Time was in the afternoon, and the atmosphere within the main residence of the Su family's eldest branch was complex and tense. The courtyard where Su Boyong resided was relatively quiet, but people had gathered both inside and outside. The door occasionally opened, with someone carrying hot water inside or carrying bloody water out. In the adjacent living room, the old patriarch Su Yu sat silently at the head of the room, leaning on his cane, flanked by several elders from the collateral branches, including Su Zhongkan. Su Yunfang was in the courtyard outside the door.

Su Tan'er was sitting near the door with her mother, her two concubine-aunts, and Ning Yi. Her mother and the two concubine-aunts were all crying softly, and Xing'er, Juan'er, and Chan'er were also wiping away tears in the back. However, Su Tan'er had stopped crying after the initial shock, and appeared composed. Her posture seemed no different from usual, but her hands gripped the chair's armrests tightly, her fingertips were turning white, and her red-rimmed eyes stared coldly, awaiting news of her father or the capture of the assailant.

When she had just returned, her hands were covered in blood, and her body was splattered with it. If Ning Yi hadn't instructed Chan'er to fetch water for her to wash her hands, her hands would likely still be stained crimson. However, she hadn't changed her clothes, which were still covered in bloodstains, and her hair was slightly disheveled. She remained calm and clear-headed. There wasn't much Ning Yi could do but wait and see how things developed.

Those in the courtyard were mostly relatives close to the three branches of the main family. Beyond this courtyard, those waiting for news were likely whispering, discussing the possible outcomes, future developments, and the structure of the Su family's three branches, among other things.

The assassin had been captured on the spot, but he wasn't at the Su residence. Instead, he had been taken to the yamen (government office) by the arriving constables. At this time, the Su family could only await preliminary news from the yamen.

In the silent wait, those entering and exiting the bedroom brought no good news, mainly words like "the master's injuries are too severe, still being treated." People occasionally entered the courtyard, asking about the situation in hushed voices. At one point, someone who had just arrived spoke softly at the entrance of the living room. Several people glanced toward the hall, including Su Wengui, who had just arrived. He looked around, gritted his teeth, and stepped inside.

"Ning Yi, you were there, yet you couldn't protect my uncle?"

Just a few days ago, they had visited a brothel together, but now they were at odds. His voice was low, abrupt, and filled with resentment. Ning Yi raised an eyebrow, and Su Wengui suddenly approached, grabbing Ning Yi's clothes in anger and pulling him up. In the next moment, Ning Yi seized his wrist, twisted it casually, and pinned him against the pillar behind them with one hand.

"Let me go, you useless thing..." Su Wengui knew he couldn't shout at this time, so he spoke in a low voice. Ning Yi merely tilted his head slightly, gazing at him with indifferent eyes. From the front of the living room, a loud thud resounded—the sound of a cane striking the ground. The old patriarch Su Yu had stood up. His hair and beard were now completely white, yet he still appeared vigorous. Usually kind and amiable, he was now clearly suppressing his anger. The servant beside him hastily tried to support him, but he brushed the servant aside and walked slowly but steadily toward them.

Seeing the old patriarch gradually approaching, a trace of triumph flashed in Su Wengui's eyes. "Let me go... Third Grandfather, Third Grandfather, look at him..." He struggled a few times. Ning Yi watched for a moment, sighed inwardly, released his hand, and ignored him. Whispers arose outside as everyone watched the scene. Su Wengui stumbled back a few steps. "Ha, Third Grandfather, look at him..." As soon as he turned his head, he saw Su Yu staring at him with anger in his eyes. The old man suddenly raised his cane, and with a *poof*, Su Wengui's face was covered in blood. The cane had struck his head mercilessly.

"At a time like this..." Ning Yi had already turned around, heading back toward where he had been sitting, muttering, and Su Wengui, having been struck, nearly stumbled from behind him out of the hall, tripped on the threshold, and fell to the ground. As he struggled to turn around, the skin on the left side of his face was torn open, and he spat out blood and half a tooth. The old patriarch's cane thudded on the ground as he came step by step.

"At a time like this..." The old man shook his head slightly, saying in a deep voice, "Put away your petty tricks!"

In the situation just now, Su Wengui had created a scene. Whether there was reason or not, everyone would likely say that the son-in-law was present at the time, and so on. But such things were obvious to Ning Yi or Su Yu. The three branches of the Su family were competing, and the old patriarch wanted stability. The last thing he wanted to see was brothers tearing each other apart. The outcome of this incident was uncertain, but from the result, these two knife wounds could directly cripple the entire eldest branch. Who knew if the other two branches might have been involved.

With the situation unresolved, the most pressing thing in the old patriarch's mind was likely to prevent any form of internal strife within the Su family. Su Wengui was actually playing such small tricks here. This old man, who had been kind and amiable for years, had finally exploded. He slowly walked out of the threshold and swept his gaze over those whispering outside, before sighing.

