Chapter 22

Wei Wuxian sat beside his brother on the rocky cliff as Nie Huaisang instructed him on how to tie the paper lantern.

"Perfect," Nie Huaisang commented, as he inspected what Wei Wuxian had made. "Now you just need to paint it."

"What are you going to put on yours?" Wei Wuxian asked his brother, hoping to find some inspiration. He knew his brother's would probably be the most beautiful design and that he didn't have any chance of competing with it, but still, he wanted to try his best to make one that looked good.

Nie Huaisang glanced over at Jiang Cheng who had been trying very hard to try and draw a lotus on their shared one, but it looked more like a deformed blob.

"A lantern like this should be filled with something as beautiful," Nie Huaisang said, looking at his empty canvas, "A landscape perhaps? To commemorate the time we've spent here with our friends? Or an orchid, for what's to come."

Wei Wuxian did not know very much about flowers, nor did he have any better ideas. He stood and went over to where Lan Zhan was sitting and proudly showed him what he'd made for them.

"Lan Zhan, I don't know what to paint," he said as he plopped down beside him. His friend did not even look up in acknowledgement and Wei Ying pouted. "Please help me!"

"Whatever Wei Ying paints will be sufficient," Lan Zhan commented, as he painted on theirs.

He got an idea then, remembering how his friend's face had lit up happily as he presented Lan Zhan with rabbits, and began to paint one carefully on his lantern.

"But this is our lantern that we're releasing together!" he told his friend with a grin, "Since we've experienced so much together. It needs to be perfect We can use it to wish that in the future we can see each other more often and go on many night hunts together. What do you think?"

"Mm," Lan Zhan said simply, and Wei Wuxian presented him with the finished design of one of the rabbits.

"What do you think?" he asked him earnestly, and Lan Zhan's eyes softened.

"Very nice," his friend said, giving Wei Ying a ginger smile.

"Let's release it?" Wei Ying asked him, as he looked around and saw the others finishing up, just in time for the sun to start setting.

"Yes," Lan Zhan stood, helping him up. Wei Ying beamed as he stood beside him, holding the lantern with his best friend.

"You're not even going to pretend to offer to release it with me?" Nie Huaisang raised his brows at him.

"Do you want to release it with me?" he asked his friend slyly, "I thought you and Jiang Cheng were going to do it together? Cause Yanli-jie is doing hers with Yao-ge, and he's your friend!"

His er-ge simply rolled his eyes at him, but moved towards where Jiang Cheng was.

"My brother is the worst," Nie Huaisang said, loud enough for Wei Wuxian to hear and crackle at, but he did not respond, as his hands grazed Lan Zhan's.

They released their lanterns, and he watched in awe as it took off in the air, filling the night sky with bright light.

"My wish is to be able to go home soon and be free of all these rules," Nie Huaisang said wistfully.

"My wish is to be able to stand by Lan Zhan's side with justice and live with no regrets," he said as he closed his eyes and intertwined his fingers, "I want to make Da-ge and Er-ge proud and for them to always be happy and live without worry."

"Being your brother is a constant source of worry," Nie Huaisang said, causing him to miss the wistful look Lan Zhan shot his way. "But you do make Da-ge and I proud constantly to be your older brothers, A-Ying."

He laughed, as he stepped forward, causing him to stumble on the rocks, and Lan Zhan steadied him.

"Thanks, Lan Zhan," he laughed, "I feel like you always catch me! Will you always catch me if I fall?"

"Mm," Lan Zhan said simply, and Wei Ying heard the exasperated sigh of his brother ring out clearly.

"What did you wish for?" he asked his friend, leaning into him as they watched the lanterns together.

"To stand with Wei Ying as well," he said simply, not looking at him.

"You can't copy me," he laughed, flicking his friend's forehead. "That's cheating, Lan Zhan! You have to come up with your own wish."

"Hm," Lan Zhan disagreed, "Wei Ying's wish is my wish also."

"You're so cheesy," he laughed, as he looked up at him to meet his eyes, "Okay, Lan Zhan, we can share the wish. To always stand by each other and fight for what is right."

Lan Zhan looked satisfied at that.

