Over the past few days, Su Chonghua would occasionally have some strange emotions flashing through his mind. Even he wasn't sure what the specific reason was.
All along, due to the Great Grandfather's high regard, Su Chonghua's status in the Su family had always been high. And because the true manager of Yushan Academy was Su Zhongkan, he could be considered an important participant in the second branch of the Su family for many years. Recently, the second and third branches had joined forces against the first branch, preparing to eliminate the small but seemingly most threatening branch of the Su family. He was also a part of this. Occasionally, at various gatherings, they would talk about the current situation of the second branch of the Su family. Although the external troubles had not been eliminated, at least the internal troubles had been somewhat settled. They had taken a big step forward on the road to fighting for the true management of the Su family. Everyone was quite happy about this.
Today was a big day. Ever since he got up early in the morning, he had understood this matter in his heart. Everybody's mood was also somewhat different. Early in the morning, he met Su Zhongkan in a nearby courtyard, and also some other shopkeepers and stewards who were close to the Second Branch. Everybody was talking and laughing.
He also understood that tonight's matter had already been decided. In order to prepare for the imperial business, Su Tan'er had spent too much money, but it had not brought any benefits. At present, it had also caused the merchants outside to begin to distrust the Su family. These things could all be brought up tonight. Many people in the Su Family worked together. Some of the elders who didn't agree with the idea of a woman taking charge of the family or were originally shaken by this began to stand on the side of the second and third branches. Even the usually domineering Third Uncle was powerless at this time.
However, just when the hearts of the second branch were brimming with anticipation, those emotions occasionally floated out. Especially during these few days, when they occasionally saw Ning Yi's leisurely and carefree figure from the side, they would always have thoughts of causing trouble.
Calm Storm …
What he occasionally thought of was the poem he had seen a few days ago. That poem was really good.
After all, Su Chonghua had some real talent. He was considered a somewhat famous scholar in Jiangning. After writing poetry for so many years, there were naturally not many poems that could shock him at first sight. It just so happened that both of Ning Yi's previous songs were like this — Drinking Wine and Pei Di were not counted — and this Calm Storm was also like this. Of course, if he were to look at it alone, he would feel that this poem was merely a self-consolation and narcissism of a scholar. He was obviously a complete loser, yet he wrote it as if he was the victor. The fact that he didn't dare to take out this poem was proof of that.
But … every time he really saw Ning Yi and combined it with this poem, or read some of the poems written by others, the feeling would always be somewhat different. At this moment, Su Chonghua was watching thoughtfully from the side of the private school classroom.
"… This is the study of calculation. Everyone will learn this in the afternoon. But I don't want to tell you how to calculate. But some of the logical systems in calculation are the principles and methods of thinking about things. It's very interesting … In the far west, there is a country called Greece. There is a story called Zeno's Paradox. One day, a great hero who ran very fast met a tortoise. The tortoise said, 'If you race with me, you will never catch up to me …' "
In front of the classroom, Ning Yi was lecturing with a smile. He was drawing lines on the blackboard with chalk. "The great hero said, no matter how slow I run, my speed is still ten times yours. How can I not catch up to you? So the tortoise said, let's make an example. You are a hundred feet away from me, and your speed is ten times mine. Then you chase me. When you have run a hundred feet, you reach my current position. I have run ten feet forward, so you continue to chase me for ten feet. But at this time, I have run another ten feet forward. After you chase this ten feet, I am still in front of you … You can keep getting closer to me, but you will never catch up to me. The great hero felt that he was right. The monk scratched his head and scratched his head … "
His classes were always like this. It was supposed to be a university course, but it involved a lot of messy things. But it was usually more interesting. The new student named Zhou Junwu raised his hand and asked, "Sir, where is Greece?" So Ning Yi started to explain Greece with a smile.
Looking at the leisurely figure who seemed to not care about today — or even the recent changes in the Su family in the past month, coupled with the "Calm Disturbance", a strange feeling surfaced again. He frowned. After a while, he turned around and left.
This Liheng's ability to write poems was really profound. Just one poem alone could affect him like this.
Su Chonghua thought to himself, then shook his head …
*****
The morning gradually passed. In the afternoon, some of the courtyards of the Su family were filled with people. It was as lively as New Year's Eve. At this time, the camps finally began to become completely clear. There was no need to worry too much. They just needed to wait for tonight's event. Some people from the first branch, the second branch, and the third branch were still coming back one after another.
The courtyard where Su Yu lived was also filled with visitors today.
