Zhenniang remained perfectly calm. Her actions weren’t born of nobility—she had simply felt it wasn’t appropriate at the time.
Firstly, the eighth and seventh branches had previously fought over the inheritance rights to the ink factory. If she had truly accepted the factory for herself, it wouldn’t matter now. But when Young Master You grew up, how could he be content?
At that time, the eighth branch would inevitably be accused of usurping the main line’s property—this was natural logic. Wouldn’t that just trigger another round of fighting? Often, it was precisely through such internal strife that family clans met their demise.
Therefore, after discussing it with Old Shopkeeper Li that day, she had written this official contract and submitted it to the magistrate’s office, planning to announce it only when Young Master You was older.
She hadn’t expected the Old Madam to know even about this.
“Even so, this doesn’t prove the eighth branch has no selfish motives,” Tian Shi persisted stubbornly. “Don’t forget, the victims of the tung oil poisoning incident are still being treated at the medicine hall. The ink factory’s accountants are still paying their medical bills without limit. Why should our ink factory bear the burden of the eighth branch’s troubles?”
Of course, she knew this must have been approved by the Old Madam. Her argument now was somewhat forced—she was just trying to prove she hadn’t been entirely wrong.
“Yes, Mother,” Han Li Shi chimed in. “Zhenniang did well, but that’s one matter and this is another. The eighth branch’s incident back then nearly destroyed the entire Li family. There’s no reason for the ink factory to cover for them like this—it’s unfair to the other branches. Moreover, regarding Zhenniang’s recent business with Huiyuan Money House—though there was no seizure, I feel this business isn’t reliable. The deal was originally signed between Zhenniang and Sun Baiyi, but will Madam Xu of Huiyuan Money House honor it? The payment is still outstanding. Even with Huiyuan Money House as collateral, Madam Xu Hai truly comes from a pirate background—if she refuses to honor it, we might not be able to do anything about it. I heard it’s over eight thousand taels—if we lose that, the Li family might never recover.”
Han Li Shi had come this time primarily to borrow money, besides visiting Old Madam Li. Now that the Li family had such a large outstanding payment, she was naturally very concerned.
“Hmph, I hadn’t gotten to dealing with you yet, but here you are, jumping out on your own,” Old Madam Li glared at Han Li shi.
“Elder Aunt, that money has already been collected,” Chen Shi smiled from the side.
“Really? Wasn’t it said to be unpaid?” Han Li Shi looked surprised. Since she was planning to borrow money, she had naturally investigated the family’s financial situation thoroughly. She had even asked Steward Shao at the ink factory, who had said this payment was still outstanding. Everyone at the factory was worried it would become another bad debt like previous uncollected payments, which would truly spell the end for Li Ink.
In business, the first fear is having no business; the second is getting caught up in unpaid debts.
Many future enterprises would be killed by triangular debt.
Chen Shi continued: “When Zhenniang made this deal, though she signed an unpaid contract with Sun Baiyi, that was just for show. She had already arranged with Madam Xu to have the payment handed directly to me. It was precisely because of this that I felt something was wrong and reported it to the Old Madam. That’s how the Old Madam was able to investigate and uncover that ungrateful wolf’s scheme. Otherwise, the Li family ink factory might have fallen into his hands—his plot was truly meticulous. One could say that in this incident, Zhenniang has rendered great service.”
Hearing Chen Shi’s explanation, everyone looked at Zhenniang in surprise. Although Zhenniang had initially exposed the hidden goods’ location, once the Old Madam appeared, everyone naturally assumed everything had been arranged between Chen Shi and Zhenniang as part of the Old Madam’s plan. They hadn’t imagined Zhenniang had any particular merit in this.
“Zhenniang, how did you know there was something suspicious about this business?” Elder Madam Huang asked curiously.
“Yes, Zhenniang,” Zhao Shi also looked puzzled, “have you become clairvoyant?”
“There’s nothing remarkable about it. When Manager Zheng first told me about this deal, I also thought it was excellent. However, I happened to know that Madam Xu Hai was behind Huiyuan Money House. She’s accustomed to maritime trade, so naturally, this ink would be sold across the Eastern and Western oceans. I thought about how, in recent years, Commander Qi had been effective in fighting the Japanese pirates, and coastal defenses had become strict. I was worried about ships running into trouble at sea and implicating the Li family. I initially didn’t want to do this business, but this deal could help the Li family shed its burdens and move forward unburdened. Moreover, overseas trade is a path all merchants want to open. Given this opportunity, I didn’t want to let it pass. So I went directly to Madam Xu Hai, intending to warn her not to rush into sea travel, to wait a couple of years until conditions improved—after all, ink isn’t perishable. But unexpectedly, when discussing this with Madam Xu, I discovered she knew nothing about this business. That’s when I set up the trap. Everything after that was the Old Madam’s achievement—I dare not take credit,” Zhenniang said modestly.
As for her early suspicions of Li Jincai, those came from the clan records’ foreknowledge, which wasn’t something she could explain.
“Oh, so that’s how it was.” Everyone found Zhenniang’s explanation reasonable.
“Regarding helping the eighth branch with medical expenses, that was my decision,” Old Madam Li continued. “Let’s not mention anything else—just this one business deal alone, as you know, was over eight thousand taels. Additionally, thanks to Zhenniang, Li Ink avoided a disaster. Therefore, these are all rightfully due to the eighth branch. If anyone objects, come speak to me directly.” The Old Madam coldly swept her gaze over Tian Shi and Han Li Shi.
Han Li Shi sheepishly fell silent, though she felt relieved—with such money available, she could now approach her mother about borrowing some.
