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After their return, Yanli doesn’t let just anyone see her brothers. She is well aware that some people would consider her brothers...inhuman, after all this time. After all, she had the thought upon seeing them for the first time after their miraculous return, and she was their older sister. But now she’s well used to the fact that her Xianxian leaks shadows and her A-Cheng cannot bleed. The war is won and every remaining Wen now lives in Lotus Pier (though Yanli is sure no other sect knows where Lotus Pier’s newest residents are really from). Her little brothers are war heroes, the Two Heroes of Yunmeng.
A-Cheng rarely greets guests these days, preferring to stay by Wei Wuxian’s side and train disciples. Neither of them have a golden core to cultivate with anymore, but they still remember how to teach others about it. Sometimes, when one of them is feeling playful, the halls will ring with the sound of swords as they spar with each other and the disciples.
And so greeting people falls to Yanli, the Mistress of Lotus Pier (which she shall remain until Jin Zixuan pulls his head out of his ass). She doesn’t mind, it gives her time to test each visitor’s mettle, see if they’re really worthy to meet her brothers. Nie Huisang and his elder brother are so far the only ones to pass her tests with flying colors. But she has hope for today’s visitors: The Twin Jades of the Lans.
Yanli greets them in Lotus Hall. They sit on the floor and Yanli sits in front of the Lotus Throne. She is fully within her rights to sit upon it, as A-Cheng has given her and Wei Wuxian permissions to run the Sect, should he ever be absent. These are the Lans though, and such posturing would be lost upon them. (If Lan Qiren were with them, she knows Wei Wuxian would insist on greeting them with Yanli and sprawl out on the Lotus Throne. Yanli is quite grateful it is just the brothers visiting today.)
Some might say they aren't human anymore, Jiang Cheng might have agreed at one time. A golden core is a requirement of a cultivator, but Jiangs have always done the impossible. So here he and his brother stand, coreless and unafraid. The power in their souls cannot be confined. It makes Wei Wuxian, his right hand, all the more terrifying as dark wisps fall from his clothes.
Wei Wuxian's flute is black as the Burial Mounds from which he hewed it. Jiang Cheng prefers his to be a little more proactive, so he can make a sword from the resentful energy burning under his skin. Here's what no one knew about demonic cultivation: there are two sources for resentful energy. The one Wei Wuxian taps is plentiful, nearly unending - the resentment of the world, trying to push him down. Jiang Cheng's is internal. Wei Wuxian theorized it might have something to do with the corrupted core lodged in Jiang Cheng's chest, Jiang Cheng didn't care where it came from but what it could do. His beloved Zidan lay inert in his hand, but the furnace of rage that burns in chest lets him call lightning from the sky and water from the earth. Together, Jiang Cheng knows, nothing could endure against them.
It doesn’t mean that Wei Wuxian’s heart is not fragile. Jiang Cheng knows his brother and he knows his brother...feels for Lan Zhan. His brother is smart enough to revolutionize cultivation, but not smart enough to see what’s right in front of him. It falls to Jiang Cheng to protect Wei Wuxian now, just like Wei Wuxian tried to protect him from a life without cultivation.
So he dresses up. The official colors of Lotus Pier are purple and blue, which clash horribly with the new red of his eyes, so Jiang Cheng has modified his wardrobe so that he can look put together when he needs to. This doesn’t stop him from hating when his own resentful energy leaks out, ruining the look. No matter how dark Jiang Cheng makes the purple, it does not match the red. Sometimes, he wishes his resentful energy was colored like his brother’s- the black would match much better. In the end, he trades his silver for gold, knowing it compliments both the purple and red then hopes for the best. At least today he is meeting the Lans and they’re unlikely to make him mad. Unless Lan Zhan insists on having Wei Wuxian’s hand without the proper protocol, in which case Jiang Cheng cannot be held accountable for what he does.
Today’s underclothes are actually black, layered with a lighter purple then the top layer is a dark enough purple that without light, it is like staring into the abyss. Serene swirls of gold cascade through it to catch the light in all the right ways. If he should need to cultivate in it, the red won’t completely ruin the effect. He ties Wei Wuxian’s gift to him across his stomach and admires the final result in the mirror. The black leather belt matches the one Wei Wuxian has and not only does it bring the outfit together, the inside face is painted with protection charms so anti-resentful energy talismans won’t harm him.
