PSL Thread (Locked to Fluffy Minty Tea cup)

[hidden_fragrance]

Meng Yao had known he was making a huge gamble when he traveled to Qishan. But, huge gambles were called for to cover huge fumbles and he had fumbled badly in Qinghe. Honestly, he was more disappointed in himself than remorseful. That captain had been worthless. Always taking credit for Meng Yao's ideas while hurling verbal abuse at him about his birth. If only Nie Mingjue were less of a saber rattling, justice monger and more shrewd, he might have realized that Meng Yao had actually done him a favor in getting rid of such a worthless person. All that man did was drink all of Qinghe's wine.

At least he had been able to save the kind, but too gullible to survive among the lao bai xing, Zewu-jun. Actually, Meng Yao had sent him in Qinghe's direction. The first plank of wood in repairing the bridge he'd burned with Nie Mingjue. But in the meantime, he still had to survive Sect Leader Wen. He could do that.

He could do that.

As he straightened his robes and exited the audience chambers he saw someone leaning against the wall.

"Ah! Wei-gongzi," he greeted, with a bow. "Were you waiting to see the sect leader?"

He hoped the young man hadn't been there long and that his nerves had not shown on his face.

[ooc: lao bai xing (many surnames or small folk if you will.)

Comments

[woodlandsparrow]

Wei Wuxian regarded the short man before straightening up to return his bow. "Meng Yao, I'm honored to finally meet you," he said, a hint of bitterness in his voice.

Wei Wuxian had been restless the past few months. Ever since the sects had decided to declare war on them, his contact with the outside world had been heavily limited, and that included meeting their own new recruits. Sect Leader Wen dismissed him whenever he needed to hear news of the war, and his workload had been increased so much he could barely do anything besides work on new inventions, eat, sleep, and play Chenqing in order to calm the Yin Iron. It frustrated him to no end. He was loyal to Wen Ruohan, he had even offered to fight. He didn't understand why he was being coddled like a child.

"I heard you're a deflector from the Nie Sect," he added, twirling his flute in one hand. Despite not being able to personally get much information, he still had Wen Ning to tell him anything he learned. "Why has Sect Leader Wen favored someone like that in so little time?" He asked, fully aware of how rude he was being, yet unable to care.

[ooc: thank you! I'm familiar with some of the Chinese words frequently used in the fandom but not many]

[hidden_fragrance]

Meng Yao felt the hairs rise on his neck, but his outward reflection remained amiable. He had encountered hostility enough to tell when someone resented him. It was a scenario that he was very familiar with by now.

The difference is, this isn't Qinghe. I wonder if Sect Leader Wen would bat an eye if you disappeared.

The man might just laugh. He wasn't exactly...predictable. But he was brutal. Meng Yao raised his eyebrows, looking surprised. He rose gracefully from his bow, his brow crinkling in concern.

"I don't usually discuss my personal affairs with people the moment I meet them," he said, looking for all the world like an embarrassed young man rather than a scheming advisor. "But, I suppose you are asking a fair question. The Nie Sect and I didn't part on cordial terms. I was told to go wherever I wanted. I'm a decent cultivator. The Nie Sect isn't the only sect that counts, even if Nie Mingjue thinks so. The Wen Clan is powerful. If a powerful clan would have those skills, I am happy to offer."

The pleasant demeanor Meng Yao wore was innocent enough. The smooth and logical tone he had taken while explaining seemed to be saying: it's not really complicated. This made sense.

"But with respect, gongzi, whether the sect leader values me or doesn't is really his own business. I wouldn't be a very trustworthy advisor at all if I ran and repeated what was said in private meetings to just anyone."

Freeing Xue Yang and getting the yin iron out of Nie Sect's hands might have helped elevate his rise. But why should he tell on himself?

[woodlandsparrow]

"Instruction?" Wei Wuxian's brows furrowed. "Sect Leader Wen has always spoken ill of the Gusu Lan Sect. I asked him if he would write to them for me, because I wanted to visit the library and study their ways of musical cultivation if they would allow it. He said there was nothing the Lan Sect could teach me. Why would he send Wen Qing there and not me? And why wouldn't she tell me?"

He took a deep breath. He wanted to hop on his sword and rush to the Cloud Recesses, but unless Wen Qing had been captured, he knew there was nothing he could do and no one who could point him to the right direction. In the worst case scenario, he would probably be killed on sight.

"How long ago were the classes finished? What do you think happened to her?!" He couldn't help but raise his voice. Meng Yao continued to appear calm and collected, so he tried to control his emotions, but they were a mess of panic, frustration and helplessness. Resentful energy spoke to him.

They're using you. You're better than them. Show them their place! Come to us!

Sometimes Wei Wuxian wished he had never come close the Yin Iron.

[hidden_fragrance]

"Wei gongzi, please calm down. The consequences may be little for you, but I could be punished severely - have some consideration for my position, please?"

Luckily the guards had not come. Maybe they were used to Wei Wuxian having tantrums. Meng Yao frowned. He needed to be very careful. His own piece of yin iron that he had gotten from Xue Yang burned hot beneath his sleeve. He didn't know what powers were being hosted inside of this young man, but that there was a reaction was not good.

"I don't know what to make of Sect Leader Wen's views," he conceded. "I do know that the musical cultivation of Gusu Lan Clan is supposed to be healing and orthodox. For suppressing evil and calming the mind only. I don't think she'd still be in Gusu....unless your doctor sister helped to burn it down."

It was hard to keep his face neutral and his voice steady. He wasn't used to feeling rage on another's behalf, but Lan Xichen had been so kind to him. The man tried to hide his pain behind a veil of serenity, but Meng Yao could sense his grief. He was so lucky to have run into him first.

"The classes would have been a few weeks ago, shortly after I left Qinghe," he replied. "So, not long."

Interesting. Why keep him in the dark about so many things? Everyone must know about Gusu by now. Why does he think the cultivation world is rebelling?

Indoctrination was a hell of a drug.

