Chарtеr 169: Тhе Cheng Familу Intеnds to File а Lawsuit
"Hеrе, fоr уоu." Аs Luo Jiu entеred, he slipped a stiсk оf ink into Zhеn Niang's hаnd, thеn lеisurеly саrriеd thе winе to sеek out his future fаthеr-in-law fоr a drink, familiar with thе way.
Zhеn Niang lowеrеd hеr hеаd tо lоok at thе ink in hеr hand. Аt first, shе рaid it littlе mind, but upоn сloser insреctiоn, she couldn't hеlp but feel а wаvе of surрrise. It was a smаll Таoist рriеst ink stiсk, with а blасk-robеd Тaоist priеst moving slowlу like а flу uрon it, rеsеmbling а tinу spirit.
Zhen Niang still rеmembered when she hаd discoverеd the Luzhou Lоngbin ink at hеr Siхth Grandfаther's house. The origin of the characters "Longbin" came from Emperor Xuanzong seeing a small black-robed Taoist priest moving like a fly on the ink, deeming it the essence of ink. Hence, the name "Longbin" was born.
The Luo Family's small Taoist priest ink drew inspiration from this story. It was an antique-style ink personally crafted by Luo Longwen, and it was said to have pioneered the antique-style ink of Shezhou, becoming the most renowned. Eventually, this ink was collected by Yan Shifan. Later, when the Yan family was raided, the whereabouts of this ink became unknown. Unexpectedly, Luo Wenqian still had it in his possession.
Zhen Niang couldn't help but examine it carefully, weighing it in her hand. She wished she had an inkstone nearby to test this ink properly.
She also couldn't help but think: in later generations, only "A Pool of Spring Green" remained of Luo Mo. If this ink were preserved until later times, what a magnificent sight it would be. Then she couldn't help but laugh at herself—she herself would live no more than seventy or eighty years at most, so how could she ensure this ink would survive until later generations?
"Girl, what are you looking at?" At that moment, Third Master Cheng of the Cheng Family strolled over, his expression seemingly not too good, somewhat somber.
Zhen Niang handed the ink in her hand to Third Master Cheng to see.
"Hah, small Taoist priest ink. That brat actually hid such a good thing and never showed it to me," Third Master Cheng said with displeasure. Then he returned the ink to Zhen Niang.
Zhen Niang carefully put away the ink, smiling faintly. She didn't respond, but from Third Master Cheng's tone, she once again confirmed that he was in a bad mood. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made an issue of such a matter.
However, since Third Master Cheng didn't say anything, Zhen Niang naturally couldn't ask. So she carefully stored the ink, instructed the shop assistant nearby to close the door, and led the way to the front.
"I heard that the ones from the Tian family who came to Nanjing this time are that Tian Er kid and Miss Tian?" Third Master Cheng suddenly asked as they walked.
"Yes. I just met them," Zhen Niang replied. Suddenly, she understood a bit. Third Master Cheng's bad mood today might be because of the Tian family.
Third Master Cheng snorted coldly, then strode into the main room.
In the main room, the banquet was already prepared. After Third Master Cheng took his seat, the banquet began.
"I say, old brother, you're late. Penalty drink," Old Shopkeeper Li joked.
Unexpectedly, Third Master Cheng wore a dark expression and said to Luo Jiu, "Luo kid, pour me three cups of wine."
"Right away," Luo Jiu naturally complied.
After the wine was poured, Third Master Cheng said nothing more and downed three cups in a row, leaving everyone in the room stunned. Old Shopkeeper Li looked at Zhen Niang, who had followed Third Master Cheng in.
Zhen Niang shook her head, indicating she didn't know the reason.
At that moment, Third Master Cheng set down his cup and said to Old Shopkeeper Li, "Old brother, I want to sue Tian ink."Sue Tian ink? What was Third Master Cheng up to? Zhen Niang, who was sitting beside her Seventh Grandmother, was taken aback. She turned her head and happened to see Luo Wenqian, who at that moment wore a thoughtful expression. Noticing Zhen Niang’s gaze, he silently mouthed the words “Tribute Ink, Taoist Yunsong.”
