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Jiang Yanli was quite fond of Wen Qing’s home. She could see herself wanting to visit if the circumstances were different. 

As she crossed the courtyard, returning from the failed endeavor of getting Jiang Cheng out of bed, she entered Wen Qing’s office. She wasn’t surprised to find Wei Wuxian and the doctor herself pouring through the frankly massive amounts of medical documents in the room. It was heartening to see them both try so hard for her littlest brother and equal parts disheartening because she knew nothing would be found. 

“A-Xian,” she called, and her brother lifted his head and immediately broke out into a strained smile. He probably didn’t know that she could tell when his smiles weren’t perfect, but she wouldn’t reveal that to save him the embarrassment. 

“Shi-jie! It’s late, shouldn’t you be in bed?” 

The audacity of this boy. To suggest she go to bed when he had been working tirelessly for the past several days. “Yes, that’s why I’ve come to fetch you.” 

“But shi-jie,” She honestly didn’t know how he still had the energy to whine at her, “I’m not done yet. I’ll be in bed soon, I promise! There’s just a few more books I want to look at.” 

Jiang Yanli passed her glance over to Wen Qing, and she could see that neither of them believed his nonsense. “A-Xian, I’m not asking. Go to bed.” 

Wei Wuxian blinked, clearly not expecting the clear order from her. “But—”

“No buts,” she cut in, quite finished with seeing his exhausted face when it accounted for nothing. She brushed a thumb across his cheek while he watched her carefully. “You have bags under your eyes.” 

“I’m—” And as if he was contracting himself, he yawned. Finally, he looked a little sheepish. “I guess I could nap for a few hours.” 

“Good.” She knew full well he would be asleep for far longer than that. As he peeled himself out of his chair, she gave a gentle shove towards the door. “And you better actually be asleep when I come to check on you or I’m not making you soup for a whole year.” 

Wei Wuxian squawked like a startled parrot and pouted but left the room without another word. That meant he would fall asleep the moment his head hit his pillow. Good. 

Jiang Yanli turned to the other person in the room and gave a polite bow. “Wen Qing.” 

Wen Qing returned the favor. “Lady Jiang. How is Jiang Wanyin?” 

Jiang Yanli’s face turned sour. She shook her head and took Wei Wuxian’s seat. “He still hasn’t eaten or drank anything. I can’t get him to respond at all.” She knew Wen Qing had only asked to be polite and knew there hadn’t been any change in his condition. 

And she really didn’t know what to do. They couldn’t stay here forever. As much as the Wen’s hospitality had been a blessing, they were never meant to be here. It was risky for all of them to be seen together. Jiang Yanli couldn’t expect the Wen siblings to risk their necks more than they already had. She had to find a way to get them moving. But with a basically comatose brother, there wasn’t much she could do. 

Jiang Yanli lowered her head and began to sift through the documents Wei Wuxian had been looking through before she arrived. Like she expected, they were medical documents, most pertaining to the golden core. Though quite a few were about topics she was already familiar with: the forging of one’s first core, the strengthening of it, dual cultivation. 

Wei Wuxian had several pieces of paper of his own on the desk, here and there. As she looked closely, they seemed to be mostly notes of books he could refer back to if he needed. His handwriting as usual was horrendous, but the familiarly of it brought a smile to her face. She was likely one of the few people who could read it, having received many letters from him when he was away. 

But then her eye caught something else. A small pamphlet under a stack of books her brother had yet to get to. It wasn’t as thick as the others and not as professionally bound. It appeared to be more of an essay than a book like the others. 

At first, she glanced through it. Then she read it carefully. Then she poured over it like her life depended on it. She sat in her seat for a moment, processing, before checking the author. 

Wen Qing was organizing her desk when Jiang Yanli walked over to her, likely on her way to bed since Wei Wuxian was no longer here to keep her up. She was startled when Jiang Yanli called her name. “Oh, Lady Jiang, what—”

“Wen Qing, did you write this?” Jiang Yanli asked, then set the thin booklet in front of her. Wen Qing looked at the pages and paused. 

But she did answer. “Yes.” 

“This theory about transferring one’s core?” 

Another pause. “Yes.” 

“Tell me more about this.” 

Wen Qing didn’t wince because she never winced, but she did look apprehensive. “Lady Jiang, that is only a theory. It’s not—It’s never been done before.” 

“I presumed as much, considering there wasn’t anything in this document about previous procedures.” 

“If you’re about to ask whether or not I will perform the procedure on Jiang Wanyin, the answer is no. It would be highly unethical to perform surgery on someone who does not consent to it, not to mention the acquisition of the golden core that I would be giving to Jiang Wanyin. I could not take that from someone. No, I’m afraid, Lady Jiang… the answer is no.” 

Jiang Yanli closed her mouth and tightened her jaw. It wasn’t like she was expecting anything different. She knew Wen Qing enough now to see she was an honorable woman and doctor. Though she was hoping to at least form the question herself. Still, she would leave the topic alone. For now. 

“Of course, Lady Wen. I had a feeling that’s what you would say. Good night.” And Jiang Yanli bowed before taking her leave and the theory with her. 

She carefully hid the booklet in her sleeve and visited Wei Wuxian’s room. When she opened the door, she wasn’t surprised to find that he was sprawled on his bed, over his covers. She smiled fondly and set the leaflet down to fish one blanket out from under his leg. Once she delicately placed it on Wei Wuxian, not because she was concerned about waking him up but because she always wanted to treat her brothers gently, she returned to her own room. 

After getting ready for bed herself, it was late into the night. She sat on her sheets and traced her finger over the cover of Wen Qing’s bounded theory. It was obvious she had taken it. It wasn’t like she tried to hide it. But Wen Qing hadn’t said anything. Which she was thankful for. 

A sudden dread filled Jiang Yanli’s chest before rushing out of her like a broken dam. It felt like she had evaded something awful. Like an arrow too close to her neck. Or a conversation not quite yet to be had. 

If Wei Wuxian had found the theory… Jiang Yanli had no doubt of what he would have done. If he found it still… But she wouldn’t let that happen. 

She suddenly stood from her bed and peeled up the mattress and carefully placed the booklet underneath. Wei Wuxian would not find it. And Wen Qing would not bring it up. She would not let more horrible things come to pass for her family. She would hold them together. 

That was the burden of the eldest sibling.

~*~

It was quite easy to peel Wen Qing away from Wei Wuxian, so they could talk in private. 

Jiang Yanli only had to simply find them in the room like yesterday, offer her brother some tea and a small breakfast, and ask if she could borrow Wen Qing. 

“A-Xian, you don’t mind if I take Wen Qing from you, do you? It seems a bit stuffy in here, and I think she’d appreciate the fresh air.” 

Wen Qing looked up from her desk but didn’t say anything. She obviously knew what Yanli wanted to talk with her about. But no protest was forthcoming. 

“Of course not, shi-jie! I keep telling her to take a break, but she won’t leave me alone.” He leaned in as if to share a secret with her. “I think she thinks I’m going to destroy her precious collection of knowledge.” 

Wen Qing snorted as she rose from her chair. “I’m sure Old Man Lan thought the same when he gave you detention with Lan Wangji. No one smart would leave you alone in a room full of books. But I’ll make an exception for Lady Jiang.” 

Jiang Yanli saw a flicker of sadness cross Wei Wuxian’s face when his school friend was mentioned, but he was soon invested in his work, and his eyes didn’t lift from the pages. 

Jiang Yanli gestured for Wen Qing to exit the room first before leading them both around the courtyard. It wasn’t very large, but it was well maintained. Wen Qionglin obviously cared for it closely. 

“Wen Qing, I know you know what I want to talk with you about. But before you refute my request again, would you let me ask you? In full?” 

Wen Qing drew a breath into her chest. She nodded. 

Jiang Yanli was relieved. “Thank you. I understand your reasons for declining the operation. That makes you an honorable doctor and also why I’ve come to respect you so much in the short time we have spent together. Which is why I ask you whether you would consider the operation if you knew where the other golden core was coming from?” 

Wen Qing tilted her head skeptically. “Which means…?” 

“That I would be giving my own core to A-Cheng.” 

Wen Qing immediately stiffened. “Lady Jiang, I couldn’t possibly—”

“May I finish?” Jiang Yanli interrupted as gently as she could. Wen Qing quieted down, slightly scolded. “Thank you. You said that you would not take a golden core from an unwilling participant. I understand. But I wonder if you took mine from me, if you could stomach it. Wen Qing, I know how much you love your brother. I love mine just as much. We would do anything for them. And for me… this is not so much of a big sacrifice.” 

Wen Qing shook her head, face pinched. “Lady Jiang… this is your core.” 

“I know. And the one A-Cheng lost was also his core. My brothers, they love cultivation. I’ve seen them. Even though my parents put a strain on their relationship, they love fighting and sparring together. I’ve never been able to do that because of my disposition. It’s honestly a miracle I was able to form one of my own.” Jiang Yanli stopped at a nearby bush, looking forlorn at a small flower bud. 

“Now my core is weak. Very weak. But A-Cheng’s new core doesn’t have to be strong. I believe he needs hope more than an actual core. And I understand the risks. It’s a procedure that’s never been done before. It may not work. I may lose my core in the process, and A-Cheng might not gain it. But Wen Qing, let us try. We cannot stay here forever. The war is beginning, we must leave for our safety as well as yours. You cannot be caught sheltering us.” 

Wen Qing looked more tired the more Jiang Yanli spoke, and right now, she simply looked resigned. 

Jiang Yanli took Wen Qing’s hand in hers and squeezed. “I’m not asking you to do this as a doctor or even as a friend. I’m asking you as an elder sister. We both know we would do risky and foolish things to keep them safe, and right now, I feel like this is the only way to keep mine safe. If I had not found the theory, I have no doubt A-Xian would do the same. But he would keep it a secret. And keep it until his grave if he could. But I promise to you, I will not. A-Cheng would never agree to the surgery if he knew the truth, but I will tell him the truth when the time is right. I swear to you.” 

Wen Qing sighed heavily, and her gaze dropped down to their joined hands. “I do not like this. But I can’t say I don’t understand.” Her gaze rose until their eyes connected. “I will… prepare A-Ning and start to get everything we need. How are you going to keep Wei Wuxian out of this? You know he’d never agree.” 

Jiang Yanli’s breath left her in a huge relieving sigh. She took back her trembling hands as she regained her composure. “Lady Wen, thank you. Again. And don’t worry about my brothers. I will come up with a suitable cause and send A-Xian away, so he can’t interfere. My brothers rarely speak against me. It makes it very easy to lie to them.” 

“Or they’re just very gullible when it comes to you,” Wen Qing griped, not unkindly. 

Jiang Yanli laughed gently in response. “That too.” 

~*~

It was quite easy to direct her brothers in the way she wanted. She rarely employed her big sister techniques in this way, but she was ever so grateful to have them. And ever so grateful that her brothers were so obedient. 

When Jiang Yanli told Wei Wuxian of the procedure, he was shocked, but so overwhelmingly relieved that he didn’t question it as much as he should have. 

“Shi-jie! This is great!” Wei Wuxian was nearly bouncing off the walls of his room. 

“A-Xian, calm down. It’s wonderful, yes, but Wen Qing said this might not work. It’s never been done. Don’t get too hopeful.” Jiang Yanli was doing her best to not hope too much as well. 

“Oh, I know! But this—this is just so exciting! I can’t wait to tell—”

Jiang Yanli swiftly grabbed her brother’s arm when he passed by her. “I will be the one to tell A-Cheng. You go to A-Qing and ask if there’s anything you can help prepare. Though I doubt it since she’s had Wen Qionglin to help her.” 

Wei Wuxian nodded excitedly before practically skipping out of the room to find the Wen siblings. That was when Jiang Yanli took a deep breath to prepare herself for the lie she created. It was a quick walk to Jiang Cheng’s room, and she entered with a short knock. 

“A-Cheng,” Jiang Yanli greeted, thankful to find him on one of the rare afternoons he was sitting up in bed. 

Even after a full week of rest, he still looked exhausted. Jiang Yanli guessed it was from the combination of grief from his lost golden core and A-die and A-niang. He did not greet her, and his eyes didn’t stray from the bottom of her dress.

Jiang Yanli took her familiar place by the side of his bed. She reached out for his hand and squeezed it, trying to find the courage to make her lie believable. “A-Cheng, will you look at your A-jie?” she needled, trying to tease to get a reaction. 

Jiang Cheng still didn’t say anything, but he did look her in the eye. 

“Didi, I don’t want to crush your heart or give you false hope, but I cannot risk that without saying this: we may have found a way to restore your golden core.” 

Jiang Cheng didn’t react for a second, but then his eyes widened and his body straightened. 

“Wen Qing has come to me with a procedure that might be able to give you a new golden core if you submit to her surgery.” 

Jiang Cheng opened his mouth, and it took another pause for words to come out. “But… how? Why now? What—” 

Jiang Yanli put a kind hand over her brother’s heart. “I don’t know, A-Cheng. I don’t know if it will work, but it is something we can try. Will you go through with it?” 

“What? Of course, A-jie! When—” 

“Even if it does not work?” 

Jiang Cheng quickly sobered from his explosive feeling of relief. He looked at his bedsheets before returning her gaze. “I have to try, A-jie. Even if it doesn’t work…” He shook his head. 

“If it doesn’t work, we will figure something else out. But either way, whether it works or not, we will have to leave. We cannot stay here forever. For the betterment of everyone.” 

Jiang Cheng nodded, looking far more alive than he did five minutes ago. 

Jiang Yanli smiled tenderly. “Good. Now get up and dressed. We need to see Wen Qing and have her explain everything about the procedure.” 

A mere two minutes later, the Jiang siblings were walking away from the main house to find their spare sibling and the Wens in Wen Qing’s office. When Jiang Cheng stepped out of his room only 30 seconds after Jiang Yanli left to give him the privacy to change, he looked frazzled. Jiang Yanli fondly stopped him before he could run off and straightened his hair and clothes, so he looked a little more presentable. 

Wen Qing, to her credit, did not look nervous at all when four eager eyes turned to her. Though Jiang Yanli didn’t expect her to. “This is not a miracle. This is only a theory I have had, but I have not performed it yet. I cannot tell you for certain how likely the procedure is going to work. I would guess the outcome is equally 50-50.” 

This caused Yanli’s brothers to shift, but neither of them interrupted. 

“But after discussing the possibility with Jiang Yanli, I couldn’t rightly keep this information to myself. Not when the possibility is there, no matter how small it may be. The likelihood of death is very low—”

“What do you mean low?” Wei Wuxian instantly interjected. It really was too much for Jiang Yanli to expect them to be quiet for long. “You’re saying Jiang Cheng could die?” 

Wen Qing leveled her gaze at him. “Yes, like I said, the likelihood is very low, but it’s still possible. Believe me, I have no desire for Jiang Wanyin to die on my table, and I will do everything I can to make sure his life is safe, but nothing's for certain. Even the most routine surgeries run the risk of something going wrong.” 

“And where did this theory come from?” Jiang Cheng asked as calmly as he could. Jiang Yanli could see he was practically vibrating in excitement, despite the warning about his possible death. “Don’t tell me it suddenly came to you out of nowhere.” 

Wen Qing didn’t break from the scrutiny. Her face was as even as ever; she was quite a good liar. “As you all know, I am related to the Wen Sect Leader, though I do loath our connection. As such, I have had dealings with the Core Melting Hand.” Jiang Cheng shivered in response to the name, and Wei Wuxian stilled for once, but Wen Qing mercifully continued on. “After studying his technique, I sought out a possible way to do the same thing he does but in reverse. However, the theory was never approved by Wen Ruohan. After all, the Wens wouldn’t be the ones benefited by this technique.” 

Jiang Yanli carefully looked at her brothers to see if the lie was bought. She wasn’t worried as much about Jiang Cheng as she was about Wei Wuxian. Not because she thought he would sense the lie, but because of his ever so curious mind, he would endlessly ask questions about the details of the procedure. Wen Qing, advised by Jiang Yanli, only gave them a fraction of time to absorb the information before continuing on. 

“As such, for my safety as well as my brother’s safety, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli may not stay here while we are doing the procedure.” 

“What?” Wei Wuxian immediately balked. “What do you mean? We can’t stay here? You can’t expect us to just—” 

“A-Xian,” Jiang Yanli immediately interjected, resting a hand on his arm. “If this is what Wen Qing thinks is—”

“But shi-jie, we can’t leave him.” 

“We must. The Wens have gotten us this far, we can place our trust in them a little more.” 

“Would you both stop talking about me like I’m not even here?” When Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian looked over, his arms were already crossed, and Jiang Yanli knew he’d made up his mind. “I’ll do it.” 

Thank the gods for Jiang Cheng’s stubborn and hardheaded nature.

Wei Wuxian started to protest again. “But Jiang Cheng—”

“This is my choice,” Jiang Cheng interrupted. “My only chance. If you two leaving is necessary…” he trailed off and turned to Wen Qing who’d been quietly watching them carefully for the past few minutes. “Then I graciously accept.” And to everyone’s surprise, offered Wen Qing a formal bow. 

She returned it only after a moment’s hesitation. “I thank you for understanding. The secrecy is not from a lack of trust, but from a cautious nature. If I don’t kick you out, Wei Wuxian might peek in and figure out what I’m doing.” 

Wei Wuxian looked swiftly scolded and didn’t open his mouth to protest again. 

Jiang Yanli’s tension left her shoulders, and she smiled. “Then I leave my didi in your care Wen Qing.” She bowed deeply as well. “Please take care of him.” 

When Jiang Yanli rose from her bow, Wen Qing’s face looked pinched like she had eaten a lemon, but she nodded. The surgery would proceed. 

~*~

“A-Cheng, you be good for A-Qing, alright?” Jiang Yanli fondly smoothed the hair of her younger brother, ignoring his embarrassed face. “We’ll see each other soon.” 

“Yeah, Cheng-Cheng, don’t mind,” Wei Wuxian piped up and slapped a hand on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder as he passed them to load up their cart. “I’ll take care of shi-jie. You just work on getting your core back.” 

Jiang Cheng’s face scrunched up at the nickname, and he quickly shrugged Wei Wuxian off. He really must have been anxious then because he didn’t yell at him for it. “Whatever. A-jie, be safe and watch out for those Wen dogs.” 

Jiang Yanli shook her head. “Might I remind you, those ‘Wen dogs’ are also going to work on getting your core back?” 

Jiang Cheng flinched but then looked down shamefully. “You’re right… Just—be safe, okay?” 

Jiang Yanli carrassed her brother’s face. “Of course.” She turned away and made her way towards their cart. “A-Xian, we’re ready!” 

“Okay, shi-jie!” Wei Wuxian came around the other side of the cart and helped her into the back, giving Jiang Cheng another wave for good measure. “Don’t miss me too much!” 

“Who’s gonna miss you?” Jiang Cheng snapped back but waved halfheartedly as they began to pull away from the Wen siblings’ home. Jiang Yanli kept him in her sight as long as she could until eventually the trees were too thick to see through. Even though she knew she was coming back shortly, it was still difficult to leave. 

Wei Wuxian waited almost two minutes of their journey before he opened his mouth. Jiang Yanli admired his restraint. “Do you actually think they’ll be able to do it, shi-jie? Give him his core back?” 

Jiang Yanli paused and carefully selected her words. “I’ll think they’ll try, A-Xian. I think they’ll do their best.” 

Wei Wuxian let the somber moment rest for a second before straightening. He instead launched into a ramble about his own theories on what Wen Qing’s theory could possibly be. Thankfully, he didn’t sound suspicious and really only appeared curious about what the doctor could be doing. 

Jiang Yanli was content to let him talk his nervousness out of his system. She could feel her own nervousness and anticipation threaded throughout her entire being, and she kept her hands in her sleeves, so she could let them shake without scrutiny. 

~*~

Jiang Yanli didn’t enjoy deception, even though she was quite good at it. She knew she was the type of person no one would suspect of lying, which was quite useful now that she was getting into the habit of it. 

When Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian neared their destination of the closest town, they abandoned the cart like Wen Qing suggested and hid it away from the path they had taken. It gave the Wen siblings the best chance of retrieving their cart after they left. At least, that’s what Wei Wuxian thought. Jiang Yanli knew she would be taking the cart back to the Wen siblings herself once she could safely separate from him. 

After Wei Wuxian located a stable they could use to house Wen Qing’s donkey, they found an inn on a corner, one Wen Qing knew, where Jiang Cheng could meet them after the operation, whether it was successful or not. 

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli didn’t take long to settle in, and Jiang Yanli ordered them dinner while her brother set up their room and kept a lookout for Wen soldiers out of their window. They hadn’t seen any while they were walking around, but that could easily change. 

“A-Xian,” Jiang Yanli called, setting their food on the table in their room. “Come eat some dinner.” 

Wei Wuxian jerked slightly, rousing from his stupor and came over to sit by her. Dinner wasn’t anything extravagant, but it kept their attention. Their conversation had long since run dry from their journey, weighed down by anxiety and fatigue. 

Wei Wuxian’s eyes started to droop on his second serving, and he adamantly tried to resist sleep before Jiang Yanli forced him into bed. He was out like a light once he was laid down. Wen Qing’s drug did like she said it would. Jiang Yanli did feel a little bad about drugging her A-Xian, but it would be much easier to leave and come back this way. 

Jiang Yanli paid a small kiss to Wei Wuxian’s forehead before gathering her things and writing a note for him that informed him that she would be out gathering some supplies and for him not to worry. She knew it was unlikely Wei Wuxian would not worry for her, even outside of war times, but she couldn’t think of another way. She didn’t know how long the operation would take, but it would probably be long enough to panic her brother. She endeavored to be back as soon as she could to relieve him of his stress. 

Jiang Yanli made quick work of leaving their inn, locking their room behind her. She located the nearby stable and even tipped the worker there, so he wouldn’t ask any questions. He was quick to look away. 

After the surprisingly quick work she did of attaching the donkey to the cart and turning around, Jiang Yanli returned to the Wen siblings' house where Wen Qionglin was waiting for her. He waved and was obviously relieved to see her. 

“Lady Jiang, I’m glad you’re here finally. Young Master Jiang has been eager to start, and jiejie has only been able to keep him stalled for so long.” 

“Of course.” Jiang Yanli took the boy’s hand as she disembarked from the driver’s seat of the cart. “Go tell her I’m here, so we can start.” 

Wen Qionglin nodded and hurried off. Jiang Yanli stayed with the donkey for only a minute before Wen Qionglin was running back to take the animal off her hands, ushering her towards the house. When Jiang Yanli stepped inside, she found Wen Qing standing outside the room she assumed the operation would be taking place.

Wen Qing straightened from her place along the wall when she saw Jiang Yanli. “Thank goodness you’re here. Your brother has been very impatient.” 

“Thank you for waiting,” Jiang Yanli said, more of a courtesy than anything. 

“Can’t rightly start the procedure without you,” Wen Qing mumbled then opened the door. Inside, Jiang Yanli saw what she expected. Her little brother passed out on one of the makeshift beds in the room. The other was empty. Meant for her. 

“Here.” Wen Qing caught her attention and handed her some thick robes, a shirt, and some trousers. “Change into these. I don’t want to get yours dirty.” 

Jiang Yanli smiled at her thoughtfulness. “Thank you.” She went behind the privacy screen to do just that. As she came around to lay down, there was a knock at the door, and Wen Qionglin entered the room after Wen Qing’s verbal approval. 

“We’re almost ready,” Wen Qing told her brother, looking over at Jiang Yanli. “Lady Jiang?” 

Jiang Yanli took another look at her brother before closing her eyes and pressing her hands together. She asked the gods and her ancestors for their blessing. Then she laid down and looked up at the doctor. “I’m ready.” 

Wen Qing nodded and brought a needle around the side of her neck. “We’ll see you soon.” Then drove her hand forward, and Jiang Yanli slumped into unconsciousness. 

~*~

When Jiang Yanli awoke, she didn’t know if she felt any different. She couldn’t tell. 

“Lady Jiang?” 

Jiang Yanli blinked her eyes in an attempt to push away the grogginess. “Did it work?” 

The silence told her all she needed to know. 

“I see…” She couldn’t help it. Her eyes started to fill with tears. 

“Jiang Yanli.” 

The stern voice caught her attention, and she looked to her left to see Wen Qing looking down at her. “Yes?” 

“I have not performed the surgery yet.” 

Jiang Yanli blinked and quickly sat up. “What do you mean?” 

“I fully intended to. But I quickly realized your golden core wouldn’t be able to make the transport if you were unconscious. I’m not sure what it is, but the golden core needs to remain active. I don’t believe I’ll be able to give you any anesthesia either, as that would have the same effect.” 

It sounded like the doctor needed some prompting. “So…” 

“So if you still wish to proceed… you’ll need to be completely awake. For the entire thing.” 

That was all? Jiang Yanli’s gaze passed from Wen Qing to rest on her brother, still asleep. His chest was bare, ready for the doctor to cut into him. She returned her gaze. “Do it.” 

It was most surprising to Jiang Yanli that Wen Qing didn’t immediately protest. “I don’t know how long the surgery will take,” she warned. “It might be hours before it’s complete.” 

Jiang Yanli nodded. “I understand. I will do my best to bear the pain.” 

Wen Qionglin looked suddenly uncomfortable. “Jiejie…”

“Lady Jiang has made her decision. Jiang Yanli, I will continue the surgery, stopping short of nothing but the risk of your life.” 

Jiang Yanli nodded and tried to find courage in Wen Qing’s confidence. “Our lives are in your capable hands.” 

Wen Qionglin looked even more uncomfortable. “Jiejie, are we really—”

“We are short of time, A-Ning,” Wen Qing stated, cutting him off. She looked at one of her blades, inspecting that it was properly cleaned even though she had undoubtedly checked everything multiple times to ensure she had everything ready. “We’re already behind. We have no time to waste.” 

Jiang Yanli laid back down and tried her best not to look at anything but the ceiling. But still the glint of Wen Qing’s knife caught her eye. She swallowed and grasped the bedding underneath her. 

“We’re beginning,” Wen Qing warned a moment later, and Jiang Yanli wished she had just started because that sentence sounded more like a threat than a warning. 

~*~

It surprised Jiang Yanli how familiar the pain felt. A sharp cramping in her lower abdomen, one that didn’t go away, was similar to how she felt from month to month, during her time of menstruation. She couldn’t decide whether or not that preparation was a blessing or a curse. 

Jiang Yanli didn’t pay much attention to anything other than trying to keep her screaming to a minimum. But some things still filtered through her pain-addled brain unconsciously. 

Wen Qing was meticulous and efficient. Her eyes didn’t stray from where her hands were, almost afraid that if she looked away Jiang Yanli’s life would fade. At first, she narrated what she was doing, but thankfully she quickly realized Jiang Yanli would rather be in the dark for the procedure. 

Wen Qionglin still looked as uncomfortable as ever, but he gave the necessary tools to his sister when she called without hesitation. He thankfully gave one of his hands to her to hold when he saw her nails were biting into her palms. She honestly couldn’t tell which of them was shaking more. 

In her ever growing naivety, Jiang Yanli thought that cutting her open would be the most painful part. Instead, it was when Wen Qing reached inside her and pulled something out of her. 

A brief flicker of a thought ran through Jiang Yanli’s mind that this would be good practice for whenever she would have kids of her own. But then it was gone just as fast as her body seized and her throat opened in a scream. 

Jiang Yanli had heard about the Core Crusher. Had thought about him briefly when she had heard about Jiang Cheng’s core. And now she cried, experiencing something so similar. Was it this painful when his core was crushed? Surely, it was quicker. Wen Qing seemed to be taking her time, cupping the small, glowing orb in her palms. 

She moved out of Jiang Yanli’s sight, over to her brother whom she couldn’t see. She had a sudden, irrational thought that Wen Qing was going to leave her lying like this; organs exposed to the world. Even though she knew she was kept this way just in case Jiang Cheng rejected the core, and Wen Qing would attempt to put hers back as swiftly as possible. 

It was agonizing lying there, nothing to hold on to, nobody to see. Wen Qionglin had left her side to aid his sister in the second half of the surgery. She did her best to stay awake. She didn’t know whether the golden core needed to be activated as long as it stayed within her body or until it was safely tucked into Jiang Cheng. 

But she couldn’t hold on forever. The stress and the pain and the anxiety were already eating away at her consciousness. She blinked rapidly to avoid sleep, but her vision was fading. Her ears felt stuffed full of cotton. She thought someone called her name, but the voice wasn’t right. 

Jiang Cheng wasn’t awake yet. 

~*~

When Jiang Yanli next awoke, she immediately wanted to fall back asleep. She was still exhausted, her entire body felt sore, and so hungry and thirsty as if she hadn’t eaten or drank anything for the past several days. 

But even through her hazy mind, she knew she should be awake. For something. Something important. But she couldn’t even attempt to move anything other than her eyelids. Whatever was important would have to come to her. 

“Oh, Lady Jiang, you’re awake! Jiejie, she’s awake.” 

A familiar, cheerful voice came to her, and she eventually blinked enough to recognize him. “A-Ning.” 

Wen Qionglin was smiling at her brightly, so something must have gone right. Whatever it was. “Everything went smoothly, Lady Jiang. As smoothly as we could expect anyway. Stay still while jiejie checks over you.” 

Jiang Yanli was soothed by his gentle demeanor, and soon Wen Qing came into her line of sight. She felt her briefly touch over her body and check something around her abdomen before covering her completely. “Jiang Yanli, everything was a success. Your brother now has your core.” 

It was like Jiang Yanli’s being finally finished waking up. She jerked, suddenly remembering why she was lying here in the first place. “Really?” 

“Yes.” 

“You’re sure?” 

“Well, we can’t be one hundred percent sure until your brother picks back up his sword, but A-Ning and I both fed him some spiritual energy, and his core reacted as it should.” 

Jiang Yanli’s eyes filled with tears, and she brought her hands up to cover her face. “Oh my god… Thank you… Thank you, I can’t believe it actually…” 

“As A-Ning said, the procedure went as well as we could expect,” Wen Qing said as Wen Qionglin helped her sit up and gave her some water. “The whole process took about four hours.” 

“Oh! That’s much less than I expected.” 

“Us as well. But I do think it has to do with the strength of your core. With such an underdeveloped core, your meridians were simply not as strong or complex as the average cultivator. I suspect the greater the core strength, the longer it would be to take out, but that's just speculation.” 

Jiang Yanli never thought there would be a day when she would be thankful to have a weak core, but here it was. “And Jiang Cheng… do you think he’ll be able to cultivate it? Will he be able to get stronger?” 

“Mind you this is only speculation, but I would say there is a very good chance. His meridians, I noticed, were slightly damaged when his core was melted, and I did the best I could in repairing them. He might not be able to cultivate to the level he was once at, but I think with plenty of time and dedication, he’ll be able to cultivate to the level expected of a sect leader.” 

All of this was almost too much good news for Jiang Yanli. She thought she might burst into tears again. “This is all just so much. I almost can’t believe it’s real. Just too good to be true.” She leaned forward to grasp both Wen Qing’s and Wen Qionglin’s hands tightly. “I cannot properly express my gratitude. The Jiang sect is in your debt.” 

When Jiang Yanli raised her head from her seated bow, both siblings looked uncomfortable. She smiled good naturedly at them. 

Wen Qing eventually cleared her throat and peeled herself away. “Well, the procedure still took about four hours. Plenty of time for Wei Wuxian to work himself into a panic in your absence. Rest here a bit more, and if you feel alright, I’ll allow you to go. I’ll then wake Jiang Wanyin, so he’ll hopefully arrive after you do.” 

“Of course.” 

It took about another hour for Jiang Yanli to recover enough to feel comfortable getting out of bed to resume her journey. She gave the Wen siblings her final thanks, still feeling like her spoken gratitude wasn’t enough. Wen Qing wished her goodbye at the edge of their house, and Wen Qionglin walked with her to the stables where they collected their cart and donkey once more. 

“I would like to go with you Lady Jiang, but jiejie said you’d like to go alone to avoid raising suspicion with Wei Wuxian.” 

Jiang Yanli accepted his help in climbing into the cart. “Thank you for your offer, A-Ning, but I can make this short journey myself.” 

The young boy nodded. “Jiejie also said to remind you about your deal. That you would tell Jiang Wanyin the truth.” 

“I remember. I’ll tell him when the proper time presents itself.” Jiang Yanli smiled one more time at the boy before facing forward and jerking the reins. 

Jiang Yanli could feel something was off within her body on the ride back. The bumps were much more uncomfortable, and even after her hour of rest, she still felt lightheaded. When she reached the area where she and Wei Wuxian ditched the cart the first time, she did her best to cover it as much as possible, but she’s afraid she did not do as good of a job as last time. Still, she felt sweat bead down her face and neck as she hid the cart. It wouldn’t do for the Wen siblings’ cart to be stolen because of her laziness. 

When Jiang Yanli entered the small town, hood up and covering her face, she wasn’t surprised to see it mostly empty. Dark was fast approaching, and everyone seemed to be eager to settle in for the night. She made her way towards their inn as fast as she possibly could, eager to be out of sight and with Wei Wuxian. 

She wasn’t bothered as she entered the inn and greeted the owner. When she traveled up to their room, she knocked once and heard a sharp rustle of clothes. Then fast steps towards the door. Then:

“Shi-jie!” 

Jiang Yanli shushed Wei Wuxian on reflex, pushing them both into the room. “A-Xian, quiet,” she said, almost laughing. “You’ll disturb the other patrons.” 

“Shi-jie!” he cried anyway, wrapping her into a hug. “Where did you go? You said you were going for supplies, but then you were gone for so long, and shi-jie, why couldn’t it just have waited until I was awake? I was so worried, I had no idea what I was going to tell Jiang Cheng if he got here and I looked for you and—”

“A-Xian.” Jiang Yanli leaned forward and squeezed his cheeks together, forcing his words to stop and for his breath to steady. “I’m sorry to have worried you. I thought someone might have recognized me while I was shopping and wanted to wait until there were less people around, so I wouldn’t lead them back to you.” 

Wei Wuxian's face pinched, but he appeared to believe her. He leaned forward once again and buried his face into her shoulder. “Don’t leave me again.” 

“I won’t.” Jiang Yanli lifted up her hand and began to smooth down his hair. “Didn’t I tell you? The three of us must always stick together.” 

Wei Wuxian nodded from his perch but quickly composed himself and led her into their room to serve her some tea. “When do you think Jiang Cheng will come? Do you… do you think the procedure worked?” 

Jiang Yanli accepted the cup of tea from her brother and sipped it thoughtfully. “I think the longer we wait, the better chance of success it has. I think if it didn’t work, it would have been rather obvious. A-Xian, they’re creating an entire core from scratch. You must be a little more patient.” 

Wei Wuxian pouted, looking away. “Yes, shi-jie.” 

It was just under an hour when Jiang Cheng joined them. Jiang Yanli knew that Wen Qing must have reminded him which inn they were staying at, and with Wei Wuxian placing a common but distinct talisman at their door, their brother had no trouble finding them. 

Wei Wuxian was up the second they heard the firm knock. Jiang Yanli barely managed to stand before Wei Wuxian was throwing open the door and nearly shoving Jiang Cheng in. “In, in!” 

“Hey, I know. No need to shove me,” Jiang Cheng immediately clapped back, stumbling. 

“Shi-jie thought someone might have spotted her. Can’t be too careful.” 

Jiang Cheng’s gaze snapped to her, but she gave him a soft smile to tell him she was fine. “So… A-Cheng… did it work?” 

There was a deliberate pause as Jiang Cheng didn’t say anything, and Wei Wuxian tensed, no doubt thinking the worst. But then Jiang Cheng smirked and crossed his arms. “Of course!” 

“A-Cheng!” Wei Wuxian cried, and Jiang Cheng slapped a hand over his mouth, trying but failing to fend off his brother’s fierce attempts at a hug. “I can’t believe it! Really? You better not be lying!”

“I’m not you!” Jiang Cheng finally managed to detach himself, but Wei Wuxian just snatched up his wrist to check for himself. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes but held out his wrist obediently, looking slightly embarrassed but proud at the same time. 

Wei Wuxian looked right at Jiang Yanli when he felt the stirrings of his brother’s new golden core. “Shi-jie, it’s really there!” 

Jiang Yanli nodded and walked over to her youngest brother. Jiang Cheng straightened himself but then had to bend down when she pulled him into a firm hug. “I’m glad,” she whispered, voice and eyes teary. 

Jiang Cheng nodded against her and returned the hug with shaking arms. Wei Wuxian then decided he hadn’t had enough affection for the day and wrapped them both in his strong arms. Jiang Cheng squirmed against the press of his brother’s body while Jiang Yanli laughed, overjoyed. 

“Let us go, asshole!” 

“Alright, A-Xian,” Jiang Yanli coaxed. “Settle down. We really will get kicked out at this rate.” 

“Sorry.” Wei Wuxian then finally managed to calm down, though Jiang Yanli thought it might be because of sheer exhaustion and not his own self control. Jiang Yanli ordered food once again, making sure they were all well fed for the journey they would lead at the crack of dawn tomorrow. 

As Jiang Yanli settled down in her bed, separated by a simple screen where her brothers rested on the other side, she thanked the gods and the Wen siblings once again for this blessing and quickly fell asleep. Promising that she would repay this debt in whatever form it may appear in. 

~*~

Jiang Yanli’s brothers were all business when they awoke the next morning. 

There was no time to waste as they all collected their things, leaving no trace of their presence, and departing swiftly from the town. Cloaked in robes that concealed their faces, and snatching hats in addition, the survivors of the Jiang Sect went undetected. Jiang Yanli mourned the fact that they often traveled separately in towns to avoid suspicion, but she knew that the three of them together were just asking to be caught with their posters over most messenger boards they passed. 

Sometimes they ended up having to sleep outdoors in a makeshift camp when they were too far away from a town. It was oddly satisfying, thought Jiang Yanli, that the three of them ended up spending time together like this. Even if the circumstances were the worst they could ever be. A-niang and A-die were both dead, their home was burned to the ground, they were on the run, but Jiang Yanli sought to find blessings in the smallest of things. 

When her brother’s sparing in the late hours of the night soothed her to sleep. When she had to shake Wei Wuxian awake. When Jiang Cheng helped her along the road when she was feeling particularly ill. When they managed to hitch a ride on a friendly traveler’s cart. 

So when her brothers decided without her that they would send her away, where the fighting was the least likely to spread, she found it anything but a blessing. 

“What did you just say?” Jiang Yanli’s brothers both paused in their meals, immediately sensing the displeasure in her voice. After all, she was rarely displeased, so when she was so, it was even more apparent. “A-Xian, what did you just say? What is this about Meishan?” 

Wei Wuxian swallowed the small bit of meat in his mouth and slowly set down his bowl on the tree stump in front of them. When on the road, the three had developed a habit of finding a flat tree stump on which to take their meals. Three adults crowding around such a small, makeshift table would be amusing to Jiang Yanli on any other day. “Well, Jiang Cheng and I just assumed… Well shi-jie, we can’t take you with us, so—” 

“And who says?” she snapped, appetite forgotten. Wen Qing had warned her to eat as much as she could along the road to aid in her recovery from the surgery and to supplement the loss of her golden core, but that was the farthest thing on her mind. “Should I not be with my brothers during such a time?” 

“A-jie.” Jiang Cheng softly tugged on her sleeve, trying to get her ire, however small, to focus on him instead. “We have to keep you safe. If we send you to the Yu Sect, they’ll shelter you until the war is over.” 

“And how long will that be? I should stay tucked away for months, maybe years, until this war is over? No. I will travel with you both to the Impure Realm.” 

