Lady_Story
Humble Teller of Stories, Villainess of Legend
- Pronouns
- She/Her/They/Them
Honestly this is the way Yrsillar should do it, not the other way around. Then again, I don't like the Jungle so...
Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
[X] 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.
WhoTheHeckity
But no one ever asks HowTheHeckity
- Location
- Murica 🦅
[X] 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.
Some good points all around, so for the first time ever I'm going to be a filthy Enlightened Centrist.
[X] 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.
[X] 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.
[X] 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.
[X] 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.
[X] 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.
At the end of the day, I just don't like the Zheng.
I find their lackadaisical actitude ennerving and hypocrital.
I also genuinely think info on the Jin will be more critical for the Summit than the Zheng's.
Ultimately, the Zheng guy isn't going to be relevant for the Summit resolution. According to the Crow, he was actually trying to not cause any trouble. I highly doubt he is going to make unreasonable demands or pick a fight with anyone.
He is just here so the Zheng can say they are present and strengthen their relationship with the other provinces so they can start being more involved with them.
On the other hand, we have a member of the Jin in a very crucial position for the Summit outcome.
Yes, he is here as a MoI apprentice, but how much can we trust that? It has been brought up multiple times that both he and Xuan Shi inevitably represent their clans in some fashion just by being here.
The few references we got about the Jin, from Xuan Shi and Xiao Fen, describe them as scheming and deceitful.
We also know that the Jin aspire to monopolize the Empire's access to the sea. There have been plenty of conflicts with the Bai and Xuan over that. Even with the Golden Fields, as the Jin took the chance after the Cataclysm to expand their eastern territories.
There is plenty of reason for them to act against the Summit, as its failure would weaken the Cai-Bai-Xuan alliance. An alliance that is strengthening the Bai's port town and the Xuan as a whole, something the Jin are very much against of.
We need to learn more about them far earlier than about the Zheng.
At the end of the day, I just don't like the Zheng.
I find their lackadaisical actitude ennerving and hypocrital.
I also genuinely think info on the Jin will be more critical for the Summit than the Zheng's.
Ultimately, the Zheng guy isn't going to be relevant for the Summit resolution. According to the Crow, he was actually trying to not cause any trouble. I highly doubt he is going to make unreasonable demands or pick a fight with anyone.
He is just here so the Zheng can say they are present and strengthen their relationship with the other provinces so they can start being more involved with them.
On the other hand, we have a member of the Jin in a very crucial position for the Summit outcome.
Yes, he is here as a MoI apprentice, but how much can we trust that? It has been brought up multiple times that both he and Xuan Shi inevitably represent their clans in some fashion just by being here.
The few references we got about the Jin, from Xuan Shi and Xiao Fen, describe them as scheming and deceitful.
We also know that the Jin aspire to monopolize the Empire's access to the sea. There have been plenty of conflicts with the Bai and Xuan over that. Even with the Golden Fields, as the Jin took the chance after the Cataclysm to expand their eastern territories.
There is plenty of reason for them to act against the Summit, as its failure would weaken the Cai-Bai-Xuan alliance. An alliance that is strengthening the Bai's port town and the Xuan as a whole, something the Jin are very much against of.
We need to learn more about them far earlier than about the Zheng.
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- She/They
I think the politics here are a bit of a red herring, and the Zheng are more valuable for the insights they will give to Ling Qi's cultivation, since they have a social structure that both works long term and is unlike anything else in the empire.
There's three wars queuing up, and I'm unsure if we are in a position to stop any of them. I've been assuming that they are going to form the backdrop of our attempts to build and do diplomacy regardless of our knowledge and actions.
Emerald seas vs Ya-ilith and Cloud Tribes. The war we know.
Bai, Xuan, and parts of Zheng vs Sun, Jin, and some peaks. The civil war we expect.
White Skies vs Iron King mk 2. The war we've only seen hinted at.
I'm thinking that the new ties between the emerald seas and the white Skies have the potential to drag us into their civil war, and them into ours, rather than both of us focusing on cloud tribes. I'm thinking that the sun and the Ya-ilith are likely to be allies of convenience, and may try to loop in the tangled pines.
But most of all, I'm thinking that Cai Shenzua, Revolution Herself, is publicly on the side of the two clans that have never been overthrown, which is unsettling. It feels like there's a betrayal inherent there, but I cannot for the life of me see what she is setting up.
