The Heir

Сhарtеr 145: Luо Jiu and Mаstеr Fu

Неаring the gong of thе уamen runnеrs, Zhen Niang finаllу rеmеmbеrеd—it was the timе of Emperor Jiajing’s раssing. She hаd beеn sо busу lаtelу thаt shе hаd сomрletely fоrgоtten аbout this matter.

Аt that momеnt, the crоwd оf оnlооkеrs, uрon heаring thе news оf thе еmpеror’s dеаth, all worе еxрressions of рanic. Thеу hurriеdly turnеd back towаrd thеir hоmes, shutting thеir dооrs tightlу.

In аn instаnt, the strееts werе left with оnly Luo Wеnqian, Zhеn Niаng, аnd a fеw оthеrs.

“Мanager Zhеn, a happy Littlе New Year tо you.” Luо Wenqiаn sеemеd to be in good spirits, clasping his hands and smiling at Zhen Niang.

“Have you just arrived? Would you like to come inside for a cup of hot tea to warm up?” Zhen Niang returned the greeting with a slight bow, then noticed Luo Wenqian and his two companions standing in the snow, their dark hair dotted with snowflakes, their temples seemingly frosted white. She couldn’t help but ask.

“No need. The clan members are still waiting. You should go inside quickly. With the emperor’s passing, a curfew is sure to be imposed soon.” Luo Wenqian waved his hand.

“Alright, then you should hurry along too. The snow is getting heavier.” Zhen Niang nodded. In this era, the death of an emperor was a major event. Of course, it didn’t have much to do with ordinary people, but the local authorities would inevitably be on high alert. Moreover, in recent years, the region had been far from peaceful, so a curfew was likely unavoidable.

After replying, Zhen Niang prepared to take her leave.

“Luo Jiu? What are you doing here?” Just then, a sharp voice rang out not far behind Zhen Niang, its tone clearly unfriendly.

Zhen Niang turned around and saw it was her father. She couldn’t help but glance back at Luo Wenqian.

At this, Luo Wenqian raised an eyebrow, then narrowed his eyes, looking somewhat surprised as well. “Master Fu? What a coincidence. If you can be here, naturally I can be here too.”

By the light of the snow and the lanterns at the doorway, Luo Wenqian studied Li Jingfu. He had long heard that Master Fu had headed south but had never seen him appear. He thought Master Fu had been delayed on the road, never expecting they would meet in Huizhou.

Zhen Niang sensed that the atmosphere between the two men was rather tense. Hearing Luo Wenqian address her father as “Master Fu,” she realized they knew each other. However, it was clear that her father didn’t know Luo Jiu was the Luo Family’s young master, and Luo Jiu didn’t know that the Master Fu he spoke of was Li Jingfu of the Li Family. So she introduced them: “Father, did you know? Luo Jiu is the Luo Family’s young master, Luo Wenqian.”

“The Luo Family’s young master, Luo Wenqian? The one managing the Luo Family’s business?” Li Jingfu was taken aback. Although he had recognized Luo Jiu’s Huizhou accent back in the north, the two were rivals. Moreover, Luo Jiu was known for his ruthless methods, while Master Fu was a stubborn gambler with a knack for trouble. As a result, they had both kept their guard up, never revealing their true backgrounds to each other. Thus, Li Jingfu truly hadn’t expected this Luo fellow to be the Luo Family’s young master. He had only learned about the Luo Family’s troubles later and never imagined that the seemingly pampered young master had ventured north and taken up gold digging.Meanwhile, when Luo Wenqian heard Zhen Niang address Fu Ye as "Father," he was taken aback for a moment and couldn't help but rub his nose. So this Fu Ye was Li Jingfu. Although he had once helped Li Jingfu redeem his promissory note, Li Jingfu had already left for Suzhou by then. Although both the Luo and Li families were in the Huizhou ink industry and were old acquaintances, when the eighth branch of the Li family withdrew from Li Mo, Luo Wenqian was still a child. By the time Luo Wenqian entered the ink industry, Li Jingfu was spending all his days in gambling dens, so the two naturally did not know each other.

The two guards following Luo Wenqian also wore strange expressions, with one nearly exclaiming in surprise. They had both worked at the gold mines and knew the rumors about Fu Ye's daughter. They never expected that Miss Zhen of Li Mo was Fu Ye's daughter. Recalling the rumors at the mines that Fu Ye's daughter was as plain as Wuyan and as fierce as the Lion of Hedong, this was a complete subversion.

If the people from the northern regions knew that Fu Ye's daughter was so refined and capable, they would surely regret it to death. The two guards couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

"Uncle Jingfu, greetings. I am Luo Wenqian of the Luo Family," Luo Wenqian politely greeted, addressing him not as Fu Ye but as Uncle Jingfu, positioning himself as a junior. It never hurt to be courteous.

"Oh," Li Jingfu responded with a guarded expression. This Luo fellow had another nickname in the northern regions: the Smiling Fox. His combat skills weren't particularly impressive—about on par with Li Jingfu's own—but he was cunning and extremely patient. Last time, Li Jingfu had led his men to forcibly occupy one of Luo's mining pits. Unexpectedly, Luo remained silent for half a month. Just when Li Jingfu thought it was safe and prepared to start digging for gold, Luo ambushed him on the road with his men and had him tied up. In the end, his own brothers had to pay a ransom to secure his release.

Initially, Li Jingfu thought that even though his brothers had spent some ransom money, at least he had gained a mining pit, which was the real prize. However, he later found out through investigation that the information Luo Jiu had spread earlier was completely false—the pit was actually worthless. Fu Ye had tried to steal a chicken only to lose his rice, becoming a laughingstock. It was truly infuriating.

