Chapter 131: The Beginning……

The Son-in-Law, Chapter 113: The Beginning

Even before late night, a restless commotion could be vaguely felt throughout the Su family estate, both inside and out. Lights flickered in the halls, and faint glows spilled from the windows. In Su Tan'er's bedroom, Chan'er and Juan'er stood by her bed, gently placing warm towels on her forehead, as Su Tan'er, who seemed somewhat uneasy, lay there. A white-bearded old physician sat at the bedside, taking Su Tan'er's pulse. Ning Yi stood at the doorway, arms crossed, pondering. In the courtyard outside, apart from the medicine boy accompanying Doctor Sun, no one else had entered.

The diagnosis was brief. The old doctor released Su Tan'er's wrist, stood up, and headed out. Juan'er quickly followed. At the main entrance outside, Xing'er, with tear-reddened eyes, also arrived.

“The Second Miss has caught a cold, and judging by the symptoms, it seems she's had it for several days. Additionally, other factors have coincided – yes, during these days of her cold, she likely also experienced... ahem... her monthly period. These combined factors have exacerbated the cold. If it were just that, it wouldn't be a major issue; a few doses of medicine would bring down the fever, and she'd recover fairly quickly. However, beyond that... the Second Miss is likely overworked. Perhaps the incident with the Master was a shock, and under that blow, she became utterly exhausted, both mentally and physically... All these combined mean she won't recover in just a few days.”

“Mentally and physically exhausted?” Ning Yi asked, a frown on his face.

The old doctor nodded. “Yes, this time, rather than just a cold, it’s more a culmination of long-term fatigue and stress. She’s completely worn out, body and mind, but most importantly, her spirit. The cold simply caused it to erupt all at once. This matter cannot be taken lightly. I will prescribe medicine to bring down the Second Miss's fever first, but ultimately, the real cure will only come if... the Second Miss can truly let go of her worries. Alas…” The old doctor, surnamed Sun, sighed. As the Su family's retained physician, he had also led Su Boyong’s treatment and naturally understood the current situation of the Su family. It would be incredibly difficult for Su Tan'er to let go of her worries. Shaking his head, he finished writing the prescription in the living room, then gave a few more instructions before taking his leave. Xiao Chan followed him to fetch the medicine. Juan'er and Xing'er rushed to Su Tan'er’s bedside to look at her unconscious form, then turned to Ning Yi, their voices tinged with a cry: “What should we do?” Their words sounded like both a plea for help to Ning Yi and a self-reflection. Normally, the three maids were quite capable and opinionated in managing many of the main household’s affairs, but now, with Su Boyong incapacitated and Su Tan'er also collapsed, they were finally at a loss.

Ning Yi held the prescription, thinking for a moment before finally asking, “What exactly happened these past few days?”

Su Tan'er's cold might have been caused by her falling into the bathtub that afternoon. She seemed to show mild symptoms in the first few days, but they weren't severe. After Su Boyong's assassination, Su Tan'er undoubtedly faced severe challenges, yet there was no sign of her retreating or being defeated. Just a few mornings ago, she had confidently spoken of securing the Imperial Merchant status. Her spirit and confidence were at their peak, and her ability to adapt was flawless. Like a large corporation, it faces many setbacks and schemes, some minor, some major. It’s completely normal for a company to begin adapting once a blow strikes. Su Boyong’s assassination could be seen as a sudden blow. If Su Tan'er were the type to collapse without resistance from a single setback, she would never have achieved what she has now. Someone who can only adapt to favorable circumstances would find it impossible to lead the Su family, even if they somehow gained control. Su Tan'er was not such a person; Ning Yi knew that clearly. For her to be struck down mentally, it couldn't have been due to previous events. Moreover, she should have been mentally prepared for any further schemes or attacks from the other party. Something more significant must have happened in these past four short days…

At his question, Juan'er looked slightly puzzled and turned to Xing'er, who had been with the young lady most of the past few days. Xing'er was still weeping. After glancing at Juan'er and Ning Yi for a moment, she wiped her tears and choked out, “I… the young lady said not to speak of it…”

