Brothel meme continued

[lastjinstanding]

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?"

Comments

[jiang_cheng]

"I believe we will," Lan Zhan says with a nod. He has a plan involving some watermelon to lure his brother out again, which was a treat they used to sneak away and eat in the Yashi (Elegant Room) as kids. He hopes he can still find some from the farmers but the season was almost over for that fruit.

"I don't know," he admits and hands over the letter. It was sealed with wax and Jiang Cheng's signet ring. "A disciple caught us as we were coming back up the path saying a messenger had just arrived with it. Wei Ying, the messenger rode hard to get here." So whatever you have to do about this letter, your husband is backing you up.

Two letters had actually been sent out, but only one so urgently.

The first: Inside there is a copied page from one of Wen Qing's old medical books about a remedy or talisman for fighting fevers. The writing is clearly Jiang Cheng's, but it's messier than his usual calligraphy. He also does not usually use this title.

Da Ge

The physicians cannot recreate this and neither can I. It's imperative you keep this quiet. There are too many vultures and spies about. The messenger I sent is fast and reliable. If you can create this please give it to him to return to me.

JC

The second: This one is also incredibly short but it includes copies of two poems and despite being a shorter distance, it likely arrives about the same time.

Little Bird

Little bird! O little bird!
I wonder at what thou doest,
Thou singing merry far from me,
I in sadness all alone!

Little bird! O little bird!
I wonder at how thou art
Thou high on the tips of branching boughs,
I on the ground a-creeping!

Little bird! O little bird!
Thou art music far away,
Like the tender croon of the mother loved
In the kindly sleep of death.

– Celtic Traditional

And-

Remorse - is Memory - awake -
Her Parties all astir -
A Presence of Departed Acts -
At window - and at Door -

Its Past - set down before the Soul
And lighted with a Match -
Perusal - to facilitate -
And help Belief to stretch -
Remorse is cureless - the Disease
Not even God - can heal -
For 'tis His institution - and
The Adequate of Hell -

Emily Dickinson(Some person sort of like this who might have existed at the time :D)

Dearest Huaisang,

I hope you made it home safely, Little Nightingale. Thank you

Jiang Cheng


Earlier...

Jiang Cheng held a brush poised over the blank page with so many emotions he wanted to express and no words to get them out. He regretted sending Huaisang away like he had and he'd been thinking about how painful the ride home must've been. That had been cruel! How does one begin to apologize for negligence like that? When he couldn't think of any way to express himself, he went through the Jin library and finally found something he could use. They weren't his words, but they expressed something similar enough. Huaisang was an artist. He hoped, prayed, the other man might understand what he was trying to do here. With that, he sends the letter and wonders if he'll get any kind of response at all.

[notaturnip]

Wei Wuxian opens the letter with such urgency he almost tears the paper, though thankfully he manages not to. He skims the copied page with a frown before turning his attention to the letter, eyes widening slightly at its contents.

He swears under his breath, showing it to Lan Zhan. He can't let Yuan know about this.

"I'm going to work on this immediately," he says softly to his husband, leaning in to kiss his cheek before heading off - for once he actually wants to be in the library pavilion, it's the best place to work on this.

~~~

In Qinghe, Huaisang is surprised to see the purple-ribboned letter, wondering if perhaps it's going to be some polite but terse request for the comb back and thus another tiny break in his already battered heart.

When he finds the poetry inside, however, he can't quite believe his eyes. Poetry. From Jiang Cheng of all people. And such beautiful words! He almost cries.

He reads over the poems several times before he can manage to compose a response, though it's sent mere hours after the messenger arrived in Qinghe.

A-Cheng,

No remorse is required from you, your little bird has quite forgiven any harshness under the circumstances

(He hadn't, until the poetry came, and now he thinks he might be able to forgive anything if it gives him a chance to snatch back the connection they'd had so fleetingly)

But if you're really feeling sorry, you can make it up to me next time I sing for you

Your Nightingale

As sweet and emotive as the poems are, he doesn't dare spill his heart out entirely onto the page - but a little flirting never hurt anybody.

[jiang_cheng]

"Good luck," Lan Zhan says watching his husband go. He turns back to the house and ignores the boys for now to go in and light three incense sticks, silently praying everything goes well. He then makes tea for all three boys. Not wanting to intrude beyond the simple of hospitality, he goes back into the Jingshi and lets the three enjoy the porch.

"Well whatever that was about can't be good," Jingyi finally says after having thanked Hanguang Jun for the tea.

