raison d'être

by Drywaters08

With a heavy sacrifice, time was turned back and certain individuals intruded in the young lives of Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng. With the memories they brought and the promise of blood and death in the future, what can they do to ensure that this time, everyone they hold dear will live? - Original characters included so please don't read it if you're opposed to them

1. Chapter 1 Given Chance

Author's Notes: Hiya! Another fanfic with original characters like my KanZe one ^_^
Don't kill me, I prefer to have OCs since I can move through the story with more freedom and less intrusion to the original characters :3

Again, English is not my first language so please excuse the grammatical and spelling errors. This has not been beta-ed.
Feedback and constructive criticisms are welcome. While I'm lacking, if you can warn me that the characters are too out of character, I can try to do something about it ^_^

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Reason for Living - raison d'être

August 15, 2019

Chapter 01

Given Chance

Soft shadows of nothingness swirled as though hard at work in creating an image to lift the haze of confusion in front of him. Vague sceneries that barely touch light together with light whispers that doesn't make any sense flowed around him.

A-Di—

With a broken call, he thought he saw an image resembling of a young woman but when he looked further, he found that it's more likely the Second Jade of Lan but he can't be too sure. What he's sure of though, is that the Second Young Master Lan wouldn't have smiled at him like that for anything.

When he tried to squint his eyes to see clearer he felt a pain in his chest as though he was being trampled on by a horse as a fierce call of "WEI WUXIAN!" sounded just beside his ear.

Grey eyes opened at once to find the lightly scowling form of his younger brother above him, standing beside his bed. The way his right arm stilled, it was evident that the heir of Yunmeng Jiang Sect just slapped his chest to rouse him. Why, you little…

"Jiang Cheng!" he whined as he slowly sat up, one hand automatically coming up to massaged his abused chest. "What the heck are you doing waking me up like this?"

"You idiot! If you actually managed to wake up just by being shaken by the shoulders, my life would be a lot easier!" snapped the purple-robed young master. He then sat beside him on the bed; the way his shoulders slumped a little showed an on-going turmoil inside him, "I can't believe you can still sleep well at a time like this."

The letter they received from home from Shijie coming to mind, Wei WuXian sighed worriedly inside as he carelessly put on his outer robes before coming back to sit beside his younger brother and wounding an arm around his shoulder, making sure to keep his smile from faltering, "We have to sleep well while we're young, so why shouldn't I sleep?" he began, calming his own worries, "Shijie said that she'll definitely tell us if Uncle Jiang's condition worsen."

He firmly latched on his younger brother's shoulders even as Jiang Cheng tried to shake him off with a deepening frown, "And anyway, do you think you wouldn't be summoned back home if it turned out to be serious?" he continued, feeling his own squirming stomach settle at his own reasoning.

At these words, Jiang Cheng seemed to finally calm down a little, shaking his head to get rid of the image of the letter which informed him yesterday that his father suddenly collapsed while doing an inspection around their area about three days ago. He would have mounted his sword to go all the way back home, rules be damned, if not for the apparent warning from his own mother not to leave Gusu where they're studying at the moment. Turning his older brother's words inside his head again and again – true, they would tell him if A-Die's condition is serious, right? Surely, they wouldn't go as far as to exclude him if it's important…right?

He gritted his teeth before sighing in what felt like defeat. He glanced at the man beside him who's still clinging to him. Wei WuXian probably isn't aware that his concern can be seen through grey eyes, try as he might to hide it to keep things light. Jiang Cheng would never admit it to anyone but he's grateful to have his brother here with him. He doesn't know what he'd have done otherwise.

Holding on to a passive facial expression, Jiang Cheng again shook off the insistent arm around his shoulder, "What are you still doing here, then?" he said as he stood up and cocked an eyebrow at the Wei WuXian as he changed the subject, "You still have to go to the Library Pavilion today to copy both Virtue and Conduct."

Wei Ying drooped visibly at this and Jiang Cheng continued on mercilessly, reminding his older brother his one month punishment, "Good luck, you'll need it. You still have about two weeks to go before it's over." He then started to walk towards the exit, his purple robes swirling around him. He stopped when he reached the door and put a hand on the frame as he turned his head around, "If you can manage to get by for a day without being Silenced, I'll buy you a jar of Emperor's Smile." He finally allowed himself a smirk at the scowl on Wei WuXian's face. Having heard all the complaints of his adopted brother while serving punishment under the watchful eyes of Lan Qiren's favorite student, he knows for a fact that Wei WuXian haven't spent a day with the pristine young man without being silenced at least once.

Upon the soft thud of his door sliding close, Wei WuXian threw his head back, sighing deeply while contemplating, putting in a short but sincere prayer regarding his adopted father's health. Just basing it on the tone of Shijie's letter, it shouldn't be a cause for concern but of course that wouldn't completely put their hearts to rest.

After a moment, he finally found it in himself to stand up and tidy his hair and clothes to a semblance of decency. When his thoughts flew to the Second Young Master Lan, a smirked formed on his lips as he contemplated how to mess with the pretty Lan Zhan. The man should really learn how to loosen up a bit. Well, he can help there if anything or else his surname would no longer be Wei.

He went out of his quarters meant for guest cultivators like him and looked at the lightening sky as he wound through the pathway leading to the Dining Area for students like him, grumbling at the Sect rules that torture hapless young men such as himself to wake up at an ungodly hour (granted he's usually late, anyway, but that's beside the point!).

He kept a sedate pace as he carelessly made big circling motions with one or two of his arms to crack the joints. There was quite a few guests cultivators walking around as well, the varying hues of Sect uniform painting his peripheral vision but while Gusu Lan Sect disciples would surely be starting their own torture for the day by this time around, now and again, clean white boots and sleeves disturb his vision. He really wasn't paying any attention as he thinks about ways to get pass Lan WangJi just in case they would disobey orders and ended up riding their swords back to Yunmeng.

Well, no use thinking too deeply about this! If it comes to that, we'll just go out the front door like usua—

"A-Die."

The soft exclamation reached him as he went pass a student in ethereal white robes, barely registering their face or the fact that they were looking at him, the tone was one of surprise and something else he can't name.

He stopped dead at this, confusion marring his features as he froze. And that's because 1. It felt like the word was directed at him but he's pretty sure he's still a virgin so no one should be accusing him of being their father. 2. The voice sounded pretty, gentle and very much mature, so that also eliminates the sudden theory that somehow, someone managed to take advantage of him in his sleep. 3. It was definitely a young lady's voice. A young lady in Gusu Lan Sect Uniform! He and his friends are still debating whether or not female cultivators actually exist in this stifling little place that could give temples a run for their money.

At this last thought, he immediately whipped his head to look at the direction where the sound came from but disbelievingly, there was no one there to accept his mystified look.

Huh.

It took him a minute, but after craning his neck to look around him for a possible glimpse of the lady who dared call him "father" and coming up empty, he had to swallow the fact that he must either be hallucinating or the young mistress lost her nerve in the prank and scampered away with extraordinary speed even for cultivators. If the pace of the female cultivators of the Gusu Lan Sect would be as what that implies then it'll be no wonder that not one of them managed to get a sight of them, yet.

Shaking his head then, Wei Wuxian continued on to his destination to find Jiang Cheng inside the Dining Area for the students with a few others, already finishing his breakfast. Beside his own table is a set of unpalatable breakfast in Gusu Lan Sect's very own brand of flavors which, unfortunately, is decidedly between bitter and tasteless only.

When blue-grey eyes found him, Jiang Cheng snorted derisively, obviously at his lateness, before pushing the little table of still steaming food in his direction. Wei Ying sloppily dropped himself on the empty cushion seat beside his brother, unceremoniously pulling the table with his breakfast on it near him, unconsciously picking up his chopsticks before facing the heir of Yunmeng Jiang Sect who was sipping tea to cleanse the taste of admittedly unappetizing food (of course, he would never voice that out, that's what Wei WuXian do for the both of them) and plainly blurted out in low voice, "Hey, Jiang Cheng. What would you do if someone suddenly calls you 'A-Die'?"

And of course no one could blame Young Master Jiang for spewing the newly sipped tea back out, spraying a generous amount like a fountain (unfortunately, the majority of his little table didn't come out unscathed) and whirled his head to his brother so fast he got whiplash, dribbles of liquid still hanging on his slightly open mouth.

"W-Wei Wu-WuXian, y-y-you—" he stammered, promptly feeling his cheeks heat as his mind automatically conjures up images of his mother throwing his brother in a pig cage.

The older man though who this worry is directed at, just laughed out loud at his reaction causing heads to turn in their direction, completely forgetting another Lan Sect rule, before raising his hand and waving it in negation, "No, no, no. Stupid, what are you even thinking?"

