Threads 472-Glass 2

Ling Qi leaned back against the rail lining the branch way, heedless of the potential for a vast fall into the clouds below. A small smile played on her lips as she recalled the night before in her mind. It wasn’t often that she was allowed to have a night of pure informality with her best friend and Cai Renxiang, and it always left her buoyed, energetic for the next day and the challenges ahead.

Not that she would call anything on her agenda today challenging. In the coming days, she had many meetings scheduled, from the Ministry of Law to the Gold Autumn School to various contacts with whom it would be rude not to have a face-to-face meeting now that it was possible.

Today, she was merely playing guide, as a favor to Meizhen.

“Baroness.”

“Sir Xia,” Ling Qi replied, straightening. “I hope you rested well from your journey.”

“The amenities of Xiangmen are… more than acceptable,” he said, making it sound like he was giving her a concession by saying that.

She stifled her amused smile at the artificiality of it. Xia Anxi was well skilled at monitoring and controlling his expression. It wasn’t his fault that her eyes were like this. Still, it seemed like whatever had happened in the Thousand Lakes visit—and Meizhen was still holding out on some details—had somewhat settled his nerves.

“I’m pleased to hear that. The comfort of our honored guests is our utmost priority. I hope you’re acclimating well to the heights?”

He glanced behind her to the yawning void of clouds and glimpses of green many kilometers below, and very quickly tore his eyes away. “It is a unique experience. I might prefer the shores of the north or the waterfront of Lake Hei, but Xiangmen’s air is bracing despite the altitude.”

The great pillar’s vital qi was rich in the air in a way few places outside dedicated cultivation sites were.

“I’m glad it’s agreeing with you. Now, I believe Lady Bai wanted me to show you around, but she wasn’t specific as to the goals of doing so, beyond ‘reviewing potential investments.’”

“Naturally. The details of such arrangements are beneath a great white serpent’s notice.” Xia Anxi pushed a hand up through his long hair to brush it behind his shoulder. He was dressed more warmly this time, a heavier set of indigo robes lined with white fur at the neck and sleeves. Points for preparation.

“But well within yours, it appears,” Ling Qi quipped. “My congratulations on receiving such trust.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. She kept her expression earnest and open. After a moment, he grunted.

“I accept your compliment for what it is, Baroness, but I think you are, as you southerners might say, laying it on too thick.”

“Am I?” Ling Qi wondered aloud. “Oh, well. Do you have any preferences for what opportunities you would like to explore?”

“I am of the opinion that if our provinces are to remain close, some propaganda may be useful. The Bai are not friendly, and never will be, but we can be made more familiar.”

Ling Qi failed to stifle the chuckle that slipped out, earning her a glare, searching for an affront.

“I would not think you to be one to doubt the effectiveness of theater,” Xia Anxi said snippily.

Ling Qi shook her head. “No, no. It’s that I have only just finished going about with Meng Dan, my fellow retainer, to acquire some similar services for ourselves. An accomplishment does no good if people are allowed to forget about it, no?”

For all that the Xia scion was less twitchy now, that hair trigger watchfulness for being made fun of or insulted remained strong.

“I see. Yes, that does make some sense. Your lady must have similar demands. It seems that we might be at cross purposes then, but I am sure there are enough groups in Xiangmen for the both of us.”

She considered Xia Anxi. That… wasn’t a joke. Just how sparse was the Thousand Lakes theater scene?

“Yes, I think so. Why, it’s not as if some of the larger troupes could not take commissions from the both of us.”

“Possible. Doubling on our patronage would also be a show of connection.” Xia Anxi beckoned her away from the edge of the branch. He wished to walk and talk, and also get out of eyeshot of the drop. She humored him, falling in at a polite distance beside him.

“What other interests do you believe the Lady Bai might invest in?” Ling Qi asked.

“She has expressed an interest in improving on Thousand Lakes lacking fine glassware. While we have countless skilled glasscutters, their access to the proper reagents is limited.”

“I see. I am no expert, but I do have some contacts within Xiangmen’s workshops and tradesmen. We should go to the foundries and industrial workshops.”

Ling Qi was curious about the more physical side of Xiangmen’s arts herself, and it would make good conversation.

“Not the most refined way to spend an afternoon, but work must come first.I am no Yellow Boa, but I do find a certain beauty in creation.”

“Those are the Bai clan’s sacred bronzesmiths?” Ling Qi set off down the street.

The festivities had ebbed. There were still many banners and decorations up and about, but in the early light of day, the celebrations slept for now, while the vital business of the city ground on, carried on the backs of those who labored despite their aching heads.

“Correct. Their domain is wood and earth, growing and creating works, whereas the higher spirits, those of wind and water, are seen to by my own violet caste and the White Serpents.”

She really thought it odd and a little unsettling for entire clans, what she understood as comprising many thousands of cultivators, to be locked into a narrow range of Ways from the moment they drew breath. The downside of spirit blooded was being born with more constraints and settled meridians, but it seemed like a harsh result. Nonetheless, she didn’t wish to voice ignorance without looking into it more herself.

“I would enjoy the chance to see their work someday myself,” Ling Qi said.

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

He arched an eyebrow. “And what do you think that stone you wear at your neck is?”

She blinked, raised her hand to the choker. “Oh, I suppose gemstones would also be in that purview.”

“As a lesser tradition than the sacred bronze,” Xia Anxi allowed.

She studied him out of the corner of her eye. “You are unsettled by it. That Bai Meizhen would deign to seek out a gift for one of my station?”

“It is not my business to inquire about such decisions.” Xia Anxi lengthened his stride. It was a novel experience, hurrying to keep up with someone.

“You did not inquire. My offer was implicit.”

He shot her an unamused look. “My Lady Bai’s business is her own. I do not need whatever… test you are trying to accomplish here, Baroness. And while I will not begrudge you your duties, I would appreciate it if you considered this one concluded.”