Chapter 114: The Circle

In the afternoon, autumn sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the room at Tianxian Tower where Lu Liaoliao stayed. Within the white gauze canopy, two intertwined bodies were clearly visible. The only woman who could indulge Lu Liaoliao in the daylight was none other than Gu Xiehua.

Like a devoted wife, she meticulously helped Lu Liaoliao dress, then looked him up and down, her face radiant with happiness and pride.

"From now on, my husband, Gu Xiehua’s man, is an official of the court. You can no longer go about your days so carelessly and aimlessly."

"Sigh!" Lu Liaoliao let out a frustrated breath. "Can a mere idle post guarding a warehouse even be considered an official position? I went to Yuzhen Temple this morning to thank my elder, and she told me that if I didn't want to be an assistant at the Directorate for Armaments, I could go be a minor official in Chang'an in charge of collecting night soil."

"Hee hee!" Gu Xiehua couldn't help but laugh. "You are still so young, why the rush? Regardless of whether it's an idle post or not, you are a ranked official now, aren't you?"

Lu Liaoliao shook his head helplessly and pulled a silk pouch from his robe, handing it to Gu Xiehua.

"What is this?" Gu Xiehua asked instinctively, pulling out a stack of property deeds from the pouch.

"Heh heh!" Lu Liaoliao chuckled triumphantly. "A villa at the foot of Mount Zhongnan—a wedding gift from that elder at Yuzhen Temple. Neither Wang Liuli nor Tang Xiaoqi knows about it yet."

Gu Xiehua pursed her lips and smiled, teasing him, "Master Lu, is this your payment for my company tonight? If so, it’s a bit light, isn't it?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I just felt terrible seeing you out here alone. I wanted to compensate you, but I couldn't find a decent gift until now, so I decided to give you this property."

At that moment, Lu Liaoliao felt the satisfaction of a man who could spend money like water.

Gu Xiehua put the deeds back into the pouch, tucked it into Lu Liaoliao’s chest, and patted it gently. "Although I haven't officially married you, I have served tea to your elders. I don't want to be kept like a mistress on the side, without any status."

"That is not what I meant at all!" Lu Liaoliao said, sounding anxious.

Gu Xiehua buried her face in his chest and said softly, "Of course I know that's not what you meant. But this villa is of no use to me, and for you, it might prove useful later."

Lu Liaoliao stroked her soft hair gently, remaining silent for a long time.

"By the way, when you leave, take Ning Jiao with you. Let him be your personal guard. A child like him shouldn't be wasted by staying by my side."

Gu Xiehua didn't look up, instead nestling closer into his arms.

"But then you won't have anyone by your side," Lu Liaoliao said, his heart stirred; he had grown quite fond of the young boy, Ning Jiao.

"Don't worry. Lan'er’s martial arts are no worse than her husband’s. Plus, with my own skills, there really isn't a young master of any noble house in Chang'an who could touch me."

Gu Xiehua raised her stunningly beautiful face, brimming with confidence.

Ning Jiao, carrying his toddler son who had just started babbling, followed Lu Liaoliao out of Tianxian Tower, feeling quite reluctant. As soon as they reached the door of their home, Lu Liaoliao was intercepted by an enthusiastic fat man.

"Brother Liao, where have you been since early this morning? I’ve been waiting forever now that the noon hour has passed."

As soon as Lu Liaoliao saw Cheng Changmu’s beaming face, he sensed nothing good was coming of it.

"What could be so important that it’s worth you waiting for me this long, Fatty Cheng?" Lu Liaoliao asked casually, showing little interest.

"Heh heh!" Cheng Changmu chuckled. "Brother Liao, you’re about to become an official. The boys and I have specifically organized a banquet at the Drunken Fairy Tower to celebrate for you. You wouldn't dare refuse the invitation, would you?"

"The boys—who exactly?" Lu Liaoliao felt that, other than being somewhat familiar with this overly enthusiastic fat man, he had no real dealings with his circle of friends.

"You’re familiar with Ruochen and Yin Feng, and there are a few other brothers of ours who want to get to know you. Also, my second brother, Cheng Changyi, and that fellow Wei Yingwu, who insists on joining the fun, will be there. Tonight at the hour of the Rooster (5-7 PM), at the Drunken Fairy Tower—don't be late, Brother Liao!"

Cheng Changmu was a natural-born lobbyist. Despite having only met them a few times, he spoke of Jun Ruochen and Yin Feng—with whom Lu Liaoliao was hardly on friendly terms—as if they were lifelong companions.

Lu Liaoliao smiled faintly. "Very well! Drunken Fairy Tower, at the hour of the Rooster."

Cheng Changmu left, satisfied. After Lu Liaoliao had Boss Hu settle Ning Jiao and his son in, he returned to the backyard and smilingly told Wang Liuli about the matter.

"Heh! Back when I was essentially a nobody, except for Cheng Changmu occasionally dropping by, no one gave me the time of day. Now that I’ve married a wealthy wife and obtained a seventh-rank official post, they suddenly want to call me brother."

Wang Liuli’s expression turned serious. "Go. You must go. Spend whatever it takes to entertain them; you need to integrate into their circle as soon as possible. Your status has changed, and the people you associate with will naturally change too. In time, you will understand the benefits."

"Sigh!" Lu Liaoliao sighed. "But I still feel more relaxed spending time with Guo Yan and Xiao Yun."

