Chapter Text
"Did you say something to A-Cheng?"
Seated at a table beneath one of the pavilions overlooking Kūyè Lake, Jiang Fengmian raised his eyes to his wife, who was standing to his right and had just asked the question. She was looking at him with the same stern, cold eyes she usually reserved for him just before yelling at him or starting a quarrel.
This time, however, Jiang Fengmian really didn't know what he could have done to stir up his wife's anger.
"Out of the ordinary? No, not that I know of," he replied simply.
Yu Ziyuan stared at him for a long moment, as if assessing the veracity of his words. She finally seemed to believe him, for the lightning aura emanating from her body faded slightly.
She crossed her arms and diverted her gaze to the lake they were near. "He's been silent and completely out of it for the last three days."
"He is?" Jiang Fengmian replied, with a frown.
He'd been preoccupied with the renovations of the second pavilion of the juniors over the last few days. He had attended their family dinners, but it had been the kind of ponderous, silent dinners. He hadn't seen anything unusual with Jiang Cheng.
Yu Ziyuan didn't seem to agree with this, for she gave him a look full of contempt.
"Of course you didn't see anything," she said in disgust before turning on her heels.
Jiang Fengmian watched her leave the pavilion, trying to tame the slight discontent that had appeared at her tone. Once again, his wife was dismissing him like dirt, barely giving him time to respond, looking at him as if he were nothing.
But he was used to it. She looked at him like that more often than not. If he had to get angry every time, he'd wear himself out. So, as always, he put his negative feelings in a corner of his mind and forgot about them.
Still, two hours later, he asked his daughter what was going on with Jiang Cheng.
"A-Cheng has been acting...indeed strangely for the past few days," Jiang Yanli said softly.
They were both sitting on a low stone wall along the road leading to the central markets of Lotus Pier. The weather was nice, so people were outside and the air was full of merriment. But Jiang Fengmian didn't really reflect the good mood of the passers-by near him, frowning instead at his daughter's reply.
"Strangely how?" Jiang Fengmian asked.
Jiang Yanli sighed and looked down at her hands resting on her thighs. "Three days ago, A-Cheng woke up screaming. I was with A-Xian behind the building, so we heard him. We rushed to his room to find him looking disheveled in front of his mirror, eyes haggard, and horror on his face."
She swallowed, as if the memories were still troubling her before continuing;
"When he saw us, he looked at us as if we were monsters, and he started making no sense, talking about death and curses. When we assured him that all was fine, that he was alive and well among us, he became angry and accused us of trying to...deceive him? As if we were impostors and not his family? He even came close to attacking us. I don't understand what happened. I'm still so confused..."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Jiang Fengmian asked, stunned.
Jiang Yanli's face went rigid, and she said stiffly. "We did. You told us to leave him alone and that he'd calm down."
Oh. So that had been why Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli had come to him earlier in the week to say that Jiang Cheng was acting strangely and aggressively. Both had been in a mild panic.
But Jiang Cheng often had mood swings, so Jiang Fengmian had thought it was just one of his many angry episodes.
"In the end, giving him time was the solution, though," Jiang Yanli said with another sigh. "We returned cautiously two hours later. When he saw us this time, he was still looking puzzled and disoriented, but instead of trying to attack us, he-he hugged me and burst into tears. He's been completely silent ever since."
"Just a bad dream, you think?" Jiang Fengmian asked.
"If it was one, it must have been vivid and traumatic. Or perhaps the remaining effects of a curse of some kind? But A-Cheng hasn't gone hunting since last week so...."
Jiang Fengmian nodded, understanding. It seemed more like a disturbing dream, which had apparently affected Jiang Cheng so much that he'd upset Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian even 2 days later.
He wondered if Wei Wuxian was okay in this.
"I'll pay attention to A-Cheng tonight," Jiang Fengmian said gently, putting a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Don't worry."
.
.
That evening, at their family dinner, Jiang Fengmian did indeed notice his son's lack of chatter. Jiang Cheng didn't look distressed, as Jiang Fengmian had feared, but he still seemed absent, staring at the table in front of him as if he couldn't see it, drowned in a daze to which only his conscience had access.
Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian, seated on the floor at the family table with Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian, looked at Jiang Cheng with concern, exchanging worried glances between them.
Yu Ziyuan, for her part, appeared to grow irritated as the minutes passed.
The five family members were served their meal. They proceeded to dine in heavy silence, while Jiang Cheng ate without even seeming to notice, his eyes still veiled in a strange emptiness.
