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

No worries!

[jiang_cheng]

Wuxian certainly has the rogue figured out. A heartfelt thanks is far more than necessary, though it is appreciated and makes up for the little bit of abuse from a cranky parent. Although they might all be getting more if faced with having to do this to Jin Ling in front of Jiang Cheng.

Wanyin's eyes widen in alarm as it dawns on him what they're doing. He curses and gets a knife from his boot. Quickly he cuts back at his nephew's sleeves so they don't get caught in the artificial burn. "We'll take him to Lanling. They have some renowned healers there." He would love to take his nephew home to protect him, but he but the resources were better in the larger city.

"I can't believe we let him leave like this.." He mutters, hating himself for failing the boy yet again. "Why didn't you stop him, Wuxian?"

Song Lan kneels down and takes Jin Ling's wrist gently. He can attempt to keep the boy from going into shock at least. He nods to Wuxian.

Re: No worries!

[doesknow]

"He left before any of us realised, and his guards half drowned two of your men to keep us from finding out what was going on," Wuxian says quietly, it's an explanation but not an excuse, he's angry at himself as well "when I came after him he set Fairy on me."

He's still eyeing the dog warily, but it's backed off enough that he can concentrate on Jin Ling, thankfully. If only he wasn't so scared of dogs, maybe Jin Ling wouldn't have been able to chase him off so easily, maybe he would have been able to do something.

He inspects the arrow first, pouring some water over it to clear away the blood so he can get a good look at the entry wound. He nods to himself and wraps a firm hand around the shaft, drawing it back quickly and cleanly and immediately pressing the lit talisman against the wound as the blood bubbles up.

[jiang_cheng]

He looks back over the battlefield at all of the dead and injured men in gold and white. There were a number of Jiang clan members assisting now to bandage wounds and find some kind of order, but it was still a nightmare. He didn't understand how the guard could've gone from the upstanding group he'd left his nephew with to this mess.

Jin Ling's face twists in pain as the arrow is drawn out and lets out a shout. Luckily as soon as it's clear, he's sinking completely into unconsciousness and doesn't feel it when Wuxian has to burn him. It rips Wanyin's heart out to watch his child-by-heart suffer like this. He then too helps give some sustaining energy to keep the boy from sinking too far.

At that point, Song Lan steps back and asks through writing if they need him to travel for a while with them or if he should depart.

[doesknow]

"I'm sure you would be welcome if you'd like to avail yourself of Lanling's hospitality, but if you'd rather be on your way without any further diversions, we understand," Wei Wuxian tells him, straightening up so he can bow to the other man. He suspects he might only be offering out of politeness, so he's very much offering an out without trying to make him feel unwelcome.

He leaves Jiang Cheng to look after Jin Ling and starts getting the remaining Jin guards and the Jiang disciples ready to depart. Jin Ling's carriage is pretty solidly destroyed, but some of the Jiang disciples brought a wagon which is just now coming up on the scene. Two other Jiang disciples come to their leader to offer to help him get Jin Ling into the wagon.

Huaisang waits it out, unsure if he should ask for a horse to go back to Yunmeng and then onwards, or if he should stick with the others. He figures he'll ask once the chaos has died down.

[jiang_cheng]

Song Lan mostly steps aside but Wuxian will see him lingering a bit in the background before finally disappearing further down the road.

Jin Ling is wrapped in a blanket to keep shock at bay and Wanyin lays him in the wagon. He then divides the forces among those who will return to Yunmeng to keep it running while he's gone and who will accompany him to Lanling.

"And what do you plan on doing? Are you going to assist me with getting rid of any of these remaining weasels or are you heading back to Gusu?" Wanyin asks Wuxian, before heads toward Huaisang.

[doesknow]

Wuxian debates it for a moment before making a decision - the longer he's away, the more worried Yuan is going to be, and he thinks it's probably going to be better for his son if he doesn't find out about this.

"I'll go back to Gusu," he says "you've got this. Let me know if you need any help, though, I can come back."

Though, as his gaze flicks to the still patiently waiting Huaisang, he wonders if his brother actually has all the help he needs. As traumatising as it was to walk in on them (and wow is he glad he didn't barge in any sooner), he can sort of see this working, and for once he holds back any teasing (for now).

"Let me know how he's doing." he says, glancing briefly back to the wagon before heading for his horse.

