Chapter Text
“A-Cheng!” Jiang Fengmian exclaims, standing up from his seat in his study and hurrying towards his son, who is currently bowing in front of him.
Grabbing his shoulders, he urges Jiang Cheng to stand up straight. “You should be resting! And why are you bowing in front of me?”
Jiang Cheng looks in his father’s eyes and is shocked to find genuine worry for his well-being. Taking a deep breath, “A-niang told me what you did. How you stopped A-xian from hurting Ayesha and brought her back.” He steps back, removing his father’s hands from his shoulders and bowing once again. “I am grateful for what you did. I cannot thank you enough for saving my wife.”
Jiang Fengmian clenches his fists at his sides. “A-Cheng, of course I will save her. She is important to you. And if she was the key to saving you, then I am glad I was able to help.” His voice was calm, like the benevolent leader he is.
Jiang Cheng straightened up, his face blank. Jiang Fengmian couldn’t understand what was going on in his son’s head. He could see how hardened his time as the sect leader during and after the war had made him.
“How is she?”Jiang Fengmian asked politely.
Jiang Cheng sighed, “She doesn’t recognise this body and doesn’t trust me. The only reason she is still here is that I know her language and have promised her that she will be safe here.”
Jiang Fengmian’s brow furrowed. “She is too paranoid.”
“It’s a good thing.” Jiang Cheng snapped at his father before taking a deep breath. “Forgive me for my tone, Jiang Zongzhu. But she found herself in a completely unknown world. Paranoia is the way to survive.”
Jiang Fengmian’s heart aches at the use of his title from his son’s mouth, but he chooses to continue the conversation. “Did you find anything about how she was able to wield Sandu, even though she doesn’t have any qi?”
Jiang Cheng shakes his head in denial. “Even Wei Wuxian is confused.”
“Young master, forgive me for interrupting, but Miss Ayesha has asked for you at the lotus pavilion.” A servant interrupts their conversation.
Jiang Cheng nods and gives his father a shallow bow. “Excuse me, Jiang Zongzhu,” he says, and leaves without waiting for his father's acknowledgement.
Jiang Cheng strides toward the pavilion, anxious and excited. He sees Ayesha sitting, facing the lake and sipping the tea in front of her.
“Ayesha, you summoned me.” Jiang Cheng states, taking a seat beside her.
Ayesha snorts, “What are you? Naruto’s toad, that you can be summoned?”
“I don’t remember Gamabunta being as handsome as I am.” He snarks back, a small smile on his face.
Ayesha stares at him, observing his features. “True.” She states, and Jiang Cheng looks at her, grinning. “You actually look like an adult Zuko.”
Jiang Cheng leans towards her, stepping into her space. “I remember you confessing to having a huge crush on Zuko as a child.”
Ayesha smirks mischievously and softly traces his cheek. “Does that mean I have a crush on you?”
Jiang Cheng’s face reddens at the admission, but that smile is still on his face. He straightens and clears his throat. “Why did you call for me?”
Ayesha smiles at his red ears and slight blush on his cheeks. “I want to cook for myself.”
He raises his eyebrow. “Are you saying that our sect’s cooks are not up to your standards?”
“Oh, come on!” She swats his arm. “I know even you don’t like the food!” She pouts, whining, “Please, Izumu, let me cook.” She perks up with wide, innocent eyes. “I will even cook for you. Izumu, you love my cooking.”
He looks at her, amused at her whining and pouting.
“Who is Izumu?” They are interrupted by Yanli’s question. He turns to look at his sister as she hesitantly approaches the couple and sits at a distance from them.
“Takeshi Izumu, that’s his name in our world.” Ayesha points at Jiang Cheng before focusing on her now lukewarm tea.
‘Our world,’ Yanli doesn’t know what to feel about the phrasing. But she knows whatever she is feeling, it isn’t good.
“Allow me to introduce myself,” Yanli softly starts the conversation. “This one is Jiang Yanli, Jiang Sect leader’s eldest child and only daughter.” She bows slightly while sitting.
Ayesha shares a look with Jiang Cheng as he gestures for her to introduce herself. “I’m Ayesha Singhania, nice to meet you.” She also bows slightly.
Yanli smiles at her, surprised at her short introduction. “Your world must be so different from this one.”
Ayesha nods. “It’s also boring. No magic or flying swords.”
Jiang Cheng snorts. “I fear the day you learn to fight with a sword.”
Ayesha narrows her eyes at him. “Are you saying I won’t be good at it?”
He shakes his head. “I am more worried about your homicidal tendencies.”
“Izumu!” She exclaims, flicking his forehead, making him wince. “Please don’t listen to him.” She says to Yanli, noticing her wide eyes, “I swear I am not homicidal. I have never murdered anyone, I swear.”
Jiang Cheng is laughing silently at her worried face. “Tell her, Izumu! Clarify that I am not murdering people for fun.” She yells at him, hitting his arm.
“Okay, okay.” He says, laughing, “A-Jie, I swear she hasn’t killed anyone.” His voice is serious before he shrugs and continues, “Well, it was probably because it was illegal and she could face dire consequences. Because I know a few people she would definitely kill if she could.”
“Izumu!” She is now shaking him by his shoulders.
Yanli is looking at them, wide-eyed, wondering what kind of person her brother married.
Ayesha looks at Yanli’s expression and clarifies, “Only the rapist and paedophile! I swear these were the only people I want to murder.”
Yanli is silent; too much information in such a short period of time. “I don’t know what to say,” she softly replies, still looking concerned.
Jiang Cheng is hiding his laughter by hiding behind Ayesha, leaning against her shoulder. Ayesha looks like she wants the earth to swallow her up for making such a bad first impression on Yanli.
She pushes him away from her shoulder. “Izumu, stop laughing! Or I will throttle you!”
Jiang Cheng stops laughing immediately, pressing his lips together, trying to suppress laughter as his shoulders still shake with silent laughter.
Ayesha sighs, shaking her head. “Excuse me, but I am going to the kitchen to make something delicious for myself.” She says, standing up from his place, and bows towards Yanli, “It was truly nice to meet you. I hope we can be friends in the future.” And then she leaves before glaring at Jiang Cheng.
“Wait! Ayesha, I will help you.” He calls for her as he stands and follows her before bowing to his sister.
Yanli could see the couple bickering as they both went towards the kitchen. She doesn’t know what to think. Out of all the people she imagined who might end up with her brother, Ayesha is still far from her wildest imagination.
It wasn’t just the physical appearance but her personality. Yanli always thought A-Cheng’s wife would be someone sweet, polite, and maybe even demure, but instead, Ayesha is opinionated, witty, and knows how to handle her husband.
“Oh, A-Cheng, I now understand why you didn’t marry in this world ever.” She whispers to herself, “There is no one like her here.”