Year 45 Month 13 Arc 4-6
"I have fear of many things, but not that," Ling Qi said thoughtfully. "I suppose that's another difference. "Even at your lowest, you knew how high the heavens were, how many tiers there were on that mountain."
"And you did not? I don't see…"
"When I roomed with your lady in the Sect, she was the one to tell me who the duchess of my own province was," Ling Qi interrupted, amused by the memory. "It was needed to explain why my lady Cai Renxiang was important you see."
He stared blankly at her, teeth clicking together as he closed his mouth, cutting off whatever he had planned to say next. "What."
"Exactly," she chuckled. "So no, at the start I was terrified of everything, because there wasn;t a single person who couldn't easily snuff me out. But… I suppose if you are afraid of everything it can work out to seeming like your afraid of nothing. It's certainly what let me approach your lady at the beginning."
He rubbed his forehead, still looking as if every word she spoke pained him in a new and interesting way. She wasn't usually the sort to be amused by that, but she couldn't hold back a chuckle.
"I suppose if one is too ignorant, all nuances fade into one distant cloud of terror," he admitted grudgingly.
"I notice you don't deny my other judgement."
He scowled. "What use would there be in that, you've seen enough that no lie could convince you otherwise. So yes. That is… the point of us, those who occupy the middle of the mountain. Who must listen to great spirits and great nobles alike. To preserve the comfortable ignorance of those below. Or do you let your fisherman look directly into the eyes of your lake spirit."
"It would break them, so obviously not," Ling Qi said, frowning now herself. "But I do not know that I like your framing of it, as a preservation of ignorance."
"And what else is it? Obviously the world is not perfect, nor are the lives of mortals, but that is at the least, the ideal. What possible good could come from having those above us wander through their fragile world of glass, shattering things with an errant step. Mortals may be cruel in their own ways but reach is no minor trait."
"I'll grant you that… It is true that spirits… and Sovereign cultivators are best dealt with through intermediaries.. But there are many small rites which the mortals of Shenglu perform for the lake. This is not direct, but they are aware of the spirit of Snowblossom, and she of them.."
"At a distance. A man pays his taxes, it does not mean he wishes to look the serpent who tallys the years total in the eye," Xia Anxi snorted.
"Maybe not," Ling Qi allowed. "But… I think for humans, even those who will grow to be sovereigns… I think not knowing mortals, at least a little is a mistake if you intend to rule," Ling Qi said. "People say that higher cultivators are more like spirits at times but… I don't know that this is really true, at least not for those who haven't reached the final stage."
Even Xia Ren had some humanity too her. It was the pride and the contempt which fueled those flames, to some degree as much as the more spirit-like drive to render all down into the material for the next stage of progress.
"That is.. Not untrue, the greater spirits of sea and current are… difficult in ways that even higher realms are not, but that is more a difference of type rather than kind."
"That could be," but I think we've wandered off. One would think you simply like talking to me, Xia Anxi."
"Your thoughts are are a baffling puzzle, I'm afraid I've always had a weakness for such things," he sniffed. Setting his hands on the meditation stone, he levered himself up and stood.
"As you wish. I hope you've at least accepted that I'm not plotting against you," Ling Qi snorted, hopping to her feet herself, a brief breeze kicking up to scatter the few grains of sand that had caught on Qiyi's hem.
"Not in the way I was thinking. I had some concerns that Lady Bai was attempting to play matchmaker, but it seems that is not the intent."
"What." Ling Qi said.
Now he was the one walking away without answering. That wasn't right at all!
"I will need to you to explain that," Ling Qi said, not bothering to walk the distance he'd opened up, simply materializing in step with him.
"Hmph, that's what gets you out of sorts? Incomprehensible," Xia Anxi snorted. "It was only a jest.You made a similar one yourself!"
She glared at him, searching. That was mostly true, but it didn't feel entirely true. Was Meizhen up to something?
She was going to have to interrogate her later, when the opportunity arose. "...Fair enough. Do you have an idea of where you want to go next?"
"I think I should like to see the business of some of your painters, I'm told Lady Bai may want some new decor for her rooms at the Embassy. A reminder of her victories."
Ah, well if she knew Meizhen, it might be a little difficult finding a painter willing to show the heir of the Sun in humiliating defeat, but she supposed they could give it a try. "In that case, we should take the the east twigward exit from this district, do you have a specific idea of what Lady Bai might be looking for?
