Chapter Text
A new beginning for Xi Dynasty has began after the fall of the previous Emperor, Wen Ruohan and the rise of new Emperor, Lan Xichen. While Lan Xichen was Emperor for a year now but everyone and everything in Xi Dynasty was still getting set back to normal after the turmoil caused by former Emperor Wen Ruohan in the Xi Dynasty.
Lan Xichen clearly remembers how everything and everyone was in ruins because of the madness of Wen Ruohan. He remembers how in the regime of Wen Ruohan, the common people suffered a lot and the Generals and other officials decided that it's time to take Wen Ruohan down and replace him with someone else.
The major regions in Xi Dynasty like Gusu, Yunmeng, Qinghe and Lanling decided to rebel against the Emperor Wen Ruohan but in turn Wen Ruohan burned down Yunmeng and Gusu to teach the rebels the lesson. The leader of Yunmeng, Jiang Fengmian has lost his golden core in the massacre of Yunmeng and his wife, Yu Ziyuan too lost her golden core in the hands of Wen Zhuliu, the Core Melting Hand and is also known as Huadan Shou and then they were captured by Wen Ruohan as prisoners.
Their children Jiang Cheng, Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian went missing during the massacre and after a while Wen Ruohan's men captured Jiang Cheng and tortured him while Jiang Yanli suffered from high fever that she was not able to wake up from it.
Wei Wuxian with the help of Lan Wanji searched for his brother while his sister was in care of Wen Qing and Wen Ning, the niece and nephew of Wen Ruohan who along with their branch family who were tortured by Wen Ruohan.
While searching for Jiang Cheng, the region of Qinghe was attacked but the soldiers of Qinghe defended the attack veryj strongly and the Sect Leader of Qinghe killed the eldest son of Wen Ruohan, Wen Xu. Leader of Qinghe gave the head of Wen Xu back to Wen Ruohan. He then, was aware of arrival of Lan Xichen, Lan Wanji's elder brother and his best friend.
The leader of Qinghe, Nie Mingjue asked his best friend, Lan Xichen about his disappearance after the burning down of Cloud Recesses when his friend just smiled and said nothing. Lan Xichen asked his friend about his father, his mother, his brother and uncle when he heard the noise and turned and saw his uncle, Lan Qiren coming towards him.
He looked behind his uncle to see his parents when Lan Qiren said that his parents are gravely injured and both of them has lost their golden cores and now in sleep induced coma and no one knows when they will wake up and he is now the Sect Leader of Gusu.
Lan Xichen hearing this news was sad and had mixed emotions but composed his emotions and himself and asked about Lan Wanji when he heard people calling for help and they three went to the entrance and saw, Wen Qing, Jiang Yanli, Wen Ning carrying unconscious Jiang Cheng and Lan Wanji carrying unconscious Wei Wuxian.
They all reached inside the medical bay and the doctors treated them both when Nie Mingjue asked Wen Qing,
"What did you Wen dogs did to the young masters of Yunmeng Jiang sect!"
Jiang Yanli stepped towards Nie Mingjue and said,
"Sect Leader Nie, Wen Qing and Wen Ning were the ones who helped us from the Wen Ruohan's soldiers after burning down of Yunmeng. They and their branch family helped us keeping us safe from Wen Ruohan men and while they themselves were tortured to releave us out.
Lan Xichen looked at his brother who confirmed everything that Jiang Yanli said is true so he stopped Nie Mingjue to act rashly and then turned to Wen Qing and asked,
"Maiden Wen, thank you for helping us against your uncle but I am curious to know the reason about your help to us."
Wen Qing bowed to Lan Xichen and said,
"Zewu-jun, the Qishan Wen Sect was to ruins when my Uncle ascended the throne of Xi Dynasty with him in power of Yin metal, the most destructive weapon that could wipe out any Dynasty. When my Uncle ascended the throne, my Uncle was already possessed by Yin metal. The Yin metal controls mind and does brings ruins everywhere. The Yin metal brings dark side of the person when in contact with it. My Uncle has already ruined Qishan Wen Sect and I don't want him to ruin the whole Xi Dynasty in the madness of the Yin metal. Not all us Wens are responsible for Wen Ruohan's actions. We want peace and nothing else."
Wen Qing said this while eyeing Nie Mingjue who in return snorted. Hearing the name of the Yin metal from Wen Qing, Lan Qiren asked,
"The metal which was in possession of Xue Chonghai hundreds years ago. That same metal who had drive Xue Chonghai into madness."