~~~

A couple days pass in between receiving the letter and sending a new one. It isn't because Jiang Cheng isn't thrilled to get it- because wow he's never read something like that to him before!- but he frets over what exactly to say back. This time, he includes a pressed peony.

Sweet A-Sang,

To learn I could possibly have an invitation to hear you sing again is the first I've smiled since you've left my side. Even if all I ever were to get from you is a murmur, I'd strive to make up for what I did. Even a harsh circumstance is no excuse for the cruelty of my neglect. For that, I'm truly sorry.

I do hope that if the gods are indeed punishing me, they redirect the focus from Jin Ling to myself soon. I'm uncertain how much more he can take or I.

JC

[notaturnip]

Zizhen nods his agreement, sipping the tea thoughtfully.

Yuan is quiet, staring silently into his tea cup and worrying. Surely if it was something to do with Jin Ling they would tell him, wouldn't they?

"Who do you think the letter was from?" he says quietly

"Looked like maybe Jiang colours?" Zizhen says "Hard to tell from this far."

~~~

Who knew the Jiang sect leader was capable of such beautiful words of his own? Huaisang wonders if it's too soon to call his ex-fiancee an idiot. He does so anyway, to himself at least, and wonders if it will be too much to drape himself smugly all over the man the next time they're in her company.

Jiang Cheng would never allow it, and Huaisang really needs to stop getting ahead of himself when he doesn't know what this is, but it's fun to daydream, and he can save the awkward questions for when Jiang Cheng isn't dealing with a clearly stressful family crisis.

Dearest A-Cheng,

This is the work of men, not gods, I promise you that. You deserve no such punishment. I have enclosed a list of people who do deserve punishment, though by all accounts you should be rest assured that none of these people have been able to get near your nephew since you arrived with him.

I'll do anything else I can for you, A-Cheng, simply say the word

Your Nightingale

Enclosed with the letter is a list of all the plotters that his spies have managed to ferret out. He can't do much about the illness, but he can prevent anybody else attempting anything while Jin Ling is weak.

[jiang_cheng]

Jingyi peeks in the Jingshi and sees Hanguang Ju sitting down to meditate at some distance from where they were. It is unlikely he could hear them.

He looks over at Yuan and slips his hand in the other boy's. "They may be trying not to upset you by bringing him up." Since.. weren't they all thinking about the same person here? They might as well address it right?

~~~

It was so strange. He was in midst of the most insane political battle and yet, with these letters, he was getting such a strength from them too. The tide just might be turning.

In this letter is a thin woven beaded bracelet with a fox on it.

Lovely Nightingale,

I may have misnamed you, my dearheart. Here I've been complimenting your beauty and your sweetness, but you've proven again to those who are paying attention that you are in fact a fox. I've known you were far more clever than you like to pretend, but this list you've given me is a whole treasury worth of secrets. I shall be in your debt forever. I'd be afraid if I didn't already believe if you wanted my death, you could've already orchestrated it.

Tell me one more secret, A-Sang, if you were to come and visit me here, would you follow the rule I requested in my hall? Please tell me you haven't forgotten.

Your A-Cheng

[notaturnip]

Yuan bites his lip - that's exactly what he'd been afraid of, and the fact that Jingyi brought it up suggests those fears may have been founded.

"Is there any reason to be upset, though? Are they simply avoiding mentioning him in order to spare my feelings or is there something more sinister going on? What if something terrible is happening and I can't be there by his side?" he asks in a panicked whisper.

Zizhen looks torn between worrying for his friend (friends, really, Jin Ling and Yuan both) and swooning over the romance of it all. He takes Jingyi's other hand and frowns worriedly.

