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"Wen guniang, it’s dangerous for you to go alone...Why not travel with us?”

Wen Qing wondered if Jiang gongzi knew what he was asking. He was trying to be kind, she knew. But he didn’t see the bigger picture as Lan er gongzi and Wei WuXian obviously had. They wanted her help to complete their mission, to prevent further harm to others, to save strangers. What did Jiang gongzi want?

“It’s not safe for you to return to Nightless City. Especially after you helped us at Mount Dafan.”

“I did not help you,” she told him, even if it was a lie, “I was only trying to save my relatives.”

He frowned.

“My little brother is still at Nightless City. I have to go back.” She didn’t really owe him any explanations. 

“But…

“Wen Ruohan needs my medical skills. He won’t harm me.” Why did she feel it necessary to reassure him?

He still looked worried.

She should walk away, but the concern in his eyes made her pause. Concern for...her. Oh. No one had looked at her like that since…

She thought of the tattered remains of her family, thought of her failure to protect them. Jiang gongzi was young and still so clueless about the world. But unlike Lan Wangji and Wei WuXian, he was a Sect Heir. He held some powers, limited though they may be, that they did not. He would not think to use her relatives to ask for her assistance in taking part in some heroic effort to save the world. Maybe he could help provide some peace of mind. 

“Jiang gongzi.”

“Yes?” 

“If you really want to help, will you look after my relatives for me? They...they have nowhere else to go.”

It would be a burden. She did not want to give him this burden. But she could barely protect herself and A-Ning as it was. And as apologetic as Wen popo had been, each word of self-incrimination she had spoken had pierced Wen Qing’s heart. Wen Qing should have been the one to kneel in front of her relatives and her ancestors. She should have been the one to beg forgiveness. 

“Yes.” He said, without even thinking about it.

Did he know what he was agreeing to? Was it even within his power to agree? But then, maybe ignorance was bliss. The world was not kind. She knew that. He should be allowed to preserve some of his kindness. 

“They all have some rudimentary medical skills,” she told him, “even if they’re mostly farmers now. They would be able to contribute in meaningful ways. They also have their own pride. They will not take your charity.”

She wondered if he understood that she was also telling him a truth about herself. 

“YunMeng has plenty of land.” He said, “they can build a home there.”

His answer was so simple that she felt guilty again. 

“You won’t be able to continue on your adventure.” She reminded him. 

He looked torn for a moment. “I am not much use anyways. Wei WuXian and Lan Wangji were the heroes.”

“There is more than one way to be a hero.” She did not apologize easily. But she would give him this advice. 

She turned to go.

“Wen guniang.”  

She turned back around.

“I will take care of them.” He promised. 

She nodded. She would believe him. 

Though she told A-Ning not to associate with Wei WuXian, she couldn’t help but go visit them anyways. At least she had an excuse. 

“Didn’t Wen Chao take Wei WuXian?” Jiang gongzi asked her. 

Oh no. She turned to go.

“Wen guniang.”

She turned back towards him. He looked uncertain. “And you...Wen Ruohan didn’t punish you, did he?”

Did he not know that he was the prisoner here?

She shook her head.

“Good.”

“My relatives?” She asked him.

“Safe. Father was lenient even if Mother...wasn’t.” He pressed his lips together, as though he had said too much.

She blinked. Oh. She hadn’t thought of the consequences of her request. 

“And...and you?” She asked.

He looked surprised at her question. “I am…” he paused, “Wei WuXian.”

They were brothers after all, even if they didn’t share blood. “I will do what I can.” She reassured him. 

“Wen guniang. I…” He looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t have the words. 

“Try not to antagonize Wen Chao.” She told him instead. “He is mostly all talk, but he is vindictive. And he has Wen Zhuliu at his beck and call.”

He frowned, “Wei WuXian...”

Of course Wei WuXian would have already antagonized Wen Chao. She remembered when they had first arrived at Cloud Recesses, remembered the reason Wen Chao had hurt her relatives. The grudge already existed.

“Lotus Pier.” She murmured. She hoped she was wrong. But given what had happened to Cloud Recesses and the Unclean Realm already...

“What?” Jiang gongzi definitely looked alarmed now.

“Wen Chao has a personal vendetta against Wei WuXian. Lotus Pier...Lotus Pier is not safe.” Her relatives were not safe.

“What can I do?” 

She looked at him then. Right. Lotus Pier was his home.

“Nothing.” 

He was frowning again.

“For now. Nothing. Wen Chao was given this task, to re-educate. He cannot leave for the time being.”

“But…”

“忍 (forebearance).” It was becoming a habit, offering him advice like this. 

His hands were clenched into fists. 

“I will do what I can.” She repeated. Though she wondered what exactly she was actually promising. 

“A-Ning. What did you do?”

Wen Ning flinched. “Jiejie…”

Of course her brother had already helped Wei WuXian. To A-Ning, Wei WuXian was his savior, his friend. 

“Take me to him.”

Wen Ning looked surprised. “Jiejie?”

She had promised. She didn’t think too carefully about the reason. 

“Wei WuXian.”

He looked at her through the bars, “Wen Qing?”

“You look awful.”

He actually laughed. 

“Did you take the medicines that A-Ning gave you?”

“Ah. They’re just superficial wounds, I’ll be fine.”

She raised an eyebrow, she could clearly see the bloodied teeth on the hound that lay unconscious still. “Use them. They’ll do you good.”

He shook his head but then perked up, “Wen Qing. You can move about, can’t you?”

“What do you want?” she asked suspiciously.

He held out the medications that A-Ning had given him. “Lan Zhan. His leg. He needs these more than I do.”

She wanted to roll her eyes. “That is not a reason for you not to treat your own wounds.”

He looked away from her. 

She slipped a flask of water and some steamed buns through the bars. “Here. I will go see Lan er gongzi. But only if you actually take the medicines A-Ning gave you.”

He just stared at her. “Why are you helping now?”

“Some things are within my power.” And if even A-Ning is willing to brave her admonishments and any subsequent punishments, surely she could do her part? Besides, “Jiang gongzi took in my relatives.” 

He still stared. 

“Well go on,” she said, “the longer I stay here, the greater the risk that I will be discovered. And then who will help you with Lan er gongzi?”

She waited until she saw him take the medicines and press the herbs against his wounds before leaving.

And now, for Lan er gongzi.

“This is going to hurt,” she warned him.

He gritted his teeth and nodded.

She set his broken leg, dressed it, wrapped it. She was impressed despite herself that he made not a single sound the entire time. 

“I know what they did to Cloud Recesses.” She told him as she secured the bandages. “I know the burden you bear.”

His lips parted slightly, the only sign of his surprise.

“Wei WuXian wants to bear it with you.”

“Do not need.”

“Hm. I thought the same as you.” She told him. “But isolation and neutrality didn’t do Cloud Recesses any good, did it?”

His jaw clenched again.

“The thing I’ve discovered about Wei WuXian,” she shared, “is that he will help whether you want him to or not.”

She gestured to the supplies she had brought, “You’ll have to change the bandages and reapply the salve every day. I cannot be seen coming here that often.”

He nodded. 

She stood behind Wen Chao as he rubbed the calamities that had befallen Cloud Recesses and the Unclean Realm in their faces. Of course he would then move on to threaten Lotus Pier.

She met Jiang gongzi’s eyes. She shook her head minutely. He was less innocent than he had been when they had parted on that mountain pass. It was time to grow up.

Hadn’t A-Ning shown her that already? As much as she had tried to protect him, shelter him, A-Ning still became involved. Still made his own decisions, developed his own values. She wanted to take credit for just how good, how kind-hearted A-Ning was. She knew she couldn’t. All she had ever done was keep silent, follow orders, isolate herself. It made her no better than Wen Chao. And...she wanted to be better. Wanted to be worthy of A-Ning’s respect, his regard. 

Jiang gongzi gritted his teeth, his brows furrowed, his hands clenched, but he gave a small nod in response.

Forbearance. 

How else would they all survive?

Wen Chao left them for dead.

Wen Qing felt numb as she stared at the wall in her workroom. 

“Jiejie?”

“A-Ning.”

“What happened, jiejie?”

She did not cry easily either. She was too angry to cry anyways. Angry at Wen Chao. Angry at Wang LingJiao. Angry at herself.

