River water flowed gently, and when the ripples spread on the canal, summer insects buzzed on both sides of the waterway. Yellow-green fireflies floated like mist on the sides, scattering and reassembling as boats passed. Search: \(¨Complete¨ Book¨God¨Station¨) to read quality literature for free.

A painted boat was moored by the riverbank, with lights lit both inside and at the bow, not bright, but enough to create a small world in the canal. This was naturally the boat that Ning Yi and Su Tan'er had been traveling south on. At this time, there were few people left on board, because Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, a group of maids, and stewards had all been invited to dinner on another painted boat.

The two boats met in the evening. The group of talented scholars on the other boat were enthusiastic, and the main character in everyone's eyes was Lin Tingzhi, who had not received much attention since boarding. After exchanging greetings, the other side invited everyone from this boat to stay in Jiaxing for a few days of sightseeing.

Lou Shuwan was waiting for the delivery of goods, so it was impossible to stay for several days. However, for some reason, Lou Shuwan suggested that they could stay for one night. The reason was that the invitation was not unreliable. Today, they were on a painted boat from Fang Qing Yuan, and although Fang Qing Yuan was a brothel, the dishes cooked by its chefs, especially the whole fish banquet, were considered a Jiaxing specialty. So, they invited everyone to eat fish on that boat.

Ning Yi and Su Tan'er had come for sightseeing, and Jiaxing was not far from Hangzhou, the two places were closely connected, and Lou Shuwan was considered a semi-local here. Since she said so, they naturally agreed and called Wen Ding, Wen Fang, and the accounting stewards to go together. Not many people were left on this painted boat. The boatman, the families of various households, and a few servants were naturally not presentable at such a gathering, so they stayed here, eating something simple and chatting in various parts of the boat to enjoy the cool air.

The adults went to the banquet, and the children were naturally left behind, inevitably asking about the adults' whereabouts, especially the storyteller son-in-law of the household. The wives of the accounting stewards had nothing to do and explained that they had been invited by some very powerful people.

Recalling the scene just now, the other boat was full of talented scholars and academics, all with impressive backgrounds. In the eyes of these merchants' wives, they were naturally very powerful, so they couldn't help but take this opportunity to teach their children to strive for progress if they had the opportunity. In the past, in the Su family, although they knew that the son-in-law of the household was also a capable person, they couldn't compare him with these orthodox scholars.

The people from Jiangning had no concept of things in Jiaxing. They didn't know how important the group of scholars was, but the scene seemed impressive. Several guys who had come with Lou Shuwan knew something and spoke about it at the stern, saying how good Wen Duqing's poetry was, and what kind of reputation Du Ruohan had in the Jiaxing and Hangzhou area. They also couldn't help but talk about their young lady and Lin Tingzhi. They used to have some disdain for Lin Tingzhi, but now, they realized that he was also a great talent. A Su family guy named Dongzhu listened nearby, unconvinced.

"So what? Our master's son-in-law is not someone they can compare to. His talent is known throughout Jiangning. Even a high-ranking official like the Prime Minister recently invited him to the capital, but he didn't go."

"Liar."

"Prime Minister?"

"Uh, anyway, a high-ranking official almost as big as the Prime Minister."

Dongzhu was actually unsure about these things. He had heard the maids Chan'er and Juan'er murmuring a few days ago, saying that the Prime Minister or some high-ranking official had invited the master's son-in-law to the capital, but he didn't go. He himself found it hard to imagine a high-ranking official like the Prime Minister. When others asked him in detail at this time, he lost some confidence, but he still pretended to be tough.

In fact, Chan'er and Juan'er were not very clear about these things either. How could they explain it clearly in their discussions? Qin Si Yuan was only about to go to the capital, and his official position was undetermined. Ning Yi only mentioned it briefly, saying something about the positions of the Six Ministries, the Left and Right Prime Ministers. Chan'er and Juan'er were clear about most things, but as maids from a merchant family, they were ultimately unable to understand these things clearly.

Lou Shuwan's husband was also an adopted son-in-law. The guys usually saw clearly that the situation was similar on both sides after boarding the boat. They naturally had a judgment on Ning Yi's position in their hearts. At this time, they were shocked by Dongzhu's words, but they still found it hard to believe. They spoke one after another for a while. Dongzhu, who only knew that his master's son-in-law was very powerful, gave a few specific examples, but they were not convincing enough. Others were inspired and also talked about things they had heard about the Su family's son-in-law in the past.

The words of the women and guys couldn't make Ning Yi sound as prestigious as "becoming a high-ranking official," but they did outline a simple profile of a capable person.

