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They didn’t talk about it right away in the morning. By the time they’re all awake, everyone has pants on so Jīn Líng bullied them all into real clothes, Jǐngyí into carrying Sīzhuī, and led them outside. Part of him wanted to go to Lotus Pavilion, but it was too exposed and they needed privacy. So he took them to his family’s private garden. The peonies were no longer blooming, but the plants were still healthy and it’s not yet time to cut them back.
Breakfast was...muted, in a way it had never been before. Jīn Líng looked at each of his friends. Jǐngyí was picking at his food with a faraway look in his eyes. Sīzhuī ate dutifully, but his brow was pinched whenever he glanced at Jīn Líng or Zǐzhēn. And Zǐzhēn kept his head down, not even reciting poetry about the fresh loquats (his favorite). It was annoying and unnecessary. He shoved more food into Sīzhuī’s bowl.
“You need to eat more today, Sīzhuī. To recover your strength.” Sīzhuī nodded his thanks and reached for his tea. “After all, Jǐngyí probably exhausted you last night.”
Sīzhuī choked as Jǐngyí flushed. Zǐzhēn just covered his face with his hands, not quite giggling.
“What? You weren’t exactly quiet, you know.” Jīn Líng shoved at Jǐngyí’s shoulder. “When I told you to tell him how you felt, I didn’t expect you two to start fucking immedietly. You couldn’t wait until he was a little better? So eager!”
“Jīn Líng!” Jǐngyí tried to smother him. “You can’t just say such things.”
He laughed, pushing away Jǐngyí’s hands. Sīzhuī was bright red. “Zǐzhēn! Zǐzhēn help me.”
“I cannot. That was so unromantic, my heart may never recover.”
Sīzhuī spoke. “Neither of you… mind?”
“Zǐzhēn definitely didn’t mind last night!” Jīn Líng sing-songed, ducking out of the way when his friend tried to smack him.
“Oh Ancestors.” Jǐngyí buried his face in his hands. “Why?”
“Because we all love each other.” Jīn Líng said, risking his hand for the last meat bun. Zǐzhēn wasn’t fast enough to steal it from him, which made him grumble. He grinned and split it in half to share. “And as happy as I am, this is important. We should talk about important things if this is going to work.”
“Jīn Líng, I only just managed to talk to Sīzhuī. How can we all just-” Jǐngyí waved his hand, unable to find the words.
“So you’d like to slow down.” Jīn Líng nodded. “That’s fair. I’m fine waiting as long as it takes.”
Sīzhuī set his chopsticks aside, face serious. “Is this really something we all want? I don’t want anyone to feel pressured to move past friendship.”
That made them all pause, contemplating. This wasn’t a game. A cut-sleeve relationship was risky business, let alone one with four members. Jīn Líng had only ever read about such things in the dirtiest of Zǐzhēn’s novels and even then, it never worked out. Add to that the fact that he was a sect leader, Zǐzhēn was going to be one, and the austerity of the Lán clan and the thought became more daunting. He frowned at the table. But the idea of not being with all of his friends was completely unacceptable.
“I want us to be together.” Jīn Líng said, voice firm. “I don’t know how exactly, but whatever we choose, I want it to be together.”
“I thought you wanted to marry us all.” Jǐngyí teased, though his heart clearly wasn’t in it.
“I do. But this isn’t just what I want.” He thought of his grandfather’s habits, the way Mèng Yáo had treated his own wife and Lán Xīchén. “I won’t put my own desires above anyone else’s happiness. Not in this.”
Sīzhuī folded his hands together in thought. “I think I would also like to try. Though… there are so many things that could go wrong and I’m concerned that this may harm our current relationships.” At their curious looks, he continued. “Jǐngyí and I live together so we’ll be able to spend more time with each other. Both of you are far more isolated. I worry that distance may turn loneliness into jealousy or resentment.”
“That’s a good point. We’ll be facing any criticism alone and both of us have duties to our Sect beyond what either of you are necessarily going to have.” Zǐzhēn sighed, propping his head up with one hand. “And any contact is also a risk. Letters can be read, conversations overheard.”
