Song Daliang’s Kiln Factory was located at the foot of Zhu Mountain in Jingde Town, not far from Song Jiyun’s family kiln factory. It had been converted from an old workshop someone had sold off.
Song Jiyun left the city gates, and the rain stopped.
The roadside trees were washed spotlessly clean by the rainfall, while the post road itself became damp, marked by one set of wheel ruts after another.
She waited by the road for the Song family’s sedan chairs and went with them to Song Daliang’s Kiln Factory.
The reception area was a three-roomed hall where many guests had already arrived.
Li Zixiu, wearing a treasure-blue robe adorned with a five-bat and floral pattern, stood in the center of the hall, beaming as he spoke with Mr. Han from the Imperial Kiln Factory—quite eye-catching.
Upon seeing Song Jiyun, the crowd came forward to greet her, "Miss Song!"
Song Jiyun nodded politely.
There were also those who whispered among themselves, "I didn’t think Miss Song would really come. Wasn’t it said that the two families had severed ties?"
"Now that Song Daliang has started a kiln factory, he’s a competitor. You can avoid relatives but not competitors in the same trade."
"Nevertheless, Song Daliang is shameless enough, undermining his niece’s business. It’s a good thing the two families cut ties, or the thought would be sickening."
"With so many strained relationships among competitors, if I were Miss Song, I’d turn my back and just be done with it. No reason to bother coming."
The majority expressed their agreement, feeling that Song Jiyun, given her youth and lack of experience, seemed somewhat submissive.
Proud as could be, Li Zixiu dragged Mr. Han over to greet her, playing up the drama without fear of the stage’s height, and pointed at Song Jiyun, saying to Mr. Han, "The esteemed eldest daughter of the Yu family, she’s now the one in charge of the Song Family Kiln Factory! You’re drawing all day at the Imperial Kiln Factory, and since she took charge, I suppose you haven’t officially met, right?"
Mr. Han remained unruffled, nodding toward Song Jiyun with a gentle voice, "You’re very capable. If Yu Liang were still here, he would definitely be proud of you."
Song Jiyun exchanged pleasantries with a smile, "You flatter me. I hope for your continued support in the future."
As long as the Song Family Kiln Factory wants to do business with the Imperial Kiln Factory, they must maintain relations with the master craftsmen there.
As for Mr. Han designing patterns for Song Daliang’s Kiln Factory, it was because he had a relationship with her father, not with her.
Yet a flicker of surprise crossed Mr. Han’s eyes as if her composure was unexpected. His expression showed a trace of astonishment, and he mused, "Your father and I were the closest of friends. If you encounter any difficulties at the Imperial Kiln Factory, come find me."
In other words, anything outside the Imperial Kiln Factory was not his concern.
Heartened by such a promise, Song Jiyun cheered up and began discussing the recent orders from the Imperial Kiln Factory with him.
Someone else approached.
Looking closely, Song Jiyun saw it was Wang Yan, the owner of the largest glaze shop in Jingde Town.
He laughed heartily, "I didn’t expect Miss Song to come as well!"
No sooner had he spoken than Song Jiyun noticed many people listening in.
She smiled slightly and replied, "Since we’re all in the same line of business, and since Old Master Song sent me an invitation, how could I not come?"
"Yes, indeed!" Wang Yan chuckled agreeably a few times, producing an invitation from his sleeve, "I’ve got a jin of Suzhou indigo-blue glaze ready for auction. Miss Song, you must come!"
"Such rare glaze and you have it! I will certainly attend," Song Jiyun said with a smile, accepting the invitation.
After a few pleasantries, Boss Chen, who sold clay blanks, came up to chat with her.
They had all dealt with each other before at Wensi Building.
Soon, a group surrounded her, chatting and laughing.
Li Zixiu looked somewhat displeased.
And Mr. Han had slipped away at some unknown moment.
*
In the room adjacent to the hall, Song Tao adjusted her attire once more.
