Work Text:
No one knew who Luo Qingyang was, but that didn't bother her anymore. Sure, there had been days - mostly when she was buying her own supplies and mending her own robes - but truthfully she knew she wouldn't have it any other way.
She had taken a noble stance, and that was how she wanted to remember herself, even if she wasn't remembered that way. If she ever doubted her actions that day, she always remembered Hanguang-Jun, standing to bow and respect her decision, and the bellowing words of Nie Mingjue telling the others how she had more conviction than their entire room of whispering rumors. Those memories buoyed her more than any of the rumors could tear her down.
It had given her the chance to be a better cultivator than she ever could have in her clan. Sure, she had liked her clanmates - most of the ones her age had been her friends, and good people - but she hardly missed the hierarchy of old men with older ideals. Her sour experiences with the Wen clan brat had been an extreme, but sadly not unique. Just less subtle.
Out here on her own, she wasn't expected to be the most talented, to outshine her prettiness - lest she be thought of gaining her position only through that. Out here to the common folk, she was a Cultivator, a savior, skilled and wise, and they happily fed her and let her rest if it meant a peace to the surrounding ghosts. Sure, some people were a little wary when she offered coin, instead of a line of credit with the name of a well-known clan, but her coin spent just as well and their objections didn't last long. At least a Cultivator showed up, they would whisper in the kitchen. Sometimes the clans didn't bother with "smaller inconveniences" of minor ghosts and spirits, when each unsettled soul made a huge impact on a community.
"Will you be staying in town longer, Miss Cultivator?" The innkeeper asked her as he set down a fresh cup of tea, shaking her from her thoughts. "We've plenty of room if you'd like to stay longer… It would be our pleasure. After what you did helping settle that old granny's spirit in the woods, it's the least we can do."
Qingyang smiled as she accepted the tea, handing back her empty mug. "I haven't plans, but if it's not an inconvenience, I could use a couple days to redraw my stock of charms."
"Of course, no trouble at all!" the proprietor replied, cheerful and sincere as he set down a small plate of melon seeds as well. "That spirit was from my wife's family; we're very much grateful for your help. Please let us know if there's anything at all we can do for you."
Qingyang bowed her head respectfully, her smile never leaving. "If I think of anything I will let you know - thank you so much." The man nodded, pleased as he returned to check on his other guests. Qingyang took the tea, watching the autumn leaves fall outside and decided she much preferrred the grateful smiles of farmers and merchants over the practiced responses of gentles anyways.