Chapter 144: Settling the Waves (Part II)

The creak of the wheel axles echoed as the carriage silently made its way through narrow streets and alleys. Occasionally, voices and lights could be heard outside; other times, the lanes were engulfed in darkness, and all around fell into utter silence. Sitting inside the carriage, Xi Junyu occasionally furrowed his brow, glancing at the silent Guard Geng seated opposite him.

“At this hour... what exactly is the plan?” He had already asked variations of this question several times, but each response was much the same.

“You will understand when the time comes, Manager Xi.”

Originally, he had been pondering what methods Su Tan’er might have to turn the tide this night. Yet gradually, he began to doubt such a possibility. The imperial merchant affairs had already shown signs of disaster four months ago, with each link leading inevitably to the present. Tonight’s clan assembly was set to erupt with the second and third branches turning on Su Tan’er. If this matter could not be resolved, Su Tan’er would be stripped of her power, and all her future hopes would dissolve like mist. What else could be done now?

He disliked these situations where the full picture was obscured. Su Tan’er was, after all, a protégé who had come from under his guidance, and yet he found himself completely unable to fathom the current circumstances. Still, he retained confidence in the degree to which he was trusted. He would simply wait and see what she intended to do.

Inside the carriage, he calculated their approximate location, occasionally peering through the curtain to observe the surroundings. The vehicle seemed to be heading out of the city, and strangely, it was not one of the Su family’s carriages. Along the way, it had taken several detours—perhaps to avoid being followed. Xi Junyu’s curiosity deepened. He knew clearly who the adversaries the Su family faced were, but what matter required such precautions?

The carriage finally stopped outside the city, before a courtyard. Xi Junyu surveyed the quiet surroundings. Though secluded, not far off was a modestly busy and somewhat unruly locale known as Shibu Gang. A few shops and fish stalls operated there, and villagers from nearby settlements often came to trade. Occasionally, violent skirmishes over territory would erupt.

He stepped through the courtyard gate.

For a moment, he stood still, struck by a sense of disbelief as certain realizations began to swell within him. Suddenly, the cold touch of a sharp dagger pressed against his waist. Shadows emerged near the door.

“Brother Geng, what... is happening?”

“Let’s go inside first, Manager Xi. We’ll wait here a while. The answers you seek will come—eventually. If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize to you.”

…

At the Moon Fragrance Pavilion, the music was pure and the singing gentle.

Zan Miaomiao plucked the strings of her zither and sang serenely under the watchful eyes of the assembled guests. Xue Yan, Xue Jin, and others joined in harmony, lost in the enchantment. As the performance ended, they smiled and raised their cups in appreciation.

They had been waiting here for the Su family’s decision for quite some time. During the interval, they drank and joked; with Zan Miaomiao’s company, the atmosphere was far from dull. After a while, Xue Jin glanced towards the Su family’s direction.

“By now, the Su family’s outcome should be nearing.”

“Such a pity we can’t see it for ourselves. I imagine the scheming within the Su family’s second and third branches must be quite the spectacle,” someone nearby chuckled in agreement.

“With Miaomiao here tonight, we only need to wait for the result. If you’re so eager to watch those intrigues, that’s just vulgar and tedious,” another teased, playfully proposing a drinking penalty for such thoughts.

Laughter and light-hearted complaints about the Su family’s disunity filled the air. They were all relieved their own Xue family had no such struggles over inheritance. Amid the laughter, someone lifted the curtain to enter. It was a member of the Lü family who had left earlier to handle some matters and had just returned.

Xue Yan greeted him warmly. “Brother Lü, we’ve been waiting for you. You missed Miaomiao’s performance—what a loss!” The young Lü man laughed and apologized, then sat down and spoke of some lively events he had heard about.

“Oh, at the Changyun Pavilion it’s quite heated. I heard Liu Qing, Di Shi, and others are embroiled in a poetic battle, nearly coming to blows.”

That day, Puyang Yi held a banquet at Changyun Pavilion. Liu Qing, Di Cao Guan, and others were present, making it one of the more significant gatherings in Jiangning City. Poets and literati mingled, but Xue Yan and his group, lacking literary skill, could only listen. They had discussed the poetry contest there during the earlier banquet. Now hearing of the escalating tensions, Zan Miaomiao asked with concern, “Is Sister Qilan alright?”

“Of course. It’s just talk. With Puyang Yi present, a real fight is unlikely—it’s just tempers flaring. But,” he paused and glanced at Xue Yan and Xue Jin, “Su family’s Ning Yi is involved.”

Xue Jin was taken aback. “Impossible. Why would Ning Yi be at Changyun Pavilion now?”

“Not physically. Someone there recited a new poem by Ning Yi. It’s quite interesting. Apparently, Liu Qing started a dispute... then outshone the others with his poetry. Later, ‘Mountain Hermit’ lost his temper. I have some copies here.” He produced two sheets of rice paper, carefully transcribed with some of the best poems from the contest.

