Encountering Rain at West Lake

Over the next few days, it rained in Jiangning. Search: (¨Complete¨ Book¨ Divine¨ Station¨) to read premium literature for free.

Before the city gates opened, the continuous autumn rain seemed to melt the entire city into itself. Pedestrians hurried along the roads, yet there was a deep sense of weariness and listlessness. With the city gates still closed, little could be done, and even simple tasks required more effort than usual. Rice and grain prices continued to rise, and disputes gradually increased. Everyone was weary of such stagnant days.

However, if the silk merchant sector of Jiangning was considered separately, the situation was slightly different. A storm was brewing, with each household engaging in vigorous activity, forming new plans and connections, preparing to read the wind, find trends, and secure positions. The Wu family, originally the foremost silk merchant in Jiangning, had secured the position of Imperial Merchant this year, signaling preparations for expansion. Of course, significant moves would likely be difficult within a few months. Obtaining the Imperial Merchant title came with enormous responsibilities, and the Wu family needed to adjust to the issues related to the annual tribute to the Emperor. However, once stabilized, they would inevitably begin to advance rapidly.

In contrast, the Su family began to falter. After that night of the Imperial Merchant selection, Su Tan'er finally appeared, ready to actively stabilize the turmoil the Su family would face, seeking to solidify relationships with past partners. The Su family had some foundation, and the initial responses were positive. However, beneath the surface, it was difficult to discern how many had already begun to have second thoughts, or how many had secretly contacted other merchants.

The Xue family was powerless to influence these events. They could only wait quietly, layout plans discreetly, and accumulate strength. In the upcoming situation, they hoped to seize the opportunity to further carve out the market share potentially released by the Su family. They had been preparing for the Su family for the longest time, and now they might be able to seize the opportunity to obtain even greater benefits.

These things had not yet fully formed, but like the emergence of termites, they were rapidly corroding the entire structure. In a month or two, the entire situation might truly collapse. The Wu family would reach a new peak, while the Su family would withdraw from the top three silk merchants of Jiangning, returning to the scale of a mid-sized merchant, and then... in the eyes of those who were perceptive, perhaps they would begin to decline further.

The internal strife within the Su family, in a sense, had already begun.

Now, within the Su family courtyard, talk of the Imperial Merchant night permeated everything. The First Branch, Second Branch, and Third Branch had begun to clearly delineate their boundaries, with overt and covert voices criticizing Ning Yi's incompetence and Su Tan'er's incompetence. Of course, Su Tan'er had been running around these past few days, too busy to pay attention to the people in her family. For now, those people didn't dare say anything directly to Su Tan'er, but within the Su family, the voices demanding that Su Tan'er stop managing the business had already become loud, and there were daily arguments.

Not only were there comments from the inept children of the Second and Third Branches, but these kinds of opinions also began to appear in the mouths of some of the Su family elders. Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang had finally begun to unleash the power they had accumulated over the years, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to the First Branch after Su Boyong fell. With the Su family facing both internal and external troubles, even the Old Master Su could not suppress these matters using high-pressure tactics at this time.

It would probably take some time for these matters to become a foregone conclusion, but in the eyes of most, it was already inevitable that Su Tan'er would soon withdraw from the Su family's business stage. No matter how hard she tried to maintain it or prevent it, some things were truly like a landslide defeat, and she was a woman. In such a crisis, it was even more difficult to give people a sense of stability—many might acknowledge Su Tan'er's business skills, and even if she failed this time, she might be able to recover in the future. However, they found it hard to believe that the Su family would continue to let her steer the ship.

During this period, there were probably the most criticisms of Ning Yi. Although they were not brought to the surface, even many people who had originally been close to the First Branch did not have good things to say in private. Some even began to say that this scholar was not worthy of the Second Miss. After that night, Su Tan'er fully reclaimed her original position, and Ning Yi had nothing to do. These days, he had returned to his previous idle state. It was raining outside, and the private school was still closed, so he stayed at home reading and writing, occasionally tinkering with a small cylinder, and there was nothing different about him from the past.