"Wei gongzi...do you really not know what has been happening outside?" he asked, with a frown.

[woodlandsparrow]

An uncharacteristic wave of embarrassment filled Wei Wuxian as he neared the door to his rooms bearing a platter with food. He hadn't heard any talk about the Lan heir being captured in the hallways, so he knew the young man remained inside. Wei Wuxian had been called shameless many times in his life, but he still preferred not to have a meltdown in front of someone he had just met.

Regardless, he breathed in, smiled, and slid the door open. Lan Wangji sat on his bed, eyes closed as if meditating.

"Lan Zhan, I brought you some food," he announced, setting the tray on the bed beside him.

He was eager to ask Lan Wangji many things, but he didn't want to risk the other thinking this was his style of interrogating a prisoner.


[ooc: haha they're such unlikely friends]

[gusu_melody]

Lan Wangji was starting to feel the affects of his hunger now that his leg had been mended and some of the pain soothed. He suspected that that was his body's way of telling him that he needed nutrients to replenish his qi. There was no way he was going to ask any of the Wen dogs to bring him food. So, instead he sat there mediating and hoping that it would be enough. He sensed Wei Wuxian's approach before he opened his eyes. While he was still suspicious, if the boy had wanted to harm him there were more direct ways than this. The smell of what was on the tray was only making him more aware of the fact that he was hungry.

"........thanks."

Wei Ying had not done anything aside from being excessively chatty, so he may as well be polite. He took a steamed bun from the platter, watching the other with wary eyes.

[paintedfan]

Nie Huaisang was glad his fan hadn't been confiscated at Nightless City. It was comforting to have it in his hand at all times, and, if a situation in which he couldn't escape or hide behind someone else arose, he liked knowing he could defend himself. Sometimes he also flicked it open to hide his horrified expressions, and a more childish part of him hoped to hide himself as a whole, like when he watched Wangji-xiong being dragged away the day before.

Lan Wangji hadn't returned at any point during the day, and Nie Huaisang wondered if Wei Wuxian would kill them one by one. Perhaps he needed them for some wicked experimentation. What horrifying things had he done to Lan Wangji before murdering him? The idea made his heart sink, but it was almost confirmed in his mind when the demonic cultivator appeared before the disciples the next day, no Lan Wangji on sight, holding that black flute instead of a sword, and headed right towards him.

"Nie-gongzi, please come with me," said Wei Wuxian, and Nie Huaisang's vision went black.

---

The next time he came to, he was lying on a bed. Perhaps that had been merely a nightmare, he thought. He opened his eyes.

And saw Meng Yao standing close, wearing red and black as if he belonged in the Wen Clan.

No.

He must still be in a nightmare.

[hidden_fragrance]

Meng Yao sighed. Well. That was not unexpected. All it meant was that Huaisang had not changed. How dramatic. He sat patiently by the others side. He had promised the guards that had left the Nie heir in his 'care' that the man wouldn't dare faint again by the time Meng Yao was done with him. He would be afraid past the point of fainting, he'd promised.

"Long time, A-Sang," he said, cheekily.

Before the younger Nie could speak he laid a hand across the boy's mouth while bringing his other to lay a finger against his lips. Then, out of the folds of his sleeve he pulled out the Gusu jade pendant that Lan Xichen had given him. It allowed him access to Zewu-Jun, but he could always show it to a potential ally in a pinch. Hopefully Huaisang was quick on the uptake.

"Did they hurt you?" he asked, in a lower voice.

[fracturedice]

Lan Xichen tried to be inconspicuous, he really did, but there was nothing he could do about the looks of awe directed his way as he walked down the streets at Hejian. He was wearing a gray cloak over the Gusu Lan blue and white, but it seemed his height and forehead ribbon gave him away as a cultivator anyway. He sighed and asked for the best room at the inn, like Meng Yao had told him to.

He was relieved to see the other man sitting at the table when he stepped into the room.

"Meng Yao," he said, a small smile on his lips. "Please don't stand," he added quickly, coming to sit in front of him. The last time he had seen him, Meng Yao had been washing his clothes. He considered they were way past the point of formalities.

[hidden_fragrance]

He had been halfway in between rising when Lan Xichen had stopped him. By now one would think that Meng Yao would be used to this. But Zewu-jun's treatment of him always made his heart warm in a way it had not in a long time. Perhaps that was part of the reason Meng Yao would never get tired of testing him. The shorter man's smile was cordial if bemused.

No matter how Zewu-jun tried, he'd never look like a regular person. He was like someone who always had an inner light radiating from within. He was the personification of what a noble ought to be.

"Probably best," he agreed. "It would be strange to bow to you while in disguise."

Meng Yao himself was dressed in simple clothing, much like the ones he wore when he was a young junior disciple.

[woodlandsparrow]

It was a day as good as any other to go monster hunting, but Wei Wuxian didn't understand Wen Chao's sudden need to try to slay Xuanwu. It was such a clear attempt to impress his father, who hadn't given him any real missions in the past couple of weeks, that it made him feel second hand embarrassment. He had threatened Wei Wuxian not to intervene and try to take his glory, as if he would ever lift a finger to stop a monster from swallowing Wen Chao whole.

At least the walk was good excersise for Lan Wangji, who had spent the past several days confined in his rooms. He couldn't hide him forever, though. With his spiritual power back, and Wen Qing's care, his leg had healed fully. Wei Wuxian noticed the way Wen Chao kept eyeing Lan Wangji, and hated it. His new friend carried himself with so much class and dignity despite everything that had happened, it bothered Wen Chao. He liked to break people. Unfortunately for him, he didn't have the power to break Lan Wangji, but he wouldn't let it go.

Wei Wuxian walked closer to the Second Jade. "Lan Zhan! There's no need to ignore me, you know? It's not a secret that you're my favorite." He twirled his flute playfully, which he had brought in favor of his sword. He trusted Chenqing more than Suibian in any kind of battle these days.



