Threads Chapter 404-Standing 2
"Holy shit, what did you do?"
"Hello to you, too," Ling Qi said over the rim of her wine cup. The guestroom of the traveler’s inn had not changed much from when she had been here last. Last time, Meizhen had invited her out here to meet Xiao Fen. The furnishings were plain but well put together, and the privacy wards were acceptable for light chat. "Now, stop standing there gaping. You look silly."
Su Ling snorted, pulling her eyes back up to Ling Qi's face and stepped inside. Her tails thrashed in agitation behind her before settling back down.
Su Ling had changed. Ling Qi could see the black lines burned into her hands where her meridians had burst through her skin in the Liminal adventure where they had encountered her mother, Madam Grey. Her wrists and forearms were wrapped under a layer of padded bandages and polished wooden bracers carved with angular, geometric shapes, and crescents. She'd gotten a new vest as well, dark brown and worked through with crimson and silver threads.
"No, but seriously, are you telling me that nutty rumor about you and the General is true?"
"It is very true. I’m hurt, Su Ling. I wouldn't think that you would doubt me."
The other girl stared blankly at her and shook her head. "Guess I thought there was still a limit to your craziness. Silly me."
"Baroness Ling is dedicated to her duties. The Cai are fortunate to have such an exemplar of duty."
Ling Qi looked at the door where the other voice had emerged from. "Lady Diao, you are welcome as well."