Ning Yi thought for a moment, then sat down in a nearby chair and sighed. He rubbed his forehead, murmuring, “Mentally and physically exhausted… Imperial Merchant, something went wrong with the Imperial Merchant status, an unsolvable problem… external or internal. If external, perhaps they offended some high-ranking official at the Imperial Weaving Bureau, but the shopkeepers have been handling all the visits to officials these past few days, so it wouldn't have reached the point of a complete fallout… It must be an internal problem, a problem that can’t be solved. I’m not too interested in the technical details, so let’s not talk about that for now…”

The two maids listened as he murmured all this. Xing'er then started crying even harder. “Actually, actually… a few days ago…” Before she could finish, footsteps were heard from outside. Juan'er and Xing'er quickly went out. It was Manager Liao, the most senior manager of the main household, who had also learned of the situation from Doctor Sun and came to inquire. Old Master Su had not yet returned to the mansion, and Juan'er and Xing'er certainly couldn't make decisions, so they quietly discussed with Manager Liao for a few moments. Ning Yi sat in the room, speculating on the possibilities. He then stood up, took a few steps, and looked at the sleeping Su Tan'er on the bed.

This bedroom was usually tidy, but these past few days, likely due to busyness, it appeared somewhat cluttered. As Ning Yi walked towards several notebooks on the table, he inadvertently noticed something that had fallen near the foot of the bed. He picked it up; it was a small, triangular piece of light yellow cloth with a simple pattern.

The cloth scrap had likely only fallen to the floor in the past day or two, as there was no dust on it. Ning Yi brought it closer to the oil lamp, and some memories resurfaced. One day, upstairs in the small building across the way, Su Tan'er had shown him a piece of cloth, her face radiant with a happy smile. “Husband, don't you think this color is beautiful?”

“Oh… it is beautiful, but this color isn't something ordinary families would be able to obtain…”

A bright yellow piece of cloth… Su Tan'er hadn't discussed the topic much at the time, but Ning Yi remembered the vividness of the cloth. Yet, this piece now seemed faded, turning light yellow…

Outside, Manager Liao mentioned Ning Yi’s name. Ning Yi sighed and tucked the cloth scrap into his sleeve. With both Su Boyong and Su Tan'er incapacitated, it was impossible to call upon people from the second or third households to find solutions. Ning Yi usually didn’t involve himself in these matters, but he still held the status of a master in the Su family. Manager Liao's subsequent conversation with him was likely to allow him to express his stance. Ning Yi nodded.

“It's nothing major. Let everything proceed as usual. When soldiers come, we’ll block them; when water comes, we’ll cover it with earth. Just don't spread rumors about Tan'er’s condition. For now, don't let too many people know she's ill. That’s all.”

“I understand the Second Miss needs rest for her illness and shouldn't be troubled, but… if something truly unexpected happens, and a decision needs to be made, I don’t know…”

“Then bring it here; we’ll find a way. As for the rest… I’ll trouble Manager Liao and the other managers to take care of it.”

“Yes. Actually, even if there are changes, everyone has experience in dealing with them. After so many years, we’re all seasoned veterans of the cloth trade. Please, Young Master, tell the Young Lady to rest easy…”

What Manager Liao said was indeed merely for reassurance. If it were only within Jiangning, any manager could oversee things without issue. However, if changes and impacts on national business were involved, a central figure was essential. For now, though, there seemed to be no other viable option.

After Manager Liao left, Chan'er returned with the medicine. Soon after, the Old Master, who had returned to the mansion, hurried over. Seeing Su Tan'er still unconscious, this matter dealt a tremendous blow to the elderly man as well. However, nothing could be done at the moment. He offered a few comforting words to Ning Yi and the three maids, then returned with heavy steps.

