After My System Went Bankrupt, I Found My Happy Ending with the General - Chapter 23

En, enter the palace???

Luo Chuchen stood frozen in place. But Chu Yanzhu had no patience for his daze. He stood up and said, “The carriage is waiting outside. Come with me.”

Like a puppet on strings, Luo Chuchen followed Chu Yanzhu into the carriage before finally snapping out of it. Worried, he asked, “If his father reports this to the emperor, will it be a serious problem?”

Chu Yanzhu glanced at him coolly and replied, “You might as well ask whether hiding the fact that you went to Yanying Mountain with me and Liang Jue, and then leaving the family coachman behind on the way back, is a serious problem.”

Luo Chuchen: “…”

He gave an awkward smile. “Then is what you mentioned serious, Uncle?”

Chu Yanzhu responded with a hollow smile. “Serious. And if you had told me everything that happened as soon as you returned home yesterday, giving me enough time to prepare a response, entering the palace wouldn’t have been a problem. But you said nothing. In court, I was caught off guard by that scoundrel Minister Li and almost got scolded without a chance to retort. Luckily, the emperor dismissed the matter and told us to resolve it after court.”

Chu Yanzhu turned and raised an eyebrow at Luo Chuchen’s increasingly embarrassed expression. “Li Yuan is supposed to take the imperial exams next spring. Liang Jue broke his hand do you think he’ll just let it go?”

“Him? Taking the imperial exams?” Luo Chuchen was stunned.

In Yunzhou, all the scholars he had met who were preparing for the exams were dignified, refined, and diligent. Even the more spirited ones never crossed the line.

He had assumed that academic achievement was linked to one’s character.

After hearing his thoughts, Chu Yanzhu said, “The environment in the capital isn’t like the harmonious atmosphere of an academy. Your grandfather carefully selects those who study there, so you naturally wouldn’t encounter people of low character. But the capital is different it’s a mixed bag. The emperor hasn’t been on the throne long, and many powerful individuals are still stirring up trouble. You need to be mentally prepared.”

Luo Chuchen nodded obediently.

“Right now, you haven’t inherited the title yet, so I can still protect you as your elder,” Chu Yanzhu continued. “But the reason you returned to the capital is to inherit the title. Once you become the Marquis of Pingyang, you’ll have to bear the consequences of your actions alone even Liang Jue won’t be able to help you. Understand?”

Luo Chuchen hadn’t considered this and widened his eyes slightly. After a moment, he nodded. “Understood.”

He was used to being sheltered and pampered first by his parents, then by his grandfather in Yunzhou, and now by Liang Jue.

Hearing Chu Yanzhu’s words left him feeling adrift.

Chu Yanzhu chuckled at his expression. “I knew you wouldn’t grasp it yet.” Then he added, “My words may sound harsh, but take this as a lesson. If something like this happens again, remember to tell me. After all, I’m a first-rank official, while Liang Jue is only second-rank. Got it?”

Luo Chuchen blinked.

He didn’t have the heart to say that he’d never had a clear understanding of Chu Yanzhu and Liang Jue’s official ranks or status.

His only vague impression was that they were very busy and very powerful.

As they neared the palace, Chu Yuanzhu advised, “Don’t be too nervous. Just speak less and observe more later. They aren’t in the right either they’re just being unreasonable. The Emperor might impose some symbolic punishment, but it’s nothing serious. Those two clowns are merely relying on their backers. I’ll do most of the talking when the time comes.”

While they spoke, the carriage arrived at the palace gates. The two alighted.

Before them stood towering, imposing crimson walls, with imperial guards armed with swords and blades standing on either side. A eunuch approached them at the entrance. “Lord Chu, Young Marquis, His Majesty is waiting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

“Thank you,” Chu Yuanzhu nodded, while Luo Chuchen hastily echoed the sentiment.