“But shi-jie—” Wei Wuxian cried. 

“Neither of you have any sort of authority here,” Jiang Yanli said, trying to harden her heart from her brothers’ crestfallen faces. “With A-niang and A-die gone, I am the eldest. You can try to send me away all you like, but I will simply follow you when you are not looking. We must all stay together. I fear of what would happen should we separate.” 

“A-jie, please, we can’t lose you—”

Jiang Yanli raised a hand, cutting her youngest brother off. “No. A-Cheng, A-Xian. This is my choice. I know you wish to protect me, but I wish that as well.” She raised a hand to each of their faces, skin dirty and nails blunted. “I will not put myself in unnecessary danger. I will work as a healer with the rest of the non-cultivators. Not everyone who contributes in a war wields a sword. But I will not be separated from you again. Yunmeng Jiang must present a united front to the cultivation world in the wake of the decimation of our sect. We must be present and forward in our intentions if we are to motivate the other sects into acting.” 

“Acting?” Jiang Cheng cried, almost offended. “Of course they must act! The Wens have just burned Lotus Pier to the ground. Do they not think they will be next if they keep their heads in the sand? Not to mention the burning of Cloud Recesses’ library. Such arrogant acts against two great sects cannot go unpunished.” 

“They might not see it that way.” Wei Wuxian had that quiet air about him. The one that told Jiang Yanli he was using that brilliant brain of his. “The Wens want complete submission. They will accept nothing less. If the other sects obey their orders and hand over whatever they want, they might see it as the better option. Give all your valuables up, save your people’s lives.” 

“But there’s no guarantee that’s what the Wen sect will do! What happens when they start making unreasonable demands? Demands you can’t obey, no matter how hard you try? Then it’ll just be too late!” 

Wei Wuxian waved his hand dismissively. “Jiang Cheng, I agree with you. The Wen sect’s tirade cannot continue. We just need a reason to motivate all the great sects and many of the smaller sects into action. Nothing less, and we will fail. The Wen sect is powerful and has been gaining power for years. If anyone is doubtful, it would lead to pointless casualties.”

“I think you two can discuss war strategies at a later date,” Jiang Yanli said, cutting between their back and forth. She purposefully started her dinner again. “We won’t be able to do anything from out here. Neither of you have your swords. A-Cheng, you have Zidian, but it’s not enough. We must reconnect with allies. Hopefully, the Impure Realm will be able to give us more information.” 

Wei Wuxian nodded, also picking back up his meal. “I hope they haven’t been attacked already.” 

“If they were, we would have heard about it.” Jiang Cheng tipped back his head and swallowed some of his soup. Soon, her brothers were settling back into their normal, friendly bickering. 

Jiang Yanli let them fight good naturedly and smiled into her bowl. And just like that:

She’d gotten what she wanted. 

~*~

They met an unexpected friend not two days later. 

As the three of them approached the Impure Realm, they slowed their approach and observed the city. Thankfully, the further they got from the Wens’ territory, the less likely they were to see Wen cultivators, but one could never be too careful in war times. Smaller towns allowed them to relax, ever so slightly, because of the lesser chance they would be recognized, but they knew that making contact with the Nie sect leader would require a bit of risk on their part. 

As they rested just outside Qinghe, Wei Wuxian turned stiff and leapt to his feet. 

“What is it?” Jiang Cheng asked quietly; they were all on high alert immediately. 

“Someone’s watching us,” Wei Wuxian responded. 

Jiang Yanli stretched an arm out quickly to cover her younger brother’s hand. Jiang Cheng would use Zidian if they needed to defend themselves, but they couldn’t have him giving away their cover for nothing. 

“I’m sorry for scaring you,” a voice suddenly came from a thick patch of trees. Then Lan Xichen appeared in the clearing. “But I wanted to make sure you three were who I thought you were.” 

All three of them flinched upon seeing their new arrival, but they quickly gathered themselves and performed their proper bows. 

“Zewu-jun,” Jiang Yanli greeted, standing from her bow. “You startled us. But it is good to see a friendly face.” 

Wei Wuxian looked surprisingly relieved at the sight of him. “Zewu-jun! You’re alive. Lan Zhan will be so relieved. Have you been in contact yet?” Ah, that must have been why. 

Lan Xichen shook his head. “I have kept my whereabouts carefully guarded even from my uncle and my brother. But when I thought I might have spotted you, I figured it would be beneficial to all of us.” 

“Of course, Zewu-jun,” Jiang Cheng said amicably. “We’re heading to the Impure Realm in an attempt to reconnect with allies. Would you join us?” 

“I’m afraid not, but I don’t think you’ll find what you’re looking for there. Da-ge and the other sect leaders are gathering in Cloud Recesses to discuss what to do about the Wens. I assume you will all want to join us?” 

Jiang Yanli and her siblings didn’t even need to look at each other to all agree. 

~*~

The three of them had been on the road for some time, so to finally have some hope and reconnection was a much needed boost to their mood and confidence. 

Jiang Yanli and Zewu-jun got along quite well. Both of their easy going natures meant that meaningless conversations about passing plants and weather patterns were often explored to keep them occupied while traveling. Wei Wuxian and Zewu-jun’s conversations seemed to, unsurprisingly, center around Lan Wangji, who they both never got tired of discussing. And Jiang Cheng and Zewu-jun seemed perfectly happy not having conversations at all. 

Lan Xichen had his sword and xiao, which eased Jiang Yanli, knowing they had another skilled and armed cultivator to defend them. However, there was no feasible way for him to fly four people to Gusu, so they continued their journey on foot. 

A week after connecting with Lan Xichen, Jiang Yanli could tell that the surgery, the traveling, and her own weak body were taking a toll on her. She tried not to feel like such a burden when they began having to take more and more breaks the further their journey went on, even though she knew none of the men with her thought of her like that. 

Jiang Yanli frustrated herself. Unlike her brothers, she did not enjoy pushing herself beyond her limits. She was quite proud of being terribly self sufficient, able to know her own boundaries and stay within them almost always. But she also knew she couldn’t take the time to recover. The more time they were on the road, the greater they would be at risk, and they couldn’t afford to dally. 

But eventually, her body did give out. 

Jiang Yanli had been feeling particularly nauseous all day. As late afternoon approached, she felt herself swaying, and she tripped on her own feet. 

Lan Xichen’s firm hand came to grasp her forearm. “Lady Jiang?” 

Through her drooping eyes, Jiang Yanli saw his concerned face. Her face felt hot, and shivers traveled down her spine. “I think I might pass out,” she said, thinking how helpful it would be to catch her if she gave him a warning. 

Then she did pass out. 

~*~

When Jiang Yanli blinked her eyes open, she felt suspiciously horizontal. 

She took quick stock of her body. Her eyes were open, and she could see the blurry motions of leaves above her. Her ears felt fuzzy, but there was clearly someone talking. She moved her hand and felt the dirt of the path they had been walking on. Nothing felt sore, so someone indeed must have caught her before she hit the ground. 

It was unsurprising that the first voice she was able to make out was Wei Wuxian’s. 

“Shi-jie! Shi-jie, can you hear me?” 

“As clear as a bell, A-Xian. Help me up?” Jiang Yanli held out her hand, and she felt two sets of hands slowly help her into a sitting position. Her brothers were on either side of her, while Lan Xichen was kneeling not too far away. “How long have I been out?” 

“Only a few seconds,” Lan Xichen assured. “But you gave us quite a scare.” 

“A-jie, why didn’t you say anything?” Jiang Cheng sounded offended, and Jiang Yanli had the strange urge to laugh at him but mercifully didn’t. “If you were tired, we would have stopped. You shouldn’t be pushing yourself so hard.” 

Jiang Yanli suddenly remembered her lacking core and was infinitely thankful no one had offered her any spiritual energy while she was passed out. She breathed, trying to get her blood flowing properly again. “A-Cheng, I’m not pushing myself because I want to. The quicker we get to Gusu, the better. But I know I scared you. So I’m sorry.” 

Her brothers instantly deflated, unable to even act mad after her apology. 

“Give me a few minutes.” Jiang Yanli blinked harshly, trying to force the lingering black spots from her eyes. “Then we can continue traveling. How far away are we from Gusu, Zewu-jun?” 

Lan Xichen stood as Jiang Yanli’s brothers helped her over to a nearby boulder, so she could sit on that instead of the ground. “We are nearly there. Just one last leg of the journey. We’ll be taking a back road though to avoid as many eyes as possible.” 

“Oh, I know, shi-jie!” Wei Wuxian cried. “I’ll carry you!” 

Jiang Yanli had a brief moment of pause where she thought she might refuse to save some face. But she smiled instead and nodded. “Mn, thank you, A-Xian.” 

“Why should you carry her?” Jiang Cheng cut in. He was clearly just mad he hadn’t been the one to think of it before his brother. 

“Well, one, because I thought of it. Two, because I’m stronger than you. And three, because you have Zidian. It would be better, if when we were attacked, that your hands would be free.” 

“You—” Jiang Cheng frowned, then crossed his arms and looked away. He didn’t have any counterargument to those reasons. 

“Come on, shi-jie.” Wei Wuxian squatted down in front of her, holding his arms out to his sides and leaving his back open to her. “Up you go.” 

Jiang Yanli spared Lan Xichen a glance because he had been silent this whole time, but he seemed perfectly happy to observe the exchange in front of him. “Alright, here I go.” 

Once Jiang Yanli was secured, Wei Wuxian stood with ease, and they were back on the road. Though being on someone’s back, even her own brother’s, wasn’t very comfortable for long amounts of time, she was still grateful for the break. Feeling suddenly sleepy and full of nostalgia, she leaned forward and rested her cheek on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder. 

“Are you okay, shi-jie?” 

Jiang Yanli hummed. “Just a bit tired. This takes me back.” 

“Oh, you mean that one time you carried me home?” Wei Wuxian laughed lightly. 

“I still can’t believe I was able to carry you at any point. You’ve gotten so big, A-Xian.” 

“And you’re still as light as ever!” He suddenly sobered then, looking at Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen ahead of them who finally looked like they were breaking the ice between them. “Do you think Jiang Cheng will be okay?” 

“What do you mean?” Jiang Yanli lowered her voice, careful not to be heard but also to avoid sounding suspicious. 

“I mean with everything. Lotus Pier, his core. And I know we got it back, but he’s so much weaker than he was before. He’s working on it, of course, and he’s getting stronger every day. But he gets so frustrated sometimes. I don’t know how we’ll be able to explain it to others.” 

“A-Xian, you worry too much. Jiang Cheng will be fine. He has us. I can already see he’s trying to act like a sect leader should. As for his core, we can just say it was damaged in the fall of Lotus Pier. With luck, that’ll make him seem even more impressive, that he’s able to come back from that at all.” 

Wei Wuxian was silent for a second before twisting his head back to catch her eye. “Shi-jie is right as usual. This is why I come to you with all my problems.” 

Jiang Yanli gathered his ponytail and placed it away from her face over his other shoulder. “You should always come to me with your problems. That is why I am here.” 

“Always, shi-jie. Always.” 

~*~

Jiang Yanli’s mood lifted the closer they got to Gusu. 

She had never been to this side of the cultivation world before, but her brothers had, and they both described it in their letters to her when they were studying at Cloud Recesses. Their descriptions didn’t disappoint. 

The air was cool and crisp as opposed to the hot, humid atmosphere of Lotus Pier. The greens were vibrant, and the white coloring of most of their buildings reminded her, unsurprisingly, of clouds. The Lans’ monk ancestry shown in their architecture; almost every structure looked like a temple in its elegance. The water here was calm, a slight trickle instead of a roaring wave. 

Despite spending less time here, Wei Wuxian seemed more taken with Cloud Recesses than Jiang Cheng did. Which made her disappointed when he had to return home for her sake, instead of finishing his education there like he should have. He seemed happy and carefree in his letters to her even though she knew all the rules must have been a damper on his spirit. 

When they entered Cloud Recesses through the back wards with Lan Xichen’s jade pass, it was well past nightfall, though not so late that curfew had already fallen over its disciples. Jiang Yanli made the climb up the steps on her own, though she humored Jiang Cheng in letting him hold her hand as they ascended. 

As they entered, Lan Xichen’s return was quietly celebrated by his fellow clan members. Jiang Yanli thought there was a silly rule on their wall about not smiling in excess (she agreed with Wei Wuxian on the absurdity of that particular one), but there was no shortage of thankfulness that poured out of the cultivators they passed once they saw one of their inner members had returned home safely. 

“Here is where you will find your guest quarters for the time being.” Lan Xichen stretched out his arm to show them three separate rooms in one of the buildings meant for visiting clans. “I will now go find Shufu to report back to him about our whereabouts. Please take the time to recover your strength. I’ll have dinner sent to your rooms and will inform you tomorrow about the exact time for the discussion conference.” 

“Thank you, Zewu-jun.” Jiang Yanli stepped forward, and she and her brothers performed a deep bow. “Your hospitality is much appreciated in these times.” 

“I think in these times it is all the more necessary.” Lan Xichen returned their bows with his own then bid them goodnight. 

The Jiang siblings had dinner quietly for once. Jiang Yanli suspected the relief of getting somewhere relatively safe had finally given their bodies the excuse they needed to relax. So once they finished inhaling their food, she gave each of her brothers a light kiss on the temple, sending them off to their own rooms, before preparing for bed herself and falling asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. 

~*~

Jiang Yanli was expecting to sleep well through the night. Perhaps even needing one of her brothers to wake her up in the morning. So she was surprised to realize that she woke up with the sky still dark and hushed voices not too far from her room. 

Jiang Yanli blinked open her eyes, trying to decide whether or not it would be worth it to get up. She knew one voice was Wei Wuxian’s but the other one was one she didn’t recognize. 

“Lan Zhan, are you breaking curfew to come see me?” Wei Wuxian sounded smug and pleased, so Jiang Yanli instantly knew she had nothing to worry about. 

Ah, Lan Wangji. That made sense. He was by far the most often mentioned person in Wei Wuxian’s letters when he was going to school here. It wasn’t any surprise to Jiang Yanli that the young master sought out Wei Wuxian once he returned. 

Lan Wangji’s reply was quiet. “Not curfew yet.” 

“Of course, of course. You wouldn’t break the rules just to check on me. Though I’m glad you came. I totally would have gone looking for you. I should be tired, but I wouldn’t have been able to sleep until I saw you. How is your leg?” 

“Healed. Your wounds?” 

“Ahh, I’m all better now. No need to worry. We’re all… we’re good.” 

“Mn.” 

It seemed like there was an awkward lull in their conversation, but Jiang Yanli couldn’t be sure. Perhaps these pauses were common with them. After all, it didn’t seem like Lan Wangji talked all that much. She felt guilty for essentially eavesdropping, but it wasn’t her fault they decided to speak in the hallway. And she wasn’t about to interrupt what felt like a private moment between the two of them. 

“I am… sorry about Lotus Pier.” 

“Ahh, Lan Zhan, you don’t have to be sorry about that. It really wasn’t your fault. If anything… it was probably mine.” 

“False.” 

“What?” 

“Not Wei Ying’s fault.” 

Oh, so this young master defended Wei Wuxian and addressed him by given name? Jiang Yanli would have to pay more attention to the two of them in the future. 

Wei Wuxian laughed softly but genuinely. “Now you sound like my shi-jie. Oh! Speaking of which, I need to introduce you. She’s so wonderful, Lan Zhan, I’m sure you’d get along.” 

Lan Wangji seemed quiet after that, and there was a pause before he responded, “Wei Ying should rest.” 

“Lan Zhan!” There was some movement and a rustle of clothing. Did Wei Wuxian just grab Lan Wangji? “You’ll come see us tomorrow, right? If you don’t, I will hunt you down.” 

“No need. Will see Wei Ying tomorrow.” 

“Hm, good.” 

“Goodnight, Wei Ying.” 

“Night, Lan Zhan.” 

It seemed their brief reunion was over, and the door to the outside slid closed quietly as Lan Wangji exited. Jiang Yanli listened as Wei Wuxian returned to his own room, and finally there was silence once again. 

Somehow, Jiang Yanli fell into an even deeper sleep than before. 

~*~

Like he said last night, Wei Wuxian did in fact introduce Jiang Yanli and Lan Wangji to each other. 

After sharing breakfast together, Zewu-jun came to fetch Jiang Cheng for the meeting. Jiang Yanli could see he was a little thrown that the invitation was only extended to him and not the three of them, but he recovered, likely deducing that the reason was so every clan was equally represented. They wished him good luck, and Jiang Yanli was left alone with Wei Wuxian. 

He seemed almost about to vibrate out of his skin with his excitement to show her around. The no running rule was the only reason he didn’t pull her arm to show her everything as soon as possible. 

“And this is the library. I spent sooo much time here with Lan Zhan for my punishment. I think I was here more often than I was in class.”

Jiang Yanli’s voice was fond but scolding. “A-Xian, A-die and A-niang sent you here to learn. Did you not spend any time here studying?” 

“But shi-jie! The classes here were so boring. I already knew most everything they were teaching, and the other stuff I figured out. Lan Zhan was the only one who made it slightly bearable.” 

Jiang Yanli laughed delicately. “Were A-Cheng and Young Master Nie not enough?” 

Wei Wuxian paused, almost like he had forgotten anyone but Lan Wangji was there. “Oh yeah… Alright, he was one of three people who made it bearable. Honestly, shi-jie, punching the peacock was a great excuse to leave. I don’t regret it.” 

Jiang Yanli sighed. “A-Xian, I appreciate the sentiment, but a few cross words do not justify resorting to violence. Not in this case. Would you really say that studying here was a total waste of time? You cannot believe that you know everything Lan Qiren knows.” 

Wei Wuxian looked away and pouted. “No… but—” 

“You love to read, and you are brilliant. If you found the classes boring, you could have come to the library in your free time and tried to find books that interested you. It saddens me that your three months here weren’t used to their full potential.” 

Wei Wuxian looked at her in shock, having stopped walking. Jiang Yanli knew full well that this was the first time she had ever corrected his behavior so severely. Her parents were not his parents. The guidance that he had gotten throughout his life had either been too harsh or too soft, and neither for the right reasons. Now that her parents were gone, even though she wished they rested well, Jiang Yanli intended to step in where she could not before. 

She smiled at her brother and stepped forward to pat his head gently. “I think the time we spend here could be a great opportunity for a do over.” 

Wei Wuxian blinked then grinned. “Mn!” It was then that Wei Wuxian spotted something over her shoulder. Or rather someone. “Lan Zhan!” 

Jiang Yanli turned around to see one of the Twin Jades walking down the stone path to them. He didn’t react when Wei Wuxian called out to them, waiting instead until he was closer to bow and greet them. “Wei Ying. Lady Jiang.” 

Jiang Yanli returned the bow, appropriate for someone of the fellow gentry greeting another for the first time. “Lan Wangji. It is nice to finally meet you. I can put a face to the name I keep hearing about.” 

Lan Wangji stood from his bow and turned to Wei Wuxian who was cleverly not looking at him, hand scratching the back of his head. Honestly, did her brother think she would not embarrass him at least a little bit when she was finally introduced? 

But she didn’t let him wallow too much in his embarrassment and swiftly moved on. “A-Xian was just showing me around. He always talked about how beautiful it was here, and it does not disappoint.” 

Lan Wangji had a funny look on his face, almost like he didn’t believe her but also didn’t want to accuse her of such a thing. 

“Ahh, ahh, Lan Zhan! Don’t look at shi-jie like that!” So Wei Wuxian did know what that look meant. “She’s not lying. I liked Cloud Recesses. I still do!” 

Lan Wangji instantly shifted his gaze to her brother. “You were expelled by Uncle.” 

Wei Wuxian sputtered. “That’s not because I hated it here!” 

“You just implied being here was nigh unbearable.” 

“Ahh! Lan Zhan, eavesdropping is not allowed!” 

“It was not eavesdropping. You simply speak very loudly.” 

