However, Young Master Tian’s expectations were dashed as General Qi approached unhurriedly with measured steps.
Given all these developments, Old Madam Li had naturally emerged earlier and now stepped forward to offer a half-bow to General Qi.
“Old Madam is too courteous, I am unworthy,” said Qi Jiguang while hastily returning the gesture as two guards presented the gift registry.
The ceremonial master announced loudly:
“General Qi personally congratulates the opening of Li Family Ink Shop!”
“The God of Wealth, Master Wei of Wei’s Enterprise, congratulates the opening of Li Family Ink Shop!”
“Master Wang of Huiyuan Money House congratulates the opening of Li Family Ink Shop!”
The three consecutive announcements stirred the gathered crowd. Those who had nearly left moments ago now felt immense relief – had they departed, they would have missed this dramatic turn of events. It seemed the Li family had deeper connections than expected.
“Miss Li, Miss Li, we’re here to offer congratulations. This is our monetary gift,” Huang Lang, who had finally regained his senses, dared not push through the crowd. He could only hold up the two silver packets that Zhen Niang had given them earlier, his eyes pleading. He knew that if the Li family didn’t show mercy today, he would face serious consequences.
For someone who worked the streets, being practical was the mark of a capable person. When pride needed to be swallowed, it was best done without ceremony.
“If you’re here to offer congratulations, why create such a bloody scene?” Wei Baiman frowned and spoke up, as General Qi naturally wouldn’t address such matters.
“We’re rough men, and in showing our sincere hearts, we might have been a bit excessive,” Huang Lang could only mumble in explanation.
Everyone knew this was a lie, but it was also a necessary way to step down gracefully. After all, the commotion needed to be resolved.
“Thank you,” Zhen Niang looked at him and smiled, then gestured for Zheng Fuli to accept the silver. Since it was a congratulatory gift, there was no reason to refuse.
Though Huang Lang had acted excessively today, as a merchant, one had to maintain harmony for prosperity. Pursuing the matter further might drive him to desperate measures. Someone like Huang Lang was capable of anything when cornered, which wouldn’t benefit their business. With today’s incident, Huang Lang would think twice before targeting their shop again, so it was appropriate to give him a way out.
With Huang Lang’s submission, the matter could be temporarily put to rest.
Seeing Zhen Niang’s nod, Huang Lang heaved a long sigh of relief. As long as the Li family didn’t pursue the matter, Wei Baiman and General Qi wouldn’t bother dealing with him. Wiping sweat from his brow, he quickly handed the silver to Zheng Fuli, then waved his hand and led his men away in disgrace.
The onlookers found great satisfaction in this outcome. They had long suffered under Huang Lang’s extortion, and today the Li family had helped everyone get their revenge. They immediately began jeering at Huang Lang’s retreating figure.
Meanwhile, Young Master Tian’s face had turned ashen with anger. Another well-laid plan had been ruined.
Afterward, Zhen Niang bowed to the neighbors, then welcomed General Qi, Wei Baiman, Wang Cuiqiao, and others into the hall, where they took their seats at the banquet.
Outside, firecrackers announced the auspicious hour. Li Mo was officially open for business.
The servers from Food Paradise began serving dishes.
Just then, the ceremonial master announced again: “Master Li Fuquan, Head Manager of Fu Xian Pavilion, congratulates the opening of Li Mo!”
As everyone was about to begin dining, this announcement nearly caused several people to drop their chopsticks. Exclamations of surprise came from both the front and back courtyards.
“Zhen Niang, you invited Li Fuquan?” Uncle Han Yigui asked in astonishment.
“I didn’t invite him. I don’t even know who he is,” Zhen Niang was equally puzzled and looked at Luo Wenqian, wondering if he had arranged this.
Luo Wenqian also shook his head in surprise, indicating he hadn’t invited this person – in truth, he didn’t have such connections.
General Qi wore a thoughtful expression.
Wei Baiman appeared excited. He had tried multiple times to establish connections with Manager Li Fuquan but had never found an opportunity. Unexpectedly, by attending this small opening ceremony out of consideration for Wang Cuiqiao, he might encounter him – truly an unexpected blessing. This visit had proven worthwhile indeed.
Meanwhile, Young Master Tian’s face was twitching. He gnashed his teeth in frustration – somehow the Li family had struck an incredible streak of luck, with important figures appearing one after another. He was so angry he nearly flipped the table. He had come expecting to watch a show but instead found only frustration.
“What’s Manager Li Fuquan’s background?” Old Madam Li noticed everyone’s expressions and naturally understood that this Li Fuquan must be quite extraordinary.
“Old Madam, have you heard of Fu Xian Pavilion in Nanjing?” Hu Zonglin asked.
“I’ve heard of it. They sell precious artifacts and have powerful backing,” Old Madam Li replied.
“Powerful is an understatement – their connections reach the heavens. Fu Xian Pavilion is an imperial shop. Besides selling precious artifacts for the current emperor, they also collect alchemical materials for him. Their position is extremely privileged. Originally, the head manager was Eunuch Ruan, but at the year’s end, Eunuch Ruan was found to be corrupt and taken away by the Imperial Guards. Just last month, Li Fuquan took over the management of Fu Xian Pavilion. Private rumors say that Li Fuquan is the elder brother of Prince Yu’s Lady Li. Therefore, many seek his friendship, including numerous officials and nobles. Some have tried to use vast fortunes to establish connections with him, but all have failed. This Manager Li Fuquan maintains a very low profile and rarely appears in public, avoiding all external relationships. Usually, the second and third managers handle the shop’s affairs. The entire Nanjing community is very curious about him.”
