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]

"Understood. I'll see what I can do to help keep things civil. I appreciate you taking the time to explain everything to me." Wen Ning replied with a bow of thanks.

"Would there be acceptable topics to discuss with them? I'm sure at some point I will have to converse with them during our stay."

[snowbirdprincess]

"Of course. The royal family is more complicated than most with so many children. We are at twelve princes and six princesses having been born and another consort is pregnant so there will be more."

Nineteen children. Granted, not all had survived, but at least nineteen.

"Hmm... I'm not sure what Yangir's preference of conversation would be, but he and his clan are fighters. I hear that sects are as well so you might be able to find some conversation there. As for First Princess, we will cater to her during her stay, but if you should happen to find yourself with her, gardens or art might be a good topic. Her attendants during her stay are well aware of what she says and will let us know if she begins to turn the conversation away from appropriate topics in public."

Appropriate topics meaning anything except her issue with the legitimacy of three heirs.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning gave a nod of understanding. All topics that he were familiar with. He could survive this and found himself relaxing a little.

He would have to make sure to not discuss about how he wasn't originally in line to be sect leader. That would be more annumination to use against his wife.

"Is there anything I can do in the mean time?" Wen Ning questioned, unsure of what to do or say at this point. He knew that he was to enjoy his time here, but he felt like he should also be doing something else as well. It felt stragnge to have a lot of idle time.

[snowbirdprincess]

She figured those were safe topics for anyone of a station. Besides, she knew a little bit about Wen Ning already from Meili when she had spent time with her grandmother.

"Set the example for both First Princess and Yangir to think in the present or the future by talking of things now or you are planning. Don't dwell on the past as it will likely make them as well," the Empress Dowager said, adding one final warning to it. If the First Princess was given an opportunity to reflect on the past, she would surely take it. "It is something that all the consorts are encouraged to do if they should interact with First Princess."

"Hmm... if you would like to meet with the Emperor to discuss what your sect can offer to the palace, I doubt he would object. But today is a day to celebrate. Unless it is dire, he won't talk about it today."

Little did either know that Meili was breaking this to tell him about the rogue sect... but she was also being a good daughter to make sure he was prepared so it wasn't quite the same.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning found them to be wise words for anyone. It was always better to focus on the present and the future, never dwell on the past. He had seen many get lost in the past and never return and others allow themselves to get ruined for trying to keep the past.

"I believe that shouldn't be a problem. There should be plenty of things to discuss and keep them focused on the topics." Wen Ning stated.


"Very well. I have a few suggestions I would like to discuss with the Emperor, but those can wait. I wish to think on them some more and research the proposals with my advisors."

[snowbirdprincess]

She had been around quite a long time and in the palace no less. She knew how things worked. She knew how people were. More importantly, she knew her granddaughter even if she hadn't spent that much time with her.

"Good," she said. "I think that considering your options is a good idea. The Emperor is not expecting you to speak to him about it on this trip as this is so soon after your wedding."

Finally, they arrived at a manor house that was draped in red fabric, much like the palace she had left from had been.

"This is yours," the Empress Dowager said. "The Emperor has granted it to you and Second Princess so whenever you stay here, it will be ready for you."

[raddishpeddler]

"Thank you," Wen Ning replied with a bow. He couldn't give the Emperor and his wife a manor like this one in Qishan, but he was able to at least give them a whole wing to themselves at the castle. With how things were laid out there was no suitable space to build a large mannor. With his wife's help he'll have everything they need ready when they come to visit.

"Would you like some tea?" Wen Ning offered as he moved to step into the manor curious to see what it looked like inside. It was also a chance for the Emperess to decide if she done conversing with him or she was ready to retire for the night herself.

[snowbirdprincess]

She would certainly accept the bow on behalf of the Emperor. It had been partially her idea to comfort him with the prospect of his favorite daughter leaving. If she and her husband had a place to stay inside the palace, they would be more able to visit when the mood struck them.

"You have some freedom to decorate it how you wish on the inside. Anything outside will, of course, be scrutinized by many so care should be taken. Inside, the only ones who will see it when you are away are a few dedicated maids who will be responsible for cleaning, decorating when required, and preparing it for when you are coming to visit."

Probably the easiest job for a maid there was in the palace. No one to attend most of them and just a building to take care of.

"Thank you. That would be most kind."

The maids, having been waiting patiently for the arrival of the manor's owners, bowed when hearing tea was requested and went to get it.

