Chapter Text
Wei Ying could still remember the day when his fuqin, Lan Qiren of Gusu-Lan Sect protected him from the kids who were trying to take the money he earned after he cleaned up a stable when he was seven years old. He was running away with the three small pieces of silver that he received and the kids were chasing him when the white-robed cultivator happened to come out of the tea house.
“Daozhang! Daozhang help me! Help me!”
He clung to his white robes that were stained with the grime from his hand but he protected him, saved him from the kids.
“Thank you daozhang! Thank you!”
“You are welcome. What is your name?”
“A-Ying!”
“A-Ying?”
“En! Wei is my surname.”
“Wei? Wei Ying?”
“En! Daozhang is smart!”
“Do you… happen to know Wei Changze?”
“You know my baba?”
And that started it all. His fuqin booked an inn, called for a bath, and brought him new robes. He insisted that he did not need it because his silver pieces could only be used for his food.
“I do not need you to pay me, A-Ying. You said you want to come with me, right?”
“En. The shelter I am sharing at was found by the other kids and they want to stay there too. It is becoming too crowded...”
“In Cloud Recesses, you will share a room with other kids but you will have your own bed.”
“Like this? Soft like this?”
“Yes.”
“With a bath?”
“Yes and with clean robes too.”
“Oh. Are we going now?”
“Not yet. We will stay for the night and then we will fly tomorrow.”
“Fly?! Using your sword?! Like mama and baba does?”
“Mn.”
It has been three years since he was kicked out of the inn his mama and baba left him. He counted because his mama patiently taught him how to count.
“Is mama and baba…”
“A-Ying… I have heard what happened to them three years ago.”
“Oh.”
“They have passed, A-Ying. I am sorry.”
He cried in Lan Qiren’s arms that night and they flew on his sword the next day. A-Ying clung to him tightly but he was so happy to be so tall! He even touched the clouds!
When they arrived in Cloud Recesses, it felt very different from what he was used to seeing. Everyone was either wearing white or blue and it was very quiet.
He was introduced to Lan Qijun and Liu Meiyue, they were called Qinghengjun and Lan-furen. Lan-furen hugged him tightly.
In the afternoon, Lan Qiren introduced him to Lan Huan and Lan Zhan, they were Lan Qijun and Liu Meiyue’s sons.
Wei Ying shared a room in the sleeping quarters with a kid named Lan Weimin. He was loud and fun to be with.
Wei Ying went to classes and he learned that they have 500 rules. There are many but Huan-gege and A-Zhan memorized them so Wei Ying will try his best to memorize them too.
One day, Lan Qiren asked him to come over to his quarters.
“Does A-Ying want me to be his father?”
“Like baba?”
“Mn. But I will not replace your baba in your life, I will just be another one for you. I wish to adopt A-Ying if he wants me to.”
“Yes-yes!”
Because Lan Qiren is the best person in Wei Ying’s life and he would want to be his son too!
He was officially adopted as Lan Qiren’s son. He wore Wei Ying his forehead ribbon with the silver cloud in the middle like Lan Huan and Lan Zhan did. He started calling him fuqin. He now addresses Qinghengjun as bofu and Madam Lan as shenshen. He started calling Lan Huan as tang-xiong because it sounded nice to his ears. A-Zhan is still A-Zhan though.
There are also memorial tablets of his mama and baba in the Ancestral Hall to honor his parents. Wei Ying cried when he first saw it.
Even with the official adoption, they have decided to keep his name though he is now officially on the Lan Clan family registry and everyone sees him as Lan Qiren’s son.
When Wei Ying was 9, they went to Unclean Realm for a Discussion Conference. They were introduced to children of the gentry family who came and of course, Nie Mingjue led the introduction. Wei Ying noticed that A-Zhan seemed to follow him everywhere because he is tall and very nice. On the other hand, Wei Ying immediately became friends with Nie Huaisang, Nie Mingjue’s didi who hid behind him most of the time.
Then he met Jin Zixuan, Sect Leader Jin’s son. He was rude to a girl named Jiang Yanli then Jiang Cheng, Jiang Yanli’s brother pushed him and he fell. Wei Ying and Lan Zhan also stepped in.
“You are very rude! Stop that!” Wei Ying glared at Jin Zixuan who turned red while trying to stand up.
“Mn. Rude.” Lan Zhan agreed as he nodded, his lips pursed as he looked at Jin Zixuan.
Nie Mingjue and Lan Huan stopped them before it escalated into a fight.
Wei Ying could not stop himself from complaining to Lan Huan after.
“He was being rude! Jiang Yanli is nice.”
