Chapter 4, The Indifferent Person

He originally intended to deliberately remind Ning Yi, "I hit you, and you have no way to deal with me," and even intentionally said, "Recently, someone has spread rumors that it was my younger brother who attacked Brother Ning that day. Brother Ning wouldn't believe that, would he?" Such words were meant to provoke the other party. However, Ning Yi responded with sincerity and calmness, showing no signs of desperation. It was as if he had thrown a punch into thin air. Confused, he felt that after performing for so long, the other party, as the audience, had not given any expected reaction, which left him somewhat uncomfortable. It was meant to provoke the other party, yet Ning Yi's sincere and calm words showed no signs of desperation. It felt as if he had thrown a punch into thin air. Confused, he felt that after performing for so long, the other party, as the audience, had not given any expected reaction, which left him somewhat uncomfortable.

As the two departed, Xue Jin laughed and called out loudly. It was early August, and the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching. The Qinhuai River was bustling with numerous events, some exclusively for single men and many attended by women. The Puyuan Poetry Gathering had gained considerable fame in previous years. In any era, once basic needs are met, indulging in a bit of elegance becomes the norm. Although it was called a poetry gathering, various performances were naturally abundant. Su Tan'er often participated in previous years, but at this moment, she lowered the curtain of the carriage and said, "Let's talk about it later." In any era, once basic needs are met, indulging in a bit of elegance becomes the norm. Although it was called a poetry gathering, various performances were naturally abundant. Su Tan'er often participated in previous years, but at this moment, she lowered the curtain of the carriage and said, "Let's talk about it later."

After Su Tan'er finished speaking, Juan'er beside her nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, young master, there are many performances."

As he watched the carriage depart, Xue Jin ground his teeth and then became puzzled, looking at the attendant beside him: "Do you think that person with the surname Ning is pretending or has really lost their memory? It can't be that they are acting so convincingly" He was filled with confusion

Perhaps Miss Qilan will also perform

Listening to singing

Xing'er chimed in from the side: "The lights are also beautiful, and there are lovely fireworks..."

As the carriage approached a small bridge near the Su family gate, Su Tan'er looked outside and said, "In that case... the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering at Poyuan, does my husband wish to attend?"

There is no need to be overly skilled; just go watch some performances and enjoy the lanterns

Su Tan'er looked into his eyes and blinked a few times, then gradually broke into a smile. Unlike her previous patterned smiles, this one was radiant and carried a sense of relief. Her husband indeed understood the ways of the world. However, as she thought this, a slight sense of loss crept into her heart. She would not be fond of a pure bookworm, nor would she appreciate someone truly scheming. Yet, since they were still not very familiar with each other, these matters were not entirely clear.

After such a long time, there is again the matter of Su Tan'er eloping. At this moment, Xue Jin has come to find Su Tan'er, naturally still unwilling to give up. Although Su Tan'er is now someone else's wife and cannot marry into the Xue family, her beauty, intelligence, and capabilities, along with her knowledge, make her the kind of woman that men who consider themselves capable are eager to conquer. However, upon seeing Ning Yi on the way home, he had previously thrown a brick at Ning Yi but did not take this bookish fellow seriously at all. Thus, he approached to greet Ning Yi, intending to make him feel uncomfortable.

Xue Jin has always had an interest in Su Tan'er from the Su family, and everyone has known this for a long time. The Xue family had previously proposed a marriage to the Su family, but first, Su Laotai Gong did not have a favorable opinion of Xue Jin; second, the current generation of the Su family is dwindling, and they do not intend to marry Su Tan'er off directly; furthermore, both families are competitors in the business arena. The marriage proposal did not materialize, and on the day of the wedding, Su Tan'er ran away again. Seizing the opportunity amidst the chaos, Xue Jin stealthily knocked Ning Yi unconscious with a brick and escaped. Due to the lack of strong witnesses, this troublesome matter became quite complicated to pursue, and in the end, it was left unresolved. The marriage proposal did not materialize, and on the day of the wedding, Su Tan'er ran away again. Seizing the opportunity amidst the chaos, Xue Jin stealthily knocked Ning Yi unconscious with a brick and escaped. Due to the lack of strong witnesses, this troublesome matter became quite complicated to pursue, and in the end, it was left unresolved.

