Chapter Text
The Jin clan were coming to visit. To be specific, Jin-furen, her son Jin Zixuan, a few disciples, and their entourage of servants were coming to visit.
Wei Ying was excited.
For years, Yu-furen had talked about her good friend Jin-furen and her beautiful son, talented at everything that he had ever put his mind to. Wei Ying was excited to meet him! (And to prove that he was better.)
Maybe he’d like to shoot down some kites with him! Or swim in the lake with him! Wei Ying could race him. He’d never lost a race against any of his sect siblings, and he had a reputation to uphold! Maybe Jin Zixuan could show off his Jin style sword forms and Wei Ying could show his Jiang forms! He was only thirteen but Jiang-shushu had already let him and Jiang Cheng advance to the medium difficulty ones - at Yu-furen’s insistence, for she refused to let her own child lag behind. Maybe Jin Zixuan would have his own ideas for how to spend their time!
Safe to say, Wei Ying was very excited.
And finally, the day had arrived, a huge hustle and bustle around Lotus Pier signalling their imminent arrival.
Wei Ying woke Jiang Cheng at the crack of dawn, almost vibrating in excitement and pulling him out of bed to watch the sun rise over the lake despite Jiang Cheng’s grumbles and threatened violence.
“What do you think he’ll be like?” Wei Ying queried, bare feet dangling into the water.
“I dunno,” Jiang Cheng replied succinctly, suppressing a yawn, “Some stuffy office cultivator-type maybe. All of the Jins are like that.”
They sat in silence for another moment before Wei Ying spoke again, “I think that he’ll be amazing. I bet that he'd sneak out with me to Yunmeng."
Jiang Cheng snorted, “He’ll have more common sense than to go along with all of your schemes, especially with Jin-furen and my mother watching over him so much.”
“Maybe he isn’t a wimp like you,” Wei Ying responded with a cocky smirk, “Just because you’re a goody two shoes doesn’t mean everyone is.”
There was a splash as Wei Ying landed in the lake after a hefty shove from Jiang Cheng, who cackled into the morning silence broken by his brother’s frantic thrashes.
Wei Ying’s head broke the surface finally, an indignant splutter on his lips as he coughed up mouthfuls of lake water. His hair was in strings hanging over his face and his robes drifted from his limbs into the murky darkness.
“Jiang Cheng," he finally managed to get out, “It’s so cold!”
Jiang Cheng started to truly laugh at Wei Ying’s complaints, “You should’ve thought of that earlier then, shouldn’t you?” he got out between giggles.
Wei Ying started paddling back towards the pier as Jiang Cheng laughed, grabbing onto the wood and pulling himself back to dry land painfully slowly.
Jiang Cheng’s laughter only grew as he saw Wei Ying’s teeth begin to chatter at the slight breeze. That laughter abruptly cut off when his ankle was grabbed between two cold clammy hands and dragged back towards the water.
A shriek escaped his mouth as he tried to grab onto something to halt his progression, but all of Wei Ying’s body weight plus waterlogged robes was working against him and he barely managed to avoid a splinter before he too landed in the lake with a splash and an anguished yell.
Wei Ying took the brief moment to haul himself all of the way out of the lake and strip off his outer robe, pausing to laugh as Jiang Cheng emerged again with an incredibly affronted expression.
“Wei Ying!” he spluttered, “You bas-” his words got cut off as Wei Ying threw his shoe at Jiang Cheng’s head, who had to duck under the water again to avoid it.
A renewed high cackle filled the air as Wei Ying finally scampered off, in only his inner robes and one shoe, sprinting down the path towards the main street of Yunmeng, an enraged shout following him.
--
They were both found hours later by Jiang Yanli, sat high in a tree and trading equally exaggerated stories, Wei Ying of his time before being adopted and Jiang Cheng of life growing up as a future sect leader.
Jiang Yanli barely had to open her mouth before the two exclaimed at her presence.
“Shijie!” Wei Ying yelled, sliding quickly down the tree and rushing over to her, Jiang Cheng hot on his heels with a similar yell.
“A-Cheng! A-Xian!” she greeted happily, an arm wrapped around either of them, “Jin-furen is due to arrive very soon, so hurry back with me,” she explained as she turned, guiding them with her.
“What happened to your robes? And your shoes?” she asked, only slightly concerned. She was used to their shenanigans by now, she couldn't be really surprised by anything anymore.
This prompted another round of giggles as Jiang Cheng ran ahead with a reddening face and a yell. “It was all his fault!”
Wei Ying took righteous offence and ran after him. "You started it!”
Jiang Yanli continued at a more sedate pace, left behind to only sigh at their antics as they rounded the corner back towards the lake.
--
Wei Ying still felt flushed with happiness and exercise as he turned back into Lotus Pier, outer robes and discarded shoe in his hand. He had raced Jiang Cheng all the way back and so he took a moment to catch his breath before trudging onwards to his room.
