Impressions Made
Lingyue explored the city slums.
Illya, in every city, there's always the good side and the bad side, Kiritsugu once told her during lessons. The prettier places where well-off people with money live, and the slums where the poor live. No money means no basic human needs such as shelter, food, water, education, and medicine. Without education, you won't get a job. That's why the slums are a miserable place...
How come nobody helps them then?
Because those who can...prefer to ignore them, unless it's a good public reputation boost, that is.
And seven years old Illya got a lesson about politics and how cheap politicians are.
Their words and promises are so cheap, yet they manage to swindle the masses time and again.
That in the end, you can only do what you can do.
Some effort is better than none at all.
Lingyue emptied the Slave Market by ensuring the decent folk bought what they can buy based on finances and spacing available in their homes, leaving almost none for the nastier people into THAT sort of thing. The pretty ones, she had the good rich get to them first, leaving the plain, ugly ones to the bad folk.
The pretty ones in the hands of the bad, SUFFER. The plainer ones will get ignored, thus they're safe, unless made to do other jobs that won't make them break.
As a Magus, she knows full well what suffering is and how to make people suffer till they lose their minds in that copy-paste knowledge she was born with, the former involving her being cut up every damn day to modify her as Einzbern's strongest Grail Vessel. She is highly intimate with being cut up, cut open, and people rummaging her insides and yes, that hurts like HELL that Healing Magecraft became her comfort, just so she would stay still and not scream.
But when it wears off...?
NOPE.
It was because Illya was the most human Homunculus of them all. She had some very human parts as a result of natural birth in womb, she wasn't born in a tank.
Her daily life of being modified for the next ten years was to remove said parts to further refine her as a vessel, and install homunculus parts compatible with her body.
But those she couldn't save?
She can only hope they gain some smarts and make it out OK. She's realistic, unlike Shirou. She was more attuned to Kiritsugu's way of thinking. Save only what's within your reach. Some is better than none.
After doing enough and bound her chest to flatten them a little to LOOK thirteen, she decided to go around.
She then spent some time exploring Xia City for real in hopes of buying metal for her spells. As a Homunculus, she could use her hair as a medium for her techniques. But with real human hair? Impossible. She tried and they were unable to sustain power before self-destructing in three seconds.
With metal of this world, she can replicate her technique which she made back then in memory of her mother. But in the Alchemist Shop on the third floor in Xia, not second floor like Bo City, the metals enough to make her wires cost quite the hefty penny. She needs 500 grams to make them sturdy. She will be financially hurt a bit, having to pay 300 gold for six pieces of 500 gram class 4 metal, Cloudy Luster she bought. The name was because of it's pure platinum-colored appearance.
She will refine them at home as Yellow-Class weapons. They are capable of her spells at least. The metal she used so far, was plain old iron. What else can she get, eh?
Being poor is a pain in the ass.
She cannot sell her wares in the surface realm. She'll have to sell her wares in Treasure Cave which will open up in early winter in disguise to be rich enough, to afford high-class goods.
But her appearance was striking that weekend.
People would say that there's a girl with a very feminine beauty, ruby-red eyes and dressed in a peculiarly-cute fashion she looked like a doll.
Clearly a newcomer.
She was an interesting thing as she explores.
She then decided to enter a pet shop.
'Welcome young miss!' the shopkeeper greeted. 'We got a new batch today just in time!'
Well, Lingyue came here for a reason.
Her fox Shirou was getting lonely since they started living in Bo City he missed his playmate at home, Fang. That black dog she saved when no doubt, it's Lian Be who set him on her family's workers after injuring him. So she'll buy him a companion.
So Lingyue touched all eggs...and found one.
Inside the egg, is a Rank 4 Black Fox. It's a female. Ironic as Shirou is mostly white with little purple tufts.
But given her memories...
Yeah. It fits.
'I'll take this one.' said Lingyue, giving the egg to the shopkeeper.
'Please wait an hour miss, we'll hatch your egg for you.' the shopkeeper said kindly. 'That's 1500 gold.' Lingyue took out a long string of coins which the shopkeeper took as the assistants went to hatch her egg.
Lingyue also had to deal with a number of interested people and she knows what to say, so her foster family won't get flak. She introduced herself, as Lan Liya, the adopted daughter of the Lan Family as they planned to avoid social repercussions.
