This has gone terribly wrong.

From that day onward, Gu Fei returned to her old habit of shutting herself away, and later that evening, Gu Zhong sent someone to tell her to produce the scented ink first. Gu Fei had expected this outcome; no matter how shrewd she was, without control over the family’s shops, if Gu Zhong did not approve of certain decisions, there was nothing she could do. So she could only follow his wishes and start making the scented ink. After all, once things reached that stage, even if Gu Zhong’s approach failed, she would have to devise another solution.

To create the scented ink, she needed to modify the medicinal ink recipe, adjusting the blend and experimenting repeatedly to discover the most effective formula. She also had other ideas in mind: if the scented ink turned out as she hoped, did it not suggest that the medicinal ink, which could cure stubborn ailments, might—by altering the formula and adding special ingredients—be transformed into a toxic ink? Splashed onto paintings and calligraphy, its lingering scent could weaken a person’s body, and with a higher dose, even bring about death.

Of course, this method was only a vague notion inspired by the medicinal ink; she would need time and repeated trials to perfect and test the recipe. Thus, Gu Fei spent almost all her time eating and sleeping in the small workshop connected to the Qingmo Courtyard. She changed each ingredient in the medicinal ink formula one by one, making a batch of ink pills after every adjustment. After two or three days, her right hand was so worn from hammering the ink cakes that she could barely hold chopsticks, and it trembled uncontrollably. Bitter Mama had to personally help her dress and eat.

Bitter Mama’s heart ached with pity and helplessness. She knew nothing of ink making and could not assist, so every night before bed, she would apply a steaming hot towel to Gu Fei’s hand, gently kneading and massaging to relieve the soreness.

While Gu Fei devoted herself entirely to the scented ink, ignoring all household affairs, Gu Zhong spent a sleepless night pondering every incident since Gu Fei’s return, uncertain whether he should trust her this time. Early the next morning, after much deliberation, he decided to visit all his contacts personally, making discreet inquiries about the Linlang Pavilion, the Little Mo Family, and the Huang Family. Yet both the Little Mo and Huang families were prominent clans in Yizhou, and the lower staff knew nothing of their inner workings. Linlang Pavilion was even more inscrutable, its depths a mystery to all.

Half a day passed, the sun was high, and Gu Zhong had learned nothing. He sat in his own shop, sending a new-faced clerk, dressed in silk, to the shops of the Little Mo and Huang families to observe. The clerk reported back that both families seemed perfectly calm, showing no sign of having suffered at Linlang Pavilion’s hands.

Cautious as ever, Gu Zhong decided to wait: once Gu Fei finished the scented ink, he would simply display it for sale in the shop as usual. As for everything else, he would do nothing for now and see how things developed—after all, the Gu family had endured like this for decades, neither thriving nor failing; a few days more would make little difference.

Gu Fei knew nothing of Gu Zhong’s decision. Even if she had, she would have done nothing more than shake her head and sigh, then search for another solution.

Meanwhile, at the Huang residence, Gu Fei’s act of arson had burned their small workshop to the ground. The Huang family had a long-standing custom: Huang Pinyuan trusted outsiders little, especially wary of old craftsmen, so all their premium ink pills, treasured recipes, and classic ink molds were kept under his personal lock and key in the workshop, only brought out when he was present.

Gu Fei had struck precisely at this weakness. The day she made medicinal ink in the workshop, she had calmly taken in every detail, so that when she set the fire, it was anything but a random act.

Huang Pinyuan reacted quickly, intimidating his servants that same night, forbidding them from spreading word of the incident. At dawn, he rushed to Linlang Pavilion, only to wait there from morning till night without ever seeing Qingyun, the manager who had signed the contract with him. Upon inquiry, he learned that Qingyun had violated pavilion rules and had been expelled days earlier by the Nine-Tailed Fox King.

The news struck Huang Pinyuan like a thunderbolt from a clear sky; he nearly fainted on the spot. Trembling with anxiety, he wanted to raise a commotion at Linlang Pavilion, but when he saw the hall lined with burly men in black, he realized he had no choice but to swallow his bitter grievance in silence.

The new manager, Chu Xiu, glanced at the contract and dismissed it as invalid, noting that it had been signed with Qingyun personally, bearing only Qingyun’s private seal and having nothing to do with Linlang Pavilion. Even if the matter were taken to the local authorities, the Huang family would have no recourse.

Huang Pinyuan had suffered a grievous but hidden loss, and was practically carried back home, too ill to rise from bed for several days. Affairs of the house were handed over to his son, Huang Rufeng, and an experienced manager kept close watch. This arrangement reassured Huang Pinyuan somewhat, leaving him free to focus on raising funds to see the family through this crisis.

One must understand, the trick played by the Pavilion’s Ninth Master was all in that contract. Because of Linlang Pavilion’s sterling reputation, payment terms were not stipulated at the time, and Huang Pinyuan had handed over the money to Qingyun in advance, planning to transfer the batch of Yimo ink from the Pavilion as soon as he cleared space for it. This, he believed, would be a golden opportunity when the Grand Capital’s Ink Family came to purchase Yimo ink.

Huang Pinyuan had calculated every detail, and to forge this connection with the Grand Capital’s Ink Family, he had gone so far as to abduct Gu Fei in broad daylight, forcing her to compete in the ink contest and scheming to seize first place. Never had he imagined such an ending.

At the same time, not only the Huang family, but all prominent clans in Yizhou who participated in the ink contest—such as the Little Mo Family—had fallen into the Ninth Master’s trap. Deliberately, news that the Grand Capital’s Ink Family would come to Yizhou to purchase Yimo ink was leaked to these families, along with hints that Linlang Pavilion just happened to have a batch of Yimo ink for sale. The bait was set, and the fish bit.

While signing the contract with the Huang family, Qingyun had simultaneously signed similar contracts with several other families, all with the same demand: payment first, ink later.

Some, like Huang Pinyuan, unsuspecting and with ready funds, eagerly handed over their silver to Qingyun.

In Yizhou, the Little Mo Family was temporarily headed by Mo Yuhua, as Mo Yan was away. After Mo Cheng signed the contract with Qingyun and invested his family’s silver, he even went to Mo Yuhua for access to more funds. But Mo Yuhua refused, citing the absence of Mo Yan and lack of authorization to release cash, and showed no interest in the Grand Capital’s Ink Family or their business.

Mo Cheng was furious but powerless to act against Mo Yuhua, so he stormed out to borrow money elsewhere.

Within five days, despite the Huang family’s efforts at secrecy, rumors began to spread: word was that Qingyun had taken money from the Huang family, Mo Cheng, and another family surnamed Xu.

The Ninth Master, understanding when to stop, knew he had already accomplished his purpose. Though he had expanded the scheme beyond what Gu Fei had planned, he also knew that Linlang Pavilion would need to continue doing business in Yizhou. Such tricks could be used once, but never again. Having achieved Gu Fei’s goal, he withdrew.

By the time Gu Zhong caught wind of the situation, he barely had time to react before Mo Yan of the Little Mo Family returned. Mo Yan’s first act upon his return was to strip Mo Cheng of his authority within the family and place him under house arrest.

When Gu Fei heard the news, her first reaction was: disaster!