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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"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.

Jiang Cheng is blissfully unaware of the social grenade he just handed the Madame in addition to the money and wine. Instead, he is relieved the situation is mostly over with and it won't be too long before he can forget this whole thing happened at all. Although, unlike the Jin clan or the Lan clan this was going to take some time to recover from. (This plus his cancelled wedding, it's been an expensive couple months). He hates it but there's a chance he might have to raise taxes.

All that worry vanishes though as his eyes fall on perfection. He moves quietly forward, letting his gaze travel down a beautifully naked body. He smiles as he thinks for the first time in forever he might not grow old alone. After all these years of thinking a part of him was corrupt or unworthy of anyone willing to stand by his side, he's discovered someone who has been there the whole time. He wishes he'd known.

In all actuality though, he might not have accepted this sooner. He was so angry at his brother falling for a man and neglecting his duties. He didn't want to do anything remotely similar. Sadly being with Huaisang would mean he had no chance of a natural heir, not unless he found a mistress or kept Huaisang as his mistress. Some sect leaders had to do that. They had who they loved and then they had who they married and who they produced children with. He didn't want to do that to the lovely man but..

He pushes those thoughts aside and kneels next to the tub. He leans down and kisses Huaisang's forehead. "You're unfairly alluring, A-Sang."

~~

Jingyi is surprised that this request makes sense to Sizhui. Why was he smiling over this? Was Zizhen upset about what happened last time and wants to put some distance between them?

He puts a finger to his chin as he keeps thinking, like this is a really tough puzzle. What do the guest quarters have that the dorms do not? He knows what the dorms have the guest quarters don't, but the reverse? Closer to the dining hall and gate? It's got a room with a couple tubs since guests can't use the cold springs. That must be it!

"Bath tubs! He didn't like not being able to take a bath here last time and since I couldn't take him to the cold springs, he wants to use the guest quarters." He grins, pleased that he figured it out. Although, he was going to miss Zizhen. He sighs, how much longer before his boyfriend returns?

"What song were you working on?" He asks, looking at the qin thinking the other topic was over.

Huaisang smiles softly at the press of lips against his forehead, though he doesn't open his eyes just yet, still content to relax. It's such a small thing to revel in, but he does; the fact he can lie here with his eyes closed, vulnerable and exposed, and know that he is still totally safe in Jiang Cheng's presence, it's a kind of trust he hasn't felt in a long, long time - the kind of trust he hasn't felt since Mingjue was robbed from him and he realised who by.

"You say the sweetest things, my love." he replies softly "That's what's unfair, how is any man supposed to resist."

He opens his eyes, tilting his head slightly to look at Jiang Cheng.

"I always knew you would be able to drive me wild with desire just from looking at you, but I never dreamed you would capture my heart so thoroughly as well."

~~~

Well, Yuan supposes, the bathtubs might feature in Zizhen's plans... he bites back a smile, trying very hard not to laugh at his friend. His innocence was adorable, but bittersweet - would he be so naive, if he had grown up here the way his father had intended all those years ago? He wonders if his path would still have lead him into A-Ling's arms if he had, but he doesn't dwell on that thought for too long - it's too painful, being unsure if his path now will lead him back there. He plays with the ring still on his finger and glances at the instrument.

"Oh... just composing something. I'm not sure it's right for qin, though." he admits. Answering Jingyi's question doesn't mean he's done with the other topic, though, and he quickly returns to it.

"It's not the baths, Jingyi," he says "it's something that you want, as well."

"Easy, they're not," he states very matter-of-factly. "They're supposed to give in to me right away and just let me love them."

Except no one has ever actually let him do that. Mostly because no one has seen him as someone capable of it, which has hurt more than he ever let one. He might be bitter but he wasn't made of stone. Huaisang saw what others didn't, even in him. How could he do anything but appreciate that in return?

He breathes a laugh at the desire part, but he smiles flattered. The rest, he can very honestly admit to as being a mutual feeling. "Nor I you," he admits, running his hand through Huaisang's hair lightly. "I don't know where this side of me has come from. I thought what I was giving Ouyang Anju was .. enough." But it wasn't like this. He could recognize that. He didn't treat her like he was treating Huaisang. Of course, she hadn't treated him.. well, no reason to get into all that now.

