"I know that saying this may lead no one to believe me, but… there are indeed things I don't want to pursue. Whether it's being a talented scholar, reputation, or fame, I have no desire to touch those. This… is true."
Ning Yi spoke with a calm demeanor, yet his words carried undeniable conviction. He was answering the question earnestly, without reluctance or hidden agendas, genuinely and openly. At this moment, he appeared to be just over twenty, having once been a rather awkward scholar. If he were the previous bookworm, he would likely have stuttered in front of Masters Qin and Kang. However, his current demeanor was impossible to overlook, exuding a sense of ease and detachment. Were this aura present in a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, it would suggest maturity and composure, an undeniable presence.
This very quality made his answer all the more puzzling to the two men. For someone like Master Kang to ask such a question implied complexity. Furthermore, in their current manner of interaction, he was not engaged in a transaction that required repayment. If he were an ordinary person, he might be thrown off balance by pride or refusal, but Ning Yi was certainly not that naive. Amidst their confusion, Ning Yi couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Ha, I understand this might be puzzling," he said, lightly tapping his forehead. "You may not know, but a few months ago, I suffered a blow to the head and was unconscious for several days. Much of the past is now a blur, and I truly find it hard to care about matters of fame. As for mingling with a group of talented scholars in brothels, composing poetry to win the favor of women, I have little interest. What intrigues me more are the kids in the academy; telling them stories and the ensuing chaos is quite enjoyable. Otherwise, I come here by the river to play chess and drink tea, which feels quite relaxing. I have some interesting thoughts in my mind; perhaps I can take my time with them. I'm satisfied with this life, and as for the occasional disdain I might receive, why bother with it? As for the future, I can't say for sure yet. But I do appreciate your kind intentions."
He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and nodded. "This matter, I will keep in mind."
This statement contained both truth and fabrication, but naturally, he couldn't reveal the whole truth. Linking his feelings to a head injury and amnesia was the best strategy—simple enough to be reasonable without burdening them with unnecessary concerns.
Indeed, after he finished speaking, Masters Kang and Qin both looked puzzled. Ning Yi then repeated the story of his amnesia, and they finally understood, with Kang Xian shaking his head and laughing, "I didn't expect such a thing." He considered Ning Yi's thoughts a bit odd post-amnesia.
Afterward, Master Kang didn't bring up those matters again. After sipping his tea, Ning Yi picked up the whiteboard and charcoal, bidding farewell as he headed toward Yushan Academy. Once his figure disappeared at the distant crossroads, Master Kang sighed, "I didn't expect this to happen; being struck like that has led to such a detached mindset. Among young people, having this disposition is truly rare, but it's a shame to waste such talent."
Master Qin took a sip of tea, smiling. "He's still only in his early twenties; who knows how he will change in the future? With his talents, what he should encounter will be unavoidable. However, today's events have raised some concerns… Master, Li Heng is too pragmatic."
Kang Xian frowned. "What you say does hold some truth. Looking at his poetry, every piece flows beautifully, yet he seems indifferent to the art of poetry itself. Ha, 'When will the bright moon appear? I hang my head to gaze at the Southeast branch…' His calligraphy is effortless as well, achieving such heights in various styles; it seems he treats it merely as a pastime. In his eyes, these things might not even be as interesting as chalk."
Master Qin nodded. "Pragmatism is a good thing, but if one becomes too pragmatic, being straightforward may lead to trouble down the line. Although Li Heng understands the ways to seek benefit and avoid harm, being young and impetuous means he can be quite proud about certain matters. He doesn't wish to pander to those students' assessments, having declined invitations, and in our presence, he doesn't conceal much—this is likely why."
He thought for a moment and then chuckled, "There's no need to overthink this. We meet over chess, and worrying too much is excessive. Now that we understand his thoughts, we can just watch how things unfold in the future."
In the past few days, the name Ning Yi had stirred various waves, big and small, in Jiangning City. Those who learned of the "Shui Diao Ge Tou" naturally had their own speculations and opinions. Most views were simple, but the closer one was, the more complex things became. For example, Masters Kang and Qin, many people from the Su family, including distant relatives, housekeepers, and servants, and even closer figures like Su Taigong and Su Boyong. Then there were Chan'er, Juan'er, and Xing'er. Recently, Xing'er often teased the two with the phrase "sharing the moonlight over thousands of miles," while Chan'er was somewhat prepared, but Juan'er seemed to be caught off guard, blushing and embarrassed, often complaining to Chan'er, "Why did Master have to write that line..."
