Chapter 112: A Perilous Predicament

Chapter 112: The Critical Situation

Su Boyong had fallen, but the ensuing chaos was not limited to the Su family's main branch. Once the news arrived from the magistrate’s office, everyone understood that someone was targeting the Su family. From that afternoon on, the entire Su family’s resources within the city were mobilized. Shopkeepers, stewards, and various staff members who offered counsel began rushing to the Su residence, from the second branch, the third branch… and the affairs of the main branch were even more numerous.

Previously, Su Tan’er had managed the main branch’s business. While it was said she was in charge, the reality was that Su Boyong had always been the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. With his collapse, the burden of controlling the entire main branch fell squarely onto Su Tan’er’s shoulders. The Old Master might consciously share some of the load, but the old man had more pressing matters to attend to; he was old, after all, and could no longer carry the entire Su family on his back.

After the Old Master left that afternoon, Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang also departed in a hurry. Su Tan’er began summoning everyone she could into the residence, including the shopkeepers who had previously answered only to Su Boyong. In truth, even if they followed the established routine, these shopkeepers could hold the fort for a long time. But if there were a puppet master pulling strings behind the scenes, the Su family’s nationwide business would become precarious—especially since the city gates were closed, making communication in and out of the city many times slower than usual.

Upon hearing of Su Boyong’s injuries, Su Tan’er’s mother had fainted. Since then, Su Tan’er had been staying by her side in the room, while Ning Yi instructed Chan’er, Juan’er, and the others to handle the trivial matters. When the lanterns were first lit, he stepped out of the courtyard for a while. By the time he returned, the room was already illuminated. Su Tan’er’s mother had regained consciousness. As he approached the room, he heard voices. Su Tan’er’s mother and two concubines were inside, weeping and talking. Su Tan’er sat there in silence. Ning Yi caught a few words and quickly grasped the situation.

The three women were complaining while they wept—complaining about Su Tan’er’s competitiveness, and about the recent matter concerning the Imperial Merchant status.

"I said it long ago... why must a girl be so headstrong..."

"Who knows if the second and third uncles had a hand in this..."

"They knew Tan’er was going for the Imperial Merchant title..."

"They were talking about it a few days ago..."

"Maybe they were frightened... if she succeeds, they’ll end up with nothing..."

"Even us simple women know this logic..."

Su Boyong was excellent at managing the various aspects of the main branch, but his wife—Su Tan’er’s mother—was somewhat weak-willed. This was largely because she had only given birth to a daughter, and in such a family, she lacked the standing to speak with authority. Later, she helped Su Boyong take two concubines, but the main branch still produced no sons. Only then did people suspect the issue might lie with Su Boyong, but by then, everyone’s status and temperament were essentially fixed.

In her early years, because Su Tan’er was a girl, her mother hadn't been particularly affectionate, as she had been fixated on bearing a son. This likely set the tone for their mother-daughter relationship, which mirrored that of the father and daughter—not particularly intimate. When Su Tan’er wanted to get involved in the family business, she had opposed it, but later stopped saying much. Now, even if she longed for a more normal mother-daughter bond, she was at a loss as to how to achieve it.

The two concubines rarely had much of a say in front of Su Tan’er, but at this moment, they only dared to weep and offer indirect, suggestive hints.

Not many in the family knew of Su Tan’er’s desire to become an Imperial Merchant, and even fewer could see through it. But even if it had been kept hidden, there would eventually come a day when it had to be brought into the light. After all, the officials overseeing the Imperial Merchant affairs were, at the very least, officials; the matters of the Jiangning Textile Bureau would eventually be exposed as they neared the critical stage. A few days before the city gates were closed, likely after discussing it with Xi Junyu, Su Tan’er had officially made contact with the relevant figures, bringing the relationships she had cultivated to the table. If they were to secure the Imperial Merchant title this year, it would be within the next month or two.

Once the matter was exposed, everyone saw it, especially the members of the Su family. They had originally intended to trip her up, waiting for her to lose her chance at becoming the family head due to her gender. Who would have thought this woman had been working so effectively in the shadows? If the Imperial Merchant business could be handled well and turned a profit, there would be nothing left to contest in the future.

