Archive of Our Own

"This comb, I cannot keep it any longer.”

Jiang Cheng stared at the familiar blue silk in Wen Qing’s hands. He didn’t want it back. Even with everything that separated them...even with the world telling him that it was impossible for the two of them to have any sort of ending, for this fragile link between them to do anything other than break...now that he knew she had taken it, he did not want it back.

“Back then...why did you take it?”

“Back then...why did you offer it to me?”

She was being evasive, even as she met his gaze so steadily. 

There were truths to which he had never given voice. Truths that his sister had always known instinctively. Truths that Wei WuXian himself had also never shared. Silence. Brooding. Anger. All these things had always been easier for Jiang Cheng. But this truth...as he stood at the precipice of losing one more thing, one more person…the truth was, it wasn’t just mere attraction, not just simply curiosity, she was...to him, she was...

“Because I thought you could be my destiny.” He admitted, both to her and to himself, “That you were the one person to whom I could give everything.”

It was foolish. He felt foolish uttering these words. And yet...it was also a relief to say them out-loud. And...she had taken his offering, had kept it, hadn’t she? Surely that must mean something? 

“Why did you take it?” He asked again. 

Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

He remembered then, what he had heard about the confession that Jin ZiXuan had blurted out to A-jie. Surely he could do better than the Peacock? He dared to take a step closer to her, “I want you. I have not tried to hide it, at least not from you. Do you...do you want me too?”

If she said no....if she said no...he would...he didn’t know what he would do. 

“Jiang gongzi…” she paused. He took the opportunity to take another step forward.

She stood her ground but her eyes did widen. 

“It doesn’t matter what I want.” She said quietly at last and he felt a sense of victory at this small crack in her resolve. “You and I...we can never be. It’s hopeless. Has always been hopeless. And now...now it’s more impossible than ever.”

“Impossible. You do know that Jiangs are supposed to strive for the impossible?”

She shook her head. “It’s never been about you or me or what we want. You are Sect Leader Jiang. I am a Wen. A fugitive. Marked for death. My people killed your parents, destroyed your home, hurt you. The world has no place for us.”

“Us.” He repeated.

“Jiang gongzi.” She stopped talking again, as though realizing her slip. 

“Wen Qing. Why did you take the comb?”

She stayed stubbornly silent. 

He could be stubborn too, especially as he was so desperate not to lose her, this one person who he had chosen for himself. He was not good with words, but he wanted, needed her to know. In that moment, he didn’t want to consider anything but her. “Right here, right now. I want you to forget about the world. About titles and obligations and politics. I am telling you, as Jiang Cheng, just Jiang Cheng, that you’re the one I was always meant to find, that I was always meant to be yours.”

“Jiang gongzi…”

Jiang gongzi. Not Sect Leader Jiang. And somehow, he began to hope. 

“No. Jiang Cheng.” He corrected her. 

“I...I can’t. I cannot ignore that the world exists. I cannot forget about titles or obligations or politics. It’s not up to me, nor you. The world has already decided our places, our fates.”

“But if you can?”

“You’re being unreasonable.”

He was. Oh, he knew he was. But the fact remained. She had taken the comb. She had chosen to keep it. “Answer my question. Please.”

“Make it easier for yourself, take this back. Forget me. Forget…”

“No.” He closed her fingers around the comb, even if it was no longer about the object itself. “It has already been given. You already accepted it. Whatever happens...it is yours, can only ever be yours.” 

He forced himself to part from her, forced himself to walk down the path away from her. 

There were disciples waiting for him. Waiting for word about their da shixiong. But his priority was no longer his brother. 

He needed to think of a way that would enable him to keep her. Somehow. 

Wen Qing watched him go. This conversation had not gone at all the way she planned. She should have said no, should have squashed all his hopes, should have made a clean break. But she couldn’t. Why couldn’t she?

His figure was getting smaller; soon the gloom of the Burial Mounds will swallow him up. She could call out to him. He would turn back, she knew he would. She bit her lip to keep herself from being impulsive. 

The truth was...she did want him. The tentative way he had approached his feelings for her should have been annoying, but they had been endearing instead. She had pointedly ignored his attempts to show his care. It was safer for him not to form any attachments to her. And she could not afford...especially not now. He had an entire Sect to care for. He could not, should not jeopardize everything for this selfish impossibility. 

Oh but she wanted to run down the path to his side, to tell him...tell him what? That she wanted to defy fate? Defy the world? It was not so easy. 

Why had she told Wei WuXian she would perform the procedure? She knew why. More than scientific curiosity, more than the challenge it would provide, more than even A-Ning’s insistence...seeing Jiang Cheng at his lowest point, during his most broken moments...what did it say about her that it was in Yiling that she realized she did want him? Wanted to make him whole again. And if she couldn’t, still wanted him to live? Wanted to take care of him. Wanted...wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, fate would be kind.

But it really wasn’t just about her or him. It wasn’t just their Sects, a war, blood spilled that lay between them. There was her brother, his brother. There was also a secret, a choice she had made, a lie hidden in her silence. 

Why had she taken the comb? Even knowing all that. Why had she still kept it? She was not unaware of the symbolism of a wooden comb. She knew it wasn’t just an offer of his help. And just now. He had clarified, hadn’t he? It really wasn’t just a beautifully carved piece of wood. Did she want to keep it? Did it matter? He was leaving it in her hands regardless.

It could not end well. They were bound to break. She had tried so hard to keep anything from forming in the first place, just so that there would be nothing to break. But it seemed she had failed. 

Jiang Cheng couldn’t sleep. He didn’t intend to sleep anyways. He paced, at first just in his room, but it quickly grew stifling. He wandered the paths of Lotus Pier. He should feel proud of what he had managed to rebuild. Instead, all he felt was...loneliness. 

But then, he had always been somewhat lonely. Was that why Wen Qing caught his eye? She had always stood apart from the others in Cloud Recesses, a solitary figure. Even when she had been among the throng of Wen disciples, she seemed somehow detached. Her brother was her only connection with the world. Maybe even the only connection she wanted with the world. 

Jiang Cheng had both a brother and a sister. He had always known though, that A-Jie would marry one day. Had accepted that Lotus Pier could not be her home forever. And his brother? He had expected Wei WuXian to keep his promise, to remain at his side. He really should have known better; Wei WuXian had always belonged to the world rather than just to YunMeng. Jiang Cheng had been jealous when he noticed Wei WuXian’s fascination with Lan Wangji. It wasn’t Lan Wangji he was losing to though; he remembered the wistful expression on his shixiong’s face when he looked at Xiao XingChen and Song ZiChen back in YueYang. Wei WuXian was too restless, too much like his mother, to settle in just one place. He was also too idealistic not to ignore Sect lines and politics. 

When had he realized that what he felt for Wen Qing was more than infatuation? Was it in that cemetery in Mount Dafan? When he saw that she also felt the weight and burden of leadership? Was it in Qishan? When he noticed that she also felt powerless against the authority others held over her? Or was it in Yiling? When she cared for his wounds despite his hostility? Her touch gentle, as though he was still something worthy of being treasured rather than a broken shell? Or was it in the Burial Mounds? When he was faced with the reality of losing her? When he had finally realized that she was his to lose? 

She had not admitted it. Not in words. Not as he had. But it was in the things she did not say. It was in the comb that remained in her possession. 

He should be happier to know that his feelings were returned. 

And yet...

The way things were...LanLing Jin was demanding an explanation. He needed to give them one. But what? 

What he had said to Wei WuXian...he knew it was the truth. The entire world hated the Wens. Anyone who protected them was pitching a losing battle against the entire world. He could not afford to; YunMeng could not afford to. But Wen Qing...she had never been just another Wen, had she? 

She was also right. As much as he hated to admit it. Neither of them could truly afford to ignore the world, ignore what they were. He had people he needed to protect. She did too. They were both torn between duty and what their hearts whispered. 

Was there no way to reconcile the two? There must be a way. 

He needed guidance. Someone who could help make sense of his jumbled thoughts and feelings. Someone who could understand the anguish that came from feeling things he shouldn’t. He needed...he needed A-jie. 

She did not belong to Jin ZiXuan yet. 

“A-Cheng? A-Xian. Where is he? How is he? I came back as soon as I received your message.”

“A-jie. Forgive me for summoning you away from Carp Tower when…”

Jiang Yanli shook her head, “How can I think about such things when...when my brothers need me? A-Cheng. Tell me.”

“He’s in the Burial Mounds.”

Jiang Yanli’s eyes widened. “But…”

“He is not alone.” Jiang Cheng admitted, “Wen Qing, Wen Ning, among others. They’re...they’re farming.”

“Farming?” Jiang Yanli blinked.

“Or...attempting to. A-jie. Will you come with me? I could never make Wei WuXian see sense. But he’s always listened to you.”

“Of course!” Jiang Yanli declared at once.  

“Something else.” He added. “I...more than Wei WuXian...I want...A-jie...I want to save her.”

“Her?”

“Wen Qing.” he said.

“She saved us.” His sister said. “We do owe her.”

It was what Wei WuXian had pointed out too.“Not just because of that. A-jie...I…” 

But his sister understood. Of course she would. She had also loved so hopelessly. “Oh, A-Cheng.”

“A-jie. Will you help me?”

She looked offended that he thought he had to ask but she grasped his hands in hers anyways, “let us go to them.”

“Shijie…” Wei WuXian’s eyes widened at seeing his sister on the path.

“A-Xian!” Jiang Yanli did not hesitate to throw her arms around her brother, “Oh. A-Xian! You’re alright! You’re not hurt in any way, are you?”

“I...of course not. I’ve got a healer with me besides.”

“Wen guniang,” Jiang Yanli said. 

Wei WuXian nodded. “Shijie. What are you doing here? It’s not safe.”

“Because you’re here.” Jiang Yanli declared, “Because you had promised me that it would always be the three of us, that we’d never part. Don’t you remember? We’ve already lost Mother and Father. A-Xian. I cannot lose you too.”

“Shijie…” Wei WuXian’s voice sounded choked.

“A-Xian. Show me. Who are the people you’re trying to save?”

Jiang Yanli looked around at the settlement. Jiang Cheng did too. Previously, he had been too angry, too distraught to do more than give a passing glance at the ongoing construction and field work. 

“We’re going to plant potatoes.” Wei WuXian told their sister.

“Not radishes?” Jiang Cheng asked, recalling the argument he had overheard.

“Ah…”

“Xian gege!”

Wei WuXian grinned at the child who had wrapped around his leg, “A-Yuan. Have you come to greet our guests too?”

Jiang Yanli knelt until she was eye level with the child. “A-Yuan? Is that your name?”

Unlike with Jiang Cheng, A-Yuan seemed suddenly shy as he glanced up uncertainly at Wei WuXian. “Xian gege?”

“It’s alright, A-Yuan, she won’t hurt you,” Wei WuXian explained. “She’s...an aunty, just like your gugu.” 

A-Yuan’s expression cleared as he pointed at the ornament in Jiang Yanli’s hair, “Flower gugu?”

Jiang Yanli smiled as she nodded, “Flower gugu.”

A-Yuan smiled back.

Jiang Yanli patted his head before standing again. “A-Xian...the Burial Mounds is no place for a child.”

“I know, Shijie. But...where else could he go? At least here, at least here I can protect everyone.”

Jiang Yanli looked around the settlement again. She must be thinking the same thing Jiang Cheng had. These were just ordinary people. Their only crime was belonging to the wrong Sect. 

“The fields...even if you’re successful. Will the food be edible?”

“What choice do we have, Shijie?”

We. Not them. Wei WuXian had really decided to throw his lot in with these...these what? 

“A-Xian…” Jiang Yanli looked so sad.

“Shijie...I know...I know I’ve caused a lot of trouble for YunMeng Jiang. It would be better...it would better if Jiang Cheng cast me out; then...the consequences of my actions will not fall on your heads.”

“A-Xian...we can’t do that. You’re family.”

“Shijie. It is the only way.”

Jiang Yanli lifted her chin. For a moment, Jiang Cheng was reminded of Mother. “Not the only way. A-Xian. Where is Wen guniang?”

“Wen Qing? In the cave, with Wen Ning. He had a restless night.”

“Take me to her.”

Jiang Yanli made her brothers wait outside the cave for her. There were some things that needed to be said in private. 

Wen Qing was indeed at Wen Ning’s side, her head pillowed on her bent arm, her hand still wrapped around her brother’s, even in sleep. 

Jiang Yanli’s heart broke further. Because she understood. Oh, how well she understood! If it had been either A-Cheng or A-Xian who lay in that nest of straw, beneath that cage of talismans and rope…

It had been A-Cheng who lay in a catatonic state. It was A-Xian who had seemed so different after three months of absence. And Yanli had been unable to help either of them. Now though...

She almost didn’t want to wake Wen Qing. But A-Cheng had asked for her help. And though A-Xian had not done the same, it was obvious that he needed help too. 

“Wen guniang?” She called softly. She tried again, louder this time, when Wen Qing did not respond.

Wen Qing stirred and then blinked at seeing who it was. “Jiang guniang? What…”

“I should hate you.” Jiang Yanli stated. Because she may be known for her gentleness and mild manners, but she could also be fierce when it came to her brothers. Wen Qing was an older sister too. Surely she would understand. 

“Jiang guniang…I...”

