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With a heavy sigh, Nie Huaisang sat down on the docks of Lotus Pier. He sprawled out his legs in front of him and leaned back onto his hands as he watched the fog roll across the surface of the river. The sun was setting, but the temperatures were not getting any cooler. The humidity just made Nie Huaisang miss the comfort of his room in the Unclean Realm even more, and the cooling stone walls that usually surrounded him.
“Have you been sulking this whole time?” Heavy footsteps approached from behind Nie Huaisang, and from the corner of his eye, he spotted the familiar purple robes of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan. Jiang Wanyin peered downward at Nie Huaisang.
The truth was, Nie Huaisang felt somewhat abandoned. After his brother and him had arrived at the gates of Lotus Pier, they had all only shared a brief greeting with Jiang Wanyin before Nie Mingjue vanished into the Sword Hall. He had expected his brother to want to join him as he usually did. However, Nie Mingjue held out his hand to stop his younger brother from entering.
“It won’t be long,” Nie Mingjue told his younger brother. Then, with no other explanation, he walked off into the hall.
Nie Huaisang was shocked—isn’t it rude to not attend to your guests? He was about to condemn Jiang Wanyin for his lack of hospitality when several servants quickly appeared and offered to show Nie Huaisang to his quarters for the evening. They had been the ones to tell Nie Huaisang about a quieter area by the water, where a veranda sat atop the river. However, he was initially more drawn by the bustling vendors out by the entrance of Lotus Pier.
He had strolled down the docks and occupied his time buying some sweets, eyeing some painted scrolls, and even seriously considering purchasing some kitschy souvenirs. It was only as time passed and he grew tired that Nie Huaisang decided to find this veranda that the servants mentioned and admire the scenery. It was a very beautiful place. He wished he had pen, ink, and a canvas so he could properly convey this and keep in his room. But even staring at nature could become boring after too much time.
“I’m just tired” Nie Huaisang replied to Jiang Wanyin. He laid down on his back. “Don’t you get bored of, you know…” He waved his hand. “…long meetings …”
Jiang Wanyin’s look was fierce. Had they not been friends in their youth, his look alone would have terrified Nie Huaisang. He knew deep down his old friend had a softer, more sympathetic side. They had once laughed together, shared their troubles, and made jokes over late nights. Despite the intense fire within Jiang Wanyin, Nie Huaisang never saw Jiang Wanyin direct his temper at anyone outside of Wei Wuxian. However, since his brother’s death, many around him found themselves cautioning more and more around the young clan leader.
“I don’t have a choice,” Jiang Wanyin replied bluntly.
Nie Mingjue immediately bit his tongue. He pulled out his fan, not knowing how to respond, and hid the bottom half of his face. Brown eyes blinking up at Jiang Wanyin.
“I think your brother is just worried about you, you shouldn’t take his concern so lightly.” Jiang Wanyin pressed.
Nie Huaisang knew better than to tread too deeply in the subject of siblings with Jiang Wanyin, so he simply accepted the light scolding.
“Fine, fine. But I’m really no use here. I wasn’t even allowed into the Sword Hall.”
“Ah, well.” Jiang Wanyin diverted his eyes as Nie Huaisang fluttered his own and waved his fan.
Honestly, Nie Huaisang really wanted nothing to do with politics. He couldn’t help who his father was after all! And with his brother heading the clan, why couldn’t he just take part in the things he enjoys instead?
“Come on, I’ve been instructed to keep you company,” Jiang Wanyin said.
“Instructed?” Nie Huaisang feigned hurt. Of course, he’d expect his brother to intimidate others into being his friend. Luckily for him, they were friends—at least, he still considered himself as such. After the first siege of the Burial Mounds, the two hadn’t spoken to each other much. While they both still attended cultivation conferences, they merely shared glances over at each other. He wanted things to be like they had—the world was stabilizing again after all. But every time Nie Huaisang thought of approaching the other, he became afraid.
Mostly, he had to admit to himself that Jiang Wanyin was still someone he thought of dearly. And even his glances, while brief, found themselves piercing right through him. Maybe that’s what he was afraid of.
It didn’t take much convincing to stand up and follow close behind Jiang Wanyin.
