The Heir

Сhарtеr 77: Sеttling Acсоunts

Тhе mаin gate was сlоsed, cаsting the hall intо dimnеss. Тhе silvеr lаmps, usuallу lit only during ancestral wоrshiр cеremоniеs, nоw сraсklеd with sраrks, filling thе air with а faint scent оf smоke.

Siхth Master, Sеventh Grandmоther, and Оld Shорkеереr Li emergеd frоm the bасk rоom. Тhe thrее had takеn аdvantаge of the gаte closing tо соnfer briеfly in the small сhаmbеr behind.

Аs thеу еntеrеd, Old Shорkeеpеr Li coughеd a fеw timеs, unаble tо hоld bасk at the smell оf smoke.

"Eldest daughtеr-in-law, turn down the flаmes. Do уou think this is а tоrch fоr lighting sky lanterns in the village?" Seventh Old Madam said to Chen Shi beside her, her voice as calm as ever. She then sat upright in the main seat.

Sixth Master and Old Shopkeeper Li took their places on either side. Old Madam Li, now the head of the Li clan, assumed a posture clearly meant for handling clan affairs.

"Yes, daughter-in-law will turn them down right away." Chen Shi stood up and used a silver needle to adjust the wick, reducing the flames significantly. The lamps now emitted only a dim, hazy glow.

Hearing Seventh Old Madam mention "lighting sky lanterns," the hearts of those present grew uneasy.

Everyone understood the situation in the hall. Though this was not the setting for lighting sky lanterns, it was the customary arrangement for administering clan discipline.

Was the old madam about to enforce clan rules?

Zhen Niang couldn't help but glance at Li Jincai beside her. His face was somewhat pale, but his expression remained relatively calm. On the other side, Madam Tian appeared composed, though her tightly clenched fingers gripping the hem of her clothes betrayed her inner turmoil.

As for Madam Han Li, Madam Sun, and others like them, their faces inevitably showed signs of anxiety. Of course, this unease did not necessarily indicate guilt on their part; it was simply that the atmosphere in the hall was quite oppressive.

Even Zhen Niang, though clear in conscience, couldn't help but clench her fists, feeling somewhat tense.

"Steward Shao, bring the clan register," Seventh Old Madam instructed Steward Shao beside her.

"Yes, Old Madam." Steward Shao responded respectfully, turned, and went inside. Shortly after, he returned, carefully holding the clan register in both hands, and placed it reverently on the table before the old madam.

The old madam swept her gaze over everyone present, then lowered her head and opened the clan register. Her eyes stopped at the section recording the son-in-law of the Sixth Branch.

"Zhen Niang, grind the ink," the old madam said without looking up.

"Yes, Seventh Grandmother." Zhen Niang hurried forward. On the table sat an inkstone, with a stick of black ink beside it and another stick of vermilion-red ink.

"Grind the vermilion one," the old madam added.

Zhen Niang added water, picked up the vermilion inkstick, and began grinding. It was ready in no time.

"It's ready, Seventh Grandmother," Zhen Niang said softly.

"Hmm." Seventh Old Madam responded faintly, raised her head to sweep another glance over the crowd, then picked up a brush, dipped it in the vermilion ink, and heavily crossed out Li Jincai's name in the clan register.

She then pushed the register forcefully toward the front of the table. "From this day forward, Li Jincai is no longer a member of our Li clan." Her face turning frosty, she addressed Steward Shao, who stood respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides: "Steward Shao, take some men and seize Li Jincai. Break one of his legs, then expel him from the Li family."

Immediately, two servants waiting nearby stepped forward, grabbed Li Jincai by the collar, and began to drag him away.

Old Madam Li's sudden and severe action filled everyone present with doubt and confusion. They couldn't understand why the old madam had suddenly turned her blade against Li Jincai.Of course, these people did not include the elders of the third branch. The three elders had already communicated beforehand, and Chen Shi and Li Zhenniang, who were present, also understood the situation.

Naturally, there were also those more astute ones who recalled the scene of Li Jincai’s unexpected recognition of the so-called Imperial Guards officer. No matter how they thought about it, it seemed far too coincidental, likely hiding some ulterior motive. Thus, they all waited quietly to see how things unfolded.

"Jinhua, save me," Li Jincai pleaded, his face pale as he struggled.

"Seventh Aunt, why are you doing this?" Li Jinhua could no longer restrain herself and stood up, asking anxiously.

