"James C. Glass - Shanji 3 - The Creators" - читать интересную книгу автора (Glass James C)

I can put them within an hour from orbit, Gong-gong. You've seen me do that before today.
Not when distracted, dear.

Even the Chancellor of the Moshuguang could not shield the good humor in his mind, but
then Ma was suddenly there to defend her daughter.
Mengmoshu is such a tease in early morning before his desk is heaped with work, dear.
It will pass. Good morning, Father.

Ah, you also work early.
What else am I to do when my husband is away? Yesui, I've written a note for your father,
and Tanchun is bringing it to you. We have family on that ship, so do try hard to focus on your
work when you get there.

Oh, Mother. Yesui left her balcony and closed the plasdoor behind her. I'll go right now,
then.

Good, said Mengmoshu, then, Kati, we must talk in person. Would you join me for noon
tea at Stork Tower? It's about...well...please excuse us, Yesui.

And they were suddenly shielded from her.

"Now what?" said Yesui. She took one step towards her bed, but then there was a soft
rapping at her door. When she opened it, Tanchun was standing there holding out a sheet
of vellum to her. The servant of Shanji's Empress and also Weimeng, first wife of its
former Emperor, was rapidly greying but still slender and graceful. "For you, from your
Mother," she said softly, "and you have another visitor here."

Yesui took the note, read it quickly and peered past Tanchun to see Nokai standing
there dressed in the robe of a Lan-Sui priest, his eyes twinkling with amusement. She was
suddenly aware of her disheveled hair and the rumpled old robe she wore. Her heart
pounded, Tanchun smiled shyly, bowed, and glided away from them.

"Nokai! You were right here, and I didn't feel your presence," she gasped.

"I wanted to surprise you, and succeeded," he said, stepping up close and taking her
hands in his. "I know you have work to do, and I have an unusually early meeting to
attend. Yesterday you asked me what I would like to see next on Shanji, and I've finally
decided what it is: the pagoda, the memorial shrine in your honor at the summit of Three
Peaks. I wish to go there with you late this afternoon and perhaps hear the story about a
shrine I understand you have not yet seen, even though it honors you."

He squeezed her hands gently and she was lost to his will. "Near sunset," she said. "I
will arrange a flyer."

"Not by horse?" he said.

"I don't ride horses," said Yesui. "Mother is disappointed by this, of course, but I wasn't
raised in the mountains like she was. Besides, the trip is hours by horseback and a flyer
can have us there in minutes."