Chương 57: Chapter 6

The chamber she commandeered was a mix of a storage room and a laboratory for veterinary experiments. Wu Zetian took one look at the mess and made a mental note to have the appropriate manuals taken from the Library. The attendants she tasked with caring for the spirit-beasts told her it was easy to do. Because you didn't say the Ancestor anything different. Except that she valued efficiency, not always being agreed with. She should have to drive the point home harder, it seemed.

Two workers were knee-deep puzzling out the right mixture to feed the spirit-beasts. She shunted them both out with Distance Made Moot, and set a recursive boundary over the door: anyone trying to pass it would end up stepping back instead of going onward.

"Zhao, dear, would you please keep guard? I'd have a private word with my granddaughter." The boy snapped a salute that reminded her suspiciously of the Hand's. Had he been watching? Good to know. But she had other concerns now.

"Here." With a wave of her hand, crates of spirit-herbs were swatted aside, clearing two seats.

"Sit." Wu Lin obeyed without a word. She looked very miserable now. All her usual energy was nowhere to be seen. Wu Zetian considered facing her, before scoffing under her breath. The chair went beside Lin's, and then she was sitting beside her granddaughter, gathering her little frame to herself. Wu Lin didn't even hesitate. She sank in her robes like a shivering puppy.

"Do you feel like telling Grandmother?" Wu Zetian asked softly. Her hand found hers, and there she was, stroking her palm.

"What about?" Wu Lin's voice came muffled. Oh, the little girl knew what that was about. Wu Zetian knew. Lin knew she knew. But there were resistances. There always were. And Wu Zetian was patient.

"Everything. If you feel like."

"Everything?"

"Everything."

"Grandma never asked before." Wu Zetian didn't miss the hint of reproach. She guessed she deserved it. It was the usual: it was easier to just sink into work and forget that there was a family with living members, and living problems, to address. Or a past to mend.

"I am asking now." For a long moment, Lin didn't answer. Long enough that Zetian started thinking she never would. But she was patient, and patience won her the day.

"It was always Blue and me," Lin started, her voice a murmur.

"Since forever. Mother died when I was born, I was told, and Father was a good-for-nothing who just didn't care. The only time Lin tried to talk to him… he wasn't nice. He wasn't nice at all. Said Lin was a bother, that she should just shut up and, and go away." She looked at her, eyes burning with pain and anger.

"He died when Lin was seven. And Lin was happy for it! He was a bad guy!" Wu Zetian didn't comment. She just stroked her hair until the little girl settled down.

"Blue took care of Lin. He always did," she said, emotions mixing in her voice, fondness and exasperation and pain.

"He… he worked hard. He always did. To keep Father away. To make sure that Lin was fine. So… so Lin learned to smile, to, to be happy. Because Lin couldn't help in the adult things Blue had to work through. But at least Lin could make him feel like he was making her happy? Even when he was always away. Even, even when Lin felt so very alone. Lin thought that she could smile at least. It was the right thing to do, right, Grandma?" Wu Zetian pressed her lips in a tight line. But she kept her voice comforting.

"…it was. You were very brave, Lin."

"I was?" Lin hid her face in Zetian's robes.

"And yet, Blue was always sad. That's why he's Blue. Lin always tried, but he smiled so few times! And almost never after Father died. He told Lin something before. Now… now he never tells me anything." She swallowed, voice thick.

"Is Lin being selfish, Grandma? I-I know that Blue has so much hanging over him. He always did his best. B-but, it was Blue and Lin before. Now, it's always the family, the family's honor, the family's position. Lin hates it!" She shook a fist, furious, but then her strength seemed to leave her, and she slumped.

"But it's important, isn't it? It's very important." Wu Zetian hummed, caressing her head.

"Lin gets it, you know?" She said, voice low now.

"Father made a mess of things, and Blue feels responsible for fixing stuff. He-he doesn't want Grandmother to be angry at the family. It's stupid, but Lin gets it. I-I can help too. But Blue never wants Lin to help. Does Blue think Lin is a bother too, Grandma?"

"No, I don't think so. He wouldn't have protected you for so long otherwise."

