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

[snowbirdprincess]

"Thank you," she said with a smile, not at all offended by him holding her hand like that for a moment. She had started it, which basically gave him permission.

"Still I would like to understand a bit more. If nothing else, I will need to know who the other sects are and who the sect leaders and their wives and children are."

Since even if she had little interaction with the disciples of the Wen sect, she would meet the other sects if he took her formal functions. Knowing them would be beneficial.

[raddishpeddler]

"I'll make sure you understand. It can be confusing at first but the colors and symbols also help telling what sect the person is from." Wen Ning replied.

"Qishan used to not allow many people in their boarders. But that's changed now and people are starting to accept seeing other sects among them. It'll be good to bring in non cultivators as well."

[snowbirdprincess]

"That is very helpful. At least they coordinated. It is similar with servants in the palace. You can tell what positions they primarily do based on what they wear."

She smiled. "I'm glad that I will be able to. I'm sure I will need a lesson in Qishan Wen's history so that I am aware of it."

It sounded like it would be worthwhile to know so she could be prepared.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning gave a nod with a small smile. "Yes, I noticed that as well and was starting to figure out the various ranks and status's here. We'll save the lessons for another time. I'll put together something that will help you."

He knew that Gusu Lan's sect leader would be able to help teach her a lot about the history of cultivation and what goes on in various sects. But he knew he was going to have to give her the dark history of Qishan since most sects didn't know the majority of it. He believed that with the princess at his side they would be able to replace the dark path with a brighter future.

[snowbirdprincess]

She smiled. "Thank you. I would appreciate that. And I can help you understand the ranks in the palace as well."

Even though she would live with him once they were married, as she understood it, they were close enough that she would be able to visit so it would be useful to at least have a basic understanding.

[raddishpeddler]

"That would be greatly appreciated. I'm glad to at least have the basic down, but if I didn't have you and others to guide me I would have been lost." He blushed a little at his admittance.

"I imagine that with us being basically neighbors, it would be easy to travel to and from. I had also been in the process of arranging to offer various aide to the Palace. It would also help to further unite both worlds together."

[snowbirdprincess]

"Ah, the young princes and princesses are easy. There are no little boys and girls in the palace other than them. Well, they may be given permission to visit if they are my nephew or a family member granted temporary entrance, but they do not stay."

"I would imagine that it would. My brother will be happy about that. I'm sure Royal Father will as well. He does not see my older sister very often."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning gave a nod. He had wanted to assure her that she wouldn't be kept away from her family and that they would be accepted among them as well. He still had his days where he was lost with not being by his sister's side. He could certainly imagine how it would be for her to be seperated from her brother.

He supposed that Wen Qinq was going to want to meet with the princess herself later to get a feel of what she would be like. He couldn't stop her from that. She was merely being protective and only wanting the best for him. Then she was going to have meet the rest of his family and be tested by them as well, but he believed they would easily accept her as they had with Wen Zhuilu.

He was quiet for the time being uncertain of where to bring the conversation too, but also comfortable enough to not feel the need to say anything.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili was quiet for a moment as well. Since there seemed to be a natural lull, the eunuch spoke up.

"My princess," he said. "Sect Leader Wen has been here for some time and he has others who are waiting for him."

"Aah, that is true," Meili said. "I suppose... we will meet again before the wedding?"

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning blushed when he realized how much time had passed. He didn't mean to make the others wait and had assumed someone would let them know when the time was up.

"Yes, I would love to be able to meet with you again before things are finalized." Wen Ning responded and bowed before her.

He then allowed the eunuch to lead him and Wen Zhuilu back to their group. He wanted to turn back to gland at the princess one last time, but withheld it unsure if it would be appropriate. For anyone that knew Wen Ning they would all realize how smitten he was by the princess even though he tried hard to keep his expression neuteral.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili gave him a bow in response before he turned to leave, Eunuch Ying escorting him back to the hall where he had started out the day. She couldn't help but smile at the idea that Wen Ning wanted to see her again before then.

She did, however, stand in the garden watching him retreat until he was completely out of sight. Only then did she accept her maid's assistance in heading back to her palace.

Given that she didn't really have a schedule that she had to keep aside from festivals and holidays, which everyone else kept as well, the next visit was entirely whenever Wen Ning was able to make his way back there. The palace was going to allow him entry with the only restriction being Eunuch Ying would have to accompany him to ensure he did not go anywhere he was not supposed to. He was as good as family by this point.

On the day when he did return, Eunuch Ying would escort him to one of the palaces, which happened to be the Empress's residence, but he likely wouldn't be told in advance. But Eunuch Ying would enter first, two others holding the curtains open for them to pass through.

"Your highnesses, Sect Leader Wen has arrived."

The room was a large entry hall with chairs set up and several women doing different things. One woman was showing a girl younger than Meili how to do needlework while a few others worked on their own. Another was playing with a baby sitting on her lap. If Wen Ning recognized the nanny, he'd realize it was the Twelfth Prince (who was most definitely awake this time). The Empress and Meili were both watching this while another young boy doted on the baby.

