Yuan Yunzhong’s gaze at Magistrate Jiang became sharp again.
Magistrate Jiang quickly waved his hands, hanging up the peace flag, and instructed Jiang Xiaosi, "Quickly invite Miss Song in!" Then he said to Yuan Yunzhong, "Rest assured, I promise to vindicate you."
However, Yuan Yunzhong had no intention of meeting Song Jiyun. He turned and headed to the living quarters beside the study, "No need! Since she is here to see you, I won’t interfere."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Jiang’s eyes rolled, and while pretending to stop him, he said, "Surely not! Surely you don’t really blame me for ruining your plans?"
Yuan Yunzhong scoffed repeatedly, "You’re not thinking of returning to the Capital City, are you?"
Magistrate Jiang immediately admitted defeat, backing down, "I was only afraid Miss Song might encounter some difficulties. Logically, she should have visited Wan Xiaoquan and shouldn’t have come to me so soon."
Yuan Yunzhong mocked, "A dog’s mouth finally spits out ivory."
So he didn’t leave because he was afraid Miss Song might encounter difficulties?
Magistrate Jiang was stunned, then chased after the retreating figure of Yuan Yunzhong towards the living quarters and shouted, "It’s not for this reason that you refuse to see Miss Song, is it?"
Yuan Yunzhong completely ignored him.
Magistrate Jiang, stroking his chin with interest, murmured, "After all this, yet you say there’s nothing?"
*
When Song Jiyun followed Jiang Xiaosi into the study, although only Magistrate Jiang was there, she immediately noticed a tea cup that hadn’t been put away in time.
Evidently, Magistrate Jiang had been hosting someone just before she arrived.
Just who was this guest? Had they left? Did Magistrate Jiang see off the guest before meeting her, or did he send the guest away to meet her?
If it were the former, it would be alright; but if it were the latter, she feared Magistrate Jiang’s assistance might come at a great cost.
Song Jiyun pretended not to notice, greeted Magistrate Jiang with a sunny smile, and sat down according to their ranks. After Jiang Xiaosi served the tea, she then stated her purpose, "...Once at the Wensi Building, once in front of Eunuch Wan, twice you have helped the Song Family in urgent situations, for which I am truly grateful."
"It was merely a small effort!" Magistrate Jiang sat upright, not nearly as carefree as he was in front of Yuan Yunzhong, "The Song Family is a well-known gentry in Liang County, and since I serve here as an official, naturally I must offer some caretaking."
Song Jiyun responded with a smile, "Your kindness is like the spring rain to us."
As she spoke, she had Zheng Quan present a list of gifts, "It is a set of the Four Treasures of the Study that my father collected many years ago. Although not anything famous, they are also not commonly found on the market, and I hope they will be of use to you."
"You are too courteous, Miss Song!" Magistrate Jiang did not accept the gift list but said, "Since they are your father’s collected items, how can I take away what rightly belongs to a gentleman? It was but a small effort, how can I accept such generous hospitality from Miss Song?"
The two exchanged courtesies for quite some time until finally, Magistrate Jiang reluctantly accepted the gift list and asked Song Jiyun, "Was your trip to the Imperial Kiln Factory successful?"
"Successful! Very successful!" Song Jiyun hurriedly replied, "The people at the Imperial Kiln Factory treated me very kindly as well."
She even flattered Magistrate Jiang, saying, "Originally, our family has been a regular customer at the Imperial Kiln Factory, but I didn’t expect that the people there would be even warmer than usual."
"That’s good to hear!" Magistrate Jiang nodded with a smile, then inquired about the operations of the Song Family Kiln Factory, "How much everyday porcelain can the kiln now produce? Where are most products sold? Which styles sell the best?"
These were typical questions a superior would ask during an official meeting. Song Jiyun responded with a smile, accurately answering and interjecting a few interesting stories, making Magistrate Jiang nod with smiles from time to time.
Song Jiyun could feel that Magistrate Jiang was very satisfied with her responses.