Now that Li Fuquan had suddenly appeared at the Li household, the Nanjing business community would surely be abuzz with discussion after today.
The reason for Li Fuquan’s influence was that Prince Yu’s only surviving son was born to Lady Li. Now that Prince Yu was the sole heir to the throne, Lady Li’s position was quite extraordinary.
“Is this the Lady Li who bore Prince Yu a son?” Zhen Niang asked after hearing Hu Zonglin’s explanation.
“Indeed. Zhen Niang, you should go welcome him. Be careful in your interactions.” Han Yigui reminded Zhen Niang. Li Fuquan’s sudden arrival was puzzling – it was best to err on the side of caution.
“I understand,” Zhen Niang nodded, though her mind was churning.
If the rumors were true, then this Li Fuquan was truly an extraordinary figure.
Prince Yu’s Lady Li came from humble origins, originally a maid in Prince Yu’s residence. Later she caught Prince Yu’s attention and bore Wanli. After Prince Yu ascended the throne, she was made Noble Consort. When Wanli later became emperor, she became Empress Dowager.
During the early Wanli period, Empress Dowager Li worked with Zhang Juzheng to bring about the Wanli Renaissance.
There were also some romantic rumors about Empress Dowager Li and Zhang Juzheng, most famously captured in a couplet: “Ai Zixiu, self-cultivate but don’t reform, a white-faced scholar backs the tiger list; Zhang Juzheng, upright but don’t rectify, a black-hearted minister lies in the dragon bed.”
It was said that Zhang Juzheng and Ai Zixiu passed the imperial examinations in the same year. The first half of the couplet was Zhang Juzheng teasing Ai Zixiu, while the second half was Ai Zixiu’s later retort to Zhang Juzheng.
One could say Lady Li’s life was legendary.
Of course, this wasn’t Zhen Niang’s current concern.
What Zhen Niang now wondered was why someone of Li Fuquan’s status would suddenly come to offer congratulations. While his arrival was surprising, sometimes too much surprise could make one uneasy.
At this moment, Li Jingming and Zheng Fuli had already welcomed them inside, meeting Zhen Niang who had gone out to greet them.
Upon seeing Li Fuquan and the lady beside him, Zhen Niang’s eyes went wide with surprise: “You… aren’t you the injured brother from the boat? And this is sister-in-law from the boat?”
Such an informal address was somewhat improper, but the situation was too unexpected. Since Zhen Niang hadn’t been raised under strict rules, such a breach of etiquette was understandable when surprised.
After all, no matter how much she had speculated, she could never have imagined that the man kicked by Young Master Tian on the boat to Nanjing would transform into Li Fuquan, the manager of an imperial shop. Her casual act of sharing medicine had resulted in a fortunate connection.
Thinking of this, Zhen Niang couldn’t help but wonder about Young Master Tian’s reaction when he realized that Manager Li Fuquan was the same person he had injured – his expression would surely be fascinating.
“Greetings, Miss Li. Thanks to your medicine that day. When we saw your shop’s announcement recently, we knew you were opening today and came uninvited,” Li Fuquan laughed heartily.
“Yes, we’re so grateful to Miss Li,” Li Fuquan’s wife, Madam Ma, added with a warm smile.
Although Li Fuquan and his wife’s current attire was vastly different from that day, their expressions still carried that same honest simplicity.
“Manager Li and Madam are too kind. It was just a small gesture, not worthy of such remembrance. Your presence brings honor to the Li family,” Zhen Niang took a deep breath, calmed her surprise, and bowed according to protocol.
“Please, no such formality,” Li Fuquan and his wife hurriedly responded, clearly still unaccustomed to such treatment. They were just a rural couple who had come to Nanjing after receiving his sister’s letter, and through others’ arrangements, he had become the manager of Fu Xian Pavilion. Such a sudden change in status naturally brought various adjustments.
No wonder they kept such a low profile.
“Regardless, it’s wonderful that brother and sister-in-law could come. Oh, and the physician Hu who treated the brother’s injury on the boat is also here,” Zhen Niang might not be familiar with noble etiquette, but she knew well how common people interacted. Having grown up in poverty herself, seeing Li Fuquan and his wife’s discomfort, she set aside formal protocols and addressed them as common people would.
Immediately, Li Fuquan and his wife’s awkwardness disappeared, and they happily replied, “Really? That’s wonderful! Please take us to see him – we must properly thank him.”
“This way, please,” Zhen Niang gestured and led the way.
When Li Fuquan and his wife met Hu Zonglin, they again expressed their gratitude for his help that day.
Hu Zonglin was also surprised, inwardly reflecting that good deeds indeed bring good returns.
Meanwhile, Wei Baiman, though long hoping to establish connections with Li Fuquan, was skilled enough in social interactions to know that today’s banquet only required making an acquaintance – there was no need to be too eager, as there would be future opportunities.
As for General Qi, although Li Fuquan’s position was special, that was all behind the scenes. Officially, he was just an imperial shop manager, so someone of the General’s status didn’t need to deliberately seek his friendship. He remained casual and natural throughout the banquet.
Only Young Master Tian, seated at another table, wore an extremely dark expression after recognizing Li Fuquan. Having lost all appetite for the festivities, he made his excuses to Zheng Fuli about business at his shop and departed with his men.