The night was falling.
Zhenniang sat in the courtyard twisting lamp wicks while casually chatting with Ugly Po about the Wang family’s affairs. These past few days, the Wang family’s troubles had caused quite a commotion. The Li family had originally planned to return to Huizhou in a few days, but given the current situation, they couldn’t just leave immediately—they had to stay and see how things would unfold.
At this moment, that rascal Er’gou was trying to sneak out with a shifty expression, while Hua’er was coming over with some watermelon slices. Seeing Er’gou trying to leave from afar, she called out with a “pie” sound: “Brother Er’gou, where are you going?”
Hearing Hua’er’s call, Er’gou’s extended foot withdrew, and he replied irritably: “What, what? Young miss, why are you being so nosy? Look, with all this trouble at Sifang Bank, Manager Luo hasn’t been seen for days. I’m going to gather some news.”
“Well then, I’ll go with you.” Hua’er put down the watermelon, flashed Er’gou a grin, and quickly ran to catch up.
“Must you be like this?” Er’gou rubbed his nose and looked up at the sky.
“Of course! I’m going to help gather information for my cousin,” Hua’er invoked Zhenniang’s name.
“Fine, let’s go then,” Er’gou mumbled, though judging by his secretly pleased expression, he was enjoying it.
Zhenniang was secretly amused on the side. Since New Year’s, she had understood that Hua’er and Er’gou had taken a liking to each other.
Moreover, since Er’gou was quite the sweet talker, Hua’er naturally had to keep a close eye on him, and thus such scenes frequently played out at the Li Ink Workshop.
Even Ugly Po teased them at this point: “Don’t worry, Hua’er, that boy has mischievous thoughts but no guts to act on them.”
“Ugly Po…” Hua’er stamped her foot, her face bright red: “You’re making fun of me.” Then she turned and ran after Er’gou until they both disappeared.
“This time, when you return to Huizhou in a few days, I’ll go with you. Then, I need to ask someone to go to your Uncle Jingming’s house to propose marriage for Er’gou,” Ugly Po said, watching them leave. Er’gou was raised by her since childhood, practically like her own grandson.
“Mm. Don’t worry, Grand-aunt. Wenqian has already discussed it with me. He’ll handle the marriage proposal,” Zhenniang said. Due to his relationship with Ugly Po, Luo Wenqian and Er’gou had become sworn brothers. Therefore, Wenqian naturally needed to help manage Er’gou’s affairs.
As for Uncle and Aunt Li Jingming, although they initially looked down on Er’gou’s background, he had proven himself capable. Now at the Li family, he was not only the master craftsman at the incense workshop but also managed shipping matters, quite trusted by the family.
Of course, most importantly, Hua’er and Er’gou had taken to each other, so Aunt Jingming had tacitly approved. They were just waiting for Er’gou’s side to make the formal proposal.
Just then, a commotion arose from Official Street outside.
“Luo, don’t think we don’t know what you’re up to! You’re just trying to take advantage of this crisis, aren’t you? No way! If you don’t give us an explanation for today’s events, we won’t let you off. Worst comes to worst, we’ll just raid Yihou Bank. Let’s see how you handle that!” Shouts came from the street outside.
“What’s going on?” Zhenniang frowned, then said to Ugly Po: “Grand-aunt, I’ll go take a look.”
With that, Zhenniang went out.
At this time, Official Street was brightly lit on both sides, especially around the entrance of Yihou Bank, which was surrounded by people. Among them were several young masters who appeared to be from wealthy families, shouting with their servants at Yihou Bank’s entrance.
The guards of Yihou Bank were all stationed at the entrance, glaring at the crowd.
“What are you all glaring for? Are you stupid? Who are you people? You’re supposed to protect the bank, and now people are causing trouble at the bank’s entrance, you’re just going to stare? Beat them! If they don’t scatter, arrest them and send them to the authorities. The charge will be attempted bank robbery.” At this moment, Luo Wenqian rushed out from the back courtyard, his usual refined manner replaced with a fierce expression as he ordered the guards at the entrance.
The guards had been irritated by these young masters for some time, but since these people were all from the Wang and Hu families and were relatives of Manager Luo, they hadn’t dared to act. Now with Luo Wenqian’s orders, they charged into the crowd, their clubs swinging nonstop.
“Luo, you dare?” The Wang and Hu family young masters were startled by the guards’ wolf-like ferocity, shouting as they fled.
“What wouldn’t I dare? You’re the ones trying to rob my Yihou Bank. Even if you report to the authorities, you’ll be the ones going to jail,” Luo Wenqian leaned against the doorframe with a mocking expression, causing the Hu and Wang young masters to gnash their teeth in hatred.
However, after being beaten by Yihou Bank’s guards, their arrogance was suppressed. Being quite fond of their lives, they each threw out threats about revenge being a dish best served cold before scattering and fleeing.
Only then did Luo Wenqian call for Luo Ping’an and Wu Zi, hurriedly leaving. He had been so busy these past few days that Zhenniang could barely catch a glimpse of him.
“Sister Ping’an, what was that all about just now?” Zhenniang entered Yihou Bank’s back courtyard and asked Sister Ping’an.
