Every gathering like this always begins with something tedious…

Lord Dong’s summary of everything that had happened in Jiangning this past year, his hopes for the coming year—the same rehashed content trotted out annually. This year, since the situation had begun turning unusual, he spoke rather vaguely about a number of things. In truth, when it came to the real state of Jiangning’s textile industry, most of the people now seated in the hall probably understood it far better than Lord Dong himself did.

“Crab tonight…” As a witness and participant in the evening’s events, Wang Wenzhuo of the Wang Family murmured to himself amid the flickering lamplight. A fragrant aroma had already begun drifting up faintly from downstairs. He turned to speak with a steward beside him. “What do you make of tonight’s business?”

The Wang family steward said in a low voice, “Naturally we hope the Su family comes out on top, and it does seem the odds aren’t bad.”

“The Wu and Xue families aren’t pushovers either. Look over there—those two families don’t seem particularly tense. As for the Su family… honestly, this Ning Liheng makes me a bit uneasy.”

The Wang family was a mid-to-small-sized merchant house in Jiangning, and had long maintained good working relations with the Su family. Naturally they hoped the Su family would secure the imperial merchant title, since they too would benefit. But Wang Wenzhuo, glancing over at Ning Yi, felt this was the one unreliable element in the whole affair. The steward smiled. “He’s just a scholar—no need to pay him any mind. We know the real management is still being handled behind the scenes by the Su family’s Second Young Miss. Tonight the Su family is thoroughly prepared at last; all that remains is to reel in the line. There shouldn’t be any problems.”

“As long as the Xue family doesn’t pull any tricks, I’ll feel at ease…”

Relations between the Xue and Su families were poor, so the Wang family didn’t think much of the Xue family either. Most people in the circle believed the Xue family had been behind the assassination attempt on Su Boyong the month before. Of course, once such a thing was assumed to be true, it was far too serious a matter for anyone to say openly.

Amid the murmured conversations, Lord Dong’s remarks up front were drawing near the main business of the evening. The crowd fell quiet, and amid the faint fragrance of dishes, everyone waited for tonight’s most important event to begin.

…

“…Today I invite everyone to appreciate together the snow-pattern gauze newly woven by my Qi family. The thread used for this gauze is difficult to weave; once finished, it is light, thin, and supple. Please observe—this gauze is nearly transparent, its natural pattern as white as snow lines. We used a special loom to control the thread count…”

Night had only just fallen. Up in the Green Ripple Pavilion, everyone had already taken their seats. Among the many tables, a textile house’s head steward was now unrolling a bolt of gauze in the center of the room. On the round tables all around, fruits, pastries, and other refreshments had all been laid out. Various textile merchants and officials discussed the display after he finished speaking, and then Lord He Fang rose with a smile and announced that anyone interested was welcome to come forward and appraise it. People from each table went up to the center to examine the gauze’s quality up close, chatting and laughing with the Qi family’s steward.

Tonight’s gathering concerned the annual tribute cloth, the imperial merchant title, and the standing each textile house would hold in Jiangning going forward. Of course, the various exchanges wouldn’t be limited solely to competing for the imperial merchant title—those confident in their own goods showed them off, and afterward certain houses might come forward with interest in discussing cooperation or other matters. The display had only just begun; once the Qi family’s steward finished speaking, people generally smiled and gathered around to look, while others remained seated, chatting.

“This gauze really isn’t bad…”

“The Wu family had a thread-splitting method like this years ago already…”

“But the Wu family’s output on that cloth was never high.”

“This Qi family is worth cultivating…”

Naturally there was no time for detailed discussion just then, but those interested had already gone up to examine the quality, and there would be a whole evening afterward to mull it over and discuss it slowly. Even those without much interest—people from the Su, Wu, and Xue families, for instance—would still send someone over to appraise it and offer a few kind words. Once things got underway, the atmosphere grew lively.

After the Qi family, Lord He also called up another house to speak about the past year’s affairs. Everyone listened attentively; some merchants might use gatherings like this to let slip certain information they wanted known, which could well serve as a bellwether for the coming year. After finishing, this particular house didn’t bring out any new cloth, and then it was the next house’s turn…

As this proceeded, everyone grew rather focused, their attention on the imperial merchant title momentarily fading as they concentrated on what was in front of them, discussing whatever might benefit themselves. The Wang family had also taken a liking to a certain fabric, and Wang Wenzhuo discussed it with the shopkeeper beside him, deciding to go over later during the banquet to sound out their intentions.

