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The flight to Lotus Pier is pleasantly silent.
There is little to add after such an outpour of pain. Jiang Cheng still feels bad for having witnessed such a private moment.
He knows his own inadequacy in dealing with emotions. It was YanLi who knew how to soothe the unseen wounds of the heart.
They alight on an islet deep into Lotus Pier territory.
It is the place of past clan leaders: a small house suited for solitary meditation, surrounded by nature, away from the bustle of the tradesmen and the merchants relying on shipments for wares.
Lan XiChen takes in the warm air, the salt breeze. There is a fascinating pattern to the glimmer on the water.
He follows behind Jiang Cheng who strolls into the house and lights a lamp.
It is a modest dwelling, barely more than a cottage. There is space behind a privacy screen that suggests a sleeping corner.
“You can stay here as long as you need.”
“I thank you.”
“I will have someone bring you meals.”
“I can fend for myself if need be. This place seems bountiful.”
“It is if you fish, but you Lan don’t eat meat.”
“Not while we are in Cloud Recesses, it is true.”
Jiang Cheng ponders for a moment.
“I’ll bring you some rations then, so you can supplement them. Our cuisine is a little intense for the mild.”
Lan XiChen offers a smile: “That is very thoughtful.”
“You are, of course, free to move at will. I only assumed you might prefer some space given you were in reclusion…”
Lan XiChen visibly wilts.
“I…You can stay in the main house, of course. We have the guest wing, and the rooms are kept to standard. If you prefer…”
“Jiang Wanyin…” there is a question there, but Lan XiChen purses his lips together and shakes his head. “I thank you for your kindness towards me: given that I invited myself over, you are more than gracious offering me such choice.”
“Stop that XiChen!” There’s a look that’s hard to parse on the Lotus Clan leader’s face. “We’ve known each other decades, our brothers are married, and we’ve both been clan leaders this entire time. I don’t know what’s in your head, but I do know platitudes are a waste of your time and mine. I wouldn’t let you be here if I was opposed to you. I don’t pretend to understand how you feel, but you’re not the only one who’s known loss and betrayal. I don’t have to understand exactly what happened to know that you needed space to yourself, and to be away from reminders of the past.”
“You are so much stronger than me.”
Jiang Cheng snorts.
“That’s because you’ve been slacking on your training.”
Lan XiChen finds himself laughing. It feels strange. It tickles his stomach. It curls in his throat. There are tears on his face, but he feels lighter.
“I look forward to being put through the paces, Clan leader Jiang.”
“I won’t go easy on you just because you’re sad.”
Lan XiChen nods.
“I would expect nothing less of Sandu Shengshou.”
They look at each other quietly for a few moments before Jiang Cheng places the lamp in the other man’s arms.
“I will give you your space, then. You must be tired. There should be a bathing tub in the shed out back. I will fetch that for you.”
“Will…you stay?”
A blush overtakes the man’s features: “I’ll give you some space, grab some food and be back.”
“I am asking a lot.”
Jiang Cheng sighs.
“It’s not that…”
“It’s not?”
“I don’t know if you noticed, but I am a terrible person to have around when you are sad. I get awkward and angry. I never know what to say. It’s…I’m not used to being seen as comforting.”
“You raised Jin Ling.”
Jiang Cheng pauses. “It’s…he was a baby…a kid. You’re a grown man.”
“You think grown men don’t need comfort?”
“I didn’t…that’s not…” He sighs. “I…just don’t understand it. YanLi was the one who comforted us…me, he corrects himself immediately, when I was sad. She knew exactly what to say and do…I…well, you’ve seen how Jin Ling and I get along.”
“He adores you, looks up to you, trusts you. It seems you did a very good job.”
Jiang Cheng splutters.
“All I’m saying is, I don’t get why you’d want me.”
Lan XiChen regards him for a moment, seeming to understand something suddenly.
“You think…you’re interchangeable.”
“No…I think that when you hurt so badly, you will take anything you can.”
“You sell yourself short.”
“I have literally made you vomit from rage.”
Lan XiChen nods.
“Stagnant blood needs release. It was killing me. You saved my life.”
“I also managed to insult you.”
“You are an efficient being. I can hardly fault you for hitting two birds with one stone.”
Jiang Cheng blinks. Lan XiChen also blinks. They are overtaken by laughter.
“Where did you hide this humour? Honestly, clan meetings would be so much better if you would do a running commentary.”
“Oh? I’ll take notes and we can trade afterwards.”
Jiang Cheng grinned.
“It’s a deal. Now relax while I grab the tub.”
Lan XiChen offers him a nod and a small smile, and the other man disappears back out the door.
When Lan XiChen exists the bath tub, he takes time putting on his clothes. He is impressed at the foresight of Jiang Cheng to hang sleeping robes over the privacy screen.
He’s very sweet really. The thought catches him by surprise. It certainly is kind of the other man to support him in his grief.
He chooses to let his hair rest, pulling it back simply, and exists to find the small table covered with all sorts of dishes, and a sack of rice in the corner of the room.
“I didn’t know what you’d like…or could eat, so I brought a bit of everything. We also have congee if all else fails.”
Lan XiChen bows, before sitting down gracefully.
“I am at your disposal, what do you recommend?”
The dish names sound strange, such a difference in colour and texture, but he has always been fascinated by foreign cuisine.
He listens to the ingredients, and begins sampling.
The vegetables are pleasantly spiced, a bit strong for someone used to mostly congee flavour, but he can manage.
The soup makes him cough after one sip, and he gives up, but not before his whole face takes on the colour of a tomato.
The other man says nothing, merely patting his back a couple of times, and then offering him a different dish.
