Chapter 237: Yihe

**Episode 2: The Pool of Undercurrents**

The fifth lunar month had passed, and the Dog Days of summer had arrived. It was the scorching heat of June, with the blazing sun high overhead, its rays seemingly evaporating heat waves from the streets amidst the chirping of cicadas. Beneath the eaves and tree shadows, dogs lay panting, their tongues lolling, their eyes fixed on the alleyways, seeking a sliver of coolness. Occasionally, carriages would pass, stirring up clouds of dust, only for the silence to settle back into the sweltering heat.

In such weather, most people who could afford to stay indoors avoided the misery of venturing out into the scorching sun. As a result, business at many shops was much slower. Only tea houses with good locations were full every day. Inside, one could order a pot of cool tea, enjoy the shade provided by the ancient wooden structure and the large trees outside, listen to storytellers, and eat snacks, thus passing a pleasant day. Of course, truly wealthy families would often leave Hangzhou and stay for a period in cool mountain villas nearby to escape the summer heat.

While Hangzhou wasn't as renowned as Qinhuai River in Jiangning, along the Grand Canal, Yangzhou, Suzhou, and Hangzhou were all well-known entertainment districts with numerous courtesan houses. Every night, the city lights stretched endlessly, and music and dancing filled brocaded pavilions and embroidered courtyards. This created an atmosphere of revelry even more intense than the summer heat. Naturally, such scenes were not visible during the day. The women, having worked through the night, would either be resting or, by late afternoon, sitting in the cool shade of courtyards, watching colorful butterflies flutter by, lost in their own melancholic thoughts...

However, one particular place was slightly different.

Located on the northwest side of the city was 'Yihoyuan,' a waterside dwelling that also opened during the day. Yihoyuan was not large, but its location was excellent; even in the scorching summer, cool breezes would blow through it during the day. Old camphor trees and ancient cypresses, lush and verdant, provided ample shade both inside and outside the courtyard. Ordinarily, it appeared to be a tea house, but in reality, it was where several women who had left the courtesan profession lived together.

Among these women, the leader was named Ding Wanjun. She had once been known as a courtesan queen in Hangzhou. Later, she retired from the profession and resided here. Her former patrons often remembered her and came to visit. She was particular about her guests, seeing at most one person a day to share tea and conversation.

Later, several other women also retired from the profession and came to live with her. This place was gradually managed into the serene dwelling it was now. Business actually improved during both the scorching summers and bitter winters. Even in summer, no matter how cool the tea rooms were, the sounds of cicadas throughout the garden, accompanied by gentle string and wind instruments, were said to bring a special tranquility to the mind.

Long Boyuan enjoyed coming here to sit regularly, though a spot wasn't always available. He liked this feeling and wasn't annoyed when occasionally turned away. After all, in his view, his relationship with Ding Wanjun was one of noble friendship. He understood that she had no choice but to deal with other people.

Among Ding Wanjun's acquaintances, his status was neither the highest nor the lowest. He was the head of the Hangzhou Cloth Merchants' Guild. The Long family had been merchants for generations, but this generation produced several who were skilled in scholarly pursuits. Both he and his younger brother, Long Bofen, had some talent in poetry and literature. However, their parents later told them that one of them had to take over the family business, so he did.

Now, both he and his brother were past their thirties. Long Bofen held the status of a *juren* (provincial graduate) and held a minor, literary position at the Hangzhou Prefectural Yamen. He had no great prospects but devoted himself to poetry, literature, and nature. Although he merely participated in various poetry gatherings daily, he became a wealthy dilettante in Hangzhou's literary circles, making many acquaintances who, in turn, became a significant support for the Long family. Long Boyuan, meanwhile, made the family business flourish and was in his prime. Having also dabbled in scholarly pursuits in his youth, he possessed a temperament distinct from ordinary profit-driven merchants. Others called him a 'scholar-merchant,' and perhaps it was for this reason that he became acquainted with Ding Wanjun and subsequently became her friend.

Yihoyuan's location was excellent, and if Ding Wanjun and the others had no backing, it would likely have been taken over by covetous individuals long ago. He was considered one of her protectors; there had been several instances where people tried to force Ding Wanjun to sell the place, and he had stepped forward to help. It was also said that individuals of even higher status than his had intervened on her behalf.