There's three wars queuing up, and I'm unsure if we are in a position to stop any of them. I've been assuming that they are going to form the backdrop of our attempts to build and do diplomacy regardless of our knowledge and actions.
Emerald seas vs Ya-ilith and Cloud Tribes. The war we know.
Bai, Xuan, and parts of Zheng vs Sun, Jin, and some peaks. The civil war we expect.
White Skies vs Iron King mk 2. The war we've only seen hinted at.
I'm thinking that the new ties between the emerald seas and the white Skies have the potential to drag us into their civil war, and them into ours, rather than both of us focusing on cloud tribes. I'm thinking that the sun and the Ya-ilith are likely to be allies of convenience, and may try to loop in the tangled pines.
But most of all, I'm thinking that Cai Shenzua, Revolution Herself, is publicly on the side of the two clans that have never been overthrown, which is unsettling. It feels like there's a betrayal inherent there, but I cannot for the life of me see what she is setting up.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Eh. They've never been overthrown but they have been conquered, and the upcoming civil war would arguably be a revolution against that. Seem reasonable enough as a short term goal for her...especially since Meizhen's aunt is very much leading an internal revolution among the Bai.
The Zheng would only work as an example for Ling Qi to learn what not to do.
Ling Qi is making progress regarding romantic and sexual relationships. But for her those are very intimate relationships based on utmost trust and respect.
That doesn't mesh well with the Zheng's "I slept with 10 people this week and maybe I got a couple pregnant, not that I care for my children or will ever meet them".
Ling Qi believes that family bonds comes with responsibilty, as highlighted with the half-Zheng Guo princess.
She wouldn't agree either with their system of parents dumping their children with a "master" that raises a dozen of them at the same time.
So instead of a strated family and community, the Zheng have a more diffuse community that all of them belong to.
Ling Qi is making progress regarding romantic and sexual relationships. But for her those are very intimate relationships based on utmost trust and respect.
That doesn't mesh well with the Zheng's "I slept with 10 people this week and maybe I got a couple pregnant, not that I care for my children or will ever meet them".
Ling Qi believes that family bonds comes with responsibilty, as highlighted with the half-Zheng Guo princess.
She wouldn't agree either with their system of parents dumping their children with a "master" that raises a dozen of them at the same time.
So instead of a strated family and community, the Zheng have a more diffuse community that all of them belong to.
- Location
- somewhere over there.
- Pronouns
- They/It
[X] 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.
I'm just more interested in hearing about them and seeing Ling Qi's reaction to their traditions.
I'm just more interested in hearing about them and seeing Ling Qi's reaction to their traditions.
Uhh. But doing it that way means that we have nothing in the way of assurances or concrete anything that we'd be able to go to Khadne with. Khadne/Tangled Pines already don't like us! The appearance of jungle bullshit makes a sensitive situation worse.
We absolutely need to be able to come to A Land Dark and Cruel with some idea of what's actually going down on "our" side of the table. We can't show up and shrug and say we actually don't know what the Western Territory's deal is, we were gonna look into it later. In the context of the summit, the information is most important for the meeting with Khadne.
Lady_Story
Humble Teller of Stories, Villainess of Legend
- Pronouns
- She/Her/They/Them
Ah yes, and we throw any and all possibilities of wrangling the Western Territories in line into the wind. You assume they'd be honest with everyone but I see no reason for them to be slightly honest. In fact, it might even benefit them to lie to us just to cause friction. The Cai are aligned with the Bai after all.
I'd rather go to the Khadne/Tangled Pines and see what they want and how we can help them before dealing with anyone from the Western Territories.
The Western Territories are not a direct party to the negotiations. They're observers. Rude ones. Our priority with dealing with them is going to be setting general boundaries and expectations. We actually have no power to make them stick to anything, but we can try. Importantly, both because the Western Territories aren't a party to the negotiations and because we can't actually make them do anything, we can't in any tangible way align them to whatever Tangled Pines preferences might be. That just exceeds the scope of our power and the political context at hand.
The only things we can bring to Khadne are information and vibes. We won't have the former, and we'll be missing context on how to spin the latter, until we engage with Sun Liling some more in Western Marches.
When Khadne, quite understandably, goes "What the fuck is that?" I would like to have some actual answers for her, you know? She, and her faction, actually is party to the White Sky negotiations which form the core purpose of the summit. Not being able to give any assurances or explanations when something shows up smelling an awful lot like her sister-people's primordial foe would be Bad Actually.
