Regarding the matter of Su Shi, Zhen Niang decided not to tell Aunt Jinhua before understanding Li Jincai’s true intentions.

Firstly, she feared alerting their targets prematurely. Secondly, Aunt Jinhua had a gentle nature—if Li Jincai discovered his scheme was exposed and begged while using Run’er as leverage, Aunt Jinhua might soften and agree to let Su Shi and the child into the household. That was exactly what Zhen Niang wanted to avoid.

So for now, she would keep watching without exposing anything.

The autumn wind was rising.

At noon, Zhen Niang had lunch at the ink workshop. After resting briefly in the small pavilion, she went to the accounting office to review recent financial records.

In the accounting office, Steward Shao was going through the accounts with Li Zhengyan.

Li Jingdong rarely managed accounting matters, focusing entirely on the ink mold room, where he worked with the carvers and mold workers on developing new carving boards.

While the quality of the ink itself was crucial in evaluating ink products, the design of the carving boards was equally important.

As part of the Li Clan’s Ninth Branch, which held shares in the ink workshop, they couldn’t ignore the financial matters.

Li Zhengyan, the second cousin from the Ninth Branch who had previously worked at the Luo family’s pine yard collecting pine oil, had now joined the accounting office. This happened after the eldest cousin Li Zhengshen, who was reportedly thriving in Wuyuan with Zhen Niang’s elder brother, showed no interest in the ink business.

The Ninth Branch’s future responsibilities in the workshop would fall to Li Zhengyan.

Therefore, Li Jingdong had placed Li Zhengyan in the accounting office under Steward Shao’s guidance. The workshop’s older generation was aging, making it the perfect time to train younger talent.

Though Li Zhengyan wasn’t as quick-witted as Li Zhengshen, he was diligent and conscientious, proving that diligence could compensate for natural talent. He had earned Steward Shao’s approval.

At present, everyone in the accounting office is focused on their tasks, occasionally exchanging information about the ink business.

“It’s done! It’s done!” Steward Zheng burst in excitedly, with Li Jincai following behind.

“Steward Zheng, what’s done? Why are you so excited?” Zhen Niang looked up with a smile.

“Miss Zhen, some time ago, I received news that Manager Sun from Huiyuan Money House wanted to purchase a large quantity of ink. Considering our workshop’s substantial inventory, I thought to approach Manager Sun about securing this business…” Steward Zheng paused briefly.

Zhen Niang listened, recalling Er’gou’s earlier report about Steward Zheng and Li Jincai frequently visiting Huiyuan Money House. So this was what they were working on. Perhaps she had been too suspicious—this was a legitimate business.

However, something felt off about such a large transaction having no prior rumors. If she were running Huiyuan Money House, she would have leaked news of the deal to spark competition among ink workshops for better prices.

“Wait, why hasn’t there been any word about this before? Besides, the Sun family’s relationship with our ink workshop is quite strained. Your idea seems difficult to realize. Moreover, even setting aside these issues, the Sun family is related to the Tian family—shouldn’t they be getting their ink from the Tian family?” Steward Shao voiced Zhen Niang’s doubts and added several more questions.

“Father-in-law, you don’t understand. I learned of this Sun family news early. They were planning to announce it publicly, but I realized the competition would be too fierce once that happened. So these past few days, I’ve been visiting Huiyuan Money House frequently, treating Manager Sun to wine and entertainment. After much persuasion, he agreed not to make a public announcement. I also lowered our ink prices slightly so he could profit more—how could he not be tempted? Even if there’s past resentment, nobody turns down profit. As for the Tian family, they’re busy with tribute ink matters and can’t handle this order. Besides, sometimes doing business with relatives can be awkward, fearing that unsuccessful negotiations might damage relationships. So today, Manager Sun finally agreed to source the ink from our Li family workshop,” Steward Zheng explained proudly.

Since his previous offense against Zhen Niang, he had been at a disadvantage in the workshop. Now he could finally hold his head high again. He had truly put in great effort for this business deal, wearing his legs thin from all the running around.

“But isn’t the Sun family running a money house? Where would they sell so much ink?” Li Zhengyan asked curiously from the side.

“That I’m not sure about, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask. However, since they can run a money house, they must have their channels,” Steward Zheng replied somewhat sheepishly.

