After the middle of the tenth lunar month, the weather wasn't too cold, but it couldn't get hot anymore. Over the past few days, the Jiangning weaving industry, which seemed to have become murderous, gradually quieted down, suppressing the murderous atmosphere. For the time being, it was the repression and tranquility before the great change. The Wu Family's royal merchant was about to deliver the goods, and on the other hand, the Su family's clan meeting was about to be held in advance. At this point in time, the latter might attract more attention than the former.
Speaking of which, it was really strange. Originally, the Su Family wanted to rise in power and take over the imperial merchant's position, which caused the weaving industry in Jiangning to be in an uproar. Now that the Su Family had problems, perhaps they were going to split up and weaken, it actually attracted everyone's attention. On the contrary, the Wu Family, who had always been the winner, had always been low-key. At this time, they attracted less attention than the Su family. Every time the other merchants talked about it, it was just to teach the people around them that those who were good at fighting had no illustrious achievements. They should be steady and imposing like the Wu Family in order to achieve great things. As for those who jumped around, in the end, they could only become clowns.
There were less than five days before the Su family's clan meeting. In the warm sunshine, a dusty carriage passed through the streets of Jiangning, all the way in the direction of the Su family. It was just past noon that the carriage stopped in front of the Su family's gate. A waiting servant came over to welcome them. One of them was a middle-aged man in his forties with a calm appearance, while the other was a young woman in her early twenties. While the servant was talking to the middle-aged man, the young woman raised her head and looked at the Su Family's gate with a worried expression.
"Shopkeeper Yan said that Master Cousin and Miss Cousin might arrive today, so he ordered me to wait here …"
The middle-aged man he called "Old Cousin" was called Su Yunsong. He was now the head shopkeeper of the Su family in the Dengzhou area. Not only was he a relative of the Su family, but he was also very capable. He had a very important position in the Su family and was also one of the strong supporters of the first branch of the Su family. Among the practical shopkeepers of the Su family, if Liao Kaitai could be said to be the core in Jiangning, then in other parts of the country, his influence was definitely the highest.
The one who came with Su Yunsong was naturally his daughter, Su Tan'er's cousin, Su Danhong. At this moment, he opened his mouth and asked the servant, "Is Sister Tan'Er at home today?"
"Second Miss went out in the morning. She has been like this for the past few days. She will probably only return at night."
Su Danhong was already prepared for such an answer, but she still frowned. "That's right. But … she was only sick for more than a month, and now she has to work all day. It's really hard on her … "
The latter words were said to her father. Su Yun sighed and patted his daughter's shoulder. "If she wants to do this, she should be prepared. Don't think too much about it. Let's go in and see your uncle's injuries first."
As they spoke, they walked into the Su mansion.
Recently, the Su family had been bustling day by day. Usually, the grand occasion that would only appear at the end of the year had appeared more than a month in advance. Shopkeepers, relatives and friends had already gathered in Jiangning from all over the place. They already knew the current situation of the Su family. At the clan meeting, these people could always exert some influence. The first, second, and third branches were all the same. Su Danhong already had a husband. This time, it was probably to bring Su Yunsong back, so she was still in Dengzhou. Su Danhong was worried about her close sisters, so she followed her father alone.
Along the way, they met a few familiar shopkeepers. They greeted them from afar. After walking for a while, they met Xi Junyu. He was one of the best among the shopkeepers in Jiangning. His ability was outstanding, and he was once Su Yunsong's head shopkeeper in Jiangning. Although they didn't have much of a relationship at that time, they had a good impression of each other. Both sides greeted each other. Xi Junyu accompanied them as they walked in. In fact, Xi Junyu was also travel-worn and rather busy.
They turned onto a small path in front of them and were talking about the current situation in Jiangning. Su Danhong pointed ahead, "Dad, Xi An Zhi." In the distance, a man with a goatee smiled and cupped his hands. Su Yunsong also cupped his hands and returned the greeting. Xi Junyu also returned the greeting, and then said in a low voice, "Xi Anzhi, Yu Daxian and the others have arrived a few days ago. They have been lobbying for Second Master and Third Master at home."
Xi Anzhi and Yu Daxian were the more capable stewards of the second and third branches. Compared to the mediocrity of the third generation of the second and third branches, they were truly capable people. Su Yunyun frowned. "I heard that Fifth Uncle and Seventh Uncle have already been moved by what they said."