After the Old Master also departed, silence finally settled over the courtyard. The lamps flickered, and the scent of brewing medicine permeated the air. There had been many such quiet evenings for the people in the courtyard before, times when they sat together, talking, chatting, playing Gobang, and occasionally laughing – they were a family. Before Ning Yi's arrival, the four young maids in the courtyard could also be considered a family. But now, the atmosphere was truly too quiet. Xiao Chan brought in the medicine bowl, and as they waited in silence, Juan'er couldn't help but choke out, “What are we supposed to do, Young Master…?”

Su Boyong had collapsed, and Su Tan'er was unconscious. Even if she woke up, her body wouldn't recover quickly. The Old Master might have to let others temporarily take over the main household's affairs. The future had suddenly become desolate and terrifyingly unpredictable. No one knew why things had suddenly turned out this way. Their only reliance, perhaps, was the few people around them. If Ning Yi were truly the bookworm he once seemed, perhaps he too would have been excluded. But after more than a year of living together, at least in matters like this, Ning Yi had been accepted as part of this family… Of course, Juan'er’s question at this moment was simply out of helplessness. Ning Yi was a man, different from them, and it was certainly impossible for him to genuinely have a solution.

Ning Yi was currently standing by the window, tidying some items on the desk. The room was a bit messy, so he put some things back in their place and casually tossed others onto a cabinet where they couldn't be seen. His movements weren't fast, but by then, he had mostly tidied up. Without turning around, he simply folded an uncut sheet of Xuan paper a few times on the desk, then unfolded it, poured some water into the inkstone, and slowly began to grind the ink.

“Haven’t you been taught how to handle these kinds of things before?” Ning Yi asked in a low voice.

The three young maids shook their heads.

Ning Yi picked up the brush, silent for a moment. “Next… I need the Su family's account books from the past seven to ten years, records of the Su family's development in all aspects, and correspondence with managers from various regions. I want to know every incident that occurred in the Su family business, the response methods, the final outcomes, and the reasons why those outcomes occurred… Additionally, I need more Xuan paper and ink, some thin thread, and some pastries that are filling but not too sweet, and a large pot of tea… That should be it for now…”

A silence fell behind him. The three maids were somewhat bewildered, unsure what he intended to do. Ning Yi turned around.

“There’s no possibility with Father-in-law, and the Old Master… he might call someone to help, but it won’t be effective.” Ning Yi lightly pointed to Su Tan'er on the bed. “Your young lady won’t let go. The first thing she’ll do when she wakes up won’t be to take medicine, but to get out of bed. No one can replace her… So, the outcome is simple.”

He smiled towards them, a hint of helplessness, a touch of boredom, not much different from when he usually played chess or told stories. “I’ll give it a try…”

Juan'er and Xing'er still hesitated. Chan'er took a breath; her eyes had been teary, but now a faint smile appeared. She wiped the corner of her eye and turned to leave. “I’ll go get the account books and records…” The Su family had a main accounting office, but the main household also kept its own separate records, a copy of which was actually right next door. The three maids regularly managed these affairs and were authorized to retrieve them.

After Xiao Chan left, Juan'er thought for a moment and then followed her out. Xing'er was next; she wiped the tears from her face and quietly asked as she went out the door, “Young Master… are you staying here?”

“Otherwise, what will happen when your young lady wakes up?”

The Young Master wanted to help the Young Lady solve some problems. Xing'er and Juan'er couldn't quite tell if this idea was a good thing or what the outcome would be. But they knew perfectly well that if the Young Lady were anywhere else, once she woke up, she would immediately try to get out of bed to deal with matters. Regardless, they had to keep the Young Lady in bed, and perhaps only the Young Master could achieve that.

She gave a somewhat awkward smile, then left. Only when he was alone in the room with the unconscious Su Tan'er did Ning Yi sit down, sighing at the Xuan paper and brush.

“You people have gone too far… even a live-in son-in-law can’t find peace…”

Vaguely, it sounded like a complaint aimed at certain people behind the scenes…

In the early hours of the morning, after the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), Su Tan'er woke up…