Chen Mansion, Mingquan Garden.

Different from Tingquanyuan, which is full of clutter, this place is clean and elegant.

There are wintersweets planted in the courtyard, and it is the season when pink flowers bloom. There is also a crystal clear fish pond under the plum trees. When the red and white koi are not moving, they seem to be floating in the air.

There are brand new blue bricks on the ground, brand new tiles on the roof, brand new tables and chairs inside the house, and a bed that the carpenter just built.

Chen Ji looked around the yard, but there was no joy on his face.

Chen Liqin's transfer order is coming in the next few days. No matter how good Mingquan Garden is, it is just a temporary residence.

At this time, a boy was following behind him, following his steps.

Chen Ji turned around and looked at him: "Why are you following me?"

The boy hurriedly clasped his fists and replied: "The master arranged for a servant to come and serve the third young master. I originally wanted to arrange a maid, but it was too late today and I couldn't find the slave. Tomorrow, the master will send someone to Luocheng West City to find the slave."

I will bring my maidservant here to help you choose."

Chen Ji suddenly realized that he was already the 'young master' of the Chen family.

He said casually: "Mingquan Garden does not need anyone to serve it, and there is no need to buy maids. Go out, I want to talk to Mr. Zhang."

The boy was confused: "The master said——"

Chen Ji waved his hand: "Go out, I won't embarrass you, just teach Mr. Chen my exact words.

When the boy heard the words "Master Chen", his eyelids jumped and he resigned.

After the servant left, Zhang Zhuo put his hands behind his back and marveled in the courtyard: "Chen Liqin didn't arrange for you the maid from the Chen family because he was worried that Mrs. Liang would arrange her in your courtyard again and secretly give you little shoes.

Tell the truth. This Mr. Chen is actually like a bright mirror in his heart, he knows everything."

Zhang Xia muttered: "The Chen family has always been like this, or in other words, the Donglin Party members have always been like this. They say one thing and think another, pretending to be confused while pretending to understand."

Zhang Zhuo looked at Mingquan Garden: "Ms. Liang is so kind to her natal brother. The amount of thought she put into renovating this yard is enough to build a new yard. No wonder she doesn't want you to live here, and now I'm afraid she feels very distressed."

"

He turned around to look at Chen Ji, only to see Chen Ji bending down and bowing deeply, saying sincerely, "Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for helping me."

Zhang Zhuo took two quick steps and helped him up: "What are you doing? When the Liu family was in war, you stepped forward to save my Zhang family from fire and water. This little thing of helping you is nothing. And I have nothing to do today. Come here."

The Chen Mansion is really more exciting than listening to a play."

Zhang Zheng laughed happily and said, "How can listening to a play be as satisfying as acting?"

After saying that, he also followed Chen Ji's example and bowed deeply: "I didn't have the chance before, so today I would like to express my gratitude in person. You saved my Zhang family for your great kindness.

I, Zhang Zheng, will never forget it. If I can live high in the temple in the future, I will definitely be richly rewarded.

Zhang Zhuo cursed and said: "You are so stupid, you can't even understand the reading, and you still learn the words in other people's dramas? You are so high up in the temple!"

Zhang Zheng said aggrievedly: "It's you who don't let me take part in the imperial examination. Then Chen Wenxiao can be a high school diplomat, why can't I? Ask my grandfather to help me, I also want to be an official."

Zhang Zhuo laughed angrily: "The bloodbath in the court is more dangerous than the swords and swords in the rivers and lakes. People in the rivers and lakes may still be open to their enemies. He will kill all the gentlemen in the court who stand in his way."

It’s for your own good not to let a fool like you become an official.”

Zhang Zheng was not angry, but still cheerful: "If you don't want to be an official, then you can't be an official. Our Zhang family is smart and talented. You get seven points, my sister gets four points. If I'm stupid, I'll be stupid."

Zhang Zhuo couldn't laugh or cry: "Can you count? This adds up to eleven points, a total of ten points. Where does this extra point come from?"

Zhang Zheng was stunned for a moment: "Ah, really? Then I owe you a point."

Zhang Zhuo sighed.

Chen Ji explained seriously at the side: "Master Zhang, my thanks are not for today's matter, but for the Zhang family to protect the crown prince and others from leaving the Ning Dynasty. In today's world, the Zhang family is willing to risk their lives to help me, and I will definitely remember it.

In the heart."

On the day of the prison robbery, without the Zhang family's friendship with the Buddhist sect through Xu Shu, the Imperial Heavenly Prisoner, there would have been nothing Chen Ji could do.

