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Jiang Cheng, hailed in the cultivation world as Jiang Wanyin, the fearless leader of the mighty Yunmeng-Jiang sect and a major contributor in the Sunshot Campaign, was a very highly achieved man. Most would consider him stoic and unmovable, hard and set as the stones of the mountains. He showed no real interest in romance, only absolute ability in combat and administration. Paired with his fierce temper, one could easily label him a man of objectivity.
His objectivity extended naturally towards his methods in bringing up his orphaned nephew, Jin Ling. Jin Ling had a maiden’s temper, he knew. This did not go unnoticed by the cultivation world, and it had changed very little after the events leading to his ascension as Sect Master Jin.
And so Jiang Cheng decided to watch over Jin Ling quietly from his end, in a hands-off, hands-on manner. He knew that Jin Ling had to muddle around in the world of politics after his rise as the sect leader of Lanling-Jin, and so far his nephew had been doing very well. The boy appeared to have a natural tendency towards leadership, and Jiang Cheng was very proud of him, even if he had not expressed himself much in that aspect.
The only thing Jin Ling seemed lacking, however, was his ability to attract a mate.
Now, this was probably not Jin Ling’s fault. Jin Ling’s father, while he had still been alive, had been absolutely atrocious. He would belittle the woman he loved, acting like an angry peacock with ruffled feathers. Jin Ling to an extent, appeared to have inherited this trait. The only thing good about the boy was that he was rich, and that he was extremely pretty to look at.
At sixteen, Jin Ling was already a sect leader with somewhat of a semi-secure footing after a year of scrambling around and floundering. Jiang Wanyin had been a little more fortunate during his time, since he had strengthened his grip in the cultivation world through war. Jin Ling, on the other hand, saddled by extremely damaging events, needed a lot of support and help, even if the boy did not readily admit it.
Therefore, Jin Ling needed a spouse.
It was not just any spouse that the boy needed, but a GOOD spouse. They needed to be naturally beautiful, graceful and obedient, hardworking and thrifty, come from a respected family, possess a cultivation level that was not too high, have a personality that was not too strong, not too talkative, have a voice that was not too loud and above all, they must treat Jin Ling nicely.
Out of this criteria, Jiang Cheng had managed to single out only one or two from Jin Ling’s peers. Now, he had not really thought highly of cut-sleevery, but over the months which he had observed Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, he had deliberated over it carefully. Thus, his pool of ‘suitors for Jin Ling’ had expanded twofold. It was only narrowed down by his list of requirements, which left only one person to be considered.
This person was Lan Sizhui.
There had also been Ouyang Zizhen from the Baling-Ouyang sect, but one thing weeded him out of the picture: he was too poor.
And so there was only Lan Sizhui left. Gusu-Lan had a lot of money, as seen from Lan Wangji’s frivolous buying of expensive liquors and trinkets for his intolerable husband. Fortunately, Lan Sizhui, being slightly better educated, had shown himself to be quite thrifty and careful with his expenditure. With eyes of a hawk, and much rummaging through various records, Jiang Cheng had been able to infer that Lan Sizhui was at least sixty percent more careful in spending on items such as lunches, dinners and inns than both his adopted parents were.
Jin Ling himself did not spend much on anything except Fairy and nice clothes, so that was fine. Lanling-Jin needed the prestige anyway. If the young sect leader could not attract a mate with his personality, he could at least do so by preening himself.
The only negative point he could find with Lan Sizhui was that the Lan Sect youth had a cultivation level that was too high, threatening to overshadow Jin Ling to some extent, but he was by far the best choice to date. Hence, satisfied, and gathering all the required information including tips and tricks for getting his nephew prepared for a life of matrimony, Jiang Cheng got ready for the upcoming summit held in the Lotus Pier.
~*~
“Hey, don’t push around! The events are going to start soon!”
Several young masters from different sects were gathered around the little river port. Some of them wore white, while some of them wore grey, and another group wore purple. They gaggled around excitedly, their swords in their brightly polished scabbards and bows on their backs.
They were young junior disciples of the various sects that had gathered for the summit in Yunmeng. Since only the sect masters and some elder retainers were allowed to join the conference, they were given other activities to indulge in, such as tournaments, hunts and the like.
The main objective of these activities, of course, was to get Jiang Cheng’s insufferable nephew alone with Lan Sizhui of the Cloud Recesses. Nobody knew that, obviously, therefore they had come along expecting the usual.
The young masters of Gusu-Lan were exceptionally handsome and refined, with their long, white ribbons fluttering in the wind while their pristine robes trailed behind them. In the centre of the cluster was Lan Sizhui, leading them as a group. The boys looked calm and dignified, speaking in low tones among themselves.
