Chapter Text
“Wei Wuxian!”
Wei Wuxian, who had been enjoying a conversation with several other Jiang disciples, saw Jiang Cheng glaring at him fiercely from across the courtyard. Keeping his smile firmly in place, he ran over and prepared himself to tease the young clan heir out of his bad mood.
“Jiang Cheng!” he exclaimed. “What brings you out here?”
Jiang Cheng scowl deepened. “I’m here to see that you don’t do anything to embarrass me today, what else?”
“Aiya, Jiang Cheng, what do you think I’m going to do? Run around naked in front of the guests? Relax,” Wei Wuxian quickly went on as Jiang Cheng’s face darkened even more. “I’m kidding! I’ll be on my best behaviour. Promise!”
He lifted three fingers to his temple to demonstrate his sincerity but that still didn’t seem to appease Jiang Cheng.
“Just watch what you say and don’t offend anyone,” Jiang Cheng said. “The entire cultivation world will be attending this discussion conference. I don’t need you to lose face for the Jiang Clan right now.”
“Alright, alright,” Wei Wuxian said. He flung his arm around Jiang Cheng’s shoulder but it was quickly shrugged away. “Don’t worry, no one’s going to think badly of the Jiang Clan. Not on my account anyways.”
“That’ll be a first! You just make sure that you watch yourself around that Lan Wangji. He already hates you. Don’t make it worse!”
Wei Wuxian’s joviality wavered. “Lan Zhan doesn’t hate me. We’re friends!”
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. “Sure you are. That’s why he’s always trying to get away from you whenever he sees you. He went into seclusion rather than deal with your nonsense! Stay away from him before you damage the Jiang Clan’s reputation any more. You managed to fool A-Die[1] but I know that you’re just going to make things worse. You think that the Lan Clan is going to look on us with favour if you’re the one serving them? Think again. You can’t say that old Lan Qiren doesn’t hate you after what he put up with and he’s the one who makes the decisions in that clan.”
Wei Wuxian crossed his arms over his chest. “I won’t do anything to embarrass the Jiang Clan, okay?”
“Just stay away from Lan Wangji before you ruin things for all of us,” Jiang Cheng said as he began walking away.
“Where are you off to?” Wei Wuxian asked, striding alongside him.
“To meet up with the Jin family.”
“What? Again? Why did they come early anyways? Did you find out?”
“A-Niang[2] wanted to spend more time with Jin-furen, that’s all,” Jiang Cheng said, shrugging. “It’s nothing unusual.”
Wei Wuxian made a scoffing sound. “It hasn’t even been two weeks since Yu-furen and Shijie came back from Jinlin Tai!”
“What’s it to you anyways? Stop following me and get back to your post!” Jiang Cheng shouted. He roughly shoved Wei Wuxian aside and stormed off.
Wei Wuxian slowly walked back towards the entrance of Lianhua Wu[3]. He reflected that a year ago — no, even six months ago — he would have pestered Jiang Cheng until he revealed all that he knew about the Jin Clan’s arrival a full three days early. Much had changed this past year, though, and he now found that he was distancing himself from the Jiang family more and more as each day went by. As for the early arrival of the Jin family, he had his own suspicions about that.
When the arrangements for the discussion conference had been underway, Yu-furen had insisted furiously that Wei Wuxian should be kept from interacting with the Jin Clan. She had claimed that he would undoubtedly ruin things with them again. She had, of course, been referring to the fight which he’d had with Jin Zixuan two years before. Yu-furen had always blamed Wei Wuxian for ending Jiang Yanli’s betrothal to Jin Zixuan even though it had been Jiang Fengmian who had seized the opportunity to call off the engagement.
Yu-furen would have preferred that Wei Wuxian not attend any of the conference events at all. That, however, would have brought up questions, for he was a renowned cultivator and the Jiang Clan’s head disciple. Jiang Fengmian had pointed out that Wei Wuxian’s absence would also mean a poor showing by the Jiang Clan in the junior disciples’ competition. Yu-furen had been furious at the implied slight towards her son, warranted though it might have been. Vicious arguments and accusations had raged throughout Lianhua Wu for days. In the end, though, she had agreed that as long as Wei Wuxian stayed away from the Jin Clan, he was the best suited to lead the Jiang Clan’s disciples.
“After all,” she had said scornfully, “A-Cheng certainly won’t be able to win, let alone come out in the top three!”
Wei Wuxian shook his head, recalling the vitriol that Jiang Cheng had spewed at him afterwards. The gap in their cultivation levels was growing wider by the day and so too was Jiang Cheng’s resentment towards Wei Wuxian. Constantly goaded by his mother’s contempt at him being surpassed by the son of a servant, Jiang Cheng had taken out his frustrations by yelling and cursing at Wei Wuxian. Out of habit, the latter had soothed the Jiang heir but his tolerance for such abuse was fast approaching a tipping point.