Absentmindedly, he walked forwards, feet leading the way without his conscious direction until there was a blur of yellow before him and he landed abruptly on his ass, shoe and outer robes discarded on the floor.
His assailant let out a grunt and fell similarly, a thump and then a curse escaping them. “Watch where you’re going!” they let out angrily.
Wei Ying looked up, ready to retort back but fell short at the face that he finally saw. Dressed in yellow robes with a flower embroidered on the front, this had to be someone from the Jin delegation - and the cinnabar dot on his forehead identified him as none other than Jin Zixuan, the one whom Wei Ying had been waiting impatiently for.
Ah.
Wei Ying belatedly offered a friendly smile, struggling to his feet and offering a hand to the other boy still sat on the floor.
Jin Zixuan gave his dirty palm a disdainful sneer and pushed himself to his own feet and dusted off his robes.
“Wei Ying, courtesy name Wuxian,” Wei Ying attempted again, remembering the formal introductions he was supposed to use, “First disciple of Yunmeng Jiang. It is an honour to meet you.” He bent forward in the customary bow, the picture of a perfect first disciple.
Jin Zixuan reluctantly responded, “Jin Zixuan, sect heir of Lanling Jin." He bowed too. After straightening up again, the two just stood there motionless for another breath and a half.
What exactly is protocol after you accidentally knock into a sect heir in the hallways whilst wearing nothing but an inner robe? Wei Ying asked himself half deliriously.
Jin Zixuan had suddenly seemed to realise Wei Ying’s state of undress at the same time, and was very steadily avoiding looking at him.
Wei Ying, taking decisive action, quickly gathered his robes and shoe left on the floor, properly covering himself and securing the robe. Then he sat back down again to work the shoe back over his foot.
Logically, this would probably be an incredibly mortifying situation, having to get dressed in front of a stranger. But Wei Ying had never felt a drop of shame in his life. This was his home, and he couldn’t be faulted for walking around in more comfortable swimming attire.
Jin Zixuan stared at the ceiling, seemingly enchanted by the wooden fixtures holding it up.
When Wei Ying was finally presentable, he clicked his tongue to get the Jin Zixuan's attention. “Welcome to Lotus Pier, Jin-gongzi! I would be happy to help you in any way that you need during your stay here.”
The forced brightness in his tone did nothing to dispel the awkward atmosphere, and actually only intensified it.
“I would be…most gratified if you could lead me back to the main room for our welcome feast,” Jin Zixuan said, as if each word was being physically forced out of him. Evidently he did not want to spend any more time than necessary in Wei Ying’s presence, despite whatever etiquette said.
Wei Ying gave a broad grin, “Of course I could, follow me.”
Leading the way, Wei Ying walked back through the hallways, carefully pointing out the training grounds and the lotus growing, just like any good host. As each moment passed, Jin Zixuan seemed to lose more tension from his shoulders until he was genuinely asking about the structure of the buildings they were walking through.
Wei Ying also found himself relaxing and enjoying showing off his home to an appreciative audience, adding little personal anecdotes and stories into his words.
But soon enough, they were arriving at the banquet and Wei Ying had to bring his speeches to a close with a smile, gesturing towards the open room, “It has been a pleasure to accompany you today, Jin-gongzi.”
Jin Zixuan responded with real warmth in his voice, earlier transgressions apparently forgotten, “Thank you for your service, Wei-gongzi. I look forward to further conversation,” before he bowed briefly and entered, leaving Wei Ying to sprint back to his chamber to change into banquet appropriate - and not soaked - robes.
--
Jin Zixuan was prepared to be disappointed.
Who wouldn’t be, going to visit their mother’s best friend’s place and knowing that you were going to be engaged before you left?
He had resigned himself to that fate ever since he had known his own name, but it was a different reality to know that he was going to meet his fiancé to be within the next few days.
Jiang-guniang…his mother had told him a lot about her. Dainty, talented and kind, she had said. (The servants of Golden Carp Tower had called her weak, worthless, sickly.)
He didn’t know what to think for himself. Who would she be? What kind of person? Could he really allow himself to be tied down and married, even if it was for the good of the clan?
He didn’t allow himself to really think about it, pushing down his doubts at every turn, ignoring the whispers about Jiang-guniang, tuning out his mother’s rambles about his family-to-be.
It worked admirably well to distract Jin Zixuan from his inevitable fate until suddenly they were at Lotus Pier and he felt the panic rise in his chest threatening to overwhelm him. These people would be the rest of his life. What if he didn’t like them? Or, more likely, what if they didn’t like him? It was only through practice that he managed to suppress the anxiety rolling through his body and offer a small courteous smile to the junior disciple showing him the way to his room within the guest quarters.
And then he was alone, sat on the edge of a small bed in a small room with nothing to occupy him but his own thoughts, a dangerous combination.
