Resumen del episodio 31 de The Heir
> Resúmenes de The Heir
Tian Benchang meets with Wu Weishi to check on his progress in buying an official post. Wu expresses frustration, explaining that news of the deal leaked, causing Eunuch Chen, the head of the Directorate of Imperial Supplies, to back out. Although Wu claims he can still use his father’s influence to secure the position, he informs Tian that the bribe has now doubled. Tian is distressed; his resources in Nanjing are nearly depleted.
Wu then suggests a dangerous alternative: producing "Tongfan Ink" for illegal foreign trade. Despite it being a capital crime, Wu promises it is the only way to quickly raise the necessary silver. Terrified by the risk, Tian asks for time to think it over, but that night he is haunted by a nightmare where Wu murders him to ensure his silence.
At home, Tian Ronghua scolds Tian Benchang for missing the Princess’s ink selection, questioning his commitment to the family business. Tian Benchang retorts with disdain, revealing his true ambition is to secure a government post in the Directorate of Imperial Supplies to escape their lowly merchant status. He dismisses Ronghua as nothing more than a tool for flattery and orders her to return to the Capital immediately.
Meanwhile, Qi Jiu visits a post office to send a letter, only to find that heavy blizzards have blocked the roads to Huizhou. Seeing Li Zhen’s packages and a letter from Li Zhengshen among the stranded mail, Qi Jiu convinces the owner to let him take them, planning to send the letter by carrier pigeon and transport the goods by boat. Tian Benchang eventually decides to risk the smuggling venture and returns to Wu Weishi to pledge his cooperation.
During their meeting, Wu warns Tian that Qi Jiu has been tailing him and likely caused the trouble with Eunuch Chen. Tian coldly asks if it would be difficult to make someone "disappear" in a city as large as Nanjing, and Wu assures him his men can handle the assassination. Soon after, Qi Jiu is ambushed and severely injured. Despite his bleeding wounds, he returns to the post office to ensure Li Zhen’s letter is safely dispatched via pigeon.
When Li Zhen later checks on her mail, the owner tells her that her "friend with thick eyebrows" managed to send her items but appeared badly hurt. Deeply concerned, Li Zhen searches for Qi Jiu. Meanwhile, Qi Jiu seeks counsel from Master Fahui at Luoxia Temple. He confesses that he is burdened by a heavy secret—his family's vendetta—which has been his only reason for living, but he now feels his past makes him unworthy of the person he loves.
The Master encourages him to let go of past regrets, noting that fate is like flowing water, and urges him to "take a leap" toward his future. Later, during the Sanshan Hall Lantern Festival, Li Zhen finds Qi Jiu standing under a massive lantern. She notices his bandaged hand and tells him she will no longer force him to reveal his secrets; she only wants him to stay safe by her side.
Moved, Qi Jiu finally confesses his love and promises to tell her everything when the time is right. As their business in Nanjing concludes, Li Zhen signs over the management of the new shop to Li Zhengshen. She also reaches out to Tian Ronghua, offering her a position as an accountant at the New Li Ink Workshop in Huizhou.
As the group prepares for the journey home, packing gifts and "Ganfengling" medicine for the trip, Xiaotao arrives with an imperial decree from Noble Consort Du. Because the birthday ink was a great success, the Consort returns a stick of the legendary Sihe Ink—a Li family heirloom—to Li Zhen. Li Zhen kneels to accept the treasure, overwhelmed by the restoration of her family's legacy.
Upon arriving at the Huizhou docks, the group is met by a large welcoming party led by Seventh Madam Rujun, who brought the entire family to ensure Li Zhen felt their support the moment she stepped off the boat. Li Zhen presents the Sihe Ink and announces their three-year contract with the Princess’s household. Seventh Madam, deeply moved, insists that Li Zhen personally place the sacred ink back into the family vault. As the gates of the vault are opened for the first time in decades, the elders acknowledge that it is finally time for the next generation to take the lead.
