Chapter 242: Sisters

Episode Two: The Pool of Undercurrents

The matter of sending gifts to Luo Tian, in the eyes of Lou Shuyuan and others, might seem quite shocking at the moment. However, for Ning Yi, if defined, it was merely an unexpected gain from an unintended action.

Mrs. Luo was formerly a young lady from an official family, with a melancholic disposition, probably akin to Lin Daiyu from *Dream of the Red Chamber*. Such women, often too well-brought-up, tend to be delicate and enjoy refined pursuits, so it's not unusual for them to develop a touch of depression later on. Given that Mrs. Luo married a merchant, it's also conceivable that she might have grown estranged from her former circle of gentry ladies. Of course, these are all just casual speculations.

For these women who have always lived a privileged life, sending a box of silkworms for them to raise isn't a particularly brilliant idea. Compared to cats or dogs, silkworms in a box might be more endearing. Half of all girls would likely enjoy them—picking mulberry leaves to feed them, watching the leaves being visibly gnawed into holes. It's probably more interesting than watching cats or dogs eat a whole plate of food.

With something to focus on, one's mood naturally brightens. Once the mood improves, their ailments also get better. It was originally that simple.

Of course, if these women didn't like silkworms, or had raised them before when growing up in the Jiangnan water towns, or if the woman's underlying emotional issue wasn't that simple, then sending a box of silkworms would indeed be meaningless. But since it was a shot in the dark, Ning Yi mentioned it casually, and later just decided to give it a try.

Over the past month, dozens of merchants related to the textile industry have been visited. The successful negotiation with Luo Tian was merely an unexpected outcome, never the result of meticulous planning.

No one can easily control human nature to the extent of securing a deal on the first visit. Even a professional psychologist, given all available information, couldn't guarantee that a box of silkworms would win over Mrs. Luo. If it did work, it was merely a matter of probability. Experienced successful individuals often distinguish themselves from ordinary people precisely because they capitalize on such probabilities.

During this period of visits, besides the surprising success with Luo Tian, several local Hangzhou merchants had also largely agreed to support Su Yang's operations here. However, Su Yang'er had not yet begun her efforts, so the Hangzhou merchants hadn't felt much impact. They had largely accepted Su Yang's entry as an external merchant. In recent days, the first batch of goods and weaving looms transported from Jiang Yu's side had arrived, and the warehouse and workshop here were ready, awaiting formal commencement of operations.

“At that time, if Su Yang needs, my Luo family can fully supply cotton materials. As for raw silk in the Su Yang area, I also have a few friends whom I can introduce to Brother Su Yang in a few days…”

“My elder sister has already discussed it, but it seems, Brother Luo, you might also be able to supply silk by then…”

“Oh?” “Sister-in-law.” “Uh… heh heh ha ha ha ha…”

Inside the boat cabin, Luo Tian and Su Yangding were talking. When their conversation reached this point, Luo Tian burst into laughter, and his laughter drew the gaze of two women in the small inner cabin. They were Luo Tian's wife, Wen Haiying, and Su Yang'er, who was chatting with her.

Mrs. Luo was a petite and introverted woman. Although she was a daughter from an official family, her depressed mood initially made her seem like a shy, modest young lady who spoke softly to everyone. However, because Su Yang'er had given her silkworms and taught her how to raise them, she was now quite close to Su Yang'er.

Just as the Luo family's boat approached, Mrs. Luo's spirits seemed a bit low. She met Su Yang'er with surprise, clutching her own box, and tearfully explained that one of her silkworms had died the day before, and she was terribly sad for not having raised it well. Su Yang'er gently consoled her for a while, then took out a silkworm box of her own, giving one to Mrs. Luo. Soon after, the two of them sat in the small cabin, chatting animatedly about the dozen or so silkworms in their boxes, becoming as close as long-lost friends in no time.

