102

Within Yinyu Hall, Yuan Yunzhong, clad in a fine cloth Taoist robe, stood tall and statuesque under the eaves.

In the courtyard, several servant boys were panting as they practiced boxing.

Standing behind him, Shao Qing reported, "Young Master Hong has arrived!"

Yuan Yunzhong said nothing and snapped off a branch that was slanting into the veranda with a "crack".

*

In the hall, Song Jiyun was quite surprised to see the Store Managers and master craftsmen talking in pairs and groups.

According to custom, when Young Master Hong planned to visit her, he should have sent someone in advance with a card to arrange the time and place of the meeting.

His sudden arrival was quite impolite.

She pondered for a moment, then asked Zheng Quan in a low voice, "Do you know why he is here?"

Zheng Quan also responded in a low voice, "He said it's about the ceramics."

That was even more inappropriate.

He had not sent any message with the servant boy who delivered the samples yesterday.