"The matter with Flourishing Fortune House is settled. I've reached an agreement with Manager Yu—we can deliver goods before the sixth day of the tenth month. After that, there shouldn't be any problems. I have an idea..."

In the Su family's rain-shrouded compound, water fell like curtains from the eaves. In the lamp-lit reception room, Xi Junyu was reporting business progress to Su Tan'er. Xing'er brought over a towel for him to dry off where the rain had gotten him wet. A moment later, Juan'er came in with a tea tray, setting refreshments on the small table beside Xi Junyu.

"Manager Xi, please have some tea."

"Thank you, Juan'er." Xi Junyu smiled and nodded, then continued discussing business with Su Tan'er. "Since we've made headway with Flourishing Fortune House, I think we could invest about ten thousand taels in Yuanzhou—build two dyeing workshops and warehouses. Using Yuanzhou as a hub to expand to surrounding areas would be foolproof..."

After finishing, he waited for Su Tan'er's response. The Su family business expansion usually followed such steps, but now Su Tan'er took a sip of tea and looked up at him, her voice somewhat low: "Yuanzhou... though it's about time, it's not our most pressing matter right now... Let's discuss it later."

Su Tan'er's voice was gentle, and this response was within Xi Junyu's expectations. Only that look in her eyes puzzled him. When he'd first met Su Tan'er, she was just a twelve-year-old girl. But since she'd begun handling the family business, over these years, this girl who'd grown into a young woman—now a wife in name—always had aspects he couldn't quite read.

Of course, it was just a feeling. He believed he understood most of her character, including the pressure she bore and the effort she put forth under that pressure.

Several years ago, starting when Su Tan'er was approaching fifteen, she'd worked with him and several other managers, discussing various business strategies together. The girl occasionally had brilliant ideas, but most of the time she was somewhat clumsy. Most of her suggestions weren't usable, and when this was pointed out, she'd often smile awkwardly and say with surprise: "Oh, so that's how it works..."

Her character was soft and modest, pleasant to everyone, never losing her temper. She didn't get angry when servants made mistakes, nor when people gossiped about her being a woman in business. Of course, sometimes she'd encounter situations she didn't know how to handle—she was just a teenage girl after all. At those times she wouldn't speak, keeping a smile on her face while pressing her lips together firmly, waiting in silence.

Human emotions are strange, without clear dividing lines. Xi Junyu didn't know when he'd decided to stay at the Su family cloth store. Xi Junyu's childhood had been poor—his mother died early, his father was often sick and a drunkard. He'd been naturally intelligent since childhood, thinking that studying would bring a good future. Working at the cloth store was originally just to earn some spare money to supplement the household. Who knew he'd end up staying?

Smart people learn everything quickly. Xi Junyu was confident he could excel in any field, not just business. After being in commerce for a while, you gradually understand human nature and the human heart. In his view, everything in the world revolved around these changes—studying and such were just side branches.

Even when just doing odd jobs at the Su cloth store, he'd helped close several deals, earning enough money to make his family comfortable. Of course, he'd still planned to return to studying then. Later... how much his reason for staying at the Su family had to do with that girl who often came to the cloth store was hard to say, but it was definitely a large part.

He'd thought it through clearly. With his poor family background, taking the imperial examinations would be troublesome—just the gift-giving and relationship-building would be unaffordable. And the feeling of having money was quite practical. Back then, he'd probably mapped out a relatively ideal path for himself: work at the Su family, become a manager, then chief manager, marry into the Su family, and when Su Tan'er took control, he could share power equally with her.

Already showing promise in the cloth store, he worked in perfect harmony with that constantly learning fifteen-year-old girl. When Su Tan'er made blunders, he could quickly cover the gaps. Ever since learning of Su Boyong and Su Tan'er's intentions, he'd known that one day Su Tan'er would need a live-in husband. He was obviously the ideal candidate, and he didn't mind such an arrangement.

Incompetent people always hoped for status or various innate advantages—though they certainly had influence—but truly capable people knew their own abilities actually played a large part. For him, confidence meant that wherever he was, there'd be opportunities to shine, to make people take notice. His poor background couldn't be changed, so marrying in was actually acceptable.

Su Tan'er would understand his abilities, and he understood her character. With such understanding, after marriage they'd be ideal partners. Some people might initially make an issue of his live-in son-in-law status, but no matter—once his abilities showed, others would naturally look at him differently. One year, two years... facts would change everything. Su Tan'er bore her own shackles yet gritted her teeth and pressed forward. What couldn't he do?

Unfortunately, later developments exceeded his expectations. The Su family had definitely considered him. They must have. But in the end, with Old Master Su making the decision, they'd chosen such an incompetent scholar.

The Su family... just wanted someone easier to control.

Sometimes being too capable became a fault. He'd thought sarcastically at the time. He'd also thought that if he'd been the one arranged to marry, Tan'er definitely wouldn't have found an excuse to run away on the wedding day.

He'd been very confident, not worried even knowing the Su family was considering that Ning Yi. When they suddenly decided on Ning Yi, he'd been stunned. He'd thought about directly telling Su Tan'er his feelings, but by then discovered the distance this girl had always maintained from others. She might have once called him "Brother Junyu," but soon after it became Manager Xi, and it had always been Manager Xi since.

She might be soft and gentle, might be lively and lovely, might be playful and humorous, but more often, this girl actually kept part of her mind observing from outside. That part might still find things interesting or curious, might smile cutely while watching, but... she always maintained an attitude of observation and learning. When smart people applied themselves, they learned everything very quickly—this Xi Junyu had known early on.

Only then did he discover that his feelings had become unspeakable, because she wasn't as close as he'd imagined.

He was also proud. If he went and confessed, the girl's surface might be incredibly warm, incredibly gentle, even incredibly sad, but the heart truly observing wouldn't care about him at all. This was a result he couldn't bear.