The rice is light and warm. The fermented beans are familiar. He manages this dish with a side of small fish of some sort. The tea is pleasantly hot.
All in all he is satisfied, and very grateful. He spares no words in expressing his gratitude.
“The dishes were delicious. You must compliment the cook. They did a great job.”
Jiang Cheng nods sharply.
“Not too spicy. Lots of interesting flavour. It’s almost as though it was catered to my taste.”
“Don’t think too much of it. It’s just food.”
“Food is sustenance. Food is life. I am very grateful.”
“You’re welcome. You can handle the congee for yourself from here. I brought everything you need.”
“You spoil me.”
“I’m hosting you.”
“I am most grateful.”
“Stop that!” Jiang Cheng is bristling again. Lan XiChen frowns.
“Stop what exactly?”
“That…being all…doe-eyed over nothing. It’s just some food. You don’t need to be so grateful over every little thing.”
“It is no small thing to me.”
“It’s nothing much to feed someone you invited into your home. I could hardly call myself a clan leader if I brought you here and left you to starve.”
“Nevertheless.”
“You’re too…too…nice!”
“You would like me to be ungrateful?”
Jiang Cheng sighs again.
“No…nevermind…I just…I don’t like seeing you act like it’s something amazing when I know it’s not.”
“I believe you misunderstand me. I’m not acting like it is amazing. The kindness and consideration you are showing me is amazing. You could have left me there. You could have denied me passage. You could have given up on me like everyone else.”
Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes.
“You Lan are so dramatic. Nobody’s given up on you. It’s just you are surrounded by subordinates. And your brother does not strike me as someone who could offer you comfort around…certain things.”
“My brother tried.”
“Exactly. He tried. He didn’t give up on you. Nobody gave up on you. Just you.”
Lan XiChen looks pensive:
“I…believe you’re right.”
“I’m just saying…you can stop accepting crumbs. You deserve support. What I can do is not much, but I’m happy to do it.”
“…and you have a reputation to protect.”
“People are less inclined to fear those who talk to them with compassion and understanding, rather than threatening physical injury.” He shrugs. “I don’t need you to fear me.”
Lan Xichen nods.
“I appreciate you, clan leader Jiang.”
The man in question grimaces.
“Call me Jiang Cheng, everyone else does.”
“I always thought that to be disrespectful of them. You do have a courtesy name.”
Jiang Cheng is too tired to explain that he didn’t have the energy to police the correct usage of his name in the wake of losing his clan, his parents, his brother-in-law, sister and brother, before receiving Jin Ling to raise.
“Call me whatever you want.”
“I like your name.”
Jiang Cheng frowns.
“It’s strong, yet somewhat delicate. Wouldn’t you say?”
A snort is the only answer.
“We can’t all be named after colours.”
Lan Xichen laughs.
“Touché.”
The night unfolds pleasantly, with good food and good company.
Jiang Cheng raises himself to take away the dishes, and Lan Xichen mimics him.
“Can I join you?”
Jiang Cheng looks puzzled: “To visit the kitchens?”
“I would like to see more of Lotus Pier. I do not think I have ever had the opportunity before.”
Something softens in Jiang Cheng’s proud eyes.
“You won’t see much in the dark on the way to the kitchens, but if you want, I can show you around tomorrow, or when you feel up to being in public.”
Lan Xichen smiles.
“That would be wonderful.”
Jiang Cheng nods and moves towards the door only to find Lan Xichen has already reached and opened it.
“You have your hands full.”, a reasonable, straightforward explanation that nevertheless leaves Jiang Cheng a little breathless.
They walk largely in silence. Lan Xichen relishes the different sounds of Lotus Pier. Jiang Cheng has exhausted his words for the day.
The kitchens are empty, as expected of the later hour. Lan Xichen feels relieved.
All too soon the chores are done, and they are standing before the main building.
“Can you find your way back?”
Lan Xichen nods. Jiang Cheng looks unconvinced.
“Come with me.” He doesn’t wait for a response, merely pulling Lan Xichen along by the hand.
Judging from the elaborate designs and rich tapestries, they are in the main wing, in the clan leader’s space.
It’s a shock, therefore, when they reach a standard door without sculpted adornments or jewels.
“Hang on I gotta grab something from my room.”
He is gone before Lan Xichen can respond. He takes the opportunity to admire the cleverly inlaid shells creating a mosaic effect of the Lotus Pier gates.
He is lost in admiration when he feels someone tap him on the shoulder.
He turns to find Jiang Cheng, who is holding up a strange stone, shaped like a really round tadpole.
“It’s a whistle. It’s meant to disrupt the attacks of vengeful spirits by distracting them with the shrill sound. It also works to activate certain bells.” He taps to the one at his waist. “So if you get lost, use it, and I’ll come get you.”
Lan Xichen smiles, feeling warmer than he has in years.
“Thank you, Jiang Cheng. I will take good care of it.”
They go over their goodbyes for the evening.
“You sure you’re gonna be alright?”
Lan Xichen smiles again.
“It is a beautiful night with a bright moon. I paid attention to the path here, and, I have your whistle. I shall be alright. Thank you for thinking of me.”
Jiang Cheng looks unconvinced.
“Do not let me spoil the rest of your evening.”
A snort.
“I’m going straight to sleep. Some of us have to work in the mornings.” He teases.
Lan Xichen laughs again.
“Too true. My apologies for keeping you up so late. I am happy to offer my services to help you with your tasks tomorrow.”
“Thanks but no thanks. I don’t mind the company though. You can join me in my office.”
“Very well. Until then. Good night, Jiang Wanyin.”
“’Night, Zewu-jun.”