Chapter 69 - 67

"Such a coincidence?!"

Everyone was stunned.

Song Jiyun, however, was quite composed.

When Song Sanliang took the people from the kiln factory to cause trouble at her home, she had already suspected that the failure to produce the sacrificial white porcelain had more to do with human intervention than chance.

She had left Zheng Quan at the kiln factory precisely because she wanted to see if anything could be discovered.

And now, a thief had entered the workshop for the sacrificial white porcelain and destroyed the clay...

She asked Zheng Quan, "Was the thief caught?"

Zheng Quan, with his head lowered, said, "The thief was caught. But he claimed he went to the wrong place. He came to steal the sacrificial white porcelain. Upon finding nothing, in a fit of rage, he destroyed the clay in the storeroom."

At this point, he stamped his foot in anger and continued, "The kiln factory is heavily guarded, especially where the imperial orders are made. In all these years, not a single thief has broken in. How could such a thing happen right after you leave?

"I thought this matter was not simple and intended to interrogate him thoroughly.

"But then Liu Zi came running back saying something happened to you, and I was so frightened that I broke into a cold sweat, and lost all interest in questioning him. I hastily gathered some people and rushed here." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

As Song Jiyun and Zheng Quan headed towards the post road, she asked, "What about the thief? How was he dealt with?"

Zheng Quan replied, "Originally, I planned to send him to the governmental authorities, but then I thought, in the dead of night, if something were to happen to this thief on the way, how would the matter of the clay ever be made clear? Besides, I had no men to escort him at that time. So, I had someone quietly hide him away, thinking to discuss it with you upon your return."

Song Jiyun expressed her satisfaction, "How many people know that all the clay for the sacrificial white porcelain has been destroyed?"

Zheng Quan answered, "A few master craftsmen and the people who were on duty last night know."

Upon saying this, he appeared somewhat uneasy and added, "Should I have locked down the news last night immediately?"

Song Jiyun smiled and shook her head, "When one is intent on something, the unexpected cannot be helped. You were in a rush to find me yesterday; it’s natural that you couldn’t attend to what came after. You have done very well."

Zheng Quan still felt some regret.

Song Jiyun comforted him, "It’s fine! Even mistakes can sometimes turn out to be for the best."

Zheng Quan didn’t understand what she meant.

Song Jiyun stopped walking and turned to address Yuan Yunzhong, "Young Master Yuan, I am afraid I need to make a trip to the kiln factory first. I will have Liu Zi accompany you back to the city. What do you think?"

Before, all she wanted was to send Yuan Yunzhong off safely, but now all she wanted was to ensure he was well taken care of while he stayed.

To her surprise, Yuan Yunzhong simply hummed in response and said, "Let’s go to the kiln factory first."

The refusal that had been on Song Jiyun’s lips was consequently swallowed back down.

With Yuan Yunzhong’s capabilities, even if she wanted to hide something from him, she probably wouldn’t be able to.

She might as well not bother trying.

If the two of them were together, perhaps she could find out why he wanted to stay with the Song Family!

If he wanted to follow, then so be it.

She glanced at Shao Qing, who had been following them all along.

Shao Qing, like a quail, shrunk behind Yuan Yunzhong, as if by doing so, he would go unnoticed by everyone else.

Song Jiyun couldn’t help but purse her lips in a smile.

The group turned back toward the kiln factory.

Upon entering, they saw Xiang Yang clutching his head and crouching under the shade of a tree.

Seeing Song Jiyun, he flushed with embarrassment and apologized to her and Yuan Yunzhong, "It’s all my fault! I should not have drunk so much last night. I slept like the dead and didn’t check on things."

Song Jiyun spoke soothingly, "You were not on duty last night."

But Xiang Yang persisted, riddled with guilt, and more so worried about the clay for the sacrificial white porcelain, "If we go to purchase now, at most, we can only fire one more kiln."

If this kiln firing wasn’t successful, they would never have another chance.

