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Wen Qing hears him long before she catches sight of him.
“Broken. Both of them. Left and Right. See how long he can be missing if he can’t move from his bed! See how much trouble he can cause when he is stuck there. No chance of him running off…”
She steps back from the path, to hide behind a sturdy tree and pulls the vibrant red skirts of her robes close around herself. She has no valid reason to be here, no reason that would satisfy the curiosity of Zewujun and Grand Master Qiren if they learned of her searching across the back hills of Cloud Recesses.
“Where are they? Where can they actually be hiding? Only to be expected from Wei Wuxian, but for him to drag Lan Wangji into whatever ridiculous mischief he has created…” The sound of a stone being kicked along the path can be heard, just before it strikes the tree she is hiding behind.
“Grand Master Qiren is definitely going to write to Father, and then Mother will learn about this, and there will be …. Broken legs will be the least of his worries.”
Even under the harshness of his words she can hear it. The worry and concern that something terrible has actually befallen Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Someone else might have stepped forward to offer him comfort, and reassurance. Someone else might actually join him in his search of this area, or tell him where he does not need to look. Her fingernails dig into her palms, the familiar flare of sharp pain grounding as she takes a quiet breath. Someone who knows far less about the world than she does would do such things. Someone who has not seen what she has seen and does not fear what is possible would definitely -
“Wen-guniang?”
She doesn’t move. Perhaps he will leave her in peace. Perhaps…
“If you do truly wish for solitude, I will leave you alone. Just say so.”
She hovers, lips pursed as she struggles with her answer, looking for the least incriminating option. In the corner of her eye, the white sleeve of his robes sways against the tree trunk, as he leans against it. She can feel his gaze, but she doesn’t turn towards him.
He says nothing further, and the only sound apart from their quiet breathing is a small bird far off in the distance.
“Jiang-gongzi,” she finally says, with as stern an expression as she can manage when it becomes obvious that he plans to wait her out. “How did you know I was here?”
He grins at her, eyes bright with mischief, as he simply looks above her head. “Next time, choose a tree that does not branch off right where your guan appears.”
Her gaze swings towards the tree, and discovers that he is indeed right. Just above her head the tree trunk splits, and branches off, leaving a gap just wide enough for her guan and hair to be seen by someone with keen eyesight.
“Your vision is strong,” she says, allowing only a little sourness into her tone.
Jiang Cheng shrugs. “The river is wide at Lotus Pier, and watching our surroundings is part of our training.” He pauses and silence falls between them, but he does not look away. She shifts a little, just moving her weight from one foot to the other, and his gaze drops away. “I don’t wish to bother you,” he mumbles, face averted and his voice… she knows what goes into making that tone, has heard it often enough from A-Ning to recognise it as a mix of a wish for company and uncertainty over its reception.
She should walk away.
She should nod sharply, dismissively and walk away and - a small voice, deep within her, says quietly that he has done nothing but treat her with respect in their every interaction. She is not there to form any kind of friendship or connection with the other Sects, who would all shun her and rightfully so if they knew how she was repaying the Lan Sect’s kindness.
Jiang Yanli, Luo Qingyang - even Zewujun and Nie Huaisang have all taken the time to speak with her. Even after the spectacle that Wen Chao had made, and the insults thrown at their faces, no one had treated her with disdain. The Jiangs have even welcomed her medical expertise, trusting her to treat Jiang Yanli’s ailments without oversight, or interference. Trusting her years of study and her intentions to be good - as they would any doctor. Her name, her sect, her family all subsumed under the trusted role of Doctor.
When Jiang Cheng himself had been injured, he had not pulled away or objected when she had treated his injured leg. Although the way his lower lip had trembled slightly and his cheeks had warmed with a soft flush as she pulled aside the skirts of his robe to treat him - had been sweet, and even a little gratifying.
She has no doubt that Jiang Cheng trusts her medical expertise, and although he has always treated her with all the respect one could ask for as a doctor - the warmth in his eyes and the focus of his attention when he looks at her tell her that when he does look at her, he sees her, Wen Qing, first.
No good can come of this.
Entertaining any thoughts of -
The possibility of -
Nothing would come, nothing can come from this quiet partiality.
He is a Sect Heir, and her Uncle would never allow any such connection to form. When her marriage comes it will be to the immediate benefit of her Sect, and follow the wishes of her Uncle. He is young. Too young to be thinking of marriage yet, and she will be allowed nothing less, and they barely know each other, and while he is not the first young man to see her as a woman, he is definitely the sweetest and least mercenary.
