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

[notaturnip]

"Jin Ling!" Zizhen protests again, wincing as he cries out.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have - I'm sorry," he apologises, to both the servant girl and Jin Ling, though while the girl is getting supplies he whispers "That's Liling, right?" just to be on the safe side, since Jiang Cheng had mentioned only she was allowed to bring him food and drink, and he imagined applying salve was probably included too.

"No, I'll be fine," Zizhen says, taking Jin Ling's hand for a moment and giving it a reassuring squeeze "You can do this, Jin Ling, you're stronger than this, right? Remember that time with the measuring snake?"

He keeps talking, reminiscing about an old nighthunt while he pressed his hand firmly on Jin Ling's chest to hold him down, trying to keep him calm and distracted.

~~~

He's reassured by the promise he won't be whipped, trusting his father to be telling the truth - it feels nice to be able to trust people.

The cold spring was exactly as refreshing as he thought it would be, but he's glad to get out of it and back up to the warmth of the Jingshi. It's a comforting morning ritual to let his father help him get ready and it feels nice.

Wuxian graces them (briefly) with his presence once Yuan is dressed, appearing from the other side of the screen to sleepily fawn over how their son looks like a proper Lan disciple and how he looks so graceful and grown up. There are more tears and he nearly messes up Yuan's hair kissing him on the forehead and giving him a hug.

Then he gives his husband a kiss and stumbles back to bed.

Yuan takes a deep breath, turning to his father after smoothing out his robes again.

"Do I look ready?"

[young_mistress]

Jin Ling nods at the question in between tears. He hates everything about life right now, but he can at least remember that much.

Unfortunately as the bandages get peeled back, Zizhen gets to see the source of Jin Ling's condition. He has catharized puncture wound with surrounding burn tissue that keeps getting infected. As Liling applies the salve, Jin Ling howls with pain. Of course, he doesn't have much in the way of strength, so it isn't that hard- especially with even a little spiritual energy- to hold him down.

Sadly, by the end, he's gone unconscious again.

~~~

Lan Zhan melts over the kiss he's given and gets teary again watching how sweet his husband is with his son. He's never been so happy! So little of it shows on his face, but Sizhui was learning the cues. Not much had to.

"You look handsome," he replies. He gestures to the qin and tells him to play, knowing Wuxian can sleep through anything. He gets himself ready now that his son is perfect, not having down anything but the bare minimum before. As he's finishing the last of his braids, the other two members of their family arrive, though they don't enter. They both know how late Wuxian sleeps in.

"A-Yuan, it's time," he says.

[notaturnip]

Zizhen watches with horrified fascination as Liling applies the salve, holding Jin Ling in place gently but firmly. It looks awful, and he's not sure how he's going to tell Jingyi and Yuan about this without them both panicking.

He sits back when it's done, sighing softly at the fact that Jin Ling's passed out again - maybe he'll see if Wei-qianbei's charm seems to be making a difference, then he can write about how Jin Ling is improving, that would be much better.

~~~

Yuan smiles gratefully and nods, glad of the distraction of playing for a little while, it helps calm the nerves that were building again.

He feels like a whole new person, as though the waters of the cold spring really have washed away the Wen Yuan who sold his body for a living, because sitting here in his snow-white robes, ribbon neatly in place, quietly playing qin, he actually feels like the proper young man he's trying to become.

In the back of his mind he knows there's so much more to go, but in that moment it at least feels possible.

He looks up with a soft smile as his father speaks, nodding and rising gracefully, smoothing out the skirts of his robes.

[young_mistress]

Liling sighs as she starts putting the cream away. "I'm so sorry. I know it's terrible to see. His uncle is so worn out from watching him like this and sitting up with him at night, neither one of them are really fit to be running a clan."

She blinks realizing what she just said and to whom. She clamps a hand over her mouth. "I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have said that! I didn't mean it! I'm just.. I really tired too! Please forgive me, Ouyang-gongzi! I do not mean to imply I don't think they're fit leaders. I just.. I mean they're tired only and I wish them sympathy."

