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Chapter Text

Wen Ruohan had primarily hosted this discussion conference to finalize his assessment of whether the other sects would cause him trouble when he decided to do away with all the false trappings of them being anywhere near his equal.

Since the founding of the Wen sect, his clan has always been a step above the rest of the cultivation world. While Wen Ruohan could admit that the sects have improved over the years, even turning out the occasional great talent, they still stunk of stagnation. Trapped in the past, unwilling to change. Wen Ruohan however, could not say the same. He grew in power, in skill, and brought his sect with him. 

The others, for all their supposed superiority, were well aware of the Wen’s might. Staying silent at his slights, none even entertaining him with a reaction.

He had resigned himself to hours of them skirting around the subject of his seat placements, of his motifs, of everything, when a ghostly face caught his eye. 

Her eyes stared up at him from amidst a sea of muddied waste, like a gem peeking from the worthless rock around it in a mine.

Wen Ruohan waved off the bowing Wen disciples, ignoring the normal useless chatter of the sect leaders discussing the pomp of the ceremony before them. The boy was dressed in black robes, with only a few hints of purple mixed into the gray and red colors for all that he’s supposedly part of the Jiang sect, judging from his placement next to that Jiang Fengmian’s get, most likely their head disciple. 

While he normally brushed off much of the useless gossip that his spymasters reported from the other sects, even he had been mildly amused by the story of Jiang Fengmian elevating a most likely illegitimate son to the position of head disciple over his true born heir, and his vicious wife’s reaction to it. He hadn’t been sure whether to applaud the man for recognizing talent outside of their precious legitimate, well-bred heirs in a way few other Sect Leaders did, or to scoff at the man for being so weak willed that he let his wife trample over him. 

What was the child's name again?

Wen Ruohan’s intrigue piqued further as that face loudly touted, surprisingly enough, Wen Qionglin’s skill with the bow. He had never paid much attention to Wen Qing’s younger brother, save to make sure that he was where he was supposed to be so Wen Ruohan’s people could keep an appropriate watch over him and the doctor didn’t cause unnecessary fuss in her worry. 

Wen Qionglin’s sad performance matched what Wen Ruohan expected from the boy’s teachers’ reports. Wen Qing’s little brother was important only due to his blood and how his happiness mattered to his more brilliant sister.

What did strike him as interesting however, was the way Wen Qionglin still followed the boy with his gaze, like a flower following the sun. He wondered what had happened to inspire such loyalty in his young cousin.

Wen Ruohan tapped his finger against his arm as time passed, keeping count of each flare that burst for Yunmeng Jiang, wondering which were the result of the boy that had caught his attention so vividly.

He remained silent as he watched, a looming sense of satisfaction settled through him in spite of the pitiful amount of Wen flares. The feeling made it easier than usual to ignore the gloating looks Nie Mingjue unabashedly aimed at him , and the expressions others carefully hid behind their cups. He noted with idle amusement that despite the freely offered wine, all of them stuck to tea, excepting of course, Jin Guangshan. They were like mice scenting a cat, on edge and unwilling to dull their senses.

He could not help but keep an eye on Jiang Fengmian however, as he now knew the man had in his hands something Wen Ruohan did not know he had been missing. After all, Wen Ruohan had never met Cangse Sanren, which was a true shame as she must have been incredibly like her breathtaking mother. Given the boy’s eyes were identical, he couldn’t imagine the mother’s being any different. And even he had heard of her brightness, her wild spirit, and her willingness to argue against convention if she thought it in the right. All traits the boy shared as well. 

It was no surprise to Wen Ruohan that the competition ended with the boy in the top five presented to the Sect Leaders. His displeasure at not having any of his own sect placing among them banked to embers upon seeing him up close and at seeing the boy’s success light up his eyes. He truly had the same contagiously lively air as his grandmother.

Wei Wuxian, was the name as the presented child bowed.

Yes, of course. Wei from the child’s supposed servant father. Wuxian, the courtesy name that meant “without envy”, obviously given to remind him of his apparent place. 

As Jiang Fengmian congratulated him, Wei Wuxian laughed joyously, infecting those around him with just a bit more cheer. 

Wei Wuxian.

How perfect.

XxXxX

Later that evening, just as he had reached his rightful place at the head of the banquet hall he stopped, as if contemplating something. Courtesy dictated that none of the others could sit before he did. He privately placed a bet with himself on which Sect leader would bristle first, and Nie Mingjue did not disappoint, his frown quickly reaching the levels that preceded an explosion of the infamous Nie temper. Nie Mingjue’s father had shared that same temper. 

Wen Ruohan took his seat, breaking the tantrum like a thunderstorm on a mountain. He didn’t even look to his side as he waved his second son away. “Go sit with the rest of the disciples.”

His words carried enough that they caught the attention of the room, the idle chatter and shuffling of a crowd finding their seats and settling down ceased.

“W-what? But Father – my place-”

“Given your showing today, why should you sit in a place of honor at a banquet celebrating success?" Chao-er recoiled, face turning red as he puffed up in indignation but ultimately deflated in silence in face of Wen Ruohan’s look before walking away, aping like it was his intention from the beginning despite the fact that everyone overheard it all..

Chao-er’s lack of merit and accomplishment in his wasteful life has annoyed him in the past, but the clear excellence that Wei Wuxian showed has put them in even more stark relief. How fortunate for Wen Ruohan that the place at his side could now be filled by someone more worthy than that wastrel. 

Wen Ruohan motioned to the servant standing ready at his back. “Have Wei Wuxian come forward.” 

The servant bowed unhesitatingly, and watched them do that quick, graceful scurry of well-trained servants down the hall. 

To their credit, the Jiang sect reacted quickly to the servant’s approach, quickly identifying that the man was aiming for them and shoring up their ranks in response. 

The servant bowed to Jiang Fengmian before he passed along Wen Ruohan’s summons. Jiang Fengmian's face shuttered in the way of a man trying desperately not to let his fear show, his son's face twisted as he failed to contain his anxiety, his hand moving to grip Wei Wuxian's robes as if that could stop such a talented cultivator from leaving him. 

Wei Wuxian, ha…

Wei Wuxian looked straight up to meet his eyes without hesitation. Carefully extracting himself from the Jiang heir’s hold, he approached fearlessly, his steps steady, with a geniality on his face that most people fail to muster in Wen Ruohan’s direct presence. He stopped before Wen Ruohan, still perfectly calm and gave a flawless salute, contrary to rumors of his ill-mannered nature.

Wen Ruohan felt the stirrings of delight, something he had not felt in years.

Yes.

This was the perfect attitude, the perfect strength of character.

“Take your place,” he ordered, indicating what was previously Chao-er’s seat. Wei Wuxian’s perfect face flickered just a second, momentary indecision giving way to calculation, clear as anything to Wen Ruohan’s watchful eyes as the statement echoed throughout the room, silencing all in its wake.

The more scheming of the rabble around them darted glances to Chao-er, who couldn’t hide his dismay.

“Sect Leader Wen,” Wei Wuxian said, cautiously bowing again. “I am not worthy of th-”

“You are.”

Wei Wuxian's mouth shut with a snap. Wen Ruohan endured his questioning look at Jiang Fengmian only because the man’s resigned approval meant Wei Wuxian settled beside him.

He would learn who to look to in time.

With everything now as Wen Ruohan desired, his well-trained servants took the silent cue to flood the room with trays of food and drink. He had spared no expense for the feast, desiring to show the world the wonders of his sect and their place in relation to it. He was grateful he had done so as the boy’s eyes widened just a fraction at the selections of the laden table. 

Hushed conversations started about the room in fits and spurts, the room unusually quiet for a celebration. 

The quiet seemed to have infected Wei Wuxian, as well, who for all intents and purposes appeared to be creatively rearranging his food instead of eating.

“Are you not hungry?”

Magnetic eyes flew to his, chopsticks snagging something at random and stuffing it in his mouth. He quickly chewed and swallowed. “Just admiring the excellent cuisine.”

“Then have some more,” he replied, personally serving more of the dishes that he noticed the boy was eyeing into the boy’s bowl.

