The Heir

Chaрtеr 135: Тhе Нeart of Рinе from Luzhou

Тhe crоwd аutоmаtiсаlly madе way for Zhen Niang, who, асcоmpаniеd bу Нua'еr, wаlkеd unhurriеdlу to thе inner circlе whеre thе arrogant sсholar hаd set up his stаll. Zhеn Niаng оbsеrvеd thе scholаr: аround thirtу уеars оld, with a fаir, bеardless fасe аnd bright eyes. Аs she apрrоаchеd, his exprеssiоn rеmainеd саlm, lасking thе eаrliеr arrоganсe of his bоld words.

Ноwеver, thе еуеs are the windоws to the soul, and the sсholar’s gazе carriеd a hint оf disdаin.

Zhen Niаng merely glanced at him indifferently before turning her attention to the ink displayed before him.

On the scholar’s stall was an ink box covered with a piece of red satin, upon which lay a long, rectangular inkstick. Its shape was larger than contemporary inksticks.

“Please, Miss Li, do not disappoint,” the scholar spoke up.

“In that case, I shall overstep my bounds and attempt to identify it,” Zhen Niang replied with a slight bow.

Seeing Zhen Niang’s continued courtesy, the scholar moderated his arrogance, and the disdain in his eyes vanished as he gestured for her to proceed. His earlier arrogance and disdain were merely tactics to provoke her. Everything Li Zhenniang had accomplished since arriving in Nanjing demonstrated her capabilities. Even the Re-blended Ink introduced by the Li family last year was said to be her creation, not to mention the current Liquid Ink. Although his master often dismissed Liquid Ink as a minor craft, he had to admit its vast potential for development.

In short, all these factors indicated that this Miss Li was not to be underestimated.

Zhen Niang nodded and stepped forward, lifting the inkstick along with the red satin in her hands. She examined it carefully.

The onlookers whispered among themselves, but Zhen Niang, accustomed to composure, remained unaffected, focusing solely on the inkstick in her hands.

The ink appeared deep black, with some damage along the edges and faint cracks. These cracks were not actual fractures but rather a patina formed over time, much like the patterns on ancient porcelain. Without a doubt, this was an ancient inkstick.

On the back of the inkstick were inscribed the words, “Heaven bestows primal essence, the mountains produce pure spirit,” while the front featured a portrait of a man in Tang dynasty attire.

Zhen Niang blinked and then bowed to the scholar again. “May I test the ink?”

The scholar glanced at her, his lips twitching. Such a precious inkstick was not meant to be tested lightly. However, before leaving, his master had permitted testing. Though he was deeply reluctant, he nodded. “You may.”

He then produced an inkstone, brush, and paper, placing them before Zhen Niang. She fetched some rainwater from the eaves of a nearby shop and carefully ground the ink, slowly and rhythmically, until it was ready.

Zhen Niang picked up the brush and casually drew a few strokes on the paper. The ink was thick and dark, not merely black but restrained, with a subtle luster hidden within—a sign of concentrated energy. As she inhaled the faint fragrance of orchid and musk, she took a deep breath and bowed to the scholar again. “From Shangdang comes the pine soot, from Yiling the cinnabar dust. Orchid and musk condense into precious ink, its essence and light worthy of praise.” Zhen Niang recited the lines from Li Bai’s poem.

As she finished reciting, the scholar’s face registered astonishment.Zhen Niang continued at this moment, "If I am not mistaken, this should be the famous Luzhou ink from the Tang Dynasty, the Shangdang Pine Heart Ink."

"Who made it?" the arrogant scholar immediately asked. To be honest, it was not surprising that Zhen Niang recognized Tang-era ink, as the portrait of the man on the ink stick was dressed in Tang attire, which provided some clues. However, this Miss Li's ability to identify it as Shangdang Pine Heart Ink made him view her in a new light.

"Made by Li Yangbing, the Junior Supervisor of the Tang Dynasty," Zhen Niang replied.

"What is the meaning behind this ink?" the arrogant scholar pressed on.

"Junior Supervisor Li was the clan uncle of Master Li Bai. When Master Li Bai fell into hardship, he sought refuge with Junior Supervisor Li. The two shared similar temperaments and interests. Master Li Bai painted a portrait of Junior Supervisor Li and composed a eulogy titled 'In Praise of Magistrate Li of Dangtu.' The first line of this eulogy reads, 'Heaven bestows its essence, the mountains produce their finest.' This ink was made by Junior Supervisor Li for his own appreciation, which is why it bears no signature," Zhen Niang explained word by word.