“She is and I know, Jin-gongzi was being rude but we should not resort to a physical fight, A-Ying.”
“I know tang-xiong, but he shouldn’t be rude. It is forbidden.”
“Mn.”
“See? A-Zhan agrees!”
There he met Jiang Fengmian who said that he knows his baba too.
“Are you happy in Cloud Recesses?”
“Yes, Jiang-zongzhu.”
“I see. As long as you are happy, Wei Ying.”
He was walking with Nie Huaisang on his way to his canary when they met Jin Zixuan. He could not meet their eyes and then he ran away. Wei Ying frowned at him.
“Rude.”
Before they went home, Wei Ying ended up in Qinghengjun’s arms after he started running and screaming when he saw the hunting dogs living in the Unclean Realm.
Sect Leader Nie apologized and promised that they won’t have their dogs walk around when there are visitors from now on.
Wei Ying saw Jin Zixuan looking at him before he rode the golden carriage of the Jin Sect.
“Bofu, I know that this is a rude question but...”
“Yes, A-Ying?”
“Does their carriage really have to be gold?”
It was the first time that they heard Qinghengjun laugh so loud, losing the usual graceful and almost musical laughter they hear from him.
When Wen Xu, Sect Leader Wen’s son and heir's birthday came a month later, everyone was invited.
There, he met Wen Ning who was shy at first but immediately played along with the rest. To his surprise, Jin Zixuan came while they were building a castle using the twigs they found under the tree.
“Yes, Jin-gongzi?”
Jin Zixuan did not say anything and just handed him a peony and then he ran away, leaving him shocked.
Wen Ning snickered beside him while he gaped.
When he told his cousins, both his tang-xiong and A-Zhan laughed at him.
“Why are you laughing?!”
Lan Huan, who received his courtesy name, Xichen just ruffled his hair while A-Zhan patted his back. Wei Ying pouted in confusion.
Then one day, Lan Qiren told him that he may get married.
He squealed, testing the limits of excessive noise is forbidden rule. He was so excited because his fuqin is finally marrying someone who turned out to be THE Wen Sect Leader, Wen Rouhan. His fuqin’s entire face turned red when a Qishan-Wen delegate arrived in Cloud Recesses with Wen Rouhan asking Qinghengjun for his brother’s hand for marriage.
Wei Ying had to move to Qishan with his fuqin and a cohort of Lan disciples. He still wore his Lan Sect ribbon there but they had to wear different robes. It was white with red flames on the sleeves. What impressed Wei Ying was the detailed cloud embroidery on the shoulders that shows the Lan Sect emblem.
He met Jin Zixuan at the wedding and he still looked constipated, unable to meet his eyes. Wei Ying frowned. He saw him bow at Jiang Yanli but it seemed like he still disliked her. Rude.
Wei Ying’s life in Qishan was entirely different than in Cloud Recesses. His fuqin said that they must still hold themselves as someone from Gusu-Lan but they should adjust to the culture and traditions of Qishan-Wen. Wei Ying will have to divide his time and studies between Qishan and Gusu and he is fine with that. After all, he would still want to learn with his tang-xiong, and A-Zhan.
He instantly clicked with Wen Xu although Wen Chao is another thing. He is rude, ruder than Jin Zixuan actually but they were trying to be civil with each other.
He likes Wen Qing and Wen Ning who often come to Nightless City for their studies. They came from Dafan where the first branch that was considered to specialize in healing arts of Qishan-Wen resides.
Wei Ying often tried to go there too but Wen Zhuliu, the swordmaster of Qishan-Wen would find him before he could sneak out. Truly, Wen Zhuliu feels like he has eyes everywhere.
“Do you want that? To call me Die too?”
“Can I?”
“If only you want to. I would not impose.”
“I like it, Die.”
Wei Ying received the courtesy name Wuxian and his sword that his Die had made for him was named Suibian, much to his fuqin’s exasperation. Well, he got tired of looking for a nice name both in Gusu and Qishan’s library so he just raised his hands and said “whatever!”
It’s a nice name though?
At least, when he received his musical instrument, he named it Chenqing and his fuqin approved. He chose a flute as his musical cultivation instrument and he received a beautifully carved dizi from his bofu and shenshen.
Nie Yongwu, Nie Mingjue, and Nie Huaisang’s father started suffering qi deviation due to a family health history that was becoming worse to the point that they had to ask for help if they wanted to prevent the worst-case scenario. Dafan-Wen branch offered and he was healing well but he still abdicated his position to focus more on his health and on his third wife, Nie Mingyu.
“Mingjue is capable. I will be here as his adviser.”