The muttering from the rabble around them picked up, which both of them ignored, Wen Ruohan in favor of continuing to gaze at Wei Wuxian, who was trying to hide how he was looking at his food like he’d be able to tell if it were somehow poisoned. Wei Wuxian sent what he probably thought was a surreptitiously cautious look his way from behind a curled bang that fell loose as he nibbled at the spiced chicken. He bit back a smile at the sight. 

Before Wen Ruohan realized it, he reached out to tuck the lock of hair behind the boy’s ear, running his fingers around his eyes before he cupped the boy’s cheek.

The boy stilled, watching him.

Wei Wuxian had all the parts of her that he loved most. Especially their shared eyes. Black and silver blending in his eyes made that same gleaming, shifting stormy gray as hers, with identical ink black lashes surrounding them causing them to look wide and bright, though while hers had held desire, his were filled with caution.

That fiery woman who had left him waiting for her without a word as she disappeared to Baoshan Sanren's mountain, apparently taking his unborn child with her.

Because there was no doubt about it. Several of the features that weren’t his grandmother’s obviously came from Wen Ruohan himself. He saw the curve of Wei Wuxian's eyebrows and the twist of his lip every day in his bronze mirror.

Wen Ruohan felt his heart soar as he spotted the way Wei Wuxian’s ear dipped just a little at the tip as his own did.

Which features of his did Cangse Sanren inherit? He doubted she’d look like her brothers. 

Wen Xu looked like a watered down version of him, as if someone had listened to a third-hand description of Wen Ruohan and reproduced it in his son. The slim figure he had inherited from his mother did little to craft his features into something wholly unique. His first born could follow instructions and work exactly to expectations, but had no inner creative light to drive him to excel beyond that. And Wen Chao, Wen Chao favored Wen Ruohan’s own father, round faced and as blunt as his failure filled personality. He was more interested in seeming important and having women fawn over him as he lazed about than to be of actual use.

If his wife still lived, he’d have tried for a third son rather than continue to abide by the disappointment of his second. Unfortunately after the double blows of her death and that woman leaving him, he never felt the draw to another and thus resigned himself to a disappointing lineage. 

Wei Wuxian however....

Wen Ruohan sat in wonder at that woman’s irrepressibility returned to him combined with his own cunning in her perfect, silvery eyes. It all mixed together in a boy more bright and unique than anyone he had ever seen. Wen Ruohan felt his very spirit be moved as he had never before felt, reminding him of how his mother described holding him and his siblings in the moments after their births. 

He felt not like a cat toying with a mouse as he so often did, but one warmly indulging a kitten learning how to hunt.

To think he was the sort of grandfather that gave into something as banal as indulgence.

He unconsciously tilted his head in thought, trying to decide if this sudden attachment was a weakness, only to feel a bit of warmth spread through him as he realized how much the gesture was like the one his grandson had done earlier to try and distract him, even in something so insignificant, the boy was like him. 

No, this was not a weakness. What grandfather wouldn’t take joy in an accomplished, wonderful grandson like Wei Wuxian and burn the world to ash if anything threatened him.

“I can’t see you cowering like a mouse at all,” he stated, not needing any reply. He couldn’t help the flicker of a smile as he threaded his fingers through his grandson’s hair. The texture matched Wen Ruohan’s, but the curl must have come from Wei Changze as his grandmother's hair had been as straight as his own.

Had Wei Changze tamed his hair, or did he wear it as loosely bound as his son? Wen Ruohan regretted only having paid him the barest passing attention so long ago. The man must have been something to have caught his daughter’s eye and contributed so well to his grandson.

He dropped his hand to grasp his wine but could not keep his eyes away from the boy.

Wei Wuxian breathed deeply, face perfectly poised. Others would undoubtedly be distracted by the head tilt and the bright grin, missing the sharp mind unraveling them, those gray eyes calculating as he planned his next move. How many idiots thought the boy careless? Wei Wuxian’s chin tilted to a degree that bordered on challenging from the way it let the boy look down his nose at him, but only served to give Wen Ruohan another chance to admire him. 

Most would have been distracted by his insolent smile, consequently most likely missing just how calculated the degree of insolence was even as their hackles would rise at it.

“Mice have the tendency to be eaten, Sect Leader.” Wen Ruohan wouldn’t call the approving sound he made a laugh, but it was close. How daring of his grandson to try and provoke him, and in the heart of his sect no less!

“Good. Never start doing so.” Confusion edged the defiant smile endearingly.

He let himself be momentarily distracted by a vision of having his grandson by his side after the conference. He could easily force Jiang Fengmian into compliance if the man protested.

But no, that would not do. 

While Wen Ruohan’s word would be enough if he claimed relation to the boy, the lack of physical proof would always cast doubt. Though Wei Changze had left the Yunmeng Jiang, those ties still existed, especially with Jiang Fengmian raising Wei Wuxian after the death of his parents, of Wen Ruohan’s own daughter, whom he had not known existed until this day. 

For all Wen Ruohan knew there had been some type of sworn bond that caused the man to value Wei Wuxian as much as his own son for all he had not given Wei Wuxian the honor of adopting him directly. With all the years and resources he had spent to raise the boy the man would have a greater claim than the family of the daughter that married his servant.

And Wei Wuxian had been brought up to be a promising head disciple. It would do Wen Ruohan no good to force the boy from those peasants he'd been raised to be attached to. 

If Wen Ruohan was anything, he was patient. 

Patient enough that he could quietly, subtly, lure the youth in until the boy had recognized his true place and come to the Wen of his own volition.

Wen Ruohan made a mental note to remove Lotus Pier from the sects to make an example of using martial power. Even when Wei Wuxian took his rightful place, from what he could gather of the boy Wei Wuxian would likely still hold some sentimentality towards the place, just as Wen Qing did for those useless commoners of the Dafan Wen branch that had raised her and her brother.

It would be a fitting gift for his coming of age, Wen Ruohan thought. Wei Wuxian would have Yunmeng and Lotus Pier whole and hale. 

Wei Wuxian is of an age that a certain amount of independence would do him some good, especially as he had spent so many of his formative years undoubtedly not being treated as he should be, his mind poisoned by his inferiors to think that he owed them deference. 

Yes, having him lead an outpost would be good for the boy. 

He’d have to select his advisors and cohort carefully though, to ensure that the boy’s affection and prior history did not give way to being taken advantage again by the Jiangs.

Wen Ruohan pointedly sipped his wine. “The praiseworthy skill you showed today speaks highly of the Jiang’s training.”

Wei Wuxian shrugged nonchalantly, but Wen Ruohan could easily see the forced nonchalance in the gesture that could only come with practice. The boy gave a wide grin just short of flippant, and a shrug that would have infuriated one prone to short temper. “Sect leader Jiang, Madam Yu, and the other senior disciples were admirable teachers, but I spend far too much time hunting pheasants and shooting kites instead of the fields. Much more fun for someone who can’t stay still like me!”

The comment, for all its supposed innocence, could easily be taken as an insult given his own sect’s failure during the competition. He’d have ground anyone else into dust at even the implication. Instead, even to his own surprise, he smiled, finding himself as tolerant as an old cat with a kitten chewing its ear.

The boy dared to test him! Dared to say something like that to his face when others would have obfuscated, speak of hard work or pretend to take from his sect’s example in their training to avoid offending him!

The boy was bearing his tiny kitten teeth and his good, though obvious, attempts at deflection. 

Wen Ruohan was almost proud.

“The most useful part of teaching is practical application,” he replied, undercutting whatever reaction Wei Wuxian was hoping to garner. “Teachers are just there to polish one’s true talent, after all.” And Wei Wuxian has true talent, his superior blood breeding true and utilized masterfully. “Do you enjoy hunting?” If Wei Wuxian actually enjoyed the activity he’d need to review the reports from the forester to find something similar.

“Of course!” Wei Wuxian grinned, his eyes flinting just a bit at the edges before being replaced with a deliberately wide-eyed look reminiscent of a kitten begging for more ear scratches.