So by the end of the day, these customers talked that General Lan has an adopted daughter whom they met at the pet store.
That Lan Liya was the most feminine girl out of all girls they know in the social circle. A very feminine face with a cherry mouth and a lovely voice!
xxx
By the end of the day, Lingyue returned home with a new fox in tow.
'Liya, where have you been?!'
Two worried women fussed over her.
'I heard from Cai'er...are you feeling better now, Liya?' Ye Xuan asked Lingyue who nodded. She had supposedly gone out to let off some steam after horrified with the Slave Market.
'I'm OK now.' Lingyue smiled. 'I even got Shirou a wifey.' she held up her black fox. 'He said he's being lonely without a playmate, so I bought him Ying'er. His playmate Taiga was at home with the kids.'
'Get some rest for now Liya, you've been out a whole day.' said Cai'er, relieved Lingyue's feeling better. 'And you'll be talking to the new maids after dinner since mother and I did our part and you'll be choosing a personal maid soon.'
'OK.'
Well, she'll have to train one of them as her personal maid. They're no Sella and Leysritt after all.
xxx
'So Liya, I managed to talk to some people.' said Yingwu during dinner. 'For now, I enrolled you in Martial Hall as its required that children of all Rank 5 officials and up must attend, no exceptions.' he said. 'And also, master wants to meet you tomorrow night at his residence. Its about...that.'
'OK.'
She's now a member of the Civilian Faction as Support with her alchemy through her pills now.
'Dad, at least there's no spies nosing around for this, right?' Cai'er asked worriedly. 'Since our return home because you broke through and got your seat back before General Goldsword can warm up your position, the balance of power is upset again as you're popular among the people, something those dipshits aren't!'
'It's alright. It's safe as master knows security well.' said Yingwu with a grin. 'No worries there.'
'But General, you say I'm enrolled in school, but what about my aura?' Lingyue fretted out. 'Even with my best Aura Pills, I can't suppress it any more.'
'Don't worry, I got something neat for that reason.' Yingwu took out a small box big enough for a small ball. 'This will help you out and you got tonight to work on it. He got this for you. We need you in school to scope out the situation through the numerous heirs in there. We will handle the court but we have no eyes in school.'
'How come?'
'Well, like me, they were set up and made to leave school.' Cai'er growled as she recalled a memory. She told Lingyue about a particular match with Crown Prince who then bullshitted in court, which was why Yingwu had to pull her out before Crown Prince does more damage. End result, they got chucked to Bo City!
'So it's like that.' Lingyue mused as she thought of the situation. 'Its about acting skills and idiots believe in only what they see...human is a slave to what they see.'
'How true.' Cai'er sighed wearily while drinking wine from her cup. 'If given the chance, please crush his testicles for me~' Ye Xuan choked hard into her tea and coughed while her father sputtered.
'Oi oi Cai'er, that'll get us executed.' Yingwu sweatdropped. 'A future emperor who can't procreate is a useless one so those...assets being broken on purpose will get us in trouble!'
xxx
In Cai'er's room...
Lingyue set to work.
The box given to her, were materials and a spell meant to suppress her true level. She crafted an armlet that she put on her arm, that suppressed her strength to Upper Celestial Level, but with a life expectancy of one year only after which, she'll have to renew it!
'So you made an armlet out of it huh?' Cai'er whistled as Lingyue had said armlet coil around her hands.
'Yup. Easy to hide under clothes.' Lingyue grinned. 'And for now, I'll gather and lock Yin Energy in this estate. You'll have to absorb it all till you break through to Yuan Dan OK? Yuan Dan is loads easier than Small Yin! As for General, I'll lock in a massive amount of Yuan ki into something I made.'
'Yeah!'
And so, next day...
"This is it." Lingyue thought.
Her mother and father clearly never went to school, while Shirou did.
He was appalled that she never experienced school as Magecraft isn't all there is to life.
Irisviel because she was a stay-home Homunculus and her father an Assassin-slash-Mercenary who was tutored by his foster mother and teacher, Natalia Kaminski.
But Kiritsugu has envies and regrets as well that he passed on his hopes to her as Shirou had.
That she enjoy life and actually LIVE.
Well, she's gonna do that now!