Jiang Yanli concluded neither of them remembered she was there. She wondered how long it would take for them to notice if she simply walked off. She decided against it but only because she didn’t know her way around. She interjected, “A-Xian, if you want to spend time with your friend, I can find ways of occupying myself. It is alright, I don’t mind.” 

Wei Wuxian jerked, obviously having forgotten he was in the process of showing her around. “No, of course not! I still haven’t shown you the training grounds! Or the handstand area! It’s the area that poor little Lans go to stand on their hands while copying rules for punishment. If we’re lucky, we might see it at work. Lan Zhan, you should come with us.”

Now Jiang Yanli had barely spent a minute with Lan Wangji, but she could instantly tell he did not favor the company of others very much, especially not ones he just met. It was likely a sense of politeness for Jiang Yanli herself that he did not refuse outright. How Wei Wuxian managed to wiggle his way into Lan Wangji’s space was a story she would have to pry out of her brother at a later date. 

“I’m sure Lan Wangji has many duties to attend to,” Jiang Yanli said by way of giving the Second Young Master a way out. “We shouldn’t take up too much of his time.” 

Wei Wuxian instantly quieted, probably remembering that they were on the cusp of war. It seemed he was so excited to be back in Cloud Recesses, he almost forgot. “Ahh, you’re probably right. Alright, Lan Zhan, I release you. I’ll find you later, okay?” 

Lan Wangji nodded gracefully and bowed to her one more time, which she returned with a nod of her head. He continued down his path, back the way they came. 

Jiang Yanli noticed that Wei Wuxian seemed just a little bit less enthusiastic once the Second Young Master left, but she didn’t comment on it. They continued their tour, stopping when necessary to greet other Lan disciples. They returned to their rooms for lunch, where Jiang Cheng ended up taking it with them and relayed what had happened at the meeting. 

“Zewu-jun briefed me before, but I wasn’t expecting so many smaller clans to be so willing to join our cause,” Jiang Cheng spoke around a mouthful of soup. “And of course the Jins were the ones who were sooo reluctant to join. I don’t even know if they’ll contribute anything of value.” 

“It is good to not rush into war, but frankly, waiting too long can be detrimental as well.” Jiang Yanli nodded silently as Wei Wuxian poured her more tea. She brought the cup to her mouth. 

“Have you talked with Zewu-jun about rebuilding Jiang?” Wei Wuxian asked. Jiang Yanli knew both her brothers were eager to begin replacing the disciples they lost in the fall of Lotus Pier, but she wasn’t so happy about knowing they would be bringing untrained swordsmen onto the battlefield. But being under the tutelage of Yunmeng Jiang’s head disciple would give them the best chance. 

Jiang Cheng nodded. “He’s already talked to me about establishing a base in Chongyang. We need somewhere closer to Qishan. We can’t shuttle cultivators back and forth every time we need to fight.” 

“That will leave us quite vulnerable,” Wei Wuxian frowned. Jiang Yanli knew that he had wanted many times to improve the wards at Lotus Pier but was never able to. Even though the reason they fell was because they were attacked from the inside, she knew it still hurt him that he wasn’t able to do anything to strengthen them before the battle. 

As Jiang Yanli’s siblings began their back and forth of who would be stationed where, for how long, who would be making decisions, who had authority, and so on, she took stock of this moment. For she knew it would be one of the last times they would be taking a meal together for a very long time. 

~*~

It was only barely a fortnight later that Jiang Yanli’s careful peace was shattered when her brothers first descended onto the battlefield. She thought it a blessing that they were able to stay together for as long as they did, but she knew that that time had passed. 

No matter how many times they returned alive, no matter how many times she heard about Jiang Cheng’s growing strength or Wei Wuxian’s swiftness on the battlefield, her heart ached every night. It didn’t matter if they were together or not, or how many allies were surrounding them, or how slim the chance was, the possibility was still there. The possibility that her brothers might not come back on their own two legs. That they might not be coming back at all. 

Jiang Yanli didn’t know whether or not it was better to prepare for the chance. So she didn’t. And threw herself into her own work. 

Before being thrust into a war that should have never happened, she didn’t know how all encompassing war was. It seemed to touch every family, every business, every animal, every blade of grass she walked on. War seemed to be the threat keeping watch over everyone’s heads, bleeding into every moment, even the ones she wished she could keep it away from. 

Jiang Yanli firmly situated herself in a healing position, alongside the Lan healers as well as healers from other sects. But as a member of the gentry and a member of the inner family of Jiang, she stood a little higher than most those she worked with. As such, she found herself ordering people more than she thought she would, handling logistics and organization. 

Dealing with food acquisition and the distribution of it was the worst of her jobs. As much as she saw bags of rice flood into her vision, it never seemed enough. She wanted to keep their armies fed and well but couldn’t neglect the other people under her watch. The ones who prepared the food, who washed clothes, who staunched bleeding, who led the animals, who sharpened the swords. War persisted in every thought she had. 

She noticed things. As Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian continued to contribute to the war effort, their opinions and decisions were weighted more heavily and they gained more influence. So it was no surprise that as the war went on, she was assigned to safer and safer locations where the chance of being attacked dwindled until it was barely a flicker of a thought. She wanted to tell her brothers that it was not necessary. That she was needed in inopportune locations, but she did not. 

Messaging was no longer used as a luxury. She could not send inane letters to her brothers, asking about their day or simply to tell them she loved them. The messaging system was strictly for those who had vital information about the Wens’ movements or their own. Besides, she knew she wasn’t the only one. As much as Nie Mingjue had pushed for Nie Huaisang to pick up his saber more often, he did not allow his younger brother anywhere near a battlefield. Not that he would have been much help anyway. 

Weeks turned into months that soon turned into a year, and Jiang Yanli wondered if this war would ever end. She knew that the Wen sect was strong, stronger than they ever should have allowed unchecked. But they never seemed to lose ground. As much as Nie Mingjue’s victory at Hejian had lifted her spirit and her hope, so did his capture fill her with worry and sorrow. For she knew that the sect leader had beheaded Wen Ruohan’s eldest; whatever treatment he received was not kind. 

Perhaps it wasn’t wise, but she sought out Nie Huaisang once she found out. She could see he was surprised to be greeting company, but by the end, he was crying in her arms with worry for his only family. As she smoothed his hair in his tent, she was grateful that no such news had befallen her about her own family. Though she almost grew sick with worry whenever she heard about Wen Zhuliu’s movements, it seemed he was more inclined by Wen Chao’s orders to protect him than to contribute to the war efforts themselves. 

It was only when Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng themselves took back Lotus Pier that she finally started to feel like the end of the war was on the horizon. 

When she was informed of the victory, Jiang Yanli had to quickly gather herself and return to her own tent to prevent others from seeing her weep. Soon. Soon, she would be home again. Soon, she would be able to see her brothers again. She gathered the barest threads of her things and transferred authority of her unit of healers and common people before making haste to Yunmeng. 

When she arrived at the docks of Lotus Pier, she was expecting much worse. 

The wood making the houses and pillars was burned and damaged. The holes were plentiful, extremely easy to fall into. The banners of their sect were nowhere to be found except for one lone flag, which she knew her brothers had just put up. The streets were empty and lonely. Her once lively and welcoming home felt abused and neglected. But it still felt like home. She knew that no matter what should happen, no matter how far away she was or how long she was away for, this place would always feel like coming home. 

Closer to Yunmeng Jiang’s main house, Jiang Yanli found a few spare Jiang disciples. They bowed to her respectfully, but they were all busy with duties to attend to. Their army wasn’t focused on Lotus Pier anymore now that the land had been reclaimed. The blow to their sect had been a strategic victory for the Wens in the beginning, but now attempting to get it back would not be worth the effort. Her home was safe for the time being. 

But it seemed no one had deemed to enter the house itself. When Jiang Yanli opened the front doors, it sounded empty and hollow. She made her way to the kitchens, which she found in a state of disrepair. Pots, pans, and other utensils were strewn about, but the only remains of actually edible supplies were reduced to ash. She knew the reasoning behind it. If you can’t have it, there is no reason to let your enemy enjoy it. But it was yet another result of war that left a sour taste in her mouth. How much food was lost during the course of this year?

A soft sound raised her head. Voices. Familiar ones. Comforting ones. 

Her brothers. 

Jiang Yanli kept her footsteps carefully soft as she trekked across her house towards the main hall where they held familiar dinners and received guests. As she approached, the voices became louder and louder until she could clearly hear their conversation. 

“…their tomb?” 

“On the back hills.” 

“Don’t worry. We’ll place Wen Ruohan’s head before their graves soon enough.” 

Jiang Yanli knew that wasn’t likely to happen. All the sects were thirsty for blood; they would all want retribution for the injustice done to them. Getting a hold of the Wen sect leader’s head was nothing but a fairy tale. He would likely be burned to avoid having to give him a grave. Still, hearing her brothers talk about such things wasn’t something she wanted to hear. 

Jiang Yanli knew she instantly shattered the somber atmosphere when she stepped into the room. “Let’s not talk about such things, yes? We are home finally, we should talk about good things.” 

Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian jerked when she spoke, twisting around to look at her. 

“A-jie!” 

“Shi-jie!” 

A genuine laugh left Jiang Yanli as both her brothers thrust themselves forward to wrap her in a hug that was too hard, too warm, and just perfect. She once thought her arms were weak things that could barely pick up a sword, but right now they were exactly right since she had one to wrap around each of her brothers. “I’ve missed you both so much.” 

Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian trembled, hands unsteady where they rested on her waist. Her youngest brother couldn’t say anything, she knew, because his throat was closed up, so Wei Wuxian spoke through his own tears. “Yeah, shi-jie… We’ve missed you too.” 

Jiang Yanli let them cling to her a moment longer before she stepped back and took a long look at the both of them. “I’ll go see about getting a disciple to get me some ingredients for my lotus root soup. Wait here for me?” 

It was Jiang Cheng who spoke this time. “Of course A-jie.”

When Jiang Yanli returned with four bowls of soup, she was hit with a feeling of nostalgia so strong she almost stumbled. It was over a year ago the last time she and her brothers shared a meal together, but it felt like only last night. Like the past months were nothing more than a whisper of a bad dream. But she brushed the feeling off to be with her brothers, and after she offered a bowl to her parents, she began to eat her own food. 

But instead of having a meal with her brothers that she could enjoy, they were still talking about the damn war. 

“Even though we won at Jingchu, the Wens still have tens of thousands of cultivators,” Jiang Cheng said through his soup. She was sure they could talk about this later. Did he have to bring up such a thing now? “The four clans are worried. We don’t have a plan just yet.” 

“Are we certain we can’t win? We may be outnumbered, but surely with enough strategy and planning, we have a chance.” Why, why was Wei Wuxian humoring him with this? Why couldn’t he place a well planned tease and direct the conversation towards nicer things? “The Wens aren’t invincible. We just took back Lotus Pier.” 

“Or the Wens let us take back Lotus Pier. With the main fighting being in Qinghe, it was simply smarter for them to pull back their forces to places where they could better defend them.” Was it possible for them to shut up about war for a few minutes? 

“So what, are the sects going to simply give up?” Be quiet, be quiet. “Talk like that is only going to reduce morale.” 

“No one’s quitting!” Did Jiang Cheng have to be so loud? “That’s just what the sects are focusing on right now. Zewu-jun tells me there’s going to be another meeting soon to discuss what can be done.” Oh joy! More talks about the war that’s never left anyone’s mind for a year. 

“Oh really? Where? When—”

Jiang Yanli’s sprung into action without her conscious choice, slamming her own bowl of soup against the table. “Can we simply have one damn meal without talking about this war?!” 

That seemed to finally shut her brothers up. But the silence was all wrong. No one was even breathing except her. When Jiang Yanli looked up, she flinched when she saw their faces. They had never once looked at her like that. Shocked in a way that suggested she just slapped each of them across the face. 

“A-jie…” Jiang Cheng looked like he wanted to reach out to her but thought better of it. Like she had ever once pulled away from either of them. Wei Wuxian didn’t speak; it was like his mouth was sewn shut. 

Jiang Yanli opened her own mouth to say something, but what was there to say? What did she have to say for herself? She just lost her temper for no reason. She never lost her temper. She never cursed. She was never cross with her brothers, not like that. 

She swallowed and tried again. “I… I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I… must be more tired than I thought. Let’s—Let’s talk about something else, yes?” 

Jiang Cheng nodded along with her, as if she might snap once again with no notice. She might have. She felt utterly embarrassed and unhinged in a way she never had before. She picked up her soup to start eating again, but it tasted foul in her mouth. What was she doing? Wei Wuxian liked it more spicy anyway. She usually put more spice in his bowl. She had made this soup so many times. How did she forget that? 

Without dismissing herself, she pushed herself up from the table to stand, but something wasn’t right again. She couldn’t see, and her ears were cold. She knew what that meant. “Oh no.” And she collapsed once again. 

~*~

Jiang Yanli hadn’t felt this bad in a very long time. 

She remembered her early childhood quite clearly, but it was obviously for the worse. Before Wei Wuxian came to Lotus Pier, she often found herself bedridden, too weak to even move. She knew that her mother was disappointed. A-niang had gone through a difficult pregnancy; it seemed every other day the healers were telling her she might not make it. And to go through all that, only to birth a frail, little girl she couldn’t train to be a strong cultivator like herself? She knew that her mother was bitter about it for the rest of her days. 

They both took time to recover. Her father was doting and kind but perhaps didn’t pay as much enough attention to his wife as he should have. But that fault also rested on her mother partially because she never took kindly to gentleness from anyone. So when Jiang Yanli received news that she would be getting a younger sibling, she was overjoyed. 

Lotus Pier was her home, but before her younger brother arrived, it was lonely and quiet. When the second baby was born, home became a little more welcoming. Jiang Yanli could still picture her mother’s face after the birth of her son: sweat-slick, exhausted, but satisfied once the midwives told her the baby was healthy. 

It only took a few years for Jiang Yanli to see that she shared her disposition with that of her father, and her brother with their mother. It didn’t last long and their peace was engineered and contrived, but she was satisfied with it anyway. Her parents’ affections with each other were nonexistent, but with their children, they were passable. 

That is until A-die brought A-Xian home. 

There was a good deal of yelling that night. At the time, Jiang Yanli couldn’t understand why her mother was so angry. She got to have another younger brother to love; what did it matter where he came from? 

It seemed like a split had befallen their family that night. On one side, her father and herself and the other her brother and her mother. It was one that she never blamed Wei Wuxian for. Some could—and would—say that he was the reason why Lotus Pier was so suffocating to some, but she knew in her heart he was just an unlucky catalyst. Their peace could have been, and might have been, shattered by a simple rumor had he never come to them. 

As she grew, as she watched her brothers grow, she saw that her parents’ barbed words grew sharper and sharper as they both seemed to be able to take them, but that was never the case. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng simply took the blows to their characters and their origins and hid away their wounds as they were set up against each other over and over. 

Jiang Yanli made sure to never let them think she thought of them like that. She never let herself speak or imply such poisonous words. She would be the safe space for her brothers that her parents should have been. She would never be the cause of A-Cheng’s mortified expression or A-Xian’s downcast eyes. 

So as Jiang Yanli fought her way to consciousness, she simply couldn’t forgive herself for losing her temper and doing such a thing to Wei Wuxian. She knew she must speak to him immediately. 

As soon as she gained consciousness, Jiang Yanli began to push herself up until she was stopped by strong and sure hands on her shoulders. 

“A-jie.” Jiang Cheng’s voice was hesitant and concerned. “You shouldn’t get up. You need to rest.” 

Jiang Yanli slowed her movement enough to look around. She was in her old room. She wondered how many of her old things were still here. Probably none of them. She shook off the thought. “A-Cheng, where is A-Xian?” 

Jiang Cheng immediately seemed uncertain and looked away. “With the other disciples. He’s fine.” 

“Even still, I must speak to him. I must—”

“A-jie, you just collapsed. You need to rest. You haven’t been taking care of yourself.” 

Jiang Yanli pushed herself up from her bed but didn’t make an effort to actually get out of it, knowing that her brother would only corral her back in. “I simply stood up too fast, that’s all. I’m fine.” 

“A-jie, you were unconscious for several hours.” 

Now that made her pause. Throughout the year, she had had several dizzy spells that she dealt with accordingly. But she hadn’t actually passed out since that one time on the road. Was she getting worse? Were the effects of her golden core finally catching up to her? Even if they were, she couldn’t speak of it. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian needed to focus on the war efforts; bringing it up now would only distract them unnecessarily. “I suppose… I was more tired than I thought. But I still need to see A-Xian.” 

Jiang Cheng frowned and shifted where he sat. “He’s quite busy actually. Not for the reason you think. He’s not avoiding you. I wouldn’t let him. We actually just got word that the Sunshot Campaign is marching on Qishan within a fortnight.” 

Jiang Yanli immediately felt her throat close up. She was hoping for at least a little more time with her brothers before she had to let them go again. Could they not let them rest? “So soon? A-Cheng, I thought—”

“Sect Leader Nie thinks it’s necessary for us to continue fighting while we still have our momentum. Wei Wuxian’s wards and talismans have been crucial for winning fights, so Zewu-jun wants him at the center of the operation. Which means I’ll be right there with him.” 

At the center. That meant relatively safe. At least on the battlefield. Oh, but when would they be able to come home? “How… how much longer are they estimating the war taking?” 

Her brother didn’t want to answer; that was obvious. He did anyway. “Several more months if we’re lucky. The smaller clans that joined us were crucial, but the only real numbers on the field now are the larger clans. The Jins are still only sending the bare minimum to keep us from turning on them. But we can’t refuse anyone they send. We’re desperate for men.” 

Jiang Yanli’s face twisted. “A-Cheng, tell me plainly. Is the war effort actually going well?” 

“Nothing is certain. Sect Leader Nie is confident, Zewu-jun is wary, and Hanguang-jun and Wei Wuxian keep winning their battles but only just barely. We don’t know, at this point, A-jie. We really don’t know.” 

“Hm.” It seemed that she was going to have to be a little more proactive in this war than she thought if her brothers were ever going to come home. “I see. Well, fetch me some food and A-Xian. I insist I talk to him before you both leave. Just briefly.” 

Jiang Cheng seemed a little baffled by her change in demeanor, but there were only so many times he could refuse the same request from her. “I’ll make sure he comes to visit you. Be well, A-jie.” 

“You as well, A-Cheng. Don’t work yourself too hard.” 

~*~

Jiang Yanli was drafting her letter when Wei Wuxian finally slumped into her room. A soft knock lifted her head, and she instantly smiled when she saw his head peeking around her door. “A-Xian. Come here.” 

Wei Wuxian looked distinctly uncomfortable and uncertain, but he did as he was told, sitting himself on the side of her bed. She took his hands into hers and lifted his chin. She spoke plainly, “I shouldn’t have snapped at you, A-Xian. I’m sorry.” 

Her brother jerked, not expecting her apology. “No, shi-jie, I—”

Jiang Yanli shook her head. “No. I shouldn’t have talked to you like that. If I didn’t want to talk about the war, I should have said something, but not like that. You didn’t do anything wrong.” 

Wei Wuxian’s tongue twisted in his mouth as he fought for something to say. “Even still, Jiang Cheng and I shouldn’t have brought it up. We’ve just seen you for the first time in forever, we should have asked you how you were doing! And you weren’t doing well, shi-jie. Maybe Jiang Cheng or I could stay—”

“Absolutely not.” Jiang Yanli shook her head. “You must focus on the war, or it doesn’t matter how well I will be if we’re under the Wens’ rule. I was just tired from the trip, that’s all. I rushed over as soon as I heard you took back Lotus Pier.” 

“Are you sure? Even just for a little bit, I could—”

“The way I hear it is that my brother is crucial in winning this war. Working with Hanguang-jun even. I couldn’t possibly take him away from his duty.” She pinched his cheek softly then, earning a smile. 