Abruptly he got to his feet, charging back out of the room. Walking had always helped him calm himself down, he reasoned to himself as he set out at a brisk pace. He wasn’t snooping or anything. Of course not. He was above that.
(Okay maybe he snooped just a little bit. But it was reasonable! He wanted to know what he was really getting himself into.
And nobody stopped him. He ran into several Jiang clan disciples and none of them tried to talk to him (not that he wanted them to or anything…of course not) they merely bowed politely and hurried off.)
But then the hour of the welcoming banquet was approaching…and Jin Zixuan was most definitely lost. Lotus Pier wasn’t that big, how on earth had he managed to get lost, he complained to himself.
Rudely, time kept ticking away despite his predicament and Jin Zixuan could feel the panic that he had suppressed trying to rise again, evident in the slight quickening of his breath and the shake of his hands.
His mother had always lectured him on arriving early to set a good example for the Jin clan and now he couldn’t and he was going to be late to such an important meeting and everything was going wrong and-
Jin Zixuan landed hard on the ground, a blur of grey before him his only warning.
And then all of his frustrations with everything felt like they were going to boil over and he couldn’t restrain his angry, “Watch where you’re going!”
The blur of grey turned out to be Wei Wuxian, one of the Jiang disciples despite not wearing the uniform. Jin Zixuan was absolutely not in the mood to be “Jin-gongzi” and to have that responsibility back on his shoulders but he was going to be late and he couldn’t-
“I would be…most gratified if you could lead me back to the main room for our welcome feast,” he got out, hopefully hiding his distaste.
Wei Wuxian let out a sunshine-smile and showed the way, chattering happily about Lotus Pier despite Jin Zixuan’s dry responses and he felt himself relaxing. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to marry into this clan. Maybe he could be happy here.
And then he was striding into the hall, and Wei Wuxian scampered off again to who-knows-where and Jin Zixuan was alone again, facing the entirety of the Jiang clan gathered before him, and then all of those years of being Jin-gongzi kicked in and his stride smoothed out as he sat next to his mother, all long-limbed elegance.
Sect Leader Jiang was halfway through his introductory and thanks-giving speech when the two large doors slammed open again to admit a late guest.
In no-longer wet clothes, and properly dressed (thank fuck) stood…Wei Wuxian. Everyone within the hall turned to watch his shameful arrival, but he merely shot out a rueful grin and bowed to the room at large.
“Sorry for the disturbance,” he said over his arms, scampering over to the previously empty seat for the first disciple.
Jin Zixuan felt his mouth drop open at the display. Did he have any manners at all?! Fury bubbled within him. How dare this boy act so cavalier towards his future family? As first disciple he should be representative of the entire clan!
None of the Jiang clan seemed to be in the slightest bit bothered by this infraction and Jin Zixuan felt vindicated by the peeved expression on his mother’s and Yu-furen’s faces. But Sect Leader Jiang just waited for the miscreant to settle and then continued his speech.
Jin Zixuan tried to express his annoyance by glaring across the hall at Wei Wuxian, who made eye contact and gave a small wave before his brow furrowed in confusion at the hatred extended in return.
And then the speech was over and Jiang-guniang was turning to him with a kind smile, “So what do you think of Lotus Pier so far?” she asked him.
“The area is very beautiful, I like it very much,” he responded. The area might be nice, but that says nothing about the people, he added to himself silently.
“Have you been able to go down and see Yunmeng yet?” she persisted, being a good host.
Jin Zixuan couldn’t explain it but he didn’t want Jiang-guniang to be a nice person. If she were awful then he could feel right that he didn’t want to marry her. If she were mean then he’d be allowed to hate her for what she meant in his life.
He merely smiled tightly, “No, not yet.” Jiang-guniang's smile faded slightly, but she continued to try her best.
“Then we should all go down soon, and show you around!” another sweet smile.
“We’ll see,” Jin Zixuan felt horribly guilty.
Wei Wuxian shot him a glare from across the room. Jin Zixuan felt the anger quickly overwhelm the guilt - why did he think he could be angry? He was the one crashing into people recklessly in the hallways and arriving late!
Jin Zixuan glared back just as fiercely, missing whatever Jiang-guniang said next.
“Sorry, what was that?” he asked, irritation barely veiled in his tone.
She smiled again, “I see you’ve met A-Xian?”
“Who?” Jin Zixuan got out, in disbelief that anyone could refer to that boy with such love in their voice.
“Wei Wuxian, my brother!” Jiang-guniang elaborated.
What. Jin Zixuan felt his thoughts grind to a halt. How could someone so sweet and caring be related to him??
Unknowing of his internal crisis, Jiang-guniang continued, “He was adopted when he was younger,” she smiled across the room at the aforementioned “A-Xian” (Jin Zixuan threw up a little in his mouth) who was still preoccupied with glaring.
