The Heir

Сhаpter 243: Mеmоrial Arсh? Marriаgе? Ink Маnuаl

Тhe fire сontrol facilities in the fаlsе Ink Reрositоrу wеrе well соnstruсtеd. Аlthough thе false reроsitorу was burned down, thе rest of thе Li family соmроund wаs lаrgеly unaffесted. Еvеn thе adjаcеnt gеnuine Ink Reроsitorу suffered little dаmage asidе frоm smоke stаins on the walls; оnlу thе roоf nееdеd sоmе reраirs. Hоwevеr, the eаstern wаll rеquirеd cоmрlеtе reconstruсtion. During the fire that daу, the Li family hаd despеratеlу smashеd through the eastern wall to retrieve Old Madam Li’s body, after which they naturally prepared her remains for burial and set up the mourning altar.

The ones keeping vigil were Li Zhenniang and Li Tianyou.

Although Li Zhenniang had been formally married that day in a ceremony presided over by the old madam, the wedding and the old madam’s passing occurred on the same day. This counted as a “hot filial wedding,” intended to ward off misfortune for Old Madam Li. Therefore, it was still appropriate for Zhenniang to keep vigil. Moreover, Zhenniang had been the old madam’s most cherished junior during her lifetime, while Li Tianyou was the sole heir of the Li family’s seventh branch.

Thus, having Li Zhenniang and Li Tianyou keep vigil was both reasonable and fitting.

From early morning, people had been arriving at the Li residence one after another to pay their respects to the old madam. Not only were there Li family relatives, but also nearly a hundred households from the East Gate.

The recent invasion by Japanese pirates and bandits had resulted in dozens of households at the East Gate being burned, over twenty deaths, and more than a hundred injuries. The residents of the East Gate referred to this incident as the “East Gate Calamity.”

Of course, the fact that the incident was contained within the East Gate area was thanks to the efforts of the entire city’s residents, along with wealthy households organizing their servants to desperately hold the line at the East Gate, preventing the bandits and some of the Japanese pirates from advancing further into the city. Otherwise, if these intruders had truly broken through to Four Treasures Street, the losses would have been immeasurable.

This situation naturally brought to mind the group of Japanese pirates who had secretly infiltrated Four Treasures Street.

If not for Luo Wenqian’s well-laid plans, and if not for Old Madam Li’s desperate sacrifice to take down the Japanese pirates with her, the current state of Four Treasures Street would be unimaginable—something the residents and merchants there dared not even contemplate.

The people of the East Gate were especially moved that Old Madam Li had avenged them.

Thus, since the Li family began accepting condolences, residents from all over the city had come to offer incense to the old madam, praising her loyalty, righteousness, and unwavering courage.

“The Prefect and the County Magistrate have come to pay their respects to the old madam,” announced the gatekeeper just then. As soon as his words fell, the Prefect and the County Magistrate entered the mourning hall.

Li Tianyou stood up, lit incense, and handed it to the two officials before kneeling again beside Zhenniang. Zhenniang, for her part, kowtowed in gratitude. Meanwhile, Madam Li and the other Li family members also bowed in thanks.

“The old madam was loyal and righteous, and her death was worthy. I have decided to join with the scholars and residents of Huizhou to petition for the construction of a Loyalty and Righteousness Memorial Arch in her honor,” declared the Prefect firmly after offering incense, addressing the Li family.

The Li family was momentarily stunned, then overwhelmed with joy and relief. Although such an arch was merely a cold stone structure, it represented the highest evaluation of Old Madam Li’s life—a life that had truly lived up to the ideals of loyalty and righteousness.

“Thank you, Your Excellency, and thank you to all our fellow townspeople,” the Li family expressed their gratitude with another bow after their initial excitement.

“This is what the old madam deserved,” replied the Prefect, bowing once more in return.

The Li family bowed again, after which Li Tianyou escorted the two officials out. Through the ordeal of the Japanese pirate invasion, Li Tianyou was rapidly shedding his childishness. At fourteen years old, the young man already conducted himself with proper decorum.On the twelfth day of the third month, Old Madam Li was laid to rest, with the entire city of Huizhou turning out to bid her farewell.

Incense ash drifted upward, her noble spirit enduring.

…………

Eight months later, a memorial archway inscribed with "Loyalty and Righteousness" was erected at the eastern city's street corner. Surrounding it were several other archways, all commemorating the common folk who had perished in the East Gate calamity, forming a small cluster of memorial arches.

