Work Text:
Nie Huaisang looked carefully out the window, trying to identify what type of bird that small colorful specimen was that was circling in its nest trying to get comfortable when he realized that the atmosphere in the classroom changed.
He might not like letting him cunning show, since that way it was easier to get his way when he needed it. However, he did not need to feign surprise and disbelief at the absurdity he had just witnessed.
Nie Huaisang, cowardl- no, impressionable and sensitive as he was, jumped slightly at the shout of the heir of the Jiang Sect directed at his brother.
On a normal day, the Nie Sect's Second Young Master wouldn't have bothered, after all, he knew firsthand how dysfunctional the relationship between those two was.
However, something was different this time. Even a fool could have realized that there was something clearly wrong.
Before, the heir of the Jiang Sect would shout his brother's name in frustration, or shame poorly disguised as anger.
Accustomed to interacting with the pair, Nie Huaisang would even put his hands up to ensure that he heard a note of concern every time Wei Wuxian did something particularly dangerous or stupid.
Hence he was the person most shocked by what was happening.
Jiang Wanyin, future leader of the Jiang sect, was shouting Wei Wuxian's name, not with any of the previously mentioned emotions, but with hatred. A hatred so intense that even someone whose parents were killed and his wife stolen was left behind.
This was already disconcerting, but Nie Huaisang found it even more frightening because of all the places his friend could have chosen to go crazy or have a sudden deviation of qi, this one opted for Cloud Recesses, and if that wasn't enough , in the presence of a figure much more terrifying to him than Lan Qiren.
Lan Wangji.
Or at least, that's how Nie Huaisang felt, until the heir of the Jiang Sect unsheathed his sword and attacked directly at the heart of his Shixiong.
Wei Wuxian, as prodigy as he was, was unable to react.
Nie Huaisang couldn't help but think that even if he could he wouldn't have done it at all.
It was then that everyone present knew it. Jiang Wanyin really wanted to kill Wei Wuxian. And he would do it because there was no one who could have predicted this and was fast enough to intercept the attack or push Wei Wuxian out of the way.
The second heir of the Nie Sect never thought that his friend would survive, and even if he did there were more chances that his Shidi would fail than Lan Wangji would position himself in front of him and stop the heir of the Jiang Sect.
Or not, scratch that.
Seeing how the situation was developing, Nie Huaisang came to the conclusion that it was logical for this to happen, after all, killing was prohibited in Cloud Recesses. And who but Lan Wangji, the person in charge of discipline, would prevent someone from desecrating the rules?
Confused (worried and shocked) as he was, Young Master Nie still couldn't help but admire the dedication and justice of the so-called second Lan Jade as he moved to block the attack.
Or so he did until he could see and focus on Lan Wangji.
Nie Huaisang had known Second Lan Jade for years, partly because they both had an older brother who was or would be a sect leader, and partly because it was impossible for him to stay out of trouble in a place as restrictive as Cloud Recesses.
Second Young Master Nie always believed that the looks he received when he snuck liquor and pornography were creepy, but it was only now that he realized that those looks were harmless.
Lan Wangji, the man who would perhaps rank above his brother in the young master rankings if not for his strict and stoic personality, Lan's terrifying second jade who was known for his stony and unreadable face, was looking at his friend in the same way he saw Wei Wuxian.
“Jiang Wanyin”, Lan Wangji uttered in a tone so icy and laden with venom that it was hard to believe it was really him.
“Lan Wangji”, heir Jiang spat in kind. “Why are you getting in my way?! You of all people should understand this! Is this the justice that you Lans are so proud of?!”
At his words, Second Young Master Lan's complexion seemed to become even more terrifying.
“Jiang Wanyin”, Lan Wangji repeated. “Are you still not satisfied with what you did?”
No one present had any idea what had happened to make two sect heirs suddenly about to kill each other, but Nie Huaisang, clever as he was, realized that whatever it was had to be important enough for Lan Wangji to act like he was doing.
"Satisfied?" Jiang Cheng sneered. “I won’t be satisfied until I send Wei Wuxian to hell along with… MMHP!”
Lan Wangji did not let Heir Jiang finish what he had to say and used the silencing spell.
Briefly looking around, Second Jade seemed to take a deep breath before continuing.
“Jiang Wanyin, you are officially expelled from Cloud Recesses”, he stated. “As for Wei Yi- Wuxian… you once said that it was the Jiang sect's business, but not long ago you declared that they had severed all ties and he would no longer be a member of your sect”.
This time, not only Nie Huaisang, even Wei Wuxian himself gasped at those words.
Jiang Cheng, purple as he was with anger at being silenced by Lan Wangji of all people, didn't seem to expect that either.
“You're right”, he snapped, more calmly, but no less angrily once Lan Wangji removed the silencing spell. As he looked around him, and seemed to realize where he was, he sheathed his sword and looked coldly at his Shixiong. “Wei Wuxian is no longer part of my sect, you can do whatever you want with him”.
And, without another word he turned around.
“J-Jiang Cheng?” called a painfully vulnerable and confused Wei Wuxian.
“Wei Wuxian…” the Jiang Sect heir seemed to almost spit out. “Don't you dare set foot on Lotus Pier. Even if my father or sister want to see you, if I see you again in Yunmeng I will personally kill you and throw your corpse to the dogs”.
Faced with those words so full of hatred and indifference, not only Nie Huaisang was shocked, Wei Wuxian himself could not help but stumble, but before he could fall he was caught by Lan Wangji.
“Second Master Lan, I don't know why you insist on defending him, but having witnessed what happened, don't regret it when misfortune follows you”. It was the last thing Jiang Wanyin said before disappearing.
Despite his words, Second Jade Lan did not even spare him a glance. Neither he, nor anyone.
Without even looking around him, he took Wei Wuxian's motionless figure into his arms and declared that class was suspended.