Song Tao initially thought that Song Daliang had caused some trouble again, but gradually she understood the intention of the Hong Family’s Grand Steward.
She was stunned at the moment.
In her previous life, Hong Xi chased Song Jiyun everywhere; in this life, Old Grand Master Hong actually wanted Hong Xi to marry Song Jiyun’s sister!
Song Tao almost burst into loud laughter.
She still remembered the scenes of the few times she had encountered Hong Xi after she returned to the Song Family.
He didn’t even give her a glance.
Once, when she poured tea for him, he actually asked Song Jiyun who she was?
Song Tao couldn’t help but smile with the corners of her mouth, and gently spoke in response to the words of the Hong Family’s Grand Steward, "Jiyun is the eldest daughter, and my second uncle raised her like a son. Jixue is the youngest; everyone dotes on her. But among the three sisters, it’s Jiyu who’s the most beautiful, with the gentlest temperament and an exceptional talent for needlework and embroidery. Even my second aunt can’t compare to her."
In her previous life, Song Jiyun had driven Song Sanliang out of the Kiln Factory, and her reputation for being domineering had spread, which affected the reputations of Song Jiyu and Song Jixue. Song Jiyu didn’t marry until she was twenty-two years old. And she married far off into the Wuyuan Xiong Family, becoming the eldest son of Xiong Family’s main branch’s second wife. It seemed that the eldest son of the Xiong Family must have appreciated Song Jiyu’s looks and treated her rather well. But with three stepsons in between them, she felt that Song Jiyu’s life might not be as glamorous as it appeared on the surface.
Otherwise, why did Song Jiyu seldom return to her maternal home? And why didn’t the Xiong Family offer help when Song Jiyun later encountered trouble?
In this life, let’s consider it a good deed of hers.
To match Song Jiyu with Hong Xi.
At least they would be the primary match made by official ceremony.
Song Tao smiled brightly, "However, Jiyun shines too brightly, drawing the gaze of ordinary people, which has unfortunately delayed my cousin’s prospects. I wonder who will have the insight to treasure her, and take her home."
The Hong Family’s Grand Steward silently took her words to heart.
The two talked and laughed; the conversation quickly turned to recent major events in Jingde Town—Song Jiyun’s Dragon Kiln was a great success, with finished products reaching close to eighty to ninety percent, breaking the historical record of Jingde Town.
"Truly favored by the God of Wealth himself, as if she can turn stone into gold!" The Hong Family’s Grand Steward couldn’t help but sigh, "And that Young Master Yuan, he’s picked up a real bargain, marrying a golden girl."
Song Tao frowned as she listened.
After seeing off the Grand Steward from the Hong Family, it happened that Song Ren was at the Kiln Factory, so she called out to him, "Could you help me inquire about someone? My cousin, Yun Tang’s fiancé, Young Master Yuan. I always feel that this Young Master Yuan isn’t quite right!"
She never believed that things were just a coincidence!
But in the past, in the Song Family, she couldn’t do more.
Upon hearing this, Song Ren laughed, "Are you worrying about Boss Song?"
Song Tao was taken aback.
"Everyone outside is saying that Boss Song is the reincarnation of the God of Wealth, and whoever marries her will ensure wealth for at least three generations. Young Master Yuan has stumbled upon a great windfall," said Song Ren. "But after all, we know nothing about Young Master Yuan’s background, and if something is amiss... Boss Song’s life could be ruined!"
What a beautiful misunderstanding!
Song Tao nodded and smiled, "That’s exactly the point! I’ll trouble you then. What I’m most worried about now is that my cousin is too young and judges people solely by their appearance."
Song Ren assured quickly, with understanding, "I have friends making a living in Suzhou, I promise to find out everything about this Young Master Yuan."
Then he brought up the matter of Eunuch Wan, "What a lion’s demand! Every time I go there, if I don’t drop ten to twenty silvers, I’m not even allowed in the door. If I see Eunuch Wan again, I won’t even know what kind of gift would be proper!"