“Conversations are easy enough to cover.” Jǐngyí returned. “Silencing arrays can be made mobile and their size can be controlled. But what of physical affection? Can we really expect us to all have that level of restraint after long absences? Or close calls?”
Another long pause. Jīn Líng put more vegetables in Sīzhuī’s bowl as Jǐngyí refilled all of their tea. There’s a brief scrabble for the last piece of meat (they gave it to Sīzhuī, regardless), but otherwise it’s quiet. The Láns were holding hands, Jǐngyí rubbing soothing circles on the back of his lover’s hand, and Jīn Líng couldn’t seem to look away. Whatever happened, he hoped that at least survived. His friends deserved to be happy. It was, of course, Zǐzhēn who brought the whole mess into perspective.
“If love is not worth risking it all for, what else is?” Zǐzhēn murmured, swirling his tea. “If our feelings are true, shouldn’t we fight for them? I don’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering what might have been.”
That settled their resolve and they moved onto planning how they were going to do this. How to make sure no one was alone for too long, how to manage discretion. Tentatively, what they all wanted out of their relationship. Jīn Líng was the only one hesitant about the… physical aspect, though he easily agreed to hold hands with Zǐzhēn and cuddle. When they finally left, Jīn Líng felt a little thrill run through him when Jǐngyí had to look up at Zǐzhēn for a soft kiss. They swayed into each other as if their souls were tied together and Sīzhuī hummed happily at Jīn Líng’s side.
They could make this work. They just needed to be smart and believe .
----
Jǐngyí and Zǐzhēn eventually get called away. Sīzhuī was getting stronger, able to hold his own weight while walking for short periods of time, but still weakened. He took to sitting with Jīn Líng in the main hall, listening attentively to the problems of Lánlíng and offering smart advice. Jīn Líng almost burst into laughter when his advisors realized that the great Hánguāng-jūn’s own sun was attending all of their meetings. Between his father’s reputation and Sīzhuī’s excellent manner, no one complained and once they realized how intelligent he was, the advisors actively addressed his friend. When asked, Jīn Líng “admitted” part of the reason Sīzhuī stayed in his room was so he could easily consult with his friend.
They’re sitting at the head table, pouring over and discussing a troubling report when Hánguāng-jūn himself walked in, a servant running behind him. Jīn Líng waved away the servants apologies and stood to salute deeply.
“Hánguāng-jūn, the Lánlíng Jīn Sect offers their most sincere greetings. I apologize for not greeting you at our gates.”
“Mn.” The man returned his salute, but only had eyes for his son.
Jīn Líng looked at his advisors. “You’re dismissed until tomorrow. We are not to be disturbed unless there’s an emergency.”
They bowed and scurried out as Jīn Líng helped Sīzhuī to his feet. He kept a firm grip on his friend’s arm as they descended the stairs, but stepped back when Hánguāng-jūn quickly walked forward. Jīn Líng could almost see the concern in the man’s face.
The Láns bowed to each other.
“Hánguāng-jūn.”
“Lán Sīzhuī.”
Then they stood there like idiots. Jīn Líng rolled his eyes with an annoyed sigh and gently shoved Sīzhuī towards his father. Hánguāng-jūn caught Sīzhuī’s arms with a wide look as his son stumbled and then glared at Jīn Líng. Jīn Líng folded his arms over his chest and stared back, though internally he was saying his final prayers. Sīzhuī, fortunately, saved them all by taking that last step and wrapping his father in a hug.
“Fuqin.” Sīzhuī’s voice quivered and Hánguāng-jūn’s entire demeanor softened.
“I am here.” Hánguāng-jūn murmured as he cradled Sīzhuī’s head, curling a little over his son.
Jīn Líng looked away because everything was suddenly far too intimate. Would his father have looked at him like that? He stepped away, waving a servant over to have food and drink brought. He stood in the sun and stretched. There was quiet talk behind him, but Jīn Líng left them their privacy. He only turned back when he saw the servants bringing their lunch. Sīzhuī was still wrapped in his father’s arms, reluctant to leave but Jīn Líng could see him flagging.
He cleared his throat and bowed to Hánguāng-jūn when the man glanced at him. “If it would please you, Chief Cultivator, I’ve had a meal prepared. Please join me for lunch. And you to Sīzhuī. Don’t think you’re getting out of your medicine today.”