This was akin to many painters creating self-portraits.

By now, the arrogant scholar's face had turned pale. He never expected someone to truly recognize this ink.

"What is special about this ink?" the arrogant scholar now asked through gritted teeth, enunciating each word slowly.

"This ink contains powdered luminous pearls in its ingredients, so its traces glow in the dark," Zhen Niang added. This was something she had discovered while testing the ink earlier. Initially, she thought it was ink luster, but Luzhou ink rarely exhibited such characteristics, so Zhen Niang thought of luminous pearls.

After hearing Zhen Niang's words, the arrogant scholar's face turned ashen.

Most of the onlookers were fellow practitioners in the ink industry, and their eyes now gleamed with envy. During the Tang Dynasty, there were Yi ink and Luzhou ink. Yi ink later moved to Huizhou, giving rise to Huizhou ink, while Luzhou ink became extinct. Thus, the rarity of Luzhou ink went without saying. Moreover, this ink was made by Junior Supervisor Li for his own appreciation. Junior Supervisor Li had once been the supervisor of the Imperial Ink Supervision, and with the addition of luminous pearls, the value of this ink was beyond measure, not even comparable to gold.

Recalling the bold claim the arrogant scholar had made earlier, it meant that this ink now belonged to Li Zhenniang. How could the onlookers not be envious?

The arrogant scholar was a man of his word. After his face paled for a moment, he finally sighed in resignation, "Manager Li truly proves that women are no less capable than men. In that case, this ink belongs to Manager Li. I bid you farewell."

With that, the arrogant scholar turned to leave, not even bothering to take the ink case.

He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he might regret his decision and try to take the ink and flee.

"Sir, please wait," Zhen Niang called out, turning around.

"What else is there?" the arrogant scholar replied impatiently.

"A noble person does not take what others cherish. For me to have seen this ink in my lifetime is already a fulfilled wish. If I were to shamelessly accept it, it would be greed, and I fear divine retribution. Therefore, I ask you to take back this ink and keep it well," Zhen Niang said to the arrogant scholar.

This was not Zhen Niang being pretentious, but the ink was simply too precious to accept.

The arrogant scholar stared at Zhen Niang for a moment, then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect toward her. Without another word, he packed up the ink, tucked the ink case under his arm, and hurried away.

"Well done, girl," Cheng San Yeye said with a smile, then turned and left.

The crowd of onlookers dispersed, whispering among themselves. Some said Zhen Niang was foolish to let go of such a treasure, while others praised her for doing the right thing, as good fortune falling from the sky was not always a good thing.

Luo Qian lingered a moment longer. Walking up to Zhen Niang, he smiled and asked, "Do you know who that man was just now?""I don't know," Zhen Niang replied straightforwardly.

"He is the apprentice of Clerk Qi, now the foreman of the glue workshop in the Imperial Ink Supervision—Wang Zhizhi," Luo Qian said.

Zhen Niang first looked at Luo Qian in surprise, noticing the amusement in his eyes, then came to a realization. So, this was Old Master Qi deliberately sending someone to test her.

Seeing that Zhen Niang understood, Luo Qian said no more. He cupped his hands in a salute and left ahead of her.

Zhen Niang also returned to her own Ink Manor to prepare for the Ink Competition.

Outside the Ink Affairs Bureau, along Langfang Street, lived many of the bureau's workers and officials.

At this moment, Wang Zhizhi, holding an ink box, entered a small courtyard in the left alley. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw his master sitting at the entrance of the main room, facing a medium-sized water vat. This vat wasn’t for holding water but for storing sesame oil. Old Master Qi was stirring the oil inside with a stick.

Every Ink Master had their own unique characteristics and specialties in ink-making.

For Old Master Qi Chun, his specialty lay in the oil.

Most Ink Masters, during the smoke generation process, would directly burn tung oil to obtain soot pigment. However, Old Master Qi’s method for producing soot pigment involved burning a mixture of tung oil and sesame oil.

And this sesame oil wasn’t pure sesame oil either. For every five catties of sesame oil, it had to be infused with two taels of sappanwood, one and a half taels of coptis root, bark of the sea hibiscus, almonds, gromwell root, sandalwood—one tael each—gardenia and angelica root—half a tael each—and the powder of six coix seeds. This mixture had to steep for over half a month before the infused sesame oil could be added to the tung oil, thoroughly mixed, and then burned to produce smoke.

