Chapter 145: New Era

Navigation Menu: My Son-in-Law, Episode 2: The Pool of Hidden Strife

Qixing Literature

The dim yellow light flickered, and time seemed to settle, stagnant, in this space on Green Ripple Pavilion. Gazes and opinions intertwined complexly, seemingly pressing the atmosphere towards a particular direction or a nearly predetermined outcome. With this sense of pressure, He Fang's voice finally rang out again: "Finally, for the grand finale, let the manager of our Su family cloth store tell everyone about the business over the past year, and also..."

After these slightly trivial words were spoken, almost everyone looked towards the Su family's side. Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang remained silent, their brows slightly furrowed. Beside them, Manager Liao lowered his head in silence for a moment, then revealed a smile and stood up, cupping his hands to the surrounding crowd, ready to step forward. Behind him, the maid named Xiaochuan hesitantly tried to retrieve the brocade box that the Young Master-in-law had pressed under his right hand, and then applied force.

But it didn't move.

Ning Yi sat there, his head slightly tilted, as if contemplating something. His gaze appeared calm and quiet, though at this moment, it seemed somewhat desolate. His peripheral vision occasionally glanced towards the Wu family's side. His right hand rested motionless on the brocade box.

Manager Liao, who was about to step forward, had already noticed Ning Yi's demeanor. He hesitated for a moment, then turned back, attempting to reach for the brocade box, softly saying, "There's still a chance..." Ning Yi smiled, then coldly stated, "Let go."

"Young Master-in-law, there's still a chance..." The area became quiet for a moment. People might not have heard Ning Yi and Manager Liao speaking, but no one uttered a word; they merely watched, some sighing, others smirking. After a strained moment, Ning Yi's voice quietly resonated through the hall.

"We... withdraw."

It seemed the reaction everyone was waiting for had finally arrived. Whispers arose, along with subtle, fragmented pointing. It had just begun, and only the atmosphere of it could be felt. Manager Liao frowned, looked around, then suppressed his voice, saying, "There's still a chance, Young Master-in-law, don't act recklessly..."

For over a month, he had been working under immense pressure for this matter, making every effort he could. In the past few days, he had believed everything possible had been done, and there were few reasons to fail, which made him slightly optimistic. When the Wu family brought out that bright yellow brocade just now, it was hard to fathom the extent of his astonishment.

The situation tonight was complex, but as an insider, he could roughly piece together a dark outline: the timing of the Wu family's fabric reveal, Director Dong's arrangements and attitude – everything was pressing down, like a terrifying nightmare. In fact, Manager Liao, who was truly in control of the Su family's main household situation tonight, was likely under the most immense pressure. But even under such circumstances, he had just managed to suppress all his emotions and pulled Ning Yi back, intending to make one last effort, at least to do what needed to be done. At this point, impetuous and stubborn scholarly behavior could no longer change anything. When circumstances were stronger than individuals, brute force was futile; it would only needlessly make others think the Su family lacked grace.

However, by this point, Ning Yi still shook his head and repeated, "We withdraw."

Manager Liao suppressed his anger and was about to speak again. In front, He Fang had already stood up, frowning: "Nephew Ning, today your Su family was merely invited to this gathering to discuss your achievements and exchange views with the esteemed gentlemen present. Our Jiangning Weaving Bureau operates with integrity; we have never involved anyone in any disreputable dealings. Yet here you are, repeatedly saying you want to withdraw. May I ask, what exactly are you withdrawing from? Young man, think before you speak." After he finished speaking, others nodded in whispers, some chuckling and commenting on Ning Yi's current lapse in composure. Manager Liao was somewhat anxious. Ning Yi had slowly risen, his gaze fixed on the Wu family's side, where Wu Chenghou and Wu Qilong, father and son, were also smiling as they looked over. The people in the hall looked left and right, then suddenly heard Ning Yi exclaim, "You can't do this... Shameless!" This wasn't a hysterical shout, but it was laden with fury.

