บท 40: Palanquin
Head down and thinking furiously Dàilán barely noticed the Majordomo farewell her as he saw her off at the edge of the Mansion grounds. She returned his bows absentmindedly, hurrying off towards the Third House courtyards as she tried to think of a way to fulfil the mission she had been given.
It would not be easy to talk to Heir Ji without raising the suspicions of whomever was orchestrating these attacks on the clan, internal or external. She needed to have a good and truthful - as well as obvious reason, one people would not bother looking past - to approach House Ji.
A sudden thought made her stop momentarily, bowing to a pair of servants as they crossed in front of her through the Third House courtyard. Calculating on her fingers, as the saying went, she went over the idea in her mind.
Her expression firmed and she strode quickly towards her quarters.
She reached her rooms within a kè, calling out quietly for Chén'er. Receiving no reply, she nodded to herself. As the weekly Heir duties meeting had been ended early, Chén'er had not yet returned from her own errands that she usually performed while her Mistress was otherwise occupied - likely reporting to her Master.
Un-slinging the satchel, she hesitated slightly then placed it on her study table, then filled herself a cup of water from the jug that was always kept filled by her desk. Drinking the water kept cool and clean by the formations etched into the jug, she walked through the guest antechamber into her bedroom and over to the necessary room, placing the cup down on the guest table in the antechamber as she went.
Because she was paying attention, she noticed the prickle of the privacy formations activating as she closed the door, something that she normally took for granted. A small smile pulled at her lips as pulled out the communication jade she had been given two days ago and sent a small amount of Essence into the formation engraved on it.
Once the formation lit up she spoke quietly into it, while squatting and performing the necessary, covering the sound of her voice. "Orchid to Moon." She let the communication jade hang from the necklace she had put it on and kept on under her robes.
There was no immediate reply and she busied herself with finishing her business. As she rose to wash her hands and pass them under the Essence cleanser, she started to worry about what she could do if no one answered within a reasonable amount of time.
The jade vibrated under her robes and she sighed in relief. Taking her hands out from under the disinfecting and perfuming device, she pulled the jade up on its chain and put her thumb into the activation point, sending Essence through it.
"Problem, Orchid?" Yue's voice with a clear trace of annoyance, issued from the jade.
Dàilán rolled her eyes, the posturing was a lot easier not to take seriously when she knew the real situation. "Any chance of you getting in touch with Fatty soon? His expertise is needed."
There was a muffled noise that sounded like surprise. "Orchid? You would have more chance than me, why use the jade to ask me that?" The annoyance was clear in Ying's voice now.
"I have no legitimate reason to contact. As for the jade, some parties would probably prefer such a contact did not occur." Dàilán chose her words carefully.
"That…" When Yue's voice came again it was guarded, the annoyance gone. "How could Fatty help?"
The young teen hesitated. "Financial advice. An outsider's perspective would be helpful."
The response was a soft, almost sad, "Oh."
Suddenly, the jade vibrated again. "Dagger here. Bring Orchid as chaperone instead, Moon. Makes more sense anyway." Míng's voice floated out of the jade and Dàilán's eyes widened in surprise.
The jade vibrated again. "Dragon here. Concur. Implement immediately. Orchid, be suitable for visiting within a shi. You as well, Moon." The Matriarch's voice sounded from the jade and the heiress lost her grip on the jade in surprise, eyeing it like a scorpion.
After a moment, she reached out turned off the water and cleanser, opening the door and moving back into her room and touching the maid call as she stowed most of the scrolls from her satchel in the pigeonholes of her 'bookcase'.
Moments later, Ài's voice came from the door. "How may I assist, young mistress?"
"Please help me into something appropriate for visiting House Ji and possibly the market. I expect to receive a directive from the Matriarch within the next shi, possibly sooner," she directed her newest lady in waiting calmly.
"Then you should have time to bathe?" inquired Ài, moving briskly into the room.
"Yes. Unless I miss my guess, Second Cousin will need to do the same," Dàilán replied.
"Easy enough to check - a moment, young mistress."
Dàilán completed stowing the scrolls she did not to take with her and started removing the nondescript, deliberately gender-neutral robes, as the sound of deliberate footsteps announced the return of her lady-in-waiting and both maids.