Sīzhuī laughed a little, leaned into his father who took his weight with a concerned look. “Can we eat at the pavillion? I want to see the lotus flowers.”
Jīn Líng rolled his eyes with a soft grin. “So demanding. Of course we can go.” He hesitated. “Hánguāng-jūn, Sīzhuī is still very weak. Would you prefer to carry him or should-”
The man tossed his sword to Jīn Líng and immediately lifted Sīzhuī into his arms. There was a moment when his friend looked like he might cry, clinging to his father’s neck. Of all of them, Sīzhuī craved physical contact the most but was the least likely to seek it out. How long had it been since he’d been held by his father? Jīn Líng turned away to blink tears from his eye.
“This way, please.”
Lunch was a combination of exquisite dishes and the awful medical congee. Even dutiful Sīzhuī gave it a baleful eye. At Hánguāng-jūn’s questioning look, Jīn Líng answered.
“My healer’s concoction. It’s designed to help restore spiritual energy and stimulate the meridians.” He spooned a bowlful for Sīzhuī, then himself. “It’s disgusting.”
“Then…” Hánguāng-jūn paused. “Why do you eat it?”
Sīzhuī smiled a little and put some vegetables in his father’s bowl. “Jīn Líng has been helping me, fuqin. In fact, Healer Yan said that without Jīn Líng’s spiritual power… it would have gone much worse.” Jīn Líng shuddered and shoveled congee into his mouth. He really didn’t want to think about ‘worse’. “Between him and our friends, I’ve been recovering much faster than expected.”
“We’re only able to help because Sīzhuī is such a good teacher!” Jīn Líng protested. “He taught me how to do an advanced qi transfer, so I was able to show the others how to do it.”
“Regardless, I owe you my life, Jīn Líng.”
Jīn Líng tsked and reached over to refill Sīzhuī’s tea. “You owe me nothing, idiot. Though I wouldn’t mind a promise to be more careful in the future.”
Hánguāng-jūn hummed in agreement and they both stared Sīzhuī down. He sighed. “I will try. It’s just… difficult to see others suffering. I have the skills to help and- There was so much blood, so much screaming. So much pain.”
Sīzhuī got a distant look in his eye and Jīn Líng frowned deeply. Restoring Sīzhuī’s core was one thing, alleviating his mind was another entirely. He would need to ask Healer Yan if there was anything to be done.
“I’ve been thinking of ways to mitigate the problems you’ve found on your travels.” Jīn Líng spoke, waiting until Sīzhuī refocused. “There are healers out there, but as you’ve said, their training isn’t always enough and many people don’t have money to pay for treatment. I’d been intending to bring it up during our next Cultivation Conference, but since Hánguāng-jūn is here…”
“Continue.”
“I think we should dedicate resources to training more healers and existing ones. Further, it would be advantageous to build places of healing for people to seek treatment. Start with major cities and then move out into the country as needed. In Lánlíng, I intend for these places to either not require any payment or very little. Maybe some labor in the herb gardens or something like that.”
Sīzhuī tilted his head in thought. “How would you justify such costs?”
“Fewer deaths means fewer fierce corpses and less resentment. Improved relations with the people and more people alive mean more revenue and less disquiet. Healthier people work better and if they don’t need to be fearful of illness or injuries, even more so. More healers throughout the region also assists in night-hunting, since groups that don’t have a medic won’t necessarily be doomed if the hunt goes badly.”
Hánguāng-jūn nodded slowly. “It is a righteous idea. But most sects do not have the resources of Lánlíng.”
“True. We could focus on only a few physical locations and then supply posts for travelling healers? If you had access to remedies and bandages, you wouldn’t have needed to push yourself so hard, Sīzhuī.”
“That seems more likely to succeed.” Sīzhuī agreed. “But where are you going to find healers in those numbers?”
Jīn Líng shrugged as casually as possible. “I was thinking of sponsoring training events here in Lánlíng. For cultivators and healers to come and study. Even normal people can do something if they’re given the chance to learn.” He stood and saluted Sīzhuī formally. “I had hoped that Lán Sīzhuī might come and lecture during the conferences, as he is the best healer I know.”