"But…but you—"

A hand grabbed a fistful of his robes and pulled him and Jiang Cheng quickly found himself face to face with Wei WuXian, "Read my lips Jiang Cheng. I. Am. A. Virgin." He said shamelessly with no hint of embarrassment, after all, he was raised to be respectful to ladies and he personally thinks his parents would be proud of his innocence in comparison to acting like Jin Guanshan. He let go of the silently flushing youth who's got his always-ready frown already forming to accompany his blush, "Just like you." He finished emphatically.

By then, Jiang Cheng's furrowed brows were already firmly in place, the retreating crimson colour coming back completely at that last sentence which he pointedly ignore. "Then what the fuck was that stupid question about?"

At this, the Chief Disciple of Yunmeng Jiang Sect merely shrugged, again waving his hand, "Forget it. I'll tell you about it when I got into the mood." smiling at his adopted brother's baleful glare.

The only thing he can't quite forget and therefore continues to swirl in his stomach,

'A-Die'

That tone, it's somewhat familiar. Racking his brains for the answer of where he had heard that tone of voice before, mindlessly shoveling bitter food in his mouth with a reflex frown at the taste all the while, he found his answer just as he was about to finish his meal.

It was like the one in his dream last night.

└(ω。)┐-=≡- ԅ(≖‿≖ԅ)

Jiang Cheng heaved a disgruntled sigh as he was dragged by Wei WuXian all the way to the Library Pavilion where he'll once again endure the suffocating punishment of copying down rules that's enough to make one ascend to the heavens while being oppressed by the famed Second Jade of Lan's forbidding atmosphere.

Well, at least he's pretty to look at, Wei WuXian absent-mindedly mused while chattering about everything and nothing with Jiang Cheng.

The younger man, who could be trusted to look ahead for them both when he's busy regaling him with tall tales while walking (which admittedly saved Wei WuXian from tripping and landing face first on the ground in some occasions), suddenly stopped and made a confused expression, Wei Ying faced in front of them to find the Two Jades of Lan standing at the entrance of the Library Pavilion. The sight of the almost identical brothers could be called arresting by many and even Jiang Cheng has to admit that they look beautiful with their calm demeanor and serene features; if only that Lan WangJi could produce an expression aside from the only two he's seen so far – 1. Frosty and 2. Even more frosty.

Jiang Cheng wanted to frown but at the sight of the older of the two Young Master of the Lan Sect, he smoothened his expression into one of polite neutrality. One Lan XiChen spied their approach and caught his eyes when they were but a few more steps from the respectable building and smiled before turning to his quiet brother. He hazarded a guess that he asked Lan WangJi a question regarding them by the way his head slightly inclined in their direction as he spoke together with what looks like his younger brother's answering nod.

Stopping at a polite distance from the two Lan Sect disciples, Jiang Cheng and Wei WuXian gave a respectful salute and introduced themselves to the older man they're meeting for the first time despite hearing so many things about him.

"Jiang WanYin of Yunmeng. Good morning, ZeWu-Jun."

"Wei WuXian of Yunmeng."

Lan XiChen returned the salute, "Young Master Jiang, Young Master Wei, good morning. I'm glad to find the two of you together." Began Lan XiChen with his signature smile and the Yunmeng Jiang disciple noticed that he is geared for a journey, his sword and xiao strapped around his belt on one side and a qiankun pouch hanging on the other. "Please forgive me for the late notice but the four of us must depart for Yunmeng Jiang Sect as soon as possible."

These words made Jiang Cheng pale and his heart began to throb painfully in his chest. Beside him, Wei Wuxian was also the same, any other thought leaving both their minds, replaced by all manners of ill news regarding their home.

Jiang WanYin had to rip is mouth open with considerable effort, "ZeWu-Jun! W-were you told the reason why we're being summoned back home all of a sudden?"

Feeling their agitation, Lan WangJi's brows twitch a little, golden eyes observing a certain black-robed disciple. Lan XiChen kindly placated them, using a most reassuring tone, "I heard what happened to Sect Leader Jiang but I was told that he's doing very well now. So please set your hearts at ease, Young Master Jiang, Young Master Wei."

Those words brought the air back to their lungs and Jiang Cheng deeply sighed in relief while internally uttering a short prayer for his A-Die while Wei WuXian felt no reservations in loudly chasing after his breath and uttering, "Thank goodness. Thank you, ZeWu-Jun."

The unruffled atmosphere around Lan XiChen further pushing Jiang Cheng to anchor his emotions lest he shows anything disgraceful to the pride of another Sect which would undoubtedly make A-Niang yell at him, he elbowed Wei WuXian who leaned heavily on his shoulder in relief off of him as the tall man with the smile of a deity added, "Uncle asked us to deliver a message to Sect Leader Jiang and also deliver back his reply and therefore, we must intrude upon your journey home. I am also to inform you that you are allowed back home for about five days."

Wei WuXian felt his eyebrow raise unbidden. To ask his own nephews to deliver a message and even make sure to receive the reply would imply that the communication between the two were of utmost importance, especially with Lan Qiren as the one acting on behalf of the Gusu Lan Sect while his brother, the Sect Leader, is in seclusion.

Before he could think further at what it could possibly be about that it must be under the security of their famed disciples, Jiang Cheng already saluted as he replied with forced calm that they would make their preparations to depart and meet them at the entrance of Cloud Recesses. Wei Ying was then dragged to speedily walk back where they came from without further questions and once they were surely out of sight from the two white-clad figures, the younger man broke into a run that Wei WuXian automatically matched, the sprint then freeing his mind of any other thought aside from the fact that in less than five hours, he'll be back home. He smiled.

└(ω。)┐-=≡- ԅ(≖‿≖ԅ)

Upon landing on the dock as per their customs whether or not they arrived by boat or sword, the two leading disciples of Yunmeng Jiang Sect can't help the thrill in their veins and the grin on their faces from spreading wider as the familiar sight and smell assailed their senses.

The pier was still packed with various vendors and their merchandise, calling out to possible customers, the air pregnant of differing scents of food being sold, the children kept running cheerfully after each other, quite uncaring of the legs or hips they bump into, giggling merrily. Just some distance away, the gates of Yunmeng Jiang Sect still stands ever so imposingly and gracefully in the middle of all the hubbub of your usual market place, the buildings inside boasting of both simplistic elegance and unique character, their motif of a nine-petal lotus proudly displayed on the purple flags dancing with the cool breeze.

Wei WuXian couldn't help himself from turning around to the two Lan disciples who just dismounted their swords. After the rather uneventful and not so comfortable journey which mainly consisted of him trying to bait Lan WangJi into a conversation that would surpass his current record of three replies in total, his excitement is now at its peak. While ZeWu-Jun was accommodating and had a smile accompanying every answer, he just can't stop himself from turning his attention to the more surly of the two, earning a sideways glare from Jiang Cheng for his antics.

"Have you had enough? I wish your tongue would rot if all it ever spouts are nonsense which brings nothing but shame for our Sect." the young heir of Yunmeng Jiang Sect gritted under his breath at one point when Lan Zhan, having had enough of his shamelessness for the hour, opted to pick up his speed to fly close to his older brother.

"Why ask for things you know won't happen? You know it's more likely for your brain will spill from your ears first before my tongue rots." He casually replied which had his younger brother doubling his efforts in skewering him with his glower.

"Why you—!"

And being chased by his shidi on a lower altitude from their companions for the better part of the hour about the only time Wei WuXian laughed out loud during the trip.

"Lan Zhan! Look! Look!" he called out to the Second Master Lan who eyed him quietly, "I told you Yunmeng is beautiful, right? If you have the time, I'll take you to get lotus seed pods! Try out the food, too! I just feel sorry if the only things you'll taste in this world are those from your Sect! Of course, nothing can beat our Shijie's soup! If you're lucky, you'll be able to—ei, Jiang Cheng, wait for me!" his unabashed rambling was halted by the sight of his younger brother leaving him behind and he followed suit, just sparing a glance to see the Two Jades of Gusu following properly behind them.

"Can you stop?" Jiang Cheng once again growled in a low voice, "Can't you see how much he hates you? Can you not really reign yourself in until you push him to curse you to death? You idiot!" he then huffed as they cross over the threshold of the Sect with two guarding disciples greeting them in surprise before bowing quietly at the sight of guests, eyes widening at their ethereal appearance.

"He won't hate me." Wei Ying confidently replied, putting his hands behind his head, "I'm pretty sure he'd love to play around with me, too, he's just too shy to admit it."

