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Chapter Text

Jiang Cheng was having a terrible afternoon.

Not to say the morning had gotten off to a great start – he’d woken with a painful crick in his neck from the cheap pillow of the Caiyi Inn he’d settled at for a respite from traveling. Then he’d been all but trampled on by an obnoxious street peddler so busy yelling to disinterested passerby that he neglected to watch where he walked. Jiang Cheng had been exiting the Inn, a hand rubbing at his sore muscles, when BAM! That fool of a merchant had plowed straight into him, his bundled wares flying from his hands as Jiang Cheng struggled to retain his balance.

A flurry of paper floated around him, flashes of inky charcoal on white coasting on the breeze to land at his feet, and when he glanced down at the rugged drawings he saw the words “YILING LAOZU!” staring up at him.

Because of course.

Now several hours later, sore from his travels, fatigued from restless sleep, and feeling slightly cranky over the current misfortune that is his life –

He was staring up at the irritatingly, gleamingly white gate of Cloud Recesses, an invitation in hand and dread in his heart.

A furtive glance was cast out of the corner of his eye toward the massive, foreboding Wall of Discipline as he spurred himself to approach the Lan guards. The Wall seemed to have expanded in the years of his absence, additional rows of script blurring into an endless sea of regulations.

Jiang Cheng wondered how in the hell did they possibly find that many more fucking things to restrict? before it dawned on him.

Oh. Right. His dumbass brother surely provided a wealth of inspiration in that regard.

Jiang Cheng took silent stock of the grounds as he was ushered through the gate. The crisp breeze of Gusu a marked contrast from the warm air, damp with humidity from the surrounding lakes, that lingered permanently over Yunmeng.

“Welcome to Cloud Recesses, Sect Leader Jiang!”

The loud voice broke through the serenity of Cloud Recesses like a needle bursting a bubble.

“Oh. It’s…. you.” That kid. The mouthy one. What was his name again? Jin-something?

A careful bow met him in response, but he detected a quirk in the corner of the kid’s lips.

“This disciple is Lan Jingyi, Sect Leader. It has been some time since we last met; I hope your travels to Gusu were pleasant.”

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. “They weren’t and spare me the formalities please. I remember you well enough.”

Lan Jingyi seemed struck with a sudden coughing fit, but he straightened his back and faced him head on. “We are pleased to have you as a guest, Sect Leader Jiang, sir.”

He huffed. “This is the welcome envoy the illustrious Lan clan deploys for visiting sect leaders? Where is…his Excellency?”

Not that he was in any hurry to see that cold prick again, but still, there was protocol for this stuff.

“Hanguang-Jun is in a meeting that has run unexpectedly late. Senior Wei is in the back mountain seeing to the needs of…his...mount.” 

Jiang Cheng’s nostrils flared as a sharp sense of indignation washed over him. Only Wei Wuxian would prioritize a goddamn donkey over his own brother, traveling from afar.

“Please allow me to show you to your guest quarters, Sect Leader.”

Jiang Cheng waved his hand. “Kid, you can knock it off. I’ve heard you use words that would make your darling Hanguang-Jun turn thirty shades of red. Take me to wherever the hell Wei Wuxian is.”

Lan Jingyi froze momentarily, then appeared to unravel somehow, like an invisible string holding him together was yanked free; shoulders slumping, perfect posture abandoned.

“Well, forgive me for trying to be respectful. But please remember, Sect Leader, you insisted! I am not trying to earn more discipline marks today.”

Jiang Cheng snorted at the other’s swift change in demeanor. He felt himself loosening up slightly in return, and as the kid turned and set a swift pace, Jiang Cheng followed closely behind him.

The scenery somehow became even more lush and green as they conversed a path winding through dense trees, along the crest of a hillside. It was peaceful…and achingly familiar, Jiang Cheng realized.

The Lan disciple seemed to take the expression on his face as one of appreciation, and gestured to the hillside. “Senior Wei has been spending a lot of time back here since his return.”

Jiang Cheng blinked. “Return? What do you mean return? Where was he?”

He sure as hell hadn’t been out to Yunmeng, Jiang Cheng thought.

Not that there had been an invitation, exactly.

“Senior Wei had left Gusu shortly after Hanguang-Jun was proclaimed Chief Cultivator. He just returned from his travels this month.”

Jiang Cheng could not keep the expression of surprise from his face. When he had last seen Wei Wuxian and his perpetual white-clad shadow, during all the nastiness at Guanyin Temple, they’d been practically attached at the hip for the entire debacle before silently fleeing the scene.

Together.

With that fucking donkey in tow.

He had been somewhat shocked when the news came of Lan Wangji taking over Chief Cultivator duties, because, for one, the role involved a lot of public speaking and over the years he’d only heard that frigid asshole say maybe three or four lines, tops.

Secondly, he knew how his brother felt about Cloud Recesses and thought for sure he’d have wheedled Lan Wangji into abandoning his home to roam the world with him, wreaking havoc and sampling liquor in every town they passed through, because it would be exactly what he wanted.

And Wei Wuxian always fucking seemed to get what he wanted, especially when that mooning Lan bastard was involved.

Jiang Cheng suddenly realized they had stopped walking. Lan Jingyi was bent down, seemingly distracted by little blurs of white scampering around their feet.

Jiang Cheng grimaced as he looked down, having just noticed the rabbits. He was struck by sudden memories of a similar scene from long ago; a frantic bundle of fur between his hands, Wei Wuxian’s laughter carrying on the breeze, A-jie’s gentle admonishments aimed at them both.

Jiang Cheng cleared his throat and absently nudged at one of the animals with his boot. They were mostly scampering away from him and clustering around the kid.

“They seem to like you…” Jiang Cheng observed.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized they perhaps bordered a little too close to kindness for his liking.

Sure enough, Lan Jingyi raised a brow at him, but then shook his head. “It’s just the robes. They think anyone in white is Hanguang-Jun at first, only to be disappointed.”

Jiang Cheng was not going to pretend the thought of the Ice Prince catering to a field of bunnies was anything but highly disturbing, and he still had…so many questions about what the hell had been happening in his brother’s life.

Not that he cared.

Much.

“So Wei Wuxian hasn’t been around. And Hanguang-Jun (Jiang Cheng cringed) just allowed him to leave?”

The kid turned and outright stared now. “Allowed him to leave? Sect Leader Jiang…Senior Wei is free to come and go as he pleases? I mean…”

Jingyi paused; his brow now furrowed. “I think???”

Jiang Cheng huffed. “Whatever you say, I just thought…I don’t know. It’s not what I expected, exactly? But maybe that dumbass had to go off and…sew his wild oats, or something. Get some space before, before…you know.”

Not that Wei Wuxian had ever been one to need space in the past, Jiang Cheng mused. Or that he had ever appeared to understand the basic concept of space, actually.

“Before…what? No, I actually don’t know.”

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. “Before the wedding. Or engagement, I guess that announcement would still come first. Traditionally. Not that those two seem to care a hell of a lot for tradition, but-“

Lan Jingyi positively squeaked in response, the rabbit in his hold dropping unceremoniously to the ground as he leapt back to his feet. “Wedding? What wedding?!”

Chapter Text

“Wedding? What wedding?!”

Jiang Cheng winced at the terrible, high-pitched shriek emitted by Lan Jingyi. Either this kid was dicking around with him for fun or he wasn’t as close to those two moping lunatics as he’d been led to believe.

Jiang Cheng paused. “Perhaps I spoke too soon. But when one receives a sudden invitation to Gusu, completely out of the blue, from one’s idio – ahem, estranged – brother, one can assume it’s related to something notable, some sort of major annou-“

He was cut off this time, mid-sentence, the nerve, by Lan Jingyi’s sudden shout. “Sizhui!!!”

Jiang Cheng, a wave of irritation washing over him and settling in to harden his features, turned in the direction Jingyi was facing as that…other Lan disciple approached them. The quieter, friendlier one that Lan Wangji and his brother both seemed to dote on. To a disturbing extent.

Sure enough, Jiang Cheng was already being hit with a large, blinding smile. On most Lans such an overtly warm expression would be…unsettling, at best, but somehow it suited him.

Jiang Cheng was briefly reminded of Zewu-Jun.

He wondered if the two were related.

“Sect Leader Jiang! Welcome to Cloud Recesses, we are honored to have you as our guest.”

Unlike with the loudmouth, this one’s respect at least seemed genuine, so Jiang Cheng, feeling gracious, returned his bow. By the time they both straightened, Lan Jingyi had shot to the other boy’s side, clutching at his sleeve and pulling frantically.

“Sizhui. Sect Leader Jiang thinks he was brought here for an engagement announcement.”

Jiang Cheng held back a snort as Sizhui’s docile smile was instantly replaced by an expression of utter confusion. “Pardon? Sect Leader Jiang, please excuse my ignorance, but…whose engagement?”

Now the snort escaped, full blast, as Jiang Cheng tensed. “Are you fucking kidding? My brother! Your precious Hanguang-Jun! Who the hell else? I don’t suppose either of you have been pining over anyone for more than a decade, right?”

Jiang Cheng’s growing annoyance was slightly mollified by the satisfying drop of Jingyi’s jaw, leaving his mouth gaping open as he stared between him and Sizhui. The kid looked positively stupid.

Sizhui, to his credit, appeared able to collect himself. “Sect Leader…I am sorry, but I am certain you may be mistaken about the nature of your invitation. Regardless, I apologize on the Lan Clan’s behalf for any any…miscommunication.”

Jingyi had no such composure, his entire face growing beet-red. “Hanguang-Jun…. Senior Wei…they aren’t….they’re not…”

“We’re not what?”

