Chapter Text
Yiling was a beautiful place filled with vast scenery of the lotus ponds and dynamic architecture and with more time spent there Nie Mingjue hated every second. The humid air and hot weather were nothing like the mountains of Qinghe. Where in Qinghe he would feel light and easy to move in, in Yuen Meng he felt as if the entire world was pressing down on him and he was not happy about that. Every street vendor and pedestrian made sure to step out of the way of Mingjue, just looking at his sword Baxia sent shivers down his spine. If it weren't for needing to keep the strong relationship between Yuen Meng and Qinghe he wouldn't step foot in this area. Mingjue silently curses at his father for making such relations with a sect that has the complete opposite environment to the one he’s used to. The patience he held from the beginning of this trip was dwindling terribly thin and it wouldn't take much before he lost his composure. It would be then that something small hit Mingjue on his leg and as he was about to yell he saw a small figure, it was just a child. That child looked up at him with widened tear filled eyes and he braced himself as if he thought Mingjue would strike him. No matter how angry he was there would be no universe where he would stoop so low as if to hit a child.
¨I´m so sorry, I-I was just running and didn´t see you, I´m so sorry please…..please just let me leave, the scary dogs are chasing A-Ying,¨ The child managed to stammer out his words, if he talked any faster Mingjue would have no clue of what he said.
¨Dogs you say….here the dogs can´t get you up here,¨ Mingjue says as he lifted the child, presumably A-Ying, up to his shoulder ¨Where are your parents A-Ying, a child shouldn't be out here alone,¨
¨A-Ying doesn´t have any….mama and baba told A-Ying to wait at the Inn but-but they never came back, then the mean man kicked A-Ying out too¨ A-Ying pouted at the thought and while it would have been cute in any situation, Mingjue was anything but amused.
If Mingjue could go back in time and crush the skull of that innkeeper who kicked out a mere child onto the streets then he would. Gods know how long he has had to fight for food not just from other people but dogs as well. From the looks of it it seems A-Ying has been out in these streets for some time, a few years maybe. There had to be someone out there for him, Mingjue would take him in but he could barely take care of his own brother as it is. Taking home another child wouldn’t be able to work, well maybe it could, Huaisang has been complaining about being lonely lately.
¨Do you remember your parents ́ names or anyone else that you could stay with,¨ Mingjue said in the most manageable soft voice that he could muster. For all his harsh words and actions seeing a kid around the same age as his little brother seemed to soften a spot in his heart.
¨Oh umm yes yes, A-Ying heard people say mama´s name a whole bunch, it's Cangse Sanren and baba…umm, it was ah…I´m sorry A-Ying doesn't remember¨ A-Ying´s face turned red in embarrassment, he felt bad for forgetting his own fathers name but it had been so long and his memory wasn´t good.
A-Yings ́ forgetfulness and embarrassment was a bit amusing for Mingjue to see, in any other situation it would have been pretty cute for the older man to witness but there was no time for that. This child was Wei Ying, the lost son of Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze who had been loyal friends to Sect leader Jiang. Mingjue let out a sigh, this whole situation got a whole lot more complicated. The very man who he had come all this way to visit is the rightful guardian to Wei Ying. Rightfully he should have taken Wei Ying back to the Jiang manor. It was a good thing that Mingjue was not too righteous of a man to turn Wei Ying into that family, Mingjue shook his head and took a deep sigh.
¨My little brother is around your age A-Ying….how about I take you home with me to meet him hmm,¨ Mingjue said as he knew he would rather have Wei Ying with the Wen´s than the Jiang´s
He knew that the obvious choice would be for Wei Ying to go with the Jiang´s but with a woman like Madam Yu´s in the house there would be no possible way he could bring him there in good conscience. It was well known around the cultivation world that Madam Yu had a hatred for Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze, if nothing more than because of her jealousy. While she was known for her temper, Sect leader Jiang was known for being more likable, and if rumors sufficed then more lovable. Madam Yu was a woman who valued loyalty and her husband was not one to follow that, at least from what he has heard from the people. Yet at the same time, taking care of another child is way more work to put on his shoulders. He looked Wei Ying in the eyes and he knew he had to go thru with his words.
¨Really!, you want A-Ying to come with you, like really really?”Wei Ying shifted uncomfortably on top of Mingjue´s shoulder, not being able to get comfortable. He was nervous and afraid, it had been two years since he has had anyone take care of him, it was scary.
¨My little brother has always said that he wanted a friend….I think you two will get along, maybe too well,¨ Mingjue said as a slight feeling of dread came over him for some strange reason.
¨Yes!..I mean I would like that, thank you mister…ah umm what do I call you mister¨ Wei Ying said as he looked toward Mingjue with a look of admiration.
¨Hmm…Just call me Da-Ge¨ Mingjue said as he set Wei Ying on the ground and held his hand out for him to follow.
¨Da-Ge?....Hmm ok Da-Ge¨ Wei Ying said with a smile that could rival the sun and quickly grabbed Mingjue´s hand to begin their walk back to Qinghe.
In another timeline this scene would have turned out differently, while Wei Ying would have been in his rightful place there would be no happy ending for him. This one would be different, one where he can live a happier and more free life than he ever could have had. One that with no matter what happens in this lifetime there will always be people ready to take his side. No matter what happens.