The Heir

Chaрtеr 199: Мееting Wang Decаi Аgain

"Old Мadam, Оld Shорkеерer, it was mу fault for being so arbitrarу this timе, neаrly саusing hаrm tо the Li fаmilу." Аt this mоmеnt, Hаi Rui straightened his fасe аnd bowed in aрologу to Old Маdаm Li аnd Оld Shорkeeреr Li.

"Your Ноnоr has аlwaуs sеrved the реoрle wholehеartedly. It wаs оnlу beсause yоu wеrе misled bу реttу individuаls bеforе. Fоrtunatеly, еvil cannоt prеvаil оver rightеоusnеss. Nоw, we ask Your Нonor to handle thе matter impаrtially аnd grant оur Li fаmily justiсe." Old Madam Li returned the bow as she spoke.

"That is only right." Hai Rui said with a stern expression, immediately ordering the arrest of the Du brothers and reopening the court for a retrial.

In the end, the Du brothers were imprisoned and sentenced to exile at Shahu Pass in one month.

"Officer Yuan, may I ask whether the review of our Li family's bid for the Tribute Ink Privilege will continue?" Old Madam Li then turned to Officer Yuan from the Huizhou Ink Appraisal Bureau, who had been observing the trial.

At this moment, the most awkward person was undoubtedly Officer Yuan. He had come today with two subordinates to observe the trial precisely because of the Li family's bid for the Tribute Ink Privilege—indeed, he had taken bribes and was thus compromised. Originally, he thought that even if the Li family escaped unscathed this time, they would inevitably be tarnished. Unexpectedly, the Li family had staged such a brilliant comeback, making his earlier scheming seem utterly petty.

Now, hearing Old Madam Li's pointed question, he could only reply with a sullen expression, "No problem, of course there is no problem. Even I was misled by rumors. Please forgive me, Old Madam."

As he spoke, Officer Yuan also stood up and bowed.

"Being misled by rumors is nothing. Officer Yuan has always had a reputation for fairness and integrity in the Huizhou Ink Industry. Such a reputation is hard-earned and should not be easily discarded due to rumors—it would truly be a pity." Old Shopkeeper Li said coldly. Anyone could tell there was more to his words.

"Indeed, indeed. That is why I brought people to observe the trial—to clarify the truth. Now that the Li family's innocence has been proven, there is naturally no issue with their bid for the Tribute Ink Privilege. The day after tomorrow is the official day for the bid. I wish the Li family a swift victory in securing the Tribute Ink Privilege." Officer Yuan had thick skin, and these words of his were spoken with righteous conviction.

"In that case, thank you for your kind words, Officer Yuan." Old Madam Li replied. With slippery officials like Officer Yuan, it was impossible to argue too much.

Afterward, the Li family and their entourage took their leave.

Upon reaching the entrance, the crowd outside had not yet dispersed. Old Madam Li, accompanied by the Li family members, naturally expressed their gratitude. Everyone was delighted to hear that the Li family was safe and the Du brothers had been imprisoned.

As the crowd dispersed, the people from Luo Village, Li Village, and Wang Village also prepared to return to their villages. The sun was about to set, and they still had over ten li to travel. Luo Wenqian had come with the people from Luo Village, so naturally, he would accompany them back. He pulled Zhen Niang aside and said, "I’ll head back first and come the day after tomorrow to watch the Li and Tian families compete for the Tribute Ink Privilege. By the way, I received a letter the day before yesterday—Chief Wang and the others have returned from the Two Oceans. Your cousin Zhengping has also arrived. I heard they made quite a haul this time—spices from the Southern Ocean, rare treasures from the sea, and even Kunlun slaves..." Luo Wenqian recounted one by one. With his merchant caravan and wide network of connections, his news reached him faster than it did the Li family."That's wonderful. Uncle Jingming and Aunt Jingming have been talking about Brother Zhengping all along." Zhen Niang said with a face full of joy, as it was she who had facilitated Brother Zhengping's voyage overseas with Wang Cuiqiao. Aunt Jingming had privately held much resentment toward her, for in these times, with Sea Bandits running rampant, each voyage was uncertain whether one would return. Thus, every departure was almost like a final farewell.

Now that Brother Zhengping had returned with great gains, Aunt Jingming would likely be overjoyed, and Zhen Niang could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Whatever happened in the future would no longer concern her.

After a few more words, Luo Wenqian bid farewell to Old Shopkeeper Li and the others, then returned with the people from Luo Village.

The Li family also headed home, but Shen Shi broke down in tears again upon hearing that the Du brothers had been sentenced to exile. She truly hadn't had the heart to accuse her own sons, but on one hand, the two unfilial sons had gone too far. She had come to realize that she couldn't rely on them in the future and had no choice but to depend on her daughter. Naturally, she couldn't stand by and watch the two unfilial sons ruin her daughter's path, so she had finally hardened her heart.

"Zhen Niang, you and your sister-in-law help Aunt Du home. Find two people to take care of her, and don't skimp on the expenses." Old Shopkeeper Li said at that moment. Regardless, since Shen Shi had stepped forward today, the Li family owed her a debt of gratitude. Now that Shen Shi's two sons were exiled, only the elderly and young children remained in the family. In any case, the Li family had to lend a helping hand.

