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Chapter Text

Jiang Cheng walked down the stairs of Lan Sect. Each steps feels more heavier than the other. A messy fight with lots of stress. Currently this is what his life looks like.

Oh, how he wishes he could also go on seclusion like Sect leader Lan.

But he doesn't have an uncle like him. And now he not only take cares of his Sect, but also Jin Sect as his nephew is so crazy about spending time with his little friends.

He is not upset or angry, he is actually happy. A-ling never had any friends ever since he was a child. He was a lonely child, just like him. He is happy that A-ling got friends he could rely on.

He is more jealous of it. How silly of it, to be jealous of his own nephew just because he could enjoy his youth unlike him, taking care of two Sect until he tires himself.

Jiang cheng sighed, it wasn't only a messy fight between him and Jin Ling but rather the confrontation of Wei WuXian.

After Guanyin temple incident, he refused to meet with his ex-shixiong no matter how many times Jin Ling insisted.

"Why ? You both needs to talk! And everyone agrees with me."

Jiang cheng sighed, this is not the first time Jin Ling is saying these words and not the last time too.

"I am busy."

"So busy that you are ignoring yourself."

Jiang Cheng stopped doing what he was doing. And looked blankly at the paper, 'myself, when was the last time I thought of myself?'

Jiang Shao, the right-hand man of Jiang Cheng saw his sect leader blanking away. "Young Master Jin, I believe you must leave now. Sect leader have been working day and night and needs rest."

Jin Ling thought to say something but stopped himself,  yes he knows jiujiu needs rest. He sighed and left from there. And again came back tomorrow for the same conversation. 

Jiang Cheng reached the gate of exit. He looked back, the stairs are almost empty except the occasional disciples going and coming.

'I should leave before sunsets.'

And with that he took out his sword and flew away.

"Where is my Jiu- Sect leader Jiang?" Jin Ling asked Lan Sizhui. He is angry at his jiujiu! How could he call him brat in front of everyone and even scold him! He was just going to stay at Gusu Lan for four days after that he was going to go back home. But Jiujiu had to come and ruin that!

"Ah, I saw Sect leader leaving in hurry!" Lan Jingyi said his mouth full of rice.

"Ah-Yi slow down, don't talk when you are eating." Lan Sizhui, Yuàn, said with his ever so calm voice.

"Oh." Jin Ling maybe angry at his uncle but that never changes the fact that he loves his uncle most.

He may get married and have children and grandchildren yet he will be crying over the fact that his JiuJiu did not made his favourite Lotus Pork Soup.

Jin Ling inwardly sighed, he knows he was somewhat wrong. But what is the fault with wanting to spend some time with his friends? Also he is going to say sorry anyway.

A hand squeezed his, comforting him. Jin Ling looked up to meet Lan Sizhui's concerning gaze. He smiled not wanting Lan Sizhui to get worried about him.

'I should talk to Wei Wuxian on how to make Jiujiu forgive me!'

He grinned more and more that it almost made Lan Jingyi scare, 'I hope he is not thinking of murdering me.' Jingyi may not be as bright as sun but he knows when something is going wrong.

Jin Ling started eating his food which is bland. One of the reason why he doesn't stay at Gusu more than four days.

Chapter Text

Far far away, in a distant land,

There was a Prince, cold and aloof.

People who knew or the people who don't.

Scared of the Prince who lives in the Fort.

In the realm of royalty, he stands so tall,

A Prince with a demeanor, distant and cold.

Yet within his chest, a tender heart beats,

Shrouded in a darkness, untold.

He listens to the whispers of the breeze,

As it carries tales of love and despair.

A melancholy symphony in his ears,

Melting the iciness, breaking the snare.

He holds within him a kindness untamed,

A reservoir of compassion unseen.

For in his solitude, he deeply cares,

Even though his demeanor may seem mean.

The Prince who's cold, aloof, but soft at core,

His icy armor shielding beauty rare.

May his heart's gentleness be unveiled,

And spark a flame of love, beyond compare.

Jiang Cheng went by many names, one of them is his infamous Sandu Shengshou. The name he tries so hard to maintain.

Once when he was a child, merely five or six, a woman said that he is like a gentle flame.

Even though it is harmless but with one mistake it can burn everything down.

All those years later, he still remembers the words by heart. The day when he saw his home burned, he may had blamed on Wei Wuxian but deep within he knew it was his fate.

Oh so cruel, fate have never sided to him.

Always at opposite, so he became what he despised, a cruel mean man. His words were like fire burning everything down.

Jiang Cheng landed on Yunmeng in hurry. Because of all the drama he almost forgot what today is. He hurried towards Lotus Pier. His mind a mess.

It is the day when Lotus Pier was once burned. Every year on this day the Yunmeng light lantern. A sign of praying for the souls that died in the injustice.

Jiang cheng walked down the hall, many lantern fly over the lakes of the pier lighting up the sky, the heavy silence deafening his own thoughts.

He remembered the days, when he used fo walk down this very hall, carefree running after a brother doing mischief, all a memory so distant. It feels like hundred years have passed since those days.

Jinag Cheng smiled fondly of those memories. Even though he wasn't the happiest but atleast it was better. He had a father who can carry the burden of sect and a mother who would fight for his right. A sister whose shoulder he can cry on and a brother with whom he can share his story.

Often times, things doesn't need to be perfect. Sometimes it just needs it's presence.

Jiang Cheng sighed entering the ancestral hall. Despite living in the pier, he rarely enters here. This place reminding him what he have lost all these years.

His own emotions.

Oh he is such an angry man, his mouth same as fire. Who would even want to kiss a fire?

Lan Xichen sighed for the millionth time. Days in seclusion turned him into a hopeless man.

He knows how shifu and his dear brother cares about him, but when a man loses hope, what can he do?

A knock broke the silence that had already engulfed Xichen completely, his eyes hollow, void of emotions. Like he have aged so much, tired and dying.

"Enter."

Even to speak a word feels so tiring.

Lan Qiren entered the room, the room was dark and not even a candle have been lit. He should hav expected this yet in his heart, he thought what if.

"Xichen, do you really wish to live all your life like this?"

Qiren's voice echoes in the room.

For a moment Xichen thought, do he? But with all the heartbreak he went through what should he do? Smile again? Like nothing ever happened? 

"I know Xichen, you went through something unimaginable but just because of it you can't do this! Think about your brother, your sect, me."

Xichen smiled, oh his little brother, the boy he took care of, gave immense love.

The Sect he is so proud of.

And the man he thinks as father.

"Shifu, have you ever questioned your own morals amd values?"

Qiren stared at the white figure who just stared at nothing but the darkness.

"Every day, every time, when i look at both of you."