The characters for "Loyalty and Righteousness" stood as firm and imposing as mountains.

Today was also the official wedding day of Li Zhenniang and Luo Wenqian. Of course, Li Zhenniang was already a member of the Luo Family, but the old madam had insisted on a lively and splendid wedding to see her off. Thus, the day the archway was erected became the day to formally celebrate their marriage.

Now, Zhen Niang sat inside the bridal sedan chair, listening to the lively suona music outside, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She couldn't help but lift her head, raising the red veil to gaze at the sedan's roof, her eyes seeming to pierce through it to the blue sky beyond.

Recalling the bustling wedding procession earlier, Zhen Niang murmured softly, "Old Madam, are you pleased with such a joyous scene?"

"Haha, today we'll also share in the joy and set off opening firecrackers." Just then, as Zhen Niang sat inside the sedan, she heard a burst of crackling firecrackers outside.

"Fang Da, congratulations on your grand opening!" came voices from outside. Curious, Zhen Niang tilted her head and quietly pulled aside a corner of the sedan's curtain to look. They were on Four Treasures Street, where Madam Fang's Ink Pavilion was opening for business, still at the original location of Madam Tian's Ink Pavilion.

At the entrance, guests came and went, offering their congratulations.

In the blink of an eye, the sedan had passed by. Listening to the continuing firecrackers behind her, Zhen Niang understood: the era of rivalry between the Li and Tian families in Huizhou had passed. What followed would be an age of contention between the Fang and Cheng families—no, due to her unexpected arrival, Li Mo was now at its peak. It should be a glorious era for the ink industry, a three-way rivalry among Li, Fang, and Cheng.

"Come, Ninth Brother, the groom kicks the sedan!" Soon, the bridal sedan arrived at the entrance of the Luo Family mansion in Luo Village outside the city. Several young men from the Luo Family, ever eager for excitement, shouted.

"Kick what? Sister-in-law Ninth has already entered the family—this is just a formal celebration," one young man retorted.

"But a formal celebration still counts!" another argued confidently.

"That's right, it counts. He must kick!" others chimed in, egging him on.

"Fine, I'll kick then," Luo Wenqian chuckled in his deep voice, going along with the crowd. Inside the sedan, Zhen Niang couldn't help but smile. Then came a thud against the sedan door.

"Zhen Niang, kick back hard! Don't let anyone look down on you!" Immediately, those from the wedding procession shouted.

"Yes, Sister-in-law Ninth, kick back hard!" Even the Luo Family's sisters-in-law joined in excitedly.

Sitting inside the sedan, Zhen Niang was not one to back down either and kicked back with equal force.

"Haha, the husband fears no wife, the wife shows no weakness. Husband and wife are of one heart, together till old age!" The wedding master of ceremonies sang out, leading many of the younger boys in a chorus.

Luo Wenqian lifted the sedan curtain, took Zhen Niang's hand, and pledged to hold her hand and grow old together.

The series of rituals that followed need not be detailed here.

Zhen Niang sat in the bridal chamber, the wedding veil still covering her head. Everything before her eyes was a sea of red, and as she listened to the sounds of drinking and celebration outside, she felt her own cheeks grow warm without realizing it.

Luo Wenqian stumbled into the room, slightly drunk, and lifted Zhen Niang's red veil. Seeing the joy sparkling in her eyes, he watched as the bridesmaid urged Zhen Niang to eat a half-cooked dumpling, repeatedly asking her, "Will it bear life?"Zhenniang blushed as she uttered the word "alive," and he grinned so widely his eyes nearly disappeared.

After the wedding attendant left, Zhenniang shot him a look that was half-annoyed, half-pleased. This man seemed as delighted by her embarrassment as if he had stumbled upon a great treasure.

Luo Wenqian rarely saw Zhenniang in such a coy manner. She was always composed, always steady. This side of her now dazzled him, and without thinking, he swept her into his arms, spinning her around the room before gathering her close against his chest, leaning against the bedpost.

Zhenniang instinctively rested her cheek against the curve of his shoulder. Catching the scent of wine on his breath, she reached up to stroke his chin. "Did you drink much?"

"Mmm," Luo Wenqian replied, then added with a complaint, "Your clansmen were relentless. Good thing I built up a strong tolerance for liquor up north, or I wouldn’t have been able to handle your brothers."

