Chapter 119 — Negotiation (Bonus Chapter for 1,170 Pink Votes)
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
The girl before him looked no more than fourteen or fifteen. On a delicate face whose skin shone like snow, two long brows sweeping toward her temples were especially striking. Her bean-green unpatterned cross-collared jacket, fastened to the right, was steady and modest, while the yellow-green trim of intertwined floral scrolls lent it a touch of liveliness. Her jet-black hair was simply coiled into a bun, and she wore earrings of red-silver magnolia pendants with pink pearls—small and exquisite. At first glance she seemed merely a well-bred young lady of some great household, disciplined in all the proprieties; yet the composure, the ease and openness that showed between her brows were qualities no ordinary girl confined to the inner chambers could ever possess. In all his years he had seen such a thing only in the present Empress, Lady Wan, and in his own mother, Lady Jiang. But how could she compare with the Empress, mother of the realm, or with his mother, who had the entire Dingzhen Duke's household at her back?
Song Yan thought of the experts who surrounded her like clouds, of the strategist who could rival Zhang Yi, and of that maidservant who had snatched a child from under his very nose. A vague understanding began to dawn on him.
Dou Yan smiled and let him look her over, while inwardly she was studying the two men he had brought.
She had brought Chen Yanzhou and Duan Bing because the former was her brains and the latter the best fighter she had. He had brought Yan Che and this slight, spare-framed man. Yan Che needed no explaining—but could this slight man be the best fighter on his side? She had assumed he was the one Duan Bing had spoken of, the so-called "sword hidden in its sheath."
It seemed she would have to reassess Song Zhi's strength.
She wondered who was the better fighter—this slight man or Duan Bing.
And if he came charging at her, how many moves could Duan Bing hold him off for?
At that thought, Dou Yan flicked a glance from the corner of her eye and saw Sulan standing watchfully beside her, a tray in her arms. Her heart settled a little. Then she heard Song Dan say, "This lily incense is rich without being cloying. If I am not mistaken, this must be the Tianfu Xuanbao made by the secret method of the Puji Temple in the capital?"
Since this was a negotiation, a friendly and cordial atmosphere was indispensable, and beginning with a compliment was always a fine choice.
When you have a favor to ask of a stranger, start with some small praiseworthy thing about him, find a topic that puts him at ease—it is the easiest way to draw the two of you closer and to pave the way for the request you are about to make. Dou Yan had mastered this skill back when she was the wife of a marquis.
She gathered herself and smiled as she exchanged pleasantries with Song Yan. "Young Master Mei is truly a man of wide experience. This is indeed the Tianfu Xuanbao of the Puji Temple, sent back from the capital specially by my father. The weather has been damp these past days, and osmanthus and jasmine scents are clear and delicate, while lily incense is heavy and thick. It would be better to use osmanthus or jasmine; but I live in the city year-round and only occasionally accompany the elders of the house to the farmstead for a few days. The household had only half a box of lily incense left over from last New Year, so for the time being we must make do. The place is humble—I beg Young Master Mei's indulgence."
So she was already lecturing herself.
This woman was truly very clever.
Song Zhi's gaze drifted, almost against his will, over Dou Zhiwei's face.