While Zheng Fuli said he wanted to seek justice from the Tian family, even in modern times, let alone this era, without catching someone in the act, justice would be hard to come by. The Tian family could simply claim it was their research and dismiss the accusations entirely.
“Brother Zheng, please calm down,” Zhenniang said to the agitated Zheng Fuli. “Now is not the time to seek justice. We need to sit down and consider what the Tian family’s next move will be and how we should respond.”
“Indeed, Fuli, sit down,” Madam Huang gestured to a chair nearby. “Being anxious now won’t help. We need to plan our response.”
Seeing Second Madam Huang and Miss Zhen so composed, Zheng Fuli took a deep breath and bowed to them both. “I apologize for my rudeness.”
“Fuli, you’re being too polite. Your concern is completely understandable,” Madam Huang waved off his apology.
After Zheng Fuli sat down, a young maid served tea and withdrew. Madam Huang then turned to Zhenniang: “Zhenniang, what do you think the Tian family will do next?”
“It’s not about the Tian family, but our customers,” Zhenniang replied, tapping the table lightly. “Now that the Tian family’s ink liquid is out, matching the quality of both Li and Zhu families, but at only 60% of the price—and for wholesale customers, it’s even cheaper at 50%, which is 30% less than our wholesale price. This price reduction is significant. Those who have already placed orders or received goods won’t be content facing such a price difference from the Tian family.” Zhenniang didn’t plan to match this pricing game.
“What do you mean?” Madam Huang hadn’t quite caught on.
At this point, Zheng Fuli jumped up in realization: “Miss Zhen, are you saying that existing customers might demand returns?”
Recently, the Li Ink Shop’s business has centered around ink liquid. While they still sold ink sticks, the volume was small, especially after Zhenniang had donated a batch to the academy. During this initial business period, ink liquid had been supporting the entire shop. If there were mass cancellations or returns now, it would cause serious problems.
“Exactly,” Zhenniang confirmed, then continued after a pause, “Therefore, our immediate priority is to prepare for potential returns.”
“Don’t worry, Miss Zhen. I’ll visit the banks right away,” Zheng Fuli stood up immediately, knowing this matter couldn’t be taken lightly. While some merchants would want to renegotiate, more importantly, they needed to arrange funds with the banks to prepare for this situation.
“Brother Zheng, I’ve already made financial arrangements. I’ve spoken with Manager Luo at Yihousheng Bank. Please stay at the shop to handle the merchant returns,” Zhenniang replied.
When Master Ma had reported Zeng Yipin’s disappearance, Zhenniang had anticipated the current situation and made early arrangements with Yihousheng Bank, having Luo Jiu set aside funds for her.
Initially, Zhenniang had thought of approaching Wang Cuiqiao, but with Nanjing’s silk business booming and banks competing for market share in the silk trade, Wang Cuiqiao partnered with Wei Caishen and invested most of the bank’s funds in the silk business. Concerned about insufficient available funds, Zhenniang turned to Yihousheng Bank instead.
Luo Jiu had agreed without hesitation, saying she could withdraw the funds whenever needed.
Hearing this, Zheng Fuli cast an uncomfortable glance at Zhenniang. Though her relationship with Luo Jiu appeared distant, their subtle understanding always made him uneasy. However, he had no right to comment on such matters and simply nodded.
“Also, Brother Zheng, please visit the Zhu family and inform Shopkeeper Zhu to prepare, so they won’t be caught off guard,” Zhenniang added.
“I understand, Miss Zhen. Don’t worry,” Zheng Fuli nodded and left for the Zhu Ink Shop.
Seeing how Zhenniang had anticipated everything and made thorough preparations, Madam Huang felt reassured and returned to the ink workshop to teach her apprentices to block carving.
Zhenniang asked Hua’er to watch the shop, then left with her young maid. Unexpectedly, they encountered Sister Ge Qiu talking with Aunt Yao just outside.
“For a woman, the size of your achievements depends on the size of your ambitions,” Sister Ge Qiu said, wearing a spring-green short jacket and long skirt, looking quite spirited and proud. “Before, I only thought about taking care of my husband and being filial to my in-laws, burying all my abilities within the household. One truly learns from experience. If Li Zhengping hadn’t been so disloyal, I wouldn’t have realized that I, Ge Qiu, could accomplish so much.”
“Indeed, indeed,” Aunt Yao agreed, though she didn’t truly concur with Ge Qiu’s words. In her view, Ge Qiu’s success relied entirely on her connection to Patrolman Ge. Without him, how could someone like Ge Qiu hope to enter the silk trade? After all, Nanjing’s silk business had always been fiercely competitive—how could it be so easy to enter? Ge Qiu had only gained entry because Wei Caishen had given her an opening out of respect for Patrolman Ge.
However, Ge Qiu couldn’t see this clearly and attributed everything to her abilities.
Seeing Aunt Yao agree with her words, Ge Qiu smiled broadly, then gestured toward the ink shop with a sneer: “Your landlord must be in quite a mess these days, right? I must say, the Tian family’s move was quite ruthless.”