Su Yang'er actually had no particular feelings for silkworms. As she came from a textile family, though her household didn't directly raise silkworms, she had been accustomed to seeing the silkworm farmers' homes since childhood. A few silkworms kept in a box might be pretty and interesting, but thousands or tens of thousands of silkworms in a room hardly evoked any tender affection. She had only acquired this box a few days prior, after her relationship with the Luo family was established. After getting it, she had curiously fed a few mulberry leaves and chatted with Ning Yi with a smile. But after the initial stirrings of a girlish fancy, she reverted to her strong-willed businesswoman persona, entrusting the box to her maids. Chan'er and Juan'er both loved this little task, going out daily to pick mulberry leaves and taking very good care of them.

For a long time, Su Yang'er's identity made it difficult for her to employ a 'lady's strategy.' She had few close female friends. Although it was said that many wives of merchants in Jiangning, who rarely left their homes, admired her, more often they spread various strange rumors. Su Yang'er couldn't sit with them in a backyard, chatting about trivial matters between sisters-in-law all afternoon. Yet here, she had made such a friend. Knowing that Su Yang'er managed many businesses, Wen Haiying greatly admired her. And Luo Tian was pleased to see his wife make a congenial friend and relax, even if the friendship wasn't purely for leisure.

In the outer cabin, Su Yangding was primarily speaking with Luo Tian, while Su Yangfang and Ning Yi accompanied them. Thus, most of the conversation flowed between Luo Tian and Su Yangding. Ning Yi only interjected occasionally; for instance, when Su Yangding's remarks lingered too much on business questions, he would ask how Luo Tian and Mrs. Luo had met. As expected, Luo Tian would then burst into laughter and talk incessantly. After the Luo couple departed, Su Yangding nervously asked Ning Yi, “Brother-in-law, how did I do just now?”

“Not bad,” Ning Yi smiled. “But you used to be an unreliable playboy. Why are you always talking business today? Although your sister plans to hand over the contact with the Luo family to you, right now we’re making friends, not discussing business. Wouldn’t it be better if you told some off-color jokes, like you used to?” Su Yangding looked serious. “Brother-in-law, I plan to turn over a new leaf. They are very skilled merchants. How can I still be as frivolous as before? I've been thinking for a long time about how to speak professionally yet be witty and polite. Also, I felt that Mrs. Luo is a young lady of noble birth, so perhaps there are taboos, and bringing it up might be impolite…” Before he could finish, Su Yang'er, standing next to Ning Yi, turned her head and rolled her eyes. “Business is mainly about making friends. Deals only need to be discussed when the time is right. As long as you have the intention to make friends in your daily interactions, that's enough.

“And Luo Tian, being able to marry a young lady from an official family, no matter what he says verbally, must be very happy in his heart. When the person himself is present, you shouldn't bring it up. Normally, you can just steer the conversation towards it, silly…” With his sister saying this, Su Yangding hung his head. “But Second Sister, you're always so serious when discussing business. Wasn't I just trying to learn from you…?”

Su Yang'er pursed her lips and glared at her cousin, though she wasn't truly angry. She glanced at Ning Yi, seeing him also smile, and then gave a huffing laugh. “Your Second Sister is a woman; how can she be like you men!”

Su Yangding said no more. Ning Yi smiled, “It was actually quite good.” Only then did Su Yang'er let him off. She looked back at the retreating Luo family's pleasure boat. Wen Haiying poked her head out the window and waved, and Su Yang'er waved back with a smile. To Ning Yi beside her, she said, “It feels like we’re taking advantage of people.” “Some friendships are pure, some are not. Thinking that way isn’t right. I’m still very happy you made a friend.” “The initial intention was to do business with Luo Tian.”

“After getting to know each other, even if there’s no more business, you can still chat together, or go shopping, buy things.”

“Hmm,” Su Yang'er pondered, then looked at her husband beside her. “Husband, your ideas are always so strange.” As she turned back, she saw Chan'er and Juan'er in the cabin tidying up the box, putting in two mulberry leaves. She didn't know what suddenly came to mind: “Actually, the Luo family is also ready, and everything else is almost done. As we discussed on the way here, we should let Xiao Chan formally enter the household in a couple of days. What do you say, husband?”