"R-right. But… he never left before! He was away, but never so far away!"

"It's because he felt he had to. And… I suppose it's my fault." Lin watched her, blinking in surprise.

"But you aren't angry at Blue, are you, Grandmother?" She asked, hesitating.

"No, I am not. The opposite. I think that what he has done is quite impressive." Wu Zetian smiled apologetically.

"I tried to make him understand as much, but I fear I am not very good at this. I got angry when he didn't listen."

"Oh!" Understanding dawned on Lin's features. A weak smile appeared on her lips.

"Just like Blue! He… he's not good at talking stuff either." Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Pretty much." Wu Zetian materialized a small handkerchief. She used it to dab her cheeks, drying Lin's tears. To her quiet relief, the little girl giggled, letting her.

"Was he stubborn? He always was, even with Lin."

"Very much. Just like me, or you. It runs in the family, I suppose." Wu Zetian smiled gently. Then, more seriously: "Your brother loves you, Lin. Never forget that. He's just not very good at expressing it." Lin said nothing. She hid her face against Zetian's robe, hugging her tight. Wu Zetian let her, caressing her head. As always, the world surprised her with its turns. How much had she overlooked? It never ceased to impress her. Or what an effect her choices could have.

She regretted not being more patient with Nenqin now. As if she hadn't had enough of them already. But she could fix one at least.

"From now on, you'll come to me when you're having these kinds of thoughts," she prompted.

"Grandmother has to work during the day, so we'll set the evenings for it. Can you promise me you'll do it?" Wu Lin didn't break the hug, but she felt her nod against her. A hesitant nod, but a nod nonetheless. Wu Zetian huffed, patting her. She would be taking it as a win. Well, that explained much, she supposed. More than anything, it explained Lin's strange mix of childishness for her age and overdeveloped sensitivity. And it gave her insight into Nenqin's character, or her own mistakes in handling him. …

not like he was a piece of work himself. But that's on me, isn't it? He seems to have taken an awful lot from me. A strange thought. She wasn't sure how to feel about it. They remained like that until Wu Lin's onslaught of emotions had abated, and she was back to her energetic self. Wu Zetian smiled as she hopped to Zhao, pulling him into a hug and demanding he told her if somebody tried to "breach the perimeter." Such a resilient little girl. She bounced back from those slumps so fast.

Now, if only she learned to cope a bit better… All her life would take advantage of it, her cultivation notwithstanding. And yet, it required Wu Zetian's action. Could she call back Nenqin to the Plateau? No, she couldn't. If she did, he would only think he was being considered a spent piece. The young man needed something in his hands before he could return with his head held high. Only then, when that obsession of his was satisfied, he would listen.

She still fretted a bit about his safety, but having a logic behind it helped. More importantly, now he knew his type. Next time, she wouldn't repeat her mistakes. Until he returned, she would take care of Lin. … good thing she was that intuitive bundle of joy. She didn't fancy having another grandchild angry at her. Wu Zetian sighed. You're bad at this. But you'll learn. Hopefully. But did it even matter?

As long as Lin learned healthier coping mechanisms and wasn't alone, she could resist being horrible at relationships. As they returned to the stables, passing bewildered attendants, Wu Zetian lingered. Mh…

"Zhao?" Surprised, the boy looked up. Just in time to catch the rat with both hands and a startled yelp. The spirit-beast squeaked in outrage. The animal turned into his palms, tail swinging, before stopping and squinting at him suspiciously. Zhao just looked back, turning a touch pale. Whatever the rat saw in his face must have been to his liking, because he settled down and started to groom himself with dignity. Wu Zetian smiled at Zhao's disoriented expression.

"Keep him," she told him.

"Lin. You can help him. Whatever you need to know, just ask the people here." Was that straight-up terror in Zhao's expression? How ungrateful. A Core Formation Elder wouldn't have scoffed at being offered a Rank 6 for a Companion Beast. And it came from the Ancestor herself. Why, she had even gone so far as to make sure the critter was thoroughly domesticated by her Night Qi. The only thing that could make the connection fail was a lack of respect, and that little rat was clearly beyond that.