Then to everyone’s expectation, Nie Mingjue finally offered courtship to Lan Wangji and the Lan Sect was excited. The two have been skirting around each other since Wangji received his courtesy name and sword. His first destination after he was finally allowed to fly outside Gusu was to Qinghe to show it to Nie Mingjue. Nie Huaisang gave a detailed account of what happened, much to his da-ge’s scolding.
“Someone had to do it, da-ge! They cannot miss such a romantic-“
“Huaisang!”
“Da-ge I’m out-I’m out!”
The second young master’s ears were as red as the red flames of Qishan-Wen’s robes the moment he accepted the courtship.
In the same year, the lectures of Cloud Recesses were scheduled so Wei Wuxian and Lan Qiren had to go. Wen Rouhan was sad as he walked them to the docks. Wei Wuxian was a giggling mess as the esteemed Sect Leader was pouting even if his fuqin insisted that they were just a sword flight away.
Truly, a love like theirs is rare and Wei Wuxian is happy to witness it.
With them were Wen Qing and Wen Ning who received the courtesy name, Qionglin. Wen Xu and Wen Chao attended the previous ones. Wen Qing did not attend and insisted to go when it was time for her brother to join.
“There will be a lot of young masters who are joining the lectures this year. Make friends and enjoy learning. Come to me if you have any questions,” Lan Qiren told the three.
The lectures went well. Even if Wei Wuxian was named as the Head Disciple of Qishan-Wen (and Wen Xu as the Sect Heir while Wen Chao… stays as Wen Chao), he is still a disciple of Gusu-Lan – Lan Qiren’s son, considered the Third Jade and so he helps out in supervising punishment for rule-breakers.
There were familiar faces such as Jin Zixuan who often breaks the curfew and bedtime rules, and there is Nie Huaisang who does it on purpose.
“Come on, Ji-xiong! This one or this one? Perhaps this one? You need to choose!”
“Copy the rules, Nie-xiong.”
“But Wei-xiong! I need to have their chamber ready by the time I return to Unclean Realm and so I need the color for the bath area now.”
The mention of the chamber instantly made Lan Wangji’s ears turn red while Jin Zixuan who was copying the rules cleared his throat, his face turning as red as his vermilion mark.
“Copy the rules, Nie Huaisang.”
“But-“
“I think that one is a better backdrop if they want to enjoy the bathtub. You said it’s sturdy and-“
“Tang-di!”
Jin Zixuan who was trying his hardest not to listen to their conversation choked which resulted in a fit of coughs.
“Everything well, Jin-gongzi?” Wei Wuxian asked.
“Yes, Wei-gongzi,” and his face turned even redder that momentarily worried Wei Wuxian. He was used to him calling him by his name like he does to everyone else. For Jin Zixuan to call him gongzi, he cannot help but wonder if something was wrong.
“Err… do you need water?” Nie Huaisang asked this time.
“No.”
“Okay.”
During the lantern festival where even Nie Mingjue came and released the lantern with his betrothed, everyone was in a celebratory mode.
It was not until Jin Zixuan said something that disrespected Jiang Yanli. To everyone’s surprise, Wen Qionglin was the one who defended her before Jiang Wanyin could say anything after he heard him say those disrespectful words.
Wei Wuxian pulled Wen Qionglin away before the fight could escalate even more. Wei Wuxian knows that Xu-gege was very strict in teaching them self-defense but he did not expect Wen Qionglin to use it here.
They were not expelled but they received strikes from the discipline paddle.
Wen Qing was very disappointed and Wen Qionglin was like a lost puppy trying to ask for his sister’s forgiveness.
Wei Wuxian cannot help but feel that Jin Zixuan’s arrogance was getting too much, especially towards Jiang Yanli. Of course, he is aware of what may happen to an arranged marriage. He may have not witnessed it with the people around him as he grew up, but he heard stories.
One of the most infamous ones was the arrangement between the current Sect Leader Jin and Madam Jin.
Wei Wuxian found Jin Zixuan after he finished his soak in the Cold Spring after the flogging. He frowned as he looked at him.
“Wei Wuxian.”
“I only have something to tell you, Jin-gongzi.”
“Wei Wuxian-“
“First, stop being arrogant, especially towards Jiang Yanli. If you cannot respect her or even like her a bit, be a man, tell her and stop hurting her.” Wei Wuxian pulled his lips in, unsure if he should continue then he decided that he should. “Not every marriage is like your parents so stop making assumptions that you'll end up having like theirs.”
He saw Jin Zixuan pale and then he gave him a bow and left. Wei Wuxian cannot stand watching Jin Zixuan hurting someone’s feelings because of his words and actions. He hoped he had given him something to ponder on.