Folly.
Distraction.
She should be ashamed of herself for even indulging such idle thoughts, when she has a task, when A-Ning and the rest of her clan are reliant on her pleasing their Sect Leader.
She really should turn her back and walk away.
Before she can rethink her action, she steps towards him, hands firmly clasped at the level of her sternum. “If I find your presence bothersome, you will be aware of it.” She does not smile. She does not offer anything more, no warm gaze or simpering laugh or flirtatious bend of her neck. She stands perfectly still and waits to see what will happen. Any overture she makes must be deniable if brought to the attention of others.
The radiant smile that appears is anything but still, and if it causes a little fire within her own stomach to kindle, no one will ever know. Having barely breathed it into existence, she must snuff it out. She knows better than to even consider making such a connection with outsiders, but it is so tempting - no.
Stamp it out.
Harshly.
“Are you still searching for Wei Wuxian?”
The smile fades and a scowl replaces it, as she had guessed it would, and it makes his face so much colder and harsher than it had been mere moments before. A curt nod gives the impression of anger but there is worry in the furrowed brows and downturned mouth.
“There has been no sign of either of them. Zewujun has ordered the search be extended as far as Caiyi Town.”
“That far?” she asks, surprised, and Jiang Cheng nods.
“Nie Huaisang and I found their boots by the Cold Springs, so we know they entered the Cold Springs. Zewujun assumed that the river may have taken them further down the mountain. We have searched the river both above and below the Cold Springs, and there is no trace of them. He finally gave me permission to search along the restricted areas of the mountain.” He gestures back along the path, towards the hidden roofs of the library and classrooms. “It’s been a whole day and a night. Even Zewujun is growing more concerned. ”
“They have their swords.” Wen Qing says quietly. “They are both strong cultivators.”
Jiang Cheng nods, a short sharp jerk of his head, an acknowledgment that her words are true, but with the way he holds her gaze she realizes, a little disconcertingly, that he has also recognised her attempt at comfort, small as it was.
“He is only allowing Lan disciples to search outside the boundaries of Cloud Recess.” Jiang Cheng looks away, down the mountain and out towards the river and Caiyi. “No one else. We have all been forbidden from leaving here.” His grip on his sword tightens, and the silver frog on the pommel catches the sunlight. “Even though the Jiang sect is the most familiar with water! We have so many techniques, we can search wider stretches of water at greater depths, we could -” He breaks off, glaring into the distance, his sword pointing far out into the distance. “I can help!”
“Jiang-gongzi.” He doesn’t turn towards her, he keeps his face averted but he does listen. “Zewujun will not make such a decision lightly.” He huffs in disagreement, but doesn’t contradict her. She should not interfere further, she should not - “He knows the strength of the Jiang sect and your skills on the water. He accepted your help with the Waterborne Abyss, didn’t he?”
“He did,” Jiang Cheng allows, and pins her with a shrewd look. “His decision is based on something else then?” Before she can deflect his question, he continues, “Why would he not want our help to search for his own…” He sucks in a breath then whispers, “brother?”
Wen Qing tears her gaze away, as he takes a step closer. “The heirs of almost every great sect are studying here.” She moves past him, keeping a slow and steady pace on the path deeper into the back mountain area. Jiang Cheng falls into step beside her, listening intently. “Zewujun would feel responsible for their safety and wellbeing. If both his own younger brother, and the head disciple of the Jiang Sect have gone missing from within Cloud Recesses, he must ensure the safety of the rest of us. Forbidding us from leaving would be the least of it, especially if he has sent his own disciples outside to search.”
“Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian are the strongest among us.”
“And yet,” Wen Qing says calmly, “they are the ones who are missing.”
Jiang Cheng nods, spine straight and eyes calculating, as he chooses his words . “It would cause … It would give… Zewujun’s position would be … precarious if more of us went missing.”
“Yes.”
“And if anything happened while we were outside… what danger do you think may be out there?”
Wen Qing doesn’t answer.
“What…” he muses, thoughtfully. “What - or who.”
She keeps her eyes fixed on the path, looking neither left nor right. Her fingers curl, and her face remains serene, and yet she also wonders if he can hear her heart thundering as he works around what she has left unsaid. She knows better than this. She does, but his brother is missing, and if it was A-Ning missing she would want someone to do this for her. So she says nothing and simply listens, allowing her silence to settle between them as he considers the possibilities.
