Treasures Of Heaven And Earth

Dàilán led the other three with a rustle of silk robes into the receiving room and across into the door that connected into the study. Ming nodded approvingly at the wide crow-lit desk, comfortable reading chairs and well stocked scroll shelves.

Chenli crossed to the small tea service and quietly began to prepare tea for three as the Heiresses sat in the chairs in front of the desk.

"A cup for yourself as well, Chen'er," ordered Dàilán.

Once the tea was served and all four women were sitting, Dàilán touched a carving on the desk. Everyone felt the prickle of the Privacy Formations increasing in power, then she turned to Chenli and Ming. "First, for those of us who were not present - to get everyone up to speed on yesterday's events, here is what happened.

For the next kè, she spoke about what happened, first during heir heir training, contacting Ming then organising the trip to House Ji. Ying also discussed her own viewpoints, sending the group in fits of laughter at several parts.

"I swear, my jade token starts buzzing and I have to find some way to excuse myself from the useless vases on my entourage," Ying explained waving her hands dramatically, "I am thinking is it Dragon, or Dagger - then Orchid comes though and I am thinking, the balls on this girl! I only gave her the token two days ago and she is using it! What sort of emergency could happen in two days?"

"Lately, it seems there is a lot of emergency," remarked Dàilán sourly. "Look at it from my point of view - I am talking to you and suddenly Dagger and Dragon join in?"

Ming coughed, looking embarrassed. "It is a security measure. The jades are designed to broadcast to the cell leaders - in this case - me, and Dragon every time they are used. It stops them from being co-opted or stolen for use by others without us knowing, or traitors communicating to each other inside or outside cells."

"Not much good if it is known," remarked Chenli.

"Not to mention Dragon must get swamped," pointed out Dàilán.

Ming shrugged. "The jades are used rarely, few people have them. Most of us have other ways to make contact with each other. And of course, we have never actually broken in on a conversation before, just monitored them. In this case, it was judged that it was quicker to organise things this way so it looked like it was the Matriarch's idea and the Elders or their wives could not protest," Ming took a sip of tea, before continuing, "I was with the Matriarch at the time discussing the apology procession and it seemed ideal. Besides, we are not worried about Third being a traitor, of all people."

Dàilán nodded and continued, with Ying adding commentary. When they got to the real reason behind Heir Gi's presence, Chenli had to dart quickly over to grab Ming's tea and saucer as the Eldest Cousin gasped and straightened, dropping them in shock.

Dàilán stopped her recital short and looked at Ying, "Hells, Second… scatterbrained much?"

Ying shook her head in denial and looked apologetically at Ming. "I could not mention it Ming… there was the shock over those financials and then being able to come to an agreement with Heir Ji… I mentioned Gi was there but…"

Ming relaxed in her chair her cheeks faintly flushed. "I understand, our privacy formations are not impenetrable despite our best efforts," she looked around, "unlike these, the formations on the female quarters in First and Second House have monitors built into them. We have tried our best to fix that, but unless Dragon can come up with an excuse to update ours..."

Ying was shaking her head, "I was actually more concerned about our own maids. They would not stop fluttering around all night, talking about the possible improvements in status and money if I married Ji with Gi backing. If they knew Gi is interested in you…"

"Fortunately, our talk with the Heirs was private," remarked Dàilán, "Which reminds me, Chen'er, Ai did an excellent job as your stand in - but she had to go with the others while we spoke privately to the Heirs. She might have gathered additional intelligence at the general hosting party."

Chenli nodded, sipping her tea. "I will speak with her."

Ying picked up the thread of the conversation, looking sombre as she explained the Heir's reaction to the doc.u.ment Dàilán had provided. At the end of it Ming shook her head.

"Whatever is going on, it is bad for the Clan and especially us - and unfortunately, Second Elder is up to his neck in it. I am sorry, Moon, I will have to report this to Dragon as well as anything else Ji provides."

Ying looked stern. "I agree, but let me report it. I was there and I saw the doc.u.ments myself. I would have done it yesterday, but the way things worked out," she shook her head again.

"This all means we need to set up some way for all three of us to believably get into regular contact with Heirs Ji and Gi. One that does not raise suspicion," pointed out Dàilán, setting her empty cup on the saucer and placing them on the desk.

"As to that - I might have a few ideas," spoke up Chenli, also placing her empty teacup down on the desk. "While all of this was happening to the three of you yesterday, I was making my weekly report to my Sect."

Both older Cousins necks snapped around to regard the maid, who met their gazes with a calm regard. "Normally it never takes longer than a shi, and then I spend a shi or two training at the sect before returning, which usually fits neatly into Young Mistress' Heir training each week." She paused, looking sternly at all three Heiress. "Anything I say to you after this is not to be discussed outside the four of us except in generalities. Otherwise, you will be removed."

Ming paled. "We need to report to Dragon…"

Chenli was no longer in her maid persona. A coiled Enforcer regarded the other two Cousins.

