The Heir

Chарtеr 78: Тhе Return of the Еighth Вranch

Zhеn Niang remаinеd rеmаrkаblу comрosed. Her actiоns wеre nоt driven bу аnу sеnse оf nоbilitу, but rаthеr by а genuine feеling thаt it was inаpproрriate аt the time.

Firstlу, thе Еighth аnd Sеvеnth Вranchеs hаd prеviоuslу clаshed оvеr the inheritаnсe rights tо the Ink Workshoр. If she had truly ассeрted the workshор, it might nоt havе bееn аn issuе nоw. Hоwеver, оncе You Ge'еr grew оldеr, hоw cоuld hе роssibly be cоntent with that arrangemеnt?

In such a scеnario, thе Eighth Вrаnch wоuld inevitably be accused of scheming to seize the assets of the main lineage—a common expectation. Wouldn't that lead to another round of conflict? Often, it is precisely such internal strife that leads to the downfall of a family.

Therefore, after discussing the matter with Old Shopkeeper Li that day, she drafted this Public Deed and submitted it to the authorities. It was only to be revealed once You Ge'er was older.

She simply hadn't expected Old Madam Li to be aware of even this.

"Even so, it doesn't prove the Eighth Branch acted without self-interest. Don't forget, the victims of the Tung Oil Poisoning Incident are still receiving treatment at the Medicine Hall. To this day, the medical fees and consultation costs are being covered by several accountants from the Ink Workshop. I've heard there's no limit to the payments. Why should our Ink Workshop bear the burden of the Eighth Branch's mistakes?" Madam Tian persisted, unwilling to concede.

Of course, she understood that this arrangement must have been approved by Old Madam Li. Her argument now felt somewhat forced; she merely wanted to prove, as much as possible, that she wasn't entirely in the wrong.

"That's right, Mother. Zhen Niang has done well, but one thing is one thing. The incident back then nearly destroyed the entire Li family. The Ink Workshop has no reason to shield the Eighth Branch like this. It's unfair to the other branches as well. Besides, regarding Zhen Niang's deal with Huiyuan Bank this time, even though there was no issue with the goods being withheld, I still feel this transaction isn't entirely secure. For one, this deal was originally signed between Zhen Niang and Sun Baiyi. Does Madam Xu from Huiyuan Bank even acknowledge it? The payment is still outstanding. Even with Huiyuan Bank as collateral, that Madam Xu Hai is truly of Sea Bandit origin. If she refuses to honor it, we might not be able to do much about it. I heard the amount is over eight thousand taels. If that's really lost, I'm afraid the Li family won't be able to recover," interjected Aunt Han Li, who had also come forward.

It should be noted that Aunt Han Li's visit this time, aside from seeing Old Madam Li, was primarily to borrow money. Now that the Li family had such a large outstanding payment, she was naturally very concerned.

"Hmph, I haven't even reprimanded you yet, and you've already jumped out on your own," Old Madam Li glared at Han Li.

"Sister-in-law, that money was recovered long ago," Chen Shi said with a smile from the side.

"Really? I heard it wasn't paid," Han Li expressed surprise. Since she intended to borrow money, she had naturally inquired about the family's financial situation. She had even asked Steward Shao at the Ink Workshop, and everyone said this payment hadn't been made. People at the workshop were worried, fearing this payment might end up like previous unrecovered debts—turning into bad debt. If that happened, Li Mo would truly be finished.

In business, one fears having no business, and secondly, getting entangled in such unpaid debts.

Many enterprises in later times were dragged down by triangular debt.At this point, Chen Shi continued, "Although Zhen Niang signed an unpaid contract with Sun Baiyi for this deal, that was just for show. In fact, she had already arranged with Madam Xu for the payment to be handed directly to me. It was precisely because of this that I sensed something was wrong and reported the matter to Old Madam Li. Only then did Old Madam Li manage to uncover that ungrateful wolf's scheme. Otherwise, this time, the Li Family Ink Workshop might have truly fallen into the hands of that ungrateful wolf. His plan was indeed meticulous. It can be said that in this incident, Zhen Niang has rendered a great service."

Upon hearing Chen Shi's words, everyone looked at Zhen Niang in surprise. Although it was Zhen Niang who initially exposed the hidden goods, once Old Madam Li stepped forward, everyone naturally assumed it was all prearranged by Chen Shi and Zhen Niang as part of Old Madam Li's plan. They hadn't expected Zhen Niang to have played such a significant role.

