Closed PSL for Q

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning was extremely nervous as he approached Cloud Recesses. He had arranged to meet with the Sect Leader to discuss an important proposal that he had recently recieved from the Emperor himself. The proposal had caught him off guard and something he didn't think was imaginable. It was rare that the Emperor even showed interest in the cultivation world. It was something he couldnt take lightely as it would helpp bridge the two worlds together. Yet, if he was honest with himself Wen Ning simply wanted to hide. He never imagined that becoming a Sect Leader would bring in oppurtuntiies he didn't realize were possible. He needed sound advice and one that wasn't judging or demanding.

This visit would also allow time for him to see his friends and get a small break. Once he arrived, Wen Ning still had time before he was able to talk with the Sect Leader. He chose to seek out WuXian for the time being.

Comments

[raddishpeddler]

Vageuly he had heard her footsteps as Meili had approached. The scent of her perfume easily gave her away. He could easily recognize her and the few people he was close with by various ways. Usually the weight of their step, how they stepped, their scent, and other subtle ways. It usually unnerved his family he always knew who was coming before they announced.

He was grateful she had waited till he had fired the arrow to announce her pressence. "Greetings to my wife," Wen Ning greeted with a smile and bow. He then strapped his bow over his back with his quiver. He walked over toward his wife. The loose arrows can wait later.

"Is everything okay?" he questioned. He couldn't help but be easily alamared. With his wife being pregnant and her family over.... Anything could happen. Or it could have been he was needed somewhere, but usually a disciple would be sent.

[snowbirdprincess]

She had been surprised at first that he had been able to recognize her, but now it was old news. She knew he recognized the perfume that she used, but she didn't know if there was anything else. Either way, it didn't bother her anymore.

She was smart enough to know not to distract someone who had something dangerous. Swords were a bit safer from a distance if the person was practicing against a dummy, not against another person. Arrows could easily go wild and then no one was safe. So it was better to wait.

She smiled. "Consort Fa sent word from the palace. I have a new baby brother," she said with a smile. "She says both mother and baby are doing well so there is no need for anyone to hurry back. Royal Father told her to keep taking care of them and he will take care of everything else when they return."

[raddishpeddler]

"Congratulations! We shall have to send them a gift. Perhaps later we can visit, so you can see your new brother." Wen Ning replied and seemed to be excited for the news. New life was always a reason to celebrate and be happy. He pulled her into a hug.

"Update me on everything that's gone on at the palace," he said as they headed back to the castle.

[snowbirdprincess]

"I know they would appreciate a present from Qishan Wen. Of course, you will get to see him the next time we visit the palace."

She hugged him back, happy that he was as happy about this as her family was. Currently, there were congratulations to her father all around for having another son. Funny, her child's currently youngest uncle would only be a few months older.

"Of course. I'd be happy to." And of course, she did as they walked back inside: all of the gossip she'd overheard from the consorts who had come and a little bit of what Consort Fa had reported back to the Emperor in her letter.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning merely smiled, happy to listen to his wife talk about her family. While he wasn't big on gossip, he enjoyed listening to the little things that his wife would talk about. Plus, her family was also his family too. Now he would have another brother!

"Wen Qing and her husband should be arriving today along with the rest of Lotus Pier. The Nei brothers are also here too. The castle is getting quite crowded. I plan to have two of my disciples help your family out just in case they need help navigating all the various sects. They're the ones that helped watch over your brothers and sisters earlier." Wen Ning stated after she finished talking.

[snowbirdprincess]

"It'll be good to have them all here," Meili remarked. "I'm sure that you want to have a chance to see your sister." Just as she waited for the chance to see her siblings. "I will do my best to take care of things so that you can spend time with her."

She smiled. "I think they liked them. Of course, it is easy when you win over the little princes and princesses."

If someone got their favor and behaved properly in front of the Emperor and his wives, then it was hard for them to disapprove.

[raddishpeddler]

"I'll be glad to see my sister it's been forever. Plus, once she sees you are doing well she might stop worrying and calm down. I think too she's still hasn't let go of the fact that I'm no longer hiding behind her all the time. She doesn't have to keep looking after me." Wen Ning stated more in an amused tone then annoyed.


"I'm glad that the children liked them. They admitted that they enjoyed being around the children. It was good to see so many around something castle hasn't seen in a long time."

[snowbirdprincess]

"I hope that she will as well. I suppose it is always hard for family to let go when one marries. I know my brother wonders after me and I'm sure I will wonder after him as well when he marries and all of my younger siblings marry."

She smiled, pleased that the disciples seemed to have enjoyed being around the kids. There were so many boys of similar age groups that they could get rowdy, but it also made it easier for one person to keep the attention of a group. "The older princes would probably enjoy showing off their archery and getting some pointers while they are here."