Wen Chao had left them for dead and she had...she hadn’t been able to stop him. 

“Jiejie?”

If she told A-Ning, how would he react? 

“Jiejie?”

A-Ning’s eyes held nothing but concern.

Would he judge her? Would he recoil in horror? 

She was painfully reminded of another pair of eyes that had looked at her in that way. It felt like a lifetime ago now. 

“A-Ning. Do you remember, jiejie had promised to take you away from QiShan?”

He nodded.

“What if jiejie said that it was time to leave?”

A-Ning’s eyes widened before he just nodded again. “If jiejie thinks it best.”

What had she ever done to deserve such trust? 

She stood. “It’s time.”

She needed to go to Lotus Pier, to warn them. There was nothing holding Wen Chao back now. There should still be time, while Wen Chao made his report to his father. Time for…

She went back to where the cave had been. She did not have paper money that she could burn for them. But she brought some offerings of wine and fruits. The dead should be honored.

From the air, however, she saw movement. She guided A-Ning closer and...yes! 

“Jiang gonzi!” She called down and he looked up in surprise.

She landed. “You’re...you escaped!”

Jin ZiXuan stood next to Jiang gongzi and looked at her with distrust.

Jiang gongzi also looked conflicted.

“Are you...wounded?” She asked.

Jiang gongzi shook his head. 

“How many escaped?” she asked.

“All except for Wei WuXian and Lan Wangji,” he at last answered.

“They’ll need to be rescued. Lotus Pier is closest. I will go.” She looked behind her, “A-Ning?”

He handed her their knapsack. 

She held it out towards Jiang gongzi. It was a different sort of offering than she had intended, but she hoped he would accept. “There is some food and wine. A-Ning and I will be able to travel faster by sword.”  

He didn’t take it. “Why?”

“You have no reason to trust me, I know.” She told him, “what Wen Chao did...your deaths would have been a burden on my conscience. These were meant to be offerings.” 

“We’re running away.” A-Ning unexpectedly shared.

“Running away?” Jin gongzi looked surprised.

A-Ning nodded. “Jiejie said it was time for us to leave QiShan.”

“A-Ning.” She meant to scold him, but she couldn’t quite muster the annoyance.

“Why?” Jiang gongzi asked again.

“Lotus Pier.” She told him.

Something flickered in his eyes. Was he remembering their last conversation? Wei WuXian, who had held a knife to Wen Chao’s throat, who had prevented Wang Lingjiao from scarring Luo guniang, had definitely made himself and Lotus Pier targets now.

He uncrossed his arms and took the bag. He then removed the bell from his belt and handed it to her. “Go.”

Jin gongzi turned towards Jiang gongzi, clearly shocked.

She blinked at him.

“You’re a Wen. They won’t trust you without that.”

She took it and secured it on her own belt. 

She hesitated for a moment before stepping back onto her sword. “Be safe.”

She did not look to see his reaction.

Lotus Pier was deceptively calm. Wen Qing knew, though, that a storm was brewing on the horizon. A storm of fire and blood that was determined to burn and destroy everything in its path. Sect Leader Jiang had taken Jiang guniang with him to LanLing, to join the discussion conference there. Jiang gongzi and Wei WuXian went to examine the defenses. 

Wen Qing did not think it would help. 

“You cannot win,” she told Madam Yu. “Buildings can be rebuilt. Land can be reclaimed. Lives cannot be restored once they’re lost.”

“Little girl, we are not just going to run with our tail between our legs!” Not like you . The words weren’t spoken but implied anyways.

“Madam Yu. They will come. They will kill. They will raze. They will not leave Lotus Pier standing.”

“Because he offended them.” Madam Yu, obviously meaning Wei WuXian.

“No.” Wen Qing said. “He is just the excuse. Even if he hadn’t offended Wen Chao time and again, even if he didn’t know about the Yin Irons, they would come. Their goal is the world. Lotus Pier is but a small part of their plans.”

“I am not abandoning my home.” Madam Yu insisted.

Oh and Wen Qing understood the hesitation in Jiang gongzi’s voice when he had mentioned his mother. 

“At least,” Wen Qing begged, something else she had almost never done in the past, “at least send the young ones, the elderly, the civilians, into hiding.”

“They also have a duty to protect and defend.”

“They would die in vain!” Wen Qing cried. Her relatives were among the defenseless. “Their blood would be on your hands!”

“Wen Qing?”

She whirled around to face Jiang gongzi and Wei WuXian. How much had they heard? 

“You know what they did to Cloud Recesses. You saw what they did in Qinghe. Do you really think it would end differently for Lotus Pier?”

“You’re scared.” Wei WuXian noted, his voice almost disbelieving. 

“Of course I’m scared!” she snapped at him, “only a fool wouldn’t be! If with just one piece of Yin Iron Wen Chao could do what he did on Mount Dafan, what do you think they can do now with three?”

She rarely lost control of herself. But she could feel her hands shaking. She clasped them together, “You cannot win.”

“What do you think we should do?” Jiang gongzi asked.

“Run.” She said. “Run and hide.”

“We are not cowards.” Madam Yu stated, disdain obvious in her voice.

“A general knows to pick his battles.” Wen Qing argued back. “Just because you run now does not mean you won’t fight later. The point is to have the opportunity to fight later.”

“LanLing.” Jiang gongzi said into the long silence that followed.

“Jiang Cheng!” His mother barked at him.

Wen Qing stared at him in shock. She had not expected for him to agree with her. 

“Forbearance.” He said.

“You can’t be serious!” Madam Yu exclaimed.

“We have an advantage that Cloud Recesses and the Unclean Realm didn’t. We are forewarned. Those who can’t defend themselves, they should have a chance to escape while they still can. The shidis are so young...if they could wound even ChiFengZun, if they could hurt even Lan Wangji, what hope can our shidis have to stem the tide?”

“So we don’t even try?” Madam Yu demanded.

“Those of us who can, we will stay and fight. Lotus Pier is our home. We can do no less. It’ll buy time for the others anyways.” Jiang gongzi’s hands were clenched again. 

Wei WuXian shook his head. “Jiang Cheng. You go. It’s me they want anyways. I’m the grain of sand in Wen Chao’s eye.”

“If you think for one moment that I’m going to let you hog all the glory again…” Jiang gongzi started to say. 

“I am not doing it for the glory.” Wei WuXian retorted. “I’m taking responsibility. Wen Chao’s vendetta is against me. I will keep his attention. I’ve always been good at distraction.” 

How could he still smile at a time like this, Wen Qing wondered.

“I’m staying.” Jiang gongzi said stubbornly, “it would look suspicious if I’m not here.”

Wen Qing should leave. She should. This was not her battle. She could escape. But would she ever be safe? She was a Wen, the world would see her as the enemy. She had left QiShan, the Wens would not hesitate to kill her either. And...for once, she didn’t want to let her fear control her actions.

“I will fight with you.”

She straightened her posture, reclaimed her composure. 

Madam Yu looked dubious, “Do you even know how?”

Wen Qing raised her chin, “would you like to see?”

A handful of the older disciples asked to stay. The others were charged with seeing the civilians to safety, of taking the youngest shidis to Carp Tower. 

“A-Ning, please. Go with them.”

He shook his head stubbornly, “I can fight too.”

“Please A-Ning. I need to know you’ll be safe.”

“Jiejie. I want to take a stand too. What they did, what they’re doing, is wrong.”

“Let him stay.”

She looked at Jiang gongzi and didn’t know whether to cry or yell. “This is not like the nighthunt back at Biling Lake! And you know how that one ended!”

“He is old enough to decide for himself.” Jiang gongzi said stubbornly. 

“Please. Let me, jiejie.”

How clear, how big A-Ning’s eyes were. How earnest, how determined he was. She couldn’t bring herself to refuse him. 

“Come on, Wen Ning,” Jiang gongzi said as he unsheathed one of the generic practice swords, “show me what you’ve got.”

In the calm before the storm, Wen Qing trained too. Madam Yu never made any comments, but her attitude became less frosty. 

They waited. But it was not Wen Chao who arrived first. 

Wen Qing heard Wang Lingjiao’s voice in the courtyard. She had not seen Wen Qing yet. Wang Lingjiao was not privy to the inner workings of Nightless City. Wen Chao let her flaunt her supposed powers, let her bully the other servants. Her cruelty was probably one of the things that Wen Chao found most attractive about her. But Wen Chao never treated her as anything other than an empty headed toy. Maybe there could be a way to stall still.

