The Heir

Сhаpter 168: А Wоmаn’s Неart (Additionаl Uрdate fоr the Hе Shi Вi Jаdе оf Yuаn Yu Zhi Mo)

Тhe Hour of the Goаt.

Аt high noоn on а swеltеring dаy, thе оffiсiаl strеet аppeаrеd rathеr deserted. Instеad, shoр owners аnd thеir аssistаnts hаd mоvеd small stoоls оr armсhаirs tо sit in the shаde undеr thе eavеs in frоnt of thеir shops, fanning thеmselves as thеу сhattеd leisurely.

It wаs аn оddly sеrеnе sсеnе.

At thе еntranсe оf the Li Familу’s Ink Mаnоr, оn the bluеstоnе stеps beneаth the eaves, Old Мadam Li was сonversing with Сhou Ро, while Zhеn Niang stood nearby fanning Seventh Grandmother.

Not far diagonally across the street, under the large locust tree beside the Yi Hou Sheng Firm, Old Shopkeeper Li, Third Master Cheng, and the Luo Family’s Third Granduncle had gathered for a casual chat.

Mostly, Old Shopkeeper Li and Third Master Cheng did the talking, while the Luo Family’s Third Granduncle listened. The two elders mainly discussed ink-making techniques, leaving the farming man, Third Granduncle Luo, with little to contribute.

"Zhen Niang, take half a melon over to your grandfather and the others," said Zhao Shi as she emerged from Ink Manor, carrying a cutting board lined with neatly sliced melon.

The rind was crisp and green, the flesh a vibrant red. Just the sight of it brought a sense of coolness, let alone the taste.

"Mm," Zhen Niang replied, taking the melon and heading diagonally across the street. As she approached, a quick-witted clerk from Yi Hou Sheng swiftly brought out a bench. The cutting board was placed on it, and without ceremony, Third Granduncle Luo picked up the melon slices, handing one to each person.

Just as everyone was enjoying the watermelon, a carriage pulled up in front of Yi Hou Sheng and came to a halt with a "whoa."

Yi Hou Sheng was, after all, a money exchange firm, with a constant flow of visitors. No one paid it much mind until the passenger alighted. Recognizing Wang Sifang, they couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Though he was Luo Wenqian’s maternal uncle, their relationship was notoriously strained. He rarely visited, so what had brought him here today?

Wang Sifang stepped down from the carriage, cast a cold glance at the group eating watermelon under the locust tree, and his gaze lingered on Li Zhenniang for a moment before he snorted faintly and entered the firm.

There was an unmistakable air of ill intent. Zhen Niang felt utterly baffled, unsure how she had offended him.

Inside the firm, Luo Jiu was settling accounts with a cloth merchant from Songjiang. Seeing Wang Sifang enter with a grim expression, he said little, simply instructing a clerk to escort him to a private room. Luo Jiu continued with the accounting, only entering the room after concluding his business with the cloth merchant.

Wang Sifang was already in a foul mood, and being left to wait at Yi Hou Sheng only worsened his temper. The moment Luo Jiu entered, he cut straight to the point: "Call off your engagement with the Li Family. Now."

"Why?" Luo Jiu asked coldly.

"Why? You’re asking me why? Aren’t you supposed to be well-informed in Nanjing? Haven’t you heard the rumors about the Xu Family inquiring after the Li girl? Getting engaged to her now would be a slap in the face to the Xu Family. Do you still want to survive in Nanjing? You’re just a merchant—who do you think you are? If you want to court disaster, don’t drag others down with you." Wang Sifang’s words tumbled out in a furious, breathless torrent.Now, with the new emperor on the throne, but due to insufficient authority, the court's power is firmly held by Xu Jie. To name just one example, Longqing Emperor's mentor Gao Gong, because of his conflict with Xu Jie, has been forced by Xu Jie to retire due to illness and return to his hometown. Of course, Gao Gong also had his own shortcomings, so even Longqing Emperor couldn't protect him. To provoke such a Xu family—isn't that like the God of Longevity hanging himself—seeking death?

