Chapter 291: Awaiting the Fall (4200+)

Chapter 291: Awaiting the Fall (4200+)

The pressure on the Chen family is mounting.

While the crowd seems large, it’s actually just seven or eight paper merchants causing all the commotion. First, they blocked the entrance of “Floating White,” preventing anyone from entering or leaving, demanding an explanation. Then, both day and night, they staged a sit-in at “Floating White” and “Xuantian.” Those in the know understood this as a protest, while others might have thought they were petitioning the government.

In their final move, these seven or eight merchants gathered over twenty strong young men to surround the Chen residence, blocking both the front and back gates. They neither shouted nor caused a scene, but they refused to leave without a resolution, causing nearby shops and households to gossip incessantly. Many reasonably speculated that the Chen family’s third son must be causing trouble again outside.

Chen Fu was furious. "My legs are broken! Do you think I’m such a troublemaker that I’d keep stirring things up even with a disability?"

His anger was useless. The Chen residence stayed eerily silent, with no one answering.

"…Sir, it’s been four days now, and the Chen family still hasn’t dared to open their gates."

In the main hall of the Heng residence, Heng Lian sat sideways on a wicker armchair, playing with walnuts in one hand and holding a teacup in the other, listening with a smile as the steward reported.

The steward bowed and continued, "The Wu family and the Zheng family have also been persuaded. This afternoon, they’ll go to the Chen family for an explanation. That makes almost ten paper merchants standing up against them."

Heng Lian’s lips curled into a low smile. "People have invested money and put in effort, but this is what they got for it. Who can bear it?"

Heng Lian sneered. "He Xianjin always acts so sure of herself, and everyone fell for it, throwing in all their resources! Now that they’ve come to their senses, they’re naturally going to force the Chen family to come up with a new plan."

The steward bowed his head. "If the Chen family can’t come up with a solution, should we just stand by and watch… as Xuan paper falls out of favor?"

Heng Lian raised his eyebrows. "If Xuan paper falls out of favor, what does it matter?"

The steward lowered his head even more.

"Heng Kee winning, that’s what matters."

Heng Lian’s eyes flickered. "The Bai family’s son is useless. Even when opportunities are handed to him on a platter, he can’t seize them. He was outmaneuvered by that slippery girl, only to be robbed of his life and money by local ruffians… Are we really going to let the Chen family rise to power? Are we going to let a girl like He Xianjin take control of the Xuancheng paper trade?"

"If the Chen family can’t find a way to save the market in this imperial paper competition, who do you think will become the next leader of the Xuan paper merchants' guild?"

Heng Lian laughed coldly. "There will be many more opportunities for imperial paper. The chance to crush the Chen family and secure the top position in the Xuancheng paper trade is fleeting—and thanks to He Xianjin’s efforts to consolidate, we have a ripe opportunity that we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise."

The steward bowed so low his forehead almost touched the ground. "I’m just filling in temporarily… do you really need to share these grand and sinister plans with me?'

"Go, turn up the heat on the Chen family!" Heng Lian lifted his chin. "I heard that He Xianjin was pulled inside by the women of the household and hasn’t been seen since. She’s likely out of commission now. The Chen family has no one in charge. The way to succeed is to strike when they’re weak."

A head popped up outside the window.

Heng Lian frowned. "Who’s there?"

The door was gently pushed open, and Hengxi, with tightly pressed lips and burning eyes, looked eagerly at her father.

"Wuniang." Heng Lian played with his walnuts. "It seems your cold is better?"

Hengxi took a few deep breaths and calmed herself. "Father, don’t you already know whether I’m sick or not?"

Heng Lian smiled. "Even if you’re sick, it doesn’t matter. Take some medicine, rest for two days, and you’ll be fine—your mother has found you a good marriage. The family has 300 acres of land. When you marry, you’ll be the lady of the house. The skills you’ve honed at Heng Kee will be put to good use there."

Hengxi steadied herself. "Father, now is not the time to compete with the Chen family. There are still six days, and there’s much work to be done. Since the Fujian tribute paper is extravagant, we can go in the opposite direction—simple and elegant to the extreme. I’ve gone through ancient texts. During the Southern Song dynasty, there was the Jin Su Jing paper, yellowish in color, ancient and beautiful, resistant to insects and decay for hundreds of years. Perhaps we can take some inspiration from that—"

"Hmm. Fifth Miss makes sense." Heng Lian smiled as he played with his walnuts, turning to the steward. "Have you noted down Fifth Miss’s idea?"

The steward hurriedly bowed and searched for a brush pen.

Heng Lian, with a smile in his eyes, seemed to be asking, is there anything else?

Hengxi clenched her molars and balled her fists tightly. After standing outside for what felt like an eternity, she abruptly turned and walked away.

She had tried countless times, but the main gate remained off-limits.

She was effectively under house arrest.

Furious, Hengxi returned to the west wing pavilion, only to find the window wide open. A yellow cowhide paper bag, tightly wrapped, was hidden below the side table.

