The Heir

Chaрter Thirtу-Fivе: Тrееs Grоw into Spirits, Рeople Age intо Dеmons

Тhat еvеning, Zhеn Niаng leаrnеd thе whоlе storу behind the formulа inсident frоm her grandfathеr.

It turned out thаt ever sinсе Zhеn Niаng disсоvеred the fоrmulа leаk (this раrt abоut the fоrmulа leak wаs in thе prеvious chaрter. Since it wаs аddеd aftеr the initial pоsting, sоmе reаdеrs might hаvе missеd it. Yоu cаn gо baсk and сheck—it dоesn’t аffесt the рlоt dеvеlopment.), Оld Madam Li had beеn secretlу investigating, but shе cоuldn’t find аny lеads. Later, Seventh Grandmother devised a plan: she took out the Li family’s ancestral ink formula and gave it to Master Qin, instructing him to meticulously prepare a batch of ink to participate in the Tribute Ink Selection the following spring.

Thieves, once accustomed to stealing, especially cannot resist good things. When they see something valuable, it’s hard for them not to reach out for it.

And this batch of ink, supposedly intended for the Tribute Ink Selection, was the bait set by Seventh Grandmother.

Sure enough, Sun Baiyi struck again, and this time he was caught red-handed, with both the person and the stolen goods in hand. There was no way Sun Baiyi could deny it.

“To be honest, this was an extremely dangerous situation. Sun Baiyi was just a smoke generation worker at the Li family’s Ink Workshop. Originally, he shouldn’t have been able to enter the ingredient room at all. But who would have thought that he would use his father Sun Dahe’s reputation and spread money around, managing to win over a group of workers in the Ink Workshop? That’s how he repeatedly targeted the Li family’s ink workshop formula and committed such a treacherous act. It’s truly outrageous!” Under the dim oil lamp, Old Shopkeeper Li fumed, his beard bristling with anger.

Then he sighed: “These workers in the ink workshop nowadays…”

“Grandfather, it all comes down to people’s hearts being scattered. Seventh Grandmother is getting older now and can’t manage the Ink Workshop affairs as well. Not to mention the Ink Pavilion, I’ve heard that just within the Ink Workshop, there are several factions. Steward Shao and Manager Zheng are father-in-law and son-in-law—they form one faction, and quite a few workers follow them. Then there’s Uncle Jingdong’s faction—most of the ink mold and engraving workers side with Uncle Jingdong. There are also some who used to follow you, Grandfather, and still hope you’ll return to the Ink Workshop. With all this, how can the workers’ minds not be in disarray? Add to that outsiders tempting them with profit, and it’s no wonder things have turned out this way.” Zhen Niang consoled her grandfather while massaging his back.

“Exactly. In fact, when you get down to it, it’s all because of the trouble your father caused back then.” Old Shopkeeper Li sighed.

Back then, if Li Jingfu hadn’t done such a foolish thing, Seventh Master wouldn’t have passed away so early, Li Jinshui wouldn’t have left the Ink Workshop, and even that lad Jingdong wouldn’t have been disabled. Many things in the Li family wouldn’t be the way they are now.

“Grandfather, what’s past is past. There’s no use dwelling on it anymore.” Zhen Niang comforted him from the side.

“It’s impossible not to think about these things. I always feel ashamed to face our ancestors.” Old Shopkeeper Li coughed, his expression somewhat gloomy."You old fool, how can you say you have no face to see our ancestors? Jing Kui already gave his life for the ink workshop—isn't that enough? Even Jing Fu has turned over a new leaf now. Yesterday, when Huaide returned from Suzhou, he brought back twenty taels of silver for Jing Fu. Didn't you hear Huaide say? Jing Fu is now the third shopkeeper at the goods firm. If it weren't for a batch of goods being sent north for the New Year, he should have come back to celebrate. And now, Zhen Niang, a mere girl, is making ink and earning money, while Zhengliang has built up the coal stove business from nothing. Go ask any neighbor around here—who doesn't say our children are doing us proud? How have we let our ancestors down? Honestly, the mistakes back then have been paid for and punished as they should. What more do you want? I just don’t understand—how can you say you have no face to see our ancestors?" Meanwhile, Grandma Wu Shi was cutting New Year paper-cuttings under the dim oil lamp. Hearing the old man's words, she was not pleased.

Thus, she chattered away with a long rebuttal.

