Chapter Text
The moon’s reflection dances across the pond, casting a shimmering glow that lit up its surrounding in a magical light. It was a not so quiet evening, people had wine and dine themselves until full. Today was a special occasion, a joyous event for all as Emperor Lan XiChen declared that he will be searching for a consort.
The town were abuzz with excitement, everyone wanted a piece of the emperor, literally and figuratively. Families about, plotting and planning to see which of their sons or daughters would catch the emperor’s eyes. While those in power sees this as an opportunity to strengthen their grip on the absolute power that controls the land.
However, one particular household did not react in such a joyous manner.
The house of Jiang have served the emperor for multiple generations, all full of loyal subjects to each generation of emperor. The current head of the Jiang household was a mild manner lad, by the name of Jiang Cheng.
“Pffttt, mild manner. What is this?!” Wei WuXian said, laughing his ass off. Jiang Cheng runs his hand over his face before snatching his information sheet that his sister, Jiang Yanli had painstakingly put together for him.
“Don’t ask me. Jie wrote that!” Jiang Cheng snapped as he tore up his profile.
“Hey! Jie put that together! She’ll be sad if she knows you did that!” Wei WuXian scolded, gathering up the torn pieces of paper. “Why is she even helping you? If you want to be selected you need to write it yourself!”
“I don’t want to be selected!! For fuck sake, I entered the fucking Imperial Guard to avoid this shit.” Jiang Cheng snapped, slamming his fist onto the table. “What the fuck is this, ‘no one is excluded unless wedded or betrothed’ crap?! This was never in there in the past!!”
“Maybe the choices were limited? Not that there’s much of a difference with you being added.” Wei WuXian said, giving Jiang Cheng the once over.
“You little shit! Why the fuck are you not joining then?!” Jiang Cheng shouted, grabbing Wei WuXian by the collar of his robes.
“You idiot, I eloped with Prince Wangji, remember?” Jiang Cheng just wants to bang his head against the wall and put himself out of his misery. He has no issues with the emperor, as long as he’s serving as an Imperial Guard. He has an issue with the emperor if he’s a consort, that is if he’s selected. Admittedly that’s inflating his ego a bit, assuming he’d be selected. He knows better than that, but still, in the event that he was chosen... no, let’s not go down that path. Lets opt for the run away and hide forever path. Much safer option when given the options of dealing with a harem or running away.
“I don’t retain unimportant information.” Jiang Cheng said offhandedly. Wei WuXian for a moment looked hurt but like always he hid his hurt feelings behind a facade of unpleasant smiles. So fucking annoying. “Anyway, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be in the palace?”
“It was getting boring there. So I stopped by to see what you were doing.” Wei WuXian said, kicking his feet up and placing it on the side table as always. Jiang Cheng shook his head at his brother. How typical of him to have an inability to sit still. “Why don’t you come and visit your ge more often?”
“No thanks. You and that shameless husband of yours should stay far away from me. I don’t need to catch your shamelessness.” Jiang Cheng sneered at him. Wei WuXian pouted, sitting straight up in his chair. “What now?”
“You come to the palace everyday, but you never visit me.” Wei WuXian said quietly. Jiang Cheng froze while pouring himself a cup of tea.
“Yeah, because you two shameless assholes are always off fucking each other somewhere. I’m not about to walk in to that shit. Do you want me to die early or something?!” Jiang Cheng scoffs, setting the tea pot down with more force than he had intended. Wei WuXian didn’t seem too convinced but he didn’t push any further. An awkward atmosphere descends upon them as Jiang Cheng drank his tea in silence while Wei WuXian bounced about the room, unable to sit still.
—-
Lan XiChen read through the information scrolls of the consort candidates. The scrolls seem never ending. Families after families selling their children to be one step closer to the ultimate power. He rubs his face, he’s tired of this. If he had his way, he wouldn’t have bothered with finding a consort.
A forced union...
“Your majesty, your royal uncle is here to see you.” Lan Jingyi said. Lan XiChen looks up at him, exasperated. His obvious distaste for this entire selection process evident on his face.
“Send him in.” Lan XiChen said, placing the current scroll to the side. Lan Jingyi nodded and quickly went to retrieve his royal uncle. It was moments later that his royal uncle, Lan Qiren, stepped into his study. “Royal uncle.”
“Your majesty.” Lan Qiren said as he takes a seat to the front of him.
“What is it, royal uncle?”
“You’ve had days now, has there no candidate to your liking?” Lan Qiren asked, his tone indicating his a slight annoyance with how long it had taken. Lan XiChen shook his head. “I see. There is not much time, your majesty. I understand you are trying to find a suitable partner to... fall in love with. But you must remember, something as such... may be what you want, but not what you need.” Lan XiChen hums in response. His royal uncle took that as his dismissal, leaving as quickly as he arrived.
Lan XiChen tosses the scroll he was reading to the side. He leans back in the chair. The heavy weight of responsibility and duty push on his shoulders. The weight of the empire was on him. He must find a consort, he knows that. He has accepted that. But was it selfish of him to want a love that will make him feel alive from this pre-destined future of his?
