Chapter Text
Wen Ruohan was a powerful man. He had cultivated to immortality long ago, and thus has been unchanging for many generations. His sect was the largest of all, the work of decades or perhaps even centuries. There was no one left who truly remembered.
His power was unmatched. If he ever turned to evil, it would take the cooperation of all the sects to bring him down, and even that would surely be a victory hard won.
Thankfully, Wen Ruohan had no such qualms. As long as he was given his ‘Grandfather rights’, as he referred to it.
- The Nie Firstborn -
Nie Cinai bowed. It was a bit awkward with his firstborn cradled against his chest, but he managed more or less. His beloved wife, Lu Haoyi, bowed next to him, her stance solid and powerful despite having given birth just a week before.
“Sect Leader Wen Ruohan!” they called together, their voices ringing out across the hall. “The Qinghe Nie Sect presents our firstborn and heir, Nie Mingjue!”
Wen Ruohan stood up from his throne and took A-Jue from Nie Cinai, cradling him close with gentle arms.
“Oh, you’re such a big boy.” He grinned down at him, raking his eyes over A-Jue’s tiny face. “Such a big boy, look at you.” He rocked on his feet, bouncing the baby gently. “Hefty little chonker. You will be so powerful, I can tell.” A-Jue shifted, back arching as he got one arm out of the swaddle. Wen Ruohan laughed and pressed a kiss against his clenched hand. “Aww, look at your little fist, why is it clenched so tightly? Do you want to fight the world? Is that it? Do you want to go to war and bring the world to their knees before your power?” A-Jue yawned widely and blinked slowly up at him. Wen Ruohan’s grin immediately softened. “Hello, little one. Hello. Know my face for I will know yours, yes I will. Yes I will.” He turned around and returned to his throne, cooing at A-Jue for the rest of the afternoon.
- The Lan Firstborn -
When little A-Huan had been born, Lan Qiren had sent a notice to Sect Leader Wen, informing him of the joyous news. The message also informed that Lan Qiren’s brother, as the father, would be presenting the baby within a week’s time. That was how it was typically done, and has been for over a century. Perhaps even longer. To Lan Qiren’s knowledge, it was how he himself and his brother had also been presented to the Wen immortal, and their father before them. The Lan Sect Elders had decided that to do otherwise would be an insult and had already began preparations of shipping both father and son to Qishan.
Lan Qiren received a reply within a single day, as was usually the case as well. It contained a long list of well-wishes for little A-Huan, but it also contained a surprise. Sect Leader Wen wrote that he understood how important seclusion was to the Lan sect, and thus Qingheng-Jun’s presence would not be required for the presentation.
Instead, Wen Ruohan demanded Ren Dongmei, A-Huan’s mother, to be present instead.
The demand caused quite a stir among the elders. Ren Dongmei was in seclusion for a reason, and allowing her any leeway could never be justified. But Wen Ruohan’s demand was clear, and not a single elder was willing to stand up to the might Wen Ruohan commanded.
That was how Lan Qiren found himself here, standing in the audience hall in Qishan’s Fire Palace, Ren Dongmei at his side and little A-Huan in her arms.
“The Gusu Lan Sect presents the firstborn and heir, Lan Huan!” Lan Qiren announced, then they both bowed, as was custom.
Wen Ruohan got up immediately and approached, arms already reading out for the baby. “Why hello-” But then Ren Dongmei took a step back.
“Are your hands clean?” she asked, angling baby A-Huan away from him.
“What?” Wen Ruohan stared at her, as did Lan Qiren. This was certainly not how things were done.
But Ren Dongmei appeared unperturbed. “The Cloud Recesses are so insular they’re practically sterile, and this is A-Huan’s first time outside.” She glanced down pointedly at Wen Ruohan’s still outstreched arms. “Are your hands clean? I don’t want you to introduce anything that will get him sick.”
Wen Ruohan blinked, and Lan Qiren held his breath. Thankfully, Wen Ruohan only chuckled. “I see. Mother instincts are so impressive, aren’t they, Renren?” He grinned at Lan Qiren and chuckled again, as if he was sharing a private joke.
Lan Qiren bowed his head. “Sister in law is a very caring mother,” he said, figuring an agreement would be safest.
Wen Ruohan chuckled again, then took a step back, gathering his qi right against his skin. He appeared to glow as he did so, and when the glow dissipated, his skin was reddened as if freshly scrubbed. “There. I assure you, nothing on my skin could survive that.”
Ren Dongmei gave him a once over, then nodded. “Very well, then.” This time, she was the one to step forward and hand the baby over.