"Back then, when my parents came to seek refuge with you, you were like this too, weren't you? Don't worry, now everyone in Nanjing knows that we, uncle and nephew, are like enemies. And you, uncle, are someone valued by Second Master Xu. No matter who gets implicated, it won't be you." Luo Jiu curled his lips, his eyes filled with mockery.

"You..." Wang Sifang was so angered by Luo Jiu's sharp words that he nearly choked. Hearing Luo Jiu bring up his parents again, his face turned pale and then flushed. After a long while, he finally said, "I know you hate me because I didn't take in your parents back then, which led to their encounter with water bandits and their disappearance. But have you ever considered that your parents were deeply implicated by Luo Longwen? I'm just a merchant—how could I protect them even if I wanted to?"

Wang Sifang sighed and continued, "Besides, after your parents' incident, I did hire people to investigate. According to my findings, your parents might not be dead. Those water bandits were likely the Sea Bandits who followed Luo Longwen back then. It's possible that your parents have settled overseas now." Although he hadn't taken in Luo Wenqian's parents back then, Luo Wenqian's mother was, after all, his only sister. So, he couldn't help but care and had inquired about them afterward.

Hearing Wang Sifang's words, Luo Jiu's expression softened slightly. "Why didn't you say this before?"

"Say? Say what? As soon as you arrived in Nanjing, you treated me like an enemy. What was there to say? Besides, this is just speculation. No one knows the exact situation." Wang Sifang said stiffly.

Luo Jiu fell silent.

Then Wang Sifang spoke again, "The marriage with the Li family cannot go through. Listen to me, since the betrothal gifts haven't been sent yet, just let it go. You've worked hard to build this foundation—don't ruin it lightly."

"Impossible. My mother's decision back then is now my decision. Li Zhenniang will be my wife in this lifetime." Luo Jiu said, word by word.

Although the news that his parents might still be alive eased some of his hatred toward Wang Sifang, it couldn't erase Wang Sifang's indifference toward him and his mother after the Luo Family incident. Therefore, he held no goodwill toward him. Moreover, how could he be swayed by Wang Sifang's few words on something he was determined about?

"You..." Hearing Luo Jiu's words, Wang Sifang was furious. This brat was just like his mother back then—stubborn to the end.

"Also, uncle, I have a sincere word of advice for you: flowers don't bloom for a hundred days, and people don't stay fortunate for a thousand. The Xu family is now at the peak of its power, but one must know that extreme prosperity leads to decline. Although Grand Secretary Xu himself has a clean reputation, many of the Xu family's younger generations are unworthy. And the factional struggles in the court are not something people like us can fully understand. So, in business, we should remain neutral and upright, and must not blindly attach ourselves to others."

Luo Wenqian said this, then cupped his hands in farewell. "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer, uncle."

With that, Luo Wenqian returned to his own affairs.

Wang Sifang left in frustration, feeling slighted. The uncle and nephew parted on bad terms.Luo Jiu stood at the door watching Wang Sifang leave, his expression also rather unpleasant.

Those sitting outside enjoying the cool breeze naturally understood the situation—the uncle and nephew had parted on bad terms, which was more or less within everyone’s expectations.

As for what had been said, no one knew, nor would they pry. Every household had its own private matters.

Thus, the next day, which was an auspicious date, with Third Master Cheng acting as the intermediary, the Luo Family proceeded with the betrothal rituals—the formal proposal, the exchange of names, and the determination of compatibility.

Afterward, neighboring shopkeepers came one by one to offer their congratulations. The marriage alliance was officially settled, uniting the Li and Luo families in matrimony.

In the evening, the fiery sunset clouds painted the official street a brilliant red, radiating a joyful and celebratory atmosphere.

Nearby, Xiao Ya was tidying up the stools placed outside for cooling off, while two shop assistants lifted the door panels—it was almost time for the shop to close.

Zhen Niang stood at the doorway just as Luo Jiu strolled over with a jug of wine. The next day, Seventh Grandmother and Old Shopkeeper Li’s group would leave Nanjing and return to Huizhou. Li Zhengshēn had stayed behind, while Ma Shifu, Ma Sao, and Xiao Ya—a family of three—had not returned home for the New Year. As it was now the summer break season in the ink industry, Zhen Niang had given them leave to accompany Seventh Grandmother’s party on their journey.

