Chapter 33: The First Step (Part 1)

Amidst the noisy chatter, the Su Manor, with its blue tiles, upturned eaves, carved corridors, and painted beams, was illuminated by torchlight as night fell. Falling snowflakes were either pushed away or melted by the warmth in the air.

Tonight's dinner banquet had just begun, extending from a side hall near the Su Manor. With twenty-six tables and just over two hundred guests, it was merely a typical winter banquet for the Su family. Such events were less frequent in other seasons but became more common as the year-end approached.

The three main branches of the Su family, along with numerous cousins, some elders who had served the family, and managers who had gathered from various regions for this occasion, had all taken their seats. At the central round table were naturally Grandfather Su, Song Mao, and several other elders of Grandfather Su's generation, as well as main family members like Su Boyong and Su Zhongkan. The seating arrangement around these central tables was quite deliberate; only those who had truly contributed to the Su family were invited to sit there. Examples included Su Chonghua, the head of Yushan Academy, Su Yunsong, the chief manager overseeing regional business, and other managers. Even direct descendants of the three main branches had to be genuinely in charge of affairs to merit such a position nearby. If Xi Junyu had been invited, he would likely have been seated there too.

As for Su Tan'er, although she now managed many affairs for the First Branch, she was, after all, a woman and had not yet been officially recognized. She sat at a table further away with Ning Yi. There wasn't much conversation between them, but they appeared calm. What each was truly thinking, however, was hard to say.

From this table onwards, the seating rules became much more relaxed. At a square table a little further back, Su Wenxing and Su Wengui were gathered, occasionally casting conspiratorial glances their way.

Su Tan'er and Ning Yi likely had no idea that throughout this ordinary banquet, several people would be fluctuating between high and low spirits while observing them, their emotions remaining completely unaddressed until the very end.

“Governor Song and the others will definitely come over later and praise Ning Yi. Once Governor Song starts talking, everyone will immediately pay attention; the main event is about to begin.”

Su Wengui believed he had seen through this matter, especially after Song Mao mentioned Ning Yi once in their initial conversations and pointed out his effective teaching methods, which solidified his conviction. About fifteen minutes after the banquet began, people at various tables started moving around. Another fifteen minutes later, Song Mao finally picked up his wine cup and strolled around briefly with Su Zhongkan.

As a prefectural governor, Song Mao could have simply remained seated at the head table without consequence. However, he was always thorough in his social graces. His stroll was not to assert his authority as governor, but rather to position himself humbly among the Su family's relatives and friends, as was his custom. Greeting the few surrounding tables in this manner was already a great show of respect. Yet, as expected, he then casually turned towards Su Tan'er and Ning Yi and, catching their attention, said a few words: “With Tan'er and Liheng, the Su family...”

“I'll go over...” Su Wenxing picked up a wine cup and began to approach. Just as he got close, he saw Song Mao and Su Zhongkan turn and walk away. He paused for a moment, surprised, then turned back.

“What happened...?”

“I don't know, Uncle just said a few casual words...”

“As a prefectural governor, he shouldn't say too much anyway. Perhaps Governor Song felt the timing wasn't right,” Su Wengui mused, his face clouded. “He's probably waiting for Second Sister and Ning Yi to come over and offer toasts before saying more and testing them.”

Amidst the flickering torchlight, the banquet continued boisterously. People moved about, children played, and wine cups clinked at the tables. The few with something on their minds had no appetite for food, drink, or merriment. Soon, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi stood up. They, too, picked up their wine cups and mingled with the crowd, heading towards the head table. Su Tan'er and Ning Yi returned after offering their toasts, and Su Wenxing and Su Wengui also returned, puzzled. They looked at Ning Yi, then at Song Mao, blinked, then conferred again. Soon after, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi, the married couple, stood up again and conversed with Song Mao nearby. Su Wengui nudged Su Wenxing, who followed... only to return with his wine cup once more...

The banquet gradually dispersed.

According to stricter etiquette, others could only leave after Grandfather Su. However, Grandfather Su enjoyed talking with his old friends, and the atmosphere was lively. Seeing that it was getting late, he smiled and waved his hand: “Those with things to do, or who are full and drunk, may now disperse, disperse, hehe...”

Some children, having played enough, were already starting to doze off, while some had drunk so much they vomited and were sprawled on the tables. With Grandfather Su's words, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Some people left, while others came to his table to greet him and the others, chatting about interesting things. Su Wengui and the others' faces were utterly grim. Su Wenxing had been boasting for days about Song Mao's impending visit, and now he felt like his reputation had shattered into a thousand pieces, beyond repair.

“What the heck, there was no show at all...”

“Your uncle never intended to test him from the beginning...”

“If you couldn't get your uncle to help, why didn't you just say so directly? When you came out, you were still saying he definitely would tonight...”

At the other end of the room, Song Mao had already stood up, seemingly smiling and saying something like, “I can't hold my liquor...” He was likely about to take his leave. Meanwhile, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi had also gone to greet Grandfather Su. As Song Mao neared the exit, Su Tan'er and Ning Yi also began to turn to leave. Su Wenxing, his face dark, suddenly stood up: “Wait!”

