140. Ascending the Throne (Part Two)

To become the president of a prefectural Ink Merchants’ Guild, one first needed the previous president to step down, the approval of more than half the guild’s Ink Envoys, a letter of recommendation from an Ink Envoy, and exceptional skill in ink-making. These were the most basic requirements.

When Wang Huaiyuan had become guild president all those years ago, he had naturally used a few tricks, becoming an exception among all the Ink Merchants’ Guilds of Great Yin. Fortunately, he had possessed enough tact. He generally refrained from interfering in the guild’s various decisions and would occasionally contribute silver to its coffers. Thus, although he was an outsider to the trade, the people of the Yizhou guild had endured him.

Yet when Gu Fei arrived at Pine and Cypress Manor with Feng Puyu’s letter of recommendation and invited the guild’s five Ink Envoys, everyone stared at the resignation document Wang Huaiyuan had personally signed and sealed with his fingerprint. For a long while, the hall fell utterly silent.

Then everyone began quietly weighing their own interests.

Gu Fei swept the room with a cold gaze and sneered inwardly several times. Cradling a teacup, she sat at the farthest end of the flower hall. Beside her was Feng Puyu, followed by the portly Wei from the Wei family. On the other side sat Luo Song, an ink-maker from the Little Mo family. The smiling Young Master Mingyue had an enigmatic background, while the last to arrive was Dong Shi, a stern and rigid man with a hard disposition.

After a long silence, the portly Wei chuckled and spoke first.

“Elder Feng, having such a capable granddaughter would make any fellow envious. I wonder when I’ll be fortunate enough to find myself a granddaughter with such outstanding skill in ink-making.”

Had anyone else said those words, they would likely have carried more mockery than anything else. But coming from the portly Wei, and directed at Feng Puyu, they were plainly more teasing than derisive, given the relationship between the two men.

Elder Feng cast Gu Fei a sidelong glance and frowned.

“It is merely a trifling skill. How could it be called outstanding? You fat fellow, are you still dissatisfied with all the talented young people in the Wei family?”

After comparing the two families in his mind, the portly Wei realized that Feng Puyu was indeed right. The Wei family had descendants as numerous as a towering tree, while the Feng family had only a single heir, like one lonely blade of grass. The two could hardly be compared.

He merely smiled and cast a profound look at the demure Gu Fei before saying nothing more.

As for the other three, Mo Yuhua had already formed a secret alliance with Gu Fei. Before coming, Luo Song had heard the news from his own employer, so although he did not show any particular warmth toward Gu Fei, neither did he glare at her coldly.

As for Dong Shi, among the five Ink Envoys, the man he respected most had always been Feng Puyu. Moreover, Gu Fei had specifically sent him a stick of ink beforehand. From that ink, it was clear that her skill was indeed considerable. Thus, no matter how stubborn and severe his nature, he still clasped his hands toward Feng Puyu and said loudly, “Congratulations, Elder Feng.”

Feng Puyu stroked his beard and returned the courtesy.

The only one who had yet to speak was Young Master Mingyue. He glanced at Gu Fei with a faint smile and said ambiguously, “I have heard that Miss Gu’s skill in ink-making was already quite impressive in the past. With Elder Feng’s guidance, I imagine she has improved even further. Truly admirable.”

From his words alone, it was impossible to discern what he really thought.

“Young Master flatters me. I am unworthy of such praise.” Gu Fei did not even raise her eyes, responding with practiced courtesy.

Elder Feng stroked his beard, his eyes narrowed so that his expression could not be read. He immediately laid matters bare.

“Everyone has seen President Wang’s resignation document. I have also written the letter of recommendation. What are your thoughts?”

Once the matter had been brought into the open, the usually most outspoken portly Wei fell silent instead. His expression darkened as he glanced at the others, while Luo Song was observing them as well, quietly standing behind everyone and attracting no attention at all.

