"Why wasn't Chifeng-Zun made Chief Cultivator?"
They were finally willing to ask the question out loud.
Nie Mingjue grimaced and kept his gaze set on the projection.
After the hell Wen Ruohan put the cultivation world through, Nie Mingjue thought they needed stability. Doomed as he was to die of a qi deviation, he wasn't exactly stable. He didn't have the temperament or the lifespan to be an effective leader outside of war. So he didn't take the title.
Xichen didn't want it. Nobody was eager to have a Lan as a Chief Cultivator. Their three thousand rules could stay in Cloud Recesses. Not that Xichen would hold them to that standard, but no one was interested in a Chief Cultivator who wouldn't drink and didn't believe in decadence.
Jiang Wanyin, well, no one wanted him in power as long as Wei Wuxian was an issue.
If he'd known Huaisang's true strength, Nie Mingjue would have taken the position. He'd have let himself be a figurehead while his younger brother handled the politics. Maybe they could have found a way for him to inherit the title after his death.
Now that he might live…
"I think you'd make a great Chief Cultivator," Lady Qin commented.
Nie Mingjue wouldn't be the worst.
Back at Lotus Pier, the three siblings led their disciples inside. It was still a mess of bloodstains and abandoned weapons and flags. They walked slowly through it. They caught sight of the Wen Sect's sigil. Wei Wuxian gripped Chenqing tighter, resentment started to gather, but Jiang Cheng struck it down with Zidian.
"Good riddance," MianMian muttered, then glanced at Wen Qing to offer an apology if she heard.
They were drawing closer and closer to Qiongqi Pass. To where Wen Qing found her brother's corpse, that Wei Wuxian would later reanimate. Or something along those lines. No one really knew what happened there. Only that there was now a sentient fierce corpse.
"In an ideal world, this would be it, wouldn't it?" Qin Su whispered, "Their happy ending?"
A return home. Not quite triumphant. How could it be, with all they had lost? But they made it home together. Those who slaughtered their Sect met a fitting end. Maybe none of them seemed to have marriage in their immediate future, but they had each other.
"In an ideal world," Chifeng-Zun agreed.
"Then all their problems from here on…" Qin Su trailed off, "Was it all the Jin Sect?"
MianMian paused. It would be easy to blame it on the Jin Sect, just like it was easy to blame everything on the Wen Sect. Sure, they deserved a lot of the blame, but all of it?
Chifeng-Zun shook his head, "Wei Wuxian still needed to hide his lost golden core. He couldn't do that forever in a cultivation Sect."
Wei Wuxian would have left. Jiang Wanyin would be just as angry. Jiang Yanli just as hurt. And without the support of a Sect the cultivation world would have turned against a wandering demonic cultivator. Without anyone to supervise him, it would be impossible to clear his name in any meaningful way.
The Jin Sect sped things up, but the problem was larger than just one Sect.
Back at Gusu, Lan Xichen walked towards his brother's house. He could hear him practicing.
"Xiongzhang," Lan Wangji greeted, but didn't rise.
"According to the disciples, Hanguang-Jun went to the Library the moment he came back, took away many music scores, and focused on playing night and day. So I came to check if that was true."
It obviously was.
"Xiongzhang, I want to enter the forbidden chamber," Lan Wangji requested.
"For what?" Lan Xichen asked.
"To study music scores," Lan Wangji answered.
"The Lan Sect has forbidden techniques?" Jin Guangshan asked.
It shouldn't surprise him. Every Sect tended to hoard valuables. Information counted as such. He always suspected the Lan Sect wasn't as righteous behind closed doors as they were when being overbearing…
Lan Xichen smiled slightly, "Techniques that are beyond the capabilities of most cultivators."
Because Zewu-Jun and Hanguang-Jun were above them all in power.
"Of course," Jin Guangshan matched his fake smile, "Though we've all seen what Wei Wuxian is capable of with a flute."
The Lan Sect did have the Yin Iron. It may have been knowledge solely kept to the Sect Leaders, but there might have been another Lan Yi somewhere in the centuries, or someone who gave the Yin Iron more thought. They were also the Sect that valued musical cultivation the most.
"Nothing in there is similar to Wei Ying's techniques," Hanguang-Jun said solemnly.
Jin Guangshan didn't know what to say to that. He just had a feeling they were about to see the side of the Lan Sect they would prefer to keep in private. Of course, Hanguang-Jun wanted to explain why he didn't follow Wei Wuxian after the war, leading to this opportunity.
Then a disciple came with a summons from Lan Qiren, and they both went to him.
"Cleansing resentment?" Lan Xichen asked.
"Yes," Lan Qiren set down his tea, "I wasn't there when you made your attack on Qishan. But to a certain extent, I know how tragic the last battle was. I've also heard about Wei Wuxian."
Lan Xichen glanced at his brother, who just looked down.
Jiang Yanli bit her lip.
When Hanguang-Jun said there was nothing in the Lan's forbidden chamber similar to A-Xian's techniques, she believed him. Everyone believed him. Because if there was anything similar, then there would already be methods to help A-Xian.
If he found anything, not even Lan Qiren would have stopped him from helping A-Xian.
Her father-in-law was trying to make it sound like the Lan Sect didn't embody the righteousness of their motto.
He didn't realize that righteousness didn't factor into this situation at all. There was only Hanguang-Jun desperately trying to help the love of his life. He was looking for a solution where everyone else looked for elimination. Even his own family didn't support him in his love.
At least A-Xian and A-Cheng kept their thoughts on A-Xuan to themselves. She knew they didn't see him the same way she did, but they refrained from insulting him to her face. They let her make her own choices without interference.
It couldn't be easy for Hanguang-Jun.
But that wasn't quite what was upsetting her.
Something about this just felt wrong. Teacher Lan could be harsh, but she thought he had a soft spot for his nephews. She also thought that he would know better than to listen to the rumors about A-Xian. Yes, he still held some prejudice because of his personality and parentage, but this felt like his issues went deeper than those.
