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]

Zizhen is more than happy to sit and plan the tournament, he's getting pretty excited about it as well - actually it makes him wonder if he should ask him father to plan one, sometime in the future, just so he can get involved with it, because actually coming up with this stuff is pretty fun. In the meantime, he'll help out Jin Ling as much as he can.

He's content to curl up with him again and fall back asleep, feeling contented and pleased that he was able to do something to help his friend.

~~~

When Huaisang wakes and sees the flowers waiting for him, he's utterly delighted, and spends a little of his time just enjoying the blossoms and basking in the glow of being so well loved.

After a while, though, he arranges for some breakfast and dresses and then decides it's time - time to have a frank conversation with Zizhen and Jin Ling about spying, and how to be better at it, and see what he can work out about Jin Ling's condition and what help he needs. He worries, briefly, that he might be overstepping, but he decides in the end that Jin Ling is old enough to make the decision for himself - he'll offer his help, and the other sect leader can take it or not as he wants. He'd much rather actually talk to the young man than skulk around in his castle as his uncle's guest.

So after breakfast, and after checking with Liling that her master is awake, he asks her to see if he's willing to receive a visitor.

~~~

"Don't sell yourself short," Wuxian nudged him, shaking his head in fond despair "You Lans, you're all so self-effacing. He helped a lot." the last part is directed at his son.

Yuan smiles brightly - he knew that Jingyi was just being modest, but he likes that his father is encouraging him to own his accomplishments.

"Thank you. All of you, so much."

[young_mistress]

The next morning, Jin Ling wakes up early and shakes Zizhen awake. It was still a bit before dawn. If they hurry and are quiet, they might be able to get the first awkward attempt at a walk in before anyone else sees them.

It turns out to be very frustrating, but Jin Ling goes every step they set as their temporary goal out of sheer stubbornness. Afterward, he lets Zizhen go back to bed or whatever while Liling helps him change both his robe and the bandages. He lays down for a little while again before his servant comes back with their breakfast.

By the time Huaisang arrives at his door, Jin Ling has relocated for the first time since his accident to a writing desk where Zizhen is helping him with a letter to announce the tournament. The young sect leader looks at Zizhen when Liling announces who is wanting to visit with him. "Nie Huaisang is here? Why? Why wouldn't he come in with Jiujiu?"

Liling shrugs. "I don't know. He came alone."

~~~

Jingyi blushes, but he smiles too. The rare compliment brightening up his face as he looks at Wuxian. "Thank you."

When his attention is drawn back to Sizhui, he comes over to sit on the edge of his bed. "You know, you were really brave too! You were protecting people, that's how you got stabbed. So don't do that again!" He snickers, obviously just joking around.

[notaturnip]

Zizhen is so proud of Jin Ling. He's trying not to be too over the top about his enthusiasm but he can't hide how pleased he is with the other young man's recovery. He doesn't really sleep while Jin Ling changes, but he vaguely dozes and he figures it's better to lie down and pretend and give Jin Ling a little privacy.

He doesn't bother to hide his enthusiasm about the tournament once they're sitting writing, though the news does distract him a little.

"Maybe it's about.. uh.. you know, the other day..." Zizhen says with a frown, referring to his failed spying attempt. "Do you want to let him in?"

(Huaisang waits patiently outside, wondering what Jin Ling's decision will be, he honestly doesn't know if he'll even want to see him)

~~~

Yuan blushes, looking down.

"We were there to help people, it seemed important to protect them..." he says softly. Wuxian sighs dramatically, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"That's it, he's too far gone, my poor little Radish has gone full Lan. Just like his father, rushing into danger!" He wails. He's well aware of the irony given his own tendencies, but he's having too much fun.

Yuan giggles dutifully, but the pink in his cheeks doesn't diminish and it's clear that being compared to his father pleases him a lot.

[young_mistress]

"Hmm, maybe." He isn't sure still how he feels about his uncle sleeping with the man who took down his other uncle.. even if someone should've- it's complicated.

He sighs and nods. He asks Liling for a mirror first to make sure he was presentable. It was one thing to look a mess in front of Zizhen, but quite another to look weak or ill in front of someone else. After he decides he's okay (though he still doesn't look as healthy as he'd like), he gives permission for Huaisang to be let in.

