Song Tao lost the case, and Song Jiyun had to file a separate lawsuit alleging that she had been framed. Logically, Song Tao should be detained. But since everyone present was either from the Ministry of Punishments or the Court of Judicial Review, there was no need for their officials to interrogate Song Tao, a mere commoner. Nevertheless, the Chief Judge from the Ministry of Punishments still commanded the clerk to accept the lawsuit written on-site by Song Jiyun’s Litigation Master, "Hand it over to Shuntian Prefecture. The officials there will summon you for questioning later."
The first part of the statement was directed at the clerk of the Ministry of Punishments, and the latter part was addressed to Song Jiyun and Song Tao.
Song Jiyun respectfully expressed his gratitude and, without giving the stunned Song Tao a single glance, was escorted by Zheng Quan to sign and press his seal, proceeding with the necessary procedures to close the case.
The officials from the Three Departments began drafting the final documents, which they then sent to the Imperial Cabinet, followed by a court meeting. After the Emperor had reviewed them, they were to be published on the eight-character walls in front of the Ministry of Punishments, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Metropolitan Censorate.
Yuan Yunzhong was cornered by the Deputy Imperial Censor from the Metropolitan Censorate, who incessantly asked about his older cousin, Yuan Jingnian.
Yuan Jingnian had recently been promoted to Secretary for Information, emerging as another rising star in the bureaucratic arena.
The crowd of onlookers surged toward the Bun kiln of the Song Family, eagerly inquiring whether the Ceramic Tokens were still being issued. Some asked if the "Jade Porcelain" bowls produced by Song Jiyun were for sale, while others questioned whether Yinyu Hall, their shop, had such bowls available, and even if the Jade Porcelain had indeed been phased out by the Song Family.
The scene was buzzing with excitement and clamor.
None paid attention to when Prince Ning had departed.
Song Jiyun had no time to concern himself with that.
After he and the officials from the Three Departments had taken care of the case closure, he hurried to find Yuan Yunzhong.
From a distance, Yuan Yunzhong saw Song Jiyun reappear in sight and quickly dismissed the Deputy Imperial Censor before approaching him.
"How did it go? All the procedures done?" he asked softly, quickly squeezing her hand, "I’ve already given them a heads-up here, so you better hurry back and rest well. I’ll come see you first thing tomorrow morning."
Seeing that several principal officials from the Three Departments had not yet left, Song Jiyun inquired, "Do you have a dinner engagement tonight?"
"Yes!" Even if Yuan Yunzhong had no such engagements, he would not walk alongside Song Jiyun. Since Song Jiyun was not yet his wife, he feared being seen too close to her might affect her reputation, "The Deputy Imperial Censor from the Metropolitan Censorate is my second cousin’s classmate, and the Chief Judge from the Ministry of Punishments is my elder cousin’s classmate. Since we’ve met, it’s only right to invite them for a meal."
In the current dynasty, government officials highly valued fellowship with those from the same hometown, the same year, or the same school.
Song Jiyun nodded in agreement.
Yuan Yunzhong said, "We’ll have a casual meal at Jinghua Building, it won’t be very late."
He had wanted to visit her in the evening, but feared disturbing Song Jiyun’s rest. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back.
The two exchanged a few more reluctant words before Yuan Yunzhong watched Song Jiyun board the carriage, and then he turned back.
Song Jiyun was indeed a bit tired.
Mainly due to lack of rest.
Although the lodging arranged by the Three Departments was clean and tidy, it was by no means comparable to the carved grand bed at her own home, especially since she was constantly on guard against Prince Ning and Song Tao.
Upon returning home, she quickly freshened up, rushed through dinner, and went straight to bed.
Unbeknownst to her, Yuan Yunzhong’s carriage slowly stopped at her front gate. He lifted the curtain of the carriage, gazed at the house where only a few faint lanterns still glimmered underneath the eaves, then let the curtain fall and returned to Jiangmi Alley.
