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CHAPTER 10
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"How much is this seal for sale?" When Tan Ting asked this question, the young shopkeeper appeared stunned for a moment, studying him carefully.
"Are you... Lord Tan from the Tan family?" Tan Ting nodded, assuming that the young man was going to arrange for the store owner to assist him. However, to his surprise, the young shopkeeper immediately retrieved the small seal.
"This one is not for sale."
Tan Ting raised an eyebrow in confusion. The store owner hurried over upon hearing the commotion and, noticing Lord Tan's puzzled expression, quickly explained.
"Lord Tan, please take a look at the other items and leisure seals we have here. That particular seal has already been reserved by another customer."
Tan Ting cast a silent glance at the store owner and then at the young shopkeeper. Clearly, there was more to the situation than they were letting on. But Tan Ting couldn't press the matter further.
He furrowed his brow and glanced regretfully at the seal with the character "ĺ’Ś" (harmony) on it. The carving was indeed quite skillful, and he found it oddly familiar. He wondered who the talented artisan behind it was… But if they were not willing to sell it to him, there was nothing Tan Ting could do but leave in silence.
As he walked away, the store owner let out a sigh of relief and playfully patted the young shopkeeper's back. "Why did you speak so bluntly?"
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The young shopkeeper pouted in the direction Tan Ting had left. "Madam Xiang has been enduring difficult times, and I've never seen Lord Tan show any care or consideration for her. It's clear that he doesn't understand Madam Xiang's situation. In that case, he shouldn't be allowed to purchase her personal seal. We can't let this seal go to waste."
His reasoning was sound, and even the store owner chuckled in response. But then again, the young shopkeeper had a point. If only this scion of the Tan family would show a bit more concern for Madam Xiang, how much easier her life would be.
As soon as Xiang Yi returned home, she saw a maidservant from Autumn Radiance Courtyard waiting at the door with an anxious expression.
"Madam, please go to Autumn Radiance Courtyard quickly."
When Xiang Yi arrived at the courtyard, there was still a trace of anger on Zhao Shi's face. Zhao Shi was not one to cause trouble without reason, so Xiang Yi approached her and inquired with a gentle tone. She learned that several woodworkers who often worked for the Tan family had gotten into a fight due to drinking too much alcohol and a few words were exchanged.
Zhao Shi wouldn't have bothered with such a trivial matter, but the altercation had led to damage to the wood materials intended for Tan Rong's dowry chest. While other matters could be overlooked, anything concerning her only daughter, Tan Rong, was another story altogether.
"We have always paid the craftsmen from the Tan family generously. Instead of appreciating the Tan family's kindness, they act recklessly. Some family members have even mentioned that their work has become increasingly negligent. And now, they've caused this kind of trouble... We can't keep this group of craftsmen anymore."
She called for Xiang Yi's attention, "We need to find suitable craftsmen to replace those working on your sister's dowry chest."
This group of craftsmen had been working for the Tan family for many years. It was said that they were relatives from the wealthy Madam Fu's side of the family. Madam Fu's husband, known as "Old Master Fu," had a wealthy background within the Tan clan. However, despite achieving the title of Jinshi (the highest level in the imperial examination system), he had failed to pass the advanced examination required to become a higher-ranking official.
This had become the story of Old Master Fu's life...
However, Madame Fu was a different story. She was not a rigid person and took charge of many aspects of their family business. Once money was in her hands, there was no talk of leakage.
Xiang Yi thought for a moment and reminded Zhao Shi, "If you change the craftsmen directly, Madam Fu might have something to say."
Madame Fu's relatives were skilled woodworkers, and when the Tan family changed craftsmen a few years ago, she allocated most of the work to them.
Nevertheless, Zhao Shi waved her hand impatiently, "If the work isn't up to par, then we should change craftsmen. Just tell her that it's my decision. If she has any objections, she can come talk to me. Right now, you should find reliable craftsmen for your sister. With so much work to be done, we need to secure craftsmen early."
