This was not Song Jiyun with groundless worries.
She had encountered such matters before.
Feigning ignorance, she smiled and said, "Could it be that Madam Huang is acquainted with merchants involved in the porcelain business?"
Magistrate Jiang neither confirmed nor denied, smilingly said, "You’ll know when you meet them!"
Although Song Jiyun was not inclined to court trouble, she was not afraid to face it when it truly arose.
She spoke very frankly, "Then I’ll have to trouble Magistrate Jiang for the introduction. I’ll visit Lord Huang’s family together with Young Master Yuan at that time."
Her implication was clear, she would not interact with the Huang family privately.
Magistrate Jiang nodded his head, a flash of approval seemingly in his eyes.
Song Jiyun first thought she was seeing things, but as she opened her eyes wide to have a clearer look, Magistrate Jiang was already stroking his chin, hesitantly saying, "Together with Young Master Yuan, eh!"
Reluctant was his demeanor.
Song Jiyun’s heart tightened.
Neighboring quarter’s living room abruptly echoed with the sound of porcelain clinking against each other.
Someone was there!
Song Jiyun was slightly startled. Remembering the tea cup she had not had time to tidy up when she came in earlier, she continued to talk to Magistrate Jiang as if she had not heard anything, and without changing her expression, she maintained a smile, "Young Master Yuan is a scholar, and so is Lord Huang, so Young Master Huang’s learning must not be lacking either. It would be better for scholars to converse with scholars. For someone like me who only recognizes a few characters, it’s better just to listen on the side."
"Is that so?" Magistrate Jiang said with a somewhat profound smile, didn’t challenge her word, nor did he bring up Yuan Yunzhong again.
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries with laughter, and then Magistrate Jiang stood up to see off the guest with tea.
Song Jiyun hurriedly got up to take her leave.
What she did not know was that as soon as she had left the courtyard of Magistrate Jiang’s study, Yuan Yunzhong followed three steps at a time out of the living room, with a stern face heading straight for Magistrate Jiang.
Seeing this, Magistrate Jiang immediately stood up and hid behind the Taishi Chair, saying, "Yuan Xiaosi, if you dare lay a hand on me again, I... I will tell Master Jing Tang..."
Yuan Yunzhong, upon hearing this, arched an eyebrow, unfazed, and reached out to grab him by the collar.
"You’re serious!" Magistrate Jiang shouted, dodging around a row of Taishi Chairs to evade Yuan Yunzhong, all the while saying, "Don’t think just because you’re the youngest you can act recklessly! I was letting you off easy just now! If you dare to do this again, I will fight back!"
Perhaps the chase around the Taishi Chairs was too silly, Yuan Yunzhong had a slightly blue complexion, and he stopped to say, "Why are you bringing me up?"
Magistrate Jiang started panting after running a couple of steps and said, "Aren’t you despising Old Huang for being too mercenary? I was worried you’d feel uncomfortable meeting him!"
Not mentioning it was manageable, but as soon as Magistrate Jiang did, Yuan Yunzhong’s complexion turned even uglier.
Magistrate Jiang, seeing this, kept clicking his tongue and said, "You can’t deny it, Miss Song really is smart, grasping things instantly. What’s rarer is that although she is articulate and assertive, the words she speaks don’t annoy people. It really is uncommon. I’ve met too many beauties that are a letdown once they speak up..."
"Nonsense!" Yuan Yunzhong interrupted him discontentedly, "Who would help an unmanageable clump of mud that can’t cling to the wall!"
"Is that so?" Magistrate Jiang drawled, glancing at him sideways, "So that ’s how you see Miss Song!"
Without a word, Yuan Yunzhong turned around, plucked a saber from the wall, and pointed it straight at Magistrate Jiang.
"Stop, stop, stop!" Magistrate Jiang backed away incessantly, saying, "I’m off to a matchmaking shortly, please don’t ruin my prospects."
Yuan Yunzhong considered Magistrate Jiang.
Seizing the opportunity, Magistrate Jiang slithered away from Yuan Yunzhong like a loach.
"Recently, Old Huang must’ve heard something, and he’s insistent on playing matchmaker for me." As he straightened his robes, he said, "He claims that the Jiangxi Administrative Commissioner’s young daughter is a beauty peerless, knowledgeable and sensible, and also a good match for my age. Forming this bond would be celebrated as a perfect union."