"If you want to climb higher, the people in your circle must be of higher status as well. Today, let Wang Eleven go with you. He has plenty of experience in these matters and will know how to handle such situations."

Lu Liaoliao could find no argument against Wang Liuli’s arrangement, yet deep down, he felt quite disgruntled.

Wang Eleven, finally relieved of his stable-cleaning duties, was dressed cleanly and followed Lu Liaoliao, constantly lecturing him on etiquette.

"Sir! Even though they are hosting the banquet for you, you must be the one to settle the tab. To pay quietly and unobtrusively—that is the mark of a truly grand gentleman. My Wang house—no, my Lu house—wouldn't care for such petty amounts."

"Do you have any idea how much it costs to host a banquet at the Drunken Fairy Tower for so many people? It would scare you to death. Do you really think I carry that much money on me?"

Lu Liaoliao listened, feeling incredibly depressed, and glared at Wang Eleven.

"If you had to settle the bill yourself, wouldn't that bring shame to the Lu house? Don't worry, the bill will be settled by me, naturally." Wang Eleven puffed out his chest, as if the matter Lu Liaoliao mentioned was completely insignificant.

"How much money did the young mistress give you before we left?" Lu Liaoliao still felt uneasy.

"Don't worry. Given the habits of you young men, after you're wined and dined, you’ll naturally want to head to the Pingkang Ward to listen to music and watch the dancers. Even if they want some 'red ladies' to accompany them, it won't be a problem." Wang Eleven patted his chest, acting as if he had it all under control.

Lu Liaoliao’s face showed a longing expression, and he swallowed hard.

"The young mistress said that if you want to seek out any top-tier courtesans, you must pay for them yourself, and she’ll have me, Wang Eleven, put you to cleaning the stables for a year. So, sir, don't even think about such things; I will be watching you." Wang Eleven said, moving a few steps closer.

His handling of the matter was so airtight that Lu Liaoliao almost thought the old Lu Jiu had returned. Sighing inwardly, he suddenly lost all interest in the banquet.

Without realizing it, they reached the entrance of the Drunken Fairy Tower in Shengye Ward, where they saw Cheng Changmu waving and smiling from afar.

Just as Lu Liaoliao dismounted, he heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats approaching. A horse charged toward them at high speed, arriving in the blink of an eye.

On the street, a young woman carrying a child was bending down to pick up a dropped copper coin. Looking up to see the galloping horse, she had no time to dodge, and a look of despair crossed her face.

Lu Liaoliao sprang forward, scooping the woman up and rolling aside, narrowly avoiding the charging horse.

As Lu Liaoliao stood up and pulled the terrified woman to her feet, he heard Cheng Changmu shouting angrily.

"Galloping through the streets of Chang'an is forbidden! Which one of you has the gall to openly defy the law here? Damn it! Are you not afraid of being dragged to the High Court of Justice for a flogging?"

"Fatty Cheng, how dare you curse me! I didn't hit anyone on purpose; I was looking back to see if I was being followed and didn't see anyone in front!" The rider in purple robes, actually feeling a lingering fear, slowed his horse and trotted back.

"Ah!" Cheng Changmu exclaimed with exaggerated surprise. "So it is Brother Wang Zhun! You were too careless just now; if my brother here hadn't been so agile and quick-witted, you would have caused a catastrophe."

Wang Eleven reacted quickly, pulling out a pouch of copper coins and handing it to the still-dazed woman, signaling her to leave with her child. The young man in purple saw this and, finding the other party sensible, his mood improved instantly.

"Thanks, brother. You did me, Wang Zhun, a big favor today. I’ll remember it. If you have any trouble in the future, just come look for me."

Lu Liaoliao took a look at the arrogant-looking young man in purple. He naturally knew this was Wang Zhun, the only son of the Censor-in-Chief, a man who held a dozen positions and was currently in the highest of favors.

That Wang was the most capable assistant of his uncle, Li Linfu, in the court. It was not wise to offend his son, nor could he afford to. So, Lu Liaoliao forced a smile and cupped his hands. "A small matter, not worth mentioning."

"Heh! You’re a sensible lad, though I don't recognize your face," Wang Zhun said, sitting tall on his horse.

"Brother Wang Zhun, you wouldn't know! This is Lu Liaoliao, the famous disciple of the Poet Immortal, the son-in-law of the Great Tang’s God of Wealth! He was recently recommended by the Yuzhen Temple to be an assistant at the Directorate for Armaments, and we brothers are just about to host a banquet at the Drunken Fairy Tower to celebrate."

In such moments, Cheng Changmu always appeared at the forefront.

"Haha, hahahaha!" Wang Zhun laughed recklessly. "So it’s that disciple of the Poet Immortal! Still, the way this man acts is quite to my liking. Since you’re hosting a banquet, why didn't you invite me?"

Cheng Changmu looked enviously at Wang Zhun’s purple robes. "Ah, Brother Wang Zhun, you’re not much older than us, yet you’re already an official of the fourth rank. We were afraid we wouldn't be able to invite you even if we tried."

"Go to hell! Which of these young masters in Chang'an relies on their own official rank to bully others? It’s all due to the shadow of their ancestors and the protection of their fathers. Come on, since I’ve run into you, I’m coming up for a drink."

Wang Zhun dismounted and, ignoring everyone else, strode into the Drunken Fairy Tower as if he owned the place.