The matter of the design had finally made progress, and Song Jiyun naturally wanted to strike while the iron was hot and secure the other elements.
"Then just as you wish," she said with a smile, "I’ll go back and draw a few Fortune and Prosperity Gourds for you to see. Once you have made a decision here, the Kiln Factory can prepare the materials and get ready to start firing."
She also said to Hong Xi, "If you are worried about the yield rate being low, I could fire a few kilns at once."
This would considerably increase the cost.
Song Jiyun was very sincere.
Hong Xi, of course, could not let Song Jiyun operate at a loss.
He smiled and said, "Thank you, Miss Song. When the time comes, I will have the steward bring over the bill, and we will settle two tenths of the total price with the Kiln Factory."
This was the rule for firing custom-made porcelain.
The owner bears all the costs during production, and in addition, a fee equivalent to three tenths of the total price is paid to the other party as labor costs.
Thus, firing custom-made porcelain is a business where one can’t lose.
However, Song Jiyun was firing porcelain for the Hong Family as a way to express gratitude and had no intention of taking the money, but she also didn’t plan to discuss it further with Hong Xi, to avoid the need for excessive politeness and half a day of declining back and forth.
She quickly agreed, then inquired about some detailed requests and chatted with Hong Xi for a while before she finally stood up to take her leave.
Hong Xi wanted to keep them for lunch.
Song Jiyun politely declined, saying she needed to go home and discuss her father’s funeral rites with her mother.
Hong Xi could not insist on keeping her and personally escorted them to the main gate. Watching them get into the sedan, his smile gradually faded, and his sharp sword-like eyebrows raised high, slicing through his originally gentle and slightly scholarly face to reveal a sharp frostiness.
"Look into it carefully," he commanded in a stern voice, focusing on the slowly closing gate, "that Yuan Yunzhong can’t be just an impoverished young man! If necessary, send someone to Suzhou. Dig three feet into the ground if you must, but find out everything about him!"
The steward bowed his head and respectfully responded with a firm "Yes."
Only then did Hong Xi’s expression slightly clear as he slowly twisted the Hetian Jade ring on his ring finger and leisurely turned back toward the house.
Meanwhile, Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong returned to the Song Family within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Zheng Quan and the sedan hall maid, along with a servant boy, assisted Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong out of the sedan, and they went to see Madam Qian—after coming back from outside, it was customary first to greet the elder and ask after her health.
Yuan Yunzhong walked beside Song Jiyun with one hand behind his back, slowly saying, "For Hong Family matters, let Zheng Quan run the errands, and you should go there less often."
Song Jiyun looked up in surprise at the taller Yuan Yunzhong.
Yuan Yunzhong’s expression was serene like the bright moon, and his posture as straight as a snowy fir.
Exceptionally handsome.
Song Jiyun shook her head to clear it, then responded, "Wouldn’t that be impolite? After all, the Hong Family has shown kindness to our family."
She could understand Yuan Yunzhong’s dislike for Hong Xi.
If Hong Xi pressed her to reveal who her painting master was, she would also be displeased.
But just because he disliked Hong Xi, she couldn’t distance herself from Hong Xi.
Besides, the Song Family and the Hong Family were neighbors, and while it might have been okay not to interact in the past, now that there were interactions, social exchanges were inevitable.
Yuan Yunzhong glanced at her sideways.
Song Jiyun felt scrutinized.
So, what was this about again?
Before Song Jiyun could decide what to say, Yuan Yunzhong already snorted coldly and said, "That Hong Xi, he’s born from Old Master Hong’s concubine."
What?!
A sudden statement threw Song Jiyun off for a while.
She hadn’t expected Hong Xi to have such a melodramatic background.
Observing Hong Xi’s demeanor, scholarly and confident, held in high regard within the Hong Family, he didn’t seem at all like a child born to a concubine.
Yuan Yunzhong glanced at her and carefreely stepped ahead, walking in front of her.