"Maybe we should try and find out?" he murmurs to his beloved "For Yuan's peace of mind, and our own."

~~~

Huaisang has been trying so hard to go underestimated for so long that it surprises him how giddy he feels at the fact that Jiang Cheng recognises his smarts.

He starts wearing the bracelet immediately. He's not sure he'll ever take it off.

He takes a day to reply, because that's the time he needs to find the perfect gift to send back - there are gifts now, this is officially courting. He still doesn't know exactly where he stands, but he's more certain by the day. The gift he sends is a silver cuff engraved with lotus flowers.

Dearest A-Cheng,

You have me at a loss, and here I thought I was the more inclined to poetry, but you have now so beautifully compared me to two creatures when I have none for you. I will have to think what you should be, my brave and wonderful A-Cheng.

Of course I haven't forgotten, I think about that night so often that every detail is carved into my mind as though it were stone. As to whether I would fulfill your request... you shall have to invite me and find out, my love.

Your Nightingale, your Fox, your everything you wish me to be

[jiang_cheng]

Jingyi frowns. He can't lie. It's part of who he is and what it means to be a Lan. He glances back at Zizhen, knowing he's about to upset everyone but..

"Hanguang Jun wouldn't have just gone in and lit incense sticks like that if he wasn't worried about something," he admits reluctantly. "We won't get anything out of him though. It's not to be cruel, it's.. let's go talk to Wei-qianbei. He's easier to get stuff out of." I.e. He can't keep a secret!

As they head toward the library where he's pretty sure he saw the man going, he knows the other thing he needs to do. Reluctantly, he looks at Zizhen. "After we speak with Wei-qianbei, will you go to him? I can't yet, not with my head still healing. I need to be here with Yuan anyway but.." He'd hoped to sleep with Zizhen but this was way more important.

~~~

Up until the instant Cheng gets the cuff, he really thought he was just.. well, he wasn't sure what he'd been thinking. He hadn't consciously been thinking 'I'm courting Huaisang'. He'd seen something as he was writing a letter or thought of something the other man might like and stuck it in there to send along. How was he going to justify courting someone after so recently breaking off his other wedding? It doesn't occur to him just yet how other might perceive it if he does start pursuing someone else so soon after, like maybe there was some overlap.

He stares at the beautiful cuff and is pleased at how nice it looks on the wrist opposite of Zidian. It's a little distracting as he writes, but that's okay. The gift this time is a bottle of fine perfume special to the Lanling region.

Dearest Nightingale,

Forgive me, but I do believe it is three creatures, sweetheart. I have also compared you to a butterfly, though not in writing. It isn't my fault that I need so many references when there are none that can capture your whole essence in one.

If you're stumped, you could ask the people of Ouyang I'm sure they could give you a few ideas for descriptive words for me. People here in this city might not have that much higher opinion, though things seem to be improving since you interceded. I believe we're turned a corner with my nephew's health as well.

I'd be delighted if you'd come to Lanling and stay with us. The Jin clan are legendary for their hospitality so you must come and abuse it with me. I cannot wait to find the answer to my original question as well.

Your unnamed creature
A-Cheng

[notaturnip]

Yuan is still worried - how can he not be, with such a response - but he's at least relieved to have such supportive friends by his side. He nods gratefully, standing to follow them both to the library.

Zizhen nods instantly - as much as he wants to he here with Jingyi, and with Yuan too, he's worried about Jin Ling as well, and he knows they'd all rather someone was with him that would keep the others informed.