“I…see,” Jin Zixuan responded. He couldn’t see why someone would choose to have that boy in their family.
“How about tomorrow then?” Jiang-guniang asked him.
Jin Zixuan must’ve zoned out again, “Tomorrow?” he asked.
“To show you Yunmeng!” Jiang-guniang responded, ever eloquent, “Me, you, A-Xian and A-Cheng, hm?”
The thought of willingly agreeing to spend time with Wei Wuxian filled him with dread, but Jiang-guniang was looking at him with such soft kindness and his duties as the sect heir of Lanling Jin still bound him so he found himself agreeing.
“That sounds wonderful, thank you,” he managed to smile slightly, mirroring Jiang-guniang's much wider smile.
“Then it’s settled,” she finalised, “You really must have one of the pancakes, they’re A-Xian’s favourites!”
Why was everything about that dreaded boy, Jin Zixuan complained to himself. He merely said, “I look forward to the opportunity.” It was at times like this that he resented diplomacy - why did he have to hide his dislike for people when he was going to have to spend extended amounts of time with them. Obviously they were going to figure it out themselves.
Jiang-guniang hadn’t even done anything wrong, and yet Jin Zixuan felt his resentment towards her grow with each moment. Why did he have to marry her? How much of himself did he have to give up for the good of Lanling Jin? He didn’t want to.
And before he knew it, the banquet was over and he was being formally introduced to the inner family of the Jiang.
“Jiang Cheng, courtesy name Wanyin,” said a boy in purple robes and with the same scowl as Yu-furen.
Jin Zixuan bowed too, back stiff and words forced, “Grateful to make your acquaintance.”
Wei Wuxian didn’t even bother to bow, instead breezing straight past Jin Zixuan with a loud, “Shijie!”
Jiang-guniang gave a sweet laugh and put her arms out for a hug, “A-Xian!”
Jin Zixuan felt slighted. But he supposed he would have to just get used to it seeing as literally everyone else was falling at Wei Wuxian’s feet, smiling disgustingly at his antics.
At least Yu-furen looked just as annoyed as Jin Zixuan felt, interrupting the two, “Wei Wu xian, you are in public please.”
Wei Wuxian turned and gave Jin Zixuan a scornful once over, “Hi.”
It was only his mother’s heavy gaze on his back that stopped Jin Zixuan from yelling, and instead he turned to the only person to have shown him basic cordiality.
“Would you like to take a walk with me?” he asked Jiang-guniang, “I haven’t been shown around properly yet.”
Jin Zixuan smirked internally at Wei Wuxian’s affronted glare, remembering the rather nice awful tour he had been given earlier by the other.
Jiang-guniang lit up with another smile, “Oh! Of course, I can give you a brief tour.”
Jin Zixuan refrained from sticking his tongue out childishly at Wei Wuxian as he turned to follow Jiang-guniang.
Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes before skipping forward presumably to join the tour, only to be held back by Yu-furen’s grip on his upper arm.
For once diplomacy was on his side, Jin Zixuan felt his victory deeply as Yu-furen whispered viciously at Wei Wuxian to “Leave them to get to know each other properly, don’t ruin this for Yanli.”
Jin Zixuan suppressed his smirk as he left with extra swagger in his step.
--
Wei Wuxian was a plague upon this earth.
Jin Zixuan couldn’t stand him.
--
Jin Zixuan was a pretentious peacock.
Wei Wuxian resolved to be the biggest nuisance ever.
--
Jin Zixuan coughed up his breakfast, mouth on fire.
"Isn't it tasty!" said Jiang-guniang, "A-Xian helped me with the cooking this morning."
Figures, Jin Zixuan thought, eyes beginning to water. "That boy should never be allowed near a kitchen for the rest of his life," he got out between coughs.
He felt only a tiny bit guilty at the hurt expression that flashed across Jiang-guniang's face, but that was soon replaced by the smugness after seeing the irritation on Wei Wuxian's, who was sat across from the two of them.
"You can't handle it, huh?" Wei Wuxian took a big bite of his own food, "Maybe you're the problem, it tastes perfectly fine for me and shijie!"
Jin Zixuan looked pointedly at the bright red covering his own portion that was noticeably absent from Jiang-guniang's, but ultimately the challenge in Wei Wuxian's eyes got him.
"Oh no of course not, it's just disgusting. Even a slug wouldn't be able to eat this with a straight face," Jin Zixuan sneered, picking up his spoon again with white knuckles.
Wei Wuxian frowned, "I slaved away for hours , being the perfect host for shijie's fiancé, and this is how he treats me?" A smirk creeped up his face, "how pampered you are, Jin-xiao-gongzi! Unable to eat like us for even one day."
Jin Zixuan clenched his teeth minutely before forcing another large spoonful of rice into his mouth and expertly suppressing his wince. Being a sect heir, he had refined the skill of control over his expressions and not a hint of his discomfort escaped him.