Jiang Cheng’s jaw immediately clenched.

It had been several months, and they had not parted on…terrible terms, exactly, but his brother’s voice still invoked such a swift and visceral emotional response, every instinct he had telling him to yell, or fight, or flee, as soon as he heard it.

“Senior Wei!”

“Senior Wei!”

A flurry of panicked bows occurred, and Jiang Cheng tried not to snicker at the sheepish expressions on both disciples’ faces.

“What happened to ‘no gossiping behind others’ backs’, hmmm? Sizhui, I’m surprised!”

“Senior Wei, please forgive me, I –“

“Yes yes yes, there will be time for discipline later.” Wei Wuxian waved a hand at the boys impatiently and strolled right past their prostrating forms.

Suddenly facing his brother, Jiang Cheng appraised him silently. His robes appeared to be basically the same as when he had seen him last, Chenqing once more hanging from his belt. His overall appearance did look…more composed, somehow. Neater, perhaps, but still decidedly himself. No hints of Lan influence anywhere.

He was pulled from his thoughts by a sudden slap to his arm.

“Jiang Cheng. I really wasn’t sure you’d grace us with your presence! Did you lose a bet?”

He huffed. “That’s how you greet y- a sect leader, huh?” Fuck, his tongue almost betrayed him into saying your sect leader. Old habits die hard.

The misstep was not unnoticed, and seemed to hang in the air between them for a moment before Wei Wuxian’s nervous chuckle broke the silence.

“Ah, Jiang Cheng, you know I’ve always been terribly ill-mannered. So, what sort of delightful dirt were you digging for from these two innocent disciples, hmm?”

At this mention, the two youths shared a glance and then uttered a storm of excuses about lessons, bobbing through another quick series of bows before turning to leave in a whirl of white robes.

Jiang Cheng held his hands up. “I had only been trying them to confirm why I was invited here in the first place. But, whatever. You look…well, I suppose, although you don’t seem to have changed much. Shouldn’t you be dressing like them?”

Wei Wuxian started, clearly not expecting this question. “Dressed like them…the disciples? In case you were unaware, I am no longer a student.”

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, again, at this intentional glibness. “I mean, like a...Lan.”

“This may come as a surprise, but there is no rule that states one has to wear white while in Cloud Recesses. No one stripped you from all your resplendent purple at the gate, after all.”

Ass. “For guests, I understand, but if you’re about to become a Lan, isn’t it different?”

“About to…become a Lan?” Wei Wuxian was staring at him, open-mouthed.

“Is everyone here just really big on building suspense? Or was this all supposed to be some elaborate surprise?”

“What surprise? What are you…who is becoming a Lan?”

“YOU are, I presume! Aren’t you engaged to Lan Wangji?”

“Engaged to…” Wei Wuxian actually appeared to stumble at that, stepping backward to lean against a tree as if suddenly too weak to stand.

Watching him, seeing his face pale in what appeared to be genuine shock…time seemed to slow and Jiang Cheng felt his blood start to positively simmer in his veins, a low heat spreading from his head down through his toes, controlled but hinting at a greater threat of explosion.

His fucking brother had always been like this; a walking, talking, babbling brook, all constant motion and commotion, running his mouth with an endless stream of energetic platitudes. But when pressed to pay any sort of serious regard to his own feelings, suddenly Wei Wuxian would fold like a paper crane, remaining stiff and silent until inevitably switching the topic and diverting all attention away from himself once more.

Jiang Cheng had long ago lost all patience for Wei Wuxian’s mercurial moods, and he had even less left for whatever madness was occurring in his stupid love life.   

“Was I not supposed to know what was going on? If subtlety was the goal, you both missed the mark. Between that display at Lotus Pier and you two practically becoming one person at the temple...although that has been happening for awhile now, it wasn’t like we all hadn’t witnessed that before.”

“Jiang Cheng! What are yo-”

“I knew better than to expect to be consulted in advance, but I assumed the Second Jade of Lan was at least respectful enough to make an honest man out of you, perhaps I've given him too much credit?” 

He knew his words were heavy with bitterness. The frustration coursing through his veins caused Zidian on his wrist to pulsate, a low hum of electricity sounding in the air.

Wei Wuxian had paled, but his eyes flashed with anger. A warning.

“Did you really venture all this way here just to lob attacks at us again? You are a guest here, Jiang Cheng, and I will ask that you please refrain from disparaging Lan Zhan’s name. He has never once wronged you. Whatever quarrel you and I have is our own. Do not bring others into it.”

Jiang Cheng sighed inwardly at his brother’s typical deflection. Wei Wuxian, as always, could smile and wave through any amount of mud slung his way but was poised to explode at any perceived slight to Lan Freaking Wangji.

He searched his brother’s face carefully; those gray eyes, still narrowed, resolutely met his gaze. “You’re…serious.”

Wei Wuxian scoffed, arms crossed. “About what? About hoping you can find some decorum? Yes, I believe the esteemed Yunmeng Jiang Sect Leader knows how to behave himself with some propriety.”

Goddamn flippant bastard. “No, you’re serious about…”

Jiang Cheng's train of thought trailed off as he sighed, lifting a hand to rub at the crease between his brows that he was certain was now permanent.

“Wei Wuxian. I will ask you sincerely in the hope that you will answer sincerely. What spurred you to invite me to the Cloud Recesses? Why am I here?”

His brother straightened to his full height and closed some of the gap between them after a pause, seeming to lower his guard.

Jiang Cheng took the other’s hesitation and change in demeanor as a sign Wei Wuxian realized he was not fucking around. Good.

“I wanted to give my thanks to you, Jiang Cheng. Face to face.”

A dozen different scenarios flashed through Jiang Cheng’s mind in an instant. He brushed them aside and focused his gaze on Wei Wuxian, watching as a smile slowly formed on his face. It was small, but seemed authentic, and Jiang Cheng, despite himself, felt slightly relaxed by the familiar sight of it.

“Thank me?”

Wei Wuxian nodded. “For finding…and keeping…Chenqing all this time. For returning it to me. I never thought I would see it again, and really…I’m grateful.” His fingers dropped to his hip, to wrap around the end of the dizi hanging from it. 

Jiang Cheng blinked.

Wei Wuxian’s smile widened.

Jiang Cheng blinked again.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait, what?

This was all about his fucking flute?!

Chapter Text

Jiang Cheng had a raging headache by now, and the putrid excuse for tea that Lans apparently serve to torture guests was not helping one bit.

His mind harkened back to one lazy summer afternoon in Yunmeng, when he’d been fighting with Wei Wuxian, per usual, and had suddenly lost his footing in the boat, crashing overboard mid-yell and taking in a mouthful of warm, murky lake water. It had been remarkably unpleasant.

The tea tasted just like that.

Jiang Cheng slammed the cup down on the table, manners be damned. He sensed a gaze on him out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Lan Jingyi actually looking at him disapprovingly from his seat among the disciples. The fucking audacity of that punk.

He really was, somehow, the most tolerable Lan.

Jiang Cheng had been stumped into uncharacteristic silence during his earlier conversation with Wei Wuxian. He had come to Gusu mentally prepared for a tense reunion and what he assumed would be an awkward outpouring of emotions from his idiot brother as he finally opened up to him about the nature of his relationship with Lan Wangji.

Instead, he had to listen to Wei Wuxian wax rhapsodic about his goddamn spiritual flute for what felt like an eternity. His brother had apparently mistaken his emotional shutdown for some sort of begrudging consideration, as Wei Wuxian had become noticeably more relaxed as he rambled on.

And on.

And on.

Eventually, by some miracle, Wei Wuxian appeared to run out of things to say about Chenqing and switched topics to their upcoming dinner, rambling how he would prefer something small and informal, outdoors perhaps, but Lan propriety dictated use of the Ceremonial Hall to host a visiting Sect Leader for a meal.

Hence here he was, choking back swamp water in stiff silence as more Lans trickled in, blurs of blue and white, identical perfect posture and polite bows.

Jiang Cheng’s eyes roamed to where Wei Wuxian stood on a dais toward the center of the room, speaking in animated tones to that Sizhui kid, who was nodding along, paying rapt attention with a soft expression on his face.

The disciples here did seem to earnestly respect his brother, Jiang Cheng begrudgingly admitted to himself.

A sudden chorus of greetings pulled his attention away.

"Your Excellency!”

“Hanguang-Jun!”

Lan Wangji had entered the hall and all eyes immediately turned toward him. Jiang Cheng felt momentarily blinded by the gleam of white and silver from his robes. Had this bastard grown even taller? No, he surely hadn’t, but his ridiculous hairpiece almost certainly had doubled in height.

The Chief Cultivator’s face was even more stony than the last time he had seen it. Jiang Cheng watched carefully as Lan Wangji gave a series of curt nods and bows to those addressing him on his way through the hall.

There was an air of tension in both his movements and expression that had Jiang Cheng recalling his earlier thoughts about this role being a poor fit for Lan Wangji. He wondered if he’d been right, and if the impenetrable, perfect Second Jade of Lan was actually struggling for once, like an actual human being.

Something suspiciously close to a spark of sympathy for the other man flared up within Jiang Cheng. Just as soon as he recognized it, he watched as Lan Wangji paused ever slightly in his stride, his eyes landing to Jiang Cheng’s right.

The hard planes of Lan Wangji’s features seemed to almost melt slightly, softening immediately.

Jiang Cheng stiffened, knowing before he even turned his head what must have caused this sudden change.

Sure enough, when he followed Lan Wangji’s gaze he saw he was staring at Wei Wuxian and Lan Sizhui.

Jiang Cheng sighed inwardly. Oh, this poor sap.

