The Heir

Сhарter 98: Thе Luо Fаmilу's Рast

"To bесome а divine dragоn аmоng gоds, оnе must first serve аs an ox or horse fоr аll living beings. Wеll said. Оnсе this ink is mаde, sаvе а sеt fоr me—nо need for thе first еdition, thе second еdition will do." Suddеnly, a vоiсе sроkе uр, startling Zhen Niаng. Shе turned аrоund аnd saw it wаs Luo Wеnqiаn.

Coming frоm а familу of ink-making artisаns, Luo Wenqian nаturаllу reсognized that Zhеn Niаng wаs drawing аn Ink Linе Diаgrаm. Аs fоr the sо-сallеd first editiоn and seсond еditiоn...

Gеnerаllу, whеn а woodbloсk carving is complеted, the first batсh of ink prоducеd is thе first editiоn. This edition features clear and lifelike images, making it the most collectible. For subsequent editions, the woodblock inevitably suffers some wear after use. Thus, compared to the first edition, the clarity and fine details of the images in later editions are slightly inferior, though they still fall within the category of fine works and retain some collectible value. However, their preciousness is far less than that of the first edition.

By asking for the second edition instead of the first, Luo Wenqian clearly demonstrated the gentlemanly principle of not taking what others cherish.

"Master Luo." Zhen Niang hadn't expected Luo Wenqian to appear so suddenly and was momentarily taken aback. The phrase "to become a divine dragon among gods, one must first serve as an ox or horse for all living beings" could be explained in the most straightforward terms as "enduring hardship to rise above others"—precisely the meaning her Ink Line Diagram aimed to convey. Reflecting on Luo Wenqian's own experiences, they indeed aligned with this sentiment. No wonder he had taken a liking to this set of ink at first glance.

She nodded and said, "Very well. For Master Luo to favor my Li Family's ink is an honor for the Li Family."

Hearing Zhen Niang still address him as "Master Luo," Luo Wenqian couldn't help but rub his nose. "We're both from the same hometown—no need for such formalities as 'Master Luo.' You can call me Luo Wenqian, or simply Luo Jiu."

"Luo Jiu? Why does that sound familiar?" Zhen Niang glanced at Luo Wenqian and murmured to herself.

"When I first ventured into the northern territories, I met a few sworn brothers. We ranked ourselves by age, and since I was ninth, I became Luo Jiu," Luo Wenqian explained. Then, his gaze returned to the Ink Line Diagram in Zhen Niang's hand. His family was a lineage of ink-making artisans, and he had seen countless Ink Line Diagrams in his lifetime. Luo Wenqian himself was considered a master at drawing them. Yet, he found Miss Li's technique somewhat novel in both brushwork and style. Its clarity and realism even surpassed the Ink Line Diagram methods he knew. He couldn't help but ask, "Miss Li, your method for drawing Ink Line Diagrams is quite unique?"

"Ah, this is the sketching technique," Zhen Niang replied casually, her mind still lingering on the name Luo Jiu. It felt so familiar, suddenly. She thought of "Han Xizai's Night Banquet." Yes, the name Luo Jiu. The first time she had heard of it was because Luo Jiu had recognized Zhou Wenju's "Han Xizai's Night Banquet." And wasn't this person the owner of the Yi Hou Sheng Bank?

"Are you the owner of Yi Hou Sheng Bank?" Zhen Niang snapped back to attention and asked.

"Yes," Luo Wenqian nodded. He had never intended to hide this from Zhen Niang. When she and the others had visited his bank for a mortgage loan, he hadn't come down to meet them simply because he didn't want to mix personal matters into a purely commercial transaction. Now, revealing it was merely an act of honesty.

Seeing Luo Wenqian nod, Zhen Niang felt a surge of frustration. "So, Yi Hou Sheng Bank is the 'small shop' you mentioned last time?"At this moment, Zhen Niang finally understood why Luo Wenqian had so readily lent the silver back then. They were all fellow townspeople, bound by hometown ties, and there was collateral to begin with. So what did that little bit of previous business rivalry amount to? Luo Wenqian’s willingness to lend the silver was only natural.

