Thread by @corysii

[ #qijiu #bingliushen ]

[ Sect Leader Yue,

I hope this letter finds you well, as it will be the only one you receive from this humble one. Do not look too deeply into what I write to you. Call it a moment of impulse, a concept I'm sure you are quite intimate with.

The palace has grown quiet in the last few months. That whelp and his right hand leave frequently, off to god knows where, with that traitor trailing behind them.

I don't personally give it long before they rid themselves of his presence, just watching him causes annoyance.

I wonder how you feel, knowing he is sniveling under the mercy of these beasts. Knowing you, I suppose you have forgiven him yet. I don't envy your tolerance.

Shen Qingqiu. ]

_

[Zhangmen-Shixiong,

That dog seems to do nothing but pester me these last couple of days. I actually long for him to rather torture me instead of whatever he intends to do. Just looking at him fills me with disgust.

Ever since coming back from wherever he had gone previously, he seems more intent on instead treating me as if I were a wife. Though his devilish attributes quickly show themselves the moment I don't play into his demented domestic roleplays.

I'd rather be dead.

Shen Qingqiu. ]

[ Yue-Shixiong,

Shang Qinghua hasn't seemed to come around the palace at all as of the last couple of weeks, so I find it's safe to assume he's passed. I hope it was gruesome, if I'm being honest with myself. He deserves no less than a tragic end.

Though, I suppose you disagree with that sentiment. You're too forgiving, I think, and it's a rather disgusting quality to have as a Sect Leader. The fact you allowed him to live after the crimes he committed is rather negligent. How did they possibly find you suitable?

Regardless, I hope he burns for eternity for his wrongs. I'll be visiting him in the flames soon enough, so don't worry, I'll guarantee he pays his due to you, even if you fail to have the pride to take what is owed.

Shen-shidi. ]

[ Qi-ge,

The beast seems to have found a new toy to bother and I find I'm too tired to worry about what it entails.

If I find the opportunity before then, I will burn joss paper for you. With it, buy me a gift so I may have a fond arrival. Preferably a fan.

Xiao-jiu. ]

With a sigh, Shen Qingqiu ripped out this particular page from the journal, filled with used pieces of parchment, wrinkled from ink to paper.

He looked it over one last time, before moving his right hand to the candle by his bedside, the page catching fire quickly.

The fire crept up from the corner, enveloping the whole sheet in seconds as Shen Qingqiu dropped it onto the bedside table, until it burned out and became only hot embers.

It should reach his Qi-ge this way.

Even if the other had not received many of Shen Qingqiu's multiple letters, the ones he would receive communicated more than enough.

As his gaze stared at those cinders, it slowly slid up to the small mirror propped behind it, meeting his own face in the reflection.

He scowled.

The bags under his eyes seemed darker than they used to be, sunken and unappealing. He blamed it in the recent stress of the new arrival. Just the thought was enough to make any man queezy.

Despite it, it wasn't as if time had robbed him of his decent looks. It was one thing that was undeniable. Any of his martial siblings would begrudgingly agree if they were still yet of the living.

Shen Qingqiu didn't like to dwell on it.

He was sure they were gnashing their teeth from beyond the veil at the fact that only he was left alive when all was said and done. If anything, he felt just as wronged by the fact, just as startled.

With a flick of his hand, the fan that lay in his fingers snapped open.

Shen Qingqiu looked away from the mirror as he fanned lightly at the light layer of sweat that had accumulated while he stewed in his thoughts.

Twisted expression, he went to stand, barely giving the room a glance before sweeping out into the hall. He had a destination in mind.

The palace halls of huan hua palace were the same as they had always been, though they had grown excessively dreary over the last couple of years, the yellows becoming reds, the golds becoming blacks. He found it rather distasteful. Regardless, the directions were the same.

Walking down the hall, many faces passed him. Most too disgusting to even gaze upon, some the fair faces of young women, looking so at ease it made the man rolls his eyes.

Turning the corner, Shen Qingqiu paused, looking at the faces walking towards him as he went.

It wouldn't be strange to say that his relationship with his former disciples was a strange one. Ning Yingying was no exception. Parental affection fought viciously with the inner burn of betrayal he dwelled on.

There was no blame for taking the opportunity of a good life. He couldn't deny, the life as one of Luo Binghe's wives was a frivolous one. They had any luxury money could afford, he treated them decently.

Still, he wished that their loyalty for their sect had run deeper yet.

"Ning Yingying." When he spoke in greeting, it came languid, with a cold edge to it. Though it swiftly melted away when the girl turned to acknowledge him, smiling politely.

"Shizun, how is your health today?"

She stood next to another girl, Liu Mingyan, who watched on quietly with a tranquil air, unlike her brother. The thought of him made Shen Qingqiu shiver, yet he suppressed it.

With a scowl at the casual question, he responded shortly. "Could be better. How is Yingying?"

The old nickname was clearly not the right move, as she shifted in discomfort.

Despite this, she still smiled, holding onto past affections.

"This one is well. Mingyan and I were sparring earlier this morning, perhaps I can show shizun my progress later in the day?"

Hardly.

"Perhaps."

Shen Qingqiu couldn't say no to her, even if he wished. Though, every time he saw Liu Mingyan's sparring style, her brother would come to mind. It was a headache just waiting to happen.
H

He watched as the other woman dragged Ning Yingying away, having no authority to stop them.

Part of him felt relief, instead content to ignore the awful swirl of conflicting emotions in his chest. The interaction left him in thought until he happened upon his destination.

Two doors, closed tightly shut met his line of vision. His eyes narrowed as he stared. Glancing to both sides, he reached out a hand to pull at them. They rattle quietly but didn't budget, much to his dissatisfaction.

"Figures," he spoke to no one in particular.