To reiterate, we are not negotiating with the Sun, and what they're getting up to in the mountains to the west is unfortunately beyond the scope of our influence. It's impossible for us to secure any material assurance or concession of any kind at the current time. The only thing we can offer the Emissary with ties to the Tangled Pines is information and our own diplomatic spin on it. Neither of which we are prepared to give before taking the Western Marches action. If we go to Khadne before Sun Liling, we will look like, and be, total dipshits. We know she's going to demand answers, both in and out of character. Walking into a meeting without even trying to get some first would be tantamount to deliberate self-sabotage.
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- Location
- Central Europe
Personally I think a Zheng style relationship, based purely on feelings without any expectations of marriage, is exactly what LQ needs as an introduction to romance. You might disagree, and that is fair, we might just prefer different types of love stories. However, I would argue with your representation of Zheng attitudes. They are very much compatible with LQ. Being all about Trust,
and respecting the No.
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- Pronouns
- They/Them
I forgot to vote, but would have voted for Zheng after reflection and an initial turn towards Zheng because
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- She/They
I don't think we have seen enough about Qi to say that. Which is weird to say after all these chapters, but overall she has only one model of family: single mother imperial hierarchical. We've seen how empty the Cai family is to her, and we've seen her learn family-as-politics from her noble friends, and we've seen that she has some deep, deep issues caused by the way that mortal women get treated.
However, the closest thing she's ever seen to friendly romance is Bian and Ruan, or Gan and Su. Fait accomplis, not a visible process that she can use as a model.
So my position is that Qi simply does not have any experience of the sorts of relationships she wants: equal, loving, respectful, committed. The Zheng do three of four, the three that she has seen the least of.
Plus, honestly, the Zheng method of tracing family and blood through matriarchal lines IS fundementally different enough from the rest of the empire's patrilineal inheritance that I do not expect her to see or understand what the differences actually are without then being explained. I'd expect her to brush off Zheng boys as you did- irresponsible and careless of the harm they could cause leaving pregnancies in their wake- rather than understanding how their families understand it.
So, for cultivating community and family, knowing what can be a family or community is important.
Hopefully the Jin-lore deficit will be addressed later. Not sure when would be a reasonable opportunity, but they're attached to the plot stuff involving the Sun, Xuan, and Bai. It's the predominate imperial political plot that has been brewing since the start of the quest and directly impacts Emerald Seas political and economic relations. That political turbulence is even enough to wash back over us with the pleasant surprise of Sun Liling's presence here and now.
Missing one of the major pieces in the political puzzle itches the brain, in a bad way.
Missing one of the major pieces in the political puzzle itches the brain, in a bad way.
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- Location
- FR
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Thanks, I had a feeling i got names mixed up.
Turn 18: Arc 2-2
"They are very strange aren't they?" Ling Qi said carefully. "The Zheng do not seem to participate in the Empire much. They have no kin ties outside of their province. No individual Zheng seems to own any particular land or significant property outside of the Ebon Rivers, and records within are… difficult. I think I heard Lady Cai say they don't recognize marriage at all? How do they…"
"Function?" Meizhen said lightly.
"I would never presume," Ling Qi replied, inclining her head in acknowledgement all the same.
"Zheng do not raise their own children, or even recognize blood parentage as significant," Bai Meizhen said with a frown. "I understand that they parcel out children born in the same year into small groups which are given over to a mentoring cultivator to raise as the primary, with communal assistance. This is what they mean when they call another 'Bond-sibling'. They regard the Imperial institution of swearing oneself an oath sibling a devolution of their practices."
"Which is not completely wrong. The practice has its roots in the early first dynasty armies under the sage, of which the Zheng were a part," Xia Anxi said carefully. He still waited a long beat after Meizhen finished to speak up, but she was glad her friend had managed that much with her retainer. "Though claiming the sect system is only copying them is far more dubious."
"...It is not totally unlike the practices of the Viper, though much inferior," Xiao Fen said grudgingly. "There is no discipline in their method, none of the clarity or guidance we have."
Ling Qi very deliberately did not frown. From the little she understood of the Black Viper their methods of childrearing were… well they were awful. Designed with the intent of preventing the young viper from forming any emotional connections before they were assigned to their White Serpent. Frankly, Xiao Fen's complaint could only improve her view of the Zheng's own practice. "That does explain the irregularities in the records and seems like it would make inheritance very difficult. I suppose that is why their elders just choose the duke…?"