"What did you wish for Yanli-jie?" Nie Huaisang asked the older girl, and Wei Ying looked at her curiously.

"Was it for a good marriage?" he asked her, and she glanced over at the Jin heir.

"What is there to wish for?" Jin Zuxun cut in then, as he walked over with a sneer, "She is already engaged to the most eligible man in the cultivation world. And yet she ignores it and spends her time with a whore's son! Clearly she has no care for her reputation or consideration for her future husband. She will make for a poor wife."

"How dare you speak about my sister like that?" Jiang Cheng growled, putting himself in front of his older sister as he put his hand on his blade.

"I can speak about her however I want," Jin Zixun sneered, "Especially when she's acting so blatantly disrespectful towards my cousin."

"YOU!" Jiang Cheng roared.

"Forget it," Jin Zixuan said, finally acknowledging what was happening, and Wei Wuxian felt a rush of anger on his friends' behalf. Yanli-jie had been nothing but kind to him from the moment she met him. She made Lan Zhan soup without meat. She pampered Er-ge. She was friends with Yao-ge because she truly liked him. How could he be so callous about someone so lovely?

"You're not even going to defend your fiancé's honour while your cousin berates her without any right to do so?" he asked incredulously. What an arrogant ass.

"He has not said anything incorrectly," Jin Zixuan said without looking at Yanli-jie. "I did not choose this marriage. And yet it seems as if she does not want it either. How can I be satisfied with someone like her anyways?"

Jiang Cheng went to draw his sword, but Yanli-jie placed her hand over his, stepping in front of him.

"Meng Yao is my friend," she told him and all the onlookers, "I know I do not have the strongest core, but I do my best to try. I like studying with him and his company, but I hold no affection for him beyond friendship, nor does he for me. All of our meetings have been proper ,and no rules have been broken. Lan gongzi has even agreed previously that we were simply following the traditions of these lectures to study with other disciples."

"I did not choose this marriage either. My mother did, as did yours. But I agreed to it in order to strengthen the ties between our sects," Yanli-jie paused, "I do not want to force you into a marriage with me. I want a husband who will cherish and care for me, but also respect me and my sect, and you have made your thoughts on my cultivation, my sect, and my honour very clear. I will write to my father and ask him to break the engagement, so you do not need to be forced into anything you do not want to do."

She glanced at her brother, "A-Cheng, let's go."

Jiang Cheng looked angry still but did not protest as he followed his sister.

Wei Wuxian simply shook his head in disgust at the Jin heir, as he turned away.

"Lan Zhan, do you think we can find a better husband for Yanli-jie?" he asked his friend curiously, "What about someone from the Lan or the Nie?"

"She is a sect leader's daughter," Lan Zhan said thoughtfully, "She deserves a marriage to a future sect leader as well."

"Da-ge?" Wei Ying pondered, "Or Xichen-ge? I don't think she would marry into the Wen sect – both of the heirs are spoken for."

And assholes.

Jin Zixuan looked furious at that, and simply stalked off without another word. That served him right.

Meng Yao looked shaken by the entire thing, and Nie Huaisang turned to him. "I can write to Da-ge," his brother told him, "The Jin are blatantly disrespecting you, which is an insult to us. It will not stand."

"Don't," Meng Yao said, steadying his voice, "The people who matter know the truth. It is a shame her engagement will end, but she deserves someone who will treat her with kindness. A-Xian is right, she deserves a good marriage. But somehow, I do not think either of your brothers would be amenable to the match."

"Probably not," Wei Wuxian conceded. Yanli-jie was lovely, and perhaps she could temper out Da-ge, but he did not see them as a good match. Nor with Xichen-ge. He wondered if either of them would ever get married.

But at least he had pissed off Jin Zixuan.

"Come," Lan Zhan said simply, "It is getting late."

Wei Ying followed him down the cliff without protest.


Jiang Fengmian came to the Lan sect the next day itself, and Nie Huaisang wondered just what Yanli-jie had written to her father to make him come so quick.

Jin Zongzhu had shown up as well, with all the pomp expected from the father of the boy who had just lost the most amazing woman. Honestly, he had no idea how Meng Yao was related to any of them.