The pang of pity in his chest grew somewhat.

It was a most uncomfortable feeling.     

“Ah, Lan Zhan!”

Wei Wuxian gave Lan Sizhui a pat to the shoulder and a few parting words before turning away, the swirl of his black and red robes a conspicuous sight amongst all the white as he hastily made his way off the dais. 

Soon Wei Wuxian was directly in front of his table, and Jiang Cheng rose to his feet as Lan Wangji approached them.

The Chief Cultivator appeared to hesitate before falling into place at Wei Wuxian’s side, pausing before he fully faced Jiang Cheng. His expression had hardened again, but Jiang Cheng detected in it a hint of resignation more than animosity.

It struck him then, the injustice of this reunion, how little either of them wanted to be here, wanted to be doing this, yet they were sucking it up like the big grown men they were, beacons of maturity and selflessness.

All for Wei Wuxian. Because he wanted this. And Wei Wuxian always gets-

Jiang Cheng mentally slapped himself out of his stupor. It was one thing to take pity on Lan Wangji, but feeling a sense of actual camaraderie would be taking things a step too far.

The Lan bowed to him and the parade of false pleasantries began.

“Sect Leader Jiang. We are...honored to have you join us.” (It hasn’t been nearly long enough since we last met.)

“The honor is mine, Your Excellency. I know your time is limited.” (You look overworked and miserable and it kind of serves you right.)

“Mn. I hope Sect Leader Jiang’s stay in Gusu will be pleasant and…peaceful. (Don’t make trouble for Wei Ying or you will answer to me.)

“Thank you for your generosity. As always, you have the support of Yungmeng Jiang.” (Not like we have a choice in the matter.)

An obviously forced peal of laughter from Wei Wuxian cut through the awkward tension. “Ok, ok, enough formalities, I think we should all take a seat and get on with the meal now. Come Jiang Cheng, I want to hear how things have been in Lotus Pier.”

Despite the uncomfortable start to his visit and the impossibly long nature of his day, Jiang Cheng begrudgingly felt himself relax over the course of the meal. Lan dinners were nowhere near the boisterous affairs of Yunmeng, but with so much on his mind he found himself developing a new appreciation for the Gusu clan’s penchant for quiet gatherings.

Of course, it had not started off with this same stillness, as Jiang Cheng had fielded a barrage of questions from Wei Wuxian, not failing to miss the wistful expression in his brother’s eyes as he spoke of Lotus Pier; of sect trainings, the humid weather,  the influx of seasonal traders.

Jiang Cheng remembered that Lan principles prohibited mealtime conversation and was not at all surprised that this was not strictly adhered to by Wei Wuxian. But he had to admit that his brother seemed to hold himself back somewhat, his inquiries slowing as the meal progressed, facing forward in silence whenever he had a bowl or chopsticks in hand in an uncharacteristic display of restraint.

The low din of ceramic hitting stone gradually faded out as attendees finished eating and tables were cleared, allowing the floor to be opened up to Clan discussions and polite conversation. Despite his position as a guest of honor, Jiang Cheng received little regard from the surrounding Lans and found he did not mind this, seizing the opportunity to observe the scene before him.

Jiang Cheng could only guess that Lan Wangji’s duties kept him from regularly attending small Sect gatherings like this, as the Gusu disciples seemed slightly abuzz with energy and did not seem to lack for topics to broach with the Chief Cultivator. Throughout each polite conversation, Lan Wangji maintained his placid demeanor and expression in his interactions with others, eerily consistent to where Jiang Cheng would swear the man was a veritable statue…if not for the changes prompted, naturally, by Wei Wuxian.

Every tilt of Wei Wuxian’s head, every pat of his hand, every obnoxious chuckle, and every lilting inquiry was met with faithful, immediate attention from Lan Wangji, who seemed to instantly defrost in return at each exchange. The Chief Cultivator flickered between impassive and devoted in a flash, turning toward every word from Wei Wuxian’s mouth like a flower reaching for the life-giving sun.

And Wei Wuxian seemed to bask in this focus, which was unsurprising. But there was an ease in his motions, a comfort in the frequent press of his shoulder into Lan Wangji’s and the unprompted refilling of the other’s cup. Wei Wuxian would lean in close to make some quiet comment after one of the disciples would speak, nothing audible to others but the trace of laughter distinct in his voice, and Lan Wangji would appear to hang onto the sound with an expression of absolute reverence.

The two were, in Jiang Cheng's opinion, just sickeningly obvious.

This…thing between the two of them had once been a topic of mockery for him simply because he had originally deigned it fleeting and absurdly ridiculous; imagine, his cocky asshole of an older brother, the apple of everyone's fucking eye, being humbled for the first time in his life by one of the freaking Twin Jades of Lan! What a comeuppance, at last.

It had also terrified him, for a time. Infamously capricious, Wei Wuxian had always freely flirted with everyone and anyone with a pulse. Piling on charm with loose smiles and jokes of hypothetical spouses.

But...his heart had never, truly, seemed in on the act. Wei Wuxian received no shortage of admiration in their adolescence, to Jiang Cheng's eternal vexation...but Wei Wuxian's attention did not stray, and his devotion remained solely to his family, never speaking of any future for himself beyond one in which he stayed at his siblings’ sides.

The Yunmeng Jiang trio, the closest in the world. Forever.

But then...all that seemed to change in an instant. Suddenly, Wei Wuxian was taking off in the night to join Lan Wangji with just a hastily scribbled note left for his family. Suddenly, Wei Wuxian was citing goddamn Gusu principles at every turn like they were the guiding beacon of the cultivation world. Suddenly, Wei Wuxian was constantly hovering around Lan Wangji with barely a glance to spare for anyone else suffering the wrath of Wen Chao.

Suddenly, Wei Wuxian was jeopardizing the safety of his own Clan, his own family, to defend the Gusu Lan, time and time again.

And so...fear and resentment rose to a crescendo within Jiang Cheng, and in retaliation he made his cheap shots and biting remarks, aimed at shooting down the brother who seemed to now linger even further above him, out of his reach.

Jiang Cheng's years of tenure as Sect Leader…the painstaking process of starting over from scratch, of grappling for every shred of respect earned from other Clans while trying to honor his parents’ legacy, trying to be the beacon of responsibility A-jie had always pushed him to be…well, it had not been an easy road, especially when traveled alone. A pressure had built up within him and stayed constantly bubbling just beneath the surface, leaving him even shorter on patience than he had been in his youth, poised to easily snap.   

But Jiang Cheng had found himself with…an overabundance of time to reflect on the past, once the whirlwind of emotions from that fucking nightmare at Guanyin Temple had subsided, and once he had come to terms with the veritable onslaught of revelations the preceding events had brought.

Jiang Cheng no longer blamed Wei Wuxian for…for the missteps his brother had made. But he did not blame himself, either. A series of bad choices, necessitated by unfortunate circumstances, had been made by them both.

Now, finally, it was time to move on from the past and focus only on the future.

Despite what others may think, Jiang Cheng was not entirely heartless. He was, however, tired of Wei Wuxian’s patented brand of unflinching martyrdom and wished, for once in his chaotic life – no, make that lives – that Wei Wuxian would put himself and his own desires first.

If anyone should be aware that life was fleeting, and any chance of happiness should be pursued with no time to waste, it should be Wei Freaking Wuxian.

Lost in his thoughts, Jiang Cheng had let his eyes wander away from the saccharine behavior of the deeply annoying non-couple until he realized he had not been the only one staring at them.

Lan Jingyi, across the hall, was regarding Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian with an open mixture of contentment and what looked like wistful hope on his face.

Jiang Cheng realized, then, that the junior disciples who seemed to practically worship their illustrious Hanguang-Jun and his brother, for whatever reason, surely wanted nothing but their happiness. And being in the presence of the two often, with their complete inability to not be weird with each other, meant that the Lans definitely could see what Jiang Cheng saw.

Hell, if someone as dense – in a good way – as Lan Jingyi could tell Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian were besotted with each other, then it was truly the worst kept secret in Gusu.

Or the world, maybe.

Nodding to himself, Jiang Cheng made a plan to speak to the kid alone after everyone was dismissed from the Hall. He would need an ally in this, and would need someone to help him get answers; he’d had just about enough of those Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji dancing around the obvious.

Chapter Text

“Lan Jingyi!”

Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but be satisfied at the way the disciple jumped at the sound of his voice. He bit back a grin as the young man whirled to face where he leaned against a tree outside the Ceremonial Hall.

“S-Sect Leader?” Clearly caught off guard, Jingyi snapped into a bow, then seemed to remember Jiang Cheng’s earlier warnings, catching himself half-way as he straightened awkwardly. A pair of Lan disciples Jiang Cheng did not recall meeting stood behind Jingyi, bowing with proper form.

Jiang Cheng turned and beckoned over his shoulder, stepping onto the well-lit path. “Come with me. There’s something we need to discuss.”

A moment passed before Jingyi turned to mutter something to the other Lan students now casting curious glances at him.

When Jiang Cheng felt Jingyi fall into step just behind him, nerves seemed to radiate from him in waves, and the boy stammered.

“Um…is this about those letters I sent to Young Mistres-…I mean, Sect Leader Jin? Because I can assure you, I was provoked! What he sent me was no better, I still have them-”

Jiang Cheng frowned at the poorly covered slip. Young mistress? Had Jin Ling’s reputation among his peers gotten even worse? “What letters?”

Jingyi stopped in his tracks momentarily, then laughed awkwardly, a weird, hollow sound as he continued walking. “Oh, nothing, never mind! I just…um, Sect Leader…what exactly is this about?”