“Both my brothers are in this mess because of you.”

“I never intended…”

“I know.” Jiang Yanli said softly, “and it is because of that reason that I do not.”

“I tried to make them go. Tried to relieve both of them of the burden.”

“But they’re both stubborn in their own ways.” Jiang Yanli knew that better than anyone else.

“They’d listen to you, surely?”

Jiang Yanli sighed. “Wen guniang. They both have their own reasons for their choices. A-Xian because he’s always been dedicated to doing the right thing. A-Cheng because…”

Wen Qing interrupted her. “Jiang guaning, I…”

“Wen guniang. Do you reciprocate?”

“I…” 

Jiang Yanli looked at the other young lady thoughtfully. She remembered, back in Yiling, how worried Wen Qing had been about A-Cheng. How well she cared for him even as he seemed deaf and blind to the world. How hard she had also looked for a solution. There can be no doubt that Wen guniang also cared. 

“A-Cheng would never admit it, but he is vulnerable. My parents...I should not speak ill of them, but they were not...A-Cheng has always struggled with his sense of self-worth. He is also inherently conflicted. He loves A-Xian as a brother while at the same time, he resents constantly being in his shadow. He is temperamental and flawed and prone to jealousy. He is like Mother in that way. But he is also so dedicated and caring and dutiful. The burdens he’s had to bear...he could be so easily crushed by them. He has not complained, even though I can see how difficult things are for him. A-Xian should be at his side. A-Xian had always promised to be there for him.”

“I’m sorry.” 

“I do not want your apology, Wen guniang. I want your word that you will not break A-Cheng’s heart too.”

“I...I can’t make that promise.”

“Because the world stands in the way?” It was a rhetorical question. And from Wen Qing’s expression, she knew it too. 

“Wen guniang. I have waited for my whole life for my betrothed to notice me. Spent my whole life watching my mother grow bitter from loving my father. Spent my whole life watching my father mourn a might have been. I know love is not easy. But I also know that it will exist whether or not you want it to. You and A-Cheng...my brother deserves to know happiness.”

Wen Qing shook her head. “It’ll ruin him. Ruin everything he’s trying to build. I cannot...I cannot be selfish like that.”

“Then you are dooming him to half a life. Don’t you see, Wen guniang? In trying to preserve Sect Leader Jiang, you are causing me to lose my brother.”

Because to Jiang Yanli, no matter how old her brothers were, they will always be the lost little boys she brought back home from the woods. A-Xian on her back, A-Cheng at her side looking worriedly at the little boy he had earlier rejected. For all their accomplishments and strength and cultivation prowess, their hearts were still the most vulnerable parts of them. She had seen what losing their hearts had done to her parents. She would not stand for the same thing to happen to her brother. 

Wen Qing’s hands fisted. “Jiang guniang. I…”

“Do you reciprocate?” Jiang Yanli asked again. Even though she already knew the answer. 

Wen Qing kept silent.

But Jiang Yanli was patient.

“It’s not so simple.”

Of course not. Jiang Yanli was not completely ignorant of politics. Nonetheless. “Isn’t it?” 

“Jiang guniang…”

“Do you or do you not?”

Wen Qing remained silent.

“Then answer me this. What would you do to save your brother?”

Wen Qing grasped Wen Ning’s hand in her own again. “Anything. Everything.”

“Then you should know that I would do the same for my brothers too. So...will you help me save them? Both of them?”

“How?”

“Never mind the how. Will you?”

Wen Qing was quiet for a long moment before she looked Jiang Yanli straight in the eyes. “Whatever it takes.”

Jiang Yanli smiled. Oh, A-Cheng, you have chosen well. 

Wen Qing recalled that moment in Cloud Recesses, when she had first seen Jiang Yanli with Wei WuXian. She recognized a kindred spirit in the gentle, sweet lady. A devotion that defied logic. A bond that transcended blood ties. And so, when Jiang Yanli asked for her help, she said yes. As one older sister to another. 

“There’s something you should know,” Wen Qing said to Jiang Yanli. Because she had finally accepted that Jiang Cheng’s heart was indeed hers to protect. And Jiang Cheng would never admit it, but he needed his brother too. “Wei WuXian would also do anything and everything to protect his brother.”

“What do you mean?”

“Back in Yiling…” Wen Qing sighed. “They should both be here too.” She stood, “All of you should know.” Keeping the matter a secret had torn their brotherhood apart, torn their family apart; she was a healer, this was a wound she had a responsibility to treat as well. 

She led Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng both back into the cave. There weren’t chairs, but some of the boulders were conveniently placed. 

“Wei WuXian. You should tell them.”

Wei WuXian frowned. “Tell them what?”

“Yiling. Baoshan Sanren.”

“No.” Wei WuXian’s answer was almost a reflex.

“They should know. They want to help. You should let them.”

Wei WuXian shook his head stubbornly. “No.”

“Then I will tell my part of it.”

“Don’t you dare.”

Wen Qing ignored him. “That day, on the hilltop. There was no Baoshan Sanren. There was just me. Me and A-Ning.”

Jiang Cheng looked at her in shock while Jiang Yanli frowned in confusion.

Wen Qing forged ahead as she looked back at Jiang Cheng, “I was the one who fixed your Core.”

“Why...why did you lie then?”

“That part is not mine to tell,” Wen Qing said. 

“Then whose is it?” Jiang Cheng demanded.

Wen Qing did not answer, just looked at Wei WuXian. His eyes were darting around the cave, looking at anything and everything but his siblings. 

“A-Xian?” Jiang Yanli’s voice shook. 

“A Golden Core cannot be created from nothing. Even Baoshan Sanren could not have managed it.” Wen Qing said quietly. “Song daozhang’s eyes...they had once belonged to someone else.”

Silence met her pronouncement. 

Then, Jiang Cheng stood, “No. What you’re saying...no.”

“A-Cheng? What…”

Jiang Cheng had his hands on his brother’s shoulders and was shaking him, “tell me you didn’t. Wei WuXian. Tell me you didn’t!”

“A-Cheng!” Jiang Yanli interceded, standing between her brothers, “what did A-Xian do?”

“He…” Jiang Cheng was looking at his brother with a mixture of disbelief and anger and despair, “he…”

“I would make the same choice.” Wei WuXian told him.

“Then, those three months...that you spent here...you…”

“Yes.”

“It all makes sense now…” Jiang Cheng laughed, but there was no joy in it. “That day, in Cloud Recesses, when you had spouted those crazy theories...I should have known. I should have known that you would attempt the forbidden and succeed in the impossible.”

Jiang Yanli looked between her brothers. “A-Cheng. A-Xian. What…”

Jiang Cheng looked for a moment like he might cry. “A-jie. Wei WuXian, he…”

“He what, A-Cheng?”

Jiang Cheng shook his head. “He…there is a reason he has walked the demonic path. There is no other path available to him. Not anymore.”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Yanli turned towards Wei WuXian, “A-Xian, what does he mean?”

“Shijie…” Wei WuXian looked so tired.

“A-Xian. Tell me.”

“Shijie…”

“A-Xian. Come here.”

Wei WuXian hesitated, but then he went and rested his head in her lap.

“Tell Shijie.”

“I....I don’t want to.”

Jiang Yanli threaded her fingers through his hair, frowning as Wei WuXian stiffened at the touch. “A-Xian…”

“Shijie...I...I promised Madam Yu. I promised to protect Jiang Cheng, with my life if need be.”

“Oh A-Xian.”

“I couldn’t...I really couldn’t find another solution.”

“So you…”

“Yes. So I gave him mine. He needed it more.”

Jiang Yanli could not speak for the tears that streamed down her cheeks. Wei WuXian’s own eyes looked moist. 

Wen Qing stood quietly to give them a moment of privacy. She was almost at the exit when she felt herself being turned around. Jiang Cheng was standing much too close. She tried to take a step backwards, but his hands remained firm on her shoulders. 

“You…”

“I broke your brother, yes.” It was her crime; she would own up to it.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It was not just my secret to tell.”

“Why did you agree to do it?”

There were a number of things she could say. But this close to him, with him looking so intently at her, she couldn’t run away, not anymore, even if...even if… “the same reason I took the comb.”

“Wen Qing…”

“My judgement is suspect when it comes to you.” She confessed.

She could feel his hold on her loosening, but she made no move to break away. 

“Wen Qing…”

She wished she knew what he was thinking. Was he horrified? Did he think she was a monster? 

“You attempted the impossible. For me.”

“Yes.” She was done with hiding. She would show her heart now, let him break it if he wished to. She owed it to him.

“Will you...will you let me do the same?”

“You still...you still want to?”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

“I did not ask for your consent. I could have killed you.”

“You saved me.” 

“Wei WuXian saved you,” she corrected him. 

“After I saved him.”

“What?”

“I lost it when I was captured by the Wen soldiers, when I caused a diversion so they wouldn’t catch him instead.” 

“Jiang Cheng…”

As sad as she sounded, it was still the first time he had ever heard her say his name. He wanted...he wanted to hear it more often. He never wanted to stop hearing her say it. 

“Come home with me. Let me give you everything. You’ve already held my life in your hands. All that I have, all that I am, it’s all yours.”

“It can’t end well. Your reputation. Your Sect. Your position in the world…”

“Have been possible because of you. If I should lose it all...it might as well be because of you too.”

She frowned. “It’s not a joking matter. There are people who look up to you, who need you to lead them, protect them.”

Jiang Cheng knew his responsibilities well. His mother had never failed to remind him of them even though his father had taught him little in the ways of handling them properly. He would find his own way. But not alone. Not anymore. With the truth, she had returned his brother to him. Wei WuXian will need time to heal, yes, but he was still a genius, still powerful. Maybe it was time to take a page from Wei WuXian’s book. Maybe he didn’t have to comply with what was expected of him. He would be more daring. He could always blame it on the fact that he had Wei WuXian’s Core. 

For now though. There was her. And he did not want to let her go. Never again. “The Jiang Sect was established by a rogue cultivator. We were always meant to challenge the rules, to do that which we shouldn’t. For you, I’d like to live up to that legacy.”

“It’s not just me.” She reminded him.

True enough. She always came with a slew of others. Her brother. Her relatives. Now these other Wen Remnants. 

“They are under Wei WuXian’s protection. And Wei WuXian is still the Head Disciple of Yunmeng Jiang. Thus, they are my responsibilities too.”

“It means standing alone against the world.”

“Not alone.” He argued. “If you’ll join me. I won’t be alone.”

She didn’t want to say no anymore, even though she should. “Join you…”

“Yes.”

“As what? Your prisoner? Your healer? Your…”

“My wife.”

“Wife.” She repeated. 

“Yes.”

“You’re asking me to abandon the Wen name again.”

“I’m actually offering you my name instead this time.”

“Then…” it was crazy and irresponsible and illogical, but she couldn’t find it in herself to be sensible. “Until I take it, I’ll be just A-Qing. Qing guniang.”

“A-Qing…” He repeated thoughtfully, testing out the appellation. “Let’s defy the world. Together.”

She looked back at him steadily before nodding. “Together.”

They settled the Wen Remnants. Most really had been farmers and YunMeng had never lacked for land. Others were carpenters and joined the other craftsmen still working on restoring Lotus Pier to its former splendor. Wen popo, Uncle Four, and A-Yuan remained in Lotus Pier proper. Uncle Four would soon gain the reputation for being a most creative wine brewer. His vintages and his jovial personality soon helped erase any unease others had about accepting these refugees. 

Wen Ning’s body was also laid in a proper bed in the area of the property restricted to the Sect Leader and his family. Because that’s what Wen Ning was. For once, Jiang Cheng found himself an older rather than a younger brother. 

Wei WuXian was welcomed back with open arms by the disciples. He looked somewhat overwhelmed at their reception. Jiang Cheng assigned him the task of teaching archery to the youngest ones. And absolutely forbade him from drinking. A decision to which Wen Qing gave her wholehearted approval. And with A-jie enforcing it too, Wei WuXian found that he didn’t have much of a choice. A-jie was the most patient with him, but Wen Qing’s needles helped too. Jiang Cheng did his best to be supportive, which really just caused Wei WuXian to complain that it was unnatural for Jiang Cheng to be so nice . Jiang Cheng just rolled his eyes and shoved his brother into the lake. Wei WuXian spluttered as he surfaced but then he was laughing too. And that was when Jiang Cheng knew that his brother would heal.  

They didn’t make too much fuss about any of it. Jiang Cheng did make sure that the disciples and the household staff knew, though, that Wen Qing and Wen Ning had been the ones to save them in Yiling, that Wen Ning had been the one to return his parents’ bodies. That they had been imprisoned, tortured for helping him and his siblings. He knew that such information would soon spread throughout YunMeng. He could at least ensure their protection from harm in his own lands. 

The world would come knocking soon, but Jiang Cheng found that he didn’t want to think about consequences, not yet. He also wasn’t beholden to answer to anyone but himself anyways. Young and foolish they may view him, but he was still Sect Leader. 

He also would much prefer to focus on A-Qing. His wife. There she was, sitting there on the bed, waiting for him. 

He stood for a moment, just looking at her. They had exchanged the customary bows. His siblings standing in for his parents and Wen popo and Uncle Four standing in for hers. She was dressed in red again but it was so very different this time. He had no idea how A-jie managed it on such short notice, but Wen Qing looked every part the proper bride. His bride. There really was no going back; not that he wanted to. 