She smiled, looking at Ning Yi. Ning Yi looked back at her. “Are you sincere?”

The question was too sharp. Su Yang'er narrowed her eyes in annoyance, slumped her shoulders, then looked at Xiao Chan in the cabin with Ning Yi. After a moment, she held Ning Yi's hand and slightly shook her head. “Not sincere.” Her voice was muffled, as if pushed through tightly pursed lips. “But we still have to do it. After all, Xiao Chan is like my own sister; I’ll make sure it’s done well and she doesn’t suffer any grievance.” Having said this, she turned to walk away but after just one step, she pulled back, because Ning Yi was holding her hand, not letting go. At this point, Ning Yi’s gaze became somewhat serious. “Since that’s the case,

“I’m thinking about something.” “Hmm?” “Can the three of us sleep in one bed from now on? I know it might be a bit hot in summer, but it’s quite warm in winter, a whole family sleeping together…”

Su Yang'er was momentarily stunned, wanting to stomp on Ning Yi's foot, but ultimately made no move. At that moment, Chan'er turned her head from where she was, saw Ning Yi looking at her with a strange smile, and couldn't help but feel a little confused, her eyes widening slightly. Su Yang'er looked, then suddenly smiled and waved her hand. “Xiao Chan, come here.”

“Hmm?” Chan'er scurried over. “Miss, Young Master-in-law, is something wrong?”

“Your Young Master-in-law says that in a few days, the three of us will sleep in one bed. Xiao Chan, what do you think?” The little maid froze, her face instantly turning red. Then she lowered her head in astonishment, twisting her fingers in front of her for a long time. “This… this… but… Miss… this… *hiccup*…” She hiccuped…

Ning Yi rolled his eyes, looking up speechlessly. Su Yang'er blinked, smiling purely and happily. “Hmm?” “But, but, but, but… Miss… this… Young Master-in-law… Miss…” She looked at Ning Yi, almost on the verge of tears, but after that one glance, she dared not look again, afraid her mistress would think she was seeking help from the Young Master-in-law. Ning Yi reached out and tapped twice in front of her eyes. “Your mistress is bullying you. Don't pay attention to her…” “But, but, but, but… it’s only right for Miss to bully me,” Chan'er's voice trailed off halfway through her sentence. Su Yang'er and Ning Yi both burst out laughing. Ning Yi said, “Go do your work first. Later, I’ll help you bully your mistress.” Su Yang'er immediately turned her head, looking up at him, her eyes full of a stubborn warning that said, “Just try to bully me.” Of course, such a look had no effect on Ning Yi.

Xiao Chan, still twisting her fingers, turned and walked away distractedly. After a few steps, she looked back, and Ning Yi smiled at her. She quickly turned away again, not daring to look. Su Yang'er was about to playfully argue with Ning Yi when they heard a thud. Chan'er had forgotten to step over the low threshold when entering the cabin. She even forgot to cry out “Ah…” and landed flat on the cabin floor. On the other side, Su Yangding and Su Yangfang saw this, pointed, and laughed uproariously with schadenfreude. Su Yang'er, however, had already run over and helped Chan'er up before Ning Yi could.

“Miss,” Chan'er said with a tearful face, still seemingly thinking about their earlier conversation. She had fallen hard but wasn't injured, though her nose and forehead were slightly red. Su Yang'er rubbed them for her and gently patted the dust from her clothes. In truth, the two women's physiques weren't significantly different anymore. Although Chan'er still seemed childlike, she was no longer a girl but a young woman. Yet, those few pats still felt like the touch of childhood. Back then, Chan'er was clumsy but quite adorable. Although Su Yang'er was the mistress, she often cared for those around her like an older sister, and this continued even when they began managing many affairs together.

“Don't keep thinking about that. Your husband is right; I *am* teasing you,” Su Yang'er said softly.

