Threads 406-Courtesies 1

There was quite a bit of fanfare in White Cloud Town for Cai Renxiang’s visit, something that had happened regularly for the better part of the last two years. She knew that Cai Renxiang had been in and out more than once without a peep from the town’s government. The most reaction they had received had been when they had needed to use the governor’s emergency transport formation to chase after some bandits.

This time, however, the streets had been swept, the gates thrown wide, and the traffic cleared as Cai Renxiang arrived at the head of a small column of soldiers. The heiress managed to look fairly regal atop a white horse, bridle held loosely in one hand as she sternly recited the proper pleasantries to the town’s arrayed officials.

This was the difference between being a disciple, even one proclaimed as the tacit, default ducal heir, and being a power in her own right with her own deeds and base of power, however small.

Ling Qi sighed and withdrew her sight back to her physical eyes, letting her awareness through the distant wisp shuffle into the back of her thoughts.

“You have an hour. I would expect it to be very close to exactly that. Lady Cai is very punctual, and there is nothing the town’s officials are likely to do to delay that.”

“Yes, Lady Ling.” The maid attending her bowed. “I will inform Madam Qingge at once.”

Ling Qi nodded, putting aside the last of the morning’s paperwork as the girl hurried out.

“Jeez. Why’s it gotta be such a big deal? We talk to boss lady and visit her all the time,” Hanyi complained.

“Because Lady Cai is paying the Ling clan the respect of an official visit in recognition of my accomplishments. Think of it like one of your shows, but with more talking and bowing and serving of tea.”

“Oh, that makes sense. I guess,” Hanyi said dubiously.

Ling Qi smiled. “Don’t worry, Junior Sister. All the parts are accounted for. You just have to stand behind me and look like a proper lady.”

“Easy. No one’s a more proper lady than me,” Hanyi bragged. “Should I take you out to the main hall?”

“Please,” Ling Qi replied, leaning back in her chair. When her chair was turned and the chair’s wheels began to carry her out of the office, she reflected that it almost felt normal now.

She had to get permission to start doing walking exercises soon.

***​

The main hall of the manor in which the Ling clan resided, such as it was, had been prepared for Cai Renxiang’s visit. Its furnishings had been changed out and rearranged, such that the floor was clear, leading up to an elevated portion of the floor. A rich carpet had been rolled out, and the servants of the house kneeling in kowtow on either side. Ling Qi, her mother, and Hanyi were all up on the raised dais, arranged to receive their honored guest.

Everything was arranged just so, from the draw of the shades allowing sunlight to spill in naturally, to the posture of each of the members of her household. Normally, a vassal would have soldiers as well to display martial readiness for their liege, but Ling Qi did not have those yet.

It was all very ostentatious, but she was glad to give her people some practice in receiving important guests, though of course, besides her mother, she didn’t think any of them really understood this visit in that way. She felt they were all performing admirably though.

As she felt the light pulsing through the halls of her home, she directed her attention toward the door. Cai Renxiang’s approach had the feel of gear-teeth turning, the regular click and grind of metal in smooth operation. The light her liege cast from around her head even now, preceded her in the dimmer hallway outside, washing out the shadows.

Cai Renxiang arrived at the door of her hall flanked by a pair of her own courtiers, low cultivators Ling Qi vaguely recognized from her times at Snowblossom as administrator and assistant to her liege. With them were the two maids assigned to greet them at the gates, who were doing an excellent job of looking poised instead of scared stiff, as she could tell they were.

“Lady Cai, your humble and oathsworn retainer welcomes you, and apologizes that she may not offer you the proper respects due to her condition.” Ling Qi clasped her hands before her chest and lowering her head as much as she realistically could in her chair.

Of course there were protocols for being injured too badly to stand, bow, or kowtow as normally required. Imperial etiquette books were very thorough.

“For wounds taken in my service, there is no such offense,” Cai Renxiang replied back. Gloved hands folded behind her back, she entered the hall at a steady pace, pausing only to raise her hand in official dismissal of her entourage. The door greeters murmured and bowed to them as well before leading them away to be received themselves. “I am pleased to see such a well ordered home.”

“My liege does me great honor with her compliment,” Ling Qi said. Her head remained low. Beside her, Mother and Hanyi bowed at the waist as well. She and Renxiang had worked this out in letters. Allowing the members of her direct family to bow instead of kowtow was another sign of favor. “Please, Lady Cai, be welcome here with my Ling Clan, for as long as you should demand our hospitality.”

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Cai Renxiang’s heels clicked on the polished wooden floor of the raised hall as she mounted the three steps to stand across from Ling Qi. Her expression was neutral as she scanned her gaze over the room. “Raise your heads. I come not with demands and duties, but rewards for your deeds, Baroness Ling. For great services to your province, and to the House of Cai.”

“Deeds done in your name and out of my love for the Emerald Seas,” Ling Qi said formally. “For this, loyal retainer requires no reward.”

“And yet, I offer it all the same.”

“Then, this one shall not be so rude as to reject my liege’s kindness.”

Simple formality. Recipient softly rejects once, the rewarding party insists, and the recipient gracefully accepts. It was a little dance, allowing one to appear humble while the liege was positioned to be insistent in rewarding deeds well done.

Cai Renxiang nodded crisply. “Then know, Baroness Ling Qi, that from this day, the cultivation stipend of your clan shall be increased half again, and the best of our services will be put to use for you in the construction of your grounds at the settlement of Snowblossom. In addition to this, my honored mother has granted you this boon…”