The Heir

Сhарter 90: Hаi Qingtiаn Is Соming

"Нah, truly worthу оf being Old Shоpkeереr Li’s grаnddаughtеr—you shаre the same tempеrаment аs yоur grаndfаthеr." Hеаring Zhеn Niаng’s wоrds, Stewаrd Qin sighed in admiratiоn, whiсh madе Zhen Niang feеl somewhаt ashamеd, аs shе wаs nоt quitе sо pure-hеаrted.

Реrhаps bеcаusе of Old Shорkeеper Li, Stewаrd Qin did not avoid susрiсiоn. Hе first took Zhen Niаng tо rеgister аt thе Меrсhаnt Guild, then lеd hеr to sеe Нu Zonglin.

Hu Zоnglin had risеn frоm а humble раwnshор clerk to his сurrent position. While hе might not have fullу graspеd the wауs of thе world, he had at least mastered the art of keeping his emotions hidden.

Thus, when Zhen Niang arrived, he showed no particular expression. Zhen Niang paid her respects according to etiquette, and he received her accordingly, everything proceeding naturally. However, inwardly, Hu Zonglin felt an additional layer of appreciation for this young lady of the Li family.

She did not judge people by their status, and her conduct was measured and proper. This might sound easy, but to truly achieve it was not so simple.

In fact, whether Miss Li came today or not was part of Hu Zonglin’s unspoken test.

If Miss Li had come today, Hu Zonglin would treat her as a junior and spare no effort in helping Li Mo’s development in Nanjing.

Although his clansman Hu Zongxian had encountered trouble, as a member of the Hu clan, the connections they had quietly cultivated over the years were far more than what met the eye. Thus, even if everyone in the Merchant Guild distanced themselves from him, his mood would not waver in the slightest. Now was the time to carefully savor the myriad facets of human nature.

If Miss Li had not come, then in his eyes, Li Mo would not achieve much in the future. And although he had Han Yigui’s entrustment, he would not genuinely support Li Zhenniang.

Now, Miss Li had indeed come to visit early in the morning, not disappointing him.

As for Zhen Niang, she had no idea that she had crossed a threshold in a single moment.

Such visits did not involve much conversation. After a few casual remarks, Zhen Niang presented the Hundred Herbs Soot Ink.

Hu Zonglin laughed heartily and accepted it without ceremony.

Soon after, Zhen Niang took her leave, concluding the formal visit.

"Miss Li." Just as she stepped out the door, Zhen Niang heard someone call her. Turning around, she saw Tian Benchang and Tian Rongchang escorting a portly middle-aged man out. It was Tian Benchang who had called to her.

"Greetings, Eldest Young Master Tian." Zhen Niang was slightly surprised. Given that this was the busiest time for the Ink Workshop, and with Tian Benchang newly married, how could he have time to come to Nanjing? Thus, his appearance in Nanjing at this moment was indeed unexpected.

However, glancing at Tian Rongchang beside him and recalling the events on the ship during their journey, Zhen Niang understood somewhat. Tian Benchang had likely received news from the ship while still at home and, worried about Tian Rongchang, had followed closely behind.

"How is Yuejuan?" Having little to say to Tian Benchang, Zhen Niang inquired about Sun Yuejuan’s recent situation.

"She is well. While I am in Nanjing, she and her second brother are helping my father manage the Ink Workshop," Tian Benchang replied, casting a deep glance at Li Zhenniang. Every time he saw Li Zhenniang, his feelings were somewhat complicated.It wasn't truly that he harbored any lingering romantic feelings for Li Zhenniang that he couldn't let go of. Rather... how should one describe that feeling? It was as if someone originally held something in their hand. Thinking it was worthless and of no value, they casually discarded it. Yet unexpectedly, gradually, that thing began to radiate a different kind of brilliance. And that brilliance grew increasingly dazzling. Only now, that thing was no longer his, and so a sense of regret arose in his heart. A feeling of having missed an opportunity.

Perhaps it was simply a sense of unwillingness.

"Mmm." Zhen Niang nodded. As for Tian Benchang's complicated feelings, Zhen Niang naturally had no idea. Since there was nothing more to say, she cupped her hands in farewell.

"Li Zhenniang, you truly don't know what's good for you. Coming to the Merchant Guild, yet you don't first pay your respects to President Wang." At that moment, Tian Rongchang, standing to the side, jeered mockingly. Having been humiliated by Zhen Niang on the boat, he had been nursing a grudge ever since.

Zhen Niang was momentarily stunned before realizing that the middle-aged man who had gained weight was the Vice President Wang that Steward Qin had mentioned earlier, Wang Sifang. Then, a slight smile curled at the corner of her mouth as she glanced at him, sighing inwardly. It's not the wolf-like opponent one should fear, but the pig-like teammate. With a brother like Tian Rongchang, Tian Benchang must surely have a headache.

Although Tian Rongchang's words seemed aimed at causing trouble for her, in reality, they also embarrassed Wang Sifang. How was Wang Sifang supposed to respond now?

"Shut up." Tian Benchang indeed darkened his expression, then turned to President Wang and said, "My younger brother is rash. Please do not take offense, President."

Tian Rongchang snorted discontentedly from the side.

"He is at least straightforward." President Wang's plump face wore a smiling expression, though his eyes held a trace of ill will. He then turned his gaze to Zhen Niang, scanning her before saying, "It is said that Huizhou places the greatest emphasis on propriety and reputation. For a young lady like Miss Li to dress as a man and appear in public is truly rather improper."

Today, Zhen Niang was dressed in men's clothing, though she hadn't deliberately concealed her gender—it was still apparent at a glance that she was a woman. This attire was merely for convenience of movement.

