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Chapter Text

Nie Huaisang was having a very good day. Not a 'my favourite bookseller just got copies of the hottest new spring book' kind of day, nor a 'spent quality time with both my tortoises and my boyfriend and now I'm painting and reading poetry and having the most casual, most relaxing day ever' sort of day. No, this was an 'I am sitting in my brother's office, receiving the one piece of news I have been waiting years for and I can barely believe my ears' sort of day.

“Ah, Da-ge, I'm not sure I heard you right. What was that again?”

“I said that after long negotiations with Qin-zongzhu, we have decided to cement an alliance between our two sects with a marriage.”

“Your marriage.”

“Yes.”

“To the Sect Leader's...”

“Daughter.” Nie Huaisang's face was sore from the sheer effort of holding back his ecstatic grin. “I certainly couldn't have married her to you, brat. And the Elders have long been pushing for another heir.”

“An heir that's not me.”

“I thought that would please you.”

Unable to take it any longer, Nie Huaisang jumped out of his seat and rounded the desk to wrap his arms excitedly around Nie Mingjue's neck. “Da-ge!!!!! I'm so happy for you! I can't wait to meet my new sister! And I'll get started on the wedding preparations immediately. I know just the tailor to use for your robes, and-”

“All right, enough is enough.” Nie Mingjue patted his hand before forcibly unwrapping Nie Huaisang's arms from around his neck. “You will not do a single thing until you've had a chance to meet Qin Su. She and her sect deserve to have a say as well, don't you think?”

“Of course, Da-ge,” he lied. Nie Huaisang did not think because he knew nobody's taste was as good as his own, but he was happy to pretend otherwise for his brother's sake. “And when will that be?”

“She and her family will be here by the end of the week for an official visit. We felt we should get it out of the way before the Jin wedding next month – that will likely be our first official public appearance together.”

Nie Huaisang nodded, mind already going over his brother's wardrobe to narrow down the best sets of formal robes in order to coordinate with the young Lady Qin – or future Madame Nie. “I promise I will welcome her to the family with open arms.”

“The open arms aren't what I'm worried about.” Nie Mingjue narrowed his eyes. “During their visit, there will be no visits to the xuanwu.”

“But Da-ge,” he whined, “if they're going to be family, they need to meet Ginger and Peanut! And the hatchlings are all gone now so they'll be less protective and territorial.”

“No buts, Huaisang!”

“But-”

“What did I just say?”

Nie Huaisang made an exaggerated tilt of the head. “Ah, I think I hear my name being called. Is it time for saber practice already?”

“Huaisang?!”

“I'll see you later Da-ge! And don't worry, A-Yao and I will make their visit so wonderful they'll never want to leave!”

He slid out the door and closed it behind himself before his brother could argue any further. He practically danced on air as he made his way through the fortress toward the deputes' offices, grinning madly at anyone he passed. Contrary to the excuse he had given, he had no intention of attending saber practice – instead he wanted to share the news with his beloved.

He reached Meng Yao's door and opened it without knocking, startling the occupants who were standing around a square table upon which had been placed plans for a new root cellar. He quickly wove through the small group, ignoring two senior disciples and an architect as he sought out his partner. The moment he reached Meng Yao's side, he slid his arms around his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss.

Meng Yao returned the kiss for but a moment before pulling Nie Huaisang's hands off of him. “A-Sang, I'm in a meeting.” He looked embarrassedly over at his visitors. “My apologies, gentlemen.”

Nie Huaisang ignored how the other men in the room rolled their eyes at his antics – instead of letting them dim his excitement, he bounced on his heels and smiled lovingly at Meng Yao. “Da-ge's getting married!”

There was a moment of silence before the architect and disciples began speaking all at once, voices enthusiastically offering congratulations for their sect leader. Meng Yao pressed a kiss to Nie Huaisang's temple before pulling him in for a hug. The other men were waved out of the room with promises to continue their meeting later.

“I've been waiting so long for this, A-Yao.” Nie Huaisang sighed and snuggled further into his lover's embrace. “And now the day is here, and I'm so happy.”

“I know you've been worried that Da-ge's been lonely,” Meng Yao offered, running a comforting hand down Nie Huaisang's hair.

“Well, that too. But most importantly-” He pulled back enough to look Meng Yao in the eye. “I'm one step closer to having a niece or nephew to take over as heir.”

Meng Yao sighed.

“And if I play this right, I might not even have to practice my saber anymore!”

Nobody could say Nie Huaisang didn't have his priorities straight.

Qin Su was a beautiful woman who had shown poise and manners from the moment she stepped into the Unclean Realm. When she was nearly tripped by a falling jug of wine from a passing servant, she hasn't caused a scene and had kindly reassured them that no harm had been done before helping them pick up shards of porcelain.

Nie Huaisang liked her already.

Over dinner, while Nie Mingjue and Sect Leader Qin spoke of politics and trade, Nie Huaisang tried to keep Qin Su and her mother entertained with tales of his brother's exploits, and Meng Yao even picked up on an interest in music that led to a discussion on the various styles across the Jianghu.

After the meal was over, however, Nie Huaisang was far from subtle in encouraging his brother to take the young Lady Qin for a walk in the courtyard – it was a lovely night, after all – and he couldn't help a sigh of happiness as he watched them walk out side-by-side. They did make quite a handsome couple.

“Ah, A-Yao, I have a good feeling about this.” Meng Yao shifted his eyes to remind him of the presence of Sect Leader Qin and his wife at their side.

“I'm glad to hear it,” Sect Leader Qin offered with an amiable chuckle. “One never knows how things will go with political marriages, but Qin Su is my only daughter and I love her dearly – I want her to be happy.”

