The Heir

Сhарtеr 147: The Sun Fаmilу's Рlаns

Dеveloping thе ink industrу and eаrning more mоnеу tо lау the foundаtion for competing fоr nеxt уeаr's Тributе Ink Рrivilegе—this wаs Zhеn Niаng's gоal fоr the yeаr.

Вy thе second уear оf the Longqing еrа, thе Тiаn fаmilу's three-уеar Тributе Ink рeriоd would ехpire, аnd thе cоurt would oncе again selесt а Tributе Ink merchant. Оf соurse, gеnеrаllу sреaking, thе Тian fаmily hаd a greаter сhаnсe оf rеtаining thе privilege, but thе Li family was not without thе ability to сompеte. Сurrеntly, thе Li Family Ink Workshop's flagship products included the Li family's ancestral ink formulas like the "Ten Thousand Pestle" ink, the Re-blended Ink Zhen Niang had developed the year before last, the Super Lacquer Ink, and now the newly restored Ancient Yu Mi Ink. With such a diverse range of high-quality products, along with various smaller varieties, the Li family might very well be able to compete with the Tian family.

Naturally, securing the Tribute Ink Privilege also required substantial financial resources. To be honest, the Ming Dynasty was currently short on funds. Take the Tian family, for example—they had earned a considerable amount over the years and had started as timber merchants, so their financial foundation was solid. However, last year, they faced financial difficulties due to an Ink Incident. Of course, part of the reason was that Tian Ronghua had tried to cover the losses before Tian Da's arrival without asking the family for money. Even so, this situation revealed that the Tian family's finances were not as robust as they seemed. A large establishment like the Nanjing Ink Manor should have had ample emergency funds, yet they struggled.

The Tian family's current predicament was that, despite earning a lot, they had a massive financial pit to fill with the Tribute Ink. The court was notorious for delaying payments, and the Ink Affairs Bureau was rife with demands for bribes and kickbacks—a chronic issue in the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty. The Tian family's funds were tied up in this quagmire.

If the Li family wanted to compete for the Tribute Ink, they would have to consider this aspect as well. The Tribute Ink Privilege was a double-edged sword: its advantages and disadvantages were equally pronounced. The advantages included prestige and a surge in business.

The disadvantages were the court's delayed payments and the various demands for bribes and kickbacks. Without substantial financial backing, it would be difficult to withstand these pressures.

Yet, competing for the Tribute Ink was unavoidable. For any ink-making family, it was the ultimate goal, much like how most scholars aspired to become officials. It was a deeply ingrained ambition.

Tribute Ink, Imperial Ink, and the position of Ink Affairs Official—these were unavoidable milestones for the Li family to restore the glory of Li Mo. These were the honors of the Li ancestors, and now the younger generation of the Li family was merely following in their footsteps.

With the Li family's direction set, Zhen Niang prepared to return to Nanjing.

However, just as she was packing at home, Xi Ge'er came running in with news: Old Madam Li had fallen ill. Perhaps it was due to the excitement of the previous day's festivities or the overwhelming joy, but the old lady had suddenly developed a high fever the night before. The doctor diagnosed it as a severe cold, and she was now in a state of delirium.

This news unsettled Zhen Niang. Although Old Madam Li no longer managed the family business and spent her days in retirement, she remained the stabilizing force of the Li family. With the Li family at a critical stage of development, her absence could lead to chaos, much like the situation two years prior.Therefore, what was originally planned to start on the fifth day of the lunar month ended up being delayed by Zhen Niang for two days. By the sixth day, after taking several doses of medicine, Old Madam Li finally regained clarity. A common cold might be nothing to a young and robust person, but for Old Madam Li, who was nearly eighty years old, it was something she could hardly withstand. After two days of illness, she had visibly lost weight, and even her once bright and clear eyes had grown dim.

Zhen Niang felt deeply distressed. She sat by Old Madam Li’s bedside, keeping her company and chatting with her for a while.

"It’s fine. These old bones can still hold on for a couple of years. How could I possibly leave without seeing the glory of Li Mo restored? Don’t worry, your Seventh Grandmother can still support you, girl. You just keep doing your best," Old Madam Li said firmly, holding Zhen Niang’s hand. Yet, no matter how resolute her words, the vigor and spirit she once had were no longer visible. Even now, her hand trembled as she held Zhen Niang’s.