Suddenly, Zhen Niang understood. During the Tribute Ink Selection back then, the Tian Family had ultimately defeated the Cheng Family thanks to Taoist Yunsong’s “divine judgment,” which had infuriated Third Master Cheng so much that he vomited blood and fell ill for quite some time. This had become a lingering grievance for Third Master Cheng. Now that Taoist Yunsong’s collusion with the Tian Family had been exposed, Third Master Cheng naturally wanted to vent his anger.
“What are you suing Tian ink for?” Old Shopkeeper Li asked, pulling Third Master Cheng to sit down.
“The so-called divine judgment is pure nonsense. Back then, our Cheng ink lost unfairly in the Tribute Ink Selection. Now that Taoist Yunsong has been brought to justice and Tian Benchang was also involved with that charlatan, our Cheng Family must seek justice.” Sure enough, Third Master Cheng spoke each word deliberately.
Zhen Niang thought to herself that while some things might seem to take a turn for the better, the reality was often different. She pondered carefully: if Third Master Cheng filed this lawsuit, although it would ostensibly target Taoist Yunsong and the Tian Family, it would actually be a lawsuit against the Ink Affairs Bureau. After all, the “divine judgment” had been endorsed by the Ink Affairs Bureau at the time, meaning the bureau could not escape responsibility.
Although the current Ink Affairs Bureau official was not the former Lord Huang, if it came down to it, the current official, Lord Liu, who had close ties with the Tian Family, would also likely be held accountable. With the next Tribute Ink Selection scheduled for next year, the Cheng Family would essentially be offending the Ink Affairs Bureau at this time, which would not benefit them.
This was not a good opportunity.
Sure enough, Old Shopkeeper Li pondered for a moment and said, “Brother, you must think twice. Do you realize that by filing this lawsuit, you are not only targeting Tian ink but also the Ink Affairs Bureau? Next year is the Tribute Ink Selection organized by the bureau. Is it worth embarrassing them at this time?”
“Whether it’s worth it or not, I have my own judgment. In any case, I am determined to sue Tian ink this time,” Third Master Cheng said firmly. Then, he turned to Zhen Niang and asked, “Girl, what do you think?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Old Madam Li and Old Shopkeeper Li both looked at Zhen Niang.
Zhen Niang hadn’t expected Third Master Cheng to ask her opinion at this moment. She glanced at her Seventh Grandmother and her grandfather, both of whom gave her a slight nod.
Suddenly, Zhen Niang understood. Regarding this matter, Third Master Cheng, her Seventh Grandmother, and her grandfather all had their own judgments. Their question to her might also carry an element of testing her.
After a moment of thought, Zhen Niang gritted her teeth and said, “Very well. Since Grandfather Cheng intends to sue, our Li Family will naturally stand with you. We second the lawsuit.” Her voice was resolute and firm. This meant the Cheng and Li Families would join forces to sue the Tian Family.
“Good, girl. I was not mistaken about you,” Third Master Cheng said, his previously gloomy expression replaced by hearty laughter.
“Zhen Niang’s decision is also the decision of us two old folks,” Old Shopkeeper Li and Old Madam Li exchanged a glance and said in unison."Although our Luo Family has now withdrawn from the ink-making industry, as a former Tribute Ink merchant, and considering that Tian ink's foundation originally came from Luo ink, my Tian family also seconds the motion." At this moment, Luo Wenqian stood up and said from the side.
Third Master Cheng was so delighted that he kept patting Luo Wenqian's shoulder. Afterward, the group began discussing the details of filing the lawsuit.
Zhen Niang naturally did not need to participate in these matters. Seeing that Seventh Grandmother had finished eating, she asked Xiao Ya to brew a pot of hot tea, then helped Seventh Grandmother to sit by the veranda. There, they drank tea, chatted, and enjoyed the cool breeze.