"Ning Liheng, don't be presumptuous!" He Fang stood up. Dong Decheng, who had been observing the situation with a constant smile, patted his hand: "It's alright, it's alright. Nephew Ning is young and spirited. Whoever it is, if they have an opinion about today's banquet or our Weaving Bureau, they should speak it. This official never stops people from speaking."

At the same moment, because Ning Yi had spoken to Wu Chenghou, some merchants close to the Wu family had already stood up, ready to cooperate with the Wu family in continuing to oppress the Su family. But Wu Chenghou extended a hand, saying, "Nephew Ning, are you perhaps referring to my Wu family?"

At this end, no sooner had Dong Decheng's words fallen than Su Zhongkan, Su Yunfang, and Manager Liao's expressions subtly changed. Fearing Ning Yi might truly be a hothead and drag the Weaving Bureau into it, they were about to speak. However, Ning Yi merely glanced at Dong Decheng, then nodded, took a deep breath, and smiled. From start to finish, apart from a slight lapse in composure when the Wu family revealed the brocade and his recent angry outburst, he had maintained a quiet, somewhat dignified demeanor, even when others could perceive his distress. At this moment, it seemed he had finally suppressed his anger and looked towards the Wu family's side.

"Haha, very well. Didn't you say you wanted your humble nephew to help think of a poem, Esteemed Uncle? Given today's events, your humble nephew suddenly thought of a poem that would be most fitting. I shall write it... Would you care to see it, Esteemed Uncle?"

"Haha, excellent!" Wu Chenghou laughed, immediately replying. He glanced around: "Our Wu family has been merchants for generations, and in our daily lives, we are rather unrefined and lack scholarly grace. Nephew Ning is known to all as the most talented scholar in Jiangning. If you are willing to compose a poem for today, what problem could there be? Everyone, for us to gather at Green Ripple Pavilion today and have the foremost talent of Jiangning compose a poem is truly a grand occasion. Come, quickly bring paper and brush for Nephew Ning..."

Some people stood up, smiling, while others held a sigh in their hearts. At this point, whatever he wrote would only invite ridicule. Although Ning Yi was a great talent, what use could it be in such a situation? No matter how good the poem was written now, in the future, people would only say that Ning Yi lost face in his business dealings. And even if the poem heavily cursed the Wu family, others would simply think that merchant families were naturally like this, and it would only serve to build momentum for the Wu family while he lost his own face.

But by now, what was said couldn't be unsaid. Ning Yi stood there, looking at the Wu family. Two young servants presented paper and brush, placing them beside him, but he paid them no mind. After quite a while, he finally turned around, picked up the brush, and held it poised in the air.

A group of merchants gathered around. It grew slightly quieter inside, but whispers still lingered outside, and the aroma from downstairs wafted up. Among the crowd, Wu Chenghou, Wu Qilong, and Wu Qihao watched the paper on the table with smiles. Finally, the brushstroke fell.

Someone leaned in, looking intently, then read out the first line with a touch of bewilderment.

"Drinking wine with Pei Di..."

The words spread, and someone looked around.

"Is there anyone named Pei Di here today?"

"Old Mo Si, you're really out of touch..."

"What?"

"It's an ancient poem..." Voices became chaotic. Some people were already puzzled. Although everyone present was a merchant, many still possessed some learning. "Drinking Wine with Pei Di" was clearly a poem by Wang Wei from the Tang Dynasty. Was Ning Yi simply going to copy it now? However, given Ning Yi's usual eccentric style, it was hard to say he wouldn't intentionally use that title but write a new poem. But the next line already overturned this speculation.

"Drinking wine with you, you ease your own mind..."

Ning Yi wrote quite quickly at this point, his calligraphy neither good nor bad, slightly scrawled, perhaps indicating the indignation in his heart. When the poem was finished, on the Xuan paper was a cursive script that could not be called a masterpiece:

Drinking wine with you, you ease your own mind;Human emotions are as fickle as waves.Old friends, though their hair be white, still grip their swords;Those who rise early mock others by flicking their hats.The grass is thoroughly wet from the fine rain;Flower branches yearn to move, but the spring wind is cold.Why bother asking about worldly affairs, which are like floating clouds?Better to lie high and eat more.

