lastjinstanding | Brothel meme continued

Brothel meme continued

Continued from here

Jin Ling had really hoped he'd have A-Yuan at his side for this, but he didn't blame the sweet man for being ill one bit. In fact, he really enjoyed holding him as they finished traveling up to Lotus Pier. He sends servants off the boat to arrange a discreet delivery of his ill and subdued guest to private chambers following Ling's disembark. He instructed only Fu Geming to carry A-Yuan with Liling.

Sadly, after that, he had to leave his pets in his servants care. Squaring his shoulders, he stepped onto the pier. He bowed humbly to all of his relatives and gave them each a proper greeting- or in Wei Wuxian's case, a cheeky one.

He was brought into the main hall and given the seat next to Jiang Cheng's throne. Wei Wuxian was seated beside him with Lan Wangji at the next seat. And yes, Wangji had been offered the throne but had chosen to stay at Wuxian's side. It was Jiang Cheng's wedding, after all.

Jin Ling is happy sitting to a nice cup of tea and some wine after a long day of travel with promise of dinner coming.

~~~

"Jin-Guniang, is the young master Zheng in this room?" A young, unfamiliar male voice asks. "I have some medicine I wish to offer if you'd announce me."

"Of course. Let me ask for you," Liling says in a warm tone. She knocks on Yuan's door and peeks in. She smiles when she sees him awake. She comes in and shuts the door behind her. "Zheng-gongzi? How are you feeling? A friend of Jin-zongzhu from the Lan Clan is here to offer you some medicine. Would you feel up to seeing him?"

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Zizhen calls for Liling to come and take away the rest of the food with a grateful thank you for all her hard work, settling in quietly next to Jin Ling in a way that should allow him to curl up close if he wants to. He doesn't mind another quiet afternoon of just sitting together and letting Jin Ling regain his strength.

~~~

The Madame seems surprised at the arrival of another person, though she bows politely to both of them, and her eyebrows raise in shock when he's introduced. Two sect leaders? Three, really, if you counted Jin Ling himself - just what kind of connections did this boy have all of a sudden?

"Nie-zongzhu, it's an honour," she bows again, then nods at Jiang Cheng, laying a book on the table "My accounts, showing the debt accrued by Wen Yuan and what is still owed."

She slid the book across the table to the two of them

"As you can see his remaining debt is not insignificant. I would have had Yuan's income for at least another two years, if not longer, the boy had a propensity for learning expensive hobbies," her smile is almost fond - because of course it would be. The longer it took to pay off debt, the more it mounted, given interest and the like. She did also care for the boys and girls of her house, in her own way, and Yuan had a knack for making people like him.

Huaisang leans over to inspect the book - it's an almost eye-watering sum of money, but it's not that far off from what he expected. He gives Jiang Cheng a slight nod - this is probably the best deal he's going to get.

"Madame," he says, drawing her attention to give his lover a moment to process the amount "I have been informed by Jiang-zongzhu that you are most discreet, is this the case?"

"Of course," Madame nods "I pride myself on my discretion, it's what makes the Golden Hare a house of such fine reputation."

Wanyin lets Huaisang look over the book first before taking a look himself. His mostly calm expression shifts though the moment he sees the figure. "Expensive hobbies? Are you insane? Were you putting gold in his bath water?" Who spends like this?!

He points to a number on the page and looks over at the Nie sect leader fury. "Is this.. is this the amount that spoiled, peabrain, dunderhead of mine agreed to spend on this mess?" He groans and puts both of his hands over his face. Jin Ling! You jackass! He wants to scream. Not only did the moron spend this ludicrous amount but he also commissioned the boat and the necklace for Ouyang Anju- who now that he thinks about it, kept the jewelry. His wedding cost his nephew a king's ransom! "I'm going to kill him.."

Why was his nephew so monumentally stupid?

He abruptly slams his fist against the table and lurches to his feet. He glares at the woman and points at her. A sudden sizzle of electricity makes everyone in the room's hair stand on end. "How dare you take advantage of that dumbass! Have you no shame?! You come in here demanding even more money after he paid that price and you didn't even blink an eye? He might be an imbecile but you're a crook for taking advantage of someone so young and foolish!"

"Instruments and tutors are not cheap, unfortunately." Madame says calmly.

Huaisang looks over at the book and raises an eyebrow, but he nods - yes, that does indeed look like the payment that Jin Ling made to hire Yuan in the first place. He must have been very taken with the young man from the moment he saw him to agree to an amount like that. Well, that or he just didn't care.