"A number of portraits as I understand it. I've been given a list…"
"Triumph over the Sun?"
"Oh no, She's already commissioned that one from an artist in the Lakes. But she does wish to show support for our allies with some other pieces."
"Oh good," Ling Qi sighed. "I'm glad lady Bai is so considerate."
"Naturally," Xia Anxi said airly. The glow of the furnaces was fading behind them, the faint ash scent of the air clearing up as they reached the outskirts. "It is not as if any but a Bai could give such a scene its proper treatment."
"I don't doubt," Ling Qi replied dryly. She turned her head, looking at him over her shoulder consideringly. "Xia Anxi, you still have a question on your mind, I think."
His lips twitched downward into a frown. "So? I need not speak every thought that crosses my mind. Regardless of how I might seem after that little chat."
"You don't," Ling Qi agreed. "From here, we should take the second trunkward twig further west, then proceed twigward down the main branch from there. The painters of Xiangmen aren't centralized, but the district at the end is home to several well known painters. I'm told they all have a bit of a rivalry so they always have new work on display, to compete with each other."
"Talent sharpens talent, I suppose," Xia Anxi said dubiously. "But it seems a bit gauche to flaunt a rivalry so publicly."
"How could one judge the quality of art without an audience?" Ling Qi shrugged. "So far as I know the neighborhood is quite fond of it."
"I suppose." Xia Anxi said. He was frowning again though. She didn't say anything this time. She could tell further prodding wouldn't be helpful.
They proceeded out from the industrial district leaving the whorling vortex carrying pollution beyond the canopy, traveling along the wide branch boulevard. The homes and businesses here boarding the industrial district where among the least ostentatious in Xiangmen… from a certain perspective. They lacked the open flaunting of wealth which filled much of the cloud district but… You could tell this was the home of craftsfolk. There a cast iron bench in a small front garden, its seat arranged as the spread wings of a bird. There a window of red glass, a fiery tribute to the zenith sun in colored panes, here an arrangement of garden flowers shaped into a cipher of courtly characters spelling out the lines of a poem…
She blinked, turned her head to stair and coughed into her hand. Her cheeks flushed That was… vivid.
She hoped the 'courting' between that person and their neighbor went well…?
"Just what are you staring at? It's certainly an intricate garden, but I see nothing special," Xia Anxi asked.
"I was thinking about how the wealthier parts of the Cloud District are more conforming despite their great shows of wealth, the decor is much more unique here."
"I suppose. These craftsmen are well off, but they do not need to keep up with the fashions and trends of court," Xia Anxi said, shrugging. "It is as I said, those under the close scrutiny of rulers must be the most careful."
"One must be careful not to offend when performing a rite, but ones whole life can't be like that," Ling Qi groused.
"You never know when eyes will fall upon you. Authority is by necessity a harsh thing."
"Is it by necessity?" Ling Qi wondered. "It seems to me most people will do the same things day after day without needing to be kicked to keep it up, if that day to day is comfortable."
"Most will, but assuming all is only asking for challenges and chaos to ensue," Xia Anxi sniffed. "Which will only make things worse for everyone."
"So be harsh today so that there need not be worse tomorrow?" Ling Qi asked dubiously. "I think that seems a little circular, or at least self fulfilling."
"This I think is where I truly do not understand you. Power is cruel by its nature. Its exercise is violence. Rulers cannot be 'kind' by definition. Presenting such a face only incites the ambitious to take advantage of weakness, and it is a lie to the ones beneath you who must now guess at the line where the silk fan snaps shut and reveals the blade, rather than having certainty in their authority," Xia Anxi said, frustration creeping into his voice.
"I see, you're not really entirely thinking of me here," Ling Qi stated plainly. "Though I do confuse you."
"I did not think I would need to be so crude in making my point, when your insight is so clear," Xia Anxi said. "But fine, what is that my Lady Bai wants from me. You clearly know her mind well. Better than I. What is she trying to instill in me with this… soft touch she uses."
Ling Qi sighed, glancing up at the pale green canopy so far overhead.
"I think…"
[ ] She wants insights into how the ones below her rank think and are. Lady Cai has taught her some things of administration, and in that imperious distance is a sin.
