."
That feels good.
He felt that he hadn't made much progress. He had studied at home when he was young and hadn't done well on his exams. If his second uncle was kind and gentle, he would feel half guilty and half apprehensive. But if his second uncle scolded him, Ji Chengnin would immediately feel refreshed and invigorated.
Ji Lin reached up and rubbed her temples hard. "Get out of here."
Ji Chengning hurriedly tried to get out of there.
"etc."
Ji Chengnin immediately stopped, a fawning smile spreading across his face. "What are your orders, Second Uncle?"
Ji Lin said, "Qinglu Guard is full of sons of noble families. When you get along with them, Ji Chengning thought his second uncle was telling him to restrain his temper and avoid offending people. But Ji Lin said, "Drink less alcohol and don't go to brothels with them. If I find out, your legs will be in danger."
Ji Chengnin chuckled, "I know, I know, Second Uncle. I was raised by you, how could I be such a frivolous person?"
Ji Lin: "..."
It's neither appropriate to say yes nor to deny it against one's conscience.
Ji Chengnin asked rudely, "Why didn't you tell me to be cautious?"
Ji Lin: "You wouldn't listen even if I told you, so why should I waste my breath?"
Ji Chengnin: "Hehe."
Ji Lin continued, "Imperial Censor Feng and his younger brother came to express their gratitude in person. Upon learning that you were still unconscious, they had someone leave you a gift and a letter." As she spoke, she took something out of her sleeve. "I had the gift put into your private treasury."
“Who… Aww aww.” Ji Chengning took the letter and casually stuffed it into his sleeve.
Before leaving, he couldn't resist teasing, "Second Uncle, when I rise to the highest position in the future and write the family precepts in my old age, I will definitely include all the words you said."
Ji Lin smiled.
Ji Chengnin knew he was going to get scolded when he saw that smile, so he stuck out his tongue and ran away.
...
Ji Chengning felt that the appointment was too hasty. Even if the head of the department was not in office, the two deputy directors should still be in charge.
He yawned, took out the letter from his sleeve, and quickly scanned it. Feng Rong's words were extremely sincere, and perhaps considering his lack of education, the language was very straightforward, thanking him for risking his life to save Feng Su.
"Oh," Ji Chengning thought to himself, "that child's name is Feng Su."
If the young marquis ever needs Feng Rong's help in the future—"I will gladly die for him."
Feng Rong kowtowed.
Ji Chengning hissed.
Since Censor Feng was so polite, he couldn't remain silent, but he couldn't write a flowery reply either, so he simply and directly said: "Your Excellency Feng is too kind. I saved the person out of conscience. Even if it weren't your brother, I would have done the same for anyone else. As for repaying me in kind, that's unnecessary."
After finishing writing, I casually grabbed a paperweight, pressed it down, and let it dry.
He then went to find Zhou Mufang and Qu Pingzhi to play, returning only after dark.
He drank some fruit wine, feeling languid and weak. After letting Alo tidy him up, he fell asleep immediately.
Ji Chengnin couldn't sleep soundly.
In his dreams, something kept calling to him, "It's time for the Crown Prince to rise."
"Your Highness, it's getting late."
"Your Highness."
Ji Chengnin, impatient, laboriously stretched out a paw from under the warm blanket, "Let me rest a little longer, ask for leave, just say, just say I have something to do."
Huai De exclaimed in surprise, "That won't do, Your Highness! Today is your first time going to the government office. If you want to ask for leave, you must personally submit a memorial to His Majesty!"
Ji Chengnin opened his eyes abruptly.
"What the hell?"
This isn't a class you can just skip if you want to!
A note from the author:
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So much nutrient solution [cat emoji] Thank you, wife. Goodnight, wife.
The young nobleman's corporate slave life begins.
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