Last time on Zhui Xu: Song Mao goes to visit Elder Qin, where he meets Elder Kang and Ning Yi.
Chapter 30 | Table of Contents | Chapter 32
This chapter has been brought to you by me, and Smash10101.
Chapter Thirty One – Complex
From when Song Mao left in the afternoon, Su Wen Xing waited for night to come.
The reason for such urgency was not just for himself, because before this, he had already told his brothers and good friends that his uncle had come, and would expose Ning Yi for being a fraud. This was why Su Wen Xing had hurriedly run to ask about the reason Song Mao had praised Ning Yi at the library.
“I think your uncle does not want to participate in these matters. Look at what he said back in the library tower…he clearly did not know that Ning Yi was the teacher. So he said that the other had great talent. Now, he cannot take the words back. Old Five, stop bluffing… humph, I really do not know what that Ning Yi did to fool people. Do you think he was a professional liar before this…”
It was already dusk, and several young men were chatting in the yard’s pavilion. Most of them were people belonging to the second Su branch. Otherwise, if not for Song Mao’s arrival, Su Wen Xing would not have become the center of attention. These people usually cared about their mutual interests. They said they were allies, but in reality, they were just friends that ate and had fun together. Because they were related, they naturally were close.
Since they were gaining benefits from the second branch, eating and drinking, pretending to be scholars and visiting prostitutes, they would of course worry about the fate of the second branch when they had the spare time. While Su Tan Er always looked confident, and by staying on the offensive, made many people in the younger generation of the Su Family remain neutral, in terms of the proportion of supporters and who people thought well of, most people were still on the side of the second or third branches because Su Tan Er was female. But their positions were not very reliable. The third generation of the Su Family basically had no status. If a struggle truly occurred, their number was just to look strong.
Of course, when they became important members of the family, they could do some things at least, and attack their opponent’s advantage and spirits. In the eyes of these young people who had nothing to do each day except pretend to be scholars and go to pleasure towers, they did not like Ning Yi, who usually moved on his own, had reputation that they could not obtain, and was also Su Tan Er’s husband.
If one had such a reputation, they could enter the room of the top prostitute on the Qinhuai River. But this person did not even go to pleasure towers. Such a waste. Also, his reputation was false… this was unbearable…
But even though they were angry, they only could roll their eyes. It was very difficult to actually impact him. Ning Yi told Old Grandfather Su and the others that he had not created the poems. Su Zhong Kan and Su Yun Fang were both present. Because they both had heard, yet Old Grandfather Su sent a strict order to not spread the news, who dared to come out openly as a member of the Su Family and prove this? They quietly made rumors but there were so many rumors no one believed them. In the family, they could not go and “expose” this as the person already admitted it! His position was really shameless. He did not fear anything. But many people thought that he was deliberately trying to be low-key.
They, as members of the Su Family, could not go outside and expose one of their own. They could also not do a thing at home. The situation was really difficult. Song Mao’s visit this time was naturally the best chance. A prefect official, he did not know what was going on. If he stood up and accused Ning Yi of being a fake, the old master could not do anything to him as he did not know. Then, when the news spread, their side could only “bravely cut their hand” and draw a clear line with the other. Maybe, when they went to the pleasure towers, they could have a deep discussion with a beauty, “The zhuixu of my second sister, I thought before that he really was a person of talent, but who knew…” blah-blah-blah.
So when Song Mao arrived, this group, after a discussion, urged Su Wen Xing to speak on this matter. Song Mao had favored Su Wen Xing greatly in the past. Everyone had seen this. Su Wen Xing had come out with a confident “done.” Then, later, in the library tower, after seeing Song Mao praise Ning Yi greatly, everyone snorted at Su Wen Xing. Song Mao, this person famed for his loyalty and uprightness, seemed to be very sincere when he praised Ning Yi there. So their idea had failed.
“What do you know. Ning Yi was not present. Even so, what can he say, just that he is good at teaching. My uncle offers borrowed flowers to the Buddha. Give him some benefit first. Then, when he returns, and is not alert, he will be tested. Even if he wants to refuse, he cannot.”
Su Wen Xing thought of what Song Mao had said after leaving his uncle’s room, and felt it was profound, and immediately understood. He had explained to everyone, but now that it was close to dusk, some people started to doubt again. But they still trusted Su Wen Xing more.
“That is Wen Xing’s uncle. This is a trifle. Who would he help except for Wen Xing? Wen Tian, do not worry so much.”
“If you want to expose him, you first have to get close to him, praise him, and then when you ask him something during the evening banquet, he will be exposed. Those scholars outside invite Ning Yi to this banquet or come ask him for guidance. He can always say some things and then dodge. That is because they are not familiar with each other. Now that the prefect had praised him, he has to look close to the other. Then it will be time for the killing move. Wen Tian, the thoughts of the prefect will not be as simple as yours!” The speaker was Su Wen Gui, second oldest of the Su males. He looked slightly thin but he had some skill. He read too many novels, and thought himself Zhuge Liang. When he encountered matters, he would always have some plans. His words were more convincing than Su Wen Xing. When he spoke, the slightly restless Su Wen Tian smiled awkwardly.