[ooc: oh no now I can picture Lan Xichen waking up in the middle of the night knowing Meng Yao is still working and coaxing him to go to bed with him, I'm so sad]

[gusu_melody]

Lan Wangji had not been sure what he expected from Nightless City. At best he was expected to be tormented and abused daily. At worst he figured Wen Chao would lose control (assuming he ever had any) and kill him. He knew the man wanted him broken. However, submission was not in Lan Wangji’s nature. He was defiant to the bitter end, refusing to look at much less memorize Wen propaganda.

But Wei Ying had instead intervened, sheltering and healing him. Wangji suspected he also was keeping him out of Wen Ruohan’s absolutely demonic spawns’ sights.

Like he’d summoned him, Wei Wuxian appeared at his side breaking him out of his thoughts. Wei Ying had only ever helped him. So he humored the man today by not glaring at him.

“Not ignoring,” he murmured. “ But you should not be so close to me.”

It would possibly attract unwanted attention.

[The way I write Meng Yao , he rarely will sleep healthy hours unless coaxed or nagged. It’s very likely.]

[woodlandsparrow]

Wei Wuxian felt a little sorry about bartering Lan Wangji's headpiece, but he found that the other looked just as stunning with a simpler guan. The Second Jade's elegance seemed to come from within, regardless of what he wore.

He spent all the way to Yunmeng chattering about everything new he saw, not deterred by his companion's short replies. He asked many questions to the locals, got a few things for free by using his charms with girls, and stole lotus seed pods to try. They were very good. He tried to get Lan Wangji to have some, but the other insisted that stealing was forbidden.

Finally, they arrived to Lotus Pier. Wei Wuxian's apprehension came back as Lan Wangji asked to see Jiang Zongzhu. Every cultivator stared at them intently, and he felt self conscious of the subtle sun ray pattern around his sleeves.

[gusu_melody]

Wei Wuxian had a penchant for flirting with everyone he saw. Luckily Wangji wore his scowl on the inside. After all, it was none of his business if the man wanted to flirt. He probably didn't get to see or interact with many women while shut away in Qishan, but he didn't have to be so insufferable and now he was picking lotus pods out of a pond that wasn't his.

Completely undisciplined.

At last they arrived. Wangji was stiff from falling asleep on the boat. He was usually able to sleep anywhere, but he was not used to sleeping while traveling. He bowed before Jiang Zhongshu who was staring at Wei Wuxian with....suspicion? But there was something else. Almost like the man had recognized him.

"Thank you for seeing us with no notice, Sect Leader," Wangji said formally. Again, he really wished Xichen was here to do the talking. "We -"

"You - you dare bring Wei Wuxian here!"

Wangji grimaced. There was only one person who could have interrupted him so rudely. This was already beginning as he feared as Jiang Wangyin strode into view skewering Lan Wangji with a glare. He really would have liked to explain things before the angry Jiang heir broke the mood.

[ooc: I can totally write Jiang Cheng as well if I need to. He's going to be so mad.]

[paintedfan]

Nie Huaisang wasn't surprised to learn he had been the only heir to be recaptured. A couple days ago, he had been shoved into the same room he had stayed in before at Nightless City, and he had curled up into a ball and cried of frustration. He missed his brother, his books, his paintings.

It wasn't his fault, there was nothing he could've done against the dozens and dozens of Wen dogs that had surrounded him on his way back to Qinghe. Still, he felt useless. Eventually, he resigned himself to the dire circumstances and spent most of the days doodling on the notebook Meng Yao had gotten him during one of his visits.

He was worried about Meng Yao. He knew he probably wasn't the man's priority now that he was trying to overthrow an evil sect leader, but still. He hadn't found the time to come see him in two days? What if he had been found out? He couldn't possibly try to ask, he should've been acting happy not to see him. Would he never get news of the outside again? Would Da-ge never come to save him?

He was on a spiral of anxiety when suddenly the door to his room slid open. Nie Huaisang flinched and nervously opened his fan to cover his face.

It was Meng Yao. Finally! He looked... Tired.

[ooc: haha definitely, we should go back there after this]

[hidden_fragrance]

Meng Yao inwardly cursed when he heard that Huaisang had been retaken. On the one hand, there was no chance now that he could leak any information to his brother. On the other hand, now Meng Yao had the task of having someone to babysit yet again. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised. Nie Huaisang had had to share his flying sword on their journey to Gusu because the youngest Nie refused to touch a saber. Even if Huaisang had brought his saber, he probably wouldn't have known what to do with it or how to escape.

He wasn't surprised to see Huaisang hiding behind his fan. That was par for the course. Meng Yao winced as though in pain, but he still managed to forced something resembling a smile.

"You seem unharmed," he commented.

At least one of them was.

[woodlandsparrow]

That night, Wei Wuxian had a nightmare in which Jiang Cheng was commanding his dogs, which turned out to be one huge dog with three heads, to eat him, while he run away crying out for Shijie and Lan Wangji. He had screamed at the top of his lungs in the dream, and as he slowly woke up, he wondered if he had done it in reality as well, which happened sometimes. It would be humiliating to have woken up Lan Wangji with screaming.

He took a deep breath, he was very comfortable and warm in this position. Perhaps he should sleep some more, he decided, not entirely registering the fact that his head was on top of Lan Wangji's chest, and his arm was wrapped around his torso. The soft scent of sandalwood was very comforting. It simply felt right.

[ooc: "wield a heavy saber and run around howling at the top of their lungs" is a very good summary of Nie Mingjue's character lol]

[gusu_melody]

Lan Wangji rarely had dreams that he could remember. When he slept, he slept deeply. His eyebrows twitched and he thought maybe he heard someone calling him. He wished they would be quiet. He was feeling very cozy and very warm. He did the only thing that seemed reasonable. He wrapped both arms tighter around said warmth to keep it near him. That was best. Now the warmth would stay put.


Several moments later his eyes snapped open. He turned his head. Wei Wuxian had his arm draped over him and he looked like he was awake. He looked at the arm around him then back at Wei Ying. He glared. What he had failed to notice was that he had not released the other cultivator either.