~~~

Lan Qiren blinks as he sees the boy come out onto the porch with Lan Zhan. He didn't look like the same person. He'd been so frantic the day before and emotional, it had reminded him of when Wei Wuxian used to sneak around here like Mo Xuanyu causing trouble.

He bows to the bow along with Lan Xichen and to his nephew. "I'm here.. to issue an apology," he says with the utmost reluctance.

Behind Lan Zhan's back, he makes a quick symbol and Wuxian feels a sharp pinch to wake him up. Was he hearing this??

"Lan-gongzi, I was harsh in my words and my judgment and.." He pauses to glance at Xichen, who nods for him to continue. "And this was slander against your name. For this I've broken five of our precepts."

"Twelve." Lan Zhan corrects sharply.

Lan Qiren pauses to try and repress a glare at his nephew (and fails). "Twelve of our precepts. I ask for your forgiveness."

"No." Lan Zhan.

"Wangji!" Lan Qiren snaps.

"Lan Zhan!" Lan Xichen chides.

"Shufu, you are the elder here. It is your role to teach as well as admit your fault. What benefit is here if you ask for forgiveness and Lan Sizhui- whom you have not even introduced yourself to properly- doesn't know what rules you have breached? It's disrespectful to the youth to talk above their heads in this way. Do not be disrespectful of my son."

".. Shufu?" Lan Xichen says with a sigh. "Our Xiandu has spoken."

[notaturnip]

"No, no," Zizhen says reassuringly "I'm sure you've been running yourself just as ragged, Liling, I understand what you mean. I'm here now, hopefully that will allow Jiang-zongzhu to get a little rest."

He gives the young woman an encouraging smile.

"I'm sure your sect leader will be well soon. He's very lucky to have had you by his side."

~~~

Wuxian grumbles at the pinch until he realises he can hear Lan Qiren outside and he sits up abruptly to listen - though he has to clamp a hand over his mouth to hide his sniggers at Lan Zhan's reactions.

Yuan had hesitated when he first stepped out and saw Qiren, trepidation on his face as he bows back to the two of them - shifting to surprise when he mentions an apology.

It gets very awkward, very quickly though when his father refuses to accept it, and Yuan stands quietly beside him trying to work out if he ought to say anything or not.

He almost says it's fine, but decides in the end to stick with filial piety and stand by his father, politely silent while he waited for the outcome of this little family drama.

[graceandguqin]

"Thank you. Ouyang-gongzi is too kind." She looks down at Jin Ling again. "He's going to be out for a few hours. Why don't you try and get some rest too? You're his friend, I know he won't mind you staying in here and if you'd like, the bed is big enough. If you'd prefer, there is another bed in the other room as well. It's uh.. for a servant.. well. It was originally going to be Yuan's room," she explains awkwardly. "It.. obviously didn't work out that way."

She blushes and glances away. "It's clean a- and the medicinal smell is less strong, but.. he'll not be happy with me saying.. but he sleeps easier with someone here. It's why um.. his uncle.."

How disgraceful was it that a sect leader, a full grown man, would need to be sleeping with his uncle in the same bed? Especially after one of Jin Ling's uncles was, in fact, Mo Xuanyu!

~~~

As Lan Qiren stood there and bristles, the elder Jade decides to attempt peace keeping again.

"Lan Zhan, the purpose of today isn't to continue this argument but to welcome your son into our family and the Gusu Lan Clan. Are you not also breaking three of our rules by refusing our Shufu's apology? Should you not acknowledge how much harder it is for a tree branch to to bend as it ages while also supporting the weight of the other limbs sprouting from its veins?"

"Or if we're wanting to speak plainly to support our new youth.." His gaze shifts to Sizhui and he gives him a smile and winks. His expression turns playful and he takes out a long, white, bamboo flute and bops Lan Zhan right on the forehead with it. Lan Zhan's jaw drops and he stares flabbergasted at his brother. "Didi, knock it off! I'm eager to meet your son and I've just convinced our Shufu to come apology for once in his life so forgive him already and stop causing a fuss!"

