During the afternoon watch, Li Jingfu paced beneath the large locust tree near Yihousheng Money House, occasionally chatting with passersby, appearing leisurely.
In reality, Li Jingfu was calculating. Having decided they couldn’t let the Old Madam make all the decisions, he needed to cut through the complications quickly.
From the previous ledger incident, judging by the Luo fellow’s behavior, he clearly treated Zhenniang well. During this period of lifted maritime restrictions, his daughter and the Luo fellow had worked together seamlessly on the tung oil business.
Thus, the Luo fellow seemed quite compatible with his daughter, and they got along well. If so, for his daughter’s sake, their past conflicts didn’t matter much—they were just matters of pride and principle.
Therefore, he decided to have a proper talk with Luo Jiu and settle the marriage.
Though this was his plan, after circling the Yihousheng entrance three or four times, he couldn’t bring himself to enter the money house, so he just kept pacing outside.
Meanwhile, Luo Jiu sat in the second-floor pavilion of Yihousheng.
He had been incredibly busy lately with maritime ban matters, and only today, with the Maritime Trade Office’s ships departing, could he finally rest. He reclined by the pavilion window, listening to cicadas while enjoying iced tea, though his eyes remained fixed on the street below.
At this time, Manager Yan Xilai brought up a stack of ledgers, dropping them heavily in front of Luo Wenqian before sitting across from him and pouring himself tea.
Luo Wenqian didn’t even glance at him, continuing to look outside. Curious, Yan Xilai stretched his neck to look, seeing Li Jingfu enjoying the cool air under the locust tree below.
“Ha, Master Fu rarely lingers around our shop. Oh right, I heard the Xu family has been inquiring about Li Zhenniang lately. They say Second Madam Xu is interested in her for their third son. Master, first come, first served,” Yan Xilai said, giving Luo Jiu a sidelong glance, clearly expecting entertainment. He had some understanding of his master’s thoughts.
If nothing else, at least his master admired Miss Li, and that Miss Li was indeed excellent wife material. Even his wife had privately told him that Miss Li and their master would make a good match.
Sure enough, hearing this, Luo Jiu raised an eyebrow. As Yan Xilai had said earlier, Uncle Jingfu rarely appeared at Yihousheng’s entrance. Yet today, he kept pacing outside, occasionally glancing at the money house, several times intending to enter before retreating.
Uncle Jingfu wanted to speak with him but felt awkward. Could it be because of the Xu family matter?
Regardless, Luo Wenqian felt it was time to make his position clear.
With this thought, he stood up and told Yan Xilai, “Have Sister Guihua prepare some wine and dishes.” Then he went downstairs, the wooden stairs creaking under his steps.
“Alright, they’ll be up shortly,” Yan Xilai responded. When his master had a business, he as a manager naturally gave full support.
[…]
By now, Li Jingfu had worked up quite a sweat from pacing.
“Uncle Jingfu, enjoying yourself? I have wine and food ready upstairs. If you don’t mind, come up for a drink,” Luo Jiu called out to the pacing Li Jingfu from the entrance.
Li Jingfu glared at him: “You’re up to something, aren’t you?” Though privately he thought the young fellow was quite perceptive, knowing he wanted to talk.
“How could that be? Uncle Jingfu, you wrong me,” Luo Jiu protested with clasped hands.
“Well then, I’ll have a few drinks,” Li Jingfu nodded reluctantly, though he was putting on airs.
So Li Jingfu followed Luo Jiu up to the second floor of Yihousheng, where a table of wine and dishes was already prepared—Manager Yan was always efficient.
Halfway through the wine, as Li Jingfu was considering how to broach the subject, Luo Jiu stood first, raising his cup: “Uncle Jingfu, if I’ve offended you in the North, please forgive me.”
“Think nothing of it. It was just a matter of principle. Since you call me uncle, how could I hold it against you?” Li Jingfu naturally followed along.
“Since that’s the case, let me be even more presumptuous. In the North, you once promised Zhenniang to me while drunk. Though that was drunk talk and couldn’t be taken seriously, now, while you’re sober, let me ask: how do you see me? Would I make a suitable son-in-law?” Luo Jiu raised his cup again, his manner solemn as he expressed his intentions.
Hearing Luo Jiu’s words, Li Jingfu narrowed his eyes. He had come to talk with Luo Jiu intending to maintain control, but in a few moves, this young man had taken the initiative.
Well then, he would counter-move. He lifted his cup, drained it in one gulp, then set it down firmly: “I’m a man of my word. Since I promised, how could it not count? But now the Xu family is inquiring about Zhenniang—aren’t you afraid of offending them? They’re a minister’s family.”
“Uncle Jingfu jests. Everything has its order. Looking back, in the North, you already showed me a favor. More recently, before New Year’s, Old Master Cheng San had already asked about the Li family’s thoughts on my behalf, only putting it aside because of the late emperor’s death. No matter how prestigious the Xu family is, they must still respect proper order. As long as reason is on my side, I have nothing to fear,” Luo Jiu also drained his cup in one go.
“Good! Well said. You’re not bad, young man. Find an elder to make the formal proposal then,” Li Jingfu said. Being a rough person himself, Luo Jiu’s words perfectly matched his temperament.
This young man’s feelings for Zhenniang were indeed genuine.
Thus, they settled the matter just like that, with remarkable understanding between them.
The wine that followed tasted even better.
At Li Ink Workshop, dusk had fallen, past closing time. Zhenniang had already sent the other apprentices home.
“Mother, where’s Father?” Zhenniang stood at the shop door, turning to ask her mother. Since her father left to send the letter that morning, he hadn’t returned. Earlier, shop apprentices had seen him wandering near the government street, but then he disappeared. Zhenniang couldn’t help worrying.
