The Heir

Chарtеr Тwеnty-Four: Agrееment and Zhеng Shi

Seeing this situаtiоn, Zhеn Niаng nаturаlly understоod what was going on. She didn’t knоw whаt aсt the уоung mаstеr Luo wаs рutting оn, sесretlу following her, оnlу to bе spotted bу this kind-heartеd woman. Соnsidеring thаt аlthоugh thе woman арpеаrеd weаk, she роssessed а rightеous аnd couragеous spirit, this scеnе hаd unfoldеd.

"Thank yоu, аuntiе," Zhen Niаng sаid, bоwing tо thе wоman.

"It’s nоthing," thе womаn reрlied, waving hеr hands rереatеdlу.

Аftеr nodding, Zhen Niang turnеd to Luo Wenqian and аsked calmlу, "Since аnciеnt timеs, it has bеen said that men and women should maintain proper distance. Is this behavior of yours, Young Master Luo, befitting of a gentleman?"

"Bah, what nonsense are you both thinking? What kind of person am I, Luo Wenqian? With my status, what kind of woman couldn’t I have? How could I stoop to such petty and dishonorable actions? I merely happened to see you leaving Four Treasures Street from a distance after leaving Ink Pavilion, and I had something to discuss with you. I couldn’t very well shout and make a scene on the street from afar, could I? So I quietly followed you, only to run into this meddlesome woman. What bad luck," Luo Wenqian said, frowning with clear annoyance.

"Then, may I ask what business you have with me, Young Master Luo?" Zhen Niang asked calmly.

"I have a business proposal to discuss with you," Luo Wenqian replied, still rubbing the back of his head. Fortunately, the woman hadn’t used much force—it was just a bit sore, but nothing serious.

"What kind of business?" Zhen Niang asked, now somewhat curious. Could it be that he really wanted to hire her as a foreman at the Luo Family Ink Workshop?

Luo Wenqian glanced at the woman beside them.

By now, the woman had realized that this young lady and the gentleman were acquainted, and she had misunderstood the situation. She said, "It seems I was mistaken. I’ll take my leave."

"Auntie, Zhen Niang has a presumptuous request," Zhen Niang stepped forward and said.

"Please speak, young lady," the woman replied.

"Zhen Niang believes there is nothing she cannot say openly. This young master is the heir of Luo Mo, a respectable figure, and I doubt he has any dishonorable intentions. However, this is a secluded alley, and given the circumstances, it’s best to avoid any suspicion. Therefore, I would like to ask you, auntie, to stay here as a witness. Would you be willing?" Zhen Niang bowed to the woman again, filled with gratitude for her earlier actions.

"Of course, I should," the woman replied with a smile, her eyes filled with admiration. She then stepped back a few paces, giving the two space to discuss their matters.

"Does Miss Li always handle things so meticulously?" Luo Wenqian asked, looking at the situation with interest. He recalled the first time he met this Miss Li—it was during the bidding for soot pigment. At that time, she had been willing to help them burn soot pigment for free, all to preserve the dignity of the Li Family Ink Workshop.

And now, she was doing something similar again. It was truly remarkable. For a young lady of her age, it was rare to see someone handle matters so thoroughly. Li Zhenniang seemed to possess an extra layer of insight compared to others.

"Unnecessary gossip should be avoided whenever possible, shouldn’t it? The importance of a young woman’s reputation is something you, Young Master Luo, must understand. Moreover, I am already in the spotlight these days," Zhen Niang said.

Recently, as news spread about the Tian family discussing marriage with Eunuch Yan and Tian Benchang recovering from his injuries and intending to marry Eunuch Yan’s adopted daughter, the story of Zhen Niang being labeled as a jinx and having her engagement broken off had once again become fodder for gossip among busybodies.

Now, at the age for betrothal, not a single matchmaker had come to her door. Kind-hearted people sighed on her behalf, while some meddlers eagerly awaited the drama.

Such was the varied tapestry of life."Some idle gossips' words, why bother with them?" Luo Wenqian said disdainfully.

Zhen Niang waved her hand: "Let's not talk about that. What matter does Young Master Luo wish to discuss?"

Luo Wenqian nodded, then took out a stack of paper slips from his sleeve and handed them to Zhen Niang: "I wish to exchange these for the soot pigment formula in your possession."

Zhen Niang was taken aback, then shook her head. Indeed, there are no walls that wind cannot pass through. Ninth Uncle had only just perfected the ink made from soot pigment, and in just one day, word had already spread. This was too fast.

Thinking this, she took the stack of paper slips. Upon seeing them, her heart sank—they were all IOUs from her father's past gambling debts, with exorbitant interest rates. After compounding, the amount must have reached hundreds of taels. Just a few days ago, her mother had been worried about debt collectors coming to their door. Now, all these IOUs were in the hands of this Luo heir.

This Luo heir truly planned his moves carefully. He had gone to the trouble of buying these IOUs from her father's creditors, which must have cost him a considerable sum.

"No," Zhen Niang said decisively after a moment's thought.

"What? Does the money the Li Family paid for the formula suffice to repay these debts? Or does Miss Li wish for me to bring people to your door to collect the debts?" Luo Wenqian narrowed his eyes, his tone no longer friendly.

