The next morning, Zhen Niang went early to pay respects to her Seventh Ancestral Mother.
Old Madam Li was delighted to see Zhen Niang and, holding her hand, inquired about the ink for the Shen family. Zhen Niang explained everything in detail.
“Excellent, excellent. With Master Shen’s ink evaluation, our chances for the tribute ink selection are very good,” Old Madam Li said.
Madam Chen agreed enthusiastically: “Indeed.” Her expression showed high regard for Zhen Niang. Yesterday, Madam Sun returned and told her about Sun Wenjie’s situation; regardless of anything else, this girl handled matters with remarkable prudence.
Speaking of tribute ink, Zhen Niang shared her concept for the Li Family Three Talents Ink with her Seventh Ancestral Mother.
“Good. If we can truly create this Three Talents Ink, the tribute ink selection will undoubtedly be ours,” Old Madam Li’s eyes showed determination. This time, the Tian family wouldn’t be able to use any underhanded methods – even if it cost her life, she would ensure justice prevailed.
Over the next few days, Zhen Niang and Old Master Li immersed themselves in work at the ink factory.
The essence of Three Talents lay in the binding and treatment of the glue. Glue served not only as an adhesive but its oxidation process was also crucial to the ink’s chemical properties.
Typically, the new ink’s cross-section appeared dry, resulting in dull writing. Only after seven or eight years would the ink color show its true quality. Aged ink’s cross-section appeared glossy and clean, producing brilliantly black characters – this was due to the glue’s oxidation over time.
Of course, high-quality new ink could achieve similar effects to aged ink. How? It all came down to the glue treatment.
The principle was similar to kneading dough.
Zhen Niang remembered from her future life how she loved her grandmother’s hand-pulled noodles. When making the dough, if kneaded all at once, the noodles would turn mushy when cooked. She recalled how her grandmother would knead the dough into a ball, let it rest, knead again, rest again, and repeat. This process made the noodles wonderfully chewy.
The same principle applied to treating ink glue – first binding, second binding, third binding, fourth binding, up to five or six bindings. This process ensured the thorough integration of glue and ink while accelerating the glue’s oxidation. Additionally, aged ink could be used as a catalyst.
For instance, when Su Shi made ink using Goryeo materials, he used Pan ink as a catalyst.
Of course, the temperature and timing throughout the binding process were critically important.
During these days, Zhen Niang stayed at the ink factory with her grandfather, who handled the binding while she monitored temperature and timing. Each binding required testing various temperatures and time intervals, demanding unwavering attention. Finally, by the twenty-third day of the twelfth month, the Li Family Six-Binding Ink was perfected, though it still needed to incorporate Pan and Luo ink techniques.
“Let’s continue,” Old Master Li said, hunched and coughing, unwilling to rest.
“Grandfather, tomorrow is Little New Year. Let’s rest for a few days and continue after the festival. It won’t matter much, and I’m getting exhausted,” Zhen Niang pleaded.
She wasn’t tired at all. As an ink enthusiast, she could have continued for another month. But while she could endure, her grandfather couldn’t.
The ink factory’s glue-boiling process produced heavy smoke, and her grandfather’s cough had worsened lately. His increasingly red cheeks were particularly concerning – such coloring in elderly people often indicated worsening lung problems. Knowing he wouldn’t listen to direct advice about his health, she pretended she needed to rest herself.
Hearing Zhen Niang’s words, Old Master Li understood his granddaughter’s intentions. Indeed, he felt his body couldn’t take much more strain. Rest would be good. He nodded, “Alright, let’s rest.”
Then, as if remembering something, he added, “Oh right, Wenqian said he’s sending New Year gifts tomorrow. From your father’s tone, it sounds like it will be quite elaborate. I’d like to see that.”
“Hehe,” Zhen Niang laughed innocently.
Li Jingfu and Luo Wenqian had arrived in Huizhou on the twenty-second day of the twelfth month.
The grandfather and granddaughter returned home, both covered in smoke from the factory. Zhen Niang took a proper bath to clean up.
The next morning, she indulged in sleeping in, but before she could get up, she heard a commotion outside. As she hurriedly dressed and finished washing up, five-year-old Xiao’er came running in, grinning from ear to ear: “Auntie, Auntie, Grandfather said we’re having pork feast today!”
“We don’t raise pigs, where would we get pork for a feast?” Zhen Niang asked, amused. Though the family never lacked meat, the boy had been obsessed with the idea of a pork feast since hearing Run’er talk about one at their country estate.
“We have pigs, two of them! Big and fat ones!” Xiao’er counted on his fingers.
“Two pigs? Where from?” Zhen Niang asked curiously.
“They were carried here!” Xiao’er laughed, still not explaining their origin.
“Stop bothering your aunt, go play with your uncle,” Madam Du came over and explained with a smile: “They’re from the Luo family – two pigs, chickens, ducks, and other gifts. Ten full sets of presents in total. We’ve never seen such elaborate New Year gifts before; the whole street is buzzing about it.”
Zhen Niang was stunned – these gifts seemed excessive, like burning money. Still, she felt sweetly pleased. Seeing her sister-in-law’s teasing look, she felt somewhat embarrassed.
