Сhaptеr 22: Ink Соmрlеted and Bасking
Li Jinhe had stаyed uр аll night, finаllу turning thе sоot pigmеnt Zhen Niang had fired into ink. Eаgеr to knоw the quаlitу оf thе ink, Li Jinhe usеd а gеntlе flаme tо dry it at the еnd.
"Stеward Shаo, test the ink," Li Jinhе said to thе chief stеwаrd whо hаd wоrkеd with him thrоugh the night.
"Alright," Stеwаrd Shaо nоddеd, then сarеfullу took оut аn inkstonе. It was a genuinе Longwei inkstonе. Не breаthed on it to сrеаte mist, thеn driрреd а fеw droрs оf clеan wаter.
Li Jinhe сarеfullу grоund the ink with twо fingеrs hоlding thе inkstick.
"This ink glue is hеavy, and it's new ink, so it might bе difficult to grind out thе ink," Steward Shаo rеmаrked frоm the side. (Note: "Grinding out the ink" refers to how quickly the ink color appears when grinding, meaning a shorter time to obtain ink.)
"It's fine, new ink is all like this. Pay attention to the time; you can compare it with our previous ink," Li Jinhe said.
"Mhm," Steward Shao nodded.
After a while, the ink moistened and spread. Li Jinhe took the paper and brush prepared earlier, first drawing wavy lines. The ink at the beginning of the line was as dark as lacquer, and as the brushstroke neared its end, it shimmered with a lively glow. Due to the layering of the ink color, the entire wavy line seemed to have a three-dimensional quality.
He then wrote a few characters, and the ink color performed exceptionally well.
"Excellent ink," Steward Shao exclaimed excitedly from the side.
"Let's go see Seventh Sister-in-law," Li Jinhe said, also excitedly slapping the table.
The two then carried the ink and inkstone, hurriedly left the Ink Workshop, and headed straight from the back door to the main house.
"The ink is ready? How is it?" Seventh Old Madam had just gotten up and was drinking tea in the hall. Hearing that Ninth Brother and the steward requested an audience, she immediately understood what it was about and couldn't help but step forward, asking anxiously.
"Seventh Sister-in-law will know once you see it," Li Jinhe handed the inkstick and the paper used for testing the ink to Seventh Old Madam.
Coming from a family of ink makers, her eye for ink was naturally top-notch. Seventh Old Madam looked at the writing, thought for a moment, then splashed tea onto the paper. The tea soaked through the paper, but the writing on it showed no signs of smudging.
"Truly excellent ink," she said. This was still new ink; if left to age for a few more years before use, it would be even better.
"Ninth Brother, we should go see Eighth Brother," Seventh Old Madam took a deep breath and said. Years of grudges were hard to let go of, but she had to obtain the soot pigment formula this time, so she must personally go see Li Jinshui.
"Let's go. In business, we talk business," Li Jinhe said, stating his stance—only discussing official matters, nothing personal.
"By the way, have you heard about Sixth Brother's family's Jinhua?" Seventh Old Madam then asked.
"I've heard a bit, but this is Sixth Brother's family matter. Should we interfere?" Li Jinhe said.
"This time it's Sixth Brother's family matter, but it's also about our Li family being bullied. Although we shouldn't interfere directly, we should still ask Sixth Brother about it," Seventh Old Madam said.
"Mhm, let's find Eighth Brother and go see Sixth Brother together," Li Jinhe said.
"Mhm," Seventh Old Madam nodded.
She then called the steward to prepare a carriage, first going to Li Jinshui's house, then together to Li Village to visit Sixth Brother's family.
………………
In the morning, Zhen Niang came out from the Tiger Stove, then followed her mother and sister-in-law to dig up a piece of wasteland by the river to plant some vegetables.
By the time she returned home, it was already noon. She saw her grandmother Wu Shi holding Aunt Jinhua's hand and talking, Aunt Jinhua's eyes still red.Zhen Niang couldn't help but recall the gossip she had heard at the water boiler shop that morning, and she naturally understood why Aunt Jinhua was so heartbroken.
"Grandmother, Aunt Jinhua," Zhen Niang greeted them. Then she asked, "Where's Grandfather?"
"He's in the room talking with your Sixth Grandfather, Seventh Grandmother, and Ninth Uncle. Don't disturb them," Wu Shi said with a stern face, muttering unhappily, "They never bother with us on ordinary days, but now that they smell something good, they come knocking."
"Grandmother, is it because of my soot pigment?" Zhen Niang glanced toward the neighboring room, her voice tinged with excitement.
"Exactly. Otherwise, not even eight sedan chairs could carry them through our door," Wu Shi snorted coldly.
Zhen Niang smiled and hugged her grandmother, gently shaking her. Wu Shi had always been fiercely protective of her family. Although Jingfu had made a mistake back then, it wasn't intentional. Yet, even though their branch hadn't been officially expelled from the Li family, their situation over the years was no different from being cast out. How could she feel at ease? Moreover, thinking of her eldest son Jingkui, who had died searching for pine resin, she harbored even more resentment and naturally held little regard for the main branch.