In Daxia Martial Hall, there are many classes.
Military Strategy, Geography, Weapons, Archery, Mount Archery, Survival Skills, Martial Arts and Field Medicine for Warriors.
For Magic Users, replace three classes with Magical Foundations and Fundamentals, Spells and Summoning.
For Doctors, they learn all fields required.
And for those who wish to work for the Court, will learn all they know about the court. But building a strong body and some cultivation is still vital if they wanna live a long life.
As the daughter of THE General Lan, it's obvious what her course is.
"Well, Warrior Course for me." Lingyue thought.
It would be as expected of her.
She managed to build a reputation that she's a 'soft lady' through the boys at the pet store. Combine that with a cute pet, she's a typical lady not like her tomboy sister.
Fully-alert, she spread her senses. Maximized her hearing and filtered useless stuff out.
Reinforcement is best friend yet it's a spell dissed by most Magi in favor of flashier spells and rituals.
Sometimes, the simplest stuff is most efficient.
Reinforcement on her ears to hear what people say.
Women chatting.
Shopkeepers making sales.
Then...
There he is, that shithead Liu Cheng reading a book. she heard a boy say. The way he speaks, reminds her of that fool Matou Shinji when she had familiars spy all over Fuyuki and spies on three rival Masters in school.
Speaking, she should build her own spy network soon using birds.
He's not even looking where he's going, so it's easy to slip that wallet in, and I can frame him for stealing in school to get him expelled! What he gets for humiliating me the other day!
Yes, young master! I'll start immediately!
Not far from her was Liu Cheng. With Telepathy magecraft, she barged into his head to know what kind of person he was. He's a just and fair person, and has a sweetheart, but due to status, painfully-aware that unless he gains great merits, well...they're star-crossed. She decided to help him in secret.
Had Shirou been in her shoes, he wouldn't survive this world. He's too much like an open book, act openly and will effortlessly earn himself and his family enemies and get them all killed. Rin or Sakura at least, would be a little smarter.
In a world where Reputation is EVERYTHING, you have to be smart.
Using Reinforcement in her eyes, she can see that up ahead, a servant boy left an alley, deliberately aiming to collide into Liu Cheng.
Using a little trick, she caused a road brick to tilt up a little and trip the guy, and out comes the expensive-looking money pouch, containing several gold taels.
'Hey, isn't that a servant from the Yu Household?'
'He was running earlier...'
'Look at that classy money pouch! He must have stolen it!'
'Is he seeking death? Whom did he steal that from?!'
"Fufu, let's see you get out of this one." Lingyue smirked as Liu Cheng, hearing the commotion put down his book.
'What the hell, aren't you one of Yu Zhao's manservants?' he blurted. 'The hell you doing with that kinda money?'
And it blew up from there because he mentioned a name.
Lingyue thought sure she helped him, but he delivered a fatal blow! He mentioned a name!
The lawkeepers arrested the terrified servant and dragged him away with the money as evidence.
'...hey.' Lingyue approached the boy she startled by simply speaking to him. Liu Cheng turned around to see her. From gossips, she must be Lan Liya, the adopted daughter of the Lan Family. They say she's so beautiful because she had no hint of androgyny in her looks, they weren't kidding! 'You were so close...you know?'
'C-c-close to what?'
'Being framed for theft.'
Liu Cheng's awkwardness vanished in an instant.
'What?!'
'I overheard a boy order that manservant to collide into you, pretend you bumped into him because you can't see where you're going when your face was buried in your book and slip his wallet in you...and frame you in school, and get you expelled.'
Liu Cheng looked pissed.
'Yu Zhao that bastard...' he seethed. 'So that was his game?!'
'Be careful in school since I don't know what happened, I just got here and some kids want you out...be careful of set-ups and stay with your friends to protect you as witnesses. This is my advice.' and Lingyue left him.
'T-thanks for the warning!' Liu Cheng was grateful to her. He nearly became a criminal and set up to possibly cost his father his job! What the hell?!
So maybe when that guy tripped...did she do something?
xxx
Daxia Martial School...
Its a LOT bigger than the Martial Hall opened by her family.
And grander-looking, for obvious reason: it's clientele.
The Emperor's own children, and children of nobility.
Xia City has other schools. Another Martial Hall for children of Officials of Rank 6-9, and another for civilians.
