Chapter Text
There was a cat on the peak, or so he had been told by one starry eyed Ning Yingying.
It was a ridiculous statement, really. A cat on the peak meant it had snuck in through a supply cart (in which case, a certain An Ding Peak Lord would be getting a strongly worded letter) or a disciple had brought it in (in which case, the offending disciple would be whipped for breaking the rules).
There was no way a regular cat could climb onto the peak, and if a disciple had let it in, heads would roll, Ning Yingying.
Ning Yingying had visibly deflated that.
However, if there was a hypothetical cat on the peak he wouldn't mind seeing it.
That had gotten Ning Yingying going.
"Oh, Shizun. It's the most adorable thing I've ever seen in my life! It's so soft and fluffy—just like the Summer Snow Cotton we saw that one time! And you should have seen how it climbed all over Ming-shixiong! Like a fish in water! And! And!"
"Ning Yingying, your descriptions have improved. I will be looking forward to your next poetry assignment," he had interjected, musing about the hypothetical cat.
Said hypothetical cat was currently staring at him on the steps to the Bamboo House. Its pristine fur almost offended him. So it did have an owner.
People accused him of being a cold-hearted, heavy-handed monster, but this did not apply to animals. Perhaps a long time ago, when they were pests that stole his food, he would have felt hatred toward them, but those days were behind him. Just like the noble lords and ladies, he had come to recognize the 'cuteness' of these animals.
Ning Yingying had exaggerated the cat's features, but it was as cute as she had made it out to be.
Now the question was, who brought it onto the peak.
Shen Qingqiu tilted his head in thought, and the cat mimicked his movement, blepping its tongue out.
A smile tugged at the edge of his mouth. It had been a while since his heart warmed like this. Perhaps the last time he felt like this was when one of his disciples had made a scathing sleight toward the Old Palace Master, toeing the line of impudence but just shy of warranting punishment. Somehow, he'd become immune to Shen Qingqiu's remarks, but he had not been expecting the Qing Jing disciple to pull a remark out of their pocket, and it had left the Old Palace Master visibly shaken.
Shen Qingqiu reserved his compliments for truly commendable situations, and this disciple had earned not one but two approving remarks from him for their brilliant mind.
Ah, satisfaction at the proof that his disciples had something of substance between their ears. Though the way this cat was staring at him, he doubted it had anything going on up there.
He sighed, reaching down to pet the thing. Why did he bother to drill things into his disciples when a dumb cat could rival their peak brilliance?
The cat stretched its neck out for his hand. He was in the middle of a smile when he heard ragged breaths and scuffed footsteps come up from behind him.
Just like that his mood soured.
The cat mewled in protest and acted cute as he straightened up, but the opportunity had passed. He took out his fan and gathered himself before resuming his steps up to his house.
When he turned around, he could see the yearning look of the cat as it mewled for attention in his periphery, but he focused ahead.
Where was Ming Fan? Oh right, he had requested a leave for his free day, leaving him to suffer this blithering fool of a child.
"Careful, beast. Any louder and you'll be waking the entire peak up."
Luo Binghe ground to a halt at that. He mumbled an apology and avoided his gaze, picking at his hands. He might have been trying to act cute and pitiful, but it was only making him look insecure and pathetic. The maneuver might have worked if he had been a better actor, or if Shen Qingqiu had not been an expert himself, but to the misfortune of all of them, Luo Binghe was not wise to this and continued to be unsightly.
He felt a headache forming, and he hadn't even started with the classes of the day. It had been one of those rare days where he hadn't felt awful in the morning too. It was too bad it had to be wasted by Luo Binghe.
And also by the threat of rain in the sky, but Luo Binghe was more tangible.
He let out a sigh and turned, slamming the door open harder than he had to. "Do not let the little beast inside," he said over his shoulder.
The cat acted like it had an owner. It would run back in due time, and Shen Qingqiu would chew them out.
He rolled his eyes as he heard Luo Binghe manhandle the poor cat.
As he walked into his study, he flicked his wrist, turning on the spirit pearl to give the room better lighting. He sat down in front of his desk, taking his time to smooth out his robes and draw his sleeves out of the way. Then finally, with great displeasure, he peered over the An Ding missive regarding his peak's finances.
As expected, Shang Qinghua was once again trying to cut down on the peak's expenses. It was truly a strange thing; the man acted like one sharp look in his direction would kill him instantly, but on the subject of finances, he dug his heels in even as he was groveling for mercy. Shang Qinghua, himself, and one Yue Qingyuan in between—a scenario Shen Qingqiu was all too familiar with.
At the very least, the An Ding Peak Lord's request wasn't fuelled with spite unlike a number of others who would not be named. It was something that elevated Shang Qinghua in his eyes only for the man to be knocked down every time he debased himself. It was unsightly.
Yes, just like that, Luo Binghe.
The boy fidgeted in his doorway. He was carrying a tray with his tea, but instead of announcing his presence, he was hovering, letting the tea go cold.
Catching Shen Qingqiu's gaze, Luo Binghe finally spoke. "Shizun, your tea is here."