Before Zhen Niang could respond, Tian Rongchang sneered from the side, "President, you may not know this. This Miss Li first brought misfortune as a widow, then was rejected by my elder brother. So, what reputation does she have left? Now, my sister-in-law has long since entered the household, while this Miss Li will likely never marry in this lifetime."

"You—" Xiao Ya, who had accompanied Zhen Niang, clenched her fists, furious and about to step forward to argue, but Zhen Niang held her back.

At that moment, Zhen Niang stepped forward, first bowing to Wang Sifang. "Greetings, President Wang." Then she continued, "What Second Young Master Tian says is indeed the truth. A woman like myself is merely trying to make a living."

Zhen Niang appeared completely natural, entirely unaffected by Second Young Master Tian's words. Inwardly, however, she found it somewhat amusing. Originally, President Wang's remarks would have been difficult for her to address, as women engaging in business were truly an anomaly in this era. But with Second Young Master Tian's interruption, her response flowed quite smoothly.

And she could subtly retort to Wang Sifang: a woman like myself, already so unfortunate, is merely trying to make a living. Why must you make things difficult?

Sure enough, Wang Sifang's face darkened, and he turned and left in a huff.

Tian Benchang and Tian Rongchang naturally followed.Zhen Niang felt that having Second Young Master Tian as a teammate was definitely not a good thing, but having him as an opponent wasn’t bad either. Hehe.

Stepping out of the Merchant Guild’s gate, Zhen Niang looked up at the blue sky and white clouds with a smile. In later times, it was rare to see such a clear blue sky.

“Miss seems to be in a good mood,” Xiao Ya remarked, somewhat puzzled. If it were her, after being spoken to like that, she’d be so angry she’d want to kick Second Young Master Tian a few times.

“Hmm, not bad,” Zhen Niang nodded. Seeing someone she didn’t get along with embarrassed naturally put her in a decent mood.

“Lord Hai is coming to Nanjing!” Just then, a man who looked like an accountant hurried past the two, calling out as he rushed into the Merchant Guild.

“Lord Hai Rui? Isn’t he an upright official? Isn’t his arrival good news? Why does that person seem so panicked, as if it’s something bad? It feels like he’s not very welcoming,” Xiao Ya muttered, watching the man’s hurried back disappear into the guild.

“For the poor and wronged, it’s naturally good news. But for most wealthy people or officials, Lord Hai isn’t very welcome,” Zhen Niang said after a moment of surprise.

“Why?” Xiao Ya asked curiously.

“Because Lord Hai speaks for the poor, which inevitably means taking action against the rich and officials. How could he be welcome?” Zhen Niang replied casually. However, she remembered that this year, Hai Rui was likely busy with the matter of carrying his coffin to submit a memorial to the emperor. He probably didn’t have time to come to Nanjing, so this news might not be reliable.

“Oh,” Xiao Ya said, still only half-understanding.

“Let’s go home. Never mind all this,” Zhen Niang said.

“Alright,” Xiao Ya nodded. The Huizhou Merchant Guild wasn’t far from the Li family’s shop, so Zhen Niang didn’t call for a carriage and simply walked home.

Along the way, passing by a teahouse, she overheard people talking about Lord Hai coming to Nanjing to investigate land matters. It was said that land in Nanjing was now selling for forty to fifty taels per mu, which had alarmed the Ministry of Revenue. Hai Rui was an official in the Ministry of Revenue, and even the emperor had been alerted. Such prices were outrageous, so an investigation was necessary.

However, land matters had always been the most complicated and easiest to offend people over.

Thus, the impartial and incorruptible Hai Rui was given this thankless task.

For a moment, Zhen Niang felt uncertain. Could it be that Hai Rui had indeed come to Nanjing to investigate land matters before carrying his coffin to submit the memorial? She waved her hand dismissively. Whether he came or not, it had nothing to do with her.

“Oh dear, what should we do? That damned Hai Qingtian, why did he have to come to Nanjing now of all times? Isn’t this just causing trouble?”

Just as Zhen Niang passed by her family’s shop, she heard the cloth shop owner’s wife stomping her feet and cursing at the entrance.

She blinked in surprise. What was going on? Cursing an official in public—this shop owner’s wife was quite bold.

Zheng Fuli and others, who were busy clearing out the space for the grain and goods shops, stood nearby watching the scene.

“Elder Brother Zheng, what’s Yao Niangzi up to?” Zhen Niang walked over calmly and asked Zheng Fuli curiously. The cloth shop owner’s surname was Yao, so everyone referred to his wife as Yao Niangzi.

“Miss Zhen is back? Did everything go smoothly?” Zheng Fuli cupped his hands in greeting and asked with concern.

“Everything went smoothly,” Zhen Niang nodded."Oh." Zheng Fuli nodded, then proceeded to explain the matter concerning Yao Niangzi.

"Recently in Nanjing, the price of farmland has been high. I heard that many people with some spare cash have started speculating on farmland—buying some plots first and selling them when the price peaks. It's said that those who bought earlier made a hefty profit. Yao Niangzi heard about this and was tempted, so she used her dowry money to buy over twenty acres. But unexpectedly, just two days after her purchase, news broke today that Hai Qingtian has come to Nanjing and is investigating farmland matters. Now, who would dare hold onto farmland? Everyone is selling. Yao Niangzi bought hers a few days ago at thirty-nine taels per acre, planning to sell when it reached forty-five taels per acre. But who would have thought that with so many people selling now, the price has already dropped to thirty taels per acre. Even at thirty taels per acre, no one wants to buy, and it’s likely to drop further. That’s why Yao Niangzi is so frantic." Zheng Fuli laid out the whole story from beginning to end.

So that’s how it is—quite similar to land speculation in later times.

It’s just a pity that in such situations, it’s always the small investors who end up losing out.

...