Chapter Text
"Sect Leader Jiang? Someone is here to see you."
Jiang Cheng glared at the disciple who dared interrupt him during their training. The disciple bowed and ignored his glare with practiced ease.
"Well? Who is it?" Jiang Cheng barked.
"She did not say, but she gave me this." The disciple handed over a red ribbon.
Jiang Cheng's expression grew dark. "Show her to my study," he said through gritted teeth. That ribbon - he only knew one person who wore a red ribbon like this. But the disciple had clearly said 'she', which meant it couldn't possibly be him.
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The last time Jiang Cheng had seen Wen Qing she had looked strong. Proud. She had lost the arrogant hauteur from before the Sunshot Campaign, but she still held herself with confidence and grace.
She still carried herself well as she rose to greet him, but there was an underlying fragility that had not been there before. He pushed the thought aside and glowered at her.
"What are you doing here?" The Jiang Clan was still recovering from the war. Wei Wuxian had left them - that bastard - and the whole reason they'd duelled was to prove to everyone that what Wei Wuxian was doing had nothing to do with them. Her presence here threatened everything. He did not get his arm broken and stab his brother just to have a Wen walk into his office like this!
"I- " Wen Qing's face flickered with uncertainty. "Lotus Pier was closest and I- "
She took a moment to collect herself. She straightened and fixed Jiang Cheng with a burning gaze. "Wei Wuxian needs help."
"Help?" Jiang Cheng scoffed. "Why should I care? He left. Defected. The Jiang Clan has nothing to do with him any more." His voice rose with raging fury as he continued. "Wei Wuxian can go to hell for all I care!"
Wen Qing's eyes widened. Even worse she started crying. Ugly tears trickled down her face as she let out a soft sob.
Jiang Cheng shifted uncertainly. His normal instinct was to push and push and keep on pushing, but nothing about this meeting had gone the way he expected. He didn't know how to be soft. Didn't know how to comfort. That was what he had his sister and brother for. Or used to.
Before he could decide what to do, she wiped the tears from her face. "I think- I think that's where he is."