That evening, Zhen Niang discussed with Madam Huang what Madam Fang had said.
“This matter happened quite a while ago, I truly don’t remember much about it,” Madam Huang frowned, thinking hard for a while before suddenly clapping her hands lightly. “Ah, I seem to recall something. Back when your Uncle Jingquan and Cousin Zhengxuan met with misfortune, someone from Nanjing sent an urgent letter. However, at that time, with such a major crisis in the family, it was as if the sky had fallen. No one paid attention to what was happening in Nanjing.”
“So it’s possible that Uncle Jingquan and Cousin Zhengxuan’s situation caused us to neglect matters in Nanjing?” Zhen Niang asked.
“Yes, probably.” Madam Huang nodded, though still seeming uncertain. She then continued, “Let’s do this, Zhen Niang. Put aside the matters with your Uncle Jingming for now and focus on getting Mo Zhuang up and running. I’ll need to send a letter to your Seventh Grand-aunt to inquire about what happened back then. Let’s understand the situation first. After all, we’re family—it’s better to resolve things peacefully than let them become rigid.”
“Yes, that’s fine,” Zhen Niang nodded.
Second Aunt’s suggestion aligned with Zhen Niang’s thoughts. Regardless of everything else, Uncle Jingming’s family had been watching over this portion of the family business in Nanjing as part of the main branch. Although their intentions might not be entirely pure, the situation hadn’t yet reached an irreparable state.
For both the scholarly class and common people alike, maintaining proper family relations was a standard by which they were judged.
Li Mo wanted to develop in Nanjing, and it wouldn’t be wise to start by targeting their people. That would appear heartless to outsiders and wouldn’t benefit either her or Li Mo’s development.
Of course, if it became necessary, they would have to cut ties decisively, like a warrior severing a damaged limb. But clearly, that wasn’t necessary yet.
These matters could be left to the Second Aunt to handle. The situation with Inspector Ge, however, needed attention.
“Xiao Ya,” After some thought, Zhen Niang beckoned Xiao Ya over.
“Miss, what is it?” Xiao Ya put down her needlework and came over. Zhen Niang’s handiwork skills were quite poor, so all her intimate apparel was made by Xiao Ya.
“Go find Er Gou and have him investigate where those two proprietors who moved their goods from our warehouse have stored their merchandise now,” Zhen Niang instructed.
“Yes, Miss, I’ll go right away.” Xiao Ya responded and quickly ran off.
“What’s this about? Why investigate that?” Madam Huang asked from the side.
“When I arrived, Seventh Grand-aunt told me that while we shouldn’t harbor intentions to harm others, we must stay vigilant. Inspector Ge has been helping Uncle Jingming’s family so enthusiastically—who would believe there’s no ulterior motive? Ge wants to make money. He waived the warehouse tax for those two businesses, but I interrupted his plans. However, since he made promises to those merchant houses, their owners will hold him responsible. So, I suspect Ge must have found another place for them to store their goods. I don’t plan to do anything for now, but I want to keep the information in hand.”
“Yes, that makes sense.” Madam Huang nodded, then looked at Zhen Niang with interest.
“What is it, Second Aunt?” Zhen Niang felt strange under Madam Huang’s gaze.
“You’re such a clever girl—your future husband will surely be wrapped around your finger,” Madam Huang teased.
This kind of joke was far from making Zhen Niang blush. She blinked, thought for a moment, and nodded quite seriously: “Yes, that’s necessary.”
Madam Huang hadn’t expected such a response from Zhen Niang and couldn’t help but laugh.
In her heart, she felt that the eighth branch’s daughter was truly exceptional. If she were in Zhen Niang’s position, talk of future husbands would either cause embarrassment or dejection. After all, Zhen Niang’s reputation had been affected, and as a woman in business, most families wouldn’t consider her a suitable daughter-in-law.
While her visit this time was partly to support Zhen Niang, her other purpose was to try to find a good match for her.
Madam Huang thought that tomorrow when she attended the gathering of ladies at her sister-in-law’s invitation, she could explore whether there might be any suitable young men.
Zhen Niang was unaware of Madam Huang’s thoughts. Seeing that night had fallen deeply outside the building, she bid farewell and returned to her room to rest.
The rain lasted until the second half of the night before stopping. The next day, the morning mist was particularly heavy, not dispersing until near the end of the Chen hour when warm sunlight spread across the sky. Taking advantage of the good weather, Zhen Niang planned to investigate the various Mo Zhuang shops—knowing both oneself and the enemy ensures victory in every battle.
The Mo Zhuang shops in Nanjing were mainly located on Official Street and the streets inside the Qinhuai River area, all around the Jubao Gate. Zhen Niang didn’t call for a carriage, instead walking with Xiao Ya and bringing Hua Er as a guide.
After casually browsing several ink shops, she found a few premium products. Generally, all the ink shops had been significantly affected by the Pine Plague. Only some Four Treasures pavilions that had brought ink from Huizhou showed some bright spots.