The manor itself was a fairly large building. The main entrance hall with a room directly next to it for sitting and visiting. The other side had the table for dining. Off from the visiting room was the bedroom, bed already arranged for them to sleep in tonight.

"The maids can show your staff to their room once you are ready to sleep for the night," the Empress Dowager said as her maid helped her over to the visiting area, taking a sit and beckoning for Wen Ning to join her. Even though it was his manor, she was still very a presence.

[raddishpeddler]

"Thank you," Wen Ning replied and moved to sit down near her. He was slightly disappointed he didn't get to make the tea, but he chosed to not say anything on that. His staff was used to him cooking on his own or serving tea. The staff here were not.

"I'll have to let Meili do the decorating here. She'll know what's acceptable. I'm terrible with decorating..." Overall, Wen Ning was impressed with what he had seen. It was better then what he and his sister had lived in before everything happened.

"I look forward to when things calm down. I want to take the time to cook a meal for Meili as I had done for my family. I don't get to cook as much as I used to. But every so often I still would make the time to do it usually for my family or close friends." Wen Ning commented.

[snowbirdprincess]

Yes, they would eventually learn that he was able and willing to make tea. The maids were trained to handle that for their masters and mistresses so it wasn't a question for them to go and do it as soon as "tea" was mentioned. It was also the first time that they had met. He could always tell them that occasionally he would make tea on his own and it was not a fault on them. Of course, having Meili around would help with the conversation so that the maids did not believe they had done something wrong.

The Empress Dowager chuckled softly. "Yes, it is likely good. Meili will be given more leeway to defend her decoration choices." She sighed fondly, as though remembering something nice, before looking at Wen Ning. "It may not surprise you to hear, but Princess Meili has pretty much had her Royal Father wrapped around her finger from practically the moment she was born. He always saw her as an auspicious sign, arriving with her brother. She has also been a filial child so he's never had a reason to rethink that."

The maids came in with cups of tea in porcelain cups that were only allowed in the palace, the color and pattern on these allowed for members of the royal family since Meili was a princess.

"That is most kind. It is not often that we have food that isn't cooked by the cooks here. Of course we do when we are on tour, but we still have cooks."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning smiled as she spoke about Meili and her bond with her father. It was nice to see such a connection especially among royalty. He never had that connection with his parents having lost them at a young age. But he had that connection with his sister and Grandmother.

"I had gathered quickly how fond the Emperor was of Meili and how protective he is of her, same with her brother. I don't want to take away from that. I already informed her that she is able to visit as much as she wants as long as it doesn't interfere with anything major. Even then I would still try and make an effort so she can find time for her family. Her family is welcome to visit as well when ever they wish. I think we are lucky to be so close."

As he spoke, Wen Ning couldn't help but study the detail work on the tea cup knowing how porcelean was valuable.

"I would consider it an honor to cook for you."

[snowbirdprincess]

Well, he would kind of have a father figure now. Meili was a favored princess so of course, Wen Ning would be a favored son-in-law. He was a very busy father, but a father none-the-less.

"They will be happy to hear that. Jianli is very close to her. Many of the consorts consider them to be of one mind since when they were younger, they would finish each other's statements without hesitation. It will be nice that she is able to visit. And allowing us to visit as well, his Majesty will surely take you up on that."

She smiled. "I would certainly like to try your cooking. Perhaps when we come to visit." And since he was looking at the porcelain, "The color and pattern is specifically for members of the royal family. It is not as bright as the Emperor's but most of the consorts aren't provided the same pattern."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning smiled back pleased by the response. He only hoped that things would go smooth and there wouldn't be too many problems....nothing that couldn't be solved right away. Meili and Jianli would be able to help make sure everything was correct and set. He only hoped the other sects would behave properly if they were visiting as well for what ever purpose.

"I had wondered if there was some kind of status pertaining to the various patterns and colors," Wen Ning commented. He had started to take note of it when he had been visiting the palace to see Meili. They were nothing like the ones he had at home or had used prior to him becoming Sect leader.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili would certainly help with getting things organized for her family to visit. She was used to the space they took up and all the requirements everyone had. At least it wasn't going to be immediate. Even if Wen Ning had told the Emperor today, he wouldn't have planned it for a while. Let his daughter get settled in after all.

The sound of the curtain moving aside heralded the arrival of Meili, her temporary attendants in tow. The two maids who had been standing nearby to see if Wen Ning or the Empress Dowager needed anything bowed to her as she came in.

"Greetings to Royal Grandmother," Meili said, bowing to the two of them. "Greetings to Husband."

