Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)

As you wish," Bao Qian, said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I will put my time toward mingling with the guests who require less individual attention then."

"Yes, please," Ling Qi replied, turning away from the windowsill. She hoped that this went well.

The area set for guests below the stage was an open floor with a high ceiling, surrounded by balconies where more people could stand or sit as they liked. Staff carrying trays with refreshments moved quietly too and fro, providing for the guests. Given the size of the hall, the number of people attending did seem kind of small to Ling Qi, there were at her count less than fifty people, not including staff and obvious bodyguards or personal servants.

She saw Bai Meizhen, seated in one of the front rows with her hands held patiently in her lap. A handful of brave if nervous looking young men and women seemed to be trying to engage her in conversation. Bao Qingling stood on one of the balconies above, leaning on the railing, putting off an unapproachable air.

They might have arrived together, but it looked like they were avoiding being too obvious away from the Sect. Ling Qi felt a pang of annoyance on Meizhen's behalf, but that was just how things were. Continuing to scan the crowd, Ling Qi heard Wang Chao's braying laugh. At least he was having fun boasting about his military assignments to a gaggle of lesser nobles.

Her lips quirked up when she heard him throwing in a comment praising her as well. Wang Chao was really unsubtle, but he was honest in his intentions at least. However, Ling Qi soon found what she was searching for. Seated in the rearmost of the seating, set against the back wall was an older woman whose bearing and aura stood out much from the young baronial scions milling about.

She wore a many layered gown of pale green and blue silk, which left not an inch of skin below her chin uncovered. Wide, billowing sleeves embroidered with falling leaves that danced animatedly across the fabric concealed her hands, and whorls of stylized water currents shifted and flowed across the lower hems. Meng Diu's face looked much the same as it had in her visit to the court of Xiangmen. She wore heavy stylized makeup that left her face nearly ghost white, with a spot of crimson color on her lips and darker colors around her eyes. Her honey-brown hair was done up in an elaborate bun and looping braids that framed her face.

Every time one of the other guests looked her way, their attention seemed to slide off of her like water from a duck's feathers. She tilted her head, meeting Ling Qi's eyes.

"See what I mean," Sixiang remarked.

Ling Qi hummed in agreement, and murmuring a short farewell to Bao Qian as they split up, began to work her way over toward the rear of the room. She smiled and greeted guests as she went, trying to remain welcoming while still advancing. Thankfully, she had gotten better at this, because no one seemed offended when she left them behind.

She had her suspicions about one particularly chatty boy, whose eyes had seemed to go a little glassy before he excused himself. As she approached the rear of the room however, the interruptions lessened, until at last no one seemed to notice her anymore.

"Lady Meng," Ling Qi said, stopping a respectful distance away and offering a formal bow, hands clasped in front of her chest. "I am incredibly honored that one such as you would choose to attend this small performance."

"It is an unusual event," Meng Diu replied, studying her. It was hard for Ling Qi to make out her eyes or expression, to her consternation there seemed to be an odd, blurry filter over her eyes. "Not many cultivators would see their honored companions perform for human amusement, even in these days."

Ah, there was the first thrust. "I am afraid that Hanyi was insistent," Ling Qi said, not raising her head. "Due to her lineage she is more human of mind than most. She wished to earn an allowance without straining this humble baroness' limited funds."

"Is that so?" asked Meng Diu. Up close, Ling Qi noticed, there was a faint melody in the air, a faint thing that spoke of autumn evenings and the song of crickets in the woodlands. "Unusual indeed. Do you intend to allow your spirit their own income? Many would look down upon you for this."

"While I will check her expenses, which is my duty as her elder sister under my former teacher, Hanyi's earnings will be her own," Ling Qi replied evenly. She would certainly play nice, and work to be more attentive, but on matters of family, she had no intention of bending.

Meng Diu hummed noncommittally. "Sit, young lady. I have no intention of straining my neck looking up at you."

Ling Qi blinked, the older woman's presence was large, a warm buzzing hum that seemed to hang oppressively over them. She only now realized that Meng Diu was not much taller than Li Suyin. "Of course, thank you Lady Meng," she replied, not missing a beat. Taking her seat beside Meng Diu, Ling Qi considered her next words carefully. "If I may, Lady Meng, what are your thoughts on recent events?"

"Concern," Meng Diu replied brusquely. Ling Qi couldn't tell if Lady Meng was turning her head to look at her or not. "Many matters are moving quickly. When matters move quickly, many lives are lost, one way or the other."