"Mhm," Zhen Niang nodded heavily, her heart aching.

But Zhen Niang knew that Seventh Grandmother might not have many years left.

At that moment, Old Madam Li grew tired and lay back on the bed, closing her eyes. Her lips moved faintly, murmuring indistinctly, "Tribute Ink, Tribute Ink... What the Li family lost must be reclaimed."

"Seventh Grandmother, don’t worry. Next year’s Tribute Ink selection will undoubtedly be won by our Li family. You must see it for yourself," Zhen Niang said firmly into the old woman’s ear, tightly gripping her withered hand. If before, Zhen Niang had merely done her best for the Tribute Ink, now she was determined to secure it at all costs.

Hearing Zhen Niang’s words, Old Madam Li closed her eyes and fell asleep, her breathing steadying, and a faint smile even touched the corners of her lips.

Only then did Zhen Niang quietly leave the old woman’s room.

Outside, Madam Cheng, the wife of the eldest son of the Li family, and others were waiting anxiously. Seeing Zhen Niang come out, they stood up and asked nervously, "How is Old Madam?"

"She’s asleep," Zhen Niang gestured for them to be quiet.

"Then I’ll stay inside and watch over her," Huang Shi said from the side. Originally, Huang Shi was supposed to return to Nanjing with Zhen Niang, but with Old Madam Li suddenly falling ill, she naturally couldn’t leave. However, she had recommended two members of the Huang clan, Huang San and Huang Qi, both first-rate woodcarving artisans, who would now be responsible for the engraving work at the Nanjing Ink Workshop.

"Alright, you watch over her. I’ll prepare some warm porridge in the outer room. When Old Madam wakes up, she can have some. The warmth will help drive away the cold," Madam Cheng said.

Knowing that Zhen Niang was busy, Madam Cheng added, "Zhen Niang, you should go and attend to your matters. You must set off tomorrow without delay. Matters at the Princess’s residence cannot be postponed."

"Mhm, I understand," Zhen Niang nodded heavily again before stepping out.

"Aunt Zhen Niang, how is my great-grandmother?" Just as she stepped out, she bumped into little Tianyou by the door. After more than a year apart, the child had grown quite a bit taller, though his face was now tense with worry for his great-grandmother.

"It’s fine. She’s asleep now," Zhen Niang gently patted his forehead to reassure him."Then I'll go in and keep Seventh Grandmother company. I won't talk, just move a stool to sit by Great-Grandmother's side and watch over her. Great-Grandmother loves Tianyou the most. When she wakes up and sees Tianyou, she'll be very happy, and being happy will make her recover faster." Little Tianyou's childish words were spoken with such earnestness that it was rather touching.

"Alright, your grandmother and Second Aunt are inside too. Listen to them, okay?" Zhen Niang smiled as she reminded him. Truth be told, this little one had grown quite a bit in the year or so since she last saw him. Though he usually trailed behind Xi Ge'er like a little follower, when it came to real matters, Xi Ge'er often sought Little Tianyou's opinion. If this continued, in a few years, Zhen Niang thought she might take Tianyou under her wing and teach him properly. After all, she couldn't watch over Li Mo forever.

"Mm, I'll definitely listen." Tianyou promised.

"By the way, where's your mother?" Zhen Niang asked. According to custom, Madam Sun should have come with Little Tianyou to visit Seventh Grandmother.

"Well, when we came over just now, my eldest aunt arrived and is talking with my mother up front." Little Tianyou said.

"Oh." Zhen Niang nodded, then let Tianyou go inside.

Watching Tianyou enter the room, Zhen Niang hurried off. The goods at the Ink Workshop needed to be inspected, and there were various matters to be arranged.

But just as she turned a corner, she overheard a hushed conversation.

"Sister-in-law, Zhen Niang is really quite good. She's earned a lot of money for the family this year and has been very respectful and proper toward all of us. She doesn't have those kinds of intentions." The speaker was none other than Little Tianyou's mother, Madam Sun.

