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]

Wen Ning couldn't help but grin widely at her announcement and the help from his wife and staff. It seemed everyone was eager to hear her sing again.

"Thank you for the honor, your highness!" Wen Ning stated still smiling away. Their children were surely blessed. He made a mental note of getting her a special gift for taking some time to do such a personal thing.

[snowbirdprincess]

"Of course," the Empress said. "I'd be happy to. I'm sure that they would enjoy it... and so would so many others."

She said this as she glanced over at her maids.

"But of course I will do it for my daughter." She reached over to put her hand over Meili's.

"Royal Mother is truly kind," Meili said.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning nodded his head in excitement as everyone else joined in on it. At the moment he didn't have much else to add or ask and looked to Meili to see if she had anything else she wished to discuss. If she did, he was going to leave and let them discuss things in private while he took care of tasks that still needed to be dealt with.

Things were going well and having Meili's mother and her staff here will certainly help. It also allowed him to focus more on his work with less things to worry about now. He knew his work was suffering a bit with his concern about his wife and the babies. Thankfully his sister was helping him and not saying anything on it, but eventually she was going to prod him into getting his work done again.

[snowbirdprincess]

It certainly helped that the Empress still remembered her roots, that she had been low-ranked once too. She was more understanding of the antics of her maids... as long as they weren't obviously being disrespectful and were still doing their work. Asking her to sing for them was not something that would cause a lot of issues, especially since it wasn't the Emperor who didn't want her to sing for anyone else; it was something self-imposed so she could break it if she wanted.

With her mother there, Meili was more content and more easily relinquished control over the day-to-day to others without argument. Not only did she have her own maids to dote on her, but her mother and her maids would do so as well. It was almost like being back at the palace having "Aunt" Suyin checking on her.

It probably also helped Wen Ning that the Empress's maid Suyin would come and report to let him know that Meili was alright periodically throughout the day. If the midwives came to talk to her, Suyin would report to Wen Ning. If the physician came to check on her, Suyin would report to Wen Ning. Probably as close to being there without having to be there all the time.

[raddishpeddler]

It certainly helped having so many watch over his wife and keep him updated through out the day. Wen Ning was able to get alot of his tasks done with out worry. He still made time to visit his wife outside of just their meals together. He would often leave her various notes aside from the usual letter he left her in the morning.

He also sent the Empress and her staff gifts for taking the time to help, and another gift for promising to sing to their children. He also made sure his sister and her husband recieved a gift as well. He was just grateful for all the help.

Nei Huaisang was also around most of the time, usually entertaining his wife with reading stories/poetry or playing card games with her. As long as he still trained with his saber, Wen Ning didn't mind nor did Nei Mingjue. Wen Ning believed that his friend just didn't like being alone. He believed that the Royal family was also used to his pressence as well. Now he was doing comission work for them too when they realized that he had done the work in their rooms at the castle.

On his way to visit Meili, he caught his sister and Zhuliu in a heated arguement and went to investigate. "There will be no more animals in the castle, Wen Zhuliu. You can't keep bringing more here! I would have never known that you of all people had such a soft spot for them!" Wen Qinq stated in annoyance. In Wen Zhuliu's hand was a tiny kitten.

Wen Ning gave a wary sigh. His sister had always been against having animals at the castle. Once she had left to live at Lotus Pier, Wen Ning had dropped the rule, especially since his wife had a cat herself. He didn't understand why Zhuliu thought it was safe to do so with her around. Or how his sister found out.

[snowbirdprincess]

It was certainly surprising, but also nice to have Wen Ning sending gifts to the Empress and her staff. Of course, the maids and eunuchs who had come tried to refuse the gifts at first as they were just doing their job, but the Empress quickly gave them permission to accept the gifts which made them happy. Since they weren't officially in palace at the moment, she would allow it as it was the husband of the second princess who wanted to give them.

Meili and the Empress both were enjoying Nie Huaisang's company and of course were willing to give him an excuse to not train, at least for a while. Keeping a pregnant woman who was fairly immobile happy was important after all.

Of course, the argument between Wen Zhuliu and Wen Qing was still close enough that it was overheard in Meili's room, which did prompt the Empress to excuse herself to go see what was going on.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Zhuliu slowly inched toward Wen Ning when he noticed him join them. He then avoided eye contact with the Empress when she entered the scene. He didn't mean to cause a scene and had almost gotten away with out Wen Qinq noticing.

"Jie, jie. We don't have issues with Zhuliu bringing in various animals. Most of the time he brings them in to be healed and then they're often released. It's something we've been doing for a while now. Sometimes the town folk would request my help as well for their farm animals or pets." Wen Ning stated, stepping to help him.