Now, with Hui ink on the rise, other inks inevitably declined—this was an inevitable result.
Zhen Niang was now browsing in a Four Treasures pavilion, which had a relatively complete ink selection, with products from various Huizhou manufacturers.
“Miss, are you buying ink?” a shop assistant greeted her.
“I’m just looking around, no need to attend to me,” Zhen Niang replied.
“Alright, have a look around, and call if you need anything.” The shop assistant responded.
Zhen Niang nodded. The assistant left to work with the other staff.
Just then, the sound of firecrackers came from not far ahead. Afterward, the shop assistants could be heard chatting.
“The Tian family’s ink shop is opening. They have strong capital—I heard they directly took over the Wei family’s shop from Songjiang. It’s efficient; it’s only been a few days, and they’re already open for business.”
“What? The Wei family from Songjiang is withdrawing from the Nanjing market?” another assistant asked in surprise.
“What choice do they have? Because of last year’s pine plague, the ink industry is at a low point. The Wei family has been barely hanging on these past few years. Now that the Tian family is coming in with their tribute ink status, the Wei family is taking the opportunity to withdraw from the Nanjing market to focus on maintaining their market share in Songjiang.”
“That makes sense,” another assistant agreed.
“So now it’s just the Zhu family competing with the Tian family?” an assistant asked.
“I don’t think the Zhu family stands a chance. Haven’t you heard? Today at the Tian family’s opening, all ink products are being sold at half price—half price! They’re selling at a loss. Look now, all the ink customers have gone to the Tian family’s shop. I heard this price will be maintained for some time. Can the Zhu family sustain such a price war? Watch, it won’t be long before the Zhu family has to pack up and leave.”
“So will the Tian family dominate the Nanjing ink market then?” another assistant asked.
“Not necessarily. I heard Li Mo has also come to Nanjing. Last year, when I went to Huizhou with the owner to get stock, I heard the Tian family suffered a major loss at Li’s hands. In the end, they had to ask the Li family to help remake their batch of tribute ink, or else the Tian family would have been in big trouble.” The previous assistant lowered his voice conspiratorially.
Though he was just putting on an act—his voice hadn’t gotten any quieter.
“Hey, hey, do you know who Li Mo’s manager is?” That assistant continued with an air of someone in the know.
“Someone from the Li family, of course.” Another assistant replied irritably.
“Bah, everyone knows it’s someone from the Li family, but you don’t know this—the Li family’s manager is a young lady, and I heard she was the one whose engagement was broken off by the Tian family’s eldest young master. This will be interesting to watch.”
“Really? A young lady as manager?” Hearing this, everyone around grew curious—it was quite rare for a young lady to be in charge.
“This isn’t false, just watch and see.” The previous assistant said proudly.
“Such gossip from grown men.” Xiao Ya, standing to the side, was naturally unhappy hearing the assistant talking about her miss and spat out these words distastefully.
“Let’s go,” Zhen Niang pulled her along. There would be plenty more such idle talk in the future. As a woman in business, it was bound to draw criticism. There was no need to care about it; better to let it pass like the wind.
That said, what the assistant said was largely correct.
As they left, both young maids couldn’t help but glare at the assistants, leaving them puzzled about how they had offended their customers, making them somewhat uneasy.
Zhen Niang followed the sound of firecrackers to the Tian family’s ink shop entrance. Indeed, the half-price advantage was very obvious, and with the reputation of tribute ink, the store was now packed with customers buying ink.
The Tian family’s strategy had always been this aggressive, whether it was when they initially selected tribute ink or now.
The Tian family was using their financial advantage to crush other ink shops and quickly occupy the Nanjing market. This strategy was sound. Zhen Niang contemplated how Li Mo should respond.
As she thought about this, she walked back along the inner street of the Huai River bank, which, like the street opposite, was lined with willow trees, their long branches now full of green leaves.
Luo Jiu was lounging against the riverbank opposite the street, watching the pleasure boats glide like shuttles on the Huai River, with the sound of silk and bamboo instruments continuously reaching his ears. Occasionally, some courtesans from the pleasure boats would wave their handkerchiefs at him, inviting him aboard.
Luo Jiu had no interest in such things. In his younger, more frivolous days, he might have felt pleased with himself, but after his family’s sudden changes, such worldly vanities had long since settled heavily in his eyes, making his will as firm as steel.
Back then, when he left Huizhou, he had even resorted to begging for food along the way, sometimes even fighting with dogs for scraps. He finally managed to follow a group of people beyond the passes, to a place very different from his former home in Huizhou.
Huizhou had always been somewhat poetic and picturesque, with every scene and object tending toward refinement, and people’s interactions being subtle and respectful. But beyond the passes was crude—even cursing involved pushing and hitting, sometimes drawing knives. Human interactions seemed to be straightforward: if it works, it works; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Etiquette could exist there but wasn’t necessary. What was truly necessary was strength.
