Yuan Yunzhong did not look askance, and with measured steps, he walked up to Song Youliang’s altar and respectfully lit three sticks of incense. Then, he turned around and bowed to Magistrate Jiang, saying, "Thank you for your high regard, Lord Jiang! I have heard about Lord Jiang’s unmatched skills in ’calligraphy and painting,’ famous throughout Jiangnan. It is indeed my honor to make your acquaintance today."
After speaking, he politely smiled at Magistrate Jiang and said, "Lord Jiang, please, the tea is served this way!"
With his handsome eyebrows and fine features, his smile was warm and gentle, as soothing as a spring breeze sweeping across one’s face, reaching deep into their hearts. This made everyone present feel a fondness for him, and some even couldn’t help but smile along.
Magistrate Jiang was momentarily stunned and inexplicably felt a chill down his spine.
"I’ll take care of it, I’ll do it," Eleventh Grand Master Song, taking three steps as two, hurriedly approached from the side, "Not knowing that Lord Jiang and Lord Wang were visiting, we’ve only prepared common Biluochun and West Lake Dragon Well tea."
He courteously seated Magistrate Jiang and Registrar Wang in the Taishi Chair at the nearby Baoxia, saying, "Fortunately, the snacks are good, from the Fragrance Taste Restaurant."
Meanwhile, he winked at Jiyun Song, gesturing her to hurry the maids to serve the refreshments.
Jiyun Song thought for a moment, then simply had the maids prepare a platter of fruit to bring inside.
Outside Baoxia, the onlookers had already begun discussing animatedly.
"How did Young Master Yuan know that Magistrate Jiang is unparalleled in ’calligraphy and painting’? Look at Young Master Yuan’s demeanor; couldn’t he also be a renowned scholar from Jiangnan?"
"Most likely. I’ve heard that many scholars follow the Wei and Jin dynasties’ customs of purposely wearing coarse linen clothing and eating mixed grains!"
"I knew there was something extraordinary about Young Master Yuan. How could an ordinary family raise such a strikingly beautiful young man!"
Jiyun Song shook her head as she listened.
Suddenly, she heard Hong Xi’s voice beside her, "Miss Song!"
Looking up, Hong Xi stood just two to three steps away, the faint scent of lingering lotus fragrance emanating from him as the wind blew.
He was standing a bit too close to her.
Jiyun Song discreetly stepped back two steps, creating a distance between them, and then smiled, "Young Master Hong has arrived! We have many guests today, and I didn’t see you, my apologies for any oversight!"
"Not at all!" Hong Xi said with a smile, twirling the white jade ring on his finger teasingly, "But it really seems Miss Song is very busy. I came with Magistrate Jiang, and you seemed preoccupied with seeking Young Master Yuan and didn’t notice me."
How inappropriate did that comment sound?
Jiyun Song arched an eyebrow secretly and smiled, "I have indeed overlooked Young Master Hong."
Then, disregarding his implication, she led him to offer incense to Song Youliang.
However, she didn’t understand why, as she entered, those seated in the Baoxia fell silent, all eyes on her and Hong Xi.
Yuan Yunzhong’s gaze was almost palpably icy as it flew towards them.
Jiyun Song was taken aback.
Magistrate Jiang already laughed and turned to Yuan Yunzhong, who sat beside him, saying, "Young Master Yuan may not know this yet, but Young Master Hong also studied at Crane Mountain Academy, just like me."
Yuan Yunzhong’s jaw tensed, and he nodded, "I am aware!"
Magistrate Jiang then smiled at the Eleventh Grand Master Song, saying, "Didn’t you just mention needing two teachers to start teaching the young children? As fate would have it, here is another from Crane Mountain Academy. You could also ask Mr. Hong to help invite them!"
"Ah?!" Eleventh Grand Master Song seemed stunned by the sudden change, pausing before responding, "You’re right, County Magistrate. With Young Master Hong’s talent, the Song family’s private school will surely succeed with help from you all."
Having said that, he bowed respectfully to everyone.
