After Aunt Wang left, Old Lady Chou, having answered Zhenniang’s question about being from the Luo family, offered no further explanation before being helped back to her quarters by Er’gou.
“Zhenniang, from now on, take good care of Old Lady Chou,” Old Manager Li, who understood the situation, said to Zhenniang before leaving the room to enter the ink workshop to study Li’s ink innovations.
Li Jingfu also left to join Li Zhengsheng in gathering news about the Shanxi situation.
Li Zhengsheng, now in his position as a Commander of a Thousand, had more channels for gathering information.
Only Madam Zhao remained confused, quickly pulling Zhenniang into a room to ask quietly, “Zhenniang, what’s going on?”
Zhenniang then explained Old Lady Chou’s background in detail. Though Old Lady Chou hadn’t said to share it, that didn’t mean it needed to remain secret—it was just her naturally reticent nature. So Zhenniang didn’t need to keep it secret anymore, especially from her mother.
Learning that Old Lady Chou was Luo Wenqian’s blood great-aunt, Madam Zhao became agitated, quickly exclaiming, “What a situation! We can’t let Old Lady Chou sweep floors anymore. I said earlier to let her rest, but she just wouldn’t stay idle.”
Madam Zhao spoke hurriedly, then turned to Zhenniang: “Zhenniang, shouldn’t we invite her to live here in the wooden building with us?”
Zhenniang thought for a moment and said, “That’s not necessary. Old Lady Chou revealed herself today, so she now represents the Luo family. For the Luo family’s face, she certainly can’t continue sweeping floors. As for living in this wooden building, with her personality, she wouldn’t be comfortable. Let her stay in her current quarters, and I’ll pay my respects to her daily. As for future arrangements, we’ll wait for Wenqian’s return to decide.”
Speaking of Wenqian’s return, Zhenniang’s voice inevitably turned bitter, her heart still chaotic with worry.
At times like this, she particularly missed the phones and internet of her past life.
“Mm.” Madam Zhao nodded, then suddenly realized something and stared at Zhenniang: “I’ve noticed you visiting Old Lady Chou morning and evening lately—you already knew her identity?”
“Not, only recently, with the Korean re-washing ink matter. The Pan family ink method was taught to me by Old Lady Chou,” Zhenniang explained.
“Oh.” Madam Zhao nodded, then recalled vaguely hearing Old Lady Chou discussing something with Zhenniang about a chastity memorial arch and deceiving the emperor. She suddenly remembered this blood great-aunt was the one for whom the Luo family had erected the chastity memorial arch. Thinking of the Wang family’s visit today, she grew angry again and slapped the table: “Those Wang family people are no good—who knows if they’ll spread this around?”
“It doesn’t matter even if they do. I’ve asked Old Lady Chou privately. The Luo family never held a funeral for her. When the prefect petitioned to erect the chastity memorial arch, he only mentioned self-immolation for virtue. Old Lady Chou disfigured herself and remained unmarried for life—isn’t that also dying for virtue? The Luo family and Seventh Grandfather must have considered this back then,” Zhenniang explained.
Since guessing Old Lady Chou’s identity, Zhenniang had paid her respects morning and evening, firstly because she was Luo Wenqian’s great-aunt, and secondly out of gratitude for teaching her the technique.
In private conversations with Old Lady Chou, Zhenniang had learned about past events. When Old Lady Chou was reported dead, if she had truly died for virtue, she should have been buried in the Wang family cemetery. But the Wang family didn’t mention it at all, and the Luo family was happy not to raise the issue, so no funeral was held. Others assumed the Luo family had buried her quietly, so no one investigated.
Therefore, if revealed, her self-disfigurement and lifelong celibacy could justify the chastity memorial arch. It wasn’t deceiving the emperor—surviving self-immolation could even be seen as heaven’s will.
This was why the Li family’s Seventh Master had dared to shelter Old Lady Chou—if it had truly been a capital offense of deceiving the emperor, the Li family couldn’t have taken that responsibility, as it would have implicated the entire clan.
Old Lady Chou had refused to return to the Luo family firstly because the younger generation had hurt her deeply, and secondly because a once-beautiful woman who suddenly became disfigured, neither human nor ghost-like, would naturally want to avoid people forever.
This was understandable human nature. So Luo Mengzhen continued living as Old Lady Chou.
Hearing Zhenniang’s explanation, Madam Zhao felt relieved.
“Ah, now we can only hope Wenqian returns safely,” Madam Zhao sighed.
“He will.” Zhenniang clenched her fist as if encouraging the distant Luo Wenqian.
…
“Aunt, are we just letting this go? That Li girl’s fate is truly harsh—we should fear the worst!” As Madam Hu supported Aunt Wang out the door, she couldn’t help expressing her dissatisfaction.
“Enough about fearing the worst. With the Luo family members present, I can’t interfere. Let it be. Amitabha, may the Guanyin Bodhisattva protect Wenqian’s safe return.” Aunt Wang clasped her hands and began murmuring sutras.