Upon coming here, there were other students coming too. In carriages though some walked to school. The latter clearly, officials who can't afford to own their own carriages of course.
Officials would rather focus on cultivation than frivolous things.
She got her schedule and books by going to the school Admin Office and by her age of thirteen, she was GLAD she was NOT classmates with any from the Noble Faction.
Her first day went about normal.
Until Lunch Break.
Her classmates immediately surrounded her out of curiosity, and its best to make a supportive power base. It helps that she milked her nice personality for all it's worth.
But being a Lan means people know her allegiance by default, making her even more popular with her classmates...BEING CIVILIANS.
'There she is Feng Xue.' Liu Cheng pointed at the crowd. 'That red-eyed girl.'
'That's Lan Liya huh? Her first day and she's already popular.' Feng Xue and Liu Cheng are third year students. 'Wonder what kind of girl she is?'
'Beats me, my first impression is at least, she's on our side.' Liu Cheng grinned. 'She saved me from that bastard Yu Zhao. I bet his father's logging him at home now.'
'I can already imagine.' Feng Xue smirked. 'For now let's wait and see.'
Other kids at school aren't as blind to the newcomer who was basically a noble in all BUT bloodline. She has an appearance only a noble or perhaps, the wealthy can have.
Most girls with money to shell out to be more appealing in marriage did all they can to get engaged, and if fiancee chose more girls, terminate them to be the only one in his eyes!
However, Lan Liya was a wild card.
Adopted into the Lans, everything about her, unknown.
xxx
Martial Arts Classes...
Lingyue had measured the classmates her age.
They were all Lower Celestials at the lower stage.
Then again, cultivation ain't cheap.
Her energy level is suppressed to such, but not the physicals she gained from her true level.
The classes here are advanced, in a way.
Because it's mandatory that Basics are taught at home, they can get to advanced arts right off the bat.
What Lingyue knows so far is the Ye Family techniques, and Ghost Needle as well as Fist of Elegance.
No way would her family know Daxia National Techniques.
But hey, maybe she can make a book copy to send home, yeah?
And outside home after school?
Lan Yingwu was already waiting, and his imposing presence with the aura of a Reincarnation Realm intimidated the leaving students.
'Father.' Lingyue smiled. 'We going now?'
'Yeah, I did promise to take you out shopping so let's do a little jogging!' that, was their excuse when in reality, they'll see Marquis Wu. 'Follow daddy now! Hahahaha!' and the two sped off, in a very fast running style.
'Wah, personally picking up his daughter on first day!'
'Run all the way to the shopping district? Are they serious?'
'They're crazy!'
'She's probably another brand of crazy from Lan Cai'er.'
xxx
They went full speed that nobody can see them after leaving school premises, that they got to an estate unseen.
In Xia City, the current strongest people, are two Marquises, one general.
And Marquis Wu was ready to meet his student and adoptive daughter who may very well turn the tide in their favor with her wares.
Poor kid with a background like hers would make her a good ally and maybe in the near-future where they get the upper-hand, her mother can remarry a good man who'd at least, do them right.
'Master, student Lan Yingwu and daughter Ye Lingyue is here.' the two knelt in respect before the Marquis.
'Rise.' the two stood up to face the man. 'Ye Lingyue, I have heard plenty about you from General Lan. How things came to pass...and if you wish for justice, it will be a give and take.'
'I understand.' Lingyue answered. 'But given my...abilities, can you trust everyone under your wing with my secret?' she questioned. 'How sure are you that your faction is clean with no mole from the other faction? People have good acting skills after all.' she said. 'Or do you keep your pill supplier a secret as a precaution?'
'The latter would be most wise.' Marquis Wu shook his head. 'While I trust my ability to judge people, some undesirables can still slip through the cracks.' that's good enough for the pair to know. 'Your life will be in danger if it is known that you can supply high-class goods and at a young age wherein you'll be easy prey. I'll just simply say I have a secret supplier.' he smiled sardonically. 'I have already prepared a long list for you to work on.' he said as he gave Lingyue a scroll. 'Our problem is our lack of Dan Realm Experts.' he said. 'Going to Dan Realm is the most difficult that everyone here regardless of faction, is still Peak Upper Celestial and struggling to reach Dan Realm, and swallowing countless blue pills and still failing.'
