He parked the cart in a shed at the side of the building and helped to move some things in. When he stepped into the hall, Ning Yi couldn't help but think of a phrase: entering the house. It felt quite evil, and he couldn't help but smile.
Although the two of them would chat for a period of time every morning, this was the first time Ning Yi had entered the interior of this small building.
The building stood by the river, surrounded by some trees. It was quiet and elegant, but there weren't many buildings. It might be cool in the summer, but it was cold in the winter. Even though the walls were thickened, and some of the ventilation holes were covered by thick curtains, the owner had been out for more than half a day. It felt even colder than outside. There weren't many things in the living room, but it looked quite elegant. Nie Yunzhu seemed to be a little flustered at the arrival of guests. She ran around looking for something, but the tea was cold, and there was nothing to eat. In the end, she just asked Ning Yi to sit down. She moved a small charcoal stove outside and moved the fire from the cart into the room.
She placed the small charcoal stove in the middle of the room, not far from Ning Yi, and then put a teapot on it. "Uh … it'll be ready in a while."
Ning Yi laughed, which made Nie Yunzhu feel a little embarrassed. Then she remembered, "Those salted duck eggs …" She ran into the room and brought out two jars, and put them on the table in front of Ning Yi. "Anyway … it's made according to Young Master Ning's instructions, but I don't know if it's edible."
When she was preparing to open the biscuit stall, she had planned to sell some tea eggs and salted eggs along the way. When she told Ning Yi about it, it reminded him of something, so he entrusted her to make these biscuits. The money was paid for by Ning Yi. The process was similar to the salted eggs, but he used lime water, camphor wood ash, and didn't put as much salt as the salted eggs. He said it was an experiment, and he asked her to strictly follow the proportion. It had been more than 20 days, and she could see the results.
Nie Yunzhu was also interested in the salted duck eggs that were marinated in a weird way, but she was more interested in the music that Ning Yi had played on the road. She only hated to entertain people with her beauty, but she didn't hate the art itself. What kind of songs did a person who could write a poem like Shuidiao Getou usually hum? Although she didn't usually ask, she was naturally curious. At this time, he brought a basin of clean water and a porcelain bowl for Ning Yi. Then he brought the zither, brush, ink, paper and inkstone from his house and sat across the round table without saying anything.
Ning Yi took out a duck egg from the jar and threw it into the water to wash. Seeing the other's expression, he couldn't help but laugh. He nodded and said, "Okay, I'll sing it for you. Copy the lyrics, but don't laugh if I don't sing it well. The name of this song is' Jia Lan Yu '… Yes, it's this Jia Lan …"
Snowflakes fluttered down, and a faint singing voice came from the small building.
"The sound of prosperity has escaped into the gate of emptiness.
His dreams were cold. He had been tossing and turning for a lifetime, and there were a few emotional debts.
If you acquiesce, life and death wither away,
Wither away, circle after circle, ring after ring …
Buddha Tower, how many floors have broken, whose soul has been broken,
Pain straight to, a broken lamp, the collapsed mountain gate.
Let me wait a little longer, history turns,
Waiting for the wine to mellow, waiting for you to play, a zither song … "
The sound of a bowstring quietly rang out …
*****
In the Su mansion, the Tibetan examination had ended, but Ning Yi didn't appear. After a short conversation with Old Grandpa Su and the others, Song Mao returned to the courtyard that the Su mansion had arranged for him. He ordered the butler, Song Kai, to prepare things and gifts for him when he went out.
In his opinion, this trip to Jiangning might be a little tight, especially in the first few days. He had to be particular about who to visit first. As he was thinking about some things, Song Kai came in again. "Master, Young Master Wenxing wants to see you."
Song Mao nodded. "Let him in."
Su Wenxing was Su Zhongkan's son. He was ranked fifth in the third generation of the Su family. This ranking naturally included not only the third branch of the Su family, but also many cousins. However, this Su Wenxing was the biological son of Su Zhongkan's legal wife. Song Mao was his paternal uncle, and he had doted on him since he was young. Song Mao had already expected him to come at this time.
The saying that the third generation of the Su family didn't have any useful talents was widespread. But just from appearance alone, the twenty-three-year-old Su Wenxing could be considered dignified. After entering the door, he first bowed to Song Mao. Song Mao smiled and said something before he did. "Wenxing, the person you said this morning was fishing for fame. Is it really this Ning Yi, Ning Liheng?"
"Uncle, it's really him. We've already investigated his background. For twenty years, he's been a nameless bookworm. He doesn't know anything. If he hadn't been destitute, he wouldn't have married into the Su family … "
Song Mao smiled. "I don't think so."
"In front of grandpa and father, he also said that it was a Taoist priest who recited the Mid-Autumn Festival song. But grandpa was strict and forbade everyone to spread it. We also couldn't openly talk about this outside …"
Su Wenxing was depressed. At this time, in front of this uncle who loved him dearly, he was very casual and talked non-stop. Song Mao smiled and pressed his hand down. Then he pressed his hand down twice. "Whether this matter is credible or not, it's still uncertain. If he really is fishing for fame and stealing someone else's poem, uncle will naturally test him …"
"But uncle, you praised him so much today in the Tibetan library. If …"
This morning, Su Wenxing had told Song Mao about Ning Yi. Just now in the Tibetan library, Song Mao didn't know that Ning Yi was the teacher of that group of children. But after knowing, he was still full of praise. Su Wenxing felt a little depressed. He was afraid that it would only add to the other person's reputation. Now, although Ning Yi was only a son-in-law, his reputation would still be used as a bargaining chip to pressure Su Tan'er.