"… I also think that Erya is under too much pressure to manage so many things in the family. Of course, everyone knows her ability. If the first branch has a man who can take over, even if something happens this time, we think we can let her continue to manage. But after all … "
"At this time, the situation of the third branch really can't be dragged on like this. Third Brother …"
"Alas, if nothing happened to Bo Yong …"
The guest room was not decorated luxuriously, but it looked calm and graceful. Su Yu sat in the seat of honor, leaning on his crutch and resting with his eyes closed. The people below him were talking one after another. They were all old brothers in the family. In the final analysis, tonight's clan meeting still needed them to make the decision. The things to be discussed at night had to be discussed in advance. It was better to discuss the outline first.
Apart from various positions and problems, how could they not know Su Tan 'er's ability? But now the situation of the Su family was, after all, the third branch was fighting for the inheritance. Su Boyong had fallen. There was no other way. If Su Tan 'er insisted, it would become a vicious cycle of internal friction in the end. Obviously, Su Yu also understood these things. But at this time, he had not made a clear statement.
After all, the prestige of the old master was too great. If he did not make a statement, there would be no outline of this matter. At night, there might be a quarrel. They were all old people, and most of them did not want such a thing to happen. After all, the third branch was fighting for the inheritance with Su Yu. If the old master could not change his mind and had to stand in the position of his granddaughter and fight with everyone at night, the consequences of this family would be hard to say.
Although Su Yu had been very sober all these years, he was old. No one knew whether he would suddenly get into a dead end tonight.
"So, Third Brother, you have to give us an answer on these things."
Old Seven, who was below, was a little anxious. He stood up and said. He looked at the others, and several other old people also followed him. Su Yu opened his eyes a little and squinted at them. "What do you want to say?"
"What are you going to do about the matter of Erya? You have to have a clear idea. If you say something, we will have a clear idea …"
"I don't have a clear idea. How can I give you a clear idea?"
"No … Third Brother, this time … you can't have no idea. For so many years, everyone has listened to you."
"At night, we have to listen to what the eldest, second, and third brothers have to say. What the others have to say, and what the second girl has to say. This matter is clear, and everyone can see clearly."
"Third Brother, you are talking nonsense. Of course, we have to listen to what they will say. But we probably know what they will say. If you don't make a statement first, we will …"
"Old Seven." Putting his crutch on the ground, Su Yu looked at the Seventh Brother in front of him, who was in his early fifties. Then his eyes softened and he sighed.
"No one knows what will happen until the end. In short, when the time comes, if it makes sense, you will follow. If it doesn't make sense, you will let it go. Let's not talk nonsense. I can't see it clearly now."
The old man closed his eyes and continued to rest. "Anyway, let's talk about it at night."
The afternoon sunlight shone on the door, sprinkling a large area of bright light. Then the buzzing sound of discussion sounded again …
*****
Shua shua shua, shua shua shua shua, in a slightly remote teahouse, three maids and a few shopkeepers were busy flipping through many books, copying things in front of them. Opposite them were a few people who belonged to the core of the Wu Family. The sun shone on the eaves, the wind blew over, and occasionally there were whispers of conversation.
Su Taner sat at one side and drank tea quietly. Since the Wu Family gave in, everything had been going smoothly. Now, both sides were about to form a tacit understanding of cooperation. Of course, the one who cooperated would definitely not be happy.
Wu Qilong also drank tea quietly not far away, looking at the light spot not far from his feet. Since the first day, Wu Chenghou didn't come, and Wu Qilong had been leading.
"Tonight, I heard that Xue Yan and the others have an appointment to eat at the Moon Fragrance Restaurant on Persimmon Street. The Lu Family and the Chen Family will probably also send people." Wu Qilong spat out a mouthful of tea foam, as if he was talking about something that had nothing to do with him. "They are very concerned about this matter. Their expressions may be very interesting." He said interesting, but his expression was not interesting at all.
Su Tan 'er didn't want to provoke him with these things. On the first day, they were tit-for-tat. First, they showed their strength. After that, they didn't care about these things. "According to the previous agreement, you should tell me the other things today."
Wu Qilong looked to the side. "Later, I will tell you later if I can. I am happy."
"Up to you." Su Tan 'er shifted her gaze to the side. "But if you drag him away, even if I can swallow this anger, my father won't be able to swallow it."
"Humph."
Wu Qilong snorted coldly. After a while, he asked, "What is your Husband doing now?"