'Right now, the balance of power is unstable thanks to General Lan breaking through to Reincarnation Realm...let's unstabilize it a little more.' the old marquis chuckled. 'Because once the current emperor retires...all hell will break loose.' he said grimly. 'And I plan on holding a banquet soon too with our men, so I would like it if you mass-produce your wine as well, for the occasion. By around mid-autumn, I would like the wine available.' he instructed. 'A wine that heals and boosts cultivation that you can never get drunk and drink as you please...you brought a fairy tale to life I almost envy your father here.' he cast a wry look at his student.
Lan Yingwu has access to such wine any time he wants it's so unfair, the older man thought with a pout.
'Ahahaha...' Yingwu looked sheepish.
'Fufu, very well, Marquis Wu.' Lingyue giggled. 'I shall get them all ready in time.' Easy-peasy! 'But for now we need a few more character tests and screenings as a precaution...it'd be bad if the wrong people got my yellow and red goods, and my wine.'
'Mm.'
xxx
Lingyue spent the night running around to spy on the entire military through stealth and telepathy...
And decided who gets some and who will not.
Some names off the Marquis' list, are even crossed out, much to Lan Yingwu's dismay that they really do have insiders among their ranks.
'How you did this, I'll never know, but is this all true?' Lan Yingwu asked Lingyue in dismay as he looked at her list. Well, the original list Marquis Wu gave her, that is.
'Sadly.' said Lingyue curtly. 'I have a list of Generals, Commanders, Captains, Lieutenants and Majors that would be great on our side and some nobles Marquis can court on social gatherings.' she gave him her list. 'Cai'er told me about the social season so this time is best to meet these guys.'
'Master won't be too happy...' Yingwu deflated glumly.
'Better you know now than later.' his daughter said flatly with an armfold. 'Like I told sister, I don't want wrong people getting my goods as my enemies are all monsters.'
xxx
At school that day...
Yu Zhao wasn't happy.
His idiot manservant can't do a job so simple that it blew out of proportion and the idiot blabbed about WHY he had his wallet!
His father wasn't too happy and when he got home, he got subjected to ten sticks and no allowance for a month! As for that servant and others with them, they got fired. And since he wasn't allowed to have healing pills, how is he gonna get through Martial Arts classes today? Damn that Liu Cheng!
He got to school and saw said bastard walking with Feng Xue and...who's that hottie? Why does he attract all the girls, he's nothing special anyway!
HATEFUUUUL!
Not far from him, Liu Cheng sneezed.
'Got a cold?' Feng Xue frowned as the girls looked sideways as Liu Cheng was between them.
'Looks healthy to me.' Lingyue shrugged. 'They say if you sneeze yet no health problem someone's badmouthing you.'
'Haha, I wonder who!' Liu Cheng laughed jovially. He has a good feeling WHO actually!
'That's nothing to laugh about.' said Feng Xue wryly, bopping him on the head.
Lingyue felt they'll be great allies to her, but better relationship must be established before she can give them pills covered in illusions that it's a blue pill when in reality...
She did just that, establishing connections with her classmates, and these two.
But a month later...
Social Season has begun.
'Mother, my usual things are a lot cuter than this.' Lingyue complained, looking at her peach-colored qixiong-ruqun dress in disdain.
Indeed in the Lan Family, Lingyue owned cute dresses of unusual fashion and goes to school in them, trend-be-damned. She tried dressing Cai'er up in a dress she made but Cai'er was proud of her tomboy reputation people WILL wonder why she's being cutesy all of a sudden!
'I know dear, but this is standard, unless Empress Dowager changes trends.' said Ye Xuan. 'We wear the trends she sets in formal parties. Not wearing them...well...' its left unsaid that they cannot annoy a royal.
'Haaah, I wonder if we'll get a queen that dresses much trendier so we're allowed to wear trendy things in formal parties.' Lingyue sulked. 'These are so un-cute.' she said as after a bath, she wore said dress and did her own hair. Ye Xuan shook her head, chuckling.
The whole Lan Family is grooming up.
Today was to introduce 'Lan Liya' to society formally. Her husband ditched his usual beardy-face and he actually looked better without his facial hair.