In between constantly serving choice portions of food in Wei Wuxian’s bowl, Wen Ruohan listened to the rambles on childish wanderings, night hunts, and likely edited shenanigans he was able to prod the boy into sharing. Each story highlighted Yunmeng’s delicious food and entertainment, which reinforced Wen Ruohan’s earlier note to gift the location to his grandson.

With time, (and the wine that Wen Ruohan made sure to refill his cup with) the tension gradually left the boy’s frame. While he did not get appreciably drunk as Chao-er would, his words grew less carefully polite, less cautious of letting details of his own strength slip through, though he still had enough of his wit about him to avoid saying anything that would allow Wen Ruohan to find offense in anyone but Wei Wuxian. 

Despite a deluge of words designed to overwhelm and wash over anyone listening, Wen Ruohan was able to pick apart the tales for hints of hidden excellence. Despite his careful delicacy, it quickly became apparent that Wei Wuxian was always at the forefront, creating clever solutions for the most mundane issues or to save his shidis from the messes they found themselves in. He was the one to figure out whatever the threat was and guide those with him to neutralize it, even if the threat was a mere farmer that caught them picking lotus seeds.

And it was all far too consistent to be the type of false boasting that his idiot second son often employed. 

No. This, this combined with his skill earlier, was real. A clear sign of a powerful, knowledgeable leader in the making.

After about two jars, Wei Wuxian became animated enough to start talking with his hands and he became unguarded enough with Wen Ruohan’s constant approving nods and encouraging questions to explain about some spells and talismans he’d created to aid in his various escapades.

Wen Ruohan had never cared to experiment much with talismans or spellwork outside of his own interests, he found that mastering currently known variations to be enough. Still, he knew enough of the theory of modifying them to know how finicky it could be. Of the few people he knew that attempted to modify known talismans or create new ones, none could do so as casually, as successfully, as Wei Wuxian.

How was this not known? How was a mind like his grandson’s not widely celebrated and lauded? 

The fact that no one recognized his genius was just more proof that they needed to be brought in line. 

By the time the dishes were no longer served, with only wine, teas, and sweet snacks freely flowing and being replenished, Wen Ruohan had finally earned an actual smile from Wei Wuxian instead of his earlier mask-like one, crowned by a peal of that bright laughter for a comment comparing certain sect leaders to a flock of chickens that attacked some of his shidis during a night hunt.

Soon, the Jiang Sect rose, moving to leave the party, with Jiang Fengmian and his touchy spawn moving to bow to him as host, causing Wei Wuxian to start. Wen Ruohan couldn’t help but smirk a bit at the fact that he had been such a focus of his grandson’s attention. 

The boy raised an eyebrow at him, giving that calculative head tilt and that deliberately provoking smile again. “Have I entertained you enough with my foolishness this evening, Sect Leader Wen?” 

Wen Ruohan couldn’t help but laugh at the audacity of his marvelous grandson. He waved the boy off. The youth rose to his feet and darted to join the Jiangs after cutting a perfectly executed bow. 

He watched as Wei Wuxian was subsumed in a wall of purple and felt a pang of something deep in his chest. 

“Wei Wuxian,” he called as Jiang Wanyin reached out to pull the head disciple near in a gesture that seemed almost as possessive as it was protective, interrupting the sect heir from whatever uselessn drivel he intended to whisper in his grandson’s ear.

The boy froze for a moment before turning and bowing to him. 

“I expect you back in the Nightless City a month from now.” Though he had noted the boy relaxing throughout the night, the sudden tenseness of his shoulders certainly emphasized it again.

Wen Ruohan did not frown so as not to worry Wei Wuxian, but it took a certain amount of control he did not appreciate needing to use. He took a sip of wine to ease the sting. 

“For what purpose do you require my head disciple for, Sect Leader Wen?” Jiang Fengmian stepped forward blocking his view. “Perhaps I might be able to provide a suitable alternative.”

Wen Ruohan smiled into his cup, his voice loud enough to echo through the banquet hall all the same. “I enjoyed our conversation.” He carefully set his cup down, meeting the man’s eyes. He’d never particularly liked Jiang Fenmian, nor hated him. Today that had changed. The man had spent so much time with his daughter, with his grandson, with those Wen Ruohan had been denied of all this time.

He could not quite stop some of his ire from leaking into his voice as he stared down at this man who had had so much of what should have been his. “I enjoyed it enough that if he does not come, I shall simply have to seek him out myself.”

Jiang Fengmian paled, which Wen Ruohan ignored as he offered a sincere smile to the boy behind him before rising and leaving the hall himself, seeing no reason to stay any longer.

XxXxX

Impatience was a less than ideal experience. And not one that Wen Ruohan was accustomed to. 

Clasping his wrist behind his back so hard that his bones creaked, Wen Ruohan focused on his grandson approaching from the air. 

Even before he stopped perceiving time the way commoners did so long ago, he could call himself a patient man. He’d been able to face each new experience, every test, each challenge with a measured response and the steady, precise actions of a cat hunting a mouse. He has cultivated near enough to immortality that time has lost any significant sway over him. Cultivation, the strength of his sect and it’s wellbeing, everything would be his with a little planning and time. He had yet to face a challenge he could not conquer, save once and even that failure had resulted in the marvelous boy approaching where he stood at the entrance to the palace proper.

He felt more on edge than he could ever quite recall as he waited for that figure to alight in front of him, save for the tense weeks he had waited for her to return to him after a night hunt, before he received her missive that she had left the mortal realms of cultivation for Baoshan Sanren's mountain.

For the first time since he’d waited , there was something coming to him that was not there right when he wanted it to be.

This whole month has felt similar to that.

Finally, an attendant announced the arrival of the Jiang head disciple. Wen Ruohan took a moment to give his grandson a onceover to make sure that the intervening month had been good to him. 

Wei Wuxian’s posture appeared neatly efficient, loose and comfortable in the air, his hair a wavy whip behind him. Rather than the black with purple edgings, he was in traditional purple Yunmeng Jiang disciple robes. The dye still bright and new, clashing with the more worn and obviously well-loved wrist guards and accessories he wore. 

Wen Ruohan released his hold on himself with a smile and stepped forward as Wei Wuxian expertly slipped to the ground before him. The boy immediately gave a bow, a bright grin splitting his cheeks. 

“Welcome, Wei Wuxian,” Wen Ruohan stated before the boy could say any type of false platitude drilled into him by Jiang Fengmian. 

A light flush with a hint of sweat, and a thin coat of dust on the hem of flight-mussed purple robes gave him the perfect opportunity to draw him into where he belonged. “Come, refresh yourself before lunch.” 

Wei Wuxian looked a bit unsure for a moment, but recovered with the speed of someone used to having to hide his reactions. “Thank you, Sect Leader Wen.” 

Wen Ruohan shifted, clearly indicating where he wanted his grandson to fall in step with him. Wei Wuxian paused, taking the gesture in before obeying.

Wen Ruohan did not make a practice of personally greeting his guests on their arrival, instead preferring to unsettle them by making them wait even if he had ordered they come to him, so it made sense that Jiang Fengmian had prepared Wei Wuxian for something entirely different than a one on one tour, guided by the Chief Cultivator himself. 

He found it amusing to make people squirm after all, and haughty men used to getting their own way blustered so entertainingly when ignored. While Wen Ruohan still thought them foolish for their displays of temper, currently he found himself slightly, just slightly mind you, sympathetic to their plight, for it was only right that everyone should be as impatient to see him as he was to see Wei Wuxian.

In his periphery his servants scurried ahead of them, undoubtedly passing word of his grandson's arrival and triple checking that arrangements met the standards Wen Ruohan ordered for this visit.

Setting a leisurely pace, he took a winding route so that he could explain more about the city to his boy. The palace of the Nightless City had originally been a fortress, expanded upon and enriched by countless generations of Wens even before Wen Mao turned the cultivation world on its head. There was a certain power in the knowledge of the more meandering routes though the expansive building, of the understanding of how each of the additions fit together and had been repurposed over the years to reflect the growing grandeur of the Sect.

