From the moment Song Mao left in the afternoon, Su Wenxing had been waiting for night to arrive. He had such an urgent feeling not just for himself, but because he had already bragged to several brothers and close friends that once his uncle arrived, he would definitely be able to expose Ning Yi's pretentious, fame-seeking scholar facade. This was also why, when Song Mao praised Ning Yi highly at the library, Su Wenxing had rushed to inquire about it.

"I think your uncle probably doesn't want to get involved in these things. Look at what he said at the library... He clearly didn't know Ning Yi was the teacher at first. Once he said those words, praising the other person's great talent, he can't take them back now. Old Five, stop bluffing... Hmph, I really don't know what Ning Yi has done to fool everyone so completely. Do you think he used to be some kind of professional con man?"

As dusk fell, several young men were chatting in the courtyard gazebo. These were mostly members of the Su family's second branch. If not for Song Mao's arrival, Su Wenxing wouldn't have become the center of attention. These people were supposedly united by common interests and formed an alliance, but they were actually just friends who ate, drank, and made merry together. Their kinship naturally drew them closer.

Since they all benefited from the second branch, they would naturally worry about its future while eating, drinking, having fun, and pretending to be talented scholars visiting prostitutes. Proportionally speaking, although Su Tan'er always seemed confident and had used her financial clout to keep many of the younger generation of the Su family neutral, most people still favored the second or third branches when it came to showing support, primarily because Su Tan'er was a woman. Of course, this support wasn't very reliable. The third generation of the Su family currently held little power, and their numbers would only serve to boost morale in a real showdown.

Of course, before becoming a significant member of the family, they could still do things like undermine the opponent's advantages and arrogance. In the eyes of these young men who liked to dress up as talented scholars and visit brothels to drink, Ning Yi, who was unconventional, had a reputation they couldn't acquire, and was also Su Tan'er's husband, was naturally displeasing.

"If I had that kind of fame, I wouldn't be able to get into the top courtesan's room on the Qinhuai River, but this guy doesn't even go to brothels! What a waste! Besides, his reputation is fake... It's simply unbearable..."

But resentment was just resentment. Rolling their eyes at him was one thing, but actually inflicting any damage was difficult. When Ning Yi told Su Taigong and the others that he hadn't written the poem, Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang were present, so they had also heard it. However, Su Taigong had strictly forbidden anyone from spreading the news. Who would dare to run out and prove this as a member of the Su family? Spreading rumors quietly didn't work because there were already too many rumors that no one believed. They couldn't just run over and "expose" something at home either, since he had already admitted it! His stance was incredibly straightforward, and he seemed to be unafraid, which made many people think he was deliberately hiding his talents.

As members of the Su family, they couldn't go outside and betray their family, and the family couldn't take action themselves, which made setting up this situation difficult. Song Mao's arrival was naturally the best opportunity. As the prefect of the city, he was completely unaware of the inside story. As long as he pointed out Ning Yi's pretentious and fame-seeking behavior in a righteous manner at some occasion, the old man wouldn't be able to do anything to him since he was uninformed. And once the news spread, they would have to "cut ties" with the other side. Perhaps in the future, they could confide in a certain beauty at a brothel: "That son-in-law of my second sister, I originally thought he was truly talented, but who knew..." Blah blah blah blah.

Therefore, as soon as Song Mao arrived, the group, after discussing it, immediately flocked around Su Wenxing to talk about it. Song Mao had always been very fond of Su Wenxing, which everyone had noticed. After speaking, Su Wenxing came out with his head held high: "It's settled." Soon after, they saw Song Mao praising Ning Yi at the library, and everyone scoffed at Su Wenxing. After all, Song Mao was known for his honesty and integrity, and when he praised Ning Yi at the library, it seemed to be from the bottom of his heart. This plan was probably a bust.

"You don't understand anything. Ning Yi wasn't there at the time, so what could he say about him? He could only say that he wasn't good at teaching. My uncle is using this as a stepping stone, giving him some benefits first. When he comes back, without any vigilance, he can naturally examine him at the evening banquet. Even if he wants to decline, he won't be able to."

After coming out of his uncle's room, Su Wenxing, recalling Song Mao's words, felt that they were very meaningful and suddenly understood. He explained these things to everyone, but by this evening, some people began to doubt again. In the end, everyone still believed Su Wenxing a little more.

"That's Wenxing's uncle. It's just a small favor, who would he help if not Wenxing? Wen Tian, don't worry so much."

"To expose him, you naturally have to approach him first, praise him a little, and then ask him some things at the evening banquet. Then the other person's true colors will be revealed. In the past, when those scholars outside invited Ning Yi for a banquet or asked him for advice, he could always deflect them by saying something random, simply because they weren't familiar with each other. Now that the prefect is praising him, he has to act friendly in some way, and then it will be time to unleash the killing weapon. Wen Tian, do you think the prefect's considerations are as simple as yours!" Su Wengui, the second eldest male in the Su family, who was somewhat thin but still had some talent, had read many novels and compared himself to Zhuge Liang, always had some ideas when it came to big and small matters. His words were much more persuasive than Su Wenxing's, and when he spoke quietly, Su Wentian, who was originally a little irritable, laughed awkwardly.