Lan Qiren groans and puts his face in his hands at them. "I've raised you both to act with more dignity than this in front of a new junior!"

Xichen smirks. "He's not any new junior, Shufu. He's my nephew and your great nephew. He's special. And since your A-Die is still speechless that I just talked to him in such a manner, Lan Huan, courtesy name Xichen. I know you've already been given our Shufu's name but please, dear nephew, tell us yours again properly."

He wasn't wrong, Lan Zhan looks absolutely furious but he also.. can't really argue. Why was big brother suddenly.. being big brother again?

[notaturnip]

"He's very ill," Zizhen says gently "we all need different things when we're unwell, if he sleeps easier with someone close by then I'll stay, I want him to get better as quickly as possible."

He is also shattered after flying all the way here, so he can't bring himself to care- it's a big bed and he'll not bother taking off most of his robes and stay above the covers and it'll barely be indecent at all.

"Thank you, Liling"

~~~

Yuan has to stifle his laughter behind his sleeve ar his uncle's antics, eyes bright with happiness as the tension eases away.

He schools his expression into something more serious, though he can't hide the light of joy in his eyes, and bows deeply to both of them.

"Shifu, Lan-zongzhu, this one is Lan Yuan, courtesy name Sizhui." It sends a thrill of delight through him to be able to introduce himself in such a way. "I hope I can be a disciple, and.. and nephew, that you may both be proud of."

[graceandguqin]

Liling thanks Zizhen and also gives him some quick instructions if/ when Jin Ling wakes up or has some immediate issues. She advises also that Jiang Cheng would likely come in and check on Ling at some point, but he won't likely wake them.

Sometime after Zizhen has settled, he'll end up feeling someone snuggling up against him no matter where he is on the bed. Like a cuddle-lured moth, Jin Ling sub-consciously curls into his side seeking both his warmth and comfort.

~~~

After his brother's behavior, Lan Zhan is regretting waking Wuxian up. He's sure he'll hear about this later.

"Sizhui, that's a lovely name," Xichen remarks, having moved on from his own silliness ages ago (stop dwelling Lan Zhan!). "I'm certain you will. Shall we?" He gestures toward the Chamber of Ancients. As they walk, Lan Qiren explains a very general history of the clan. Once they reach the chamber, there are panels on the walls that show pictures of their founding clan members. In the center of the room is something called the Mo Incense Burner and it is lit as they perform a brief rite. The elders swear to teach and lead Sizhui while asking that he obey the rules, learn their ways, and honor their purpose.

By the end though, he's officially a disciple and earns a kiss on the head from each of them.

[notaturnip]

Zizhen is half dozing when Jin Ling cuddles up to him and he almost wakes, but he just ends up smiling a little and letting it happen - Jin Ling probably has precious little physical affection in his life (especially with Yuan at Cloud Recesses) so he's willing to give it when the other young man is injured and miserable. Besides, it's kind of comfortable.

Elsewhere in Carp Tower, a servant is searching out Jiang Cheng again with a troubled expression.

"E-excuse me, Jiang-zongzhu?" He asks politely "there's a woman here advising her name is Madame Su, she says she needs to speak to Jin-zongzhu on a private matter."

~~~

Yuan is nervous all the way through the ceremony, terrified he's going to do something wrong and fall at the first hurdle, but everything goes perfectly and by the time it's over he's fighting not to grin like an idiot and keep his smile serene and dignified.

He's officially a Lan disciple, he can't quite believe it. He smiles gratefully at them all - his family - ready to begin this new chapter.

Later, he finds Jingyi, putting on his best polite-Lan-disciple expression as he taps his new friend on the shoulder.

"Excuse me? Lan Jingyi?"

[jiang_cheng]

Jiang Cheng opens his eyes where he'd been meditating in the courtyard near the lotus garden. It had felt good to have a chance to rest away from his nephew and know someone trustworthy was watching over him. It hadn't felt like he'd hardly been sitting there for ten minutes before some servant was bothering him though- despite it being much longer in reality.

He sighs heavily. "Send her to the private hall on the south side and bring us some wine to share. I'll be along shortly." 'Madame'. That didn't sound good. He takes his time to get up and head to the indicated meeting room.

Stepping in, he eyed the woman curiously, remembering the last time a strange, lady prostitute came to him needing a private word and turn the political world on its head.