As they meandered towards the family quarters, located in the oldest, most secure parts of the palace, he pointed out some of the more visually stunning clan landmarks. Wei Wuxian glanced at most of them with only mild appreciation, politely commentating on them in response. He only made impressed noises or asked questions on the best pieces with a discerning eye that Wen Ruohan appreciated. In fact, most pieces he liked were Wen Ruohan’s own favorites. 

He had prepared a few more… superfluous gifts to see Wei Wuxian’s reaction, but given the way he didn’t even glance at neither gold nor gilt, and seemed only interested in either unique, well-made weaponry or cultivation artifacts, he felt encouraged that the boy was not the type to be swayed by the foolish trappings of wealth, women, and the opinions of others as Chao-er is.

While he disagreed with what was likely the reason the Jiangs had chosen Wuxian as his grandson’s courtesy name, it did seem to fit his nature. He’d need to test further to know how deep that selfless behavior went. 

He had the feeling that as he brought the boy to where he belonged, Wei Wuxian would get everything he deserved, though it may not be necessarily what he expected or wanted.

When they finally reached the family quarters, Wen Ruohan led Wei Wuxian to a door with beautifully painted panels depicting a firebird in full flight over the Qishan Wen volcano, crowned by a rising sun, only a few doors down from his own rooms.

“Thank you for your generosity, Sect Leader Wen!” Wei Wuxian bowed, practically throwing the door open and darting in before the servant stationed by them could even reach the handle to let him in. 

Wen Ruohan entered sedately after him, enjoying the small gasp of surprised pleasure as the boy took in the living area. 

Wen Ruohan had the space renovated for Wei Wuxian’s arrival. There was much work to be done as they had sat unused for many years. His brother would have hated the new look, being far more a fan of gold and gilt than even Chao-er. Killing him had caused Wen Ruohan no sorrow. His generation had fought viciously for the position of sect leader, and that act had been the last to clear the way for his ascension. 

 The key element of the room was still the Wen sun motif, but with ivy vines and lilies artfully adorning the walls, which were about as the closest he could stand to lotuses. The upholstery had been changed to shades of blue and green though, instead of the reds that previously dominated the room. He’d had them expand the bathing room to include a much larger tub given the many stories of swimming Wei Wuxian had told. He’d also increased the shelving in the study and had them fully stocked with books, theory scrolls, talisman paper, high grade cinnabar, a whole range of inks, and everything else he could think of.

“Is it to your liking?” 

Wei Wuxian startled from where he had wandered to poke at a vanity, which if Wei Wuxian opened the drawers and the boxes, he’d find to be stocked full with numerous hair ornaments, jewelry, and other baubles that Wen Ruohan had been able to source at such short notice. He had more under commision, including several that were altered from gifts meant for his grandmother. The boy seemed sentimental enough to appreciate such things. “Yes!” He hurriedly reassured, turning to bow with a bright grin. “I’ve never seen such wonderful guest rooms! Even the ones in Carp Tower that we used when visiting the peacock weren’t as grand!” 

“These rooms are not for guests, but you.” Wen Ruohan gestured at the suite. “Everything you see, has no owner but you.”

Wei Wuxian's curly hair bounced as his head tilted, his grin fading and eyes widening. Suddenly in that moment he looked so heartbreakingly like his grandmother like when Wen Ruohan had professed his love it caused his breath to catch. It seemed only fitting that the only person to cause his rare affection since her would be her own grandson. “I- I must have misunderstood?” Wei Wuxian asked nervously. “These can’t be my permanent rooms?” 

“You understood perfectly.” Wei Wuxian looked at him like a kitten faced with a choice between a treat and toy for the first time.

No. The boy could not doubt his place.

Wen Ruohan moved, too fluidly to spook the boy, revealing the tastefully done bathroom with the large currently steaming tub at the center, ready for Wei Wuxian. “I’ll leave you to your preparations, the servants will show you to lunch after.”

He pressed a hand on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder as he passed the boy, as if to anchor him to the Wen rooms.

Wen Ruohan found Xu-er waiting in the hall as he left. He quickly fell into step at his side as Wen Ruohan headed for the stairs. 

“He’s staying in the family quarters?” Wen Ruohan merely nodded.

A pause, his son actually thinking on his own for once. “Are you adopting him?” 

Wen Ruohan scoffed. “There is no need. He’s already mine.” 

Ignoring the nearly audible confusion and tight look Wen Xu shot back towards Wei Wuxian's rooms, Wen Ruohan picked up his pace. Though physically he looked to be in his early twenties, he had grown strong enough in cultivation that that was deceptive. By the time Wen Ruohan had been Xu-er’s age, he had taken over his sect, just like the boy’s age-mates did when the time came for them, though they did not fare nearly as well as his first born in terms of defying aging. 

Xu-er hadn't once tried to assassinate Wen Ruohan to take his place though, nor had he married or taken a concubine, and he showed little interest in fathering sons. 

He had no desire to succeed beyond what Wen Ruohan told him to do.

No creativity. 

He always made himself useful though, and more importantly remained staunchly loyal.

Now that Wen Ruohan had staked his claim on Wei Wuxian, Xu-er would defend Wei Wuxian to the death.

On the other hand, as always, Chao-er would be a problem. 

His youngest was extremely petty, though to his nearly infinitesimal credit was just clever enough to realize he’d be passed over in a second for his ineptitude. Chao-er might foolishly try to lash out and hurt Wei Wuxian in another halfwitted attempt to make himself appear as accomplished and merciless as his older brother.

Wen Ruohan had contemplated several times over the years halting his support of the boy, to just cut him loose and let him destroy himself. Unfortunately, him dying without providing heirs would not be ideal given Xu-er’s own lack of marriage. It was just wasteful enough that he abided by the embarrassment. Chao-er couldn’t even follow the simplest of Ruohan's instructions, needing babysitters (currently in the form of Wen Zhuliu which was a distinct underutilization of talent) to keep things even marginally on track.

Perhaps if Chao-er finally produced a child then Wen Ruohan would not regret his death?

He left Xu-er to head for the forges, based on what he had discerned of his grandson’s taste today he would need to have the forge master make a few alterations to Wei Wuxian's gifts. 

Then after that, he could do some work himself to whittle away the last hour before lunch.

At least that was what he planned before the head servant, Qian Heng, accompanied by a young male servant quickly crossed his office to bow before his desk. “Wen-zongzhu.” 

He raised an eyebrow.

Qian Heng, in an unusual show of reticence, bowed a second time with a nervous look on his face. 

“Be quick with it,” he ordered.

The man swallowed. “Sect Leader Wen, Young Master Wei stated that he did not need this servant’s assistance bathing, and was most insistent on being left alone to complete his preparations. To not offend the young master, this servant complied. However, while making the clothing substitution that you ordered, well…” The man trailed off and nodded the other servant forward.

The young man looked faint, but managed to hold it together, despite speaking more to the floor with an unnecessarily deep bow to avoid meeting his eyes. “Sect Leader Wen, this servant admits to their error, and begs for your mercy. When exchanging the young master’s travel robes for his dinner robes, this servant saw that the young master…” The man looked pale as a corpse, swallowing around the words he was trying to get out like a choking victim gasping for air.

Wen Ruohan glared at him, causing the man to shudder and collapse to his knees. “Speak whatever you mean to say quickly.”

“The young master is covered in lash scars across his back and legs, and while this servant did not have a proper look, there were several other mottled scars on his legs and arms, though those scars were old.”

Wen Ruohan carefully set his brush down. He stood, turned and faced the window. He carefully placed his hands behind his back, and clasped his wrist. His cultivation had already healed the bruising from earlier, but his grip tightened enough to replace it. He gazed at the view which overlooked the back gardens and rest of the Nightless City, nestled in the base of the volcano towering over them all.

Patience. 

Patience. 

“No one else saw?” He questioned. 

“No, Sect Leader. And this servant only told Qian Heng, Sect Leader, as this servant is otherwise unworthy to approach the Sect Leader.”

