The Heir

Сhapter 154: Рlаns Can't Кeeр Uр with Сhаngеs

Wеi Bai Wаn did not immediately aррroаch Zhеn Niаng. Instеаd, he sоught оut Wаng Сuiqiаo. It wаs inapprорriatе for him to handlе such mattеrs persоnаllу, аs thеу invоlved privаtе affаirs, sо hе intendеd to аsk Wаng Cuiqiaо tо intervеne on his behаlf.

There wаs nо nеed fоr any cоnсеalmеnt bеtwееn him аnd Wаng Cuiqiао. In faсt, regаrding the aсcоunt bооk, he hаd еvеn shоwn it to Wang Cuiqiаo, once joking thаt it was his "get-out-оf-jail-freе cаrd."

Nоw, this get-оut-of-jail-free card had become a death warrant.

Yue Garden was Wei Bai Wan’s private estate, but now, standing within it, he couldn’t help but wonder how many more days he would be able to call it his own.

At that moment, Wang Cuiqiao quietly sipped her tea, listening to Wei Bai Wan’s request.

She then set down her teacup, stared at Wei Bai Wan for a long time, and finally said, "How do you expect me to speak to Miss Li? To ask her to persuade Li Zheng Ping to reveal the whereabouts of the account book? Although you suspect the account book is with Ge Qiu Jie and Li Zheng Ping, there’s no guarantee it’s actually with them. If it isn’t, what can Li Zheng Ping possibly hand over to you? Even if he says he doesn’t have it, would you believe him? And even if Li Zheng Ping and Ge Qiu Jie do know the whereabouts of the account book, it’s their lifeline. Would they easily surrender it? And even if they did hand it over, could you truly let Ge Qiu Jie and Li Zheng Ping go?" Wang Cuiqiao’s series of questions struck at the heart of the matter with every word.

Wei Bai Wan fell into deep thought. Wang Cuiqiao’s questions were difficult for him to answer. There were some things he couldn’t guarantee.

"Actually, Old Wei, from the moment Huang Lang died, you shouldn’t have investigated. By investigating, you made a mistake. Originally, in everyone’s eyes, Ge Qiu Jie killing Huang Lang was simply a revenge murder case. But your recent inquiries—while others may not know the details—the yamen runners are bound to catch wind of it. Even if they don’t know the contents of the account book, a ledger related to the secret silk trade would surely draw their attention. Coupled with Huang Lang’s relationship with your concubine, your investigation only further confirms the existence of this account book. Once word reaches the Weaving Bureau, do you think they’ll spare you? After all, walls have ears." Wang Cuiqiao spoke another round of pointed words.

Wei Bai Wan stood up and walked to the window, silent.

"Old Wei, you should start preparing an escape route. Because ever since Huang Lang’s death, this matter has slipped out of your control." Wang Cuiqiao then spoke slowly and deliberately, emphasizing each word. Her relationship with Wei Bai Wan was complicated. Once, Wei Bai Wan had been her patron. Later, she followed Xu Hai, but her ties with Wei Bai Wan never completely severed, mainly due to their maritime business dealings. After Xu Hai’s downfall, it was Wei Bai Wan who helped her regain her footing.

Wei Bai Wan had never remarried after his wife passed away early in his life. Many rumors circulated that Wei Bai Wan was waiting for Wang Cuiqiao, though Wang Cuiqiao had no intention of remarrying. Nevertheless, there were no reservations in their conversations.

Back when Wei Bai Wan first collaborated with the Weaving Bureau, Wang Cuiqiao had warned him, saying he was "making a pact with a tiger" and "abetting the evildoer." But in the end, Wei Bai Wan couldn’t resist the profits and plunged headlong into it.

Now, it had indeed become a deep pit.

"Well said. It’s just a pity it’s a bit too late." Wei Bai Wan suddenly turned around and spoke. Outside the window, his steward was leading a yamen runner from the Weaving Bureau into the garden.

"Master, Officer Wang from the Weaving Bureau has sent someone to invite you over to discuss some matters." At that moment, the steward came to inform Wei Bai Wan."Alright, I'll change my clothes and go right away," Wei Bai Wan said.

The steward withdrew.

"You mustn't go," Wang Cuiqiao urged anxiously.

"It's fine. I'll go see what's happening. If I don't go, it will only make things worse," Wei Bai Wan replied. He understood clearly that the summons must be because they had heard some rumors and wanted to question him. If he didn't go, it would confirm the issues with the account books. By going, he could offer an explanation and buy some time.

