Yuan Yunzhong’s jaw lifted slightly as he said coldly, "We’ll talk about it when the time comes!"
As he spoke, he picked up the brocade box containing the Exquisite Ball, "It just so happens I need something to weigh down the curtain corners."
During strong winds, door curtains are easily blown about, and fastidious households often attach some heavy items to the corners to weigh them down and prevent them from being blown up, while also serving as decoration.
But gold and silver are both fairly soft, not to mention they deform after a few knocks and are hollow inside.
Song Jiyun couldn’t help but say, "Wouldn’t it be too light?"
Yuan Yunzhong, with a burning gaze, fixed on her with a determined look, replied, "You wouldn’t be too attached, would you?"
Song Jiyun thought about the 100,000 silver taels she had once promised him... Compared to the gold and silver Exquisite Ball, it was a small sacrifice.
She simply spread her hands and said, "If you think it’s suitable, then it’s fine!" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Yuan Yunzhong gave her a sidelong glance, then turned and walked away.
Song Jiyun politely ushered him out of the Flower Hall, standing under the eaves, ready to watch him leave.
Unexpectedly, he also paused in his steps and suddenly said, "What about the regulations for the flower-viewing banquet?"
Song Jiyun’s heart leaped in joy.
Had he agreed?
"I just heard about it myself." She conveyed what she had learned from Hong Xi, adding, "I neither know the exact time nor have received an invitation. I was just about to send someone to inquire."
Yuan Yunzhong hummed noncommittally and strolled away casually.
Song Jiyun watched as the warm autumn sun seeped through the floral branches and tree shadows, falling on his immaculate shoulder. She smiled, standing under the eaves, and watched him leave. A while later, she called for Zheng Quan to inquire about the flower-viewing banquet.
Zheng Quan quickly gathered information.
"It’s scheduled for tomorrow," he said, his face somewhat troubled, "the invitations were only sent to about twenty people. Only those with invitations will be admitted to the banquet, and those without invitations will not be received even if they show up."
He paused at the end and added, "Only Ninth Grand Master from the Song Family received an invitation."
Instantly, Song Jiyun felt a heavy weight in her heart.
Such banquets usually send out invitations several days in advance, and the invitees are informed of the day’s schedule by the deliverer, allowing participants to prepare their attire, reward money, and other items in advance.
Not having received an invitation by this time clearly indicated that this time’s host had not intended to invite her.
What’s key was that she hadn’t heard a whisper about it.
Song Jiyun stayed silent for a long while, then summoned Nanny Zheng and informed her about the matter, saying, "Prepare a generous gift immediately and visit Registrar Wang’s residence. Tell them I wish to meet with Registrar Wang and see what Madam Wang says?"
In Liang County, there’s a saying, "The Registrar is iron-clad, the County Magistrate is but flowing water."
This matter, it seemed, must rely on Registrar Wang.
Nanny Zheng, knowing the importance, repeatedly agreed, "Yes," and immediately set off in a sedan to the Wang Family. She returned after one Shichen Chinese Time.
"Miss, " she said excitedly, "Madam Wang mentioned that Registrar Wang will be free to see you after dinner."
Song Jiyun breathed a sigh of relief and, calculating the time, went to Registrar Wang’s house.
The Wang family lived in the backstreet of the County Yamen, not more than a bowshot away from Wensi Building.
As Song Jiyun passed by, she saw bustling activity at Wensi Building; seven or eight shop assistants were hanging large red lanterns using ladders, and a few old women were cleaning the blue bricks in front of the door with water, apparently preparing for tomorrow’s banquet.
She let down the sedan curtain and quietly entered the Wang Residence.
Madam Wang was a woman in her forties, of average build, plump and fair, with a warm smile.
When Song Youliang was still alive, Song Jiyun had accompanied Madam Qian to several matrimonial and funeral events where she had met Madam Wang a few times.