Xi Junyu nodded silently at the side.
Su Danhong said, "Father, you have to talk to Third Grandpa this time. Otherwise, it will be really bad."
"Of course I'll say it, but things are already like this …" Su Yun heaved a sigh of relief. "Your Third Grandpa isn't having a good time either. Let's see his luck. However, I told you on the way, if things don't work out, you have to let go. Actually, it's good for your sister Tan Er to take this opportunity to retire. You've said it before, she's a girl, and it's not a long-term solution for her to work so hard. What do you think, Manager Xi? "
Xi Junyu was silent for a while, then raised his head and said, "The situation is stronger than the people …"
When he said this, Su Danhong and her father became silent. After a while, Su Danhong said, "I can't get over it."
"With me here, Manager Liao and the others here, it's not a problem to ensure that the first branch doesn't have to worry about food and clothing. It's not a bad thing."
As Su Yunsong said this, there was a sense of certainty and calmness in his words. The first branch could not take over the Patriarch position, but the influence of him and Manager Liao was still there. There was still a foundation to protect the first branch from being bullied. As for the rest, if they could not protect it, they would let go. Su Danhong was not as open-minded as her father. After a while, she turned around and asked the servant, "Sister Tan Er has gone out. Is Young Master Ning here?"
At the end of last year, she had seen Ning Yi a few times. At that time, she had a good impression of him, but now, she did not have a good impression of him. The servant thought for a moment, "Young Master, he … He also comes back every evening."
"Oh? Does he still know how to help? " Su Danhong slightly relaxed. The servant was a little hesitant, so Su Danhong looked at him in confusion. After a moment, Xi Junyu sighed, "Speak."
"Son-in-law, he … He's teaching in the academy. After teaching in the morning, he's probably playing outside in the afternoon …"
"What …"
"Don't be angry, this family …" Xi Junyu looked around and comforted her, "The words in this family are not very pleasant to hear …"
"… Humph."
In his field of vision, Su Danhong was full of anger. Xi Junyu could not say more. He had a sense of propriety. Seeing that the courtyard where Su Boyong lived was approaching, he bowed and said goodbye.
"If I had known, it would have been much better to let Sister Tan Er marry him …"
Looking at the back of Xi Junyu, Su Danhong said in a muffled voice. Su Yunsong frowned beside her, "Don't say that."
Su Danhong lowered her head, thinking that when her cousin came back, she would talk to her about these things. As for how to talk about it, she had not thought about it yet. She just felt a little unhappy and wanted to say it out. She remembered that when she came here last year, her cousin and her Husband had not consummated their marriage …
*****
It was a mess, a hustle and bustle.
With the sudden assassination of Su Boyong as the fuse, in the past few months, the Su family seemed to have been cursed or injected with some hormones. It was full of all kinds of fierce conflicts and intersections, and the desires that were exaggerated because of the fuse were mixed together. Some people watched silently and occasionally laughed, but not necessarily because they were happy. Maybe it was just because they were ridiculous and bored, such as Ning Yi. Some people tried to change these desires, such as Su Tan Er, such as the Old Grandfather, such as Su Zhongkan, and Su Yunfang, and so on.
Of course, in such a chaotic situation, even Ning Yi might not be able to escape unscathed. However, there were naturally people like him who were less affected. This was not because they could see clearly, but most likely because they did not see clearly. In Yushan Academy, there were currently 11 students in Ning Yi's class. This number was including the two new students. In other words, there were more than 10 students left now, which meant that there were now only nine students left.
When the open strife and veiled strife in the family spread to the academy, several students were forced to leave by their parents. Among the remaining nine students, several also talked about the teacher every day. Some said that he had ruined the first branch and ruined the first branch's business — these things were discussed every day at home, and they had to be affected.
Xiao Qi felt that this second cousin was quite wronged and felt a little sad recently.
As the second daughter of Su Yunfang, Xiao Qi was now the only female student in this class apart from Zhou Pei. She originally had a friend, but unfortunately, she was also forced to leave this class by her parents. She did not leave. Su Yunfang probably thought that this would make the third branch seem open-minded.
Xiao Qi knew that the first branch and the third branch were fighting, but to her, she did not quite understand what the family was fighting over. She liked her beautiful and powerful second cousin, and also liked Brother Yi, who was now her teacher. Brother Yi already knew so many things, he could not possibly know everything. Father and Second Uncle were too much … In fact, Su Yunfang had talked about Ning Yi at home, laughing and saying that scholars could not possibly know so much, and that it was normal. That was why Xiao Qi knew all this.
