lastjinstanding | Brothel meme continued

"Yeah.. is that so weird?" Jin Ling asks. Wouldn't it be kind of romantic not to tell him? Although, it may be just an excuse to send him something while knowing he really should leave the other alone. Yuan had found his family and his place in the world and he didn't need to worry about anything happening outside of it. It just seemed too cruel to know Zizhen was returning to Gusu without something for Yuan.

He knows it doesn't make any sense.

"Rabbits and butterflies huh? That's a start.." He ponders that for a couple moments. "It's just.. he's finally found this happiness, right? I don't want him thinking about anything else. If he stays hung up on me, he won't be happy there and he needs to get over me and whatever plans we had since everything's changed for him now. But I don't also want you going back without something for him. Am I just being crazy?"

Zizhen frowns thoughtfully at Jin Ling's explanation - having spent a little time with Yuan now, he doesn't think the other boy's in any danger of getting over Jin Ling. He can't decide if it's painfully romantic - the two of them longing for each other, unsure how the other feels - or if it's just a bit sad.

He understands the logic, Jin Ling still has so much to deal with and it'll probably be easier without the distraction, and Yuan is just starting out as disciple and getting used to living in Cloud Recesses, maybe it is better that the two of them are allowed to get on with their lives, maybe it will only make their love stronger when they reunite...

(He hopes they reunite. They better reunite. This really is like something out of his novels)

"It's not crazy," he says quietly "you love him, you want him to be happy, but you still want to give him things, it makes sense to me."

Don't get your hopes up Zizhen, things don't usually work out in the end. Whatever happened with Hanguang Jun and Wei Wuxian was clearly a fluke of nature. Either that or things did work out for people who weren't Jins and Wens.

He smiles, pleased at the encouragement. It was making life a lot easier not spending any energy on double guessing what the other young man meant by certain comments or if there were any other motivations. He really could sit back and just trust what Zizhen said to be the truth- like he did back before he became a sect leader and watched Jin Guangyao turn out to be wicked.

"If I tell you what I want and give you a purse, would you be willing to find it for me?" He asks. He knows Zizhen isn't a servant but he might like the trip to the market. There were a lot of unique merchants with them being so close to the coat. "I bet you could find something nice for Jingyi too."

He really regrets he can't come with him. If there was even the slightest chance he'd have the energy to do it, he wouldn't hesitate but he can already feel his strength waning. He knows he hasn't been up for that long. It's embarrassing how weak he's become.

Too late, Jin Ling, his hopes are up and he will not rest until he sees the two of you happy together - just like him and Jingyi.

"Of course I would!" he says cheerfully - he wants to help his friend, for one thing, and he knows Jin Ling is really well enough to go shopping, but he also isn't going to say no for a chance to explore the markets in Lanling. He grins at the suggestion "That's a good idea, too."

He needs to think, though, the kind of thing you can buy in Lanling tends towards the ostentatious (typical Jins) and that just wouldn't fly with a Lan, even one like Jingyi, so he'll need to go for understated elegance so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb - he's sure he can find something good, though. A nice hairpiece, maybe... He'll think of something.

"What are you thinking of getting him, then?" he asks with a smile.

He thinks for a few moments, but his mind keeps returning to something he'd wanted to give Yuan when they'd first met. It was probably terribly inappropriate now given his new life but he couldn't stop thinking about it. "A fan. With a rabbit one it and maybe butterflies and white if you can find it, but the rabbit part is the important thing."

Now that he thinks about it, he also promised to get him a charm that would ward off evil intent. He wonders if he could put that on the fan somehow. It'd be less inappropriate then if there was a use to it, right? Maybe? It made him so sad that Yuan hadn't been here long enough for him to really know what other things he might enjoy. He might never know now.

"I could freak everyone out and buy him a flute that matches his dad's."

A fan with a rabbit and butterflies sounds very cute - and is the kind of gift he could easily have seen and bought for Yuan, rather than something that's obviously from Jin Ling.

He snorts at the comment about the flute, though.

"Oh! That reminds me! You'll never guess what we found!" he gasps suddenly "When we first arrived, Jingyi and Yuan and I were in the Jingshi and we found a hidden compartment, there was all sorts of stuff in there! Liquor and-" he lowers his voice "pornography, and oil too, but there was also some other stuff like Mo Xuanyu's mask and books on demonic cultivation!"

"No way!" Jin Ling exclaims. "At the Jingshi?!" He busts out laughing. "It's like Wei-qianbei personal naughty stash of crap he isn't supposed to have in Cloud Recesses!" His uncle was such an idiot. He loves him, though. Sometimes.

He shakes his head. "Those Lans though. They like to pretend they're so good and righteous but you remember when Hanguang Jun took that bottle of liquor upstairs in the inn right in front of all of us, right? Maybe you should take that as a sign you can be kinky as hell and get Jingyi something he can wear for you underneath his robes!"

