Yuan Yunzhong saw this, the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly before he leisurely picked up the ginkgo leaf fruit fork plated with gilt silver next to the fruit plate. He skewered a piece of Dingsheng cake and placed it on the blue and white porcelain dish with gold trim at his side, then slowly said, "You should know that the forest where Zhao Family Village is located belongs to the Hong Family, right?"
Before mistakenly entering "Zhao Family Village," Song Jiyun didn’t know; after entering Zhao Family Village, not only did she know, but she had also secretly sent Zheng Quan to inquire about the affairs of the Hong Family. Thus, she knew that not only did the forest belong to the Hong Family, but also that a minor steward in charge of managing the property, who saw that the Hong family members had been living in Suzhou all year round without returning, had quietly leased the forest to a person surnamed "Lu" at a price of fifty taels of silver per year.
As for what identity and origins this person surnamed "Lu" had, and what his relationship with the people of Zhao Family Village was, Zheng Quan wished to continue his investigation, but then discovered that governmental authorities were also looking into this matter.
She was worried that Zheng Quan might stumble upon something he should not, and had not allowed him to continue his investigation.
Moreover, she felt that there was neither enmity nor conflict of interest between her family and the Hong family, and she couldn’t think of any reason the Hong Family would pursue her, so she simply remained cautious but did not suspect the Hong Family.
Now that Yuan Yunzhong had brought up the matter again, she couldn’t help but recall the mud material that Young Master Hong wasn’t afraid of offending her great uncle to send, and the commission he had given her to fire porcelain... She suddenly became alert and said, "Could it be that the people who were chasing us have something to do with Young Master Hong?"
Seeing the change in her expression, Yuan Yunzhong snorted dismissively and said, "Are you afraid?"
After he spoke, it seemed as if he suddenly remembered something. His expression turned cold, and with a sideways glance, he said, "Or could it be that you are afraid that this matter is related to Young Master Hong?"
Song Jiyun, her mind occupied with the encounters she had had with Hong Xi, did not pay too much attention to his words and honestly replied, "I am a bit afraid!"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yunzhong’s face seemed to begin turning an even paler shade of green.
Song Jiyun was inwardly astonished, not understanding why, and had no choice but to speak of her impression of Young Master Hong, "He seems to be well-mannered, gentle and refined. Moreover, he is well-spoken, humorous, and elegant, treating others with warmth and humility, steady and reliable."
If he had any ulterior motives, that would be truly frightening!
She felt a heavy weight in her heart.
To her surprise, Yuan Yunzhong laughed scornfully, "Appearances can be deceiving. It’s hard to paint a tiger’s bones just by painting its skin. I did not expect Miss Song to be one to judge by appearances!"
Song Jiyun was taken aback.
That was a rather biased thing to say!
Although Young Master Hong was a prime suspect, in any case, evidence was needed for such matters.
Yuan Yunzhong in this manner, seemed more like someone who let his emotions influence his judgment, suspecting others based on his personal likes and dislikes.
After carefully thinking over their previous conversation, she couldn’t help but scrutinize Yuan Yunzhong from head to toe and said, "Why do I feel like you are overly targeting Young Master Hong?"
Yuan Yunzhong was stunned and his face showed disbelief, the veins at his temples seemingly pulsating as he said in a grave voice, "I am targeting him?"
Song Jiyun was greatly startled.
There was no need to get so angry, right?
She truly had this feeling.
However, she was more inclined to think that he had discovered something.
She looked at Yuan Yunzhong with suspicion and said, "Or is there something you haven’t told me?"
Yuan Yunzhong looked at her with a cold laugh, showing an attitude of not wanting to deal with her.
Song Jiyun quietly nodded to herself.
It seemed he really had made some discoveries!
She considered his still obscure identity and, not wishing to dig too deep and risk getting involved herself, opted to kick the ball back to Yuan Yunzhong’s court, asking him earnestly for advice, "So should I or should I not paint the gourd for the Hong Family? What if the Hong Family really has some ideas, wouldn’t I be walking right into a trap?"