Creamy skins, pearly-white, clean and straightened teeth, beautiful hair and cherry mouths that they don't need lipstick incase of the ladies, and then they left for the palace. Upon getting there, lanterns are hung along the palace walls to indicate the parking spots for the officials according to their rank.
'Liya, the banquet for the Ghost Festival is divided into two parts, the men's feast and the women's feast. For you ladies, you three will be attending the one inside the inner palace hosted by the Queen Dowager herself. All you have to do is follow their lead and you be fine.' While still outside the palace wall, Lan Yingwu left the girls to their own device for he can't interfere in this.
Understanding everything at this point forward now belongs to the womenfolk, Ye Xuan led the way into a chariot meant for the palace grounds. Deep and wide, the paved roads inside the palace was like a maze if not for the illuminating glow of the lanterns guiding their way at every corner.
For the ladies of the capital, the annual Ghost Festival didn't merely represent a feast inside the palace walls, its also a gathering place to build connections with other houses and to demonstrate the merits of their offspring. If lucky, they might just catch the fancy of the Queen Dowager like Lan Cai'er did and become a titled princess. Or in some cases, maybe get a marriage arrangement with some powerful young heir. Lingyue was looking into the palace, and secured their seats.
As soon as the Lans dismounted from their chariot, they were welcomed by the scene of various finely dressed ladies from the other officials in court. Their goal the same as theirs, attending the banquet.
Its been over a year since Ye Xuan left the capital, as such, she was very pleased to recognize some of her old acquaintances among the crowd. Wanting to greet the other ladies, she walks over to only be avoided like a mouse meeting a cat. An awkward situation for her no matter the occasion, causing Cai'er to frown.
'Forget them mom.' said Cai'er coldly. 'They don't know actual good company. Let them mingle with snakes and get bitten for it.' she hissed to her mother.
'Madam Lan.' Just when Ye Xuan didn't know what to do against the cold reception, another woman in her forties called out to break the strange atmosphere.
'Liya, I finally found you!' Feng Xue excitedly ran over and grabbed Lingyue's hand. Ye Xuan and Cai'er was glad Lingyue made a good friend in school it seems!
Originally Madam Feng didn't have any connections with Ye Xuan in the past, but ever since their daughters became good friends, Madam Feng naturally held some favorable impressions of the Lan family.
Not long after, Liu Cheng's mother also came over along with her two daughters. Together, the group headed into the banquet hall.
'Just now I noticed everyone was intentionally avoiding me, is something happening without my knowledge?' Ye Xuan asks, confused over the strange behavior. Last she checked, she hasn't done anything wrong!
Because Madam Feng and Mrs. Liu had good impressions of the Lan family thanks to their children, they decided to explain. There were a lot of unfavorable news going around that day about the Lan family.
In summary, it mainly consisted of false rumors regarding how Madam Lan letting a girl of unknown origin into the family. And from intel, they were unhappy that her fledgling, was a lot better-looking than their own daughters!
Now that definitely didn't sit well with the ladies of high society. Who doesn't have a daughter in their family?
'Liya, this sort of stuff isn't uncommon in capital so don't take it heart. Mother doesn't like to befriend those who believes in just any old rumors anyways so let us go into the banquet.' Despite the bad news, Ye Xuan didn't take it to heart.
Her level of toleration has greatly impressed Madam Feng and Mrs. Liu. Enjoying each others company, they and their daughters all entered the Hundred Phoenix Wing of the inner palace where its jam packed with guests already seated inside.
Now according to their family rank everyone is seated down and began gossiping with each other.
'Madam Lan, you and Princess Lan look absolutely divine in how well you kept your looks up. Is there some sort of special beauty cream you use?' Madam Feng asks after taking notice of how youthful the woman looked under the dim lights of the banquet hall. She didn't look like this five years ago! Then there's Lan Cai'er who gained a Princess Title for impressing the dowager. She's 20 this year but didn't look 20 and has the appearance of a well-bred royal...and she's anything but!
It must be said, though all three ladies are of similar age, only Madam Lan stood out among the pack that left her looking practically a decade younger than the rest with impossibly-smooth, flawless skin and cherry lips. And because they alienated Ye Xuan immediately, how can they know now?
'Fufu, I have my youngest to thank for that.' Ye Xuan smiled. 'She's an aspiring doctor.'
