Little Trinkets

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the group bowed and took their leave. Shen Jingchuan, along with Lin Shan and Lin Yue, turned and walked towards the four-wheeled carriage waiting by the street, while Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan stood in place watching them go.

The carriage was made entirely of gleaming steel, with transparent glass windows on all four sides, devoid of the usual curtains and canopies of carriages, making it both novel and impressive.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone road with almost no bumps, making the journey both steady and brisk.

The three exchanged a glance, a hint of envy in their eyes.

Zhou Tong was initially focused on the departing four-wheeled carriage, but his gaze swept over the strong horses pulling it and then caught sight of the tall horse following behind. Suddenly, he snapped back to reality.

He raised his hand and nudged Xu Mo and Su Yan on either side of him, his voice trembling with surprise:

"Hey, you two, don't just look at the cart! Look at what kind of horse it's pulling, and then look at the one following behind!"

Xu Mo and Su Yan immediately focused their attention, and their expressions changed drastically after just two glances. Su Yan even forgot to wave her folding fan, exclaiming in a low voice, "Heavens! This is Whirlwind Horse?!"

Zhou Tong clicked his tongue and nodded, looking utterly bewildered, and remained silent for a long while.

After Shen Jingchuan, Lin Shan, and Lin Yue boarded the carriage, they took their seats in turn. Inside the carriage, Lin Qingyao was already sitting and waiting, with Yue'er standing beside her. Upon seeing everyone board, Yue'er slightly curtsied. After the carriage door closed, Liu Hu lightly cracked his whip outside, and the carriage smoothly drove along the long street towards their residence.

As soon as the car came to a stop, Lin Qingyao looked up at Shen Jingchuan and asked softly:

"So, did you get the invitation to the park?"

Lin Yue, unable to contain himself, spoke first, his voice brimming with undisguised pride:

"My dear sister, you have no idea! Young Master Shen really made a name for himself today! Three esteemed examiners personally came to the examination hall to find him, and the person in charge, Scholar Juren Zhang, even wrote a letter of recommendation for him as a distinguished guest!"

As he spoke, he smiled at Shen Jingchuan:

"Young Master Shen, why don't you take it out and let Miss see it!"

Shen Jingchuan smiled faintly, took out the gold-flecked paper from his pocket, and handed it over.

Lin Qingyao took it and unfolded it. She saw that the paper Higher Vehicle of superior quality, the handwriting was neat and upright, and a vermilion seal was stamped at the end. It was indeed not comparable to an ordinary wooden invitation. She exclaimed in surprise:

"Is it really a recommendation letter from a distinguished guest? I've long heard that VIP letters from Jade Autumn Garden are extremely rare, requiring recommendations from those with both official rank and reputation. This Old Master Zhang has actually made an exception for you?"

After sighing, she frowned again and said softly:

"It's a pity that you can go inside and attend the gathering tomorrow, while the rest of us can only watch from the outside."

"It's alright." Shen Jingchuan waved his hand.

"I specifically asked, and this VIP recommendation card allows two people to accompany you into the park; family members and attendants are also welcome."

Lin Qingyao's eyes immediately lit up, and she blurted out:

"Then I'll count! I've heard that Jade Autumn Garden is very beautiful, and I've been wanting to see it for myself."

Yue'er stood to the side with her eyes lowered, her fingertips gently twisting her handkerchief. She was filled with longing but dared not utter a single word—as a maid, how could she dare to suggest going along? She only dared to secretly glance up before quickly lowering her head again.

Lin Yue scratched his head, looked at Lin Shan beside him, and said readily:

"There's only one spot left, brother, you should go. I'm a rough guy, not very interested in poetry, but at least you know a bit more about it than I do."

Lin Shan shook his head, his tone calm:

"I'm not particularly interested either. Poetry gatherings are for refined scholars and gentlemen; I'd feel awkward there. It's better if my second brother and I find a tavern outside, have a couple of drinks, and enjoy the fun. Let Yue'er come along; the two girls can look after each other, and it'll be easier for them to get things done."

Yue'er suddenly looked up, her eyes instantly brightening, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up in a smile. She quickly lowered her head to suppress her joy and respectfully curtsied to Lin Shan and Lin Yue.

"Thank you for your consideration, sir. I will certainly serve Miss and Young Master Shen well."