Ling Qi took a moment to digest that, drumming her fingers nervously on the arm rests. "Unfortunately, I believe the pacing may be out of our hands," she said carefully.

"The wheel turns ever on," Lady Meng said, and Ling Qi thought that was an agreement. Sixiang agreed with her assessment, which gave her some comfort. "Yet, all the same, I find some agreement with my brother. Certain elements are accelerating that turning."

This time, Ling Qi was able to follow her gaze across the room, to where Meizhen sat, chatting with a girl who seemed to have gotten over her aura.

This time, Ling Qi was quiet for some time, composing a reply in her head with the help of Sixiang. "Bai Meizhen has in my short time, ever been an ally. While I cannot speak for the past, I believe that the Bai, are in their own way seeking to move forward. While there will be troubles I am sure. I believe alliance is in the interest of Emerald Seas."

"I am certain you do," Meng Diu replied softly, her gaze fixed upon Meizhen. "Yet, individuals aside, you know little of the Bai clan, I suspect."

"I lack experience," Ling Qi replied humbly. If nothing else, perhaps she could understand more the source of conflict. "Would Lady Meng like to share an insight?"

"A small anecdote perhaps," Meng Diu mused. "During the rampage of Ogodei, my Grandfather reached out to the Bai in desperation, seeking to evacuate mortals and common cultivators from the flooding and raids. Our reply was silence."

Ling Qi was silent as she waited for Meng Diu to continue.

"Matters grew worse, the flooding from the storms drove the spirits of the fens mad," she said contemplatively. "My Uncle was sent north to beg for aid. There was none. The war worsened further, our armies were confined to the cities, lest the barbarians slip behind out lines to sack them. People fled north. At the borders of the thousand lakes, they were greeted with spearpoints and bolts. The Bai slew any who dared pass the boundaries, no matter how desperate their plight. After the rampage, they demanded reparations for the trespass."

Ling Qi nodded faintly. "That is cruel," she said carefully.

"I am not unobjective," Meng Diu said thoughtfully. "It was at least partly a matter of politics. The Hui were vehement about their sovereignty, and would have used their connections to the Court to cause troubles if the Bai had sent us aid. Yet the Bai are mighty, are they not? Certainly in those days before the rise of Sun Shao. Arrogance and apathy. Indeed, when the situation was reversed, and the folk of the Lakes flooded south from undefended settlements, the Bai did threaten us for the return of their people, and the Hui ordered the border closed. Ten thousand years and more, and I am to believe that they have changed now?" she sneered.

"Oh boy, not exactly an easy sell, huh?" Sixiang winced.

Ling Qi took another long moment to organize her thoughts. "I can't speak for past events, but I think the damage wrought on the Bai clan recently is without precedent. Their eldest and most powerful were slain in one terrible blow, and their power gutted. If there were to be any catalyst for change, would it not be that?"

Ling Qi wasn't entirely ignorant. She wasn't privy to the highest level of politics, but even she had picked up that the recent opening of the Thousand Lakes was, if not unprecedented at least highly unusual.

"A fair point," Meng Diu allowed, surprising her. "And there is prosperity to be found in trade, even if the Lakes returns to form at a later date. Yet, I am not unsympathetic to my kin, who remain wary of any opening. It is not only the Bai whom we fear."

"Thank you for your explanation, Lady Meng," Ling Qi said quietly. She wasn't sure what to do with it yet, but more knowledge was better than none. "I hope you will not take offense if I say that I hope my Lady and her Mother prove your fears incorrect."

Meng Diu let out a dry laugh. "Indeed, young lady, there is a reason we are speaking. You are an interesting one. You are small yet, but some few are beginning to notice you."

"I am flattered," Ling Qi replied warily. Worried, the actual word was worried.

"Hmph," It was clear what Meng Diu thought of her substitution. "I have an offer to make you."

"I would be honored to hear it," Ling Qi replied.

"I wish to have further investment in the young heiress," Meng Diu said bluntly. "I want to send one of my grandsons along on this expedition the Duchess has mandated. She has said that it is a matter of the heiress' choice. So I ask you to convince her. Given the chance, I believe that he will prove himself capable in the circle of retainers she is building."

Ling Qi's eyes widened. That was… a serious matter.

[] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
[] Decline, you can't afford to involve internal politics in something as delicate as diplomacy with an unknown faction.