“Nie-zongzhu may look intimidating,” Meng Yao said with affection, “but he's fair and righteous, and more than that, he loves his family fiercely.”

“He's a teddy bear,” Nie Huaisang teased. “I wouldn't get away with half of what I do if he weren't.”

“Huaisang,” Meng Yao hissed.

“It's all right,” Madame Qin reassured. “If I may be honest for a moment, many have spoken of how... permissive Nie-zongzhu is with his brother, and that is actually one of the reasons why we were happy to make this match. We knew that such a man would treat our daughter kindly and gently, and would not force her to do anything against her nature.”

“We hope she'll be happy here,” Nie Huaisang offered. “And though my brother can be quite busy at times, we're all family, and I'm personally looking forward to having a sister to spend time with.”

Sect Leader Qin tilted his head at Meng Yao. “I hope there will be no ill feelings, Meng-gongzi – I seem to remember speaking with your father once about a potential marriage between yourself and our A-Su – before you’d made your decision to remain in Qinghe after the war, of course.”

Nie Huaisang's eyes went immediately to his partner, missing the moment of tension in Madam Qin's body. When Meng Yao reached down to take his hand, Nie Huaisang couldn't help momentarily looking like a lovesick fool.

“There are no ill feelings on my part,” Meng Yao assured. He looked back at Nie Huaisang with his professional mask in place, though his eyes showed the affection he felt within. “I told my father – before his unfortunate demise – that I am quite happy here in Qinghe, and I am more than fortunate to have found someone to whom I can dedicate myself.”

“That's a relief,” Madame Qin said. “I'm certain A-Su will be happy to see you as family rather than as a husband.”

“And we will be comforted to know there are many who will be watching out for her and her happiness,” Sect Leader Qin continued.

“Huaisang?!” Nie Mingjue's anxious voice called from outside.

“Ah, I believe Da-ge needs me for something. I'll be back shortly.” Nie Huaisang gave Meng Yao's hand a small squeeze before letting it go and running off to find his brother.

Nie Mingjue and Qin Su were standing near the aviary and Nie Huaisang could immediately see what the problem was. Nie Mingjue was glaring at one of the three birds that had settled on Qin Su; she, however, had a wide grin on her face, giggling as a pigeon rubbed its beak against her cheek.

“I see you've met some of my friends,” he said, swooping in to cup his hands around a hwamei that had been standing on the top of Qin Su's head, looking appraisingly at one of her hair pins. “Usually they're asleep at this hour, but they can be curious about newcomers.”

“I think they were spooked by one of the stable cats I saw lurking nearby,” Nie Mingjue offered, then startled as the pigeon jumped from Qin Su's shoulder to land on his. Nie Mingjue huffed and looked the part of the long-suffering older brother, but he still lifted a finger to rub the pigeon's head, long used to being used as a perch for Nie Huaisang's birds.

Qin Su, who still had a young magpie standing on her other shoulder, watched Nie Mingjue with the pigeon, a soft look in her eyes that made Nie Huaisang happy to see. He silently thanked his birds for stepping in to help show his brother's softer side to his future bride.

“Come along Pepper,” he held out a finger and the magpie came to perch upon it, “and you Feng-Po-Po, leave Da-ge alone.” The pigeon looked reluctant to leave her perch but still flew over at Nie Huaisang's command. The hwamei cupped in his free hand chirped happily. “I'll go return them to their nests and let you lovebirds continue your walk.”

Nie Mingjue looked ready to make some comment back but was stopped when Qin Su lifted a hand to brush back a strand of his hair that the pigeon had loosened. Nie Mingjue flushed and grew flustered, but said something softly that Nie Huaisang couldn't hear, but that made Qin Su let out a giggle. Then Nie Mingjue's face, usually so gruff and serious, softened in a smile.

Nie Huaisang felt a warmth inside at seeing his brother look so happy. He gave the hwamei a fond stroke and left the two alone to get to know each other better.

The next day, Nie Mingjue sat with Sect Leader Qin and his wife for most of the day – Nie Huaisang didn't know, or care, what they spoke of, he only knew that it was up to him to keep Qin Su entertained. Meng Yao was busy with work in the morning but promised to join them in the afternoon. At first Nie Huaisang had been wondering where to start – a private tour of the Unclean Realm? A shopping trip to the nearby marketplace? - but his train of thought was happily waylaid the moment Qin Su joined him for tea, a mischievous look upon her face.

“So... tell me about the xuanwu,” she'd instructed the moment her knees hit the cushions – that was the moment Nie Huaisang knew he could not have asked for a better sister-in-law.

He spent nearly an hour telling her all about finding Ginger when he was young, how Peanut had come to join them, and all about the recent hatchlings that he missed terribly but was happy had all been sent to good homes. When he was finished, she asked when they could see one of them.

“Well,” he began, trying to sound casual, “I've been told not to make any xuanwu visits during your stay – I think Da-ge was worried it would scare off your family.”

“I see,” she said. “I imagine he would be angry and disappointed in you should you lead the way to the xuanwu caves. Where are they located, by the way?”

“To the Northeast of the fortress – the path is marked and well-guarded now, ever since someone tried to steal the hatchlings' eggs.”

“Well, I can't allow you to get into trouble by leading me there.” With a nod and a grin, she stood up and brushed out her pink robes. “I believe I'm going for a walk to the Northeast, and if I should be followed there, then it's only right that one of my hosts watch out for my well-being.”

Oh, he really, really liked her.

They made a show of Qin Su striding forward and Nie Huaisang looking as if he was reluctantly following her on an excursion, though whenever a guard's back was turned, they'd look to one another and giggle. Eventually they were within range of the caves and Nie Huaisang directed her to Ginger's home.

