After My System Went Bankrupt, I Found My Happy Ending with the General - Chapter 19

Finally, the day of the grand event arrived. Luo Chuchen woke up early, busily organizing and checking the painting tools he planned to bring.

Shechuan helped him pack, and when it was time to leave, he quickly fetched a fur robe and draped it over Luo Chuchen’s shoulders.

“Young master, you look so spirited today truly handsome.”

Luo Chuchen held his small hand warmer and glanced down at his attire. The brocade robe underneath was newly made, and though the fur coat had been worn for some time, it was crafted from high-quality material. By all appearances, he looked every bit the refined young gentleman.

Though he didn’t take the compliment too seriously, he nodded appreciatively and said, “Of course. Have you forgotten who your young master is?”

Luo Chuchen’s courtyard was quite far from the main gate of the Chu residence. Since the snow had started falling, he had been using the side entrance for his comings and goings.

The carriage was already waiting outside the side gate. Luo Chuchen climbed in using the steps, settled into his seat, and couldn’t resist setting aside the hand warmer to blow warm breaths into his palms.

“It’s so cold. I don’t remember the capital’s winters ever feeling this frigid,” he murmured to Shechuan, who had just entered the carriage.

“In the past, young master, your health wasn’t strong enough for us to take you out casually in winter. The charcoal fires in your room never went out, so of course you never felt the cold.”

Shechuan chuckled, then reached over to check the temperature of Luo Chuchen’s hand warmer. Satisfied that it was warm enough, he added, “It’s not far to Yanying Mountain less than half an hour. Young Master Jue mentioned earlier that he’d wait for you outside the city gate. Once he’s with you, you won’t have to worry about the cold anymore.”

Luo Chuchen hadn’t meant to complain seriously and simply replied, “True.”

Before long, the carriage reached the city gate. Due to the Frost Gathering Festival, many people were leaving the city that day, and a long queue had formed at the gate.

Luo Chuchen hadn’t expected such a crowd. Curious, he lifted the carriage window curtain to peer outside.

Shechuan leaned in to look as well and remarked, “I heard that the festival is being hosted by the Prime Minister’s residence. They’ve invited many renowned scholars, artists, and children of high officials, along with numerous candidates who’ve already arrived in the capital for the spring imperial exams. It’s a rare occasion, so there are even more spectators than usual.”

Luo Chuchen murmured in acknowledgment, feeling a bit more nervous.

“I wonder when Young Master Xu will arrive in the capital,” Shechuan added.

Luo Chuchen: !

It had been a long time since he’d heard Xu Changlin’s name, and the mention caught him off guard. His relaxed mood instantly tensed. “Ah, yes, he’ll be coming to the capital for the spring exams next year too.”

Unaware of his young master’s inner turmoil, Shechuan continued speculating, “Yunzhou isn’t far from the capital by boat. Probably, Young Master Xu will stay at the academy a few more days to prepare thoroughly before setting out.”

Luo Chuchen felt as though an embarrassing past were being dredged up. His earlier excitement and nervousness about the festival faded significantly. He brushed off the topic, saying, “Whether he arrives early or late has nothing to do with us anymore.”

Shechuan looked puzzled. “Huh? Didn’t you used to enjoy visiting Young Master Xu? Before we left for the capital, your great-grandfather specifically reminded you to look out for each other.”

“That was three months ago. Who knows what could change between now and then?” Luo Chuchen tried to deflect.

Shechuan still seemed confused and was about to press further when someone knocked on the carriage door. The coachman called from outside, “Young master, someone is here to see you.”

It was Liang Jue. Today, he wore a dark blue brocade robe with vine patterns, a black cloak draped over his shoulders, and his long hair tied up with a silver crown looking dashing and carefree.

“Liang Jue!”

Luo Chuchen seemed to have found his savior as he eagerly poked his little face out from the carriage door. “You’re here!”

Liang Jue greeted him and, standing outside the carriage, pointed to the line of vehicles ahead. “Quite a few people are traveling by carriage today. If you wait in this queue, it’ll probably take over a quarter of an hour.”

“That long?”

Liang Jue suggested, “Why don’t you and Shechuan get off? It’s just a short walk to the city gate. My family’s carriage is parked there it’ll be much faster.”

Luo Chuchen was tempted and glanced back at his family’s coachman.

The coachman, knowing exactly who Liang Jue was, waved his hand dismissively. “Go ahead, young master. I’ll return to the estate later.”

But Luo Chuchen hesitated. He wasn’t sure if Chu Yanzhu was at home. If they happened to run into him upon returning and Chu Yanzhu asked, wouldn’t he find out that Luo Chuchen had gone off to play with Liang Jue again?

