Chapter 143: Calming the Waves (Part I)

Beneath the brightly lit halls, the first round of discussions regarding the Su family's recent troubles had already laid the situation bare. The businesses of the First, Second, and Third Branches were all in decline, with individual suppliers and distribution channels beginning to demand kickbacks and favors. Ultimately, this stemmed from a major miscalculation in strategic direction by the First Branch. The grand campaign to secure the imperial merchant status had initially been hyped to great heights, only to plummet precipitously afterward. Compounded by the fact that these affairs were now managed by a mere daughter of the family, it had finally incited widespread turbulence.

Naturally, this was a subtle way of downplaying the core issue; the primary catalyst for the external turmoil was actually the ripple effect caused by the Third Branch's attempt to usurp family assets. Yet, stating this much here was already sufficient.

"Everyone, I believe I should say a few words here." Standing up in the main hall, Su Zhongkan suppressed the surrounding whispers and discussions. "In the commercial world, when a plan is formulated and a business venture is undertaken, it is impossible for a mere idea to guarantee certain success. More often than not, everyone exerts their utmost effort, yet things still fail—that is a common occurrence. Why did this quest for the imperial merchant status fail? The reasons are clear to everyone present: it was truly due to the despicable actions of the Wu family, not a failure of our competence. Niece Tan'er's ability and mercantile talent are obvious to all; this mishap was by no means anyone's specific fault."

"However, even if it is no one's specific fault, now that matters have reached this juncture, there must ultimately be a conclusion and an accounting. Exactly how much money was spent on this imperial merchant affair, and how vast is the financial deficit? Some say that our lobbying for the imperial merchant title drained the cash reserves in many regions; whether this is true or not, everyone deserves to have a clear understanding. Previously, these matters were entirely handled behind the scenes by Niece Tan'er, while my third brother and I did not intervene. Therefore, I believe today's foremost priority must be to lay bare the true extent of this deficit for everyone to see..."

Before he could finish, Su Yunsong stood up from his seat. "I deem this inappropriate." Someone in the back also rose. "Are you really asking my First Branch to open its accounts at a time like this?"

"You are kicking a man while he's down!"

"Have the First, Second, and Third Branches of the Su family really become so distinctly divided yet?" Su Zhongkan furrowed his brow. "Furthermore, the fallout from this incident has impacted the entire household. You clan elders must surely want a concrete figure in your minds today. If the imperial merchant affair were still ongoing, these financial records naturally could not be made public. But now that the matter has concluded and the dust has settled, a failure is a failure—what is the use in hiding and concealing it?"

Su Yunsong looked toward Su Tan'er and Su Boyong. "The imperial merchant business is deeply intertwined with various complex factors, and the specific details behind the scenes were not previously disclosed. Zhongkan, how can we possibly summarize these accounts today? This matter must surely wait until..."

"Why not wait until next year?" someone from the Second Branch chimed in. Su Zhongkan turned around to signal for silence, and someone from the First Branch stood up in response. "What are you talking about? Is what Yunsong said not reasonable?"

The scene once more dissolved into chaos. Su Tan'er rose, intending to speak, when Elder Su Yu at the head of the hall heavily struck his walking stick. "Stop arguing!"

The surrounding area instantly quieted down. Just as these people began to resume their seats and Su Tan'er opened her mouth, another figure stepped out from among the members of the First Branch. This was a relatively prominent manager within the First Branch and a collateral relative of the Su family named Su Tingguang. He held some documents in his hands, his expression seemingly hesitant. Su Tan'er looked at him, calling out, "Uncle Tingguang..."

Su Tingguang glanced at Su Tan'er and let out a sigh. "Regarding today's matter, I... I actually agree with Second Cousin's stance. I have some ledgers here that truly ought to be brought to light."

Everyone stared at him. For the first time, the assembly hall fell utterly and completely silent, as if some critical threshold had been reached and whatever had been lurking beneath the surface was finally about to emerge. The expressions of the First, Second, and Third Branches, as well as the patriarch and elders seated at the top, varied drastically.

Only Su Tingguang's voice rang out in the ensuing stillness.

