Chapter 167: Change Words

Mid-tenth lunar month had passed, and while the weather wasn't particularly cold, it was no longer warm either. In recent days, the seemingly volatile situation in Jiangning's weaving industry had gradually quieted, pushing a grim atmosphere into the background. One might consider this the calm before a storm. The Wu family, as an imperial merchant, was about to deliver their goods, while the Su family's clan meeting was approaching, having been brought forward. At this juncture, the latter event might attract more attention than the former.

It was indeed strange. Originally, the Su family's ambition to rise and win the imperial merchant contract had stirred up the entire weaving industry in Jiangning. Now, with problems plaguing the Su family, potentially leading to division and decline, it similarly drew everyone's attention. In contrast, the Wu family, who had consistently been the victors and maintained a low profile before securing the imperial merchant status, now attracted less attention than the Su family. Other merchants often remarked, teaching those around them, that truly skilled strategists do not boast of their achievements; instead, they possess the steady composure of the Wu family, which is essential for great accomplishments. As for those who constantly jump around, they will likely end up as mere clowns.

With less than five days remaining until the Su family's clan meeting, a dusty carriage traveled through the streets of Jiangning under the gentle sunlight, heading towards the Su residence. It was just past noon when the carriage stopped in front of the Su family's main gate, where waiting house servants immediately came forward to greet them. Stepping out of the carriage were a steady-looking man in his forties and a young woman in her early twenties. As the servants spoke with the middle-aged man, the young woman looked up at the Su family's gate, her face showing concern.

"Steward Yan said that Master Biao and Miss Biao might arrive today, so he instructed me to wait here..."

The middle-aged man referred to as Master Biao was Su Yunzhong, currently the head steward of the Su family in the Dengzhou region. He was not only a maternal relative of the Su family but also exceptionally capable, holding a pivotal position within the entire family, and was one of the strongest supporters of the Su family's First Branch. Among the practical stewards of the Su family, if Liao Kaitai was the core figure in Jiangning, then Su Yunzhong undoubtedly had the highest influence in other regions.

Accompanying Su Yunzhong was, naturally, his daughter, Su Danhong, who was also Su Tan'er's older cousin. At this moment, she asked the house servant, "Is Tan'er at home today?"

"Second Miss left early this morning. She has been doing so these past few days and likely won't return until evening."

Su Danhong had anticipated a similar answer, but she still frowned. "I suppose so. But... she was ill for over a month just recently, and now she's working tirelessly all day. It's truly hard on her..."

She said the last part to her father beside her. Su Yunzhong sighed and patted his daughter's shoulder. "If she wants to do this, she must be prepared for it. Don't worry too much. Let's go in and check on your uncle's injuries first."

As he spoke, the group walked into the Su residence.

In recent times, the Su family had become increasingly bustling. The usual end-of-year spectacle had begun more than a month early, with stewards and relatives from various regions gathering in Jiangning. All were aware of the Su family's current situation, and these individuals would certainly exert their influence during the clan meeting. This applied to the First, Second, and Third Branches. Su Danhong already had a husband, who likely remained in Dengzhou to oversee affairs so that Su Yunzhong could return. Su Danhong, worried about her close cousin, had accompanied her father alone.

Along the way, they encountered several familiar stewards, exchanging distant greetings. After walking for a while, they came across Xi Junyu. He was a prominent steward in the Jiangning area, highly capable, and had made a name for himself during Su Yunzhong's tenure as head steward in Jiangning. Although their acquaintance wasn't deep at the time, their mutual impressions had been positive ever since. They exchanged greetings, and Xi Junyu accompanied them, talking as they walked inside. In fact, Xi Junyu himself looked weary from travel and was quite busy.

Turning onto a small path ahead, while discussing the current situation of Jiangning's cloth businesses, Su Danhong pointed forward and said, "Father, Xi Anzhi." A man with a goatee in the distance smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. Su Yunzhong returned the gesture, as did Xi Junyu, who then quietly added, "Xi Anzhi and Yu Daxian arrived a few days ago. They've been lobbying for Second Master and Third Master at home and have been quite effective." Xi Anzhi and Yu Daxian were capable managers within the Second and Third Branches. Compared to the mediocrity of the third generation in those branches, they were genuinely talented individuals. Su Yunzhong frowned. "I heard that Fifth Uncle and Seventh Uncle have already been persuaded." Xi Junyu nodded silently beside him.

