The Heir

Сhарtеr 52 Li Tianуоu

Тhе Нuizhou ink industry was оnсe agаin rockеd bу mаjоr gоssiр following thе Tian family’s acquisitiоn оf the Тribute Ink Рrivilеgе—Оld Mаdаm Li hаd suffеrеd a strоke and designаtеd Li Zhenniаng of the Li familу’s eighth branсh as the suссеssоr tо thе Li Fаmily Ink Workshор.

Thе ink wоrkshоp industrу now hаd а young wоrkshоp mаster: fifteen-уear-old Li Zhеnniаng.

Whеre thе Li family’s ink industry wоuld gо frоm herе bесаmе а mattеr оf clоse аttention аmong thоsе with vеsted intеrеsts.

“Fаthеr, I’m going out for а while. I’ll find another oрportunity tо talk with thosе seniоr сraftsmеn from the Li Family Ink Workshop. I believe at this moment, the people at the Li Family Ink Workshop must be panicking. We should take this chance to pull those senior craftsmen over to our side. Without them, the Li family’s ink industry will no longer be a concern in the future.”

At the Tian residence, Tian Benchang addressed Master Tian.

“Those craftsmen are all old-timers at the Li Family Ink Workshop. They’ve been with the Li family for at least ten years or more. It’ll be hard to pull them over,” Tian Huai’an said with a furrowed brow.

“Not necessarily. In fact, I’ve been in contact with them for some time. Ever since Ninth Master Li passed away, many problems within the Li family’s ink industry have come to light. At that time, those senior craftsmen were already unsettled. Now, with Old Madam Li falling ill and passing the ink workshop to Li Zhenniang, I think those old fellows won’t be able to sit still. Although they are old-timers at the Li Family Ink Workshop, it’s precisely because they are old-timers that they’ve lost their ambition. They only want to work steadily for the Li family until they retire. If the Li family’s ink industry were stable, they wouldn’t be easy to pull away. But the current situation is that the Li family’s ink industry might not even have a tomorrow after today. Under these circumstances, as long as we offer sufficient rewards, I believe it won’t be difficult to pull them over,” Tian Benchang said.

“Alright, since you’ve made up your mind, give it a try,” Tian Huai’an nodded.

Tian Benchang also nodded, but his mind was already working.

Strike while the iron is hot—this time, the Tian family’s demand for pine timber from the Li family had severed all ties between the two families. There was no possibility of peaceful coexistence, so the Li family must be dealt a fatal blow.

However, there was Master Qin from the Li family’s ink workshop. It would be somewhat difficult to poach him, but if he couldn’t be poached, the Li family wouldn’t suffer a root-level blow.

But everyone has weaknesses. Master Qin’s son and daughter seemed to be struggling. He could start from that angle.

…

Early in the morning, Li Zhenniang rose early. Today, she did not wear a skirt. Instead, she wore a light pink short jacket on top and dark-colored trousers with floral-patterned hems on the bottom. Over this, she wore a dark blue sleeveless jacket. Her hair was tied up in a bun, with two silver hairpins tucked beside it. This outfit was simple and neat. Although the dark blue sleeveless jacket looked somewhat old-fashioned, she was going to the ink workshop today and couldn’t dress like a young girl as she usually did.

This attire was quite appropriate.

Zhao Shi and Zheng Shi also gathered around her, examining her carefully. Even a single stray strand of hair by her temple was smoothed neatly by Zhao Shi.

“Alright, go ahead. Be bold in your actions. Our eighth branch must not be looked down upon,” Zhao Shi said, nodding after finishing the adjustments.

“Mother, don’t worry. I promise I won’t embarrass you,” Zhenniang teased lightly, trying to cheer up her mother. Then she straightened her clothes, turned around, and bowed to her father’s memorial tablet in the room.

Although everyone still held onto a sliver of hope—that Li Jingfu might still be alive—matters like funeral arrangements were not mentioned. But deep down, everyone understood: an entire merchant caravan had perished. How could Li Jingfu be an exception? So, a memorial tablet was carved, and incense was offered as a gesture of remembrance.After bowing and offering incense, Zhen Niang stepped out of the room. She saw her grandfather standing in the middle of the courtyard, though she hadn’t noticed when he arrived. As Zhen Niang emerged, Old Shopkeeper Li looked her over carefully, then nodded with a serious expression. “Although I cannot go to the Ink Workshop to back you up, remember this—I will always be behind you.”