Upon entering the darker cave, the scents around them changed from the greenery of the forest to the damp animal smells of the xuanwu. Qin Su didn't wince or make an expression of disgust – she still held only curiosity and excitement in her gaze.

When they entered the cave proper, their footsteps echoed against the rocky walls – Ginger heard them immediately and lifted her head to look at the new visitors. Qin Su froze and gasped, and Nie Huaisang worried that this was it, the moment when she would decide the strangeness of Qinghe Nie was more than she could bear.

“She's... beautiful.”

Nie Huaisang reached for Qin Su's hand and led her over to Ginger's side. There was a sound from the other side of the cave and Nie Huaisang was surprised to watch Meng Yao step out from the alcove where they kept the rakes and shovels they used to help keep the cave clean. Meng Yao looked at them and his face dropped in disappointment.

“A-Sang, Da-ge said-”

“But she wanted to come,” he whined. “I was just following her here.”

“I did insist,” Qin Su said. “Everyone's heard about the xuanwu, and I didn't want to come all the way here without seeing one in person.”

“And she's going to be family, A-Yao. She needs to meet Ginger at least!”

Meng Yao sighed and looked to the ceiling of the cave as if it would give him the answers he needed. “All right, but you explain it to Da-ge if he finds out.”

Nie Huaisang smiled and led Qin Su the rest of the way to Ginger's side, Meng Yao coming to join them. Qin Su let go of him and stepped forward, her hand outstretched palm-up in invitation.

Meng Yao's hand tucked into Nie Huaisang’s elbow as they watched Ginger carefully lower her muzzle to Qin Su's hand and take a sniff, then her head gave a tilt. She shifted, stretching out her neck to sniff at Meng Yao, nudging him affectionately before smelling Qin Su's hand again. She gave another look between the two before finally nuzzling Qin Su's hand and standing still to allow the woman to pet her beak.

“I think they like each other,” Meng Yao offered with a smile.

Nie Huaisang, however, was frozen in place, feeling a strange sense of déja vu. Usually Ginger showed immediate like or dislike for a person without a thought to anyone else nearby. There was only one occasion he could remember when she had acted the way she had now – when Ginger had first met Mo Xuanyu.

Meng Yao's half-brother.

He'd thought at the time she could smell a resemblance in their scents due to their shared bloodline, but that couldn't be what was going on here...

... could it?

No, it can't be, Sect Leader Qin was Jin Guangshan's loyal friend – though when had that ever stopped Jin Guanghsan from taking something or someone he'd wanted? What am I going to do? Should I do or say anything? Does she know? Does Da-ge know? Would he want to know if I'm right? And if I'm wrong, everyone would hate me for even suggesting such a thing. What do I do...

“A-Sang?” He startled when Meng Yao stood in front of him, hands on his shoulders and face full of concern. “A-Sang, are you all right?”

“Ah, I was just lost in thought. My apologies.”

“It's all right,” Qin Su said gently. “Perhaps we should return to the Unclean Realm and take a rest.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Meng Yao confirmed.

Nie Huaisang nodded, his mind too full of circling thoughts to argue. He took a moment to hug Ginger's snout before allowing himself to be led away back to his home.

By the time he reached his bedroom, he was no closer to a plan. Meng Yao gave him one last embrace, making certain he was well before leaving him to rest. He watched his lover leave, wondering what he would think of Nie Huaisang's concerns.

With a sigh, he flopped onto his bed and closed his eyes for a while.

Nie Huaisang's knee bounced nervously under the large, low table in his and Meng Yao's private rooms, watching as Madame Qin looked appreciatively at some of his artwork. She'd expressed an interest in painting and calligraphy, and upon discovering that Nie Huaisang painted in most of his spare time, she asked if she could see some of his work. He'd been hesitant to show her, still uncertain what to do about his suspicions, but it would have been unseemly to deny her when she was working so hard to support her daughter's marriage to Nie Mingjue.

“This is one of those creatures we've heard of.” Madame Qin carefully lay a parchment upon the table, one he'd worked hard on trying to capture Ginger's likeness.

He nodded. “That's Ginger, my first xuanwu. She's quite gentle most of the time, but she is protective of those she considers family.” Madame Qin looked up worriedly. “Which will, of course, include Qin Su.”

“Has she... attacked many people?”

“Oh, absolutely not! She did kill quite a few Wen during the war, and then there was the incident with Jin Guangshan, but other than that she's been nothing but a pussycat.”

Madame Qin paled and he didn't know if it was because he had mentioned Jin Guangshan or because they were talking about Ginger's kill count. Of course it could always be both.

“I see...”

Nie Huaisang could see her worries increasing and knew he had to say something to reassure her. “In fact, Qin Su met her earlier today.” Madame Qin's eyes opened wide in shock. “She insisted I introduce her because she'd heard of the xuanwu and didn't want to leave without seeing one. Meng Yao was there too – he could tell you that Ginger was gentle and seemed to like Qin Su very much.”

“I suppose that's a good thing, getting the meeting out of the way.” Madame Qin's shoulder relaxed just the slightest bit. “Your Meng Yao spends a lot of time with them, does he?”

“Almost as much as I do. They're practically our children,” he joked.

Madame Qin didn't laugh, nor did her concern completely dissipate. He tugged the painting of Ginger towards him and sighed before a thought struck him. Since she was already out of sorts, he wouldn't be ruining an evening by asking a few leading questions as the mood had already been dimmed.

