The clatter of carriages and horses drifted from afar. In the alley behind the warehouse, dappled tree shadows danced as two figures sat, each slowly eating a bowl of cold jelly.
"I have to inspect and manage several shops in Jiangning City every day. My father used to bring me along, telling me that if I truly wanted to manage these, I'd have to put in great effort to understand everything. Now, few of the young masters in our family can truly manage a shop well, but I can. I can take over any task a shopkeeper might have..."
Across the low wall, tree shadows, and a ditch, the bustling market was faintly visible, its clamor drifting over. Ning Yi had wandered there after class that afternoon. The two were now eating cold jelly in the back, taking a short break and chatting. Su Tan'er didn't usually eat snacks, but at that moment, she was like she was on the second-floor corridor of the small building at night, holding a small bowl and chatting idly about various topics, from the origin of the "Liu Xian Skirt" to the precise ratios of certain dyes.
"The Xijing Miscellaneous Records mention that the 'Liu Xian Skirt' originated with Zhao Feiyan. Skirts before the Western Han Dynasty actually didn't have such pleats. However, it's said that once, while Zhao Feiyan was dancing, a palace maid accidentally pulled her skirt hem, creating wrinkles. When she danced, it looked even better, and later, other palace women imitated it. Yet, the pleats back then weren't quite like they are today. During the Tang Dynasty, there was a beautiful pattern that required seven more steps than modern skirts, though it was a bit troublesome to wear..."
"The white and blue of today's clothes aren't simple colors either. This particular white is very difficult to dye, requiring a total of twenty-three steps. The initial dyes used are very special, requiring neither sulfur nor lime. Blue, conversely, is easier to dye. However, this shade is between emerald and royal blue, achieved with very expensive 'dark blue star-colored stone'—the kind we have on the screen on the second floor at home. If used for eyebrow powder, it would be incredibly valuable. There's a type in Annanfang; a tiny box of it costs fifteen 'guan'..."
At home, Su Tan'er usually gossiped about family matters, badmouthed her foolish cousins, or complained about business partners, often looking a bit mischievous while eating. Yet, now she was solely discussing topics related to dyeing, weaving, and garment making. She could eloquently elaborate on anything Ning Yi was wearing. It wasn't as if she were reciting from memory; she genuinely understood these subjects, and one couldn't tell how much effort she had invested in them. Ning Yi, holding half a bowl of cold jelly, found it quite interesting to listen to this nineteen-year-old woman, who bore the title of his wife, speak on these matters.
The loading and unloading continued in the warehouse ahead. Around Xin Shi (7-9 PM), a commotion seemed to erupt from the street near the warehouse. Xing'er ran over, exclaiming that a brawl had broken out between two gangs up front. Su Tan'er simply turned her head, glanced at Ning Yi, and said with a smile, "Fights happen often here; sometimes people die. Let's not go watch, alright?"
There was a hint of pleading in her words. Ning Yi nodded, "Mmm, lest we get caught in the crossfire." Xing'er observed the atmosphere, then smiled and ran off. Only then did Su Tan'er turn her head and shout inside, "Don't get hurt!"
Faint sounds of chaotic fighting drifted from one side, while the busy clatter of carriages and horses continued on the other. The two sat in this back alley, chatting, listening to the autumn cicadas, and watching the dappled light fall through the tree gaps. The other sounds seemed to recede into the distance. The cold jelly wasn't very tasty. Su Tan'er took one sip and then held the bowl motionless. When a leaf fell into the bowl, she merely watched it, only removing it with a spoon after a long time, spilling a spoonful of syrup onto the ground.
"It's been a long time since I've had such leisure. If the city gates close, I'm afraid I'll be even busier."
"Won't closing the city gates make us more leisurely?" Ning Yi took another spoonful from the half-eaten bowl of cold jelly he had been holding for a while.
"The city gates were closed for a month a few years ago too. I wasn't very old then, but I still felt bored." Su Tan'er looked at him. "Did you forget even that, husband?"
"I don't remember."
"What kind of person were you before, husband? I can't figure it out..."
"Probably a bookworm, maybe a very dull one, or perhaps no different from now... Uh, what are you thinking with that look?"
"I used to go see you, husband, with Xiao Chan and Xiao Juan, to inquire about what kind of person you were." Su Tan'er thought for a moment and smiled. "Everyone back then did say you were a bookworm. I secretly went to see you once, saw you from afar, but couldn't go up and talk. So, I didn't truly know what you were like then... You were walking with your head down, unaware that Xiao Chan and I were peeking at you from a nearby carriage nearby."
Screams from afar, shouts of "Murder!"—it sounded almost like chaotic background noise. Ning Yi thought for a moment, smiled, and remained silent. Su Tan'er tilted her head. "Are you angry, husband?"
"No, I just find it interesting."
Su Tan'er nodded, smiling knowingly. "This concubine also finds it interesting." In her words, there seemed to be a slight sigh of emotion, her mood a little complex. Of course, this complexity might have been different from what was in Ning Yi's heart.
Soon after, the yamen constables arrived, dispersing the fight ahead and likely arresting some people. As evening approached, Ning Yi and Su Tan'er crossed through the warehouse to the front gate. The street had already returned to its normal bustling state, with pedestrians coming and going, workers moving goods, and shop owners shouting out commands as usual. As they passed through the warehouse, a small incident occurred.