Carefully, he lifted the veil from her head. Heavens. Had she always been this beautiful?

“Jiang Cheng?” she sounded amused.

Only then did he realize how long he had been staring, without saying a word. “You are...breathtaking.”

“You don’t look half bad yourself,” she commented, “though I think purple is more your color.”

“Red is very much yours.” he noted. 

“It doesn’t bring back bad memories?” 

He shook his head. Not this time. 

“A-Qing…” he reached and cupped her cheek, “I should...I should very much like to kiss you.”

“Well.” She said matter of factly, “I had assumed you would want to do much more.”

Oh, and he did. Still, he blushed.

She definitely looked amused. “Jiang Cheng. You won’t offend me. I’m a healer, remember? Such things are natural.”

“I don’t...I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m not some fragile flower.” She scooted closer to him, “Besides, I trust you.”

He searched her eyes. She met his gaze steadily. He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers, briefly, softly, tentatively. They were very soft and he...oh, he could get addicted to this. 

It occurred to him, as her fingertips and then her lips traced the scars that still littered his torso, that she had an unfair advantage. His finger still trembled as he evened the score. 

She repeated his name many times that night. In many different ways. She wasn’t shy at all and that just helped him be bold too. He will still always remember the words she said, when he claimed her for the first time. 

“Jiang Cheng. I’m giving you everything too. Now you have all of me too.”

They served tea to their family in the morning. Jiang Cheng did his best to ignore Wei WuXian’s smirks and teasing comments. Thank goodness for A-Jie, who would always be a source of calm. He did accept Uncle Four’s claps on his back and made sure to be especially nice to A-Yuan when he hugged his leg and called him, ‘gufu!’ to his wife’s great amusement.

His wife. He had a wife now. She looked regal in purple. But then, she had looked regal even back in the Burial Mounds in those threadbare garments. It really didn’t matter what she wore, he knew well that it was her strength that gave her such an air of confidence. Fitting for Madam Jiang. Still, to see her in YunMeng colors...he rather thought he could be forgiven for rushing through his usual tasks in favor of seeking out her company again.

Wen Qing wondered if it was wrong to feel so happy, so content, when A-Ning still lay in a coma. She knew there were storm clouds on the horizon, but there was something magical about Lotus Pier. The rest of the world seemed so far away. She had not felt this carefree since...well, since before that awful day when the dancing statue snatched so much away from her. 

Jiang Yanli seemed delighted to have a sister at last and spent a lot of time helping Wen Qing become more familiar with the nuisances of keeping Lotus Pier running smoothly. Together, they also bullied Wei WuXian into taking better care of himself. He pouted, but Wen Qing caught him glancing around his home at times, as though not believing that he really was there. She made sure to leave A-Yuan in his care more often than not. The child really was good for him. 

“A-Qing,” Jiang Yanli asked her one day, “do you think Songs of Clarity would help A-Xian?”

“Songs of Clarity?” 

“I remember...after the final battle at Nightless City, Lan er gongzi had played for A-Xian for three days. He seemed a lot calmer afterwards.”

“The Lans are gifted in musical cultivation.” Wen Qing said thoughtfully, “and as part of Wei WuXian’s new cultivation technique also uses music, it would be reasonable to try.”

“And...it would be good to remind A-Xian that he still has friends who care about him.” Jiang Yanli said resolutely, “I’ll have A-Cheng write a letter to Cloud Recesses then.”

“Perhaps the Unclean Realm too?” Wen Qing suggested, “I recall that Nie gongzi had always been the third of their trio. Jiang Cheng could use the reminder that he has friends too.”

Jiang Yanli smiled, “Ah A-Qing, I’ll be leaving A-Cheng in good hands.”

Wen Qing turned to check the pot of simmering soup to hide her embarrassment. A-Ning had always been the better cook, but Wen Qing was determined to learn some of Jiang Yanli's recipes. 

“I’m surprised,” she said, as she added another dash of salt to the broth, “that LanLing Jin has not been more insistent on getting an answer.”

“Hopefully the wards A-Xian set in the Burial Mounds will convince everyone that he’s still there. I’ve also asked Madam Jin to help provide some time for us to sort through our family issues.”

“Madam Jin?”

“She was Mother’s best friend and...a helpful ally.” Jiang Yanli shared. 

“Jiang Cheng will be relieved. He does not like the thought of you alone in Carp Tower.”

“A-Cheng worries too much.”

Quite true. But in this case… “When I was looking for A-Ning, when I was treated as no more than another beggar in the streets, I felt as though I was back in QiShan.”

“A-Qing.” 

Wen Qing looked at her sister-in-law, “The arrogance, the casual cruelty, the lack of respect for human lives...it’s all eerily similar. For all its golden radiance, Carp Tower is likely no less dark a place than Nightless City had been.”

“A-Xian had noted the similarity too.”

“He cannot be the only one. But...just as no one dared to oppose QiShan Wen...so few are eager to offend LanLing Jin now. I just hope...I hope it does not end in further bloodshed. Because if it does...I fear my presence here will make us an easy first target.”

“I will do what I can,” Jiang Yanli promised, “ZiXuan...ZiXuan is not like his father.”

“Be careful, Yanli jie.”

Jiang Yanli nodded, “all the more reason for my brothers to renew their friendships, no?”

“I wish I could help more,” Wen Qing admitted, “instead of just being a reason for danger.”

“You do help.” Jiang Yanli insisted, “my brothers now trust each other more than ever. That bond cannot be easily threatened now. And...I have not seen A-Cheng so happy in much too long.”

“Yanli jie. That promise you had asked for. I aim to keep it.”

Jiang Yanli smiled, “I know, A-Qing, I know.”

Jiang Yanli soon departed to return to Carp Tower to prepare for her own wedding. She promised, though, that she would help them stall for more time too. 

Meanwhile, Lan Wangji arrived at Lotus Pier first.

“Sect Leader Jiang,” he bowed when he was shown into the audience chamber.

“Thank you for coming to Lotus Pier, HanGuangJun.” 

“Gusu and YunMeng are allies.”

“As I had written to ZeWuJun, the matter on which I have asked for assistance is somewhat...delicate.”

“Delicate?”

“Perhaps I should show you?”

Lan Wangji inclined his head and followed Jiang Cheng towards the dock where Wei WuXian was teaching A-Yuan to swim. 

Lan Wangji froze at the sight. “Wei Ying.”

Jiang Cheng smirked a little to himself. ZeWuJun was most reliable; he really hadn’t said anything about the nature of this task. When A-jie had suggested that he invite Lan Wangji to Lotus Pier for Wei WuXian’s sake, Jiang Cheng had stared at the blank page for a long moment. He couldn’t deny that there was still simmering envy about the closeness between his brother and the Second Jade of Lan. But, as he thought about Lan Wangji’s demeanor during the course of the war, it occurred to him that perhaps he had been wrong about the exact nature of that closeness. Further back...when they had rescued the two of them in the XuanWu Cave, the way that Lan Wangji had cradled the unconscious Wei WuXian in his arms. Everyone knew that Lan Wangji did not like to touch others. Was it possible…

Well, only one way to find out. 

Lan Wangji’s expression was hard to decipher, but Wei WuXian’s was not. He fairly lit up as he spied them. 

“Lan Zhan!” He grabbed A-Yuan into his arms and waded to dry land. “What are you doing here?”

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji had always been a terse man.

“I hope you can see why this matter would require utmost discretion.” Jiang Cheng said in the most serious voice he could manage.

Lan Wangji did not answer, too busy was he still staring at the grinning Wei WuXian. 

Jiang Cheng cleared his throat, “HanGuangJun?”

“Ah Jiang Cheng, be nice.” Wei WuXian set A-Yuan on the ground, “Poor Lan Zhan has probably never seen anyone in such casual and disheveled dress. Probably against at least ten Lan Sect rules.”

“Wei Ying.”

Good heavens. Was that all the man was going to say? Jiang Cheng fought the urge to roll his eyes. 

A-Yuan looked up at this new blue robed stranger curiously. Well, his Xian gege was smiling, so this new gege must be a friend too. So, he gave his usual greeting and clung to the stranger’s leg.

“A-Yuan!” Wei WuXian exclaimed, “you’re still wet! Ah Lan Zhan, sorry!”

Lan Wangji looked at the child, a look of bewilderment on his face. 

Jiang Cheng actually did roll his eyes this time. “A-Yuan, come along. Let’s get you dry before you catch a cold. Your gugu will definitely not be happy if that happens.” 

The child shook his head, “Want to stay with Xian gege.”

“Your Xian gege is busy right now.” Jiang Cheng insisted. “But maybe later you can help show your Xian gege’s friend the marketplace? You can show him all your favorite vendors.”

A-Yuan looked thoughtful. 

“Jiang Cheng!” Wei WuXian tsked, “is that any way to treat a guest? You know A-Yuan will get him to spend money he really doesn’t need to.”

Jiang Cheng shrugged, “we’re still re-building. Every little bit helps.”

“Shameless!” Wei WuXian accused him.

Jiang Cheng thought it best not to point out that Wei WuXian was the one standing there in just an under-robe and trousers. “I’m just trying to do my best by our Sect.”

Wei WuXian rolled his eyes but said, “A-Yuan, go with your gufu, alright? I’ll come fetch my little radish once I’ve spoken to Lan Zhan about his business in Lotus Pier.”

“Promise?” 

Wei WuXian nodded, “promise!”

A-Yuan detached himself from Lan Wangji, “alright Xian gege.”

“Let’s get you to popo, A-Yuan.”

A-Yuan took Jiang Cheng’s hand as they walked down the path, “gufu! Did you see me swimming? Xian gege taught me how to hold my breath today! He says you can do it the best.”

“Did he now?” 

A-Yuan nodded enthusiastically, “how do you do it, gufu?”

“Lots of practice.” Jiang Cheng shared. He didn’t possess Wei WuXian’s natural abilities with children, but A-Yuan really was darling. He was also quite intelligent, his powers of speech and understanding far beyond what a three year old’s should be. Jiang Cheng wondered if A-Yuan was just naturally that smart or if it had to do with growing up in a time of war. Jiang Cheng himself had certainly been forced to grow up faster than he might have otherwise. 

A-Yuan made a face. “Gugu says I need lots of practice with my writing. But practice is boring.”

“But only with practice can A-Yuan be the very best.”

“Being the best is awfully hard.” A-Yuan sighed.

Jiang Cheng could not help but smile. Truer words surely had never been spoken. “Maybe, after you’re in drier clothing, we can practice together? My writing isn’t the best either.”

“Really? Whose is?”

“Your Flower gugu I think. She has much more patience to make her brush-strokes all even.”

“Being patient is hard too. Gugu and I check on the seeds we planted in her herb garden every day, but none of them have sprouted yet. We’ve been checking for three whole days!”

Jiang Cheng wanted to laugh. Three days must seem like an inordinate length of time for little A-Yuan. 

“Have you ever planted anything, gufu?”

“I can’t say that I have.”

“Xian gege tried to plant me once. So I could grow taller. He also said he’d grow more gugu’s for me.”

“Did he succeed?”

A-Yuan shook his head, “but then Flower gugu came to visit! I like Flower gugu. Does she have to go away and live somewhere else?”

“Who told you that?”

“Popo. She says that’s what happens when gugus gets married. Does that mean I’ll have another gufu?”

“Yes.” Though Jiang Cheng didn’t know if he ever wanted A-Yuan to meet a Jin. 

“I hope he’s nice like you.”

Nice, huh? Jiang Cheng has been called many things in his life. Nice was definitely not something that came to mind for most people. Still, it was...nice, for A-Yuan to say so. 

Wen Qing did find the two of them working on their penmanship in the study when she came to fetch A-Yuan for his afternoon nap. Though, A-Yuan’s paper was slowly devolving into a mess of doodles. Her expression softened at the sight. Her husband was a stern man. He had exacting standards for the disciples and made sure they knew it. He was sparse with his praise, only providing it when the disciples truly earned it. But he was not cold, nor unfeeling. The disciples had a healthy amount of respect for him even as they dreaded his glares. To see him gently nudge A-Yuan back to the task at hand now....beneath all his prickliness, Jiang Cheng was capable of so much gentleness. 

She returned to the study after settling A-Yuan and pressed a soft kiss to her husband’s lips.

“What was that for?” He asked her.

“Do I need a reason?”

Well, no. Not really. 

She smiled at him. “For your kindness to A-Yuan. I know patience is not usually one of your strengths.”

“He is a good child. Definitely less fidgety than Wei WuXian had been even at an older age.”

“A-Yuan said his Xian gege has a friend visiting?”

“Lan Wangji.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “How long do you think he’ll be staying?”

“Hard to say,” Jiang Cheng shared honestly, “the longer the better though.”

Wen Qing arched an eyebrow, “oh?”

“Who better than HanGuangJu to keep an eye on Wei WuXian and his Stygian Tiger Seal?”

“Hmm. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll realize just how much they mean to one another.”

“You’ve had the same thought?”

“It’s fairly obvious,” Wen Qing shrugged.

“Well, I hope they’re more accepting than you were.”

“I knew what I felt,” she shared softly, “I just didn’t think I’d be allowed to…”

He kissed her to stop her from continuing, “let’s not dwell on that.”