Hengxi closed the doors and windows, cautiously checking her surroundings before crouching down. She saw that the cowhide bag was securely sealed, with a message written on the front—“On the tenth day, if I cannot appear, Prefectural Magistrate Xiong will surely seek you out. At that time, give him this bag—He Xianjin.”

The handwriting was bold and sharp, just as it always was.

Hengxi’s clenched molars slowly loosened.

……

By the fifth day, the crowd around the Chen family had grown even larger. After Chen Jianfang came out to mediate, the crowd dispersed.

On the sixth day, the crowd reassembled. Concern for their property far outweighed any respect for scholars.

On the seventh day, people began camping out overnight.

On the eighth day, people began throwing eggs and rotten vegetables at the Chen family’s main gate.

Inside Biema Hall, Madam Qu lay pale, half-reclining in a grand armchair, listening to the noisy voices. Although there were two walls between her and the crowd, she could imagine the unrest in the alley outside.

The widow of the eldest branch, Madam Duan, and Second Branch’s Chen Cai with his wife Xu Shi, Third Branch’s Sun Shi and Chen Sanlang sat in a row below.

Madam Duan’s expression was calm, her back straight, her eyes peaceful as they looked forward.

Chen Cai and Xu Shi—one bowed their head, indifferent; the other turned their head away, unconcerned.

Sun Shi and Chen Sanlang, mother and son, were like silhouettes—their hunched backs and trembling legs were identical.

“We need to decide how to proceed,” said Madam Qu, her face as white as paper after a serious illness. “Should we continue to offer Eight-Zhang Xuan paper? Or use another type of paper? If Heng Kee doesn’t take the lead, everyone will expect the Chen family to make a statement.”

Madam Qu’s gaze fell on Chen Cai. “Second son, you manage the shop too. What do you say?”

Chen Cai averted his gaze, looking even further away. “I shouldn’t have been born, being so foolish and dull. How could I have any ideas?”

Madam Qu frowned tightly. “Second son! You—”

Aunt Qu hurriedly wiped her tears and patted Madam Qu’s back, persuading Chen Cai, “Second Young Master! Your mother almost didn’t survive this illness! If you have grievances, now is not the time to express them!”

Chen Cai stood up abruptly, his usually honest and simple face flushed red. “I was already struggling to manage the shop. It was only after Xianjin supported our family that things became smoother! Now that Xianjin is at home, you’ve offended her badly. Too embarrassed to coax her, you come to torment me! Am I so worthless?”

Xu Shi turned her head away, wiping the corner of her eye.

Chen Cai grabbed his wife’s wrist and was about to leave. “I’m so foolish and dull, only realizing now why Third Brother lives so defiantly!”

Aunt Qu tried to chase after them, but Madam Qu waved her off. She then shifted her gaze to Sun Shi and Chen Sanlang, pausing for a moment before slowly looking away, her voice hoarse. “Eldest daughter-in-law, what do you think?”

Madam Duan smiled, her usually dignified face carrying a hint of sarcasm. “What would you like me to say, Mother?”

Madam Qu held in her chest's frustration, feeling physically and mentally exhausted, as if finding it hard to speak. “Erlang would rather give up his scholarly pursuits than marry her, but in marriage, she remains part of the Chen family. At this critical moment, there are things I shouldn’t say, but you will be her future mother-in-law…”

Madam Duan suddenly looked up, her lips curling into a smile, then feeling speechless after the smile. “Did you not know that Xianjin firmly rejected Erlang?”

Sun Shi and Chen Sanlang nodded slightly in an unseen place: firm, indeed very firm.

Madam Qu was fully aware that after Chen Jianfang lost his composure here, he immediately rushed to Yiyuan. She knew everything he said and how He Xianjin had responded.

Exhausted and dismissive, Madam Qu waved her hand. "That girl was just spouting off in the heat of the moment. She’s too proud to back down now. If Erlang insists on marrying her, how could she not be grateful? How could she not feel honored? But now that the Chen family is being roasted over a fire, and since this mess was caused by her, she must show up..."

"Then you go."

Lady Duan interrupted without hesitation and smiled. "Xianjin might have been waiting for you to show up in person all along."

Yes.

He Xianjin might have been waiting, waiting for her to personally come and plead.

When Madam Qu realized this, her face turned deathly pale, and a sharp pain surged through her heart, causing her to instinctively clutch her chest.

But Lady Duan was not moved. She rose to her feet, performed a curtsy, and followed the second branch of the family as they left.

Now only Sun Shi and Sanlang remained in the room.

The mother and son, both ignorant, stared wide-eyed, awaiting the bizarre task that Madam Qu would assign them.

But Madam Qu seemed to have forgotten their presence. After Lady Duan left, she tightened her grip on her chest, her breath shallow.

On the ninth day, Clerk Li, who worked for Prefectural Magistrate Xiong, arrived to question them. His words were gentle, but his tone was firm. "The Chen family never goes into battle unprepared. Shouldn't you be making your grand entrance at the last moment?"

With the authorities now involved, the Chen family had no choice but to confront the situation directly.