“Those were people from the Hu family and the Wang family from Huizhou, all heartless creatures. I heard from Wu Zi’s father that a few days ago, the Hu family sent people, and yesterday, people from the Wang family in Huizhou also arrived, all rushing here on horseback, demanding to withdraw their shares from Sifang Bank. The bank is sealed—how could they withdraw shares now? But the Hu and Wang families aren’t easy to deal with. Unable to get their money from the bank, they turned their attention to Chairman Wang’s home. In just one night yesterday, Chairman Wang’s home lost over ten antiques. Wenqian was furious and directly sealed the doors, only then finding the items when searching for those people. The Hu and Wang families couldn’t bear the loss of face, so they came making trouble. They deliberately accused our Ninth Uncle of trying to take advantage of the crisis. Truth be told, Sifang Bank is a huge pit right now—our Yihou Bank wouldn’t even look at it. It’s only because Ninth Uncle encountered trouble in Shizhou before, and Chairman Wang helped Yihou Bank then. Otherwise, Ninth Uncle wouldn’t bother with all this.” Sister Ping’an rattled off the explanation, her face full of anger.
So that was it—a classic case of pushing down a falling wall. Zhenniang coldly snorted.
“Cousin, Cousin, Aunt Wang is here to see you,” At this moment, Hua’er had returned sometime and found her way to Yihou Bank.
“Aunt Wang is here? Let’s go.” Zhenniang hurriedly left Yihou Bank to return home. After all, this Aunt Wang was Luo Wenqian’s elder—it wouldn’t be good to keep her waiting. Only, she wondered what Aunt Wang wanted to see her about at this hour?
Entering the Li Ink Workshop, Zhenniang saw Aunt Wang sitting on a rattan chair in the back courtyard tea room, slowly sipping tea. Not having seen Aunt Wang for some time, she now appeared much older. She was now noticeably lacking in energy, her eyes clouded and unfocused.
As for Ugly Po, she sat on the corridor to the side, seemingly ignoring Aunt Wang’s presence as she continued with her work.
Aunt Wang didn’t mind this—the grudge between their families was what it was. Although they had been close friends in the past, the current situation had a flavor of forgetting each other by the river.
“Aunt, you must take care of your health.” Zhenniang sat in the lower position, expressing her concern. After all, Aunt Wang didn’t look well.
“Zhenniang, I’ve come this time to ask for your help,” Aunt Wang then said, getting straight to the point.
“What help? Please tell me, Aunt,” Zhenniang asked.
“I want to request that you go to Uncle Wenqian’s home to help look after things—to be direct, to help manage the household for Uncle Wenqian’s wife for a while,” Aunt Wang said.
“Would that be appropriate?” Zhenniang hadn’t expected Aunt Wang to make such a request.
“This is not appropriate. The Luo and Wang families are hereditary enemies. Wenqian is helping because Wang Sifang is his maternal uncle—that bit of family obligation must be acknowledged. Moreover, Wang Sifang is the chairman of the Hui Merchants Association, and Sifang Bank is crucial to the development of all Hui merchants. Much of the money there belongs to various Hui merchant families, which is why Wenqian stepped in to help Sifang Bank control the situation—that was a decision made by the Hui Merchants Association. As for Zhenniang, there’s no need for her to wade into these troubled waters,” Ugly Po coldly interjected.
Sifang Bank was now entangled with the Wang family of Huizhou, the Hu family of Nanjing, plus various Hui merchant families. Needless to say, Wang Sifang’s household must be in complete chaos. No matter how capable Zhenniang was, she was still just a young woman. Going to help manage Uncle Wenqian’s household in the current situation would be incredibly difficult—naturally, she had to prevent this.
Then, Ugly Po couldn’t help but add sarcastically: “How is it that you, as their aunt, can’t handle matters that you want a junior to step in?”
“Mengzhen, let’s not speak such bitter words. If it weren’t necessary, I wouldn’t have the face to make this request. The situation with the Wang family really couldn’t be worse. Sifang is still unconscious, and after holding on for several days, Wenqian’s aunt Madam Hu has also fallen ill, still in a daze. Only I and Wang Wan’er are looking after everything at home. But Wan’er has never had to lift a finger before, and she has to take care of her younger brother Qing’guan while also attending to her parents. The poor girl has had such a difficult time these past few days. Now with the Hu and Wang families causing trouble at home every day, that girl really can’t handle it. As for me, being a Wang family daughter, after all, the Hu family won’t accept my authority. Only Zhenniang—now that Wenqian and Hu Zonglin have gotten the bank situation under control, she has some authority. It would be much better for her to manage the inner household. Moreover, Zhenniang is still an Imperial Princess’s Honoured Guest, which can help maintain order,” Aunt Wang explained.
Hearing Madam Wang’s words, Ugly Po looked at Zhenniang, not having realized the Wang family’s situation had become so bad. She exchanged a glance with Zhenniang.
Zhenniang now understood that it would be difficult to refuse Aunt Wang’s request, so she nodded: “Aunt, I’ll go.”
“Zhenniang, thank you.” Hearing Zhenniang’s agreement, Aunt Wang breathed a sigh of relief.
Wang Sifang and Wenqian’s mother were raised by her since childhood—that feeling was different from other Wang family juniors.
“Aunt, I don’t deserve such thanks,” Zhenniang quickly said.
Zhenniang’s agreement wasn’t entirely because of Aunt Wang’s request—more importantly, the earlier disturbance by the Hu and Wang families at Yihou Bank had genuinely angered her. At this point, she naturally wanted to help Brother Luo share some of the burden.
“However, Aunt, when necessary, I’ll still need your support from behind the scenes,” Zhenniang said. Aunt Wang mainly couldn’t come forward directly to manage things because of her Wang family identity, which could easily draw attacks. But her seniority was established—Wang Sifang and Madam Hu had always treated her as a mother, often coming to stay with her for periods. So with her status, there would be no problem supporting Zhenniang from behind the scenes.
“Since this old woman has come to ask for your help, I naturally won’t wash my hands of it. Don’t worry,” Aunt Wang nodded.