Song Jiyun’s memory was still quite good.
She did not recognize the gentleman before her.
The gentleman had already stepped forward to give her a formal greeting, saying, "My surname is Hong."
He was tall and handsome, with a refined and elegant demeanor, and a gentle voice.
"I am the owner of the pawnshop where the disturbance occurred," he said with a smile, "I am grateful to you for speaking out just now. May I ask for your name so that I may visit you another day to properly express my gratitude?"
A surname Hong?
This surname is quite rare in Liang County.
Song Jiyun said politely, "I don’t deserve such praise. I was simply in a hurry to get home, and it was the ruffian who blocked my way that led to the exposure of his trickery. Even without me, your Store Manager would surely have had a perfect strategy."
As she spoke, she smiled at Young Master Hong.
The midday sunlight was shining perfectly on her face, her fair and clean complexion like beautiful jade, and her clear, bright eyes like spring water suddenly came to life.
She looked even more breathtakingly beautiful than when he had seen her from a distance earlier.
His heart also beat more wildly than before.
"I am still indebted to you," he took a deep breath to calm the palpitations in his heart and smiled, "If it weren’t for your expertise in paintings, no matter what strategies the Store Manager had, our pawnshop’s reputation would have been ruined after such a commotion."
"You weigh your words too heavily," Song Jiyun said with a dismissive smile, "I was able to identify the painting as fake, simply because the original is in my house!"
It was one of her mother’s dowry items.
Young Master Hong paused, then looking at the small white flower in her hair, he smiled and said, "Miss wouldn’t happen to be the eldest daughter of the Song family’s second branch?"
So it turns out he’s the young master of the North-South Grocery Store!
Song Jiyun also began to smile, saying, "I never expected that you and I are neighbors."
After exchanging a few pleasantries with him, she was ready to turn around and leave.
But Young Master Hong seemed to have no intention of parting just yet and said, "I saw Miss Song coming out of the Incense and Candle Shop earlier, did you need to buy something?"
Song Jiyun couldn’t hide her surprise.
That meant Young Master Hong had also been there during the ruffian’s disturbance.
Then why didn’t he step forward?
Certainly, she hadn’t spoiled any plan of his, had she?
Song Jiyun coughed lightly, feeling uneasy, and told Young Master Hong about her encounter in the Incense and Candle Shop, "...Maybe it’s just not meant to be. I plan to look in various Taoist temples."
Young Master Hong listened without asking her what she needed the Compass for and, after a moment of contemplation, smiled and said, "Please follow me, Eldest Miss Song."
Song Jiyun saw that he was heading toward the Incense and Candle Shop and followed him, puzzled.
Young Master Hong entered the shop and directly asked the shopkeeper, "Where is the compass ordered by the master from Gratitude Temple?"
The shopkeeper was very enthusiastic, without saying a word, he immediately handed the compass on the countertop to Young Master Hong, even chuckling, "What are you up to with this?"
Young Master Hong ignored him and passed the compass to Song Jiyun, asking with a smile, "Will this do for you?"
"This?" Song Jiyun involuntarily looked at the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper had a troubled look on his face and said, "He is our Owner."
Song Jiyun couldn’t hide her astonishment.
Young Master Hong then smiled and said, "It was ordered by an eccentric friend of mine. Just take it and use it for now. As for him, I will explain the situation."
The last sentence was to the shopkeeper.
The Store Manager, upon hearing this, obviously breathed a sigh of relief.
Song Jiyun was indeed in urgent need of it and didn’t stand on ceremony, taking the compass and giving it to Zheng Quan, she said, "Thank you, Young Master Hong. I owe Young Master Hong a favor. Should you have any request in the future, don’t hesitate to ask. As long as it’s within my ability, I won’t shirk my duty."
She also said to the Store Manager, "Please put in a good word for me with the master craftsman at Gratitude Temple. See if he needs anything other than the compass, and add it all to my account."
The Store Manager smiled amiably and waved his hands continuously, saying, "Miss is too kind."