But Song Jiyun laughed and said, "Where are Master Luo and the others? Let’s go, we’ll head together to the storeroom to take a look."

Xiang Yang quickly sent an apprentice to call Luo Zixing and others, then led Song Jiyun to the storeroom where the clay was kept.

The storeroom was in complete disarray, turned upside down. The clay that had been stored on shelves was all smashed, either thrown on the ground or tossed into the flower beds and woods outside.

What strength the thief must have had to turn the storeroom into such a state.

Song Jiyun observed in silence.

When Luo Zixing and his group arrived, she didn’t wait for them to speak, but said, "What’s done is done, no use talking about it more. Let’s not blame or accuse each other; the priority is to figure out how to deal with the current situation."

The expressions on everyone’s faces turned somewhat despairing as they nodded in agreement.

Song Li still looked like he wanted to say something, but was stopped by a gesture from Song Jiyun.

"Let’s put aside whatever we’re doing for now," she said. "Head Shopkeeper Zhou, hurry and buy some clay; Master Song, you’re in charge of finding out how a thief got into the kiln factory. Master Luo, make sure to calm the people in the kiln factory, don’t let rumors spread and get out of hand."

All three simultaneously replied with an "Understood."

Master Xiang thought he was going to be dealt with, his complexion ashen, he stood there without making a sound.

Unexpectedly, Song Jiyun said, "Master Xiang, follow me to inventory the storeroom to see how much clay is still usable. We also need to see if the clay that spilled on the ground can still be salvaged."

Xiang Yang was moved to tears and quickly said, "Miss, I can handle this task. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself."

"It’s fine!" Song Jiyun sighed. "I’m idle anyway."

Xiang Yang kept nodding his head.

Song Jiyun then asked Liu Zi to accompany Yuan Yunzhong to the elegant room for tea.

But Yuan Yunzhong looked around and said, "No need! I’ll just stay here."

Song Jiyun didn’t know what he wanted to do and gave Zheng Quan a look, signaling for Liu Zi to serve him tea, while she whispered to Xiang Yang, "I suspect there’s an insider."

Xiang Yang probably suspected the same, perked up, glanced at Yuan Yunzhong who was wandering around the storeroom, and suggested they talk off to the side.

However, Song Jiyun, aware of Yuan Yunzhong’s keen hearing, gently shook her head at Xiang Yang and said, "Never mind."

Though Xiang Yang felt it was inappropriate, considering the magnitude of the current incident, he felt he had no place to say otherwise and asked, "Miss, whom do you suspect?"

"Suspecting someone requires evidence," Song Jiyun said indifferently. "I have a plan, but I need your help."

Xiang Yang was thinking of redeeming himself, so naturally, he agreed repeatedly.

Song Jiyun pondered, "You are the most knowledgeable about the clay for the sacrificial white porcelain. Find a way to quietly bring in a batch of kaolin clay for the prototypes. If anyone asks, say that they are from some clay reserves we had before. We’ll set a trap to draw the snake out of its hole."

Xiang Yang’s eyes lit up. "They’ve done it once already; they might do it again."

Song Jiyun nodded.

Xiang Yang hesitated, "But what if they don’t come?"

"Then we’ll wait for the clay Zhou Zheng brings back," Song Jiyun replied.

Xiang Yang’s expression darkened again and he gave a bitter smile, "That’s the only option left!"

He quietly called an apprentice to discreetly move a few pieces of kaolin clay over.

Yuan Yunzhong stood beside Song Jiyun silently and said, "Your master craftsman isn’t that capable, eh? Drawing the snake out of its hole, such a small thing, and he can’t even do that right."

This was meddling too much.

Song Jiyun said, "Then perhaps you can recommend someone? If it’s a painter, that would be even better."

Yuan Yunzhong dusted off his sleeves and sat down, "If you want me to paint for you, it’s not impossible, but it depends on how you persuade me."

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