“Shi-jie.” Wei Wuxian gently pushed her away. “Jiang Cheng exaggerates. And I’m only fighting with Lan Zhan because we fight so well together. Oh, shi-jie, you should see us together. It’s so fun!” 

“Perhaps under better circumstances.” 

Wei Wuxian’s attention drifted until he spotted the tray on her lap where her paper, ink, and brush rested. “What are you writing?” 

“A letter.” Jiang Yanli rested her hand over the writing, so her brother couldn’t see what was written. “I think I’m going to try and see Jin-Furen. She’ll treat me well, so you both don’t have to worry about me overworking myself again.” 

That seemed to pacify and raise Wei Wuxian’s spirits. “Of course! Shi-jie should only receive the best.” 

Oh, this boy… “Alright, well, I’ll take up no more of your time. I’m sure you have much to do before you leave. Do your best and come back to me safely.” 

Wei Wuxian nodded. “Always, shi-jie.” 

~*~

It was actually exceedingly easy to get an audience with Sect Leader Jin. 

A week after speaking with Wei Wuxian, Jiang Yanli saw her brothers off at the port. It pained her to see them leave, but hopefully, if all went well, it would be the last time she would have to say goodbye because of this war. 

Once Jiang Yanli could no longer see them on their swords in the sky, four Jin cultivators approached her and explained they were there to escort her to Lanling. She thanked them appropriately before gathering her things and climbing on one of their swords. 

One thing she never got used to when she cultivated was flying. It was nerve wracking for her to be so high up with only a thin blade between her and certain death. Her core was never strong, so keeping herself hovering and steady was near impossible. She looked terribly ungraceful, and she made her peace that she would never master it. She felt much more at ease on someone else’s sword. 

Jin-Furen greeted her immediately upon her arrival. Jiang Yanli was well aware of the woman’s adoration for her, and she always treated the woman kindly and gratefully in return. She knew that her treatment was more a result of A-niang than any trait of hers, but she was grateful nonetheless. 

“A-Li.” Jin-Furen brought her into her arms, pressing a kiss to her head. “It is so good to see you. I’m so glad you wrote. Have you been well?” 

“I’ve been alright, Jin-Furen. Thank you for having me. I hope the timing wasn’t inconvenient.” 

“Nothing of the sort. You are always welcome here.” Jin-Furen wrapped their arms around each other and began to walk them towards the main hall of Golden Carp Tower. 

Jiang Yanli’s brothers often made fun of the Jin’s style of almost everything. Their fashion, their food, their cultivation. She never took it to heart, but she also never shared their feelings. Yes, their buildings were a little more gaudy and decadent than she would like. But she’s spent enough time here over the years that it’s begun to feel like a second home. It was hard for it not to be when her mother’s childhood friend was trying to make her feel as welcome as possible. 

As was custom, Jiang Yanli greeted her host first upon arriving. She bowed gracefully at Sect Leader Jin and thanked him for his hospitality. She knew he had made no such efforts on her part, but it was necessary to behave well if her plans for the evening were to succeed. Jin Guangshan smiled at her and greeted her but was overall dismissive of her presence. She did not mind; it was like every other time she had visited this place. 

Jin-Furen quickly stole her away from the main hall to entertain her with meaningless gossip and tea. Jiang Yanli was grateful for the distraction. She did not need to talk about the war anymore than she already had, and she would have worried about the conversation at dinner had she not had anything else to demand her attention. 

Jiang Yanli didn’t see Jin Zixuan anywhere during her afternoon, but she wasn’t surprised. Her brothers had told her that he was one of the very few Jin cultivators who actually contributed to the war effort on his own accord. According to them, that made him “less of a peacock.” To her, it just told her that her initial judgment of his character was correct. She couldn’t help herself and brought him up when there was a lull in their conversation. 

“Jin-Furen? How is Jin Zixuan? I’ve only heard of him briefly through murmurs here and there.” 

The woman stiffened at the mention of her son, but then her face twisted into a sad smile. “What a good girl you are. Asking after him, even when he still has not properly apologized to you.” 

Jiang Yanli smiled good naturedly, but this is not how she wanted the conversation to go. “That’s all in the past, Jin-Furen. I hold no such grudge against Jin Zixuan.” 

“Well, maybe you should. Clearly, I have not been raising the boy correctly for him to say such things about you.” 

“Jin Zixuan’s actions are his and his alone.” Jiang Yanli stretched forward and took the other woman’s hands into hers. “You shouldn’t trouble yourself over what your son decides to do. That is not to say that a proper apology and talk with him face to face would be unwelcome, but I’ll be patient and wait for them to come on his own time.” 

Jin-Furen patted the back of her hand and looked her up and down with a scrutinizing eye. “Thank you, A-Li. Have you been well though? You look frail. And all too thin. It’s no good for a woman to be too thin.” 

“My brothers said something similar to me the other day. I suppose I’ve been working a bit too hard myself.” 

“Well, you must rest.” Jin-Furen stood from her seat and began to move more of their luncheon snacks towards her side of the table. “There is no need to be shy. I wouldn’t want you hungry just so you can have an appetite for dinner.” 

Well, Jiang Yanli wouldn’t want to gorge herself and subsequently be nauseous from nerves at dinner, but she grabbed some bread to humor the woman, and they fell back into comfortable conversation. 

After having their fill, Jiang Yanli and Jin-Furen walked with each other around the gardens of Golden Carp Tower. They seemed a little empty to Jiang Yanli. Lanling didn’t have the luxury of filling unused space with moats and small streams like Lotus Pier. Without being on the water, it would be highly impractical and high maintenance to keep up such aquatic landscaping. Still, it could use a few more flowers. Perhaps some hedges. 

Not long after, a servant fetched both of them for dinner. Jiang Yanli would always prefer the food of her hometown, but the variety that Lanling offered was still welcome. She had gotten the sense that the bland nature of Gusu food wasn’t something she liked during her visit there, and she had never spent enough time in Qinghe to gain a solid sense of their cuisine. 

She wasn’t surprised that the conversation was stagnant while Jin Guangshan and Jin Zixun were there. Jin-Furen and herself did their best to engage them, but it was clear their efforts weren’t welcome. But she had to make an effort anyway. 

“Sect Leader Jin.” Jiang Yanli waited a moment longer than necessary for a response, making sure the man’s eyes were on her. “I’m sure we’re all tired of such conversation, but I hoped you would be able to sait my curiosity on this matter.” 

“A-Li.” Jin Guangshan smiled indulgently and a little pedantically. “What are you so concerned about?” 

“The war effort. My brothers tell me that it’s not going as well as most people think or hope for.” 

“Ah, my dear, you don’t have to worry so much about such things.” 

“Maybe, but there’s little else I can do.” Jiang Yanli looked to the side, purposefully demure. “Have reports been making their way back to you? How are Jin cultivators fairing on the battlefield?” 

The Sect Leader straightened at the assumed slight. “My cultivators are doing quite well. Zixuan, against my better judgment, insists he stays with them.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Yanli appeared puzzled. “My brothers told me that our Jiang cultivators were struggling greatly. Perhaps, the Jin have more power than they realize.” 

It was a dangerously placed comment. Jin Guangshan could either deny it in an attempt to reason with the fact that he hadn’t ordered as many cultivators to the battlefront as he should have, or he could agree with the sentiment, making the next part of her plan much easier. 

Jin Guangshan scoffed. “Of course they are. The Lans, Nies, Jiangs—they all think they’re so much better than us, but who are the ones dying now?” 

“Guangshan!” Jin-Furen hissed, but he waved her off rudely. Jiang Yanli’s mouth twisted at the insensitive words, but she pushed onward. 

“Sect Leader Jin, if that is so, then why haven’t the Jins been so gracious in lending their strength to the war effort?” 

The man stopped taking a sip of his wine, wine that Jiang Yanli purposefully forgoed when she sat at this table. “Excuse me?” 

“It is as you say. The Jin cultivators are much more suitable for this war. They are stronger and much more numerous.” At least, half that sentence was true. “But Jin cultivators are hard to come by on the battlefield. Surely, we’d end this war more quickly if you were to send more to the cause.” 

Jin Guangshan scrutinized her with a shrewd eye. He likely picked up what she was laying down. “A-Li, sometimes it’s better to take a more conservative approach to things.” 

She knew he was likely banking on the possibility of the other sects to win this war for him. Where they would take the most losses, he would rise to power with no one having the manpower to stop him. She doubted he would be as big of a problem as Wen Ruohan, but she didn’t want to take any chances. “And what if that doesn’t work? What if the Wens’ armies take out everyone? You’ll be the last of the remaining sects standing, only to face the Wens by yourself. Do you think your cultivators could win that war for you?” 

“A-Li,” Jin-Furen admonished, but Jiang Yanli only had eyes for her husband. His mouth twisted as her words had their intended effect. 

“I only speak out of concern for us all. Without the Jins, I fear we may not win this war.” 

“I believe your brothers tell you too much,” Jin Zixun sneered, taking a large mouthful of wine. “Uncle, you don’t need to listen to this woman.”

Jiang Yanli did not appreciate this boy undermining her, a boy her junior no less, but she pressed onwards. She could not let his meaningless words stop her. “Jin Guangshan, whether you like it or not, the fate of this war and us all rest on your shoulders. The Jins could be our saviors. Or our downfall.” 

The Sect Leader took a quiet, deep breath, and she let her words sink in. It likely helped to play into his ego. “If I were to do that… I don’t think it’s likely that the sects would be properly grateful for our help.” 

Grateful. Grateful? What could they possibly be grateful for when they have been the ones working tirelessly for a year. Jiang Yanli opened her mouth. “They may not be. Not immediately. But as families return to each other, as homes are rebuilt, that will give them the time and energy to be thankful for the end of the war.” 

Jiang Yanli could see it. He was still not convinced. That was alright. She still had one more card to play. “I know for a fact that the Jiang, my family, would be more than grateful. We’re prepared to extend our gratitude for many generations to come.” 

That caught his attention. “Gratitude.” 

Jiang Yanli nodded, steady. “My father and you agreed to call off my engagement with Jin Zixuan out of concern for us both. He did not want to see his nor his friend’s child in a marriage they could not be happy in.” 

“A-Li!” Jin-Furen gasped, worried but also hopeful. 

“I think it is time to reinstate the engagement. I would be honored to be with your son and be welcomed into your home.” 

Jin Guangshan’s eyebrows raised. “And Sect Leader Jiang has agreed to this? Why did he not come himself to talk with me about it?” 

“Jiang Cheng has been wrapped up in the war and in recovering our home. He wanted to leave this up to me as my decision. I have his utmost support.” Jiang Yanli paused, but he still did not say anything. “I know this is much to ask of the Jins and of you. Your sect will sustain heavy casualties, some cultivators will not come home. But you will emerge stronger than ever. The sects will be grateful for your help, and after the war, the announcement of an engagement and a wedding will be just what everyone will need after such a terrible time. Your son will have an heir, a new generation. Something none of the other sects have at this time.” She knew that was a winner, mentioning something exclusive to him. “So, I implore you, Sect Leader. Reconsider and do well by your sect and by us all.” 

Jin Guangshan looked at her for a long moment then. Up and down then back again. No one spoke. Even Jin Zixun seemed to understand the enormity of this decision. Finally, he gestured to his nephew. “Zixun.” 

The boy jerked, unprepared at being addressed. “Yes, Uncle?” 

“Fetch me some ink and paper. I have some letters to write. And send word: we’re joining the war.” 

~*~

It wasn’t long before Jiang Yanli saw and felt the effects of her actions. 

Jin-Furen was adamant about not letting her out of her sight now that she was, once again, her future daughter in law. It took her several weeks to convince the woman to let her rejoin the war as a healer and correspondent. She was thankful for the break, but she was anxious to do something productive. Now that she had hope that the end was nearing, she felt as if there was so much—too much—to do. 

She also had difficulty getting a letter to Jiang Cheng about what she had done. She didn’t think that the Jin Sect Leader doubted her, but if he were to make an offhand comment about the engagement and either of her brothers had responded with any sort of doubt or confusion… Well, she would just like to avoid such a possibility. 

Right then, it was quite nice being friends with Nie Huaisang. 

Jiang Cheng’s response came more quickly than she thought it would, had she expected a response at all. It communicated that he understood, but that they would be talking about it as soon as they saw her next. Ah, her brothers. Always so doting and protective. 

Actually, the ending of the war came more quietly than she thought possible. She thought that it would end in a great battle with either side fighting tooth and nail for the upper hand. A great victory to end such a terrible war. But an assassination from the inside is what finally did Wen Ruohan in. 

Jiang Yanli thought it apt. There was only so much a man could destroy before even the ones closest to him thought it enough. It didn’t matter to her that the one who ended the war was one of their own in the end. The Wen Sect Leader was one that deserved to be stabbed in the back. 

When one of the healers she’d been working with for the past several weeks burst into the healing house she was in to announce it, she collapsed to her knees in shock and relief. Yells and shouts of success and triumph echoed around her, even from the man who she was healing just moments ago. Tears were spilt, hugs were shared between strangers. And all Jiang Yanli could think was: 

It was finally, finally over. 

~*~

Jiang Yanli thought that her brothers would slow down once they came home. But it was, in fact, the opposite. They couldn’t seem to sit still. 

Even her attempts at a proper dinner were only halfway successful. There was always some excuse:

“Ah, shi-jie, I would, but we’ve got the new disciples coming, and Jiang Cheng insists they don’t stand around. I’ve got to work out a new training schedule for them!” 

“A-jie, the architect is coming to make measurements about rebuilding, and I have to be there. We’ll have dinner another time.” 

“Shi-jie, I’m really sorry, but I’ve got to run. The aunties at the market need a little help today.” 

“We’ll have dinner soon, A-jie. I just need to meet with the elders this afternoon. Something about an update on how the sect is recovering.” 

Even just looking at them running back and forth made her dizzy. But also somewhat glad. 

Her home was finally starting to recover. Disciples were training with their head disciple in the field. Paint was being applied to fresh wood. New clarity bells were being made. The bounty from the war was finally starting to arrive, and it was so needed. Food, cloth, jewelry, gold. It amazed Jiang Yanli how quickly her house was filled with life when it had been so empty for so long. 

The only thing worrying her was Jin Guangshan’s persistence to meet with her engagement in mind. Jiang Cheng had been able to hold him back for now with excuses of recovering from the war, but she knew that they wouldn’t be able to avoid him for much longer. He wanted to announce their engagement as soon as possible, preferably at the group hunt the Jins would be hosting soon. They would need to discuss their expectations for her marriage. 

Jiang Yanli would also have to talk with him about his core as well. Now that the war was over, her promise to Wen Qing was hanging over her head like a dark cloud. It wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation, but it was necessary. 

The opportunity to do so came unexpectedly. Wei Wuxian had been sent off on a nearby nighthunt that couldn’t wait, leaving Jiang Yanli and her brother the only ones who remained in the house. As much as she adored her adopted brother, this was something that he couldn’t be involved in initially. Whether or not Jiang Cheng confided in him afterwards wasn’t her choice. 

Jiang Yanli found her brother where he was most of the time recently: in his room going over paperwork. She knocked in the doorway, having already opened it when she didn’t receive a response. “A-Cheng.” 

Her voice seemed to grab him from his work, and he raised his head. “A-jie. I’m sorry I didn’t hear you. I’m just trying to get through this stack before dinner.” 

“You’ll be lucky to get through that stack before the end of today.” Jiang Yanli walked over to him and placed a hand on the one he held with his brush. “Come to dinner. You need a break.” 

She had no idea if she was looking more serious than usual or if he was just that tired, but he agreed with a soft smile and got up to follow her to the bowls she had already served with his favorite soup. She would let him enjoy it for a little while before dropping the news on him. 

When he was halfway through his bowl, she broke the comfortable silence. “A-Cheng, it seems like you and A-Xian are working too hard. You need to take a break every once in a while.” 

“A-jie, I wish I could. But Wei Wuxian never seems to stop, and I can’t have him upstage me all the time.”

Jiang Yanli huffed a soft laugh. Her brothers had always had a subconscious need to compete with each other. Even if her parents hadn’t put them against each other so often, she knew that was how their dynamic operated. Friendly competition. It seemed that their newest fight was who could restore Lotus Pier the fastest. 

She cleared her throat, suddenly nervous. “How is your golden core treating you?” 

Jiang Cheng paused in his eating, caught off guard by the question. “Good. A-jie, you shouldn’t worry. It was weak at first, but it’s fine now.” 

She paused, trying to find the best phrasing. She apparently waited too long. 

“A-jie? Is everything okay? What’s this really about? Is it Jin Zixuan? Because I told you, we can call it off. It’s not too late. We’ll figure something else out for Jin Guangshan.” 

“No, no, A-Cheng. It’s not that. It’s just…” She couldn’t look him in the eye. “Do you remember when A-Qing told you that they created a new core?” 

“Well, yeah. That was the process. That’s what took so long and why—” He cut himself off, and she closed her eyes. She didn’t exactly have to spell it out for him to get it. “A-jie… what are you saying?” 

Jiang Yanli took a deep breath and pushed away her food, which was barely touched. “I think you know what I’m saying.” 

“No…” 

“A-Cheng, she didn’t give you a new core.” 

“No.”

“She gave you mine.” 

“No!” Jiang Cheng sprung to his feet, and Jiang Yanli closed her eyes in a wince. “A-jie, you can’t be telling me that! Wen Qing couldn’t have done that! She wouldn’t!” 

“She didn’t want to. I implored her.” 

“A-jie!” 

Jiang Yanli’s brother sounded tortured and mortified, but she pushed onwards. “While we were staying with A-Qing and A-Ning, I found an old theory of hers. One to transfer a golden core to another. It took some persuading, but she eventually agreed. And it was the best decision—” 

“No, you weren’t even there!” Jiang Cheng slammed a hand down onto the table, so reminiscent of the way their mother used to that it made her throat close up. “Wen Qing sent you away. You were with Wei Wuxian the whole time!” 

“I snuck away when he fell asleep then came back to avoid suspicion. Then you came, and we continued our journey.” 

With no more protests, Jiang Cheng turned away from the table and began to pull at his bangs. His jaw was trembling. He was close to crying. 

“A-Cheng. Please look at me.” 

He refused. 

“Didi.” 

He shook his head. 

“I—” 

“How could you?” Finally, Jiang Cheng exploded. “How could you give that to me? It’s your—It’s your core!” 

“You were hurting.” Jiang Yanli’s eyes started to prick, and she knew she was also close to crying. “I could make it better. That’s… that’s all it was.” 

“All it was?” Jiang Cheng sounded mocking now. “Just one core. So when I… so when I lost mine, I should have just shrugged it off? Oh well! It was only a core. Nothing to get too worked up about!” 

“A-Cheng, that is not what I’m saying.” Jiang Yanli’s voice was severe, but her brother still wouldn’t look at her. “I would have given my core to either of you. Because I love you both—so much.” 

“Wei Wuxian, was this his idea? Did he know about this? Did you tell him?” 

“A-Cheng!” Jiang Yanli gasped, springing to her feet. “He knows nothing of this. He also had no idea. I’ve never breathed a word of this to anyone. I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t ever tell him of this before I told you.” 

That left Jiang Cheng silent, shaking. Jiang Yanli watched him tremble then began to walk over to him. But before she could lay a gentle hand on his shoulder, he stepped back, recoiling from her touch. She flinched and stumbled back to her seat, suddenly unsteady. 

“That’s all I wanted to tell you. You can leave now.” 

And to her disappointment but not surprise, Jiang Cheng fled the room at a near run without looking back to her. She herself only barely got back to her room before crying and promptly falling asleep. 

~*~

The new atmosphere at Lotus Pier was suffocating. 

Jiang Cheng was clearly avoiding her, and she was only avoiding him in return to give him the space he so desperately needed. Even if it hurt her to her bones to turn away from his brother. 