Then, with a ring of what sounded like bells, Lanling-Jin stepped into the harbour.
The translucent young masters stiffened and nudged each other excitedly, losing their composure for a moment. In front of the group from Lanling skipped Fairy, the dog that belonged to Jin Rulan. After the dog walked Jin Ling himself, splendid in gold. Behind him trailed a group of young juniors from his sect.
“Look! Lanling-Jin young masters!”
Stars came into the eyes of the disciples in the group of Lan Sect youths, who switched around each other, all trying to get a clear look at the golden young masters as they passed by. Lanling-Jin was famous for its pretty young masters clad in silk and gold, encrusted in jewels and the like, having complexions that were rosy and golden like the sun. The showy boys did not mix often with others for the most part, so discourse with them was coveted by many of the young masters in other sects, including Gusu-Lan.
From where he stood in line, Jin Ling eyed the crowd unhappily. Why must he, the sect master, be forced into youth activities instead of attending the summit?
In truth, he had wanted to attend the conference instead, and give his two cents during the meeting. However, his uncle Jiang Cheng had stopped him before he could even enter the hall that evening. He had disputed his case, of course, but it had fallen on deaf ears.
“I’m a sect master now, uncle,” Jin Ling had argued. “I’m not going to the youth activities.”
“If I tell you to go, YOU WILL GO!” Jiang Cheng had bellowed. “Go, or I will break both your legs and slap you so hard you’ll meet your parents in heaven by dinnertime!”
And so Jin Ling had to go. He twisted his mouth petulantly as he glanced at the other disciples from the other sects. Lan Sizhui walked up to him and smiled.
“Hello, Sect Master Jin,” greeted Lan Sizhui politely. “How have you been?”
“Hmph,” said Jin Ling, folding his arms. “I’m alright.”
Undeterred, Lan Sizhui tried harder. “I’m glad to hear that. Would you like to hunt together this evening? We can all split into groups between Lanling and Gusu, since we haven’t seen each other in a while. It would be nice to catch up.”
Lan Sizhui had all the other Gusu-Lan Sect juniors’ hopes placed on his shoulders, sans perhaps Lan Jingyi’s. The group had sent him out to talk to Jin Ling, hoping that they would get a chance to mingle with Lanling-Jin’s young masters. Already the seniors and juniors in the group were discussing which Lanling-Jin boy to pair up with amongst themselves, so Lan Sizhui had no choice except to go up and offer to hunt together.
“I don’t mi—”
“Sect Master Jin!” called a cheery voice from far behind, interrupting Jin Ling in mid-sentence. “How have you been?”
It was Ouyang Zizhen, who had arrived with his father earlier that day. He had joined the other youths in their lineup, ready for the evening’s events.
“Oh, it’s you,” said Jin Ling, unfolding his arms. “I’m fine. Baling-Ouyang, how have you been?”
This had been the most Jin Ling had spoken all day to the other youths. For some reason, he had gotten along better with Ouyang Zizhen, Baling-Ouyang’s heir, from their days since Yi City. One could say they were almost friends.
“I’ve been well,” said Ouyang Zizhen. “Say, Sect Master Jin, how about going for the night-hunt together? I’ve got a few things to discuss about the sect. I could use your advice.”
“Sure,” said Jin Ling, nodding.
From the bushes, Jiang Cheng felt his fists tense.
NO, NO NO NO NO! BALING-OUYANG ZIZHEN, HOW DARE YOU!? JIN LING, YOU INSUFFERABLE BRAT! DIDN’T YOU JUST PROMISE LAN SIZHUI YOU WOULD GO TOGETHER!? I’LL BREAK YOUR LEGS!!!
There was a loud rustle as Jiang Wanyin suddenly rolled out of the shrubs, dark and intimidating. He was every bit the figure of authority, and sensing his aura, the young sect juniors returned to their lines quickly. He stood in between Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen.
“GET IN LINE,” he thundered, a twig and a leaf stuck in the braid of his hair. Terrified, the Baling-Ouyang sect heir scampered away. Jiang Cheng turned towards his nephew.
“Leaders of the groups, pair up together,” ordered Jiang Cheng briskly, dragging Jin Ling by his collar before depositing him beside a surprised Lan Sizhui. “The rest of you, pair up however you want. Pairs of two only. Different sects each. Get moving.”
Lan Jingyi shrugged and headed quickly towards Ouyang Zizhen, where they paired up together. Taking the opportunity to act, the Gusu-Lan group rushed towards the Lanling-Jin line before other young masters from other sects could. Soon, they were happily paired up together, discussing this and that.
The juniors’ task for that evening was to hunt water ghouls. Therefore, Yunmeng-Jiang had provided each pair a little boat, thatched to the docks on the river canal. The youths set off on those boats, two by two, paddling with ease and vigour.