Lan Qiren stroked his beard, "When the nest falls, no egg will survive. Now there are corpses everywhere. It will easily beget evil. Also, the Wen Sect was using such demonic cultivation. If it isn't cleansed in time, there will be an unimaginable outcome."
"Yes, Shufu," Lan Xichen acknowledged.
"Shufu-" Lan Wangji stepped forward.
Lan Qiren held up a hand, then picked up a book, "Wangji. You don't need to accompany Xichen this time. You have another assignment. That day, Xichen left with our sacred books, it was hard to avoid missing or damaging some in the rush. Now, mending the collected books and the Lan disciplines is our first priority."
Lan Wangji accepted the book.
"There is no order without rules," Lan Qiren started walking away, "Disciplines are the foundation of our Sect. I hope you won't forget that."
It was a layered conversation.
Don't forget the rules.
Don't continue associating with Wei Wuxian.
Forget him. Remember your place. Go where the chaos was. Don't add to it.
Lan Wangji followed and knelt, holding the book out, "Shufu, I want to enter the forbidden chamber."
Lan Qiren turned to him, "Have you finished all the books in the Library?"
"Shufu, I want to enter the forbidden chamber," Lan Wangji repeated.
"If you have not, there's no need to enter there," Lan Qiren replied, walking past him again.
Lan Xichen patted his brother's shoulder, and Lan Wangji rose, visibly upset. They both bowed and started to leave.
"Wangji," Lan Qiren called after him, "Do you know why I won't let you leave with Xichen?" Lan Wangji blinked in fast succession, and Lan Qiren hesitated, "Leave now."
Nie Huaisang tilted his head. That was an odd wording.
Why didn't Lan Qiren let him leave? Because Hanguang-Jun would go to Wei Wuxian. He didn't want Hanguang-Jun to ruin himself over a man who, at this point, was rumored to be another Wen Ruohan in the making. However, he didn't say any of this. The way he said it implied previous discussions about controlling passion because of image or righteousness.
If those existed, he was certain Er-ge and Hanguang-Jun would have included them.
Which meant the conversation came before Wei Wuxian's arrival at Cloud Recesses.
Considering neither Hanguang-Jun or Er-ge had anything resembling an illicit affair before then…
"Are they really so worried about their image?" Jiang Cheng muttered, "Would one scandal ruin the Lan Sect?"
Oh! Nie Huaisang stared at his brother, a conversation coming to mind. After their father's death, Er-ge came to visit. Da-ge, being Da-ge, naturally channeled his grief into anger. He couldn't take it out on Wen Ruohan, not then, so he started shouting at Er-ge. He didn't know that Nie Huaisang was just outside the room.
He only remembered it because it was the only time anyone ever mentioned Qingheng-Jun or Madam Lan where he could hear. He'd always just assumed Madam Lan died young and Qingheng-Jun was one of those powerful cultivators who went into seclusion seeking immortality, and something went wrong.
It made sense to him because he was a Nie, and Nie died young from cultivation issues.
Now that he thought about it, other cultivators weren't supposed to die that young.
Which meant Hanguang-Jun and Wei Wuxian weren't the Lan Sect's only scandal.
Back at Lotus Pier, Jiang Cheng stood before his gathered disciples. Jiang Yanli stood to his side. Wei Wuxian was across the pavilion, leaning on a rail.
"I, Jiang Cheng, as the son of Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, from now on officially succeed as Sect Leader of the YunmengJiang. The discipline of the Jiang Sect is to attempt the impossible," Jiang Cheng stated, "As long as I'm still breathing, I'll devote myself to the core value of our Sect. I won't allow another disaster to happen!"
The disciples knelt and saluted, "Jiang-zongzhu."
Jiang Cheng turned to his sister, who smiled.
Wei Wuxian already stood apart.
Jiang Cheng had noticed. It was hard not to. He wanted his brother to stand on his other side, or at least, to stand first amidst their disciples. But no, he stood far away, as though he were just an observer.
He knew why he didn't ask. How could Jiang Cheng speak of their Sect's destruction without remembering his shameful behavior? How could he mention his parents without the knowledge that his mother would have approved of Wei Wuxian's standing at this moment? How even his father might have agreed with this?
"I can feel you angsting, Jiang-xiong," Nie Huaisang scolded, "You make a great Sect Leader."
"Just a terrible brother," Jiang Cheng scoffed.
"It's not your fault people keep secrets, Wanyin," Wen Qing said, "It was never a matter of trust. It was…" She hesitated, "He loved you too much to allow himself to become a burden."
Jiang Cheng could have been better. More understanding. He shouldn't have assumed Wei Wuxian lost less in the war. He shouldn't have tried to rationalize his behavior as normal.
He just didn't want to admit that he may have lost Wei Wuxian too.
Jiang Yanli watched the disciples train under Jiang Cheng's supervision. She noticed when another disciple approached, pulling her brother away. She started towards them, watching as he read a letter, "I'm not available now. Go to Wei Wuxian."
"Wei-shixiong is not in Lotus Pier," The disciple stammered.
"Once again?" Jiang Cheng's temper flared, "Did he go to town again?"
"A-Cheng," Jiang Yanli intervened, "I'll be there in a moment. You go serve the tea. Don't slight our guests."
The disciple left, "Understood."
"Lotus Pier has been rebuilt, but everything has changed," Jiang Yanli said, "Maybe he's just not used to it."
"Not used to it?" Jiang Cheng echoed, "Am I used to it? He's just used to being unruly at home. So much for helping me revive the Jiang Sect, huh? I can't see his efforts at all."
"A-Cheng," She placed a hand on his arm, but he just went back to training.
And so it began.
There was nothing Wei Wuxian could do to help his Sect. His mere presence gave the Jiang Sect strength, but preventing them from falling any farther wasn't the same as helping them rise. Anything he did in the rebuilding would have been looked down upon by the rest of the cultivation world.