~~~

"Composing? You're making your own song?" He asks, amazed. That was exciting! Not too many disciples have even tried that. It usually irritated the elders. Well.. it usually irritated Lan Qiren. Hanguang Jun never said a word and Zewu Jun, he was fairly supportive while he was around. Now that he was back, maybe this was the perfect time for those musically inclined to do so.

"What else would you play it on?"

Jingyi looks toward the guest building and considers simply going over there and searching around till he could figure this puzzle out. He was smart, he could figure this out! Something he wanted too..

What does he want? Wait, something he wants with Zizhen. He wants Zizhen. He-

"Oh!" His face lit with understanding and his cheeks quickly colored. He looks back at the letter in shock. The sweet man he was wanting to court him wants to stay in the guest rooms so they might have some privacy! "He.. he's coming back f- for that?" He asks, feeling giddy and his heart suddenly racing in his chest. How was he going to ever wait until he got here?!

"Well in that case, I surrender," he murmurs, lifting a hand from the water to touch lightly to Jiang Cheng's cheek. He'd apologise for dripping water on his robes but he's too taken with the moment "I'll let you love me until the end of time, A-Cheng."

He leans into the touch to his hair, eyes closing briefly as he just basks in the simple love and affection he's being shown. He honestly never thought he'd find a man who could give him so much - the raw, animal passion of being fucked against a wall because he couldn't resist, followed by sweetness and care and kind words, it's everything Huaisang had ever wanted and it's all wrapped up in one perfect package. He wishes the timing wasn't so terrible so they could shout their love from the rooftops, but he also knows that moment is worth waiting for. One day the world will know that he belongs to this perfect man, and until then he knows it, and that's all he needs.

"You settled," he says softly "I'm sorry that you felt you had to. I'm glad you know you don't, now."

The circumstances weren't ideal, but he couldn't bring himself to regret the outcome.

~~~

Yuan nods, unsure exactly why that was such a big deal - he used to make up his own tunes all the time, mostly because it was easier than asking Madame for more music. This is definitely more than that, admittedly, he's actively working on this one rather than just playing whatever notes strike his fancy, making it up as he goes along. This is something more important - this isn't for himself.

"I have a pipa," he admits, the instrument having found its way back here with the rest of his things from Jin Ling "I don't know how to play it properly yet, though... but I feel like that's what this ought to be played on."

It makes more sense, he thinks, to be played on that instrument.

He hides a giggle behind his hand when understanding dawns on his friend's face, and he gives him a sly little smile.

"Didn't you want him to come back for 'that'?" he points out

"No, my love. Now I know I can have the very best," he purrs, tilting his head and kissing along Huaisang's brow. He hates that he hadn't realized the best was this wonderful man, but he is going to be sure to appreciate him from here on out now that he knows.

"My heart, would you be willing to stay a few days and watch over Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen for me while I'm away? I've been thinking the amount of coins I'm needing brought here from Lotus Pier is too dangerous for a simple disciple to bring to me and there's no one available to get it for me. I'd feel more at peace knowing you were here in my stead."

~~~

Why would a Lan disciple split their focus from the qin to another instrument? Well, he supposes Zewu Jun did that. The pipa though? It had a much different spirit than the qin or the xiao, even the reed flute that Wei Wuxian used. It would be interesting to hear played.

"I think I've heard that played only once or twice." He tries to remember where. It was at a party, he believes. "Is there a way I can help?"

He wishes his hair was down so he could hide behind it! Of course the answer is 'yes', he'd wanted Zizhen to come back for that. "It's so bold of him! I can't believe he'd request something like that. Do you think the elders will know what he's requesting it for too? Is there uh.. anything I should do to prepare myself for this?" He asks. "You know, besides.. bathe." They'll have to have that embarrassing conversation too about which one of them was going to be doing that one part and the other was going to be doing the other. How do people do this? He was so excited!

