The Heir

Сhaptеr 102: Рrivаtе Аccounts (Рink 30+)

"Аlright, alright, it's all mу fault for mаking еvеrуоnе sad. Get uр and speak proреrly—nо neеd tо knееl." Old Маdаm Li hеlрed Li Jingming tо his feet, while Маdam Gе and Hua'еr assisted Мadam Fаng in rising.

Аt this mоmеnt, еvеn Zhеn Niang felt а slight sting in hеr nosе.

Ма Saо, alоng with Хiao Yа аnd the Dаoist nun, brought fresh hоt tea for еvеrуonе before thеу аll sat dоwn аgаin.

"Sеvеnth Аunt, I havе sоmething I'd likе to disсuss with you рrivatеlу." Li Jingming suddеnly sроkе with а serious eхpression.

The оld madam loоked deеplу аt Li Jingming, who mеt her gaze steadily.

Those present were perceptive enough to understand the situation. Han Yigui and Yang stood up with their wives and children to take their leave. Huang Shi rose to see them out, and Zhen Niang naturally followed.

"Zhen Niang, stay here," Li Jingming added.

Zhen Niang glanced at Seventh Grandmother, who nodded at her. So, Zhen Niang supported Seventh Grandmother and followed Li Jingming into the inner room at the back of the hall.

Ma Sao served tea and then withdrew.

In the room, only the old madam, Li Jingming, and Zhen Niang remained. For a moment, silence filled the air.

"Seventh Aunt, please take a look at this." Li Jingming took a booklet from his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward the old madam.

The old madam glanced at Li Jingming, then picked up the booklet and flipped through the pages, her expression unreadable.

Zhen Niang sat quietly, focusing on her own thoughts and refraining from making assumptions. Since she had been asked to stay, it meant she needed to understand the matter. She trusted that Uncle Jingming would explain everything in due time, so she remained patient.

Sure enough, after a short while, the old madam set the booklet down and pushed it toward Zhen Niang. She then addressed Li Jingming, "Explain this. It seems rather confusing. Tell me the whole story from beginning to end."

"Yes," Li Jingming replied, but he did not speak immediately, evidently organizing his thoughts.

Meanwhile, Zhen Niang examined the booklet. It was an account ledger. At first, she found it just as confusing, but after a few pages, she began to see the pattern. Several entries overlapped with the Li family accounts Uncle Jingming had shown her earlier. Noticing the names of trading and grain businesses, she realized what it was: this was Ge Xunlan's private ledger for collecting taxes.

As she flipped through the ledger, Zhen Niang listened to Li Jingming's detailed account.

"When Seventh Aunt left us in Nanjing to oversee the family's properties, I was always cautious and meticulous, never daring to make a single mistake. However, the Li family's withdrawal from public life lasted over a decade. My wife and I were like rootless trees and water without a source in Nanjing. To outsiders, the Li family's assets here became a tempting piece of meat, attracting unwanted attention. I remained vigilant, but some things are impossible to guard against. Ge Xunlan was originally the leader of a local gang of idlers. Back then, he often extorted money from us. Fortunately, Brother-in-Law Yigui stepped in and asked President Hu to intervene. By offering some benefits, we managed to maintain peace. But who would have thought that after more than a decade, he would transform himself into a tax inspector? With the Hu family's troubles and President Hu struggling to protect himself, Ge Xunlan no longer had any reservations..."

Here, Li Jingming paused, his voice growing hoarse.Zhen Niang was also listening intently at this moment.

Li Jingming took a sip of water and continued, "Although I had always been wary of Ge Xunlan, I never expected he would set his sights on Zhengping. That day, he laid a trap, luring Zhengping into it. Zhengping was forced to either marry Madam Ge or face being beaten to death with clubs. In the end, we chose to have Zhengping marry Madam Ge. But I wasn’t at ease. Fortunately, at the time, for some reason, Ge Xunlan took quite a liking to Zhengping and even brought him in to manage his accounts. So, I had Zhengping seize an opportunity to secretly copy Ge Xunlan’s private ledger. My thought was that if Ge Xunlan truly set his sights on the Li family’s modest assets, I would make sure he didn’t get away with it... In any case, I was determined to protect this family business."

At this point, Li Jingming’s tone shifted again, and he smiled slightly. "However, with Zhen Niang’s arrival, quietly and without fanfare, she managed to give Ge Xunlan a setback. For the time being, Ge Xunlan can’t easily continue his schemes. But he’s still plotting something wicked. That’s why I’m handing over this ledger to you, Zhen Niang. Keep it as a means to keep him in check."

"Uncle Jingming has gone to great trouble. Zhen Niang will certainly not let the villain succeed," Zhen Niang stood up and responded respectfully.

"It’s been hard on you, truly not easy," Old Madam Li sighed with emotion.

"In the end, it was my own selfishness. If not for my selfish desires, Ge Xunlan wouldn’t have been able to force me into this corner. I have failed Seventh Aunt’s trust," Li Jingming said with remorse.

Originally, he had always been on guard against Ge Xunlan, and Ge Xunlan had no way to get to him. But after that illness, his wife’s thoughts had turned crooked. Coupled with Ge Xunlan’s manipulation, a weakness fell into Ge Xunlan’s hands, leading to the awkward situation they now faced.