Jiang Cheng cast a side-glance at the kid. “I want to hear about those letters later.” He heard Jingyi gulp audibly. “But this is about Wei Wuxian. And your Hanguang-Jun.”

“Oh…okay?” Jingyi seemed to realize no further explanation would be coming, yet, and kept silent for the rest of their journey.

Jiang Cheng let Jingyi simmer in confusion, feeling only slightly guilty for enjoying his obvious discomfort, until they reached Jiang Cheng’s guest house.

He slid open the door and gestured to the table in the main room. “Sit.”

Jiang Cheng knew Jingyi was his best option to cut through all the bullshit and get straight to the facts. But the kid was still a freaking Lan, and Jiang Cheng worried he might be too hesitant to breach any of the four thousand propriety standards to be frank with him.

Jiang Cheng knew it was time to pull out The Voice. The authoritative tone he’d long ago perfected and now used for all his political meetings; formal but with a not-so-subtle underlying edge that relayed I am showing you respect, but try me and I will throw that respect, and you, out the window in a heartbeat.

Jiang Cheng straightened his back and steeled his gaze. “Lan Jingyi. I will warn you that currently, both my time and patience are exceedingly limited.”

“Currently?” Jingyi's reply came swiftly and laden with sarcasm, the youth’s mouth once again moving faster than his mind; his lips clamped shut quickly as he realized what he said, averting his gaze.

Well, so much for The Voice. Jiang Cheng snickered; this insubordination might be annoying as fuck, but it was also the exact reason why Jingyi was here.

“Yes, currently, and because of this I was going to ask that you speak freely, but it seems you won’t need any convincing. Still…nothing said here will leave this room. Understood?”

Suspicion in his eyes, Jingyi nevertheless slowly nodded after a moment of consideration. “Fine.”

“Good. Now tell me what you can about Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji.”

A scoff in response. “What, other than the fact that you hate them?”

Jiang Cheng blinked. “Don’t presume to know me, kid. If I truly hated them, I would not be here, having this conversation right now, alright?”

The Lan stiffened. “What exactly IS this conversation?”

“I an trying to figure out what’s going on between them.”

To Jiang Cheng’s horror, Jingyi began blushing at that. “Um, I don’t thin-“

“No. Gods, no, I meant…” Jiang Cheng cut him off at once, rolling his eyes to the heavens briefly, silently pleading for strength. “Look, we can all agree that their…relationship…is a close one. It has been, for some time. I am trying to understand why they do not seem to be…together.”

“Together…how? What exactly did you expect?”

Jiang Cheng just stared at Jingyi. He was starting to wonder if there was some sort of anti-romance ward around all of Cloud Recesses that prevented its residents from considering topics of courting and marriage, because it sure as fuck would explain everyone's complete inability to grasp what he was getting at. 

Plus, he wouldn't put it past ole Lan Qiren. 

“I expected something official. I was being honest earlier when I questioned an...an engagement. Months have passed since everything orchestrated by Jin Guangyao…” Jiang Cheng practically spat the name out, distaste and anger still fresh on his tongue. “After watching Lan Wangji sacrifice himself for my brother, protect him with no hesitation, before taking off with him…”

Jiang Cheng sighed. “Then I was invited here, and I presumed things had progressed. Now that I have been thoroughly assured by all that is not the case, I want to know why. You mentioned Wei Wuxian had only recently returned to Gusu. Why did he leave? And when?"

Able to invoke a sense of civility even when dealing with someone his nephew’s age, Jiang Cheng set a cup down and filled it with water, pushing it in front of Jingyi.

Jingyi eyed the cup, then eyed a conspicuous jar of wine at the opposite edge of the table, brow raised.

Jiang Cheng followed his gaze and grimaced. Expecting his stay to be, to put it lightly, tense, he'd snatched a jar of Emperor's Smile on his way through Gusu and felt absolutely no shame over his plan to indulge in it here in Cloud Recesses.

He gave a slight shake of his head to Jingyi in response to his silent question. Don’t push it, punk.

Jingyi sighed before bringing the water cup to his lips. “When we all made it back from Yunping…it was announced almost immediately that Hanguang-Jun would be Chief Cultivator. Senior Wei left not long after that. Two weeks or so, maybe? I remember most of us were sad to see him go. After all, we'd only recently learned who he was, and...what had been done to frame him.”

Jingyi’s hands played with the edge of the cup as he seemed to get lost in thought.

“But…well, he left, and Hanguang-Jun became really busy. He even stopped attending to our lessons. For a long time, we rarely even saw him at all.”

Jiang Cheng was not surprised by this; as he expected, Lan Wangji’s duties had, apparently, been kicking his ass. “When Wei Wuxian left, had...something happened? The two of them sure as hell hadn’t looked ready to be apart anytime soon at the temple.”

Jingyi stared at him briefly then shrugged, a how the hell am I supposed to know expression on his face.

“Did Hanguang-Jun want him to leave?”

Exasperated, Jingyi threw up his hands. “I don’t know. I do not presume to know what is in Hanguang-Jun’s head.”

“But you were around him often. You observed him a great deal.” Jiang Cheng pressed, feeling there had to be more.

“I mean, I guess, not like Sizhui but-” Jingyi’s eyes widened as he seemed to realize he spoke too quickly yet again.

Jiang Cheng patiently refilled the youth’s water cup. “Jingyi. The sooner you stop holding back, the sooner we can end this conversation.”

Jingyi once again gestured at Jiang Cheng’s jar of wine. “Since I’m being forced to break rules already…”

Jiang Cheng once again gave him a look that plainly said fuck off.

Jingyi huffed. “Fine, fine. Well, um….Sizhui would kill me for sharing anything, but according to him…he had never seen Hanguang-Jun...happy...in the way that he was when Senior Wei first returned. “

Jiang Cheng tried not to envision what a visibly enthusiastic Lan Wangji would even look like, as Jingyi rubbed at the back of his own neck, redness once again spreading across his face.

“Sizhui….told me he had asked Hanguang-Jun about it, a few times. Once we found out who Senior Wei actually was. I mean, the stories we had always heard made it seem like Hanguang-Jun and the Yiling Laozu were fierce enemies, you know?”

Jiang Cheng gave a curt nod, briefly remembering when he, too, had been convinced of Lan Wangji's utter distaste for Wei Wuxian. Simpler fucking times.

“We all kind of realized th-that definitely wasn’t true, but Sizhui said Hanguang-Jun would just brush his questions off and change the subject. Sizhui said Hanguang-Jun never became angry...he even suspected Hanguang-Jun found the questions amusing, somehow.”

Jiang Cheng really could not imagine any of these kids having the balls to make frank inquiries into the Chief Cultivator’s personal life. “Sizhui is closest to Hanguang-Jun, huh. They’re relatives, I'm guessing?”

“Well yeah, since he raised him.” Jingyi rolled his eyes.

“He what?”

There was a flash of genuine surprise across Jingyi’s face. “Huh. I kind of assumed you knew since…well-”

Jingyi looked down, his hands clenching and unclenching where they were fisted in his robes. “Since…they both did, technically? Senior Wei took care of Sizhui at the Burial Mounds when he was a baby. After, uh…after the Yiling Laozu’s…demise, Hanguang-Jun brought Sizhui here.”

Jiang Cheng tried to parse this new information, brow furrowing. It felt like there was a fragment of a memory lingering in the back of his mind that he couldn’t quite grasp.

“Burial Mounds…but everyone there was a Wen…Sizhui is…wait, is he –“ Jiang Cheng’s mind raced.

Jingyi set his jaw and nodded. “Yes. He’s…he was born Wen Yuan. But he’s been Lan Yuan most of his life. He's the heir to the Lan Clan.” He stared at Jiang Cheng with a steel gaze, as if daring him to cast disparaging comments about his friend’s lineage.

Jiang Cheng flashed back to his visits to Yiling during that terrible, terrible time, flashed back to the increasingly manic shadow of his brother who had seemed to be splitting himself open in effort to protect the band of cast-offs he’d sworn to protect. He flashed back to the grubby, muddy hands of a small boy clinging at his leg before being pulled off by Wei Wuxian, who had settled the child against his hip like it was the most natural thing in the world, fondness in those otherwise haunted gray eyes.

Fuck.

That little Wen boy was Lan Sizhui?! The attention and praise Wei Wuxian heaped upon him made sense n –

Oh my god.

The gravity of Lan Wangji’s actions struck him fully then. Jiang Cheng brought a hand to his forehead, the sudden slapping noise reverberating in the quiet room, startling Jingyi.

Lan Wangji rescued the only survivor from the massacre at Burial Mounds, a child Wei Wuxian had been caring for, and took him in as his own. Raised and educated him as a proper Lan.

His brother and Lan Wangji, basically, had a son.

They had a fucking son.  

But still they were not even fucking engaged?!

Leave it to his goddamn brother to put the natural order of things in such complete and total reverse. Jiang Cheng had to stop himself for banging his head down against the table in frustration, settling instead for letting out a world-weary sigh.

"Sure, sure, they have a son, of course they do. SO if everyone around them can acknowledge this fucking relationship they have, why can't they? I don't get it. Is it Gusu Lan propriety holding Hanguang-Jun back? Is he concerned Wei Wuxian is not good enough for him?"

Jingyi held his hands up in the air, almost defensively. "Not good enough?! Senior Wei is brilliant, we use so many of his inventions in our work. Hanguang-Jun incorporates them into our teachings and whenever there’s an issue we can’t resolve, Senior Wei is the only person he ever turns to for advice. Since he's been back, Hanguang-Jun has always demanded everyone show respect to Senior Wei. Even before his reputation was fully cleared."