Jin Ling, he thinks, contrary to his uncle's opinion, is not that stupid. He is that rich. Huaisang knows something about the Jin clan finances - he can afford this, and then some.

Madame stumbles back with a gasp when he stands, eyes wide in fear at the sudden crackle of electricity.

"J-Jiang-zongzhu, I assure you I-" Huaisang holds his hand up to stop her with a slight shake of his head, then turns to Jiang Cheng, resisting the urge to put a hand on his arm - discreet she might be, but he's not going to be anything other than purely professional in front of her.

"Jiang-zongzhu," he says calmly "I wouldn't expect someone as upstanding and honourable as you to have encountered this world before, unfortunately this is often how things work. Allow me to discuss with Madame an appropriate arrangement? I'm sure we will make sure nobody is being left short."

It is humiliating that his nephew would put him in such a situation! It is infuriating that his stupid brother and brother-in-law would be so careless that they put him in this predicament to clean up their mess! Sure they could just prance around and leave the cultivation society whenever they wished and break whatever rule they wanted, but the rest of them- the 'lower' people, had to live within the bounds of society and propriety. That included paying debts and following through on business contracts. For this price, they should at least have let Jin Ling continue to screw that boy for a while longer!

(Okay, let's just ignore how impossible that would've been with Jin Ling being in a coma and how terrible that is morally and..)

He scowls at Huaisang but the flicker of electricity fades instantly from the room. It is almost amusing how well the gentle stroke to the man's ego works. Of course he wouldn't know something so dishonorable! Who do these people take him for! Although suddenly he gets a subtle curious light in his eyes. What was Huaisang saying here? Did he use these services?! Why would he- oh.. probably Mingjue. That .. would make way more sense. Or when he was going up against that snake..

He still doesn't look happy or as relaxed as he had when they first started this or like last time when he was tired and just resigned to it, but with a heavy sigh and a flip of his sleeve, he sits again. "Fine."

Huaisang nods slightly and then turns back to the madame with a smile.

"Now, Madame Su, I absolutely understand the expense you've had to go through, but I do wonder if we might revisit some of these figures. Did Yuan bring the qin with him to Carp Tower? How many of his things did he bring?"

"...No he didn't," Madame admits, knowing they could confirm that "And he only had the robe he was wearing, Jin-zongzhu decided he should stay sooner than we thought, so he hadn't packed anything...."

"So the expense of the qin, and some of his robes, is one you can...recoup, somewhat? I wouldn't expect you to write it off completely, of course, but you still have those items."

"...yes." Madame admits begrudgingly.

"That is fortunate for you, it's nice to not be out of pocket," Huaisang smiles airily, as though she weren't trying her hardest not to glare at him.

He continues in much the same vein, cheerfully haggling her down by making her admit the way certain expenses were inflated, but throwing in flattery and praise along the way - he'll be sure to remember how helpful she was being, and how wonderfully she clearly treated the boys and girls in her care, and surely that made them excellent at their job. The general gist of it being; charge us a reasonable amount and we'll pay it, keep quiet about what you know and we'll continue to send custom your way - and allowing Jiang Cheng's glowering figure beside him to add cross us, and you will regret it.

Eventually they reach a total and Huaisang turns to his lover with a smile.

"Does that sound more agreeable to you, Jiang-zongzhu?"

Jiang Cheng sits back and watches Huaisang do his thing. It turns out to be so impressive to see in action, that he's far less upset about the ending total than he would've in any other circumstance. The petite man parries and thrusts with his words with every bit of skill Wanyin would've seen on a battle field. It's done so well, he even has to wonder if Huaisang hadn't done or said something to poke a nerve of his just to get the show started.

Once the pretty bird is satisfied, so is he. Well.. with the contract.

"Yes. As per agreement if you'll wait here I'll get a purse for you with the first payment so you can take with you. The rest will have to come after I send a request back to Lotus Pier. Is there anything else you require while you wait?"

Up until right now, he hasn't mentioned or indicated that he might not have the money directly on him- not that walking around with a large sum for no reason would make sense to someone not trying to simply show off that they can.

He rises from his seat and motions for Huaisang to follow him.

The madame looks for a moment as though she's about to protest, but she glances at Huaisang and shuts up (which is strange, because he's not doing anything except smiling sweetly and lazily fanning himself).