“Who would benefit from such a thing?”
“How did the waterborne abyss grow unnoticed….”
“What could possibly be strong enough to hold both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji?”
“How did anyone even get close without them noticing?”
“Who could have taken them by surprise? Especially from somewhere so deep in Cloud Recesses?”
And finally, quietly, as he places the puzzle pieces together and sees the pattern, he finishes, “He knows that A-Jie worries. He never makes her worry on purpose.”
She nods, her hands clasped elegantly in front of her, and repeats, “They have their swords. They are strong cultivators.” She doesn’t need to add that he is right to worry. Hopefully the hint that shadows are lurking is enough for now.
They reach a bend in the path, one side turning back towards a high ridge with trees and the other hugging close along the side of the mountain itself. Jiang Cheng hesitates, and begins to turn towards the trees. She doesn’t consider further, simply says, “They are not in that area, I’ve searched there this morning.” He nods, and helpfully does not ask why she has already searched a forbidden area to which he has only just been granted access.
The path widens as they approach the side of the mountain, stones and earth crushed into a clearly traveled route that is clearly well maintained. The search continues, but there is no trace for them to discover. The Lans are true guardians of their environment, and meld beauty and nature into an area of tranquility and usefulness. Anything allowed to grow wild and untamed is done with purpose, as contrast, as demonstration. The lush trees and rich earth are so different from the sharp stone and sulfur heavy air of Qishan. She draws in a deep breath, the air so crisp it burns a little and catches in her throat. Jiang Cheng immediately stops dead and she almost runs into him.
“Are you well?” he demands quickly. “Do you need to rest?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Wen Qing starts to move and he actually catches her sleeve, nimble fingers pulling the material away from her arm. He holds her in place, touching only the material of her sleeve, but his wrist is turned ready to seize her arm if she needs support. The gesture is so natural and skillfull that she wonders where he learned it.
“If you are tired, we can rest a while,” Jiang Cheng glances about quickly, searching around them for a convenient stone or similar to rest upon, and realization dawns.
“I am not ill,” she reassures him. “I simply breathed too deep, the air here is different to Qishan.”
“Are you sure?” he asks again, and this time she raises an eyebrow.
“Do you wish to know my considered medical opinion?” she asks dryly, and does not smile, or allow any hint of soft amusement to show, as he flinches and drops her sleeve as if it is on fire. She had not intended to… Before he can mumble any more of an apology, she asks, “How is your sister?”
“Worried,” he answers tersely, a grimace pulling at his mouth. “Wei Wuxian has run off before on stupid adventures, but he has always sent word and been back in time for dinner.” Wen Qing nods, and they begin moving once more. “She insisted on coming out with us this morning to help search. She tired quickly, and I left her by the riverbank.”
“A wise choice,” Wen Qing nods approvingly as he glances at her. “Her health is fragile, and trying to search an area such as this would exhaust her. There are enough people searching as it is, and staying closer to the more populated areas will be safest. And -well, Wei Wuxian would not wish her to become ill.”
“He wouldn’t,” Jiang Cheng agrees, and as she watches worry creases his brow and - the easy way he expresses his emotions, the clear changes as they cross his face, shine in his eyes, pull at his mouth - he hides nothing. He would not survive a week in Qishan. His weaknesses are too visible, displayed so openly that anyone would be able to manipulate him. Her Unc-... no, anyone with ill intentions could steer him… “Wei Wuxian may seem careless, but he would never do anything to hurt A-Jie.”
She should not interfere, her opinion is irrelevant, he should not involve her in their business… She knows she appears harsh, brusque, cold and unapproachable. Yet he still looks at her with such - warmth - even with no encouragement. This indeed may be more dangerous than any mission from her Uncle - she can’t let such a simple thing as emotion disrupt her plans. He has fallen silent now, and while it is not an uncomfortable one, he is still someone who is looking for a lost brother while his sister waits for news. At last she settles on the truth, nothing else, but if she can offer him no other pretty words of reassurance, she can at least offer that. “I know.”
He offers the smallest of smiles, uncertain and vulnerable as if he is unused to hearing those words in response to any statement he claims.
She does not blush. Her cheeks may have grown slightly pinker - but that is simply the result of the hiking through the mountains and the crisp mountain air.