"Of course, A-Cheng, I'm here for anything you need," he says softly, instantly "but why not just take the coin from the Jin finances? Jin Ling was planning to do it anyway and it's not as though they can't afford it?"

Why should Jiang Cheng be out of pocket for his nephew's sake - or, rather, for his brother's, now.

"Or send the bill to the Lans." he adds with a faintly amused smile.

He knows he won't, though. People miss it because he can be so harsh and grumpy on the outside, but the things his love sacrifices for those he cares about, the lengths he will go to, he thinks so many of them will never realise. He vows to be mindful of that - he doesn't want Jiang Cheng to sacrifice anything for him, but if he ever feels he has to, Huaisang is going to make sure he knows about it so his love can be properly appreciated.

~~~

Yuan isn't even thinking in terms of spiritual usage, he just wants to learn to play it, for Jin Ling, but he'll learn however he can.

"If you happen to know of someone who plays that might be able to teach me...?" he says hopefully. If he doesn't, it's fine, he'll ask his father.

"I'm sure the elders won't realise," he reassures - it's probably true, visiting gentry surely use the guest quarters all the time, there's any number of reasons he might have requested them this time - and the Lans probably don't think of that sort of thing before any other reason.

The question about preparation gives him pause - there are tips Yuan could give him, depending on what he wants out of the encounter, but he also thinks Jingyi might not be ready for that. There are other things he might suggest, however...

"Well..." he says thoughtfully "How well do you know your own body? What kind of touch makes you feel good? If you know that kind of thing it will help make it more enjoyable for both of you."

He sighs and sits back on his heels. He knows his reasoning is likely stupid after how long he's been working with this clan and his reputation for being about the most responsible and frugal sect leader in the cultivation world, but..

"I know I have taken plenty of liberties here in this city as Jin Ling's caretaker but I've always been concerned that touching their money without it being for obvious reasons could make the elders suspicious of me. If they do, they may not let me stay or they may question other things I do here. Worse, if they ask what the funds for this particular situation is for. Jin Ling could get the money, but after everything he's been through lately, I'd rather he not have to think of this stupidity again."

He is bailing the spoiled brat out and he knows it.

The remark that they could send a bill to the Lans gets him to laugh though! "And you wonder why I fell in love with you," he jokes.

~~~

He frowns and shakes his head. "I don't but I can ask my family in Gusu? Your dads would know better though probably. How do you know if a song is supposed to be on one instrument or another?"

Jingyi blush darkens and he covers his mouth in a surprised, little gasp. He should've been expecting an answer like that but he really wasn't. "We're not supposed to do that!" Oh.. wait. They're also not supposed to be hooking up with their boyfriends either and what is he planning on doing?

He glances around and then scoots closer. "Are we?" Was he wrong about that too.

Huaisang listens to his logic with an understanding expression - he can't actually fault the logic of it. Nobody would actually blame him for using Jin money for it, but then the blame would fall on Jin Ling, or Wei Wuxian, and as frustrated as Jiang Cheng got with both of them, Huaisang knows he'd never allow that.

He's glad he managed to get a laugh out of him, though, because he has such a wonderful laugh.

"I understand," he says quietly "Can I help, at all? Share the cost a little?"

He knows Jiang Cheng might be too proud to accept his help in such a matter, but he'll offer it all the same, and give it freely if it's accepted. If it will save the Jiang clan's coffers from being too badly depleted, he'll happily do it.

