Chapter 171: Calming the Winds (Part 1)

The Son-in-Law

Chapter 143: Settling the Storm. A reminder to readers to rest their eyes.

Lights blazed brightly as the first round of discussions regarding the Su family’s recent troubles concluded, making things clear. The businesses of the First, Second, and Third Households were all in decline, and suppliers and distribution channels were individually demanding concessions. Ultimately, the root cause lay in the First Household’s critical decisions. The imperial merchant bid had initially generated immense hype only to plummet abruptly, and the fact that a woman was now managing these affairs had finally triggered significant instability.

This was, of course, a tactic to avoid the more serious issues. In reality, the primary cause of the external turmoil was the ripple effect of the Third Household’s attempt to seize property, but for the current discussion, what had been stated was sufficient.

“Everyone, I believe I should say a few words here.” In the hall, Su Zhongkan stood up, his voice quelling the surrounding whispers and discussions. “In business, once a plan is set and a deal is pursued, it’s impossible to assume success just because an idea exists. Many times, despite everyone’s best efforts, things don’t work out, and this is quite common. The reason for our failure in this imperial merchant bid is clear to everyone present: the Wu family acted despicably; it was not a fault of our strategy or efforts. Niece Tan’er’s capabilities and business acumen are evident to all; this time, it was not due to anyone’s personal mistake.”

“However, even if it wasn’t anyone’s fault, now that things have come to this, there must be a summary and an explanation. How much money was spent on this imperial merchant bid, and what is the extent of the deficit? Some claim we depleted silver reserves in many places while lobbying for the imperial merchant bid; everyone needs to know if this is true. Previously, Niece Tan’er handled all these matters from behind the scenes; my Third Brother and I did not interfere. Therefore, I believe today’s priority is to first make everyone aware of the extent of the financial losses…”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Su Yunsong stood up from the other side. “I don’t think this is appropriate,” he said. Someone else stood up from the back, asking, “Are you really asking our First Household to disclose its accounts at this moment?”

“You’re kicking us when we’re down!”

“Are the First, Second, and Third Households of our Su family truly that separate yet?” Su Zhongkan frowned. “Furthermore, the entire family has been affected by this incident. All clan elders should have a clear figure in mind today. If the imperial merchant matter were still ongoing, the accounts certainly couldn’t be released. But now the matter is concluded, and the dust has settled. If we failed, we failed. What is there to hide anymore?”

Su Yunsong looked towards Su Tan’er and Su Boyong. “The imperial merchant matter involves a wide range of issues, and the specific details behind it were not previously disclosed. How can these accounts be summarized today, Zhongkan? This matter must wait until…”

“How about waiting until next year!” someone from the Second Household stood up. Su Zhongkan turned around and gestured for quiet. Then someone from the First Household also rose, saying, “What are you talking about? Is what Yunsong said unreasonable?”

The scene instantly became chaotic again. Su Tan’er stood up on her side, about to speak, when Su Yu, from above, suddenly struck his cane on the ground. “Silence!” The surroundings quieted down. As people began to sit, just as Su Tan’er opened her mouth, another figure emerged from among the First Household members. This was Su Tingguang, a relatively important steward from the First Household and a distant cousin of the Su family. He held some items in his hand, his expression somewhat hesitant. Su Tan’er looked at him, saying, “Uncle Tingguang…”

Su Tingguang glanced at Su Tan’er, then sighed. “Regarding today’s matter, I… I actually agree with Second Cousin here. I have some accounts that should be brought out.”

Everyone stared at him. For the first time, the council hall was so completely silent, as if something had reached a critical point and was finally about to emerge. The First, Second, and Third Households, as well as the patriarch and the elders above, all wore various expressions.

Only Su Tingguang’s voice broke the silence in the next moment.

“While the imperial merchant matter was undecided, these accounts were still 'live' and subject to change. But as things stand now, to say that the family’s situation can still be altered would be self-deception. Over the past few years, everyone has witnessed Tan’er’s efforts. For the imperial merchant bid, she made plans and preparations early on, and spent a considerable amount of money. It was not a fault of strategy…”

He sighed. “What I have here are the accounts secretly siphoned from the Yuanzhou area over the past few years. This deficit is now roughly over fifty thousand taels of silver and cannot be recovered. Eldest Cousin, Niece Tan’er, everyone…”

At the head of the table, Su Yu narrowed his eyes. Tan’er closed her eyes and turned her head away. Su Boyong lowered his head, making his expression unreadable. On the other side, Su Zhongkan’s gaze was serious, while Su Yunfang listened carefully.

Su Tingguang continued to speak, but his words were no longer clearly audible. A clamor erupted throughout the council hall, and as the light spread, it began to stir commotion among the crowds gathered in the surrounding square.

The clamor carried over the walls, reaching this courtyard. Trouble had finally begun in the council hall, or rather, the person who was expected to make a move had finally acted.

“Guessed what wrong?” Su Danhong glanced over there, then turned back to look at Ning Yi.

Peanut shells lay on the table as Ning Yi lowered his head.

“Since… a few years ago.” He seemed to have thought for a moment before beginning to speak, his words slow. “Everyone already knew Tan’er wanted to contend for the headship of the Su family. But capability aside, she is, after all, a woman, and that cannot be changed. Even within the First Household, most truly trusted Su Boyong, and their feelings towards her had always been somewhat wavering. Many people were undecided.”

“So, even if the old master helped her secure the position of family head, the problems would still persist. At some point, these people might lose confidence in Tan’er. While this is human nature, instead of just watching, it’s better to give them a ‘knock’ when there’s an opportunity.”

