Threads 215-Friend and Foe 4

“Getting back to what’s in front of us, what do the other provinces think of our venture, Lady Renxiang?” Ling Qi asked.

“As we suspected. The Zheng see it as a grand adventure. The Lakes are officially supportive but internally ambivalent,” Cai Renxiang replied.

Meizhen tipped her head in apology. “The Duchess has sold it well, and her successful subjugation helps, but my kin do not easily approve of diplomacy.”

Renxiang nodded faintly. “The Fields are ambivalent, of course, but the Capital and Sands have signaled some disapproval. I believe we may need to accommodate an imperial observer in our plans.”

Ling Qi blinked and then frowned. That was unexpected. “The Throne does not consider this provincial business?”

“The Throne has indicated that it has an interest in the matter,” Renxiang replied. “But it is still to allow the Duchess’ lead.”

“Hmph. Absent when they are needed, ever present when unwanted,” Meizhen mocked.

“D’you think they’ll send someone who will mess things up?” Sixiang asked.

“I do not know,” Cai Renxiang said. “It is a factor we will have to account for.”

“Well, we’ll work it out,” Ling Qi said with a frown. “What is the plan for tomorrow? I know our outline, but…”

“As the junior generation, we will be leaving the adults to their business tomorrow,” Meizhen said. “We are expected to attend the tournament together. Trust building, of course. I would like your continued assistance in deciphering the intentions of my assigned subordinates.”

“Just whose retainer is Ling Qi?” Renxiang asked over the rim of her cup.

“Yours, although only because I let her go,” Meizhen teased.

“I am sitting right here.” Ling Qi huffed.

“So you are,” Meizhen said blithely. “What do you think of them by the by? Aside from your admiration of Lao Keung’s physique.”

“Meizhen,” Ling Qi hissed. “Spirits, I wasn’t obvious, right?”

“No, I just know you,” Meizhen replied smugly.

“A match with the Thousand Lakes would not be terrible,” Renxiang mused. “It would have disadvantages over an internal match, but not insurmountable ones. There would be benefits to the alliance as well.”

“Lady Renxiang,” Ling Qi complained, only to sigh. “I don’t have too much of a read yet; I’ve only known them for a few hours. Lao Keung has some resentment in him, but it is not personalized. Xia Anxi is very prideful, but he seems frightened of you, Meizhen.”

“As is proper,” Xiao Fen said primly, breaking her silence.

“Inevitable, but it does make things difficult if they will not speak plainly,” Meizhen said. “If I were to hint that I want you to be engaged with, which of the two do you prefer?”

“Let me speak with Xia Anxi,” Ling Qi said after a moment’s thought. She wasn’t certain how genuine his interest had been, but it would be interesting to speak to a musician from such a distant tradition. Plus, she had paid more attention to the other Bai yesterday. It wouldn’t do to snub.

“I will imply my interest in his assistance with keeping relations high then,” Meizhen said.

“Why not just tell him?” Ling Qi asked, taking a drink from her slush-filled cup. She quite liked this. Maybe she should try it with other drinks? The texture of the ice was pleasant.

“It is good to allow your subordinates to appear as if they are anticipating your desires,” Bai Meizhen replied. “It is a kindness for new members of my entourage, or so Lady Xilai says. I trust her experience in the matter.”

“It is not an uncommon practice, though it is not my preference,” Cai Renxiang commented absently.

“Good thing, else I’d have made a fool of myself,” Ling Qi quipped.

“Indeed,” Cai Renxiang replied.

The three of them shared a laugh. It was good to relax now while they were veiled from the public eye. Tomorrow, they will be back, and the theater of society will resume. Now though, they could simply be good friends.

***

“The first match was at least a little interesting,” Lao Keung said, leaning against the railing which separated their box from the general crowd of the stands. “Good spearwork at least.”

“Workmanlike at best,” Xia Anxi drawled. He remained in the seat beside her. It was actually funny how stubborn he was being in that regard. “Neither combatant had any real grace. But yes, an entertaining brawl.”

Ling Qi nodded in agreement. Gun Jun had won, but it was a close thing.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“The dedication of both combatants was admirable,” Bai Meizhen said. “I will not blame the Sect for the dullness of the second and third though. It was inevitable given the competition, just as my own first match was last year.”

Bai Meizhen, Cai Renxiang, Lao Keung, and Xia Anxi all occupied this lower box with her today. They were essentially the Bai-Cai alliance junior division, as it were.

<Pfft, you make it sound funnier than it is,> Sixiang snickered.

“A certain respect is deserved for Lady Bai,” Xia Anxi said. “But being expected does not make it any less dull.”

Lu Feng’s match had just ended, and as expected, it was a swift one just as Gan Guangli’s before it had been. Third realms as advanced as they were against second realms… The best a second realm could expect was being allowed to show off some of their skills by their opponents.

“I heard you went very soft on your opponent in the first match, Lady Bai,” Lao Keung said. It wasn’t quite a question like when he’d asked permission to stand instead of sit, but Ling Qi felt like he was probing at her friend.