When the other sect leader enters, Jin Ling gives as proper a bow as he can manage while remaining seated. He's assuming if the other man is here and has been spending time with his uncle, he knows of his condition. "Nie-zongzhu, welcome. I trust your visit has been a good one so far? I hope you'll forgive my rudeness of not having a meeting with you earlier."

He didn't really mean any of that crap, but whatever. Politics, you know.

~~~

Jingyi snickers at Wuxian and shoots his friend a grin. It was true! The boy who was once working in disgrace was now a very lovely Lan clan member- physically and mentally. It was really impressive.

Lan Zhan smiles a bit at his husband's theatrics. He passes a cup of tea to his son and gently touches his head affectionately. "You shouldn't encourage him," he admonishes playfully.

[notaturnip]

Huaisang hides his smile as he bows respectfully back - the hierarchy is a complicated one, he's older and he's been a sect leader longer, but the Jin clan is more prestigious (even with the recent controversies) and they are in Jin Ling's own palace, so he could really go either way with it. He actually chooses to bow a little deeper, because this isn't in public and he doesn't think it'll hurt to show the younger man a little extra deference. He's amused, however, by how well he plays politics already, he's surprised someone with his temper can keep up such pleasantries. He can see his other uncle's influence there.

"Completely forgiven," he answers smoothly as he straightens up "I apologise for imposing upon your hospitality during such a time, but Jiang-zongzhu asked me to consult on important matters and I wished to show my support."

It's not entirely untrue. He also doesn't want them to get too bogged down in the politics of it all, so after giving his more proper response he allows his shoulders to relax a little and smiles slightly at the younger man.

"Now that the proper greetings are out of the way, might I sit? I thought we might take the opportunity of this privacy to discuss things more frankly, if you're open to that?"

~~~

"Yes a-die," Yuan says obediently, his smile innocent as he takes the tea, sipping at it gratefully.

"and such a filial child!" Wei Wuxian continues in over-the-top gleeful tones "Jingyi, how on earth did you manage to be such a good influence on the boy? I trusted you to put that rebellious streak in him!" he jokes.

[young_mistress]

Huaisang had caught him in a pretty good mood. He'd successfully gotten dressed, eaten well, taken a walk, had no nightmares, had his friend there to back him up. Hell, if someone hadn't tried to poison them last night, it might even be a great morning.

He nods and makes a gesture to the other side of his desk. This is where someone like Jin Guangyao would've offered tea or inquired about the state of affairs in Qinghe. Jin Ling takes a different approach showing he didn't learn all of his uncles good habits.

"Sure, is this where you're going to tell me about sleeping with my Jiujiu and spying on me?"

~~~

"Hey he's not completely innocent!" Jingyi starts before getting a look from Hanguang Jun. "Er.. I mean, he knows how to sass. It's funny.." He rubs the back of his neck nervously. He was totally thinking about how he gives great advice on sex, but that would've been a very, very bad idea.

He glances at Wuxian to see if he thinks he's in trouble now. Lan Zhan though just doesn't respond to that. He clearly doesn't have a problem with someone being sassy.

[notaturnip]

"Why tell you, when you already know about it?" Huaisang answers innocently, though it's mostly just to prove that he's not intimidated by Jin Ling's snark. In public he might get a little flustered by it, but Jin Ling has earned his honesty - and the edge that comes with it. He wonders if the younger man will realise that's what this is, or if he'll just see it as yet more evidence of Huaisang's duplicity.

"More accurately, this is where I tell you about being in love with your uncle, and spying on your behalf, though I understand if you'd rather not actually hear about the former," he smirks a little "Jin Ling, I want to help you, that's why I'm here. It's partly because I know how Cheng cares about you and I care about him, but it's also because I know all about how eagerly people will pounce upon perceived weakness, I know how tiring and frustrating it can be... and I also know how to make it stop."

~~~

Wuxian cackles, winking at Jingyi when he flashes that worried look.

"Well of course!" He proclaims "he had to get something from me."

"As you say, baba." Yuan agrees blandly, a hint of mischief in his eyes. He doesn't choose to ruin his father's good time by suggesting his sass was learned from his previous occupation. He, too, would rather think it somehow inherited.

[young_mistress]

There is a slight quirk upward on one side of his lips at the rebuttal. He doesn't want to approve of the man in front of him, but he respects him marginally more when he doesn't crumble like he used to so publicly. He isn't sure exactly what that means, though.

