Threads 399-Recovery 7

“Congratulations to all of you on your acceptance into the ranks of Snowblossom’s administration. The House of Cai has high expectations for your performance, no matter how small your role. To build on the very edge of civilization, each and every pair of hands must put forth their fullest efforts, and together with the efforts of your fellow inductees, work for the common good. This task will not be easy, but its rewards will be rich…”

Once again, Ling Qi sat in her chair at the head of the larger of the two receiving rooms in her home on a raised platform, letting the formal words she had memorized roll out in a well practiced intonation. The last time this room had been used was when she had given out stones to the younger members of the household to test their cultivation. Hanyi stood beside her, looking prim with her chin up and her hands hidden in her wide sleeves.

A rich, dark blue carpet ran from the far end where she was to the door, and on it, the interviewees knelt in four neat rows, arranged by the rank of the position they had been accepted for. Right now, their fief did not have the ability or need to support entire local ministries, so these officials were all relatively low ranks, but as Snowblossom grew, those who had come now at its beginning would be well positioned for opportunity.

The speech she gave ran its course, but Ling Qi was not done. In the beat of silence after, she observed them all. None of those sent to her had been truly malicious or incompetent, but these were the ones she felt had both a drive and a reason to thrive where they were going.

“More than anything else I have said, think of your families and kin and of those you support. It is your efforts together which will make this fief a place for them as well. No one cultivator may perform all duties themselves. It is only through the harmonious efforts of everyone, from Lady Cai down to the lowest ranked clerk, that bureaucracy may be made to run with the precision needed to make this place we are building great. Take pride and be humble both. We build a home which is for all of us.”

Heads bowed, and voices rang out in practiced unison. “Yes Baroness Ling!”

At her gesture, they rose to receive their assignment and rank.

“You have three days left in White Cloud Town. At that time, be prepared at the southern gates, so that you may join the caravan south. Dismissed.”

Ah, she really wasn’t cut out for this sort of thing, was she?

As the ceremony concluded and the last of the officials left the room, Ling Qi allowed her shoulders to slump, reclining in her chair as Hanyi poured her a cup of tea. She didn’t even try to reach for the cup herself, simply letting Hanyi raise it to her lips for her to blow on and sip.

She cracked one eye open as she finished, eyeing the open door.

“It is not like you to skulk, Xia Lin.”

“I was doing nothing of the sort. It is merely polite to wait until you are invited in.”

“Well, consider yourself invited. You came out ahead of the main caravan?”

Xia Lin stepped into view from where she had been waiting beside the doorway. “It is currently traveling through the sect lands. My guardianship is unneeded in this last leg.”

The other girl wasn’t in her armor, which was unusual, but it was still a boyish get up. She wore a loose silk shirt and snug cloth pants, probably meant to be worn under riding leathers. It was a little too free in Ling Qi’s opinion. The other girl’s chest wrap peeked out under the open laces at the shirt’s collar. Metal still gleamed at the girl’s wrists and neck in the form of steel bracelets and a snug choker…

Ah, yes, that made sense. She didn’t know that the White Plumes armor could be made to retract like that. Perhaps it was a new function Xia Lin had recently mastered. It did feel like the other girl’s cultivation had grown.

And didn’t that relight the hot ember a month’s convalescence had left her with, despite her every effort to relax?

“I assume my mother greeted you?”

“Of course. Your hospitality was not flawed at all. I am merely here for you.”

“It is about time for tea and a bite to eat. Hanyi, will you get me moving please?”

“Got it, Big Sis! Dining room?”

“Yes please. I don’t think you object to that, Xia Lin?”

“No.”

***

“My compliments to your cook. Simple flavor, but satisfying,” Xia Lin praised. The last of the spiced wheat cakes that had been set out for her had disappeared but a moment ago.

“I’m sure she will be happy you enjoyed such a simple dish. It is better with the ground ice peppers sprinkled on, isn’t it?” Ling Qi asked.

Wheat was always cheap, even in Tonghou, but the spices people used to flavor it were less so.

“I might prefer a meat filling. With beef filling, the topping need not be so strong though. In that case, it would interfere with the richness of the meat,” Xia Lin replied seriously.

“Agree to disagree. I prefer mine light and crisp with a sharp burst of flavor from the spice.”

“That is because you are more air than meat already.”

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Ling Qi stared, then let out a laugh. “Xia Lin, just how rude do you intend to be to your host?”

“Nah, it’s a compliment, Big Sis,” Hanyi disagreed. “An elegant lady should hardly weigh anything at all!” The winter spirit was still nibbling at her cake. Since she only ate human food for flavor, Hanyi usually ate very slowly.

“As you like.” Xia Lin leaned back in her chair. “Construction and garrisoning are going well.”

“Are they?”

“Indeed. The garrisons at the summit grounds are beginning to settle well. The construction at Snowblossom is progressing. All is well.”

Ling Qi closed her eyes briefly. “And you?”

“You refer to my infection?”

“Yes.”

“I have been screened. There are no lingering effects.”