[ooc: He's salty, but he's accurate. lmao. ]

[jiangfengmian]

Jiang Fengmian wished politics could be as simple and black and white as this young man thought they could be. He was probably set to be disappointed on his own clan eventually.

"You won't be abandoning him. Ultimately it's his choice, but it will be best for Wei Ying to remain here. I wouldn't wish for him to go to Cloud Recesses under the impression that he would be made anything other than a prisoner. As things are right now, the only proof of his allegiance is your word." They would say it was a precaution, they might not mistreat him, but it was a fate that Cangse Sanren's son would loathe.

"Chifeng-zun has summoned all Sect Leaders for a meeting in Koi Tower within a fortnight. His brother was recaptured by the Wens, so he won't attack the forces stationed out of Qinghe, but he won't let them in either. He said you were missing, and asked me to keep an eye out for you. Would you come with us?" If Zewu-jun lived, he would surely attend.

[gusu_melody]

Wangji knew that Wei Wuxian would hate living under house arrest. Even in the short time he knew him, he understood this. While Lan Wangji was not entirely sure that Wei Wuxian would live a comfortable life under the same roof as Jiang Wangyin and his wasp of a mother, he would at least have a chance with a Sect Leader that was on his side and might view him as a son. Logically, Wangji understood this. But why did it still bother him so?

His brow knitted at hearing that Nie Huaisang had been recaptured. That young man was not a warrior. He hoped that he was being harmed, especially without Wei Ying around. He felt conflicted. Wangji still had a duty to his family before anyone else. Koi Tower? So the Lanling Jin Clan had finally decided to at least pretend to be useful. He wondered how much of that they owed to Jin Zixuan.

"I'll go to Jinlintai," he said, he finally. "As you've said, it's Wei Ying's choice what he does."

Lan Wangji was quiet for a moment as though considering whether to speak. Then, " With respect, Jiang Zhongshu, he's not out of the woods from what the Wen Clan has done to him. In Gusu, we have our musical cultivation for cleansing this sort of affliction. What will you do if he has some kind of relapse in Lotus Pier?"

[woodlandsparrow]

The clearing in the forest wasn't exactly the most concealed spot ever, but at least the area was deserted, and Wei Wuxian didn't have much time to look for a better place. There was also a small waterfall nearby that would hopefully mask any sounds he made. If no one had followed him here, he would be able to afford a couple of hours of work.

He placed the sword on a rock in front of him, and examined it, his hand covered by a piece of cloth. The hilt was black, ancient, with no recognizable symbols. The blade was also dark, and the old bloodstains seemed to have fused with it. He couldn't hear its whispers, probably because of Lan Wangji's song, that he had played repeatedly during their travel here.

Sighing at the prospect of Lan Wangji's work going to waste, he closed his eyes in concentration and began to whistle. He could channel resentful energy this way, but he would have to get himself a flute soon.

This time, he was careful. He didn't make any demands to the resentful energy of the Yin iron, only wanting to establish a tentative connection with it. He felt the dark tendrils of resentment curl around him and almost purr in his ears about power and revenge.

[ooc: he's so in denial, I love him lol. Also he's going to be so mad at wwx]

[angry_lotus]

Jiang Cheng was roaming the forest because it was one of the only places he could be alone to brood. He had conflicting feelings with everything happening so fast. Even with his life unraveling, he wished his mother didn't cause such a scene. Even if she was right, all her temper did was alienate his father even more and, by extension, him.

Perhaps his father would be happier if he just enlisted to fight with the other warriors and got out of his hair. Then he could fawn all over Wei Wuxian to his heart's content and Jiang Cheng could preoccupy himself with actually keeping Lotus Pier safe. He was so angry that he felt he would actually be okay with never coming home if it didn't mean leaving his sister.

His head turned sharply as he sensed someone else's energy nearby. For some reason, it made the hairs on his neck stand. Cautiously, he stepped into the clearing. That's when he spotted the demonic cultivator practicing demonic cultivation.

Big. Fucking. Plot. Twist. He knew it! He drew Sandu.

"What do you think you're doing?" he demanded, his voice silk but lined with menace.

[ooc: Not as mad as this lotus.]

[woodlandsparrow]

The first time Wei Wuxian came to, he thought he was back at Xuanwu's cave. He was lying on a cold, stone floor, and the light was dim and yellow. He blinked, but his vision was still blurry, his thoughts muddled. Was this a dream?

"He's awake!" someone shouted in the distance.

Not for long, he thought, and the darkness took over once again.

The second time he woke up, he realized where he was: the dungeons of Nightless City. There was someone in the cell with him. Coughing, he slowly sat up, one hand on his chest. Despite his grim accomodations, he felt a little hopeful. Chenqing was still in his belt, and his golden core was intact. Maybe Wen Zongzhu wouldn't execute him after all.

He looked up to see who his visitor was. "Meng Yao," he said, attempting to smile. "It's been a while. How are you?"

[hidden_fragrance]

Meng Yao had a mild smile in place. He looked tired, but otherwise his expression was neutral.

"I was told that you are now the defector, Wei-gongzi," he murmured, silkily. "I know that they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but wasn't that taking it a bit far?"

This was a pretty situation the once treasured Wen disciple had gotten himself into. Things would have indeed been grim if Meng Yao had not done something to delay the young man's sentencing. But delayed was all it was.

"I'll get to the point: where is Lan Wangji? He must have said something to you before you parted. After all, you risked so much for him."

[fracturedice]

It had been a taxing endeavour for Lan Xichen to bring Nie Mingjue to Lanling secretly. Neither was particularly good at staying undercover, and the Wens continued to surround Qinghe. There was nothing Nie Mingjue wanted more than to march into battle immediately. He would win, he assured, and it seemed the Wens thought that might be a possibility as well, since they hadn't attacked first. However, with Nie Huaisang's life hanging in the balance, his hands were tied.