“Ginger's really taken to him since he first came to live with us in Qinghe, in fact. And you should have seen her when little Mo Xuanyu came to spend a few months – she kept sniffing from him to Meng Yao, almost as if she could sense their relation.” He shrugged, keeping his eyes down even as he kept glancing over at Madame Qin to gauge her reaction. “It's funny, she did the same thing when she met Qin Su.”

Madame Qin froze.

“Maybe that means my theory was wrong, because to my knowledge, there's no common relation between her and Meng Yao.”

He glanced up at Madame Qin, wondering if he could risk asking anything further. He had no idea where he was going with this and worried he'd already made a mess of things. He scrambled for something, anything to say...

And then Madame Qin's face fell and her eyes welled up with tears, and with a huge sniff, she began sobbing right there over his paintings.

They were going to be ruined.

“Oh, please, Madame Qin, pretend I didn't say anything.” He quickly stood up and went to pour a glass of water from the jug he kept in his room, bringing it over to the crying woman and wrapping her fingers around it. “I'm sorry, don't cry, all right?”

She hiccuped as she lifted the glass to her lips, finally managing to take in a long drink. But the moment the glass was safely on the table and her eyes returned to Nie Huaisang, the sobs started again.

Oh dear.

“I'm-” she sniffed loudly, “I'm sorry, Nie-er-gongzi. I don't meant to cry all over your works.”

He patted her gently on the shoulder. “It's all right, Madame Qin.” Despite his words, he winced as another teardrop marred the curve of Ginger's neck on the painting. “I'm more worried about you at this moment.”

He spotted a handkerchief nearby and passed it over to her, then watched as she blew her nose in it with a loud honk. When she tried to hand it back to him, he shook his head, insisting she keep it.

“Would you like to talk about it?” he offered. A part of him hoped she said no – for this sort of reaction, he didn't know if he even wanted to hear the story.

Her shoulders dropped as a look of relief overcame her face. “Oh, thank you. I've been hiding this for so many years, and I haven't had anyone to talk to. I thought I was fine, that everything had worked out in the end, but knowing someone else suspects... it brings it all back.”

She leaned into him, placing her head on his shoulder. He sighed and wrapped his arm properly around her. And now his robes were going to be ruined too. “I'm here for you, Madame Qin,” he reassured.

“It happened so long ago, but the memory haunts me still at times. My husband had left on a Night Hunt that he knew would take a couple of weeks – it was a complicated case of some sort. But while he was gone, Jin Guangshan came to visit.”

“And that's when he seduced you?” With Jin Guangshan, it had become the common story of late.

She tensed beneath his arm. “He tried. And failed.” His brow furrowed. “Unfortunately, that didn't stop him.”

It was Nie Huaisang's turn to stiffen at the realization of what she meant. It only added to his conviction that having Ginger eat the man had been the right choice. “So, he...” He couldn't finish it, couldn't say the word.

Yet she knew what he meant. “Yes, he did. And while it wasn't impossible that my husband was her father, he was away on many Night Hunts that year. In fact, I think Jin Guangshan had sent several requests his way so that I'd be left home alone more often. Just a suspicion, but knowing him-”

“He was certainly wicked enough to do such a thing,” he agreed. “And you never told your husband what he did?”

She shook her head. “It was suggested that if I told my husband, that an 'accident' might befall him – and we both know that Jin Guangshan had the power to make such a thing happen.”

He comfortingly patted her shoulder, ignoring how she grabbed a corner of his nice, dry robes and used it to wipe at her eyes.

“And then when my Qin Su was born, she didn't look like her brother. I immediately knew who had sired her, but my husband loved her so much. She was the apple of his eye and I didn't want to take that from him, and she deserved to have a father like him, someone who would love her, not someone who would do to her mother what had been done to me.” She sighed. “She deserves all the happiness in the world. And then after the war, there were talks with Jin Guangshan about a potential marriage with your Meng Yao – at least until he officially refused to leave you and your sect. It was a relief, to be certain.”

“And she has no idea,” he muttered. “Did you ever think to tell her?”

“What would it do? A man like that was nothing but a threat to her, and she was happy as long as nobody knew.”

“Well, Jin Guangshan is gone and can't hurt her anymore. And... she has family she doesn't know about. Jin Zixuan is very kind and has been an excellent big brother to Mo Xuanyu, and he and Meng Yao have become much closer. They know who their father was and how he acted, and don't hold it against each other. I'm sure they'd welcome a sister into their midst.”

She sighed and looked down to where her hands had landed in her lap, wringing the soggy handkerchief. “I'd hoped she'd never find out.”

“I don't know if you believe in fate, Madame Qin, but perhaps there's a reason why I witnessed what I did. Maybe it's time for the truth to come out.”

“But what about the alliance, the wedding with your brother-”

“If there is one thing I can assure you, it's that my brother doesn't care about a person's origin or family background. As long as they deal with him honestly and righteously, then he will treat them with honour. He's made a commitment to your family, and I don't believe he would back out of it for something like this. Plus,” he offered her a smile, “I think he likes her.”

“And I suppose it would be too much to ask you to keep this sort of thing from your brother and your partner.”

“I would prefer not to lie to them about something serious like this, not even a lie of omission.”

She sniffed shakily but held her head up. Finally, she nodded. “I suppose you're right. Perhaps with Jin Guangshan gone, it's time for the truth to come out. I just hope my daughter won't hate me when she learns of it.”

“It may be difficult at first, but explain it to her like you did to me. You didn't have much choice, and what you did, you did out of love for your family. I doubt there is anyone who would do otherwise.”

She nodded. “I'll speak with them in the morning. Could you let your brother know we may miss breakfast?”

“Of course, Madame Qin. Whatever you need.”

