Chapter Forty-Two: A Night of Revelry (Part Eight)

As the carriage made its way through the streets toward the Su residence, the night market outside the curtain remained lively. Sitting demurely on the seat inside the compartment, Su Tan’er was sorting through some papers and receipts, a small wooden box for storing them placed beside her. The girl's posture, legs together, was graceful and refined, and compared to the three young maids, she appeared much more mature. One accustomed to giving orders naturally possessed a certain air; as she organized the documents, she conversed with Ning Yi.

“…In that case, tomorrow morning I must pay respects to Grandfather, so I won’t be going out. As for you, please return early after your morning exercise… By the way, the kitchen will prepare your favorite vermicelli tomorrow morning…”

Tonight was the Lantern Festival, and she had already spoken to the elder earlier, but with the matter of the “Jade Table Song,” she would likely have to visit him again the next day. After finishing, Su Tan’er couldn’t help but laugh.

“You always manage to surprise everyone, it’s really quite alarming.”

Over the past month, having reached a preliminary understanding with Ning Yi, she no longer viewed him with her former eyes. Yet tonight’s poem had still caught her off guard; upon first reading, she was stunned for a while, wondering just where the limits of her husband’s odd talents lay. But when meeting Ning Yi, she did not reveal any hint of astonishment, and now, as she quietly sorted through the paperwork and spoke gently, her demeanor was calm. Of course, her small actions—avoiding looking at Ning Yi and focusing on her tasks—were her way of keeping her emotions in check.

The carriage returned all the way to the Su residence, passing through several courtyards. Su Tan’er had to visit her father, likely to discuss matters agreed upon earlier that evening. She turned to Ning Yi and said, “You’re not sleeping yet, are you?”

Ning Yi nodded, and Su Tan’er smiled, “I’ll be back soon and have something for you.”

“What is it?”

Su Tan’er blinked playfully, “I’ll keep it a secret for now.”

Her conversation with Su Bo-yong would likely be brief. Not long after, while Ning Yi stood on the second-floor corridor, feeling the breeze, he could see Su Tan’er and her attendants coming out from the courtyard, lanterns in hand. From afar, the figures seemed small, the lanterns occasionally disappearing behind low walls and trees, then reappearing at corners. The busiest area was the eastern side gate, where carriages returned at midnight, gathering lights that would then spread, point by point, throughout the entire Su estate.

The small courtyard remained as quiet as ever; the main house was sparsely populated and not lively. After a while, Su Tan’er and her three maids returned, their light footsteps sounding below.

Xiao Chan, loud and lively, ran past downstairs, looked up at Ning Yi, made a squinty bun-face, then dashed into a small room to heat water. Su Tan’er, ascending the stairs with a bundle in hand, walked gently to the pillar, placing it on the railing.

“Searching for him a thousand times in the crowd, and suddenly, turning, he stands in the dim light…” she recited softly yet deliberately, glancing at Ning Yi after a moment and finally smiling, “Xiao Chan said you were searching for a formidable female assassin.”

“Yes, but unfortunately lost her trail.”

“Then why did you write ‘in the dim light’?”

Ning Yi shrugged, “What else could I do? The verse had to be written that way… I couldn’t very well write, ‘Suddenly, turning, she was gone,’ it wouldn’t rhyme.” He was actually rather disappointed that the female assassin had escaped.

Su Tan’er gently covered her mouth, laughing atop the bundle, before saying, “Sometimes, hearing your stories, I get the faint impression that you truly long for those adventures of the martial world?”

“I don’t really aspire to be a hero, I just find things like inner strength and martial arts interesting.” Ning Yi was frank, shaking his head and pointing downstairs, “Jumping up from below in a flash, punching through a wall—supposedly some people can do that, so it’s fascinating. Today, watching that female assassin with Xiao Chan, she was indeed skilled, probably truly possessed such abilities, her sudden burst of force was unlike an ordinary person.”

Su Tan’er nodded, “I’ve heard of such things. But these past years, when I traveled with the guards, I only heard some stories about bandits. What you describe is rare, even those notorious criminals caught by the authorities are nothing but burly men relying on brute force. There are also Daoist priests performing tricks with talismans and water, but those are just scams—I’ve learned some myself, so I don’t believe them. As for true inner strength, becoming almost immortal after training, it’s exceedingly rare, and I’ve heard it requires beginning from a young age, many years before achieving results. If you start now, it might be too late…”

As she spoke, she laughed again, a hint of schadenfreude in her expression toward Ning Yi. She wasn’t one to believe rumors; such intriguing matters needed solid proof to convince her, and her husband certainly wouldn’t accept hearsay either. As for the verse about “searching for him a thousand times,” she took it as Ning Yi’s whimsy in the moment and let it go, shifting the topic.

“Xiao Chan mentioned that you were at Old Rain Tower earlier, and besides Xue Jin, Uncle Chonghua was also present? He encouraged you not to decline, but to display your talent?”

Su Tan’er was a shrewd woman; as soon as Xiao Chan mentioned the scene, she understood Su Chonghua’s intentions. Seeing the answer in Ning Yi’s smile, she tilted her head and smiled wryly, then turned back, “What are your thoughts?”