“Yes, it must be troublesome. Early this morning, I only saw the shop assistants sweeping the entrance and didn’t see the owners come out,” Aunt Yao, being naturally gossip-loving, wore an expression of watching a show. However, despite being a spectator, she still sided with the Li family. Though enjoying the drama, she worried for them, thinking it wasn’t easy for a young woman to manage everything. In her view, Miss Zhen was truly capable.
As they were speaking, Zhenniang emerged.
“Zhenniang, is everything alright?” Aunt Yao asked with concern.
“It’s fine. People occasionally face illness or pain, and business always has its ups and downs,” Zhenniang replied with a faint smile.
“Yes, well said,” Aunt Yao nodded.
“Just putting on a brave face when you’ve lost the duck that was already cooked, aren’t you, Li Zhenniang? Don’t say I didn’t warn you—the Tian family has already stirred up quite a few merchants to return goods to the Li family,” Ge Qiu said with a sneer.
Ge Qiu’s feelings toward the Li family were complex. While she enjoyed watching their troubles, remembering Li Zhengping’s words of care during their separation, she still gave Zhenniang this warning.
“Thank you, Sister Qiu.” Though Ge Qiu’s words were unpleasant and the situation was within Zhenniang’s expectations, she still acknowledged the gesture of warning.
“Hmph!” Ge Qiu snorted heavily and turned to leave.
Zhenniang shook her head indifferently and headed to Yihousheng Bank.
At Yihousheng Bank, everyone naturally knew about the major developments in the ink business.
“Have the money ready. Manager Li will surely come to withdraw it soon,” Luo Jiu instructed his assistants early in the morning. Elder Cheng San, who had been friends with Luo Jiu since their Huizhou days despite their age difference, was now staying with Luo Jiu in Nanjing and was drinking tea in the hall.
Hearing Luo Jiu’s instructions to his staff, Elder Cheng’s eyes showed interest: “I say, Wencheng, are you saying the Li family arranged this money with you earlier?”
Being veterans in the business world, they could immediately see the purpose of this money preparation.
“Yes indeed,” Luo Jiu nodded.
“So this girl anticipated the Tian family’s move? Well, I’ve been needlessly worried all night,” Elder Cheng San said, twirling his beard and widening his eyes.
Indeed, he had worried unnecessarily. That girl had always been clever. Back in Huizhou, when Master Li had just passed away and the Tian family was requisitioning pine wood, pushing the Li family to such desperate straits—how did it end? The Tian family lost both their investment and effort and ultimately needed the Li family’s help to clean up their mess. Considering how even Tian Da’s schemes ended up backfiring in this girl’s hands, what chance did the half-capable Tian Er have? Speaking of Tian Er, one might say he was fearless due to ignorance.
Elder Cheng San took a sip of tea and observed knowingly: “It seems the Li family still has cards to play.”
“Ha! Whether they have more moves or not, I couldn’t say, but I suspect the Tian family will end up dropping a stone on their own feet this time. What a shame about my Luo family ink shop’s solid foundation,” Luo Wencheng said self-mockingly, his eyes showing some playfulness.
There had been issues with Zeng Yipin, and Miss Zhen had known it all along. Given that, if Zeng Yipin still managed to successfully steal the ink formula, there must be something unclear about the situation—perhaps a dark pit waiting to swallow someone.
Of course, Zhenniang might have failed to prevent it, but considering everything she had done when first taking over the ink workshop in Huizhou, this seemed unlikely.
Regarding Li Zhenniang, Luo Wencheng studied her progress from initial gratitude to later interest. Among merchants, there were various levels, both in terms of moral character—righteous merchants, unscrupulous merchants, and so on—and in terms of business acumen. Those who planned one step at a time were lower-tier merchants, those who planned three steps were middle-tier, and those who planned ten steps were top-tier merchants. This girl belonged to the last category.
“This girl is not to be underestimated.”
Elder Cheng San saw Luo Wencheng’s mysterious expression and gave him an annoyed look. These youngsters nowadays were all like little foxes—how was an old fellow like him supposed to keep up?
“Well, let’s watch and see. Revealing the answer too early takes away the fun. Let’s see if there’s a chance to fish in troubled waters—it’s only right for old folks to pick up some ready-made benefits.”
Then Elder Cheng San and Luo Wencheng exchanged knowing smiles.
As they were talking, Zhenniang entered with her young maid.
“Miss Zhen, your money has been prepared. I’ll have two guards escort it to you shortly,” Luo Jiu stood up to welcome her.
“Thank you, Brother Luo,” Zhenniang smiled and cupped her hands in greeting.
“Girl, what are you planning to do to the Tian family this time?” While such questions were usually inappropriate, Elder Cheng San could get away with being direct due to his age.
Zhenniang blinked her eyes: “What do you mean by that, Third Uncle? Isn’t it the Tian family who’s causing trouble for us Li family now?” Her tone carried a hint of grievance.
Elder Cheng San laughed heartily, pointing his finger in the air at Li Zhenniang, wondering how this girl could be so crafty.
Luo Jiu stood to the side, secretly amused.