Aoyama

Chapter 219 What a pity
The winter air was bone-chillingly cold. Zhang Zhuo, dressed in a blue robe, waved to Chen Liqin from afar, with a cordial smile on his face as if he had reunited with an old friend.

Chen Liqin's expression changed slightly: "Master Zhang, please forgive me for being blunt, but you and I are not the same kind of people, why do we have to return to Beijing together?"

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily and said, "What are you talking about, Lord Chen? You and I were partners in Luocheng, and we were promoted together. If we don't return to Beijing together, people will think that we are both narrow-minded and can't tolerate each other."

Chen Liqin said unhappily, "Master Zhang, please don't make insinuations or accusations. You and I have no personal relationship, so it's better not to set off together."

Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard and asked with interest, "Master Chen, are you worried that I will outshine you as Chen Ji's father?"

Chen Liqin said angrily: "Master Zhang, please do not make groundless speculations! I saw that your Zhang family's motorcade was lined up in rows, and I really didn't dare to get close to them!"

The Chen family valued reputation and family background, and prided themselves on being noble. Zhang Zhuo had so brazenly left office with hundreds of carts of wealth, so how could Chen Liqin be willing to leave with the Zhang family?
If someone saw it, they might think that he and Zhang Zhuo had embezzled the money together!

Zhang Zhuo was not angry either. He took a few steps forward and wanted to hold Chen Liqin's hand to show his closeness, but Chen Liqin quickly retracted his hand into his sleeve: "Master Zhang, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't make a move!"

Zhang Zhuo laughed and said, "Don't worry, Master Chen. Later on, your Chen family's motorcade will go in front, and my Zhang family will follow behind, keeping a distance. This way, no one will misunderstand you!"

Chen Liqin became suspicious: "Master Zhang, why do you insist on going with me?"

Zhang Zhuo smiled and patted his shoulder: "Lord Chen is about to enter the East Palace. Isn't it okay for me to get close to the future minister in advance? Lord Chen, you are now representing the crown prince. Are you going to keep my Zhang and Xu families away for the crown prince? Does the crown prince know about this?"

Chen Liqin opened his mouth but no words came out.

In recent years, the struggle for the throne has intensified. The rumors between the Crown Prince, Prince Fu, and Prince An have long become gossip among the people. At this time, the Crown Prince naturally hopes to get as much help as possible. The Xu family has not made its position clear on the matter of the throne. If he becomes enemies with Zhang Zhuo, how will the Crown Prince view him?
Thinking of this, Chen Liqin was actually controlled by Zhang Zhuo and had no way to refute.

Zhang Zhuo laughed and turned away. He walked back along the Chen family's motorcade and asked loudly, "Chen Ji, Chen Ji! Which car are you in?"

Chen Ji gently lifted the curtain, jumped off the carriage and bowed, "Master Zhang."

Zhang Zhuo came closer and lowered his voice very low: "Has Wang Chongli's death been linked to you?"

Chen Ji also lowered his voice: "Reporting to Lord Zhang, this matter has not been traced to me."

"That's good. I couldn't sleep the whole night last night, fearing that there would be more trouble." Zhang Zhuo breathed a sigh of relief, and then earnestly instructed: "The Jingwang case is still pending. Wang Chongli's identity is sensitive. His death has far-reaching implications. All the way north, there are spies from the Secret Service setting up checkpoints everywhere. I hope you can come forward and don't let them open the boxes to check the wealth of my Zhang family. These hundreds of cars of wealth must be delivered to the capital safely, otherwise my life will be in danger."

Chen Ji suddenly realized that Zhang Zhuo wanted to use his identity as Haidongqing to provide protection, so he was waiting here early.

He said sincerely, "I understand, please rest assured, Master Zhang. I will definitely escort the Zhang family's wealth and goods to the capital."

Just at this moment, Zhang Xia, dressed in a fiery red robe, came over with Zaozao and handed the reins to Chen Ji.

Chen Ji asked in confusion: "Miss Zhang Er, what are you doing?"

Zhang Xia touched Zaozao's cheek and explained, "My mother doesn't allow me to ride a horse anymore. I thought you wouldn't stay in a carriage, so I'll lend you Zaozao for a few days. You can return it to me when you get to the capital."

As she spoke, she patted the saddle, pointed at a long cloth bag lying across the front of the saddle, and whispered, "The knife you entrusted to me is in this bag. I saw that it has never had a scabbard, so I asked someone to make you one... I'm not sure if you like the style of the scabbard. If you don't like it, I'll find a chance to make you a better one later."

Whale knife.

The five-foot-five-inch blade was almost as tall as a person, making it particularly eye-catching. Chen Ji had been unable to bring the blade back to the Chen family, so he left it in Zhang's house and entrusted Zhang Xia to keep it.

Someone had promised to help him get a scabbard, but it didn't happen in time, so he didn't think about it anymore. Unexpectedly, Zhang Xia did it for him.

Zhang Xia continued, "In the bag next to the saddle, there are some beef jerky made by Wuxinji and preserved plums from the candied shop. You can eat them when you have nothing to do on the road."

Chen Ji reached out and stroked the cloth bag: "Thank you, Miss Zhang Er."

Zhang Xia smiled carelessly and said, "You have helped my Zhang family a lot, why are you being polite? Besides, didn't I tell you that we are close friends who have known each other for a lifetime in Longwangtun?"

As they were talking, Zhang Zhuo's first wife, Xu, walked out of the teahouse leisurely. Zhang Zheng lost his usual playfulness and followed her obediently.

Xu's clothes were simple, a white collar without complicated embroidery or gold or silver thread borders. She only had two wooden hairpins in her hair, not as ostentatious as Liang's.