"I understand." Zhen Niang nodded. Truth be told, Shen Shi had truly surprised her this time. No one had expected her to step forward. Though unexpected, it made sense. Since Du Da and Du Er had returned, Shen Shi hadn't had a single peaceful day. Now, she was utterly disappointed in her two sons and pinned all her hopes on the young official she was raising. Since her and the young official's livelihood ultimately depended on her daughter-in-law, she couldn't possibly cut off her daughter's path.

"Sister-in-law, you stay with Auntie for now. I'll go find Aunt Shen to see if she knows any suitable people to take care of Auntie. It's better to have someone familiar and trustworthy, so we can feel at ease." Upon arriving at Shen Shi's home, Zhen Niang said to Du Shi.

"Alright, you go ahead." Du Shi nodded, helping Shen Shi into the house. Shen Shi was already crying uncontrollably.

Zhen Niang then left.

Aunt Shen lived near Caishikou, an area Zhen Niang had visited before—it was where Uncle-in-law Jinhua had helped Madam Su rent a house. Aunt Shen lived not far from there.

When Zhen Niang arrived, she saw Aunt Shen chatting with an old woman. The topic was naturally the recent incident where the Du brothers had accused the Li family. This matter had become the talk of the town.

"Sister, your niece really showed some resolve this time, accusing her own two sons." The old woman clicked her tongue, marveling at the rarity of a mother accusing her sons—something not seen in many years."Serves them right, it's good that she filed a complaint. My niece has finally done something sensible this time, protecting Green Niang, so at least she has something to look forward to in her old age. Otherwise, if the Li family's oil mill and tribute disputes were really ruined by those two brothers, how could Green Niang still have the face to stay in the Li household?" The Shen family aunt clapped her hands as she spoke, with a tone of satisfaction. The Du brothers had extorted quite a bit of money from her these past days—those two scoundrels deserved it.

"That's true," the old woman nodded repeatedly.

"Aunt Shen," Zhen Niang stepped forward to greet her.

"Oh, it's Zhen Niang. Is there something you need?" Seeing Li Zhenniang approach, the Shen family aunt quickly returned the greeting.

"Aunt, there is something. Aunt Shen isn't feeling well, and the little one at home is too young, so we need someone to take care of them. I came to ask if you know anyone suitable. After all, it's best to find someone familiar and who gets along well with Aunt Shen."

"Hmm, in that case, I'll go stay with her for a few days. She doesn't have many close friends, but she still respects me as her aunt and usually confides in me. Besides..." At this point, the Shen family aunt turned to the old woman next door and said, "Oh, right, Granny Yuan, I heard your younger daughter is quite diligent. How about having her come help for a few days?"

"Of course, of course," the woman called Granny Yuan replied with a beaming smile, nodding repeatedly. Since the Li family was hiring, they would naturally pay wages. There was no reason to turn down such a good opportunity.

It would be good for her daughter to earn a bit more dowry money before getting married. More importantly, it would help build connections with the Li family. She had heard the Li family was doing well in Nanjing these days. If anyone in the family wanted to go out and learn a trade in the future, they would at least have someone to help make introductions.

And so, it was settled.

Just then, a man and a woman approached from a distance and entered a doorway ahead.

"Oh, they're back. I should head home now, lest they start complaining again. It's not easy earning a few coins," said Granny Yuan, before scurrying into the house.

Zhen Niang frowned. If she hadn't mistaken them, the man was none other than her former uncle-in-law, Wang Decai, and the woman was Madam Su. The house they entered was the very one Wang Decai had rented to Madam Su.

But hadn't Wang Decai been exiled? How was he back already? Zhen Niang couldn't help but furrow her brow.

After a moment's thought, she understood—it must have been another general pardon.

"Who are they?" Zhen Niang asked Aunt Shen, pretending to be puzzled.

"Ha, that woman is Madam Su, a servant of the Tian family who serves Second Young Master Tian. The man is her husband. I heard he committed a crime and was exiled to Qiongzhou, but he returned not long ago. Granny Yuan looks after their child." At this point, Aunt Shen shook her head. "That man is a worthless fellow. Not only is he wearing a green hat, but his wife still has some affection for him. If she hadn't pleaded with Second Young Master Tian, he would never have been able to return. Now that he's back, he should focus on living a proper life and earning money to redeem his wife. Instead, he's latched onto Second Young Master Tian like a lackey. I hear he's even gained Second Young Master Tian's favor. Hmph, what a disgrace!"Shen's aunt-in-law usually got along well with the gardener's wife, so she knew all about Madam Su's family affairs. As for someone like Wang Decai, she looked down on him.

As for the house, it turned out that although Madam Su had been sold through official channels, her son was still free. Because Madam Su had won Second Young Master Tian's favor, she managed to get some money and continued renting the house. She then sought out the gardener's wife, who usually helped take care of the child.

Zhen Niang nodded, understanding the situation now.

Thinking of Wang Decai's glorious days at the Li Family Ink Workshop as recorded in the clan register, and then picturing his current state, Zhen Niang felt quite pleased. Of course, even so, she still wouldn't underestimate him. Fortunately, he no longer had any connection with the Li family. She just needed to inform Aunt Jinhua, especially Brother Run. After all, Brother Run was still Wang Decai's flesh and blood—a bond that could never be severed.

So, she still needed to be cautious.