No matter what, all eyes in Jingde Town were now fixed on the Song Family Kiln Factory.
The Song Family Kiln Factory seemed to grow restless because of this.
Zhou Zheng had personally gone to Fujian to buy clay material, and Zheng Quan was also coming and going every day, busy with something unknown.
Private gambling dens even had bets on whether the elder branch or the second branch of the Song Family would win.
Eleventh Grand Master Song even rushed to the kiln factory to see if there was anything he could help with.
This only further confirmed that there was a problem with the kiln factory’s order from the Imperial Kiln Factory.
Meanwhile, in the study of Hong Xi, the eldest son of the Hong Family, he was holding a Xiangfei Bamboo Brush Holder with a Wolf Brush, writing the invitations for his younger brother’s coming-of-age ceremony.
The midday sun shone through the colored glaze window painted with the Four Gentlemen of Flowers, bright but appearing very soft.
The Grand Steward of the Hong Family stood in front of the writing desk, body slightly bowed, smilingly speaking to Hong Xi, "As per your instructions, I discreetly visited the Song Family Kiln Factory and successfully met Miss Song."
Hong Xi paused with his brush and looked up.
Seeing this, the Grand Steward’s smile grew even brighter as he said, "When she knew we were there to deliver clay material, Miss Song was very surprised, very gratefully accepting it. She said that once she got through these busy days, she would personally visit to express her thanks, to thank the grand master for his timely support. She also had that attendant named Zheng Quan give me ten times the cost of the clay material."
Hong Xi frowned slightly and put down his brush, "Ten times the cost of the clay material?"
"Don’t worry, Grand Master," the Grand Steward hastily said as he brought a heated handkerchief to Hong Xi’s side, "How could we accept Miss Song’s silver?"
Hong Xi’s expression cleared, and he hummed with satisfaction as he took the heated handkerchief from the Grand Steward, "Then what did Miss Song say?"
"Miss Song didn’t say anything," the Grand Steward replied, bowing, "She just personally saw me out the door."
Hong Xi was somewhat surprised, but he quickly relaxed and laughed, "Since she already mentioned she would thank us in person, surely some things must be said in person."
The corners of the Grand Steward’s mouth twitched as he nervously straightened his sleeves. Then, while carefully watching Hong Xi’s expression, he said in a low voice, "However, when I was there, I saw Miss Song’s fiancé."
"Fiancé?!" Hong Xi was astonished, "Miss Song’s fiancé?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
The Grand Steward nodded and said with a meaningful tone, "Miss Song’s engagement was arranged by the Second Old Master of the Song Family when he was alive. That Young Master Yuan is quite affectionate and righteous. Even though Miss Song has to observe three years of mourning, he still acknowledged the engagement."
The affairs of the Song Family were almost public knowledge, spread all over Jingde Town.
If one was interested, they could even find out exactly what was said by whom at the beginning.
The Grand Steward was a family retainer of the Hong Family, having watched Hong Xi grow up, and he was utterly loyal not just to the Hong Family but to Hong Xi as well.
He did not want Hong Xi’s life to be filled with upheavals.
The Grand Steward not only explained Song Jiyun’s marital arrangements carefully to Hong Xi but also added, "I saw that people in the Song Family Kiln Factory still hold Young Master Yuan in high regard. Presumably, Miss Song’s marriage is already set in stone. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been so unconcerned about appearances..."
Hong Xi, listening to the Grand Steward’s prattle with his eyelids down, slowly wiped his fingers. However, before the Grand Steward could finish, he threw the heated handkerchief into the Grand Steward’s hands to interrupt him.
"What’s he but a fallen youth from a lesser family? Who even knows if it’s true?" he dismissed, "Who knows what he’s aiming for? Claiming to be Miss Song’s fiancé at this time seems a bit premature!"
The Grand Steward looked at Hong Xi, surprised.
