Chapter 101: The Bathroom

In the courtyard, Su Tan’er’s expression appeared somewhat puzzled. She had always addressed Ning Yi as "husband," but this time she softly called him "my lord," her voice gentle, as if infused with a warmth that seeped into the heart. Yet, the moment of confusion quickly faded; she raised her hand to rub her face, shook her head, then picked up the firelighter by the table. The glow flickered through the window several times before reigniting the oil lamp in the room. Ning Yi curled his lips slightly; on the other side, she smiled sheepishly.

"Uh, almost done... a bit tired," she murmured.

She shook her head and tousled her slightly disheveled hair before folding her hands on the table and looking up at Ning Yi with a smile. After a while, Ning Yi turned and left. The woman by the window resumed her busy work, and by the time the light finally went out, more than half an hour had passed.

This day was the eleventh day of the seventh month in the eighth year of Jinghan. The next day, at the academy, Su Zhongkan, Su Chonghua, and several other teachers convened a meeting, naturally including Ning Yi and Li Pin. The main reason was the increasingly tense situation outside; the academy was preparing to close temporarily.

Most of the students studying at the academy were relatives of the Su family. Those living outside the city had mostly entered the city with their parents and were arranged to stay at the Su residence. After the city gates closed, the outskirts became relatively chaotic for a month or two, and life within the city was hardly normal. For instance, Old Qin had ceased his chess stall days ago and no longer went out to set it up.

By this time, the academy had learned that Li Pin would be heading to the capital. He had originally planned to leave after the floods and stay to teach for more than a month. But since the academy was going to close temporarily, it was unlikely they would see him for over a month. Around noon, Su Zhongkan hosted a farewell banquet at the best restaurant near the academy.

Since Li Pin’s arrival at Yushan Academy, Su Chonghua and others knew he would not remain long at this small school. Yet, leveraging Li Pin’s fame, Yushan Academy could still raise its profile. Those aware of the circumstances understood he was headed for an official post. Su Zhongkan generously offered a substantial salary and travel allowance, speaking highly of him and wishing him a smooth journey and great success.

“Dexin and Liheng are the two most outstanding talents of Yushan Academy. We elders are old and of little use. Liheng’s temperament is too bland,” he lamented. “He should learn more from Dexin, who is worldly wise—that is the kind of cultivation one needs to accomplish great things in the future…”

At the banquet, most present were middle-aged or elderly, inevitably discussing Ning Yi and Li Pin together. In fact, both were regarded as the top talents in Jiangning. Ning Yi’s situation was more extreme; some regarded him as the foremost talent in Jiangning, to the point others hesitated to compose poetry in his presence. However, he did not participate in poetry gatherings or social events, nor did he mingle with many literati, and he bore the title of an in-law son. Despite his talent, it was hard to tell what he wanted, leading many to consider him eccentric. Some privately thought he sought fame, others believed he was a genius, but his reputation was quite different from that of Li Pin or Cao Guan.

Su Chonghua spoke as an elder, and Ning Yi could only smile: “Master, please don’t mock me.” Li Pin laughed: “Liheng handles affairs far better than I do; I should be learning from him instead.”

“Ah,” Su Zhongkan chuckled, waving his hand, “I know you two are close, but Dexin needn’t speak so well for Liheng. Now that the city gates are closed, who knows when they’ll open again? Dexin still has over a month before he leaves; it wouldn’t do to stay cooped up at home. If there’s any poetry gathering, Dexin, bring Liheng along. Liheng is a scholar but too reserved—it’s not good. How about this: tonight, I’ll have Wenxing and the others host at Yancui Pavilion; Liheng and Dexin can go. It’ll be a gathering of young people—no refusals! The younger generation at home is hopeless; Liheng and Dexin should teach these brothers a thing or two, alright?”

Li Pin didn’t mind such matters. Since Su Zhongkan, his second uncle, spoke, Ning Yi had no choice but to agree. After the banquet, as they descended the stairs, Su Zhongkan approached Ning Yi.

“Some people fuss over dividing the family into main and secondary branches, but that’s just outsiders amused by the spectacle. We’re one family; there’s no need to quarrel. Your cousins are disappointing—if they inherit the family business, it’ll be ruined sooner or later. Tan’er has a sharp mind and doesn’t let men outshine her. If she takes over the Su family, it would be the best outcome. Alas, being a woman, she sometimes stands alone. With the tensions inside and outside the city, and her hands-on nature, she looks tired lately. You’re her husband; you should look after her more and advise her to relax a bit. Business in this world isn’t done all at once.”

