15

"Bats!  They're everywhere.  Are you sure this is a good idea, highness?"  Bingquing ducked her head as a stalactite brushed the top of her head.  She clutched a stalagmite to brace herself.

"It's not.  It's the complete opposite of that.  It's a genuinely horrible idea.  But I think you'll notice many of my horrible ideas lead to a safe Ning Ren, Ning Fan and Qing.  This is the only thing that mattered."

Ning Fan tapped against the side of the cave and got some of the cave slime between his fingers and tasted it.  "It's salt and dirt."

Ning Ren slapped his shoulder as he gestured at the broad expanse, "This is a fine cave that I shall make into a new manor to house all of my servants and horses and cannons and cavalry."  His voice echoed through the cave as Bingquing looked on in disdain.

They continued on their walk.  As they came to a fork, Ning Fan knocked against a section of the wall.  There was an answering knock.  Bingquing was incredibly confused as it was a random place to do such a thing.  But she couldn't believe her eyes as the wall seemed to move forwards and to the side to reveal a smiling servant woman.

She put a finger to her lips and smiled as she bade them all in.

The inside was incredibly spacious.  It was the size of the whole back garden in the previous manor house.  The space was buzzing with a few servants who were packing things and making supper.  Everyone bowed at Ning Ren when he entered.

"Get up quickly, you have all done well to get out as quickly as you could."

The woman made a gesture and everyone went back to their previous tasks.  She turned and led them into a room that had been hollowed out and fitted with all the trappings of a bedroom.  Ning Fan ran back in the direction of the servants as the woman closed the door behind them.

"He wants to inquire after his swain,"  Ning Ren pointed at the bed.  "You have clean clothes.  The keeper will be in shortly with something to eat.  You may choose this opportunity to take the carriage and leave us if you wish.  It can be in the morning.  The old carriage isn't of much use to us."

"I'll leave without the carriage."  Bingquing said calmly.  "There is a merchant caravan in a town a couple miles from here that will be going where I have relatives."

Ning Ren spoke bitterly.  "I wish I had relatives that I felt I could go to.  Most of mine wish I was not there to obstruct their path to the throne and into father's affections."

"Everyone has someone, your grace.  You spoke earlier about an uncle."

"He is not related to me by blood.  More of my mother's former lover before my father took a liking to her and decided to put her into the harem.  She died not long after having me.  I was raised by another who cared for her own son more than me.  I rarely speak of these things to others.  You always make me want to."

Bingquing shrugged, "I am always everyone's listening ear.  Few ask of the troubles of Qing."

"I care.  But I would like to know you when you return to your place if you arrive safe."

"You will probably being sent to Jungpi to be married?"

Ning Ren closed his mouth.

Bingquing continued her train of thought.  "Mo'lan wanted to be a concubine.  It was splendid to her the idea of being pampered and fighting others.  I long to be somewhere I have no such worries."

"I could make you such a place."

Bingquing smiled.  Ning Ren could see there was moisture brimming on her eyes.  "I have enjoyed being in your manor. I saw many things I would not have seen otherwise.  But I am not going to be an asset in your run for the throne.  I am useless to you."

"Then I'll make more use of you."

"But you cannot guarantee I will not be slain by Ning Zhuo.  Such a risk will hurt everyone around me who know me.  I will return to my people."