Over the next few days, Zhen Niang focused solely on her work at home, deaf to the outside world as she drew ink patterns, primarily designing the birthday ink style. For the competition’s preliminary round, the entries had already been sent to the Princess’s mansion days ago. Li Mo had submitted their previously successful Zaihe ink and the Li family’s “Hundred Thousand Pestles” ink – both considered premium products of the Li family that would easily pass the preliminary selection.
For the final round, Zhen Niang had prepared the newly created Gu Yu Mi ink. Although this ink was recently made and hadn’t reached its optimal potential, new ink had its advantages.
The patterns she designed for the birthday ink included the twelve zodiac animals, the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, and various symbols of fortune, prosperity, longevity, and joy.
For the scenic ink patterns, Zhen Niang borrowed techniques from the late Qing Dynasty Haipai Hui ink style. Using shallow bas-relief carving methods, she combined the freehand and meticulous characteristics of Chinese painting to create ink designs featuring the Three Friends of Winter and the Four Gentlemen of Flowers.
Thus, Li Mo’s ink styles showed both distinctive characteristics and innovation.
Soon it was the eighth day of the eighth month, the day of the Princess’s birthday ink competition.
Early that morning, Zhen Niang rose early. After washing up, she joined the ink workshop staff in bringing out Wei Dan’s portrait. Though Wei Dan wasn’t the earliest ink maker of the Three Kingdoms period, he created the ink-combining method that became the foundation for all subsequent ink-making techniques. Thus, even in later generations, Wei Dan was respected as the Ink Ancestor.
After displaying Wei Dan’s portrait, Zhen Niang led the workshop masters in a respectful ceremony, praying for success in the competition.
Afterward, Zhen Niang and the Li family ink workshop masters took a carriage to the Princess’s mansion with their competition inks.
The competition was to be held in the rear courtyard of the Princess’s mansion, where a platform had been set up and seats arranged.
Upon arrival, the Princess’s butler personally welcomed them and led them to their designated seats in the rear courtyard. Other seats were occupied by masters from competing ink workshops. After the preliminary round, those who advanced to the finals included the Tian family, Li family, Lin family from Qiantang, and Wei family from Songjiang.
The ink would be tested by famous scholars including Wang Shizhen, and even Dong Tu was among them. Upon seeing Zhen Niang, he nodded at her. She returned the gesture with a slight curtsy, her eyes twinkling with joy at seeing a familiar face.
After the initial formalities, Ink Affairs Official Liu announced the start of the ink testing.
Each family presented their inks, naturally all premium products. On Zhen Niang’s side, Zheng Fuli delivered their ink.
“Oh? This is new ink?” one of the testing scholars exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the Li family’s submission.
Generally speaking, aside from liquid ink, ink sticks needed to be stored for at least half a year before use. Otherwise, new ink would be too sticky, difficult to grind, and produce pale colors, making it impossible to achieve the desired effects.
His comment caused a stir among the crowd. Had the Li family given up on winning? If so, why participate at all? Wouldn’t it have been better to withdraw like the Cheng family?
Even the Princess’s expression darkened. Every family participating in her birthday ink competition had been extremely careful and thorough, yet the Li family casually submitted new ink – wasn’t this disrespecting her mansion?
“Master Li, why use new ink for the competition?” Official Liu asked with an accusatory tone, having noticed the Princess’s displeasure. He took the opportunity to curry favor with the Tian family by putting pressure on Zhen Niang.
Sitting beside the Princess, her consort Li He raised an eyebrow at Luo Jiu in the guest seats, silently questioning what the Li family was thinking.
Luo Jiu slightly shook his head. Though he didn’t know Zhen Niang’s exact plan, he knew how much she cared about this competition and wouldn’t treat it carelessly. Better to wait and see.
Zhen Niang maintained a calm expression. In truth, she had anticipated this reaction – no one would use new ink at such an important event, so their doubts were understandable. But whether through doubt or affirmation, she had captured their attention. Once she explained about the Gu Yu Mi ink’s reputation, it would be impossible not to generate interest. She had already succeeded halfway.
Though Official Liu’s reaction was somewhat excessive, it worked even better for her purposes by drawing more attention and consideration.