"Enough, enough. No one will think you're mute if you don't speak. Just do your work," Old Shopkeeper Li replied somewhat irritably.

"What? Can't I even say a word?" Wu Shi retorted unhappily.

The old couple began bickering.

The younger ones nearby watched and giggled.

Listening to this, Zhen Niang understood that her Seventh Grandmother had not misunderstood the Sun family—the formula had indeed been stolen by Sun Baiyi. Given this, she could not plead for leniency in the Sun family's matter. Although the Li family's actions bordered on private justice, this was the Ming Dynasty, not the modern era.

She, Li Zhenniang, could not defy the rules of this world.

She slept fitfully through the night. In the morning, Zhen Niang rose early and went to help Uncle Shui at the Tiger Stove. After finishing her tasks, she returned home.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped inside, Xi Ge'er grabbed her and pulled her along.

"What are you doing, you rascal?" Zhen Niang winced as her arm was yanked painfully.

"Today, the ink workshop is going to punish Sun Dalang. Let's go watch," Xi Ge'er said excitedly, clearly someone who thrived on chaos.

Hearing this, Zhen Niang was surprised at how quickly the punishment was being carried out. Instead, she grabbed Xi Ge'er's hand, and the two of them hurried off to the ink workshop.

The Li Family Ink Workshop had a large courtyard for storing pinewood. In the center of the courtyard, Sun Baiyi was tied to a chair, his legs propped up on a platform. Two Li family servants stood by, holding thick clubs as thick as forearms, waiting for the order to carry out the punishment.

This was private justice, technically not permitted. But in the Ming Dynasty, clan laws, village rules, and trade regulations all held certain powers of judgment. So, as long as there was sufficient evidence, it was allowed—a kind of ancient unwritten rule.

Sun Baiyi was wailing uncontrollably, but no one paid him any mind.

"Zhen Niang, Xi Ge'er, come here." Seeing Zhen Niang and Xi Ge'er, Old Madam Li beckoned them over.

Zhen Niang pulled Xi Ge'er along as they approached.

"Good, now that everyone is here, I will ask one last time. Does the Sun family have anything to say? I will give you a chance to defend yourselves. If not, the punishment will begin." Then, Old Madam Li stood up and coldly scanned the crowd.

"Old Madam, my Dalang knows he was wrong. Please spare him this once," Madam Feng pleaded from the side."Dahe's wife, a country has its laws, a family has its rules. Your Dalang's mistake this time is too grave. If we do not punish him severely, in the future, anyone would dare to strike at our Li family. Our Li family cannot bear such a risk. I am sorry." Old Madam Li sighed deeply, her expression still resolute.

At that moment, Sun Yuejuan, standing nearby, also looked pleadingly at Zhen Niang.

"Little Zhen Niang, remember, in this world, rules are rules. One must not abandon the law for the sake of sentiment. Business warfare is like a battlefield—one wrong step, and the entire game is lost," Old Madam Li suddenly said.

"Law and human sentiment—is sentiment not a kind of rule as well?" Zhen Niang retorted. Although her branch of the Li family was in an awkward position, and this time Sun Dalang had brought it upon himself, Zhen Niang did not necessarily intend to forcefully stand up for the Sun family. However, her former self had indeed been very close to Sun Yuejuan, and she had previously promised Sun Yuejuan that she would speak up if there was an opportunity to plead for leniency. Originally, she had no such chance, but now, Seventh Grandmother's words were clearly meant to instruct her. Thus, she spoke up—not necessarily to plead for the Sun family, but merely to discuss the relationship between sentiment and law.

"The law targets matters, sentiment targets people. The law deals with matters impartially, while sentiment varies from person to person," Seventh Grandmother said, enunciating each word clearly.

Zhen Niang naturally understood this, but putting it into practice was difficult. The hardest part to grasp was the balance.

At that moment, Zhen Niang looked at Seventh Grandmother and suddenly felt that Seventh Grandmother was still setting up a scheme.

"Very well, since there is nothing else, let the punishment begin," Old Madam Li ordered.

"Wait, I have something to say." At that moment, Sun Dahe, his face pale, stepped forward from the crowd.

"Steward Sun, what do you have to say?" Old Madam Li looked at him.

Sun Dahe closed his eyes tightly for a moment, then said, "In this formula incident, Dalang was merely an accomplice. I am the mastermind behind it. I ordered Dalang to act. If you wish to punish someone, please punish me."