"Indeed. Individual Zheng do not own external property, due to some law of theirs, and their inheritance laws do not recognize patrilineal descent at all, which causes some snarls with Imperial Law. This makes it difficult for them to operate directly in the wider Empire, since Imperial Property law does not fully recognize their arrangement. I understand they have some ways around this though. Xia Anxi…?"
"Of course my lady. I am no expert, but the illustrious Violet caste has enough duties in production and movement of goods that we must learn a little of such things to manage our subordinates."
Ling Qi recalled previous conversations, and the disdain Meizhen had always shown for mercantilism. She felt a bit bad for him having to dress it up so round aboutly.
"External Zheng interests usually operate through trading houses, in theory belonging to some trusted subordinate, but in practice being 'resold' to a member of the Zheng clan as a whole upon that person's death. There is room for interference in this, legally speaking, but… well."
Of course, even if they presented a kinder face than the Bai, the Zheng were still an ancient clan that had stood since the time of myth. Who would dare?
"So they are still intertwined with the other provinces, one merely has to look deeper," Ling Qi said, nodding in understanding.
"They are insular. All of this business is unusual. They are a people very much interested in cultivating their own yard over claiming others, since the end of the first dynasty. The last time they moved so strongly was in support of the usurper Shang, in opposition to us, the Bai, as the supporters of the true Emperor, though they were forgiven in exchange for changing sides in the end, when the usurper was revealed to have become a Corpse-Immortal. For all their bravado in personal conflicts the Zheng have always proved… somewhat timid in larger politics."
"I am sure that there would be some objections to that, if said to one's face," Ling Qi said, glancing at Meizhen out of the corner of her eye.
"Oh indeed. Do not worry, baroness. I am not looking to provoke a brawl," Bai Meizhen said lightly.
"Your forbearance is exemplary," Ling Qi said. She kept her expression perfectly blank. Meizhen smiled, Xia Anxi narrowed his eyes a bit.
"Indeed," Meizhen said, breaking the silence. "In any case individual Zheng are… difficult to predict, It is true that in our history, we remember the grinning brutes who took and conquered and claimed at their will, who trampled and drank and laughed amidst the ashes, filling their great cavern cities with the wealth of wide lands, but the more common modern example is more like our guest, disconnected, rude drifters who are nonetheless bound to their own strange rules of propriety… and disdainful of the rules of others," Meizhen said. "What exactly their aim is here I cannot know."
"They have softened greatly, in their splendid isolation," Xiao Fen said with a haughty sniff. "But if they had truly forgotten the Way of the Conqueror, the face of their founder, they would not be so mighty still."
"Indeed, we are the ones known for our vengefulness, but we are merely being honest. Who may stand at the pinnacle and not crush any who challenge their primacy? You may see it in how totally subservient their vassals are. Not a single organized rebellion in their history," Xia Anxi said.
"That is to be expected when they send out their younger generation to quash… villainy, as wandering 'heroes' as a part of their education," Meizhen said dryly. "Well given the results, and the current situation, we cannot say these methods are totally without merit…"
Considering Sun Shao's great rebellion, it would be rather absurd, Ling Qi supposed. She also understood that her friend was significantly more progressive than the average White Serpent to even imply the possibility that they were the ones who had been in error in any way.
Their path had taken them along the winding stream but now diverged, rising over shallow steps that carried them gradually to the top of an idyllic wooded hillock, at the bald crown there was a stone platform dug into the earth, on which a table made of polished stone was set, round and surrounded by curved benches it was a place to sit in the sun, take in the view of the mountain stream and discuss business with a friendly air. Columns stood at the four corners, and Ling Qi knew that there were simple storage arrays in them with everything needed to assemble a pavilion in poor weather.
They were greeted with a crash, and a cresting gust of wind that yanked at her hair and the hems of her dress. Light flashed, and the scream of something viciously sharp being dragged along stone followed. Ling qi parted the wave of dust and dirt that followed before her around herself and the Bai.
Xuan Shi stood a little ways off the platform, a hovering swarm of his hexagonal talisman shields forming half of a sphere in front of him, rippling and sparking with blue grey qi. He was unruffled, and stood with his feet and the butt of his staff planted in the earth. The only unsteadiness of his posture was the way his eyes flicked toward her.
