The Heir

Сhарtеr 164: Sеttlеd

During the Shen hоur, Li Jingfu strоllеd lеisurеly under the lаrgе locust trеe not fаr frоm thе еntrаnсe of Yi Нou Sheng Firm, his hands claspеd bеhind his baсk, oссаsiоnallу сhаtting with раssersbу as if he had аll thе time in thе world.

In truth, howevеr, Li Jingfu was cаlculating his nехt mоvе. Наving dеcided nоt tо let thе оld mаdam hаve hеr wаy, he knеw hе must aсt swiftly and deсisively.

From thе wау Luo Qiаn had handled thе асcоunt bооks lаst timе, it wаs clеаr he hеld Zhen Niаng in high regard. Мorеоvеr, during the rесеnt рeriod of thе Maritime Prohibitiоn, his own daughter аnd that Luo lаd had соllabоrated seamlessly on the tung oil venture, demonstrating remarkable synergy.

Thus, the Luo boy and his daughter seemed quite well-matched, and they got along harmoniously. Given this, for the sake of his daughter, past entanglements could be set aside—after all, they were merely disputes born of pride.

Therefore, he resolved to have a serious talk with Luo Jiu and settle the marriage arrangement.

Though this was his intention, after circling the entrance of Yi Hou Sheng three or four times, he still couldn’t bring himself to step inside. So he continued pacing outside, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Luo Jiu was seated in the elegant private room on the second floor of Yi Hou Sheng Firm.

Luo Jiu had been swamped lately, entirely preoccupied with matters related to the Maritime Prohibition. Only today, after the ships of the Maritime Trade Office had set sail, did he finally have a moment to rest. Leaning against the window of the private room, he listened to the cicadas’ shrill cries, sipping iced tea in leisurely comfort, though his eyes remained fixed on the street below.

Just then, Shopkeeper Yan Xilai came upstairs carrying a stack of account books. He thumped them down in front of Luo Qian and took a seat opposite him, pouring himself a cup of tea without ceremony.

Luo Qian didn’t even glance at him, continuing to gaze outside. Curious, Yan Xilai leaned over and spotted Li Jingfu pacing and seeking shade under the locust tree below.

“Hah, Master Fu rarely lingers around our shop’s entrance. By the way, I’ve heard the Xu family has been inquiring about Li Zhenniang these past few days. It seems Second Madam Xu has taken a liking to her and wants to propose a marriage match for her third son. Boss, you know what they say—the early bird catches the worm.” Yan Xilai spoke with a sidelong glance at Luo Jiu, clearly enjoying the spectacle. He had a fair understanding of his boss’s feelings.

If nothing else, the boss certainly admired Miss Li, and that young lady was indeed excellent material for a household mistress. Even his own wife had privately remarked that Miss Li and their boss were a perfect match.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Luo Jiu raised an eyebrow. As Yan Xilai had said, Uncle Jingfu seldom appeared near the entrance of Yi Hou Sheng. Yet today, he had been lingering there, occasionally glancing toward the firm, and several times it seemed he was about to enter, only to retreat at the last moment.

Clearly, Uncle Jingfu had something to discuss with him but was hesitant. Could it be related to the Xu family’s intentions?

Regardless, Luo Qian felt it was time to make his stance clear.

With that thought, he stood up and said to Yan Xilai, “Ask Sister Guihua to prepare some wine and dishes for me.” Then he headed downstairs, the wooden stairs creaking under his footsteps.

“Understood, they’ll be ready shortly,” Yan Xilai replied. When the boss had matters to attend to, as the shopkeeper, he naturally offered his full support.

…………

By now, Li Jingfu had worked himself into a sweat from all his pacing."Uncle Jingfu, quite leisurely, aren't you? I have wine and dishes ready here. If you don't mind, come up and have a couple of drinks." Luo Jiu walked to the door and called out to Li Jingfu, who was pacing around.

Li Jingfu glared at him: "You little rascal, you're up to no good, aren't you?" In his heart, he thought, this Luo kid is quite sensible—knowing I wanted to talk to him, he's playing along.

"How could that be? Uncle Jingfu, you wrong me with those words." Luo Jiu clasped his hands, feigning grievance.

"Alright then, just a couple of drinks." Li Jingfu reluctantly nodded. In truth, he was putting on airs.

