The Heir

Chарtеr 67: I Тоld You Not to Аsk Еarlier

"Sinсe Third Аunt hаs sроkеn uр, we cаnnot refuse. Very well, wе will tаke оn the Тiаn fаmilу's business. Ноwеvеr, wе must not lеt the Tian fаmilу off еasily—quotе them a high рrice. If thеу thеmsеlvеs аrе unwilling, then theу hаve nо оnе to blаme."

In thе аccоunting rоom оf the Li Family Ink Wоrkshop, Li Jingdong sроkе with a сold exрrеssiоn.

Hе wаs thе tуре who wоuld rаther shаtter likе jade thаn remаin intасt as а tilе. If it wеrе up to his temрerament, he would rаther forgo рrofit than аcсеpt this jоb from the Tian family. The Tian family had truly gone too far back then.

For the Li family, especially for Li Jingdong, the batch of pine timber requisitioned by Madam Tian was not merely timber—it was something Ninth Master Li had risked his life for, a labor of love, a symbol.

To put it more plainly, it was the Li family's face. The Tian family's actions had been a slap in the face. If not for Madam Tian's intervention, Li Jingdong would never have let it go.

But now that Madam Tian had stepped in, representing the prestige of the Li family's main branch, the other Li clan members could not disregard it.

"Still, we must not demand too harshly. This business is also necessary for our workshop," Steward Shao, more rational, spoke from a commercial perspective.

"Yes, the price should be set high, but within a reasonable range. Otherwise, Third Aunt will still have something to say," Zhen Niang added.

Finally, the three reached an agreement: Zhen Niang, accompanied by Steward Shao, would negotiate the price with the Tian family.

Li Jingdong had a short temper. If he were to meet Tian Benchang in person, he might well strike him with his cane a few times, so it was better for him to stay away.

Steward Shao, after all, was the steward of the main branch. With him present during the negotiations, even if the price was somewhat high, Madam Tian could not blame the Eighth and Ninth branches.

Thus, it was settled.

The next day, at the Li Family Ink Studio, Tian Benchang arrived with Steward Fang to discuss the re-blended ink.

In recent days, following the previous Ink Testing Gathering, the Li family's re-blended ink business had been doing quite well. Even some small ink workshops in Huizhou had approached the Li family. After all, which ink maker didn't have some waste ink on hand? Now that there was an opportunity to turn waste into treasure, who wouldn't jump at the chance?

At that moment, the Li Family Ink Studio was bustling with people, mostly from within the industry.

When these ink workshop representatives saw Tian Benchang and Steward Fang enter, they exchanged knowing smiles. It was obvious—the Tian family had produced waste ink. Everyone in the Huizhou ink industry knew about it. Their appearance at the Li Family Ink Studio at this time could only mean one thing: they were here, like everyone else, to discuss re-blended ink processing with the Li family.

"Truly, fortunes change like the shifting sands of a river. Back when the Tian family requisitioned the Li family's pine timber, how aggressive they were. Now they’re coming to beg the Li family for help," remarked a manager from another ink workshop.

"That’s why it’s said: when dealing with others, always leave some room, so you can meet again in the future," someone nearby chimed in.

Such comments were not deliberately kept from Tian Benchang and his party.

Tian Benchang naturally heard them, but tempered by the marketplace, he appeared unperturbed and casually greeted everyone. He was then ushered by an attendant to a private room on the second floor.

Zhen Niang, wearing a veil hat, stood with Steward Shao at the entrance of the private room to receive him. Regardless of everything else, the Tian family now held the Tribute Ink Privilege, which warranted this level of courtesy. A more polite host might have greeted him at the door, but given the relationship between the Li and Tian families, that was clearly out of the question. Everyone understood this implicitly."Steward Tian. Steward Fang, please." Steward Shao spoke first.

"Miss Zhen. Steward Shao, please." Tian Benchang also spoke.

As for addressing Zhen Niang as Miss Zhen, it wasn't because he was putting on airs—if all the ink industry peers in Huizhou addressed Zhen Niang this way.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the group entered the private room, where a servant served tea before withdrawing.

Both sides understood each other's intentions clearly, so there was no need for excessive circumlocution. Steward Shao directly presented the contract previously discussed by the ink workshop to Tian Benchang.

"Why? Why should the processing fee for re-blended ink for our Tian family be twenty percent higher than for other workshops?" As soon as Tian Benchang saw the contract, his brows furrowed, and he questioned with a stern expression.

"This is fair. Your Tian family holds the Tribute Ink Privilege, and the ink you sell is priced higher than everyone else's, isn't it?" Zhen Niang interjected from the side.

It had been agreed earlier to set a high price, but any high price needed a plausible justification; otherwise, it would seem like unreasonable trouble-making. Since the Tian family operated a tribute ink workshop, they were already squeezing the survival space of others. Charging them twenty percent more was reasonable and justified.

Hearing Zhen Niang's words, Tian Benchang fell silent. Zhen Niang was sharp-tongued, and he had experienced this more than once. After a moment of thought, he added, "But twenty percent is too high. Ten percent would be more appropriate." Tian Benchang bargained.

