The third day of May was a bright, sunny day.
For Ning Yi, it was just an ordinary day; he went for his usual run, had his regular meals, and attended his classes. However, Jiangning was bustling with excitement these days. Strolling through the streets, one could often catch glimpses of performances at the brothels, where people were abuzz with tales of certain young ladies receiving many flowers or of two individuals quarreling out of jealousy. Even mundane events seemed to gain dramatic flair when recounted in teahouses and taverns.
In the past few days, Su Tan'er had indeed been quite busy, leaving early and returning late. She was involved in something somewhat secretive, but Ning Yi could vaguely discern its outline, likely related to something called "Gong Yin" (Palace Invitation). Su Tan'er had been working discreetly but was clearly moving in that direction. She aimed to become a royal merchant, forging connections with Bianliang (Kaifeng), and it seemed she had found her path.
In this era, royal merchants fell into two categories. Following the two treaties of Tanyuan and Heishui, the demand for textiles in the North was high. The royal court wouldn't offer high prices, but the business model of low profit with high sales meant that forming relationships with the royal family would yield some benefits. On the other hand, the military court was actively seeking quality goods, and if top-quality silk could be sold to the palace, there would be many advantages if that connection were established. Su Tan'er wasn't just daydreaming; she was seeking partnerships and improving technology, looking for breakthroughs. The team working on these technical improvements, which she had likely assembled secretly, was crucial in this process. In the highly competitive merchant world, confidentiality was paramount, and if any issues arose, apart from Su Tan'er and Su Boyong, even the responsible shopkeepers might struggle to make decisions. Still, they weren't overwhelmingly busy; it was more that they couldn't relax.
Ning Yi didn't fully grasp Su Tan'er's comprehensive plan, as it was based on snippets gathered from casual conversations. But he admired the ambition of his 19-year-old wife, who, despite her gentle demeanor, had grand aspirations. In the world, there are no strange plots, only a difference in appetite—some have a bigger appetite, and some an even bigger one. Once this plan came to fruition, it would no longer be in doubt that Su Tan'er would take charge of the Su family, while the other two branches would likely continue to create obstacles.
Although few noticed this, Su Tan'er wasn't taking any shortcuts. She was investing effort in technical improvements and seizing opportunities. This approach was sound; perhaps luck played a role, but from a certain perspective, Ning Yi had to admit that some women in this era, once they set their minds to work, were often more pragmatic than many of the men around them. Su Tan'er was only 19; he wondered how long she had been planning these things.
With admiration for her efforts in his heart, Ning Yi didn't feel the need to delve too deeply into her affairs. On the first and second days of the month, Xiao Chan had accompanied her mistress on outings, but on the third day, she had dressed up carefully to come with Ning Yi to the school. Truthfully, over the past couple of days, Ning Yi sensed something was off with the little maid; she seemed preoccupied. Just the night before, she had walked so distractedly that she bumped into a tree before regaining her senses. Today, she was occasionally lost in thought, but for the most part, she acted normally, chattering away as she usually did. At lunchtime, after classes, they ate together outside, and he noticed she had a small pouch of candy tucked away, which she didn't eat. Whenever he glanced her way, she wore a very serious expression.
"Is something going on at home?" he asked.
"Ah?"
"You've seemed a bit off these past few days... If there's something with your family, I'm here to help. You can tell me."
At his words, the little maid blushed, then vigorously shook her head.
"N-no, it's nothing! Xiao Chan's family is fine… really, everything's fine…" After insisting this, she cast a guilty glance at Ning Yi. "Um, it's just that… I'm happy. Tonight will be very lively! A few years back, the miss took us to see it once. Back then, the miss and we all dressed as boys. The miss looked really pretty, but I and Juan'er didn't look good at all, hehe…"
Ning Yi smirked. It probably wasn't anything serious, and since Xiao Chan didn't want to say more, he felt no need to press. "So, is Xiao Chan going to dress up as a boy again tonight?"
"Ah..." Xiao Chan looked down at herself, a bit embarrassed. She was dressed beautifully today, in a delicate summer dress with tiny floral patterns, looking graceful and sweet. "It's not like I have to dress up. I spent a long time getting ready this morning…"
"Then no need to change."