Since the city gates had been closed for a few days, the rumor had been circulating among everyone, and then Su Boyong’s accident occurred. Su Tan’er’s mother and the concubines, who only interacted with people inside the residence, felt the malice and goodwill directed toward members of the household. Naturally, they suspected Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang. Perhaps one of them had taken a desperate gamble; even if they destroyed the family, they wouldn't let Su Tan’er take it all... Getting less was better than getting nothing at all... A woman’s thoughts often revolved around these things.

At this moment, Su Tan’er’s mother was weeping, and the two concubines were also sobbing, murmuring complaints and making veiled accusations. Through the window, Su Tan’er was visible, sitting there with her head bowed, silent and offering no rebuttal. Ning Yi knocked on the door and opened it. He saw Su Tan’er still wearing the clothes stained with blood, sitting on a small stool by the bed, her hands clenched on her lap, her gaze fixed on a point on the ground, cold and unchanging.

Ning Yi greeted the two concubines and his mother-in-law on the bed. The mother-in-law was still crying and ignored him, her gaze filled with resentment and even more sorrow. She resented Su Tan’er for being too headstrong, and likely resented Ning Yi, her son-in-law, as well, along with the family members—the two uncles vying for the family inheritance, the second and third branches... Such things were common in large families.

"...The shopkeepers have all arrived, so I came to check. Shopkeeper Liao has some things to show Tan’er..."

After the greetings, Ning Yi mentioned this. Tan’er nodded, wiped the corners of her eyes, and softly apologized and bade farewell to her mother and the two concubines—a somewhat formulaic dismissal. But that was of no concern now. After stepping out of the room and the courtyard, Su Tan’er and Ning Yi walked along the path. Starlight filtered down, and she looked at the surrounding scenery with a distant gaze. When they reached the entrance of her own courtyard, Xiao Chan was already waiting there and trotted over.

"Sir, the hot water is ready." She looked at her mistress beside him.

Su Tan’er frowned: "Shopkeeper Liao..."

"I was just saying that. You’ve been sitting for a whole day. If you’re going to be busy tonight, go take a bath first," Ning Yi said.

Su Tan’er paused, turned to look at Ning Yi, and after a moment, nodded silently: "Husband, thank you..." After saying this, she stepped into the courtyard. Only then did he see her raise her hand to wipe the corners of her eyes, though there was no hesitation in her stride. Ning Yi signaled to Xiao Chan to follow her.

The starry night hung high, and the moon, turning from full to waning, looked as if it had been bitten. Moonlight, starlight, and lamplight converged in the Su residence, accompanied by the sounds of bustling people and footsteps. Ning Yi stood there thinking and sighed softly. This night, he would likely remain awake until dawn...

For half the night, the lights in the neighboring courtyard remained on. Su Tan’er and the shopkeepers of the main branch were holding an all-night meeting, predicting potential events, discussing countermeasures, and estimating the enemies behind the scenes and the aid they might seek next. There were few clear leads yet, but everything that needed to be prepared had to be prepared.

Chan’er, Juan’er, and Xing’er, the three maids, were all busy with their own tasks. Relatively speaking, this courtyard was quiet. Ning Yi was quite idle, as in most people’s eyes, this was not his affair, nor was he capable of participating or changing anything. He took half a bowl of peanuts and sat in the gazebo in the middle of the courtyard, slowly shelling them while feeling the atmosphere of the entire mansion, pondering the possible reasons for this incident and the direction it might take.

Of course, the leads he could grasp were truly scarce; to say he had any results would be impossible. When Xiao Chan hurried past the corridor, she saw no one, leaned over, and hugged him. After letting go, she bit her lip: "Sir, are you worried?" She whispered, likely trying to comfort him. Ning Yi laughed and placed a few peanuts in her hand: "I’m fine. Go on and get busy, and keep an eye on Tan’er."

The little maid nodded, tucked the peanuts into her tunic, thought for a moment, and turned away: "Sir, get some sleep early..."

About an hour later, Juan’er walked past the eaves, looked over here, and then came over to sit quietly. Ning Yi was boredly arranging peanut shells on the table to represent the various interest groups involved in this incident. Juan’er likely didn’t understand. She sat quietly for a while, her gaze shifting between the bowl of peanuts and Ning Yi. Ning Yi glanced at her and pushed the bowl toward her: "What’s wrong?"

