Yuan Yunzhong had arranged for Song Jiyun’s accommodation near Xiangfu Temple in Pocket Alley. It was only a Shichen Chinese Time’s journey from Chaoyang Gate. However, Yuan Yunzhong’s residence in West Jiangmi Alley lay to the east, while hers was to the south; passing through half of Capital City would take at least two Shichen. Traveling to the kiln factories down Diagonal Street No. 2 Alley was even further. Yet, it was very close to the Manufacturing Office where she needed to conduct her business—a mere fifteen minutes by sedan chair.
Wang Hua pointed out the way as he spoke, "You see, over there is the Alcohol and Vinegar Bureau, and next to it, the Weaving and Beam Bureau. Not to mention the Manufacturing Office, The Twenty-Four Yamen are all on this side. Even many Chief Eunuchs’ privately purchased properties are mostly located here."
As he said this, he lowered his voice and pointed at an inconspicuous small residence nearby, "That over there is the private residence of the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Imperial Ceremonies, Qin Fang."
Song Jiyun was surprised and took a closer look.
After turning the corner, they arrived at the place where she would be staying.
The walls were covered in gray dust, and a lacquered Ruyi-patterned door seemed quite unremarkable. Only after entering did one discover the row of phoebe nanmu furniture inside, the blue floor tiles, the red pillars and green windows with light green sheer curtains. The rooms were orderly and elegant. The two-section courtyard boasted not only a small garden, but also a pond covering half an acre. Willows draped gently over the pond’s edge, and layers of lotus leaves spanned its surface where red koi fish leisurely swam beneath the verdant leaves, a truly comfortable sight.
If she had just been an ordinary girl from Jingde Town, it would have been fine, but having lived in Capital City for over a decade in her previous life, she knew how rare a courtyard with running water was.
She couldn’t help but express her appreciation to Steward Shao, "You’ve been very thoughtful."
Steward Shao was surprised, not expecting Song Jiyun to possess such insight.
He hurriedly replied, "I was merely following the young master’s instructions."
Song Jiyun politely responded, "Even if it was the young master’s instructions, finding such a residence is quite extraordinary."
She rewarded Steward Shao with two red envelopes.
Steward Shao felt the light weight of the red envelopes and was unsure of their contents. When he later returned to his room and discovered two silver notes for twenty taels each, he was shocked, wondering if their young master had secured a partnership with a tycoon.
But that was a story for another time.
Song Jiyun had yet to see Yuan Yunzhong, which she found quite strange. She asked Steward Shao, "Did the young master mention when he would come by?"
Steward Shao seemed puzzled too and said, "When I went to meet you, the young master gave me instructions that he would come to greet you as soon as he left the palace."
But there was no sign of him yet.
He added, "I’ll go and make some inquiries."
Song Jiyun nodded and sent Steward Shao on his way, then settled into the main courtyard.
Just as she had washed up and was about to take a nap, Wang Hua rushed in with a grave expression and whispered, "Miss Song, someone from the Manufacturing Office has arrived, and they’re asking you to hurry over."
Song Jiyun frowned, sensing something unusual.
Having never dealt with the Manufacturing Office, she could only ask Wang Hua, "Has something like this happened before?"
Wang Hua replied, "The messenger is a minor clerk from the Manufacturing Office. I made sure to inquire thoroughly. They say they need to fire several hundred pieces of sweet white porcelain, and they’ve been waiting for you, even assigning someone to watch for you at Chaoyang Gate!"
But this seemed too urgent.
Wang Hua offered her advice, "How about I take one of the old master’s name cards and accompany you there? In the meantime, I’ll send someone to inform Chief Steward Shao."
That seemed to be the only option.
Song Jiyun changed her clothes and, accompanied by Wang Hua, took a sedan chair to the Manufacturing Office.
The Manufacturing Office was two alleys away from the Alcohol and Vinegar Bureau they had passed earlier. It wasn’t a large place, with a modest entrance. A white sign bore simple black characters. If Wang Hua hadn’t been with her, she would have doubted she was at the right location.