As Huaisang continues though, Jin Ling's eyebrows rise in surprise. He hadn't expected that level of honesty. "If you know that then why do you act like such a weakly all the time? And how do I know you aren't taking advantage of my uncle after his wedding fell apart?"

~~~

Lan Zhan finally tsks at them and orders Jingyi to go fetch some broth for Yuan while also telling his husband to 'behave'.

"We'll let you rest a while longer here before taking you back to the Jinshi. If you want, I can play for you till Jingyi gets back."

[notaturnip]

"We all have our own way of coping with the situations we find ourselves in," Huaisang says thoughtfully - it's not actually a question he's really been asked before now "For me... I was overwhelmed and lost and uncertain after what happened to da-ge, so it was an easy persona to lean into, and one that had the added bonus of making people underestimate me."

People like his brother's murderer, but Huaisang doesn't want to go out of his way to remind Jin Ling why he might have conflicted feelings about him.

"And... you don't, not really. I can give you my word that I acted on feelings I have had for a long time, but I never planned to act on those feelings, and that I am over the moon those feelings are returned... but if you don't trust me, you're not going to start trusting me simply because I've said you should. I hope you will come to see that I only want what is best for Cheng, and I would never endanger his heart or his reputation, but I'm afraid all I can do to convince you that my feelings are genuine is to leave you to draw your own conclusions."

It's not quite what he'd intended to discuss, but he's not surprised Jin Ling is asking the question.

~~~

Wuxian gives his best perfectly innocent look. It fools nobody.

Yuan smile softly at both his parents, he's already feeling tired even though he only just woke up, but his body's working hard to heal and that's leaving him sleepy.

"Yes, please, I would like that." he says, to the talk of Lan Zhan playing for him.

[young_mistress]

Jin Ling watches Huaisang carefully as he speaks. It's a similar look to how Jiang Cheng will study someone when he's sizing them up or paying very close attention to what they're saying. It can be intimidating though that's not always the intent.

In this case, the young man really is just working hard to listen for things that might make him question what he's being told. He's grown up around liars and those wishing to deceive him. He's made so many mistakes because of those obstacles, but it's also taught him how to be cautious.

He frowns a little as he can't find fault with what the other sect leader is saying. He hadn't thought he'd get such an honest answer about Huaisang's ridiculous behavior, but he can sort of understand it. Sort of. Why anyone would want to be seen as weak, he can't fathom that kind of desire. The logic if he doesn't question that part sounds true.

He glances at Zizhen a moment before returning his gaze to Huaisang. "Are you planning on marrying him?"

~~~

Lan Zhan gets up and brushes a quick kiss to both of his boys' cheeks. He goes to play Song of Clarity, giving it all the spiritual energy he can. It might leave him exhausted but it is worth it to have his son feeling better again.

After a while, Jingyi comes back with the broth and hesitates when he sees Yuan is resting again. He passes the tray to Wuxian and bids them good night. It was after nine but, obviously, Hanguang Jun's wishes had trumped any rule about bedtimes and when the kitchen should be used.

[notaturnip]

It's not quite as intimidating coming from Jin Ling, not yet, but Huaisang can see the potential there, can see how he'll soon have the same sort of presence that Jiang Cheng can manage, he just needs a touch more confidence in himself. At least, that's Huaisang's assessment, he covers up his insecurities with prickliness (much like his uncle), but currently he's a little too obvious about it, as soon as he learns to hide them better, or put them aside, he'll be a formidable sect leader.

The obvious attention, however, is a positive in Huaisang's opinion - as much as he would have a somewhat less direct approach himself, usually not seeming to pay as much attention as he is, the how is less important than the action itself - it's clear he's giving all of Huaisang's words due consideration, and that level of thought is only going to help him in more serious situations.

Zizhen's eyes widen at the question, wondering if he's going to offend the other sect leader - though Huaisang's expression is mild. He can't help, however, the tiniest flush of pink in his cheeks.

"I don't think we're there yet," he says smoothly "but I would certainly like that to be our future."

~~~

Wei Wuxian thanks Jingyi when he brings the broth, telling him to get some rest and wishing him a good night before he leaves. He sets the broth on the table and comes to wrap his arms around his husband's shoulders.

