act15side

As you wish.

Why such agitation, my Lord?

There's something I wish to consult you on, Miss Ning.

Well, will you say it? Since when could you no longer say things straight, Liang Xun?

It's to do with that friend of mine.

Do you not trust me?

I have always trusted you, Miss Ning.

Really? If so, why do you ask to confirm before you speak?

Er. You are completely right...

Though I do not mind the walk to see you, 'twould not be just to ask me some questions that you called for me, so rare that is?

If I have displeased you, I humbly apologize.

Haha. Why the nervousness? Am I so frightening?

Yesterday morning, I went to old Zhao's jewelers', and had repairs on the bracelet you gave me. At noon, I went to Miss Wen's shop to pick furniture; I have long wanted a larger dining table...

After, I went with Miss Wen to meet her husband at the dock.

In the afternoon, we ate our meal at Chef Hu's, talked of everyday domestics...

Finally, I went to Uncle Bai's, watched him teach his potter apprentices, and went on a stroll with him.

Is there anything you still wanted to ask, my Lord?

The bracelet I gave you was just an ordinary silver one. It's not of great worth.

Really, may I not like it if it is not of great worth?

I hear Uncle Bai has had a cold the last few days. He's admittedly getting on in years; he's at the point he should be minding his health.

He will.

But Uncle Bai has been pottering in Shangshu for ten years now, every afternoon and for six hours. Thunder could not move him.

Habits become nature; there will be no exhorting him now.

You met all five of them, throughout all of yesterday?

'Tis routine matters.

I understand now.

So, now you have finished questioning me, you shall next be heading out, my Lord, shall you not?

It's almost daybreak.

'Tis early to be visiting the theater, no?

Not a suitable time, indeed.

And you know my body is frail...

I will go and brew some tea, then. You wait.

Mm.

Oh, yes. Miss Ning, the book you borrowed yesterday from my study... have you finished reading it?

It's day now.

But the snow still hasn't melted.

I have something I need to ask you too.

What?

Do you see these... little whatsits multiplying?

Phhh... ao!

What is this?

Fphhh...

If these things appear because of that goblet...

Then that means we bet on the right street.

(...They haven't followed me? I'm finding this too easy.)

(Let's see this letter... that storyteller has seemingly changed profession? Pottery? Pottery what...)

Where are you going?

—Who is that?!

Why is that 'unaccounted-for' goblet in your grasp?

Gkh...

Ao?

Gkh...?!

Wrrao!

Gkh... gkh...?

Gkh...

Ao...

So you *are* here.

07下

What of Rhodes Island's plans after this?

Uh... er... huh? Did I ever introduce myself?

What of your plans, even?

I've been planning to get this all behind me, go back and ask that aloof Mr. Liang... to pay my bills well.

Mm.

Perhaps he was right. You and we are not solely together brought for this.

Only...

Leizi, how'd you...

I happened to learn from fellow disciples about the Mount Hui-ch'i business, and immediately rushed for Shangshu.

I might've been a little late, but not too late after all.

That's good, then.

Miss Ling.

Hm?

I have a question.

How do beings like you determine... er, who's older and younger?

Ah, establishing the pecking order.

Within a sea of chaos, whoever first finds that answer, first exists upon the human realm.

What answer's that?

One to a question incredibly simple...

...'Who am I.'

Mr. Taihe, Mr. Zuo Le. It's good to meet you.

Miss Ning. Good to meet you.

Assistant Minister Ning, my pleasure.

'Tis unbecoming of my etiquette that I could not offer you hospitality for your time in Shangshu.

We came uninvited and troubled you greatly. We should be first to apologize.

You came on your father's orders, handling the goblet and Mount Hui-ch'i incidents in the Sui Regulator's name. 'Twas swift, fierce action.

Your insight is as a beacon, Miss Ning.

But Mr. Liang's actions, breaking past settled positions, were all the more admirable.

Were it not for the Sui Regulator's radicality, he may not have needed such drastic action.

My conscience is clear. I imagine the Department of Discipline and Supervision will pursue their own amends once they learn of this.

I've drawn up my report to the Emperor. It's open and fair. No bias allowed for.

As you say, Mr. Taihe, 'garner loyalty and forsake righteousness.'

Indeed.

But the Sui Regulator has overstepped its ambit. No matter the Grand Tutor's determining, I will report the reality to the High Minister.

As one should.

No need.

Zuo Le.

Here... here!

By your inference and in those circumstances, how long would you need to suppress the situation, should the three's Sui-Xiang roam the human realm to harm Shangshu?

And should the bestial Sui have awakened, and Yan readied a city to fight it, what would the price be?

The former would require three days' effort. The latter would be mutual loss, with the feranmut dead, and three-tenths of the army gone.

Liang Xun.