The Heir

Сhарtеr 172: Sаvvу

Аccоmраnуing thе Ink Affairs Burеаu delegаtion was Тhird Маstеr Сhеng of the Сheng Family. As the prinсiрal аcсusеr, hе nаturallу hаd tо bе рresеnt.

At this moment, аll mеmbers оf the Tian hоusehold stоod at thе еntrаnсе. Тiаn Er held thе Тribute Ink рlаquе, reаdy tо рresent it. Еvеryоne wore sоlemn exрrеssiоns, crеating an atmоsрhеre оf gеnuinе grаvitу.

"Оur Tiаn fаmily hаs undertаken the rеspоnsibilitу оf prоduсing Тributе Ink with utmost diligencе, never daring to makе the slightest errоr. Over thеse раst two уears, we have not failed to live up to your esteemed expectations. However, due to my elder brother's reckless actions—associating with treacherous individuals—the Tribute Ink was disgraced, and our Tian family was shamed. This has betrayed your profound kindness..."

Tian Er spoke with downcast eyes, his words halting and stumbling, yet they conveyed a sense of genuine remorse and sincerity. This prompted several officials from the Ink Affairs Bureau to stroke their beards and nod in approval. The Tian family's attitude seemed quite commendable.

This was a classic case of retreating in order to advance. Tian Er's words essentially conveyed that the incident from years past was entirely Tian Benchang's fault and had nothing to do with them. Implicitly, he was also stating that over the past two years, the Tribute Ink produced by the Tian family had been flawless. Even if there was no great merit, there was at least hard work, hoping the Ink Affairs Bureau might show leniency.

A clever move, Zhen Niang thought, glancing at Tian Ronghua standing behind Tian Er. This was likely Tian Ronghua's idea. This man was truly shrewd and calculating. Like last time, when Tian Er offended Li Fuquan, it was Tian Ronghua who decisively broke Tian Er's leg as an apology, thereby resolving the matter.

Upon learning of that incident, Zhen Niang was astounded. Such decisiveness required not only cunning but also ruthlessness. Frankly, if she were in that situation, she doubted she could have acted as Tian Ronghua did.

However, until now, the circumstances within the Tian family had not provided Tian Ronghua with much room to maneuver. After several upheavals within the Tian family, Tian Ronghua had finally gained some influence.

"Lord Liu, Second Young Master Tian's words are most sincere. Although the Tian family's methods of obtaining the Tribute Ink contract years ago were dishonorable, that was ultimately the doing of the eldest Tian son. Moreover, Tian Da is now imprisoned, having already been punished. Over these past two years, the Tian family has diligently produced Tribute Ink without the slightest error. Their hard work and contributions should not be disregarded. In my opinion, perhaps a reprimand would suffice, and the Tribute Ink plaque need not be revoked." At this moment, a young man around twenty years old stepped forward from the crowd. He was handsome in appearance, but his face was pale, his eyes puffy and swollen, giving him a sickly look.

"Ah, it's Third Young Master Xu," someone in the crowd who recognized him said.

"Haha, with the Xu family supporting the Tians, today's proceedings will be interesting," another remarked with schadenfreude.

Watching from the crowd, Zhen Niang couldn't help but frown. Third Young Master Xu had actually appeared. She had heard much about him recently but hadn't expected the Tian family to bring him here.

This Third Young Master Xu and Tian Er were performing a duet, yet their act felt perfectly reasonable, almost like a calculated "bitter flesh" strategy.

Zhen Niang couldn't help but glance at Grandfather Cheng, who stood beside Lord Liu with a stern expression.Zhen Niang understood. The Tian family was first retreating to advance, then having Third Young Master Xu speak up—a well-linked strategy aimed at preserving the Tribute Ink brand. This would give them a significant advantage in next year’s Tribute Ink Selection, as the previous Tribute Ink manufacturer, barring major incidents, was often able to retain its position.

For Cheng San Yeye to restore the Cheng Family’s reputation, he had to strip the Tian family of their Tribute Ink Privilege. Otherwise, all efforts would be in vain.

“Hmm.” Lord Liu, having already received many favors from the Tian family, was naturally inclined to do them a favor. However, the main accuser was still present, so he turned to Third Master Cheng beside him and asked, “Old Master Cheng, what do you think of this matter…?”

“I only ask: Is the divine judgment reasonable? Is it correct? Should it be upheld?” Third Master Cheng pressed his lips together, his expression stern.

Third Master Cheng’s three consecutive questions left Lord Liu speechless. Since Daoist Yunsong had been ordered executed by the emperor, the so-called divine judgment was clearly nonsense.

But why was this old man so inflexible? It put him in a difficult position, and Lord Liu was quite displeased.

“Catch the adulterers! Catch the adulterers!” Just then, a series of shrieks erupted from the direction of the Cheng Family’s Ink Manor. Several stout women, wielding shoe soles or laundry mallets, were seen chasing a man and a woman. The woman being beaten had disheveled hair and looked utterly wretched.

“What’s going on? Can’t you see Lord Liu is here?” a bailiff scolded, blocking their path.

“Sir, my husband is an ink artisan at the Cheng Family’s Ink Manor. That shameless woman is a kitchen maid there, and she seduced my man. I’ll beat her to death!” the leading woman shouted, roughly shoving the man who was surrounded.

The man cowered and crouched on the ground.

“Sir, it’s a false accusation. I didn’t seduce her husband,” the disheveled woman sobbed.

“No seduction? Then what were the two of you doing hiding behind the house? Look at your clothes—they’re undone. Have you no shame?” the women who had caught them snarled viciously.

The disheveled woman could only weep and beg the officials for justice.

