Chapter 97
The trip to Lotus Pier had been one for many reasons.
For one, as new parents, Wei Wuxian wanted nothing more than to show off to his brother that he'd adopted the cutest little kids ever. Because no matter what anyone could say, A-Lian and A-Yuan were the cutest, most adorable children to ever exist, and Wei Wuxian was ready to fight anyone who disagreed.
Something Lan Zhan agreed with him readily on, every time Wei Wuxian had brought it up Lan Zhan had nodded in agreement, without even looking at him with the usual fond exasperation. Because really, what was there to disagree with? They were adorable, and now A-Yuan and A-Lian were theirs. And with the Wen still constantly in A-Yuan and A-Lian's life, it felt like his family had once again grown.
And with Er-ge's wedding around the corner, Wei Wuxian wanted to go help his brother out with the planning and organization. He may not be the best at coming up with designs and such but Er-ge and Da-ge had done so much for him for his wedding, and they deserved the same for their own.
He wanted Er-ge to have the grandest wedding that Lotus Pier had ever seen, so much so that the other sect leaders would once again be envious that the two of them were getting married. He'd heard more than enough snide remarks through the years about Er-ge and he was ready to have everyone eat their words.
Nothing compared to the time Er-ge wiped the floor with Jin Zixun during the war. And if anything, Er-ge had only grown more powerful and graceful with age. So much so that he'd placed in the last competition, leaving the other sect heirs in the dust.
Er-ge had helped bring Lotus Pier to life after the war. Him and Yanli-Jie had made the place so much nicer than when Wei Wuxian was a child. Lotus Pier used to be a place he dreaded going, worried that Jiang Fengmian would use the chance to harass him and try and poach him. Especially after his last visit as a child, when he learned just how little Jiang Fengmian had thought of his father.
It went from somewhere he never wanted to go again, to somewhere he was excited to visit especially if it meant seeing his Er-ge.
And thankfully for them, Yao-ge had agreed to accompany them, insisting that he also wished to help plan Er-ge's wedding and he figured that they would probably require help with the kids over the trip. And well, if it had anything to do with the fact that they were planning on stopping by Gusu so Lan Qiren could also meet his new grandniece and grandnephew, as well as seeing Xichen-ge, Wei Wuxian said nothing about it. He knew all too well what it felt like to be separated from your partner. And it was a bit different in their situation since Lan Xichen had adopted Lan Jingyi too, but they couldn't fully be together as a family just yet. So he'd happily agreed
"Er-ge!" he shouted loudly, the moment their sedan stopped in front of Lotus Pier. A-Yuan and A-Lian were still far too young to travel by sword, so while it had taken far longer to get to Lotus Pier than it would've if they'd flown, and Wei Wuxian refused to leave his children alone in Qinghe. Not so soon after they lost their mother. Both of them had been so clingy after the funeral, and Wei Wuxian didn't want them to feel abandoned, so he simply clung back and comforted them.
And besides, A-Yuan had never even lived anywhere else other than Qinghe and A-Lian was far too young to remember the Danfan mountain. So it would be good for them to see more of the world. And he could see his children curiously look around Lotus Pier, wanting to take it all in.
"My Baba grew up here," he told his children seriously, despite leaving out all the context as to the kind of upbringing Wei Changze had, "He was part of the Jiang sect before he met my Mama. Which means this place could've also been my home."
"Die-die could've lived here?" A-Lian asked, looking up at him with wide eyes, looking around Lotus Pier with a newfound sense of interest. She had known that he was adopted into the Nie, that he'd had his own Mama and Baba before Da-ge and Er-ge adopted him, just like she and A-Yuan had had parents as well. Something they wanted their children to know and understand to mean that even though their parents were gone, they still had people in their lives who would love them and care for them. That they were not alone. That they wouldn't ever be alone.
"Mm-hm, if things had gone differently," Wei Wuxian told them as Jiang Cheng and Er-ge approached closer, "But your Da-Shu and Er-Shu found me before your Jiang Shushu and his father could."
"And you should be glad I did," Nie Huaisang sniffed, "Imagine if you'd grown up here. You should be grateful. I spared you from a life of being a Jiang."
"Hey! It wouldn't have been that bad," Jiang Cheng protested, as he looked at Nie Huaisang with a sense of betrayal, "You like it here, right? That means it's not that bad."