“Even rats eat better than this,” he smiled thinly, contempt deliberately clear on his face, “No wonder the Jiangs didn’t want you as their servant,” now he let his smile grow, a hint of teeth visible, “if this was the ‘level of service’ that you could provide, I’m surprised that they kept you at all.”
Wei Wuxian surged to his feet, “The Jiangs have been nothing but nice to you! How dare you!”
Jin Zixuan smiled up at him, almost sweetly, “Thank you, Jiang-guniang, for the meal. I’m sure it was only your gracious guidance that managed to salvage it.”
Jiang-guniang looked slightly perturbed, “I…thank you, Jin-gongzi.” She paused. “I think your comments to my brother are slightly inappropriate, however. I know you have your…rivalry, but-”
“Oh no of course!” Jin Zixuan interrupted, standing too, to place a companionable arm on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder, who tensed uncomfortably under his touch, “It’s all in good fun, right? ”
He punctuated the end of his sentence with a sharp squeeze, hard enough to be painful, but Wei Wuxian didn’t so much as flinch. The intention was clear, do you need to be saved by your big sister like a baby, hm?
Wei Wuxian let out a big smile, “Of course, we’re all friends really!” He clapped Jin Zixuan on the back, hard, “Race you back to the pier?”
There was something glinting in the depths of Wei Wuxian’s eyes, something hard and cold and dangerous, something in the hint of teeth in his smile, something in the hand still resting on Jin Zixuan’s back.
And instead of being afraid, Jin Zixuan was merely excited. Here was someone who didn’t care about his status, about his privilege and his breeding, someone who could provide him a real challenge.
Jin Zixuan smiled back, a tad too honestly, but who could blame him?
“I’ll give you a head start.”
--
Wei Ying crept through the hallways, pre-prepared and tested talismans clenched in his hands. He had tried to rope Jiang Cheng into his schemes, but the other had noped out.
“I, unlike you, have a very important future, and pranking the next generation of the Jin clan would absolutely be detrimental to that,” he had said.
Wei Ying knew that he had Jiang Cheng’s support though, because he hadn’t been turned in, or knocked out when he crept out of their shared room with a grin, and Jiang Cheng had merely pointedly rolled over and stared at the wall.
So Wei Ying was on his way, weaving through the complex to get to Jin Zixuan’s room.
Seeing as it was the depths of night, he didn’t encounter anyone on his journey, heart beating a merry tune in his chest as he flitted from shadow to shadow.
Soon enough, he was standing outside of the door, hearing the soft breaths of Jin Zixuan, deep in sleep. He creeped in, the soles of his feet making barely a noise and his own breaths making even less. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he tiptoed over to the robes that Jin Zixuan had set out to wear for the next day, careful to not step on any creaky floorboards.
If discovered, there was very little to excuse this gross breach in etiquette, but that only made Wei Ying’s heart race even faster in excitement as he lay the talismans against the soles of the shoes, a quick mutter and hand gesture activating them. A brief red glow of the characters and then they faded, dissolved as if they never were there.
Phase one complete.
He crept back to the still open door, stopping every few steps to monitor Jin Zixuan’s quiet, uninterrupted breathing.
Three steps away from the door, he lay down another talisman.
Two steps away from the door, he lay down two talismans.
One step from the door, he lay down three.
From the safety of the corridor, he activated them all and watched them fade into invisibility with a satisfied smirk.
Phase two complete.
The door shut with a soft click and his final talisman was placed upon it. This one he had borrowed from the Jiang supply; it was such a common design that he hadn’t wanted to waste his small treasure trove of blank talisman paper.
Another soft red glow and it was done. Phase three complete.
Wei Ying sped back to his room, unable to keep the grin of accomplishment from his face as he entered. Jiang Cheng looked halfway between a snort of amusement and a grimace of pain, and resorted to just closing his eyes and pretending that Wei Ying wasn’t there.
“It was a success!” Wei Ying whispered across the room as he settled into his bed, “now we must merely wait.”
Jiang Cheng huffed, “Don’t tell me about it, I’m not an accomplice,” he opened his eyes again, “and I doubt that your talismans would even work anyways.”
Wei Ying smiled, “Have more faith in me. Shixiong always knows best!”
“I’m too tired for your delusions,” Jiang Cheng promptly fell asleep, ignoring Wei Ying’s cackles of delight.
All that was left was to wait.
--
Wei Ying woke up as Jiang Cheng got up, moving around the room in a bustle.
“Get up, ” he hissed, “You’re going to be late.” He threw Wei Ying’s robe across the room to land on his face.
“Hnng,” Wei Ying mumbled back, unintelligibly, “Jin Zixuan won’t be there for ages so it doesn’t even matter.”
“You still have to represent the Jiang clan! Get up!” Jiang Cheng’s voice rose and rose in volume until it was intolerable for that hour of the morning and Wei Ying grabbed the robe and held it over his ears to block out the noise.