Call it an investment in his own future, though he's not going to voice that out loud.

~~~

"I'll ask a-die, thank you though," Yuan smiles softly. He shrugs at the question "sometimes the sound or tone you want works better on different instruments, other times it's... something more personal."

He knows exactly why this song needs to be composed for pipa, even before he's really got very far in writing it.

"I don't think there's any specific rules against it, are there?" Yuan asks innocently. He's still getting the hang of all the rules but he's pretty sure that's not one of them (which is to say, it probably is, but put in such euphemistic terms that it can be skirted around quite easily).

Jiang Cheng hummed a moment, thinking that over. Predictably, he shakes his head. "No, but I can think of one other way you can help."

He gets to his feet and quickly slips out of his robes, tossing them aside on the nearest surface. The tub was plenty big enough for both of them and with a little magic and a lot of not giving a fuck, it was still plenty warm for him to enjoy. Besides, the only aspect of the bath he actually cared about was tugging a soft, warm body onto his lap anyway. He tried to be careful to keep Huaisang's hair draped over his own shoulder so it wouldn't get wet but a few locks may have slipped in the switch.

He wonders as he kisses along a bare wet shoulder what his brother might think if he walked in on this. Being drunk and screwing in the hall was one thing. Being completely sober and having a romantic bath for two was completely different. His lips curled. He really liked his secret love affair.

"If you'll have your spies watching over Ling while he's still vulnerable till I get back, there's no reason you can't come with me." Was that too obvious? It might be. It doesn't keep him from wondering if they couldn't get away with sneaking a quickie in a carriage. How hot would that be? All his disciples right outside.. Ugh, he needs to quit thinking about this! Huaisang's body needed a break!

~~~

"Did you know your dads have a song? Hanguang Jun wrote it for Wei-qianbei. There's a whole big story behind it too. It's come up a few times, but they're pretty private about all the details. I bet they'd share the story with you though." Jingyi explains, unaware that this story might be the one that prompted this idea in the first place.

"But.." Huh.. no. No, he doesn't think there is a specific rule saying you can't do that.

Just as he's thinking about that though, Sizhui can see his parents coming up the path to the house. They're both moving with more purpose than is normal for this time of evening.

"Jingyi! Ready the juniors who are able at once!" Hanguang Jun orders without greeting either boys. "Dress warmly, we're going through the foothills." He hurries up the stairs of the Jingshi and glances at Sizhui with a frown. Without comment, he continues into the building and gets a bag to toss supplies into.

Jingyi doesn't have to be told twice and he bows at Sizhui apologetically. He is scurrying off toward the dormitory immediately without another word. It was time for gearing up for battle!

Huaisang shifts around easily until he's leaning back against his lover's chest, enjoying the solid warmth of him and tipping his head back onto his shoulder with a relaxed sigh. He doesn't care if some of his hair gets a little damp, he's too comfortable to care.

The suggestion gets a soft smile, but he shakes his head.

"As tempting as that is, my love, you know you'd never forgive yourself if anything happened. I trust my spies, but for something as important as Jin Ling's safety I'd rather be here myself. I will miss you terribly, but it's better if you go alone."

He'd offer to go himself, even, but Jiang Cheng letting him go and pick up coin from Lotus Pier would look more suspicious than allowing him to stand in here as regent while Jin Ling recovers. He doesn't want to be so mindful of how everything looks, but he's spent so long playing these games that they're almost second nature by now.

He also knows he's right, and that Jiang Cheng might say it was fine, but he'd be worrying about Jin Ling the whole trip.

(And maybe, just a little, he knows that showing care and concern for Jin Ling is something that Jiang Cheng will appreciate - it's genuine, but just the tiniest bit calculated)

~~~

"I did," Yuan says with a soft, fond smile "Baba told me about it." It was, indeed, what had given him the idea to compose a song for Jin Ling - but since he's keeping it to himself what this song is for, he doesn't mention that fact.

He watches his parents arrive with a curious expression, watching the way they both seem to be rushing. He gives Jingyi a nod as he runs off and puts his qin aside, standing and coming to the door of the Jingshi.

"A-die? What's going on?"

"We're going on a nighthunt," his other father answers, helping his husband gather supplies. "We'll be back in a day or two."

Yuan hesitates, considering how little training he's had, but he can't resist...

"May I come?" Wei Wuxian hesitates, glancing over at Lan Wangji before looking back to their son

"I don't-" he starts, but Yuan hurries on.

"I promise I won't take any risks, I'll stay at the back and stay out of trouble, I'd just really like to see, and I'll have to start going on them sooner or later, right?" Admittedly, 'sooner' probably wasn't supposed to be 'barely days after starting his training' but he gives them both a pleading look with wide, hopeful eyes.

He knows it isn't fair that Huaisang made the trip to Lanling only for him to leave it, but he silently vows to find a way to make it up to him. He hopes he'll stay long enough that this inconvenience isn't too sizeable in comparison to the time they do get to spend together. The last thing he wants is for Huaisang to decide being with Jiang Cheng and all his irritating responsibilities and obligations aren't worth it.

He draws the smaller man into a kiss. The concern for Jin Ling doing exactly as planned, making the Jiang sect leader wanting to work all that much harder to keep this beautiful man happy at his side.

