The Heir

Сhаpter 162: Тhе Хu Fаmilу’s Inquiries

Xu Residеnсe.

In the еvening, Seсоnd Маstеr Хu returned hоme reeking of alcоhоl, his faсe dаrk аnd sullеn.

Sеcоnd Маdаm Хu immediаtely ordеrеd the sеrvants to brew sоbering teа and helр him сhаngе his сlоthеs. “What’s beеn gоing on thеsе рast fеw daуs? Yоu’re alwауs cоming home drunk like this.”

“Еlder Brothеr саme аnd asked me tо асcоmраnу him in еntеrtaining а fеw eunuсhs from thе Maritimе Trаdе Вureаu. Тhеsе peoрle only carе about gold, silvеr, and wine. Whаt elsе сould wе do—take them to the pleasure quarters?” Second Master Xu replied irritably.

“Elder Brother is really something. He guards the affairs of the Maritime Trade Bureau so tightly that we can’t get a foot in. If that’s the case, why drag you along to drink with them?” Second Madam Xu glared.

“He’s the eldest brother. How could I refuse when he asks? Besides, with the new emperor ascending the throne this year, all expenditures have been simplified. The palace’s allocations for utensils have been cut, so profits from that area won’t be much. Even the silk industry this year might be difficult. I don’t know why, but several officials from the Weaving Bureau have been transferred recently, reassigned to idle posts elsewhere. I suspect there’s something fishy going on. So, this year’s silk industry is also untouchable. All things considered, our income this year is likely to shrink significantly. I was hoping to find some alternative sources of revenue through the Maritime Trade Bureau. Elder Brother mentioned that a new eunuch supervisor has arrived there, surnamed Yan. He has a daughter, adopted from his Yan clan, with decent character and looks, just the right age for our Third Son. I thought we could inquire about her… But who would have thought this Yan fellow would be so stubborn? He actually had the nerve to say he wants his daughter to take in a son-in-law…” Second Master Xu said, his eyes flashing with anger. This Yan truly didn’t know his place.

“Forget it. The daughter of a eunuch—we don’t need that. Besides, I think Elder Brother isn’t acting in good faith. Don’t you know how much Father despises these tax supervisors? It’s better not to marry her. If we really did and angered Father, wouldn’t that be picking up a sesame seed only to lose a watermelon?” Seeing her husband’s frustration, Second Madam Xu offered some comfort. Deep down, she truly looked down on the daughter of a eunuch.

However, speaking of Third Son, she remembered what Madam Xuan had said earlier that day. “Since we can’t get involved in the Maritime Trade Bureau, let Elder Brother handle it. I don’t believe he’ll really keep all the money he earns without sharing a bit with us. As for Third Son, I actually have a good candidate in mind—a promising source of income as well.” Second Madam Xu said.

“Oh? What candidate? What source?” Second Master Xu asked curiously. He was at a loss, yet his wife, who stayed home all day, actually had a lead?

So, Second Madam Xu recounted the gossip about Li Zhenniang that Madam Xuan had shared earlier that day.

“This Li Zhenniang you mentioned—is she the one who serves as an offering at the Princess’s residence and helped the Imperial Consort make the Birthday Ink a while back?” Second Master Xu confirmed, as he usually didn’t pay much attention to women’s gossip.

However, he had heard about the competition for the Birthday Ink back then. Moreover, thanks to Imperial Consort Shen’s Birthday Ink, Li Mo’s reputation in the capital had been growing.

“Exactly. Mother-in-law even received a reward from the Imperial Consort,” Second Madam Xu said, her tone tinged with resentment as she mentioned the Imperial Consort’s Birthday Ink.A few days ago, when she returned to Songjiang, her sister-in-law showed her two ink sticks, saying they were given by her mother-in-law to their fifth son who was preparing for the provincial examination this year. What was the point? It was just to show that her in-laws valued their fifth son. Feeling displeased, she returned to Nanjing the next day.

Listening to his wife’s words, Second Master Xu couldn’t help but analyze the prospects of Li ink. Although Tribute Ink was currently Tian ink, everyone knew that Tian ink inherited the methods of Luo ink, and its staying power might not last long. In contrast, Li ink had quietly risen to prominence.

"Hmm, Li ink’s future development looks promising. However, the industries in Huizhou are mostly closed, family-run operations. Outsiders find it difficult to get involved. Back then, my elder brother tried to get into Luo ink but failed. It’s quite challenging," Second Master Xu said, frowning.

"Not necessarily. I heard from Madam Han Li last time that Li Zhenniang, that girl from the Li family, holds a ten percent share in Li ink. It was given to her as a dowry by the Li family’s matriarch. Last year, when she first arrived, Madam Han Li brought her out to socialize, hoping to find her a good match. If someone could marry her, wouldn’t that be a way to get involved?" Second Madam Xu said.

"Are you thinking of having our third son marry this Li Zhenniang? That’s actually a good idea. You handle this matter," Second Master Xu said, feeling a bit dizzy and too lazy to deal with such things. These matters were always left to Second Madam Xu to manage.

"Alright, I have a plan. Madam Han Li has grown somewhat distant from me over the past year, and I’m not entirely clear about the situation with the Li family. I’ll need to inquire first and spread some rumors to make the Li family approach us. That way, we can set our terms," Second Madam Xu said.

As for whether the Li family would have any objections to this marriage, Second Madam Xu didn’t even consider it. For the Xu family to take an interest in Li Zhenniang was a blessing she must have earned in her past life.

