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家业
A tribute ink scandal topples the Li family’s long-standing ink business, leaving their legacy in ruins. Years later, Li Zhen, the determined youngest daughter, sets out to restore her family's name. As she rises in the industry, she joins forces with Luo Wenqian, heir to another fallen clan, to take on a rising rival and face new challenges from foreign markets, fighting to bring Huizhou ink back to its former glory.
Eight-year-old Li Zhen, the granddaughter from the eighth branch of the Li family, devises the Five-Color Ink Grading Test to distinguish superior ink from inferior, helping Li Ink earn the title of Imperial Ink Supplier. However, while the family is transporting the Imperial Ink to the capital, a fire breaks out and destroys the entire shipment. To quell the public outrage, Li Jin Shui steps forward on behalf of the eighth branch and voluntarily requests that they be expelled from the Li clan.
Li Zhen grows into adulthood and has an arranged marriage with Tian Ben Chang, the eldest son of the Tian family. Unexpectedly, Tian Ben Chang's father makes the arrangement just to strengthen Tian Ink through the joining of the eighth branch.
Li Zhen’s brother, Li Zheng Liang, steals the ink formula manuscript and hides it among her dowry, but Li Jing Dong discovers it. To protect his grandson, Li Jin Shui publicly vows never to make ink again.
Li Zhen stumbles upon the Luo family's pinewood selection and makes a wager with Luo Wen Song. If she can identify the high-quality pinewood, she'll win a reward from the Luo family.
Refusing to give up, Li Zhen disguises herself as a man and sneaks into various ink workshops to learn the craft. She is eventually exposed by the master craftsman at Luo Ink, who reports her to the Literary Society on the grounds that women are forbidden from learning ink-making.
Li Zhen officially begins studying the art of inkmaking, but she is unable to live up to her grandfather's standards.
Driven by rage and humiliation, Tian Ben Chang sets the Luo family home on fire. Luo Wen Song and his family are killed in the blaze. Li Zhen witnesses the horrific tragedy, while Luo Wen Qian returns too late, forced to watch his family consumed by the flames.
Li Zhen manages to produce Superior-Grade ink soot, but people say that it's Low-Grade. To prove herself, Li Zhen auctions the Superior-Grade ink soot on the streets together with Wang Hua'er.
Qi Jiu’s true identity is actually Luo Wen Qian. He returns to Huizhou under the guise of procuring military supplies, with the sole purpose of taking revenge on the Tian family.
Qi Jiu sees Magistrate Zhao Shen visiting the Tian family and realizes they share close ties. He understands that to bring down the Tian family, he must first eliminate the powerful figure backing them.
Sun Bai Yi, resentful over Li Zhen’s auction of soot, falsely accuses her of breaking the rules and damaging the finished ink soot. Li Zhen uses detailed usage records to expose his lies and prove her innocence.
The Li family intends to hold an ink testing event for their ancient lacquer soot ink. Tian Ben Chang deliberately holds the Tian family's ink testing event on the same day. Li Zhen suggests inviting famous painters and distinguished ink merchants to resolve the crisis.
Li Zhen takes an unconventional approach and organizes an open-air ink testing event. Qi Jiu arrives in time with Mr. Dong Tu, and the Li family’s ink testing event becomes a resounding success.
Ge Lao Liu exposes that Sun Bai Yi is the mastermind behind this plot to frame and kick out Li Zhen. In the end, Seventh Grandmother expels both father and son of the Sun family from Li Ink.
Eunuch Yan’s adopted daughter, Yan Xiang Lan, has suffered from a facial sore for many years but avoids seeking medical treatment out of fear and shame. Li Zhen decides to research the Nine Treasures Ink, a type of ancient ink believed to be capable of treating various sores and ailments.
Li Zhen successfully heals Yan Xiang Lan's malignant sores with the Nine Treasures Ink. Li Zhen then renames the Nine Treasures Ink as Fujin Ink after her parents.
An imperial decree announces the selection of the imperial ink, stirring up tensions within the Huizhou ink industry. Qi Jiu knows that the only way to defeat the Tian family is to win the Imperial Ink Contest.
Li Zhen discovers that the pine trees at the Li family’s pine yard have been infected with blight. As pine-soot ink has always been the cornerstone of the Li family business, the outbreak threatens to destroy everything they have built.
Li Zhen temporarily takes charge of Li Ink. To boost morale, she improves the workshop’s promotion system and increases the rate of high-quality ink production.
Sixth Master Li falls into the water by accident and passes away. The Li family mourns his death. Sun Wan Yi takes out Wang's will, entrusting Li Zhen with the role of manager, putting her in charge of the family and the ink workshop.