"I can see that." Shen Qingqiu gestured for him to come in. When Luo Binghe didn't come in, he raised an eyebrow.
Luo Binghe started at that and almost stumbled over himself to come in. He let out a sigh as Luo Binghe put down the tray a touch too hard.
When Luo Binghe grabbed the teapot and almost spilled tea all over the tray, he finally snapped. "What are you doing?"
The boy flinched. He let go of the teapot quickly, but the tea had already been spilt.
Shen Qingqiu felt his headache grow. "Have you ever used the tea set that was given to you?" He scoffed. "Do not answer that. It is clear to me that you have not. The set was given to you so you could practice making tea. Something as rudimentary as pouring tea should be something all scholars can do in their sleep." He snapped when he saw Luo Binghe act more mopey than usual, "What is it?"
"...Please forgive me, Shizun! I-I broke the tea set. That's why I haven't been able to use it…"
Shen Qingqiu frowned. "How did you break it?"
"I fell…" Luo Binghe averted his eyes, giving away the obvious lie.
Shen Qingqiu massaged his eyes. It didn't really matter how Luo Binghe had broken his tea set. "And you haven't sent a request to have it replaced yet? Or were you waiting for someone to do it for you?"
Luo Binghe looked down. "I didn't want to bother anyone."
"So you chose to sit on your hands and do nothing? Someone will be bothered eventually. You are bothering me."
"Forgive this disciple…"
"Go run five laps around the peak," Shen Qingqiu said, taking the wet teacup for a sip. Atrocious. It was burnt to hell and back. "Before that, take this away and put water on the stove."
"...Yes, Shizun," Luo Binghe replied in a whine like some dog.
He had half the mind to upend the teacup on Luo Binghe. Instead, he placed the teacup on the table with measured strength and looked back down at the missive. Ruffling through the pile of documents on his desk, he found the peak's finance book to reference. He had just started to open it when he saw a figure hovering in the doorway again.
Shen Qingqiu frowned. He looked up to say something mean to Luo Binghe but saw Yue Qingyuan instead.
He almost said something meaner. "Have I not told you time and time again to knock on my door before entering? Do you not care about what I say?"
Yue Qingyuan seemed a bit taken back by his hostility. "Apologies, Qingqiu."
Shen Qingqiu's scowl deepened. It was always apologies with this man.
"Do you need anything?" Shen Qingqiu asked.
Yue Qingyuan had better come for something important.
"I just wanted to ask if the preparations for Shuang Hu City were coming along nicely." When Shen Qingqiu gave him a poisonous stare, he added, "Did I come at a bad time?"
"Quite."
Shen Qingqiu continued to stare at Yue Qingyuan, imploring him to say something else.
"I'm worried for your health. You've just recovered from a major qi deviation."
That was the wrong thing to say. He took a deep breath. "You think a qi deviation would render me so useless that I could not direct a group of children on a mission? If that was the case, we should start worrying about the state of the sect. What, with the head strategist being so incompetent. I suppose the weak can only ever stay weak, Hm?"
Yue Qingyuan stuttered. "No, anyone would have weak health after a qi deviation."
"So I should stop having qi deviations. Is that it?"
"No, that was not my intention. I should have been more careful with my words. I'm sorry—.”
Shen Qingqiu hurled the teacup sitting by his hand.
Oh, that silly boy had forgotten to take the tea cup with him, he thought, as the tea cup left his hand. So this is what the morning had been building up to. A couple of poisonous remarks ending with his favorite tea cup in pieces.
The tea cup made impact with the doorframe next to Yue Qingyuan.
For a moment, the two of them looked at each other in equal amounts of shock. Shen Qingqiu was quick to look down and cover his face, so he wouldn't have to face Yue Qingyuan.
Yue QIngyuan started. "...Xiao J—"
"Do not call me that," Shen Qingqiu cut him off, voice barely above a whisper.
"Sorry."
Shen Qingqiu didn't answer. Instead, he took a couple breaths before opening his mouth. "Beast, I know you are there."
Luo Binghe stepped out of the shadows behind Yue QIngyuan, no doubt eavesdropping on them.
"Shizun...I just wanted to tell you that the water was on the stove before I excused myself."
After a pregnant pause, Shen Qingqiu spoke. "Forget about running laps. Escort the Sect Leader back to his peak."
"...Understood. Sect Leader?"
Shen Qingqiu could feel Yue Qingyuan's eyes on him, but he couldn't bear to look up now.
"Qingqiu-shidi?" Yue QIngyuan said.
"Leave."
"...If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask." Yue Qingyuan turned to Luo Binghe. "What is your name?"
As their voices faded from his house, Shen Qingqiu was left alone. Despite the warming talismans that made the house impervious to the cold, the bamboo house felt frigid.
He stared at the door, allowing himself to slouch ever so slightly. He looked down at the missives. Shang Qinghua would not need these before the peak lord meeting tomorrow, and none of the others were urgent.
When he came to, he stood in front of his bed, outer robes tossed onto the floor and his hair crown flung off to oblivion.
He didn't realize he was so tired, Shen Qingqiu thought. He would rest.
He stared at the ceiling.