Green Mountain-Chapter 663 - 520: The Final Day

"Si Caoding?"

In the small courtyard, Aunt Ping's gaze sharpens, her hand in mid-air as she hands a watermelon to Chen Ji: "You found Si Caoding? How did you find him?"

Chen Ji carefully explained: "When I was in Luocheng City, I had dealings with the Military Intelligence Department, so I know their current methods of transmitting information. I used their methods, posing as Si Caobing to send a message to Si Caoding: Si Caogui is dead, bring the Four Books with Chapter Notes to Wenchang Bookstore for a meeting tomorrow."

He continued: "But before that, I need to confirm one thing with Aunt Ping, will Si Caogui jump in to disrupt things?"

Aunt Ping puts the watermelon on the stone table, assuredly: "No, he should already be on his way back to Jing Dynasty by now, don't worry about him."

Chen Ji nodded: "That's good, it's the only flaw."

Aunt Ping lifted her head, changing the subject: "If Si Caoding really believes it, what do you plan to do?"

Chen Ji earnestly: "Using the simplest method, I'll be waiting at Wenchang Bookstore like a prey."

Aunt Ping frowned: "Not letting the Spy Department get involved?"

Chen Ji shook his head: "Aunt Ping, once the news is out, the Glass Factory will be full of spies from the Military Intelligence Department. The Twelve Signs of the Spy Department are familiar faces; if they appear at the Glass Factory, it might alert the target."

Aunt Ping realized: "That's why you came to me."

Chen Ji sincerely: "Yes."

Aunt Ping lowered her eyes, thinking.

Chen Ji studied her, her expression concealed under the black veil of her hat, exceedingly cautious.

A moment later, Aunt Ping looked up: "Does it have to be tomorrow? If the timing were more flexible, I could position staff near Wenchang Bookstore to ensure nothing goes wrong. The third one has gone to Jing Dynasty, and to have reliable people, they'd need to be deployed from Changping, Langfang, Tanggu, and Datong. If we could wait until next month, the third one might return from Jing Dynasty."

Surprisingly, Chen Ji shook his head again: "Aunt Ping, I can't wait anymore. Only one day, I must capture Si Caoding before midnight tomorrow."

Aunt Ping thought for a moment: "Alright, then tomorrow."

Chen Ji planned: "Aunt Ping, you're an unfamiliar face at the Glass Factory; showing up there might raise suspicions. At that time, Aunt Ping would stay outside Wenchang Bookstore. Once I confirm Si Caoding's identity inside, I'll call for you to take action."

Aunt Ping suddenly laughed: "No need to be so troublesome."

Chen Ji puzzled: "Hmm?"

Aunt Ping pushed the sliced watermelon toward Chen Ji: "Wenchang Bookstore is my lamp's asset; I have my own ways to blend in."

Chen Ji was astonished.

Jing Dynasty Trade, Dragon Gate Inn, Bianyifang Restaurant, Wenchang Bookstore... how many businesses does the lamp hide?

Aunt Ping turned to remind: "Tomorrow, you shouldn't stay at Wenchang Bookstore; Si Caoding must be a Seeking Dao Realm Official, being too close might get you hurt. Don't worry, my lamp wants to capture Si Caoding even more than you do."

Chen Ji declined: "I must be close by; I can't afford to miss any clues."

Aunt Ping stared at him for a moment: "Alright."

"Aunt Ping, see you tomorrow at Wenchang Bookstore," Chen Ji said as he stood up and walked to the door.

Aunt Ping suddenly called him: "Wait a moment."

Chen Ji turned back, seeing Aunt Ping walking into the house, using a hemp rope to net a watermelon, exiting the main house.

She first pulled out a short knife from her sleeve and offered it to Chen Ji: "Tomorrow at the Glass Factory, it's inconvenient to bring your long knife, so use my short one instead."

Chen Ji took the short knife and drew out an inch, seeing a "Qing" character engraved below the knife's hilt an inch in. The knife seemed used for a long time, blunted repeatedly, and sharpened again, making the blade extremely thin and narrow.

He looked up and asked: "This is Aunt Ping's long-time personal item, right? It's not appropriate for me to use; I can find another one."

Aunt Ping looked at Chen Ji holding the knife, her voice softened slightly: "It's alright, it fits you well, just keep it."

Aunt Ping then lifted the watermelon and handed it to Chen Ji: "I wanted you to eat it, but you didn't, so take one back and taste it with Xiao Man. If you don't have time to eat when you're back, put it in a well for a night and eat it chill and sweet."

Chen Ji looked down at the watermelon and finally smiled as he accepted it: "Thank you, Aunt Ping."

...

...

The last day agreed with the Prime Minister, in the morning.

Chen Ji rose from the bed, took a deep breath, rolled up his sleeves, and left Chen Mansion.

Passing Fuyou Street, he waved and said to the ruffian: "Give me a copy of the morning news."

The ruffian pulled open the bag and took out a yellowed newspaper: "Guest, it's twenty cents."

Chen Ji took the newspaper and casually asked, "Wasn't it five cents before? How did it become twenty?"

The ruffian replied with a smile, "Sir, back when it was five cents, it was our small newspaper's opening period, only with one page. Now it's full four pages, so naturally, it costs more."

Before Chen Ji could respond, a carriage stopped by the roadside, and the driver tossed a string of copper coins to the ruffian: "Get a newspaper for my master."

Chen Ji didn't bother looking at the carriage, holding the newspaper, he walked towards the Outer City on his own.