"Of course," he says "he's our friend, one of us should go to him." If Yuan's parents won't let him, and Jingyi can't, he'll go in a heartbeat.

~~~

Huaisang is thinking about Jiang Cheng's reputation, which is why he's careful to keep the bracelet hidden under his wide sleeves and he doesn't mention the content of the letters to anyone, he even ensures his most trusted messenger is the one to carry his own letters to Lanling. He's already got a plan in mind, regardless of what Jiang Cheng's intentions for this relationship are, he'll keep it under wraps until it's appropriate to reveal.

Beloved A-Cheng,

asking anyone else is cheating. Besides, I think you may be a wolf. You are straightforward, brave and loyal, fiercely defensive of those you love.

I will be in Lanling in three days, you will have your answer then.

Your Nightingale

Enclosed with this letter is a fan. He knows Jiang Cheng won't use it, but he wants him to have it anyway. There is a wolf painted on it, howling at a full moon.

[unlanylikebehavior]

While the boys are gone, Lan Zhan meditates but also continues to think, like he had all day, about the ceremony he was preparing for the next day. He hopes the news of the letter isn't going to derail things too much. He'd hoped they could do it today but.. certain other events happened and atonement had to be done. It also had given those who sewed an extra day to get everything just right.

He smiles as a name starts to form in his mind.

~~~

Jingyi takes his friends to the large library at the top of a long, steep hill. There's a beautiful magnolia tree tucked around it. Going inside, he gestures for the two of them to hang back just a bit.