Wen Qing nodded and then Lan Xichen asked about the Jiang brothers and Wen Ning said,
"Young Master Jiang was in captive of Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu who tortured him and then melted his golden core. Master Wei and Young Master Lan came to Yunmeng as they found out that Young Master Jiang is in Yunmeng and then they fought Wen Chao and killed him."
Wen Qing was about to continued to talk further while she was cut by Nie Huaisang, the younger brother is of the Sect Leader of Qinghe, Nie Mingjue.
"Da-ge, Wen Zhuliu and Xue Yang is here along with Yunmeng Sect Leader Jiang Fengmian and his wife Yu Ziyuan along with the Young Masters of Jin, Jin Zixuan and Jin Zixun and few Jin soldiers.
They immediately went to the greet them when Jiang Fengmian reached to Jiang Yanli and hugged her tight and asked,
"A-Li, how are you? Where are your brothers? Are you all fine?"
Jiang Yanli can't help but tears pressed down to her cheeks and than Yu Ziyuan gripped her daughter's shoulders and asked,
"A-Li, what happened? Why don't you speak up? Where are your brothers?"
Everyone were surprised to see the Purple Spider letting emotions control her and even acknowledging Wei Wuxian as Jiang Yanli's brother after such a long time.
Wen Qing came forward Yu Ziyuan and others and said,
"Madam Jiang, your son Jiang Cheng lost his golden core like you both and Wei Wuxian have his core to him but we are not sure if it is successful."
Jin Fengmian looked at her as she has grown two heads and then turned to Lan Qiren and asked,
"Lan Qiren, what is this Wen doing here?"
"Fengmian, I think it would be best if you tell us how did you escape from Wen Ruohan's clutches and why are you with Wen Zhuliu and that delinquent from Kuizhou?"
Lan Qiren asks and Jiang Fengmian signs and tells them to be get gathered in a room but Wen Zhuliu stops them and says,
"Sect Leaders of Qinghe, Gusu and Yunmeng and young Masters of Jin, I think it's better for me and Xue Yang to go back otherwise Emperor Wen Ruohan will know that we betrayed him and will kill our people who are still in his captive and here is the note from spy for Sect Leader Lan."
He said this and handed a piece of paper to Lan Xichen and then both of set off on their swords before anyone would stop them. Jiang Fengmian signed and all the others gathered in a room and Jiang Fengmian told them about how the spy which Wen Zhuliu mentioned helped them out to get them out of the prisons of Wen Ruohan along with the prisoners of Zanshan Sect, the previous sect of Wen Zhuliu who was known as Zhao Zhuliu.
He surrendered to the Wen Ruohan because he took his people as his prisoners and told him to that he will not harm his people when he works for him. Xue Yang, the delinquent from Kuizhou is the spy's childhood friend and his another friend, Lian Yue is in captive of Wen Ruohan.
The spy swore to them to free their people from Wen Ruohan's clutches of they help the rebelling Sect Leaders. Then Lan Qiren told Fengmian and his wife about his brother and sister in law in coma and what Wen Qing told them about Yin metal.
"Xichen, it seems that the spy in the Wen Ruohan knows you. Do you know who is it and what is in the note that Wen Zhuliu gave you?"
Lan Qiren asked his nephew and then Lan Xichen could feel each and everyone's eyes on him and he said,
"The note contains the secret passages of Qishan to attack Wen Ruohan and about the spy, he was the one who helped me when Cloud Recesses were burned down and I was injured. He hide me from Wen soldiers in the nursed me back to health."
They all nodded and Nie Mingjue asked Lan Xichen,
"Xichen, do you know the name of the spy?"
Lan Xichen remembered the young man who would always hide his face by using mask which was half broken vertically and the mask was silver and the patterns of blue and gold lingering on it. He hide him in the cave till the Wen soldiers passed away and then took him to brothel where he was born and raised.
The young man nursed Lan Xichen back to health. He had spent the a whole month with the young man who had not even once shown his whole face to him nor said his name. At the day of parting, Lan Xichen asked the man his name and the young man smiled and said,
"A-Yao...."
Lan Xichen didn't know that when he spelled out the name of his savior loud when he saw many people froze hearing the name. The people include the young masters of Jin, Sect Leader of Qinghe and his brother and Madam Jiang.
He raised his eyes at them but none of them said anything to him and they went back to rest as now waited for Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian to wake up.
The next day Jiang Cheng woke up but Wei Wuxian didn't and then the people told him about his core and how Wei Wuxian donated his to him.
Jiang Cheng couldn't help but feel angst at this and he yelled at anyone who came near him but Wen Qing didn't bother with Jiang Cheng's tantrum and still began to treat him to heal him back.