"Hmm, this is something I must address as well. If I’ve done anything wrong, you can tell me directly. You can even argue with me, slam the table if you must—that’s fine. But you should never have secretly embezzled money, much less colluded with outsiders. That is a sign of ruining the family..." Seventh Grandmother said. Wrong was wrong, and it needed to be addressed clearly.

"Yes, Jingming knows he was wrong. I will make up for the accounts from these years. Additionally, I plan to return to Huizhou with Madam when she goes back. My family and I will accompany her. I am willing to accept the clan’s punishment for my mistakes," Li Jingming said. Although he spoke of punishment, his brows were relaxed, and he appeared unusually at ease.

Seeing Uncle Jingming so relaxed, Zhen Niang began to understand. She had always found Uncle Jingming somewhat inscrutable, feeling he was a bit too gloomy and rarely so carefree.

Now, after seeing the ledger and hearing Uncle Jingming’s explanation, she finally understood. Uncle Jingming’s gloominess stemmed from a troubled heart.

And in all this, how the main branch treated him was key. Clearly, Old Madam Li had first given him fairness, then addressed his mistakes. Uncle Jingming must have been satisfied with this.

Now, with his heart unburdened and no longer entangled in worries, that gloomy aura had dissipated.

"That’s just as well. I’ve already had your house repaired. As for the Ink Workshop, Steward Shao is getting on in years and lacks the energy. Jingdong, with his leg and his reclusive temperament, isn’t fit to manage the Ink Workshop either. So, after you return, serve your punishment, settle down, and then take charge of the Ink Workshop’s affairs for me," Old Madam Li said."Alright." Li Jingming didn't say much else, just nodded heavily. If their family could return and take charge of the Ink Workshop, that would be the greatest honor for his branch.

Such honor, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

"Very well, Zhen Niang, put the account books away. Do you know how to use them?" At this moment, Seventh Old Madam turned to Zhen Niang.

"If the enemy doesn't move, I don't move. Holding onto these is more useful than throwing them out. Isn't that right, Seventh Grandmother?" Zhen Niang said to Seventh Grandmother with a playful smile.

"Good that you understand. Keep them safe." Seventh Old Madam scolded with a smile, then allowed Zhen Niang to support her as they left.

The three of them walked out of the room together.

Outside, the most anxious was Madam Fang. Seeing the old madam and Li Jingming come out, she naturally stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Li Jingming, clearly wanting to know what had been discussed inside.

"Hua'er's mother. When you have time these days, tidy up everything at home. In a while, when the old madam returns to Huizhou, we'll be going back with her." Li Jingming straightforwardly announced.

As for returning to Huizhou, Madam Fang was mentally prepared. Seeing Li Jingming's relaxed expression and recalling Seventh Aunt's earlier apology, she understood somewhat. It seemed Seventh Aunt wouldn't pursue past matters too harshly, which eased her mind.

Speaking of returning to Huizhou, she truly missed home.

"Back to that remote mountain place in Huizhou? Do I have to go back too?" Madam Ge couldn't help but raise her eyebrows, her expression sour.

"Of course. Wherever Zhengping goes, you, as his wife, must go as well. Besides, Huizhou is Zhengping's ancestral home. If a wife hasn't been registered in the ancestral hall or offered wine in respect, our Li family won't acknowledge her." Seventh Grandmother coldly interjected.

She then waved her hand, dismissing everyone. Zhen Niang helped Seventh Grandmother back to the small building on the second floor.

Madam Fang also pulled Li Jingming back to their room to question him in detail.

Only Madam Ge remained. She glanced at Li Zhengping beside her, then at Hua'er, and finally snorted before darting out the door, likely to find her father.

...

The Ge household.

Today, Ge Dana was unusually free. He and Cao Shi, though an "old married couple," had indulged in some frivolity. Afterward, Cao Shi cooked a few small dishes, and the two leisurely drank together.

Ge Qiu Jie stormed into the house like a whirlwind.

"What's wrong now? You're someone's wife, yet you still don't know how to act with composure." Ge Dana glared at Ge Qiu Jie.

"Wife, my foot." Ge Qiu Jie was in a foul mood and replied irritably.

But then she stepped forward, tugging at Ge Dana's sleeve. "Father, you must stand up for me. That old madam from the Li family arrived with such an imposing presence. With just a few words, my father-in-law and mother-in-law were all gratitude and admiration—she's a formidable figure. Now, my father-in-law has decided that when the old madam returns to Huizhou, the whole family will go back with her. Isn't it obvious? First, they strip away authority, then go back to settle accounts. With that old madam's methods, my father-in-law's family is bound to suffer. Who knows if they'll be sent off to some remote mountain to dig fields? I don't want to go."

"Such a thing? Is Li Jingming a fool? After working hard for the Li family for over ten years, he ends up returning home empty-handed? Is he really willing?" Ge Dana widened his eyes."Anyway, this matter was personally announced by my father-in-law, so it's no lie," Ge Qiu Jie said indignantly.

She then protested further, "Father, back then, I didn't want to marry that blockhead Li Zhengping. It was you who said you could secure a good fortune for me. But now, not only have I not gained any fortune, but I'm also expected to follow him and endure such hardship. I won't do it. Besides, with us scheming against them like this, my father-in-law is a shrewd man—he must have figured it out. Even if I endure the hardship and go along, I won't get any benefit. And when we're far away, beyond the reach of authority, I won't be able to turn to you for support."

"Enough, I understand the situation," Ge Xunlan said with a frown.