These were Old Shopkeeper Li’s parting words to Zhen Niang.

“Grandfather, I understand,” Zhen Niang replied with a firm nod. Then she opened the courtyard gate and stepped outside.

It was the season of continuous spring rain. After a night of downpour, the ground was covered in puddles large and small. Though the rain had stopped by morning, the lingering mist and dampness filled the air, as if soaked through with fine threads of rain—everything was hazy and wet.

In just a short while, the bangs on Zhen Niang’s forehead grew slightly damp.

She walked slowly, using the time to clear her thoughts. Her wooden clogs tapped rhythmically against the bluestone slabs of the alley, producing a steady, crisp sound that accompanied her steps with a certain grace.

“Zhen Niang, heading to the Ink Workshop?” As she passed by the water boiler shop, Uncle Shui stood by the door and greeted her. By this time, those fetching hot water had already come and gone. Only a few passersby eating breakfast sat at Uncle Shui’s small stall, chatting as they ate.

Zhen Niang could faintly hear them discussing matters related to Li Mo.

“Mm,” Zhen Niang nodded with a faint smile toward Uncle Shui.

“Here, I picked some plums this morning. Take a couple to try. They might taste a bit sour at first, but they turn sweet afterward.” Uncle Shui grabbed a handful of plums and pressed them into Zhen Niang’s hand.

“Thank you, Uncle Shui.” Zhen Niang never refused kindness from others. She casually picked up a plum and took a bite. It was indeed quite sour, making her scrunch up her face. She then waved goodbye to Uncle Shui.

Uncle Shui watched Zhen Niang’s slender figure recede. “This girl has it tough. I heard Jingfu ran into trouble, and now she’s carrying such a heavy burden. It’s hard, but she’s not one to give up easily,” he muttered to himself.

As Zhen Niang walked, she chewed on the plum. Sure enough, after the initial sourness, a pleasant sweetness followed.

Soon, she arrived at Four Treasures Street. Passing by the Ink Pavilion, she did not enter. For now, she couldn’t spare attention for the Ink Pavilion. After Ninth Uncle’s incident, it had been jointly managed by Zhengyan, the second son of the ninth branch, and Manager Zheng, the son-in-law of Steward Shao.

With numerous matters demanding her attention at the Ink Workshop, she had little involvement in the Ink Pavilion’s affairs. She recalled that in the past, Ninth Uncle had overseen the Ink Pavilion, and Seventh Grandmother had also refrained from intervening.

Before long, she reached the entrance of the Ink Workshop. Instead of entering immediately, she went around to the other side and entered the Li residence.

“Good morning, Aunt, Second Aunt, Third Aunt.” Zhen Niang followed the gatekeeper inside and saw Chen Shi and others having breakfast. She bowed and greeted them.

“Is that Zhen Niang? Have you been to the Ink Workshop yet?” Chen Shi asked.

“Not yet. I wanted to visit Seventh Grandmother first,” Zhen Niang replied, bowing to them.

“Good, you’re a filial child. Qingping, take Zhen Niang over,” Chen Shi said to her daughter-in-law, Madam Sun, who was nearby.

“Grandmother, I want to see Great-Grandmother too!” At that moment, nine-year-old Tianyou ran over, tugging at Chen Shi’s sleeve.

“Alright. Let your mother take you along,” Chen Shi said, ruffling Tianyou’s hair.

The seventh branch of the Li family consisted mostly of widows and orphans, and Tianyou was now the only young child left. The family cherished him deeply.

Madam Sun then took Tianyou’s hand and accompanied Zhen Niang to a small Buddhist hall in the rear courtyard. Next to the hall was a small room where Seventh Old Madam was quietly recuperating."I wonder if she's just putting on a show for others." Madam Tian watched Zhen Niang's departing figure and curled her lip.

"Sister-in-law, we all know Zhen Niang's character. Since Mother has recognized her, we should trust her and be less suspicious. Only then can we live in harmony. Haven't we learned that over the years? I don't want to hear such talk again." Chen Shi said. With Old Madam Li now unconscious, Chen Shi was the head of the Li family's seventh branch. Some things needed to be addressed firmly.