And after 10 minutes, Yu Ziyuan couldn't take it anymore. "Jiang Cheng! Are you going to stay in a daze for the rest of your life? What kind of example are you giving?! I don't know what made you like this, but snap out of it right now! You're a complete disgrace like this!"
Yu Ziyuan's outburst brought Jiang Cheng out of his reverie and startled him. Life reappeared in his eyes and he looked at his mother with a bewildered expression.
Instead of feeling embarrassed and sorry, Jiang Cheng frowned.
"You're right," he said, seeming to be having a revelation. "I can't stay like this."
His face then turned determined and he straightened up, before taking his rice bowl firmly in his right hand.
Everyone looked at him dumbfounded. When Jiang Cheng met his family's gaze, he simply shook his head and grabbed a piece of meat from his dish with his chopsticks.
"Sorry to have worried you all. I'm fine now."
-oOo-
Over the next few days, Jiang Fengmian saw his son walking with his back straight, a serious look on his face. He still seemed deep in thought, but he no longer looked lost.
Had this all just been a set-up to get his parents to pay attention to him, and he'd been satisfied when Yu Ziyuan had finally reacted? Would he really do that? No, he wouldn't, would he?
Walking down one of the central building's corridors, hands behind his back, Jiang Fengmian sighed.
He didn't understand his son.
It had been much easier when Jiang Cheng was young. But the older he had become, the more Yu Ziyuan's temperament had come out in him, and Jiang Fengmian wasn't very compatible with that kind of personality. His entire marriage could testify to that.
He loved his wife. Probably not in the way she wanted -he wasn't in love with her-, but Yu Ziyuan was still the mother of his children and his companion, helping him to make Lotus Pier grow. He did care about her sincerely, despite her constant flaying and belittling words.
It was the same for his son. He loved his youngest, but Jiang Cheng's personality was hardly pleasant at times, and didn't invite companionship.
It was more agreeable to navigate around someone like Wei Wuxian, for the young man shone with his talent, kindness and gentle soul. With Wei Wuxian, it was simple.
Jiang Cheng was sometimes jealous of Wei Wuxian's ability to attract people to him. And unfortunately, Jiang Fengmian himself had been caught in the net of this. His son didn't always appreciate the attention he paid to Wei Wuxian.
So, was this why Jiang Cheng had felt compelled to act to get attention, for once? But why now and why like this?
Suddenly, Jiang Fengmian remembered something and opened his eyes wide.
He'd promised Jiang Cheng he'd come and watch him train at the end of the week. It was something that had excited his son, but Jiang Fengmian himself had never mentioned it again. Maybe Jiang Cheng had remembered and wanted to make sure his father's focus was on him this week.
Jiang Fengmian felt a bit bad, thinking about this. He wasn't going to be able to attend Jiang Cheng's training session. He had a few files to sort out that he'd been putting off for weeks, and he'd wanted to do this at the end of this week too.
He grimaced and made his way down the corridor in search of his son to tell him.
Jiang Cheng probably wasn't going to be happy.
And while Jiang Fengmian was trying to figure out which words would least arouse his son's anger, after just a few minutes, he came face to face with him, turning down a corridor.
Jiang Cheng stopped walking upon seeing him. When he recognized his father, he bowed respectfully. "A-Die."
"A-Cheng, good morning," Jiang Fengmian said softly. "I was actually looking for you."
Jiang Cheng straightened up and didn't answer. He looked at his father with an almost intimidating depth, waiting for the older man to speak. Jiang Fengmian shifted slightly on his feet.
"I'm sorry, son," he began. "I don't think I can come to see you tomorrow as promised."
"What?" Jiang Cheng said, brows furrowing at the news, looking surprisingly confused. "See me for what?"
It was Jiang Fengmian's turn to frown. "Your practice with Fēng Shizun tomorrow. I won't be able to make it. I unfortunately have work to do."
Jiang Cheng suddenly seemed to get it, for he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Oh," Jiang Cheng said, lowering his arm and reopening his eyes. "A-Die, really, do...just do whatever. I don't mind."
It was said nonchalantly, as Jiang Cheng sometimes tried to do, even though he was obviously upset underneath.
But this time, Jiang Fengmian saw nothing beyond this nonchalance.
Jiang Cheng really didn't seem to care.
"You...don't?" Jiang Fengmian inquired, weighing his words.
