The Sun family’s money exchange was called the Huiyuan Exchange.

Zhen Niang stood at the entrance of the steamed bun shop, observing the stream of people across the street. While many well-wishers were entering the exchange, most were merely the Sun family’s usual associates, with the Tian family being the most prestigious among them. Notably absent were any government officials. With such a modest foundation, how could the Sun family sustain a money exchange business?

However, Zhen Niang noticed something interesting about the guards moving in and out of the exchange. They were weather-beaten men with dark complexions, displaying a kind of fierce demeanor. These unfamiliar faces, whose origins remained unknown, deterred casual onlookers.

Just then, a lady wearing a black gauze headdress entered the exchange, escorted by several guards.

Sun Baiyi and his wife eagerly welcomed her.

Wondering about the lady’s identity, Zhen Niang looked up and caught Sun Yuejuan’s eye. As their gazes met, Zhen Niang brushed her clothes and offered a congratulatory gesture. Whether it was for Sun Yuejuan’s engagement or the family’s new business venture remained open to interpretation.

Sun Yuejuan pressed her lips together, glanced back into the shop, and gave Zhen Niang a slight nod before returning to attend to the female guests, not looking her way again.

They hadn’t spoken since their last conversation.

After the firecrackers died down, Zhen Niang headed back with the dough, only to spot Ergou skulking at the corner.

“Ergou, slacking off again? It’s working hours—this means a wage deduction,” Zhen Niang glared at him disapprovingly.

Caught red-handed, Ergou scratched his head in frustration before brightening up. “I have news, Miss Zhen. Perhaps we could make a deal?”

“Rules are rules, they’re not for bargaining. If every worker at the ink workshop behaved like you, how could the Li family’s business survive?” Zhen Niang insisted.

“It’s important news—don’t you want to know who’s really behind the Sun family’s money exchange?” Ergou pressed.

Zhen Niang’s eyebrows rose—she had to admit, she was curious. “Well, let’s hear it.”

Her expression made it clear that whether it would offset his punishment depended entirely on her judgment.

“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you first,” Ergou conceded, acting as if he’d been forced into a bad deal. “The real owner behind Huiyuan Exchange is Madam Wang, and Sun Baiyi’s wife Cuixiang is Madam Wang’s sister.”

Madam Wang? Wang Cuiqiao? This was the second time Zhen Niang had heard this name. The first was during the Taibai Tower ink competition, though she’d only heard the name without meeting the person.

“Wang Cuiqiao, the wife of the pirate Xu Hai?” Zhen Niang confirmed.

“That’s right,” Ergou nodded.

Zhen Niang was surprised—so she truly hadn’t died. Many operas claimed she had drowned herself, but thinking about it, Zhen Niang smacked her forehead. Having been a pirate’s wife for many years, and spending considerable time at sea, she must have been a capable swimmer.

The supposed drowning was more likely an elaborate escape.

It made sense now. While Xu Hai had been captured during his surrender to the authorities by Hu Zongxian’s forces, any seasoned pirate would have multiple hideouts. Their accumulated wealth must have been substantial—enough to easily establish a money exchange.

Wang Cuiqiao’s emergence is likely related to Hu Zongxian’s imprisonment. Hu had been implicated by the Luo family when his letter to Luo Longwen was discovered during their house raid, revealing connections to Yan Shifan. This led to Hu’s imprisonment as Yan’s partisan.

Ultimately, Hu Zongxian would take his own life in prison by year’s end.

It was fortunate the Luo family was gone; otherwise, Wang Cuiqiao would surely have sought revenge.

After all, Xu Hai’s surrender had been brokered by Luo Longwen. It was Luo who had convinced Wang Cuiqiao, who in turn persuaded Xu Hai to surrender. But the amnesty proved to be a trap—Xu Hai was arrested immediately upon reaching shore, most of his men were captured, and Wang Cuiqiao fell into Hu Zongxian’s hands, leading to the story of her supposed drowning.

Of course, this was all from opera stories; Zhen Niang didn’t know the actual truth.

The Sun family had indeed aligned themselves with a formidable figure. Huizhou’s commercial landscape was becoming increasingly interesting.

“Not bad news, right, Miss Zhen?” Ergou said smugly.

“Whether it’s good or bad news doesn’t concern us. Now hurry back to work at the workshop. Here, take this dough to Ugly Po—she asked for it,” Zhen Niang handed him the dough.

Ergou took it, rubbed his nose, and realized she was right—it wasn’t their business. He headed back to the workshop with his head down.

Of course, Zhen Niang couldn’t concern herself with Huizhou’s changing dynamics right now. She knew that focusing on one’s work and doing it well was the way to create opportunities.

So she shook these thoughts away for the moment.

With the remixed ink’s problems solved, they began producing another batch. When completed, it was as hard as jade, with a lustrous black color and excellent transparency. Being remixed ink, it possessed the mellow quality of ancient ink, truly deserving to be called fine ink.

“The ink is ready!” Everyone at the workshop was excited.