However, both Zhen Niang and Steward Shao merely smiled without responding.

Seeing Zhen Niang and Steward Shao react this way, Tian Benchang knew there was no room for negotiation on the price. He could either accept it or give up, and giving up was clearly impossible. Thus, acceptance was the only option.

"Fine, we accept. But you must speed up the process. Taoist Yunsong is pressing hard for this batch of ink. I know your Li family resents the earlier requisition of pine timber, but since we are responsible for tribute ink, we must ensure its production. This was a necessary move, and I hope both of you can understand," Tian Benchang said.

"Was it also a necessary move to cut down all usable pine before the contract handover?" Zhen Niang remarked casually.

This comment nearly made Tian Benchang furious. If not for that batch of felled pine, he wouldn't be as passive as he was now.

Zhen Niang's words were rubbing salt into his wound.

Seeing Tian Benchang's dark expression, Steward Shao, fearing the discussion might break down, interjected, "Very well. Since the Li family has taken on this business, we will deliver on time and with quality."

Tian Benchang's expression softened slightly.

Zhen Niang paid him no mind, letting Steward Shao and Steward Fang finalize the contract.

"Miss Zhen, our Tian family has paid the price this time. During this period of pine blight, the Huizhou ink industry should unite and overcome difficulties together. So, I would like to ask, where did your ink workshop and the Cheng family's ink workshop get that pine resin oil? Could you share some information?" Tian Benchang then turned to Zhen Niang, his expression sincere.

Zhen Niang inwardly curled her lip. If only he had been like this earlier. However, Tian Benchang was all talk, and his words couldn't be taken seriously.

As for the source of the pine resin oil, Zhen Niang wasn't unwilling to disclose it. After all, the fact that it had remained a secret until now was beyond her expectations, and she doubted it could stay hidden much longer. Whether she revealed it or not made little difference.

But would telling him be too much of a blow to the Tian family? Zhen Niang thought mischievously. However, she wouldn't let him off lightly and said, "You'd be better off not asking.""Why?" Tian Benchang asked, perplexed.

"I'm afraid you won't be able to handle the truth," Zhen Niang replied. She genuinely meant well.

"What's there to handle? Please speak freely, Miss Zhen. I'm listening," Tian Benchang said with an air of gentle refinement.

"It comes from the Luo Family's pine forest." Since Tian Benchang insisted on inviting distress, Zhen Niang was happy to oblige.

"The Luo Family's pine forest? How is that possible? Didn't you all plant tung oil trees there already? With the pine blight, even if there were pines, they wouldn't yield pine resin anymore, would they?" Tian Benchang looked skeptical.

"Underground. Have you never considered underground? Over the years, the pine trees that were cut down—their roots rot underground and form pine resin oil," Zhen Niang calmly explained.

Tian Benchang's eyes widened instantly. Pointing at Zhen Niang, he stammered, "You—" before breaking into a violent coughing fit. His entire face flushed red as Steward Fang hurriedly patted his back.

"Let's go. We're leaving," Tian Benchang managed to say once the coughing subsided, his heart filled with an indescribable sense of frustration. It turned out that from the very beginning, while he had been scheming against others, they had been scheming against him too. This time, he had taken quite a fall.

At that moment, he couldn't bear to stay there a second longer. With Steward Fang in tow, he grabbed the contract and swiftly left the Li Family Ink Studio.

Zhen Niang watched Tian Benchang's retreating figure with a smile. She had warned him not to ask, but he insisted. Look at him now—quite furious, she thought, stroking her chin.

Beside her, Steward Shao also wore a cheerful smile, clearly feeling a sense of vindication.

Afterward, the Li Family set to work producing the batch of re-blended ink for the Tian Family. By the time the ink was completed and delivered, the autumn wind had turned bleak and cold.

The weather had grown chilly. Zhen Niang wore layered clothing and, because she was in the ink workshop where dust was plentiful, had wrapped a scarf around her head, looking every bit the rustic village girl. Yet there was a natural, carefree ease about her.

At the moment, she was taking inventory of the ink ready to be shipped out. During this period, the Li Family had profited mainly from the re-blended ink.

What troubled Zhen Niang, however, was that sales of the Li Family's pine oil ink and oil soot ink had remained sluggish. Nowadays, merchants from other regions came primarily for the reputation of tribute ink. Even the Cheng Family had seen a decline in sales this year.

This was precisely why anyone with ambition sought the tribute ink privilege. Once associated with the name of tribute ink, orders from all over would pour in. The ink from the workshop would sell effortlessly.

"How much unsold ink is still in stock?" Zhen Niang asked Zheng Fuli beside her.

"Quite a lot. In recent years, with the White Lotus Sect causing trouble and bandits robbing travelers, our Huizhou region—being mountainous—has become less safe for travel. Fewer merchants have been coming directly to us for goods compared to previous years. Nowadays, several major ink workshops have opened ink pavilions in commercial ports elsewhere to expand their markets directly," Zheng Fuli explained.