"Of course, Jiang-zongzhu. I'm glad we could reach an agreement," she says smoothly "I don't require anything else, thank you."

Huaisang nods, rising as well and inclining his head to the madame.

"A pleasure to meet you, Madame Su," he says serenely, turning to follow Jiang Cheng out of the room.

(He's pretty sure he's not about to get yelled at for messing that up, Cheng is not very good at hiding his emotions after all, and anyway he did rather well - if he did say so himself)

He nods to her and holds the door for his guest sect leader, maintaining the air of host that he'd momentarily slipped up on during the negotiations. "I shall be back shortly," he promises again, assuring her that he would be honorable with his word.

He walks with Huaisang quietly back to his suites where any extra gold or silver pieces would be kept. He doesn't say a world or even look at the other clan leader the whole length of their walk. However as soon as the door shuts behind them in his chamber, he whips around and roughly shoves the weaker man against the closest sturdy wall. He snatches Huaisang's wrists and forces them above his head. Leaning in, he kisses Huaisang's lips possessively.

When he draws back to catch his breath, his eyes are dark with want. He kisses in between every few words. "A-Sang, my love.. that was.. by far, the sexiest things.. I've ever seen."

Huaisang starts to get unsure that he isn't going to be in some kind of trouble, for once he finds he can't read the mood on Jiang Cheng's face, and that's rare for him, he just doesn't know what's on the other sect leader's mind. As they enter his chamber he almost says something, wondering if he has misstepped somehow.

And then all of a sudden he's being pressed up against the wall, helplessly pinned and kissed in a way that makes his knees weak.

Oh. So that's what's on his mind. Huaisang feels a flood of relief and desire all at once and he smiles breathlessly up at the man pinning him to the wall.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," he says in a low voice.

Huaisang was so flawless and beautifully in charge in that room, whether it had appeared that way or not, it only seemed appropriate to have a little fun and mess with him just a bit. Not only that, but Jiang Cheng had been doing everything in his power not to have the sect leader on the table in front of him.

What was with him and tables?

He lets go of Huaisang's wrists and ran them down his lover's body, enjoying that he could do so while everyone else had to wonder what the pretty man's shape was underneath all this rich fabric. He knew. He'd kissed this body, had his hands on every curve and supple part, had watched his face contort in agonizing pleasure, and claimed Huaisang as his over and over again. This. This belonged to him.

He snatched at the Nie clan leader's robes, pulling them up. A renewed thrill coursed through him knowing there wasn't the usual barrier underneath as he'd ordered Huaisang not to wear them ever again in his presence. He wants the man always open to him, always partially ready to be taken. It was wildly indecent, but Wanyin nearly came at the idea anyone would let him do such a thing.

"You're irresistible, my sweet fox," he purrs against his ears, touching shamelessly along bare legs. "I fear, I am hopelessly addicted to you." He nips roughly against Huaisang's neck.

Gods but it's such a turn on how much the other man wants him, how much he can see the desire raging in those eyes. The no trousers rule sends a thrill through him every time he thinks about it and he honestly can't wait for the next discussion conference or other event where he can sit serenely in front of all those other clan leaders knowing that he's being so shamelessly indecent - and knowing that Jiang Cheng knows it too.

He lets out of a low moan, letting his head drop back against the wall at the whisper of breath against his neck when his lover whispers in his ear.

"The feeling is mutual, my love, I've never wanted anything the way I want you."

He is regretting all the clothes he'd put on this morning as he has to work quickly to push fabric out of the way and toss his belt somewhere- he doesn't use any brain power to care where. As his trousers slide down his thighs and there's an obscene gap in his robes, he catches the back of Huaisang's legs and effortlessly lifts him. He guides smooth, milky thighs around his waist and reaching further underneath.

"I need you to be mine," he growls. They'd made love not long ago. He knows this was going to leave Huaisang sore again, but he can't wait. He can't be good. He must take and it had to be now. He reaches down between them and pushes into his lover's body. He cries out with needy pleasure and has to fight every feral urge to not move too quickly and to stop before he got too far. "A-Sang!" He moans loudly.

Huaisang is lucky he's stronger and more flexible than people would expect - or maybe it's Cheng who's lucky. Either way he wraps his legs easily around his lover's waist as he's lifted, pressing himself back against the wall for support - although he knows Jiang Cheng is strong enough to lift him by himself and that's also hot as hell.

"Take me, I'm yours." He almost whines, just as needy and eager as his lover, he doesn't even care that this is going to hurt, he'll deal with that later.

