Shao Qing was astonished.
From childhood, Yuan Yunzhong had followed his maternal grandfather, Master Jinghu, in his studies, only returning to the Yuan Family at the age of ten. Thereafter, he studied under his uncle. But whether it was Master Jinghu or Yuan Yunzhong’s uncle, when teaching him, they had both retired and did not take on other students.
If there was anyone he could be considered to have shared studies with, it was when Yuan Yunzhong passed the imperial examinations at a young age. Master Jinghu, fearing that he lacked camaraderie with peers that could disadvantage him in the officialdom, specifically sent him to study at Crane Mountain Academy. However, after only three months, Yuan Yunzhong felt out of place and, not wishing to return to the Yuan Family, simply left the academy.
Although he did have his name inscribed on the imperial examination list, for both the Yuan and Wang Families, not advancing into the top three ranks was a great pity.
He took the letter, muttering, "Could it be someone from Crane Mountain Academy? How did he find his way here?"
The envelope was made of leather paper, sealed with a large red and gold paper in the middle, with neither a name nor a signature, but the seal was closed with red lacquer.
He handed the letter to Yuan Yunzhong and gave a handful of copper coins to the messenger, "Thank you for your troubles, have a cup of tea."
"Lord Shao is too kind!" The Government Official was pleased and reciprocated Shao Qing’s courtesy, but Shao Qing was startled—Yuan Yunzhong’s face turned icy as he threw off the covers and got out of bed.
"What are you doing?" Shao Qing, not bothering with small talk with the Government Official, hurried over to support Yuan Yunzhong, "The Doctor said you need to rest quietly these next few days. If you need anything, just let me know. Do you want some tea, or a book to read?"
Perhaps because he got up too quickly, Yuan Yunzhong pushed away Shao Qing’s hand but staggered slightly, and a fine sweat broke out on his forehead.
Shao Qing grew even more anxious, supporting his arm, "Lie down quickly, lie down. Whatever it is, I’ll take care of it, I’ll take care of it!"
Yuan Yunzhong pushed his arm away, steadying himself. His dark eyes shone like the surface of ice under sunlight, dazzling and sharp. The atmosphere in the room seemed to drop a few degrees in temperature.
Shao Qing involuntarily shivered, only then noticing that the letter the Government Official had brought was torn open by Yuan Yunzhong, crumpled into a ball, and tightly clenched in his hand.
His gaze fell on that letter, and he hesitantly called out "Young Master," asking, "Is, is something wrong?"
Yuan Yunzhong did not speak, his eyes as dark as drops of lacquer grew more profound.
Shao Qing unconsciously held his breath.
Yet Yuan Yunzhong slowly sat back on the bed, carefully flattened the envelope again, and stuffed the letter back into it, gently stroking the texture of the envelope, softly saying, "Did you just mention that Miss Song and Old Master Yan are planning to visit the workshops that burn the new blue and white porcelain?"
Shao Qing’s hair stood on end.
This Yuan Yunzhong was like the sea before a storm, appearing calm, but once that calm was broken, the waves would rise, roaring as they consumed everything in their path.
He nodded like a pecking chicken, softly replied, "Xiang Zhan said so."
Yuan Yunzhong nodded and said, "Since Miss Song has sent over tonic gifts and even her own homemade dishes, although the gifts are light, the sentiment is heavy. You should make a trip yourself and express our thanks to Miss Song."
Didn’t they talk about buying a few Glazed Porcelain Bottles for Boss Song?
Wouldn’t it be even more sincere to convey their thanks to Boss Song once the Glazed Porcelain Bottles were in hand?
Shao Qing hesitated for a moment.
Yuan Yunzhong’s gaze cut through him like a knife, sharp enough to make him swallow any further words he might have had.
After all, this was not the first time that Yuan Yunzhong had so blatantly brushed him off.
Moreover, even the Great Master had privately praised their young master for his "good strategies and decisions." Before he came here, the Great Master had repeatedly admonished him that the case of Prince Ning was complex and that with his limited understanding, he might end up being sold and still count money for others; he was to follow Yuan Yunzhong’s commands in all things.
Shao Qing promptly nodded, "I will go see Miss Song right away."
Yuan Yunzhong’s expression slightly cleared.
Shao Qing scurried away like smoke.
He did not know which workshops had caught the eye of Song Jiyun, so he first went to the Song Family’s residence by Zhu Mountain and met Zheng Quan.
Zheng Quan was watching over a small porcelain kiln for Song Jiyun. Although he did not know of Song Jiyun’s whereabouts, he called for Steward Wu to accompany him and inquire about where Song Jiyun was.
When Steward Wu learned that Song Jiyun was at the Wu Family workshop, he rushed over with him.