Juan’er laughed: "When I passed by there just now, Xiao Chan took a peanut out of her tunic to eat. She ate one and went back to work. I asked her, and she told me with a smile that you gave her a few peanuts, and that she could eat them until dawn..."

"Oh, that’s quite a feat..."

"So I’ve come to have one too." Juan’er said, taking a peanut from the bowl, shelling it, eating it, and then standing up to leave. As she left, she said: "Sir, get some sleep early..."

Ning Yi watched her retreating figure and shook his head with a smile. It was hard to say how busy this night really was. What kept Su Tan’er and the many shopkeepers busy was mostly anxiety and discussion, but for now, there were few clear leads. The people below were mostly driven by this mood, just waiting. If they weren't busy, they would likely be criticized for being slack. At present, if one really wanted to find a breakthrough, it ultimately rested with that Chen Er in the magistrate’s office. If one couldn't immediately identify the mastermind, the rest would have to wait until the other side struck again to see any further development.

After thinking through what he could, Ning Yi put away the peanut bowl and returned to his room to sleep. He slept for about two hours and then got up. By then, it was the darkest and quietest time before dawn, but the restlessness and unease of the entire Su residence could still be clearly felt. He carried a cup of tea outside. The neighboring courtyard had gone dark; the shopkeepers who had come for the meeting had likely left, and Chan’er, Juan’er, and Xing’er had probably gone to rest. The light in Su Tan’er’s room was still on. When Ning Yi walked over, she was holding a pen, staring blankly at the light of the oil lamp on the table. A letter lay half-written, spread out on the table; this letter was meant to be sent out of the city.

Ning Yi walked to the window and placed the teacup on the table. Only then did Su Tan’er react. She looked up sharply at Ning Yi, then her gaze turned calm. She stared blankly at the tea he had pushed toward her, then reached out to take it, lowering her head.

"It’s almost dawn," Ning Yi said.

Su Tan’er nodded but did not answer. She remained silent for a long time before looking up, smiling slightly—a smile that was somewhat sorrowful yet also resolute: "Mother... and the concubines think that it was the exposure of the Imperial Merchant matter that caused someone to take such a desperate gamble. Some of the shopkeepers... think so too. The second and third branches might have been involved..."

"There is no shortage of idiots in this world," Ning Yi nodded. "But idiots cannot accomplish great things."

"Heh..." Su Tan’er smiled. "Even if they were, they couldn't be the masterminds. Besides, the second and third branches have only known about the Imperial Merchant matter for a few days; they aren't that decisive, nor could they have decided so quickly to sell out the family. Even if they had, they lack the capability. The people behind this must have been planning for a long time. But even so... I cannot say it has nothing to do with me."

Su Tan’er was a woman of principle and perseverance. Even after these events, she remained calm tonight, dealing with everything, responding actively, and holding the fort. Her father had fallen, so she certainly could not. This temperament was stronger than that of most men; it was the attitude of someone who truly did things. However, as she spoke of this, there were tears in her eyes. She looked up, holding back the moisture.

"But no matter what, the decision is made. If I am to do it, there will surely be resistance. There could be all kinds of resistance. If I wanted to avoid everything, I would accomplish nothing. Husband... I will see this through... Once it is done, everything will be clear."

Su Tan’er looked at him, gave a smile, and then sniffled. This was less a speech to Ning Yi and more a reassurance to herself. Ning Yi nodded, turned to leave, and then looked back.

"The tea was just brewed... finish your work early and get some sleep."

"Thank you, husband..."

They were the same kind of people. Ning Yi understood that a crisis was a crisis. The blow this time might have been sudden and heavy, but Su Tan’er did not need much sympathy. For the entire Su family, this was just a process of dealing with a crisis. She knew clearly and distinctly everything that needed to be done and everything that could be done; watching her do it was enough.

However, in the following days, perhaps due to some unexpected circumstances, the entire situation took a turn for the worse...

For these few days, Ning Yi did not leave the house.

The situation in the Su family was a mess. Ning Yi could only watch, and of course, he could not intervene. During these few days, the Old Master Su Yu, Su Zhongkan, and Su Yunfang often went out to visit this person or that, but there was still no new progress regarding Chen Er at the magistrate’s office. Some of the shopkeepers of the main branch frequently visited the officials at the Textile Bureau. Under these circumstances, they still clearly displayed the determination to win the Imperial Merchant title—the strategy Su Tan’er used was exactly the right one. She had spent over a year preparing for this, and once she displayed it, it was with a boldness that left others stunned.

