The next day, the Tian family sent invitations to both the Li and Cheng families. They borrowed a room at the Hui Merchants Association, and under the mediation of Hu Zonglin and several association directors, the three families reached a cooperation agreement. They standardized the prices for various grades of ink and raw materials and even arranged for some technical exchanges.

Of course, each family kept their specialized techniques to themselves, but sharing common technical knowledge would greatly benefit the advancement of all three families’ ink-making skills.

With the agreement settled, it marked a joyous occasion for the development of Hui ink.

As it was noon, Tian Benchang suggested treating everyone to a celebratory meal.

However, as Zhenniang was a woman, although such gatherings would be acceptable in later times, they had to follow the current era’s customs. Her involvement in business already drew attention, so it was best to decline such dinner invitations when possible.

Elder Cheng also mentioned his advanced age prevented him from drinking, while Hu Zonglin happened to have other matters to attend to. Thus, the dinner plan was dropped.

Since they were heading the same way, Zhenniang and her young maid accompanied Elder Cheng and Tian Benchang back to Official Street.

At the entrance to Official Street, they saw Sun Yuejuan standing there, looking around. Upon seeing Tian Benchang’s approach, she took small steps forward.

“What are you doing here? Is something wrong?” Tian Benchang asked with an expressionless face.

Zhenniang watched from the side. Among the merchant wives on Official Street who loved to gossip, she had heard from Madam Yao that the relationship between Tian Benchang and Sun Yuejuan appeared quite cold. However, considering their marriage involved many complications and wasn’t entirely voluntary, plus Sun Yuejuan’s humble background and Madam Tian’s preference for high status, their distant relationship wasn’t surprising.

At this moment, Sun Yuejuan replied, “Second Uncle has returned to Huizhou.”

“Didn’t I say to wait for my return before seeing him off?” Tian Benchang frowned.

“He left early this morning. After bringing back Miss Xiangzhi, he hurriedly departed. By the time I rushed out, he was already gone,” Sun Yuejuan explained.

“What? He took Miss Xiangzhi back?” Hearing Sun Yuejuan’s words, Tian Benchang almost cried out in shock. After glancing at Elder Cheng and Li Zhenniang beside him, he pulled Sun Yuejuan aside and asked angrily, “Where’s Ronghua? Why didn’t he watch him? How long ago did they leave?”

“Ronghua chased after Second Uncle to the dock. They left about half an hour ago. The boat has probably departed by now,” Sun Yuejuan replied.

“Go back home. I’ll check on them.” Tian Benchang spoke quickly, merely cupping his hands toward Elder Cheng and Li Zhenniang, mentioning he had urgent business. He then hailed a carriage by the road and rushed straight to the dock.

Although Zhenniang was curious about who Miss Xiangzhi was and why Tian Benchang was so anxious, it was ultimately someone else’s private matter, so she wouldn’t pry. She simply greeted Sun Yuejuan: “Yuejuan, how are you?”

“I’m well, congratulations to you,” Sun Yuejuan replied. Zhenniang could tell her wishes were sincere, so she smiled and said, “Thank you.”

Elder Cheng, not wanting to walk with the two young women, had already headed back to the Cheng Ink Shop ahead of them.

As they walked together, Zhenniang chatted with Sun Yuejuan: “How is your father doing now?” Although Sun Dahai had been sentenced to three years of hard labor, Sun Dalang’s wife was now helping Wang Cuiqiao manage the Huiyuan Money House in Huizhou, which provided some financial stability. Additionally, with Sun Yuejuan married into the Tian family, she could help support her family somewhat. After the first year, the remaining two years of hard labor could be redeemed with money, which was why Zhenniang asked.

After all, Sun Dahai had treated her well in the past, but unfortunately got caught up in Sun Dalang’s troubles and lost his reputation.

“He’s back now, but he’s still angry with my elder brother. He lives alone in a thatched hut outside the city. The mother visits him every few days, but this isn’t a long-term solution. It’s worrying,” Sun Yuejuan said gloomily.

“I’ll be going back before the new year. I’ll visit Uncle Sun then,” Zhenniang said. Everyone knew that in the ink formula theft incident, Sun Dahai had nothing to do with it – it was all Sun Dalang’s doing. Sun Dahai had taken the punishment for his son.

Now, that incident was long past.

Therefore, Zhenniang wanted to visit him and comfort him, as Sun Dahai had always treated her well. At least when Zhenniang’s family was going through their hardest times, Sun Dahai had helped. Different matters should be treated differently, and some kindness should be remembered.

“Mm.” Hearing Zhenniang’s words, Sun Yuejuan nodded with a smile. If Zhenniang could visit her father and offer some words of comfort, that would be wonderful.

The two chatted a bit more before running out of things to say. However, there was still some tacit understanding between them, so they naturally nodded to each other, ending the conversation, with one returning to the Tian residence and the other to the Li home.

As Zhenniang passed by the Yihousheng Money House, she glanced inside and saw Luo Jiu teaching his clan uncle’s son how to use an abacus. Both were focused intently on the lesson.

Perhaps sensing Zhenniang’s gaze, Luo Jiu looked up and smiled. Zhenniang smiled back. When she saw Luo Jiu about to stand up, she waved her hand to indicate there was no need, then continued on her way.

