Sun Dahe, the deputy manager of the ink workshop and Yue Juan’s father, listened as Zhenniang expressed her wish to obtain lamps and tung oil to bring materials home.
Sun Dahe was aware of the recent events in Zhenniang’s family. He had heard that the old shopkeeper had pawned their parents’ coffin boards, so he understood the Li family’s current hardships.
Although the old shopkeeper had conflicts with the main branch, he believed there shouldn’t be any issue with the younger generation earning an honest living through hard work.
Despite Yue Juan’s endless praise of Zhenniang, Sun Dahe was somewhat skeptical about the lamp-lighting skills. However, with the old shopkeeper’s presence in their family, he figured there wouldn’t be any problems.
So he agreed to be Zhenniang’s guarantor and took her to collect the materials.
“Thank you, Uncle Sun,” Zhenniang followed behind, smiling and expressing her gratitude.
“No need to be so formal. We’ve been neighbors for many years. I still hope to visit your father for drinks someday,” Sun Dahe joked.
“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, Uncle Sun. My father ran off to Hankou and was driven out by my grandfather,” Zhenniang replied.
Hearing this, Sun Dahe said nothing but nodded inwardly. As expected of the old shopkeeper – he had finally made the tough decision. Jingfu had indeed been living quite disgracefully these years, and now his daughter had to work to support the family.
As they chatted, they arrived at the ink workshop’s material storage room.
“Manager Zheng, I’m bringing someone to collect a hundred oil lamps and twenty jin of tung oil to bring materials home,” Sun Dahe addressed a middle-aged man dressed as an accountant.
“Deposit,” Manager Zheng said curtly, looking first at Sun Dahe, then at Zhenniang.
Upon hearing about the deposit, Zhenniang thought to herself, “This is bad.” Her family couldn’t afford any deposit right now. She glanced anxiously at Sun Dahe.
“I’ll be the guarantor and sign for it. Would that work?” Sun Dahe stepped forward. Manager Zheng was Assistant Manager Shao’s son-in-law, known for his stern manner, so Sun Dahe tried to be accommodating.
“Your guarantee? Can you guarantee that much? Your two sons have each taken a hundred oil lamps home, and now you’re guaranteeing for someone else? If there’s any loss, it’s not just about money – it could delay production schedules. Not possible,” Manager Zheng waved his hand dismissively.
“But… wasn’t it said that Li family descendants don’t need deposits?” Sun Dahe said helplessly. Originally, knowing the strained relationship between the old shopkeeper and the main branch, he had wanted to avoid complications by concealing that Zhenniang was the old shopkeeper’s granddaughter.
However, with Manager Zheng’s current stance, there was no way to hide it anymore.
“Oh, you’re a Li family descendant? Which branch?” Manager Zheng’s expression softened somewhat upon hearing this, directing his question at Zhenniang.
“Eighth Uncle’s branch. My grandfather is Li Jinshui,” Zhenniang answered clearly. She understood Sun Dahe’s earlier good intentions, but now that things had come to this point, she couldn’t back down. She was representing the eighth branch now and couldn’t lose face.
In Zhenniang’s grandfather’s generation, the Li family had thirteen brothers counting both legitimate and illegitimate sons. However, many died young or in accidents. Now, besides the deceased Seventh Master from the main branch, only Sixth Uncle, Eighth Uncle (Zhenniang’s grandfather Li Jinshui), and Ninth Uncle remained, all born to concubines.
Sixth Uncle Li Jintai, after the passing of the Li family’s patriarch and matriarch, had chosen only a rural estate during the family division and lived as a wealthy farmer. He had three daughters, with the two elder ones married off with flourishing families of their own. Only the youngest daughter, being too gentle-natured, concerned him. Fearing she might suffer in marriage, he arranged for her to take in a husband at eighteen. Though from a poor family, the young man was hardworking and had given them a grandson, ensuring the sixth branch’s continuation. Sixth Uncle lived contentedly, occasionally visiting relatives with sweet potatoes or corn.
Eighth Uncle represented Zhenniang’s branch. It was said he had received a good portion of the family fortune during the division, but when the tribute ink incident occurred, Li Jinshui sold part of it to compensate the main branch’s losses, while the rest was squandered by her gambling-addicted father.
Among all branches, none were worse off or more despised than the eighth branch.
