However, when Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong returned to the city from The Eight Immortals Nunnery that evening, it was the early hours of the Hai hour.
Peach Blossom Residence had already closed its doors.
Song Jiyun saw a small tavern next door that was still open. She pushed the door and entered. The clean establishment wound its way in multiple turns, but cleverly partitioned into separate small rooms using latticework as dividers and large red lanterns for illumination. In the dim light, it seemed particularly quiet and serene, very suitable for a drink and a chat.
She immediately invited Yuan Yunzhong, "How about we make do here for now and go to Peach Blossom Residence another day?"
Yuan Yunzhong was not disdainful and entered the tavern first.
The waiter found them a secluded spot, served tea and snacks, and announced the names of the dishes and wines.
All the wines were famous varieties from different regions, and all the dishes were fried items suitable for pairing with alcohol.
It turned out Liang County had such a wonderful place. Song Jiyun took the opportunity to look back at the tavern’s signboard while Yuan Yunzhong was ordering wine and dishes.
Boundless of Moon Wind.
Quite interesting.
Song Jiyun smiled and asked the waiter, "Do you have nine-holed conch?"
The waiter was taken aback and after a moment, he said, "We have large sea conch here, stewed with wine; it’s a favorite among our returning customers. Would the young lady and gentleman like to try some?"
"Let’s have a portion!" Song Jiyun said cheerfully to Yuan Yunzhong, "Better than nothing!"
Under the lamplight, her bright eyes seemed to reflect the stars.
Yuan Yunzhong hummed in agreement, a hint of a smile flashing across his lips.
The waiter left to prepare their order.
Song Jiyun poured a cup of tea for Yuan Yunzhong and said with a smile, "Since when did Young Master Yuan get so acquainted with Magistrate Jiang? Have you been away from home these days traveling to study?"
Yuan Yunzhong’s hand holding the teacup paused imperceptibly, then he responded as if it were nothing, "A fresh start with white hair, like reacquainting with an old friend."
Does that mean they hit it off like good friends at first sight?
No one would believe that!
In these times when all professions are seen as inferior and only scholarship is esteemed, Song Jiyun would naturally believe him if Yuan Yunzhong had any titles or honors.
She said with a teasing smile, "I believe Magistrate Jiang is an imperial scholar who passed on his second try, right?"
Yuan Yunzhong looked deeply at her and said, "He also once studied at Crane Mountain Academy."
Are they implying they come from the same background?
Song Jiyun leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, her smile slightly mischievous, "Well, Crane Mountain Academy must be quite good then. Although Lord Deng is much better than Eunuch Wan, deep down, he still views the common people as insignificant. Only you and Magistrate Jiang, on the other hand, love the people like your own children. If it weren’t for the two of you today, The Eight Immortals Nunnery might not have been as peaceful and successful, and Eunuch Wan would not have given up so easily."
She lifted the teacup from the table, "Using tea in place of wine, I toast you first."
Yuan Yunzhong did not lift his teacup but looked at her with raised eyebrows as if asking, "Didn’t you say before that I was largely to thank?"
Song Jiyun smiled and said, "Of course, the most important thanks still goes to you. If it weren’t for you, Magistrate Jiang probably wouldn’t have sent the government official to assist."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yunzhong took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "My main issue is that I can’t stand those who bully others using their power."
Across the small square table, Song Jiyun leaned forward, blinking as she whispered, "Is it because ’if the official doesn’t stand for the people, it’s better to go home and sell sweet potatoes’?"
Yuan Yunzhong was momentarily taken aback, then slowly, a smile formed on his lips.
"Interesting!" He gazed intently at Song Jiyun, "This is the first time I’ve heard that saying."
He repeated her words, "Being an official who doesn’t resolve matters for the people is not as good as going home to sell sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes, what are they? Are they yams?"
Song Jiyun did not feel the slightest bit sheepish.
With such an immense sea of books, and information at that time so underdeveloped, who dared to claim they knew everything?