Xiang Yi nodded in acknowledgment, but the problem was that Qinglong County was not that big, and craftsmen were in limited supply. What Zhao Shi wanted were not just any craftsmen but skilled artisans capable of carving and crafting the intricate designs for Tan Rong's dowry chest.
She pondered for a while and inexplicably remembered the incident she had heard about at Ji Xiang Seal Shop earlier that day. After leaving Autumn Radiance Courtyard, she instructed Chun Sun to go to Ji Xiang Seal Shop and have the craftsmen send some presentable wood samples for her to review.
After giving her instructions, Xiang Yi returned to the main courtyard. Due to the proximity of the New Year and the fact that Duke Zhongqing's residence was in the capital, Yang Zhen's ceremonial return to her maiden home had been postponed from the traditional New Year to the third month of the lunar calendar. Next year, Tan Jian would accompany Yang Zhen to the capital for a short stay of one month.
On her way back to the main courtyard, Xiang Yi encountered Tan Jian. However, he seemed tired and didn't notice her as he walked by from the other side. Xiang Yi was a bit puzzled but assumed that Tan Jian was probably burdened by the heavy workload arranged by Tan Ting. She decided not to inquire further.
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...
That night, the sky was devoid of stars and the moon. The atmosphere in the main residence was as stagnant as ever, as if the ice and snow of many years had never melted even a bit. Xiang Yi was used to it by now.
Early the next morning, there were visitors outside the gate of the Tan family's ancestral hall. Several plain-looking craftsmen were carefully holding wooden samples in their arms, anxiously awaiting permission from the gatekeepers.
"Could you please inform the young master? Madame Xiang has sent us to deliver these wood samples."
The gatekeeper scrutinized them and, noticing their genuine appearance as craftsmen with patched clothes and a faint smell of wood chips, allowed them to wait there and went inside to inform.
When Xiang Yi arrived, she saw them still standing outside the gate. Icicles hung from the eaves, and the craftsmen shivered in the cold, but they didn't dare rashly step into the Tan family's black lacquered and gold-trimmed gate.
Xiang Yi invited them into the gatehouse to enjoy some hot tea. "It's freezing cold outside. Don't catch a cold."
They waved their hands repeatedly, "For craftsmen like us to have the chance to enter the Tan family's gate is already a great fortune! Even if we freeze to death at the doorstep, it would be worth it if we could get the Tan family's job this time!"
For families of such status and prestige, the most coveted opportunities were often shared among in-laws or through connections with workshops. Craftsmen from rural areas like them, no matter how skilled, often found it hard to enter such circles and could only take on small, underpaid tasks.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Xiang Yi's expression softened. She took a look at the wooden samples they brought, nodding in approval.
As Ji Xiang, the shopkeeper, had said, these craftsmen might come from humble backgrounds, but their skills were not lacking.
She couldn't help but comment, "If Madam Zhao appreciates your craftsmanship, the Tan family will definitely hire you at a fair price."
The craftsmen were overjoyed, clapping their hands and rubbing them together for warmth with renewed vigor.
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Xiang Yi smiled at them and invited them once more into the gatehouse to escape the cold. "Madam Zhao is available at the moment. Please wait here; there might be good news very soon."
The craftsmen expressed their gratitude, and as Xiang Yi left, she arranged for someone to take their wooden samples and headed to Autumn Radiance Courtyard.
Zhao Shi happened to have some free time, and when she saw Xiang Yi bringing over the wood samples, she examined them carefully. She examined them back and forth, gradually revealing a satisfied expression.
"These are finely crafted and sturdy," she commented. She turned to Xiang Yi and inquired, "Were they made by craftsmen from the provincial capital?"
Xiang Yi chuckled and revealed that they were not.
"It's the local craftsmen from our county. They just didn't have such opportunities before and could only take on small scattered tasks," Xiang Yi explained.