'Yes, little Liya is awesome.' Cai'er grinned, showing her straight, pearly-white, clean teeth. 'After school she aims to be a doctor but for now, self-defense comes first.'
'In a world like this, too true.' Feng Xue snarked. 'I haven't forgotten what happened to me in school, lucky Liu Cheng saved me.' she harrumphed with an armfold.
'What happened?'
'It's about three days before Liya joined school...' Feng Xue grumpily explained in a volume only her company can hear, shocking them. Then she told them what Liu Cheng told her which was why they had a good beginning impression of Liya.
'Oh...I heard from my husband that the Minister of Rites got summoned by authorities because of his manservant...just that, the truth was hush-hush!' Mrs. Liu gasped out.
'Well, we know the truth now.' said Madam Feng unhappily that her daughter had been assaulted. Being families of 5th rank officials, what can they do to a 4th rank one? But with a brave young lad damning social status to defend her daughter, she gained a good impression on Liu Cheng, her daughter's friend.
Soon, the hosts arrived.
Her highness the Queen Dowager has arrived.
Imperial Consort Luo has arrived. She wore an extreme red that was eye-searing. Lingyue felt she wanted attention and she got it...not just, in a good way even the Dowager's eyes got hurt by the redness.
But according to the palace rules, only the queen is allowed to wear red...right? She'll ask her family at home. Here now is a no-no.
Behind them were other Consorts in order of Ranking, and their handmaidens.
However, when the Queen's absence is noted and Consort Luo said why, the whole hall fell into awkward silence.
Lingyue cast an inquiring look at Cai'er who signaled her quiet.
xxx
Despite the initial disturbance, things were going well. A full moon in the night sky, performing dancers, music in the air, an enjoyable scene, what more can one ask for in a banquet?
After taking a few bites of her food, Lingyue quickly noticed her god mothers absent-mindedness.
'Mother, what's wrong?'
'Nothing much, I'm only worried about the Queen. It seems there's still no improvement to the sixth prince's illness yet.' Finding her god daughter eyeing herself in a confused way, she apologizes with a smile.
'Prior to her highness the queen entering the palace, my father was her tutor and teacher. Therefore, we were very good playmates since we were young. While our status may have changed, our bond never broke off and it was only a few years ago that I was constantly coming into the palace to visit her. Then came the illness on her son. Ever since the start of it, I've rarely seen the queen since and our relationship quickly became distant.' Speaking of old memories, Ye Xuan couldn't resist a lamenting sigh at how the world changes.
Back when the queen first married into the palace, she quickly won the love of the king at every turn. But since her son took a turn for the worse with the illness, the woman became secluded and stopped interacting with former friends and families. Eventually, even the king had started to give her the cold shoulder.
As time passes and new blood enters the palace, its unavoidable the king would turn his focus to younger and more beautiful females. Hence the rise of Consort Luo and his son the Fourth Prince who now claims the crown prince position.
'Liya, mother always had a favor I wished to ask you. Like how you helped your father, I hope you can have a look at his highness the Sixth Prince and see if you can do something.' Ye Xuan pleads in her voice.
In Ye Xuan's view, if Lingyue was capable of healing an old injury as bad as her husband's, then the girl's bound to be better than those royal physicians.
For a second there, Lingyue became speechless because only she knows herself best.
If she got technical, all she did was accidental. Her father drank her wine and bam, they learned he's possessed!
But she's got all knowledge of all doctors Earth can offer. But she was still exploring this side of the world's medicine...moreover, she cured the guy LONG ago!
But how can she tell this truth to her god mother like so? She can't!
'Mother, let us discuss this on a later date. After all, there's so many physicians in the palace, as if they would let someone like I go look at his highness based on my own claim.' Not wanting to outright refuse the request, Lingyue can only make up an excuse to appease the woman.
Sure enough, it worked and she got a nod from her mother.
After the quick reminder from her older daughter who overheard their conversation, Madam Lan realizes it she's been too anxious and forgot the rules of the palace. If she wishes to carry out such a plan, proper arrangements must be made.
As their conversation continues, they were halted by the sudden stop of the music.
'Your highness, since today is the Ghost Festival and there's so many fine ladies gathered in one place, why don't we have some of them come forward and show us a performance of their talent?' Getting a hint from Zhu Gerou, Hong Fang's wife, Consort Luo whispers into the Queen Dowagers ear.
