Chapter 233: Flowing Light and Dancing Shadows

**Episode 2: The Undercurrent Pool**

The river flowed gently, and ripples danced on the canal. Summer insects chirped along both banks, while yellow-green fireflies floated like mist on either side of the waterway. As boats passed, their faint glow would scatter, only to re-form.

The pleasure boat was moored by the riverbank. Lights glowed faintly inside and on the bow, creating a small, intimate world on the water. This was the boat that Ning Yi and Su Tan'er had taken on their journey south. Few people remained on board at this moment, as Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, a group of maids, and the stewards had all been invited to dine on another pleasure boat.

The two boats met at dusk. The scholars on the other boat were very cordial, though the true focus of everyone's attention seemed to be Lin Tingzhi, who had remained somewhat unnoticed since boarding. After exchanging greetings, the people on the other boat invited those on this boat to stay and sightsee in Jiaxing for several days.

Lou Shuwant's goods were awaiting delivery, so staying for several days was naturally impossible. However, for reasons unknown, she suggested they could stay for one night. The invitation wasn't entirely unreliable: they were currently on a pleasure boat from Fangqingyuan. Although Fangqingyuan was a brothel, its chefs' cuisine—especially the all-fish banquet—was considered a specialty of Jiaxing. Thus, everyone was invited to eat fish on that boat.

Ning Yi and Su Tan'er had originally come for leisure. Jiaxing was not far from Hangzhou, and the two places had close ties; Lou Shuwant could be considered a semi-hostess there. Since she had suggested it, they readily agreed, inviting Wen Ding, Wen Fang, the accounting steward, and others to join them for the meal. Few people were left on this pleasure boat; the boatman, various family members, and a few servants were naturally not suitable for such a gathering, so they stayed behind, ate a simple meal, chatted, and enjoyed the cool air around the boat.

With the adults gone to the banquet, the children were naturally left behind. They couldn't help but ask where the adults had gone, especially their master's son-in-law, who loved to tell stories. The wives of the accountant and steward, having nothing else to do, explained that they had been invited by some very important people.

Recalling the display just now, with scholars and learned men on the other boat, all introduced as highly reputable figures—perhaps even successful candidates in the imperial examinations—these merchant wives naturally found them extremely impressive. They couldn't help but use this as an opportunity to teach their children to strive for success if given the chance. Although they knew their master's son-in-law was also a capable person, they couldn't compare him to these formal scholars.

The people from Jiangning had little understanding of matters in Jiaxing. They didn't know how prestigious those scholars truly were, but the display seemed quite grand. However, several of Lou Shuwant's employees, who had traveled with her, knew more and began discussing it at the stern. They spoke of Wen Duqing's poetry and how Du Ruohan was renowned in the Jiaxing and Hangzhou areas. They also mentioned their own mistress and Lin Tingzhi. Previously, they had been somewhat dismissive of Lin Tingzhi, but now, upon hearing about him, everyone realized he was indeed a great talent. Dong Zhu, an employee of the Su family, listened nearby and remained unimpressed.

"So what?" he scoffed. "Our master's son-in-law is beyond comparison with these people. Who in Jiangning doesn't know of his brilliant reputation? Even a high official, as great as a prime minister, recently invited him to the capital, and he didn't go!"

"A prime minister?"

"Uh, well, anyway, a high official, roughly as important as a prime minister."

Dong Zhu actually felt a bit unsure when talking about these matters. A few days ago, he had overheard maids Chan'er and Juan'er muttering a few words, saying that a prime minister or some other high official had invited their master's son-in-law to the capital, but he hadn't gone. He himself found it hard to imagine an official as high-ranking as a prime minister. When others pressed him for details, he lost much of his confidence but still feigned certainty.

In reality, Chan'er and Juan'er weren't entirely clear about these matters either. How could they explain it clearly in conversation? Qin Siyuan was only just about to go to the capital, and his official position hadn't been decided yet. Ning Yi had merely mentioned it vaguely, referring to positions like ministers of the Six Boards, or left and right chancellors. Although Chan'er and Juan'er were knowledgeable about most things, as maids from a merchant family, they ultimately found it difficult to grasp such official matters.