Wen Ruohan immediate started cooing. “Ah, so cute! And so serene, so relaxed. A true Lan, aren’t you? A teeny little Lan, so perfectly content to just be. Safe and secure, no worry to mar your little brow. No, no. No worries for you, not with a mama as fierce as yours.” He grinned up at Ren Dongmei, gesturing up towards his throne. “You will be sitting by me today.”
“Thank you.” She at least had enough manners to bow.
And for the rest of the meeting, there she sat. Lan Qiren sat next to her, trying to figure out how to explain to his sect elders that Ren Dongmei now had Wen Ruohan’s favor and secluding her away again might not go over so well. Especially when Wen Ruohan liked dropping by on unexpected visits.
- The Jiang Firstborn -
Jiang Fengmian dreaded having to present his firstborn to Wen Ruohan. Yanli was a delightful baby, calm and cheerful, but, sadly, a girl. Firstborn girls were a rarity, every other sect leader Jiang Fengmian knew was having boys first. He was a bit worried about Wen Ruohan’s reaction. He tried speaking with his wife about his worries, but she only called him a moron for even suggesting their Yanli could ever be considered less just because she wasn’t a boy.
Yanli, of course, wasn’t any worse than any other baby, she was quite better than most. However, she would not be the one to inherit the sect, hence Jiang Fengmian’s hesitance. Still, she was his firstborn, so present her Jiang Fengmian must.
“The Yunmeng Jiang Sect presents our firstborn daughter, Jiang Yanli,” he declared, gesturing towards his wife. Yu Ziyuan stood straight, A-Li cradled in her arms.
Wen Ruohan stood up with a grin.
“A girl? Are you telling me your first is a girl?”
Jiang Fengmian blinked, feeling confused. “Yes? I hope that isn’t-”
Wen Ruohan hurried down the steps and took A-Li from Yu Ziyuan. “A girl! Finally, a little princess!” He raised A-Li up, one hand supporting her head. “Aw, she will be a beauty, I can tell.” He lowered A-Li into his arms and pressed a kiss against her forehead. “The first girl to be born to a Great Sect in her generation, other than my A-Qing!” He smiled at Yu Ziyuan. “You must raise her correctly, she will be a shining example for all ladies! Oh, but you’re so tiny now still, aren’t you? Just a round little dumpling, too cute for words! You will visit often, won’t you? You and my A-Qing will be the best of friends, I can tell. Two little princesses for the world to fawn over. Be the kind of woman able to command armies to fight for your honor, then destroy your enemies yourself while they are weakened and at your mercy!” He cooed when A-Li yawned widely. “But first a nap, yes, being born is such a hard task. Yes, first we rest, then we conquer, yes yes yes.” He returned to his throne, taking the baby with him as he was wont to do.
Jiang Fengmian smiled to himself. That went well, then.
- The Jin Firstborn and Others -
Fortune had smiled upon Jin Guangshan many times over the years, but never so much when he learned that his favorite whore fell pregnant with his seed, while his wife’s belly was also seeded. He’d immediately taken the whore on as a concubine, for once ignoring his wife’s screeching about it. Two babies would garner him much favor from Wen Ruohan, he was sure of it.
Luck was with him, as both women were similarly along, at least according to the sect doctor. Jin Guangshan paid the man too much for him to dare to be wrong. Which meant they should deliver on the same day. Which they would, especially after he had a servant dose the other one when the first one goes into labor.
Fortune continued smiling upon him all throughout both pregnancies. The healer assured him that both babies were growing well, that they were healthy and should survive the birth. The women he kept separate, more to avoid the screeching from his wife rather than anything else.
But then his wife went into labor first! That should calm her nagging massively, hers being the eldest. Fortune had to find Jin Guangshan truly deserving to be so blessed.
He told his personal servant to dose the whore and by the next day both babies were born, and they were even both boys. Though he wouldn’t have minded a girl from the whore, marrying her off could’ve been used for great gain.
Still, two babies were much better than one. Wen Ruohan would surely look favorably upon Jin Guangshan now, just as fortune has for all this time.
Jin Guangshan stepped forward, his wife and concubine behind him holding his sons. “The Lanling Jin Sect presents my firstborn and heir, Jin Zixuan and my second born, Jin Ziyao!” he proclaimed loudly with a bow and a flourish.
Wen Ruohan’s eyes were bright, staring from baby to baby. “Two? You’ve brought me two children? Two little boys? Two precious little bundles of adorable joy?”