*
In their youth, Nie Huaisang wanted nothing more than to visit Yunmeng. He dreamt of going right after his time in the Cloud Recesses, digging into the depths of his mind on a way to ask his brother. He recalled sitting on the steps near the lecture hall, listening intently to vivid descriptions brought on by Wei Wuxian.
“If you came to visit, we’d show you all of our favorite swimming spots, right Jiang Cheng?” Wei Wuxian wrapped his arms around his brother’s shoulders. Jiang Cheng, on the other hand, rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth. However, even he couldn’t help smirk with pride for his home.
“And of course, people always love seeing visitors, so I bet it’ll be more crowded than usual.” Wei Wuxian continued. “If you stick with me, we might even get some gifts from some of the girls.”
Nie Huaisang blushed at this, and Jiang Cheng immediately took notice.
“You’re already embarrassing him. Hey—let me go!” He sneered, struggling to get out of Wei Wuxian’s grip. Eventually, he managed to free himself and looked directly at Nie Huaisang, who was trying hard not to laugh. Jiang Cheng cleared his throat and diplomatically declared, “Of course, we’d have love to have you visit. Yunmeng has the best people, especially Lotus Pier. We’d always welcome you.”
“Last time, Jiang Cheng caught a perch the size of his head in our river! Do you like to fish?”
“I’m not too good at fishing,” Nie Huaisang admitted. “But I’m not against it.”
“There’s an old woman in town, who sells antiques. I bet you could find something you’d like there,” Jiang Cheng replied.
At this, Nie Huaisang’s interest peeked.
“Do you think my brother would believe that I was practicing sword techniques with you, if I visited?” Nie Huaisang asked.
“Probably not, he’d probably speak with my parents, and they wouldn’t lie. Plus, wouldn’t he notice once you returned?”
“I just wish he wasn’t so strict with me—you’re both lucky! I’m not naturally talented or hard working like you.” Nie Huaisang sighed.
“You work hard,” Jiang Cheng contested. “It just manifests differently for some people.”
“Yeah, like when you copy my notes for me. Speaking of which…” Wei Wuxian piped up.
*
Lotus Pier was admittingly livelier than the Unclean Realm. Near the entrance, the sound of conversations echoed, the merchants called out their products and smell of food permeated the air. Jiang Wanyin strode next to Nie Huaisang, back straight. A group of boys immediately ran up to him, wanting to show off to the young leader.
“Sandu Shengshou, look look—I’ve been getting stronger!”
“Will you let us show you our forms?”
“We’ve been working really hard, we promise!”
One after the other, they all chimed in, wanting to impress Jiang Wanyin. Nie Huaisang couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, which he attempted to hide behind his fan.
Next to him, Jiang Wanyin tightened lips and cleared his throat. If he didn’t know any better, Nie Huaisang would have thought he saw a blush creep up onto Jiang Wanyin’s face.
“Enough, enough!” He held up his hand. The children easily listened—it was most likely the sharp look that Jiang Wanyin gave off. He let out a scowl before quickly straightening his back again and softening his gaze. He then spoke quickly. “Tomorrow, I will watch. Good job. Keep at it, it takes lots of time and practice to develop your core properly. Nothing will happen overnight.”
This time Nie Huaisang didn’t even hide his laughter, not even when Jiang Wanyin side-eyed him.
“The children in your clan really take to you!” Nie Huaisang exclaimed.
Jiang Cheng cleared his throat again. “They just like showing off. But they’re hardworking. They must be—they are our future.”
“Ah, yes,” Nie Huaisang replied. Early in the war, everyone praised Jiang Wanyin for his ability to rebuild his clan, especially at a young age. Nie Huaisang was largely impressed himself. He’s not sure how he’d be if he had been in a similar situation. Nie Mingjue’s unwavering strength and commitment truly made the Nie Clan thrive; Nie Huaisang may not have admitted this aloud, but he was humble enough know this truth. “I guess I just don’t—think about things like that. I’m sorry.”
Jiang Wanyin looked directly into his eyes then. He looked like he wanted to say something, his lips parted, but then quickly tightened again.
“Come on, let me show you what I was going to show you.”
Nie Huaisang nodded, suddenly very flustered. He almost reached out to grab Jaing Wanyin’s hand in order to follow him closely amongst the hustle around him. However, he quickly receded those thoughts, letting only his fingers twitch.
*
“Can I ask you something?” Jiang Cheng asked.