As a result, she had been avoiding Ning Yi these days, keeping her head down.
Among all, the one with the most complicated feelings was undoubtedly Su Tan'er. To be fair, what concerned her most was not her husband's talent or his quirky personality, but rather: she could no longer understand him.
She had originally married Ning Yi because he was straightforward and easy to read. Even after he moved into the Su family, she felt she could participate in the family's affairs without much scrutiny. Although their marriage was somewhat nominal, she had somewhat accepted him in her heart, and it was only a matter of time.
Who would have thought that now she found herself completely unable to see through her husband?
Of course, at this moment, things were just beginning to reveal themselves. Ning Yi appeared detached, not like someone with hidden motives. Su Tan'er was a calm and intelligent woman; she wouldn't be overly anxious about it. However, while managing various matters in the family, her thoughts inevitably lingered on this situation. In these times, even the most clever and independent girls, once married, would find it hard to remain indifferent towards their husbands.
In the past few days, she continued to manage the many silk shops owned by the Su family in Jiangning. In her spare time, she sent Juan'er to inquire about news in the alley where Ning Yi had previously lived. Among the acquaintances she encountered in business, many would ask, "Is that Ning Yi, also known as Ning Li Heng, your husband?" and then praise "Shui Diao Ge Tou."
After getting married, she should have brought her husband to meet the people she knew, solidifying her identity as a married woman and making business discussions easier. However, due to her earlier petulance and Ning Yi's head injury, they hadn't established a solid routine. Their current dynamic was largely defined, with only brief conversations at meals. Though her attitude towards Ning Yi was natural, being married added a layer of modesty and pride. Thus, aside from the previous suggestion to attend the poetry gathering, she hadn't yet invited him to participate in any outings together.
Now, it seemed even more difficult to bring it up.
She had already gathered information about Ning Yi before their marriage—mostly initiated by her father and grandfather—and had also made some inquiries herself, enlisting Chan'er, Juan'er, and Xing'er to find out about Ning Yi's reputation. Back then, the consensus was that he was simply a bookworm with limited talent. Yet, he wasn't completely foolish; otherwise, he wouldn't have accepted the Su family's proposal to marry in. In these times, a man entering another family likely meant he had resigned himself to his fate.
However, the news Juan'er brought back this time revealed some differences.
Most evaluations remained as they were before: Ning Yi didn't have much presence in that alley, and some people only remembered him after Juan'er emphasized that he lived in a certain courtyard. They would say things like, "Oh, there's such a person," or, "That foolish bookworm, I heard he married into some family and sold his courtyard." They speculated, "He probably thinks he can't succeed in the exams."
But there were also two or three families that shared a different perspective: "Oh, Li Heng, I've always known he has remarkable talent; he just keeps a low profile and has a steady temperament. He doesn't like to compete with others. Unlike those so-called talented scholars, who have little real knowledge yet love to show off. That's like a full bucket of water making no sound, while a half-empty bucket splashes about… Young lady, you must have heard of the 'Shui Diao Ge Tou' and come to inquire."
"Indeed, he married in because of the engagement. That child, Li Heng, is an honest person, and he will certainly keep to the engagement…"
"Third Aunt from next door and Uncle Niu at the end of the alley both said the same thing. I gave each of them fifty coins..." Though just a little maid, Juan'er's skill at gathering information was not to be underestimated. Reflecting on it, she smiled and offered her thoughts. "But I believe they only said that after hearing the Shui Diao Ge Tou, so their words may not be reliable. It's a shame that Mr. Zou, who used to teach Master, passed away last year. I went to inquire, and it seems that Mrs. Zou barely remembers Master. However, after understanding my purpose, she still spoke some kind words. The Zou family doesn't seem to be doing well, so I took it upon myself to send two strings of coins and some smoked meat on behalf of Master."
"As it should be…" Su Tan'er nodded, smiling, though a deep sense of confusion lingered. Gathering information didn't mean believing everything you heard. Though Juan'er had received some praise, most of the information was consistent with what they already knew. However, after Juan'er investigated another direction, certain suspicions began to take shape for Su Tan'er.