"Erm… I don't… I am not sure if…" Zhao stammered, looking like he was holding a lump of lava. He looked at Lin pleadingly. But if she was concerned about her henchman, the little girl didn't show it.

"Grandmother, that is a rat," she deadpanned, frowning.

"I am aware of it, yes."

"And you want me to look after that?"

"Yes. If you can, that is." Lin straightened up.

"Lin can take care of one million rats!" She snapped, then looked away, pouting and crossing her arms.

"But it's a rat…" She made a face.

"I can look after him when I am here, but keeping him…" Wu Zetian hummed.

"How about this?" At her gesture, a female worker found her steps turning on themselves. Instead of the table she was walking toward, she found herself before her. Wu Zetian relieved her of her burden, then sent her walking back where she was going. She reached the table a moment later, wondering what had just happened.

"While Zhao takes care of Quicky there, you can do the same for this one." The moon-rabbit was beautiful, his fur rippling as though woven out of moonlight. Eyes like drops of dew peered intelligently from beneath eyebrows that flittered like long whiskers caught in a breeze. Wu Zetian tapped the rabbit on the nose, infusing him with a drop of her Night Qi. Just a touch, enough to make him pliant without ruining him.

The little trick wouldn't work with anything above Rank 7, but it worked wonders with this level of creatures.

"Here. Come on now. It's yours." Lin's eyes all but sparkled as she accepted the gift. The rabbit took one long look at her, then, to her delight, he loafed in her hands.

"He's so cute! Thank you!" Wu Zetian smiled. But Lin was quite perceptive. Too perceptive. She glanced at her suspiciously.

"You aren't giving this to Lin to keep me occupied, are you, Grandma?" Wu Zetian put a hand on her chest.

"On my honor, I would never." Good thing she was the Immortal who could feel when someone was crossing fingers. Lin scanned her for a long moment before breaking out her brightest smile.

"Okay!" Holding the rabbit over her head like a trophy, she rushed toward Zhao.

"Hey, Zhao, look here!"

"O-oh! A rabbit!" Wu Zetian smiled fondly, watching them marvel at their new pets. Truth be told, the only reason why it wasn't Shadow-Beasts populating the Palace was thanks to an unlikely source: Wu Zhan. The fool, among his many expensive habits, had a zoo built for his amusement. During the Siege, most of the animals had been killed for resources, but many, bolstered by the Night Qi wafting from the Crater, escaped.

The many deserted rooms of the Palace made for perfect habitats for animals heavily infused with Night Qi, and so there they remained, until the Sect came to collect them. Now, to find a proper use for them… Wu Zetian watched one of the great cages, where a blackened manticore-thing lay asleep. The Sect had no particular experience in dealing with this level of creatures. Even the Devouring Horde dealt more in how to kill them rather than how to make them thrive. And yet, she wanted to try.

Knowing how to take care of the spirit-beasts who emerged around the Plateau was an indispensable step in increasing the level of management the Sect could bring to its natural territories. The Retreat may be of help in this. Another item on her ever-increasing agenda. Until then, the animals could work as pets for her granddaughter, so that she wouldn't feel alone during work hours. Leaving the kids to their new pets – Lin was already trying to teach her rabbit how to fetch -, Zetian left the stables.

Shanti waited for her outside, looking like she had held her position like a statue until then. It explained why the workers were keeping well away from her.

"Founder. I trust the meeting was fruitful?"

"Mh-mh. You have a question."

"I… wouldn't want to intrude."

"Go on."

"Founder… your time is precious. Is it wise to reverse so much of it on… children?"

"… you're a Shadowed. Your loyalty is out of question, and that is why I'll indulge you. Three reasons. The first: the children are our future. If we allow them to grow crookedly, we are exchanging our future for our present. That would be akin to planting our crops on unfertile lands. Foolish as well as damaging. Second: I may be Immortal and powerful. Yet, I possess only one granddaughter. Such uniqueness is precious and worthy of being cultivated, as well as a duty I must fulfill.

Third: I say it's a worthy use of my time. That is enough. Am I clear?"

"…perfectly, Founder. I apologize for the question."

"Not at all. I enjoy these little exchanges. Come. We have one more venture to take care of today."