Huaisang looks up as Jiang Cheng approaches and smiles hesitantly.

"Would you like me to go back with your men?" he asks, unsure if the other leader will want him around.

[jiang_cheng]

Jiang Cheng had suspected that would be the answer. It was for the best as he certain with someone like Wei Wuxian around there would be nothing but complications. The man was a headache! He wasn't feeling at all overwhelmed himself with having just humiliated himself and being emotionally vulnerable and then facing taking on his nephews problems that apparently he'd screwed up the last time. No. They weren't dealing with subtleties and manipulations that were far more his brother's specialty. Nah. Wanyin was sure it was best and not selfish at all that his brother, who had had a hand in allowing this to happen should go home instead of help him further.

"Very well," he says coolly. "You better get going before Fairy feels well enough to stand then."

The invitation for Huaisang to come with him to Lanling is on his tongue, but his dark mood and recent rejections twist the tone of the question. The other sect leader didn't want to deal with this any further. Whatever was going on between them had been fun but they were parting ways.

His expression hardens, much like a certain nephew's did after news of leaving Yuan. He circles his hands into a bow. "You're free to go as you please, Nie-zongzhu. At least accept the escort so I know you arrive safely. Thank you for your aid."

[doesknow]

Wei Wuxian is more than familiar with his brother's moods, but he's made his decision now and he still thinks it's for the best - his family is waiting for him, and Jiang Cheng really can handle this better without him around, even if he doesn't feel like he can. Besides, he'll have Huaisang, right?

He's already setting off and is therefore not close enough to discover that he does not, in fact, have Huaisang.

The sect leader in question finds his smile dying on his lips at the cold response. He feels like the other shoe has dropped. Whatever moment they had on the horse was gone, merely an echo of what they had shared together, this was the cold reality of a fully sober Jiang Cheng realising he regretted his actions.

Huaisang is lucky he's had such practice hiding his emotions.

He stands, doesn't even wince at the weight on his injured ankle, and bows smoothly back.

"Of course, Jiang-zongzhu," the sweet familiarity already feels like a dream. "I hope Jin-zongzhu recovers well. Please let me know if the Nie sect can offer anything further."

The walk back to one of the waiting horses is agony, and he can already feel the developing hangover that suggests the right back is going to be utterly miserable in every way, but he mounts without looking back. He knows if he looks back, he'll break.

[graceandguqin]

It does horrible things to his already broken heart to hear his name like that, even though he's the one who started it. To hear such formality from a man who's inner robe was still stained with his come was enough to make Jiang Cheng wish he hadn't gotten sober. A he watches the beautiful man strode away he sees himself chase after him multiple times before finally turning and order his men to leave.

As he sat down in the wagon beside his wounded, small nephew he wishes Wen Qing was still alive. (And that he'd treated her better too).

~~~

"So he feeds us these bowls of congee that he tells us are cures for the puppet poison and I swear, they are the most disgustingly spicy things I've ever had to eat! It was like drinking liquid fire! I asked him if he was actually trying to kill us instead of cure us and had to think whether I'd rather be a puppet than keep eating," Jingyi snickers.

Over the couple of last hours he and Zizhen had been sharing a few of their favorite 'Wei Wuxian' stories to help distract them through the final stretch of their journey. All of their butts were sore from sitting in this carriage and Jingyi had a headache from Hell. He'd also suffered from a couple bouts of nausea as he recovered from his concussion. Zizhen cleverly thought up this activity to entertain them and also to test his friend's memory. So far everything was okay, except Jingyi had been a little more subdued and was choosing to sit closer than usual to future sect leader.

"Oh oh oh! Hey! Look! Yuan!" He points out of the carriage. When his friends look, they can see through the trees and mist, their first glimpse of Cloud Recesses.

[notaturnip]

Huaisang is halfway back to Yunmeng when he has to stop to be sick, and when he reaches for a handkerchief to wipe his mouth he discovers the comb tucked into his sleeve.

He stares at it for a long moment, wondering what it means and if he should take it back, but eventually he decides selfishly that no, Jiang Cheng can have it back if he asks for it and not before, and until then Huaisang will keep it - the only tangible reminder of their brief affair.

