Song Jiyun believed Song Tao’s words.
She was also an expert in porcelain making and could tell at a glance that there was a problem with the glaze.
She looked toward Yuan Yunzhong.
Yuan Yunzhong was asking Prince Ning with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Does the Prince think so as well?"
Prince Ning’s eyes were dark and stormy, his lips tightly pursed as he stared at him without speaking.
The officials from the Three Departments couldn’t help but stealthily exchange glances.
Everyone had heard about the rift between Prince Ning and Yuan Yunzhong, but they didn’t expect Yuan Yunzhong to be so bold as to confront Prince Ning directly.
A few older officials had a slightly tense expression on their faces.
They felt that Yuan Yunzhong need not provoke Prince Ning, who was after all the emperor’s kinsman, with clan laws and teachings still in place. Even though the emperor was currently favoring Yuan Yunzhong, no one could guarantee a lifetime of smooth sailing. It’s better to avoid troubles. Yuan Yunzhong was still too young, prideful, and could not tolerate the slightest grievance.
Younger officials, however, seemed eager to roll up their sleeves and help Yuan Yunzhong challenge Prince Ning.
Prince Ning’s incident of whipping an imperial official had spread throughout the Capital City. Being of lower ranks and unable to confront Prince Ning directly, they could not help but feel a sense of shared animosity and some excitement at someone standing up against him.
The atmosphere in front of the Glazed Factory became quite strange for a time.
However, Prince Ning suddenly laughed, spread his hands, and said in an easygoing manner, "Lord Xiao Yuan, you speak amiss here. I am merely a spectator; how would I know if the glaze has been tampered with? However, since Third Miss Song is claiming injustice, with so many esteemed officials present, I am sure she will be given an explanation."
Having spoken, he even stepped aside as if to show he was just an observer.
The officials from the Three Departments were all momentarily stunned. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Yuan Yunzhong then smiled and said, "Prince Ning is right. Unfortunately, I am neither an official of the Three Departments nor do I hold an imperial edict. Even if I wanted to clear Third Miss Song’s name, I could only fret from the sidelines."
It was evident that the Yuan Family had a very good relationship with the Metropolitan Censorate.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Deputy Imperial Censor from the Metropolitan Censorate immediately laughed and said, "I must side with Prince Ning here. You misspoke again. Those who eat the ruler’s grain should share his worries. As an official appointed by the court, how can you remain indifferent to a matter of the court?"
Speaking, he glanced around and continued, "We all know you were the Inspector General overseeing Jiangxi and have visited Jingde Town. This lawsuit involves porcelain, and we are laymen in this matter. Among us, you are the one who knows a bit more."
Calling the name "Wan Xiaoquan," he said, "I remember you are the Supervising Pottery Officer. Since Third Miss Song claims her glaze was tampered with, tell us, what are the methods to distinguish different glazes? Together with Lord Yuan, let’s clarify this matter. Clear Third Miss Song’s name and resolve this case sooner."
With him putting it this way, the Court of Judicial Review and Ministry of Punishments would seem to offend Yuan Yunzhong if they opposed his involvement, not to mention offending the Yuan Family.
Everyone was an old hand in the officialdom. In matters unrelated to their personal interests, most people would not step forward to object. Those who felt it improper for Yuan Yunzhong to meddle in the case also thought the emperor had already made his decision about this case. If Yuan Yunzhong could clear it up and conclude the case sooner, so be it.
Thus, no one spoke.
Wan Xiaoquan, who originally did not know how to differentiate between glazes, seeing the officials from the Three Departments all siding with Yuan Yunzhong, and knowing the relationship between Yuan Yunzhong and Song Jiyun, was even less willing to wade into these muddy waters.
He said respectfully, "Though I am the Supervising Pottery Officer, discerning glazes also has each family’s secret methods. It would not be right for me to forcefully inquire. I truly do not understand these methods of discerning glazes."
He even shifted the responsibility to the Manufacturing Office, "I wonder if Lord Liu has any method of recognition?"
Of course, the Manufacturing Office, not wanting to handle this hot potato, naturally also said they had no way and did not understand.
The Deputy Imperial Censor from the Metropolitan Censorate then asked, "Does Lord Yuan have any method?"
Before Yuan Yunzhong could speak, Song Tao already called out loudly, "Lord Yuan and my cousin are betrothed; he should recuse himself."
Spectators immediately began murmuring.
"This, isn’t this just officials protecting one another?"
"I didn’t expect this lady owner of the Song Family Kiln Factory to actually have an Official Family backing her. No wonder she is so assertive, daring to sue."
"Lord Yuan?! Isn’t it the Yuan Family from Wensi Academy? Then, this lawsuit will truly be troublesome!"
Song Jiyun frowned slightly, took a few steps forward to speak, but was stopped by Yuan Yunzhong’s "you must trust me" look in his eyes.
She thought about it and kept silent.
Yuan Yunzhong’s capability was evident to all. Since the two had decided to spend their lives together, they should be each other’s support. She should also change her previous habit of making decisions alone and start to trust her partner, her ally.
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