He groans as Cheng pushes into him, clinging onto the other man's shoulders, nails digging in a little.

"Fuck.. A-Cheng..."

"Not just now. Always!" He can't have it any other way. He doesn't know still if Huaisang has ever enjoyed a brothel before or just knew how they worked for other purposes but as he thrust into the tight heat of the sect leader's ass, there's an extra edge of dominance to his tone.

"Say it. Say you won't touch any other or be touched by another, A-Sang." He fucks up into the other man's body roughly, taking what technically didn't truly belong to him yet but demanding it anyway. "Your body and heart.. I want it all!"

Huaisang gasps, and it's more than just the thrust of Cheng's cock inside him that tears the sound from his throat. His fingers dig into his lover's shoulders again and he moans, knowing exactly how he's going to respond.

"Yes-! I promise, I swear it, I'm yours, A-Cheng, completely. Nobody else, not now, not ever, only you." He's babbling a little, he thinks dazedly, but he means every word. Even if Jiang Cheng lost interest tomorrow, even if he decides he needs a wife after all, even if he everything goes to he'll and he decides Huaisang isn't worth the hassle, the scandal, the effort, he'll never touch another. He can't, not now he's had this, nothing else, no-one else, will ever compare.

He'll never forget this moment, not as long as he lives. It hadn't been planned and wasn't what you'd call the most romantic of settings, but it was here he knew that although he was demanding ownership of Huaisang, he too would be forever claimed.

As his precious Nightingale sings for him, words so perfect and sweet, he works his bestial lust off driving himself harder and deeper into Huaisang's body. It is a vigorous pace, unlike a number of their other, much more sweeter times together. This time it's about dominance and welding their destinies together along with their qi's.

All Huaisang can really do is brace himself against the wall and hold on, a chorus of moans escaping him as Cheng fucks him hard and fast - there's still an edge of pain to it, but it only makes the pleasure sweeter, and the sheer animal lust his lover is displaying is nearly intoxicating in its intensity.

There's something so raw and powerful about the moment, something addictive about being able to drive Cheng to this, about being so alluring that his lover needs him - something that makes him feel like he's winning. Huaisang likes winning.

(It's the best kind of winning, he thinks, when neither of them are losing)

He clings tightly to Jiang Cheng and lets him take everything he has to give.

He cries out loudly for his A-Sang when at last the pressure bursts within him. His weight, crushes against Huaisang's pinning him against the wall as he unleashes his seed inside him. He leans his head against the Nie sect leader's neck, panting hot puffs of air against his skin. His fingers had left a couple dark marks on pale thighs as he'd mercilessly taken what he'd wanted.

It was a shame Huaisang wasn't a woman. Wanyin would've been sure his seed would've taken root and left his mate possessed in a way that was undeniable on such a primal level. Even still, he wouldn't allow such a thought to tarnish what had been perfect. He kisses along soft skin, silently worshiping the beautiful nymph who had come and claimed his heart.

~~~

The second day with Jin Ling is much the same as the first, though he continues to improve. He is awake a little longer which means he gets more to drink. He starts with an appetite but like the day before after only a couple bites loses it. Despite feeling better, he isn't any less inclined to sleep against Zizhen, even at one point throwing an arm around him in his sleep.

Liling mentions to Zizhen how odd it is that Jiang Cheng hasn't come to check on Jin Ling hardly at all since the Ouyang heir arrived. However, she also reports that she's peeked in his door again only to find Huaisang still in his bed.

The third day, a letter arrives from Gusu for Zizhen. It's delivered by that messenger that was originally supposed to bring back the charm for Jin Ling that Zizhen brought instead. It's a sweet note from Jingyi saying how much he misses him already and that he hopes- if it's not too terribly inconvenient- Zizhen might make a trip back to Cloud Recesses so he can share what he's found about Jin Ling before going back home.

Huaisang's own release follows almost embarrassingly quickly, so taken with the primal passion of the moment that the feel of his lover coming inside him was enough to tip him over the edge.

Vaguely, somewhere in the midst of his passion, he notes that every single one of the underrobes he brought with him is going to end up stained in some way, he can see it now.

He clings to Jiang Cheng, feeling his legs start to shake with the effort of keeping them wrapped around his waist as the adrenaline and arousal of the moment start to dissipate and he's left feeling dizzy with the aftereffects.

"A-Cheng, my love..." he murmurs, curling his fingers into Jiang Cheng's hair. He giggles almost drunkenly "You still need to take that money to the madame..."

