Chapter 52: Completely Different After Three Days Apart

For the very first time, the father and son of the Su family shared genuine laughter together.

Even the servants outside found it hard to believe their ears. In the past, whenever Su Dan and Su Chen crossed paths, it invariably ended in a shouting match. After all, back then, Su Chen had been utterly devoid of learning and skill, idling away his days like a common street thug, and even taking pleasure in spying on neighboring girls as they bathed.

Time and time again, Su Chen had driven Su Dan to the brink of fury. Every encounter was guaranteed to be filled with endless scolding. Yet today, they were chatting away so pleasantly, sharing lighthearted smiles and laughter.

"It truly seems that young master has completely changed. It's beyond anything we could have imagined. We used to wonder how someone as fine and upright as the master could have a son so utterly devoid of sense. Only now do we realize that the young master was merely concealing his true brilliance all along, keeping his immense talents hidden from view."

The household staff of the Su residence were overflowing with joy. Many of them had watched Su Chen grow up. In the past, they had witnessed his endless mischief and rebellion, daring not to voice their concerns, secretly praying only that one day he might turn over a new leaf.

And now, that day had finally arrived.

The transformation was nothing short of miraculous.

A broad smile spread across Steward Su's face as well. The heavens had finally opened their eyes, and the Su family now had a worthy heir. Someone had finally stepped up to carry the family mantle. Although Su Chen held no official post in the imperial court, word had it that his medical clinic was flourishing, and his famed brew, Taibai Drunk, had left the entire city of Chang'an in absolute awe.

"At last, there is someone capable of holding the Su family together. The master will soon be leaving to assume a post elsewhere, and now this household can finally be safely entrusted to the young master."

Overcome with emotion, Steward Su felt hot tears stream down his face. His family had served the Su house for generations, and his ancestors had even adopted the Su surname. His loyalty was entirely devoted to the clan's prosperity; as long as the Su family flourished, his descendants would be able to serve them for generations to come.

Yet, due to the political turmoil left over from the Sui Dynasty, the Su family had gradually fallen into decline. Although Su Dan still held an official position in the court, and Su Wan'er had become the Crown Princess, these honors had not immediately reversed their declining fortunes.

The most critical issue was the apparent lack of a worthy successor, for Su Chen had spent his days idling about, offering not a single glimmer of hope. Su Dan had never dared to harbor grand illusions; he merely prayed that his son would accomplish even the smallest modicum of honest work.

Unlike other prominent households, their family situation was uniquely precarious. They could not afford to behave with the arrogant, unbridled haughtiness typical of the aristocratic scions of Chang'an. Yet, no matter how much advice was offered, Su Chen had simply refused to listen.

It was only now, through Su Chen's own sudden ambition and drive, that the situation had undergone a complete and radical transformation.

Su Dan and Su Chen conversed for roughly the duration it took for half a stick of incense to burn.

"My son, you have truly grown up. You have matured in so many ways, becoming a completely different person from who you used to be."

Midway through their conversation, the corners of Su Dan's eyes reddened with emotion. This was, without a doubt, the happiest moment he had experienced in a very long time. Though his official career had never reached soaring heights, at least his daughter had found a respectable destination, now sitting as the Crown Princess.

His greatest and most agonizing fear had always been this son of his, constantly dreading that the boy would court disaster. The recent incident involving Princess Changle had weighed heavily on his mind, causing him endless anxiety as he secretly schemed behind the scenes to find a solution.

Never had he imagined that this exact ordeal would serve as the catalyst for his son's profound awakening, transforming him into such a sensible and capable young man.

"Father, it is true that I lacked sense in the past and was utterly oblivious to the ways of the world. But the moment Zhangsun Chong's threatening letter was placed before me, everything suddenly became clear. In this world—especially in times like these—unless a man is strong enough himself, he will only ever be trampled and bullied by others."

Su Chen skillfully attributed his sudden transformation to the provocation by Zhangsun Chong. Without such a narrative, it would have been nearly impossible to explain how an unprincipled scoundrel of a young master could miraculously turn into the divine physician of Chang'an overnight.

With this convenient pretext in place, everything fell neatly into logical order, framing his change simply as a desperate bid to survive in Chang'an and escape the crushing threat posed by Zhangsun Chong.

Listening to this, Su Dan felt that he owed Zhangsun Chong a debt of gratitude. If not for that threatening letter, and the impending arrival of Zhangsun Chong in Chang'an half a month later to settle scores with Su Chen, his son might still be squandering his life away just as he had done in the past.

Naturally, such thoughts could never be spoken aloud. Whatever path his son chose to take, a father's duty was to stand firmly by his side.

"My boy, I understand the worries weighing on your heart. The Zhangsun family is indeed not an adversary we can easily provoke. When Zhangsun Chong eventually arrives, if you truly find yourself cornered with no other option, go and seek help from your elder sister. For the sake of the Crown Prince, I hardly believe Zhangsun Chong would dare to push you too far."

Knowing he was soon to depart from Chang'an, Su Dan repeated these injunctions over and over again. For now, relying on his daughter and son-in-law seemed to be their only recourse.

After all, Li Chengqian was the current Crown Prince, and the Zhangsun family would surely have to grant him at least a modicum of face.

Yet, Su Chen privately scoffed at the notion, knowing full well that Li Chengqian was utterly unreliable. That fellow would eventually gamble away his own crown prince status through sheer foolishness.

If his survival in Chang'an truly depended on Li Chengqian, Su Chen figured he might as well just lie down and wait for death.

However, since his accommodating "father" had put it that way, Su Chen politely nodded in agreement, choosing not to contradict their wishes and spark another pointless argument.

"I understand. I shall keep it in mind. In fact, before I even returned home today, Elder Sister visited my medical clinic and conversed with me for quite a while."

Su Chen shared the news of Su Wan'er's visit to his clinic. Should a situation genuinely arise that required Li Chengqian's intervention, Su Chen certainly wouldn't hesitate to make use of it.

"That is good. If any difficulties arise, do not hesitate to seek out your brother-in-law. Soon, your father will have to leave Chang'an, and I know not when I shall be able to return. For this period, the Su household rests entirely upon your shoulders. Had this been the past, I would never have dared to place such a heavy burden upon you, but now, you have truly grown."

Su Dan could genuinely perceive that his son had matured. Throughout their conversation just now, the depth of his insights and the maturity of his thoughts were a world apart from the past.

At last, he could pass this heavy responsibility into hands capable of holding it.

Yet, the Su household was practically barren, possessing virtually no surplus wealth. Out of lingering apprehension that Emperor Taizong might one day dredge up old accounts from the Sui Dynasty, Su Dan had always walked a tightrope. Aside from his meager official salary, he never dared to accept gifts or money from anyone, nor did he dare to engage in overly intimate private associations with other officials.

Compounded by the fact that his daughter had become the Crown Princess, he exercised even greater caution to avoid any actions that might jeopardize the political futures of his daughter and son-in-law.

He had walked cautiously through life, his sole lingering anxiety being his wayward son. But seeing how things stood now, his son had grown into a man.

Though a myriad of reluctant attachments tugged at his heart, he knew the time had come to place the destiny of the family squarely into Su Chen's hands.