Ài's return was accompanied by Chàng and Biyu, who burst into chatter the moment they came into the room. "Young Mistress, the Matriarch has requested you accompany Second Mistress to the Ji clan as chaperone. Apparently it has been decided that Second Mistress will deliver her apologies regarding the recent suite refusals directly to House Ji, to emphasise sincerity."
Ài nodded. "Second Cousin has already called her servants to draw a bath and lay out visiting robes. A messenger has already been sent to the Ji Clan. We are to be there at the beginning of the next shi."
"Very good," responded the heiress. "Ài, I will need something appropriate, but quiet and understated and as plain as possible without losing face or giving offence. I am to support Second, not draw attention away from her."
"Yes, young mistress," Ài bowed, then headed for the wardrobe.
"I need to be able to carry some scrolls, unobtrusively, as well," specified Dàilán as she allowed Chàng to finish helping her out of her robes as Biyu went to start the bath.
Ai bowed her head to acknowledge the instruction as the Heiress headed past her for the bath. Dàilán slowed and turned towards Ài, "Chén'er will likely not be available in time, you will need to accompany me - my apologies on the short notice."
Ài swallowed, her eyes widening. The young Heiress waved a hand dismissively. "Do not worry, it is unlikely to be dangerous - in fact, since it is mostly a political exercise I would have taken you as well regardless. Chén'er prefers dealing with things with action covert or otherwise - you are better than her at the political elements of the Great Game."
Ài bowed again. "I will endeavour not to disappoint, young mistress."
Dàilán smiled. "I have every confidence you will surprise yourself, Ài." The young teen headed for Biyu as she appeared in the bathroom doorway, missing the somewhat dazed expression on Ài's face.
After a moment the lady-in-waiting shook herself free of the impact of her mistress' pure smile of confidence. "She will cause Empires to topple one day, that girl," she murmured to herself as she opened the wardrobe.
---
As specified, Dàilán and Ài were waiting by the postern gate of the Clan compound at the end of the shi, with Ai carrying a large parasol to shade both of them from the late afternoon sun. Yue Ying's group had not yet arrived, which both of them had expected, given that they had both been able to dress tastefully but simply with only minimal jewellery and cosmetics.
"For something like this, the Second Heiress will need to bring a modest but not to small entourage as well as dress in formal robes, makeup and jewellery. Likely bringing a tasteful gift, preferably something chosen and organised by herself personally," speculated the lady in waiting as they stood there.
The Heiress winced, "Formal dress means the palanquin - she will not be able to walk any reasonable distance in those. I would prefer to walk along side - I hate that thing, it always makes me feel queasy. Have I told you how much I hate politics lately?"
"You will likely need to make apologies as well," warned Ài, "the other Clans in general lost a lot of face though this whole fiasco between being constantly rejected by all of you."
Dàilán nodded, then turned slightly as she heard a rise in noise. "There they are."
As the Heiress had observed, Yue was in the Essence driven palanquin, three of her own entourage following behind. All four women were beautifully dressed, with Yue looking splendid in a pure white robe sown with pearls and rabbits embroidered on the hems in silver thread.
"Cousin, you look like your namesake," complimented Dàilán as the palanquin stopped beside her and Ài, "a lady of the moon in truth - beside Heir Ji you two would make a matched couple with his love of gold - a sun and moon in endless pursuit."
Yue coloured prettily. "It… it is not too much, you think?" she asked, uncharacteristically timid.
"We shall let Heir Ji decide that," grinned the younger teen. "Personally, I should think he might propose on the spot."
"Oh… that would be most improper…" Yue's face went pale and sounded like a mosquito's buzzing.
Dàilán snorted and tapped her Cousin gently on the shoulder with a sleeve covered hand. "As if you would say no."
Yue blinked, the colour flooding back into her face. "Well - of course not… it is just…"
"Tradition, I know," grumbled the younger woman, "Let us start, or we shall be late."
Yue looked at her cousin properly and a clear surprise showed as she registered Dàilán's and Ai's attire. "Cousin… you did not need to, dress so plainly… and this is?"
"My second lady-in-waiting, Ài," introduced Dàilán as Ai bowed gracefully, "and as for my dress, the focus should be on you and rightfully so. The last thing we need today is for people to remember I was here."