"No," Jiang Cheng replied firmly. "When do we have to leave for the Cloud Recesses studies?"
Jiang Fengmian blinked at the unexpected change of subject. He had a strange feeling that he was missing something in this conversation.
The lectures given at the Cloud Recesses were frequent, but not necessarily every year, and the Lan Sect didn't always invite everyone. For Jiang Fengmian's juniors, it was only under discussion, and he hadn't even told them about it yet, as it was too early. How on earth could Jiang Cheng know-
"It would be in two years, give or take," Jiang Fengmian said. "But we don't have any confirmation. Where did you hear about this?"
But Jiang Cheng wasn't looking at his father anymore. He had a distant gaze fixed on one of the corridor walls, his thoughts elsewhere, his mind apparently preoccupied with something else already.
"Two years, huh?" Jiang Cheng murmured. "I think I can make it."
With his mind still distracted, Jiang Cheng made a vague bow to his father and dismissed himself.
Then he walked away from Jiang Fengmian without a backward glance.
-oOo-
Jiang Cheng improved his fighting skills.
Drastically.
It was the servants who had made the comment in the corridor, one day. Jiang Fengmian hadn't taken their words seriously at first, thinking they were just kind souls who wanted to encourage their young master. Jiang Cheng had an acceptable level, but he wasn't exceptional, nor did he have the natural talent of Wei Wuxian. Nevertheless, he found it kind of the servants to spread the news that their master was now extremely gifted.
However, after a few days, when he had noticed that Yu Ziyuan also looked strangely satisfied, he had begun to wonder and had gone to see the next training session of the junior class containing his son.
The scene in front of him had seemed almost unrealistic, so frighteningly good was indeed Jiang Cheng, leaving Jiang Fengmian completely confused.
And it wasn't just the fluke of one day, for the days went by, and every time he saw his heir at work, it was the same thing.
Not only was Jiang Cheng now surpassing his peers in terms of technique, speed and precision, but he was doing it almost absently, as if his gestures were merely routine. Half the time he seemed distracted, preoccupied with other things, but his gestures never faltered, and he made no mistakes in his forms.
One day -apparently unintentionally- he even continued the act of a form his class had yet to learn, as if he already knew the steps and his body had simply continued automatically. And Jiang Cheng had only stopped when everyone had ceased their movements and looked at him, dumbfounded.
The change in Jiang Cheng's combat strength was so different that it was strange. Jiang Fengmian didn't even see him working extra hours to train anymore. So where did this improvement come from?
Had he been helped?
"Talismans?" Jiang Cheng asked, confused. "If I used talismans for what? Hunting?"
It was almost dinnertime. It had been raining all day so many of the disciples' activities had been relegated to indoor training halls.
One of those halls was close to the archive room, where Jiang Fengmian was, and it had turned out to be occupied by Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng's group.
At the end of their session, the juniors had passed in front of the open door of the archive room, and those who had noticed their sect leader had greeted him. Two of them, in passing, had paid him no attention, as they were too busy talking about how 'Jiang Gongzi had beaten them again'.
So, hearing this, when Jiang Fengmian had seen his son pass by with Wei Wuxian, he had stood up and called out to him.
Once alone in the archive room, he had first acknowledged Jiang Cheng's progress and thought he would smoothly follow up with his question.
But apparently he hadn't been clear enough.
"You've improved exceptionally in your fighting form, my son, and once again, it's impressive," Jiang Fengmian said softly. "But it's happened so quickly that one might wonder if you didn't get a little help in the matter."
Comprehension seemed to sit in Jiang Cheng's eyes and he made a face. He then ran a hand through his hair, suddenly looking tired, and turned his gaze away.
"Right. Ugh, I guess I wasn't subtle about that. Fair enough," Jiang Cheng mumbled while Jiang Fengmian wasn't sure he understood what his son was implying. "But to answer your question; no, I didn't use talismans to enhance my abilities."
"Are you sure?" Jiang Fengmian asked, cautiously. "Because if you were to use any unconventional means to improve your performance, it wouldn't exactly be fair to your comrades."
Jiang Cheng let out a heavy sigh. "Does it bother you that much that I'm better than Wei Wuxian, for once?"
The crease between Jiang Fengmian's eyebrows deepened.
It didn't bother him as such.
It was just unusual, and so out of the blue. Jiang Cheng had always been behind Wei Wuxian in most classes, so of course such a sudden change was suspicious.
