Triumph in Her Rise and Love-Chapter 314 - 310

Zhou Zheng leaped up immediately upon hearing the words, exclaiming, "How can the Yuan Family do this? Is this not a slap in the face for the Owner?"

Even if Jiyun marries into the Yuan Family, Jiyun was personally chosen by Yuan Yunzhong, while another daughter-in-law was meticulously selected by the Yuan Family. Even if they each have their own successors, Jiyun would be overshadowed there.

However, Jiyun merely glanced at Zhou Zheng nonchalantly and asked Zheng Quan, "What about Young Master Yuan? Has there been any movement?"

Zheng Quan replied in surprise, "How did you know that there has been uproar from Young Master Yuan’s side as well?"

Jiyun merely grinned without a word.

If Yuan Yunzhong were so easily subdued, how would matters have escalated to this extent?

Zheng Quan said, "Young Master Yuan and the people of the Yuan Family have set up a challenge ring. They’re talking about getting a concubine for his father. They also said that their family has only him as a son, he has grown up in the Wang Family, and might as well continue the Wang’s lineage. His father’s other sons will carry on the Yuan Family business. Everyone would thus prosper in accordance, each minding their own business."

This was, of course, not possible. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Otherwise, Lord Yuan’s father would have taken a concubine already, and Yuan Yunzhong would not have been forced to bear children.

Unable to contain her amusement, Jiyun put this matter aside and asked Zheng Quan, "You didn’t come to see me just to tell me about this, did you?"

"No, no," Zheng Quan hurriedly responded, pulling out an invitation, "It’s from Lord Qin of the Directorate of Imperial Ceremonies, and he says he would like to visit you tomorrow afternoon."

Jiyun frowned, sensing that this was not a good sign.

Indeed, when Qin Fang came, he also brought the list of gifts that Zhou Zheng had sent.

He said with a smile, "Those servants at home don’t know their priorities, please forgive them, Miss Song. As for the assignment at the Manufacturing Office you mentioned, I’ve already sent someone to put in a word. As long as it is not personally ordered by the Empress Dowager, the porcelain she desires will surely be made by your Song Family."

But this was not the outcome she desired.

She smiled and pushed the list of gifts back again, saying, "Lord Qin, this really makes me feel like an outsider. Having come to the Capital, I should by no means be qualified to step into your residence. But it’s by the grace of the Noble Consort that I had the fortune to meet you. I should indeed pay you a visit to extend my greetings.

"But since you are often busy with duties at the palace, I don’t know when you might be at leisure. That’s why I had our Steward come instead. Properly speaking, I should personally visit your mansion.

"If you refuse to accept even these modest gifts of mine, I would be worried and restless, unable to sleep at night, wondering where I have fallen short and why your home would not welcome me."

Her attitude was sufficiently humble and sincere, causing Qin Fang to inwardly marvel.

Everyone who survives in the palace is cunning; he had seen many, but not many were as shrewd and capable as Jiyun.

He thought for a while, then decided not to beat around the bush with Jiyun and smiled, "You might not be aware, but Lord Yuan intends to hold a fragrance meeting at Tanzhe Temple in a few days, and even the Empress Dowager mentioned she would join the excitement. But as soon as Lord Yunzhong appeared before the Emperor, Madam Wang was summoned by the Empress Dowager for a lengthy talk. It’s only because Lord Yunzhong stands in front of you that not everyone in the Capital is rushing to see if you truly have three heads and six arms."

Was this an implication for the reason behind his visit?

After all, Qin Fang was the Emperor’s confidant, a favored court official, frequented by officials of the Fourth Rank and above. If it were ordinary times, Jiyun would have no chance to meet such a person.

Jiyun Song said with a laugh, "What kind of person am I? Others may not know, but don’t you? Brothers fight tigers together, and father and son soldiers share the battlefield. Between this father and son, there is no enmity that lasts overnight. We outsiders might enjoy the spectacle, but life must go on as usual for them. If they took these spectacles as their daily lives, wouldn’t they become a spectacle themselves?"

What she meant was that she couldn’t and shouldn’t interfere in the affairs of the Yuan Family, but she must do what she needed to do.

She was indeed very clever.

Qin Fang nodded secretly, thought it over, took back the gift list he had prepared, and started talking to Jiyun Song about the recent weather in the Capital City, "As May begins, the days are usually warm and sunny. The pear blossoms by Tanzhe Temple and the peach blossoms by Hongluo Temple bloom on every mountain peak, which are sights to behold here in the Capital City. Since you are here, you should go and see them."

Jiyun Song, smiling in agreement, discussed the differences between the two temples with Qin Fang, "I heard that both Tanzhe Temple and Hongluo Temple are dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva. I wonder which temple is more efficacious."

"Belief brings conviction; disbelief does not," Qin Fang said with a laugh. "Some people also say that the Maitreya Buddha in Tanzhe Temple is particularly efficacious."

"Then it’s worth a visit," Jiyun Song joked with him. After Zheng Quan poured tea twice, Qin Fang finally stood up to leave.

As Jiyun Song saw Qin off to his sedan chair, she took a brocade box from the hurriedly returning Zhou Zheng and handed it to the attendant, saying with a laugh, "It’s rare for you to visit, and I don’t have much to offer, but here is a box of pastries made by our cook. Please take it back and try it. If you like them, send someone to let me know, and I will make more and send them over."

Qin Fang smiled broadly in agreement.

When he opened it back home, it truly was a box of pastries, but the box, made of pure gold and inlaid with large pearls and agates, was far more valuable than the pastries themselves.

He couldn’t help but laugh heartily and praised to those around him, "No wonder Yuan Yunzhong likes her; she is indeed a marvelous person."

As for Jiyun Song, after seeing Qin’s sedan farther away, Zheng Quan, touching his head, asked, "Shall we visit the Qin Mansion too?"

"No need!" Jiyun Song beamed, "The Empress Dowager likes various flowers and particularly favors the lotus and bamboo. I need to think carefully about how to use the lotus and bamboo without making it obvious."

Zheng Quan was completely confused, "But Lord Qin didn’t mention the lotus and bamboo at all!"

As they walked inside, Jiyun Song explained, "He mentioned the good weather and that the flowers in the temples are in bloom. That was his way of telling me that the Empress Dowager likes flowers. I asked him if the Empress Dowager likes the Eight Treasures pattern or auspicious drawings. He said that the Maitreya Buddha is the most efficacious. You should know that the images of Maitreya Buddha, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva don’t include a lotus seat. He was telling me she doesn’t like them..."

Zheng Quan was dumbfounded.

Zhou Zheng also couldn’t help but shake his head, "No wonder they say to observe the heavens from the bottom of a well. When I was in Jingde Town, I felt that though I couldn’t compare to those veteran shopkeepers, I was among the best of the younger generation. It’s only after coming to the Capital City and being with you for a few days that I realize I hadn’t even learned how to listen properly!"

"Take your time," Jiyun Song smiled, "Having the opportunity is better than having none at all."

Zhou Zheng bowed solemnly in agreement.

Zheng Quan shook his head like a rattle, "I’d better not try! It’s better for me to just do what you ask in the future."

Jiyun Song laughed heartily.

A servant boy caught up, saying, "Owner, Young Master Hong, the one from the Hong Family whose house was raided, Hong Xi, is here to visit you."