With a casual wave of his hand, Ning Yi set her at ease. Her anxious expression softened as she took hold of his sleeve and jogged a few steps behind him, her fair wrist showing beneath her sleeve. "Young Master, you're so good… wise and mighty…"
"Hopelessly unlearned…" Ning Yi chuckled.
The day was still young, and tonight, the city gates of Jiangning would remain open. Large crowds typically gathered at dusk to head toward Bailuzhou Island for the performances. By then, painted boats and flower-decked carriages would all set off, parading along the way. Of course, some people went out early for a leisurely afternoon, as various vendors and performers would already be there. Even if many couldn't get into the main event that night, they'd still find plenty of performances in the surrounding areas, and once the main performances ended, everyone could enjoy the return procession of boats and carriages, filled with music and dancing along the way.
For now, Ning Yi hadn't planned to head to Bailuzhou. He didn't have any particular beauty to support, so he wandered with Xiao Chan toward where Elder Qin had set up his stall. Although Qin Shiyuan wouldn't be joining the festivities tonight, it was said that Master Kang would.
As a light breeze blew along the riverside that afternoon, willow branches swayed, and ripples lapped gently at the shore. Ning Yi sat by the riverside, playing chess and chatting with Elder Qin, while Xiao Chan sat nearby on a small bench. Her legs swung playfully under her dress, her embroidered shoes swaying as she admired the scenery, humming When Will the Moon Be Bright, a song Ning Yi had taught her. The relaxed and pleasant feeling blended seamlessly with the riverside wind and water, her gentle, youthful voice both fresh and slightly mature in its own way.
Elder Qin chuckled, "The melody is a bit unusual, but Miss Xiao Chan sings it beautifully." Xiao Chan beamed with pride; she had practiced this song for a long time.
As evening neared, back in a small courtyard behind the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, Yuan Jin'er was removing her makeup, savoring a rare moment of ease. Though her main performance was scheduled for tonight, the last few days had been filled with social obligations, beginning from early morning with a steady stream of visitors—scholars and patrons—each vying for her attention. Mediating between men who saw one another as rivals, keeping the atmosphere light, and ensuring no one genuinely lost their temper had been a mentally exhausting task.
In fact, the subtle rivalry for the Flower Competition had already begun over two weeks prior, and the days leading up to it had been filled with such matters. Today had offered only a brief respite, allowing her to meet with important guests like Cao Guan, respond to a crowd with a graceful zither performance, and graciously accept their praise before withdrawing to remove her makeup. She'd just finished when Cao Guan and others came by again for a quick visit, leaving her with a short moment of peace before the evening. As one of the four top courtesans and the Golden Phoenix Pavilion's star, she wouldn't have to perform on the flower carriage itself. Her role was simply to rest and prepare for her main event later that night.
"Tonight will be fine, as long as I place in the top sixteen… All these days of busying about, barely eating a thing, and Mama still tells me to eat less. She's practically starving me…"
Dressed in just her inner garments—a simple top and shorts—Yuan Jin'er lounged lazily on a cool bamboo bed after removing her makeup, with no need to touch it up. Her hair was messy, and her fair, rosy shoulders, bare feet, and delicate wrists were all casually exposed. She spoke while munching on a plate of candied fruit in her arms. Soon enough, though, the fruit platter was snatched away by someone else in the room.
"Mama tells you to eat less so you won't get bloated before the performance. If you want something, have some soup or porridge. Eating all this fruit now and skipping dinner will leave you feeling stuffed when it's showtime. What if you choke during your performance?"
Jin'er, who was about to reclaim the plate, quickly shut her mouth with her cheeks puffed out, unwilling to open up despite a hand reaching playfully toward her face. She squirmed to avoid it, and that hand gave her cheek a playful pat. Jin'er then crawled further onto the bed, chewing everything down before coughing. "Ah… I swallowed a pit… cough, cough…"
The hand poured a half-glass of water. "Only one sip. You'll eat dinner later."
"Got it, Sis Yunzhu… uh, Brother Yunzhu."
