章 42: A Grand Gesture
As the procession wound to a halt outside Ji House, Dàilán saw a subtle shifting of the curtains of the palanquin as Ài exposed her fingers in a gesture of success and breathed a sigh of relief.
She had ordered the servants pushing Essence into the Formation that floated the palanquin to slow to a snail's pace, drawing out the trip an extra four kè.
This meant that she basically had to walk at a slow measured pace beside the palanquin for what seemed an interminable amount of time without drawing attention to herself. Thankfully, her plain dress and some discreet shifting of her place in the procession each time they reached large groups of people had let her escape general notice.
While the procession waited for formal permission to enter the grounds of House Ji, less than a li away from the entrance to the inner 'Noble' ring of the city, Dàilán looked around in interest.
Her dreams of Jianghu travels aside, she had actually never gone very far outside Hujian, apart from carefully chaperoned trips. Despite occasionally leaving the Guan Clan compound to visit Market Street and a few of the acceptable public gardens for poetry readings and recitals, this was the first time she had travelled outside of the inner ring of the city, let alone gone so far as visiting anyone else's home.
Technically as a Merchant family not granted Noble status, House Ji were officially not afforded the title of 'Clan', or a compound within the city's inner ring - even though in practice they operated like and were generally treated like a Clan by everyone except the 'Noble Clans'. Purely the fact that House Ji had managed to secure and improve an estate as close to the inner ring as possible, showed their resources and ambitions were equal to any of the Clans.
In one of those funny peculiarities of custom, in this case, despite being a woman, Ying Yue would always hold the higher rank than Heir Ji if they married. Although in practice he would be in charge as the head of the household, Yue would be Clan Leader if House Ji was granted nobility status due to the marriage.
Dàilán was sure that position of control was one of the reasons Ying was in favour of Heir Ji. She would have far less control if she married into an established Clan - and Guan would have even less ability to lean on their new-in-laws for support.
It seemed fortunate that Ying seemed also interested the honest and bold Heir. Hopefully, politics would not mess this happenstance opportunity of a happily-arranged marriage.
However, right now this was about getting a chance to talk to Heir Ji without having too many people listening in, although she was sure Yue was glad of the chance to make an impression and Clan Guan was glad to have the chance to soothe ruffled feathers.
The gates to the 'not-a-clan-compound' swung open with the easily recognisable figure of Heir Ji in the entrance, accompanied by a taller, slender male dressed in simple grey robes similar to her own. Dàilán did a double take as she recognised the Heir to Clan Gi, Gi Chian - otherwise known as the 'Ice King' among the various noble females who all spent a great deal of time swooning over his admittedly classically perfect looks - and bemoaning that the handsome man never seemed to notice any of them.
Now this was - interesting. It was clear given the Gi Heir's style of dress that he was leaving the spotlight on Heir Ji. If House Ji was close enough to Clan Gi to host their Heir and have him act as chaperone during this meeting, then House Ji was - not - proposing marriage to Clan Guan in attempt to gain noble support.
Although the chance of having House Ji elevated to a Noble Clan through marriage was assuredly part of their calculations, this likely meant that House Ji obviously already had a strong backer among the Noble Clans. Not only that, Clan Gi was the only First Rank Clan in Hujian and had marriageable daughters.
Yet, rather than marrying into Clan Gi, they were proposing to Guan - which gave Guan a great deal of face. Not only that, Clan Gi appeared to be supporting their suit and their possible elevation - but House Ji had not used that backing to pressure Clan Guan at all, to Dàilán's knowledge.
Dàilán grimaced in the realisation that the conspiracy targeting her Clan had very nearly managed to not only offend the richest House in Hujian but quite possibly made the First Rank Clan lose a lot of face - by implying that a Second Rank Clan did not consider a House the First rank Clan had allied with worthy of consideration.
Heir Ji had obviously put even more effort into his sartorial splendour than normal. He was wearing extremely elaborate golden and bejewelled robes. Unfortunately, it merely made it easy to see Heir Ji was not as calm as his composed face made out as the Golden Crow's light glittered and fractured off all his jewellery with nervous trembling.
"Be welcome and held safe within our House," the rotund man called in a respectably clear and strong voice, "House Ji welcomes Clan Guan."
The taller Gi heir stepped forward and bowed towards the procession. "Clan Gi offers witness. Peace-bond will be held until both parties are returned to their Houses."
Ignoring the surussus of whispers and murmurs behind her, Dàilán stepped forward from her position at the side of the palanquin. "Third House Heir Guan accepts the welcome and the witness, on behalf of Clan Guan."
The formal words of welcome and acceptance delivered, Dàilán stepped back as the curtains of the palanquin opened and held out a carefully Essence reinforced arm out as she bowed towards it, hiding the puzzlement she was suddenly feeling from showing. She could have sworn that she had just seen Heir Gi twitch, in what almost appeared to be disappointment as she announced herself as the chaperone.