"I like it here because I made it pretty," Nie Huaisang smirked at him, before bending down to greet the two children, "Hello A-Yuan, A-Lian. It's nice to see you again as family this time. Yao-ge, hopefully Wei Ying and Wangji weren't too much to handle over the trip with their flirting."
"They were perfectly polite," Yao-ge said, despite Wei Wuxian knowing he was being kind.
"Hi, Er-Shu," A-Yuan said shyly then looking up at Nie Huaisang, "Xian-gege's my Die-die now."
"I heard," Er-ge said kindly, "Which means we can officially be family now and I can properly spoil you. I bet your Da-Shu has already been doing that, hasn't he? Do you want me to take you around Lotus Pier? It's very nice here. I can show you the lake. And let you try the local sweets for Yunmeng. Would you both like that?"
"Yes please!" A-Lian beamed, "Can you teach us how to swim?"
"I can certainly do that," Jiang Cheng stepped up, puffing his chest eager to be of assistance, "Swimming here can be very fun, but you both will have to promise us first that you won't ever try it by yourselves. Okay?"
"Okay!" A-Yuan clapped, not even minding the safety restrictions, as long as he got to try the new things he was being offered, "Baba, we're going swimming! I want to play in the water!"
"Mm," Lan Zhan smiled down at him softly, as the young boy giggled, and Wei Wuxian's heart melted a bit more. It had been a painful few weeks for his heart, watching Lan Zhan interact so wonderfully with their children, and Wei Wuxian was certain that one of these days his heart would just explode, unable to take the cuteness anymore. But for now, he certainly was enjoying each and every one of the interactions.
"Come," Nie Huaisang guided them along the pier, inside to the main hall, "We've set you up with rooms in the family wing permanently. There is enough space for all of you there for all of you, and any other nieces and nephews you may adopt for me in the future."
"Er-ge," Wei Wuxian said, throat closing. Because it had been painful to think of that Nie Huaisang was moving away from Qinghe, but the idea that they had rooms here, in the ward meant for family moved him deeply.
"You're my didi," Nie Huaisang reminded him, "My first didi. You, Da-ge, and Si-di will always have rooms here. Just because I'm leaving Qinghe doesn't mean I'm leaving you. I have and always will want you to stay in my life. And I'm hoping this will encourage you to visit me more often. And to bring my niece and nephew with you."
He looked over at Meng Yao then before continuing, "Yao-ge, I'm putting you in the chambers I've set aside for you, Da-ge, and Xichen-ge. It may be a bit spacious at the moment since it's just you, but when you're all here, it'll be the perfect size."
"Thank you, Huaisang," Yao-ge said with a small smile, "I'm sure your brother and A-Huan will appreciate the efforts you took for them."
"You're all family," Nie Huaisang said seriously, "I want you to feel like you have a home here, even if it not your sect. Because beyond sect ties, we're also family, and that is far more important than anything else."
Wei Wuxian beamed at that.
"Now that you've given us rooms, you'll be begging me to leave since I'll be here so often," Wei Wuxian said confidently, and Lan Wangji gave him a warm look.
"We'll settle you in then I'll take you around and show you everything I've changed over the last little bit," Nie Huaisang said decisively, "And then after you've rested for a bit, we can talk business."
"Sounds like a plan," Wei Wuxian laughed, as he followed after his Er-ge happily, slipping his hand in Lan Zhan's.
"So, wedding stuff," Wei Wuxian leaned forward on the table while Lan Zhan peacefully drank his tea. They were seated on a pavilion where Nie Yuan and Nie Lian were playing close by, away from the water, safely.
"Wedding stuff," Nie Huaisang said, before pulling out a thick stack of bound papers, "We've already decided on the colours, the entertainment, and the seating arrangements. What we still have to decide on is the menu. Jiang Cheng wants food from Yunmeng, but I'd rather have a large variety. It's my wedding after all. We should have everything there."
"You won't even be able to eat that much food," Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, "We can have a few dishes from Yunmeng and a few from Qinghe. Why do we need more than like five courses."
"Five courses is so basic," Nie Huaisang pinched him, "Even A-Ying's wedding had seven. Five courses is for a discussion conference. Not the wedding of a Sect Leader to his furen."
Jiang Cheng looked a little warmer at that, and Nie Huaisang smirked, and Wei Wuxian knew Er-ge had won.
"So what are you going to serve?" Wei Wuxian questioned, as he looked between them both.
