Indeed, it wasn’t long after the news had spread that visitors to Prince Ning thronged like fish crossing the river, continuously coming.
Zheng Quan told Song Jiyun, "They are all here to ask Prince Ning for money. Prince Ning is so angry that he’s jumping mad, and has already whipped several people. Still, some fearless folks are kneeling in front of Prince Ning’s ship, refusing to leave, and some even jumped into the river right in front of his vessel."
He also remarked, "Young Master Yuan is truly formidable—previously who would dare to trouble Prince Ning, but with just one memorial Young Master Yuan has trapped Prince Ning here. Everyone guesses that the Emperor is about to deal with him, and he’s probably feeling guilty himself, not daring to kill people as he used to. That’s why these people dare to jump around in front of him."
Of course, the workers at the wharf next to Changjiang, whether they are skilled boatmen or those who make a living by the river, mostly have good swimming skills. If someone jumps into the river, there will always be someone to rescue them.
Song Jiyun laughed, saying, "Isn’t everyone just watching his spectacle?"
"More than that," Zheng Quan laughed, "Some troublemakers even composed quick rhymes and witty poems. But no one dares to say anything in front of Prince Ning’s residence, they all quietly spread it in private."
While they were talking, Shao Qing came over, looking utterly despondent. He carried a plate of fortune cakes and said, "Boss Song, our young master says these are delicious and wanted you to try them too."
But just in one morning, he had already made three trips.
Later, Yuan Yunzhong and Xu Guangzeng would meet with people from the Imperial Censorate, Magistrate Jiang would host them at the West Ridge Villa. With more delicious foods and entertainment at West Ridge Villa, he wouldn’t have to keep running back and forth from there, would he?
Running errands was hardly the issue, but if he were gone, who would handle the protection of his master?
Song Jiyun’s face warmed slightly.
Yuan Yunzhong had been very busy these days, but no matter what delicious or fun things he saw, he always sent some to her, and at night, no matter how early or late it was, he always made a point to speak with her. Sometimes they just shared what each had done that day, even the most common changes in the weather, they could talk for two Shichen Chinese Time.
"Thanks!" She quickly had Xiang Zhan take the plate, instructing Shao Qing, "Go tell the young master that all is well on my end, and he shouldn’t worry. I’ll go check out a few kiln factories and workshops that are making the new blue and white porcelain, my whereabouts will be unpredictable. I’ll have a detailed chat with him when I return tonight."
Shao Qing sighed with relief, complaining, "These fortune cakes are quite delicious, but we had them over the New Year too. Is it really necessary to bring a plate over for you? Besides, these are sold in Jingde Town, only not as fresh."
He always felt relaxed in front of Song Jiyun and was quite straightforward.
Song Jiyun smiled sheepishly.
It was never easy to admit that sending gifts was secondary, it was more about the mutual concern they held for each other.
"You better hurry on with your tasks," Song Jiyun shifted the topic, "Have you packed everything for the trip back to the Capital City? If you have time, I’d still like to chat with you. I want to know what kind of elders the Yuan Family has. What are they like? It would be good for me to prepare some local gifts for you to take back."
Since she was preparing to enter Yuan Yunzhong’s life, she treated these personal relations like a public relations campaign.
As Xu Guangzeng had said, the Yuan Family elders are still unaware of their stance on this marriage.
While she wouldn’t trouble herself over this, there was also no need to leave everything to Yuan Yunzhong to handle.
Shao Qing, a bit busy, pushed a servant boy towards her, "Call Wang Hua. Like me, he’s born to the family, serving in the Imperial Guard. This time the young master came out, he was sent by the old master. His ancestors have all worked in the Wang Family as stewards or house managers, you can ask him anything, and he will know precisely."
Song Jiyun looked around, and it actually was the person who had had Eunuch Wan carried out that day.
No wonder he was so bold.
Wang Hua, whether he had perceived something or had other intentions, answered everything Song Jiyun asked, withholding nothing, sharing everything.
"The Great Master had accompanied the late emperor on hunts in the north and had one son and one daughter. In the fourth year of the Jingtai era, the Great Master suddenly fell ill and passed away, leaving no children behind."
"The Great Master originally intended to take in a son-in-law. Who knew that Madam had taken a liking to the master, who was also the only son in his family."
"The master promised that, after the marriage, he would adopt a son into the Great Master’s name to continue the Great Master’s family line. After many intermediaries were involved in discussions, the Great Master finally nodded and allowed Madam to marry the master."
"Who knew that after Madam got married, she only had one son."
"After the Great Master retired, feeling the emptiness of having no descendants, he took the young master to raise and educate."
"The master also had a cousin. That side bore three sons. They are all serving as officials in the court now."
"Neither family had many descendants, although they were three degrees removed, but they were closer than ordinary cousins. The young master followed the ranks behind the three Lord Yuans and was called the Fourth Young Master."
"Madam Wang is somewhat hot-tempered, yet kind-hearted. All of us who serve her closely have received her kindness." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
"The Eldest Madam of that household is a virtuous and morally upright woman. Those who have dealt with her have nothing bad to say. Not to mention how she treats our young master, she regards him as her own son."
"The few Young Madams are either daughters of Old Master Yuan’s colleagues or maidens from families long acquainted with the Yuan family, among which the Eldest Young Madam and the Third Young Madam are cousins. They all have good natures, are easy to get along with, and are not picky. Miss Song, whatever you send, they will like it, you just prepare according to what you think is best."
Song Jiyun had always been unclear about the order of Yuan Yunzhong’s family members; now that she understood, she had not expected that their family consisted of only children for two generations.
This could compare to a widow raising a child, and those willing to let go are few.
She just knew Yuan Yunzhong was a trap!
But she had already fallen into the trap, what could she do?
Instead, Song Jiyun felt a novel challenge in the social arena.
She excitedly prepared the ceremonial gifts for the Yuan family.
However, it was the Great Madam Wang, along with her two daughters, Song Mei and Song Xing, who came to visit.
"Yun Duo, you must save your Cousin Sister Tao!" She was accompanied by Madam Qian, and the three women, with eyes swollen and red like peaches, met Song Jiyun and wanted to hug her and cry. However, Nanny Zheng, quick to react, blocked them, preventing the tears from falling on her. "That Song Ren, he has sold your Cousin Sister Tao! You must not only look at the monk’s face but also at the Buddha’s face, considering you and your Cousin Sister Tao share the same ancestor, this time you must definitely imprison Song Ren and beat him, not thirty, but fifty, and banish him three thousand miles away."
Song Jiyun did not pay her any attention and instead looked towards Madam Qian.
Madam Qian’s expression was also quite solemn. She said, "Wasn’t Ah Tao released on bail a few days ago? The one who bailed her out was Song Ren. She didn’t return home at that time, and your Great Aunt and both cousins didn’t know her whereabouts. When they received the information, they thought about how she was a young girl, all alone, without much silver in her hands, questioning how she could survive outside. So they thought about having her stay at your Cousin Sisters Mei or Xing’s place for a few days.
"Who knew that they couldn’t find her anywhere.
"Someone saw her and Song Ren appear at Changjiang Wharf, so they went to Song Ren’s place. Who knew that Song Ren denied having seen Song Tao.
"Your Great Aunt and two cousins are worried something has happened to Ah Tao and asked you for help.
"I think this is a serious matter, so I came with them."
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