~~~

The 'no' was on Lan Zhan's tongue. He'd almost gotten it out before Yuan was pushing quickly ahead with his reasoning that was frustratingly sound. He was then waiting to the end of the plea to again say no, but then he was met with an even more powerful adversary- the puppy eyes. He makes a very uncharacteristic sound of indecision before looking back at Wei Wuxian. What was he supposed to do here?

He sighs. "Very well. Wei Ying, you take point with Jingyi. I'll hang back with A-Yuan and be ready if I'm needed. The juniors should be able to handle this." It just depended on if they were dealing with what they thought this creature was or if it ended up being something more powerful disguising itself that way. If that happens, he may have to switch places with his husband but they often were so in sync about stuff like that he'd never have to say a word aloud.

"Meet me at the gate with our belongings then," he said, turning to leave. If they were taking their son then it was time to get him a few more things he needed. The Grand Master had one of them.

Huaisang might remind him, should he ever give voice to such a thought, that he has his own irritating responsibilities (even if he acts like he doesn't) and is therefore completely understanding of the fact that sometimes sect leader duties will take precedence over paying attention to him. He can live with it.

As long as Jiang Cheng makes it up to him. He is, however, easily pleased, so that won't be hard.

He leans into the kiss with a contented sigh - if Cheng must leave, at least Huaisang can leave him with some sweet memories to warm his lonely nights.

~~~

Yuan could see the no hovering there and he was honestly expecting it to come, so when it doesn't, when his father agrees, he breaks out into a wife, triumphant grin before quickly making his expression more serious and bowing.

"Thank you, a-die." He says, though he allows himself a quick smile in Wei Wuxian's direction as the other man leaves. Wuxian ruffles his son's hair affectionately and warns him to be careful before directing him to help pack some things.

It's not long before they're heading down to the gate to meet the others and Yuan is trying hard to keep the smile from his face. This is serious, he knows - but he can't help it, he's excited.

It's almost dinner time before Jiang Cheng is dressed and emerges from his room again. He's suggested Huaisang finally go take a look at his guest room, since there were presents there (chocolates, wine, fancy paints, etc.) that he literally hasn't seen since arriving because the two of them have been so busy screwing. He also suggests that he gets whatever he needs from said guest room and just.. bring it back to his room, at least for tonight and then again when he gets back. The Nie sect leader wasn't going to be sleeping alone if Wanyin was around and they knew it.

Anyway, right now, he heads to his nephew's room and knocks. Jin Ling's been dozing for the last hour with his arm around Zizhen but he startles awake. He draws back so his friend can let whoever it is in while he rushes to straighten his hair a bit.

As soon as Jiang Cheng is let in, Jin Ling glares at him and asks before his uncle can even say anything, "What the hell do you want?"

Wanyin's eyebrows rose in surprise, thrown off by the reaction. His eyes narrow dangerously. "Care to try that again?"

~~~

In a neat formation of two juniors in a double sided line, Jingyi and the oldest members file out with bags and swords. Jingyi stands alone in the front and as they join Hanguang Jun and Wei Wuxian at the gate, he nods to the spot next to him for Sizhui.

Coming to join them are Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen. Lan Qiren is carrying an extra blade. The scabbard is mostly silver with a thin blade from the looks of it. Once they stop, Lan Qiren bows to the bows and turns to Sizhui. "As this is your first night-hunt, Lan Sizhui, I present you with Yín Shuāng (Silver Frost). It belonged to Qingheng-Jun, my older brother, and Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji's father. May it serve you well, my dear boy."

