Nie Huaisang

Cloud Recesses...

It has been years indeed since he was last here.

Term didn't end well though.

But right now, he has two important things to do.

Building a friendship with Huaisang and trying how to be a good fiancee.

Madam Lan wrote him a letter, and Wangji gave it to him on her behalf.

She saw how much her son loved him she wished for the best, as love can never be forced nor sought. It is given wholeheartedly by a person who loves you and it is taught. Forcing will just form a rift and resentment. Love should come naturally through care. She wanted them to be happy, no matter the choices made. And she warned Wangji not to make the same mistake as their father.

On their trip back home, it was slow on purpose as Wangji wanted to spend time with him however possible.

Wangji held him like he would, a treasure. He would also play him that song.

He called it Wangxian.

Lan Wangji wrote a love song.

A song all about them.

Lyrics included, by the way.

Gawd, this guy...

This was all so...new to him.

Ten years.

Lan Wangji will never let him go now. Guy regretted for ten frigging years for miscommunication he started.

What was he supposed to say to that?

One thing they agree on, is they owed Huaisang big time. So they have his back, just as they know he has theirs. It was their sworn oath.

Wangji said he helped Huaisang find a reason to cultivate. If not as a fighter, then as a magic user and creativity with wielding said spells, given his love for art. He was also intelligent if he bothered to try, considering out of all cultivators, only he was the one to know where Wei Wuxian is!

Thus in their past, Nie Huaisang formed his core at...a shocking eighteen years old...here, at fourteen due to Wangji's motivation. Still late, but at least, earlier than last time...

Wangji taught him a clan secret, the Song of Clarity to play for his brother to prolong his life by nightly cleansing and restoring his qi flow to flow properly to avoid deviation.

Wuxian can 'repeat the past' in a way, but as he's not affiliated with a clan this time, Wangji's the intermediary.

Now, clad in a mint green silk outfit and accessorizing shades of green, and his hair styled into his patriarch half-ponytail with a ribbon, Wuxian went in.

He made his way to the Jingshi where Wangji would wait for him.

'...looking good, Wei Ying.' Wangji smiled.

'Its hard finding colors not taken by Sect Uniforms yet.' Wuxian pouted, sitting with him on the wooden floor after taking his shoes off.

'Er?'

'Sorry, Dongying habit...shoes off to keep dirt out of house.' said Wuxian sheepishly. 'Wen Qing's mother-in-law taught us Dongying manners and etiquette.'

'Ah, that makes sense.' Wangji could agree, he just hoped nobody steals shoes at night. 'So I guess until tomorrow, we stay here huh?'

'Mm. Our next plan will proceed...but what about the coming war?' Wangji asked him anxiously.

'...I'll never use Demonic Cultivation as I don't know what it will do to my core.' said Wuxian, placing a hand over his dantian. 'I don't want to lose it a second time, so...last time I did it, I was coreless. And since we're engaged, using a sliver of it will make the ol' fuddy duddy rip the ribbon off my arm you know.' Wangji balked as they can see that happening he quickly glomped Wei Ying. 'Uwaa!' he yelped, being pressed down by Wangji's body weight.

'Not. losing you. again.' he growled at the mere notion they'd be split apart. Ten years of loss is too much for him.

'T-that's nice and all but you're so heavy...and to think you're a vegetarian...' Wuxian wheezed as he winced on his fiancee's weight. Wangji chuckled and nuzzled his cheeks with his nose.

'...I'm muscular, Wei Ying.' said Wangji with a soft smile. 'I had to be, being an archer.' he said. 'You're slimmer than last time.'

'Well being a Rogue didn't leave much time for Archery...it was magic and swords for years, so I lacked the Archer's Build you guys do now.' Wuxian tut-tutted. 'So I'm slimmer. And to compensate for lack of swimming time, I had to re-train my breathing exercises so I can still swim as well as any Jiang can...'

'Ah...well, given what we did, some costs had to be paid...'

'Mm.'

'Oh yes, do I give you your two rabbits again when the Fierce Corpses gets loose in the recesses again?' Wuxian teased. 'Come to think of it, what happened?'

'...8 years and they passed.' Wangji informed him, making Wuxian pout.

'Awww...well, that's long for a rabbit...they normally live up to five years before ending up as dinner for poor locals. 8 years is already a privilege for them.' Wuxian sighed. 'Rabbit meat is also nutritious, cheap man's meat that gives a body all it needs for healthy muscle.'

'Is that so?'

'Yeah. Wild Game Meat is very healthy as opposed to livestock meat. Good against anemia.' Wuxian told him. 'My parents often felt better with a large boar meal for three straight days after getting hurt.'

'Oh...that means you ate a lot of wild meat growing up.'

'Yeah. That, and other wild edibles...the safe kind, obviously...compensation for being on the road...have you seen mushrooms on pine trees here?'

