Chapter 20: Not Bought for Herself

Chenxue stopped after a few more steps in the middle of the crowded street, between a chestnut stall and a pawnshop. Qiutang nearly walked into her.

“You were the one who told me to look,” Chenxue said solemnly, turning around. “I only looked briefly. Since I’ve seen it and it seems decent, I’ll buy it. Then you can’t keep saying I’m too picky to like anything.”

Qiutang ran through everything she had just said and confirmed she had never suggested looking at a scabbard. In eight years serving the Yu Estate, her most important survival skill had been knowing when to speak the truth and when to keep quiet.

“Yes, yes. I did say it! With your excellent eye, Miss, it would be a shame to miss it.” Her sincerity was flawless.

Satisfied, Chenxue lifted her skirt and turned back, walking with untroubled composure. She even bought a bag of roasted chestnuts on the way.

The seller was crouched over the scabbard, muttering that no one recognized quality. When the pale-purple figure returned, he sprang up smiling. “Miss, you’re back! The price I mentioned…”

“The price you called out: one hundred and fifty. I’ll take it.”

His smile froze. He had called after her, but she hadn’t looked back, and he had assumed the sale was lost. Now that she had returned, he regretted not holding firm at two hundred.

“Miss!” He picked up the scabbard, reluctant to hand it over. “I really lose money at that price. I paid more for it myself. Look at the silver, the lining, the sandalwood…”

“You called out one hundred and fifty yourself. The whole street heard.” Chenxue pointed to the chestnut seller. “He heard.” She pointed to the drowsy pawnshop assistant. “And he heard. Are you going back on your word?”

The chestnut seller, enjoying the spectacle with a spatula in hand, quickly nodded. “I heard. One hundred and fifty, clear as day.” The pawnshop assistant hadn’t heard a thing, but unwilling to miss the fun, he vaguely agreed as well.

The seller’s face grew more miserable. He considered protesting, then looked at the scabbard and at Chenxue, whose expression promised she would loudly call him a cheat if he said another word. Gritting his teeth, he thrust it into her hands.

“A loss, a loss,” he muttered, accepting and weighing the bag of spirit stones from Qiutang. “A real loss.”

The sandalwood felt warm and solid in Chenxue’s hands, even more appealing than during her quick look at the stall. Close up, the soft lining smelled faintly of pine resin. Her mouth curved. “Come on, let’s go home.” Holding the scabbard to her chest, she set off toward the estate with a light step.

Qiutang followed with the parcels, watching it. Purple sandalwood and silver were understated and expensive, unlike anything her mistress would buy for herself. Her jewelry box held gold, silver, jade, and bright things; she had never favored such a restrained style.