Wen Qing moved quietly and sat on the Lotus throne. She hoped Madam Yu would forgive her. 

Wang Lingjiao froze in her complaints about Lotus Pier upon seeing Wen Qing.

Wen Qing lifted an eyebrow, her bearing as regal as she could make it. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same question,” Wang Lingjiao said evenly.

Wen Qing’s eyes flickered to the guards that accompanied Wang Lingjiao; none of them were high ranking either. Good.

“Chief Cultivator sent me here to represent him. As you can see, Lotus Pier now firmly belongs to QiShan Wen. They all,” she said imperiously, “answer to me now.”

The guards looked at one another. Wen Qing did rank higher than their mistress. They bowed. “Wen guniang.”

Wen Qing inclined her head slightly in recognition of their respect. 

“What business does a servant like you have in my domain?” Wen Qing asked.

Wang Lingjiao’s expression grew ugly. 

Wen Qing just arched an eyebrow again. “This is not Nightless City. You would do well to remember your place.”

“Just wait until I tell Wen Chao!” Wang Lingjiao spat.

Wen Qing folded her hands primly in her lap, “Between you and his father, who do you think Wen Chao will heed?” She narrowed her eyes and sneered as she had seen Wen Xu and Wen Chao do, “Now. Begone. Your services are not needed here.”

“You!”

“Me. In case you forgot, I am a Wen. What are you?” 

Wang Lingjiao looked thunderous, but gave a huff as she twirled around and departed. 

Wen Qing waited an appropriate amount of time before she let out a long sigh and stood up from the throne. 

She bowed to Madam Yu, “Forgive me for my presumption.”

Wei WuXian’s eyes were sparkling, “Wen Qing! I didn’t know you could be such a good actress!”

She smiled a little as she admitted, “I’ve been wanting to tell her off for years.” But she quickly grew serious again. “The lie will not hold. Wang Lingjiao will tell Wen Chao about this encounter. But now his fury will not just be directed at you.”

Wei WuXian looked alarmed, “why would you do that?”

“I am already a target. They will not look kindly on my betrayal.”

“Then we had best prepare.” Madam Yu said, a speculative look on her face.

Wen Qing bowed again, “Of course.”

Madam Yu did find her alone. Her usual two maids were not with her either. “Wen guniang.”

Wen Qing pulled back her sword from the form she had been practicing, “Madam Yu.” 

The older lady still had an evaluating expression on her face before she nodded. “Do you know what that bell means?”

Wen Qing blinked. Oh. She had forgotten to return it, hadn’t she? “Jiang gongzi said my words would not be believed otherwise.”

“It does offer you safe passage, yes.” Madam Yu replied. “It is given to every YunMeng Jiang disciple. It provides clarity and also some protection against low level dark curses.”

“I will of course return it.”

“I only fear that my son will not take it back now that he has given it to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“A-Cheng is my only son. He is the future leader of Lotus Pier. I have always had such high expectations for him. When Wei WuXian joined our household, I thought it might galvanize A-Cheng to train harder, to try harder. And yet he still falls short.”

Wen Qing frowned. 

“I never intended to be cruel.” Madam Yu shared, “some women are born to be wives and mothers. My A-Li is one. But not me. I fear in my effort to push A-Cheng to greater heights, I only succeeded in making him doubt himself even more. But...he has chosen you. So perhaps I have not altogether failed.”

“Madam Yu…”

“He listens to you. He heeds your advice. As he had never done for me.”

“You must be mistaken.” Wen Qing protested, “Jiang gongzi and I have only spoken to each other on a handful of occasions. This bell was offered for my safety so that a rescue party would be sent. It is my oversight for not returning it once he had returned to Lotus Pier.”

“You are a strong woman, Wen guniang. But you are also capable of gentleness. A-Cheng will need both at his side.”

“Madam Yu…”

“I do not know if I’ll survive what lies ahead. But I think I will rest easier knowing that my A-Cheng will be in good hands.”

“Madam Yu...I…”

“Will you bear this burden?”

“I...I am a Wen.”

Madam Yu shook her head, “By wearing that bell, you are a Jiang.”

Wen Qing gripped the hilt of her sword. Did she want this burden? It would mean she was firmly choosing a side in this conflict. It would mean standing against her relatives, her Sect. It would mean putting herself and A-Ning in danger. But it also meant…

Oh. It hadn’t just been A-Ning’s respect and regard for which she had wanted to be worthy. 

“I will do what I can.”

Madam Yu nodded before she unsheathed her own sword, “shall we spar?”

“Go.” Madam Yu shoved them into the boat, Zidian wrapped around them.

“Mother!”

She looked grim. “Wen guniang, remember your promise.”

“Madam Yu...my brother…” Wen Qing struggled as well. 

“Mother, please.” Jiang gongzi begged. “Release us.”

Madam Yu pushed at the boat itself with a strong burst of spiritual power and the bank was suddenly too far away. 

“Mother!” Jiang gongzi still yelled.

Wen Qing bit her lip to keep from crying out as well. A-Ning. A-Ning was still there. How could she have lost sight of him? 

The storm had broken. Even Wen Qing had been taken aback at the sheer number of guards who attacked Lotus Pier. There wasn’t even any pretense, just all out battle. 

“You!” Wen Chao had looked at Wen Qing with so much hatred. 

Wen Qing was undaunted. She had made her choice. She refused to regret it. 

Wei WuXian taunted Wen Chao, thus successfully drawing his attention. It seemed Wen Chao’s hatred towards Wei WuXian was still greater than his disgust at Wen Qing’s perceived betrayal. 

They fought but as Wen Qing had predicted, they could not win. Wen Qing managed to throw a needle that temporarily would paralyze Wen Chao. It provided the opportunity for Wei WuXian to intercept Wen Zhuliu’s attack on Madam Yu. 

And she had wrapped Zidian around her and Jiang Cheng as they fought back to back and dragged them to the pier. 

They floated on the lake now. How could the water still be so calm? How could the sun still shine so brightly? 

She could feel Jiang gongzi’s body shake as his voice gave way to sobs. She wanted to cry with him. A-Ning. Her little brother. And for a moment, she hated Madam Yu. But the feeling left as swiftly as it had come into existence. She had made a promise. She could not fall apart now. 

“Jiang gongzi. We knew it was hopeless from the beginning. We live so we can fight another day.”

“How can you be so calm?” he demanded of her.

“Because panicking will not help. Because panicking means that I will have accepted that...that I have lost my little brother forever. And I refuse. I refuse to believe that. Until I see with my own eyes...until then, I choose to believe that this too shall pass. That we will return and be reunited with our families.”

“I hate them. I hate them.” He declared.

“Do you hate me as well?” She should not have asked the question, not in his current state of mind. Whatever his answer, though, she still had a promise to keep. 

He fell silent. 

She took the opportunity to look around them. The lake was still so very placid, there wasn’t even a breeze, but whatever enchantment that Madam Yu had put on the boat was still in effect. And Zidian...Zidian still shined with purple light. 

She let out a breath. There was still hope.

“Jiang gongzi. Do you see that other boat?”

He looked, “Father.” His voice gained in volume, “Father! Father! Father!”

And indeed, it was Sect Leader Jiang, Jiang guniang at his side.

“A-Cheng! What has happened?!”

“Mother...the Wens...Lotus Pier.” Jiang gongzi did not seem capable of making a coherent sentence. 

“They attacked.” Wen Qing filled in the gaps. “Madam Yu sent us away. But she...and my brother and...and Wei WuXian...they are still there.”

“Father. Please release us. Please.”

Sect Leader Jiang looked impossibly sad for a moment before he straightened with resolve. “Your mother sent you away for your safety. A-Li. Join them. Go to LanLing.”

“Father, what about you?” Jiang guniang asked, her eyes wide.

“I will go fetch your Mother. And if the worst should happen…” he looked at his son, “A-Cheng, do not come for us. Lotus Pier will still need a leader. My son, you will need to bear that burden. Do you understand?”

“Father…”

“Do you understand?” Sect Leader Jiang asked again.

“Father…” Jiang guniang tried again, only for her father to hit a few qi spots that paralyzed her. 