"Hmm, should he eat, do you think? Or let him sleep?" He's also not sure whether to leave him where he is so he can rest, or to take him back to the Jingshi - he's leaning towards the latter, but mostly because he doesn't think Lan Zhan is going to leave the boy's side tonight.

Yuan is dozing softly, only really half asleep but not paying too much attention to what's going on.

[young_mistress]

There might be a part of Jin Ling that is trying to offend Nie Huaisang- testing him. As well as simply being a brat. His uncle wasn't someone to be messed with and he didn't like the idea he might be getting taken advantage of. However, he's less sure that's happening here than when this conversation started.

Was Huaisang blushing? Were the feelings that real?

He chews his lip a moment as he considers how to react to this news. Huaisang was open to marrying his jiujiu? Could it really be?

He nods. He needed time to think about this some more, but he's willing to continue the conversation which isn't something he'd expected initially. "And the spying? It's not working if between both of our spies I still got poisoned last night."

~~~

Lan Zhan is reluctant, but after a moment of thought he gives Sizhui's shoulder a gentle shake. "Érzi, we'll let you rest again soon. You should try to eat the soup."

Afterward, he planned on carrying his son back to the Jingshi. It was too late for anyone to see them and he'd feel much better than making the young man try to walk the distance.

[notaturnip]

"Yes," Huaisang agrees, glad that they're moving away from his relationship with Jiang Cheng and onto matters he can feel more stable about discussing. Normally he wouldn't be so blunt about spying, but he feels like Jin Ling will benfit from a more open conversation.

"Sometimes things will slip through the cracks, you need to know how to handle it when it does. Clearly in this instance you did, you had the antidote to hand and you knew how to spot the poison and administer it in time. You saved not only your life, but also Ouyang-gongzi's." Because truthfully, he doesn't know if anybody has actually praised Jin Ling for the things he's done right.

Zizhen nods enthusiastically with agreement.

"But that will happen less as your spy network gets better. It's still small, and young, they lack experience, but they're a solid start," except for those parts of it that had turned out to be part of the plot, of course.

"The reason I wanted to speak to you was to discuss what aid the Nie clan might be able to provide to help you strengthen your protection, both overt and covert. If you're willing to accept it, I'm willing to offer."

~~~

Yuan mumbles a sleepy protest, but he does open his eyes and he can't deny he's hungry as well as tired, so he nods and moves to sit up. Wuxian moves forward quickly to help him, getting him settled before passing the broth over to him. He's weak, and his injured arm isn't good for much but holding the bowl, but he's able to feed himself at least.

Wuxian sits back with a satisfied smile to see him eating - it's a sign that he really is recovering.

[young_mistress]

Jin Ling is once again met with somethings he hadn't expected. The first being Huaisang being upfront about his spying. He'd thought there would be a little more weaseling out of this particular conversation but instead the other sect leader takes it on very openly.

The other and the much, much more powerful part is getting told he did something right. For a moment, it puts him on the back foot, but before he has time to even react, his friend is joining in. Jin Ling's attempt at presenting himself as a tough sect leader slips briefly to the child he nearly was- wide eyed, uncertain, and obviously unaccustomed to hearing anything positive.

Fortunately, Huaisang keeps talking and he clumsily finds his composure again. However, even afterward, his defenses aren't up quite as high or as strong as they had been. Whether he couldn't or he was choosing not to was hard to tell.

