“So Master Ren Ji is looking for me?” At this moment, Zhen Niang stepped forward. The shop’s entrance was already crowded with people, everyone understanding that the Japanese had come to challenge the Li family again.

“Are you Miss Zhen? The ink-crafting Miss Zhen?” Ren Jiying Song hurriedly asked, adding the “ink-crafting” qualifier to ensure he wasn’t being deceived.

“Indeed, the one who will compete with you in ink-crafting in a few days,” Zhen Niang understood his meaning and replied straightforwardly, though her expression was like a cat waiting for a fish to take the bait.

“I have some understanding of ink crafting techniques, so I’d like to seek guidance from Miss Zhen,” said Ren Jiying Song.

“Guidance can be given, but not just anyone can seek guidance from me,” Li Zhen Niang replied calmly, slightly raising her head, her expression extremely confident, even somewhat proud.

“What do you mean by that? What, afraid to accept my challenge?” Ren Jiying Song frowned slightly, his tone meant to provoke.

“Such provocation won’t work on me, Master Ren Ji. I won’t fall for it, and Li Ink has never backed down from any challenge. However, since Master Ren Ji wishes to seek guidance from Li Ink, you should first demonstrate some skill to see if you qualify for such guidance,” Zhen Niang said coolly.

“What do you mean by demonstrating skill?” Ren Jiying Song frowned.

Zhen Niang pressed her lips together, then glanced at Ren Jiying Song before looking around the ink shop. Inside, Zheng Fuli was working on an abacus, while Father Li Jingfu was using a kitchen knife to clean his fingernails. Master craftsman Qin was examining a piece of ink, and even Sun Wenjie was crouching to the side inspecting some newly delivered ink-making materials.

Only in one corner of the room was Chou Po, holding a broom and sweeping back and forth.

Seeing all this, Zhen Niang said, “How about this – you can choose anyone in the ink shop. If you can beat them in ink identification, then you’ll qualify to seek guidance from me.” Zhen Niang’s lips curved upward in a way that seemed quite arrogant to Ren Jiying Song.

Ren Jiying Song pondered this. This Miss Li was playing it cleverly – this way, things wouldn’t go according to his plan. He couldn’t help but take it seriously. A master’s skill shows at first touch and Miss Li’s move has completely disrupted his calculations. At the same time, he secretly wondered if the Li family was setting some kind of trap for him.

While thinking, Ren Jiying Song carefully examined everyone in the Li family ink shop.

Manager Zheng Fuli was reportedly an ink craftsman himself. Then there was Master Qin, one of the prominent ink craftsmen in Nanjing. During this period, craftsmen from other ink shops had all shown their hands, but Master Qin had remained as steady as a fisherman on his perch, making it truly difficult for Ren Jiying Song to read.

Even Sun Wenjie, who was checking materials at the side – Ren Jiying Song stared at him for a long while. Watching Sun Wenjie handle the materials, he had considerable experience with ink-making materials.

Normally, someone like Sun Wenjie would have been an easy target in Ren Jiying Song’s eyes, someone he could defeat at will. But now, even if he wanted to pick the easiest opponent, he wasn’t confident.

He feared falling into Li Zhen Niang’s trap.

At this moment, Ren Jiying Song’s gaze fell on Chou Po, who was sweeping in the corner.

Chou Po’s figure was already stooped, her sweeping movements slow and labored, occasionally stopping to rub her waist. Now, Ren Jiying Song’s eyes lit up with excitement, though he tried hard to suppress it, not wanting his excitement to show.

After a pause, he asked Zhen Niang, “Anyone currently in the ink shop is acceptable?”

“Of course, though the spectators outside don’t count,” Zhen Niang said with a faint smile.

“Good, then I want to compete with her,” Ren Jiying Song pointed at Chou Po, who was still sweeping.

Being pointed at by Ren Jiying Song, Chou Po’s face showed confusion and bewilderment.

Watching from the side, Zhen Niang inwardly praised Chou Po’s acting skills – in modern times, she would surely win Best Supporting Actress.

Zheng Fuli became agitated: “Ren Ji, have you no shame? Chou Po is just a sweeping woman who happened to be cleaning here. How can you compete with her in ink identification? This doesn’t count – choose someone else.” Zheng Fuli appeared quite upset.