"It's not that," Jiang Fengmian said gently. "These changes are only quite surprising, and in such a short time, so doubts can arise. But if you tell me that it's only by the sweat of your brow that you've improved -and that it's really true- I can only congratulate you."
Jiang Cheng gave him an unreadable look, before shaking his head and fixing his eyes on a point behind Jiang Fengmian's shoulder.
"If it's any consolation, being better than Wei Wuxian right now brings me absolutely zero merit, given my...circumstances," Jiang Cheng said. "Let's just say I was lucky, at some point, to be trained avidly. But if Wei Wuxian had had that same ‘luck’, he'd probably be better than me, as usual."
Jiang Fengmian was intrigued by the slight bitterness that colored Jiang Cheng's voice at the last sentence he said, referring to Wei Wuxian.
Ever since Jiang Cheng had awakened from his nightmare a few weeks earlier, the jealousy towards his sect brother seemed to have vanished.
And it was the first time since then that Jiang Fengmian caught a glimpse of it again.
But why would this jealousy resurface now, when Jiang Cheng was finally better than Wei Wuxian for once? Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Jiang Cheng's brain was a complete mystery to Jiang Fengmian.
"And you would have been avidly trained by whom? Or by what?" he asked his son.
"....just Life," Jiang Cheng replied.
Life?
What did that even mean? Was he talking about Yu Ziyuan's demands and punishments in relation to his performance since he was young? Or had Jiang Cheng had an epiphany of some kind following his nightmare, and redoubled his efforts?
But even if it was one of these two theories, it would contradict the fact that Jiang Fengmian saw his son practicing less than before. Unless he was doing his training at night when everyone else was asleep? Maybe that was his secret.
"Anyway," Jiang Cheng said. "I'm not cheating. I just found a trick to make my learning easier. Can we go eat now? The others will wait for us, otherwise."
Jiang Fengmian sighed faintly, and nodded. Perhaps he'd address the subject again another day.
So the Sect Leader packed up his things, and the two men headed for their family residences.
It was rare for Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Cheng to be alone together, so normally his son would have taken advantage of this little walk with his father to make small talk. But there was only silence hanging around them this time, as they made their way to their dining hall.
Jiang Fengmian didn't know what to say either. He typically asked his son how his training was going. He already knew it was going well. So he said nothing.
Jiang Yanli, Yu Ziyuan and Wei Wuxian were already seated when they entered the hall. Yu Ziyuan was curtly berating her daughter about her poor success in mastering a musical instrument. Jiang Yanli had never been particularly skilled at this. She had tried to start the Guzheng and Erhu at her mother's insistence, but according to Yu Ziyuan's scolding, it obviously wasn't going very well.
Wei Wuxian, next to them, was silent, his head lowered slightly, as if he didn't want to incur the wrath of the mistress of the Pier as well.
But it wasn't on him that Yu Ziyuan's attention shifted. It was on the two men who had just made their entrance and were walking towards them.
"Thanks for finally gracing us with your presence," she spat sarcastically towards her husband and son.
"Sorry for the delay, A-Niang. A-Die and I were just chatting," Jiang Cheng said, taking the lead, and bowing a little diplomatically.
He straightened up and glanced at his sister, as if to make sure she was all right. She gave him a small smile and shook her head discreetly.
While Jiang Cheng was a little more distant than usual with his father, with Jiang Yanli, it was the complete opposite. His protectiveness towards her seemed to have doubled, and Jiang Fengmian had even spotted him hugging her on several occasions. Jiang Yanli blushed with happiness each time, not being used to it, since her little brother was at an age where he should have wanted to show his independence. But for the past few weeks, Jiang Cheng didn't seem to care about this.
"A-Li, is the instrument you practice too difficult, perhaps?" Jiang Fengmian asked his daughter kindly, after greeting the others. "Would you like to try with another one? A Xiao might be an option."
"Would that change anything?" Yu Ziyuan scoffed. "If the girl has no talent for music, maybe we should stop wasting her instructors' time."
Jiang Yanli reddened and lowered her eyes. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian said nothing, but they didn't appear to appreciate Yu Ziyuan's words.
Jiang Fengmian, for his part, really didn't feel like arguing with his wife on the subject. "We can discuss it again another time, certainly." he said softly before turning his attention to Wei Wuxian. "A-Xian, how was your day? Did your training this afternoon go well?"
Wei Wuxian hesitated for a moment before answering, glancing at Yu Ziyuan first. Yu Ziyuan returned his gaze with a squint, on the lookout for what he was going to say.