"How would you do that?" He asks curious and cautiously but none of the aggression from a few moments ago.

~~~

It does Lan Zhan's heart good to see his boy wake up as easily as he did and start eating. He knows it'll help him regain the strength he needs to keep recovering from this poison. He tries but fails to stop himself from thinking of what they could be dealing with right now had the poison been stronger or faster acting. This son that they've longed for and only recently found could've been snatched away that quickly.

He never should've left the boy's side. No, he never should've let Sizhui go on a night hunt at all. Could he keep the boy in a bubble of some kind? Maybe those old stories of maidens being kept in a tower safe from everything had some value to them..

[notaturnip]

Huaisang's expression doesn't change, but he's quietly pleased that the compliment obviously went down so well, and that Jin Ling actually seems to be reacting rather positively - there's caution, of course, and there should be, but the fact he's not being yelled at or immediately dismissed is a very good sign. He thinks the young sect leader has matured an awful lot in the last few years - he only wishes it didn't have to happen the way it did for Huaisang himself, with the power suddenly being thrust upon him. Grief and responsibility are one hell of a kick into maturity. He's just glad that Jin Ling at least had his friends and his uncle to help him through it.

"Well, an alliance between us will lend you more support. However much my own reputation is for weakness, my clan is still strong, people will think twice before moving against you with a more obvious alliance between us," he starts thoughtfully - and it doesn't hurt that formalising an alliance is an excellent reason for him to be here, and one that will hopefully smooth over any rumours about him and Jiang Cheng "I'm willing to lend you reliable men to add to your guard, temporarily, to replace those who betrayed you, until more of your own men are fully trained. When it comes to covert matters, however... how would you feel about allowing some of my more experienced agents to provide training to yours?"

It would be a risk for Jin Ling, he knows, the expertise they could learn would be invaluable, but it could leave him unsure if his own spies answered to him, or to Huaisang - it's a reasonable concern to have, though he doesn't know if Jin Ling will think of it, because he doesn't know where Huaisang's loyalties lie. He only hopes, if the younger man does consider such a thing, that he realises his devotion to Jiang Cheng will keep Jin Ling safe, because his uncle would never forgive someone for betraying him.

More than that, though, Huaisang would never present himself as an ally and then turn round and betray someone the way Meng Yao did to him, but he's also smart enough not to mention that.

~~~

Wuxian just watches Yuan eat happily, oblivious to the thoughts running through his husband's mind in that moment. When Yuan puts the bowl aside, he smiles encouragingly.

"Let's get you back home to sleep." He announces - he knows they'd both rather have him back in the Jingshi tonight so he can rest properly. Yuan looks like he's about to protest, his desire to sleep in the now-familiar surroundings at war with his desire to not have to move, but he nods.

"Yes, baba." he says, trying to sit up more fully so he can get off the bed.

[young_mistress]

Chalk it up to his inexperience, but he doesn't think of that risk. He should've but he's still learning where all the pitfalls are and the offer sounds so promising! It also seems so.. well, grown up, to be in charge of forming an alliance with another sect like this. He knows he needs help while his army is depleted and he can't really ask the Jiang clan to do any more. In fact, he'd like to be able to tell them to do less. So it would help if he could get aid from somewhere else- somewhere he isn't related to someone. It'd feel more like a true alliance and less like his family coming to his rescue.

It takes him a few moments as he considers this, trying to see the problems with it but not finding any. He glances at Zizhen and weighs out if it would make him look weak to ask his take on this. He decides he doesn't care. "Got any thoughts on this?" He prods his friend.

~~~

Lan Zhan doesn't ask for permission as he steps closer when Yuan moves. He slips one arm behind his back and another under his thighs, lifting him effortlessly. He nods toward his husband to take care of anything that needs to be brought with them, pausing at the door. If Wuxian takes too long though, he uses his foot to open it like he did the one other time he was carrying a certain someone.

Either way, it's clear he's carrying his son and he doesn't pay any attention to protests.

[notaturnip]

Huaisang isn't completely surprised that Jin Ling doesn't seem to pick up on the nuance of the risk - it's something that will come with experience, and at least the danger isn't actually there in this instance. He approves of the time Jin Ling takes to think it over, and that he turns to somebody he trusts before he gives an answer - he's learning, at least, that he has people he can trust to help him with things.

Zizhen looks pleased to be asked - it makes him feel important, too, for Jin Ling to want his input on sect matters. He's also glad that he's willing to accept input, that he isn't trying to take it all on himself, again. He knows there's some things that Jin Ling will have to handle on his own, but being able to help lighten the load even slightly is reassuring.

"The alliance is a great idea, I think," Zizhen says "The Nie clan are strong, and good fighters, so there's less chance of anybody trying to take advantage of the fact you need more guards, since you'll be able to take your time training more men you'll be able to ensure they're all loyal, and you know you'll be well protected in the mean time. It'll help you look stronger to the rest of the Jin, as well, because even while injured you've been able to make a strong alliance that keeps them safe."

He thinks for a moment longer about the whole spy-training thing, but honestly it just sounds sort of cool.

"I guess we know from experience that Nie-zongzhu has really good spies," he comments, and Huaisang allows himself a small smile "so I think it would be good to have them train yours."

~~~

"A-die!" Yuan does try to protest when he's scooped up into his father's arms, but he doesn't actually resist, and there's a part of him that's relieved he isn't going to have to walk anywhere.