He sighed and patted her shoulder. This was not how he had expected his day to go when he'd gotten up that morning – and he doubted his brother and Meng Yao would expect tomorrow to be full of revelations.

Though at least Nie Huaisang would be over the shock soon enough to enjoy watching their reactions.

The main hall rang with stunned silence.

Sect Leader Qin and his family had been reclusive all morning, as Nie Huaisang had expected, but by mid-afternoon, they had requested a private meeting with Nie Mingjue and his family. Of course Nie Huaisang and Meng Yao were in attendance and had front row seats to Madame Qin's explanation of her daughter's parentage. But it had been several minutes since her tale had come to an end, and none had the courage yet to break the silence.

At least until Meng Yao gave Nie Huaisang a long look. “You knew.”

Madame Qin hadn't mentioned her conversation with Nie Huaisang the night before; he opened his eyes wide, trying for an innocent look. “What makes you think that, A-Yao?”

“You're not as surprised as you should be, I know you.”

“He's right,” Nie Mingjue agreed with an accusing glare.

Nie Huaisang glanced over at the other family in the room and how upset they all looked, and decided he shouldn't prolong it for them. “All right, but in my defence, the one to notice was actually Ginger. I believe she can smell the family resemblance, I noticed her do it with Baby Mo.”

Sect Leader Qin stood up from his seat and folded his hands before himself. “Nie-zongzhu, I will understand if this will put an end to our attempt at an alliance.”

Nie Mingjue blinked. “Are you planning on distancing yourself from Qin-guniang?”

“What? No!” The other sect leader looked positively scandalized. “She is my daughter, even if not by blood, and that will never change.”

Nie Mingjue then looked directly at Qin Su, who had yet to speak since entering the room. His face showed a rare hesitance as he looked to be searching for the right words to say. “If you have changed your mind... I would understand, and I would not hold it against your sect.”

Qin Su slowly stood up. She took in a deep breath, and rather than speaking from where she stood, she bravely walked over to the seat of power where Nie Mingjue sat. She placed her hands at her waist and made a quick dip. “Nie-zongzhu, until coming to Qinghe, all I knew of you was that you were said to be a righteous man and a valiant warrior. I have since seen that with my very own eyes, but I have also seen your kindness and your love of your family, all of whom have welcomed me with open arms. This revelation is a shock, but it does not affect my desire to be your wife. Marriage to me has always been more than a simple political union – I see it as a partnership with someone I respect and can come to love. If Nie-zongzhu feels the same, then our interests are still aligned.”

Nie Huaisang smiled as he watched a soft look come over his brother's face. He reached out to wrap his hands around Meng Yao's upper arm before leaning his cheek on his lover's shoulder.

Nie Mingjue stood up and stepped down the few steps. He lowered into a proper bow, smiling in the rare way that made his cheeks dimple so much like Meng Yao's. Qin Su blushed – apparently she was as immune to dimples as Nie Huaisang was.

“Our interests are indeed aligned,” Nie Mingjue finally said. “After all, you've already met my brother and his beasts; if that hasn't made you want to run for the hills, then you already belong here in the Unclean Realm.”

Nie Huaisang was tempted to interrupt in order to state that Qin Su had yet to meet Peanut, but felt the interruption would not be very helpful at the moment. Qin Su smiled back at Nie Mingjue, the joy apparent on her face, and she quickly leaned in to place a peck on his cheek.

Nie Huaisang's heart soared at seeing his brother so happy.

Meng Yao tugged at him and led him out of the room to allow the others to renew their discussion of the betrothal. Nie Huaisang wanted to protest, but in all truth he was tired of secrets and politics – he was simply happy to be with the man he loved as he was led up to the ramparts where the view of Qinghe was spectacular. For several moments, they stood together, leaning against one another to guard against the brisk mountain breeze.

“She's going to be good for him,” he eventually said, earning a smile from Meng Yao.

“You sound like you were worried for him.”

He shrugged. “In a way... for so long, it was him and me against the world. Friends and lovers might come and go, but I could always rely upon my Da-ge, and him me. And then you came along, standing at my side through so many things, and... I've worried that Da-ge might be feeling left out. I know he's happy for us, but I couldn't help but notice him looking lonely from time to time. Now there's someone who can take care of him when I can't.”

Meng Yao lifted a knowing eyebrow. “In other words... how many nieces and nephews are you expecting?”

“All of them!” Nie Huaisang grinned. “At least two of each, maybe one or two that might be a bit of both, I'm not picky. The more bodies between me and the sect leader's seat, the better!”

Meng Yao detached Nie Huaisang's hands from his arm and took a step back, but only to reach out to cup his cheeks with loving hands. “Never change, A-Sang.”

He looked into his lover's eyes, feeling seen and understood without judgment or condemnation. “Not if I can help it, A-Yao.”

When their lips met, all the problems in the world left Nie Huaisang's mind – all that remained was love and affection for this wonderful man who'd become his home.

Chapter Text

The grounds around Koi Tower were immaculate – the grass was well-trimmed, the hedges in perfect symmetry, and the flower beds chosen to best display the highest quality peonies to everyone making the walk from the front gate to the sect's entrance. But despite the beauty of the surroundings, Nie Huaisang's mind was occupied. He followed the procession made up by the Nie and Qin sects, who had arrived together so that Nie Mingjue and Qin Su could make their first appearance together in a public setting, and he was occasionally tugged along by Meng Yao.

All the while, Nie Huaisang's mind had but one thought – Where are they?

“Jin Zixun did an amazing job with the procession grounds,” Meng Yao said conversationally. “I'm impressed he managed to get so much done before the wedding.”

“Mm hm,” Nie Huaisang replied absently.

