Chapter 127: A New Era

The lamp light flickered, dim and yellow. Time seemed to settle and stagnate within the space of the Green Ripple Pavilion. Gazes and public opinion intertwined in a complex web, seemingly compressing the air toward a specific, nearly fixed outcome. Amidst this oppressive tension, He Fang’s voice finally rose again: "To conclude our proceedings, let us invite the manager of the Su Family’s cloth firm to speak on the firm's business over the past year. Furthermore, there is also..."

After these somewhat trivial remarks, nearly everyone turned their eyes toward the Su family. Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang remained silent, their brows slightly furrowed. Beside them, Manager Liao sat with his head bowed for a moment before forcing a smile, standing up and bowing to those around him, preparing to step forward. Behind them, the maidservant named Xiao Chan hesitated as she reached for the brocade box pinned under her young master’s right hand, applying a bit of force.

It did not budge.

Ning Yi sat there, his head tilted slightly as if contemplating something. His gaze appeared indifferent and tranquil—though at this moment, it seemed somewhat cold and desolate. His peripheral vision occasionally drifted toward the Wu family. His right hand remained motionless atop the brocade box.

Manager Liao, who had been about to step forward, sensed Ning Yi’s attitude. He faltered for a moment, then turned back, attempting to reach for the box himself. "There is still a chance..." he whispered. Ning Yi smiled, then said coldly, "Let go."

"Young Master, there is still a chance..." The area went quiet for a moment. People might not have heard the exchange between Ning Yi and Manager Liao, but no one spoke; they merely watched with sighs or sneers. After a moment, Ning Yi’s voice rang out faintly across the hall.

"We... withdraw."

As if this were the reaction everyone had been waiting for, whispers broke out, accompanied by subtle, pointed gestures. It was only the beginning, yet the atmosphere was palpable. Manager Liao frowned, looked around, and lowered his voice: "There is still a chance. Young Master, don't act rashly..."

He had spent over a month working under immense pressure, doing everything in his power. In recent days, he had felt that human efforts had reached their limit and there was no reason for failure, which had made him slightly optimistic. The shock he felt when the Wu family produced that bright yellow brocade was immeasurable.

The situation tonight was complex, but as someone in the thick of it, he could already sketch the dark outline: the timing of the Wu family’s fabric reveal, Magistrate Dong’s arrangements and attitude—everything was turning against them like a terrifying nightmare. In truth, Manager Liao, who had been controlling the affairs of the Su family’s main branch tonight, was likely under the greatest pressure. Yet, even in such circumstances, he had suppressed all his emotions, tried to pull Ning Yi back, and intended to make one last effort, at least to do what had to be done. At this point, impulsive, stubborn, scholarly indignation would change nothing. When the situation was overwhelming, reckless actions were futile and only served to make the Su family appear lacking in grace.

However, Ning Yi shook his head once more and repeated, "We withdraw."

Manager Liao suppressed his temper, about to speak again, when He Fang stood up, frowning. "Nephew Ning, you were invited to this gathering today only to let the Su family participate and share your achievements with the gentlemen present. Our Jiangning Weaving Bureau is upright and has never invited anyone to participate in any unseemly circles. You stand here insisting on withdrawing—may I ask what exactly you are withdrawing from? Young man, think twice before you speak."

As he finished, others nodded amidst the whispers, and some chuckled, mocking Ning Yi’s lack of decorum. Manager Liao was growing anxious, but Ning Yi had already stood up slowly, his gaze locked on the Wu family. Wu Chenghou and his son, Wu Qilong, looked back with smiles. As the people in the room looked left and right, they suddenly heard Ning Yi shout: "You cannot do this... Shameless!" It was not a hysterical scream, but it was fraught with fury.

"Ning Liheng, do not be insolent!" He Fang stood up. Beside him, Dong Decheng, who had been watching the proceedings with a smile, patted his hand. "No matter, no matter. Nephew Ning is young and hot-blooded. Whoever has an opinion on today's banquet or my Weaving Bureau, speak up. I have never stopped anyone from talking."

At the same time, because Ning Yi had directed his words at Wu Chenghou, some merchants close to the Wu family stood up, prepared to join the Wu family in bullying the Su family further. Wu Chenghou held up a hand. "Is Nephew Ning perhaps speaking of my Wu family?"

On this side, as soon as Dong Decheng finished speaking, the expressions of Su Zhongkan, Su Yunfang, and Manager Liao changed, fearing that the reckless Ning Yi would drag the Weaving Bureau into this. They were about to speak when they saw Ning Yi sweep his gaze over Dong Decheng, then nod, take a deep breath, and smile. From start to finish, aside from his brief loss of composure when the Wu family revealed the brocade and this recent shout of anger, he had maintained a quiet, graceful demeanor. Now, as if he had finally suppressed his rage, he looked toward the Wu family.

"Ah, very well. Didn't you say, Uncle, that you wanted me to help compose a poem? Given today's events, I have suddenly thought of a poem that is most fitting. I shall write it down... would you care to see it, Uncle?"

"Haha, that would be excellent." Wu Chenghou laughed and replied immediately. He looked around. "My Wu family has been merchants for generations; we are truly boorish and lack literary refinement. Nephew Ning is the foremost talent in Jiangning, as everyone knows. If you are willing to compose a poem for today, how could there be any objection? Gentlemen, we are gathered here at the Green Ripple Pavilion today; to have a poem from the foremost talent of Jiangning is truly a grand occasion. Come, come, bring the nephew paper and brush..."

Some people stood up with smiles, while others sighed in their hearts. At this point, no matter what he wrote, it would only invite ridicule. Although Ning Yi was a great talent, what use was it in such a situation? Even if the poem were excellent, when people spoke of this later, they would only say that Ning Yi had lost face in his business dealings. And even if the poem were to scold the Wu family viciously, people would only feel that this was the nature of merchants, effectively giving the Wu family more publicity while losing his own dignity.

