( she sets a bowl down on the table with a short, sharp clank, taking a breath at once before her gaze lifts up from the array and fixes on him, some mix between intense and pleading. her hands fall back and fold in her lap, thumbs briefly fighting with each other before she forces herself in confident, shoulder back, back straight. she's not going to be scared off by jin ling. )

I'll be blunt.

( she says, and it's another beat before she carries on, in the same cadence. same tension in the air, thick like fog. )

I want to ask your uncle to marry me.

( wen qing almost leaves it there and like that, but after another thought she carries on, eye contact maintained throughout the duration. )

I haven't asked him, yet. And I won't, without your blessing.

Of all things, you are what's most precious to him. I know your understanding would mean the world to him, if he chooses to say yes.