After the Lantern Festival, the busy visiting and socializing began to lessen, and the common knowledge around started to move out of the lively atmosphere of the New Year, returning to ordinary daily life.
The speed at which the poem "青玉案" spread was beyond measure; in any case, just a few days later, it began to be discussed again in teahouses and taverns. For Ning Yi, discussions affirming his talent and speculating on his reasons for marrying into the family increased. By this time, hardly anyone mentioned his plagiarism; some seemed to have placed the title of "Jiangning's Number One Talent" upon him. Of course, many still remarked on his eccentric personality, boasting of his talents while being arrogant and wasted his abilities. The labels condensed into the so-called "mad genius."
Taking a unconventional approach could solve problems, but it would certainly have side effects. However, Ning Yi was initially looking forward to such side effects; after this, the probing from others would largely quiet down. He could focus on teaching and research, recently ordering a batch of porcelain bottles to use as test tubes to review simple chemical reactions.
Interestingly, on the morning of the 16th, he went out for a run and encountered Nie Yunzhu waiting at the door of a small building. Upon seeing him, she gracefully curtsied and said, "Hello, Great Talent Ning." There was quite a feeling of a talented scholar and a beautiful woman. Ning Yi nodded and replied, "Hello, little girl." Nie Yunzhu's face instantly turned red, and she took a step back, her face seemingly on fire. Her big eyes darted around, glancing at Ning Yi before quickly shifting elsewhere, somewhat at a loss.
"Mr. Ning, how could you say such a thing…"
"Ah? Didn't you just say hello to the Great Talent Ning? Shouldn't I respond like this?"
"How could that be! Mr. Ning should say… should say…" She stood there, at a loss for words, thinking for a long time before bursting into laughter, "In short, it's too frivolous…"
After this little interlude, Nie Yunzhu no longer brought up his title as a great talent, and they could chat as usual. Of course, she was still very curious about the events at the poetry gathering last night and the performances of others. Upon learning that Qi Lan was also present, she smiled and asked about the other's reaction, "That Qi Lan girl is said to be excellent in poetry. Was she not impressed by Mr. Ning's poetic talent?"
"She should have been impressed. With my multi-story talent, how could she not be? Don't you think so?" Ning Yi was more focused on observing that female assassin, completely unaware of Qi Lan's performance, and thought for a moment before casually brushing it off. Nie Yunzhu smiled, "What you said is quite right."
"I also think what I said is quite right…" Ning Yi laughed as he stood up, "I have to go. There's still a distance to run."
"See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
In winter, the days dawn late, and the sky remained a dull gray. Inside the small building, lights flickered like beans. Nie Yunzhu stood in front of the building, watching him leave, her eyes filled with laughter. The weather was still cold; after Ning Yi's figure disappeared into the blue-gray, she looked up at the sky, smiled as she exhaled a puff of white mist, rubbed her palms together, and turned to walk back up the steps.
Today would surely be a good day.
A few days later, he ran into Kang Xian on the street. The old man was sitting in a sedan chair, seemingly on his way somewhere. With eight bearers and four fixed servants, it was quite a scene. Upon seeing Ning Yi, he stopped the chair in front of him, and Kang Xian ordered a few words, instructing the chair to follow behind: "Witty scoundrel!"
"Happy New Year, Mr. Kang… What outrageous thing have I done this time?"
"After searching for him among thousands of people, I suddenly turned around, and that person was in the dim light. The words are good, but the occasion is wrong. Leave some room for everything. As a mad genius and a recluse, even if you have a mind for seclusion at your age, it shouldn't be displayed to such an extent."
The two walked along the street where the snow had not yet melted. Kang Xian's thoughts were no different from before. However, when talking about this matter, there was not much sternness in his expression. Ning Yi chuckled, "Is that all?"
"Of course not! Today is the 19th day of the first month; it has been nineteen days since the New Year, and you didn't come to my residence to pay a visit. This matter has made me very angry, and the consequences will be very serious… By the way, I passed by here before the New Year. Your lovely confidante's stall should have been at the street corner, but has it changed locations, or is it still not set up?"
Kang Xian pointed to the street ahead, and Ning Yi shook his head, saying, "Elder, you must be responsible for your words; don't speak so ambiguously… There weren't many people buying food before the New Year, so naturally, she closed her stall. It'll probably take a few more days before she sets it up again, along with a new batch of century eggs. Why does Mr. Kang ask about this?"
"Just for your century eggs… Although they taste a bit strange, they're still edible, and most importantly, they look good. During the banquets these days, I thought, even if they're just placed on the table for looks, it would still be a pleasing sight. When that girl Nie sets up her stall again in a few days, let her send some to my place."
