Life often brings what one fears the most.
At noon, while Zhenniang was washing clothes, Madam Zhao and Madam Du returned home in a hurry.
“Mother, you’re back?” Zhenniang stood up to greet them. Her mother and sister-in-law had gone to Ninth Aunt’s house early in the morning to help.
“Why wouldn’t I come back? Stay there at your Ninth Aunt’s to be insulted?” Madam Zhao said with a grim face, grumbling that their Eighth Branch was trying to be nice to someone who didn’t appreciate it.
With that, Madam Zhao turned and entered her room, slamming the door with a loud bang.
“Sister-in-law, what happened to Mother?” Zhenniang asked.
“It’s all because of Ninth Aunt…” Madam Du shook her head in annoyance. “We went to help with good intentions, but Ninth Aunt wouldn’t show us even the slightest courtesy. We could have accepted that, given the current state of relations between our families. We were just trying to show our Eighth Branch’s sincerity. But then Ninth Aunt started making trouble, saying our help was insincere and we were just putting on a show of false sympathy. You know your mother’s temperament—how could she tolerate that? But given the current situation, we couldn’t argue with Ninth Aunt. We had to leave quietly, or else we’d become the laughingstock of others.”
Zhenniang nodded. Because of Uncle Jingdong’s disability, Ninth Aunt had always harbored hatred toward their grandfather and father, and by extension, the entire Eighth Branch. Her mother had quarreled with Ninth Aunt several times over this, and their relationship had become very strained. Given Ninth Aunt’s biased nature, such words were not unexpected from her.
Let it be, Mother should just avoid her in the future.
Madam Du paused, then lowered her voice: “Zhenniang, it seems Seventh Grandmother from the main branch has also fallen ill. Mother-in-law told me not to mention it loudly, fearing your grandfather couldn’t bear the news. So don’t tell your grandfather about this.”
Upon hearing this, Zhenniang’s heart skipped a beat. She stood up abruptly and asked anxiously, “Fallen ill? What happened? Is it serious?”
Zhenniang wailed internally—wasn’t this exactly what she had been worried about? Just yesterday, she had warned Second Aunt, and now this had happened?
“It was when Seventh Grandmother learned about Ninth Uncle’s matter. Fortunately, the physician was there and treated her in time, but she still hasn’t regained consciousness,” Madam Du sighed.
Zhenniang anxiously scratched her head and paced around the courtyard, her heart filled with worry.
“Zhenniang, should we go see Seventh Grandmother? We can’t just ignore such matters. Mother didn’t say anything when she heard about it, and we can’t let Grandfather know. I’m at a loss about what to do,” Madam Du continued. Li Dalang was now running between Ninth Aunt’s house and the workshop. As the eldest daughter-in-law, she needed to consider these matters carefully.
However, being someone who lacked initiative, she was truly at a loss.
Hearing Madam Du’s words, Zhenniang’s mind cleared. She shook her head: “Right now, the sisters-in-law of the main branch must be busy taking care of Seventh Grandmother. They won’t have time to receive us, and we can’t help with the illness anyway. It’s better not to disturb them.”
“But completely ignoring the situation doesn’t seem right either,” Madam Du said.
True, Zhenniang thought, then asked Madam Du, “Sister-in-law, do we have any eggs at home?”
“Yes, our chickens have been laying plenty of eggs lately, and we’ve kept some,” Madam Du replied, being most familiar with household matters.
“Then, sister-in-law, could you prepare a basket of eggs for me? I’ll deliver them to the main branch’s door and come right back,” Zhenniang said.
Hearing Zhenniang’s suggestion, Madam Du’s eyes lit up. “Yes, that’s good.” She quickly went to the kitchen and came back with a small basket of eggs, which she handed to Zhenniang.
Zhenniang took the basket and hurried out.
She felt somewhat frustrated and helpless about her Seventh Grandmother’s situation. She had done what she could to prevent it, yet things still developed in this direction. It gave her a sense of powerlessness.
What Zhenniang didn’t know was that, according to the original course of events, Seventh Grandmother would have fallen ill on the spot, and by the time the physician arrived, it would have been too late. Now, because of Zhenniang’s earlier warning to Madam Huang to have a physician ready, the timely rescue had prevented Seventh Grandmother’s immediate passing.
