Three days later, it was time for the Tian family’s ink-testing ceremony.
Zhen Niang planned to bring young Wen You along. He had been studying at the private school for several years now, and his status in the Li family was quite exceptional. It would be good for him to gain such experience. This was surely something that Seventh Grandmother would approve of.
After all, he would eventually need to look after the widows of the seventh branch of the family.
This was an opportunity for him to broaden his horizons. Before they left, Seventh Grandmother instructed Wen You to observe and listen more than he spoke. The little fellow nodded solemnly—and indeed, despite his young age, he was already showing signs of steadiness.
At this time, Si Bao Street was packed with people.
“The Tian family is going head-to-head with Su He Ink, aren’t they? Didn’t they use Su He ink when they participated in the tribute ink competition three years ago?” Some idlers in front of the Tian family teahouse discussed while looking at the ink list posted outside.
“Better to stick with what you know. Don’t you know? Since they won the tribute ink rights with Su He ink three years ago, why wouldn’t they use it again? Moreover, this Su He ink is made according to Song Dynasty imperial standards—it’s even more suitable for the emperor’s use. The Li family will probably just end up being the Crown Prince’s study companion.”
“Nonsense! Three years ago, they didn’t win the tribute ink rights because of the ink—they colluded with that Daoist scoundrel to deceive the Cheng family. Haven’t you heard that the Tian family’s tribute ink rights have been revoked? I remember the Li family withdrew from the tribute ink competition back then because of the Tian family’s dirty tricks too,” another man retorted indignantly.
“That’s true. The Tian family lost their tribute ink rights, and the Cheng family withdrew from this tribute ink competition. Looking at it this way, the Li family seems to have benefited like the fisherman who profits from the fight between the snipe and the clam,” someone else added.
Zhen Niang had arrived at Si Bao Street early in the morning with Xiao Ya and Wen You. They first spoke with her second cousin from the ninth branch at the Li family ink shop, which was now managed by Second Cousin Li Zhengyan.
Seeing it was about time, she brought Xiao Ya and Wen You over, just in time to hear these idlers’ gossip.
Zhen Niang paid no mind to such idle talk—there would be more of it in the coming days. However, one idler’s words did serve as a reminder: Tian Ke had never been one to play by the rules.
Back then, the Tian family’s scheme had been quite elaborate. They first used her treatment of Yu Haoyan’s illness as leverage, claiming that Master Yan would surely show favoritism to the Li family. At the time, due to the pine epidemic, the Li family’s conditions were poor, so they withdrew from the tribute ink competition.
Afterward, the Tian family laid out another trap. They first introduced inferior Su He ink, making everyone underestimate them. Then, during the tribute ink competition, they brought out their true entry—the Xiangbi Fu Mozi ink. Since the Su He ink wasn’t fully developed at that time, they still fell slightly short of the Cheng family. That was when Daoist Yun Song became their final piece in the game.
Step by step, the Tian family had achieved victory through this scheme.
Now, although Tian Benchang was in jail, the Tian patriarch, though ill, could still oversee matters. Moreover, Tian Ronghua’s ambitions couldn’t be underestimated. Her previous assumption that this ink testing ceremony was merely to promote Su He ink for the tribute ink competition might not be entirely correct.
While the Tian family’s ink testing ceremony was indeed promotional, it might well be a case of “repairing the walkway while secretly advancing through the passage.” After all, anything she could think of, the Tian family could surely think of as well.
Of course, this was all speculation. Zhen Niang was here today simply to observe and learn—know yourself and know your enemy, as they say.
As for the tribute ink matter, it still came down to this: those who work with technique must ultimately let technique speak for itself.
At this moment, those idlers who saw Li Zhen Niang and her group arrive began whispering among themselves. The upcoming tribute ink competition would pit the Li and Tian families directly against each other, and today might well be the opening act of this drama.
They all craned their necks to peer into the teahouse.
Zhen Niang calmly led Xiao Ya and Wen You into the teahouse. Tian Ronghua was at the entrance with her second brother, greeting guests.
“Zhen Niang, you’ve come,” Tian Ronghua greeted her with a smile. Zhen Niang nodded and exchanged pleasantries. Both women were perfectly courteous. Even Second Brother Tian managed a forced smile.
This disappointed the onlookers who had been hoping for drama.
Soon, a servant led Zhen Niang to the women’s section, separated by screens.