Zheng Fu stood about two meters distant, bouncing on the balls of his feet in a loose fighting stance as his right arm snapped back in a blur, rippling back into human shape from the mantis-like blade that had drug sparks along the surface of Xuan Shi's defense. His other arm was drawn back, chambered for a punch muscle writhing and spelling under the thick wraps he wore on his arms…. Until he spied them.
"Oh, looks like we'll have to box a little later, Turtle-man," He chuckled. "The ladies are here!"
"I'm quite sure you could have felt us coming some time ago, had you expended the effort," Bai Meizhen said.
"Eh maybe. I really wanted a crack at this guy though. He's tough," Zheng Fu shrugged. "Later?"
"Later," Xuan Shi said, reaching out for one of the panels as the other's flitted away disappearing into his gauntlets in a dozen little flashes. He rubbed his thumb along the scratch in the remaining panel. "Apologies, Lady Ling, Lady Bai. To test mine artifice against such strength is not a common chance."
"There is a time and a place for such things, but I suppose I will not blame you for showing martial spirit," Bai Meizhen said haughtily. "But I hope you may restrain yourselves going forward."
"Yeah, yeah. If you're standing around waiting you might as well cultivate a little," Zheng Fu said dismissively. "I know you gotta stop once business starts though."
Well, that was an admirable work ethic at least. She was sure Sixiang would needle her about her own habits here.
"This one apologizes," Xuan Shi said evenly. "Three arrive, the sanddwellers demure. Whence is the bloodied flower?"
"The Western Territories have indicated that Sun Liling may be somewhat late, as their delegation is only just arriving," Ling Qi said apologetically. "We may have to wait for a short time."
"Hah, is that so?" Zheng Fu said, scratching the back of his head. "....You all want in on this then. We could do teams, you and the snake-y lot, me and turtle man?"
"I would prefer if we did not melt, freeze, or otherwise explode the meeting site, honored guests," Ling Qi said calmly.
"That doesn't sound like a no. That sounds like a maybe later."
"I will have to decline for the foreseeable future," Bai Meizhen said.
"Honestly, we are a diplomatic mission," Xia Anxi sniffed.
Xiao Fen looked like she was dissecting Zheng Fu with her eyes, and did not speak.
"Bah, alright. Means we have to fill the time and you didn't bring snacks, unless…?" Zheng Nan said, waggling his eyebrows behind his headwrap.
Ling Qi sighed, gestured, and atop the stone table a spread of drinks and carefully arranged platters of light snacks appeared on the table. It was a little rude to serve before the Western Territories arrived, but declaring they would be late was also rude, wasn't it?
"Hah, there we go!" Zheng Fu laughed, practically leaping onto a bench, reaching for a bottle of one of the harder ciders.
"Your hospitality is appreciated," Bai Meizhen said quietly, stepping past her. "Sir Xuan, I have heard you were more involved in matters than the rest of us, may I ask after your reasons?"
"Our ports are open, and accept many ships," Xuan Shi said simply, taking a seat. "Advice was asked, and though the clan and seas are far, some use might be found. This is curious, no?"
"You got that right, honestly, you hermit folk have been holding out on us, and now the south is getting exciting too! We gotta get ourselves out here more," Zheng Fu said.
"It is intriguing," Bai Meizhen said, taking her own seat, Xia Anxi and Xiao Fen followed, Ling Qi remained standing. Late or no she didn't intend to seat herself before all of her guests were here. "I trust in Lady Cai's judgment, so I am not as skeptical as some. Still this is certainly a bold endeavor."
"No disagreement there," Zheng Fu said, the cloth of his facemask stretching over what was surely a wide grin. "I…"
Ling Qi straightened up, the scent of copper invading her nostrils, the feeling of leaves and new shoots and crumbling black earth brushing her senses.
Bai Meizhen sniffed. "Not that late it seems."
AN: Had to split this one, its going to be a bit long!
"Function?" Meizhen said lightly.
"I would never presume," Ling Qi replied, inclining her head in acknowledgement all the same.
"Zheng do not raise their own children, or even recognize blood parentage as significant," Bai Meizhen said with a frown. "I understand that they parcel out children born in the same year into small groups which are given over to a mentoring cultivator to raise as the primary, with communal assistance. This is what they mean when they call another 'Bond-sibling'. They regard the Imperial institution of swearing oneself an oath sibling a devolution of their practices."
"Which is not completely wrong. The practice has its roots in the early first dynasty armies under the sage, of which the Zheng were a part," Xia Anxi said carefully. He still waited a long beat after Meizhen finished to speak up, but she was glad her friend had managed that much with her retainer. "Though claiming the sect system is only copying them is far more dubious."