"Before the imperial merchant matter was settled, these accounts remained active. But given the current state of our household, to imagine that things can still be turned around would be nothing more than self-deception. Over these past few years, everyone has witnessed Tan'er's hard work. For the sake of the imperial merchant bid, she formulated plans early, made preparations early, and expended a great deal of wealth. Yet this was no failure of strategy..."

He sighed softly. "What I hold here are the ledgers of funds secretly diverted from the Yuanzhou region over the past few years. Now, this deficit amounts to roughly fifty thousand taels, and it can no longer be covered. First Elder Brother, Niece Tan'er, everyone..."

At the head of the table, Su Yu narrowed his eyes. Tan'er closed her eyes and turned her head aside. Su Boyong lowered his head, obscuring his expression. On the other side, Su Zhongkan wore a stern gaze while Su Yunfang listened intently.

Su Tingguang was still speaking, but his words could no longer be clearly heard. An uproar erupted throughout the entire assembly hall. As the lamplight stretched outward, it began to stir ripples among the crowds gathered in the surrounding courtyards.

The clamor crossed the walls, carrying even into the courtyard where they stood. Trouble had finally broken out over at the assembly hall—or rather, those who had intended to unleash their fury had finally made their move.

"What did you guess wrong?" Su Danhong glanced in that direction, then turned her gaze back to Ning Yi.

***

A peanut shell dropped onto the table, and Ning Yi kept his head lowered.

"Starting... several years ago." He seemed to ponder for a moment before he began to speak, his tone rather measured. "Ever since Tan'er desired to contend for the position of head of the Su family, everyone was already well aware of it. Yet capability is one thing; she is, after all, a woman, and that fact can never be changed. Even within the First Branch, the majority still truly trust Su Boyong, while their feelings toward her have always wavered. Many people are endlessly hesitant."

"Therefore, even if the old master helps her secure the position of family head, the underlying problems will persist. Who knows when these people might lose faith in Tan'er? Although this is human nature, rather than simply watching it happen, it is better to take the opportunity to give them a wake-up call while there is still a way to manage it."

Su Danhong frowned, her face a mask of utter confusion, completely failing to grasp his meaning.

Ning Yi raised his head, gazing at the distant lights and listening to the countless fragmented murmurs of discussion. "An incident like today's is fundamentally triggered by the Third Branch's seizure of assets, but that can never be brought out into the open. To conclusively prove that the First Branch is no longer capable of managing so many businesses, and to urge the clan elders to sever their ties—rather than dragging things out indefinitely, it is better to either cast aside Su Tan'er as a volatile variable, or else make an issue out of the financial losses from the imperial merchant venture. In short, this option was laid out right before them."

"Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang have been constantly active, so certain people were bound to step forward. This isn't entirely a matter of loyalty; it stems simply from a lack of confidence in the First Branch and in Tan'er. Whenever a crisis hits, they always remember that Tan'er is a woman. If these people don't cause trouble now, they might become a persistent problem later. Therefore... before Tan'er's position is officially solidified, we can give them a warning, a rehearsal of sorts, making them realize that even if they encounter such difficult trials in the future, Tan'er is still capable of resolving them."

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"The thing you guessed wrong about," Ning Yi said with a smile.

At that exact moment, several figures approached from the distance, led by Su Wengui. Ever since the day Su Boyong was ambushed, when Su Wengui had tried to be clever and provoke them only to be beaten bloody by Su Yu's cane, he had worn a gloomy expression whenever he laid eyes on Ning Yi. Yet seeing Ning Yi and Su Danhong now, he merely paused for a fraction of a second before breaking into a smile and walking toward them.

"Liheng. Why aren't you going over there to take a look? You know what? They've started shouting inside, haha." Su Wengui laughed, then lowered his voice. "There's an internal conflict, did you know? Uncle Tingguang and Uncle Mianyun both came out and laid bare the deficit in your First Branch's accounts. Everyone is arguing right now; it's absolute chaos. Sister Tan'er is isolated and almost got berated. You're her husband, yet you won't even go take a look. Truly... tsk tsk tsk... utterly devoid of human warmth..."