“I still feel like this can’t last.” She said honestly. 

“A-Qing…”

“I know. Worrying about it won’t change anything. I just…”

A sudden knock on the door interrupted them.

A frantic looking servant quickly entered, “Sect Leader. Madam Jiang. There’s been a disturbance.”

“Where?” Jiang Cheng quickly grabbed his sword.

“Wen gongzi…”

Wen Qing gasped. “A-Ning.”

Jiang Cheng followed closely at her heels as they rushed towards her brother’s room. 

They could hear the sound of a guqin even before they arrived.

“A-Ning!” Wen Qing exclaimed as she wrenched open the door. 

The room was an absolute mess. The door to the outdoor patio had been wrenched from its hinges. Wen Qing quickly made her way outside. “A-Ning!”

Jiang Cheng grabbed her before she could get too close. “Wait. A-Qing. Wait. He is not yet himself.”

Wen Ning stood stock still, his eyes closed. Lan Wangji dissolved his guqin, returned to the ground from the rooftop, and stood next to Wei WuXian. 

“Wait…” Wei WuXian was offering him the same advice. 

Slowly, Wen Ning’s eyes opened. “Gong...gongzi…”

Wei WuXian approached carefully.

Wen Ning stared straight at him, his voice flat, “Wei gongzi.”

“A-Ning!”

Jiang Cheng let Wen Qing go to her brother.

“A-Ning?”

“Jiejie…”

“A-Ning!” 

“Jiejie.”

Jiang Cheng had never seen Wen Qing cry. But he did not begrudge her these tears. 

“How do you feel?” Wei WuXian asked Wen Ning.

“Like I want to cry,” Wen Ning said, even as he brushed away his sister’s tears, “but I can’t seem to manage it. Jiejie…”

“You’re back with me. That is all that matters,” Wen Qing said. 

Wen Ning nodded but then looked around himself, “jiejie...where are we?”

“Lotus Pier.” Jiang Cheng answered for her.

“Jiang gongzi…you’re…”

“Sect Leader Jiang actually,” Jiang Cheng shared, “but more importantly, to you, jiefu.”

“Jiefu?” Wen Ning blinked. 

“Jiefu.” Wen Qing confirmed. 

“I’d like to thank you,” Jiang Cheng said, “not just for bringing my parents’ bodies to safety but also for helping your jiejie save me.”

“You know?”

Jiang Cheng nodded. “I know it must not have been easy.”

“It was harder for jiejie. She loves you.”

“A-Ning…” Wen Qing sounded scolding.

“I know.” Jiang Cheng said. “And I promise you. I will do all in my power to prevent anyone from harming either of you again. Not just because I owe you, but because...because your jiejie is very important to me and...you are now my family too.”

“Ah, Lan Zhan, I suppose we owe you an explanation.” Wei WuXian said sheepishly. 

They sat in a nearby pavilion, within sight of Wen Qing and Wen Ning but out of earshot to give brother and sister some privacy. 

“What more explanation does he need?” Jiang Cheng asked. “I brought you back from the Burial Mounds. I married A-Qing. Now you’ve revived Wen Ning. Simple.”

“Well...when you put it like that.”

Jiang Cheng snorted. “I do have a question though. You’ve managed to restore Wen Ning’s consciousness, but what are the chances that he’ll lose control again?”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“I do,” Jiang Cheng said, “you’ve always been capable of achieving the impossible. But, I don’t want A-Qing to suffer through the anguish of seeing her brother not be himself again.”

“Theoretically, as long as I have control over the Stygian Tiger Seal, I should retain control over him.”

“Can someone else also gain control?”

Wei WuXian rubbed his nose in thought. 

“I just want to be thorough,” Jiang Cheng said, “to make sure that he can’t be used against us.”

“Consciousness and free will, that is a tall order...but...my immediate next project,” Wei WuXian promised. 

Jiang Cheng nodded.

“Wei Ying...you were injured.” Lan Wangji looked like he was going to reach for Wei WuXian’s wrist.

“Ah, Lan Zhan, it was nothing. Just a small hit…”

“What do you mean, just a small hit?” Jiang Cheng frowned. “Wei WuXian…”

“Nothing serious,” Wei WuXian protested. 

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Wen Qing said. She frowned slightly. “You’ve got some internal bleeding. Turn around and hold still.”

Wei WuXian sighed but did as she bid.

She hit his back and he coughed a large hunk of putrid  blood. 

“Urg. Better out than in I suppose. But most undignified,” he told her. “In front of a guest too.”

“I’m sure he’s seen worse,” Wen Qing commented dryly as she handed him a cup of water to rinse his mouth. “I’m going to go brew some medicines for you. You’re going to…”

“Drink all of it.” Wei WuXian completed the sentence for her, “I know. I know.”

“It’s one thing to know and another to do,” she told him, “you’d better actually comply this time. Yanli jie left your health in my hands, I’m not failing her.”

“That’s just playing dirty, using Shijie to threaten me.”

Wen Qing ignored him as she left. 

“Wei Ying...Wei Ying’s health is not well?”

“Ah. Lan Zhan…”

“It could be better,” Jiang Cheng interjected. “He’s more susceptible to illness than before the war.”

Lan Wangji’s brows furrowed.

“Jiang Cheng…”

“I invited him here to help you,” Jiang Cheng told his brother, “at A-jie’s suggestion. The least you can do is tell him the truth.”

“He really doesn’t have to know…”

“Wei WuXian. Those three months you were missing...I was not the only one assiduously looking for you. And that night, at Qiongqi Pass, he was the one who let you go. For which I’m sure he was most thoroughly punished.”

“Punished?” Wei WuXian looked alarmed, “Lan Zhan…”

Lan Wangji just shook his head minutely. 

“Wei WuXian,” Jiang Cheng continued, “Have you ever thought to ask him why?”

“I…”

“I almost lost A-Qing. I’m not letting you make the same mistake.” And with that, Jiang Cheng stood and left the pavilion as well. 

“I take it HanGuangJun will be staying indefinitely?” Wen Qing asked Jiang Cheng a few days later.

“He did offer to take Wei WuXian to Cloud Recesses instead.”

Wen Qing looked equal parts amused and terrified, “There wouldn’t be a Cloud Recesses left.”

“I’d fear more for Master Lan’s health.”

“Hmm. I should check him for aneurysms next time I see him.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m sure he won’t be pleased that you’ve stolen his best student.”

“Me? It’s all Wei WuXian’s fault.”

“Of course it is.” She removed the last ornament and put it on her dressing table. 

He took the comb in hand and ran it through her hair, careful to undone any knots gently. She would do the same for him after he was done. It had become their bedtime ritual. 

“Will they ever make it official?” She asked. 

“Maybe. Such a liaison...it is frowned upon by some.”

“How silly.”

“Quite.” 

“They should still take the appropriate bows.”

“They’ve already done two of the three.”

“Ah. Hence Lan Wangji’s offer to take Wei WuXian back to Cloud Recesses.”

“Indeed.”

“For now though...separate quarters?”

“I don’t want to think too much about it,” Jiang Cheng admitted. 

She laughed at him.

“It is an additional layer of security though.” He admitted, “to have HanGuangJun in Lotus Pier.”

“To provide...oversight?”

“He is well respected and, more importantly, trusted.”

“Because A-Ning and I are so dangerous.”

Jiang Cheng lifted an eyebrow at her, “Aren’t you?”

Wen Qing sighed. “I wonder...did I do the right thing, asking Wei WuXian to fix A-Ning? He is...not quite alive, nor quite dead. His existence now...”

“He is your brother,” Jiang Cheng told her. “You cannot be faulted for wanting to help your brother.”

“They will fault you for protecting Wei WuXian.”

“I almost didn’t.” he confessed, “I almost did cast him out of YunMeng Jiang. It would have been...easy.”

“I doubt that.”

Jiang Cheng shook his head, “Wei WuXian...it’s always been so easy to be angry with him.”

“He can be rather irritating.”

Jiang Cheng sighed, “what does that say about me? That I was so willing to sacrifice my own brother for the sake of...of temporary peace from submitting to a potential tyrant?”

“You were frightened,” Wen Qing said softly, “I had been as well. I’ve asked myself...all those years, I could have done something to check Wen Ruohan...prevented so much harm...but I didn’t. It’s not like I didn’t have opportunities. But fear always stayed my hand. Should I have failed...what would have happened to A-Ning?”

“You are also not a killer.”

“I am no stranger to death, Jiang Cheng.”

“A-Qing…”

Wen Qing did not like to speak of those dark, lonely years. “Who do you think was responsible for treating the results of experimentations? It wasn’t just Wen Ruohan either. Wen Zhuliu had to perfect his technique somehow.”

She let Jiang Cheng pull her into his arms, drawing comfort from his nearness. “When I noticed that he had hurt you in that way...you cannot know how many couldn’t live with such a reality...how many to whom I had given a peaceful death.”

“I’m sorry.” he said softly.

She shook her head, “you are alive still.”

He kissed her, as though to reinforce that fact.

“I also know what it’s like to make decisions based on fear,” she whispered against his lips. She did not, could not, judge him for it. Especially when no one else had stood up against Wen Ruohan until it was almost too late. 

Jiang Cheng knew what she was thinking. There was a question that haunted him, a possibility that he could not keep from acknowledging ...Would history repeat itself now with Jin GuangShan?

Wei WuXian might have been the only one foolhardy enough to openly state such an observation, but surely the other Sects could see it too? The very fact that ZeWuJun had sent his brother to Lotus Pier...more than Lan Wangji’s personal happiness, surely the First Jade of Lan also saw that unity was as important now as it had been during the war? It was a subtle show of support for Lotus Pier, under the guise of oversight. 

Jiang Cheng had married Wen Qing for selfish reasons. He did not regret it; to have her here, with him, to hold her in his arms, to know that she was his...he never thought he could experience such joy. He knew though that while his decision could be seen as the result of the impetuousness of youth, it could also be interpreted as an act of rebellion. The prevailing belief, after all, was that all Wens ought to die. 

He hadn’t set out to change the world, that had always been Wei WuXian’s domain. But if that was what it took to keep what was his... 

Besides, hadn’t it been what Mother wanted Father to do? To take a stand? He had always been more his mother’s son. 

Nie HuaiSang arrived next.

“Jiang xiong! That vintage you sent! Your letter said there’d be more?”

Jiang Cheng looked up from a missive from Sect Leader Qin, “HuaiSang. You didn’t have anyone announce your arrival.”

Nie HuaiSang waved his fan impatiently, “Oh Jiang xiong, no need for such formalities between such old friends as ourselves. So...the vintage?”

Jiang Cheng smiled a little, causing Nie HuaiSang to lift an eyebrow in surprise.

“Come, I’ll introduce you to the brewer.”

Nie HuaiSang followed him eagerly.

Uncle Four proved more than happy to discuss the finer points of his process with a fellow wine enthusiast. 

“Ah, and this one here is one I brewed especially for Wei gongzi. It’s quite refreshing and has the unique characteristic of being unable to get the drinker drunk or even tipsy.” On seeing Jiang Cheng’s expression, he added, “Ah Sect Leader, no need for you to worry. I tested it out myself. Even Qing-guniang won’t be able to find fault with it!”

“She’ll still have to examine it.”

Uncle Four nodded, “of course, of course! But I’d never hurt Wei gongzi after he’s done so much for us!”

Jiang Cheng nodded. 

Nie HuaiSang managed to hold his questions until they rested in one of the pavilions by the lake. “So...Jiang xiong…”

“Yes?”

“I gather that Wei xiong is in Lotus Pier and not the Burial Mounds still?”

“Mn. This hour of the day, he should be teaching archery to the junior disciples.”

“And Uncle Four must be one of the Wen Remnants?”

“Indeed.”

“Then Qing guniang…”

“Madam Jiang now.”

“Madam Jiang!” Nie HuaiSang was so surprised, he actually dropped his fan onto the table. 

“Yes, Nie gongzi?”

Wen Qing arrived, almost as though on cue, with the tea tray. Although Jiang Cheng had certainly not planned for it at all. 

Nie HuaiSang just looked between the two of them with his mouth agape.

“Should I examine him?” Wen Qing asked Jiang Cheng, “it wouldn’t do for him to die of shock here in Lotus Pier.”

“Give him a moment,” Jiang Cheng replied calmly, “HuaiSang has always been given to dramatics.”

Nei HuaiSang came to with a gasp. “Jiang xiong...I would have expected such a trick from Wei xiong, but certainly not you!”

“What can I say,” Jiang Cheng shrugged, “Wei WuXian is a terrible influence.”

Nie HuaiSang actually laughed as he picked up his fan and snapped it open. “Congratulations are in order then. Though, really, Jiang xiong, I can’t believe you didn’t invite me to the wedding!”

“It was...a private matter.”

Nie HuaiSang peered at his friend over the top of the fan, “Not the spectacle that Carp Tower is planning?”

“Lotus Pier is still recovering,” Jiang Cheng answered, “we have neither the space nor the resources to host the world. In lieu of insulting those who would not have been able to attend, I elected to keep it to close family only.”

“Quite reasonable,” Nie HuaiSang stated in a knowing manner.

“I’m so glad you agree.” Jiang Cheng said seriously, his expression giving nothing away. 

“I wish you both much happiness.”

“Thank you,” Wen Qing said politely.

