The Kiln Factory’s entrance led to a modest courtyard, covered by seven or eight buildings. Not only was there the hall where the factory’s affairs were discussed, but also the accounts office and the lounges for the master craftsmen were all located here.
Song Jiyun had sent for the Store Manager and the master craftsmen to go to the hall, while she herself accompanied Yuan Yunzhong to a refined side room.
"Young Master Yuan, have you come to see me because you wish to leave Liang County?" As soon as they entered the refined room, she pulled closed the room’s lattice doors, attempting to make her expression look as sincere and amiable as possible while she smiled towards Yuan Yunzhong, "Is there anything you need me to prepare? Just say the word, and I’ll do my utmost to help you!"
"Miss Song worries too much!" Yuan Yunzhong, while walking and surveying the refined room, said casually, "With such a serious incident occurring here, for me, as your fiancé, to remain indifferent would be improper both emotionally and rationally!"
He stopped in front of a lucky bamboo by the tea table, extending a finger to gently touch the leaves, and said, "How could I not come over?"
Song Jiyun sneered inwardly.
Before coming here, she had made quite a scene at Song Sanliang’s residence.
Where had he been then?
She did not believe a word he said.
"Thank you, Young Master Yuan." She said with a smile that was not quite a smile, "As you can see, I’m doing quite well on this end. It’s just that I need to discuss the making of Sacrificial White Porcelain with the master craftsmen shortly, and I’m afraid I won’t have time to entertain you. I’ll have Zheng Quan escort you back!"
Yuan Yunzhong suddenly turned around, striding toward her.
He was a head taller than her, his demeanor cold and imposing.
Song Jiyun’s expression subtly shifted as regret flashed through her for having closed the door. Instinctively, she stepped back to avoid his sharp edge.
But he kept pressing forward, step by step, forcing her to tilt her head back slightly as her back pressed against the hard wood.
She was backed against the curio shelf!
Song Jiyun drew in a sharp breath.
Yet Yuan Yunzhong stopped just a punch’s distance away from her.
"Miss Song!" He reached out suddenly, resting his hand atop her head, "You can’t say that."
His towering figure loomed over her, casting a shadow that dimmed her vision to just his chest’s fine fabric pattern.
Song Jiyun deeply regretted meeting him alone.
She wondered if it was too late to call for Zheng Quan now?
Her hands clenched into fists, resolved that if he dared to show her any disrespect, she would punch him right on his nose.
Song Jiyun’s gaze couldn’t help but fall on his nose.
Tall, proud, and straight.
Falling over in her father’s study seemed to have had no effect on him.
Song Jiyun tightened her fists.
She then heard Yuan Yunzhong say, "I just arrive and then leave, how many people would see? Then what would be the point of my coming all this way?"
Pah! What point do you want it to have?
Song Jiyun sneered inwardly and looked up to see his clean, elegantly contoured chin.
His voice seemed to seep through his chest, the reverberations lingering in her ears.
Song Jiyun drew a deep breath and said, "You better keep your distance from me!"
The voice that came out, however, was unexpectedly tremulous and slightly broken.
She had never been this embarrassed before in her life.
Anger born of humiliation, she raised her hand, intending to punch him.
Yet Yuan Yunzhong, seemingly anticipating her movement just as he had with his hand before, retracted suddenly and lazily said, "Is there an Arhat Cup here too? Is it a pair with the one in your study?"
He took several steps back, widening the distance between them.
Daylight streamed in, and the refined room brightened once more.
Song Jiyun saw that he was holding a blue and white Arhat Cup painted with a staff-wielding Arhat.
She couldn’t help but look up above.
An empty space had been cleared out on the antique shelf.
Song Jiyun’s face turned red.
And Yuan Yunzhong was still looking at her, his deep, dark pupils containing a smile as he said, "Miss Song, what are you worried about? Are you afraid I’ll discover how the Sacrificial White Porcelain is fired? Isn’t it because you are confident that even experts won’t recognize it after seeing it, that you showed me around the workshop? Don’t worry, I didn’t understand anything!"
So this bastard had counted on her having no way to deal with him?
Anger rendered Song Jiyun speechless for a moment before she slowly mustered a faint smile and said, "Since that’s the case, then I won’t stand on ceremony with Young Master Yuan!"
She pondered, "How about Young Master Yuan stays by my side for the next few days? Help me run some errands, do some work. Everyone will see and surely praise the Young Master for his eagerness to do good, a Bodhisattva’s heart. What do you think?"
He didn’t want to leave, did he?
Then he shouldn’t blame her for treating him like a servant boy!
Yuan Yunzhong couldn’t hide his surprise, which was quickly followed by a flicker of anger in his eyes.
Song Jiyun barely managed to keep her lips from curling up.
If he didn’t agree, she would send him away.
Unexpectedly, the flash of anger in his eyes swiftly dissipated, and his broad, almond-shaped eyes shone like the sun’s reflection on water in summer, sparkling with joy as he exclaimed, "That is exactly what I wish, I dare not ask otherwise!"
Is that so? Then we’ll just wait and see!
Song Jiyun chuckled coldly in her heart, bypassed Yuan Yunzhong, and with a "snap", opened the door to the elegant room and walked out.
*
Everyone in the hall was whispering about something, but when they saw Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong enter one after the other, they quickly quieted down and greeted "Miss Song" and "Young Master Yuan."
Song Jiyun nodded and took her seat at the head of the table.
Yuan Yunzhong didn’t create any trouble and sat directly to her right.
Below, Song Jiyun heard the people whispering, "The Owner has good insight, choosing such a broad-minded husband for Miss Song."
"That is also Miss Song’s good fortune!"
"With negotiation and cooperation, what can’t be achieved?"
So, what exactly was Yuan Yunzhong here for?
Song Jiyun swept her gaze over, and the room fell silent.
Luo Zixing and a few others even shifted uneasily.
Song Jiyun didn’t care to pay attention to that and turned to the matters at hand, "The urgent task for the Kiln Factory is to produce Sacrificial White Porcelain to fulfill the Imperial Kiln Factory’s order. As for why this morning’s kiln did not yield any Sacrificial White Porcelain, we can investigate while continuing to fire the kiln. Even if we can’t find the cause immediately, there will still be time and opportunity in the future."
Everyone felt that Song Jiyun made sense and nodded in agreement.
Song Jiyun then inquired about the orders: "How many more pieces of Sacrificial White Porcelain do we owe the Imperial Kiln Factory?"
Wong Dahai and Steward Wu were still at Song Sanliang’s residence, so the temporary keeper of the storeroom, Zhou Zheng, stood up to answer, "We still have forty-five pieces of porcelain undelivered."
He detailed each of the forty-five pieces of porcelain to Song Jiyun.
She asked, "How many more days do we have to deliver?"
Zhou Zheng answered, "Thirty-four days."
Song Jiyun pondered, "If I remember correctly, on Master Xiang’s side, Kneading Clay and Shaping Clay Bodies takes about three to five days, Trimming Clay Bodies one to two days, Glazing also requires one to two days, arranging the Saggers and Sealing the Kiln at least one day. All in all, it takes ten days."
"Yes!" Everyone was surprised by her understanding of the basic pottery-making process and felt assured.
Song Jiyun then grinned with bright and curved eyes, looking at everyone as she said, "If we hurry, we still have two to three more chances."
Her enthusiasm inspired everyone, who joined in with laughter and agreed, "Right!"
Song Jiyun stood up and proclaimed loudly, "Then let me take charge, and we’ll fire another kiln of Sacrificial White Porcelain!"
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