On a summer night, the distant lights outlined the silhouette of Jiaxing City. Occasionally, pedestrians and carriages passed by on the post road in the forest, and the lights weaved a simple path. The people on the boat also passed the time chatting. When the children asked how long it would take for the departing adults to return, the women said with certainty that such gatherings would probably not end until late at night. However, not long after these words were spoken, several lanterns came from the post road in the distance. The lights shone among the willows on the riverbank, and the people coming this way were faintly Ning Yi and Su Tan'er. In front was Xing'er carrying a lantern, and Chan'er was carrying a round fan, occasionally jogging a few steps along the riverbank to chase away the dancing fireflies. Then, there were faint sounds of laughter.

Ning Yi and the others had taken a walk back after dinner. After boarding the boat, there was a burst of liveliness. Juan'er and the others even brought back some of the dishes they had packed, bringing them to the boat for everyone to taste.

"The fish tastes really good, different from the flavors of Jiangning. We'll get some rice and dishes later, and everyone can try it."

Only Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, the three maids, the accounting steward, and the shopkeeper returned. Su Wending and Su Wenfang stayed on the painted boat. They always liked these literary gatherings. Ning Yi and Su Tan'er also let them sit there for a while because Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi were also staying there. To be honest, when Ning Yi and Su Tan'er finished eating and said goodbye, Lou Shuwan's expression was quite surprised.

In fact, this invitation was ostensibly to treat old friends to a meal, but the people at the table had other intentions. In the eyes of the Jiangnan talents, Lin Tingzhi was a famous playboy, although his poetry was also quite good, but his romanticism was even greater. They didn't know much about Lou Shuwan, but Lin Tingzhi's introduction, the hesitant words of those who knew the situation, made everyone more or less aware of the woman's background.

Strong personality, adopted son-in-law, rich and beautiful. Perhaps Lin Tingzhi had already become her lover, and Su Tan'er, who came from another place, had the same background. In short, there was no need to worry too much about her husband. The Suhang area was also a romantic place. These people didn't have any deliberate dirty thoughts in their hearts, but exchanging matters between men and women in the framework of the Eight-Legged Essay was romantic. Teasing with poetry and exchanging glances in the painted boats and candlelight were part of the romance. Since the other party was a merchant woman, there was no need to worry too much. So, they gathered everyone together under the pretext of inviting Lin Tingzhi. The method was actually an ordinary and polite banquet for friends.

Of course, if the invitee was truly moved by certain thoughts and things went well from then on, one could only admire this person's methods. In everyone's eyes, there would be one more romantic anecdote to write and talk about.

They invited guests to a banquet in the painted boat of a brothel, which was somewhat presumptuous, but on the one hand, the invitation was mainly for Lin Tingzhi, and on the other hand, the banquet here was really good. Su Tan'er was already a married woman, and she could have directly refused to go, but since Lou Shuwan had spoken, Ning Yi didn't want to worry too much and spoil the fun. When they went to the painted boat and chatted with everyone, they roughly understood the situation. So, they happily ate a banquet, and after eating, they got up to say goodbye before these talents became poetic, and packed a doggy bag along the way.

Lou Shuwan was a little surprised. She had invited Ning Yi and Su Tan'er over this time with rather complex intentions. On the one hand, she wanted to show off the extensive social circle of the Lou family. On the other hand, she felt that she and Su Tan'er had the same situation, but she couldn't directly talk about her affair with Lin Tingzhi. This time, Lin Tingzhi was in the limelight, and she wanted Su Tan'er to see Lin Tingzhi and the elegance of these scholars. In her opinion, Su Tan'er had married an unreliable scholar. Even if she didn't say it, she would definitely yearn for these praised elegance. As long as she yearned for it a little, if she knew about her affairs in the future, she would first be envious and eager to try, and would not look down on her.

She persuaded her for a few words, but Su Tan'er took out a simple negotiating attitude at this time and politely refused in a few words. Lou Shuwan also wanted to go back with them, but seeing Ning Yi and Su Tan'er leave so freely, if she followed, she would feel a little lonely.

She thought that perhaps Tan'er also wanted to stay, but since the adopted son-in-law was there, she was used to knowing how to maintain the situation—in fact, she had had the same thoughts a few years earlier, wanting to maintain a passable situation with her husband, she would be simple and he would be simple, and they would live like this for the rest of their lives. Later, she looked down on her husband's various useless actions more and more, and she gradually became tired in her heart—at this time, she said that there were a few people who had an old friendship with the Lou family and left under the pretext. Su Wending and Su Wenfang also stayed, which made her feel a little more face.

Ning Yi and Su Tan'er and others returned to the boat, lit the lights at the bow, set up tables and chairs to talk and enjoy the cool air. There was still a distance from Jiaxing, but Ning Yi didn't plan to go to the Jiaxing downtown area to play. He told the accounting steward and the steward to feel free, and they could take their families to play if they wanted. Sitting at the bow with Su Tan'er, waiting for Xiao Chan and others to bring melon and fruit, watching the fireflies fly, it also had the taste of being in the countryside of the old home when he was a child, but there were many mosquitoes, and after a while, they took a basin and lit mugwort and other things to repel mosquitoes. Several people took fans and sat there fanning.