Without a single pause or change of a word, Ning Yi finished writing, holding the brush and looking down. "With Wang Mojie's masterpieces already existing, I won't presume to write carelessly. How about this poem, I offer it to Esteemed Uncle Wu?"

Wu Chenghou looked at the poem, then at Ning Yi, his smile not changing in the slightest. Then he calmly laughed. "This poem is very good. Although its words might sound unpleasant to ordinary people, they perfectly suit the way of merchants. I have no intention of pursuing the reasons for your anger today, Nephew. But I accept this poem, and I will certainly keep it well from now on."

Ning Yi also smiled, exhaled, and put down the brush. Then he turned around and said softly, "Let's go." He grabbed the brocade box from the table and casually tossed it out the window. He didn't seem to use much force, but the brocade box flew straight out the window, its lid clattering open in the air. A streak of bright yellow flashed past everyone's eyes, falling downstairs.

Xiaochuan let out a soft "Ah!" and quickly ran downstairs. Ning Yi had not yet reached the staircase entrance. Wu Qilong walked over with a smile, patted his shoulder, and whispered, "Brother Ning, you are supremely talented, but why involve yourself in business dealings you're unfamiliar with? Wouldn't it be better to stay home, write poetry, and teach literature? Hehe."

Ning Yi glanced at him with a smile, but did not reply, then continued downstairs.

The discussions behind them began to grow louder...

Such an interlude disrupted the proceedings of the gathering. Although the officials did not intervene, the fixed agenda still had to continue. The Su family might not care about being imperial merchants, but what needed to be said still had to be said. Everyone returned to their seats, the discussions undiminished. During this time, two children dressed as maids and servants indignantly stomped their feet and ran downstairs, but no one paid attention to such matters. Wu Chenghou, meanwhile, had someone carefully put away the poem "Drinking Wine with Pei Di" that Ning Yi had written, and politely chatted with some people around him.

The Wu family always acted calmly and methodically, but this time, their actions were surprisingly decisive, like a clap of thunder in silence. From the yellow cloth Ning Yi threw downstairs, most people could roughly guess what had happened. But under these circumstances, even the Su family couldn't speak because they had no way to prove anything, and others would only think the Wu family was truly formidable. This incident was indeed too significant. The Su family had been laying the groundwork for years, and now, after painstakingly preparing for a month, the Wu family had turned the tables on them in an instant.

From today, the Su family would gradually withdraw from the tripartite dominance in Jiangning's weaving industry. The Wu family was truly gaining strength, while the Xue family could no longer contend with the Wu family and would remain in second place. Everyone discussed the excitement of this turning point, also beginning to reconsider the Su family's position and their own relationship with them. As for Ning Yi, he was considered a pathetic figure, merely caught in the middle, powerless from the start.

When someone looked down from upstairs, the scholar's green-robed figure stood below, turning back to look at the pavilion, probably to remember the building and utter a few pitiful threats. All of this was merely the pathetic aftermath of a loser; only his maid, Xiaochuan, was by his side. Those upstairs glanced a few times, then turned back, chatting and laughing with others.

Next, they had to adapt to a new order. For those in the cloth business, it was more like adapting to a new era. As for the losers, they would only exist as after-dinner conversation. Even a single extra glance during proper business hours would be a waste.

Thus, the atmosphere upstairs continued to grow lively.

"The crabs here today seemed good. Too bad I didn't get to eat any."

Downstairs, Ning Yi stood by the roadside, looking at the Green Ripple Pavilion's sign, sighing with some regret.

"Then..." Xiaochuan frowned, a little troubled. "Shall Xiaochuan go ask for some to take back?"

"You're silly..." Ning Yi laughed, then patted Xiaochuan's shoulder. "Let's go, let's head back. After more than a month of busyness, I feel light and free..."

The night breeze stirred. The master and servant walked towards where the carriage was approaching. Behind them, Zhou Pei and Zhou Junwu followed.

A rare, cool, and relaxing night.