When the Imperial Guards stormed into the Liangyu Kiln Factory, Song Tao was so frightened that her body went limp, and she couldn’t even lift her hands.
Had Song Ren not pulled her aside, she would have been kicked to the ground by the Imperial Guards.
Even so, when the leading Imperial Guard realized she was the person in charge of the kiln factory, he waved his hand, and she was dragged into the County Yamen’s jail cell.
Grasping the jail’s thick wooden bars, she pleaded desperately, "Sir, you must be mistaken. I’m just a person hired by the Hong Family Kiln Factory to fire porcelain. Whether it’s the kiln factory’s matters or the Hong Family’s business, I know nothing about them. Why have you locked me up?"
The Imperial Guard in charge of the jail, a man with a scar on his face, sneered upon hearing this: "It’s you that we’re locking up—the Hong Family is involved in smuggling porcelain for Prince Ning’s Mansion. Aren’t you the kiln factory’s steward? If you don’t know what happened, then who does?!"
"How could the kiln factory possibly be involved in smuggling porcelain for Prince Ning’s Mansion? Our kiln factory has been operating for less than half a year and only fires Sacrificial Porcelain. Every sale is accounted for. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the people in Jingde Town; anyone can vouch for that." Song Tao, still unwilling to give up, tried to argue for a chance to explain herself, but the scar-faced Imperial Guard did not spare her another glance and, after giving a few instructions to the Jailor, turned and left.
Only then did she realize that in the neighboring cell were Old Grand Master Hong and the brothers Hong Xi and Hong Zhao.
"Old Grand Master!" she called out, tears swirling in her eyes.
Although they had been imprisoned, the members of the Hong Family were still dressed neatly. Old Grand Master Hong was even sitting cross-legged on a pile of straw in the cell with closed eyes, exuding an imposing demeanor, unchanged from his usual appearance. Hong Xi stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall opposite Old Grand Master Hong. He was gazing at the tiny window of the cell, his face calm, lost in thoughts. As for Hong Zhao, known as the scholarly hope of the Hong Family, whether it was due to his young age or an unstable temperament, paced restlessly inside the cell and muttered to himself, looking worried and frightened.
Upon hearing her call, Old Grand Master Hong did not even lift his eyelids, and Hong Xi also ignored her. Only Hong Zhao not only walked over but also asked her anxiously, "What exactly happened to the kiln factory? Prince Ning’s smuggling has been going on for more than a day or two. You just said that our family’s kiln factory has been in business for less than half a year, and all the accounts are clear and honest; is that true?"
Song Tao nodded emphatically.
Hong Zhao was usually studying in Suzhou and knew nothing of the family’s domestic affairs.
She pinned her hopes on Hong Zhao being able to help clear their names.
In her previous life, the Hong Family had not encountered such a disaster, and at this time, Hong Zhao was still studying in Suzhou. By next year’s academy examination in June, he had passed the Scholar exam, and Old Grand Master Hong was so delighted that he hosted banquets for seven consecutive days. By September, Hong Zhao had triumphed in the Juren exams and even married the legitimate eldest daughter of the Prefect of Huzhou, arranged by his mentor, and went to the Imperial College to study.
It was said that his fortunes were related to his mentor, who had retired as the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and went on to teach at the Crane Mountain Academy.
In this life-and-death situation, he would surely seek help from his mentor.
Song Tao painstakingly explained the situation of the kiln factory to him.
But just as she began, she was interrupted by Old Grand Master Hong, "Ah Zhao, come here. Your grandfather has something to tell you." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
Song Tao looked up.
Old Grand Master Hong had opened his eyes at some point and was gazing askance at them.
Song Tao’s heart skipped a beat.
Hong Zhao had obediently kneeled in front of Old Grand Master Hong, and the two began whispering to each other.
Song Tao was burning with anxiety to know what Old Grand Master Hong was saying to Hong Zhao.
In the face of great disaster, even spouses may fly apart; how much more unlikely was it for the Hong Family to reach out to her when their relationship was purely business-based and assembled temporarily out of mutual need? If the Hong Family wouldn’t help her, and considering her estrangement from her own family, who else would care for her?