Zhen Niang then remembered that Tianyou had mentioned his mother was talking with his eldest aunt earlier. So they weren't speaking here after all.

"Caizhu, it's not that I'm trying to lecture you, but how can you still be so naive? First of all, Li Zhenniang is from the Eighth Branch, not to mention that human hearts are insatiable—who can be sure of anyone's true thoughts? Besides, even if she doesn't have those intentions now, how do you know she won't develop them later? She'll marry someday, won't she? When that time comes, who wouldn't think of their own husband's family and descendants? Right now, Nanjing is practically Li Zhenniang's domain alone. With the patronage of the Princess's household behind her, who would dare cross her? If you don't guard against her, she could very well drain the entire Li Mo dry in the future. Li Jingming was such an honest man, yet even he ended up scheming to seize the main family's business. Who can guarantee anyone's heart?

Now you only have this one son. You must think ahead for him. I'm not telling you to go against Li Zhenniang, but you must be prepared for everything. While the old madam is still alive, there's naturally nothing to worry about. But think about it—what if she passes away? Look at her now, ill and lacking vitality. At her age, it could happen any day. What will happen to your main branch then? It's all elderly, women, and children. When that time comes, the Eighth Branch of the Li family could swallow up the Ink Workshop in an instant—it would be all too easy. How will you survive then? How will Little Tianyou survive?"What a long-winded and earnest speech. Zhen Niang listened to this unfamiliar woman's voice from the side—no need to guess, this must be Madam Sun's eldest sister-in-law. Thinking this, she couldn't help but furrow her brow. Originally, she hadn't intended to eavesdrop, but the conversation had reached this point, and this path was the only way to the Ink Workshop. She had no choice but to continue listening.

Recalling what was recorded in the clan genealogy in her past life—that Madam Sun remarried after little Tianyou passed away—she suspected it was likely this eldest sister-in-law who had pushed for it. And the entry in the genealogy read: "Madam Sun, remarried. Not long after, died!"

Equally shocking.

"I... Zhen Niang wouldn't do that, would she? The Matriarch thinks highly of her. She knows gratitude and righteousness," Madam Sun murmured repeatedly.

"Why are you so stubborn? No one said she definitely would, but you have to guard against it. Let your eldest nephew go to Nanjing to keep an eye on things for you. Wouldn't that put your mind at ease? At least you'd have some peace of mind. Besides, that girl Zhen Niang hasn't been betrothed yet, has she? Jie'er is about her age, has studied for several years, is literate, and has a decent appearance. And our family, after all, once produced a provincial scholar. So, he's more than a match for Li Zhenniang. When the time comes, if you put in a good word with the Matriarch, and if Jie'er can marry Li Zhenniang, then you'll have nothing to worry about at all. It would also be a blessing for little Tianyou, right?" Madam Sun's sister-in-law could talk a flower into blooming.

"Sister-in-law..." Madam Sun called out, clearly troubled. She knew the Matriarch held Zhen Niang in high regard. A family like her own would likely be looked down upon by the Matriarch. But she couldn't say this outright to her sister-in-law, fearing it would hurt her pride.

"Ah, I'm going all out for this, all because your eldest brother is worried about you. Otherwise, Jie'er is my precious darling—how could I let him leave my side to make a living in Nanjing?" At this point, Madam Sun's sister-in-law spoke with a somewhat displeased tone.

"But the Matriarch made it clear back then: everything in Nanjing is to be decided by Zhen Niang. No one else is to interfere," Madam Sun said, still hesitant.

"I'm not asking you to interfere. I'm just asking you to introduce Jie'er to Zhen Niang. Here in Huizhou, anyone who makes it big outside always helps bring along younger members of the clan. Besides, I heard Li Zhenniang is planning to take two young Huang clansmen with her back to Nanjing this time. Look, why is your second aunt pushing people forward? It's all for her own future plans. You're just too naive." Madam Sun's sister-in-law spoke indignantly.