However, although the city gates had not opened and the private school remained closed, several people in the Su family courtyard had begun to find Su Chonghua, the head of Yushan Academy, requesting that their children be transferred to other classes. These people's children were originally students taught by Ning Yi. At this time, the parents had probably decided to align themselves with the Second and Third Branches, so they no longer wanted their children to be taught by Ning Yi. The Su family had always placed the greatest importance on the affairs of the private school and controlled it most strictly. The activities of taking sides had developed to this point, clearly indicating that this was not a game. These matters had also spread widely throughout the Su residence in a matter of days.

It was approaching September, and the weather cleared up again that day. It was said that the city gates might open in the next few days. The tense atmosphere in the city seemed to have eased slightly, but in the Su family's mansion, the atmosphere was deepening every day. Under the courtyard廊, two maids walked by carrying some things, whispering to each other.

"After messing up such a big thing, that son-in-law can still act like nothing happened..."

"He's supposed to be the number one talent, but he's completely useless..."

"The Second Miss has been implicated by him..."

"I don't know what will happen to the Su family..."

In such an atmosphere, it had become commonplace for maids who occasionally passed by to gossip like this. However, these two maids seemed to be a bit unlucky today. Just as they were about to turn the corner of the courtyard, they suddenly saw an icy, pretty face waiting there: "You two, go help over there. They're moving things in the next courtyard, and they don't have enough people."

"Juan... Sister Juan'er..."

"Didn't you hear what I said? Everyone is working, hurry up and go!"

"But... the Fourth Miss told us to..."

"The Fourth Miss isn't in a hurry, I'll call someone else... go quickly!"

"Yes..."

The two maids looked displeased, but finally left in a hurry.

Juan'er frowned and walked quickly forward. After a while, she heard people inside talking about Ning Yi at the entrance of another courtyard, and naturally it wasn't anything good. This time, she pursed her lips and finally didn't go in again. Everyone was talking, and after all, she couldn't control everything. She just lowered her head and walked quickly towards the courtyard. At this time, Chan'er was diligently sweeping the floor in the small courtyard. Juan'er walked over and looked at Ning Yi's room, then looked upstairs: "Xiao Chan, where's the master?"

"Uh, he went out." Xiao Chan held the broom. "He said this morning that the weather finally cleared up, so he went out for a stroll. Is there something you need him for, Juan'er?"

"I just passed by the gate, and the Zhou family's younger siblings came to see the master."

"Hmm, but your face doesn't look too good, Juan'er."

"I just ran into some people who don't understand anything..."

Juan'er coldly spoke the words she had just heard. Chan'er pursed her lips, and her face also became a little ugly. Everyone had been hearing this kind of talk for the past few days, and it was useless even if they stood up and scolded them. As for some other things, the things they knew, they simply couldn't say.

"The master is really wronged..." Juan'er said with a slight frown. She was usually quiet, but at this time she was sincerely feeling sad for Ning Yi.

"Sister Xing'er also cursed yesterday..." Chan'er said. "But the master seems quite relaxed. Yesterday, I asked him if he was angry, and the master was tinkering with that telescope or something, and he just shook his head casually and didn't say anything."

Chan'er imitated Ning Yi's casual head-shaking, but it was hard to say whether it was really like him. Actually, she also cared. Juan'er spoke a few more words to her and hurried out to reply to the Zhou family's siblings.

After Juan'er left, Xiao Chan hugged the broom and looked at Ning Yi's room for a long time, biting her lip and muttering: "Master..." Then, holding the broom, she swept the floor with force.

Around this time in the morning, Ning Yi met with Nie Yunzhu in the small building.

He went to the small laboratory next to the academy to get some things, and then wandered over here. He didn't expect Nie Yunzhu to be home. This was the first time the two had seen each other after the twenty-fifth day of the eighth month.

Seeing him suddenly at the door, Nie Yunzhu's expression was clearly relieved. The two didn't exchange too many greetings. Ning Yi just carried a small bag and waved casually. Nie Yunzhu stood on the steps, revealing a smile. Afterwards, it looked almost like a wife welcoming her tired husband home.

"How have you been recently?"

"The shop is fine, Jin'er is there, so I'm resting." Nie Yunzhu tilted her head, letting Ning Yi go inside. "How about you?"

"Also good, it's just that it's been raining these past few days, so I couldn't come out. Now that it's clear, I'm going out for a walk."

