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]

"Before I became S-sect L-leader s-someone was c-courting me. For a while I didn't know who they were. I thought it was just some cruel joke some one was playign on me, s-something my cousin thought would be funny. I ignored it, but the person still persisted and I finally found out w-who they were. It surprised me because I didn't think someone like them would be interested in me.

I acknowledged their interest, but w-we had to k-keep it secret. H-He was part of my c-cousin's circle. If he got word it w-would have been bad. B-but things got bad. My c-cousin and u-uncle had died. Then-then the role of Se-sect Leader fell upon me.

W-we still couldn't really pursue our relationship because of how much work I-I had to do. I-I had never imagined that things would spiral the way they had. G-Good things. T-then my sister-had hired him to be my bodyguard....she didn't know. H-had things been different it would have been acceptable among the sects...but since things didn't go that way.

I-I didn't want this to be found out by second hand information. I-I wanted you to know before things p-progressed."

Wen Ning struggled to explain things as best as possible trying to get it so she could understand why things had been the way they were. It was now up to her decide his fate. He still remained in his kneeling position and flinched involuntarily as he waited for her response.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili listened patiently to him, standing in a proper pose as he spoke, her face carefully unreadable. It was something that her mother had taught her to do. It was safer that way than to let your true feelings poke through and have someone use that against you. She didn't move for a long few moments after he had finished, processing everything that he had said and coming up with what she wanted to say.

Had he said this in front of her father, mother, or within earshot of advisors, she would have had to say what they expected her to say in a situation like this, but since he had asked to speak to her alone and she had made sure her maid and Eunuch Ying were out of earshot even if they were probably wondering why he was kneeling right now. So she could say what she wanted to say.

"I appreciate the consideration to tell me about this before we are officially married and to tell me yourself so I don't hear it from someone. It is not ideal according to my family, but I cannot fault you for having found someone you care about before any of this was even considered by Royal Father. So, as long as I am your only wife, we can make both arrangements work, our marriage and your relationship with him."

Considering her father had a dozen "wives", she was not unfamiliar with this concept, but at least this arrangement meant no competition with other women or competition among children of two different wives.

[raddishpeddler]

It took a few minutes for Wen Ning to register what he said and to cool his own nerves down. He knew his hands had been shaking and he was glad the cuffs of his sleeves had hid most of that. He could also hear his heart pounding loudly in his chest. The response she gave him was the last thing he expected to here.

"T-Thank you, Meili. We both t-thank you. I will be sure to make sure you will never doubt my loyalty to you." Wen Ning replied bowing a few times again this time thanking her.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili waited patiently for it to catch up with him that she was still agreeing to be his wife even knowing this. She smiled, bending down and take him by the arm after a few bows to stop him.

"It's alright," she said. "I know you will. I can tell you are a good man and we have a lot in common."

That was more than she had ever hoped for with her marriage. Marriages were politically motivated so the status was more important and that they would grow to care for their partner. She already cared for him very much, which her mother approved of and clearly, he cared for her. He wouldn't have given her such nice presents if he didn't.

[raddishpeddler]

It took her interjection before Wen Ning stopped bowing. Only then did he slowly stood back up. He was still shocked she listened to him and accepted the idea of allowing him to have his first love. He was ready to have to give him up to keep her understanding that connections were more important. They both knew that. He also was expecting her to terminate the marriage upon the news.

He was so used to Wen Chao's belittling and abuse that her kindness was such a novelty to him. He didn't know what he did to have someone like Meili at his side.

"I'm so lucky to have you, Meili." Wen Ning softly commented his gaze not leaving hers. He wanted to pull her into a embrace and hold her close, but refrained believing it was against protocol at this point.

[snowbirdprincess]

If her family had had any say in it, she would have been forced to decide either to break off the marriage or to ask him to give up his lover. She already knew that which was why she was glad he had come to her and told her alone. Now it was her decision. If it was kept quiet until after their marriage then her family didn't have the say in it. Not that she thought he would outwardly flaunt it considering they didn't know about it yet.

"I'm glad that I have the chance to be with you," Meili said to him, smiling at him.

Whether it was proper protocol or not, Meili solved the question by putting her arms around him and hugging him. That way if Eunuch Ying had anything to say, it was her who instigated it, not him.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning's eyes widened and he knew he was blushing as she initiated the embrace. He held her close resting his head against her shoulder enjoying this moment. He could smell the light scent of plum blossums on her taking note of it. His sister always had the scent of the inscense sticks she often used with her medicines.

