"Who is Wei Jie?" Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong asked in unison.
Wang Hua, scratching his head, said, "He is the Eldest Young Master of Lord Wei, the Shandong Administrative Commissioner."
Yuan Yunzhong was stunned for a moment and then said, "What does he have to do with our family? I have no recollection of him whatsoever."
Wang Hua said, "Madam Wei’s father and Master Jinghu were old acquaintances, and Madam Wei and our madam have known each other since childhood. When Madam Wei’s father held office in the Capital City, our families visited each other often and were quite close. After Madam Wei’s father fell ill and passed away, she returned to her hometown with her mother, and Master Jinghu was demoted, leading to a loss of contact between the two."
"It wasn’t until five years ago, when Madam Wei accompanied her husband to the Capital City for his official duties, that she reconnected with our madam and they resumed exchanging letters."
"By that time you had already moved out, and even though Madam Wei brought her son, the young master Wei, to visit our house several times, you were never at home, so you never met him."
"However, the young master Wei is quite outgoing; he often tells acquaintances in the Capital City that he has a longstanding familial friendship with us and considers you a childhood friend."
So, Yuan Yunzhong was being claimed as a relative?!
Song Jiyun was amazed but not too surprised, as she had encountered such people around her in her previous life.
However, Yuan Yunzhong was quite displeased and coldly ordered Wang Hua, "This matter is yours to handle."
Wang Hua nodded and left.
The coachman let down the carriage curtains, and the collected books and paintings were still spread out in front of them, but the sweet atmosphere from before had vanished.
Yuan Yunzhong’s brows furrowed.
Song Jiyun then propped herself up on her elbow and teased with a laugh, "What else have you prepared secretly? Come clean now."
Her tone was coquettish, and her expression full of lively curiosity, making her seem playful and adorable.
She did not question or pursue the matter with Wei Jie and decided to let it pass.
Yuan Yunzhong’s heart felt a mix of sourness and bitterness, empathizing with Song Jiyun’s discomfort.
If it were not for him, she would be living with honor and dignity in Jingde Town, esteemed by her own merits—why should she have to endure such humiliation.
His emotions surged, and he embraced Song Jiyun tightly.
"I’m sorry!" His chin rested on her shoulder, and he spoke in a deep, sincere voice, "I haven’t done enough."
Caught off guard, Song Jiyun was startled and clung to his arms, revealing her anxiety and sadness.
She did not like this feeling.
Isn’t being together about happiness?
She poked his waist with her finger, teasingly saying, "What are you doing? Don’t think I’ll forget to investigate what you’ve been hiding by changing the subject."
Yuan Yunzhong laughed, not letting her go, but instead holding her even tighter and spoke softly, "Yun Duo, do you know why I like being with you? Because you tell me what you like and dislike clearly, without making me guess or use such methods to prove whether I like you or not. Your happiness is genuine, and so is your displeasure—you are sincere and straightforward."
"Every day I spend with you, I feel delighted."
"I never expected that today I would discover another of your virtues; you actually know how to comfort someone."
Having one’s own feelings recognized and affirmed by a loved one is also a joy.
Song Jiyun playfully punched him and said, "Hey! Have you ever met someone who doesn’t know how to comfort others?"
He had.
Yuan Yunzhong thought to himself.
But at this moment, with soft warmth in his embrace and laughter sounding ever so earnest, as if spring light had shone in, why would he want to spoil the atmosphere he had with Yun Duo for someone else?
He chuckled softly.
Song Jiyun let him hold her.
Yet in her heart, she thought, hearing his tone, she couldn’t tell how many people around him were seeking to please him.
Could this be the distress that comes with being good-looking?
She couldn’t help but suppress a chuckle at the thought.
*
Upon returning to Pocket Alley, Song Jiyun saw Zheng Quan standing at the gate, craning his neck in anticipation.
Seeing her carriage, he quickly walked over, his face beaming as he waved the parchment bag in his hand, "Owner, someone from the Manufacturing Office just sent a letter over, saying that all eighteen of your painting designs have been selected. They have asked you to visit the Manufacturing Office as soon as possible. I was just thinking if you didn’t return soon, they would close for the day, and I was hesitant about whether I should go and find you."
Song Jiyun was delighted upon hearing this, leaping down from the carriage and saying, "Let me see!"
Zheng Quan handed over the parchment bag to Song Jiyun, only then noticing Yuan Yunzhong was also in the carriage.
He paid his respects to Yuan Yunzhong.
Yuan Yunzhong nodded his head and looked at the letter from the Manufacturing Office with Song Jiyun.
"Weren’t they supposed to select only twelve pieces? Why have they selected eighteen?" he asked curiously, "Did the palace change its mind later on?"
It looked as though Yuan Yunzhong knew about her affairs!
"No!" Song Jiyun said with a beaming smile, and told Yuan Yunzhong how it all happened.
Zheng Quan added from the side: "I heard from the people at the Manufacturing Office that although only eighteen of your painting designs were selected, the few porcelain pieces you fired have also been kept. The reason the Manufacturing Office wants you to visit as soon as possible is to discuss your entry into the palace -- it seems that when the Empress saw the Children at Play Painting you fired, she wanted you to help fire a porcelain pillow."
Thus far, the Empress’s knees remained childless.
Thinking that Yuan Yunzhong was still here, Song Jiyun felt that propriety demanded she invite him to a meal. Although the message from the Manufacturing Office seemed urgent, if it were truly urgent, they would have surely rushed Zheng Quan to find her, not merely asking her to come "as soon as possible." Most likely, there was an imperial decree in the palace, and to be cautious, the Manufacturing Office was treating it as a top priority.
But before she could even speak, Yuan Yunzhong already said, "Do you need to change your clothes before going to the Manufacturing Office? If you’re changing, I’ll wait here for you. If you’re not changing, I’ll take you to the Manufacturing Office now. Knowing the specifics will allow you to be at ease."
He was completely supportive.
A warm current surged in Song Jiyun’s heart.
Born into an official’s family, Yuan Yunzhong, being a part of the official ranks himself, couldn’t possibly be unaware of what "as soon as possible" implied. However, because it involved her, he treated it as the most significant matter.
Since he was willing to support her, of course, she wouldn’t fail to appreciate his kindness.
She made a choice according to her own wishes.
"Alright!" she said, "Let’s go and return quickly; we won’t change clothes. Knowing exactly what word has come out of the palace will let me prepare earlier."
As long as she had the opportunity, she would seize it with all her might.
The Empress had only taken a liking to her Children at Play Painting for now, but who could say for certain that she wouldn’t be able to sell her Guanyin statue or her Overglaze Enamel to the Empress? 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Yuan Yunzhong nodded and accompanied Song Jiyun to the Manufacturing Office.
Upon arriving at the Manufacturing Office, he didn’t leave the carriage but waited inside and said, "Don’t be in a rush; make sure to ask and clarify everything you need to. With palace affairs, vagueness is the last thing you want; you need to know precisely what they are after. If necessary, have Wang Hua go and inquire further. I heard that you struck up a conversation with Eunuch Qin; if there’s a use for him, take advantage. Such relationships only grow closer with time. But don’t get too close, Eunuch Qin has rivals within the palace too."
"Mhm!" Song Jiyun responded brightly, feeling her steps become lighter.
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