Author Notes: Hello again, everyone! This is, I think, the first time I'm writing for a fandom I'm not very familiar with. I've only watched Episodes 1-6 of the Chinese drama Heroes because I heard it doesn't have a happy ending.
This little fic is inspired by and based on Morgana_avalon's Love Comes Wearing Disguises fic on AO3. If you like fix-it fics, romance, awkward and adorable idiots and happy endings, you'll love her tale. If you do read it, don't forget to leave some love. My AU fic takes place between her Chapter 23 and 24. Enjoy :)
- Story Start -
It was a peaceful afternoon at the House of Sunset Drizzle. Everyone was immersed in their respective tasks and the main rooms were mostly quiet.
Su MengZhen was holed up in his study with Lei Sun for their weekly meeting now that both their houses were allies. Lei Chun came with her father and was somewhere in the grounds enjoying a walk with Wen Rou. Bai ChouFei and Wang XiaoShi were staying with old Wo Fuzi and his wife, but all four promised to come over for dinner.
Yang WuXie was in a good mood as he finished writing replies to his stack of messages, even to the extent of giving the last word a little flourish at the end. He sent it off with one of the messengers and put down his brush with a relieved sigh. If Lei Sun's visit meant that Yang WuXie wouldn't get to see Su MengZhen for half a day, it also meant that he only had half his usual amount of paperwork. Otherwise, he would be inundated with countless messages from Six Half House who felt the need to send a separate 'Very Urgent - for Military Advisor Yang WuXie's Eyes only' sealed missive for every little query and comment that fell from Lei Sun's lips.
Honestly! It was a waste of his time and it was annoying.
Regardless, Yang WuXie now had a couple of hours free to indulge in whatever he wanted. He could do the neck and shoulder exercises Su MengZhen recommended to stretch his stiff muscles, or go for a walk to refresh his tired eyes, or even have a nap to refresh his body.
Instead, he decided to check on dinner preparations and headed for the large kitchens at the back of the main building. They were a familiar place to him, having spent countless hours there brewing bitter medicinal teas for Su MengZhen. Thankfully, his husband's terminal illnesses were a thing of the past now that Wen KeXing, the brilliant young healer from Four Seasons Manor, had healed him.
While Yang WuXie was forever indebted to him, he also prayed that he would never again hear all those mortifying innuendoes about how sex was good for one's health, and how sheathing one's sword in another's scabbard was a thing, and how alternating between them was an option.
The mere memory of Wen KeXing's parting words, even though a couple of weeks old, still made Yang WuXie blush to the roots of his hair. Of course he knew what the healer meant, but the images his cringing mind conjured up, of Su MengZhen and him so intimately joined, made him feel quite faint.
Faint, horrified and... fine, a little curious as well. Just a tiny, tiny bit.
Could such an act really feel good?
He couldn't ask Su MengZhen, of course. That was tantamount to telling him that Yang WuXie wanted to try it, which he didn't. What they indulged in so far - kisses, hugs, hand holding and a couple of hand jobs - were about as much as Yang WuXie could take. No pun intended.
Anyway, he should - wait. What was he about to do?
Drat, thinking of his incorrigible (and devastatingly attractive) husband whom he had been in love with for almost two decades had once again distracted Yang WuXie. He, renowned for his sharp and analytical mind, seemed to turn into a doddering old fool whenever he thought of Su MengZhen and him being cultivation partners and husbands. Which only made him wonder again, for the hundredth time, what was it that Su MengZhen saw in him apart from his analytical mind, devoted friendship and unwavering loyalty... even to the extent of gifting him his late mother's precious jade hairpin.
With an exasperated grunt, Yang WuXie yanked down the traitorous hand that was already lifting to touch said hairpin. He had already been caught doing that several times by various House members, much to their delight and his chagrin.
Anyway, he was - wait. Where was he going?
Oh yes, he was supposed to check on dinner preparations. The head cook, Lan QingJiao, had promised to prepare Lei Sun's favourite crispy roast pork and Lei Chun's favourite stir fried vegetables.
Good thing their other guests weren't picky eaters.
- o -
"Advisor!" Yang WuXie was greeted with respectful smiles and nods when he entered the steamy kitchens.
"QingJiao-jie, how is dinner coming along? Are we short of anything?"
"No, we have more than enough. Everything is coming along well even though A-Meng here was daydreaming again and almost let the fires go out. Not to worry, dinner will be served on time."
Lan QingJiao was a formidable woman who ran the Sunset Drizzle kitchens for as long as Yang WuXie could remember. She was almost two decades years older than him yet still capable of hefting huge pots of stews that Yang WuXie was sure would throw out his back. She ruled her domain with military precision, doling out advice, scoldings and praises where needed, without fear nor favour. Everyone respected and obeyed her without question, even Su MengZhen and Yang WuXie who had been scolded far too many times in the past for sneaking into the kitchens to steal snacks in between meals.