Since the old queen felt a bit good after drinking some wine, she didn't think otherwise of the suggestion and nodded. 'I will reward whoever is capable of showing us a great performance.'
'Here it is Liya.' Cai'er hissed nervously. 'Are you prepared just incase?' this, is the true purpose of the social events. IMPRESSING THE DOWAGER!
'Yeah, I am.' Lingyue prepared herself for this when she got wind this might happen...
Now things were getting interesting. Raising their spirit after hearing there's an opportunity to show off in front of the old queen, the various daughters of each family started to step forward. For a while, repeated cheers and applauds shook the banquet hall.
As the daughter of a noble house, Hong Yuying definitely had to take part. The talent she portrayed was a set of beautiful swordsmanship.
'Praises to the daughter of the Hong House. As expected of a military lineage, your swordsmanship stays true to your fathers style. Her reward shall be fifty gold.'
Cheeky and proud over her achievement, Hong Yuying, Lingyue's little sister by a few months left the stage like a shining peacock.
Liya then stepped forward, eager for more brownie points for her new family after being taken to the front by Cai'er causing many eyes to look.
"Are they gonna try to get another Princess Title?!"
"That Lan Cai'er is so brazen!"
"What can that unknown girl do anyway, huh?!"
Liya took out a lot of instruments and untied her hairdo...and her hair divided into many pairs of limb-shaped hair and grew longer than it normally was, and they began playing music!
And she's holding something?
After the startling action, the music was pretty lively and jovial...
And she begun to speak into her handheld...whatever but what is this?
A musical poem? And that device, is making her voice be heard all over and echo!
All I wanna do is hold you now
Flying together on the wings of the night
Speeding down a skyway in the moonlight
Where there were two of us there will be one
With ev'ry kiss we know a journey has started
We'll be unafraid and, open-hearted
In a world of so much confusion
You and I must make this illusion real
Knowing it's love we feel
Stay close to me
You'll forget the city and the troubles of daytime easily
This is the way that life should be
You are the one
How could I imagine any joy in my heart if you are gone?
Let this illusion linger on
'I've never heard of this style of performance before! Marvelous!' the Dowager gasped out, delighted as she clapped her hands, followed by the wide-eyed consorts as nobody saw this coming. The other ladies and daughters had a forced, strained applause while Liya's friends clapped more livelier. 'The music is upbeat and lively, Lan Liya is a band by herself and her musical poetry! I award her a Princess Title, 2nd Princess Li!'
This got a lot of girls choking as Liya curtsied before the royals, her hair re-arranging itself back into its hairstyle and her instruments disappearing.
Not only did the Lans gain more clout, they also have to give respect to a girl of unknown origins now?!
This did NOT suit much of the nobles well in the Noble Faction.
Lingyue would mail her family later.
xxx
Once the party ended...
'Did you see the looks on their faces?!' Feng Xue squealed as they were by the parking lot. 'But I had no idea you can do that!' she exclaimed, utterly amazed.
'Her adoption is recent so there's still stuff we don't know yet.' Cai'er said wryly, giving Lingyue a playful noogie. 'She's full of surprises!'
'Maybe you'll perform again at school tomorrow?' Feng Xue asked Lingyue hopefully.
'Well if it's OK with the teachers...'
xxx
In a disguise after getting home tonight, while everyone is still distracted with talking about the party aftermath, Lingyue sent a spirit crane home. And unlike most cranes, she modified hers to fly at high speeds so nobody can track her crane down.
Upon reaching her family in two weeks, Ye Gu choked at what he was reading.
The first letter he got was she got adopted by General Lan's family after healing him and now she's a titled princess for amazing the Empress Dowager?!
And she enjoyed the looks of bitter jealousy of Zhu Gerou and her sister's faces.
Not only that, the awful situation in the capital that's simmering. But it can boil and go boom any time, so the Civilian Faction is acting quickly as to get stronger than the Noble Faction. She will not let the Noble Faction win through her support. She'll have others whittle the numbers for her until she and her mother get what they want.
She is getting busy in the coming days through Social Season.
"You'd better be careful..." Ye Gu really worries now. At least Lingyue will use the nobles as cover instead of taking to the front lines!