Liang Jue, noticing his hesitation, guessed his thoughts and said to the coachman, “Why don’t you follow us with the carriage? Just stay a bit behind no need to accompany us closely. Consider it a day off. You can pick up your young master after the festival.”

As he spoke, Liang Jue pulled a small paper-wrapped item from his sleeve and handed it to the coachman.

The coachman hurriedly declined. “There’s no need for this. Escorting the young master is my duty.”

But Liang Jue firmly tucked the package into the coachman’s arms, leaving no room for refusal. “Just don’t mention this to your master when you return, that’s all.”

Luo Chuchen chimed in, “Take it. I’ve heard there are many fun things at today’s festival. You’ve been working hard lately go relax a little.”

Unable to refuse any further, the coachman finally accepted it.

Luo Chuchen took Liang Jue’s hand and hopped down from the carriage. The three of them headed toward another pedestrian gate. After having their tokens checked one by one by the city guards, they hadn’t walked far beyond the gate when they spotted Liang Jue’s carriage.

It was the same one Luo Chuchen had seen on his first visit to the Liang residence the one Madam Jiang had used. It was much larger than Luo Chuchen’s.

He Qi stood beside the carriage, smiling warmly as he greeted the two.

Luo Chuchen wondered for a moment why there was no coachman in sight. It wasn’t until he and Liang Jue boarded the carriage that he realized He Qi himself was going to drive.

Shechuan volunteered to sit outside with He Qi, eagerly looking forward to chatting with him.

Luo Chuchen felt this wasn’t quite appropriate, but Liang Jue stopped him. “Let him have fun outside. It seems he and He Qi really hit it off.”

“True,” Luo Chuchen said with a hint of jealousy. “He never gets that excited around me.”

Liang Jue chuckled. “Why are you competing over this?”

Luo Chuchen hummed discontentedly, clutching a hand warmer as he shifted closer to Liang Jue. “Anyway, if your attendant is taking mine off to play, then you have to keep me company.”

Liang Jue hummed in agreement and retorted, “Did I wait for you outside the city early this morning just to accompany some other young lord?”

Luo Chuchen teased, “Who knows?”

When they reached the foot of Yanying Mountain, the carriage was stopped by servants from the Prime Minister’s residence. It turned out that all carriages and sedan chairs were to be arranged uniformly outside the garden for the day.

He Qi handed the carriage over to a servant in charge, exchanged tokens, and then followed Luo Chuchen and the others as they made their way toward the lake.

There were no major man-made barriers between Yanying Mountain and Mingyue Lake, only two or three small gardens. For today’s grand event, the Prime Minister’s residence had specially reserved one of these gardens. On one hand, it served as a resting place for the attendees; on the other, it functioned as an entrance to the gathering. Anyone wishing to enter had to pass through the garden and present their invitation.

At the entrance, Luo Chuchen showed the invitation his master had given him, while Liang Jue produced one from somewhere as well. Both were verified without issue.

The steward in charge of verification specifically handed Luo Chuchen a small token and explained, “All participants in today’s poetry and painting activities will receive tokens. Please make your way to the east side of Mingyue Lake, near Linyun Pavilion, by noon. The Prime Minister has invited Lord Lu Yangqiu, hoping everyone can appreciate the snow and create paintings together. Lord Lu will judge the works, and those who excel will not only receive his guidance but also be invited to stay after the event for a special reward from the Prime Minister. Many students from the painting academy are here today as well. I wish you success, young master.”

Lu Yangqiu was a renowned court painter, and Yin Zikun had mentioned his name several times while teaching Luo Chuchen.

Luo Chuchen had initially resolved not to participate upon hearing about the painting competition. But now, learning that Lu Yangqiu was involved, he felt tempted. Torn, he muttered, “Thank you for your kind words,” before grabbing Liang Jue and hurrying off.

Beyond the garden lay a tree-lined avenue leading to the lakeshore. Snow had fallen the night before last, and the path had been cleared, with snow piled on either side. The surrounding trees were draped in silver, creating a beautiful scene.

“Should I go or not?” Luo Chuchen clutched his small hand warmer, leaning close to Liang Jue as he rambled on indecisively.

“It is indeed a good opportunity,” Liang Jue remarked impartially, as was his habit of not offering strong opinions.

“That may be true.” Luo Chuchen frowned, listing the pros and cons of attending or not. He only stopped when they reached the lakeside dock.

Pausing his chatter, Luo Chuchen noticed that Liang Jue had been smiling at him the whole time. Realizing this, he felt inexplicably flustered. With a huff, he waved his sleeve dismissively and said, “Forget it. There’s still plenty of time until noon. We’ll decide when we get closer.”