'I do but we dare not touch it, we don't know what it is...'

'Dongying does and its delicious in soup. Let's go to some pine tree here!'

And so...

'Oho! There's plenty~!' Wuxian was delighted. He tapped them hard with a finger.

'...why are you tapping them?'

'So the next generation will grow in another season. I shake off their real tiny seeds from their caps. That's what Qing-jie's popo in Akutagawa said.'

'Oh...'

'Slow growers, but worth it.' Wuxian used small scissors to harvest them, and using magic, magically dried it, shriveling it up. 'Let's cook it in soup!'

And so...the family kitchen...

Wuxian took out a wooden tub containing some fragrant paste. He boiled some water and put the dried mushrooms in, before preparing some choice vegetables.

When the water took on a darkish brown tinge, he noted that the dried mushrooms reconstituted. Then he took it out, chopped them in quarters before putting them back in with the other chopped veggies...let boil for ten minutes...then mixed some of the paste in...and last, is the silken tofu cubes before taking it out of the fire.

'Let's wait for ten minutes to let the remaining heat cook the tofu and leaf vegetables.'

Once its safely warm enough, they ladled some out to eat in two large bowls...and Wangji was astonished.

'I've never tasted this in any vegetable soup before...its good!' he's had many types of cuisines before, but he never had a soup like this before, ever.

'Pine mushrooms are best in soup after drying it out. Drying enhances the soup stock made as its reconstituted while boiling. Combine that with sweet vegetables, its great!' Wuxian told him with a grin. Wangji happily enjoyed his food while still maintaining his manners. Especially as his husband made it for him. The textures are also just as sensual.

Crunchy. Chewy, and very soft!

Wangji was happily satisfied with this light lunch.

'Dongying's food must be delicious.'

Wuxian scoffed.

'They ain't creative like we are, the only best thing they had was this mushroom soup and this versatile Weiceng paste made out of soybeans and barley!' he griped. 'You had no idea how much the Wens and I suffered their bad cooking we had to brainstorm our own style to have it great!' Wuxian shuddered as he recalled their bad, baaaad history and looking queasy about it.

(cooking in ancient japan isn't very good. Only in Meiji onwards, did it improve)

'...huh?'

'So a little culinary lesson is in order...'

xxx

Next day...

Because the mushrooms are seasonal, Wangji wanted to enjoy Wuxian's cooking as much as possible. They also began living together, sharing the Jingshi...

While indeed they're married in tradition but not officially as the clan doesn't know it yet, Wangji was clueless on how married couples live.

Wuxian has an idea thanks to his parents.

'Well, I know how to be a good wife at least.' said Wuxian as his mother was his good example, as was Jiang Yanli. 'As my husband, you know what to never do.' he said, putting his hand over Wangji's in comfort and rested his head on the taller male's shoulder.

'Mm...I worked things out on my own.' said Wangji. 'I'll show you my love, Wei Ying.' he swore to him as they cuddled together, while they waited for breakfast to cook, just basking in each other's warmth and company. Steaming rice, and making vegetable dishes together on their first day as a couple and ate it together for breakfast, before heading for class together with their necessities.

'Wangji-xiong!' Nie Huaisang greeted, waving his arm in greeting.

'How are things lately, Nie-xiongdi?' Wangji asked him.

'It worked!' Huaisang was over the moon by how happy he was. 'Dage's feeling better a lot lately that every time I play at full power, he heals! I had to convince him to stop for a month so I can play some damage away and he's fully-recuperated...though I'll have to start all over again when the lectures are over...' he said with a pout. 'I'll need your help and Xichen-ge's help to triple-team him...at least he was happy I'm taking cultivating seriously just to cleanse him.' he sighed wistfully. 'By the way, who is your friend...and where's your ribbon?!' Huaisang squawked, wide-eyed, noting what's missing from Wangji. A Lan isn't a Lan without their ribbon and they really hate it being touched by just anybody.

'Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian...we're engaged and we'll marry at 18.'

Pause.

Huaisang's expression was gold.

'Ehhhhh?!'

'Ahahaha, didn't see that coming huh?' Wuxian laughed good-naturedly. 'We're together for life, the Lan way, Nie-xiongdi.'

'Arrrgh, and I have to wait for lunch break for juicy details...' Huaisang whined.

'No gossip.'

'Its not gossip if friends are catching up on latest trends!' Huaisang pouted. 'My best friend is getting married!' he emphasized as if it's the big news since a scandal in a conference.

And for one Nie Huaisang, getting his juicy deets six hours later is apparently, PAINFUL he was fidgeting the whole time in class, till all the way to Jingshi to Wuxian's amusement.

'OK, spill!'

'...he suffered enough, Lan Zhan.' Wuxian sweatdropped at how bug-eyed Huaisang was for deets. They had a camp pot set-up, while Wuxian went to get water and the remaining rice as well as needed bowls, spoons and chopsticks and Wangji began prepping soup ingredients out of his pouch with a knife and cutting board.

