Green Mountain

Chen Liqin, wearing a red official robe, hurriedly pulled Chen Ji through Little Yingtai.

They passed by Xiangzhou, Lotus Wind Four-sided Pavilion, Mountain Viewing Pavilion, and Little Feihong without pause, as if wolves were chasing them. He paid no heed to the looks from the servants and maids until they returned from Zhuozheng Garden to Qingzheng Garden, where he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At the entrance of Silver Apricot Garden, Chen Ji broke free from his grasp and cupped his hands in salute: "Mr. Chen, I have reached my residence."

Chen Liqin stood still, pondering how to speak. But with the coming and going of maids and servants nearby, he never got the chance to speak.

Chen Ji probed, "If there’s nothing else, may I go back?"

Once the surrounding servants had dispersed, Chen Liqin suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Go find Official Hu and ask him to transfer you to the border army... If you don’t want to go to such a harsh place, Taiyuan Prefecture or Xianyang Prefecture are good options too. The lamb stew in Xianyang is delicious, and Taiyuan’s spicy noodles are also worth trying. Generally, officials transferred out of the Imperial Capital get promoted by one or two ranks. Official Hu is your teacher Wang Daosheng’s teacher, so using this connection, he won’t treat you unfairly. I’ll prepare some gifts for you; go tomorrow, no, go today!"

Chen Ji asked carelessly, "Why is Mr. Chen suddenly urging me to leave?"

Chen Liqin replied solemnly, "Don’t get involved in the matters of the eldest and second households anymore; too many have already been dragged in! Don’t think that because you’ve built an executive officer’s status, you’re any great. There are six Grand Officials just in Qingzheng and Zhuozheng Gardens whose realms far exceed yours! This is the Imperial Capital, this is the Chen family, the dragon vein is here, and all the power in the world converges here. An executive officer can’t make a scene!"

Chen Ji shook his head, "I don’t understand what Mr. Chen is saying."

In desperation, Chen Liqin exclaimed, "Is it not good to be a bit mediocre? Live your own life well, be a small to mid-level official, and only need to be accountable to your salary and the people. That immense power, though it seems glamorous, is poison, it’s not something our third household can contend for!"

Chen Ji remained silent.