Sīzhuī ducked his head. “Jīn Líng.”
“I approve.” Hánguāng-jūn said. “Bring up your thoughts during the next conference and I will speak in support. Sīzhuī will represent the Lán clan when the time comes.”
The man carefully set more food into Sīzhuī’s bowl. “Now, no speaking during meals.”
When Hánguāng-jūn turned to his rice, Jīn Líng winked at Sīzhuī and buried his smirk behind his tea cup when Sīzhuī stared at him with wide eyes. Nothing wrong with a little political maneuvering if everyone benefited.
----
The next conference was in Gūsū, so Jīn Líng spent far too much time choosing his clothes. They needed to be warm as autumn’s chill was clinging to the mountains. Display his status and wealth, but not so much as to offend Lán sensibilities. The last thing he needed was to lose Hánguāng-jūn’s respect if he was truly going to marry Sīzhuī and Jǐngyí. He compromised with a larger, more intricate headpiece and subtle patterns on his robes.
He arrived with his retinue, a modest number, early enough to be punctual but not so soon as to be considered rude or an imposition. Publically, Jīn Líng gifted Uncle Wèi some high quality talisman materials, as a nephew should when visiting his family’s home. Privately, he pulled the man aside and shoved some notes into his hands, quietly detailing his thoughts on improved Jīn Butterflies. The kind where two people could hold a talisman at great distances and communicate with little delay. From the way his Uncle’s eyes lit up, Jīn Líng was fairly confident he’d at least intrigued him.
His jiujiu was there, but Lán Xīchén had not come. Jīn Líng didn’t comment on the absence or jiujiu’s obvious desire to return to Lotus Pier as soon as possible. But the conference was five days long and no amount of scowling would change that. He lured his uncle into a conversation about the merits of learning to fight using a sword in one hand versus in both. It got a little out of hand as the other sects got involved, but they were neither eating nor in the middle of a discussion so Jīn Líng gave it a mental pass.
They all sat through Sect Leader Yao’s long, winding complaints with deadened eyes, but otherwise Jīn Líng at least attempted to be aware and dutifully offered his thoughts when asked. There were still some who doubted him and Lánlíng Jīn: considered him too young, too tainted to be head of a clan. But he had jiujiu and worked hard. That would have to be enough.
When it was his turn to detail the state of Lánlíng, Jīn Líng launched into a speech about his idea about training healers. There was a lot more resistance than he expected.
“Ha! Another set of watchtowers, you mean? Convenient that these healers will all be trained at Koi Tower.”
Jīn Líng grit his teeth. Snapping would not look good and neither would swearing. “The training conferences could easily be held elsewhere or in a rotation, if that is a concern. I offered as it was my idea and Lánlíng can easily house so many.”
“Now you would push the cost off on us and brag of your own fortune! Are you really a gentlemen? Isn’t this too much?”
They’re baiting him, Jīn Líng realized and that cooled his temper significantly. Just some old men hoping to undermine his sect, to make him lose face so they could rise without merit. Falling for such heavy-handed words would get in the way of having Sīzhuī in his home for legitimate reasons. He took a careful, controlled drink of tea before he spoke.
“I meant no offense, Sect Leader. I am, perhaps, overeager in my speech. Recently, a dear friend was… injured and only barely made it to safety. The incident drew my attention to the lack of organization in this matter and how dangerous not having structure can be. I intend to implement a system throughout Lánlíng lands, unless the Chief Cultivator forbids such an act.”
Hánguāng-jūn shook his head. “I have no objections.”
Someone near the back, a minor sect no doubt, whispered loudly. “Too much like his uncle, listen to his new silver tongue. No one respectable comes out of Lánlíng. Does he really think we’d fall for the same act twice!”
Jīn Líng clenched his fists and stared at Hánguāng-jūn’s desk, refusing to rise again. For his lovers, he would bear any humiliation.
“You are all overstepping.” Ōuyáng Zǐzhēn snapped, slapping his hand on his desk. “Sect Leader Jīn has acted as nothing but a gentlemen since he rose to power. Indeed, his thoughtfulness and dedication to righting past wrongs are well known to me. Ask any person in Lánlíng lands and they will say the same. How dare you throw accusations at his efforts!”