“Go ‘way,” he grumbled, already drifting back off again.
“It’s your death-wish,” Jiang Cheng shot as he pulled on his shoes and left the room, slamming the door pointedly.
Wei Ying didn’t hear him.
--
A few hours later, Wei Ying woke, at a much more reasonable time to wake at. At the thought of being the one to ridicule Jin Zixuan, caught in Wei Ying’s traps, he dressed himself in record speed and before even a single incense time had passed, he was speeding through the corridors again.
A skid around the final corridor and there was the closed door. A smirk on his face, Wei Ying pushed it open, looking around for Jin Zixuan….
Who was nowhere to be found?
That couldn’t be right.
Wei Ying took another step into the room, brow wrinkled in confusion and couldn’t suppress his (very manly) screech as the floor collapsed underneath him, burying him up to his thighs in broken pieces of wood - from the floor - and mud - from beneath the room.
His (still manly) screech increased in volume as the mud oozed over the tops of his shoes and into them with a squelch.
After a moment to pull himself together, Wei Ying let out one final shudder and bent down to deactivate the talisman that he had set up the night before.
To catch Jin Zixuan.
Not himself.
Completely covered from toe to thigh and a good portion of his arms too, Wei Ying finally fell bonelessly upon the safe, not about to collapse part of the floor and groaned at the ceiling.
He pointed an accusatory finger, as if the ceiling was personally responsible for all of his problems, “I can see you laughing at me. Stop it. It was a marvellous idea.”
He harrumphed at whatever the ceiling responded with, “Well obviously it didn’t work, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
Another pause and a frown crossed Wei Ying’s face again as he turned his head to see the cursed shoes still resting where he had left them merely a few hours ago.
“So nothing worked,” he groaned to the ceiling again, “Where even is that arrogant peacock?? How did he manage to avoid it all?”
Wei Ying didn’t want to haul himself to his feet for another week at the least, but remembering Jiang Cheng’s glare and shijie's disappointed sigh every time that he was late, he managed to struggle to his feet and drag himself, mud and humiliation and all, out to the training grounds.
--
Jin Zixuan was enjoying himself thoroughly.
The demonstration of Jiang clan forms had been put off for a while now, seeing as Wei Wuxian still hadn’t shown up.
Jin Zixuan could feel himself smirking at merely the thought.
He was having a pleasant conversation with Jiang-guniang, supervised by a grumpy looking Jiang Wanyin, whilst Jiang Fengmian watched over them all, looking thoroughly out of his depth and smiling accordingly.
His mother and Yu-furen were catching up a few steps away, and some of the Lotus Pier servants had kindly carried out a table, a few chairs, and some tea for the two of them, which they sat and drank, ignoring Jin Zixuan and the others.
A few Jiang disciples were practising half-heartedly, but evidently they needed Wei Wuxian just as much as everyone did, and half of them were just laying prone on the floor.
Jin Zixuan was incredibly satisfied.
He turned back to Jiang-guniang with a small smile, a genuine one, “That sounds very nice, thank you for your kind offer,” he said, seeing Jiang Wanyin’s face contort a million different ways at the soft blush on Jiang-guniang's face at his words.
“Of course, Jin-gong- I mean, Jin Zixuan,” she smiled back, just as kindly as ever, “but enough about me, I’ve heard wonderful things about what you’re doing!”
Jin Zixuan shook his head, “Oh nothing really interesting, just using my influence for good for once.”
Jiang-guniang frowned, “Just because you think it's only minimal doesn’t mean that it isn’t life changing for those that you’re helping! Give yourself some credit.”
Jiang Wanyin snorted, causing the other two to turn and look at him, one with fondness and the other with slight annoyance, “What? All he’s doing is telling his rich dad to spend money on orphanages! That counts for nothing.”
“A-Cheng!” Jiang-guniang exclaimed, a slight edge to her voice that left Jiang Wanyin pale, “Jin Zixuan is doing a good thing, helping those in need. Just because he has access to a different set of tools to do that doesn’t mean that his help is any less useful!”
She let out a huff at the end of the speech, quickly regaining her composure, “Every little helps.”
Jiang Wanyin glared quickly at Jin Zixuan, as if he had asked her to defend him, “Yes, sorry jie.”
Another glare confirmed the fact that Jiang Wanyin still saw Jin Zixuan’s efforts as useless but cared too much for his sister’s opinion to continue.
Jin Zixuan was so smug.
Outburst over, Jiang-guniang turned back to him with an apologetic smile, “I heard that you too have progressed to the second set of sword forms? That’s very impressive!”
“Yes, I practise every day and that’s really paying off,” Jin Zixuan responded, proud of his achievements.
And yet once again, Jiang Wanyin snorted.
“What is your problem?” Jin Zixuan frowned, allowing just a hint of (righteous) frustration to creep into his voice.