Wei Wuxian returned two days later from his trip and could instantly tell something was off. He asked Jiang Yanli what could possibly have happened, but she assured him nothing was wrong, they just needed some space. 

“It’s nothing to do with you, A-Xian,” she said, stroking the side of his face. “We just have some things to sort out. It’s nothing to worry over.” And he had nodded his head, but that was no indication that he would follow her advice. 

And it seemed that the secret was too much for her youngest brother to keep because only a week after she told him, Wei Wuxian burst into the ancestral hall where she was. 

Jiang Yanli had taken up embroidering lately just to have something to do. Her hand wasn’t nearly as steady as it needed to be for the strokes of a brush or the spontaneity required to capture a casual drawing. With a needle and thread, she managed to keep herself occupied, able to pick it up and put it down again at will. When Wei Wuxian burst in with a cry of “Shi-jie!” she nearly pricked herself hard enough to draw blood. 

“A-Xian!” she gasped, putting aside her things. “You startled me. What on Earth is wrong?” 

“Shi-jie, it’s not true, right? Jiang Cheng is playing a cruel prank on me, isn’t he? You wouldn’t…” 

Jiang Yanli blinked and suddenly understood. She saw Jiang Cheng’s figure in the doorway out of the corner of her eye but hers didn’t stray from Wei Wuxian. She smiled gently, trying to buffer the news. “He’s not lying, A-Xian. If this is about my core, then… yes. It’s true.” 

Wei Wuxian shook his head, kneeling in front of her. “Why would you…?”

“Why would I care about my little brothers? Hm, I don’t know.” She was amused now. How her brothers loved to sing her praises and yet were baffled whenever she did something to meet those expectations. “Perhaps, I just love my brothers that much.” 

“But shi-jie, that—” Wei Wuxian stopped and almost swallowed his tongue. “It was my job to keep you two safe. I should have been the one—”

“No.” Jiang Yanli shook her head, so resolutely against the idea it shook her to her bones. “Absolutely not. You are not to do anything like that.” 

“But—”

“It’s already done. And I wouldn’t change my mind ever.” This, she said to Jiang Cheng who had been standing just outside of the room awkwardly, like this wasn’t his home. The one he grew up in. 

Jiang Yanli stretched out her hand to him, waiting for him to respond. Finally, he looked up at her and crossed the room in long, quick strides to reach her. She laughed, delighted but surprised, when he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Seeing as his brother had taken the top half of his body, Wei Wuxian leaned forward and gave his own hug with his arms wrapped around her waist. She had to lean back at the sudden display of affection, but she felt utterly smothered in love. 

“Thank you” was pressed to her temple and her stomach, and she couldn’t imagine a version of herself that would not give anything for her brothers. 

~*~

Lotus Pier was finally put together again. 

Everything seemed right in the world. Her brothers were safe. She was content. Their home was whole. The war was over. It was peaceful. And it was on one of these peaceful days that Wei Wuxian found her in the ancestral hall again. 

Jiang Yanli admitted that she probably spent too much time there. But it was the place she felt closest to her parents, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to visit it nearly as often once she was married. So she wanted to get her fill of the place as much as she could now. 

“Shi-jie!” Wei Wuxian’s voice rang out in a tone that would have certainly gotten him scolded by her mother if she had heard him. As much as her parent’s death pained her, it was good that he no longer felt the need to shy into himself at times. 

“A-Xian,” she greeted, setting aside her embroidery. “What is it?” 

“‘What is it?’” Wei Wuxian remarked back at her. “Can’t I just want to see my beloved shi-jie?” 

“A-Xian, I know you too well,” she said as he approached. “I can tell when there’s something on your mind. Most of the time, it’s mischief.” 

“Ahhh!” he cried, falsely offended. “Not always! I’m not always in trouble, you know.” He suddenly turned somber and shy, sitting next to her. 

“Then why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind, and I’ll not think you’re up to trouble anymore.” 

Wei Wuxian pouted and turned away, swaying where he sat. “I don’t have anything on my mind… not really…”

Jiang Yanli, not believing him in the slightest, picked up her needle and thread. She decided to start small for her first project, so she was making a single lotus flower right in the center. At least, it was supposed to be in the center. It was a little bit off. 

Wei Wuxian peeked his head over her shoulder to look at her work. “Ah, shi-jie, it looks great! Especially for your first try.” 

“Thank you.” Jiang Yanli continued her work, waiting for her brother to break. It didn’t take long. 

“Okay, shi-jie, I actually do have something to ask you. It’s been on my mind for a while.” 

“I’m so surprised.” 

“You can’t make fun of me. I’m only three!” Wei Wuxian held up three fingers to emphasize this, and she shook her head fondly. 

“Alright, tell your shi-jie your question, and I’ll answer.” 

“Actually I was wondering… why a person… would like another person? And I mean, that kind of like.” 

Jiang Yanli tried not to look too surprised, but she knew she was only partially successful. She had only known Wei Wuxian to be a bright, cheerful young boy who flirted shamelessly but was otherwise not interested in romance. He claimed it to be a waste of time that could otherwise be dedicated to cultivation. So to hear him suddenly express such an interest… well, she couldn’t be faulted for being caught off guard. 

“A-Xian… is there someone—”

Wei Wuxian immediately started shaking his head. “No, no. Not me. I haven’t got anyone… like that. I was just… curious.” 

“Curious?” 

“Yeah… Like I know you like Jin Zixuan, but I can’t imagine why. It seems really foolish. Liking someone, I mean! Not you liking Jin Zixuan. Even though that’s still…” 

Jiang Yanli laughed. “That’s alright, A-Xian. I’m well aware you and A-Cheng don’t necessarily approve of him. But why another person would like another…” She hummed, trying to find the best way to phrase her feelings on the matter. “It’s different for everyone. I think the most universal answer would be looking at another and knowing you would want them by your side for the rest of your life. People are going to change throughout the years, but who they are at their core will largely stay the same. That’s why you would like someone in that way.” 

Wei Wuxian was nodding along as if she was making complete sense and not making it up as she went. 

“You know you can tell me anything, A-Xian. If there’s someone—”

Wei Wuxian laughed loudly and nervously. He suddenly stood. “Of course not, shi-jie! I told you, I’m just curious. I’m not—I’m not interested in anyone! Anyway, I should go. I don’t want to keep you from your embroidering. Practice makes perfect!” With that, he quickly rushed out of the room without looking back. 

Well, it seemed like his love life, though delayed, was coming along just fine. She wished she could say the same thing about her own.

Jiang Yanli received an invitation not much later, inviting her to the group hunt that was coming up. She would have already been going, if nothing else, to support her brothers while they showed off their skills. But she was specifically invited by Jin-Furen, so once she arrived, she was sequestered away by the woman to follow her and have a seat by her during the festivities beforehand. 

She admitted she was rather shaken and disturbed when the beginning exercise before the hunt was to shoot at Wen war criminals. Jiang Yanli had no problem with death as of late because of the war. Death was a given, and she had seen much of it. And even though she admitted the crimes the Wens had committed were greater than anything in recent history, she still believed in treating people decently. Either they should be executed or jailed. But not taunted or humiliated. 

She drew comfort in the fact that Jin-Furen, her brothers, Jin Zixuan, and many others were also clearly uncomfortable with the display. Her fiance, as was necessary, shot the first arrow, and her body released its tension when no one was harmed. Even Wei Wuxian’s teasing of Lan Wangji’s ribbon couldn’t lift her spirits. 

And thankfully no one dared to shoot after her brother’s flamboyant shot of five arrows. Jin Guangshan released them, and Jin-Furen, not so subtly but efficiently, made it so Jin Zixuan was assisted to escort her during the hunt. 

Jiang Yanli could tell he was not happy about the responsibility or her company. While they walked away from the other cultivators alone, she tried to strike up a conversation, but she couldn’t seem to get anything off the ground with his short answers. 

When they came to a quiet, empty gorge, Jin Zixuan’s voice rang out so suddenly that Jiang Yanli nearly flinched. 

“Do you want to be with me?” 

She saw no point in answering the question. She thought she made her feelings on the matter quite clear. 

“Then… I see no point in continuing this, despite what you first agreed with my father. I won’t force you. It wasn’t my idea to even invite you.” 

Jiang Yanli frowned and continued walking past where he stood. “Respectfully, Jin Zixuan, I don’t think I am the one who would be forced into marriage in this instance.” 

She couldn’t see his face, as her back was to him, so she didn’t know how he felt about her words. But it was evidently clear to her, finally, that they would never work. Her attempt at civility was rebuffed, her kindness during the war unwanted. She still could feel his strong hand around her fragile wrist as he accused her of taking another woman’s efforts as her own. 

But that was alright. He wasn’t the only man in the world. Perhaps, he would have the decency to make it clear to his father that the second evisceration of their betrothal was his idea and spare Yunmeng Jiang from any reparations they might have to pay. She didn’t like the idea of not going through with her word, but she wouldn’t shackle Jin Zixuan to her. She wouldn’t make the same mistake her parents—

“A-Li!”

Jin Zixuan’s voice boomed through the canyon, and she actually flinched this time, turning around to face him. Her chest filled with hope, but the feeling was instantly turned to dread once she saw his horrified face. 

An explosion of rock sounded behind her, and she turned once again to see a huge pair of glowing eyes staring right at her. The dust from the rock cleared, and she realized she was facing an enormous, snake-shaped monster. She couldn’t seem to get her legs to move. She hadn’t faced such immediate danger since the beginning of the war. 

It was going to attack her, eat her. She needed to run. She needed to move. She was going to die. She couldn’t—

A sudden blur of yellow rushed past her and deflected the snake’s attack right before her body was embedded with its teeth. She gasped as Jin Zixuan sprung into the air and impaled the creature’s eye with his golden sword. The monster shrieked in pain shortly before falling to the ground as a heavy corpse. 

Jiang Yanli stared, shocked, at the snake’s body before looking at Jin Zixuan. He suddenly looked shy and wouldn’t meet her gaze. But before she could speak to him, Jin-Furen’s voice rang in her ears. 

“A-Li!” She was swooped up in the woman’s embrace, and she traced her features as she looked for a hair out of place. It seemed the woman hadn’t given the two of them much space after all. “Are you alright?” 

“I’m fine, Jin-Furen. I wasn’t hurt.” 

“Shi-jie!” 

Jiang Yanli looked up to see her brother racing to her with Lan Wangji at his heels. It appeared they were hunting together… 

“Are you okay? We heard the explosion and came as quickly as we could.” 

“As you can see, I’m fine, A-Xian. Jin Zixuan protected me.” 

Wei Wuxian didn’t seem inclined to acknowledge that point. “I was worried. I’m glad you’re alright.” 

“Yes, as well as I, dear. Let’s get you away from this horrible thing. Zixuan!” she barked, turning towards her son. “Come here and see A-Li off.” 

“Ah, that’s alright, Jin-Furen. Let’s not force him.” More interaction between the two of them wouldn’t do any good and would just be unbearably awkward. Though she did admire Jin-Furen’s efforts. “After all, it wasn’t his idea to invite me.” 

Wei Wuxian stepped to the side as Jin-Furen began to lead her away from the body. Jiang Yanli was still trying to calm her heart from the fright of almost being eaten, so she was almost startled out of her skin when her name was called once again. 

“A-Li!” 

Goodness, how many more people were going to yell at her today? Though she did turn around to give Jin Zixuan her attention. 

He had that embarrassed look again, but he pushed on bravely. “You’re wrong. Mother didn’t force me at all. The truth… The truth is that it was on my invitation you were invited! I wanted you to be here!” 

Jiang Yanli admitted that the outburst was one she did not expect. In fact, she was so surprised that she couldn’t seem to summon up any words in response and just blinked at him blankly. Jin Zixuan’s thin face couldn’t take the silence following his words, and her mouth dropped open as he ran in the opposite direction, screaming. 

“Fool,” Jin-Furen muttered, clearly embarrassed and displeased by her son’s behavior. “Why are you running away?” 

But Jiang Yanli couldn’t help her smile. Perhaps, they would be alright after all. 

~*~

“I can’t believe I missed that…” 

“It’s your own fault!” Wei Wuxian gestured with his glass of alcohol, shoving at his brother’s shoulder. “You should have come for the show! I’ve never seen Jin Zixuan look like that.” 

“I was two lis away! There was no way for me to even hear the snake, let alone race over there in time to see Jin Zixuan embarrass himself like that.” 

“I thought it was rather sweet.” Jiang Yanli decided against mentioning her betrothed’s harsh words just before the monster’s attack. He was finally starting to come into himself, and she would like for her brothers and her husband to at least tolerate each other because she knew liking each other was out of the question. 

“Besides,” Jiang Cheng said, moving away his empty plate, “the only reason you were there was because you were making out with Lan Wangji close to where A-jie was.” 

Wei Wuxian instantly flushed, and Jiang Yanli brought a hand to her mouth. She was going to bring it up much more delicately than that, but it appeared Jiang Cheng was driving right in. “I—We were not! We were just—” 

“God, don’t lie! It’s so obvious.” 

“You weren’t even there!” Wei Wuxian’s voice was frantic, and Jiang Yanli knew she should intervene before either of them hurt each other. 

“A-jie literally just said that you both came at the same time, and you were ‘slightly flushed.’”

“That was from running there!” 

“Oh, please!” Jiang Cheng jammed a firm finger into Wei Wuxian’s shoulder. “You would not have been out of breath from just that.” 

“Ah, shi-jie, you believe me, right?” Wei Wuxian turned his silver eyes on her, purposefully making them bigger. 

“Um…” She hesitated. “I’m sorry, A-Xian, but I did see your neck… It was… maybe a little bruised.” 

Jiang Cheng gestured to her in a very obvious ‘see!’ gesture. “And A-jie is always right! Just admit you actually like him. Though I can’t believe stuffy Lan Wangji is who you actually wanna marry.” 

“Marry? Who said anything about marriage?” 

“A-Xian,” Jiang Yanli instantly scolded. “You are not someone to kiss another and not have romantic intentions. You mean to tell me you kissed Lan Wangji as a joke? Or that you are entirely uninterested in him?” 

Wei Wuxian fibbed a lot, she admitted. To flirt or exaggerate, it was part of his nature. But he wouldn’t purposefully deceive to hurt another. And he wouldn’t lie about this. His lips curled into his mouth, and he looked off to the side. “Well, maybe, I’m… kinda interested in Lan Zhan.” 

“Kinda? You’re obsessed with him!” 

Jiang Yanli raised a hand in front of her younger brother, signaling him to let it go. As evident as Wei Wuxian’s feelings were, they were still new, so they shouldn’t tease him too much. He might still be trying to figure out the nature of their relationship. 

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, but he did stop and redirect the conversation. “Well, we can focus on you later. A-jie is actually the one who’s getting married! Speaking of which, Jin-Furen is refusing to let me in on any of the planning.” 

“What?” Wei Wuxian instantly jumped in once the conversation wasn’t focused on his love life. “But we promised to throw her the biggest and best wedding ever! She can’t totally block us out!” 

“We can’t do much unless we’re actually there. Personally, I don’t think she realizes how serious I am. If we don’t do anything, the entire thing is going to be Jin! We need to meet with her. It has to have at least a little Jiang.” 

Wei Wuxian nodded seriously as if this was a war meeting instead of a casual meal between siblings. Jiang Yanli honestly thought her brothers’ obsession with her wedding was more of a joke, something they could talk about and entertain themselves with, rather than an actual problem that needed solutions. But she was sorely mistaken when two weeks later, they were still talking about the details. 

Her dress, the food, the drink, the decorations, the guests, the colors, the groom himself. Since they couldn’t change who he was, they settled for critiquing his every move and attitude. But Jin Zixuan was on his best behavior throughout the whole thing, and she made sure to show her appreciation whenever she saw him. Which was, surprisingly, not that much. They had seen each other many times over the years since first being betrothed, but now that their wedding was actually on the way, they hardly had any opportunities to talk alone. 

So with Jin-Furen and her brothers working on the wedding and Jin Zixuan and his father handling sect duties, Jiang Yanli had some time to herself. Which was just perfect for what was on her mind. 

As soon as the group hunt ended, Jiang Yanli’s attention was focused on the Wens. She hadn’t heard anything of use about the Dafan Wen, let alone about Wen Qing and Wen Qionglin. It seemed that the Jin had taken care of the Wen war prisoners but were not doing an acceptable job of it. Her anxiety spiked when she thought of how Wen Qing and her family might be being treated. She couldn’t let her debt be unpaid. Not when it has led to such happiness at home. 

So she immediately set out to write a letter to Jin Guangshan, demanding in the most polite tone how the remaining Wens were being treated. In his letter back, she didn’t receive any helpful information. She sent a second one to show her intentions were tenacious and that this wasn’t just a small whim of hers. But she received a similar response the second time. But thankfully with a small slip of Jin-Furen’s tongue, she revealed Jin Zixun was actually in charge of the Wens. 

That did not comfort her in the slightest. It was relieving that Jin Zixuan did not have any part in the cruelty of the people she cared about, but it wasn’t going to be easy to deal with her future husband’s cousin. He had never liked her, and the feeling was mutual. 

The man’s letter was similar to his uncle’s: purposefully dismissing, slightly demeaning, and entirely uncommitting. But he did reveal that the remainder of the Wens were being held in work camps near Qiongqi Path, but she would have to verify that information for herself. 

Her worry instantly increased when she read that sentence. Wen Qing, when they were spending time just the two of them, would often mention her family. And it was quite a large family. Many uncles, aunts, and cousins to take care of. All on her shoulders, being the most capable cultivator and the eldest of her generation. Surely the work camps should only be reserved for cultivators, right? Not civilians? 

But she would not get any answer from her room, writing letters. She would have to go out herself and see. 

So the very next day, she packed her things, including all the letters she had received relating to the issue, and left a note for her brothers to find in her room when they eventually noticed her absence. She also went to the training grounds and gathered half a dozen Jiang cultivators who she thought to be the most loyal to her personally and promptly departed when they were all ready. 

“Jiang-Furen,” Zhao Lin said before they left. She was the strongest cultivator she had gathered and would be the one to fly her on her sword for the journey. She had the pleasure of watching the woman’s blossoming power develop over the course of the war. “What are our intentions with our mission?” 

“We’re repaying a debt,” was what Jiang Yanli said, entirely forthright. “I’m not certain of the situation until we are to arrive. I ask for your trust for the time being.” 

Zhao Lin got a funny look on her face as if she couldn’t believe she had asked that. “Of course. Jiang-Furen always has our trust.” And the rest of the cultivators behind her nodded to show their agreement. It looked like Jiang Yanli had chosen well for this mission. 

“Good. Now let us depart. I feel as if time may be of the essence.” 

By the time they arrived in Qishan, it was late into the evening and raining heavily. Normally, if this was a normal nighthunt, she’d order her disciples to stay at a nearby inn and rise early to begin investigations when they were properly rested. But this wasn’t a normal nighthunt. Her mind simply wouldn’t be able to let her rest until she did something productive. 

So Jiang Yanli located a nearby inn and was immediately greeted by a middle aged woman who was obviously the madam of the establishment. 

“Jiang cultivators,” she said, looking at the obvious coloring of their clothes. “We don’t get many of you folks here. How may this humble lady help you?” 

“Madam,” Jiang Yanli greeted sweetly. “Have there been many Jin cultivators around recently?” 

“Jin cultivators?” The woman was surprised by the question. “Yes, actually. It’s not uncommon to see them, but they’ve definitely been here more than I’ve seen in a long time.”

“In what direction, do they normally come and go?” Jiang Yanli knew she sounded suspicious. But she hoped her unaggressive nature allowed the woman to oversee it. 

“Direction? Do you have some business with them?” 

“I do. But they’re not being… the most cooperative. I assure you, it’s nothing to worry about. We just need to know where to find them.” 

The woman nodded, but she wasn’t sure what part of her explanation she was nodding at. “Well, I usually see them coming from the east part of town. They look rather pompous most of the time. Like they’ve just come from a successful nighthunt, but I haven’t heard of that sort of trouble around here in a few weeks.” 

