It was not yet late at night, but one could vaguely feel the noise inside and outside of the Su family's mansion, as well as the restlessness and restlessness. The lights in the hall swayed, and there was a glimmer of light from the windows. In Su Tan 'er's bedroom, Chan' er and Juan 'er were guarding the bedside, holding a warm towel and applying it on the forehead of Su Tan' er, who seemed to be a little restless. The old doctor with white hair and beard was sitting by the bedside, feeling Su Tan 'er's pulse. Ning Yi stood at the door, his hands crossed in front of his chest, thinking about something. In the courtyard outside, except for the medicine boy who followed Doctor Sun, no one else came in.
The diagnosis process did not take long. The old doctor let go of Su Tan 'er's wrist, stood up and walked out. Juan' er hurriedly followed. At the door outside, Xing 'er, whose eyes were slightly red, also came over.
"Second Miss has caught a cold. Looking at the symptoms, it has been a few days. In the middle, there must have been some other reasons. Hmm, these few days of catching a cold, I'm afraid, cough … came the sunflower water. All these together made the cold worse. If that's all, it's not a big deal. After a few doses of medicine, the fever will be gone, and she will be almost recovered. But other than that … I'm afraid that Second Miss has been overworked. Perhaps it was because of the shock of encountering Master's matter, and under the shock, she is mentally and physically exhausted … All these added up, she won't be able to recover in a few days. "
"Mentally and physically exhausted?" Ning Yi frowned and asked.
The old doctor nodded, "Hmm, this time, rather than saying it's a cold, it's better to say that it's a long-term fatigue and pressure. Both body and mind are exhausted, and most importantly, it's still in the heart. It's just that with the addition of the cold, it broke out all at once. This matter can't be taken lightly. I'll prescribe the medicine to reduce Second Miss's fever first, but the treatment method still needs … Second Miss's heart to be at ease, alas … "
The old doctor with the surname Sun sighed. He was the elder of the Su family. He was in charge of treating Su Boyong. Naturally, he understood the current situation of the Su family. It was easier said than done to put Su Tan'er's heart at ease. He shook his head and finished writing the prescription in the living room. Then, he gave some instructions before leaving. Xiaochan followed him to get the medicine. Juan'er and Xing'er ran to the bedside to check on the unconscious Su Tan'er. Then, they looked at Ning Yi with tears in their eyes. "What should we do?" These words seemed to be asking for help from Ning Yi, but also seemed to be talking to herself. Usually, the three servant girls were in charge of many things in the first branch and were very assertive. But at this time, after Su Boyong collapsed and Su Tan'er also collapsed, they finally did not know what to do.
Ning Yi held the prescription and thought for a while before asking, "What happened these days?"
The reason why Su Tan'er caught a cold might be caused by falling into the bathtub that afternoon. There seemed to be some symptoms in the first few days, but it was not serious. After Su Boyong was assassinated, the challenges Su Tan'er faced must be very difficult, but there was no sign of her retreating or being defeated. In the early morning a few days ago, she was still very confident that she would deal with the imperial merchants. Her spirit and confidence were at the peak, and her adaptability was not wrong.
Just like a big company, it would face many attacks and many conspiracies, whether light or heavy. After the attack, it was a very normal thing to start to adapt. The assassination of Su Boyong could be regarded as a sudden attack. If Su Tan'er would directly fall because of a blow without resistance, she could not do this at all. People who could only adapt to favorable circumstances would find it difficult to move forward even if they could take charge of the Su family in the future.