~~~

Zizhen tries to encourage the appetite, but hides his disappointment that it doesn't last - still, it's something, and he should be glad of that, he thinks. He still accepts the snuggling without complaint.

He tries to make polite excuses that maybe his uncle is just dealing with sect business as well as his guest, now that he has a chance to with Zizhen here looking after Jin Ling, and he doesn't need to check on him because he knows he's in good hands. Still, he makes a note to slip out the next time Jin Ling is asleep, and risk seeing something he doesn't want to see in order to suggest Jiang Cheng drop by, just so Jin Ling doesn't start to feel neglected.

Zizhen is quick to show Jin Ling the letter, gushing happily about it. He reiterates his promise not to tell them the truth of the situation, though, and lets Jin Ling see his own letter before he sends it - it's a confirmation he'll be coming back to Gusu in a few days, and will bring further news, but that Jin Ling is doing well.

He also adds a postscript suggesting that perhaps he might like to use the proper guest quarters this time, rather than staying in the dorm room, and would Jingyi be able to arrange that?

He gives the man a smug grin. "She irritated me, so she can wait," he chuckles. They hadn't been gone long and assuming they didn't go fall into bed for a post-coitus nap, he figured he was still within a sect leader's range of 'returning shortly'.

He steals one more kiss before drawing back and very gently pulling out. He then guided Huaisang's feet to the floor, carefully keeping a hold of him in case his legs wouldn't hold him. "Are you alright, A-Sang? I'll arrange for you to have an extra thick cushion to sit on later. If you'd like, we can call for a hot bath for you to enjoy while I'm away." Anything to help that backside they just abused for the second time.

~~~

Jin Ling does a decent job of hiding any disappointment he feels about his uncle being preoccupied. In truth, he's quite as sad as maybe he should because he knows just how long it's been since his uncle has had anyone in his life. Like.. never. So it's hard to begrudge him for this. Even so, Jin Ling is certainly not a saint, so it slips out and it is Huaisang.

Fortunately, he's pretty easily distracted by the letter.

~~~

[A day ahead]

Jingyi stops by the Jingshi with the letter in hand, looking for either Wei-qianbei and/ or Sizhui. He has a perplexed look on his face until he spots either one. At that point, he breaks into a smile and waves instead of the more proper greeting (like a bow).

Huaisang laughs lightly - he did so love Jiang Cheng's occasional devious streak.

He holds on to him as he's guided back onto his feet, his legs are feeling pretty wobbly and he needs the support but he can mostly stand up. He'd probably be alright if his lover stepped away but he's going to take advantage of his presence while it's here.

"A hot bath sounds divine, actually." Huaisang agrees, pulling himself up a little to give Cheng another soft kiss "You take such good care of me, my love."

~~~

Once the letter is out of the way and its distracting powers are no more, Zizhen decides to try a different tactic - he asks Liling if she can bring some books or games up to Jin Ling's room so they might have other ways to occupy themselves while the young sect leader is awake. He also suggests to both Liling and Jin Ling that maybe there should be food brought up every time he's awake, just something small like nuts or fruit that he can pick at as he feels like it, and leave if he doesn't, and that way he's eating as much as he's able.

He's very much hoping that Jin Ling will be recovered enough for at least one walk before he has to leave.

~~~

Yuan has brought his qin out onto the porch of the Jingshi to practice, he had been having another lesson with his father but Hanguang Jun had been called away on Chief Cultivator business, so they'd decided to resume later. He looks up when Jingyi approaches and smiles brightly.

"Jingyi!" he waves back, since why stand on ceremony when it's just friends? "What are you doing here?"

"I'll have one sent in at once. You can be discreet on the pillows behind the dressing curtains if you'd like." If he could, he'd never have Huaisang hide away like he were a mistress but they'd agreed this would be a secret love affair. That wouldn't work too well if a bunch of servants came into his bedchambers to deliver a bath only to find his lover lounging on his bed. To soften the request, he steals one.. maybe three more kisses before at last he pulls away.

He takes a moment to straighten his appearance. He no longer could tell, but others might notice the faint scent of Huaisang's perfume on him. He goes through one of his travel bags and finds an enchanted box. Opening it, he quickly counts out the amount needed (twice) before putting it in a separate purse.