Jiang Yanli felt her throat go dry as she reached into her sleeve. She laid a single coin on the counter in front of her and bowed with her neck. “Thank you very much for your time.” 

“Of course.” The woman seemed a little flustered at her unnecessary tip. “Will your cultivators be needing sleeping arrangements?” 

“I cannot say for sure,” Jiang Yanli answered honestly. They might be rushing back to Lotus Pier in just a few hours. “But if we do, I will know where to come.” She smiled once again and swept out of the inn, her disciples silent and right on her heels. 

“Zhao Lin,” Jiang Yanli said as they began to veer towards the east. “Ride your sword and take Han Ping with you to see if you can spot a group of Jin cultivators or anything of note. Do not engage and be as swift and discreet as possible. We will continue in this direction on foot.” It really wasn’t polite for a cultivator to ride their sword in any town. It was quite rude, but Jiang Yanli could tolerate rude at the moment. Thankfully, the rain had driven away most people, so they weren’t likely to be seen. 

Zhao Lin bowed firmly and nodded. “Of course, Furen.” With a simple whoosh, she and Han Ping were up into the air. Jiang Yanli continued on her path, her disciples right behind her. 

It took merely ten minutes of walking for Zhao Lin to report back alone. She hopped off her sword elegantly and sheathed it before bowing. “Furen. We’ve identified a group of Jin cultivators less than a li from the city. They seem to be gathering near the entrance of Qiongqi Path. We weren’t able to get close enough to see what they were guarding. Han Ping has stayed behind to watch and see if he can spot anything.” 

“Excellent. Lead us there immediately.” Zhao Lin nodded, assisted Jiang Yanli back onto her sword, and led them across the city. 

It wasn’t long before they were landing a safe distance away near the foot of a mountain. They were silent as Zhao Lin showed them to a small group of trees where Han Ping was waiting. He turned and bowed as soon as they approached. “Furen,” he greeted. “I took an aerial look and was able to identify what they’re occupied with.” 

“And what is here?” Jiang Yanli hoped she was wrong, but from the look on his face, she could tell it was for naught. 

“Civilians, it seems. Wen civilians. Mostly elderly. Though I am pretty sure I saw a child as well.” 

Jiang Yanli felt the air around her stiffen as her disciples tensed with her. She didn’t respond and walked around the cluster of trees to see the entrance to the camp a fair distance away. She saw two Jin cultivators standing guard, though she knew there were bound to be more inside. 

“How should we proceed?” Zhao Lin asked, in response to her lady’s silence. “I take it we’re here to collect these people. We could possibly sneak in from the back to smuggle some away. Or—” 

“Why should we hide?” Jiang Yanli immediately cut off her second in command. “We’re not doing anything wrong. I don’t see why we need to be discreet.” 

“Then…” Zhao Lin was obviously taken back and confused. “What are we to do?” 

“Walk up and ask. I’m sure the Jin cultivators will be happy to issue us an explanation.” Jiang Yanli walked forward and did just that. It took a second for the Jin standing guard to see them through the rain and the darkness, and they immediately responded with aggression. 

“Who goes there?” The first man’s voice was rough, but he sounded young. Probably younger than Jiang Yanli herself. “This is Jin territory, move along.” 

“I’m terribly sorry to disturb you this late at night.” Jiang Yanli pushed her hood back from her face but not completely off her head, so he could see her properly. 

“Lady Jiang!” He almost stumbled in surprise. “What are you doing here?” 

Jiang Yanli noted instantly that his voice softened in respect, but she paid it no mind. “You are holding Wen war prisoners here, correct?” 

The second man, the one to her left, answered her this time, “That is correct, Lady Jiang.” 

“Excellent,” she said with fake cheer, striding into the camp with confidence. She could hear the guards scrambling after her. 

“Lady Jiang!” the first man called after her. “What is your business here?” 

Jiang Yanli did not falter in her step. She couldn’t see any reds or whites from the entrance of the camp, so she followed her ears to the sounds of shuffling. “I have been corresponding with Jin Zixun over this matter for the past several weeks, and I had… concerns. I simply came to investigate myself.” 

“Well, please, let me answer your questions.” The first guard was still the one talking. The second seemed to not be in any mood to intervene when his likely superior rushed in front of her. His positioning forced her to stop, and he rubbed his hands together—because of the cold or because of nervousness, she didn’t know. “I can serve you tea and notify Young Master Jin to hopefully settle this matter.” 

Jiang Yanli set her gaze steadily on him and paused for just enough time to get him to open his mouth before cutting him off. “How many war prisoners are kept here?” 

“H—How many? Ah, perhaps more than fifty, less than a hundred.” 

“So you do not know the exact number? Is there anyone who does?” He didn’t respond, looking more and more nervous. “If you do not know how many you were initially charged with, how do you know whether or not some escaped?” 

They were gaining more attention, Jiang Yanli could see. All the Jin cultivators, perhaps a dozen or so in total, were all staring at her and her small party of Jiang. She would not allow for a fight; they were sorely unprepared for that. So she continued her inquiry without aggression. 

“Even if you don’t know the exact number, I am looking for some people. Do you know if you house anyone by the name of Wen Qing or Wen Qionglin here?” 

The man opened his mouth. But he had no response. 

She sighed, disappointed. She continued her pace around the man. “This is what I was coming to check on. Please, do notify Jin Zixun. I will need to speak with him once he arrives.” Her Jiang cultivators were a tight group around her and didn’t allow anyone else to get near her as she continued her inspection. The pair from before had run off, likely to notify Jin Zixun like she suggested. 

Once Jiang Yanli came around one corner, she nearly stumbled at what she found there. Jiang Yanli believed her disciples almost with the same amount of trust she had with her brothers. They would not lie to her; they wouldn’t dare. But to see what they described was still hard to take in. 

Dozens of people in ragged, white and red attire were shuffling across the foot of the mountain, shackled at their wrists and ankles. They moved slowly with exhaustion, their feet dragging through the heavy mud they were moving through. Jiang Yanli admitted that she did not look her best then: her cloak was soaked through and her clothes were covered in heavy mud along the bottom. But these people looked like they hadn’t changed clothes in weeks. How long since the end of the war? How long have these people been like this?

Jiang Yanli instantly strode forward, and her heart stuttered when these people flinched and backed away from her. What had these Jin men been doing to them? But she couldn’t let that stop her from getting information. 

“Have you seen Wen Qing? Is Wen Qing here?” She repeated her questions as she moved down the small group of people she had approached. They seemed dazed and weary, and she barely got any response from them. She changed tactics. “Wen Qionglin? Is he here? Is Wen Ning here?” That got her some reactions. 

Some people flinched at the mention of his name. She got some mixed signals. Some were pointing back the way she came. Some to her right. But most were pointing behind them, and she scurried around them, looking for a familiar face. 

Jiang Yanli wished she could say she was relieved when she finally found him. 

Wen Qionglin looked as if he had been through war himself even though she knew his sister would have never allowed him anywhere near a battlefield. His clothes were torn, similarly to his fellow prisoners, but his face was bruised and beaten. His shackles had cut into his skin, so there was dried blood down the sides of his fingers. He looked like Death walking. 

“A-Ning!” Jiang Yanli cried, launching herself forward. She took his face into her hands. “A-Ning, can you hear me? Wen Qing? Is A-Qing here?” 

Wen Qionglin blinked at her, sluggish. Once he realized who she was, he became frantic. “Lady Jiang! Lady Jiang please, jiejie!” 

“Wen Qing. Where is she?” Jiang Yanli’s grip faltered, and she realized she was holding him up. 

“I don’t know, I don’t know! You have to tell her! You have to go get her! It’s—” Finally, after what was probably endless amounts of exhaustion and stress, Wen Qionglin collapsed, passed out. 

“Zhao Lin,” Jiang Yanli barked as she struggled to prevent the poor boy from collapsing on the ground. “Help me with him.” 

Zhao Lin moved forward and took his weight from her, lowering them both onto the ground and resting his head in her lap. 

Jiang Yanli stood back up and turned to her small party. “Han Ping.” He was the fastest flier out of the ones she had chosen, and his talents were not more desired than right now. “Fly back to Lotus Pier. Fetch me two dozen more cultivators with necessary supplies. We’re taking these people to Yunmeng.” 

The young man didn’t seem surprised by her order, but he still hesitated. “And what should I say if I come across Sect Leader Jiang or Young Master Wei?” 

“If you come across them, inform them quickly of the situation, but waste no time. If either of my brothers are insistent, you may invite them to come with you to assess the situation themselves.” 

Her tone left no more room for questions. Han Ping took off with a short bow, soon indistinguishable from the night sky. Her gaze was drawn back to Wen Qionglin. 

“He’s feverish and weak, Furen,” Zhao Lin reported. Her hand was on his wrist, sending him some spiritual energy. “He needs a doctor.” 

If only his sister were here, but unfortunately, Jiang Yanli had no idea where the woman was. She would have to step up in her place. Looking around, she was suddenly overwhelmed. How was she to do this? There were dozens of people here. She would have to get them all to Yunmeng, but she couldn’t transport them all via sword. She had no idea how many were injured and sick. Now that she sent Han Ping away, she only had herself and five cultivators, facing what was at least two dozen Jin cultivators who had all looked away from human cruelty. She did not know—

A young voice cut through her line of thinking. 

“Ning-gege!” A little boy, a toddler, came out from the group she had extracted Wen Qionglin from. He launched himself at her legs, crying instantly. “You have to help him! Please, help him! He’s hurt.” 

Jiang Yanli took no more than a second before bending down to comfort the poor thing. “Of course I’ll help him. He’s my friend.” But the boy wouldn’t stop crying, and she scooped him up into her arms. He clung to her neckline as she rubbed soothingly at his back. How could a child get caught up in something like this? She was suddenly struck with the scene of her own child being treated like this and couldn’t dally another moment. 

She turned to her closest, unoccupied cultivator. “Gather everyone in this area. I want the injured and sick in one group. Count everyone you come across. I want an accurate number of everyone here, so we know how many we’re transporting.” Once the woman ran off, she turned to the three remaining. “Gather any supplies you find here. We’ll need to take stock.” Her cultivators wasted no time and turned on their heels. She saw that the Jin disciples were giving them a wide berth; hopefully, they wouldn’t interfere with their efforts. 

Attempt the impossible. 

Ha. Jiang Yanli had already done that and more. This was mere justice.

~*~

Jin Zixun unfortunately arrived before her backup did. 

It wasn’t surprising. His subordinates left to report to him before hers left for Yunmeng. But she continued to distract him, buying herself enough time for her to see additional Jiang disciples fly over Jin Zixun’s head. 

With her additional manpower, Jiang Yanli paid a minimal amount of attention to her future in law. He squawked and protested at being ignored but didn’t order any of the surrounding Jin cultivators to interfere with her efforts. He was likely trying to juggle the desire to be in control of the situation with the knowledge that as the future wife of Jin Zixuan and future mother of the Jin heir, she was required a certain amount of respect. 

Unfortunately, most of the people in her care now were not fit to move. Being both elderly and deprived of necessities like food and water, many people were injured and sick, unable to travel. But she still sent the small party able to walk along their way to Yunmeng with Zhao Lin at the head to ensure their safety. 

Even though it was probably a risk, Jiang Yanli rented out the largest inn in town and had all the rooms reserved for her guests. She demanded secrecy and discretion from the staff, and thankfully, they didn’t raise any protests along the way. 

Jiang Yanli did her best to siphon the child from her when the first group of his family left, but he resolutely refused to let go of her. Wen-Popo, the child’s grandmother, soon approached her and introduced the child as Wen Yuan once she realized he wouldn’t be leaving her side any time soon. To her surprise, the woman entrusted the life of her grandchild to her with a smile. Jiang Yanli, bolstered by the woman’s trust, didn’t let the child out of her sight for more than a minute. 

Finally, after over two weeks, the last remaining Wens were transferred to Yunmeng. The longer they stayed in Qishan, the more Jiang Yanli’s anxiety grew. And now the closer her traveling party approached her home, the more her worry increased. 

Jiang Yanli had only been receiving short, to the point letters from Jiang Cheng throughout the entire experience. She was well aware that she had not asked permission to invite dozens upon dozens of people into Lotus Pier, but she did not need to. It was her house as long as she remained in it and as long as she remained living. But she also saw how it might look to Jiang Cheng and was prepared to match his ire with understanding once they met again. 

To her surprise though, when she arrived on the docks of Lotus Pier, she did not see her younger brother irate or irritated, she saw him moving about, commanding his presence with the skill he had with his sword. Once he saw her, he stopped what he was doing to come over and greet her immediately. 

“A-jie,” he sighed, hugging her. “How many more strays are we picking up? First, Wei Wuxian and now the Wens. Should we just open Lotus Pier for everyone?” 

“A-Cheng,” she chastised, even though his tone was light. “You know why I did this.” 

Jiang Cheng stiffened at the reminder of his golden core and settled. “Of course, A-jie, but… you could have given me more of a warning. Suddenly Han Ping was arriving in the middle of the night, and I had to hear from him what you had been up to.” 

“I did leave a note,” Jiang Yanli said humorously. 

“You—” Her brother cut himself off, once he saw who was hiding behind her skirt. 

Jiang Yanli looked down to see Wen Yuan had finally gathered the courage to look up at the Jiang sect leader. He became shy once he realized the attention was on him, but she motioned him forward. “A-Yuan. Why don’t you greet Sect Leader Jiang like I showed you?” 

The boy was clearly nervous, but he performed the most endearing and clumsy bow she had ever seen before hiding behind her once again. She laughed lightly and patted his head. “Very good. Now, A-Cheng, has there been any news of A-Qing?” 

“Ah, about that. Come with me.” Jiang Cheng turned away, and Jiang Yanli followed him, her tiny shadow pattering right behind her. 

He led her through the training grounds and up the main stairs of their house. Once they reached the doors of the main hall, Jiang Yanli heard voices coming from the other side. Familiar voices. Once Jiang Cheng pushed them aside, Jiang Yanli could see three people taking lunch together. Wei Wuxian, Wen Qionglin, and Wen Qing. Wei Wuxian looked as well as he always did. Wen Qionglin’s condition had improved dramatically since the last she saw him, and he seemed perfectly on the mend. Wen Qing actually looked the worst overall, but it was obvious she was being well taken care of. 

The trio lifted their heads at the sound of their arrival, and Wei Wuxian greeted them first, “Shi-jie!” Wen Qionglin bowed slightly from his seat, smiling. 

But Wen Qing immediately thrust herself up from her seat, crossing the room in long strides. Her gaze was fixated on Jiang Yanli before she swallowed and performed the deepest bow Jiang Yanli had ever received from anyone. 

The room was silent as Wen Qing said her piece, “Lady Jiang… I cannot possibly repay what you have given me. The Dafan Wen are eternally in your debt.” 

Jiang Yanli stepped forward and grasped her friend’s arms until they were making eye contact once more. “A-Qing, you know I was only paying back a debt of my own.” And the words shook the room, for everyone there, minus A-Yuan, knew of what she spoke. 

Wen Qing’s mouth trembled, but because of her pride, she merely sniffled and turned away. “If Lady Jiang insists.” 

From there, they shared a happy meal together. A-Yuan greeted his cousins enthusiastically, happy to see more familiar faces. He was cautious around Jiang Cheng, likely because of his stern face, but Wei Wuxian won him over easily with his bright smile and big gestures. 

Jiang Yanli learned of all that she missed while she was away. Wen Qing had actually stumbled upon the steps of Lotus Pier, looking for help a mere days before the first of her family had arrived, so she was immediately put to work on settling them. It wasn’t explicitly said, but Jiang Yanli could tell that Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing had talked with each other about the surgery. They didn’t say exactly how it went, but the way they dodged around each other’s space and gaze told her there was awkwardness to sort through. But her brother didn’t seem resentful of the doctor, and that was all she cared about. 

Jiang Yanli actually almost forgot about her wedding through the chaos of getting the Wens to Lotus Pier. She received a harried and worried letter from Jin Zixuan, inquiring about the state of their engagement and what happened with Jin Zixun. She wrote back perfectly amicably, acting as if what she had done was nothing to fret over, as if it in no way changed her perspective of the Jins. Even if it did make her skin feel hot with injustice. 

The marriage date was rapidly approaching, and as much as Jiang Yanli wanted Wen Qionglin and Wen Qing there, she understood they had a duty to watch over their family members as she and her brothers traveled to Lanling for the affair. 

Not to mention the drama it would inquire if they were to attend. 

And before she knew it, she was staring at her reflection in the mirror while Jin-Furen fussed over her for the last time. 

Jiang Yanli was hit with a sudden case of longing, feeling surprisingly alone in the room, despite the handmaidens fluttering about the room. She wished her mother was there to see her off. Be supportive in that strong, silent way of hers. For her father to be waiting out there for her along with her brothers. But as the desire threatened to choke her, she reminded herself of the reality. 

Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian, and she would not have been able to run Lotus Pier the way they wanted to if they were here. A-Xian wouldn’t be as happy or as comfortable. A-Cheng wouldn’t be as confident. And she wouldn’t have been able to bring the Wens home no matter how much she begged. 

“A-Li.” Her shoulder was covered by a gentle hand. Jin-Furen looked at her with concern. “You’re alright? Stomach settled?” 

“Mn. I’m fine, Jin-Furen, thank you.” Truly the best decision about her wedding was for her to have a small, hearty meal that would settle solidly in her stomach no matter how nervous she was. It wouldn’t be good for anyone if she were to become nauseous and hurl on the groom. 

There was a small bustle behind her and finally: it was time. 

Jiang Yanli walked to her husband, feeling as though she was having a dream. But her steps were steady and smooth, and once she saw Jin Zixuan’s face, she knew she wasn’t the nervous one out of the two of them. Ironically, that gave her more confidence. 

They made their bows—one, two, and three—and she stole a kiss before she could lose her nerve. They stood, holding hands, and faced the crowd of people who had come to see them. There were several faces in the crowd, but most were people she didn’t recognize. But with the time she was going to be spending in Golden Carp Tower, she knew they’d be familiar soon enough. 

Her brothers seemed to be having another contest. This one about who could cry the most tears while looking like they weren’t crying. Jin-Furen didn’t have any such reservations and was smiling and sniffling. She spotted the Twin Jades near the back of the crowd. Near them were the Nie brothers; Nie Mingjue looked bored, but Nie Huaisang was practically grinning. Jiang Yanli must have seen Jin Guangshan and Jin Zixun somewhere in the crowd, but their presence couldn’t take away from the happiness of this day. 

For it was surely the most joyful she had had in a long time. 

~*~

After being in the politically charged air of Lanling for so long, the fresh scent of Yunmeng’s rivers soothed Jiang Yanli’s soul. 

She had been slowly building a home for herself in her husband’s house. With Jin Zixuan and Jin-Furen by her side, Golden Carp Tower was feeling more and more comfortable by the day. As she learned faces and names of disciples and servants, she could feel herself solidifying her place among the Jins. Luo Qingyang was becoming a fast friend, and she delighted in telling embarrassing stories about her childhood friend, which she hoarded with delight while ignoring her husband’s pleas. 

But Lanling would never be Yunmeng. A part of her heart would always rest here. And that was alright. For her heart belonged to many people. It could surely belong to many places as well. 

And tonight, Jiang Yanli walked along the planks of her home, water quietly sloshing beneath her. Her pregnancy had unexpectedly made her restless, causing her to leave her husband sleeping in her old room. She waited for the exhaustion to hit her, but more often than not, she found herself walking late into the night, until her feet finally gave out. She was finally starting to show, and her little one was welcomed as a companion on these walks of hers. 

As she continued down her path, Jiang Yanli heard some scuffling coming from the training yards. She could tell it was nothing to be concerned about. The sounds reminded her of months passed, when her brothers’ fighting would lure her to sleep. She couldn’t resist walking towards the noise. 