Wuxian just grins, grabbing their things and moving over to open the door for them - this is the best solution, he thinks, and he knows Lan Zhan will feel better for making himself useful. They'll get Yuan back to his bed in the Jingshi and he and his husband can finally relax, knowing their son is safe with them.

[young_mistress]

Jin Ling listens thoughtfully. He mulls Zizhen's reasoning over for a few moments before nodding. It sounds like a positive move to him too. There's the smallest possibility that this was something Huaisang had been plotting when he bedazzled his jiujiu, but he can't see where the pitfalls of doing this even if that was the reason.

"Okay." His gaze lifts to meet Huaisang's. "We can write up a treaty later- after my jiujiu gets back." He sort of wishes his other uncle was here since he was more impartial. Should this be done in the presence of the Chief Cultivator? He wasn't sure. However, he didn't need anyone else knowing some of the more private details like the spy network but perhaps they could have a secondary document that his Excellency wouldn't have to see. He'd talk to Zizhen after Huaisang left about it.

He glances down at their tournament announcement they had been working on before Huaisang entered and then briefly at his companion. He hopes Zizhen won't be offended by this.

"Nie-zongzhu, we're planning a tournament in the fall." He hadn't reminded Zizhen of this next part, but he remembers his promise from Lotus Pier. "We want to add more high culture like music, poetry, and maybe art of some kind. With this new alliance, would you like to be in charge of that portion of it? If you choose you can also be in charge of judging it, but then you wouldn't be eligible to win for fairness sake. What are your thoughts on that?"

~~~

It isn't too long before before Yuan is tucked in his cot with a kiss on the head. Lan Zhan places a bell near his bed in case he needs something and doesn't have the energy to speak. Even with that, he kneels next to his son and watches over him until he's asleep again.

He can tell he needs rest as well, but he can't bring himself to move away. This is his son and he almost lost him. There is no doubt in his mind he's executing that traitorous woman tomorrow but he hasn't decided upon the method. It would need to be public as a symbol to society as a whole not to dare mess with their son, however that means he has to do it in a more calm and rational manner.

Or he could just burn her at the stake while being choked with resentful energy..

He reaches out and takes one of Yuan's hands again, running his thumb lightly along the back of it. Please rest and be well.

[notaturnip]

Huaisang inclines his head in agreement - he's happy to wait for Jiang Cheng to return to oversee things, partly because he knows it'll make Jin Ling more comfortable, partly because he has nothing to hide - and maybe, just a little, partly so that his beloved can see how much effort he's putting in to look out for his favoured nephew.

The mention of the tournament, and including more cultural competition, brings both approval and light to his eyes and he agrees readily to be involved - he's more than happy to be in charge of judging it himself, he likes the prestige of that kind of position, and it's not like he needs to prove that he's skilled in those areas. Being able to support them being considered worthy areas to be skilled in is enough.

They discuss matters a little longer, and Huaisang leaves the meeting feeling quite positive, and he heads back to his rooms to work on a first draft of the treaty - and to liaise with his spies about training Jin Ling's.

By the time he leaves Lanling, there are a number of things in place to help cement Ling's powerbase and keep him safe until he's completely ready to stand on his own two feet as clan leader (moreso than he had already been doing) - the tournament is really going to be the thing that brings it all together, and that means a few months of trips to Lanling and Lotus Pier for planning purposes. All in all, he's quite pleased with how things have turned out.

~~~

Zizhen is pleased too, things seem much more positive by the time his father calls him home - the pleasure is (slightly) shortlived when his father insists upon no detours, and he has to write a letter to Jingyi regretfully explaining that he can't visit, but he'll hopefully be able to soon.

When his father gets over being terribly worried about how the world is out to get him. Trust his father to make an attempt on Jin Ling's life about him.

(Truthfully, the protectiveness would be sweet if it wasn't keeping him away from Jingyi)

He does manage to raise the subject of marriage with his father, at least, but frustratingly the man refuses to properly consider it until he can meet Jingyi's parents, and equally refuses to travel anywhere to visit them until he's sure the danger has passed.