Well, it was mostly Su MengZhen doing that, Yang WuXie trying to stop him and both of them getting caught and punished. It was also Yang WuXie berating him afterward, Su MengZhen grinning at him and Yang WuXie forgiving him while silently bemoaning his soft heart.
"You look tired, Advisor. Sit down." Lan QingJiao jerked her chin at A-Lin who stopped peeling fruit at once and went to get a clean teacup.
"I'm fine. I just popped in to-"
"Yang WuXie, sit down."
Yang WuXie sat down. A cup of tea and a steamed bao, both piping hot, were placed in front of him.
"I shouldn't be eating between meals," he protested. Lan QingJiao was the only one who could make him feel like a growing teen.
"Nonsense! You work hard and need food to give you energy. There're still a couple of hours before dinner. Eat."
Somewhat sulkily, Yang WuXie picked up the bao and bit into it. Of course Lan QingJiao knew his favourite filling was sweetened red bean paste.
"I'm supposed to get trimmer, not fatter, " he mumbled.
"You're not fat and you spar with the House Master twice a week. Besides, he likes you this way."
Yang WuXie didn't choke, but it was a close thing, avoided with a hasty sip of tea which burned his tongue. How Su MengZhen could gulp down still simmering medicines without flinching was quite beyond him.
"What way?" He asked even though he knew he shouldn't. Despite all the chopping, stirring and frying activities going on, he could still feel everyone's attention on him.
"Nice and cuddly," Lan QingJiao stated with all the satisfaction and zero verbal filtering of a doting grandmother. "Who wants a skinny stick to hold in bed? Not our House Master, that's for sure!"
Good natured laughter broke out among the servants and cooks, together with hearty words of agreement. Yang WuXie gaped at Lan QingJiao, blush flaring up and half eaten bao landing on the table.
"You can't say things like that," he protested. "Besides, I'm also too-"
He caught up with his runaway mouth before it could start blabbing all his shortcomings, and clamped his lips shut, teeth clicking together.
"I can say whatever I like," Lan QingJiao said with a sniff. "Now eat up and go for a brisk walk if you're that worried."
"I will," Yang WuXie muttered. Stuffing the rest of the bao in his mouth, he washed it down with the rest of the tea and left.
He didn't even know why he was worried about dinner. Lan QingJiao always had things covered.
- o -
Yang WuXie was about to step onto his favourite part of the grounds when he spotted Lei Chun and Wen Rou sitting in the little gazebo near the koi pond. Heaving a sigh, he retraced his steps and went back indoors. It looked like a walk was out of the question. While Lei Chun was well mannered and diplomatic, Wen Rou was quite the opposite. She even dared to splash tea in his face in that inn the other day!
Yang WuXie wouldn't put it past her to ask all sorts of impertinent questions that would have him blushing and flustered. A nap it would have to be. He was just crossing the main hall when someone called him.
"Advisor!"
Yang WuXie turned to see one of the guards hurrying towards him.
"You have a visitor waiting for you in the west sitting room."
"Who is it? And why did you put her there? That room is no longer suitable for visitors!"
"She said she wanted some privacy."
Yang WuXie's eyebrows rose.
"Very well, I'll go see her now. Please get someone to bring us tea."
"Yes, Advisor!"
It looked like his nap would have to wait as well.
- o -
The west sitting room was the smallest of the six visitor rooms at Sunset Drizzle. It was nearer to the back of the house and had older furniture and minimal decor. It was now mostly used by the servants for their own gatherings in their free time.
Yang WuXie couldn't remember the last time he stepped foot in here, but he recognised his visitor immediately.
"Liu-guniang, what a surprise!"
Liu LianXin was a quiet, middle aged lady who had looked after Su ZheMu - Su MengZhen's father and previous House Master - for many years. When he passed away six months ago, she announced her intention of leaving Sunset Drizzle. Much to her and Yang WuXie's surprise, Su MengZhen offered her the use of a house by Longtan lake in Yingzhou, her birthplace. He assured her he had bought it with his father's private savings and that no one would disturb her there.
"Advisor, it's good to see you again." Liu LianXin stood up at once to greet him. Her smile was polite, but it faltered when she saw the jade hairpin in his hair.
"Likewise, likewise," he said heartily, hoping she wouldn't mention it. "Please sit down. How are you doing?"
Before she could reply, A-Lin bustled in with a tray. Liu LianXin smiled at her.
"A-Lin, how is your mother's knee?"
"It's healed already. Thank you, LianXin-jie! It's so nice to see you again!" A-Lin beamed at her. "I brought you some red bean buns."
"Oh, those are excellent. Thank you."
Meanwhile, Yang WuXie recalled what Su MengZhen had told him about Liu LianXin. After her father died defending Su MengZhen when he was just a baby, Su ZheMu gave her a home at Sunset Drizzle. Su MengZhen considered her family since she had taken good care of his father for so many years so Yang WuXie decided he would do the same.