Yuan Yunzhong glanced at her.
Song Jiyun immediately gave him a radiant smile.
Her beautiful eyes were ablaze like flowers in full bloom in summer.
Yuan Yunzhong felt scorched by the burning heat, lowering his eyelids.
Song Jiyun continued, "There is no such thing as a pill for regret in this world. I am truly in a difficult position, as I must wrack my brain for a reason to decline the Hong Family’s proposal."
Her vexation was evident, and her crisp, melodious voice had lost its vitality, sounding listless.
Yuan Yunzhong’s fingers resting on the table twitched slightly.
The room was filled with Song Jiyun’s long sighs and short laments, like the autumn wind brushing through the branches outside the window.
Finally, Yuan Yunzhong lifted his eyelids slightly and said, "Do you still intend to form an alliance through marriage with the Hong Family?"
"What do you mean?" Song Jiyun was utterly confused.
Yuan Yunzhong, with half-closed eyelids, said, "Even the punishment of extermination does not extend to a married-out woman, so what are you afraid of if you are merely helping their family to fire kiln porcelain?"
In other words, as long as she did not become too closely involved with the Hong Family, there would be no problem.
Finally, this man revealed his true thoughts.
Song Jiyun breathed a sigh of relief, "It is only because you solemnly warned me before."
Her tone, seemingly complaining, unconsciously carried a hint of petulance.
Yuan Yunzhong pursed his lips and said, "Isn’t it because I see someone ready to stake their entire fortune on firing porcelain for others, even to the point of neglecting the business of the Imperial Kiln Factory?"
His voice, after all, lacked a bit of mockery.
"How could that be?" Song Jiyun replied earnestly, "Only by continuing with the Imperial Kiln Factory’s business can I truly establish myself in the Kiln Factory. I can distinguish what is more important."
"Then settle the matter with the Hong Family’s gourd as soon as possible," Yuan Yunzhong said with a raised eyebrow, "The Imperial Kiln Factory’s bids for next year are to be opened on the twenty-eighth of next month."
Song Jiyun could hardly hide her shock.
It was true that the Imperial Kiln Factory held its bidding in October every year, but the exact date was not fixed, as the Supervising Pottery Officer would arrange it at his discretion.
With more than a month until the bidding, how could he know the specific date?
Her eyes widened as she looked at Yuan Yunzhong and couldn’t help asking, "How do you know that?"
"Oh," Yuan Yunzhong said nonchalantly as he sat there, letting her gaze at him, "Isn’t this obvious?"
His answer was as good as no answer at all.
Song Jiyun smiled briefly in her heart.
Regardless of how he knew, and who he was, he had at least given her a message.
As to whether the message was true or false, being prepared in advance was always better than seeking help at the last moment.
"Thank you, sir," she said, bowing to Yuan Yunzhong and rising to take her leave, "I will instruct my people to start preparing the documentation for the Imperial Kiln Factory’s bid."
Yuan Yunzhong, however, called in Xiao Liuzi and ordered, "Go to the eldest Miss and have some Plain Fortune and Prosperity Gourd Vases brought here." He then pointed to the Taishi Chair in front of the desk and said to Song Jiyun, "Draw the gourd as soon as possible, so we can start firing the kiln earlier."
Was he suggesting she draw the sample here?
Song Jiyun thought of Yuan Yunzhong’s refined, brisk, and meticulously neat painting style, and felt somewhat tempted.
But she was more concerned about the bidding for the Imperial Kiln Factory and, after a moment’s thought, tactfully declined, "I am planning to invite several Chief Stewards and the Store Manager from the Kiln Factory to my home this afternoon to discuss the bidding for the Imperial Kiln Factory. The painting of Young Master Hong’s Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity Vase can only be done tonight."
Yuan Yunzhong frowned and said, "It’s just a few fruit sketches, what could it possibly hold up?"
His tone suggested that she wasn’t about to finetune a painting but merely pick a few fruits from a tree.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