While it wasn’t ideal that he had glanced at Wei Wuxian when the other had demanded privacy, he’d been following Wen Ruohan’s orders when he did. And it was ultimately a good thing that his first instinct was to tell him. The servant could be useful in helping him keep an eye on Wei Wuxian as he adjusted to his new position. 

“You will be assigned to Wei Wuxian permanently going forward. You’re to be the only one allowed near his chambers when he’s bathing. I don’t think I have to say what will happen if someone else sees.”

He ignored their profuse gratitude for his mercy as he waved a hand to dismiss them. 

Wen Ruohan had re-read all the reports on Yunmeng Jiang for the past several years, skimming for any sign of his grandson, even as he set his spies to learn more. It was the most active his network had been in years, and given that it had been a month and they’d barely been able to return little more than hearsay and rumors, he would need to clean house with them if they had missed this.

All he’d learned was that Madam Yu was prone to scream at Wei Wuxian and frequently found fault in nearly everything he did, even more so than she did the rest of the Yunmeng Jiang disciples. She also compared her own son to Wei Wuxian frequently, with neither of them coming off favorably. 

There were also rumors speculating the reason behind the Jiang daughter's broken engagement to the Jin heir, and that Wei Wuxian played a major part of that, but no one seemed to agree on the details aside from the fact that he had attacked the Jin boy. Even that confirmation had come from Wen Qing’s report as she had been “studying” at Cloud Recesses with her brother to monitor their reactions to his increased aggressive tactics when it had happened. 

Had that been why?

Whatever the reason, he questioned his earlier thought to remove Lotus Pier from the list of Sects to force to their knees, but then he thought back to how Wei Wuxian seemed to dote on the younger Jiang disciples at the Discussion Conference, and how he cared enough for the Jiang daughter to cause the kind of disturbance that resulted in a broken engagement. 

Should he be planning to arrange his grandson’s marriage to her? 

Or did he think of her as a sister? 

He silently cursed his spies again for his lack of information. 

Again, he felt that impatience from earlier. 

This time to know more. 

He felt robbed. 

Grandchildren were often away from their grandparents, but he should have had time with Wei Wuxian whenever he wanted. 

With his daughter, who by all accounts was just as incredible as her mother. 

Wen Ruohan moved away from the window, walking at a deliberate pace to the family dining room. A servant immediately poured him a cup of wine after he seated himself as another line of servants brought in steaming dishes even though it was a half hour earlier than usual. The impeccable training of his servants showed through as he spotted several dishes more traditionally found in the Yunmeng region, and as he sipped his wine, he recognized one of his better vintages. 

Wen Xu quickly followed him in, sitting at his spot at Wen Ruohan’s right, more well trained and attuned to his Father’s whims than any other. He tapped his finger, waiting for his guest of honor to appear. Surely enough, Wei Wuxian rushed in shortly after, and Wen Ruohan bit back a smile at the servant’s hands that were not quite fast enough to pull away from straightening the boy’s robes before the door revealed him completely. 

Wei Wuxian looked breathtaking, as he was finally dressed befitting his station. 

The tailor had excellently managed the cut, despite only working off of Wen Ruohan’s estimates. The robes emphasized the boy’s lean muscular build, flowing around him perfectly. Even the boots appeared a perfect fit.

In place of the slightly ill-fitting Yunmeng Jiang purple robes, Wei Wuxian was draped in black with silver embroidery, with gray under-robes peeking through. While the official black and red Wen sect robes felt like too big of a push this early, the black could be passed off for Wei Wuxian’s own preferences for the color. Wen Ruohan smiled at the glitter of embroidered beetle wings circling his collar, providing an extra depth to the silver.

As Wei Wuxian straightened his posture from its gangly looseness from his run, beetle wings combined with his silver headpiece made his gray eyes look even more mercurial than usual as they darted hesitantly between himself and Xu-er. He quickly bowed. “This disciple apologies for keeping you waiting.”

“No need to be so formal.” Wen Ruohan waved to the empty seat beside him opposite Xu-er in invitation. The seat had remained empty since Wen Ruohan's wife died, more from practicality than sentiment as he found putting Xu-er between Chao-er and himself reduced the stupid ramblings of his second son as his older brother didn't hesitate in repeatedly beating him into the ground under the guise of training whenever he annoyed him. 

With barely visible hesitation, Wei Wuxian took the offered seat, another overly bright grin on his face. The servants quickly adjusted the seating placement and poured wine for the young master that smiled brightly at them in thanks. 

Wen Ruohan smirked into a sip of his own wine as he saw the way his people already seemed so enamored by the boy in his short time here. He looked forward to seeing how much more Wei Wuxian would endear himself to them without even realizing it.

Wen Ruohan kicked a light discussion off by asking the boy about his flight, wanting to further set the boy at ease. 

For all that Wei Wuxian spoke in response to Wen Ruohan’s prompts, almost rambling really, the conversation started off tense, his grandson still suspicious and deflective, especially in relation to questions about the Jiangs, though admiration for his shijie still managed to shine through. 

It was pleasantly surprising when Xu-er finally piqued Wei Wuxian's interest as he described the three months he had studied in Gusu before Wen Ruohan had recalled him to Qishan. 

His heir had better things to do than learn the precepts of another sect, especially when they placed so much emphasis on the incorrect fact that theirs were better than any others.

“I was only there for a few months too, but I got kicked out.” Wei Wuxian grinned, his hands gesturing lively with the force of keeping his shifting thoughts under control. “Looking back, I’m pretty sure Lan Qiren was looking for an excuse though, the old man really didn’t like me or my mother,” Wen Ruohan carefully took a sip of his wine, “it’s actually surprising I made it past the first class!”

Wen Ruohan felt intrigued. “What happened during the first class?”

“Ah,” a mischievous look flitted across Wei Wuxian’s features. “I suggested using resentful energy to deal with an angry ghost.” Wei Wuxian sniggered a bit. “Lan-xiansheng was kind enough to send me on my way for the day! Though really, I think he just had faith in my ability to dodge.”

"Dodge?" Xu-er asked. 

Wei Wuxian nodded, grinning widely. "He threw a book at my head!" Wen Ruohan almost choked on the bite of spiced chicken he'd eaten, imagining the stuffed up old curmudgeon actually losing his temper enough to do that.

After taking a sip of wine to clear his throat, Wen Ruohan smiled, delighted at everything about his grandson. “Have you used it?” He hadn’t even thought to harness resentful energy before as his experiments had been more focused on ways to hone his own Qi.

 “Used it?”

“Resentful energy.”

“It’s unorthodox,” Wei Wuxian frowned, an uneasy look crossing his face. “There are easier paths to cultivate when using resentful energy is so difficult.”

“That sounds like you’ve used it,” Wen Ruohan offered a soothing smile as Wei Wuxian immediately blanched. “Experience and experimentation are the keys to greatness, so I can hardly scold you for it if your mind led you on your path.. False modesty does not suit you.”

Wei Wuxian looked torn between looking like he’d been gut punched and like he’d heard the most unbelievable thing.

Wen Ruohan wanted to repay that look with the Jiangs’ hides. 

“Tell me about your experiments,” he prodded, 

Wei Wuxian recovered quickly, his face nearly blanking into a mostly neutral mask, but he hesitated a moment before replying, savoring his tea to buy time. Wen Ruohan patiently waited as he watched Wei Wuxian quickly calculating the risks through his eyes.

“It was more an accident rather than an experiment.” Wei Wuxian finally stated. “Some fierce corpses accidentally got released near me when I was unarmed. My throat almost got ripped out when I went to help, and when I reached out spiritually on instinct, instead I got resentful energy back.”

Wen Ruohan nodded encouragingly, trying to hide the feeling of pride welling up in him. The fact that energy manipulation of any form came instinctively to him spoke great things of his understanding of cultivation. 

“It fought my control pretty painfully. I held the fierce corpse long enough for Jiang Cheng to save me, but it left some after effects.” He opened and closed his hand almost unconsciously. “My arm was numb for days!” He finished with a sharp smile. “Not fun.” 