Yue's hand clasped her arm softly and she saw her silver slippers as the Second heiress stepped gracefully from the floating palanquin, treading air as if on invisible stairs. That was a neat trick with Essence, she'd have to ask her Cousin about it sometime.
With her head bowed, acting the part of the chaperone, she could not see the reaction to her Cousin's appearance, but a sudden freezing of the reflections cast on the street by Heir Ji's clothing and an audible masculine gasp, told her enough. She did her best to suppress her giggles as she raised her posture - settling for a dignified mien as she followed a step behind Ying Yue, towards a visibly stunned Heir Ji.
"Told you he would appreciate it," she murmured sotto voce as they slowly drew closer. "Just no eating the meatball, OK? This is just an apology meeting."
A shaking of Yue's veils showed she had heard the quip and encouragement as she straightened and her step firmed from its initial tentative cadence.
Ying bowed gracefully as they came to a stop in front of the pair of males. "Second Heiress Guan greets First Heir Ji." Her voice held a quiet laughter; evidently Dàilán's comment had had a somewhat inopportune effect.
The Ji Heir seemed completely smitten however, as he shook his head. "Heiress… you outshine the moon…" his voice slid to a stop, evidently realising that his compliment was probably slightly inappropriate given the circumstances, but Ying only laughed, with an honesty in the sound that Dàilán had never heard before from her Cousin.
"And you, Heir Ji, appear to be attempting to out-fly the Golden Crow… is all that gold strictly necessary?" Dàilán could not see her Cousin's facial expression from behind as she tilted her head slightly, but the sway of her waist made her bet it could be described as coquettish.
Judging by Heir Ji's blush and awkward scratching of the back of his head, Dàilán was sure she would have won that bet. "Too much, en?" Heir Ji was much steadier now as humour replaced formality.
Her Cousin waved a hand in a small gesture. "Just a little." The clear smile in her voice made Dàilán roll her eyes, only to catch Heir Gi with the same expression on his face.
The other Chaperone coughed slightly, laying a hand on Heir Ji's shoulder. "By all the Gods and Sages Fatty, let the Lady in your House! Leave the flirting somewhere where the rest of us do not have to eat dog food."
Fatty Ji jumped slightly. "Oh, ah... Yes. My apologies… we have prepared refreshments for your entourage. Please come in, all of you!" He bowed and Second Cousin inclined her head, before stepping pass the pair in the grounds of the House. Dàilán heard the sounds of the other maids following behind them, a particular footfall letting her know that Ài was just on her left - close enough to defend both Heiresses - if required.
---
After a half shi of formal audience in the main Ji Hall, where Yue and Dàilán had very properly and respectfully given House Ji a great deal of face by making apologies for recent insults, Ying Yue had directly stated she was willing to receive Heir Ji's suite - and then handed over a very beautiful and expensive Essence plant helpful for cultivation that she had carefully grown and tended by her own hands to the Ji Elders - the four teenagers found themselves sitting around a beautifully carved stone table in a small courtyard holding a small amount of tea and snacks.
The small space was carefully arranged for privacy with cages holding twittering songbirds and a small water feature; providing some measure of noise to block people outside from easily hearing conversations. Plants and trees arranged and pruned around the periphery of the walled yard provided the visual illusion of seclusion.
Ài and the other servants were being hosted with all respect by the other lower ranked members of House Ji, so the Heirs and Heiress' were serving themselves - but as part of the initial discussion involving Heir Ji's suite the 'couple' were permitted this 'private' meeting - with both chaperones watching over their respective charges carefully.
"I must say, Heiress Ying," opened Fatty Ji, sitting back in his chair and sipping his tea once the initial obligatory compliments and niceties had been completed, "I never expected this move from your Clan - especially so quickly and on such a grand scale. It should go a way to fixing much of the insult that Guan has built up among the Clans and Houses of recent times. Especially given the extent of your apology," he smiled bashfully, "the acceptance of the suite was… unexpected." He flushed.
"That was all me, Dear Fatty. Does that disappoint you? I suspect my Clan will be somewhat put out with me - I believe they wanted to bargain a higher price before consenting."
Her Second Cousin sounded mischievous as she lifted her own tea and Heir Ji grinned. "No, in fact that makes it much better - I want a wife - not an arrangement."
Dàilán coughed loudly and pretended to drink tea to soothe her throat. Heir Ji had the grace to look abashed. "Forgive me, I am being too forward at this juncture. Rest assured however, I will not shortchange you or your Clan."
His eyes moved to Dàilán, "Your presence was something of a surprise, Third Heir, although your own apologies were also a welcome and unexpected gesture."