Ding Wanjun was a woman with extensive connections, adept at navigating social situations, and he didn't mind. At forty, he had encountered and experienced all kinds of women he desired. Now, what he appreciated was her noble character. Occasionally, they would sit together, drink tea, and converse, or simply sit in silence. Their interactions were not about carnal desires. She spoke freely and without inhibition in front of him. He liked this dynamic; if they were to become intimately involved, he would instead grow tired of it.

He didn't believe that her noble character meant she shouldn't have been a courtesan or shouldn't interact with various men. Life often involved being at the mercy of circumstances, struggling along, and simply holding onto good intentions. In his youth, he had read the classics of sages, and later, as a merchant, he had also done many things against his will. Thus, he felt she had similarities with himself, both having the feeling of being unwilling yet compelled to do certain things, which stirred a sense of compassion in him.

Usually, he didn't bring matters from outside the tea house here; he would come alone, stay for half a day, and then leave. However, today was different. In the room, besides him and Ding Wanjun, who was playing the zither, another man sat opposite him. This man was also a major cloth merchant from the Suzhou-Hangzhou region, named Fang Min. He was a good friend of Miss Bai Qianqian from Yihoyuan, and they had happened to meet today. Fang Min seemed eager to connect and came over to discuss business matters. Long Boyuan reciprocated politely, naturally showing no signs of impatience.

"The war in the north hasn't affected us much," Fang Min said, "It's just that Fang La's rebellion in the southwest has become truly severe. Recently, another batch of cloth from my family's business was robbed. This business is getting harder and harder."

"As for Fang La," Long Boyuan replied, "although there's trouble, I don't think it will last long. I heard the imperial court has sent Lord Tong Guan to lead troops south. This time, Fang La will surely be completely suppressed."

"I just think that with the Jin and Liao fighting in the north, our Wu Dynasty will certainly have to send troops north," Fang Min mused. "But at this moment, with General Tong going south, who else can go north to attack Liao? We can't fight on two fronts at once."

"Ha," Long Boyuan chuckled, "how would you or I know about such matters? The imperial court's affairs are for those in court to worry about. We should just focus on our own business."

He didn't have much rapport with Fang Min; they were simply exchanging common gossip. After a while, Fang Min brought up other matters.

"Speaking of which," Fang Min began, "Suzhou and Hangzhou silk embroidery, originally of the same lineage. While Jiangning's textile industry was also developed, its business typically focused on the north. This time, a woman from the Su family came south for business. Has she visited you yet?"

"Yes, I met her in May. What do you think, Master Fang?" Long Boyuan asked. At this time, every business in large cities had its own guild. To do business as a cloth merchant in Hangzhou, one absolutely had to register with the guild head. Therefore, Long Boyuan was likely the first person she visited.

"Ha, just asking," Fang Min replied. "I don't have much of an impression. The woman seemed quite proper and has been low-key recently, with impeccable manners. I only knew a newcomer had arrived when she visited me recently. The Su family is also a major cloth merchant in the Jiangning area. Boyuan, you must be familiar with her family's background, right?"

"I only know a little," Long Boyuan said. "In Jiangning's textile industry, the Wu family is the leader, and the Su family is currently second. We don't have close dealings with them, so I'm not very familiar with Su Tan'er herself. I only heard that an elder in her family was once a formidable figure, but they are likely old now."

"The Su family originally had a shop here," Fang Min continued, "but it only dealt in small transactions and wasn't very prominent. However, judging by her actions since coming here, I believe she aims to achieve something significant. At Yangbatou, her newly opened shop hasn't seen much business yet. I heard she went to great lengths to move several trees there and even provides free sour plum tea for thirsty passersby, without even mentioning selling cloth. Though these are minor things, I think she has big ambitions."

"Heh heh, since she's come to Hangzhou for business and visited both of us, she naturally wants to make a name for herself. It would be abnormal if she made no moves," Long Boyuan said. "Rather, I see that you, Master Fang, seem quite interested in this Miss Su."

Fang Min was nearly fifty, which was why Long Boyuan addressed him as Master Fang. At this, he burst out laughing: "Haha, I just suddenly remembered. Jiangning's textiles are different from ours in Suzhou and Hangzhou. It's not something she can expand in a day or two. It's just interesting that a woman has come to do it. Oh, I heard she has some connection with the Lou family..."

Long Boyuan nodded: "I am aware of this. I heard that when the Su family traveled south, they happened to meet Miss Lou and journeyed together for several days. The situations of these two women are somewhat similar, so it's understandable they found common ground. Since you've met Miss Su, Master Fang, you must have also met her husband, right? I heard he's also a scholar, somewhat similar to the Lou family's son-in-law."