He protected the Jiang Sect, but anything more would have tainted it.
How frustrating.
Maybe the Jin Sect didn't have to do anything to get Wei Wuxian to snap. For a man who pulled off the impossible for his loved ones...to suddenly be useless might be the worst hell imaginable. There was nothing he could do.
Idle hands become evil's tools.
Lan Xichen walked down the street of Yunmeng. He heard a laugh and looked up.
"Zewu-Jun," Wei Wuxian called down from where he was sitting in a window, drinking, "What a coincidence!"
"Wei-gongzi," Lan Xichen called back, "It's good to see you."
"You came to Yunmeng, Zewu-Jun?" A-Li asked, her voice off.
Jin Zixuan noticed immediately, and sent a strange look at the Lan Sect Leader.
Zewu-Jun was tense, "Did Wei Wuxian not mention it?"
"Wei Wuxian said nothing," Jiang Wanyin sat up straighter, "Why not announce your presence?"
It was rude for any Sect to enter another's territory without announcing their presence. Just a letter was polite. Exceptions were made for night hunts, but this wasn't a night hunt. Zewu-Jun was ordered to Qishan, not Yunmeng. For neither his wife nor the Sect Leader to know about another Sect Leader's presence...well, it was suspicious and rude.
Especially for a Lan, but it looked like they were learning a lot about the Lan Sect.
It was a terrible time for them to seem less than perfect.
"I wasn't supposed to be there," Zewu-Jun admitted, "But since Wangji was…"
"Confined?" Jin Zixuan offered, because that's what it was. One of the best cultivators of their generation was on book duty instead of seeing to the lingering resentment of the war. Just to keep him away from Wei Wuxian.
"I believed I should make an attempt on his behalf," Zewu-Jun sounded...guilty?
A-Li's eyes widened, "You upset A-Xian."
Zewu-Jun's head snapped up, "If I did, it wasn't my intention. I thought Wangji's feelings were unreciprocated. I didn't think...I didn't think he cared."
"Let's just see what happened," A-Li dismissed, but Jin Zixuan could tell she was angry.
There were many people who insulted Wei Wuxian. Jin Zixuan was amongst them, as was his cousin. He certainly hadn't expected Zewu-Jun to do anything to upset Wei Wuxian.
Being an overprotective sibling just seemed unnecessary when said sibling was Hanguang-Jun.
"How come Zewu-Jun has some spare time to be in Yunmeng?" Wei Wuxian asked, "If you're not in a rush," He swirled his drink, "Let's have a drink together?" Lan Xichen smiled and looked down, and Wei Wuxian laughed again, "Oh, I forgot. The Lan are forbidden to drink."
"Not exactly," Lan Xichen disagreed, and moved to go inside the tavern.
Lan Xichen got himself some wine and sat down. They both drained two cups.
Lan Qiren tensed at the whispering around the room.
He should have kept both his nephews confined to Cloud Recesses and just gone to Qishan himself. Wangji? He expected to run off and find Wei Wuxian. Xichen? He'd had more hope for, especially as Lianfeng-Zun was also in Qishan to help with the post-war efforts.
He was aware of the hypocrisy. He saw his own with every statement he made of Wei Wuxian that was based more on rumor than fact.
However, he hoped to spare Xichen from the same.
"I'm sorry, Shufu," Xichen apologized, "I shouldn't have…"
Drank? Gone to Yunmeng? Made multiple assumptions that would ultimately hurt Wei Wuxian?
"Making mistakes is inevitable, Xichen," Lan Qiren dismissed, "That you feel guilty about them makes you better than most here."
Lianfeng-Zun flinched.
"Zewu-Jun, you really can drink," Wei Wuxian complimented, "Compared to Lan Zhan, you're so different. It can't be...It can't be that Zewu-Jun drinks secretly in Cloud Recesses just like I did, right?" Lan Xichen just stared at him, and he let it drop, "Zewu-Jun, that was ill-considered. I'm sorry."
"Actually, I cleanse the alcohol using my golden core," Lan Xichen admitted, "So this can't be counted as drinking."
"Zewu-Jun, you are such a capable gentleman," Wei Wuxian hesitated, "But...Zewu-Jun, cleansing should be Lan Zhan's interest. Why didn't he come along?"
"He was ordered to stay home and mend our family disciplines," Lan Xichen answered.
Wei Wuxian choked on his drink, "That's more than three thousand disciplines. Zewu-Jun, that is such an unbearable task. Mending so many disciplines, isn't it the same as being imprisoned? He might be confined to the mountain for three years!"
Lan Xichen's expression faltered.
Lan Wangji understood it had been essentially an imprisonment. He just hadn't seen it that way.
He understood his family's concerns. Uncle hadn't wanted him to make the same mistake as his father, even though Lan Wangji would never consider it a mistake. He knew Wei Ying's choices were concerning. He was concerned himself.
To all these people, who didn't know about his parents, Uncle was being too harsh.
He wondered, briefly, if his brother would be alright with informing the Jiang siblings. If he said something worthy of rebuke, then Jiang Yanli should know it came from a desire to protect. To protect him from heartbreak. To protect him from a life of condemnation and shame, had Wei Ying been as demonic as his cultivation implied.
He couldn't blame his brother for trying.
Lan Wangji wondered if anyone ever tried to help their mother.
"Well," Wei Wuxian continued to muse, "I've been idle recently. In a couple of days, I will go with you to Cloud Recesses to visit him. Back then, he watched over me while I transcribed disciplines. Now I can be in his position." He grinned, "That seems more fun." He shook his head in amusement.
Lan Xichen set his cup down, "If Wei-gongzi would come to Gusu, how about listening to some of the music Wangji just learned?"
Wei Wuxian froze, setting down his cup without drinking from it.
So close.
Zewu-Jun came so close to convincing him.