Su Tan'er was not such a character. Ning Yi had long been clear that if she wanted her to be hit on the mental level, it could not be those previous things. And no matter how the other party plotted and attacked, they should have been psychologically prepared. In these short four days, something even more important must have happened …
Hearing her question, Juan'er was slightly confused. She turned to look at Xing'er, who had been with Miss most of the time these days. Xing'er was still crying. She looked at Juan'er and Ning Yi for a while, wiped her tears and choked, "I … Miss said not to say it …"
Ning Yi thought for a while, then sat down on the chair next to him and sighed. He stretched out his hand and rubbed his forehead, murmuring, "Mentally and physically exhausted … Imperial merchants, there is a problem with the imperial merchants, a problem that cannot be solved … External or internal. If it is external, they have offended some high-ranking officials of the Weaving Bureau, but these few days it is the shopkeepers who have been visiting those officials. It has not reached the point of falling out … It can only be that there is an internal problem that cannot be solved. I am not too interested in the technical matters, so let's not talk about it for now …"
The two maidservants listened to him murmuring. Xing'er then cried even harder, "Actually, actually … a few days ago …"
Before she could finish her words, footsteps came from outside. Juan'er and Xing'er hurried out. It was Manager Liao, who had the highest seniority among the shopkeepers of the first branch. He had also heard about the situation from Doctor Sun and came to inquire about it. Since Old Grandpa Su had not returned to the mansion, Juan'er and Xing'er definitely could not make the decision, so they discussed it with Manager Liao in a low voice. Ning Yi sat in the room and speculated about the possibility of the matter. He stood up and walked a few steps, looking at Su Tan'er who was sleeping on the bed.
This bedroom was usually tidy, but it was actually a little messy, probably because he had been too busy these few days. When Ning Yi walked over with a few books on the table, he inadvertently saw something that had fallen from the foot of the bed. He picked it up. It was a small piece of triangular cloth, light yellow, with a simple pattern on it.
The piece of cloth probably fell on the ground in the past two days. There was no dust on it. Ning Yi brought it closer to the oil lamp and remembered some things. It was one day on the second floor of the opposite building. Su Tan'er took a piece of cloth and showed it to him. At that time, she smiled like a flower and was very happy, "Husband, do you think this color is beautiful?"
"Oh … it is beautiful, but this color is not suitable for ordinary people …"
A bright yellow piece of cloth … Su Tan'er did not discuss this topic too much at that time, but that piece of cloth was bright, and Ning Yi vaguely remembered it. But in front of him, the color seemed to have faded and became light yellow …
Manager Liao mentioned Ning Yi's name outside. Ning Yi sighed and put the piece of cloth back into his sleeve. Now that Su Boyong and Su Tan'er had collapsed, it was impossible to ask the second and third branches to think of a solution. Ning Yi usually did not care about these things, but he still had the status of a master in the Su family. Later, Manager Liao chatted with him for a while, probably to let him express his opinion. Ning Yi nodded.
"It's nothing serious. Everything will be as usual. We will deal with it when it comes. But don't spread the news about Tan'er. Don't let too many people know that she is sick for the time being. That's all."
"I know that Second Miss needs to rest and not worry about her illness, but … if there really is an unforeseen event and we need to make a decision, I don't know …"
"Then bring it over. We will think of a solution. As for the rest … I will have to trouble Manager Liao and the shopkeepers. "
"Yes. In fact, even if there is any change, everyone has the experience to deal with it. After so many years, we are all old foxes in the cloth industry. Please let Second Miss be at ease … "
Shopkeeper Liao's words were indeed just words of comfort. If it was just the Jiangning region, it wouldn't be a problem for a single shopkeeper to oversee it. However, when it came to changes and impacts on the businesses of the entire country, there needed to be a pillar of support. However, for the time being, there was no other way.
After Manager Liao left, Chan'er came back with the medicine. Not long after, the Old Great Grandfather who had just returned to the mansion hurried over and saw Su Tan'er who was still unconscious. This matter had also caused this old man to suffer a great blow. However, it was useless to say anything at the moment. He gave a few comforting words to Ning Yi and the three servant girls and returned with heavy footsteps.