Su Danhong frowned, her face full of confusion, not understanding what he was talking about.

Ning Yi looked up at the distant lights, hearing numerous fragmented discussions. “Today’s events are primarily due to the Third Household’s attempt to seize property, but this cannot be openly discussed. To solidify the idea that the First Household is no longer capable of managing so many businesses, urging the clan elders to make a decisive cut—rather than dragging it on, it’s better to remove Su Tan’er, this unstable factor, or simply focus on the accounts of the imperial merchant losses. In short, this is what’s before us.”

“Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang have been active, so some people are bound to speak out. This isn’t entirely about loyalty, but rather a crisis of confidence in the First Household and in Tan’er. In tense situations, they will always remember that Tan’er is a woman. If these people don’t cause trouble now, they might become a problem later. So… before Tan’er’s position is formally established, they can be given a warning, a rehearsal, to make them believe that Tan’er can still solve such difficulties in the future.”

“What exactly are you talking about?”

“The thing you guessed wrong,” Ning Yi smiled. Just then, several figures approached from that direction, led by Su Wengui. This fellow had tried to be clever and provocative the day Su Boyong was assassinated, only to be beaten bloody by Su Yu’s cane. Since then, his expression had always been sullen when he saw Ning Yi. But now, seeing Ning Yi and Su Danhong, he merely paused for a moment, then smiled and walked over.

“Liheng. Why aren’t you going to see what’s happening over there, do you know? They’re arguing inside, haha,” Su Wengui said, laughing, then lowered his voice. “An internal conflict, do you know? Uncle Tingguang and Uncle Manyun have both come out, revealing your First Household’s deficit accounts. Everyone’s arguing; it’s really chaotic. Sister Tan’er is all alone and was almost scolded. You’re her husband, and you’re not even going to check? It’s truly… tsk tsk tsk… heartless…”

Su Danhong’s bewildered expression still lingered. Hearing Su Wengui’s words, combined with what Ning Yi had just said, it was almost chilling. She looked at Su Wengui, then turned back to Ning Yi. Su Wengui noticed her expression. “Huh? Cousin Danhong is very worried?”

Su Danhong simply stared at Ning Yi, who smiled. “You see, you feel it too…” Then he turned to Su Wengui, pulling out a handful of peanuts. “Want some peanuts?”

Su Wengui stared at him for a moment, then shrugged. “No.”

He still had to go back and watch the show.

The same night, Changyun Pavilion.

With a crash, a wine cup shattered on the ground.

“Liu Qingdi, don’t be so arrogant, I’m telling you!”

“What if I am arrogant?” Amidst the voices, Liu Qingdi, flushed red, spoke word by word.

The scene had become somewhat chaotic, and as the host, Puyang Yi was now experiencing a headache. Of course, tonight’s situation was rather dramatic. For some reason, Liu Qingdi had drunk a lot today and was now out of control. He mocked each person he argued with tonight, one by one, then wrote poem after poem, displaying an attitude of battling a group of heroes with his literary talent. As for the few who could rival him today, such as Cao Guan, they simply sat by, watching the show, drinking, not speaking, and not participating. The scene was quickly getting out of control.

Of course, although the atmosphere was poor tonight, once the incident spread, it might become a charming anecdote, and Liu Qingdi would certainly gain significant fame. Amidst the furious argument, someone else couldn’t hold back and began to speak loudly.

“Do you really think you’re the most formidable in Jiangning City? I know of someone who casually wrote lyrics for a nine-year-old child that are a thousand times better than yours.”

“Who are you talking about?!” Liu Qingdi shouted.

“Ning Yi, Ning Liheng!”

At the mention of the name, everyone present froze for a moment. Puyang Yi frowned, Cao Guan squinted, raising his wine cup, and Liu Qingdi’s face flushed then paled, before his eyes turned fierce.

Someone nearby asked, “Has Ning Yi released new lyrics?”

“Brother Kongshan, how did you know?”

“Quick, bring it out for us to see…”

Immediately, discussions broke out, and Qi Lan, who was busy mediating the argument, couldn’t help but crane her neck. Liu Qingdi waved his hand, taking a long time to catch his breath, then began to shout, “Bring it out! Is it perhaps ‘Drinking Wine with Pei Di’? Is that Daoist at his house entrance reciting the third verse now?!”

Chen Lu, known as Reclusive Scholar Kongshan, angrily pulled a long table towards him. He, too, was now flushed red with anger, grabbing the brush that was about to fall to the ground and forcefully slapping it onto the long table.

“I, Chen Lu, am not a person of overflowing poetic talent! I write poetry and lyrics merely to cultivate my character! Perhaps I cannot write as well as you, but I simply cannot stand your conduct! These lyrics are not mine, but I will make you see them, so you know there are always others more capable!”

“Good!”

Someone applauded.

“Then write it! Let me see what this fellow can possibly write now!”

Chen Lu glared at him, then rapidly swirled the brush in the ink, pulled out a sheet of paper, and wrote three large, sprawling characters: Ding Feng Bo!

The brush strokes continued without pause. A group of people, already agitated and flushed, gathered around. Liu Qingdi held his breath, his chest heaving. On the Xuan paper, the lyrics swiftly appeared!

Fear not the sound of wind piercing the woods and striking the leaves; why not calmly hum and walk leisurely? A bamboo staff and straw sandals are lighter than a horse; who’s afraid!

Writing up to this point, Chen Lu looked up at Liu Qingdi, then put his brush down and continued.

Let a straw cloak and misty rain be my life’s companion!