346

Porcelain, affected by firing temperature, soil quality, and glaze, typically yields only five or six usable pieces per ten, which is rare, and three or four per ten is considered lucky. If luck was poor, it was even possible that not a single usable piece emerged from an entire kiln. Yet, even with such failures, there would be some flawed, imperfect, or cracked pieces; it was impossible for every single piece, like the ones Song Tao produced in this firing, to be shattered, with not a single intact bowl.

Not to mention Song Jiyun, everyone present had their attention drawn there.

Prince Ning's expression darkened as he walked over with furrowed brows.

The earlier comfort and ease were no more.

"What happened?" he demanded sternly.

Several officials from the Three Departments also gathered around.

Song Tao looked ashen, her lips white, and she knelt on the ground trembling, sifting through the shattered sagger, muttering repeatedly, "Impossible! Impossible!"