He needed to start planning his escape.

Wang Cuiqiao helped Wei Bai Wan change his clothes and watched as he got into the sedan chair and departed. She let out a long sigh. As the saying goes, walk the night path too often, and you'll eventually meet a ghost—these were the words Xu Hai had spoken back in the day.

Now, they were coming true for Old Wei. Afterward, she left as well. She had to find a way to help Wei Bai Wan manage the situation.

As for Zhen Niang, she had initially intended to give her a warning, but after some thought, she decided it wasn't necessary. On the contrary, going to the Li family now might draw unwanted attention from those who were watching.

Thus, it was better not to make the trip.

...

Early morning, a light drizzle.

On the embankment by the Qinhuai River, Zhen Niang stretched her arms and kicked her legs as she exercised, though her mind was not on the activity but on pondering matters. Meanwhile, the women washing clothes below the embankment chatted.

"Ah, how unpredictable life is. Think about how imposing Ge Dana used to be, and how proud Ge Qiu Jie was. Yet now, she’s become a murderer," one of the women pounding clothes lamented, expressing the fickleness of fate.

"Wasn’t it said that it hasn’t been confirmed yet? They haven’t even found the murder weapon, and neither Ge Qiu Jie nor Li Zheng Ping has confessed?" another woman, scrubbing clothes, replied.

"I think it’s only a matter of time before they confess. I heard the torture in the prison is severe. Yesterday, Hua’er went to see her brother and came back crying," the first woman said.

"I suppose so," the other woman agreed.

Zhen Niang was already somewhat troubled, and the idle chatter of these two women only added to her irritation. She turned to walk toward a willow tree on the other side.

Suddenly, she heard a roar: "Nonsense! My sister is not a murderer! That Huang fellow wasn’t killed by my sister!"

A plump figure rushed over, angrily shoving the women chatting on the embankment. One of them fell into the river with a splash. Fortunately, as people living by the Qinhuai River, they all knew how to swim. The woman emerged shortly after, but the cold weather made it unbearable.

She was naturally filled with resentment.

"Ge San Er, you damned scoundrel! Your father is worthless, your mother is a tramp, your sister is a murderer, and you’re nothing but bad seed!" the woman cursed as she climbed out, her face blue and purple from the cold. Only then did Zhen Niang realize the figure was Ge San Er. As the woman went to grab him, she, who was usually quite strong, was flung far away with a single swing of Ge San Er’s arm. Ge San Er then turned back and snarled fiercely at the woman, "I told you, my sister is not a murderer!" His menacing expression startled both women. He snorted and walked away.

The commotion lasted only a short while. Ge San Er disappeared, one woman fell into the water and was soaked through, and the other, who helped pull her out, was half-drenched as well. As a result, they had no choice but to abandon their laundry and return home to change clothes.

For a moment, the embankment fell quiet.

This gave Zhen Niang a peaceful spot where she could quietly reflect on things.What the two women had said earlier was exactly what Zhen Niang had been worried about. Over the past few days, aside from Li Zhengping being in prison, the Li family's production and daily life had actually been relatively calm. Yet, the more peaceful it seemed, the more uneasy Zhen Niang felt. Her unease stemmed from Hua'er's tearful account yesterday.

Yesterday, Hua'er had gone to deliver food to Li Zhengping in prison and returned with red eyes, saying her eldest brother had many new injuries on his body. Moreover, Li Zhengping had casually mentioned to Hua'er that the interrogators recently were all new faces.

What did this signify? Clearly, it meant more people were getting involved in the case.

Zhen Niang realized that Li Zhengping's earlier plan was flawed. The current situation wasn't about whether you admitted to it or not, but whether others believed you did. Obviously, Li Zhengping and Ge Qiu Jie denied it, but everyone else believed Huang Lang had died at their hands, and that account book had undoubtedly fallen into their possession. If you didn't admit it, they would beat you until you did.

A person's body is made of flesh, not iron—how could it withstand such treatment?

This couldn't go on. Thinking this, Zhen Niang clenched her fists. She had been holding back, but it seemed that wouldn't work. Since everyone was after that account book, she might as well find a way to throw it out into the open.

Find someone who could speak up for the wronged, like Jiang Niang and her daughter...