Yet the engagement was broken.
Wei Wuxian raised his brow when he saw Wen Qionglin sneaking out with Jiang Yanli right after lectures. He followed them to Caiyi and then he clicked his tongue.
When he returned to the guest quarters, Wen Qionglin received a sermon from Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian.
He looked like a kicked puppy once more.
“Wait for a couple of months at least,” Wei Wuxian advised. The broken engagement was with the Jin Sect Heir after all.
Wen Qing asked Wei Wuxian’s help to look after Wen Qionglin. He was the biggest influence in his life, after all, only followed by Wen Xu and Wen Chao.
“I promise, Qing-jie!”
He truly stuck beside Wen Qionglin and would only leave if he had to do his responsibilities. He received a questioning look from Lan Xichen, Lan Wangji, and Nie Huaisang but he just scrunched his nose, not wanting to reveal something that would still be announced later on.
One day, after Wei Wuxian finished supervising the punishment, he tried looking for Wen Qionglin. He knew that he had sneaked out again.
To his surprise, he found Jin Zixuan watching Wen Qionglin teaching Jiang Yanli archery even if the Jiangs were known for their archery skills. He does not know if he should laugh or cry over his courting skills.
He approached Jin Zixuan instead.
“Jin-gongzi.”
“Oh, Wei Wuxian.”
“Your face is red,” he commented and then he chuckled. “Are you jealous?” He pointed his chin at the two who were now silently giggling and blushing over whatever they were whispering about. He is considering whether he should report this to Wen Qing.
He looked back to Jin Zixuan who rolled his eyes.
“Wen Qionglin gets everyone.”
Before Wei Wuxian could clarify what he meant, the Jin Sect Heir already walked out.
“Rude!” Wei Wuxian pursed his lips as he turned around to face the two.
“A-Ning! Jiang-guniang! Care if I join?!”
When Wen Qing asked what they did that afternoon while she was busy in the medical pavilion to learn under the head healer, Wei Wuxian just snickered and made the action of releasing a bow.
Wen Qing raised her brow when she saw her brother turning red all over his face.
When the classes ended and they returned to Qishan, it became an open secret how Madam Yu Ziyuan was so angry over the broken engagement.
“Fuqin, Die, isn’t it time for A-Ning to offer courtship? He came from the first branch of Qishan-Wen, it would still be a good alliance, Yu-furen wouldn't have any complaints. What's with an old sworn sisters' promise anyway?"
But while the Dafan-Wen was still preparing the courtship gifts, headed by Wen Roufeng and Wen Chun, Wen Qing, and Wen Qionglin’s parents, an announcement was made.
Jiang Yanli was named as the Sect Heir of Yunmeng-Jiang while Lan Xichen offered courtship to Jiang Wanyin.
Wei Wuxian laughed so hard that he had to wipe away tears at the corner of his eyes. He and Liu Meiyue saw the two sneaking around Cloud Recesses while they were watching from afar. He also saw them return just before curfew with his tang-xiong holding Jiang Wanyin’s hand.
Truly, something must be in Cloud Recesses as a place where Gusu-Lan Sect resides. Lans are known to be romantics after all and it seems like their home became a good… courting place too.
The wedding of Nie Mingjue and Lan Wangji was happening first. Nie Huaisang roped his brother into different lessons with spring books. Their father choked on his wine when he learned why his eldest son always comes out of his youngest son’s room looking like his soul left his body but his entire face was red.
On the other hand, Lan Wangji’s face was on fire when Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian (who was there to help organize the wedding) introduced spring books for him to study, all courtesy of Nie Huaisang’s best collection. In the end, it was none other than his mother who taught him what to do and expect so he wouldn’t be surprised with Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian being required to listen in the background.
“You could… ask your shufu too. I think… it would be best to ask him, yes,” Qinghengjun offered one time after dinner. Wei Wuxian had a coughing fit after he choked on the water he was drinking.
“Oh, right! Believe me, A-Zhan! It would truly be beneficial for you,” his own face turning red, not wanting to recall how he had to improve the privacy talisman around the east wing where the Sect Leader’s chamber is found. It has helped everyone in the Fire Palace.
Lan Wangji, for the first time in his life, almost walked out of the dinner table, unable to contain the embarrassment due to the topic that… he truly does not need advice about.
The wedding was grand and fitting for the Sect Leader and the Second Jade. Nie Mingjue is truly besotted and Lan Wangji is not any different.