He was shoulder-to-shoulder with Nie Huaisang, on the floor of Nie Huaisang’s room in the Cloud Recesses. They were both laying on their stomach, flipping through pages of an art book that Nie Huaisang had brought with him. This wasn’t like the art books that he shamelessly lent to Wei Wuxian and snuck around in the dead of night to make friends with the other boys. It was a book filled with landscape drawings from his home in Qinghe.
They were both looking through the drawings when Jiang Cheng spoke up. Nie Huaisang ran his hands along the tall, mountainous backdrop of the drawing they were looking at and nodded his head. Maybe this was boring for someone like Jiang Cheng, who preferred sparring and archery over sitting in his room looking at a few drawings.
“Why do you like this?” Jiang Cheng wasn’t really anything but blunt. “I mean, over fighting…”
“I guess I just—” Nie Huaisang paused, trying to think of an answer that wouldn’t make him out to be too boring for his new friend. “—well, I guess…I’m very sentimental. I like to look at things that make me happy.”
“Things that make you happy…” Jiang Cheng reached out to trace the same mountains, his fingers brushing slightly against Nie Huaisang’s.
“Um,” Nie Huaisang tentatively pulled back. “Yeah, I think of it a lot like capturing memories. There are a lot of things we easily forget once it’s happened, but it’s nice to physically hold onto something that reminds you why exactly it’s important to you.”
Nie Huaisang flipped the page to reveal a painting of the main courtyard from his home. Lanterns lined the path of near the entrance of main hall. He had countless memories running down this path as a kid, chased by his older brother in a game, or looking for bugs and birds hidden in the overarching trees. He turned to Jiang Cheng, who remained close.
“What’s something that’s important to you?” Nie Huaisang asked.
*
Nie Huaisang’s eyes widened as he peered into a pond filled entirely with lotus plants. The lotus flowers surrounded them—not just peering up in the water, but in the decorum of the buildings all around them. The windows were shaped as such, the lines of the nine-petal flower carved out of wood left faint shadows on the ground. Then, of course, the Yunmeng Jiang Clan motif proudly displayed on the flags and paper lamps hanging and lit.
He reached downward, wanting to take a flower straight from the waters. However, he was suddenly startled by the sound of splashing in the pond. In the stillness of their setting, Nie Huaisang failed to notice the Koi swimming beneath the plants.
Nie Huaisang let out a yelp, falling to the ground. Behind him, Jiang Wanyin laughed unabashedly.
“Don’t laugh! I could have been injured!” Nie Huaisang exclaimed.
“By a fish?” Jiang Wanyin raised an eyebrow. When it was clear that Nie Huaisang wasn’t going to respond, Jiang Wanyin raised up his hand. “Okay, okay. Get up and come sit with me. I asked the servants to bring out some liquor.”
Nie Huaisang couldn’t stop himself from easily complying with Jiang Wanyin.
Jiang Wanyin poured them both a drink and Nie Huaisang smiled faintly before taking a sip. Memories of their friendship flashed across Nie Huaisang’s mind.
“This is my favorite spot.” Jiang Wanyin filled their cups again when they were empty.
“It’s very peaceful here.” Nie Huaisang looked around again to take in the secluded area they were in. Everything felt naturalistic. Even the table they sat at looked like a tree stump, coming up from the dock over the pond.
“I have a lot of memories here,” Jiang Wanyin continued. “Good memories, of my parent…my sister…and…”
Nie Huaisang was admittingly not very good at comforting. He hadn’t expected his old friend to open up so easily, either. Still, he tried.
“Hey,” Nie Huaisang offered. “How about I paint this place? I’ve gotten a lot better…well, sort of. My brother might disagree, but I’ve been practicing! When Nie Mingjue makes me sit through meetings…”
Nie Huaisang was rambling, “I just need some pens and ink…and a scroll…”
There it was again, Jiang Wanyin’s laugh. “Later,” he nodded. “I promise, later. But for now, just drink with me.”
To hide his blush, Nie Huaisang downed his drink with his hand covering the bottom of the cup.
As the liquor began to settle warmly inside his stomach, Nie Huaisang’s started to become braver with the words he wanted to say. “Jiang Wanyin, can I ask you something?”
Jiang Wanyin nodded.