“Your parents are overjoyed. You know how much gossip your mother endured over your engagement. Now she can finally hold her head high. Grandfather has decreed we’ll slaughter one pig today, along with some chickens and ducks, to host a feast for the ink factory workers and former neighbors. However, you should stay inside today to avoid any awkward attention,” Madam Du said. The first part expressed her true feelings, while the latter conveyed Madam Zhao’s message.
Zhen Niang nodded. This suited her, as she needed to work on ink line drawings. The drawings for the tribute ink selection required careful consideration.
By afternoon, Auntie Ma and Sister-in-law Huaide left the Li residence, thoroughly satisfied from the feast.
“Remember how you said Miss Tian was the lucky one, and that Zhen Niang’s engagement wasn’t good enough? Well, look now – Zhen Niang’s match turned out perfectly. Young Master Luo is truly generous. Marriages should be between equals, and though the Luo family fell on hard times, their young master proved himself worthy. They’re well-matched. Look at the Tian family – has there been any movement from the Xu family? It’s past Little New Year, and those who should have sent gifts haven’t. From a family like the Xus, they probably shouldn’t expect any New Year gifts at all,” Sister-in-law Huaide said.
“True enough. This fortune was originally meant for Miss Tian,” Auntie Ma had to admit, faced with the facts.
“Serves them right. As soon as the Luo family faced trouble, the Tian family disowned the engagement. Besides, the Tian family’s ink factory belonged to the Luo family – who knows what happened there,” Sister-in-law Huaide continued.
Just then, Auntie Ma spotted Tian Ronghua emerging from the medicine shop ahead. She appeared notably thinner than before, prompting a head shake: “The Tian family is plagued with troubles. I heard Old Master Tian had a stroke?”
“Indeed. He’s not young anymore, and he took such a young concubine. They say that Chunzhi is quite demanding, wearing him out night after night. They’re saying it was bedroom overexertion,” Sister-in-law Huaide shook her head.
Lust truly cuts to the bone…
At the Tian residence, Su Shi was holding a letter, beaming with joy as she addressed Second Young Master Tian: “Thank you, Second Young Master! This servant kowtows to you!” She moved to kneel.
The letter was from the former Li Decai, who had been the Li family’s live-in son-in-law before being expelled and reverting to his original surname, becoming Wang Decai (previously called Wang Jincai, but changed to avoid sharing a name with a distant relative).
He had been exposed for his schemes and banished to Hainan.
When Longqing ascended the throne and granted amnesty, Wang Decai was included. However, stranded in Hainan without travel funds, Su Shi appealed to Second Young Master Tian, who provided the money. Now Wang Decai had written saying he was en route and would arrive soon, prompting Su Shi’s grateful kowtow.
Second Young Master Tian stopped her.
“No need for kowtowing. I’ve always looked after your interests,” he said, grabbing her hand and refusing to let go, while his other hand cupped her chin.
Second Young Master Tian had a peculiar preference – he disliked young girls, preferring to dally with young married women.
A flash of sorrow crossed Su Shi’s eyes, but she dared not offend him and endured his advances.
Just then, Tian Ronghua hurried into the residence.
Encountering this scene immediately after witnessing the Luo family’s elaborate gifts to the Li family, her anger peaked. She strode forward and delivered a resounding slap to Su Shi’s face – the sound sharp and clear.
Five finger marks instantly appeared on Su Shi’s cheek.
Su Shi clutched her face in pain, kneeling motionless.
“Third Sister, what are you doing? If that Luo boy upset you, you can’t take it out on Second Brother,” Second Young Master Tian glared. Even when beating a dog, one should consider its owner – Third Sister had blatantly disrespected him.
More importantly, his excitement had been doused like cold water by Tian Ronghua’s intervention, leaving him thoroughly displeased.
He helped Su Shi up and waved her away. She fled immediately.
“Second Brother, I don’t care about your unsavory affairs, but think about the timing! Father lies sick in bed, and instead of attending to him, you’re carrying on with servants like this – have you no humanity? Moreover, the tribute ink selection is coming up in the third or fourth month of next year. How can we compete with the Li family? Do you want to let them step over our heads?” Tian Ronghua glared.
“That absolutely cannot happen. I won’t let that little girl Li Zhen Niang get away with this,” Second Young Master Tian spoke with hatred. He had been bested by Li Zhen Niang several times and was determined to settle the score.
Realizing his earlier behavior had been inappropriate, he smiled at Tian Ronghua: “Sister, you’re capable. Tell Second Brother what to do, and I’ll listen.”
Hearing this, Tian Ronghua’s expression softened. She waved away her maids before continuing: “During the New Year period, Second Brother should cultivate relationships with the Ink Affairs Bureau officials. Also, our master craftsmen are researching Emperor Huizong’s Suhe ink – this is crucial for our competition in the tribute ink selection. They probably can’t rest during the New Year, so Brother needs to put effort into winning their hearts, encouraging them to complete the Suhe ink research quickly. This way, we can get ahead in our planning.”
“Good, good! It’s just about treating people to meals and giving gifts – that’s my specialty,” Second Young Master Tian declared, patting his chest.
Seeing her second brother’s response, Tian Ronghua nodded. Indeed, while he might not excel at other things, he was skilled at entertaining and gift-giving. Moreover, with the Xu family’s backing, others would have to show respect.
Afterward, Tian Ronghua returned to her room. Standing on her pavilion, she gazed at the distant Li family mansion: “Li Zhen Niang, I will win!!!”