"Hmm," Nie Huaisang said thoughtfully. "Some sort of noodles probably. Marinated chicken. A-Cheng wants Yanli-Jie's soup, but that's a big ask to make that much for the wedding especially since she'll have just given birth a few months before."
"Could she show the cooks?" Wei Wuxian speculated, "It won't be the same, but at least it'll be served. Or maybe she can make a special portion just for the two of you and everyone else gets normal soup. It won't be like anyone else would know the difference and even if they did, would they even be able to say anything? It's your wedding day after all."
"That's a good point," Nie Huaisang said thoughtfully, "Perhaps we can ask her, A-Cheng. And see if she'd mind."
"She would probably cry if we asked her," Jiang Cheng said confidently, "But yes. We'll let her know that there is no pressure either way and if it is something she is willing to do, then we would greatly appreciate it."
"Good idea, A-Ying," Nie Huaisang praised him, and Wei Wuxian beamed at him.
"So how much spicy food are you going to have?" he questioned his older brother carefully.
"A few dishes," Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes, "Probably not spicy enough for you, but it'll be in traditional Yunmeng style so you'll enjoy them. But I'll make sure the cooks have extra chili oil for you. Don't you work about that."
"You're the best, Er-ge," Wei Wuxian sighed, as he ate a piece of cake that had been served to them, "Now, what are you doing for decorations? Please tell me not all Yunmeng purple. You need lots of green too! Oh! And what about blue? Just because you're not marrying a Lan doesn't mean you shouldn't include their colours. But forget about Gold. Who needs to involve the Jin?"
"He's just as related to the Jin as he is the Lan," he heard a voice say and looked up to see Jin Zixuan approaching them, "So gold is just as appropriate if you're including blue."
"I'm not including blue or gold," Nie Huaisang sniffed, "Can you imagine how much things would clash? No, we're using a tasteful palette of a pale purple with a dark green. For both mine and my soon to be husband's sects. Why would I include anyone else's? You all had your colours at your own weddings."
"But Er-ge," Wei Wuxian whined, "It's the Lan! Your nephew is a Lan."
"My other niece and nephew are also Nie. And my soon to be other niece or nephew is a Jin. I can't include it just because you're so in love with a Lan that you think they're all fantastic. Which you're great and all Wangji but I have no desire to make my wedding a homage to the Lan," Nie Huaisang told Lan Zhan seriously.
"Er-ge," Wei Wuxian pouted, all the while Jin Zixuan talked to Meng Yao, greeting him and exchanging pleasantries, while Wei Wuxian argued with his brother.
"This is exactly why I didn't include you in any of the design decisions," Nie Huaisang sighed, "Because this is what you think is a good combination."
"It is a good combination!" Wei Wuxian protested, "But fine. I still want to help you plan it though! We're here for a while anyways, why don't you put Lan Zhan and me to work? Give us things to help you organize for your wedding and we'll do it! We can talk to the merchants, work on decorations and do anything else you need to get everything ready. How does that sound?"
"I appreciate that," Nie Huaisang told him, with an honest smile, "It's nice having you here, A-Ying. I'm glad the two of you could visit. I know things have been busy for you both since you took them in. How has that been? You basically became parents overnight."
Wei Wuxian looked over at where A-Yuan and A-Lian were playing, "They're good kids. It's been an adjustment, but they've both been so easy. There's been some tears over things like bedtime, but they love Lan Zhan, and listen to everything he says like he's a god. Which is fair, how can you look at Lan Zhan and not want to hang onto his every word?"
He paused for a moment as Lan Zhan let out a huff.
"It's been good though," Wei Wuxian said, as Lan Zhan agreed with a nod, "I can't imagine my life without them anymore. I know it hasn't been long, but I love them both so much and I want nothing more than for them to grow up well and be given all the love and support they need. They deserve that much and so much more."
"They clearly love you," Jin Zixuan said, joining the conversation properly, "I may not have seen you interact after the adoption, but the way they keep looking over at you both and smiling shows how much they care about you both. And we've all seen you interact with them before. You love them and they know it."
Wei Wuxian smiled as Lan Zhan held his hand gently at that, "So what brings you to Lotus Pier, Peacock? Isn't Yanli-Jie about to give birth any day now? Is she really fine with you just leaving her alone in Koi Tower?"