Su Zhongkan’s words were earnest, and Ning Yi respectfully nodded in agreement. Among the third generation of the Su family, only Su Tan’er was worth praise, but the second generation was different: Su Boyong, Su Zhongkan, and Su Yunfang each possessed talents. The family’s affairs were still firmly in their hands. Whether sincere or not, this conversation revealed that Su Zhongkan was no ordinary man.

The afternoon had already passed halfway by the time Ning Yi returned home. Crossing the outer and inner courtyards, the recent influx of relatives had made the outside a bit noisy. Upon entering his residence, the clamor diminished. Sunlight filtered through the tall branches, casting light into the quiet courtyard. No one seemed around—Chan’er, Juan’er, and Xing’er were all absent, perhaps accompanying Tan’er out or handling matters related to the main family. The window to Su Tan’er’s room was open; Ning Yi saw her sleeping with her head on the table, much like the previous night. She had likely handled some matters at noon before dozing off, the courtyard breeze gently stirring her hair.

Seeing her asleep, Ning Yi chose not to disturb her and returned to his room to read for a while. Amid the cicadas' song, he later rose to check the small kitchen nearby, lighting a fire to boil water for a bath.

Bathing in these times was troublesome. Filling the tub required many trips back and forth, and emptying it afterward was even more laborious. Though a large water storage jar was in the bathhouse, it was empty today, so he had to fetch water from the kitchen in the adjoining room. Hot water came from there as well. In winter, fire could be kept under the tub to maintain warmth, but in summer and early autumn, this was seldom done.

Recently, his strength had grown, especially after practicing the breathing techniques taught by Lu Hongti. Such simple labor no longer broke his sweat, and filling the tub brought a sense of accomplishment. After filling more than half the tub, the courtyard was still and quiet, the distant sounds of people seeming unreal. On this early autumn afternoon, in an ancient world far removed from the modern era he once knew, performing such tasks felt oddly poignant.

He had little else but martial skills and a small family. As he drew water into the jar, feeling the power within his body, he thought of the three maids, each busy with their own tasks. Carrying two buckets, he crossed the corridor to the bathhouse’s anteroom, drew back the curtain, and stepped inside. After a few steps, he finally saw the figure standing before the tub.

Her teal outer garment and long skirt hung on a nearby rack. The woman wore a red silk corset and thin white silk pants. Her figure was graceful, her smooth, pale bare back facing Ning Yi. Her shoes were off to the side. She was pulling out several hairpins from her head, her long hair cascading like a dark waterfall, swaying as she shook her head. Noticing the scene, the woman turned to face him, hands cupping her cheeks, fingers threading through her black hair, her gaze still clouded with sleep.

Su Tan’er’s confusion was understandable. She had been handling affairs at home at noon, having slept poorly these past few days due to late nights. The midday heat and quiet courtyard made her drowsy. Leaning on the table for a nap, she heard faint noises—Juan’er was cleaning, wiping porcelain, tea sets, tables, and stools. She instinctively told Juan’er to heat water for a bath. Her mind already hazy, she soon fell asleep.

Juan’er eagerly went to boil the water. When everything was ready and she went to call her mistress, Su Tan’er was already asleep. Knowing her fatigue, Juan’er thought sleep was most important and continued cleaning. After she finished, sweating herself, with the water cooling and Su Tan’er deeply asleep, Juan’er bathed herself. Later, when someone came to find Su Tan’er, she went along to handle matters. Ning Yi found the bathhouse’s water jar empty for this reason.

Su Tan’er had just awakened, still disoriented about the time. Half-dazed, she came this way. Unsure if she had said she wanted to bathe, seeing the ready water brought her back to full awareness. Having removed her clothes and looking back, she saw her husband carrying two buckets, his brow slightly furrowed.

Ning Yi was also puzzled but quickly understood. Setting down the buckets, he silently turned to leave.

Before he could exit the curtain, a startled low cry came from behind, followed by a splash—Su Tan’er had fallen into the bath, already half full of water, clearly frightened.

Being startled, she did not cry out—a sign of either great self-control or a temperament somewhat repressed. Ning Yi glanced back, sighed deeply, then grabbed a nearby bath towel. He reached in, lifted Su Tan’er out of the tub, wrapped her upper body in the towel, and helped her sit down.

Leaning in Ning Yi’s arms, Su Tan’er coughed repeatedly. Ning Yi patted her back through the towel and sighed.

“If you drowned in your own bath, who knows what rumors would spread, huh?”

“Cough… ah… husband…” Su Tan’er’s body trembled as she smiled awkwardly through her coughs, which only grew worse…