When the couple finally left for the wedding chamber (that earned loud hoots and teases from the guests), Wei Wuxian got roped into a conversation with Jiang Yanli.
By the end of it, he felt someone glaring at him and when he turned to look, he saw Madam Yu looking in their direction. He chuckled and scurried away, bidding goodbye to Jiang Yanli who asked about Wen Qionglin’s favorite books to read.
“I saw that tang-di,” Lan Xichen said after he returned to his side.
“I know. She’s going to be your mother-in-law.”
“A-Cheng and I are going to live in Cloud Recesses.”
Wei Wuxian laughed.
“Avoiding I see~” he sing-song which just made Lan Xichen smile as he fondly shook his head, eyes lingering on his betrothed who was in a conversation with Nie Huaisang. Lan Xichen hopes that it is not what he thinks it is… but with the way Jiang Wanyin was blushing, he could already tell.
“Wen Qionglin will… have to prepare himself.”
“Ah, he has Qing-jie as his sister. He’ll survive.”
It was Lan Xichen’s turn to laugh.
jin Zixuan is a fool, stupid, idiot -- he accepted everything Mianmian said because it is true, she is right (all the time).
"You were crushing on someone since you were 10 and you never did anything?!"
"I gave him a peony."
"Wait, him?"
"Mianmian!"
"And you did not tell me?!"
"I thought you were all in for my marriage with Jiang-guniang!"
"News flash dear cousin, I am not. I am just supportive of everything and Jiang-guniang is a very nice lady."
"Muqin is disappointed."
"She is, yes."
"Do I reinstate the engagement?"
"You saw Jiang-guniang with Wen-gongzi."
"Yeah."
"It will be a matter of time until they announce courtship and that leaves you-"
"Don't say it."
"Do I know the 'him' you are talking about?"
"I'll go to practice forms."
"Jin Zixuan!"
Jin Zixuan does not also need to admit that when he learned that Wei Wuxian was not fond of dogs (not afraid, just not fond especially when they barked as he witnessed it in Unclean Realm) he has instructed to move the kennels of the Jin spiritual dogs to the farthest corner of Koi Tower (in case Wei Wuxian comes to Lanling).
No one really questioned him directly but everyone found it weird.
The thought of Wei Wuxian almost made him stumble as he made his way to the training grounds though he could still hear his cousin’s voice calling for him.
Jin Zixuan feels like the noose around his neck was getting tighter as more betrothals and weddings in his generation happened.
Lan Xichen and Jiang Wanyin's wedding happened just as Wen Qionglin announced courtship with Jiang Yanli.
Mianmian, his dearest cousin went behind his back and was doing her own courtship with Wen Qing while his little crush just --
Jin Guangshan, his father, was disappointed and Koi Tower was in total chaos. While the other young masters were proceeding with their weddings and betrothals, here is Jin Zixuan, still known for the broken betrothal with Jiang Yanli who is now happily betrothed with Wen Qionglin.
Then to add to the chaos within Koi Tower, someone showed up at Jin Zixuan’s birthday celebration. His name is Meng Yao and he had a pearl button with him, saying that it was dear to his deceased mother who claimed that it came from their father, Jin Guangshan.
To everyone’s surprise, Jin Guangshan agreed to meet him.
Jin Zixuan’s thoughts were muddled, especially with how people in Koi Tower were talking about how his father was looking for his illegitimate children. They said that it was because he was too disappointed that Jin Zixuan has not done anything worthy of his position (in other words, forming an alliance like everyone does) and Jin Zixuan hates it.
He walked out of his own birthday celebration and started slashing the air in the forest until he heard a voice that sent a tingling sensation down his spine.
"If you wanted to do some hunting, you could have just organized your birthday that way instead of having everyone be blinded by all the gold around your hall while the celebrant is busy slashing the poor air."
"Wei Wuxian."
"Oh, you found me," He chuckled as he jumped down the tree he was in.
"Was the banquet not to your liking?" He asked, wondering why he was there.
"Oh, it's not that. I just got tired of seeing your father flirt with every performer- oops. Sorry."
Jin Zixuan turned red out of embarrassment and frustration. He was too ashamed of what his father was doing right in front of the guest after he met with Meng Yao who was there to attend the party as well. He even learned that it was also his birthday.
And now, for Wei Wuxian to even walk out and -
"Come, fight me," Wei Wuxian broke his thoughts as he unsheathed his sword.
"What?!"
"Let your frustration out in a real fight. The air did not do anything wrong to you for you to slash them that way," and Wei Wuxian did not wait for him to react and went on offense, making Jin Zixuan defend himself.
