Original subtitles

[The Heir]

[Episode 11]

Old Madam,

Master Qi of Yihousheng has come for a visit.

Show him in.

Sift the tea.

["Sift the tea" means "serve tea" in ancient Huizhou dialect]

Yes.

I'm sure any tea served here must be excellent, Old Madam.

However, as a rough and coarse man

myself,

I'm unable to discern the charm within this tea.

No worries.

Even the best tea is meant to be drunk.

Master Qi, where did you come from?

The Chen residence, the Pan residence, or the Tian residence?

In my opinion,

you have probably

visited all the ink makers

in Huizhou, haven't you?

Old Madam,

I am from out of town.

In order to do business in Huizhou,

I have to visit all the fellow ink makers, don't I?

On the banquet that day,

I met you for the first time,

yet we didn't get to talk.

It was truly a pity.

So, I came today especially to pay you a visit, Old Madam.

Old Madam,

I fortunately obtained a painting.

The creator of this work cannot be identified.

But the content of it is rather interesting.

Please take a look, Old Madam.

This is...

The pawner of this painting told me

that this scroll shows

how the masters of Li Ink made ink along the river

after the founder of the South Tang restored his ancestral surname.

What a spectacle.

Indeed.

Old Madam,

I took the liberty to call on you today

because I think

that Li Ink is the perfect home

for this painting.

How very nice.

Here,

I extend my gratitude to you with tea

instead of alcohol, Master Qi.

Master Qi,

since you're looking to enter the ink industry,

why did you open a pawnshop instead of an ink workshop?

Old Madam, I know my limits.

I only have a superficial knowledge of ink.

Rushing into the ink industry could easily be to my detriment.

It's better to...

It's better to test the ink makers in Huizhou

and select the best by posing a challenge about the ancient lacquer-soot ink.

Old Madam, that's an overstatement.

How would I dare to test the prestigious ink makers here?

Given that Lord Yan has just taken office,

and that I'd like to do some small business here,

I'm just riding the momentum and seeking a lucky start.

As the saying goes, politics cannot stay afloat without commerce.

In turn, proper governance builds a stable commercial environment.

Master Qi,

you're running quite a significant business here.

Old Madam,

whether my business is significant or not

depends on you.

Miss Li Zhen,

are you busy?

Miss Li Zhen,

Old Madam asked me to bring you some black tea.

Why don't you take a break

and enjoy a cup of tea?

No impurities. A fragrant smell.

Solid black and lustrous.

How nice.

This is really nice.

But its texture

is worlds apart from that

of the super-grade lampblack.

What a huge shame.

This is truly a shame.

Such a shame!

What do you want, Master Qi?

The Old Madam asked me to bring you some black tea.

Would you like a cup of it?

Master Qi, you met with the Seventh Old Madam

and then me.

Speak up.

What is it that you want?

Can't I just come check on the making

of the ancient lacquer-soot ink?

Don't close it.

You've opened it. Why rush to shut it?

I...

I do have a favor to ask.

Say it.

Miss Li Zhen, could you help me persuade the Old Madam

to team up with me

on ink business?

If I remember correctly,

Master Qi,

you visited the Tian family just the day before,

and then the Chen family.

Now, today, you insist on cooperating with Li Ink.

What exactly is your purpose?

I am a businessman.

What purpose could I have?

Of course I am seeking

a business ally who I can share weal and woes with.

The Li family aside,

Miss Li Zhen, if you are willing,

I can also cooperate with you.

Since you don't trust me, Master Qi,

and you're reluctant to tell the truth,

then there is nothing

we can talk about.

Please leave.

Miss Li Zhen, that's not right.

I am telling the truth.

Besides, think about it.

You've promised Lord Yan

to make the ancient lacquer-soot ink.

You can't back out from this game now.

So why not partner with me?

With my assistance,

you'll surely get twice the result with half the effort.

I'm already in this game.

Master Qi, do you really not know who got me

into this situation?

Please, Miss Li Zhen,

try not to assume the worst of others.

Perhaps the one who arranged this game

is playing

the black pieces like you are.

Wood's burning. Keep the draft away.

Got it.

I'll put the tea here.

Miss Li Zhen, it turns out

that you learned such fine ink-making skills

from this ancient manual

on ink production.

This must be the Ink Chronicles

written by He Yuan.

You came back so soon.

Selling this book to me at 100 taels

wouldn't put you at a loss, you know?

Careful. This is the only existing copy.

This is the book, the Ink Chronicles.