She usually kept these feelings to herself out of respect for Old Shopkeeper Li.
"Grandmother, have you heard what they're planning?" Zhen Niang crouched in front of her grandmother and asked.
"Fifty taels to buy your formula, and if you want to work at the Ink Workshop, that's also possible," Wu Shi replied.
Fifty taels of silver was not a low price. After all, the soot pigment formula was different from the ink blending formula. Soot pigment was mostly produced by workers, making it difficult to keep the formula a secret, so its price was slightly lower. The ink blending formula, however, was different—it was always held by the head of the family and was the most crucial aspect of any Ink Workshop.
This price was somewhat unexpected for Zhen Niang. She suspected that Seventh Grandmother had a hand in it, wanting to help their family.
As for working at the Ink Workshop, there was no need to rush. Seventh Grandmother and Ninth Uncle likely thought the soot pigment and its formula came from her grandfather, so they wouldn't expect her to work there. Inviting her was probably just a gesture of respect for her grandfather.
If not for the fifty taels, Zhen Niang would have gone for the sake of the family's livelihood. But now, with fifty taels as a foundation, she could even set up a small ink-making workshop at home. What Zhen Niang wanted most was to blend the soot pigment into ink and sell it on Four Treasures Street. Many people on Four Treasures Street sold their own homemade ink, and even some literati often sold ink they had made themselves as a pastime.
The business was usually quite good.
"A girl should stay at home sewing and mending. How can it be proper to show her face outside like that?" Wu Shi was still grumbling to Li Jinhua.
Zhen Niang understood her grandmother's meaning—she didn't want her to go to the Ink Workshop. Ever since Uncle Jingkui passed away, her grandmother had regarded the Ink Workshop as a dangerous place.
"Grandmother, what if I ask Grandfather to help us set up an ink workshop at home? We could make and sell our own ink. With Grandfather's reputation, we should have some customers. I just don't know if Grandfather would be willing," Zhen Niang said with a playful smile.
"Why wouldn't he be willing? We don't even have enough for a coffin. Leave this matter to me," Wu Shi assured her.
Zhen Niang winked at Wu Shi, and the two shared a moment of understanding.
Just then, Old Shopkeeper Li came out, accompanied by Sixth Grandfather, Seventh Grandmother, and Ninth Uncle.
Zhen Niang quickly stepped forward to greet them respectfully."Zhen Niang is quite good," Seventh Grandmother remarked. On the side, Zhao Shi beamed with joy. As a mother, she was naturally overjoyed that her daughter had earned praise from Seventh Old Madam.
"Sixth Uncle, Seventh Aunt, Ninth Uncle, why are you leaving? Stay for a simple meal," Zhao Shi said warmly.
"No need, we have matters to attend to at home. By the way, Jinfu's wife, when your Zhenliang returns, have him come to my place. We should discuss how to support Jinhua in this matter—we must stand by her," Ninth Uncle said.
"Alright," Zhao Shi nodded.
Soon after, Sixth Master, Seventh Grandmother, and the others took their leave. Aunt Jinhua, however, stayed behind. She had always been close to Zhao Shi, and it was a good opportunity for Zhao Shi to keep her company and offer some comfort.
By evening, Li Dalang returned with Li Zhengshēn, having clearly persuaded him to join their cause.
Li Zhengshēn, dressed in a Daoist robe with his hair tied in a Daoist bun, looked utterly out of place. Old Shopkeeper Li caught him and gave him a stern talking-to. Upon hearing that Li Zhenliang was going to his house, Li Zhengshēn tried to slip away.
"Where do you think you're going? Aren't you still a Li? Your Aunt Jinhua has been wronged this time. As a tall and sturdy nephew, shouldn't you be thinking of standing up for your aunt?" Zhao Shi, who was usually bold and straightforward, only showed restraint in front of the elders.
After learning the details, Li Zhengshēn slammed the table and dragged Li Zhenliang away with him.
"Mother, making such a big fuss like this—after all, Jinhua and Jincai are still husband and wife. If we tear apart their relationship, how will they get along in the future?" Du Shi tugged at Zhao Shi's sleeve and whispered.
"Your Aunt Jinhua's situation is different from that of ordinary couples. Li Jincai married into the family, yet he openly took a wife outside. The relationship has already been torn apart. Besides, if we don’t handle this properly, your Sixth Grandfather is getting on in years, and your Aunt Jinhua has such a soft temperament. If we don’t act, the Sixth Branch of the Li family might be swallowed up by him, and I’m afraid even your Aunt Jinhua will have no place to stand," Zhao Shi explained.
"That’s true," Du Shi nodded.
That night, Li Jinhua slept with Zhao Shi, while Zhen Niang lay in bed, separated by a cloth curtain. She could hear Aunt Jinhua sobbing softly, "How could he change so suddenly? He used to be so good."
"Ah, men in this world are all like this," Zhao Shi sighed.
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