Zhen Niang had a clear idea about this point—Wang Cuiqiao was behind the Sun family, and obviously, this batch of goods was meant to be shipped overseas via maritime routes. According to Steward Zheng’s account, this would indeed be an excellent business.

However, she still found it strange that the Sun family would keep such a large transaction under wraps.

“Excellent! You’ve done a great service for the workshop this time. Push a bit harder, maintain the momentum, and finalize this deal. Son-in-law Jincai, please help support Zheng Cai as well,” Steward Shao stood up excitedly.

Zheng Cai was Steward Zheng’s given name.

“Uncle Shao, you’re too kind. How could I provide any support? I’m learning from Brother Zheng Cai. I was skeptical about this business at first and kept holding things back. Getting to this point is entirely Brother Zheng Cai’s achievement. Brother Zheng Cai is truly the workshop’s great contributor,” Li Jincai maintained his usual modest tone, while also praising Steward Zheng, who stood beside him trying hard to suppress a smile, clearly pleased with the compliment.

Only Zhen Niang, hearing Li Jincai’s words, narrowed her eyes slightly. Once this deal was concluded, it would significantly increase their influence in the workshop. After all, this wasn’t just about one transaction—it meant opening up a new sales channel.

Hadn’t Madam Tian repeatedly spoken up for Li Jincai, fighting for exactly this kind of influence?

Yet now that the opportunity was at hand, Li Jincai’s words seemed to distance himself from it.

This didn’t make sense.

“I’ve negotiated everything I could. Manager Sun said he wants to discuss the rest with Miss Zhen,” Steward Zheng said somewhat reluctantly and regretfully.

Originally, if he could have secured the entire deal himself, it would have been perfect, but Sun Bayi had specifically requested to negotiate with Miss Zhen for the final crucial details.

It made sense—for such a major transaction, it would naturally need to be discussed with the workshop’s person in charge.

Steward Shao pondered for a moment, looking at Zhen Niang: “Miss Zhen, should we…”

Zhen Niang thought for a moment and nodded: “Alright, I’ll take over the negotiations. Please trouble Steward Zheng to arrange a meeting time with Manager Sun.”

With such a significant deal already negotiated to this point by Steward Zheng, it would be unreasonable for her not to accept.

To be honest, Zhen Niang valued this business opportunity, but there were many suspicious points about it, especially with Li Jincai on their side and Sun Bayi on the other—both harboring ulterior motives toward the Li family. With these two involved, Zhen Niang knew she needed to maintain the utmost vigilance.

Therefore, while she would negotiate, she wouldn’t deal with Sun Bayi. If she was going to negotiate, she would go directly to Wang Cuiqiao. As for Sun Bayi’s side, she merely wanted to see what his true intentions were.

“Certainly, I’ll arrange it properly,” Steward Zheng replied.

Zhen Niang nodded, but as she glanced sideways, she caught a meaningful glimmer of joy in Li Jincai’s eyes. This confirmed her suspicions even more.

The autumn rain fell steadily, bringing with it the characteristic chill of Huizhou’s autumn showers.

Zhen Niang wore wooden-soled shoes, a lotus-colored woman’s jacket, blue trousers, and a blue flower-bordered outer jacket. The outfit struck a balance between dignity and playfulness as she stood on the riverside’s stone embankment holding an oil-paper umbrella. Combined with the misty rain, she presented quite a graceful figure.

She was waiting here for Wang Cuiqiao.

Initially, she had considered asking Sun Yuejuan to help arrange a meeting with Madam Xu, but she realized that if her suspicions proved correct, the matter might implicate Sun Bayi. While she didn’t care about harming Sun Bayi—those who plot against others should expect to be plotted against—Sun Yuejuan was still Sun Bayi’s sister, and she didn’t want to cause rifts between the siblings. So she decided to approach Madam Xu directly.

According to Er’gou’s intelligence, Madam Xu enjoyed boat rides in the rain, which was why she had come here.

In the distance, a painted pleasure boat drifted downstream unhurriedly. From afar, one could see a lady standing at the bow, with a maid holding an umbrella beside her.

The river, the painted boat, the beautiful lady, and the misty rain combined to create a picturesque scene.

“Might that be Madam Xu on the boat?” Zhen Niang called out as the boat drew near.

“Indeed it is. Who are you, and what business do you have?” a matron on the boat replied.