Jin Guangshan preened. “Yes, Chief Cultivator. I was blessed with two healthy boys.” He stepped aside when Wen Ruohan approached, his gaze already focused on the children.
“So precious,” Wen Ruohan gushed. “So adorable. Come closer, closer.” The two women stepped closer to each other, angling the babies so they would be right next to each other. A-Xuan immediately angled his head to stare at his brother. For some reason, he was absurdly curious about the brat. “Aww, they’re so cute. Which is which?”
His wife puffed up her chest. “My son is Jin Zixuan. He is the heir.”
“He’s so chubby. His little cheeks and his little dot, that is precious beyond words, give him here.” She obediently did, settling A-Xuan into Wen Ruohan’s arms. “So adorable, so sweet. Such a big task in front of you, being heir. You must remember to be a cute little thing for as long as you can. Enjoy life and grow strong.” He pressed a kiss against A-Xuan’s chubby cheek, then turned to the whore. “And your boy?”
She curtsied. “Jin Ziyao, honored Sect Leader Wen. He is the second born, born in the evening while Young Master Jin Zixuan arrived in the morning.”
Wen Ruohan pressed another kiss to A-Xuan’s little face. “Aw, were you so eager to greet the sun? I’m flattered, my sweet.” He cooed softly, then held out his arm towards the whore. “Bring him here.” She hesitated but a sharp look from Jin Guangshan had her handing the brat over. She did fuss a bit until the swaddle was nestled securely in Wen Ruohan’s grasp. For some reason, Wen Ruohan allowed it with indulgent patience. “So tiny,” he murmured, looking at the two swaddles, cradling them easily with one hand on each. “Look at them together, one could hardly believe they are twins.”
His wife snorted, and Jin Guangshan sent her a sharp glare. He would not allow her petty tantrums to ruin this for him.
Wen Ruohan, thankfully, didn’t notice her attitude. He was far too focused on the babies. He was currently cooing at the second one. “Aw, look at you. So tiny, so precious. Yours will be an easier life, isn’t that right? Yes, you’re the tiny second, no great responsibility will rest upon your little shoulders. Your life will be one filled with leisure.” He pressed a kiss to the brat’s forehead, then another kiss to A-Xuan. “You’ll be two spoiled little treasures, just look at you. Look at you together, two brothers from two mothers, but twins by fate.”
“You honor us with your words, Chief Cultivator.” Jin Guangshan grinned, bowing politely. Indeed, he has been blessed by fate to be so favored.
- - -
The two children had been so enthusiastically accepted, Jin Guangshan just knew that a third would just improve his position.
If only this cunt would cooperate. He hadn’t fucked a brat into her just for her to turn around and deny him as the father! Her stupid husband wasn’t helping matters either. He was behaving as if he couldn’t just divorce the whore and find a new one.
Even taking the issue to the Chief Cultivator hadn’t forced them to shut up and concede. To the obvious annoyance of everyone.
“Enough!” Wen Ruohan’s voice wasn’t loud but it was enough to send them all into silence. “There is a simple solution to this issue. You.” Madam Qin flinched, raising wet cow eyes to Wen Ruohan. She was still clutching at her infant, Jin Guangshan was fairly sure that she hadn’t put the brat down since the moment he’d come to Laoling to claim them both.
Wen Ruohan’s expression gentled, as it only ever did in the presence of children. “Whose child did you bear?”
Jin Guangshan gaped. That’s not how you establish parentage! But when he tried to protest, Wen Ruohan sent him a sharp look, his mouth twisted into a displeased expression.
Madam Qin looked from Jin Guangshan to Wen Ruohan, her hold on the infant tightening. “My husband’s,” he said, voice thick and trembling from tears. “A-Su is my husband’s. Please, she’s my husband’s!”
“That’s settled then.” Wen Ruohan declared, as if that settled anything. But claiming the brat now would probably not bring Jin Guangshan any recognition. Qin Cangye could keep her.
Madam Qing started openly sobbing, bowing and thanking Wen Ruohan repeatedly. Qin Cangye hurried over to her, wrapping his arms around both her and the baby.
“Congratulations on your daughter,” Wen Ruohan said to them. “May she grow in beauty and in health.”
The Qins bowed. Wen Ruohan waved a hand, dismissing them, and they hurried from the hall, not once glancing back. Jin Guangshan wanted to leave as well, humiliation burning low in his gut, but Wen Ruohan called him back.
“Next time, be sure you’ve brought the right mother and child,” he said, sitting regally on his throne as if he was the Emperor. And to Jin Guangshan’s impotent annoyance, he might as well be. “I will not mediate in a dispute this petty again.”