A week after, Jiang Cheng calmed down and went to his brother who was still in deep sleep and let his emotions out a out how he use to feel when his father compared him with Wei Wuxian, how Jiang Yanli use to take sides with him, how his mother treated him and Wei Wuxian differently. The whole night he let out his feelings out slept next to Wei Wuxian.
The next morning, Wei Wuxian woke and saw his brother with tear stain on his cheeks. He rushed to brush the tears that are still continuing to flow when Jiang Cheng woke up and he hugged Wei Wuxian tight and called him an idiot for giving him his core but Wei Wuxian protested and they argued and let their feelings out and at the end they laughed.
After recovery of Wei Wuxian, they all planned to take down Wen Ruohan with now new allies like Zhao Zhuliu, who had regained his old name, Xue Yang and his best friend, Lian Yue along with Chang Ping, the young Master of Yueyang Sect and rogue swordmen who fight for Justice named Xiao Xingchen, the former discipline of the immortal Baoshan Sanren who has secluded herself from the world and Song Lan, the discipline of Xu Qirui, one of the most skillful scholar and fighter, who gave up his dream to be one of the most brave, fearless and loyal General, in order to teach the teachings which he received from his teacher to the orphan children who would had not got education. Then there was the Sect Leader of Laoling, Qin Cangye and other Sect Leaders of the smaller regions of Xi Dynasty.
Wei Wuxian after having his core given to Jiang Cheng was not allowed to go on the battlefield as there are high chances of his death. So he, Jiang Fengmian, Yu Ziyuan would take care of the people that were injured during the war along with Jiang Yanli, Wen Qing, Luo Qianyang, the most trustworthy servant of Jin Zixuan, Qin Su, the daughter of Qin Cangye and Madam Qin and Madam Jin too arrived to help them.
Jin Guangshan however had no interest in fighting a war against Wen Ruohan. His interest was to become the Emperor as he knows all the major regions has suffered enough damaged any they will more concentrate on rebuilding their regions other than aiming at position of Emperor.
His Sect did not suffer any damage and then he decided to help others so the others help him to be the Emperor and rule the Xi Dynasty.
The letter from the spy reached Lan Xichen and in the letter it is said that the time of attack should be within next week otherwise a week later, Wen Ruohan will have enough support from his best friend, Chen Ruolan, the Sect Leader of Lijiang region to suppress the rebels.
They prepared to plan an attack on Qishan when Wei Wuxian came to them and announced that he will too participate in the war and when other opposed, Lan Wanji supported Wei Wuxian saying,
"Wei Ying has half of mine golden core. He will participate in it."
Lan Qiren can't help but feel a headache. They inquired about how half golden core was transplanted and whether they have any side effects but Wei Wuxian told that it was Wen Qing who did it for them and whatever questions they have, they will have to ask to them.
Wen Qing answered their and told that it was safe and there are no side effects and they planning of war began much quicker with the help of Wei Wuxian.
After two days they attacked Qishan. The war was ferocious, so many soldiers ok both the sides were killed and blood was scattered. As they turned to kill Wen Ruohan, his best friend Chen Ruolan came with his army of soldiers and the battle continued to be further bloody.
Lijiang Sect soliders turned their Sect Leader Chen Ruolan down by offering themselves to the rebels on one condition as they will not harm the people of Lijiang region and help them with the selection of Lijiang region. The rebels agreed but asked them the reason to betray their Sect Leader, and Chen Jiaying, the Lijiang doctor and Chen Hongyan, the brave solider, they are the one of the most trusted people of Lijiang solider said that their leader is as cruel as Emperor Wen Ruohan and they wanted them to take them down.
Having the support of Lijiang soldiers, the common people and the soldiers of the Qishan too got the courage to rebel against the Emperor and helped them to smuggle inside the Qishan as they have suffered enough.
As they entered the gates of the Nightless, Wen Ruohan and Chen Ruolan were there with their few trusted men and they had a battle. At the end Wen Ruohan and Chen Ruolan were alone and were about to attack Zewu-jun from back when the spy revealed himself to the rebels by slicing off the heads of Wen Ruohan and Chen Ruolan.
Lan Xichen looked at the spy who called himself A-Yao, who still has the mask on his face. Nie Huaisang went to the spy and hugged him and inquired about his injuries and he brushed off saying nothing. Nie Mingjue went to the spy and announced the rest people that he was the spy and he will be given the title of Lianfang-zun.
The young masters of Jin went to the spy and moved him to the medical and helped him get treated. After done with the treatment, he asked all the major Generals, captains and other high ranking officers to meet him.
All of them gathered in the room where the spy revealed his name to be Zheng Meng Yao, the son of Zheng Meng Shi also known as Meng Shi, the concubine of General Jin Guangshan, the granddaughter of a very powerful General Zheng Yuanming.
