Chapter 26

When Li You arrived, he brought four boats, but when he left, it had become seven! Qian Hua had passed the examination two years ago and had recently received an imperial edict to serve in the military. It was a perfect opportunity for him to report to the capital along the same route.

As Qian Hua put it, the friendship of the previous generation was now passed on to them! The journey from Qiantang to the capital was long, and it was a great chance for the two of them to deepen their relationship! Li You was also happy to have a companion of similar age along the way, at least there would be someone to talk to.

Originally, it was thought that Qian Hua might be somewhat reluctant to leave home, but who knew that at the dock, with tears in his eyes, he became elated after sailing for less than two miles. Li You asked him, and he replied with great enthusiasm, "At home, the rules in the mansion are very strict. Whenever I went out for social engagements, I would always be scolded! Now I can finally enjoy myself!"

"Brother Ziqi, I don't think you just go for ordinary social engagements, but rather for pleasure, right?" Li You teased. A man receives his courtesy name at the age of twenty, and Qian Hua had long passed that age, so Li You called him by his courtesy name, Ziqi. Both "hua" and "qi" mean fine steeds, hence the use of a synonymous repetition in his courtesy name. Although Li You had not yet reached twenty, his given name, Wenyang, was bestowed by his father on his deathbed, a special case.

"In a few days, we will reach Suzhou. Since ancient times, Suzhou has been known for its beautiful women. When we get there, I will definitely take Brother Ziqi to have a good time!" If one wants to be a playboy, how can one not visit the pleasure quarters? Seeing that Brother Ziqi was clearly an old hand at this, it was a good opportunity to learn from him.

"Ah! Wenyang, you really have a hard life! I've heard that Wang Weizhen is a Confucian scholar who detests frivolous behavior the most. When I studied at the Imperial Academy, I could still attend banquets in Changley坊 all day long! You probably won't have such an opportunity!" Qian Hua expressed great sympathy, "Since that's the case, I will take you along the Grand Canal! We mustn't miss the pleasure boats of Suzhou, the slender horses of Jiangdu, and the brothels of Linqing! Just don't let Scholar Zhou know, or he will report to my father again!"

"Haha, of course!" Li You laughed. Who would tell their future father-in-law that they were visiting such places! However, if he didn't like the Zhou family's daughter, he could use this to tarnish his reputation!

Qian Hua was indeed a remarkable person, well-versed and eloquent. Listening to him talk about the curiosities and customs of the Great Wei Dynasty on the journey was particularly pleasant!

After a few days of travel, the two finally arrived at the long-awaited city of Suzhou. As soon as they disembarked, Qian Hua couldn't wait to take Li You to see the beauties of Suzhou. "Mr. Xu, please take the two groups to settle down first. I will take Brother Wenyang to visit some old friends in the city. If we don't return by night, it means we are staying with friends. Mr. Xu, please don't worry!"

Seeing how well he had prepared his excuse, Li You was greatly impressed. Xu Guang also chuckled, "With Young Master Qian here, I am certainly at ease. However, my young lord is still young and should not be exposed to the pleasures of the world too early. Please take good care of him, Young Master Qian!"

Qian Hua's little trick couldn't fool the old fox Xu Guang. This made both of them blush, but Xu Guang didn't press the issue. He bowed and said, "In that case, I will go to the inn first. I will wait for you both at the dock early the day after tomorrow!"

"Mr. Xu, please rest assured. I know my limits!" Qian Hua quickly assured him, then led a few guards and Li You to a carriage heading for the area where the pleasure boats of Suzhou gathered.

This is the red-light district of ancient times! It seems much more refined than the modern ones! By the lake, various pleasure boats were cruising, some elegant, some graceful, none of the vulgar atmosphere of modern clubs. If Qian Hua hadn't mentioned it, Li You wouldn't have known these places were such venues!

"Brother Ziqi, with so many boats on the lake, I'm getting lost in the sights." Now that we're here, we can't just stand and watch, right? Lead the way!

"Brother Wenyang, don't be impatient!" Qian Hua elegantly closed his fan and pointed forward, "Look, someone is here to greet us!"

Two young men, about seventeen or eighteen, walked over, bowed, and said in a respectful but not fawning tone, "This morning, we heard the magpies chirping, thinking something good was about to happen. Indeed, we just saw Young Master Qian! The boat has already prepared your favorite pre-Qingming Longjing tea. Please come and taste it."

"I came here half a year ago, and you still remember my preferences! Let's go to your boat then!" Qian Hua was in high spirits. He then pointed to Li You, "This is my cousin. You can call him Master Li."

"Master Li, we are honored to meet you!" The two quickly bowed. Li You's attendants had already scattered some silver coins, and seeing this, the two attendants became even more respectful.

"Which boat is yours?" Li You asked as they walked to the dock, his heart beating faster at the thought of the high-end enjoyment to come.

"Of course, the largest one!" The attendant said proudly, pointing to the largest boat on the lake, which occupied the best view. The boat was three stories high and several zhang wide, looking like a small island on the lake. Li You couldn't help but be amazed.

"Brother, don't be fooled! This boat can't move, it can only stay in the lake. If there's a storm, it has to be pulled to the shore by smaller boats!" Perhaps guessing his thoughts, Qian Hua explained.

"Brother Ziqi, you are truly well-informed!" If you hadn't said that, I would have been fooled. As they spoke, they arrived at the dock. The attendant led them onto a small boat, and the boatman pushed off with a long pole, slowly heading towards the largest pleasure boat.

As they approached the pleasure boat, servants immediately lowered a ladder to help them board. A fragrant breeze blew, and a woman in her thirties with a delicate appearance greeted them, "Young Master Qian, your presence truly honors us! My girl heard you were here and even got out of bed to show you her newly learned tea ceremony!"

"Mother Meng, don't just focus on me. Arrange some charming girls to serve my cousin as well!" Qian Hua, experienced in such matters, pulled Li You to the front.

So formal? Where's the "Welcome, sir, please come inside and have fun"? As he was lost in thought, Mother Meng had already turned her gaze to him, "This young master has an extraordinary demeanor, clearly from a noble family! Oh, I wonder how many incense sticks my girls have burned to finally welcome you two distinguished guests! Please rest assured, go upstairs and wait a moment, and I will arrange everything for you!"

In the upstairs parlor, Li You absentmindedly cracked sunflower seeds, his eyes constantly darting to the door. What kind of beauties would come?