Nie HuaiSang lowered his fan briefly, revealing a playful expression, “Ah, I must think of an appropriate present now. Hmm...I can think of some...manuscripts...that you may find helpful in your newly wedded life, Jiang xiong.”

“HuaiSang.” Jiang Cheng’s voice held a tone of warning.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary at all, Nie gongzi.” Wen Qing said primly, “indeed, should you have a vested interest in such matters, I can suggest several texts that offer a quite thorough education to ensure both one’s satisfaction and one’s health.”

Nie HuaiSang laughed. “I see. Jiang xiong, you are a lucky man.”

“Yes.”

Nie HuaiSang looked taken aback a moment at Jiang Cheng’s easy agreement before grinning broadly, “any other surprises, Jiang xiong?”

“More a word of warning, perhaps.” It was rare that Jiang Cheng was able to get the upper hand when it came to teasing his friend. He may be deriving too much pleasure from it. 

“Oh?”

"With all but one of the top five young gentlemen of the cultivation world now ineligible, you might find yourself on the receiving end of more attention than you’re used to.”

“All but one…” Nie HuaiSang blinked.

Jiang Cheng could almost see the gears turning in Nie HuaiSang’s brain.

Wen Qing arched an eyebrow at him, but Jiang Cheng remained unrepentant. Wen Qing shook her head, but there was still an amused smile hovering at the corners of her lips as she stood, “I’ll just go see how A-Yuan’s lesson with HanGuangJun is going. The child is convinced now that his Rich gege is the best at more things than even his Xian gege.”

“It is good for A-Yuan to have a proper role model at last.” Jiang Cheng commented.

“Quite.” She was definitely going to laugh at him later. 

Nie HuaiSang waited until Wen Qing had departed before asking, “Jiang xiong! I know YunMeng Jiang prides itself on doing the impossible, but there is no way for you already to have a child!”

“A-Yuan’s my nephew.”

“Nephew.”

“Well, technically A-Qing’s cousin. But he calls her gugu and me gufu.”

“I see. How you’ve managed to keep it all this quiet…”

“It won’t be for long.”

“Ah, you intend to take Madam Jiang with you to Jiang guniang’s wedding then?”

“Wei WuXian too. A-jie would like them both to be there. And they both have a right to be there.”

“Spectacle indeed,” Nie HuaiSang said thoughtfully.

“She saved my life.” Jiang Cheng shared. “And was imprisoned by Wen Chao for it. Her brother too.”

“The prevailing opinion is that Wen Ning died at Qiongqi Pass.”

“It is better for the world to continue believing that.”

“You mean…”

“Wei WuXian managed to revive his consciousness. He is not exactly alive, but...A-Qing does have her brother back.” 

“I can see why you wouldn’t want that fact to become common knowledge.”

“Wei WuXian may be powerful, but he’s really not dangerous.”

“I never believed him to be.” Nie HuaiSang shared, “Wei xiong is too honorable, too righteous to cause harm without reason.”

“Not something that can be said about everyone.”

Nie HuaiSang tapped his folded fan against his chin, “da ge and er ge are both wary as well.”

“And your san ge?”

“San ge…” Nie HuaiSang trailed off for a moment, “he is no longer Meng Yao that’s for certain.”

His friend seemed despondent. 

“The two of you had been...close?”

Nie HuaiSang sighed. “For the longest time...he was my only friend. He shielded me and my fans as best as he could from da ge’s ill tempers. But now...to win his father’s recognition and acceptance has proven to be a strong motivator.”

Jiang Cheng was quiet for a moment. He had never expected to share such a kinship with Jin GuangYao of all people.

Nie HuaiSang shook his head before smiling again, “Ah, but enough of my troubles. I do hope, Jiang xiong, that you didn’t invite me here just to interrogate me on what I know about the state of the world?”

“You are uncommonly knowledgeable about many things.” Jiang Cheng pointed out. 

Nie HuaiSang chuckled, “I just like listening to gossip is all.”

“It’s a useful skill, HuaiSang. Especially since the war seems not to have completely ended.”

Nie HuaiSang gave a small nod, “so it would seem.”

“Not all battles are won with swords or sabers.” Jiang Cheng stated.

“Hmm.”

A look of understanding passed between them.

“For now though,” Jiang Cheng offered, “shall we go fishing?”

“I can’t swim,” Nie HuaiSang pointed out.

Jiang Cheng snorted, “I’m not a barbarian like Wei WuXian. We’re going to use actual fishing rods.”

Nie HuaiSang laughed, “then lead the way, Jiang xiong!”

“I received a most...interesting...proposal from Sect Leader Qin today.”

“Did you?” 

“Mn.”

“Well?” Wen Qing asked after a moment.

“Unlike Sect Leader Jin, I am most loyal to my wife.”

She blinked in confusion for a moment.

“Sect Leader Qin has a daughter. Qin Su.” Jiang Cheng explained.

“Ah. Quite literally a proposal.”

“Mn,” he agreed. 

“Will you accept?”

Jiang Cheng snorted. What a silly question. But he answered her anyway. “Even if I did not have you already, I would have refused. He made it no doubt at Sect Leader Jin’s urgings. They are closely allied.”

“I imagine it’s not the first of such proposals you have received.” Wen Qing speculated as she resumed combing through his hair. 

“Sect Ouyang also has a daughter of appropriate age,” he agreed. “Sect Leader He has a few sisters too.”

“If you’re trying to make me jealous,” Wen Qing stated, “it’s not working.”

“No?”

“No.” She declared.

She left their bed briefly to put away the comb. He watched her carefully, but her steps remained measured and her posture straight. Her expression, as she turned back towards him, gave nothing away.

“Not even a little?” He couldn’t help but ask as he moved over to give her room.

She looked at him for a moment before moving smoothly to straddle his lap. Her head bent, her intent obvious, causing his breath to catch. “Not even a little.” 

Jiang Cheng smiled as she kissed him quite thoroughly. She seemed to take it as a challenge. 

Yes, Jiang Cheng managed to think before his mind lost the ability, he was most fortunate in his choice of a wife. 

“Ready?”

Wen Qing smoothed her skirts and double checked that her sword was properly holstered. She nodded at her husband, “Ready.”

He offered her his arm and she took it to begin the journey up the steps of Carp Tower.

Wei WuXian was, for once, quiet, as he followed behind them with Lan Wangji at his side. 

As the family of the bride, they arrived earlier than the other guests. 

Carp Tower was certainly very ostentatious. Wen Qing could not help but remember the last time she had been in LanLing. How different the circumstances were! It was still no less dangerous for her to be there, even if it was as Madam Jiang. 

Jin GuangYao met them in the courtyard and offered Jiang Cheng a bow. His gaze did pause for the most minuscule moment on her and Wei WuXian, but the smile on his lips did not falter. His voice, as he offered his greetings, also remained steady.

“I hope,” Jiang Cheng said solemnly, “that I have not caused undue trouble with the last minute changes in our party.”

“No trouble at all,” Jin GuangYao stated. “I only need to know the proper form of address for the young lady.”

“Madam Jiang.” Jiang Cheng answered.

“Madam Jiang.” Jin GuangYao repeated and even he could not altogether hide his surprise. 

“What other form of address should my wife have?” Jiang Cheng asked, a tinge of impatience in his voice. 

“Forgive me, Sect Leader Jiang,” Jin GuangYao bowed, “I had not been aware that you had married.”

“A-jie helped arrange for it,” Jiang Cheng shared tersely. 

“I see.” Jin GuangYao seemed to have recovered from his shock, “and will HanGuangJun be sitting with you rather than ZeWuJun today?”

“Yes.” Lan Wangji answered shortly.

“HanGuangJun has been most insistent about keeping watch over Wei WuXian,” Jiang Cheng explained. “He has been our most honored guest at Lotus Pier.”

Jin GuangYao bowed again, “very well. I shall see to it that the seating arrangements reflect these changes.”

“My thanks.” Jiang Cheng said with a nod.

“If you’ll follow me,” Jin GuangYao continued smoothly, “I will show you to Jiang guniang.”

Wen Qing looked at the back of Jin GuangYao’s head thoughtfully. Here was someone else who had served Wen Ruohan and lived to tell the tale. The only other person alive with that distinction was XueYang. They made for an unlikely trio. A Wen, a prostitute's son, and a madman. Had the situation not been so fraught with uncertainties and dangers, she might have found the thought amusing. None of them, on their own, could hope for anything other than the world’s contempt. But all of them, somehow, had managed to survive.

She because of love. Jin GuangYao because he must still be of use to his father. XueYang because of the Yin Iron piece still in his possession. Wen Qing had no doubt that he still had it. Even Wen Ruohan had never managed to extract it from him, though certainly not for lack of trying. He had been one of the strangest patients she had ever treated. He had never asked for anesthetics, no matter how horrible his torture. It was almost as though he could not feel pain. Like Jin GuangYao, XueYang had always smiled too. Also like Jin GuangYao, the smile did not hold any warmth. Of the three of them, Wen Qing knew she was the lucky one. 

Jin GuangYao knocked on a door and Wen Qing could hear Jiang Yanli’s kind voice, “come in.”

Jiang Yanli was a vision. She had always been pale of complexion but in her red and gold robes...she shone like the moon itself. Or perhaps that was because of the genuine happiness radiating from her smile. 

Her brothers both seemed too stunned for words.

“You look beautiful, Yanli jie,” Wen Qing offered for all of them.

Jiang Yanli blushed. “You’re much too kind, A-Qing.”

She then turned towards Jin GuangYao, “thank you for bringing them, A-Yao.”

“It is my duty, Jiang guniang.”

“A-Yao.” Jiang Yanli’s tone was gently chiding, “how many times must I remind you to call me Yanli? You are my husband-to-be’s brother and thus will soon be my brother too.”

“It still would not be proper, Jiang guniang.” 

“Nonsense. I know Carp Tower favors formalities, but surely such rules can be suspended when you are just among family?” she looked at her own family with another smile, “Like now for instance.”

Jin GuangYao still hesitated.

Wei WuXian laughed and spoke for the first time since their arrival, “Ah, A-Yao, take it from me, it’s really just better if you do as Shijie says.”

“Wei gongzi…”

“No, no,” Wei WuXian interrupted, “like Shijie says, no need for such formalities! Especially since I think I’ve always liked you better than you brother, that Peacock.”

“A-Xian!” Jiang Yanli scolded.

“Ah, sorry Shijie. I suppose I’ll have to be nicer to him now that he is to be my brother too.” He turned again towards Jin GuangYao, “I do hope, A-Yao, that you have a better sense of humor?”

“I…” Jin GuangYao blinked.

“A-Xian, be nice.” Jiang Yanli scolded again.

“But shijie! I am being nice. A-Yao, I am being nice to you, right?”

“She meant to her future husband, you idiot,” Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes.

“Oh.” Wei WuXian shrugged, “that’ll depend, won’t it? On how he treats Shijie. Shijie might have forgiven him, but I certainly haven’t yet.”

Jiang Yanli sighed a little. “Not everyone is good with words like you and A-Yao, A-Xian.”

“Well, for your sake, I hope he gets better at it. You really deserve only the best, Shijie.”

Jiang Yanli’s expression softened, “oh, A-Xian.”

“Don’t you agree, A-Yao?”

“I…”

Wei WuXian did not actually wait before saying, “Ah, A-Yao, since we are going to be brothers, I should tell you. Chief among our duties is to protect Shijie at all costs. Jiang Cheng and I unfortunately can’t be at Carp Tower to ensure that the Peacock doesn’t make her cry ever again, but we can entrust such an important task to you, can’t we?”

“A-Xian. Enough. A-Yao, don’t mind him. I’m sure you have many other things to attend to than listen to his nonsense. I know ZiXuan would never knowingly hurt me.”

Jin GuangYao nodded, looking a little bit relieved. “I shall have refreshments sent.”

“Thank you, A-Yao.”

“The poor thing.” Jiang Yanli said softly once Jin GuangYao departed.

“A-jie?”

“He reminds me of both of you, really. Madam Jin is not very kind to him. And Father-in-law, well...he might have recognized A-Yao as his son, but he does not truly care for him. He treats A-Yao as no more than a servant. A very talented servant, to be sure, but still just a servant. He’s even reminded ZiXuan to do the same. It’s not right.”

“He’s still potentially dangerous,” Jiang Cheng observed.

“And thus it’d be better for him to be an ally rather than an enemy.” Wen Qing commented thoughtfully.

“Will he turn against his own father, though?”

“He saved xiongzhang.” Lan Wangji spoke up. “Sheltered him.”

“Huai Sang was genuinely fond of him,” Wei WuXian added, “remember how distressed he was when his da ge wanted to kill Meng Yao?”

Lan Wangji nodded while Jiang Cheng looked thoughtful. 

“No matter what,” Jiang Yanli declared firmly, “A-Yao is deserving of some kindness.”

“Ah, Shijie,” Wei WuXian said with a smile, “you really are too good.”

Jiang Cheng walked steadily towards where Sect Leader Jin was receiving his guests. 

He greeted the man politely, though made sure to stand a little in front of Wen Qing. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Lan Wangji doing the same with Wei WuXian. 

“Sect Leader Jiang and...this must be Madam Jiang.”

Wen Qing bowed briefly and offered her own greeting, “Sect Leader Jin.”

