“The Tian family’s ink is made according to Emperor Huizong of Song’s Su He ink formula. Emperor Huizong’s ink method using agarwood oil is supreme in both technique and materials—I need not elaborate on its value,” Official Liu, who was presiding over the tribute ink competition, said while pointing to the Tian family’s Su He ink on the table.

Then he pointed to the Li Family Three Talents ink: “As for the Li family’s Three Talents ink, I’m sure everyone has recently seen the play ‘Mistaken Good Match’ or at least heard about the Li family’s rain trial showing. The ink that remains clear and undiffused when writing in the rain truly deserves to be called excellent ink.”

Taking a sip of tea, Official Liu continued: “Both Li ink and Tian ink are outstanding in the industry. Today, they will compete for supremacy. This is a grand occasion for our ink industry, and I am delighted to witness it! I believe everyone is eagerly anticipating this event…”

At this point, the audience naturally smiled in response.

Official Liu paused briefly before continuing: “Well, I won’t say more. Let the masters begin testing the inks.”

Then Yuan Bai, Kang You, and Lu Chong, dressed in scholarly robes, gracefully took their seats at the testing tables. Each table had two beautiful young women assisting with the ink preparation, adding an elegant touch to the scene.

At this moment, the entire second floor of Taibai Tower fell silent. Everyone feared disturbing the ink testing. Of course, those observing from behind the screens couldn’t help whispering, speculating about who would ultimately win the tribute rights.

It was said that some gambling houses had already set up betting pools for today’s competition.

Zhenniang’s heart was slightly tense now, her hands lightly clenched into fists as she listened intently to the sound of ink grinding.

The inkstones were premium Duan inkstones. The inks were the finest works of both the Li and Tian families, and the ink-preparing maidens had been specially trained in various arts at Jinling’s establishments. Their ink grinding was smooth and silent.

Thus, after half an hour, the ink testing was completed.

The Ink Bureau clerks received the calligraphy and paintings from the ink-preparing maidens.

There were regulations for the ink testing pieces—each master had to paint the same subjects using both Li and Tian inks, writing the same characters. This allowed for proper comparison and evaluation.

However, looking at the works being hung up by the Ink Bureau clerks, Zhenniang frowned. In their paintings, Yuan Bai emphasized water while Kang You focused on clouds.

These subjects required fluid ink tones to express themselves properly. Although Li ink was known for its bright, deep black color and good color retention, this time’s Li Family Three Talents ink incorporated the fluid qualities of Luo ink, as Zhenniang had mentioned in her earlier introduction. Yet oddly, in Yuan Bai and Kang You’s paintings, the clouds and water appeared somewhat rigid. This highlighted the Li ink’s stability and depth but failed to show the fluid qualities that the Three Talents ink had gained from incorporating Luo ink’s characteristics.

This was completely unexpected, given that Yuan Bai and Kang You were quite renowned painters.

In contrast, they had fully exploited the shading capabilities of the Tian ink, clearly displaying the Su He ink’s advantages. This development was quite thought-provoking.

Thinking this, Zhenniang couldn’t help glancing back at her grandfather and seventh grandmother.

Old Shopkeeper Li was frowning deeply, and Seventh Grandmother’s expression had darkened—clearly, they had also sensed something was wrong.

Though she couldn’t be entirely certain, Zhenniang had a feeling that Yuan Bai and Kang You might be biased toward the Tian family. Although the identity of the ink testing masters had been kept secret until now, it wouldn’t have been difficult for the Xu family to find out.

At this point, Master Lu Chong’s painting was also hung up, and his performance seemed normal.

Master Lu Chong had painted a scene of a shepherd boy riding a water buffalo. His painting skill was excellent, showing both the strengths of Li and Tian inks, but Zhenniang noticed that some weaknesses she had anticipated in the Tian ink had been cleverly concealed by his technique.

For the moment, in his painting, the Li and Tian inks appeared evenly matched.

Combined with the results from all three masters, the Li family seemed to be at a slight disadvantage. The situation was unfavorable for them.

Across the hall in the Tian family’s seats, Old Master Tian’s face was ashen as he rested with closed eyes, clearly still in poor health. Tian Ronghua maintained a calm expression, appearing to have everything under control, while Second Young Master Tian wore a smug grin.

However, the Li family remained composed, and Zhenniang wasn’t worried. She had already planned to use the argument that Su He ink’s high production costs would burden the people to eliminate the Tian family’s Su He ink. Perhaps Tian Ronghua’s leading with the Su He ink was just a feint.

Like armies facing each other, the first move was always exploratory—the real battle would come later.

“Li ink is stable and dignified, though slightly inferior in tonal gradation. The Su He ink has a pleasant fragrance that refreshes the mind while writing. However, Li ink also has its merits—its color doesn’t run in the rain, and tribute ink is often used for official documents traveling between regions, inevitably exposed to wind and rain. Thus, both Li and Tian inks have their brilliance,” Official Liu found it difficult to make a decision.

