Chapter Text
Amidst the shared docks of both Leader and Madame Jiang something sparked between the two, unleashing a storm crafted from something unyielding from the Madame–
"So, what you’re telling me is that, I'm supposed to stay–” She paused, rubbing at her temples. She was so ready to pounce on Fengmian, grab him by his stupidly pure white collar, and wipe that expression of clarity off his thickheaded face.
But she was better than that good for nothing toe-eyed cabbage frog licking hog. She was Third Lady Yu, The Purple Spider, and the Wielder of Lighting, she wouldn't allow such a lowly man to silence her.
So she remained seated with a leg crossed over another.
“Calm. I'm supposed to stay calm when you do nothing but praise that servant, that— illegitimate child?”
“Calm, when you just told me the truth behind that child?”
Fengmian opened his mouth to speak but Yu Ziyuan refused to allow him that chance. If their son had to wait hours for his biological father to even glance at him, then why should she give Fengmian the chance to speak?
“Dont you even try it, Fengmian! I'm tired of your fatuous excuses! You’ve been cheating on me with a woman of three sur names!”
Fengmian gasped, his tranquil expression twisted into something familiar– anger but almost foreign on his face. “You have no right to speak of A-Ren like that!”
Yu Ziyuan stood abruptly from her chair, shoving the table aside. “No right?” She let out a mocking huff of laughter. “Well then Fengmian, enlighten me. What rights do I have as a woman, as the Mother of our children, as your Wife, as the Madame of the Jiangs?”
She folded her arms across her chest, awaiting a response.
Silence.
“I– I didnt mean it that way.. Ziyuan.”
Her jaw clenched, her fist tightened, and her head hung low. Her whole body trembled, shaking with uncontainable anger.
“Just listen to me, Ziyuan..” –his voice was soft and calm, much like their daughters. His footsteps approached her, maneuvering around the table and chairs.
With Fengmian, It was like he never wanted her to speak, to advocate. It was like he always wanted her to be quiet like their daughter, like a traditional wife. It was like hearing her voice annoyed him more than anything but, he just compiled for the sake of marriage.
Yu Ziyuan wasn't traditional. She knew her place, knew her worth, knew herself. She'd make it known to all of mankind, she would never suppress herself and bow her head to any man. She was for the girls, the women in situations much like hers, the women who fought for a place in such a sexist society.
After a beat, "Listen.?" She hissed out. "Listen to you when I've done nothing but listen all the damn time?!" Yu Ziyuan yelled, Zidian sparked as a response to her growing temperament.
She stepped back, slammed a fist into a nearby pillar.
"I never even wanted to marry you at first. I was forced into this by you! And your stupid, pea-brained parents! Then, when I have two kids with you, sacrifice my pride for you. You decide to tell me now that you were cheating on me."
She flawlessly lied. Yu Ziyuan had always liked Fengmian. From the moment they had their first conversation she had loved him. She saw how well mannered he was, devoted to his people, his comforting smiles, she saw Fengmian.
Not for a cheating, scandalous husband, but as someone who could love her and smooth out her jagged edges into something softer.
That's all she ever wanted from him–
"And the thing is.." She took a moment to compose herself.
"It was with my best damn friend. You knew that she was married– not that it would've mattered– It was wrong! You knew you were married to me, goddammit!" Yu Ziyuan screamed once more, letting out all her anger and frustration she'd been keeping in for all this time.
Fengmian was silent.
"I–I… can't believe I even loved you!" Her voice cracked. She couldn't cry, not now.
"I ignored all the obvious signs, including the rumors.."
She stepped closer to Fengmian, in return he stepped back.
"Hmm..” She pretended to ponder, a finger on her lips. “You had a child with her. Is that why you were so eager to find Wei-Wu-xian?” She spat the syllabus of the child's name like it was bitter medicine.
She was met with another long and brutal moment of silence for what had to be the thousandth time.
Yu Ziyuan lunged forward, grabbing Fengmian by the front of his robes.
"ANSWER ME!" She shouted, baring her teeth.
