The Heir

Сhаpter 186: Idle Таlk at the Сity Gatе

Ву thе timе Оld Shopkеeper Li, Zhao Shi, and Li Zhеnniаng’s pаrty аrrivеd in Нuizhоu, it was аlrеаdу thе end оf November. Luо Wеnqian, hаving gone to Shizhоu, had aсcumulatеd а bасklоg оf mаtters at thе mоneу ехchаnge tо rеsolve, sо hе would rеturn a little latеr. As such, Li Jingfu alsо stауed in Nаnjing a while longеr, рlаnning to rеturn tо Нuizhоu tоgеther with Luо Wеnqian.

Аcсompаnying Zhеnniаng аnd the оthеrs оn thеir return were Luо Ping An and Ping An’s wifе. The Luo Рing An cоuplе hаd returnеd early to inform Luo Family’s Third Uncle to help Luo Wenqian prepare the New Year’s gifts in full. Once Luo Wenqian arrived, he could present the gifts to the Li Family according to custom.

These New Year’s gifts were typically sent by a son-in-law to his wife’s family, starting from the engagement. Originally, it was just an ordinary ritual, nothing particularly significant. However, since the engagement between the Li and Luo families had taken place in Nanjing, and due to some urgent circumstances at the time, the arrangements had been rather simple.

Huizhou, on the other hand, always placed great emphasis on propriety. Such simplicity would inevitably lead people to think the Luo Family looked down on the Li Family. Therefore, while still in Nanjing, Luo Wenqian had discussed with Li Jingfu that the New Year’s gifts should be more substantial and the occasion more elaborate. When the time came, Luo Family’s Third Uncle would also make an appearance, and the Li Family’s relatives would all be invited, essentially re-enacting the ceremony.

The Li Family naturally did not decline Luo Wenqian’s proposal, as it would ultimately benefit Zhenniang. Regardless of Zhenniang’s reputation for being a “husband-killer,” she had, after all, been previously disengaged. The initial engagement procedures had been overly simplified, and it was Seventh Grandmother Li who had taken the initiative to go to Nanjing, which inevitably invited whispers. Consequently, when Zhenniang married into the Luo Family, she might be looked down upon. Thus, Luo Wenqian’s proposal aligned perfectly with the Li Family’s wishes.

And so, it was settled.

At this moment, as the Li Family party disembarked at Yuliang Wharf, light snow began to drift down from the sky.

“Ping An’s wife, it’s snowing. Why don’t you wait in the city today until the snow stops before returning to the village?” Zhenniang stood on the wharf, gazing at the gray sky. It seemed a heavy snow was imminent.

“No, I think this weather is going to bring a heavy snowfall. From here to our Luo Village is only about seven or eight li. We’ll hire a cart and be there in no time before the snow gets heavy,” Luo Ping An said from the side.

“Hmm, that’s true. I also think it’s going to snow heavily. It’s better to return early to avoid getting stuck on the road later. But in this weather, it might be hard to find a cart. How about this: our Ink Workshop’s cart has come to pick us up. You can come with us to the city gate, and then let Da Niu take you to Luo Village,” Old Shopkeeper Li suggested from the side.

Da Niu was the one sent by the Li Family Ink Workshop to fetch Old Shopkeeper Li and his party.

“Alright, we’ll follow the old master’s suggestion.” Ping An’s wife, being very familiar with the Li Family from frequent interactions, nodded without standing on ceremony.

Thus, the group boarded the carriage. Luo Ping An sat up front with Da Niu, and they headed toward the city gate.

As they passed by the Chastity Archway of Luo Mengzhen from the Luo Family, Zhenniang noticed that the dilapidated archway she had seen when leaving for Nanjing had now collapsed. Several large stones were nowhere to be seen, evidently taken by someone to use as a foundation for their home. The archway was gone—perhaps this was also fate.Regarding Chou Po's matter, after drinking that day, the Li family naturally informed Luo Wenqian. Luo Wenqian was quite emotional upon recognizing Chou Po, but since Chou Po was accustomed to living with the Li family, and as her situation, while not exactly deceiving the emperor, didn't need to be widely publicized—it was still better to exercise some caution—Chou Po ultimately remained with the Li family. Privately, Zhao Shi told Zhen Niang that once Zhen Niang married Luo Wenqian, Chou Po would naturally follow them back to the Luo family.

