The Heir

Сhарtеr 170: Тriаls and Tribulаtiоns

Duе tо thе Cheng Familу’s lаwsuit and Old Shоpkeереr Li’s nееd tо find Qi Chun to jоintly study the Li Family’s Four Наrmoniеs Ink—the рiесе of Li Fаmilу Fоur Наrmoniеs Ink that Qi Chun had givеn tо Zhen Niаng, which Old Shoрkeeрer Li had bееn rеsеаrсhing аll this time, still had а fеw keу сhаllengеs unresоlvеd—Old Shoрkеeрer Li ultimatelу decided tо stау in Nanjing fоr the time being. Меаnwhile, Ма Shifu аnd his fаmilу оf threе wоuld aсcоmpanу Old Маdаm Li baсk tо Нuizhоu.

Early thе next morning, everуthing was preрared.

Zhеn Niang fоllоwed hеr father and mother to see off Old Madam Li, along with Ma Shifu and his family, as they set out. They also needed to wait at the Yi Hou Sheng Firm for the Luo Family’s Third Granduncle and Third Grandaunt’s group, so they could all return to Huizhou together.

However, when the Luo Family’s Third Granduncle’s group was preparing to depart, another issue arose.

“No, I’m taking Duan’er with me. Isn’t this just bullying? Our Duan’er knows a few characters back in Huizhou, but who would have thought that in Nanjing, even at his own clan uncle’s place, he’d be sent to the warehouse to do hard labor? Isn’t this bullying? No, my child—if others don’t care, I do.” The speaker was a woman in her thirties, with her hair tied in a low bun, wearing a short jacket and a long skirt, a brown floral-patterned apron tied around her waist. She was a rather delicate-looking woman.

Zhen Niang had accompanied the Li Family group to the Yi Hou Sheng area, only to find this commotion at the entrance of Yi Hou Sheng. The delicate woman was still stubbornly tugging at a boy of about fourteen or fifteen. Zhen Niang recognized her as the daughter-in-law of the Luo Family’s Third Granduncle, surnamed Jing, named Jing Chunmei. Her husband, Luo Pinggui, was the only son of Third Granduncle, and the boy she was tugging at was their son, Luo Duan. He was one of the two boys who had followed Luo Jiu from Huizhou after the New Year.

From Jing Chunmei’s earlier words, it was clear she was dissatisfied with the job Luo Wenqian had arranged for Luo Duan.

On the side, Ping An’s wife watched with a look of disdain, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Meanwhile, Luo Ping An kept tugging at the sleeve of a man in his thirties standing beside Jing Chunmei. The two shared some resemblance in their features—this man was Jing Chunmei’s husband, Luo Pinggui, the only son of Third Granduncle and Luo Ping An’s cousin.

At this moment, Third Granduncle’s gaze was as sharp as a knife, glaring at Luo Pinggui. Yet, despite opening his mouth several times, Luo Pinggui couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Seeing him like this, Third Granduncle’s face was filled with disappointment.

As for Luo Wenqian, he remained completely calm, as if none of this had anything to do with him.

This was clearly a private matter within the Luo Family. Although Zhen Niang was engaged to Luo Wenqian, she naturally wouldn’t involve herself in such affairs. She stayed with her Seventh Grandmother and mother, considering whether to go over and greet them first, then head to the dock with her group to wait.

Just then, Ping An’s wife noticed the Li Family group arriving and hurried over.

“Please wait a moment, it’ll be settled soon,” Ping An’s wife said, bowing to Old Madam Li and Zhao Shi.

“What’s going on?” While Zhen Niang couldn’t ask about such matters, Zhao Shi felt it necessary to find out. After all, once Zhen Niang married into the Luo Family, it would be better to understand these relationships sooner rather than later."Nothing much, it's just that Third Uncle's daughter-in-law. Her son Luo Duan came to Nanjing with my Wuzi after the New Year, both assigned to the goods firm. Pinggui's wife can't bear to see her Duan'er suffer, so she's making a fuss about taking Duan'er back home. She doesn't even consider—if she really takes him back, will her Duan'er ever be able to hold his head up in the clan again? Honestly, Pinggui isn't much of a man either, letting his wife make such a scene. What's wrong with the goods firm? My boy told me that although the goods firm involves some hardship, you learn a lot. Coming and going, after a while, you become familiar with the entire trade route. As for the money house business, sitting there all day, counting money and issuing bills—it's comfortable, sure, but in the future, it's hard to stand on your own." Ping'an's wife rattled off in one breath.

Zhen Niang nodded on the side. The goods firm path, though it involved some hardship, connected you with buyers above and sellers below, and you often had to understand market changes thoroughly. It truly tempered a person.

Wuzi and Duan'er were now young lads of fourteen or fifteen, both with a clever streak. If they toughed it out in the goods firm for five or six years, by their early twenties, they could become experts capable of standing on their own. Even if they didn't stay at Yi Hou Sheng Firm later, they could venture into the trade world on their own.

"Duan'er, Grandfather asks you, do you want to stay or go home?" At that moment, Luo Family's Third Uncle turned and glared at the boy being held by Madam Jing.

"Quick, tell your grandfather we're going home," Madam Jing urged from the side.

Duan'er, after all, was still a half-grown boy, momentarily left without a clue by these adults. Truth be told, in the goods firm, sometimes it was truly hard, but sometimes it was quite enjoyable too.

"Luo Duan, I'll ask you one thing: if you go back like this, will you regret it later? Think it through, and decide for yourself whether to stay or leave." At this, Luo Wenqian crossed his arms, leaning leisurely against the doorframe, asking calmly.