Have someone ride a fast horse and deliver

this book to my brother.

The critical phase for ink making has arrived now.

No mistakes are allowed.

Master Qi,

you're actually more knowledgeable than I expected,

for having done studies on ancient ink-making manuals.

Would you let go of this treasure, Miss Li Zhen, painful as it may be?

I'll be glad to pay a handsome price for the Ink Chronicles.

How very strange, Master Qi.

Why would you spend a fortune on an old book?

It's the only copy of this ancient classic

and of great collectible value.

It cannot be measured by gold or silver.

Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Master Qi.

May I ask, Miss Li Zhen,

how you got hold of this book?

I found it by chance. I got it as a gift. I bought it from a shop.

Anyway, I didn't steal it or rob anyone of it.

You must be joking, Miss Li Zhen.

I sincerely wish to buy this ancient book.

Is there anything wrong with me?

This book means a lot to me.

It taught me the basic truths of ink,

gave me the skills I need to feed my family,

and set me on a long path of exploration.

This book serves as a constant reminder for me,

that if I am to create my own Way of Ink,

then I must be concentrated

and stay away from distractions.

Therefore,

this book is a priceless treasure to me.

I will not sell it to anyone.

Understood.

I will not try to take away what you cherish then.

I suppose, Miss Li Zhen, this book cannot find

a better owner than you.

That said, may I borrow it and read it here

for some time?

Suit yourself.

Just don't damage it.

Sure.

Miss Li Zhen,

are you seeking these "organs"?

So you've also done studies on ink formulas,

Master Qi?

The human body contains 360 joints,

9 orifices, 5 solid organs and 6 hollow organs.

I bet the organs mentioned here refer to those inside animals.

That was also my guess before.

But that spot is smudged by ink.

So I can't tell the exact words.

Alright.

I offer to find these items for you, Miss Li Zhen.

I will have them delivered

to your residence within 3 days.

This matter takes much effort.

I'd rather not trouble you with it, Master Qi.

I'll handle it myself.

Please give me some time, Miss Li Zhen.

I promise I will show you my sincerity

in cooperating with the Li family.

Fine, whatever.

Why mumble so much while reading the book?

Give it back to me.

I want it back.

I haven't finished burning the wood.

You're being a hindrance here.

Save whatever you have to say for later.

Please leave.

Off you go.

Leave the room.

Hurry. Just go.

Better keep the draft away.

Is Zhen

making any progress

in the ink workshop?

It's very difficult

to recreate lacquer-soot ink.

Not to mention Zhen—

even the Sixth Master hasn't made much progress.

To add to that...

Anything wrong?

Workers from senior levels like Manager Shao to the bottom levels

in the ink workshop are all against her.

I guess these few days

must be hard for Zhen.

Mother,

given that, I'm wondering

if I should

go give Master Sun

a heads-up.

If Zhen is really

looking to launch a career in the ink-making industry,

whether she returns to the family

or starts everything on her own,

she'll have to earn everyone's support in the ink workshop.

This is a challenge she has to overcome.

Years ago, your father,

the Sixth Master, and the Eighth Uncle

all went through the same rough patch.

This is not right.

How is it not right?

The raw materials are not in the right amount or proportions.

How am I supposed to mix them up

and make lampblack?

This won't do.

I must ask Manager Shao about it.

Manager Shao,

the raw materials that Doggie brought to my smoke shed

were handled by you, right?

Yes, exactly.

Is there a problem?

Those raw materials

are in different amount

and proportions from what's written on this list.

How am I supposed to mix them up to make lampblack?

Miss Li Zhen,

you've taken things from other smoke sheds multiple times.

I know you're working hard to make ink,

so I've never held you accountable.

Given that, this time when I distributed materials,

I deducted the corresponding amount.

So you did deduct some of them.

But without enough raw materials,

how do I make lampblack?

Has it ever occurred to you, Miss Li Zhen,

that how others could make lampblack with you taking their materials away?

They might get anxious

and ask for next month's materials.

What would that lead to?

I...

Miss Li Zhen,

you've been learning ink making from Eighth Master Li.

Do you know who designed this registration book

that you hate most?

Who?

Couldn't be my grandpa, could it?

Decades ago,

the old master of the Li family passed way too early.

The Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Masters were too young

to control the workshop employees.

Thus, Li Ink gradually declined.

Later,

the Seventh Master held the fort,

while the Eighth Master worked day and night to develop new ink,

and the Sixth Master traveled everywhere to collect materials and deliver goods.

