The reason he felt such urgency wasn't just for himself, but because he'd already bragged to several brothers and close friends before this, saying that when his uncle came, he'd definitely expose that Ning Yi's fake scholar facade of seeking fame through deception—this was why after Song Mao praised Ning Yi so highly at the library pavilion, Su Wenxing had rushed over anxiously to ask about it.

"I think your uncle just doesn't want to get involved in these matters. Look at what he said at the library pavilion... Obviously he didn't know Ning Yi was the teacher at first. He'd already said the guy had great talent and all that—now he can't take it back. Fifth Brother, stop bluffing us... Hmph, I really don't know what that Ning Yi did to fool people so thoroughly. You guys sure he wasn't some professional con artist before..."

As dusk fell, several young men sat chatting in a courtyard pavilion—these were mostly people from the Su family's second branch, and to be honest, if it weren't for Song Mao's arrival, Su Wenxing wouldn't have become the center of attention. Normally these few claimed to be united by interests, claimed to be allies, but were actually just friends who ate, drank, and played together—being relatives naturally made them closer.

Since they all benefited under the second branch, naturally they'd worry somewhat about the second branch's future while eating, drinking, playing, pretending to be talented scholars, and visiting courtesans. Speaking proportionally, though Su Tan'er always seemed confident and had kept many of the Su family's younger generation neutral through financial incentives, when it came to who had more supporters and who people favored, because Su Tan'er was female, most still sided with the second or third branches. Of course, such positioning wasn't very reliable—the Su family's current third generation basically had no real status yet, and once real fighting began, their numbers would just be for show.

Of course, while waiting to become influential family members, they could still do some things—strike at their opponents' advantages and momentum. In the eyes of these young men who normally liked to pretend to be talented scholars visiting brothels and drinking flower wine¹, they naturally found Ning Yi extremely irritating—he acted independently, had the fame they desperately wanted but couldn't get, and was Su Tan'er's husband to boot.

If I had that reputation, which top courtesan's room on Qinhuai River couldn't I enter? But this guy doesn't even go to brothels—what a waste! Plus his reputation is fake anyway... Simply unbearable...

But complaints aside, normally they could only roll their eyes when they met him—actually causing him any real damage was difficult. When Ning Yi told Old Master Su and the others that the poem wasn't his own work, Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang were both there, so they'd heard about it too. However, Old Master Su had strictly ordered that the matter not be spread around—who'd dare openly run out and prove this as a Su family member? Quietly spreading rumors, but there were too many rumors and no one believed them. They couldn't run over and "expose" anything at home either—he'd already admitted it! This position was really straightforward, afraid of nothing, yet many people still thought he was deliberately keeping a low profile.

As Su family members, they couldn't possibly betray their own family outside, and the family couldn't do it themselves either—this trap was somewhat difficult to set, and Song Mao's visit was naturally the best opportunity. A proper Provincial Governor who knew nothing about the inside story—as long as he righteously pointed out Ning Yi's fame-seeking deception at some occasion, Old Master Su couldn't do anything to the unknowing governor. Once the news spread, their side would just have to "cut off the arm to save the body"²and draw a clear line with him. Maybe in the future when visiting brothels they could even act deep with some beauty: "My second sister's live-in son-in-law, I originally thought he was truly talented, but who knew he..." Blah blah blah.

So as soon as Song Mao arrived, the group who'd discussed it immediately crowded around Su Wenxing to talk about this matter—everyone had seen how Song Mao had always doted on Su Wenxing. After speaking, Su Wenxing came out arrogantly: "It's settled," but shortly after at the library pavilion, they saw the scene of Song Mao highly praising Ning Yi, and everyone sneered at Su Wenxing. After all, Song Mao was known for being honest and upright. When he praised Ning Yi at the library pavilion, it seemed heartfelt. This plan had probably failed.

"What do you guys know? That Ning Yi wasn't there at the time—even if he wanted to say something, what could he say? At most that his teaching wasn't good. My uncle is presenting borrowed flowers to Buddha³—giving him some benefits first. When he comes back with his guard down, at the evening banquet, naturally he can test him, and even if he wants to decline, he won't be able to."

Later coming out of his uncle's room, Su Wenxing recalled Song Mao's words and felt they held deep meaning—he suddenly understood completely. He explained this to everyone, though by this evening, some were doubting again, but still, everyone ultimately believed Su Wenxing more.

"That's Wenxing's uncle. It's just a small favor—if he doesn't help Wenxing, who would he help? Wentian, you worry too much."

"To expose him, naturally you first need to get close to him, praise him a bit, then at the evening banquet casually ask some things and his true colors will be revealed. In the past when those talented scholars outside invited Ning Yi or sought his guidance, he could always say something casual to brush them off—isn't it because they weren't familiar with each other? Now the Provincial Governor praises him—no matter what, he has to act friendly, and that's when the killing blow comes. Wentian, would the Provincial Governor's considerations be as simple as yours?" The speaker was Su Wengui, ranked second among the Su family males—he looked somewhat thin but had some ability. Having read many vernacular novels, he compared himself to Zhuge Liang³and always had ideas for matters big and small, so his words carried much more weight than Su Wenxing's. Speaking calmly now, the originally irritated Su Wentian laughed awkwardly.