The look of bewilderment had yet to fade from Su Danhong's face. Hearing Su Wengui recount these events, and aligning them with what Ning Yi had just explained, felt downright chilling. She glanced at Su Wengui, then back at Ning Yi.

Seeing her expression, Su Wengui asked, "Oh? Cousin Danhong is worried?"

Su Danhong simply stared at Ning Yi. Ning Yi chuckled. "See? You can feel it too..." He then turned his head to look at Su Wengui and produced a handful of peanuts. "Would you like some peanuts?"

Su Wengui stared at him for a long moment before shrugging. "No."

He still had to hurry back to watch the show.

***

On that same evening, at the Changyun Pavilion.

With a loud crash, a wine cup shattered on the floor.

"Liu Qingdi, do not be so arrogant and dismissive of others, I'm telling you!"

Amidst the clamor, Liu Qingdi's face was flushed red as he bit out every single word.

The atmosphere had already grown somewhat chaotic. As the host, Puyang Yi was currently experiencing a headache. Of course, tonight's situation possessed a rather dramatic flair. For reasons unknown, Liu Qingdi had consumed a great deal of alcohol tonight and was now utterly unrestrained. He mocked those who argued with him one by one, composing poems and verses on the spot to display a literary prowess capable of defeating a crowd of heroes. As for the few individuals present who could match him—such as Cao Guan—they merely sat on the sidelines, watching the spectacle and drinking wine without speaking or participating, making the situation increasingly difficult to control.

Naturally, poor atmosphere aside, once word of tonight's events spread, it might well turn into a celebrated literary anecdote, and Liu Qingdi's reputation would undoubtedly soar. Amidst the frantic arguments, someone finally lost their patience and blurted out a challenge.

"Do you truly believe you are the most formidable person in Jiangning City? From what I know, there are poems and lyrics casually written down in private and given to a nine-year-old child that are a hundred times better than yours."

"Then tell me, who are you talking about?!" Liu Qingdi roared.

"Ning Yi, Ning Liheng!"

As soon as this name was uttered, everyone present froze in place. Puyang Yi furrowed his brow, Cao Guan raised his wine cup and narrowed his eyes, and Liu Qingdi's complexion shifted between red and white before his gaze turned fiercely malevolent.

Someone nearby chimed in, "Has Ning Yi produced a new verse?"

"Brother Kongshan, how did you come to hear of it?"

"Quickly, bring it out for us to see..."

Immediate discussions erupted. Qilan, who had been busy trying to mediate the arguments, could not help but stretch out her neck as well. Liu Qingdi waved his hand, catching his breath after a long moment, and bellowed, "Bring it out then! Don't tell me it's just *Pouring Wine to Pei Di*! The Daoist priest by his gate is already chanting it for the third time!"

Chen Lu, known by his sobriquet Recluse Kongshan, violently pulled a long table toward himself. He too had been provoked into a fury, his face scarlet as he snatched up a brush that was on the verge of falling to the floor and slammed it down hard onto the table.

"I, Chen Lu, am no man of boundless literary genius! I write poems and verses merely to cultivate my character! Perhaps I cannot compare to your writing, but I simply cannot stand your arrogant demeanor! This verse is not mine, but I will let you witness it so you know there are heavens beyond the heavens and men beyond men!"

"Good!"

Someone began to applaud.

"Then write it down! Let me see what this fellow is truly capable of writing!"

Glaring fiercely at him, Chen Lu dipped his brush into the inkstone, swirling it around in a wild frenzy. He snatched up a sheet of paper and dashed off three sprawling characters: *Ting Feng Bo* (Calming the Waves).

The strokes continued without a single pause. A group of individuals who had already been agitated to the point of flushed faces crowded around. Holding his breath, his chest heaving, Liu Qingdi watched. The verse manifested instantly upon the Xuan paper!

*Listen not to the sound of rain striking the forest trees;*
*Why not chant and saunter on at ease?*
*A bamboo staff and straw sandals are lighter than a fine steed—who fears?*
*A life of misty rain in a straw cape—I let it pass as I please!*

Writing up to this point, Chen Lu raised his head to glance at Liu Qingdi, lowered his brush, and continued the strokes.

*Through the trials of a lifetime, let come what may!*