Сhарtеr 231: Beginning
"Zhеn Niаng, I'm hеаding nоrth tomorrow. Sinсе Wang Deсai and thе Qin fаmilу аrе mаking moves in Нuizhou, I'll cast my net in the nоrthеrn lands," Luо Wenqiаn sаid tо Zhеn Niang, а shаrр glint in his еуes. Тhis confrontаtiоn was bеtween Wang Dеcai аnd the Li familу, but аt thе sаmе timе, it wаs also а shоwdown bеtwееn him, Luo Jiu, аnd the Qin fаmilу.
"Then bе сarеful, Brother Luо," Zhen Niang cоuldn't hеlр but urge, knоwing well that this was а сritiсal mоmеnt аnd Luо Wеnqiаn's journеу was unаvoidаble.
"Mm, dоn't worrу," Luо Wеnqian gеntlу brushеd а strand of hair frоm Zhen Niang's foreheаd and smiled softlу.
Zhen Niang's liрs curvеd uрward.
Аt that moment, the sun was setting in the west. Zhen Niang glanced at the sky—it was time for her to return home. So she waved goodbye.
Luo Wenqian naturally escorted Zhen Niang out. Walking side by side, they discussed plans for the future. The setting sun cast its rays from behind them, projecting their shadows onto the ground ahead. Zhen Niang gazed at the long shadows, which seemed to lean against each other, exuding an air of harmony and warmth.
The next day, Zhen Niang saw Luo Wenqian off, accompanying him out of the city until they reached the Three-Mile Pavilion outside the walls. Luo Wenqian, accompanied by Luo Ping An, rode off on horseback into the morning light.
Meanwhile, at the Three-Mile Pavilion outside the city, a Chastity Archway had just been completed. A string of "Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons" firecrackers crackled loudly—it was Tian Ronghua's Chastity Archway, identical to the one built for the Luo family's aunt years ago.
Nearby, Zhen Niang saw Tian Benchang and Sun Yuejuan sprinkling libations of water and wine before the archway.
Zhen Niang walked over, and Sun Yuejuan handed her a cup of the libation. Zhen Niang poured it onto the ground.
After standing in silence before the archway for a quarter of an hour, Zhen Niang left.
More than ten days later, it was New Year's. As expected, Luo Wenqian was unable to return in time. However, Luo Ping An came back first, bringing a message from Luo Wenqian: everything was going smoothly, and in a few more days, Luo Wenqian would arrive in Huizhou.
Zhen Niang felt reassured.
During the first month of the lunar year, the Seventh Branch of the Li family was especially lively, with the usual New Year visits and greetings.
After lunch, Zhen Niang went with her grandmother to the Seventh Branch to keep Seventh Grandmother company. Over the past two years, Seventh Grandmother's health had grown increasingly frail.
When Zhen Niang and her grandmother arrived, the two aunts from the Seventh Branch and the three aunts from the Sixth Branch were already there, along with Ninth Brother's wife and Huang Shi from the Ninth Branch, as well as Jingming's wife and Hua'er. The group of women filled the main hall to capacity.
Seventh Grandmother now enjoyed having many people crowded together, chatting and creating a lively atmosphere.
At that moment, the women in the room were discussing the Li family's New Year affairs.
This year, right at the start, the Li family welcomed two joyous events. The first was the marriage of Li Jinhua and Cheng Changgen.
Sixth Master had been drifting in and out of lucidity over the past year. Reflecting on how Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Brothers had passed away while he remained, he felt his own time was running short. He was deeply concerned about his granddaughter Jinhua and wanted to find her a reliable support. In the end, he settled on Cheng Changgen.
Initially, Brother Run objected, so Sixth Master temporarily set the matter aside. But now, after learning his lesson, Brother Run had matured and no longer opposed his mother's relationship with Changgen. Finally, after discussing it with Old Madam Li, and following the custom of not finalizing engagements in the twelfth lunar month nor holding weddings in the first, they scheduled the wedding for the second day of the second lunar month.
