Developing the ink business and earning more money to lay the foundation for next year’s tribute ink rights—that was what Zhenniang had to accomplish this year.
By the second year of Longqing, the Tian family’s three-year tribute ink term would expire. At that time, the court would select tribute ink merchants anew. Naturally, the Tian family had a better chance of succession, but the Li family certainly could compete.
Now, the Li Ink Workshop’s flagship products—the Li family’s ancestral ink formulas like the Hundred Thousand Pestles, along with the Rehe ink that Zhenniang developed two years ago, the Super Lacquer ink, and the newly created Ancient Yu Deer ink—formed a substantial portfolio. Combined with various smaller product lines, they might well be able to compete with the Tian family.
Of course, to secure the tribute ink rights, substantial capital was necessary. Truth be told, the Ming Dynasty was short of money. The Tian family had earned considerably over the years, and with their background as timber merchants, their capital was considered substantial. However, last year’s ink incident caused financial difficulties. Though Tian Ronghua didn’t ask for money from his family, wanting to make amends before Master Tian’s arrival, this still indicated that the Tian family’s finances weren’t particularly abundant. How could such a large ink establishment in Nanjing lack emergency funds?
The Tian family’s current situation was that although they had earned considerable money, the tribute ink business was a bottomless pit that needed filling. The court’s various payment delays and the Ink Affairs Bureau’s different holds and demands had been a persistent problem in the latter period of the Ming Dynasty. The Tian family’s funds were all tied up in this.
If the Li family wanted to compete for tribute ink rights, this point had to be considered. Tribute ink was a double-edged sword, with advantages and disadvantages equally apparent. The advantages were naturally prestige and business opportunities.
The disadvantages were the court’s payment delays and various demands for bribes. Without substantial capital, it would be difficult to withstand.
Yet the tribute ink rights couldn’t be ignored. Every ink-making family pursued this goal, just as most scholars pursued official positions—it was a matter of pride.
Tribute ink, imperial ink, and ink affairs official—these three elements were unavoidable hurdles for the Li family to restore their former glory. These had all been part of the Li family’s ancestral glory, and now the Li descendants were merely following in their ancestors’ footsteps.
With the Li family’s direction set, Zhenniang was preparing to return to Nanjing.
However, just as she was preparing her luggage at home, Xihu’er came running back to report that Old Madam Li had fallen ill. Perhaps because yesterday had been too lively, or maybe the old madam had been too excited, but last night, she suddenly developed a high fever. The physician who was called said she had caught a cold. She was now somewhat delirious.
This unsettled Zhenniang. Though Old Madam Li was now retired and no longer managing the business, she was still the Li family’s pillar of support. The Li family was at a crucial stage of development, and without her support, things would become chaotic like they had been two years ago.
Therefore, although they had planned to depart on the fifth, Zhenniang ultimately delayed for two days. By the sixth, after taking several doses of medicine, the old madam finally became lucid. A cold might be insignificant for young and strong people, but at nearly eighty years old, Old Madam Li couldn’t handle it well. After two days of illness, she had visibly lost weight, and her once-bright eyes had become cloudy.
Zhenniang felt distressed seeing this. She sat by Old Madam Li’s bedside, keeping her company.
“Don’t worry, these old bones can still hold on for a couple more years. How could I leave without seeing the Li ink’s glory restored? Rest assured, your Seventh Grandmother can still support you, girl. You just focus on doing well,” Old Madam Li held Zhenniang’s hand, speaking with determination. However determined she might be, that former spirit was no longer visible in Old Madam Li, and her hand trembled continuously as she held Zhenniang’s.
“Yes.” Zhenniang nodded firmly, though her heart ached.
But Zhenniang knew that Seventh Grandmother might not have many years left.
Now tired, the old madam lay back on her pillow, eyes closed, mumbling unclearly, “Tribute ink, tribute ink, what the Li family lost must be reclaimed.”
“Rest assured, Seventh Grandmother, next year’s tribute ink selection will ultimately belong to our Li family. You must stay to witness it.” Zhenniang firmly held the old madam’s withered hand, speaking determinedly in her ear. If previously Zhenniang had merely been doing her best regarding the tribute ink, now she was determined to succeed.
Hearing Zhenniang’s words, the old madam fell asleep with her eyes closed, her breathing becoming steady, and a slight smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.
Only then did Zhenniang quietly leave the old madam’s room.
Outside, First Madam Li née Cheng and others were waiting. Seeing Zhenniang emerge, they all rose anxiously to ask, “How is the old madam?”
“She’s asleep,” Zhenniang made a gesture for silence.
“Then I’ll go in to watch over her,” Madam Huang said. Originally, she was supposed to return to Nanjing with Zhenniang, but with the old madam’s sudden illness, she naturally couldn’t leave. However, she had recommended two members of the Huang clan, Huang San and Huang Qi, both exceptional woodcarvers, who would be responsible for the carved block work at the Nanjing ink workshop.