The other man's scowl deepened, "How can you still have the face to say that? Why are you so confident?"

"Jiang Cheng, if you were raised to follow three thousand rules to a 'T' before you even begin to know what 'rules' even mean, I'm sure you'd jump at any opportunity to have a sliver of fun in your life. And anyway, who doesn't want to be with me, am I right?" he finished with a wink.

Jiang Cheng just scoffed but Wei WuXian could swear he heard his shidi utter "I'll die first." and just laughed at the top of his lungs.

"I'm glad to see that you two are still as lively as ever."

The deep voice, both calm and kind, reached them from straight ahead and both of them snapped their heads to see the tall and formidable figure of the current head of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect, Jiang FengMian. His lean but muscular body clad in the same purple robes as his son, an expression of tranquility and silent pleasure suffusing his handsome features. There's no hint at all that he was ever unwell, his pallor healthy and his bearing still as sturdy as before.

At this, the knot that never left Jiang Cheng's stomach since the night he read his shijie's letter began to dissipate into nothingness as he smiled and gave a respectful salute to his father, "A-Die! I'm very glad to see you well."

"Uncle Jiang! Thank goodness you're alright! We almost had a heart attack when we heard you collapse!" cheerily greeted Wei WuXian as he, too, lowered himself in a salute.

"And that won't do, now, would it?" Jiang FengMian's eyes crinkled ever so slightly as the sides at the sight of his son and adopted son. Looking beyond the two who came in first, he inclined his head as he welcomed the two Gusu Lan disciples, "ZeWu-Jun, and I believe this is Second Young Master Lan. Thank you for coming all the way to Yunmeng. My son and Head Disciple have been in your care, I appreciate the help you've given these two."

After exchanging salutes and pleasantries, Jiang FengMian was just about to gesture with his hand to further the conversation elsewhere when his eyes registered faint surprise as something caught his attention behind all the young cultivators in front of him.

The four young men who've just arrived turned their heads around at this and Wei WuXian's face slightly darkened at the sight of a certain peacock in golden robes embroidered with the motif of Sparks Amidst Snow peony. There's a vermilion mark on his forehead to show his status as his handsome face was set on an impartial and placid expression that did not quite hide the arrogance of the man it belongs to.

Stopping elegantly a few steps away from the group, Jin ZiXuan politely addressed the Sect Leader of Yunmeng Jiang, "Sect Leader Jiang, Lanling Jin Sect was informed of what happened to you and my father and mother was anxious to know of your health and thus sent me here to offer help should you need it. I hope you can forgive this sudden visit."

While the words were courteous, Wei WuXian and even Jiang Cheng could spit on the ground for the sheer lies they just heard. Lanling Jin Sect is a nest for assholes who cares for nothing beyond their wealth and all their hypocrisies. While Madame Jin could care a little due to the strong friendship she has with Madame Yu, if Jin GuanShao actually worries for anyone other than himself and who he would bed for the night, Wei WuXian would drop his surname and change it to Lan!

Sect Leader Jiang thanked him sincerely and apologized for the trouble the young master had to go through when he knows that Jin ZiXuan is also currently studying in Cloud Recesses. Jin ZiXuan promptly answered that it was no trouble at all.

Then, he respectfully turned to ZeWu-Jun and Lan WangJi to greet them and inform them that he was given permission to be out of Cloud Recesses for five days as well. If he has given the same civility to the two youngest in the gathering, the two barely managed to catch it with how stiff the luxuriously robed young master raised his hands in a greeting. Jiang Cheng, who was trying to be respectful given the man would be his brother-in-law in the future, needed all his perseverance to keep his eyebrows from meeting in a line in quiet irritation at the other man's quite obvious reluctance to mingle with them.

Pausing for a bit as though deliberating, Jin ZiXuan at length continued, "Also…I was wandering about before when I happened upon this pin and thought that it'll make a good gift for Young Mistress Jiang so I…would like to be able to have the chance to give it to her." The Lanling Jin Sect young master kept his eye lowered as he opened a gilded box handed to him by a servant. It revealed an extremely flamboyant hairpin decorated with gold and silver peony.

Wei Ying would have mockingly commented that this whole farce seems to be exactly like the kind of script Madame Jin would have forced his son to play out if not for the not-so inconspicuous blow to his sides by an elbow wrapped in a purple sleeve. Jiang Cheng warned him not to say anything stupid with a glare.

If Jiang FengMian thought that these words were as false as Lanling Jin Sect's supposed concern, it didn't show in his countenance which never let go of its smile. But he did look sideways in the corner of his eyes as though looking at something in a distance. He then focused his attention on Jin ZiXuan once more, "Young Master Jin's benevolence is truly admirable. However, my daughter went to the Zhao Hua Temple to pray for my health despite whatever we might say and might not be back until tomorrow." His smile became a bit lopsided as though being apologetic but even before the golden-robed cultivator could fully relax his brows in what seems like relief, he continued, "In order to not waste your thoughtfulness, I hope you will stay with us until you need to go back, during which Young Master Jin would have been able to hand over your gift personally."

Having been invited by a Sect Leader, Jin ZiXuan could only internally curse his own luck and agree, thanking the other man for his favor.

Nodding, Jiang FengMian gestured a hand for the Lan disciples to follow him. Before walking away though, he went nearer his son and Head Disciple and placed a hand on Jiang Cheng's shoulder, "We will talk soon. Thank you for coming home, the both of you." And after giving them an extremely warm smile and a firm squeeze on his son's shoulder, he turned around and headed to his studies followed by Lan XiChen and Lan WangJi. The latter eyeing the Head Disciple of Yunmeng Jiang Sect a second longer than he should before facing in front and promptly accompanying his older brother.

Jiang Cheng on the other hand was dumbstruck at the tender pride he swore he saw on his father's eyes directed at him. At him! He's pretty sure that never happened before. It feels as though his existence was acknowledged for the first time and being completely blind-sided by this sudden development that he could only dream before but never got, he couldn't stop the sudden pounding in his chest when an arm suddenly slung itself around his neck.

"It's good to be home, right?" Wei WuXian grinned at him, completely reading the whirling emotions going through him and was obviously happy for him.

Jiang Cheng allowed himself a smile, "Yeah."

"And now, what are we going to do about that?" he lowered his voice but Jiang Cheng didn't need to look at the head resting on his left shoulder to know that the black-robed incarnate of the devil himself is wearing a self-satisfied, slightly derisive smirk as grey eyes observed a certain handsome youth with a vermillion mark on his forehead who seems to be in the throes of quiet disgruntlement, lips forming into a line, "Told you right? This Young Mistress Jin is getting more and more arrogant. I doubt Shijie would be happy with him."

"I said don't create trouble." Jiang Cheng began but before he could even finish his last word, Wei WuXian already accosted the heir of the Jin Sect in a cheery voice, "Jin-xiong! Since you're going to be staying with us, make sure to hunt pheasants with us to bring back to Madame Jin! I'm sure she'd like them. There are also still several frogs waiting to be captured in shallow lakes here in Yunmeng! I could take you!"

Now left alone to themselves together with a few servants, Jin ZiXuan gave himself leave to freely frown at the two Yunmeng Jiang disciples, feeling his piling up turmoil regarding his unsatisfactory engagement finally snapping his rationality, "Wei WuXian, let me tell you—"

"Good afternoon, Young Masters."

A silent but silvery voice cut into Jin ZiXuan's seething remark. All heads turned to the sound and they all froze as they were confronted by two extremely beautiful women in fine but simple robes of black and white, the only colourful thing in their clothing being a small, intricately embroidered pouch tied to one of the women's belt. However, the plainness of their clothing couldn't detract at all from the charming and delightful features of the maidens.

Wei WuXian normally doesn't like women who wear heavy make-up since it almost always ends up gaudy and too unnatural but these two managed it in an elegant and tasteful way; accentuating bright eyes and giving prominence to shapely lips.

There is a nagging feeling in his guts though, as though he's seen these faces before but the feeling of familiarity was thrown into confusion by having no remembrance of actually ever meeting them prior to this. He's got a pretty reliable memory so he can say for sure and only a blind, one brain-celled organism could possibly forget ever encountering such beauty.

He eyed the older of the two who seems to be even older than ZeWu-Jun, maybe near twenty years of age. Her brilliant brown eyes highlighted by the black line drawn above her long, thick lashes, lips forming a discreet line that might be divided halfway between joy and neutrality, shiny black hair pinned carefully on top of her head with a few sophisticated pins and combs, her frame slender.

By the time his mind ran around a full circuit of lovely women he ever encountered in his short life so far and failing to place the graceful jade-like lady, the two reached them and gave a low salute which all the men present returned immediately.

