Chapter 132: Mood (Part 1)

In the early hours of the morning, just after the Hour of the Ox, Su Tan'er awoke.

When she opened her eyes, the light was a faint yellow, and outside the window, the night was still silent, yet she felt no peace. Her mind and body were filled with discomfort, restlessness, and unease, but for a moment, she couldn't grasp the source of her distress. Why was she in pain? Many fragmented images flashed through her mind: a path blocked ahead, pursuers behind, something collapsing... Amidst this confusion, she heard familiar voices.

"Miss is awake."

It was Xiao Chan's voice; she recognized it immediately without needing to think. Su Tan'er closed her eyes, struggling to recall something. When she tried to sit up, Xiao Chan gently pulled the quilt, pressing her back down. The young maidservant didn't use much force; it was mainly because Su Tan'er herself had little strength. Through blurry eyes, she saw that Xiao Chan's eyes were red.

"What time is it?" she asked, her voice hoarse, barely recognizable as her own.

"The Hour of the Ox is almost over."

"Miss, please don't get up..."

"I'll go warm the medicine..."

The voices in her ears were those of Chan'er, Juan'er, and Xing'er, but it was Li Heng who stated the time. He had stayed there as well. Her mind still ached, yet a warmth spread through her heart as she recalled previous events: "Steward Liao and the others..."

"Miss, please don't think about these things anymore..." Juan'er, by the bed, choked up. Su Tan'er shook her head apologetically, weakly saying, "I can't..."

"Steward Liao and the others have already gone back to rest," Ning Yi's voice came from beside her. Then, he softly told Chan'er and Juan'er, "I'll talk to her. You two go out and help Xing'er first."

The two maidservants nodded and left, going to the adjacent room to prepare the medicine. As silence fell, Su Tan'er's vision and focus slowly sharpened. Her husband, dressed in his usual teal robe, pulled up a stool and sat down, watching her. His demeanor was similar to when they chatted on the second floor: his head slightly tilted, with a scholarly calm and composure. Although his youthful appearance didn't convey great maturity, he truly embodied the image of the talented scholar she had once envisioned.

His intellect surpassed that of many, yet he was not ostentatious; his inherent depth and quietness held great power. Previously, Su Tan'er hadn't thought much about this aspect. Logically, being known as the top scholar should always evoke a sense of awe, yet at home, including herself, Chan'er, Juan'er, and Xing'er didn't seem to feel it deeply. Their interactions had always been easy and natural. Others might feel proud when speaking of him, or be surprised upon learning, but... they seemed to have only seen the simple person himself all along. From a distance, others might see the aura of the top scholar, but those up close seemed to see only a simple man.

Yet, for some reason, seeing him now suddenly reminded her of that aura of the top scholar. He must have been here since evening without rest. Though he was her husband, she had, in the end, affected him. Her husband was ultimately a scholar and shouldn't be entangled in these business affairs, but now... She offered an apologetic smile. As she was about to speak, Ning Yi held out a piece of pastry.

It felt just like their chats on the second floor. Su Tan'er almost instinctively reached for it, but her hand lacked the strength. The pastry spun in the air before he put it in his own mouth, chewed for a bit, then gulped down some tea, swallowing it all. The man's expression was calm.

"I can eat these things, but you can't. You can only drink your medicine."

She wanted to laugh, but the sudden surge of emotion brought on a wave of dizziness and fatigue. A sense of helplessness filled her: *Why did he have to make her laugh?*

Then she heard Ning Yi say, "And then... there are some things I need to discuss with you."

"Hmm?" The weak woman on the bed wearily opened her eyes again.

The charcoal fire was lit, and medicinal steam began to rise from the clay pot. The three maidservants stood nearby, occasionally glancing at the wall, their eyes filled with worry.

Xiao Chan was slightly calmer, but Juan'er and Xing'er were deeply troubled. Their Miss had finally woken up but was still running a high fever. This long night was, in fact, just beginning. With Miss ill, the matters of the main household would be difficult. They had all grown up with their Miss and knew the effort and sacrifices she had made. She would never retreat, and they wondered if their young master could persuade her. But even if Miss were persuaded, what about the main household's affairs? Would they let Miss watch all her hard work go to waste?

"...What was the young master doing, asking us to do those things just now?"

"I don't understand..."

"The young master's experiment room also has things like that..."

"But what use could they be..."

"I don't know..."

While preparing the medicine, the three maidservants spoke of their confusion. Earlier, Ning Yi had asked them to draw grids with ink lines on Xuan paper, then he took account books from three years ago and started marking things on them. Some were place names or names of Su family shops, but most were strange, crooked symbols—simple vertical lines, circles, half-circles, completely incomprehensible. The young master memorized things quickly, only occasionally frowning in thought. Twice, he had called the three of them over to ask why there were income and expenditure problems in certain places, then noted the reasons next to the symbols.

The young master wanted to understand the Su family's situation, but how could this help? No one could figure it out. For the past year, the young master had always struck them as kind and knowledgeable, but he was, after all, not involved in business. Now, the entire Su family felt a crisis. So many stewards and managers, with decades of business experience, were busy. The young master was just a scholar; even if he wanted to help, it would probably just be a scholar's last-minute, futile effort—each profession has its specialization, that must be it.