Jiang Yanli found Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji sparring together, swords flashing in the moonlight. Her brother had finally convinced his friend to visit, and he spent every waking moment with his fellow cultivator, not one to squander the opportunity. She didn’t know what time it was, but it was surely past the bedtime of Lans. She wondered how on Earth her brother had gotten the Twin Jade to stay up late with him. 

It was clear neither of them were ready for sleep though. They fought enthusiastically, both wanting to win. She could not keep up with their movements, but watching them was soothing in a way she didn’t expect, so she carefully squatted down to sit on the edge of the front steps. 

Jiang Yanli knew in a very abstract way how good her brother was with a sword. They wouldn’t have called him a genius on the battlefield if he didn’t deserve it. But seeing him fight Lan Wangji, Hanguang-jun, put into perspective how far above he was of anyone else. They were clearly masters of their respective sword forms, their cultivation. She wondered if she was looking at future immortals. The both of them cultivating to immortality would probably be the least surprising thing in her life. 

And she truly couldn’t be more happy for both of them. Whatever they decided their relationship to be, she knew they would not be separated. Equals in every way, Wei Wuxian had finally found someone utterly irreplaceable, as she suspected Lan Wangji also had. 

As their fight went on, Wei Wuxian became more playful, and their sparring changed in such a way it looked like they were dancing. Evidently bored of the obvious stalemate, her brother swiftly bent down and grasped some loose dirt in his hand. He swung it in a wide arch in front of him, and Lan Wangji closed his eyes and leaned back to avoid being blinded. But Wei Wuxian launched himself forward in his distraction and their chests collided. They lost their balance and tumbled to the ground, hitting Lan Wangji’s back roughly on the ground. 

But Wei Wuxian was laughing, perched on top of the cultivator’s chest. Jiang Yanli could hear his words across the silence of the training grounds. “Got you.” 

Lan Wangji’s response wasn’t as clear, but she was fairly certain he had said something to the effect of, “Mn.” 

There was a pause as they stared at each other for a moment. And then Wei Wuxian was leaning down and—oh. That was Jiang Yanli’s cue to leave. 

She collected herself as silently and quickly as her body allowed her, scurrying away from the private scene. Truly she could not be blamed, for they were in the public space of the training grounds, but she wouldn’t ruin this moment. Wei Wuxian was quite lucky that it was her who had stumbled across them and not Jiang Cheng. 

She wondered if she should bring up the matter of their courtship to him anyway. She knew Wei Wuxian had not announced their relationship so publicly because it would allow them more freedom to be with each other if they were still unattached bachelors. She could understand the reasoning behind it. The Lans’ betrothals were especially monitored, being as conservative as they were. But at this rate her brother would be deflowered before he even got married! And she knew he was a romantic at heart. He would want to be married before anything that serious was approached. 

Yes, she decided. She would bring up the topic at breakfast the next morning. Wei Wuxian would be married by the end of the year. Perhaps even before her child was born. 

~*~

“I cannot believe this!” 

Jiang Yanli was naive for thinking this conversation would go smoothly. Anything between her brothers was rarely smooth. Or quiet. 

Wei Wuxian threw his hands into the air, exacerbated, despite this entire confrontation being because of his actions. And those of Lan Wangji. “I don’t know what to tell you, Jiang Cheng. I thought you already knew, based on that comment you made about the group hunt.” 

“Yes, I knew you two were fooling around, but why now do you wanna get married?” Jiang Cheng’s breakfast had since been abandoned. Perhaps Jiang Yanli should have waited until he ate a bit more before bringing the topic up. “You do realize you would be marrying into the Lan sect, right?” 

“Yes?” Wei Wuxian responded, not knowing where his brother was going with his line of thinking. 

“That means the wedding is going to be in Cloud Recesses. Do I have to spell it out for you? It’s going to take months to talk with Lan Qiren and Zewu-jun, get everything set up, set a date. A-jie is going to have to make the trip heavily pregnant. You want to worry about her giving birth there? I don’t. You couldn’t have picked a worse time. You should have done this sooner or waited.” 

“A-Cheng,” Jiang Yanli chided. Even though his concern was endearing, he was overreacting a bit. “It’s fine. I’m not going to be an invalid. One trip to Gusu is not going to fling the baby out between my legs. And if he decides he’s going to be born there, well, that’s that. I’m sure Cloud Recesses has plenty of capable midwives.” 

Wei Wuxian turned to her, suddenly concerned. “Are you sure, shi-jie? I’m sorry, I didn’t even think of that.” 

“As I said, it’s fine. I’m the one who brought it up after all. Besides, I think it’s about time, don’t you?” 

Wei Wuxian flushed then turned to Lan Wangji who was sitting beside him and had been silent for the conversation. In fact, most times when she saw him, he was silent unless he was answering Wei Wuxian. He nodded, and her brother turned back to her. “Yeah, we’re ready.” 

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes and pressed his fingers to his temples. “Ah, god… I have to plan another goddamn wedding. So soon too…” 

“Jiang Cheng, you don’t have to plan our wedding if it’s too much for you.” 

“I don’t, don’t I? Oh yeah, let’s have the Lans do it. Do you know what Lan weddings are like? Hm? Do you? The most boring affair ever. If I leave everything to Lan Qiren, I will never hear the end of your complaints. Absolutely not. I will be writing to Sect Leader Lan today to see if we can make anything of the occasion.” 

Jiang Yanli smiled into her cup of tea as her brothers began to bicker. Wei Wuxian had seen an in and was beginning to make all sorts of demands. Jiang Cheng was refuting them all, but she knew he was remembering everything, taking it all into account. 

Jin Zixuan nudged her arm, staring at her brothers with slight horror. “Is this what it’s going to be like every time we visit here?” He had been deathly still throughout the meal, and she knew why. The last time they came, her brothers had yelled at him for taking a sip of his tea before she had some of her own. He was trying to be on his best, most unassuming behavior. 

She nodded, terribly fond. “I’m afraid you’ll have to get used to it.” 

Jin Zixuan looked like he might groan but gathered himself instead and straightened his shoulders. Resigned to what lay ahead. 

~*~

In the end, she did not give birth in Cloud Recesses. 

Which she preferred to be honest. She had everything set up in Golden Carp Tower, her midwives, her delivery room, her baby supplies, all her favorite foods. She was quite comfortable, swaddled in her bedroom with her husband rubbing her feet nearly every night. But little Jin Ling behaved himself, so Jiang Yanli was able to enjoy her brother’s wedding without any baby distractions. 

She found it quite ironic that she did not shed a single tear at her own wedding but found herself sniffling and nearly sobbing at Wei Wuxian’s wedding. The affair was as Lan as it could be, even with Jiang Cheng’s efforts subtly showing if one knew where to look. There was still no alcohol, and the food was as bland as ever, but Wei Wuxian simply couldn’t stop smiling at Lan Wangji. And Lan Wangji simply couldn’t have looked more smug. 

The only person who didn’t look happy to be there was Lan Qiren. But he appeared resigned to the event, and Zewu-jun was making a valiant effort to make sure he wouldn’t say anything rude or disapproving to the happy couple. 

She also couldn’t have been more glad to see Wen Qing, Wen Qionglin, and Wen Yuan had arrived alongside Jiang Cheng in Yunmeng Jiang colors. Wen Qionglin had made a full recovery from his time in the Wen war camps, and Wen Qing had since taken up residence in the Jiang’s sick rooms, schooling every healer there on better methods of treatment. Neither of the siblings lived in Lotus Pier; they stayed together with the rest of their family across various houses in Yunmeng. But it was often enough she saw them amongst the lotuses since Wen Qionglin had bonded with the Jiang disciples over archery and Wen Qing had developed a familiar respect among them. It was even quite often she heard that Wen Yuan was running around, perfectly comfortable around his new geges and jiejies. 

Jiang Yanli knew Jiang Cheng was nervous about bringing them along, but she also knew it was necessary. The Wens had developed a sort of villainous persona over the war, and if the remaining Dafan Wens were to live in peace, the public needed to be shown they weren’t a danger to anyone. And what better way than to first reveal them at a wedding, where causing drama was the most frowned upon? 

But really, Jiang Yanli didn’t think it would have mattered. At least not to Wei Wuxian or Lan Wangji. Completely smitten with each other, they rarely took their eyes off their new spouse and seemed completely unaware of anything outside of their little circle. And it seemed Lan Wangji was bending the rules ever so slightly for his husband when he leaned in to whisper conspiratorially into his ear, and he only smiled, amused, at what he had said and did not scold him for talking during their meal. Lan Qiren’s mouth twisted into a scowl, but he could do nothing but stay silent and return to his own food. 

It was another joyful day, and Jiang Yanli began to worry if her little streak of joyful days would end any time soon.

~*~

Jin Ling arrived nearly three weeks after Jiang Yanli and her husband came back to Golden Carp Tower. 

After another late night of walking, she was prepared to wake up much later than the rest of the house, but instead, she found herself awake before the sun. She immediately identified something was amiss but waited until her water broke to alert her husband, just in case she was wrong. 

Jin Zixuan was frantic as he composed a messenger butterfly to Lotus Pier, alerting her brother of her incoming labor. Jiang Yanli, on the other hand, found herself calm and composed. Finally, her child was here. She would be able to stop waddling and be able to have a drink every once in a while! 

“A-Xuan,” she called as her husband began pacing the room uselessly. He whipped around to face her. “Perhaps you should alert the servants? Maybe your mother?” 

“…Yes. Yes! Of course!” And for some reason, he walked right out of their bedroom, leaving her alone. She placed her head in her hands. She had meant for her husband to call for a nearby servant to alert all necessary parties while he stayed with her. But she knew he wasn’t in his right mind now. That wouldn’t stop Jin-Furen from yelling at him though. 

And sure enough, the woman came bustling into the room with half a dozen servants, her shrewd eye locating her immediately. “A-Li! My useless son, I am so sorry. Leaving you alone at a time like this! I cannot believe him.” 

Jiang Yanli laughed as lightly as she could; she had already started to practice her breathing. “He’s just a little panicked right now.” 

“Panicked? Him? And if he is panicked, what must you be feeling?” She shook her head. “How do you feel right now? Can you walk and make it to the delivery room?” 

“With a little help, I think I can make it there on my own two feet.” Jin-Furen swept to her side while another servant came around to her other side to keep her steady. Jin Zixuan hovered nearby, looking like he had no idea what to do. The moment he took a step forward, Jin-Furen was already waving him away. 

“You go! Make sure Sect Leader Jiang and his doctor arrive safely and bring them to us once they are here. Make yourself useful.” 

With that, her husband was off, evidently very happy to be following orders today. 

They made it to the delivery room in one piece, but Jiang Yanli was already sweating. Jin-Furen deposited her on the bed in the room, relieving her of some of her outer clothes. One of her midwives approached her and began asking some questions, prodding at her torso and stomach. Jin Ling wouldn’t be delivered for several hours probably, but it was prudent to make sure there wasn’t anything wrong early on. 

In the time it took for Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing to arrive, Jiang Yanli was entertained with water, some light food, Jin-Furen’s and her midwives’ company, and the start of being accustomed to labor. 

When Wen Qing came in, she came in with both doors swung open. Jiang Yanli managed to spot her brother over the top of her head and waved at him, but he, along with her husband, was swiftly kept out of the room by her doctor. Wen Qing walked over to her immediately and set aside her bag. “A-Li.” She had finally begun to call her that, which Jiang Yanli couldn’t be more happy about. “Anything happen yet?” 

“Not yet! Still waiting.” 

Wen Qing nodded then addressed the woman at her side with a respectable bow. “Jin-Furen, thank you for letting me tend to A-Li.” 

Jin-Furen nodded slowly, slightly uncomfortable, but she didn’t say. It was obvious she was a little nervous having a Wen attend to her daughter in law, but she didn’t voice any objections when Jiang Yanli brought it up to her a few weeks ago. “Of course. It was A-Li’s choice, and she said you were perfectly capable.” 

“Yes, my focus is on golden cores, but I’ve delivered several babies as well. They’re not too complicated.” Wen Qing then turned to Jiang Yanli. “Well, I’m sure you know, but this might take a while.”

“So we have some time to kill?” Jiang Yanli asked with a smile. 

“Pretty much.” Wen Qing took a seat on her bed, mostly looking around the room to make sure it was in order but also to avoid looking awkward. But small talks were basically Jiang Yanli’s specialty, and soon enough she had the three of them talking amicably while waiting for her child to arrive. 

A few hours later, her cramps were becoming more severe, and she was squeezing Jin-Furen’s hand as she followed Wen Qing’s instructions. She didn’t scream, but she definitely had some cries of pain that she hoped weren’t audible from outside of the room. Wen Qing had given her some pain medication to help with the delivery, but she didn’t want to overdo it because of her lack of a core. Cultivators usually had to take a much higher dose than non cultivators. And with Jiang Yanli no longer having a core, with no frame of reference for such a condition, Wen Qing monitored her response to it like crazy. 

Despite the inherent trust Jiang Yanli had with Wen Qing, her golden core situation was also why she wanted to have her deliver her baby. There was no way of knowing the type of effect the surgery might have on the baby or the delivery, so she wanted Wen Qing as close as possible, so she could step in as soon as she felt something was wrong. 

In the end, the delivery was stressful, painful, but overall completely normal. Jin Ling came out fat and screaming, and Jiang Yanli sunk into her pillows in relief. She didn’t share this anxiety with anyone, but she was so worried that her child would be like her, and she would have a similar delivery her mother had had with her. But a midwife reported to her that he was perfectly fine, that she did a great job, and oh goodness, she now had a son. 

Wen Qing was obviously the first to actually hold him, seeing as she had caught him, but once he was cleaned and his umbilical cord was cut, she brought him over to her and laid him down next to her head. Jiang Yanli was thankful; as much as she wanted to properly hold him, her arms didn’t feel steady enough to hold a cup of tea, let alone a child. 

Jin-Furen was next to embrace him, but not until after Jiang Yanli had blessed him with enough kisses to satisfy herself. She lifted him carefully but with a practiced nature that signified she had done this before. “Ah, A-Ling. You are going to be a fussy baby, I can already tell.” To prove her point, he screamed even louder, and they both laughed. 

The minutes after that, Jiang Yanli had some trouble remembering. She noticed some hushed whispers. Male voices. A kiss to her temple. But she was almost immediately out like a light and then slept almost 12 twelve hours. 

Later when she woke up, she was told that there was a minor fight about who would hold him next as the rest of her family was allowed to see Jin Ling. Jin Zixuan laid the first claim as was proper, but her brothers couldn’t help themselves and began to bicker about who he should give the baby to next. (Jiang Cheng had sent a message to Wei Wuxian upon his arrival with nothing better to do, and her brother had flown in record speed with his husband to make sure he was here for the birth of his nephew.) Thankfully, Wen Qing revoked their baby-holding rights because of their immaturity, citing that her son shouldn’t be exposed to too many people at once. Unsurprisingly, that ignited another fight, and Jiang Yanli was so glad to have been asleep for the entirety of it. 

~*~

“A-Ling, don’t run too far!” 

Jin Zixuan’s voice sounded right after they had arrived at the port, but their son toddled away, completely unhearing, his destination in sight. Her husband sighed and turned to help her off the boat. “I swear that boy listens less than I did.” 

Jiang Yanli accepted her husband’s hand as her feet finally found solid ground. She was ever so grateful that she hadn’t developed motion sickness while pregnant, like some other women had. It made traveling from both her homes so much easier when she wasn’t nauseous for the entire trip. “Then you have no one to blame but yourself.” 

Jin Zixuan sighed but didn’t refute her, and she took his arm as they walked to Lotus Pier. The fishermen and sailors around them stopped to bow as they passed, and they nodded back in greeting. Jin Ling was well practiced in dodging longer legs, but the people in Yunmeng still did a fine job of watching out for him to make sure he wasn’t stepped on. Her son was truly a bit spoiled; he would be miffed to realize that the world did not normally bend to his will. Perhaps the little sibling she was giving him would teach him some responsibility. 

Jiang Yanli didn’t let her eyes leave her son, not until he ran straight into his uncle’s legs. Jiang Cheng was usually the one to receive them when they came to visit, and today was no exception. 

“Shushu!” Jin Ling greeted his uncle the way he always did: holding his arms up expectantly, with no bow. 

Jiang Cheng scowled but lifted her son into his arms, also like he always did. Once the child was secure, he turned to address them. “A-jie, Zixuan. How was the trip?” 

“Pleasant as ever,” Jiang Yanli answered, and the four of them began to make their way to the main house. 

It hadn’t been that long since they last visited, so there wasn’t much for Jiang Yanli to talk about as they made their walk. But Jin Ling always had things to say, so they listened to his half-coherent babble while making their trek. 

They arrived at the training grounds of Yunmeng Jiang a few minutes later to find Wei Wuxian once again burying A-Yuan in dirt. Jin Ling immediately started squirming in his uncle's arms upon seeing his friend, and Jiang Cheng let him down so he could run once again. Seeing his friend above ground, A-Yuan demanded he be free, so he could play with Jin Ling. Wei Wuxian pretended to think about it for a moment before obeying his son and unearthing him once more. The pair of children ran off before her brother could even brush the dirt off A-Yuan’s clothes. 

Wei Wuxian saw them approaching and gave them a wide wave before following the children, just in case. They all knew they were perfectly safe in Lotus Pier, but everyone wanted someone to be watching, just in case. Just in case something happened, just in case something went wrong. Just in case they needed an adult to help them, so they would have that security none of them had. 

As Jiang Yanli took a seat on the front steps of her house, she was happy to find A-Yuan was doing just fine adjusting. She knew children normally adjusted to things quite well when given the proper support, but she hadn’t seen the child in so long, having been quite occupied with caring for her first baby, then first infant, then second pregnancy. 

Shortly after Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were married, the two bonded so well with A-Yuan that they couldn’t bear to be parted with him. With a conversation that Wei Wuxian was all too worried about, they approached Wen Qing and her family to make sure that they would approve of the adoption. Jiang Yanli wasn’t there, but it was her understanding that Wen Qing scolded her brother for asking so timidly. His name was changed to Lan for his safety and also to make sure there wouldn’t be any barriers when he entered his schooling while making friends. His name was also officially added to the Lan family registry, next to Wei Wuxian’s. If that wasn’t enough, the white robes he wore solidified him as a Lan. 

Jiang Yanli knew that his birth parents had perished some time during the Sunshot Campaign. Whether on the battlefield or in the Jin labor camps, she didn’t have the heart to ask. But she hoped they would be happy knowing their son was well loved and taken care of. His adoptive parents as well as Wen Qing agreed that once he grew older, he would be able to make the decision to go by his birth name if he wanted to, but that was a long time off. 

Right now though, Lan Yuan and Jin Ling were fighting with wooden swords while Wei Wuxian cheered from the sides. Lan Wangji appeared from the direction of the market and held a bag out to his husband—probably a request of his. Wei Wuxian smiled and thanked him with a kiss. 

Jin Ling cried, “Yuck!” while Lan Yuan simply giggled. 

Wei Wuxian turned to his nephew, and it was really Jin Ling’s fault he didn’t immediately bolt at seeing his uncle make that face. “You know the rules! You don’t like me kissing others, I’ll just have to kiss you too!” 

Jin Ling screamed as Wei Wuxian scooped him into his arms and began lathering him in kisses. He was smacked and kicked, but her brother wouldn’t be deterred. Lan Yuan squealed and jumped, pulling on his father’s robes. “Me too, Baba! Me too!” 

Eventually, Wei Wuxian stopped his assault and grabbed the other child, smacking him with kisses, while one laughed and the other groaned. “Of course! I wouldn’t leave my radish out!” 

Jiang Cheng and Jin Zixuan both rolled their eyes at the display; it was evident they had finally found some common ground: being exacerbated by her brother’s antics. But Lan Wangji and herself simply found themselves smiling softly at the display. 

And Jiang Yanli wondered what she could have possibly done to earn this life of blessing.