Old Master Li had fallen ill, and this time it was severe. Due to his hard work in his youth, he had always had underlying health issues. Although his condition had improved somewhat as the family’s circumstances got better, the root of his illness remained.
Since last year, he had been continuously researching the Li family’s Four Combined Ink, and his condition had already begun to deteriorate, with his cough growing increasingly worse. The hardships he endured while developing the Three Talents Ink were beyond description.
One could say that the old master’s constitution had already been struggling to hold up, but he had been sustained by sheer willpower, keeping that thread of tension alive. Now that the Li family’s Three Talents Ink had finally succeeded, that thread had loosened, and he had collapsed.
The Li family immediately burst into action, calling for a physician to treat him.
It wasn’t until midnight that Old Master Li regained consciousness, though he remained weak, his eyes half-open.
After examining him once more, the physician went to the outer room to write a prescription, then earnestly instructed the Li family: “Today was truly dangerous. The old master’s illness from his youth has caught up with him. He can no longer overexert himself, must avoid anxiety, and absolutely cannot return to the ink workshop. The smoke and fumes there are too harsh for his lungs. His constitution needs nurturing, slow and careful nurturing.”
“Yes, we understand,” the Li family members responded hurriedly. Then Li Dalang held a lamp to see the physician out.
Zhenniang brought the medicine over, and Grandmother Wu took it, sitting on a stool by the bedside, feeding it to Old Master Li one small spoonful at a time. Looking at Old Master Li’s half-closed eyes, Wu couldn’t help but repeat the physician’s words: “The doctor said you can’t overexert yourself anymore. You can’t worry, and especially can’t go to the ink workshop. Your health needs nurturing, slow nurturing. Do you understand?”
“Fine, I’ll just spend my days leaning on a walking stick, sunbathing against the wall,” Old Master Li replied, still weak but with a hint of humor, clearly not wanting his family to worry too much.
“You! Always saying the right things. Don’t I know you Li family people? You might agree now, but when something comes up, you’ll head straight back to the ink workshop, your mind completely absorbed in ink-making. All of you Li family members are the same,” Wu nagged.
Old Master Li managed a weak smile and muttered, “You talk as if you’re not part of the Li family yourself.”
This comment made everyone laugh. Wu was usually good-tempered, but even she couldn’t help but glare at him. By then, however, Old Master Li had closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.
The medicine had been specially formulated with calming ingredients, primarily to help Old Master Li rest well.
Seeing Old Master Li fall into a deep sleep, Wu gently waved her hand and said in a low voice to Zhao and the others, “Jingfu’s wife, Zhenniang, you should all go rest too. You’ve had an exhausting day, and look at the time – the rooster is about to crow.” Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, the rooster in the courtyard began to crow.
Seeing that things were temporarily stable, Zhao and the others beckoned Zhenniang and Madam Du to go rest, while she and Madam Zheng would keep watch in the outer room to tend to any needs.
“Mother, we’ll go rest then. Call us if you need anything,” Madam Du said, taking Zhenniang with her as they left.
Zhenniang and her sister-in-law returned to their respective rooms. After the night’s chaos, they could finally breathe easier now that nothing too serious had happened. Lying in bed, Zhenniang thought about how the Li family’s Three Talents Ink had finally been perfected, feeling great joy. However, there were still a few final processes to complete, and they couldn’t relax at this crucial stage.
The molding, gold detailing, and air-drying were all technical work. With her grandfather in this state, she couldn’t let him worry about these remaining tasks. So after just a brief rest, she got up at dawn, washed up, and headed to the ink workshop.
It was now mid-spring, and while the early morning had a slight chill, it wasn’t biting cold, but rather carried a gentle warmth. As Zhenniang walked to the workshop, she felt the pleasant breeze against her face.
“Zhenniang, how is Eighth Uncle?” As soon as she entered the workshop, she met Uncle Jingdong from the ninth branch, who had come in his wheelchair.
Due to his leg condition, he usually completed most of his carving work at home and rarely came to the workshop. He had likely heard about Old Master Li’s condition and came to check on things.
“He woke up at midnight. He’s just exhausted and needs rest and recuperation. Don’t worry, Uncle Jingdong,” Zhenniang smiled, naturally taking hold of the wheelchair and pushing Uncle Jingdong into the workshop.
“Yes, come to think of it, Eighth Uncle has never been in good health, and lately he’s been working day and night researching this Three Talents Ink. His body probably couldn’t take it anymore. He needs to rest well from now on. We can handle things here in the workshop,” Uncle Jingdong nodded.
“Indeed, Grandmother has already declared that Grandfather is not allowed in the workshop anymore,” Zhenniang smiled.
“Has the ink been perfected?” Li Jingdong turned his head to ask.
“Yes, just the final finishing work remains. However, we must still be careful not to ruin everything at the last moment,” Zhenniang replied.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on things. Oh, by the way, the Tian family sent us an invitation,” Li Jingdong then pulled out a card from his robes and handed it to Zhenniang. He had received it from the Tian family’s manager whom he’d met earlier.
Zhenniang took it and saw it was an invitation to the Tian family’s ink testing ceremony.