This surprised Zhao Shi, who examined the wood samples closely. "This piece seems to have been freshly carved..."
It was crafted overnight, so it was genuine.
With growing satisfaction, Zhao Shi gave her instructions to Xiang Yi. "Then let them try making a few carved boxes first. If they do well, they can stay at the Tan family’s residence and won't need to travel around anymore."
Xiang Yi smiled with satisfaction. "Thank you, Mother."
At that moment, Tan Rong arrived. She had heard about the new craftsmen and said, "I was thinking of making some small items. I could have them make those too."
Xiang Yi naturally agreed, and Tan Rong added, "I'll sketch the designs and send them to the craftsmen on another day."
Xiang Yi nodded. As long as Tan Rong was pleased, the matter would proceed smoothly.
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...
In the gatehouse, several craftsmen were still waiting nervously. When they saw Xiang Yi approaching, they were taken aback. "Could it be that Madam Zhao doesn't like our work?"
A few burly men were sweating nervously on their foreheads.
Xiang Yi quickly reassured them, "It's not that it's not good; it's actually very good."
Her words landed, and the men stood there in a stunned silence. The lantern in front of the gate swayed in the wind.
Xiang Yi smiled and continued, "Madam Zhao has agreed to let you try making a few boxes. If you do well, you can stay."
Only after a few moments did the men snap back to their senses. They immediately knelt down, ready to kowtow to Xiang Yi. "We're grateful for the great kindness and grace of Madam Zhao and young Madam. We can't believe we have the opportunity to work for the Tan family! We won't disappoint Madam Zhao and young Madam!"
Xiang Yi didn't let them go through such formalities, quickly instructing the gatekeepers to help them up. "No need to thank us. Just do your jobs well and be meticulous."
The craftsmen replied in unison, their voices loud and clear. "Rest assured, Madame!"
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Tasks like these from prominent families never came their way before. Now that they were given this opportunity, how could they dare to be negligent?
However, the craftsmen didn't want to delay Xiang Yi's matters and quickly took their leave, saying they would start working at the Tan family's workshop the next day. Xiang Yi also had other matters to attend to and left with Chun Sun.
Just as the craftsmen left, someone else approached.
"What are those ragtag people doing? How did they end up at the Tan family's door?" The newcomer was Tan Youliang’s wife, Qiu Shi.
Qiu Shi was feeling uneasy due to recent unfavorable events, and she had been discreetly observing the activities of the main and Xiang families. The gatekeepers didn't hide anything and informed her about the Tan family changing craftsmen.
Qiu Shi's eyes widened as she listened. "Where did these people come from? How did they get such a good opportunity?"
"They were recommended by our Madam. They have excellent skills," the gatekeepers explained.
Although they said so, Qiu Shi's expression became even stranger. Was Lady Xiang really so kind-hearted to always help these poor families? Could it be that she had accepted bribes?
She was becoming increasingly suspicious that there must be something in Lady Xiang's account that couldn't withstand scrutiny. If only someone could investigate her thoroughly, it might unravel her plot.
Muttering to herself, Qiu Shi thought of another matter. "Oh right, she's replacing Madam Fu's workers. I wonder if Madam Fu will agree!"
With this thought, a glimmer of understanding dawned upon Qiu Shi. She immediately headed for Madam Fu's residence.
...
Nobody else knew what Qiu Shi was thinking. As Xiang Yi arrived at the entrance of the main residence, she spotted Tan Jian circling nearby. He looked conflicted, as if he didn't know whether he should go in or not.
Considering his earlier dispirited appearance, Xiang Yi walked up to him. "Second Young Master, are you looking for me?" Tan Ting was not at home today.
Surprised by her sudden approach, Tan Jian nodded reluctantly, his eyes revealing a mixture of anxiety and hesitation.
He suddenly took a step forward and deeply bowed to Xiang Yi, his tone tinged with a sense of grievance. "Please, sister-in-law, save me!"
Xiang Yi was taken aback.
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