This was one joyous event. The second, naturally, was Zhen Niang's own wedding.Old Madam Li had already discussed with the Luo Family's Third Granduncle and Third Grandaunt that the one-year mourning period was actually only nine months. By February, Zhen Niang would have completed her mourning. Moreover, Zhen Niang was already twenty this year, so they decided to cut through the red tape quickly. Zhen Niang and Luo Wenqian's wedding was set for March 26th.
It was a bit rushed, but in fact, everything that needed to be prepared had been ready since last year.
At this moment, Zhen Niang was discussing the development of the Ink Workshop for the coming year with Seventh Grandmother.
"Zhen Niang, Seventh Grandmother has one more wish. Do you know what it is?" Seventh Grandmother leaned back in her rattan chair, sunlight streaming through the open window behind her. She looked like the grandmothers in old photographs from a past life—nostalgic, warm, and affectionate.
"The Li Family Ink Manual," Zhen Niang said with a grin.
Scholars, studying, becoming officials, writing books to establish their legacy—making ink, when taken to its extreme, is also about writing books to establish a legacy. An ink manual is something that endures through the ages.
"You girl, you know Seventh Grandmother's heart best," Old Madam Li said cheerfully. Since Zhen Niang said this, it meant she was already preparing for it.
Just then, Er Gou came in carrying gifts. This fellow, with his shameless face, immediately made a sweeping bow to all the women in the room as soon as he entered. "Happy New Year to all the old madams, all the madams, and all the aunties."
His antics made everyone giggle, while Hua'er, standing to the side, glared at him angrily, feeling that he had completely embarrassed whatever little dignity she had left. Fuming, she secretly pinched him and chased him out. This was a gathering of women—what business did a shameless man have barging in?
"By the way, Er Gou and Hua'er's engagement has been set for some time now. When are they getting married?" Seeing Er Gou being pushed out by Hua'er, Aunt Chunhua asked with a smile. After all, they had been talking about Li Jinhua and Zhen Niang's weddings earlier, so naturally, Hua'er came to mind now.
As soon as Aunt Chunhua said this, Hua'er's mother, Madam Fang, looked somewhat gloomy.
Madam Chen, the wife of the seventh branch, chuckled and said, "Well, Hua'er is waiting for her sister-in-law to enter the family before she gets married."
But as for when the sister-in-law would enter the family, no one really knew. Li Zhengping was now overseas for most of the year, and he hadn't even made it back for the New Year this year. His marriage had been delayed because of this.
"Zhengping should be coming back soon, right? I think maybe we should start looking for a match for him. Once he returns, we can arrange the wedding," said Madam Huang from the side.
"I wish we could, but that rascal doesn't listen to anyone," Madam Fang said with a huff. She knew in her heart that Zhengping was probably still thinking about Ge Qiu Jie.
At this point, it was best not to continue the conversation.
"Sister, Sister Yuejuan is here to see you," Xi Ge'er poked his head in from outside and called out to Li Zhenniang in the room.
Li Zhenniang stood up, bid farewell to her aunts and uncles' wives, and followed Xi Ge'er out the door.
Sun Yuejuan stood at the entrance, looking rather anxious.
"Yuejuan, how have you been lately?" Zhen Niang hurried forward to greet her."Not bad." Sun Yuejuan nodded slightly, then pulled Zhen Niang aside. After looking around to make sure no one was nearby, she lowered her voice and said, "Zhen Niang. Benchang heard some news and asked me to tell you and Boss Luo. Wang Decai and the Qin family are plotting against you. Recently, Wang Decai and Third Uncle Qin have been pressuring a man named Feng Daniu to go find your father. Later, I overheard Third Uncle Qin telling Wang Decai that as soon as Feng Daniu goes to your father, he will report it to the authorities. Once the officials catch Feng Daniu at your house, your father won’t be able to defend himself no matter what he says."
Upon hearing this, Zhen Niang’s expression darkened. Wang Decai’s scheme was truly deep and cunning.
"I understand. Thank you," Zhen Niang said to Sun Yuejuan.
Sun Yuejuan didn’t know the specific details. After delivering the message and offering a few more words of caution, she hurried back. Although she now lived with Tian Benchang in the Tian household, her movements were highly restricted. She had only managed to leave this time under the pretext of visiting her parents for the New Year. Usually, her every move was watched and guarded.