With the ink complete, promotion naturally came next. The old saying that good wine needs no bush had never been the mainstream approach.

“Third Grand-Uncle, could you please introduce me to Master Dongtu?” Zhen Niang asked with a smile at the Cheng Ink Shop.

“Why do you need my introduction? Don’t you already know Master Dongtu? You helped him before. Go ask him yourself,” Third Master Cheng squinted at her.

“I’m trying to follow proper protocol. Master Dongtu only tests ink for the Cheng family. If we from the Li family tried to poach him directly, it would put him in an awkward position and break convention. Though I’m a woman, I won’t do such things,” Zhen Niang said firmly.

She knew well that without the Cheng family’s introduction, Master Dongtu wouldn’t agree to test ink for the Li family.

“Well said—’ Though I’m a woman, I won’t do such things.’ You have Madam Li Seven’s spirit,” Third Master Cheng praised, then nodded. “I’ll help introduce you to Master Dongtu, but you must tell me where you’ve been getting your pine resin oil lately.”

“Ha! Third Grand-Uncle, now you’re the one breaking protocol, trying to spy on our workshop’s secrets,” Zhen Niang glared at him.

“This isn’t breaking protocol. Business is like warfare—knowing both yourself and your enemy leads to victory. It’s written in the military classics,” Third Master Cheng stroked his beard proudly.

“Fine, I can tell you, but Third Grand-Uncle must trade the rights to use Qingxi Pine Forest for three years,” Zhen Niang, never one to accept a loss, stated with a determined expression.

“Impossible! How could there be such a good deal? This is just about a material source—it’s not worth trading the rights to Qingxi Pine Forest. No, you’re asking far too much, girl,” Third Master Cheng shook his head, bristling.

“Third Grand-Uncle, this source is worth the rights to Qingxi Pine Forest. I guarantee you won’t regret it,” Zhen Niang said confidently.

“You’re not me—how do you know I won’t regret it?” Third Master Cheng grew stubborn.

“This information will solve your pine soot material problems during the pine disease period without spending a single coin. Would you regret that?” Zhen Niang countered.

“Is this true?” Third Master Cheng’s expression turned serious. Though Zhen Niang was younger, as the heir to the Li Ink Workshop, such statements couldn’t be taken lightly.

“Of course it’s true. It’s up to you whether to trade or not. Besides, Qingxi Pine Forest hasn’t escaped the pine disease either, and it’s small—how many usable pines could be left? Why hold onto pennies while losing pounds, Third Grand-Uncle?” Zhen Niang teased.

Since taking over the workshop, Zhen Niang has done extensive research, understanding not only their own business but also gathering basic information about other workshops. As Third Master Cheng said, one must know both oneself and others.

The Cheng family had inherited several good pine forests. Qingxi was the smallest but had the best quality pines.

“Easy for you to say. Though small, Qingxi has excellent pine quality,” Third Master Cheng grumbled, then stood up and paced the room, weighing the pros and cons.

As the girl had said, Qingxi Forest was affected by the pine disease, with limited usable trees. Moreover, it was only for three years. If her information could truly solve their pine soot material problems without cost during the disease period, it might be worth it.

Though the Cheng family didn’t primarily focus on pine soot ink, it still constituted a significant portion of their workshop’s production.

“Alright, I’ll trade with you,” Third Master Cheng nodded, then added seriously, “But let me be clear—if I find it’s not worth it, I’ll go back on our deal. Don’t blame me for being unsentimental.”

“Agreed…” Zhen Niang nodded, then explained about the pine resin oil formation from rotting pine roots.

After hearing this, Third Master Cheng was both shocked and delighted. He finally understood why the Li family had traded Li Ninth Master’s timber batch for the Luo family’s pine forest with the Tian family.

“Haha!” Third Master Cheng laughed—the Tian family had suffered quite a loss. This was his most satisfying laugh since losing the Taibai ink competition.

But his laughter quickly turned to a glare as he thought about their own Qingxi Forest. His face twitched—this little girl had managed to trick him too.

“You crafty girl, so cunning, tricking your Third Grand-Uncle like this. Aren’t you afraid I’ll back out? We haven’t signed any contract,” Third Master Cheng tugged at his beard.

“Would you, Third Grand-Uncle? Compared to other pine forests and this pine resin oil source, Qingxi Forest is minor. Would you let a small matter ruin a greater opportunity?” Zhen Niang said confidently.

The pine resin oil secret couldn’t be kept forever, so revealing it to the Cheng family at the right time was necessary. Zhen Niang understood this well—being too greedy would only breed resentment.

“You’re using words to trap your Third Grand-Uncle again, you little fox. Well, I won’t hold it against you. Send Manager Shao tomorrow to handle the Qingxi Forest transfer, and I’ll contact Master Dongtu for you,” Third Master Cheng said.

As Zhen Niang had said, the Qingxi Forest was a small matter—no need to let it affect bigger opportunities.

“Thank you, Third Grand-Uncle,” Zhen Niang bowed respectfully.