The Seventh Old Madam managed issues at home.

That way, Li Ink was finally stabilized, and reached the prime

where it competed several times for the privilege to produce tribute ink.

By then, I had just joined Li Ink as an apprentice

who ran errands a lot like Doggie.

The Eighth Master took me with him

and set up rules for Li Ink, registering every detail

in this book, however trivial that was.

Miss Li Zhen,

obeying rules is the basis of accompliments.

People respectfully refer to the Eighth Master

as head of the Five Ink-making Grandmasters of the dynasty.

Do you think it's just because of his exquisite skills?

I don't have much talent in making ink.

After spending my entire life learning from him,

the only thing I've picked up is "caution."

And that already makes me feel I've benefited a lot.

There is so much more you need to learn

from your grandfather.

Back then, was my grandfather

as indifferent

as you are now?

The Eighth Master kept this log himself.

Take a look.

[Manifest of Materials for the Ink Workshop]

It was made in the year I was born.

I didn't know Grandpa would often record

what the Sixth Grandfather did.

[Li Jingfu]

My father's doing was actually recorded as well.

Manager Shao,

I was wrong before.

I accept the punishment.

I dare not have you bow.

I am merely strictly following

the rules of Li Ink.

To be honest, Miss Li Zhen,

when you first arrived,

I did have some doubts.

But after a few days' observation,

I can tell that you've been humble

and working hard day and night with one single focus

on recreating the ancient lacquer-soot ink.

I've really found you admirable.

Manager Shao, please don't.

I should be the one paying respects to you.

This has never happened before.

We demand an explanation!

What's going on?

Manager Shao.

You're also here, Miss Li Zhen.

That's even better.

Manager Shao,

this is the lampblack made by Master Wei yesterday.

Look.

Such a mess, isn't it?

It's all thanks to Miss Li Zhen.

She sneaked into the ink workshop at midnight and let the wind in.

The lampblack

is completely ruined.

Manager Shao,

I did do wrong by rashly entering

the ink workshop last night,

which violated the rules for using smoke sheds.

But when I arrived

at that very smoke shed yesterday,

there was no one or finished lampblack at all.

Young lady,

stop talking nonsense and shifting blame.

I spent all of yesterday making lampblack in that smoke shed.

Indeed, I saw it with my own eyes.

Did you also see it as well?

-Yes! -That's right!

Manager Shao,

if my memory serves me right,

every action in the ink workshop,

including using smoke sheds, and collecting lamp oil,

raw materials, and other supplies,

must be registered by you.

Am I right?

That's the standard procedure.

Yesterday, I personally asked Shao for permission

to use that smoke shed.

Check out the log if you don't believe me.

You did use that smoke shed yesterday.

But there isn't a record

of you collecting raw materials for making lampblack.

Then where did you source

the materials for making that lampblack?

I... I...

Could it be that you, Mr. Wei, violated the rules first by taking

materials without registering?

Manager Shao,

I remember you once told me

that in the ink workshop,

taking materials without registering is equal to stealing.

No, no.

P-Perhaps I just used

t-the leftover materials from a few days ago.

I-I can't remember clearly.

It was 7 days ago when you last collected raw materials.

But you already delivered products the day before yesterday.

I also checked the smoke sheds.

There were no leftovers.

I have such a bad memory.

This lampblack was a failed product from a few days ago.

Due to my packed schedule,

I forgot to have it registered.

It has nothing to do with Miss Li Zhen.

Since it's a misunderstanding,

Mr. Wei,

please apologize to Miss Li Zhen.

The ink workshop is busy and crowded.

So I got confused.

My apologies, Miss Li Zhen.

No worries.

Everyone, leave.

Go to work.

Thanks, Manager Shao.

Grandpa,

was Dad punished with a fine

back when he worked in the ink workshop?

More than just a fine.

There are strict rules in the ink workshop.

Your grandpa always said

it was no easy job for the workers to support their families.

So he couldn't bear to impose a large fine.

Therefore, at the end,

all the responsibility was piled onto your dad.

You weren't even born back then.

Zhengliang might remember it.

There was a time when your grandpa withheld a whole month's salary

from your dad as punishment.

Your dad hadn't a dime

or the guts to tell me the truth.

Guess what he did?

Your dad actually secretly went through

my dowry in the middle of the night.

I caught him red-handed!

One night, you chased Dad around, beat him,

and even got out of the house.

That was the night, right?

Mother, is it true?

Of course it's true.

He had the gall to steal my dowry.

