Xiang Zhan tilted her head, looking at Song Jiyun, not understanding why she would say such a thing.
However, Song Jiyun’s attention was already fully focused on the newly fired Alum-Red Porcelain.
Of the forty-five porcelain blanks, only two truly satisfied her.
The others either had uneven coloring or insufficiently vibrant color contrasts.
It seemed she still hadn’t mastered the alum-red glaze through and through.
Song Jiyun thoughtfully examined the two hexagonal boxes she had selected.
Xiang Zhan exclaimed in amazement, "How beautiful! I’ve never seen such a vibrant color before. It’s like a snowscape at sunset."
Song Jiyun made full use of the slightly orange characteristic of alum-red, rather than treating it as simply red.
It was a pity that after firing seven kilns, only thirteen hexagonal boxes the size of wine cups were produced.
Song Jiyun was thinking about giving up.
Nanny Zheng came in with a somewhat solemn expression on her face.
"Miss!" She bowed to Song Jiyun, "Third Madam has come from the countryside to see the old lady, saying that the fruits and vegetables there have had a bountiful harvest, and she specially brought some to add to the old lady’s meal."
How could one possibly turn away others who came to show filial respect to their parents!
Wasn’t this the very reason Madam Zeng insisted on staying in their home back then? 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
Song Jiyun smiled and said, "Let her be! As long as she doesn’t come here to disturb my mother, it’s all fine."
Nanny Zheng’s face showed hesitation.
Song Jiyun’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help saying, "I haven’t played the part of the ominous bird, have I? Spoke too soon?"
Nanny Zheng found her words amusing and chuckled, "Who talks about themselves like that?" Then continued, "Although you haven’t hit the mark exactly, it’s pretty close."
"What do you mean?" Song Jiyun asked as she moved to the side room of the workshop with Nanny Zheng and motioned Xiang Zhan to pour a cup of tea for Nanny Zheng.
Nanny Zheng said, "Nanny Zeng who stays by the old lady’s side told me that Third Madam came this time because she heard that our family’s porcelain is selling exceptionally well. She wants the old lady to speak on behalf of Third Old Master to get some favors, so he can buy some porcelain to open a shop in Shangrao."
"I reckon that in a while the old lady will come to speak with Great Madam," she continued.
Shangrao is where Madam Li’s mother is from.
"It’s not a matter of guessing, it is certain," Song Jiyun said dismissively, "I haven’t forbidden him from doing business. If he wants to sell porcelain from our kiln factory in Shangrao, he can just buy the goods from the kiln factory. She’s coming to my mother, most likely because she wants to get the goods cheaper than others!"
Meaning everything should be conducted on the same terms!
Nanny Zheng smiled without saying a word.
Song Jiyun and Nanny Zheng chatted about household matters, but there was no sign of Madam Zeng coming over even after a long wait.
"Could I be looking at this with outdated eyes, misjudging the situation?" Song Jiyun wondered.
After sending someone to inquire, it turned out that Madam Wang had also come over.
"This is strange," Song Jiyun said, "How come everyone just happened to gather today?"
The person who went to inquire replied, "Great Madam came over crying, saying that Great Master never forced Miss Tao to provide silver, yet Miss Tao went around spreading rumors, making Great Master sick with anger. She wants the old lady to give some money to Great Master for his treatment."
"Surely not?!" Song Jiyun burst into laughter, "Song Daliang is the eldest son, and he also has the eldest grandson. The ancestral assets were in his hands too. A rotten boat still has three pounds of iron in it. Even if he pretends to be poor and wants to take advantage of the old lady, he wouldn’t make a scene this embarrassing, would he?"
The person sent to inquire laughed upon hearing this and first flattered Song Jiyun, "It is indeed Miss who has the discerning eye, the old lady also said as much."
Then he said, "Third Madam got into an argument with Great Madam over this issue. She accused Great Madam of being greedy as a snake trying to swallow an elephant, fully inheriting her family’s impoverished mannerisms, hiding away even a single cent of silver, reluctant to let her own husband spend it.
"Due to this, Great Madam came to blows with Third Madam.
"Even the people by the old lady’s side couldn’t pull them apart."
"They deserve it!" Nanny Zheng couldn’t help but "tch" in scorn, as another servant boy rushed in, saying, "Miss, Great Madam went crying to Madam’s place. Third Madam followed right after."
Song Jiyun and Nanny Zheng exchanged looks and hurried towards Madam Qian’s location.
But they were a step too late.
Great Madam was already holding Madam Qian’s hand, weeping her grievances, with Third Madam by their side, hands on her hips, scolding Great Madam for distorting right and wrong.
Madam Qian’s head was aching from their bickering.
Upon seeing her daughter, she reacted as if she had seen a savior, hurriedly saying, "Yun Duo has come!" Then to Great Madam and Third Madam, she said, "Whatever issues you have, we can discuss another day."
She shouldn’t have called for Song Jiyun, for with that call, Third Madam still managed to be slightly embarrassed, but Great Madam made a beeline for her.
"Jiyun, you must stand up for your aunt!" Her expression was haggard, complexion sallow, and eyelids swollen, "Even though our master has a bad temper, he isn’t shameless. When he went to find your Sister Cousin Tao, he spoke to her cordially. However, Sister Cousin Tao acted as if she were possessed. Your grand uncle only suggested she look after her younger brother with the money she has now; how is it that in her words, it became him forcing her for money?"
Song Jiyun thought to herself: Isn’t that exactly like being possessed!
Great Madam’s handkerchief was soaked with tears.
"She even said that your grand uncle insisted on severing ties with her!
"Your grand uncle was so upset that he’s fallen ill and can’t get up, and she won’t even go see him. What kind of misfortune have I encountered, to bear such a daughter!"
She complained, "It was also her idea to set up the Kiln Factory. After setting up the factory, it was she who said your grand uncle offended the kiln master. Later when the factory couldn’t operate anymore, it was she who convinced your grand uncle to sell the factory to her. Now that she’s doing well in business, isn’t it only right for her to bring back some money?"
But before Song Jiyun could speak, Third Madam was already impatient to clear up the matter with Great Madam: "You make it sound so easy. Your family lost money, what does that have to do with us? Why should we fill that void for you!"
Great Madam argued back with Third Madam yet again, "When did I ever ask you to fill the void for me? The old lady doesn’t only have your son! She can subsidize Third Uncle, so why can’t she subsidize us?"
Song Jiyun took a step back, letting them argue amongst themselves, and whispered quietly to Madam Qian, "It’s a dog-eat-dog world; we should stay out of it!"
Madam Qian chuckled and pinched Song Jiyun’s face, saying, "Do you think it’s still like the old days? They can’t expect to get any benefit from me. I am saving my things for you sisters."
Song Jiyun giggled in response.
Then a voice roared with exhaustive force, "Shut up!"
Everyone looked toward the source of the sound.
Nanny Zeng was seen supporting Madam Zeng as she approached.
Madam Zeng had aged significantly since being seen last, her once sharp eyes now beginning to cloud.
Nanny Zeng didn’t even dare to glance at Song Jiyun.
"What disgraceful noise and chaos!" Madam Zeng scolded Great Madam and Third Madam, "All of you, get out of here!"
Great Madam didn’t dare utter a word, shrinking away like a quail behind Madam Zeng, while Third Madam glanced smugly at Great Madam and eagerly helped Madam Zeng.
Madam Zeng then meaningfully called Madam Qian "my second daughter-in-law" and glanced at Song Jiyun, saying, "You are fortunate indeed. But you should also take pity on the two brothers left behind by your man!"
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