~~~

Yuan giggles at the story - he's so grateful to Zizhen for his suggestion, truthfully, there's something about all these stories that are not only giving him a clearer picture of the man his father is, but they're also drawing out memories of his own. Just snippets, tiny moments, but they're there, and he treasures every one.

"I don't think he's ever been a good cook." He comments softly, a fond smile on his face.

Zizhen is keeping a close eye on Jingyi, but so far he's quite content with how things are going - he hopes he's only being subdued because he's still in some pain, but he certainly isn't complaining at the closeness.

He turns to look when Jingyi points out the window, but makes sure to give Yuan space since he hasn't seen it before.

Yuan leans over so he can see, eyes wide with interest.

"Oh," he breathes "it's so pretty..."

[graceandguqin]

That is exactly the case, but the incident also scared him more than he wanted to admit. So if Zizhen would just ignore with him that he really wanted comfort from his best friend, that wasn't too much to ask was it?

"The one who can cook is your other father! HanGuang-Jun is amazing! He's kind of like.." He glances back at Zizhen for help. How do you describe how cool Lan Zhan was? He gives up and focuses on Cloud Recesses instead. "Isn't it? Welcome home, Yuan! I've loved living here! It's so pretty and peaceful! Don't worry, Zizhen and I will help introduce you to everyone. He's been here often enough that it's like he's almost a junior himself!"

[notaturnip]

Your other father. Welcome home.

The words fill him with such warmth, Jingyi's easy acceptance has done wonders for his worry - someone else who knew his past but still considered him welcome here, even though he had no real obligation to Yuan and could easily snub him with very little consequence. He's still wary, of course, unsure if that will last if Hanguang Jun is not right there, but it still makes him happy for now.

Zizhen nods eagerly.

"I think you'll do great there, Yuan, you already seem so calm and well-mannered, you're almost more a Lan than Jingyi is already." he jokes, giving his best friend a small smile to let him know he's only teasing.

Yuan blushes.

"I don't know about that," he says softly "but thank you, both of you."

[graceandguqin]

Yuan has a point. After sharing some of his energy and staying up most of the night, Hanguang Jun quietly sat in the corner of the carriage with his head down and eyes shut in meditation. He'd already encouraged the boys to keep talking and so far there hadn't been the slightest indication they'd bothered him. One of the skills learned while raising a bunch of juniors! Whether he was hearing anything they were saying or not was impossible to tell. Although the fact, he doesn't react to hearing Cloud Recesses is near might be a clue.

As if to prove Zizhen's point, Jingyi elbows him playfully in the ribs for his comment. "But yeah, he's actually right! You're very 'Lan'! I don't normally room with anyone in the dormitory because I'm the head junior, but everyone else has a roommate. I don't think you should be alone though, so you can stay with me. If you decide you want to be paired with someone else so you can get to know others, I won't take it personally and you can switch. Our rooms are really only for studying and stuff anyway. We have a bunk room for sleeping, some common areas for socializing and meditation, bedtime is at 9pm and wakeup is 5am, we eat when the dinner bell rings, and uh.. Zizhen what am I forgetting?"

[notaturnip]

"The other two thousand, nine hundred and ninety eight precepts?" Zizhen jokes, grinning at his friend.

Yuan looks a little in shock, though that was less about the amount of rules Zizhen just mentioned and more because he's still stuck on bedtime is at 9pm and wakeup is 5am

"It's alright, the rules really aren't that bad," Zizhen says hurriedly "You'll get used to them in no time."

"...sometimes 5am is when I go to sleep." Yuan says then.

This is going to take more adjustment that he realised.

[graceandguqin]

Did they just hear Lan Zhan chuckle?

"You'll have to be on Wei Ying's schedule then. It's much later." Light colored eyes open and look up at Yuan, just the slightest touch of humor to them. "And the dormitories are for Lan disciples, which you are not just yet. Tonight you'll be with your family."

"But I thought.. er, I'm sorry, Hanguang Jun." Jingyi quickly bows to cover up that he started to question him.

Fortunately the Chief Cultivator was in a pretty relaxed mood given the circumstance, so he doesn't get a reprimand or even a sharp look. "Tomorrow," he explains simply.

[notaturnip]

Yuan smiles gratefully, glad he's not going to be thrown immediately into the thick of things and expected to follow the rules - which he is belatedly realising might be more, far more, than he's used to or than he expected.