"Sit down and stay quiet. Your Seventh Aunt must have her reasons for doing this. Just watch," Sixth Master snapped, glaring at Li Jinhua.

Then, without even glancing at Li Jincai, he closed his eyes. Earlier, Seventh Old Madam had confided in him, and he could only regret how blind he had been back then—after all his careful selection, he had ended up choosing such an ungrateful wolf.

Hearing her father's words, Li Jinhua had no choice but to sit back down. She watched Li Jincai struggle incessantly, her expression filled with pity, though she sat as if there were nails beneath her.

Seeing her like this, Zhen Niang leaned over and whispered a few words in her ear.

"Is it true?" Li Jinhua asked in disbelief. Not only had Li Jincai kept a woman outside, but he had also colluded with outsiders to harm the Li Family Ink Workshop?

"Yes," Zhen Niang nodded emphatically, her expression grave.

Since this involved the Li Family Ink Workshop, Li Jinhua remained seated. She wanted to see for herself what kind of heart Li Jincai truly had.

"No, Old Madam, this isn’t fair," Li Jincai cried out as he was being dragged away. Seeing that both Sixth Master and Li Jinhua were staying out of it, he was unwilling to have his legs broken. His only chance now was to save himself.

"Fair? Do I need fairness with you? I don’t even need a reason to beat you!" Seventh Old Madam said coldly.

"Old Madam doesn’t need a reason to beat me, but I’m afraid it won’t be enough to silence the murmurs of the crowd," Li Jincai retorted, still struggling, using the Li family’s reputation as leverage.

"It seems you won’t admit it until you see the coffin. You colluded with outsiders to seize the Li family’s business. Forget breaking your legs—even if I beat you to death, no one would have anything to say," Seventh Old Madam said, staring coldly at Li Jincai.

"Old Madam is quite ruthless. If the Li family can’t tolerate a son-in-law like me, just say so. I’ll leave on my own. Why go to such lengths to pin such a crime on me? As a mere son-in-law, I’m just a laborer in the Ink Workshop. What ability do I have to seize the Li family’s business? Old Madam overestimates me, Li Jincai..." Li Jincai replied with equal coldness.

"What a silver tongue! Don’t tell me your encounter with that so-called Lord Yang was just a coincidence?" Old Madam Li sneered.

Even Zhen Niang curled the corner of her mouth.

"That’s exactly how it was. Everyone was present when I met Lord Yang. Could that have been fake too?" Li Jincai stubbornly insisted.

"So, you didn’t know this Lord Yang’s surname is Su? You didn’t know his real name is Su Jiubao? You didn’t know he has a younger sister named Su Zhenzhu? You didn’t even know this Su Zhenzhu has already come to Huizhou? You didn’t know she lives at Caishikou? And you certainly didn’t know you’ve been sneaking off to Su Zhenzhu’s room in the middle of the night, time and again?" Old Madam Li fired off a series of mocking questions.

And the Su Zhenzhu she mentioned was none other than Madam Su.At that moment, Old Madam Li finished her rapid-fire questioning with a wave of her hand. "Bring Madam Su and her son in. Let this heartless man see them."

"Yes," Steward Shao responded, turning to leave. He returned shortly, followed by a young woman holding a boy not yet two years old.

"Jincai," Madam Su called out as she entered. Seeing the situation, her face was naturally filled with anxiety. Spotting Li Jincai standing there, she hurried over and hid behind him.

"Madam Su? It's still this Madam Su! Li Jincai, you're something, you really are something!!" Li Jinhua sprang to her feet, her eyes red with fury as she spoke through gritted teeth.

"Aunt Jinhua, it's not worth getting angry over someone like this," Zhen Niang said, pulling her back to sit and trying to calm her.

"You're right, I won't get angry," Li Jinhua sighed deeply, suppressing the indignation in her heart.

Li Jincai was truly dumbfounded now. He had thought earlier that Old Madam Li must have confirmed his scheme against the Ink Workshop through Wang Cuiqiao. He never expected that the old madam even knew about Madam Su and the secret that Lord Yang was actually Madam Su's elder brother, Su Jiubao.

He was certain that even Su Jiubao would not admit to these things in court. That left only one possibility: Old Madam Li had been watching him for a long time, then through him, she had kept an eye on Madam Su, and finally through Madam Su, she had uncovered Su Jiubao.