Su Danhong said, "Father, this time you must talk properly with Grandfather San, or else things will truly be awful."

"Of course, I'll say what I can, but things have already come to this..." Su Yunzhong sighed. "Your Grandfather San isn't having an easy time either; it's up to fate. But... as I told you on the way, if things don't work out, one must let go. In fact, it might be a good opportunity for Tan'er to step down. You've always said it's not a long-term solution for a young woman to work so tirelessly... What do you think, Steward Xi?"

Xi Junyu remained silent for a moment, then looked up and said, "Circumstances are stronger than individuals..."

At his words, both Su Danhong and her father fell silent. After a moment, Su Danhong said, "I just can't get past it in my heart."

"I am here, and Steward Liao and others are here. Ensuring the First Branch's comfort and ease of living will always be fine; it's not necessarily a bad thing."

Su Yunzhong spoke with a sense of certainty and composure. The First Branch might not secure the family headship, but his and Steward Liao's influence remained. There was still a basis to protect the First Branch from being bullied; as for the rest, if it couldn't be protected, they would simply let it go. Su Danhong, however, wasn't as open-minded as her father. After a moment, she turned back and asked the house servant, "Tan'er is out, is Son-in-law Ning at home?"

She had met Ning Yi a few times around the Lunar New Year last year and had a good impression of him then, but now that impression wasn't as positive. The servant thought for a moment and replied, "Master-in-law... he also returns only in the evening every day."

"Oh? So he does know how to help out?" Su Danhong's face brightened slightly. The servant hesitated, and Su Danhong looked at him questioningly. After a moment, Xi Junyu sighed, "Just say it."

"Master-in-law... he teaches at the academy. After teaching in the morning, he probably spends the afternoon outside enjoying himself..."

"What?!"

"Don't be angry, this family..." Xi Junyu looked around, trying to soothe her. "The things said in this household aren't very pleasant either..."

"...Hmph."

Su Danhong's face was filled with anger. Xi Junyu, sensing the delicate situation, did not say more. Seeing that Su Boyong's courtyard was approaching, he bowed and took his leave.

"If I had known earlier, it would have been much better to let Tan'er marry him..." Su Danhong muttered, watching Xi Junyu's retreating figure. Su Yunzhong frowned beside her. "Don't say such things." Su Danhong lowered her head, thinking that when her cousin returned, she would talk to her about these matters. She hadn't decided how to discuss it, but she felt a certain displeasure that needed to be voiced. She remembered that when she visited last year, her cousin and her husband had not yet consummated their marriage...

All was chaos and commotion. Triggered by Su Boyong's sudden assassination attempt, the Su family over the past few months seemed to be under some curse or influence, brimming with various intense conflicts and interactions, all intertwined by the initial incident. Some watched silently from the sidelines, occasionally laughing aloud, not necessarily out of happiness, but perhaps due to the absurdity and boredom of it all – like Ning Yi. Others tried to drive these changes – like Su Tan'er, the Old Grandfather, Su Zhongkan, Su Yunfang, and so on.

Of course, even Ning Yi might not have been completely unaffected by this chaotic situation. However, there were certainly others, like him, who were less impacted, though this was often due to their lack of understanding rather than clear insight. At Yushan Academy, Ning Yi's class currently had eleven students, a number that included two newcomers, meaning only nine of the original dozen or so students remained. When the family's internal strife affected the academy, several students were forced by their parents to leave the class. Among the remaining nine, several discussed their teacher daily, some even claiming he had ruined the First Branch and its business—such discussions were commonplace in their homes, and they couldn't help but be influenced.

Xiao Qi felt her second cousin was being unfairly treated and had been feeling sad recently. As Su Yunfang's second daughter, Xiao Qi was now the only female student in the class besides Zhou Pei. She used to have a classmate, but that girl was also forced by her parents to leave the class. Xiao Qi, however, did not leave. Su Yunfang likely thought that allowing her to stay would show the Third Branch's magnanimity. Xiao Qi knew the First Branch and her own Third Branch were contending, but she didn't quite understand what the family was truly fighting over. She liked her beautiful and capable second cousin, and she also liked Brother Yi, who was now her teacher. Brother Yi already knew so much; it couldn't be that he knew everything, could he? Father and Second Uncle were being too mean... (Actually, it was because Su Yunfang had discussed Ning Yi at home, laughing and saying that scholars couldn't possibly know everything, and it was perfectly normal. That's how Xiao Qi learned these things.) Hearing others' discussions, she wanted to refute them but didn't know how. She also wanted to comfort Brother Yi, but she truly didn't know what to say about the matter. However, discussions about the First, Second, and Third Branches had become more frequent at home these past few days. The worried little girl finally plucked up her courage today and secretly ran to the teachers' office after school.

