Song Jiyun listened to Ninth Master Song’s words with rage, yet cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
He had been dealing with Song Li for more than a decade, and even with utmost caution, there could still be mishaps landing in Song Li’s hands.
And the most important of those concerned Song Jiyun.
She was no ignorant woman or child.
If she intended to plot against him, she wouldn’t let him escape from her clutches easily.
It seems he had underestimated Song Jiyun.
But by now, regret was too late.
He had his family business, a wife and children, and prestige he couldn’t afford to lose.
Looking at Song Jiyun’s face in the morning light, resembling a budding flower on a branch in March, he clutched his chest and took a deep breath.
A true man can bend and stretch.
Han Xin once endured the humiliation of crawling between someone’s legs.
Song Li had been deceived, and without convincing evidence, Song Li would not believe him.
In such a short amount of time, it would also be difficult to produce evidence that would convince Song Li.
Now, he had to proceed slowly and carefully.
Ninth Master Song took another deep breath before forcing a smile that even he knew was awkward, saying, "A fine young lady like you can’t write two ’Song’ characters any differently. After all, we are one family, so why the need to tear each other apart? You just want an explanation from me, don’t you? Tell me, what do you want me to do for you to feel satisfied?"
Song Jiyun smiled and said, "Ninth Grand Master, you’re too kind to me. When I ask for an explanation, it’s not out of petulance. The actions of Song Li have been so vile, if I cannot provide an explanation to the Store Manager and the masters at the Kiln Factory, how can I, as the Owner, maintain any credibility in front of them?"
Ninth Master Song’s words faltered.
But in his heart, he felt that Song Jiyun was indeed forceful, clearly demanding reparation for losing face, yet giving no ground, parrying each word back at him.
He didn’t want to quarrel with her over these trivial matters, so he asked, "Then what do you propose?"
"In front of everyone at the Kiln Factory, apologize to me!" Song Jiyun said.
Wouldn’t that be admitting that he instructed Song Li to sabotage the porcelain firing process!
"Impossible!" Ninth Master Song immediately refuted.
Song Jiyun said, "Then what do you suggest? We surely can’t just let the matter slide, trivializing a major issue into nothingness!"
Neither of them would budge, when a young maid rushed in, saying, "Miss, the Clan elders have arrived."
Song Jiyun stood up hurriedly to greet them.
Ninth Master Song had planned to sit and wait for everyone just like always, but thinking of Song Li’s matter, he hesitated for a moment and then followed her out.
Little did he realize that in the brief moment he was gone, Song Jiyun had already told everyone, "Song Li said he was acting under the commands of Ninth Grand Master. I had some doubts at first, fearing that he was wronging Ninth Grand Master. But today, early in the morning, he suddenly suffered intense abdominal pain, crying out that Ninth Grand Master wants to kill him to silence him. I was in a difficult position, but thankfully, the elders arrived."
After saying this, she let out a long sigh of relief, as if a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
Ninth Master Song was so furious he nearly fell backward.
The Clan elders of the Song Family were stunned and said, "This is impossible! Ninth Grand Master is not that kind of person! Could there be some misunderstanding? Just like us, Ninth Grand Master also came over yesterday after receiving the news. How could he possibly arrange for someone to poison?"
Upon hearing this, Ninth Master Song felt a bit relieved.
He hurried over.
Only to see Song Jiyun shaking her head with a bitter smile, saying, "How I wish I could believe that! But Song Li was very specific and even produced evidence."
As she spoke, she took out a letter from her sleeve and passed it around for everyone to see, saying, "Look! This is the letter that Song Li’s top apprentice brought to me. He claims it’s a secret letter Ninth Grand Master wrote to him when instructing him on what to do. Here is also a silver note from a money shop, which Ninth Grand Master gave, saying that it can be traced to see who deposited the silver."
Ninth Master Song rushed forward, trying to snatch the letter: "You were just speaking with me earlier, where did this letter come from?"
Song Jiyun, of course, did not let him take the letter away.
She swiftly retrieved the letter, not even glancing at Ninth Master Song, and said to everyone, "I have just requested a doctor for Song Li, and he is no longer in danger of losing his life. If everyone still has doubts, we can call Song Li over to explain everything face to face."
The Song Family elders thought this was a good idea, and Ninth Master Song also wanted to see Song Li, so everyone agreed.
Song Jiyun had people carry over Song Li, who was continuously clutching his stomach and whose legs were too weak to stand.
With his head lowered, Song Li dared not look at anyone present, and with a monotone voice, he started to recount, "Ninth Grand Master has always wanted to get involved in the Song Family Kiln Factory business. But the Owner has never liked involving clan members, so he turned his attention to me. He said he doesn’t understand porcelain. I could help him take control of the Kiln Factory, not only would he release my Deed, he would also let me manage the factory."
"You have to be responsible for what you say!" Ninth Master Song’s face turned red with rage, or perhaps with urgency, and he appeared to be almost pleading, "Don’t let others use you!"
Song Li paused, then said in a low voice, "He saw the young lady was formidable, afraid that she would take over the Owner’s legacy. He asked me to find a way to make the Kiln Factory fail to produce Sacrificial White Porcelain. I added Kaolin Clay to the raw materials for the Sacrificial White Porcelain, resulting in a kiln full of nothing."
"Nonsense!" Ninth Master Song angrily retorted, but he was held back by several clan elders, who then said to Song Li, "Continue."
Song Li’s head drooped even lower as he continued, "Later, the young lady rushed over, took charge decisively, and quickly arranged everything again. She was just like the second Owner.
"I was afraid the young lady would be able to produce Sacrificial White Porcelain, which would ruin my and Ninth Grand Master’s plans, so I slipped into the drying room under the cover of night, thinking that if those raw pieces were damaged, the young lady would have to wait for Zhou Zheng’s materials, and she would likely be unable to make the delivery on time.
"Ninth Grand Master is a Scholar and has connections with Prince Ning and Prince Huai. He could ask the Imperial Kiln Factory for a few days’ extension on the delivery and then take over the affairs of the Kiln Factory..."
Seeing Song Li’s behavior, Ninth Master Song wished he could slap him to death.
Song Jiyun asked, "What about the people who were chasing me? Do they have anything to do with you? And that thief, was he hired by you?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
"No," Song Li quickly lifted his head, anxiously saying, "Those two things really have nothing to do with me! I only tampered with the clay for the Sacrificial White Porcelain. I swear! The people who chased the young lady and the thief have nothing to do with me—it was Ninth Grand Master who arranged for someone!"
"You scoundrel!" Ninth Master Song trembled with anger, unable to speak clearly.
It was him who had arranged for the people who chased Song Jiyun, but stealing the clay had been orchestrated by Song Li.
He was trying to pin all the blame on him in this opportunity!
Song Jiyun said coldly, "Report to the Governmental authorities! This is not only about Song Li’s life, it involves mine and Young Master Yuan’s lives as well!"
"Absolutely not!" the Clan elders exclaimed in unison, "Our Song Family is a lineage of men who have never broken the law. If the Ninth Grand Master were to be detained, it would affect our clansmen’s education, marriages, and funerals."
Song Jiyun irritably said, "Then you tell me, what should we do?"
The Clan elders whispered among themselves.
Ninth Master Song was so angry that his chest hurt with spasms and said, "Why should what a lowly Kiln Worker like Song Li says be taken as evidence?"
Listening to this, Song Jiyun jumped up and pulled a few Clan elders along, saying, "After harming a clansman, he still acts completely innocent. If we don’t send such a person to the Governmental authorities, should we keep him to continue harming others?"
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