“That’s right! Japanese devil, don’t get cocky. If you’ve got skills, compete with young master me!” Sun Wenjie rolled up his sleeves and stood up, calling out to Ren Jiying Song.

“What’s this? Miss Zhen, is your Li family going back on their word? I just confirmed with Miss Zhen that anyone in the ink shop would do. Isn’t this woman currently in the ink shop? How is she not acceptable?” Ren Jiying Song’s lips curved upward, somewhat smugly.

Zhen Niang now furrowed her brows, appearing very troubled. Outside the shop, when the crowd heard Ren Jiying Song’s shameless declaration about competing with Chou Po in ink identification, they all started shouting: “We’ve seen shameless people before, but never anyone this shameless!”

However, Ren Jiying Song was completely unmoved by others’ words. He had made up his mind not to let Li Zhen Niang lead him by the nose, so he was determined to stick with choosing Chou Po.

“Are you certain? There’s still time to change your mind,” Zhen Niang said with utmost sincerity to Ren Jiying Song.

“I’m certain and won’t change my mind. I just hope Miss Zhen keeps her word,” Ren Jiying Song said, afraid she might go back on her word.

On the side, Luo Wenqian was speechless – his elderly aunt’s ink identification skills might even surpass Zhen Niang’s. Ren Jiying Song was too clever for his good – this was truly a case of digging one’s own grave. Luo Wenqian watched the show from the side while giving Zhen Niang a thumbs-up.

Zhen Niang remained completely calm. Hearing Ren Jiying Song’s words, she naturally stopped being polite.

“Chou Po, sorry to trouble you,” Zhen Niang said to Chou Po.

“What trouble? Just don’t blame me if you lose,” Chou Po replied irritably.

“How could we?” Zhen Niang said with a giggle.

By now, Ren Jiying Song somehow had an ominous feeling, though he couldn’t pinpoint its source.

And so began the ink identification competition between Chou Po and Ren Jiying Song.

In the first round, Chou Po merely warmed up, not yet using her skill of identifying ink through the pouch. She just glanced at the ink Ren Jiying Song presented and stated its origin, even naming its components with considerable accuracy.

Ren Jiying Song’s face changed color – he felt he might have hit a steel plate this time. He cursed himself inwardly, wondering what devil had possessed him to choose to compete with such a person. He feared he might capsize in these dark waters.

Of course, though thinking this, Ren Jiying Song wouldn’t admit defeat.

The identification continued, with Ren Jiying Song preparing something more difficult. He knew that for Huizhou ink craftsmen, scent was a crucial factor in ink identification. So, he simply put three types of ink in one fragrance pouch, mixing their scents. He believed this would make it harder for Chou Po to identify them.

But Ren Jiying Song underestimated her.

What kind of person was Chou Po? Having experienced life’s hardships, her mind was like a rock, possessing a wisdom that saw through worldly affairs. Now she naturally understood Ren Jiying Song’s intention. She couldn’t be bothered to make it complicated – she directly took the pouch, and without opening it to look at the ink inside, just weighed it in her hand and said: “One piece is Song dynasty Zhang Yu’s Dragon Fragrance Formula, one is Pan Yungu’s Nine Sons Ink, and one should be ink you made yourself three years ago.”

Chou Po spoke coldly.

“Identifying ink through the pouch!” Ren Jiying Song hadn’t expected this ancient skill to reappear in the Great Ming.

Now, his expression was extremely uncomfortable and serious.

At this point, he had no more heart to cause trouble at the Li family shop. He worried about the ink competition in a few days – with such an expert in the Li family, the outcome of the competition was uncertain.

Thus, though Ren Jiying Song’s face was unsightly, he still cupped his hands: “Competing in ink identification with the Li family – I was truly showing off before an expert. Farewell.” After speaking, Ren Jiying Song led his people away without looking back.

Immediately, the watching crowd burst into laughter – Ren Jiying Song had truly been sent away with his tail between his legs.

“Chou Po… what skill!” The crowd couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up to Chou Po.

Chou Po remained completely calm as if the ink identification competition had nothing to do with her. She put down the broom and went to the back courtyard to tend to the vegetables.