All of that rage left undrained made Nie Mingjue very dangerous. However, Jin Guangshan didn't seem to notice how close he was of being beheaded, or didn't care, because he insisted that he was only allowing them to meet here, he wasn't making any promises of intervening. They had already had this conversation, he reminded Xichen, and a part of him wished Nie Mingjue did behead him after all. Surely Meng Yao would understand.

They spent the next few days waiting for the other sects to come. Lan Xichen had to make a very conscious effort not to run to the courtyard when he was informed the Jiangs had arrived. Since he had heard news of the Lotus Pier attack, he had been clinging to the hope of his brother having escaped unscathed somehow.

Relief washed over him when he saw Lan Wangji, looking tired and dejected, but in one piece. "Wangji!" He exclaimed, coming as fast as it was proper to do so. He gave a quick greeting to Jiang Zongzhu and his children, and then turned his attention to his brother. Jin Guangshan had also come to welcome the Jiangs, since he still had a good relationship with Jiang Fengmian despite their children's broken engagement.

[gusu_melody]

No one gave the silent treatment like Lan Wangji and that was all Jiang Cheng had been getting. Though the Jiang heir seemed to be lost in his own inner conflict and didn't push much. He was polite enough when Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Yanli asked him questions, but he gave such one note answers that they gave up. Wangji was courteous, but clearly not interested in small talk. Not that he usually spoke much even when he wasn't dispirited and worried.

He really hoped that Nie Mingjue had some kind of clever plan. For this scenario, Wangji was all about taking action and if there was one thing he'd heard about Nie Zhongshu was that he was the right person to turn to for that.

Gusu Lan's second master's head snapped up at an all too familiar voice calling his name and his knees nearly gave way in relief when he laid eyes on his brother.

The Lans weren't huggers, but the emotion was present in Lan Wangji's voice. "Xiongzhang!"

He knew. He knew that his older brother would be alive. Yet, he was still overwhelmed by the confirmation.

"Shufu?" he asked, tentatively hoping the same was true of their uncle.

[fracturedice]

He watched him go with a smile, it was very endearing to see a man who was always strong, brilliant and reliable being this shy and unsure. He hoped Meng Yao would let him see this side of him more often.

---

Lan Xichen was in very good spirits the next morning, to the point Lan Qiren questioned why he wasn't taking the issue with his brother more seriously. He wished he didn't have to, but he had had to explain a version of the situation to their Uncle, without including Meng Yao's intervention. Lan Qiren was horrified. Lan Xichen gently reminded him that Wei Wuxian was the only reason Wangji was with them at all, which seemed to placate him slightly. Only slightly.

Lan Xichen waited until after lunch to approach his brother again, once his punishment was complete and he had had time to reflect and recover. He found him in the training hall, with a small legion of younger Jin disciples admiring him as he practiced his sword forms. Lan Wangji paid no mind to his audience, completely focused on his work. His movements were swift and elegant as always, but there was a bit of tension that no one else would've noticed. He wondered if he was in pain because of the hits, stressed because of Wei Wuxian, or perhaps angry because of whatever lecture Lan Qiren had given him.

"Wangji," he greeted him. "May we speak for a moment?"

[gusu_melody]

Lan Wangji barely noticed the pain as his sword sliced through the air. He didn't notice the people watching him at all and wouldn't have cared even if he did. He knew from last night how fleeting admiration from strangers was. This was just to give his mind direction and focus so that he didn't go crazy. He was blatantly ignoring his Uncle's disapproval. For once, rather than making him feel ashamed, he had only felt angry.

He spun, his sword stopping short of whoever was approaching, though he immediately lowered Bichen and bowed when he saw that it was his brother. Hesitating, he nodded. He hoped it was about an assignment and not Wei Wuxian again. A couple of Jin disciples, figuring Wangji was in trouble began whispering. His glare dispersed them.

[paintedfan]

Nie Huaisang had spent a quiet afternoon reading the new novel Meng Yao had gotten for him when guards kicked his door open and he was dragged outside. He hadn't been allowed out of that room since he was captured, and Meng Yao was nowhere to be seen. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat and ignore the palpitations in his chest when something in his mind told him that this was it. His brother had retaliated, and he was no longer useful, so he would die. His eyes filled with tears as he hoped Meng Yao would be the one to kill him. At least he would make it quick.

His world stopped when he was taken to the throne room and pushed to his knees. The scene before him was straight out of his nightmares:

Nie Mingjue was kneeling on the floor, holding his chest with one hand. He was panting, struggling to remain upright, shoulders squared and his head raised in defiance. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Before him was Meng Yao, holding Baxia in his hand, the blade dripping blood, and every other cultivator in dark green robes lay dead in a pool of red. Meng Yao's face was twisted with contempt, and the wicked smile he directed at Nie Huaisang when he looked at him made the hairs of the back of his head stand up.

"Da-ge!" He cried out miserably.

Nie Mingjue glanced at him once, spat the blood in his mouth on Meng Yao's feet and growled. "You dare bring Huaisang into this, after I let your crimes go unpunished?! I should've killed you right then and there."

Meanwhile, Wen Ruohan sat lazily on his throne, watching the scene with amusement.

[hidden_fragrance]

"Crimes? I killed one drunken fool."

Meng Yao walked over to Huaisang as casually as though nothing out of the ordinary in particular was going on. He let a hand lazily run through Nie Huaisang's dark locks as he taunted the elder. Savored his impotence in the situation. He had Baxia and he had Mingjue's brother. Oh how that must rankle him.

"You brought him into this yourself when you rebelled against Wen Zhongshu," Meng Yao replied, silkily. "Besides, Huaisang and I have bonded so much in our time together here, it's only appropriate to have him witness. He was so upset when you sent me away."

Though the pattern Meng Yao was tracing on Huaisang's neck was gentle and only meant to look menacing. He really hoped the Nie heir remembered the fan he'd given him.

The madman on the throne laughed. "You certainly enjoy playing with your food, Meng Yao."

The double agent merely raised his brows in glee. "Is Wen Zhongshu giving me permission to play?"