Later that evening, as the sky filled with stars, the chirping of cicadas mixed with the calls of birds. The lantern hanging from the eaves of the eastern wing flickered as the wind caught its edge, casting a soft, dancing light.

"Knock knock knock." The door sounded.

Xianjin rose calmly to open it and looked peacefully at the elderly lady half-leaning on Aunt Qu's arm.

"Even if you’re not offering tea, you could at least let me in to sit, right?" Madam Qu spoke weakly.

Xianjin stepped aside to make way.

In the midsummer heat, Madam Qu was wrapped in a lined cloak. Her already gaunt face looked even more hollow, her skin stretched tight over her bones.

Xianjin poured a cup of warm water and placed it in front of Madam Qu.

Madam Qu nodded slightly, "Thank you."

Xianjin sat across from Madam Qu and waited quietly for her to speak.

"I’ve never seen Erlang so angry before," Madam Qu paused, gasping for breath. "He smashed all the cups and threatened me. If I didn’t let him marry you, he would never take the imperial exams again."

He Xianjin's expression did not change.

Madam Qu forced a bitter smile. "You won."

"I didn’t win," Xianjin interrupted calmly. "This isn’t about winning or losing."

Madam Qu smiled knowingly, her appearance haggard and broken. "Yes, you didn’t win. You’ve always been winning, so you wouldn’t know what losing feels like."

Xianjin didn’t bother to argue and didn’t correct her.

Madam Qu murmured, "I finally agreed to your marriage."

Madam Qu forced another smile. "I’ve come to apologize for everything—imprisoning you, manipulating you, forcing you into this... I shouldn’t have done any of it. Once you marry Erlang, even if I don’t like you, I will have to respect you as the future matriarch of the Chen family."

Xianjin let out a soft sigh.

Madam Qu continued, "You’ve gotten everything you wanted, and the ten-day agreement is almost due. What should we do about the imperial papers? How should the Chen family resolve this? I don’t believe you haven’t made preparations."

Before Xianjin could respond, Madam Qu hurriedly said, "Rest assured, once your grandmother agrees, this marriage contract will definitely happen!"

Madam Qu softened her tone, "—Family feuds don’t last overnight. The priority now is to get through this crisis!"

"I’m not part of your family."

Xianjin finally spoke.

Madam Qu looked extremely exhausted, "Yes! Yes! You’re not part of my family, but you and Erlang are always..."

"Apart from Third Uncle, I have no connection with the Chen family," Xianjin’s tone was calm and her attitude respectful, "In everything I do, I always keep my options open. There are three key steps in submitting the imperial papers. No matter how certain others are that the second step will yield results, I will prepare for all three steps."

Madam Qu brushed off the first part, but her eyes lit up at Xianjin’s next words.

"I can resolve the crisis."

Xianjin looked straight ahead, "I have conditions."

Madam Qu nodded repeatedly, "Yes! Yes! As for your marriage to Erlang, you can prepare for the wedding with peace of mind. When you leave the Qu family, your dowry will have been meticulously prepared by your grandmother..."

"First, I want to sever ties with the Chen family, and I need my household registration and name card immediately!" Xianjin spoke directly, cutting off Madam Qu’s musings.

Madam Qu’s mouth hung open in shock.

"Second, I will not take anything given to me by the Chen family, but I must take the items my mother left me."

"Third, you must draw up a document now stating that I, He Xianjin, have no association with the Chen family anymore. You will sign and press your fingerprint on it. If the officials come to investigate, you must cooperate."

"Fourth, the contracts of the staff under my command are signed with me, including but not limited to San Suo, Steward Zhong, Zhou Ergou, and the Zheng brothers... These people, I will take with me."

With each condition, Madam Qu’s face paled further.

She had never imagined that He Xianjin was making demands not to smoothly marry Erlang, but to sever ties with the Chen family!

How could she possibly leave?! How dare she leave?!

No matter how much she had schemed against He Xianjin, she had never considered that He Xianjin would want to leave the Chen family!

Madam Qu gasped a few times in a hurry, "And if I don’t agree!"

Xianjin calmly replied, "Then the Chen family will be the outcast of Xuancheng Prefecture, and the outcast of the entire Xuancheng paper merchants guild. Heng Lian has stirred up so much trouble, isn’t he just waiting to see the Chen family fall?"

"With glory comes shared ruin. Even if Erlang does well in the exams, the Chen family’s bad reputation will drag him down."

Madam Qu looked at Xianjin’s confident face and spoke in a low, hoarse voice, "You’re using Heng Kee to pressure me!"

Xianjin neither confirmed nor denied it.

"You had already calculated that the imperial paper dispute would enter the third round!" Madam Qu’s palms broke out in cold sweat.

Xianjin remained noncommittal.

Madam Qu suddenly realized: even without Chen Jianfang’s interference, as long as the imperial papers entered the third round, under the pressure from the Xuancheng Chamber of Commerce and the officials, no matter what situation He Xianjin was in, she had the leverage to negotiate her departure from the Chen family!