After the old man left, the courtyard finally quieted down. The flickering light and the smell of Chinese medicine filled the air. The few people in the courtyard had experienced similar quiet nights many times before. At that time, everyone sat together and chatted, played five-in-a-row chess, and occasionally laughed. This was a family. Before Ning Yi arrived, the four girls in the courtyard could probably be considered a family, but the atmosphere was too quiet at this time. Xiaochan came in with the bowl of medicine. As everyone waited in silence, Juan'er could not help but cry out, "What should we do? Son-in-law … "
Su Boyong had already collapsed, and Su Tan'er was also unconscious. Even if she could wake up, her body would not recover in a short period of time. The old man might have to let someone else take over the affairs of the first branch for the time being. The future had suddenly become empty and terrifying. No one knew why it had suddenly become like this. The only people they could rely on were the few people around them. If Ning Yi was still the bookworm he used to be, perhaps he would also be excluded. But after spending more than a year together, at least in this matter, Ning Yi had been accepted as a part of this family … Of course, the reason why Juan'er asked at this time was because she was at a loss. Ning Yi was a man, and different from them, but if there really was a solution, it was definitely impossible.
At this time, Ning Yi was standing in front of the window and tidying up some things on the desk. The room was a little messy, so he put some things back in their place, and casually threw some things on the cabinet where they could not be seen. He did not move quickly, but at this time, he had almost finished tidying up. He did not turn back, but only folded a piece of uncut rice paper on the table a few times, then unfolded it, poured some water into the inkstone, and slowly ground the ink.
"Did you not teach you how to deal with these things before?" Ning Yi said in a low voice.
The three girls shook their heads.
Ning Yi picked up the brush and was silent for a moment. "Next … I want the account books of the Su family over these years, about seven to ten years, records of the development of the Su family in all aspects, letters with the various regional shopkeepers. I want to know everything that happened in the business of the Su family, the way to deal with it, the final results, and the reason why this happened … In addition, I want more rice paper, ink, I want some fine thread, prepare some pastries, not too sweet, and prepare a large pot of tea … That's about it for now …"
There was a moment of silence behind him. The three servant girls were somewhat at a loss, not knowing what he wanted to do. Ning Yi turned back.
"It's impossible on father-in-law's side, but great-grandfather … may call someone over to help, but it will be useless." Ning Yi faintly pointed at Su Tan'er on the bed. "Your Miss won't let go. When she wakes up, the first thing she will do is not to take the medicine, but to get out of bed. No one can replace her … So, the result is very simple."
He smiled helplessly and a little bored, not much different from when he was playing chess and telling stories. "Let me try …"
Juan'er and Xing'er were still a little hesitant. Chan'er took a deep breath. Her eyes were originally hazy with tears, but now she showed a trace of a smile, wiped the corners of her eyes, and turned to go out. "I'll go get the account books and records …" There was a general accounting office in the Su family, but the first branch had the records of the first branch. In fact, one copy was just next door. The three servant girls were in charge of these affairs, so they were qualified to get it.
After Xiaochan left, Juan'er thought for a while and also followed her out, followed by Xing'er. She wiped the tears on her face, and when she went out, she whispered, "Son-in-law... is here?"
"Or what if your Miss wakes up?"
Son-in-law wanted to help Miss solve some problems. For such an idea, it was difficult for Xing'er and Juan'er to distinguish whether it was a good thing or not, and what the result would be. But if it was in other places, once Miss wakes up, she would definitely want to get out of bed immediately to deal with things. The three servant girls knew this very well. No matter what, they had to let Miss stay in bed. Perhaps only the son-in-law could do this.
She smiled embarrassedly and then went out. When there was only him and the unconscious Su Tan'er in the room, Ning Yi sat down and sighed at the rice paper and writing brush.
"You people, you have gone too far … Even if you marry into the family, you can't have peace …"
Vaguely, he seemed to be complaining to someone behind the scenes …
*****
In the early morning, after the first hour, Su Tan'er woke up …
*****
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