~~~

Jingyi is in the dormitory common room, quietly playing a solo version of 'Go' or weiqi, a wooden board game with white and black stones. As he stares at the board, he's not really thinking about the game so much as Zizhen and Jin Ling. He misses someone's presence until he hears his name.

He looks up, expecting to see one of his sect brothers given the white robes and springs to his feet with a bright smile when he sees who it is. He was right! It IS a sect brother! "A-Yuan! Wow! You look amazing! How do you feel?!"

[notaturnip]

The woman bows deeply, giving the unfamiliar man a polite smile

"I'm sorry, I was expecting Jin-zongzhu, is he not available?" she asks cautiously, judging how much she was able to say in front of this man - Jin Ling had paid her handsomely for her discretion, after all.

"I came looking for Zheng-gongzi, he was supposed to return home this morning." she elaborates.

~~~

Yuan's polite smile spreads into something wide and genuine as he grins at his friend, cheeks turning a little pink at the compliment.

"I feel like a whole different person," he admits, "I suppose I am, in a way. Lan Sizhui, disciple of the Gusu Lan sect..." he jokingly introduces himself with a little bow.

At the other side of the room, one of the disciples who hadn't been present the other night for Yuan's dramatic arrival, frowns in confusion at the elegent young man with the silver cloud on his ribbon that indicated he was part of the main family. He leans over to his friend and whispers "Who is that?"

[jiang_cheng]

Jiang Cheng quietly assessed her for a moment, trying and failing to understand exactly who she was or what she wanted.

"Zheng-gongzi?" He asks before it abruptly clicked. "Yuan?" He asks for clarification.

He sighs and gestures for her to sit. "I'm Jiang Cheng, sect leader of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan and Jin-zongzhu is my nephew, whom I have raised. I'm here serving the Jin Clan and conduct their business in my nephew's temporary absence."

He sits down with her and pours both of them a drink. To indicate it is perfectly safe to drink, he takes the first sip (and he outranks her by a million degrees, so there's that too). "You're the Madame Yuan has been working for?"

~~~

"You look like it! I mean, not that there was anything wrong with you before, but wow! You're like an angel!" His eyes widen even further at the courtesy name. He snickers and bows back. "Sizhui? I like that. Do you know what it means?"

Lan Bao leans back to the other disciple. "Speak carefully, Lan-xiong. That is Hanguang Jun and Wei-qianbei's son. Hanguang Jun sentenced Lan Rong 50 strikes by the bastinados for unwise words."

[notaturnip]

Madame nods at the clarification, confirming Yuan is who she means.

Upon hearing that she's speaking to her client's uncle (wasn't it his wedding Jin-zongzhu had hired Yuan to attend? Curious that he should be here so soon after it) she is about to be extra careful not to give anything away - until the sect leader asks her directly and she reassesses how much he knows.

She takes a sip of the offered drink with a polite thank you and inclines her head in agreement.