[fracturedice]

When he was told who had arrived to the camp, Lan Xichen didn't even stop to excuse himself or properly end the meeting he had been leading with a few other sect leaders. Surely his uncle could do it for him.

He hurried outside, but he couldn't see Meng Yao past the dozen cultivators who surrounded him with their swords unsheathed. They made way for him as they saw him approach, and he realized their swords weren't pointed at Meng Yao, but at the young man he assumed must be Wei Wuxian. Meng Yao seemed worried, but Wei Wuxian didn't look intimidated in the slightest. There was a small smile of amusement on his lips that seemed somewhat dangerous.

"Zewu-jun, this Wen-dog claims to be on our side," said a leader of a small sect. "Should we dispose of him?"

"Please don't. This is Wei Wuxian, he defected Qishan Wen a long time ago. He was the one who fought Wen Zhuliu to protect the Jiangs," he explained. The cultivators didn't look convinced, but they stood down. He smiled at Meng Yao, "A-Yao, Wei-gongzi, please come with me to my tent," he said. He turned to another Lan disciple and asked him to call Lan Wangji back urgently. If he hurried, his brother might arrive tonight.

"Are you hurt in any way?" He asked Meng Yao as they walked, noticing a few blood stains in his robes. He was so relieved to see him, he wanted to pull him into his arms and kiss him right there. After the news of Nie Mingjue being captured, he had feared he would lose both of them.

[hidden_fragrance]

Meng Yao moved to stand a little in front of Wei Wuxian when the other cultivators unsheathed their swords. He was about to speak when to his immense relief he saw Lan Xichen making his way over to them. His eyes narrowed at the person who spoke of disposing of the young man. But again, Lan Xichen spoke first. To Meng Yao's gratitude and luck, no one did anything stupid.

"I'm okay," Meng Yao replied, his expression and voice immediately warming at Zewu-jun's concern. "I hope to have not worried Zewu-jun. A lot happened in a short amount of time. I killed Wen Ruohan and got Nie Zhongshu and his brother safely to camp. We freed Wei Wuxian on our way out."

The smaller cultivator hesitated and then, "Wei-gongzi saved me from taking a saber to the face. There was a small....misunderstanding between Nie Zhongshu and me. I played my part a little too convincingly."

An understatement. But, Wei Wuxian's quick actions had saved him and the man would need all the credibility he could get here. Meng Yao did not like to feel indebted. Besides, how many people would want to be his friend after this?

[woodlandsparrow]

Wei Wuxian lay on bed, staring at nothing. He felt restless and anxious, but he had grown tired of pacing within the tent hours ago. He wanted to take a walk outside and breathe, but Meng Yao had made him promise to stay put. It was best not to give other cultivators the opportunity to pick a fight with him until they got used to his presence and they realized he wasn't dangerous, he had said.

Zewu-jun had offered him a meal, a bath and a change of clothes, because the red and black would be confusing. Wei Wuxian chose black and gray instead, but he insisted on the red ribbon in his hair staying. All in all, Lan Xichen seemed like a very nice man, but he could sense he was wary of him, especially after the way he had looked at Chenqing when he twirled it between his fingers. That was fair, he supposed. At least he was giving him a chance, and he hadn't even lectured him about demonic cultivation.

It was noisy outside, even though they had built him a tent at the far end of the camp. Technically the tent was for Lan Wangji, who apparently had been telling everyone about him, which was both sweet and embarrassing. They had been celebrating for hours now, and Wei Wuxian wondered how likely it would be for anyone to even recognize him if he popped in for a drink very quicky. He opened the tent flap and peeked outside. There was no one guarding him, excellent.

He had only just come out and begun walking when he heard a rustle of robes behind him. He sighed. Of course someone would arrive right now, he thought as he turned around, but his expression brightened as he saw who it was.

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian beamed, running closer to him.

[gusu_melody]

Lan Wangji had felt his heart nearly stop at catching sight of that familiar red ribbon. He was here. He was safe. He had flown on his sword as fast as he could without exhausting his spiritual power when he got word from his brother. He was about to speak when Wei Ying turned and looked right at him. His joy was so great that it almost felt difficult to breathe.

"Wei Ying!" His own feet were moving before he could process that he was almost running himself. He stopped just short of the other.

Lan Wangji's dark eyes brimmed with emotion as he overflowed with relief. He gripped the other's shoulder for a moment before he realized what he was doing and then slowly, reluctantly, released the man.

"I looked for you," he said, simply. "I'm glad you alright."

[woodlandsparrow]

Wei Wuxian nonchalantly sat on the railing of the balcony and knocked on the window frame of the room he was almost certain Meng Yao was staying in. There was a bottle of wine in his hand, Chenqing tucked in his belt. While he waited to be let in, he stared up at the starry sky.

The Sunshot Campaign had been advancing as predicted. Nie Mingjue had chased away the Wen Clan and reclaimed all the cities in his territory, killing Wen Xu in the process. The Lans had helped smaller clans do the same in the border, and the Jins had sent reinforcements to Lotus Pier. They had sent a message to Qishan, asking Wen Chao to surrender, but he hadn't replied, so their next goal would be to take Nightless City. Wei Wuxian had a bad feeling about it. It wasn't natural for Wen Chao not to give in now that he didn't have his father and brother's support.

He had been following Lan Wangji like a shadow, assisting him with talismans and a borrowed sword. The other cultivators didn't seem as terrified of him as long as the Second Jade was by his side. This evening, however, Lan Wangji had had some kind of private meeting with his family, leaving Wei Wuxian alone and bored.

[hidden_fragrance]

Meng Yao opened the door and raised his brows in surprise at the person before him. He had been expecting Lan Xichen or even Huaisang, but there was Wei Wuxian seeming much cheerier than usual. Meng Yao suspected that it had something to do with being reunited with Lan Er-gongzi. He was surprised Wangji was not with him. The two had been pretty inseparable and only seemed to have eyes for each other.