Lou Shuwant's husband was also a son-in-law who lived with his wife's family. Her employees usually understood this clearly. After boarding and seeing that both parties were in similar situations, they naturally had their own assessments of Ning Yi's standing. They were momentarily taken aback by Dong Zhu's words, but ultimately found it hard to believe. Amidst their back-and-forth chatter, Dong Zhu, who only knew his master's son-in-law was very capable, recounted a few specific incidents, but they lacked sufficient persuasiveness. The others, however, were inspired and began recounting stories they had heard about the Su family's son-in-law.

Though the chatter among the women, children, and employees couldn't quite elevate Ning Yi to the prestige of a "high official," it did sketch a simple but impressive outline of his capabilities.

On the summer night, distant specks of light outlined Jiaxing city. Along the post road in the woods, occasional travelers and carriages passed, their lights tracing simple paths. Those on the boat passed the time in idle chatter. When the children asked how long the adults would be gone, the women confirmed that such gatherings usually didn't break up until deep into the night. However, not long after these words were spoken, several lanterns appeared from the distant post road. Their lights glowed among the willows along the riverbank. The figures approaching were faintly recognizable as Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, and their group. Ahead, Xing'er carried a basket, and Chan'er held a round fan, occasionally jogging along the embankment to shoo away the flying fireflies. Soon, faint sounds of laughter could be heard.

Ning Yi and his group had actually walked back after dinner. Once they boarded the boat, a lively atmosphere ensued. Juan'er and others even brought some packed dishes onto the boat for everyone to taste.

"The fish truly tasted excellent, different from what we have in Jiangning," someone said. "We'll prepare some more dishes later for everyone to try."

Only Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, the three maids, the accountant, and the steward had returned. Su Wen Ding and Su Wen Fang had remained on the other pleasure boat; they always enjoyed such literary gatherings, and Ning Yi and Su Tan'er had allowed them to stay for a while, as Lou Shuwant and Lin Tingzhi were still there. To be honest, when Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, and the others packed up and bid farewell after dinner, Lou Shuwant looked quite surprised.

In reality, although the invitation was ostensibly to entertain old friends with a meal and drinks, the true intentions of those present seemed to be beyond mere socializing. In the eyes of those Jiangnan scholars, Lin Tingzhi was notoriously flirtatious; his poetic talent was good, but his romantic escapades were even more famous. As for Lou Shuwant, they didn't know much about her initially. However, after Lin Tingzhi's introduction and the hesitant remarks of those in the know, everyone gradually understood the woman's background.

Strong-willed, with a son-in-law who lived with her family, immense wealth, and breathtaking beauty, perhaps Lin Tingzhi had already become her secret lover. And Su Tan'er, who came from out of town, had a similar background. In short, her husband shouldn't be too much of a concern.

The Suzhou-Hangzhou region was inherently a place of romance and gallantry. This group didn't harbor deliberately sordid thoughts; it was simply that within the framework of Neo-Confucianism, interactions between men and women were inherently romantic. On pleasure boats, amidst lights and candlelight, poetic flirtation and exchanged glances were all part of this gallant charm. Since the women were merchant wives, there was no need to be overly concerned. So, using the invitation of Lin Tingzhi as an excuse to gather everyone, the arrangement was actually a common and polite way to host guests.

Of course, if an invited guest genuinely harbored certain intentions, and later on, both parties were willing, then one could only admire that person's methods. In everyone's eyes, it would simply become another romantic anecdote to write and talk about.

Inviting guests to dine on a pleasure boat from a brothel was indeed a bit audacious. But firstly, the main invitee was Lin Tingzhi, and secondly, the banquet there was truly excellent. Su Tan'er, being a married woman, could have directly refused to go. But since Lou Shuwant had opened the door to the suggestion, Ning Yi didn't want to be overly cautious and spoil the mood. He went to the pleasure boat, chatted briefly with everyone, and quickly understood the situation. So he happily enjoyed the banquet, and after finishing, before the scholars' poetic inspiration could fully ignite, he excused himself, taking some leftovers with him.