He could hear Sect Leader Ōuyáng trying to quell his son but with little success.
“Jīn Guāngyáo also seemed exceptional for many years.” Someone countered, a minor sect from Yúnmèng, which drew jiujiu’s scowl. “How can we trust a boy raised by the son of a whore?”
Jiujiu snarled, Zidian crackling at his wrist. “I have also raised Jīn Líng. Do you have complaints of my parenting? Some doubt in my reputation?”
“Quiet.” Hánguāng-jūn’s voice was soft, but cutting. The room fell to a sudden silence. “Sect Leader Jīn approached me with his idea some time ago. After much thought, I approve of it. Lánlíng Jīn will implement this strategy first and, if effective, we will see if it can be used elsewhere.”
The man stood, clearly a dismissal. They waited for him to exit first, but he paused in front of Jīn Líng. Hánguāng-jūn did not turn to look at him. “As for the other topic, Young Master Ōuyáng speaks the truth. I have seen Sect Leader Jīn’s efforts for myself and can find no fault.”
Jīn Líng rose quickly to salute. “Hánguāng-jūn is too kind. I still have much to learn. I will strive to meet Hánguāng-jūn’s expectations and lead the Jīn Sect righteously.”
Hánguāng-jūn glanced at him and nodded, then exited without looking back, a fist tucked to his back. They left, though there was still some muttering. Jīn Líng clasped his hands behind his back and spoke to his uncle about how best to trade herbs native to Yúnmèng without losing potency. He paused only to salute Zǐzhēn and his father before continuing outside. Jiujiu stuck close to his side as they moved through Gūsū, lingering for well over an hour.
“Jiujiu, you’re looming.” Jīn Líng finally said, a little exasperated. He wanted to at least see his friends tonight.
“No, I’m not.”
“Hovering then.” Jīn Líng turned to his uncle. “There’s no need to worry. I’m fine.”
Jiujiu scowled, crossing his arms. Protective. “They should not speak to you like that. You’ve done more in your few years leading your Sect than some of them have in their entire lives.”
“Let them talk themselves in circles. Their scorn and their praise are worthless, changing on a whim. I know who judges me by my own worth. Theirs are the opinions I care about.”
Jiujiu looked at him, a smile ghosting across his lips. “When did my little nephew grow so wise?”
Jīn Líng scoffed and bumped shoulders with his uncle. “I still need your help, uncle. There’s still so much to learn, to do.”
His uncle reached over, setting a hand on his shoulder. “I am… proud of you, A-Ling. Your parents would be too. Your mother would be thrilled that her son has become so kind.”
“Uncle.” Jīn Líng ducked his head to hide the tears in his eyes. “Thank you.”
“Stop that and come here.” Jiujiu tugged him in for a hug, the first in ages. Jīn Líng held too tightly and for too long, but Jiujiu didn’t let go either. They parted and his uncle coughed roughly. “Now get lost! Don’t think I don’t know you want to go find your little friends.”
Jīn Líng laughed. “You’re right, jiujiu. They’re far better company.” He ducked his uncle’s half-hearted swing and darted away with a laugh.
“You! Get back here, I need to break your legs. I’ll teach you respect!”
He found the others at one of the tables stuck in converging walkways, a pot of tea between them. Zǐzhēn and Jǐngyí appeared to be having a lively conversation as Sīzhuī did his best not to doze off. The Láns had returned to Gūsū a few weeks ago since Sīzhuī was strong enough and could receive excellent treatment here. Jīn Líng still wasn’t used to the quiet and sleeping alone.
Jǐngyí didn’t even stop arguing with Zǐzhēn as he poured Jīn Líng a cup and Jīn Líng huffed in amusement. He turned to Sīzhuī, toasted his health, and drank deeply. Gūsū tea was so lightly flavored, he had to concentrate.
“Rose bud tea?”
Sīzhuī hummed. “Good for qi circulation. How was the conference?”
“Boring.”
Zǐzhēn turned with a frustrated look on his face. “What time wasn’t wasted on Sect Leader Yao monologuing, they spent harassing Jīn Líng! Your idea is a good one, they should not speak to you like that.”
