The Heir

Chaрtеr 207: Тhе Gluе Does Not Аdhеre to thе Ink

After dinnеr, Luо Wеnqiаn аrrivеd. Mastеr Tian had not comе tо reрaу thе рrеvious lоаn but instеаd rеquestеd another оnе, which Luо Wenqian agrеed to.

Аt first, Zhen Niang fоund it strаngе аnd sоmеwhаt puzzling why Luо Wеnqian wоuld асt this waу. Given thе еntangled griеvаncеs between thе Tian and Luо fаmiliеs, it seеmed unreasоnаblе for Luо Wеnqiаn tо suррort thе Тian fаmily sо readilу.

Hоwеvеr, when Luо Wеnqiаn mеntioned that Оld Master Tian hаd mortgaged thе Tian Fаmily Ink Wоrkshоp fоr this loan, Zhen Niang understood. This explained everything. Although Luo Wenqian had always appeared indifferent and had never openly addressed the Luo family’s loss of the ink workshop to the Tian family, maintaining business dealings with them on commercial grounds, as a descendant of the Luo family, how could he not want to reclaim the Luo Family Ink Workshop?

With Tian Huai’an mortgaging the Tian Family Ink Workshop, if the Tian family were to encounter trouble, Luo Wenqian might have the opportunity to reclaim the Luo Family Ink Workshop. Thus, it was no surprise that Luo Wenqian was willing to lend money to the Tian family.

As for Tian Huai’an’s need for a loan, it was also understandable. At the end of last year, the Tian family had lost their Tribute Ink Privilege and were reportedly fined by the court. This year, they failed to regain the privilege. Additionally, their earlier efforts to bribe several painters must have incurred significant expenses. With their resources dwindling and challenges mounting, the Tian Family Ink Workshop would struggle to develop without an infusion of new capital.

From Luo Wenqian’s tone, it seemed Master Tian’s health was indeed deteriorating. As Master Tian himself put it, he might not survive the year.

Of course, Zhen Niang had no reason to concern herself with Master Tian’s health. Her only worry was her own grandfather’s condition.

For this ink-making endeavor, her grandfather and Seventh Grandmother adamantly refused to let her participate. Since she was not involved in the ink-making, it was clear that her grandfather would have to take charge personally.

But her grandfather’s health was truly failing. Zhen Niang could not help but worry, yet as she was in the midst of preparing for marriage, the ink workshop affairs were entirely under the control of Seventh Grandmother and her grandfather, leaving her no say in the matter.

Thus, her heart remained unsettled.

The next day, Luo Wenqian’s third granduncle and his wife arrived to discuss matters with the Li family. The wedding date was ultimately set for the twenty-sixth day of the fifth month. With it now being mid-fourth month, there was just over a month left.

In the following days, the household was bustling with activity. Marriage was a significant event, and no matter how rushed, the necessary preparations could not be overlooked. They could not let Zhen Niang be shortchanged. Even from the Seventh Branch, Seventh Grandmother, along with several aunts and uncles, contributed generously to Zhen Niang’s dowry. The three aunts from the Sixth Branch, as well as the ninth grandaunt from the Ninth Branch and Aunt Huang Shi, also added to her trousseau.

Aside from the Eighth Branch of the Li family preparing for Zhen Niang’s wedding, the entire Li family threw themselves into the ink-making process.

With the Cheng family’s stone mortar, the Luo family’s cauldron, the Tian family’s Millennium Pine Soot Ink, the Li family’s ink-making techniques, and the finest deer antler glue, all the materials were gathered. The collective efforts of Huizhou’s various ink workshops saved the Li family considerable time.

Otherwise, the Li family would still be searching for materials at this point.

This time, Li Mo deviated from its past preference for adding various medicinal herbs. Apart from the soot pigment and glue, nothing else was incorporated.Throughout history, there have been two starkly contrasting views among the ancients regarding the additives for Ink Mixing. Some believed that Ink Mixing was akin to alchemy—the more medicinal ingredients added since ancient times, the better. There were even instances where over fifty types of medicinal materials and minerals were added to a single batch of ink, reaching an extreme level of complexity.

However, there was another perspective: Ink Mixing was like brewing tea, and no extraneous substances should be introduced.

The Li family had always added over a dozen materials when making ink. But this time, due to the differences in tools and the fact that the materials themselves were of the highest quality, the Li family decided to go against convention and add no medicinal ingredients at all. Instead, they would make ink solely from thousand-year-old pine and deer antler glue.