The maids behind her bowed.

"Rise. You have finished speaking with your Royal Father?" the Empress Dowager said.

"Yes, for tonight at least," Meili said.

"Then I will take my leave so you and your husband can rest. It has likely been a long few days."

"It has," Meili replied. "Seeing Royal Grandmother off," she said properly as the older woman rose, her own maid coming over to help her so they could depart.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning smiled upon seeing his wife. He didn't realize how much time had past sine they left the banquet. He then stood up and bowed before her grandmother saying the proper greeting to see her off.

Once he saw that her grandmother had left he turned to Meili and smiled. "Did your conversation with your father go well?" he asked as he offered her to sit next to him along with some tea? "There's one thing I had wanted to discuss before we retire for the night. I don't need this situation becoming a problem."

Wen Ning then called for Wen Zhuliu to join them. It was time to get the full story. With some reluctance Wen Zhuliu came foreward and instead of sitting across as Wen Ning had suggested, he decided to kneel before them in an apologetic manner.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili waited until her grandmother had left and went to her seat, one of the maids bring her a cup of tea.

"It went well. I wanted to talk to him a bit and also tell him about the rogue sect so that they do not begin to believe they can come to speak to him."

She was a little surprised as Wen Zhuliu knelt in front of them. After a moment, she looked up at the maids still waiting nearby. She might have allowed Zhelan to remain, but none of these were staff she knew. "I understand. You all withdraw for now."

The maids all replied to acknowledge and then turned and left, going outside.

"We are alone now," she said.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning gave a nod and waited till the maids had left before he asked Wen Zhuliu to rise. He only refused to leave his kneeling position.

"I'm going to foreward and say that I'm disappointed by this. I don't understand why you didn't tell me any of this and let me find out now. What would have happened if they made a big scene over your pressence? How would that have effected us? Did our previous leader know?"

There was a long silence before Wen Zhuliu spoke and looked up at both Wen Ning and Meili. "They knew. That was part of why they brought me into the Wen sect.They thought they could use it as leverage. Joke's on them. It wouldn't have worked.

I had hoped that when I joined the Wen sect that my past wouldn't catch up with me. I didn't want you to judge me for my past....You had been the first person to not judge me and accept me for who I was. I was afraid if you learned you would want to replace me.

My father and I never got along. I was considered to be an ilegitmate heir. Everything had gone to my brother. I believe the only reason why they had kept me around was in case they never had my brother. It would have been a matter of time before they disowned me."

Wen Ning frowned as he listened to Wen Zhuliu's story. He glanced at Meili to see what she would have to say. She was familiar with royality and how things worked.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili listened patiently. Even though he didn't specifically say who his family was, she could make an assumption considering the only person she didn't know of rank in the banquet had been Yangir and they looked alike.

"It is potentially troublesome," Meili remarked. "However, I don't think it is impossible to deal with. Yangir is the prince, next in line to be the ruler of his clan. It is possible he could say something about it. Here in the palace, I think it is a non-issue if we don't make it one. If Yangir says something, my father would be quick to point out Wen Zhuliu's position in the Wen sect. So, at least publicly, he shouldn't say anything.

However, traveling through territory held by Yangir and his clan might be more troublesome if we ever found the need to do so."

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Zhuliu gave a nod in agreement toward Meili's statement. "Yangir won't cause a problem here. He knows he won't have an upper hand and won't want to loose favor. At best I'm a mere eye sore to him since I have no rank and I'm a mere bodyguard. He would be satisified that my fate has falling to that level.

However, in his own territory he would cause trouble. He would be trying to test the two of you because of me and the issues his wife has toward Madam Wen. Or, I coud be wrong. I don't now if he's changed at all since I last saw my brother. The two of you might win him over after the display we saw the other day.

Know that my loyalty will always be with you, Sect Leader Wen and to you Madam Wen. My past is my past and changed me to who I am today. I will not forget the fact that you had made me feel accepted and respected and have given me purpose. Neither of which I had as a prince or under the previous leaders of Qishan Wen."

Wen Zhuliu explained and bowed lowwer then the kneeling position he was already in. He believed he had all he could say on the matter. If they wanted more detail they would have to ask. He wasn't going to provide if not prompted. He just hoped they would not replace him as trying to start a new life again would be difficult at this stage.

Wen Ning couldn't be mad now. He had been mad earlier because he hadn't been informed. He didn't care about the ilegitamcy. He just wish he was told before all of this had happened. He didn't want to look like a fool not knowing his own bodyguard was a fallen prince.

