Threads 261-Yonder 2

Ling Qi blinked.

“The surveyors have discovered a high concentration of spirits, which they are not equipped to engage with. The concentration lies along the southeastern tributary of the river. They believe it to be a local spirit court.”

“And you want me to open talks.”

“You have the greatest success with such negotiations,” Cai Renxiang replied, tilting her head. “But all the same, I would like you to take either Gan Guangli or Xia Lin with you for security and to give them more experience in such matters.”

***

“I must thank you for the opportunity, Miss Ling,” Gan Guangli boomed cheerfully as they set out from the outpost. There was only a dusting of snow, and where she stood atop the blanket of white, Gan Guangli’s stout boots dug a trench without difficulty.

“Ah, it’s not something I think deserves thanks. I just think Xia Lin needs a bit more time to settle.” She smiled innocently. “And I do think I owe you an adventure. Really, I’m still a little mad at you and Su Ling.”

Gan Guangli chuckled awkwardly. “Come now, Miss Ling. There’s no need for that.”

“Oh, I think there is,” Ling Qi said, flitting ahead to perch on a high, narrow branch. “How long?”

He stopped a moment, crossing his arms and raising his chin in defiance. Ling Qi leaned down, her loose bangs casting her eyes in shadow. Flecks of cold blue met gleaming gold, and the land around was cast in twilight by the shine of the dawn and the dark of midnight.

Sixiang snickered. <Heh, that’s my girl. You know what’s serious.>

“Honestly,” Gan Guangli sighed. “Miss Su only acknowledged our relationship after the tournament.”

“But it started earlier,” Ling Qi deduced as they resumed walking, or rather, Gan Guangli did. Ling Qi drifted along the blanket of snow, glinting sparkles of light drifting out to keep watch on their surroundings. With close attention, she could feel the faint reverberation of qi in the sound of Gan Guangli’s crunching footsteps.

“Did you invite me solely to gossip, Miss Ling?” Gan Guangli countered.

Ling Qi came to a stop atop an ice slick log and coughed into her hand. “No.”

That wasn’t the only reason.

“I enjoy her company, and it bothered me to see her alone,” Gan Guangli finally offered thoughtfully.

“Many people enjoy being alone,” Ling Qi pointed out.

“Miss Su does not. It is my belief that she quite dislikes being in only her own company.”

Not wrong, Ling Qi thought. “I’m still surprised.”

“It is what it is. It remains to be seen if it becomes something more,” he replied serenely.

Ling Qi narrowed her eyes at his unflappable expression. “That’s not how you were acting in the Medicine Hall.”

“She told me what you had suggested before you went.” Gan Guangli gave her a flat look.

Ling Qi looked away, flitting past a few trees. Su Ling did need that, blatant affection and drama and all.

“But are you serious?” Ling Qi asked, letting the subject drop. She ignored the whispers in her mind of past experiences with men. She trusted Gan Guangli, and Su Ling had stood before a fourth realm’s projection and drawn its blood with a broken blade.

Gan Guangli frowned deeply. “I want to believe I am, but at the same time, I do not want to burden Lady Cai further.”

There was a rub for both of them. Strengthening their clans with connections and alliances was part of their duty, and in the end, marriage was the strongest bargaining chip a new clan had. “Su Ling is strong.”

“She is,” Gan Guangli agreed.

Ling Qi had a few vague thoughts on this problem. Given her suspicions of the connection between the fox children and the Diao… The offer Diao Hualing had made implied that they wished to take Su Ling in. Adoption was just as viable as marriage, particularly if she got to come right back to them all…

“You are plotting, Miss Ling,” Gan Guangli observed in a voice of deep concern.

“Just considering the future,” Ling Qi said airily. It was just a silly line of thought. Perhaps Su Ling could rise well in one of the ministries or the Sect itself. That would also be fine.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“So, how much have you heard of the reports?” Ling Qi asked, changing the subject.