He and Wei Wuxian tied on the third rank in the List of the Young Masters but since he was a sect heir, he was given that advantage and he got the third rank while Wei Wuxian went on fourth.
In truth, their skills are on par with each other. Jin Zixuan had an exclusive trainer under the watchful eyes of his mother. Wei Wuxian trained with the other two Jades and learned under Wen Zhului, Qishan-Wen's renowned swordmaster when they moved to the Nightless City.
The fight went on, Wei Wuxian was fighting him open and without inhibitions and Jin Zixuan was enjoying the challenge. Every time he was having a spar with Jin disciples, they would either get intimidated or not even have the same level of skills as him. It is only Mianmian who fights with him seriously until they drop.
The fight ended with a draw, both swords pointing at each other's neck. Wei Wuxian smiled and Jin Zixuan felt his entire face burn, both in exhaustion and -
"So the birthday celebrant chose to leave his banquet to have a sparring session in the woods."
They both sheathed their swords and greeted the newcomers, Nie Mingjue and Lan Wangji. They tried their best to look past the couple's swollen lips.
Truly, was his celebration that bad for people to leave and -
"Chifengzun, I did not mean to -"
"No worries, Jin-gongzi. It is your birthday, you have every right to do what you want to do," he chuckled.
"A-Zhan!" Wei Wuxian greeted with a beam.
Jin Zixuan blinked.
"Tang-di, xiongzhang is looking for you."
"Tang-xiong what?! Oh crap! I forgot-I forgot to hand him the gift for shenshen! I need to go! It was fun sparring with you, Jin-gongzi. See you inside Chifengzun!"
And he was off.
Jin Zixuan followed his figure until his eyes met Lan Wangji's cold gaze. It was a quick staredown as he immediately broke it off, his heart still beating fast from the high of sparring with Wei Wuxian. He never got the chance to cross swords with him during the lectures in Cloud Recesses.
Unfortunately, his eyes also met with Nie Mingjue who had an equally intimidating gaze like his husband.
"Augh -" he swallowed hard.
"He is under the protection of not just the Lans and the Wens but with the Nies as well. His father was also a part of Yunmeng-Jiang before."
"Chifengzun…" his brows furrowed but Lan Wangji spoke.
"Do not play with my cousin and end up treating him like how you did with Jiang-guniang. No one deserves that treatment. We are protective of our own."
Jin Zixuan could swear, Lan Wangji just broke several Gusu-Lan rules the moment he spoke but then again, he is of Qinghe-Nie now, Nie Mingjue’s husband and so the brashness was to be expected.
Jin Zixuan came back to the banquet in a daze. His mother reprimanded him for leaving his own celebration. She went on about how his father’s bastard, as his mother called, had the ‘face to actually show himself in the banquet!’
He chose to ignore her words for now, not wanting to think about suddenly having a half-brother who shares the same birthday as him. His eyes just magnetized to Wei Wuxian's happy figure, talking animatedly to Wen Qionglin.
That man surely gets everyone.
Jin Zixuan exhaled deeply as he shook his head, resigned.
Wen Qing and Mianmian's wedding happened in a simple celebration in Dafan. The main family of the Wens came and Jin Zixuan came with his mother.
Jin Zixuan found Wei Wuxian again and this time, he had the courage to be the one to ask for a spar.
"Will this be our tradition each time there is a celebration?" Wei Wuxian asked.
"Might be."
They sparred in the forest of Dafan. Wei Wuxian flew on different tree branches, laughing and carefree while swinging his Suibian against Suihua. Jin Zixuan patiently followed him until they reached the temple cave of the Dancing Fairy Statue.
"Do you want to light an incense and pray?" Wei Wuxian asked after they sheathed their swords, still panting from the exhilaration of what they just did.
"Okay."
They greeted the guards and the keeper who knew Wei Wuxian.
They entered and found the cave clean and filled with offerings.
"Here, you can drop any amount here if you do not have an in-kind offering. It is used to supply the needs in maintaining the temple," Wei Wuxian explained as he dropped a few silver pieces. Jin Zixuan did not know what to do and so he took out his money pouch and dropped it in the container. Wei Wuxian gaped as he stared at him in disbelief. Jin Zixuan instantly blushed.
"What?"
"Wah, indeed. Jins," he chuckled as he returned the container to its place but Jin Zixuan could not help but feel curious.
"What do you mean?" He followed him as they headed to where the incense sticks were found.
"Loaded," Wei Wuxian replied with a small laugh.
"Is it wrong being loaded all the time? We were taught not to leave without bringing more than enough because we will never know when we will need it," he felt defensive but Wei Wuxian faced him and the words got stuck in his throat. Wei Wuxian is smiling, a very bright and genuine one.