"...It is not totally unlike the practices of the Viper, though much inferior," Xiao Fen said grudgingly. "There is no discipline in their method, none of the clarity or guidance we have."
Ling Qi very deliberately did not frown. From the little she understood of the Black Viper their methods of childrearing were… well they were awful. Designed with the intent of preventing the young viper from forming any emotional connections before they were assigned to their White Serpent. Frankly, Xiao Fen's complaint could only improve her view of the Zheng's own practice. "That does explain the irregularities in the records and seems like it would make inheritance very difficult. I suppose that is why their elders just choose the duke…?"
"Indeed. Individual Zheng do not own external property, due to some law of theirs, and their inheritance laws do not recognize patrilineal descent at all, which causes some snarls with Imperial Law. This makes it difficult for them to operate directly in the wider Empire, since Imperial Property law does not fully recognize their arrangement. I understand they have some ways around this though. Xia Anxi…?"
"Of course my lady. I am no expert, but the illustrious Violet caste has enough duties in production and movement of goods that we must learn a little of such things to manage our subordinates."
Ling Qi recalled previous conversations, and the disdain Meizhen had always shown for mercantilism. She felt a bit bad for him having to dress it up so round aboutly.
"External Zheng interests usually operate through trading houses, in theory belonging to some trusted subordinate, but in practice being 'resold' to a member of the Zheng clan as a whole upon that person's death. There is room for interference in this, legally speaking, but… well."
Of course, even if they presented a kinder face than the Bai, the Zheng were still an ancient clan that had stood since the time of myth. Who would dare?
"So they are still intertwined with the other provinces, one merely has to look deeper," Ling Qi said, nodding in understanding.
"They are insular. All of this business is unusual. They are a people very much interested in cultivating their own yard over claiming others, since the end of the first dynasty. The last time they moved so strongly was in support of the usurper Shang, in opposition to us, the Bai, as the supporters of the true Emperor, though they were forgiven in exchange for changing sides in the end, when the usurper was revealed to have become a Corpse-Immortal. For all their bravado in personal conflicts the Zheng have always proved… somewhat timid in larger politics."
"I am sure that there would be some objections to that, if said to one's face," Ling Qi said, glancing at Meizhen out of the corner of her eye.
"Oh indeed. Do not worry, baroness. I am not looking to provoke a brawl," Bai Meizhen said lightly.
"Your forbearance is exemplary," Ling Qi said. She kept her expression perfectly blank. Meizhen smiled, Xia Anxi narrowed his eyes a bit.
"Indeed," Meizhen said, breaking the silence. "In any case individual Zheng are… difficult to predict, It is true that in our history, we remember the grinning brutes who took and conquered and claimed at their will, who trampled and drank and laughed amidst the ashes, filling their great cavern cities with the wealth of wide lands, but the more common modern example is more like our guest, disconnected, rude drifters who are nonetheless bound to their own strange rules of propriety… and disdainful of the rules of others," Meizhen said. "What exactly their aim is here I cannot know."
"They have softened greatly, in their splendid isolation," Xiao Fen said with a haughty sniff. "But if they had truly forgotten the Way of the Conqueror, the face of their founder, they would not be so mighty still."
"Indeed, we are the ones known for our vengefulness, but we are merely being honest. Who may stand at the pinnacle and not crush any who challenge their primacy? You may see it in how totally subservient their vassals are. Not a single organized rebellion in their history," Xia Anxi said.
"That is to be expected when they send out their younger generation to quash… villainy, as wandering 'heroes' as a part of their education," Meizhen said dryly. "Well given the results, and the current situation, we cannot say these methods are totally without merit…"
Considering Sun Shao's great rebellion, it would be rather absurd, Ling Qi supposed. She also understood that her friend was significantly more progressive than the average White Serpent to even imply the possibility that they were the ones who had been in error in any way.
Their path had taken them along the winding stream but now diverged, rising over shallow steps that carried them gradually to the top of an idyllic wooded hillock, at the bald crown there was a stone platform dug into the earth, on which a table made of polished stone was set, round and surrounded by curved benches it was a place to sit in the sun, take in the view of the mountain stream and discuss business with a friendly air. Columns stood at the four corners, and Ling Qi knew that there were simple storage arrays in them with everything needed to assemble a pavilion in poor weather.