He carefully placed her in the boat with Jiang gongzi and Wen Qing.

“A-Cheng. Take care of your sister. I know...I know you can do it.”

Jiang gongzi took a shaky breath. “I understand, father.” 

“A-Cheng…” Sect Leader Jiang brushed aside the loose strand of hair from his son’s head, “I know you will make me proud.”

Then he stood and, flanked by the two disciples behind him, made for Lotus Pier.

They drifted until they suddenly stopped at the same time that Zidian loosened its binding.

Jiang gongzi gave a whimper as he took the cold metal in hand. “Mother…”

Wen Qing watched as he turned in the direction of Lotus Pier. She held another needle between her fingers, just in case. He would hate her, but to go back meant certain death. Even if she was also tempted. Because...A-Ning. No. A-Ning was quick. He knew well how to hide. He knew how to make himself scarce. He knew how to be overlooked. He...

“Wen Qing. I’m sorry.”

She blinked. She had not expected an apology.

“I talked you into letting Wen Ning stay. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

She returned the needle to its hiding place. “A-Ning…” she tried to push away her tears. She had promised that she’d be strong. But she really was so very frightened. “A-Ning will be…I have to believe that…”

He gathered her into his arms and she let him. 

She felt him shake again and saw, through blurred vision, that he was crying again. 

“He will be.” He told her nonetheless. “Him and Wei WuXian. They have to be.”

Wen Qing did not often cry, did not often show weakness. But as he tried to comfort her even though his own heart must be breaking, she surrendered. They shared this burden now. It didn’t make it any less heavy. But perhaps it will be more bearable. 

“Your sister,” she was the first to remember. She wiped her face of tears and turned towards Jiang Yanli. She was staring at them with wide eyes. And Wen Qing suddenly fought the urge to blush.

Instead, she ducked her head and released Jiang guniang from what bound her.

Jiang guniang gave a loud gasp.

“A-jie…” Jiang gongzi held his sister's hands in his.

“A-Cheng, A-Xian…”

“He is clever. He will...if anyone can find a way, it’s him.”

“We can’t just…”

“A-jie.” Jiang gongzi looked like it physically hurt him to say the words he did, “Lotus Pier is overrun. If any of us go back...we would only be walking to our deaths. We have to go. But...I promise you A-jie. I promise we will come back and...and make them pay.”

“Our shidis, when they arrived at Carp Tower…” Jiang guniang had to pause and take deep breaths, “we feared the worst.”

“They are safe then. Good.”

“A-Cheng. Mother. Father.”

Jiang gongzi looked at Zidian, still clasped in his hand, then he slipped it on. It burst into purple lights for a moment before going quiet again. His hands fisted. “We will avenge them.”

Jiang guniang nodded but then broke down into quiet sobs. Jiang gongzi continued to hold her hands. 

Wen Qing should have felt like an interloper. This was a private moment between siblings, among family. 

But then, as Jiang guniang quieted, Jiang gongzi turned towards her, “Wen Qing, will you help me row?” 

She picked up the oars from the bottom of the boat and handed him one. “Jiang Cheng. Yes.”

Jiang Cheng stood facing the disciples who had joined them at Carp Tower. They all looked grimly determined. 

“We will fight. We will plan. It is not yet time to reclaim Lotus Pier. But we will.”

He took a deep breath, “we will train, so that we can be stronger. We will stay together, because we are stronger that way. Above all, we will remember that nothing is impossible for YunMeng Jiang.”

Jiang Yanli reached and held Wen Qing’s hand tightly. “A-Cheng looks and sounds so grown up.”

Wen Qing nodded. The bell at her waist chimed in the breeze. “I will stay with him. Fight with him.”

Jiang Yanli nodded. “Guard each other. Keep each other safe.”

“If…” Wen Qing swallowed, “if there is any news...about…” she found that she couldn’t continue. 

“I will send word.” Jiang Yanli promised. 

Wen Qing allowed herself one moment of weakness as she squeezed Jiang Yanli’s hand, before she lifted her chin. She was also of YunMeng Jiang now. Nothing was impossible.

She lost track of the number of battles. Lost track of how many she pierced through with her sword or immobilized with her needles. Lost track of how many wounds she treated. 

She was only reminded that time had passed when she received a golden butterfly from Jiang Yanli.

“Wen Qing, what is it?”

They had taken camp in some woods. She couldn’t even recall precisely where. 

“Your sister. She said…” she was almost afraid to say, “A-Ning. A-Ning is in Carp Tower.”

“Then that’s where we’ll go.”

“Jiang Cheng...the battle plans…”

“We have a small break before the next one,” Jiang Cheng told her.

“A-Ning...A-Ning is alive.” She felt like she should be crying. But it was still so unbelievable.

He didn’t say anything, just held her hand. 

She took a few deep breaths. “A-Ning is alive. And I will see him soon.”

He nodded, “yes.”

Wen Qing learned that it had been a month. She didn’t care that she was still in battle gear, didn’t care that she was far from clean. She needed to see A-Ning. 

“Jiejie!”

And oh she had missed him. “A-Ning!”

She had never been very demonstrative with her affections, but she wrapped him into her arms anyways. He was alive. Gloriously, gloriously alive. He felt thinner, but he was here and whole.

“Jiejie.”

She sobbed, or maybe she laughed, she didn’t know. No one else was here to see her lack of composure anyways. 

She loosened her hold so that she could look at him better. His face had lost some of its roundness, there was a scar on his neck, but he was still smiling the way he always had whenever she praised him for doing something well. 

“How?”

“I hid.” He told her. “They...they were more focused on Wei gongzi anyways. They had a celebration and I managed to sneak some sleeping powder into the wine. I...I managed to bring Madam Yu and Sect Leader Jiang with me. It took time though, because I couldn’t fly with them.”

His smile disappeared and his eyes became shadowed in a way they’ve never been. 

“A-Ning…”

“Jiejie...it was terrible. They...they took their Cores. Before they killed them. And then they...they did the same to Wei gongzi. But they didn’t kill him. Wen Chao...Wen Chao said he would throw him into the Burial Mounds. I’m sorry...I’m sorry I couldn’t get to him before they…”

“Wen Ning. No. You did well. You brought our parents back to us, so that we can give them a proper burial.” Jiang Cheng gave him a deep bow, “thank you.”

“Jiang gongzi, I...Wei gongzi…”

“Wei WuXian has made it a habit of surviving the most impossible of situations.” Still, Jiang Cheng’s voice wavered. 

“I don’t know if they actually did it,” Wen Ning shared. “Maybe they just took him back to QiShan instead.”

Jiang Cheng’s jaw tightened before he said, “you should rest now.”

Wen Ning shook his head, “I want to help.”

Jiang Cheng’s eyes flickered to Wen Qing briefly before he said, “not this time. Leastwise, not in battle. There is a shortage of healers. And...and I would like you to look after A-jie and our littlest shidis for me. Could you do that?”

Wen Ning nodded. Still as earnest as ever. “You can count on me, Jiang gongzi.”

“Good.”

“Jiejie, you should go rest too. Both of you look tired.”

Wen Qing found herself smiling. “Alright, A-Ning.”

“Jiang guniang said she’d let me help her make soup today,” A-Ning shared, “she makes the best soup!”

Wen Qing couldn’t help but give him one last hug. 

Before they parted ways to go to their respective rooms, Wen Qing put a hand on Jiang Cheng’s wrist. “Thank you.”

He moved so that their hands were intertwined. “He is family.”

And Wen Qing felt like crying again. There hadn’t really been time to discuss what was between them. She knew she trusted him to have her back in any battle and knew that he trusted her with the same. “Jiang Cheng.”

“When this is all over.” He told her. “I will court you properly. For now…”

“For now, I know what the bell means. I will continue to wear it.”

He squeezed her hand, his eyes softening in a way that few had the privilege to see.

“Your parents…”

“Their bodies will be preserved and remain here until we can return to Lotus Pier.”

“There is no doubt that you are Sect Leader Jiang now.” She said softly.

“I will make him proud.” He vowed.

“Your mother too.”

He looked down at Zidian and with a thought, it glowed. “For both of them. For YunMeng.”

“We’re going to QiShan,” Jiang Cheng told her one day.

Wen Qing nodded.

