Green Mountain-Chapter 639 - 496: Seconded

In the early morning, the sound of the bell from the Bell and Drum Tower echoed.

Princess Liyang slowly descended the stairs, put on her pheasant-feather robe again, applied a light dusting of pearl powder on her face, and marked a crimson plum blossom on her forehead once more.

Chen Ji stood on the first floor of the Huitong Hall, looking up at her: "Why is Your Highness not delaying today?"

Princess Liyang smiled and said, "Since the Crown Prince of the Southern Dynasty has graciously come to Huitong Hall to discuss the alliance, it would be unbecoming of me to create unnecessary trouble."

Chen Ji stepped aside to clear the way: "The carriage is ready."

As Princess Liyang passed by Chen Ji, she asked lightly, "Where is Second Miss Zhang? I'm about to leave the Ning Dynasty; does she not plan to see me off? Perhaps this farewell means we'll never meet again in this lifetime."

Chen Ji sincerely said, "It's best not to see her."

Princess Liyang was about to get into the carriage but turned her head upon hearing this, feigning anger: "You men are the most heartless; I truly consider both of you my friends."

Chen Ji absently replied, "Perhaps."

Princess Liyang gave him a glare before getting into the carriage. As Mrs. Lu left, Chen Ji drove the carriage alone, escorted by the Yulin Army, towards the Ministry of Rites.

Chen Ji pondered silently; the Crown Prince wanted him to escort Princess Liyang outside Chongli Pass. Was there another plan in place? What else did the Crown Prince have up his sleeve?

At this moment, Princess Liyang was sitting inside the carriage and spoke softly through the curtain: "Mr. Chen, do you know what it means to be the heir apparent of a nation?"

Chen Ji replied indifferently: "Legitimacy."

Princess Liyang smiled: "Exactly. The Crown Princes throughout history have always been in the most perilous positions. In our Jing Dynasty, there have been countless Crown Princes who didn't survive to ascend the throne. Yet, so many still vie for the position because of the word 'legitimacy.' As long as legitimacy exists, countless people will strive for it, and others will assist them. It's the most thrilling business in this world."

Chen Ji calmly asked, "What does Your Highness want to say?"

Princess Liyang replied earnestly: "Your Southern Dynasty's Crown Prince has been in place for over twenty years. Even though he's been confined in Zhongcui Palace, he shouldn't be underestimated. Mr. Chen should be cautious. I don't want to die on my way back to the Jing Dynasty when success is so near. Please."

It was just two alleys between the Ministry of Rites and the Huitong Hall, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites were already waiting at the entrance. Chen Ji stopped the carriage and lifted the curtain for her: "Rest assured, Your Highness, nothing will happen."

As Princess Liyang disembarked, she whispered, "Mr. Chen, if we really encounter danger, don't leave me behind. Trust me, as long as I live, there will always be ways I can help you."

With that, she was assisted off the carriage by Xiao Man and walked into the Ministry of Rites with her head held high, regaining her demeanor as the proud Princess of Jing in front of its officials.

Chen Ji was about to return to his seat in the carriage when he was pulled aside by the smiling Minister of the Ministry of Rites: "Such an important matter; how can the Marquis of Wuxiang not go inside? We need you for this."

Chen Ji frowned: "Isn't the Crown Prince there?"

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites pulled him inside: "His Highness has gone to Renshou Palace. Today, you'll preside over this."

The table was already set in the Ministry of Rites, and the officials were seated at the end, spreading out papers to draft the 'Zai Shu,' recording the details of the talks. Not a single word could be omitted.

Princess Liyang was already seated, but the main seat opposite her was still empty. The Minister of the Ministry of Rites placed Chen Ji in this position and said with a smile, "Once we've drafted the document, we'll need the Marquis of Wuxiang to review it carefully."

Chen Ji calmly asked, "And then?"

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites replied, "Then it's time to sign and seal."

Princess Liyang, sitting opposite, faintly smiled: "In this vast Ning Dynasty, not even one person dares to sign an alliance, fearing it might bring infamy for a thousand years. Your Crown Prince is truly cunning; he negotiates but then doesn't show up to sign?"

The face of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites changed: "Do not slander our Ning Dynasty heir!"

Princess Liyang retorted: "Did I say anything wrong?"

At this point, she turned to Chen Ji: "Mr. Chen, I advise you not to sign. This has nothing to do with you; let your Ning Dynasty Crown Prince handle it."

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites patiently said, "Your Highness, you also wish to return to Yuan Cheng soon. Why meddle in the internal affairs of our Ning Dynasty?"

Princess Liyang slowly leaned back in her chair, sneering: "I am a Princess of the Jing Dynasty, and you send a baron to sign an alliance with me? What do you mean by this? Send someone of equal rank, otherwise, I won't sign."

The officials of the Ministry of Rites exchanged glances, acknowledging that Princess Liyang's demand was reasonable. It couldn't be disputed anywhere.

Seeing the negotiation stalled again, after a moment, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites gritted his teeth and walked out quickly. An hour later, he returned, sweating profusely, with the Jiefan Guard and the Crown Prince following behind.

Chen Ji stood up to give up the main seat, and the Crown Prince softly said, "Mr. Chen, you've managed to make the Jing Princess speak righteously on your behalf. Those who don't know would think you're the Baron of Jing."

Princess Liyang nonchalantly replied, "I'm not speaking righteously for anyone; I'm just doing things according to protocol. It's said that the Ning Dynasty values propriety, so how can it be that a Princess of Jing understands it better? Are you saying one thing and doing another, pretending one way publicly and another privately?"

The Crown Prince wasn't angered and smiled: "You're joking, Your Highness..."