Hearing this, Zhenniang lifted her face and deliberately planted a placating kiss on his chin, though inwardly she was secretly amused. Back then, her wedding had been hastily arranged by the old madam, with the ceremony performed in advance. Afterward, her eldest brother—who had been thoroughly drunk at his own wedding—along with her cousins Zhengping and Zhengyan, were none too pleased. Their precious sister had been handed over to a Luo just like that. Whatever misery they had endured, Luo Wenqian ought to taste it too—that was the privilege of elder brothers-in-law.

And so, the group had long ago secretly conspired with Xi Ge’er, Brother Run, Tianyou, and of course Li Zhengping: when the wedding was properly celebrated, they must make Luo Jiu experience the same.

Seeing Zhenniang’s hidden delight, Luo Wenqian’s lips also curved upward. He certainly couldn’t have handled the Li family cousins alone, but the Luo clan had plenty of young men too. Moreover, this was Luo family territory. Swarming forward together, the Li brothers gained no advantage—they all ended up drunk and collapsed.

Now, Luo Wenqian held Zhenniang even tighter, his heart full of contentment. He lowered his head to peck her lips, then began to press and savor them gently…

The red candles burned through the night until dawn.

They were finally truly married.

"Zhenniang, I’ve waited for you so very long…" Luo Wenqian’s words faded against her lips.

………………

Two years later.

The first year of the Wanli era, the hour of Xu.

Luo Residence in Nanjing. The room was brightly lit by oil lamps.

Zhenniang sat at the table, carefully organizing the manuscript for the ink compendium. It had been over two years since the old madam passed away, and the task she had promised her was nearing completion.

An ink compendium—the ultimate pursuit of every ink maker. Li Zhenniang had spent more than two years on it. For the first half-year, she immersed herself in the Li Family Ink Repository, cataloging and compiling records of inks from past generations. Then, over the following year and a half, she sought out various Ink Masters, finally settling on the final volume of the Li Family Ink Compendium. She also commissioned commentaries on the inks, had illustrations drawn, and collected and refined folk stories from Ink Competitions, along with appreciation knowledge and some treasured pieces from various ink collectors. Now, at last, it was approaching its end.

As the work drew to a close, one important task remained: the overall commentary for the compendium. Who should write it? That was a significant problem.

As she pondered this, she heard the drip-drip of water from the eaves outside.

"Xing Hua, is it raining outside? Quickly, take an umbrella for your Ninth Master." Zhenniang struggled slightly to stand up as she called toward the outer room. She was now over six months pregnant.

Today, Wenqian had received an invitation from Marshal Qi to dine at Four Directions Pavilion. It was already late at night, and he still hadn’t returned. Zhenniang was growing somewhat anxious.Xing Hua was the daughter of Uncle Liujin. When Zhen Niang married, Zhao Shi assigned Li Liujin's family of four to Zhen Niang as part of her dowry.

Now, Li Liujin served as the gatekeeper for the Luo Family. Uncle Liujin's son, Brother Shan, worked alongside Luo Wuzi by Luo Wenqian's side. Over the past two years, especially since Gao Gong's downfall last year and Zhang Juzheng's rise to power, Luo Wenqian's business had expanded rapidly. Having just a few people around him was no longer sufficient. Meanwhile, Liu Jin Sao and Ping'an Sao managed the kitchen affairs and handled some procurement and social etiquette matters. Xing Hua stayed by Zhen Niang's side.

Then there was Chou Po. She was reclusive by nature and disliked having servants. However, Er Gou had married Hua'er last year, and the three of them now lived in the neighboring courtyard. With Er Gou and Hua'er attending to her daily needs and Zhen Niang frequently checking in, the elderly woman still complained that everyone was meddling too much. She tended her vegetable patch alone, finding immense contentment in it.

"Madam, please take it slow." Seeing Zhen Niang stand up, Xing Hua hurried forward to support her. After Zhen Niang was seated again, she said, "It is raining. I'll go now."

Just as she was about to lift the curtain to leave, Luo Wenqian's voice sounded from outside, "No need, I'm back. The rain isn't heavy anyway."

"Why are you so late?" Zhen Niang rose again and stepped forward, taking a towel to wipe the droplets from Luo Wenqian's forehead. But Luo Wenqian held her steady and helped her lean back on the soft couch, his face filled with concern.