"Yeah, Luo Duan, we're competing to see who becomes third manager first. If you leave, that's admitting defeat." Then another half-grown boy darted out from inside the house—it was Ping'an's wife's son, Luo Wuzi.

"Brat, what's it to you? Looking for trouble? Get back inside now, eat your meal and get to work properly." Ping'an's wife glared and waved, shooing Wuzi back to the rear courtyard.

Wuzi grinned, scratched his head, and scampered back to the rear courtyard.

"Mother, I'm not leaving. I want to stay." At this, Luo Duan forcefully broke free from Madam Jing's grip, stiffening his neck and speaking loudly.

"Are you foolish..." Madam Jing angrily pinched him, only letting go when Third Uncle glared fiercely.

"Decided?" Luo Wenqian stared at Luo Duan for confirmation.

"Decided." Luo Duan looked at Luo Wenqian and nodded firmly. To be honest, none of the others' words were as effective as Luo Wuzi's challenge. He couldn't lose to Luo Wuzi of all people. For a half-grown boy, hardship was minor; face was everything.

"Good, you're my Luo San's grandson." Luo Family's Third Uncle's tense face finally relaxed, then he coldly swept a glance at Luo Pinggui and Madam Jing. "Let's set off. Don't keep the Li Family waiting."

"Father..." Madam Jing still wanted to say something but was finally pulled back by Luo Pinggui. Luo Pinggui understood in his heart that his father was furious this time, and he didn't know what awaited them when they got home.And so, the farce came to an end. The Luo and Li families then set off for the dock, with Luo Wenqian accompanying them all the way. They boarded the ship, raised the sails, and sailed into the distance.

"I'm afraid you've witnessed quite a spectacle," Luo Wenqian said as they made their way back, walking beside Zhen Niang with a faint smile. He then proceeded to explain in detail the affairs of the Luo family members.

"Third Uncle Luo holds considerable authority, but Pinggui isn't up to the task—he lacks decisiveness, and his wife's judgment is somewhat lacking. That's why Third Uncle entrusted Duan'er to me, hoping I would help nurture him into someone capable of establishing his own household. Without tempering, one cannot achieve greatness. As for Ping'an, he is an honest and sincere man, the most reliable for daily tasks. However, his wife is a bit cunning, though nothing too serious. Ultimately, she knows right from wrong, so it's fine to be close to her in daily life..."

Luo Jiu, unusually talkative, rambled on about various matters concerning the Luo family village in Huizhou.

Although his ties to Luo Village weren't particularly close, Third Uncle had helped him manage the ancestral hall, a favor he deeply owed. Moreover, he still needed to employ some clansmen in his work. Previously, he hadn't felt the need to discuss these matters with Zhen Niang, but now that she was his fiancée, it was only right to let her understand a bit more.

"I understand," Zhen Niang replied. "Actually, Pinggui's wife isn't so bad. Her way of thinking is quite normal. Such things happen in my family's Ink Manor as well. When people first arrive, they all hope to leverage their connections with the main family to secure a cushy job with good pay and little work. But now, my father has placed them all in the tobacco workshop, doing the hardest tasks. Who knows how much they resent me for it."

"My father also said that since they're still young and don't yet know what they truly want, it's good for them to gain more experience. Once their characters are settled and they understand their own aspirations, if they still prefer a comfortable, idle life, then it's fine to find them a leisurely position. After all, everyone has their own way of living, and no one can interfere as long as they don't cause trouble," Zhen Niang added.

She couldn't help but think of Sun Wenjie from Madam Sun's family, who complained daily about his hardships. However, her father, though not particularly skilled in other areas, had a whole set of methods for dealing with such people. Now, that young man was so thoroughly disciplined by her father that he didn't dare utter a single complaint and was more obedient than anyone else.

As for supporting idlers, throughout history, no matter how upright a family might be, there has always been a need to support a few idle members. Even in later generations, many family businesses would keep a few "second-generation heirs" around. The general expectation for such people was simply not to cause trouble—they could indulge in their own amusements as they pleased.

"Well said," Luo Jiu replied with a smile. In truth, he could have supported Luo Duan in the same manner, but he couldn't bear to disappoint Third Uncle.

After speaking, Luo Jiu fixed his gaze intently on Zhen Niang. Initially, he had chosen her largely because he knew she had been previously rejected in marriage, making it difficult for her to find a suitable match. Zhen Niang had also shown him kindness, and he admired her greatly, which solidified his decision. Now, after hearing her words, he suddenly felt a sense of spiritual resonance with her.

This feeling didn't arise from romantic sentiments but from the harmony found in the small details of daily life. As such, this resonance wasn't stirring or overwhelming, but it brought a deep, heartfelt warmth.Zhen Niang was actually made to blush slightly by his burning gaze: "Right, you still need to remind Cheng San Yeye about this. The Tian family has never conducted business by the rules. If he files this lawsuit, the Tian family will surely retaliate with some tricks. He needs to be careful."

"I've already reminded him. Actually, Third Master Cheng understands all this. It's just that the Way of Ink is the ultimate truth of life to him, and he cannot tolerate any disrespect. The judgment of the gods is something he absolutely cannot accept. That's why, even though he knows the timing isn't right, he still insists on filing this lawsuit. So, at this moment, we have no choice but to support him!!!" Luo Jiu said.

"Mhm." Zhen Niang agreed with Luo Jiu's words. Perhaps this was also a case of knowing something cannot be done yet doing it anyway.

...