Elder Feng’s expression did not change. He stroked his silver beard again and again, still smiling, without the slightest trace of impatience.

After pondering for a moment, Dong Shi became the first to step forward.

“Elder Feng, I believe your letter of recommendation naturally means that Miss Gu possesses the necessary ability. But in my eyes, she is still too young and may find it difficult to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. If possible, she should spend several years gaining experience within the guild before we discuss the matter again.”

Dong Shi had spoken entirely out of consideration for the guild, without the slightest trace of selfishness. Feng Puyu understood this perfectly and showed no displeasure.

With someone taking the lead, the second to speak was the portly Wei. Stroking his ample belly, he nodded and echoed the sentiment with a smile.

“That is reasonable. Our Yizhou Ink Merchants’ Guild may not compare with the one in the capital, but it is still a prefectural guild, and there are plenty of matters to deal with. Never before has anyone as young as this eldest granddaughter taken over the position. Women, especially, have always been rare in such a role.”

Luo Song and Mingyue each remained silent.

To become president, one needed the approval of more than half the Ink Envoys. From Dong Shi and the portly Wei’s words, it was already clear that they did not agree.

Elder Feng was not angered. The corners of his mouth beneath his silver beard curved deeply as he placed one hand behind his back.

“I have written the letter of recommendation. As for the rest, I will not interfere, and I will leave the matter here…”

At this, he turned to Gu Fei.

“If you truly wish to become president, then rely on your own ability. I will say no more.”

The portly Wei could not have been more pleased. The fair, fleshy cheeks of his round face gathered into a broad smile.

“Didn’t you want to become an Ink Envoy first, eldest granddaughter? Why not serve as one for a while? If anything happens, the older generation can support you.”

Gu Fei’s lips curved slightly. She had anticipated this scene before coming today, so she was not surprised in the least.

She first inclined her head to the others in thanks.

“First, I would like to thank all of you elders for your support. Since I am unable to walk conveniently, I ask for your understanding.”

With that, she looked first at Dong Shi.

“Elder Dong, you should have already seen the stick of ink I sent you. May I ask what you thought of it?”

At the mention of that ink, Dong Shi smiled. He rarely showed much expression, and even this smile was stiff and unnatural.

“Fine ink. The finest of fine ink. Truly rare, and worthy of preservation.”

Gu Fei smiled faintly.

“To receive such praise from Elder Dong, I imagine the ink I made must indeed be quite good.”

“However, Elder Dong, did you know that stick of ink was made by the Mysterious Vermilion Workshop?”

She spoke softly, casting down a massive stone in an otherwise tranquil lake and stirring up thunderous waves.

As expected, everyone’s expression changed. Even Elder Feng looked at her in surprise.

“The Mysterious Vermilion Workshop? The one that accepts orders only after receiving payment in advance?” Young Master Mingyue interjected.

Gu Fei’s gaze swept over him, and she openly admitted, “That is indeed the one. It is merely a little pastime of mine during my leisure hours.”

Everyone knew that, among Yizhou’s refined scholars and wealthy nobles, the Mysterious Vermilion Workshop had recently become the most discussed subject. If a household did not possess one or two of its ink pieces as treasured collectibles, its owner would feel embarrassed even mentioning it.

Yet Gu Fei had just described it as a “pastime.”

The remark immediately gave her an air of arrogance, but no one felt that she was merely boasting. After all, the Mysterious Vermilion Workshop’s reputation spoke for itself. To say that it earned gold by the day would not have been an exaggeration.

“Then, Elder Dong, do you believe I am qualified to become president?”

Gu Fei addressed the question directly to Dong Shi, ignoring everyone else.

Dong Shi froze for a moment before quickly recovering. His instinctive reaction was to look toward Elder Feng, but all he saw was the old man resting with his eyes closed. Dong Shi then threw back his head and laughed.

“Indeed, heroes emerge from the young, and women are no less capable than men. I am convinced. You are fit to take the position.”