"That's good." The doors to the living room were open, directly leading to the terrace extending over the river. The autumn sun shone there, and a crooked-necked tree grew leaning against the small building, casting shade on the terrace at this time. Nie Yunzhu thought for a moment: "Actually... I've heard about the things that have happened these past few days."

"Oh." Ning Yi glanced at her, then shook his head with a smile. "Uh... things are definitely not as terrible as the rumors outside say, but it's been a bit noisy recently..."

"How about... I play some music for Liheng to listen to, to ease your mind?"

"Wouldn't that be a bit of trouble? You finally have a day off..."

"It's okay." Nie Yunzhu smiled, then lowered her eyes. "I... this is all I can really do..."

The terrace faced the river, offering a pleasant view of the surrounding scenery. The shade cast by the crooked-necked tree was limited, and most of the terrace was still bathed in the lazy sunlight. Ning Yi took a cushion and sat casually by the edge of the terrace. When Nie Yunzhu brought over a tea tray, she saw him sitting on the terrace floor, leaning against the wall, bending one leg and looking at the distant outline of the scenery. She couldn't help but smile and put down the tray.

"I'll go get the zither."

She said softly, and Ning Yi looked at her and nodded.

A moment later, the sound of the zither rang out...

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

Unknowingly, he fell asleep.

The warm feeling was like floating in water, and his mother's hand gently brushed over him... Nie Yunzhu didn't know what kind of zither music she was playing. He was completely tone-deaf in this area and had never really liked these ancient zither pieces, but at this time he was still immersed in it. Nie Yunzhu occasionally hummed a few phrases of the music, all sorts of things, like trivial sentences whispered by a little woman. Occasionally looking over there, the autumn light shone down, as if gold dust was falling on her. Her clothes were like snow, her dark hair moved slightly, and the woman's expression was focused. However, when he looked over, she would also give him a gentle smile in the intervals between playing the zither.

She had changed clothes when she came in... When he vaguely realized this, Ning Yi had gradually fallen asleep. The willow shade on the opposite bank was like a screen. The autumn wind blew, and the river flowed from the bend of the river beneath the terrace. The leaves on the terrace rustled, and occasionally a leaf fell. The zither music gathered in the sound of the water and the leaves, and the woman's light singing between her lips was melodious and ethereal.

He didn't know when the music stopped. The woman sat there for a long time without moving, looking at the sleeping figure of the man not far away. For several years, this was the first time she had played continuously for such a long time. In the past, even when she was in the mood and entertaining herself, she would not have gone to this extent. But in those days, even a little earlier when she was in the brothel, her playing was mostly for herself. Not long ago, her performance in Yan Cui Tower was filled with a desire to win, and the truly playing component was shallow. Only at this time was she playing here wholeheartedly for others, for a long time, letting him fall asleep, hoping that he could feel comfortable and peaceful, and be comforted.

The wind was blowing on the river. She pushed away the zither and stood up. Then there was the sound of light footsteps. She quietly cleaned up the teapot, teacups, and snacks, afraid that Ning Yi would fall back down while sleeping. Then she sat beside him in the autumn light, quietly watching his sleeping face.

He didn't know when, but the wind seemed to have gotten a little stronger. She went into the room and soon brought out a thin blanket. When she squatted down next to the man, the woman hesitated slightly, wondering if putting the blanket on would wake him up. Moreover, this blanket was hers and Jin'er's, with a scent that belonged exclusively to women. In this moment of hesitation, Ning Yi's eyelids twitched a few times. Then, he woke up groggily, rubbed his eyes, supported himself on the floor with his hand, and stood up.

The woman in white clothes and a white dress was holding the blanket and couldn't help but stand up, hesitating slightly, not knowing what to do.

"Uh, sorry, I don't know what happened, I fell asleep... It must be because you played too well."

Ning Yi smiled, still a little dazed, but Nie Yunzhu did not answer. Turning her head, this white figure took a step forward, raised her white-socked toes, and tilted her head to press her lips against his.

The soft, warm, slightly trembling, and awkward touch lost the autumn scenery between the wooden buildings of the river bend. The wind brushed past, the sunlight passed through the eaves, and a leaf fell in the wind, quietly watching this scene...

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

Asking for monthly tickets and recommendation tickets!!! (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log in for more chapters, support the author, and support authentic reading!)

Support (Complete Book Divine Station) to share this site with those little partners who need it! Please leave a message if you can't find a book!