"Will it be a little boring? 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 at the bow of the boat watching the fireflies fly. Juan'er turned her head and said, "The scenery here is very good."

After a while, Su Tan'er said softly, "Silver candle autumn light chills the painted screen, a light silk fan flutters fireflies, the night sky on the steps is as cool as water, lying to watch the Cowherd and Weaver Girl stars. It's a bit similar." In fact, this poem is about the Qixi Festival, but at this time it is only late April, the beginning of summer, so it cannot be said to be strictly relevant to the occasion, but since one or two lines are relevant to the occasion, Ning Yi naturally nodded with pleasure. Su Tan'er used to like poetry and liked to read and recite it when she was free, but since she knew that her husband was a "great talent," she didn't recite it as much, probably because the mystery and sublimity of poetry had been slightly lowered in her heart.

In the distance, they could see the lights of some painted boats. After a while, a cargo ship stirred up waves and went north along the night. Su Tan'er probably remembered the painted boat that Lou Shuwan and others were on. After thinking about it, she chuckled, "Actually, Lou Shuwan looks down on her husband."

Ning Yi smiled noncommittally, "Her husband is also an adopted son-in-law."

"I'm afraid they don't get along well."

"There probably aren't many who get along as well as we do."

Ning Yi's words were a bit boastful, but Su Tan'er only felt that it was true and smiled, "Probably because her husband is a weirdo, even... ordinary couples probably wouldn't have something like this." She thought for a while and said, "If you want to do business well in Hangzhou, the Lou family is always a helper, so..."

"If you care about these things, I'm afraid you won't do business well in the future."

"I do care a bit, but... thinking about how they would feel after really knowing her husband's identity, I would... haha, I would have a bit of a bad heart. And those people just now..." She waved the fan in her hand to fan away the smoke in front of her and reached out to straighten her hair, "I find it strange, her husband's poems have obviously been spread to the Suhang area, why didn't those people react after the introduction?"

Ning Yi laughed, "There are too few poems, and... after all, the message is not well developed so far away. They may have heard the name Ning Liheng one day, but as for his family background, how many wives, concubines, family members, brothers and sisters he has, what he looks like, whether he is a cripple, who knows? Even if someone talks about it, maybe they say that Ning Liheng is eight feet tall and his waist is also eight feet... In short, when it comes to here, it's hard to say what Ning Liheng is really like in their hearts. Last time, the group of scholars from the capital went to Jiangning, and some said that I was wandering in brothels, picking flowers and leaving love everywhere, or that I was forty or fifty years old, steady and dignified. In their hearts, this kind of image seems more credible."

"Haha, it's that Li girl from childhood, right." Su Tan'er joked, then covered her chin with a fan and corrected, "Oh, it's Wang girl."

"You remember clearly."

"Since she and her husband have been childhood sweethearts, if she really favors her husband as the outside world says, if there is a chance to enter my house. I, as the older sister, naturally have to remember her last name."

"Really virtuous..."

Ning Yi murmured. Then, the two talked about the taste of the fish on the painted boat again. Su Tan'er secretly felt a little resentful that those people didn't know her husband's great name and looked like the proud sons of heaven. Lou Shuwan didn't know, and Lin Tingzhi didn't know either—perhaps not that they didn't know, but that they didn't expect or dare to think. While they were talking, someone came on board laughing and talking. It was Su Wending and Su Wenfang who had returned. The two didn't know what good things they had encountered. They were laughing extremely happily. After boarding the boat, they asked where their sister and brother-in-law were and went straight to the bow.

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

Ning Yi laughed, "They must have written a good poem and killed everyone. This won't work. You two became poetic as soon as you came to Jiaxing. You're ruining the game."

The two desperately waved their hands and shook their heads, laughing happily, "No, we didn't write a poem. That woman from the Lou family and her lover are still behind, but they should be back soon."

"Don't talk about people like that!" Su Tan'er glared at them. Su Wending stuck out his tongue and covered his mouth, still laughing. Su Wenfang laughed, "We didn't write a poem. We didn't have time. They wrote a few, and then they discussed things together and ran over to ask us. Then they knew brother-in-law's true identity. You didn't see their awkward looks. That Qing'er girl... haha, anyway, our poetic talent is not good. We were just there to explain brother-in-law's identity. After explaining, we said goodbye and left. Haha, I don't know if they will chase after you to challenge you later. Anyway, Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi should be coming soon..."

Su Wending and Su Wenfang kept laughing. Ning Yi laughed helplessly when he heard this. Su Tan'er was interested and blinked, "What happened? Tell me quickly..." On the other side, the three maids Chan'er, Juan'er, and Xing'er were also listening with their ears pricked. At this time, they leaned over with interest and even moved chairs for Su Wending and Su Wenfang so they could sit down and talk comfortably.

Fireflies danced, the night deepened, and soon after, Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi and others also rushed back... (To be continued.) Vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)

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