No one would be the wiser and with the two young men finally showing signs of moving in that direction, would it be such a bad gift? What would Zizhen think if he knew Jingyi was wearing something he picked out hidden under all that pious white?

Huh, he wonders if this is what attracted Wei-qianbei to Hanguang Jun in the first place. He was getting a little turned on and he was talking about Jingyi. He loved the guy and while he was attractive, he was very much hung up on someone else- thank you very much.

"You don't think Hanguang Jun uses any of that stuff too do you? The pornography, the liquor, all that?"

Zizhen's eyes widen at the suggestion and he flushes crimson - he's a little more experienced than Jingyi (in the theory, anyway, he hasn't had any practice) but he's still far more innocent than Jin Ling is. Still, the embarrassment is just as much about how much he likes the idea as how flustered he is by it.

He coughs awkwardly, trying to push the mental images out of his mind (but not too far out, they were worth considering), and gasps at the suggestion.

"No way! Hanguang Jun would never-" he pauses "I mean, obviously the oil, but-"

But it's surprising enough that Hangjuang Jun even lets Wei-qianbei stash that stuff there, and maybe they do like to enjoy those books together - the idea of sharing some of his own collection with Jingyi sends a little thrill of excitement through him, so why shouldn't Wei-qianbei share his with his husband?

"...maybe, but I don't want to think about it. It's weird enough to think that he even has sex."

(They all know he does, unfortunately, Wei Wuxian is not a subtle man)

He just grins at Zizhen, pleased he is getting to torture his friend like this. It's fun and he hasn't been able to do it for a very long time.

The oil part makes him scrunch his nose because ewww! Also ewww! His uncle must be using that stuff too if he's doing it with a guy too! Bleh, he's so going to barf!

"Yeah, it's unpleasant. They've.. they're not.. I'm glad they've found each other and all that but god! It's a good thing one of them isn't a woman or we'd have a swarm of their babies."

He scoots down further on his pillows and carefully rolls onto his side, so he was facing Zizhen. He winces a little and his smile fades as he rubs his arm, looking for a moment at his wounded shoulder. "Do you think I'll ever be able to use my sword again?"

Zizhen thinks if all their kids ended up like Yuan, that wouldn't be so bad - but he wisely decides not to give voice to that particular thought.

The question makes him frown a little, feeling his heart break for his friend.

"I'm sure you will," he says encouragingly - the wound is bad but it'll heal, right? it has to. "And... oh, if the worst comes to the worst, you'll just have to train with your other hand, right?"

He thinks - but again, does not mention - that the biggest problem is probably going to be archery. If his shoulder is injured beyond repair, if the damage is permanent, he's never going to be able to shoot as well again.

"Yeah, I guess so." Train with his other hand. That was the very worst that could happen. He could handle that, he thinks, slowly perking up at that idea. He loves fighting and night-hunts. He loves swordsmanship and archery. However, if he absolutely had to choose, he'd put down his bow any day to keep Suihua. He just never thought he'd have to make this sacrifice too.

It once again made him wonder just how he was going to be remembered. What would he be if from this moment on, he was some bedridden ruler who couldn't fight? He's pretty sure he just might go find that assassin's dagger in the treasury vault...

"Hey.. you know how Jiujiu is Wei-qianbei younger brother? Is he was gone for over ten years, is Jiujiu now the older brother?"

Zizhen can see the darkness in his expression, he doesn't know what's going on in Jin Ling's head but it can't be anything good - the change of subject is weird, but welcome, and he snorts.

"Maybe! I mean Mo Xuanyu was younger, right? So I mean his body is younger..." and sort of his mind too, actually, since he was gone for all that time while everybody else kept growing up. "You should tell your Jiujiu that and see what he says. Or better yet, tell Wei-qianbei." he laughs.

His mind is still a little on the previous question, though, and he makes a silent promise then and there - whatever happens, he'll do everything he can to make sure his friend can still train, and fight, and if he has to go off hunting for cures and remedies and anything else, he's going to do it. Jin Ling doesn't deserve this.

It was just a dumb thing to say to try and distract at least one of them. It wasn't having much effect on Jin Ling's mood, unfortunately, but he was trying to laugh at it and Zizhen's additions anyway. Jiujiu might bop him in the head for that question.

Eventually Jin Ling has to give up on conversing entirely as his strength ebbs away. He would've curled up against his friend's side again if there wasn't a nibbled on platter of food between them.

~~~

Jiang Cheng walked with Huaisang to the private meeting room where, unknowingly, Yuan's journey with the Jin ruler had begun. He had kept the Madame waiting, though not too terribly long. As he strode in, a servant was quick to pour all three of them wine.

Wanyin took a seat and gestured for the Madame to join them. "Madame Su, allow me to introduce to you Nie-zongzhu. Huaisang, this is Madame Su. I trust you've brought the proper paperwork for us?"

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.

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Oh it's good cop bad cop lol

Haha perfect!

Re: Haha perfect!

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