The Heir

Chарtеr Тhirtу-Three: Whаt Wаs Bound tо Comе Наs Соmе

“Therе’s no need for Young Mаstеr Tiаn to trоublе himsеlf,” Zhеn Niang rерliеd, tаking а few stеps to the sidе tо put sоme distancе betweеn herself аnd Тiаn Веnсhаng.

“Zhen Niang, whу sрeаk with suсh rеsentmеnt? It was mеrеly a misundеrstаnding betwеen us,” Tian Вenchang соntinuеd.

A mеre misunderstanding? А surgе оf angеr rоsе in Zhеn Niаng’s hеart. Тhе Tiаn familу had brandеd her with thе stigmа оf being а husbаnd-killеr аnd had even сome to her own hоme to breаk off the еngagеmеnt. Tо others, these things might not matter, but for her, whether it was the label of husband-killer or the humiliation of a broken engagement, both had become topics of gossip. At her age, matchmakers should have been flocking to her doorstep to propose marriages.

But now? Not a single suitor had come forward. Though her family claimed not to care, each of them was secretly worried and anxious.

All of this was thanks to the Tian family. Was this just a “mere misunderstanding”?

Moreover, if Tian Benchang truly believed it was a misunderstanding, he should have come to her home in person after his safe return. At the very least, he owed Li Zhenniang an explanation.

But he had acted as if nothing had happened. Even when they met last time, he hadn’t mentioned anything about a misunderstanding.

Why? Because the Tian family had been trying to secure a marriage alliance with Eunuch Yan’s family.

Now that Eunuch Yan had fallen on hard times, Tian Benchang was suddenly talking about a “misunderstanding.” Zhen Niang could guess his intentions.

It was all because her reputation for making ink had grown, and the Tian family saw an opportunity for gain.

The Tian Family Ink Workshop was now in full swing with its preparations.

It was said that the Tian family was offering high prices for various top-tier ink formulas—their ambitions were not small.

With the matter of Miss Yan no longer an obstacle, they were settling for the next best option. What a clever plan.

“Young Master Tian, I appreciate your kindness. Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, we both know the truth. Some things don’t need to be spelled out. I wish you and Miss Yan a happy union for a hundred years,” Zhen Niang said with a sincere expression.

Her words were somewhat cutting, but not entirely inaccurate. Although the marriage discussions between the Tian and Yan families had fallen through, outsiders were not fully aware of it. The earlier negotiations between the two families had caused quite a stir, and Zhen Niang’s words left Tian Benchang with no way to respond.

If he denied it, wouldn’t that prove that the Tian family had gone back on their word after the Yan family’s misfortune, losing all credibility?

Some things could be done but not spoken aloud.

At this moment, Tian Benchang could only darken his face. He hadn’t realized before that this girl had such a sharp tongue.

Zhen Niang then left the line, squeezed her way to the front, and cheerfully bowed to an uncle ahead of her, smoothly cutting in line. Uncle Shui hurriedly helped Zhen Niang fill her bucket with hot water.

Zhen Niang gave an apologetic smile to the people still waiting in line.

“Alright, alright, hurry home once you’ve filled your bucket. The buzzing of flies is quite annoying,” a quick-tongued woman said. It was Huaide’s Wife, who lived across from Zhen Niang’s family.

Fang Huaide had been doing business in Suzhou for years, and Zhao Shi often relied on him to deliver letters and items to Li Jingfu.

“Mm,” Zhen Niang nodded, smiled once more, and carried the hot water home.

Nearby, Tian Benchang’s face grew even darker upon hearing Huaide’s Wife’s words.

...

The mix of light snow and sleet brought a biting chill to the air, making one’s bones feel stiff and frozen.A few days later, Eunuch Yan finally had all the materials prepared, which were once again delivered to the Li family by the steward. Zhen Niang processed the materials and worked diligently for several days, finally producing the Eight Treasures Five Gallbladders Ink. However, due to the cold weather, it still needed a few more days to dry in the shade.

Thus, over ten days passed, and it was now mid-December.

A light rain was falling.

"Grandfather, the Medicinal Ink is ready. I'll deliver it to Miss Yan," said Zhen Niang, wearing a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat, clutching a peachwood box tightly in her arms. The Medicinal Ink was inside the box, ready to be delivered to the Yan residence.

Over the past few days, the Yan family steward had come to urge her several times, but he had been absent for the last two days.

"Go ahead, but be careful on the road," said Old Shopkeeper Li.

Zhen Niang then left with the box. The fine, dense rain would have been quite poetic in spring, but in winter, Zhen Niang had only one feeling—her feet were nearly frozen off.

So, without worrying about her trousers getting wet from the rain, she hurried through the city gate tunnel and arrived near the Taibai Pavilion.

Just as she reached the entrance of the Yan residence, she saw Eunuch Yan emerging in a sedan chair, surrounded by guards, attendants, and servants, looking quite spirited and proud.

The steward spotted Zhen Niang and greeted her with a smile, "Miss Li, you’ve come. Is the Medicinal Ink ready?"

"Yes, it is," Zhen Niang nodded.

"Good, good," said the eunuch, lifting the sedan curtain and nodding happily at Zhen Niang. He then instructed a nearby servant, "Take Miss Li to see Qian Ma and have Qian Ma bring her to see the young lady."

"Yes, Eunuch," the servant promptly replied.