"You may inform her that the Sect has agreed to provide training to both of you and that appropriate covers will be arranged to permit that. Nothing further. If she presses, or wishes to arrange training for others, inform her that she will have to discuss it with me as the Sect representative." Chenli's voice was clear and sharp.

Dàilán tapped her friend on the shoulder. "Ease off, Knife, they understand." She looked hard at the other two girls a cold smile spreading across her face. "Besides if they betray anything, I guarantee I will get to them before you do - I have Heir rights and every reason to call on my Cousins after all - and after today's sparring, they know exactly how much of a chance they have against me, without having any prior warning."

Both Cousins looked sick and shook their heads frantically.

Chenli looked at Dàilán. "Young Mistress, that is not necessary… It is my job to…"

Dàilán stood from her seat and walked calmly behind her desk, kneeling imperiously in the Heir position behind it. "I chose to ally with them, thus it reflects on me if they prove to be a bad choice. It is my responsibility, both as Third Heir and Sect Heir."

There was a choked sound from both of the other Cousins and Ying's eyes were as big as the saucer she held a trembling teacup on. "Your Mother was…?" Ming asked faintly.

Dàilán inclined her head to her Cousin as Chenli stood and bowed to her. "I hear and obey, Young Mistress."

"Well, that explains why Father treats Third Uncle as the largest threat to his ambitions," said Ying faintly, "Third house has an External Backer."

"More precisely, Third has an External Backer," corrected Ming. Then she laughed, colour returning to her face. "Gods, that must stick in Dragon's craw."

"The formalities aside, Cousins, I trust we understand each other. My Mother negotiated with the sect - and with my father, that until she bore a son, I would be raised as both Heir to Third House and Heir of the Sect. Unfortunately, the situation is now permanent. I do not often act as Sect Heir, however going forward - I feel it may become necessary."

As the Cousins bowed assent their faces returning to normal, Chenli blinked curiously. "Young Mistress... may I ask why? You appear to have been happy to avoid sect business up to this point."

"I have been considering recent events - and not so recent events. In light of everything, I am beginning to question my Mother's sudden illness and death five years ago. I do not think I will be able to remain apart from Sect business much longer. Someone is obviously doing their best to involve me," answered Dàilán soberly.

Chenli frowned, obviously thinking hard. "I do not see a connection, Young Mistress."

"It was something Dragon said, actually," she turned to the Cousins, "after we reported Heir Ji's initial meeting to her. She pointed out that while recent events have placed the Clan in a difficult position, the aim of the manoeuvring seems to be targeting me specifically - look at that whole suitors mess. Second Uncle and the other issues seem to be opportunistic - or rather they have co-opted his ambitions as a way to get at Third House and myself."

"And there is only one reason why some one powerful would target a minor heir or heiress from a second rank clan," Ming nodded in understanding, "if your Mother was Heir to an Enforcer Sect and they went after her for whatever reason - and now your sect has decided to retain you as Heir regardless, then they would go after you - and by extension - Guan."

Chenli nodded slowly in comprehension. "It is plausible. They would not want to unite the Orthodox Clans against them or allow my Sect to become aware of it, so they would work from the shadows. And it does make more sense than a cabal of disgruntled males trying to get rid of Dragon's Women's Quarters network."

Ying giggled. "By far most 'disgruntled' males are too arrogant, lazy and selfish to act with this level of subtle manoeuvring - they usually feel females should just follow the natural order of things and bully the weak. Smart males like competent partners - look at Heir Ji," she shot a glance her older cousin, "or Heir Gi. It makes sense."

Ming flushed as all the others laughed at her discomfiture. However, she spoke up grimly, "This needs to be reported to Dragon as well."

Chenli stiffened, her eyes flashing dangerously, but Dàilán raised her hand, forestalling her comment. "As it is only my personal theory, feel free. I should like her input actually, as she is much more experienced at this level of intrigue than myself. I also feel she suspects the possibility already - she suggested it after all - but she still indicated she wanted alliance with the Sect."

"And of course, she knows of your status already," surmised Ying, "she knew your mother, of course - and any arrangements your mother made would have been discussed with the Matriarch. No wonder she never seemed to like your Mother much - a younger female Cultivator with higher status, meaning she would have to take her wishes into account within the household."

Ming snorted. "One day I should like very much like to hear how Third Uncle managed to marry the Heiress of an Enforcer Sect."

"Something to do with a pair of botched assassinations, mutual life saving and a very strange encounter with some sort of powerful Essence Beast, apparently," answered Chenli as Dàilán shrugged, "I do not know the details, but I have heard gossip on occasion in the Sect about how there was some sort of fortune telling that tied the Sect's future to their children…"

"Huh," said Ying with interest, "that would explain why Third has remained the Sect's Heir despite her Mother's death. Normally she would have been considered solely a Guan by now."

"Not exactly," explained Chenli, ""you never stop being part of the sect. But it is part of it."

She paused and tapped on the desk. "Anyway, to return back to the original topic, my usual morning report was delayed - I was told to report for additional training instead." Chenli grimaced and rubbed her shoulder, obviously remembering something painful.