Sure enough, when the carriage reached the city gate, snow began to fall thick and fast, eventually turning into swirling goose feathers.

"Wow, this snow is coming down hard," said Ping An's wife, who was sitting near the carriage door. Such heavy snow was rarely seen in Huizhou.

"Auspicious snow heralds a bountiful year," Old Shopkeeper Li said excitedly. Soon after, the Li family members got off the carriage.

"With such heavy snow, let's hire another carriage. It's still quite a distance from the city gate to the Li family mansion," Luo Ping An suggested.

"Where can we find a carriage in this heavy snow? Even if there is one, they might not be willing to go, fearing they won't make it back," Old Shopkeeper Li replied. He then added, "It's fine. We'll take the alleyway through the city gate tunnel. There aren't many open sections in that alley, and once we exit the alley, it's not too far from there."

Old Shopkeeper Li then instructed the driver, Da Niu, "When you reach Luo Village, if the snow is still heavy, stay there first. Wait for the snow to stop and the roads to clear before returning."

"Alright, I understand," Da Niu replied.

Seeing Old Shopkeeper Li's decision, Luo Ping An said no more. He sat in the carriage, waving goodbye to the Li family, then joined Da Niu. Luo Ping An also took a turn driving, giving Da Niu a break.

The Li family, along with a few shop assistants and their luggage, entered the alleyway through the city gate tunnel.

"Old Shopkeeper, you're back?" The alley was filled with familiar faces, and everyone greeted the Li family as they passed.

"Yes, I'm back. The New Year is almost here, after all," Old Shopkeeper Li replied with a smile.

They continued walking, exchanging greetings along the way.

Soon, they arrived at Uncle Shui's "tiger stove." As usual, the entrance was shrouded in mist from the steam, especially on this snowy day, as the stove was kept boiling with hot water all day long, and everyone gathered there to warm themselves.

Uncle Shui, still hunched over, was refilling hot water for everyone. When he saw the Li family approaching, he greeted them, "Old Shopkeeper, Jingfu's wife, Zhen Niang... back for the New Year? Why isn't Jingfu with you?"

"Uncle Shui, how are you? Still in good health? There are still some matters to attend to in Nanjing, so my father will return a bit later," Zhen Niang stepped forward and said. She then took out some gifts she had brought—supplements, pine nut cakes, and the like—and stuffed them into Uncle Shui's hands. She also distributed some candies and melon seeds for everyone present to snack on.

"These must be wedding candies, right? Zhen Niang, I heard you're engaged to Luo Wenqian from the Luo family in Nanjing? Is that true? We've all heard rumors but didn't know if they were accurate. Meanwhile, the Tian family girl's engagement to the Xu family was quite grand—even the county magistrate attended. The Tian family even specially painted their main gate vermilion," Granny Ma chimed in from the side.

However, her tone wasn't particularly sincere and seemed more like she was enjoying the spectacle.

Zhao Shi, standing nearby, was about to glare. When she lived in this neighborhood, she had quarreled with Granny Ma a few times, and now she understood that Granny Ma was mocking her daughter's engagement for being too modest.Zhen Niang knew her mother’s fiery temper, so she spoke first with a smile, “Granny Ma, what are you saying? Who could compare with Miss Tian? The Xu family is a ministerial household, not an ordinary family. It’s only natural for them to have a grand celebration. If ordinary families like ours put on such a lavish display, wouldn’t people say we’re wasteful and don’t know how to live within our means?”

Old Shopkeeper Li, standing nearby, nodded as he listened to Zhen Niang’s words. This girl had truly matured through experience—not only in business but also in handling everyday gossip, skillfully deflecting and smoothing things over without leaving any room for criticism.

“Exactly! Just yesterday, the family at the street corner welcomed their new bride with a four-person sedan chair, and you were the one saying they were showing off and didn’t know how to live frugally,” Huaide’s Wife chimed in, addressing Granny Ma.

