Chapter Forty-One: A Visit to Make Inquiries

Outside the medical clinic, most of the commoners could only watch from a distance.

With Princess Changle’s arrival accompanied by imperial guards, ordinary folk naturally had no way to approach.

Many people were whispering and gossiping outside.

Some residents of Chang'an were already privy to certain rumors. Wild tales circulated freely regarding whether Su Chen had previously made advances toward Princess Changle—rumors that would otherwise not have provoked such a rash reaction from Zhangsun Chong.

Though Zhangsun Chong had not yet reached Chang'an City, the message he sent ahead was filled with intense hostility.

Su Chen had paid little attention when he first arrived here, which was why he had committed such a blunder back then. For him now, this period of time was of the utmost importance.

He absolutely could not afford to make any mistakes right now; if anything went wrong during this interval, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Chumò, you must stay by my side for a while. Do not wander away from me casually. My situation here is entirely different; if I truly run into any trouble later on, I will still need to rely on you."

By this point, Su Chen understood well what could be done and what could not.

He still had many preparations left unfinished. If the Zhangsun family genuinely wanted to exterminate him, even Li Chengqian might not be able to protect him.

As for his brother-in-law, Su Chen thought wryly that he might well end up needing protection from him instead. For the time being, Su Chen felt profoundly disappointed in this brother-in-law of his.

Right now, Su Chen was still waiting for the opportune moment to arrive.

To gain a firm footing in the Great Tang, one needed a solid network of connections, ample financial resources, and formidable strength—none of which could be lacking.

There was still one thing missing. Only once that item was brought forth could Su Chen ensure his footing in Chang'an City.

Until his weapon was fully crafted, he must not give the Zhangsun family any further pretexts.

"Brother, now you know what fear feels like, don't you? Why didn't you consider this when you acted so recklessly back then? I reckon you were forced into a corner, and only after charging into the princess's palanquin did you realize something was terribly wrong."

Cheng Chumò chuckled.

He truly believed that Su Chen must have intentionally tried to flirt with Princess Changle at the time.

Yet, only after bursting into her carriage did he realize the severity of the situation, hurriedly concocting another plan—which conveniently led to his curing the princess afterward.

Otherwise, Li Shimín would have dragged Su Chen out for execution long ago, regardless of who his sister or his father might be. After all, harassing a princess was an unpardonable crime punishable by death without a burial site; escaping involvement for his entire family was already a fortunate outcome.

Su Chen found himself unable to articulate his grievances. Having just arrived in the Great Tang and successfully transmigrated, how could he have anticipated so many complications, let alone the maze of messy affairs here?

Driven by necessity, he had gathered so many people, built such a network, and accumulated this much capital—all to counter the Zhangsun family and secure at least a modicum of self-preservation.

"My main concern is that we have recently offended the aristocratic clans as well. I'm afraid those great families might kick a man while he's down, which would be disastrous for me. If they would just give me a little more time, I wouldn't fear them at all."

Su Chen spoke the honest truth.

If given a bit more time, once that weapon completed its development, there would be not a single soul in the entire Great Tang left for him to fear.

However, Cheng Chumò assumed he was simply boasting, as Su Chen never hesitated to brag without batting an eye.

"Oh, stop it. By the time you get everything ready, heaven knows how much time will have passed. Still, if Zhangsun Chong really dares to make a move against you, this brother of mine won't sit idly by."

Cheng Chumò’s words clearly signaled his stance by Su Chen's side.

He had been pondering the matter: since his old man, Cheng Yǎojīn, was already cooperating with Su Chen, it was evident his father had chosen this side, so naturally, he would follow suit.

Moreover, Su Chen possessed an unfathomable depth of knowledge that might prove invaluable to them in the future.

With Cheng Chumò’s assurance, Su Chen felt somewhat more at ease. At the very least, he could count on securing the steadfast allegiance of one or two powerful families.

Even so, absolute certainty remained elusive, for Su Chen knew that all external forces were merely supplementary.

Only by growing strong in his own right could he ensure that no one would ever dare to touch him.

As the saying goes, relying on heaven and earth is not as good as relying on oneself. If his personal strength failed to grow, others could abandon him at any moment.

"Let's hurry to the clinic. I wonder if it's even appropriate for the Princess to visit my humble establishment."

Conversing as they walked, the two headed toward the clinic.

Inside, Princess Changle was conversing with Zhou Taifú.

Having treated Princess Changle on several occasions back within the imperial palace, Zhou Taifú was already quite familiar with her.

"Imperial Physician Zhou, I heard that Su Chen went to the pleasure quarters the other day. Is there any truth to this?"

Mid-conversation, Princess Changle abruptly posed the question.

The query caused Zhou Taifú's face to flush red.

For a young man to enjoy visiting places of romance and leisure was entirely normal; even Zhou Taifú had frequented such establishments in his youth.

Young, robust, and overflowing with pent-up energy, a man always needed an outlet to unwind—it was simply the natural way of heaven.

Yet, discussing such matters in the presence of a princess remained somewhat embarrassing.

"This old minister has remained constantly within the clinic and paid little heed to affairs outside. Perhaps it happened, perhaps it didn't—this old minister truly cannot say. Would Your Highness prefer to ask Su Chen in person once he returns?"

As a veteran survivor of the imperial court, Zhou Taifú deflected the question with consummate skill, spinning the conversation effortlessly.

He had no desire to confirm or deny the rumor, entirely unsure of what answer Princess Changle actually hoped to hear.

Thus, he tossed the ball right back into her court, advising her to question Su Chen directly so that he would offend neither party.

In truth, Zhou Taifú was fully aware that Su Chen had stayed out all night, returning only at dawn the next morning to sleep through the entire day. Yet, none of that could be spoken of lightly right now.

"Then I shall simply wait for Su Chen's return and ask him myself."

A trace of lingering resentment seemed to color Princess Changle's heart.

A flicker of jealousy danced plainly within her eyes.

At that very moment, Su Chen and Cheng Chumò stepped back into the clinic from outside.

All ordinary citizens had already been cleared out from the interior, leaving only Princess Changle and Zhou Taifú inside.

Uncertain whether this visitation portended good fortune or disaster, Su Chen knew that since she had arrived, avoidance was impossible. He had no choice but to step forward and properly entertain the Princess.