Zhen Niang nodded. Opening ink pavilions in other commercial ports was an inevitable path. In fact, she had heard from her grandfather that the Li Family once had an ink pavilion in Nanjing. However, after the tribute ink incident years ago, they had to sell even the Nanjing pavilion to cover compensation.

As the two were talking, they suddenly heard a call.

"Miss Zhen, Miss Zhen!" Er Gou was sneakily waving at Zhen Niang from a distance, his roguish, idle demeanor enough to make anyone frown.

Truth be told, Er Gou handled tasks quite well. As long as you gave him instructions and ignored his lack of proper decorum, he could manage things passably.Zheng Fuli was feeling particularly displeased at the moment, but Er Gou was a thoroughly shameless fellow. Moreover, because of Chou Po, Zheng couldn’t simply drive him away either, leaving him helpless against this tough, slippery character.

"Master Zheng, please keep an eye on things here," Zhen Niang called out to Zheng Fuli, then brushed the dust off her clothes and walked over. She asked Er Gou, "What’s going on? Why are you acting so sneaky?"

"Nothing much. Just thought you’ve been busy all this time and could use a break," Er Gou replied casually.

Zhen Niang couldn’t help but glare at him.

"Hey, don’t glare! I do have something to report," Er Gou hurriedly said when he saw her expression.

"Is it about Deputy Shed Head Li?" Zhen Niang asked. This Deputy Shed Head Li was naturally Li Jincai, whom she had instructed Er Gou to keep an eye on.

"Miss Zhen sees everything clearly as fire," Er Gou flattered.

Zhen Niang felt a surge of frustration, almost wanting to kick him. "Just say it."

"Lately, Deputy Shed Head Li has been going to Huiyuan Bank often with Manager Zheng," Er Gou reported.

"Do you know what they’re doing there?" Zhen Niang asked. Normally, with the Re-blended Ink business doing well recently and Li Jincai learning in the accounts office, it wouldn’t be unusual for him to accompany Manager Zheng to the bank. However, when it came to Li Jincai, Zhen Niang always assumed the worst, so she needed to get to the bottom of it.

"I’m not sure about that, but I noticed they’re on pretty good terms with the eldest son of the Sun family. The three of them often go to a street by the Lianjiang River together—that’s not just ordinary friendship," Er Gou said with a snort.

"The three of them go to a street by the Lianjiang River? What street? What are they doing there?" Zhen Niang asked, puzzled. Er Gou was usually straightforward, so why was he being so vague now?

"Ah, well... it’s that kind of thing. You’re a young lady, better not hear about it," Er Gou scratched his head, looking as if it was awkward to explain.

Seeing his expression, Zhen Niang finally understood. She remembered there was a street of unlicensed brothels by the Lianjiang River—the three must be visiting those places. She inwardly cursed and said, "Never mind that. Just keep a close watch. Don’t you have a sweetheart working as a maid over there? Help me find out what they talk about."

Er Gou was no saint either. Zhen Niang had heard bits and pieces of the workers’ banter, and Er Gou had quite a few sweethearts himself.

"Miss Zhen, you’re wronging me to death! But my late mother did have some connections with them. I’ll help you find out," Er Gou protested without any restraint.

Zhen Niang ignored his empty complaints.

"By the way, don’t say I didn’t warn you—Deputy Shed Head Li has big ambitions. He’s been cozying up to the workers in the shed every day, and now many people speak well of him," Er Gou added.

Having grown up around unlicensed brothels and mixed in the streets since childhood, Er Gou had a keen understanding of people’s motives. Every move Li Jincai made was aimed at winning people over, and his ambitions were no small matter—none of this escaped Er Gou’s sharp eyes.

"I’m aware of that. Otherwise, why would I have you keep an eye on him?" Zhen Niang nodded. Chou Po had asked her to look after Er Gou, and since Er Gou handled tasks well, Zhen Niang trusted him deeply. Besides, she needed his help with certain matters, so she naturally didn’t hide these things from him."That's true." Er Gou nodded, then suddenly added, "Oh, right, there's one more thing. I think Deputy Shed Head Li might have a mistress outside." As he spoke, Er Gou's expression turned strange again.

"How so?" Hearing this, Zhen Niang immediately frowned. After what happened in Suzhou, this fellow still didn't know how to restrain himself? Was he now preying on those close to home?

"The night before last, in the middle of the night, I saw Deputy Shed Head Li secretly pack some food and daily necessities and head toward the market area. He entered a household and never came back out. That household belongs to a young woman surnamed Su, with a Suzhou accent, and she has a child about a year old," Er Gou said.

Actually, he wanted to say that the next day, Deputy Shed Head Li looked completely exhausted, clearly drained by someone.

But such words weren't appropriate to share with Miss Zhen, so he just held them in, feeling utterly frustrated.

Upon hearing Er Gou's words, Zhen Niang immediately understood what was going on. So, Li Jincai had brought Madam Su and her child here. No wonder he was so desperate to find a way into the Ink Workshop—only then could he stay in the city to take care of them.

This guy really had some nerve.

"Keep an eye on him. Let me know if anything else happens," Zhen Niang ordered coldly.