Not all of them. I just brought a skillset with me that makes navigating this place a little easier. The politics here aren't too unlike home and it's not too difficult to use them to one's advantage so long one understands their value here. If you have rank, you're given some measure of status and influence to go with it. I haven't quite figured out how the house decides these things, however.

[Nie Huaisang hasn't been paying attention or at least, not as closely as he should be. There's bliss in ignorance and he's guilty of embracing it. For once, he's happy with the life he's leading, even if he knows there's certain expectations that'll he'll have to find a way to meet here as well. He intends to but it'll need to happen on his own terms.]

I've yet to feel a strong enough reason to get a proper feel for the lay of the land here but that is one reason I'm not in my room today. While the fortunes have been in my favor, that might not always last and I'd rather be prepared than not be.

[Despite Jin Guangyao's accusations, Nie Huaisang has gained quite a bit of perspective on life over the course of the past decade.]