Song Jiyun strode out of the side gate of the Wang Residence with a posture straight as a rod.
The big red lanterns hanging under the eaves shone on the bluestone steps, casting lustrous orbs of light.
Zheng Quan, who had been waiting outside the gate, promptly stepped forward, his voice tense as he whispered in a low tone, "Miss, what did Registrar Wang say?"
Blinking, Song Jiyun waved the big red invitation with gold sprinkles in her hand, a faint smile blooming at the corner of her mouth, "It’s done!"
Zheng Quan let out a long sigh of relief, a smile soon emerging in his eyes. He lifted the sedan curtain, helping Song Jiyun into the sedan chair.
In the Flower Hall of the Wang Residence, lamps burned brightly, casting dancing silhouettes of trees through the white Goryeo paper screens.
Madam Wang walked out quickly from behind the chicken-wing wood screen with silk embroidery, a trace of anxiety crossing her features as she said, "My lord, what does Miss Song’s initiative mean? How could you so readily give her an invitation? If Mr. Wen and the others were to know, wouldn’t they think you are showing favoritism to the Song Family? Could this harm your reputation?"
With a gentle shake of his head, Registrar Wang did not speak. Instead, he walked to the tea table and picked up the plum vase that Song Jiyun had left, made from jade clay, carefully examining it in the light of the floor lamp.
Madam Wang’s gaze couldn’t help but fall on the long-necked plum vase as well.
The delicate glaze and beautifully slender neck appeared exceptionally serene and refined under the light.
She exclaimed, "This, isn’t this the tribute porcelain the Song Family fired for the Imperial Kiln Factory?"
Registrar Wang looked up with a smile and asked her, "How much do you think this plum vase could sell for?"
The design patterns of the Imperial Kiln Factory were exclusively for the Imperial Family; no one else could use them.
Madam Wang was about to speak but then noticed that the vase’s body was as bare as paper, with no patterns at all.
As the saying goes, live off the land if you’re by the mountains, and live off the water if you’re by the sea. In Liang County, next to Jingde Town, who doesn’t engage in some porcelain trade?
Feeling a rush of excitement, she couldn’t help but lower her voice and ask, "What does my lord mean by this?"
Registrar Wang said with a smile, "The Song Family has produced a new type of sacrificial white porcelain; the old technique won’t be used by the Imperial Kiln Factory anymore. Eunuch Wan is trying to grease the wheels to return to the Capital City, Lord Jiang has recently arrived and hasn’t yet gotten a clear look at what Liang County is like, and the Song Family lacks a male heir to support their family..."
It would be perfect to strike while no one else has reacted, and join hands with the Song Family to engage in the white porcelain business.
Madam Wang, feeling a thrill at the thought, said, "Not only would this help the Song Family, but it could also provide connections for our relatives and friends."
By law, families of officials were not allowed to engage in business.
All the Wang Family’s business dealings were listed under the names of relatives.
Registrar Wang nodded approvingly and said, "This matter still requires the diligence of Madam to discuss and facilitate with the Song Family."
Madam Wang, her face beaming with a smile, agreed, "Certainly," her mind racing, "It’s already the second half of the year. If arranged properly, we could release a batch of products just in time for the first day of the tenth month and the Spring Festival. Tomorrow, no, Miss Song has the flower-viewing banquet at Wensi Building tomorrow, so I’ll go the day after tomorrow."
Stroking his beard, Registrar Wang said with a smile, "You should refer to her as Miss Song now. After all, she’s the head of the Song Family Kiln Factory, you can’t call her just the Song Family’s eldest daughter anymore."
Madam Wang laughed behind her handkerchief. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
*
Sitting in the swaying sedan chair, Song Jiyun also reflected on her visit to the Wang Residence.
Having someone in Imperial Court could facilitate matters. To establish a footing in the business world, she not only needed to leverage the power of Registrar Wang, but it would be ideal to also forge a connection with the new-parent official, Lord Jiang. That would prevent her from being excluded by the local gentry of Liang County and the kiln factories of Jingde Town, like at today’s flower-viewing feast at Wensi Building.
However, this matter of firing white porcelain still required giving a heads up to Eunuch Wan.
Given Eunuch Wan’s nature, he would certainly want a share.
