Hong Xi’s mind buzzed, and many chaotic images flashed through his mind like a whirlwind.
He couldn’t help but close his eyes, and it took him a while to emerge from those images.
However, by the time he opened his eyes again, Song Tao had already run towards him, "Young Master, save me!"
Seeing Hong Xi in front of him, an angry Song Daliang couldn’t help but stop in his tracks, sheepishly saying, "It turns out to be Young Master Hong!"
Hong Xi nodded and advised, "Girls are guests to be cherished, it’s better to leave her some dignity."
After all, hitting a woman was never a glorious act.
Song Daliang hesitated, glared at Song Tao, and walked away.
Song Tao gratefully said, "Thank you, Young Master Hong!"
The nearby cake vendor smiled broadly as he handed over a box filled with Osmanthus cake to Hong Xi, "Young Master, the Osmanthus cake is ready."
He hummed affirmatively, indifferently nodded to Song Tao, took the pastries, and returned to Hong Mansion.
In the evening, Hong Xi had dinner with his grandfather Old Grand Master Hong and his brother Hong Zhao.
Since the meal was Huaiyang Cuisine, the kitchen used calabash eight treasures blue and white porcelain dinnerware. Seeing this, Old Grand Master Hong mentioned Hong Zhao’s coming-of-age ceremony, "His teachers all praised the gifts we sent. I reckon that next year, when your brother is ready for societal interaction, it’s essential to keep a regular connection with his teachers. You should find a time to visit the Song Family and ask that lady owner to make us a few more sets of the Four Treasures of the Study, suitable for New Year’s gifts."
Hong Xi’s hand paused as he held his bowl, and he then smiled, "I’m afraid Miss Song might not agree. Last time, when I saw she did a great job with our calabash figurines, I wanted her to continue making some finer tea sets that I could use when visiting major clients. Miss Song said that their orders were booked until next May. They have to prepare imperial porcelain for the Imperial Kiln Factory, and even if she was split in two, she couldn’t manage more, so we would have to wait until after next May.
"She also told me, if it’s not urgent, we could place an advance payment now. But they can only deliver in August or September next year."
Old Grand Master Hong exclaimed in surprise, "Is the Song Family’s business that good?"
Hong Xi nodded, "Not only that, the newly appointed Magistrate Jiang, for some reason, also greatly admires her. Today when I went to the Wensi Building to discuss the rite for the Kiln God, the Song Family’s tribute was placed first."
Old Grand Master Hong reflective, said, "In that case, we’ll have to find another appropriate place. It would be even better if we could secure a long-term contract. If our family returns to Jingde Town, it wouldn’t seem right not to gift porcelain."
Hong Xi agreeably responded, "Yes," and Old Grand Master Hong then turned and began speaking to Hong Zhao, "Last time, I heard Mr. Wang from your academy say that your teacher, Mr. Su, is preparing to leave his post. Will that affect your studies? Should we hire another teacher to give you extra lessons during the academy’s break?"
"No need!" Hong Zhao laughed, "Mr. Su is going to the Yueyang Wang Family to become a teacher. Mr. Wang said if we pass next year’s provincial exam, he will take us to Yueyang for a study tour, to see what the renowned Wang Family is like."
Old Grand Master Hong quickly became excited, "Is it the Yueyang Wang Family that produced three cabinet elders and two Imperial Tutors?"
"Yes!" Hong Zhao said, "Mr. Wang also mentioned that we could visit Yuelu Academy."
"Then you’d better study hard and aim to pass the provincial exam in one go next year. Your grandfather will have additional rewards for you then!"
The grandfather and grandson talked warmly, with Old Grand Master Hong occasionally picking dishes for Hong Zhao. After dinner, he even summoned Hong Zhao to his study, wanting to see if Hong Zhao’s calligraphy had improved lately.
Hong Xi sat in the somewhat deserted dining room after everyone had left, swallowed his last bite of food, and returned to his living quarters in the West Courtyard.
The West Courtyard was quiet, only the large red lantern under the eaves swaying in the wind.
Hong Xi simply went to a small tavern behind Hong Mansion, drank a small pot of wine there, and only when he heard the bells of the Second Watch of the Night did he, slightly intoxicated, head home.
As he approached the back door of the Hong Mansion, he suddenly tripped over something soft and warm.
He staggered but steadied himself, and upon closer inspection, found a woman curled up on the steps behind their door.
The woman mumbled, "It was not intentional," as she lifted her head.
In the dim light of the lantern, he saw those eyes again, clear as water.
It was Song Tao!
"Young Master Hong!" She stood up awkwardly, bowed her head, and nervously scraped her toes on the ground. "When you went to see my cousin to make porcelain, we brushed past each other. Young Master Hong may not remember, but I do!"
Hong Xi always thought he had a good memory, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not recall ever meeting Song Tao.
Every time Song Jiyun made an appearance, she captured everyone’s attention; perhaps that’s why he had not noticed Song Tao.
He nodded somewhat indifferently.
Song Tao’s face turned crimson, and she hung her head in embarrassment, whispering, "Young Master Hong, could you please help me? I’ve been sold by my father to a businessman from another region to be his second wife because of a marriage arranged with the Zeng Family. I don’t want to leave Jingde Town, so I ran away from home.
"Can you shelter me for just one night?
"Just one night.
"I’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning!"
Hong Xi hesitated, but after seeing Song Tao plead again with a pitiful look, he finally agreed, "Miss Song, it is improper for men and women to interact too closely. If Miss Song does not mind, you can stay in the guest room of our West Cross Courtyard for the night. We can talk more about this in the morning, shall we?"
Song Tao thanked him repeatedly and followed the maid away.
The next day before dawn, she left without bidding farewell to Hong Xi. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Hong Xi did not take it to heart.
Two days later, Song Tao suddenly came to visit Hong Xi.
Hong Xi initially did not want to meet her, but the servant boy who came to report said, "Miss Song says she has something important to discuss with you."
"It’s Third Miss Song!" Hong Xi corrected the servant boy and, after a moment’s thought, invited her in.
Song Tao was dressed in a peach-red beizi vest embroidered with golden threads and a horse-face skirt of Hangzhou white silk embroidered with green twining branch flowers. Her black hair was carelessly tied in a low bun, which made her face appear even more gentle and amiable.
She brought Hong Xi a few tea sets: "Last time, while I rested in the guest room, I overheard your mansion’s maid saying that Old Grand Master Hong wanted to obtain some tea sets that could be gifted to his younger brother’s teachers at the academy. These are made by myself; they aren’t worth much, but the patterns are auspicious and decent enough to be presented, so I hope Young Master Hong won’t find them too modest."
Hong Xi was somewhat surprised and said, "Third Miss Song knows how to make porcelain?"
Song Tao smiled and said, "Of course. When I was young, my cousin and I both learned porcelain making from my uncle. She inherited the family business, and everyone knows about it. I..."
She paused here, giving a bitter smile, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness as she continued, "After I grew up, I had to learn needlework with my mother and rarely visited my uncle’s place. No wonder Young Master Hong is curious; many people do not know that I can make porcelain."
Then she opened the brocade box containing the tea sets, revealing sets with a gleaming white glaze, light bodies, and designs symbolizing ever-increasing prosperity.
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