“Haha, isn’t this because I heard the rumors about how Ning Yi is so talented in the home, and I feel that I cannot bear it?”
“What talent. We have investigated. Just a bookworm.” Su Wen Gui frowned. “In my opinion, many of this Ning Yi’s actions have been controlled by Second Sister in the background. Everyone, be smart at today’s evening banquet. If the prefect asks on the spot, maybe Second Sister will speak up to round up the lie, say that Ning Yi has a slight illness, or make some accident. The prefect cannot be too aggressive. You and I will help say a few words so that Ning Yi cannot escape. In conclusion, we expose him this time, and on another day, we separate ourselves from him. Then we can justify beating Second Sister from the game…”
Everyone nodded and discussed a few more words. Su Wen Tian asked, “Wen Xing, where did the prefect go this afternoon. If they keep him for a meal, I fear he will miss this.”
Su Wen Xing shook his head. “I do not know. Probably one of Uncle’s teachers or someone like that.”
“Then it must be someone important…” Su Wen Tian said with a smile, “Wen Xing, how good will it be if you can one day take me along? If I can get some guidance…”
“Ha, Wen Tian, you usually do not work on your studies. You will be enlightened if someone gives you a few words?”
“The teachers from Mount Yu School are all mediocre. So what if I work hard. Those important people are different. If one day, I, Sun Wen Tian, have a poem that Great Master Shao Hua of Jasmine Tower praises. If I obtain guidance from those important people, I can naturally enter the room…”
Su Wen Tian was usually a bit dull, but thought that he was talented in the literary arts. If he did not have large amounts of money, the women of the brothels he usually went to would likely ignore him. Everyone thought him stupid but did not bother to argue with him. A moment later, an attendant came to report that Song Mao had returned.
“…The prefect seems to have returned with that Ning Yi. The two seem to have met already and are conversing happily.
“That’s it.” Su Wen Gui stood up, his expression calm as he slapped his fan into his hand. “The prefect is already setting the groundwork. Otherwise, with that Ning Yi’s status as a zhuixu, and a junior, even if he has some talent, the prefect does not need to treat him so. I think there will be no error in the matter tonight. Everyone… prepare.”
In the pavilion, that figure was aloof and proud, feeling like he had control of everything in his grasp. Everyone was convinced, and promised with great spirit.
Coming in from outside, Ning Yi naturally did not know there was a group of people secretly scheming against him. after learning of the relationship with Song Mao in the Qin home, he was slightly shocked, but then he adjusted. He just had to change from saying “Brother Song” to “Uncle Song.”
Song Mao looked simple but was shrewd. For Ning Yi, there was no pressure in interacting with a smart person, especially when the situation was obvious. But when he returned to the Su Compound, he was slightly surprised by some other situations.
There were not many people of the compound who saw him return with Song Mao. This was not anything important. The two parted at the mansion gates. Ning Yi carried the jar full of pine-patterned egg as he walked into the inner compound. Soon, he encountered Xiao Chan who was waiting for him. The little servant girl had been roaming for a time around the nearby courtyards. Her face was flushed. When she saw him, she ran over with a cry of “Guye.” She appeared slightly excited.
“Ha, did nothing happen today? Right, there are some things for you…”
Xiao Chan was the closest person in the Su Compound to him. He would naturally give her a pine-patterned egg. He waved the jar in his hand, but before he could open it, it was hugged by Xiao Chan whose attention was clearly not on this. She probably thought Ning Yi wanted her to help carry this.
“Guye, Guye listen to me. You were in the limelight today.”
“Oh.” Ning Yi was not surprise. “I know, the test at the library. How did Heizi and the others do? If the Old Master rewarded them with some things, Xiao Chan, do you think that I, the teacher, should get one half, or the other half…”
“Yes, yes.” Xiao Chan nodded vigorously, happy for Ning Yi to be in the limelight. “Other than the library, there is something else. Guye is so great. With one word, you helped Miss obtain the He Family’s business… Pity that Xiao Chan went with Miss to see the scenery then and did not see Guye speak with Old Master He. His expresson must have been interesting… Today, Miss, Cousin Miss, and Shopkeeper Xi were all shocked when they heard this. Only Xiao Chan was not surprised… But, Guye, you really know everything. You are so strong. Say, when you see Miss next…”
“……”
Chan’er hugged the jar and she likely did not even notice as she chattered like a chick in the falling snow. Ning Yi listened for a moment and sighed.
“Xiao Chan, what He Family business, could you say it again from the start…”
Editor’s ramblings: Apologies if this isn’t up to my usual standard. Working on my phone isn’t my preferred way to edit but at least this airplane has free Wi-Fi.
Translator Ramblings: For those who read Grafting Life, you know that Smash had the trip a while ago but I procrastinated getting this posted…
Chapter 30 | Table of Contents | Chapter 32
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