Lou Shuwant was somewhat taken aback. Her intentions in inviting Ning Yi and Su Tan'er this time were quite complex. Firstly, she wanted to showcase the Lou family's extensive connections. Secondly, she felt that she and Su Tan'er had similar circumstances, but she couldn't openly speak about her situation with Lin Tingzhi. With Lin Tingzhi making such a splash this time, she also wanted Su Tan'er to witness his and the other scholars' literary flair and romantic charm. In her view, Su Tan'er had married an unreliable scholar, and even if she didn't say it, she would surely long for those lauded for their literary talent and romanticism. As long as she had some yearning, if she later learned of Lou Shuwant's affairs, she would primarily feel envy and a stirring of desire, rather than looking down on her.

She tried to persuade them for a few moments, but Su Tan'er, adopting a simple negotiating stance, gently refused in a few words. Lou Shuwant had initially thought of going back with them, but seeing Ning Yi and Su Tan'er leave so freely, she felt she would appear somewhat lonely if she followed.

She then thought that perhaps Tan'er also wanted to stay, but since her live-in husband was there, she was accustomed to being discreet. In fact, a few years ago, she had similar thoughts, wanting to maintain a decent relationship with her husband, living a simple life together. But later, as she grew increasingly disdainful of her husband's useless actions, her heart gradually grew weary. At this moment, she claimed that some of those present had old ties with the Lou family, using it as an excuse to stay. The fact that Su Wen Ding and Su Wen Fang also stayed somewhat saved face for her.

Meanwhile, after Ning Yi and Su Tan'er returned to their boat, they lit lights on the bow, set up tables and chairs, and chatted while enjoying the cool air. They were still some distance from Jiaxing, but Ning Yi no longer planned to explore the bustling market there. He told the accountant and stewards to do as they pleased, even inviting them to take their families to explore if they wished.

Sitting on the bow with Su Tan'er, and waiting for Xiao Chan and others to bring fruit, watching the fireflies dance gave Ning Yi a nostalgic feeling of his childhood in the countryside back home. However, there were many mosquitoes, so soon they had to light mugwort in a basin to repel them, and a few people sat fanning themselves.

"Are you bored at all? Do you want to go to the market?" Ning Yi turned his head and asked.

Su Tan'er smiled and shook her head, "No." The three maids sat side by side on the bow, watching the fireflies. Juan'er turned around and said, "The scenery here is beautiful."

After a while, Su Tan'er softly recited, "Silver candles shed cold light on painted screens in autumn, a small silk fan swats at dancing fireflies. The night on the heavenly stairs is cool as water, as I lie and watch the Cowherd and Weaver Girl stars. It feels somewhat similar." This poem actually described the Qixi Festival (Double Seventh), and it was only late April, early summer, so it couldn't be strictly considered fitting for the season. But since one or two lines did match the scene, Ning Yi readily nodded. Su Tan'er used to enjoy poetry and would often read and recite it when she had nothing else to do. However, since learning that her husband was a "great scholar," she recited them less, perhaps because the mystery and sublimity of poetry had slightly diminished in her mind.

In the distance, lights from other pleasure boats could be seen. Soon, a cargo ship stirred up waves as it traveled north into the night. Su Tan'er probably remembered the pleasure boat where Lou Shuwant and the others were. After a moment's thought, she chuckled softly, "Actually, Lou Shuwant looks down on you, dear husband."

Ning Yi smiled noncommittally. "Her husband is also a son-in-law who lives with her family."

"They probably don't get along well."

"Couples who get along as well as we do are probably rare."

There was a hint of self-praise in Ning Yi's words, but Su Tan'er felt it was simply true and chuckled, "Perhaps it's because you're a strange person, dear husband. Even ordinary couples would find it hard to be like us." She thought for a moment, then added, "If we want to do well in business in Hangzhou, the Lou family will always be a help, so..."