"Sometimes I keep thinking that this is some dream and I would wake up and everything would be the same as it used to be." he admitted a few a little later having been content enjoying their quiet solitude.

[snowbirdprincess]

He had a very earthy scent to him, she noticed. It probably had something to do with what he did for a living. Not being a sect leader, but also working with medicines and herbs. Well, maybe being a sect leader too. She didn't know yet. It wasn't a position she was very familiar with.

When he said that, she was quiet for a moment. "I have felt the same way," she admitted. "It... it is not the easiest life in the palace and I know First Princess and my aunt do not have the best of marriages. They do not get along well with their husbands. So, when they picked you and I got the chance to meet you..."

[raddishpeddler]

"Arranged marriages are never easy to predict how they would come about. Sometimes....you get lucky. I had worried too what it might be like.

My sister actually gets to marry someone she likes and it's someone I respect and trust will take care of her. Granted his parents aren't exactly the best...Their personalities clash horribly. Then my cousin and his arranged marriage....he would sleep around with various mistresses and ignore his wife.

I'm thankful I have you. I know you'll do well in helping me lead Qishan and help bring Qishan back to the sun where we should be." Wen Ning softly commented.

[snowbirdprincess]

She nodded in agreement with his comment. "Yes, I feel that I have gotten lucky meeting you. I must have saved up luck from previous lives to be able to meet you and be given the chance to marry you.

I'm glad that your sister will have the chance to marry the person that she likes. I will be there to support her marriage and I would be honored to stand beside you and help bring Qishan back and give you a son who will lead when it is his time."

She was definitely going to have to learn more about his sect's history since he had said that both his cousin and uncle were dead and the torch had passed to him.

[raddishpeddler]

Her words resounding something with in him that he couldn't put words to. They barely knew each other, but jut from the brief times they spent Wen Ning knew that they would be compatible. Furthermore, he felt that she was the one for him. His relationship with Wen Zhuilu was on a different level and hard to compare to with what was forming here.

"May, I kiss you?" he softly questioned and lifted his head off her shoulder to study her expression. He wasn't too sure how the protocol was for this but with her help watching them from a distance he also didn't want to further alarm them.

[snowbirdprincess]

She looked back at him as he moved back, looking him in the eyes. After a moment, she smiled and nodded once in agreement that he could kiss her.

"Here." She said, turning her head to the side and pointing to her cheek.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning blushed slightly and smiled her response. With his heart pounding he reached over and kissed her on the cheek as she indicated. His eyes never left hers. He wished he could have kissed her on the lips, but he understood that wasn't protocol for now.

This was his first time ever kissing a woman and was something he believed would never happen. Wen Zhuilu had stolen his first kiss. He tried his best to remember everything in the moment. He made sure not to linger too long, but he also didn't want it to be too quick either.

[snowbirdprincess]

It was okay really. It was her first kiss as well aside from kisses on the forehead by her mother and father. This was very much different than that so she wasn't going to judge it. After he had kissed her, she smiled back at him.

"That was nice."

[raddishpeddler]

Her compliment caused him to blush further and he ducked his head even though he was still smiling from it.

"Perhaps, we shouold head back to the tea room before we make everyone worry. He wanted to hold her hand as they walked back, but he had a feeling her staff would be highly upset by this having already pressed his luck this far. He refrained not wanting to agitate them more.

[snowbirdprincess]

"Yes, I suppose that we should. Royal Mother will eventually wonder why we never had the snacks she had asked for them to bring us."

Yeah, that was the only thing she'd wonder about... But it was still a good idea to head back. But if he wasn't going to stop her, she was going to hold onto his arm as they walked back over to where Zhelan and Eunuch Ying were waiting for them. Not that she had any trouble walking, but it was completely appropriate anyway. Princesses were considered delicate flowers in the palace so having a companion to assist them was fine and she would use it as an excuse to walk closer to him.

As they returned, Eunuch Ying and Zhelan would fall in line behind them as they walked. Meili glanced up at Wen Ning and smiled.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning doubted that would be the thing she would worry about, but didn't comment. Nor did he mind Meili holding onto his arm. He smiled back at her in return. He could get used to her doting on him. It seemed that they understand each other enough to where they didn't have to speak. He was content with walking in silence simply enjoying her company as they headed back to the room.