“The last one is a new lyric by Ning Yi. It’s said he’s currently teaching at Yushan Academy at home. A few days ago, while explaining poetry to a nine-year-old boy, he composed it spontaneously. It wasn’t publicized until Su Chonghua saw it and told Chen Lu and Chen Kongshan. The poem’s title is ‘Calming the Wind and Waves’—a fine piece. Ning Yi’s poetic reputation is surely about to rise again… though given the Su family’s troubles, it’s somewhat ironic…”

As they passed the poems around, the gathering admired the high caliber of the works. But when they reached the final poem, their expressions grew complicated. Zan Miaomiao took the sheet and read slowly, her eyes gleaming with spirit, yet hesitated before finally reciting the lines aloud:

“Calming the wind and waves, heed not the sound of leaves beating through the forest; why not sing and stroll at leisure? A bamboo staff and straw sandals are lighter than a horse—who’s afraid? A cloak of mist and rain lets one live freely. The chilly spring breeze wakes one from wine’s haze, faintly cold, yet the slanting sun on the hill greets warmly. Looking back to where desolation always was—returning... neither storm nor sunshine... this poem…”

Several present had already read it. As Zan Miaomiao finished, an awkward silence fell. Xue Yan glanced around and then laughed.

“‘Calming the Wind and Waves,’ indeed. Ning Yi’s poetic talent is undeniable. But with all that’s happened lately, why write such a poem? Perhaps his heart is heavy, seeking solace?”

His remark sparked laughter among the others.

“No wonder he only showed it to a nine-year-old—probably thought it too self-deceptive,” someone joked. “Better to keep it for comfort.”

“I think his poem ‘Drinking with Pei Di,’ written in bitter rage that night at Wu’s residence, though plagiarized, at least wouldn’t make people laugh,” another added with a chuckle.

“We’re all uncultured folk, not skilled at judging poetry. Miaomiao, you’re far more learned—what do you think of this poem?” Zan Miaomiao looked over their faces and the poem once more, smiling softly.

“The lyric is... quite good.”

Her moderate praise made the group laugh heartily. She skimmed the lines a few more times, then passed the paper on, quietly murmuring to herself.

The conversation shifted back to the Su family’s efforts two months prior and their spectacular downfall, Ning Yi’s tragic ‘Drinking with Pei Di’ in front of the Wu family, and the unfolding events since. Yet beneath the laughter, a subtle tension lingered. Occasionally, someone would pick up the poem by Liu Qing or Di Shi but inevitably glance at ‘Calming the Wind and Waves’ before looking away.

That unexpected poem had become a small but palpable barrier in the room—unspoken, but present. Still, no one voiced it outright. It was not a major matter; once the Su family’s news arrived, this slight unease would vanish.

Xue Yan occasionally glanced downstairs. At last, he smiled.

“It’s here.”

A servant hurried up from below. Everyone was already smiling. Xue Yan stood by the window near the door, opened it, and stepped out. The servant followed. All eyes watched Xue Yan’s back.

“Come, drinks! Let’s celebrate.” Xue Jin feigned casualness, beckoning the others as they laughed in response, awaiting Xue Yan’s announcement.

The Su family’s fate was already sealed; the announcement was expected to be brief. Even if there were details, they likely held little significance. The group waited for Xue Yan to return with the news, but the servant whispered something mysterious in his ear. They waited a long time.

“What did you say?” “How is that possible?” “Who did you say?”

Faint, fragmented voices drifted in. Those seated near the door caught snippets. Xue Yan asked and repeated questions. The jovial crowd fell silent, exchanging puzzled looks. No one knew what had happened—perhaps some unexpected complication. Though they were not overly worried about the Chen or Lü families, something was amiss.

Finally, Xue Jin stood and moved toward the door, intending to ask, “Brother, what’s wrong?” Yet the words never left his lips. Xue Yan turned back, his expression troubled and distant. He glanced once at his brother, then entered the room, scanning all present. He opened his mouth as if to speak but said nothing.

Under their gaze, he returned to his seat, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Brother Xue, what’s the matter?” the Lü family member asked.

Xue Yan smiled faintly, then after a pause, whispered, “The Su family’s outcome is in.”

“What is it?” “How is it?” they pressed.

Xue Yan repeated, blinking, then pressed a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes tightly. The Xue family had invested heavily in the Su family matter. At last, they began to grasp the truth—it was not good, far from it.

He opened his eyes, swept his hand over the table, and saw the two sheets of poetry. Tapping the lower one with two fingers, he pulled it out and read aloud in a tone as if sharing with all:

“Hah, heed not the sound of leaves beating through the forest; why not sing and stroll at leisure? A bamboo staff and straw sandals are lighter than a horse—who’s afraid? A cloak of mist and rain lets one live freely...”

He recited the entire ‘Calming the Wind and Waves.’ To those present, his tone had shifted entirely. Then he looked around.

“Looking back to where desolation always was... If I told you all we were mistaken, that everyone was outwitted—and thoroughly so—how would you respond?”

No one answered.

“Four months...” Xue Yan murmured, gazing out the window. “The Wu family was probably the worst victim... and the incompetent second and third branches of the Su family as well...”

“Brother Xue... exactly what happened?”

“It’s like this.” He slammed the poem down on the table. “They’re laughing at us. The result... was the best possible for Su Tan’er... all internal and external troubles cleared at once. That cloth—that cloth truly...” His control faltered as he rubbed his forehead.

“Now that I think about it... it’s like—every step was calculated...”

“...Ning Liheng.”

The room fell silent at the mention of the name. Yet the full story remained unclear. Xue Yan took a deep breath, then looked up with a forced smile.

“Sorry, everyone. Four months of planning... no, over two months... all ruined. I’ve lost my composure. Please forgive me. The Su family’s outcome is known. I’ll tell you, and you’ll understand...”

The scene shifted back to not long ago, at night, in the Su family’s clan council hall.

At last, the heated debate was drawing to a close...