Chapter Twenty: A Friend’s Invitation

The Tang Dynasty had only recently begun, still in the early years of the Zhenguan era. Yet, the city of Chang’an was already showing signs of burgeoning prosperity. Most capable individuals were flocking to Chang’an, for it was the seat of the Emperor himself, and one could never tell when fate might turn in their favor. Other regions clearly did not offer the same opportunities as Chang’an.

“Brother, you truly have made me see you in a new light. I never expected you to gain the favor of Uncle Li; that’s no small feat for just anyone,” Cheng Chumo remarked, impressed beyond his prior expectations of Su Chen. Initially, Cheng had misjudged him. Merely having Li Jing’s protection was enough to shield Su Chen from Long Sun Chong’s threats, but it was clear Su Chen’s ambitions ran far deeper.

“This is just the beginning; there’s much more to come. Why worry now?” Su Chen smiled. Like a lion battling a rabbit, he was putting forth his utmost effort. Facing Long Sun Chong required no less than everything—he could never rely on just one or two allies; he needed the full strength of his network. Moreover, this was an opportunity to firmly establish himself in Chang’an.

“Relying on heaven, earth, father, or sister isn’t reliable—especially not my brother-in-law. In the end, one must rely on oneself,” Su Chen understood this truth profoundly. Without any real power or leverage, when life and death are at stake, one might amount to nothing.

As the two walked down the street, they happened upon Li Huairen. It had been days since their last meeting, and upon seeing Su Chen, Li Huairen hurried over. “Things really have changed. Your name’s been on everyone’s lips these past few days. At first, I thought it was just idle gossip. I even went to your clinic to find you, but you weren’t there, so I came this way—and here you are.”

Li Huairen had wanted to visit sooner but had been tied up with family matters. Over the past days, he had heard much about Su Chen’s exploits. At first, he was skeptical; it seemed Su Chen had been hiding his talents well. When a few of them gathered, naturally, they reminisced about old times. Su Chen, as usual, brushed their questions off with familiar excuses.

He claimed he had long been secretly self-studying, which both Cheng Chumo and Li Huairen found hard to believe. Were it not for the mounting evidence, they would never have accepted it.

Their conversation eventually turned to recent rumors from the Goulian District: a woman of rare beauty had arrived, and perhaps tonight they might catch a glimpse of her.

“I’m afraid I’m busy on my end, so I probably won’t go,” Su Chen hesitated. He had come to the Tang Dynasty to accomplish great things—how could he waste time in a place like the Goulian District?

The Goulian District was a famed locale in Chang’an, essentially the era’s most notable brothel, frequented mostly by nobility and high officials. When Su Chen had previously mingled in Chang’an, he had often visited to listen to music, much to his sister’s distress. Now, knowing he moved in elite circles, he felt such places beneath him.

Li Huairen, however, looked unconvinced. “Brother, you’re not a stranger to this place—you used to be a regular. Why the sudden shyness now?” he teased. Cheng Chumo pulled Su Chen along. “Afraid your sister or the Crown Prince might find out? Don’t worry, we’ll just listen to the music—no one will know.”

Cheng Chumo was itching to go; it had been days since they’d visited Goulian. Taking advantage of the moment, with Su Chen as their shield, seemed perfect.

Though reluctant, Su Chen saw their enthusiasm and, given his past frequent visits, felt skipping out would seem unnatural. “Alright then, I can’t say no to you two. I had resolved not to go anymore, but for my brothers, I’ll make an exception,” he sighed, intrigued by what went on inside. After all, he had not yet visited since arriving in the Tang era. The Goulian District was closed during the day, so its inner workings remained a mystery.

Li Huairen took Su Chen’s reluctance as mere pretense.

The Goulian District was not in the bustling city center but located in Chang’an’s northeastern corner. The entire street was lined with eateries, with the Goulian District occupying half the street. It was an asset of the Cui family, one of the most prominent in Chang’an.

“Tonight, there’s said to be a woman from Suzhou—a place quite distant but famed for its beauties and exceptional talents in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting,” Li Huairen shared, having thoroughly researched the news. He had brought a substantial sum with him, eager to meet this rare beauty from afar. However, the woman was rumored to have some peculiar tastes.

“It seems many will be attending tonight,” Cheng Chumo said uneasily, worried his own father might show up. They had already spotted several familiar faces but had chosen a secluded spot. The madam was astute and knew certain guests could not encounter one another, quickly assigning them to separate rooms downstairs.

These rooms overlooked the outside, but it was difficult for outsiders to see inside. Within the Goulian District stood a stage for the young women’s performances.

“Master Su, Master Cheng, Master Li—this place has been reserved just for you few. It’s been a while since your last visit. Are you here to see one of my daughters tonight?” the madam greeted them, calling the women “my daughters,” as was customary. The women, in turn, called her “Mother Madam.” Su Chen understood these old traditions.

“It’s just that we heard a new lady has come all the way from Suzhou. We want to see her,” Li Huairen stated plainly, having grown tired of the usual faces.

The madam’s expression darkened. Many had come tonight to see the newcomer, but clearly, only one person would have the chance. This put her in a difficult position. Whoever was granted an audience would inevitably deny others, and all these visitors were influential and powerful—offending any could be disastrous.

If mishandled, the Goulian District stood to suffer greatly.