Led by the eunuch, they soon reached the outside of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The doors were tightly shut, and another eunuch stood waiting by the entrance. After greeting them with a beaming smile, he whispered, “Minister Li is still inside, weeping. General Liang is there too. His Majesty hasn’t made any move yet he’s waiting for you.”

Bowing, the eunuch pushed open the doors and led them inside to announce their arrival. Shortly after, they were summoned to enter.

From the moment he stepped into the palace, Luo Chuchen had been on edge, his nerves stretched taut. Now, he followed closely behind Chu Yuanzhu, silently rehearsing the ceremonial kowtow in his mind, his gaze fixed firmly on the back of Chu Yuanzhu’s heels.

As they passed several layers of screens, the sound of a man’s wailing reached their ears.

Unable to resist his curiosity, Luo Chuchen stole a glance.

A middle-aged man in dark purple court robes sat in a chair to the right, feigning tears as he wiped his eyes. Beside him, Li Yuan hung his head. Seated in a chair to the left of the imperial desk was Liang Jue, also dressed in dark purple court robes, whose gaze happened to meet Luo Chuchen’s.

Though Liang Jue gave no indication of recognition, Luo Chuchen inexplicably felt a little more at ease. He smoothly followed Chu Yuanzhu in performing the ceremonial greeting. The Emperor waved a hand. “Rise, take your seats.”

Looking around, Luo Chuchen noticed empty chairs on either side of Liang Jue. The one further in was undoubtedly for Chu Yuanzhu, so Luo Chuchen took the seat farther away, keeping his eyes lowered and his mind focused, not uttering a word.

The Emperor said, “Minister Li, now that the heir of Pingyang is here, do you have anything to say?””Minister Li stifled his sobs and knelt on the floor, choking out, ‘Your servant means no disrespect, but General Liang and the heir of Pingyang have truly gone too far.'” My son has studied diligently for over a decade, hoping only to earn a good rank in the spring examinations next year. Yet now his hand has been twisted his right hand, the one he uses to write! This is a deliberate attempt to ruin his career!”

Before Liang Jue could respond, Chu Yuanzhu chuckled.

“Spinning tales so eloquently, are we? My nephew and Liang Jue have no grudge against Li Yuan. Why would they intentionally twist his hand?”

Minister Li retorted, “Who knows their motives! My son’s hand is broken, while the heir and General Liang stand here completely unharmed. Whatever the reason, my son has suffered the greater loss!”

With that, he began weeping again. “My poor son ”

The Emperor rubbed his temples. “General Liang, care to explain?”

Liang Jue replied in a low voice, “Minister Li, perhaps you should ask your fine son what he did.”

Li Yuan remained silent, while Minister Li continued to weep, “Heaven and earth bear witness! My son merely noticed the young master’s noble aura and wished to befriend him. Who could have known the young master’s temperament was so volatile? After just a few words, he splashed my son’s face with syrup. My son is no spineless weakling, and since the young master had concealed his identity at the time, a few thoughtless servants took matters into their own hands and detained him. Then, General Liang arrived without a word, beat my son, and even twisted his arm until it broke!”

Luo Chuchen was so incensed he nearly laughed. Chu Yuanzhu, on the other hand, did not hold back and let out an outright chuckle.

Minister Li shot Chu Yuanzhu a glare, his anger flaring. “Your Majesty! What is the meaning of Lord Chu’s laughter at a time like this?”

“Minister Li, my apologies, but your account is so twisted and evasive, it’s truly a masterclass in deception,” Chu Yuanzhu replied. “Chuchen has always been a person of quiet dignity. The truth is, Li Yuan misjudged him, assuming he was an ordinary commoner with no background, and proceeded to act inappropriately, making numerous disrespectful and offensive remarks. Why have you omitted this part of the story?”

“Moreover, on the twenty-fifth of last month, the very day the young master arrived in the capital, he encountered Li Yuan again at the entrance of a pastry shop in the southern part of the city,” Liang Jue interjected. “Why not let Li Yuan himself recount what he did that day?”

