Threads 169-Emissary 4

“This is unfortunate.” Cai Renxiang pinched the bridge of her nose.

They stood in the central room of the small guest suite Jaromila’s servants had guided them to. It was somewhat cramped, but it was warmed by a roaring fire in the gated hearth on the north wall. A low table carved from darkly painted bone sat in the middle, surrounded by sturdy chairs upholstered in thick hide and fur. Four doors arrayed around the room led to small bedrooms.

Hanyi had flopped back in one of the chairs, the beginnings of a pout on her face. Zhengui, shrunk to his most minimal size, had scuttled beneath her chair.

“I wanted to avoid misunderstandings over Hanyi’s and my own status,” Ling Qi defended. She knew that she had not handled it as best she could however.

“I am aware of the quirks of your own cultivation, Ling Qi. That does not mean I do not expect you to control them,” Cai Renxiang rebuked. “I know that you could have handled the matter more delicately.”

“It does seem like something of a setback, but it is not so bad,” Meng Dan offered, resting his hands on the back of a chair. “Are we not still guests? Miss Ling will need to clear up this theological quandary, but in this, too, I believe we may find opportunity yet.”

“I apologize if it is rude, but I would very much like an explanation of this matter,” Xia Lin said. She stood ramrod stiff with her arms crossed over her breastplate, casting occasional glances at Hanyi.

Ling Qi grimaced, understanding her distress. Cai Renxiang was aware of Hanyi’s unique circumstances, but she did not mention it to others, precisely because of the potential misunderstandings. “Hanyi is not human despite her father. She is wholly a spirit due to the circumstances of her conception.”

“I do not think we need to know the precise details,” Gan Guangli rumbled, leaning against the wall beside the hearth. Despite his words, he looked uncomfortable. “I trust that Lady Cai would not let anything untoward pass by.”

“As your own senses may tell you, she is no spirit blooded, and the Baroness’ binding is wholly normal,” Cai Renxiang summarized shortly.

Ling Qi understood their discomfort. It was not a thing talked about, but sometimes, the lines between spirit blooded and spirit could be blurry, and sometimes, that led to… problems. Attempting to perform some form of the beast binding ritual on another cultivator was a crime. Successfully doing so required rituals that were also crimes.

“Please do not take my words as distrust, Lady Cai,” Xia Lin said, bowing her head. “The context of this was alarming.”

“It is not normally something worth bringing up for that exact reason,” Ling Qi said. “I admit, it is a little hurtful that you would think such of me though.”

Xia Lin pursed her lips, glancing once more at the now openly pouting Hanyi. “I apologize. This matter is close to my heart, and my reaction was poor.”

Ling Qi wondered at that, but she accepted the apology. “Given the circumstances, I cannot blame you for a mild overreaction.”

Gan Guangli shook his head slowly, still seeming bewildered. “It is good that we do not fight between ourselves, but what are we to do now that we have been left to wait?”

“We must wait, but we should not be idle,” Cai Renxiang said. The faint tap of the toe of her boot on the floor was strange; Cai Renxiang was not given to nervous ticks. “We have been instructed to remain on this floor and not to attempt the stairs, nor leave the redoubt without informing them first.”

“Which does not mean we must remain in these rooms,” Meng Dan concurred.

“Yes. I believe it would be good for us to learn more of our hosts in the time we have been given to avoid any further misunderstandings,” Cai Renxiang said.

“Lady Cai is wise,” Gan Guangli said. “I am interested in the fellows at the sun shrine we passed on the way here.”

Ling Qi recalled the brightly lit room she had glimpsed with its central pillar carved with many faces and scenes and gilt in gold. Serene men in white robes had been within.

“I would like more time to focus on examining the mural in the garrison hall,” Meng Dan said. I am sure I can manage to draw some of our fine hosts into discussion on their tales.”

“If I am to split from Lady Cai,” Xia Lin began slowly. The heiress nodded once, and Xia Lin continued, “Then perhaps, I shall inspect the training hall. If I am to be of use, let me test the ways of their warriors.”

“I will seek out this Ilsur,” Cai Renxiang said. “Interrogating his position within this ‘confederation’ and his influence upon these negotiations is important.”

“I will have to consider my best path, but I need to take a moment to myself first,” Ling Qi asserted.

Stolen novel; please report.

With that, the group split to their identified tasks.

***​

“I messed things up again. I’m sorry, Big Sis.” Hanyi sat on the bed in the little room they’d been provided, kicking her feet.

“You didn’t.” Ling Qi crouched in front of her. “You did nothing wrong. I’m the one who made mistakes.”