Chapter One: The Saint of Love

"Young master... young master, you’re finished. You’ve been indulging in food, drink, and brothels in Suzhou. Let’s see how you’ll explain yourself when you get home this time."

"......"

"Young master... young master, madam said if you keep refusing to mend your ways, master will throw you out of the house."

"......"

The little maid carried a bundle on her back, chattering away, her big, bright eyes glaring at the young master walking ahead, grumbling incessantly.

These seven or eight days traveling with the young master have been the most miserable time for Little Grace. The young master’s bad habits never change; once he’s out, he’s like a bird released from its cage, either heading to the brothel or the gambling den. In just three days, all the silver was spent, and he even racked up a mountain of debt. Just a couple of days ago, perhaps afraid he couldn’t explain himself upon returning, the young master suddenly fell gravely ill, but then miraculously recovered overnight, and made a decision—to go home!

The young man in front, dressed in a scholar’s cap and robe, with sword-like brows and a high nose, was none other than Charles Harper. He was the only son of the Hao family, which was a well-off household in Songjiang Prefecture, with ancestors who had once been prominent figures.

Charles Harper turned a deaf ear to Little Grace’s scolding. What troubled him now was that he had actually transmigrated to a strange place, and coincidentally, this person looked exactly like him and was also named Charles Harper.

After a few days of adjustment, he had more or less figured out this young master’s background. He was a thoroughbred playboy. Charles Harper didn’t mind being a playboy; in fact, as the eighteenth-generation sole disciple of the Saint of Love, his goal was to take playboy-ism to the extreme.

It was just a pity that this young master’s playboy skills were utterly lacking in technique—he couldn’t even be a proper playboy, which really gave Charles Harper a headache.

Fortunately, this person’s status was decent—at least the family was wealthy, and he was still a young master. Charles Harper considered this a huge advantage. However... it was currently the third year of Jianwen. Even if Charles Harper was a complete idiot in history, he knew the Jingnan Campaign had already begun, and the Prince of Yan was marching south straight for Nanjing.

Does this count as troubled times? But if it’s troubled times, why is Songjiang Prefecture still filled with singing and dancing? Charles Harper looked at the passing residents, unable to help but think indignantly, "At least show a little respect for the young Emperor Jianwen, will you? His uncle is on his way, and you’re still laughing? Be a bit more serious!"

It was autumn, the cold wind bleak, yellowing leaves constantly drifting down from the roadside trees. It had been drizzling for days, the air thick with a damp, earthy smell. Fortunately, Songjiang was a major city in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, so even in the depths of winter, the streets were still bustling with people.

Relying on the memories of this body’s original owner, Charles Harper finally stopped in front of a large mansion.

The estate covered a considerable area, located in a prosperous part of Songjiang. Through the branches stretching over the courtyard wall, one could still see the tall pavilions and layered rooftops inside.

Charles Harper fanned himself, full of interest, and couldn’t help but say, "What grandeur."

Suppressing all sorts of wild fantasies, he stepped up to knock on the door. The doorman cracked it open and poked his head out. This doorman was the Hao family’s old servant, named William Harper, whom Charles Harper vaguely remembered.

As soon as William Harper saw Charles Harper, his face lit up with joy. "Young master is back? Didn’t you say you went to Suzhou Academy to study? Ah—young master, come in quickly, the wind is strong outside. San’er, go inform master and madam."

San’er was William Harper’s son, sturdy and strong. The old man had served as a servant in the Hao family, and his son followed in his footsteps, now also in charge of guarding the gate. Hearing his father’s call, he immediately dashed off toward the inner courtyard like the wind.

Charles Harper entered, fanning himself as he surveyed his future property: gray brick walls, massive wooden pillars, a triple courtyard, dozens of rooms on either side, and a moon gate dividing the estate into inner and outer courtyards. Beyond the screen wall was the skywell. Charles Harper made a rough estimate and couldn’t help but calculate, "A mansion like this, if it were in modern times, in a busy city, would probably be worth at least a hundred million. What a tycoon, what a tycoon... Ahem, transmigrating isn’t so bad—getting to pick up a tycoon’s life for free."

Little Grace followed him in, but immediately poured cold water on Charles Harper: "Young master, master will break your legs. But... I’m hungry now, I’ll go see if there’s anything to eat in the kitchen."

"Save me a portion, thanks." Charles Harper realized his own stomach was growling too.

Little Grace made a face at him. "Young master will be eating the paddle." With that, she hopped away, hands behind her back, acting all grown-up as she strode off.

Charles Harper gave a wry smile. This girl had taken meticulous care of him along the way, but her mouth never admitted defeat—she didn’t act like a maid at all.

With a carefree air, Charles Harper fanned himself and entered the courtyard.

When he reached the rear hall, James Harper made a face at him. "Young master, master and madam are waiting inside. Please go in and speak with them."