Jiang Cheng rubbed at his temple, feeling like they were talking in circles at this point. "It must have something to do with his uncle, then. He's always disapproved of my brother. Maybe he put his foot down at some point."

Jingyi cleared his throat. "Uh...I am not entirely sure that it’s it, either. Hanguang-Jun is Chief Cultivator, after all. Master Lan, um, seems to have…accepted Senior Wei’s presence here.”

Clearly there was a story there, but Jiang Cheng wasn't sure how far to press. He paused in thought. "So...it wasn't him who made my brother leave, that first time?"

"I don't think so? I mean...I think Senior Wei just wanted to go? Sizhui said...well, he didn't think Hanguang-Jun was very happy for Senior Wei to leave but he didn't oppose it, either. At least, not to Sizhui's knowledge."

Ugh.

Ugh. 

A moment of clarity struck Jiang Cheng then. He had been trying to unearth some complicated barrier interlaced with sect politics and clan duties and the ramifications of his brother's reputation.

But holy shit, was it so much simpler than that? 

Wei Wuxian was afraid to stay, afraid to interfere with Lan Wangji's duties. And Lan Wangji was afraid to hold Wei Wuxian back, tie him down.

Were these two assholes really condemning themselves to another fucking decade of pining, for no good reason?

"Sect Leader Jiang?" Jingyi's voice carried an unusual note of concern in it.

Jiang Cheng couldn't even imagine what his expression must look like to elicit that. 

“What exactly can we do?”

Jiang Cheng slammed his fist on the table. “We need to force their stubborn heads out of their asses and get them to own up to each other." 

"Yeah!!" Jingyi brought his own fist down, nodding in agreement. "Uhh...how?"

"I think they just need to be called out on their behavior, have it pointed out that they're both making sacrifices for the other's sake that neither actually wants. We need to give them a little coaxing. I'm fairly certain my brother will be the harder one to convince...so we will start with La-His Excellency."

 Jingyi hesitated. "Start with...?"

Jiang Cheng nodded. "I'll need to get him alone...but without arousing Wei Wuxian's suspicion. Or Hanguang-Jun's, for that matter, I don't think he'd exactly jump at the chance to speak privately with me, after all. Could Lan Sizhui make that happen, somehow?"

Jingyi chewed at his bottom lip. "I think so, if I ask him. And he-OH!"

Jiang Cheng blinked at the kid's sudden exclamation. "What?"

The Lan disciple looked away, apparently deep in thought. When he turned his head back to Jiang Cheng, his eyes were gleaming. "Sizhui and I are expecting a visitor in the next few days that I think might be able to help out."

"Uh huh..." Jiang Cheng let a beat pass, expecting some sort of elaboration, but Jingyi remained silent, staring off into space as his mind was apparently hatching some sort of plan.

Jiang Cheng waved a hand in front of the kid's face. "HEY."

Jingyi jumped. "YES! Yes?"

"When is the soonest you will be able to speak to Lan Sizhui?"

A brief consideration before Jingyi responded. "Oh...probably tomorrow morning."

Jiang Cheng nodded, then rose to his feet, gesturing for Jingyi to do the same. "Fine. Meet me back here tomorrow afternoon then. Deal?"

Jingyi crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. "What's in all this for me, exactly?"

Jiang Cheng snorted. "Seriously? What, you mean other than your revered Hanguang-Jun's happiness?"

"Well obviously but you know what would sweeten this deal a bit...maybe that jar of win-HEY!"

The disciple's words were cut off as Jiang Cheng forcibly shooed him out the door. "Nice try kid, but the answer is still no. See you tomorrow."

Muffled protests could be heard as the door was slid shut. 

Jiang Cheng leaned against the wall and shook his head. He felt a little bit of panic rising in his chest at the thought of what he was getting himself into. But...he and his brother had seemed trapped in some strange proverbial game of tag for much of their lives, and now...now, his turn was up. It was time to return the favor, do some of that meddling Wei Wuxian himself was so overly fond of.

Oh, Jiang Cheng was gonna meddle alright. He was gonna meddle hard. 

Chapter Text

Jiang Cheng paused outside the doors to the Library Pavilion, psyching himself up for what awaited him.

Twin blurs of blue and white appeared out of the corner of his eye, causing him to turn; Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui were peeking at him from around the corner of the building.

Sizhui bowed his head, a hopeful expression on his face. Jingyi shot him a sly grin and flashed a thumbs up his way.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes and turned back to the door, inhaling deeply. He slid it open and entered the room.

Lan Wangji was standing before a bookcase, scrolls in hand and his back to the door. “Sizhui, which of these was your que-“

Jiang Cheng cut him off, knowing that doing so was rude but also not intending to carry the deception further. “Your Excellency.”

Lan Wangji’s entire body appeared to stiffen, and he slowly turned. “Sect Leader Jiang?”

Jiang Cheng held his hands up as if to say I come in peace. “Forgive me, I just wanted a moment of your time. Alone.”

With the arch of a brow, Lan Wangji glanced toward the door.

Jiang Cheng briefly wondered if the Chief Cultivator was actually going to make a run for it.

He cleared his throat. “It’s about Wei Wuxian.”

Those unsettling amber eyes turned back to regard him, narrowing. “Speak, then.”

Jiang Cheng cleared his throat. Why am I doing this why am I doing this why am I doing this –

“So...I know my relationship with my brother has been…strained, for some time.”

A soft, strange sound escaped Lan Wangji's mouth at that. If Jiang Cheng didn’t know better…he would swear the other man had actually snickered at him.

Jiang Cheng squared his shoulders. “But…look, I’ve spent enough time reflecting on the past. Now I only wish to move forward. And contrary to what you might think, I do want Wei Wuxian’s future to be a…happy one.”

The Lan's response had a sharp, frosty edge to it. “It seems you already understand that is difficult for me to believe.”

Jiang Cheng internally cringed. He knew the bastard wouldn’t make this easy on him, and admittedly…he might deserve that.

“Yes, I do. But please, I would not be cornering you like this if it weren't true. I just have concerns. Wei Wuxian is…well, you know just as well as I do. He’s stubborn as hell. He’s the first to sacrifice himself for others and the last to ever consider his own needs. Can we agree on that?”

A pause, and then the other man gave a slight nod.

Jiang Cheng felt emboldened. “He’s been so busy pledging his life – his lives – to being a fucking martyr that he – I don’t think he is capable of asking for what he wants.”

Lan Wangji's brow furrowed. “And what is it that you think he wants?”

"To stay here…to make a home, to have a home, for once. With you.” Jiang Cheng responded without hesitation.

Lan Wangji froze at those words, his typically stoic expression shifting momentarily into a look of surprise.

Jiang Cheng stopped himself just in time from rolling his eyes at that. These fools really deserve each other.

Lan Wangji’s response was slow, careful. “Wei Ying has…made it clear he does not enjoy Cloud Recesses.”

Jiang Cheng sighed. “Recently?”

The Chief Cultivator hesitated, apparently mulling over this inquiry. “I would not-“

Jiang Cheng held up his hands. “You would not want to tie him down? Right, I get it. Wei Wuxian is a free spirit, destined to wander, it’s in his blood. I know. I fully expect he’d still need to gallivant off every now and then to save the world, whenever he gets bored. But what about when he’s not bored? Do you really believe he wants to permanently live on the road? Alone?”

Lan Wangji gave him a look of absolute disdain. “You seem quite confident in how deeply you understand the motivations of the brother you disowned.” 

Jiang Cheng grimaced. Okay, again…he may have deserved that, but still. He straightened his back, shoulders squared, head raised…chin tilted up, somewhat, to stare Lan Wangji in the eye.

Damn this tall bastard.

“Lan Wangji. I can admit I have made mistakes, and I’m not here to improve your opinion of me, because, frankly, I don’t give a shit. But regardless of however you feel about me, or my relationship with Wei Wuxian, I still know my brother. And I know he’d rather crawl to the ends of the earth with two broken legs than burden someone else for even a moment. Especially someone important to him. He may never admit to his needs, but he still has them.”

Lan Wangji maintained his gaze, and Jiang Cheng recognized something akin to panic seeming to flash in those strange golden eyes.

Good. Maybe they were getting somewhere.

Jiang Cheng continued. “Look. I had to witness Wei Wuxian throwing himself at your oblivious ass over and over again in our youth. For the longest time, I genuinely believed you hated him, and maybe I was wrong about that. But if I was, I think it’s time for

you to prove it. “

And with that, the leader of Yunmeng turned on his heel and left the Pavilion without awaiting a response.

******

Jiang Cheng hadn’t gotten more than a few steps away from the library when he heard a flurry of movement behind him. Suddenly he found himself flanked by the eager and curious faces of Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi.

So much for subtlety, guys. Jiang Cheng cast a quick glance back toward the library to make sure Lan Wangji hadn't decided to exit right behind him. 

“Well? Well?” Jingyi practically vibrated with energy as he awaited a response. Sizhui stayed silent but appeared no less anxious, staring at him with wide eyes.

“Well what? I said what needed to be said. I’m sure His Excellency needs some time to reflect." He gestured for them to keep walking, to put safe distance between the three of them and Lan Wangji. 

Jingyi frowned as they fell into step on either side of him. “Is that it? Is that all you’re going to tell us?”

Sizhui tugged at Jingyi's sleeve. A look passed between them and Jingyi clamped his mouth shut.

Jiang Cheng raised a brow as he observed the interaction, seeing how quickly Jingyi folded. Well, that’s…something.

Sizhui glanced back at him and spoke tentatively as they walked on. “But…what is next? Will you talk to Senior Wei?”

“Talk to me about what?”