“Good, you watch over her. I’ll prepare some thin porridge in the outer room. When the old madam wakes up, she can have some. The warmth will help drive away the cold,” First Madam Li née Cheng said.
Knowing Zhenniang was busy, Madam Cheng then said to her, “Zhenniang, you go ahead with your preparations. You must set out tomorrow, the matters at the Princess’s mansion can’t be delayed.”
“Yes, I understand,” Zhenniang nodded firmly before leaving.
“Aunt Zhenniang, how is my great-grandmother doing?” Just outside the door, she ran into little Tianyou. After more than a year, the little one had grown quite tall, though his face was now tense with worry about his great-grandmother.
“She’s fine, just sleeping,” Zhenniang gently patted his forehead, telling him not to worry.
“Then I’ll go in to keep Seventh Grandmother company. I won’t talk, I’ll just sit on a stool beside her and watch over her. Great-grandmother loves Tianyou the most, and when she wakes up and sees Tianyou, she’ll surely be very happy. Once she’s happy, she’ll recover faster.” Little Tianyou’s childish words were spoken very seriously, touching everyone’s hearts.
“Alright, your grandmother and second grand-aunt are also inside, listen to them,” Zhenniang smiled as she instructed. Indeed, this little one had grown quite a bit in the past year. Though he usually followed behind Xihu’er like a little follower, when real situations arose, Xihu’er would have to ask for little Tianyou’s opinion. At this rate, in a few years, Zhenniang thought about taking little Tianyou under her wing to teach him properly. After all, she couldn’t oversee the Li ink business forever.
“Yes, I’ll be obedient,” Tianyou promised.
“By the way, where’s your mother?” Zhenniang asked, thinking that Madam Sun should have come with little Tianyou to visit Seventh Grandmother.
“Oh, my eldest maternal aunt came over just now, and she’s talking with my mother in the front,” Tianyou replied.
“I see.” Zhenniang nodded and let Tianyou enter the room.
After watching Tianyou go in, Zhenniang hurried off, needing to inspect the goods at the ink workshop and give various instructions. However, at the corner, she overheard a hushed conversation.
“Elder Sister-in-law, Zhenniang is quite capable. She’s earned considerable money for the family this year and shows proper respect to everyone. She doesn’t have those kinds of intentions.” The speaker was Tianyou’s mother, Madam Sun.
Zhenniang recalled that Tianyou had mentioned his mother was speaking with his eldest maternal aunt—so this was where they were talking.
“Caizhu, I’m not just saying this, but how can you be so naive? First of all, leaving aside that Li Zhenniang is from the eighth branch, people’s hearts are as vast as a snake swallowing an elephant—who can be certain of another’s intentions? Moreover, even if she doesn’t have those thoughts now, how do you know she won’t in the future? She’ll marry eventually, and at that time, who wouldn’t consider their husband’s family and children? Now, the Nanjing operation is completely under Li Zhenniang’s control, and she has the Princess’s patronage—who dares to cross her? If you don’t guard against this, the entire Li ink business might be hollowed out by her. Even someone as honest as Li Jingming eventually tried to seize the main family’s business—who can guarantee anyone’s heart?
You only have one son—shouldn’t you plan for his future? I’m not saying you should oppose Li Zhenniang, but shouldn’t you take some precautions? While the old madam is still alive, there’s nothing to worry about, but think about what happens if she passes. Look at her after this illness—she’s lost her spirit. At her age, it could happen any time. What will happen to the main branch then? You’ll all be just women and children. At that time, it would take the eighth branch merely minutes to swallow up the ink workshop—it would be too easy. How will you survive then? How will little Tianyou survive?”
Listening to this seemingly well-intentioned advice from the unfamiliar female voice, Zhenniang furrowed her brow. This must be Madam Sun’s eldest sister-in-law. She hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but given the conversation’s nature and this being the only path to the ink workshop, she had no choice but to continue listening.
She recalled from the family genealogy of her previous life that Madam Sun had remarried after Tianyou’s death—likely at her sister-in-law’s urging. The genealogy recorded: “Madam Sun, remarried, died shortly after!” It was equally chilling to remember.
“I… Zhenniang wouldn’t do that, would she? Great-grandmother values her greatly, and she knows gratitude and righteousness,” Madam Sun mumbled.
“Why are you so stubborn? No one’s saying she definitely will, but we must be prepared. Having your eldest nephew go to Nanjing to keep watch would give you peace of mind. Besides, Zhenniang hasn’t been betrothed yet, and Jie’er is about her age, educated, literate, and good-looking. Our family ancestors even produced a provincial graduate—surely that’s more than adequate for someone like her. If you whisper in the old madam’s ear at the right time, and if Jie’er could marry Li Zhenniang, you’d have nothing to worry about. It would be a blessing for little Tianyou too, right?” Madam Sun’s sister-in-law could certainly spin quite a tale.