From the scrolls that he had read, it was safe to say that when push comes to shove, there was a candidate that he would not mind accepting as his consort. But to him, he would be the last resort. No matter how his father may push for his son’s acknowledgment in the royal court, Lan XiChen could not use his friendship with Jin Guangyao in this manner.
Not when that said person already has someone who he wished to be betrothed to. His confidant, Nie MingJue was a lucky fellow, having found his love in Jin Guangyao. While he... the blessed son of the heavens... have found no one.
“Your majesty, it’s getting late. You should retire to your bed chambers.” Lan Jingyi said as he lit a candle on the desk, illuminating the space around it. Lan XiChem waves off the younger man who immediately bows and takes a few steps back.
“Jingyi... do you believe that there is such a thing as a fated one?” Lan XiChen asked, picking up yet another scroll before tossing it to the side. He’s had enough. All these candidates are find and dandy, but he... he wants to experience an overwhelming love.
Lan Jingyi looked startled from being asked such a question. The young man scratch his face before nodding his head.
“Yes, your majesty.” Lan Jingyi replied, his voice did not show the usual amount of confidence.
“Why are you so hesitant about it then?” Lan XiChen asked.
“Ah, I... I have yet to meet my fated one so I cannot be certain, but I believe they are out there.” Lan Jingyi said, “my mentor says that if you wait around, your fated one may not be found, so you must go out and search for them yourself. Don’t let others tell you who it should be.” Lan XiChen chuckles.
“Your mentor is very wise. Who would say such words to you?” Lan XiChen asked.
“Oh, uhm, Imperial Guard Jiang did.” Lan Jingyi replied with much pride in his voice.
“You seem proud of him.” Lan XiChen noted. Lan Jingyi beamed as he recounts the story of how Imperial Guard Jiang was so cool when he was using his sword, Sandu, and that he was ambidextrous and utilizes a whip in the other hand. Imperial Guard Jiang... a name he’s familiar with but does not associate with often.
Their path do not cross often even when the Imperial Guards are there to protect the emperor and his family. He can recall meeting Jiang Cheng, Jiang Wanyin a hand full of times. The last time he saw Jiang Cheng in person was during lantern festival talking with his siblings in the Moon Garden.
“I am! But he’s kind of grumpy all the time and he curses a lot. So I have to spend the majority of my time reading between the lines and even then I get it wrong and he yells at me.” Lan XiChen chuckles at how Lan Jingyi describes Jiang Cheng. What an interesting person.
—-
The water felt good on his body. It felt like ages since he’s taken a dip in the hot springs such as this. But tonight was a special occasion. He wasn’t on night duty for once and could thoroughly enjoy a bath in the moonlight. The perks on being on called as part of the Imperial Guards was free access to the hot springs bath on the palace grounds.
The bathing area was generally separated by male and females, servants and masters within the hot springs area. Though he was not a master of anyone, he fell into that category based off of title.
Jiang Cheng dove under the water and surfaced moments later, flipping his wet hair out of his face. Some strands remain stacked to his face to his annoyance.
“Oh, someone is here. I was not aware others were still awake during this time.” He turns towards the voice and immediately got out of the water and covered himself with his inner robe. The one person he had not expected to see at the moment has shown up.
“Your majesty, please forgive me for my rudeness.” Jiang Cheng said as he got on to one knee, his head bowed before the son of the heavens. Lan XiChen hums in response before stepping out from the shadows. Jiang Cheng should not be surprised to see Lan XiChen, as the emperor, he had the authority to venture wherever he sees fit. His problem though is that if the emperor wanted to bathe, he had his own separate hot springs where there were plenty of attendants to help him.
In addition, the emperor was walking around after midnight without a guard. This was simply asking for trouble.
“There’s nothing to forgive. Get up, Wanyin.” Lan XiChen said with a wave of his hand. Jiang Cheng immediately stood up but kept his head bowed. “Lift your head. I believe the men of the Jiang name rarely bows to anyone.” He couldn’t help himself but huffed at the statement before lifting his head.
“You are correct your majesty. We bow our head only to one person.” Jiang Cheng said as he met Lan XiChen’s eyes. As though he found it amusing, Lan XiChen seemingly chuckled a bit before coughing into his fist.
“I believe you’ll catch a cold if you don’t dry and dress yourself properly.” Lan XiChen said while nodding towards him. Jiang Cheng glanced at himself, his robe had partially came undone while his wet hair had dampen his clothing. He looked like a soaked rat to say the least.
“Ah, please excuse me then, your majesty.” He quickly said as he grabs his stuff and turned to leave.
“Why don’t you join me for a stroll after you’re done. I shall meet you at the Moon Pavilion.” Lan XiChen said casually, and as quietly as he appeared, he left as such. Jiang Cheng was left standing there, confused.
“What the fuck? A stroll? Who the fuck stroll about in the middle of the fucking night?! And why me?! Fuck! Fuck it all!” Jiang Cheng mutters to himself as he walked to the changing area and quickly dry himself and dress. “Fucking hell, if he wasn’t the fucking emperor, I’d break his fucking legs for suggesting such a stupid idea.” He said as he walks to the Moon Pavilion.