"Zhen Niang, how did you know there was something fishy about this deal?" Da Huang Shi asked curiously from the side.

"Yes, Zhen Niang," Zhao Shi also looked puzzled. Could this girl have become some kind of prophet?

"It's nothing extraordinary," Zhen Niang replied modestly. "When Manager Zheng first told me about this deal, I also thought it was excellent. However, I happened to know that Huiyuan Bank was backed by Madam Xu Hai, who was accustomed to maritime trade. Needless to say, these inks were undoubtedly destined for the Eastern and Western Oceans. At the time, I thought to myself, in recent years, Marshal Qi has been effective in resisting the Japanese pirates, and coastal defenses are now strict. I was afraid that if something happened to the ship at sea, it would implicate the Li family. I initially intended to decline the deal, but this business could help the Li family shed its burdens and move forward lightly. Besides, overseas trade is a path every merchant wants to explore. With this opportunity, I didn't want to let it slip. So, I went directly to Madam Xu Hai, intending to remind her not to rush to set sail but to wait a couple of years until the situation improved. After all, ink isn't perishable. Unexpectedly, when I discussed this with Madam Xu, I discovered she knew nothing about the deal. That's when we set a trap. As for what followed, it was all Old Madam Li's doing. I dare not claim credit."

As for her early precautions against Li Jincai, those insights came from the clan records' foresight, which she couldn't openly discuss.

"Oh, so that's how it was," everyone found Zhen Niang's explanation reasonable.

"As for helping the Eighth Branch resolve the medical expenses, that was my decision. Regardless of anything else, just this single deal alone, as you all know, amounts to over eight thousand taels. Moreover, thanks to Zhen Niang, the Li Family Ink Workshop avoided a disaster. Therefore, all of this is what the Eighth Branch deserves. If anyone has objections, come and speak to me directly." Old Madam Li cast a cold glance at Madam Tian and Madam Han Li.

Madam Han Li naturally looked embarrassed and remained silent, though inwardly she felt relieved. With such a sum of money, it would be easier for her to ask her mother for a loan.

Thus, she sat aside, pondering how to broach the subject privately.

As for Madam Tian, by now, she knew the tide had turned against her. She moved her lips but ultimately said nothing."Tomorrow I will have the Tian family come to fetch you. We'll say Tian wants you back to care for your mother. In any case, everyone's face will be preserved, and you can make your own way from now on. If you truly encounter difficulties, before you remarry, you are still a daughter-in-law of the Li family. You can send word to me." Old Madam Li continued.

"Yes." Seeing that the matter could no longer be reversed, Madam Tian could only agree. Moreover, she felt that Old Madam Li's arrangement might not be a bad thing after all. After all, no woman without a son under her care would willingly remain a widow like this.

Zhen Niang watched from the side. Although the clan records stated that Madam Tian passed away not long after returning to the Tian family, the current situation was vastly different from what was recorded. Whether Madam Tian would follow the same path after returning was uncertain.

Ultimately, as Seventh Grandmother had advised, she would have to make her own way.

"Additionally, I have another matter to announce." At this point, Old Madam Li glanced at everyone and spoke again.

Everyone fixed their eyes on Old Madam Li. Today had brought too many events, one after another, leaving people somewhat overwhelmed.

"When the Li family's Tribute Ink incident occurred years ago, although it was the fault of the Eighth Branch, it was also because Jingfu fell for the Luo Family's trick. The Luo Family seized the Tribute Ink Privilege because of this. Now that the Luo Family has vanished, past grievances need not be mentioned again. However, the Eighth Branch must still provide an explanation. Back then, the Eighth Branch exhausted its family wealth to make amends and did its utmost. The punishment at the time was somewhat excessive. Now, Zhen Niang has made a great contribution to the Ink Workshop by saving it from crisis, so the Eighth Branch should be compensated..."

Here, Old Madam Li paused, scanning the crowd before looking at Sixth Master and Li Jingdong. Both nodded in agreement.

The head of a clan must ensure that wrongdoing is punished and merit is rewarded.