Jin GuangShan smiled, though it did not reach his eyes, “Sect Leader Jiang. Your marriage ought to have been a great cause for celebration. And yet, few had any idea…”

“We had only just ended the mourning period for our parents, I did not wish to make too much fuss, particularly as Lotus Pier is still recovering. I wanted to wait, but A-jie was rather insistent it happen before she married.” Jiang Cheng then added ruefully, “she seems to think that I need someone to look after me.”

Sect Leader Jin chuckled a little before asking, “oh? Then Jiang guniang is acquainted with Madam Jiang?”

“They had become friends while we were still students at Cloud Recesses. A-Qing also subsequently sheltered us after the fall of Lotus Pier. She comes from a long line of healers and was instrumental in saving my life. Her brother also helped rescue my parents’ bodies from the Wens so that we could give them a proper burial. We are deeply indebted to them.”

“Healers you say?”

“From Mount Dafan.”

Sect Leader Jin’s brows furrowed. 

“Because of the devastation of war, however, she and her brother are, unfortunately, the last direct descendants of their line. A-jie felt that it was only honorable for us to offer them a home in Lotus Pier.”

“I see.”

Jiang Cheng knew others were listening too. He wondered how long it would take for someone to reveal just who Wen Qing really was. But all that he had shared was the truth. As was his next admission. “A-jie could also tell that I had grown quite fond of A-Qing.” 

Sect Leader Jin’s smile looked indulgent this time. “Jiang guniang is a most attentive older sister.” 

“Her loss will be felt not just by me, but all of Lotus Pier.” Jiang Cheng agreed easily. He then offered a deeper bow, “I would also like to offer my apologies for the trouble Wei WuXian had caused the last time he was at Carp Tower. In our confrontation later in the Burial Mounds, I managed to hit him with Zidian and...well, A-Qing has been most helpful in helping manage the adverse effects of the possession. Another debt that I owe her.”

It wasn’t quite a lie. What ailed Wei WuXian was resentful energy after all. And it had changed his brother’s entire temperament.

“I see.” Jin GuangShan said again.

Jiang Cheng bowed again, “we should not take up all your time. I’m sure you have many other guests to greet.”

“Oh yes. Do enjoy the festivities, Sect Leader Jiang.”

“I will try, Sect Leader Jin. But...I am, after all, losing a most beloved sister today.”

Nonetheless, Jiang Cheng entered the banquet hall. He wanted to let out a sigh, but it was not yet time to relax. 

Wen Qing was honestly surprised that they made it back to Lotus Pier without any incidence. Even Wei WuXian behaved himself. But then, it was for his Shijie. And Wei WuXian loved Jiang Yanli dearly. It likely also helped that Lan Wangji did not leave his side the entire time. 

Jiang Cheng flopped onto the bed gracelessly, not even bothering to take off his boots. 

Wen Qing wanted to tease him, but she also felt utterly exhausted by the whole day. She made quick work of undressing to her under robe, removing her own jewelry, and pulling the pins from her hair. The maids will complain about her lack of finesse tomorrow morning, but for now, she just wanted them to stop digging into her scalp. 

“Do you think anyone’s figured it out yet?” She asked as she sat next thim. 

He turned his head to look at her, “They will soon enough.”

She nodded. 

“Once Wei WuXian completes the protective talisman for Wen Ning,” he shared, “he and Lan Wangji will go find the fourth Yin Iron piece. Maybe then it’ll finally be over and we can just worry about regular politics without the threat of the end of the world too.”

“You must be tired to speak so dramatically.”

He made a half-hearted attempt to protest but then just gave up.

She stood and offered him her hand, “come on, you can’t just go to sleep like that.”

“Why not?”

She lifted an eyebrow. Was he actually pouting? He must have learned the expression from Wei WuXian.

“Because it won’t be very comfortable with how fancily you’re dressed. And your head will hurt from the ornament digging into your scalp.”

“Why must you be so sensible?” He grumbled, but did take her hand to stand. 

“You did say that Yanli jie insisted that you get married so that someone could take care of you.” She shared as she began to untie his belt for him. 

She had to stand on tiptoes to remove the lotus shaped ornament from his hair. She frowned slightly at the strands of hair that had snagged on the intricately made petals. “Sit?”

He obeyed. 

“Ah ha!” she couldn’t help but grin as she managed finally to extricate the whole thing. 

“A-Qing…”

“Hmm?” She was not prepared for him to stand suddenly and pick her up, bridal style, in his arms. “Jiang Cheng! What are you doing? Put me down!” 

“I didn’t get to tell you, just how very beautiful you looked today. I must have been the envy of every man there, to have you next to me.”

“Jiang Cheng…”

“I mean it. And now they all know that you are mine.”

The way he was looking at her…”I thought you were tired.”

“I changed my mind.”

The hair piece clattered to the ground, but neither of them minded.

“Ow!”

That was never a good sound to hear coming from the direction of Wei WuXian’s workroom. 

“Wei Ying!” 

Definitely not good.

Wen Qing picked up her skirts and rushed in their direction, only to see A-Ning helping Wei WuXian to a sitting position on the ground. “Gongzi! I’m sorry!”

“Ah, it’s not your fault at all, Wen Ning! I just made the backlash a little too strong is all.”

“Wei WuXian!” Wen Qing scolded him even as she checked him over, “you were supposed to wait until I got here!”

“I just got so excited I forgot! I was positive I had made a breakthrough! And I did!” Despite the trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth, Wei WuXian was grinning.

Wen Qing sighed before striking his back, causing him to spit up the rest of the blood. “You really need to take better precautions.”

“I did! Lan Zhan is here with me, isn’t he?”

“No more for today.” Wen Qing told him.

“But…”

“No buts,” Wen Qing said sternly.

“Wen Qing…” Wei WuXian whined.

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji actually looked openly worried.

“Gongzi, maybe you should listen to jiejie.”

Wei WuXian made a frustrated sound, “urg! All three of you are ganging up on me!”

“Maybe if you possessed even a shred of self-preservation, we wouldn’t have to!” Wen Qing said, annoyed that he seemed to forget once again that he wasn’t invincible. 

“I feel fine!” He argued. 

She just glared at him.

“Will take Wei Ying to rest.”

“Lan Zhan!”

Lan Wangji ignored his protestations and just picked him up from the ground.

“This is most undignified!”

Wen Qing sighed as Wei WuXian’s complaining voice faded into the distance. 

“I’ll help you brew the medicines, jiejie.”

She brushed aside his bangs, “A-Ning. Are you alright?”

He nodded. “I felt nothing at all this time when Wei gongzi played ChenQing.”

Unlike all the other times, he meant. Wen Qing had been present for the testing of each and every iteration of the talisman Wei WuXian was making. She hated seeing A-Ning’s eyes turn black and unfocused each time, but she knew it had to be done to ensure that he could retain his own mind.

“I’m sorry, A-Ning.”

“For what, jiejie?”

“For dooming you to such a life.”

He shook his head, “I’m glad that I’m able to see you again, jiejie.”

“A-Ning…”

Wen Ning smiled, “really, jiejie. I get to help tend to the garden and help cook the meals and look after A-Yuan and learn to fish and even practice archery. It’s a peaceful existence. I know that was all jiejie had ever wanted for me.”

“I never asked what you wanted though.”

“I wanted jiejie not to worry so much,” Wen Ning said softly, “I wanted jiejie to live without fear. I was never strong enough to help jiejie. But I’m glad jiejie has jiefu to protect jiejie now.”

“A-Ning…” Wen Qing had to pause to gather herself. When had her little brother grown up? 

“Jiejie. We have a family again. I am happy that I’m still able to be part of it.”

What could Wen Qing do but hug her brother close?

It was hard not to feel superfluous in Carp Tower. Jiang Yanli was used to keeping busy, even if it was with tasks that no one bothered to think much on but were still instrumental in the making of a home. Mother’s prolonged absences had, after all, forced Yanli to shoulder responsibilities that should have fallen to Madam Jiang. Mother had always been more interested in training the disciples anyways.

She never minded. It was a way she could still contribute, a way in which she could still matter. She had never completely recovered from the grave illness she had suffered in her childhood. She knew she had been nearly at death’s door. Her Golden Core was irrevocably damaged. She still had enough spiritual powers that she could still hold a sword, but definitely not enough to cultivate well. It had been a bitter disappointment for Mother, who had such hopes of training her daughter to be worthy of her Meishan Yu heritage. Yanli also mourned the loss of her own abilities, but Mother was more than upset enough for both of them. And...well, Yanli had always been more like Father, who was more even tempered and more accepting in general. She did feel guilty though, because she saw how Mother became even more demanding of A-Cheng as a result.

A-Cheng never resented Yanli for it though. No. Her little brothers had taken turns holding vigil at her bedside the week that she was lost to the world. She had little memory of that time. Just faint impressions of murmured voices and the sensation of floating in a river of fire. They had always looked up to her. She knew in their eyes she was at once mother and sister. Was it any wonder that they became so protective of her after almost losing her? Especially A-Xian, who had already lost a mother.

It was a role she had grown used to, a role that she really believed she was always meant to hold. Of course she was glad that her brothers had both found partners who could be trusted to look after them now that she had married.

Unlike the warm informality of Lotus Pier, where civilians and cultivators mixed freely, however, Carp Tower was rigid with respect to social structure. As Young Madam Jin, she was treated with deference and respect. There were servants whose very purpose was to listen to her requests and fulfill them without her having to lift a single finger. They seemed genuinely horrified when she asked for the location of the kitchen so she could make some soup for the first dinner ZiXuan and she would have as a married couple. They still complied, of course, and provided all the ingredients and tools she asked for. But the cooks definitely looked uncomfortable that she was in their domain. 

No wonder A-Xian had always called ZiXuan spoiled. Growing up as the only heir, of course he was given everything he could have ever wanted. It made it all the more extraordinary then, that he had personally planted the lotus pond for her.

It really was her favorite place in her new home, even if it did make her homesick too. She had always known her role, her purpose in Lotus Pier. Here in Carp Tower though...Madam Jin could manage things quite well. Yanli often found herself at a loss of how to spend her days. There was only so much sewing and reading and tea drinking she could do. 

ZiXuan was very kind. He was still awkward, but Yanli had always been patient. And the knowledge that he did love her, had loved her but just hadn’t known how to express himself was...endearing. He treated her like something precious and seemed determined to make up for all the past tears and hurts he had caused her. It was very sweet. 

She had discovered, during the time before their wedding, that they were both shy and tended to keep things to themselves. No wonder their relationship had been fraught with so many misunderstandings. Added to the formality that was so ingrained in everyone and everything at Carp Tower...was it any wonder that he came across as arrogant and unfeeling? But maybe it wasn’t so surprising. Failure of communication had also been her own parents’ mistake. 

She did her best to bridge that gap, and believed she was succeeding. But ZiXuan had his own duties too and could not always be with her. 

So, Yanli observed. Mindful of the need to keep A-Cheng and A-Xian and A-Qing safe, she watched carefully. And thought about her role, who she wanted to be. 

There were other similarities between her new family and her old. Like Mother, Madam Jin was assuredly not happy with her marriage. The difference was, of course, that Mother loved Father whereas Madam Jin...truly detested her husband. Not that Yanli could altogether blame her. Sect Leader Jin’s scandalous behavior was well known after all. It was...irksome, that it was not a cause for more censure. Rather, A-Yao seemed to shoulder the disgrace instead. When really, what could A-Yao do about the circumstances of his birth? Yanli had wanted to give Father-in-law the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he treated this son so poorly out of fear of his wife’s displeasure. Madam Jin certainly did not make it a secret her disdain for A-Yao. But Yanli quickly realized that A-Qing had been right to warn her.

Father-in-law was a politician, he was power hungry, he did have ambitions to exert his influence over the world. He would use A-Yao, who was so driven to please, to obtain his goals so that his own hands remained clean. It was...despicable.

As was ZiXun’s behavior. Yanli was strolling through the gardens when she chanced upon ZiXun insulting A-Yao again. Son of a whore. Surely it was a slight that A-Yao had heard often. But that did not make it right. What was it that A-Qing had said? Arrogance, casual cruelty, lack of respect for human lives...Yanli could do little about the first and last things but she had always been known for her kindness. 

Besides, she had always found meaning in being a sister, a mother. A-Yao was her brother too now. And maybe...maybe in helping him, she will eventually be able to do something about the other two things too. 

“ZiXun,” she scolded him, “such words are unbecoming of a gentleman, let alone a Jin. You should also keep in mind that A-Yao is the son of the Sect Leader. Not only is he sworn brother to ChiFengZun and ZeWuJun, but he is also brother to the heir of Lanling and brother-in-law to Sect Leader Jiang. He is a war hero, the reason that we can all live freely and breathe easily. He is worthy of our respect and gratitude. Moreover, he is family.”

“Young Madam Jin, he is no more than a servant.”

“And you are no more than a bully,” the words slipped out before Jiang Yanli had too much to think much about them, but she did not regret them. If she was to feel at home here in Carp Tower, she needed to make a place for herself. And to do that, she needed to set aside her hesitancy and make her own voice heard. She knew well her own values. It was time that others learned of them too. 

ZiXun looked shocked at her retort. 

Jiang Yanli lifted her chin. Had he forgotten that she was the daughter of a Great Sect? The daughter of the Purple Spider? 