Wen Zhuliu gave a nod in agreement. "I brought the kitten for Qionglin and
Meili. I know he's been wanting a cat for a long time and I thought....that the twins could grow up with the kitten too." He spoke softly and held the kitten close to him, protecting it from Wen Qinq.

Wen Qinq didn't seem to want to accept the stories and looked at the two of them with a stern look. Even though she did remember her brother had mentioned about starting to heal animals. It was always surprising to hear Wen Zhuliu speak. He usually only spoke in few words as possible. She did note her brother seemed surprise by his statement.

[snowbirdprincess]

The Empress noticed that he moved away, but didn't say anything about it. She was aware she made some people nervous because of her high rank, which secretly amused her because she remembered where she had started in life. Her high rank had been given by the Emperor's grace, not her own birth.

"I think that a kitten would be a wonderful idea," the Empress said. "I had a cat when Meili and Fourth Prince were younger. They did enjoy having the cat around."

Her maid, Suyin, wasn't really going to give Wen Qing a chance to object, leaving her mistress's side and coming over to Wen Zhuliu, holding out her hands to take the kitten. Not that they wouldn't allow him to take credit for it, but in the palace, it was generally more proper for maids to hand a woman of rank something.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Qinq sighed in annoyance but gave in, knowing she wasn't going to win this round. Especially with the Empress was handling it. She was happy though that her little brother had such a powerful family on his side now. She watched as he smiled, knowing that they got to keep the kitten.

Hesitantly, Wen Zhuliu gave up the kitten and carefully handed it over to Suyin. The kitten immediately began to cry as it was being taken away from familar pressence.

"I agree. It'll be good for the twins to have a pet. Plus cats are more independant then dogs and won't need as much attention. Hopefully the kitten isn't a reincarnated spirit." Wen Ning teased, which only confused his sister as she wasn't there for Bunny's secret.

[snowbirdprincess]

To be fair, the Empress had little control over what Wen Ning did in his own household as long as Meili was taken care of. Even then, she would have had to go to her husband in order to get him to do something. But she had the air of being in charge and it seemed to work for her.

As the kitten cried, Suyin held it close and shushed it quietly, for the moment standing close to Wen Zhuliu so that the kitten could see he was still there.

"Yes, cats do not require as much attention that I have seen," the Empress remarked. Other consorts after all had small yapping dogs. It had never been in her to own one of them. It was nice to visit them, but she had never had the time to just sit with animals as a child so she spent more time with her embroidery and whenever her cat wished to visit, it was fine. "I hope not as well," she added with a knowing smile.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Zhuliu relaxed a little once he saw the kitten was in good hands and that the kitten got to stay. He noted how Suyin took the time for the kitten to know he was still there. The kitten as well relaxed and began to investigate it's new handler.

"Very well," Wen Qinq stated in defeat. "Just as long as it doesn't tear up stuff and cause trouble." Out of everyone reaching over to pet the kitten, she was avoided it. She had never been much of a cat person or really into having pets. She had put up a fight about owning a dog, but eventually her husband won.

Wen Ning was glad that this wasn't a little yapping dog. He liked all animals, but the little dogs he found yapped too much for his liking.

"Let's let Meili see it," Wen Ning excitedly stated and leading the way he knocked on the door before entering. He was aware she more then likely heard everything, but it was still best to be polite.

[snowbirdprincess]

Suyin smiled, quietly talking to the kitten as it began to try and see who she was. Quite the curious little thing.

"Of course. Let's go," the Empress said, prompting her maid to come back so they could take the kitten to Meili.

"Please enter," Meili called on the other side of the door when Wen Ning knocked. She had definitely heard all of it.

[raddishpeddler]

"Why do you keep collecting animals, anyway, Wen Zhuilu?" Wen Qinq softly questioned as they followed everyone into the room. "I just never pictured you to be that type of person...."

"You only saw me with Wen Chao the majority of the times. It's quick to make such assumptions. Many believed I was lucky and that I should be grateful to be taken into your clan and given the surname. Most felt I should still be on the streets with the animals. Animals don't judge and most don't fear me." Wen Zhuliu answered in a curt tone.

It wasn't a conversation he didn't want to have, but he knew if he didn't answer now she would bring it up again later. Best be said now regardless of who was around. He then ducked his head out of the room seeing that he wasn't needed. The kitten was safely delievered to it's new owners.

Wen Qinq was about to respond, but Wen Ning silenced her with a harsh glare already noting that she had touched a sore topic for Wen Zhuliu. It was also inappropriate to be having this conversation now. It was rare for him to have to reprimand his sister and he hated doing it. He also knew how much Madam Yu spoiled her and she spoke more freely then she had in the past. Wen Qinq made a quick apology and then ducked out as well.

