Yuan Yunzhong’s dissatisfaction almost became palpable, hitting her in the face.
Song Jiyun hurriedly said, "That’s not it. It’s just that today I already gave a set to Magistrate Jiang. If it’s for your own use it’s fine, but if it’s a gift, I’m afraid it might be seen as repetitive, and I might be criticized for that."
Yuan Yunzhong remained unimpressed.
Seeing this, Song Jiyun had no choice but to send Xiang Zhan to find Zheng Quan, and had Zheng Quan open the storeroom and fetch a set of tea ware.
Yuan Yunzhong was somewhat surprised and said, "Didn’t you claim that this was your father’s treasured collection and that there was only one set?"
How could he believe such a scene?
Song Jiyun was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.
Yuan Yunzhong watched her with a cold gaze.
She quickly suppressed her laughter and explained, "Indeed, there is only one set. But back in the day, my father made a kiln of blue-and-white porcelain thin-walled tea sets specifically for gifting to high-ranking officials. Although the shapes are all the same, the painted patterns are quite different. The blue glaze used was Su Ma Li Qing, which was nearly extinct since the previous dynasty, and the blue-and-white porcelain that came out was deep and rich in color, making them treasured gifts. That’s the only reason this saying came about."
"Oh!" Yuan Yunzhong nonchalantly responded, yet the corners of his mouth seemed to lift uncontrollably into a slight smile.
Song Jiyun felt that he seemed quite pleased.
She was somewhat dumbfounded.
What’s with this guy?
Usually, even if she spoke to him kindly and politely, she would somehow touch a sore spot, and he would respond with a cold look. Yet today, after she overtly scoffed at him, he actually seemed quite happy?
Song Jiyun didn’t understand and decided not to think too deeply about it—sometimes, even if she did, she couldn’t understand.
But she still smiled and made a suggestion, "Although it’s not an antique, the materials and craftsmanship are very exquisite, and they closely resemble the porcelain used by the Imperial Family of the former dynasty. Ordinary people definitely can’t tell that they’re replica burnings. If you like them, you can choose a set that you feel a connection with later; it’s nice to use them yourself."
Unexpectedly, Yuan Yunzhong glanced at her and said, "No need!"
Song Jiyun was puzzled and once again lost in the fog of interacting with Yuan Yunzhong.
Then why did he demand the tea sets from her so aggressively?
Could it be that he was disdainful because those tea sets were not one-of-a-kind?
After thinking for a while, Song Jiyun said, "How about I specifically fire a kiln for you? Whether it’s for personal use or gifting, it won’t be considered too shabby."
"That’s fine," Yuan Yunzhong said after a moment’s contemplation, his chin slightly lifted with an indescribable pride, as if she was begging to make porcelain for him and he had to agree reluctantly.
How could someone be so arrogant yet not annoying?
Song Jiyun couldn’t help but nearly burst into laughter.
*
By the time Zheng Quan, along with a few servant boys sweating profusely, brought over a dozen sets of tea ware, Yuan Yunzhong had long disappeared without a trace. In the brightly lit study, only Song Jiyun remained, her head bent over the desk, seemingly absorbed in something.
"Where’s Young Master Yuan?" he asked while urging the servant boys to carefully place the tea sets on the table.
Song Jiyun lifted her head, her expression somewhat dazed as she uttered an "Oh." It took her a while to seem to come back to her senses, then she said, "It’s so late; surely I can’t be expected to offer him supper."
Zheng Quan looked at the tea sets piled high and sighed helplessly, "Then what shall we do with these tea sets?"
"Leave them here," Song Jiyun’s gaze returned to the desk, "Perhaps our little princess will change his mind by tomorrow and we’ll have to go back and forth again. Let’s wait until he’s seen them before deciding."
Little princess?
Was she referring to Young Master Yuan?
He must have heard it wrong, right?