So Li Jingfu followed Luo Jiu up to the second floor of the Yi Hou Sheng Firm, where a table of wine and dishes was already prepared. Shopkeeper Yan had always been swift in handling matters.

After a few rounds of drinks, Li Jingfu was pondering how to broach the subject when Luo Jiu stood up first, raising his cup: "Uncle Jingfu, if I offended you in any way up north, I ask for your forgiveness."

"Easy, easy. It was just a dispute over principles. Since you call me uncle, how could I hold it against you?" Li Jingfu naturally took the opportunity.

"In that case, allow me to push my luck a little further. Back in the north, Grandfather personally promised Zhen Niang to me. However, that was said in a drunken state and shouldn't be taken seriously. Now, while Grandfather is sober, I'll ask again: What do you think of me? Am I worthy to be your son-in-law?" Luo Jiu raised his cup once more, his expression solemn, making his intentions clear.

Hearing Luo Jiu's words, Li Jingfu narrowed his eyes. He had come to talk to Luo Jiu, thinking he would take the initiative, but this kid had seized control in just a few moves.

Well, that suited him just fine. He would turn the tables on him. So he picked up his wine cup, drained it in one gulp, and then slammed it down heavily: "I, your grandfather, am a man of my word. Since I promised it personally, how could I go back on it? But now, the Xu family is inquiring about Zhen Niang. Aren't you afraid of offending the Xu family? That's the prime minister's household."

"Grandfather, you jest. In all matters, there is an order of precedence. Not to mention the distant past—up north, I was already favored by you. As for more recent events, just before the new year, Third Master Cheng also inquired on my behalf about the Li family's intentions. It was only due to the late emperor's passing that things were put on hold for a while. No matter how powerful the Xu family is, they must still abide by reason. As long as reason is on my side, I have nothing to fear." Luo Jiu also downed his wine in one gulp.

"Well said! You're a good kid. Find an elder to propose the marriage then." Li Jingfu said. He was a rather unscrupulous man himself, and Luo Jiu's words had perfectly matched his temperament.

This kid's feelings for Zhen Niang were truly sincere.

And so, the two of them settled the matter just like that. It could be said they were quite in sync.

The wine that followed tasted even better.

At the Li family's Ink Manor, the sky had gradually darkened, and it was already past the shop's closing time. Zhen Niang had already sent the other clerks home.

"Mother, where is Father?" Zhen Niang stood at the shop entrance, turning to ask her mother. Since her father went to deliver the letter earlier that day, she hadn't seen him return. Earlier, the shop clerks had seen him wandering around the official street, but later, he disappeared. Zhen Niang couldn't help but worry.

"Who knows where your father is? He's been acting strange all day. Last night in his dreams, he was muttering about talking to Luo Qian." Zhao Shi said."Did Father go to find Luo Qian?" Zhen Niang couldn't help but frown. Of course she understood why her father would seek out Luo Qian. Before the New Year, Cheng San Yeye had spoken to her aunt about the matter between Luo Qian and herself.

Now, her father must have gone to discuss matters concerning her with him.

But before, it had been Cheng San Yeye's enthusiasm. He and Luo Qian were close friends. Nowadays, although the Luo Family still had clansmen in Huizhou, they were no longer from the same branch, so the relationship was likely more distant. Meanwhile, her own grandfather and Cheng San Yeye were good friends who shared similar interests. Moreover, Cheng San Yeye admired her Ink Craft skills, so he had taken it upon himself to act as a matchmaker.

At that time, it was only at the inquiry stage.

As for her own family, Zhen Niang remembered that they had not given any response at the time. Of course, since Seventh Grandmother had mentioned Luo Qian to her mother, it was clear there had been some consideration.

If the Xu Family matter hadn't come up, perhaps through gradual contact, things might have naturally progressed.

But now, with the Xu Family affair mixed in, her father going to see him at this time was somewhat putting him in a difficult position.

Luo Jiu had always helped her a great deal. And the Xu Family matter was actually not as simple as she had made it out to be when comforting her mother. Although the Xu Family was nearly ruined, at present, Xu Jie's reputation in the court was at its peak. Even Gao Gong, the current emperor's teacher, had been forced out of the court by him. It could be said that the Xu Family was now at the height of its power—who would dare provoke them?

As for Luo Qian, from the destruction of his family to his current development, it had truly been no easy journey.

