The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1701 - 1695: My Family Head’s Surname Is Qi
Song Chongjin saw that the man only coughed once, which made both Wu En and Bayin, the leader and deputy, apprehensive.
He noted this in his heart.
Returning to the city this time, he slowed down a bit, feeling as if he was being watched like yesterday.
He turned back immediately and saw at the end of the Grassland Negotiation Group a man staring directly at Song Chongjin and his entourage; more precisely, staring at Song Chongjin.
Perhaps he hadn’t expected Song Chongjin to move so slowly and linger at the back of the group.
Suddenly turning his head, he couldn’t avoid meeting Song Chongjin’s eyes directly.
Song Chongjin instantly recognized that this person was the man who had coughed earlier to alert them.
His gaze instantly sharpened.
Yet, the man remained calm, noticing Song Chongjin’s look and unhurriedly saluted before turning his horse and leaving.
Upon returning to the base, the first order was to investigate the background of that man.
Shadow Seven heard the order and quickly vanished into the crowd.
After dining, everyone gathered again to discuss the day’s negotiations.
None of them were foolish, sensing that the negotiating team dispatched from the Grassland had issues.
These individuals had no sense of negotiation, instead displaying an admiration towards Great Chu akin to fanboys.
How is one supposed to negotiate under such circumstances?
Nevertheless, Ninth Master Lee and a few others noticed something odd, particularly the reactions from Wu En and Bayin after that man’s cough, which Song Chongjin had seen.
Where Song Chongjin couldn’t see, Ninth Master Lee found that another person signaled to that man before he coughed.
The person who signaled was the lowest-ranking clerk in the Grassland Negotiation Group, very inconspicuous.
He always sat at the very end, his face mostly obscured by a beard, so his appearance remained unclear, and he wasn’t tall; sitting there, it was easy to overlook him unless one faced him like Ninth Master Lee did.
They discussed for half a day, though unaware of the Grassland’s intentions.
However, if the Grassland intended to perform a charade, Great Chu would certainly oblige.
Negotiations aren’t concluded in a single day, so if needed, they would dawdle along!
At last, they would see who became anxious!
With this realization, everyone relaxed, particularly those seeking prestige; if they couldn’t negotiate, flaunting their wealth was a natural talent.
On the third day, everyone donned their most valuable attire.
They wore eye-catching colors and adorned themselves with the most expensive items, emerging from the base resembling a strikingly vibrant rainbow line.
Every color from red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo to violet was present.
If Wang Yongzhu were here, he would surely joke, "Are you summoning a dragon, or calling forth a group of seven-colored gourd children to summon an elder?"
Everything else might have been forgivable except for the one clad entirely in emerald-green robes, whose bravery to appear so openly remained a mystery.
Such strong visual impact!
Even Song Chongjin almost choked on his own saliva with shock.
He managed to steady himself, twitched his lips, and signaled for everyone to depart.
Once they left, discussions among the stationed troops began.
Everyone knew of the negotiations between the two nations, although having never witnessed them, they had surely heard—shouldn’t they involve the officials, with verbal duels?
One banging the table, another cursing; one drawing a blade, another seizing a rifle; accusations of shamelessness met with retorts comparing one’s face to city walls—the true picture!
Why did it seem so wrong this time?
Each dressed so casually—is this really a negotiation?
Not touching upon Chu’s reactions, the group led by Song Chongjin meeting the Grassland’s team was indeed hard to describe.
Perhaps stimulated by yesterday, the Grassland team also donned their most ceremonial finery today, wearing everything from gold to gemstones.
Instantly adding weight, pressing down their horses beneath by a good ten pounds or more.
Especially with the sun shining high and wide today.
Looking from afar, one saw not merely red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet; all colors present, but with sunlight causing them to glimmer like the appearance of treasures.
Though the troops from both sides couldn’t approach the negotiation site, scouts hidden nearby kept vigilant watch.
Today, the scouts of both sides happened upon positions just behind and before the negotiating groups.
The Grassland scouts, having hidden early, looked up at the commotion, unexpectedly finding only colors and gold, rendering their vision useless.
Great Chu’s scout avoided such visual assault due to his position but suffered significant mental shock.
He would never forget this bizarre and indecent scene: a group of tall men, each clad more flamboyantly than the next, resembling a competitive show.
The fact they stood outside instead of entering, comparing accessories, clutching necklaces and jade pendants like girls comparing jewelry—astonishing!
Song Chongjin too found the vibrant chaos unsettling, feeling an ache from oversaturation.
Seeing none entering the negotiation site, but dismounting to converse outside.
Guessing they feared the confined space; the visual assault inside rendering minds dazed upon exit.
Thus, he walked further to the side.
Reaching the shade of a gigantic rock, observing the traces of wind and sand upon it with interest.
Soon, he sensed an approach, detecting refined skills as they moved silently over the sand.
Song Chongjin feigned ignorance, continuing to view the rock.
He heard someone stop three steps away, "Lord Song!"
Song Chongjin seemingly startled, glanced over, recognizing yesterday’s coughing man.
The man saluted Song Chongjin in Grassland fashion, "Batu meets Lord Song!"
Song Chongjin nodded subtly, uttering nothing.
Batu seemed anxious, bypassing pleasantries, directly asked, "Is Lord Song the son of Duke Weiguo, Song Hong of Capital City?"
Song Chongjin raised an eyebrow, smiling wryly at Batu, "Why are you asking?"
Batu quickly added with urgency, "My master is an old associate of Duke Weiguo, Song Hong; my master is surnamed Qi—"
Song Chongjin’s heart skipped fiercely, yet his appearance remained steady, casually replying, "So what?"
Batu looked around, ensuring solitude, then whispered, "My master heard Lord Song is the son of Lady Qi, the Duke’s fiancée from years past. If true, my master is Lord Song’s aunt!"
Qi Huan!
Song Chongjin’s heart nearly jumped to his throat. Are these Qi Huan’s people? She knows about him? Why send someone to contact him?
Momentarily losing composure, he remained silent before speaking, "I do not understand what you’re saying?"
Batu seemed surprised by Song Chongjin’s reaction, hesitating before adding, "My master says if Lord Song wishes to learn about past events, please visit our Wang Capital!"
Fearing Song Chongjin’s refusal, he quickly appended, "Regarding the dealings for trade route negotiations, worry not; with my master, Lord Song will be satisfied! Please visit my master in our capital after the trade route opens!"
After finishing, he swiftly handed Song Chongjin something and turned away.
