Had a few ideas for an omake, figure I'd actually try to write one.
Zhang Feng Discovers House of Ling Friendships
Zhang Feng was still very nervous, but she finally felt excited like Mother. It is real. I can be Magic, im-mortal like the real guards or nobles. And since Shu was also Magic, Mother will no longer need to save for aprint-ist-ship for him. Lei-Lei and Dong Chyou could also become culti-vators, so as far as she knew all her favorite people were happy.
"Shu! Feng!" her Mother called out to them to start their day. They had gotten to sleep in after the party last night. Mother had so many offers of congratulations, and the food was so fancy. Feng had thought the food was fancy enough since moving here, but last night? How much money did Lady Ling spend to have servants from outside the house bring special food?
"Feng?!" Mother called out again. It seems Shu was already awake, which was unfair. Her older brother was supposed to be the one in trouble, not Well-behaved Feng. She have to get up.
"Good morning daughter", Zhang Wen, her Mother, said with tiredness and warmness in voice. "I have asked to bring you to one of nannies today. There is some discussion I need to have with Madam Ling, the regards to the new...situation."
"Is everything alright Mother?", the words came rushing out. Feng thought things were better now. "... did I or Shu do anything wrong at the party last night?"
"No, I just need to ask the Madam a few things. Last night showed me that maybe this is even bigger news than I had thought, and I want make sure I know what your responsibilities are." Her mother took a big breath, and gestured for her to sit for her hair to be combed. "Lady Ling has always been generous, but I do wish to know more about how to help you and Shu do your best."
The combing reminded her of when she was really sick, and Mother bathed her and combed her hair everyday until she got the medicine. Ever since then, Mother fussed over Shu and Feng more, especially since coming here. She no longer left the house before the Sun rose, and returned when Feng could see the Moon if she was awake.
"Thank you, Mother." Shu had came into their sitting room, where they ate meals and Feng spent time learning to sew. Ever since the thingy in the basement, Shu was trying to be grown up. While Feng thought he looked silly before, her brother seemed more sure of his new behavior, ever since he found out he could be Magic. At least Shu was nicer now, because grown-ups don't tease their little sisters. Mother had said so.
"Shu, you ready to work hard today?" Mother said with pride, the kind that Feng got more often for being good. "I suppose telling the Lady your desire for guardsmanship means you're being serious."
"The Lady had asked what I wanted, but I did not think she would not have her own suggestions." Shu lowered his eyes to look into Feng's. "When you said you wanted to sew with Mother, the Lady did accept that as well. Maybe she wanted to know what we wanted."
"I have known the Madam for some years, and she has always been the type to return generousity when it was given. The older favors were smaller things though," Mother shrugged. "Maybe the Lady is willing to fund her Mother's projects, and this is a simple matter. I will see about asking today. Shu, come here."
"Mother," the closest thing Shu had to a whine since he wanted to be grownup slipped out. She had a habit of good-luck forehead kisses every morning, since the day Mother came home and found Feng sick and unable to sleep. Still, he did not argue and stepped forward.
"Work hard, son. I am proud of your diligence. Let Mother speak with the House of Ling and see what is needed. You just need to work on your exercises, the Lady did say she could help pick an 'art?' when you are ready." Mother picked up a piece of paper and an inkbrush from a well, more new fancy things they just had now. "I will add that to the list."
Shu, to Feng's surprise, embraced Mother suddenly. "I will work hard Mother. I will make you more proud. And when I am a bigshot cultivator guardsman captain for the House of Ling, you can rest. And I'll keep Feng out of trouble when I'm at it." Shu peered around her Mother and stuck his tongue out. And he thinks he's a grown-up. Feng could respond, but she was Well- Behaved. Better to not even acknowledge him anyway.
"Come along Feng, have a good day Shu." Mother took her hand and started to go where the Nanny would be, as Shu heading out to the garden.
Feng wondered what Nanny it would be today. She knew they had rest days, and that the Madam and Lady hired enough that no one had to work the way Mother used to. Everyone's Mother's got to see their children before the moonrise here.
__________________________________________
Feng was nervous again. Usually when she went to a Nanny, it was not Nanny Min. She knew Lei-Lei's grandmother usually watched the Young Miss, the Madam's other daughter. Feng had met the Young Miss before, but it was easier to ignore a windstorm. Ling Biyu painted and danced and ran fast enough the adults had trouble catching her. And yet sometimes she acted proper, even if her manners were just as rushed as almost anything else Biyu did.