“Your Honor, our Tian ink can also withstand rain. This humble woman can demonstrate,” Tian Ronghua suddenly stood and said.

“Oh, please proceed,” Official Liu nodded.

Tian Ronghua stepped forward and splashed a cup of tea onto the painting. Indeed, the ink remained unchanged where the painting was wet, showing no signs of bleeding.

“This humble woman believes our Tian ink is better and more practical than Li ink,” Tian Ronghua declared confidently.

From Luo ink to Tian ink, they had always been tribute inks, and their quality couldn’t be underestimated.

However, this water splash test was different from the Li family’s rain trial. In the rain trial, the ink was exposed to rain before drying yet didn’t disperse—superior to the current demonstration, though most people wouldn’t notice this distinction.

“Your Honor, how can splashing water compare to testing in the rain? This humble woman believes that since Li and Tian inks are of comparable quality, we should differentiate them by cost. Our Li ink has moderate production costs, while Su He ink’s costs are too high,” Zhenniang stood and said.

Hearing Zhenniang’s words, Tian Ronghua raised an eyebrow and replied: “Zhenniang speaks truly—Su He ink’s cost is high and perhaps unsuitable for tribute ink. We Tian family presented it in the competition only to offer it as a special tribute to His Majesty. Emperor Huizong’s ink formula is naturally fit only for imperial use. As for our actual tribute ink submission, it remains the Purple Jade Light…”

She paused, then bowed to the officials on the high seats and continued with a gentle expression: “Purple Jade Light has been tribute ink since Luo ink’s time. I’m sure all the officials have used it and it has long been favored by the court. Furthermore, we have improved Purple Jade Light’s formula, raising its quality even higher. I believe the officials will appreciate it even more.”

Then she turned to Zhenniang: “During our three years as a tribute ink supplier, we’ve delivered countless batches without any issues. However, the Li family’s Three Talents ink is newly created. Though its quality seems good now, who knows what problems might emerge in a year or two? It hasn’t earned widespread recognition yet. If problems arise later, wouldn’t that impact important court matters? I don’t think the Li family can guarantee this at present?” After speaking, she bowed to the officials again, smiled at Zhenniang, and sat down.

Tian Ronghua felt quite pleased with herself. The Li family had fallen for her trap—the Su He ink was just a decoy to eliminate their Three Talents ink. Even without Su He ink, her family still had Purple Jade Light, which had been tribute ink for generations. She wondered what ink the Li family would compete with once their Three Talents ink was eliminated.

Zhenniang noticed Tian Ronghua’s satisfaction and felt secretly amused. She had anticipated this move, which was why she had discussed it with Seventh Grandmother and prepared the Li Family Four Harmonies ink as a precaution.

“Your Honor, though the Li Family Three Talents ink is new, it’s an improvement on our Four Harmonies ink, combining the finest elements of Pan, Luo, and Li ink-making methods. All three families were once tribute ink suppliers, and the Four Harmonies ink has been renowned for centuries, earning us the saying ‘Gold is easy to find, Li ink is hard to obtain.’ Speaking of recognition, surely nothing surpasses it,” Zhenniang paused, then turned to Tian Ronghua: “However, if the Tian family believes our Three Talents ink lacks recognition as a new creation, then today we will compete with the Li Family Four Harmonies ink instead.”

As she spoke, Zhenniang presented the prepared Four Harmonies ink.

The Li Family Four Harmonies ink has a long history.

Upon hearing “Four Harmonies Ink,” Tian Ronghua’s expression turned cold. Old Master Tian’s face grew even more ashen, while Second Young Master Tian showed no reaction, being ignorant of the Four Harmonies ink’s significance.

The Four Harmonies ink was thought to be lost to history. Tian Ronghua hadn’t realized that the Three Talents ink was developed from it, as there had been no mention of the Li family recreating the Four Harmonies ink. At their ink trial, they hadn’t mentioned this at all. While she had set a trap for Zhenniang, Zhenniang had also set one for her.

The Four Harmonies ink’s reputation was legendary.

“Your Honor, ancient techniques are often lost over time. This humble woman suggests that whether the Li family’s current Four Harmonies ink matches their ancestors’ work remains to be proven,” Tian Ronghua said through gritted teeth.

She had bribed the three ink testing masters earlier to gain a chance to counter the Li family.

The Four Harmonies ink’s reputation had endured for centuries, and many paintings made with it still existed, so everyone knew its characteristics. Therefore, Tian Ronghua immediately argued that the Li family had lost the original techniques—even if they could make Four Harmonies ink now, its quality wouldn’t match the original.

This way, when Yuan Bai and Kang You deliberately downplayed the Four Harmonies ink’s performance later, no one would find it strange, assuming the Li family’s current work simply couldn’t match their ancestors’.