Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Six

            Wen-Hou studied the waiting sedan chair with distaste. It was insulting to have ride the short distance from his apartments to the Dowager's residence but the palace physician had been clear. He had been warned of dire consequences for over-doing causing another setback in his recovery. Thinking back, he realized how lucky that a generous young man had been so quick to notice him toppling over from the combination of rough ground and a sudden cramp. His helper seemed to know which pressure points to hit to release the cramps but had insisted the guards call for a physician.

The result was much tighter supervision for his activities than Wen-Hou thought appropriate. It also meant he would have to go to the expense of arranging to host a dinner for his sister's family here in the palace compound. He had to push all those worries out of his mind now that he was finally able to see his Great-Aunt.

The diminutive woman eyed him up and down then gestured for him to take a chair at the western style table on the terrace beside the lake. "Don't flatter yourself into thinking this set up is just for your benefit. My knees aren't what they once were either."

"It is so good to see you, Imo." The childhood nickname slipped out and he stuttered while trying to correct himself.

Her laugh was hidden behind a fan but the crinkles around her eyes revealed her mirth. "Relax, my boy. I suppose I should be admonishing you for the fright you gave us but things will be better now you are here."

"I hope it will be as easy as you make it sound."

"Why ever not? You are a Lie and the dragon nests close by."

"I suppose I should take heart in that. Its just there are so many things. Like Linyan's engagement."

"Yes, well I don't think there is much to be done about that. Her father's family estates neighbor the Choi's so they have any number of different ties. I warned your sister. She shares some of your concerns, and many of her own, but can not go against her in-laws on this."

"I didn't think about it from that angle." Wen Hou accepted the tea she poured and sat quietly for a moment. "If I host a gathering," he started.

"Of course, I will be there. Even better let's put that fusty protocol officer to work on a joint celebration to welcome a new family alliance and to mark your return as a Knight-Maker with his own forge. You can use it to drum up a bit of business."

"There are those who look down on the crafts, you know."

"Let them try living without the products of the farms and craft halls and see what their precious notions of status mean."

"Talk like that might have people thinking you are a radical."

"No more than the sage of the mountain and his friend in the city," she teased back before asking, "When are you going to start taking students?"

Wen-Hou could not stop himself from laughing out loud. Of course. she already knew about the proposal he was mulling over.

"It's a big commitment," he said once he caught his breath.

"You will need to be much more selective than your young cousin." Her oblique criticism of the Crown Prince caught Wen-Hou off guard. He could not help thinking she must have seen the slipping standards and reports of bullying.

"My friends think we should fish in different waters." As he spoke, he knew he had accepted the plan.

"If they turn up someone truly deserving, I can be a sponsor. Just don't let any candidates know. Seriously, not a word to anyone. I think you know why."

"Of course. You still think the ambush was an internal matter?"

"Not one hundred percent since it also smells of Qin silver. Just like what you said before heading to the front."

Wen-Hou nodded sadly. His own injuries were just a small part of the losses. His cup rattled as he set it down. The Dowager held his eye and nodded ever so slightly. Of course, she understood. She had lost too many family members not to know what he was feeling but then her look changed.

"I don't like what I have been hearing about our other neighbours lately either. It is much more than your uncle being restless. If we are lucky the different restoration parties will continue to fight among themselves but we can't count on it. You better alert your old army friends." This statement signaled the audience was over so he carefully made his respects and walked slowly back to where his attendants were waiting.

"Protocol Office," he directed. With a sigh he mentally started preparing the guest list for the celebrations he would be co-hosting. When he started in on the list in earnest, he realized how little recent contact he had with many of his former colleagues. Some had dropped him after the first hints of a scandal started to circulate. 

The rumors were proven to be groundless but the taint remained. Even after it should have been clear he was more interested in being a maker than trying to leverage his relationships at court the whispers continued. He had to wonder what his nameless opponents would think of an honest training league open to skilled candidates regardless of their family backgrounds. He smiled to himself when he realized the topic of a new league would be a great way to confirm which of his former associates were allies and which were enemies.