Soon, she arrived at the main branch of the Li family.
“Manager Guan, how is my Seventh Grandmother?” Zhenniang handed the basket of eggs to the main branch’s doorkeeper, Old Guan.
“She’s still unconscious, and we don’t know her condition. Our Li family has suffered much misfortune this year. What has heaven done to us?” Old Guan sighed.
“Uncle Guan, remember that after extreme misfortune comes happiness. As long as the Li family can overcome this hurdle, I believe endless blessings will follow,” Zhenniang smiled and said. In her previous life, her grandfather often told her that neither a person nor a family’s growth would be smooth sailing. One must remember to be humble and cautious in good times, and maintain a smiling spirit in adversity—that was the way of life.
“Young Miss Zhenniang speaks wisely. I, Old Guan, also believe that endless blessings await the Li family.” Old Guan brightened somewhat. Holding the basket of eggs, he asked Zhenniang, “Young Miss Zhenniang, why not come inside?”
“Another time, when Seventh Grandmother is better, I’ll come to visit her,” Zhenniang smiled and turned to leave.
Old Guan watched Zhenniang’s retreating figure, thinking that this young miss was quite sensible and well-spoken.
Just as Zhenniang reached the street corner, a carriage suddenly stopped beside her. Tian Benchang jumped down and said, “Zhenniang, I heard about your Ninth Uncle’s matter. My condolences.”
“Thank you,” Zhenniang replied coolly, giving a perfunctory response. She didn’t wish to interact with Tian Benchang, but one shouldn’t rebuff a smiling face, so she gave a minimal response.
Then she gave Tian Benchang a slight bow: “Farewell.”
She attempted to walk around the carriage to leave. Tian Benchang frowned slightly; this young lady was completely unapproachable, maintaining a distinctly standoffish attitude.
Zhenniang paid no mind to Tian Benchang’s thoughts. She truly found him somewhat hypocritical.
Not to mention other matters, but consider how after the Luo family’s downfall, their entire business was practically taken over by the Tian family. The ulterior motives were obvious. Yet Tian Benchang could still act brotherly with Luo Wenqian, even magnanimously telling him to seek help if needed—such words were merely rubbing salt in others’ wounds.
As she thought this, Zhenniang was about to leave when she suddenly heard a voice calling from nearby: “Young Master Tian, wait, wait!”
It sounded like Madam Feng’s voice. Zhenniang turned her head and indeed saw Madam Feng, one hand pulling along Sun Yuejuan.
“Young Master Tian, where are you headed?” Madam Feng asked with a bright smile.
“I’m going to Wenfeng Temple outside the city,” Tian Benchang replied with a smile. This fellow maintained the same smiling face with everyone, though it never quite reached his eyes.
“What a coincidence! Yuejuan and I are also going to Wenfeng to pray for her father. Would Young Master Tian be so kind as to let us ride along?” Madam Feng asked.
“Mother, how could we? We shouldn’t trouble Young Master Tian,” Sun Yuejuan awkwardly pulled at Madam Feng’s sleeve, then gave Zhenniang an embarrassed smile.
“What’s wrong with that? It’s such a long way, and sharing a ride would be perfect,” Madam Feng snapped at Sun Yuejuan. Then she turned back to Tian Benchang with a smile: “Don’t you agree, Young Master Tian?”
“Indeed, it’s no trouble at all. Please get in, I’ll sit up front,” Tian Benchang agreed.
“See? Young Master Tian agrees. I tell you, Young Master Tian is a good person,” Madam Feng said. Then, glancing at Zhenniang, she changed her tone: “Unlike some families… Now heaven truly has eyes, this is what they call reaping what you sow.”
“Mother, what are you saying?” Sun Yuejuan was even more mortified.
Zhenniang coldly watched Madam Feng’s performance, then said: “Aunt Feng, I return those last words to you.” With that, she turned and left, knowing her continued presence would only make Sun Yuejuan more uncomfortable.
Zhenniang could guess Madam Feng’s intentions, though she couldn’t be completely certain. It seemed this woman had set her sights on Tian Benchang, hoping to push Sun Yuejuan toward him.