"I am."

~~~

"Mm, it means something like 'longing', doesn't it?" Yuan asks with a tilt of his head. He likes the name, but it had made him a little curious, he just isn't sure if he dares ask why they chose it.

Lan Hua's eyes widen in surprise "Hanguang Jun has a son?" he gasps. He tries to hold back his curiosity but he simply can't, and just has to follow up with "What did Lan Rong say?"

[jiang_cheng]

He rubs his face annoyed. Of course she was..

"I see," Wanyin sighs. Why was it his responsibility to clean this mess up? He could guess what his brother or his self-righteous brother-in-law would do if this woman had come to them. If she'd come while it was just his nephew, he could also guess how his nephew would've blundered this. In both cases, it would've turned this into a political issue instead of what it was.. a breach in a business contract.

"Madame Su, we have a situation. Yuan will not be returning to Lanling or to you, though he is very healthy and well. On the trip through the most.. unexpected of fortunes, he found his rightful family. He's set to start a new life with them," he explains as decently and honestly as he can.

~~~

"Longing? Aw, that's sweet. It must mean something about how they were missing you," Jingyi says with a romantic smile. It sounded like something Zizhen would do. "It's a very nice name. Does this mean I can assign you a room? I'm in charge of that here in the dorms."

Lan Bao nods. "Yeah.. shocking right?" He leans in closer and lowers his voice. "Well.. I mean, you know which one of them you'd expect to have a son but.." He glances around again just to make sure no one could hear them. "Who does he look like?"

[notaturnip]

Madame frowns with obvious concern. She's definitely thinking about the money she's still owed, and the money Yuan would have continued to earn her, but that's not the only thing on her mind...

"I never would have suspected such a subterfuge from Yuan, of all my charges," she says delicately - she's seen prostitutes and beggers of all kinds try this scam, but Yuan had always been such a sweet boy "but I must be honest with you, Jiang-zongzhu, to save any embarrassment... Wen Yuan has no family..." certainly none that would be found at a clan leader's wedding, anyway.

~~~

"Oh," his eyes widen in understanding - Jingyi must be right, he thinks. He smiles softly, knowing that he'll think about that every time he hears his courtesy name.

"I'm not sure, I think so, though? Perhaps check with a-die? Sorry, with Hanguang Jun." Every time he calls him father, it feels a little more natural.

Lan Hua would have assumed just the same as the rest of them, but looking at the young man in his white robes, even with a smile on his face, the resemblance was uncanny.

"But Hanguang Jun would never, surely!"

[jiang_cheng]

"Madame.." He pinches the bridge of his nose in irritation, his tone a warning of his lack of patience. Although, as he says it, he decides he owes the woman some credit. What she just voiced was probably very self-serving but there was some element of concern for his own family's welfare. He could appreciate the sentiment. It also took some guts to speak back to him like that.

However, as easy as it might be to declare to her that questioning the former Yiling Patriarch about Wen's was incredibly stupid, he refuses to give away just where Yuan has gone. It would put his family, his brother, his new nephew all at risk of being exposed in this new life. It would be far better Madame never knew where he went, what his new name was, and had no chance of finding him ever again. If it made the Jiang clan look a little stupid and naïve.. he hates that he has to keep making the sacrificial play here!

"Thank you. I understand what you're worries are here and that part, is not either one of our problems. However, you have paid for Yuan's care. I'm not an innocent, I know how this works." Sort of. He had to learn because of Jin Guangyao's nonsense. "Do you have the ledger for what Yuan owes you or do you need to go get it? My nephew's actions have cost your business and I don't intend to let you suffer for his actions or to allow you to use this as a reason to break any promises of discretion you've made to him. You will not pursue Yuan, his parents, or trouble Jin-zongzhu with this again? I'll pay what's fair to you given the circumstances. Do we have an understanding?"

He wishes he knew what was a reasonable amount, but the only one who might have known that would've been one of Jin Ling's dead uncles.

~~~

Jingyi shakes his head with a laugh. "Okay, I shouldn't have phrased it like that. Sizhui! Hehe, I like that.. but Sizhui! I'm the lead junior, I'm in charge of room assignments. Let's go pick out a room for you!" He slings an arm around his shoulders and steers him toward the stairs. "Plus a tour! This is your new home! And the common room.. that's Lan Bao and Lan Hua over there. Oh, I should introduce you. Hey guys!"

He snatches Sizhui's arm and drags him over.