"Hehe, isn't it because I saw that the household was spreading rumors about how talented Ning Yi was, and I couldn't stand it?"

"What talent could he possibly have? We've all investigated him, he's just a bookworm." Su Wengui frowned slightly. "In my opinion, Ning Yi's many actions are being manipulated by the second sister from behind. Everyone be sharp at the banquet tonight. If the prefect asks questions on the spot, the second sister might step in to smooth things over, or say that Ning Yi is slightly ill, or cause some small accident. If the prefect doesn't want to press too hard, we have to help fuel the flames a little, so that Ning Yi can't get off the stage. In short, expose him this time, and then formally disassociate ourselves from him in front of others. Only then will we be able to rightfully break this game of the second sister..."

Everyone nodded quickly and discussed it for a few sentences. Su Wentian asked, "Wenxing, I don't know where the prefect went this afternoon. If he was kept for dinner, he might miss it today."

Su Wenxing shook his head: "I don't know either, probably the prefect's teacher or someone like that."

"Then it must be some great figures..." Wentian smiled. "Wenxing, what if one day you could take us all along, how great would that be? If we could get a few pointers..."

"Hmph, Wentian, you don't study hard on weekdays, how would you become enlightened even if people give you one or two pointers?"

"The teachers in Yu Mountain Academy are all mediocre talents, what's the point of me studying hard? Those great figures are naturally different. I, Su Wentian, once wrote a poem that was praised by everyone at the Yingchun Tower. If I could get a little guidance from those great figures, I could naturally enter the hall..."

This Su Wentian was a bit dull on weekdays, but he thought he had talent and literary skill. If it wasn't because he spent a lot of money, the women in the brothels he frequented probably wouldn't pay him any attention. Everyone cursed him for being stupid, but they were too lazy to argue with him. After a moment, a follower came to report that Song Mao had returned.

"...The prefect seems to have returned with that Ning Yi. The two seem to know each other and are talking happily."

"So that's it." Su Wengui stood up, his expression as calm as water, and tapped his folding fan on his hand. "The prefect is already setting the stage. Otherwise, given Ning Yi's status as a son-in-law and a junior, even if he has some talent, why would the prefect make such a gesture? The things tonight, it seems, will be flawless. Everyone... prepare."

In the gazebo, that figure was indifferent and aloof, as if he had everything under control, and the world was in his calculations. Everyone was captivated by him, and they all nodded in agreement, filled with fighting spirit.

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

Coming back from outside, Ning Yi naturally wouldn't know that a group of people at home were secretly plotting a scheme against him. He was a little surprised when he learned about the relationship between Qin Fu and Song Mao, but he could naturally adjust to it, except that Brother Song would have to be changed to Uncle Song.

Song Mao seemed honest but was actually shrewd. For Ning Yi, it wasn't stressful to deal with shrewd people, especially when some situations were obvious. However, after returning to the Su residence, some other situations still made him feel a little surprised.

Not many people in the Su residence should have seen him return with Song Mao. It wasn't a big deal. The two parted ways at the gate of the mansion. Ning Yi carried the jar of preserved eggs all the way to the backyard. Before long, he saw Xiao Chan, who was waiting for him halfway. The little girl had probably been wandering around in the nearby courtyard for a long time. Her little face was flushed, and she ran over with a smile, calling him "Master," looking a little excited.

"Heh, are you free today? Oh, I have something for you..."

Xiao Chan was one of the closest people to him in the Su residence. When he saw her, he naturally had to give her a preserved egg. He lifted the jar and shook it in the air, but before he could reach out to open it, Xiao Chan, whose attention was obviously not on this, opened her arms and hugged it. She probably thought Ning Yi wanted her to help him carry something.

"Master, Master, listen to me, you were so impressive today."

"Oh." Ning Yi had a good idea and wasn't surprised. "I know, the exam at the library, how are Heizi and the others? If the Old Master rewarded them with some good things, Xiao Chan, tell me, should I, as the teacher, take half, or the other half..."

"Yes, yes." Xiao Chan nodded vigorously, happy that Ning Yi had been impressive. "Besides the library, there's also another thing. Master is really amazing. With just one sentence, you helped Miss settle the business with the He family... It's a pity Xiao Chan went to see the snow scene with Miss at the time and didn't see Master's expression when you spoke. Elder He's expression must have been very interesting... Today Miss, Cousin, Manager Xi, and the others were also very surprised when they heard it. Only Xiao Chan wasn't surprised... But Master really knows everything, you're so amazing. Tell me, if you see Miss in a moment..."

"..."

Amid the still-falling snowflakes, Chan'er, like a little hen, hugged the jar that she probably hadn't even noticed, and kept chirping excitedly as she walked. Ning Yi listened silently for a long time, and finally sighed.

"Xiao Chan, what exactly is this He family matter? Can you say it again from beginning to end..."

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

Today is on the Sanjiang list. I'll go eat in a moment, and then continue writing. I'll see if I can update another chapter around midnight.

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