But as Wen Ning was announced, Meili almost jumped up from her seat. "Ah, Greetings to Qionglin," she said, giving him a bow.

The women all looked up, including the other girl. The baby and the young boy didn't look up. Wen Ning might have been able to see that the Empress then glanced over at another woman and gave her a knowing look. Ah, young love.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning gave the proper bows to everyone as he entered. He smiled as Meili greeted him using his name. The smile he shared would later be known as one he shared only for her. He had been eagerly waiting for their next time to meet while preparing the castle for her arrival later. He couldn't wait to tell her about all the changes especially in the gardens. Let alone how excited everyont was to learn they would have a princess among them.

"Greetings to Meili," Wen Ning stated. He then presented her two small packages that contained a jade bracelet and jade hairpieces. "If it is okay I had a few gifts for your siblings as well."

Having remembered from his time meeting her, he wanted to make sure to always have a few trinkets for her younger siblings. He tried to keep those gifts simple and neuteral. Since he knew her siblings were of various ages. He didn't want to leave them out and also hoped to get to know them eventually.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili's maid stepped forward to accept the packages for her, holding them so she could open them. She was, of course, very excited about the presents and showed them off to the other women in the room to much approval.

"Sect Leader Wen is very generous," one of the ladies said as Meili put on the bracelet she had been given and her maid helped her with the hairpieces. They were gifts from her husband-to-be. It was okay for her wear them as she was showing off his love for her.

"That is most generous of you," the Empress said. "Yes, it is okay to give them gifts."

NOW the young prince playing with the baby looked up. Of course he did after hearing he'd get a present.

"Let me introduce everyone," Meili said. "You, of course, remember my Royal Mother."

The Empress gave a slight bow.

"Consort Ban. Consort Guo." The two ladies stood and gave a slight bow when introduced. "Consort Fa and Third Princess." Both stood as well, gave a slight bow and returned to their seats. "And Consort Ke, Eighth Prince, and I'm sure you remember the Twelfth Prince."

Consort Ke, for obvious reasons, didn't stand since the Twelfth Prince was very happy where he was, but Consort Ban prompted the Eighth Prince, calling him "A-Dong." Once she did, he stood and gave a very proper bow to Wen Ning. "Greetings to Sect Leader Wen. Eighth Prince wishing you good health."

"Very good," the Empress said. Clearly he was still learning etiquette.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning smiled widely as he watched her showcase the gifts he had given her. He had worked hard to pay for the design he had placed on the jade bracelet. The hard work was well paid as it looked elegant on her. He could have easily just used the funds toward the wedding expense be added for the craftmasnship, but he wanted to pay for it himself to add more weight to the meaning. He had spent many nights working on various night hunts to earn the money to pay for comission. His pressence in the various night hunts had also added more morale as well to his disciples. So it worked both ways.

He noted the children perked up at the mention of gifts and being allowed to have them. He didn't seem to mind that they had been ignoring him. He wasn't of importance to them at that point and they were probably used to being ignored by most adults especially those visiting. He then in turned handed the gifts to them as they were introduced and also made sure to bow in return. He as well had bowed an to each consort and the Empress. He also made sure to greet them in turn saying their names in effort to remember them.

[snowbirdprincess]

Eighth Prince could be forgiven. He was still young and playing with his baby brother was a higher priority than someone not from the palace, but at least he had said the right thing when prompted.

The third princess took her gift when he handed it to her, thanking him for it, her mother, Consort Fa taking her needle-work hoop so she could look at it. The Eighth Prince thanked him as well and took his gift and went to sit by his mother, Consort Ban's feet to look it over. Twelfth Prince was very excited about his and started waving it about after looking at it with awe before babbling at it. His mother, Consort Ke smiled and asked the young prince what he had.

"If you two wish to talk privately, you may use the side hall. We will have snacks and tea served," the Empress said.

"Thank you, Royal Mother," Meili said, giving a slight bow before turning to Wen Ning. "It is this way."

And she'd lead the way to a room a little ways down with a table. Maids were already moving to set up tea for them.

"It'll be quieter in here," she said, her maid helping her kneel at the table.

Faintly, the sound of the consorts with the young children could be heard from the other room, but it was not too loud.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning simply smiled glad to see the children having fun with their gifts. It wasn't much, but he wanted to make sure they were acknowlegded. Seeing them happy was enough for him.

"Thankyou, Empress," Wen Ning replied and with a bow he turned and followed Meili and her maid. He settled down across from the princess as her maid helped her kneel.

"Tell me how things have been?" Wen Ning started, unsure of how to start the conversation. He figured as well this would give her a view of what her routines were like. He knew things would be added to her routine later once she moved, but he would like to keep them as close to what she was used to as possible.

[snowbirdprincess]

It was certainly nice, Meili thought, that he had thought of the younger children and brought them presents as well. They normally had to be careful accepting presents, especially from people who were not known by their mothers, but the consorts all knew by now he was the Second Princess's groom-to-be so it was okay as the palace didn't allow just anyone to court a princess.