The outfit is finished with the golden Lotus coronet. It’s only appropriate that he wears the piece when meeting another clan head, it has absolutely nothing to do with Lan Xichen once commenting that it was his favorite of all Jiang Cheng’s formal coronets. This is not the first time he’s met another Sect Leader after the Sunshot campaign, but meeting Nie Mingjue is a whole world away from meeting Lan Xichen, though thankfully not as stressful as meeting Jin Guangshan. At least that man won’t leave his precious golden tower to deign to meet a sect leader he considers lesser.
When he arrives in the receiving hall, everyone except Yanli rises. He approaches her and offers his hand, helping her rise before turning to the Lans. “Greetings from the Jiang Sect, Sect Leader Lan Xichen and Second Master Lan Wangi.” They bow to him as Yanli leans in and whispers only three words to Jiang Cheng, but they’re all he needs. “Thank you for entertaining my guests, Most Honored Sister Yanli. Wei Wuxian is in the courtyard if you’d like to spend time with him.” Yanli inclines her head and leaves, her part done, and he gestures for both Lans to sit as he takes the throne.
“I’m not here to indulge pleasantries,” Jiang Cheng informs them as he pours his own cup of tea, “so I will get right to the point. If my brother accepts Lan Wangji’s proposal, festivities will begin in Lotus Pier and proceed to Cloud Recesses. He will not marry into the Lan Clan completely and will still be expected to spend half a year here. There’s also the matter of-” Before he could finish the sentence, a laughing boy streaked into the room, followed slowly by an older woman, who bowed to all present as soon as she saw them.
“I’m sorry, Masters, little A-Yuan is much too fast for me.” She explained. Yuan giggled as he crawled into Jiang Cheng’s lap, and he held his nephew close.
“It’s quite alright, Grandma Jiang. We were just about to talk about him anyways.” She nodded and retired to a corner to catch her breath. Lan Wangji’s attention was completely on the small boy in Jiang Cheng’s lap. “Let me introduce to you my heir and Wei Wuxian’s son: Wei Yuan.” Jiang Cheng happily pet his nephew’s hair while the boy clambered over his lap, trying to find the best place to settle down and nap.
Lan Xichen looked to his brother and then back to Jiang Cheng. “This does not change Lan Wangji’s request to court Wei Wuxian at all, though he understands if Sect Leader Jiang wishes to lengthen the courting period to ensure all family members are pleased with the union.”
Jiang Cheng inclined his head. “Very well. I request to inspect the first courting gift to see if it’s appropriate to present to Wei Wuxian, first son of the Jiang Sect.” It had been one of the first things Cheng had done upon become sect leader- ensuring no one else would question Wei Wuxian’s place in the Jiang family nor his position at Lotus Pier. For all the Jiang Cheng loved his mother, Wei Wuxian had proved himself as a loyal brother over and over.
Lan Wangji rose, pulling a long box from one of the qiankun bags in his sleeves. He then lifts the lid, revealing what Lan Wangji has prepared for Wei Wuxian. Jiang Cheng’s lips curl into a smile and he nods to Lan Xichen. “Your brother may present this to Wei Wuxian. If he rejects it, I will not allow the courting to proceed.”
An emotion flashes across Lan Wangji’s face and he opens his mouth, but Lan Xichen beats him to speaking. “Thank you, Sect Leader Jiang. May my brother present it now?”
Jiang Cheng considers and looks down to Wei Yuan. He considers what Wei Wuxian’s temper is like these days, without Yanli or Yuan to temper it. “You may stay in the Spring Pavilion, Most Honored Lans. You can present the gift tomorrow, before the morning meal.” It would before Wei Wuxian had some time to build up a temper, giving Lan Wangji the best chance to actually be accepted.
“Can I see him before that?” Jiang Cheng is so surprised to hear Lan Wangji to speak out of turn that he thought Lan Xichen was speaking at first, despite the fact the two brothers didn’t sound alike.
It is well within Jiang Cheng’s rights to deny Wangji such access to his brother. Some selfish part of him wants to. After all, Wei Wuxian had sent Lan Wangji from his presence once before, what makes the Second Jade think he’s good enough for the other Hero of Yunmeng? His fist clenches beside him, hidden by his flowing robe. He can feel the burning underneath his skin- which is why he leaves such politics to Yanli. Ultimately, it’s up to Wei Wuxian though.
“It’s up to him.” Jiang Cheng answers, carefully adjusting Yuan’s sleepy form and rises gently, all too aware of the child in his arms. “He’ll visit you, not the other way around. Now, please, make yourselves at home. There’s a bell in your room, ring it if you need anything.”