After Tian Benchang’s marriage arrangement with Miss Yan fell through, though he had offended Master Yan, the Tian family’s wealth spoke volumes. With enough money thrown around, while Master Yan might not consider another marriage alliance with the Tian family, he saw no need to make things difficult for them either. Who would quarrel with money?
Money can make demons turn millstones.
This was also why the Tian family dared to enter the ink business and immediately challenged the tribute ink contract—they paved their way with gold.
However, money wasn’t omnipotent in many matters. In the ink business, qualifications, and heritage were also important. In Zhenniang’s view, barring any accidents, the tribute ink contract should go to the Cheng family.
As for Madam Feng’s current intentions, Zhenniang believed they were futile. The Tian family wouldn’t consider the Sun family worthy.
If Madam Feng insisted on pursuing this course, Sun Yuejuan would be the one to suffer in the end. That’s why Zhenniang had returned Madam Feng’s last words to her, though she felt sorry for Sun Yuejuan. But such matters were beyond her ability to manage.
When Zhenniang returned home, Aunt Jinhua and Li Jincai arrived shortly after.
“Zhenniang, I heard Seventh Aunt has also fallen ill. What happened? Father-in-law is extremely worried and sent us to check. We couldn’t just show up at the main branch, so we came here to ask,” Li Jincai loudly questioned as soon as he saw Zhenniang.
Zhenniang nearly stumbled in her hurry to quiet him: “Uncle Jinhua, please lower your voice! Grandfather doesn’t know about this yet—his health isn’t good.”
She glanced toward the house and saw her grandfather standing in the doorway, his eyes narrowed, unclear whether he had heard.
“That’s right, use your head a little,” Jinhua scolded from the side.
“I’m sorry, I was too anxious,” Li Jincai apologized.
“Zhenniang, you just returned from your Seventh Grandmother’s place, right? Tell us, and don’t worry about me. Do you think your grandfather is so weak that he can’t handle this? Living to seventy is rare in ancient times, and I’m already sixty-nine. What haven’t I seen through? Countless members of our family have died for ink, but we Li family descendants have never regretted it. Born to ink, die for ink—it’s a worthy death,” Old Master Li emerged from the house, his words carrying weight. He had heard the earlier conversation.
“Grandfather.” Zhenniang quickly helped her grandfather sit down, relieved to see him relatively calm.
“I don’t know the specific situation. The physician is treating my Seventh Grandmother now, and I didn’t want to disturb them. I just left a basket of eggs with the doorkeeper and didn’t go in. However, Seventh Grandmother’s life doesn’t seem to be in danger,” Zhenniang said.
This last statement was meant to comfort her grandfather.
“Mm, it’s indeed better not to disturb them at this time. Everyone should stay calm,” Old Master Li said.
Zhenniang nodded. The Li family needed stability above all right now.
“Eighth Uncle, I’ve heard the ink workshop is very unstable now. The workers are anxious, and Manager Shao holds too much power in the workshop. I think you should step forward now, Eighth Uncle. All of us Li family descendants should step forward,” Li Jincai said.
“With so many incidents in the family, it’s normal for the workers to be anxious. Manager Shao has devoted himself completely to the workshop over the years. What do you mean by ‘holding too much power’? You’ve gone too far with those words. At this time, no one should step forward. Everyone should stay calm, keep to their duties, and focus on their work. What good would coming forward do? That would only create more instability,” Old Master Li glared at Li Jincai.
Having lived for so many years, he could see through people’s hearts.
Meanwhile, Zhenniang also fixed her eyes keenly on her Uncle Jinhua. Was he trying to make a power grab?
Those who reach for power should be prepared to have their hands cut off.
“Aunt Jinhua, you should go check on Ninth Aunt later and then hurry back. The sixth Grandfather is elderly and was always close to the Ninth Uncle. He must be heartbroken now. Someone needs to stay by his side and comfort him,” Zhenniang turned to her Aunt Jinhua and said.
According to the family records, the Sixth Grandfather passed away around this time, which finally allowed Li Jincai to take control of the household.
Therefore, Zhenniang reminded Aunt Jinhua.
…
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