This method was said to be an ancient ink-making technique that had since been lost. Old Master Qi’s expertise largely lay in this process. Using this soot pigment and pure glue to make ink, the resulting ink was rich, deep, and vigorous, embodying the ancient methods with a grand and majestic quality. It was thanks to this ink that Old Master Qi had secured the position of master craftsman in the Ink Affairs Bureau.

At this moment, Old Master Qi was intently stirring the sesame oil infused with medicinal powders. Hearing Wang Zhizhi’s footsteps as he entered, he asked without looking up, "How did it go?"

"Miss Li recognized it, and she even noticed that the ink contained powdered pearl," Wang Zhizhi replied, bowing respectfully.

"Oh, I underestimated that girl. But then again, Li Jinshui was always someone who valued skill. If the girl’s technique wasn’t up to par, Li Jinshui probably wouldn’t have dared to let her step out. In that case, she does have the qualifications to compete with me." As Old Master Qi spoke, his expression darkened slightly.

Of the Five Masters of the past, only three remained. Originally, when the newly appointed Ink Affairs Bureau official, Lord Liu, assigned him to assist the Tian family in the competition for the princess’s Birthday Ink, he had been reluctant—it felt beneath him.

But Lord Liu had insisted. Old Master Qi understood the man’s intentions. Since the former Ink Affairs Bureau official, Lord Huang, retired due to illness at the end of last year, Liu Kui had spent a considerable amount of silver to secure this position. However, Liu Kui had little understanding of ink affairs and even less prestige. Those skilled in the craft often had stubborn temperaments and only respected those with superior technique. As a result, Lord Liu’s authority within the Ink Affairs Bureau was inevitably weak.

Thus, Lord Liu sought to curry favor with the Tian family to gain their support while simultaneously suppressing some of the old-timers in the bureau. And among these old-timers, Qi Chun was the first in line. Most of the workers and masters in the Ink Affairs Bureau were Old Master Qi’s disciples and grand-disciples. It could be said that in the bureau, Old Master Qi’s word carried more weight than that of the official in charge.Thus, Lord Liu naturally found it hard to tolerate this, yet he dared not offend Qi Chun too openly. So he seized this opportunity to have Qi Chun represent the Tian family. If they won, Tian Benchang would spend some more money, and Qi Chun would rightfully become the chief master of Tian ink. In that case, Qi Chun would no longer stand in Liu Kui’s way.

If they lost, however, Qi Chun, at his advanced age and with such a grand reputation, would suffer a great loss of face. Then, his position in the Ink Affairs Bureau should naturally be yielded to someone more capable.

In any case, whether winning or losing, Qi Chun would no longer be able to stay in the Ink Affairs Bureau.

Qi Chun understood Lord Liu’s intentions. Though unwilling to step forward for the Tian family, he had no choice but to comply—after all, higher authority could not be defied. As a result, Old Master Qi felt somewhat disheartened and thought of taking this chance to retire and leave the Ink Affairs Bureau. Before departing, he wished to compete once with Third Master Cheng and Li Ba, fulfilling a long-held wish.

What he hadn’t expected was that Cheng San would avoid the challenge altogether, while Li Ba remained secluded in Huizhou. The ink master sent by the Li family to participate in the competition turned out to be a girl not yet seventeen years old.

This was a blatant slap in the face to Qi Chun. Hence, the earlier scene unfolded—he merely wanted Zhen Niang to back down in the face of difficulty.

Now, it seemed the young girl had some skill after all. So, before his retirement, he might as well witness the craftsmanship of the younger generation.

With this thought, Qi Chun turned around, only to see Wang Zizhi still holding the ink in his hands. He couldn’t help but feel surprised. “She didn’t accept it?”

“No, Miss Li said the ink was too precious and that a gentleman does not take what others cherish,” Wang Zizhi replied. To be honest, he was quite relieved that Zhen Niang had refused. Having grown up following Old Master Qi, no one understood better than he how much the old master valued this piece of ink.

“This little girl is rather interesting,” Old Master Qi said with a squinting smile, then instructed Wang Zizhi to put the ink away safely. As for the competition in a few days, he found himself somewhat looking forward to it.