Zhen Niang didn’t think she owed Luo Wenqian any personal favors, nor had she ever considered the small loan she once gave him to be of any significance.

“Hmm, the shop isn’t very big,” Luo Wenqian remarked matter-of-factly.

Zhen Niang couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Was a shop’s size measured by its floor area? Shouldn’t it be judged by its capital instead?

Seeing Zhen Niang roll her eyes, Luo Wenqian was amused and burst into laughter.

Zhen Niang pursed her lips but suddenly said, “Ninth Master Luo, this humble girl has a favor to ask.”

“Please, don’t call me ‘Master.’ That’s just a casual title from the trade. Miss Li, just call me Luo Jiu, or else I’ll turn and leave right now,” Luo Wenqian said helplessly. This Miss Zhen could be quite stubborn.

“Alright, Luo Jiu,” Zhen Niang conceded, knowing she was asking for a favor.

“Miss Zhen, just say what you need,” Luo Wenqian replied.

“I heard you have Zhou Wenju’s Night Revels of Han Xizai. I wonder if I could borrow it to take a look,” Zhen Niang said.

“You want to use it to make an Assorted Ink Collection?” Luo Wenqian immediately understood her intention. Although Assorted Ink Collection was a new type of ink product and not yet widely available on the market, as the former young master of Luo Mo, Luo Wenqian was naturally well aware of it.

“Exactly. Is it feasible?” Zhen Niang asked in return.

“No problem. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone deliver it to you, Miss Li,” Luo Wenqian said.

“Thank you,” Zhen Niang expressed her gratitude, then asked curiously, “Back then, that woman who took the painting to the pawnshop…” She trailed off, having always felt there was something off about the woman’s behavior.

If such a painting was brought to a pawnshop, it meant the family was in desperate need of money, pushed to the brink. Yet later, the woman fiercely declared that if anyone could identify the painting, she would give it away for free. This seemed contradictory.

“Haha, Miss Li is as perceptive as ever. That painting was originally a family treasure of mine, and the woman was the wife of my shop’s manager. Earlier, my competitors had targeted Luo Jiu first, so I was merely returning the favor,” Luo Wenqian explained with a laugh.

When he first arrived in Nanjing, competitors from Huizhou had given him trouble at every turn. So he set up this scheme, first to embarrass his rivals—a case of tit for tat—and also to make a name for himself.

“What’s so perceptive about that? Didn’t everyone figure it out afterward?” Zhen Niang retorted, somewhat annoyed.

“So what if they did? This was an open scheme. If any of them had recognized it back then, wouldn’t they have gained an advantage? Such opportunities falling from the sky are rare. Since they couldn’t identify it, what’s there to complain about?” Luo Wenqian said, curling the corner of his mouth.

“That’s true,” Zhen Niang nodded, glancing at Luo Wenqian. This fellow wasn’t one to take losses without fighting back.

As they were talking, another group of people approached, led by Wang Sifang. As soon as Wang Sifang saw Luo Wenqian, he snorted coldly and said, “Wenqian, are you determined to go against your uncle, is that it?”"How could I dare, Uncle? You speak too harshly." Luo Wenqian suddenly shed his previously somewhat languid demeanor, narrowing his eyes as he replied with a cold glint in his gaze.

"Still playing innocent? Then how do you explain lending money to the Han family?" Wang Sifang retorted fiercely.

"In business, one speaks of business. It's not easy for your nephew to make a living—how could I pass up an opportunity to earn money?" Luo Wenqian responded. Then he added, "Uncle, please attend to your own affairs. I must take my leave." With that, Luo Wenqian nodded toward Zhen Niang, then turned and joined a few other men nearby before walking away without looking back.

Wang Sifang’s face turned livid with anger.

Zhen Niang, an innocent bystander in this matter, simply cupped her hands toward Wang Sifang and returned to Madam Han Li’s side. Outwardly calm and composed, she was inwardly curious. She hadn’t realized Wang Sifang was Luo Wenqian’s uncle, and she wondered what grudge lay between this uncle and nephew.

Meanwhile, the ladies from several families each added a brick to the Buddha Bone Pagoda, then went to the temple hall to donate incense money. After sharing a vegetarian meal, the blessing ceremony concluded successfully.

