Triumph in Her Rise and Love-Chapter 237 - 235

But what disappointed Song Jiyun was that no one had quietly approached Commander-in-Chief Xu.

While she continued to argue with Eunuch Wan over right and wrong, she searched the crowd for Immortal Baoguang, "Everything I did was in accordance with Lord Wan’s instructions, I didn’t defy them in the least. Even when I knew we had no quota to fire porcelain, we didn’t dare to make a single bowl. Only later did we discover that many people couldn’t sell the porcelain they fired, and the quotas they were allocated were going unused. That’s when I thought of buying them."

But that coward Immortal Baoguang just hid on the sideline and dared not make a peep.

Song Jiyun gave him meaningful glances, yet he still cowered and discreetly waved his hands.

Song Jiyun truly felt like tearing his heart out.

However, she was currently embroiled in a verbal fight with Eunuch Wan, and even if she wanted to drag him over, she couldn’t, let alone tear him apart.

As if that wasn’t enough, Eunuch Wan was still refuting her arguments, "If you hadn’t gone to Nanjing, would I have given your family’s porcelain firing quota to someone else? All this comes down to you being insubordinate, not holding the Imperial Kiln Factory or me, the Supervising Pottery Officer, in your eyes!"

Song Jiyun had no choice but to give Immortal Baoguang a temporary reprieve and continued to clash with Eunuch Wan, "There’s an old saying that goes, ’Goods are precious far from home.’ Who would willingly travel thousands of miles to Nanjing to make a living when they could be comfortable at home? I had no other option, didn’t I? I was born in Jingde Town, raised in Jingde Town, and throughout Jingde Town’s history, I have never heard of firing porcelain requiring a quota."

"In the presence of so many lords, I also want to ask, porcelain firing isn’t like shaping mud, where you get what you shape. If the porcelain doesn’t come out, can this year’s quota still be used next year?"

Several lords sat as immovable as Mount Tai, except for Commander-in-Chief Xu, who looked on with interest, while the others remained silent.

Eunuch Wan continued to argue with her and mocked her, "It seems that to you, ’goods are precious far from home,’ but you don’t fear that ’people are cheap away from their hometown.’ As long as money can be made, you’d do anything!"

As for matters like the porcelain firing quota, he didn’t mention them at all.

Song Jiyun felt as if a heavy weight pressed upon her heart, cold and uncomfortable.

Logically, anyone hearing "you need a quota from the Imperial Kiln Factory to fire any amount of porcelain" for the first time would be curious enough to ask about it.

But not only did Lord Wang and the others show no curiosity, but even when she repeatedly brought up the matter, they all kept silent.

If they weren’t already in cahoots with Eunuch Wan, well aware of this matter and persuaded by him, then they had become accustomed to such conduct from him—it was the norm in official circles, where everyone was scheming to make money.

Whether the former or the latter, this situation was highly disadvantageous to her.

Now, she could only cut her losses to survive!

Otherwise, even if she survived a myriad of dangers, it would be in vain.

The power represented by Lord Wang and the others was like a colossal wave; if it came crashing down, she would be smashed to death upon the sand.

Otherwise, why would there be a saying about the door-breaking Prefect?

Song Jiyun took a deep breath and for the first time took the initiative, aggressively saying, "Then, according to Eunuch Wan, only by handing over the formula for sweet white porcelain would I be considered respectful towards the Imperial Kiln Factory and towards you?"

Isn’t that what you want, my formula?

But my formula isn’t so easily obtained.

Eunuch Wan was taken aback.

He had not expected Song Jiyun to bring up the matter herself.

He felt vaguely uneasy.

Dealing with Song Jiyun for half a year had made him aware that she was not one to retreat easily; her words might be setting a trap.

Yet, as this thought crossed his mind, he also found it somewhat amusing.

Since when had Song Jiyun become someone he needed to be wary of?

Even if Song Jiyun had laid a trap, in the face of absolute power, she would have to coil around him obediently, even if she were a dragon.

Eunuch Wan’s arrogance returned.

He looked down at Song Jiyun from his lofty position, as if she were a dish on his plate to be toyed with at his whim, saying, "Are you thinking you can refuse to hand it over?"

Song Jiyun smiled indifferently and said, "The recipe for sweet white porcelain is known only by me, could that be considered a secret recipe?"

She glanced over the crowd.

Seeing that some nodded, she continued, "Since it is a secret recipe, it would then be a ’recipe that is secret and not to be divulged.’ I would like to ask several lords here, will Lord Wan be the Supervising Pottery Officer at the Imperial Kiln Factory for the rest of his life? If I hand over this secret recipe and it becomes common knowledge after just a few days, who will be responsible? Porcelain is special, if the Imperial Kiln Factory and others cannot produce it, whose responsibility is that?"

Her gaze fixed intensely on Eunuch Wan, "Or are you saying that this secret recipe is for Lord Wan and it has nothing to do with the Imperial Kiln Factory?"

How could he possibly be the Supervising Pottery Officer at the Imperial Kiln Factory for his entire life?

"Nonsense!" Eunuch Wan’s veins pulsed visibly as he could not help but rebuke loudly, "This secret recipe..."

He suddenly fell silent.

In his view, the Imperial Kiln Factory was his, and he was the Imperial Kiln Factory.

The recipe for sweet white porcelain given to the Imperial Kiln Factory was as good as given to him, to dispose of as he wished.

But in front of so many high-ranking officials, he immediately realized that he could not say that.

He feared it would come back to haunt him in the future.

His previous demotion to Jingde Town was precisely because he had misspoken, and despite his godfather’s efforts to protect him, it wasn’t enough.

He looked towards the lords, pleadingly saying, "What do I want the secret recipe for? Of course, it’s for the Imperial Kiln Factory?"

Song Jiyun seized the opportunity immediately.

It turned out that Eunuch Wan’s relationship with these people was not as close as she had thought.

A sense of hope rose in her heart as she pressed Eunuch Wan, "Since it’s for the Imperial Kiln Factory, then please produce some sort of official procedure. This secret recipe is to be offered to His Majesty. If there’s a slip, who will take the responsibility?"

Eunuch Wan was at a loss for words.

What official procedure did he have?

He was simply trying to seize the recipe by force.

But Song Jiyun’s words tore away this veneer.

Eunuch Wan became furiously embarrassed and said, "Why all this nonsense! If I tell you to hand it over, you hand it over. As a noble official of the Imperial Court, would I deceive you?"

Song Jiyun did not speak, but just quietly looked at him.

Murmurs immediately filled the great hall.

Who would believe such words!

Immortal Baoguang’s eyes shone as he looked at Song Jiyun, his spine straightening by several degrees.

Eunuch Wan was very uncomfortable, and just as he was about to speak, he saw Lord Wang, who was seated at the center, suddenly extend his hand to quiet the crowd, signaling everyone to be silent.

The great hall immediately fell silent as a graveyard.

Lord Wang smiled and said, "Young lady, let me ask you a few questions."

His voice was gentle, his demeanor kind, and anyone who saw him would feel a favorable impression and subconsciously trust him.

However, Song Jiyun was a person who judged by "actions."

She judged a person based on what they had done, not what they had said.

Layers of defense rose in her heart, but her expression revealed a trace of trust as she stepped forward and curtsied toward Lord Wang, respectfully saying, "Please, ask your questions!"