Song Jiyun was still pondering Yuan Yunzhong’s words when she came to her senses and found Yuan Yunzhong already ten meters away from her.
She hurriedly chased after him, "How do you know Young Master Hong was born to a concubine? You mentioned sending Zheng Quan on an errand for me, is there something improper with the Hong Family, or with Young Master Hong himself?"
Her questions came one after another, like rapid gunfire.
She even blocked Yuan Yunzhong’s path, curiously asking, "And what about the Second Young Master of the Hong Family? Is he full siblings with Eldest Young Master Hong or half-siblings?"
Yuan Yunzhong bypassed Song Jiyun, continuing to walk forward without a sideways glance, "Find out for yourself!"
If someone knew, then why should she bother to investigate on her own?
Song Jiyun felt that Yuan Yunzhong had an inherent pride; it couldn’t be merely because Hong Xi was a child of a concubine that he would say such a thing.
She chased after him again and seeing that Yuan Yunzhong wouldn’t even glance at her but just kept walking forward, she had no choice but to block his path, walking backwards as she persistently chattered, "Years ago, the Hong Family suddenly moved to Suzhou, and now they’ve suddenly moved back. Although our Song Family lives at the other end of the street from them, honestly, we only know a little about their affairs. As for the porcelain making, maybe we should just refuse them. After all, time is pressing."
She concluded, "The wise do not stand under a collapsing wall, paying a debt of gratitude is important, but life is more valuable."
Yuan Yunzhong suddenly stopped, his lips twitching as he looked at her for a long while without speaking.
Song Jiyun looked back at him perplexed.
Yuan Yunzhong dropped a "Whatever," and walked past her again.
Song Jiyun, watching his departing figure, felt like stomping her foot when a group of people approached from the opposite direction.
She looked closely and saw it was Madam Qian and Eleventh Grand Master Song among others.
It appeared they had finished discussing her father’s memorial ceremony.
She walked up to meet them. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
Yuan Yunzhong, who was in front of her, had already met Madam Qian and the others, conversing with them in a relaxed and easy manner.
As she quickly approached, Yuan Yunzhong was saying to Madam Qian and the others, "...but now that the young miss has just taken charge, it is time for her to establish authority and virtue. Better to be safe and avoid risks."
Madam Qian and Eleventh Grand Master Song nodded incessantly.
Seeing Song Jiyun approach, Madam Qian sternly said to her, "Young Master Yuan is right, you should consult with Young Master Yuan more about anything you do in the future."
Song Jiyun was utterly confused, suspecting Yuan Yunzhong was discussing the matter of the Hong Family.
Sure enough, Eleventh Grand Master Song then added, "Young Master Yuan, having grown up in Suzhou Prefecture, has seen much and knows wide, having you help look out for our great niece here gives us much peace of mind. As for the Hong Family’s matter, help if possible, if not, we can look for another opportunity to repay them in the future."
After finishing, he turned and smiled at Madam Qian, "It’s rare for Young Master Yuan to be so concerned about the Kiln Factory. About the Sacrificial White Porcelain, I’ve heard from the people at the Kiln Factory that if it weren’t for Young Master Yuan giving Guo Zixing a hand, the Imperial Kiln Factory business wouldn’t have gone through so smoothly."
A clan elder then teased Madam Qian, "You have a good daughter-in-law, just wait to enjoy the blessings of your son-in-law!"
Madam Qian couldn’t help smiling slightly, appearing humble yet relieved, "I borrow your auspicious words. I also have hopes for the days ahead."
The clan elders all laughed.
The atmosphere was very harmonious.
What else could Song Jiyun say?
She smiled and together with Yuan Yunzhong, saw off Eleventh Grand Master Song and the others with Madam Qian, but before she could exchange private words with Yuan Yunzhong, Madam Qian took the opportunity to pull her into the inner chamber.
"How about it? Young Master Yuan isn’t bad, right?" she asked, smilingly looking at Song Jiyun, "I saw you laughing and talking with him, even engaging the clan elders in a long chat."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
