Threads 330-Dukes 4

It was the better part of half an hour later when she finished. The refreshments on the table were depleted, mostly by Zheng Fu.

And that concludes what I can tell you of our guests at the moment. I would like to thank Sir Xuan for helping me make sense of and organize this information.

Xuan s.h.i.+ tilted his chin down in acknowledgement. He had been helpful to talk to, as the other person who had visited that fragment of their great spirits with her.

Huh. Zheng Fu scratched his chin. Sounds like theres some interesting ideas there.

Baffling ones, Bai Meizhen judged. I wonder that they can accomplish anything organized as you describe, though it is not as if the empire has never seen barbarians build structures.

Yeah, they can do some pretty st.u.r.dy work. Sun Liling smirked. Course, we can do it better, but it's only these southern tribes that wander around doing nothing with themselves.

Bai Meizhen scowled in distaste at Sun Liling.

I believe Lady Bai merely meant that the baroness account is credible and matches physical evidence, Xia Anxi clarified. And even the wastrel tribes of the cloud were occasionally known to hold an agreement for time, unlike other blood-mad savages.

Just so, Bai Meizhen supported. I see no reason to doubt that this endeavor may come to success, if Lady Cai and her retainers continue to put forth such effort.

Dunno about all that, but Id like to see what happens, Zheng Fu shrugged. And I really wanna chat with that crow again now.

So much for the pride of ancient clans, Sun Liling said. But yeah sure, I doubt our soldiers want to freeze their shorthairs off in an icy desert, easier if they bring their goods up and we buy it off for cheap c.r.a.p, least till the Wall is settled.

No point picking empty fights, Ji Rong grunted, speaking up for the first time.

Sun Liling tilted her head toward him. Going soft on me?

Aint no shortage of things that need to be punched closer to home, he replied.

The corner of Sun LIlings lips curled up. Heh, wisdom.

Hear, hear! Zheng Fu cheered.

Are there any other matters which need to be settled? Bai Meizhen cut in.

No, Ling Qi said. Unless anyone has any further questions?

I might have one, Sun Liling answered.

Ling Qi inclined her head.

I want to hear your own words. What do

you

want out of this? And dont give me any runaround about the short-term reasoning. Whats the Emerald Seas doing down here long-term?

Ling Qi pressed her lips together. There were any number of ways such words spoken aloud could be used against her.

There are more methods to build the empire and our province than fire and sword. While you will find that our Emerald Seas lacks neither of the latter, my lady and I aim to prove the viability of the former. This summit is the opportunity we have been given to do so. The Emerald Seas is building a bulwark and the infrastructure to support it, whether we succeed or fail. One way or the other, the d.u.c.h.ess will have the southern border secured and her people protected.

Humble of ya, Zheng Fu commented.

Naturally, we are going to succeed, but I do not begrudge the lords of the province for making their preparations for what they see as a possibility, Ling Qi said mildly. Princess Sun, the south is tired of burned villages, looted manors, and lost lives. We are done. My lady and I both believe that establis.h.i.+ng peace with the White Sky is the best method for solving this problem.

Oh, I dont doubt you believe it. Hey, you might even succeed without a lord who ties your hands and hobbles your feet, Sun Liling sniped, picking at her nails pointedly.

Bai Meizhen retorted, With well thought-out methods and reigning in of impulsive elements, we believe our allies may succeed, and they can do so without stripping their interior bare and leaving their mortals to the mercies of beasts at that. Imagine that.

Well, its not like the d.u.c.h.ess has a hankering to keep up the regular cull and keep her lessers in line. Oh, wait. That was the other guys, wasnt it? Sun Liling asked sweetly.

f.u.c.ks sake, someone just take a swing, Zheng Fu grumbled under his breath.

Ling Qi caught his eyes, and he lowered his head, chuckling. No one else had heard him or even noticed his lips moving.

Together with the information revealed earlier about the Suns infrastructure building, the Zheng were certainly making a demonstration.

Xuan s.h.i.+ spoke up before more barbs could be traded between the Bai and the Sun. Lady Ling, to remain upon the current, what is thy plan for continued collaboration with this one then?

Sir Xuan, as you are accompanying me, of course those meetings are excepted, Ling Qi said.

Zheng Fu huffed. You stealing the march, Xuan? I underestimated you.

Yeah, whats this? Sun Liling drawled.

Of course, Bai Meizhen scoffed. The Xuan are the only ones with meaningful experience on the matter.

Sir Xuan is a.s.sisting me with deciphering foreign intent and making sense of our information. He accompanied me to some of our meetings. This is not in his capacity as a ducal observer, Ling Qi explained.

There was nothing more than that, though it was important to bring up, since it could be a snub otherwise.

Sun Liling gave an acknowledging grunt. Ji Rong furrowed his brow, glancing at Xuan s.h.i.+.

Are there any other questions? Ling Qi repeated to her ducal guests.

I cannot think of anything. I trust that the baroness and Lady Cai have this in hand, Bai Meizhen said formally.

Im good, Zheng Fu said lazily. Guess Ill just have to be patient.

Xuan s.h.i.+ inclined his head.

