The Jiangning area had a prosperous economy with a developed textile industry, and in this regard, the three largest nearby cloth stores were Su's Cloth Store, the Xue family's Dachuan Cloth Store, and Wu's Cloth Store as the industry leader. Xue Jin's main purpose in coming this time was to discuss cooperation on a business deal in the Huainan area with Su Tan'er, though Su Tan'er at this time only managed a small portion in the Su family. Most business outside Jiangning was still handled by Second Uncle and Third Uncle, so she told Xue Jin to discuss this matter with Second Uncle Su Zhongkan. But Xue Jin expressed that having familiar people made things easier to discuss. When hosting a banquet to discuss business with Su Zhongkan in a few days, he hoped Su Tan'er could also come, and so on... That's what he said anyway.

Xue Jin had always been interested in the Su family's Su Tan'er—everyone had known for ages. The Xue family had once proposed marriage to the Su family, but firstly Old Master Su didn't particularly like this Xue Jin, secondly the Su family's current generation lacked talent and didn't plan to marry Su Tan'er out directly, and thirdly the two sides were after all business competitors. The marriage didn't happen—on the wedding day Su Tan'er ran away, and Xue Jin seized the chaotic opportunity to secretly knock Ning Yi unconscious with a brick and run off—due to lack of strong witnesses, pursuing this messy matter was also very complicated, so in the end it was left unresolved.

After all this time had passed, with Su Tan'er's wedding escape incident, now Xue Jin came looking for Su Tan'er again—naturally he still hadn't given up. Though Su Tan'er at this time was already another man's wife and couldn't possibly marry into the Xue family, Su Tan'er was beautiful, intelligent, and capable. Men who thought they had some ability liked conquering such women, and he hadn't expected to see Ning Yi on his way home. Though he'd previously hit Ning Yi with a brick, he really didn't take this bookworm seriously, so he ran over to actively greet him, preparing to make Ning Yi feel stifled.

Su Tan'er followed out naturally because she knew Xue Jin's intentions, and her feelings about Ning Yi were actually simple—she didn't dislike him, and he was already her husband. No choice about it, but all in all, she still felt Ning Yi and she were tied together. Xue Jin had no great ability, no different from those second and third generation young masters in the Su family, and she disliked him. But no matter what, with the Xue family's backing, business was business, personal preferences aside.

At this moment getting Xing'er's message, Su Tan'er hurried out, fearing Ning Yi's scholarly temperament couldn't withstand provocation and would have some conflict with the other party. If conflict really arose, in the end it would inevitably become a matter between the Su and Xue families. Her feelings for Ning Yi were still far from willing to use family interests to vent anger for her husband. But not managing it wouldn't work either—this was her husband, and if conflict arose and she didn't manage it, that would be fickle. If conflict hadn't arisen, trying to mediate would also be hard to handle—though these few months getting along with Ning Yi had been harmonious, men cared most about these messy things. They still weren't familiar with each other, and if she asked him to yield slightly, who knew if he'd think she had something with Xue Jin, thus harboring resentment. She hoped things could be done perfectly—even though Ning Yi had married in, she hoped to avoid family discord and such in the future as much as possible. She had quite a headache at the moment.

Who knew when she rushed out, she discovered Ning Yi was discussing his memory loss with the other party with a natural attitude, looking like he truly had no feeling at all about even the name Xue Jin... Could it be in these months, truly no one had mentioned this matter to him even slightly? She somewhat doubtfully steered the topic away. Before long she took leave of that Xue Jin, taking Ning Yi and several maids onto the carriage.

"Oh right, for Mid-Autumn Festival¹viewing lanterns on the Qinhuai, everyone can bring family members to the Puyuan Poetry Gathering. I heard Brother Ning is learned. I wonder if you'll attend together with Sister Tan'er?"

Seeing the two leave, Xue Jin laughed and called out loudly from here. It was now early in the eighth month with Mid-Autumn approaching. There were countless programs on the Qinhuai River—some only single men could attend, others mostly for women. The Puyuan Poetry Gathering had been quite famous in past years. No matter what era, after satisfying basic needs, affecting some refinement was always normal. Though called a poetry gathering, naturally there were also many various performance programs. Su Tan'er had often attended in past years, and at this moment she lowered the carriage curtain: "We'll see."

"Tsk, we'll see..." Watching the carriage leave, Xue Jin ground his teeth here, then became puzzled, looking at his follower beside him: "You guys think—is that surnamed Ning pretending or really has amnesia? He can't pretend this well!" Extremely perplexed.

He'd originally wanted to deliberately remind Ning Yi "I hit you, you can't do anything to me," even purposely saying things like "Recently there are actually rumors saying this younger brother attacked Brother Ning that day. Brother Ning wouldn't believe it, right?" just to make the other party angry—but who knew Ning Yi's words were sincere and peaceful, showing not the slightest sign of forcing himself. He'd clearly punched empty air. Beyond confusion, feeling he'd performed so long yet the other party as audience had no expected reaction at all, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

At this moment in that carriage, Su Tan'er was also looking at Ning Yi opposite with some puzzlement. At this time the main speakers in the carriage were the three maids. They chattered discussing how bad and rude that Young Master Xue was and such. Though on the surface not a single word involved Su Tan'er, actually listening to it, they were indirectly emphasizing one theme: "Young Miss has no relationship with that person." Ning Yi also occasionally smiled and joined the conversation.

Actually in his heart he just felt these three girls' behavior was cute—well-behaved and sensible. In modern society, little girls this age who knew how willful they'd be. After a moment, he heard Su Tan'er ask: "Husband... really forgot that Xue Jin?"

Ning Yi nodded: "I truly don't remember."

"But... you must have heard about it..."

Su Tan'er stared at him doubtfully while he looked back, the two gazing at each other for a moment: "Uh, did my wife hope I'd beat him up just now?"

Su Tan'er looked at his eyes and blinked several times, then gradually smiled. Different from her previous formulaic smiles, this smile was brilliant with a bit of relaxed relief. Her husband indeed understood these worldly matters, but thinking this, she felt slightly disappointed in her heart. She wouldn't like pure bookworms, nor would she like truly scheming people—just that now everyone still wasn't familiar, and these things couldn't be seen too clearly.

The carriage passed a small bridge near the Su family's main gate. Su Tan'er looked outside: "In that case... the Mid-Autumn Puyuan Poetry Gathering, does Husband want to go?"

"Poetry and verses, I'm not very good at."

"You don't need to be too good. Just go watch some performances, appreciate the lanterns."

After Su Tan'er finished speaking, Juan'er beside her nodded desperately: "Yes, yes, Young Master, there are many performances!"

Xing'er chimed in beside: "The lights are also very beautiful, and there are pretty fireworks too..."

"Maybe Miss Qilan will also go perform..."

"Listen to singing..."

The three maids chattered about the programs at the lantern festival—entertainment was lacking in this era, and they obviously looked forward to such things very much. Ning Yi smiled and nodded: "Mm, if possible, let's all go see together when the time comes."

Mid-Autumn Festival was still over ten days away. After a few days, Su Zhongkan came to notify him to report to Yushan Academy not far from the Su family, preparing to start being a leisurely teaching gentleman.

(End of Chapter)