It was only then that Zhen Niang learned that the Li ink incident years ago had been caused by the Luo Family. Upon reflection, however, it made sense. After all, when the Li family's Tribute Ink had the accident and lost the Tribute Ink Privilege, it ultimately fell to the Luo Family, who were the beneficiaries.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but recall Luo Wenqian's letter again.

"Therefore, I have decided to return the two-tenths share of the Ink Workshop originally belonging to the Eighth Branch back to them. Additionally, for Zhen Niang, I will take out another one-tenth share from our main branch as her dowry." Old Madam Li said, then turned to Old Shopkeeper Li. "Eighth Uncle, what do you think? Li Mo is now lacking in talent. Eighth Uncle should also contribute your remaining energy. We may be old and our bodies may not be what they were, but we can still teach and guide the younger generation, don't you agree?"

Zhen Niang was surprised. The shares of the Li family Ink Workshop were divided as follows: the main branch held six-tenths, the Ninth Branch held two-tenths, the Sixth Branch held one-tenth, and the final tenth belonged to all members of the Li clan. This last tenth was tied to ancestral teachings: any Li descendant willing to work hard could find a foundation for livelihood in the Ink Workshop.

At the same time, the proceeds from this last tenth were used to establish clan schools and charitable estates, or to support impoverished students within the clan. This was the foundation of a great clan's enduring prosperity.

With Old Madam Li's decision, she was effectively allocating three-tenths to the Eighth Branch at once. Of course, the final tenth belonging to the Li clansmen was still controlled by the main branch, but even so, the Li family's Eighth Branch had become the second-largest shareholder in the Ink Workshop.

Old Madam Li's move was no small gesture.

Zhen Niang couldn't help but turn to look at her grandfather.Old Shopkeeper Li's eyes were bloodshot at this moment, his lips trembling slightly, clearly overwhelmed with emotion.

Back then, because of that unfilial son, he had shouldered all the responsibility. In the end, the Eighth Branch of the Li family was expelled from the Li Family Ink Workshop, and he was forbidden from using his Ink Craft. Although the Eighth Branch of the Li family was not formally expelled from the Li clan, their situation was practically the same—like rootless duckweed. All these years, he had suffered injustice.

The reason his health had deteriorated over the years was precisely because of the pent-up resentment in his heart.

Now, with Old Madam Li's words, justice had finally been served for the Eighth Branch. He didn’t care much about the two shares themselves, but those two shares were what the old master had left him back then, and they also represented the status of the Eighth Branch within the Li family. Losing those shares, he felt that even in death, he would have no face to meet the old master in the underworld.

Now, with the two shares restored, it meant that the Eighth Branch of the Li family had returned to the Li Family Ink Workshop.

Li Jinshui could finally stand in the Ink Industry again—how could this not fill him with overwhelming excitement?

As for Zhen Niang, while empathizing with her grandfather’s emotions, she also reflected on Old Madam Li’s ruthless actions back then.

The situation back then was easy to imagine: Old Master Li was gravely ill, and the Li Family Ink Workshop was in turmoil, with morale unstable. At that time, Li Jinshui held extremely high prestige in the workshop due to his Ink Craft. To eliminate potential threats, and considering that the Eighth Branch had indeed brought the Li family to the brink of ruin because of Li Jingfu, Old Madam Li had no choice but to take drastic measures. No one could blame her for that.

However, for Old Shopkeeper Li, the burden he bore was far too heavy.

Seeing Old Shopkeeper Li’s state, his intentions were clear. Old Madam Li turned to Wu Shi, who had come with Old Shopkeeper Li, and said, "Eighth Sister-in-law, go back and tell the children to prepare. I’ve already asked my eldest daughter-in-law to tidy up the rooms in the Ancestral Residence. Let’s all move back. A family should stay together. Ninth Brother is gone, and time is running out. In the future, we can call Ninth Brother’s wife, and the three of us old ladies can play Ma Diao in our spare time. How does that sound?"

Back then, when the Eighth Branch of the Li family was expelled from the Ink Workshop, Old Master Li, being a proud man, had also moved out of the Ancestral Residence.

"Yes, yes, yes..." Wu Shi wiped her tears and nodded repeatedly, only able to utter "yes, yes, yes" in response. Originally, she had thought she shouldn’t let Seventh Sister-in-law have her way so easily, but when it came to speaking, her words turned into simple, straightforward agreement.

"Excellent!" Old Madam Li laughed heartily and nodded.