Thus, when Luo Jiu now appeared smiling and humble, Li Jingfu couldn't help but suspect he was plotting something sinister.

Unwarranted kindness often hides ill intentions. Moreover, recalling that Zhen Niang seemed quite familiar with this Luo fellow, Li Jingfu pulled her behind him and glared fiercely at Luo Jiu.

Luo Wenqian now felt a headache coming on. Glancing at the Li family girl behind Li Jingfu, who seemed to be enjoying the show, he recalled Third Grandfather mentioning a happy event for him after the New Year. But now, it seemed things might become complicated.

"Zhen Niang, call your father to come home," Zhao Shi called from a distance.

"Oh," Zhen Niang responded, then turned to Li Jingfu and called, "Father..."

"Mm, let's go back," Li Jingfu replied. He had nothing more to say to Luo Jiu; his earlier greeting had been purely out of surprise.

Zhen Niang then smiled and nodded at Luo Wenqian. "Brother Luo, you should head back quickly. The snow is getting heavier."

Luo Wenqian naturally bowed in farewell, which only made Li Jingfu feel even more uneasy. He was now convinced that this fellow was up to no good.

The sky had completely darkened, and snowflakes fell in large, thick clusters."Oh dear, why did the emperor have to pass away at such an inconvenient time?" Li Dalang and Xi Ge'er walked ahead carrying lanterns as the Eighth Branch of the Li family made their way along the Ancestral Residence's covered corridor toward their own quarters. Zhao Shi muttered under her breath while stomping her feet as she walked.

"Jingfu's wife, mind your words," Old Master Li, walking ahead, turned back with a disapproving expression.

"Yes," Zhao Shi replied.

Li Jingfu had indeed been drinking earlier. Although he was now seasoned with alcohol, and the Li family's wines were mostly fruit-based brews that couldn't really intoxicate him, there was still a slight buzz. At this moment, Li Jingfu wasn't concerned about being careful with his words. He looked curiously at his wife and asked, "How did the emperor inconvenience you?"

"What do you know? Zhen Niang is seventeen this year. If we don't arrange a marriage soon, she'll truly be delayed." To Zhao Shi, whether the emperor passed away or not couldn't compare to the importance of her daughter's marriage prospects.

"That's true. Have you considered any suitable families? But it shouldn't cause much delay. Once the new emperor ascends the throne, before long there will be a general amnesty. If there's a family you have in mind, we can discuss it first and formalize the engagement when the amnesty is declared," Li Jingfu asked. His daughter's marriage had always been a matter weighing on his mind, which was precisely why he would seek matchmakers whenever he got drunk. After sobering up, though teased by others, he never admitted to it.

"Seventh Aunt just mentioned Luo Wenqian from the Luo Family to me. It was Third Master Cheng who helped the Luo Family make this proposal," Zhao Shi said.

Then, turning to Zhen Niang, she asked, "Zhen Niang, what do you think of this Young Master Luo?" The girl had her own ideas, and Zhao Shi didn't intend to make the decision entirely on her own—she wanted to hear Zhen Niang's opinion.

"Ah..." Zhen Niang hadn't expected her mother to bring this up so suddenly. She was both surprised and somewhat embarrassed, falling into thoughtful silence. Speaking of Luo Wenqian, he seemed quite impressive—possessing the demeanor of a scholarly merchant, and what was even rarer, he suited her temperament well. However, she had never really considered him in this light before.

Now, if she really thought about it carefully, although that fellow could sometimes be quite cunning, he was actually rather decent, wasn't he?

"Not acceptable," Li Jingfu interjected with a stern face before Zhen Niang could respond. The whole family looked at him curiously, wondering how Young Master Luo had offended him. Zhen Niang pondered, recalling how her father and Luo Wenqian had seemed somewhat at odds earlier—it appeared their relationship up north hadn't been entirely harmonious.

"Why not? I think he seems quite suitable," Zhao Shi retorted. Although she had some reservations about Luo Wenqian, Li Jingfu's outright rejection prompted her to question it.

"That young man is sly. Do you think those who make their fortune in gold mining are all good people? Besides, every man in that trade lives by the sword and licks blood from blades. That fellow is ruthless and cunning—if he ever thought to bully Zhen Niang, she would suffer," Li Jingfu said indignantly.

He then turned to Zhen Niang and said, "Don't worry, Zhen. Your father knows many fine young men. I'll definitely find you a good match when the time comes.""Pah, what kind of men do you know? They're either drinking buddies or gamblers, or gold diggers who are no different—still drinking buddies and gamblers. That would ruin Zhen Niang," Zhao Shi retorted irritably.

"What do you mean there aren't any? The Qin family from Shanxi—they're a great clan," Li Jingfu argued indignantly.

"No, Shanxi is too far. I won't agree to Zhen Niang marrying there. Besides, her marriage must be decided by Seventh Aunt," Zhao Shi insisted.

Seeing that the marriage matter hadn't even taken shape yet, her parents were already arguing. Zhen Niang rolled her eyes on the side, though she couldn't help but wonder what exactly her father and Luo Wenqian had been up to in the northern lands.

Thus, despite the bickering, it felt warmer and more intimate than the usual cold silence, and they soon arrived back at the Eighth Branch's residence.

Night deepened, and only the soft rustling of falling snow could be heard outside.

As for Li Jingfu, having returned from great peril, he and Zhao Shi naturally shared a moment of affection, though that goes without saying.

In the blink of an eye, another year had passed.