Second Madam Xu had also obtained the answer she sought.

By afternoon, the gathering dispersed as the event came to an end.

Upon returning home, Second Madam Xu went to see the three Xu brothers and relayed everything Madam Han Li had said in detail.

"So it seems the Han family has stumbled into a fortunate mistake," said the eldest Xu, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"That should be the case. Madam Han Li has always been eager to curry favor with me, and as merchants, they wouldn’t dare to truly cause us losses. Taking such a risk aligns with the ways of business," Second Madam Xu remarked.

"If that’s the case, then let it be. Since the Han family holds this view, tomorrow we’ll sell another batch of land at a low price to further depress the market. The day after, we’ll start buying back—no need to hold back," the eldest Xu decided.

"Sell another batch tomorrow? That will surely be absorbed by Han Yigui and the others. Wouldn’t that just benefit them?" the third Xu protested unwillingly.

"No matter. Benefiting them is ultimately benefiting ourselves. With so much land in their hands, it will become a burden. Eventually, we’ll take it over, and the final price will be up to us," the eldest Xu reasoned.

"Yes, Elder Brother is right," the second Xu chimed in supportively.

Outnumbered two to one, the third Xu had no further objections. Besides, his elder brother’s logic made sense, so he agreed.

...

That evening, Huang Shi was intently studying the Ink Line Diagram Zhen Niang had drawn at the temple during the day. The girl’s skill in drawing ink lines left her in awe. As she examined it, she chatted idly with Chou Po.

Although Chou Po seemed like a servant in the household, Huang Shi knew her mother-in-law held Chou Po in high regard. It was just that Chou Po preferred to guard the gate rather than live in the main residence, and there was nothing to be done about it.

Thus, Huang Shi had never treated Chou Po as a servant.

In her free time, she often engaged Chou Po in conversation, though Chou Po was not particularly enthusiastic. Most of the time during these chats, Chou Po dozed off. Now, as Huang Shi spoke intermittently, Chou Po merely responded with drowsy murmurs from the side.

Zhen Niang entered with her sleeves tucked, saying, "Second Aunt, it’s late. You can continue tomorrow. The oil lamp’s light is dim and will strain your eyes."

"Mhm, alright," Huang Shi put away the Ink Line Diagram, then looked at Zhen Niang with keen interest.

Zhen Niang felt puzzled by her aunt’s gaze."Zhen Niang, what do you think of your second cousin?" Huang Shi asked with a smile.

"Second cousin Han Bai?" Zhen Niang blinked, looking at her second aunt.

"Hmm." Huang Shi continued smiling.

"I don’t have much of an opinion. Second cousin seems quite diligent," Zhen Niang replied. She had been spending more time with her eldest aunt’s family recently and had met both cousins. The eldest cousin was more amiable and resembled Uncle-in-law in demeanor, while the second cousin was rather serious, rarely smiling. When they met, he would only nod. As for any deeper impression, she didn’t know him well enough to form one.

"Why do you ask?" Zhen Niang inquired in return. Her second aunt wouldn’t bring this up without reason.

"Well, your eldest aunt has taken a liking to you and wants you to be her second daughter-in-law." The day before, Madam Han Li had hinted at this intention to Huang Shi. Though not stated outright, Huang Shi understood.

"Ah, didn’t Aunt want to find an official’s daughter for Second Cousin?" Zhen Niang was genuinely surprised. She hadn’t expected her aunt to suddenly have such an idea.

"Heh, times change. Your aunt has seen through those official families now. Besides, how easy is it for an official’s daughter to marry into a merchant family?" Huang Shi explained.

"Oh." Zhen Niang nodded, understanding now, but...

"Second Cousin and I aren’t suited," Zhen Niang stated frankly, her cheeks slightly flushed. Even with the soul of two lifetimes, speaking so directly about such matters inevitably brought a blush.

"How so?" Huang Shi asked.

"Even if Second Cousin doesn’t necessarily marry an official’s daughter, he is a scholar. I, on the other hand, openly engage in business—he would never tolerate that," Zhen Niang replied.