“Will you be…”

It was sweet that he thought to ask. “I left of my own free will. I publicly renounced the Wen name. And they’ve likely burned my name out of the family registrar anyways.” 

“Lan Wangji will be joining us.”

They had occasionally combined forces with Lan er gongzi, HanGuangJun as he’s called now, over the last few months. “How is he?”

“Driven.” Jiang Cheng answered.

“He is looking for Wei WuXian too.” She remembered that Lan Wangji had been cradling a feverish Wei WuXian in his arms when they had been recovered in the XuanWu Cave. She remembered too that Lan Wangji had hesitated before releasing his hold.

Jiang Cheng sighed. 

“After QiShan...assuming ChiFengZun is successful in reclaiming Qinghe, there will just be Yiling and YunMeng left.”

“Is it terrible that I feel torn about which one to liberate first?”

Of course, neither of them doubted that ChiFengZun would succeed. 

She shook her head. “Whichever one you choose, I will follow you.”

“Wen Qing.”

“As you said, we are stronger together.”

He nodded.

“Wen Chao is in Yiling.” Wen Qing informed Jiang Cheng as she joined him on the platform overlooking the mountains that had once been so familiar to her. 

The head guard for this place had recognized her. 

“Traitor.” He had spat at her feet. 

She had raised her sword and severed a few key tendons so that his limbs hung useless. He had been quite willing to tell her everything he knew after that. 

She had made sure his death was swift. That was the reputation she had earned for herself after all. Quiet, efficient, deadly. They tried to give her many appellations, but none of them stuck, for which she was thankful. 

She inclined her head towards their companion, “HanGuangJun.”

He nodded back.

“And Wei WuXian?” Jiang Cheng asked. 

“A-Ning hadn’t heard wrong.” She replied grimly.

“That’s what they said too.” 

They, meaning the pile of corpses that shared the platform with them.

“If anyone can escape, he can.” She said, as much for Jiang Cheng’s sake as for Lan Wangji’s.

The two of them still looked troubled. Without his Golden Core, Wei WuXian was essentially defenseless.

The sound of footsteps made them all turn. 

“Sect Leader.”

Jiang Cheng took his sword from the disciple in purple.

“HanGuangJun.” 

Lan er gongzi did the same with the sword from the disciple in white.

“Sect Leader. Da shixiong’s blade.”

Both Jiang Cheng and HanGuangJun stared at it.

“Go on.” Jiang Cheng said, his voice gruff.

Lan Wangji looked at him, his face unreadable, before he reached and took the sword in hand.

It was sealed.

Lan Wangji returned it to Jiang Cheng, even if his eyes continued to linger on SuiBian.

“Yiling then?” Wen Qing asked.

They looked at her.

She arched an eyebrow.

“Yiling.” Jiang Cheng repeated with certainty. He turned towards Lan Wangji. “You coming?”

They had to stop by the Unclean Realm first. ChiFengZun was their de facto general. Both because of seniority and battle prowess. They had to make their reports. 

Wen Qing saw Wen Xu’s severed head hanging in the entrance. 

She could feel Jiang Cheng’s eyes on her.

“He used to torment A-Ning.” She said shortly. 

They passed through the gate. The number of bodies did not lessen. Wen Qing wondered if she had become desensitized. 

“I’m glad we told your sister to stay in Carp Tower.” She said softly.

“A-jie would be appalled.” Jiang Cheng agreed. 

They were shown to what Wen Qing assumed to be the war room. A map of the cultivation world stood in the middle. She eyed the space marked Yiling. Just based on terrain alone, it’ll prove difficult. 

Jin ZiXuan was already waiting. 

“Your sword, Jin gongzi.” She offered it to him.

“My thanks.” He nodded at her.

It was very different from the distrust he had once shown. But she had more than proven herself these past three months. 

Even ChiFengZun acknowledged her in his greetings. “Qing guniang.”

She took a seat, as always, next to Jiang Cheng. 

ChiFengZun looked surprised when Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji stood together and asked to lead the invasion into Yiling. 

“Wen Chao is there.” Wen Qing shared. “Yiling also borders YunMeng, where they will expect us to go first. It provides the advantage of surprise.” 

“You mean to advance into YunMeng from Yiling then?”

“Yes. They think Long River helps protect them, but all YunMeng disciples are strong swimmers. It would be unexpected.” Jiang Cheng stated.

“Very well then. I will eagerly await your good news.”

They bowed.

Something strange was afoot in Yiling. They followed the trail of bodies into YunMeng and eventually found Wei WuXian.

Jiang Cheng watched as the breath was squeezed out of Wen Zhuliu by Zidian. 

Wen Qing went to the cowering man in the corner. “Hello cousin.”

“You!” But his voice held more fear than anger now. 

“Remember the rules you had them recite? I may not be a Wen anymore, but I think I would be justified in following them still.”

She didn’t give him another chance to speak before she efficiently ended his life.  

She stood to face the three men, “it’s too bad none of us have the skill to behead him.”

“You’re not a Wen anymore anyways.” Jiang Cheng reminded her.

“True enough.”

She turned towards Wei WuXian. “How did you manage it?”

“Manage what?”

“To master resentful energy?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” He said, his eyes cold.

“A-Ning was there. He saw what Wen Zhuliu did.” She informed him, “so it’s no use hiding it from us.”

“Wen Ning is...alive?” The first spark of something warm lit in his eyes.

“Yes.” She nodded. “He’s with your sister, both of them safe in Carp Tower.”

“Who else knows?” He asked.

“Just us.”

“Us?”

“Those currently in this room, your sister, and A-Ning. Family.”

“Family.” Wei WuXian repeated in an odd tone. 

“Of course, you idiot.” Jiang Cheng said impatiently. “And we’d like to go home to Lotus Pier soon. We could use your help.”

“The powers I now possess...”

“Are driven by music and talismans, are they not? Fortunately, we have an expert in musical cultivation right here with us. And you’ve always been good with talismans.” Wen Qing calmly informed him.

“I thought…” and for the first time that night, Wei WuXian looked vulnerable.

“Will help Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji declared. Whether you like it or not, was implied.

“Why?”

“It’s what Wei Ying would do.” Lan Wangji told him solemnly. 

“You should wear your sword anyways.” JiangCheng held it out to him. “Unless you want the world to know your secret too.”

Wei WuXian stood there with lips parted but no sounds came out.

“I think we’ve broken him.” Wen Qing commented.

“Had I known that all it would take was being nice to him…”

“To be fair,” Wen Qing speculated, “he probably hasn’t had anyone else to talk to these past three months.” 

“Wei Ying. Take your sword.”

Wei WuXian grasped the sword on reflex as Jiang Cheng threw it at him. “Not fair! The three of you are ganging up on me.”

“Well yeah. That’s what family does.” Jiang Cheng said in exasperation, “you idiot.”

“Family...Lan Zhan is not…”

“The ribbon.” Lan Wangji stated.

“What ribbon?”

“The cave.”

Wei WuXian frowned. “We’ve been in more than one cave, Lan Zhan. You’re going to have to be more specific.”

“To prevent the guqin from attacking you, you must be recognized as a Lan.”

Wei WuXian blinked.

“Only parents, children, or spouses may touch the ribbon.” Lan Wangji recited. 

“You…”

“Family.” Lan Wangji stated. 

“Oh.”

“Wen Qing,” Jiang Cheng said into the silence, “I think you’re right. I think we have broken him.”

“Shut up.” Wei WuXian said, almost on reflex. 

“Fortunately,” Jiang Cheng said, as though he hadn’t heard, “Qing guniang is a more than capable physician. As long as you don’t mind some needles.”

“No needles.” Wei WuXian pouted.

Wen Qing arched an eyebrow, “what are you, a child?”

“Lan Zhan! Save me!”

“Good for WeiYing.” HanGuangJun stated calmly.

“Ah! Betrayed! By my own family!”

“Family?” Lan Wangji asked.

“You tricked me!” Wei WuXian exclaimed. 

Lan Wangji looked away.

“And now you’ve gone and made him sad. Aren’t you supposed to be the smart one?” Jiang Cheng sighed. 

“What? No.That’s not what...”

“Jiang Cheng, I think we should let them sort this out on their own.” Wen Qing suggested. 