"It went well," Wei Wuxian said carefully. "We're still in the middle of the new form-"
"…Whose fourth act you still don't remember perfectly, Fēng Shizun told me," Yu Ziyuan said scornfully. "That's what you get for fooling around all day long; it catches up with you. Not so clever anymore when you're behind everyone else, are you?"
"San-Niang, the juniors only started this new form last week," Jiang Fengmian defended Wei Wuxian. "Only A-Cheng has managed the fourth act so far. The others need more time."
It was so odd that things had flipped this way. Normally, these kinds of remarks were meant to excuse Jiang Cheng's lagging behind Wei Wuxian. Jiang Fengmian never thought it would ever come to this.
At these words, Yu Ziyuan looked down at Wei Wuxian and huffed, before turning her stern eyes on her son. "For once you're not shaming the Jiang Clan and showing a little bit of skill, don't think you can relax now. Don't forget you were pitiful to look at just a few months ago. And I hope you've almost finished the assignment Huǒ Sanren gave you. We'll see if you're as good with theory."
Jiang Cheng cast a glance at Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli, before replying to his mother. "What...assignment?"
A silence fell over them.
Had Jiang Cheng...forgotten?
Jiang Fengmian closed his eyes for a moment, a little disappointed in his son for this.
Huǒ Sanren was a half-millennium-old cultivator who habitually traveled the world, making discoveries for future generations, sharing his knowledge with sects and opening up the horizons of the Jianghu.
It was difficult to get in touch with him, but he agreed, once every 5 years, to come teach a heir of a sect for a week. This year, the honor had fallen to the heir of the Jiang sect.
As one week was a very short time to teach, Huǒ Sanren would normally ask the heir he was going to look after to write an essay on the knowledge they already had in terms of history, rules, combat, natural concepts and politics. It was a lengthy request, taking up at least fifty long pages, which was why the heir was given 2-3 months' notice.
Huǒ Sanren was coming in 8 days.
So Yu Ziyuan seethed at her son's reply.
"The assignment Huǒ Sanren gave you. Are you telling me you didn't even start it?"
Yu Ziyuan's tone was pure venom. Zidian, on her right hand, began to crackle.
And Jiang Cheng, in front of them, pressed his lips together a little, before saying. "Sorry, I forgot."
Zidian emitted more violent sparks, in response to her mistress's growing anger, who turned to their ward. "Wei Wuxian!"
Wei Wuxian swallowed, visibly nervous at Yu Ziyuan's reaction, but looked up at her. Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng tensed beside him.
"Didn't I tell you to make sure A-Cheng finishes this assignment on time?!" Yu Ziyuan hissed, "Are you incompetent? And you wonder why I find you so unreliable and untrustworthy!? Not even able to make sure your young master won't make a fool of himself in front of-"
"A-Niang, with all due respect, do you take me for a child?" Jiang Cheng cut in.
For the second time since they sat down, another dead silence followed Jiang Cheng's statement. The four other members of his family around the table widened their eyes and turned to the heir of Lotus Pier. But Jiang Cheng was only looking firmly at his mother.
For a long moment, the shocked silence stretched on. Jiang Cheng rarely dared to stand up to Yu Ziyuan, and when he did, it was tentatively and fearfully.
Here, his eyes were unwavering, locked in those of his mother.
"I thought you wanted me to be self-reliant and strong," he said after a moment, when no one else spoke. "How am I supposed to be if all my damn faults are put on Wei Wuxian's head? Wouldn't I have the leisure to make mistakes all the time, that way, since I'd never have to take the fall for them? How am I supposed to grow and develop like this? I think I'm old enough to deal with my own consequences. So why am I the only one with a babysitter? This is insulting."
Jiang Cheng shifted his gaze to Wei Wuxian after this. His hand on the table clenched into a fist and the air around him grew more sombre.
"And if he continues to believe that he has to protect me at every turn out of obligation, it will lead him to make stupid decisions in the future," he continued sourly.
A flicker of incomprehension seized Wei Wuxian's eyes as he watched his brother, and Wei Wuxian frowned slightly, confused. But Jiang Cheng didn't deign to clarify his words and turned his attention back to his mother.
"Punish him as you wish for his faults, but I'm capable of shouldering mine," Jiang Cheng said categorically. "The pages of the assignment will be on your desk by tomorrow evening. Oh, and A-Jie?"
