Threads 327-Dukes 1

Outside, heading down the stairs, Ling Qi glanced at her companion. “So, as one more informed about the celestial spheres, how concerned should I be?”

“You should be quite terrified. It is likely that the sky will fall, clawed to ribbons from below as well as above,” Meng Dan said pleasantly.

Ling Qi gave him an unimpressed look.

“Ah, you doubt I would hold my composure if it were so? Lady Ling wounds me.”

“I would think less of you if I thought you were so detached,” Ling Qi retorted.

“That is also fair,” Meng Dan said, smiling. “In truth, I don’t know enough. There is something terribly dangerous in the south, but if our guests are here for this little talk, they cannot find it too immediately concerning.”

“True. If I am to respect them as peers, I can’t assume they’ve missed an immediate catastrophe brewing overhead,” Ling Qi mused. She still wanted to know more if it could be related to that awful thing the Twelve Skies Confederation had backing them.

“From the context we have sussed out, it is a matter they are long used to, even if the severity is waxing. I am not too troubled that I must talk my uncle around on this. Thankfully, he is enough of an academic himself that I am sure I can prevail with him… Would you care to meet with me over tea and hash out the details of our proposal before month’s end?”

Ling Qi glanced his way as they reached the bottom of the stairs. It was purely work, but she knew some part of her previously would have still backed away from it given her realizations as to Meng Dan’s.

“Yes. Once I have finished with the first ducal meeting, I’ll send you a note with a time.”

“I’ll be quite busy myself, so we may have to haggle on the time.”

“We’ll see how it works out. I’m sure the two of us can find a single hour to shake free somewhere. Good luck, Meng Dan.”

“I am not the one who must keep a meeting between our ducal guests calm and civil,” Meng Dan observed. “Please, Lady Ling, it is you who require all the good fortune here.”

Ling Qi smiled, inclined her head in acknowledgement, and left the observatory behind.

***

Ling Qi was glad to see her best friend again, even if the situation didn’t allow them to be as casual the way she might have liked. “Lady Bai, I am honored by your request to guide you to the meeting.”

“It is nothing, Baroness. You are our ally’s trusted retainer. It is only natural that we allow you to escort us,” Bai Meizhen said coolly, but Ling Qi could detect her amusement.

The Bai delegation had been waiting for her at the small square outside of their ambassador’s housing at the foot of the cloven mountain. Xiao Fen was with Meizhen of course, lurking a step back from her mistress and seemingly looking at everyone and everything nearby at once. She was sure it would be menacing, if Ling Qi had not seen the girl’s expression scrunched up in frustration or embarrassment before. Xia Anxi was with her too. It looked like he’d finally given in to the climate, and he was wearing a fine fur-lined jacket instead of flowing robes.

“Nonetheless, I must also thank you for agreeing to the imposition of this meeting and for accepting my role as a mediator speaking in my lady’s name.”

“Of course. It is unfortunate that others have put their noses where they are not needed, but we understand that Lady Cai must make certain… accommodations,” Bai Meizhen said. “Let us walk, Baroness.”

“Yes, your understanding is most helpful,” Ling Qi said, falling in beside them.

She was glad that Meizhen was the one here. The message from the Western Territories delegation, stating that they might be attending the meeting, was rude, but not to the level she could call them out on.

“Has my retainer been of use to you?” Bai Meizhen asked.

“Lao Keung has been a great boon. His presence has freed all of us to focus here on the summit. How have your accommodations been?”

“Acceptable, given the hasty nature of this construction. I heard there was some trouble earlier?”

“A minor construction accident. Only minor injuries.”

“This is why going from hard to soft negotiations is a poor idea. You will only confuse the spirits like that,” Xia Anxi chided.

“Well, I won’t say there is not some confusion in how we mean to go along, but it’s being resolved. I must say, I’m impressed by the observatory and its grounds. I think that will lend some value to this site, no matter the results of this negotiation with the White Sky Confederation.”

“The existence of an observatory is a bold statement of confidence in holding these lands,” Bai Meizhen allowed.

“It’s a shame that I haven’t had the chance to inspect it myself,” Xia Anxi lamented.

“Mm, you are an astrologer, aren’t you? I have been told they have already made some interesting observations on the night sky, even if the specifics are mostly over my head,” Ling Qi said.

Not that he would be granted access. If the Meng were a bit grumpy about negotiating foreign access, they’d be downright hostile to the Bai.

“A shame,” Xia Anxi repeated. “It really is curious, the emanations from the sky in the far south. So curious.”

“You’ve been studying such phenomena?” Bai Meizhen queried.

Xia Anxi still straightened up perceptibly when addressed by Meizhen, but it seemed like he was a little less jumpy than before.

“Only in private moments, and with personal tools, Lady Bai.”

“I can’t say I find the sky particularly interesting, but I have no objections.”

“Baroness, will the Jin scion be joining us today? I am aware of invitations to the Zheng and the Xuan, as well as the… westerners, but I have not heard of the northerns.”

“He will not since he is acting here only in his capacity as a junior agent of the Ministry.” Ling Qi replied. “I know little about either the Zheng or the Jin.”

“Prideless,” Meizhen judged disapprovingly. “The Jin are the remnants of the Jing clan after the Jing left the empire long ago. They are tightly entangled with the capital.”

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