Threads 345-Tea 2

“So how did the discussion with your uncle go?”

“I believe I can talk him around. His own curiosity as a scholar is doing some work. We’ll need to negotiate a trade that my family can consider a fair price, but I am confident that the observatory is upon the bargaining table, so to speak. What about you? How have your discussions and investigations gone?”

Ling Qi let out a long sigh.

Meng Dan gave her a commiserating look. “I have not heard anything bad, for what it is worth.”

“I’ve managed everything, but people are so difficult,” Ling Qi said. “I am really looking forward to visiting my family before the negotiations start.”

“We all need our moments of respite,” Meng Dan agreed. “Do you have any particular plans?”

“There has been some cultivation success in the household, so I want to congratulate the ones on track to awaken,” Ling Qi replied, mind wandering to the times ahead. “Then there is talking to mother about preparing to receive noble guests in the future, but mostly, I just want to spend time with my mother and sister to introduce them to Sixiang properly and to just be with my family for a little.”

There was so much pressure and formality on her at all times here that she felt like it might crush her.

“I hope you find the solace you’re looking for,” Meng Dan said sincerely. “Ah, for my part, I am looking forward to settling into the Argent Peak’s sect library for a week or so.”

“I hope you have fun,” Ling Qi said, a little amused. She considered him for a moment. “Meng Dan, what is your family like?”

“We’ve discussed my clan at length, haven’t we?”

“That’s not what I mean,” Ling Qi said. “Your close family, I mean.”

Cai Renxiang’s family was without comparison in many ways, and Bai Meizhen didn’t care to talk about such topics. She had never really gotten a noble acquaintance to talk about it. What were noble families actually like?

Meng Dan didn’t answer for a time.

“I apologize if it is a rude question,” Ling Qi said.

“If we were less acquainted, it might be. I have three siblings, though the youngest is sixty years my elder. We are not especially close, as they all have their own careers and interests.”

It felt strange, those gulfs of time. Gu Xiulan had said something similar.

“My mother and father though… Mother is a talented weapon smith from one of our vicontiel clans who married in. Father is the undersecretary of the Minister of Law for our region. I saw them last year at the clan’s new year’s celebration, and both seemed in good health and humor.”

“I see,” Ling Qi said. She didn’t let herself frown, but there was a sterility in his description. It was like she’d asked him about the condition of the roads in the west. Meng Dan was much more passionate about his work.

“But, and I say this with some trust in your silence, I do still trade some letters and visitation with my youth tutors, who might be closer to what Miss Ling was asking after,” he added blithely.

“Maybe.”

“I admit, I’m curious. What drives your question? I am sure you are not simply asking after what connections I have.”

“I suppose that would be a more normal pre-courting question.”

His eyebrows climbed. “Ah, I am sorry, I didn’t mean to imply…”

Ling Qi gave a wan smile. “It’s fine, but I won’t pretend to understand your interest.”

“You are fascinating,” Meng Dan said.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

She blinked, words dying.

“Curious, determined, and irrepressible. Secret paths seem to open readily for you, and you do not fear to tread them. Nor can I easily guess what is going on behind your eyes, the way I can with most. I won’t say I am smitten, but I have never met a woman of my age who is quite like you.”

Ling Qi did not gape or flush or do anything silly. She did swallow though. “I’m not so unique. There must be many scholars better than I just at Blue Mountain.”

“There are many better academics, but that is not the same thing,” Meng Dan corrected. “But, my question?”

“You’re the one who went off on a tangent,” Ling Qi muttered grumpily into her cup.

“My apologies.”