There was that just yet as well, and it suddenly hits him that Lan Wangji expects him to become a disciple. To actually learn how to cultivate. Something else that he's always wanted. He's a little terrified of being so far behind everyone else, but excited too - which about covers his feelings about this whole situation. Daunting as hell, but still somehow a dream come true.

He just wishes he could be sharing it with Jin Ling.

"Thank you, though," he says to Jingyi with a soft smile "I would be delighted to share with you going forward."

[unlanylikebehavior]

"Definitely!" Jingyi says, bouncing back with a grin. "You know what, we need to get you ready for your introduction. Zizhen? Would you check my bag for a clean cloth and a comb? Yuan, we'll get your hair fixed so you can look your best. Are these the robes you want to wear or do you have any other set you want to change into? We can shield your modesty."

He realizes how that might sound to a former prostitute, but forces himself to push past it. He takes the cloth Zizhen finds and passes it over. "There's a water skin over there you can wash your face and hands with. Whew, this basket smells so strong! It's just like peo-" Oh! Right. Of course it would smell like Jin Ling's peonies. He makes a face and looks to Zizhen for help. Mayday! Mayday! I just said something really stupid!

[notaturnip]

Yuan looks momentarily overwhelmed at the enthusiasm but then he smiles softly (and he doesn't even laugh at the idea he has modesty to protect) - he appreciates it, honestly, being able to step out of the carriage looking fresh and put together is definitely going to make him feel much more confident.

The smile falters a little at the mention of peonies, of course, thinking of the blossom carefully tucked away in its little box, but he forces it back on his face. Zizhen also looks uncertain so he decides to take pity on both of them.

"If you could pass me the dark blue robes?" he asks - they were still fresh and unworn (and would look the most striking, contrasting well with both Zizhen's red and the Lan white). He almost mentions there's a comb in there as well, but decides he doesn't want anybody else touching it.

He strips off the outer robes he's already wearing, folding them up neatly and putting them aside so he can wash up.

[unlanylikebehavior]

As his son is in good hands, Wangji lets his eyes close again and tries to get the last bit of meditation in before he has to take on his uncle. He'd hoped with how slow moving the carriage was going Wei Wuxian might have been able to catch up, but perhaps that was for the best. He could handle Lan Qiren's indignation over a surprise son better alone.

Jingyi has been raised around his clan brothers, so this kind of care was second nature to him. He folds and sets aside the outer robes he's handed. If Yuan wants to change any of the inner layers though, he uses his own outer robe and holds it up like a curtain for him- despite him only being there with literally his dad and two friends.

After that, Jingyi kneels behind him and uses his comb to carefully start brushing out his hair. "You're going to look really handsome in this. It's far wealthier than what we usually wear in Cloud Recesses but no one is going to question whether you're a young master or not. You know you have Zizhen and my word we're going to do everything we can to help you on your new path here, right?"

[notaturnip]

He does change his underlayers as well, grateful for the privacy however unnecessary it feels - the fact that Jingyi thinks it's necessary is what makes him smile.

When Jingyi compliments the robes, he almost says they were a gift, but bites back on it, trying to push the thought out of his mind - he's been doing so well this last part of the journey, he doesn't want to ruin it. Instead he sits quietly and enjoys the feel of somebody else combing his hair, letting it calm him.

Zizhen nods at the assurance "Exactly, you'll make the perfect young master and nobody's going to think you're anything else. Because, well, I guess you're not anymore, right? You're one of us now, and Jingyi's right, we're going to do everything we can to help you. You've got both of us, and your fathers too."

"Thank you." Yuan says softly, genuinely, fighting back the tears that threaten to spill. Everything's changing so quickly. He takes a deep breath to centre himself.

"I might write to my father and tell him I'm going to stay a few days, would that be allowed Hanguang Jun?" he asks, turning to the older man. He thinks it might be nice for Yuan to have an extra friendly face around for a little longer, that's all, it's definitely nothing to do with wanting to make absolutely sure Jingyi makes a full recovery.

[unlanylikebehavior]

No matter how Yuan has treated his body in the past, he was a Lan now. That thing was a temple and deserved to be respected. Unless Jin Ling was around and then he knew only naughty, bad, fun was happening but.. the Lan elders didn't need to know that. Serious, Ling, you needed a silencing talisman last night whew that was hot.