Walking into the alley of the Glass Factory, he carried the newspaper, reading as he walked, using it to discreetly observe every passerby around him. Surely Si Caoding and spies from the Military Intelligence Department were hidden among them.

Suddenly, Chen Ji noticed a familiar figure walk into a bookstore.

His eyes narrowed, puzzled, as that person usually wouldn't visit the Glass Factory. Why were they here today?

Chen Ji quickened his steps to follow, but just at that moment, a voice suddenly came from behind, "Brother Ji!"

Chen Ji's fingers slightly tightened around the newspaper. He feigned nonchalance as he turned back, only to see Shen Ye striding over with a smile, "I thought that back looked familiar. I called out on a whim, and it is indeed you!"

Chen Ji looked Shen Ye up and down. Today he wore a long cotton-linen tunic resembling a Daoist robe, his hair tied casually with a white jade hairpin.

Shen Ye?

Why is he at the Glass Factory? Is it a coincidence, or does he have another motive? Today, anyone at the Glass Factory seemed suspicious, everyone looked like a spy from the Military Intelligence Department.

Chen Ji appeared delighted: "Brother Shen, didn't you go to the government office for the roll call?"

Shen Ye laughed heartily, "You don't have to work at the government office, so you wouldn't know. Today is a holiday for the Hanlin Academy, so I naturally don't need to attend the roll call."

Chen Ji feigned realization: "I see... Brother Shen, are you here to buy books at the Glass Factory?"

Shen Ye explained, "Not at all. I work at the Hanlin Academy with Lin Chaojing. This morning, he sent someone to my house saying Wenyuan Bookstore finally acquired the unique copy of the 'Stone Bell Mountain and Water Album' from a collector, with a preface personally written by Mr. Wen Xu. The bookstore took this opportunity to invite scholars from the Imperial Capital to browse and also hold a literary meeting. I'm a fan of Mr. Wen Xu, so naturally, I had to come and see."

So, they were going to Wenyuan Bookstore, not Wenchang Bookstore.

Before Chen Ji could speak, Shen Ye pulled his arm forward: "Come, come! Since you're here, why not join me? I heard the landlord of Wenyuan Bookstore plans to open a jar of Stone Frozen Spring tonight. It's a rare and exquisite wine."

Chen Ji initially wanted to pull away from Shen Ye's grip, but upon hearing this, he eased his strength, letting Shen Ye lead him.

He pondered to himself, why is Wenyuan Bookstore displaying a unique copy at this time, drawing scholars from the Imperial Capital to the Glass Factory — is it an intentional diversion or a coincidence?

He curiously asked, "Brother Shen, does Wenyuan Bookstore often hold literary meetings?"

Without turning his head, Shen Ye replied, "Quite often. Just within the six months that I've been in the capital, Wenyuan Bookstore has held dozens of literary meetings. A new book by a famous author requires a meeting, a review by a renowned critic requires another, obtaining a unique or rare book also demands one. The landlord profits from it too, selling hundreds of books in just one meeting."

Chen Ji thought to himself, so that's how it is, whether there's a problem with Wenyuan Bookstore still needs further observation.

As they passed by a bookstore, he glanced sideways to look inside. That familiar figure had entered this store, but now looking in, he couldn't see them anymore.

Arriving at the front of Wenyuan Bookstore, the place was buzzing with voices.

Before even entering, Chen Ji heard a loud voice from the backyard saying, "Gentlemen, please! Today, our humble establishment invites you not only to appreciate a unique book but also seeks a favor."

Lin Chaojing's voice followed, "No need to be formal, landlord. We are grateful for your hospitality; please speak freely."

The loud voice responded with a laugh, "Have any of you read the recent sensational Capital Morning News? Our humble establishment wishes to emulate it. However, we lack the breadth of talent to write so many articles, and so we wish to invite contributions from you esteemed scholars. By this means, we can establish the newspaper. Of course, as long as you are willing to write, our humble establishment will provide a remuneration for your efforts."

Shen Ye listened outside, turning to Chen Ji with a seemingly mocking smile: "Brother, your Capital Morning News has gained quite the reputation. Some are indeed jealous. The landlord of Wenyuan Bookstore is Xu Bin, a branch from the Xu family, and if he wants to compete with you in business, he might just manage to take a bite."

Chen Ji said nothing, and the next moment, Lin Chaojing's voice was heard clearly from the courtyard: "I wondered what it was! Such a simple matter. The Marquis of Wuxiang is nothing but a mere martial artist. All of us here today are the young talents of the Imperial Capital. If each of us writes an article for the landlord, how can we not overshadow that so-called newspaper?"

As soon as he finished talking, Chen Ji heard Qi Zhaoning's voice laughing as he added, "If you all manage to surpass that newspaper, not only will Wenyuan Bookstore offer remuneration, but my Qi family will also express our thanks."

Shen Ye chuckled: "It's fate, you see."

He pulled Chen Ji inward: "Come, let's spoil their moment of glory."

Chen Ji stood his ground, considering heading to Wenchang Bookstore: "Brother Shen, if I go in, it might spoil everyone's mood, so I won't."

Unable to move him, Shen Ye had to stop and look back with interest, saying, "Brother, in my view, even combined, those pedantic scholars can't match you. Don't worry, I'm on your side."

With that, he dragged Chen Ji over the threshold: "What's the commotion, gentlemen? Allow me to join in!"

The people in the backyard turned their heads all at once. When they saw Chen Ji beside Shen Ye, they immediately fell silent.

Seeing this, Qi Zhaoning provocatively inched closer to Lin Chaojing.