Ning Yi was tidying up some things today and left later than usual. When he looked out of the room, he saw the little girl peeking cautiously towards him. Teachers, naturally, liked well-behaved students, and this student was probably the most well-behaved of them all. So he smiled and said, "Xiao Qi, is something the matter?" Realizing she had been seen, the little girl who had quickly hidden outside the door emerged, lowering her head. "Te-teacher."

"Uh..." The little girl hesitated for a moment, then decided to use the reason she had prepared as an opener. She took a piece of paper from her pocket. "Teacher, what you said about writing *ci* poems today, Xiao Qi doesn't quite understand..."

"Hmm?"

Ning Yi's lessons ranged from the Analects to the Doctrine of the Mean, occasionally interspersed with basic concepts of poetry. The girl, who was probably around nine years old, ultimately lacked sufficient comprehension. Ning Yi wasn't particularly skilled in poetry himself, but having been there for over a year teaching, he had at least acquired the basic skills. He smiled and invited her in. Looking at the little girl's paper, he saw a *ci* poem neatly written. The grammar was childish and not entirely smooth, but nonetheless, it fit the form, rhymed, and conveyed its basic meaning. This was quite impressive.

Ning Yi briefly explained the poem. He thought he could show off this poem to Old Man Qin or Yunzhu later, but after a moment, he realized something was amiss. The little girl stammered out some words, talking about her family and how amazing he was, clearly trying to cheer him up and tell him not to be sad. He was happy inside. He patted the little girl's head and quickly asserted that he wasn't sad: "Of course I'm not sad! Your Brother Yi is the foremost scholar in Jiangning. Hmm, but Xiao Qi, your talent for writing poetry is so great, you'll probably be better than me someday. How about you give this poem to me?"

"Mm-hmm," the little girl nodded. A moment later, she cunningly added, "How about Brother Yi writes a *ci* poem to trade for it...?"

"Alright."

Ning Yi smiled, picked up a brush, wrote a *ci* poem, and handed the rice paper to the little girl, then folded her rice paper. "A trade. From now on, this poem of yours belongs to me, and mine belongs to you. How about that?"

"Mm-hmm." Xiao Qi nodded vigorously, read the poem several times—she wasn't sure if it was good, and asked about a few unfamiliar characters—then carefully and reverently tucked the rice paper manuscript into her embrace.

In the afternoon, the academy usually held miscellaneous classes. Zhou Pei and Jun Wu hadn't come today, and the children from Ning Yi's class had gone out to play *cuju* with other classes, while a few little girls played on the grass nearby.

Su Chonghua made a round of inspections at the academy. He had been in an excellent mood recently. The First Branch was finally collapsing. He was close to Su Zhongkan of the Second Branch, and once the First Branch lost power, the Second Branch would clearly gain the upper hand. He didn't have much ambition left; being the headmaster was enough. But once the First Branch lost power, Ning Yi would clearly be easier to control and suppress, making the academy more stable. The benefits he would receive... well, whatever they were, they would certainly increase. He had also helped significantly in persuading Fifth Uncle. Everything was going smoothly now, just waiting for the clan meeting in a few days.

Looking around, the academy students were enjoying themselves. The one he used to value most... oh, Ning Yi must have left already. He suspected Ning Yi had been drowning his sorrows in alcohol every day recently, which was only natural. Let him be. This person still had talent. Once he was no longer a threat, it would be easier for him to promote and rely on Ning Yi more heavily. A period of low spirits was fine; it was always a good thing, beneficial for everyone...

"Ah—" a girl's scream, and a piece of manuscript paper was blown over by the wind, rolling and rolling on the ground. A little girl was running towards it. Oh, it was Xiao Qi. Su Chonghua smiled. He rather liked this little niece normally, so he ran a few steps forward, bent down, picked up the manuscript paper, and said with a smile, "Xiao Qi, run slowly, don't fall..."

There were words on the paper, a *ci* poem. So he lowered his head and read it...

"...Uh... *Ding Feng Bo* (Calming the Waves)?"