Jingyi's grin widens at Zizhen's offer and he looks hopefully at Hanguang Jun. He cheers softly when he sees Lan Zhan nod.

"I'll sign it," the older Lan offers, knowing if he does the Ouyang sect leader really won't have a problem with Zizhen's absence. It was a minor reward for Jingyi and Zizhen being so kind to Yuan.

It's not too much longer before the carriage reaches the top. A quiet murmur of voices can be heard outside the covered walls. A field of white robes and head ribbons gather around as they are helped out of the carriage. An old man who now walks with a cane has a long pointy beard receives a respectful bow from Lan Zhan once he's on the ground. "Shufu."

Jingyi gets out next and then offers a hand up to help Yuan down. He makes sure his robe hangs perfectly as every eye falls on him.

[notaturnip]

Zizhen grins broadly, bowing as best he can to the chief cultivator.

"Thank you, Hanguang Jun."

Yuan gives the man a grateful look as well - Zizhen's thoughts were right about him, he will appreciate having a familiar face around, especially someone who's promised to help him. He deeply hopes he can trust the both of them, but so far they've given him no indication that he can't, and as much as the world he grew up in has tried to make him cynical, he clings to that trust.

As they arrive and it's clear there are a number of Lan disciples there to greet them, Yuan feels his nerves grow. He strightens the front of his robes at least three times when they didn't even need it once, and then moves to fidgeting with the ring Jin Ling gave him. He forces himself to be calm as he takes Jingyi's offered hand, though, remembering everything he's learned at the Golden Hare and plastering a serene look on his face as he steps down, moving to stand just behind Hanguang Jun with his hands tucked neatly in front of him, waiting politely. He's hyper aware of the eyes on him, of the curious whispers wondering who he is, but he ignores them all.

[graceandguqin]

Lan Qiren bows in return to his nephew and the traveling party. "Welcome home! I hope you had fair travels. I see we have a guest among us."

Wangji moves and puts a hand gently behind Yuan's back. He brings the boy forward. "Shufu, meet Lan Yuan, my son. A-Yuan, this is my uncle, Lan Qiren."

There's a shock and a much louder murmur goes through the crowd as this news ripples over them. The old man looks.. horrified. "W- Wangji? What are you saying? You're just announcing in front of everyone you had a son w- with.. with.. who's his.."

"My husband. Lan Yuan is our son." He puts the lightest pressure on Yuan's back to encourage him to start walking forward with him, passing by a sputtering old man and a crowd with the jaws on the ground. "We'll take a meal in the Jingshi. Jingyi, his things."

"Yes, Hanguang Jun!" Jingyi squawks, as he is trying so very hard not to laugh.

[notaturnip]

Yuan steps forward as Wangji nudges him, trying to keep his expression from giving him away when he's introduced as Lan Yuan. Instead he bows deeply.

"It's an honour to meet you, shifu." he says politely, suspecting it might give the old man a heart-attack to call him great uncle just yet (and also not quite feeling ready to do so).

He's not entirely sure it makes the best impression to just walk away, but he lets Hanguang Jun steer him away, his gaze fixed straight ahead so he didn't have to look at the people staring at him. Jingyi's right, though, it is kind of hilarious.

Zizhen helps Jingyi grab Yuan's things, mostly to hide his own laughter.

Someone in the crowd, quietly, makes the suggestion that Yuan must be Wei Wuxian's son, and this seems to be met with a little less horrified surprise - the idea of Lan Wangji having a youthful indiscretion was ridiculous, but Wei Wuxian? With his reputation (however unearned)? Honestly it's a surprise there aren't more bastard children running around.

[graceandguqin]

Lan Zhan is quite sure if they wait and let people start asking questions, particularly his uncle, something was going to come up that they didn't want to address yet. Although, to be fair, his solution is often to let other come up with their own conclusions while finding something better to do with his time.

Once they set Yuan's stuff in Wangji's room and confirm food is coming, he leaves to go deal with the trouble he's stirred up. He tells all three boys to make themselves at home.

After he's gone..

"This is so weird.." Jingyi admits, looking at Zizhen. He starts making tea for everyone. "He's letting us hang out in his room. I think I've been in here like.. twice maybe? And for about three seconds each. Have you ever been in here?" He asks his friend.