"If you care about such things, you might not be able to do business well in the future."

"I do care a little, but... thinking about how they'd feel if they truly knew your identity, dear husband, I... heh, I confess, I have a bit of a mischievous streak. And those people from just now," she waved her fan to disperse the smoke in front of her and smoothed her hair at the temples, "it's strange, your poems have clearly spread to the Suzhou-Hangzhou region. Why did they seem so oblivious after the introductions?"

Ning Yi chuckled. "There are too few poems. Also... given the distance, information dissemination isn't that advanced. They might have heard the name Ning Liheng one day, but who could possibly know his family background, how many wives, concubines, family members, siblings he has, what he looks like, or if he's a cripple? Even if someone mentioned it, they might say Ning Liheng is eight feet tall with an eight-foot waist. In short, it's hard to say what kind of Ning Liheng they imagine."

"Last time, when those scholars from the capital went to Jiangning, there were rumors that I frequented brothels and was a philanderer," he continued, "or that I was forty or fifty years old, steady and dignified. In their minds, such images seemed more believable."

"Heh, that would be Miss Li, your childhood sweetheart, right?" Su Tan'er teased, then covered her chin with her fan and corrected herself, "Oh, no, it was Miss Wang."

"You certainly remember clearly."

"Since she was your childhood sweetheart, dear husband," Su Tan'er replied, "and if she truly favored you as much as outsiders say, if she had a chance to enter our family's door, then as your elder sister, I would naturally need to remember her surname well."

"How virtuous..."

Ning Yi murmured, and the two then chatted about the taste of the fish from the pleasure boat. Privately, Su Tan'er was somewhat bothered that those people didn't recognize her husband's esteemed name, treating him as if he were an ordinary fellow. Lou Shuwant didn't know, and Lin Tingzhi didn't know either—or perhaps they didn't expect it, or dared not imagine it. Just as they were talking, more people boarded the boat, laughing and chatting. It was Su Wen Ding and Su Wen Fang, who had already returned. The two seemed to have stumbled upon something good, as they were laughing extremely happily. After boarding, they asked for their sister and brother-in-law's location and headed straight for the bow.

"What's making you so happy?" Su Tan'er glanced at them, then looked behind them. "Where are Shuwant and the others?"

Ning Yi chuckled, "You must have composed a brilliant poem and completely overwhelmed them. This won't do. For you to be so inspired by poetry as soon as you arrive in Jiaxing, it's like crashing their party."

Both waved their hands frantically and shook their heads, laughing merrily. "No, we didn't write any poems," they said. "That woman from the Lou family and her paramour are still behind us, but they should be back soon."

"Don't talk about people like that!" Su Tan'er glared at them. Su Wen Ding stuck out his tongue and covered his mouth with his hand, still chuckling. Su Wen Fang chuckled, "We didn't write any poems; we didn't have time. They did compose a few, though. Later, when they were discussing things and came over to ask us, they found out Brother-in-law's true identity. You should have seen their awkward expressions! And that Miss Qing'er... Haha, anyway, our poetic talent isn't up to par. We just used it as an excuse to reveal Brother-in-law's identity. Once we explained, we excused ourselves and left. Heh heh, I wonder if they'll chase us later to challenge you, Brother-in-law? Anyway, Lou Shuwant and Lin Tingzhi should be arriving soon..."

Su Wen Ding and Su Wen Fang kept laughing, and Ning Yi shook his head, smiling exasperatedly. Su Tan'er, however, was intrigued. Her eyes twinkling, she asked, "What happened? What happened? Tell me quickly..." On the other side, Chan'er, Juan'er, and Xing'er, the three maids, also leaned in, listening with interest, and even moved chairs for Su Wen Ding and Su Wen Fang so they could sit comfortably and talk.

Fireflies danced, and the night deepened. Soon after, Lou Shuwant, Lin Tingzhi, and the others also hurried back.