Petty, he says. “Yes, Chief Cultivator.” Jin Guangshan bowed, schooling his face into a cool mask.
“You may leave. Kiss your darling boys from me.”
“Of course.” At least he still had those two. He’d bring them along for the next discussion conference to regain some standing in Wen Ruohan’s eyes.
- The Nie Secondborn -
Wen Ruohan frowned then Nie Cinai burst into his throne room on his saber. He looked disheveled and frantic, practically falling off his saber in his haste. “Zeng Zufu!”
Wen Ruohan immediately tensed. It’s been years since any of his children from the previous generation had called him that. “What is it? What’s happened?”
Nie Cinai dropped to his knees, grasping onto his robes. “My second has been born,” he gasped out and Wen Ruohan’s blood turned to ice.
“It is far too soon.” The second wife should not even be entering the sixth month.
Nie Cinai’s eyes were swimming with tears, his breath ragged. “He is not doing well, he struggles to breathe.” The hands on Wen Ruohan’s robe tightened. “I’ve come to beg your assistance-”
Ridiculous. As if Wen Ruohan would turn his back on one of his. “Don’t beg, assistance will be granted.” He pulled Nie Cinai up by the collar of his robe and marched down the stairs with him in tow. “Send for the Dafan healers! All of them specializing in early births!” he yelled to his nearest assistant, already mounting his own sword. Until the specialists arrived, spiritual transfers from an immortal would have to do.
- - -
The next sunrise found Wen Ruohan sitting by a wooden cradle. A ring of talismans – healing, stabilizing, warming – was attached to the rim of the cradle, surrounding what lay within in a warm golden glow.
Wen Ruohan smiled softly as he watched the baby, so tiny that even his diaper looked as large as a swaddle. Wen Ruohan reached inside the cradle, being careful not to disrupt any of the talismans, and gently pet one little hand, barely larger than the very tip of his finger. The skin was a healthy pink, none of that horrid blue remaining.
“You’re breathing easier now, aren’t you?” he murmured, voice soft. He watched as the little chest rose slowly up and down, no longer stuttering, no longer gasping. “That’s good. You just focus on that, precious thing. Focus on life, focus on breath, focus on the warm sunlight around you. You will be well, this I promise you, little A-Sang. You are one of mine, and death will never find you. No, no, death will never dare show its face near you, not with me guarding you. None of my children are ever harmed.”
The door opened, and Wen Zhi stepped inside. “Sect Leader. It is time for his treatment.”
Wen Ruohan nodded. “Yes, of course.” It was thanks to Wen Zhi and the rest of the Dafan healers that A-Sang was doing so well. Wen Ruohan could leave him in Wen Zhi’s capable hands without fear.
- The Lan Secondborn -
“The Gusu Lan Sect presents the secondborn, Lan Zhan!” Lan Qiren proclaimed with a bow, Ren Dongmei bowing next to him. Little A-Zhan was quiet in her arms, eyes blinking slowly.
As Wen Ruohan was stepping down towards them, a layer of qi surrounded him, just as it had when A-Huan had been presented. Ren Dongmei nodded at him in approval and placed A-Zhan into his outstretched arms without prompting.
Wen Ruohan immediately cuddled A-Zhan close, cooing at him. “Oh my. Oh me oh my. Such a little face. Such cheeks, such a nose.” He placed a kiss on both cheeks and the tip of his little nose, chuckling at the little displeased frown that earned him. “You take after your uncle, don’t you? I can see him in the pout of your lips, just look at you.” As if understanding him, A-Zhan’s lower lip moved further out, into a deeper pout. “Aww. Are you displeased with me, little one? Such a sweet thing, such a quiet thing. Such a treasure, such a beauty. Like a baby carved from jade.” He pressed another kiss to A-Zhan’s nose, rocking him gently. “Your uncle was just like that, it’s good you’re taking after him.”
“And his brother?” Ren Dongmei asked. “A-Zhan’s father?”
Wen Ruohan’s lips formed a wry smile. “He was a squalling little thing, ruddy and red even a week after birth. Adorable, of course, but little Renren had been so calm, so distinguished.” He sent a proud look Lan Qiren’s way. “I knew he would go far, that he would work and establish his own reputation, instead of being handed it down from the older generation.” He grinned when Lan Qiren couldn’t quite contain his blush, then looked down at A-Zhan, brushing a thumb against the side of his face. “Awww, such soft cheeks! So precious!”
- The Jiang Secondborn -
Jiang Fengmian pursed his lips in displeasure. He and his wife were at the Nightless city, once again in the role of presenting parents. Thankfully it was a boy this time, a proper heir. Unfortunately, he seemed to have inherited his mother’s temperament.