At those words, delight filled Gu Fei’s brows and eyes. Calmly imitating a man’s clasped-hands salute, she said, “In the future, Elder Dong, I hope you will offer me plenty of guidance whenever I fall short.”

Dong Shi did not mince words.

“Of course. If you prove unworthy of the position, I will be the first to refuse to let you off lightly.”

Gu Fei smiled, her almond-shaped eyes curving into crescents. She knew Dong Shi was simply that sort of person—stubborn and hard-edged. To put it less kindly, he was like a stone from a latrine: foul-smelling and unyielding. Yet precisely because of that, Gu Fei felt he would be the easiest to win over.

That was why he had been the first person she approached.

With Dong Shi on her side, and Elder Feng behind her, Gu Fei now had two supporters. She needed only one more person’s approval to take the position of president of the Yizhou Ink Merchants’ Guild.

The remaining possibilities were the portly Wei of the Wei family, Luo Song, and the mysterious Young Master Mingyue.

After thinking it over, Gu Fei concluded that Luo Song would naturally have no objections because of his relationship with Mo Yuhua. However, she did not wish to expose her alliance with Mo Yuhua before the very end. As for the portly Wei, he had the Wei family behind him, one of Yizhou’s most prominent clans. Winning his support would undoubtedly be the most difficult.

In the end, Gu Fei turned her gaze toward the mysterious Young Master Mingyue.

Young Master Mingyue was just like his name suggested. His handsome features were as clear and radiant as the bright moon. He always wore a smiling expression toward everyone, and no one had ever seen him lose his temper. Nor had anyone ever seen him make ink. Yet a man like this held a seat within the guild.

Before coming, Gu Fei had specifically asked Elder Feng about his origins.

Unexpectedly, Elder Feng had only shaken his head and said that one year earlier, Young Master Mingyue had arrived in Yizhou carrying a letter from the capital’s Ink Merchants’ Guild and had immediately become an Ink Envoy. Elder Feng had personally examined the letter, and there had been nothing wrong with it.

While Gu Fei was still pondering, Young Master Mingyue noticed her gaze. He chuckled softly, twirling a lock of hair over his chest.

“In my opinion, if Miss Gu can manage the Mysterious Vermilion Workshop into becoming the most profitable establishment in Yizhou, then a guild should pose no challenge to her. Perhaps next year, I might even be able to collect a share of the guild’s profits.”

His meaning could not have been clearer. He, too, stood on Gu Fei’s side.

Suspicion stirred in Gu Fei’s heart. She truly could not understand what medicine Young Master Mingyue was selling. Several times now, he had lightly and effortlessly taken her side.

But this was not the time to dwell on it. Suppressing her doubts, Gu Fei smiled.

“Thank you all for thinking so highly of me. I will certainly not disappoint you in the future.”

She brought out the letter of recommendation and Wang Huaiyuan’s resignation document. A servant immediately stepped forward and placed both items into a special box.

The portly Wei wore an unpleasant expression. Luo Song remained impassive and had not uttered a single word from beginning to end. The portly Wei glanced at him, forced out a smile, and stepped forward to offer his congratulations.

“Eldest granddaughter, you truly are capable. Elder Feng, let us strike a bargain. Why not give me this granddaughter of yours?”

Elder Feng’s white brows and beard trembled. He shot the portly Wei a sideways glare and turned his head away.

The matters that followed proceeded naturally: they discussed the ceremony for the succession of the guild presidency, and all the guild’s accounts had to be handed over and explained clearly.

Gu Fei considered these minor matters. After taking the position of president, however, she felt no relief. Instead, she felt even more pressed for time. Now that she had finally gained a foothold, what mattered was whether she could stand firm in the days ahead.

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A Gui: There will be another update before midnight. I had originally planned to post four chapters, but too many things came up all at once, and I simply ran out of energy.