Chapter 154 Luo Heng's Past: Finding Clues

Pei Yuan's disgusted expression flashed through Shen Chu's mind. Her smile faltered slightly, and she lowered her eyes, saying, "It seems that my brother has also heard the rumors circulating in the streets."

Luo Heng sat up straight, looking somewhat at a loss. "It was my brother who misspoke. I never believed those rumors to begin with, and now that I've met you, I'm even less likely to believe them."

Chen Chu smiled, stood up and said, "I trust my brother. It's getting late, I should take my leave."

"I'll see you off." Luo Heng stood up and casually asked, "When I was checking the accounts the other day, you seemed to be looking for some book. Did you find it?"

If you can't find it, I'll ask the manager of Rongbaozhai to keep an eye out for you; I should have news soon.

Shen Chu said, "The book has been found, so there's no need for you to trouble yourself, elder brother."

As she passed the desk, she noticed a piece of ink with plum blossoms on it.

Her gaze paused for a moment. "Isn't this the most famous member of your Luo family, Biao Meimo?"

Luo Heng stepped forward, picked up the ink stick, and handed it over. "Does A-Chu also like plum blossom ink? This is one I just made recently. What do you think?"

Shen Chu examined it carefully and saw that the inkstone was shaped like an ox tongue, with a hollowed-out plum tree carved on one side, with lush branches and leaves and many plum fruits. On the other side were written the three characters "摽有梅" (Plum Blossoms), with the characters flowing and unrestrained, which were very beautiful.

When you hold it to your nose and take a gentle sniff, a faint fragrance of plum blossoms wafts up, mixed with the unique aroma of pine smoke.

"The ink is bluish-green, smooth and fine, with a delicate and elegant fragrance that is refreshing and delightful. It is a fine ink, and you have excellent craftsmanship, brother."

Luo Heng's eyes shone brightly, with an undisguised pride in them. "It seems that A Chu knows how to distinguish ink. You don't know, I tried more than ten times before I finally succeeded in making it."

Shen Chu was puzzled, "Isn't Biaoyoumei ink a famous product of your Luo family? You should be very familiar with the production process, so why does eldest brother still need to study it himself?"

Luo Heng sighed, looking somewhat dejected.

The name "摽有梅" is taken from the Book of Songs, meaning that plums ripen and fall. It was originally made by my father to commemorate his meeting and falling in love with my mother.

Unexpectedly, the ink became widely loved and sought after after its release, leading to the establishment of Rongbaozhai.

Unfortunately, my father passed away unexpectedly two years later. The family members fought over the inheritance, and several uncles drove my mother and me to the village in order to seize the family property.

The artisans skilled in making plum blossom ink were fought over several times, and the uncles split up, each opening their own shops to sell their own plum blossom ink.

However, the plum blossom ink they produced could not compare to the ink sticks my father made, because the most crucial step in making ink sticks was always done by my father himself. With my father's passing, the true craft of plum blossom ink sticks was lost.

A few years ago, after I rebuilt the family business and took back Rongbaozhai, I began researching and developing ink with plum blossom patterns. After much trial and error, I have finally mastered the secret my father used to teach me.

Shen Chu couldn't help but sigh, "My elder brother is so humble and polite, I never imagined that he had suffered a lot when he was young."

Luo Heng chuckled, "I'm a businessman. If I were always humble and polite, I'm afraid I would have been devoured long ago."

That's true.

Shen Chu smiled and said, "It is said that good ink sticks are as good as new over time. I have been looking for plum blossom ink sticks made by the Luo family ten years ago, and I want to give them to my superiors as a gift."

"Does elder brother know where I can find one? If so, I'm willing to pay a high price to buy it."

According to Luo Heng, the real Biaoyoumei ink was made ten years ago, and his father was framed in the same year.

The genuine Biao You Mei ink was only sold for two years. All the Biao You Mei ink sold in recent years were counterfeit products made by the Luo family uncles.