“They can talk all they like. Hánguāng-jūn approved of it, jiujiu is already planning on joining in, and all of you like the idea. What else is there?”
“Respect.” Jǐngyí said, fingers tapping against the table. “Acknowledgment of how well you have done.”
Jīn Líng shrugged. “My manner can be perfect, my choices sound, and my skill excellent and they would still find fault. I’ll make sure to give them as little ground to stand on as possible, but I have no illusions that I will ever gain their deference.”
“I apologize for interrupting, gentlemen, but I was hoping to speak with Sect Leader Jīn.” They turned and there was Sect Leader Niè , his ever present fan waving gently.
Jīn Líng stood, saluted, and gestured for them to move a little ways away for privacy. Whatever the Head Shaker wanted, he didn’t want his friends anywhere near it.
“How may I assist my senior, Sect Leader Niè ?”
“Ah, nothing so formal or important.” Niè Huáisāng held up his hands in submission. “I wanted to greet you properly, since we arrived so late. And perhaps ask you a question or two?”
Jīn Líng nodded, cautious. “I will do my best to answer.”
“Such diligence! And so serious. You truly are Jiāng -xiong’s nephew.” Niè Huáisāng smiled, his head ducked to make himself appear harmless. They both knew what he was capable of, but this was the dance chosen for whoever was watching. “I merely noticed your robes and wished to ask after the fashion. You usually wear something a little more…” He tapped his fan to his lips in thought.
“Extravagant. However, I thought it best to tone such tendencies down, given the Lán approach to life.”
“I see, I see. And since they tend to wear such splendid headpieces, you matched them there as well. How thoughtful. May I ask, what did you bring as your homage gift? I always have such a terrible time choosing.”
“Tea.” Niè Huáisāng leaned forward, interested. Jīn Líng sighed. “It is grown in Lánlíng and very difficult to harvest properly. The buds can only swell for three days before they are past use. But it is delicate in flavor and has many useful properties.”
“Well chosen, indeed. I would never have thought of such a gift myself.” Another smile, this one much smaller, tighter. “And such clever ideas as well. Truly, Sect Leader Jīn is very talented. I hesitated to interrupt the conference, but I also find the lack of trained healers troubling. Have you given thought to which areas of healing your trainings will focus on?”
Jīn Líng frowned. “I had not thought much past general herbalism and basic medical knowledge. To reach the broadest base possible first.”
“Of course! That is only correct.” Niè Huáisāng tilted his head towards Jīn Líng, bringing his fan up to cover his mouth. “I may not know much, but I remember having to read some texts in the Niè library about qi. Perhaps they might be useful?”
Ah. The Head Shaker wanted to help. Jīn Líng wondered what the cost was. He bowed to his senior. “Sect Leader Niè is very generous. I hope there is something I can do to return his kindness.”
“So polite too! You must have chosen your finest healer in Koi Tower to head such an important event.”
Jīn Líng hesitated. Did he risk lying to Niè Huáisāng. The man could already know and be testing him. If he didn’t, he could be putting Sīzhuī at risk. A half-truth maybe? “I had given it some thought, but the Jīn sect is hardly known for their healing prowess. The Lán clan far surpasses us in this regard. I hoped to ask Lán Sīzhuī for his opinions, as we are familiar and he knows his clan better than I.”
The fan paused for barely a second, but Jīn Líng saw regardless. “Another fine choice. You’ve made so many already, I can hardly keep track. Thank you for humoring my questions, Sect Leader Jīn. I’m sure you have better things to do than talk to me.”
Niè Huáisāng turned away to look at a nearby garden, though he kept Jīn Líng in the corners of his eyes. Not a full dismissal, but enough of one that he could leave without offense. He wanted to return to his friends, maybe hide away until they all parted ways again. But looking closer, he saw how bony Niè Huáisāng’s wrists were, the gauntness of his face and he hesitated. Well, he needed allies anyways. Who better than the Head Shaker.
“Are you well, Senior Niè? You seem depleted. Perhaps we should sit.”
The man huffed, then brought his fan to his face with a frown. His tone was sharp. “That was not very polite, Young Master Jīn. Are you a healer now, to be speaking to me as such?”