Su Tan'er followed him out, naturally because she understood Xue Jin's intentions. Her feelings towards Ning Yi were actually simple; she did not dislike him, and since he was already her husband, there was no way around it. Overall, she still believed that she and Ning Yi were tied together. Xue Jin was not particularly capable, and he was no different from the second and third generation heirs of the Su family, whom she found distasteful. However, regardless of her personal feelings, with the backing of the Xue family, business had to be kept separate from personal likes and dislikes.

The Jiangning area is economically prosperous, with a developed textile industry. In this regard, the three largest fabric shops nearby are Su's Fabric Shop, Xue's Dachuan Fabric Shop, and Wu's Fabric Shop, which serves as the leading establishment. Xue Jin's main purpose for coming this time is to discuss a business collaboration in the Huainan area with Su Tan'er. However, at this time, Su Tan'er is only managing a small portion of the operations at the Su family, while most of the business outside Jiangning is still handled by her second and third uncles. Therefore, Xue Jin is advised to speak with her second uncle, Su Zhongkan, about this matter. Xue Jin expressed that it would be easier to discuss with someone familiar. A few days later, when a banquet is held to discuss business with Su Zhongkan, he hopes that Su Tan'er can join as well. However, Su Tan'er is still only managing a small part of the operations at the Su family, and most of the business outside Jiangning is still overseen by her second and third uncles. Thus, Xue Jin is directed to consult with her second uncle, Su Zhongkan, regarding this matter. Xue Jin reiterated that it would be more convenient to talk with someone familiar, and when the banquet is held a few days later to discuss business with Su Zhongkan, he hopes that Su Tan'er can come along as well. This is how the conversation goes.

By the way, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, there will be lantern viewing at Qinhuai, and everyone is welcome to bring their families to the poetry gathering at Puyuan. I have heard that Brother Ning is well-versed in literature; I wonder if he will attend with Sister Tan

The three maids chattered excitedly about the performances at the lantern festival. In this era of scarce entertainment, they were clearly looking forward to such events. Ning Yi smiled and nodded, saying, "Well, if possible, let's all go and have a look together then"

At this moment, inside the carriage, Su Tan'er was looking at Ning Yi across from her with some confusion. The main speakers in the carriage were three maidservants, who were chattering away about how bad and rude Young Master Xue was. Although they did not directly mention Su Tan'er, it sounded as if they were subtly emphasizing a theme: "Miss has nothing to do with that person." Ning Yi occasionally laughed and interjected into the conversation.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is still more than ten days away. A few days later, Su Zhongkan came to inform him to report to Yushan Academy, which is not far from the Su family, in preparation for starting his leisurely career as a teacher.

Ning Yi nodded slightly: "I truly do not remember."

Su Tan'er stared at him in confusion. He turned back to glance at her, and the two exchanged looks for a moment: "Uh, does my wife hope that I would have beaten him just now?"

As for poetry, I am not very skilled at it

In fact, in his heart, he merely found the behavior of these three young girls to be adorable, well-behaved, and sensible. If it were modern society, girls of such an age would likely be quite willful. After a moment, he heard Su Tan'er ask, "Husband... have you really forgotten about that Xue Jin?"

At this moment, she received a message from Xing'er, and Su Tan'er hurriedly came out. After all, she feared that Ning Yi, being a scholar, might not withstand provocation and could get into a conflict. If a real conflict arose, it would inevitably escalate into a matter between the Su and Xue families. Her feelings for Ning Yi were still far from the point where she would be willing to sacrifice family interests to vent her frustrations for her husband. However, ignoring the situation was not an option; after all, he was her husband. To disregard a conflict would be seen as frivolous. If no conflict had yet arisen, it would be difficult to mediate. Although their relationship had been harmonious over the past few months, men are often most concerned with such trivial matters. They were still not very familiar with each other, and if she were to let him yield even slightly, who could say whether he might think there was something between her and Xue Jin, leading to misunderstandings? She hoped for everything to turn out perfectly. Even though Ning Yi had come into the family through marriage, she wished to avoid any domestic unrest in the future. At that moment, she felt a headache coming on.

On the street, pedestrians were coming and going. Su Tan'er was accompanied by Juan'er and Xing'er, while Ning Yi was with Chan'er. Xue Jin was accompanied by two young servants, and they were engaged in friendly conversation.

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

Who knew that when they were driven out, they found Ning Yi naturally discussing amnesia with the other party, looking as if he had completely forgotten the name Xue Jin... Could it be that for the past few months, no one had mentioned this matter in front of him even a little? She, somewhat puzzled, shifted the topic and soon bid farewell to Xue Jin, taking Ning Yi and several maidservants onto the carriage