Their group stopped at the top of the steps where they were met by Jin Zixuan and his mother. They welcomed the group together, though Jin Zixuan reserved a particularly warm (for him) greeting for Meng Yao, but once the initial welcome was over, the Jin sect leader looked right at Nie Huaisang.

“They're waiting for you in the back gardens.”

That woke him from his train of thought and he barely took the time to offer his thanks before beginning to make the run around the buildings. Meng Yao quickly caught up to him, presumably after offering apologies in his stead, but even his lover's presence couldn't take his mind away from where it had gone. They turned a final corner and entered a courtyard whose beauty was again lost on him for the only things he saw were the three beings next to the newly installed koi pond.

“Babies!!!!” he shouted as he rushed forward, ignoring the people around him in favour of dropping to his knees and wrapping his arms around the first shoulder-high xuanwu he saw. She had a golden silk cloak about her shell and a jewelled chain around her neck, thus he concluded it was DiaoChan, the Jin tortoise. A beak poked into his shoulder and he pulled one arm away from the first xuanwu to pet the next, who was bare save for the white ribbon embroidered with clouds that was secured around its head – Wangshan of the Lan. Finally, a third xuanwu trotted over and dropped a stick on the ground in front of Nie Huaisang, looking up at him expectantly. With a chuckle, he picked it up and threw it for the Jiangs' Dumpling to fetch. He returned his arms around DiaoChan and Wangshan and pressed kisses against their domed heads.

“He doesn't even see us, does he,” Jiang Cheng muttered from overhead.

“A terrible example for the xuanwu,” Lan Qiren announced with a huff. “It's no wonder Wangshan was so destructive when she first arrived. Though thankfully she is far better at learning sect rules than Nie-er-gongzi.”

“But look at them, they're so happy to see him again.” Of course it was Mo Xuanyu defending one of his favourite friends. “And he must have missed them so much.”

“He did,” Meng Yao replied with a sigh. “For the last week he's spoken of little else but seeing them again. Though I'm surprised to see Wangshan and Dumpling here in Lanling.”

“Her training is still in the early stages,” Lan Qiren replied officiously. “Until I have finished, she cannot be trusted under another's tutelage.”

“I wanted to leave Dumpling behind,” Jiang Cheng said grumpily, “but Wei Wuxian insisted we bring her.”

“No I didn't!” a voice chimed in from the nearby building. “All she had to do for you to change your mind was look at you with those big round eyes as you were leaving.”

“That's because she learned it from you!” Jiang Cheng accused.

“Keep saying that,” Wei Wuxian replied with a grin before turning back inside of the building. “Hey, Lan Zhan, wait up!”

“Have those two finally gotten together?” Nie Huaisang finally said, momentarily taking his attention away from the three xuanwu, who were all larger than when he'd seen them last – they grew up so fast. DiaoChan was rubbing her head against his shoulder, Wangshan was sitting properly, and Dumpling had found a large bone (who knows where it had come from) to gnaw upon.

“No,” Jiang Cheng and Lan Qiren replied with great frustration.

“It is a dreadful inevitability,” Lan Qiren expounded, “and they are prolonging it for the purpose of torturing us at every opportunity with their mutual obliviousness.”

“In other words,” Jiang Cheng translated, “they're both idiots.”

Nie Huaisang scratched at Wangshan's jaw, watching her stretch her neck out in enjoyment. “Maybe I'll skip the wedding tomorrow and stay out here with the babies.”

Mo Xuanyu grinned. “I've been training another disciple to work with DiaoChan when I can't be with her. She'll be taking care of the three of them during the wedding.”

“Besides.” Meng Yao gently tugged at one of Nie Huaisang's braids. “You would regret missing the opportunity to see how the wedding is decorated, how everyone is dressed, and didn't you spend two weeks deciding on what to wear?”

“You're right, of course.” Nie Huaisang sighed. “But maybe I can come visit them in the morning before we get ready.” He looked up at Meng Yao, who couldn't disguise the fondness in his eyes. “Maybe?”

“I'll make certain we have enough time in our agenda.”

DiaoChan and Wangshan moved away in pursuit of Dumpling, who had walked into the koi pond, and Nie Huaisang finally got back up onto his feet. He turned and gave belated bows to Lan Qiren, Jiang Cheng, and Mo Xuanyu. “It is good to see you all again, of course.”

Mo Xuanyu immediately abandoned all protocol and came running over, wrapping his arms around Nie Huaisang's waist. “I'm glad you came. Can you and A-Yao help me get ready tomorrow? Nobody else can braid my hair like you did.”

“Of course we can,” Meng Yao replied for the both of them.

“And wait till you see Da-ge tomorrow – he's going to look so handsome, he'll outshine Jin Zixuan.” He smiled at Jiang Cheng. “But not Jiang-guniang, nobody can outshine your Jiejie.”

“He'd better not,” Jiang Cheng taunted.

Lan Qiren sniffed. “Such a fuss over something so personal and intimate. It really is just an excuse for luxury and hedonism disguised as a cultural ritual. One would think cultivators would have better things to do with their time.”

“Are there no grand weddings in Cloud Recesses?” Meng Yao asked conversationally.

Lan Qiren shook his head. “Not even my brother's, though there were... extenuating circumstances when he was wed.” He breathed in and looked to the side, then his eyes widened quickly. “Wangshan! That is improper behaviour. Do we need to go over rule #247 again?”

As Lan Qiren left to chastise his wayward xuanwu, Meng Yao took the opportunity to grab Nie Huaisang's arm and pull him away. “My apologies,” he said to Mo Xuanyu and Jiang Cheng, “but we will visit with you again later. I need to get Nie-er-gongzi settled into his room before we need to meet with Da-ge and the Qin delegates.”