"Yes, Sister-in-law." Madam Tian replied with a resentful expression.

With no men in the household, the women had lost much of their competitive drive, and for the most part, they coexisted peacefully.

Zhen Niang now stood before Seventh Grandmother's bed. Seventh Grandmother remained unconscious, lying on the bed with her mouth and eyes askew, a somewhat frightening sight. However, everyone present was close family, their eyes filled only with sorrow, not fear.

"Seventh Grandmother, Zhen Niang will do her best." Zhen Niang spoke to the figure on the bed. She had come not to display filial piety, but to find motivation. Seventh Grandmother's faith in her was undoubtedly her driving force.

"Great Grandmother, Tianyou will also do his best." Little Tianyou mimicked Zhen Niang beside her. Zhen Niang smiled and ruffled his hair.

Little Tianyou, however, turned his face away sullenly. After a while, he turned back and looked at Zhen Niang, whispering indignantly, "They say you stole my family's Ink Workshop."

His voice carried a childish accusation.

Zhen Niang was taken aback for a moment, then the corners of her mouth lifted. "They say? Who says? And what do you think yourself?"

"I don't know. But I know I'm too young. Great Grandmother doesn't trust me yet. When I grow up, I'll take it back." Little Tianyou pressed his lips together.

"Then you'll need the ability. If you're incompetent, you won't be able to take it. Besides, your constitution is too weak. To develop skills, you need a strong body." Zhen Niang said.

Little Tianyou was about the same age as her own third brother, Xi Ge'er. Unfortunately, perhaps due to being overly pampered, his constitution was too weak, too bookish. For an ink maker, this wouldn't do—ink making was physical labor.

With that, Zhen Niang turned and left. The Ink Workshop still had countless matters to attend to.

"How can I get a strong body?" Little Tianyou asked urgently, watching Zhen Niang's retreating back.

"Every morning, get up at the rooster's crow and run three laps around the East Warehouse." Zhen Niang said.

The East Warehouse was where the Li Family Ink Workshop stored pine materials. One lap was probably over two hundred meters; three laps would be six to seven hundred meters—enough to challenge the little fellow. But she believed if he could persist, the benefits would be obvious.

"Alright, I will definitely do it." Little Tianyou clenched his fist and vowed.

"Then I'll be watching." Zhen Niang responded and walked away.

Inside the Li Family Ink Workshop's workrooms, the atmosphere was especially oppressive today. After last night's fire, all work sheds in the Ink Workshop had halted operations. Workers were cleaning and scrubbing the soot-blackened tables, chairs, and walls.

The master craftsmen from the major workshops had gathered, exchanging a few probing words, each lost in their own thoughts. When Zhen Niang arrived, several of the master craftsmen didn't even know how to greet her.

Whether in age or experience, Zhen Niang was far behind these masters, so she didn't wait for them to greet her first. Instead, as soon as she entered, she took the initiative to greet the masters.

Only then did the masters relax and return her greeting."Steward Shao, Master Qin, tomorrow marks the three-day deadline set by the Tian family. Regarding their requisition of pine timber, we must reach a decision—whether to agree or not. If we agree, should we demand payment or have the Tian family compensate with materials? We need to align on this first," Miss Zhen addressed Steward Shao and Master Qin with courtesy.

"The matter of the Tian family requisitioning pine timber, I believe Miss Zhen already has a clear understanding. It isn't too urgent at the moment. Instead, there's something more pressing at hand," Steward Shao stood up and said.

The pine timber issue concerned the Ninth Master. Today, Li Jingdong hadn't come to work, so this matter now fell under the jurisdiction of the Eighth and Ninth Branches. Steward Shao would not intervene.

Moreover, on the night the Ink Workshop caught fire, Steward Shao overheard Miss Zhen's conversation with Young Master Tian. He had a rough idea of Miss Zhen's decision—the pine timber would likely be requisitioned. What remained was merely a matter of negotiation, so it wasn't urgent.

"Oh? What is it?" Miss Zhen asked.

"Take a look at these," Steward Shao handed over a stack of letters.

Miss Zhen accepted them, opened them, and saw they were all letters of resignation.