At this moment, Zhen Niang stood and curtsied to the assembly before respectfully responding, “Your Honor, although our Li family ink is new, it is pine-soot ink using light glue, which naturally flows more smoothly than oil-soot ink. Moreover, this ink is made using the ancient Gu Yu Mi ink method, with charred soot as its base. Therefore, the color is set upon completion, with no difference between new and aged ink, eliminating the need for storage. I humbly request Your Honor, Your Highness, Your Grace, and all masters present to examine it.”
As soon as Zhen Niang finished speaking, the crowd erupted in amazement. The Gu Yu Mi ink method had been lost to time, yet the Li family had quietly restored it without any prior announcement. This was momentous news for the ink-making world.
The testing scholars and officials were particularly excited. As scholars and literati, they were all enthusiasts of ancient inks, and many had dabbled in ink-making themselves.
Gu Yu Mi ink was something they had sought but never obtained. Even Dong Tu, whose family had collected artifacts for generations, had never acquired a single stick of genuine Gu Yu Mi ink. Now, the Li family has restored its manufacturing method.
Everyone was eager to examine it.
Before the testing even began, the Li family’s Gu Yu Mi ink had captured widespread interest.
“This girl is quite cunning. She probably calculated everyone’s reactions,” Third Master Cheng snorted at Luo Wenqian from their guest seats.
“Official Liu simply overreacted,” Luo Wenqian stated matter-of-factly. If Official Liu hadn’t questioned it, the scholars would have merely muttered among themselves. As for the Gu Yu Mi ink name on the entry form, many workshops use that name nowadays – no one would have taken it seriously.
This was why Zhen Niang hadn’t promoted it earlier. Without proving its authenticity, promotion would have been pointless.
But Official Liu’s questioning and Zhen Niang’s explanation created a perfect exchange that confirmed the Li family’s restoration of the Gu Yu Mi ink method. After all, no one would dare lie in the Princess’s presence.
“Indeed,” Third Master Cheng nodded with a smile.
“Nonsense! How dare this youngster claim to have restored the Gu Yu Mi ink method? This is merely attention-seeking!” a Lin family ink master protested indignantly.
Zhen Niang didn’t engage with his comment, simply smiling slightly as she sat down. The Princess waved her hand dismissively. “There’s no point in arguing. True gold fears no fire – the testing will reveal all.”
With that, the scholars began testing the inks.
The participants couldn’t help feeling nervous during this time. Apart from gentle tea-sipping sounds, the entire assembly fell silent.
After about an incense stick’s time, the testing scholars’ evaluations were complete. Without exception, they rated the Li family’s Gu Yu Mi ink as superior, unanimously agreeing it had captured the essence of the original method. Only the Tian family’s Xuan Yu ink matched it in quality, followed by the Wei family, and finally the Lin family.
The Tian family’s Xuan Yu ink method originated from the Pan family’s techniques acquired by the Luo family. In truth, the Li family’s Gu Yu Mi ink performed slightly inferior to the Tian family’s Xuan Yu ink. This was understandable, as ink-making had flourished during the Ming Dynasty, with techniques improving through generations of research. Although Zhen Niang had improved upon the original Gu Yu Mi method, the Tian family’s ink combined the essence of both the Pan and Luo family methods.
Additionally, since the Li family’s Gu Yu Mi ink was new, it had some minor drawbacks. Therefore, performing slightly below par was expected.
However, Zhen Niang’s bold move with new ink captured attention, and combined with the Gu Yu Mi ink’s reputation, they managed to achieve parity with the Tian family. In terms of impact, they even surpassed the Tian ink.
While Tian Benchang wore a gloomy expression, the Li family side was jubilant.
However, this alone couldn’t determine the final selection. Next came the ink authentication competition between the masters. Similar to modern television antique appraisal shows, while the previous round tested each workshop’s ink-making skills, this round would test their expertise in authentication.
Princess Ning’an waved her hand, and two attendants stepped forward with trays – one holding ink sticks, the other empty for collecting the masters’ written evaluations.
The Tian family went first. Old Master Qi Chun merely squinted at the ink before writing his evaluation.