Everyone said their goodbyes, Nie Huaisang most reluctantly. He wrapped his hands around Meng Yao's arm as they walked, resting his cheek on his lover's shoulder. “They look happy,” he whispered with a tearful voice. “Even Wangshan and that silly ribbon.”

“They have good homes, A-Sang.” Meng Yao offered him a comforting smile. “You did well by them, and now they'll do well by their new families.”

“I know.” He sighed. “All right. The babies are well, so let's take care of Da-ge. We don't want A-Su to figure out he's hopeless without me before they're married.”

Meng Yao chuckled and patted him on the hand. “Oh, love, I think she already knows.”

Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan rose from their third and final bow, and the crowd around them erupted in applause. Nie Huaisang dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief hidden behind his open fan. They looked so happy together and made such a handsome couple...

...and moreover, he could already see at least ten ways that he could make Da-ge's wedding better than theirs. Not that it was a competition, of course, but Qinghe Nie would not be shown up by the Jin, not even when it came to elegant ceremonies and endless banquets.

As the reception fell into full swing, Nie Mingjue began to make the rounds of the room with Qin Su at his side, already a calming presence that had Nie Mingjue smiling more often than not. Nie Huaisang had been paying close attention to which other sect leaders were noticing in case any of them thought it might be a sign of Nie Mingjue going soft in his post-Sunshot days (they would be wrong, of course, but such things could be useful to him in the right circumstances).

But as the hour grew late and Nie Huaisang was warm with several glasses of wine, a melancholy mood came over him. He slipped away from the reception and out into the cool night air, finding a balcony where he could breathe easily and rest away from the noise and excitement of the wedding feast.

Despite the remoteness of his location, he wasn't surprised when minutes later a set of soft footsteps came from behind just before a warm cloak was slid over his shoulders.

“You missed Wei Wuxian challenging Jin Zixun to a drinking contest,” Meng Yao said as he settled into place next to Nie Huaisang. “I expected you to jump in and join them, except you weren't in the hall.”

“I'm certain Wei-xiong can take him on without my help.” He held back a sigh as his hands curled over the balcony's marble banister.

Meng Yao's hand covered his and gave it a small squeeze. “Are you all right?”

He nodded. “It's nothing, just silly things. Nothing important.”

“If it takes you from our side on a night like this, it's important to me.”

Nie Huaisang both loved and hated that Meng Yao was so perceptive. He could make something up if he wanted to, and Meng Yao would let him get away with it even knowing it was a falsehood. He almost chose to do so, not knowing how Meng Yao would react to the thoughts churning his stomach. But they were partners and should share everything, shouldn't they? And if such things would send Meng Yao running, then it was better it be done sooner than later.

“I was watching Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli, and Da-ge and Qin Su, Mianmian flirting with Zonghui and Wei-xiong chasing after Lan Wangji again... and I looked at all the gold and red around the room and...” He paused, looking to Meng Yao who looked back with an open expression and an encouraging smile. “When I was a boy, and I first realized I wanted to kiss the boys on the training field instead of the girls, I knew it meant giving up a lot of things. Weddings and children and families like others have... they're for uniting two families to start a new generation, not for boys like me... like us. I came to terms with that long ago, and honestly, I don't even want children of my own – the xuanwu are more than enough, and some day I'll have nieces and nephews to spoil. But... I think there's still a part of me that wants what they have, at least a little bit.

Meng Yao's hand squeezed his again as he leaned into Nie Huaisang's shoulder, chin perching near his ear. “Are you saying you want to get married one day?”

Nie Huaisang chuckled sadly. “Ridiculous, isn't it? I know it makes no difference, and it's not like I'm not going to be mired in wedding planning for Da-ge and Qin Su. I'll probably be planned out by the time their day is come.”

“But it's different when it's yours,” Meng Yao finished for him, and Nie Huaisang felt relief at the wistfulness in his lover's voice. “You're not being ridiculous, A-Sang. The world around us puts a certain importance upon the ceremony and the status of the relationship afterwards, and it's only natural to want some of that for yourself. Not to mention... I think you'd look rather handsome in red.”

A proper laugh broke through Nie Huaisang's melancholy. “So would you. Did you ever think of marrying?”

Meng Yao took in a deep breath as if preparing to meet an opponent on a battlefield. “My mother wanted it for me. She had many dreams for me, from being recognized by my father to meeting a sweet girl to start a family with. Nothing in my life has quite gone the way she'd intended...”

“Do you regret it? Any of it?”

Meng Yao shook his head. “I don't regret a single decision I've made, including the one to remain in Qinghe at your side. Besides, I think she would have liked you if she'd had the chance.” A soft kiss was pressed against Nie Huaisang's cheek. “If it were up to me, I would drag you before the largest crowd in the world and demand to be your husband, tradition and propriety be damned.”

Nie Huaisang's heart swelled with a sudden burst of joy. He turned and threw his arms around Meng Yao's neck, leaning in to nuzzle his nose against his lover's. “Never doubt that I love you, A-Yao, that I intend to spend every possible day with you until you grow tired of me.”

“That will not happen,” Meng Yao assured him. “I've already come to terms with the fact that I'm stuck with lazy mornings and giant tortoises and inkstains in awkward places. I've no intention of giving any of that up.”

Almost as one, their heads tilted just so, bringing their lips together. Nie Huaisang deepened the kiss, needing Meng Yao more than ever. He was reluctant to stop when Meng Yao broke the kiss, but waited patiently for him to speak.

“Did you want to return to the party? Or shall we retire for the evening?”