Once Wang Hua announced their arrival, a man in his thirties wearing the green official robe of a seventh-rank official rushed out of the side room and called out loudly, "Is Boss Song from Jingde Town here? Quick, follow me."
However, when he looked towards Song Jiyun, he was taken aback and exclaimed, "It’s a woman!"
Song Jiyun, unable to suppress her amusement, said, "I am Song Jiyun."
The officer’s brows immediately furrowed, and he scolded the minor clerk who had received Song Jiyun, "Who arranged this mess? Isn’t this a farce? Nobody mentioned we were expecting a woman; how are we supposed to make arrangements now?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
The clerk replied with a distressed look, "I only knew when I met the person. If anyone is to blame, it should be the Imperial Kiln Factory for not clarifying in advance."
The officer appeared to be in quite a difficult position.
This scene reminded her of a mishap during an internship at a company in her previous life.
Song Jiyun’s heart, instead, settled down.
She took the initiative to ask, "I do not know what you summoned me for?"
The official thought for a moment, then reluctantly said, "Never mind," and instructed her, "You follow me!"
Wang Hua followed behind Song Jiyun quietly.
The three of them crossed several courtyards, finally stopping in a small yard.
A young eunuch went to report their arrival.
Wang Hua muttered softly, "Why is it a eunuch?"
The official glanced at him, as if to say "You don’t even know where this is," and as he lifted the curtain of the hall opposite, an eunuch walked out.
Wang Hua caught only a glimpse before he was stunned, and it wasn’t until the eunuch approached that he seemed to come back to his senses, suddenly saying, "Qin, Lord Qin, why is it you?"
Song Jiyun was astonished.
Lord Qin gave Wang Hua a sidelong glance, hesitatingly asking, "You are?"
Wang Hua hurriedly paid his respects to Lord Qin, saying, "I am a servant boy from Master Jinghu’s residence."
Lord Qin laughed upon hearing this and said, "So you are serving Miss Song!" Without waiting for Wang Hua to reply, he nodded to Song Jiyun and said, "Miss Song, please follow me."
Song Jiyun was utterly confused.
Wang Hua, worried she would be at a disadvantage, hastily tugged at her sleeve and said loudly, "Miss Song, this is Lord Qin from the Directorate of Imperial Ceremonies."
Still fearing she did not understand, he silently mouthed "Alcohol and Vinegar Bureau" to her.
Song Jiyun had already realized.
This Lord Qin was the current favorite in front of His Majesty, the Senior Eunuch in Charge of Writing Utensils, Qin Fang, of the Directorate of Imperial Ceremonies.
Yuan Yunzhong had never showed up, and someone from the Manufacturing Office had been specifically appointed to watch her at the Chaoyang Gate; Qin Fang personally was leading her into the palace.
Even if she was still unclear about the situation, she knew this was no simple matter.
But what could it be? Who wanted to see her?
Song Jiyun faintly felt that this might have something to do with Yuan Yunzhong.
Apart from him, she did not know any other prominent figures.
She smiled graciously as she paid her respects to Qin Fang, and with a composed smile said, "Thank you for your trouble!"
She feigned ignorance of who Qin Fang was.
As for why things had come to this point, she only hoped to hear something on the way there.
Qin Fang seemed quite amiable towards her, greeting her with a smile before leading her toward the Shenwu Gate.
The Manufacturing Office official and a scratching-his-head Wang Hua were left where they were.
Song Jiyun looked around her and said with a smile, "I never imagined the Imperial Palace would look like this."
Her expression was one of a young girl’s curiosity and excitement at seeing a wonderland for the first time.
Given her striking beauty, few would dislike such a Song Jiyun.
Qin Fang did not dislike her either.
He still asked her smilingly, "Then what did you imagine the Imperial Palace to be like?"
Song Jiyun pondered, "I never thought about it! I never imagined I would enter the palace."
Her clear and pure apricot eyes wide open, she whispered, "Lord Qin, where are we going?"
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