The evening had been quite uneventful, nevertheless, with only a few ghouls around to hunt. This could be because the water disaster had been sent back to the old Wen Sect territory, a long time ago. Soon it was dusk, and night approached, obscuring the area around them.
Since it was dark, Lan Sizhui pulled out a light talisman. Before he could light it up, however, he noticed a quick spark flashing from the side.
Suddenly, the entire canal they had been paddling in burst into a flurry of lights, all along the rows of its banks. Pale lanterns glowed by plump and dainty lotuses, bumping against the stone-set walls of the riverbank, buoyant as they rode the light waves.
Startled, but amazed, Jin Ling glanced around. He had been in Yunmeng very often in the Lotus Pier, growing up, but this was the first time he had ever seen the canals lighted up. The soft glow of the delicate lanterns reflected in his irises, bringing an enchanting golden tone to them. Amused, he dipped his hand in the water, and a fat fish swam up to nibble at his fingers.
“Beautiful…”
The voice was Lan Sizhui’s breathless one, but the Lan Sect’s leader of the juniors had not been looking at the lights alone. When Jin Ling heard the latter speak, he turned his face to look at the other youth questioningly. Lan Sizhui cleared his throat politely and opened his mouth.
“Sect master Ji… Jin Ling, I—”
“OY, EVERYONE!!! DINNER TIME!!!!”
Lan Jingyi’s loud call boomed across the docks and pierced every disciple’s ears, causing a few to glare at him angrily for spoiling their mood. Lan Jingyi, expertly timed by the rumbles of his stomach, had accurately gauged the time for physical nourishment. He was a bit like an ear-splitting gong or a bell that clanged loudly before meals, or any event, really. In modern times, he would have been likened to a fire-engine.
Jin Ling, however, interpreted the call very positively. Grabbing the oars with a war cry, he rowed like a madman towards the docks, for he was starving.
When he got out of the little boat, he washed himself quickly, scampering towards the dining hall in a very un-Sect Master-like way. Close to him raced Lan Jingyi, who was quite wild outside the Cloud Recesses. Food served in the Cloud Recesses was often bland, and so the boy had waited eagerly for every opportunity to taste the banquets served in Yunmeng-Jiang.
As per custom, the Jiang Sect usually hosted open buffets where its sect disciples could move around and sit as they pleased. This time, however, the tables were arranged, set only for two people each, tagged with names on strips of paper for the sect masters and junior group leaders. They were low wooden tables, placed on the floor, with cushions to sit on instead of the usual chairs. On each table was a small dish floated with romantic purple water lilies.
Everyone else could sit where they wanted, but Lan Sizhui and Jin Ling were made to sit together again. The other sect leaders sat together in pairs at other tables, conversing among themselves. Once again alone with Jin Ling, Lan Sizhui started to make small talk. He coughed into his hand and smiled, opening his mouth.
At that very moment, Ouyang Zizhen moseyed by, holding a teacup and a plate.
“Hey, Sect Master Jin,” greeted the young sect heir cheerily, dumping himself unceremoniously on the ground between the two other youths as he started to sip his tea again. “We’ve got time to chat at last.”
He then peeked at Lan Sizhui and greeted him as well, for they were all old friends. “Good evening, Sizhui!”
Lan Sizhui politely smiled back, faltering slightly.
YOU LITTLE INSECT. I WILL SLAP YOU DEAD. LEAVE MY NEPHEW ALONE WITH MY FUTURE IN-LAW!!
From the table across his nephew’s, Jiang Cheng narrowed his dark, stormy eyes. Just as he was about to get up, though, a tall figure in white walked into his line of sight.
It was Hanguang-Jun – Lan Wanji, having hovered nearby by chance after collecting some food from the spread to bring to his table. His expression was cool, but as his eyes darted towards the youngsters, he shot Ouyang Zizhen a withering look.
A chill crept up Ouyang Zizhen’s spine for some reason. He hurriedly got up and excused himself from Lan Sizhui’s and Jin Ling’s table.
“I, ah, have to go!” he said, rushing off. “Let’s talk another time!”
Jin Ling stared after him, dumbfounded. As Jiang Cheng relaxed into his seat again and Lan Wangji returned to his, Lan Sizhui resumed smiling and chatting brightly.
The evening passed on pleasantly, and soon it was deep in the night. Taking a stroll outside after the meal, Jiang Cheng came up to a wooden railing and leaned against it, taking a few deep breaths as he listened to the crickets sing. Presently, he heard a few voices speaking nearby.
“Hanguang-Jun, for just now… thank you.”
