The Heir

Сhаpter 137: Cаsuаl Convеrsation аnd Соореration

Аfter paying her resреcts tо the рrinсеss оncе mоrе, Zhеn Niаng beсame the Ink Рrоductiоn Official оf the prinсess’s residеnсе. Frоm thеn оn, thе matter оf thе Birthdау Ink wаs handlеd by Li Мо.

Although Zhеn Niаng had bеcome аn official оf thе рrincеss’s residencе, shе did nоt neеd tо livе thеrе. Нer dutiеs оnly invоlved mаnaging all ink-rеlatеd аffаirs within the rеsidеnсе, such as the dаily ink used by the prinсess and the gift inks Рrincess Ning Аn would sеnd during fеstivals. Аll she had to do was follow the princess’s instructions, design the ink styles, and then have them produced at the Li Family Ink Workshop.

In short, this position offered considerable freedom, much like a professional consultant in later times.

After completing the necessary formalities, Zhen Niang took her leave and returned to the Li Family Ink Manor. By then, the entire manor was already celebrating. As Zhen Niang made her way back, everyone nearby, whether she knew them or not, clasped their hands in congratulations.

"Congratulations," Luo Wenqian said, standing by the door of the Yi Hou Sheng Money Exchange. Dressed in a sky-blue robe with a square scarf tied around his head, he smiled warmly as he offered his congratulations.

Beside him stood a boy of about twelve or thirteen, with a stubborn yet somewhat shy expression. Following Luo Wenqian’s lead, he also clasped his hands and said, "Congratulations."

"Same to you," Zhen Niang replied with a smile. She had never quite understood why, in this era, people often responded to congratulations with "same to you." After much thought, she realized that "same to you" didn’t necessarily mean the other person had something to celebrate. Instead, it meant sharing the joy of one’s own good fortune, allowing others to partake in the happiness. In modern terms, it was simply a way of exchanging pleasantries.

She then turned to Luo Wenqian and asked, "Who is this?"

The boy pursed his lips and remained silent. Luo Wenqian patted the back of his head and explained, "He’s the son of my third uncle from the clan. His family is having a hard time. When they heard I was in Nanjing, they sent him to me. I’m keeping him by my side so he can learn properly."

"Oh," Zhen Niang nodded, suddenly remembering that although Luo Wenqian’s immediate elders had gone missing, the Luo clan was still large. When the Luo Family fell into trouble, the entire clan was affected. Now that Luo Wenqian had become a figure of some standing, it was only natural for him to support a few clan members.

After exchanging a few more casual words, Zhen Niang returned to the Ink Manor. As soon as she entered, Hua’er came bouncing over, holding a flint. She handed it to Zhen Niang and said, "Second Aunt said you’re to light the firecrackers later."

Sure enough, as soon as Hua’er finished speaking, Zheng Fuli arrived with the Ink Manor’s workers, carrying several strings of "Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons" firecrackers. They hung them on a bamboo pole, waiting for Zhen Niang to light them.

In her previous life, her grandfather had been too old to light the firecrackers at midnight on New Year’s Eve, so Zhen Niang had always taken on the task. Thus, lighting these firecrackers now felt familiar and effortless. Squinting her eyes, she carefully struck the flint and lit the fuse. Afterward, she quickly jumped aside, covering her ears. Hua’er also scurried behind her, covering her ears and grinning mischievously. Immediately, the crackling sounds of the firecrackers filled the air.Thus, amidst all the bustle and excitement, by evening, Aunt Ma once again led the wives and daughters-in-law of several workers from the Ink Manor to prepare a fine banquet. No outsiders were invited—only the workers, their wives, children, and families from the Ink Manor gathered together for a lively meal. It served both as a celebration and as a reminder to everyone that they must all brace themselves for the upcoming Birthday Ink production and complete the task with utmost dedication.

In this way, the banquet also served as a mobilization.

The following day, the eldest aunt’s family naturally received the good news as well. Uncle-in-law and Aunt, along with sister-in-law Chen Shi, came to offer their congratulations.