She was a sight to behold in her bright red gold thread-embroidered gown and her bright red gem-encrusted gold jewelry.
She remembered the year the Song Family Kiln Factory celebrated the successful firing of the five-colored porcelain and hosted a grand feast for the guests, Song Jiyun had worn a set of clothes like these.
At that time, she felt Song Jiyun lacked any hint of a woman’s subtlety and grace, too ostentatious and high-profile. Standing in front of the mirror now, looking at her face in the reflection, which was radiant with joy at the corners of her eyes and brows, she suddenly understood Song Jiyun’s self-assured mood.
The kiln factory would be hers from now on, like a phoenix reborn from the ashes. She would be able to make a fortune and control her own destiny just like Song Jiyun had in the past, commanding the respect and compliance of everyone around her.
She adjusted the gold pendent in her hair and said to Ding Xiang, who was supporting her, "Let’s go! The auspicious time is nearly upon us."
Ding Xiang’s face was full of excitement as she helped her out of the resting chamber.
In the crowd, Song Tao spotted Song Jiyun at a glance.
She was dressed in a water-blue Hangzhou silk garment, and the pearls in her dark hair shone dimly in the well-lit hall.
Song Tao pursed her lips slightly.
It was as if Song Jiyun sensed her presence and turned her head unwaveringly.
Their gazes collided midair.
Caught off guard, Song Tao appeared flustered.
Song Jiyun, on the other hand, nodded at her graciously.
Song Tao frowned secretly.
She didn’t know what Song Jiyun meant by that.
At the side, a host loudly announced, "Miss Song has arrived!"
The hall fell silent, the crowd looking strangely at Song Jiyun. Hearing the commotion, they turned in unison, puzzled, towards Song Tao.
Song Tao bit her lip, speaking with a few notes of anxiousness amidst her sorrow, "Thank you all for attending the opening ceremony of our family’s kiln factory. My father fell ill suddenly and could not be present, so he specifically asked me to unveil the plaque on his behalf."
The crowd finally understood, and they all inquired about Song Daliang’s health. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Song Tao replied with a forced smile, "The doctor said he needs rest, but the auspicious time for the opening had already been set, and my father is too concerned about his life’s work. We as his children had no choice but to follow his orders and carry out the event."
Many people thought this was improper, even suggesting, "Tianbao should be the one to unveil the plaque."
Song Tao’s eyelids drooped slightly, and when she opened them again, her eyes were clear and bright, and her smile was warm and gentle, "Tianbao is extremely filial and insists on attending to the illness at our father’s side. Both my older sisters have married and my brothers-in-law cannot arrive in time, so I have no choice but to step in."
At this point, she bowed respectfully to everyone, "I ask for understanding from all the elders and from my uncles by marriage."
The crowd was momentarily stunned by this turn of events, speechless.
Then someone said, "We already have one Miss Song; another won’t matter. After all, both are daughters of the Song family."
Upon hearing this, the crowd looked at Song Jiyun and then at Song Tao, bursting into laughter.
Song Tao quickly took a teapot from her maidservant’s hand to pour tea for the respected figures in the industry.
The Chairman of the Jingde Town Chamber of Commerce, Ma Hui, picked up a tea cup and said in a deep voice, "Though today’s event seems somewhat whimsical, the County Magistrate has said, ’women can be as competent as men,’ and since you are acting under your father’s orders out of filial piety, I will not hold it against you."
Then he took a sip of tea, signaling his agreement for her to unveil the plaque on behalf of Song Daliang.
In this way, Song Tao had still benefited from Song Jiyun’s presence.
Song Tao quickly bowed her thanks.
The crowd, seeing this, teased Song Jiyun with a buzz, "Do both Miss Songs have escort yet?"
Song Jiyun smiled modestly with pursed lips.
Song Tao tilted her chin slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Song Jiyun.
Ding Xiang hurriedly signaled the steward with a look.
The steward clapped his hands, and amidst the crackling of firecrackers, the lion dance began.
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