'You know how we Lans are.' said Wangji. 'Gender doesn't matter as long as you're our Fated One. We don't look at anyone else after we found them.' he said. 'I courted him.'

That was the story, Wuxian thought wryly.

Wangji started wrong, and did things right before their deaths...and he's still in-progress.

He doesn't want to be a lousy husband like his father. He wants to give all his love and doting, and never let go in fear 'those years' will happen again.

When they sleep, he was a cuddlebug, as if he'd disappear.

'Heee...and Wei-xiong?'

'Well, I'm an outsider of society...quite literally.' Wuxian snorted. 'I don't belong in society so I don't roll the way society does, even if my parents taught me how society works.' said Wuxian. 'My parents are Rogue Cultivators and my home was...well, any road will do.' he said with a shrug. 'We frequently travel, only bothering to enter a town for Night Hunt gossips, selling our quarry and buying supplies. My parents are my teachers too. And I could care less about the delicate sensibilities of society.' he said. 'Love is love and Lan Zhan loves deeply.' Huaisang...squealed like some fangirl, amusing the pair though Wangji's ears went pink. 'I'm just surprised I had a suitor one day and a fellow boy at that...and I realized that he was acting like a-die to a-niang at me...and it hit me like a ton of bricks.'

'Ooh, you realized he was courting you?' Huaisang looked mischievous now.

'Yeah...' said Wuxian sheepishly. If one can call a confession in Burial Mounds courting! Lan Wangji dislikes lies, but would anyone believe the TRUTH? That they're 39 year old TIME-TRAVELERS?! They had to come up with all these as they went back in time to make their story SOLID.

'That means you'll adopt then huh?'

'Well, if we want children one day.' said Wangji. 'There's a right time for everything.'

'Yeah, and raising kids is expensive...I've lost count how my a-die triple-checks their account book on weekly spendings.'

'Whole clan knows yet?'

'Only uncle and xiongzhang for now.' said Wangji. 'Once fuqin comes home, will we make the official announcement.' he said. 'Since you and your brother are a family friend...its alright to tell you.' he said. 'A-niang went missing and the older Lans mobilized to look for her. Fuqin even left seclusion to find her. Xiongzhang and I take turns when we're old enough to Night Hunt...but this year it's just him because I am attending this year.'

Huaisang's brilliant mind quickly made its conclusion.

The Sect Madam went missing and Wangji's intonations as he talked intrigued him. Moreover, how he called his parents! Muqin and Fuqin are very formal, but distant terms while A-Niang and A-Die are affectionately used. This got him wondering about Wangji's relationship with his parents and what's possibly REALLY going on in the Recesses.

'Good golly, who's brazen enough to kidnap a Sect's Madam in her own home?! She has lifelong illness, right?!' he was horrified. His friend deflated while Wuxian held his left hand which was close to his left.

'They'll find her for sure.' said Wuxian kindly. 'Ghosts can never lie to any Lan. Ask a ghost, describe Madam Lan and they'll be happy to help. But I can't help but worry about Lan-popo. Lan Zhan told me about her and with a personality like hers, she and my late mother would be best friends and cause mischief together. I would have loved to meet her.'

Award goes to Wuxian for best acting skills, Wangji thought. The pair schemed to change their lives and that of their parents'. But unlike Wuxian, Wangji's parents are still alive. Because for a cultivator...they all have fatal bad days. At least Wuxian had longer with them and Wangji can protect his mother from her poisoner.

'Heee...what kinda lady Lan-xiong's yuemu?'

'The kind who shaved Lan Qiren's treasured goatee for shits and giggles a-die had to outrun Lan Qiren on sword flight while carrying my laughing a-niang.' Wuxian smirked as Wangji and Huaisang had comical images in their minds. 'And other funny tales I passed on to Lan Zhan like an heirloom. A-niang is a playful maiden at heart and she claims he's such a fuddy-duddy he's just asking for it. She told me tales about the Lan Sect she enrolled me into for when I'm fifteen...like, now.'

Huaisang cackled.

'You two are a match alright!' he wheezed and red-faced. 'You two have funny mothers!' Wangji snorted. Indeed, his husband told him many tales so he would get to know his late in-laws, while Wuxian met his mother and saw similarities instantly between their mothers he liked her instantly and all for mischievously helping him smuggle her out of the country.

'Well, I'm still working on Lan Zhan's funny bone. Its still a beansprout level at this moment.'

'Gee, good luck with that!' came Huaisang's remark, making Wangji glare at him petulantly.

'I know, right?' Wuxian snorted.

xxx

And so...classes went on...but the engaged pair is making it clear they're taken and who were they with, effectively giving out dog food without overdoing it, lest they breach a certain rule on the Wall.

