Bao Qian shot her a dubious look. She felt like she should be a little offended on Hanyi's behalf, but that wasn't reasonable. "Ling Qi, below is an audience composed entirely of young men and women not beyond the third realm, drawn by our invitations and the novelty of the event, and in the rearmost seating there is a fifth realm who is the younger sister of a sitting Count."
The fact that the younger sister of a sitting count, and an indigo was the Meng representative to the Duchess court implies that there might actually be a none isolationist inclined faction in control. More importantly that faction likely sees a successful diplomatic attempt as a method for gaining leverage over the factions who are inclined to advocate isolationism out of fear of getting hurt by say the Bai, and it wouldn't surprise me if they have records from the Weilu about the people Not!Elsa hails from albeit rather outdated.
Well, when he put it like that.
Sixiang snorted in her head. "For what its worth, looking below, seems like she's deliberately avoiding spooking people. Seems like a lot of them haven't even noticed who she is."
That was… probably good?
"I'm not sure why she would be here," Ling Qi said slowly. "I mean, she seemed to approve of my arguments at court, but…"
Less the arguments themselves, and more the willingness by Ling Qi to argue in the face of inevitable pushback makes her an opportunity for a Meng faction who wants to build connections to get one with a direct retainer of CRX. Because that is a pipeline that would allow for access to results that would help prove those inclined to remain in isolation wrong.
Was that really it? Bao Qian nodded thoughtfully. "Regardless as the hosts, we should be mingling with the guests. That was my original reason for coming up here."
Ling Qi grimaced. Of course, she had been quietly hoping Bao Qian would take care of that and she could just chat with Meizhen until the performance started. Then after, Hanyi would hopefully be the center of attention.
Well, they had spent all of that time preparing Hanyi to hopefully make a good impression on the more traditional nobles. Maybe she should make use of that?
"If you would like, I can speak with her," Bao Qian offered. "I do have more experience with such individuals.
Hm. Well if somebody must greet her I think Ling Qi would be a better choice.
[] Take Bao Qian up on his offer, he will be better at avoiding offending a prickly noble.
This avoids risk, but it gives far lower chances of building any personal connection for LQ.
[] Let Bao Qian mingle with the other guests. Its very likely she is here for you
This seems likely given her seating location seems well suited for a quiet meeting, and well if she has something useful for the diplomatic attempt this seems the choice most likely to get it in a manner that builds a connection.
[] Wait, and let the performance play out first. It may improve her disposition.
Actually I'd expect proximity with Ling Qi during Hanyi's performance would give her far greater insight into who Ling Qi is for good, or ill I don't know though.
[X] Let Bao Qian mingle with the other guests. Its very likely she is here for you