Soon, Zhenniang entered the Li Ink Shop. As soon as she entered, Hua’er rushed out and pulled her aside: “Cousin, you’re finally back.”

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” Zhenniang asked.

“My elder brother is here,” Hua’er said quietly.

“Elder Brother Li? Brother Zhengping came?” Zhenniang came to her senses, quite surprised. She recalled when Hua’er had asked her to write a letter to her brother about the Ge family’s situation. Zhenniang had wondered how Zhengping would react, but unexpectedly, the usually quiet Zhengping had suddenly come to Nanjing. It seemed he truly couldn’t let go of Qiujie.

So, Zhenniang followed Hua’er to the front hall.

At this time, Li Zhengping was talking with Madam Huang.

“It’s not that I can’t let go. After all, a day as husband and wife means a hundred days of grace. No matter what, I want Qiujie to have a good life. I never expected the Ge family to suddenly face such troubles. When I received Hua’er’s letter, I felt quite distressed, so I came to see if I could help. I don’t want to have any regrets when I’m old.”

Zhenniang heard Brother Zhengping explaining to her Second Aunt.

It must have been difficult for Zhengping, usually so taciturn, to speak at such length now. These must truly be his heartfelt words.

“Yes, that makes sense. However, I haven’t inquired much about Qiujie’s situation. You should ask Zhenniang about this when she comes – she might know more clearly,” Madam Huang didn’t commit to anything. She had heard Zhenniang mention asking Ergou to inquire about Qiujie’s situation, but she didn’t know the specific details.

“Mm.” Li Zhengping nodded.

As Madam Huang spoke, she saw Zhenniang and Hua’er approaching, so she stood up: “Well, Zhenniang is here now. You can ask her. I have some matters to attend to.”

The Li family had received birthday ink orders, and Zhenniang had drawn many ink line designs. All of these needed Madam Huang to lead the apprentices in carving the ink molds, so she had been quite busy lately.

“Don’t let me keep you, Second Aunt. Please go ahead,” Li Zhengping stood to see her off.

Then, turning to Zhenniang, he asked without ceremony: “Zhenniang, how is Qiujie doing now? I just asked the neighbors, and they said after her father’s death, there’s been no news of her.”

As Li Zhengping spoke, his voice was somewhat hoarse, caused by the autumn dryness during his journey.

Zhenniang looked at Li Zhengping’s dust-covered face and exhausted expression. The journey from Huizhou had taken over ten days by boat, which was quite grueling. Additionally, Qiujie’s current situation couldn’t be described as good, and there were many complicated aspects that Zhenniang couldn’t explain clearly at once. Rather than trying to explain everything, it would be better to let Brother Zhengping rest for the night, and early tomorrow morning, she would take him to see Qiujie. Some things didn’t need to be said.

So she said: “Brother Zhengping, don’t worry. Although Qiujie’s life is difficult now, it’s stable. You must be exhausted from your journey. I’ll ask Sister Ma to heat some water for you and have the cook prepare something to eat. Get some rest early, and tomorrow at dawn, I’ll take you to see Qiujie.”

“That’s fine.” After thinking for a moment, Li Zhengping nodded. Given Zhenniang’s words, he couldn’t say much more. Besides, when he insisted on coming to Nanjing, his mother had quarreled with him fiercely, leaving him mentally exhausted. Combined with the journey’s toll on his body, it would be good to rest first.

Thus, the night passed quietly.

The next morning, before dawn, Li Zhengping, who had eaten dinner and gone to bed before dark the previous day, woke up at the hour of the Ox and couldn’t fall back asleep. He tossed and turned for over an hour before getting up, then waited for Li Zhenniang.

Zhenniang got up between the end of the Ox hour and the beginning of the Tiger hour, during the darkest time before dawn.

Zhenniang held a lamp in one hand, with Xiaohua following behind carrying a chamber pot. During the Tiger hour, the night soil collectors would make their rounds. In Nanjing, wealthy households had their servants handle this, while in poor households, the housewives would place their chamber pots by the door for the collectors, and then return inside to catch more sleep.

“Zhenniang…” Li Zhengping greeted them as he saw her approach.

“Brother Zhengping, follow me.” Without many words, Zhenniang led Li Zhengping outside. They didn’t go far, instead standing under the eaves of a nearby street, with a door pillar perfectly concealing their figures. Zhenniang then extinguished her lamp, and immediately everything was plunged into darkness. After a while, once their eyes adjusted to the darkness, they could faintly make out the surroundings.

Just then, the sound of cartwheels came from the main street. They saw a slightly hunched figure pulling a cart to collect night soil. At each doorway, the person would stop the cart, pick up the chamber pots left by the doors, empty them into the large container on the cart, then return the pots to their places before moving on.

The light was very dim, and the figure was wrapped in loose clothing with messy hair covering half their face. Strangers wouldn’t recognize who it was, and even acquaintances would have trouble identifying them without careful observation. However, Li Zhengping and Ge Qiujie had been husband and wife, and with Zhenniang deliberately bringing him to this corner to watch, he had already begun to guess. Therefore, he was able to recognize from the figure’s silhouette that the night soil collector was indeed Ge Qiujie.