Later, Su Tan'er displayed a proper wife's attitude after marriage—something he'd long expected. Status issues were the main reason for Su Tan'er's marriage anyway. He didn't know what that scholar was like with her. Su Tan'er wouldn't show displeasure on the surface, but that scholar surely couldn't see what his wife's inner heart was really like.

Thinking about it was amusing and pitiful—they hadn't even consummated the marriage. Though later developments somewhat exceeded his expectations, that scholar at least truly had some scholarly ability. But regardless, they were definitely estranged in appearance if united in reality. Besides himself, no one could truly understand Su Tan'er. The heart she hid behind was a forced clarity born from long pressure and loneliness.

Wanting to control the Su family as a woman, the resistance would always exist. Even crying wouldn't gain real sympathy. Even the managers under her, though helping her at Su Boyong's instruction, would still consider the issue of their employer being a woman during every business deal. Even if she constantly proved her abilities, at forty or fifty, even becoming someone like Empress Wu Zetian, people would still consider that she was a woman. She could only maintain absolute clarity behind it all.

Thinking about it was somewhat cold, somewhat lonely, somewhat pitiful. She needed someone who could truly share joys and sorrows, face difficulties together. Xi Junyu liked this feeling—right now he could only like and accept the current situation. Facts had already occurred, complaints were useless, considering what to do was key.

Sometimes he felt that figure deep in Su Tan'er's heart was somewhat unclear. She was constantly growing too, but regardless, in a sense Su Tan'er was almost taught by him. These current years wouldn't yet spiral out of control.

Regarding Yuanzhou, Su Tan'er had already decided. He was just a "manager," so there was no need to say more. When necessary, both could be very talkative. Now Xi Junyu talked about amusing incidents heard while chatting with Manager Yu from Flourishing Fortune House, then analyzed possible developments inside and outside the city based on the refugee situation. He knew what Su Tan'er usually liked hearing. Su Tan'er held her teacup listening intently, occasionally nodding, asking follow-up questions—her girlish curious manner hadn't changed over the years. These were times when news traveled slowly, and much information was indeed useful. What Xi Junyu spoke of was often unknown to her.

He also casually mentioned matters regarding Xiao Chan's father's funeral, discussing when Ning Yi might return. This topic was only touched upon briefly, subtly hinting at his own presence and difference from Ning Yi. Though some things didn't seem to enter her heart, perhaps they could chat longer tonight. Ning Yi would return tomorrow, and he had some thoughts, considering whether to speak plainly.

At this moment, Xing'er ran in from outside the courtyard holding an umbrella, looking somewhat happy. She nodded and smiled at Xi Junyu, then ran to Su Tan'er's side: "Young Master and Xiao Chan have returned."

"Really?" Juan'er, standing behind Su Tan'er, spoke first. Su Tan'er also raised her head, smiling but frowning at the same time: "In such heavy rain, rushing back so late? Did they get wet?"

"They didn't, actually. Oh, Dongzhu the driver got soaked. Young Master had Dongzhu go wash up first outside, then instructed the kitchen to prepare some food. They rushed back all the way and probably didn't eat dinner properly."

"Mm." Su Tan'er thought for a moment. "Xing'er, go have the kitchen prepare what Young Master likes to eat, then prepare a bowl of millet porridge—I'm a bit hungry too and will go over later... Also prepare some chilled white fungus soup, mainly for Guard Geng and Dongzhu to cool down tonight. They don't usually eat this. If you and Juan'er want some, go prepare it yourselves. I don't need any. Young Master and Xiao Chan probably won't want it after dinner either... Um, Manager Xi, would you like some?"

"I don't need any. Since Young Master Ning and Xiao Chan have returned, and I have no urgent matters, I'll take my leave."

Xi Junyu smiled with composed expression. Su Tan'er nodded.

"In that case, I'll see Manager Xi out."

"No need, the rain is heavy."

"It's fine. Besides, I'd like to hear more about Manager Xi's plans for Yuanzhou."

You really want to hear, sure... Xi Junyu smiled inwardly, but as he walked outside with Su Tan'er and Juan'er under umbrellas, he still laid out a series of plans and ideas. Whether regarding Yuanzhou's local customs or various connections and official information, everything was quite detailed. Su Tan'er nodded while listening.

The rain roared. Sometimes walking these paths, they could only vaguely see lights from distant courtyards, giving the feeling that in this vast Su residence, only the three of them walked in the rain. Approaching the side gate, they could see people still hurrying in and out, all rushing about. His attendant was waiting in the gatehouse. Reaching a covered corridor where umbrellas weren't needed, Xi Junyu took a deep breath.

"Actually, over this past year or so, though the Su family seems to be developing normally, every location is holding back funds. I see all this clearly. You're already preparing. This matter is too big—if you don't want to say, I originally shouldn't mention it. But... it's really too big. If you lose everything, what that means—have you thought it through clearly?"

Su Tan'er stopped walking, quietly looking at him, gently pressing her lips together without speaking. That look was somewhat complex, as if saying she was sorry she couldn't discuss this. She had to oversee everything after all... Xi Junyu didn't mind this, just shaking his head with a sigh.

"I don't know when you had this idea. Perhaps you've been thinking about it for years... You want to get palace licenses. You want to become an Imperial Merchant¹. This... I'm not wrong, am I?"

He looked at Su Tan'er, pausing slightly.

"It might have been better a few years ago, but starting last year, the Xue family has also been eyeing Imperial Merchant status. Perhaps the Wu family is considering it too. Your idea has encountered its most difficult time. Do you know about these matters?"

In the rainy night, this was almost the sternest warning. Xi Junyu's considerations had their reasons...

(End of Chapter)