A Jiang does not flee, no matter the situation. He’s just making a tactical retreat. In an explosion of demonic energy because he felt his brother’s energy flicker. These days, it’s easier than ever to be in tune with every fluctuation of Wei Wuxian’s energy- his demonic energy is like a flare. And that was rage.
Jiang Cheng’s demonic energy is a red blanket across the water. Yanli is frowning with disapproval on the pier and Wei Wuxian is in the middle of the lotus lake, eyes unseeing and demonic energy rippling over the lotuses, making them wither and die.
“Yanli,” Jiang Cheng asked, wishing that his energy was such he could keep Yuan asleep. As it was, he just had to hope the little boy wouldn’t remember today, or any of Wei Wuxian’s bad days.
“I don’t know, A-Cheng,” Yanli replied, shaking her head, “he just got really mad all of the suddenly and fled from the disciples.” Jiang Cheng’s eyes narrow as he steps closer to the water. Dark energy curls protectively around his feet and Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes, pretty sure he knows what caused Wei Wuxian’s melt down. Someone hadn’t watched their mouth again, probably called Jiang Cheng mean names and Wei Wuxian had nearly ripped their soul from their body. It still happened occasionally, though the last time had been a meltdown at Jin Zixuan after his latest fuck-up with their sister. No one hurt Yanli’s feelings.
Jiang Cheng’s powers might be similar to Wei Wuxian’s own, but he couldn’t walk on water, unlike his brother. Though, to be fair, Jiang Cheng got a spiritual sword and he’d be able fix the lotus pond after his brother was done with it.
“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng shouted through the dark fog. He had an uncomfortable feeling the resentful energy his brother got caught up in was from the burning of Lotus Pier and the gods only knew his brother could bring Lotus Pier back to its knees.
The dark energy surged, waving passionately before subsiding as Wei Wuxian’s eyes focused on him and he stepped over the water. His feet weren’t disturbing the water as he took each step before collapsing on the pier at Yanli’s feet, like a puppet with all the strings cut. The dark energy dissipated, letting the sun reach the lotuses once more. Jiang Cheng’s red demonic energy instantly revitalized the pond, healing the lotuses. That marked yet another pond one could steal lotus pods from to help combat side effects of living in close quarters such powerful demonic energy as Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng.
“I’m sorry, sister, brother.” Wei Wuxian apologized, head bowed, clutching at Yanli’s hemline. Jiang Cheng snorted and Yanli smiles gently at him, helping him up off the ground.
“You’re good,” Jiang Cheng replied. “Come on, hold your son.” Wei Wuxian looked torn, looking at his hands. Jiang Cheng felt his energy snapping again, demanding he take a pound of flesh from his brother until he held Yuan. He bit it back painfully. “You aren’t a monster, Wei Wuxian, anymore than I am. Now hold your son .” His voice takes a hard edge and Wei Wuxian reacts by taking Yuan. Yuan whimpers as he shifts from his uncle’s shoulder to his father’s, but Wei Wuxian shushes him gently The hands that killed thousands of Wens only months before now gently cradles A-Yuan and hums him back to sleep. Even Jiang Cheng’s rage quells at the sight and he’s glad, the last thing he needs is a melt down with the Lans here. Lan Xichen would probably request to play Song of Cleansing and Jiang Cheng’s control was already fraying, demanding he take.
Thankfully, Wei Wuxian was always there with a distraction. “A-Cheng, who did you dress up for?”
Jiang Cheng flushed, glaring at his brother. “Your Lan is here and I’m supposed to dress up for other Sect Leaders, you know.”
Wei Wuxian looks up from Yuan to gape at Cheng. “Lan Zhan is here?”
Now, Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes at his brother and crossed his arms. “Yes, he’s here. Currently, he’s staying at Spring Pavilion if you insist on bothering him. Just- be careful, will you?”
“A-Cheng worries too much,” Yanli said, shaking her head with a smile. “Our little Xianxian will be fine.” Wei Wuxian nods fervently, as though he hadn’t just had a meltdown. To be fair, Cheng knew his brother would die rather than let any harm come to A-Yuan. “Now come, brothers, I’ve had servants prepare a meal. We’ll go eat together.” She stands on her tiptoes to kiss A-Yuan’s cheek.
Wei Wuxian looks at Jiang Cheng and smiles, nodding. “That sounds good.” With that, Yanli ushers all of them back to their private residence and a warm meal.
When they finished, Jiang Cheng and Yanli played with Yuan, pretending not to know where their brother had run off too.