“Ah, who would have thought? When I came at the beginning of the year, your Seventh Grandmother told me that Li Mo’s situation wouldn’t be resolved overnight—it would take time, perhaps two or three years, before things could improve. But who could have imagined? Just when it seemed all hope was lost, a new path suddenly opened. In the blink of an eye, Zhen Niang has become the Ink Production Official for the Princess’s estate and secured the Birthday Ink business. Now in Nanjing, let’s see who would dare look down on Li Mo anymore,” the eldest aunt said with a hint of pride.

“You flatter me too much, Aunt. In truth, it was only because Grandfather Qi conceded; otherwise, how could I have possibly won against him?” Zhen Niang replied earnestly.

“That may be true, but that Master Qi is a figure on par with your grandfather. For him to compete with you—even if he won, it would be beneath his dignity,” the eldest aunt retorted.

At this, Zhen Niang shook her head and said no more. Her eldest aunt had always been like this. As for Grandfather Qi’s kindness, she would simply keep it in her heart.

After chatting with her eldest aunt for a few days, Zhen Niang went downstairs and entered the Ink Workshop. Since Li Mo had secured the rights to produce the Birthday Ink and Zhen Niang had become the Ink Production Official for the Princess’s estate, in just two short days, Li’s Ink Manor had already received several orders for ink production. Moreover, with autumn now in full swing—the prime season for making ink—Zhen Niang would have no leisure time in the days to come.

Watching Zhen Niang leave, Madam Han Li turned to Huang Shi and said, “People in this world judge others by their status. Zhen Niang has been in Nanjing for over half a year now. When I attend gatherings with other ladies, some have mentioned Zhen Niang to me, praising her as capable, but none of them ever showed any real interest in her. Yet now, as soon as word spread that Zhen Niang has become the Ink Production Official for the Princess’s estate, someone has already come to me with a proposal.”

“Which family?” Huang Shi asked, frowning.

“The wife of the Wang family, whose husband serves as a clerk in the Yingtian Prefecture. She spoke of her younger brother from the Wang family in Huai’an,” Madam Han Li replied.

“It’s best to turn such people away. I’ve heard Zhen Niang mention privately that the Princess is a prudent person. With the Emperor’s health failing and some turmoil in the court, the Princess has come to Nanjing with her consort precisely to avoid trouble. Yet these people, instead of respecting that, seek to use Zhen Niang to climb their way to the Princess. Such families are not ones our Li family should associate with. Zhen Niang has told me clearly that her relationship with the Princess’s estate is strictly professional, limited to ink production. Anyone with ulterior motives should be turned away without further consideration,” Huang Shi said indignantly.Although the Wang family originated from Huai'an, they had settled in Nanjing for many years and were engaged in the salt trade, making them immensely wealthy. Huang Shi, who often socialized with the wives of Huizhou Merchants, knew a bit about the Wang family—their reputation was rather frivolous. Moreover, the Wang family's young masters were all lavish patrons of the Qinhuai courtesans, frequently competing in displays of wealth and vying for women. The salt trade was closely tied to the government, so it was clear that the Wang family's proposal now was motivated by Zhen Niang's appointment as the Ink Production Official for the Princess's estate. Truly, their calculations were clattering away loudly.

Such a family was not suitable for the Li family either. Last time, when her mother-in-law returned to Huizhou, she had earnestly told Huang Shi that as a young woman, Zhen Niang was already exposing herself to the public eye for the sake of the clan's Ink Manor and its business. She must not be mistreated, especially in matters of marriage. At the very least, the prospective groom must genuinely value Zhen Niang, hold no contempt for her, and treat her well.

Madam Han Li nodded. "I feel the same way. However, it would be best to find an opportunity to settle Zhen Niang's marriage soon. Otherwise, more and more people will start scheming."

"That's true. But we've been so busy lately, and once we finish, it will be the twelfth lunar month. We'll return to Huizhou for the New Year then, and I'll discuss it properly with Zhen Niang's mother, grandfather, and grandmother," Huang Shi said.

Madam Han Li nodded.

Meanwhile, as soon as Zhen Niang entered the Ink Workshop, A Tang from the Ink Manor came to summon her, saying that Mr. Hu from the Huizhou Merchant Guild had arrived.

This Mr. Hu was naturally Hu Zonglin. Zhen Niang hurried out to greet him. Hu Zonglin was no longer the guild's chairman and had been living a more leisurely life, looking even healthier than before.