"The young master..." Xiao Chan, who was closest to Ning Yi, murmured with her head down, "He's very capable..." She had always known Ning Yi was capable, and after their intimacy, this feeling naturally strengthened, but it had its limits. In the past, when she wanted the young master to help Miss share some burdens, it was mainly to foster closeness between them. Miss would naturally be happier with someone helping her. But in business, the young master certainly couldn't replace Miss. In these matters, even in Xiao Chan's heart, he was much more capable than ordinary people, which was already quite impressive. But to say he was better than everyone at everything? That was impossible; Xiao Chan couldn't possibly think that.

"We know the young master is very capable and clever, but he can't be as good at everything as he is at writing poetry..." Juan'er whispered.

"The young master promised he had a solution; he wouldn't lie," Xiao Chan could only stubbornly believe this now. Beside her, Xing'er gazed at the charcoal fire in silence for a long time, finally reaching up to wipe her eyes again.

"I know Miss's temperament, but this time, if the young master can just persuade her to rest properly, that will be enough." Perhaps burdened by her worries, Xing'er, usually the strongest-willed, had shed many tears this night, her voice choked with sobs, "As long as Miss is well, even if she doesn't become the head of the family, she'll still be Miss, the young master will still be the young master, and we'll still be together... As long as that's true, it's enough..."

Her emotions affected Juan'er and Chan'er beside her, and a sad grey pallor descended again. As Juan'er choked up, Chan'er quietly murmured, "The young master will find a way..." "Mm-hmm." Xing'er and Juan'er nodded beside her, though in truth, none of them truly believed it.

As long as Miss was alright, that would be for the best. As for everything else, they could only leave it to the other family members to manage—Grandfather, Steward Liao, Steward Xi, Second Master, Third Master... With such a large household, surely someone could shoulder the burden...

As the maidservants went to prepare the medicine, the oil lamp in the bedroom still flickered. Ning Yi sat at the bedside, took a sip of tea, and slowly relayed Physician Sun's diagnosis.

"It's not just a common cold, it's more than that, and you know it. I know you're in a lot of pain right now, but your mind can't settle. If you can't solve the problem, you can't be at peace. And if you can't be at peace, you certainly can't solve the problem. It's becoming a deadlock... I know my nagging is annoying you..."

He paused briefly. Su Tan'er gently shook her head, then spoke, her voice as faint as a wisp of smoke about to vanish in the wind: "Husband, I understand... but how can I let go...?" Her expression was desolate.

"Whether you let go or not, it's up to you," Ning Yi said, placing his palm on her forehead. "In your current state, we can't discuss too much, so I'll just explain briefly: I've just finished reviewing several of the main household's account books from three years ago."

"Hmm?" Su Tan'er looked a little confused.

"I've just finished reviewing several of the main household's account books from three years ago," Ning Yi repeated, looking at her calmly. "Your father-in-law is still not out of danger, and neither are you. Grandfather might consider sending someone to take over, but you won't agree. However, from now on, you cannot get out of bed. All matters are laid out before us, so I will help you. Chan'er, Juan'er, and Xing'er are also here. But for some things, I will have to act on your behalf. This is the only way..."

"I know you have many questions, but there's no need to say too much now. Tomorrow, or the day after, when you're a little clearer, we can talk slowly. There are some things I want to discuss with you too. But for now, just a few points: We've known each other for over a year now. I want you to know one thing: what I say I can do, I can do. I am very serious about this. And I will help you achieve this current task..."

Su Tan'er clutched his hand, shaking her head with difficulty, a smile that was almost a sob on her face: "Husband, about this... you don't know..."

Ning Yi stopped her from shaking her head, leaning in slightly and looking at her: "No, I know the nature of these matters. I said this precisely because I know, and I want you to know that. Whether you believe me depends on how you view my character and our relationship, but for now, just remember that I said this. This is the most important thing..."

"Furthermore, for the next few days, all discussions and decisions will take place in your room. You can listen from your bed, you can watch, and it's fine to think about it. For every decision made, I will tell you the reason, and only after you nod will we proceed. I know you won't let go; I can't just leave you out. So I won't exclude you. I will only reduce the process of your thinking through things. You just need to consider if what I say makes sense... Can we do that?"

Su Tan'er closed her eyes. After a long moment, a tear slid down from the corner of her eye. Ning Yi softened his tone.

"The Su family is not in trouble yet; they haven't made their move. Now, you need to prepare to drink your medicine, and stop worrying so much. Just remember what I said: I said I would resolve it, and I will. Then, get a good night's sleep. At least for now, put your mind at ease. The family will be fine, because I am here. Hmm?"

Su Tan'er, with her eyes closed, nodded.

"Good, we have an agreement."

Ning Yi stepped back and took a sip of tea. A moment later, Su Tan'er opened her eyes from her side of the bed: "Husband, I feel much better..."

"You business people have no persuasive power whatsoever," Ning Yi said, curling his lip and shaking his head in disbelief.

Su Tan'er smiled faintly, and another wave of dizziness swept over her.

Soon after, Xing'er, Juan'er, and Chan'er brought in the bowl of medicine. They helped her sit up to drink it all. Under their concerned gazes, she finally fell into a deep sleep. Just before drifting off, she murmured, "Husband, you should also rest..."

"Understood."

She woke up once during the night. The sky was faintly brightening, and Xiao Chan was dozing in a chair nearby. That figure was still seated at the table by the window, writing something. So she closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep. Perhaps it was because of that silhouette, but this time, her heart felt somewhat calmer...