After My System Went Bankrupt, I Found My Happy Ending with the General - Chapter 12

Some time passed, and the day of the Winter Hunt finally arrived as December approached.

Winter in the capital came with a fierce intensity. Even though Luo Chuchen’s health had been consistently high, he still struggled to endure the biting cold. He carried a small hand warmer everywhere he went, secretly wishing Liang Jue would climb over the wall to visit him three times a day.

Luo Chuchen visited Yin Zikun twice a week. In addition to teaching techniques, Yin would assign him exercises to practice.

During the wait for the Winter Hunt, aside from painting, Luo Chuchen spent his days obsessively staying with his little horse though the horse still hadn’t been given a proper name.

Chu Yanzhu scoffed disdainfully, “If I’d known you’d be so distracted by trivial pursuits, I wouldn’t have given it to you.”

But as the weather grew colder, Luo Chuchen’s outings for riding became much less frequent. He simply couldn’t bear the wind cutting into his face like knives.

On the day of the Winter Hunt, he almost couldn’t get out of bed because of the cold.

Shechuan coaxed and pleaded, finally managing to coax his young master out from under the covers. He dressed him in short riding attire suitable for archery and layered a thick cotton robe over it. The robe was trimmed with snow-white animal fur, wrapping around Luo Chuchen’s pale face anyone who saw him would feel the chill just by looking.

Fortunately, Chu Yanzhu, being a civil official, could travel by carriage. In front of the carriage, Chu Yanzhu looked at Luo Chuchen’s pitiful state and said flatly, “If you’re this afraid of the cold, you might as well stay home. Otherwise, you’ll suffer later.”

Hearing this, Luo Chuchen was actually tempted.

Thankfully, laziness hadn’t taken deep root in his mind. He struggled internally, thinking that he had practiced horseback riding for so long and this was his first chance to visit a proper hunting ground. It was also his first time participating in such a large-scale event.

Ignoring Chu Yanzhu’s words, he squeezed into the carriage, huddled in a corner, and silently rubbed his hands over his hand warmer.

The Imperial Winter Hunt, with all the officials in attendance, was truly a rare and grand spectacle.

Luo Chuchen peered curiously out the carriage window, seeing endless lines of carriages stretching as far as the eye could see, with soldiers escorting them on both sides. Looking back, he saw his little horse and Chu Yanzhu’s black steed, Wuzhui, following alongside the carriage.

Chu Yanzhu held a high-ranking official position, so his carriage was positioned near the front of the procession. Looking ahead, he could just make out the ornate canopy of the emperor’s dragon carriage in the distance.

Thinking of the emperor, Luo Chuchen recalled their chance encounter in the Southern Garden and suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

As he was gazing out, the collar of his robe was suddenly tugged, and he was pulled back into the carriage. Startled, he met Chu Yanzhu’s cold expression.

“What kind of impression do you think you’re making, leaning out the window for so long?” Chu Yanzhu said. “If you’re that eager to see, ride your horse alongside us. I guarantee you’ll see the most that way.”

Ugh, why was he angry again?

Luo Chuchen offered an apologetic smile and said, “If I do that, by the time we reach the hunting grounds, you’ll only have a frozen nephew left.”

“…” Chu Yanzhu frowned. “What kind of nonsense is that?”

Realizing he’d misspoken, Luo Chuchen quickly made a sound of disapproval.

Chu Yanzhu said disdainfully, “I really don’t know how that Liang kid puts up with you. You’re so pampered, you two are worlds apart.”

Luo Chuchen stayed silent, then heard Chu Yanzhu add, “Guess where Liang Jue is?”

Liang Jue had told Luo Chuchen many things to note about the Winter Hunt but had never mentioned where he himself would be.

“At the front?” Luo Chuchen guessed randomly.

Chu Yanzhu shook his head. “He’s leading the troops at the very front. He’ll be riding the entire way. Now look at you.”

Luo Chuchen gave an acknowledging hum, feeling a surge of admiration and wonder inwardly. He remarked, “Even though I can’t stand the cold, he’s still willing to be friends with me.”

Chu Yuanzhu snorted disdainfully, “Do you really think he just wants to be friends with you?”

Luo Chuchen retorted, “What else could it be?”

Chu Yuanzhu shot him a sidelong glare, then turned away, too lazy to continue the conversation.

Luo Chuchen simply brushed it off as another one of Chu Yuanzhu’s usual mood swings. He caressed his small hand warmer, imagining it as Liang Jue’s naturally warm palm, and let out a contented sigh.

