33. The overall responsibility always falls on me.

In Yizhou, the second-tier Gu family became famous overnight. Two sets of ink pellets, uniquely exquisite in appearance and radiating spiritual energy, were snatched up as soon as they were placed on the shelves. Gu Zhong was overjoyed, urging the old craftsman behind his shop to quickly make more sets.

The old craftsman was already highly experienced—his ink was considered top quality in the Gu family’s shop. With the sudden arrival of the two ink molds from Gu Zhong, even though the quality of the ink could only be deemed above average, the sight of a set of ink pellets delighted anyone who saw them.

Gu Zhong seized the opportunity. After much deliberation, he brought the ink molds and, accompanied by a servant bearing a small gift, sought out Feng Puyu, the foremost ink-maker in Yizhou. He had little hope, thinking it best if Master Feng would agree to use the molds to craft a set of ink pellets.

To his surprise, Feng Puyu, upon seeing the molds, admired them for a long time. Without Gu Zhong even asking, Master Feng willingly requested to borrow the molds.

Gu Zhong, shrewd and opportunistic as he was, promptly presented his gift, also asking Feng Puyu to make an extra set to serve as the shop’s treasure.

Feng Puyu agreed without much hesitation, simply instructing him to return for it in a few days.

With his goal achieved, Gu Zhong was satisfied and prepared to take his leave. Just as he reached the door, he heard Feng Puyu mention Gu Fei, saying, “I heard from my useless grandson that there’s a young lady named Gu Fei living in your house, who has quite a talent for ink-making?”

Gu Zhong was surprised, but his expression betrayed nothing, only a gleam flashed in his eyes. “You flatter us, Master Feng. My niece merely tinkers with ink to pass the time.”

Feng Puyu, thin and short, with silvery brows reaching his chin, was a lively little old man. At that moment, he stroked his white beard and smiled faintly. “Did these ink molds come from her hand?”

For those who understand and love ink, meeting a kindred spirit naturally evokes admiration. Lately, with Feng Li constantly mentioning her, Feng Puyu’s curiosity was unsurprising.

Gu Zhong knew it was futile to hide, so he replied honestly, “To tell the truth, yes, they were made by my niece.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Puyu turned the ink molds over in his hands once more. “Excellent, excellent.”

Receiving Feng Puyu’s approval, Gu Zhong’s heart burned even hotter. His mind raced, weighing advantages and disadvantages, and after much calculation, he silently made a decision.

By the time he left the Feng residence, dusk had already fallen. Gu Zhong did not linger; with only two days until the ancestral shrine ceremony, he reviewed all his plans, and once in his sedan, urged the bearers to hurry home.

Upon returning, he lifted his robe and headed straight for the Azure Ink Courtyard.

At that moment, Gu Fei was whispering with Nurse Ku in the flower hall. Under the dim oil lamp, the occasional pop of the wick sent moths fluttering toward the light.

Gu Zhong paused, standing in the shadows of the flower hall’s doorway, watching Gu Fei’s expressionless face. Suppressing extraneous thoughts, he strode inside without waiting for Danqing to announce him.

Gu Fei looked up, unsurprised by his arrival, as if everything was within her expectations. “Uncle, is there something you need at this hour?”

Gu Zhong tugged at the corner of his mouth and sat down, his gaze burning as he studied her for a while before speaking. “Looking closely now, Fei, your features resemble your father’s.”

Gu Fei snorted coldly, her almond eyes curving slightly, the reflected light hiding the color in her gaze. “You’re the first to say that, Uncle.”

Gu Zhong pressed his fist to his lips, coughing lightly, somewhat uneasy under Gu Fei’s ink-black eyes. “I’ve been thinking, your recognition into the family is a significant matter. I plan to invite some respected families and nobles to witness the ceremony. What do you think?”

Gu Fei raised her brows at this, her fingers continuously rubbing the armrest of her wheelchair. After a moment of consideration, she replied, “May I ask which guests Uncle intends to invite?”