“Miss Li, you’ve come too. Come, sit here with me.” As soon as Zhen Niang entered with Wen You and Xiao Ya, she saw Second Madam Xi by the window calling to her. She hurried over with a smile, curtsied, and sat down next to Second Madam Xi with Wen You.
While Master Xi presided in Nanjing, Second Master Xi spent half the year in Huizhou because his wife was from there. It was natural that Second Madam Xi would attend such an important event. Li Zhen Niang had met Second Madam Xi several times before and could engage in casual conversation with her.
“I was planning to visit your Li family ink shop later to ask when your ink testing ceremony will be held. Also, is Master Ding still your ink tester?” Second Madam Xi asked in a lowered voice, speaking somewhat mysteriously.
“We haven’t set a date yet, but it will be in the next few days. We’ll let you know once it’s decided,” Zhen Niang replied.
The Li family’s Three Talents ink would naturally need its testing ceremony, just like a modern product launch—it was essential.
Second Madam Xi nodded eagerly. “My husband says we must obtain samples of your Li family’s ink-testing products.”
“Thank you for your high regard, Second Madam,” Zhen Niang responded politely.
“No need for formalities. My son is participating in this year’s metropolitan examination—we’re just seeking some good fortune,” Second Madam Xi replied, still speaking mysteriously.
Zhen Niang was quite amused by Second Madam Xi’s mysterious manner, remembering that during the first ink testing ceremony she had overseen, Second Master Xi had attended and received Ding Yunpeng’s “Toad Palace Plucking Osmanthus” painting.
At that time, Second Master Xi’s son was preparing for the county-level examination, and surprisingly, he passed. Last year, he even passed the provincial examination. Because of this, Second Master Xi firmly believed it was all due to that “Toad Palace Plucking Osmanthus” painting he had obtained from the Li family’s ink testing ceremony.
For this reason, Second Master Xi lavishly praised Ding Yunpeng’s paintings, using Master Xi’s reputation to promote Ding Yunpeng extensively. Ding Yunpeng’s paintings have indeed shown greater mastery in recent years, making him a standout among the younger generation. With both opportunity and skill, Ding Yunpeng’s reputation naturally grew, and many merchants sought to purchase his paintings at high prices.
Although Zhen Niang viewed this as mere coincidence, luck was indeed an unpredictable thing.
Because of all this, Ding Yunpeng had become the Li family ink’s regular tester.
As they spoke, the Tian family’s ink-testing ceremony began. The procedure followed the usual format. Everyone in the ink industry could tell the quality of ink as soon as they handled it, and this time, the Tian family’s Su He ink was indeed exceptional—perhaps even superior to their batch from the previous tribute ink competition.
The two ink testers gave very high praise to the Tian family’s Su He ink, composing poems and creating paintings in its honor.
Some merchants attending the ceremony had gleaming eyes—the Tian family’s Su He ink was about to make a name for itself. To make money, one had to seize the right moment.
Of course, more merchants remained cautiously observant. They had heard that the Li family’s new ink product was also ready, so they wanted to wait and see the Li family’s ink testing ceremony before making any decisions.
Zhen Niang understood the situation clearly. The Tian family had put in tremendous effort—and why wouldn’t they? If not now, then when?
Next came the main event: the ink testing products by the two ink testers. Zhen Niang had no interest in the auction; she was carefully studying the ink colors in the displayed paintings. The Su He ink showed distinct five-color separation with very natural gradients, which must be the special characteristic of the Su He oil smoke material.
In any case, the Li family would also have to face the challenge of Su He Ink. As Zhen Niang pondered this, she continued explaining the various personalities in the Huizhou ink industry to Wen You.
This was to give him a direct understanding of the Huizhou ink business.
Wen, You listened very attentively.
At this moment, a servant came to refill everyone’s tea. He accidentally dropped his cleaning cloth on the ground and bent down to pick it up. However, Wen You’s arm was in the way, so he politely said, “Young master, please raise your arm so I can reach down to pick it up.”
Wen You, who was carefully listening to his aunt’s introduction to the Huizhou ink industry people and affairs, didn’t think much of the servant’s request and raised his arm, even lifting it higher to make sure it was out of the way.
“Oh, this young master wishes to bid? May I ask your price?” The auctioneer’s loud voice suddenly rang out.
All eyes instantly turned to Li Wen You.
Zhen Niang’s eyes narrowed—this seemed a bit too coincidental.