“From that, it sounds like an improved technique might solve your problem, rather than giving up entirely.” Wen Ruohan mused. “Have you ever practiced with qi manipulation or guiding spiritual energy? Not through talismans or spell work, but directly?” To demonstrate he waved a hand, destroying the wine cup at Chao-er’s empty seat. 

Wei Wuxian started, staring at the shards. “It’s not a core tenet of the Yunmeng Jiang teachings.”

Wen Ruohan felt a bubble of eager anticipation, not just because he wanted to see how the brilliant mind of his grandson would adapt to the challenge, but to pass on what the boy should have learned long ago and to see what heights he would reach with them. “I can teach you some techniques.”

As soon as Wei Wuxian had eaten enough to satisfy Wen Ruohan, he led him to the family training grounds. 

It didn’t take long for a ball of red spiritual energy the exact color of Wen Ruohan’s own to manifest before Wei Wuxian. He wanted to throw his head back and laugh in joy, but refrained so as to avoid distracting the boy. The ball stabilized and held for a moment, but shattered when Wei Wuxian opened his own eyes and startled at the sight.

“Wonderful first attempt!” Wei Wuxian perked up at the comment before immediately trying to look serious again. If even a quarter of the rumors surrounding Lotus Pier were accurate, his grandson had probably been given far less praise than he deserved from those afraid of upsetting Madam Yu. 

A pity. 

If he was this powerful now, how great would he be if he had been properly nurtured? Not that he wouldn't take every advantage the Jiangs had left him to win over his grandson, but it caused something deep in his heart to rage at seeing the bright boy so hampered by everyone around him. 

Wen Ruohan couldn’t wait to see the heights the boy would rise to after he saved the boy from those worms. 

Over the course of the rest of the day Wei Wuxian quickly memorized the core principles and, once he had relaxed and got more focused on learning instead of caution, started asking thoughtful, insightful questions. 

How foolish, he thought, of the Jiangs, the Lans, of all of them, to not prize such an eager, brilliant pupil. It truly showed why their proper place is beneath his feet. 

Far quicker than he had imagined, less than an hour after dinner in the training area as they discussed the history of several of the Wen sect principles and how they related to qi manipulation, Wei Wuxian had, of his own accord, made several of the mental connections needed to begin mastering Wen Ruohan’s signature skills. Wen Ruohan had only been able to laugh in delight and congratulate the boy who looked torn between shock and wonder at the praise, adorably bashful. 

“It is truly nothing when this one has such a wonde-” Wei Wuxian started, and Wen Ruohan cut him off with a wave, the smile on his face not diminishing one bit. 

“I’ll hear nothing of that fake modesty from you, it is astounding how quickly you’re picking this up. You are truly a bright star of your generation. You’re already on par with my sons when they had studied this for years. You deserve the praise.” 

He wasn’t even exaggerating. Wen Xu had talent, but his power had plateaued. He'd reached the peak of everything Wen Ruohan taught him and seemed content with his place, not striving further the way he would need to in order to truly be his match. Chao-er, well, the less said about that mess the better, especially with that boy failing at following his instructions as often as he did. 

Where his sons were unable to grow, Wei Wuxian seemed to thrive. 

Wen Ruohan spent Wei Wuxian’s time in the Nightless City drowning him in equal parts lessons and indulgences. The boy, though he tried to keep his defenses up, couldn’t seem to help staring at him almost helplessly for both when he thought he wasn’t looking.

It made him want to spoil the boy more.

Wei Wuxian’s bright personality, wide eyed stares, quick wit, open affection, and genuineness even affected Xu-er. His eldest, who for all that he normally failed to pay attention to the likes or dislikes of anyone that wasn’t himself or his Father, had apparently went down to the city proper to personally buy chili oil for the boy after they’d had a discussion on how bland the food was at Gusu, and Wei Wuxian’s tales of his many adventures to smuggle in his favorites. Xu-er had looked more than a little adoring as his nephew had laughed in joy at receiving the jar, cradling it close to his chest like it was a precious artifact.

After that he’d started eating with him for all his meals, not just the once-a-day family meals that Wen Ruohan arranged. He’d even taken to having a desk set up in the courtyard so he could do his work for the sect next to where Wei Wuxian studied the many scrolls and techniques Wen Ruohan made available to him.

There’d been an initial… not quite scuffle, more of a test of wills at that, Wei Wuxian obviously thinking he was being surveilled (and he was, just not so blatantly. Naturally, Wen Ruohan made sure that there were guards and servants constantly watching his grandson. He wasn’t going to lose him now that he’d found him.). Xu-er had almost taken offense at Wei Wuxian's almost incredulous surprise at his presence, nearly ruining their budding relationship, until Xu-er's halting explanation that he just wanted to be nearby in case Wei Wuxian had questions that he could answer. Wei Wuxian lit up at that, laughing almost giddily. Wen Ruohan had the feeling that if Wei Wuxian had been even a little bit more comfortable, he would have actually hugged Xu-er, who seemed to have drawn the same conclusion and looked at his nephew like he was some type of adorable fluffy puppy. 

It felt empowering to see his grandson excel in all of the lessons, and utterly heartwarming to watch as he slotted himself well into the family dynamic, thriving at the attention lavished on him.

Wei Wuxian, when happy, truly glowed like a bright ray of sunshine breaking through a stormy day’s cloud cover, illuminating all the good things in a way that you had the tendency to forget in the cultivator’s longevity.

When it was finally time for the boy to return to Yunmeng, Wen Ruohan had to hide his smile at the boy’s flash of reluctance, emboldened enough in Wei Wuxian’s growing acceptance of his place in the family that he demanded he return again in two weeks. His grandson’s look back took some of the sting from that damned feeling of impatience that already started to eat at him the moment Wei Wuxian took off. 

XxXxXVvVvVXxXxXVvVvV

XxXxX

Wei Wuxian stopped by Yiling on his way back to Yunmeng. He didn’t really need the break, but if he didn’t change it’d only cause problems if he arrived at Lotus Pier dressed in the finery Wen Ruohan gifted him, not when Madam Yu had finally allowed him to fully wear the sect’s colors.

Still, Wei Wuxian couldn’t help run his hands over the silver studded bracers that he kept on. They were very well made, and were expertly fitted. It was actually a little scary how much they fit him, just like the whole wardrobe of robes.

How had Wei Wuxian been sized up so well?

They didn’t quite match his taste, more than a few were too extravagant, or had too many layers, but they all fit him better than anything he’d worn that hadn’t been made by shijie. Even when Uncle Jiang had appointed him head disciple, the robes he’d been given weren’t anything like what the previous one, Lou Han, had worn. Those had been gorgeously dyed and embroidered pieces just shy of Jiang Cheng’s. Wei Wuxian’s had been nice, but still obviously in the blacks and grays so unlike the Jiang purple and the opposite of the otherwise colorful Yunmeng styles. And the quality was still that of servants' robes, even with where he could see Shijie’s needlework in trying to make them nice and the soft inner robes she would have had to sneak in. 

Madam Yu had obviously felt the need to remind him of his place when Uncle Jiang had appointed him to a position that should have been Jiang Cheng’s. 

And the robes Wen Ruohan had given him didn’t even hold a candle to the accessories… 

He knew from buying gifts for shijie and helping Jiang Cheng pick out things for his parents and other guest gifts exactly how expensive even one of those intricately designed, delicate looking jeweled headpieces had to be, but the Wen Sect Leader had given him twenty of them. 

And then there were all the bracers, shoes and boots, belts… all sorts of things. 

And on top of all that, they paled in comparison to how well stocked the study in his rooms was. And his rooms. Wen Ruohan had given him a suite almost as big as Jiang Fengmian’s pavilion, it was insane! It was also situated smack dab in the family rooms! Even after Uncle Jiang had taken him in, he’d only shared with Jiang Cheng for a few weeks until Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu had compromised on housing him in a room at the very edge of the family pavilions, normally used for housing particularly favored servants or senior disciples.

Everything about the situation felt a little terrifying. 

Wen Ruohan seemed determined to drown Wei Wuxian in luxury.

And not just material riches, but training too. He’d spent hours with Wei Wuxian, drilling him on qi usage and theories on energy manipulation. 