He told the officials that the Emperor position should not remain vacant for a very long time as there are other people who would seize this opportunity and cause imbalance in Xi Dynasty which will result in the collapse of Xi Dynasty. So the new Emperor should be appointed soon before the imbalance in Xi Dynasty starts to take place.
Everyone nodded at him and agreed with him as Zheng Meng Yao was known for his sharp eyesight, silver tongue and wisdom given who is mother and Great Grandfather. Everyone present here knows who Zheng Meng Yao is aiming that would claim to be the next Emperor and his father Jin Guangshan who is at odds Zheng Meng Yao.
The elders of the major regions agreed with Zheng Meng Yao and took out two names fitting to be the Emperor of Xi Dynasty and that are Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue.
Everyone was confused who should be the Emperor as both the candidates were perfect for the choice for the position 9f Emperor. They decided that the position of Emperor should be given to the Nie Mingjue as his is elder to Lan Xichen and everyone agreed except Nie Mingjue himself who stated that he is short tempered and has no interest in politics and now that he is engaged with the daughter of Qiao Shuai, the Sect Leader of Kunming he wants to be at peace after all this blood shed.
As Nie Mingjue opted out from the position of the Emperor, Lan Xichen was declared as the Emperor and everyone agreed except for Jin Guangshan who arrived late at the Nightless City when he got the news about Lan Xichen has become the new Emperor of Xi Dynasty.
He looked around and saw his eldest son, Zheng Meng Yao and understood that it was his son's idea. He greeted the new Emperor but in his heart there was a raging fire and he vowed to bring Lan Xichen down along with his eldest son, Zheng Meng Yao.
Emperor Lan Xichen then announced that the common people and soldiers of Lijiang and Qishan region who has joined them against their Sect Leaders under the care and leadership of Sect Leader of Qinghe, Nie Mingjue and new Sect Leader of Yunmeng, Jiang Cheng respectfully until everything is settled down and after a year, they will receive their new Sect Leader.
Emperor Lan Xichen announced that Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan as his General and gifted them the region of Xizhou and Shuhai as the Sect Leader. He then announced Xue Yang and Lian Yue as the Captain of Xizhou and Shuhai respectively as he saw how both of the delinquents would follow the order of both Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan.
Emperor Lan Xichen then announced his third and last order that General Jin Guangshan and General Lin Haibo will fund the regions that were severely damaged as both of these Generals are extremely wealthy.
He then turned towards Lianfang-zun and thanked him for helping them and saving him from Wen Ruohan. He then asked Lianfang-zun for rewards when Lianfang-zun bowed to him and said,
"Your Majesty, I request you to let my younger brother, Mo Xuanyu and his mother to be set free from General Jin Guangshan. Let Concubine Mo get divorce from General Jin Guangshan and let them both of them be free."
Everyone were surprised with this demand from Lianfang-zun and then Emperor Lan Xichen can't help but announced the divorce agreement of General Jin Guangshan and Concubine Mo and their son would be with Concubine Mo.
That's when Emperor Lan Xichen realized there is more to A-Yao. A-Yao has caught his eyes and Lan Xichen wishes to know more about A-Yao.
As Lan Xichen was lost in the thoughts of the war and A-Yao when he felt someone's hand on his shoulder and saw that it was none other than Nie Mingjue.
"Your Majesty, you seemed to be lost in thoughts and may I know what is it?"
Nie Mingjue asked when Lan Xichen faced him and said,
"Da-ge, how many times I have told you to call me Xichen in private. Yes, I was lost in thoughts of the past year where there was bloodshed and now there is stability."
"Xichen, in the past year everything settled back to normal. People are happy and that's because of you."
"Da-ge, it's not only me, it was you, Uncle, Wanji, Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, Wen Qing, Chen Jiaying...."
As Lan Xichen said this, Nie Mingjue sneered hearing Chen Jiaying's name and said,
"Xichen how can that arrogant woman help you with decisions but anyway it was your right decisions and we supported it. Now people are happy. See these lanterns in all around, people are really happy as they have began to celebrate the festivals again."
Lan Xichen looked around and saw that the whole world was now lit with the light and is glowing. It has been so many years since Lantern Festival was celebrated in Xi Dynasty and now it is celebrated again.
"Come Xichen, let's lit the lantern and pray for prosperity of Xi Dynasty."
Nie Mingjue said and both Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue light the lantern and let go the lantern in the sky.
With one wishing for prosperity of Xi Dynasty and one wishing to meet Lianfang-zun again tomorrow in the court.
Far away in the Imperial Garden of Gusu, one person was too wishing to meet the Emperor tomorrow.