"Shall I ask the servants for anything else for you, A-Sang?" He asks, rising again.

~~~

Jin Ling gets a bit sulky over the food, thinking it sounds condescending to him but Liling thinks it's a great idea. When she brings the snacks it turns out to be a brilliant plan as it's fairly easy to distract him into continuing to nibble on things almost the whole time he's awake as long as it's slow and no one makes a big deal of it.

While he likes the games, it's almost comical how intrigued Jin Ling gets when Zizhen starts to read to him. He turns out to be one of those listeners who has to make commentary remarks every few minutes too, but he shushes rather easily if Zizhen tells him to. He'll do anything so long as Zizhen keeps reading.

~~~

Jingyi comes over and sits next to his friend. "Zizhen wrote to me! He says things are well! Look. That charm must've worked!" He knows how worried Sizhui had been, well they both were. "He says he's going to come back here after he leaves Lanling to tell us more."

"Mmm," he agrees, smoothing out Jiang Cheng's robe as he steps away. He does intend on concealing himself when the servants bring the bath in, he meant it when he said he doesn't want to cause any further scandal for Jiang Cheng - not that they've been all that subtle, but at least there's not that many people about given Jin Ling's condition. He's got his spies, as well, they can make sure word doesn't spread.

"No, not just now." He says with a soft smile "the bath is enough."

~~~

Zizhen is very smug about the food thing working out, but he doesn't mention it, knowing that Jin Ling is stubborn enough to stop eating just to prove him wrong if he decides to draw too much attention to it. Still, he's pleased.

The reading, though, makes him even more smug - it's quite flattering how much Jin Ling enjoys listening to him read, and honestly most of his interruptions are quite enjoyable, he likes an engaged listener.

~~~

Yuan breathes a sigh of relief at the news, unable to keep the smile from his face.

"That's wonderful," he says, and then his smile turns a little sly and he nudges Jingyi with his shoulder "and it's good that he's coming back, too."

Jiang Cheng returns to the Madame with the purse and a bottle of fine wine for the delay. He encourages her to take the time to count it there in his presence if she wishes and then bids her farewell till he can get his funds from Lotus Pier.

He grumbles how this would again be a good time to have a brother who could do errands for him since no normal person can fly swords from Lanling all the way to Lotus Pier and traveling with that amount of money is too dangerous for a normal person to handle. He also wasn't about to send his lover, some junior, or even try and write to his brother to actually help him. No, the only person who could/ should really do this task was him.

He returns to his room deep in thought wondering how he could orchestra this so Jin Ling would be continually protected. As he comes in, he hopes he's made it in time to see his beautiful Nightingale enjoying his bath.

~~~

It's good after all they've been through recently to finally get some really good news. He has to wonder how Jin Ling went from needing something so desperately that Jiang Cheng would write to his brother to 'everything is fine'. However, he doesn't ask since this has visibly made Yuan feel better.

The tease back makes Jingyi blush. He's too happy to care about that. "I'm kind of confused about this part here, though. He says he wants to be in one of the guest rooms this time though. He's always stayed in the dormitories with the rest of the Lan disciples. Why do you think he wants this now?"

It was so warm and there was such a comradery in the dorms. Why would someone not want to be a part of that?

Madame accepts the wine and the delay, noticing the faint scent of perfume that she had though belonged to the other sect leader and getting mildly curious - but then she considered the two of them and decided not to question it (even though at the back of her mind the solution was obvious and terribly interesting gossip) - the last thing she wants is either of them angry with her.

She thanks him, content in the knowledge that she will get the rest of her money, and leaves.

Huaisang is waiting in the bath when Jiang Cheng returns to his chambers, a towel tucked over the edge of the tub so he can lean his head back, his eyes are closed as he just enjoys the warm water soothing his tired muscles.

~~~

Yuan is not yet versed enough in talismans and charms and what they can and can't do, but he has heard enough about the Yiling Patriarch and all his amazing feats (without having realised how many of them are exaggerated), so the swift recovery seems to him as though it must be his father's magic at work and therefore isn't suspicious at all.

He blinks at Jingyi in confusion for a moment before a smile breaks out on his face.

"Jingyi," he says softly "what do the guest quarters have that the dorms do not...?" He prompts - it's immediately obvious to him that Zizhen would like some privacy, and also why He might be looking for such a thing, but he wonders if he can get Jingyi to realise without outright telling him.

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Oh it's good cop bad cop lol

Haha perfect!

Re: Haha perfect!

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