He’d even started him on more breathing and meditation exercises. He hadn’t even yelled when Wei Wuxian had trouble sitting still for them, instead showing him methods that would still let him move as he goes through the steps. When he’d finally been able to clear his mind and sink into a meditative state as he followed Wen Ruohan’s softly murmured breathing cues, well, it was probably the most successful Wei Wuxian had ever been at meditation. He couldn’t really think of many other times he’d been nearly as relaxed. 

It was distinctly unsettling. 

He couldn’t figure out what Wen Ruohan wanted in exchange for the gifts and the kindness. 

Was it all some type of bribe? 

Did he want him to betray Yunmeng Jiang? 

That’s what he’d thought, except Wen Ruohan hadn’t asked him about anything that could even remotely be used against the Jiangs. He seemed to care more about Wei Wuxian’s interests, and even his questions on Wei Wuxian’s prior training didn’t even focus on the specifics of their methods, so much as learning what worked for Wei Wuxian so he could adjust his own lessons.

Uncle Jiang had warned Wei Wuxian that Wen Ruohan would most likely want something… distasteful, from him, but Wei Wuxian hadn’t gotten that vibe from the banquet when he got singled out, and he hadn’t gotten that impression at any time during his visit either. 

And he knew when people were eyeing him like that. 

There’d been a few absolutely disgusting monsters when he’d been on the streets, like the brothels’ head hunters that had looked at him like he was meat, and when he'd gotten older, there had been plenty of drunk older Jiang disciples, or masters, young masters, envoys from other sects that would look at him and question if Jiang Fengman was fucking him if he wasn’t his son like the rumors said, and if they could have a turn, or up his nonexistent offer. 

So he really did know how creeps like that behave. 

Wen Ruohan didn’t give off the type of feeling they did. Sect leader Jin, Jin Guangshan had more in common with those people than the Wen sect leader did even when he'd been physically handling Wei Wuxian to correct a stance or working him through new breathing or qi flow patterns.

It felt almost like… 

Well, no matter. 

He needed to hurry if he was going to make it back to Lotus Pier on time. 

XxXxX

Jiang Yanli would not quite admit to being anxious as she and Jiang Cheng waited near the gates to Lotus Pier. Wei Wuxian was scheduled to return today, and so they had both found as many tasks as they could feasibly get away with to hover near the entrance. Luckily it was the end of the month when the rents and tributes were due so Mother was busy in town, otherwise they wouldn’t have managed to spend so much of the day away from their regular duties. 

She would absolutely not mention the extra packets of healing herbs and bandages that were hidden in the sewing kit her maids were carrying around just in case. 

They had all, even Mother to a degree, been nervous as Wei Wuxian left for the Nightless City. Their feelings had not been helped by the fact that no one could figure out what exactly Wen Ruohan wanted with him when Father’s enquiries to the other sects had yielded no solid results. 

Wen Ruohan had dallied with a few lovers in the past, but all were women and more or less willing. Wei Wuxian was certainly smart and talented enough to have caught Wen Ruohan’s attention, but the man tended to go for those with distinctly unique talents when it came to bringing them into his sect, like Wen Zhuliu. And he certainly didn’t treat those people like he had Wei Wuxian at the banquet. He also wouldn’t demand their continued presence so publicly like he had either. 

And if Wen Ruohan was going to kill someone, he tends to just kill them with impunity unless they were of particularly high status, and if they were then they disappeared or met with “accidents”, like former Sect Leader Nie. 

Several people had suspected it was a test for the other sects, like the seating at the Discussion Conference, or the Waterborne Abyss driven into Gusu territory, but no one could tell what kind of test it was.

She didn’t know what state her little brother would return in or if he even will. And there wasn’t anything any of them could do about it. 

Father had debated having Wei Wuxian pretend to be sick or go into seclusion, but they’d all known it wouldn’t work. Wen Ruohan had been fairly obvious in his threat to have Wei Wuxian appear. 

A-Xian had laughed it off, saying it wasn’t like it was a big loss even if Wen Ruohan did kill him, and better him than Jiang Cheng or Jiang Yanli. None of them except Mother had been even remotely happy at that statement. 

It had been all Jiang Yanli had been able to do to not see him off in tears when he left, and A-Cheng had only let go of A-Xian’s sleeve when Madam Yu had berated him. 

Their last glance of Wei Wuxian had been of him flying away backwards so he could wave at them until Madam Yu yelled at him to stop being ridiculous and that he’s embarrassing their sect. 

It was two hours after lunch when a call came from their lookouts, and A-Xian appeared on the horizon. 

Both she and A-Cheng dropped what they were doing and ran for the gates. 

A-Xian’s flight path seemed steady, and his pace moved from reserved to absolutely breakneck speeds the moment he spotted them. There were no obvious injuries from a distance, though that didn’t mean anything given his willingness and ability to bury his various wounds to supposedly not worry them.

When he landed, he quickly flipped Suibian into its scabbard and then rushed to meet them. “Are you okay?” Jiang Cheng snapped. “Did that monster hurt you?” 

Wei Wuxian smiled brightly at them, “I’m fine!” He even threw his arms wide and twirled, letting out a laugh. “See! Not a hair out of place.” 

“As if anyone could tell with your rat’s nest!” Jiang Cheng snapped. 

Except, his hair wasn’t pulled back in its normal careless, messy tail. 

It was in his customary high ponytail, but his hair was clean and done up high, his bangs looking more artful than haphazard even after his long flight. Jiang Yanli carefully reached out, tugging on one of the braids mixed into his hair that spilled over his shoulder from his spin. Wei Wuxian had never really been one to have the patience to braid his own hair, and while he’d sit still if Jiang Yanli asked him to, he’d get fidgety so she didn’t do that too often, and certainly not for long enough to get the number of twists she was seeing.

“Ahh, sorry Shijie! I forgot to take them out! Sect Leader Wen insisted on having my hair done all up, and I didn’t argue since Uncle Jiang told me to follow his orders so I didn’t get in trouble. Did you know Sect Leader Wen had me learning the Wen doctrines and rules! And I had to memorize the entire Quintessence of the Wen Clan ! And there were so many sword drills Shijie! Your Xianxian had no time to play at all!”

She smiled as carefully as she could, not wanting to think of the reasons Sect Leader would have for wanting A-Xian's hair done up, or why he would want him to learn how to be a Wen. 

“Don’t even joke right now!” A-Cheng hissed, swatting A-Xian over the head. 

“Ahh! Shijie! Jiang Cheng is being so mean to your Xianxian!” 

She couldn’t help but laugh a little, though it came out a little strained. “Then Xianxian should tell Shijie and A-Cheng everything that happened so we stop worrying.” 

He pouted, and A-Cheng hit his shoulder in response. “Stop it, seriously! Is there anything really bad that we should get taken care of before we see Father?” 

A-Xian shook his head almost dramatically. “Nope! Seriously, it's weird, but really it was like going to school at Cloud Recesses except with better food!” 

A-Cheng looked questioningly at her, and all she could do was nod reassuringly even if she herself wasn’t really that confident with the situation. She quickly stepped in between the two, linking arms with them both. “Well then let’s go set Father’s mind at ease and have you give a report, hmm?” 

A-Xian laughed as she started pulling both of them in the direction of their Father’s study.

“Are you sure they didn't hurt you? And not like, your version of hurt, but like normal people?” A-Cheng asked. “Like, there were no knives or whips involved or anything?”

A-Xian shook his head dramatically again. “No! Well, there were knives, but they were gifts? He gave me ten knives! What am I going to do with ten! None of them are even balanced for throwing!” 

Jiang Yanli glanced around A-Xian at A-Cheng, who looked equally askance at that. A-Xian just huffed at the two of them. Given everything else factoring into this situation, it wasn't a shock that Wen Ruohan would try to bribe A-Xian, and as dense as her A-Xian liked to play at, he had to know those gifts could be seen as bribes even if they were called gifts. Especially if he had received a lot of them. While she knew that A-Xian wouldn’t reveal any clan secrets since he really doesn’t care about material things, well, not everyone would believe that. 