"LianXin-jie, what brings you here?"
Liu LianXin smiled. There were some silver strands in her previously jet black hair, but her smile remained gentle and sweet.
"I'm just visiting. I used to believe that home was where the late House Master was so after he passed away, I thought there was nothing left for me here. I was wrong."
With a wistful smile, she looked around her. Yang WuXie sensed she wasn't seeing the shabby cushions and bare walls, but the House of Sunset Drizzle as a whole.
"The house I'm staying in now at Yingzhou is beautiful and the place is so peaceful. I'm very grateful to the House Master for his kindness, but I miss the other people who live here. QingJiao-jie, A-Lin and everyone else. You and the House Master too, of course."
"My home is here too so I know exactly what you mean," Yang WuXie assured her. "You're always welcome here, whether for a visit or a stay. I know I speak for the House Master too."
"Thank you, Advisor. Of course your home is here. In fact, I heard the good news as soon as I arrived at the Capital. My heartiest congratulations on your recent wedding."
"Ah. Thank you." Yang WuXie saw she was definitely staring at his hairpin now. And he was blushing again. Even though there was nothing but gentle humour in her eyes, he still felt the need to defend himself.
"It wasn't my idea! I'm an old bachelor and never thought I'd marry, let alone to someone like A-Zhen - I mean, Su MengZhen - I mean, the House Master! I was content to stay by his side as Advisor, but he insisted and said there was no one else he wanted. It should've been Lei Chun. I kept telling him she was more suited for the role. She's young, elegant and beautiful. She can give him heirs while I-"
"Advisor, please!" Liu LianXin held up a hand and - oh dear - there was a definite twinkle in her eyes now. "You have no need to defend yourself to me and so passionately too."
"Yes, well..." Yang WuXie felt his face grow even hotter.
"The late House Master was a determined man. Once he made up his mind, there was no changing it," Liu LianXin continued. "His son is no different."
"You're right," Yang WuXie agreed with a wry chuckle and poured more tea for them.
"By the way, how is your husband's health now?"
Yang WuXie's smile widened at once and he explained the events of a month ago.
"That's good, I'm so glad he's healed," Liu LianXin said. "The world needs a righteous man like him. I only wish I had known earlier so I could witness your bows. And it looks like I missed two wedding ceremonies, not just one!"
Yang WuXie hunched a shoulder.
"Well, the ceremony A-Zhen - uh, the House Master and I had was a brief one, thank goodness! But we did arrange a more elaborate wedding for Bai ChouFei and Wang XiaoShi."
Liu LianXin's expression turned pensive as she sipped her tea. Then she brought out a small parcel wrapped in pink silk.
"Advisor, I told you that I came here because I missed this place and the people in it. But that was only one of two reasons. This is the second reason."
Unwrapping the silk, she revealed a bright red hairpin that Yang WuXie had never seen before... yet seemed oddly familiar.
"Where did - it looks similar to mine." His hand made the by now unconscious trip to his head to touch one of his most treasured possessions.
Liu LianXin smiled.
"So you should stop doubting the House Master's devotion to you since you wear that in your hair for all to see."
Yang WuXie's face which had just cooled down heated up again.
"Where did you - never mind, it's none of my business."
Liu LianXin gave another wistful smile.
"I'm sure you can tell that this hairpin and the one you wear are identical in shape and design. They are a set of two which the late House Master told me were given to the late Madam Su by her parents when she got married. She had planned to give the green hairpin to their son and the red one to their daughter. Since they didn't have a daughter, he gave the red one to me."
"I'm sure you treasure it as much as I do mine," Yang WuXie said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Of course, but I've never worn it. I'm also not married and have no children to pass such a priceless gift to when I die. Hence, I'm giving it to you "
Yang WuXie's jaw dropped when she held it out to him.
"B-but why? I already have one from A-Zhen!" He was too shocked to notice his slip of the tongue.
"Because you and the House Master are married. These hairpins should stay remain within the family."
"But A-Zhen considers you family and so do I!"
Liu LianXin smiled, still holding out the hairpin.
"And what token, if I may ask, have you given him in return?"
Yang WuXie's heart skipped a beat before dropping down into his stomach.
"I... I didn't give him anything."
"Well then. Would you like to?" Liu LianXin's smile was soft.
Yang WuXie nodded as his eyes burned and his vision blurred. He felt cool jade in his palm and gentle fingers closing his own over it. Dashing a hand across his eyes, he tried to smile.
"Thank you," he choked out. "Please, what can I give you in return? If it's mine to give, it's yours."
Liu LianXin laughed.
"The Military Advisor of Sunset Drizzle I know would never promise anything so rash! As you are known as the Sincere and Honest, I'll hold you to that promise."
Yang WuXie gulped.
"And since I missed your wedding ceremony," Liu LianXin continued, "I would like to witness this hairpin being gifted instead."
Yang WuXie groaned.
- Chapter End -
A/N: Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment if you enjoyed it :)