A Cozy Time In The Enemy Camp

I set sight on the vast landscape surrounding me. It is an expanion of what I saw in my vision.

"Am I dreaming?"

I could see some sort of frog like creature swimming in the bubbling mass of purple water. The air had a strange smell. A strong, aromatic smell with a rotten tinge to it. Although instrustive, it doesn't smell all too bad, it's just extremely sweet. I wandered around while taking in the abstract scenery. The plant life has colors indicating you'll get severely poisoned once coming in contact with it. At one point, A flower that has look similar to the Bleeding Heart, aside from it having a more fleshy look and possessing a slime like substance on the petals. One has to wonder whether being in possession of that has somehow influenced the landscape. The creatures roaming are similarly varied (and sometimes also grotesque), but it was hard to easily spot them due to most animals shying away from coming in contact with me. After having walked for a while an unorthodox sight could be seen. At least, I assumed cultivation fields didn't tend to have these. All sorts of different statue were places, most of them broken in some way or form, lying in a circle as skewed angles. I decided to temporarily rest due to my feet becoming somewhat sore. Confirming that at the least this isn't a dream in the conventional sense. After looking around for a small period, searching for any other abnormalities I noticed a tablet lying on a pillar that I could swear hadn't been there before. Inspecting closely, I could find something engraved at the top.

"As one shall seek, one shall find. As one has found, one has sought.

Foolishness seeks foolishness. To not know is the absence of remembrance.

Seek in oneself what oneself seeks in life. Finding is the key to knowing.

Seek a new light and turn a new stone, the fisherman becomes one with the sea.

Darkness illuminated by the light of confidence. As only acts of foolishness make a brighter future."

Not knowing what to do with this message, I picked up the tablet from the pillar. A bright light shone, as suddenly deep growls around the foret could be heard. I quickly tried to think of what to do next, as I suddenly awoke, being shaken by Chen Yu.

"Miss! Miss!" She frantically called.

"I am awake now, calm down." I calmly explained.

"His Highness Xhu has called you to his chambers. Apparently it's urgent."

"Understood. I shall go now then, even if I'm a bit underdressed for the occasion, I am sure he will find it in his hear to understand. However, in the case something were to happen, tell the trio to camp outside out of view.

The trio of sisters are my main operational team when Chen Yu has trouble performing a task by herself. Their main usage is for intel gathering and protection, as they are 3rd rank cultivators and proficient in multiple fighting styles. We do not interact very often so it seemed their names have slipped my mind a few months ago.

Just before I left I gave Chen a small task to complete.

"Your task is to sneak out and get a Solipsis plant and a Nengjian herb. They are well known for enhancing many first rank cultivation types."

She gave a simple nod and prompty started to prepare.

...

"Sit down." He spoke in a stern tone. Has he found fault in something I did?

I did as told as there was no reason to make a big point out of it. Wait patiently until a weakpoint is shown.

"Why has dear husband called for me this early morning?"

His face slightly contorted as he heard the words 'dear husband'. Oh my, it seems I am not very popular.

"Since you are not one for idle talk, lets get to the point. As I am going to marry Xian Ling, you will be demoted to a consort. I have spoken to your family in detail and they support this decision. Thus you will be moving farther away from the main house. I request that you make no fuss over this lest you want to be put under house arrest."

Should I respond aggressive as usual, and possibly bear consequences, or speak submissively? For a change of pace I will present myself reasonable, but not submissive.

"As long as dear sister isn't going to badger and taunt me about it, no offense will be taken."

"You-!!" He shouted, before taking a deep breath and groaning "Fine, you have my word. I hope I can trust yours."

He sighed and waved his arms gesturing me to leave.

On my way back the trio hand signaled if I was okay from behind a tree. I gave off a gentle smile as their faces slackened in relief. It is not always that these urgent meetings were as peaceful as this. It is clear they started to worry about me as time passed. I signaled that they are on-hold until the next mission.

As there was little to do before Chen arrived I took this time to take a stroll around in the vast garden. A pleasant cool breeze came over while enjoying the gentle sunlight. Many sounds from small animals roaming around could be heard. Humming a tune while strolling. A figure I've not seen in a while came into my vision. A mature woman slightly taller than me, with a gentle, understanding demeanor. I gave my greetings and she politely bowed back, asking if I wanted to join her for a cup of tea.

She and Fan Xhu have a long history together. She was many timed used as a babysitter by the previous head of the Xhu family. She's a woman that never gossips, never berates and never rants. Until recently, we could've been seen a polar opposites. Nonetheless, we always had a harmonious relationship.

"Have you been faring well?" She asks as she ours my cup.

"It has been hectic as usual, though I can say I have been feeling a bit more energetic since yesterday. How have you been?"

"I have been practicing play the lute as per masters request. It seems he finds enjoyment in the melodies I compose."

"I would love to hear you perform, though for today I have much work to take care of."

She beamed, "I would also love to perform for you."

And so an unspoken, and likely eternally unfilfilled promise was made.

I am curious as to what songs she would play. But I cannot sseem to find the motivation to actively seek her out. Most of the time we simply sumble into eachother.

As I finished the cup of tea I gave a lukewarm excuse about some urgency coming up and gave her a halfhearted thank you. It is not that I do this with malice, as more it feels like the correct type of way to interact. A certain wedge between us and lines that never should be crossed. A peaceful, albeit non-cooperative existence.

After returning and idly writing down what I can remember from the strange tablet. My dearest servant arrived. Feeling cheerful, I gave her a 'welcome back' hug as she became flushed and started stammering.

"w-w-wh-wha-"

"Ahh, I missed you so much. Lets have fun today too. Meng Fei gave me a very interesting idea. Did you also hear a melody play when you received your vision? Or did you not get to squish the stars?"

However it seems I caused an overload. As she started mumbling into herself while being beet red from ear to ear.

Today feels like it's going to be a great day.