It was Lan Sizhui. Beside him stood Lan Wangji, silhouetted by the light of the moon. They both stood together on the wooden planks of the Lotus Pier, while others walked around to enjoy the evening air and beautiful stars. Under the pale moonlight, both figures looked otherworldly, but their speech remained in the present.
“Mn. Welcome.”
“Did Senior Wei tell you?”
In the dark, although it was illuminated faintly by lanterns and moonlight, Jiang Cheng could not read their expressions nor their gestures.
“I figured he did,” said Lan Sizhui’s voice. After that was a pause, but he continued, “Hanguang-Jun, I won’t give up. Not until he looks at me properly.”
“Mn,” said Lan Wangji. “Good.”
Slowly, not wanting to eavesdrop anymore, Jiang Cheng slipped back into the wooden interior of his home, fingering Zidian quietly. He resumed his duties in the quiet of his study, before retiring for the night.
The next morning, Lan Sizhui was once again paired up with Jin Ling for a morning trek. Jin Ling had spent breakfast with Ouyang Zizhen, discussing some sect-related matters that they had missed the day before. Fortunately, the Lotus Pier had arranged a paired walk again, pairing the lead disciples together.
Around mid-morning, after wandering down the forested pathways together, Lan Sizhui and Jin Ling found themselves in a dell. As they came to a clearing with several wild orchids in it, Lan Sizhui stopped to admire them. While watching Jin Ling run towards them, he suddenly spoke up.
“Sect Master… Jin Ling…”
“What is it?” asked Jin Ling, not even looking around.
“How do you see me?” asked Lan Sizhui patiently. “You’re so hard to read sometimes. Do you like me, or do you not like me?”
“Hmmm, you’re alright,” said Jin Ling, absently. He was pulling some flowers to put in his room. Jin Ling was rather rough, so he had plucked them by the fistfuls. Truly, it was an ugly sight.
“Well, I think you’re more than alright,” said Lan Sizhui, smiling brightly at last now that he had gotten an actual answer. He clasped his hands together. “Jin Ling, I—I… I really like you. I am in love with you. Won’t you give me a chance?”
It was out at last. Jin Ling panned his gaze at Lan Sizhui, glancing up and down at him as if to study him.
“Aren’t you just pitying me?”
Jin Ling’s tone sounded incredulous. Lan Sizhui gave a little start backwards. Hurt and sadness came to his warm eyes.
JIN LING, YOU STUPID IDIOT, YOU SON OF A WITHERED PEACOCK! COME BACK AND FIX YOUR WORDS, OR I WILL FIX YOU!!
From somewhere in the bushes, Jiang Cheng, watching them, gritted his teeth. But before the Jiang Sect leader could burst out and correct his painfully unendurable nephew, he heard a rustle beside him. His eyes widening with threat, Jiang Cheng snapped his head sideways to look.
Crouching in the bushes, at a distance almost next to him, was Lan Wangji. The young man’s expression looked as it usually did, but as he again observed carefully, Jiang Cheng could see mild surprise in the Lan Jade’s eyes. Evidently, and covered with leaves to up the level of their stealth, neither men had expected to see each other there.
“Sect Master Jin, Jin Rulan! So what if I had pitied you before?”
Both Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji gave a start, ducking back behind the bushes to watch.
“Can’t my feelings have changed over time?” Lan Sizhui demanded heatedly. “They have, as I continued to talk to you and watch you over the months.”
He drew a breath, clenching his fists. “I’m telling you now, Jin Rulan. I won’t give up so easily!”
Lan Sizhui was usually mild and agreeable, but during the second siege of the Burial Mounds, after being elbowed by the other junior disciples, he had known how to fight. Indeed, just from both their expressions, it looked like the two youths would start brawling on the spot.
“Not bad.”
Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji looked up instinctively.
Jin Ling had folded his arms again, easing back slightly to watch the other boy. A charming smile came to his fair, round face, striking Lan Sizhui silly.
“Lan Sizhui, you’re so bold,” he said flippantly, grinning through his teeth.
Then he pushed his ponytail back, almost coyly.
“But… I don’t dislike that.”
And so, still smiling charmingly, Jin Ling courageously seized Lan Sizhui’s hand, leading the dazed boy out of the orchid-laden dell. It was a while before Jiang Cheng made a move again. He stepped out of the bushes, observing the now orchid-bald spot.
Slowly, Lan Wangji emerged, also from the bushes. From the corner of their eyes, the two men squared each other down, leaves and twigs stuck everywhere in their hair and on their clothes. Without a word, Lan Wangji quietly removed the bits of flora from his own person, patting himself clean before nodding silently and turning away to return to the Pier.
Left alone, Jiang Cheng huffed, crossing his arms – but a friendly gleam came to his otherwise bitter eyes.
For now, he had found an ally.