'That Lan Wangji, isn't he a little too sweet on that guy in green?'

'Sweet?! They're lovers! I saw them kiss once! On the cheek though...'

'So those two are cut-sleeves...never imagined it...'

'Well, the Lans don't care for gender in their rules. Heck, they don't do engagements like we do. They do Love Marriages so their bloodline is very diverse. Gender isn't an issue.'

'Hot damn, I wish I can marry any girl I want, but nooo, I'm engaged to some girl I never even met!'

'Er what about that Nie Huaisang? He's hanging out with them even if they're shelling out dog food in front of him...'

Nie Huaisang got cornered...

'Ehhh wait for the official announcement, pleaaaasse!' Huaisang pleaded, hands raised in surrender. 'They'll make things official real soon so hang in there! You think I know everything?! I'm just as itchy as you guys for gossip!' that was a lie. HE KNOWS. He respects his friends' decisions of course! And its a clan issue!

If even he didn't know and he's friends with those guys...just great.

Then one day, Wangji got a letter from Xichen.

He and their mother are headed for Akutagawa. This was so he can see what kind of place it is, or if locals are friendly or worth marrying their mother if ever. He would be home in two months after leaving Nanyi Port.

xxx

'Wangji, Wuxian, you two are the talk of the clan lately.' Qiren stated, making the two stay after classes. That statement alone, has a question within.

'Yes, because we want to make things clear.' said Wangji. 'Before anyone gets any dumb ideas.' he said. Qiren eyed his nephew whose eyes brimmed with determination and Wuxian was supportive of him. He never dreamed his nephew would fall in love with Cangse's son upon meeting on a Night Hunt, just like his brother did, but unlike THEM, these two were deeply in love and made things public before Sect Heirs.

And BECAUSE Sect Heirs are gossips, naturally, the whole clan knows as of last night so he got bugged by the elders.

But he noted Wangji's intonation in his words.

'I followed the rules, uncle. So our arrangement cannot be disputed.' Wangji continued. 'If anyone is against it, they clearly have insidious intentions. Its best not to listen.'

'...is something wrong?' Qiren wondered. Wangji knows something he doesn't. Is someone pursuing him and he didn't like them, so he pursued Wei Wuxian strongly and make it clear he's taken? '...who is it?'

'...someone among us embraced the rules of outside. That person is no longer among the living, but their legacy remains. I don't want them anywhere near xiongzhang, Wei Ying and I.' Qiren did a sharp inhale at his nephew's words. 'Xiongzhang and I will marry who our hearts chose as per our ancestor's wish for us.'

'...who...?'

'A-niang killed him long ago.' Qiren choked now. 'But fuqin chose her would-be assassinator than the victim...herself.'

'You've been in contact with her?'

'A letter left in my room, stating her side that nobody listened to, thus everyone broke the Do Not Make Assumptions rule. I gave the letter to xiongzhang before he began the search.' said Wangji. 'A-niang faced a lot of assassins, until your mentor personally came to do it himself because his assassins failed...and fuqin chose wrong. They who were once in love, ended in mutual hatred in turn for fuqin broke that rule first. A-niang was betrayed by him first.'

Qiren looked pained at his nephew's words as he recalled the time of his youth. His and his brother's teacher was murdered by her before Qingheng-jun secretly married and protected her, even though their marriage was strained for years until suddenly, she ran off.

'Teacher...did he really...?'

'...his legacy remains. And we will not end up with the same fate. So we made our relationship public.'

'Lan Zhan trusted me with this secret after telling Xichen-dabo. It will never leave our residence.' Wuxian promised Qiren seriously. Qiren can respect his sincerity, that much, he can tell.

'I need time to think this over...were you investigating?'

'Since the day I'm tall enough to investigate why she was gone one day...and this is the result.' Wangji took out papers of instructions as well as letters...to the Head Chef in the kitchen, Nanny Lan Xiang. Not only that, records of Lans that went missing in a certain timeline...who were the acting assassins, taking advantage that they disapproved of Madam Lan as a kin through marriage for killing a respected Clan Elder.

Instructions to poison Madam Lan after Wangji stopped breastfeeding with trace poison over time so she will die after 2-3 more years! Wangji did all this, on his own?!

Madam Lan suspected thus something was very wrong with herself, causing her to run off, no doubt.

Qiren shook as he read all the letters and the boys waited patiently.

Slowly but surely, the older man was enraged.

'I need to think this over and drag my fool of a brother home.' he swore, clearly furious. 'I will call all Lans home. That includes you Wangji. We will have a Family-Only Conference once everybody is back home. So for one week before we begin, the Guest Disciples will have a week off and stay at Caiyi Town for now. Wei Ying, stay at the Jingshi during that time. Capture, not kill or the truth will be buried if you were attacked.'

'Yes, sir.'