Wei Wuxian shrugged away that matter. The Jiang family’s affairs were of little interest to him these days. He approached the group of disciples hovering by the gates, noting the excitement on their faces. It was the first time that some of them had interacted with other clans and they were all looking forward to meeting the other cultivators.
A wave from one of the disciples drew his attention and he clapped his hands. “Alright, everyone, it looks like our first guests have arrived. Do you all remember your assignments?”
A chorus of “Yes, Da-shixiong!” earned them a wide smile.
“Good! Now, get into position and make Yunmeng Jiang proud!” Wei Wuxian said.
The junior Jiang disciples all fell into formation. They stood facing the entrance to Lianhua Wu, ready to greet the new arrivals. Over the next little while, they were kept busy as cultivators from nearby clans came through the gates in droves.
Wei Wuxian looked up eagerly as yet another group of guests entered but his shoulders slumped in disappointment when it turned out to be Yao-zongzhu and his entourage. Dejectedly, he sent off two of his shidi to escort them to their quarters.
“What’s wrong, Da-shixiong?” Lai Huiliang asked.
“Ah, nothing to worry about, San-shidi[4],” Wei Wuxian said. “I’m just waiting for the Lan Clan to get here. It’s been so long since I last saw Lan Zhan. I wonder if he still looks the same. I almost didn’t recognise him when I saw him in Qishan last year!”
Lai Huiliang laughed. Wei Wuxian had spoken of Lan Wangji almost non-stop for the past few weeks. “Oh, I see. It’s probably going to be a while before they get here. There’s still a long time until the banquet even starts.”
“I know, I know, but I can’t wait to see Lan Zhan! I’ll finally get to show him around Lianhua Wu!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed. He was about to say more but they were interrupted then by the arrival of the Ouyang Clan of Baling.
Finally, Wei Wuxian caught a glimpse of fluttering white robes. His heart pounded as the Lan Clan was announced. He stepped forward and bowed deeply, his cheeks glowing from excitement.
“Lan-xiansheng[5], Zewu-jun, Hanguang-jun,” he said, slanting a teasing glance at Lan Wangji. “Welcome to Lianhua Wu!”
Murmuring their appreciation, Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji returned the bow while Lan Qiren acknowledged the greeting with a nod, his lips pursed tightly.
“Please, this way,” Wei Wuxian gestured. “My shidi will escort your disciples to their quarters.”
He allowed Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen to precede him along the indicated path while he himself fell into step beside Lan Wangji.
“Lan Zhan, I’m so glad that you came,” he said. “I was really hoping that you would.”
Lan Wangji gave him a sidelong look but didn’t say anything.
Unperturbed, Wei Wuxian continued, “I’ve given you the best guesthouse that we have. It’s a little bit further away from the common areas but it’s the quietest so you won’t be disturbed by anyone after your curfew hours.”
He skipped forward as they reached a fork in their route. With a bow, he indicated the right hand path before returning to Lan Wangji’s side again.
“Say, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian said, “why don’t I come back before the banquet and show you around a little?”
“No need,” Lan Wangji said brusquely.
Even as Wei Wuxian’s face fell, Lan Xichen glanced back and said, “That is an excellent idea, Wei-gongzi. I know that Wangji has been looking forward to this visit very much.”
Wei Wuxian’s smile returned and he looked expectantly at Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji, however, was glaring coldly at the back of his brother’s head. Wei Wuxian, who had been on the receiving end of that glare numerous times before, absently noted that the tips of his friend’s ears were a bright red.
Ignoring the icy daggers being thrown his way, Lan Xichen said, “I must say, this truly is a lovely corner of Lianhua Wu. I do not believe that I have ever been this way before.”
Lan Qiren and Lan Wangji remained silent while Wei Wuxian and Lan Xichen engaged in polite conversation. Finally, they came to a residence that stood out on the lake. Built on stilts, it was made up of three sizeable buildings and a wide pavilion. The four structures were connected by a wooden walkway that surrounded a bed of majestic lotuses. A great portion of the lake could be viewed from the pavilion which extended out over the water. Further down, the wooden walkway connected to a dock where a luxuriously appointed boat stood at the ready.
Lan Qiren made a small approving sound as the Lans took in the sight of large pink lotuses in full bloom swaying gently in the calm waters. As promised, the clamour had been left far behind and no other dwellings could be seen. There was only the sound of chirping birds to disturb the stillness of the warm autumn air.