Though her voice was soft, it held an undisguised joy.

Shen Jingchuan suddenly remembered something, turned around and pretended to take something from his bag, but actually took out three gold-decorated brocade boxes from his Ring space and placed them on the table.

"I happen to have three little trinkets for you," he said with a smile.

Lin Qingyao first took the small brocade box and opened it. Inside the box was a dark red velvet cushion, and in the center lay a bronze pocket watch. The bezel was inlaid with twelve tiny amethyst stones as markers, and the case was engraved with a light lotus scroll pattern.

Under Shen Jingchuan's guidance, she pressed the side spring to open the watch case. The inner dial was as white as Xuan paper, with the twelve hours engraved in small seal script, and two fine black hands moving steadily on their own. She slightly widened her eyes and pondered:

"Judging by its appearance, it looks like a water clock? But I've never heard of one so small and exquisite."

Lin Shan and Lin Yue each opened the brocade box in front of them. Theirs were men's watches, slightly larger in size, with cloud and thunder patterns engraved on the case. They were heavy and substantial, and the hour markers were also marked with amethyst. The workmanship was extremely exquisite.

Lin Yue held it in his hand and weighed it in his hand, then looked up at Shen Jingchuan:

"Young Master Shen, this object is so exquisite, can it really be used for telling time?"

Shen Jingchuan then took out the watch he always wore from his pocket, pressed the trigger, opened the watch cover, and handed it to the three of them, saying:

"This is called a pocket watch, it's used for telling time. You just carry it with you, and it will keep running on its own without any need for care. If you look closely, you'll see that the hands move slowly along the hour markers."

Lin Yue held the pocket watch in his hand, feeling its heavy weight, and quickly waved his hand, saying:

"Young Master Shen, this item is so exquisite and rare, it's far too valuable! You always give us these precious things as gifts, we've received so many favors for nothing, we don't even know how to repay you."

Lin Shan nodded in agreement, gently placed the brocade box back on the table, and said seriously:

"Indeed. How could our family accept such lavish gifts from you again and again?"

Shen Jingchuan smiled and pushed the brocade box back in front of the two of them, saying:

"Eldest Brother Lin, Second Brother Lin 're too kind. They're just little timekeeping gadgets, nothing valuable, just something to make it easier to tell the time."

Lin Qingyao had received so many gifts from Shen Jingchuan that her hands were sore from accepting them, so she simply stopped refusing and happily accepted them:

"Thank you, Young Master Shen, I really like it."

While fiddling with it together with Xiaoyue, they asked about the details of its use. Lin Shan and Lin Yue shook their heads but accepted it, and also learned how to use it from the side.

Back at his residence, as evening approached and the daytime heat subsided, Shen Jingchuan tidied himself up and then called the Lin brothers, Lin Shan and Lin Yue, to go out for a banquet together.

Upon hearing this, Lin Shan frowned first, and Lin Yue waved his hand directly, saying, "Young Master Shen, that banquet is full of scholars who are good at literature and calligraphy. My brother and I are both martial artists who are good at wielding swords and spears. We wouldn't be able to get a word in edgewise, and we would just be sitting there feeling constrained. It would be more comfortable to rest in the courtyard."

Shen Jingchuan smiled and advised, "Eldest Brother Lin, Second Brother Lin, we're new to Chang'an and don't know anyone. It's always good to get to know more people. Even if we don't talk about poetry, literature, or literature, it's good to hear about the local customs and news of Chang'an. Consider it joining in the fun."

Lin Shan pondered for a moment and felt that this made sense. The reason he and his brother came to Chang'an this time was to make more acquaintances, which would indeed be beneficial to their future business of four-wheeled carriages in Chang'an.

He turned to look at Lin Yue, nodded, and said, "Alright, I have nothing else to do tonight anyway, so I'll go take a look."

Seeing that his elder brother had agreed, Lin Yue didn't say anything more, only muttering a couple of things like, "Don't blame me if you feel bored later," before straightening his clothes as well.

The Drunken Immortal Tavern, where the banquet was being held, wasn't far from their lodgings, and their four-wheeled carriage was too conspicuous. So the three of them decided to walk instead, strolling slowly along the shade of the trees by the street. After walking for less than half an hour, they could see the signboard of the Drunken Immortal Tavern in the distance.