However, as things stood, the words were out and could not be taken back. Ning Yi stood there looking at the Wu family. Two attendants brought paper and brush and placed them beside him, but he ignored them. After a long while, he finally turned, picked up the brush, and paused in the air.

A group of merchants gathered around. Inside, it grew slightly quieter, though whispers continued outside. The fragrance from the restaurant below drifted up. Among the crowd, Wu Chenghou, Wu Qilong, and Wu Qihao watched the paper with smiles. Finally, the brush tip descended.

Someone leaned over, looked carefully, and then, with a hint of confusion, recited the first line.

"Pouring wine for Pei Di..."

The voice carried outward, and some looked around.

"Is there someone named Pei Di here today?"

"Old Mo, you are truly rustic..."

"What?"

"This is an ancient poem..." The voices were chaotic. Some were already confused. Although everyone present was a merchant, many had some level of education. "Pouring Wine for Pei Di" was clearly a poem by Wang Wei of the Tang Dynasty—was Ning Yi actually just going to copy it? However, given Ning Yi's usual eccentric style, it was hard to say whether he was intentionally using the name but writing a new piece. But the next line dispelled that guess.

"Pouring wine for you, you find comfort in yourself..."

Ning Yi wrote quickly, his calligraphy neither good nor bad, slightly sloppy—perhaps reflecting the fury in his heart. Once finished, the cursive script on the rice paper was hardly a masterpiece: *Pouring wine for you, you find comfort in yourself; human feelings shift like the waves. Old friends look at each other with swords drawn; the wealthy and successful laugh, adjusting their caps. The grass is wet through with fine rain; the flower branches stir in the cold spring wind. Why ask of the world's floating clouds? Better to lie high and eat one's fill.*

He did not pause, nor did he change a single word. Ning Yi finished, held the brush, and looked down. "With Wang Mojie’s pearls of beauty preceding me, I shall not write recklessly. How about I present this poem to you, Uncle Wu?"

Wu Chenghou looked at the poem, then at Ning Yi. His smile did not change in the slightest. He laughed calmly, "This poem is excellent. Though most people might find it unpleasant, it is perfectly suited to the way of business. I have no desire to pursue the reasons for your anger today, Nephew, but I accept this poem and shall keep it well."

Ning Yi also smiled, exhaled, and set down the brush. He then turned, whispered, "Let's go," and grabbed the brocade box from the table. He tossed it out the window. He did not seem to use much force, but the box flew straight out of the window. The lid flipped open in mid-air, and a flash of bright yellow streaked past everyone’s eyes, falling to the street below.

Xiao Chan let out a soft "Ah" and hurried downstairs. Ning Yi had not yet reached the stairwell when Wu Qilong walked over with a smile, patted him on the shoulder, and whispered, "Brother Ning is truly overflowing with talent. Why involve yourself in the unfamiliar world of business? Wouldn't it be better to stay at home, compose lyrics, and teach poetry? Haha."

Ning Yi looked at him with a smile, gave no answer, and continued downstairs.

The murmurs behind them grew louder...

With such an episode disrupting the flow of the gathering, although the officials did not stop it, the fixed program had to continue. The Su family might be irrelevant to the imperial merchants, but the necessary words still had to be said. As everyone returned to their seats, the discussions did not subside. During this time, two children dressed as maids and attendants ran downstairs, stomping their feet in anger, but no one paid them any mind. Wu Chenghou had someone carefully put away the poem "Pouring Wine for Pei Di" that Ning Yi had written and continued his polite conversation with those around him.

The Wu family had always acted with measured pace, but this time, their actions were as clean and startling as a thunderclap in the silence. From the yellow cloth Ning Yi had thrown downstairs, most people had guessed what had happened. But under such circumstances, even the Su family could not speak because they had no way to prove anything, and others only thought the Wu family was truly formidable. This time, it was simply too overwhelming; the Su family had spent years laying the groundwork and had painstakingly prepared for a month, only to be overturned by the Wu family in an instant.

From today on, the Su family would gradually withdraw from the tripartite balance of power in Jiangning’s weaving industry. It was the Wu family that had truly grown strong, while the Xue family could no longer compete with them and could only remain in second place. As people discussed the excitement of this turning point, they began to reconsider the Su family's position and their relationships with them. As for Ning Yi, he was merely a pitiful man who had been caught in the middle and had been powerless from the start.

When someone looked down from the pavilion, the figure in the scholar's green robe was standing below, looking back at the building, likely trying to remember it or perhaps muttering a few pathetic threats. All of this, however, was merely the desolate image of a loser. Only the maid, Xiao Chan, remained by his side. Those above glanced for a moment, then turned back to joke and laugh with others...

Henceforth, they would have to adapt to a new structure. For those in the cloth business, it was more like adapting to a new era. As for the losers, they would only exist in the chatter after meals; it was a waste of time to give them more than a passing glance.

Thus, the atmosphere in the pavilion grew lively once again.

...

"The crabs here today seem quite good. A pity I didn't get to eat any."

Downstairs, Ning Yi stood by the road, looking at the sign of the Green Ripple Pavilion, and sighed with some regret.

"That..." Xiao Chan frowned, looking troubled. "Should Xiao Chan go back and pack some up?"

"You've got a hole in your head..." Ning Yi laughed, then patted Xiao Chan's shoulder. "Let's go. Time to head back. After being busy for over a month, I’m finally free and light-hearted..."

The night breeze picked up. The master and servant walked toward the direction where their carriage was parked. Behind them, Zhou Pei and Zhou Junwu followed.

A rare, cool, and relaxed night.