"Walking around, playing chess with friends, or listening to a girl sing opera." Su Tan 'er looked up and smiled. "As his wife, it's not appropriate for me to ask too much about Husband's affairs outside … I just need to manage the family well."
*****
Ning Yi was indeed watching the girl's acting.
On the second floor of Takeshi, Ning Yi was sitting at a table, drinking tea and eating snacks. Nowadays, there were people playing and singing in front of this restaurant for a long time. Of course, the acting that Ning Yi was watching was not referring to this.
At this time, Yuan Jin 'er was sitting next to him. Not far away, diagonally opposite, the great talent named Liu Qingdi was also sitting there, looking at them attentively.
A few days ago, Liu Qingdi had found Takeshi. It was unknown how he found Yuan Jin 'er, but in any case, he often came here recently. Today, Yuan Jin' er was here, and Ning Yi was also here, so she sat down slowly, and her attitude toward Ning Yi was quite intimate.
It was rumored in Jianghu that Yuan Jin 'er had affairs with Cao Guan and Liu Qingdi before. It was hard to say how deep the relationship between a talented man and a beautiful woman was. Maybe it couldn't be as abnormal as Gu Yanzhen's. However, Liu Qingdi's grudge against Ning Yi came from various complicated reasons. For example, they were talents, and for example, Yuan Jin' er's performance. Being stared at like this, Ning Yi was also a little helpless. The grudge had been formed in Yan Cui House, and it seemed that it could not be solved in a short time.
"Do you think it's interesting?"
Ning Yi smiled and leaned toward Yuan Jin 'er.
"Interesting …."
Yuan Jin 'er also leaned over, like a little bird. In fact, Ning Yi could not take advantage of her at all. The Top Courtesan was the Top Courtesan. She kept a distance and pushed Ning Yi to this side.
"Where is Yunzhu?"
"Sister Yunzhu said that she would not come out to join in the fun. She is inside sorting out the account books. So I have to come out and accompany you, the hero. "
It was the beginning of winter. Both of their clothes were a little thick. Yuan Jin 'er was also dressed beautifully. The two of them leaned against each other, squeezing each other with a small space between them. Liu Qingdi's eyes were burning with anger.
"Since our situation is so ambiguous now, do you think it's very reasonable for me to take advantage of you?"
"Well, I will go all out and sacrifice my body, so that Sister Yunzhu can see what kind of person you are on earth."
"Will I be afraid?"
"Come on."
"If you don't take advantage of me … you are making it very difficult for me …"
Yuan Jin 'er pursed her lips and smiled, looking very pure. Their eyes met in the air, producing sparks. The next moment, when Ning Yi was about to do something dangerous, Yuan Jin' er twisted her body. "Pah!" A clear slap sounded in the hall on the second floor. Liu Qingdi, who was unwilling to watch the behavior of the adulterous couple, looked over, and other people also looked over.
In their field of vision, the pure and beautiful girl stood up and hurriedly took two steps to the side. The things on the table were all clattering. She covered the side of her face with one hand and looked at Ning Yi, who was sitting there, with tears coming out. It was really a pear blossom in the rain, which made people feel pity for her.
"Rogue!"
Oh no, I was one step ahead of him …
The slap just now didn't hit him at all. Yuan Jin 'er seemed to suddenly stand up and slap him, but in fact, only her sleeves brushed Ning Yi's cheek. But Yuan Jin' er was a dancer, and the sleeves of her clothes were big at this time. She clapped her hands below, which was immediately seen as a very embarrassing slap in the eyes of others.
"… Animal, impatient, lecher …"
Yuan Jin 'er wiped her tears and blinked at Ning Yi with one eye. Ning Yi curled his lips and said, "You are cruel." Liu Qingdi suddenly stood up. Yuan Jin 'er said, "I haven't promised to be with you in my heart. You … how can you do this …"
Then she ran away.
Liu Qingdi was probably not the only one in the restaurant who was indignant. But hearing Yuan Jin 'er's tone at the end, which seemed to be coquettish and complaining, for a moment, he felt that the relationship between them was not clear. Ning Yi sighed, raised his teacup and turned his face aside.
A few of the shop assistants, who more or less knew about Ning Yi's relationship with Yuan Jin 'er and Nie Yunzhu, stood there in a daze for a long time, not knowing what this bunch of bosses were up to.
