Volume One, Chapter Twenty-Two: The Wealthy Young Man Knows Nothing—Watch My Performance!

"Hey! Little sister! How could you do that? That was drawn by big brother!" Zhang Jinbao stood by, utterly dumbfounded, stamping his feet in frustration, yet helpless against his beloved little sister.

In the end, all he could do was wear a pained expression as he hurriedly gathered the remaining stones, clutching them to his chest as if they were treasures, afraid that if he were even a moment slower, his sister would snatch them away.

Chen Pingchuan took in the entire scene, a barely perceptible smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Everything was proceeding exactly as he had planned.

Indeed, this was a crucial part of his design.

As a mere page, he could not freely come and go in the Zhang household, let alone venture outside to peddle his “painted stones.”

But through the Zhang siblings, Jinbao and Jingshu, it was a different story.

The Zhang family’s business stretched across all of Luzhou Prefecture, even extending into neighboring counties. These little painted stones, seemingly unremarkable, were novel and amusing—perhaps, through the hands of these children, they might quietly make their way into the circles of the affluent, opening an unexpected market among them.

In this way, the river pebbles his father had painstakingly collected would, after his own “differentiated” craftsmanship, truly gain value—selling for prices hundreds or even thousands of times higher than ordinary stones!

Only then could life at home truly begin to improve!

At last, the opportunity Chen Pingchuan had been waiting for arrived.

“Pingchuan, tomorrow Master and Madam will be taking the young master and young miss to Magistrate Liu’s residence to attend a banquet for the county magistrate’s wife’s birthday.”

That afternoon, just after Chen Pingchuan had finished practicing calligraphy with Zhang Jinbao, Steward Ren called him aside, his expression grave.

He lowered his voice, his face solemn, “You are to go as well.”

“Be sure to behave properly. Under no circumstances can you bring shame to the Zhang family. Do you hear me?”

Chen Pingchuan’s heart stirred.

To the magistrate’s residence?

This was a rare and golden opportunity.

“I understand, Steward Ren. Please rest assured.” He lowered his eyes, his tone especially deferential.

The next day dawned bright and clear.

Dressed in a brand-new, finely woven cotton tunic, Chen Pingchuan followed behind the Zhang family’s carriage to Magistrate Liu’s grand estate.

The magistrate’s residence was indeed magnificent, exuding an authority and dignity that surpassed even the imposing Zhang mansion.

By now, all manner of carriages had already gathered outside the gates. Servants and maids bustled to and fro, the air thick with the fragrance of fine clothes and hair oils—a scene of lively, elegant commotion.

As a servant, Chen Pingchuan naturally couldn’t follow the family into the main hall.

Led by Steward Ren and guided by one of the household servants, he made his way to a side chamber where the attendants of the various households waited and took their rest.

The side hall was already filled with people, chatting in small groups.

It wasn’t long before a small figure burst in from outside, calling loudly, “Big brother! Big brother!”

It was Zhang Jinbao.

Chen Pingchuan hurried out of the corner to greet him, bowing politely. “Young master, what brings you here? Do you need anything of me?”

Jinbao’s chubby face was alight with excitement as he grabbed Chen Pingchuan by the arm, tugging him outside. “Come on! I want to introduce you to my friends!”

His voice was loud, drawing the curious gaze of many servants in the hall.

Steward Ren, not far away, watched his young charge’s energetic antics, a wry smile on his lips. He shook his head, saying nothing, tacitly giving his consent.

As long as this little lord wasn’t crying or causing a scene, what harm could it do?

Chen Pingchuan followed behind Jinbao, taking in the surroundings as they walked. Magistrate Liu’s estate was indeed extraordinary, with carved beams, painted rafters, and winding passageways.

After passing through several beautifully crafted corridors, they arrived at a refined and playful little flower pavilion, reserved for the children’s amusements.

The pavilion was elegantly arranged and already filled with finely dressed children in splendid attire.

At the head of the group stood a boy of about nine, clad in a royal blue silk robe with subtle patterns and a jade belt at his waist—his attire the most distinguished of all. His chin was raised ever so slightly, exuding a natural air of arrogance. He was none other than Liu Ming, only son of Magistrate Liu.

Beside Liu Ming was a robust boy with a broad, round face—Sun Yong, the beloved son of Scholar Sun from town, whose bearing was somewhat overbearing and spoiled.

Another, smaller and more wiry, with eyes that darted mischievously, was Qian Yue, son of the local wealthy merchant Master Qian.

The children were gathered around Qian Yue, chattering animatedly over an object in his hands.

When they saw Zhang Jinbao enter, followed by the plainly dressed, somewhat countrified Chen Pingchuan, they barely acknowledged them.

Chen Pingchuan’s gaze swept over the object in Qian Yue’s hands.

It was a nine-linked ring puzzle, not gold nor jade, but made from some exceptionally hard wood, polished to a glossy shine and intricately constructed.

The other children craned their necks, their faces filled with unconcealed envy and longing.

“Brother Qian Yue, can I have a turn?” a younger boy pleaded, his tone fawning.

Qian Yue, hearing this, pulled the puzzle protectively to his chest, smirking with pride. “This is a rare treasure my father spent a fortune to procure from far away! It’s precious!”

“If you lot break it with your clumsy hands, you couldn’t possibly pay for it!”

Zhang Jinbao was clearly envious—he loved novel trinkets—so he eagerly pushed forward and called out, “Fatty Qian, what’s that fun thing? Let me see it!”

Qian Yue shot him a sideways glance and bluntly refused, “No.”

“You fool, you’re the clumsiest of all—if you break it, can you afford to pay?”

Jinbao’s face instantly flushed red, and he was about to retort when, suddenly remembering something, he hastily pulled out a river stone from his pocket, painted with the “Monkey King.”

He thrust the stone before the group, puffing his chest with pride. “Hmph! I don’t care about your silly ring puzzle! Look what I have!”

“This is Sun Wukong! The Great Sage, Equal to Heaven! He can ride the clouds, and with one somersault, cross eighty-one thousand miles!”

Sure enough, the children’s eyes were drawn by the vivid colors and unique design of the stone, and they crowded closer, curiosity piqued.

On the stone, the monkey was painted with remarkable liveliness, full of spirit.

But Liu Ming glanced at it with indifference and scoffed, “It’s just a rock.”

“Anyone can paint a monkey on a stone—what’s so special about that?” His tone was laced with disdain.

Sun Yong quickly joined in, pointing and laughing at the stone. “Zhang Jinbao, if you can make that silly stone fly, I’ll swallow Qian Yue’s puzzle whole!”

Qian Yue cackled along, his gaze mocking.

These children were used to playing with bows and slingshots, fighting cocks and racing dogs. They had never even heard of the legends told in “Journey to the West.”

To them, no matter how well painted, a stone was just a dead thing—nothing to be impressed by.

Chen Pingchuan knew—the moment for him to step in had finally arrived.