The other person in the room was none other than Nie Yunzhu, dressed today in a long, black robe with her hair tied up and a scholar's cap on, styled as a man. With a fan in hand, she might indeed have looked the part of a refined gentleman. At first glance, some might mistake her for a man, though upon closer inspection, it was easy to see through the disguise. Dressing as a man required more than makeup; it needed skill and natural talent. Though Yunzhu was competent in makeup and acting, she still lacked that innate ability.
In the past, Nie Yunzhu would never have come close to the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, but things had started to change. Over the last couple of months, the century egg business had been quietly taking root. Under Ning Yi's guidance, she had hired some help and eventually, through Jin'er's connections, even recruited a couple of cooks. Gradually, she began seeing herself as a businesswoman—though she still lacked the knack for handling complex negotiations.
In just two months, the century egg had gained the fame Ning Yi had anticipated, though the business remained quiet and low-key, with several developments still in the works. Meanwhile, Nie Yunzhu and Yuan Jin'er had resumed occasional contact. The main reason was that Jin'er wanted to shine at this year's Flower Festival, and the Golden Phoenix Pavilion's matron promised that if Yunzhu could lend a small hand, they'd support her endeavors in return.
"Actually, it seems Cao Guan is really motivated this time. Compared to last year, he's put in much more effort. Look at these poems—he's been truly thoughtful…"
Yunzhu smiled as she organized some poetry drafts on the table. Jin'er, meanwhile, stood up on the bamboo bed, adjusting her hair with a smile. In her simple undergarments, she radiated a charming aura, a bit different from her usual lively demeanor. "Him? He just wants to redeem himself for last year's embarrassment." As she spoke, Jin'er's lithe figure began moving to her planned dance steps, her graceful, bare feet tapping lightly on the bed with an airy rhythm. Her body swayed, leaning back as she spun, her hair sweeping in an arc before she stepped forward and finished with a gentle bow of thanks.
"Honestly, I couldn't care less about winning the Flower Queen title. It's just a name; becoming the Flower Queen isn't as glorious as it seems. After Feng Xiaojing won the title, they say she was once forced by Commissioner Cheng to the point of nearly jumping from a building. If someone hadn't mediated, Cheng Yong might've drawn his sword on her. Me? If I win, I'd have to find someone to marry right away…"
"Well, if you're to redeem yourself, your dowry would only get pricier."
"Someone would be willing, I'm sure. Marrying the Flower Queen would be quite a bragging point…"
"So, Jin'er, have you found anyone you'd truly like to marry?"
Yunzhu laughed as she asked. Yuan Jin'er pouted, almost turning her lips into a pig's snout, before walking over to the table with an indignant look and trying to grab the fruit platter, only to have her hand swatted away by Yunzhu.
"Yunzhu, you always have something discouraging to say. Men... Hmph, you always seem to have good men pining after you. Oh, right, I heard recently that Gu Yanzhen came back in March, and he not only pursued you but also helped you sell century eggs. But you slapped him in the street, and he lost face... Gu Yanzhen, the scholar with an official title, returning home in all his splendor, with money and everything—he's exactly the kind of man I want to marry. Yunzhu, you don't know how lucky you are."
Yunzhu chuckled, "But Jin'er, you said it yourself—men... So, isn't it the same for me, unable to find someone I'd truly want to marry? If you really wanted to marry, do you think you couldn't find someone like Gu Yanzhen?"
"But I don't like him," Jin'er shrugged lightly, finding a sunflower seed by the edge of the table, cracking it open and popping it into her mouth. "Then… what about your brilliant Mr. Ning? Would you not consider marrying him?"
Yunzhu threw a robe at her face, laughing. "Don't speak nonsense. Even if I didn't care about my reputation, Ning Liheng has a family already, so don't go tarnishing his honor."
"Yes, yes, I know you're defending him." Jin'er removed the robe from her face, muttering, "Didn't you say Mr. Ning was attending tonight as well? Introduce me, and I'll try to seduce him. Let's see what sort of man he is! And if his wife hears about it, she can come over to Golden Phoenix Pavilion and beat me to death—I'll fight her and see who comes out on top. Who knows, maybe after that, Yunzhu, you two could elope together…"
"All nonsense…"
"Heehee." Jin'er giggled. "But really, why did you slap Gu Yanzhen that day? I only heard about it in passing, but I don't know exactly what happened."