Wen Qing grimaced as Jiang Wanyin swore. It was almost funny. If Hanguang-Jun went himself, there was no way he would have been able to convince Wei Wuxian to do anything. Zewu-Jun always gave the appearance of being nonjudgmental and compassionate. It was why Wei Wuxian agreed to drink with him when he pushed everyone else away.
"Er-ge, all you had to do was keep quiet," Nie Huaisang complained.
"I didn't…" Zewu-Jun trailed off, then sighed, "I misjudged him."
"Even the Yiling Patriarch cares for Zewu-Jun's opinion," Wen Qing said carefully, "How could anyone not?"
People were always eager to bring down heroes, but Zewu-Jun had opposed the killing of her people. Yes, he was fooled by Lianfeng-Zun into thinking it wasn't happening, and thought Hanguang-Jun was duped by Wei Wuxian, but none of that came from malice. He was a gentle person in a harsh world.
Like A-Ning. The best of intentions didn't always lead to the best results.
"They all can clear your mind and help you concentrate," Lan Xichen continued.
Now suspicious, Wei Wuxian asked, "What's your intention in saying that, Zewu-Jun?"
"Wangji has been playing Cleansing lately. I wonder if you know why?" Lan Xichen replied.
"You deliberately came to Yunmeng to persuade me?" Wei Wuxian didn't smile this time as Lan Xichen shook his head, "Then you did it under someone's request." Lan Xichen shook his head again, and Wei Wuxian scoffed slightly, pouring himself more wine, "Zewu-Jun, are people in the Lan Sect so fond of meddling?"
Wei Wuxian grinned without warmth and downed his cup.
Jin Guangyao found this entire exchange fascinating.
Wei Wuxian could have been convinced to go to Gusu. All Er-ge had to do was frame it as helping Hanguang-Jun. He could have played on Wei Wuxian's hero complex, if only he knew that was what was going on here.
But Er-ge thought Wei Wuxian a villain, and had to point out how there would be a cleansing if he came to Cloud Recesses.
"I'm sorry, Wangji," Er-ge apologized.
Hanguang-Jun said nothing. He didn't look upset with his older brother's failure. Then again, Er-ge did this without anyone prompting him to. He saw his younger brother's desperation and decided he had to try.
He saw his father's tragedy repeating itself and had to try.
"Even if you had the right words, Er-ge, you couldn't have convinced him," Jin Guangyao said, "Not to save himself."
His gaze flickered to Huaisang, who had only convinced Wei Wuxian to do this much because of the Wen Remnants he protected. Huaisang stared back at him, questions in his eyes that Jin Guangyao couldn't give him. It wasn't his story to share.
Though it would help explain Er-ge's behavior.
"Wangji is my brother," Lan Xichen said, "I know his thoughts well. No matter if you listen or not, I have a few words to say."
Wei Wuxian tapped his cup, urging him to speak.
"There are set rules in this world, and goodness is in regulation," Lan Xichen watched him drink faster, "If you were the only one in the world, you could surely do whatever at your will." Wei Wuxian got another cup, "Unfortunately, everyone has a say in the world. I hope you won't be so self-centered since people you care about are affected by your actions."
Wei Wuxian froze.
"Self-centered?" Jiang Yanli couldn't help but echo.
She remembered this day. She remembered A-Cheng's anger, and her own hopelessness at the situation. She thought A-Cheng had been short with A-Xian, and that was why he was so sad when he spoke with her in front of her parents' memorial tablets. She should have known better. A-Xian was used to A-Cheng's temper.
He hadn't expected to face Zewu-Jun's contempt.
She hadn't expected Zewu-Jun's contempt either. There had to be a reason, but was any reason good enough?
"A thousand apologies," Zewu-Jun bowed his head, "I had not thought Wei Wuxian would listen to me."
"So you threatened him?" Of course A-Cheng interpreted that exchange as a threat, "With us?"
"Please understand," Zewu-Jun closed his eyes, "There is very little that can hurt Wangji, and even less that can break his heart. I spoke wrong out of fear and anger."
Fear of what? The anger she could understand. She was feeling angry herself, but what was he so afraid of?
"You led A-Xian to believe his existence would cause us pain," Jiang Yanli criticized.
"Just like Madam Yu," Nie Huaisang added.
That was why this was upsetting her. Her mother always insisted A-Xian would bring ruin upon their family. She blamed him for the attack on Lotus Pier, blamed him for her own death and that of her husband.
To bring that up again after Wei Wuxian internalized that blame...there was no longer any question about why A-Xian left.
"I didn't realize I would be repeating your mother's mistake," Zewu-Jun apologized.
Jiang Yanli caught the slight inflection on your. She suddenly realized she knew nothing of Zewu-Jun and Hanguang-Jun's parents. Was that what Zewu-Jun was afraid of? What they were all afraid of in some way?
Repeating their parent's tragedies?
"If you trust Wangji and me, we, the GusuLan, can help you pick up your sword again," Lan Xichen finished.
Wei Wuxian's eyes grew red, his smile strained, "I trust you." Then he focused on Lan Xichen, his expression hardening, "But I don't want to pick it up." He set his cup down and picked up Chenqing and the jar of wine. He started to leave.
"Wei-gongzi," Lan Xichen called after him, rising as well, "Demonic cultivation harms your temperament. The Stygian Tiger Amulet is hard to control. If your mind is completely lost, it will cause-"
"I still want to give it a shot," Wei Wuxian interrupted, raising his voice, "Maybe I am the prodigy." He waved his jar at Lan Xichen, spilling wine on the floor, then left.
Disrespect for disrespect.
MianMian was familiar with the concept, even if she rarely got to put it into action herself.
This only cemented the bad opinion Zewu-Jun had of Wei Wuxian.
"I didn't think Xichen had it in him," Chifeng-Zun muttered.
"The drinking or the warning?" Qin Su inquired.