"Wei-qianbei?" He calls as he goes in. When he sees him, he hurries over and kneels in front of his table. "Is everything alright? I've been so worried about Jin Ling since I was unconscious when I left Lotus Pier. Was there any news of him in your letter? Please, Wei-qianbei!"

~~~

Jiang Cheng has no one he would tell anything like these letters to anyway, so there is no fear of gossip from him. He is also terribly paranoid from dealing with everything from Lanling. He's figured out (with Huaisang's help) which messengers he can trust and has continued to use them exclusively, paying well for their discretion.

When he both the next letter and the fan, he sits and stares at it for a very long time. It's the first time he wishes he did talk to other people about his personal life. What he wouldn't give to have his sister's advice right now! Wuxian would just tease him, he was sure and he didn't trust anyone else. However, he is blown away by how the other man sees him.

He is so very fucked.

[notaturnip]

Wei Wuxian startles at the sound of Jingyi's voice, head jerking up from where he'd been absorbed in his work. His eyes narrow - Jingyi, you are not as good at this as you think you are, he knows you're going to run and tell his son everything as soon as you find out what's going on.

Unfortunately, though, he actually likes this kid, and concealing things from them is one thing but lying to his face is a totally different matter.

Stupid Lans are rubbing off on him.

He sighs.

"Everything is going to be fine," which is not the same as everything is fine now. He hesitates, and then decides to come out with it "There was another attempt on Jin Ling's life. We stopped it, but he's still hurt. Jiang Cheng is with him and he's asked me to make something that will help, so that's what I'm doing. He's going to be fine." He says firmly.

"And before you think about helping A-Yuan sneak out to go there, allow me to be blunt;" he hates to do this, but he knows Yuan is probably listening "right now Jin Ling cannot afford another weak spot. The safest place for Yuan, for him and Jin Ling, is right here."

[unlanylikebehavior]

At the suspicious look, Jingyi has the wherewithal to look guilty, but he can't back down. This is important and yes, it is true he's going to go tell Yuan, he also is telling the truth too. He is worried and loves his friend. He knows Wei Wuxian knows this too.

Which is why, he knew this would work! You didn't make it through Yi City and the siege at the Burial Mounds without getting to know Wei Wuxian on some level.. even if you think he's Mo Xuanyu at the time. Technicalities..

His jaw drops open and he pales. He got hurt? They wouldn't even be mentioning it if it wasn't a serious injury! People got scratches and bruises in a fight all the time. This was.. hurt hurt. All this time they'd been reassuring Yuan everything was fine and somehow he'd known something was wrong. They had to go to him at once!

Wait.. what? How did Wuxian know he was about to try that. (Only he was going to try for all three of them to go, not just Yuan). "Weak spot?" He echoes, feeling the hurt on Yuan's behalf. Were crueler words ever spoken?! That really pisses him off! "Yuan isn't a weak spot! He's wonderful! He's one of the strongest people I've ever met! Jin Ling would be lucky to have him there but just so you don't keep thinking I'm an idiot, we were going to send Ouyang Zizhen since he's well and everything!" He is starting to fray at the edges as his voice cracks and eyes start to sting. Was he about to lose one of his best friends? "B- but why would he need something from you? What.. why.. don't they have doctors and cultivators in Lanling?"

[notaturnip]

He appreciates how fiercely Jingyi defends his son, he really does, but did it have to be right now.

"I mean people might try and hurt Jin Ling by hurting Yuan," he clarifies - it's harsh but true, they don't know how many other plotters are still in Carp Tower (well, Huaisang will, shortly, but he doesn't know that) "and I don't think Jin Ling will want Yuan to see him like that. Sending Zizhen isn't a bad idea though, he can keep both of you informed."

He looks down at what he's working on and sighs.

"It's.. Jiang Cheng has found something that will help Jin Ling faster, something from Wen Qing's notes, she was.. " he smiles a little sadly "she was the best doctor I ever met. If we can recreate this, Jin Ling will get better that much quicker. That's all, he's going to be fine, we just want him to be fine sooner."

A short distance away, Zizhen is holding Yuan's hand as the other boy tries to sob silently. He hates this, he hates everything about it, but he doesn't know if any of it's a lie - would he be a danger to Jin Ling by being there? A-Ling had been the one to send him away, to say it's better for him here, would he really not like it if Yuan went back to him...

[unlanylikebehavior]

The reality check is so strong, he has to take a step or two back. It couldn't have been softened even if Wei Wuxian had been an expert at words like Jin Guangyao used to be. It was just life itself showing its ugly side and Jiang Cheng had referenced vultures for a reason.

Jingyi is the head junior cultivator here. He knows about tactics and facing harsh truths. He'd witnessed plenty in the last few years, so he doesn't question Wuxian's assessment. "Will Zizhen put him at risk?" He has to ask, trusting the older man's judgment.