The noisy chatter was suppressed for a moment by his words, then resumed. Many people did notice him, but naturally didn't think the remark was directed at them. Song Mao at the doorway glanced his way, and Su Tan'er and Ning Yi looked over curiously, then glanced around before turning and continuing to walk. Grandfather Su tilted his head, looking at Su Wenxing, blinking a few times: “Oh, Wenxing, what are you all talking about over there? Is something wrong?”

“I... I... uh... nothing, nothing...”

After finishing his sentence, he sat down dejectedly.

A moment later, he stood up again and chased in the direction Song Mao had left.

Leaving the banquet and returning to his room, Song Mao took a sip of the sobering tea Song Kai had prepared, then washed his face.

He hadn't drunk much; for him, it was merely enough to rinse his mouth. His mind was still clear. He sat at the table, placed a book of calligraphic models aside, then ground some ink, pulled out a few sheets of Xuan paper, arranged them, and prepared his brush. He held his hand in a writing posture, pondering.

Today had been very fruitful.

His visit to Teacher Qin was originally just a routine call, with few expected gains. For an official like him, it was simply standard practice to visit important figures frequently; one never knew when such relationships might prove useful. Maintaining good connections was always wise. He hadn't held great expectations for his master-disciple relationship with Qin Siyuan; it was merely a potential asset. If Qin Siyuan were to rise again, he would naturally remember him to some extent. If Qin Siyuan lost his chance to rise, he could still maintain some connection with his two sons. The depth of this relationship wasn't profound, and he himself hadn't expected it to progress further today.

Inside the Qin Manor today, Ning Liheng's casual demeanor with the two elders truly startled him. It seemed natural, yet it wasn't the kind of interaction one would expect between younger and older family members. No wonder Teacher Qin introduced him as his “young friend of the enlightened lord.” While he was shocked, the situation wasn't bad. When he revealed his relationship with the Su family, and thus his kinship with Ning Yi, Teacher Qin's attitude noticeably shifted, moving beyond the mere politeness between an ordinary student and teacher. He was quite satisfied with this deepened relationship.

On the other hand, he also met Kang Xian, Kang Mingyun.

As Song Mao thought about these things, he first wrote a few characters on the Xuan paper: “For the esteemed Kang, Mingyun's inspection.” Then he paused. He was going to visit the enlightened lord in a few days, and he was carefully considering the wording of the note. He then drew a line under the character “赐” (bestow) in “赐鉴” (bestowed for inspection) and wrote the character “道” (virtue) next to it. “道鉴” (for virtuous inspection) was the appropriate usage for a person of moral integrity and esteemed scholar.

These word choices were minor details, but they were indeed what occupied his mind at the moment. As for testing Ning Yi to see if he was merely seeking fame, he had completely dismissed that idea after greeting Ning Yi at the Qin Manor. Frankly, given his current status, he wasn't afraid of Qin Siyuan, nor of Kang Mingyun. As for Ning Yi, who was merely a commoner associating with these two, he certainly had no reason to fear or dread him. If he truly wanted to do something, Ning Yi was just a minor figure to him.

But why bother?

It made no difference to him whether the Second Branch took over the Su family or if that young girl, Su Tan'er, did. He would receive the same benefits either way, so why bother? From that moment, the decision was clear: whether Ning Yi was genuinely virtuous or merely seeking fame, he had no need to expose him. Therefore, there was no need to test him.

As for his nephew, who was intent on humiliating the other person... that was just a minor matter. Once his decision was made, he no longer gave it any thought.

A moment later, Song Kai entered to report: “Young Master Wenxing requests an audience.” He nodded: “Let him in.” His gaze remained fixed on the Xuan paper before him as he began to write the rest of the text.

The snowy wind blew, and the night scene under the snow held a touch of loneliness and desolation. From afar, the sound of temple bells drifted over.

The distant banquet had largely dispersed. Looking over from the second-floor railing, the torchlight seemed to have faded considerably. Ning Yi lay there casually, gazing at the Su family compound, its lights flickering. Amidst the snowy curtain, the lights in each room and pavilion created a highly poetic ambiance.

Footsteps came from the stairs. Without needing to look, he knew who it was. These footsteps were different from those of Xiao Chan, who usually came to pull him down; Xiao Chan's steps were much livelier. These footsteps were graceful and quiet—perhaps composed and quiet would be more fitting.

He tilted his head slightly, and the silver-white figure was coming from that end of his vision. He only saw a corner of the fox fur, as there was a pillar beside him. The figure walked to the other side of the pillar and stopped, also leaning on the railing and looking out into the courtyard.

The two silently gazed together for a while. If one were to turn their head, they could see the woman's beautiful yet still somewhat naive profile. Not long after, Su Tan'er finally spoke: “Husband seems to really enjoy watching the scenery here.”

“It's beautiful, isn't it?”

Ning Yi smiled, knowing the time for their confrontation had arrived.

“Husband is a strange person.”

“Hmm?”