"Alright, that’s settled," Second Master Xu said, leaning on the bed. Second Madam Xu, smelling the alcohol on him, waved for a maid to help him wash up and rest.

Meanwhile, she was already calculating how to handle matters with the Li family.

…

By the end of April, the weather had grown quite warm. With the recent discussions about lifting the Maritime Prohibition, the air seemed even more stifling, and everyone seemed to carry a sense of restlessness.

In the afternoon, the workers at the Ink Workshop took their midday break. At the Li family’s Ink Manor, the spring ink-making season was nearing its end, so some workers began taking turns resting. Of course, the smoke generation workshop never stopped, as it was busy storing soot pigment for autumn ink production.

In the Ink Manor, Hua’er and a few clerks idled away their time swatting flies. On such a hot day, no one came to buy ink.

The three members of the Li family sat in the backyard to cool off and chat. Of course, their hands weren’t idle either. Zhen Niang was learning how to twist lamp wicks from her father. In summer, there was a particular method to twisting lamp wicks. Usually, lamp wicks were made by twisting twelve strands of grass, but in summer, the wick needed to be reduced by two strands, so only ten strands were used.

"I don’t see any benefit from lifting the Maritime Prohibition. Instead, prices have skyrocketed, even rice and flour have gone up, and fabric prices have risen too. Today, I went to the Yao family next door to buy some fabric to make a summer robe for your father, and it was over ten percent more expensive than before," Zhao Shi said, helping the father and daughter select lamp wicks of uniform thickness."Mother, don't act all coy after getting such a good deal. Thanks to the lifting of the Maritime Prohibition, our family has made quite a profit this time. Not just on my side, but even Elder Brother's business—wait till he arrives and ask him yourself. It'll surely make you overjoyed." Zhen Niang teased her mother. Elder Brother would soon be delivering tung oil.

However, it was also true that the lifting of the Maritime Prohibition had caused prices to rise. This was only the beginning. As the prohibition remained lifted for longer, large amounts of silver flowing into China would have an even greater impact on prices and the value of silver. Unfortunately, Zhen Niang was no economist and couldn't control such matters. The only thing she could do was raise the wages for the workers in their Ink Workshop, earning widespread praise.

"What do you mean 'overjoyed'? Do you think your mother is that easily impressed?" Zhao Shi retorted, giving Zhen Niang a light slap.

As they were talking, they heard Hua'er's sweet voice greeting someone from the shop: "Aunt is here..."

The "Aunt" she referred to was naturally Madam Han Li. Zhao Shi and Zhen Niang hurried out to welcome her.

"Aunt, how are you?" Zhen Niang greeted her.

"I'm well. I need to discuss something with your mother." Madam Han Li's expression was excited but also somewhat peculiar.

She then pulled Zhao Shi into the room, and the two closed the door to talk in hushed tones.

Zhen Niang found it a bit strange, wondering what her aunt and mother were discussing. However, she didn't dwell on it and went back to twisting lamp wicks by herself.

"What did you say? The Xu family has taken a liking to Zhen Niang?" In the room, Zhao Shi sprang up from the daybed, her face filled with disbelief. She had always been proud of her daughter's capabilities, but what kind of place was the Xu residence? A prime minister's household! How could a merchant family like theirs ever hope to climb so high?

Though everyone has ambitions to rise higher, sometimes aiming too high can lead to emptiness. A pie falling from the sky isn't always a good thing.

"I found it strange too, but it's true. Yesterday, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Second Xu family asked my eldest daughter-in-law about Zhen Niang. The hints she dropped clearly showed they've taken an interest in her. However, it seems they're still in the inquiry stage. Otherwise, Second Madam Xu herself would have spoken to me about it." Madam Han Li added. Clearly, the Xu family hadn't made a final decision yet.

"That's good then. Given Zhen Niang's circumstances, the Xu family would never truly consider her." Hearing this, Zhao Shi replied. Though she was a hunter's daughter, she knew her place. Someone like Zhen Niang would never be accepted by the Xu family. As the saying goes, every pot has its lid—the Xu family was simply beyond their reach.

"But what if they do take a liking to her? Whether she marries or not, you need to be prepared." Madam Han Li said. Naturally, in her heart, she thought it would be wonderful if Zhen Niang could marry into the Xu family. However, after the previous incident with the Xu family, she had gained some insight into their ways and now felt uncertain.

"The Old Madam has long said that Zhen Niang's marriage is her decision." Zhao Shi added. She had agreed to let the Old Madam decide this matter, so she couldn't make the call alone now.

"In that case, you should write to the Old Madam immediately so she can prepare." Madam Han Li suggested.

"Alright." Zhao Shi nodded, feeling somewhat unsettled by the situation.Logically speaking, a family like the Xu family would be hard to find even with a lantern in hand. Back when her daughter Zhen Niang was rejected by the Tian family, many people in Huizhou had laughed at them. If Zhen Niang were to truly marry into the Xu family now, it would be like delivering a few hard slaps to the Tian family’s face. This would indeed be a satisfying turn of events.

However, marriage is not a matter for venting personal grudges. Deep down, Zhao Shi simply felt that the Xu family was not quite right. To say nothing of other things, just consider the incident involving the eldest aunt back then. If not for Zhen Niang stepping in, the eldest aunt’s family might have faced complete ruin. From this perspective, she believed the Xu family was not a suitable match.