Chapter 203: Spring Rain Season

**Episode 1: Morning Breeze in Jiangning**

It was past mid-February, and rain began to fall. With some time still left until the Qingming Festival, the cold spring rain washed the world clean and clear. Sprouting plants and budding flowers gradually adorned the landscape, making it rich and vibrant.

In these times, Qingming was considered a significant day. With over ten days still to go, the Su family was already preparing for the ancestor worship ceremony. Just like last year, Ning Yi found himself relatively free at this time. As a son-in-law who hadn't changed his surname, he wasn't permitted into the ancestral hall, making him a less crucial participant on the day of the ceremony. Some Su family women still had to assist with preparations for the ancestor worship, but Ning Yi naturally didn't need to concern himself with any of it. While he was usually quite free, this period didn't make his leisure time seem particularly unusual.

Not being allowed into the ancestral hall meant, indirectly, a lack of importance. According to common perception, this would cause a man to lose face, as everyone spoke of how a "great man" should conduct himself. However, for Ning Yi, while last year had passed this way, this year it caused some awkwardness for the Su family. It was said that several of the older gentlemen in Chan's family were discussing with Su Boyong whether to find a way for Ning Yi to participate in the ancestor worship so he wouldn't feel neglected. They couldn't come up with a solution, which left everyone distressed.

After all, Ning Yi's importance to the Su family had become evident. Although he was a son-in-law, his accomplishments commanded respect from others. His status as a son-in-law was necessary for the Su family and couldn't be changed. However, not allowing him into the ancestral hall meant he wouldn't receive offerings from future generations, which everyone now cared about. They were even worried that Ning Yi might hold a grudge. After some discussion, they even called Su Tan'er to inquire. Su Tan'er also had a headache, returning to subtly bring up the topic, which made Ning Yi ponder.

"Su Yi Su Liheng doesn't sound very good...""I agree.""Then let's not change it... Don't dwell on such trivial matters. As for those elders, just let them be; a little worry won't hurt them..."

Human nature and its rules were clear to Ning Yi with a little thought. He understood that their distress had a valid origin, but even though he didn't care much about many things, he wouldn't be willing to change his surname. They probably understood this too, which was the source of their predicament.

Of course, suspicion and worry had been unavoidable since the night Su Yu, the Elder Master Su, revealed the truth about the imperial merchant status. These people were bound to worry whether he harbored ambitions, if his abilities were too great, or if he would have various dissatisfactions. These concerns were irrelevant to him. Whatever restraints, suppressions, or limitations they wished to impose, he would let them; after all, from the very beginning, Ning Yi had no designs on the Su family's wealth or power.

Although his relationship with his wife was now very good, when it came to matters like ancestor worship, Su Tan'er would often seem hesitant to speak, but these things didn't bother him. One day, she would probably understand what kind of person he was. Even if she found it strange at first, with time, she would come to understand.

This might be a long process, but with slow adaptation, it would work out.

Daily, while teaching at the academy, Ning Yi found Zhou Pei's recent emotional issues somewhat strange among his students. He had known previously that this girl was distressed by rumors of a suitable consort being chosen for her family; the usually strong girl had even cried secretly. Recently, he found her much more peculiar, as he had seen her two days ago furtively picking and washing some leaves, then hiding to chew on them. Those leaves were terribly bitter, making Ning Yi frown just thinking about them. He wondered why this esteemed princess suddenly had such an odd inclination.

As a teacher, he paid relatively more attention to the few female students in his class, simply because they were rare. After his tutelage, these female students would have no further opportunities for study; after all, what awaited them were only marriage and raising children. However, his interest went no further than mere observation; attempting to offer guidance would be futile. After all, any psychological issues they might have were societal problems, and one couldn't change society. The more they pondered, the worse it would be for them. The saying 'a woman without talent is virtuous' was, in fact, still remarkably true in current society. Thus, for this princess who had suddenly become peculiar, Ning Yi continued only to teach her mathematics, refraining from interfering in other matters.

Outside the Su family, the assassination attempt at Zhuji was now considered to have concluded, as several assassins had escaped. The incident came and went abruptly, but the subtle, unusual implications it revealed were enough to attract the attention of those with discerning minds. Liao, Jin, Wu Dynasty... some complex power struggles were just beginning to show faint signs here.

This matter was, after all, quite significant for Ning Yi. Yet, amidst it all, Qin Siyuan's life remained subdued in its complex tranquility, showing little change. Ning Yi occasionally visited, only to discuss theories from books, play Go, or talk about household trivialities. When Ning Yi mentioned the Su family's recent distress, Qin Siyuan would chuckle, remarking that Ning Yi's low profile also caused trouble for others. However, matters of state were strictly avoided in their conversations.

During the assassination attempt at Zhuji, Yun Zhu was injured, and Jin'er subdued one of the attackers, essentially saving Qin Siyuan's life. Long ago, Ning Yi had entertained the idea of Qin Siyuan taking Yun Zhu as his adopted daughter. This idea later faded due to Yun Zhu's performance at Yan Cui Lou. However, Yun Zhu and the Qin family still maintained a connection, and she would occasionally visit 'Grandpa Qin.' After this incident, one day Qin Siyuan brought up the idea of adoption again.

The last time Ning Yi had brought up this matter, its significance was already quite extraordinary. For a former official to adopt a courtesan as his daughter would undoubtedly damage Elder Qin's reputation if it became public. But at that time, Ning Yi's consideration was rooted in his understanding of their friendship and his determination to provide Yun Zhu with good backing. As for Elder Qin, firstly, they had some mutual understanding, and secondly, Ning Yi was prepared to invest resources into this matter. As long as the elder agreed, Ning Yi naturally had the means to act several times without letting the other party suffer any loss. Later, because Yun Zhu herself intervened again, pressing for another commitment would have been like 'digging too deep into soft soil,' so Ning Yi stopped pursuing the matter.