At least he can still help plan the tournament, even if it is only via letter.

~~~

Yuan finds himself drifting off quickly again once he's safely tucked up in bed in the Jingshi. He isn't exactly sure how much time passes before he's really, properly awake, and he only remembers snippets of that time. The weakness from the poison makes him susceptible to infection, which only delays his recovery even more. Despite how scary and unpleasant it is, it has the effect of rapidly cementing his bond with both his parents and with Jingyi, and by the time he's fully recovering he feels even more like he belongs, despite having missed yet more time training as a disciple.

He hasn't, however, heard from Jin Ling, and his heart breaks just a little for it. He knows he represents a potential weakness, and he knows that the young clan leader has so much on his plate - and that, perhaps, he is simply trying to give Yuan the space he needs to be with his family.... or perhaps his love was simply an infatuation that he has gotten over. He doesn't know which and he doesn't dare ask.

Despite the uncertainty, he can't bring himself to stop wearing the ring - although, in apparent deference to Lan rules, he does stop wearing it on his hand, instead keeping it close to himself on a chain around his neck, tucked under his robes to hang beside his heart. He uses the comb Ling gave him every day, unless somebody else is brushing his hair, and wonders if the other young man thinks of him as often too.

When he's fully recovered, he and Jingyi swear an oath of brotherhood to one another with friends and family watching on, and as he returns to his studies with his parents watching on and his sworn brother at his side, he feels a lingering guilt that he has such a life, better than he ever could have dreamed, and he still wants more.

So when he hears about the tournament in Lanling, hears about the chance to present himself to the cultivation world, to show how far he had come - and to see his beloved Ling again, he practically begs to be allowed to go (as though his parents would have stopped him), and he trains day and night to be ready for it.

[young_mistress]

The rest of the spring and entirety of the summer is a challenge for the young sect leader, though it's improved greatly by the inclusion of his allies both new and old. He finds the best healers in the realm to work with him to rebuild his strength. It's exhausting and painful as he keeps pushing his capabilities to regain what had been taken from him.

He misses his friends, though Yuan is high above any other. He's yet to hear anything from the young man and he's been too afraid to contact him himself. It seems the most honorable thing to leave Yuan alone to focus on his new life and forget all he left behind from his past one- including Jin Ling. No matter how they look at it, Jin Ling was still a client and he's slowly convinced himself that he treated the long lost Lan as a prostitute and nothing more. It's a little easier to deal with his heartbreak if he blames it on that somehow.

Either way, he writes to Zizhen on occasion but for the most part his attention is on his recovery, working with Huaisang's spies to learn everything he can about how to protect himself and his sect, and planning the tournament.

~~~

Jiang Cheng has quietly continued his affair with the Nie sect leader. There are a few more gifts here and there, but after the amount he had to spend on cleaning up his nephew's mistakes he keeps them modest. They usually include poems he's written or found or a bird one of his people caught that is rare and particularly beautiful.

When he isn't helping his nephew or his 'planning meetings' with Huaisang, he keeps rebuilding and strengthening his sect. His damaged reputation was going to take a while to mend, but as he has conducted himself with honor since the ruined wedding it's starting to heal. People are now starting to rationalize that his boorish behavior had been born of some kind of heartbreak- something that is, perhaps, understandable. Ouyang Anju is a lovely maiden, after all. Who wouldn't be disappointed not to marry her? Though just why Jiang Cheng ended the engagement is still a mystery.

~~~

Wangji has never been happier. He is a quiet but constant support for Yuan as his son repeatedly proves how worthy he is among the clan. There are other night hunts that are successful and build the boy's reputation. The novelty of Hanguang Jun's bastard son (a story the Chief Cultivator has made no attempt to correct) has waned among the clan members and they've accepted Yuan for the most part. It was hard not to with him being as likeable as he is! Even Lan Qiren has softened considerably, though he's always the first to remind Yuan when his behavior is less than impeccable.

Xichen took his mantel of leadership back and conducted the execution of Madam Mo. The beheading was public, swift, and carried out by his own blade as a symbol to all of the Lan clan's might, justice, and unity. As he's slowly taken back more and more of his responsibilities, one of his first tasks was officially deem Yuan as the heir of the Lan clan of Gusu. He's quietly told the elders to make no more requests of him to marry or they'll be dismissed from his counsel.

Between that and the head disciple swearing brotherhood with Yuan, no one with any connections to the clan would dare speak or take action against the Chief Cultivator's son, however he came to be.

[Story continues here]