"No, You're right Lady Cai, to begin with anything we dredge up should be studied with more urgency. If the capital would like access they can always order it later when they are ready," Ling Qi decided.
"Wonderful, I am sure my junior colleagues will be pleased to have more chances to earn merits, along with our sponsors in the Meng clan," Wu said, looking pleased. "Now, I do have some more technical details on the collaboration I could bring to your attention, if you'd like to begin Lady Cai…?"
"Yes, however, Ling Qi Meng Dan, you may resume your other duties. I wished for your council and attention on the larger questions," Renxiang said.
"Very well, shall I inform Gan Guangli when I see him next?" Ling Qi asked.
"I will see him first. He was only not here because his appointment with the Jia could not be altered on short notice," Renxiang replied.
Ling Qi gave a small bow, as did Meng Dan, and they took their leave as the telescope room unsealed.
Outside, heading down the stairs, Ling Qi glanced at her companion. "So, as one more informed about the celestial spheres, how concerned should I be exactly?"
"You should be quite terrified. It is likely that the sky will fall, clawed to ribbons from below as well as above," Meng Dan said pleasantly.
Ling Qi gave him an unimpressed look.
"Ah, you doubt I would hold my composure if it were so? Lady Ling wounds me."
"I would think less of you if I thought you were so detached," Ling Qi said dryly.
"Ah, that is also fair," Meng Dan said, smiling. "In truth, I don't know enough. There is something terribly dangerous in the south, but if our guests are here for this little talk they cannot find it too immediately concerning, no?"
"True. If I am to respect them as peers, I can't go assuming they've missed an immediate catastrophe brewing overhead," Ling Qi mused. She still wanted to know more if it could be related to that awful thing the Twelve Sky had backing them, or the smaller but still deadly threat in the south of their land.
"I think from the context we have sussed out that it is a matter they are long used too, even if the severity is waxing," meng Dan said. "Which is why I am not too troubled that I must talk my Uncle around on this. Thankfully he is enough of an academic himself that I am sure I can prevail with him… Though, would you care to meet with me over tea and hash out the details of our proposal, before months end?"
Ling Qi glanced his way, considering as they reached the bottom of the stairs. It was purely work, but she knew some part of her would have still backed away from it, given her realizations.
"Yes, once I have finished with the first ducal meeting, I'll send you a note with a time?"
"Wonderful. I'll be quite busy myself, so we may have to haggle a little ourselves," Meng Dan said, walking to the door with her.
"Maybe. We'll see how it works out. I'm sure the two of us can find a single hour to shake free
somewhere. Good Luck Meng Dan."
"I am not the one who must keep a meeting between our ducal guests calm and civil," Meng Dan Chuckled. "Please Lady Ling, you require all the good fortune here."
She smiled, inclining her head in acknowledgement and left the observatory behind.
***
Ling Qi was glad to see her best friend again, even if the situation didn't allow them to be as casual the way she might have liked. "Lady Bai. I am honored by your request for me to guide you to the meeting."
"It is nothing, Baroness. You are our allies' trusted retainer, it is only natural that we allow you to escort us," Bai Meizhen said cooly, but Ling Qi could detect her amusement. Here at the foot of the cloven mountain, the Bai had been waiting for her at the small square outside of their ambassador's housing. Xiao Fen was with Meizhen of course, lurking a step back from her Mistress seemingly looking at everyone and everything nearby at once.
She was sure it would be menacing, if Ling Qi had not seen the girl's expression scrunched up in frustration or embarrassment before. Xia Anxi was with her too. It looked like he'd finally given in to the climate, wearing a fine fur lined jacket instead of flowing robes. Meizhen and Xiao Fen's dresses were similar, a touch of thicker material, and color appropriate ruffs of fur at the hems and necklines.
"Nonetheless. I must also thank you for agreeing to the imposition of this meeting, and accepting my role as a mediator, speaking in my Lady's name."
"Of course, it is unfortunate that others have put their noses where they are not needed, but we understand that Lady Cai must make certain… accommodations," Bai Meizhen said. "Let us walk, Baroness."
"Yes, your understanding is most helpful," Ling Qi said, falling in beside them. She was glad that Meizhen was the one here. The Message coming from the Western Territories, saying that they
might be here for this was… rude, but not to the level she could call them out on."
"Has my retainer been of use to you?" Bai Meizhen.
"Lao Keung has been a great boon," Ling Qi said. "Things are still quiet at the lake, but he has freed all of us to focus here on the summit. How have your accommodations been here?"
"Acceptable, given the hasty nature of this construction. I heard there was some trouble earlier?"
