It wasn't cheating, per se. China was simply utilizing all of her natural resources. One of those happened to be a certain gift with sigils, that was all.

"Goodness, that is gracious of you." And also utter nonsense, but if Valdis wanted to perpetuate the illusion they were all happy families and give China access to information meant solely for her, well, China wasn't going to try to talk her out of it. "Very well, my dear Valdis, I'll stay."