Chapter 103: Warning (Part 1)

"The matter with Siqingfang has been settled with Shopkeeper Yu there. We can deliver the goods before the sixth day of the tenth month, and after that, there won't be any problems. I have an idea..."

In the Su family's grand courtyard, enveloped by heavy rain, water fell like a curtain from the eaves. Inside the reception room, lit by an oil lamp, Xi Junyu was discussing business progress with Su Tan'er. A moment later, Xing'er brought a handkerchief for him to wipe the dampness from his clothes. Soon after, Juan'er also entered with a tea tray and placed some refreshments on a small table beside Xi Junyu.

"Shopkeeper Xi, please have some tea."

"Thank you, Juan'er." Xi Junyu smiled and nodded, then continued discussing business with Su Tan'er. "Since Siqingfang is off to a good start, I propose investing about ten thousand taels more in Yuanzhou to build two dyeing workshops and warehouses. This way, with Yuanzhou as a hub, we can expand outwards with complete certainty..."

After he finished speaking, he waited for Su Tan'er's reply. The expansion of the Su family's business usually followed such steps. However, Su Tan'er took a sip of tea, looked up at him, and said in a slightly low voice, "While it is time to consider Yuanzhou, it's not our most urgent priority right now. Let's discuss it again in some time."

Su Tan'er's voice was gentle, and her reply was within Xi Junyu's expectations. However, her gaze was something he couldn't quite decipher. He had known Su Tan'er since she was a twelve-year-old girl. Yet, ever since she began engaging with the family business, this young woman, who had gradually matured into a lady and was now nominally a wife, always had aspects that puzzled him.

Of course, this was just a slight impression. He believed he understood most of her character, including the immense pressure she bore and the efforts she made under such strain.

In earlier years, starting when Su Tan'er was around fourteen or approaching fifteen, she worked alongside him and several other shopkeepers, strategizing various business approaches. The young woman occasionally came up with astonishing ideas, though most of the time, she appeared a little clumsy, and many of her suggestions were impractical. When her flaws were pointed out, she would often laugh awkwardly and then exclaim in surprise, "Oh, so that's how it is..."

She was gentle and humble, amiable to everyone, and never lost her temper. She wouldn't get upset when servants made mistakes, nor would she get angry at gossip about her being a woman. Of course, there were times when she encountered situations she didn't know how to handle, as she was still just a young woman in her teens. During those moments, she would remain silent, a smile on her face, her lips tightly pressed together, waiting quietly.

Human emotions are peculiar; there's no clear dividing line. Xi Junyu himself wasn't sure when he decided to stay at the Su family's textile shop. Growing up, Xi Junyu's family was poor; his mother died young, and his father was often ill and an alcoholic. He was naturally intelligent from a young age and initially thought that continuous schooling would lead to a bright future. Later, he took on odd jobs at the textile shop simply to earn some extra money to supplement his family's income. Who knew that he would continue doing so?

Intelligent people are quick at everything. Xi Junyu was confident he could excel in any profession, not just business. After being a merchant for a long time, one gradually understands human nature and the human heart. In his view, all things in the world are inseparable from the changes in these aspects; studying, by contrast, was merely a secondary pursuit.

Even while just doing odd jobs at the Su family's textile shop, he helped secure several deals, earning enough money to make his family quite comfortable. Of course, at that time, he still intended to return to his studies. Later... it's hard to say how much his decision to stay with the Su family was related to the young woman who often visited the shop, but it certainly played a significant part.

He had thought it through clearly: his family was poor, and pursuing an official career through the imperial examinations would be quite troublesome, as he couldn't even afford the gifts and connections required. And the feeling of being wealthy was quite tangible. At that time, he probably set a relatively ideal path for himself: he would work for the Su family, become a shopkeeper, then a head shopkeeper, and eventually marry into the Su family. Once Su Tan'er took control of the Su family's affairs, he would be able to share in her success.

Already making a name for himself in the textile business at the time, he worked very harmoniously with the constantly learning fifteen-year-old girl. He could promptly correct any blunders Su Tan'er made. From the moment he learned of Su Boyong and Su Tan'er's intentions, he understood that one day Su Tan'er would need a live-in husband. He was clearly the most ideal candidate, and he personally didn't mind such an arrangement.