“Did he give you many gifts?” She asked lightly.

“Some,” he frowned. “Not like I really needed anything. In between shijie’s cooking and everything else the Jiangs have given me I have more than enough stuff.” 

Before they could ask much more, they arrived at Father’s study. The door was open as it always was unless Father was working on something particularly sensitive, and so the three of them headed in, using a quick flare of spiritual energy to notify him of their arrival. 

“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Fengmian grinned as he quickly rose from his desk and rushed over to meet them. 

A-Xian bowed jauntily. “Uncle Jiang! Sorry if this one made you wait!” 

“Are you alright, you aren’t injured at all?” Father asked as he grasped A-Xian by the shoulders, looking him over. 

A-Xian shook his head wildly with a flamboyant grin. “I’m perfectly fine!” He slipped from his hands to give another twirl for Father’s inspection, a laugh ringing through the office. Before they could ask him anything else he launched into a story of his journey. From Wen Ruohan meeting him on his arrival, to the many dinners, even to the training the man had been putting him through. He also explained the gifts, though he glossed them over in an almost nervous manner. 

Father still looked unsure but finally he nodded. “If that’s all, I believe you. At least this whole thing is over now.”

Wei Wuxian suddenly hunched a little, looking nervous and a little sad. “It isn’t. He wants me to visit again in two weeks."

Father frowned, “has he given any indication as to why?” 

“He didn’t give a reason,” A-Xian muttered, looking down. 

“That’s doubtful!” Mother spat from behind her, making Jiang Yanli jump just a little. All four of them spun to face the door to the study where Madam Yu was standing tall, flanked by her maids. 

Her face looked like a thunderstorm, and there was the smell of lightning in the air. She glanced quickly at Zidian on Mother’s hand, and was grateful to see it wasn’t sparking yet. 

“What did he ask you, hah?! What tales did your silver tongue spin for that mad man?!” 

“Nothing, Madam Yu!” A-Xian quickly replied. 

“How foolish do you think I am!” She spun on Father, glaring at him. “And you believe this pile of falsehoods! We need to learn what secrets that wretched brat spilled!” 

With that she waved her hand sharply and Jinzhu and Yinzhu quickly grabbed A-Xian’s shoulders and dropped him to his knees. 

“Mother!” Jiang Yanli cried. 

“My Lad-” 

“Don’t you argue with me! Are you so soft on this damn brat that you’d allow him to disregard your orders like they were nothing?! Search him!” 

Jinzhu and Yinzhu quickly combed through A-Xian’s robes. The end result was three qiankun pouches that were quickly emptied onto the floor.

One pouch contained everything A-Xian had taken to Qishan. Out of the others poured what must be the gifts he’d mentioned.

There were the knives he’d told them about, but that was just the start of it. Not only were there piles of talisman papers with cinnabar and various shades of ink sticks, there were bags and jars of spell materials, multiple books and scrolls, jewelry, headpieces and rings, boots, multiple pairs of the wrist bracers, several belts, and lastly ten sets of richly decorated robes that from the way it flowed, had to be made of jin-silk. The robes and belts were all richly embroidered at the hems, and Jiang Yanli gasped as she noted three of the robes had the sheen of beetle wings at their collars.

She had exactly one piece with anything close to that, a piece with feathers, and that was the robe that Father had gifted her for her coming of age. Jiang Cheng had two similar robes, for accompanying their father to various events with other sects.

Without a doubt, A-Xian had not just received “some'' gifts. He’d received a fortune. Her mind quickly cataloged the pieces. They wouldn’t cover all of Lotus’ Piers whole budget, but if sold they’d get the equivalent to a solid year or two of nighthunting expenses at least.

“Ha!” Madam Yu spit. She spun on A-Xian. “You don’t get such things like that for nothing!” 

Before anyone but perhaps A-Xian, as careful and watchful as he was around everyone but her, could react, Mother whirled around, lashing out and slapping Wei Wuxian hard enough he hit the ground.

“Mother!” Jiang Yanli cried, hoping she could stop this. If she tried to interfere physically, Mother would just have her maids hold her back, and A-Xian would be hurt twice as badly. That was always how it went. 

“Stop defending this servant! First he wrecked your betrothal, then he offended the Lans, now he sells us out for a few paltry presents!” She waved her hand again and Jinzhu slipped a discipline whip into her grasp. With a sharp crack she brings it down on A-Xian, who barely manages to shift so it hits his back rather than his soft, more painful sides. 

“What did you tell Wen Ruohan, huh? Did you speak of our defenses? What allies of ours that your stupidity hasn’t alienated?” She brings it down twice more. 

“Nothing!” A-Xian cried. “I didn’t say anything!” 

“Lies!” The whip cracked again. “What else would give him reason to give you that trash! If you didn’t tell him anything, then did you let him dishonor you?!” 

“Enough, my lady!” Father finally snapped. “I believe him if he says that Wen Ruohan didn’t question him, nor did he divulge any of our sect’s internal matters. Perhaps Wei Wuxian will learn more about what Wen Ruohan wants on his next visit.” 

Mother scowls darkly before turning to Jinzhu and Yinzhu. “Take all of this trash out to the courtyard and burn it!” 

A-Xian made a pained keening. “Mad-”

She spun and whipped him again. “Did those petty little bribes make you think that you can talk back to me! Or do you think that they mean anything? That they've somehow made you more than you are? That they’re worth more than the years you leeched off us! Ungrateful wretch! Not only will they burn but you’ll watch until they all turn to ash!”

Madam Yu grabbed his ear and dragged him out of the study. Jinzhu and Yinzhu quickly gathered all the gifts off the ground and rushed after them. Jiang Yanli was right on their heels, with Father and A-Cheng chasing after her. 

By the time they made it to the courtyard, Madam Yu already had A-Xian on his knees, and they were gathering an audience. “Mother!” Jiang Yanli cried. Even if this had been Wei Wuxian’s fault, which of course it wasn’t, she trusted A-Xian, and no one, no one at all could control what Wen Ruohan chose to do which was why A-Xian had had to go in the first place. 

And no matter what, this was something they should be dealing with behind closed doors. 

“Stop defending this worthless brat A-Li! Am I the only one that cares about this family!?” 

Her mother’s maids had dropped the items in a pile, and at her signal, they both threw fire talismans onto the pile. In between the talisman paper, robes, and the other flammables, the entire pile went up. The silk took the longest to burn, along with the metals, and the smell of burnt flesh permeated the courtyard from the silk.

“Enough, My Lady.” Father finally sighed. “Enough.” 

Mother scoffed, but finally released Wei Wuxian. She stormed back towards her rooms, scattering servants and disciples alike in her wake. 

A-Cheng was faster than her in rushing to hold A-Xian up by his shoulders, but only barely. 

“Take A-Xian to rest in his room,” Father ordered. “I need to speak with your mother.” 

The three of them muttered their thanks before A-Cheng and she bundled A-Xian up and bolted. They heard Jiang Fengmian ordering the mess in the courtyard to be cleaned up as they got out of hearing range. 

They made it to A-Xian’s room without being stopped, and carefully laid him out on the bed. “Ah, so soft.” 

A-Cheng scowled down at him. “It’s your fault for provoking her. Couldn’t you have just kept your mouth shut?” 

“A-Cheng!” Jiang Yanli scolded even as she pulled loose A-Xian’s robes so she could get a better view of the whip lashes. Luckily his golden core was already working on him, and the bruises on his cheek were mostly healed from the slaps.

“It’s not like I could tell Wen Ruohan to not give me things! And I don’t care about them anyway so I didn’t lie!” 

“Enough, both of you,” Jiang Yanli got out. “A-Cheng, would you bring me the bandages and ointments please? And A-Xian, stop provoking him and meditate.” She stared at both of her little brothers until they huffily complied with her, A-Xian settling into a lotus position while A-Cheng went over to the side cabinet that Jiang Yanli kept stocked with healing supplies. 

Please don’t let it be this bad next time, she wished as she carefully peeled away A-Xian’s robes from the lashes. Her brothers didn’t deserve this.