If he thought he could swing it, he definitely would have Yanli-Jie marry into the Nies.

Nie Huaisang and his brother sat in the room together, both waiting for Jiang Cheng to come back and tell them what had happened with the two sects. Just because Yanli-jie had requested her father to come and break the engagement, didn't mean he would. He could want the alliance with the Jin more than he cared about his daughter and her wishes. After all, he could debatably claim it to be her duty to get married to Jin Zixuan, regardless of her own feelings. Especially given Jiang Zongzhu did not seem to give very much weight to the feeling of his children.

Nie Huaisang read his book as Wei Wuxian fidgeted, and he couldn't help but eye the door every few seconds, eager for Jiang Cheng to return and give them news as to what happened.

"He's taking forever," Wei Wuxian whined as he plopped down on the bed. Lan Wangji had also been called into the meeting to give an unbiased account of what had happened the day before, so Wei Wuxian couldn't even go bug his friend while they waited.

The door was thrown open then, as Jiang Cheng walked in, looking tired.

"It's off," Jiang Cheng said, as he sat down on his own bed. Nie Huaisang scrambled to get up and sit beside him, and Wei Wuxian followed suit.

"What happened?" Wei Wuxian questioned him.

"Lan Wangji gave an account of what happened," Jiang Cheng told them, "He said that Jiejie had made a friend, that Jin Zixun repeatedly harassed her over it, which Lan Xichen confirmed, and that yesterday he approached her again to berate her, and that Jin Zixuan said he did not wish for the marriage, and that Jiejie agreed to break it. He didn't name Meng Yao, most likely because it would probably irk Jin Guangshan more, and Father agreed to break the engagement since he did not want his daughter in an unhappy marriage. Jin Guangshan wasn't happy about it and kept trying to insist that neither of them knew what they wanted, and it was for the best for them to keep it, but Father insisted."

"How is Yanli-jie?" he asked, and Jiang Cheng sighed.

"She's upset. She cared about Jin Zixuan for whatever reason and wanted the marriage. But both of us know what it's like to have parents who do not care about each other, and she doesn't want that for herself."

"She deserves better," Wei Wuxian said earnestly, "I mean it, Jiang Cheng, we'll find her a much better husband than that peacock. His family is rich, so what? He clearly has nothing else going for him. Like if you look at Er-ge's list, Lan Zhan is way better than him! And so is Xichen-ge! And Da-ge! Any of them would be a much better husband for Yanli-jie! And you're much stronger than him too. We'll get her the best husband. Are you sure we can't get Da-ge to marry her? Then she can cook for us too."

Wei Wuxian directed the last part towards him.

"Somehow I don't see either of them going for that," Nie Huaisang deadpanned, knowing better. His brother may keep his feelings close to his chest, but Nie Huaisang could read him, "But you're aware you also forgot yourself from that list? I had you almost at the top. I would've put you first but you kept fighting me that your Lan Zhan is so much better and deserves it, so I gave up and put you second."

"He's not my Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian said defensively.

"Yes he is," Nie Huaisang laughed, "Anyways, by what you just said, you would be a good option for Yanli-jie to marry too. You may not be a future sect leader, but no one would be able to deny that you were worthy of it. Besides, Jiang Zongzhu would probably be elated by the match."

Wei Wuxian blanched, "I can't marry your sister," he said to Jiang Cheng before quickly back peddling, "She's fantastic! But she's like my older sister! Like Xichen-ge's my brother!"

Jiang Cheng snorted, "I'm not offended. I don't want to be related to you. And I don't want my sister married to you and constantly having to chase after you. Plus your Lan Zhan would probably be unhappy."

"Why, does Lan Zhan like your sister?" Wei Wuxian asked in surprise, "They're both fantastic so makes sense. Do you think we should set them up?"

He wouldn't be surprised if Wei Wuxian was panicking about the thought of the two of them together and not even knowing why.

"We definitely should not," Nie Huaisang said, wanting to hit his head on something. "We have time. We'll find her a suitable husband. Don't worry Jiang Cheng."

"I'm not worried," Jiang Cheng declared, "A-Jie's great. Anyone would be lucky to have her, and I'm sure she'll find someone to treat her just as she deserves to be treated."