He had schemed with all his might, only to find that his cards had already been laid bare.

"What are you waiting for? Drag him out, break one of his legs, and drive him out of the Li family," Old Madam Li commanded. Given her temperament, she would not give Li Jincai any chance to speak. Her earlier allowance of his glib tongue was mostly just to let everyone understand the situation.

"Old Madam Li, you can't do this," Madam Su protested from the side, holding her child with one hand and tugging at Li Jincai's clothes with the other as she addressed Old Madam Li.

"How I act is not for you to teach me. Even if I beat someone like him to death, it would not be excessive," Old Madam Li said coldly.

Hearing Old Madam Li's harsh words, Madam Su, truly afraid that the old madam might resort to violence, dared not say more.

Immediately, Li Jincai was dragged into the courtyard. Madam Su, clutching her child, hurried out after him.

Soon, Li Jincai's screams echoed from the courtyard.

Shortly after, Steward Shao returned to report that one of Li Jincai's legs had been broken and he had been driven out of the Li family.

"Mother's heart grows ever more merciful. Is such a matter just settled like this? And to think she's letting that wretched pair off scot-free," Madam Han Li muttered discontentedly at this point.

Zhen Niang, standing beside her, chimed in, "Eldest Aunt, how could it be over? This is just the beginning. Right now, Lord Yun must be waiting outside to arrest someone. Su Jiubao has committed the crime of impersonating an official. Wang Jincai is sure to be implicated. In his current state, once he's in prison, even if he doesn't die, he'll be skinned alive. As for whether Madam Su can escape unscathed, that's hard to say."

Since Li Jincai had been expelled from the Li family, he naturally no longer bore the Li surname. From then on, he would be Wang Jincai.

"Hmph," Madam Han Li snorted faintly upon hearing Zhen Niang's words. She simply couldn't stand it—why should the Eighth Branch of the Li family take charge of the Seventh Branch's estate? Coupled with the past grievances between the Seventh and Eighth Branches of the Li family, Madam Han Li had no kind expression for Zhen Niang at this moment.

Very well, Zhen Niang had no intention of pressing her warm face against someone else's cold backside. She continued watching Seventh Grandmother handle affairs, knowing she could learn a great deal from it.Li Jincai was driven out of the Li family, and at this moment, the most anxious person in her heart was Madam Tian. She truly never expected that Li Jincai, who appeared loyal and devoted, harbored such malicious intentions. She had misjudged him. Previously, she had spoken many good words on Li Jincai’s behalf and even promised to help him secure control over the Ink Workshop. Now, thinking about it, she deeply regretted it. What if her mother-in-law believed she was in cahoots with Li Jincai?

"Third daughter-in-law…" At that moment, Old Madam Li’s voice rang out again.

Madam Tian was already deeply worried, and upon suddenly hearing Old Madam Li call her, she knelt down with a thud in her guilty conscience. "Mother-in-law, I truly didn’t know Wang Jincai was such a person…"

"Get up. I’m not talking about that ungrateful wretch," Old Madam Li said, frowning.

"Yes, mother-in-law. What would you like me to do?" Madam Tian replied meekly, lowering her eyes.

"Your mother’s seventieth birthday is coming up soon, isn’t it?" Old Madam Li asked.

Madam Tian’s mother was Tian Benchang’s grandmother, surnamed He. Old Madam He’s eyesight was poor, and in recent years, she rarely went out.

"Yes, mother-in-law. Your memory is truly remarkable," Madam Tian replied, taking the opportunity to flatter her.

"You are your mother’s youngest daughter, and she dotes on you the most. I’ve also heard that her health isn’t very robust. I think it would be best if you return home to take care of your mother during this grand celebration. Tomorrow, I will notify the Tian family to come and fetch you," Old Madam Li said calmly. These words carried a deeper meaning. Generally, widows observing mourning did not easily return to their natal homes, and if they did, the timing of their departure and return had to be strictly predetermined. Old Madam Li’s words clearly indicated she had no intention of bringing Madam Tian back.

"Mother-in-law, what have I done wrong for you to send me back to my natal home?" Madam Tian asked anxiously.

"To be honest, you haven’t done anything wrong. It’s just that your ambitions have grown too large, and it’s no longer suitable for you to remain in the Li family. You are still young, not yet thirty, and you’ve already mourned for the third son for ten years. That’s enough. If a suitable match arises, you may remarry. When that time comes, the Li family will provide you with a dowry," Old Madam Li said.

