Song Jiyun was still a bit dazed when she received Li Zixiu’s invitation.
She flipped through the invitation with her hands.
The cover was a brilliant red adorned with gold-threaded hollowed-out patterns; the inner note was pale green and scented with jasmine; and the characters were written in Pine Soot Ink, in a Yan Style that was full and dignified. The whole invitation was luxurious yet unpretentiously elegant, like an artwork.
It was apparent that some thought had been put into it.
"What does he want from me?" Song Jiyun said, "It kind of feels like a weasel paying a New Year’s visit to a chicken!"
Zhou Zheng couldn’t help but laugh, saying, "Who describes themselves like that? If Boss Li has anything in mind, it’s more like a drunk man interested in more than just the wine!"
"Whatever!" Song Jiyun tossed the invitation aside and said, "You go on my behalf! I need to study Alum-Red. I believe Prince Huai’s Mansion wants us to help them make a batch of Jihong Porcelain."
She wanted to craft Jihong Porcelain.
But exactly how to make it would still require some private experimentation.
Zhou Zheng smiled and agreed with a "yes."
Who would have known that the Li Family was insistent on inviting Song Jiyun personally, and when they genuinely couldn’t get her to come, they even revealed their shortcomings. The Li Family’s head steward said softly, "Apart from Miss Song, our master has also invited Chairman Ma, Old Master Yan, and others to apologize to Miss Song."
Zhou Zheng was quite surprised, and after asking diplomatically for a while, he finally understood the whole story.
When he saw Song Jiyun, he couldn’t help feeling: "No wonder he could compete with the Old Owner for dozens of years. With his thick skin, there’s no one else in Jingde Town to match. He knows when to bend and when to stand tall, without any hesitation. He’s indeed a real man."
Song Jiyun was also taken aback.
But it was harmless to meet.
To listen to what he had to say.
*
Li Zixiu had booked the largest elegant room "Flowing Water" at Peach Blossom Residence to entertain Song Jiyun.
Song Jiyun brought along Zhou Zheng.
When they arrived, Li Zixiu was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing Song Jiyun alight from her sedan, he immediately approached her and, with a face full of emotion, clasped his hands together in a bow, saying, "Boss Song, there were many offenses previously. Thankfully, you’re magnanimous and didn’t stoop to an old man’s level. It’s an honor that you are willing to attend, so first, let me offer my apologies."
After speaking, he gave her a very formal bow.
This caused the passing bystanders, who were unaware of the situation, to glance over curiously.
Of course, in the small place of Liang County, whether it was Song Jiyun or Li Zixiu, both were people of status, so there naturally were those who recognized them and whispered to each other, stopping to watch the spectacle.
This event would likely spread through the streets and alleys very quickly.
Song Jiyun felt displeased and responded with a laugh, "I couldn’t possibly accept such a grand gesture from Boss Li. If this spreads, people will say that I’m arrogant and bullish, and even if I jumped into the Yellow River, I couldn’t wash myself clean."
Li Zixiu may have had his own little schemes.
But he hadn’t expected Song Jiyun to be so self-assured, giving him no face at all.
Yet what could he do?
The Li Family Kiln Factory mainly produced blue-and-white porcelain, but now Song Jiyun was in control of the price of blue-and-white, so he had to bow down.
Unless, he could produce something else that could compete with the Song Family Kiln Factory.
All Li Zixiu could do was swallow his bitterness.
He simply gestured with an "after you" and signaled everyone to go in for a discussion while entering Peach Blossom Residence side by side with Song Jiyun.
Chairman Ma, Old Master Yan, and others had already arrived, along with an unexpected guest that Song Jiyun hadn’t anticipated—Old Master Xiong.
She was taken aback.
Old Master Xiong laughed heartily and said to Song Jiyun, "I came uninvited, please don’t take offense, Boss Song."
"Not at all, not at all!" Song Jiyun politely exchanged pleasantries with Boss Xiong and the others as they sat down.
Li Zixiu asked what tea Song Jiyun would like to drink, what desserts she enjoyed, if there were any foods she didn’t eat, noting that since she was still in mourning, he had instructed the kitchen to prepare half a table of vegetarian dishes. Later, he would drink while she could just have tea.