The path winds close to the mountain’s slope, and it looms high above them. A frisson of energy brushes against her hands, a moment where her skin prickles.
“Did you feel that?” Jiang Cheng asks. “Is this section of the mountain warded?” He raises a hand, palm facing outward toward the mountain. “The whole back area of the mountain is already forbidden to visitors. What could they possibly have warded in this area?” He moves closer, and she catches his sleeve with her left hand, fingers tangling in the soft fabric.
“It could be a clan burial place - we have not seen any graves.” She raises her own hand, palm towards the mountain and silver needles tucked out of sight between her fingers.
“Zewujun said that the clan graves area would be clearly marked and… That it lies closer to the river on the south side.” As he moves closer to the edge of the path, the pressure of the ward seems to build, sending warm sparks along their hands as if it is warning them away “So it is hiding something else. Most likely something very important to the Lan clan. Important enough for them to place the entire side of this mountain under restriction.” She says nothing, needles burning cold between her fingers as Jiang Cheng looks at her, really looks at her, at the red robes and subtle flame embroidery and the name that always hovers over her head like a silent brand. Even now, he sees who she is, and even now, he gives her a chance to explain away any suggestion of wrongdoing. “You said you had searched this area earlier today?”
“Yes.” She offers a short nod, meets his eyes squarely and offers nothing more. Better to show no sign of weakness in what little armor she has.
He neither smiles nor lifts his steady gaze. “Zewujun gave myself and the Jiang sect alone permission to search in this area. He was very reluctant to do so.” He hesitates but does not waver. “Wen guniang, does Zewujun know that you have been searching here alone?”
She had expected a different question, one asking why she was there at all, one easy enough to bat away with the reassurance it was all for the sake of the two missing, and she doesn’t want to lie, not so directly, and - she hesitates a heartbeat too long.
Jiang Cheng turns towards the warded mountain and a cold cloak of reserve curls around him, replacing any warmth with stillness and formality. His mouth thins into a harsh line, making his cheekbones look even more pronounced and his face older, as any hint of his youth drops away to be replaced by this cold and formal man. He looks as if he wishes to say something more, but is not sure what.
She should have walked away.
If she had walked away she would not have had a glimpse of the warm young man behind his bluster and anger who cares so deeply and worries so much.
She is a Wen.
A Doctor.
The only niece of Wen Ruohan.
An older sister and the only one left who can protect her clan, and no good can come from indulging sweet smiles or - or -.
Ridiculous.
She knows better than this.
The needles hidden between her fingers are sharp and silent. Using them would be all the proof any would need of the perfidy and arrogance of the Wens. Her Uncle demands success at any cost, her only concern is to find the Yin Iron.
She is a Wen. A Doctor.
He is a Jiang. A Sect Heir.
She hovers on the edge of a terrible choice.
She drops her gaze to the ground, the path of crushed stone beneath their feet, and slips the needles back into her sleeve.
She should have walked away before this.
Now he will be the one to do so.
Finally Jiang Cheng settles on a formal bow and an implacable tone that holds none of his earlier charm. “Wen-guniang, thank you for helping us search this area. It would be best if you returned to your rooms.”
Her arms come up to return the bow, and she bends into the courteous action, eyes downcast and bearing as calm as the silent mountain beside them.
“Wait! Lan Zhan!” The loud voice cuts through the still air, accompanied by the heavy thud of two strong bodies falling onto the path.
“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng bellows, and runs towards them, demanding to know where they have been and why he should not break the legs of both of them.
Wen Qing hesitates - he has clearly dismissed her, and he has spared her not even a glimpse over his shoulder but the two of them have been missing, and may be hurt - and before she can convince herself that it is an unnecessary risk to take, she follows him.
“Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian grins up at him, and waves his sword cheerily. “What are you doing here?” he asks, as if half the Lan Sect were not out searching for them day and night. Before Jiang Cheng can explode in fury, Wei Wuxian notices Wen Qing, and his eyes narrow a little, as he notices that they are alone. “Wen-guniang, what are you doing out here alone with my shidi?”
She doesn’t bother to reply as Jiang Cheng roars a few sentences of mainly unintelligible rage at him, of which she manages to catch only a few snatches about the length of time they have been missing, his anger at their disappearance and demands to know where they had been. Instead, she looks them over as quickly as she can, checking for visible injuries, as she doubts that either of them will allow her to do so more thoroughly and at least as long as they are lying on the ground they are staying still.