Wei Wuxian nudged Lan Wangji’s shoulder. “Do you like it, Lan Zhan?”
“Mn,” Lan Wangji murmured and Wei Wuxian beamed when he saw the quiet pleasure in his eyes.
As they approached the Lans’ temporary residence, Wei Wuxian led them to the largest of the three buildings, Lan Qiren’s quarters. Leaping forward, he slid open the doors and said, “I hope everything will be to your satisfaction, Lan-xiansheng. Refreshments will be served in your pavilion shortly. In the meantime, is there anything else that you require?”
“This will suffice for now,” Lan Qiren said tersely and swept into his rooms without a backwards glance.
Wei Wuxian grinned and closed the doors. “Zewu-jun, this way please.”
“Has the Nie Clan arrived yet?” Lan Xichen asked as they walked to his rooms.
“No, not yet.”
“Would you ask Nie-zongzhu and Huaisang to join us here when they arrive?”
“Yes, of course,” Wei Wuxian said with a small bow.
“Thank you, Wei-gongzi,” Lan Xichen said, smiling. After a few more polite words, he went inside, sliding the doors closed himself.
Wei Wuxian tugged at Lan Wangji’s arm and pulled him along to the other side of the walkway. “Look, Lan Zhan, I picked these rooms just for you. You can even go for a swim right from your door. What do you think? Nice, right?”
Lan Wangji nodded and stepped into his guest quarters.
Wei Wuxian began running backwards down the walkway. “As soon as I’m done greeting everyone at the gates, I’ll come back to give you the tour, okay? See you soon!”
He dashed off without waiting for a reply. Knowing Lan Wangji’s contrariness, he could imagine that a firm refusal would be more likely than agreement.
Luckily for Wei Wuxian, soon after he was back at the gates, the remainder of the guests began arriving in quick succession.
“Almost done,” Lai Huiliang said after some time. “We only have to wait for the Nie Clan now.”
Groans of relief from the rest of the junior disciples greeted this news.
Wei Wuxian laughed. “Alright everybody, good job. You can all go. San-shidi and I will take care of the Nie Clan. Just make sure that you’re at your posts in time for the banquet!” he shouted as his cheering shidi ran away.
“Okay, Da-shixiong!” they called back.
“San-shidi,” Wei Wuxian said, “Zewu-jun invited the Nie brothers over to his place. Escort them over once you’re done with their disciples and then stay there until I get back. I’m going to show Lan Zhan around but we’ll meet you at the Lans’ guesthouse before the banquet. Oh, and let your shushu[6] know that everyone’s here. ”
Lai Huiliang nodded. “That Lan-xiansheng didn’t look too happy to see you.”
“Ha, ha, ha! No, he can’t stand the sight of me!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed. “I’m surprised the old man didn’t say anything about me showing Lan Zhan around. Especially after all the warnings that he gave me about staying away from him! But maybe he’s warming up to me — he didn’t even scold me today.”
Loud voices coming towards them announced the arrival of their final guests and the two Jiang disciples returned their attention to the gates as the Nie Clan entered.
“Nie-zongzhu, Nie-gongzi, welcome to Lianhua Wu,” Wei Wuxian said as he and Lai Huiliang bowed.
Their greetings were returned and then Nie Huaisang cried, “Wei-xiong, I thought we were friends! What’s all this gongzi nonsense about?”
“Nie-xiong, ah, Nie-xiong,” Wei Wuxian said. “Never let it be said that this Wei Ying doesn’t know proper etiquette. If you’ll follow me, I’ll escort you to your quarters while San-shidi looks after your disciples. By the way, Nie-zongzhu, Zewu-jun asked if you’d both like to join him after you’ve had a chance to freshen up.”
“Ah, Xichen’s here already, is he?” Nie Mingjue said. “Sure, we’ll join him.”
“Wei-xiong,” interjected Nie Huaisang, “you never told me how beautiful Lianhua Wu is! I’m glad that I brought my paints with me.”
The short walk to the guesthouse went by quickly as Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang caught up after not having seen each other in a long time. Nie Mingjue fondly shook his head at his younger brother while they talked nonsense, occasionally adding a comment himself.
Wei Wuxian didn’t linger when they arrived at the guesthouse. Promising the Nies that someone would arrive shortly to escort them to see the Lans, he took his leave. As he hurried away, he smiled to himself. Finally. Finally, Lan Zhan, I have you here.
[1] A-Die: father (informal)
[2] A-Niang: mother (informal)
[3] Liánhuā Wù 莲花坞: Lotus Pier
[4] San-shidi: third shidi; third martial brother
[5] Xiansheng: learned elder, teacher; sir, mister
[6] Shushu: uncle; father's younger brother