"Hehe, wasn't it because I saw the mansion spreading word about how talented Ning Yi is? I couldn't stand it."

"What talent? We've all investigated—he's just a bookworm," Su Wengui frowned slightly. "As I see it, all of Ning Yi's various behaviors are manipulated by Second Sister behind the scenes. Everyone be sharp at tonight's banquet—if the Provincial Governor questions him directly, Second Sister might speak up to smooth things over, or say Ning Yi is slightly ill, or create some small accident. The Provincial Governor can't be too aggressive, so you and I need to fan the flames with a few words to put Ning Yi in an awkward position. In short, exposing him this time means we can righteously draw a clear line from him in front of others later—only then can we properly defeat Second Sister's chess move..."

Everyone quickly nodded, discussing a bit, then Su Wentian asked: "Wenxing, I wonder where the Provincial Governor went this afternoon. If someone kept him for dinner, we might miss our chance today."

Su Wenxing shook his head: "I'm not sure either. Probably someone like my uncle's teacher or such."

"Then it must be some important figures..." Wentian smiled. "Wenxing, if one day you could take us along, how great would that be? If we could get some guidance..."

"Hmph, Wentian, you don't study hard normally. If someone gave you a pointer or two, would you suddenly become enlightened?"

"The teachers at Yushan Academy are all mediocre. What use is studying hard? Those important figures are naturally different. Remember when I, Su Wentian, wrote that poem—even Lady Shaohua at Spring Welcoming Tower praised it endlessly. If I could get guidance from those important figures, I'd naturally be able to enter their inner circles..."

This Su Wentian was normally somewhat slow but fancied himself talented with literary gifts—if the women at the few brothels he frequented didn't need his money, they probably wouldn't even pay attention to him. Everyone silently cursed his foolishness but couldn't be bothered arguing. After a moment, an attendant came to report that Song Mao had returned.

"...The Provincial Governor seems to have returned with that Ning Yi. The two seem to already know each other and were chatting happily."

"So that's it," Su Wengui stood up, his face calm as still water, tapping his folding fan in his hand. "The Provincial Governor is already laying the groundwork—otherwise, given Ning Yi's live-in son-in-law status and being a junior, even if he had some talent, why would the Provincial Governor need to act this way? Tonight's matter seems certain. Everyone... prepare yourselves."

In the pavilion, that figure stood indifferent and aloof, giving off an air of strategizing behind the scenes with the world's affairs all within his calculations, and everyone was impressed and responded enthusiastically with high morale.

Returning from outside, Ning Yi naturally had no idea a group at home was secretly plotting against him—when he learned about his family relationship with Song Mao at the Qin mansion, he was somewhat surprised, but naturally adjusted afterward. He just had to change from Brother Song to Uncle Song.

Song Mao appeared simple but was actually shrewd, and for Ning Yi, dealing with shrewd people actually wasn't stressful, especially when certain situations were obvious. But after returning to the Su mansion, some other circumstances still surprised him slightly.

Not many people from the Su mansion should have seen him return with Song Mao—this wasn't a big deal anyway—and the two parted ways at the mansion gate. Ning Yi carried the jar of century eggs toward the back courtyard, and before long he saw Xiao Chan waiting for him halfway.

The little girl had probably been wandering around the nearby courtyards for a long time, and her small face was flushed red—seeing him, she called out "Young Master" and ran over smiling, looking somewhat excited.

"Heh, are you free today? Oh right, I have something for you..."

Xiao Chan had the closest relationship with him in the Su mansion, and seeing her, naturally he had to give her a century egg. He lifted the jar and shook it in the air, but before he could open it, Xiao Chan, whose attention clearly wasn't on this, opened her arms and hugged it to her chest—she probably thought Ning Yi wanted her to help carry it.

"Young Master, Young Master, listen to me! You really stole the spotlight today!"

"Oh," Ning Yi knew what she meant and wasn't surprised. "I know, the library pavilion exam, right? How did Little Blackie and the others do? If Old Master rewarded them with good things, Xiao Chan, tell me—as their teacher, should I take half or the other half..."

"Mm-hmm," Xiao Chan nodded vigorously, happy that Ning Yi had stolen the spotlight. "Besides the library pavilion, there's another matter! Young Master is so amazing—with just one sentence you helped Young Miss settle the He family business... Too bad Xiao Chan was with Young Miss looking at the snow scenery and didn't see that Master He's expression when Young Master spoke. It must have been very interesting... Today Young Miss, Cousin Miss, Manager Xi—they were all so shocked when they heard! Only Xiao Chan wasn't surprised... But Young Master really does know everything, so amazing. Say, when we see Young Miss later..."

"..."

Amid the still-drifting snowflakes, Chan'er hugged that jar she probably hadn't even noticed like a little mother hen, walking and chattering excitedly nonstop—Ning Yi listened silently for a long while, finally sighing.

"Xiao Chan, what exactly is this He family matter? Could you explain it again from beginning to end..."

(End of Chapter)