Chifeng-Zun just snorted, "He tends to give people the benefit of doubt."
MianMian glanced at Lianfeng-Zun, then Su Minshan. Some people definitely benefited from that doubt. No one else would have stood between Chifeng-Zun and the object of his ire. Any other Sect would have killed Su Minshan for his betrayal and cowardice.
"It's not like anyone else was giving Wei Wuxian the same benefit," Qin Su flicked her gaze at the gossiping hoard.
"No one else holds themselves to as high of standards," MianMian grimaced.
Nothing Zewu-Jun said was any worse than what everyone else gossiped about.
Jiang Cheng was polishing his sword when Wei Wuxian wandered in with that same jar of wine. He paused, but didn't stop.
"Jiang Cheng, you're still awake?" Wei Wuxian asked, "Perfect. I brought you liquor."
"Piss off," Jiang Cheng snapped.
Wei Wuxian sighed, "Why are you cleaning your sword all day long?" He sat down on the steps of the throne, "How many times a day shall you clean your sword?"
"Where's yours?" Jiang Cheng demanded, "How long ago did you last clean it?"
Wei Wuxian just took a drink, "I left it in my room. Once a month should do."
"Not carrying a sword in public. Drinking in a tavern all day," Jiang Cheng listed, "Someone would presume that Lotus Pier is the inn where you rest when you've drunk enough."
Wei Wuxian got up to follow him, wrapping an arm around him, "Don't be so mad, Jiang Cheng."
Jiang Cheng shoved him, "Go away."
Wei Wuxian fell to the ground.
"Are you alright?" Jiang Cheng turned to him, "Too drunk to manage your spiritual power? Look at yourself."
Wei Wuxian looked pale. Terrified.
So close.
But in a different way.
Nie Huaisang could understand freezing. It was always a uniquely paralyzing fear that others would stumble upon the truth. He didn't know how Da-ge managed to keep a straight face whenever people muttered about Baxia. Nie Huaisang could barely manage any conversation about the sabers without cringing.
Lucky for him, people thought he cringed out of shame for his inabilities.
"It's astonishing no one found him out sooner," Wen Qing commented.
"It's obvious in retrospect," Nie Huaisang agreed.
Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth. Wen Qing hesitantly placed her hand on his elbow. His fists loosened almost immediately.
Some secrets weren't kept out of malice, but love.
Nie Huaisang was pretty sure Wen Qing was talking about herself and Wei Wuxian. Other people kept secrets for less savory reasons.
"Saying something about reviving the Jiang Sect with me," Jiang Cheng continued to complain, stepping closer to offer a hand.
"Stay there," Wei Wuxian thrust Chenqing between them.
Jiang Cheng frowned, "What do you mean? Do you want to fight?"
Wei Wuxian's arm trembled as he brought it down, "I'm tired," He used Chenqing to stand, "We can fight tomorrow." He stumbled, "I'll go to sleep." Then he shakily left.
Lan Xichen felt a now familiar rush of shame.
If it weren't for him, Wei Wuxian would have navigated this conversation better. He wouldn't have left their disaster of a conversation only to be reminded of how risky his situation was in Lotus Pier.
"I'm not angry, Xiongzhang," Wangji assured him.
"You never threatened A-Yao," Lan Xichen pointed out.
His brother stared at him blankly.
"I know," Lan Xichen sighed, "It was different."
It didn't stop everyone else from being angry and disappointed with him. Even though Jiang Wanyin's own behavior towards Wei Wuxian took some of the edge off the comments on his own.
"They don't understand," A-Yao explained gently, "With your history-"
"We don't speak of it," Uncle interjected.
Lan Xichen considered the suggestion for what it was. The cultivation world knew the Lan Sect was romantic. They told stories about how the Lan Sect was founded because of true love. Their parent's tragedy was just an extension of that. Both of them were long dead now, and while it wouldn't make their elders look any better…
They'd watched others do worse.
Was that reason enough to share this?
Except he didn't go to his room. Jiang Yanli was sitting in the ancestral shrine, cleaning her parent's tablets when Wei Wuxian stumbled in.
"Shijie," He got her attention.
She wiped away her tears, "A-Xian. Come here."
Wei Wuxian obeyed, setting down the jar before entering.
"Did you and A-Cheng quarrel again?" Jiang Yanli asked.
"I've gotten used to quarreling with him," Wei Wuxian said, "It's not a big deal. We'll be fine in two days. Don't worry."
"A-Xian," Jiang Yanli didn't look at him, "Are you…" She trailed off then looked up at him, "Are you tired of staying in Lotus Pier?"
"If he wanted to leave, would you have let him?" Jin Zixuan asked.
"I just want him to be happy," Jiang Yanli answered, "When we were younger I thought he would leave to seek Baoshan Sanren. And then Hanguang-Jun came into his life…"
Qin Su wondered if that was just the way a woman would look at it. All these men, they never thought about leaving home. Why would they? It wasn't like men would one day be married off and have to leave their homes. They were the heirs, the ones who would run things after their parents were gone.
Women were raised to believe they'd find their happiness elsewhere.
Of course Jiang Yanli would be compelled to ask Wei Wuxian if he would be happy elsewhere.
Wei Wuxian hurried over, "Shijie, what are you talking about? Lotus Pier is my home. If I don't stay here, where else do you think I can go?"
"I didn't mean that," Jiang Yanli replied, "I was just afraid…"
"Shijie," Wei Wuxian leaned closer, "If Jiang-shushu hadn't adopted me at that time, I'm afraid I'd still be begging along the streets. No matter what happens, I won't leave Lotus Pier and I definitely won't leave you and Jiang Cheng." He grabbed her hands, "Shijie. I know I've been reckless recently. I'll change. I won't do it again. Please don't be mad at me."
No matter what happens.
Wen Qing wished that was a promise he could have fulfilled. She squeezed Jiang Wanyin's arm tighter in consolation.