Hong Xi had already changed the subject, "It takes at least six days to fire a kiln, and there are only five days left until the Song Family Kiln Factory needs to fulfill their order. I’m afraid that even if the clay material has been sent, it might be a bit late. Can we speak on behalf of Eunuch Wan?"
"He is a eunuch, and our family doesn’t have much dealings with him," the Grand Steward said. "However, he’s greedy for money. If we want to strike up a conversation, I’m afraid we’ll need to pave the way with silver."
Hong Xi pondered, "What can be solved with silver is not an issue!"
The Grand Steward, however, was worried about the Hong Family’s reputation as scholars if they associated with a eunuch, and he tried to dissuade Hong Xi tactfully, "Don’t underestimate Miss Song. She was too young before, inexperienced, and emphasized kinship which allowed Song Daliang to take advantage. Now that we’ve solved her problem with the clay material, Song Daliang may not necessarily be her opponent."
Hong Xi didn’t respond, instead twirling the Hetian jade ring on his ring finger.
The Grand Steward watched silently, waiting quietly by the side.
This was the habit of their family’s eldest son.
Whenever he encountered something that puzzled or troubled him, he would unconsciously fidget with the ring on his finger.
*
In just a few days, it was time for the Song Family Kiln Factory to deliver its goods.
Song Jiyun arrived at the kiln early in the morning. After feeling the temperature of the kiln bricks, she asked Luo Zixing and Xiang Yang, who had not slept all night and had been waiting there, "How is it? Can we open the kiln before noon?"
The kiln continued to fire with Yuan Yunzhong’s method, controlling the temperature very well, yet it had burned for a day longer than she had anticipated.
She tried to make light of the situation, "By rights, delivering the goods before Zi Hour today is still within the deadline, but I fear Eunuch Wan might not see it that way."
But no one could muster a laugh.
Luo Zixing said with a tense expression, "It might be a bit of a push for noon, the afternoon Shen Hour would be better."
Song Jiyun reflected, "How long will it take us to deliver the goods?"
Although the Imperial Kiln Factory was also nearby, porcelain is fragile, and during delivery, it needed to be transported by manpower using baskets.
"One Shichen Chinese Time!" said Luo Zixing.
That would be the Xu Hour.
"It’s a little late," she said, contemplating if there was a better way to transport the goods a bit earlier.
Luo Zixing and the others exchanged worried glances, even more concerned about not being able to produce enough Sacrificial White Porcelain after opening the kiln.
The atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment.
Song Jiyun encouraged them, "Don’t worry, it will definitely be fine this time."
But before the sound of her words had faded, a young apprentice rushed in, drenched in sweat, and announced, "Eunuch Wan is here!"
"So early!" Song Jiyun was surprised and turned to Luo Zixing and the others, "Find a way to delay Eunuch Wan until the afternoon."
Luo Zixing immediately said, "I’ll send for Wong Dahai to bring the entertainment and famous actors here. He has more interactions with Eunuch Wan."
Xiang Yang said, "I’ll go get the paintings sent by the Second Madam."
Those were originally prepared for Eunuch Wan as well.
Gu Qing, not knowing what to do, followed Song Jiyun to welcome Eunuch Wan.
He wore a crimson ramie silk official uniform, with full regalia, looking every bit the part of attending to official duties.
Song Jiyun still managed to welcome him into the hall with poise.
He sat in the Taishi Chair he had sat in during his previous visit, his pale face under the not-so-bright light inside the room making him look even more somber.
"Where is the Imperial Porcelain you’re supposed to deliver? I’ve brought people to inspect the goods." He looked at her while sipping tea and even cracked a joke, "It’s perfect, it saves you the effort of delivering."
But no one dared to accept his jest.
The hall fell silent, rather awkwardly so.
Seeing this, Song Jiyun stepped forward and said in a gentle voice, "We didn’t expect your excellency to arrive at this hour. The kiln will not be ready for another two shichen. It’s rare for your excellency to come here, giving us an opportunity to show our respect. I have already sent for the performance troupe and the opera singers..."
Before she could finish, a tea cup filled with tea smashed at her feet.
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