v6c24: A Many Faceted Jewel

Biyu leaned back in her chair with a contented sigh and patted her stomach.

“As good as the stalls in Pale Moon Lake City,” she praised, and Wa Shi preened. He had somehow managed to grow the lake weed that was ubiquitous in Pale Moon Lake cooking in the river, and Biyu had to admit it was just as good as her favourite food stall.

She could cook well enough to survive, and if she wanted, she could get a maid… but it was comforting to go to the same man she had been going to for years. She didn’t even have to say anything, he had it ready for her as soon as she walked in. Reed, fish bao, and tea. The tea was steeped for far, far too long, turning thick and on some days almost syrupy, fortified by spices.

Biyu had actually brought some of the leaves Uncle Mushi used, and it had kept her sane on the journey up—now most of those had been donated to Wa Shi so he could experiment.

He almost had it, though he seemed more concerned with Pi Pa’s opinion on it. The woman seemed very pleased with the strong, bold taste.

She was really pretty. The hair colour was so exotic, and she was so tall and shapely!

And she had already agreed to let Biyu accessorize her.

It had been a truly wonderful morning. She had woken up to the duality of hard muscle and soft fur, Yun Ren practically wrapped around her. She had lounged in bed until it was finally time to get up, the two of them talking quietly… and then Yun Ren had asked her what was the best way to meet Biyu’s parents with a serious voice.

Then they had a bath together… and finally, Yun Ren had let her comb his hair and tail, fluffing it up to twice its normal size, before burying her face in it.

Everyone had wanted to touch it after that, and Meiling had started whining when Yun Ren refused every questing touch… well, most of them. He let little Zhuye run his curious fingers through the fur and the cute little guy was very pleased… and surprisingly not grabby, simply patting at the fur before making a noise of enjoyment.

Biyu was startled out of her reminiscing when Jin clapped his hands against his thighs and rose to his feet. It wasn’t loud, but everybody stopped what they were doing and started getting ready. Biyu had seen this before, their morning ritual of stretching and martial arts forms that they all did together.

Biyu had been told before that she could join in if she wished… and today she decided that stretches and limbering movements would do her some good. She had spent a week scrunched up, after all… and last night hadn’t helped the soreness of her muscles. Though that slight twinge of pain was actually kind of nice.

The cold was bracing as they all lined up. Mister Loud Boy looked a lot better today. He had looked a little bit out of it last night, but most of his worries seemed to have disappeared.

Biyu did her best to follow along. She was the slowest, but she had always had fairly good control over her own body when she concentrated. The rest of her was less coordinated than her hands, but she made do. It made her sweat and she was panting at the end of it, her jacket discarded in the snow… but it had been rather invigorating. And she wasn’t as sore anymore.

“So, same assignments as yesterday!” Jin declared, and almost everyone nodded, aside from Biyu and Misters Rags and Loud Boy.

“We’re working on stalls for the New Year’s festival,” Yun Ren whispered in her ear, and Biyu perked up. That sounded fun! However… before she relaxed, she should probably finish her job and report back to the Crystal Emporium.

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Jin was, of course, completely understanding. Biyu quickly worked out with Mister Rags, as well as Miss Xiulan and Jin, about what could be said over the transmission stone. It wasn’t common knowledge, but people could ‘listen in’ on transmissions if they had the right tools.

Their course decided, they were on the way back to Verdant Hill—though this time in style. Jin loaned them his sleigh, and Chun Ke volunteered to pull them. In the end, Yun Ren and Pi Pa decided to come along too.

The sleigh was perfect. The wind was barely noticeable, and Biyu was content and warm, sipping tea and braiding Pi Pa’s hair.

In no time at all, they were back in the town. They split up, Pi Pa and Chun Ke going off on their own into town, while Biyu, Yun Ren, Mister Rags, and Mister Loud Boy continued on to the Palace of the Lord Magistrate… whom they may have insulted.

However, the Lord Magistrate was very understanding and waved off her apology.

“It’s quite alright. I understand your worry well,” the man said with a small smile.

However, when they asked to use the Palace’s Transmission Stone, he grimaced.

“We’ve not been getting the best signal as of late. It cuts out often, so I don’t know how useful it will be. We’ll have to wait until spring at the very least to get a specialist to look at it…” The Lord Magistrate said, a frown on his face.

“If only there was one of those around,” Yun Ren deadpanned.

The Lord Magistrate looked a bit confused.

Biyu waved at him. The symbol of Mengde’s Crystal Emporium was displayed rather predominantly on her clothes.

The Lord Magistrate tapped his head with amusement, as if just realising he could ask her.

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“How much would it cost?” he ventured. “It hasn’t been serviced since before my time.”

Which was again understandable. Transmission stones, despite their occasionally spotty connections, were rather robust. If they needed repairs, something must have really gone wrong.

Biyu considered his question. As the apprentice of Master Jing, and a recognised and accredited Master Carver, her rates were much higher than a lower ranking member of the Emporium. However, this was the town Yun Ren’s parents used if they had an emergency, Yun Ren liked the man… and he was apparently Jin’s teacher.

She needed to use the crystal anyway… so she used one of the lessons her Master taught her.

Make friends with important people and do them a solid! She also was fairly certain it would work. She could hear a little bit of the Pale Moon accent in the Lord Magistrate’s voice. It was super faint, but there. Surprisingly, it was from the outer boroughs. Maybe Northwind Lane? Not where most rich folk came from… but if he was from Pale Moon, he would get it.

“We’ll have a discussion later about it and I’ll write you an invoice, Lord Magistrate. For your accounting purposes,” Biyu said, emphasizing the word.

The Lord Magistrate’s eyes widened as he realised what she was saying. Namely she would give him an invoice he would never have to pay… and then he could use that cash for whatever.

It was technically corruption, but Biyu was from Pale Moon Lake City. Greasing palms was just the cost of doing business sometimes. Her father, her mother, and her Master had taught her that.

And even the most uptight Magistrate wouldn’t say no to somebody offering to repair their Transmission Stone for free.