“Hmm?”

“If you’re not interested in that small academy, I’ll talk to Uncle Chonghua tomorrow. If you do like it, I’ll ask Grandfather about it.”

Yushan Academy’s head was Su Chonghua, but it was actually managed behind the scenes by Second Uncle Su Zhongkan, whose status was somewhat aloof in the Su family, though most believed it favored the second branch. Previously Su Tan’er would never have asked Ning Yi about such matters, but now, if he truly had interest, she felt confident she could help him obtain it from Grandfather. Ning Yi smiled and shook his head, “Just teach a few lessons, too much trouble and I can’t stand it. You know I don’t like all those social engagements.”

Su Tan’er nodded, “I’ll speak with Uncle Chonghua then… Actually, he’s not great at teaching children, but he is quite capable at handling affairs. As headmaster, you’d have a leisurely time there. Oh, this is for you…”

She handed him the bundle.

“What is it?”

“Some clothes, hats, shoes, and socks.”

With a smile, Su Tan’er turned and went downstairs. Ning Yi looked at the bundle: New omega latest}} speed

He took it downstairs and opened it at the table—indeed, it was clothing, shoes, and socks. As he examined them, Xiao Chan knocked at the door and slipped in with a wooden basin of hot water, closing the door behind her, “Master, time to wash your face. Oh, Miss gave you clothes?”

Ning Yi went to wash his face, and Xiao Chan poked his back with her finger, “Master, master, did Miss mention the female assassin?”

“Did you tell Miss everything?”

“Huh? Didn’t I?”

After washing his face, Ning Yi turned to see Xiao Chan looking anxious, and he laughed, “She did, what are you worrying about now?”

“Think about it, Master. If Miss didn’t mention it, it would mean she kept it in her heart, and I shouldn’t have said anything.” Xiao Chan sighed in relief, smiling, “But I knew it—Miss isn’t that type… But next time, don’t write such misleading verses, Master. I hesitated for ages, afraid Miss would misunderstand. I didn’t dare explain that the poem wasn’t about the female assassin. If I explained, Miss might overthink; if I didn’t, she might come to conclusions herself. And then… oh…”

The young maid chirped anxiously beside him, and Ning Yi couldn’t help but flick her forehead, “You think too much.”

Xiao Chan covered her forehead, “That’s what a maid must do, think of everything. I’m smart, you know!” She had worried all evening—first about Ning Yi getting hurt chasing the assassin, then about whether to tell Su Tan’er. Now, finally at ease, she boasted a little, then asked, “Did you try the clothes, Master?”

“No, I’ll try them tomorrow.”

“No, you must try them now. Miss made them for you herself.”

“Uh?” Ning Yi was surprised, looking at the clothes, “I think I saw this fabric months ago…”

“Miss started making them months ago.” Xiao Chan spread the robe and measured it against him, “New fabric from last June. I measured you then because Miss said she must make two sets of clothes for you every year. She’s often busy, so progress was slow, bit by bit. Originally, she planned to give them to you for New Year, but a few days ago, she altered the lining, and now it’s Lantern Festival…”

“She’s made two or three sets already,” Ning Yi pointed to the wardrobe.

“Those were made by the seamstresses in the residence. One set was made by me, Juan’er, and Xing’er. This one is Miss’s own handiwork… Oh, Master, sit down and try the shoes.”

Ning Yi smiled, looking at the robe. Xiao Chan squatted to help him change shoes, whispering, “Master… do you still remember how Miss left on your wedding day?”

Ning Yi regarded her, “What are you thinking now?”

“Nothing. I just think Miss is wonderful. Although leaving was a bit unfair to you, she didn’t know what kind of person you were. June was busy, but after thinking it over, she decided to make you clothes, because you’re family. She said, since she’s your wife, she must sew two sets of clothes and shoes for you every year. Miss isn’t very skilled at needlework, nor are me, Juan’er, and Xing’er, so some parts were done by the seamstresses. But Miss insisted on doing hers herself. Sometimes she pretended to casually talk with the seamstresses about work, then asked for tips, because she didn’t want gossip. Juan’er and Xing’er found it amusing. It took over half a year to finish these…”

Ning Yi laughed, looked at the clothes, then at Xiao Chan squatting beside him, and reached out to ruffle her hair, “You just keep praising your Miss in front of me…”

This time, Xiao Chan didn’t dodge, looking up with a cute and confident smile, “Because Miss truly is wonderful.”

“I know, I know…”

“I’ll put the clothes away for you.”

It was late. After a while, Xiao Chan left the room, and Ning Yi read a few pages of a book. When he rose and opened the window, the lamp was still burning in the room opposite, Su Tan’er’s silhouette bent over her desk, diligently sorting through accounts, writing, her shadow cast on the window, focused and earnest. Year’s end and beginning were the busiest times for merchants; this scene would likely continue for some time yet…

A book recommendation: “The Great Song Golden Finger” by Shengzhe Chenlei, a genuine storyteller whose works are quite good.

The little episode of “A Night of Dancing Fish and Dragons” is finally wrapped up; next chapter, no more laziness, a new title—very pleased with this plot, so please vote for it! ^_^