If Eunuch Wan continued to serve as the Supervising Pottery Officer in Jingde Town, that would be fine, but if he were successfully promoted and left this time, what could she use to fill the greedy appetite of his successor?
She needed to think of a solution...
As Song Jiyun mentally calculated, the sedan came to a halt. Zheng Quan lifted the curtain for her and called her a few times before she snapped back to reality and bent over to step out of the sedan.
As soon as she stepped out, her gaze turned towards Yinyu Hall.
Even through the overlapping eaves, the light could be seen shining brightly.
It seemed that Yuan Yunzhong had not yet retired for the night.
She couldn’t help but curl the corners of her mouth upwards and said to Zheng Quan, "I will copy the rules for tomorrow’s flower viewing event later, you deliver them to Young Master Yuan."
Zheng Quan promised. As soon as she finished writing the rules, he immediately took them to Yinyu Hall.
Yuan Yunzhong had already changed into his casual clothes and was about to rest. Holding the rules Zheng Quan had brought, his brows furrowed as he asked Shao Qing, "Is it only now that we’re getting the rules for the flower viewing event?"
Shao Qing had already inquired about it from Zheng Quan earlier and replied, "Miss Song has just returned from Chief Accountant Wang’s place."
He explained what had happened to Yuan Yunzhong.
Yuan Yunzhong’s expression darkened, and the supple Xuan paper was crumpled with deep wrinkles as he said, "We depart tomorrow at the Si Hour."
The rules stated that the welcoming banquet would start at noon tomorrow, but out of respect, everyone should arrive before the end of the Chen hour."
Shao Qing cheerfully complied and turned to prepare his clothes, but he heard Yuan Yunzhong say, "I think Hong Xi is quite idle. Take a name card and tell the Inspection Division at Changjiang Wharf to thoroughly check the Hong Family’s boats that are docked at the wharf tomorrow."
Shao Qing was startled.
Yuan Yunzhong had never bothered with such muddled affairs.
When Yuan Yunzhong saw him stunned, storm clouds gathered in his eyes.
Shao Qing hurriedly lowered his head and said, "Yes!"
He didn’t dare ask how long the inspection would last and quickly walked out with brisk steps.
*
The next day was bright and sunny.
Upon opening her eyes, Song Jiyun saw the dazzling light shining on the verdant treetops.
She had been busy preparing a congratulatory gift for the new County Magistrate last night and went to bed a bit late.
"What shichen is it?" she immediately got out of bed and asked Xiang Zhan who was attending her.
"It’s not yet the beginning of the Chen hour." Xiang Zhan went to call a maid to assist her with washing up, and also called for breakfast.
Fortunately, Liang County was only so big, and it took but two quarters of an hour to reach Wensi Building by sedan chair.
Having gotten ready, Song Jiyun paid her respects to Madam Qian, then headed to the sedan hall.
Zheng Quan had already arranged everything for the trip and was waiting in the sedan hall.
Song Jiyun asked, "Has Young Master Yuan been invited?"
Zheng Quan replied, "Steward Wu has already gone to invite him."
Song Jiyun nodded and discussed the matters of attending the banquet with Zheng Quan, "After a while, you wait in the side hall and, incidentally, inquire with Boss Chen’s entourage to see when Chen Ji will excavate the clay today? I want to stock up more Kaolin Clay."
Chen Ji specialized in selling Kaolin Clay.
Their top-quality Kaolin Clay would be featured in an exhibition each year during the ninth and tenth months, and the highest bidder would get it.
In the future, the Sacrificial Porcelain made for the Imperial Kiln Factory would use sweet white porcelain, which requires more Kaolin Clay than before, so stocking up more can never be wrong.
Zheng Quan looked somewhat troubled and said with a flushed face, "I, I’m not good with words. Maybe, let a master from the Kiln Factory make the trip."
Song Jiyun was unconcerned and said, "Everything starts with not knowing how to do it, but after practicing a few times, it will get better. There will be many more times when I’ll need your help in the future."
Zheng Quan bashfully just agreed.
Song Jiyun gave him several instructions.
Zheng Quan nodded repeatedly.
After the two had talked for a while, there was still no sign of Yuan Yunzhong.
Song Jiyun was getting anxious and called Xiang Zhan, "Go see why there is still no movement from Young Master Yuan’s side."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
