Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 59: Chill

To be honest, I don’t have any grievances with Mr. Chen, Lin Xiaowen, or those other prominent families. Since they sent an invitation, of course I should show up.

The next day, Lu Chang’sheng and Li Nangua prepared a small gift and headed to the Chen Mansion.

Looking up at the tall gates and the grand courtyard, Lu Chang’sheng thought, "When I pass the provincial exam, I’ve got to build a place like this too."

Come on, I’ll be an Advanced Scholar—what’s wrong with living in a big mansion?

Hell, even if it’s not my dream, I’d have to do it anyway—otherwise, I’d be offending the other Advanced Scholars.

If I have it and you don’t, how could you possibly sleep at night?

So Lu Chang’sheng delighted in his little fantasy with a clear conscience.

After announcing his name, the gatekeeper didn’t dare raise any trouble.

Today was the merit banquet to celebrate the young master of the Chen family winning his Child Scholar title. Normally, Mr. Chen himself would be welcoming guests, but just now an important visitor had arrived, and Mr. Chen went inside to keep them company, so it fell to these servants to handle the rest.

But as soon as he stepped into the courtyard, an older woman led several female relatives his way.

"This must be Scholar Lu—so young!"

The elderly lady gazed at Lu Chang’sheng with a calm, appreciative look in her eyes.

Standing nearby, Zhao Qing chuckled, "Chang’sheng is from our own Zhao Family Village!" Then she turned to Lu Chang’sheng and said, "This is the First Madam."

Lu Chang’sheng quickly paid his respects.

He thought to himself: Wow, so many women in this house—it’s honestly a bit of a headache.

While Zhao Qing spoke, the First Madam started eyeing him very differently.

His guess was, maybe the old lady had some plan for him, but Zhao Qing’s words put a stop to that.

Clear as day, the Chen family’s inner courtyard was a raging battlefield—heck, even an old woman past her sixties couldn’t resist jumping in.

Still, from the look of things, the First Madam seemed a bit outmatched compared to Zhao Qing.

Just as he was thinking that, the older woman smiled and said, "Ah, so you and Little Qing are from the same clan? But, Little Qing, last time you said you’d introduce Scholar Lu to a wife, and now it’s been ages with not a word—what’s going on with that?"

Lu Chang’sheng’s eyebrow twitched—damn, the older really are the craftiest. Totally misjudged her.

That counterattack from the old lady was pretty fierce. If Lu Chang’sheng had any real interest in the Chen family, he might even feel a little ticked off.

A quick glance at his own situation and he knew Zhao Qing had dropped the whole wife-hunt because of that Xun family episode.

"Looks like the Chen family still minds what happened," Lu Chang’sheng thought. "But then why bother inviting me to the banquet?"

Watching the subtle drama flow between these women, he started to get antsy—so he found an excuse to slip away.

"Chang’sheng, did Zhao Qing ever try to set you up with a wife?" Li Nangua trailed after Lu Chang’sheng, unable to hold back her question.

"Of course not! Didn’t you hear what First Madam just said? She probably just thought about it for a bit."

"Ohhh..." Li Nangua nodded, but her face was a little tense. She eyed the Chen family maids walking past, looking as wary as a mother cat guarding her kittens.

Those foxy hussies—up to no good, obviously!

She realized the way those maids looked at Lu Chang’sheng was all too familiar—the same way she used to sneak glances at him herself. Her eyes sharpened instantly.

She’d trained in archery for years and practiced Immovable Stake—her essence, qi, and spirit were on a whole other level. So, those maids with designs on Lu Chang’sheng caught her gaze and got so rattled, they scurried off in panic.

Up ahead, Lu Chang’sheng didn’t notice a thing.

The merit banquet was set in the Chen Mansion’s front courtyard. Big families arrived with their relatives to celebrate; some faces Lu Chang’sheng recognized, others he didn’t. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Black Mountain Prefecture was huge, and each talented Child Scholar had their own social circle. Small circles like Mr. Chen’s were common here; some with business entanglements would pop by just for appearances’ sake.

Then there were the old-school Child Scholars, folks with a bit of history with Mr. Chen. Even if they hadn’t been officially invited, they showed up anyway. Seeing as the honored guest was a newly minted Child Scholar, the Chen family couldn’t really kick them out, but not many folks went out of their way to greet them either.

"Lu, what are you doing here?" Du Meng stepped out from the crowd.

When he saw Lu Chang’sheng, the dozen or so Child Scholars buzzing around Du Meng all looked a little awkward, but they forced a quick greeting and then slipped away.

These were the same guys Lu Chang’sheng had met before at Huiying Building—they’d flattered him then, but after that incident with the Xun family, they’d started keeping their distance. So now, seeing him again, it made things a tad uncomfortable.

"Those creeps still have the nerve to hang around me!" Du Meng scoffed, glancing back with disdain.

Lu Chang’sheng grinned, "Well, you’re full of literary talent—maybe they’re hoping to benefit from your glow."

Du Meng saw right through the compliment and shot back an eye roll.

"But really—what brings you here?"

It was no secret that Mr. Chen’s circle wasn’t exactly Lu Chang’sheng’s turf, which is why Du Meng was so curious.

"Good question—yesterday Mr. Chen sent me an invitation out of the blue!"

Hearing that, Du Meng got even more intrigued, but after a moment thought aloud, "Probably nothing good, I bet."

Lu Chang’sheng laughed, "A bad invitation’s all the more reason to show up. Otherwise, you never know what kind of mess you’ll miss—and that’s the real trouble."

"Truly, nobody’s sharper than you! Lantern Festival’s in a couple days—are you really not coming with me? With your talent, who knows, maybe you’ll even catch the eye of some big family’s young lady—"

He hadn’t finished when he suddenly felt a chill on his back. Glancing around, he saw Li Nangua smiling at him.

"Miss Nangua, did you feel a sudden chill just now?"

"Nope!" Li Nangua replied sweetly.

Du Meng muttered something, then went on, "I hear that Scholar Qin’s sister is drop-dead gorgeous, Lu, you’ve probably never seen her, right? If you did, I bet—"

"Hisss—" The chill was even sharper this time. He took a couple steps backward, "Miss Nangua, seriously, you didn’t feel a cold draft just now?"

"Maybe just a little. Why don’t you go check out somewhere else, Young Master Du?"

Li Nangua said primly.

Du Meng nodded, and turned to Lu Chang’sheng, "Lu, let’s grab a seat over there—"

Li Nangua’s eyes shifted instantly. But before anything else happened, the Chen family’s steward bustled over and said to Lu Chang’sheng, "Scholar Lu, my master invites you!"

"I’ll be right there!" Lu Chang’sheng answered.

"That Lu fellow is something else. If my family had any eligible daughters, I’d have introduced them to him in a heartbeat!" Watching Lu Chang’sheng walk off, Du Meng wagged his head and sighed.

Even though Lu Chang’sheng kept a low profile at Jixia Academy, Du Meng had noticed a thing or two. His appreciation for Lu Chang’sheng only grew.

Right as he finished mumbling to himself, he suddenly shivered. "I can’t take it, this place is haunted. Miss Nangua, I’m outta here."

He made a run for it, leaving Li Nangua standing in place, her face troubled.

Chang’sheng’s growing up. Who knows which rich family’s miss he’ll end up with?

For a while, her heart felt oddly heavy.

After a good while, she sighed inside, and said, "Chang’sheng is so amazing—maybe only those noble ladies truly deserve him." Somehow, that thought actually made her feel a bit better.