Dàilán shrugged slightly, breathing in the scent of the excellent tea. "Whoever set this mess up has a great deal to answer for, but all the Clans have lost a lot of face being tricked. If admitting that means the process restores some measure of security to my Clan as well as making my own wishes clear, all the better, no matter if I lose a little face."
Heir Gi nodded approvingly beside the Fatty who was also nodding, the songbirds providing an amusing counterpoint to their movements. "We - had - understood your First Heiress would be chaperoning, however," he said turning a cheeky look at the taller man by his side, "my sworn brother was quite disappointed..." he cut off with a sharp gasp as Heir Gi elbowed him expressionlessly in the side.
Yue spluttered indecorously into her teacup and Dàilán had to remind herself to grip more firmly onto her teacup. "So - that - is what you meant…"
Fatty Ji laughed, his fats giggling merrily. "Yes, my sworn brother here may act like ice, but in his heart burns the passion of ten..." The stouter man rolled off his seat to avoid his 'brother's' kick, still laughing.
"Ignore the Meatball. Talks too much." Gi Chian's voice was crisp, clearly enunciated and went well with his intense eyes and sharply defined face.
Second Cousin giggled, daintily wiping her face clear of splashed tea with a silk cloth. "I would - love - to hear you hold a conversation with Míng."
Dàilán laughed at the mental image that her Cousin's words painted. "Yes, the two of you could compete to see who could say the most with the least amount of words."
"We will pass on your interest, rest assured, Heir Gi," said Yue formally, though Dàilán could still hear the laughter in her voice. "I trust your own Clan is - amenable?" her tone sharpened slightly.
Heir Gi inclined his head in thanks and assent. The Second Heiress nodded in return then paused, taking a deep breath. "Is this courtyard secure?"
Heir Ji's laughter stopped abruptly as he rolled to his feet and looked at his friend, who pressed a hand to the flagstones and nodded.
"It is now, but we cannot leave the formation up for long. It will be noticed," Heir Ji looked at Dàilán, "I presume we come to the real reason behind your sudden visit?"
Second Heiress made a small noise of protest and Dàilán winced. "Make no mistake, Heir Ji," she said formally, "my Cousin's feelings and words are genuine - as was the visit, although it was - expedited. And yes, I did replace Míng at short notice. My apologies. However..." she pulled out the scroll she had shown her Cousin earlier and handed it to the Fatty, who took it curiously.
"We needed professional advice from someone not connected directly to the Clan that we could trust." Dàilán gestured at the scroll.
The rotund Heir raised his eyebrows and opened the scroll. Both Heirs looked at the contents, Heir Gi standing up from his chair to read over the Fatty's shoulder.
After a couple of Fēn, Heir Ji lowered the scroll, his face set in hard lines. "This… accurate?" asked Heir Gi, his voice thoughtful, sitting back down at Dàilán's nod.
"Clan Guan is in serious trouble." answered Heir Ji. "That is my professional advice. More detailed recommendations - I would need to study this and compare it with our own intelligence. May I?"
"I was afraid you would say that," sighed Dàilán, "yes, keep it. Obviously, please keep it a secret."
Yue's voice was small as she looked timidly at Heir Ji. "Does this change - things?"
Heir Ji frowned. "Would you be willing to stay? I worry for your safety…"
"Unwise." Heir Gi's voice coolly cut through the tenseness. "May trigger a reaction. Safe for now. Actions are covert, not overt."
"Heir Gi is right," said Yue calmly, her relief in Heir Ji's response clear in her voice. "I am not in any danger - as long as no one suspects we are onto them." She paused then looked at Heir Gi. "We should deactivate the formation."
"Yes." The slimmer man leaned down and pressed his hand against the courtyard flagstones again - and now that she was watching for it, Dàilán felt the telltale prickle of a Formation shift.
She took a deep breath and smiled at the taller man, "So, is that is how you know Míng?" she gestured subtly to his hand.
The other chaperone nodded, his eyes lighting up. "She is good. Beautiful brush work."
Yue giggled, passing her empty hand over her mouth "You like her lines?"
Heir Ji snorted as the other man smiled, then frowned as the double meaning became clear. "She is beautiful too - when she is concentrating."
"I would love to know how you even know she is a Formation Master," questioned Yue, "It is a secret even in our family."
"We were in the same examination. I could not see her face - disguised. Saw her hands. Remembered where I had seen them before." Chian replied.
"He remembers everything," Fatty Ji, "It is annoying sometimes."
"How under the Crow did you two become sworn brothers," wondered Dàilán, "you are complete opposites!"
Heir Ji's eyes lit up. "It is a grand tale of epic proportions!" He said happily, waving his teacup like a wine flask, "We saved each others lives… there was a great battle…"
"Fought an Essence beast together, did not die." answered the other man dryly, sipping his tea.
The Fatty deflated, his arm drooping in disappointment. "Well, maybe not that long a story…"
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