From the light of the moon illuminating his path, it cast a shadow of loneliness amongst the brilliance. As he approach the Moon Pavilion, it dawned on him that he has never walk this path since joining the Imperial Guards. It was not an area he was assigned to protect, and those whom he protect never ventures this way.
From the distance, he could see the silhouette of the emperor standing by himself there being basked in the soft light of the moon. He shook his head in disbelief of such a nonchalant emperor.
“Your majesty, I kept you waiting. Please forgive my rudeness.” Jiang Cheng said, bowing once more. Lan XiChen hums in response, glancing at him from the corner of his eyes.
“No need to be so formal. It is just us here Wanyin.” Lan XiChen said. Jiang Cheng’s eye twitches. This man. Does he not have a sense of danger and propriety?! “Lift your head Wanyin.” He does as he was told, lifting his head, his eyes meeting that of Lan XiChen. “Well then, shall we go on that stroll then?”
Without waiting for his response, Lan XiChen walks off, leaving him to follow behind. He heaved a sigh, this was not how he had intended to spend his night off. He had wanted to take a bath in the hot spring and then enjoy wine in his room afterwards.
“Wanyin, walk with me. There’s no need to walk behind me.” Lan XiChen said. His eye twitches again. Ah fuck it. He’s already going to be in trouble when the court finds out he didn’t submit his information sheet like he was supposed to anyway. If he’s going to end up dying, he might as well die being an honest man.
“Your majesty, please excuse my improper etiquette but... what the fuck? Where the fuck is your guard?! Why the fuck are you roaming about with no protection?! And raise my head? Really?! Did you completely forgot propriety?!” Jiang Cheng snapped, not bothering for permission before he spoke. He had had enough of this improper emperor. Lan XiChen glances at him from the corner of his eyes before he chuckles.
“So this is the Jiang Wanyin that Lan Jingyi gushes about. You had more self control than I had imagined.” Lan XiChen said lightly, turning to face him head on. The commanding atmosphere of the son of heaven surrounded him. Fuck. This was a fucking test and he failed. Fuck it all. He does not back down from the gaze.
“What trouble did that child said or caused?” Jiang Cheng asked, brows furrowed and annoyance dripping from every word.
“That you’re as blunt as they come.” Lan XiChen said with amusement in his voice, “though I was beginning to suspect he was lying. And if it helps, Wanyin, are you not an Imperial Guard? I am protected with you by my side.” He rolled his eyes at the ridiculousness of it all. “Now, now, no need to be so formal. I am going on a stroll to clear my head. Join me.” Lan XiChen said, turning around to continue walking. Jiang Cheng scoffs before following after the emperor. So fucking ridiculous. “Tell me Wanyin, what do you usually do when you need to clear your head?”
“Drink.” Jiang Cheng said. Lan XiChen laughs and shook his head.
“I’m afraid that’s not an option for me.” Lan XiChen said as they cross a bridge overlooking the koi pond.
“Practice and hone my fighting skills.” Jiang Cheng said. Lan XiChen chuckled and shook his head once more.
“No one dares to practice with me, fearing that they’d injured me.” Lan XiChen said. Jiang Cheng doesn’t reply. It was true. No one would want to practice with the emperor, they’d be risking their life and their family’s life if they even nicked him.
“Spend time with a lover.” Jiang Cheng said eventually. Lan XiChen hums in response but doesn’t say more. There’s been rumors that Lan XiChen have multiple lovers, including his two close confidants, Nie MingJue and Jin Guangyao. He does not know the details as gossiping was against the palace rules.
“Does Wanyin spend time with his lover to clear his mind?” Lan XiChen asked eventually.
“Not needed. I drink until I’m dead.” Jiang Cheng said nonchalantly.
“Yet you’re still alive.” Lan XiChen mused. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes.
“Wei WuXian wouldn’t let me stay dead. Rose me from the dead like a fucking necromancer.” Jiang Cheng scoffs. Lan XiChen stops in his walking and turns towards him, an amused smile on his face.
“Tell me, Wanyin, how come we have not talked before?” Lan XiChen asked, his face shown with much curiosity under the moonlight. Jiang Cheng shrugged his shoulders.
“There was no need to.” Jiang Cheng said. Lan XiChen gaze at him as if he was studying him like he was some object.
“I see.” Lan XiChen said nothing else as they continued to walk around the palace gardens together. It felt like hours later that they walked back to the inner chambers, the Drifting Cloud Hall, that Lan XiChen waved Jiang Cheng off.
“Good night, your majesty.” Jiang Cheng said, bowing once more. He breathe a sigh of relief that it was over. If he doesn’t wake up tomorrow then he knows he died because he didn’t hold his tongue despite his family’s teachings of propriety and loyalty to the emperor. He may have spoken about propriety but he too had none when he scolded the emperor. He shook his head at the impossible situation. “Attempt the impossible...”