"And who might we have the honor of addressing?" Jiang Cheng politely asked with a strange sensation in his stomach. Also trying to identify the faces of women he's fucking sure he's never seen before. Just what is this feeling?

The older one that Wei WuXian was observing spoke first and that clear and melodious albeit muted voice sounded again, "Mo Zhaohui, a doctor from Mo Village."

"…Mo Meihui." The pause in the younger one's also sweet-sounding voice didn't escape Wei WuXian and she turned her attention to the other one who's a step behind Mo Zhaohui and a faint sliver of surprise jolt through him as he immediately identified who this lady reminded him of once he managed to concentrate on her, looking pass the light powder and coat of rouge. How could he forget that straight nose, sharp blue-grey eyes, high cheekbones, firm yet still plump lips and an almost severe yet still distinguished aura though all of them somewhat softened by the grace of a woman. It's a face capable of being 5th in the list of top male cultivators in their generation.

"Funny, she looks like you, Jiang Cheng." He whispered as he placed his lips beside his younger brother's left ear.

Jiang Cheng merely elbowed Wei WuXian away from him with a slight huff, realization now thumping in his veins. She looks like A-Niang. I almost couldn't tell because of the way she did her make-up.

Instead, he asked Mo Zhaohui, "Might you be the doctor who looked after the Sect Leader's health?"

The lady replied with a bow of her head and added, "We were asked to stay as guests for a few days."

When he saw the woman nod in answer, he was in awe considering the woman's still relatively young age. Even for cultivators, who could live as old as two centuries and even become immortals, being an accomplished female doctor at her age is nothing short of astonishing. Usually doctors assisting high personages of their world are hunched, thin-haired, withered old men who either got one foot on ascending to the Heavens or in the grave (either way, the heavens would be their destination, he thought ruefully). He only guessed that they're cultivators, he's not actually sure. They're not carrying spiritual swords so it's hard to tell. But then again, there's no way a formidable sect such as theirs would ask assistance from anyone in the mundane world. He wondered what ever happened to Old Master Wu, who usually is the one to look over the Jiang family's health. He hopes he's still breathing, he's already 209 this year and while his progress in cultivation is not ground-breaking, he at least managed to survive this far with only minor troubles with his knees affecting his health.

"We offer our gratitude then, Lady Mo." He remarked earnestly, "I hope your needs are well provided for."

The slight tug of lips that is not quite a smile bloomed to an actual one as she returned honestly, "We have all we need. Thank you very much."

Jiang Cheng almost literally felt the collective admiration of the young men around shot a degree higher and wondered how many poor blokes were bound for heart-break now. He was surprised though, because when he made a quick glance around, he found that while Jin ZiXuan has a polite expression on, his amber eyes held distrust or even suspicion. Another was Wei WuXian, even though his almost-brother was known for being a notorious flirt by everyone around him and even the man himself doesn't hesitate to admit that he's appreciative of beauty (why else would he be able to stomach looking at that Lan WangJi, otherwise?), but while his dark-grey eyes holds transparent interest, there's not even a scrap of attraction reflected in them. Hmmm, maybe because she's several years older.

He would have said more but at that moment, the small elegant pouch hanging on Mo Zhaohui's belt fell and opened to spill a handful of pretty and brightly-colored pearls which rolled extensively in every direction.

Hearing a short gasp, half a dozen or so young men soon found themselves bending and some even downright crouching down to help retrieve the perfectly round, smooth stones.

Jiang Cheng bent to quickly pick up the four stones that rolled near his feet. Almost all of them were varying shades of blue and violet and one of pure white which he found really beautiful, he held a pretty lilac-colored one which, for some reason, reminded him of his Shijie. This colour would look good on A-Jie. It's soft and unassuming. Warmth spread in his chest at the thought of his older sister that he will never admit in ten lifetimes that he missed. He scolded himself afterwards for thinking of something so lame then walked towards the owner of the jewel-like stones.

But when he handed all that he's got in his palm, only three tipped itself on the other's hand.

"Hah? I thought I picked up four. Wait." He explained then looked back to the ground he was standing on to see if he dropped the fourth one but there's nothing like the deep purple-colored one anywhere on the ground.

"If it's no longer here then it's fine." The serene doctor gently reassured with that becoming- apparent default expression of calmness. It stirred though when Wei WuXian also approached with his own haul of lustrous gems. While the set of her lips and brows did not change, her eyes widened slightly to reveal openly attentive and fascinated brown orbs. If not for the strange mixture of almost child-like curiosity in them, Jiang Cheng would have cursed his brother for luring another innocent young woman.

Weird.

It really is odd. That expression. Just as odd as Wei WuXian being completely silent instead of flirting in the face of such a woman.

"What is this, Lady Mo?" Wei WuXian questioned, eyes trained on a pure silver pearl, turning it this way and that as he holds it up towards the light. His scrutiny held focus and enjoyment that anyone who knows him will recognize as his hellishly clever mind at work.

"A spirit stone." was the instantaneous answer.

"And it does—? What?" Wei Wuxian added while looking at the doll-like woman from the corner of his eyes.

The good doctor paused as though carefully contemplating her answer though not at all taking her eyes off the inquisitor. At length, she continued in a slightly subdued tone, "…if compatible, it will be absorbed and strengthen the chi and maybe, give back lost memories."

"And where did you get them?"

So persistent! Before Jiang Cheng could open his mouth to shut his brother up from his bombardment of questions, the other Lanling Jin Sect disciple who accompanied Jin ZiXuan did the job for him. The pompous young man coming forward with fully flushed cheeks, determined that the encounter not end without any actual discourse with the extremely good-looking albeit decidedly older woman.

"Wei WuXian, that's enough. Why are you bombarding a guest of your own sect with all these tedious questions?" he scolded the Yunmeng Jiang Sect's Head Disciple, he then faced the lady in question and held up both his hands and offered the fallen pearls reverently, "Here you go, Lady Mo."

Mo Zhaohui accepted them with a smile but the diminished shine in her deep brown eyes hinted disappointment at the prematurely cut off conversation.

Jin ZiXuan made his way to the group now nearly surrounding the female guests, "I picked up three but now, only two are here. I don't know where the last one went. I couldn't retrieve it."

Lady Mo thanked them all for the help and apologized for inconveniencing them. As she put all the stones back inside the pouch and tie it up again around her belt, Wei WuXian, who couldn't stop his mouth from opening when he's curious about something, tenaciously squeezed in one last question.

"Is this what you meant with compatibility then? I was holding six before but when I looked next, it was reduced to five. That happened to three people already, does that mean anything?"

Jiang Cheng face-palm and his hand itched to sew the other man's lips together, never mind that he knows jackshit about sewing.

Either because she already grew tired of his questions (though she looked anything but) or because there's really something else she must do, she respectfully inclined her head and said, "If fate would permit it, I will tell you more about it in great detail someday. For now, I'm afraid we must excuse ourselves."

She gave a small salute but then pause mid-turn towards the gate of the sect. After a moment, she faced Wei WuXian again and, in a voice full of deference and something else Jiang Cheng can't name, stated, "It was my utmost pleasure to meet you. Please take care of yourself. We shall meet again." And with an extremely low salute unbefitting of someone older considering the other person is her junior, she straightened and completely headed to outside the Lotus Pier without another word.

Wei WuXian thought he saw her dark brown eyes glisten as she whirled around and was uncomfortable despite the warmth that spread to his chest for unknown reasons.

Jiang Cheng was also disconcerted at the display but the other young lady, who never spoke again after giving out her name before that one could almost forget her presence if not for the fact her face wouldn't let her just simply disappear in the background, took a step nearer and also gave a similarly low bow in his direction, "Time is short so we must leave first. Thank you for receiving us."

He already noticed it before when the younger woman spoke all of three syllables earlier, but her voice really is rounded, dainty and pleasant to the ears.

She straightened and looked directly at Jiang WanYin and whatever formal response he would have spouted got stuck in his throat as he gazed upon familiar blue-grey eyes, there was hesitation in there but then she smiled with such bright innocence and then all of them didn't move even as robes of black and white disappeared between heavy wooden gates.

Time only started flowing when the same smitten disciple from Lanling cursed under his breath at the seemingly partial regards of the pretty women – regard that is not directed at him.

"Tsk, Young Master Jin, please let us go. There's nothing here so we might as well go to the rooms Sect Leader Jiang have prepared for us."

After merely receiving a hand gesture dismissing them from said young master, he huffed once more and yelled at the servants to come with him and left as well.