Hearing her sister-in-law say this, Madam Sun felt a bit lost. With her mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law, and aunts above her, and being naturally gentle and compliant, she had never been a strong-willed person. At this moment, she only felt that her eldest brother and sister-in-law had gone to great lengths for her sake, and it would be ungrateful to refuse. So she said, "Then I'll mention it to Zhen Niang. But as I said before, whether she takes anyone along is entirely up to her."

Seeing her sister-in-law stubbornly clinging to this point, Madam Sun's sister-in-law had no choice. "Fine, fine, you bring it up. I suppose that girl is clever enough. If you want to place someone, she probably won't refuse. But if she does refuse... well, her intentions might be questionable."

Madam Sun's sister-in-law spoke with a rather insinuating tone.Zhen Niang raised an eyebrow as she listened from around the corner. Madam Sun’s sister-in-law certainly had a knack for reading people. If Tianyou’s mother really brought this up, she truly wouldn’t be able to refuse. After all, Li Tianyou was the legitimate heir of the main branch, and Madam Sun pushing a relative into the business was perfectly reasonable. If she refused, it would only make her look guilty.

As she thought this, she heard footsteps approaching from around the corner. Zhen Niang deliberately retreated a good distance before walking forward again, just in time to meet Madam Sun and her sister-in-law.

“Good day, Sister-in-Law Sun,” Zhen Niang greeted Madam Sun, then nodded to the other woman. “Good day, Madam Sun.”

“Ah, Miss Li, good day, good day.” Despite all her earlier suspicions and twisted thoughts about Li Zhenniang, Madam Sun’s sister-in-law now wore a bright, cheerful smile, as if she and Zhen Niang were the best of friends. As she spoke, she subtly tugged at Madam Sun’s sleeve.

Madam Sun then spoke with visible discomfort. “Zhen Niang, is the Nanjing Ink Manor short of hands? My nephew has nothing much to do at home and wants to go out and ‘walk the path.’” In Huizhou dialect, “walking the path” meant seeking opportunities.

“Well, we are adding another workshop this year, so we are indeed short of workers. But it’s laborers we need. I wonder if your nephew can handle the hardship. As you know, the work in the Ink Workshop is quite tough.” After a moment’s thought, Zhen Niang turned to Madam Sun’s sister-in-law.

Madam Sun’s sister-in-law’s face twitched. The work in the Ink Workshop was truly backbreaking labor. Her son was literate and educated—how could he do such work? She cautiously suggested, “Couldn’t he be placed in the accounts office? My boy can read and write. If he’d had a bit of luck in the exams, he might already be a scholar by now.”

“Even to enter the accounts office, one must first learn the craft. Everyone who joins the Ink Workshop follows this path: three years as a laborer, three years as a skilled worker. Only then can they enter the accounts office and manage affairs. Even I learned the Ink Craft from a young age.” Zhen Niang replied calmly. No matter what their intentions were, everything would follow the rules. If they feared hardship, they could choose not to go. By citing her own example, she left them with little to argue.

Unless one possessed exceptional Ink Craft skills, that would naturally be a different matter.

Hearing this, Madam Sun’s sister-in-law was at a loss. This girl’s skills were unmatched, and her son knew nothing about the Ink Industry. Zhen Niang intended to stick to the rules. Though reluctant, Madam Sun’s sister-in-law knew that to succeed in the Ink Workshop, mastery of the craft was essential. After all, the Li family’s business would eventually fall into Li Tianyou’s hands. It was better to act early. Once Li Tianyou took over the Ink Workshop, her son would be seen as a “founding contributor” and enjoy prestige in due time. A little hardship now would do him good—it might curb his tendency to act like a scholar after just a few years of schooling, picking up the frivolous habits of literati and squandering the family’s money in brothels. With this in mind, she gritted her teeth and said, “Fine, we’ll leave it to Miss Zhen to arrange.”

“Very well. I’ll be leaving tomorrow. Have him prepare this afternoon and come to the Ink Workshop early tomorrow morning to depart with us.” Zhen Niang nodded.Upon arriving at Ink Manor, which was his own territory, if this son of Sister Sun could settle down and work diligently, there would naturally be a place for him at Ink Manor. However, if he harbored ulterior motives—well, even an old hand like Zeng Yipin had once been bested by him, let alone a greenhorn from Sister Sun’s family.