Yue's eyes widened slightly and she inclined her head towards Ài. "I understand. Would you care to ride? I can close the curtains for privacy."
Dàilán winced. "I… would prefer not... but unfortunately your offer makes too much sense to reject, under the circumstances."
Yue eyed her sympathetically. "I understand. I always find cultivating helps keep the body from noticing the nausea."
The younger woman sighed and climbed nimbly aboard opposite from her Cousin, shooting an apologetic glance at Ài who smiled cheerfully. "Not to worry, young mistress, I am perfectly happy to walk alongside."
Dàilán's apologetic look turned into an irritated glare at Ài's cheerful wave as she tugged on the rope the caused the palanquin curtains to fall closed.
As the palanquin started moving again Yue leaned forward, her gaze intent. "What is so urgent that Dragon agreed to have you take Dagger's place and move up this ceremony at such short notice?"
The younger teen's eyes widened and Yue jerked her head towards the palanquin curtains. "Privacy Formations engaged as long as the curtains are down. It is safe to talk."
Dàilán frowned and tapped her fingers on her thigh. "Do you pay attention to the market prices for suppliers and sellers - outside the Clan, I mean?"
Yue nodded, her face taking a slightly puzzled look. "I have a responsibility for the Essence Herb garden in the compound, so I pay attention to prices for those sorts of products."
Wordlessly, Dàilán reached into her robe and pulled out a scroll, handing it to her Cousin. Yue's eyes narrowed, but she took the scroll, opened it and began scanning it.
Her younger Cousin watched her carefully as expressions of confusion, disbelief and a slowly growing horror crept into her features.
"What is... this?" the older teen asked after a kè, her face pale as she looked up from the scroll.
"Much as you are responsible for the Compound's Essence Garden, Third House is responsible for growing and maintaining the Clan's income generating ventures. Those are the prices that the Clan has supposedly been setting and accepting for services rendered - for years now." Dàilán paused, "It appears we have been both selling our products and services for a reduced rate while accepting above market costs for purchases."
"I was not aware of this?" said Yue in confusion, "In fact, I am certain that is not the case. I have actually had to hear complaints from a number of merchants that the Clan has been charging close to the limit of the market for our goods while being stingy with our own purchases."
The younger heiress nodded. "But those numbers come from - the treasury - directly. Third House has the responsibility for accounting for the costs and expenses of the businesses."
Dàilán shrugged, "Of course, if you never bothered to buy things outside like we do , unlike most of the Clan, you might not notice anything off - especially since Father says the numbers have not changed in a long time. He had not realised - as far as he knew the prices have rarely fluctuated. And the Formation Masters, Alchemists and Cultivators just fulfil clan missions for contribution points - the payments to and from customers are negotiated and organised by the treasury."
The older teen's face matched her dress. "So no one sees how much our customers are being charged and they would certainly be offended if anyone accused the Clan of being unfair…because they only see the payment reported by… my family. And the Clan has no idea that they are authorising a lot of expenses that are inflated, because they never see… the extra money. Oh, Father… what are you doing…?"
Yue started sobbing and Dàilán jumped forward to console her in alarm, holding her as she shook. "I am sorry, Cousin - I… we could be wrong… that is why I needed…"
Yue's cries stopped and she pushed herself upright, her face hard. "No, you are right. Fatty will be able to tell us for certain if our suspicions are correct - he knows merchant issues better than either of us… we need to know."
Dàilán's eyes widened. "Cousin, oh no... your makeup… wait."
As Yue's face froze in a different sort of horror, Dàilán scooped up the scroll, making it vanish into her robe, then leaned out of the palanquin. "Ài, here now, if you please!"
Moments later, Ài was in the palanquin, her expression wary, until she saw Yue.
Decisively she produced a makeup case from somewhere, much like a street magician producing doves from a hat. "Not to worry, Second Heiress, I will have you looking better than new in no time. Young Mistress, if you could ask the servants driving the palanquin to slow and give us a little more time that would be helpful."
Dàilán smiled reassuringly at her Cousin as she darted out of the palanquin. "Do not worry Yue, Ài did my makeup for - that - breakfast. You are in great hands."
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