Chapter Text
A week after Jin Guangshan finds out about the freeing of the Wen remnants, a conference of the sect leaders is held at Jinlintai to discuss what should be done about Wei Wuxian.
Jiang Cheng attends with his sister, Jiang Yanli at his side. Nie Mingjue and Nie Huaisang of the Qinghe Nie clan are present. Lan Xichen, the Gusu Lan clan’s sect leader also attends, along with Lan Wangji. Also in attendance are the sect leaders of minor clans, Sect Leader Yao and Sect Leader Ouyang.
The first hour of the conference is one of frivolity as is typical of the Jin clan. Jin Guangshan welcomes them; all-knowing smirk firmly painted on his face as he raises a gilded golden cup of wine in a toast to what he assures them will be a successful conference. The sect leaders make polite small talk in between drinking their wine. Shortly after a dozen or so dancing girls enter the hall gracefully, bodies swaying to the sounds of the guzheng and erhu. Sect Leader Yao is so captivated by their performance that he spills a bit of his wine on an unfortunate Lan Wangji who is sitting stiffly a little ways beside him. Meals are also served; rice perfumed with ginger, meat in a sweet tamarind sauce, vegetables cut in intricate ways and for dessert, rice cakes fashioned in the shape of peonies.
The topic of concern is brought forward naturally as the meal winds down.
“You all know why I have gathered us all here today,” starts Jin Guangshan from his seat on the raised dais, “We must discuss how to deal with Wei Wuxian who has disrespected us all by acting alone and saving the Wens.”
Not a second passes by before Sect Leader Yao pipes up, “I say we all join forces and storm the Yiling Burial Mounds.” He punctuates his suggestion with a greedy gulp of wine.
“It is too dangerous,” warns Sect Leader Ouyang, “Wei Wuxian dabbles in demonic cultivation. Who knows how many of the dead he’s already raised to protect him?”
“Have you such little faith in our combined power, Sect Leader Ouyang?” questions Sect Leader Jin. “We shot the sun down from the sky when it burned too bright. One cultivator is nothing.”
Sect Leader Ouyang winces, turning his cowardly head back to the cup of wine.
“I believe we should leave that decision up to Wei Wuxian’s shidi,” states Sect Leader Yao turning towards Jiang Cheng, “after all it’s the business of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan since it’s their senior disciple we’re here to talk about.”
Jiang Cheng stares back, a harassed look on his face. He doesn’t say anything, instead downing his cup of wine. From next to him Jiang Yanli rests a comforting hand on his arm.
“Sect Leader Yao,” says Lan Xichen respectfully, “I am told that these surviving members aren’t directly associated with the Qishan Wen sect. They’re a small clan of healers originally from the Dafan Mountain.”
“They’re still Wens,” pipes up Sect Leader Yao.
“They are not dangerous,” Lan Xichen says.
“And, where did you hear of this?” Jin Guangshan asks.
“My brother,” Lan Xichen starts with a nod towards Lan Wangji, “was once a classmate of Wen Qing who hails from the Dafan Mountain clan. It is her who he’s heard this from.”
“I don’t believe it,” says Sect Leader Yao shaking his head, “Wens are all liars.”
“It is the truth,” Lan Wangji says icily, his only movement a slight turning of his head towards Sect Leader Yao.
“I believe you, of course,” says Jin Guangshan with a short laugh, dispelling the icy atmosphere.
“If the Wen remnants are not dangerous as Lan Wangji says,” Jiang Cheng intervenes, “then why don’t we just leave them alone?”
The Sect Leaders look at him with varying levels of surprise on their faces.
“Sect Leader Jiang,” starts Jin Guangshan after a moment’s thought, “there’s also the matter of Wei Wuxian practicing demonic cultivation. He might be more dangerous than the Wen remnants.”
“I’ll convince him to stop,” Jiang Cheng says confidently.
They all look at him knowing that it would not be as simple as that.
“I propose that we leave Wei Wuxian and his sect to their business,” says Nie Mingjue, his unexpected voice shocking the crowd into silence. “We keep our eyes on him of course, just like the Chief Cultivator already has his eyes on our clans,” he says with a nod to Jin Guangshan. “If he is up to anything that threatens us then we take action but for now let us just keep an eye on him.”
The Sect Leaders take a moment after Chifeng-zun speaks to ponder upon his suggestion.
“And will the Chief Cultivator be the one keeping an eye on him?” asks Sect Leader Yao, “He should not have to stoop to that level to babysit one rogue cultivator.”
“I propose that we all elect a member of our clan,” starts Nie Mingjue, “He will visit the Yiling Burial Mounds one day every month and report back his findings.”
Jin Guanghan strokes his chin thoughtfully.
“I’m sure Wei Wuxian’s shidi and shijie would like to be the first visit him,” Nie Mingjue continues catching Jiang Cheng’s eyes.
“I agree,” Jiang Cheng nods.
Jiang Yanli tightens her grip around her brother’s hand for a moment, a smiling blooming on her face as she catches Nie Mingjue’s eyes and bows slightly.
“And the Lan Sect of Gusu will take the other month,” Lan Xichen says.
Turning to Lan Wangji he says, “I believe my brother Lan Wangji would be best for this assignment.”
Lan Wangji nods at his brother; nary an expression on his face, but Lan Xichen reads the relief in his eyes at his suggestion.
Before Jin Guangshan can make his suggestion, Jin Zixuan pipes up from his right, “And I will take the responsibility of visiting Wei Wuxian the following month.”
Jin Guangshan looks at his son proudly but Jin Zixuan’s gaze is firmly on Jiang Yanli who blushes at the attention.
“Then it’s settled,” Nie Mingjue says turning his attention back to Sect Leader Jin, “The following month a member of the Qinghe Nie clan, my brother Nie Huaisang will make a visit to Yiling.”
Nie Huaisang makes a sound in surprise, hiding behind his fan.
There’s a slight expression of dissatisfaction on Jin Guangshan’s face. But, as everyone agrees with Nie Mingjue’s solution there’s nothing he can say. He raises his cup in a final toast.