Sometimes, privately, Yuan finds it somewhat entertaining that the manners he is taught in Cloud Recesses are often so similar to those he was taught in a brothel - though, of course, he would never dare say that out loud. Even if sometimes, just sometimes, he desperately desires to watch one of the stuffy elder Lan's faces when he tells them (usually when they decide to say something disparaging about Jingyi's supposedly un-Lan-like qualities).
He smiles fondly at Jingyi's exuberance, leaning into the embrace and nodding his agreement that the food does, indeed, look incredible. After a moment's thought, he demures the offer of liquor - he'd rather keep a clear head.
The food turns out to be as good as it looks, and the rest of the banquet passes relatively uneventfully - Zizhen's father and sect leader Yao both take the opportunity to be windbags and make everything drag on, but it's not too long before servants are arriving to show people to the rooms that have been set up for them.
~~~
"It'll be enough time for me to find something out, I'm sure." Even if it's just a hint, anything to avoid his beloved going into the meeting blind. Of course, in order to do that Jiang Cheng's going to have to let him out of his bed at least briefly, and something about that other duties comment suggested he might not. Huaisang isn't complaining, of course, he'll work with the time he has.
"Mmm, it's nothing, somebody questioning his choices is all. He put a stop to it quite firmly, as one should when questioned in public, and I'm sure he's learned enough by now to take a moment to ensure his decision is understood. He's getting good at this."
Cheng worries too much, in Huaisang's opinion. He understands it, of course he does, but he's taught Jin Ling well, he's perfectly capable. At least, he is now that he knows (Huaisang hopes) that he doesn't have to keep trying to be perfectly capable on his own. A lesson somebody else is hopefully in the process of learning as well.
For the rest of the dinner, Huaisang slips back into his running commentary, in between enjoying the delicious meal and a few cups of wine - he doesn't mind not having a clear head at all.
no subject
Sometimes, privately, Yuan finds it somewhat entertaining that the manners he is taught in Cloud Recesses are often so similar to those he was taught in a brothel - though, of course, he would never dare say that out loud. Even if sometimes, just sometimes, he desperately desires to watch one of the stuffy elder Lan's faces when he tells them (usually when they decide to say something disparaging about Jingyi's supposedly un-Lan-like qualities).
He smiles fondly at Jingyi's exuberance, leaning into the embrace and nodding his agreement that the food does, indeed, look incredible. After a moment's thought, he demures the offer of liquor - he'd rather keep a clear head.
The food turns out to be as good as it looks, and the rest of the banquet passes relatively uneventfully - Zizhen's father and sect leader Yao both take the opportunity to be windbags and make everything drag on, but it's not too long before servants are arriving to show people to the rooms that have been set up for them.
~~~
"It'll be enough time for me to find something out, I'm sure." Even if it's just a hint, anything to avoid his beloved going into the meeting blind. Of course, in order to do that Jiang Cheng's going to have to let him out of his bed at least briefly, and something about that other duties comment suggested he might not. Huaisang isn't complaining, of course, he'll work with the time he has.
"Mmm, it's nothing, somebody questioning his choices is all. He put a stop to it quite firmly, as one should when questioned in public, and I'm sure he's learned enough by now to take a moment to ensure his decision is understood. He's getting good at this."
Cheng worries too much, in Huaisang's opinion. He understands it, of course he does, but he's taught Jin Ling well, he's perfectly capable. At least, he is now that he knows (Huaisang hopes) that he doesn't have to keep trying to be perfectly capable on his own. A lesson somebody else is hopefully in the process of learning as well.
For the rest of the dinner, Huaisang slips back into his running commentary, in between enjoying the delicious meal and a few cups of wine - he doesn't mind not having a clear head at all.