"Wei gongzi," he greeted, with a pleasant smile. "I was not expecting a visit. Things have been so busy around here that we have barely spoken since escaping Qishan. Is there something I can assist you with?"

[Assuming later at their clan feast, JGS will accept MY as a Jin?]

[fracturedice]

Lan Xichen had been waiting for Meng Yao at the entrance of the hall, but after exchanging his greeting with Jin Guangshan, he thought it would be best to tell him of what had just happened right away.

He made his way to Meng Yao's quarters, and was surprised to see Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian both there. Wangji looked a little bitter. On one hand, Lan Xichen felt immediately protective as he wondered if Wei Wuxian had done something to upset him. On the other, he had to suppress a smile upon seeing Wei Wuxian holding his brother's wrist as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Wangji, Wei-gongzi," he greeted with a short bow. "A-Yao, may we speak in private for a moment?"

[hidden_fragrance]

The proverbial lamp had just lit up in Meng Yao's brain. Was Lan Wangji jealous? He was! Oh, what bad timing for Huaisang to be acting avoidant towards him. Who would he share his with? He kept trying to catch Wei Wuxian's eye. But soon, Zewu-jun arrived unexpectedly.

"Ah, of course, Zewu-jun," he replied. He bowed to Wei Wuxian. "Thank you for the wine. I will see you both later in the evening I'm sure."

Then he was following Lan Xichen, the other two forgotten. His heart was beating at seeing the man again. They had rarely had a moment alone since all of this began and Wei Wuxian's words were still ringing in his ears.

[woodlandsparrow]

Wei Wuxian was happy for Meng Yao, and had been hoping to go over there and congratulate him once everyone began mingling, but Jin Guangshan's comment took him by surprise. Around him, everyone had started to whisper or laugh. "He turned Wen Ruohan's first disciple against him right under his nose, that's pure talent!" "I still don't trust him, he doesn't carry a sword." "I heard it was Lan-er-gongzi who kept him under control."

He wanted to stand up and tell all these idiots to shut up. He exchanged a look with Wen Qing, who minutely shook her head, clearly begging him not to make a scene. He refused to be in these cultivators' company another second, and he stormed out, wanting to be alone, clenching Chenqing in his hand.

...Had he made a mistake?

He noticed Lan Wangji following behind and scoffed without turning to look at him. "I'm not very good company right now, Lan Zhan."

[gusu_melody]

"Jin Guangshan has always been a peacock," Wangji said. His dislike of the man was apparent. The second jade rarely said a cross word about anyone, much less a sect leader. "His words aren't worth noting. Let him squawk and then waddle away."

The other clans just wanted to kiss the boots of the most powerful person in the room. They didn't know anything about Wei Ying or his family. Lan Wangji had never felt such a powerful urge to stomp someone's face into dust. He didn't even give his own blood a proper courtesy name. If Meng Yao was smart as everyone claimed, he would never go to Jinlintai. And the man had the audacity to cover the embarrassment over his own son's reluctance by humiliating what he assumed was an easy target, the most vulnerable in the room.

What a coward.

[fracturedice]

After the banquet was finished, hours later, Lan Xichen searched for his brother and Wei Wuxian, accompanied by Meng Yao and, for some reason, Nie Huaisang. The boy seemed torn between treating Meng Yao as his friend and being strangely awkward. They looked in their room, the gardens, the kitchens, the training grounds, and found nothing.

"Of all the young men in the cultivation world, why must Wangji choose the first disciple of Qishan Wen?" Lan Xichen commented, once they went back to his own quarters and Nie Huaisang had bid them good night.

"I think Wei Wuxian has potential, if he applied himself to the right path, he could be Wangji's equal. And he's quite social and friendly, which would be good for Wangji as well, but... I'm afraid. It won't be easy for the sects to forget where he comes from and what he's done. Shufu is terrified, and the way he expresses his worry is by issuing punishment and lashing out. They're barely speaking to one another." It was shameful to admit their Uncle was breaking several Gusu Lan rules with his attitude, but this was Meng Yao, the only person he felt he could share anything with.

[hidden_fragrance]

Meng Yao was quiet and thoughtful as the other vented his anxieties. He was usually quiet until someone finished talking so that he missed nothing. Not just words, but emotional cues as well. It was how he had learned so well to intuit what others wanted or needed to hear. But, the one thing that was new to him was conflicting loyalties. Truly, the only person he had loyalty to in Qinghe Nie was to himself. Even though he tried to be a good and fair advisor to Nie Mingjue, he'd sworn he'd never put his well-being after a Sect Leader or Sect's again. His experience at Jinlintai had left him rather disillusioned and embittered.

Then he's met Lan Xichen who saved him from humiliation in Gusu and trusted him during the war. Then there was Wei Wuxian, who, despite even how things had transpired had wanted to befriend him. Both of these people had accepted him even before his father had.

"I would be surprised if all the other sects forgot where I came from or some of the things I've done," Meng Yao admitted quietly. He was careful not to look at Huaisang so that it wasn't obvious whose clan that was aimed at.

All trust is a gamble, Zewu-jun.

"To some extent, I must admit to a bias. I know a little of what he will be facing. Unlike myself, he has not come up in a world where he's had to learn to bow his head and take it quietly and wait patiently for people's opinions to change. He was raised the favored disciple of a powerful clan."

Meng Yao pondered. He would really like to spare Wei-gongzi further pain. But, he also knew from his own experience how impossible that was. The world was not kind to outliers. So, the only solution was to find a way to not make him an outlier.

"I do know this: the two things Wei-gongzi cares about most in the world are his family and your brother," he murmured. "If we want him on to choose our ways and stick with them, we have to prove that we will not endanger either. I tried to encourage him to accept Yunmeng Jiang's extended hand. I hope he will not be too stubborn to listen."

[woodlandsparrow]

Wei Wuxian was confused and disoriented when he opened his eyes and realized he was in a guest room at Nightless City.

What had happened?

