Ninth Master Song had accumulated some family wealth these past few years, and although the loss of the monthly subsidy of two taels of silver from the Song family clan wasn’t painful, the humiliation was extreme. Besides, if he continued to work for the Song Clan as before, wouldn’t that be admitting to the accusations made by Song Li? Accepting the punishment from the clan?
Eleventh Grand Master Song glanced at him, lifting his eyelid, and said, "You don’t want to contribute to the clan’s efforts? Fine then, you will be expelled from the clan!"
Ninth Master Song was not so prominent and successful that he could establish his own family.
If he were expelled from the clan, everyone would know that he was cast out of the family clan.
If Eleventh Grand Master Song did that, how could he carry on living in Liang County?
Would he have to leave his hometown and relocate to another place?
Ninth Master Song clenched his fists tightly and shouted, "Are you trying to dispose of me after I’ve served my purpose?"
No one paid attention to him.
Even more emphatically, Eleventh Grand Master Song declared, "The entire family of Song Li will be expelled from the clan and handed over to Youliang’s eldest daughter to deal with. Whether to sell or kill them, there will be no objections from anyone else in the clan!"
After he finished speaking, he asked the other clan elders, "What does everyone think?"
With Song Li expelled from the clan, he was no longer a part of the Song family. By leaving Song Jiyun to handle it, even if he was sold into slavery, it would have no bearing on the Song Clan’s reputation.
His actions were orderly and well-received by everyone.
Song Jiyun frowned, hesitating for a long while before she reluctantly said, "It’s not that I have a compulsion to prove myself, but I am forced by circumstances - now that I am the owner of the Kiln Factory, I must act the part. All of you elders here have watched me grow up from a young age. Despite all the difficulties, if you could relieve the Ninth Grand Master from his duties as the clan leader for me, I would owe you a favor. Let’s put an end to this matter here."
Rather than exiling Ninth Master Song, it was naturally better to keep him under watch for future reckoning, and to have the clan elders on her side!
But...
She glanced at Eleventh Grand Master Song.
Eleventh Grand Master Song met her gaze, a trace of almost imperceptible mirth sliding through his eyes, but when he faced the clan elders, he returned to his usual demeanor, lamenting, "Youliang’s eldest daughter is still reasonable."
Then, with a helpless expression toward Song Jiyun, he said, "We truly cannot let this matter reach the governmental authorities. In the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, our family is already at the bottom. Ninth Master is the only member of the Song family with scholarly honor! We’ve wronged you."
"We’ve wronged you!" several clan elders also said apologetically to Song Jiyun.
Song Jiyun’s lips quivered slightly as she looked at the clan elders and said with a bitter smile, "In that case, I shall dedicate a sum of silver to invite several distinguished teachers to our clan and establish the Song Family Private School, providing education to the Song clan children free of charge. I hope that one day the descendants of our clan can make progress in the imperial examinations and bring glory to the Song family clan!"
"Excellent!" The clan elders were moved to tears, their faces filled with joy.
This was a plan with a century-long vision.
Seeing this, Ninth Master Song was so angry he nearly vomited blood.
However, he inadvertently caught a quick exchange of glances between Song Jiyun and Eleventh Grand Master Song while they were conferring with the clan elders about the clan school.
"You two..." he pointed at them, his head ringing, and he collapsed straight down.
Everyone was startled, rushing over in a commotion.
Voices jumbled together, some yelling, "Ninth Grand Master, what’s wrong with you," while others shouted, "Hurry and fetch the doctor."
Eleventh Grand Master Song followed the crowd, and as the current Clan Leader, he hurriedly ordered, "Bring a door plank over here."
As he turned, he caught a glimpse of Song Jiyun standing to one side, her face expressionless, standing alone like a flower blooming on a steep, snowy cliff, beautiful yet chilling to the bone.
It sent a shiver down one’s spine.
Song Youliang’s daughter was truly the case of the blue outshining the indigo from which it came.
Ninth Master Song really did kick an iron board this time! He thought that with Song Youliang gone, he could swallow the Song family’s second branch entirely, but instead of stealing the chicken, he ended up losing a handful of rice. Not only did he lose troops and generals, but he also lost his position as the Clan Leader.
And her light, fluttering words successfully removed Ninth Master Song, the obstruction. Moreover, they made everyone feel she was compromising for the greater good, appreciating her patience and concessions.
Establishing the Song Family Private School was indeed a stroke of genius.
It filled all the Clan elders with gratitude and won her the support of all the Clan elders in the Song family clan.
He couldn’t help but secretly celebrate.
Fortunately, he had spoken a few words on her behalf when Madam Zeng was pressing for marriage.
Fortunately, when she sent someone to fetch him to the Kiln Factory, and he suggested forming an alliance, he hesitated but eventually agreed, forming a defensive and offensive alliance with her.
Only then did he manage to smoothly take the position of the Clan Leader today.
Eleventh Grand Master Song thought about this and quickened his pace, loudly saying, "Don’t crowd around here, quickly go and get a carriage ready, and send him back to the city."
The crowd burst into a commotion.
*
After sending Ninth Master Song and the others away, Song Jiyun immediately found Zheng Quan in the empty hall to talk.
"Although the constables received our silver to come and help, their willingness to show up is already a favor," she whispered, "After you send them off properly later, find an opportunity to personally deliver a gift of thanks to the constables, and try to keep this goodwill going."
Zheng Quan nodded, saying, "I know! The master is gone, but we can’t sever ties with the Yamen side."
"Hmm!" Song Jiyun replied softly before continuing, "As for Song Li’s apprentices, I don’t plan to use them. I’ll have a word with Luo Zixing and get him to clear those people out of the Kiln Factory. Whether they transfer the deeds to another Kiln Factory or end their employment ahead of time, you and Luo Zixing can look into it and discuss the matter."
"Okay!"
Zheng Quan agreed and then called Luo Zixing over.
The three of them talked for half the day before they finally settled on a specific plan, and Zheng Quan and Luo Zixing left side by side.
The hall became quiet, with only the rustling sounds of the wind passing through the treetops.
A ray of sunlight shone through the window lattices, lazily falling onto the blue stone tiles of the hall floor.
Song Jiyun took a deep breath, leaned back against the chair of the Taishi Chair, closed her eyes, tilted her head, and rubbed her temples.
Yuan Yunzhong, who had been almost sleepless all night due to the commotion, unconsciously came over when he heard that Ninth Master Song had been deprived of the Clan Leader’s position.
In the deep shadows of the room, her exhausted face appeared pale and almost translucent, as if it would melt away upon contact with the sunlight.
He paused in his footsteps, suddenly stopping.
However, as soon as Song Jiyun heard the noise, she immediately straightened her posture and opened her eyes.
Her eyes were bright and clear, her sitting posture was dignified and appropriate, brimming with vitality.
The vulnerability and frailty from just moments ago were like flowers in a mirror, or the moon reflected in the water—mere illusions.
Yuan Yunzhong couldn’t help but blink his eyes, casually leaning against a pillar nearby, his stance exuding a blend of elegance and comfort.
Song Jiyun had already smiled, saying, "Young Master Yuan, the accommodations here at the Kiln Factory are quite Spartan, I’m not sure if you’re used to it? Zheng Quan is going back to the city shortly, would you like to go back with him?"
Yuan Yunzhong stared at her steadily, slowly saying, "If Miss Song isn’t bothered by it, how could I, as a son-in-law of the Song Clan, abandon Miss Song and return to the city alone?"
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