Jiang Cheng and the two disciples each almost jumped out of their skin at the sudden appearance of Wei Wuxian behind them.

“GODS- I swear!” Jiang Cheng put a hand over his chest and willed his now-racing heart to calm down. “Wei Wuxian! Do you have listening talismans set up all over this damn place or what? HOW do you keep appearing whenever your name is spoken?!”

Jingyi and Sizhui went stiff at his question, staring at each other in slight panic, clearly ruminating over the ramification of such a talisman…

Wei Wuxian laughed, loudly and irritatingly. “Of course not. I’m just in the right place at the right time, I guess you can say. But I didn’t expect to find the three of you together…whatcha up to?”

Jiang Cheng's lie came swiftly, smoothly. “They were showing me the sparring grounds. These Lan disciples are nothing if not proud, huh?”

His brother blinked, then reached out to ruffle Sizhui’s hair fondly. “Ahhh, that they are. As they should be!”

The boy blushed. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes internally. In spirit. 

Wei Wuxian’s eyes darted past the three of them. “Ah, but I was actually looking for Lan Zhan, have you seen him?”

Jiang Cheng: “Nope.”

Jingyi: “Yes, he-“

Unfortunately, they spoke at the same time. Jingyi was immediately cut off by Sizhui silently, gently, stepping on his foot.

Wei Wuxian stared at the disciples expectantly.

Jingyi coughed. “Yes, this morning…after breakfast! He was headed to the classrooms, I think?”

“This morning? Okaaay…” clearly suspicious now, Wei Wuxian’s eyes darted between the two boys, wheels turning in his head.  

Sizhui suddenly gave Jingyi a yank and bent into a bow. “We were just headed back there ourselves, so we…we can let Hanguang-Jun know you’re looking for him! If we see him, I mean! See you, Senior Wei! Sect Leader Jiang!”

Jingyi followed Sizhui's lead and mumbled his own goodbyes as he bowed, his eye catching Jiang Cheng’s briefly before he turned to dart off after his friend.

Jiang Cheng briefly questioned his own sanity in this choice of partners as he watched the two run off.

Wei Wuxian’s voice broke through his reverie. “Awww, they’re up to something, aren’t they? How adorable.”

Jiang Cheng wondered, not for the first time, how his brother could be so damn observant and yet so clueless at the same time.

Long before his conversation with Lan Wangji, Jiang Cheng had devoted quite some time to considering what approach he would take with his brother.

He had come to the decision that it was up to Lan Wangji and Lan Wangji alone to make Wei Wuxian feel wanted in Cloud Recesses. Jiang Cheng felt certain that any attempts by himself to persuade his brother on the matter would, simply, fall on deaf ears.

But, instead…he decided to turn the conversation to something he knew Wei Wuxian was much more readily susceptible to: the suffering of others.

“Wei Wuxian. Let’s talk.”

A chuckle fell from his brother's mouth. “Sure, that always promises a good time.”

Jiang Cheng ignored the remark and led Wei Wuxian off the path, away from the buildings. He took a seat right on the grass and his brother followed without hesitation, settling comfortably into a casual sprawl beside him.

Regarding him carefully, Jiang Cheng finally spoke up. “Lan Wangji does not seem to be enjoying his role as Chief Cultivator much, I take it?”

Wei Wuxian’s eyebrows shot up. “What? I mean…well, it’s a lot of work, but…what?”

Jiang Cheng silently reminded himself to tread carefully as he continued. “I mean, I know he took on the job purely due to his inflated sense of civic duty, but I’m just saying. All these months spent entrenched in sect politics, mediating petty squabbles...it can't exactly be an enjoyable experience for him, right?”

His brother openly gaped at him now. “Jiang Cheng. Forgive me, but…it’s a little unusual for you to express any sentiment toward Lan Zhan other than angry judgment, so…what brought this on? Are you unwell?”

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. “Shut up. I just – I can sympathize with the man now, okay? Dealing with the bureaucracy of leadership, all the bullshit that comes with maintaining order and civility…it can be a hell of a lot to handle, and he must have four times the workload I do, so...” He shrugged.

Wei Wuxian was gazing at him softly now, a mixture of emotions in his gray eyes. Regret? Pride? Jiang Cheng couldn’t pinpoint which exactly, but the wistfulness in that gaze made him uncomfortable, so he turned away.

“I can just tell…he seems tense, even by his standards. And with Lan Xichen still in seclusion, and his uncle being…you know, himself, it’s got to be tough. Handling so much alone.”

Like I did…all those years ago. While also raising Jin Ling. While you were...gone.

Jiang Cheng pushed those unwelcome thoughts down quickly, back into the deepest recesses of his heart where he kept them stored.

When Wei Wuxian spoke up in response, his voice was unusually flat. “Lan Zhan is not alone…he has Sizhui. All the disciples.”

Jiang Cheng waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, sure, but he can hardly vent to them, or turn to them for advice, can he? Being Chief Cultivator…it’s a big burden to shoulder without some peer in your corner, I imagine.”

His brother seemed to be taking his words in, absorbing them, his gaze growing distant.

Jiang Cheng reached out and slapped Wei Wuxian on the shoulder, causing the other to startle from his thoughts.

“It’s good you’re here for him now. Far be it from me to understand why, but Lan Wangji actually seems to enjoy your presence-“

“Hey!”

Jiang Cheng ignored the interruption and continued. “And if anyone can lighten a room, it’s you. I’ve never seen Lan Wangji laugh, I kind of hope I never do because that is a terrifying mental image, but...I imagine if he ever came close to it…it would be because of something you and you alone said.”

Wei Wuxian exhaled softly. “Jiang Cheng, you surprise me.” The corners of Wei Wuxian’s mouth turned up, but the smile did not quite meet his eyes, nor did it mask the slightly brittle tone to his voice. “You certainly never spared a kind word towards my friendship with Lan Zhan before. And all those years spent calling me cocky, yet now here you are, dramatically overstating my importance.”

Jiang Cheng shrugged, not rising to the bait, keeping his expression serious. “I can only speak on what I’ve observed and what I believe now. And what I believe…is that Lan Wangji is lucky to have you. He most definitely needs you in his life during all this.”

Wei Wuxian bit his lip and gave no response, the two falling into a silence that was not entirely uncomfortable. A gentle Gusu breeze pulled at the ends of Wei Wuxian’s red ribbon, sending it fluttering about his downturned face as he stared absently at the grass.

Jiang Cheng patiently let his brother stew in his thoughts, and several more minutes passed before Wei Wuxian swiftly and gracefully sprang to his feet.

“Jiang Cheng…I’m going to go…clean up a bit. Finish some work. But, uh, I’ll see you at dinner, right?”

Jiang Cheng nodded. “Sure. I can’t wait for more of that mushy tofu.”

Wei Wuxian winced. “Oof, right…well, tonight I’ll share my secret stash of chili oil with you…deal?”

“Deal.”

Once he could no longer see the retreating form of his brother, Jiang Cheng flopped onto his back on the grass, releasing a deep sigh he felt he’d been holding onto for hours.

This meddling business was absolutely exhausting.

He stared up at the sky in a daze and suddenly a vision of A-jie’s smiling face appeared in the clouds. He could still hear her voice, clear as day, urging him and Wei Wuxian to be responsible, to look out for one another.

Jiang Cheng dared to hope A-jie would be proud of him right now, for trying to do just that.

*******

“Are you fucking serious?!”

Early evening had fallen, and Jiang Cheng was now standing outside the back of the Ceremonial Hall, cornered by a gleeful Jingyi and a fretful Sizhui.

“Keep your voice down, geez!” Jingyi admonished him, craning his head around to make sure no one else was around.

“Sizhui, I know you’ve got more sense than this one here” – Jiang Cheng ignored Jingyi’s protests – “tell me you don’t honestly agree with this scheme?”

His face slightly reddening, Sizhui looked down at his feet briefly before nodding once, then again, looking back up to meet Jiang Cheng’s gaze resolutely. “I know it might seem rather silly, but...I do trust he will make it seem very genuine.”

Jiang Cheng groaned. “Uh, great, but it’s a little dramatic, don’t you think?”

Both he and Jingyi were turned facing Sizhui, expectantly. Sizhui glanced between the two and a small smile formed on his face. “It is dramatic, I agree…but then, honestly, aren’t Hanguang-Jun and Senior Wei? Just a bit?” He sounded almost sheepish.

Jingyi froze for a moment, then let out an actual guffaw before a glare from Jiang Cheng caused him to cover his mouth, once again casting furtive glances around them.

Jiang Cheng crossed his arms. At this point, he supposed they didn’t exactly have much to lose. “Fine, point taken. Let’s see how this goes.”

*******

The dinner kicked off just as it had the night before; rows of Lans in pristine robes exhibiting perfect manners, the Hall nearly silent save for occasional polite murmurs and the cling of utensils.

Until three visitors appeared at the Hall doors, and all eyes turned toward a vibrant young man in robes of crimson lined with gold.  

“Your Excellency! Pardon my rudeness in interrupting your meal, but I have come to Gusu to discuss a matter of utmost importance!”

Wei Wuxian, unsurprisingly, was the first to react. "Ouyang Zizhen?” he called out, blinking. “Sizhui? Were you expecting him for a visit? Why didn’t you tell us?”

Zizhen smiled broadly and stepped forward, gesturing with his right hand; the two aides trailing behind him settled into place at his side, each holding a corner of a fine mahogany chest with a red lacquered top.