“The young master may be reserved, but does that mean my son isn’t?” Minister Li seemed to have instructed Li Yuan to remain silent and continued his lament. “I suppose the young master’s pride is too high to endure even a few words from my son. With General Liang as his ally, my son, a mere scholar, stood no chance against two opponents. This is nothing short of bullying!”

Luo Chuchen thought to himself, “How can he say such things with a straight face?”

Liang Jue countered, “Minister Li, perhaps you are unaware that besides the young master and myself, Lord Lu Yangqiu was also present that day. If you insist on twisting the truth, why not summon Lord Lu to clarify the matter and restore Li Yuan’s good name?”

He emphasized the last two words, speaking slowly and deliberately.

Upon hearing this, Minister Li’s mouth fell open, and he froze, uncertain whether to continue. Clearly, he had not anticipated that they would produce an unrelated witness.

Chu Yuanzhu added cheerfully, “Why not summon Lord Lu right now? That way, we can determine whether Li Yuan truly intended to make a friend or had other motives in mind.”

Minister Li’s tears dried up instantly, and he knelt on the ground, visibly flustered and unsure of what to do next.

Seeing his father at a loss for words, Li Yuan suddenly stood up, glaring furiously at Chu Yuanzhu and the others. “Who’s to say Lu Yangqiu isn’t in cahoots with you? You could have coordinated your stories long ago to frame us!”

“Coordinated our stories?” Chu Yuanzhu straightened his sleeves leisurely. “Even if the three of us could collude, and Lord Lu could as well, what about Chang Yongnian, Zhou Dong, and Yuan Xingwei? Could they have coordinated their stories too?”

The latter names were entirely unfamiliar to Luo Chuchen, who listened in confusion. But Li Yuan’s face suddenly turned deathly pale. He took a step back, collapsing into his chair, stammering in shock, “You… they.”

Minister Li glanced back at his son in bewilderment, then turned to Chu Yuanzhu.

Chu Yuanzhu smiled faintly. “Yes, you heard correctly. The capital is only so big did you really think you could keep things hidden from everyone?”

Li Yan craned his neck defiantly. “S-so what? These are merely private matters. Does Lord Chu intend to wield absolute power and fabricate charges against me?”

Luo Chuchen understood now the names Chu Yuanzhu had mentioned earlier must have been men who had suffered under Li Yan’s cruelty. At this realization, he looked at Li Yan with disgust.

“If you often walk by the river, how can you avoid wetting your shoes? As a scholar, how do you not understand this principle?” Chu Yuanzhu remained smiling, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“You you’re spouting nonsense!” Li Yan sputtered in fury.

“Enough,” the Emperor interjected abruptly. “What do you think the Imperial Study is? How dare you make such a racket here.”

Li Yan still wore an expression of defiance, while Chu Yuanzhu leisurely offered an apology. The Emperor waved his hand dismissively. “Given the circumstances, Minister Li, do you have anything further to say?”

Minister Li, finally grasping the situation and realizing his son had exposed himself, knew further arguments would be futile. He sat back in his chair and replied meekly, “Your Majesty, I have nothing more to add.”

“Having heard everything, I find both sides at fault. Since Li Yan is so fond of studying, let him recuperate at home until the spring imperial examinations. He is not to wander outside, lest he injure himself again and cause Minister Li further grief,” the Emperor declared coldly. “As for General Liang, he shall reflect on his mistakes at home for ten days.”

Li Yan immediately wanted to protest, but his father pressed down on his shoulder, forcing him to bow and accept the decree.

Chu Yuanzhu seemed relatively satisfied with the outcome, smiling broadly. He waited until Liang Jue also rose to accept the decree before saying, “Since the matter is resolved, we shall take our leave.”

Luo Chuchen blinked in confusion. Was he not involved?

The next moment, he heard the Emperor say, “Ministers Chu and Luo, remain.”

Luo Chuchen: ? Please, no.