After sending Shi Changqi off at the entrance of Taiping Alley, Ning Yi stood under the Chinese parasol tree at the intersection and watched the training scene in the Liu Martial Arts Dojo for a while.
This was the second time Shi Changqi, who had just been sent off, had come. The first time was yesterday. As Ning Yi and Su Tan 'er had gone out in the morning, Shi Changqi had waited until the afternoon, when Ning Yi and the others had returned home after having lunch at the restaurant. This person was sincere and seemed to have the demeanor of a modest gentleman. Ning Yi was willing to make friends with him.
Putting aside the poetry and literature exchange, when Ning Yi had no ill intentions and was kind to others, they got along well that afternoon. When Shi Changqi bid farewell, he said he would visit again in a few days, but in the end, he rushed over that afternoon. It was unknown where he had heard that Ning Yi was a son-in-law, but he hurried over to verify it.
The weather was relatively cool today, so there was no need to specially run to West Lake to take an afternoon nap. Ning Yi and Su Tan'er were both at home. When Shi Changqi arrived, Su Tan'er had gone out to deal with some matters at the shop. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the other directly asked Ning Yi if he wanted to marry into the family. This surprised Ning Yi a little, but he naturally readily admitted it. The other became anxious and asked if Ning Yi had any difficulties in the past. He vaguely said that men of his generation should have great ambitions, and no matter what difficulties they encountered, they should not abandon their family and marry into the family. This vague expression did not have much effect, so he strengthened his tone.
Ning Yi looked to be in his early twenties. Although he had a calm temperament, his youthful face did not form an overall persuasive and oppressive aura. Shi Changqi was about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. Originally, he had come to visit because he had heard of Ning Yi's reputation in Jiangning. However, after he had come to visit, he had gotten along well with Ning Yi. It was clear that he felt like he was taking care of the younger generation. At this time, he had gone from being repressed to being open about it, but Ning Yi only gave a statement and did not defend himself. This made him somewhat annoyed.
At your age, you actually abandoned your ancestors and married into a merchant's family, and you don't even have the slightest regret. As a scholar, how can you be like this …
Shi Changqi's attitude gradually became stern. Ning Yi listened for a while before he smiled and asked, "Brother Shi, did something happen today?"
When he asked this question, Shi Changqi became slightly conscious. However, he still felt a little unreconciled. "No matter what, this matter is ultimately … unwise. As a merchant's family, money is the most important thing. Yet, Brother Ning's wife actually shows up in public every day. We …"
"Brother Shi." Ning Yi interrupted him with a smile. "Brother Shi, are you here today to persuade me to separate from my wife?"
"… I didn't mean that, it's just that …"
Ning Yi waved his hand dismissively. "Family matters are just a small matter, and there is no need for outsiders to speak of them. However, I am grateful for Brother Shi's concern. My wife is a very good person. We have been married for two years and our relationship is not bad. She respects me and I like her. Let's not talk about the past. If we were to separate from the family, many things would be involved. These things are extremely troublesome, and the final result would only be to hurt the feelings of the family. I don't know what Brother Shi thinks, but to me, the feelings between family members are extremely important. What do you think, Brother Shi? "
Ning Yi was used to seeing all kinds of things. He wasn't angry at the scholar's sudden hot-bloodedness. Even though he was a little surprised, he wasn't too interested in probing further. At this time, he pushed him with a hidden meaning. Not long after, he sent the other party out of the alley. He had done the proper etiquette, but in his heart, he understood that they wouldn't have any dealings in the future.
Human nature was complicated. Ning Yi had always understood this. When he first came here, he didn't feel much about the scholarly atmosphere of this era. He didn't hate it, didn't agree with it, and couldn't be bothered to care. After all, he didn't yearn for this era before, so he didn't need to find any resonance. Over the past two years, because he lived here, he could appreciate the atmosphere and atmosphere of this era. Just like Chang Qi, some things that he insisted on were always worth appreciating. Of course, after appreciating it, he would just laugh it off.
