Green Mountain

In the early morning, before the roosters crowed, the sound of rushing water came from the Silver Apricot Garden. Xiao Man sat on a small chair by the bed, groggily opening her eyes.

She got up holding the Little Black Cat, followed the sound of water, and pushed the door open, just in time to see Chen Ji rolling up his sleeves and pouring water from a bucket into the large jar in the side room.

She rubbed her eyes and exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master, you really went to fetch water? What noble young master would fetch water himself? If word got out, wouldn’t people laugh at you?"

Chen Ji smiled, "I’m not some noble young master. I’m just a country bumpkin from a Medical Hall apprenticeship; I don’t care what others think of me."

Xiao Man muttered, "You’re not at the Medical Hall anymore, so don’t bring up the apprentice identity. Many people in the Imperial Capital aren’t aware of it."

Chen Ji lowered his rolled-up sleeves and said earnestly, "Xiao Man, being a Medical Hall apprentice is my favorite identity; there’s nothing shameful about it."

Xiao Man looked up, cautiously probing, "Is it because of the Commandery Princess you met there, Young Master?"

Chen Ji paused for a moment with his hand on the sleeve, then said frankly, "Not entirely, there’s also my master, two senior apprentices, the Princely Heir, Brother Gou’er, Brother Cat. Oh, and a little monk who can see through people’s thoughts; he’s probably practicing at Yuanjue Temple now. We can visit him when we have time."

Xiao Man whispered, "Young Master, what I’m about to say may not be pleasant, but the Commandery Princess, she..."

Chen Ji interrupted, "Xiao Man, even if you were trapped in Jingyang Palace, I would find a way to save you."