"But, Husband, I had a thought and I wanted to run it by you first before I considered approaching it to others. Since my youngest sister has cultivation abilities... would it not be beneficial for her to marry into a cultivation sect?"

[raddishpeddler]

"Yes, you have some very good points as expected," Wen Ning stated with a smile. "I worry about my sister often even though I know she is in good hands. But this has always been her home so I would imagine the transition would have been hard adjustment. I always sent her care packages so she could feel somewhat at home. Perhaps, that's something you can do for your brother?"

He stopped walking to think for a few minutes on what Meili had suggested. He had similiar idea as well, but hadn't a chance to discuss with her. She beat him too it. "Are you thinking of suggesting to arrange A-Yuan with the Sixth Princess? I think Gusu Lan would approve of it. It would help her more as well being associated with someone who knows her abilities."

[snowbirdprincess]

"I suppose that is something I can do. He said that he will soon be moving into his own manor and be married himself. Fifth brother won't be far behind." She sighed. "It seems like they shouldn't be old enough for that, but they probably felt the same way on the day I married."

She stopped, looking over at Wen Ning, and smiled. "We really are of a like mind. Yes, I was thinking that it might be good for her and they are of the right ages."

[raddishpeddler]

"Ineed. Granny had to have a long talk with my sister before our marriage about having to let me go. Besides that she would have a husband herself to take of. Your brothers will have their own wives taking care of them as well. When we visit we can find time to see them.

The fact that we think a lot says much." Wen Ning stated. "We can talk to both parents about it and see what they think, but I imagine both would be happy ont he arrangement. I also imagine that 'Bunny' would approve too.

And there's time for the children to bond as they grow older. Eventually, A-Yuan would be Gusu Lan's sect leaader."

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili chuckled softly at that, that her sister-in-law had gotten the talk that Wen Ning would have a wife to take care of him before they had gotten married. Maybe she wasn't so different, worrying if her brother's wives would take care of them, if her sister's husbands would be kind to them. Perhaps that was one of the reasons she thought A-Yuan and Meixiu would be good. She would be closer to their world and his parents were kind people so surely A-Yuan would grow up the same way.

"I think they would as well. Royal Father wants to find a good place for his daughters, where their marriage strengths the bonds of the empire, but also where they will be treated well. Based on Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian, A-Yuan will likely grow to be a kind man. And being sect leader would also be good as well."

[raddishpeddler]

"I believe your father would make the right choices for your brothers as well just as he's careful for your sisters. We can't really base what happened to your older sister on what the rest of the marriages would be like. I also feel that he at leasts gives everyone a chance to speak before finalizing things as well. I believe your assumptions are also correct." Wen Ning softly stated.

"Let's go and great my sister and her husband before they start looking for us."

Wrapping his arm around hers he lead her back into the castle.

[snowbirdprincess]

"I know that he will, especially since it is likely he will pick one of the two to be his successor, the next Emperor. Luckily, both of their main wives will be from good families with some political backing. Their second wives are consorts maybe those they have more of a connection with. But he tries."

She smiled. "Yes, let's go greet her." She leaned a bit closer to him as they started to head back inside the castle.

[raddishpeddler]

"Yes, he really does try. I can see how much he cares for everyone especially when he took the time to meet Lan Zhan and Wei WuXian." Wen Ning stated.

Once inside the castle, they were greeted by a harrassed looking Wen Zhuilu with Wen Qinq at his side and her entrouge. He looked relieved to see Wen Ning and Meili. He quickly disappeared shortly after they greeted everyone.

"There's my favorite brother and sister n law," Wen Qinq stated and reached over to pull them both into a hug. "We would have been here a little sooner, but we had a few things to take care of over at Lotus Pier. Tell me everything that's been going on."

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili smiled seeing Wen Qing had arrived with her own entourage. It was expected for married women of their station to have attendants so it was not unusual to see. Also she was not surprised to see Wen Zhuliu looking a little haggard after having to deal with them, but she'd never say that.

She happily hugged her sister-in-law then waited patiently for Wen Ning to give her the details of what had been going on in Qishan before she mentioned anything else. "I have a new younger brother. Only just recently."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning happily returned the hug and gave her a summarized version of what has happened. He then let Meili share her good news as well. Wen Ning assumed that Wen Zhuilu also had a run in with Madam Yu and was trying to hide from her before she could call for his audience later. Although, she was eventually going to get her way.

