I wonder if they know what happened now? Or if she just vanished off their radar along with a chunk of the brothels workers a couple months later?
-and if they do know, if they are expecting retaliation? Drafting up letters of support, consulting laws, beefing up security and preparing contingencies in the event that Qingge strikes back with her new resources.
They know
something happened, though to what degree is unclear
After Ling Qingge started receiving money from Ling Qi the Liu caught wind of her sudden influx of silver, despite Qingge's attempts to be careful
They tried sending Loan Sharks after her which prompted Qingge to reach out to Qi for help
Qi had a word with CRX, who helped her pen a letter to the appropriate Ministry and attached her personal note saying she'd like the matter taken care of to it
The next time the Loan Sharks arrived they found the Senior Judge Magistrate for the entire central region reviewing Qingge's case
Ling Qi,
It seems you have grown a great deal. I can easily recall the days when you had no eyes for anything outside your obsession of the day. It seems your Sect has done what I never could, or perhaps it was the time in between? I apologize if my words seem terse, but you did request that I be candid.
Biyu and I are well, I did not lie, your gifts are enough for us to live in comfort, and even allow the occasional luxury. However, things are rarely so simple in Tonghou. I suppose you can imagine that I did not come to my position of my own will. I would not burden you with the details in a letter, but suffice to say that your old mother has few friends.
My previous occupation was the only one which would accept me, despite, if I may be so prideful as to say, my at least passable skills in some fields. That is an old complaint though, and not one which bears revisiting. It relates however to current troubles. A number of creditors have begun to darken my doorstep of late, speaking of debts unpaid. While I will not say that I never borrowed, I am quite certain that it was never so much.
You recall my efforts to teach you your numbers I am sure, perhaps less than fondly. I am not so lax as to make so many errors. I… still hesitate to say this, as perhaps some small pride remains to me, but it would be somewhat helpful if the Ministry of Law could be made to bear an interest in a poor old woman, if only for a short time.
"It is an understandable trouble for a novice," the heiress replied as they moved toward the entrance. "I will send this on the morrow, with my recommendation attached, if you would like, I will review any response with you when it arrives."
Ling Qi, I trust that you do not speak in jest. I… have trouble accepting your words, even knowing this. Yet I cannot deny that recent events have shown that you are able to call on resources unimaginable to me.
When a an elderly gentleman arrived at my doorstep, wearing the uniform of an arbitrator, I felt some hope I admit. He was very kind and patient, reviewing my case with utmost care, yet still I worried that it would not be enough.
Then those loathsome men arrived, and upon a word from my elderly guest hurled themselves to the floor in kowtow. I… was somewhat nonplussed. While I do not profess to fully understand the conversation that transpired then, but I understood the title they referred to him by. What in the world did you do to bring the Senior Judge-Magistrate for the entire central region to the outermost district of Tonghou?
I feel that we need to speak to one another face to face, so I will accept the invitation. While I would never consider leaving the city in a normal situation… I have no further doubts about the safety of any transport.
It will be good to see you again. Ink and paper is well and good, but seeing my daughter's face once again will do my heart well, I think.
Ling Qingge
I don't think the Liu are aware of the specifics, but that after a flex like that the Liu probably know that something weird has happened to drastically improve Qingge's lot in life
And if they spent some resources poking around then they might have the general outline (daughter is a cultivator and the direct vassal of Cai Renxiang)
Qingge might not be interested.
Ling Qi on the other hand...
Ling Qi isn't much for grudges
She's consistently not cared about holding grudges against people because she largely sees it as pointless
It's why she didn't care about Huang Da or his fiance, or Fan Yu, or Kang Zihao, or Chu Song
Meizhen had to convince her to care more about Yan Renshu
Ling Qi isn't really the type that holds onto resentment, her "revenge" tends to be progressing to the point where she's so far above her former enemies that she just forgets about them entirely
She cares a lot about
active threats mind, but the Liu have no ability to threaten her or her family currently