"Exactly," Wei Wuxian said, as they heard a knock on the door. They looked at each other, and Nie Huaisang got up to check who it was.

"Jiang Zongzhu," Nie Huaisang greeted the man.

"Nie gongzi," Jiang Fengmian nodded at him, "I had hoped to check in on Wei Wuxian and see how he is doing with his studies."

Wei Wuxian looked up in surprise. Now just why was that man here to see his didi? What did he want? Especially when his own son who was also in the room.

"I am doing fine, Zongzhu," Wei Wuxian told the man, "The Lan have been gracious hosts and I've learned quite a bit."

"Good, good," the man nodded, "They can be so strict with their rules, can't they? I know your mother had a really hard time when she was here, always breaking something or the other! I never saw Lan Qiren get so worked up other than when he was scolding her!"

"Lan Laoshi has been a wonderful teacher," Wei Wuxian said politely, "He has told me many things about my mother and their friendship. I have been most grateful for the lessons he has given me."

"Friends?" Jiang Fengmian laughed at that, "I doubt I'd go that far. Your mother was friendly to everyone, but I can see why he thought they were friends. Qiren never did have many people he was close to."

Nie Huaisang frowned at that. It was extremely rude for the sect leader to be so openly making remarks about another sect while visiting in that sect.

He saw his brother start to grow uncomfortable, and Nie Huaisang decided to step in then, "Zongzhu, it is almost time for dinner. Wei Ying is supposed to take a letter to Lan gongzi about the situation so he send it to our brother alongside his own notes, as I am sure you are aware, it was a Nie disciple that your daughter had made friends with. If you would please excuse the two of us."

"Right, yes, of course," Jiang Fengmian acknowledged him again, "I shall leave the two of you alone. I need to head home anyways and work out some trade arrangements with the Jin now. Take care, Wei Wuxian."

"Goodbye, Zongzhu," Wei Wuxian said, as the man quickly left the room, leaving the three of them alone. He could see Jiang Cheng look annoyed, and he didn't blame him.

"He didn't even acknowledge I was here," Jiang Cheng let out a disbelieving laugh. "The entire time he was here, he's said maybe five words to me? He asked what happened and if I thought A-Jie liked the disciple she was spending time with. Then he just walked into here, didn't even look at me once, and left? I'm unsurprised that he wanted to see Wei Wuxian, but I thought he would at least ask how I was doing! All of his letters this entire time have been asking about him and his progress and asking how A-Jie is doing. Then mentioning things in the sect! But he hasn't once asked how I was."

"I'm sorry," Nie Huaisang said, sitting beside him on the bed, "You deserve for people to care about you, just as you care for them. And sometimes, family isn't just who you're related to. But who you make it. A-Ying is my family because we wanted him. Not because of blood relations. But it doesn't change the fact that we would do anything for him. You deserve better than the treatment you receive from your father, Jiang Cheng."

Jiang Cheng exhaled at that, "I'm not surprised," he admitted, "He came here because Jiejie asked him to. He broke her engagement and I'm glad at least she won't have to be in that marriage to a man who won't cherish her. She deserves to be the centre of her husband's focus. She deserves a loving family."

"She has one," Nie Huaisang said, "She has you. It's obviously how much she means to you, and I get why. Your sister is so sweet. Even if your father can't see how amazing his children are, we can."

"Mm, Er-ge cherishes you and your friendship dearly," Wei Ying added in unhelpfully.

Jiang Cheng turned slightly red at that, "I cherish his friendship too."

"I'm going to go find Lan Zhan now," Wei Ying said as he bounced up, "Listen to us, we're older than you, Jiang Cheng! You're great and we like being your friend! Maybe you can come visit us in Qinghe after we go home and we can show you around! Or you can come on night hunts with Lan Zhan and I! It'll be fun!"

"You're only older by a few days," Jiang Cheng grumbled as Wei Ying snickered and left the room.

"I mean it," Nie Huaisang told him now that they were alone, "You have people in your life that care about you. Even if your father refuses to see how amazing you are. You're so kind and you've never once made me feel bad about myself. Except when we were kids and you kept trying to make me rough house with your disciples. That was awful and I don't think I'll ever forgive you for that."