I was furious!

Therefore,

Zhen, Qiu'e,

keep this in mind:

make sure you hide your dowries well in the future.

Men,

all the men,

are like turnips.

Father, I'm not talking about you.

Mother.

Thank you, Mother.

Is my brother a turnip too?

Your brother?

He's as dumb as a turnip!

Mother.

She's saying you're as dumb as a turnip!

Come on, eat more turnips.

I want some too.

Dig in!

Zhengliang, have more turnips.

Keep quiet please.

Zhen.

Follow Shao An's lead

and learn from him.

I might not be able

to teach you what he can.

I know.

How is the lampblack coming along?

Once animal fat is added,

there will be oil slicks that can't be washed away.

I've tried several methods,

but the results are not very ideal.

That said, don't worry, Grandpa.

I already have a clue about this matter.

If worst comes to worst,

I'll try out the six bowels of those livestock one by one.

I'll eventually find a suitable combination.

That's good.

Hurry and eat up.

I don't know what kind of livestock

or what kind of internal organ it uses.

Trying out the combinations

will take nearly 100 attempts.

When will this end?

Miss Li Zhen, it seems

that you still don't believe me.

I never pin my hopes on other people.

The purest internal organ

is the gallbladder.

Over the past few days,

I have been rushing about day and night,

visiting numerous great scholars.

Only then did I confirm that what was recorded in the ancient text

is the purest internal organ.

I apologize for my attitude before.

Please don't take offense, Master Qi.

Not at all.

However, although I have confirmed

that the ancient text refers to the purest internal organ,

as for exactly which animal's bile it is,

I...

Master Qi, you have already helped me a lot.

I can handle the rest myself.

Please.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

Is there anything else, Master Qi?

If there is nothing else,

please see yourself out.

Please.

Alright.

It's done?

Eighth Master Li.

Eighth Master Li.

Eighth Master Li!

Eighth Master Li!

Eighth Master Li.

Eighth Master Li...

Zhen recreated the long-lost

supreme-grade ancient

lacquer lampblack.

Father.

It's almost done.

It's almost done.

Jingdong.

Jingdong.

Stop working on it.

Zhen has succeeded.

She successfully recreated

the supreme-grade lampblack

of the ancient lacquer-soot ink.

Seventh Grandmother,

I

made it.

Zhen.

Now that this lacquer lampblack is a great success,

Li Ink

can be saved.

Zhen.

It was you

who saved Li Ink.

I'd like to thank you

on behalf of Li Ink.

Seventh Grandmother.

Mother.

Please get up.

I can't accept this.

You don't need to thank me.

It's what I should do.

The lampblack's ingredient combination for the ancient lacquer-soot ink

has been worked out.

To completely restore the ancient lacquer-soot ink,

there are still countless processes.

Today, I

completely entrust

this important matter

to you.

Please rest assured.

I

will not let you down.

Hundreds of thousands of hammerings with a weak gelatin binder.

One strike less

would disgrace the Li family’s name.

Mother, we must have faith in Zhen.

[Li Ink]

Zhen is here!

Zhen is here!

Put on clothes!

I-I'm fine.

You can continue.

No need to get dressed.

I'm not looking!

I'm not looking! I'm not looking!

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Miss Li Zhen.

Manager Shao.

Look at her.

Old Madam.

Aunt Rujun.

This is the ancient lacquer-soot ink recreated by Zhen.

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter?

Why did you use the four seasons as the carving pattern?

This was Zhen's proposal.

She said the Four Seasons painting

reflects the difficulty of ink-making

and her wish that fine ink may stay with people for a long time—

its ink never fading through the four seasons of the year.

Right.

The gold tracing on it

was personally drawn by Manager Shao.

I'm ashamed.

I've followed Eighth Master Li for half my life.

I didn't master ink-making,

only picked up the basics.

Seventh Grandmother.

How well

have I restored this ink?

Excellent.

Zhen.

A single ink stick requires hundreds of soot firing,

over ten thousand hammerings to bind the glue,

and still must be carved, molded, and air-dried.

Making ink is no easy task.

Here,

lies the hard work of all the ink-maker in the ink workshop.

I understand.

Grandpa!

Grandpa.

I recreated

the lacquer-soot ink.

When making the lacquer-soot ink,

if your mind drifts,

the ink loses its depth and becomes shallow.

This ink

[Beauty in All Four Seasons]

is firm as jade.

Li Ink prizes a spirit

of unyielding integrity.

True backbone.