Jiang Wanyin didn’t even bother to look at him, “You found time to practise each day between sticking your head in the sand to avoid the real world? Now that’s impressive!”
Jin Zixuan prepared to jump in to defend himself - of course he knew what was going on in the real world, and he was trying his best to fix it! - but Jiang-guniang grabbed Jiang Wanyin’s arm and tugged him off to the side, leaving Jin Zixuan to stand alone in awkward silence.
Is it impolite to watch as your fiancé berates her brother on your behalf?, he wondered idly to himself, scuffing his shoe against a rock on the ground and ignoring them just to be safe.
Wow what quality dirt they have here…
Soon enough Jiang-guniang returned with her ever present smile, which was beginning to look rather painful.
“I’m so sorry about him!” Jiang-guniang tried to apologise on Jiang Wanyin’s behalf, but Jin Zixuan cut her off with a quick head shake.
“No, it's fine, don’t worry about it.”
They lapsed back into an awkward silence that seemed to stretch endlessly, avoiding making eye contact.
Jin Zixuan’s entire life had been sweet talking people and yet he couldn’t find a single word to say that could fill the silence, so he continued to inspect the ground with great care.
One two three four five breaths and nobody said anything six seven eight and there was a yell of greeting from behind Jin Zixuan and he turned to see-
Wei Wuxian.
--
Wei Ying didn’t think that he’d ever been this mortified in his life.
Hours late, absolutely covered in mud and smelling like he’d taken a swim in his own piss.
And there on the pavilion, was Jin Zixuan, elegant and unruffled and looking perfectly put together, not even a stray piece of hair out of place, a small sneering smile on his face as he talked to Wei Ying’s shijie.
Wei Ying didn’t let his embarrassment show on his face, storming across the training grounds straight towards that pompous prick that had escaped his traps and had the gall to stand there and look good at this hour of the morning when Wei Ying looked like this !
“JIN ZIXUAN,” he yelled once he was within hearing range, and the boy turned, a tiny smirk evident on his face when he caught sight of Wei Ying.
“COME HERE AND FIGHT ME!” he continued.
(He only wanted to fight to protect his honour, of course, not because he wanted to feel that exhilaration of facing a real challenge again. Of course not. No ulterior motives.)
Jin Zixuan tilted his head in mock confusion, any previous awkwardness in his body gone, “Whatever for? And do you have an explanation for this insult to the Jiang clan that is your attire??”
Remembering that there were others present, Wei Ying looked over with a preemptive wince. Shijie was a mix between disappointed and fond, Jiang Cheng looked as if he were about to explode (which was normal for him), and Yu-furen and Jin-furen…
Well, safe to say, Wei Ying might be missing dinner for a day or two.
She looked downright murderous, Zidian sparking on her wrist as she forcibly turned back to her tea-mate with a thin smile and a scathing insult about how Wei Ying did not represent the Jiang clan or their code of conduct.
Resolving to pretend that Yu-furen wasn’t there, Wei Ying turned back to Jin Zixuan, “The demonstration? Wouldn’t it be perfect to show everyone the merits of both Jin and Jiang styles?”
Jin Zixuan sneered back, “I don’t see why you should get the privilege of fighting me, seeing how little respect you have for all of our time, which you wasted this morning.”
Wei Ying almost winced again, “If you’re scared that you’re going to be beaten, just say it. I’ll fight someone else seeing as you’re too much of a wimp.”
He looked over to the other assembled Jin and Jiang disciples, pointing at one at random, “You! What’s your name?”
The disciple sneered, “I’m not fighting you either, wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of everyone.” He turned up his nose and exaggeratedly wafted his hand around in the air, “What is that smell,” he smiled again, proud of his pea-brained intellect.
One of the Jiang disciples stood next to him evidently had an inch more self preservation, calling out to Wei Ying in an effort to pacify him, "That's Jin Zixun."
Instead of being even remotely pacified, Wei Ying only seemer more angry “Pick up your sword,” he said, voice hard with threat.
“What?” Jin Zixun, the idiot, didn’t pick up his sword. He also didn’t notice all of the other disciples backing away until he was standing alone as Wei Ying advanced, Suibian clenched tightly in one hand.
Wei Ying glanced back at the observers, getting a quick nod from Jiang-shushu. It was important that the Jiang clan proved that in whatever state they were just as fierce, and should be treated with that respect.
He chanced a look at Yu-furen, who looked pained but gave her agreement. Evidently she would’ve preferred for someone else to take his place, but Wei Ying was reliable in his wins. Jin-furen, sat next to her, also nodded, but with a small amused smile, as if she were in on a joke that nobody else understood.
Wei Ying turned back to Jin Zixun, who suddenly realised his lack of backup and grabbed his own sword, pulling it out and backing up to the centre of the training ground. He swung the sword in a few lazy circles, showing off and looking incredibly confident, as if Wei Ying became first disciple due to nepotism or something, and not his own hard work.
