Jiyun could not stand it any longer and waved at Wang Hua, saying, "What are you doing?"
Wang Hua hummed and hawed as he came in and said, "Miss, the boatmen caught a river fish weighing about thirty pounds and asked me if you would prefer it braised or steamed?"
Usually, such matters were never brought to Jiyun’s attention.
Upon hearing it, she knew it was an excuse, so she did not keep Hong Xi any longer, and with a smile said, "Let’s go and have a look together. You’ve had dinner already, so you can rest well. These days taking care of Hong Zhao, you must have hardly had any sleep, it’s been tough."
The frustration in Hong Xi’s heart was let out, he felt much better, and upon hearing about the thirty-pound river fish, he too got excited and exclaimed with a smile, "Alright! I’ll broaden my horizons today."
The group made their way to the deck.
A crowd was already gathered around watching.
The fish was at least four or five feet long, its dead eyes staring and teeth longer and sharper than a human’s, which looked rather terrifying; Jiyun lost all appetite at the sight and simply instructed the chef accompanying them, "You decide how to handle it! I won’t join this hustle today, just prepare a bowl of vegetarian noodles for me."
The chef felt it was a pity and wanted to persuade her, but Xiang Zhan and Jiyun were of the same mind, and said to the chef, "Aren’t you going to prepare a whole fish feast? Hurry up, everyone is waiting! Miss is fine with me here to attend to her. She only had some snacks for lunch."
With no suspicions, the crowd eagerly began discussing the whole fish feast, and some even followed the chef to the kitchen.
However, Hong Xi quietly slipped away from the crowd and caught up with Jiyun, saying, "Miss Song, let me walk you back. It’s quite windy tonight."
Jiyun looked at her tightly wrapped cloak and chuckled, "It’s our own boat, so it’s not like being chilled by the wind without a word."
Listening, Hong Xi couldn’t help but laugh, feeling he had been overly worried.
For the next few days, Jiyun did not leave her cabin; Hong Zhao was listlessly lying in the guest cabin, not coming out, while Hong Xi was occasionally walking on the deck in the morning and evening, sometimes even borrowing a fishing rod from the boatmen and fishing together with them, improving the food, he quickly got along well with everyone.
After passing Suqian, Jiyun received another letter from Yuan Yunzhong.
Yuan Yunzhong informed her that he had already taken care of everything at the Manufacturing Office; he had found a place for firing the kiln and living, just waiting for her to come over, meet the people at the Manufacturing Office, and then she could start firing kilns in the Capital City.
Jiyun even specifically found Wang Hua to ask, "Where is Diagonal Street’s Ertiao Hutong?"
Without a second thought, Wang Hua replied, "It’s near the Xuanwu Gate, not far from Renshou Temple. There’s a Colored Glaze Factory nearby." After saying this, he asked, "Did the young master find you a workshop there? There are many craftsmen in that area. Once you go there, you’ll see. There are plenty of stores selling writing brushes, ink sticks, paper, inkstones, antiques, calligraphy, paintings, glass, and pottery. You might even meet some fellow artisans!"
Near the Colored Glaze Factory?
Jiyun recalled her past memories.
But Wang Hua added, "It’s just that it’s a bit far from Old Grand Master Yuan’s home, and a trip there means leaving the city, which is somewhat inconvenient. You should consider getting a place there; if you can’t make it back, you can always stay there."
Jiyun, knowing Yuan Yunzhong was thorough in his work, didn’t think much of it but pondered Wang Hua’s words, asking, "Where does the Old Grand Master live?"
Wang Hua replied, "He lives near the Daming Gate, close to the six ministries."
Jiyun chuckled and said, "Wasn’t it said that Old Grand Master has retired?"
Wang Hua chuckled, "Our Old Grand Master doesn’t like the Tao Yuanming style of retreating to the countryside. He says when one is old, one should live in the city amidst hustle and bustle to avoid feeling lonely."
Containing a smile, Jiyun asked, "Does the young master also live with Master Jinghu?"
Wang Hua shook his head and said, "Most of the time I live with Master Jinghu, but occasionally I stay at Old Grand Master Yuan’s place—he lives in East Jiangmi Alley, just across the street from our family’s old master."
As he spoke, he suddenly realized that Song Jiyun was inquiring about the Yuan family’s affairs.
He simply said, "Second Old Master and Madam Wang live near the Wensi Academy. It was a house that Second Old Master bought when he was the Libationer at Imperial College because it was close to the Tribute Court. As they lived there over time, Second Old Master found it comfortable, and even though he was promoted to the Ministry of Rites, he never moved. Great Master initially lived there too, but as the young masters grew up and the eldest and second sons got married, it became a bit crowded. They only moved near Chongwen Gate three years ago, to Shipboard Hutong."
While speaking, he even dipped a finger in the tea water and drew a few locations of the residences on the tea table.
Song Jiyun nodded, having roughly figured things out.
Everyone had a smooth journey and arrived at Tongzhou Wharf by mid-May.
They had spent the Dragon Boat Festival in Cangzhou.
Wang Hua, with a look of "finally arriving," jumped off the boat joyously and looked around, only to see Chief Steward Shao. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
He looked puzzled and asked, "Where is the young master?"
He stretched his neck to look behind him.
The young master had repeatedly asked in his letters when Miss Song would arrive. Wasn’t he planning to personally come to Tongzhou Wharf to meet Miss Song?
Chief Steward Shao slapped him on the head and said, "The young master was called to the palace by the emperor and has not come back yet. I was worried about delaying Miss Song’s affairs, so I came here first." He looked over his shoulder, lowered his voice and asked, "Which one is Miss Song?"
Several female family members disembarked from the ship, all wearing veiled hats and draped in soft silk capes. At first glance, it was indeed hard to tell them apart.
Wang Hua, somewhat disappointed, hurriedly said "oh," and led Chief Steward Shao to meet Song Jiyun.
Song Jiyun sized up Chief Steward Shao.
In his thirties, with fair skin and a small mustache, his demeanor was respectful and his conduct composed. Wang Hua introduced him as Shao Qing’s cousin, now the nephew of the Wang family’s Grand Steward Shao.
Song Jiyun greeted Chief Steward Shao.
Chief Steward Shao repeatedly demurred, turned his body aside, not daring to accept her courtesy, but he couldn’t help muttering in his mind that the young master had made a trip to Jiangxi and brought back a bride, not to mention her very outstanding appearance—the clarity and poise in her eyes, and her dignified yet approachable manner clearly showed she was no ordinary woman.
His respect increased even more, as he invited Song Jiyun and the others to get on the carriage. "The young master has been looking forward to Miss Song’s visit these past few days. Just as he was about to leave the house, the emperor called him into the palace, so he had to instruct me to rush to pick you up. I hope Miss Song won’t take offense."
Song Jiyun furrowed her brow.
She did not quite like such surprises.
But in the presence of a servant like Chief Steward Shao, she certainly wouldn’t say anything, nor did she politely say anything about "the imperial command being difficult to decline." Instead, she just smiled and thanked him, saying, "It’s been a trouble for you," and then got into the carriage.
Zheng Quan and others either followed Song Jiyun into the city, or stayed behind with Yuan Yunzhong’s junior steward to unload the boxes and crates from the ship.
By the time they reached the Capital City, it was already noon the next day.
Hong Xi took his leave from Song Jiyun, taking Hong Zhao with him. He said he was going to the White Paper Workshop; Lord Cao lived in that area. Once they were settled, they would come to thank Song Jiyun.
Song Jiyun exchanged a few pleasantries with him, then followed Chief Steward Shao to the residence Yuan Yunzhong had arranged for her.
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