"Those who aren't involved, if there's nothing else, don't crowd in the courtyard... go outside and wait."

Su Yunfang nodded in the crowd, waving his hand around. Many people in the courtyard began to leave one after another. The old man said again, "Carry Wengui out as well." Servants came to support Su Wengui.

Ning Yi found Su Wengui's extreme foolishness absurd from the start. He was somewhat clever, even being called a "wise star" by some of his peers, but at this moment, he didn't know where that cleverness had gone. He stood there and watched for a moment, then turned around and sat down. As he placed his hand on the armrest, another hand covered it. Su Tan'er was still sitting there with her lips pursed, but she had placed her hand on the back of his hand, gripping it tightly, her fingertips trembling slightly. She turned her head and glanced at him. Ning Yi nodded, covered her hand in his palm, and patted it gently.

Someone came out of the bedroom again. This time, Su Yunfang was supporting the old patriarch on the corridor. That person came over and reported a few words, mainly saying something similar to before. In fact, Ning Yi roughly knew that with this type of injury, the danger to life definitely wouldn't pass in the first few days. If there was any definite news now, that would likely be the worst news. But for the time being, he could only wait here.

Supported by Su Yunfang, the old patriarch turned to walk back. When he passed by Ning Yi and Su Tan'er, he stopped slightly, reaching out and patting their hands a few times. His expression was complex, and finally, he only nodded and said, "You two, must be good to each other." He turned and walked back toward his seat. After all, it wasn't yet time to give instructions about anything...

After another while, one of the Su family stewards who had gone to the yamen returned and reported the situation.

"...The assailant who stabbed the master is named Chen Er. He is said to be originally from Jia Yu in Ezhou. According to him, three years ago, our Su family opened a store in Ezhou and acquired land, hiring thugs to drive his family out of their original residence. His mother died as a result, and he and his family moved to a low-lying area. This year's floods caused his wife and children to die because their home was too low and they couldn't escape in time. So, he came to Jiangning. When he saw someone from the Su family, he suddenly had the urge to kill. This person... his identity documents are clear, his references are clear, and he speaks with an Ezhou dialect..."

After the steward finished speaking, he lowered his head, pausing slightly: "But when we tried to use our connections with some acquaintances in the government office, we couldn't get through. Manager Chen said that the constables arrived rather quickly at the time, and as of now, we can't get in touch with that Chen Er no matter what... Someone is afraid to say that they have already taken care of everything before us. Once the court officially opens a trial in a few days, even if that Chen Er is sentenced to death, I'm afraid it will..."

Su Tan'er listened quietly, her gaze unchanged, but the strength in her hand increased. *Bang*! The old patriarch's cane slammed on the ground, as he said, one word at a time, grinding his teeth: "This matter isn't just targeting Boyong. Someone... is going to move against my Su family..."

Merchants value their reputation. If this kind of reason, forcing someone to ruin their family, is tried in court and spread by someone with ulterior motives, it would be a heavy blow to the entire Su family. This person not only stabbed someone, causing the Su family's three branches to shift their balance, but he also wants to bite the entire Su family in return. Su Yunfang's face darkened as he said, "The Xue family?"

Su Zhongkan shook his head. "Hard to say."

The old patriarch was silent for a moment: "Investigate again. Use all available connections to investigate Chen Er's background. Inside and outside the city, investigate all the way to Ezhou. Have the manager in charge of Ezhou find out if this happened three years ago. Continue to probe the government as well... Choosing to attack after the city gates closed, killing, and then turning around to bite... This person is vicious and deeply scheming, as you can see. This concerns the life and death of our Su family. You must stabilize the overall situation. I... I must also prepare to visit some people..."

After the old patriarch finished speaking, he got up with his cane, saying, "If Boyong's injuries are settled, have someone tell me." Then, he comforted Su Tan'er's mother and two concubine-aunts with a few words. As he walked out of the threshold, he looked at the bloodstains on the corridor. After a long while, he pointed at them with his cane: "Don't tolerate this kind of foolishness anymore."

After speaking, the old man left with the support of servants and maids.

No matter how severe the injuries were, they couldn't be treated forever. Treatment always had to come to an end. Near dusk, the doctor finally did all he could.

"The master is still in a coma. These few days are likely to be dangerous. I don't know if he can get through this hurdle, but there is still hope. But... Madam, Miss, Son-in-law, you must be psychologically prepared. Mainly, the knife wound to the back injured the spine. Even if the master can make it through, he will likely be paralyzed from the legs down afterward... If it's just the legs, that's probably the best-case scenario..."

After these words were spoken, Su Tan'er's mother suddenly swayed, then fainted.

The setting sun burned magnificent clouds in the sky. The entire Su mansion had now been set in motion. As for this courtyard, with people surprised, crying, and fainting, it was now only a small matter in this large and busy mansion...

More, more complex, and more dangerous things may already be waiting in the darkness ahead...