“I do believe you’re right.” He offered her his arm, which she took. “We’ll just be outside! Come find us when you’re ready to go reclaim YunMeng!”

“One could argue,” Wen Qing told him as they leaned against the fence, “that you tricked me too.”

JiangCheng had the grace to blush. “I did have something else I meant to give you. But...in that moment, the bell seemed more appropriate.”

“Why?”

“You would have mourned me.”

She would have. 

“Something else?” She asked.

He reached into an inner pocket and withdrew something wrapped in a piece of silk. “This.”

She took it curiously. “A comb. You’ve been carrying a comb with you during battle?”

“I...um…”

And he was suddenly again the young man who didn’t know what to say to her instead of the self confident Sect Leader he had become.

“You silly, silly man. How long have you had this?”

“Since the Water Abyss.” He admitted, still avoiding her gaze. 

And she felt a wave of fondness wash over her. “Why a comb?”

“The lady at the stand said it meant...to think about one another, to yearn for...and that it was a perfect present for a young lady.” He paused. “If you don’t like it…”

“I don’t have much use for such a delicate thing right now.”

“If you don’t want it....”

“I didn’t say that.”

He looked at her then, “then what are you saying?”

“Jiang Cheng, I already wear your bell. I think Jin ZiXuan knew what that meant even before I did.”

“He was betrothed to A-jie.” He pointed out. 

True enough. “The war is not yet over. But once this all ends...it would make for a good courtship present, wouldn’t it?”

“Wen Qing…”

She rewrapped the comb and handed it back to him. “You can give it to me then.”

He took it from her and tucked it away carefully again. 

Jiang Cheng sent off a butterfly.

Lotus Pier had been reclaimed. Jiang Cheng had taken great pleasure in destroying the Wen sign over the main pavilion. 

The civilians had come out of hiding, had returned to their home. Her relatives included. Wen popo had knelt in front of her again, in both relief and gratitude this time. 

And Wen Qing had again raised her to her feet. “Wen popo. You’ve already lost one home, I could not let you lose another one.”

“Bless you, Qing guniang. Your ancestors would be proud.”

And Wen Qing had nodded, her heart too full for her to speak. 

“Your Mother had been right.” Wen Qing told Jiang Cheng as they watched the disciples and civilians work side by side to clear the dead bodies and erase the signs of occupancy, “even the civilians have a duty to protect and defend.”

They would have to, while Jiang Cheng left to join the final battle. 

“They owe you their lives.”

“You talked your mother into agreeing.” She reminded him.

“We make a good team.” He said decisively. 

“As a healer, I was always taught to save lives rather than take them. I’ve broken that vow too many times.”

“You’ve been a warrior,” he said, “there will be time for healing still.”

Jiang guniang, accompanied by Wen Ning and the youngest disciples, returned.

“XianXian!” Jiang Yanli had cried.

“Shijie.”

Wei WuXian still flinched sometimes, when someone approached unexpectedly. He still avoided having others touch him unnecessarily. It bothered Jiang Cheng, Wen Qing could tell, because it was so different from the casual touches that Wei WuXian had always given out before. Wei WuXian had always been an affectionate person, whether or not that affection was wanted. It was an interesting turn of events to see Lan Wangji, his expression determined, be the one reaching out now.

Wei WuXian held himself so still as Jiang Yanli hugged him. But that just made her hug him tighter. “XianXian.”

And slowly, as though he had almost forgotten how, Wei WuXian lifted his arms and settled them around his sister.

She gave out a sob when he hugged back.

“A-Ning.” Her brother had also changed. He carried himself with far more confidence now. But his smile was still just the same. 

“Jiejie.”

The little disciples crowded around them curiously. “Shixiong, is she our Shijie too?”

Wen Ning turned to smile at them and nodded.

“Actually, you should call her Qing guniang,” Jiang Cheng spoke from next to her, “someday she will be your shimu.”

Wen Ning had looked startled. Jiang Yanli had smiled. And Wei WuXian had barked out a laugh. 

Wen Qing had lifted an eyebrow, “Will I?”

“Won’t you?”

She turned back to the disciples. “Your shifu,” she told them, “is very overbearing.”

“But is he right?” One of the braver children asked. 

“Would you like him to be?” She asked them.

They looked at each and then at A-Ning. 

The oldest one said finally, “You’re shixiong’s sister. He says you’re brave and honest and kind. That you protected him from bad people. And that you’ve been fighting at shifu’s side. He said you’re the one who sent us away so we could live. We trust shixiong.”

And really, who could blame Wen Qing for the burst of pride and affection that filled her as she looked at her brother, who was shyly scuffing his toes at such praise?

“Ah, have I been replaced?!” Wei WuXian detached himself from his sister. “Am I no longer your favorite?”

“Da shixiong!” They grinned up at him. “Da shixiong will always be da shixiong.” 

They all laughed. Even Lan Wangji’s expression softened as he looked at Wei WuXian. 

Unlike Cloud Recesses, Lotus Pier had not been burned. But the Wen forces had not treated the structures with kindness. Even now though, woodworkers and painters were already working to restore Lotus Pier to its former glory.

They laid Sect Leader Jiang and Madam Yu to rest. They gathered in the family chapel and paid their respects.

“I will keep my promise,” Wen Qing silently told Madam Yu, “you can rest easy.”

“Jiang Cheng,” Wei WuXian said suddenly. ”Are those...”

“Plaques for your parents? Of course.”

“But…”

“You’re my brother, aren’t you?”

“I…” 

“Don’t you dare cry.” Jiang Cheng warned him.

“Or what?”

“Or...or…”

“Or he’ll drink all the soup.” Jiang Yanli said.

“Soup?” 

“What else would we have for our first dinner back home?” Jiang Yanli asked.

Wei WuXian grinned before turning towards Lan Wangji, “you haven’t had shijie’s soup yet, have you? It’s the very best!”

The Second Jade of Lan was still looking at the two plaques. “Wei Ying. Should pay respects.”

“Huh?”

“Parents.”

“Oh.” Wei WuXian looked serious again. 

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji laid a gentle hand on Wei WuXian’ s wrist.

“You’re right. Of course you’re right, Lan Zhan.”

Together, they bowed. 

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. Jiang Yanli hid a smile. Wen Qing shook her head. Who would have thought that Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji could have such deviousness in common?

“What is she doing here?”

Jiang Cheng scowled at Jin ZiXun, “why shouldn’t she be here?”

“She’s a Wen!”

“Was.” Jiang Cheng corrected him. “No longer.”

“Qing guniang has fought bravely,” ChiFengZun said, “her contributions to our victories have not been less than any who stand now in this room.”

“She’s a woman!” Jin ZiXun tried again.

“Who killed Wen Chao.” Wei WuXian reminded him.

Jin ZiXun sneered, “and you’re just a servant’s son.”

“He is my brother.” Jiang Cheng, annoyance obvious in every word, declared. “Unlike some close minded people, we of YunMeng Jiang have always judged based on merit.”

Jin ZiXun opened his mouth, but his cousin beat him to speaking. “ZiXun. Now is not the time. Our purpose is to discuss how to win a war.”

“Indeed,” ChiFengZun said with authority, “not only is Qishan near impenetrable, but we still have the Yin Irons to consider.” 

“I know ways into Nightless City,” Wen Qing shared. “Ways that only servants use. Paths that I discovered while looking for herbs.”

“And I have a way to defeat the Yin Irons.” Wei WuXian stated.

“We.” Lan Wangji corrected him.

“Wangji?” ZeWuJin asked. 

“Xiongzhang. You had tasked us with looking for the Yin Irons. Wei Ying continued to look.”

“Technically, I stole it,” Wei WuXian said. 

“From where?” 

“I was...held prisoner.” Wei WuXian said shortly, adding. “I saw...terrible things. They...they lost control of it.” 

“Yiling.” ZeWuJun murmured. For who hadn’t heard about the trail of blood and the strange circumstances of deaths in Yiling?

“What makes you think you can control it?” Jin ZiXun demanded.

“It’s not just me.” Wei WuXian said.

“Us.” Lan Wangji agreed. 

ZeWuJun looked between them thoughtfully. 

“What are you proposing?” ChiFengZun asked them.

“An infiltration.” Jiang Cheng stated. 

“But we will need a distraction.” Wen Qing continued, “to shift Wen Ruohan’s attention.”