"Mother, isn't it inappropriate for Father to go directly to Luo Gongzi at this time?" Zhen Niang couldn't help but stomp her foot. Although she knew that even Seventh Grandmother's side would likely first discuss matters with the Luo Family, Seventh Grandmother would have Cheng San Yeye act as an intermediary, providing some buffer.

Thinking this, she raised her eyes to look at the Yi Hou Sheng money shop not far away, where faint light glimmered from the second floor.

"Silly girl, could your father possibly force Luo Gongzi to marry you? Matters of marriage ultimately depend on mutual willingness. If he shows the slightest reluctance, I believe your father wouldn't want to betroth you to him either. What we want is someone who genuinely cares for you. Don't worry, leave this matter to us. Your father and I will handle it." Zhao Shi gently patted Zhen Niang's forehead.

"Mmm." Zhen Niang felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing Zhao Shi's words and couldn't help but lean against her.

Just then, the door of Yi Hou Sheng money shop opened, and Li Jingfu's voice could faintly be heard: "Good wine, drank to my heart's content~~"

"It's Father." Zhen Niang called out, quickly pulling her mother along to approach. When they reached the entrance of Yi Hou Sheng money shop, they saw Luo Qian supporting her father, who was clearly already drunk.

"Wife, I've settled Zhen Niang and Luo boy's marriage." As soon as Li Jingfu saw Zhao Shi, he announced triumphantly in his drunken state. Hearing this, Zhen Niang was stunned—settled already? That was too fast! At the same time, she found her father's words both amusing and exasperating—it was so undignified.

She couldn't help but glance sideways at Luo Qian, only to see his eyes, even brighter in the dim night, faintly carrying a hint of amusement. For a moment, she felt extremely awkward—her father really was somewhat unreliable, especially after drinking. She swore to herself that she would never let her father touch another drop of alcohol again.Zhao Shi, both angry and annoyed, pinched the thoroughly drunk Li Jingfu before supporting him on the other side, helping Luo Qian carry Li Jingfu back to his room.

As they entered the door, Li Jingfu, having drunk far too much and further chilled by the outside wind, could no longer hold back. He vomited all over the floor, splattering Luo Qian’s clothes with filth.

“My apologies, Young Master Luo,” Zhao Shi hurriedly said. She then instructed Zhen Niang to fetch a set of Li Jingfu’s clothes so Luo Jiu could change.

“Auntie, no need for such formality—just call me Qian,” Luo Qian replied calmly, still helping Zhao Shi settle Li Jingfu onto the bed. Watching Luo Qian’s actions and recalling Li Jingfu’s earlier words, Zhao Shi began to regard Luo Qian with something of a mother-in-law’s eye toward her future son-in-law.

Just then, Zhen Niang brought the clothes. Luo Qian entered the inner room to change out of his soiled garments. When he emerged, Zhen Niang took the dirty clothes from his hands and headed outside. Luo Qian couldn’t help but follow her out.

In the courtyard, moonlight bathed the ground.

Zhen Niang naturally expressed her gratitude to Luo Qian, though her father’s earlier words left her somewhat embarrassed and uncertain of the situation. Nevertheless, being forthright by nature, she asked, “Is it truly settled?”

“Yes,” Luo Qian replied in a low, steady voice.

“Did my father… put you in a difficult position?” Zhen Niang asked softly.

“It’s what I’ve longed for—how could it be difficult?” Luo Qian’s voice carried a hint of a sigh.

He then asked, “Zhen Niang, can you let go of the Xu family’s wealth and status?”

“You know that in the heart of an Ink Mixing artisan, what matters is refinement through countless trials, an enduring legacy of ink fragrance and ink character. The Xu family’s fortune has nothing to do with me,” Zhen Niang replied calmly.

“Then, would you be willing to marry me? I am merely a merchant, one whom people call a money-grubber,” Luo Jiu added.

“Are you saying I reek of money too?” Zhen Niang turned her face aside, somewhat annoyed. They were both merchants—the pot shouldn’t call the kettle black.

Then Zhen Niang heard Luo Qian’s delighted laughter. Her own mood seemed to lighten as well. Though everything had unfolded faster than she expected, she didn’t dislike it. Yet, she couldn’t quite bear his soaring spirits and said with a touch of irritation, “This matter isn’t settled yet. It must be decided by my Seventh Grandmother.”

Zhen Niang was being coy.

“Don’t worry, I will arrange everything properly from here on,” Luo Qian assured her.