“I am Li Zhen Niang from the Li family ink workshop, requesting an audience with the Madam,” Zhen Niang responded, maintaining extra respect for someone of such historical significance as to have their biography recorded.

The matron whispered something in the lady’s ear, and the lady entered the cabin. Soon after, the boat moored alongside.

“Miss Zhen, please come aboard. The Madam has prepared hot tea in the cabin.”

When the boat reached the embankment, a wooden plank was extended. Zhen Niang boarded and followed the matron into the cabin. A lady of about thirty, with delicate features, sat cross-legged at a small table in the middle of the cabin, her slightly prominent-jointed jade hands preparing tea.

“Greetings, Madam Xu.” Zhen Niang gave a slight bow. This wasn’t out of arrogance but because she represented the Li family ink workshop today. Setting aside Madam Xu’s pirate identity, just considering her position as the head of Huiyuan Money House, the two were equals in status. Zhen Niang bowed first only because she was younger and junior, so while the courtesy was necessary, it didn’t need to be overly deferential.

“Ah, Miss Zhen from the Li family ink business. I’ve long heard of you. Please, no need for formalities, have a seat.” Madam Xu rose to welcome her, showing this respect not to Zhen Niang personally but to the century-old Li family behind her.

After both were seated and exchanged some pleasantries, they got to the main topic.

“What brings Miss Zhen to seek me out?” Madam Xu asked while sipping her tea.

“Nothing much, just regarding a shipment between the Li family ink workshop and Huiyuan Money House,” Zhen Niang replied calmly.

Madam Xu’s expression sharpened slightly—since when did Huiyuan Money House have any goods transactions with the Li family ink workshop? She wasn’t aware of this. Of course, she didn’t rush to clarify this point, instead pausing briefly before asking, “Oh? What issue? Please elaborate, Miss Zhen.”

“In recent years, Commander Qi has been clearing the southeastern coast of Japanese pirates and sea bandits. Currently, maritime defense is at its strictest. I’m concerned about Madam Xu choosing this time to venture out to sea. This shipment is quite substantial—if anything were to go wrong, not only would Madam suffer great losses, but the Li family ink workshop would also face risks. Most importantly, I don’t believe there’s any need to take such risks at present…” Zhen Niang left her statement hanging.

The Commander Qi she mentioned was, of course, the renowned Qi Jiguang.

After hearing Zhen Niang’s words, Madam Xu studied her with interest before responding.

“Miss Zhen is unusually perceptive, no wonder she could sustain the family business during the Li family ink workshop’s crisis. Indeed, Miss Zhen speaks truly, and this aligns with my thoughts. Therefore, Huiyuan Money House has no plans for maritime ventures in the near term. Thus, I’m quite unaware of any transaction between Huiyuan Money House and the Li family ink workshop. Would Miss Zhen care to explain what this is about?” Madam Xu asked with renewed seriousness.

Hearing Madam Xu’s response, Zhen Niang’s face showed slight surprise, though inwardly she thought, “Just as I suspected—how could such a large transaction go unpublicized? There must be something suspicious here.”

How could Wang Cuiqiao, as the person in charge, not know about such a significant business deal?

“Oh? Madam wasn’t aware?” Zhen Niang asked with feigned surprise, then continued, “This afternoon at the hour of Wei, I have an appointment with Manager Sun in the ‘Bamboo’ private room at Taibai Tower to discuss the details of this transaction. If Madam is interested, perhaps you could reserve the adjacent ‘Orchid’ private room to listen in and offer me some guidance.”

Zhen Niang made this suggestion because Sun Bai was now Huiyuan Money House’s employee—it would be inappropriate for her to make accusations, so it would be better to let Madam Xu hear for herself.

“Indeed, I must hear this,” Madam Xu said with a slightly darkened expression.

The conversation had reached its natural conclusion, with everything depending on what would be revealed later.

“Then I won’t disturb Madam’s leisurely enjoyment any further. I’ll take my leave,” Zhen Niang said, rising decisively. A matron was waiting to escort her back to shore.

“I hear she’s not even sixteen yet. The Li family has produced another talent comparable to the Seventh Madam, perhaps even surpassing her predecessor,” Wang Cuiqiao mused, watching Zhen Niang’s retreating figure. “Though this was an internal issue within the Li family, Miss Zhen’s approach made it seem like Huiyuan Money House was at fault, leaving me in her debt. Brilliant!”