"Maybe even then I wanted to be your friend," Jiang Cheng said lightly, "Even if my execution of the attempt wasn't the best."

"Well I was so annoyed after that, I wandered off in Yiling and found Wei Ying, so it all worked out one way or another," Nie Huaisang shook his head wistfully.

"I think it's better sometimes," Jiang Cheng said with a sigh, "That you were the one who found him. I think it would have made things worse for him if he came home with my father. Your brother is wild and unpredictable. He has a lightness inside of him and he's so naturally curious without any regard for consequences. My mother would have hated that. She dislikes him now, but she's grateful at least that you and your brother have been clear to dismiss all the rumours about his parents and that he doesn't live at Lotus Pier. I don't think he'd have been able to shine the way he does with you. Though he would be a nice brother to have."

"He's the best," Nie Huaisang smiled fondly, "I do believe you're right that he is happier in the Nie sect, but I know if he grew up with you and your sister, you both would care for him as well. Even if you're emotionally stunted sometimes."

"Shut up," Jiang Cheng huffed, "Just because I don't read a poetry collection and cry after because it was implied someone died doesn't make me emotionally stunted."

"Sure, A-Cheng," Nie Huaisang patted his head, "Whatever you say. You're right; you're a proper, mature man."

Jiang Cheng bumped into him, "Thank you," he said after a moment, "For making me feel better. It sucks knowing that my father will always put him first, but you're right. I do have people in my life who care about me."

He stood then, looking a bit nervous, and Nie Huaisang watched as he walked over to where his things were, and pulled out something wrapped in some silks.

"I got you something, when we were in Caiyi Town," Jiang Cheng told him, as he handed it to Nie Huaisang. He looked at the Jiang heir in surprise as he opened the silk carefully and saw an intricate fan on the inside. "I'm sure you have plenty of fans from Gusu already, given that your brothers are friends. And I know you cannot cultivate with it, but I wanted you to have it."

He wordlessly opened it up and saw beautiful lotus blossoms scattered over the fan in a water scene, "The vendor said she'd brought it back from Yunmeng."

"It's beautiful, Jiang Cheng," Nie Huaisang said, throat tightening, "Thank you. I love it."

"Good," Jiang Cheng said gruffly, "I can send you more fans from home when I go back. Or silks? We have some beautiful artwork too."

"If you keep sending me gifts, I'll have to work on finding some for you as well," Nie Huaisang smiled at him. "Maybe you can visit me in Qinghe and I can buy you whatever you like. You can't be harder to spoil than A-Ying. Bring Yanli-jie too! That way she and Yao-ge can spend time together while we're hanging out."

"She'd probably enjoy that," Jiang Cheng smiled at him.

"Your father didn't have anything to say about her hanging out with a Nie disciple?" Nie Huaisang asked him, knowing he would fight his friend's father if he talked poorly about Yao-ge. Jiang Zongzhu was still on thin ice after how he kept treating Wei Ying and now Jiang Cheng. If he gave Nie Huaisang another reason to hate him, he wasn't all that sure what he would do.

"He doesn't know it was Meng Yao," Jiang Cheng told him, "Probably for the best, because if Mother found out, she'd be furious. Especially with the fact that she is close to Jin Furen. But A-Jie likes him, and I know you and Wei Wuxian like him, so he can't be that bad."

"He's the best," Nie Huaisang declared, "His father was also an idiot like yours, to not recognize what a wonderful son they have. But the difference is, we were able to steal him and make him a Nie. Maybe we can steal you too, and you can also be a Nie."

Jiang Cheng coughed.

"You can't just steal every single person who is treated poorly," Jiang Cheng said, after Nie Huaisang patted him on the back.

"Watch me," Nie Huaisang grinned, "I'll give them all a home in Qinghe. And you're my best friend! Imagine if we could spend every day together. Then I wouldn't have to listen to Wei Wuxian lament about Lan Wangji every five seconds."

Jiang Cheng simply shook his head in amusement. Little did they know however, that there was a disciple listening in to every word they had just said.