Ning Yi nodded. "Depending on people's tastes, you can also add some vinegar or sauces to enhance the flavor. Just let your chef experiment a few times, but don't eat too much at once; too much might upset your stomach."
"Your century eggs don't taste that great either; would I really eat too many?" Kang Xian joked, then patted his shoulder. "I know your family situation is complicated, but there's no need to worry too much. Next year during the New Year, just bring your wife over; with your talent, you won't need my name to support you. I'm quite interested to see what kind of woman could make you willingly marry into her family, haha…"
At the end of the first month, the weather was gradually warming up, and piles of snow melted into streams flowing into the Qinhuai River. The breath of spring was approaching, and soon the Yushan Academy opened its doors in such an atmosphere. On the first day of class, he encountered an unexpected person.
"Ning brother, from now on, we'll be colleagues, teaching together at the academy. I have many things I don't understand, so please take care of me."
Li Pin, also known as Li Dexin, was spoken of in Jiangning as a talented person on par with Cao Guan. However, while Cao Guan was steady, Li Pin was more carefree, which led people to often rank Cao Guan first. For someone like him to come teach at Yushan Academy was truly puzzling. Ning Yi greeted him but otherwise ignored him. Soon after, Su Chonghua came over to speak with him, and he learned that Li Pin had discussed this with Su Chonghua last year.
"Presumably, he was impressed by Li Heng's talent and wants to come to the academy for further instruction. This person is quite sincere," Su Tan'er had mentioned to Su Chonghua during a meal after the Lantern Festival, which likely clarified Ning Yi's disinterest in the academy. Thus, Su Chonghua's attitude toward Ning Yi had become friendlier lately.
Li Pin was five years older than Ning Yi and was said to already have the title of Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), though he had not yet received a post. He hadn't made arrangements in Bianliang and was just hanging around Jiangning to build his reputation; he was quite an unusual person. Despite already having a wife at home, he was still favored by many women outside. Especially with his reputation as a talented scholar, Su Tan'er had likely viewed Li Pin as an idol in the past; she now smiled, saying, "He must have been impressed by my husband's charm."
What captivated Li Pin might not be Ning Yi's literary talent—though those two poems might have played a part—but more likely the stories Ning Yi had shared. He came to Yushan Academy to teach not poetry or prose, but archery and mathematics. These classes were in the afternoons, so in the mornings, he would come to sit in on classes, initially making a group of younger students feel quite awkward.
Occasionally, Li Pin would ask Ning Yi questions about some topics, which Ning Yi considered to be rather critical. These were social patterns he had summarized, research methods to delve into the principles of things, and a purely mechanical causality theory. Ning Yi would casually share these insights with the children but was reluctant to go too deep, as once he did, it would become modern theory, straying from traditional paths. When Li Pin occasionally asked a question, Ning Yi would elaborate a bit more, but while Li Pin might understand, the children were often confused.
Li Pin probably knew that Ning Yi wouldn't talk much with him, so he only occasionally raised questions in class and would just greet Ning Yi and exchange pleasantries when they met in daily life.
By February, Nie Yunzhu had brought out her cart again, selling pancakes and century eggs. To be honest, the century eggs were relatively expensive, and the business was not very good at the moment, but she had sent a batch to Kang Xian, which counted as some income. That day at the Qin residence, she ended up being teased by Kang Xian.
"You're selling your century eggs for twenty wen each, while salted eggs are only ten wen at most, and they're sold at a pancake stall. Think about it: that Nie girl's pancakes are just two wen each. Who would buy a pancake and then spend twenty wen on a century egg? The people who can afford the century eggs as snacks usually don't eat the pancakes. This pairing is just ridiculous."
"Haha, with new products, if you sell them at a bargain price right away, you won't be able to raise the price later. If it were me running the business, I might find a way to sell them for fifty wen. She's not looking to make a huge profit, which is why she's being so casual about it."
"Ha ha, people's hearts are never satisfied; do you think a golden hen lays golden eggs? It's hard enough to sell at twenty wen now… Haha, but you don't need to worry. When I have guests over in a few days, I'll do my best to promote your century eggs. At the price of twenty wen, there are still plenty of people who can afford them. You'll have to thank me then; consider it a favor I've done for you…"
Kang Xian spoke with delight. He wasn't really looking to get anything in return, and Master Qin chimed in beside him. Ning Yi wasn't particularly concerned about favors, and at this moment, he simply shrugged and said, "Thanks for the help, Mr. Kang, but even without your support, I can get things going in a month. Just wait and see if I can sell them for twenty wen each."
"Oh? Really?"
"Salted eggs can sell for ten wen; what's so hard about selling century eggs for twenty? It's just that not many people know about them yet…" Ning Yi shrugged. "Who told me I've been bored lately…"