In other words, if we can find out which families the plum blossoms were sold to in the first year, and then filter them, we might be able to find the murderer who framed my father.

Therefore, she asked Luo Heng for help by pretending that she wanted to buy ink sticks from ten years ago.

“Ink sticks from ten years ago,” Luo Heng frowned. “Back then, Biaoyoumei ink was extremely rare, and a large portion of it was sent to the palace as tribute.”

The rest were either bought by high-ranking officials or seized by noble families. Ten years have passed; it's hard to imagine anyone still keeping them unused.

Chen Chu was somewhat disappointed. "I know the chances are slim, but I still want to give it a try. Could you help me find out who sold Biao Youmei Mo ten years ago? I'll go ask them."

Luo Heng thought for a moment, "This is not difficult. My father is a cautious person. In order to prevent his business rivals from taking advantage of him, he keeps very detailed records of everything he sells."

I'll have someone retrieve the account books from ten years ago, and we'll look for them together.

Without further ado, he excitedly urged his servants to move the account books.

Shen Chu was surprised by his quick agreement and was deeply moved. "Thank you, brother."

Luo Heng patted him on the shoulder, "No need for formalities between brothers. Come on, let's go find the account books together."

The account books from ten years ago were not easy to find; it took the Luo family servants most of the night to find a stack of them.

"Fortunately, when Uncle Master occupied Rongbaozhai for those years, he didn't destroy all the account books. Young Master, the account books are all here."

Luo Heng and Shen Chu spent a long time rummaging through a pile of ledgers before finally finding the sales ledger for Biao You Mei Mo.

The massacre in Liangzhou City occurred in June, and Biaoyoumei was developed that spring.

In other words, we only need to look at the sales records from February to June.

The plum-colored ink was presented as tribute in February and began to be sold in the capital in March. Due to the complicated production process, only a dozen or so boxes were sold in three months.

Shen Chu carefully flipped through the ledgers, her gaze finally settling on one particular page.

Luo Heng leaned over, raising an eyebrow in surprise, "On March 15th, the Feng family alone purchased eight boxes of ink sticks, which accounts for almost half of the sales in the capital."

He paused for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Is this the residence of the Empress's maternal family, the Grand Secretary Feng?"

Shen Chu twirled her fingers. "Chief Minister Feng is the Empress's own brother. Ten years ago, he wasn't Chief Minister; he was the Minister of Personnel."

Luo Heng nodded, "The Imperial Uncle's Mansion, no wonder they were able to snatch so many boxes at once. Other families only bought one or two boxes, but they bought the most, and there might even be some left over."

However, a storm was brewing in Shen Chu's heart.

According to the account books, only twelve families purchased plum blossom ink in three months. They were either princesses' residences, county princesses' residences, or even the Ning'an Marquis's residence.

It's the box that my mother asked my aunt to buy as a birthday gift for my father.

Of these twelve families, on the surface, there is no conflict with the Ning'an Marquis's mansion or with my father.

But the Feng family caught her attention.

Ten years ago, her father was escorted to the capital, and the entire Shen family was detained in the mansion awaiting trial. She and her mother had nowhere to turn for help, and no one in the Censorate dared to accept their petition.

Why is no one willing to accept the offer?

Unless pressure is exerted from above by someone in power, no one dares to stand up and speak out for them.

At the time, Chief Minister Feng was the Minister of Personnel, in charge of the promotion of officials, and was also the Empress's brother.

If he exerts pressure, the officials will naturally be wary.

More importantly, not long after her father and the Shen family were destroyed, the Empress's son was made Crown Prince.

It seems necessary to thoroughly investigate the Feng family.

"Achu, what are you thinking about?"

Shen Chu came to her senses and realized that the sky outside was already turning a pale white.

She quickly stood up. "I didn't expect to keep my brother up all night. It's getting late, and I have to go to the Inspectorate soon, so I have to go back now."

Luo Heng saw him out.

As soon as the two stepped out, they bumped right into Pei Yuan, who was walking towards them.