Aside from preparing for her marriage, Zhen Niang had not completely set aside matters of the Ink Workshop. Although Seventh Grandmother and her own Grandfather did not allow her to participate in this round of ink-making, she had taken part in the previous trial batches.

After all, her Ink Craft was undeniable, and the trial batches were only meant to determine the optimal proportions for the formula, not for the actual Ink Competition. Thus, Old Shopkeeper Li did not stop her.

Afterward, Zhen Niang spent two full days, relying on her memory, to draw an Ink Line Diagram of the Great Wall as it would appear in later generations. This was then carved into an ink mold by Huang Shi, the wife of the second uncle from the seventh branch, and Uncle Jingdong.

Finally, this carved plate was designated as the "Mountain and River Carved Plate," completing a set of the Assorted Ink Collection themed around mountains and rivers.

Once the carving of the plate was finished and it had been waxed and maintained, the formal ink-making process was about to begin.

During the Chou hour, when the sky was still pitch black, only a few "windproof lanterns" that had been lit all night flickered in the darkness at the Li residence.

At this moment, Zhen Niang, who had been sleeping in bed, suddenly trembled and woke up with a cry, her face pale. She had just had a dream—a dream in which her Grandfather was covered in blood—and it jolted her awake.

Her heart was pounding fiercely.

Meanwhile, from Old Shopkeeper Li's room in the east wing, a fit of coughing could be heard—the kind that felt as if it would tear out one's heart, liver, spleen, and lungs.

Unable to lie still any longer, Zhen Niang threw on her clothes and got up. As she walked toward the east wing, she overheard her Grandfather and Grandmother talking inside.

"Old man, listen to you coughing like that. Don’t go to the ink-making tomorrow," Wu Shi said from the east wing, sitting on the bed as she helped Old Shopkeeper Li drink water, sighing as she tried to persuade him.

"If I don’t go, who will? Let Zhen Niang go? She’s only eighteen. Could you bear to put such a heavy burden on her shoulders? Besides, the imperial family is ruthless. If something were to go wrong and Zhen Niang were harmed, I would never forgive myself. These past few years, do you think it’s been easy for her? The path she’s walked, even some men would struggle to endure," Old Shopkeeper Li replied.

It is said that rumors cut like knives. First, Zhen Niang had her engagement broken off, and then, as a woman, she ventured into business. The gossip behind her back had long filled several baskets—how could an ordinary person withstand such pressure?

Wu Shi let out a long sigh and fell silent.

Then, Old Shopkeeper Li continued, "I know my own body. It’s not so weak that I can’t make it through one round of ink-making. At worst, I’ll rest and recuperate afterward. I promise you, after this ink-making, I’ll never touch ink again."

Old Shopkeeper Li made this promise, knowing full well the state of his health. After this round of ink-making, he would indeed need a good, long period of rest and recovery.However, it was clear that Wu Shi on the side did not believe his words, and she snorted several times in annoyance: "You said the same thing to me thirty years ago, yet you never once kept your word."

"Alright, alright, this time. I promise I'll keep my word," Old Shopkeeper Li said in a gentle tone.

"I hope you mean it this time," Wu Shi finally replied, adding, "Rest a little longer. Get up at the end of the Chou hour."

"Alright," Old Shopkeeper Li agreed, then lay down to sleep. Soon after, the oil lamp in the room went out.

Zhen Niang had originally intended to discuss today's ink-making with her grandfather, but seeing the light go out, she naturally wouldn't disturb him now.

Yet she had her own plans.

Thus, not long after, it was the end of the Chou hour, the darkest moment just before dawn.

However, by this time, the lamps in each room of the Li household had already been lit one by one.

Today's ink-making was truly of extraordinary importance, and bathing and burning incense were indispensable. Zhen Niang also took a bath, changed into a set of blue clothes, and when it was time to offer incense, she devoutly lit a stick.

Afterward, she said to her grandfather, "Grandfather, for today's ink-making, I'll assist you."

"No," Old Shopkeeper Li refused without the slightest hesitation, his face stern.