Lan Bao is just finishing nodding at Lan Hua. It was such juicy gossip! Who would've thought? Hanguang Jun had a bastard! Now he thinks he's so high and mighty he's adopting him as a legitimate son. He's even beating anyone who says it like that aloud.

He opens his mouth to say more when he hears his name. Springing to his feet, he drops into a deep bow. "Lan-xiong!"

"Bao! Hua! This is Sizhui. He's a brand new junior who was just initiated today. Please, welcome him in as one of our brothers. He's incredibly sweet, you guys, you're going to love him!"

[notaturnip]

Madame watches him carefully - she's familiar with the volatile moods of many of the gentry, so she's aware she may have spoken out of turn. She relaxes, a little, when he doesn't seem inclined to fly into a rage for her implication, however.

Instead, he seems dismissive of her concern. Well, she supposes, it's his own fault - or the so-called parents who have taken Yuan in - when the boy gets whatever it is he wants. Or perhaps he'll simply continue to use them to advance his own position in society, if they are known to sect leaders they are clearly important people, she supposes she can't begrudge the boy the attempt - she just hopes it doesn't all come crashing down around his ears when he's found out.

She's surprised he doesn't seem bothered about the fact he's a Wen, though - almost as if he's already been told, and isn't that interesting. Still, he then turns on to the more pressing part of her own concern, the money. She does care for Yuan, in her own twisted way, but he's likely doing well for himself now, and she has invested a lot into his upbringing in the last few years.

"I understand," she says, inclining her head "I will need to return to my house to calculate the exact totals remaining on Yuan's indenture, but I can return in two days and we can discuss that payment. Thank you for your understanding, Jiang-zongzhu. Once the matter is settled, you or your family will never need hear from me again, unless you require my services or the services of my house."

~~~

Smiling, Yuan lets himself be steered, only for Jingyi to change tactics and pull him over to meet the other disciples instead. Any shyness he's feeling is carefully concealed behind years of practice and he bows to both of them with an open, friendly smile.

"Lan Bao, Lan Hua, it's a pleasure to meet you," he tells them both.

Hua jumps up with Bao and bows as well, getting a closer look at Sizhui - he really does look a lot like Hanguang Jun.

"Nice to meet you, too, Sizhui," he says, and then he can't resist blurting out "you're really Hanguang Jun's son?"

Yuan blushes faintly and nods.

"Mmm, Hanguang Jun and Wei-qianbei are my parents," he confirms, and he really hopes they don't ask where he's been until now.

[jiang_cheng]

If the Madame was unfamiliar with Jiang Cheng's reputation now, she likely would be able to find out incredibly easily how uncharacteristic the man's lack of rage was during this meeting. Part of it was how little energy the man actually had to give to this and part of it was being resigned to the headache that would forever be cleaning up his family's messes at his own expense. It was honestly depressing on a deep level, especially when they would likely never know or understand. It reminded him of when he went to beg Wei Wuxian to come back to society only to be dismissed. Cheng had admitted there was a limit to his capabilities and so, he was tossed aside like something used up and no longer worthwhile. It had broken his heart back then.

This wasn't on that level, no matter how annoying this was. "Madame Su is an honorable woman. I won't speak ill of her house." Not until he sees that ledger of course. He stands then and bows his head to her. "Let the servants know we're to meet in this room again when you come back."

~~~

Lan Bao looks at Hua sharing again in the amazement of what they're hearing. "I really never would've thought.. er, um, I'm sorry. Sizhui, I mean, it's a pleasure to meet you. Please, let us know if there's anything we can help you with as you settle in."

Jingyi's eyes narrow at them. He doesn't have to say a word, because even that much is enough to get Bao to quickly shut up and remember his own warning earlier to be careful with what he says.

[notaturnip]

The madame rises, bowing low to him - she probably could have made a lot more money out of Yuan in the long run, but she won't deny the lump sum will be very useful - and being amenable to the gentry usually helps keep them sweet, which in the end makes her more money as well. They buy her silence and everybody wins.

