"After the fires that resulted from that pocket of bad air raised by our other geomantic projects, we should not put off local forestry further," Xia Lin said, contemplating the inside of a half-eaten meat bun.
"Agreed," Gan Guangli said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "We do need further local jobs if we are to attract more people. Keeping the local forests managed and cut back is a good way to do so. We may be able to get good regents as well. I recognize several types of resin-producing trees in the region."
Ling Qi mirrored what her friend had done a few moments ago, snatching one of the buns Xia Lin had taken. The dough was very crisp and airy. Biting into it, she let out a happy hum, such a rich flavor… chicken meat soaked in a sauce and spices she didn't recognize. "It would be good to have better eyes in the woods.. I don't think such fires are going to be unheard of, and getting a better idea of the hierarchy of bests in the region will be useful too. Zhengui has told me some things but… he doesn't necessarily think of things in the right way.."
Her little brother tended to take a broader view of the region rather than identify individual beasts, packs, and trails.
They all glanced at Meng Dan, who bowed his head deferentially. "I appreciate the inclusion, but not having been on site, I do not think my advice here is meaningful."
Cai Renxiang nodded crisply. "Investing in forestry infrastructure then. There has always been a small amount at the initial campsite. It will be expanded while work at the geyser shrine continues. Other items?"
"Well, we put together some things ad hoc for the temple boat, but assembling a workshop on the docks for boat building could be useful to the fisherman?" Ling Qi wondered.
"Locally sourced iron for tools would enable our citizens to develop themselves more independently of our central efforts, metal is the soul of industry," Xia Lin said.
"I believe outfitting the farmlands with the full suite of modern tools would be better. Good plows and the animals to pull them, grinding querns, poultry to improve diets, and a supply of the many hand tools households need to function well… Along with supply caches to enable them to make repairs and other small things," Gan Guangli said. "Self-sufficiency is good, but I think it is our duty to provide the seeds for that first."
"A fair point," Xia Lin allowed. "I suppose, I would wish more time to review the mining sites for patrol adjustments."
"Most of our people remain on the fields, which will likely remain so for some time. I concur, space and infrastructure for a mill should also be considered at this point, given growth," Cai Renxiang said, making a note.
"Ah, well, boats later, I suppose," Ling Qi said easily. Her specialty was in the shrines' infrastructure; those more down-to-earth things were more Gan Guangli's field. She was, after all, a city girl, even if one that the city hadn't particularly wanted.
She began to reach for a pastry this time, covered in some kind of delicious-looking glaze—honey-based, maybe? She could smell the fruit jam filling, too. Naturally, a paper messenger bird fluttered through the hall's open window at that point, unfolding elegantly in front of Cai Renxiang.
"It seems we should be getting to our places," Cai Renxiang announced, glancing at the paper. "The tour begins at the Temple of the Bountiful Earth."
Ling Qi huffed and took the pastry. It was good. It was too bad it would be the last one, though.
***
The temple of the bountiful earth was a vast, verdant pagoda and massive garden, taking up the full breadth of a greater branch of the Heavenly pillar. It was a riot of color and life, blooming from every tier of the rooftop and all across the sprawling grounds. But unlike most gardens, there were few flowers. Instead, there were crops. Every grain known to the empire was here, every fruit and every vegetable represented, in rolling fields of green and dense orchards, heavy with fruit.
The temple's interior was strangely cozy despite its size, the thick pillars twined with grapevines. It was here that the first respects of the bridal pair were made, led by the head of Spiritual affairs. Incense was burnt, sacred wine was poured, prayers and blessings were made… and the long, slow movement of the procession was begun again, when the altar of fertile black soil bloomed with a riot of healthy golden grain.
But this, too, was where the other part of this day came into effect. The absolute tide of betrothals and marriage offers being exchanged between the many noble clans of the Emerald Seas on this most fortuitous day.
There were no true surprises, really; even the Bao had sent her a missive in the morning indicating they would advance their suite, even knowing of the others that would be made. She wasn't the only woman, or even person, who would be taking multiple offers today. She understood that it was as much about the advertisement of good relations as the actual contracts for many, that this was all a vast web of politics and business dealings in which betrothed individuals were only… pieces in.
It still felt deeply strange to her.
