The Heir

Сhарter 220: Eaсh Lаying Thеir Own Plаns

Оvеr thе nехt two daуs, thanks to Zhen Niang’s arrangеmеnts, mattеrs in the Wаng rеsidеnсe рrосееded in аn orderly fаshiоn. Aftеr two days оf busy work, Zhеn Niang finallу fоund sоmе lеisurе. Just nоw, having inspесted vаriоus аffairs, shе toоk Нua'er tо thе well рlatform in the bаckyard tо еnjоy thе cool аir. Вut аs soоn аs shе раssеd through thе rоund gatе of thе backуard, shе hеаrd a grоuр оf wоmen gossiping bу the well.

“You have tо admit, this Miss Li reаlly has skill. Аfter just twо dаys, thе household has become much more peaceful,” said a woman wearing a blue headscarf by the well.

“Of course! Just think about what Miss Li does. The Li Family’s Ink Manor has several hundred people, and she manages them all. Nowadays, the business of the Li Family’s Ink Manor is incredibly prosperous,” added another woman with a flat bun hairstyle.

Riding on the reputation of Li Family’s ink as the World’s Finest Ink, the Li Family’s ink business had now reached the pinnacle of its history. Some time ago, the Emperor even commissioned the Li Family to oversee the production of a batch of imperial ink, further elevating the fame of Li Mo to its utmost.

“Exactly. Look at how efficient she is. No wonder our aunt insisted on inviting her here—she’s definitely a master at managing household affairs,” said the woman in the blue headscarf.

“Miss Li was willing to come only out of respect for our young master. Otherwise, who would want to take on such thankless work?” chimed in a maid who had stepped closer.

As soon as the maid finished speaking, the two women exchanged meaningful smiles. The woman in the blue headscarf nudged the one with the flat bun and said, “By the way, have you heard the recent rumor? It seems the host family wants to match Miss Wan'er with the young master.”

“That’s not true. It’s just someone scheming on their own,” replied the woman with the flat bun, who had recently been serving Madam Hu’s household and had some insight into the matter.

“What? What do you mean? Does this involve some personal feelings?” The woman in the blue headscarf grew curious at her words and pressed for details.

“Let me tell you, it’s Madam Hu. These past two days, she’s been constantly pulling Hu Qing aside in her room to talk about our young master. I’ve overheard a few things. Isn’t her intention obvious?” The woman with the flat bun spoke with a look of disdain.

“Someone really dares to scheme like this? How bold,” the maid remarked dismissively.

“Alright, whether it’s bold or not, I’m only telling you this today. Don’t spread it around,” the woman with the flat bun cautioned. After all, such rumors were taboo in the inner household. If Madam Jiang were angered and decided to investigate, she wouldn’t be able to clear herself.

“We understand, we understand,” the other two nodded repeatedly.

With that, the conversation ended.

Zhen Niang hadn’t expected to overhear such a discussion. Now, it would be inappropriate for her to appear, so she quietly turned to leave. But just as she was about to go back, she spotted Ma Sao, who served Madam Jiang, sneaking furtively toward the back gate in the distance.Zhen Niang’s first thought was that Ma Sao had stolen something. But after a quick glance, she noticed that Ma Sao’s summer clothes were thin and didn’t seem capable of hiding anything. Still, Ma Sao’s expression and the furtive way she slipped out the back door were suspicious. Then Zhen Niang recalled what the woman at the well had said earlier, which put her on alert. She quietly instructed Hua’er to follow Ma Sao and see whether she had stolen something or was up to something else.

Hua’er nodded and trailed Ma Sao out the back door. After turning down a few streets, she saw Ma Sao enter a Medicine Hall. Not long after, Ma Sao emerged clutching a small package, her face tense with anxiety.

“What did she just buy?” Hua’er, curious, entered the shop and pulled a clerk aside to ask.

“Miss, it’s not really appropriate to ask about such things,” the clerk replied with a strange expression.

“Just tell me, never mind whether it’s appropriate or not,” Hua’er glared and slipped a silver ingot into the clerk’s hand.

“Mandarin Duck Powder,” the clerk whispered with a sly grin.