“Young Madam Jin,” A-Yao’s voice was quiet, “you have no need to intercede on my behalf.”

"Yes I did. A-Yao. To him, I am Young Madam Jin, but to you, I am just Yanli. Now, if you are not too busy, perhaps you’d like to join your sister for tea?”

Jin GuangYao looked at her with an unreadable expression at first but then nodded and followed her to the pavilion next to the lotus pond.

“A-Yao,” she said as she poured the tea, “are you unhappy in Carp Tower?”

“Young Madam Jin...”

“Yanli,” she insisted. 

He took the offered cup instead. 

“I brought it from Lotus Pier,” she explained, watching him carefully as he took a sip. “Lotus blossom tea. Maybe, someday, this pond will provide enough blossoms to make my own even here.”

“It is very soothing for all that the flavors are delicate.” He observed. 

“I’ve always thought that too.” she agreed easily as she filled her own cup. 

“You really did not need to intercede on my behalf. Such words...they have long lost their novelty.”

“But not their ability to hurt.” She said wisely. Had she not been called plain and boring and average most of her life? 

“You and I are similar,” she continued, “It can be...difficult, to find one’s place in a new environment. And...for all that we are technically members of the Jin Clan, for all that we’ve both known our whole lives that Carp Tower is our destiny, we are still outsiders, aren’t we?”

“Young Madam Jin…”

“Yanli,” she corrected him again, adding, “I want Carp Tower to feel like home. A-Cheng and A-Xian are far from me now, but you are my brother too. More than that, I think...I think both of us are in need of a friend.”

“Friend.” A-Yao repeated.

“I have few friends,” Yanli admitted, “who are also not family. Just MianMian really. It can be...lonely. But I think, I hope, that as two people who are trying to carve out a place for themselves here, we can help support one another.”

“So,” she said, when he didn’t answer, “what do you say?”

“Why are you being so kind?” He asked.

“Because you deserve kindness,” she said with certainty, “because it’s the right thing to do. I know I do not have the power to change the world, but I at least want to make Carp Tower a nicer place to live. Even if it’s just for one person.”

“Some prejudices, beliefs, are set too deeply to be changed.” He warned her. 

“If we do not make an effort to try, then certainly they never will.”

“It is an ambitious undertaking. 

Yes. It is. “Because neither Father-in-law nor Mother-in-law seem inclined to stop such behavior.”

“I know what I am.”

“And what is that, A-Yao?”

“My mother…”

Jiang Yanli sighed. “A-Yao. If that is how you see yourself, is it any wonder that others can use it against you?” Were all her brothers destined to have issues with self-worth? Well, that was rather hypocritical of her, wasn’t it? She was not immune from similar doubts. 

“Shall I tell you what I see?” She asked him. 

He looked at her and there was something strangely brittle in his smile.   

“I see a lost child,” Jiang Yanli said softly, “who bears the burden of his mother’s hopes and his father’s indifference. Who strives so much to prove himself worthy. Who is brave and self-sacrificing. I see someone with such cleverness and strength. I see someone worthy of love and friendship and a true family.”

In him, she saw both her little brothers. 

“I see a brother. Someone I’d like to call a friend.”

Her heart has always had a soft spot for vulnerable little boys. 

“You do not know…” he paused. “You would not think so well of me if you knew…”

“Knew what, A-Yao?”

“I have...I have killed. I have…have...”

“As have A-Cheng and A-Xian and ZiXuan. Even ZeWuJun and HanGuangJun. I am not so naive as to believe that any of them could survive a war without a loss of innocence.”

“I…” he was no longer meeting her eyes.

“You have a lot of brothers. Will you accept me as your sister?” She could not replace his mother, who he clearly needed still. But she would do her best regardless. It was what she’s always done. 

He didn’t answer. Not that she expected him to. Trust was a difficult thing to gain through just one cup of tea after all. 

Wen Qing was hardly ever sick. And so, it was very odd for her to feel so queasy and tired lately. At first, she thought it was just worry about Wei WuXian and Lan Wangji who did depart to complete their quest for the Yin Irons. But when she actually threw up her breakfast for the third day in a row, she had a sudden suspicion of the reason.

She still asked Wen popo to help confirm.

“Congratulations, Qing guniang!” popo smiled, her weathered cheeks breaking into a mass of laughter lines. “Sect Leader will be pleased.”

Well. She supposed it was inevitable. She rested a hand on her abdomen. A child. Their child. She bit her lip. Was it too soon? 

This time of the day, he would still be with the disciples. In Wei WuXian’s absence, A-Ning had taken over the archery lessons for the juniors, but Jiang Cheng still trained the senior disciples himself. She should not interrupt. But news of this magnitude…

Before she could make up her mind, a golden butterfly fluttered into existence. She listened to its message and couldn’t help but laugh as it dissipated. She’ll wait. Jiang Cheng should really be sitting when he was told. 

“Uncle Four’s newest brew,” she said as she poured him a cup.

Jiang Cheng looked up from his paperwork. “It’s the middle of the afternoon.”

She shrugged, “you know how enthusiastic Uncle Four can be.”

He took it in hand but did not yet drink. “Something’s wrong.”

“Why would you say that?”

“You don’t approve of drinking.”

“I don’t approve of drinking to excess,” she corrected him.

“It’s the middle of the afternoon,” he repeated. 

“So it is,” she agreed as she sat opposite him.

“A-Qing. You’re worrying me.”

“I received a message from Yanli jie today.”

“And?”

“You’re going to be an Uncle.”

“Uncle.”

Wen Qing nodded. 

“They’ve barely been married for two months!”

“It only takes once you know.”

Jiang Cheng made a face, “I really did not need to think about my sister and…”

Wen Qing nodded at the cup in his hand, “hence the wine.”

“How thoughtful of you,” he said but did finally drink.

She refilled the cup, causing him to look at her suspiciously. “A-Qing…”

“A-Ning will be an Uncle too. Possibly at the same time.”

“A-Qing...you’re saying...are you saying…”

She nodded. “You are going to be a father.”

“A father.” He repeated and then promptly finished the second cup of wine too. “A father.”

He looked a bit dazed.

“Yes.”

“How?”

Wen Qing raised an eyebrow, “You really don’t know?”

“I…I do. But….”

“I know it may not be the best time…”

He shook his head, “that’s not it. A-Qing...what if...what if I’m a terrible father? What if...what do I know about raising a child?”

Oh. “What did you know about rebuilding and then leading a Sect? You’ve still managed quite well, haven’t you?”

“That’s...that’s different.”

Oh Jiang Cheng. “Well. A-Yuan seems to like you just fine. You provide him with sorely needed discipline. You know he’d be spoiled rotten if Wei WuXian had his way.”

“Lan Wangji…”

“Probably transplanted all the rabbits from Cloud Recesses to Lotus Pier for A-Yuan just because the child said he liked the drawing of them Wei WuXian had made.”

“A-Qing…”

She reached for his hands, “Jiang Cheng. I for one think you will make a fantastic father. And it really should be my opinion that matters the most, shouldn’t it?”

“I’m really going to be a father?”

She nodded. 

Tentatively, he started to smile. She couldn’t help but smile back, greatly relieved.

He lifted her hands to his lips, “I’m sorry. I should have reacted with much more joy. I really am very happy. I never expected...I just never thought…”

“It is the natural course of things.”

“Yes. Well.” Was he blushing?

Wen Qing couldn’t help but laugh, “shall we write to tell Yanli jie?”

“A-Yao, ZiXuan and I would like you to choose the courtesy name.” Jiang Yanli smiled sweetly as the dishes were cleared. 

Carp Tower was a large place, but these quarters were hers. Hers and ZiXuan’s. And indulgent husband that he is, ZiXuan has not stopped her from inviting A-Yao to dine with them on a regular basis. But then, ZiXuan also felt guilty for being the reason that A-Yao had been kicked down the steps of Carp Tower all those years ago. An only child and the youngest among his cousins, ZiXuan had been a lonely child too. Combined with his own introverted nature, the resulting social awkwardness was not so surprising. Yanli had found it easy to get him to confess that he had always wanted a sibling, a companion. They actually complimented each other rather well. ZiXuan was noble, well-intentioned, but often lacked the means to make his thoughts clear. A-Yao, in contrast, was well-spoken and clever but required some guidance when it came to some aspects of morality. Perhaps, in some other universe, the two of them really could have been twins. 

“SaoSao ( 嫂嫂 ), Father would never agree to it.” SaoSao. Sister-in-law. At once a familiar yet respectful appellation. A compromise between them. 

Jiang Yanli’s smile did not fade, “Who says Father-in-law has to know?” 

“Didi (younger brother), we really would like you to choose the name.” ZiXuan said. 

“I…” A-Yao really did look overwhelmed.

“You’ll want time to think about it, of course.” Yanli said gently, “but as the child’s only shushu, you really are the best choice.”

“Surely not,” A-Yao protested, “your own brothers…”

“A-Cheng has his own child to name. A-Xian will definitely not let him do it alone; he doesn’t trust A-Cheng’s taste when it comes to names. Not after what he had named his puppies when they were young.” Yanli chuckled a little in memory, “though really, I suspect A-Qing already has a name in mind. She’ll let them fight it out, though, just for pure entertainment’s sake.”

“I will do my best,” A-Yao at last promised.

“I know you will,” Yanli shared confidently.

“A-Yao, will you tell me about your mother?” Jiang Yanli had grown to a size where it was impractical to go into the lotus garden as often as she would have liked. But she was determined not to miss her weekly teatime with her brother-in-law.

A-Yao set down his cup, “saosao…”

“She must have been an extraordinary woman,” Yanli said softly, her hand on her rounded abdomen, “to have raised such a gifted son.”

“She...she was.” A-Yao said at last, his voice quiet. “Mother...even though most of the others made fun of her for being foolish, she made sure I had books and received an education. She never gave up hope that Father would return and buy her freedom, that he would give me a home.”

“What was she like?”

“Mother was...gentle, sweet, optimistic despite her circumstances. She taught me poetry and art and music. Though she was...what she was...she was never angry or bitter about her circumstances. Just...sad, that she couldn’t give me more.”

He looked into his teacup for a long moment. “If you’ll forgive the comparison, saosao, you remind me of her.”

“I am honored. She sounds like a lovely woman who loved her son dearly.”

He looked back up at her, his eyes bright. “I think I have chosen a name for my nephew.”

“Yes?”

“RuLan.”

“RuLan.” Yanli repeated.

“Mother...mother’s favorite flower had been orchids.”

“君子如兰，空谷幽香 (A man's noble character is like an orchid, the air in the valley is fragrant,” Meaning that morality should be upheld even under duress.),” she quoted thoughtfully, adding, “a good name.”

“Mother...mother had wanted to believe that father...that despite the fact that he had sought out her company, that he could be such a man. I...I am glad sometimes, that she never had to face the fact that she was wrong.”

“She raised you with hopes that you would be such a man, didn’t she?”

“I…”

“A-Yao. This name you have chosen...let it be a reminder to yourself too.”

Wen Qing was feeling exasperated. “Jiang Cheng, really, I’ll be fine.”

“I don’t like just leaving you alone…”

“A-Ning is here. You personally warded this room. You’ve also trained the disciples more than sufficiently. I am as safe as I can be.”

“Promise you won’t try going to your workroom again.”

“Jiang Cheng. My feet are so swollen that even standing on them hurt. I really don’t think I’m going anywhere until this child is born.”

His frown only deepened at the reminder of her discomfort. 

She sighed to herself. Her mistake. “Jiang Cheng,” she said gently, “go. It’s important. I’ll be fine.”

“I really don’t like to leave you.”

“Hopefully it’ll be brief. Do remind Wei WuXian that I’ll be deeply displeased if his need for dramatics delays your homecoming. Oh, and that A-Yuan has decided to give all the rabbits forehead ribbons. I’m sure he won’t want to miss that sight.”

He still hovered indecisively.

“Sect Leader Jiang. Go. Your brother has captured XueYang and will be making an end to the Yin Irons. It’s a big day for the whole cultivation world.”

“I really don’t see why they had to go to Carp Tower.”

“Because like it or not, Jin GuangShan is Chief Cultivator now.” She said patiently.

He sighed. 

“I’ll be fine.” She reassured him again. 

He went, even if he wasn’t really happy about it. 

Wen Qing took the opportunity to read some of the new medical texts that Jiang Cheng had helped obtain for her. In the chaos of the war, her own library back in Yiling had been lost. But Jiang Cheng had asked A-Ning to list as many titles as he could recall and did his best to rebuild it for her. 

“I know you plan to start teaching A-Yuan, when he’s just a little bit older,” he had told her when he had first surprised her with the special extension to the library. “And, well, I just thought...the healing tradition of Mount Dafan is part of our child’s heritage too.”

She had perused through some of the texts, “Jiang Cheng. Some of these are originals!”

“Ah. Well. HuaiSang helped, is still helping really.”

Wen Qing was impressed. 

The book she was reading now was written by the same author as the one that had given Wei WuXian the idea for the Core transplant. She had not been the first to attempt the procedure after all. But the first one to have actually succeeded. Reading of all the complications that could have arisen...it really did send a shiver down her spine. Ignorance really had been bliss. But tucked away in the fourth appendix had been an exposition on the nature of Golden Cores themselves. And it made her contemplate something else that should be impossible…

She must have dozed off somewhere along the way, because when her eyes opened, night had fallen. She winced as her child gave a strong kick.

