Chapter Fifty: A Strange Way of Getting Along

Since the turn of the year, the way Ning Yi and Su Tan’er interacted with each other had grown increasingly natural. Of course, the “natural” here did not refer to the typical “husband and wife” dynamic of this era, but rather the way two odd souls found themselves at ease together. After their frank conversation before the New Year, Su Tan’er found balance for the first time in her role, and with that sense of stability, many things became lighter. She no longer felt compelled to painstakingly maintain the image of a “family,” and there was no longer the need to deliberately find topics at the dining table, weighing what could be spoken, what might interest the other, and what should be avoided for fear of causing displeasure. The negotiations that once felt like business were now unnecessary; instead, conversation flowed freely and was all the more enjoyable for its spontaneity.

Although Ning Yi went running every morning, the couple still often shared breakfast at home before heading out in different directions—Su Tan’er by carriage, Ning Yi on foot. At these times, Xiao Chan usually faced two choices: accompany her mistress or her young master. She could, of course, stay home, but the other options were more productive. If she followed Ning Yi, there was little to do, but she could listen to his lessons or the stories he told. Every time he spoke, weaving his tales with casual ease, she thought him truly learned and wise.

Lately, though, Su Tan’er had been particularly busy—as was always the case in early spring—so Xiao Chan chose to follow her. As previously noted, though her demeanor toward Ning Yi and Su Tan’er was pure and sincere, she was remarkably dependable in her work. Her daily duties extended far beyond attentive service; Ning Yi had once seen her scolding people in a fury, frowning with such seriousness that she seemed downright fierce. As she reprimanded them, she pointed out their petty intrigues and backstabbing: “Don’t think I haven’t noticed!” She quickly arranged for solutions, said a few more words, and waved a short ruler threateningly as if ready to strike. Then, suddenly realizing something, she paused, scratched her head, and muttered, “Oh no, this is the ruler my mistress needs…” With a twist, she barked, “Well, hurry up!” After dismissing the group, she scurried off, leaving Ning Yi laughing behind her. She was being trained as a manager, but this did not conflict with her other roles—it was simply part of her nature.

Ning Yi would return home around noon or in the afternoon, sometimes with Xiao Chan, who would seek him out before her midday classes ended. If she didn’t, he’d be alone. Su Tan’er would usually be back by then—sometimes in her room, sometimes in the parlor, or on occasion, sitting in the garden pavilion. Juan’er and Xing’er might be with her, or they might be off tending to various household matters among the servants.

When lost in thought, Su Tan’er had a habit of biting her hand—sometimes her fist, sometimes her fingers—an unconscious gesture she revealed only in solitude. One evening, as Ning Yi returned home bathed in the glow of the setting sun, he found Su Tan’er in a pale yellow dress, sitting in the pavilion, reading a ledger. Her white teeth gently nibbled at her thumb as she flipped the pages. Ning Yi walked over, stood for a moment, and was about to greet her when she suddenly turned, still biting her fingertip, her wide eyes meeting his in a moment of innocent bewilderment before she quietly turned back to her accounts.

Seeing she ignored him, Ning Yi shrugged and walked away, thinking how composed this woman was. He had barely stepped far when Su Tan’er called out behind him, “Husband! You scared me to death!” Turning back, he saw her patting her chest, her expression both indignant and agitated. After a moment, Ning Yi spread his hands in speechless resignation, and Su Tan’er finally broke into a reluctant laugh.

From returning home to dinner, to evening leisure, and finally to bedtime, everyone gathered together, chatting and sharing stories. Sometimes, Ning Yi felt Su Tan’er resembled his former self—though the problems she faced were different, as were her moods and uncertainties. He often thought that her challenges were perhaps harsher than his. As a woman, if the Su family had a son both clever and capable, things would be simpler. If she were less clever, things would also be easier. But caught in this narrow space, she could only press forward, constantly confronting issues tied to her gender.

Occasionally, they would “chance” upon each other by the column on the second floor, perhaps every few days, to look out over the vast Su family estate. Su Tan’er would speak of all sorts of things, some of which could not be uttered in front of others—not even in the presence of Chan’er or Juan’er—simply because it was pointless, or because it concerned her business schemes or little victories, or family gossip. Once, a cousin had just extorted several hundred taels of silver from her, claiming he’d seen some fine porcelain and that the price was sure to rise. Su Tan’er had smiled as she handed over the money, then came upstairs to tell Ning Yi that the man kept a mistress, biting her finger as she said, “I can use this to threaten him later, or else I’ll tell his wife and let her make a scene…”

Su Tan’er was shrewd and talented in business, but she was, after all, only nineteen. The pressure she faced often had nowhere to go, and Ning Yi was perhaps the only person who could offer her a space to breathe. She believed her husband understood some of what she said, though not all. Sometimes, Ning Yi spoke of things she didn’t understand, but she would simply listen. In these moments, no matter how odd his words or confusing his ideas, she wasn’t the least bit surprised.

There was one peculiar thing: perhaps because he’d given her a preserved egg the first time they chatted, the next time, Su Tan’er hesitated before asking, “Husband, didn’t you bring anything to eat?” Then she added, “Bring something next time, will you?”