At this time, it was a cloudy day. The clouds in the sky covered the blazing sun. There was no rest in the martial arts club at the entrance of the alley. Several people were practicing with wooden sabers in Ning Yi's field of vision. Ning Yi watched from outside the door. The few people practicing in the martial arts club would occasionally look at him. However, knowing that he was a resident of this alley, they were already used to his occasional observation.
In fact, the saber techniques taught in the Liu Martial Arts Club couldn't be considered profound. In this day and age, without the cultivation of people like Lu Hongti, there wasn't much to appreciate. Ning Yi watched for a while and was about to leave when a carriage drove over from the opposite side of the road. It pulled open the curtain beside Ning Yi.
"Brother-in-law."
In the carriage were Lou Shuwan and her maid, Ah Guo. Although Lou Shuwan looked down on Ning Yi when they first met, later on, when she interacted with Ning Yi and Su Tan 'er and her husband, her attitude was clean and candid. She wasn't restrained, but she still had the propriety of a good woman. At this time, she fanned herself and looked to the other side of the road.
"That person was Shi Chang Qi. Brother-in-law, do you know him?"
"Not very well. Is he famous?"
"He's famous in the Suzhou and Hangzhou area."
"Oh." Ning Yi nodded and looked at Lou Shuwan thoughtfully. Lou Shuwan didn't say much on this topic. "Is Sister Tan 'er at home?"
"She went to the shop earlier. I'm afraid she'll be back for a while. Go in and sit for a while. "
"Oh, I see …" Lou Shuwan thought for a while and then shook her head. "I'll pass. I'm just passing by. I have something to do later. Brother-in-law, please send my regards to Sister Tan 'er."
"Okay."
After saying this, they chatted for a while. Lou Shuwan let down the curtain, and Ning Yi turned around to go home. The carriage passed this side of the road. Inside the carriage, Lou Shuwan already had a different kind of cold expression. Maid Guo said softly, "Miss, did you come here just to take a look?"
Lou Shuwan smiled. "I was just looking around. It's enough to see Shi Chang Qi leave. What else do you want to see?"
"But I don't know how their quarrel went …"
"How could they really quarrel? When Shi Chang Qi left, his expression was gloomy. But it was obvious that he didn't finish what he wanted to say. Or maybe it was useless even if he said it. My brother-in-law is really interesting. He can actually send people all the way to the intersection. I've already seen so much. What does a maid like you know … Don't disturb me. "
Lou Shuwan closed her eyes to think about these things. The maid tactfully kept her mouth shut. The carriage passed through the city of Hangzhou and soon returned to the Lou Residence. The master and maid alighted from the carriage and went to a courtyard near the side door. After entering, Lou Shuwan directly pushed open the closed door in the courtyard. In the room, a man in disheveled clothes was flirting with the maid. When he saw her come in, he restrained himself and hurriedly put on his coat. It was Lou Shuwan's second brother, Lou Shuheng.
"What's wrong?"
"I went to see Tan 'er. Shi Chang Qi really went to my brother-in-law to seek confirmation. It seems like he's not in a good mood."
"Oh? Tell me about it … "
Lou Shuheng was a dissolute and rich man. He had a rich nightlife every day. At this time, he actually just woke up. At this time, he washed up and looked refreshed. When Lou Shuwan told him about the scene she happened to see, he looked a little disappointed. "Oh, I just saw Shi Chang Qi saying goodbye …"
"Brother-in-law sent him out with a calm expression, but Shi Chang Qi's expression wasn't good. He wanted to say something but stopped. He looked like he was unwilling. In the future, you can mock him all you want. What's there to be disappointed about?"
"It's nothing." Lou Shuheng curled his lips. "But from what you said, Brother-in-law has good self-restraint."
"It's not self-restraint. It's not simple."