Huaisang does indeed finally go and look at his room and falls a little bit in love with Jiang Cheng all over again when he sees what's waiting there, though he really hopes his generous lover got someone he trusted to arrange all this or the servants were going to gossip terribly (if they weren't already)

While Wanyin is visiting his nephew, he takes the opportunity to liaise with some of his spies and check that everything is as it should be, and maybe check up on that gossip and see if it's spreading too quickly. Servants is fine, he just doesn't want it spreading to any of the Jin disciples or elders.

Zizhen jumps up at the knock, straightening out his robes and trying to look less like he'd been napping along with Jin Ling before opening the door. He greets Jin Ling's uncle politely and steps aside, wincing at his friend's harsh greeting.

~~~

Yuan gives Jingyi a quick smile, about to join him when he sees his uncle and great-uncle arriving at the gate. He's confused at first, but bows respectfully to them all the same. When Qiren offers the sword and explains where it's from, he gasps.

"Shifu..." he breathes slowly "Zewu Jun... I..." he doesn't know what to say. It's not just the sword - his grandfather's sword, a family heirloom, being passed on to him - but it's the acceptance that the sword represents.

"I'm honoured. Thank you." He bows deeply again, reaching out to take the offered sword with a reverent air.

Huaisang would be informed there were a couple rumors that needed to be addressed by his spies. The very early stages of rumors were starting about him and Jiang Cheng, although half was about an affair and half was about some kind of take over of the Jin clan. It was still small enough that this could be squashed easily enough. Another rumor that had begun was Jin Ling and Zizhen were having an affair and everyone believed their sect leader was sleeping with Liling. Some thought Jin Ling was really dead and they were doing a mass cover-up to get as much from the Jin clan before this was announced to the public.

The most worrisome was the growing worry that Jin Ling would not recover and some people believed he should be replaced by someone stronger like his cousin Jin Chan. There was signs of civil unrest that if someone didn't address could lead to big problems.

Meanwhile, apparently nothing could be without issues.

"Just seems like you've had something else a lot more important to do than see me lately," Jin Ling complains.

His uncle sneers slightly but forces the look away. He glances at Zizhen before he directs his attention back at the idiot in the bed. "While I'm glad you're feeling well enough to be a spoiled brat again, not everything in the universe is about you. I've been spending time cleaning up a lot of your messes and am continuing to do so. I didn't think I needed to come check on a grown man who already had another man waiting on his every need. How many full time babysitters do you need, Jin-zongzhu?"

Jin Ling winces. "It's not.. I don't need.. I just wanted to see you," his words steadily got weaker. However, then his glares at his uncle and snaps again, "Is it true you've been sleeping with Nie-zongzhu?"

Purple electricity spark around the older man as his nostrils flare with anger. "Are you in any position to question me on who I may or may not have slept with after who you brought to my house? Now before one of you ungrateful little shits say one more thing that makes me regret coming back here to this city and nursing my useless nephew back to health, I must return to Lotus Pier."

Jin Ling pales and opens his mouth to protest, but his uncle sends him such a withering look he stays quiet.

"I leave in the morning and I'll be as swift to return as I can. I've asked Nie-zongzhu here so that he can assist you in my absence. He's still my guest here so if you're as ass to him, I will break your teeth! Do you understand me? Same goes for you!" He snaps at Zizhen.

~~~

All the disciples stare in disbelief. This confirms all of their suspicions about Sizhui's heritage with Lan Wangji! Their gazes drift back and forth between their elders and the obvious bastard son of their most respected clan member and the Chief Cultivator himself.

All three Lan elders bow to him when Sizhui takes the sword, like part of a ritual. (It's the Lans, so it probably is). Lan Qiren and Lan Wangji have warm-ish looks on their faces, but Lan Xichen has a broad smile. He steps forward and puts a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Use it with pride, nephew. Please, disciples, keep each other and our newest member safe. Go forth and.."

"Be righteous!" The juniors all say, repeating their clan's motto.

The group departs down the mountain following Hanguang Jun and Wei Wuxian. They pause briefly to collect Apple and Hanguang Jun lifts his husband up onto the donkey's back before they set off again. For this trip, they're moving swiftly so they don't have a wagon or other animals with them. From how they move, this doesn't seem unfamiliar to them- at least the older ones. There are a few in back that keep whispering with a nervous or excited energy.

