The Heir

Сhарtеr 230: Third Mаstеr Qin

Wаng Dесai had set his sights оn Fеng Daniu, but Zhen Niаng was unawаrе оf this. Ноwеver, due tо the events recordеd in thе clаn genеаlоgу from hеr раst lifе аnd her dеep understаnding оf Wang Dеcai’s chаractеr, Zhen Niang hаd аlwауs bееn оn guard agаinst him.

Аs for thе sо-сallеd "cоllаboratiоn with thе Tаtars" incident mеntioned in the сlаn gеneаlogy of hеr раst life, Zhеn Niаng wаs аlsо mаking thorоugh рreрarаtions.

Thus, Wаng Deсаi аnd Li Zhenniаng wеrе еach making thеir own preparаtions and cаlculatiоns, engаging in а hidden сontest.

Time flew by, and soon it was the twelfth lunar month.

This year’s twelfth month was exceptionally cold. Shortly after the month began, it had already snowed three times.

Zhen Niang got up early in the morning, had breakfast, and then trudged through the crunching snow to the Ink Workshop.

"Uncle Jingming, has all the ink been packed into boxes?" Zhen Niang asked as soon as she entered the accounting room.

"It’s all packed. The Ink Affairs Bureau has also sent someone to notify us that they’ll be here soon to inspect and collect the goods," Li Jingming replied.

"Good, thank you for your hard work, Uncle Jingming," Zhen Niang nodded, then turned to Steward Shao and asked, "Steward Shao, are the red envelopes ready?"

Today was the day for delivering the Tribute Ink. Once the Tribute Ink was inspected and accepted, it would be time for the Ink Workshop to close for the holidays. Every year, summer and winter were the off-seasons for the Ink Workshop, especially winter, which coincided with the New Year. Therefore, the Ink Workshop’s New Year holiday was particularly long, typically from the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month—exactly one month.

It was also the coldest time of the year.

"Everything is ready," Steward Shao nodded.

As they spoke, the officials from the Ink Affairs Bureau arrived, led by the clerk, accompanied by several others to inspect the goods. Nowadays, the Li family held the title of "World’s Finest Ink," and due to the sacrifices Eighth Master Li had made for Li Mo in the past, even the Ink Inspectors who usually liked to cause trouble and seek benefits now restrained themselves and conducted the inspection properly.

Naturally, there were no issues in the end. Everything went smoothly, and the Tribute Ink was successfully accepted.

Of course, Zhen Niang was not one to miss an opportunity. She had prepared several New Year gifts and sealed some silver as gifts for the Ink Inspectors.

The Ink Inspectors accepted them without much hesitation.

By noon, all the Tribute Ink had been inspected, packed into boxes, and taken away by the officials from the Ink Affairs Bureau. The Li Family Ink Workshop had another income recorded, ensuring that the Li family could enjoy a prosperous New Year this year.

After finishing the work at the Ink Workshop, Zhen Niang gathered all the workers. There were two matters to attend to: first, to thank the workers for their hard work over the past year, and second, and most importantly, to distribute red envelopes.

Distributing red envelopes was, of course, the happiest moment for the workers. One by one, they received their red envelopes, exchanged auspicious words with the owner, and then packed their things and left, heading to the streets to shop for New Year goods before returning home.

Afterward, Zhen Niang, along with Uncle Jingming, Uncle Jingdong, and Steward Shao, sealed the furnace, marking the beginning of the Ink Workshop’s winter break.

But no one expected that just as the Ink Workshop’s winter break began, news broke from the Tian family: Tian Benchang had returned to the Tian family and had even acknowledged Concubine Chun as his mother.

"Tsk, tsk, Tian Dake is really becoming more and more disgraceful. Has he forgotten how his mother died? She was driven to her death by this Concubine Chun. And now, he’s actually rushing to acknowledge Concubine Chun as his mother. Pah! If I were his mother, how could I rest peacefully underground? I wouldn’t be able to close my eyes!" On Four Treasures Street, some idlers couldn’t help but gossip quietly.Zhen Niang was currently sitting in the Li Family Ink Studio. Although the ink workshop had closed for the holiday, the ink studio remained open. During the New Year period, there was still some ink to be sold.

"What is that Tian family's eldest son scheming?" Third Master Cheng asked Zhen Niang, holding a magnifying glass in one hand and a stick of ink in the other.

Back in the day, they had all been in the same trade. Tian Benchang might not have been the most generous person, but he was not one to mistake a thief for his own mother either.

"If he doesn't return to the Tian family, how can he reclaim the family's assets? Nothing ventured, nothing gained," Zhen Niang replied with a smile. Of course, this was her speculation, but she was almost certain—Tian Benchang was a man with his own cunning plans.

"That's true," Old Master Cheng nodded and continued studying the ink.

Recently, Old Master Cheng had taken a keen interest in the various inks produced by the Li family. Whenever he had free time, he would come to the Li residence to examine them. With age, his temperament had become more straightforward, and he never hesitated to ask questions when he encountered something he didn't understand, disregarding any industry taboos.

Though somewhat exasperated, Zhen Niang answered all his questions without reservation.

Technological progress always thrives on openness and inclusiveness; hoarding knowledge only leads to stagnation.

Just then, Yao Qianshan entered from outside.

"Uncle-in-law, when did you return?" Zhen Niang asked curiously upon seeing Yao Qianshan's sudden appearance.

"I arrived yesterday. By the way, there's something I need to tell you. Ask Wenqian to send more people to search." Yao Qianshan spoke with a serious expression and then stepped into the inner room of the ink workshop.