"I mean no offense, Jin-gongzi."
"Zixuan. I’ve been calling you Wei Wuxian."
"Zixuan then. I mean no offense," he repeated. "I was careless. I apologize if I offended you."
"No, it's just that…'' he did not know what to say. He is proud of being a Jin but nowadays, Lanling-Jin Sect has been a little laughing stock.
Jin Guangshan just legitimized a son who came and showed him a button.
"Perhaps, having more options will give Lanling-Jin a better future."
It was a total insult and Jin Zixuan cooped himself in Garden Treasure Pavilion, his own quarters. He would feel his entire face heat up each time he sees his half-brother who received the courtesy name Guangyao – Jin Guangyao.
"No, I get it. I'm sorry. You must be going through a lot lately and I just," he looks repentant as he shrugged his shoulders, pursing his lips. Jin Zixuan cannot help but stare as he swallows.
"I…"
"Here. Light it and make a wish. The Dancing Goddess listens well."
"Did yours come true?"
"I do not usually make a wish, I pray and they come true. Rest in paradise for my deceased parents. Happiness for fuqin and die, happiness for shufu and shenshen, happiness for tang-xiong and A-Zhan-"
"How about your happiness?"
Wei Wuxian smiled.
"Their happiness is my happiness too. I am happy where I am right now."
Jin Zixuan looked at the statue. He took a deep breath.
"Let's go," Wei Wuxian kneeled first and he followed.
After they both rose up, incense sticks in their proper place, they left the cave.
"We should return for the banquet. I organized the drinks as I promised Qing-jie. You'll like it!" And Jin Zixuan felt his entire body froze though he knew he was running when Wei Wuxian pulled his wrist until they reached the clearing and he let go to unsheathed his sword.
"Race to the hall. Loser drinks one jar by himself!"
He was too late to react.
He almost had alcohol poisoning but Wei Wuxian's laughter was worth it.
Jin Zixuan learned that Wei Wuxian brought him to his guest quarters and even if he woke up with a pounding headache, the note and warm medicine on his bedside table solved it all… although he had to drink it with his face red and warm. He read the note carefully.
Thank you for being a good sport, Zixuan! Sleep in until you're well enough to fly back to Lanling. See you around!
It truly felt like a wedding was happening every season.
With Jiang Wanyin being happily married to Lan Xichen and is living his life Cloud Recesses, Jiang Yanli is showing how capable she is as a Sect Heir. She may not be the best with the sword but she is impressive with everything else.
At her wedding with Wen Qionglin, Jin Zixuan cannot help but feel awkward. Eyes were on him as he followed his parents to their seats. He heard tales about their broken engagement and how happy Jiang Yanli and Wen Qionglin were.
He still genuinely congratulated them for their marriage.
When Wen Qionglin left the banquet to finally follow his wife in the wedding chamber, the banquet became wilder with an endless amount of food and drink.
Dafan-Wen is the first branch of Qishan-Wen and is headed by Wen Roufeng, Wen Qionglin’s father. He and his wife did not allow anything that could make Yu Ziyuan complain (since she is still quite reluctant with the wedding as she still had hoped with the reinstatement of her daughter’s betrothal with Jin Zixuan even if Jiang Yanli could no longer marry out).
Dafan-Wen wanted the best wedding for their young master who genuinely loves Jiang Yanli who reciprocates his feelings. They could live with being associated with the Violet Spider who had no choice but to accept the love match.
Jin Zixuan walked through the docks of Lotus Pier, enjoying the quiet and calm ambiance given by the lake.
"As much as I want to spar, I do not think Yu-furen would appreciate that."
He turned to see Wei Wuxian smiling. He is in his Qishan-Wen formal robes though his forehead ribbon is there. The contrast is eye-catching and only he and Lan Qiren can pull it off gracefully.
"Mourning for a lost love?" Wei Wuxian teased but Jin Zixuan just rolled his eyes.
"She's happy."
"Are you?"
"I am happy for her."
"Mn."
"You sounded like Lan Wangji."
"We grew up together."
"Yeah-yeah."
Wei Wuxian laughed.
"I am happy that she is happy as she surely won't be that happy if she married me," he honestly said. Perhaps, they could have tried to make it work but he doubts they could without comparing it to both their parents. Both marriages are infamous in the Cultivation World.
"Yu-furen does not like you," he did not mean for it to sound that way but it did and he instantly turned red. He noticed it a few times and he saw it again earlier. There is also a famous tale about Cangse Sanren who charmed countless young masters in her generation that made men and women envy her.
