Minister Shen sweat more profusely. 'He was only a small minster ah! What was he thinking?! He can't afford to offend even a servant of a power like Lavender Palace!' He looked to his side and his gaze sharpened as he glared at the girl still sitting there looking like a fool. 'Stupid girl! It's all her fault! If she had more talent he wouldn't have resorted to this and possibly offended Lavender Palace! Why isn't she saying anything?! She should prove her worth so I can sell her for more! Useless thing!' He clenched his fist as he restrained himself from pummeling the useless girl. Not only would it be a bad impression, it would damage the goods, giving Manager Sung an excuse to offer an even lower price.
In fact, even if he hadn't came to Lavender Palace first, it wouldn't have mattered. Due to it's novelty and superior management, Lavender Palace had obtained, not only fame, but also power with it's quick rise. Now, it had a virtual monopoly on most red light districts, especially true for the capital of Nang Zhou, it's headquarters. If Lavender Palace wanted her, they merely had to ask, and they'd be gifted with her. In other words, even if Minister Shen had sold her to another brothel in the capital, she still would've been under Lavender Palace's control. Furthermore, both Manager Sung and Shen Tianyu knew of the other reasons the Minister decided on visiting Lavender Palace first. First, if anyone criticizes him, he can act righteous about selling her here directly. After all, it was no secret that Lavender Palace's Master was an eccentric lover of women and had ordered women in his brothels to be treated with proper respect, even by customers. Lavender Palace was a great power and had many talented guards. Not even the royal family would dare to offend them unless they were forced to, much less some mere nobles. Therefore, most customers followed this rule. Secondly, if Minister Shen Chiang could sell his daughter here, he could still use her. If she could obtain favor with the Palace Master, he would have the Lavender Palace's backing. By then, ascending in political ranks would be a breeze. Even if the Palace Master refused to help him, his daughter would meet many noblemen when serving customers. He could use her to strengthen his connections that way also.
Manager Sung leaned back on his couch. "Hmph! You are questioning my intelligence! With so many offenses, I should lower the price even more!"
Minister Shen started bowing as he sat. "Please, forgive this little one. I really didn't mean what I said! I was merely worried for the girl so I had said those things out of anxiousness! Please don't put any meaning into those words!"
Manager Sung harrumphed in his heart. 'Hmph, you are certainly anxious, but not about your daughter!'
"Manager Sung, please. She's such a beauty! On account of her beauty, could you please raise your price?" Shen Chiang continued to bargain shamelessly.
"2,000 silver taels no more! You should be glad we're paying so much for a trash! This is already the highest price for her beauty! You can try to sell her elsewhere, but you'll definitely not get anything close!"
Shen Chiang sighed. even if there was a brothel willing to pay more, they couldn't escape Lavender Palace. If they didn't offer a lesser price, they might be forced to close. Under such circumstances, who would dare offend Lavender Palace for a mere trash with only beauty?
"Alright... 2,000 silver taels it is..." Shen Chaing agreed. 'Anyways, I can get more than my money's worth later on...'