The man smiled, and deep dimples appeared on his cheeks.
"I am Ji Shuanghu." He bowed to Song Jiyun, "I have long admired Boss Song’s great reputation. Seeing you today, indeed, your charm shines brightly; your fame is well-deserved."
Song Jiyun was secretly surprised.
She hadn’t expected Ji Shuanghu to be so young.
His ability to represent Longquan Porcelain, recruited by the Manufacturing Office for the Capital City, showed he was a talented individual.
She returned the courtesy and politely smiled, "You flatter me. I’m merely sheltered by my family and learned a little skill."
Ji Shuanghu laughed, "You are too modest. I’m not just complimenting you. I also purchased one of your new blue-and-white pieces, a Flower Holder. Not only is the shape of the Flower Holder graceful, but the use of color is also very bold. It’s like a drop of blue paint in the rivers and lakes, slowly spreading into varying shades of blue with the water flow, resembling flowing water and the ethereal smoke of clouds and mountains. It’s a technique I have never seen before. Jingde Town is renowned, and many masters have emerged from there; no wonder you could surpass those seniors to represent Jingde Town in the Capital City."
Song Jiyun was somewhat surprised.
A noise came from outside the gatehouse.
She and Ji Shuanghu couldn’t help but look outside.
A green sedan chair stopped outside, and about seven or eight people were escorting a man in his forties out of the sedan.
He looked up at the signboard of the Manufacturing Office. A younger man, in his twenties, came forward to support him, saying, "Seventh Uncle, please be careful. I’ll help you in."
As Song Jiyun heard the reference, suspecting they were from the Deng Family, Ji Shuanghu had silently moved next to her and whispered, "Those are from the Deng Family in Dehua. The younger one is called Deng Yun, and the older one is Deng Datong. Deng Datong is here to represent Dehua porcelain for the selection in the capital."
This Deng Yun had thrown a snake into her family’s yard.
Song Jiyun took a glance at him.
His features were fair, but his expression bore a fierce air, not seeming to be from a kind-hearted ilk.
Deng Datong, however, had a dull and expressionless look, not resembling a craftsman but more like a pedant.
As he entered the gate, his gaze fell on Song Jiyun, frowning and asking the gatekeeper of the Manufacturing Office, "Why is there a woman here?"
The gatekeeper of the Manufacturing Office had not only been informed to take good care of the Song Family but also had been rewarded by them, having seen Registrar Wang accompany Song Jiyun to the palace; naturally, he was neither willing nor dared to offend Song Jiyun easily. Upon hearing this, he immediately frowned and retorted harshly, "Who are you to dictate how we manage our duties here?"
Deng Yun hurriedly came forward to apologize, quietly slipping a large red packet over, and feeling it insufficient, added another before saying, "My uncle has grown silly from making porcelain. Please exhibit great magnanimity and do not take it to heart with him. He meant no harm; he was just shocked to see a woman standing here and thought he was in the wrong place."
The gatekeeper, having accepted the reward, looked much pleased, yet it wasn’t enough for him to side with the Deng Family. He displeasedly said, "If his eyesight is poor, he should stay at home and not come out and make trouble. If he causes any problems, your family might not be able to handle it."
Deng Datong grew very angry and stepped forward to argue with the gatekeeper but was firmly held back by Deng Yun, who whispered, "Seventh Uncle, what did you promise Grandfather when you came to the Capital?"
He held back, eventually keeping silent.
Deng Yun then apologized to the gatekeeper for a long time, until the gatekeeper, as if granting a favor, waved his hand to indicate they could let the matter go, then somewhat eagerly introduced Song Jiyun, "This is Boss Song from Jingde Town, the one who produced sweet white porcelain. Recommended by Lord Wan from the Imperial Kiln Factory, personally selected by Lord Chen from our Manufacturing Office, she is considered one of the top porcelain masters in Jingde Town."
The Deng family members were stunned. They clearly hadn’t expected a woman from the Song Family.
Song Jiyun held contempt in her heart.
Ji Shuanghu even knew to purchase one of her works; the Deng Family, however, didn’t even know whether she was male or female, not aware if it was their sheer confidence or overt arrogance.
Deng Datong perfunctorily bowed his hands, greeting her coolly as "Boss Song," saying, "I’ve long admired you!"
Deng Yun outright glared at her, as if afraid others wouldn’t realize his ill intentions towards her.
In the Capital City, where dragons hid and tigers crouched, the Deng Family still dared to let such a person out.
Song Jiyun felt that the doorkeeper’s words had some truth to them.
She greeted Deng Datong indifferently.
Meanwhile, Ji Shuanghu bowed to Deng Datong, smiling, "Master Deng, long time no see."
Only then did Deng Datong turn towards him, his face showing doubt before suddenly realizing, "You’re Ji Shuanghu from the Ji Family. It’s been years, and you’ve grown up quite a bit since you were a child. I couldn’t recognize you without an introduction."
Seeing this, Deng Yun also came forward and exchanged pleasantries with Ji Shuanghu.
Ji Shuanghu then explained to Song Jiyun, "My uncle greatly admires the human figures of Dehua porcelain and wondered if Dehua porcelain’s pinching skills could be combined with our family’s Longquan porcelain to complement each other. He once made a special trip to Dehua for guidance, during which time I had the privilege of meeting Master Deng while serving by my uncle’s side."
Song Jiyun nodded.
Ji Shuanghu smiled, "We also went to Jingde Town. However, your father was not at home, so we visited the home of Master Li Zixiu. Our families’ porcelain-making skills differ, so my uncle and I didn’t stay long at his house. But I didn’t expect Jingde Town to choose you to go to the Capital."
Song Jiyun had not expected such a connection between the Ji Family and Jingde Town. She smiled, "Jingde Town enjoys the unique benefit of kaolin clay, enabling the firing of multicolored glazes. Your soil differs from ours, allowing only for monochrome glazes. However, you applied great skill in glaze formulations, creating your own unique features. This is truly a case where the land nourishes its people."
Ji Shuanghu nodded, smiling, "Your father was referred to as ’the Sorcerer’, and you have outdone him by being the true chip off the old block. When we went to Jingde Town back then and couldn’t meet your father to hear his teachings firsthand, it seems both my uncle and I missed our chance."
He looked genuinely regretful, asking, "How is your father doing? Why hasn’t he come with you to the Capital?"
Logically, even if Song Jiyun represented Jingde Town in the Capital, since as a father, and considering Song Jiyun had yet to be married, Song Youliang should have accompanied her.
Song Jiyun lowered her eyelids, saying softly, "He passed away last summer."
"Ah!" Ji Shuanghu was shocked and then mournfully said, "Boss Song, please accept my condolences!"
Song Jiyun nodded.
Deng Yun, however, sneered and asked the doorkeeper, "When will Lord Chen arrive? Why only our few families here? Weren’t there also supposed to be the Embroideress, Lacquer Craftsman, and other artisans coming to the Capital to showcase their skills?"
The doorkeeper replied, "Do you think this is a variety troupe where everyone just crams in here? Today Lord Chen is only meeting with a few of us porcelain makers. Tomorrow, he’s seeing those who carve wood. The Embroideress, she was the first and already met with him the day before yesterday."
Deng Yun was meekly acquiescent.
Suddenly, the doorkeeper stood up and hurried out.
An official’s sedan chair approached.
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