Jin ZiXuan, now left with the two younger cultivators, arrogantly crossed his arms in front of him and waited for one or two to say something but when they remained transfixed at the place where the two plainly dressed women disappeared to with complicated expressions of contemplation plastered on their faces, he scoffed once before saying, "I have never heard or seen those kinds of spirit stones before. There's something about them."

He wanted to know what these two think about those mysterious stones, having also absorbed them apparently. He doesn't feel anything wrong but then again, it's only the height of foolishness to let something so questionable in him. The only reason he didn't interrogate the woman himself is due to her being the Sect Leader's guest and supposed doctor. But that's another suspicious detail about the two fair ladies.

When not even one gave him a rejoinder after waiting a while, he gritted his teeth. Of all the times Wei WuXian - who could be trusted to spout utter nonsense and downright scandalous ideas in Lan Qiren's class that always got the man's beard quivering in rage - chose to be quiet, he just have to choose now as if to spite him.

He steely noted further, loath to let himself be ignored by these two troublemakers of all people, "If you're using your brains, then it should have occurred to you that if she's really such a skilled doctor—"

"And being most likely a cultivator, with her talent, we would have heard her name by hearsay by now." Wei WuXian interjected unfeelingly, a cold, mirthless smile appearing on his face, "You really are too distrustful Jin-xiong."

The two gazed at each other, not quite glaring but certainly not in friendly terms. Jiang Cheng cut in between them, "She is a guest invited to stay by the Sect Leader, Jin-xiong. There should be nothing to worry about."

At this Wei Ying let up the staring match and hooked an arm around the cultivator in violet robes and allowed himself a more genuine smile, "That's right, Jin-xiong. I don't know about Lanling, but Yunmeng doesn't have shady people that beautiful around here. Anyway, since Jin-xiong already sent everyone else away, does that mean you would like to play with us? There's always a ready boat tied at the dock that we can use. I know of this lotus pond with an energetic old man, you see, I'm sure he'd love to meet you!"

The vermilion mark on a certain handsome youth's face crumpled between brows at the invitation.

Always joking around.

He didn't dignify Wei WuXian's statement with an answer and simply turned on his heels and went further the series of imposing buildings and walkways in search of his companions.

Wei WuXian just snorted at the retreating back of the conceited golden child when Jiang Cheng sharply elbowed his ribs to perfectly sum up all that he wishes to say to the man he swears whose head he'll shave bald in his sleep one of these days.

"Idiot." was the eloquent insult.

"Hey, he started it. It just irritated me, is all."

"Hmmph."

"By the way, Jiang Cheng, do you feel anything different since after they left?"

The question of who was not needed as Jiang WanYin replied, "Yeah, my chest feels warm. Like whenever we eat A-Jie's soup."

"Wow, that's poetic!" when he received another merciless jab on his sides, he relented, "Yeah, me, too."

There was a moment of silence as the two took stock of their bodies.

"It doesn't feel bad." Jiang Cheng noted as though reassuring himself. But he really can't feel anything wrong about it.

"I know. It actually feels nice. Nostalgic almost."

Wondering just what on earth are those two women when Wei WuXian finally let go of him and started walking.

"C'mon, Shijie's not here so if we delay greeting Madame Yu, no one would save our asses."

At the mention of his A-Niang, another youthful face with similar features crossed his mind but he tucked away the thought for later.

"Yeah. Of all the things I missed while in Gusu, Zidian is not one of them."

└(ω。)┐-=≡- ԅ(≖‿≖ԅ)

They would have liked to say that there were no other incidents throughout the rest of the day but the two were rather surprised at the rather distracted mood of one Yu ZiYuan who didn't nit-pick at anything at all, nothing of their conduct or appearance. The absence of the ever present frown she has when seeing her husband's adopted son is quite unnerving in and of itself.

The only thing she did react to was when Jiang Cheng recounted meeting said husband earlier. There is a whirlwind of confusion and something like doubt in her usually keen, reddish-violet eyes.

"And where is he at the moment?" she questioned after a minute, hands twirling Zidian around her finger. Even the lack of roughly cut dissatisfaction coating her words at the mention of Jiang FengMian was enough to leave Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng dumb-founded.

"Um, he went to his studies with the two disciples from Gusu Lan Sect." Jiang Cheng answered tentatively before coughing once and straightening both his posture and tone lest his mother grate him again regarding his insufficiencies. "ZeWu-Jun and Second Young Master Lan are relaying a message from Lan Qiren and should be finished after an hour."

"I see. You may go." She jerked her chin once and the two carefully retreated before a sudden, more searing gaze instantly nailed their feet on the polished floor, "But don't think I don't know anything of your exploits in Cloud Recesses, Wei Ying. You dare create trouble for our sect in front of others? You and Jiang Cheng had better show me what you've learned so far before you go back to Gusu."

Wei WuXian winced when his name was mentioned and together with Jiang Cheng, paled in unison at her last sentence but there's only one answer before them.

"Yes, Madame Yu."

"Yes, mother."

Once out of sight from the still formidable pair of eyes, the two sprinted away to the Dueling Hall to find the other students. But to let him off with just that much chastisement, even Wei Ying couldn't help but acknowledge - Madame Yu is in a mellow mood. Mellow! Something's gone wrong with the world!

Upon their entrance, the group of purple-clad youngsters exclaimed happily and stopped whatever they're doing and sprinted towards the handsome young man wearing black robes lined with red, all of them have their arms spread wide in welcome.

"Da Shixiong!"

"You guys!"

"Da Shixiong!"

Wei Ying also ran happily to them with both his arms generously open. But a step away from colliding in a would-be heart-warming hug, both sides stopped as one and immediately crouched on the floor with a contemplating expression.

"So what have you got for me?"

"A lot Da Shixiong! You wouldn't even believe half of them!"

"Don't procrastinate! Spill!"

Someone managed to procure teas and snacks from somewhere and with a roll of his eyes, Jiang Cheng also lowered himself on the floor to listen to the impromptu meeting, accepting the drink and treats thrust into his hand, internally impatient for their stories.

Apparently, the strange atmosphere surrounding the Masters of the sect started right after Sect Leader Jiang woke up several hours after his collapse. While no one saw what happened or heard what was said between the two when Madame Yu looked after her husband in his rooms for a whole night, it's evident that something altered in their relationship somehow come the morning. But it's clear that this change came from the Sect Leader who keeps looking for opportunities to interact with his wife - so much more than before.

It has always been evident to everyone that their Master has tried to communicate with his wife evenly. But this was done passively and he never pushed when he sees that his presence was being rejected. There have also been a lot of arguments that has the Madame, and sometimes even him, yelling in disdain and would end with one or both of them walking away from the other.

However, these pass two days, Jiang FengMian has been actively seeking his wife for long talks that left the woman confused and even slightly flustered which she tried to hide unsuccessfully.

There has been no argument at all since then. Not one! Guanyin, it seems that the disciples' prayers for a better year have been answered! Madame Yu has been fairly distracted to the extent that she only frowned at them instead of glared at them, gave them ten formations to practice instead of twenty, scolded them instead of chewed them out until only bones are left and only tired them out in training instead of slowly killing them! Praise be! They could cry!

"And yesterday, I happened to see them when I was on my way back from training. Madame Yu had Zidian out and transformed and was slowly walking towards Sect Leader who was facing the pond in the southern pavilion."

The boys listened intently when the one who was handing out the teas and snacks started excitedly, eyes wide and cheeks flushed. Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng didn't even notice what they're eating or drinking as they strained to hear the rest. They're not surprised that Madame Yu intended to use Zidian on Jiang FengMian. With Zidian's unique power of undoing possession, it would certainly straighten matters should the Sect Leader happened to be captured by a particularly clingy ghost!

"But before Madame Yu got to even raise her hand, Sect Leader turned his head and saw her! Of course, Madame didn't get to continue but it's so surprising because Sect Leader smiled! He was serenely smiling!"

"And?!" the rest asked eagerly.

"You wouldn't believe this! Sect Leader just looked at Zidian and then said to Madame Yu 'My Lady, did you wish to use Zidian on me? Interesting tastes. I don't mind but can we continue it within our quarters?' You all can bet Madame Yu totally blushed! Blushed, I tell you!"

Some chocked on the crackers while others bit their tongue when they heard this but the majority of the group was sipping tea then and promptly splutter a mouthful, showering the story teller from different directions. No one took pity though as he was just absentmindedly handed out a towel. Then most simultaneously exploded.

"Liar! How can that be?!

"Sect Leader saying something like that?"

"While smiling you say?!"

"How can you have the face to make up such things?!"

"It's true! I swear on the Jade Emperor!"