Around twenty-some merchant houses were participating in this gathering, and each one surely had something to say, though not all of them necessarily had goods to display—that was entirely up to them. When the gathering was a little over halfway through, Lord He said, “…Please let the Lü family come forward and speak about what has happened this past year.” Within the banquet hall, the murmurs stirred up by the previous fabric display had only just begun to settle, and everyone waited rather quietly for the Lü family’s presentation.

Then the Lü family’s head steward came forward to conclude a brief summary. Someone beside him brought over a brocade box, and he patted it with a smile. “…In the past, our Lü family’s tea-scented silk has enjoyed everyone’s patronage. Recently, building on the concept behind our tea-scented silk, we have now produced a new fabric, as yet unnamed. We bring it out today for everyone’s appraisal—please, elders, offer your corrections…”

He opened the box and had a servant display a piece of black fabric before the crowd. Gasps of astonishment rose from among them. Wang Wenzhuo also opened his mouth and stared for a few moments, then almost simultaneously with the family steward beside him, turned his gaze aside, casually observing the reactions of the merchants around them—most importantly, those from the Su, Xue, and Wu families. The Lü family’s tea-scented silk had always been a well-known fabric in Jiangning, and this display at the gathering might well pose a threat to the standing of these top three houses. After a moment, he drew his gaze back and exchanged a smile with the steward.

“It seems all three houses have their trump cards ready. This Lü family piece hardly matters, then.”

“Just as it should be.”

“Still, this black cloth really is quite good. Let me go take a look.”

Wang Wenzhuo rose as he spoke. Among the seated merchants, quite a few had in fact been watching the expressions of the Wu, Xue, and Su family members just now. The Wu family had been smiling graciously the whole time; after each house’s presentation, they conversed politely, then went up to ask a few questions—this hadn’t changed now either. The Xue family likewise appeared full of confidence, and the Su family seemed similar. Ning Yi, currently the Eldest Branch’s foremost talent standing in for its management, kept his right hand resting on the lid of the brocade box on the table, fingers tapping idly, radiating a calm, confident air. Steward Liao hadn’t spoken with him at this point, instead chatting with the shopkeeper beside him with a smile before rising to go forward, Su Zhongkan following alongside him.

The Lü family’s cloth couldn’t shake the standing of these three houses, but by Jiangning standards it was still quite excellent fabric, and it stirred up a small wave of excitement at the gathering. Wu Chenghou of the Wu family had also come forward by now, discussing the cloth with Su Zhongkan for a while and giving it rather high praise. Once the period for free viewing ended, the black cloth was displayed at the front of the hall so that everyone could see it throughout the rest of the banquet.

By the time the next house came forward, the discussions still hadn’t quite died down, though they gradually settled as everyone moved on to the remaining merchants. The lingering impression of the Lü family’s black cloth persisted; by the time a few more houses had presented, and Lord He Fang came out to announce the Xue family’s “Dachuan Cloth House,” the atmosphere in the hall was abruptly cut through as if by a blade. This evening, the moment nearly everyone had been anticipating had finally arrived.

At the round table, Ning Yi’s tapping fingers stilled. Steward Liao and the others straightened in their seats. Xue Yan smiled toward them, carrying a wooden box forward, and began speaking about the Xue family’s good fortunes over the past year. The second-floor hall fell silent, everyone’s attention fixed on what the Xue family was about to bring out, and on the Su family’s reaction. When the Xue family finally displayed a new purple, richly luxurious fabric, the air throughout nearly the entire room seemed to freeze for a dozen breaths. People waited quietly for others’ reactions, most glancing toward the Su family, and even the Xue family members were watching the Su family’s table with attention. The Su family stewards, after looking for a while, began exchanging glances with one another.

One second, two seconds… Finally, Steward Liao glanced around the room, straightened his robes, and stood with a smile, preparing to go forward. Just as he took a step, Ning Yi frowned slightly, his fingers dropping back onto the table, his back settling against his chair. Then, amid a great rumble, whispered discussions blended together all around, and everyone gradually rose to go forward.

“The Su family isn’t reacting?”

“What’s going on?”

“The Xue family has nothing else up their sleeve?”

