Chapter Twenty-Four: Cousin

To steer the course of a business with a single phrase—even with the resources and background Ning Yi possessed in his previous life, armed with a powerful intelligence analysis system and a legion of advisors—would require an extremely unusual set of circumstances, a near miracle in commerce. As for changing an opponent’s already-determined decision, without long, careful maneuvering and cooperation from all sides, that too would be nothing but a fool’s dream. Yet the situation before him was different.

What Ning Yi sensed stemmed certainly from his own sharpness, but in this particular matter, the He family’s interests were directly at stake. What Ning Yi could casually guess at, they might already have suspected. Perhaps, before Ning Yi and Su Tan’er came to visit, these people had been troubled and filled with doubts. Thus, when Ning Yi casually let slip a remark, it immediately signaled to them that the Su family was already aware of the situation. Ironically, Su Tan’er herself hadn’t noticed anything, simply convinced the He family’s deal had fallen through.

When it happened, Ning Yi could only sigh with resignation at his own reflexive habits—this kind of business acumen was ingrained, and he could never escape the cycle of weighing gains and losses. Su Tan’er, puzzled but pleased by the unexpected turn of events, soon returned to her negotiations, and Ning Yi, who had originally planned to visit the bookstore in the east of the city, found himself unable to leave. By dusk, when they returned together in the carriage, Su Tan’er was still lost in confusion.

Several days passed in this manner. As December approached, the Su household grew lively. Despite the heavy snow, the end of the year was near. Managers from Su family businesses in cities around Jiangning began gathering at the main estate to review annual performance and decide on bonuses. Relatives and family friends also came to visit for the New Year. The gates bustled with people coming and going, the scale impressive.

In Jiangning, with its many wealthy families, such scenes were common at this time of year. In recent days, Su Tan’er had been busy on all fronts: managing the He family’s business, preparing to reconcile the year’s accounts, and entertaining relatives she hadn’t seen in a long time. Even Chán’er, Juan’er, and Xing’er, her three handmaids, were kept constantly occupied.

This day, as she returned from outside, snow still drifted down. A line of carriages stood before the main gate. Su Tan’er, with business at the front entrance, sent her own carriage to the side gate. At the moment, several servants were carrying four or five large chests inside, so she waited with Xing’er by the door.

She wore a snowy white fox-fur cloak, its plush collar framing her delicate face, giving her the air of both a youthful maiden and a self-assured woman shaped by years of experience. By now, Su Tan’er had gained some renown in Jiangning’s business circles. Before her marriage, she often dressed in men’s clothes, though she never fully concealed her identity as a woman. To most, she appeared more like an aristocratic lady from a scholarly family than a merchant. Only after business was concluded would people realize she was sharper than she first appeared. Some even whispered that, had she been born a man, the textile guild of Jiangning would no longer be led by the Wu family.

In this patriarchal era, Su Tan’er’s position brought many inconveniences. Yet when men negotiated with a woman, it often left them awkward, surprised, dismissive, or delighted. Her greatest strength lay in turning these disadvantages to her advantage, finding opportunities in constraints she could not change. From Ning Yi’s perspective, this might even be seen as a touching struggle. Of course, others could not perceive the endearing or pitiable side of her efforts. Those in the Su household had long grown accustomed to the various facets of their second young mistress—her sharp mind, her beauty, her seeming fragility, or her quiet strength that gradually supported the entire Su family’s main branch. Seeing her waiting outside, a steward soon hurried over.

“Why are you all standing about? Don’t you see the Second Miss has returned?” the steward scolded, waving the servants on.

Su Tan’er smiled and approached. “It’s all right, Uncle Qi, let them bring the chests in first. They’ve already carried them halfway—no need to make more work for them.”

At her word, Uncle Qi had no choice but to let the men continue. Su Tan’er then asked, “Why not bring these through the side gate?”

“They’re decorations and ornaments Third Master bought for the New Year festivities,” Uncle Qi replied. “They’re meant for the front hall, so since no one else was coming just now, I had them brought in quickly. By the way, Second Miss, Magistrate Song arrived today. He’s over at the library testing the students’ learning.”

“Oh? The magistrate is here?” Su Tan’er nodded without much excitement. The Su family had been in business for generations. Though not a scholarly clan, they had various connections with officials, most not especially close. But there were deep ties with Song Mao, the magistrate of Shenzhou, as the wife of Second Master Su Zhongkan was Song Mao’s cousin. The Song family had produced a few minor officials, and when Song Mao rose to his post, the Su family had actively supported him. Thus, he was one of the Su family’s strongest backers. While his authority did not extend to Jiangning, his influence was invaluable to the Su business in Shenzhou.

Moreover, Song Mao was highly learned and respected. As the Su family sought to align itself with the scholarly class, every New Year, when Song Mao visited, the patriarch would gather the family’s young scholars and invite learned tutors to assess their progress. Song Mao, famed for his uprightness, was sparing with praise, but his comments were always the most reliable. With such a patron, the Su family benefited whenever Song Mao visited other officials in Jiangning and hinted at their connection. Still, since his closest ties were with her second uncle, Su Tan’er felt little personal delight. As for the academic examinations, those were an annual ritual. The Su family seemed unlikely to produce a true scholar, and as for her husband, his teaching methods were unconventional—he only required students to study for an hour a day and spent the rest of the time telling stories. While entertaining, it was hard to see what benefit it brought. She could only hope he wouldn’t be scolded too harshly this year.