"Give my congratulations to the Emperor!" Wen Qinq happily replied. "That will mean your child will have a playmate about the same age. I trust that my brother has been doing everything I've said about how to take care of you during this time?" As she spoke she gave her brother a firm look that he returned with an exasperated one. Of course she couldn't wait to have this discussion later.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili was fairly certain that he had gone off to hide from someone as well and she would be willing to run interference at some point if he needed to. No one in their right mind was going to burden the pregnant wife of a sect leader.

"I will certainly let him know." She nodded her head. "It will be nice that they are so close in age." And a little weird since technically the consort's baby was her little brother, which made her child his niece or nephew. She chuckled. "Of course, he has. He has been most attentive."

[raddishpeddler]

"I am pleased to hear this. Naturally I am worried. This is the first child and heir to the Qishan Wen Sect. I will try and not harrass my brother," Wen Qinq stated. "I just hate being away during this important time."

"I know, Jie Jie. But you taught me everything so I will be doing everything correct!" Wen Ning stated. "I'm just as worried and excited to see my child! I never thought I would have this oppurtunity, so I don't want to ruin this chance! Things are different now. It's not like what it was."


"I know, A-Ning. It's a hard adjustment for me. I may be hard on the two of you, but Madam Yu is harder on us and wanting to know why we aren't expecting children yet..." Wen Ning stated.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili just stood back and listened patiently, not about to get between her husband and sister-in-law. It was, after all, normal. She'd had similar conversations with her brothers. Okay, maybe not about their wives being pregnant as only two were married and they'd been pushed out, away from the princes and princesses, so they never saw them anymore. Surely, they also weren't considered to have more than one wife either.

"Husband has been very good to me," Meili assured her. "I am not unfamiliar either." Having seen her mother pregnant with her little brother and some of the other consorts pregnant as well. "I know it will happen for you soon, Sister."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Qinq appeared to relax a little more and eventually accepted the statements.

"Let's go and have some tea and snacks," Wen Ning suggested as he lead the group to one of their tea rooms. "I want to hear everything that's been going on for you as well."

He had hoped to later on show his sister some of the medical findings he had over time collected. He wanted her input on it. It wasn't something he could easily explain over a letter and it was easier to show in person.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili nodded. "Yes, let's get some tea." She turned to Zhelan, telling her to have tea and snacks prepared and brought to them. Zhelan bowed and departed to go and have the maids prepare for them. Since her maid had temporarily departed, Meili took her husband's arm, smiling up at him before looking back at her sister-in-law.

[raddishpeddler]

Smiling, Wen Ning held onto Meili's arm as they walked to the tea room. The they were able to catch up on various topics. Over the next few days, Wen Ning found time to spend with his sister while his wife spent time with her family.

Now it was the official start of the compeition. Wen Ning had been over seeing that everything was ready for the Emperor. He looked to Meili's brother for the final approval. Some of the sects were waiting to be seated, but couldn't until the Royal Family was there. They weren't too thrilled with that little change and voicing it.

[snowbirdprincess]

It was nice to be able to catch up with family. Meili had enjoyed Wen Qing being around the short time between when they had married and when Wen Qing herself had married. Now it was different than before. Not that it was really any quieter. There was always so much going on and the duties of the wife of a sect leader were never finished.

Whether they liked it or not, they didn't really have much choice. Even if Wen Ning had not married into the royal family and the Emperor had simply decided to pay them a visit, it would have been exactly the same way.

Jianli and Jianjing had both approved of everything. Jianli had insisted his year younger brother also assist since they were both likely candidates to be the crown prince. So on the opening day of the tournament, they were the ones who led their father and his consorts out to view the tournament. Meili was, of course, the one to lead the proper greeting to her father.

"Be at ease," the Emperor said, addressing everyone. "It is wonderful to be able to join you for this tournament and to get to know more about the practices of the cultivation world."

[raddishpeddler]

Prior to the arrival, there had been a scuffle. Zixun had insulted Meili once more in front of the both of them and at this point Wen Ning had enough of his behavior. One was forgiveable even if it had been on their wedding.... not the second time. The scuffle ended with Wen Ning punching Zixun in the face knocking him out, surprising everyone who had witnessed it. He then announced that after the tournament Zixun was no longer permitted on Qishan Wen's land or near the Royal Family. The scene for now quieted down anymore rumblings.

Wen Ning had sensed calmed down as the Royal Family arrived and greetings were followed. Wen Ning then gave the opening statement of the ceremony and introduced the sects before Lan Xichen stepped up to explain the rules and what the tournment was going to happen.

As everyone was about to part into the tournament, the rogue sect lead by Yu Shuren arrived. Unfortantely, Wen Ning couldn't turn them away since they were a sect. He did remind them that being punctual was part of the rules and now they would be the last ones seated and the last ones to participate.