Ninth Uncle Li Jinhe held shares in the ink workshop and helped Seventh Madam manage the ink shop. He had one son and one daughter. His son Li Jingdong had worked alongside Seventh Master and was also beaten during the tribute ink incident, leaving his legs crippled. Later, through Seventh Madam’s introduction, he entered the renowned Huang family of carvers, learned the craft, and married a Huang daughter. He was now the chief board carver at the ink workshop.
From this perspective, Li Jingdong had also been a victim of Zhenniang’s father’s actions, which explained why the eighth and ninth branches had severed all ties these years.
Now, upon hearing that Zhenniang was from the eighth branch, Manager Zheng’s expression darkened again. “No, you can’t collect materials.”
“Why can’t I?” Zhenniang asked with furrowed brows.
“You probably don’t know, but your grandfather was expelled from the ink workshop and swore never to touch ink again in his lifetime. A person without credibility cannot stand. You should go back and ask your grandfather. Back then, he even tampered with the tribute ink in his attempt to seize control of the workshop, ultimately leading to the Seventh Master’s death and Jingdong’s disability. Have you forgotten all this?” Manager Zheng said contemptfully.
Zhenniang knew that her grandfather had taken the blame to protect her father from exposure, which led everyone to believe he had intentionally caused the tribute ink incident.
Though she now knew the truth, too much time had passed, and explaining would be meaningless.
However, regardless of the circumstances, this was a matter between elders, a Li family internal affair, and an outsider had no right to comment.
“I, as a junior, have no right to question the affairs of our elders’ generation. I only ask you this: Has my grandfather been expelled from the Li clan? Am I still a Li family descendant?” Zhenniang pressed forward with her questions.
Manager Zheng hadn’t expected Zhenniang’s sharp retort and found himself momentarily embarrassed.
“Of course, she’s a Li family descendant. No one can deny that.” Just then, an elderly voice spoke up. The speaker was a man in his sixties.
Everyone around bowed in greeting: “Greetings, Manager Shao.”
Zhenniang turned to look at him. This Manager Shao’s family had served the Li family for generations and was now practically indistinguishable from Li family members. He currently enjoyed Seventh Madam’s complete trust and managed all affairs of the ink workshop.
His status in the Li family was no lower than that of the uncles.
“Greetings, Manager Shao!” Zhenniang gave a slight bow. As a Li family servant, he was addressed as Manager by all Li family members.
“No need for formalities, Miss Zhenniang.” Manager Shao acknowledged with a slight nod.
“The Li family precepts state: The ink business exists for the descendants’ benefit. All Li descendants, regardless of legitimacy or closeness, can earn their living at the ink workshop as long as they’re willing to work. So, Manager Shao, is there anything improper about my collecting lamp-making materials?” Zhenniang continued.
“There is nothing improper. Miss Zhenniang need only sign her name to collect the materials,” Manager Shao replied.
“Thank you, Manager Shao.” Zhenniang bowed. Regardless of circumstances, she couldn’t skimp on proper courtesy given Manager Shao’s dedication to the Li family. Someone then led her away to collect the materials.
“Father-in-law, I think the eighth branch must have ill intentions,” Manager Zheng said to Manager Shao after Zhenniang left. This Manager Zheng was indeed Manager Shao’s son-in-law.
“Nonsense! How dare you speak like that? Who are you to judge? No matter what, Miss Zhenniang is a Li family member. It’s not your place to criticize,” Manager Shao rebuked harshly.
“I was just speaking up for the main branch,” Manager Zheng defended himself. Then he asked, “By the way, Father-in-law, when she brings the materials in a few days, how should I receive them?”
“What do you mean how? Receive them as you should! Do I need to teach you how to receive materials?” Manager Shao stormed off in anger.
Watching Manager Shao’s departing figure, Manager Zheng stood dazed for a while before his eyes suddenly lit up: “Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!”
Everyone knew Eighth Uncle’s character – having sworn to leave the ink business, he would never touch it again. In the Li family, besides the Eighth Uncle, Li Jingfu was a drunk and gambler, and Li Dalang only had brute strength, unsuited for lamp-making work.
Therefore, how could anyone from the eighth branch produce sufficient high-quality lamp materials? According to the rules, when Miss Zhenniang failed to deliver, she would not only have to pay compensation but would also lose the work opportunity. Even Eighth Uncle would lose face completely. This would kill several birds with one stone.