He glances back toward the library door and he sets his jaw with more determination. He kneels down at Wei Wuxian's side. "How can I help? I know with talismans you need blood, right?" He holds out his hand.

[notaturnip]

Wuxian nods approvingly at the question - it shows Jingyi understands the importance of what's happening, and it confirms he's not going to try and get Yuan out of here. He doesn't suspect Jingyi of any kind of guile, he's not the type.

He also saw the way he and Zizhen looked at each other, so he understands the question.

"I don't think so. Jin Ling stand-offishness might actually serve us in that respect. People probably don't realise how close he is to the two of you. Certainly not close enough to risk that kind of attempt, though they may try and approach him to get him on side, which would only be useful to us." He doesn't believe for a second that Zizhen would turn against his nephew, and anybody trying to get him to could be reported to Jiang Cheng immediately.

("You have to go, Zizhen, please, you have to make sure he's okay" Yuan pleads in a tearful whisper. Zizhen squeezes his hand and promises.)

When Jingyi kneels and offers up his own blood, Wuxian smiles slightly.

"Thank you, but I've got this. You can help by looking after Yuan, I think he's going to need a friend to get through this."

[unlanylikebehavior]

Jingyi is reassured that Zizhen will be okay. He'll have Jiang Cheng there to protect him too, who was a formidable foe. Now that his marriage had fallen apart, it was too bad there wouldn't be anything soft in his life or someone to watch over him for a change.

He gets to his feet and starts toward the door before pausing and looking back. "May I have permission to take Yuan to town later? It might help as a distraction."

[notaturnip]

Wuxian tilts his head thoughtfully, eyes narrowing as he considers it before nodding.

"After dinner? As long as you're back before curfew." he knows it's a risk, but he has to put his trust in his son - and Jingyi - they can't just keep him locked up here or he'll start to resent them before he even really gets to know them.

(And internally, he pulls a face, because Jingyi just made him remind someone of a rule and not even as a joke. He really is a parent now)

[unlanylikebehavior]

Jingyi grins and bows to Wuxian before hurrying out to be with his friends. Having a treat might soften the blow a little, he hopes.

He leaves the library and without bothering to say a word, he immediately wraps his arms around Yuan and Zizhen both. "Did you hear all of that?" He asks after a couple moments, finally drawing back.

"Zizhen, he has something he's making to help Jin Ling heal. I know there's a messenger, but what if you took it back to them? You could get there faster if you rode your sword." Was it too far? He didn't know. He hates sending Zizhen out into the world alone, but he needed to trust his abilities.

[notaturnip]

Yuan clings to them both for a moment, taking the time to try and get his tears under control. When Jingyi draws back, he takes a deep breath and nods.

It's better for him to stay here - but that doesn't mean he's happy about it.

"That's a good idea," Zizhen says eagerly, wanting to help - it was a long distance, but he thinks he'll be able to make it, and at the very least he can cover a significant portion of it before he'd need to get a horse or something "As soon as Wei-qianbei is done, I'll offer to take it."

He reaches out to take Jingyi's hand, squeezing it softly.

"I'll miss you," he says quietly "but I'll send word about Jin Ling to you both as soon as I can."

[unlanylikebehavior]

It's too soon between that moment and when they're standing at Cloud Recesses' gate. Jingyi doesn't have anything to give Zizhen to take with him but before he can leave, the Lan disciple grabs him and kisses him. He doesn't care who sees it either (not that anyone besides Yuan and maybe his dads are there anyway).

"Zizhen.. I love you. You'd better come back to me in one piece or I'm going to be super pissed at you!" Jingyi warns him, tearing up.

That has Hanguang Jun glancing away hiding the smallest laugh. His hand curls around his husband's and places a gentle hand on Yuan's back.

[notaturnip]

Wei Wuxian does not hide his laugh, but he does at least bite it back into something like a snort instead. He squeezes Lan Zhan's hand.

Yuan leans into that reassuring touch - it's actually probably good Zizhen is going by sword, it means there's no way for him to beg to go with him. He has to remind himself it's better for Jin Ling if he stays here - it just doesn't feel that way in his heart.

"I love you too," Zizhen says, unashamed despite their audience (but then he is a romantic) "I'll send word as soon as I can, and I'll be back here before you know it."

Probably with his parents in tow, if he can wrangle it.

[unlanylikebehavior]

Jingyi smiles, feeling the joy in his heart at hearing the words but it was so confusing against the sadness of their situation too. He wishes he could beg Zizhen to stay with him, but that would be so selfish and he'd never be happy knowing others were hurting. It just wasn't fair they couldn't remain together longer. He had finally learned how it meant to be with a man and now he couldn't try it until some unknown time in the future. That wasn't right!

However, one glance at Yuan and any 'unfairness' is quickly disproven. Nothing Jingyi's been through compares and it likely never would. From there it was watching and waving to the man he loves disappear in the sky. He tried hard to be strong and stoic, but at that moment, he dropped to his knees to cry.