She shook uncontrollably and called out, "Eldest Young Master Hong!"
It was as if Hong Xi only just then noticed her, with his gaze casually resting on her.
"Eldest Young Master Hong!" she couldn’t help but shiver.
In her previous life, after Hong Zhao passed the Juren exam, the Hong Family had become an influential gentry in Liang County, on par with the Wen Family. Old Grand Master Hong always accompanied Hong Zhao in his studies, whereas Hong Xi took care of the Hong Family’s domestic affairs in Liang County.
He was handsome and wealthy. Representing the Hong Family at various grand events in Liang County, countless women saw him as a highly sought-after match, scheming to marry him. Yet he favored Song Jiyun, not only providing financial and physical support against Song Sanliang but also co-investing in a new kiln factory with Jiyun to exclusively produce various monochrome porcelains, expanding their business to the Capital City.
Song Jiyun wouldn’t marry, so he kept waiting for Song Jiyun. Even the opposition from Old Grand Master Hong was in vain.
She thought that even if he wasn’t the type to pity and cherish Yu, he was at least a passionate and righteous person, but an unexpected turn of events happened again—his gaze toward her was icy and ruthless, like he was looking at a dead object.
But she had to rescue herself.
She couldn’t be abandoned by the Hong Family.
Even if Old Grand Master Hong wasn’t very willing to take her with him, she had to find a way to make Hong Xi take her along.
"I have something to tell you," Song Tao clenched her teeth, learning from the way Song Jiyun used to stare directly into his eyes, and coldly said.
A flicker of surprise crossed the depths of Hong Xi’s eyes, and after hesitating for a moment, he actually walked towards her.
Song Tao felt like she was about to explode with anger inside.
Hong Xi really did prefer women like Song Jiyun.
She raised her eyebrows slightly and straightened her body, trying to imagine herself as a pine tree on a cliff, calm in the face of danger, yet unaware that her constantly trembling hands betrayed her anxiety.
"We need to find a way to get out," she whispered, "Only Eunuch Wan can save us now."
She knew about the support Eunuch Wan had in the palace, and she knew his secret.
Hong Xi glanced at her suspiciously, tugged at the corner of his mouth with a frivolous and somewhat mocking attitude, and said, "Third Miss Song, have you never been outside of Jingde Town? When the Imperial Guard carries out their tasks, do you think Wan Xiaoquan, an eunuch, can stop them?"
This sharp and harsh Hong Xi was something Song Tao had never seen before.
She was taken aback.
Hong Xi looked down on her with disdain and said, "You don’t think that after you’ve given Wan Xiaoquan a few taels of silver, he will pull you out, do you? Rather than relying on him, you should think about how much silver you still have in hand and how to deal with the people from the Imperial Guard later!"
Song Tao had certainly considered that too. But she knew that as a woman, showing wealth would be a blessing if the Imperial Guards didn’t use her as a scapegoat. The idea of escaping with her life was impossible.
"I’m not joking with you," Song Tao tried to keep a cold demeanor as she looked at Hong Xi and said, "When Eunuch Wan was in the palace, he had a partner in his duties. After he left the palace, that partner, along with another eunuch, is now the Nanjing Garrison Commander."
Hong Xi couldn’t hide his surprise, and his gaze toward Song Tao gradually became solemn.
Song Tao started smiling.
That’s how it should be.
In the previous life, it was Song Jiyun; in this life, it was her.
Hong Xi should be at her service.
"I know how to persuade Eunuch Wan," she lowered her voice, "but I am short-handed. If you are willing to join forces with me, I am willing to share the plan with you."
After listening, Hong Xi said nothing for a long time, then suddenly sneered, "You trust me that much? Aren’t you afraid I’ll betray you?"
Imitating the demeanor of Song Jiyun when she was in a position of power, Song Tao gently straightened her sleeves and said indifferently, "If I have a way to seek your help, naturally, I have a way to make you take me with you."
In reality, she was utterly clueless.
But if she didn’t put on this pretense, Hong Xi would definitely not care about her life or death.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