Hong Xi humbly spoke a few words, then stepped forward to pay respects to Magistrate Jiang.
Magistrate Jiang, however, waved his hand as if to remind him yet almost with dissatisfaction and said, "Young Master Hong, you should first go and offer incense to Old Master Song!"
Hong Xi felt burning in his ears and bowed, replying "Yes," glanced at Song Jiyun, and hurried to offer incense to Song Youliang.
Magistrate Jiang then started talking to Song Jiyun, "Now that the Imperial Kiln Factory is using new porcelain, how were the sacrificial porcelains disposed of in the past?"
Song Jiyun respectfully replied, "Once the Imperial Kiln Factory reports to the Manufacturing Office and the Emperor agrees to replace the old porcelain with the new, it can then be returned to the Song Family for disposal at their discretion."
"Lord Eunuch Wan must help in this matter, right?"
"Yes!" said Song Jiyun respectfully, "I have already spoken to Lord Wan, and he has agreed to report to the Manufacturing Office. If all goes smoothly, we should have confirmation from the Imperial Kiln Factory in two or three days. We have a deed with the Imperial Kiln Factory, so we may use the white porcelain previously reserved for sacrificial ceramics to make other vessels."
Magistrate Jiang mused, "That’s perfect. I am planning to visit Lord Eunuch Wan in a few days and Miss Song, if you are available, could accompany me."
Song Jiyun was overjoyed.
Although Eunuch Wan and Magistrate Jiang belonged to different departments—the Inner Court and the Ministry of Personnel respectively—the Imperial Kiln Factory, being located in Liang County, meant they relied on each other, and cooperation was preferred over confrontation. With the protection of Magistrate Jiang, even if Eunuch Wan did not offer help, he would not make things too difficult for the Song Family.
Especially since the officials in charge at the Imperial Kiln Factory, who respected the face of their superiors, would facilitate smoother operations for the Song Family Kiln Factory.
She bowed again in gratitude.
Smiling as he stood up, Magistrate Jiang courteously supported her, "Miss Song, there is no need for such formality! The Song Family owns the largest kiln factory in the county, and our county’s taxes depend on you!"
"I will not fail your expectations." Song Jiyun had never considered asking for tax reductions; to not overpay was good enough for her.
The crowd, who had been listening intently to the conversation at Baoxia, saw the two exchanging smiles and kind words, one with a gentle voice and pleased expression, and began to gather in small groups, whispering among themselves.
"I didn’t think Magistrate Jiang would take such good care of the Song Family!"
"You also have to see who is responding," whispered a person, discreetly pointing at Song Jiyun, "Across Liang County, is there any girl prettier than Miss Song of the Song Family?"
"Indeed!" someone agreed in a lowered voice, "Just don’t know if Magistrate Jiang is married yet. I fear he might be at a loss!"
"What loss?!" another suggested with a wink, "Seeing the Count Magistrate like that, if I were him, I’d willingly take the loss!"
A stifled burst of laughter arose from outside Baoxia.
Yuan Yunzhong’s face turned pale.
Having trained in martial arts from a young age, he was sharp-sighted and keenly eared. Although the people outside Baoxia thought their voices were low, he heard everything clearly.
His eyes darkened and he said solemnly, "It’s getting late; should we start making our way to the gravesite?"
According to tradition, on the day of the seventh-seven ceremony, once all the relatives had gathered at the house of the deceased, everyone would together go to the gravesite to set off firecrackers, invite monks and Taoists to chant scriptures, and the family of the deceased would host a meal. After which, friends and relatives could leave. However, the clan stewards, along with the bereaved siblings and their families, would stay behind to discuss mourning arrangements, marking the end of the seventh-seven ceremony.
For those who had only a nodding acquaintance with the family of the deceased and came out of respect to offer incense, they could leave once the family of the deceased started for the gravesite.
Especially for dignitaries like Magistrate Jiang and Registrar Wang, whose status was much higher than that of Song Youliang, their mere presence to offer incense was already lifting the status of the Song Family, and typically they would leave after offering incense to Song Youliang.
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