At this time, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites brought forth the document and reminded, "Your Highness, it's time to sign the alliance."

The alliance was drawn up in four copies. The Crown Prince took up the brush and wrote his name "Zhu Chunwen" on all copies, then pressed his handprint alongside the Heir Apparent's Seal.

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites once again offered the treaty to Princess Liyang. Princess Liyang inscribed the name "Yuan Yin" on the treaty, then dipped her whole palm in vermillion seal paste, pressing a complete palm print on it.

Princess Liyang smiled and said, "I did not bring my seal, so I might as well press a complete palm print."

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites led the group to the backyard, where an earthen altar was set up early with a "kan" dug beside it. One document was buried within, as an offering to the earth gods; another was burnt in a brazier, as an offering to the heavenly gods.

The two remaining copies were each held by Jingning, to be kept in their respective ancestral temples, thus declaring it to the people.

Once this was done, the Crown Prince courteously gestured to Princess Liyang, "Your Highness, please rest at Huitong Hall. The Marquis of Wuxiang must accompany me into the palace to discuss the matter of escorting Your Highness beyond Chongli Pass."

Princess Liyang glanced at Chen Ji and nodded in agreement, "Alright."

...

...

Inside the Forbidden City.

The Crown Prince walked in front, with Chen Ji following behind. The two walked through the gilded tiles and red walls in silence, seemingly with no need for further conversation.

As they passed Fengxian Hall, the Crown Prince suddenly remarked, "Mr. Chen, I dearly remember the time spent in Guyuan; you saved me twice. I promised you a post in the East Palace Right Guard. I thought it would become a memorable story, but after returning to the Imperial Capital, it seems everything has changed."

Chen Ji ignored him.

The Crown Prince continued talking to himself, "Mr. Chen, I truly admire you. You're from the Chen family, and Official Chen is my teacher, we should be the closest. Why have things turned out this way? It's putting Official Chen in a difficult position..."

Chen Ji interrupted, "Your Highness."

The Crown Prince inquired, "Hm?"

Chen Ji calmly replied, "Shut up."

The Crown Prince's expression gradually calmed, "I thought there should be room for us to maneuver."

Chen Ji ignored him again.

When they reached Renshou Palace, the Crown Prince suddenly turned and asked, "Mr. Chen, is there truly no room for maneuver? If you hold any grievances, I will do everything to make amends."

Chen Ji walked past him straight to the entrance of Renshou Palace and loudly announced, "Subject, Marquis of Wuxiang, Chen Ji, requests an audience with Your Majesty."

Inside Renshou Palace, Wu Xiu's delicate voice came, "Permit entry for the Crown Prince and the Marquis of Wuxiang."

The two entered Renshou Palace together and knelt on the ground. Inside the palace, cabinet ministers and officials were present, while Emperor Ning sat cross-legged behind a sheer curtain, his face indistinct.

At this moment, the Crown Prince spoke first, "Your Majesty, the treaty is established, declared to heaven, earth, and man. Princess Liyang can be returned to Yuan Cheng. I believe the Marquis of Wuxiang should lead the Yulin Army to escort her. Marquis of Wuxiang has made remarkable achievements, revitalizing the Yulin Army without failure or disgrace, making them a safe choice for escort."

The officials exchanged glances and looked toward the cabinet ministers seated on the embroidered stools.

Zhang Zhuo pondered for a moment and spoke, "The Yulin Army is understaffed and hasn't had a chance to rest since returning from Chongli Pass; it's better for the Imperial Three Camps to escort instead."

But before he finished speaking, Official Hu, without raising his eyelids, hoarsely retorted, "Not advisable, the Imperial Three Camps have never trained for escort missions."

Zhang Zhuo looked at Official Hu, "Is it true they've never trained, or are you unwilling to bear the criticism?"

Official Hu slowly raised his eyelids and looked at Zhang Zhuo with bright, spirited eyes. Although Zhang Zhuo had joined the cabinet, he had been acting low-key recently and had never confronted other cabinet ministers head-on.

However, today he seemed to have changed his demeanor, no longer hiding his light under a bushel.

The next moment, Emperor Ning behind the curtain slowly said, "Enough, don't quarrel in Renshou Palace, don't disturb the Three Pure Ancestors... let the Marquis of Wuxiang lead the Yulin Army for the escort."

Chen Ji had no choice but to loudly declare, "As you command."

The Crown Prince sighed deeply, yet before he could finish, Chen Ji spoke again, "Our dynasty has a longstanding tradition of leading the army in person. Though this is termed a peace talk, it's the Jing Dynasty seeking peace. I request the Crown Prince to preside over this matter and accompany me beyond Chongli Pass. First, for the Crown Prince to personally receive the Jing Dynasty's warhorses, demonstrating our might to the world and showcasing our nation's power; second, for the Crown Prince to personally welcome back the captured soldiers and civilians, displaying our dynasty's benevolence. Those military and civilians have been captured for over seven years; if the Crown Prince personally welcomes and comforts them, it would surely invigorate the border army soldiers."

The Crown Prince's pupils contracted; for a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

Before he could react, Official Hu spoke up, "I second the motion."

Zhang Zhuo immediately followed, "I second the motion."

The Crown Prince cast a desperate look at Official Chen and Mr. Qi, as well as other cabinet ministers and officials who all looked on.

Yet at this moment, Official Chen slowly began, "I second the motion."

The Crown Prince froze on the spot.

This time, it was the officials' turn to be surprised; the Chen family was actually supporting Chen Ji, abandoning the Crown Prince?

From the throne, Emperor Ning slowly said, "In that case, let the Crown Prince undertake this journey."