The pair of them are soaked through, barefoot and their robes are damp and clinging as if they had been fully submerged in water - likely as they had gone missing from the Cold Pond, but to still be in that state all this time later, raised some questions. Her eyes catch on the porcelain smoothness of Lan Wangji’s face, the Lan ribbon missing from his forehead, and she notes the way he is perfectly still while Wei Wuxian wriggles on top of him.
“What are you talking about? We can’t have been missing for that long?” Apparently Wei Wuxian is much more fluent in enraged Jiang Cheng than she may be. “We were just standing in the Cold Springs when something pulled us underwater!”
“Something,” Jiang Cheng says flatly, dragging in a deep breath in preparation for saying more.
“Get up,” Lan Wangji demands through gritted teeth, glaring at Wei Wuxian.
“Right, right, right,” he mutters, and stumbles to his feet, pulling Lan Wangji up along with him as their wrists are bound together by the missing forehead ribbon. Wen Qing manages to keep her face impassive, even though she can feel her eyebrows twitching. Everyone knows that it is forbidden to touch a Lan’s forehead ribbon -
Apart from possibly Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng, if the way they are ignoring it is any indication. They have apparently also never heard any of the epic love stories when a Lan betrothal involves binding their wrists together with said ribbon.
Lan Wangji remains stoically silent as he unwinds the ribbon, pulling it free as Wei Wuxian argues with Jiang Cheng about how they were definitely pulled underwater. He does not acknowledge her presence or turn towards her in any way, but the stiff set of his shoulders suggests a deep sense of anger and a little humiliation, and she has seen that enough times in her life to recognise it.
“Wei-gongzi. Lan er-gongzi.” Her voice is sharp enough that their names cut across the argument cleanly. “You have been missing for many hours, are either of you injured? Do you need treatment?”
“Injured?” Wei Wuxian absently pats around torso to check and then turns to do the same to Lan Wangji who steps hastily out of reach. “I don’t think so, we are just cold and wet and hungry because there was no food to be found in...” he trails off and looks at Lan Wangji who stares back silently.
“The river.” Wei Wuxian finishes, “No food to be found along the riverbank. Where we were pulled along. From the Cold Springs.” He nods at Lan Wangji, and scratches his nose as if it was not obvious that he had just, at best, vastly misrepresented where they had been and what they had been doing.
Lan Wangji offers no further information beyond a short, “I am uninjured.”
“Zewujun has sent out search parties all the way to Caiyi, and A-Jie is worried sick.” Jiang Cheng scolds, and for the first time Wei Wuxian looks a little abashed.
“Everyone will be relieved to see that you are safe and unharmed.” Wen Qing says quickly, “I am sure that Zewujun will be very happy to call everyone back and reassure everyone that you simply had an accident in the river.” Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji tense a little at her description but offer no argument. “If neither of you are injured, I shall return to my rooms.” She bows to each of them and walks away.
Before she is out of earshot, she hears Wei Wuxian hiss, “Jiang Cheng, you can’t just wander around alone with someone like Wen guniang! Madam Yu would have your head! So would Shijie!”
The last thing she hears is the sound of Jiang Cheng’s elbow landing solidly against Wei Wuxian’s stomach.
Walking away is the right choice. The only choice she can make. If luck is on her side, any mention of her presence will simply be to reassure others such as Zewujun and Jiang Yanli that they have returned uninjured, and no one will think to question why she was there. The back of the mountain is warded for a reason - and regardless of Wei Wuxian’s fanciful tale, one that Lan Wangji had not confirmed she was quick to note, it makes more sense that whatever happened to them happened closer to where they were found. There was a secret in that mountain, one that the Lans were working very hard to protect.
She has a mission, and her purpose is clear. If possible, she will find a way to search further. If possible. Biting her lower lip, Wen Qing ponders those words. If possible. Her Uncle gave her the mission. He did not ask her to cause a diplomatic incident, or destroy the Cloud Recesses. If Jiang Cheng mentions to Zewujun where she was searching, and the Yin Iron is located there…
She draws in a deep breath.
If possible.
She will continue the search if possible, and report back any discoveries she makes.
She will not endanger A-Ning or herself unnecessarily.
She will not draw extra suspicion or attention.
Whatever happens, she will find a way to ensure that all of them walk out of Cloud Recesses safely.
All of them.