The Tian family holding an ink testing ceremony at this time was within Zhenniang’s expectations – it was to build momentum for the tribute ink selection.
However, it was somewhat unexpected that they would send an invitation to her, given that since the needle competition incident years ago, relations between the Tian and Li families had been poor. Moreover, after Zhenniang engaged with Luo Wenqian and the Tian family’s loss of tribute ink rights, the Luo and Li families became enemies.
“What is the Tian family planning?” Zhenniang looked at her uncle and asked.
“I heard the Tian family is testing their recreation of Emperor Huizong’s Su He ink from the Song Dynasty. The Luo family was originally working on this, but after their downfall, the Tian family took over and continued the research. Now they seem to have perfected it,” Li Jingdong said coldly.
“Hmph, the Tian family has certainly put in great effort this time,” Zhenniang remarked. During the Song Dynasty, Emperor Huizong paid one jin of gold for one liang of Su He ink, and people called it the “Ink Demon.” It was quite a prestigious creation.
It wasn’t fair for the Tian family to enter Su He Ink in the tribute ink competition.
The su oil used in Su He ink was a foreign fragrance, and before the trade ban was lifted, the imperial court had explicit regulations prohibiting civilians from using foreign fragrances. Anyone caught trading in foreign fragrances would face severe punishment. The Tian family could only use su he oil because of their tribute ink rights. Although the ban had been lifted now, it was still just a trial period – the first fleet hadn’t even returned yet, so the court’s prohibitions hadn’t been officially canceled.
The Tian family could only make Su He ink because of their tribute ink status. Although they had lost their tribute ink status, they still maintained tribute ink transactions with the court. After all, previous orders couldn’t be canceled, and with the Xu family’s mediation, using su the oil wasn’t a problem.
In other words, at this time, no ink workshop except the Tian family had the right to make Su He ink.
Due to its premium materials, even if the ink-making technique wasn’t perfect, Su He ink would still be valued above other inks, naturally leading to higher evaluations.
Zhenniang waved the invitation in her hand – she understood now. The Tian family sending an invitation to the Li family was an outright provocation.
“Indeed it is,” Li Jingdong also understood the implications, his face cold.
“By the way, Uncle, do you know who the Tian family’s ink testers are this time?” Zhenniang asked.
“Tian Yizhuo, the Instructor of the Huizhou Confucian School, and Sun Kehong, son of Minister of Rites Sun Cheng’en,” Li Jingdong replied. The Li family had naturally gathered this information. Zhenniang should have known this earlier, but she and her grandfather had been completely focused on the Three Talents Ink lately.
Tian Yizhuo was from the same clan as the Tian family and had always been their ink tester, so this wasn’t surprising.
What surprised Zhenniang was Sun Kehong. Besides being the son of the Minister of Rites, he was also a major collector and skilled in inlay craftsmanship. He was particularly versed in Song Dynasty inlay techniques, which involved inlaying gold and silver wire into bronze and iron pieces.
While researching Song inlay techniques, Sun Kehong also improved upon them, using silver wire to create geometric patterns and floral borders, and inlaying silver wire calligraphy in small seal script on brush holders, inkstone cases, and incense trays. These became the most precious handicrafts in the Songjiang region.
People competed to buy them but couldn’t get their hands on them.
In the future, Zhenniang’s grandfather would own such an inkstone case, which was extremely precious.
Moreover, Sun Kehong was known for his love of wine and hospitality. People of the time praised him: “His obsession with hospitality is known throughout Jiangdong, guests gather like clouds, his wit sparkles like wind, and the wine cups at his table never empty despite his age.”
Such a person’s influence was extraordinary, and if nothing else, the Li family couldn’t possibly invite someone of his caliber.
“The Tian family is determined to win this time,” Li Jingdong said somewhat helplessly.
“Uncle Jingdong, the Li family is equally determined. Well then, I’ll go see this Su He ink of the Tian family,” Zhenniang said resolutely.
Zhenniang’s declaration of determination wasn’t just empty words. First, she had confidence in the Li family’s Three Talents Ink.
Furthermore, regarding the Tian family’s Su He ink, while they were certainly promoting it heavily, it would undoubtedly be their main entry for the tribute ink selection. However, Zhenniang believed that using Su He ink for the tribute ink competition at this time would be both their making and their undoing.
True, the Tian family had recreated Emperor Huizong’s Su He ink technique, which was certainly eye-catching, but they forgot that Su He ink was extremely expensive. Currently, when the Emperor wanted to arrange something for his consorts, the Ministry of Revenue kept submitting memorials saying there was no money. Tribute ink was used by all imperial departments and offices.
If such a high cost were involved, how could the Emperor not have reservations?
One phrase about “depleting the people’s wealth” would be enough to completely counter the Tian family’s Su He ink.
Of course, Zhenniang wouldn’t point this out now. She would attend the Tian family’s ink testing ceremony, as she was genuinely interested in Emperor Huizong’s Su He ink technique. Learning about the ink while she was there would just be incidental.
Li Jingdong nodded – since the Tian family had sent an invitation, there was no reason not to go. The Li family was upright and never shied away from a challenge.