Jiang Cheng, who was one of those who coughed out the hot liquid, didn't bother to wipe his still open mouth and has trickles of the nearly transparent liquid dripping from his lips and chin, his only consolation is that Wei WuXian is the exact same image of embarrassment beside him but at the glimpse of crimson on the other's high cheekbones, WanYin felt himself also go red in the face, the thought of his parents in such an arrangement overheating his innocent and sensitive mind. It's scary how well he can imagine his father saying those with a smile on his face.

"If it's true though, isn't that what you call fl-f-fli—"

"No, no, don't say it." called out Jiang Cheng. He feels like his brain will turn to mush and flow from his ears at this rate.

"Flirting." Remorselessly finished Wei WuXian, almost in a daze, the high color in his cheeks still present, "I-I think I saw something in Nie HuaiSang's picture book about…well—"

"Gah!" Jiang Cheng erupted right then and there, trembling and scarlet from head to toe, and ran away from the demonic place corrupting his already battered mind.

His sprint took him all the way to the pavilion and that's where Wei WuXian caught up with him, "Hey, wait! Stupid, what are you running out for?!"

"Wei WuXian, I'm fucking warning you now. Don't say anything anymore or else I—" the young master's threat was muffled by a hand of the other as Wei WuXian hid the both of them behind a pillar, getting them a good view of a particular portico overlooking one of the many lotus ponds inside the sect.

"Be quiet!" the young teen in black robes hissed, "If we're caught, Zidian will be the last thing you'll ever taste after that bitter tea from A-Xin."

Inside the pavilion, Madame Yu was sitting, fortunately facing away from them so she didn't notice the two newly arrived spies, her posture regal, her gaze acute. Jiang FengMian walked slowly towards her, hands held behind him.

"My Lady, the disciples from Gusu Lan already departed. There are certain matters that were discussed."

Yu ZiYuan didn't face the speaker and merely utter in her usual dismissive tone, "No need to tell me. What are you even doing here? You have a mountain of things to do. Go."

"I have time." feet resumed its steps as he quietly sat down as well, "I thought it'll be nice to have tea first. Won't you pour me a cup?"

Even without looking at her husband, she could hear the small smile in his voice and her brows crumpled in confusion while she debated deeply whether she should do her original plan anyway then she stood and turned to confront Jiang FengMian, taking a step forwards as she whirled and was surprised that he chose the seat right next to her. Damn it, she unconsciously lowered her guard against the man due to his recent actions that she failed to notice simple things that would normally not escape her! She tried to avoid crashing into him at the last moment and her slender figure slightly wobbled, a hand automatically reached out to help her.

Once that's done, the hand remained on her forearm with no hint of falling back and Madame Yu's frown deepened, she looks to be wavering between yelling to the high heavens at the man in front of her for causing her so much confusion and taking out Zidian and striking the smiling face anyway when the hand resting on her forearm swiftly pulled a piece of talisman tucked shallowly inside the cuff of her sleeves. It was a talisman to detect demonic possession.

"I knew you're not one to give up. But I suppose your pride won't allow you to resort to these things when you have Zidian." He silently noted and he looked amused.

He then put the yellow rectangular paper in between her right fingers and in turn held on to that hand as he simultaneously raised their joined hands while lowering his own head to lightly knock her knuckle on his forehead. The talisman let out a pure white fire for five seconds before disappearing, leaving the talisman unmarred. If the talisman detected possession, it would have burnt to ashes while emitting a garish red flame.

"Does this satisfy your suspicions, My Lady?" Jiang FengMian steadily held her gaze as he straightened his back while remaining on his seat, letting the tall woman tower over him, "If so, I hope you'll properly put weight to my words from before moving forward. I said already that night; please don't push me away, ZiYuan." the unmistakable hint of affection in his voice evident to anyone who'll hear it.

Madame Yu couldn't look away from the man whose blue-grey eyes unwaveringly bore into her, letting her in a place she resigned herself to never even know. Turmoil and that infernal sentiment she already buried a long time ago caused her heart to painfully beat against her chest.

In the distance, hidden by a thick red pillar, two young teenage gentlemen crouched further out of sight and leaned on the structure, their ears felt like they're blistering, scarlet sheen making an attractive contrast on creamy skin, while they finally managed to scoop their jaw from the ground and lock their teeth together, their lips formed an awkward line as though it forgot how it should settle normally.

Desperate but not knowing how to dispel the uncomfortable air, Jiang Cheng looked at his brother and viciously whispered, "Why the fuck are you blushing?"

"I'm not blushing! You're blushing." Wei WuXian accused, wanting to be anywhere but here. It feels as if his heart jumped all the way to his throat and is now refusing to come back down to his rib-cage.

"I'm only blushing because you're blushing!" Jiang WanYin defended before putting his palms to cover his whole face, "Oh gods, let's get out of here." He knew letting Wei WuXian detain him into eavesdropping on his parents like this is a mistake. He's happy that they seem to be fixing their relationship! He fucking is! But he did not need to see this, damn it!

"Ah Jiang Cheng, I think I have a migraine." complained the other cultivator, "I'm going to sleep." He then proceeded to crawl out of there, afraid that they'll be seen and punished severely. Looking at Madame Yu, he's pretty sure that if she found out that he just saw all that, she'll make him practice the famed Yunmeng Jiang hundred battle formations from the 30th form to the 70th and he'll just die after. That or she'll strike him with Zidian and he'll be a charcoaled corpse left to sink at the deepest end of the pond.

Mentioning sleep just made Jiang Cheng feel the throbbing of his temples, "Stop talking you moron, you're making my head hurt more." he growled but followed the man in stealing away from the couple who seems to be in the midst of a delicate phase of push and pull.

Once the two managed to reach the hallway leading to their rooms, with barely a gesture at each other, they almost blindly trudged their way into their own bedrooms and both disappeared behind its doors.

As Jiang Cheng collapsed onto his bed and closed his exhausted eyes, he remembered how A-Niang's frowning eyes glazed a little and her lips twitched as though she's afraid to reach out for something she won't get to keep anyway. He wonders what that even means and if he'll ever feel it to look so vulnerable like that.

It looks troublesome but maybe…maybe it's not so bad.

After all, despite it all, A-Niang looked…what was it?...ah yes, happy.

└(ω。)┐-=≡- ԅ(≖‿≖ԅ)

Jiang FengMian rolled the scroll he just finished reading and marked the response he created and put all the documents aside. Once he's got all his business in order, he took out a long thin box from one of the small drawers in his desk and opened it to reveal a rather magnificent golden pin with various gemstones decorated with a luan bird with its fine wings spread in flight. The craftsmanship was exquisite if a little flamboyant, the soft glow of the candles in the room giving it an elegant glitter.

He often likes to look at pins to gift to his wife whenever he goes away however, while she sometimes accepts them in that stinted manner she usually has around him whenever they're not arguing, she has never worn any of them. When he saw this sometime ago, he was immediately reminded of Yu ZiYuan, with her unwavering pride and impressive bearing, and thought that she'll make the finery look noble instead of ostentatious. However, he never got around to giving it, something in him already sighing at all the indication of his steadily failing marriage.

"That looks beautiful grandfather! I'm sure grandmother would like it!" a lilting sound came from the open window revealing the starry night outside and Jiang FengMian smiles at the epithet he's still slowly getting used to but he admits it's not a bad feeling at all. He tore his gaze away from the accessory to train it on the lovely young woman who looks like his son and wife but with his own blue-grey eyes. With her hair now down and the carefully applied cosmetics washed away, the sixteen year old young woman in black and white robes finally look her age, a highly familiar silver bell hanging off her belt. She's sitting playfully on the window sill with both feet swinging beneath her.

"If Xiaolian thinks so then I'm reassured." He answered amiably and he heard an answering giggle.

"Meimei, please don't sit over there. It's rude." A deep, mellow voice gently called out and the sect leader looked in front of him to one of the two figures properly sitting on the chairs surrounding a round table by the window. The only man in the trio was wearing the pure white robes of the Gusu Lan Sect and his forehead ribbon with delicate cloud patterns rested firmly on his forehead, his features were exactly the same as the Two Jades of Lan who just graced this very office several hours ago but instead of golden eyes, he too has blue-grey eyes. He also has a nine-petal lotus silver bell, hanging on a thread by his blue belt. The silver glint was well-placed among the purity of the young man's clothing.

"Xianliang-Gege, we already came through the window, how can you still talk like this?" Xiaolian complained childishly but she still hopped off the window sill, a stunning tear drop-shaped amethyst pendant tied with a thread of silver around her pale neck swayed back and forth as she gracefully landed before sitting on an available chair beside her older brother, smiling engagingly still.

