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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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.

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."

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