Jiang Yanli startled a little. "Y-yes?" she spluttered.
"Do you like playing music or not?"
At the same moment, four servants made their entrance with their food. And while the dishes were being placed on the table, Jiang Yanli took this time to ponder the question.
Finally, as the servants left, she opened her mouth again. "Not...really."
At that answer, Jiang Cheng's face softened, and all trace of sharp hardness disappeared from his face. "So speak up. A-Niang was giving you a way out earlier."
She was? thought Jiang Fengmian, lost.
Jiang Yanli opened her eyes wide, and at the same time, hearing her name seemed to bring Yu Ziyuan out of her state of shock.
Her anger returned with a vengeance, and all through the dinner that followed, her yells echoed around the hall as she berated her son. This time, Jiang Cheng took it graciously, merely nodding silently, while his mother reprimanded him for his disrespect and audacity.
But she left Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli alone.
The next evening, 47 pages of Jiang Cheng's general knowledge were on Yu Ziyuan's desk.
From that day on, Yu Ziyuan no longer blamed Jiang Cheng's mistakes on Wei Wuxian. She didn't scold Wei Wuxian any less, though; she was just even harsher with her son, to compensate. But at least she respected the fact of no longer pinning someone else's faults on Wei Wuxian.
And Jiang Yanli stopped her music lessons.
-oOo-
Lotus Pier's line of defense had been solid for centuries. Jiang Fengmian's great-grandfather had made sure that, in the event of an attack, the sect would remain strong and unshakeable. Their protection might not be as well-developed as Qinghe Nie's fortress, but it had a good foundation.
But Jiang Cheng, for some reason, became obsessed with it.
He had pointed out that the western side of the sect was barely guarded. He'd also said that the sect was vulnerable with all that water around it, and that in the event of a naval attack, it would be hard for them to fight back. They could set traps in the water, he had said, install talismans on the docks. He had even strongly criticized Lotus Pier's main security dome, claiming that this protective barrier depended on far too many factors and could easily collapse.
He therefore proposed changes. Several.
"I'll take care of it," Jiang Cheng had simply said to his parents.
His tone was so confident that neither Yu Ziyuan nor Jiang Fengmian had the liberty of denying him this.
So for weeks, Jiang Cheng had been working on nothing but this; the defense of Lotus Pier. He had even brought different people into the sect for this purpose, including a youngster of barely 15 who had looked puzzled that the heir of Lotus Pier would ask for his services. Jiang Cheng had just said that he knew the boy had potential for his demands. And that had apparently proved to be true.
So when Yu Ziyuan walked into Jiang Fengmian’s study one day and dumped a folder of papers on his desk, he wasn't entirely surprised by the subject she broached straight away.
"New evacuation plans, for children and Non-Cultivators of the sect and surrounding villages. Courtesy of A-Cheng," Yu Ziyuan said. "He says the current one is barely functional."
Jiang Fengmian opened the folder and scanned the sheets. They were indeed detailed evacuation plans -depending on the location of the sect or village- to Duō Shān, the neighboring city.
It was frighteningly realistic, with details about the sect that even Jiang Fengmian's Right Hand might not know.
How could Jiang Cheng-
"And he gave this to you?" Jiang Fengmian asked Yu Ziyuan, stunned.
His wife crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows, her expression defiant.
Jiang Fengmian didn't want to insult her. He was putting a large part of Lotus Pier's management in her hands, because she was competent and knew what she was doing, woman or not. He trusted her in that respect.
But Jiang Fengmian was still the sect leader. He was just surprised that his son hadn't spoken to him at all about something so important.
(But it wasn't the first time, was it? Hadn't the criticisms about Lotus Pier's protective dome been brought to Yu Ziyuan first, too? Jiang Cheng had just mentioned it again when his father had been there, the second time.
Jiang Fengmian didn't know what to make of this.)
"Well, it looks like it," Yu Ziyuan clipped. "The plans are more than detailed. There are only minor errors, including some structures that don't exist here and there, but the rest is correct. I didn't know you'd taken the time to show the whole layout of Lotus Pier and the surrounding villages so precisely with him."
But I didn't.
Jiang Fengmian was about to ask her the question.
Had Jiang Cheng taken the initiative to explore the area on his own? He and Wei Wuxian had been quite adventurous in the past, so perhaps they'd retained so many elements this way?
"Either way, it's good," Yu Ziyuan attested. "We should use these plans and have them learned when the time comes. Take the time to read them and let me know what you think."