“Little one,” she put a hand on her now protruding abdomen, “as happy as I am that you’re in possession of such strength, do be kind to your mother, please.”

The child stirred again but was, thankfully, more gentle this time.

“Thank you, little one. You must be missing your father. I am too. It’s silly, I know. It has only been a few hours, but...I worry about him too. Your Uncle Wei is most unpredictable, you see. The best laid plans find some way to go wrong when he’s involved. Yes, even when your Uncle Wangji is there to watch his back. I wonder if they know about you yet; we’ve certainly not kept your existence a secret. Maybe they’ll have heard about you while on the road. And if they’ve heard about you, then they’ll have heard about your cousin too. I wonder if the two of your will be friends…”

“He or she will be a Jin and your father...well, he remains wary of them. Not that he doesn’t have cause to, but...your cousin is also Yanli jie’s child. And she is...goodness personified. You owe your very existence to her, you know. Had she not come to the Burial Mounds that day...I would have continued to push your father away, for his own protection. And I would have missed out on so much happiness…”

“I honestly thought that there’d be more consequences...but your Uncle HuaiSang is a tricky man. He’s managed to spin quite the romance and made the world believe it too; star-crossed lovers I think he called your father and I. Yes, quite silly, isn’t it?”

Still, Wen Qing found herself smiling, “he really is a good friend though. I’ve been trying to think of a way we can show our gratitude. And I might have just the thing. But it’ll require your Uncle Wei’s input so I’d rather not raise his hopes yet.”

“I do hope they’re well. Xue Yang is very wily and very dangerous.”

She sighed a little. “I do hope, little one, that the world is a safer place when you are ready to greet it.”

Yanli had been ordered to be on bedrest. The healers had used a fancy term that was most definitely not familiar to her. Madam Jin had told her not to worry about it, to just rest and take the medicines as prescribed. Yanli managed to send a copy of the ingredient list to A-Qing, who provided a much simpler explanation. And bedrest seemed quite reasonable once she read about the condition she had. 

And so, she knew almost next to nothing about her brothers’ presence in Carp Tower until the meeting had actually already concluded. 

“A-jie.”

“A-Cheng? When did you get here? Is A-Qing alright? Why are you here?”

Her brother quickly reassured her that their family in Lotus Pier was just fine. 

“Is it A-Xian then?”

“A-jie. Everything really is fine.” Jiang Chen explained quickly, “Wei WuXian and Lan Wangji were successful in their quest. They’ve brought back XueYang to be executed and even destroyed the last Yin Iron piece and the Stygian Tiger Seal in front of everyone. They’d like to come see you, Wei WuXian especially wanted to surprise you, but I thought I’d give you a warning first. The healers did recommend no shocks, after all, even the good kind.” 

“Oh! A-Cheng...is it really all over?”

“Well, not all.” Jiang Cheng admitted, “I doubt Sect Leader Jin will stop looking for other ways to gain power. The Yin Iron would have just been a shortcut.”

“But for now?”

“Yes, A-jie, for now I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief.”

The heirs of LanLing Jin and YunMeng Jiang were born just one day apart. And that was only because Jin Ling came screaming into the world before midnight whereas Jiang Hui blinked open his dark, serious eyes mere minutes afterwards. He did give a loud cry when the umbilical cord was cut, separating him from his mother, but soothed quickly once Wen Qing held him in her arms.

“He’s...perfect.” She heard Jiang Cheng whisper.

She could only nod, feeling too exhausted to form words herself. Oh, but looking into her son’s face, feeling the solid weight of him in her arms...all the pain was more than worth it. 

And in Carp Tower, Jiang Yanli could do little to stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks. Her son. Born of the love between her and ZiXuan. She had thought she understood the fierce protectiveness of motherhood with A-Cheng and A-Xian, but the overwhelming rush of feelings that washed over her now...her son will grow up in a kinder world.

And so, she made sure that A-Yao was the first person, aside from the child’s parents, to hold his nephew.

“A-Yao. Meet Jin Ling, who will one day become Jin RuLan.”

The man looked down at the babe in his arms in disbelief before something so tender took over his expression. “Hello A-Ling, I’m your shushu.”

As besotted as she was with her son, however, Yanli made sure not to neglect her brother-in-law either. 

“A-Yao. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, saosao.”

“I know you’ve been working very hard to arrange for A-Ling’s one month celebration. I have not made it easier by convincing A-Cheng to let us include A-Hui too.”

“I don’t mind, saosao. They are cousins. And...it reinforces the close ties between Carp Tower and Lotus Pier.”

“But you should not neglect yourself either. You are taking time to rest adequately?”

“Of course, saosao.”

Yanli frowned. The dark circles under his eyes clearly indicated otherwise. “A-Yao…I don’t believe you.”

“It really is nothing, saosao.”

“Tell me.”

“Saosao.” He tried to protest.

“Tell me.” She insisted.

He sighed. “Father...he was with...with company. And he said...they asked him about Mother and he said…” he fell silent.

But Yanli did not need him to repeat what Father-in-law must have said. 

“Company. Right here in Carp Tower?”

“It’s not...it’s not exactly a rarity.” A-Yao admitted.

“And...he has you arrange for such...such entertainment?”

“Saosao…” 

Yanli pressed her lips together. And that was when she decided that enough was enough. Now that she had safely delivered the LanLing heir, both ZiXuan and Madam Jin seemed more eager than ever to give her whatever she wanted. And what she wanted was for her son to grow up without the shadow of his grandfather’s misconduct. She wanted him to grow up with a legacy that he could actually be proud of.

Arrogance, casual cruelty, lack of respect for human lives. Those were not things a Sect Leader, let alone a Chief Cultivator, ought to possess. Those were not things her son should inherit.

“A-Yao. You are not going back to Father-in-law.” She declared. “You are going to stay right here as ZiXuan’s right hand man and A-Ling’s shushu.”

“Saosao. You can’t just…”

She patted his hand reassuringly. “You stay right here with those who actually care about your well-being. Now, shall we go see A-Ling? You really haven’t been visiting enough.”

“Father...father did not wish for me to exert undue influence…”

Yanli’s eyes narrowed. Undue influence? Ha! “I hardly think Father-in-law is qualified to determine such things.”

“Saosao...there’s….there’s more…”

Yanli did not have a good feeling about this. Nonetheless, she said steadily, “tell me.”

Wen Qing listened to the message from the golden butterfly and frowned. So. Chief Cultivator had designs on her and A-Hui’s life. And he had planned on using A-Ning to do it. Jin GuangYao had confessed much to Yanli jie, including his knowledge that A-Ning was not quite dead. 

Even if he had proceeded, he would have had a difficult time controlling A-Ning, what with the destruction of the Stygian Tiger Seal and the presence of the protective talisman Wei WuXian had made to prevent any sort of outside influence on A-Ning’s mind. A version of which he gifted to Nie HuaiSang for his da ge, to blunt Baxia’s effects. 

Yanli jie had already set things into motion to push Jin GuangShan out of the position of Sect Leader of LanLing Jin. Madam Jin truly was a formidable woman who had also collected her own political power over the years. She certainly also had more than enough reasons to act against her husband. But it was a process that would take time. 

Yanli jie had sent this message as a caution, to be careful when they attended the celebration tomorrow. Even if Jin GuangYao had no intention of actually following his father’s orders...Jin GuangShan was not someone who would give up so easily. 

She took a deep breath. As she had told Jiang Cheng, she was no stranger to death. She was not just a capable healer, a precise surgeon, but also more than knowledgeable about curses. And there was one...esoteric, subtle, difficult to detect or trace, that seemed more than fitting for Jin GuangShan.

What she was contemplating...it really was no better than cold blooded murder. And yet...she caressed A-Hui’s cheek, her heart swelling with emotion as he nuzzled towards her fingers even in sleep. 

She remembered what she had told Yanli jie that day in the Burial Mounds. She would do anything and everything to protect A-Ning. And now...for A-Hui...she would set the entire world aflame if necessary.

“Something’s bothering you,” Jiang Cheng told her.

She focused on the task at hand rather than reply.

“A-Qing.” He lifted a hand to hold hers.

And the gesture was so familiar, so reminiscent of another time that he had wrapped her fingers around this comb, that she could not keep her hand from shaking. 

“A-Qing.” He sounded alarmed now as he fully turned to face her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m...I’m just tired.” They had received news just the prior day that Chief Cultivator had passed away suddenly. Gossip soon made it known precisely in what type of establishment and in what sort of company. Popular belief was that his heart had just given out from the exertion. 

Jiang Cheng frowned at her before gently taking the comb out of her hold and putting it on the table. Then, he pulled her into his lap, trapping her. “What is it?”

She just continued to shake her head. She could not tell him. Would not be able to stand it if he should look at her with disgust and…

For all that she had renounced the name, for all that she was Madam Jiang now...she still could not escape her Wen heritage. But seeing Jin GuangShan standing there, with such a practiced smile on his face as he greeted them, as he looked down at A-Hui...as though he wasn’t contemplating her son’s death even while supposedly celebrating his one month of life...she had cast the curse without hesitation. That it had taken a month to take effect fully was...good riddance really, as Jiang Cheng had muttered when he first received the news. He was also privy to what Chief Cultivator had wanted to do, after all. 

“A-Qing. Please. You’re...you’re shaking.”

Was she? 

His arms tightened about her and he made to stand, “I’m going to call for popo to check you.”

“No.” She said quickly, “Please. Don’t. I’m well. There’s nothing wrong with my health.”

He was still frowning, but sat again. He felt her forehead. “Well, you’re not feverish…”

“Jiang Cheng. I really am well.”

“No. You are not. A-Qing. Please tell me.”

“I... I can’t.”

She could feel his fingers on her cheeks.

“You’re crying.”

Was she?

“You have not been this emotional since…” he paused, “you’re not...A-Qing...you’re not with child again, are you?”

She shook her head, “that wouldn’t be possible.” To allow her time to heal, they had not yet...

“Right.” he sounded chagrined. “Right. Then...what is it? Please, you’re frightening me.”

Oh, but she wanted to tell him. Wanted him to tell her that even though she had committed a crime, that...but, would he? 

“A-Qing. Answer my question. Please.”

Hadn’t it been what he had said back in the Burial Mounds too? And even if the circumstances were completely different, she still felt the compulsion to answer. She hadn’t, back then, to spare him. She shouldn’t, even now, also to spare him. 

Oh but her judgement was still suspect when it came to him. 

She took a deep breath, “will you fetch a book from the library for me?”

His frown had not gone away. If anything, it deepened. “A-Qing…”

“Please.”

He stared into her eyes for a long moment before nodding. 

She waited for him to return. She could not meet his eyes as she opened the book to the correct page and held it out to him.

She stared at her clasped hands, bracing herself for words of judgement, disappointment, horror. They did not come.

“A-Qing. This is…”

“Yes.” She said. 

“You must know. I would never…”

She looked at him in startlement. Did he not understand…

“It’s a lover’s curse,” he said softly, “meant to punish infidelity.”

“I did not cast it on you.” She told him. Never on him. She knew he would never betray her in such a way. 

“Then…” he paused. “Oh.”

He read again through the text before closing the book and setting it aside. He returned to her side and held her hands so gently, “A-Qing…”

How could he bear to touch her still?

“There is blood on my hands.” She said. 

“Who of us survived the war without blood on our hands? And...we’ve been at war still, haven’t we? For all that we have not been using our swords.”

“But I killed…”

“Yes.” he agreed, “you killed an enemy. You killed him before he could harm you or our son. I’m only sorry that you had to bear that burden when I should have been the one to protect you, both of you.”

“Jiang Cheng…”

“No one but us will ever know.” He told her. 

She was crying again and he just held her close. 

“I also know what it’s like to make decisions out of anger and hatred. After Wei WuXian and I caught Wen Chao in Yiling...the torture we put him through…”

“He had hurt your parents, had hurt Lotus Pier,” she managed to say.

“Had hurt you too.” He added. “To have seen you in chains, with bruises, with such fear for your missing brother...I...” he paused. “For all those reasons, his screams, his begging had been...most satisfying.”

“But A-Hui and I were not actually harmed.” She said softly.

“Not yet. And now, not ever. He deserved it. And the manner of his death was...poetic justice really.”

“Jiang Cheng…”

“Do you think less of me for holding such an opinion?”

“Do you think less of me for having cast this curse?”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead in response. “No. No, I do not.”

“Jiang Cheng…”

“You are still my A-Qing, my destiny, my wife, the mother of my child. To know just how much you love him is...I still believe, now more than ever, that I was always meant to find you, that you were always meant to be mine.”

Her tears had dried, but her hands were shaking again, though for a different reason this time. She pressed her lips to his. 

“Jiang Cheng…” she owed him an answer, one that she had given through actions but never words. “I want you.”

“A-Qing…’

“I am well. I can. And I...I want you. I’m the one you were always meant to find, I was made to be yours.”

He kissed her so fiercely at such words, but his touch remained gentle as their bodies reacquainted with each other. 

“A-Qing...mine…” he whispered.

“Jiang Cheng...yours…” she agreed. 

They were both so flawed and yet somehow, they fit together. As it was always meant to be.