“Elder Sister…” Madam Sun called out hesitantly. She knew that Great-grandmother held Zhenniang in high regard and would never approve of a family like her maternal relatives. But she couldn’t say this directly to her sister-in-law, fearing it would cause embarrassment.
“Oh my, I’m running around like this only because your elder brother worries about you. Otherwise, would I let my precious Jie’er leave my side to make a living in Nanjing?” Madam Sun’s sister-in-law said in a somewhat unpleasant tone.
“But Great-grandmother has already declared that everything in Nanjing is under Zhenniang’s control, and no one else should interfere,” Madam Sun said worriedly.
“I’m not asking you to interfere, just to introduce Jie’er to Zhenniang. In our Huizhou, anyone who succeeds outside helps bring along clan members. Besides, isn’t Li Zhenniang taking two members of the Huang clan back to Nanjing? See how your second aunt-in-law places people—isn’t she also planning for her future? You’re the only fool here,” the sister-in-law said resentfully.
Hearing her sister-in-law’s words, Madam Sun became uncertain. However, with her mother-in-law, great-grandmother-in-law, and other senior relatives above her, and being naturally compliant, she wasn’t usually assertive. Feeling that her brother and sister-in-law were thinking of her best interests, she finally said, “I’ll mention it to Zhenniang, but as always, whether to take someone on is her decision.”
Seeing her sister-in-law stubbornly stick to this point, Madam Sun’s sister-in-law had no choice: “Fine, fine, you mention it. That girl is clever—she shouldn’t refuse to take on someone you recommend. If she does refuse, well, then her intentions would be questionable, hehe.”
Zhenniang, listening at the corner, raised an eyebrow at the sister-in-law’s insinuating tone. She had to admit, the woman was skilled at manipulating people. If Madam Sun brought this up, Zhenniang would find it difficult to refuse—after all, Li Tianyou was from the main branch, and it would be perfectly reasonable for Madam Sun to place a relative. If Zhenniang refused, it would make her appear suspicious.
Hearing footsteps approaching the corner, Zhenniang retreated a considerable distance before walking forward again, meeting Madam Sun and her sister-in-law.
“Greetings, Sister-in-law Zhengqi.” Zhenniang greeted Madam Sun, then nodded to her sister-in-law: “Greetings, Elder Madam Sun.”
“Ah, hello, Miss Li, hello.” Despite her earlier suspicions and twisted thoughts about Li Zhenniang, Madam Sun’s sister-in-law now smiled brilliantly, acting as if she were very close to Zhenniang. She secretly nudged Madam Sun.
Madam Sun uncomfortably said, “Zhenniang, does the Nanjing ink workshop need any people? My eldest nephew has nothing to do at home and wants to go out and make his way.” In Huizhou dialect, “make his way” meant seeking opportunities.
“Well, we are adding another workshop this year and do need people, but we need workers. I’m not sure if your nephew can handle that kind of hardship—you know how tough the work is in the ink workshop,” Zhenniang considered for a moment before turning to address the sister-in-law.
The sister-in-law’s face twitched. Workshop labor was truly backbreaking work, and her literate son couldn’t possibly do that. She carefully said, “Couldn’t he be arranged in the accounting office? My boy is literate—if his examination luck had been better, he might already be a scholar now.”
“Even for the accounting office, one must first learn the technical work. Everyone who enters the ink workshop follows this path: three years as a general worker, and three years as a skilled worker, only then can they enter the accounting office to manage affairs. Even I learned ink-making techniques from childhood,” Zhenniang said calmly. Whatever your intentions, everything must follow the rules. If you’re afraid of hardship, you don’t have to come. By using herself as an example, what more could be said?
Unless, of course, one already possessed superior ink-making skills—that would be a different matter entirely.
Hearing this, the sister-in-law was stumped. This girl’s technical skills were unmatched, while her son knew nothing about ink-making. The girl intended to follow the rules. The sister-in-law was reluctant, but as the saying goes, “If you can’t bear to bind your child, you won’t catch the wolf.” She understood that to succeed in the ink workshop, technical skills were essential. Eventually, the business would pass to Li Tianyou, and getting in early was important. When Li Tianyou took over the workshop, her son would be considered a “founding member,” which would have its advantages. Besides, some hardship now might be good for her son, who had become quite dissolute after his brief education, acting like a true scholar and frequenting brothels, nearly squandering all their money. Thinking this through, she finally gritted her teeth: “Very well, I’ll leave it to Miss Li to arrange.”
“Good, I’m departing tomorrow. Have him prepare this afternoon and come to the ink workshop early tomorrow morning to leave together,” Zhenniang nodded.
Once at the ink workshop, it would be her territory. If Madam Sun’s nephew could work diligently, there would be a place for him in the workshop. But if he had other intentions—well, if even an old hand like Former First Rank had failed against her, what chance did this newcomer from the Sun family have?