"How can someone who marries into the family not be simple?" Lou Shuheng tidied his clothes in front of the bronze mirror on the table. "He's said to be the number one scholar in Jiangning. I've met him a few times, but I didn't feel anything. Sister Tan Er is not simple. I wonder if Sister Tan Er purposely brought him out. Didn't she say he only composed a few poems …"
"I heard from Su Wending and Su Wenfang that when the Su family was in trouble, Sister Tan Er fell ill and Sister Tan Er's father was assassinated, he suddenly intervened and turned the tide. The Wu Family was plotted to death in Jiangning. In the end, everyone knew how amazing this usually unknown scholar was."
"Even if that's the case, what else did he do in the past month other than following women everywhere? What did he turn the tide? Maybe it was all part of Su Tan Er's plan. At most, he knows how to hide. As for self-restraint, he can't do much … Isn't my brother-in-law good at self-restraint? "
Lou Shuwan frowned. "You're so grumpy when you wake up. If you want to talk, just talk. Don't drag me into it."
"I'm …"
Lou Shuheng turned around to defend himself. Lou Shuwan slammed her palm on the table with a bang. After a moment, she took a deep breath and sneered. "A few days ago, after father said that he had the intention to marry you into the Su family, I saw that you were quite interested in Sister Tan Er. You even treated the Su family's brother-in-law a little inappropriately. Hmph, I've seen it clearly today … "
Lou Shuheng stood up straight with his back facing her. After a moment, he tilted his head. "I have a good impression of her. So what? She's not bad, but having a good impression doesn't mean that I'll do anything. I feel bad for her. You're my sister, so I feel bad for you too. If a man is capable, why should he marry into the family … If you admire him, why don't you just let him marry into our family … "
"Lou Shuheng, your mouth is full of sh * t!" Lou Shuwan scolded. Then, she said, "Get lost."
After saying that, she turned around and left.
*****
While the siblings of the Lou family were throwing a tantrum for no reason, Shi Changqi was actually quite depressed. Lou Shuwan had gone to Taiping Alley to check on the situation, not because of Ning Yi, but mainly because of him.
He had gone to visit Ning Yi with genuine sincerity. This was because Qian Xiwen had a high opinion of Ning Yi's poetry and literature. He also said that he had met Ning Yi recently and had a good opinion of him. After the visit, he had a good impression of Ning Yi. That night, he attended a party at the brothel and casually mentioned the meeting. He said that the number one scholar of Jiangning had come to Hangzhou and that he had met him. They had a good chat and the other party was open-minded, open-minded and elegant, and so on.
Where there were people, there would be Jianghu. The underworld needed face, and so did the literary world. It was especially so at a party at a brothel and in front of women. Shi Changqi's literary talent was very good. Ever since he had achieved great success in poetry, he was often sought after. He was also a person who cared about face. Since he had made this friend and the other party was capable, he naturally exaggerated and praised him. The problem was that the praise was too high and he couldn't find a way out.
Suzhou and Hangzhou had their own regional culture. They were all poets, so they were more or less unhappy with Shi Changqi's praise of a Jiangning person. Shi Changqi also understood that, but Ning Yi's previous poems were there. He was confident that the other party could see the gap between them. If they were to recommend someone to ask for advice in the heat of the moment, they would have to think it through first. Ning Yi had been in Hangzhou for more than a month, but none of these scholars had seen each other before. Knowing oneself but not knowing the enemy, everyone was a little hesitant for a moment. Coincidentally, Lou Shuheng was among them at that time. He looked at Shi Changqi with displeasure and waited until Shi Changqi was almost done praising him before he came out to speak.
That guy was married into the family.
He was married into the family of a businessman.
