Beauty, Power and Intrigue Chapter 24

Tao Ding: The character “Tao” was not originally his surname, but rather indicated an occupation, meaning “the potter named Ding.” However, this does not necessarily mean he was absolutely a potter. Tao Ding was born into a family of potters, and his ancestors were all skilled in pottery, so they took Tao as their surname.

Artisans, in a society with such low productivity, held relatively high status. Highly skilled artisans were even sought after by various states, especially blacksmiths who could make weapons.

Little was known about Song Chuyi’s character, but it was said that she advocated Confucianism. Moreover, since most artisans were simple and unpretentious people, one could roughly guess her general personality.

In fact, Song Chuyi could have served as an envoy of Wey to pay respects to Lord Ti Cheng of Song, but given that Lord Ti Cheng of Song was lustful and irascible, Song Chuyi would not have dared to disturb him at night even if she had ten heads.

Tao Ding was a senior official of Song. By simply asking a few people along the way, she easily found his residence.

Song Chuyi stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a short while, an old man opened the door, poked his head out, briefly sized up Song Chuyi and his companions, and asked, “Might I ask why the three of you have come at dusk?”

“Elder, forgive the intrusion. Is this the residence of Senior Official Tao Ding?” Song Chuyi still confirmed.

“It is indeed,” the old man replied.

Song Chuyi clasped her hands in salute and said, “I am an envoy of Wey, sent by the Marquis of Wey on a mission to your state. I have important matters to discuss with Official Tao. I would trouble you, elder, to announce my arrival on my behalf.”

Hearing this, the old man immediately said, “Please wait a moment.”

With that, he closed the door again.

After about five minutes, the old man opened the door again. “Please enter.”

Song Chuyi entered the gate and saw a middle-aged man in plain clothes waiting below the steps. Seeing the three of them come in, with two strong men following behind who were clearly guards, he did not pay them much attention. Instead, with an expression of disbelief, he looked at Song Chuyi and said, “You are the envoy of Wey?”

The middle-aged man was thin and short, not much taller than Song Chuyi. His features were regular enough, but his cheeks were slightly sunken and his cheekbones protruded, giving his face a rather proud and aloof appearance, just like his tone.

“Indeed,” Song Chuyi answered with a slight smile.

The middle-aged man sneered, “Has Wey no one left? To actually send a wet-behind-the-ears boy here.”

Song Chuyi stepped down from the door steps and looked at him with a smiling face. “I have long known that Song is a land of outstanding people and great talent. It once produced Confucius, Mozi, Zhuangzi, and Huizi. Half of the great scholars in the world came from Song. I have also heard that Official Tao is a great Confucian of his generation. I admire you immensely.”

Though the middle-aged man’s expression did not change, a hint of pride appeared in his eyes.

“However, meeting you today, I suddenly understand…” Song Chuyi raised an eyebrow slightly, her voice slow and cold, “why Song, despite having produced so many sages, has still fallen from one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period to its current state.”

These were extremely harsh words. It was practically a questioning of the middle-aged man’s character, conduct, and ability due to his rudeness, as well as the character, conduct, and ability of everyone in Song.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man’s expression changed drastically, and he was on the verge of losing his temper. But Song Chuyi had also dragged Tao Ding into it. If he exploded now, Song Chuyi might very well question Tao Ding’s moral character as well. As a disciple, he did not dare casually disgrace his teacher’s reputation, so he had no choice but to endure again and again, then bowed deeply to Song Chuyi. “I judged others by their appearance and was rude to the envoy. It truly shows a lack of cultivation. I beg your forgiveness.”

Song Chuyi’s attitude suddenly changed. With a face full of smiles, she reached out to help him up and said, “You are too serious. I know that you spoke this way because you saw that I am young and could not help but distrust me, and so you were testing me. I am also from Song. How could I casually demean and insult my own homeland? Please rise quickly, sir.”

The middle-aged man’s old face turned red. He gave a dry cough, yet still tacitly accepted Song Chuyi’s explanation. The way out she offered was simply too hard to refuse.

“Might I ask your honorable name, sir?” Song Chuyi asked politely.

Wu Chi’s attitude was much better than before. “I am Wu Chi, courtesy name Zixu.”

Both “Chi” and “Xu” carry the meaning of “to wait.”