Incompetent people always rely on status or other inherent advantages, which do have an impact. However, truly capable individuals know that their own abilities account for a significant portion of their success. For him, confidence meant that no matter where he was, he would have the chance to distinguish himself and command respect. His humble background was an unchangeable inherent factor, so marrying into the family was not unacceptable.

Su Tan'er would understand his capabilities, and he understood her character. With such mutual understanding, they would be the most ideal partners after marriage. Some people might initially use his status as a live-in son-in-law against him, but it wouldn't matter. As long as his abilities were demonstrated, others would naturally look at him with new respect. A year, two years... facts would change everything. Su Tan'er also bore her own burdens and pushed forward with determination; why couldn't he?

Unfortunately, later developments were beyond his expectations. The Su family had certainly considered him. They must have considered him. But in the end, the Old Master made the final decision and chose such an incompetent scholar instead.

The Su family... simply wanted a man who would be easier to control.

Sometimes being too capable could become a disadvantage. He thought sardonically to himself. He also considered that if he had been the one arranged for the marriage, Tan'er would surely not have made an excuse to run away on the wedding day.

He had initially been very confident and wasn't worried when he learned the Su family was considering Ning Yi. It was only when they suddenly decided on Ning Yi that he felt startled. He had once thought of directly confessing his affections to Su Tan'er, but by then, he realized the distance the young woman had always maintained with others. She might have once called him "Brother Junyu," but soon after, it became "Shopkeeper Xi," and that title stuck.

She might have been gentle and kind, perhaps nimble and charming, or even playful and witty. But more often, a part of her mind remained detached, observing from the sidelines. That part might still find things amusing or curious, and she would giggle sweetly while watching, yet she always maintained an attitude of observation and learning. Xi Junyu had known early on that intelligent people learn very quickly once they set their minds to something.

It was then that he realized his admiration was somewhat unspeakable, because she wasn't as approachable as he had imagined.

He was also a proud man. If he had gone and spoken his heart, the young woman on the surface might have appeared incredibly kind, gentle, or even deeply saddened. But the part of her mind that was truly observing would not have regarded him at all, and that was an outcome he could not bear.

Later, after her marriage, Su Tan'er adopted the demeanor of a wife, which was something he had long anticipated. The issue of status had always been the main reason for Su Tan'er's marriage. He wondered how things were between the scholar and her. Su Tan'er would never outwardly displease anyone, but the scholar likely couldn't discern what truly lay within his wife's heart.

He found it both amusing and pitiable to recall that they hadn't even shared a room. Although subsequent developments were somewhat beyond his expectations—the scholar actually showed some aptitude, at least in academics—it was certain that they were estranged despite appearances. No one but himself could truly understand Su Tan'er. The heart she kept hidden, a clarity forged under long-term pressure and solitude, was forced out of necessity.

To govern the Su family as a woman would always invite resistance. Even if she cried, no one would truly sympathize. Even the shopkeepers under her, though instructed by Su Boyong to assist her, would still consider the issue of their master being a woman with every business deal. Even if she continuously proved her abilities, reaching forty or fifty, or even becoming a figure like Empress Wu Zetian, people would still consider her a woman. She could only, behind the scenes, maintain an absolute clarity of mind.

It seemed somewhat cold, lonely, and pitiful. She needed someone who could truly share her life, someone who could endure hardships with her. Xi Junyu liked this feeling; for now, he could only like and accept the current situation. What had happened was irreversible, complaining was useless; it was time to consider what to do.

Sometimes he felt that the true person deep within Su Tan'er was somewhat unclear to him; she was constantly growing. Nevertheless, in some sense, Su Tan'er was almost entirely molded by him, and for the next few years, things wouldn't spin out of control.