Wei Wuxian was inconsolable, and it hurt Lan Wangji more than anything to watch, "It's not fair! How could this year pass by so quickly?" he cried, as Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes.

"With how sad you are, Da-ge's going to think that you really hate coming home and that you want to elope and join the Lans," Nie Huaisang said unsympathetically.

"Who is eloping?" Wei Wuxian demanded, "Why can't I be sad? I'm leaving Lan Zhan! We had such a wonderful year, spending all of your time together, and now I need to go home and leave him behind!"

It had been a few days since the final exams had ended, and his friend had realized then that he would soon have to leave Gusu behind and return home, and had become very upset.

"It's not like you won't see him again," Nie Huaisang said exasperatedly as the other disciples watched on in amusement at the base of the mountains, "I'm sure the two of you will night hunt together often. And Xichen-ge can bring him whenever he visits Qinghe

The other guest disciples had departed earlier that day, leaving just the Nie clan behind. As such, they were able to be seen off by his family, without the noise of other people departing.

"It's too long," Wei Wuxian pouted, "Lan Zhan, you'll keep writing to me, right? And you'll remember our promise to night hunt together often? Lan Zhan, I went from being able to see you every day! How am I going to survive it being every few weeks? I'll die from missing you so much."

"Wei Ying will survive," Lan Wangji said, with a tight voice, hating how much every part of him hurt.

At least Wei Ying was just as affected by it.

"Wei gongzi, your da-ge is going to be waiting for us," Meng xiong said, despite seeming as reluctant to leave.

"Have a safe journey," Brother said to him, "Please take care, A-Yao. We greatly enjoyed your company while you were here, and you are always welcome through our gates."

"What about me?" Wei Wuxian perked up, looking at Lan Qiren, "Can I come visit too? Can I ask you more questions, Grand Master? Learning from you was so much fun! What if I have more theoretical questions? Can I write to you about them too?"

Uncle looked overwhelmed by the brigade of questions but simply nodded, "Yes. You have proved yourself to be a remarkable student. You and your brothers are welcome back anytime."

"Thank you, Grand Master!" Wei Wuxian bounced, "I promise I won't bother you with too many pointless letters. I'll leave those all for Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan, will you answer all my ramblings still? What will I do without being able to hear you 'mn' every day?"

"Will write," Lan Wangji, looking directly at him earnestly, and his chest constricted. He was surprised then, as Wei Ying rushed forward and threw his arms around him, embracing him tightly.

"Lan Zhan, I'm going to miss you so much," Wei Ying shook, "Do you think I can come back for more lectures next year? I know people only repeat them if they fail, but you can never truly learn too much right? Are there more advanced lessons I can go to? Then I can be by your side again."

"We do not offer more advanced lessons," Brother said thoughtfully, "However perhaps we can offer shorter lessons for those interested. I do not think your da-ge would be too pleased to lose you for another year."

He knew his friend was conflicted, missing his brother deeply, but just as unhappy to depart as Lan Wangji was to let him go.

Lan Wangji knew he should let Wei Ying go and it was improper to hold on for so long, but he could not. Not when the moment he did, Wei Ying would have to leave. He did not want to have to let go.

Finally, he reluctantly released Wei Ying, who seemed just as unhappy to do so.

"I'll miss you," Wei Ying told him finally, as the Nie disciples stood on their swords. He waved at them one last time, before getting on his sword as well, and lead the charge home. "Bye, Lan Zhan! Bye, Uncle! Bye Xichen-ge!"

"Ridiculous," Uncle said, but he knew his Uncle had grown just as fond of the boy over the last few months. He stalked off, as the Nie disciples vanished in the distance.

"You know, one of these days, you'll have to tell him of your feelings," Lan Xichen said, and he looked up at his brother in betrayal, "You did attempt to marry him in the cave."

"He does not know," Lan Wangji swallowed, "He does not feel the same and I do not want to burden him with my feelings."

"Do you know for a fact that he does not feel the same?" Brother asked him, and he shook his head. He knew Wei Ying cared about him, but he cared about all his friends just the same. He was nothing special. "Tell him, Wangji. It would do you both a lot of good to be open about your feelings."

He patted Lan Zhan's shoulder, as they began the climb back up to their home.