Nevertheless, with his extensive connections, the guild still relied on him for many matters.

"Zhen Niang, you've truly done well, bringing honor to us Huizhou Merchants," Hu Zonglin congratulated her upon meeting.

"This is all thanks to the support of my fellow Huizhou Merchants," Zhen Niang replied with a smile.

Hu Zonglin then explained his purpose for coming: he was here to plead on behalf of the Tian family. First, regarding Liquid Ink, Tian Benchang hoped to obtain the production rights just like the Cheng Family, and of course, he was willing to pay the same fees. Second, he hoped that the Tian, Li, and Cheng families could join forces to dominate the Nanjing ink market and expand into surrounding areas.

"Since you are all merchants under the guild, harmony should be valued. Infighting only benefits outsiders and hinders your own development. Therefore, I hope that from now on, the Tian, Li, and Cheng families will cooperate, compete fairly, and work together to elevate the reputation of Huizhou ink," Hu Zonglin said. After a moment's thought, he added, "This time, Young Master Tian is showing some sincerity. By asking me to intervene, he also wants me to serve as a witness. If the Tian family ever resorts to underhanded tactics again, not only will the Li and Cheng families not tolerate it, but the Huizhou Merchant Guild will not stand for it either."

As he spoke of not tolerating such actions, Hu Zonglin's expression turned stern. His mediation this time was not for the sake of the Tian family's reputation but for the development of Huizhou Merchants. At present, Huizhou Merchants were still in their early stages, far behind the Shanxi Merchants, but their momentum was promising. The Shanxi Merchants had noticed this and had been exerting significant pressure on Huizhou recently.In such critical times, Hu Zonglin naturally did not wish to see merchants within the Huizhou merchant circle fighting to the death. That would only benefit outsiders and invite ridicule.

Thus, he spoke on behalf of the Tian family, as it was the Tian family who had provoked the conflict initially. Now that he had intervened, if the Tian family stirred up trouble again, not only would the Li family not tolerate it, but even Hu Zonglin himself would not stand for it.

Upon hearing Hu Zonglin’s words, Zhen Niang understood that this was his assurance to her Li family.

Regarding cooperation and development, Tian Benchang had mentioned it when he first arrived. Zhen Niang had also said she would judge him by his actions. Although the Tian family had employed some tactics in this Tribute Ink competition—such as having the Ink Affairs Bureau and Lord Liu send Old Master Qi to intervene—this was an open strategy. Tian Benchang himself was not a master ink maker, and the Tian family’s craftsmen were unable to come from Huizhou in time, so it was reasonable to seek the help of an expert. Beyond this, the Tian family had not resorted to any other underhanded methods this time. Thus, it could be said that Tian Benchang had not been lying earlier.

As fellow merchants, commercial competition was unavoidable. Even the Li family and the Cheng family occasionally schemed and competed against each other, which was only natural. As long as all competition was conducted without resorting to deceitful tactics, it was a fair contest where each relied on their own abilities.

Now, with Hu Zonglin’s assurance, Zhen Niang naturally would not refuse to give him face. She said:

"Yes, the liquid ink formula can be given to the Tian family. As long as the Tian family signs the contract, they will pay the formula usage fee over ten years, just like the Cheng family and the Zhu family." Zhen Niang had never intended to monopolize the liquid ink formula. The Cheng family and the Zhu family were already producing it, and now with the Tian family added, the Li family could collect another share of profits. Given the Tian family’s sales volume, the profits the Li family would gain from them would exceed the combined profits from the Cheng and Zhu families. Why not earn such a substantial sum?

"As for competition, as long as the Tian family does not provoke conflicts, our Li family has always believed in harmony bringing wealth and fair competition." Zhen Niang added. After all, internal strife among Huizhou ink makers would only benefit outsiders. If the three families cooperated and worked together to expand the market, it would be beneficial for all.

"Good. In that case, I will arrange a time for the three families to sit down and discuss this properly." Hu Zonglin laughed heartily.

Zhen Niang nodded. Whether it was the Li family’s Birthday Ink, the Tian family’s Tribute Ink, or the Cheng family’s development, all required a period of stability. Cooperation and peaceful production would indeed be beneficial.

Shortly after, Hu Zonglin took his leave.

…