“But even if Miss… uh…” Chan'er's words trailed off, and she suddenly froze. Su Yang'er looked at her, blinking, surprised and unsure what was happening. But then she felt a slight coolness on her face. She raised a finger to touch it and found it was tears. Yet, Chan'er wasn't overtly crying. Her fingers lingered on her cheek for a moment before she suddenly realized that the tears were flowing from her own eyes. But the tears flowed out unconsciously, and immediately afterward, she smiled.

“In a few days, we’ll prepare for your marriage to my husband. Although… although both of us are marrying the same man, we grew up together, so I feel like I'm marrying off a younger sister, alright?” “Miss… otherwise… I won’t marry…” Su Yang'er smiled and shook her head. “No.” In her line of sight, Ning Yi was approaching from behind. She frowned, tilted her head back, and said distinctly, word by word, “Go! Away!” Her voice was a little crisper and more bossy than her usual tone, yet it had a playful charm that suited her demeanor. To Ning Yi, it sounded somewhat like a 'sassy girlfriend' from modern times. However, while modern women might do many extra things, she would at most stop at that tone, perhaps even feeling apologetic for using such a tone with her husband, a slight hint of weakness showing in her glaring eyes. After speaking, she pulled Xiao Chan to the side.

This was a small interlude that occurred on the boat. After a while, it was nearly time to go ashore at Xiao Yingzhou, so the pleasure boat headed in that direction. When they docked, the surrounding area was already filled with boats of various sizes. The Duojia boat also pulled alongside. Wen Haiying, accompanied by her maid, hurried over to find Su Yang'er. She had a very delicate temperament; having married a merchant, she had long been estranged from her former circle of gentry ladies. At this moment, if she didn't find someone to accompany her, she might not dare to disembark into a crowded place.

Su Yangding and Su Yangfang, being lively, disembarked first. Su Yang'er and Wen Haiying remained in the cabin, watching people disembarking from nearby and distant boats and greeting each other—various famous Hangzhou scholars and the like. Luo Tian had also already left. Su Yang'er chatted with her about Luo Tian, and Wen Haiying occasionally pointed out one or two literati she vaguely remembered. After all, she had previously participated in similar discussions and celebrity idolizing. Afterward, they began talking about Ning Yi.

“I heard that Sister Tan'er’s husband is a famous great scholar in Jiangning. Will he go and compose poetry later?” Wen Haiying asked timidly.

Ning Yi had not yet disembarked. Su Yang'er thought for a moment. “I’m not sure about that. He doesn’t really like joining in such lively events.” After saying this, she paused and added, “After all, we’re from out of town, and being too ostentatious isn’t really good. My husband… he probably won’t write poetry for my sake…” Wen Haiying nodded, said no more about it, and then after a moment, smiled. “Actually, your relationship as husband and wife is very good.”

Su Yang'er smiled subtly. “It's Brother Luo and Sister Wen whose relationship is truly enviable.” But within that smile, there was also a hint of self-satisfaction.

Meanwhile, the scenery on Xiao Yingzhou was beautiful. Ning Yi was already preparing to disembark and take a stroll. Since Su Yang'er was accompanying Mrs. Luo, he didn't need to stay with her for the moment. He was about to call for Chan'er and the others when Chan'er walked over, her head slightly bowed, seemingly preoccupied. After hesitating for a moment, she finally gathered her courage and tugged at Ning Yi's sleeve. “Young Master-in-law, I… I have something I want to say to you. Do you… do you have time?” She glanced at Ning Yi, then immediately lowered her head, her face flushed, though he didn't know what she was thinking. But judging by her expression, it didn't seem like she was about to break up with him. Ning Yi thought for a moment and nodded. “Mm.”

Although some say historical novels tend to easily feature harems, I later discovered that, based on human nature, even in ancient times, achieving a perfect harem is truly a difficult task—a long and arduous journey. I will try my best to mistreat them, and thinking of this makes me very, very excited… no, heartbroken, ha ha ha ha.

Of course, don't misunderstand; I don't write tragic love stories. The process will be appealing and reasonable. Most importantly, it will be reasonable…

P.S. Please call me 'Banana the Great Demon King'.