Hearing the discussion around her, she wanted to refute, but did not know what to say. She also wanted to comfort Brother Yi, but as for herself, she actually did not know how to say it. However, these days, there had been more and more discussions about the first branch, the second branch, and the third branch. The worried little girl finally mustered up the courage today, and after school, she secretly ran to the teacher's office.
Today, Ning Yi had some things to tidy up, so he left late. When he looked out of the room, he saw the little girl sticking her head out and looking in his direction. Teachers liked obedient students, and this student was probably the most obedient of all. So he smiled and said, "Xiao Qi, what's the matter?"
Realizing that she had been seen, the little girl quickly hid outside the door and came out with her head lowered. "S-Sir."
"Uh …" The little girl hesitated for a while, then decided to use the reason she had originally thought of as an opening, so she took out a piece of paper from her pocket. "Teacher, the poems that you talked about today, Xiao Qi does not really understand …"
"Huh?"
Ning Yi's lessons ranged from the Analects of Confucius to the doctrine of the mean, and occasionally interspersed with some basic concepts such as poems. This nine-year-old little girl still did not have the ability to understand. In fact, Ning Yi did not have much attainment in poetry, but he had been here for more than a year, teaching and reading, so he finally had the basic skills. At that moment, he smiled and called her in. Looking at the little girl's piece of paper, there was actually a poem written neatly on it. The grammar was immature and not very fluent, but no matter what, the number of words was still correct, and the rhyme had its basic meaning. This was amazing.
Ning Yi explained the poem for a while, thinking that he could take this poem to Elder Qin or Yunzhu to show off. But after a while, he realized that something was wrong. The little girl said some things hesitantly, talking about how her family was doing, and saying that he was very, very good, and so on. She was trying to comfort him and not be sad.
He was also happy in his heart. He touched the little girl's head and hurriedly said that he was not sad, "Of course not, your Brother Yi is the number one talent in Jiangning. Hmm, but Xiao Qi's talent in writing poems is so high, she will probably be better than me in the future. Can you give this poem to me? "
"Yes, yes." The little girl nodded, and after a moment, she added cunningly, "Brother Yi, can you write a poem in exchange …"
"Okay."
Ning Yi smiled, picked up the brush, and wrote a poem. He handed the paper to the little girl and folded it.
"Exchange, from now on, your poem will be mine, and mine will be yours, okay?"
"Yes." Xiao Qi nodded hard. She read the poem several times, but she was not sure if it was good or not. She even asked about a few rare words, and then carefully put the paper into her arms.
*****
In the afternoon, there were usually some miscellaneous classes in the academy. Zhou Pei and Jun Wu did not come today, so a group of children in Ning Yi's class followed the other classes out to play football. Several little girls in the academy were playing on the grass nearby.
Su Chonghua walked around the academy.
Recently, he had been in a very good mood.
After all, the first branch could not hold on any longer. He was close to the second branch, Su Zhongkan. Once the first branch lost power, the second branch would obviously have the upper hand. So far, he did not have much ambition. It was enough to be a mountain chief. But after the first branch lost power, Ning Yi would obviously be easier to manage and control. The academy would be more stable, and he would get … well, whatever it was, it would definitely be more.
He also helped a lot in persuading Fifth Uncle. Now everything was going well, and he just had to wait for the clan meeting in a few days.
Looking around, the disciples of the academy were playing happily, and the one he valued the most … oh, Ning Yi must have left. He suspected that Ning Yi had been drowning his sorrows in alcohol every day recently. This was also human nature, so let him be. This person was still talented. Now that he was no longer a threat, he could put more importance on him. It did not matter if he was depressed for a period of time, it was always a good thing, and it was good for everyone …
"Ah —" A girl screamed, and a piece of paper was blown over by the wind, rolling on the ground. The little girl was running over there. Oh, it was Xiao Qi. Su Chonghua smiled. Usually, he liked this little niece, so he ran a few steps forward, bent over to pick up the paper, and smiled. "Xiao Qi, run slowly, run slowly, don't fall …"
There were words on the paper, it was a poem, so he looked down …
"… Uh … Calm Storm?"
*****
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