Wei Wuxian was trying for their sake. He was trying to put aside all the negativity and be who Jiang Yanli and Jiang Wanyin expected him to be. He was completely removed from all discussions about the Wen Sect's fate. He had no way of knowing what circumstances he would be faced with that led him to break that promise.
"I gave him a way out," Wen Qing admitted.
"What?" Jiang Wanyin glanced at her.
"Right after your visit," Wen Qing looked down, "I told him to leave."
"But Wen Ning wasn't awake yet," More tension bled out of Jiang Wanyin.
"I didn't want to get my brother back…" She shakily inhaled, "At the cost of your brother."
It hadn't resulted in anything. Wei Wuxian stayed. Jiang Wanyin spread the word that Wei Wuxian was no longer a member of the Jiang Sect. She'd gotten A-Ning back, and Wei Wuxian got a year of miserable separation.
"Thank you," Jiang Wanyin whispered.
Jiang Yanli wiped her tears again and smiled, "You little fool." She touched his head, "How can I be mad at you?" He nuzzled into her touch, "Don't you remember that when we were little?"
"I don't," He chuckled, "But I remember what you told me."
"You were born with a smiling face," Jiang Yanli repeated, "Always smiling. You never linger too long on sorrowful things. No matter how bad your situation is, you can always be happy." She placed her hand on his, "Only with that kind of temperament can you stand A-Cheng's bad temper."
"Shijie, I don't have a good temper at all," Wei Wuxian wheedled, "It's all because of you. If not for your sake, I would have been beaten to death a hundred times by Jiang Cheng."
They both laughed, "Silly," Jiang Yanli smiled, "Don't judge A-Cheng from his looks. In fact, he cares so much about you in his heart." She looked away, "Now, our parents are gone. We are the closest three in the world."
Lan Wangji remembered his brief visit to Yiling.
Even then, Wei Ying was smiling. It was something he considered deceptive for a time. He smiled when they fought on the rooftop. He smiled while a cannibal statue was trying to kill them. He smiled when they were trapped in the Xuanwu cave. He smiled after he was unconscious for three days after defeating Wen Ruohan.
Why would Wei Ying smile unless he was completely happy?
Or was that just because Lan Wangji didn't smile except in the rarest of circumstances?
He closed his eyes for a brief moment. It wasn't the reassurance he wished for. Wei Ying would find happiness in the worst circumstances. How was Lan Wangji ever to tell if he was genuinely happy or just making the best of things?
Wei Wuxian's eyes teared up, and he bent to press his forehead on their joined hands, sniffling, "Shijie. I'm hungry."
His absurdity startled a laugh out of her, "Why do you still act like a child?"
Wei Wuxian rested his chin on their hands, "XianXian is three!"
Jiang Yanli laughed and stroked his hair until he drew back, continuing to sniffle, "Right, Shijie. I have a question I've been holding on to for a long time."
Jiang Yanli wiped at her eyes, "Then ask."
"Why would a person like another person?" Wei Wuxian asked, "I mean, to like them so much."
There was only one person that question could refer to.
Zewu-Jun's visit to Yunmeng all but confirmed it.
There was no doubt anymore that the Yiling Patriarch loved Hanguang-Jun. Even if he could only confess to liking him so much.
It only added to the torment of his circumstances. He couldn't help his Sect. Both his siblings were worrying over him, but he couldn't let them too close or they'd discover what was truly wrong. Everyone outside of Lotus Pier was slowly turning on him because of the potentially botched investigation the Jin Sect was running into the Yin Iron.
Why add a forbidden romance on top of that?
Love wasn't something that needed a reason. It simply was.
"Why are you suddenly asking this?" Jiang Yanli inquired, "Do you have someone in your heart?"
"Ah, no, Shijie," Wei Wuxian denied, "I haven't got one." He reconsidered, "At least, there's no need to like a person that much. Isn't that like haltering your own neck?"
Jiang Yanli laughed again, "Three years old is an exaggeration." She tapped his nose, "XianXian is one."
"No, I'm three," Wei Wuxian insisted playfully, "Three-year-old XianXian is hungry."
"There is soup in the kitchen," Jiang Yanli said, "Go have some." Then leaned on one hand, "I just don't know if one-year-old XianXian can reach the cooking bench."
"If I can't, I have my Shijie here to hold me up," Wei Wuxian replied.
"You're talking nonsense," Jiang Yanli teased.
Jin Guangyao regretted not giving Jiang Yanli a chance.
He just saw her as an extension of Jin Zixuan for so long. He assumed she would support her husband and mother-in-law and treat him poorly. Then she was living in Koi Tower, and he saw her every day. She never did anything to insult him. She was kind, though he'd just assumed she was being polite.
Now that he looked back, he saw the chances. She was separated from her brothers, and it wasn't the same role a husband could fill.
Jiang Yanli would have treated him like a brother if he had accepted any of her invitations.
She was a great sister.
Wei Wuxian got up, and found Jiang Cheng listening outside the door. He leaned on a pillar, "Hey. Isn't it shameful for a grown-up to eavesdrop on others?"
"I wasn't," Jiang Cheng denied, "Now that I own the whole Lotus Pier, I can be wherever I want. You can't stop me."
Wei Wuxian walked up to him, "Shijie told me she made lotus root and rib soup for me. Where is it?"
"It's finished," Jiang Cheng answered, "There are only lotus roots left. Go fetch it if you want."
Wei Wuxian wrapped an arm around him and hit his stomach, "You'd better throw it up!"
"I can throw it up," Jiang Cheng's eyes widened, "But you have to eat it if I do."
Wei Wuxian stuck a hand out, "Okay. Just do it. Throw it up."
Jiang Cheng leaned over his hand and gagged.
"Stop it, you two," Jiang Yanli scolded, "How old are you? Quarreling over some ribs. I'll make another pot." They all smiled, "A-Cheng, didn't you lose your Sect Leader demeanour?"