“Get out of here! Lord Liu is handling official business here and has no time for your sordid affairs. All of you, scram!” Hearing that they hadn’t been caught in the act, the bailiff knew such matters were often based on hearsay and hard to prove. Understanding the gravity of the situation, he drove them away.

At that moment, people from the Cheng Family’s Ink Manor arrived, looking furious and flustered as they dragged everyone back.

Immediately, whispers and gossip spread through the crowd.

Watching this scene, Zhen Niang’s heart sank. She had worried about such a situation earlier, and now it had happened. The incident was clearly a farce, nothing but a ridiculous spectacle. To others, it might be mere gossip, but for the Cheng Family, it became another ambiguous, hard-to-explain matter.

Without a doubt, this scene was orchestrated by the Tian family, intended solely to cause trouble and humiliation.

The Tian family’s tactics truly knew no bounds.

Given Lord Liu’s status, he naturally wouldn’t intervene in such matters. However, he glanced with interest at Old Master Cheng beside him.

Old Master Cheng remained as calm as if nothing had happened, his expression composed."Old Master Cheng, it seems the judgment of Cheng ink being impure may not be entirely unfounded after all." At this moment, Third Young Master Xu on the side said with a laugh.

"Young Master Xu is referring to this farce of catching adulterers? Well, the performance was quite good. If you enjoy watching such scenes, this old man can also find people to perform another one for you—not just one, but even four or five would be no trouble at all. But would that be interesting? This old man disdains such actions." At this, Third Master Cheng replied with a solemn expression.

The old master's response was sharp and incisive. Indeed, this farce of catching adulterers was far too coincidental. Anyone with a bit of sense would know it must have been orchestrated by the Tian family. However, most people faced with such a situation would become flustered and then focus on explaining themselves. Whether explaining or investigating, such approaches are inferior methods of handling the matter.

But Old Master Cheng's response not only deflected the situation with minimal effort but also left room for endless speculation. This was the shrewdness of the old master.

Third Young Master Xu was left looking disgruntled by Third Master Cheng's words.

"Your Honor, what this old man seeks by bringing this case is nothing but a principle of fairness. Otherwise, incidents like today's will become commonplace. Your Honor has studied the classics and knows that what matters in life is not the outcome but the principle of righteousness. Without this principle, the world would lose its order and fairness. Today, this old man only seeks justice for the Tribute Ink Selection." Third Master Cheng bowed once more to Magistrate Li.

Magistrate Li quickly returned the bow. In ancient times, the elderly were respected, and in most situations, they were exempt from formal courtesies.

"Hmph, fine words indeed. Isn't Third Master Cheng's move simply to build momentum for next year's Tribute Ink Selection? What fairness and righteousness?" Tian Er on the side sneered.

"Very well, then I announce that the Cheng Family will withdraw from next year's Tribute Ink Selection, so as to avoid accusations of bullying the young with seniority." Third Master Cheng declared almost immediately.

Third Master Cheng's words truly stirred up a storm.

Tian Ronghua's face paled slightly. With her schemes and her second brother's disruptive tactics, she had thought they could preserve the Tian family's Tribute Ink brand. But now, with Third Master Cheng's drastic move, it seemed the Tian family's Tribute Ink brand could not be saved.

At this moment, Zhen Niang finally understood: the old master was truly cunning. No wonder Third Master Cheng was determined to bring the case and unafraid of offending the Ink Affairs Bureau. The Cheng Family had long planned to withdraw from next year's Tribute Ink Selection.

At the same time, Zhen Niang couldn't help but admire this move. This was truly about restoring the Cheng Family's reputation. Previously, she had thought Old Master Cheng was stubborn, insisting on bringing the case despite knowing the timing was unfavorable. Now, she realized that the old master, having lived to this age and navigated the business world for so many years, could not possibly be so inflexible.

If he truly were, he would have brought the case immediately after the incident years ago, not delayed until today.

His move was actually to revitalize the Cheng Family.

Years ago, when the Cheng Family lost the Tribute Ink Selection and received the judgment of Cheng ink being impure, it was a heavy blow. Coupled with Third Master Cheng's poor health in recent years and the lack of significant actions from the Cheng Family, the family had shown signs of decline.

Third Master Cheng's move now not only restored the Cheng Family's reputation and motivated its members but also allowed the family to focus on their work with renewed determination, looking forward to the glory of Cheng ink after the Wanli era. Truly, three years without taking flight, then soaring to the heavens; three years without making a sound, then astonishing the world with a single cry.Moreover, the Cheng Family has withdrawn from next year's Tribute Ink Selection, while the Tian Family has been stripped of their Tribute Ink Privilege. It seems that even if they were to compete for the Tribute Ink next year, this would be a point of criticism. Thus, her Li Family would become the ultimate beneficiary.

However, because of this, the Li Family would inevitably owe the Cheng Family a favor. If the Li and Cheng Families were to meet again in a future Tribute Ink Selection, the Li Family would have no choice but to repay this debt.

Old Master Cheng truly never engages in a losing deal. Zhen Niang scratched her head, gritting her teeth—the old master is formidable indeed.

"Old Master, this is unnecessary," said Lord Liu from the side, who had not expected matters to develop to this extent.

"Lord Liu, there is no need to persuade us. This is the decision of the entire Cheng Family," said Third Master Cheng.

At this point, Lord Liu had nothing more to say. His previous dissatisfaction with the Cheng Family dissipated, and he ordered the Tian Family's Tribute Ink plaque to be confiscated. However, he still offered a few words of encouragement, as was appropriate for a Tribute Ink official to say in such a situation.

Thus, the feud between the Cheng and Tian Families over the Tribute Ink, which had lasted for two years, was finally settled.

The crowd dispersed.

...