Jiyun did not make a sound.
This indeed seemed like something Yuan Yunzhong would do.
Unexpected yet within reason.
He Dazhi did not notice Jiyun’s silence and continued excitedly, "Those bastards even tried to shoot us in the back. The night before last, they tossed several Bamboo Leaf Green Snakes into our yard. If it weren’t for Xiang Ye’s keen eyes, Dai Sishi would almost have mistaken them for cauliflower snakes."
Jiyun was taken aback.
Zheng Quan quickly said, "Why didn’t you tell me this when you came just now? Was anyone hurt?"
He Dazhi sheepishly replied, "I haven’t figured out exactly who those people are yet, and I was afraid of worrying the owner if I told you. Xiang Ye has been traveling with a troupe since she was a child, and among them was a vendor of snake medicine. Not to mention cauliflower snakes—the same goes for Bamboo Leaf Green Snakes; we are not afraid of them."
It was indeed a despicable tactic.
Jiyun frowned slightly and said, "If they resort to such tactics again, you should report it to the authorities."
It might not be effective, but at least it would let those people know that they were not afraid to bring a lawsuit; those people might restrain themselves to some extent.
He Dazhi nodded in agreement.
Zheng Quan then discussed the Deng Family’s situation with Jiyun, "It was the Third Young Master of the Deng Family who led them into the Capital, but it was their Seventh Old Master who reported to the Manufacturing Office. I’ve heard that the Seventh Old Master is a Porcelain Fool; except for making porcelain, he cares about nothing else. Fearing he couldn’t even distinguish east from west after leaving Dehua, they specifically sent the Third Young Master to accompany him to the Capital.
"These dirty tricks were probably the Third Young Master’s ideas.
"The Deng Family brought thirty-six people; they live close to us in Meishikou, squeezed into four small bungalows, not even having a yard to turn around in. Twice daily, the coal carts shuttle back and forth, dusting their shoes with coal ash. Only at the Gaosheng Inn near the Manufacturing Office did they rent two rooms for the Seventh Master Deng and the two attendants who serve him.
"As for the Longquan Ji Family, they stay in Money Grain Alley next to the Longfu Temple. It’s also close to the Manufacturing Office, a mere less than two quarters of an hour ride in a sedan chair. Their family head is Ji Shuanghu, renowned for specializing in making various kinds of cups and bowls. The craftsmen from Ji Family who followed Ji Shuanghu to the Capital City also reside near the Glazed Factory, in what they call the Great Yard of the Ji Family. I’ve inquired about it; it’s said to be the residence of the Ji Family themselves."
He hesitated for a moment, "The cultural atmosphere is vibrant in the regions of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Ever since the Ji Family made their fortune, they have spared no expense to hire tutors for their household. Their family has now produced three Scholars and one Juren. They frequently intermarry with scholarly families and support students from poor families to pursue their studies. Ji Shuanghu’s mother was a daughter of a Scholar, and his uncle, supported by the Ji Family, has ranked first on the imperial examination and now serves as Magistrate in Juzhou, Shandong, whose relationship with the Prefect of Shuntian extends to both schoolmates and in-laws."
If we were to talk about background, the Ji Family truly had a significant one.
Jiyun led the two into the study, asked Xiang Zhan to make tea, and said, "Has there been any movement from the Ji Family?"
Zheng Quan shook his head and replied, "Since arriving in the Capital, Ji Shuanghu has plunged into the Ji Family’s Great Yard and has reportedly fired a Kiln. He seems to be preparing early to sweep the competition during the selection process at the Manufacturing Office."
After all, the porcelain from Jingde Town, relying on the Imperial Kiln Factory, was greatly renowned and always sought after by the houses of nobles and not something to be underestimated by many.
However, the last time the Manufacturing Office chose porcelain, it was during the late emperor’s time, then it was Li Zixiu’s Family who represented Jingde Town. Now, times have changed, and they might not have completely grasped the details of the Song Family.