"That’s your affair!" Yuan Yunzhong said coldly.
"How can it just be my affair?" Magistrate Jiang protested, "Domestic unrest leads to endless trouble. Aren’t I just worried about bringing misfortune upon my esteemed teacher?"
"Isn’t that exactly what you want?" Yuan Yunzhong mocked coldly, "Wasn’t your childhood ambition to marry a lady of high status?"
"Wasn’t I young and ignorant then?" Magistrate Jiang protested loudly, "I used to think all princesses were radiant beauties, all ladies as stunning as the mythical sinking fish and swooping geese. But who knew there could be princesses and noble ladies who are less attractive than village girls..."
*
Parking was not permitted at the entrance to the County Yamen, so the vehicles and sedan chairs of those who came for business were all parked in an alley next to the Yamen. The alley was filled with footmen squatting and waiting for their employers.
When Song Jiyun and Zheng Quan came out of the Yamen, the Song Family’s servant boy hurried to call their coachman.
While waiting for the carriage under the camphor trees across the alley, Song Jiyun discussed with Zheng Quan the matters she had instructed him to handle.
Zheng Quan suddenly paused, puzzled.
Song Jiyun asked, "What’s the matter?"
Zheng Quan pointed to a tea house not far away and said, "I just saw Registrar Wang. He seemed to enter the private room of the tea house with people from the Inspection Division at Changjiang Wharf."
It was common for officials in Liang County to interact with each other, but there was something unusual about the way Zheng Quan mentioned this.
Zheng Quan lowered his voice, "It is rumored that the Inspection Division at Changjiang Wharf is deeply involved in Prince Ning’s smuggling case, and the people from the Division might be taken down in one sweep."
At this time, Registrar Wang’s association with the people of the Inspection Division could certainly set tongues wagging.
But Song Jiyun was not too surprised. Looking towards the entrance of the alley, she said indifferently, "Registrar Wang has been operating in Liang County for many years and has always been known as a man of swift justice and benevolence. It’s not his style to immediately distance himself from others in trouble."
"That is true," Zheng Quan replied, naturally shifting the topic to Prince Ning’s smuggling case. "It’s said that the Chief Historian of the Wang Residence was using Prince’s name to do these things, and everyone is gossiping that the Chief Historian took the fall for the Prince. But with the investigation extending to Jingde Town, I’m afraid Jingde Town will be out of luck. Even if innocent, they might get skinned alive."
Song Jiyun’s thoughts inadvertently drifted to the wild kiln hidden in the valley of Hong Family Mountain, and she sighed, "Tell everyone to be careful!"
If they really start investigating kiln factories, the Song Family Kiln Factory likely won’t be spared.
Zheng Quan promised, "Hopefully, Magistrate Jiang will be able to protect us to some extent."
As for Wan Xiaoquan, it would be good enough if he didn’t take the opportunity to extort them.
Song Jiyun felt a bit heavy-hearted as they boarded the carriage.
*
Yuan Yunzhong returned somewhat late.
But as soon as he came back, he went straight to Song Jiyun’s courtyard.
Song Jiyun was sitting at her dressing table removing her makeup when she heard this and was somewhat surprised, "At this hour?"
During the day, the person Zheng Quan sent to follow Yuan had lost him, and she had no idea what he had been doing.
Xiang Zhan exclaimed joyfully, "Young Master Yuan has brought sugar-fried chestnuts from Tang Ji on the street corner."
It was the season when chestnuts came to market, and the best in Liang County were the sugar-fried chestnuts from Tang Ji on the corner.
Song Jiyun invited him in.
But he came in with a stern face, saying, "Help me find a set of the thin-bodied, ball flower pattern blue and white porcelain tea set."
Wasn’t that the same set she had given to Magistrate Jiang that afternoon?
Song Jiyun asked with curiosity, "What do you need it for?"
"Never mind that," he said as he draped his robe and took a seat on the Taishi Chair, speaking indifferently, "I have my use for it!"
Song Jiyun hesitated for a moment.
"What?" Yuan Yunzhong raised an eyebrow, "Is it a problem?"
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