By now, the heavy chests had been carried inside. Juan’er, who had stayed back at the estate, ran out, breathless. “Miss, you’re finally back! Cousin and Cousin Miss have arrived—she’s waiting for you now. Oh, and Manager Xi and Manager Luo just got here, too. Seems the He family matter is settled—they’re here to bring you good news. Miss, isn’t this a double blessing?”

The Su family had many cousins, but Juan’er’s affectionate address could only refer to one household. As a child, Su Tan’er was the only daughter in her father’s branch. Her father, Su Boyong, had no sons and felt some resentment over his only child being a girl. While he didn’t mistreat her, he was often cold. As a result, Su Tan’er grew up withdrawn and, for a time, rebellious. Apart from her three maids, the only friend she made was the eldest daughter of her uncle, Su Yun Song, then manager of the Jiangning branch.

Her cousin, named Danhong, was half a month older, lively and tomboyish as a child, but grew gentle and elegant with age. Later, Su Yun Song moved to manage affairs elsewhere, taking his wife and daughter with him. Each year they returned, the two cousins would eagerly reunite to catch up and dream about the future. Last year, her cousin married a young manager from the Su family’s textile business and was now happily settled. She had given birth to a son this year, just as Su Tan’er herself was married, and thus couldn’t visit until now. Hearing that her cousin had arrived, Su Tan’er was delighted. “Wonderful! Where is she now?”

“In the courtyard. She ran into Manager Xi and Manager Luo and chatted with them. Chán’er’s over there too.”

Su Tan’er considered. “All right, I’ll go over. Juan’er, you and Xing’er take these account books over. The top ones go to the accounting office, the bottom ones to the master.”

With these instructions, she parted ways with her maids, tightened her silver-white cloak around her, and smiled as she made her way toward the inner courtyard.

***

There’s no fixed pattern to what two women might gossip about when together, but if they are newly married and haven’t seen each other in days, their talk will almost certainly focus on their husbands.

Walking the snow-covered paths through courtyards and gardens, Su Tan’er soon caught sight of the cousin she’d missed so dearly. True to her charming name, the beautiful and gentle woman was still clad in red even after marriage. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, she asked after Su Tan’er’s husband, Ning Yi.

“I’d wanted to meet my cousin-in-law for so long, but travel was difficult when you married. I’ve heard a few things since, but… well? What’s he really like?”

With someone so close, Su Tan’er couldn’t simply offer polite evasions, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. “It’s hard to say. Didn’t you see Liheng when you arrived?”

“No, I thought he must have gone out with you. I asked Chán’er, but she said no. I did see Manager Xi and Manager Luo, though…”

Su Tan’er thought a moment. “Ah, Magistrate Song is here too, testing the students over at the library. Liheng is a teacher at the academy now, so he’s probably there.”

“A few years ago, I thought Uncle would arrange your marriage to Manager Xi,” her cousin mused, seeing Su Tan’er frown in puzzlement before she smiled. “No, let’s not talk about that. I did ask around about your husband. In Hangzhou, everyone’s singing that new tune to the melody of ‘Prelude to the Water Melody’—I thought it was just someone with the same name, but it turns out he’s your husband! Still, I’ve heard a few odd things since coming here…”

Naturally, public opinion on Ning Yi was not widely discussed, but anyone with connections could learn a variety of rumors. Given her position, she’d also picked up details about the couple’s dynamic. Concerned for Su Tan’er, her cousin spoke at length and finally said, “Rumors are not to be trusted, of course. Whether or not Liheng is talented or capable is one thing. But I want to know—what do you truly think of him?”

As one with more life experience, her cousin’s tone was gentle, intent on understanding Su Tan’er’s feelings before offering advice. Su Tan’er was silent for a moment, then lowered her head and smiled.

“You know what I used to dream of, Sister. As for my husband… his scholarly abilities are hard to judge. But his temperament is calm, and in truth, he suits me best.”

Her cousin studied her, then smiled. “That sounds like acceptance of fate…”

“In idle moments, I used to imagine a husband who was both talented and kind, someone who wouldn’t hinder me in inheriting my family’s business—but those were just daydreams. After these days, if things remain as they are, that’s not so bad. My husband… perhaps he is capable, but his nature is indifferent. Sometimes he does strange things, but he doesn’t hide his faults or pretend. In that sense, he’s honest.”

As she spoke, she lifted her gaze. Snowflakes swirled down from the sky. “At the wedding, I was afraid of what the future held. I was angry, and so I left Jiangning. Only when I returned did I grit my teeth and make up my mind. But now, thinking back, if things continue as they are, I won’t find it so hard. Perhaps it is a little like accepting fate, but… I don’t dislike it.”

Snow blanketed the Su family estate and all of Jiangning in a vast, white silence. Along the path, two women—one in red, one in white—walked together, silent for a time before the gentle cousin smiled and turned the conversation lighthearted.

“So, no talent for business?”

“None… well, he’s not interested.”

“No scholarly talent, either?”

“Not really, but… his teaching is a bit unorthodox. His students are being tested now, I’m afraid they’ll be criticized…”

“Ha! So, my husband wins!”

“Wha—there’s no need for that kind of comparison! I’m not competing.”

Their laughter drifted away, dissolving into the swirling snow. Beyond the courtyards, at the library in the front of the Su estate, braziers burned for warmth. The family’s academic examination was underway…

***

There should be another chapter tonight. Even if it’s not posted tonight, it will certainly be up by dawn. Happy Dragon Boat Festival, everyone!