They were greeted with a crash, and a cresting gust of wind that yanked at her hair and the hems of her dress. Light flashed, and the scream of something viciously sharp being dragged along stone followed. Ling qi parted the wave of dust and dirt that followed before her around herself and the Bai.
Xuan Shi stood a little ways off the platform, a hovering swarm of his hexagonal talisman shields forming half of a sphere in front of him, rippling and sparking with blue grey qi. He was unruffled, and stood with his feet and the butt of his staff planted in the earth. The only unsteadiness of his posture was the way his eyes flicked toward her.
Zheng Fu stood about two meters distant, bouncing on the balls of his feet in a loose fighting stance as his right arm snapped back in a blur, rippling back into human shape from the mantis-like blade that had drug sparks along the surface of Xuan Shi's defense. His other arm was drawn back, chambered for a punch muscle writhing and spelling under the thick wraps he wore on his arms…. Until he spied them.
"Oh, looks like we'll have to box a little later, Turtle-man," He chuckled. "The ladies are here!"
"I'm quite sure you could have felt us coming some time ago, had you expended the effort," Bai Meizhen said.
"Eh maybe. I really wanted a crack at this guy though. He's tough," Zheng Fu shrugged. "Later?"
"Later," Xuan Shi said, reaching out for one of the panels as the other's flitted away disappearing into his gauntlets in a dozen little flashes. He rubbed his thumb along the scratch in the remaining panel. "Apologies, Lady Ling, Lady Bai. To test mine artifice against such strength is not a common chance."
"There is a time and a place for such things, but I suppose I will not blame you for showing martial spirit," Bai Meizhen said haughtily. "But I hope you may restrain yourselves going forward."
"Yeah, yeah. If you're standing around waiting you might as well cultivate a little," Zheng Fu said dismissively. "I know you gotta stop once business starts though."
Well, that was an admirable work ethic at least. She was sure Sixiang would needle her about her own habits here.
"This one apologizes," Xuan Shi said evenly. "Three arrive, the sanddwellers demure. Whence is the bloodied flower?"
"The Western Territories have indicated that Sun Liling may be somewhat late, as their delegation is only just arriving," Ling Qi said apologetically. "We may have to wait for a short time."
"Hah, is that so?" Zheng Fu said, scratching the back of his head. "....You all want in on this then. We could do teams, you and the snake-y lot, me and turtle man?"
"I would prefer if we did not melt, freeze, or otherwise explode the meeting site, honored guests," Ling Qi said calmly.
"That doesn't sound like a no. That sounds like a maybe later."
"I will have to decline for the foreseeable future," Bai Meizhen said.
"Honestly, we are a diplomatic mission," Xia Anxi sniffed.
Xiao Fen looked like she was dissecting Zheng Fu with her eyes, and did not speak.
"Bah, alright. Means we have to fill the time and you didn't bring snacks, unless…?" Zheng Nan said, waggling his eyebrows behind his headwrap.
Ling Qi sighed, gestured, and atop the stone table a spread of drinks and carefully arranged platters of light snacks appeared on the table. It was a little rude to serve before the Western Territories arrived, but declaring they would be late was also rude, wasn't it?
"Hah, there we go!" Zheng Fu laughed, practically leaping onto a bench, reaching for a bottle of one of the harder ciders.
"Your hospitality is appreciated," Bai Meizhen said quietly, stepping past her. "Sir Xuan, I have heard you were more involved in matters than the rest of us, may I ask after your reasons?"
"Our ports are open, and accept many ships," Xuan Shi said simply, taking a seat. "Advice was asked, and though the clan and seas are far, some use might be found. This is curious, no?"
"You got that right, honestly, you hermit folk have been holding out on us, and now the south is getting exciting too! We gotta get ourselves out here more," Zheng Fu said.
"It is intriguing," Bai Meizhen said, taking her own seat, Xia Anxi and Xiao Fen followed, Ling Qi remained standing. Late or no she didn't intend to seat herself before all of her guests were here. "I trust in Lady Cai's judgment, so I am not as skeptical as some. Still this is certainly a bold endeavor."
"No disagreement there," Zheng Fu said, the cloth of his facemask stretching over what was surely a wide grin. "I…"
Ling Qi straightened up, the scent of copper invading her nostrils, the feeling of leaves and new shoots and crumbling black earth brushing her senses.
Bai Meizhen sniffed. "Not that late it seems."
AN: Had to split this one, its going to be a bit long!
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