Eunuch Yan then whispered something into the steward’s ear, and the steward called the servant over to give him a few more instructions. Turning to Zhen Niang, he said, "Miss Li, Eunuch Yan is busy with urgent matters, so the young lady’s affairs are entrusted to you." With that, he nodded briefly and hurried off with Eunuch Yan.

Zhen Niang couldn’t help but feel slightly puzzled. What urgent matter could Eunuch Yan have? Although Miss Yan was a clan daughter he had adopted since childhood, everyone knew that Eunuch Yan treated her as his own daughter.

It was well known that eunuchs, in particular, placed great importance on matters after their death. Eunuch Yan had long declared that regardless of whom Yan Xianglan married, one of her sons would bear the Yan surname to carry on his legacy.

Thus, Eunuch Yan cherished Miss Yan as if she were the apple of his eye.

Yet now, with matters concerning Miss Yan’s treatment, Eunuch Yan was too preoccupied to attend to them. This meant there must be something even more important than Yan Xianglan.

Zhen Niang pondered this. Judging by Eunuch Yan’s spirited demeanor, he seemed to have escaped his previous predicament. Zhen Niang guessed it was almost certainly related to the exposure of Yan Shifan’s affairs. During this time, she had been solely focused on preparing the Medicinal Ink and hadn’t given much thought to this matter. Now, thinking about it, it must be happening around this time—in mid-December. If Yan Shifan was in trouble, the Luo Family would inevitably be implicated. Given that Eunuch Yan had suffered greatly at the hands of the Luo Family before, wouldn’t he seize this opportunity to strike while they were vulnerable?

Lost in thought, Zhen Niang followed the servant into the Yan residence.

"Miss Yan, the steward asked me to relay a message to you: have Li Mo begin preparing for the Tribute Ink selection," the servant said as they walked.

"Wasn’t the Tribute Ink just awarded to the Luo Family this year? What does the steward mean by this?" Although Zhen Niang had guessed the likely outcome, it hadn’t been confirmed. So, she still needed to verify the news.As she spoke, Zhen Niang took out a small piece of broken silver from her bosom, her heart aching with the loss.

Tribute Ink was selected once every three years, and this year happened to be the year for choosing Tribute Ink. However, due to the Luo Family's connections in the court, there was no selection at all—the court directly appointed the Luo Family. So, by convention, the next Tribute Ink selection should be in three years.

That small piece of broken silver pained Zhen Niang greatly, but for the servant boy, who had long been by Eunuch Yan's side, such a tip was no longer worth his attention. Still, considering this girl had come to treat the young lady and the eunuch held her in high regard, even though the money was meager, he didn’t mind it, thinking it best to foster goodwill. Lowering his voice, he said, "Censor Lin has accused Yan Shifan, who has been thrown into prison. Luo Longwen is also locked up with him. The Luo Family won’t last much longer."

"Oh, oh, oh. Alright, I’ll remember that. Thank you, brother," Zhen Niang said, putting on a fearful expression.

This confirmed her suspicions—the Luo Family was finished. What was bound to happen had finally come.

"You’re welcome," the servant boy replied.

Soon, the two arrived at the backyard. The servant boy had a maid from the rear courtyard call Qian Ma over and then withdrew.

Zhen Niang followed Qian Ma to see Yan Xianglan. First, she applied Medicinal Ink to Yan Xianglan’s back, then taught Qian Ma the daily medication method and dosage.

After Qian Ma understood everything, Zhen Niang took her leave. Miss Yan’s Back Sore wasn’t like Auntie Zheng’s, which could disappear in just two hours—it would require quite some time to nurse back to health.

As for the payment for the Medicinal Ink, Zhen Niang didn’t accept it. Eunuch Yan had prepared ample materials earlier, and Zhen Niang had made quite a bit of Medicinal Ink. She had given half to Eunuch Yan and kept the other half for herself, considering it as payment for the medicine.

Qian Ma saw Zhen Niang out of the mansion. Afterward, Zhen Niang practically jogged all the way home.

"Grandfather, Eunuch Yan had someone tell me to have our Li Family Ink Workshop start preparing to compete for Tribute Ink," Zhen Niang said as soon as she entered the house, addressing Old Shopkeeper Li, who was sitting in the hall holding a brazier to warm his hands.

The door curtain was lifted, letting in a gust of cold wind. Zhao Shi quickly pulled the thick curtain on the door shut and turned to glare at Zhen Niang. "You’re always so careless! Don’t you know your grandfather is coughing badly? You didn’t close the curtain properly and burst in so suddenly. Can your grandfather handle this cold wind?"

Zhen Niang smiled sheepishly—she had been negligent.

Then Zhao Shi added, "Wasn’t it just this year that the Luo Family was appointed again? Why are they suddenly asking our Li Family to compete?"

Old Shopkeeper Li also stared at Zhen Niang, waiting for her to explain further.

"The Luo Family is in trouble," Zhen Niang said, repeating what the servant boy had told her.

"Is this reliable? A few years ago, the Luo Family almost got into trouble too, but nothing came of it in the end," Zhao Shi muttered on the side.

"Mother, some things can happen once but not twice. Besides, regardless of all that, it’s better to be prepared," Zhen Niang replied.

"Hmm, Zhen Niang makes sense. Better to be prepared. I’ll go to the Ink Workshop right away," Old Shopkeeper Li said, unable to sit still any longer.

The Li Family Ink Workshop had missed opportunities several times before, and now here was another chance. Of course, it still depended on whether Zhen Niang’s Medicinal Ink was effective.