"A minor construction accident, only minor injuries," Ling Qi said.
"This is why going from hard to soft negotiations is a poor idea, you will only confuse the spirits like that," Xia Anxi said lightly.
"Well, I won't say there are not some confusion in how we mean to go along," Ling Qi said. "It's being resolved though, and I must say I'm impressed by the observatory and its grounds. I think that will lend some value to this site no matter the results."
"It is a bold statement of confidence, in holding these lands," Bai Meizhen said, inclining her head.
"It's a shame I haven't had the chance to inspect it myself," Xia Anxi said.
"Mm, you are an astrologer, aren't you? I have been told they have already made some interesting observations on the night sky, even if it is mostly over my head," Ling Qi said. If the Meng were a bit grumpy about negotiating foreign access they'd be downright hostile to the Bai still.
"A shame, it really is curious, the emanations from the sky in the far south, so curious," Xia Ani said.
"Hm, you've been studying such things?" Bai Meizhen said.
She watched Xia Anxi, he still straightened up perceptibly when addressed by Meizhen but it seemed he was a little less jumpy? Acclimation she supposed.
"Only in private moments, and with personal tools, Lady Bai," he said.
"I can't say I find the sky particularly interesting, but I have no objections," Bai Meizhen said. "Baroness, will the Jin scion be joining us today? I am aware of the Zheng, and the Xuan's invitation as well as the… westerners, but I have not heard of the northerns."
"He will not, since he is acting only in his capacity as a junior agent of the Ministry," Ling Qi said. "I admit, along with the Zheng I know very little about the Jin."
"Prideless," Meizhen sniffed. "Well the Jin are the remnants of the Jing clan, after those left the Empire long ago. They are…. Tightly entangled with the capital."
"Ah I see, those are confusing names, so similar. But if they were a branch clan that makes sense, but… how does one leave the Empire?"
"I am told the names sound more distinct in the north's dialect. Jeung, or something of the sort? The Jing backed the usurper Shang in the strife," Xia Anxi said. "And their shipbuilding and his artifice allowed them to carve their three great port cities out of the coast, and sail them away, an audacious action. They may have backed the wrong claimant, but one does have to admire their pride."
"Indeed," Bai Meizhen said. "Well, the Jin are those left behind, organized by the throne and… given their dukedom."
Ling Qi did not miss the unsubtle disdain that threaded through the word 'given' there. To the Bai, who had once been Kings and Queens in their own right, and had held their place of ruling the Thousand Lakes since before the dawn of written history, she supposed they wouldn't think highly of that. The Cai were absurdly young to their sensibilities, but Cai Shenhua had not been 'given' much at all.
"And the Zheng by contrast are the only remaining direct peers of the Bai clan?" Ling Qi asked carefully.
Meizhen pursed her lips. "...They are the only ones who can compare to the weight of our history."
"But you would be wise not to view them through our lens. The Bai and the Zheng clans could not be more different," Xia Anxi said.
"I have picked up that much, I have not even been able to determine who their current duke is," Ling Qi said.
"It seems the position is being argued over, unlike more civilized folk, their duke only holds the position for a span of a few decades before passing the position along to another relative of proper cultivation," Xia Anxi said. "It is shocking that they don't have strife over this more often."
"Yet they do not. I have not heard of the Zheng being so divided over the matter. I understand their elite view the position as both troublesome and perfunctory, an unwelcome imposition on their time and cultivation. The difficulty is usually in finding a candidate that can be pinned into the position at all by their elders, rather than too many claimants," Bai Meizhen said.
"How strange," Ling Qi said, shaking her head. They were passing alongside the mountain stream that ran through the valley now, along a road paved to follow the curves of its banks. It was certainly a different sight from the first time they had been here, the dense foliage and oppressive atmosphere replaced with the sun shining down on a sparkling burbling waters, running shallow over smooth river stones and eddying around boulders and little strips of overgrown sand and soil.
They could have been at the meeting sight in moments, but it was rude to ask ones guests to sprint and… this was a nice walk. Ling Qi observed some flower petals bobbing along the flowing water. Still she was curious and this was a good opportunity to get some perspective on the wider Empire, if only through a somewhat biased lens.
She did love her friend, but she wouldn't deny that Meizhen was thoroughly loyal to her clan. The Question was, which subject to follow for the stroll.
[ ] Discuss the Jin further, they are close allies of the Throne, and through them the west, and their representative here was not the most available, for numerous reasons.
[ ] Discuss the Zheng further, they at least sent someone, however lax and indecorous they are. And that means being able to understand and steer their interests was more important.