"I suppose you're still excited after meeting them?" Jiang FengMian inquired, not minding the want in propriety, "All four of them were here. I hope you three got a good look."

"I didn't get to look at Fuqin all that well," Xiaolian answered, something both happy and sad playing on her lips, "But A-Die I managed to stare at for as long as possible."

"To complain when one has been blessed is improper." Silently admonished one Lan Xianliang but his light eyes betrayed his fondness for his sister, "Even I only managed to look at them from afar."

"That's why we told you to change robes!" the younger girl exclaimed energetically, "You could have even pretended to be female if you were afraid that they'll note how much you look like a Lan!"

"A gentleman must always look proper and this is Fuqin's sect uniform, I did not wish to change to anything else." Defended the other calmly, "Soon, I shall be able to see them in a closer proximity. A little patience must be exercised, is all."

This was returned with a pout before black sleeves wounded around white ones and a pretty head with long black hair arranged with a braid starting from the sides and tied at the back just like how A-Die did it in the past, rested on the young man's shoulder, "I've been wanting to meet them for a while so I can't stay still. No one can blame me for being greedy." She added before whispering 'sorry' against pristine cloth.

Jiang FengMian smiled through this exchange and placated the two, "Now, now, you should be able to talk to them soon. There's no need to fret. And as was surely mentioned before, the two of you look after the two of them so if the urge became overwhelming, you can look at each other. It's almost unbelievable how the two of you are twins."

"Well, Fuqin looks more graceful and kinder than Gege. And he's got dark-gold eyes, too."

"Well, A-Die looks prettier than Meimei. He's more sensible, too."

"Xianliang-Gege! How could you!"

Sect Leader Jiang couldn't help but laugh mutedly at the banter of the twins which has now escalated into a pinching match, two pairs of hand trying to squeeze the other's flesh while preventing the other from doing the same to them. He then directed his attention at the other young woman in the room who seems to be in a daze and hasn't spoken a word yet even after saluting him upon entering the room earlier. Like Xiaolian, she already removed the powder, coal and rouge from her fair face. Her hair is now down to a simple half-slip hairstyle with locks on both sides of her face framing it beautifully. A long ivory cloth with blue threads forming clouds tied around her forehead and a gem of elongated blue sapphire hang between her willowy brows.

"And how about you, Qiuyue? What are your impressions?" he kindly asked and was not rejected an answer as warm brown eyes returned his scrutiny, "Xiaolian was complaining that you went to Cloud Recesses by yourself last night."

"Forgive me, grandfather. I merely wished to see for myself whether I would recognize A-Die by myself." As always the twenty years old young lady's voice was so serene it was almost gloomy but her dulcet voice prevents it from being too grave, "I made sure to come back before they started their own journey."

"And how was it?"

The answering smile was blinding in a soft way, "I immediately perceived it was him. So different but still the same. It was truly strange. I couldn't help calling out to him and caught myself so I slipped away as fast as possible. I almost broke the rule of no running in Cloud Recesses."

This is the most spirited he's seen her in the short time he's known of these three mysterious and beautiful children, and Jiang FengMian was happy for her, "I'm glad. I reckon that you three will only stay for the night? A-Xian and A-Cheng have been asleep since the afternoon, the same with Young Master Jin, apparently. Like me, I'm sure they won't be up till tomorrow."

Xiaolian confirmed it while both her cheeks were captured by long, nimble fingers which gave up defending, and were firmly tugged in opposite directions, her own two hands occupied in pulling an ear and a fistful of hair, "That's right, grandpa. We just need to make sure they won't go into Qi deviation. Gege, if you let go first, I'll let go as well."

"And where would you go next?" Jiang FengMian who's used to the two's antics by now merely continued while guessing who will let go of the two first, last time it was Xiaolian who lost.

"Gusu, grandpa. And afterwards, to Qishan." Informed Xianliang in a would-be respectable voice, "Meimei, a woman like you, if I tugged your cheeks hard enough to stay like that, your face would be too pitiful."

Qiuyue indulgently shook her head and supplied further, "The preparations for the Wens must be made ahead of time to prevent all the tragedies. I hope grandpa would help in the things that we can't do."

"I'll be heading the discussions and will make sure to convince those whose memories you cannot return. It's plenty helpful already that someone from each of the Five Great Sects would remember the war and would surely rise to the occasion. We can ready things ahead of time." Remembering the last thing he saw before he died in his previous life, Yu ZiYuan's bloody face and eyes full of regret and what he's sure to be pain and anger as she keeps her bright red-violet eyes on him even as her own assailant lands the finishing blow to her heart, his hands trembled as indignation and undeniable resentment coursed through his veins. This won't end like before, Wen Ruohan.

In the background, when the twins felt the seriousness of the atmosphere, grey eyes communicated with each other and Xianliang softly counted to three and two pairs of hands let go of the flesh and hair that they were pulling at the same time.

Hands like porcelain lightly held Sect Leader Jiang's shaking ones for a moment and he raised his head and the face identical to the withdrawn Second Jade of Lan offered an unobtrusive and soothing smile, "Please set your heart at ease. We'll give the message you have to those we'll visit in Qinghe and Qishan. Everything will be different this time."

Closing stormy blue-grey orbs to calm his raging heart, Jiang FengMian nodded and opened it once more to peer at the intricately decorated wooden box on his table. Everything will be different this time.

But only if we do something.

He took the box and put it inside his robes as he stood up and headed for the door.

The three youths didn't ask where he's going and merely sent him out with a respectful bow.

"Good luck, grandpa!" called out Xiaolian cheerfully and Jiang FengMian felt the smile he lost reappear again as he stepped out his study and closed the door once more to the now empty room.

└(ω。)┐-=≡- ԅ(≖‿≖ԅ)

Bright red lanterns lit the way as his every step knocked dully on the cemented floor; he then stopped at the entrance to the eastern pavilion that looked over the abundant water of Yunmeng filled with the sweet blooms of lotus flowers. The dark mountains beyond creating a solemn painting against the inky sky dotted with hundreds of stars and especially made bright by the full silver moon, the particular species of fireflies unique to Yunmeng adding a cloud of brilliant crimson haze in the background. He addressed the two trusted maids of his wife who stood by the entrance to his lady's favored place in the sect.

"Jinzhu, Yinzhu, you two may retire for the night." He ordered firmly with subdued authority, "My Lady won't be needing your assistance for now."

If they were surprised, they barely showed it and after exchanging a glance with each other, they saluted and retreated. After watching them turn the corner leading to Madame Yu's quarters, he resumed his steps and followed the sturdy, winding wooden pathway leading to the sheltered pavilion. He eyed the extremely low fence of the well-maintained bridge that would certainly be useless in preventing anyone from falling over to the shallow waters. He knows because he's seen someone fall over them before.

His eyes turned a shade softer at the reminder of the flustered new bride with her lustrous sheet of long black hair wet with a lotus flower and several huge leaves hanging on to her robes. There was a violent blush staining her creamy skin, no doubt due to her pride dying an undignified death inside her, while her soaked and exposed neck and hands shimmered faintly under the sun and he thought – he thought that she was extremely beautiful then and felt the uneven rhythm of his heart against his chest.

Truth be told, during their youth, she didn't interest him in the slightest. He might have even disliked her a bit, being too different from him, her ways and personality harsh and inflexible, worlds apart from his own. But he can't deny a small part of him that's always been in awe of her; how she plunges head on no matter the difficulties and how she holds on to what she believes to be right. Others can point their fingers at her but she'll remain as steady and immovable as a mountain. That might have been what eventually caught him despite his youthful arrogance (people thinks him devoid of anything resembling conceit but even he was once young) promising that the bride thrust upon him and stole his freedom to choose someone else will never take anything else from him again.

Eventually, he found himself ensnared anyway but he can't be too sure when the wily sentiment managed to sneak up on him; before he knew it, he's already well deep down the ravine. It could have been at any point from when she almost hit him with Zidian while killing the feral zombie that was supposed to be his prey during a particularly chaotic night-hunt a few months after their marriage (he could have sworn she was really trying to hit him to ease her temper if the three more accidents right after were anything to go by) to the time right after giving birth to their eldest child and he saw her sweating and exhausted face lit up in pride while looking at their baby girl (who she demanded to see before they even got the baby cleaned).

How that affection became engulfed under all the things they never said to each other and the things they shouldn't have said to each other but did, he can't recall anymore. That he was foolish and held on to his own stupid pride, refusing to explain himself after being rejected once, he knows all too clearly now. That the last thing he ever gets to see is the death of the woman whose hands he never really got to properly hold but whose everything he wanted to own for a very long time will probably haunt him for as long he's alive.