[ ] She wants trust. I spoiled her in some ways, I think. I've seen how she's worked on Xiao Fen. It's important for her to know you, so that she can trust you with more important things.
"And you did not? I don't see…"
"When I roomed with your lady in the Sect, she was the one to tell me who the duchess of my own province was," Ling Qi interrupted, amused by the memory. "It was needed to explain why my lady Cai Renxiang was important you see."
He stared blankly at her, teeth clicking together as he closed his mouth, cutting off whatever he had planned to say next. "What."
"Exactly," she chuckled. "So no, at the start I was terrified of everything, because there wasn;t a single person who couldn't easily snuff me out. But… I suppose if you are afraid of everything it can work out to seeming like your afraid of nothing. It's certainly what let me approach your lady at the beginning."
He rubbed his forehead, still looking as if every word she spoke pained him in a new and interesting way. She wasn't usually the sort to be amused by that, but she couldn't hold back a chuckle.
"I suppose if one is too ignorant, all nuances fade into one distant cloud of terror," he admitted grudgingly.
"I notice you don't deny my other judgement."
He scowled. "What use would there be in that, you've seen enough that no lie could convince you otherwise. So yes. That is… the point of us, those who occupy the middle of the mountain. Who must listen to great spirits and great nobles alike. To preserve the comfortable ignorance of those below. Or do you let your fisherman look directly into the eyes of your lake spirit."
"It would break them, so obviously not," Ling Qi said, frowning now herself. "But I do not know that I like your framing of it, as a preservation of ignorance."
"And what else is it? Obviously the world is not perfect, nor are the lives of mortals, but that is at the least, the ideal. What possible good could come from having those above us wander through their fragile world of glass, shattering things with an errant step. Mortals may be cruel in their own ways but reach is no minor trait."
"I'll grant you that… It is true that spirits… and Sovereign cultivators are best dealt with through intermediaries.. But there are many small rites which the mortals of Shenglu perform for the lake. This is not direct, but they are aware of the spirit of Snowblossom, and she of them.."
"At a distance. A man pays his taxes, it does not mean he wishes to look the serpent who tallys the years total in the eye," Xia Anxi snorted.
"Maybe not," Ling Qi allowed. "But… I think for humans, even those who will grow to be sovereigns… I think not knowing mortals, at least a little is a mistake if you intend to rule," Ling Qi said. "People say that higher cultivators are more like spirits at times but… I don't know that this is really true, at least not for those who haven't reached the final stage."
Even Xia Ren had some humanity too her. It was the pride and the contempt which fueled those flames, to some degree as much as the more spirit-like drive to render all down into the material for the next stage of progress.
"That is.. Not untrue, the greater spirits of sea and current are… difficult in ways that even higher realms are not, but that is more a difference of type rather than kind."
"That could be," but I think we've wandered off. One would think you simply like talking to me, Xia Anxi."
"Your thoughts are are a baffling puzzle, I'm afraid I've always had a weakness for such things," he sniffed. Setting his hands on the meditation stone, he levered himself up and stood.
"As you wish. I hope you've at least accepted that I'm not plotting against you," Ling Qi snorted, hopping to her feet herself, a brief breeze kicking up to scatter the few grains of sand that had caught on Qiyi's hem.
"Not in the way I was thinking. I had some concerns that Lady Bai was attempting to play matchmaker, but it seems that is not the intent."
"What." Ling Qi said.
Now he was the one walking away without answering. That wasn't right at all!
"I will need to you to explain that," Ling Qi said, not bothering to walk the distance he'd opened up, simply materializing in step with him.
"Hmph, that's what gets you out of sorts? Incomprehensible," Xia Anxi snorted. "It was only a jest.You made a similar one yourself!"
She glared at him, searching. That was mostly true, but it didn't feel entirely true. Was Meizhen up to something?
She was going to have to interrogate her later, when the opportunity arose. "...Fair enough. Do you have an idea of where you want to go next?"
"I think I should like to see the business of some of your painters, I'm told Lady Bai may want some new decor for her rooms at the Embassy. A reminder of her victories."
Ah, well if she knew Meizhen, it might be a little difficult finding a painter willing to show the heir of the Sun in humiliating defeat, but she supposed they could give it a try. "In that case, we should take the the east twigward exit from this district, do you have a specific idea of what Lady Bai might be looking for?