"Yes, he's quite low-key," Fang Min replied. "When asked about his poetry or literature, he would only offer a few evasive remarks, making it difficult to continue the conversation, almost leading one to overlook him entirely. I've met the Lou family's son-in-law a few times, and he's only slightly different. I find he seems quite eager to draw attention, but his scholarly talent isn't enough, and others always dismiss him."

Long Boyuan raised an eyebrow: "What's there to say about a man who abandons his own family to marry into another?"

He was somewhat dismissive of the matter and didn't care to discuss it further, so Fang Min dropped the subject. After chatting for a while longer, Fang Min took his leave. Long Boyuan sat by the window, sipping tea, as the elegant woman named Ding Wanjun finished playing a tune, then came over to sit down and refill his tea cup.

"Aren't you worried that discussing business matters here might be overheard and spread around carelessly?" Ding Wanjun asked.

Long Boyuan smiled: "Ha, these are just trivial matters. Are you taking them as secrets, Wanjun?"

"I actually find it quite interesting," Ding Wanjun said with a smile. "Who is this Miss Su?"

"Another Miss Lou."

"Oh." Ding Wanjun nodded in understanding. Lou Shuwan's name was well-known in Hangzhou because the three Lou siblings were very capable in business, and coupled with the Lou family's already immense influence, they were a force to be reckoned with in every respect. As for her private conduct, even if ordinary people gossiped, it was to no avail.

The Lou family had connections in both business and official circles. While others pursued women, Lou Shuwan pursued men, and she did so openly and confidently. She was extremely particular about men. Many knew she had private encounters with men, but they could rarely ascertain who exactly she was with. If you considered yourself dashing and tried to flirt with her presumptuously, she would sternly slap you. She maintained her dignity. It was said that two scholars who attempted to seduce Lou Shuwan used the wrong approach, angered her, and ended up ruining their reputations.

That woman's improper conduct was something many vaguely knew. However, she only associated with one man at a time, and at least in Hangzhou, she tried to keep it discreet. Because her husband had married into her family and she was a strong personality, those scholars were more inclined to imagine her as a lonely yet noble married woman, somewhat pitiable. Yet, she wasn't the type to seek pity; instead, she appeared rather proud and aloof, which, to some scholars, actually lent her a certain allure, making them prefer this interpretation.

"However, this Miss Su always brings her husband when she visits, doesn't she? Her husband also married into the family, right?" Ding Wanjun asked with a soft chuckle.

"When Lou Shuwan first married, didn't she also appear as a devoted couple with her husband? Perhaps Lou Shuwan wasn't unwilling to be a good wife and mother at first, but with her husband's incompetence and constant gossip, it would have been hard for her not to grow resentful," Long Boyuan mused. "What was the name of this Miss Su's husband? Oh, Ning Liheng. When he greeted me, he seemed acceptable, but after that, he hardly spoke. Perhaps even those few words of greeting were practiced. Heh heh, it's likely he won't escape this pattern in the future. Although Miss Su appears gentle, she's not petty; her demeanor is graceful, her words and actions appropriate, and she's subtly effective—a true talent. An ordinary man couldn't control such a woman, let alone one who married into her family..."

Long Boyuan casually offered his thoughts. Ding Wanjun, who was pouring tea, paused slightly: "Ning Liheng?"

"Hmm?"

"You just said... the man who married into the family is named Ning Liheng?"

"Yes, that's right. Why?" Long Boyuan looked at her and smiled. "Could it be that Wanjun knows this person?"

"No, I don't know him." Ding Wanjun smiled and shook her head. After a moment's thought, she continued pouring tea. "I just thought of something else. For a moment, I just thought that name sounded quite good."

"Oh." Although Long Boyuan was known as a scholar-merchant, he was no longer truly immersed in scholarly pursuits. He occasionally read only classical ancient texts and held contemporary literary circles in disdain. Ding Wanjun thought the name sounded like that of the author of famous *ci* poems like 'Shuidiao Getou' and 'Qingyu An.' But then she considered he was a live-in husband and dismissed the possibility, thinking it must be a coincidence of names. Hangzhou was neither too small nor too large. If he truly were *that* person, and had been here for a month or two, she wouldn't have had to wait until now to hear it from Long Boyuan. Other scholars and literati would surely have been talking about it already.