~~~

"Take them to the dungeon," Jiang Cheng orders with a sneer. One more spy had been caught red-handed thanks to a certain list. He sat on the Lanling throne with two of his fingers rubbing a his temples. The headache hadn't gone away since he'd arrived and he doubted it ever would. A new silver cusp was around one wrist but he'd explained it to no one and not a soul had dared ask. The only one who would was sleeping after his latest spike in fever had broken.

The mix of purple and gold disciples before him bow and haul the offenders away roughly. He'd had to enlist servants to taste their food after all the poisoning attempts. It made meals slower to prepare and serve, but it was worth it if he could feel safe serving it to his nephew. His only comfort while being here in the main hall was that Fairy was at Jin Ling's side. If anything were to go wrong, the dog would and had twice now, come running for him.

He wasn't expecting guests nor a response from his brother for a few more days. As he called for wine, he wondered if they'd all last that long.

[notaturnip]

Yuan pulls quietly away from his parents - after everything that Jingyi has done for him, this is the least he can do in return - and moves over to kneel beside his friend, wrapping a comforting arm around his shoulder.

"You'll see him again soon," he whispers softly - but he'll happily stay and hold Jingyi for as long as he needs it.

Wuxian can't help but smile, leaning into his husband - they've got themselves a pretty good son.

~~~

"Jiang-zongzhu?" a Jin servant comes scurrying in and bows "Ouyang-gongzi is here asking to meet with you, he has a message but he's said he'll only deliver it to you personally."

Technically, Zizhen's orders hadn't exactly been that, but he thought it was better safe than sorry - and also felt like a suitably dramatic finish for his long journey. He's swaying a little on his feet and basically running on fumes at this point, but he got here as fast as he could and he really, really hopes that whatever Wei-qianbei has sent him with will help Jin Ling.

[unlanylikebehavior]

Jingyi leans into Yuan's embrace and tries to pull himself together. He can't voice how afraid he is that something bad could happen to Zizhen if Zizhen was going the very place Jin Ling was. However, what would they do if both men got hurt? They'd just begged his precious romantic to walk into the lion's den.

"Y- yeah.. and he'll make sure Jin Ling's okay," he says instead, trying to comfort the very person trying to comfort him. He wipes at his tears and gives Yuan a watery smile. It doesn't work and he ends up just wrapping his arms tighter around Yuan to cry on his shoulder instead.

~~~

A Ouyang? What the hell? On top of everything else, he now had to deal with an unexpected pest from his ex-fiancé's family! There is no justice in the world.

"Get a place set at the table for him and a glass for wine, then send him in," he sighs heavily. He will play the host but he was going to encourage this Ouyang young master to hurry it along back to Baling. Now wasn't the time for this nonsense.

Except then he spots just which Ouyang it was he was dealing with. Jiang Cheng's dour expression lifts seeing Zizhen. He stands, though there's more effort behind the act than there should and gives a tired polite bow. "Ouyang-gongzi, I wasn't expecting you."

[notaturnip]

Yuan just nods softly, a bittersweet smile on his face at Jingyi mentioning Jin Ling - he's deeply touched that his friend would offer him comfort when he was feeling so sad himself, but it still hurts to hear mention of him.

When Jingyi starts crying again, he just curls gentle arms around his shoulders and holds him, rubbing his back reassuringly.

"Emotional men, you Lans," Wuxian murmurs softly to his husband "Should we leave them to it?"

~~~

Zizhen bows back, offering an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry to arrive unannounced, Jiang-zongzhu, I would have sent a messenger ahead but as I travelled by sword I would have beaten them here anyway," he explains "I've come from Cloud Recesses..."

He steps forward just enough to offer the envelope to Jiang Cheng.

"Direct from Wei-qianbei. I believe you're expecting it."

[unlanylikebehavior]

"Wei Wuxian is the truest pentacle of calm. He should share his secrets with this emotional one." Lan Zhan smirks and turns to head back toward their home. As they draw further away, he glances back at the two young men. "I've been thinking about our son's initiation into the clan. Have you thought any about what courtesy name he should have? A proper young master needs one."

~~~

Jiang Cheng hurries forward the instant he realizes what Zizhen is saying. The relief was almost enough to make his legs weak, but he refused to be slowed down. He snatches the envelope and brushes past Zizhen. It was rude, but they didn't have time for politeness right now.

"Follow me!" He quickly opens the envelope and sees the charm. Not only did his brother send this in a dramatically faster timeframe than he'd expected but somehow he'd sent one of Jin Ling's closest allies. There were few individuals with a purer heart than Ouyang Zizhen, after all, even if Jiang Cheng questioned the strength of his wit at times.

He leads them out of the main tower and through the courtyard, whether Zizhen can keep up or not, he doesn't dare slow down. A guard in gold and a guard in purple stand in front of Fragrant Palace. They step aside and open the door for the acting sect leader and eye Zizhen curiously.

Cheng doesn't stop until they step into Jin Ling's bedroom where he lays with a thick blanket, a bunch of pillows to help prop him up, and his robe only pulled up on one shoulder. The other was covered in a bandage that smelled of medicine. There are a couple talismans on the gauze curtains cascading around his bed and a damp cloth is laid across his forehead.

Fairy normally sleeps on the floor next to Jin Ling's bed, but she is now on the bed beside him. She sits up alarmed when Jiang Cheng enters the room so abruptly, but with a quick sniff she determines that neither newcomers are a threat. Ling groans and opens his eyes, but they don't focus on either one.