She walked calmly to Chen Ji and said with a gentle smile: "Are you Chen Ji?"

In the carriage, Xiaoman saw Xu coming and immediately opened the curtains and pricked up his ears to eavesdrop.

There was a noise coming from the wooden box in the car, so she hurriedly sat on the box to prevent Su Zhou from suddenly coming out.

Outside the carriage, Chen Ji bowed and said, "Madam, I am Chen Ji."

Xu didn't say anything. She looked him up and down, and then back up again. Then she slowly said, "I heard that you were an apprentice to Doctor Yao before. Recently, you want to return to the Chen family to study and take the imperial examination?"

With just this one sentence, Chen Ji knew that Zhang Zhuo had not told Xu about his affairs... Did Zhang Zhuo not trust his wife?

Zhang Zhuo laughed at the side: "Madam, it's getting late, let's go back to the car."

Xu glanced at him lightly but did not respond.

Zhang Zhuo laughed awkwardly and said, "Then I'll get back to the car first!"

Xu watched Zhang Zhuo leave, then looked at Chen Ji again after a moment and said softly, "A prodigal son who returns to his right path is worth more than gold. If you can stop at the brink of disaster, you are still a good child. But this study requires a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand times the effort to stand out. You should concentrate on it and not be distracted by other things." Chen Ji said softly, "Madam is right. I will follow your teachings."

Seeing that he was not disobedient, Xu finally smiled and said, "Chen Ji, do you have a favorite woman?"

Chen Ji was silent for a moment and responded, "Madam, no."

Xu nodded and said, "There are many beautiful women in the capital. When we return to the capital, I can help you keep an eye out for any good families that are a good match for you."

Zhang Xia's eyes widened: "Mom, Chen Ji and Jun..."

Before he could finish his words, Xu grabbed his wrist and said, "Starting a family and building a career is the most important thing in life. How can we delay it? Chen Ji, am I right?"

Chen Ji said humbly, "I dare not trouble you, Madam, with this matter."

"Zao Zao is the apple of Xia'er's eye. The fact that she lends her to you shows that you two are close friends. It won't be a problem for me to help her friend. Okay, let's set off," Xu held Zhang Xia's wrist and walked towards the Zhang family's convoy.

"Mom, what are you doing? I haven't finished talking to Chen Ji yet. Please don't let me lose my friend!" Zhang Xia tried to break free from Xu's hand several times, but failed.

Xu glanced at her sideways and said in a low voice: "Shut up, if I continue to let you go like this, who in the capital will dare to marry you in the future?"

Zhang Xia said with a bitter face: "It doesn't matter if no one marries me. I will stay with you and be filial to you for the rest of my life. Anyway, there are no men in the capital that I like."

Xu said angrily: "Nonsense!"

After saying that, she took Zhang Xia back to the carriage.

A servant hurriedly knelt down and lowered his body to allow Xu to step on his back to get into the carriage. Zhang Xia did not step on the servant, but jumped up lightly.

Chen Ji looked at Zhang Zheng, and Zhang Zheng coughed lightly: "Don't take it to heart. My sister and I are fearless, but we are afraid of her. There is nothing we can do."

Chen Ji smiled and said, "How could that be? Brother Zhang, don't worry."

After Zhang Zheng left, Xiao Man angrily pulled open the curtains and said, "Master, aren't you angry?"

Chen Ji remained calm: "Why should I be angry?"

Xiao Man muttered, "Mrs. Zhang said she wanted to find a marriage for you that is well-matched... This so-called well-matched marriage means that a concubine's son will be paired with a concubine's daughter, and a legitimate son will be paired with a legitimate daughter. How can she really want to help you? She is clearly reminding you not to set your sights on Miss Zhang II."

Chen Ji smiled and said, "There were rumors that the Zhang and Chen families were going to form an alliance, so it's normal for her to be worried. But she doesn't know that Miss Zhang and I are friends, and it's not what she thought."

Xiaoman curled her lips: "That's good, otherwise I will have to endure their anger!"

Chen Ji didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "You are quite nosy."

Xiaoman whispered, "I'm concerned about you."

Chen Ji patted Zaozao's neck, jumped on his horse, and rode all the way to the wonton shop near the city gate.

When they arrived at the wonton shop, the diners at several wooden tables stood up involuntarily and whispered, "Master Chen."

Chen Ji sat on Zaozao's back and looked down at them. He said calmly, "Everyone sit down. We will open the city gate later and let all the vehicles behind pass."

After saying this, he turned back holding the reins. A diner wiped his mouth, lowered his head and went out through the back door of the wonton shop, detouring to the city gate to explain things.

The city gate opened and a long convoy passed through the city. The spy did not even check the simplest pass.

Chen Ji sighed. It turned out that he had become a big shot in the eyes of others.

When the long convoy had all driven out of the city, he also rode Zaozao and slowly passed through the two heavy vermilion lacquered doors and through the dark and mottled city gate arch.

After riding for some distance, Chen Ji couldn't help but look back.

Chen Ji was wearing a black cloak, with a long sword across his saddle, and standing still on his horse.

He saw the vermilion lacquered gate slowly closing behind him, blocking out the scenery of Luo City bit by bit, as if someone was saying to him, young man, don't look back.

Chen Ji took a last deep look, then exhaled a puff of white mist and turned around to catch up with the convoy.

Xiaoman poked her head out of the car and asked, "Sir, you don't look happy?"

Chen Ji smiled and said, "What a pity."

Xiaoman was puzzled: "What's a pity?"

Chen Ji did not answer.

It’s a pity that people say that flowers in Luoyang are in full bloom, but it’s not spring when I come.

(End of this chapter)