The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1700 - 1694: All for Nothing

The negotiators couldn’t focus, their eyes involuntarily glancing towards Song Chongjin.

The officials from Great Chu exchanged a glance and sat at the negotiation table, subtly setting traps for the delegates from the grasslands.

The negotiators from the grasslands seemed distracted, yet they adhered to one principle: never nod, nor agree to anything.

When pressed too hard, they simply said they needed to discuss it further back home.

Song Chongjin wasn’t in a hurry either; he ordered the exquisite wine mentioned yesterday to be brought in a small jar.

As soon as the jar was opened, the rich aroma of the wine spread throughout the room.

The men from the grasslands stared intently, their noses twitching to catch the scent of the wine.

Some couldn’t help themselves and stepped forward eagerly, trying to grab the jar.

But Song Chongjin wouldn’t let them taste the fine wine so easily; with a light twirl, he evaded their grasping hands.

He leisurely remarked, "Fine wine must be savored slowly to appreciate its flavors. Rushing like this, you won’t get to enjoy it!"

Wu En, the leader of the grassland negotiators, swallowed hard, waved his hand, and signaled his men to step back.

Though reluctant, his men eventually retreated.

Only then did Song Chongjin signal his attendant to bring out the porcelain cups and slowly pour the clear wine into them.

The room was filled with the alluring fragrance of the wine.

Each cup was filled to eight-tenths full, arranged into two rows.

With a simple gesture of invitation from Song Chongjin, the men from the grasslands lunged forward like starving tigers, grabbing a cup each.

They first held the cup to their noses, carefully inhaling the aroma, while the impatient ones downed it all at once.

The wine appeared clear but was fiery, burning a path down the throat and spreading warmth throughout their bodies.

"Good wine!" the grassland men couldn’t help but exclaim in praise.

Hearing this, the others could no longer restrain themselves and also threw back their heads, drinking it all in one go.

"So strong!"

"So potent!"

...

Soon, the room echoed with praises.

Some cunning ones noticed that the officials from Great Chu weren’t in a hurry to take the remaining cups and tried to sneak a cup to taste the flavor once more.

They knew this wine was strong and spicy! But it was such a shame there was so little of it; just a small cup was gone in one gulp, leaving just a hint of flavor...

Not only did it leave them unsatisfied, but it also ignited their thirst for more, increasingly harder to suppress.

The officials from Great Chu, though some weren’t fond of drinking or couldn’t endure such strong liquor, seeing the grassland men so eager for the wine, naturally wouldn’t give up their share easily.

Each displayed extraordinary agility, clutching their own cup. Even if they didn’t drink, just sniffing it was enough.

As for Wu En and Bayin, having tasted the fine wine brought by Song Chongjin, if not for a sliver of rationality remaining, they might have clung to Song Chongjin’s leg, begging to return to Great Chu with him.

Before tasting it, hearsay was just that. After all, they had not experienced it themselves, no matter how enticing the legends; it was just a dream.

Having tasted it today, they couldn’t let it go. From now on, even mare’s milk wine would seem tasteless. How would they bear the future?

With such thoughts, they began to understand their ancestors’ nostalgia for the fine wines, foods, clothes, and beauties of Great Chu.

The entire room was filled with the aromatic scent, clouding their thoughts; who could focus on negotiations?

Another day wasted.

Before they left, the grassland negotiators, feeling more familiar than yesterday and seeing Song Chongjin had brought them fine wine again,

followed the grassland custom that drinking fine wine made them friends.

As they were now friends, they felt no restraint and eagerly asked Song Chongjin where his clothes were made, exclaiming how incredibly stylish they were! They wanted to have outfits made too, and by the time the grassland’s biggest festival, the Naadam Festival, came around, they’d surely be the most striking lads on the grassland.

When they turned around in front of the girl they fancied, they were sure to catch her eye!

Song Chongjin, though unaware of the grassland men’s plans, understood their customs well enough.

He knew on the grasslands, both men and women loved to wear the grandest, most colorful, and flamboyant clothes during festivals.

In just a few months, the biggest festival, the Naadam Festival, would arrive.

All the young men and women would seize this opportunity to dance, race horses, shoot arrows, and lasso horses, showcasing their skills to win the attention of their beloved.

Looking at the delegation from the grasslands, though they seemed mature, Song Chongjin knew it was the harsh wind and sun aging their appearance, but they were actually still very young.

It was unclear why the grasslands sent such a young team for negotiations.

Two days had passed, yet no progress in negotiations; it was either talks of clothing or fine wine.

Song Chongjin’s eyes glinted, a faint smile on his lips: "These clothes, made by my wife at the most renowned Jinxiu Store in the Capital City. Their clothing is always luxurious, with exquisite materials. The families of high officials in the Capital City favor their garments!"

This sent Wu En and Bayin into a daydream.

Meanwhile, the officials on Song Chongjin’s side suppressed laughter, realizing he was tricking them. In the Capital City, the more prestigious the family, the less likely they’d make clothes outside their estate.

Noble families had their own sewing rooms, with all clothes handmade by their embroideresses.

Only young ladies and wives liked to follow trends with new styles from famous tailoring shops. Otherwise, they feared being seen as old-fashioned.

But everyday clothes at home were the maid’s task.

Besides, outfits like what Song Chongjin wore today weren’t for ordinary occasions.

Normally, officials wore uniforms, and at home, only regular clothes. Wearing such clothing outside wasn’t for attending banquets but making a statement.

A man didn’t need to dress flamboyantly like a peacock, overshadowing everyone else, unlike women.

If a man dressed like this, people would probably mock him. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Yet, few could wear such flashy clothes as Song Chongjin did and exude such an air of authority.

They looked at the grassland men, recognizing their sturdy builds from years on horseback. Yet imagining them in such clothing, with their bearded faces, they’d resemble a row of nouveau riche.

Some clothes in this world don’t just demand a good figure; they require the right face!

But, at the moment, they certainly wouldn’t explain this to the grasslanders; instead, they all nodded in agreement.

Someone even remarked, "I think you gentlemen have a similar build as Lord Song here. Wearing such clothes, you’d surely look just as dignified as him!"

Wu En and Bayin’s fingers twitched eagerly, itching to strip Song Chongjin of his clothes.

Yet, a nondescript-looking man in the back coughed, commanding enough respect from Wu En and Bayin to let out a laugh, exchange a few words, and take their leave.