Jiang Cheng fixed his robes and stuck his chest out, unable to keep his growing smile hidden as he burst out laughing. They all joined him.
MianMian laughed.
The three of them were too cute. Truly the best siblings out of the major Sects. Yes, there were secrets and promises that couldn't be kept, but that was just life.
"Jiang-zongzhu looks so handsome when he's happy," Qin Su murmured.
"Don't get your hopes up," MianMian grinned, "I'm sure he'll marry Wen Qing."
Qin Su rolled her eyes, "I didn't mean it like that."
"Uhuh," The rogue cultivator nudged her.
"Can you two not discuss such matters?" Chifeng-Zun requested.
"Don't you ever think about marriage?" Qin Su asked.
Chifeng-Zun scoffed.
What a pity that if the Nie brothers had their way, neither of them would get married. Then again, it seemed like the men of their generation needed a miracle to get them in red. They were completely useless on their own.
"Right, do you still remember you said that when I became Sect Leader, you'd assist me with all your heart just like your father did mine?" Jiang Cheng asked, this time without the bitterness.
Wei Wuxian's smile died, "Of course I do. There are the Twin Jades of Gusu. We are the Twin Heroes of Yunmeng."
"Don't drag me down," Jiang Cheng scolded playfully.
Wei Wuxian punched his stomach again, "When did I drag you down?"
Jiang Cheng elbowed him.
Jiang Cheng shouldn't have let his guard down.
He thought this was the cornerstone and everything would return to how it should be. They both reached their limit of emotional honesty for the month and were fine.
He wasn't sure how to respond to what Wen Qing said. A part of him just scoffed. It didn't matter that Wen Qing gave him permission to leave. Wei Wuxian would never abandon her and her people to die. Another part of him was grateful she understood how important his siblings were to him.
The others feared losing their brothers.
Wen Qing actually lost hers, then got him back.
Jiang Cheng idiotically let his go, and he hoped by the time this was all done he could also get his back. In whatever condition the idiot was in. Then they could be idiots together back where they belonged. And if Hanguang-Jun was there too, well, Jiang Cheng could enjoy making him grovel for his permission to marry Wei Wuxian.
He never should have let the world convince him Wei Wuxian dragged him down.
Jiang Yanli left them alone to go make soup. They stared out over the Lotus pond.
"Right, in a month, it'll be the Phoenix Mountain Crowd Hunt," Jiang Cheng mused, "This is the first crowd hunt of all Sects since the Sunshot Campaign ended. You'd better behave yourself when we are in Lanling. Especially stay clear of Jin Zixuan. He's the only son of Jin Guangshan after all. Their future successor. Their future Sect Leader."
"As a Sect Leader, what should I do if you two start fighting?" Jiang Cheng wondered, "Should I help you fight him? Should I punish you?"
Wei Wuxian sighed, "There's Jin Guangyao, right? I didn't talk to him much, but from my perspective, he is a much more pleasant person than the peacock."
"Pleasant doesn't mean much," Jiang Cheng said, "No matter how pleasant and smart he is, he could only be a servant in charge of greeting guests. He won't go any further in his whole life. He cannot compare with Jin Zixuan."
Jin Zixuan flinched at the statement.
Of course Wei Wuxian had a favorable opinion of Guangyao. The times they met were all favorable. Guangyao stepped in front of Nie Huaisang while Wen Chao threatened everyone. Guangyao arrived to arrest Xue Yang. Wei Wuxian found him injured in the attack on Qinghe.
Wei Wuxian watched him kill Wen Ruohan, almost saving his life in the process.
Compared to every single mistake Jin Zixuan made in front of him, why wouldn't he root for Guangyao to be the Jin Sect Heir even if it was impossible?
Would it hurt Wei Wuxian to realize he'd been wrong? The Jin brother he liked was the one scheming against him. They weren't friends, but it was still a form of betrayal.
Wei Wuxian turned to face him, growing more serious, "Jiang Cheng, what were you thinking when we were in Nightless City? You really wanted Shijie and him…"
"It wasn't unacceptable," Jiang Cheng turned away.
"It wasn't unacceptable?" Wei Wuxian repeated, "Don't you know what he did during the Sunshot Campaign? You're telling me now that was acceptable?"
"He probably regrets it," Jiang Cheng dismissed.
"Who cares if he regrets it?" Wei Wuxian scoffed, "Do you have to forgive when an apology comes? Besides," Wei Wuxian crossed his arms, "Look at his father, fooling around with so many women. Jin Zixuan might take after his father and hang out with women everywhere. If Shijie were with him, could you stand that?"
"How dare he!" Jiang Cheng snapped.
Some did glance at Jin Guangshan.
They'd forgiven him without him even apologizing. They all were aware of the prostitutes and other women who would hang off of him. He was shameless in the worst way.
They were lucky Jin Zixuan didn't take after his father.
They both cooled down.
"The decision of whether he is forgiven or not shouldn't be made by us," Jiang Cheng reasoned, "A-Jie likes him."
Wei Wuxian let out a frustrated huff, "I just can't understand. Why did Shijie choose to like this-" He cut himself off.
Jiang Yanli smiled at her husband.
While it hadn't been her choice to fall in love, it was her choice to forgive. She chose to believe A-Xuan was more than he appeared to be. She chose to believe he regretted every harsh criticism he said to her. She chose to believe he'd changed and grown past the insecurities of his youth.
Her brothers hadn't seen it yet, but she hoped they would. Especially as A-Xuan was more open now.
A-Xian didn't choose to love Hanguang-Jun, and he obviously chose to ignore those feelings rather than let them guide him. It was sad to see him so frustrated and confused about love when his should have been so simple.
Then again, his complications were now obvious.
Hanguang-Jun's were less so. It wasn't in his nature to make grand romantic declarations, nor did his family approve of the match. Yet she didn't think those alone were what was stopping Hanguang-Jun. She was desperately curious what else happened to make him choose restraint. She had a feeling only a handful in this room could tell her.
