After parking the cart under a small shed beside the building, Ning Yi helped carry some things inside. As he stepped into the hall, a phrase came to mind: "Mastering the craft." The thought felt somewhat mischievous, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
Although they had chatted every morning, this was the first time Ning Yi had actually entered the small building.
The house stood by the river, surrounded by trees. It was serene and elegant, with little else around. In summer, it might be cool, but in winter, it felt a bit chilly. Despite the thickened walls and heavy curtains sealing off the drafty areas, the place was still colder than outside, especially since the owner had been out for half a day. The rooms were sparsely furnished but still appeared elegant. Nervously, Nie Yunzhu scurried around looking for something to offer her guest. The tea was cold, and there wasn't much to eat. Eventually, she just invited Ning Yi to sit, grabbed a small brazier from outside, and brought the fire into the room.
She placed the brazier in the middle of the room, not far from Ning Yi, then set a teapot on top. "Uh... it'll just take a moment."
Ning Yi chuckled at the sight, causing Nie Yunzhu to feel a bit embarrassed. Suddenly, she remembered something. "Those salted duck eggs..." She ran to another room, bringing out two jars and setting them on the table in front of Ning Yi. "Well... I made them the way you instructed, but I'm not sure if they're edible yet."
When preparing to sell pancakes, she had considered selling tea eggs and salted eggs on the side. When she mentioned this to Ning Yi, it reminded him of something, so he had asked her to try making these specific ones. He provided the money, and the process was similar to making salted eggs, except they used limewater and camphor ash, with less salt than usual. It was just an experiment, but she followed his instructions carefully. Twenty days had passed, and it was time to see the results.
Though Nie Yunzhu was curious about the strange method of making these eggs, she was more interested in the songs Ning Yi had mentioned on the road. She disliked using beauty to entertain, but she didn't hate the art itself. Someone capable of composing "Shui Diao Ge Tou" surely had other musical interests. She didn't ask him before, but she was naturally curious. Now, she brought Ning Yi a basin of water and a porcelain bowl, then quietly retrieved her guqin, pen, ink, and paper, and sat down at the round table across from him.
Ning Yi washed one of the eggs and, noticing her expression, smiled. "Alright, I'll sing it for you, and you can write down the lyrics. But no laughing if it sounds bad! The song is called 'Jialan Rain'... Yes, that Jialan..."
Snowflakes drifted outside as the song quietly filled the small building.
繁华声,遁入空门,折煞了世人, The bustling world retreats into the empty gate, breaking the hearts of mortals.
梦偏冷,辗转一生,情债又几本. The dream turns cold, drifting through a lifetime, carrying a few emotional debts.
如你默认,生死枯等, If you silently accept it, life and death wither in wait.
枯等一圈,又一圈的,年轮... Waiting, withering, one circle after another—the rings of time...
浮图塔,断了几层,断了谁的魂, The pagoda is broken, layer by layer, whose soul was shattered?
痛直奔,一盏残灯,倾塌的山门. Pain rushes forth, towards a flickering lamp, and the crumbling temple gate.
容我再等,历史转身, Allow me to wait once more, for history to turn.
等酒香醇,等你弹,一曲古筝... Waiting for the wine to age, for you to play a song on the guzheng...
A single note on the guqin resonated quietly in the air...
In the Su Residence, the examination at the library had ended, yet Ning Yi was nowhere to be seen. After a brief conversation with Elder Su and a few others, Song Mao returned to his assigned quarters in the Su household, instructing his butler, Song Kai, to prepare his travel items and gifts.
For Song Mao, this trip to Jiangning was slightly rushed, with some careful consideration given to whom he should visit first in the coming days. Lost in thought, he was interrupted by Song Kai, who entered again, saying, "Master, Young Master Wenxing requests an audience."
Song Mao nodded. "Let him in."
Su Wenxing, the son of Su Zhongkan, was fifth among the male members of the Su family's third generation—not just within the Su family's branch but including several cousins. Being a direct descendant of Su Zhongkan's primary wife, Wenxing was especially favored by Song Mao, his maternal uncle, who had doted on him since childhood. As he entered, Wenxing greeted Song Mao with courtesy. Song Mao smiled and, anticipating the topic, spoke first: "Wenxing, this morning you mentioned that the person chasing fame is indeed Ning Yi, or rather, Ning Liheng?"
"Yes, Uncle. We've already investigated his background. For the past twenty years, he's been a nameless bookworm, lacking any real accomplishments. Had he not run his family into poverty, why would he have needed to marry into the Su family?"
Song Mao chuckled. "I'm not so sure it's as simple as that."
Wenxing continued, "During Mid-Autumn Festival, he claimed the 'Shui Diao Ge Tou' poem was the work of a Taoist. But my grandfather strictly forbade any mention of it, so we couldn't bring it up in public…"
Now that he was with his doting uncle, Wenxing vented freely. Seeing his enthusiasm, Song Mao gestured for him to calm down and said, "Whether or not his fame is deserved remains uncertain. If he truly is a fame-seeker plagiarizing others, I will investigate him myself…"
"But, Uncle, you praised him so openly at the library today. What if—"
Earlier, Wenxing had told Song Mao about Ning Yi. Unaware that Ning Yi was the children's teacher at the library, Song Mao had initially spoken well of him, causing Wenxing frustration. Wenxing worried it would only enhance Ning Yi's reputation, which might bolster Su Tan'er's standing in the family due to Ning Yi's growing fame, despite his son-in-law status.