Zheng Quan pondered without correcting these minor, harmless details. He stepped forward to help Song Jiyun adjust the wick of the lamp and said, "It’s getting late, Miss. You should rest early too! Steward Wu from the Hong Family personally delivered the ceramics, and Old Master Hong and the two young masters were very pleased. Eldest Young Master Hong even said he would come to visit you tomorrow."
Song Jiyun looked up.
It was then that Zheng Quan noticed a painting on the desk.
Though sparse and uneven, the few strokes vividly outlined a Maitreya Buddha with a joyous smile.
He was taken aback.
Although he could not paint and had not read much, his exposure to the Song Family had given him a not-so-low level of appreciation for art.
"Who painted this?" he asked hastily. "Is it a new piece acquired by Miss? When did such a talented painter emerge in Jingde Town? Could you persuade him to be a dedicated painter for the Song Family Kiln Factory?"
It was usually hard for a kiln factory to find painters who could create their own designs.
Song Jiyun curled her lips and said, "It was painted by Young Master Yuan."
"Ah!" Zheng Quan’s mouth hung open for a long time, and as his gaze fell on the pile of tea ware to the side, he suddenly felt they weren’t so obtrusive anymore.
"He painted it for his own tea set," said Song Jiyun, placing the painting down and leaning back in the Taishi Chair. She spoke in a faint voice, "He said it’s not to be used by anyone else. Those that didn’t turn out well were to be smashed and thrown into the river; not a trace left. To be treated like Imperial Porcelain of the Imperial Family."
Zheng Quan didn’t know how to comfort her and only after a while did he say dryly, "But Young Master Yuan is quite capable. With this skill alone, he would certainly be popular as a painter in the Imperial Kiln Factory."
Yuan Yunzhong, huh?
The image of a small figure with an expressionless face, holding a brush and wearing a coarse apron, appeared in Song Jiyun’s mind.
She couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Xiang Zhan ran in, saying that Shao Qing had come to see her.
Song Jiyun went to the hall with a smile to meet Shao Qing.
Shao Qing had a helpless look on his face. He said, "By the command of the young master, he tasked me to stamp his painting with a seal."
Listening, Song Jiyun blinked and whispered to him, "Then, could you help me stamp a few blank sheets of Xuan paper?"
Shao Qing chuckled, imitating her gesture. He also gave her a wink and whispered back, "Could you keep a secret for me then?"
After a pause, the hall erupted with merry laughter.
Song Jiyun stayed up all night to replicate several of Yuan Yunzhong’s paintings and called the kiln factory’s painters early to discuss how to transfer Yuan’s artwork onto ceramics.
Young Master Hong came to visit.
Beyond expressing satisfaction with the ceramics he received, he also brought an invitation for Second Young Master of the Hong Family, Hong Zhao’s, capping ceremony, "Miss Song must grace us with your presence!" He seemed to read Song Jiyun’s mind and emphasized, "Our family has no woman to host the middle banquet, so we have not prepared a feast for the womenfolk. Just by adding a bit of tea in your honor, consider it a celebration for our family. The main reason is my grandfather wishes to meet Miss Song."
Song Jiyun was even less inclined to go.
She exchanged a few polite words with Hong Xi and then saw him out with tea.
Zheng Quan, who stood by, frowned and muttered under his breath, "This Young Master Hong is rather strange. Is he inviting you to their family’s celebration or telling you not to go?"
To Song Jiyun, the Hong Family was just an ordinary neighbor. She had no interest in deepening ties or contemplating Hong Xi’s intentions any further.
She asked about Song Daliang’s kiln factory, "Have they finished firing?"
"They’ve finished a kiln load!" scoffed Zheng Quan, "All blue and white porcelain. Over two thousand pieces were put in, but only seven or eight came out right. I heard he’s so anxious that he’s getting blisters on his mouth. At this rate, it won’t be half a year before his kiln factory shuts down again."
Song Jiyun expressed no opinion but instructed him, "Keep an eye on it, and see what kind of porcelain they’re making?"
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