His attitude was extremely enthusiastic.
Song Jiyun didn’t know what he was planning; she changed from her assertive demeanor at the door and acted even more humbly than him, responding to him in a gentle and slow voice.
The elder statesmen nodded their approval, praising her as "proud but not impetuous," saying "the Song Family has a worthy successor."
Song Jiyun, of course, was humble once more.
After ten dishes had been served and three rounds of drinks had been passed, Li Zixiu stood up, and with great solemnity, he apologized to Song Jiyun in front of all the guests. He claimed he was "good friends with Old Master Wang and they liked to drink together when there was nothing pressing," "it was just a few words he had mumbled to Old Master Wang," "who could have known Old Master Wang would do such a thing," "blame should be placed on him for being too close to Old Master Wang usually," "but no matter what, this wrongdoing was his fault," "now he has not only compensated the Song Family with eighty thousand taels of silver but also paid Old Master Wang ten thousand taels."
After speaking, he took out a painting of flowers and birds by Li Gonglin, saying it was an offering of his apology, and insisted that Song Jiyun accept it no matter what; if she didn’t, it would mean she hadn’t forgiven him.
Flowers and birds are one of the common themes in porcelain painting, and Li Gonglin’s works are famously exquisite.
There’s no harm in accepting a gift given freely.
Song Jiyun, with a beaming smile, expressed her thanks and accepted the gift.
Li Zixiu’s smile stiffened for a moment.
Although he had resolved to salvage his reputation, when the painting really passed from his hands to Song Jiyun’s, and she accepted it without any reservation, it still pained him a bit.
Song Jiyun watched and internally scoffed.
"The porcelain from Jingde Town always sells well, even the fragments are collected to make decorative wall screens for homes," she said, smiling as she stood up. "Instead of fighting among ourselves, why don’t we join forces to make money?" She raised her teacup in a toast to the assembly.
She joked, "Which is more dazzling, gold or the aroma of silver?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
The crowd burst into hearty laughter.
The mood that Li Zixiu had stirred up quickly dissipated completely.
Seizing the opportunity, Song Jiyun threw out another lure, "Would any of you be interested—in April of next year, I plan to fire up a dragon kiln! This year has been too busy. With the new year approaching and the Imperial Kiln Factory’s bidding about to start, it can only be done after the spring of next year."
"That’s wonderful!" No one paid any attention to Li Zixiu anymore as they eagerly questioned Song Jiyun about her plans.
"Have you decided how many firings to do?"
"This dragon kiln of yours is over twenty meters long, and the temperature is very stable. If you add more, won’t it be difficult to maintain the heat?"
"Boss Song, how do you plan to fire? Will you help other workshops and kiln factories fire a few pieces if there’s spare space? Or are you planning to do a joint firing?"
No one had time to pay Li Zixiu any mind!
Li Zixiu was seething with anger.
Good job, Song Jiyun!
Not giving him an ounce of face!
Thirty years in the east of the river, thirty years in the west; let’s see how things will turn around!
Old Master Xiong, sitting to the side, snickered quietly.
Luckily, the voices inside the private room were louder than one another, so even Li Zixiu, who was intently watching Song Jiyun’s expressions, did not notice.
Old Master Xiong leisurely sipped half a cup of wine.
When the banquet ended, the lights had just begun to brighten the evening.
Li Zixiu saw Song Jiyun out.
A carriage rumbled past in front of her.
Did it look like their family’s carriage?
Song Jiyun craned her neck, trying to get a clear view.
However, Li Zixiu hesitated before speaking, "There’s something, I’m not sure if I should tell Boss Song?"
That clearly meant he was going to tell her!
Song Jiyun’s attention was immediately drawn to Li Zixiu, leaving the seedy carriage behind. She looked at him with a teasing smile, "If Boss Li thinks it’s inconvenient, then perhaps it’s better not to say. Everyone has their secrets, don’t they?"
Li Zixiu choked.
Song Jiyun flashed him a smile and turned to board her sedan chair.
Li Zixiu hurriedly said, "To be honest, my complaints in front of Old Master Wang have a lot to do with Boss Song’s cousin, Third Miss Song from the Liangyu Kiln Factory."
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