This tea couldn't be drunk …
Yuan Jin 'er rushed into the room and felt proud in the corridor. Then she brewed her feelings for a while, wiped her tears and ran inside. She opened the door inside, covered her face and cried very sincerely, "Sister Yunzhu, Ning Yi is getting more and more outrageous. I was joking with him, but he molested me. Many people saw it. If you don't believe me, you can ask Xiaoding and others …"
Yunzhu was stunned for a long time, "In public … how did he molest you?"
"He kissed me on the face." Yuan Jin 'er sat next to Yunzhu, sniffed, and looked stubborn, "It was a joke, but he must have done it on purpose!"
Yunzhu held her face and looked at it for a while, then kissed it, "Well, I helped him molest you."
"Really!" Yuan Jin 'er protested, "Sister Yunzhu, you always believe him but not me!"
"In public, it would be strange if he did that. Do you want me to believe you … to help me make the account book?"
"It's hard to calculate … No, why not? Men are all like that. He thought he did it secretly. In public, you don't believe him. He just calculated it. It's too insidious. If next time in public, he … "Yuan Jin 'er struggled for a long time," did that to me, Sister Yunzhu, you also don't believe me … "
Although they were all prostitutes, the influence of the brothel was still very strong. Other women would definitely not be able to say such words. Yunzhu burst out laughing, "If, if he really did that to you in public, hmm, no matter what, I don't believe it …"
Yuan Jin 'er's face was tense, then she couldn't help but laugh, "Anyway, you're biased." She turned to help with the account book.
"He has something to do tonight, and you keep bothering him."
"I'm bothering him because I like him, not because I hate him …"
*****
With a bang, Su Chonghua put down the teacup. The afternoon sun had turned warm and yellow, shining in the teahouse. The voice woke Su Chonghua up and he looked at the middle-aged man in front of him.
"Brother Chonghua, you seem to have something on your mind these days. Are you worried about tonight's family matter?"
The middle-aged man in front of him was tall and thin, with a goatee. He was one of Su Chonghua's poetry friends. His name was Chen Lu, also known as Empty Mountain Hermit, and he was quite famous in Jiangning. He met Su Chonghua on the road in the afternoon and came over for tea.
"Ah, tonight … probably won't have anything to do …"
"Brother Chonghua, don't hide it from me. I heard that the Su family's clan meeting is approaching, and there will be a big change. You attended the poetry meet two days ago, but you seemed to be absent-minded and uninterested. If you're not worried about this, then what? If there's really nothing to do tonight, why don't we just ignore that secular thing and go to the Changyun Pavilion's gathering with me? "
"The clan meeting … even though the outcome has little to do with me, I still have to attend it." Su Chonghua smiled, then thought for a moment, "Ah, but speaking of the poetry meet a few days ago … actually, I was just lamenting about the matter of poetry. It really does require some talent. A few days ago, I saw a poem written, and my heart was filled with mixed feelings. These days, I often think about it, ah, I've lost interest in writing poetry. "
"Oh?" Chen Lu was interested, "It sounds like a good poem?"
"Excellent." Su Chonghua shook his head, "It's just that the person who wrote the poem matched it, it really makes one sigh."
"Now that Brother Chonghua said it, I'm even more curious. Don't keep me in suspense, tell me quickly."
"Ah, this is the work of my nephew, that Ning Yi, Ning Liheng. Brother Kongshan, you've heard of this person's deeds in the past. My Su family's current situation is partly due to him … a few days ago, he casually wrote a poem, but only gave it to a nine-year-old child in the family to read in private. I saw it by accident. This' Calm Disturbance '… it's artistic conception was one of a kind. It was not inferior to the previous two poems. Therefore, every time he saw this person or other people's poems, he couldn't help but think about it. If he wanted to write a poem, he would lose interest. But this person, really can't do it … "
Su Chonghua shook his head and dipped his finger into the tea. In the afternoon sun, he sighed as he wrote the poem. It was as if he wanted to savor the poem again in this way. The middle-aged man on the other side listened and looked at the poem. His gaze gradually turned serious … ….
*****
In front of a small teahouse on the other side of the city, the carriages arrived. Su Tan'er and Wu Qilong stood under the eaves, ready to leave separately. Wu Qilong looked at the sun.
"The people you want, are …"
Su Tan'er's eyes were originally cold, but when she heard Wu Qilong's words, her eyes trembled for a moment. She frowned slightly, but did not speak. After he finished speaking, Su Tan'er thought for a moment, then said, "Is it them?"
"Believe it or not."
"No, I believe you."
"Hmm?"
"We already know some of them. If you have something to hide, there might really be a problem." She smiled and said, "Do you know what the first thing Husband said when he came home that day when we had a showdown with you?"
