My Dear Most Honored and Respected Elder Brothers Who Almost Got Me Killed,
I write to you to urge greater caution, in the future, when planning expeditions like the one you sent me on a few years ago. I have recently come into possession of proof that, had the trip been completed, you would have had one less little brother.
And then who would have taken care of Ryuuren, when he bothers to visit?
Shuuei considered his opening and nodded. Guilt and threat in equal measures; his family would appreciate it.
This would likely have been even more speedily true had I attempted to deliver the expedition’s goods while the subject of the transaction was still in the initial circumstances that occasioned the journey.
Shuuei paused again and ran that over in his mind a few times. It seemed sufficiently vague and confusing to be safe–at least, as safe as it ever could be, admitting to having tried to kill the now-heir-apparent. And if it ever did come to the Prince’s attention, well, all Shuuei had to do was point out that it had been done for Ryuuki’s sake, and he probably wouldn’t die.
In short, even I couldn’t have done it. This has, of course, turned out to be a felicitous fact in the end, but I felt you deserved to be in possession of all the facts so that the next clan decision is less potentially catastrophic.
Know that you have, as always, all my regard.
Ran Shuuei
Shuuei stowed the scroll for travel and tied its box firmly. He would give it to the couriers that evening, he thought.
It was always good to let his family know he was still doing well.
End
Ran politics ftmfw. I love using having to spend time with Ryuuren as a threat, and Shuuei managing to be so polite and so pissy at the same time. Also? all Shuuei had to do was point out that it had been done for Ryuuki’s sake, and he probably wouldn’t die. Lol. Probably.
*giggling* I think Shuuei likes to tweak his family.
And for serious. He’d better hope he has time to say it if Seien ever does find out!
ahahaha. Shuuei, you dork! Okay, so Seien probably won’t kill you if its for Ryuuki, but your life wouldn’t be terribly comfortable either. And the wonderful little glimpse into the currents of politics in Saiunkoku! they’d be undercurrents, except there’s nothing under about them aside from needful subtlety – all the players know that moves are being made, even if they don’t know what they are.
*grins* I really love Shuuei’s interaction with Seiran. Seiran is so snippy with him. Which, of course, probably told us right there that Shuuei knew something about who Seiran was, that he went ahead and dropped his ‘house retainer’ mask.