Young Master Hong also said, "Miss Song need not take it to heart. Didn’t Miss Song also help me greatly just now? I’m aware that Miss Song is a woman who’s not inferior to men, and it is fate that I could make your acquaintance."
He was dignified and self-composed when he did not smile, yet warm and gentle when he did.
"Then I shall graciously accept your offer," Song Jiyun said with a smile, thinking to herself that she’d increase her gift by thirty percent when Young Master Hong came of age.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Song Jiyun was eager to get back home to extract the magnet from the compass, and Young Master Hong likely had to deal with the pawnshop business, so they went their separate ways.
On the way back, Song Jiyun happily examined the compass from all angles and soon arrived home.
However, before she could dismount from the mule cart, she heard a commotion of a woman’s crying.
She listened intently, feeling it was not Madam Qian, and then asked the servant boy leading the mule with slight annoyance, "What’s going on?"
The servant boy dared not look at her and said in a low voice, "It’s the old lady and The Aunt of Zeng Family. They heard that you donated Third Old Master’s residence to the clan to establish a private school and are looking to argue with Second Madam. Second Madam has called for a few clan elders..."
Everyone was in an uproar!
Song Jiyun had agreed with a few clan elders not to talk about it yet.
How did Madam Zeng find out?
She and Zheng Quan went to the hall.
Madam Zeng was sitting on the floor cross-legged, slapping her thighs while crying, "We are alone and helpless, you can’t bully us like this!"
Her sister-in-law, along with her daughters-in-law, seemed to be consoling her, but in reality, they were fanning the flames, saying, "It’s all because the second cousin passed away, otherwise who would dare to treat you like this!"
The clan elders of the Song family, each with a stern face, sat in Taishi Chairs with an air of being at a loss on what to do with Madam Zeng.
When the clan elders saw Song Jiyun come in, their eyes lit up.
Madam Zeng paused in her crying, then started to wail even louder, "My son died so unjustly! Others use your money to buy a good name, use your money for favors..."
Song Jiyun glanced over and saw Nanny Zeng shrinking behind a pillar with her shoulders hunched. She called out loudly, "Nanny Zeng, if the old lady is confused, are you confused too? Important matters decided by the Song family’s clan are not for outsiders to point fingers and comment on! Now help the old lady back to her quarters."
Madam Zeng glared at Nanny Zeng.
Nanny Zeng looked at Song Jiyun, whose face was as calm as still water, and after grinding her teeth, went over to assist Madam Zeng, "Old lady, shall we go back first? The Eldest Miss is here!"
"You dare to help me?!" Madam Zeng’s face changed dramatically, and she stood up abruptly, swinging a slap towards Nanny Zeng’s face.
Zheng Quan stepped forward, grabbed Madam Zeng’s wrist, and with a forceful flick, sent Madam Zeng stumbling.
Song Jiyun then said to Nanny Zeng with a smile, "I appreciate your efforts. Once I’ve dealt with the matter here, I will go to express my respect to my grandmother!"
Nanny Zeng, having made her choice, naturally could not switch course halfway. She signaled the few nannies brought by Madam Zeng with a glance, and a group of old women stepped forward to carry Madam Zeng off: "Old lady, let’s go back to your room first."
The few women from the Zeng Family came forward to fight with Nanny Zeng and the others for Madam Zeng but were stopped by the chambermaids and old women from Madam Qian’s side.
Madam Zeng was forcibly taken away.
Song Jiyun then apologetically said to the clan elders, "Since my father’s death and third uncle returning to the countryside, my grandmother has been upset, inevitably leading to some discourtesy. This is also why I dare not entrust the household affairs to her. Today, I’ve troubled the clan elders."
"Not at all! Not at all!" With the situation smoothly resolved, all the clan elders exhaled in relief. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
Only the Eleventh Grand Master said with a smile, "The old lady’s temperament is indeed more stubborn than before. I think it’s best for her to enjoy her remaining years peacefully. The household matters, the clan affairs, having Madam Qian and the capable Eldest Miss Song, that’s enough!"
Song Jiyun smiled faintly.
See, choose the right people, and rewards will come immediately!
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