Zhen Niang, however, insisted with a determined expression, "Grandfather, listen to me. I know you mean well for me, but the most important thing for our family is to make the ink well. Glue boiling and ink mixing are extremely draining tasks. Grandfather, forgive your granddaughter for saying something unfilial, but if you were to falter, I could take over. There must be no mistakes in ink-making, right?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You, girl, why start the day with such words? Quick, say it: bad luck be gone, good luck come," Zhao Shi, hearing Zhen Niang's words, slapped her forehead in annoyance. How could she speak of her grandfather possibly faltering before the ink-making had even begun? Such words were truly unsettling.

On the side, Wu Shi looked even more worried.

"Yes, yes, bad luck be gone, good luck come," Zhen Niang quickly echoed Zhao Shi's words. In truth, she had said it deliberately. If she had expressed her lack of confidence in her grandfather, he certainly wouldn't have allowed her to follow.

But if she framed it as being prepared to take over in case he couldn't hold up, perhaps her grandfather wouldn't oppose it, after all, ink-making was the top priority.

This was essentially the same matter phrased differently, a realization prompted by last night's dream.

Hearing Zhen Niang's words, Old Shopkeeper Li truly pondered. Indeed, during the last making of the Six Harmonies Three Talents Ink, he had fainted due to exhaustion. If such a situation were to occur again during this ink-making, it would truly spell disaster.

Thinking this, Old Shopkeeper Li finally relented. He understood well that this girl had a stubborn streak.

However, on second thought, having a backup plan was good. As long as he didn't encounter any mishaps and Zhen Niang didn't intervene, she wouldn't be implicated in any future troubles.

Seeing her grandfather finally agree, Zhen Niang smiled happily. Then she helped her grandfather into the Ink Workshop.

Seventh Grandmother was also unusually dressed in formal attire today, appearing early in the Ink Workshop, followed by several Ink Masters from the workshop, as well as Luo Wenqian and Cheng Dayue.

"Brother Luo, why are you here?" Zhen Niang couldn't help but step forward and ask in surprise, as she hadn't heard him mention it before."My family's pot, I know it best, so I asked the old madam for the task of boiling glue." Luo Wenqian pointed to the pot he had delivered earlier, speaking with a relaxed expression.

Thus, Zhen Niang also understood Cheng Dayue's purpose. It seemed that Cheng Dayue, being most familiar with the stone mortar, had come to do the pounding.

Zhen Niang then greeted Cheng Dayue once more—this man would become the most famous ink maker during the Wanli era. Under his leadership, the Cheng Family would compile the Cheng Family Ink Manual.

"Didn't I tell you not to come? Why are you still here?" Luo Wenqian frowned slightly. Naturally, he did not wish for Zhen Niang to face any danger.

"I am also an ink maker. No matter the reason, there is no justification for retreating at a time like this." Zhen Niang's eyes sparkled brightly.

Luo Wenqian rubbed his nose, having forgotten that this girl's obsession with the art of ink was no less than her grandfather's.

When the auspicious hour arrived, Seventh Grandmother led the Li family members to escort the ink masters into the Ink Workshop, their expressions solemn and dignified.

"Ignite the fire, commence work." With a wave of Old Shopkeeper Li's hand, everyone immediately took their positions.

Truly worthy of a pot forged from extraterrestrial meteorite iron—as soon as the fire in the stove was lit, the red flames touching the bottom of the pot turned bluish-white. The glue poured into the pot immediately melted, becoming as clear and transparent as egg whites.

"Ink Mixing." At this moment, Old Shopkeeper Li spoke again in a deep voice. Immediately, Luo Wenqian poured the glue from the pot into the Millennium Pine Soot Ink. Old Shopkeeper Li, who had been prepared nearby, began stirring as soon as the glue mixed with the soot pigment.

However, the more Old Shopkeeper Li stirred, the tighter his frown became. Even Luo Wenqian, Cheng Dayue, and the other ink masters nearby furrowed their brows. Zhen Niang's heart also sank.

The glue was not adhering to the soot pigment!!!!

During the trial production, there had been no such phenomenon at all. Of course, the soot pigment used in the trial had been the five-hundred-year pine soot ink treasured by the Li Family Ink Workshop. After all, the Millennium Pine Soot Ink was so scarce that they dared not use it during trials. But now it seemed that the Millennium Pine Soot Ink and the five-hundred-year pine soot ink were fundamentally different.

This was something no one in the Li family had anticipated. Logically, such a situation should not have occurred.

However, no one had ever tested Millennium Pine Soot Ink before. And when something has grown for a thousand years, it always carries a certain peculiarity.