Simply put, A-Cheng was a crier. He was only ever quiet when he was sleeping, face relaxed and cute. But he would wake every shichen, squalling and wailing, kicking his legs and waving his arms as he screamed. A-Li had certainly not been like this. Or at least had been easy to soothe. A-Cheng was very much not. The only thing that ever worked on him was A-Li singing to him and petting his head. And it only ever worked with A-Li – if Yu Ziyuan tried, it took twice as long to calm the boy. Jiang Fengmian had tried once, and not had much success either.
Jiang Fengmian was truly not pleased. While a son was always preferable, he did not relish the thought of presenting A-Cheng as he currently was – red and screaming, squirming so much Yu Ziyuan had trouble holding on to him. Jiang Fengmian had wanted to put the boy in a basket to make it easier on everybody, but his wife had protested adamantly. She’d claimed it would not look good, as no other sect leader has ever used baskets.
But watching A-Cheng yanking on Yu Ziyuan’s robes as he screamed, wrinkling the fabric in his tiny fists, Jiang Fengmian thought he should’ve insisted.
“The Yunmeng Jiang Sect presents our firstborn son and heir, Jiang Cheng,” he said, raising his voice to be heard over the boy’s screeches. He winced. “Apologies. He is difficult to settle down.”
Wen Ruohan, thankfully, didn’t seem to mind. “Never apologize for such an adorable child.” He took A-Cheng with a smile, balancing him with ease despite the flailing limbs. “Look at how angry you are, so grumpy! You are so right, how dare we all? How dare we bother you like this, is that it? You and A-Jue should be friends, he also wanted to fight the world from his first days, little fists clenched.” A-Cheng waved said fists at him, kicking his little legs. “Oh, how dare I! I’ve made you so angry, such a bad Zeng Zufu I am. Will you find it in your heart to forgive me? Oh please forgive your Zeng Zufu, he’s a foolish old man and weak to your powerful kicks.” He pressed a kiss to the boy’s forehead, then tutted. “Your skin is so hot. Already your blood is burning with the fervor of battle, yet your body is still so small.” He pulled off A-Cheng’s hat and the official presentation robes Yu Ziyuan had spent an incense stick’s time putting the boy into. “There, isn’t that better? Much cooler, now, isn’t it?” And Jiang Fengmian was shocked to see A-Cheng starting to settle. His cries petered out, though his lips remained twisted up in a little scowl. Wen Ruohan chuckled and continued raining kisses all over A-Cheng’s face. “Such a pout, such a scowl.” The kisses continued undeterred, even despite A-Cheng kicking out a bit again, catching Wen Ruohan in the jaw. “Such a fierce soul, yes, yes, yes. Oh, yes, yes, yes.” Wen Ruohan rocked the boy in his arms, bouncing him a bit and A-Cheng yawned, eyes blinking slowly. “Anger is such a hard job, but you do it so well,” Wen Ruohan cooed and returned to his throne, A-Cheng still in his arms.
Well. It could’ve gone better. But then again, it could’ve also gone worse, Jiang Fengmian decided with a smile.
a lil’ extra
You can tell a lot by a baby’s cry.
Nie Mingjue cried loudly. When he cried, it sent his whole body heaving. His little mouth would fall wide open and his fists would clench, little legs curled up tight.
Lan Huan cried quietly. When he cried, he wiggled around but only ever let out little whimpers and mewls, quiet but insistent.
Jiang Yanli cried quietly. When she cried, it was always with a small scowl, which only grew deeper with time if she was not soothed instantly, as if displeased at being ignored.
Jin Zixuan cried loudly. When he cried, he wailed as if in a demand, his little face as red as the dot on his forehead.
Jin Ziyao cried quietly. When he cried, it was never louder than a mewl. He would wiggle around and kick his legs, blinking his big wet eyes around, as if confused why he’d been abandoned to his suffering.
Nie Huaisang cried rarely. When he cried, it came in gasping little mewls, little chest heaving with visible difficulty. Everyone made damn sure the precious thing never had a reason to cry and provided him with everything to keep him content.
Lan Zhan never cried, the stoic little thing. One had to pay close attention to him because of that. If it wasn’t for the little sounds he sometimes made, one could think the child was mute.
Jiang Cheng cried loudly. When he cried, it was almost as if he was fighting somebody, arms and legs flailing, a fierce scowl on his face.
You can tell a lot by a baby’s cry. But to Wen Ruohan, they were all simply adorable.