She seized the opportunity to invite Magistrate Jiang, "Now is the season of osmanthus fragrance and eating crabs. The teachers from the Song Family Private School are planning to organize an elegant gathering with the Academy students. May I know if you would have the time to join us?"
Not only could this method be used to invite Magistrate Jiang to dine and drink, drawing the relationship closer, it could also be used to test whether Magistrate Jiang needed the Song Family Private School to bolster his political achievements.
Magistrate Jiang readily agreed.
Song Jiyun said that once the date was selected, she would personally invite him.
At this point in the conversation, Magistrate Jiang should have offered tea and seen the guest off. Unexpectedly, not only did he show no sign of sending off the guest, but he also had Jiang Xiaosi bring a plate of snacks and continued, "I hear Young Master Yuan is from Suzhou, so will you not end up marrying far away?"
Song Jiyun was quite surprised and somewhat uncertain about Magistrate Jiang’s intentions. She thought although a county magistrate’s term was three years, most magistrates would serve at least two terms in their jurisdiction. If she directly nodded yes, and Magistrate Jiang had not yet been transferred away after her three-year mourning period was over, that could be problematic.
She smiled and said, "My father has just recently been laid to rest, and I have not yet had a proper discussion with Young Master Yuan about the marriage."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Jiang seemed very approving and said, "Miss Song’s appearance and scholarship are rare in this world; it is indeed something that needs to be carefully considered."
Song Jiyun felt a chill inside.
The tone of Magistrate Jiang, why did it seem like he was encouraging her to seek a better match elsewhere!
She hurriedly said, "You flatter me too much. Had it not been for a major change at home, I would not have come forward to handle affairs. Truthfully, there are many women like me, but they remain hidden away in the inner chambers, unknown to others. I dare not accept the praise of being ’rare in this world.’"
She also intentionally shifted the topic to something that should interest Magistrate Jiang, "Speaking of ’rare in this world,’ we have a temple here dedicated to the Kiln God, the Wind and Fire Immortal Temple. I wonder if you have heard of it?"
Without waiting for Magistrate Jiang to speak, she elaborated on the Wind and Fire Immortal Temple, "It enshrines what we call the Kiln God, Tong Bin. Every October, we hold a kiln sacrifice ceremony there. On this day, besides holding a Water and Land Dharma Assembly and inviting people to perform operas, kiln factories that have taken in new apprentices go to the village of Tong Street to welcome the ’Flying Tiger Flag.’ Not just the somewhat prominent people of Jingde Town, but even folks from miles around come to join, making it an extremely lively event.
"I heard from Chairman Ma of our merchants’ association that for this year’s kiln sacrifice, we would like to invite you to be our guest of honor."
For an official like Magistrate Jiang who was newly appointed to the region, it was a good opportunity to network, observe local forces, and establish authority by engaging with the people.
"I had heard about the Wind and Fire Immortal Temple from colleagues even before I came here, and I will definitely attend when the time comes. As for being the guest of honor, that will depend on whether I have other engagements at the time," Magistrate Jiang said, seemingly uninterested as he shifted the topic back again. "I think Miss Song should not sell herself short. My saying ’a woman can match a man’ was not insincere. I believe that Miss Song will surely have boundless prospects in the future. Are you interested in expanding the kiln factory?"
Song Jiyun felt extremely uneasy.
If before she only suspected Magistrate Jiang of hinting at her seeking a higher match, now he had made it clear.
She couldn’t help but look towards Magistrate Jiang.
His gaze was clear and bright, with not a hint of impurity.
Song Jiyun breathed a sigh of relief.
It was good that it had nothing to do with him personally!
Pretending to mishear, she smiled and said, "You wouldn’t be thinking of introducing me to some orders, would you?"
Magistrate Jiang was startled, then burst out laughing.
"Why not!" he said, "It just so happens that Inspector General Lord Huang’s wife and son are also in Jingde Town, and I will introduce you to them."
Why would she need to meet Madam Huang and Young Master Huang?
Song Jiyun’s heart skipped a beat.
Recalling his previous words, she couldn’t help but speculate: Was Magistrate Jiang trying to matchmake her?
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