“Who knows about your father? He’s been acting strange all day. Last night he was even mumbling about talking to Luo Wenqian in his sleep,” Madam Zhao said.
“Father went to find Luo Wenqian?” Zhenniang frowned. She understood why her father would seek out Luo Wenqian—before New Year’s, Old Master Cheng San had discussed her and Luo Wenqian with Aunt Huang.
Now, her father must have gone to discuss her matter with him.
But previously, that was just Old Master Cheng’s enthusiasm—he and Luo Wenqian were close friends. Now, though the Luo family still had clan members in Huizhou, they weren’t from the same branch, and relationships might be complicated. Plus, her grandfather and Old Master Cheng were like-minded friends, and Old Master Cheng admired her ink-making skills, so he had thought to play matchmaker.
That was just at the inquiry stage.
On their side, Zhenniang remembered they hadn’t given a response. Of course, since the Seventh Grandmother had brought up Luo Wenqian to her mother, she had some considerations.
If the Xu family matter hadn’t come up, they could have gotten to know each other slowly, and things might have naturally progressed.
But now, with the Xu family involved, her father going to find him at this time put him in an awkward position.
Luo Jiu had always helped her greatly, and the Xu family matter wasn’t as simple as she had told her mother earlier. Though the Xu family was nearly in decline, Xu Jie’s prestige at court was at its peak—even the emperor’s teacher Gao Gong had been forced to retire from court by him. One could say this was the Xu family’s most powerful time. Who would dare offend them now?
And Luo Wenqian’s journey from losing his family fortune to his current success hadn’t been easy.
“Mother, it’s not appropriate for Father to approach Young Master Luo directly at this time,” Zhenniang stamped her foot in frustration. Though she knew that even Seventh Grandmother would likely want to talk to the Luo family first, Seventh Grandmother would have Old Master Cheng act as an intermediary, providing a buffer.
Thinking this, she looked toward Yihousheng Money House, where light glowed faintly from the second floor.
“Silly girl, you think your father would force Young Master Luo to marry you? Marriage requires mutual willingness. If he showed even a hint of reluctance, I’m sure your father wouldn’t want to give you to him. We want someone who truly cares for you. Don’t worry about this—let your parents handle it,” Madam Zhao said, lightly tapping Zhenniang’s forehead.
“Mm.” Madam Zhao’s words warmed Zhenniang’s heart, and she leaned against her mother.
Just then, Yihousheng’s door opened, and they faintly heard Li Jingfu’s voice: “Good wine, thoroughly enjoyed it~~”
“It’s Father,” Zhenniang called out, quickly pulling her mother along. At Yihousheng’s entrance, they saw Luo Wenqian supporting her drunk father.
“Wife, I’ve settled Zhenniang and young Luo’s marriage,” Li Jingfu proudly slurred upon seeing Madam Zhao. Zhenniang, listening beside them, was stunned—settled just like that, wasn’t it too fast? She also found her father’s words both amusing and mortifying—so undignified.
She couldn’t help glancing sideways at Luo Wenqian, seeing his eyes, bright even in the night, carrying a hint of a smile. She felt incredibly embarrassed—her father was so unreliable, especially after drinking. She vowed never to let him touch alcohol again.
Madam Zhao, both angry and annoyed, pinched the thoroughly drunk Li Jingfu while supporting his other side, helping Luo Wenqian carry him home.
At the doorway, Li Jingfu was too drunk, and when the outside wind hit him, he couldn’t hold it in. He vomited all over the ground, some getting on Luo Wenqian’s clothes.
“I’m so sorry, Young Master Luo,” Madam Zhao hurriedly said, telling Zhenniang to fetch one of Li Jingfu’s clothes for Luo Wenqian to change into.
“No need for formalities, Aunt. Just call me Wenqian,” Luo Wenqian responded steadily, still helping Madam Zhao get Li Jingfu to bed. Watching Luo Wenqian’s actions and thinking of Li Jingfu’s earlier words, Madam Zhao began to view him with a mother-in-law’s eye.
When Zhenniang brought the clothes, Luo Wenqian went to the inner room to change. When he came out, Zhenniang took his soiled clothes outside, and Luo Wenqian followed.
In the courtyard, moonlight covered the ground.
Zhenniang naturally thanked Luo Wenqian, though her father’s earlier words made her uncomfortable, and she wasn’t quite clear about the situation. However, being straightforward by nature, she asked, “Is it settled?”
“Yes,” Luo Wenqian responded in a low voice.
“Did my father… put you in a difficult position?” Zhenniang asked quietly.
“It’s what I wanted—how could it be difficult?” Luo Wenqian sighed softly.
Then he asked, “Zhenniang, can you let go of the Xu family’s wealth and status?”
“You know that in an ink maker’s heart, what matters is perfection through endless refinement, creating an eternal fragrance and spirit in the ink. The Xu family’s prosperity means nothing to me,” Zhenniang replied calmly.
“Then, would you marry me? I’m just a merchant, someone people call money-grubbing,” Luo Jiu added.
“Are you saying I’m money-grubbing too?” Zhenniang turned her face, somewhat irritated. They were both merchants—pot calling the kettle black.
Then she heard Luo Wenqian’s delighted laughter, and her mood seemed to lighten too. Though everything had happened faster than she expected, she didn’t mind. But seeing him so elated made her slightly annoyed, so she said, “This isn’t final yet—Seventh Grandmother has to approve.”
Zhenniang was being proud.
“Don’t worry, I’ll arrange everything properly,” Luo Wenqian said.