However, this time, with Elder Qin proposing it, the significance was undeniably even more special. Back then, Elder Qin was merely a dismissed official. Now, with widespread calls for his return and having been targeted by Liao assassins, if he were reinstated, he would instantly become a high-ranking official, second only to one person. The fact that he brought up such a matter again made Ning Yi momentarily stunned.

It was impossible to make such a promise on Yun Zhu's behalf, and there was no need to explicitly refuse either. At this time, since important figures frequently visited Elder Qin's home, it wasn't convenient for Yun Zhu to come alone. Later, Ning Yi brought Yun Zhu and Jin'er to visit, and the elder thanked them for their actions.

That afternoon, as tea was served in the courtyard, they chatted for a while. Qin Siyuan, aware of the relationship between Ning Yi and Yun Zhu, said, "What exactly is the nature of your relationship? I truly find it hard to define; I've never seen anything like it before..." Their relationship had long been one that allowed them to be together, but it seemed Jin'er's obstruction prevented them from taking the final step, and Ning Yi couldn't bring Yun Zhu home. However, bringing Yun Zhu to visit now, or Ning Yi making significant life decisions for her, felt very natural, almost like a husband visiting his father-in-law's home with his wife. Qin Siyuan occasionally discussed this with Kang Xian, often expressing great helplessness.

Jin'er was now acquainted with Elder Qin's family. Hearing this, she excitedly began to tell on Ning Yi. Ning Yi and Yun Zhu could only listen, sometimes sipping tea and smiling wryly. In Jin'er's eyes, their attitude naturally turned into stubborn indifference, and she was very displeased with Sister Yun Zhu's delusion and passive acceptance: "Grandpa Qin, you really need to scold them!"

Qin Siyuan laughed, "You've already said they're deluded; scolding won't awaken them. In fact, if one can truly be deluded for a while in life, it might not be a bad thing. Just give them some time.""Hmph," Jin'er huffed coldly. "No."

Despite her words, Jin'er had no real way to influence the situation. In fact, throughout the whole affair, she might not have been entirely without enjoyment. After she recovered from her illness, she continued her daily bickering with Ning Yi or discussing matters concerning Jin'er's shop, habitually living a leisurely life. In these past few days, however, the news of Li Shishi from the capital visiting a friend had grown increasingly sensational in Jiangning. No one knew who was hyping it up, turning the entire event into a challenge from Tokyo to Jiangning. Many Jiangning scholars had already sprung into action, encouraging Qi Lan, Luo Miaomiao, and others to prepare a performance during those days, inviting Miss Li to come for a competition. The person hadn't even arrived, but the local buzz was already fervent.

"That Li Shishi is very famous. I heard many talented scholars in Tokyo wrote poems for her, and there's a very famous one named Zhou Bangyan; I've read his Ci poems, and they're excellent." That afternoon, upon arriving at the building, Yuan Jin'er was also paying attention to Li Shishi's matter. "Many talented Jiangning scholars have recently released new works. Master Ning, why don't you write a new Ci poem to curb Tokyo's arrogance?"

"Write poetry? Good, I just happen to have some inspiration lately." Ning Yi picked up his brush and began to write. Jin'er's mouth fell open, and she quickly leaned over from the table. Yun Zhu, who was walking by, also curiously peered over."Germanium, plutonium, uranium, chlorine, thorium, arsenic, cesium, monopolizing charm in the garden. Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, francium, faint fragrance drifts in the twilight moon... What kind of poem is this..."Ning Yi had recently been trying to recall the periodic table, but unfortunately, he never quite remembered it correctly. At this moment, looking at the Xuan paper, he shook his head with self-amusement. "Good poem, good poem... But there are four more lines. Next is lead, aluminum, tungsten, palladium, fluorine, carbon, oxygen... wait, it sounds a bit like 'itchy'..."

"Tsk, if you don't want to write, then don't. You're always like this..." The poem 'Plum in the Mountain Garden' itself seemed not to have reached the Wu Dynasty. Jin'er leaned in, looking at the lines 'monopolizing charm in the garden' and 'faint fragrance drifts in the twilight moon,' muttering, "You're just senselessly squandering good lines. What an extraordinary scholar you are..." But it seemed she still liked it.

Ning Yi instructed her not to show it around, saying she could just read it herself. If she insisted on showing it, she shouldn't involve him. Returning that day, he stopped by the Qin mansion for a visit and indeed learned that the eldest Qin son had returned, though he was out visiting others that afternoon. When Ning Yi got home, someone else had arrived – not Qin Shaohe, but Puyang Yi from the Puyang family. Su Tan'er and Su Boyong were already entertaining him before Ning Yi arrived home.

"...Brother Ning must have heard the recent rumors about Miss Shishi from Tokyo coming to visit. Now, there's a strong public sentiment in Jiangning, with everyone hoping that Qi Lan and Miss Shishi can compete... Ha, although the other party's intentions are still unknown regarding this matter, a meeting is indeed possible. Your humble brother feels that, after all, Jiangning's reputation is at stake. Therefore, I wish to ask Brother Ning to make an exception and intervene once, to write a new Ci poem for Qi Lan, for the sake of Jiangning's scholarly reputation. This way, we can be prepared..."

In their past interactions, Puyang Yi had always maintained a very humble demeanor and had never made any unreasonable requests. This time, however, Ning Yi understood that the other party had been cultivating this relationship for a long time, planning to finally reap the benefits of their prolonged goodwill...