"A number of portraits as I understand it. I've been given a list…"
"Triumph over the Sun?"
"Oh no, She's already commissioned that one from an artist in the Lakes. But she does wish to show support for our allies with some other pieces."
"Oh good," Ling Qi sighed. "I'm glad lady Bai is so considerate."
"Naturally," Xia Anxi said airly. The glow of the furnaces was fading behind them, the faint ash scent of the air clearing up as they reached the outskirts. "It is not as if any but a Bai could give such a scene its proper treatment."
"I don't doubt," Ling Qi replied dryly. She turned her head, looking at him over her shoulder consideringly. "Xia Anxi, you still have a question on your mind, I think."
His lips twitched downward into a frown. "So? I need not speak every thought that crosses my mind. Regardless of how I might seem after that little chat."
"You don't," Ling Qi agreed. "From here, we should take the second trunkward twig further west, then proceed twigward down the main branch from there. The painters of Xiangmen aren't centralized, but the district at the end is home to several well known painters. I'm told they all have a bit of a rivalry so they always have new work on display, to compete with each other."
"Talent sharpens talent, I suppose," Xia Anxi said dubiously. "But it seems a bit gauche to flaunt a rivalry so publicly."
"How could one judge the quality of art without an audience?" Ling Qi shrugged. "So far as I know the neighborhood is quite fond of it."
"I suppose." Xia Anxi said. He was frowning again though. She didn't say anything this time. She could tell further prodding wouldn't be helpful.
They proceeded out from the industrial district leaving the whorling vortex carrying pollution beyond the canopy, traveling along the wide branch boulevard. The homes and businesses here boarding the industrial district where among the least ostentatious in Xiangmen… from a certain perspective. They lacked the open flaunting of wealth which filled much of the cloud district but… You could tell this was the home of craftsfolk. There a cast iron bench in a small front garden, its seat arranged as the spread wings of a bird. There a window of red glass, a fiery tribute to the zenith sun in colored panes, here an arrangement of garden flowers shaped into a cipher of courtly characters spelling out the lines of a poem…
She blinked, turned her head to stair and coughed into her hand. Her cheeks flushed That was… vivid.
She hoped the 'courting' between that person and their neighbor went well…?
"Just what are you staring at? It's certainly an intricate garden, but I see nothing special," Xia Anxi asked.
"I was thinking about how the wealthier parts of the Cloud District are more conforming despite their great shows of wealth, the decor is much more unique here."
"I suppose. These craftsmen are well off, but they do not need to keep up with the fashions and trends of court," Xia Anxi said, shrugging. "It is as I said, those under the close scrutiny of rulers must be the most careful."
"One must be careful not to offend when performing a rite, but ones whole life can't be like that," Ling Qi groused.
"You never know when eyes will fall upon you. Authority is by necessity a harsh thing."
"Is it by necessity?" Ling Qi wondered. "It seems to me most people will do the same things day after day without needing to be kicked to keep it up, if that day to day is comfortable."
"Most will, but assuming all is only asking for challenges and chaos to ensue," Xia Anxi sniffed. "Which will only make things worse for everyone."
"So be harsh today so that there need not be worse tomorrow?" Ling Qi asked dubiously. "I think that seems a little circular, or at least self fulfilling."
"This I think is where I truly do not understand you. Power is cruel by its nature. Its exercise is violence. Rulers cannot be 'kind' by definition. Presenting such a face only incites the ambitious to take advantage of weakness, and it is a lie to the ones beneath you who must now guess at the line where the silk fan snaps shut and reveals the blade, rather than having certainty in their authority," Xia Anxi said, frustration creeping into his voice.
"I see, you're not really entirely thinking of me here," Ling Qi stated plainly. "Though I do confuse you."
"I did not think I would need to be so crude in making my point, when your insight is so clear," Xia Anxi said. "But fine, what is that my Lady Bai wants from me. You clearly know her mind well. Better than I. What is she trying to instill in me with this… soft touch she uses."
Ling Qi sighed, glancing up at the pale green canopy so far overhead.
"I think…"
[ ] She wants insights into how the ones below her rank think and are. Lady Cai has taught her some things of administration, and in that imperious distance is a sin.
[ ] She wants trust. I spoiled her in some ways, I think. I've seen how she's worked on Xiao Fen. It's important for her to know you, so that she can trust you with more important things.
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