"I'll read them as soon as I get back," Jiang Fengmian said as he stood up and put the plans on top of a stack of sheets on his desk. "I have to go into town now."
Yu Ziyuan narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Do you, now? Is it just a coincidence that I saw Wei Wuxian getting ready to go to town as well?"
Jiang Fengmian hadn't tried to hide it as such, that he was going out this afternoon with Wei Wuxian. But he hadn't advertised it either, wanting to avoid, precisely, this kind of discussion.
"It isn't. I'm indeed going out with A-Xian," Jiang Fengmian said, without lying.
"Oh? What happened to your 'too much work' to go out with your own kids?" Yu Ziyuan hissed, looking grim.
Jiang Fengmian sighed. "San-Niang, please, I do not wish to fight. You know very well that Wei Wuxian has no family, except us. He never asks for anything. But going to buy a first formal robe is something important a child should normally do with a parental figure."
"You didn't lift a finger for A-Cheng's."
"Because you were already going with him."
Being direct heir, of course, Jiang Cheng had received several official outfits long ago, and to look for his first, his mother had accompanied him. Jiang Cheng hadn't gone alone. But Wei Wuxian had no other relatives. And it certainly wasn't Yu Ziyuan who would accompany him.
Yu Ziyuan gave her husband one last haughty look before turning on her heels. "And you don't wonder why I offered?"
Jiang Fengmian didn't have the chance to answer his wife's whispered question. She had already left, leaving him alone in his study.
He sighed once more, running a hand over his face.
Was it really so unreasonable of him to give time to an orphan? To a boy who had lost all his family and suffered so long on the streets? Wei Wuxian was such a nice kid. He didn't deserve the cold shoulder Yu Ziyuan so desperately wanted her husband to give him.
Jiang Fengmian shook his head slightly at this thought, and after making sure his desk was in order, he stepped out of his study.
The disciples had some free time today, so many were lazing on the lawn under the sun in the sky, chatting amongst themselves in the shade of a tree, or playing games on outdoor tables. As Jiang Fengmian walked through the sect, he did see a couple of them practicing their form, but the rest seemed to be enjoying their day and relaxing.
Rounding a building, Jiang Fengmian caught sight of his son, who had his eyes on a scroll in his hands, eyebrows furrowed, looking concentrated, not seemingly having been carried away by any leisurely activity. Jiang Cheng looked up at Jiang Fengmian when he sensed him approaching, and his son immediately walked over to him.
The expression on Jiang Cheng's face didn't look very delighted, but he still bowed to his father respectfully when he was close.
"A-Die."
"A-Cheng," Jiang Fengmian said kindly. "Is everything all right? You seem agitated."
"Well, no, actually. Can I talk to you for two minutes? Were you going somewhere?"
"I'm going into town with A-Xian, but I do have a few minutes."
The conversation he'd had with Yu Ziyuan a moment earlier came back to his mind. He hesitated, suddenly uncomfortable.
"I hope...I hope you don't mind?" Jiang Fengmian said cautiously.
"Don't mind about what?" Jiang Cheng asked with a frown.
"That I'm going out with A-Xian."
Jiang Cheng let out a short sigh, and brushed off Jiang Fengmian's question with an almost impatient wave of his hand.
"A-Die, I really don't mind what you do with Wei Wuxian. Or...anyone for that matter, if it's not related to the sect's business. Go out with Wei Wuxian, you have my blessing. The bridge of Tòngku has been broken for 3 months, and I don't understand why it's still not repaired."
Jiang Fengmian was completely thrown off, both by his son's reaction to his outing with Wei Wuxian, and by the abrupt change of subject. Jiang Cheng was staring intently at him, clearly displeased, but against all odds, it only appeared to be because of that so-called bridge.
The Tòngku bridge was located in the eastern regions of Yunmeng, and normally linked the territories of Bai DeShù and the villages of Kāihuā by crossing the river that separated them. The bridge had indeed been inoperative for several months, so the inhabitants were crossing the water in boats. Jiang Fengmian had received a few complaints, but people were managing, for now.
"Well," Jiang Fengmian said, feeling strangely like a child being chastised. "This bridge is simply not the priority of the sect at the moment. It will be repaired when the opportunity arises."