Through his struggles, he had indeed eaten much bitterness. But only by tasting life’s bitterest experiences can one rise above others. Only now did he understand that back in Huizhou, he had been merely a delicate scholar living in a honey jar, while now he was truly a capable man of the northern lands.
With such a mindset, how could he be tempted by ordinary courtesans? When the pleasure boat courtesans received no response to their several attempts at enticement, they couldn’t help but curse a few times in embarrassment, though their curses were so gentle they sounded more like flirting.
While beyond the passes, even flirting sounded like cursing.
Thinking of this, Luo Jiu found it quite amusing. He then turned around to watch the people coming and going on this street lined with shops, and couldn’t help but feel a surge of ambition.
Nanjing, Nanjing—this should be the place where he, Luo Jiu, would establish himself.
Just as he was thinking this, he unexpectedly caught sight of a somewhat familiar figure not far ahead.
“Impossible, must be seeing things?” Luo Jiu muttered, then straightened up and looked carefully in that direction, before squinting and smiling: “It really is her, I wasn’t wrong.”
Thinking this, Luo Jiu crossed the street from afar and stood under the row of willow trees.
Zhen Niang was still thinking about countermeasures. The Tian family’s price war was something the Li family couldn’t afford to fight either, but there were still ways to handle it…
Xiao Ya and Hua Er followed her, but their eyes were fixed on a man ahead. He wore a cyan robe, his black hair casually tied with a headband, standing there with a lazy air about him, though his eyes showed a sharp brightness. To the two maids’ eyes, this man seemed of good character, though his only flaw was that his skin looked a bit dark.
Of course, this wasn’t the reason for the two maids’ staring. What made them stare was that this person was blocking their path.
“What a coincidence. When did you come to Nanjing?” A male voice suddenly rang out from nearby.
“Hmm.” Zhen Niang was startled by the voice, abandoning her thoughts and looking up, only then seeing a man in cyan robes ahead. Hmm, he seemed somewhat familiar.
“What? Don’t recognize me? Have I changed that much?” The man asked somewhat self-mockingly.
“Ah…” Zhen Niang couldn’t help but point at the man, blinking as she said: “It’s Young Master Luo.” Now Zhen Niang recognized him—this man was Luo Wenqian who had gone beyond the passes to seek his fortune. He had indeed changed quite a bit; previously he had the appearance of a frivolous young master, seeming somewhat unserious, but now he had an air of stability and responsibility.
He had changed a lot.
“Indeed, I’ve changed quite a bit.” Zhen Niang spoke honestly, then remembering Luo Wenqian’s earlier question, she replied: “I’ve only just arrived in Nanjing recently. By the way, why did Young Master Luo suddenly come to Nanjing?” Zhen Niang asked, then suddenly remembering Luo Wenqian’s previous letter, she added: “Thank you for your guidance in your last letter.”
“I wouldn’t dare call it guidance. That letter was quite presumptuous. It was just that, being in a foreign land and suddenly hearing news from home, I couldn’t contain my emotions and wrote that letter. I hope Miss Li doesn’t mind.”
“Oh.” Zhen Niang nodded, naturally understanding. She knew that the Luo family now had no one left in Huizhou. She had heard that Miss Luo had also married into a family in Nanjing, so there was indeed no reason for Luo Wenqian to return to Huizhou.
“Oh, right, about that money—I’m still not in a good position to repay it,” Luo Wenqian suddenly spread his hands, remembering the money Zhen Niang had lent him.
Zhen Niang looked over Luo Wenqian more carefully. He wore an ordinary cyan robe and plain black cloth shoes—compared to his former appearance as Young Master Luo in Huizhou, his current attire was notably modest. It seemed he hadn’t made much fortune.
So she replied, “It’s fine, you can repay it whenever it’s convenient.”
She didn’t want to bring up the matter of the three percent interest—that had been a joke at the time. Thinking this, she asked, “What kind of business are you in now, Young Master Luo?”
To be honest, Luo Wenqian had a profound knowledge of ink-making. Zhen Niang suddenly had the thought that bringing him into the Li family’s ink business wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Moreover, historically, Luo ink ultimately left behind only one piece—the Spring Green ink cake. Everything else had vanished like smoke. If they could preserve something more, that would be quite worthwhile.
“Well, I’ve opened a small shop, making enough to get by,” Luo Wenqian replied casually.
“Oh, I see. That’s not bad.” Since Luo Wenqian had his own business, Zhen Niang couldn’t very well try to recruit him. How could she ask someone to close their shop to come work for Li Mo? It wouldn’t be appropriate.
The conversation seemed to have reached a natural end.
Just then, they heard a loud bang from not far away, followed by waves of screaming.
“Miss, someone jumped from a building!” Hua Er exclaimed, patting her chest with a terrified expression.