Then the battle came back to him. The twisted, poisoned version of Wen Chao that had laughed as they were surrounded by a swarm of fierce corpses, the way Lan Xichen's face had fallen upon realizing they were vastly outnumbered, and the apologetic look he had given Lan Wangji when he brought Chenqing to his lips and unleashed the power of the Yin Tiger Seal. It was as powerful as he had predicted. He hadn't lost control, had he? No, he had only been exhausted by commanding hundreds of corpses. Lan Wangji had caught him before his head hit the ground.

He was hearing guqin music, he noticed suddenly. "Lan Zhan...?" He whispered.

[gusu_melody]

Lan Wangji's playing came to a sharp halt and his head turned. He stood and immediately went over to Wei Ying, the tightness of his jaw the only thing giving away his stress.

"You slept for a long time," he said.

Actually, he was troubled. He did not leave the man's side even once and if people wanted Wangji to eat they had to bring food to him. There was no way that he would trust anyone but himself to sit and guard his friend after the scene at the last battle. Even if Wei Wuxian had saved all their lives, there would still be people who feared him. Gently he took the man's wrist to check his meridians. They were holding strong. He looked relieved.

"How do you feel?"

[fracturedice]

It might have been unbecoming for a sect leader to try to eavesdrop, but Lan Xichen had felt the blood leave his face when a Jin disciple reported to him that Wei Wuxian had been trying to start a fight right after waking up, and Meng Yao had been left handling the situation alongside his brother.

By the time he arrived, the three had stepped back into the room Wei Wuxian had been staying in. Lan Xichen stood close to the wall beside the door. Relief washed over him when he heard Wei Wuxian's laugh. A few seconds later, Meng Yao emerged from the room.

"A-Yao," he whispered, because he didn't want to disturb Lan Wangji. "What happened? Did you tell him?" He asked as he took his hand and whisked him away. Their plan of bringing Wei-gongzi to Cloud Recesses to be reformed had seemed perfectly reasonable, as long he agreed. If he didn't... He wasn't sure what they would do to keep the boy alive. And they needed to keep him alive; otherwise, Wangji's heart would be broken, and he couldn't let that happen.



[ooc: let's go back to wangxian later!]

[hidden_fragrance]

Meng Yao almost jumped in surprise. Luckily he was well schooled in self control. Had Lan Xichen been listening at at a door? Jin Guangyao didn't know whether to be amused or impressed. However, it also said something about how worried the man must have been. The smaller cultivator was more than happy to be the one who relieved that anxiety.

"Zewu-jun!" His demeanor brightened considerably. "This is perfect timing. I was just coming to tell you that Wei gongzi has agreed to come with us to Cloud Recesses. Wangji will probably ask you later, but I believe he wants Wei Ying's siblings to attend as well."

Guangyao wasn't too worried about whether good natured Xichen would agree to that. Hopefully Lan Qiren would only see it as an oppotunity to reform more wayward sould.

"He was asking for Suibian," he informed the first jade. Then. wincing, he added, "He also wanted a flute."

[ooc: All right!]

[jinguangshan]

The atmosphere at the Hell Hall was quite opressive and suffocating. It was way too dark, making it almost impossible to get any work done, not to mention the decor was absolutely horrendous. Not even the massive throne was comfortable. Why would anyone carve something like this out of stone? Had Wen Ruohan been so obsessed with his villain aesthetic that he didn't care about the sharp edges stabbing his back?

In any case, Jin Guangshan still liked the feeling of sitting there. Wen Ruohan was defeated, and he was the most powerful Sect Leader in the cultivation world. He would never make the mistake of letting someone else take his place again.

At last, his bastard son arrived.

"Meng Yao, I received a report that you chastised our clansmen for doing what I ordered them to," he began once the boy had greeted him. "What was that about?"

[hidden_fragrance]

Meng Yao bowed low and as his head dipped, he felt his anxiety build. Was that how his actions had been interpreted? He rose, keeping his expression mildly pleasant, but surprised.

"They were not just rounding people up, Fuqin, they were hurting them," he replied, careful to keep his tone filial. "Wei Wuxian witnessed the whole thing. I had to intervene to prevent a conflict. Your orders were still carried out. And no one was harmed."

He bit down on the urge to overexplain. If he did that, it would just make him look as though he did have something to feel guilty about. Later he would need to find out who reported him and see if he could turn them into an ally. If not, well..... something would have to be done about that. The tension built while he waited for his father's response.

[woodlandsparrow]

The day had been full of up and downs for Wei Wuxian. After confronting Lan Wangji and Meng Yao and the stress of seeing his people being hunted, he had had a moment of peace when Jiang Guniang had personally brought them lunch. It all had gone downhill when he was told Jiang Fengmian was killed during the battle, and all Wei Wuxian could think of was that he had failed the Jiangs. They had opened their doors to him when he needed it, and he had done nothing in return. Their deaths were his fault, Lotus Pier's destruction was his fault.

Jiang Yanli had tried to comfort him for a while, but he put on a smile and told her he would be alright, only for the tears to start falling uncontrollably once she was gone.

He had never crumbled down like this in front of anyone before, and he was pretty sure he was making Lan Wangji nervous.

"...You can go, Lan Zhan," he whispered.

[gusu_melody]

The soup was good. He was glad to see Wei Ying eating something. Then, the inevitable came. Jiang-guniang had told Wei Wuxian about the passing of her father. In a way, Wangji was grateful to her. She was probably the best candidate for breaking the news and she did not take out her grief on the man as Wangji had feared her brother would. Nonetheless, he'd seen in the way that Wei Ying had gone still and pale how it affected him.

Not too long ago, Wangji had feared that Jiang Fengmian would take Wei Ying away. Now, he saw how foolish that was. Wangji hesitated as the boy began to shed tears. He knew that Wei Wuxian did not like to be seen like this. Lan Wangji would not like so much to be spotted crying himself. Yet, he felt like leaving Wei Ying in this state would be the wrong thing to do.

"I want to stay," he said, awkwardly.

He moved closer, pausing uncertainly on the spot for several minutes before decisively placing an arm around the shuddering figure.