After a moment, she continued, "When they did eventually call for my report, it was late afternoon - and instead of to my direct Master as usual it was given to a full set of Sect Masters. The first thing they asked me, before I said anything mind you," she glared at the youngest Heiress who blinked in surprise, "was why the Sect Heir was acting as chaperone and making apologies to House Ji."

"Fortunately, given recent events, I was able to make a reasonably accurate guess, despite not knowing of your morning discoveries, Young Mistress. They debated my information for an additional shi, while waiting for further information. At one point they seemed quite satisfied by something and by the end of it I was given instructions that made very little sense to me at the time."

Chenli tapped a finger on the desk. "With your explanations, however, it is now quite clear. I was told that the Sect will communicate to Clan Gi - they have connections there - the idea that Heirs Gi and Ji should come visiting on a regular basis and take all three of the Heiress' out for visits into the countryside for courting. Young mistress and our entourage would act as chaperones."

Ying frowned deeply. "Our families will insist that our own Entourages come with us as well."

"Not an issue," responded Chenli, "as far as they know they will have accompanied us on several romantic visits. The sect will take care of making sure the see only what they need to. That will assist with covering our activities if anyone wonders."

"I take it that you mean something else will be happening?" asked Ying.

"Training." replied Chenli. "Possibly with the help of the Heirs - sparring and techniques similar to what we did today - since the Heirs are now involved, it will be helpful for everyone to become more familiar with each others capabilities."

The bodyguard looked at Míng Jiàn and Ying Yue, "The sect may also be willing to send Masters in your respective fields out to meet us during these trips. You could consider this a response to your leader's request for an alliance. You may mention this in general to her - it would doubtless assist her to support our efforts."

Ying clapped her hands excitedly, "If Heir Gi makes such a request, I doubt the Elders will demure - they are more likely to push us out the door," she frowned, "Greedy old prunes."

She brightened and turned to Dàilán, "They do not necessarily have to always use 'romantic trips' as an excuse, either. Orchid, you mentioned something about visiting an old peddler at Market Street to find out more about those Essence Herbs we added to the Essence Garden Formations."

At Dàilán's confused nod, Ying smiled slyly. "I should very much like to accompany you. If the Heirs happened to meet us in the Market initially for the first visit, I should think everyone would be much less alarmed about them requesting subsequent trips out for more formal reasons."

Ming nodded vigorously in support. "Yes, the effect of those plants has been quite remarkable. The formation has strengthened substantially. I would also like to know more about their providence and if we can obtain more of them. I would like to talk to that peddler about the Formation on his preservation bag as well."

Chenli smiled. "That does seem more - natural," she agreed. "I will suggest it to those organising the communications. That gives us - exactly fourteen days from tomorrow - until the peddler comes back. We should avoid making further contact between the various groups until then."

Ming stood. "We have stayed away from our own Houses for too long today as it is. We best get back before someone not loyal to us notices our absence despite our precautions." Suiting action to words she bowed towards the Third Heir. "First Heiress Guan thanks the Heir for her consideration and hospitality. I have learnt a lot today."

Ying shook her head and stood as well. "Thanks for a lovely and exciting morning Orchid. It turned out to be a lot more than I expected - but I feel a lot more confident now."

Chenli stood, "I will escort you back. Young Mistress…" she bowed as well.

After Dàilán bowed in return the bodyguard led them out of the study, with Dàilán following them through the door as host. She followed as they crossed the receiving room and then walked towards her bedroom. "I will not see you out, then." She laughed at the fake looks of shock on her cousins faces as they went through the suite entrance.

Moments later, the suite was peaceful. The young Heiress went to the space at the foot of the bed and went into a standing horse, letting out a long exhale of relief. After holding herself in stance for almost a full kè, she moved into a tàijíquán set, letting herself fall into a moving meditation as she watched her Essence flow with the forms.

---

When she came back to herself, the late afternoon light was slanting through the suite's windows and she felt relaxed and calm as well as energetic. "I needed that," she said aloud.

"It was well done," agreed Chen'er's voice from the bed.

"Thank you for not interrupting my meditation, Chen'er," she said calmly. "I am thinking of a proper bath to de-stress before dinner. I would ask you to join me, but with the blessing..."

There was a rustle of cloth from the bed and the other older teen walked around to stand in front of her. "Before you bathe, there is something else we must discuss. It was not to be mentioned in front of others. There was another reason I was away for so long yesterday, Young Mistress."

Dàilán narrowed her eyes and gestured for Chenli to speak.

Her friend looked at her quietly. "It appears your intention to act more definitely as Sect heir is prescient. My Master privately passed on a request from the Sect Leader for a meeting tomorrow."

"Grandfather? He has avoided speaking with us since Mother married Father - I have only seen him once when I was very young. Did he say why?" At Chenli's negative shake of the head, she exhaled a long breath of irritation.

"I suppose it would be improper to decline?" Rolling her eyes at Chenli's stunned look, she headed for the bath. "Well, it appears tonight will be another long dinner if I am to convince Father to allow me to go. I definitely need a bath first."