After traveling for about half an hour, they finally arrived at the hunting grounds. The imperial guards had already set up shaded tents and camps ahead of time. Luo Chuchen and Chu Yuanzhu stepped out of the carriage to find the hunting grounds situated on a vast plain near the mountains. In the distance, dense forests stretched out, while the hunting area itself was leveled and spacious, enclosed by a wooden fence adorned with fluttering banners that rustled in the wind.

Standing before the hunting grounds, it felt as if both body and mind had lightened.

Luo Chuchen took a deep breath of the fresh air, only to hear the sound of approaching hoofbeats. Looking up, he saw a general clad in dark golden armor riding toward them. Though his face was unclear from a distance, his imposing presence was unmistakable. The horse he rode was equally striking silver-white all over, resembling clouds or snow, its hooves kicking up dust as it galloped closer.

The general reined in his horse gently before a carriage ahead, bowed slightly, and whispered a few words to an official who had just stepped down from the carriage.

Chu Yuanzhu commented from the side, “That’s the current prime minister. He must have been summoned by the emperor.”

Sure enough, a servant brought over a horse, and the official mounted it swiftly, seemingly preparing to accompany the general.

Luo Chuchen watched with curiosity. Suddenly, the general turned his head and met his gaze.

Only then did Luo Chuchen get a clear look his heart leaped. It was Liang Jue!

Liang Jue showed no intention of lingering. After their brief eye contact, his imposing aura softened slightly, and he gave Luo Chuchen a subtle wink before turning and riding away swiftly.

The entire encounter lasted only a moment, but Luo Chuchen saw it clearly. Even after the two figures had vanished, his heart continued to race, and his ears felt warm.

This was the first time he had seen Liang Jue in full military attire. In the past, Liang Jue had always worn casual clothes around him, joking and chatting amiably with a gentle and tolerant demeanor.

Because of this, Luo Chuchen had never truly felt that Liang Jue had changed.

He never expected Liang Jue to have such a completely different side.

His entire presence was like a sharp sword gleaming with cold light. Even from such a distance, one could sense the battle-hardened aura of someone who had emerged from the battlefield.

Luo Chuchen didn’t feel unfamiliar or afraid. On the contrary, he was exhilarated, filled with an inexplicable excitement.

He couldn’t wait to see Liang Jue again!

It took Luo Chuchen a while to calm down. He followed Chu Yuanzhu to their tent, drank some tea, and rested briefly.

Once all the officials and their families had settled in, a palace eunuch arrived to summon the officials for an audience with the emperor.

Luo Chuchen asked, “Do I need to go?”

He was still unsure of his own status, whether he was a young marquis who hadn’t yet inherited his title or simply a family member accompanying Chu Yuanzhu.

Chu Yuanzhu replied, “No, you’re not considered an official yet. Just rest here.”

Luo Chuchen nodded blankly in response. Chu Yuanzhu then removed his outer coat, lifted the tent flap, and stepped out.

The officials’ audience and formalities seemed to drag on indefinitely. The tent was warm and cozy, and Luo Chuchen, clutching his hand warmer, felt the urge to doze off. He quickly called Shechuan in from outside.

Sekawa seemed to have been chatting with someone outside. When he entered, his cheeks were flushed and beaming with a smile as he bowed and asked, “Young master, what is it?”

Luo Chuchen hesitated for a moment before saying, “Did you bring any storybooks? It’s so boring inside this tent.”

He had only asked on a whim, but to his surprise, Sekawa actually pulled one out from his sleeve. Luo Chuchen took it, flipped through a few pages, and realized it was a story he had already read, which only deepened his boredom.

Sekawa paced around the tent, searching here and there, and eventually brought over a box of chess pieces. “Young master, how about we play a game of chess?”

“…Alright.” Luo Chuchen felt a slight itch of anticipation.

Luo Chuchen was only a half-baked Go player who barely knew the rules. Fortunately, Sekawa was just as unskilled. With two amateurs playing together, neither had any reason to complain about the other.

But playing poorly for too long could still grow tedious. So, while in Yunzhou, Luo Chuchen secretly taught Sekawa how to play Gomoku. He repeatedly emphasized that Sekawa must never tell anyone about this game.

He didn’t believe he had such a strong protagonist aura that he could invent a new way to play chess without arousing suspicion.

Sekawa didn’t quite understand, but he was obedient and always avoided others, never telling a soul.

Just as the two were enjoying their game, they suddenly heard the rustle of the tent flap being lifted.

“Oh? Playing chess?” the newcomer asked curiously.