"The old gentlemen that Master befriended at the riverside chess games... they seem to be quite extraordinary. The one who knows Master best now is likely that Master Kang, who spoke on his behalf at the Zhi Shui Poetry Gathering…"
"Hmm?" Su Tan'er already knew that Ning Yi's reputation before his memory loss had been confirmed, but if anything strange had occurred, it must have happened after he lost his memory. She had heard about his chess games by the riverside, though it wasn't part of any investigation. The information now, however, startled her. Her husband, it seemed, had somehow befriended people of such status—was it mere luck, or was something else at play? The follow-up reports further shocked her.
News from the Zhi Shui Poetry Gathering revealed that Kang Xian was not only a renowned scholar and philosopher but also held a far more prestigious identity—he was the imperial consort of the Princess of Cheng, a member of the royal family. This princess was, in fact, the emperor's paternal aunt, making Kang Xian the emperor's uncle by marriage. Although the Wu Dynasty tightly controlled the involvement of royal relatives in government affairs, and consorts like Kang Xian were not permitted to participate in state matters or hold official posts, his status as a royal in-law was still one of immense prestige, far beyond anything the merchant Su family could ever aspire to.
When this information came to light, Su Tan'er was initially stunned beyond words. After the initial shock wore off, a clear line of reasoning began to take shape in her mind.
"How did Master befriend such an important figure? Chan'er mentioned that it happened casually while playing chess…" Juan'er's confusion mirrored Su Tan'er's. After a moment of hesitation, Juan'er continued, "But, if we think about it, Master Kang's identity compared to Master's identity… Oh…"
Juan'er didn't dare say more, but it was already enough. In business, one must constantly filter information. Some clues might seem unbelievable at first, but after all others were ruled out, what remained, however unlikely, was often the truth.
Master's identity compared to that of Master Kang… both were son-in-laws.
To Su Tan'er, this explanation, though strange to ordinary people, was likely the closest to the truth.
Her husband... perhaps only had some interaction with the other party while playing chess, or he might not even know the other's identity at all. Yet they indeed shared this commonality. The status of a prince consort seems noble, having married a princess, but in reality, he too was a son-in-law to the royal family. With such talent, he could never hold an official position or realize his ambitions. It's not hard to understand why he would feel a kinship with her husband. Thus, it's no wonder he wanted to silence others at the Zhishui Poetry Gathering and help her husband gain recognition...
That " Shui Diao Ge Tou," her husband said it was a Taoist passing by their door. Not only did her grandfather not believe it, but she absolutely couldn't either, because Little Chan wouldn't lie to her. Did that Taoist recite a poem, or was it sung? It might indeed be a stroke of genius from her husband, or perhaps it was composed by Old Master Kang; it's hard to say. She wasn't too concerned about it now. After all, her previous doubts had given way to clarity as she pieced together a line of thought. Regarding some matters, she found herself less perturbed.
Her husband was, in fact, a laid-back person. His words and actions didn't offend others. Whether his talent was high or low mattered little to her; if it were lower, that would be fine—he had come to her family, and she didn't mind. If it were higher, it would be a pleasant surprise. At the Mid-Autumn poetry gathering, she hadn't expected such a dark secret to exist. If it truly was Kang Xian's scheme, perhaps it was just a moment of whimsy from the old man.
"Let me show you how to startle your wife and family..."
Thinking this way wasn't without possibility. Although her husband's nature was calm, at his age, he wouldn't necessarily settle for being a son-in-law. Her grandfather, though unwilling to mistreat him, and she, too, didn't want him to be looked down upon. However, as a son-in-law, he would occasionally face some disdain, which was unavoidable. People would always have various opinions. It was a hurdle he had to overcome, so it was understandable that he wanted to showcase his talents.
Thus, could it be that her husband truly wanted to tame this restless little woman?
Some decisions, once made, would not change—that was the premise. She had no particular demands regarding marrying into or out of a family. However, one day, she would have to accept the Su family's business, and that was the key. With this premise in mind, her husband could only be a son-in-law. As she thought about this, she didn't dislike the speculations in her heart; in fact, she felt a hint of fondness.
There were no more possibilities, were there?
So on her way home, she gently and warmly smiled...
This was a very private smile, one that even the maidservants Juan'er and Xing'er in the carriage did not notice...