Chapter Eighteen: The Su Family

Both banks of the bridge at the heart of the lake were ablaze with lanterns, and more than a dozen small boats lay moored nearby, each aglow with their own lamps. On the prows stood young noblemen, elegant and refined, folding fans in hand, gazing longingly at the lady in the pavilion, admiration written plainly on their faces.

Night had already fallen, yet the cool breeze that swept in did nothing to quell the enthusiasm of the crowd. A servant brought a warm cloak for a delicate young master, who stood at the bow, concealing his cough with a fan, and draped it gently over his shoulders.

Thanks to the famed courtesan, the nearby teahouses and taverns were flourishing. Not a single seat was vacant on the ground floor, while latecomers continued to queue outside; the private upstairs booths had been reserved at great expense a day in advance.

The entire second floor had been taken by Young Master Su of the Su family—Su Liuyun. Though his own reputation was modest, there was not a soul who did not know his father. In the city of Tianyu, the most renowned brand of tofu, Su’s Tofu, was founded and run by his father. With connections in the imperial court, he soon monopolized the market, becoming the undisputed leader in the trade.

With the tofu business thriving, the elder Su set his sights on textiles and opened a cloth shop, which swiftly prospered, putting him at the forefront of that trade as well. Now, visitors seeking his favor crowded their threshold, and would-be suitors surrounded the Su residence layer upon layer. Yet, for reasons unknown, Young Master Su fell under the spell of the courtesan of Drunken Moon Pavilion, and no other beauty could interest him; he would not so much as glance at any other, breaking many a maiden’s heart.

Amid the throng, Li Pingyang stared in a daze, his gaze never straying from the courtesan for even a moment.

Amidst applause and cheers, the courtesan lifted her veil, revealing a face of rare, peerless beauty. Accompanied by the soft strains of a guqin, she took up a delicate silk fan and danced with such grace that all present were utterly entranced, exclamations of wonder ringing out.

Even a few noblewomen, whose own elegance and poise could rival the courtesan’s, could not help but envy and admire her striking loveliness, so beautiful as to stir jealousy.

An old man selling sweet pastries stared at her, captivated, until his fierce wife tugged his ear and prepared to scold him.

Though she was the leading courtesan of the pleasure quarters, she was untainted like a lotus rising from the mud, selling only her art, never her body.

Young Master Su had sent her countless gifts of gold and silver, all of which she refused. Accustomed to admiration, he could not accept this rebuff and swore to win her for himself.

"When will the bright moon appear? I raise my cup and ask the heavens..." she sang, dancing as she set her favorite verse to her own melody.

This poem, winner of the current poetry contest and composed by a scholar from Lanzhou, had swept the entire Song kingdom, becoming a spiritual comfort to countless women.

The courtesan, known for her icy reserve and frosty demeanor, had even been seen to smile upon first hearing these verses—a rare occurrence indeed.

Though she had never met the poet, she imagined him as a man of great learning and wisdom, far beyond her reach.

"Uncertain if the palace above knows what year this is tonight. I long to ride the wind and return, yet fear the crystalline towers and jade pavilions..."

"La la la... la la la la..." The lady’s song was sweet and haunting. In Li Pingyang’s mind, the melody of a modern song played, but when he compared the two, he quickly let go of such distractions, realizing the lady’s own tune was purer, more moving, lacking the artifice of modern music.

He closed his eyes, letting the sound of her voice fill his mind, and remained lost in her song long after it finished.

Only when the crowd around him began to stir did Li Pingyang open his eyes, hearing snippets of conversation—bidding, wagering, borrowing money. He was puzzled.

Then, all four white curtains of the pavilion fell at once, concealing the lady anew. Li Pingyang stood on tiptoe but could see only a shadow behind the gauzy screens.

"I offer two strings of copper coins!"

On the bridge, a man in scholar’s robes of blue, with a jade sash and a gentle face, raised two heavy strings of coins, smiling as he spoke.

At his words, all eyes turned to him. Those who were about to bid, coins already clutched in hand, saw they could not match him and departed in disappointment.

Li Pingyang began to understand: this was an auction for a meeting with the courtesan; the highest bidder would win the chance.

He decided to observe for now; it was early yet, and the fiercest contest was still to come. Let the others fight it out first, clearing some obstacles for him.

"I bid three strings of coins!"

A familiar voice sounded.

Li Pingyang turned in astonishment to see Old Huang. He never expected him to bid—this must be his life’s savings.

After Old Huang, a few more people left.

"Old man, you’ve one foot in the grave! Do you really think a glimpse of her will make her fall for you?"

"Exactly! You’d do better to lend me the money. I’m still young; let me have the chance—"

But the man beside Old Huang was cut off, for the next bid shocked everyone.

"I bid ten taels of silver."

Every head turned toward the upstairs window. The speaker was none other than Young Master Su, who had reserved the entire second floor for a glimpse of the courtesan.

Su Liuyun, now looking supremely confident, stood and flicked his sleeves, gazing at the courtesan as though to say, "Tonight, you are mine," certain that none could outbid him.

"Fifteen taels."

Li Pingyang raised a bulging pouch high, drawing every eye. Seeing someone challenge Young Master Su, several who had been about to leave decided to stay and watch the spectacle.

Li Hu, standing nearby, wore a look of distress and muttered an apology to his wife—he had given all his worldly goods to Li Pingyang, meant to be sent home to improve their lives. If Li Pingyang failed to return it, he would have no choice but to throw himself into the river.

Su Liuyun, unwilling to admit defeat, grew furious. Ignoring his servants’ advice, he called for a small chest, opened it for all to see—inside was a heap of silver, no less than forty or fifty taels. To save face, he was prepared to stake everything.

He thought victory was assured, but the courtesan’s gaze remained on Li Pingyang, who stood with his money raised, whispering with her attendant, comparing him to a portrait.

"Yes, it’s him," the attendant said after glancing between the picture and Li Pingyang, confirming his identity. The courtesan smiled, withdrew into Drunken Moon Pavilion, and sent the attendant to summon him.

Those waiting on shore assumed the attendant had come to invite Su Liuyun and began to congratulate him. But she walked straight to Li Pingyang, leaned close, and said, "My lady invites you." Only then did the crowd realize that Young Master Su had lost.