He had been discussing business with women for more than a month, and it was all women …
Lou Shuheng was usually a powerful person. He had a good grasp of the situation and the words he said were just right. Shi Changqi was talking happily, so he threw this matter out to block the other party's room to turn back. You said that your friend is so powerful and so exaggerated. You are so happy, but he is married into the family. Do you know …
When he revealed this, everyone was happy too, and they all jeered. Shi Changqi's face immediately turned red. "Impossible. How could there be such a thing? How did you know? You are talking nonsense!" Lou Shuheng did not say how he knew, so the other party could not back down. They said that they would expose his lies the next day and so on. Shi Changqi knew that Ning Yi would only be home in the afternoon, but he had met a few people in the morning and was agitated. That was why he had hurriedly run over to Peace Alley to seek confirmation. Lou Shuwan had only heard about this interesting story from someone else and had come over to take a look.
After this confirmation, Shi Changqi was a little confused. If he had known about this calmly, he would at most feel that it was strange. Even if he felt that the other party should not have done this, he would not have gone to the extent of pointing fingers. This time, he would more or less become a laughing stock. He was a little absent-minded when he visited his teacher at night. He did not know if Qian Xiwen knew about this matter and what his attitude was, so he could not say much. However, Qian Xiwen could tell that he had something on his mind. He thought for a while and asked, "Changqi, how did you feel when you visited that Ning Liheng yesterday?"
Qian Xiwen thought that Ning Yi was brilliant and had shocked his disciple with his skills. Although there was no first place in literature, with his talent in poetry, he could probably do it. In the end, Shi Changqi hemmed and hawed for a while before finally saying, "But, teacher, that Ning Liheng married into the family of a merchant. I really feel that this person … this person …"
He could not describe it. Qian Xiwen frowned. "Married into the family? What do you mean married into the family? "
Shi Changqi then explained the matter in detail. After listening, Qian Xiwen only frowned and thought for a while, but did not express his opinion. Not long after, he sent Shi Changqi away and called the old butler who had always been by his side.
"Qian Yu, have you heard about that Ning Yi?"
The old butler thought for a while and nodded. "This old servant … did hear a little about it."
"Oh?"
"I heard that he has been in Hangzhou for more than a month and has not visited any scholars or participated in any literary gatherings. Although he has some relations with the Lou family, they do not seem to be close. His wife's family runs a cloth business. In this month, he has only accompanied his wife to visit some merchants or play by himself. It seems that he has no intention of making friends through literature or making a name for himself. "
"No wonder …" Qian Xiwen nodded. "I was originally wondering why I have not heard anyone mention his name after he has been here for so long …"
"This man doesn't look like he's a great scholar. Also, this old servant heard a little about Young Master Shi this morning. It seems that … Young Master Shi was still praising Young Master Ning at Drunken Crane Restaurant last night … "
Qian Yu recounted everything that had happened last night in full detail. Only then did Qian Xiwen laugh. As he thought about it, he shook his head. After a long while, he looked out the door and said, "The news came at the beginning of the month. Qian Yu, you also know …"
"Hm?"
"Qin Siyuan has returned to the capital and has been reinstated as the Right Minister. In the current world, he is only below two people and above tens of thousands. I thought about it. When Ning Liheng went south, he was already preparing to go to the capital. At this time, he could still write this letter and ask me to take care of this Ning Liheng … Although the words are simple, the meaning is hard to describe … "
"It seems that this Ning Liheng is a disciple of the Qin Clan?"
"If he was an ordinary disciple of the Qin Clan, with Duke Qin's status, why would he write the words' take care 'for him?" Qian Xiwen thought for a while and laughed incredulously. He shook his head. "Ha, he … should not be of the Qin Clan's bloodline. Otherwise, he would not have married into the Qin Clan. If he is a disciple of the Qin Clan, how could he receive such favor from the Qin Clan? Ha, this person … is not simple. But I can't figure it out for now …"
Qian Yu looked at him and thought about it. "Should we invite him to the residence for a chat?"
"No need. It's too much." Qian Xiwen waved his hand. "We haven't contacted each other for more than a month. In a few days, there will be a poetry meet in Little Yingzhou. Write an invitation and use my name to send it over. Invite … invite his family over for a trip."
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