Threads 183-Return 2

… And you would not believe how unbearably crass the man is! I understand that the Zheng have different ways, but there should be a limit. But leaving that uncouth cad aside, the rest of the journey through the borderlands and into the Golden Fields proper went well. I must admit, seeing the spires of Phoenix Home rising over the horizon brought a moment of weakness. I understand that you hold no special feeling toward your city of birth, so it must seem quite foolish to you, but… it was as if a year’s worth of homesickness struck me at once. Phoenix Home is a marvel of craft and beauty, and I should like you to see it someday.

I suppose it is unlikely that you will find yourself with the time in the near future though, so perhaps I might commission a small painting for you. I haven’t forgotten that I owe you a gift. Don’t you dare tell me that I do not!

As for how matters proceeded once I reached home, it was,better than I could have expected. Father has promised to train me further in the Gu arts that I may sooner heal some of my wounds. Mother is displeased with us, but it is my hope that she will calm herself in time. I do have to admit some small trepidation though. While I am certain of my lethality as a warrior, I am not so certain of myself as a soldier and leader. Father seems confident in me, and I do not wish to disappoint him.

Despite that, I can only describe the feeling of receiving so much attention from my father to be satisfying…

Ling Qi looked up as she heard footsteps approaching her seat on the fence surrounding the training yard. The small novel worth of pages which had sprung from the envelope containing Xiulan’s letter was balanced on her knee. All around her was the sound of laughter, combat, and carousing. The group she had helped Wang Chao put together hadn’t flagged in her absence.

She turned her gaze to the one who had interrupted her, and the short brunette immediately made a small squeaking sound and bowed her head. “My apologies for interrupting your correspondence, Miss Ling.”

“It’s no trouble…” Ling Qi paused a second, searching her mind for the girl’s name.

<Nie Ai,> Sixiang murmured.

“Nie Ai,” Ling Qi finished, keeping her pause minimal.

It was actually a little uncomfortable how pleased the girl looked to have her name remembered.

“I should probably read this at home. My friend has given me quite a lot to read,” Ling Qisaid with a smile, carefully restacking the papers. She returned them to their too small envelope and dismissed it to storage. “Did you need something?”

“Ah, Sir Wang had asked for you to come to the entrance,” Nie Ai said, keeping her eyes lowered.

Ling Qi frowned, turning toward the narrow channel road that made up the entrance of the valley they had taken for their gathering. There was a bit too much “noise” in the air to readily read presences so far away. She could send a wisp, but that might be rude. “Lead the way then.”

The girl bowed again as Ling Qi hopped down from the fence, idly nodding her head toward those who acknowledged her presence. The story of their trip and what Cai Renxiang had asked her mother for had not yet become fully public knowledge, although those with an ear to the court like Bian Ya were aware (before Ling Qi had just straight up told her), but it was still seeping into the pool of public rumor. All they knew was that Ling Qi and Cai Renxiang had succeeded at an important mission in foreign lands.

“Nie Ai, how have things been at the Sect?” Ling Qi asked as they passed a ring where two young men were having a contest of strength with Zhengui. It was a game where teams of disciples would try to move him in exchange for small prizes. The crackling of thunder and crumbling stone joined human grunts of effort and calls of encouragement. “I don’t mean out in the war effort, but here,” she clarified.

The other girl plucked at her sleeves nervously. “It has been tense. Everyone is being rotated on and off duty, and the recent break in advancement has cheered everyone. More of the outer province students have left though. Ranks 993 and down are currently empty.”

This meant the Sect hadn’t managed to promote new blood from the military yet. She supposed everyone must be focused on the logistics of the war.

“How is Elder Jiao doing? I’ve heard that the other wounded are awake again, but I hadn’t heard of him.”

“Elder Jiao?” Nie Ai asked, furrowing her brow. “Um, I believe he was focusing on the Sect’s defenses against the underground. I think I heard a rumor that he and the Sect Head had a disagreement over something though…”

Ling Qi gave her a questioning look, and the girl ducked her head low. “I’m sorry. I don’t know more than that.”

<I wonder if I should pester auntie,> Sixiang mused.

<I don’t think we should put our noses into elder business,> Ling Qi sent back.

Out loud, she said, “Don’t worry, Miss Nie. It was just an idle curiosity.”

The girl nodded, seeming relieved as they passed the pavilion, and she saw Wang Chao standing by the gate, his brow furrowed and his arms crossed. He looked both worried and contemplative.

Ling Qi’s thoughts drifted back to what she had been contemplating before Xiulan’s letter arrived. Word had not yet spread far outside of the court, but should she mention what was happening to Wang Chao? While he was probably not going to be much help himself, she wondered if she could ask him to put her in contact with relatives who could be.

There was a certain wisdom to giving more clans buy-ins to their project, but doing so would make things more complicated as well, giving them more interests to cater to. Cai Renxiang had given her latitude on the matter while Renxiang was focused on studying up on the names in the advisor pool that was already being filled with her mother’s recommendations.

“Sir Wang, what is troubling you so?” Ling Qi asked, leaving Nie Ai behind as she approached her fellow event organizer. In the end, holding back was silly. She didn’t gain anything by leaving him out of the loop.

“Oh, Miss Ling! Thank you for coming quickly,” Wang Chao said, looking up and blinking owlishly. He must have been deep in thought. “I’ve just received some requests to attend our gatherings that I want your input on.”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Ling Qi cocked her head to the side curiously. “Really?”

“Yes, yes, I know we agreed that we could be sparing about invitations,” Wang Chao said. “But it isn’t just some run-of-the-mill disciples asking here.”

“Who is it then?” Ling Qi asked, feeling the rumbling of the earth in her ears. She extended her own qi, cloaking their words in figments of inane small talk.

“It’s that Luo,” Wang Chao grunted. “It’s true that we’ve got a handsome number of his folk here, but I doubt it’s just benign interest. I can’t fathom what he’s up to, but I know that man is a plotter!”

Ling Qi pursed her lips. Luo Zhong had not left her with the best of impressions, though she didn’t think he was malicious. “I’m unsure as well. It is possible that it’s a goodwill exercise. If he just wanted to spy for some reason, it would be easy enough to ask one of his people who already attend.”

“Well, of course, and it’s not as if we’re up to any skullduggery here, just good, honest exercise,” Wang Chao grumbled. “Luo Zhong isn’t the type for that sort of thing though.”

“Perhaps not,” Ling Qi admitted. “It’s more likely that it has something to do with me.”

He gave her an uncomprehending look.

“I spend most of my public time here. It’s the most reasonable place to contact me without it seeming like untoward stalking,” Ling Qi pointed out. “My recent business was quite high profile.”