“Ugh!” Hua’er spat in disgust upon hearing this, then hurried back.

As the name suggested, Mandarin Duck Powder was related to marital love and intimacy—it was essentially an aphrodisiac. Hua’er, who loved gossip, had heard some market women talk about it before.

Returning to the Wang residence, she found Li Zhenniang and recounted everything in detail.

Li Zhenniang frowned as she listened. Combined with what the woman with the simple bun at the well had said earlier, she began to form a bold suspicion. With that in mind, she took Hua’er to the front courtyard to find Luo Wenqian.

She told him the whole story exactly as she had heard it. Although she had a strong hunch that Ma Sao might be targeting Luo Wenqian, she couldn’t be entirely sure.

But one thing was certain: such a drug couldn’t be used by just one person—there had to be a man involved as well. This was something she couldn’t easily guard against, so she felt it necessary to warn Luo Wenqian to be cautious of the men in the front hall. Regardless, if such a scandal erupted, it would bring shame upon both her and Luo Wenqian, especially since they were temporarily managing the household for Wang Sifang.

“I know. I’ve already sent Luo Ping An to invite Old Lady Hu,” Luo Wenqian replied, looking as though he had everything under control. He even seemed secretly amused by Zhen Niang’s concern, as if pleased by her worry.

“How did you know?” Zhen Niang asked in surprise, thinking it had been a mere coincidence on her part.

“Are you kidding? With all the chaos in Chairman Wang’s household lately, I’ve had my people keeping a close watch on everything. Ma Sao was acting suspiciously, and with Hua’er following her, how could my men not notice?” Luo Wenqian said with a smile.

“Oh…” Zhen Niang nodded, realizing it was a case of “the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.”

Then she remembered Luo Wenqian mentioning that he had sent for Old Lady Hu and narrowed her eyes. “You invited Old Lady Hu?”

Luo Wenqian nodded and whispered a few more words. Zhen Niang understood and thought to herself, This man is truly cunning. Inviting Old Lady Hu is a brilliant move. Once she’s involved, the Wang and Hu families will be too ashamed to stay in Chairman Wang’s household, finally restoring peace here.

After chatting a bit more, Zhen Niang returned to the inner quarters.

…………At noon, the scorching sun beat down directly. The leaves in the backyard curled up, and the cicadas cried out with all their might.

Madam Wang came out of the kitchen with her fourteen-year-old son Wang Ping, along with a maid and an older servant woman. Each of them held a bowl of sour plum soup. They walked to the shaded area behind the rockery, enjoying the cool while sipping the sour plum soup—the most refreshing treat on such a sweltering day.

As they were drinking, they heard footsteps on the other side of the rockery. Through a crevice in the rocks, Madam Wang saw Madam Hu pacing back and forth under a willow tree on the opposite side, looking rather anxious. Just as Madam Wang was about to call out to Madam Hu, she saw Ma Sao, Madam Hu’s personal servant, approach with an equally nervous expression and hand a small package to Madam Hu.

Then came the rustling sound of paper as Madam Hu unwrapped the package.

A breeze blew past, and Madam Wang, on her side of the rockery, caught a whiff of fragrance. The scent seemed to carry a faintly suggestive, almost aphrodisiac quality.

"Go to the kitchen and brew a pot of tea, then bring it to me," Madam Hu instructed.

"Yes, Madam," Ma Sao replied before hurrying off. Shortly after, Madam Hu also left in a rush.

"Nanny Cai, follow them quietly and see what they’re up to. I’ll take Ping’er to visit his aunt. Come find me here afterward," Madam Wang said with a peculiar expression after Madam Hu had left.

In truth, the moment she smelled that fragrance, Madam Wang had a good idea what Madam Hu was plotting. Although Madam Hu had dismissed her suggestion earlier, Madam Wang knew her well. With many daughters in the household, Madam Hu had long been worried about dowries, especially since Hu Qingjie was a concubine-born daughter. If it could bring benefits to the family, how could Madam Hu resist? Madam Wang had deliberately stirred things up, and now it seemed Madam Hu was not only tempted but had taken action.

This promised to be quite a spectacle, Madam Wang thought to herself. Sending Nanny Cai to follow was simply to gather more details.