“The Su family has been preparing for years already. Simply assassinating Su Boyong doesn’t seem to have accomplished much—Su Tan’er never fell…”

“This time the Su family’s all-or-nothing gamble has paid off…”

“For the finale, the imperial merchant title will probably go to the Su family…”

“The Wu family’s still uncertain, but if they’d wanted to make a statement, by past patterns they should have been the ones to close the show…”

“Deep reserves finally paying off—this is what true patience looks like…”

“Su Yu can rest easy now, handing the family over to his granddaughter…”

Amid all the whispered discussions, people smiled and moved forward. As one of the three great textile houses of Jiangning, the crowd, though startled, still wouldn’t withhold their respect, and the atmosphere grew lively at once. Of course, amid this liveliness, everyone’s feelings varied. Once the Xue family had set that purple fabric out front, Xue Yan, his expression unreadable, walked back to his seat and leaned over to speak quietly with his younger brother.

“I’m thinking Su Tan’er really might take the imperial merchant title tonight…”

“Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang’s faces turned rather strange just now, heh heh…”

The banquet remained caught in great confusion and discussion. Lord He Fang rose and waved his hand, but it did little to quiet things. He gave his customary announcement calling the next house forward, and Wu Chenghou rose from his seat with a smile, bringing a brocade box forward. The crowd showed some surprise, and Wu Chenghou had already begun speaking with a smile.

Behind them, things quieted somewhat. Wang Wenzhuo glanced at Wu Chenghou and frowned. “Why does the Wu family come right after the Xue family?”

“Indeed…” The Wang family steward nodded, equally puzzled, then turned aside to continue the conversation from before. “Regardless, once the Su family secures the imperial merchant title this time, their hearts will finally settle. If Su Tan’er can’t manage the family business, the consequences are hard to fathom…”

“I’ve already prepared for after today…”

They spoke urgently, continuing what they’d been discussing. Wu Chenghou’s speech up front sounded somewhat dry; most people listened with half an ear, their confusion undiminished. Nearby, the Xue brothers frowned, whispering to each other. “Heh, I keep wondering if the Su family overcomplicated things regarding the assassination attempt on Su Boyong…”

“Their reaction’s been intense, but that’s understandable. I just hope something goes wrong for them in the end…”

“I still don’t quite believe they can actually produce something to top everyone else—though they’ve certainly been talking it up…”

“With Su Tan’er falling ill, those stewards can only do so much. Regardless, at the very last moment, it will…” wait.

Xue Jin hadn’t finished his sentence when his gaze, fixed ahead, suddenly went blank. Even while chatting among themselves, everyone had still been half-listening to Wu Chenghou’s speech, and at that moment, a golden brocade suddenly unfurled before the crowd. Wu Chenghou’s words themselves meant little, and were rather casual at this point—but once that golden brocade had been unrolled for a moment, it suddenly drew every eye in the room.

Xue Jin and Xue Yan both froze for a good while. Wang Wenzhuo, mid-conversation with the steward beside him, unconsciously straightened up and craned his neck. Xue Yan stared for a long moment, apparently forgetting the conversation he’d been half-carrying on with his brother, then let out a sigh. “The Wu family really is… a silent dog bites hardest…”

“The Wu family’s brought out their trump card too…”

“This cloth… wait…” Xue Yan suddenly seemed to register something, and glanced aside sharply!

Beside Wu Chenghou up front, the golden-yellow fabric lay unfurled, with matching gold-dyed thread displayed in the box as raw material—the color vivid, striking, and extraordinarily magnificent. Wu Chenghou was still speaking. “This Splendid Gold Brocade was dyed using a special formula discovered by my Wu family. The weaving process was overseen by Needle-God Luo, and therefore…”

He paused briefly, smiling as he stopped his introduction. In the hall, which had quieted at some point without anyone noticing, a figure in a blue robe had already crossed several tables—it was Ning Yi, who had risen at some unknown moment and was now gazing at the golden brocade beside Wu Chenghou. Everyone else was still seated, but he walked slowly closer, then paused briefly, drawing every eye in the hall toward him. He Fang thought for a moment, then rose slightly. “Worthy Nephew Ning, the Wu family hasn’t finished speaking yet—it isn’t time to come forward. Please, return to your seat first?” In the past, everyone had addressed each other as “worthy nephew” and “sir” and the like, their relationship seeming cordial enough, and He Fang’s tone now was still amiable.