As soon as Sun Dahe said this, the surroundings erupted in an uproar. Ever since Manager Zheng was demoted due to the soot pigment incident involving Zhen Niang, Sun Dahe had been promoted and was now considered the third most important figure in the Ink Workshop, after Steward Shao and Li Jingdong.

For such a key figure in the Ink Workshop to commit such an act was truly shocking.

"Have you thought through the consequences of what you are saying? You must not take the blame for your son out of pity," Seventh Old Madam said calmly from the side.

"It is precisely because I have thought it through that I am saying this. As a father, I cannot let my son take the blame for me," Sun Dahe replied calmly.

"Very well, then in front of everyone present, I ask you once more: Are you, Sun Dahe, the mastermind behind Sun Baiyi stealing the ink formula?" Old Madam Li asked sternly.

"Yes... it was me!" Sun Dahe gritted his teeth and said.

"Good, it is commendable that you can admit it and step forward." Old Madam Li stared at Sun Dahe for another moment, then slumped into her seat, sighing, "What a pity, what a pity... If not for this incident, I had intended to entrust the Ink Workshop and You Ge'er to you after my departure."

Old Madam Li was truly heartbroken. Over the years, not only had she aged, but Steward Shao had also grown old. Steward Sun was someone she had worked hard to promote, intending for him to assist You Ge'er in the future.

"I... am sorry!" Sun Dahe said with difficulty.

Sighs echoed all around."Release Sun Dalang," Old Madam Li sighed, then turned to Sun Dahe and said, "Dahe, considering you've worked hard for the Li family for over ten years, I'll spare your leg. Settle your family affairs and turn yourself in at the yamen."

"Yes, this time Dahe will not disappoint the old madam," Sun Dahe replied calmly, yet his words carried immense weight.

Old Madam Li waved her hand dismissively. "Everyone, disperse..."

The workers of the Ink Workshop scattered, whispering among themselves.

Xi Ge'er had run off to play somewhere, and Zhen Niang walked alongside Seventh Grandmother.

"Seventh Grandmother, Uncle Sun is being wronged, isn't he? He’s taking the blame for his son, just like my grandfather did for my father back then?" Zhen Niang asked.

"Exactly. Anyone who understands your Uncle Sun’s character can see it," Old Madam Li said.

"If everyone can see it, why not expose it?" Zhen Niang asked.

"First, Sun Dahe wants to protect his son. It’s a father’s heart, just as your grandfather wanted to protect your father. So, he seeks benevolence and receives it—this must be respected. Besides, this is a matter between him and his son. If Sun Dahe admits it, how can others expose it? Second, for the Ink Workshop, punishing Sun Dahe is more advantageous than punishing Sun Dalang. Naturally, I went along with it," Old Madam Li explained.

Zhen Niang pondered this and understood. The first point was easy to grasp. As for the second, Sun Dalang already had a poor reputation, so punishing him was only natural. But for the Ink Workshop, punishing Sun Dalang would inevitably create a rift with his father, Sun Dahe. In that case, Sun Dahe could no longer be trusted. However, dismissing Sun Dahe would be problematic too. He had worked diligently for the Li family for over a decade and had a loyal following. Dismissing him might unsettle the workers, while keeping him would be risky. This would place the Ink Workshop in a difficult position.

Now, with Sun Dahe stepping forward to take the blame, his influence in the workshop immediately plummeted to a negative. In terms of consequences, punishing Sun Dahe was indeed more beneficial to the Ink Workshop than punishing Sun Dalang.

Of course, the one who suffered the most injustice here was Sun Dahe. Zhen Niang could only hope that Sun Dalang wouldn’t follow the same path as her own father, Li Jingfu. Otherwise, Sun Dahe’s sacrifice would truly be in vain.

Seventh Grandmother hadn’t demanded Sun Dahe’s leg be broken as she had with Sun Dalang. This clearly reflected what she had said earlier: mercy varies depending on the person.

Sun Dalang, a troublemaker, deserved whatever punishment came his way—no mercy was needed. But Sun Dahe had served the Li Family Ink Workshop diligently for over ten years, so some consideration was warranted.

If nothing else, they couldn’t afford to dishearten the workshop’s workers.

Everything was so intricately connected that Zhen Niang felt as though Seventh Grandmother had it all under control.

An old tree becomes a spirit; an old person becomes a demon. The ancients truly spoke no lies. Seventh Grandmother was too cunning.