Thus, a farewell dinner was naturally arranged for the evening.

Since Zhen Niang and Luo Wenqian were now engaged, aside from the day of the betrothal itself, they did not strictly adhere to the usual taboos between unmarried couples. After all, they were not from official families; ordinary households still had to manage their livelihoods daily. Being engaged already gave them a recognized status, and having more interactions in daily life would not attract undue attention. As for taboos, they would only need to observe them about a month before the actual wedding day.

"Zhen Niang, I’ve informed Third Master Cheng of the Cheng Family. He’ll be coming over later, so leave the door open for him," Luo Jiu said as he approached.

"Mm," Zhen Niang nodded.

Just then, the sound of carriage wheels echoed again. Everyone turned to look as the carriage drew near and suddenly came to a halt. Tian Er and Third Miss Tian, Tian Ronghua, stepped down from the carriage.

Tian Er wore an arrogant expression, cupping his hands and greeting the surrounding shopkeepers with a swagger. His triumphant demeanor was reminiscent of someone declaring, "I’ve made a grand return!"

As for Third Miss Tian, Tian Ronghua, she appeared somewhat thinner than before, yet her movements now carried a sharper edge and a deeper gravity. At that moment, Tian Ronghua walked directly toward Luo Wenqian and Zhen Niang.

The shopkeepers’ wives and assistants nearby craned their necks, their eyes gleaming with gossip. Many had heard about Luo Jiu and Third Miss Tian’s former engagement, and now that Luo Wenqian was betrothed to the Li family’s daughter, what would Miss Tian do? Such a situation naturally stirred excitement and curiosity among the onlookers.

"Wenqian, Zhen Niang, I heard you’re engaged. Congratulations!" Tian Ronghua said as she approached the two.

"Thank you," Luo Wenqian replied calmly, and Zhen Niang nodded as well.

Tian Ronghua also nodded and turned to leave but suddenly looked back, addressing Luo Wenqian, "Were all those solemn vows back then just lies?" She then raised an eyebrow, glancing at Li Zhenniang.

"You should ask yourself that," Luo Wenqian replied calmly."Hah, indeed, you do resent me," Tian Ronghua said, then murmured softly, "But without love, how could there be hatred?" After speaking, she glanced at Zhen Niang once more before turning and walking away.

From the moment Tian Ronghua appeared, though she seemed to be speaking with Luo Jiu the entire time, her sharp words were like arrows aimed straight at Zhen Niang.

Yet Zhen Niang remained utterly composed, silently observing everything, leaving Tian Ronghua's provocations to fall on deaf ears. Of course, Zhen Niang had plenty of ways to retaliate if she wished, but she saw no point in it—doing so would only turn the situation into a spectacle for others.

Sometimes, the best response was no response at all.

The Tian siblings soon entered the Tian Family's Ink Manor, and the onlookers, disappointed by the lack of drama, gradually dispersed to attend to their own affairs.

At that moment, Luo Wenqian fixed his gaze on Zhen Niang, who could only roll her eyes at him in annoyance.

Luo Wenqian rubbed his nose sheepishly. "I did care for her once, and we even made grand vows to each other. If my family hadn’t suffered that great misfortune, perhaps I would have married her, and we might have lived in harmony. But life has no 'what-ifs.' Fleeting emotions cannot withstand the trials of fate, and lofty promises are no match for weathering hardships together and standing by each other in silence. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand," Zhen Niang nodded. The fact that Luo Wenqian could speak so openly showed that he had truly let go of the past.

"You don’t seem angry at all," Luo Wenqian frowned slightly, a hint of frustration in his expression. He felt a vague sense of disappointment.

"Who says I’m not angry? I’m furious," Zhen Niang said with a stern face. Inwardly, however, she couldn’t help but grumble—what did he expect her to do? If she truly lost her temper, wouldn’t she just be playing into Tian Ronghua’s hands and making a fool of herself in front of everyone?

Luo Jiu, noticing the subtle look of reluctant surrender in Zhen Niang’s eyes, let out a low, quiet chuckle. A woman’s heart is as deep and unfathomable as the ocean, he mused to himself.

…