But they were a step too late.
Song Jiyun and her entourage had gone to the Wang Family’s workshop.
Upon their arrival at the Wang Family’s workshop, however, they were informed that Song Jiyun had already left for Old Master Yan’s house.
In the warmth of spring, a group of Great Masters sat under the blooming trees, sipping tea and laughing, but Song Jiyun was nowhere to be found.
Shao Qing frowned deeply.
Old Master Yan hastily explained, "A woman stopped Boss Song on the way, claiming she had inherited the skill of painting the Buddhist Eight Treasures and wanted Boss Song to take a look. I had my son accompany Boss Song to the woman’s house."
Shao Qing couldn’t help but smile wryly at this and, accompanied by Yan Family’s steward, made his way to the woman’s house.
As he entered the small courtyard, he saw a woman in her thirties, tears smearing her face, pleading earnestly, "Boss Song, I know my talent means little among men, but as a widow without employment and no other options, what else can I do but beg for a meal? I’m willing to learn and to endure hardship. Could you please allow me to work at your family’s kiln factory as a kiln worker? Or maybe you could recommend me to another house. All I’m asking is for enough to prevent my three children from starving to death."
Elder Yan looked on helplessly; given the considerations of propriety between men and women, he was torn between intervening and standing back. He advised her, "We run a kiln factory. If the craftsmanship doesn’t pass muster, even if we wanted to feed you, it just wouldn’t work. If you’re truly able to endure hardship, there’s plenty of work in Jingde Town. Why fixate on Boss Song for relief?"
Song Jiyun also said, "Those at the kiln factory earn their keep with their skills. I can’t break the rules out of sympathy for you. Otherwise, what would be the point of those master craftsmen spending ten or twenty years desperately learning a craft?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
The woman blocked Song Jiyun’s path, refusing to let her leave, "You’re a woman too; you understand the struggles we face. You can’t just stand by and do nothing as I face death!"
Song Jiyun was somewhat displeased.
Shao Qing, on the other hand, couldn’t bear to listen any longer and, raising his voice, called out, "Boss Song," saying, "You really gave us quite the chase. Old Master Yan is waiting for your decision right now, you should hurry over. We can discuss this matter at leisure later when time permits."
Song Jiyun breathed a sigh of relief.
It wasn’t that she was unwilling to help these women who wanted to save themselves; she just didn’t like being morally blackmailed like this.
She also began to consider, if she had the means in the future, hiring some female workers.
"I’m sorry," Song Jiyun said. "I cannot hire you at the Song Family Kiln Factory as a painter. If you insist on becoming a painter, it would be best for you to formally apprentice with a master and spend several years perfecting your art first."
The woman was still unwilling to give up, but Elder Yan stood in the way, and Shao Qing pressed a point on her neck, allowing them to finally leave.
Shao Qing asked Song Jiyun, "Why don’t you have a few servant boys or guards with you? That would make it easier for you to extricate yourself from situations like this."
Before Song Jiyun could respond, Elder Yan chimed in, "With all the kiln workers in Jingde Town, who would have thought we would encounter such a person?"
Song Jiyun sighed, saying, "Fortunately, it was just some time that was wasted, and we did not neglect anyone deserving of help."
A flicker of something unusual crossed Shao Qing’s heart. He asked curiously, "Did this woman detain you for a long time?"
"Indeed!" Old Master Yan nodded vigorously, "She was on her knees, begging insistently for Boss Song to come over to her house. It’s only because Boss Song has a soft heart that she followed her here and even took the time to explain the deficiencies in her painting, advising her on which master she could apprentice with if she wishes to be a painter. If it had been someone else, they would have walked away long ago."
Life for a woman was already difficult; Song Jiyun didn’t want to spoil the impression of kiln factory owners like Old Master Yan, just in case she might be able to advocate for women to work in kiln factories in the future, which would unnecessarily add to her difficulties. She changed the subject, asking Shao Qing, "Why have you come? Is there some matter concerning Young Master Yuan?"
Shao Qing explained his purpose.
"What a matter to be concerned about. Young Master Yuan is being too polite," laughed Song Jiyun, inquiring about Yuan Yunzhong’s health.
Naturally, Shao Qing said "good."
Song Jiyun also reminded him, "If Young Master Yuan still enjoys the pickled vegetables and sour bamboo shoots, let me know, and I will make some more for him. If Young Master Yuan craves anything in particular, feel free to send someone to my house to inform me. Being a native of Jingde Town, I am likely more familiar with things than you folks."
Shao Qing expressed his thanks and, after some pleasantries, accompanied Song Jiyun to the Yan house, before returning to the Yamen.
However, Yuan Yunzhong was nowhere to be found.
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