Chapter Text
Wei Wuxian laughs with contentment as they approach the next town. He and Lan Zhan have spent hours on the road, talking, Wei Wuxian playing a lively tune on his dizi, and enjoying each others’ company. Maybe a little too much, he thinks, sorry to the poor farmer who passed by when they had been in the throngs of passion. He laughs a little to himself and Lan Zhan’s ears turn red. So shameless, and yet he can still feel shame. Wei Wuxian loves him for that. They’ve travelled for quite some time. It has taken a surprising amount of investigating to get the name of a town just outside the southernmost border of Yunmeng. Wei Wuxian never doubted that they could figure it out, not when the two of them work together. They can achieve anything when they work together.
The town is small, a little smaller than Yiling. There are a few looks they get but judging by who is getting them, it’s probably more Lan Zhan wearing all white than Wei Wuxian playing while being led on a donkey- maybe it’s both. He doesn’t much care. They are here for one reason only and that reason is currently staying in the only inn in town. Neither of them has figured out just why he would choose this place of all places, but then again, why do any of them choose anything? Maybe it’s getting away, maybe it is nefarious plans. Though Wei Wuxian doesn’t believe that. Lan Zhan carries some suspicion but what he knows, he has not yet deemed fit to be divulged. No gossiping and to Wei Wuxian, that’s fair. After all, that’s why Lan Zhan is the best Chief Cultivator the world has ever seen, but it makes him miserable and that’s why they’re here.
As expected, Wei Wuxian can see Nie Huaisang’s silhouette behind a sheer curtain and he slips behind it with a laugh and sits down beside his friend who looks as startled as he imagines a very fancy bird would. A small amount of pride blossoms in his heart that he has been able to surprise the person who has had such control over his newly found life.
“Wei-gongzi?” Nie Huaisang stutters a little and just about spills his tea. He drains it when a few moments later Lan Zhan joins them. “Hanguang-jun.”
At least he drops the act of a scared little animal when they’re around. The surprise is very genuine. Good, Wei Wuxian thinks. They meant to arrive unannounced. Too many things can happen when the Chief Cultivator announces his presence. Wei Wuxian half expects Sect Leader Yao to appear behind them.
“Sect Leader Nie,” Wei Wuxian says and Nie Huaisang gives him a look before pouring more tea. He laughs, nervous, eyes darting to the door, as he fills their cups. He doesn’t want them here. Wei Wuxian wonders why.
“Wei-xiong, why so formal?” Nie Huaisang narrows his eyes as if he can read their intentions on their faces. And after everything that has happened, maybe he can.
“We are here on official business.” Lan Zhan says and orders another pot of tea.
“Ah, it must be urgent then not to wait until the next cultivation conference in but half a month.” Nie Huaisang sighs. “Very well. What do you want?”
“Straight to the point, ah all right then, we will reminisce another time,” Wei Wuxian smiles and raises his right hand, “I, Wei Wuxian, am here to nominate a new Chief Cultivator. I nominate Nie Huaisang.”
“What?”
“Mn. As Chief Cultivator, I accept the nomination and second it.” Lan Zhan says and since he is Chief Cultivator, they do not need a third endorsement or a vote. An excellent loophole they found in the library. Back then, one assumed that no Chief Cultivator would ever willingly give up their own position, so they did not revisit it. Which works out perfectly for them. He laughs and pours from the jar of wine which Lan Zhan must have ordered for him and downs it before getting up to leave.
~
Nie Huaisang gapes. He isn't sure what just happened, but Wei Wuxian and Hanguang-jun are still talking to him while he takes stock of the situation: he came to the inn after carefully planning which one to choose- one where cultivators are known but he necessarily is not; he travelled quietly, slipping in and out of regions without being seen; he avoided Lotus Pier since this meeting is still... unofficial; he paid for the rooms, food and drink; he bought a few trinkets in the market; and then came back to the inn to prepare for the meeting. No, nothing stands out in his mind that could have prepared him for whatever just happened.
"Congratulations, Chief Cultivator." He hears and both Hanguang-jun and Wei Wuxian bow deeply, a piece of silver on the table as they get up to leave.
"All the paperwork has been brought to your rooms." Hanguang-jun assures him with another bow. What paperwork?
Wait, they can't leave! Nie Huaisang opens his mouth to speak but the only noise which escapes is a pitiful squawk. Does this even work like that? Can a Chief Cultivator really just walk up to any random person and abdicate? He tries to call after them again when he hears Jiang Wanyin.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Jiang Cheng barks out of sight, no doubt at Wei Wuxian.
"Chief Cultivator business." He hears Hanguang-jun say.
“And what are you doing here?” Wei Wuxian inquires and Nie Huaisang wants to cry.
He can't hear the words exchanged next, maybe he will have to loosen some lips with a good meal and a few coins. However the conversation doesn't last very long. Jiang Wanyin appears in sight with a scowl on his face. Nie Huaisang hides behind his fan.
"You're going to tell me why I travelled to reconnect with an old friend and suddenly am finding myself meeting the Chief Cultivator?" His scowl melts into something like inconvenienced bemusement as he sits down.
He stays despite the surprise appearance from Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji which alone should be enough for him to walk away from this.
Nie Huaisang exhales a soft breath of relief.
"We're going to need more wine." Jiang Wanyin calls to no one in particular, but more wine appears moments later.
Nie Huaisang downs three cups without hesitation.