Su Tan'er had already made her decision regarding Yuanzhou. He was merely a "shopkeeper," so his position needed no further explanation. When necessary, both could be quite talkative. At that moment, Xi Junyu was recounting amusing anecdotes he'd heard while chatting with Shopkeeper Yu of Siqingfang, and then connecting them to the recent situation of disaster victims to analyze potential events inside and outside the city. He knew what Su Tan'er typically enjoyed hearing, and she was indeed listening intently, holding her teacup, occasionally nodding and asking follow-up questions with a girlish curiosity that hadn't changed in years. After all, these were times when information wasn't easily accessible, and much of the news was genuinely useful; what Xi Junyu shared was often new to her.

He then casually brought up the matter of Xiaochuan's father's funeral, mentioning roughly when Ning Yi would return. This topic was raised merely as a hint, subtly suggesting his own presence and distinctness from Ning Yi. Although it seemed certain things weren't reaching her heart, perhaps they could talk longer tonight. Ning Yi would be back tomorrow, and today, he was considering whether to speak his mind openly.

Just then, Xing'er, holding an umbrella, jogged in from outside the courtyard, looking somewhat happy. She nodded and smiled at Xi Junyu, then rushed to Su Tan'er's side: "The young master and Xiaochuan are back!"

"Really?" Juan'er, standing behind Su Tan'er, was the first to exclaim. Su Tan'er also looked up, a smile appearing on her face, but simultaneously, her brow furrowed: "Returning so late in such heavy rain? Did they get wet?" "No, they didn't. Oh, Dongzhu, the carriage driver, got soaked. The young master told Dongzhu to take a bath first, then instructed the kitchen to prepare some food. They traveled all the way back and probably didn't eat well for dinner."

"Hmm." Su Tan'er pondered for a moment. "Xing'er, go tell the kitchen to prepare some dishes the young master likes, and also a bowl of millet porridge. I'm a bit hungry too; I'll go over later... Also, prepare some chilled tremella soup, mainly for Guard Geng and Dongzhu to cool off after their meal tonight. They don't usually eat this. If you and Juan'er want some, prepare it for yourselves. I don't need any. The young master and Xiaochuan probably won't feel like having this after dinner either. Um, Shopkeeper Xi, would you like some?" "No, thank you. Since Young Master Ning and Xiaochuan are back, I don't have any urgent matters, so I'll take my leave now."

Xi Junyu smiled nonchalantly, and Su Tan'er nodded in response.

"In that case, I'll see you out, Shopkeeper Xi."

"No need, the rain is heavy."

"It's fine. Besides, I'd like to hear more about the Yuanzhou plan you just mentioned, Shopkeeper Xi." *As if you really want to hear it...* Xi Junyu chuckled inwardly, but then, as he opened his umbrella and walked out with Su Tan'er and Juan'er, he still articulated a series of plans and ideas. All the details, whether about Yuanzhou's local customs, various connections, or information on officials, were quite thorough, and Su Tan'er listened, nodding occasionally.

The rain roared. Sometimes, walking along these paths, only distant courtyard lights were faintly visible, creating the impression that they were the only three people walking in the vast Su family compound in the rain. Only when they neared the side gate could they see people still rushing in and out, all in a hurry. His attendant was waiting in the gatehouse. As they reached a covered walkway where umbrellas weren't needed, Xi Junyu took a deep breath.

"Actually, for over a year now, while the Su family's development seems unchanged, funds are being withheld in various places. I am fully aware of this. You're already making preparations. This matter is too significant; I shouldn't have brought it up if you didn't want to discuss it. But... it really is too big. If all the capital is lost, have you clearly considered what that would mean?"

Su Tan'er stopped, gazed at him quietly, and pressed her lips together without speaking. Her gaze was complex, as if saying she was sorry she couldn't tell him these things; after all, she was in charge of the big picture... Xi Junyu didn't mind this; he merely shook his head and sighed.

"I don't know when you first conceived this idea, perhaps years ago. You want to obtain a palace warrant; you want to become an imperial merchant. This... is that right?" He looked at Su Tan'er, pausing slightly.

"A few years ago, it might have been better, but since last year, the Xue family has also been eyeing the imperial merchant status, or perhaps the Wu family has been considering it too. Your ambition now faces the most challenging time. Are you aware of these developments?" Under the rainy night, this was almost his sternest warning. Xi Junyu's concerns were well-founded.