Upon seeing Song Jiyun, instead of waiting for her to greet formally, Madam Wang grasped her hand with tear-filled eyes, "My dear child, you really have had a hard time!"
Madam Qian was not adept at social interactions, and although Lord Registrar Wang had a good relationship with Song Youliang, Madam Wang and Madam Qian were not close.
Whether she meant it sincerely or out of courtesy, Song Jiyun’s eyes welled up with tears. She insisted on performing a formal bow to Madam Wang and said, "What difficulties could I have? Our family owes its current status to your and Lord Wang’s support and decisions on our behalf. My mother and I might not say it often, but we are well aware of it in our hearts! Here I am again, shamelessly coming to you for assistance."
Madam Wang, slightly taken aback, fixed her gaze upon Song Jiyun’s face.
Her eyes carried a sorrowful expression, but her tight jawline revealed her determination, like a camellia that remains radiant and beautiful through frost and snow, imposing yet also comforting and stable.
This child, she has the makings of a great achiever!
This thought immediately popped into her mind.
Looking back at Song Jiyun, her attitude unconsciously became more serious, "You are like a daughter to me, who else would we help if not you?"
The two chatted warmly and had shared a couple of cups of tea before Registrar Wang returned.
Madam Wang introduced Song Jiyun to Registrar Wang and then found an excuse to leave.
Registrar Wang was a thin man dressed in a green official robe embroidered with partridges, a deep crease between his brows, a goat beard, and his demeanor quite stern.
Song Jiyun greeted him and tactfully conveyed her purpose.
Registrar Wang stroked his goat beard and said with difficulty, "The Song Family is well-respected in Liang County, but you are still a woman and this is Lord Jiang’s first appearance in Liang County. We are unaware of his disposition and worry about a potential mishap, which is why Mr. Wen did not invite you."
"Is that so!" Song Jiyun expressed her disappointment, yet without dwelling too much on it, she revealed another matter by taking out a brocade box, "Aside from this matter, I have another issue where I need your advice."
She spoke as she opened the brocade box.
Inside the brocade box, two identical white porcelain plum vases were lain side by side, one looking like ivory, simple and profound; the other resembling jade, translucent and moist.
Registrar Wang’s heart skipped a beat.
The Song Family Kiln Factory had produced a new porcelain, named "sweet white porcelain" for its shiny, sugar-like appearance, which he had heard of.
He couldn’t help but step forward, grabbed the shiny glazed plum vase, and exclaimed, "This, is this the ’sweet white porcelain’?"
"Excellent discernment, my lord," smiled Song Jiyun. "I have specially brought one for you to review, could you please see how it is?"
Registrar Wang couldn’t resist admiring it against the light.
Its thin body appeared translucent enough to reveal the shadow of his fingers.
Song Jiyun elaborated calmly, "Now that we have new porcelain, the old ones will obviously become redundant. I was thinking of discussing with Eunuch Wan the possibility of using the old porcelain for folk religious ceramics."
Registrar Wang’s hand holding the plum vase paused.
Song Jiyun continued, "But as you know, Eunuch Wan is highly influential, and not everyone can speak freely in his presence."
Registrar Wang put down the plum vase he held.
"Throughout Liang County, you are the only intermediary capable of this task. I would like to request your assistance in speaking on behalf of our family to Eunuch Wan," Song Jiyun paused, then bowed to Registrar Wang, "But as you said just now, I, being just a woman, am proficient at managing the kiln factory, yet matters like the social gatherings hosted by Mr. Wen, such as the flower appreciation event, would require the help and oversight of respected persons like yourself."
Registrar Wang stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sharpening as he watched her.
Amid his focused gaze, Song Jiyun serenely smiled and took out the other plum vase, placing it beside the sweet white porcelain plum vase.
Registrar Wang looked at the two plum vases, remained silent for a long while, then called his personal attendant and said, "Fetch an invitation to Wensi Building for Miss Song."
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