At this reply, Jiang Cheng's irritation seemed to rise a notch. "You'd think this bridge would have been destroyed by war, if the clan were to suffer an invasion in the future. And this destroyed bridge – destroyed even before any kind of war apparently! - could foreseeably prevent an entire village from fleeing, blocked by the water and short of boats, decimating all its inhabitants!"
Jiang Fengmian looked at his son with round, lost eyes. What on earth was he talking about?
Jiang Cheng didn't address his puzzled look though, and just continued in his tirade. "And doesn't our linen business come from the east of Yunmeng, with the Qiáo family, located on the other side of that bridge? In the very near future, they could very well manipulate us and charge us three times their price, in compensation for the inconvenience of taking boats to cross every time, and for the water that keeps getting into their boxes and damaging their goods."
Jiang Fengmian was still staring at his son, dumbstruck, not knowing what to say in the face of these theories.
What was going on?
Well, yes, maybe Jiang Cheng could be right about these things, but was there any likelihood of it actually happening?
Jiang Cheng seemed to think so, for he let out one last frustrated sigh and looked back into his father's eyes.
"Do I have permission to sort this out, A-Die?" he asked.
"I...Yes?" Jiang Fengmian replied, still a little bewildered. "Will you need help-"
"No. I know who to contact and the resources to use. Have a good outing with Wei Wuxian. I, for my part, will make arrangements to have that bridge repaired."
Jiang Cheng gave him a stiff bow before turning on his heels to walk away.
And as he watched his son leave, Jiang Fengmian felt a bit shameful, for some unknown reason.
.
.
"Oh, you'll look splendid in this kind of fabric, Wei-Gongzi," the seamstress said, placing a black piece of fabric with purple and gold motifs on Wei Wuxian's shoulder.
Lín Yǐmò was one of the best seamstresses around. She was an old Non-Cultivator in her seventies, though, so nobody made her travel. But the trip to her workshop was well worth it, since all the robes she created were magnificent.
Wei Wuxian, standing in front of a long bronze mirror in the tailor's quarters, nodded at his reflection and offered the old woman a lovely smile.
"I'll be splendid in whatever you make for me, popo!" he said charmingly.
Lín Yǐmò chuckled a little, and lightly smacked Wei Wuxian's shoulder at the cajolery.
"What a flatterer you are!" she said before turning to Jiang Fengmian. "I should have the robe finished by the end of the month Zongzhu. Then, Wei Gongzi will look better than ever in it."
"I'm sure he will," Jiang Fengmian said.
Once the final measurements were taken, the two men thanked the seamstress heartily. There had been other customers besides them, but naturally, seeing the Yunmeng Sect Leader and his ward arrive, Lín Yǐmò had prioritized them. Jiang Fengmian didn't want to keep the others waiting any longer, so he and Wei Wuxian didn't hang around and exited the workshop.
"Thanks again for coming with me, Shushu," Wei Wuxian said, as they walked through the shops. "I know you're busy."
"There's no problem," Jiang Fengmian replied with a small smile. "I can always find time for you, don't worry."
Some passers-by near them recognized them and waved cheerfully. Jiang Fengmian replied with a few discreet nods, not wanting to attract too much attention.
"It won't be necessary for you to accompany me again to do the fitting, you know," Wei Wuxian said. "Shijie and Jiang Cheng could come with me."
He hesitated for a moment, seeming to remember something, and his face lost some of its brightness.
"Well, Shijie at least..." Wei Wuxian said lowly.
Jiang Fengmian frowned at his ward. "Did you quarrel with A-Cheng, by any chance?"
Wei Wuxian shook his head and gave a thin, sad smile.
"No, and that's the funny thing, isn't it? He's just...I don't know, distant?" he murmured. "Ever since his nightmare a few months ago, it's like he's been wary of me."
Wei Wuxian let out a small rueful laugh, scratching the back of his head. It had the strange effect of sounding chagrined and flat instead of cheerful.
"But I don't know what I've done to make him lose so much trust in me," Wei Wuxian said. "It...kinda hurts."
He said this as if he'd forgotten that Jiang Fengmian was listening. So when he met his guardian's gaze, he let out another nervous laugh and straightened up, a falsely enthusiastic look on his face.
"Ah, but it'll pass, surely!" Wei Wuxian said "We fight all the time!"
Jiang Fengmian said nothing, apart from giving him a small smile that he hoped was reassuring.
So Jiang Cheng wasn't just being distant with him.
This was new information.
And Jiang Fengmian didn't know whether to feel relieved that he wasn't the only one who found Jiang Cheng a bit off or not.