"That account book stolen by Wei Bai Wan's concubine should be in your hands, right?" At that moment, a low, deep voice came from behind her.

Zhen Niang was so startled she nearly lost her soul. Fortunately, her calm temperament, honed through years of ink-making, allowed her to steady herself. She turned around and saw Luo Wenqian, letting out a sigh of relief. Unconsciously, she felt a sense of trust toward him.

However, even with that trust, Zhen Niang couldn't admit to such a thing. Yet she didn't want to lie either, so she remained silent, quietly gazing at the river across from her.

"If you had such an account book, what would you do?" Zhen Niang then turned her face slightly and asked Luo Wenqian in return.

"Hand it over," Luo Wenqian replied firmly.

"To whom?" Zhen Niang countered.

"To the princess, of course," Luo Wenqian said calmly.

"But doesn't the princess usually stay out of court affairs?" Zhen Niang questioned. She herself was an Ink Production Official for the princess's household, and handing it over to the princess was something she had considered. However, the princess had always been aloof, especially when it came to court matters. Back when the capital was in turmoil, she had retreated to Nanjing—a clear indication of her stance. Moreover, Zhen Niang was merely an Ink Production Official, essentially an ink-making advisor, not important enough for the princess to stand up for her. Zhen Niang was well aware of this.

"Times have changed. She's returning to the capital and will need to bring a gift for the new emperor. The new emperor is having a hard time—it's said even the palace ladies' cosmetics funds are lacking. He's holding back his anger with nowhere to vent it. When officials take office, they always make a show of authority—how could the current emperor be any different?" Luo Wenqian said with a slight curl of his lips.

Zhen Niang couldn't help but smile at this. Emperor Longqing's early days on the throne were indeed far less comfortable than his father's. She had been too focused on the princess's tendency to avoid trouble, failing to consider that the timing was different now.Even the most good-tempered emperor is still an emperor, and he has his temper too. Wanting to buy some jewelry, you don’t allow it; wanting to repair the palace, you forbid it. As an emperor, he is stifled. Driven to this point by his ministers, he will also draw his sword. The princess is precisely giving the emperor a reason to draw his sword. In this way, the account book in her hands was like a pillow when one is sleepy.

“Mm, I understand. I will consider it. Thank you.” By this point, Zhen Niang no longer pretended to be ignorant.

“Mm, relax, the sky won’t fall.” Luo Wenqian said.

“Mm.” Zhen Niang nodded heavily, then curtsied to Luo Wenqian before hurrying back to Ink Manor. She still had to discuss this matter with her father.

Actually, even if she were to hand it over to the princess, it wouldn’t be that easy. If the princess hasn’t asked for it, how can you give it? Such a sensitive thing—even if the princess needs it, directly handing it over like this would be inappropriate. It was truly a headache.

Thinking this, Zhen Niang dashed home in one go.

Back at Ink Manor, Zhen Niang found Li Jingfu and brought him to the small Ink Workshop, where there was no one around. She explained everything in detail, then showed the account book to her father.

“You silly girl, ah! Such an important matter, and it’s been days? Only now you tell me. Do you think just because Seventh Grandmother put you in charge of Nanjing, you’re really the head of the household?” Li Jingfu roared angrily. Regarding Li Zhengping’s matter, he had also been running around and making inquiries these past few days, mostly thinking about bribing the officials more, but it was completely useless. He always felt there was something sinister about the situation, and now it turned out the root was here.

“Father… let’s not talk about that now. The main thing is to discuss what to do next.” Li Jingfu had misunderstood Zhen Niang. She had initially decided to treat the account book as if it didn’t exist, and coupled with her father’s usual unreliability, she hadn’t mentioned it. By the time the situation changed, it was only in the past couple of days. Then, she naturally told her father what Luo Wenqian had said.

After hearing what Luo Wenqian had said, Li Jingfu grumbled awkwardly, “Now I owe that kid a favor.”

Then he closed his eyes in thought. “Since that kid said so, let’s listen to him. Although I don’t get along with him, in the northern regions, when people speak of Luo Jiu, he is known as a man of honor and integrity. Tomorrow, when you deliver the Birthday Ink, hide this account book inside the ink and take it with you. Don’t worry about the princess ignoring it. That kid has a life-and-death friendship with the princess’s consort. Moreover, this matter benefits the princess. When you take it, just speak frankly and directly.”

“Mm, I understand.” Zhen Niang nodded.