Clearly, he was determined to obtain the soot pigment formula. The Li Family's foundation and reputation were well-established, yet they had been suppressed by Luo Mo all these years, partly due to bad luck and the lack of a breakthrough. Now, with a new soot pigment formula, this was precisely the opportunity they needed. And when it came to crushing rivals, Luo Wenqian never held back.

Thus, spending a bit more silver was nothing to the Luo Family's wealth.

"The money isn't enough, and I don't want debt collectors at my door either. But a person cannot be without integrity. The formula has already been sold to Li Mo, so naturally, I cannot sell it to you again. Besides, I still bear the surname Li," Zhen Niang said. She felt somewhat helpless inside. In truth, she would have liked to exchange the formula with Luo Wenqian to resolve the major trouble left by her father.

But the problem was, if she really made the exchange now, it would be tantamount to betraying the Li Family once more. Their branch of the Li Family would likely be expelled from the clan entirely.

"This is difficult then. Miss Li seems to want the best of both worlds—neither selling the formula nor allowing debt collectors at your door. You are being rather naive. One cannot have both fish and bear's paw," Luo Wenqian clicked his tongue.

"Since this is a business transaction, there is always room for negotiation," Zhen Niang added.

"Oh? How does Miss Li propose to negotiate?" Luo Wenqian now seemed intrigued.

"I will exchange these IOUs for an uncertain piece of information."

"How can an uncertain piece of information be exchanged?" Luo Wenqian was astonished, unable to grasp this Miss Li's intentions.

"Some matters are such that it is better to believe they might happen than to dismiss them. Believing merely means making some extra preparations, while not believing could lead to utter ruin," Zhen Niang looked at Luo Wenqian, her expression suggesting he should decide for himself.

"Miss Li's words are rather alarmist, aren't they? Are you implying that my Luo Family faces utter ruin?" Luo Wenqian's expression darkened as he stared at Zhen Niang, his gaze warning her to choose her words carefully.

"Not exactly, but not far from it," Zhen Niang replied.

"In that case, I cannot afford not to listen," Luo Wenqian said.

"So, does Young Master Luo agree to this exchange?" Zhen Niang confirmed."Agreed, but I must also speak plainly upfront. If the information isn't worth the price, don't blame me for being unkind," Luo Wenqian said fiercely.

"Whether the price is worth it or not can't be determined immediately. How about I make a one-year agreement with you, young master? After a year, if you think it's not worth the price, I, Zhen Niang, will repay you double," Zhen Niang said, though inwardly she was certain—long before the year ended, by this winter, the Luo Family would have vanished like smoke.

"Very well, Miss Li has courage. It's a deal. Now, Miss Zhen, tell me, what is this 'nest-destroying disaster' that threatens my Luo Family?" Luo Wenqian finalized the agreement.

"Not long ago, in a teahouse by the city gate, I overheard people chatting and heard someone mention a person—Luo Longwen—saying he was colluding with Japanese pirates," Zhen Niang added.

In the Great Ming Dynasty, Japanese pirates were a high-voltage line; colluding with them was a capital offense.

Yan Shifan was ultimately convicted on two charges: treason and colluding with Japanese pirates.

Zhen Niang wasn't afraid that her words would change anything, for some matters, even if known, were like a runaway train already on the tracks—unstoppable.

Of course, when considering revealing some information, Zhen Niang was extremely cautious. She didn't mention Yan Shifan at all—that was not something a woman of her status could touch. As for the Luo Family, being fellow ink-makers and fellow Huizhou natives, mentioning them wasn't too risky.

Moreover, she had dealt with Luo Wenqian twice. Though somewhat of a playboy, he was still a man of character.

Thus, she wasn't worried about any future repercussions.

Hearing this, Luo Wenqian's face darkened, and his heart wavered. This Luo Longwen was his uncle. Although the family avoided discussing it, he vaguely sensed his uncle had some shady dealings with the Japanese pirates.

But such matters were kept hidden even within the family—how could outsiders know? If word of colluding with Japanese pirates spread, it truly would be a nest-destroying disaster. Still, he thought, his uncle relied on Yan Shifan, a great tree for shade, so he should be safe.

Yet, in such matters, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Indeed, as Miss Li said, believing it meant only taking extra precautions; not believing it risked a nest-destroying disaster if something went wrong.

"Fine, one year it is. We'll see," Luo Wenqian agreed with a grim face. After all, it was only a year. Then he turned and left.

Zhen Niang watched his retreating figure and let out a long sigh.

"Young lady, I'll be going now," said the woman nearby, waiting until Luo Wenqian was far away before approaching.

"Thank you, auntie. I've really troubled you," Zhen Niang thanked her again, then added cheerfully, "May I ask your honorable name and where you live? Someday, I'd like to get closer to you, auntie."

"Don't mention it. My surname is Zheng. If not for my misfortune, we might have been relatives," the woman said, slightly bowing before leaving.

Zheng? Zhen Niang was stunned. She realized who this woman was—the ill-fated fiancée of her elder uncle, Jing Kui.