I should have just held her hand that summer's day, no matter the excuse she gave out.

I should have told her how I came to appreciate her spirit after all this time.

I should have told her how unfounded and untrue all those rumors were.

But he never did, always arguing with himself that there will be a right time for it but, in all honesty, at the back of his mind, he was already resigned to the fact that it'll be of no use anyway.

Yu ZiYuan have always questioned and insulted him but among everything that was searing and painful, amongst the truth and the baseless, there was one slur that ate away at him.

Jiang FengMian, you coward!

It's true. He's the one to let go first; to turn his face the other way around. Because he can't stand the thought of failing even after he tried – to have his hand rejected again. So he let it all crumble down.

To see her unable to lean on him even in danger of death and to witness her demise with his own eyes must have been his punishment.

He halted his pace and looked inside the simple pavilion and gazed at the woman who is his wife. She's leaning on a pillar but her posture remains lofty, her aura severe. She's got both hands crossed over her chest, the cold wind softly blowing her hair while her striking purple eyes trained to the heavens above as though daring it to come down on her.

She's truly alive.

After reliving his life and witnessing the nightmare of before his death in what was apparently, his life before time was turned back due to the ministrations of a certain young lady, he opened his eyes and sat up in shock, trembling in disbelief and confusion, one hand covering his forehead and eye while the other fisted tightly around his blanket.

"What are you doing? If you're still not feeling well, don't try to get up!"

The commanding tone jolted and grounded him somewhat, he turned his head to the side to see his wife standing beside his bed, her hand was paused inside a basin of water, holding a damp towel, she seems to have stilled in surprise at his sudden awakening.

His wide blue-grey orbs reflected her clearly and everything came back to him; the young woman with uncanny resemblance to Madame Yu accosting him and offered a piece of stone he thought was candy at first.

Might I trouble you with accepting this, Sect Leader? Just a small tribute. May it bring you luck!

After charmingly putting the stone on his palm which he couldn't find afterwards, his chest and temple began to throb and heat suffused his body until his world spurn out of order and he collapsed in the middle of his inspection.

And now, two realities converged inside of him while questions filled him to the brim but the most urgent of all his jumbled thoughts was the proof of the continued existence of this woman in front of him.

"ZiYuan?" he tried, wincing at the hoarseness of his voice.

A frown appeared on the lovely face of his wife, "What's the matter with you? Why are you calling my name like that?" there was a hint of concern there - buried under an imposing tone - that he only ever heard from her a number of times in all the time he was with her (and usually only reserved for her children).

The scene of her death still fresh in his mind, he hesitatingly reached out his right hand to caress her face and there was an expression of incredulity in her countenance that he was almost tempted to laugh but upon feeling the warm and soft skin, what escaped him instead was a relieved sigh.

Thank goodness.

Thank goodness, he hasn't lost her.

And as though with a mind of their own, the hand that tenderly stroked smooth skin instantaneously latched on a slim wrist and tugged the assertive woman in a tight embrace, inhaling her scent of fresh jasmine that he's always perceived from her and wanted to be accustomed to, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other snaked itself around her waist. While she didn't even yell in bewilderment, he could feel the amazement wafting off her and felt her throat work as she opened and closed her mouth. Finally, she opened them again but only a rough whisper was heard.

"Let me go."

His answer was formed before he even begins to think about it.

"No. I won't"

Not this time.

Remarkable purple eyes brought him back to the present and Jiang FengMian smiled a little as he went to stand in front of his wife who straightened to face him. He took the rather lavish box from the folds of his robes and placed it on the table beside them.

"For you. Forgive me for only bringing it out now."

She ever so slightly furrowed her brows as she reached out to push open the lid to reveal the elaborate ornament inside. She paused before averting her face to the side, "Again, why do you always buy useless things like this?"

Sect Leader Jiang soundlessly chuckled once at the accuracy of the expected reply. It was the same as that very last time he gave her a pin in that first life, but this time, he used his thumb and forefinger to make her look at him, held her gaze and articulated steadily, "It's something I bought for my wife, it's anything but useless."

Yu ZiYuan cursed internally as her heart once again betrayed her by wreaking havoc against her bosom. She already forgot about it, damn it! She already wallowed through this murk of a marriage this far, retaining her self-respect by closing off her heart and not letting this man whose attention she once desired affect her again. So what is this?!

She has never cared for him before when the engagement was agreed upon. He's just a distant name whose face she can't even really recall from the few times they met as children; her only impression was that he's a lanky kid with a wimpy smile who'll be swept away at the first sign of a storm. She also knows that he didn't find her agreeable (few people did) and that suited her just fine. No one would want anything from such a delicate pansy anyway.

It was not until that time they met on a night-hunt, several months away before her father arm-wrestled him into accepting her as a betrothed, and he had to save her when her calculation became a tad inaccurate and she bit off more than she can chew. Back to back, they finished the work of eliminating faes and all manner of resentful spirits together. His words afterwards were tinged with quiet relief and that now-grown up, albeit still discreet smile.

Be more careful next time, Maiden Yu. It's important to work within your limitations. You're plenty strong but it's not a fault to need help now and again.

She thought then that he was an insufferable goodie-two shoe…but maybe not all that bad. When that sliver of acceptance became so much more, she can't account for but she knows that when he lifted that red veil on their wedding night, she desired his heart. A fair deal, she concluded, in exchange for hers. She's already here. She's not above chasing a measure of happiness.

But that wish was immediately crushed by the knowledge that he already gave it away to a woman she only glimpsed at once on that very same night hunt years ago. That roaming cultivator got that clever charm and charisma, a softness that she neither has nor want. But then, in this union, where did that put her? Why did she have to fight with the shadow of a woman who's not even here? For what reason must she feel lacking somehow? And just what is this prickling in her chest? Don't take her for a fool!

She couldn't bear it. And turned to lashing out instead of facing her insecurities. Hate was easier to manage than longing. It was easier to give up instead of swinging between hope and disappointment - heaven and hell - with regards to this man. If she can't have his heart then so be it! She won't hope for it. Neither is the pittance he sometimes showers her with. She doesn't need it. And as the years piled up one after the other, she learned to believe it.

So why must he do this now?

The infernal thing in her chest refused to abate as it yearns to hope and she steeled her gaze, "Why are you saying these things now? After all this time?"

"A lot of things have been left unsaid. Don't you think it's already enough?"

Only one thing entered her mind at those words and she felt that sickeningly familiar sensation of her heart sinking down the murkiest pond, she snapped in self-defence, "Are you now going to hurl the things you find lacking in the woman you married? Let's hear it then."

A flash of torment crossed over blue-grey orbs and she felt like cutting off her own tongue. She thought that she again burned that bridge he seems to be trying to cross these last few days but then her husband pointed once at one point of the wooden walkway and the lotus pond.

"On the first day after our marriage, you dropped a family heirloom in the water and was looking too far down that you fell. I've always thought that your embarrassed look was beautiful even with all the mess."

She started and immediately felt the heating of her cheeks at the distant memory and at hearing the compliment he never paid her so straightforwardly before, "Jiang FengMian! What are you—"

As she was beginning to raise her voice, he cut her off, "I offered a hand to help you up but you slapped it away and never once have you accepted it at any given occasion. It has always…it has gotten to me more than I cared to admit." He confessed with a low derisive laugh as though he's mocking himself.

At this admission, there was a hateful burning at the corner of her eyes and she was overwhelmed by emotions she could have sworn she locked away a long time ago. It threatened to tear down the walls she painstakingly built around her. In desperation, she went past his husband to flee to her rooms but a hand captured hers and firmly resisted her attempts at freedom.

"I love you."

Violet orbs widened when she heard those impossible words breakout from the tall man. He then forced her to turn to him and he held on to both sides of her head with both hands as he resolutely continued, "I can't tell you when it started. With all the mindless things that went round and round in this relationship, I'm afraid I forgot the answer to that 'when' but I do know that I love you now and for a very long time already. Don't let us walk in different directions anymore, ZiYuan."

Then he unwaveringly stared at her face as he waited for her reaction. After several minutes, he chuckled at last at what he saw on her face and a complicated expression painted over his serene features and proceeded to take the ornate pin from its box and put it gently on her hair before gathering her in another tight embrace similar to the one from two days ago. After a while, a pair of fair hands slowly and shakily clutched his back.

Jiang FengMian sighed in comfort as the corners of his lips tugged gratefully up, "Walk with me from now on, My Lady." He whispered tenderly in her ear.

If he ever had to wipe stray tears from her cheeks while accepting her awkward scoffs and insincere slaps on the arm and back, or if he softly kissed her forehead before moving to her lips, well, that'll be their own secret.