From somewhere not that far behind Sizhui he hears the following: "So does this mean he's the heir since he has the last clan leader's sword?" "Yeah, think so." "Wow, never thought those rumors were true!" "Makes you look at him differently doesn't it?" "Little bit, but doesn't change what he did during the Sunshot Campaign!" "Or at the Burial Mounds!" "Or-"

"Quiet!" Jingyi orders, looking behind him.

Huaisang instructs them to shift the focus to the takeover rumours, but not let them get too far - they were less harmful in the long run because they'd be easily disproved soon enough and it was easier to squash one rumour than two. He decided not to do much about the rumours surrounding Jin Ling and his supposed affairs, because those were idle gossip that wouldn't do much harm.

The rumours that Jin Ling were dead and the growing support for Jin Chan were the most concerning, so he makes a note to let Jiang Cheng know that they should encourage Jin Ling out of his room as soon as he's able to prove the former wrong, and he sets his spies to finding some evidence to discredit Jin Chan - nothing terrible, he'd just rather take him down a peg or two so people stop looking to him for leadership. He's far too much like Zixun, and nobody liked Zixun.

The most important thing was getting Jin Ling healthy again as soon as possible.

Jin Ling who's arguing with his uncle while Zizhen stands awkwardly trying to decide if he should butt in or not. He winces at some of the things that are said, but it's hard to tell if it's going badly, as such, since the two of them always bicker like this. If anything, the fact that Jin Ling manages to snap at his uncle is almost a sign he's getting better again.

"Yes Jiang-zongzhu!" he says quickly as Jiang Cheng's wrath is turned on him.

~~~

Yuan gives his uncle a warm and grateful smile before he goes back to join Jingyi in the line, clutching his new sword tightly in his hand. With sword in hand and his qin tucked away as well, he feels like a proper disciple, like his old life is a million miles away.

He's quiet as he walks with Jingyi, focusing on keeping pace with the others and trying to remember all the things he's learned so far - which isn't much, so he already knows he's not going to be very useful. His eyes widen as he catches the words from behind him though. More rumours about him being Hanguang Jun's biological son... but it's not just that, the thing that's really sticking in his mind is the very first sentence he overhears. Does that mean he's the heir.

Finally becoming a young master is one thing, he's slowly been convinced by his parents that he does deserve it, that this isn't something that can be pulled out from under him, but heir? Surely that can't be right. It's just a family sword, that's all, it doesn't mean anything more than that. Somebody like him could never be the sect leader, that's ridiculous... isn't it?

He shoots Jingyi a grateful smile for shutting them up, his face a little pale.

Wei Wuxian looks over his shoulder towards Jingyi, they're too far ahead to have heard the whispers but he heard the command.

"Everything alright back there?"

On some level, Jiang Cheng recognizes this as a good thing that his nephew is challenging him again. It was only a few days ago the young man had been dying and delirious. However, he wasn't someone who could resist a fight either.

"Yes Jiujiu," Jin Ling mumbles. He doesn't trust Huaisang but clearly that conversation wasn't one his uncle was open to, at least not right now.

"Good. Now, if you're well enough to argue like this, you're well enough to get your ass out of that bed. When I get back, I expect you two to have at least taken a walk around the courtyard. If you're concerned, go at night when there aren't any eyes on you." He looks over at Zizhen again. "Is there anything else the two of you need before I go?"

~~~

Jingyi nods. "Just some nervous chatter. We haven't been on a night-hunt in a while, Wei-qianbei!" His tone is light and as he smoothly covers for the other juniors. He's been forced to learn some diplomacy going through so much turmoil in recent years with the group depending on him. He was glad Zizhen had been involved for a lot of it.

Once Wei Wuxian turns his head back, he looks over at Sizhui. "You okay?" He asks quietly.

"A walk sounds like a really good idea, actually." Zizhen says encouragingly, he's pretty sure Jin Ling is ready for that - even just a short one - and the sooner he starts pushing himself the better it will be, he thinks, before he starts second guessing himself too much.