Su Boyong’s condition was still hovering between life and death, and it was hard to say how it would end. Everyone was waiting in silence. Su Tan’er went to see him once a day, and when it came to work, she remained as steady as a rock.

Ning Yi occasionally watched the shopkeepers coming and going from the second floor, occasionally heard the latest developments, but mostly read books and practiced calligraphy, quietly summarizing the developments in his mind.

He didn't know which day the situation quietly changed. Four days after Su Boyong fell, on the morning of July 22nd, Ning Yi noticed that Su Tan’er’s spirit seemed to have changed. She looked as if she had caught a cold, but this abnormality wasn't just physical; there was something different about her vitality compared to when she spoke to him a few nights prior.

After dusk that day, after calling many shopkeepers into the residence to discuss matters, and while Chan’er, Juan’er, and Xing’er were busy hosting, Su Tan’er had fallen asleep slumped over her desk. A few letters were blown out by the wind. Ning Yi picked them up, took them inside, and placed them on the table beside Su Tan’er, weighing them down with a paperweight. Su Tan’er woke up suddenly, stood up, and bumped into Ning Yi’s arms. She then took two steps back. Seeing it was Ning Yi, she smiled weakly: "Ah, husband."

Ning Yi looked at her for a few moments: "Are you running a fever?"

"Hm?" Su Tan’er was stunned. She reached out to touch her forehead, and after a moment, laughed and shook her head, "No, I’m just a bit tired from these past few days... you know, husband... once things are finished, I’ll be fine."

After saying this, she turned to organize the letters on the table. Then Juan’er came over to say the shopkeepers had arrived. Su Tan’er smiled apologetically at Ning Yi, said a few words, and followed Juan’er out.

That night, Ning Yi stood by the window on the second floor, looking at the scene in the neighboring courtyard. Several servants and maids of the main branch stood guard outside. Inside, a meeting was being held, and everyone was discussing a chaotic array of things. Su Tan’er’s mental state seemed fine, and he saw her speaking. After watching for a while, Ning Yi sighed, turned, and went downstairs, then headed toward that courtyard.

Despite the meeting, the maids in charge were Chan’er, Juan’er, and Xing’er. Seeing Ning Yi’s grave expression, they naturally did not stop him, but Xing’er followed him: "Sir, what’s wrong?"

"What exactly happened? How many days has your mistress been ill?"

"Mistress..." Xing’er was stunned, then almost burst into tears, "We... we noticed it today too, but, but..."

Ning Yi walked into the room. Su Tan’er was facing away from the door, her left hand supporting herself against the table, her head bowed as she tapped on the table with her right hand, discussing something. Seeing Ning Yi enter, the shopkeepers all cast their gazes over. Ning Yi walked over and patted Su Tan’er on the shoulder. Su Tan’er waved her hand subconsciously. Ning Yi patted her again, and she turned back, looking slightly confused, but still revealing a faint smile: "Husband, you..."

As soon as her left hand left the table, her body swayed. Ning Yi placed his palm against her forehead; it was burning hot. Su Tan’er lowered her head, grasping his hand with both of hers.

"I’m fine, I’m fine..."

She murmured these words as her body went limp. Xi Junyu came over from the side, wanting to reach out, but Ning Yi had already picked Su Tan’er up.

"Mistress!" Chan’er, Juan’er, and Xing’er all rushed in. The shopkeepers also widened their eyes and stood up, the voices chaotic. However, a moment later, a calm voice suppressed them all. It was not loud, but everyone heard it clearly.

"Continue your discussions. Shopkeeper Liao, please preside. Juan’er, go call Doctor Sun. Chan’er, come with me. Xing’er, stay here and see to the situation. Everything remains as usual."

After saying this simply, Ning Yi frowned, held Su Tan’er, and turned to leave.

The night sky was deep and gloomy, and thick rain clouds were gathering at the horizon, shrouding the city. The night wind was cold, but the body of the woman in Ning Yi’s arms was burning hot. When he placed Su Tan’er on the bed in the bedroom, her lips were slightly parted, her face flushed with the heat of her fever, and she was still shaking her head unconsciously...