“Now you must be satisfied,” Tian Ronghua said to Li Zhen Niang, who was about to leave, as she turned to enter the house after the crowd had dispersed.
Zhen Niang paused her steps, glanced at Tian Ronghua, and after some thought replied, “What’s stolen must eventually be returned.”
The divine judgment of that year meant the Tian family’s tribute ink rights were essentially stolen from the Cheng family.
“Then when will you return what you’ve stolen?” Tian Ronghua suddenly asked after a pause.
“What have I stolen?” Zhen Niang was momentarily confused but then noticed Tian Ronghua’s eyes fixed on the Yi Hou Sheng shop in the distance. She immediately understood—this woman was referring to Luo Wenqian. “That wasn’t stolen,” she responded seriously, “it was picked up.” Of course, she held back the following words, fearing they would be too provocative for Tian Ronghua—it was something someone had thrown away that she had picked up.
Zhen Niang felt she was being quite considerate with this response.
Nevertheless, Tian Ronghua’s expression darkened further: “Li Zhen Niang, I won’t lose to you in next year’s tribute ink competition.”
“The Li family has never feared any challenge,” Zhen Niang replied, then turned to return to the Li family ink shop.
She truly didn’t care about Tian Ronghua, though this indifference wasn’t dismissiveness. On the contrary, Zhen Niang took Tian Ronghua herself very seriously. This woman was capable of being ruthless to others and to herself—a formidable opponent. However, the problem was that she had a teammate who was like a pig. This would ultimately prevent their success.
The Tian family’s situation today had reached this point through no one’s fault but their own. If Second Young Master Tian hadn’t reported Tian Benchang’s collusion with Yunsong, the authorities wouldn’t have found a reason to target the Tian family. After all, with their tribute ink rights, they were essentially imperial merchants—who would needlessly make an enemy of the Tian family?
Yet the Tian family had engaged in internal fighting and exposed this matter, making Third Master Cheng’s complaint entirely legitimate.
In the end, it came down to this: the Tian family had lifted a stone only to drop it on their own feet—they had no one else to blame.
Tian Ronghua watched Zhen Niang’s departing figure, stamped her foot, and returned to the house with a hateful expression.
This Li Zhen Niang was just too sharp-tongued.
That evening, at the Tian family ink shop.
Second Young Master Tian returned home drunk. Tian Ronghua was still reviewing the account books. That afternoon, two ink shops had already returned their merchandise. They had originally purchased because of the tribute ink license, but now that the Ink Affairs Bureau had revoked the Tian family’s rights, it was reasonable for the merchants to return their goods, and the Tian family had no grounds to refuse.
Naturally, Tian Ronghua was furious—they were all just kicking them while they were down.
Moreover, with only half a year until next year’s tribute ink competition, Tian Ronghua needed to find ways to rebuild the Tian ink brand and develop ink worthy of entering the competition.
But she had no idea how to accomplish either task.
“Sister, still busy…” Second Young Master Tian swayed as he greeted her.
Seeing his state, Tian Ronghua felt a headache coming on and irritably waved for servants to help her second brother back to his room. This brother was truly beyond help, like the infamous Liu Shan.
“Sister, let me tell you, no matter how much you worry, it’s useless. I’ve finally figured it out—in business, the key isn’t in the business itself, but in what’s beyond it,” Second Young Master Tian stammered.
“What do you mean by that?” Tian Ronghua asked puzzledly.
“Isn’t it obvious? The reason our elder brother was able to flourish in the ink business before was because he had Daoist Yunsong backing him. He was a favorite of the emperor, so everyone gave a face to our elder brother. Now that Daoist Yunsong has fallen, our family naturally suffers. So, if we want to rebuild Tian ink, we need to find another patron,” Second Young Master Tian said bluntly.
“Who?” Tian Ronghua coldly eyed her brother.
“How about the Xu family?” Second Young Master Tian grinned.
“Why would they back us?” Tian Ronghua frowned.
“You could become their daughter-in-law,” Second Young Master Tian said provocatively.
“Second Brother, you’re selling me out?!” Tian Ronghua suddenly grabbed a hot teacup and threw it at him. The scalding water splashed all over Second Young Master Tian. Being summer, his clothes were thin, and he jumped from the heat. “You wretched girl, are you trying to murder your brother? What do you mean by selling you out? I’m doing this for your good. Being a Xu family daughter-in-law—do you know how many people dream of that opportunity?” Second Young Master Tian said angrily.
Then he added a barb: “What, still hung up on that Luo fellow? Luo Wenqian is already engaged—don’t tell me you’re waiting to become his concubine…”
“What’s going on, what’s happening between you siblings…” Madame Lin came out upon hearing the commotion.
“Mother, sister is being too stubborn. Today Third Young Master Xu helped us, and when I treated him to drinks, I could tell from his words that he had quite a good impression of my sister. What a great opportunity! If my sister could marry into the Xu family, we wouldn’t have to worry about anything. Mother, aren’t you still concerned about Chunzhi not accepting you? If sister marries into the Xu family, with their backing, would you still need to fear Chunzhi?” Second Young Master Tian said…
“Is this true?” Madame Lin’s eyes lit up at these words.
Tian Ronghua coldly snorted from the side.
“Sister, don’t say your brother didn’t warn you—even if Luo Wenqian weren’t engaged, you should forget about him. Back then, when the Luo family was preparing to transfer their assets, it was my father who had me report it to the authorities. That’s how our Tian family got Luo ink. Luo Wenqian knows this. Besides, when the Luo family fell into trouble, you kept your distance from him. He’s the type to hold grudges—how could he want you now?” Second Young Master Tian said irritably.
“Yes, Ronghua, your second brother is right. Don’t think about Young Master Luo anymore. The Xu family would be a good match—we just have to hope they won’t look down on us,” Madame Lin sighed. Although Third Young Master Xu had a good impression of Ronghua, whether the marriage could happen still depended on Second Master Xu and his wife.
Tian Ronghua fell silent. How could she not understand everything her second brother had said? She just felt unwilling to accept it. But thinking about it now, if this was how things were, she might as well seek a grand and glorious marriage. At least she wouldn’t lose to Li Zhen Niang.
And she would make Luo Wenqian regret it.
“Mother, don’t worry. Tomorrow, have Aunt Wang approach Second Madame Xu about this matter. This marriage is almost certain to happen. The Xu family could consider Li Zhen Niang because of Li ink, right? Well, the Li family has Li ink, and our Tian family has Tian ink—we’re not inferior to anyone,” Tian Ronghua said coldly.
“Good, good, I’ll go find Aunt Wang tomorrow,” Madame Lin quickly nodded. Although the Wang family was related to the Luo family, the Wang and Luo families had poor relations, while the Wang and Tian families had always been close. Having Aunt Wang’s approach would work.
However, reality proved that Tian Ronghua had thought too simply about many things. When the Xu family had considered Li Zhen Niang, it wasn’t just because of Li ink—it was also because Li Zhen Niang held the position of Imperial Princess’s Supplier. That connection to the princess, however tenuous, was something Tian Ronghua couldn’t match. Because of this, Second Madame Xu initially refused outright.
Fortunately, Tian Ronghua had one advantage over Zhen Niang—she was exceptionally beautiful. Third Young Master Xu had fallen for her and insisted on the marriage, causing quite a scene with Second Madame Xu. Finally, when the Tian family offered thirty percent of Tian Ink’s shares as dowry, the marriage negotiations between the Xu and Tian families began to progress.