He tries to think if there's anything they need but he's pretty sure they're all good so he shakes his head.

"No, thank you Jiang-zongzhu."

At least with Jiang Cheng away, they might get a chance to try and figure out what Huaisang could be up to.

~~~

"Alright," Wei Wuxian nods, turning away. He does not look convinced, but he's willing to let Jingyi cover for the other disciples - if it was anything serious he's sure they'd be told about it, if it was just usual junior bickering they could handle it themselves.

Yuan is just relieved he doesn't try and get the others in trouble, because no doubt they'd blame him for it rather than Jingyi - not that he expected Jingyi to be anything other than totally loyal to all his friends.

"Yea," he offers Jingyi a small smile "it's fine."

Jin Ling's cheeks color just a little. Why do they think he was a child or a dog that needed to be walked around the courtyard?! He didn't understand why he feels nervous about the idea, but he refuses to think about it. He tries not to think about how much it hurts when he makes one wrong move with his arm and Liling has to put that excruciating salve on his burn.

What would be even worse was learning he couldn't do it for some reason. He doesn't know how he would be able to show his face again anywhere if he really truly couldn't walk again.

"Good." Jiang Cheng says, though he's now studying Jin Ling's face. He sees the worry and sighs. There's regret in his own expression for this. He doesn't want to leave and hates that even temporarily it's putting his nephew in a vulnerable position again. He's done everything he could to keep him safe. Even what he's doing is for the boy, but he refuses to say so. It reinforces his desire to never reveal what this is costing him or the Jiang clan. "Have you been eating any better?" He asks, though he glances toward Zizhen, already wanting confirmation on whatever answer he gets is the truth.

"I eat plenty!" Jin Ling grumbles, crossing his arms over his chest- or starting to before he winces and leaves one arm alone.

~~~

Jingyi waits a few more minutes before leaning over again and adding quietly, "That isn't the first time you've realized that, is it? That you're the current heir." Because, come on, Sizhui! He loves you, but that might be as adorably naïve to him as all his hang ups with Zizhen is to Sizhui. Why wouldn't he be the heir?

Zizhen sees that worry as well, which is exactly why he wants to push this now. He's pretty sure Jin Ling is ready for this, and if they delay it he's only going to get more worried. Even a little bit of walking is a start.

"He's definitely been eating more," Zizhen agrees, partly out of loyalty and partly because it's true, ever since they started having snacks around all the time he's been eating a lot better - still less than anybody would probably like, but once again it's a start.

"Honestly, I can really see the difference since I arrived," he says, attempting to reassure both Jin Ling and his uncle. Ling might not feel like he's making any progress, but Zizhen thinks he definitely is.

The injury to his arm... well. These things take time to heal.

~~~

Yuan stares at him for a moment - was it really so obvious? Had everybody else been accepting that as fact without anybody ever thinking to mention it to him. He doesn't know how these things work, but now that he's actually thinking about it he wonders if it shouldn't have been obvious. His uncle is the current sect leader, Zewu Jun has no children, so if anything happened to him it would pass to Hanguang Jun and then, naturally, to him.

"...It is." he admits slowly "Are... are you sure, though? Maybe he's going to name someone else as an heir, that can happen right?"

"Good," Wanyin nods approvingly. He bids the boys farewell and reassures Jin Ling one more time that he'll be back as quickly as he can. That last time finally seems to help some, but Ling sinks back on his pillows once his uncle is gone to sulk.

~~~

Jingyi frowns sympathetically as he watches Yuan. "I thought maybe your fathers would talk to you about it, but I guess they haven't. I'm sorry, Sizhui. I should've said something earlier."

He glances back at the juniors behind them, all pretending to not be eavesdropping but totally were to this conversation. He gives them a look, but it wasn't like they could help overhearing either. "I mean, I guess, but it's really unlikely. Who else would he pick? Hanguang Jun isn't being subtle about your rank, my friend. You're part of the Jade family. The silver head ribbon symbolizes that. It's um.. it's kind of like a crown." In modest, Lan terms, of course.

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