Yunzhu paused, taking a deep breath. "He's not a bad person. He was once a gentleman, but he got a bit out of hand that day, so I hit him. There wasn't exactly a clear right or wrong, but let's leave it at that."
Recalling that day in March, when she had decided to break things off entirely with Gu Yanzhen, she naturally hadn't mentioned Ning Yi. But she'd rejected him so completely that time, he'd been caught off guard and said some rather crude things, even asking if she had someone else she favored. He even tried to grab her hand, and instinctively, she slapped him. Later, she washed her hand multiple times, still feeling a bit of lingering distaste.
It had happened in the street, with plenty of people around, including one of Gu Yanzhen's friends. The slap hadn't been particularly hard, but it had left him stunned, and he hadn't bothered her since. Gu Yanzhen had previously been so open about his intentions that rumors of the slap eventually spread, reaching even Jin'er. It wasn't something Yunzhu liked to think about—while she'd been annoyed by his boldness, she had no desire to ruin his reputation further. A gentleman's separation should remain civil; she didn't want the rumors to escalate.
Jin'er seemed to understand Yunzhu's thoughts and nodded with a smile. "But tonight, Gu Yanzhen will also be there. What if he sees you, Yunzhu—no, Brother Yunzhu?"
Yunzhu smiled. "I'm dressed in black. I'll stay in the shadows, and no one will recognize me. I'm just going to support you tonight; I don't want to interact with anyone else."
"Huh? What about Mr. Ning?"
A brief silence followed.
"Oh, Jin'er was wrong! Spare me, Yunzhu—"
Her playful cries for mercy echoed faintly in the courtyard, mixed with silvery laughter, as the warm glow of the setting sun began to spread from the western sky.
On the other side, by the Qinhuai River, Old Master Qin packed up his chess stall. With the help of Ning Yi and Xiao Chan, they gathered their belongings and headed back home. Qin Lao invited Ning Yi to join them for dinner, and since they were all well-acquainted, there was no need for too much formality. After dinner, Old Master Qin, his two wives, Ning Yi, and Xiao Chan strolled toward the main road together. The sunset was magnificent, casting warm colors across the sky. Up ahead, Ning Yi and Old Master Qin conversed, while behind them, the three ladies—who looked like three generations of one family—followed. Xiao Chan, still young, blushed shyly at the teasing remarks of Yun Niang, the second wife who had once been a famous courtesan. Lady Qin, the elder wife, watched them with a kindly expression.
Drums and music could already be heard from the street, where festive processions occasionally passed by. Old Master Qin spoke with Ning Yi, smiling, "If you see Ming Yun, do pass on my regards." Although he wasn't attending the festivities that night, he would likely bring his family to enjoy the excitement of the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth, including the much-anticipated Flower Queen selection. A procession passed by as they walked, and they stood to the side. It was the entourage of the city magistrate, a grand procession with rows of soldiers escorting it. Leading the way was the Magistrate of Jiangning, riding atop his horse. When he noticed Old Master Qin, he even inclined his head respectfully. Though now an ordinary citizen, Old Master Qin returned the courtesy with a nod and then leaned toward Ning Yi, smiling as he pointed out something:
"You asked about Captain Song Xian the other day. There, among that group, is the Wulie Army Commander, Cheng Yong, along with Captain Song Xian."
Among the officials riding behind the magistrate, the two men Old Master Qin mentioned seemed to glance in their direction. Cheng Yong was slightly stout, his face beaming as he looked at the people lining the street. Song Xian, however, had a stern, intense gaze, exuding a powerful presence. Ning Yi smiled; he had actually encountered Song Xian on the street several times while gathering information in recent weeks, so he already recognized him. Now that the Lantern Festival had passed, there was little purpose in knowing him any further.
At the intersection, the group parted ways, with Old Master Qin heading home and Ning Yi walking with Xiao Chan toward the city outskirts under the vast, fiery sunset. The sounds of music, drums, and fireworks echoed through the streets of Jiangning. Along the Qinhuai River, brightly adorned pleasure boats lined up, with colorful silk banners fluttering in the breeze. Flower-adorned carriages processed through the crowded streets, surrounded by lively drumbeats and cheers. Torches and lanterns gathered, flowing grandly through the city and spreading towards them in a festive wave.