Jiyun said, "Don’t worry about the Deng Family for now. Let’s quickly tidy up the yard, and once I return from the Manufacturing Office, we’ll start the kiln."
The climates and temperatures of the north and south are vastly different, and they needed to adjust their techniques accordingly.
"Master He," she instructed He Dazhi, "please make a few more rounds of the yard these days, and report to the authorities if anything suspicious occurs. Handle it as it should be handled. Don’t let us get into a feud with the Deng Family, and end up allowing the Ji Family to benefit from it."
"Yes!" He Dazhi respectfully bowed, spoke a few more words with Jiyun, and then hurried back to Diagonal Street in Ertiao Hutong, leaving Zheng Quan to continue discussing the trip to the Capital City with Jiyun.
Wang Hua brought in a small dish of bayberries.
Each one was as large as a lychee, turning a deep purple-red, a rare sight even in his previous life for such good quality bayberries.
Jiyun looked outside and said, "Has the bayberry season arrived already?"
Wang Hua giggled and replied, "These are from Zhang Ji Fruit Garden by the Great Fence, kept chilled. A whole shipment of bayberries arrived in the Capital, leaving less than ten baskets behind. From those, picking such large and fine ones, at most only about two baskets worth could be selected."
This fruit must be treated as if it were gold in price.
And Wang Hua absolutely had never thought to go buy a plate of bayberries to bring back.
Jiyun tasted one.
Sour and sweet, not inferior to those air-flown from a past life.
With the current labor cost, it could be called the epitome of extravagant desires.
She grabbed a few and gave them to Zheng Quan, "You also try some."
A look of pain and reluctance crossed Wang Hua’s face.
Jiyun couldn’t help but laugh, pointed at the plate of bayberries and intentionally said to Wang Hua, "It’s rare to come across such delicious bayberries, take them down so everyone can try."
Being still young, Wang Hua couldn’t hold back and cracked.
"No need," he said hastily, "These bayberries cost ten silvers per jin, the young master had trouble securing two jins, specially asked Shao Qing to bring them to you to relieve the summer heat..."
He stopped mid-sentence, realizing he had revealed too much, and hurriedly pursed his lips, his face full of regret.
Jiyun huffed a few times and said, "If you dare to take things from home behind my back again, be careful, I’ll hand you over to your young master."
"I won’t dare anymore!" Wang Hua repeatedly admitted his fault, muttering softly, "Our young master asked me to serve beside Miss, from now on I am Miss’s person; I will definitely listen to everything Miss says."
Jiyun was merely borrowing his service and certainly wasn’t going to treat Wang Hua as her own attendant.
She handed the plate of bayberries to Xiang Zhan, saying, "Take it down and chill it with ice; we’ll eat it tonight." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
Xiang Zhan complied and withdrew.
Only then did Wang Hua breathe a sigh of relief.
Jiyun continued discussing matters with Zheng Quan.
Meanwhile, Wang Hua surreptitiously arranged a potted plant, changed the fruit plate, hung a sachet, and directed the maids and old women to trim the courtyard’s flowers and trees quietly.
All of a sudden, she said to Zheng Quan, "Go and check out under whose name the mansion we rented is registered."
Zheng Quan, interrupted, took a while to come around and respectfully complied.
The next day he informed Jiyun that the courtyard was registered under Yuan Yunzhong’s name.
She knew it.
Jiyun inwardly snorted, feigning ignorance, got up from bed at dawn the next day, dressed up, had breakfast and arrived at the Manufacturing Office fifteen minutes early.
The gatekeeper of the Manufacturing Office already had someone waiting.
Seeing her, that person’s eyes lit up and said, "Is this Miss Song from Jingde Town?"
"I am!" Jiyun replied, carefully sizing up the person.
Twenty-one or twenty-two years old, wearing a sky blue plain Lake Silk Taoist robe, standing tall, with fair skin, gentle eyes and brows, looking every bit the scholar.
Jiyun couldn’t help but ask, "And you are?"
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