It wasn’t that Second Cousin looked down on her; it was a common value among scholars of this era. A merchant’s daughter could be taken as a concubine but never as a wife. If Second Cousin wanted to advance on his path, he would have to adhere to this prevailing norm.

Though Zhen Niang hadn’t interacted much with Han Bai, she had some understanding of his character. If the eldest cousin resembled Uncle-in-law in demeanor, then the second cousin resembled him in essence—equally diligent and unwavering once he set his mind on a path. Back then, Uncle-in-law chose commerce, while now Second Cousin chose the path of officialdom.

When Uncle-in-law married her eldest aunt, he had also sought to leverage connections. Some people burn bridges after success, while others keep their promises. Uncle-in-law was the latter.

She believed Second Cousin was the same at heart. Thus, they were utterly unsuited. However, Zhen Niang was pleased to see Second Cousin pursue an official career. After all, the Li family hadn’t produced any scholars in recent years. If Second Cousin succeeded, the Li family would gain some support in the background.

"Zhen Niang speaks wisely," Chou Po remarked from the side, her eyes slightly narrowed.

Huang Shi thought it over and realized this was true, her mood dampening slightly.

"By the way, Second Aunt, do you know the relationship between the Luo Family and the Wang Family?" Zhen Niang asked, changing the subject upon noticing her aunt’s low spirits.

"The Luo Family and the Wang Family? Why ask about them all of a sudden?" Second Aunt asked curiously.Zhen Niang then recounted the incident of encountering Luo Wenqian at the temple earlier that day. Meanwhile, Chou Po suddenly opened her eyes, but as she was already shrouded in the dim light of the oil lamp, neither Huang Shi nor Zhen Niang noticed her unusual movement.

"I never imagined Luo Wenqian would achieve such success. At least the Luo Family still has someone to rely on," Huang Shi remarked with a sigh. Back when the Luo family members went missing, rumors spread like wildfire throughout Huizhou. Most claimed they had encountered bandits and were killed. Coupled with other branches of the family being implicated by Luo Wenlong—some dying, others exiled—it was truly a case of "when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter."

Who would have thought the young master of the Luo Family would rise again so quickly? Huang Shi couldn’t help but feel a sense of emotion. "I only knew that Luo Wenqian’s mother was Wang Sifang’s younger sister. The Wang siblings lost their parents early, and Wang Sifang took charge of the household. However, back then, Wang Sifang did not agree to his sister marrying Luo Wenqian’s father. Later, Wang Shi found a clansman to arrange the marriage on her behalf and quickly entered the Luo Family. After that, she severed all ties with the Wang family," Huang Shi explained.

"Why did Wang Sifang oppose Wang Shi marrying into the Luo Family? Given the circumstances of the Wang and Luo families at the time, the Luo Family’s status was higher than the Wangs’, wasn’t it?" Zhen Niang found it strange, as the Luo Family was considered one of the most prestigious households in Huizhou.

"One of Wang Shi’s uncles was once engaged to a Luo Family daughter. Unfortunately, the day after the engagement, this uncle went boating on a painted pleasure boat and drowned. The Wang family believed the Luo daughter had brought misfortune upon him and demanded she be buried with him. The Luo Family, however, argued that Wang Shi’s uncle had been improper, visiting brothels on a pleasure boat the very next day after the engagement, and thus deserved his fate. This led to a fierce dispute, escalating into a large-scale armed clash between the Wang and Luo clans. It wasn’t until the Luo daughter hanged herself in the Ink Workshop that the Wang family finally relented. From then on, the Wang and Luo families became sworn enemies," Huang Shi recounted. She hadn’t known about these events until Wang Shi insisted on marrying into the Luo Family, bringing the old grievances back to light. At the time, the story spread widely throughout Huizhou, which was how Huang Shi came to hear of it.

"No wonder," Zhen Niang finally understood the enmity between the Luo and Wang families.

Meanwhile, Chou Po, though seemingly dozing with her eyes closed, appeared to be trembling all over.

"Chou Po, are you cold? I’ll have someone bring you a brazier," Zhen Niang said. Although it was already mid-spring, the evenings could still be chilly when the wind blew, especially for someone as elderly as Chou Po.