“I, Ouyang Zizhen, lead disciple and heir to the esteemed Ouyang sect, have come to Cloud Recesses with a proposal for marriage.” With a sweep of his arm, the chest was opened in a flourish, revealing an apparent bounty of gems.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji both turned to look at Sizhui at once; Wei Wuxian with an expression of amused bewilderment, Lan Wangji with an expression of sheer panic.

Jiang Cheng covered his face with his hand and peered around his fingers, suddenly finding the prospect of watching this charade unfold to be almost unbearable.

“Young Master Wei!”

Both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s heads snapped back from Sizhui to Zizhen at that.

“Senior Wei! Wei Wuxian! Yiling Laozu!” Zizhen suddenly sank to his knees in a deeply respectful bow.

“Um….” Wei Wuxian’s mouth fell open, his hands rising up in a dismissive gesture as he stepped forward in an attempt to urge the youth back to his feet.

“Young Master Wei! Please humble this heir and bless him with the honor of your hand in marriage!”

A series of scattered gasps, nearly thunderous by Lan standards, sounded throughout the hall.

Wei Wuxian froze mid-step, as if struck by a spell that rendered him motionless.

Lan Wangji dropped his cup of tea, and it fell to the table below with a loud clang, pale liquid splashing across the front edge of his gleaming robes.

“I...I...um, Zizhen…?!”

Jiang Cheng dropped his hand from his face at once. He was suddenly eager to watch the scene unfolding as his brother stammered uncharacteristically, in an apparent total loss of words for the first time in his life.

In that moment, Jiang Cheng abruptly changed his mind about the whole plan. This is brilliant.

Ouyang Zizhen straightened his back but remained kneeling, his arms outstretched towards the center of the room, towards the lithe figure in black and red still seemingly frozen in place. 

“Young Master Wei! Your intellect and cultivation talent are unparalleled! Your mastery of the dark arts has claimed countless victories in war! Your prowess with the dizi puts all other musicians to shame!”

Wei Wuxian, flustered but finally able to move, faltered on his feet somewhat as he cast glances at both Lan Wangji and Sizhui, clearly expecting some sort of aid or intervention to stop this display.

But no one in the hall moved an inch; in fact, all those present seemed to be collectively holding their breath.

Wei Wuxian took a tentative step towards the boy. “Zizhen, ha…haha…wha-“

“Young Master Wei! I know that this heir may seem unworthy to claim one such as yourself as his own. It is true, perhaps, that I cannot offer as much fame and riches as you rightfully deserve!”

“Zizhen, pleas –“

“But! I can promise Young Master Wei something even more precious. LOVE! Real, genuine, passionate love!”

It took everything in Jiang Cheng’s power not to burst out laughing at that. He snuck a glance at Jingyi, who seemed to be in the same boat. The kid was able to notice his gaze and shot him a smug expression that clearly read see, I told you he would be good.

Jiang Cheng turned back to the scene playing out. A flush had settled across Wei Wuxian, his face turning as red as the ribbon in his hair.

Jiang Cheng absolutely marveled at the sight. Wei Wuxian appeared to be deeply embarrassed for what may be the first time in his life. Lives.

Wei Wuxian took another step toward Zizhen, slowly and cautiously, like one might approach a deer.

But it seemed the boy was not yet finished with his proclamations.

“Young Master Wei! I must also tell you, it is not just your clever mind that I admire! Truly, your beauty and grace have bewitched me from the moment I first laid eyes upon you. My heart and my soul have long ago been branded with your name, my mind filled only with thoughts of your face!”

Beside him, Jiang Cheng felt Sizhui tense up; upon glancing his way, Jiang Cheng was startled by the expression the Lan was staring at Zizhen with, his eyes shining with unshed tears. Was that…pity?

Jingyi had told him earlier that this idea was sparked by Zizhen’s innocent little crush on Wei Wuxian…

Please tell me this stream of nonsense coming from his mouth isn’t genuine, Jiang Cheng thought with a silent groan, a wave of embarrassment for both the kid and his brother washing over him.

Wei Wuxian had now fallen to his knees a safe distance from Zizhen, after pleas for the boy to rise went unheeded. He was talking softly and urgently to him now, clearly encouraging him to end this display and speak with him in private, but his words seemingly fell on deaf ears.

Zizhen called out loudly and clearly. “Your Excellency! Hanguang-Jun!”

Not taking his eyes off Wei Wuxian, Zizhen once again made a gesture that brought his aides to kneel at his side, the intricate wooden chest reappearing.

“Your Excellency! I have bared my heart and soul to the world under your esteemed witness! Please do me the honor of gracing this engagement with your blessing, for that would make a most auspicious start to our sacred union!”

Wei Wuxian had edged closer to the boy now, growing more frantic in his attempts to shush him. Ouyang Zizhen seized the opportunity to reach out and gently clutch at Wei Wuxian’s wrist, staring at him with wide, starry eyes.

“Young Master Wei, please...tell me your answer. Will you make this one the happiest sect heir in all the land?”

“No.”

The response came not from Wei Wuxian, but Lan Wangji.

Jiang Cheng heard Sizhui emit a soft gasp. Jiang Cheng blinked. He had been so caught up in the dazzling performance playing out in the center floor that he had almost forgotten about the presence of Lan Wangji, who had not made a single sound since dropping his tea. He had not heard or seen the man move at all, but yet there he suddenly was, at Wei Wuxian’s side.

Lan Wangji firmly, carefully, pulled Wei Wuxian’s wrist out of Zizhen’s grasp.

Wei Wuxian stared at Lan Wangji as the Chief Cultivator effortlessly pulled him to back up his feet, off the floor.

Ouyang Zizhen, finally, rose to his own feet as well. “Your Excellency? I beg your pardon?”

Lan Wangji turned away from Wei Wuxian and faced Zizhen directly. He towered over the young man by nearly a head and was positively glowering, a quiet anger almost visibly rolling off of him in waves.

Jiang Cheng felt an involuntary shudder roll down his back.

“I said no. Your proposal is not accepted. You will cease these…theatrics at once.”

Zizhen squared his shoulders and tilted his chin up, pride reflected in his stance. “Hanguang-Jun, forgive me, but I believe it is Wei Wuxian who must respond to my proposal, not you.”

Jiang Cheng’s eyebrows shot up and he cast a glance at Jingyi, who seemed to be wincing. Perhaps this exact level of boldness was not in the original plan.

Lan Wangji's tone was sharp as a dagger. “What Wei Ying must do is not for you to decide.”

“Oh, but it is for you?” Zizhen snapped in response.

Several gasps sounded again at that, the loudest from Wei Wuxian himself.

Wei Wuxian quickly stepped between Lan Wangji and the boy, his expression still bewildered, but his face now paling. “Hey, hey, let’s stop right there, both of you. Zizhen…we can continue this in private, alright?”

Lan Wangji interjected once more. “Wei Ying, you will do no such thing. This is a farce.”

Both Wei Wuxian and Ouyang Zizhen turned to stare at him, mouths gaping.

Jiang Cheng cursed under his breath. Did the all-knowing Hanguang-Jun somehow manage to sense this was a set-up? How on earth....the Ouyang kid was selling the hell out of this. 

“Your Excellency!” Jiang Cheng jumped at the increased volume of Zizhen's voice. He was clearly not yet ready to throw in the towel. Jiang Cheng had to admire the kid’s resilience.

“A farce? Please do not insult me in such a way any further!" Zizhen took a step toward Wei Wuxian again, reaching out once more. 

With deft, swift movements, Lan Wangji was suddenly standing between the two, Wei Wuxian left staring up at the back of his head with wide eyes. 

"Hanguang-Jun, I will ask that you do not undermine my intentions." The passion in Zizhen's voice was building to a crescendo. "Hanguang-Jun, I…I love Wei Wuxian!”

“Wei Wuxian is already spoken for. Your proposal has been rejected. Now, leave the grounds at once, before you bring any further embarrassment upon the Ouyang Clan.”

And with that, Lan Wangji grabbed Wei Wuxian by the hand and stormed out of the hall in a dazzling blaze of white robes and ice-cold rage.

Jiang Cheng tore his gaze off Zizhen, who appeared to be finally struck speechless, to turn toward Jingyi.

“Holy shit.” he said.

“Holy shit!” Jingyi agreed.

Beside them, Lan Sizhui burst into sobs.  

Chapter Text

Lan Jingyi gestured impatiently from over his shoulder. "Keep up old man!'

Jiang Cheng kicked a rock toward Jingyi's feet as he hastened his pace. "Watch it, brat."

He was allowing himself to be dragged along through a part of the Cloud Recesses that was unfamiliar to him, at Jingyi's insistence that he knew where Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were headed following their dramatic exit. 

After Jingyi had thoroughly managed to calm Sizhui down (the boy, smiling through his tears, insisting that he was just overwhelmingly happy), they left Ouyang Zizhen in his capable, reassuring hands. The hall had been buzzing with uncharacteristic energy after watching an apparent love triangle unfold, and Jiang Cheng found himself slightly amazed by the restraint the Lans still displayed; he shuddered to think of the uproar that would have torn Lotus Pier apart after witnessing such a scandalous scene. 

Sizhui assured them both that Zizhen would be fine. Jiang Cheng hoped to meet up with the kid later on, to personally express both gratitude and admiration for his performance. That act took balls. He made a mental note to share words of praise with his father the next time he encountered the Ouyang sect leader. 

"I still can't believe it. I'm a genius."

Jingyi's voice shook Jiang Cheng from his thoughts as the youth practically preened at him. 

"Did you SEE Hanguang-Jun's face? I've never seen him so angry, ever! That could not have gone any better."

Jiang Cheng had to give credit where it was due. "I never expected him to make such a...bold move, in front of most of his clan. Your plan really got to him."