She sat to the side, contemplating how to bring it up privately.
Tian Shi, by now, knew the situation was beyond salvaging. She moved her lips but ultimately said nothing.
“Tomorrow I’ll have the Tian family come to collect you, under the pretense of having you care for your mother. Everyone can save face this way. Take care of yourself from now on. If you truly face difficulties before remarrying, you’re still a Li family daughter-in-law—you can send word to me,” Old Madam Li added.
“Yes.” Seeing no way to change things, Tian Shi could only agree. Besides, she felt the Old Madam’s arrangement might not be such a bad thing. After all, no woman truly wishes to remain widowed without children.
Zhenniang watched from the side. Though the clan records indicated Tian shi would die soon after returning to the Tian family, the current situation had diverged greatly from the records—whether Tian shi would follow the same path upon returning was uncertain.
In the end, as Seventh Grandmother had advised, she would have to take care of herself.
“Additionally, I have another announcement to make,” Old Madam Li looked around at everyone.
Everyone focused on the Old Madam—today had brought too many events, one after another, almost overwhelming.
“When the Li family’s tribute ink incident occurred, though it was the eighth branch’s fault, it was also because Jingfu fell for the Luo family’s trick. The Luo family used this to seize the tribute ink rights. Now that the Luo family has vanished like smoke, there’s no need to dwell on past grievances. However, the eighth branch still needs to be addressed. Back then, the eighth branch exhausted its fortune to make amends, doing its best. The punishment then was perhaps too harsh. Now that Zhenniang has rendered great service in saving the ink factory from crisis, the eighth branch should be compensated…”
At this point, Old Madam Li paused, looking around at everyone, then at the Sixth Master and Li Jingdong. Both nodded.
A family’s leader must punish wrongdoing and reward merit.
It was only then that Zhenniang learned the ink incident had been due to the Luo family. Though, thinking about it, it made sense—after all when Li Ink lost its tribute ink rights, these rights fell to the Luo family, who benefited from it.
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but recall Luo Wenqian’s letter.
“Therefore, I’ve decided to return the eighth branch’s original two shares in the ink factory to them. Additionally, from our main line, we’ll give another share as Zhenniang’s dowry,” Old Madam Li said, then turned to Old Shopkeeper Li: “Eighth Uncle, what do you think of this? Li Ink is short of talent now—Eighth Uncle should put his experience to use. We’re old, our bodies aren’t what they used to be, but we can still guide the younger generation, don’t you think?”
Zhenniang was shocked. The Li family ink factory’s shares were divided into six shares to the main line, two to the ninth branch, one to the sixth branch, and the final share belonging to all Li clan members. This last share was tied to ancestral rules—any Li family member willing to work hard could find their livelihood at the ink factory.
At the same time, the income from this last share was used to build clan schools and charitable estates, or to support poor students from the clan in their studies—this was the foundation of a great clan’s lasting prosperity.
The Old Madam’s arrangement effectively gave three shares to the eighth branch. Of course, the final share belonging to all Li clan members was still controlled by the main line, but even so, the Li family’s eighth branch had become the second-largest shareholder in the ink factory.
The Old Madam’s gesture was significant.
Zhenniang couldn’t help but turn to look at her grandfather.
Old Shopkeeper Li’s eyes were red, his lips trembling slightly, clearly deeply moved.
Back then, because of his unfilial son, he had taken all responsibility. The Li family’s eighth branch had been expelled from Li Ink, and he couldn’t use his ink-making skills. Though the eighth branch hadn’t been expelled from the Li clan, the situation was practically the same—they were like rootless duckweed. These years had been bitter.
His deteriorating health in recent years was largely due to this pent-up frustration.
Now Old Madam Li’s words had brought justice to the eighth branch. The two shares themselves didn’t matter to him, but these shares had been left to him by the old master and represented the eighth branch’s position within the Li clan. Losing these shares meant he couldn’t face the old master even in death.
Now, regaining these two shares meant the Li family’s eighth branch was returning to Li Ink.
Li Jinshui could finally stand in the ink business again—how could he not be overwhelmed with emotion?
While Zhenniang understood her grandfather’s emotions, she also marveled at the Old Madam’s harsh measures back then.
The situation then was understandable—the old master was gravely ill, and Li Ink was in turmoil with unstable morale. Back then, Li Jinshui’s excellent ink-making skills gave him great prestige in the factory. To eliminate potential threats, combined with the fact that the eighth branch had indeed brought the Li clan to the brink of destruction due to Jingfu’s actions, the Old Madam naturally had to take harsh measures. No one could blame her.
But for Old Shopkeeper Li, the burden had been too heavy.
Seeing Old Shopkeeper Li’s state made his feelings clear. Old Madam Li turned to Wu Shi, who had come with him: “Eighth Sister-in-law, go home and have the children prepare. I’ve had my eldest daughter-in-law clean up the rooms in the ancestral home. You should all move back—a family should be together. Old Nine is gone, and time is short. In the future, we can invite Old Nine’s wife, and we three old ladies can play mahjong together, how about that?”
Back then, when the Li family’s eighth branch was expelled from the ink business, Old Master Li, being a proud man, had naturally moved out of the ancestral home.
“Yes, yes, yes…” Wu Shi kept wiping her tears and nodding repeatedly, only able to respond with continuous agreement. Actually, according to her original thinking, she shouldn’t let her Seventh Sister-in-law have her way so easily. But when it came to speaking, all that came out were straightforward agreements.
“Good, good!” Old Madam Li nodded with a hearty laugh.