Remarry? Easier said than done. How could Madam Tian not understand this?

"Mother-in-law, no matter how ambitious I am, it’s all for the sake of our seventh branch. It’s true, I did target Zhen Niang, and it was precisely because of this narrow-mindedness that I was used by that ungrateful wretch. But Zhen Niang is the granddaughter of the eighth branch. Back then, wasn’t Eighth Uncle also eyeing the Ink Workshop covetously? Now that Zhen Niang is in charge of the Ink Workshop, how could I not have my own thoughts? Not just me—even You Ge’er’s mother has never been at ease. This foundation should rightfully belong to You Ge’er," Madam Tian said, her eyes reddening.

Her words dragged Madam Sun into the matter. Madam Sun sat there as if on pins and needles, while Chen Shi looked at her with disappointment and shook her head.

"Do you think I’m easily fooled?" Old Madam Li glanced at Madam Tian indifferently.

"I wouldn’t dare. I’m only speaking the truth," Madam Tian replied."The truth? Dare you claim you truly acted entirely for the sake of the Seventh Branch? Entirely for You Ge'er's sake? Don't deny it—you were driven by your own selfish motives. The reason you so strongly supported that ungrateful wretch wasn't just because you were deceived by him, but because you believed he was merely a son-in-law living under his wife's roof, someone who would never amount to much. You simply wanted to use him to achieve your goal of controlling the Ink Workshop. It's only human to have selfish desires, and there's nothing inherently wrong with that. But don't forget—you are a member of the Li family, and you must abide by the Li family's rules. If everyone harbored thoughts like yours, the Li family would descend into chaos. Remember, when a family is divided, outsiders will take advantage. With your scheming mind pitted against that ungrateful wretch, you wouldn't stand a chance. In the end, the entire Li family would be handed over to others for nothing." Old Madam Li spoke with bitter resentment.

Madam Tian, having been exposed by Old Madam Li, felt her face burn with shame, yet she still tried to defend herself: "But how can you, Mother-in-law, be sure that Zhen Niang and the others won't swallow up our Seventh Branch? There are plenty of cases in great families where the collateral branches have devoured the main line."

Madam Tian's words stirred anger among the members of the Li family's Eighth Branch.

"Let's go, Zhen Niang. Come home with your mother. Our Eighth Branch doesn't care for the Li Family Ink Workshop. If we really want an ink workshop, we can afford to start our own." Zhao Shi, who had arrived later, immediately jumped to her feet.

"Jingfu's wife, calm down." Old Madam Li gestured for Zhao Shi to sit, and Chen Shi promptly pulled her back into her seat.

"Do all of you, to some extent, share this belief?" Old Madam Li then swept her gaze over the various branches of the Seventh Branch.

No one would openly admit to such a thought, but it was undeniable that such suspicions existed to varying degrees.

"Steward Shao, has Sheng Shiye arrived?" Old Madam Li then asked Steward Shao.

"Yes, Zheng Cai is accompanying Sheng Shiye in the outer room," Steward Shao stepped forward and replied.

"Please invite Sheng Shiye in," Old Madam Li gestured.

Steward Shao acknowledged and went out, returning shortly with Sheng Shiye.

"Thank you for your trouble, Sheng Shiye," Old Madam Li greeted him halfway.

"You are too kind, Old Madam," Sheng Shiye clasped his hands in salute, then took a contract from his sleeve and presented it. "Old Madam, I have brought the contract. Please review it."

"Thank you," Old Madam Li said, accepting the contract. She glanced over it and then handed it to Chen Shi beside her. "Take a look, all of you. It truly shames those with petty minds."

Chen Shi took the contract, looked at it, and her expression changed visibly. She turned to look at Zhen Niang, then passed the contract to Da Huang Shi. After reading it, Da Huang Shi also glanced at Zhen Niang, nodding to her before handing the contract to Madam Tian.

Madam Tian took the contract and, after a moment of stunned silence, flushed with embarrassment. The date on the contract was precisely the day Zhen Niang had taken over the Ink Workshop, and the person who had established this contract was none other than Li Zhenniang.

Moreover, on the very day she assumed control of the Ink Workshop, Zhen Niang had already registered a Public Deed at the yamen, transferring all ownership of the workshop to You Ge'er's name.