If they were to be family, shouldn't she know? How could she help if she didn't know?
Wasn't that the whole point of them all being here?
A few days later, as Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli brought in lotus pods with their disciples, they ran into Jiang Cheng and Jin Zixuan.
"Jiang Cheng, you are just in…" Wei Wuxian trailed off.
Jiang Yanli's smile fell, and Jiang Cheng looked between her and Jin Zixuan. Then he made eye contact with Wei Wuxian and cocked his head in a silent question. Wei Wuxian just frowned.
"I'm here to deliver an invitation," Jin Zixuan claimed, as soon as they were settled in the Sword Hall, "We'd like to invite the Jiang Sect to Phoenix Mountain to participate in the crowd hunt."
Wei Wuxian waved his flute, "Jin-gongzi even came in person just for something as little as delivering an invitation. It seems that the YunmengJiang is really respected."
Jin Zixuan looked away, "This is my mother's order. She sincerely hopes that Jiang-guniang will also come along to watch the hunt." He looked back at her.
As did everyone else.
Jiang Yanli set down her cup, "With Madam Jin's kind invitation, I...would like to accept."
"That's great!" Jin Zixuan brightened, and when Jiang Yanli looked at him composed himself, "I mean that my mother will be so delighted to see you."
Jiang Yanli bowed her head in disappointment.
Wei Wuxian sent a bewildered look towards Jiang Cheng, who just averted his gaze.
Neither brother said anything.
Nie Mingjue shared a look with Xichen. The significance was not lost on him.
Each of the Jiang siblings fell in love. Each of the siblings faced difficulties in said love. Circumstances led them to believe they couldn't be with who they wanted.
But Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan were only separated by misunderstandings.
They didn't have to deal with condemnation from the cultivation world or their own family. The Jiang siblings would support each other in any relationship. If Wei Wuxian were a little more honest with himself, then Jiang Yanli and Jiang Wanyin wouldn't have stopped until he got what he wanted. Similarly with Jiang Wanyin.
Nie Mingjue didn't even know what Huaisang's thoughts were on marriage.
One of them had to continue their line.
Nie Mingjue knew it wouldn't be him. Putting the responsibility on Huaisang wasn't his intention, but he also hadn't wanted to push a nephew or niece on him to raise with his widow after he died. He knew now that Huaisang wasn't as frivolous as he pretended to be. Surely he'd given the matter thought.
If he had, then it was yet another secret between them.
Jin Zixuan bowed his head in embarrassment, then got up to take his leave.
Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian led him out silently. Once they were outside Lotus Pier, she turned to him, "Jin-gongzi, please forgive us for not seeing you off."
Jin Zixuan looked like he was trying to figure out what to say.
"Jin-gongzi," Wei Wuxian interrupted, "Haven't you heard?" He gestured for him to leave, "Please."
Jin Zixuan rolled his eyes, and didn't manage to say anything before Jiang Yanli left. He stared after her.
Wei Wuxian moved to block his view, "Why do you keep looking at me? Am I that good looking?"
Nie Huaisang snorted. Jin Zixuan was lucky Wei Wuxian didn't shove him in the lake.
"Have you ever tried to court anyone, Nie Huaisang?" Jin Zixuan demanded.
"Me?" He tilted his head, "Why would I?"
He was just the carefree Young Master of Qinghe. He wasn't renowned for being powerful. Most saw him as pathetic, and thus not a suitable match. It would all change once he was Sect Leader, so that's what he waited for. Otherwise, it was a little too deceptive, even for him.
Sure, it was a romantic notion to find someone who loved him even as he was now, but it felt false. They'd marry him because he loved the arts and spent his free time with the birds. Then Da-ge would die and he'd finally start showing his true colors as Sect Leader...it would be like marrying a different man entirely.
A part of him wanted Da-ge to be at his wedding. Another part of him didn't want Da-ge around any of his hypothetical children because he wanted to spare them the pain of losing him.
He'd given the matter too much and too little thought, ultimately just not pursuing anyone.
It was so easy for these sorts of things to take a turn for the worst.
Jin Zixuan scoffed and made to leave. Then he hesitated again.
"Do you have any business to talk to me about?" Wei Wuxian drew closer.
"Wei-gongzi," Jin Zixuan turned back to him, "My father reminded me to ask you something during my visit. When you and Lan-er-gongzi pursued the Yin Iron, you bound Xue Yang in the Unclean Realm. Now the three other shards have been destroyed. Wei-gongzi, do you know where the last one is?"
"Why are you asking me this?" Wei Wuxian evaded.
"Just answer my question," Jin Zixuan demanded, "Why do you have so many questions?"
"Jin-gongzi, are you exercising your authority now?" Wei Wuxian wondered.
"You-" Jin Zixuan jutted his sword at him, then lowered it, "Wei-gongzi, my father needs to investigate the Yin Iron. If you don't want to help, then forget it. Besides, during the Sunshot Campaign, the power of the Stygian Tiger Amulet affected our cultivators. I hope you can hand it in at the banquet after the night hunt, so those affected can feel safe."
Then he finally left.
The Jiang siblings had finally returned home. They were finally happy.
Events were still happening in the outside world though. Steadily, the cultivation world was turning against Wei Wuxian. It was obvious from Lan Qiren's condemnation to Zewu-Jun's contempt and now Jin Zixuan's brief interrogation.
Wei Wuxian didn't have to do anything. He was literally doing nothing but existing in Lotus Pier. He wasn't using the Amulet or other forms of demonic cultivation. Nor was it having such an obvious effect on him. This whole time, they hadn't heard any of the whispers that tormented him throughout the Sunshot Campaign.
Peace had been good for him.
So someone, somewhere, disturbed it.
The Crowd Hunt was coming up, and almost everyone was certain it was the Jin Sect that led to this misery.