Chapter 158 - 156

Song Tao followed behind Hong Xi, walking along the path leading to the rear courtyard of the Hong Mansion.

Along the way, the grass and trees were lush, and the greenery was shaded. Although it was already autumn, there were no signs of leaves withering.

Afterward, she met the Old Grand Master Hong, who was fishing in an octagonal pavilion.

"Are you the Third Miss Song who fired the thin porcelain blue and white?" the old grand master asked, his white eyebrows and beard shining, in a gentle voice. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Song Tao respectfully performed a courtesy and meekly replied, "Yes."

She knew that Hong Xi’s parents had died early, and Old Grand Master Hong had raised Hong Xi, who held deep respect for him. After the old man’s death, Hong Xi mourned for three years without saying a word, and every time there was a sacrifice, he would definitely offer incense at the old man’s grave, which was praised by everyone in Liang County.

"Very good, very good." Old Grand Master Hong handed his fishing rod to the Grand Steward beside him and pointed to a bamboo chair under the shade of a tree, saying, "The sun is strong; young lady, don’t stand in the sun, come sit down and talk."

Song Tao just glanced at Hong Xi.

But Hong Xi moved the bamboo chair closer to her.

She just didn’t know how to respond to Old Grand Master Hong’s enthusiasm...

Song Tao somewhat awkwardly sat down.

Old Grand Master Hong then gently inquired about her age when she started learning porcelain-making, and said, "I heard that the paintings on those tea sets are all your own work, and you personally handled the firing as well. It’s unexpected for a young girl like you to be so capable!"

Song Tao replied modestly, "I don’t deserve your praise. It was also a stroke of luck – initially, I learned porcelain-making with my cousin from my uncle’s family. My uncle, fearing we girls would be shy, taught us in his own workshop. My cousin found the task of firing too tiring and didn’t want to do it. Being the elder sister, I naturally had to take more care of her."

She reflected, "I never thought that one day I would rely on this to earn my living."

Old Grand Master Hong looked very appreciative and laughed, "It’s much tougher for young ladies to live in this world than it is for boys. Having a skill of your own is better than anything."

Song Tao was mildly surprised.

Old Grand Master Hong seemed to be, just like her Uncle Song Youliang, unusually generous and tolerant towards women.

She agreed with a smile and nodded, "That’s why I am very grateful to my uncle."

The two chatted and laughed for a while about family matters, and Hong Xi took the opportunity to explain why he had brought Song Tao: "I see that Third Miss Song’s skills in porcelain-making are extraordinary, and it would be a pity to bury such talent. Just the other day, you mentioned that although our family is in Jingde Town, we don’t have any business related to porcelain. It would be great if we could acquire a kiln factory."

As he spoke, he pointed at Song Tao: "There you have it, far in the horizon but close at hand."

Old Grand Master Hong was startled, then burst into laughter and exclaimed, "Well said! This is fate indeed!"

He asked Song Tao, "I am thinking of opening a kiln factory and would like to hire Third Miss Song as the Steward. Would you be willing?"

"No, no, no!" Song Tao stood up in shock, waving her hands in panic, "I just wanted to earn a living with my skills, how can I accept such a generous offer from you, Old Grand Master?"

She gratefully glanced at Hong Xi and said, "Young Master Hong is my life-saving benefactor. If the Old Grand Master needs it, I would definitely do my utmost to help the Hong family. But to be the Steward, I dare not assume such a position."

Subsequently, she gave a bitter smile, lowered her eyelids, and said softly, "Besides, I also have a... father, who would never let me come forward. I can endure whatever he does to me, but I’m afraid he might cause trouble in your house. If that happens, the shame would be unbearable and even jumping into the Yellow River would not wash away my guilt!"

Old Grand Master Hong frowned upon hearing this.

Hong Xi had told him about his encounter with Song Tao again.

Old Grand Master Hong was furious upon hearing this, exclaiming, "This is outrageous," "There’s no justice in this world any longer!"

As he spoke, he trembled, pointing at Hong Xi, "You go right now and help me acquire Song Daliang’s kiln factory and hand it over to Third Miss Song to manage. Let’s see if he still dares to act shamelessly."

Hong Xi hesitated somewhat.

Song Tao immediately jumped up to object, saying, "No matter how bad he is, he is still my father. I cannot treat him like this; it’s too unfilial. I... I would be scolded to death by others."

Her words seemed to present a difficult problem to Old Grand Master Hong, who began to hesitate himself.

"Young Master Hong!" Song Tao looked at Hong Xi, pleading for help.

Little did she know that Hong Xi would say, "Grandfather, that’s a good idea! With the kiln factory, Third Miss Song will have a place to settle down. However, Third Miss Song does have a point; after all, Old Master Song is her father, and she can’t go against him. Instead of appointing Third Miss Song as the Steward, why not partner with her? That way, you have a perfectly legitimate reason to help Third Miss Song."

Old Grand Master Hong repeatedly praised the idea, and decided, "It’s settled then. Hong Xi, go to the accountant later to take out some silver. Part of it will be our investment and the other part a loan to Third Miss Song. The profits will be shared according to our investment ratios. As for the borrowed silver... a three percent interest will suffice."

Three percent interest was the lowest rate acceptable to a moneylender.

Song Tao was overjoyed, bowing to Old Grand Master Hong, "Thank you so much, sir. I am at a loss for words. You truly are my savior and benefactor!"

Old Grand Master Hong smiled and stroked his beard, happily saying to Hong Xi, "After all, she’s a young lady, gets excited over anything."

Hong Xi smiled silently, his eyes downcast.

Neither Song Tao nor Old Grand Master Hong noticed the brief flash of mockery in his eyes.

When Song Tao left the Hong Mansion, she not only carried a silver note amounting to thirty thousand taels but also was accompanied by the Hong Family’s Grand Steward and two Protectors.

As Old Grand Master Hong put it, "For a defenseless young lady like you, having a few robust men by your side gives you some confidence wherever you go."

Indeed.

When she went to purchase the Liangyu Kiln Factory, not only would her father not agree readily, but he would surely take advantage of their father-daughter relationship to forcefully cause trouble. With the people Old Master Hong had lent her, she had ways to make her father swiftly hand over the kiln factory.

Song Tao couldn’t help but look back at the black lacquered gates of the Hong Mansion.

Years ago, had Song Jiyun faced the same situation as her?

She boarded the mule cart of the Hong Mansion, only then noticing her palms were damp with sweat.

She let out a long sigh of relief.

In the rolling sound of the cart wheels, they soon arrived at the Liangyu Kiln Factory.

Compared to the orderly vibe before it opened, the Liangyu Kiln Factory was now a chaotic mess, resembling a marketplace. The kiln workers and master craftsmen, who should have been in different workshops, surrounded the accountant’s office, holding various tools and threatening Song Daliang, "If you don’t pay us according to the deed, we’ll sue you at the Yamen."

"What does it matter if you’re rich? Now, besides the County Magistrate, there’s also the Inspector General! Didn’t Registrar Wang get sentenced by the Inspector General recently? Don’t think you can oppress people with your power as before!"

"We don’t mean to pressure you, but there are children at home waiting for the money to save their lives; I’m truly cornered here. Please, just be kind! Your family’s business is huge, even a single hair is thicker than our thighs. Please just give us our wages! If not all, half is fine too! No, even one-third would be acceptable!"

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