After that, he always brought her snacks—a little bag of candy, peanuts, candied dates, or, sometimes, pears that were rare in that season. Once, Ning Yi brought a cold, leathery flatbread, as tough as beef jerky in the late winter chill. Su Tan’er didn’t mind, and tore off pieces to eat, perfectly content. Only after she’d finished did she say, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

By February, their conversations became even more casual. They seemed, in the eyes of others, like an odd pair of friends in these times—she a businesswoman, he an eccentric inventor. Once, Su Tan’er asked, “Husband, why do you never visit the brothels or join the gatherings of those famous scholars?”

Ning Yi shrugged. “I only know two poems, hardly enough to win a lady’s favor…”

Su Tan’er pondered the meaning of this for a long time before finally bursting into laughter. “Just spend money on them! All those cousins and relatives of mine—every time they get a few dozen taels out of me, it’s to visit those famed courtesans. If you took a few hundred taels, with your reputation, you could see any of them—Qilan, Lu Caicai, you name it. By the way, after the Lantern Festival, I heard people say that Miss Qilan has a great fondness for you. For several nights, she’s been singing your ‘Green Jade Table’—with such melodious, sorrowful music, they say. Who knows, you might become her next romantic legend…”

She shot Ning Yi a sidelong glance. He thought for a moment, then nodded. “Really? Then I’ll go tomorrow night… The poor girl has it tough, after all…”

Su Tan’er was eating broad beans that night, her gaze cold as she glanced at him, then crunched on her beans for a long while before smirking. “Then take Xiao Chan with you.”

Ning Yi was never short of money, since he could always ask Xiao Chan for some. He didn’t spend much, and Su Tan’er had no objections to his use of funds. But even if Xiao Chan was obedient, should Ning Yi actually go consort with courtesans, it was clear whose side she’d take. Even if she kept silent, she’d surely find ways to trip him up. Ning Yi sighed. “Truly, women and petty men are the hardest to keep… You, woman, are treacherous and insincere. Give me back the beans! No more for you!”

Su Tan’er darted back a step with the little bag, smiling like a fox. “I’ve been in business for years, and never heard of an honest merchant. Husband, you’ll just have to accept it.”

Thus, February slipped by in these unremarkable days—students, Nie Yunzhu, Xiao Chan, Su Tan’er, chemistry, and the occasional chat with Old Qin or Old Kang. Sometimes, he’d hear news of Song Xian and the Wu Lie Army through other channels. He recalled the martial prowess of that female assassin, but she had vanished after the Lantern Festival.

In early March, though the Su family’s business was busy, Su Tan’er took a day off to go on an outing with Ning Yi and the three maids outside Jiangning City. That afternoon, when they returned and stopped at a teahouse, they overheard several scholars in the neighboring room discussing preserved eggs. They spoke of the lady now running the preserved egg business—a beauty of both talent and virtue—who wished only to support herself, and, after much research, invented the method for making preserved eggs. A certain scholar, it was said, had admired her for years, and with a small ruse recently helped her gain traction in the market for her novel product.

In truth, though Nie Yunzhu was busy, her preserved eggs weren’t yet famous far and wide. The “small ruse” was the very one Ning Yi had orchestrated—having Li Pin arrange for someone to act as a plant. Amused, he wondered how Li Pin had gotten tangled up in rumors of pursuing Nie Yunzhu for years. He must have been careless—now the tale would come back to burn him. But after listening longer, Ning Yi realized the story was not quite as he thought.

“Gu Hong—Gu Yanzhen—was famous in Jiangning years ago. He returned from the capital for this lady, and though he now holds an official title, his feelings for her are unchanged. Truly rare…”

“He handled things with great skill; in just a few days, the obstacles were resolved… A match of scholar and beauty—give them time, and it will become a fine tale.”

“I disagree, though. For a woman to show her face and run a business is not befitting for a proper match…”

Listening for a while, Ning Yi realized they were talking about a man named Gu Hong—Gu Yanzhen. Recalling Nie Yunzhu’s recent subtle questions, he began to suspect something and shook his head with a smile.

The next day, before dawn, he found Nie Yunzhu waiting for him on the steps outside her small building as usual. When she saw him, she greeted him with her customary smile. Ning Yi studied her for a moment, then rubbed his forehead, choosing his words.

“Tired lately?”

“Hmm?” Nie Yunzhu was taken aback, then shook her head in confusion.

He sat down beside her, choosing his words carefully. “Why… didn’t you tell Gu Yanzhen to stop what he’s doing?”

The chilly morning breeze swept through the darkness, and silence fell between them. After a long pause, Nie Yunzhu’s voice came quietly from beside him. “Li Heng… How could you… Li Heng, why are you… asking this?”

“Well, I just heard about Gu Yanzhen…” Ning Yi spread his hands, at a loss for how to explain.

“I—I have nothing to do with Gu Yanzhen… They’re just making things up… Li Heng… I…”

Her voice sounded strained. Ning Yi turned to look at her; in the darkness, only the glow from a nearby window illuminated her face, which seemed caught between indignation and an inability to find the right words. He watched for a long moment, puzzled, and finally said, “Alright, I understand…”

Nie Yunzhu glanced at him, her brows furrowed as if on the verge of tears, but then she took a deep breath, looked at him seriously, and spoke with deliberate emphasis.

“I have nothing to do with Gu Yanzhen.”

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This chapter took considerable effort. To be honest, there was a side plot here, and its emotional weight might have been even greater. I weighed it for nearly two hours before deciding to cut it for the sake of the story’s balance. I’ll post it in the review section for those interested, and add it to the related works later.

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