“I—are we—” Nie Huaisang noticed Jiang Wanyin stiffen. But he had to ask, “—are we still…friends?”
Jiang Wanyin only stared at him. His eyebrows pressed together, and he let out a small huff. Did he offend Jiang Wanyin?
“It’s just we haven’t really spoken to each other much since…well,” Nie Huaisang waved his hand. Since the siege, he didn’t dare say.
“I thought you were going to ask what Chifeng-Zun and I discussed earlier,” Jiang Wanyin simply replied.
“Nie Mingjue?” If he was being honest, Nie Huaisang didn’t really want to think about his brother’s meeting this morning. It was always duty and politics with him, that Nie Huaisang figured the less he knew, the better.
He loved his brother dearly and respected his decisions, but there has been rising tension between the two. It was not long ago that Nie Mingjue had begun pushing his younger brother to practice his cultivation and saber techniques.
It even led to an argument recently. That day of this dispute, Nie Mingjue had made Nie Huaisang train the entire day. Since the sun rise, Nie Mingjue had pushed his brother’s stamina, to the point where Nie Huaisang’s entire body ached as the sky began to hue in the evening glow.
Nie Huaisang was covered in sweat, exhausted, and sure that he wouldn’t be able to move at all the next day. But he could also easily see in his brother’s eyes that this day wasn’t enough. There would be more, and more after that, and Nie Mingjue had nothing but full, sudden, interest in training his brother.
While he normally complied with Nie Mingue’s requests, Nie Huaisang wasn’t sure this was something that he could continue. When Nie Mingue suggested that they meet on the training grounds again the next day, Nie Huaisang snapped.
“Haven’t you figured out that I’m not interested in the sword?” I’m not you, Nie Huaisang wanted to say. The idea of wielding a saber had always been off putting. Why did he have to do this? Just because of his name? Because of who his father was? He couldn’t say all this, but in anger, he couldn’t help but yell, “I don’t want to cultivate! I don’t want any of this!”
“You--“ Nie Mingjue gritted his teeth as he pointed to his brother accusingly.
“Let him be,” a voice approached them. It was Nie Mingjue’s sworn brother, Lianfang-Zun. He had been visiting often—always coming with gifts for Nie Huaisang and playing music for his brother.
“Stay out of this!” Nie Mingjue snapped back at Liangfang-Zun. However, Liangfang-Zun remained composed. He simply reached his hand out to Nie Huaisang.
“Why don’t you run along? I’m sure you’re tired,” Liangfang-Zun spoke to Nie Huaisang. This only angered Nie Mingjue more—to speak so casually at this moment, but Nie Huaisang, who had enough of his brother for the day, took the exit.
Ever since that day, the two Nie brothers treaded lightly around each other. Something many people do not know, is that although Nie Mingjue presented himself like a stone mountain—he was also incredibly sensitive. He cared deeply for the people around him. Nie Huaisang knew his brother cared about him, but he truly was not a warrior. If he could, he’d fill the Unclean Realm with collections of all his favorite things. He’d have a room of scrolls of paintings from all over. Each one would have a story—and he’d surround himself with people who made him happy.
Instead, he just kept his head down and followed his brother wherever they needed to go. This time, it happened to be Yunmeng.
Nie Huaisang’s dazed look must have set something off on Jiang Wanyin who rolled his eyes before replying.
“I—um—” Jiang Wanyin clenched his fingers tightly around the cup he was holding. “Chifeng-Zun really values his sworn brotherhood with Zewu-Jun and Liangfan-Zun. I think it’s important as well…to have a…bond…with your contemporaries.”
The sun was beginning to set in the horizon. The warm hues reflected in the water, where they sat—hugged in by the buildings around them. Jiang Wanyin let out a heavy sigh, but never broke eye contact with Nie Huaisang.
Nie Huaisang wasn’t sure where this was coming from. His fingers itched to alleviate the nervousness from his body, wanting to tap against the table, grip at something. He opted for the fan in his pocket, opening it up and hiding his face.
“Listen,” Jiang Wanyin continued when it was clear that Nie Huaisang was going to remain silent. “You can always visit me—here. I’ve always valued our…companionship. I understand now that you do too.”
Nie Huaisang lowered his fan just enough to reveal his eyes. They peered downward, focusing on Jiang Wanyin’s bottom lip. Neither of them were looking directly at each other.