[snowbirdprincess]

It was at least a good excuse for them to head back to the Empress's residence. There were other reasons, such as her mother wondering where they had been for so long, but there was always an answer that didn't seem as though the other was worrying, at least when there was company.

She felt the same way, that they understood each other enough to not have to speak. It was not something that she had expected. Especially not this early.

But as they headed back inside, she gave Wen Zhuliu a smile. As they walked inside, she let go of Wen Ning so she could bow to her mother and other consorts. "Greetings to Royal Mother, greetings to your highnesses. We have returned." So they can then go back to the side hall.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Zhuilu caught the smile, a little surprised by it, but understood immediately what she meant. He gave a lower bow then what was considered for his status as a silent thank you. Wen Ning had been dragging his feet and was nervous about bringing up the subject prior to the visit. He had wondered if he had backed out of mentioning, but now he knew that Wen Ning followed through.

"Tell me more about your family," Wen Ning said as they settled down once more. He was also ready to help himself to some of the snacks and tea now that the pressing issue was finally dealt with.

[snowbirdprincess]

And at least he knew that the answer was a good one since she had smiled at him rather than being annoyed that he was there, that he had been there with him. She wasn't going to stop them from being together, just as long as she was still treated well.

But now it was just the two of them again.

She smiled, taking a sip of her tea before answering. "Royal Mother is my mother. She was promoted to the rank after First Empress left us. Royal Father has always loved her. I've always known this since I was little. I have my twin brother, Jianli. We can practically read each other's minds at times. The seventh prince is also Mother's son, Jianhe. After the Empress left, Mother also adopted her son, Fifth Prince Jianjing. Her daughter, First Princess Meihiu, was near the age of marriage so she was not adopted.

Other than them, my younger sisters are Meirong, Meixiang, and Meixui. The younger brothers I am close to are Jianhuang, Consort Fa's oldest son; Jiandong and Jianyong, both of whom you met today."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning softly repeated the names in an attempt to remember them. The names would be easy enough, but placing them with the faces will be a little harder. He believed in time he would know them all and maybe be training them.

The knowledge about her mother was new to him, but he was careful not to show it. Yet, he did find he could sympathsize with her understanding what it was like to have to replace a former leader for various rasons. It was never easy and he knew that among the women's world it was always hard to earn support verses the male world. Yet, it seemed they got along respectively from the little bit he saw earlier.

"I had always wanted a brother and maybe another sister. I used to annoy my sister a lot when we were younger. I would never leave her aside and I was always asking her questions. When my parents had been around they would never take sides and make us work out what ever differences we having problems with." Wen Ning explained as he took a few sips of tea.

[snowbirdprincess]

She smiled as he repeated the names to himself. "I will remind you. They would not likely be offended by someone who does not come here often not knowing them immediately."

She nodded her head in understanding. "It is the same way here though more complicated. I was never close to Meihiu, but I wanted to be close to my younger sisters so I started helping them when I was able to. Jianhe was the same way though. He would always follow Jianli around, usually with his horse toy when he was little. Jianli was riding by that time and Jianhe always wanted advice even though it was a toy."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning smiled at the stories. "Sounds like he was trying to learn to be like his brother and the toy was his best way to associate it. Will Jianli teach Jianhe how to do horseback riding?

I used to associate various plants with my sister. One time I got in trouble when I accidentally ruined the plants being store for medicine. I was trying to help by organizing them....but had ruined many in the process. My sister had been mad at me for days. I rarely see her mad at me. It's usually at others I would see her get angry at."

[snowbirdprincess]

"He was. Jianhe loves his older brother. Jianli and Jianjing are going to teach him how to ride. He is very excited about learning."

She couldn't help but smile apologetically when he told her about his sister. "Oh, dear. Well, it is good that she forgave you. And it was nice of you to try and help your sister."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning smiled, pleased to hear the brothers going to teach their brother.

"It was. At least I had my sister. I tried at one point to befriend my cousin, but found quickly he didn't want anything to do with me unless he was being mischievous in a mean way that meant me getting in trouble or wanted someone to take his anger out on. He didn't like me or my sister being at the castle. That meant less attention on him. He also didn't like how our uncle had favored my sister."