“To empty out Nightless City.” Wei WuXian added.

“An assassination.” Nie HuaiSang noted, his fluttering fan stilling. 

“It’s reckless.” ZeWuJun said.

“But necessary.” Wei WuXian argued. “No matter how many you sacrifice, Wen Ruohan can just make more soldiers. He can control corpses. He has to be stopped.”

“Why should we trust you?” Jin ZiXun demanded. “Or her? How do we know it’s not a trap? That you’re not in league with Wen Ruohan?”

Jiang Cheng bristled, “The Wens killed my parents. Do you really think I would agree to be part of this plan lightly?”

“I trust Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji said. His face remained expressionless, but his tone of voice held a challenge. 

“It may be the best option.” Jin ZiXuan said, causing his cousin to look at him in disbelief. “I trust HanGuangJun’s judgement. And Qing guniang’s honor.”

Jiang Cheng inclined his head minutely to indicate his gratitude.

Jin ZiXuan turned towards ChiFengZun, “I support their proposal.”

“Huh. I might have misjudged the Peacock.” Wei WuXian said thoughtfully as they gathered for dinner.

Jiang Cheng snorted. 

“I wonder if he’ll ever get over his shyness enough to have an actual conversation with Jaing guniang,” Wen Qing shared.

“Jin ZiXuan, shy?” Wei WuXian asked in disbelief.

“Ask your brother.” Wen Qing said.

“What is she talking about, Jiang Cheng?”

“Not everyone is as shameless as you when it comes to the person they like.”

“Me shameless? You’re the one who gave her your bell without explanation.”

“Lan Wangji essentially did the same thing to you.”

“That’s…”

“Words aren’t everybody's strength.” 

“I don’t think I like this new you,” Wei WuXian sulked. 

“You talk as though I care.”

“Of course you do, I’m your brother. You love me.”

“Are you this shameless with Lan Wangji too?” Jiang Cheng asked.

“Do you really want to know?” Wei WuXian teased.

Jiang Cheng grimaced. “No. The less I know, the better.”

“Are you sure? I could teach you a thing or two about…”

“No.” Jiang Cheng said quickly.

“Don’t the Lans have a rule about no talking during eating? You should get some practice.” Wen Qing told Wei WuXian.

Wei WuXian groaned, “don’t remind me.” He paused suddenly, “oh heavens, Master Lan is going to kill me.” 

“Your HanGuangJun will protect you.” Wen Qing noted.

Wei WuXian perked up. “He is mine, isn’t he?” 

Jiang Cheng snorted again. “Shameless.” 

It was strange to be back in Nightless City and treading these paths.

“A-Ning had been the one to find most of them,” she had shared with Jiang Cheng. “He had always liked to explore and learned early ways to keep unseen.” 

“Why didn’t you leave sooner?” He asked her.

“Where would I have gone? And Wen Ruohan would not have hesitated to slaughter my relatives in retaliation. I could only stay.”

“How many are there like you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Who had no choice but to follow orders?”

“Too many.” She replied. “When it all ends...I wonder what will happen to them.”

“There is much hatred for the Wens.”

“Yourself included.” 

He didn’t deny her statement. 

“Wen Ruohan treated everyone as puppets,” she said softly, “not just the dead.”

“Is that why you learned to fight?”

“I had to. To protect myself and A-Ning.”

“Did they ever...hurt you?”

She shook her head, “Wen Ruohan wouldn’t let them. I was too useful. But A-Ning…I’m glad he was too young to remember. Even as children, Wen Xu and Wen Chao were cruel. I learned to defend both of us. They learned to leave us alone.”

“Why did you decide to trust me?”

“I don’t know.” She admitted honestly.

“Why did you worry about me?” She asked him.

It took a moment for him to think of his answer. “I found you...admirable. You were so confident, so self assured. I wished I could be like that. But you were also so caring towards your brother, so dedicated to your relatives. You fascinated me. And then...you were so wise, so worldly. I wanted…”

He paused again before continuing, “you came back for me, even when you thought I was dead. I mattered to you. And later, seeing you argue with Mother...no one had ever dared to speak to Mother like you did. You were scared, yes, but still you stood your ground. You fought with us, for us. And continued to, every day since then. It humbled me that you could choose me and I...I want to live up to that honor.”

“You were wrong, you know,” she said after she was finally able to compose herself again, “you are good with words.”

There was that same soft look in his eyes again as he looked at her. He reached and held her hand, “Wen Qing…”

“I don’t know why I chose to entrust you with my relatives,” she said, “but I’m glad I did.”

He responded by raising her hand to his lips and kissing it.

They made their way into the city. It was mostly empty. They had fought with the rest of the coalition. The waves of puppets seemed to be pushing them closer towards Nightless City. Jin ZiXun had once again suspected that it was a trap. But the die had been cast already. 

The four of them had quietly splintered off from the main group, Wen Qing leading them. 

There were still guards outside the throne room where Wen Ruohan had closeted himself. But they wouldn’t be using the main entrance. 

They used the servants’ entrance and Wen Qing quietly sealed the room. She may have forsaken the Wen name, but the stone still recognized her blood as Wen. The wards were deadly. Anyone trying to get in wouldn’t survive the attempt. 

Wei WuXian presented himself. He was good at being a distraction. Even if it could be considered suicidal that he challenged Wen Ruohan directly. 

The three of them made short work of the guards stationed around the room. 

The sound of ChenQing echoed in the chamber. So it had begun, it would be a battle of wills now. Wei WuXian’s expression was one of great concentration before he put down the dizi in favor of something else. Wen Ruohan’s eyes widened as the three Yin Iron pieces vibrated in his hold. There was a flicker of movement and Wen Qing reacted on reflex. A body dropped, making a thudding noise, right next to Wen Ruohan’s throne. It provided enough distraction for Wei WuXian to shatter the three Yin Iron pieces.

They were all thrown against the walls from the resulting surge of energy.

Wen Ruohan gave a scream of rage as he advanced on Wei WuXian. 

A swift whistle through the air sounded and suddenly there was a sword pointing out of Wen Ruohan’s chest. 

Wen Ruohan looked down, as though in great surprise, before he dropped to the ground. 

Wen Qing approached him. “Dead.” She confirmed.

The others joined her, staring down at the body of the man who had wrought so much damage on the cultivation world. HanGuangJun reclaimed Bichen.

“We should check on the state of the battle.” She reminded them. 

She unsealed the room and they stepped through. It was oddly quiet.

And then...a cheer. “We won!”

“Look!” Someone had noticed them.

They were hailed as heroes.

Wei WuXian slung an arm around Jiang Cheng, “how’s this for glory?”

Jiang Cheng would have retorted, but he quickly grew alarmed instead as Wei WuXian’s eyes rolled and he seemed suddenly to become boneless. Jiang Cheng caught him before he could fall.

“Wei Ying!”

Madam Yu had once told her that she thought Wen Qing to be capable of both strength and gentleness. Jiang Cheng had told her that after being a warrior, she would have time for healing.

As Wen Qing traded her battle gear for the simple gowns of a medic, she found that they were both right. 

A-Ning had come with some of their relatives to help with the wounded. Healers were in short supply. Even civilians could help. It was also a pointed effort to emphasize that not all Wen Remnants were evil. Even if technically Wen Qing and her relatives were all part of YunMeng Jiang now. 

“ZeWuJun agrees,” Jiang Cheng told her, “so that helps.”

“How is he?”

Jiang Cheng sighed, “MengYao had sheltered him after the burning of Cloud Recesses.”

“If I had known…”

Jiang Cheng shook his head. “You acted on reflex. It was still war. We couldn’t afford any distractions. ZeWuJun doesn’t blame you.” 

“It’s another life that I’ve taken.” 

He squeezed her hands, “these same hands are helping heal so many more now.”

She let out a breath.

“Qishan Wen had wealth and manpower. Both would be helpful for rebuilding. It would be foolish to waste valuable resources.”

“LanLing Jin has no need for further wealth and manpower, you mean.”

He shrugged. “Qinghe Nie, Gusu Lan, and YunMeng Jiang contributed the most to the war. Among us, we managed to take out all the highest ranked Wens. Our needs should be prioritized. Jin ZiXuan agrees.”

“His father likely doesn’t.”