"Thank you, Jiang-zongzhu." she says as she leaves.

~~~

"That's very kind of you, thank you." Yuan says, but he can't help but be a little curious - there's clearly something going on there, something they're not saying. He wonders what kind of rumours are floating around (he knows there must be rumours)

"Uh, yea!" Hua nods quickly "Anything at all, happy to help!"

Yuan smiles at them both before looking back to Jingyi.

"So, a tour? Or picking out my room?" he asks - it's a convenient excuse so that he can ask Jingyi in private what people might be saying. He'd rather be prepared.

[unlanylikebehavior]

Jiang Cheng watches as she leaves before sitting back down and finishing the rest of the wine stewing over the strange turns his life has taken. Eventually, he gets up and goes back to the Fragrant Palace, Jin Ling's bedchamber, to find Zizhen in his usual place. It's a mix of emotions to see, but he's ultimately glad there's someone else watching over the young man. It's not exactly proper how he's curled up against his friend but, Zizhen doesn't seem to mind.

He steps a little closer, just to see if the Ouyang heir is awake or not. If not, he'll leave and finally get a good night's rest alone. If he is, he asks if he needs anything quietly.

~~~

"Yeah! Let me show you our personal rooms. We have a room of bunk beds on the top floor that we share but we also have these personal room for studying, meditating or.. there's a few shy boys who sometimes even sleep in their own rooms. They're just not very big. They were modeled after a monastery." He knocks on the first room and introduces another boy, who seems more friendly than the first two. He steps aside and lets Sizhui peek in. It has two desks, a small set of shelves, an incense burner, a wooden chest for personal items for each of them and that's about it.

As they keep going, they come to the end of the hall and Jingyi opens his room. It's a corner room and larger. There are two desks, but only one is being used. He has his own qin which the first boy didn't seem to and there's a couple small personal items around the chamber and some charms/ talismans. There's also a small painting.

"What do you think?"

[notaturnip]

Zizhen is not awake - he does stir a little bit when Jiang Cheng steps closer, but he only mumbles something about Lan Jingyi and falls still again, clearly fast asleep.

Jiang Cheng can get that good night's sleep after all, and he can even do whatever he likes the next morning because nobody bothers him at all until the afternoon, when a servant comes to announce that he has yet another visitor.

This one comes with a small retinue of servants because he has to as sect leader, but in deference to what's been going on he's brought only his most trusted people and he's brought the minimum number he can get away with.

He's waiting in receiving room the servant took him to, idly fidgeting with the bracelet on his wrist. He's wearing the perfume, too.

~~~

Yuan nods along with the explanation, giving the other disciple a friendly smile as he looks into the room with interest. He follows Jingyi into his room and looks around - it's nice, it has the same understated elegance as the rest of cloud recesses, and he can almost see himself sitting to work or play qin or otherwise take time to himself in one of these rooms. He's not really used to having a space that's a sanctuary - he had his own room at the Golden Hare, of course, but it was the same room that he entertained clients in, he couldn't really retreat to it because it was constantly violated by the presence of other people.

Even sharing a space like this would feel like blissful tranquility.

"It's lovely," he says genuinely.

[unlanylikebehavior]

For the first time in a while, he's in a very good mood. For someone who so recently broke off his marriage, his heart was light. He arranged for Huaisang's room to be facing the peony gardens, to have fresh, high quality wine and tea available, a box of sweets in a box with golden paper, and a set of fine quality paints with colors native to the area in lovely vials set in a basket for when Huaisang retires.

When he goes to greet him though, he has a smaller bundle tucked in his robes. The lotus cusp, proudly on display on his wrist. He enters the room and smiles, relieved that this time the friend is for him not Jin Ling (and he doesn't have to feel guilty since his nephew already has one). He bows politely to the other sect leader. There are other eyes on them or he might have greeted him another way.

"Nie-xiong, it's good to see you. I trust the trip went smoothly?" He asks.