Nanny Cai nodded and slipped away to trail them.

Madam Wang then took Ping’er by the hand to visit Hu Shi.

Zhen Niang was also in Hu Shi’s room at the time. After exchanging a few words and noticing Hu Shi seemed rather listless, she stepped out and happened to run into Madam Wang. Madam Wang usually paid little attention to Zhen Niang, but this time she gave her a smile—though there was something odd about it.

Zhen Niang ignored her and went about her business, listening to reports from several stewards in the outer room.

But before long, a commotion erupted outside Hu Shi’s door. Peeking out, Zhen Niang saw Chunni, a maid from Hu Shi’s room, arguing with Wang Ping.

"No, Young Master Ping, you can’t take this coral," Chunni said sternly, blocking Wang Ping’s path.

As a maid in Hu Shi’s quarters, Chunni was responsible for safeguarding the items there under the rules Zhen Niang had established. If anything went missing, she would be held accountable.

Earlier, when Madam Wang brought Wang Ping into the room, he had taken a fancy to a coral display in Hu Shi’s chamber and, without hesitation, tried to make off with it."How can it not be taken away? Fourth Uncle has squandered all the family's investment money. This is collateral for the debt—whatever we can get, we should take." Wang Ping said impatiently.

"No means no. Miss Zhen said the bank will handle its own affairs. These are family belongings, and no one is allowed to take them." Chunni stubbornly insisted.

"What if I insist on taking it?" Wang Ping grew aggressive. Since his mother had told him to take it, he felt entitled.

"You can take it if you insist, but as a junior, it’s improper to take things from your elders’ home. Besides, you can’t decide on such matters alone. If you want to take this coral, you’ll need to ask your mother to come, register, and sign for it. Later, the value of the coral will be deducted from your family’s shares in the bank." Zhen Niang approached, her expression calm but her words deliberate.

Concerned about Luo Wenqian’s situation—though she trusted his competence—Zhen Niang was genuinely angered by Madam Hu’s actions. Coupled with the fact that this young master of the Wang family had been causing trouble nonstop lately, her tone was naturally sharp.

"Oh, so all I need is to register and sign? Then I’ll have my mother come and do it." Wang Ping, a spoiled young man with little worldly understanding, was delighted to hear he could take the coral. He was genuinely prepared to call his mother to register and sign.

"You fool! You see something you like and just want to take it, without even considering where you are. Is this your own home? Wait until we get back—I’ll teach you a lesson." Madam Wang emerged from the room, snatched the coral from Wang Ping’s hands, and tossed it to Chunni.

Investments always come with risks. Though she resented the loss and privately hoped to recoup some from Wang Sifang’s side, such matters could only be discussed discreetly. If she were to formally register and sign for it, she would lose all face. After all, everyone knew the truth—undermining one’s own family was always shameful.

This time, Li Zhenniang had truly embarrassed her.

Madam Wang felt deeply displeased, but she couldn’t make a scene in such a setting. She thought to herself, I wonder if Madam Jiang’s plan will succeed. If it does, Li Zhenniang will have no one to blame but herself.

The thought brought her a secret sense of satisfaction. Just as she was about to leave with Wang Ping, Nanny Cai hurried over and whispered something in her ear.

Madam Wang’s expression grew even stranger. She then smiled sweetly at Zhen Niang and said, "Miss Zhen, I don’t mean to criticize, but if you can’t even manage your own affairs, why meddle in others’? Be careful not to trip over your own schemes."

"What do you mean by that, Aunt Wang?" Zhen Niang remained composed.

"Hehe, someone saw Hu family’s Qingjie bringing tea to Luo Jiu, but once she went in, she never came out. A man and a woman alone together—who knows what might have happened?" Madam Wang said with a smirk.

"Hearsay is unreliable; only what is seen is real. Aunt Wang, you shouldn’t spread rumors. Luo Jiu may not care, but you’ll ruin Miss Hu’s reputation." Zhen Niang replied calmly, fully aware of Luo Jiu’s plans.

"Then let’s go and see for ourselves," Madam Wang challenged.

"Very well…" Zhen Niang replied, still smiling.