Song Dingxiang [Completed]

C42. Wool Workshop.

Chapter 42

To Song Dingxiang, these young scholars were akin to a contemporary idol group in modern society, a group of young scholars who were good at literature and art standing in the lotus pond, appearing as if they were a painting. Resembled nothing less than a masterpiece come to life.

Owing to the presence of such distinguished scholars, the lotus pond garnered considerable attention. This, in turn, drew a steady stream of ambitious students, yet to achieve scholarly recognition, who flocked to the site in hopes of immersing themselves in an intellectually stimulating environment.

The pavilion was also given a sign by Song Zhixuan's teacher, the head of the academy, personally inscribed with the words: Moonlight reflecting on the clear lotus (月映清荷).

This turned the place into a must-visit attraction for travelers, and the village chief even paid for a signboard with the same inscription to hang on the pavilion.

Probably due to the scenic spot effect, even before the lotus had matured, many people came to reserve lotus roots, all to bask in the glory of these scholars.

Song Dingxiang picked a few lotus flowers that were about to bloom, a few lotus seed pods, and some lotus leaves, placing them in an old-fashioned pottery jar to be delivered by her younger uncle to the household of Wang, the town's official. Although this gift was light, it held great significance.

First, because Wang's mother-in-law was devout, with a household altar for worshiping Buddha. Second, the lotus seed pods symbolized having many children and grandchildren.

Wang Yuanwai had one wife and four concubines, but unfortunately only had one son from the concubine and many daughters, so the gift of lotus seed pods also symbolized hope for more sons.

Wang Yuanwai accepted the lotus flowers and listened to Song Zhixuan talk about the art and calligraphy event at the lotus pond, developing a greater admiration for Song Dingxiang.

Since collaborating with the Song family on the soap business, using their recipe to improve his business and earning a substantial amount of money within a year, he had a positive view of the Song family.

Hearing that the Song family had dug the lotus pond and even speculated that it was Song Dingxiang's idea, he was impressed by her intelligence.

Now with the lotus flowers blooming in the pond and the art and calligraphy event being held, the delivery of lotus flowers by the Song family's young scholar and the town's headmaster son-in-law personally had brought him much glory. After all, he was just a bureaucrat who bought his position, and many scholars looked down on him for his money-oriented approach.

Despite doing good deeds with his money every year, he was only known as a philanthropist. However, in this town, he still had some prestige.

But now with his association with the imperial merchants and scholars personally delivering lotus flowers, how could he not be happy?

What made him even happier was that a few days after receiving the lotus flowers, his wife started vomiting in the morning, prompting them to call a physician. It was discovered that she was two months pregnant!

Not only his wife but also one of his concubines had good news of pregnancy. The delighted old lady prayed fervently every day, hoping for more grandchildren.

After all, the eldest grandson was born out of wedlock, and the legitimacy of the next ones would depend on the pregnancy of his wife. But the fact that his wife was pregnant again already brought them immense joy.

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TNote:
In ancient China, the status of a child was largely determined by their mother's position within the household. This hierarchical system created distinct differences in the lives and opportunities of children born to a main wife and those born to a concubine.
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