~~~

Jingyi smiles brightly. "Great! Well, whenever you feel ready, you're welcome here. I'll clean out the other trunk for you. It.. there's nothing important in there, I've just picked up some random stuff from our travels." He smiles a bit sheepishly. They weren't really supposed to keep so many trinkets but they add up! Especially with Jin Ling as a friend.

"You're also welcome to use my qin until yours is finished. It can take a while for new ones to be crafted. They have to then be blessed and tested. So it's a bit of a process until you have your own."

"Want to keep going or do you want a break to chill in private for a minute? I know this is kind of overwhelming."

[notaturnip]

Huaisang's eyes alight on the cuff and he hides a smile as he bows in return - he, similarly, would have a much different greeting if they weren't currently being watched. He hopes they'll get a moment alone very soon, but until that point he's going to be the epitome of perfect politeness.

"It was pleasant, yes, thank you." he confirms "I hope you are as well as can be, under the circumstances?"

~~~

"....Yes could we take a moment?" Yuan asks quietly, looking a little in shock. For the moment, the things he wanted to discuss are forgotten as he reels from the new information - he remembers that Jingyi already mentioned sharing a room, so that part he can deal with, although it does make him smile, but the way he so casually talks about a new qin being made for him.

A brand new instrument - the spiritual kind, too, not just an ordinary qin like he had at the Golden Hare - the new robes, the ribbon, who knew what else, the debt he must be incurring and-

And there is no debt. He doesn't owe anything because nobody's keeping track of all this. This is just... part of being a disciple. Or something his parents are paying for. This is what life is like for one of the gentry, he doesn't have to keep track of everything and weigh up whether it's really worth adding to his debt, he just has to ask and yes or no just determines if things happen, not anything else.

He takes a deep breath, and then another.

"I'm sorry," he says eventually, smiling sheepishly "it's just... things are so different now, and every time I think I've gotten used to it, something else comes along. I'm... I'm still adjusting."

[jiang_cheng]

This was.. really annoying. He's been dying to see the beautiful man and suddenly he was here. Now there were all these servants and Nie disciples about.

"I am. Though I did have a delicate matter that came up yesterday I am hoping to discuss with you later in private. I would be interested to hear your thoughts. I have missed how you say 'I don't know' to things." He smirks.

Okay so maybe he wasn't being entirely polite in front of others.

~~~

Jingyi clears off a spot on a mat for Yuan to sit and pats it. He takes a seat next to him and waits, curious what's going on in his head. He can see a lot of emotions floating around in there but just what has him reeling right now, he isn't sure.

"It's okay, A-Yuan. You've nothing to be sorry for. Is there something I can help you with? Or.. something in particular you're having trouble adjusting to." He glances around again wondering just what it was. "Are the rooms too small? I'm sorry we have to share them. They think it's better for us to have someone supporting us like a roommate and I really have seen it help, especially newer disciples. Usually roommates become really close friends. You're Hanguang Jun's son though so if you want, I'm sure I can get permission to give you your own space."

[notaturnip]

Huaisang flicks open his fan, looking at Jiang Cheng over the top of it as he blinks at him with wide eyes, turning on his very best headshaker naivety - if Jiang Cheng was going to bring it up, Huaisang would give him it full force.

"Oh, well, if it's something important perhaps we should discuss it now? I really don't know what help I can be but my people can rest up after their travel and we can go and discuss this matter?" He suggest innocently.

~~~

Yuan sits, smiling softly at his new friend's careful consideration - he really is very sweet.

"No I'm happy to share with you, really, and the rooms are lovely," he reassures firmly "it's going to sound so silly, it's just... you mentioned a qin being made for me. It's... I'm just getting used to so many more things being open to me, to not coming with a price. I don't have to second guess everything anymore."

He shrugs helplessly, wondering if it sounded as silly as he thought it did, but Jingyi's been so kind to him he wanted to give the truth.