“I am no healer, but I have studied some healing texts.” Niè Huáisāng looked at him with surprise. “A weakened core effects all the meridians eventually. There is a congee that my healer devised that can help restore balance and aid in stimulating qi. I could send you the recipe. I must warn you though, it tastes terrible.”
“As all medicine does.” A long pause. “You’re a good boy, kind.”
Jīn Líng grimaced a bit and leaned against the fence. “I am trying, but it is difficult some days... Or anytime Sect Leader Yao opens his mouth, the geezer.”
A startled laugh, quickly stifled. “He is not the easiest to endure, is he? But alas, that is the burden of being a Sect Leader.” They watched as the wind picked up and shook leaves from a tree.
“Jīn Líng, I-” Niè Huáisāng cut himself off, his delicate jaw flexing. “Ah, ignore me. I believe you are right. I shall take my rest now.”
He made to leave, but Jīn Líng blocked his path with a gentle hand. “Senior Niè, I understand.”
The man scoffed. “Do you?”
“Yes. And I accept your apology. I don’t- You are not to blame for my late uncle’s actions. As difficult as this has been, I am grateful he can no longer hurt anyone.” Then he frowned. “Actively hurt, I guess. I’m still trying to find all that he was doing.”
Niè Huáisāng stared at him. “You’re thanking me?”
“Not really. After all, you had nothing to do with Mèng Yáo’s downfall. You were just present.” Jīn Líng pulled his hand back and tucked it behind his back. “I will let you rest now, I apologize for stopping you.”
“You.” Niè Huáisāng narrowed his eyes in consideration and Jīn Líng tried to meet them evenly. “I have another question, Sect Leader Jīn.”
“I will do my best to answer.”
The man stepped closer, activating a tiny silencing array from the back of his fan. His eyes were cold even as his face looked soft. “Tell me, what do the red ribbons mean?”
Jīn Líng went very, very still and could not hide his shaking inhale. “Please, don-”
“I asked a question, Jīn Líng. Do not make me cross.”
“I’ll tell you! Just don’t- don’t hurt them.” Jīn Líng reached up to straighten his hair, covering his face with his sleeve. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe through the panic. “It’s a promise.”
“How very uninformative.”
“It- no one else can know, not yet.” Jīn Líng took a risk and grabbed Niè Huáisāng’s sleeve. “Please Senior Niè. We-”
He inhaled deeply. “We’re together.” A raised brow. “Romantically.” The other brow raised in surprise. “I… I intend to- to marry them.”
“All of them? And they know this?” Jīn Líng nodded. Niè Huáisāng’s mouth dropped open in shock and he covered it with his fan. “That is-”
“I know it isn’t orthodox and it’s going to cause trouble. But- but we all love each other, Brother Niè. I can’t-” Jīn Líng felt tears fill his eyes and he tugged Niè Huáisāng’s sleeve again. “I can’t be without them. We’re not ready yet and I need- I need to be stronger, so I can protect them. And so many things could go wrong. But-”
“Hush, Jīn Líng.” Niè Huáisāng’s eyes were flitting around in thought, but he didn’t retreat or condemn, yet. Then he looked considering. “This is why you’ve brought up the healing conferences, to keep your lovers close. Wēn Yuàn to teach, Lán Jǐngyí at his side, and Ōuyáng Zǐzhēn would undoubtedly attend, regardless of his father’s wishes.”
Jīn Líng swallowed thickly. “It was still an idea I was going to propose. It just… came a little sooner?”
Niè Huáisāng huffed out a tired laugh. “To think, I was so suspicious of you. Handing out medical texts to endear yourself, making friends with Hánguāng-jūn’s son, your newfound, unfailing manners and suddenly an unreasonably charitable offer. And what do I find but love as your motivation. Whatever you may have learned from Mèng Yáo, you are truly Wǎnyín’s nephew.”
“So, you won’t tell?” Jīn Líng felt a flutter of hope as the other man shook his head slowly.
“No. And you have the Niè Sect’s support for your little conference. It needs work, but you’ve laid a good base. It’s been getting rather boring anyways.” The Head Shaker looked at him with a smile that actually touched his eyes. “Ah, to be young and in love. I believe I will help you, Sect Leader Jīn. Perhaps tomorrow, we could talk more of your conference plans?”