Hearing this nephew talk about this, Song Mao secretly shook his head in his heart. Then he patted him on the shoulder. "Wenxing, you're taking over your father's business. Uncle told you long ago that you need to look further. Don't be unconvinced just because someone has a little fame. Now in the Su family, although your sister Tan'er's husband is only marrying into the family, your grandfather won't let anyone touch him. If he is really talented and you can't do anything to him for now, why not offer him something else and build a good relationship with him? You can also find out what his weaknesses are. And if he's fishing for fame and compliments, there will come a day when he will fall. The higher you praise him, the harder he will fall. So, before he falls, why don't you praise him more? "
Song Mao had a square face and looked simple and honest. At this time, after saying this in a sincere tone, he paused. "I still have something to do and have to go out. Wenxing, think about these words and decide for yourself. Wait until night, then go see your father and mother … Yes, I'm leaving."
"I, I understand …" Su Wenxing bowed respectfully. "It was nephew who thought wrong just now …"
Song Mao smiled and pushed the door open.
*****
When Song Mao walked out of the courtyard, another figure was also walking along the road at the other end of the Su mansion towards the side door.
At this time, Xi Junyu, who came with Shopkeeper Luo, didn't go out with Shopkeeper Luo. After the news from the library came, he chatted with a few people for a while and then left alone. The courtyard of the Su mansion was very big. It wasn't the first time he came here, so he was already familiar with it. He walked around in a circle. From this angle, he could see the two small buildings where Su Tan'er and Ning Yi lived.
As the snow swirled in the air, he stood there with a serious expression and thought for a while before turning around and leaving. He passed through a few snow-covered courtyards and was about to reach the side door when he heard a voice coming from not far away, "Shopkeeper Xi, what a coincidence!"
In fact, this wasn't the first time such a "coincidence" had happened. Xi Junyu's mood was a bit irritable today. He frowned slightly but still cupped his hands in greeting. "Seventh Young Master, what a coincidence."
The person who came over was a young man dressed in gorgeous clothes. He was holding a folding fan in his hand. He was young, but his face was a little childish and pleasing. Su Wenji of the third branch of the Su family came over with a smile. "Shopkeeper Xi, you've worked hard. Since it's such a coincidence, my father is holding a banquet at the Spring House today. Shopkeeper Xi …"
"Haha, thank you for your kindness, Seventh Young Master and Third Old Master. But Jun Yu has something important to do. I'm afraid he won't be able to attend this banquet."
"Shopkeeper Xi, don't say this every time …"
"Doesn't Seventh Young Master say this every time?"
"Well." Su Wenji put on a serious face. "Shopkeeper Xi, I know you like Second Sister."
Xi Junyu paused for a moment, then smiled faintly. "That's quite innovative."
"Shopkeeper Xi, why don't you admit it? Anyone in the family can see this kind of thing … To be honest, we all thought that Second Sister would choose you. That day, Father also said, 'I'm afraid that if she chooses Xi Junyu, then things will be troublesome.' Now there's no need to hide this from you. Everyone knows your ability. Half of Second Sister's business is supported by you. But in the end, Second Sister, Uncle, and Grandfather didn't choose you. "
Since he had already opened his mouth, Su Wenji waved the folding fan in his hand and continued, "No one knows why they chose that Ning Yi. Don't say that I'm being mean, I'm just trying to sow discord. Even if I don't sow discord, you will think the same way. And just now, Ning Yi was in the limelight without being present. Do you know that? Grandfather will value him more and more. He's just a son-in-law … "
Xi Junyu listened to this and then smiled indifferently. "Seventh Young Master, I know that they haven't consummated their marriage yet. Until now, they have been sleeping in separate rooms. They look like husband and wife, but they are actually strangers. As long as they haven't consummated their marriage, this son-in-law will be a joke. "
"They will consummate their marriage eventually! You and I both know my Second Sister's character. Since she has started to get along with that Ning Yi, she will consummate her marriage eventually. She has been raised well since she was a child. She will never do things that are not womanly. Since she has accepted … "
"Oh, Seventh Young Master, this is how you talk about your sister unscrupulously …"
Xi Junyu shook his head and stepped forward. Behind him, Su Wenji gritted his teeth. "No matter how you talk about it! Xi Junyu, you know very well that my sister will accept him sooner or later. It's impossible for you to … "
Before he finished speaking, Xi Junyu suddenly turned around and strode over. He was tall and looked tall. After years of hard work in the business world, he walked quickly with a gloomy face. As the wind and snow danced, his imposing manner was indeed somewhat frightening. He stared at Su Wenji for a while, then smiled coldly and shook his head. "Seventh Young Master, don't be naive …"
Xi Junyu often came to the mansion to discuss matters, and Su Wenji often came to wait for him. They had met by chance several times, and both of them spoke politely and amiably. Su Wenji had never seen Xi Junyu, who had always been calm and confident, like this.
At this time, he was slightly stunned and then said, "Xi, Manager Xi, if you come to my place, you will immediately be the manager of the Su mansion. All the resources of the three branches of the Su family will be at your disposal. No matter how many requests you have, as long as it is within our ability, we will naturally agree. If you can manage these resources well, my Second Sister is only a woman after all. If she can't take over the first branch in the future, you will naturally have many ways to get her … My father said that you are a smart person, and everyone knows that you are. We are sincere, so there is no need to say unnecessary words. Just think about it yourself …"
*****
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