"They have been well," she said as the tea was served. "Royal Mother and I have been working on needlework. I've been working on teaching Third Princess needlework as well. Consort Fa assists Royal Mother in managing the Inner Court so she is often busy as well. Fourth Prince has been studying hard and assisting Royal Father. Seventh Prince is going to be learning how to ride soon. Fourth Brother and I went to see the horse that was being picked out for him. Oh, and another consort is pregnant. Royal Mother and I were making her dishes for her to help strengthen her constitution. It is her first."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning nodded to what she had to say as he moved to hold his cup of tea, letting it cool a bit before he took a sip. He knew Wen Qinq did some needlework as well, but it wasn't something she heavily enjoyed or focused her energy on.

"May I see some of your needlework?" he questioned. He wasn't sure if it was appropriate, but he always enjoyed seeing the intricate designs and the time spent in it. "Congratulations to the consort!"

He knew that such news was always good and he hoped that her pregancy would be go well and no troubles would happen along the way.

[snowbirdprincess]

"Of course. Zhelan." She turned to look at her maid. "Would you go and get the scarf that I have been recently working on for Qionglin to see?"

"Yes, Mistress." Zhelan gave Meili a slight bow and left to go get the needlework. Since she was in the Empress's palace with the Empress and four other consorts present in another room and the obligatory eunuchs and guards outside, there was no concern with leaving them alone for a few minutes.

"Yes, it is very good. It is too soon to say if it will be a prince or a princess, naturally, but," she smiled. "Royal Father is perhaps hoping for another princess. As much as he enjoys spending time with his princes and teaching them, he likes spending time with the princesses too."

And he was going to be down one soon, but she didn't say that.

[raddishpeddler]

"It's good to hear that he enjoys spending time with all of his children. I've seen things go wrong because of favoritism." Wen Ning stated.

He thought it was good that her father accepted both genders and didn't simply favor the male as most typically would. Typically the male always brought more to the family especially with status, so often the females were considered a burden. Wen Ning knew he would be happy with either even though it was important to have a son to take over the sect later. There was time to worry about that and it was the least of his worries right now. He decided to shift the topic a little, afraid if they lingered on the topic he might accidentally offend someone by saying something wrong.

"I've been putting a lot of work into the gardens at home using the recommendations you suggested. Hopefully they'll be completed by the time you arrive and even then you will be welcome to add more touches to them."

[snowbirdprincess]

"It is. He is very fair to his children."

She was glad that her father tried to spend time with all of his children. It was hard given the number and his other duties, but he still tried. She had spent time with him in his library when Jianli had been there and he had shown her paintings and poetry books.

"That's wonderful. I can't wait to see them. I'm sure it looks beautiful."

[raddishpeddler]

"Qishan is very excited about your arrival. This had been some exciting good news for everyone. Even the rest of the sects have gotten swept into the excitement." Wen Ning couldn't help but smile as he spoke of the people.

This had been met more with acceptance then when he took over as sect leader. There had been a lot of disarray then. It had been disheartening and terrorfying to learn how much many were discontent with his ruling when he started. He was glad that marrying a princess was met with acceptance. He had worried for a while how this news would be recieved.

[snowbirdprincess]

She smiled. "I'm so glad. I am looking forward to meeting them as well. Both the people of Qishan and the other sects as well."

It was nice to know that others were excited for her to join them. She had been worried about that at least a little. What would the people she would be joining think of her before she even arrived? To hear that they were excited eased some worries.

A few moments later, Zhelan returned with the scarf that she had been working on, handing it to her mistress.

"It's still in progress," Meili said as she showed it to Wen Ning.

What it was a small forest scene, a couple of trees currently without leaves and a sun in the corner. But the sun was more of a stylized sun.

"The advisors said your sect's symbol was the sun so I put it here. And 'lin' means forest."

From his name, Qionglin.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning looked at the work, surprised by the amount of detail and thought she put into the scarf. He was deeply touched by the symbolism placed on the scarf. He wasn't used to the care and detail she took in regards to honor him. Wen Ning was so used to going unnoticed.

He also didn't mean to ruin her surprise by asking to see her work. His hands shook slightly as he carefully held the scarf to study the work closer.

"Your work is beautiful. I'm honored by representation," Wen Ning said as he carefully handed her the scarf back. He bowed his head briefly as well in thanks.

[snowbirdprincess]

She smiled. She could have chosen anything to have her maid bring her to show him, but she had specifically chosen to have her bring the scarf. Even if he now knew that she was making it for him, he still didn't know how it would turn out in the end. The trees on the scarf were still unfinished currently. So the surprise wasn't completely ruined.

"Thank you. I'm glad you like it," she said, taking it back when he returned it and handed it back to Zhelan, who bowed slightly and left to return the scarf back to her room so that it wouldn't get dirty. "I will have it finished by our marriage so that you will be able to wear it then."