Observing his nephew's response, Song Mao inwardly shook his head before giving Wenxing's shoulder a reassuring pat. "Wenxing, you're set to inherit your father's business. I've told you many times—look at things from a broader perspective. Don't let others' small reputations bother you. Though your sister Tan'er's husband is just a son-in-law, your grandfather won't allow anyone to touch him. If he truly has talent and you can't compete with him right away, why not align with him and seek his weaknesses? However, if he's chasing fame, he'll stumble eventually. The higher you lift him, the harder he'll fall. So, until he trips, why not keep raising him up?"
Song Mao's dignified face and earnest tone emphasized his point. After a pause, he continued, "I have business to attend to now. Consider what I've said, and think it over. Visit your parents this evening… Now, I'm off."
"Yes, Uncle…" Wenxing replied respectfully, bowing. "I was the one who wasn't thinking straight…"
Song Mao chuckled as he exited, leaving Wenxing deep in thought.
As Song Mao walked out of the courtyard, another figure was moving toward the side gate from the opposite end of the Su residence.
Xi Junyu, who had arrived with Manager Luo, was no longer with him. After the news from the library spread, Xi had chatted briefly with some people and then left alone. Familiar with the expansive Su residence, he took a route that gave him a clear view of the two small buildings where Su Tan'er and Ning Yi lived.
Standing there in the midst of heavy snow, he observed the buildings with a stern expression before turning to leave. As he passed through several snow-covered courtyards and approached the side gate, a voice suddenly called out from a short distance away. "Manager Xi, what a coincidence!"
This "coincidence" had actually happened several times. Xi Junyu's mood was already somewhat irritable today. He frowned slightly but returned the greeting with a polite bow. "Seventh Young Master, indeed, what a coincidence."
The speaker was a young man dressed elegantly, holding a folding fan. Though youthful, his face bore a mix of innocence and charm. Su Wenji, the seventh male descendant of the Su family's third branch, approached with a smile. "Manager Xi, it must be tiring for you. Since we've met, my father is hosting a banquet today at Yinchun Tower. Perhaps you would like to join us?"
"Heh, thank you for the kind invitation from both you and the Third Elder. However, I have pressing matters to attend to and must regretfully decline," Xi replied.
"You always say that, Manager Xi…"
"Isn't Seventh Young Master's invitation always the same?" Xi replied with a wry smile.
"Well, alright." Su Wenji straightened his expression. "Manager Xi, I know you have feelings for my Second Sister."
Xi Junyu paused and then responded with a calm smile. "Now that's something new."
"Why deny it, Manager Xi? Anyone attentive enough could see it… Honestly, we all thought Second Sister would choose you. Father even said, 'If she picks Xi Junyu, things could get complicated.' There's no need to hide it now; everyone knows of your capability. Half of the business under Second Sister's management owes its success to your support. Yet in the end, neither she, the Elder, nor Grandfather chose you."
Having opened up the topic, Su Wenji spoke freely, waving his still-closed fan as he continued, "We may not know why they chose Ning Yi, and I won't sugarcoat it; call it instigating if you will. These thoughts would arise even without my saying so. Earlier, when Ning Yi wasn't around, he still managed to make a splash. Did you know? Grandfather is starting to hold him in higher regard, even though he's merely a live-in son-in-law…"
Listening, Xi Junyu offered a faint smile. "Seventh Young Master, I know they haven't consummated the marriage and still sleep separately, seemingly more like strangers than husband and wife. As long as that's the case, he remains a mere laughingstock."
"They will consummate the marriage! You and I both know my Second Sister's character. Since she's started to spend time with him, it's bound to happen eventually. Her upbringing won't allow her to behave otherwise. Now that she's accepted him…"
"Ha, Seventh Young Master, and yet you speak so freely about your own sister…" Xi Junyu shook his head, took a step forward, and began walking away. Su Wenji bit his lip and called after him, "However you put it, Manager Xi, my sister will accept him one day. You're well aware of it, and behaving like this gives you no chance…"
Xi Junyu abruptly turned, striding back with a dark expression. His tall frame and years of business experience lent him an intimidating presence, especially with snow swirling around them. He stared at Su Wenji for a moment before offering a cold smile and shaking his head. "Seventh Young Master, don't be naive…"
Their encounters at the Su residence had often been cordial exchanges of polite remarks. Su Wenji had never seen Xi Junyu, usually so composed and confident, with this expression.
After a brief pause, Su Wenji spoke up, "Manager Xi, if you were to join my side, you would immediately become the top manager of all the resources of the Su family's third branch. Any requirements you have would be met, within reason. If you manage these resources well, keep in mind Second Sister is, after all, just a woman. If the main branch ends up beyond her reach, there are ways to achieve your goal with her… My father says you're smart; we all know you are. Our offer is sincere, so I won't waste words. Think it over carefully."
Note:
"Seventh Young Master" refers to Su Wenji, who is the seventh male descendant in the Su family's third branch. In traditional Chinese naming conventions, numerical ranks indicate a person's position among siblings or extended family members, often indicating age order or seniority.