She laughed, "Maybe! I saw it in a book."
She even questioned him, "What are yams? What do they look like? Have you eaten them? What is the taste? Are they delicious?"
Yuan Yunzhong’s eyes curled up into a smile.
The warm light was shattered by him.
As fierce as the sun, it illuminated the dimly lit small tavern.
"I didn’t expect Miss Song to be so well-read." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping mysteriously, like the harmonious twang of a low string, "I heard it from the elders in my family. He once served as the Inspector General of Yunnan-Guizhou, and someone presented him with a dish, said to be called yams. I wonder, which book did Miss Song read it in? Could you recommend it to me?"
The Inspector General, huh?
This was the first time he had mentioned his family background in front of her.
Song Jiyun smiled lightly, gazed intently into Yuan Yunzhong’s eyes, and spoke slowly, "It’s been such a long time I can’t remember, you’ll have to allow me to think it over when I go back."
Yuan Yunzhong did not avoid her gaze, letting her look at him.
For a moment, the scent of sandalwood incense wafted between the two of them.
She even saw his eyelids droop, casting faint shadows beneath his lashes against his eye sockets.
The atmosphere suddenly spawned a measure of ambiguity.
Song Jiyun’s throat itched, and just as she was about to sit up straighter, a man’s surprised voice suddenly came from behind her, "Boss Song! Young Master Yuan! I didn’t expect to find you here drinking!"
For some inexplicable reason, the atmosphere between the two tightened.
Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong both turned towards the source of the voice.
They saw Chairman Ma, Li Zixiu, Old Master Yan, and others standing opposite their booth.
"This temple fair today is really bustling!" As Chairman Ma approached, he couldn’t help but exclaim, "A young calf is not afraid of tigers, truly the younger generation to be feared! The Song Family Kiln Factory actually managed to produce a porcelain Buddha statue as tall as a man. When your father discussed this with me before, he too had the desire to craft such a statue, but for various reasons, it was never accomplished. To think it’s been successfully made in your hands! If your father were still here, I wonder how happy he would be!"
Song Jiyun immediately stepped out of the booth.
She greeted Chairman Ma and the others with a smile, modestly saying, "I’m just taking shelter under the shade of trees planted by those before me. Without my father’s previous attempts at firing, I wouldn’t have been able to successfully make the Buddha statue."
"That may be so, but without a bit of courage, it wouldn’t have been possible either." Chairman Ma obviously held Song Jiyun in high regard, striking up a conversation right there in the corridor, "I used to think you were being somewhat reckless. Now it seems, it was I who was short-sighted. When it comes to the craft of porcelain-making, talent trumps diligence. With your skills, if the Imperial Kiln Factory ever wants to make a Dragon Jar again in the future, we’ll have nothing to worry about."
He previously wasn’t too pleased with Song Jiyun stepping up to compete with Song Daliang and Song Sanliang for the right to speak for the Song Family Kiln Factory.
Song Jiyun did not expect to reap such benefits just from firing a Buddha statue.
"You flatter me too much!" She exchanged pleasantries with a smile, "All of you are veterans in porcelain-making, my seniors. I still have so much to learn!"
"You don’t need to be so polite!" said Chairman Ma. His manner suggested he was about to have a lengthy discussion with her as an elder.
Old Master Yan, standing aside, interrupted Chairman Ma, "Old Ma, spare a few words, can’t you see that Young Master Yuan is right there?"
Chairman Ma was momentarily taken aback.
Old Master Yan chuckled, his words tinged with teasing, "The young unmarried couple finally finds an opportunity to dine together, and here you are, an old buffoon, talking the ear off this young lady. Why don’t you scurry off, leave them be and give the young ones a chance. If you really have something to discuss with Boss Song, why can’t you go to the Kiln Factory and talk for a whole day? Boss Song will surely welcome you with good tea and wine!"
After finishing his speech, he gave Song Jiyun a teasing smile.
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