*
Siyi Pavilion, where Prince Ning was temporarily residing by the Emperor’s order, was filled with his fury as he smashed several tall vases to alleviate a fraction of his anger.
The eunuch attending him in the study hurriedly handed him a warm handkerchief. He took it, wiped his hands, and asked, "Is The Song Clan back yet?"
The staff officer spoke, "She has returned and is kneeling outside, hoping to see you!"
"Do not let her in!" Prince Ning said, throwing the handkerchief in his hand violently to the ground.
The Young Eunuch immediately tiptoed to pick up the handkerchief.
"Isn’t she cousins with that Song Jiyun? How can she be so inferior?" Prince Ning said gloomily, "She didn’t even know the glaze materials were switched. Didn’t she claim her porcelain-making skills were excellent? Could she be deceiving me?"
"She wouldn’t dare!" the staff officer said quietly, "Regarding the glaze materials, I’ve already sent someone to investigate, and we should hear back soon."
Upon hearing this, Prince Ning looked up and stared at him intently, like a fierce beast eyeing its prey, and said, "Didn’t you assure me that your strategy would definitely succeed?"
Sweat beads the size of peas immediately appeared on the staff officer’s forehead.
He bowed to Prince Ning and said, "I was careless. I only prepared for someone possibly tampering with our kiln’s firewood or bribing our master kiln setter, or incorrectly placing the saggers in the kiln. I didn’t expect Yuan Yunzhong would tamper with the raw materials of the glaze, switching the wood ash we prepared for the Song Clan with ox bone ash."
Before he could finish his speech, Prince Ning impatiently interrupted him, "What do you mean ’didn’t expect’? I see it as incompetence, nothing but excuses!"
As he spoke, he suddenly stopped, looked through the curtain at Song Tao kneeling on the steps, and smiled coldly before saying ominously, "What if I ask the emperor to allow me to take Song Jiyun as my consort..."
The staff officer turned pale and said, "My lord, that might be inappropriate. The emperor had previously promised Yuan Yunzhong he would grant his marriage to the Song Clan. Many in the court know this. The emperor’s word is golden; he likely wouldn’t go back on his promise to Yuan Yunzhong."
Prince Ning waved his hand dismissively.
The staff officer dared not continue.
Prince Ning paced the room, muttering to himself, "It’s exactly because everyone knows that Yuan Yunzhong has asked the emperor to grant him marriage to the Song Clan that I want to ask the emperor to decide to take that Song Clan girl as my consort... Then Jingde Town’s porcelain could be manipulated however we wish... The Yuan Family might even be pleased... If this move is played well, it might just work... Yuan Yunzhong would definitely be furious... unless he dares to defy the decree... And even if it’s this decree, it’s still a ’decree’..."
He never minded who heard his words.
Song Tao heard everything clearly.
She had not interacted with Prince Ning before and did not know his temperament, but during this time under his protection, alongside his palace maids, she knew that whenever Prince Ning acted this way, his temper was flaring, and he was being stubborn. No one dared to pull him back.
Her chest felt as if it had been stabbed, throbbing painfully.
Why did this happen?
Why Song Jiyun?
In a previous life, Hong Xi initially did not get along with Song Jiyun. But later, he became like a loyal dog by Song Jiyun’s side. If Song Jiyun remained unmarried, so did he. If Song Jiyun lacked money, he provided it; if Song Jiyun lacked power, he sought influential friends. In this life, Hong Xi did not get the chance to know Song Jiyun, yet he still ended up partnering with her in business, following her orders, managing her shops in the Capital City, which was even less than in his previous life.
Now, Prince Ning also harbored thoughts of making her his consort. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
Would he, like Hong Xi in his previous life, gradually grow deeply infatuated with Song Jiyun?
What was so good about Song Jiyun?
Why had Prince Ning also fallen into her trap?
Song Tao was indignant and resentful.
"My lord!" she cried out, "I have something to say."
Fearing that Prince Ning might ignore her, she added, "It’s about Song Jiyun."
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