Again, she was met with silence. The only thing breaking it was the slight breeze that creased both their faces, leaving them with a slight chill.
"You're being too sensitive.." Fengmian said, "It seems divorce is necessary.”
He paused, "At least be patient enough so I can find another woman to replace you."
She froze, her eyes wide with shock, she let go of Fengmian's robes.
Every word that flowed from his mouth stabbed her with a dagger.
What hurt her was that Fengmian had replied so calmly as if none of this had an effect on him.
No words were shared between them for a good minute. As Fengmian was about to leave she spoke again.
"What..?" Yu Ziyuan uttered, completely taken aback.
Fengmian raised a brow as if to question her.
"What the hell is wrong with you..?" She spoke, but this time louder.
She looked at him, disgusted, as if she had seen someone dig up their nose and eat their snot.
Was this it? Was she really just a stone on his Mahjong?
"You really think I'm going to go ahead and wait?"
"Well, then you're wrong. Go jump off a cliff for all I care!" Yu Ziyuan screamed one last time. Her eyes stung with tears.
She did care.
Fengmian shrugged.
Yu Ziyuan shoved Fengmian aside, pivoted on her heel, and never looked back.
"A-Cheng.. you've been training hard, I see.." Yu Ziyuan allowed herself a small smile to slip, as she patted her son's head.
Her smiles were reserved for him, Jinzhu, and Yinzhu.
"Yes, A-Niang!" He beamed, "A-Cheng has been working hard!" Jiang Cheng smiled, toothy as he clung onto her robes.
She had taught him better than to wrinkle her robes. But, she'd let it slide– at least for now.
"That's wonderful to hear my Little Lotus. How about you go get your Jiejie and.. Wei Wuxian for dinner."
"Yes, A-niang!" He nodded eagerly. "I also want to show you the new sword forms I learned and tell you about today!" Jiang cheng said as he plucked himself from her waist and ran off to find his siblings.
Yu Ziyuan sighed as she rubbed her temples, her headache had only worsened since earlier. She then, after recollecting herself, headed to the private dining hall that she and her family occupied and waited.
After a few moments of waiting, the sound of hurried footsteps and giggling flooded her ears.
She recognized the giggles. They belonged to her son and Wei Wuxian chasing each other to the dining room.
Yu Ziyuan's lips curved up ever so slightly, there was still that look of hurt in her eyes but she still smiled.
"A-Niang, A-Niang! Help me, A-xian is trying to tackle me!" Jiang cheng giggled, running to his mothers side as he swatted at Wei Wuxian.
Before Yu Ziyuan could speak, her daughter did it for her.
She fought the urge to snap. Her daughter shouldn't have been the one setting down her younger brother and— Wei Wuxian.
It shouldve been Fengmian.
"A-Xian, A-Cheng.. settle down, it's time for dinner." Jiang Yanli spoke, calmly. Her voice was always so soothing, much like her fathers. She led her two younger brothers to their seats.
After the four of them settled down, it was evident the others noticed the absence of their father.
“A-Niang..” Jiang Cheng called hesitantly from across the table. “Where’s A-Die?”
Yu Ziyuan knew that Jiang Cheng knew where he stood in his father's eyes. And she knew too but yet, he still cared for him. Such a kind son she had raised.
In the past she'd try so hard to get Fengmian to forget about Wei Changse's son and look at the son they created together.
But, who cared about what she wanted?
"A-Niang? Where's A-die?" Jiang Cheng asked again.
He peered up at Yu Ziyuan with his big beady eyes filled with innocence. Yu Ziyuan felt a pang of guilt for having to lie to her son, but she reminded herself she was doing the right thing.
"It isn't your business what goes on with your father." She began. She wished she hadn't been so harsh, but the words just slipped out.
"You should hurry and eat your dinner." She finished, fidgeting with Zidian.
Understandingly, Jiang Cheng nodded which she was ever so grateful for.
The dinner was silent for the most part. Except for Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian as they were sharing their accomplishments.
It wasn't a bad dinner. It was just– different..
Maybe she didn't have to wait anymore,
maybe she could just..
Leave.