Before he could speak to take it back and apologize for his words, Wei Wuxian spoke first.
"You're right, she doesn't like me."
"You are not your mother.” Of course, he has heard about this too.
"And I am not my father," Wei Wuxian chuckled as he crossed his arms on his chest.
Jin Zixuan's brows furrowed for a minute until his eyes widened when he realized what he meant.
"I -- wait… I-"
"I know," Wei Wuxian laughed. "People assumed and our dear Yao-zongzhu enjoyed spreading the rumors even more."
"You know."
"Die wanted to do something about it, even fuqin used the gossip is forbidden rule. Xu-gege was mad too but I stopped them."
"Why did you stop them?"
"I want my parents to rest in peace. I do not want them to be disturbed by unfounded rumors."
"But it causes unnecessary hate."
"Do you hate me?"
"What?! Of course not!" His voice went a note higher with how surprised he was with the question. It made Wei Wuxian laugh again. Truly, his laughter is so carefree and beautiful.
"Good. My family does not hate me. Chifengzun and Jiang Wanyin do not hate me. Yanli-jie, Mianmian, and a lot more," he enumerated. "And Yu-furen is just one person. Those gossipers are unnamed so I do not care. Why would I bother myself with them then?"
Jin Zixuan stared.
Oh. He is falling even deeper.
His heart began pounding fast with how Wei Wuxian's eyes were twinkling with the reflection of the bright moon and the lake.
"Wei Wuxian."
"Oh, that sounded so serious. Yes?" He tilted his head and that made Jin Zixuan swallow hard.
"I -"
"Yah! Wei Wuxian! You said a battle to five! Chifengzun is joining! Come quick!" Their attention was called by Jiang Wanyin who was meters away from them. It made Wei Wuxian laugh as their eyes met.
"You should not join but you are welcome to join the table."
What? I could -"
"Nope. Not risking poisoning the Jin Sect Heir in Lotus Pier. Too controversial if ever," Wei Wuxian laughed as he turned around to follow Jiang Wanyin who went ahead.
Jin Zixuan followed him silently.
Jin Zixuan is now learning more about running their sect alongside Meng Yao, Jin Guangyao now.
He does not know what his role in the sect is as he simply just covers everything. He assists their father the most.
The fact that he was given the courtesy name Guangyao instead of Ziyao says a lot about what their father plans for him - legitimize him but never include him in the line of succession. It is probably to pressure him to do something if he does not want anyone to get his position. Jin Zixuan sighed when he heard about this.
There is another one who arrived a few months ago, Mo Xuanyu and he is Jin Ziyu now. His mother is the Second Lady of the Mo clan as compared to the background of Meng Yao's mother which actually made his father give him such a courtesy name. He's still younger than the two of them to be involved in politics so he focuses on his cultivation instead. Jin Zixuan cannot really say anything against his father.
Of course, the topic of him not having any partner is still a hot topic with the elders. Lanling-Jin is usually the first to close a betrothal and celebrate a grand wedding in every generation. This time, their Sect Heir did not just break his own betrothal because of how he treated his betrothed but he is the only heir who does not have a partner after the other heirs are now happily married and would probably have kids soon.
"Muqin," he arrived in his mother's pavilion after attending a meeting with the elders. His expression alone tells her that it did not go well.
"Tea," Li Shiyu - Madam Jin pointed at the table.
"You can tell me anything, A-Xuan." She prodded.
"They gave me a list of potential partners," he finally said.
"And Meng Yao?"
"Muqin, it is Guangyao."
"I will never acknowledge him."
"But-"
"Since the moment he stepped in Lanling, I already had a bad feeling about him."
"Muqin."
"What about him?"
"He requested for approval to offer courtship to Laoling-Qin's young lady, Qin Su. He said that they met when he was on a night hunt," he replied. Apparently, Jin Guangyao was trying to learn cultivation even before he came to Lanling. His mother insisted on him to learn. He now continued learning cultivation under Lanling-Jin’s teachings.
Li Shiyu just pursed her lips.
"And you?"
"Muqin…"
Jin Zixuan took a deep breath as he closed his eyes, remembering that bright, sunshine smile that can rival the vermillion light. He could hear the faint laughter and voice in his head --
"I will be reviewing the details about the Tang Sect's lady or Zhao Sect's -"
"Who do you want to marry, A-Xuan?"
"Muqin-"
"I do not care which sect, I do not care whatever status or gender or disposition in life that person has. Tell me who."
"Muqin."
“Zixuan.”
He felt his entire body feel cold. He does not want to -- he does not want to -
"Wei Wuxian."
And it slipped.