Wei Ying smiled again, and as he pulled out his blade, seemed to transform from a short, mud-covered and bad-smelling child, to one with something to lose.
“Ten seconds?” Wei Ying asked.
“What?” Jin Zixun seemed incapable of asking anything else.
“How long will you last?” Wei Ying elaborated, finally stepping close enough to begin, charging forward and thrusting with his sword.
A loud clang and they were off, Wei Ying aggressive with each strike, forcing Jin Zixun further and further back until he was merely frantically trying to redirect the sword, slashing widely and uncoordinatedly.
Wei Ying exaggerated his yawn, “Was there even any need for me to show up?” he asked, despite knowing Jin Zixun couldn’t respond between his heavy breaths.
With almost lazy accuracy, Wei Ying twisted his blade, sending Jin Zixun’s flying until it landed, impaled in the ground.
Jin Zixun too, fell to his knees, wheezing from the effort.
Wei Ying sheathed Suibian and turned, making direct eye contact with Jin Zixuan, challenging. Adrenaline rushed through his veins and he felt a slight smile pull at the edges of his lips as he spoke, “Only seven seconds? Anyone think that they could beat that?”
He raised an eyebrow, maintaining the unwavering eye contact with Jin Zixuan, who had some sort of unreadable expression on his face.
None of the disciples seemed to care that he looked undignified anymore, whispers of “child prodigy” spreading through the crowd.
--
Jin Zixuan understood why the entire event had been paused until Wei Wuxian arrived.
He felt his heart begin to race as he looked down on that boy, him and his fiery eyes and strong smirk.
Jin Zixuan wanted to fight him.
He wanted to fight, neither of them holding back, wanted to do his absolute best and have Wei Wuxian do his best in return, each as much of a threat to the other.
He looked over at his mother, wary that his expression must betray his thoughts, but she merely nodded, that knowing smile widening slightly.
Jin Zixuan leapt down from the pavilion, robes flaring around him as he landed, Suihua unsheathed and glinting in the light.
--
Knew it, Wei Ying smirked, watching Jin Zixuan stalk over to him, knew that would get him.
“I’ll give you the privilege of fighting me,” Jin Zixuan began, Suihua brandished by his side, “Seeing as you wanted it so badly.”
Wei Ying grinned, dancing forward before he even brought Suibian back out of its sheath and relishing the half moment of surprise on Jin Zixuan’s face before Suihua clashed against Suibian’s sheath and they were moving away from each other again.
“I just wanted an actual demonstration,” Wei Ying disputed, “And none of those lot were going to last long enough.”
He darted in again, but Jin Zixuan was ready and they exchanged a quick flash of blows, fast but with only a child’s strength behind them.
Jin Zixuan didn’t justify that with a verbal response, merely wrinkling his nose at their proximity, “Wow, that really does smell awful. What did you do to yourself?”
Wei Ying ignored the comment and parried the blow that accompanied the words, scoring a line on Jin Zixuan’s face. This prompted a round of cheers from the disciples surrounding them that Wei Ying had completely forgotten about.
Jin Zixuan narrowed his eyes, diving back in again and setting off another bout of parries and attacks, “What did you do, jump in the lake? Certainly looks like it,” he said with another quirk of his lips.
Wei Ying groaned, sidestepping to avoid a particularly nasty swipe, “Fine, I’ll bite. How did you avoid the traps?”
Jin Zixuan tilted his head innocently again, although Wei Ying was gratified to note he was slightly out of breath when he finally spoke, “Avoid what traps?”
Another stab and twist and Wei Ying had a matching injury on his own face. He narrowed his eyes, focussing completely, finally.
“How did you get up on time without the servants waking you? Did the sound-cancelling talisman not work?”
A slash.
“I woke with the sun, as any good disciple should.”
A parry.
“The cursed shoes?”
A dodge.
“They glowed red at me. I own several pairs of shoes and lots of common sense.”
A twist.
“How did you even get out of the room without activating…the last talismans?”
A stab.
“A very conveniently placed window.”
They were both panting at this point, each clash of swords losing finesse and power as their children’s stamina began to catch up to them.
Jin Zixuan forcibly raised the point of his sword and dashed forward, ducking under Wei Ying’s clumsy blow. He shoved his shoulder up and into the other’s solar plexus and hooked his ankle with his other foot as he straightened up, bringing his sword around to rest against Wei Ying’s adam's apple as he lay prone on the ground, Suibian held weakly between his fingers.
There was a moment of silence interrupted only by their heavy breaths.
Then the cheers started.
Wei Ying saw Jin Zixuan wince and close his eyes as if to barricade against the sudden wave of noise as he moved backwards, pushing Suihua back into its sheath and turning, walking back to the pavilion without a look backwards.
Wow.
--