It was a wooden shelf that didn't look very stable. As the two passed by, it swayed a few times because a clerk on the opposite side was loading large items and couldn't control it, causing it to wobble precariously. Ning Yi saw it and instinctively reached out to steady it. Su Tan'er, walking slightly ahead and looking at the loading on the other side, probably turned her head and noticed this. Almost simultaneously, she waved her hand and took a step back, attempting to push Ning Yi away.
This might have been a subconscious action, as she didn't even have time to speak. She ended up nudging Ning Yi to a halt and couldn't fully support a large bag in front of them. White cotton yarn spindles spilled out of the bag; they were all light items. One of them hit Su Tan'er on the head. Su Tan'er squinted and pulled her neck back, then let out a soft "Ah..." followed by "Husband..." Pressed chest to back, the two were almost leaning against each other. A moment later, Ning Yi stepped back.
Even if an entire bag of cotton yarn spindles fell and hit someone, it probably wouldn't have been a big deal. However, that subconscious, unhelpful blocking motion made Ning Yi somewhat amused by her subtle assertiveness. A short while later, Ning Yi said with a smile, "Do you know it would have been troublesome if something else had hit you?" Su Tan'er simply tilted her head, smiling faintly, "I only moved because I saw they were cotton yarn spindles."
"Oh," Ning Yi nodded, then smiled again, "You really 'helped' there..."
"I know..." Su Tan'er made a slightly embarrassed expression.
It was just a small incident. After tidying her slightly disheveled hair, it seemed to pass just like that.
As the sun set, after a few words with Shopkeeper Liao, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi found Juan'er and Xing'er. They picked up several boxes of various sizes, preparing to board the carriage and head home. The rest of the people still busy at the dock would likely have to work until around midnight before they could rest.
It was approaching mid-July. On the way back to the Su mansion, they could see many stalls selling paper, bamboo, and ghost money. With disaster victims arriving, there were also numerous pedestrians with anxious expressions, and beggars and wanderers lined both sides of the road. Upon returning to the vast Su mansion, they encountered quite a few unfamiliar faces. Just as they entered, more than ten people waiting at the gatehouse approached Su Tan'er to speak with her. Su Tan'er smiled, nodding and greeting each one. Ning Yi naturally accompanied her. Soon after, Xiao Chan, who had likely been busy all day, trotted out from the courtyard gate bathed in the setting sun, waved with a smile towards them, then quietly squeezed into the crowd and silently moved behind Su Tan'er.
On the way back to the courtyard, Xiao Chan chirped out reports on family matters, like which relatives had encountered difficulties. Some of these issues, particularly those concerning close relatives of the main household, would either be handled by Su Boyong or by Su Tan'er herself. It was said that a distant cousin had been wandering around Jiangning City frequently in recent days and had gotten into trouble at a gambling house that day, resulting in his detention. He didn't dare ask Su Boyong for help, but having heard that Su Tan'er was always approachable, he had sought her out. Su Tan'er could only frown and inquire about the amount of money involved, then instructed Xiao Chan to find Guard Sun, who was skilled at handling such matters, to come to the mansion.
Similar incidents were common, especially in recent days, and not just one or two. Before dinner, Guard Sun Er came over. After understanding the details from Su Tan'er, he took a silver note and left. Before dinner, Su Tan'er also visited her father. After dinner, as night fell, various people came to visit, relatives from near and far. Only after these visitors had mostly departed could Su Tan'er return to her room to process the documents and accounts that needed attention.
Many times, Ning Yi actually found such busyness quite interesting. For someone truly dedicated and goal-oriented—like Su Tan'er—this level of busywork wouldn't usually pose a significant problem. Watching her skillfully handle these matters, Ning Yi occasionally thought of his former self. However, in recent days, it had finally become a bit overwhelming.
Preparing for the mid-July ancestral sacrifices, arranging and handling matters for some relatives of the main branch, the impending closure of the city gates, and most importantly, perhaps, the progress of the imperial merchant affairs—all these weighed heavily. That night, at midnight, the light in Su Tan'er's room was still on. Ning Yi read for a while, then went out to stroll in the courtyard. The autumn night was cool. He had recently been practicing the Qigong breathing method Lu Hongti taught him; he hadn't yet seen results in terms of destructive power, but his spirits were good. He stopped in the corridor under the eaves near Su Tan'er's room and sighed softly.
Su Tan'er's bedroom window was open, her desk placed in front of it. The oil lamp's warm yellow light flickered slightly on the table. Su Tan'er was sprawled across several sheets of letter paper, having fallen asleep, her hair a little disheveled.
Ning Yi stood by the window for a while, then gently blew out the oil lamp on the table. The window darkened, and the bright moonlight streamed into the courtyard. Just as he was about to turn and leave, a soft "Hmm" sound came from behind, as if she had sensed the change in light. Ning Yi turned back. Su Tan'er was struggling to sit up, groggily rubbing her eyes, then sniffing her nose and looking out the window.
In the moonlight, their gazes met, somewhat understated. Su Tan'er's eyes seemed to glow in the darkness, but they weren't fully open, showing a hint of laziness and confusion. "Uh... husband..."
Under the moonlight, it was a soft murmur, like that of a little girl.
Chapter One Hundred. The transformer in the neighborhood blew up this afternoon, causing a few hours delay, but it's finally out, just in time for the end of the month.
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