The slope was gentle, with a wide road. Soon they reached the top.
As expected, the mountaintop was filled with lavishly decorated carriages. Everywhere he looked, there were people in splendid clothes. The Xuan Duke Mansion party had arrived late, so they had to park in a slightly remote spot, and the young masters had to walk to the viewing platform.
Helan Zhen led the way, followed by Helan Chang and Helan Rong, with Lu Shuo bringing up the rear.
Helan Zhen walked briskly with his hands behind his back. Almost everyone they passed was familiar; they exchanged nods and brief greetings, sometimes stopping to chat before moving on.
Most of those who had come to watch the race were young people, but there were also some elders. Helan Zhen greeted them politely, exchanged a few words about household matters, earning nods and smiles from the elders, who clearly thought highly of him.
Helan Chang and Helan Rong, usually so talkative, now obediently followed Helan Zhen in greeting people. They only showed excitement when they ran into friends their own age.
Naturally, some asked about Lu Shuo.
They didn't recognize him and assumed he was a friend of Helan Chang's. When they learned he was the Duke's adopted son, they couldn't hide their surprise, eyeing Lu Shuo with increased scrutiny.
Lu Shuo was uncomfortable with that kind of look.
Fortunately, the socializing didn't last long. Helan Zhen led them to the viewing platform and found seats.
The view from the mountain was beautiful. Although the sun was high, a mountain breeze kept it from being too hot. At the foot of the mountain, a wide moat wound its way, its banks crowded with people.
Servants skillfully unloaded tea, pastries, and other refreshments from the carriage and set them out for the young masters.
The race hadn't started yet. Helan Chang and Helan Rong couldn't sit still and went off to play with some friends they had met earlier.
Helan Zhen glanced at Lu Shuo. "If you're bored, you can go with them."
Lu Shuo looked around, hesitated, then admitted, "I don't know anyone here..."
If he wandered off and offended someone, that would be bad.
Helan Zhen smiled. "Then it's fine to sit here."
Lu Shuo thought that with the Eldest Young Master present, he felt much more at ease.
But he hadn't expected that Helan Zhen would only sit for a short while before someone nearby called out to him.
The person seemed to be a close friend of the Eldest Young Master, because Helan Zhen perked up at the sight of him, rose with a broad smile, and called out his courtesy name.
"I'm going to chat with someone," Helan Zhen said to Lu Shuo. "If you need anything, just call for Tianqing."
When the young masters of the Duke Mansion went out, they brought more servants than masters.
Besides each having a personal attendant, there was a driver to handle the carriage, and two guards for emergencies.
Helan Zhen left the two guards and Tianqing with Lu Shuo.
With nothing to command, Lu Shuo quietly drank his tea.
After a while, he heard the crowd stirring. He looked up and saw several dragon boats entering the water, slowly heading toward the starting line for final preparations.
Lu Shuo couldn't see if the rowers were strong, but he could clearly see the boats themselves: heads held high, colorful paint vivid, sleek bodies, tails cutting through the waves.
So many dragon boats lined up in formation was quite impressive. Lu Shuo was mesmerized.
Just then, something tapped his shoulder.
He turned to see a young man in a dark blue satin robe holding a folding fan, standing behind him.
Lu Shuo looked at him blankly.
"Which household are you from? It's not proper for one person to take up so much space, is it?" The young man, around twenty, looked down at Lu Shuo. "Our Song Duke Mansion wants to watch the race from here. Move aside."
Lu Shuo was stunned.
Song Duke? He had never heard of the title, but it sounded as high-ranking as Xuan Duke?
But their conduct was completely different.
Wasn't it first come, first served? How could they be so unreasonable as to kick people out? These people were worse than the village bullies! If the Helan brothers had spoken like that outside, the Duke would have given them a thorough beating.
"I... I'm not alone," Lu Shuo said, swallowing hard, trying not to show weakness. "I came with the three young masters of the Xuan Duke Mansion."
"You're from the Xuan Duke Mansion?" The young man looked surprised and scrutinized Lu Shuo from head to toe.
The gaze was even sharper than before, with a hint of mockery on his face.
"Where did the Xuan Duke Mansion pick up someone like this? Why are you dressed so shabbily?" He opened his fan and laughed. "Don't tell me the Duke enforces military discipline at home and preaches frugality?"
Because he was in mourning, Lu Shuo wore plain clothes with almost no accessories. In contrast, the young lord wore embroidered satin robes, a jade belt hook, two jade pendants, and a sachet hanging at his side—the picture of elegance. Even the servant behind him was more ornately dressed than Lu Shuo.
Lu Shuo's face stiffened. He looked at Tianqing.
What was wrong with the Song Duke Mansion people? Their words were so harsh. Did they have a grudge against the Xuan Duke Mansion?
Tianqing took a deep breath, stepped forward, and put on a polite smile. "Young Master Du, you may not know, but this is our mansion's Young Master Lu, the Duke's newly adopted son. He came with the other young masters. Although they are temporarily away, they will return, so we cannot vacate the spot. Please understand."
"Adopted son?" Young Master Du raised an eyebrow and laughed heartily at Lu Shuo. "The Duke's taste in nurturing juniors is becoming stranger and stranger. I hear the Second and Third Young Masters' grades at the Imperial Academy hover between C and D, far behind the Eldest Young Master. And now he takes in an adopted son who's even worse? By your accent, you seem to be from the northwest. The Duke sure has a kind heart, taking in a country bumpkin like that as his adopted son."
Tianqing's face turned ugly.
The Song Duke Mansion's young lord had insulted Lu Shuo, not just belittling him but also trampling the Xuan Duke Mansion's dignity.
But given the Song Duke Mansion's standing, a mere servant couldn't talk back. He could only signal to the two guards to go find the Eldest Young Master.
"What? Going to fetch reinforcements? Good timing." Young Master Du narrowed his eyes mockingly. "Your Second and Third Young Masters are just kids, so I won't bother with them. But your Eldest Young Master still owes an explanation for breaking my cousin's half-tooth last time. This is a good chance to settle it!"
Lu Shuo was dumbfounded.