Jingyi slowed his stride momentarily, looking at him expectantly, one brow raised.

It wasn't hard for Jiang Cheng to catch his drift. Rolling his eyes, he sighed. "Yes, you were right. Good job Jingyi. Happy now?"

"Yup."

"You really think this is where they ran off to?"

Jingyi cleared his throat. "Um, assuming they wanted privacy...no one dares to disturb Hanguang-Jun in his quarters."

Jiang Cheng cringed a little at the thought of those two wanting privacy. He hoped to the Gods they would not be exposed to anything incriminating. Perhaps it would be best if he and Jingyi just step back for a moment...but after witnessing the reserved Second Jade of Lan basically make an explosive confession to his shell-shocked, idiot brother...well, things had escalated quicker than he ever anticipated. Now he just had to know what was happening next.

They were approaching an unassuming building that did not stand out in any way, but Jiang Cheng could tell this must be the jingshi from the way Jingyi instantly tensed and quieted his steps. 

Jingyi caught Jiang Cheng's eye and nodded. The two approached cautiously, Jingyi gesturing to a cluster of trees to the right side of the front entrance, as if suggesting they stake out there.

But a sudden exclamation from within the jingshi froze them both in their tracks. In a panic, Jingyi grabbed hold of Jiang Cheng's arm and lurched both of them against the side of the building.

This is fucking ridiculous Jiang Cheng thought to himself, as Jingyi needlessly held a finger up to his lips as if to warn him to be quiet.

Another muffled shout from inside reached their ears. "...THINK!"

Well, that was definitely Wei Wuxian's voice, so Jingyi was right again. 

A finger was suddenly jabbing into his side; Jingyi pointed up and to their left, to a window further down that was slightly ajar. 

The two silently sidestepped closer toward the opening, keeping themselves low and out of sight.

They were able to hear only remotely better from their new position beneath the window, the voices inside still mostly obscured.

Jiang Cheng strained to discern his brother’s words: “no right. REALLY!”

The obvious anger in Wei Wuxian’s voice made him blink; this was not quite what he expected. What the hell was happening?

“What’s going on? Can you tell what they’re saying?” Jingyi hissed at him.

Holding a finger up to quiet him, Jiang Cheng straightened his back slightly to inch his head closer toward the window.

“Lan ZHAN!”

Jiang Cheng and Lan Jingyi both jumped at the sound of the jingshi door being forcefully slid open. In a panic, they simultaneously flattened themselves against the wall once again.

Quick footsteps could be heard from the porch, exiting toward the path. Jingyi muttered a string of quiet curses under his breath.

Unable to help himself, Jiang Cheng craned his neck to peer around the edge of the wall and toward the front entrance of the abode. His eyes widened when he saw that it was Lan Wangji who was storming away from the building in an apparent huff, looking every bit as angry as he had been inside the hall.

“LAN ZHAN!”

Jiang Cheng quickly pulled his head back from the edge at the sound of his brother’s shout, which was followed by another series of footsteps as Wei Wuxian flew down the steps after Lan Wangji.

Jingyi was staring at him with wide eyes and whispered frantically. “Should we leave?”

Jiang Cheng shook his head. “Too risky. Just keep quiet.”

Although he could no longer make out any of the words, Jiang Cheng could still hear the sound of his brother’s voice, so he knew the two were still close, and could easily spot him and Jingyi if they dared to leave now.

Mentally kicking himself for winding up in this position, Jiang Cheng stuck his head back out from the corner momentarily, just long enough to confirm with the blurs of black and white that Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian had stopped, not far from the jingshi.

Jingyi, it seemed, had a strong aversion to keeping silent. “Are…are they fighting? What happened?!”

Jiang Cheng whispered back through clenched teeth. “Obviously, I don’t know, just shut up!”

A sudden sound of approaching footsteps froze them both once again. The hair on Jiang Cheng’s neck stood on end as he saw his brother out of the corner of his eye, walking brisky up the path he and Jingyi had come from, apparently set on fleeing the area.

Fuck. A few more steps and Wei Wuxian would only have to turn his head the slightest degree to spot the two of them. There was nowhere to hide in time.

“Wei YING!”

Jiang Cheng and Jingyi simultaneously flinched at the unexpected sound of Lan Wangji…shouting.

He had only heard Lan Wangji’s voice get that loud once before, yelling that same name, when…

Well.

Jiang Cheng pushed those dark memories aside in time to realize, to his horror, that both Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian were now completely within their line of sight.

He held his breath and watched as Lan Wangji swiftly closed in on Wei Wuxian, who was still retreating, and stopped him in his tracks with a firm grab of his wrist, forcibly spinning Wei Wuxian around to face him, anger visible on his face.

Wei Wuxian’s voice was noticeably shaking. “Lan Zhan! Let go!”

Jiang Cheng felt a strong sudden surge of protective instinct swell within him at the sight of Lan Wangji’s unusual roughness, and he wondered if the two men were actually about to have a physical fight.

He made up his mind, then and there; he and Jingyi were no longer hidden, anyway, so at this point there was nothing to lose from intervening as needed.

Jiang Cheng put a hand to the hilt of his sword and took a step away from the wall.

Jingyi’s whisper was panicked as he reached out a hand toward him. “What are y-“

In the next seconds, several things happened in rapid succession:

Lan Wangji, still holding Wei Wuxian’s wrist in one hand, gave a firm yank and pulled the slighter man until he was flush against him.

Jiang Cheng fully unsheathed Sandu and took another step forward.

With his free hand Lan Wangji grabbed hold of Wei Wuxian’s chin, tilted it up, and bent down to meet his lips in a kiss.

Lan Jingyi, who had reached out with one flailing arm in an attempt to stop Jiang Cheng, tripped over his own feet and fell to the ground in a spectacular heap.

“Shit!” Jiang Cheng and Jingyi exclaimed simultaneously.

And Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji slowly, unwillingly, broke apart to turn towards the commotion, glancing at them with identical dazed expressions.

****

The rabbits were circling Jiang Cheng with some curiosity, but maintained a safe distance between themselves and the purple-robed stranger. He reached out several times in an attempt to grab one, but eventually gave up when they proved too quick for him.

He leaned back and tilted his head up toward the sky, allowing himself a deep sigh, rolling his neck. For the first time in days, his head was no longer aching, and although he was sitting in wait, he felt strangely at ease.  

“Jiang Cheng.”

Wei Wuxian’s voice was soft and low as he called his name, as if not wanting to disturb his peace.

Jiang Cheng turned his head. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were standing at the edge of the grass, their hands intertwined.

He cast a pointed glance at their grasp and Wei Wuxian sheepishly pulled his hand free, turning to Lan Wangji.

A silent conversation seemed to carry out between the two; Lan Wangji gave a perfunctory polite nod in his direction before turning to leave.

Wei Wuxian watched him walk away and then sank down onto the ground next to Jiang Cheng.

“So. He's still a man of many words, I see.” Jiang Cheng said, jerking his head in the direction of the departing Chief Cultivator.

There was fondness in his brother’s responding smile. “Always.”

They sat in harmonious silence for a moment before Jiang Cheng finally spoke up.

“So…what will you do next?”

Wei Wuxian hugged his knees to his chest, appearing unusually embarrassed. “I think...I’m going to stay here in Gusu. For awhile longer.”

Closing his eyes briefly, Jiang Cheng felt a sense of relief wash over him. He spoke carefully, not wanting to say too much. “That sounds like a good plan.”

His brother hummed in response, a slight redness appearing across his cheeks. Jiang Cheng found himself wanting to prod for confirmation, for details.

He wanted to crack a joke about the miracle of a wild and willful Wei Wuxian finally settling down.

He wanted to threaten to wring Lan Wangji's neck with Zidian if he ever wronged Wei Wuxian.

He wanted to ask to be invited back here and told face to face, like a person of importance, when an engagement was to be announced.

He wanted to ask when Wei Wuxian planned to return to his former home, to visit Lotus Pier. To visit him.  

But this was not about him, not now, and Jiang Cheng pushed aside everything he wanted to ask, but couldn't.

Instead, he changed the subject.

“What’s the verdict with Lan Jingyi?”

Wei Wuxian winced. “A few hundred copies of the dozen or so regulations he knowingly violated. He’ll be doing handstands for hours. He’s also on laundry duty for a month.”

Jiang Cheng clucked his tongue. “My insistence I dragged him into it meant nothing, huh?

“Nope. ‘It is a Lan’s responsibility to uphold the teachings at all times, regardless of any outside influence.’” Wei Wuxian recited.

“Right, right. Well. He really is a decent kid. He and Sizhui both. Please let them know they’re welcome to visit Jin Ling any time. They might, uh…they might be a good influence on him.”

Wei Wuxian smiled warmly. “Will do.”  

Another moment passed before Wei Wuxian spoke up again. “You’re still planning on leaving tomorrow?”

He nodded. 

“Jiang Cheng.”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you.”

Shit. Jiang Cheng bristled at the sincerity in his brother’s tone, growing suddenly uncomfortable.

“No need for that. Just, please, now that you and Lan Wangji are past your fucking awful pining stage, don’t do anything wildly inappropriate to embarrass me, alright? Exercise some restraint, there are things those poor Lan disciples do not need to see.”

“Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian practically squealed, grabbing a handful of leaves from the ground and tossing them at him in playful indignation.

Jiang Cheng ducked the attack a moment too late and laughed, loudly and freely, as he brushed dirt off his robes, his heart feeling fuller than it had in years.

*****

One month later, Jiang Cheng finds himself staring down at a formal invitation from His Excellency Hanguang-Jun, requesting an audience with him in Gusu. 

Finally, he thinks.