Nie Huaisang moved in to kiss him one more time before finally letting him go so that he could link their hands together. “Da-ge's taken care of... If it's all right, I just want my A-Yao tonight.”

Meng Yao's response was to nod and tug on their linked hands, leading the way to their quarters.

In the weeks since the Jin wedding in Lanling, Nie Huaisang had become more serious about planning for Nie Mingjue's and Qin Su's ceremony, wanting to pursue the ideas he had before he forgot them. If all went according to plan, when the day arrived, even Jin Guangshan would be salivating from the afterlife over how delicious the food would be and how beautifully the hall would be decorated.

He returned to his and Meng Yao's room, arms heavy with books of poetry to find the perfect piece to inspire the invitations, but was brought up short when he saw a pair of open travel bags on the bed, shifting as Meng Yao placed a handful of clothing into one.

“Are we going somewhere?” he asked, wondering what the destination would be and how long they could trust Xue Yang with the xuanwu.

When Meng Yao's head lifted, he gave Nie Huaisang a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes and there was a tightness there that brought a churning to his gut. Meng Yao finished placing the cloth in the bag and came over to take Nie Huaisang's books from him and placed them on a nearby table. Once he was finished, Meng Yao clasped their hands together.

Why do I get the feeling this is going to be terrible news?

“A-Sang, I need to go on a trip.”

“Where to, and what should I pack?”

Meng Yao sighed and looked down at their linked hands. “This is something I need to do alone – well, mostly alone. I would like to take Peanut and Xue Yang with me so the journey will be quicker and safer.”

Nie Huaisang looked into his lover's eyes, trying to find something that could tell him what was going on and why Meng Yao was leaving without him, but he couldn't read anything. “How long will you be gone? And where? And why?” He knew he was whining but if Meng Yao was going to leave his side for any amount of time, he could suffer through a little whining.

“I can't tell very much – that is between Da-ge and myself. As for where, there are several different places I need to visit, and all I can say is that that I'll be negotiating on Qinghe's behalf with various sect leaders.”

With those words, Nie Huaisang found himself breathing easier. At least it was for work, for the sect, and not because Meng Yao had grown tired of him. Not that he feared such a thing, definitely not, never would he even dream of fearing such a thing.

“And I can't say how long it'll be because some may take more time than others. But I promise, as soon as I'm finished, I will be back by your side long before Da-ge’s wedding.”

“You'd better.” Nie Huaisang pouted, looking at his lover through his lashes. “Or else I'm going to go out there and hunt you down to bring you back.”

Meng Yao smiled at him fondly; they both knew he could and would do it. “I promise I'll write to let you know how I'm doing.”

Nie Huaisang nodded and leaned forward until his forehead was pressed against Meng Yao's. They breathed together for several blissful moments, and then Meng Yao released his hands to cup his neck, pulling him in for a deep kiss, lips and tongues moving as if trying to memorize every bit of flesh they could reach.

It didn't matter that the sun shone outside and that there were plans that needed to be made. They fell into bed together, both reluctant to let each other go, and both determined to drink their fill of each other to last until they would be reunited once Meng Yao's work was finished.

Although Ginger rarely left her cave, she was currently stationed outside the open gate of the Unclean Realm, standing to the side of a small gathering of people. Nie Huaisang patted her comfortingly on the flank as they watched Meng Yao and Xue Yang place bags and baskets into the harness they had constructed over Peanut's shell. It looked like they were just about finished, so Nie Huaisang finally stepped over to hand a cloth-wrapped bundle to Xue Yang.

“Treats for the road, fresh from the kitchens.” He then turned to Ginger who handed him a much larger bag, complete with qiankun charms, and passed it over as well. “And here's a few chickens to tide Peanut over in case you're in an area with very little game.”

Xue Yang let out a small, huffing laugh that should have been amusing but instead was creepy enough to send a chill down Nie Huaisang's spine – he wondered if he would ever get used to Xue Yang's murdery quirks. “Oh, don't worry – if the Big Guy can't find anything, I'll find him someone to munch on.”

Nie Huaisang put on his best false smile and patted the bag before finally turning to Meng Yao. He leapt forward to wrap his arms around his lover's neck, holding him as tightly as he could manage, not wanting to let him go.

“Try not to let him kill too many people on the road,” he murmured. “And watch for bandits – you know how they give Peanut indigestion. And-”

“We'll be fine, A-Sang.”

Meng Yao's lips brushed against his cheek and Nie Huaisang closed his eyes to memorize this moment. The feel of Meng Yao's arms around him, the scent of the oil and incense in his hair, the sound of his breathing next to his ear... When they finally pulled apart, Nie Huaisang reached into his robes and pulled out a small sachet of green silk with golden and silver embroidery – there was nothing within as the sachet itself was to be a reminder of his feelings for his lover. Without a word, he passed it to Meng Yao.

Meng Yao stroked the silk with his fingers before immediately affixing the sachet to his belt. He gave Nie Huaisang one last longing look before turning to join Xue Yang on Peanut's shell, and with a flick of a rein, the trio were off down the road away from the Unclean Realm.

There was a loud thump as Ginger dropped down onto her stomach and flopped her head on the ground next to Nie Huaisang. He lowered himself to his knees and wrapped an arm around her neck. “They'll be back before we know it,” he said, not believing a single word of it but needing to say it nevertheless. “Peanut won't forget you while he's gone.”

Ginger let out a small whine; Nie Huaisang began scratching under her jaw until her eyes began to droop sleepily.

“They'll be back,” he whispered to himself one more time before letting out a heavy sigh.

(To Be Continued when Meng Yao returns in “Tortoise Shells and Wedding Bells Part 2”)