It turned out that they were currently auctioning Sun Kehong’s landscape painting, and when Wen You raised his hand, people misunderstood it as a bid. When You had never faced such a situation before, and his face turned bright red, not knowing what to say. The servant who had asked him to raise his arm had already disappeared.
Second Madam Xi, who had witnessed the whole thing, was about to explain. However, Zhen Niang gently stopped her.
Regardless of the circumstances, Wen You had raised his hand—that was a fact. The servant’s involvement seemed too coincidental to explain without seeming either frivolous or evasive. Given the competitive relationship between the Li and Tian families, people might think the Li family was deliberately causing trouble. Although Second Madam Xi could testify to what happened, the Xi family’s close relationship with the Li family, combined with the informal nature of such a small incident at an elegant gathering like the ink testing ceremony, meant that no one would investigate the truth.
If they tried to explain, people would laugh it off and resume bidding. But private speculation would be inevitable.
And Wen You would have to bear the embarrassment today.
Thinking this through, Zhen Niang stood up with a smile and, after curtsying to everyone, addressed Sun Kehong in the honored guest’s seat: “My apologies to Master Sun. I’m sorry, but my young nephew raised his hand not to bid, but because he had heard that you are highly skilled in Song Dynasty inlay craftsmanship. He wanted to request a Song inlay ink box for an ink stick he made himself. In his eagerness, he acted improperly. Please, everyone, forgive us.”
Everyone suddenly understood—the Li family’s young master wasn’t seeking the painting but an ink box.
Speaking of Song Dynasty inlay craftsmanship research, this was precisely what Sun Kehong prided himself on. However, his research on Song inlay techniques had always been applied to iron and bronze items—he had never heard of it being used for ink boxes. Hearing that the Li family’s young master was requesting a Song inlay ink box from him, he laughed heartily: “Young master, I’m afraid I don’t have the Song inlay craftsmanship you’re seeking. This technique has always been used for bronze and iron items—I’ve never heard of it being applied to ink boxes.”
“Why can’t it be used for ink boxes?” Earlier, when Zhen Niang was privately introducing important figures to Wen You, Sun Kehong had been a key focus, and ink boxes and brush holders with Song inlay craftsmanship had been part of her introduction to broaden Wen You’s horizons. Wen, You had listened very carefully, so when his aunt clearly said it was possible, but this master said it wasn’t, he asked with a puzzled expression.
Unexpectedly, Wen You’s simple question stunned Sun Kehong. Indeed, why couldn’t it be done?
Recently, Sun Kehong had felt somewhat limited in his research of Song inlay craftsmanship, but now, Wen You’s question “Why can’t it…” suddenly gave him clarity. Indeed, why not? Theoretically, it was entirely possible—it just hadn’t been done before.
As this thought took hold, Sun Kehong felt inspiration flowing like a spring. He closed his eyes and gently clapped his hands, clearly immersed in this moment of enlightenment.
Zhen Niang was slightly stunned—apparently, at this point, Master Sun had not yet adapted his inlay craftsmanship to other fields. Her attempt to help Wen You had inadvertently become the inspiration for Sun Kehong’s advancement in inlay craftsmanship.
This turn of events gave Zhen Niang much to ponder.
Suddenly, Sun Kehong’s eyes flew open, his face excited. He first addressed Wen You: “Good! I accept your ink box commission—I’ll send it to you when it’s finished. As for today’s painting…” Here Sun Kehong paused, then turned to address those who had been bidding on the ink paintings: “I have been researching Song inlay craftsmanship for over ten years, but recently felt I had hit a bottleneck with no progress. This young master Li’s single question has suddenly enlightened me—this is worth more than thousands of gold to me. Therefore, I wish to gift this ink painting to this young master, if everyone would be so kind as to understand.”
“Of course, of course,” everyone agreed. How could they not accommodate such an elegant matter?
Thus, in the end, Wen You not only received the promise of a Sun craft ink box but also obtained the most valuable ink painting of the day.
In such circumstances, Zhen Niang naturally had no reason to decline. She smiled and instructed Wen You to carefully keep the ink painting, then led him to thank everyone.
Wen You, now holding the ink painting, had completely forgotten his earlier embarrassment and was beaming with joy.
With this, the Tian family’s ink-testing ceremony concluded, and the exchange between Wen You and Sun Kehong became the highlight of the event.