They had been too naive before, thinking that "Jade Porcelain" was special enough to impress Eunuch Wan.
In the end, Eunuch Wan still wanted silver.
Song Tao had a bit of a headache.
The accountant of the kiln factory belonged to the Hong Family, and while it was fine for her to use a little on a day-to-day basis, drawing a large sum of money was out of the question, and she still didn’t know when she would receive her dividend.
Having no better solution, she could only vaguely reassure Song Ren, "I’ll handle this matter. You just need to find a way for me to meet Eunuch Wan again."
Song Ren, without any suspicions, stood up to take his leave.
Song Tao personally saw Song Ren out.
On the way, they overheard kiln workers resting at the entrance of the workshop, laughing and chatting together, "It’s absolutely true! The Song Family Kiln Factory fired up the Dragon Kiln and produced over four thousand pieces of blue and white porcelain in one go."
Someone cursed, "At this rate, won’t the price of blue and white porcelain drop?"
"What are you thinking? When have our Jingde Town ceramics ever worried about sales? We only have ceramics that can’t be produced, not ones that can’t be sold once made. It can only be said that from now on, the Song Family Kiln Factory will be the most profitable among our kiln factories. Think about it, others spend nearly three pieces of silver to produce one bowl, while they can produce ten bowls for three pieces of silver. Who would dare compete with their kiln factory in the future?"
"Is it true that their kiln factory also fires porcelain for others?"
"It’s true!" someone said, "I have a brother who runs a small workshop, and the workshop next to their place fired twenty pieces of blue and white porcelain along with them this time. They originally thought that even if one piece was successfully fired it would be great, but nine came out perfect. They were so happy they were practically jumping for joy. These past few days, they’ve been following the Song Family Kiln Factory’s steward around, hoping to get a slot the next time the Song Family fires up the kiln."
The crowd was abuzz with talk, all with one meaning: whoever can partner with the Song Family can look forward to making a fortune!
Song Ren laughed and said, "That makes some sense—otherwise, their kiln factory’s Buddha statue orders wouldn’t sell for double the price on the black market."
He also asked Song Tao, "Should we also consider hiring a few mold craftsmen? Even if we can’t produce large Buddha statues, small ones would do too! This business is booming."
Song Tao was deep in thought and did not speak.
*
In the Li Family Kiln Factory, Li Zixiu paced restlessly back and forth in the accountant’s room.
The master craftsman and the stewards did not dare to make a sound.
It was a while before Li Zixiu stopped pacing, and with his eyes red with bloodshot veins, he stamped his foot fiercely and said, "A great man can bend and stretch! Steward Li, book a banquet for me at Peach Blossom Residence. Invite Chairman Ma, Old Master Yan, and the others. I will apologize to Song Jiyun with a toast!"
The room erupted in whispers.
Li Zixiu sat down on the Taishi Chair with a bitter smile, stroked his face, and said in a low voice, "What else can I do? Circumstances compel a man. She fired over four thousand pieces of blue and white porcelain in one Dragon Kiln firing, and the rest of Jingde Town’s kiln factories and workshops combined don’t produce that many in a year. Not to mention anything else, from now on, isn’t the selling price of blue and white porcelain at her whim? Rather than holding out now and having to capitulate later, it’s better to be straightforward and admit defeat as soon as possible."
"But is there a need to apologize with a banquet?" The Li Family’s Grand Steward was still somewhat dissatisfied.
When Song Youliang was alive, they wouldn’t have dared to treat their owner like this.
"Times have changed!" Li Zixiu sighed with resignation, "Me, a Great Master, and her elder at that, do you think I’m happy to do this? But if we don’t, what other choice do we have? Tell me what I should do?"
The others looked at each other, none able to propose a better idea.
"Let’s do it this way!" Li Zixiu said wearily as he stood up, "I will personally bend down and pick up the pride that I pressured her to lose; after that, she wouldn’t have the heart to make things difficult for me, right?"
The others remained silent.
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