"What?"
"Qi Guangzu is a traitor."
"…" Wu Qilong frowned and looked at her.
"Because the first thing you said to Husband was: It really is you."
"So what?"
"He asked Shopkeeper Zhou for information, and Shopkeeper Zhou was not drunk. Once you start to have problems on your side, you will more or less try to inquire about it. Back then, my husband had designed a few ways for Shopkeeper Zhou to unintentionally leak information. Shopkeeper Zhou told Qi Guangzu that the people he admired the most were my grandfather and my husband … My husband said that you shouldn't have made that 'as expected' sound so full of twists and turns. The moment he heard it, he would know whether you were guessing or certain … I just didn't expect them to be there … "
There was a silence, like a cold cave sucking Wu Qilong in. Su Tan'er glanced at him.
"Let's go. Let's cooperate well from now on. I don't want to drive your Wu Family to the last man. That's not good for the reputation of my Su Family."
Turning around, Su Tan'er's eyes became cold. Wu Qilong stood there, watching Su Tan'er's carriage go away. The sunlight couldn't warm him up. On the other side, Ning Yi's casual figure seemed to be standing there, looking over, casting his shadow over the whole Wu Family …
*****
In the Su Mansion, people were talking and laughing, coming out of the courtyards one after another. There was a lot of noise. Some were relaxed, some were worried, some were joking, and some were secretly happy. All kinds of people gradually gathered together, greeting and greeting each other as if it was the New Year's Eve.
The dinner party was almost ready. After the dinner party, it would be the clan meeting that would decide the direction of the Su Family for the next few years. In the city, Xue Yan, Xue Jin, and others had also gone out, rushing to the party tonight.
"Hurry up, we spent a lot of money to invite the Top Courtesan to the party tonight. You're so lucky. Perform well …"
"Top Courtesan? Is it Miss Qi Lan? "
As businessmen, the Xue Family was usually on good terms with the Puyang Family. The Puyang Family had made Qi Lan the Top Courtesan in this year's Top Courtesan Competition. It was not the peak season recently, so she was most likely to be invited. However, Xue Yan shook his head.
"I wanted to invite Qi Lan and others, but Puyang Yi also had a banquet today, and it was a group of scholars. Cao Guan, Liu Qingdi, and Liu Miaomiao were all there. This was the face of the Puyang Family, so Qi Lan had to be there. In the end, I invited Luo Miaomiao … "
At the same time, Su Chonghua, who had been staying outside for the whole afternoon, also rushed home in a carriage. Ning Yi said goodbye to Yunzhu and walked on the street home. At this time, the Su family who were still outside also gathered at home.
*****
As the carriage passed through the streets, Su Tan 'er sat in the carriage with her eyes closed, thinking about many things. Then, she took out a piece of paper and wrote three names on it. When she lifted the curtain, Guard Geng, who was sitting on the shaft outside, turned his head.
Su Tan 'er handed the paper to him, her eyes cold. "Do as you planned, but be careful. Don't fall into the trap of the Wu Family."
Guard Geng nodded, put the paper in his pocket, jumped out of the carriage, and ran in another direction.
The sunlight shone in through the opened curtain, but it was not warm.
Not long after, in a room where the three names were connected, Guard Geng showed the three names to another person, and then burned the paper in the fire.
In front of a shop of the Su family, Xi Junyu sat there basking in the sun, closed his eyes, and thought about all the arrangements he had made along the way. Not long after, he sighed, smiled, and walked in the direction of the Su Mansion.
"It's almost time for dinner. Everyone, get ready." In Su Yu's courtyard, in the guest room, the old man at the head of the table finally opened his eyes and spoke with a smile. Then, everyone began to stand up and go out one by one amidst trivial words.
Su Boyong, whose face was still pale, sat in a wooden wheelchair. He was pushed by his wife and concubine out the door. In the courtyard outside, including Su Yunsong and Su Danhong, many stewards of the first branch were waiting for him. He smiled and waved his hand. Of course, his face was still weak. "Let's go, let's go. We'll be busy tonight …"
Su Zhongkan, Su Yunfang, Xi Anzhi, Yu Daxian, Su Wenxing, Su Wengui, Su Wenji … Dozens of people, all kinds of interests, began to tighten.
The entrance of the Su mansion was also very lively. Su Tan 'er walked out of the carriage. Then, she saw her husband, who was not far away, greeting a friend of the Su family, so she walked over with a smile.
"Husband, let's go in."
*****
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