Yuan Yunzhong had stayed at Song Jiyun’s place until the lighting of the lamps before he left.
Nine tea cups had been painted in total.
Moreover, he had tacitly allowed Song Jiyun to leave a secret mark at the bottom of the tea cups he painted.
Zheng Quan had looked a few times wanting to speak, but was silenced by a glance from Song Jiyun, and finally, with twitching lips, he walked away quietly.
Two days later, Registrar Wang sent an invitation. A banquet was to be held in the Little Snow Hall at West Ridge Villa, and the managers of the major kiln factories of Jingde Town were to attend. The person delivering the invitation specially told Song Jiyun, "Liangyu Kiln Factory has just been established, its scale is still too small, our master means to exclude Old Master Song from this gathering."
Song Jiyun felt something odd.
Song Daliang’s Kiln Factory, regardless of its production value, sales, or heritage, was not qualified to participate, yet why had Registrar Wang made a point of saying this directly to her?
She laughed and said, "Could it be that Lord Wang has also issued a hero’s invitation?"
The messenger’s face turned red, and he hurriedly said, "It was my mistake. Our master only invited kiln owners like you and Old Master Li."
Old Master Li was Li Zixiu, the owner of the Li Family Kiln Factory.
Song Jiyun nodded, did not further trouble the messenger, and rewarded him with some silver. She personally went to Yinyu Hall to ask if Yuan Yunzhong would go—to avoid him following hastily as he had done on the opening day of Song Daliang’s Kiln Factory.
Although she had used him as a shield, she did not want him to interfere with her affairs. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
Yuan Yunzhong was looking down, painting in blue and white.
In the past two days, he had been engrossed, intermittently painting five or six more tea cups.
"I will not go!" He did not even lift his head, he said indifferently, skillfully using the brush, smoothly outlining the elegant lines.
Song Jiyun naturally would not force him. On the day of Registrar Wang’s banquet, she wore a simple and elegant lotus-colored Beizi vest with silver ornaments, and with a bare face, went to West Ridge Villa.
Perhaps because many of the attendees did not wish to expose their whereabouts, at noon, she did not see anyone else on the way; the person leading the way helped them park the mule cart in a decorated pavilion, and the steward of the villa entertained the maid accompanying her with tea and rest, while Zheng Quan followed her further inside.
After passing through a flower wall with many turns, upon reaching the Little Snow Hall, another steward came forward to take Zheng Quan outside to Baoxia for tea and meals, and invited Song Jiyun into the Flower Hall.
Zheng Quan hesitated for a moment.
When Song Youliang was alive, he had repeatedly instructed him that he must follow Song Jiyun closely whenever they went out, and not let her out of his sight.
Song Jiyun had encountered many unpleasant incidents during her previous social interactions, but that did not mean she could avoid socializing because of these potential issues.
She whispered to Zheng Quan, "I’ll be careful, and you be alert as well."
Zheng Quan could only nod and watch as Song Jiyun entered the Little Snow Hall, then he went down with the steward to rest.
Perhaps to fit the theme, the Little Snow Hall was decorated like a snow cave with several plum trees of about three meters high planted inside; tables and chairs were arranged under the trees, as if admiring the scenery beneath the plum trees. Moreover, as it was not the blooming season, silk flowers were tied to the tree trunks as plum blossoms, lifelike in appearance. At first glance, it was almost believed that winter plums bloomed in autumn, prompting curious glances or a few questions.
All the kiln factory owners had arrived and were gathered around Registrar Wang having tea and chatting. Song Jiyun was the last to arrive.
Registrar Wang then joked with a smile, "It seems you’ve stolen the spotlight as a singular bloom?"
Song Jiyun was the only woman present.
All the kiln factory owners laughed heartily.
Song Jiyun smiled and politely excused herself.
Registrar Wang, dispensed with formalities, called everyone to take their seats. After the servant boy had served the refreshments, switched with his attendant, and then, getting straight to the point, he said, "We are all people from Jingde Town. I have received much benefit from everyone here. We prosper together and suffer losses together. Don’t blame me for meddling and taking the lead on this matter."
The crowd naturally responded, "Not at all! We have also benefited from your protection. Otherwise, how could we have known in advance about the Inspector General and the Inspector’s plans to inspect the kiln factories?"
"I’m relieved no one thinks I’m overstepping," said Registrar Wang, visibly pleased, "Everyone here manages their own household affairs. You know how much porcelain you’ve fired and sold, and where and to whom it has been sold. Up to now, reproach or complaints won’t solve any issues. My suggestion is that we put aside our preconceptions, join forces, and focus on getting through this difficult situation."
Li Zixiu was the first to speak up, "Lord Wang is experienced and knowledgeable, I naturally look to you for guidance."
Registrar Wang responded modestly, "I am an outsider in these matters. How we handle them should really be up to you."
The remaining kiln factory owners, exchanging quick glances and fluttering their eyelids, did not scrutinize Song Jiyun’s expression.
Song Jiyun was leisurely sitting on the Taishi Chair, gently caressing the tea cup by her hand.
The owner of the Zhong Family Kiln Factory chuckled and said, "Among us, Brother Zixiu is the educated one, having better calculations than the rest. Let’s first hear what Brother Zixiu has to say!"
The crowd voiced their agreement, saying, "Exactly."
Li Zixiu looked around at everyone, his gaze briefly pausing on Song Jiyun before swiftly moving on, and he smiled, "Let’s not beat around the bush. I’ve been thinking about this issue for a few days now, and I truly want to discuss with everyone how best to handle it."
Everyone urged him to speak quickly.
He then spoke, "Beating a master with random punches. It seems to me that whether it’s the Inspector General or the Inspector, their inspections are simply a way to quickly wrap up the case. Perhaps we could pool some silver and have Registrar Wang personally make a trip to see what exactly these officials want. We can directly hand over what they seek, to avoid breaking more dishes and smashing the pots. Otherwise, our losses could be much greater, costing us more. Let’s discuss it—does this sound reasonable?"
It seemed everyone was prepared, as no one showed any surprise at this suggestion. Instead, they all agreed, saying, "Zixiu speaks our minds, I agree with this plan!"
Sitting next to Song Jiyun was the speaker for Yan Family Kiln Factory, an old man seasoned with age, who had good relations with Song Jiyun’s grandfather.
He quietly advised Song Jiyun, "You’re young and inexperienced. Being the youngest and of lowest position here, just follow along with the rest."
Song Jiyun nodded, whispered her thanks, and thought to herself that Registrar Wang wasn’t really there to solve their problems; rather, he was clearly looking for an excuse to accumulate wealth. Maybe even the so-called "inspection of kiln factories" was a bluff.
But, as Old Master Yan said, there was no need for her to take the lead on this issue. If others could afford it, so could she. Yet, she needed to be wary of Li Zixiu’s schemes to avoid being fooled into paying two hundred taels of silver when others were paying one hundred.
Seeing how Li Zixiu flattered Registrar Wang, it seemed they must be closely connected.
By the time Song Jiyun finished her cup of tea, the others had decided on a sum: "...three thousand taels of silver per family."
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