Yeah, this is fine for now. Im up to speed. Guessing we need to talk a little more later though.

If it would please the princess, I would like to, yes, Ling Qi agreed. There are some specific matters to discuss.

Yeah, yeah. I already put off getting my own people in order for this meeting. You can talk to Rong. Hell let me know if theres anything I gotta deal with.

Sun Liling clapped him on the back, and he gave a grunt of acknowledgement. Sure, sure, leave me with the boring c.r.a.p, he grumbled.

Course, thats your job. For the first time since she had seen Sun Liling here, the girls smirk briefly slipped into something more genuine. Sun Liling pushed herself up. Anything else?

No. Thank you for coming, Princess Sun.

After a few more pleasantries were traded back and forth, everyone rose and prepared to go. The necessary niceties were said over and over again. Sun Liling was the one to wander off first. Then, Xia Anxi was sent ahead, followed shortly thereafter by Meizhen after a promise to take tea with Cai Renxiang and Ling Qi.

She was rather surprised to see Zheng Fu stay so long. He did seem determined to finish the refreshments.

Lady Ling. Ling Qi looked away from Zheng Fu to meet Xuan s.h.i.+s eyes. The plan remains?

Well speak with Emissary Inzha again while touring the work site, Ling Qi reaffirmed. Well do so once I get back from s...o...b..ossom.

Xuan s.h.i.+ nodded his head, frowning as he looked to where Ji Rong still lounged, eyeing Zheng Fu as he, too, took part in clearing the table. Pleasing. This one begs that Lady Ling bring this to Sir Zhengui.

She blinked, accepting a thick wooden scroll case produced from his ring. And this is?

Diagrams. The shared project, Xuan s.h.i.+ answered.

The shared project? Ling Qi thought. Oh, right, Zhengui had wanted to see if the short flight in the realm of dream could be done in reality.

Yes, thank you. I am glad he is finally warming up to you a little.

Sounds like youre up to some fun stuff, Zheng Fu interjected.

Ling Qi blinked. She hadnt noticed him rising from the table. Now, he was just showing off, looming there behind Xuan s.h.i.+.

Xuan s.h.i.+ looked over his shoulder at the taller man. Shall the menagerie dash itself upon the stony sh.o.r.e still?

Yeah, Zheng Fu said simply. Okay wine! Great cider. Food wasnt bad either. Thanks for having me! Gonna get going now, but hey, you wanna watch me and the Xuan here flex, youre welcome to come.

The eyebrow waggling was completely unnecessary.

Thank you, but I have too much left on my schedule, Ling Qi said.

And here, Sixiang would probably have made a lewd joke. If they had still been here.

Be well, Lady Ling, Xuan s.h.i.+ said, and together with Zheng Fu, they set off.

This left only one.

I am surprised. Does the Sun family not feed their retainers? Ling Qi couldnt help being a little rude after Sun Liling had been so blatant about her own rudeness.

Ji Rong sat at the table with his arms crossed over his chest. Im fed just fine, but I missed food that doesnt fight in your guts.

Ling Qi considered him. Despite my earlier words, we do not actually have to work out a schedule right this second. I expect your liege is going to obstruct any information requests I make anyway.

Yeah. Shes gotten pretty over the top, huh?

Ling Qi stared at him.

We aint playing at the kiddy table anymore. She knows that. Even a dumba.s.s like me knows that.

That is true, Ling Qi said slowly. But I expected this type of behavior.

I dont know what's in your head, but she isnt dumb. Shes c.o.c.ky and full of pride, but it was well earned. It wasnt like this. She wasnt like this.

I will have to take your word for it. What are you doing, Ji Rong?

I have no d.a.m.n idea, he said, and she thought he sounded exhausted. "But you listen, yeah? Thats your thing. Youve got some dream sorcery that lets you weasel out secrets you shouldnt know.

Ling Qi glanced at the privacy formations surrounding the table. Youre not exactly being flattering if this is leading to a request, she informed him.

He stood up. There was an ill contained energy to him. He clenched and unclenched his hands and s.h.i.+fted his balance from foot to foot as he began to pace. Look. You know shes gonna give you the runaround, right?

Obviously.

She trusts me. If I frame it right, I bet I can get her not to cause too much trouble and give you info straight. This is a sideshow for us, Ji Rong said, scoffing. But its important for you.

Ling Qi pursed her lips. Thats weasel-y of you. Should she trust you?

Im on her side, Ji Rong said, and there was not a single crack in the conviction she could feel thrumming like lightning through his qi.

What are you asking for?

I want you to look and listen when we set up this meeting. Tell me what you find. Theres something off.

Why do you think that?

His expression screwed up into a scowl. Theres something f.u.c.king wrong in the jungle. Something n.o.body there notices, or at least n.o.body talks about. It's like There are drums always beating in the back of your head while youre there. It doesnt feel bad. It makes your blood pump fast and your qi flow smooth. It makes you feel like you can fight anything and anyone. It took a long time to even notice it, but its there. Its always there. And it only gets louder. He took a deep breath. When Liling came back from training with her gramps a whole stage up, she was different

And it feels like the drums came with her.