Seeing his anxious expression, Zhen Niang chuckled, resting a hand on her belly. "No need to be so nervous. Everything is steady."

Only then did Luo Wenqian let out a soft laugh. After reminding Zhen Niang to take care, he went to bathe and change into dry clothes before returning. Then, wrapping his arms around Zhen Niang's noticeably thickened waist, he said, "Marshal Qi invited quite a few people today. I went to help set the stage for him, so I couldn't leave early." Luo Wenqian narrowed his eyes.

"What does he need you to set the stage for?" Zhen Niang asked curiously.

"He wants to repair the Great Wall," Luo Wenqian replied.

Hearing this, Zhen Niang remembered that the later-known Great Wall was the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, largely built during Qi Jiguang's time.

For Marshal Qi to have Luo Wenqian set the stage for repairing the Great Wall naturally meant asking Luo Wenqian to take the lead in donating money. Luo Wenqian had prospered precisely because of Marshal Qi and Zhang Juzheng. Donating now was unquestionable.

However, setting such a stage inevitably meant pressuring the wealthy merchants of Nanjing into contributing—a task that would offend many. Zhen Niang couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

"It's fine. This time, setting this stage will bring joy to all," Luo Wenqian said, seeing Zhen Niang's concern. Not wanting her to worry, he quickly reassured her, holding her protectively. He gently nibbled her lip before continuing, "How so?"

"How do you mean?" Zhen Niang asked, puzzled.

"Have you forgotten? The new emperor, Wanli, is now on the throne. Last year, Gao Gong was dismissed from office. Minister Zhang alone controls the cabinet, supported by the Empress Dowager. With new policies being implemented, his power is at its peak. And with Minister Zhang's backing, Marshal Qi repairing the Great Wall now—on a grand scale, it serves the nation and the people; on a smaller scale, it tests the waters. My setting the stage gives everyone a way to step forward," Luo Wenqian explained.

Hearing this, Zhen Niang nodded and finally relaxed. Changes in power naturally led to a reshuffling of the commercial landscape. Last year, Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao had played their hands masterfully, turning the tides at will.

What followed would inevitably be a commercial reshuffle, making it necessary for merchants to test the waters.Of course, these matters had nothing to do with Zhen Niang—as long as Luo Wenqian was safe, that was all that mattered.

"By the way, have you decided who to ask to write the commentary for your ink catalog?" Luo Wenqian asked, glancing at the stack of ink catalogs on the table.

"There is one candidate, but I’m not sure if he’d be willing," Zhen Niang said, resting her head on Luo Wenqian’s shoulder.

"Who?" Luo Wenqian asked curiously.

"Lord Sun Kehong." This Sun Kehong was the Ink Master who had judged the ink at the Tian family’s Ink Testing Gathering. Back then, Zhen Niang had even managed to obtain a Song dynasty inlaid ink box made by him.

At the time, Sun Kehong served as an official in Yingtian. He was a painter, a collector, and came from a family of officials for generations. With a sociable nature and a wide circle of friends, he would be an excellent choice to write the commentary for the Li family’s ink catalog.

Zhen Niang remembered that in her previous life, the commentary for the Fang family’s ink catalog had been written by Wang Daokun.

After hearing Zhen Niang’s words, Luo Wenqian pondered for a moment before suddenly saying, "How about this—I’ll step in and ask Minister Zhang to help write the commentary for the ink catalog?"

Zhen Niang turned her face to look at Luo Wenqian, feeling a surge of excitement. If their ink catalog commentary were written by Zhang Juzheng, the prestige would be immense. However, she soon furrowed her brow slightly. Upon careful consideration, she felt that a single ink catalog wasn’t worth troubling such a prominent figure. Moreover, the fate of such a figure was rather tragic, entangled in various struggles of interest. Li Mo had no desire to get involved in such matters, preferring to focus solely on ink-making.

"Better not. Asking Minister Zhang to intervene for an ink catalog would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Besides, Minister Zhang is already entangled in too many interests," Zhen Niang said, wrinkling her nose as she looked at Luo Wenqian.

"Hmm, you’re right," Luo Wenqian agreed after some thought, realizing that asking Zhang Juzheng for help wasn’t appropriate.

Meanwhile, Zhen Niang’s mind began to wander again. As she had previously considered, political upheavals often led to commercial reshuffles. Brother Luo bore the heavy imprint of Zhang’s faction, and she needed to start preparing early.