But she smiled all the same, bowing deeply to the richly dressed representative of the Bao, beaming down at her with his own practiced affect. With glittering jewels woven into his headscarf, cloth of shimmering silver cloth swishing on long hanging sleeves as they presented to her a scroll.
"It is my pleasure to extend our hand to the rising and ambitious house of Ling on this joyous day," the tall Bao man said, he actually matched her height, and was twice as wide beside, a well groomed beard bound in jeweled threads falling across his chest. "The Bao clan is always pleased to see and aid the growth of new ambitions."
"You honor me greatly, Sir Bao," Ling Qi said, bowing low and respectfully. Playing up her deference for the many people around the whispering observers and rumormongers of the court. "To have so small a house as mine receive the notice of a great clan and have my achievements receive your praise."
"Ah, there is no need to be so humble. You are quite a deal closer, young miss! Be proud of that," he grinned, stroking his jewel rings fingers through his beard. "Why, I know you have closed a few more already."
He said the last far more quietly and beneath the sound of clinking coins.
Ling Qi straightened, holding the scroll with the official notice close to her chest. "I have… my accomplishments have attracted many eyes."
"They have indeed, were it not for the quality of the three, I would imagine you would be fielding a dozen more," he chuckled. "Well, to the best negotiator goes the contract, eh?"
What an uncomfortable way to put it, Ling Qi mused, and yet, she understood implicitly the good intention. There was no offense at entertaining other options, given the stated… quality.
You're doing good Qi. I know this stuff is hard for ya.
Sixiang's reassurance did help. Ling Qi bowed her head more shallowly this time. "To the best, sir Bao."
Two more to go.
Walking the wedding procession, she and her fellow retainers were still close to the front, gathered among the households close to the Cai but not as close to Cai Renxiang as yesterday. Today, her liege walked side by side with her new fiancee at the very forefront of the procession, situated more with the peaks delegation. It was a show of honor, she knew.
The next temple was Xiangmen's itself, where the heavenly pillar was communed with. The ceremonies here were shorter and a matter of thanks rather than asking for blessings, as those had already been received when the bridal procession passed through the wards.
It helped her nerves a little, seeing the numerous nuptials announced, whether people were nervous, anxious, poised, confident, happy or anything else… the strongest reactions to any, even to people she knew had received multiple prospects was interest and a bit of rumormongering. There
was some murmured sniping she could just barely detect, trough the various screening techniques, but those seemed more a matter of personal grudges and feelings than anything else.
…She wondered if there had been any others with eyes on Meng Dan.
Not Xuan Shi?
She huffed at Sixiang's tease, that was unkind and not her intention… he wasn't native here and hardly made himself known.
The next temple in the procession was the House of the Sun, a temple complex dedicated to his five aspects. This building blazed with color and light, with numerous mirrored surfaces catching the light that fell through the canopy to catch the sun's beams and glow like their patron in miniature. Five pagodas surrounded a central garden, each dedicated to an aspect of the sun. The procession moved through each one in the order of a day.
…She was a little surprised to see Gan Guangli on the receiving end of an offer. Su Ling would be growling. She supposed these must have been the ones he couldn't outright refuse to consider without insulting the other party.
Considering the offer was from the Jia anyway. That was something she'd definitely have to poke her nose into, for her friend's sake.
Is it really, though? She'd probably tell you to mind your business.
Not if she didn't say anything first!
Hmm, that was probably a potential snarl in her cultivation if she really thought about it. Was it removing choice if you acted without another's knowledge, but knowing they would object if they knew?
She'd not chosen an easy path to walk. She sometimes understood why some people preferred to just make themselves into swords and be done with it.
Butterflies were rising in her stomach as the procession neared its next destination, though. The Cycle of Nights was a far more subdued place, especially with one of its eight shrines, the most colorful and vibrant of them in the pst, she assumed, left bare and empty, its entrance boarded up, disallowed to receive all but the most minimal propitiation.
I still don't like it; you're throwing things outta wack, scoffing at grandmother like that. Sixiang grumbled.
I mean, I get
it. But it's still no good.
Ling Qi had to lower her head in agreement there, but she wouldn't be voicing that, even if they agreed, she sincerely doubted anyone present would say so without the Duchess' eyes upon them.
She felt the air tingle on her skin, suffused with familiar lunar energies as she passed under its midnight blue gates.
AN: Need to split this one, vote options next time.