[snowbirdprincess]

The Empress had been giving the slightest of looks over her shoulder for the continued argument as they entered Meili's room. She was with child, two of them, and she needed rest. Continued to bicker was not right. It would only add more stress that she did not need.

But rather quickly both of them left which was at least more tolerable than them fighting in front of the princess.

Once all was quiet again, the Empress spoke. "My daughter, Wen Zhuliu found a young cat and thought that you might enjoy its company."

That was when Suyin came over to hand her said kitten. To be fair, Meili had seen her mother's maid holding the cat and had also over heard the conversation between Wen Zhuliu and Wen Qing. So it was impossible not to know.

"Thank you. It's adorable," she said with a smile, reaching to take the kitten from Suyin when she brought it over. "It was very kind of him to think of it."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning gave a nod in agreement. "He had hoped the twins and the kitten could grow up together. I do apologize on for Wen Qinq and Wen Zhuliu's behavior. I plan to talk with them about this later. Unfortantely for as long as I've known the two they have never really gotten along too well.

I feel that since my sister got married the tension between her and Wen Zhuliu has gotten worse. I've been trying to find ways to defuse things....but unfortantely not much luck." He shooks his head more in frusteration over the situation.

He watched as the kitten took to exploring Meili and getting used to the new surroundings. "What should we name the kitten?" he asked Meili.

[snowbirdprincess]

"It is fine," Meili remarked. She had become used to her sister-in-law's personality which had become slightly harsher after marriage. Having met the family she had married into, it was not so surprising though. But still, it made it difficult to deal with when she and Wen Zhuliu were together.

She decided to focus more on the kitten for the moment, chuckling as the kitten tried to climb on her and sniffed at her, her maid coming over to help make sure the kitten didn't slip as Meili might not be able to easily catch it at this time if it did.

"What about Tangtang?"

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning gave a nod after he thought about the name for a few seconds. "I think Tangtang will be good."

The kitten looked up at the two of them before it made an attempt to climb up on top of Meili's stomach and curl up on it.

"I wonder if the kitten senses the twins?" Wen Ning asked as he watched the kitten.

[snowbirdprincess]

"Tangtang," Meili said to the kitten with a chuckle as it tried to curl up on her stomach. "What are you doing? Do you know there are babies there too?"

This led to faint chuckles from the women in the room.

"Perhaps it does," the Empress remarked. "Animals are quite remarkable. Or perhaps it just looks like a good spot to lay."

[raddishpeddler]

Tangtang looked up at Meili and blinked its eyes before curling up once more and wrapping it's tail around it's nose.

"I guess we'll know for sure in a few days with how it interacts. Hopefully it'll get along with Meili's current cat. I don't think he liks me," Wen Ning stated with a slight pout.

[snowbirdprincess]

The maids and the Empress smiled as did Meili as she reached to pet the kitten.

"Of course we will. It may take some time for cats to get used to each other. I'm sure that they will get acquainted soon." There was a faint chuckle from the Empress. "You don't think Meili's first cat likes you?"

[raddishpeddler]

"No," Wen Ning shook his head. "I even tried to offer it food and treats, and it still won't accept me. It will watch me and stalk me, but otherwise it won't go near me. I think it blames me from keeping Meili away."

Then Wen Ning pointed to the cat who had crept in while they were talking and was steadily watching everyone from where it was sitting.

[snowbirdprincess]

The Empress chuckled softly at that. "Well, her cat has always been known to be very loyal to her. Which was why we couldn't possibly have her leave the palace without her cat as neither would have been able to stand it."

Meili just smiled.

The group chuckled as the cat was called out, all turning to look. One of Meili's maids went over to the cat, trying to get it to come to her so she could hold it rather than surprising the new kitten or getting herself worked up too close to the pregnant woman.

[raddishpeddler]

"Well that certainly explains things. Such loyalty like that is hard to find and not something I wish to break." Wen Ning stated as he watched to see how the cat would react to the new kitten.

"Hopefully in time it'll come to accept me too and realize I'm not trying to steal Meili."

[snowbirdprincess]

"I'm sure in time, she will. It is still new and you are still a new person. She will accept you in time."

The maid managed to retrieve the cat and carried her over in the direction of Meili. The cat of course spotted the kitten and leaned as far forward as she could, sniffing in the kitten's direction.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning gave a nod in understanding. The kitten opened it's eyes to look up at the other cat, sensing it's pressence. It tensed slightly as it seemed to be more on guard, but wasn't ready to leave her spot either.

Wen Ning began to wonder if it was safe to let the kitten stay where she was during this introduction. Yet, he felt that the maids would know when to step in.