Granny Ma’s argument was deflated by Huaide’s Wife’s remark, leaving her looking disgruntled.

“The snow is getting heavier. Uncle Shui, Granny Ma, Huaide’s Wife, we’ll head home now. Feel free to visit us when you have time.” Zhen Niang glanced at the narrow strip of sky ahead, where snow continued to fall thickly. The sky, which had brightened slightly because of the snowfall, now appeared dark and heavy again.

“Alright, take care. Do come visit when you’re free,” Uncle Shui replied with a warm smile. Soon, the Li family walked farther away.

As the Li family departed, Uncle Shui’s water stove became even livelier.

“I heard the Xu family took a liking to Zhen Niang first, but the Li family refused, and in the end, Miss Tian got the advantage,” said Damin’s wife, who had come to fetch hot water, leaning in to join the conversation.

“Impossible! If a family like the Xu family truly favored the Li family, how could the Li family refuse? I think Zhen Niang just didn’t want to lose face, so she spread this rumor herself,” Granny Ma scoffed.

“Sister Ma, I don’t like what you’re saying. Zhen Niang is an honest girl—she wouldn’t be the type to spread such talk,” Uncle Shui retorted, glaring at Granny Ma.

“Alright, Brother Shui, don’t get upset. I won’t say any more. Isn’t it just because Zhen Niang always brings you good things when she returns that you’ve been won over?” Granny Ma snorted.

“I’m just speaking the truth. Ask anyone here—Zhen Niang used to be a bit greedy, but since then, everyone has seen how she conducts herself and knows what she’s really like,” Uncle Shui insisted, unwilling to let it go.

“Oh, never mind all that. Miss Tian is engaged to the Xu family, and Zhen Niang is betrothed to Luo Wenqian. There’s nothing left to argue about. What matters is next year’s Tribute Ink Selection. I heard the Cheng Family has withdrawn from the competition, so the Li and Tian families will be going head-to-head. It’s bound to be a fierce battle,” a man warming himself by the fire interjected, waving his hand dismissively. He wasn’t fond of idle gossip, but the Tribute Ink Selection was a major event worth discussing.

“What’s there to argue about? Even though the Tian family recently lost their Tribute Ink status, the Cheng family didn’t gain anything either—otherwise, why would they withdraw from next year’s Tribute Ink Selection? In my opinion, with the Xu family backing them, next year’s Tribute Ink will still go to the Tian family,” Granny Ma added.

Huizhou ink had seeped into the very marrow of every Huizhou native. Thus, each Tribute Ink Selection was a significant event in Huizhou, with opinions ranging from the prefects and county magistrates down to the street vendors and laborers."Not necessarily. Zhen Niang is also a retainer of the Princess's Estate. The Princess's Estate versus the Grand Secretariat's Estate—they cancel each other out. In the end, it still comes down to skill. I don’t think the Tian family’s skills can match the Li family’s. Forget the Li family—if it weren’t for that so-called 'divine ink break' back then, the Tribute Ink would have ended up in the Cheng family’s pocket. How could it have been the Tian family’s turn?" Huaide's Wife chimed in from the side.

"What’s so special about being a retainer of the Princess’s Estate? Zhen Niang is just an ink-making servant in the Princess’s Estate. Tian Ronghua, on the other hand, is a daughter-in-law of the Xu family. Can the Princess’s Estate exert the same influence as the Xu family? Just wait and see." Granny Ma wore an expression of absolute certainty.

"This Tribute Ink—it’s all about ink craft. What does anyone’s status have to do with it? Besides, in the end, who wins won’t be decided by the Ink Affairs Bureau or the Xu family. It’ll be up to the invited Ink Testing Masters." Uncle Shui interjected irritably from the side. Arguing over such baseless things.

Just then, another thud was heard—someone’s firewood shed had collapsed, though no one knew whose.

Uncle Shui glanced at the sky again. It was still dark and heavy with falling snow. Tired of everyone crowding in his place and gossiping idly, he waved his hand. "What a heavy snowfall! Stop dawdling here. Go home and check on things. With snow this heavy, firewood sheds or something else might collapse."

And so, everyone dispersed.