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Encountering Rain at West Lake

With the lights ablaze, the first round of discussions regarding the Su family's recent troubles had concluded. The businesses of the First, Second, and Third Branches were all declining. Suppliers and distributors alike were demanding kickbacks. At its root, this was due to the First Branch's missteps in major decisions. The Imperial Merchant affair had initially been hyped up too much, only to plummet afterward. And now, with a woman in charge of these matters, turmoil was inevitable. *Search for \(、Full、Complete、God、Station、) to read high-quality literature for free.*

Of course, this was a way of downplaying the real issue. The primary cause of the external unrest was the power struggle triggered by the Third Branch's attempt to seize assets. But saying this much was enough for the time being.

"Everyone, I feel I should say a few words here." In the hall, Su Zhongkan stood up, silencing the murmurs and debates. "In the business world, when setting a plan to complete a transaction, one can't simply assume it will succeed just because one has an idea. Often, even with everyone's best efforts, things don't work out. This is common. The reason for our failure in the Imperial Merchant competition is clear to everyone present. It was the U family's treachery, a loss not due to our own failings. Miss Tan'er's abilities and business acumen are evident to all. This was not due to anyone's fault."

"However, even if it wasn't anyone's fault, there must be an accounting. How much money was spent on the Imperial Merchant affair, and how big is the deficit? Some say that our efforts to secure the Imperial Merchant status drained the silver reserves in many places. Is this true? Everyone needs to know. Previously, Miss Tan'er handled these matters behind the scenes, without my or my Third Brother's involvement. Therefore, I believe the first order of business today is to clarify the extent of the losses..."

Before he could finish, Su Yunsong stood up. "I don't think this is appropriate." Someone else stood up in the back. "Are you asking the First Branch to open its books at a time like this?"

"This is kicking us when we're down!"

"Aren't we all still the Su family, not so clearly divided into First, Second, and Third Branches?" Su Zhongkan frowned. "Moreover, the impact of this matter affects the entire family. The clan elders should have a clear picture today. If the Imperial Merchant matter was still ongoing, the accounting couldn't be disclosed. But now it's over, the dust has settled. We lost, and we lost. What's the point of hiding it?"

Su Yunsong looked at Su Tan'er and Su Boyong. "The Imperial Merchant affair is far-reaching. The specifics were not disclosed before. How can we consolidate these accounts today? Zhongkan, this needs to wait until..."

"Perhaps until next year!" Someone from the Second Branch stood up. Su Zhongkan turned to signal for quiet, and then someone from the First Branch stood up as well. "What are you saying? Isn't Yunsong making sense?"

The scene became chaotic again. Su Tan'er stood up, wanting to speak, but Su Yu abruptly tapped his cane. "Silence!" Only when people began to sit down did Su Tan'er begin to speak, but another figure emerged from among the First Branch's people. This was a relatively important manager from the First Branch, a Su family relative named Su Tingguang. He held some documents, and his expression seemed hesitant. Su Tan'er looked at him. "Uncle Tingguang..."

Su Tingguang glanced at Su Tan'er and sighed. "Regarding today's matter, I... I actually agree with Second Brother's side. I have some accounts here that should also be disclosed."

Everyone watched him. The meeting hall was utterly silent for the first time, as if something had reached a tipping point and was finally about to emerge. The First, Second, and Third Branches, as well as the elders and seniors above, all had different expressions.

Only Su Tingguang's voice rang out in the next moment.

"Before the Imperial Merchant matter was settled, these accounts were still fluid. But now, with the family's current state, it's self-deception to say anything can be changed. Everyone knows Tan'er's efforts over the years. She planned and prepared for the Imperial Merchant affair early on and spent a lot of money. It wasn't our fault..."

He sighed. "Here, I have the accounts of secret transfers from the Yuanzhou area over the past few years. The deficit is approximately fifty thousand taels of silver, and it can no longer be covered. Eldest Brother, Miss Tan'er, everyone..."

Su Yu narrowed his eyes on the dais. Tan'er closed her eyes, turning her head away. Su Boyong lowered his head, making his expression unreadable. On the other side, Su Zhongkan looked stern, and Su Yunfang listened intently.

Su Tingguang was still speaking, but he could no longer be heard clearly. The entire meeting hall erupted in an uproar, and as the light spread outward, waves began to ripple through the crowd watching in the surrounding plaza.

*****************

The commotion crossed the walls, allowing it to be heard in the courtyard here. Something was finally happening at the meeting hall, or rather, those who were scheduled to lose their temper were finally making their move.

"Guessing wrong about what?" Su Danhong glanced over there, then turned to look at Ning Yi.

Peanut shells were placed on the table. Ning Yi lowered his head.

"From... a few years ago." He seemed to think for a moment before starting to speak, his words a little slow. "Everyone knew that Tan'er wanted to compete for the position of Su family head. But ability is ability. She's ultimately a woman, and that can't be changed. Even within the First Branch, most people still truly trust Su Boyong. They've always been a little hesitant about her. Many people are hesitant."

"So, even if the old master helps her get the position of family head, the problem will always be there. Maybe these people will lose confidence in Tan'er at any time. Although this is human nature, it's better to give them a tap when there's a way to do it, rather than just watching it happen."

Su Danhong frowned, looking completely confused, not understanding what he was talking about.