But there was no response.

In the quiet, people’s eyes began moving back and forth between Ning Yi and the Wu family members. Some gradually began to sense something, and then others sensed even more…

“Something’s not right…”

“What’s wrong…”

“No, no, this isn’t right…”

“The Wu family…”

“Something’s happened with the Su family…”

Something suddenly swept through the room like a snowball gathering speed, yet for a moment it seemed only a shift in mood—no one spoke aloud, only the complexity in people’s eyes deepening, growing more and more complicated. The atmosphere grew restless, as though voices were about to erupt at any moment. Steward Liao had already walked over, trying to get Ning Yi to return to his seat. Up front, Wu Chenghou gazed at Ning Yi for a long moment too, his smile puzzled, before finally letting out a soft “heh.”

“Ah, no matter. If Worthy Nephew Ning wishes to come take a look, by all means, come look. No matter at all. Speaking of which, I actually spoke with Worthy Nephew Ning about something just the other day—since my family has new cloth to display, if the mood strikes him, I’d like to ask him to compose a poem for it. No need for anything too fine, just to borrow a bit of his fame. In any case, the cloth has already been brought out, so there’s no need for further introduction. Needle-God Luo’s craftsmanship is surely worth a few words of praise—come, come, everyone, no need to stand on ceremony, please offer your opinions. Heh heh, I won’t say more…”

Several stewards close to the Wu family stood up, but for the moment, few spoke; faint, half-audible whispers passed among the crowd.

“Something’s happened…”

Wang Wenzhuo frowned, then reached up and rubbed at his brow, his expression difficult to read.

“Was it… the Wu family?” Xue Yan leaned back against his chair in disbelief, then let out a complicated, helpless laugh. “Heh.”

Ning Yi and Steward Liao stood at the center of everyone’s attention. Steward Liao said something, but Ning Yi only frowned without responding. He merely looked at Wu Chenghou, then at the two Wu brothers, Wu Qilong and Wu Qihao, approaching with smiles, his gaze uncertain where to settle. For one moment he seemed to grit his teeth and press forward, but Steward Liao caught hold of his shoulder.

In the moments that followed, the entire hall seemed split into two halves—one pale, one clamorous. Ning Yi finally retreated back to his seat, sitting there, staring at the center of the room, his gaze complicated, unreadable. Of course, in truth, every businessperson had probably seen such a look before—the look of someone who had poured their whole heart into the marketplace, only to be suddenly swallowed by its darkness: complicated, disbelieving, unable to find words. Many had already guessed at something, and even those who couldn’t be certain of their guesses had at least sensed the mood.

Buzz, buzz, buzz…

The Wu family members returned to their seats, the golden brocade placed up front, but that sense of division hadn’t left; neither the pale nor the clamorous scene had faded, nor had that fast-forward sensation. Everyone waited for some final verdict on the matter, glancing at the still-smiling Wu family, at the silent Ning Yi at the Su family’s table, at the stewards whispering among themselves while trying to maintain composure. The Xue family had already guessed at much of it too. Xue Sheng frowned and sighed at his two sons.

“A truly silent dog bites the hardest—that’s the Wu family’s real strength. Without a sound, while everyone else made noise and commotion, they quietly turned the tables behind the scenes… heh. All that momentum the Su family built up these past months, wasted. This move was simply too ruthless. The tripod standing of Jiangning’s textile trade is no more. Once the Su family falls, let it be a lesson to us all… sigh…”

Relations between the Xue and Su families had long been poor, but there was no trace of schadenfreude in his sigh now. It was as though he were witnessing the twilight of an era—the sky burning red with sunset clouds, the last crimson about to shatter, tinged with faint regret and melancholy.

Not because the Su family lacked ability, but because the Wu family, behind it all, had proven simply too formidable. Xue Yan glanced over at Ning Yi seated there. Over this past month, this scholar’s role had probably been the smallest of all—like a lone sheep standing amid a pack of wolves. He’d truly had no room to resist from the start. In the past Xue Yan had found the situation rather amusing, but now that figure’s back looked distinctly, sorrowfully alone. He still couldn’t do anything, and hadn’t done anything—only now did it seem, somehow, worthy of pity.

At last, at some moment, He Fang’s voice rose again, pushing everything toward its conclusion…