“Aunt, we can’t just leave it! What’s the story with that ugly old woman who suddenly appeared? Aunt, don’t let yourself be deceived. To be blunt, if Wenqian is fine and returns, that’s good, but if something happens, what about this engagement with the Li family? Plus he’s now involved with some strange people, like this Third Uncle from the Huizhou Luo family—they’re not even from the same branch. The Yihousheng bank and trading business were all built up by Wenqian’s hard work—we can’t let some random people take it over!” Madam Hu said anxiously, but looking up, she saw her aunt’s cold gaze and stopped, knowing she had spoken rashly in her urgency.
“Hmph, so that’s what you’re thinking. And here I thought you were truly worried about Wenqian’s life,” Aunt Wang glared at Madam Hu.
“That’s not it—I am worried about Wenqian. Sifang didn’t sleep all night, and before dawn, he sent several people to Shanxi to gather news,” Madam Hu said awkwardly.
Looking at Madam Hu’s face, Aunt Wang continued glaring coldly before speaking deliberately: “Listen carefully. I don’t like the Li family girl—I worry her harsh fate will bring misfortune to Wenqian. But if these are your thoughts, I’ll never interfere in Wenqian’s matters again.”
She sighed and continued: “That ugly woman today is Wenqian’s blood aunt, and she was once my close friend. Compared to her, I lack wisdom. Back then, she told me something: ‘Between people, neither gratitude nor grudges should be taken to the extreme.’ Truthfully, I didn’t understand then, but over these forty years, I’ve come to understand. When gratitude goes to the extreme, it becomes too heavy to repay and turns into resentment. When grudges go to the extreme, there’s no way back—and isn’t a path with no return just a dead end? I’ve found this wisdom invaluable over the years, and now I pass it to you. Remember, no matter what, Wenqian is your blood nephew. Sifang may now be the president of the Hui Merchants Association, seemingly at the height of success, but when people reach the top, they must come down. Who knows what difficulties he’ll face later? Wenqian is his blood nephew—as long as the grudge isn’t taken to the extreme, there will always be a way forward. Put aside these thoughts and just pray for Wenqian’s safe return.”
“Yes, Aunt.” Seeing her aunt’s frost-like face, Madam Hu dared say no more. Wang Sifang deeply respected this aunt, inviting her to stay in Nanjing for a period each year and treating her like a mother. If she truly offended her and Wang Sifang turned cold toward her, her good days would be over.
Of course, truthfully, Madam Hu didn’t understand what Aunt Wang was saying.
As they talked, they got into a small sedan chair and returned to the Wang family home.
…
Meanwhile, Li Jingfu and Li Zhengsheng split up to gather news, with Li Zhengsheng going to the military post and Li Jingfu to the Hui Merchants Association. The association saw many merchant caravans coming and going, so news traveled quickly there.
As soon as Li Jingfu entered the association, he ran into Wang Sifang.
Li Jingfu, used to gambling den life and already angry about Aunt Wang and Madam Hu’s earlier visit, spoke sarcastically upon seeing Wang Sifang: “Oh my, President Wang is so busy with thousands of matters, managing the association while his wife goes around forcing people to break off engagements.”
“What do you mean by that?” Wang Sifang asked irritably, completely confused.
“What do I mean? Ask your people—how would I know?” Li Jingfu replied, then ignored Wang Sifang and went to ask others about the Shanxi situation.
Completely bewildered, Wang Sifang hurried home and immediately called for Madam Hu: “Did you go make trouble at the Li family today?”
“What trouble? Aunt felt Li Zhenniang’s fate was too harsh and wanted the Li family to break off the engagement. Maybe then Wenqian could return safely,” Madam Hu said.
“Nonsense. Life and death are fated, wealth and honor heaven-sent—how could a young woman determine life and death? Tell me everything that happened today, and don’t push things onto Aunt—I know you had your thoughts about this.” Wang Sifang said, well aware of his wife’s nature, and being a practical businessman, he didn’t believe in fate.
Seeing Wang Sifang angry, Madam Hu explained everything—the attempt to break the engagement, the Luo family aunt, and finally Aunt Wang’s words to her.
Listening to Madam Hu’s account, Wang Sifang fell into deep thought. After a while, he said seriously: “I’ll tell you two things—remember them well. First, pretend you never saw anything about the Luo family aunt—don’t spread the word. Second, regarding Wenqian, put aside all your schemes. When we didn’t take in my sister and brother-in-law back then, that relationship ended. I understand this, and you need to understand it too.”
Madam Hu had never seen Wang Sifang so serious and repeatedly nodded.
“By the way, how much silver do we have at home? Count it up,” seeing Madam Hu nod, Wang Sifang changed the subject.
“What for?” Madam Hu asked curiously.
“Get the money ready—tomorrow I’m depositing it in the Yihousheng bank,” Wang Sifang said.
“What are you doing?” Madam Hu jumped up again. Currently, rumors suggested Yihousheng’s owner might be in trouble, and merchants were withdrawing money. What was Sifang thinking, making deposits?
Wang Sifang glared at her fiercely: “I told you not to interfere.”
“But you’re using our family’s money—how can I not care?” Madam Hu said somewhat pitifully.
“Ah… Aunt was right. Never make an enemy completely—always leave a way forward,” Wang Sifang sighed.