A rare smile appeared on Gu Zhong’s usually stern face, making him look rather odd. “The Xiao Mo family must attend, and Master Feng Puyu as well. There are friends from the Ink Merchants’ Association, and the rest are families closely connected with ours.”

Hearing that the Ink Merchants’ Association would be invited, Gu Fei’s hand paused in its movement.

The so-called Ink Merchants’ Association had arisen in regions where the ink-making trade flourished. Those in the business formed a self-governing alliance, which, after centuries of development, had evolved into a strict hierarchy. For example, Yizhou’s Ink Merchants’ Association only governed local families and workshops, its status equal to those in other regions. Above all, the most influential was the Capital’s Ink Merchants’ Association, where, as Gu Fei knew, the Mo family dominated, their word as authoritative as the association’s official decisions.

Gu Fei mentally sorted through the families and powers Gu Zhong mentioned, then smiled lightly, lips pressed together. “I’ll follow Uncle’s arrangements.”

With Gu Fei’s consent, Gu Zhong was nearly impatient. He could not sit still, quickly rising. “Then I’ll go write the invitations right away.”

He hurried off as soon as he finished speaking.

The next morning, apparently per Gu Zhong’s instructions, Madam Cui personally brought several seamstresses to the Azure Ink Courtyard to measure Gu Fei for new clothes.

Madam Cui, beaming, was truly affable, insisting the garments be finished overnight so that Gu Fei would shine brilliantly on the day of the ancestral ceremony.

Gu Fei paid it no mind, simply smiling and letting them fuss over her.

At the end, Madam Cui painstakingly explained all the ceremony’s rituals and rules, worrying Gu Fei might forget something and make a mistake. Madam Cui spent half the day in the courtyard.

From start to finish, Gu Fei neither agreed nor disagreed, her face constantly adorned with a faint smile, inscrutable and revealing no extraneous emotion.

When the time for dinner came, Gu Fei had just picked up her bowl when Second Master Gu Jiang, perpetually drunk or dazed, staggered in with a wine jug.

He didn’t say he wanted to dine together. He slumped into a chair, squinting his tiny eyes at Gu Fei and laughing slyly, waving for Danqing to fetch him more wine.

Danqing looked uncertainly at Gu Fei, who nodded, instructing her to obey.

Once the servant left, Gu Fei ignored Gu Jiang completely, eating her meal as usual. Unexpectedly—

Nurse Ku had barely picked up a dish for her when a long sleeve swept across the table with a crash, sending plates tumbling to the floor.

Now there was no meal left to eat.

Nurse Ku snorted coldly, stomping her foot and twisting her wrist, ready to step forward and teach Gu Jiang a lesson.

Gu Fei placed her silver chopsticks down with a soft tap, stopping Nurse Ku’s strike just as it reached Gu Jiang’s chest, then withdrew her hand as smoothly as water.

“Second Master Gu, such a temper—did you come to the Azure Ink Courtyard just to vent your anger?” Even a clay figure has some temper, let alone being so affronted. Gu Fei naturally felt provoked; she most hated interruptions during meals or sleep.

“My good daughter, I’d like to ask you—what more do you want?” Gu Jiang sprawled in his chair like a boneless worm, limbs flung out, swilling wine until dark stains bloomed across his chest. “If you can’t behave, then get out of the Gu residence.”

Gu Fei sneered, “Who would have thought that the useless Second Master Gu would ever defend the family? Is it the roots you’re protecting, or do you simply begrudge your own daughter?”

Everyone present knew exactly which daughter she referred to.

Gu Jiang’s expression changed instantly. He leaped to his feet, flinging the wine jug so hard that drops sprayed everywhere, his face livid. “You’re an outsider—you have no right to meddle in Gu family affairs. I don’t care what you want. Even if you undergo the blood recognition tomorrow, as long as you stay here, I will never help you! Don’t even think of involving my branch in your schemes!”

Each word struck with force, sharp as a blade.

But Gu Fei replied with just one sentence, “Someday, Gu Jiang, you’ll come begging at my door.”