“Okay,” Nie Huaisang finally said.
“Here, let’s just have another,” Jiang Wanyin poured them another drink and they both made eye contact, brought the cups to their mouths, and didn’t look away.
What exactly did Nie Mingjue tell Jiang Wanyin…Nie Huaisang didn’t want to ask.
*
“B-Brother,” Nie Huaisang stuttered. “W-what are you doing here?”
It was early the next morning when Nie Mingjue approached the door of his brother’s quarters. The noise startled Nie Huaisang. Still not fully recovered from the alcohol of the night before, he slowly trudged to the door to open it. However, the second he caught sight of his brother’s robes, Nie Huaisang yelped and jumped slightly backwards.
“Get dressed,” Nie Mingjue didn’t miss a beat, hands behind his back. “I will meet you in front of the Sword Hall.”
Nie Huaisang nodded and quickly placed on his robes before trailing outside. Even from a distance, Nie Huaisang could easily discern his brother’s tall stance. Nie Mingjue held his head high, staring into the distance, and his hand gripped at the reigns of his saber.
“I’m here,” Nie Huaisang announced himself. He looked over to see what his brother was looking at. Far ahead of them, a group of young boys were playing. The boys laughed as one of them began to chase the other. They must have been around the age of 13 or 14—some of them clearly begun to grow taller than others. A flock of ducks flew over their heads and into the lotus filled river.
“To think this place had once been on fire,” Nie Mingjue said. “Jiang Wanyin has done an excellent job rebuilding Lotus Pier and his clan’s strength.”
Nie Huaisang had heard stories of the burnt remnants of the buildings around them. The piles of dead bodies that the Qishan Wen clan had horridly desecrated. But none of that was present that day with them. Crowds of people came up to the docks, setting up their multicolored tents, boats lazily floating down the river. Young children played games, parents gossiped with the shopkeepers, and old men chased away devious boys trying to play tricks.
“Jiang Wanyin has lost a lot,” Nie Mingjue looked over to his younger brother, who dropped his gaze to the ground as he nodded slowly. The Unclean Realm had too been taken over by the Wen Clan and they had lost many men in the ensuing battles, but they had just as quickly seized back their land and won the war. Nie Mingjue was iron among men and in the end, the two Nie brothers were reunited.
“Brother?” Nie Huaisang whispered.
“Strength can exist in many different forms. I hope you can understand that,” Nie Mingjue continued. “Nie Huaisang, you are smart and capable. And brotherhood, friendship—“ He paused. “—deep…connections. They can only strengthen the cultivation world. Our clan. Ourselves.”
Nie Huiasang nodded slowly, not sure how else to respond.
“So,” Nie Mingjue nodded back. “How was your date with Sandu Shengshou?”
“D-date?!” Nie Huaisang nearly lost balance at the question. “I—um—”
But before Nie Huaisang could formulate any words, Jiang Wanyin appeared next to them.
“Chifeng-Zun, Nie Huaisang,” Jiang Wanyin bowed at each respectfully.
Nie Huaisang’s face felt completely hot at that moment. He took out his fan and began to wave it in attempt to cool down. Nie Huaisang was convinced that Jiang Wanyin must have heard their conversation, but he showed no signs of this. His look was as stern as ever.
“If you please, I’ve had a meal prepared. I hope that you can join before your departure,” Jiang Wanyin spoke.
Jiang Wanyin walked ahead, leading the way to the dining area. Nie Huaisang ran up next to Jiang Wanyin and peered back at his older brother. Nie Mingjue strode slowly behind them both. Nie Huaisang didn’t try to hide his smile; he fanned himself excessively and did not look away from Jiang Wanyin.
“Are you going to say something?” Jiang Wanyin sputtered out.
“I thought our date went well,” Nie Huaisang finally said. He tried to keep his voice low but was sure his brother could overhear them still. Jiang Wanyin cleared his throat and looked away, cheeks slightly tinged.
“Good, good.” Jiang Wanyin coughed.
“Yes, we’ll do this again…sometime. I’d like that,” Nie Huaisang replied.
“Good, yes…good.” Without the help of alcohol, Jiang Wanyin seemed to have lost his words.
Behind them, Nie Mingjue shook his head, his lips very slightly curled upwards.