At Song Daliang’s Kiln Factory, after Song Jiyun followed the crowd to watch the opening ceremony of Song Daliang’s Kiln Factory, a Steward from the Song Family invited them to take a seat at the restaurant, saying, "The banquet is arranged at Wensi Building. Everyone can eat and drink, and also have some heart-to-heart talks. Our Old Master would like to take this opportunity to thank you all. Without the favor of your esteemed presences, this Kiln Factory could not have been launched."
Hearing this, everyone started discussing boisterously, "We never expected Old Master Song to have such a good relationship with Mr. Wen, to even be able to borrow Wensi Building for the opening celebration."
Song Daliang was quite proud, and he laughed, "This is also because everyone holds me in high regard!"
"Where, where!" Everyone chattered and exchanged pleasantries with him.
Good ceramics require not only master craftsmen but also exceptional painters.
Song Daliang first hired Mr. Han, then made acquaintance with Mr. Wen, which made his competitors wary and envious, and some even harbored the hopeful thought of establishing a connection to these two through Song Daliang.
The smiles on many faces grew even more brilliant.
Song Jiyun glanced at the lively scene around Song Daliang and quietly instructed Zheng Quan, "Let’s go!"
Zheng Quan was somewhat surprised.
He thought Song Jiyun would dampen Song Daliang’s arrogance.
"There will be plenty of time!" Song Jiyun said indifferently, "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
Zheng Quan agreed and, without attracting attention, left with Song Jiyun from Liangyu Kiln Factory.
Outside the Kiln Factory, scraps of red paper littered the ground, and the onlookers had dispersed.
A chariot silently stood under the umbrella-like canopy of a fragrant camphor tree by the gate.
Song Jiyun was taken aback.
Through the chariot window, she saw Yuan Yunzhong seated inside.
His profile was sharp, his elegance and beauty exceptional.
Song Jiyun admired him quietly for a moment, then approached and asked with a smile, "Why have you come?"
Yuan Yunzhong’s eyebrows rose slightly as he looked at her sideways, "Did you see Shao Qing?"
Only then did Song Jiyun recall that she had hurriedly left the house without responding to his matter with Eunuch Wan.
She hurriedly replied with a smile, "Thank you, Young Master Yuan. Regarding Eunuch Wan, I plan to bring a few precious pieces of our family’s porcelain for another visit."
Since Eunuch Wan was interested in the porcelain because of Noble Consort Wan’s nephew, giving him some porcelain to make connections with the nobility in the capital should definitely please him.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yunzhong’s expression turned even more stern, "Is that enough?"
Of course, it wasn’t enough.
Song Jiyun thought to herself.
But aren’t some matters better resolved in a face-to-face "negotiation"?
As for the few pieces of porcelain, they were merely a knock on the door that would delight Eunuch Wan.
She looked at Yuan Yunzhong’s snow-like visage, thinking of Shao Qing’s message — clearly instigated by the man before her — and felt her heart soften as she said warmly with a smile, "Don’t I also have you?"
Yuan Yunzhong was taken aback, then scolded, "Nonsense! Is this how you conduct matters?"
He turned his head and instructed the charioteer, Liu Zi, "Head back to the mansion!"
Liu Zi gave Song Jiyun a glance but didn’t hesitate for a moment as he climbed up to the driver’s seat, responding with a prompt "yah" as if to prod the horses.
Song Jiyun, watching all this, marveled quietly to herself.
In just a few days, Liu Zi had become his man!
"Wait!" she called, grabbing hold of the chariot’s reins, teasingly adding, "I have never ridden in a chariot before, Young Master Yuan, let me catch a ride with you!"
In fact, the chariot had been bought for Yuan Yunzhong by her mother!
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Yuan Yunzhong.
Yuan Yunzhong’s Adam’s apple bobbed, he glanced at her once, and then scooted over to make room.
Song Jiyun, beaming, climbed into the chariot with the help of Zheng Quan.
It was clear that Madam Qian had put a lot of thought into buying the chariot for Yuan Yunzhong.
The carriage was not only spacious, but its interior was also decorated with exquisite blue-green scroll patterns, and there was even a foldable little table. Beneath the table in a storage compartment, there lay a teapot with magnets, tea cups, and a Go set among other leisure items.
Incorporating magnets into porcelain might seem simple, but it actually requires a highly complex technique.
Having lived two lifetimes, she was seeing such a porcelain craft for the first time.
Song Jiyun casually picked one up, studying it over and over.
However, Young Master Yuan suddenly said, "Such a trifle, hardly worth mentioning!"
A trifle?!
It took Song Jiyun a while to realize that Young Master Yuan was dismissing the technique as a minor skill.
Song Jiyun laughed and said, "It’s not something that can be made just by anyone. The requirements for the firing temperature are extremely demanding. I guess it’s somebody’s family heirloom craft."
She bent her head down and continued to study the teacup in her hands.
The carriage was quiet, with only the "clack-clack" sound of the axle turning.
Song Jiyun looked up in surprise.
Young Master Yuan was pursing his lips, glancing at her sideways.
Song Jiyun found it amusing, her playful side kicking in, and she pretended to be utterly baffled as she gazed back at him.
Young Master Yuan just glared at her.
But his ears seemed to have turned even redder.
Was he, perhaps, blushing?
Song Jiyun couldn’t quite believe her own eyes.
She blinked, scrutinizing Young Master Yuan carefully.
But then, he turned his face away, his expression becoming solemn as he straightened his clothes, sitting upright and appearing deep and profound.
However, his left cheek was fully exposed to Song Jiyun’s view.
Sometime when, his usually pale and jade-like ears had turned a rosy red.
Especially noticeable was a mole resembling a lingering seed of love, looking like a droplet of blood at the tip of a needle, vivid and almost dripping.
Song Jiyun was quite astounded, unable to help but exclaim inwardly.
How can someone be so amusing!
To have such tender thoughts hidden beneath a serious face.
She felt as if a cat was scratching at her heart, and she couldn’t help saying, "However, it must have very limited sales. Even if it’s a family skill, it’s probably quite niche."
Young Master Yuan visibly relaxed a bit.
As if possessed, Song Jiyun also eased her mood, leaning back in her chair.
Young Master Yuan’s expression softened, and he added, "Proper porcelain making is of great use!"
Song Jiyun couldn’t hide her surprise.
Was he worried that she would go off and research the porcelain with magnets?
She replied, "Don’t worry, my current priority is to manage the Song Family Kiln Factory well. Even if it’s intriguing, I won’t explore it further until I’ve sorted out the affairs of the Kiln Factory."
In the future, she might try to recreate some of the porcelain she had heard about in her previous life, to see if she could reproduce the so-called hardest to find "Lang Kiln Red."
With that thought, she asked Young Master Yuan, "Have you heard of Jihong Porcelain?"
Jihong Porcelain was the precursor to Lang Kiln Red. As far as she knew, by this time, someone had already managed to make Jihong Porcelain, although it was extremely rare. This was also the direction her father, Song Youliang, had been working towards.
Young Master Yuan probably hadn’t expected Song Jiyun to talk to him about this and seemed quite surprised, pondering for a moment before saying, "I have seen it. Do you want to make some? I can ask around to see who has it."
Song Jiyun’s throat tickled.
At this time, as one of the auspicious Ruixiang items, each piece of Jihong Porcelain that was made was quickly offered up to the Royal Family.
Since Young Master Yuan had seen Jihong Porcelain and even dared to say he’d inquire about it for her... and considering the recently uproarious smuggling case involving Prince Ning that had caused a stir in Liang County, his identity was possibly far more prominent than she had originally believed.
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