Song Chuyi saluted and said, “I am Song Huaijin. I have the honor of meeting you, Master Zixu. I hope you will not blame you for my rude words earlier.”

Wu Chi had judged others by appearance and looked down on them first. Song Chuyi not only gave him a way out, but also treated him with such humility and courtesy. He too was someone who revered Confucian benevolence, righteousness, and propriety, so naturally he felt deeply ashamed in his heart, and thus treated Song Chuyi with even more warmth.

Ji Huan and Yun Ruo, who were following behind Song Chuyi, saw this scene and regained a bit of confidence in her.

Wu Chi led Song Chuyi and the others into the hall and said, “Please wait a moment, envoy. My teacher will arrive shortly.”

Song Chuyi clasped his hands and said, “I will trouble you, Master Zixu.”

“I dare not accept such courtesy.” Wu Chi looked at Song Chuyi once more. At this moment, he was reassessing Song Chuyi in his heart. From the moment she first entered, her behavior had been extremely composed, without the slightest bit of youthful frivolity or impatience. On reflection, although the Marquis of Wey had always been cowering, he was not necessarily incompetent. With thirty thousand troops trapped in Song, he would not fail to be cautious.

Wu Chi withdrew. Song Chuyi then found a mat and knelt down to rest. She had ridden on horseback all day, and her whole body felt as if it were about to be shaken apart.

Ji Huan stood behind Song Chuyi holding his sword. Looking down, he saw her sitting upright on her knees with her hands tucked into her sleeves, eyes closed in rest, no different from any other scholar. There was no way to tell at all that she was a woman. Thinking back, ever since she had entered Tao Ding’s gate, her entire bearing had become completely different, like a steady yet concealed sharp sword, giving him a feeling of an unstoppable momentum.

In fact, in her previous life, Song Chuyi’s attitude would have been more casual. Whether discussing serious matters or in private, she mostly wore the same appearance. But now her age made her seem too young and inexperienced. If she still carried herself with a cynical, irreverent air, she would be even less convincing. Wu Chi probably would have directly ordered someone to throw her out.

A light cough sounded, and Tao Ding walked in, his temple hair streaked with gray. He wore a light gray hemp robe, his graying hair loosely tied up. He was still tall and sturdy, looking more like a military general than a civil official. Perhaps because he was in his own residence and it was evening, Tao Ding had not worn a tall cap or fine clothes. This instead made his somewhat stern face appear a bit gentler.

Hearing the sound, Song Chuyi immediately rose to welcome him.

“Sir,” Song Chuyi bowed with clasped hands.

Although he had long heard from Wu Chi that Song Chuyi was young, seeing her still surprised him somewhat. But it was only for a moment before he returned to normal and slightly raised his hand, saying, “There is no need for excessive courtesy.”

Song Chuyi looked up and saw Tao Ding kneel down on the main seat, with Wu Chi kneeling behind him. Tao Ding had a tall, upright figure. Although Wu Chi was younger, the comparison only made Wu Chi look shabby and unimpressive.

“Please be seated,” Tao Ding said.

Song Chuyi thanked him and knelt upright.

A maid came in to serve tea. Tao Ding took a sip from his cup before saying, “Might I ask what brings you here?”

Clearly asking despite already knowing.

Song Chuyi said, “I have come regarding this war between Song and Wei.”

“Then there is no need to say more. Go back and tell the Marquis of Wey that Song will absolutely not let this matter rest,” Tao Ding said calmly.

Song Chuyi was not anxious either. She smiled slightly and said, “Setting aside my identity as an envoy, I am also a man of Song. Please forgive my bluntness, but even if Song refuses to let the matter rest, what can it do? Do you intend to borrow a route from Wei to start a war? I think Wei would certainly be willing to lend the route, but this war would inevitably drain Song’s vitality. The King of Wei would surely be delighted to see it happen. But by then, Song would likely be in grave danger.”

The territory of Wey was entirely enclosed within Wei. It was a state within a state. To attack it, no matter from which direction, one had to pass through Wei’s territory.

After Song Chuyi finished speaking, he calmly took a sip of tea.

Zhang Yi had said to cry and complain. Of course he had to cry and complain, but not to Tao Ding. Song Chuyi needed to save those tears to wail before Lord Ti Cheng of Song.