Wen Ning got up and moved to kneel in front of Wen Zhuliu. He knew this probably wasn't protocol, but he wanted the other to realize how important he was to him.

"You trusted me this far as I had trusted you. Moving foreward I just want you to remember to come to me if you have any problems or concerns. I can't help you if I don't know. Now, will pleaase join us for tea?"

Only after Wen Zhuliiu gave a nod in acknowledge and moved to get up to join them, did Wen Ning get up to join his wife once more.

[snowbirdprincess]

Meili couldn't help but smile hearing his words. They were very sincere, she imagined. That he knelt before both of them and included her in those he was loyal to, she was certainly inclined to not doubt him just because of who he might be related to. You couldn't always pick your family, she'd learned, but you could pick those who you considered your family. Her mother had taken many servants under her wing, getting her most loyal of maids good matches for husbands when it was time for them to leave. And then, of course, Sanbao the cook was practically like an uncle to Meili and her brothers, having been with her mother since she had entered the palace.

It certainly wasn't protocol for him to kneel, but it made his point very clear.

"Yes, please join us," Meili insisted before calling for the maids to return. Once they had filed back in, the ranking attendant moving to stand in what was a usual spot, Meili said, "Please bring another chair and another cup of tea."

"Yes," the two maids who were usually in the manor said. One went to get another chair, bringing it over for Wen Zhuliu while the other went to get him a cup of tea.

"It'll be nice to have a chance to talk."

And relax. For the first time in a few days, there was nothing to do.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning visibly relaxed once Wen Zhuliu joined them. It was really the first time they had to themselves and nothing pressing for them to worry about. Nor did they have supervisors watching them as they had in the past.

He wasn't sure what to say at this point and used the time to drink his tea. He simply enjoyed the company he was with.

Wen Zhuliu sat with them and enjoyed the tea served to him. He wasn't used to participating with various people, although since his service with Wen Ning he was starting to get used to the notion. Wen Chao had only invited him when it suited his needs or he was trying to make him do something he didn't want to do.

[snowbirdprincess]

It was a bit unconventional in the maids' opinions that they asked for a chair and tea for their bodyguard and asked him to join them. But then again, it was not their job to question why the master did things. If all three of them were good with the arrangement then it was fine with them.

After they brought the tea, the two maids who had been caring for the manor departed to do other things. The other maids who had been sent to attend to Meili as well had gone to do other tasks to ensure their mistress was comfortable. The older maid continued to stand nearby, waiting if anything was needed and she could always call back the other maids if needed.

Meili did eventually ask her to bring them a game and the maids brought them a table and Go and a table to play it on.

[raddishpeddler]

The maids will eventually learn that Wen Ning is not very conventional on how he handles things. He realized that it would take a while for them to get used to them. They would also understand Meili a little better and she could rely things. Then most of the staff at the Royal Palace only saw Wen Zhuliu as a body guard. His pressence was different back at home.

The game itself caught Wen Zhuliu off guard. "You may have to refreshen me on the rules of the game. It's been a long time since I've played Go."

Wen Ning smiled, somewhat amused by the comment. "Don't fall for that bait, Melie. He may not know now, but he'll be an expert in a few rounds. Anything he's not good at he masters pretty quick."

[snowbirdprincess]

It would take some time and eventually they would understand their assigned master's proclivities. For now, they were going with what they knew. Meili and Wen Ning's manor was different in that they weren't going to be present all the time and would bring some of their own staff with them whenever they came, Zhelan and the other maids now considered separate of the palace since they were dowry maids.

Meili chuckled. "I'd be happy to," she said as she set up the board for them. "I will remember that," she added with a teasing smile, before beginning to review the rules.

Color the maids curious; they moved a little closer to watch the game that was going to take place.

[raddishpeddler]

Wen Ning was quite familiar with the game playing it with his sister and family or friends during down time. Sometimes they would make little bets for fun usually costing them chores or being chore free. That had been when he was younger. Now the bets varied depending on who he was with.

There was no surprise that Wen Zhuliu had figured it out right away. It was often hard to read his expressions as he always kept his face neuteral. Wen Ning knew what to watch for. He would eventually
tell Meili later, but he was curious to see how much Meili would pick up.


The game at least was a great solution though as it was fun listening to the banter and the conversation going on. Wen Ning also noted their audience as well so he had to also becareful of what was being said in the process. He then asked for some wine after a few rounds had gone by.