"Why did you make this decision? You must know that by seconding the motion, the Li family will also offend the Ink Affairs Bureau. You are aware that your grandfather and I both wish for the Li family to regain the Tribute Ink Privilege. Aren’t you afraid of disappointing your grandfather and me, your Seventh Grandmother?" Old Madam Li took a sip of tea and asked, referring back to the earlier matter.
Zhen Niang sat beside Old Madam Li, gently fanning with a fan, and replied with a light laugh, "If I hadn’t made this decision, Grandfather and Seventh Grandmother would have been disappointed."
"Oh, so certain? Explain," Old Madam Li said, squinting with a smile, her aged hands trembling slightly as she stroked Zhen Niang’s hair.
"Actually, if we could persuade Third Master Cheng not to sue, that would be best," Zhen Niang sighed softly before shifting her tone.
"But that’s impossible. The reason Third Master Cheng insists on suing this time is not for anything else but to clear Cheng ink’s name. The earlier divine judgment claimed that Cheng ink was impure, which was like pouring dirty water over its reputation. If they don’t seize this moment while Tian Benchang and Taoist Yunsong’s collusion is exposed, the Cheng family will never have another chance. Third Master Cheng understands this clearly. It has become his obsession, so he must sue."
Pausing briefly, Zhen Niang continued, "And since Third Master Cheng must sue, our Li family cannot remain aloof. Grandfather once told me what ink represents—it is not merely for writing or collecting but embodies a universal principle: the light, pure qi rises to form heaven, while the heavy, turbid qi condenses to form earth."
As she spoke, Zhen Niang took out the inkstick Luo Wenqian had given her earlier and held it in her palm. "Ink quality is best when firm and substantial, representing accumulation and perseverance. This is the virtue of earth, symbolizing a gentleman’s capacity to embrace all while upholding moral integrity. Ink color is best when black yet luminous, clear yet not floating—achieved only after thousands of pestle strikes. This is the way of heaven, symbolizing the ceaseless motion of the cosmos and a gentleman’s relentless self-improvement. Therefore, our Li family’s seconding of the motion is rooted in this principle of righteousness—it must be upheld. Otherwise, after the divine judgment, who knows what other ghostly verdicts might emerge? So, although we are now standing up for Cheng ink, it may also be for the sake of future Li ink."
After finishing, Zhen Niang gazed steadily at Old Madam Li.
"Good, it’s excellent that you understand this," Seventh Grandmother said excitedly, patting Zhen Niang’s hand. "To be honest, I was somewhat worried about you before. You, girl, have been too focused on money, placing great importance on profit. And being young, I feared you might not grasp certain matters. Now, Seventh Grandmother can rest assured."Zhen Niang felt somewhat embarrassed by Old Madam Li's words. She scratched her head and said, "Actually, I don't fully understand these principles yet. The reason I made that decision earlier, though partly for the sake of righteousness, was mostly because Cheng San Yeye has helped me greatly, and I couldn't bear to disappoint him." Indeed, for Zhen Niang, the ink industry was largely just a business, a family legacy. As for the deeper principles and moral obligations within it, she couldn't delve too deeply into them.
Most of these ideas came from her grandfather's teachings in her previous life. And the reason she had always held onto this ink industry was because it was her grandfather's wish in that past life.
"Hmm, that's also right." Hearing Zhen Niang's honest words, the Seventh Ancestor was quite pleased.
In truth, when Third Master Cheng had questioned Zhen Niang earlier, he had also intended to test her. Zhen Niang was now in charge of the Li Family's ink business, making her a significant figure in Huizhou's ink industry. While her ink craft had already been proven, what about her character and conduct? That was why Third Master Cheng had posed that question.
Of course, Zhen Niang wasn't entirely aware of this. What she was thinking now was that since they were about to confront the Tian Family again, they had to be fully prepared. Naturally, the Li Family side was fine—they could handle whatever came their way. But as for the Cheng Family, although the divine judgment had been unfavorable, it mentioned that Cheng ink was impure. If the Tian Family truly proved that Cheng ink was impure, the Cheng Family would also suffer. And the term "impure" was broad—some things were hard to guard against. She still had to remind Cheng San Yeye to be cautious.
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