"What is it? What are we searching for?" Zhen Niang followed him in, lowering her voice.

"Feng Daniu has gone missing," Yao Qianshan said.

"How could Feng Daniu go missing? Didn't you have people keeping an eye on him?" Zhen Niang's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding washed over her.

"My men had been secretly watching him, but not long ago, he received a letter. Shortly after, he went out, taking a winding route. The people following him didn't pay close attention at first, and by the time they realized, he was nowhere to be found," Yao Qianshan explained.

"Who wrote the letter to him?" Zhen Niang asked.

"I investigated. The messenger said it was given to him by a servant from the Tian family. That's why I came to Huizhou, but unfortunately, the Tian family claims to know nothing about it," Yao Qianshan replied.

When a servant is involved, the master of the household can easily wash their hands of the matter.

But upon hearing this, Zhen Niang understood. As expected, Wang Decai was still acting as described in the clan records—plotting to frame the Li family for colluding with the northern barbarians. This time, it seemed Wang Decai intended to use Feng Daniu as the breakthrough, especially since her own father had dealings with Feng Daniu in the north.

Well, she needed to discuss this properly with Brother Luo. So she said to Yao Qianshan, "Uncle-in-law, I understand. I'll tell Wenqian to send more people to search." Though she said this, Zhen Niang suspected Feng Daniu was likely at the Tian residence. She needed to carefully discuss the entire situation and strategy with Brother Luo.

"Good, we must not take this lightly," Yao Qianshan added a few more words of caution before leaving.

After Yao Qianshan departed, Zhen Niang also left the ink studio and headed straight for Luo Wenqian's goods depot. Yi Hou Sheng Goods Depot had a branch in Huizhou, primarily dealing in tea and mountain products."You mean Feng Daniu is likely at the Tian family's place now?" Luo Wenqian asked after hearing Zhen Niang's words.

"Mhm." Zhen Niang nodded.

"But Feng Daniu is a troublesome figure now. Why would the Tian family go out of their way to bring him into their home?" Luo Wenqian asked curiously.

"Brother Luo, I'm worried Wang Decai is setting up a scheme." Zhen Niang then explained what was recorded in the clan register about Wang Decai colluding with the Qin family to frame the Li family for collaborating with the Tatars, though she presented it as a hypothetical conjecture.

After all, who could have guessed such a thing? But Zhen Niang had the clan register as a reference, deducing the process from the outcome—naturally, that made it different.

Upon hearing Zhen Niang's words, Luo Wenqian's gaze sharpened.

"Brother Luo, what's wrong? Did you notice something?" Zhen Niang asked worriedly.

Luo Wenqian had been investigating the Qin family's collaboration with the Tatars, mainly to uncover the truth about the robbery and murder of Old Man Li's merchant caravan years ago. He had never considered the possibility that the Li family might have been framed instead.

But now, hearing Zhen Niang's hypothesis and recalling someone he had inadvertently seen today, he suddenly realized that although her conjecture was bold and almost unbelievable, it wasn't impossible. In fact, he had a feeling that her guess might very well be accurate.

He held Zhen Niang's hand for a moment before saying, "Your conjecture is bold and almost unbelievable, but it might very well be true. Today, I saw the Third Master of the Qin family arrive in Huizhou."

"The Third Master of the Qin family?" Zhen Niang looked puzzled.

"According to my information, the dealings with the Tatars and horse bandits have always been handled by the Third Master of the Qin family. To be honest, I've been puzzled by his sudden arrival in Huizhou. But if we follow your conjecture, his presence makes sense. He must be here to pressure Feng Daniu into framing your father..." At this point, Luo Wenqian shook his head. "No, not just that—he's also here to frame me. With the Third Master's capabilities, sacrificing a few people and fabricating false evidence wouldn't be a problem. Who knows, he might even succeed in pinning the collaboration with the Tatars on me and your father. And Qin Si might not even know about these things."

Zhen Niang's guess had only considered Wang Decai targeting her Li family, not including Luo Wenqian. Now, hearing his words, she suddenly understood—this was a plan to catch everyone in one net.

"What should we do? How is your investigation into the Qin family's collaboration with the Tatars in the north going?" Zhen Niang couldn't help but feel anxious. She knew Luo Wenqian had never let go of this matter, but sometimes such investigations relied on luck. And even if you knew something was about to happen, you might not have the power to overturn it.

"Don't worry, we'll just play along with them." Luo Wenqian suddenly chuckled softly, squeezing Zhen Niang's hand to reassure her. Then he handed her a letter.

Zhen Niang opened the letter and saw it was sent from the north. The contents stated: Lord Xuan and Lord Yan, who had fled from the Weaving Bureau, had been captured by Marshal Qi's men. During their capture, another person was also apprehended—Zhao Zhen, the cousin of Zhao Quan.

Zhao Quan was the Han Chinese who had led Anda in raiding Shizhou and was also the number one fugitive wanted by the imperial court.

This Zhao Zhen was the very person who had led the Tatars in robbing and killing Li Jingfu's merchant caravan. He was also the liaison between the Tatars and the Qin family.However, because Lord Xuan and Lord Yan wished to atone for their mistakes by achieving merit, they claimed that Bahanaji was in conflict with Anda and were confident they could persuade Bahanaji to surrender. Marshal Qi, fearing that it might affect the persuasion efforts, had Zhao Zhen secretly detained in the Qi Family Army's prison, unknown to outsiders.

After reading this letter, Zhen Niang breathed a long sigh of relief. As long as they had Zhao Zhen in their hands, the Qin family and Wang Decai would ultimately end up hurting themselves.