Next came the Li family. Zhen Niang examined the small reclining silkworm-shaped ink sticks in the tray. She smelled their fragrance, ground a sample, tested it, and carefully analyzed the color.
She quickly understood – this must be from the Princess’s collection. It was Zaihe ink, which had helped revive the Li family’s fortunes. Whether in her previous life or present, Zhen Niang had extensively studied Zaihe ink. She could identify it just from the cross-section. From the ink’s luster, fragrance, and texture, she could tell it was made using Korean tribute materials, mixed with glue, and manufactured using the Pan family method.
After writing her evaluation, she placed it on the second attendant’s tray. The Lin and Wei families followed.
After examining the ink, both masters sighed and set down their brushes, conceding defeat. They could tell the Pan family method was used but couldn’t identify the materials. They had no choice but to withdraw, as they weren’t skilled in Zaihe ink.
Now only the Tian and Li families remained to determine the winner.
Qi Chun stood and bowed to the Princess, “This old one has an ink stick. If Miss Li can identify it, I will withdraw from the competition.”
Tian Benchang and Official Liu stared in dismay, but since Qi Chun was their authentication master for this competition, they couldn’t replace him mid-contest. If he chose to withdraw, neither the Tian family nor Official Liu could do anything about it.
Immediately, all eyes focused on Zhen Niang. If she could identify Old Master Qi’s ink, the Li family would win the Princess’s birthday ink contract, and she would become the Princess’s ink supplier at just seventeen years of age.
The Li family members felt both excited and nervous.
“Very well, please present the ink for Miss Li to authenticate,” Princess Ning’an nodded.
Qi Chun gestured to Wang Zhizhi, who opened his ink case and removed an ink stick wrapped in red silk, placing it before Zhen Niang.
It was an ordinary guest-grade small Yuan ink stick named “Jade Tower.” As Zhen Niang reached for it, before her fingers even touched the edge, she felt a sharp pain. Looking at her fingers, she saw the ink’s edge had cut her skin, drawing several drops of blood.
Suddenly, her eyes grew moist.
“…One jin of soot, three qian of raw lacquer, two qian of processed lacquer, extract the clear juice and add glue, divide and blend it, four parts combined to completion – this is the Four-Combined ink of my Li family ancestors,” Zhen Niang said, her voice trembling.
In Zaihe ink, Zhen Niang used the divided glue method, which her grandfather from her previous life had only partially grasped from the Li family’s methods. The Li family ink had long vanished in her previous world, and Zhen Niang never expected to see genuine Li ink again – even Seventh Grandmother’s collection didn’t contain authentic Li ink.
One characteristic of Li ink was that its edges could “cut paper and slice wood,” indicating an extremely fine texture that made the edges as sharp as a blade.
That’s why the ink’s edge had cut her finger.
“Good, truly a descendant of the Li family who hasn’t completely forgotten the ancestral methods. Keep this ink stick and study it carefully,” Qi Chun announced loudly, then turned to Wang Zhizhi, “Zhizhi, let’s go.”
With that, he bowed to Princess Ning’an and left with Wang Zhizhi.
“Thank you, Grandfather Qi,” Zhen Niang deeply curtsied toward his retreating figure.
She understood that Old Master Qi was doing her a favor. With his expertise and the Princess’s mansion’s vast resources, their collection surely contained many inks she couldn’t identify, though they would pose no challenge to Old Master Qi.
Yet he had chosen to test her with just one ink stick – and a Li family ink at that. Rather than testing, he was truly helping her succeed.
For Old Master Qi, with his lifetime of experience, competing in ink authentication with a young girl would be losing face regardless of the outcome. That’s why he withdrew so decisively.
Tian Benchang and Official Liu hadn’t expected the old master to play this move. Since they had invited him as the judge, they couldn’t now tell the Princess it didn’t count and demand a do-over. Thus, the Li family won the competition, and Li Zhen Niang became the Princess’s ink supplier.
The Li family workshop members were overjoyed, and if they weren’t still in the Princess’s mansion, they might have shouted in celebration.
Zhen Niang tightly clenched her fist. She had won. Though Old Master Qi had helped her, she had achieved her goal.
As for Old Master Qi’s kindness, she would remember it. The future was long to go.