“He did not fight in this war. Just sat in his golden tower. If he says anything, Nie HuaiSang will just help spread rumors questioning why Wen Ruohan never attacked Carp Tower.”

“Nie HuaiSang?”

“That fan of his hides more than his face. He is actually very observant and perhaps more politically inclined than anyone I know.”

Huh.

“There will be a banquet.”

“Oh?”

“I’d like to announce our courtship then, if you’ll allow it.”

“Oh.”

“ZeWuJun would like to do the same for Wei WuXian and Lan Wangji. Though it’d be a betrothal in their case.”

“Nie HuaiSang’s idea?” She guessed. 

“To emphasize that we’re heroes, to reinforce the strength of our connection, to promote unity, he said. But... I would also like to.”

“Alright.”

“Really?”

“Why do you sound surprised?”

“I…”

She held out an open palm.

“What?”

“I think you owe me a present.”

He blinked at her before withdrawing the comb. “Qing guniang, will you do me the honor of accepting my offer for courtship with the intention for marriage?”

She took the comb, “Sect Leader Jiang, I would be honored.”

Wei WuXian woke after three days. He was a terrible patient. 

“Needles, again?” 

“Hold still. I liked it better when you were unconscious.” Wen Qing told him. 

Wei WuXian pouted. 

“Lan er gongzi will be here soon.”

“Lan Zhan?” 

“He’s been playing Songs of Clarity for you everyday.”

“So devoted.” Wei WuXian sighed. 

“He is your betrothed.”

“Betrothed?” Wei WuXian blinked.

“Jiang Cheng and ZeWuJun made it official and everything. It’ll be announced during the banquet at the end of the week.”

“Shouldn’t they have asked for my permission?”

“Would you really have withheld it?”

Wei WuXian pouted again. 

The door opened. 

“Lan Zhan!” 

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji paused, as though frozen by the sight of Wei Wuaxian’s bright smile, before he walked to the low table to set up his instrument. Soon enough, the soothing sound of his guqin filled the room. 

Wei WuXian continued to stare at Lan Wangji, an utterly besotted expression on his face. 

Shameless. Wen Qing said to herself in her mind. But at least it meant Wei WuXian was holding still now. 

“I’m surprised,” she told Jiang Cheng, “that Sect Leader Jin didn’t try to bring up the broken arrangement between his son and your sister.”

“That’s because I told Jin ZiXuan that A-jie deserved the best and if he wanted her to reconsider, he’d better make an effort instead of hiding behind his parents.”

“Do you think it’ll work?”

“I hope so. A-jie really does deserve the best.”

Wen Qing didn’t disagree. 

“A-Ning said he was most courteous while they were at Carp Tower.”

“That’s a good start, I suppose.” Jiang Cheng admitted.

They paused at the edge of where the trail dipped down closer to the lake’s edge.

Wen Qing smiled at the sight of A-Ning holding an archery lesson with the youngest disciples. 

“Jiejie!” He beamed up at them when he noticed, “you’re back!”

“Shifu! Shimu!” The children greeted them.

“Not yet,” Jiang Cheng told them.

“Well what are you waiting for? Da shixiong said you’re not getting any younger.” One of them told him.

Jiang Cheng sputtered, “he’s older than me!”

“Da shixiong said that most of the matchmakers had already declared you to be a hopeless case. So you’d better hold on to shimu before she changes her mind.”

“When did he have time to tell you all that?” Jiang Cheng demanded.

“Before you left of course.” The youngest disciple said, as though it was the most obvious answer in the world.

“He...just wait until I get my hands on him…”

Wen Qing was amused. “You really think I will change my mind?” She asked the children.

They shrugged. “You could.”

Wen Qing laughed. “I won’t.” She reassured them. “I am here to stay.”

She slipped her hand into Jiang Cheng’s, “your shifu is stuck with me, I’m afraid.”

“Wen Qing.” He was actually smiling. 

The disciples giggled even as A-Ning redirected their attention back to their lesson. 

“Their da shixiong really is a terrible influence.” Wen Qing said. 

“Maybe he’ll acquire some discipline at Cloud Recesses.”

“We can only hope.”

They watched the kites some more before turning back on the path, still hand in hand.

Wen Qing sat with the other ladies as they watched the archery tournament. From Wei WuXian’s scowl, she could tell that Jin ZiXun was trying to intimidate A-Ning. But he was mistaken if he thought A-Ning could be so easily rattled now. And sure enough, A-Ning matched Jin ZuXuan’s score, shot for shot.

She smiled proudly.

“Your brother shows much talent, Qing guniang.”

“Thank you, Madam Jin.” She said politely. She wondered briefly what the older lady thought of her. Jiang Yanli had told her that Madam Jin and Madam Yu had been best friends. Even though Wen Qing had just met Madam Jin that day, she could see why. They both carried themselves with such a stately air. And they both cared very deeply for Jiang Yanli. 

They watched as Wei WuXian beat both previous scores, while blindfolded.

Even from this distance, Wen Qing could tell that he was laughing as he leaned to say something to Lan er gongzi.

Jiang Yanli clapped her hands happily. 

The others also took their turn, but the highlight of the event had already occurred. 

“And who will Wei gongzi represent for the hunt?”

“YunMeng Jiang of course,” Jiang Yanli answered, “he is not married yet.”

“Has a date been chosen?”

Jiang Yanli nodded, “A-Cheng had planned to personally deliver some of the invitations.”

“And his own wedding?”

Jiang Yanli’s smile broadened, “yes.”

“With both your siblings about to wed, surely you will consider your own happiness?”

Jiang Yanli blushed. It wasn’t official, exactly, but Jin ZiXuan had asked for and been granted permission from Jiang Cheng to write to Jiang Yanli. 

They were both shy in their own ways. But if the looks they had exchanged when Jin gongzi delivered the invitation for the Phoenix Mountain Hunt to Lotus Pier had been any indication, the letters were a very effective way for them to get to know one another. 

Madam Jin looked satisfied.

YunMeng and Gusu would end up tying for capturing the most prey for the hunt, but Wen Qing knew knew that the victory was bittersweet for Jiang Cheng. 

Jin ZiXuan, who had learned that Jiang Yanli did not enjoy watching violent sports, had arranged for a tour of the gardens for her. And, towards the end, he had shown her a particular garden, just the two of them. 

Just from the sweet smile on Jiang Yanli’s face when she returned, even if Jin ZiXuan had not requested an audience with Jiang Cheng, Wen Qing knew that a third wedding will be planned in the not so distant future.

“It’s only a courtship,” Jiang Yanli had protested.

“Of course. He still has to prove himself worthy of you.” Wen Qing said.

“To me, he is already worthy.” Jiang Yanli admitted softly.

Shortly after Wen Qing officially became Madam Jiang, Wei WuXian and Lan Wangji departed on another adventure. The fourth Yin Iron piece was still out there, after all. 

They would be called heroes, again, not just for the success of their quest but also for apprehending XueYang before he could fully exterminate the YueYang Chang Sect. 

“Do you mind?” Wen Qing had asked Jiang Cheng.

“Mind? Mind what?”

“If I had not asked you to look after my relatives, it might have been you who helped catch Xue Yang the first time.”

He looked thoughtful, as though the possibility had never occurred to him. “No.” He decided, “it still would have been Wei WuXian and Lan Wangji. And, based on their plans to continue traveling, they will be heroes again, in the future, I’m sure.”

“They mean to look for Wei WuXian’s martial uncle and Song daozhang.”

Jiang Cheng nodded before adding, “Besides, someone very wise once told me that there is more than one way to be a hero.”

“Who could that be?” She teased.

He looked at her so seriously, “someone who trusted me with her burden and thus showed me that I could also share mine. Someone who chose me despite all my shortcomings. Someone who continues to motivate me, every day, to be worthy of her.”

“Jiang Cheng…” like A-Ning, he could be so earnest. “I wanted to be worthy of you too.”

“Did you?”

She nodded. “You thought too well of me. I wanted to be the brave, fearless, principled person that you saw.”

“You are.”

“I became that person.” She disagreed. “Because I found a good reason to do so.”

“And what reason is that?”

“Can you not guess?”

The bell at her waist chimed in the breeze as he looked at her with that same soft look that still made her breath catch. 

“I think I can.” He said softly before capturing her lips with his own.