Knowing Sun Yuejuan’s current situation, Zhen Niang didn’t keep her long and saw her off. Afterward, she went to the Yi Hou Sheng Trading Company to find Luo Ping An.
"Miss Zhen," Luo Ping An greeted her promptly as she entered.
"Brother Ping An, has Wenqian arrived yet?" Zhen Niang asked.
"He should be here in the next couple of days," Luo Ping An estimated based on the travel schedule.
"Brother Ping An, why don’t you ride out to meet him and urge him to hurry?" Zhen Niang suggested without elaborating further.
"Alright, I’ll ride out to meet him right away," Luo Ping An replied without hesitation. He nodded and immediately called for a clerk to prepare his horse.
"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Ping An," Zhen Niang said gratefully before taking her leave.
Shortly after, Luo Ping An rode out of the city on horseback.
Zhen Niang then returned home. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw her father playing with Huiguan’er.
"Xiao Guan’er, take Huiguan’er to play somewhere else," Zhen Niang called out, instructing Xiao Guan’er to lead Huiguan’er away. Given the current situation, it was time to have a clear talk with her father.
"Zhen Niang, is something the matter?" Li Jingfu understood from her tone that his daughter had something important to discuss with him.
"Yes, Father. Let’s sit and talk," Zhen Niang said, bringing over two stools. They sat together by the edge of the courtyard.
"Father, do you still remember clearly how the Qin family’s gold-digging team rescued you back then?" Zhen Niang asked, sitting beside her father.
"Of course I remember. I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life," Li Jingfu replied, still shuddering at the memory of that incident.
"Then tell me about it, Father," Zhen Niang said. Back then, because it was a traumatic experience, the Li family had avoided asking for details to spare Li Jingfu from reliving the painful memories.
"Alright," Li Jingfu nodded and recounted the events of that day step by step.
"Father, are you saying the road where the accident happened was very remote, a horse trail discovered by local mountain villagers?" Zhen Niang confirmed.
"Of course. With so many northern barbarians, horse caravans heading north always hired local mountain villagers as guides," Li Jingfu explained.
"So, aside from individual mountain villagers, that road was rarely used by anyone else?" Zhen Niang pressed for confirmation.
"Exactly. Often, you wouldn’t see a single person for days," Li Jingfu replied."Father, don't you find it strange? Normally, you wouldn't see a soul for days, yet right after you were robbed, the Qin family's gold-digging team happened to pass by?" Zhen Niang asked.
"What do you mean by that?" Li Jingfu could tell his daughter was implying something and frowned as he questioned her.
At this point, Zhen Niang proceeded to explain how Luo Wenqian had unintentionally discovered the Qin family's collusion with the Tatars during his trip to Shizhou, along with the inside story of the merchant caravan's robbery and massacre back then. She then mentioned how her uncle-in-law Yao Qianshan had investigated Feng Daniu and the feud between the Qin family and that merchant house from years ago. Finally, she shared with her father what Sun Yuejuan had told her earlier that day.
"So you're saying the Qin family was actually the mastermind behind the robbery and massacre of the merchant caravan back then, and my rescue was merely the Qin family cleaning up the aftermath?" Li Jingfu was no longer the man who only knew how to drink and gamble in the past. In the northern regions, such things were not uncommon, and as soon as Zhen Niang spoke, he could piece together the entire story.
However, he had always regarded the Qin family as his saviors, and it was difficult for him to accept this revelation all at once.
"There's no doubt that the Qin family was the true mastermind behind the robbery and massacre of the merchant caravan back then. As for whether their gold-digging team's rescue of you was premeditated or coincidental, that's hard to say." Zhen Niang spoke matter-of-factly.
After all, the Qin family was a large clan, and not everyone was involved in colluding with the Tatars. While it was true that the Qin family orchestrated the caravan's robbery and massacre, if the gold-digging team that rescued her father back then truly happened to pass by by chance, then the debt of gratitude her father felt was still genuine.
"Let me think about this," Father Jingfu said with a grim expression.
Zhen Niang then took her leave, knowing it was necessary to give her father some time to process everything.
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