Zhang Zhuo sighed: "I have always admired Prince Jing as a person, and I am not helping the prince just because of you. Now the prince and your master are taking a boat to go south, and will arrive at the Jingchao Port in Lushun in about two months, but——"

Chen Ji asked: "Just what?"

Zhang Zhuo looked Chen Ji up and down: "I thought you would go to Jing Dynasty with them, but you didn't go."

Chen Ji explained: "I haven't finished my work yet."

Both Zhang Zhuo and Zhang Xia understand that there is only one thing that can leave traces behind, and this thing is more difficult than climbing to the sky.

Zhang Zhuo thought for a moment: "When you returned to the Chen family, did you want to use the Chen family's power to rescue the princess?"

Chen Ji did not answer.

Now even Yunyang and Jiaotu thought that he had betrayed Prince Jing. In the Ning Dynasty, the only people who knew his true intentions were Bailong, Jinzhu, Zhang Zhuo, Zhang Zheng, and Zhang Xia.

Zhang Zhuo patted his shoulder: "I'm afraid you are thinking a little too simplistically. If you want to save the princess, you must first vindicate Prince Jing, so that the princess can be freed. But everyone in the Chen family is good at protecting themselves wisely.

Masters, they will not speak out for those who conspire against the criminals."

Chen Ji said: "Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for your concern. I have my own way."

Seeing that he didn't want to say anything, Zhang Zhuo stopped asking any more questions and instead said sincerely: "I dragged you to Zhang's house just now. Although it was a show, it was also sincere. Why don't you join my Zhang family and become my adopted son, or

Yes————-From now on, your business is my business. When I join the cabinet and become a cabinet minister, things will always turn around."

Chen Ji asked curiously: "How to change the situation?"

Zhang Zhuo looked around: "Your Majesty is the one who wants to kill Prince Jing, but your Majesty will die one day, and that will be the turning point."

As time goes by, the current sage claims to be the Emperor of Longevity, devotes himself to cultivating Taoism to extend his life, and what he seeks is eternal life.

Zhang Zhuo's words were already treasonous words, and he would never have said them to someone who was not truly close to him.

This trust alone is not easy.

Zhang Zhuo's words seemed to provide him with a way to save the princess - but it was too dangerous. Even if he practiced the tiger method,

I have never made such a bold idea.

Let's put it aside for now.

Chen Ji hesitated for a moment and finally confessed: "Master Zhang, I came to the Chen family to save the princess, but I never counted on the Chen family."

Before he finished speaking, he heard footsteps outside the door.

Chen Liqin strode over, followed by the boy who was holding a tray in his arms, which contained melons and cucumbers.

Zhang Zhuo's eyes lit up and he praised:

: "The Chen family still enjoys it. You can actually get such a rare item in winter, and you are willing to entertain us with it. It's not bad!"

Chen Liqin responded calmly: "It seems this is the first time Mr. Zhang has praised his humble position."

Zhang Zhuo reached out for the cucumber: "You should be praised!"

However, Chen Liqin blocked his hand and said, "Master Zhang, you are boasting too early. This is not for you, but for Chen Ji."

It is not easy to grow fruits and vegetables in the winter in Ningchao. After the first snowfall, the only vegetables that ordinary people can see are radishes and cabbage.

Fruits are hard to come by.

There is a Hot Spring Department in the middle of Beijing, which is responsible for the hot springs in the suburbs of Beijing, and grows melons, cucumbers, and leeks in the high-temperature caves around the hot springs, commonly known as "dongzi goods."

"Dongzi cucumber" is extremely small, less than two inches, but one piece can be sold for thousands of coins. It would be a huge honor for officials in Beijing to bring out melons and cucumbers when entertaining guests.

Zhang Zhuo's eyes rolled around: "Where did your cucumber come from? Is the Chen family's life so luxurious?"

Chen Liqin said casually: "There is a hot spring on Longmen Mountain in Luocheng. I have already asked people to buy a hot spring and plant fruits there."

After that, he placed the tray on the stone table in the courtyard and said as gently as possible: "Chen Ji, please eat more. If you don't have enough, I will order someone to go to Longmen Mountain to get fresh ones."

Chen Ji didn't refuse and said thank you, "Thank you very much, Mr. Chen."

Chen Liqin was speechless for a moment.

At this moment, a boy ran in from outside the door and shouted loudly: "Congratulations, sir! Congratulations, sir! Someone from the capital has come and brought your promotion document!"

Chen Liqin suddenly turned around: "Seriously?"

"How dare I lie to you with such a thing?" The boy ran into the yard and saw Zhang Zhuo. He quickly saluted: "Master Zhang is here too. Your promotion document has also arrived and is on its way to your house!"

Zhang Zhuo raised his eyebrows: "And mine?"
Chapter completed!