Ning Yi raised his head and looked at the lights over there, hearing many small whispers. "Today's event is mainly because of the Third Branch's attempt to seize assets, but this can't be said openly. To confirm that the First Branch is no longer capable of managing so many businesses, to urge the clan elders to cut the Gordian knot, to remove the unstable factor of Su Tan'er rather than dragging it out, they can only make a fuss about the losses in the Imperial Merchant accounts. Anyway, it's right in front of us."

"Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang have been actively working, so some people will definitely jump out. This isn't entirely a matter of loyalty, but just a matter of confidence in the First Branch, in Tan'er. At a critical moment, they'll always remember that Tan'er is a woman. If these people don't cause trouble now, they may be a problem later. So... before Tan'er officially secures her position, give them a warning, do a rehearsal, let them think that Tan'er can solve such difficulties in the future."

"What are you talking about?"

"What you guessed wrong about." Ning Yi smiled. At that moment, several figures came over from that side, led by Su Wengui. This guy had shown off his petty cleverness on the day Su Boyong was assassinated, but Su Yu had broken his head with a cane. Since then, his face had been gloomy whenever he saw Ning Yi, but now, when he saw Ning Yi and Su Danhong, he was slightly stunned, then smiled and walked over.

"Liheng. Why don't you go over there and take a look? Do you know? They're arguing inside, haha." Su Wengui smiled, then lowered his voice. "There's infighting, you know? Uncle Tingguang and Uncle Mianyun have both come out and brought out your First Branch's deficit accounts. Everyone is arguing. It's really chaotic. Sister Tan'er is alone and almost got scolded. You're her husband, you don't even go to see. That's really... tsk tsk tsk tsk... no human touch..."

The confused expression on Su Danhong's face hadn't faded, and hearing Su Wengui say this, combined with what Ning Yi had just said, it was almost terrifying. She looked at Su Wengui, then back at Ning Yi. Su Wengui saw her expression. "Oh? Cousin Danhong is worried?"

Su Danhong just looked at Ning Yi, and Ning Yi laughed. "See, you feel it too..." Then he turned to look at Su Wengui and took out a handful of peanuts. "Want some peanuts?"

Su Wengui stared at him for a long time, then shrugged. "No."

He still had to go back and watch the show.

*******************

The same night, Changyun Pavilion.

With a crash, a wine cup fell to the ground.

"Liu Qingdi, don't be so arrogant, I'm telling you!"

"What if I am arrogant?" Among the voices, Liu Qingdi's face was flushed, speaking each word distinctly.

The scene had become slightly chaotic. As the host, Puyang Yi was also a little headachey. Of course, tonight's situation was quite dramatic. Liu Qingdi didn't know what was wrong with him today, he drank a lot of wine and couldn't control himself anymore. He mocked everyone who argued with him tonight one by one, and then wrote poem after poem, showing an attitude of literary prowess in fighting against the crowd. As for the few who could compete with him today, such as Cao Guan, he had been sitting beside them watching the show and drinking, not speaking or participating. The scene was a little out of control.

Of course, although the atmosphere wasn't good tonight, after the matter spread, it might turn into a good story. Liu Qingdi would definitely be famous. In the midst of a frenzied argument, someone couldn't help but speak out.

"Do you really think you're the most talented in Jiangning City? What I know is that someone casually wrote a poem for a nine-year-old child, and it was a thousand times better than yours."

"Who are you talking about then!?" Liu Qingdi shouted.

"Ning Yi, Ning Liheng!"

As soon as this name came out, everyone present was stunned for a moment. Puyang Yi frowned, Cao Guan squinted his eyes while holding a wine glass, and Liu Qingdi's face turned red and white, then his eyes turned fierce.

Someone next to him asked: "Did Ning Yi have a new poem come out?"

"How did Brother Kongshan know?"

"Quick, bring it out for us to see..."

For a time there was a lot of discussion, and Qilan, who was busy trying to persuade them, couldn't help but stretch her neck. Liu Qingdi waved his hand, and after a long time he came back to his senses and began to roar: "Bring it out! Could it be *Drinking with Pei Di*! The Taoist at his door is chanting the third one!?"

Chen Lu, who was called Layman Kongshan, slammed a long table over. He was also angry, his face flushed, grabbing the brush that was about to fall to the ground, and hitting the long table hard.

"I, Chen Lu, am not a poetic genius! I write poems just to cultivate my temperament! Maybe I can't write as well as you, but I just can't stand your behavior! This poem is not mine, but I want you to see it, to know that there is always someone better than you!"

"Good!"

Someone applauded.

"Then write it! Let me see what this guy can write!"

Chen Lu glared at him, stirring the brush wildly in the ink, picked up a piece of paper, and wrote three messy characters: *Ding Feng Bo*!

The strokes continued without stopping. A group of people who were already anxious, angry, and red-faced gathered around. Liu Qingdi held his breath, his chest rising and falling. The poem came out in a rush on the Xuan paper!

Do not heed the sound of the wind rustling through the trees, why not chant and walk slowly? Bamboo staff and straw sandals are lighter than a horse, who's afraid!

Writing to this point, Chen Lu looked at Liu Qingdi, lowered the brush, and continued.

A raincoat of mist and rain, let me live my life as I please!

***************

Continue writing, there will be a next chapter in the morning. (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log in, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)

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