Still, Feng could not know Biyu well. Hopefully she was nice. Nanny Min was Mother's friend, she was sure things would be fine.
"Good Morning!", a voice said right in Feng's ear, marking her jump. "Sorry, I did mean to scare you. I'm just so excited!" The Young Miss walked around her, looking like she was checking on Feng.
"Yes, I am okay Young Miss." Feng lowered her eyes, as was proper.
"I don't think we got to have all our manners today, Nanny?" Biyu asked, sounding concerned. "It would mess up my plan."
"I suppose since we will be playing in garden and our meals today are less formal, we do not need to follow every protocol." Nanny Min was in a fine mood today, but then again Lei-Lei was going to Magic too. Maybe grandmothers could be just as excited. "But what are you planning? You know your ideas go better when you ask."
"Then Zhang Feng, I say you can look at me without the weird posture stuff. After all, we are going to be friends." Ling Biyu stated, as if it was already true. Feng blinked, confused.
"Y-young miss, I am unsure..." Zhang Feng did tilt her head up to look. Ling Biyu still looked just as excited. "I have not had a lot of friends, before."
"I tried making friends when we got here, to the bigger house, but boys are dumb." The Young Miss said that like it was a rule somehow. "And playing games with Siss-y, well I know she let's me win sometimes. And I got my paints and stuff, but Siss-y is good at friends." She seemed sad, which did not match how Biyu normally was.
"I like games, and I'll play with you, but how is the Lady good at friends?" Feng did not know how someone made that possible.
"Well she is going to sum-mit, help people make piece and be friends. It's part of what she does now, Nanny Min watches me if Mommy is busy your mommy makes sure that I have clean dresses, and siss-y helps people make friends. It helps make piece. I have not asked Mommy what the piece is of though. Maybe Mommy's plum cakes?"
Ling Biyu seemed to have a lot to say. Feng did know that sometimes the Madam made a special dessert, one which the Lady and Young Miss had guarded like a Dragon's Treasure in a story. Maybe that's how people made friends? "Well the Lady does know a lot of interesting people." Feng felt it was important to try to respond. Otherwise Biyu might be able to keep going.
"Well, I'm glad you girls are getting along." Nanny Min sounded amused. "Your sister does make a lot of friends, just like your mother." Feng knew that already, that's how Mother got her position here.
"Is it just about being nice to other people who are nice to you?" If Nanny Min knew the secrets of friendship, maybe she would tell Feng if she asked politely.
Biyu answered instead. "I think that's part of what Siss-y and Mommy do. Sometimes Siss-y will help her friends, and then if she needs stuff they help." Then Biyu leaned in, almost more excited than before. "I think we need to do what Siss-y does with her friends. She takes them on ad-vent-ers."
Feng did not know what that was, but Nanny Min seemed mildly worried. "I am certain you and Zhang Feng can have a lovely adventure in the garden, but please let me know your plans Biyu. Your mother would be upset if you got hurt."
"Nanny, I want to show my paintings. And have a tea party, and play hide and seek!" Biyu then looked at Feng. "What do you do for fun? What's your favorite thing?"
She could only think of her answer from last night. "I like sewing with Mother. But your stuff sounds fun." Feng did sometimes have a tea party with her doll, but another person sounded more fun. And she had only Shu to play with before, and he cheated somehow at hide and seek, and never wanted to do a tea party.
"Well next time you bring your sewing art, and I will show you my paintings." Biyu then turned fully to Nanny Min. "I heard some of Siss-y's friends say once about 'Ling Qi style ad-ven-tures'," Biyu treated the big word with care, "where everyone wins a bunch of cool stuff. All of Siss-y's friends go on one with her. Will you help, please Nanny?"
"I can see about arranging a 'reward' for you adventurers, as long as you both are good." Nanny Min was more relaxed now.
Biyu grabbed Feng's hand and started leading her towards the garden. "We got to do our ad-ven-ture!" Feng agreed with Biyu, there was a reward at stake, maybe even a dessert. Biyu had said she wanted to see her sewing, no one but Mother had ever asked before. Feng was very proud of her work, and felt happy someone wanted to see it.
Maybe this is was friendship felt like.