Wei Wuxian gave him a meaningful look, because they had all heard the rumours about Jin Guangshan of late. He'd seen how Jin Guangshan had behaved at the last discussion conference at Lotus Pier itself, and that was enough to make Wei Wuxian feel wary of the man. Especially leaving a pregnant woman around him. Daughter-in-law or not, Jin Guangshan clearly hadn't shown restraint in the past, and Wei Wuxian was highly doubtful that he would start now.
"She insisted," Jin Zixuan sighed, "She wanted me to bring some presents for the wedding and to help out with as much planning as possible. She wanted to come herself, but she's too close to giving birth, and it was the only way I could convince her not to go if I went myself. I'm not sure how much help I can be. Clearly Nie Huaisang has a vision and how can anyone top that?"
"It's not my fault none of you have any taste," Nie Huaisang sniffed, looking at Jin Zixuan, "I remember your wedding after all."
"What was wrong with my wedding?" Jin Zixuan demanded, as Meng Yao covered his mouth with his sleeve.
"Did you see the decorations?" Nie Huaisang asked haughtily, "The only reason things weren't as tacky as they could have been, was because Yanli-Jie has taste and I worked with her. I saw what you wanted to do for yours."
"I thought it was perfectly nice," Jin Zixuan said looking a bit unhappy.
"Well, we can all be Er-ge's minions," Wei Wuxian said with a beam, "Just tell us what to do Er-ge and we'll do it. Anything you need for the wedding. What's the point in having so much family if you can't even get free labour out of them?"
"You have a point," Nie Huaisang said thoughtfully, "I'll put you all to work. Starting with helping create more lanterns to hang up for the wedding."
"Ohh I make such pretty lanterns," Wei Wuxian said with a smile, "Lan Zhan remember the lantern we released together at Cloud Recesses? It was so beautiful, wasn't it? With pictures of our bunnies. Will you make more with me, Lan er-gege?"
"How have you both not calmed down at all after getting married?" Jin Zixuan said, sounding almost amazed, "You flirted so much before you got together, flirted even more after getting together, and now somehow you're even worse! Doesn't spending all your time together make you less inclined to flirt?"
"How could I not flirt with my Lan er-gege?" Wei Wuxian demanded, "Have you seen his face? He's so beautiful. I could flirt with him every day and it still would not be enough. It would never be enough."
"Shameless," Lan Zhan said without any real heat to his voice, and Wei Wuxian wanted to nestle himself into Lan Zhan's arms.
"I'm glad you're here though," Wei Wuxian said, as he pulled out a piece of paper with a talisman on it from his sleeve, "I finished the commission you asked for to identify blood relatives. It will show everyone who is related with the caster's blood if they are close by. I wanted it to work for longer distances but I figured that would cause a panic if people just saw themselves attached to a golden string without knowing why."
He activated it as he dropped a bit of his blood on it, and to no one's surprise, nothing lit up.
"I guess this finally puts the rumours to rest of you being Father's bastard son," Jiang Cheng commented and Nie Huaisang hit him lightly.
Wei Wuxian laughed at that, knowing he was right.
"If you will?" Wei Wuxian asked him, and Jin Zixuan followed suit on another talisman, as the group watched while a golden string tied around Jin Zixuan's wrist and Meng Yao's.
"Unsurprising," Meng Yao said dryly.
"Thank you," Jin Zixuan said, nodding with a tight voice, "I'll have the full amount sent as promised to the Nie sect. This is…this is most invaluable, Wei Wuxian. To know definitively who is related to me. Especially since Father-"
He cut himself off, but they all knew what he was thinking. Who knows how many people Jin Guangshan had slept with, either willingly or unwillingly. Who knows how many siblings Jin Zixuan had. And without Wei Wuxian's talisman, it really was a game of guessing, and of trust.
"Hopefully I can offer support to more of them," Jin Zixuan said, in a regretful tone, "I wish I could have done more, for you A-Yao and for A-Yu. But my hands are tied between Father being happy to pretend none of you exist and Mother getting worked up if I even mention my plans. But when I'm Sect Leader, I promise I'll ensure all of you are taken care of."
"I'm more that taken care of in the Nie sect," Meng Yao assured Jin Zixuan and Wei Wuxian grinned triumphantly, "But the knowledge that you wish to have a relationship despite the complex situation between us speaks volumes of your character."
Jin Zixuan simply looked a little embarrassed at that, "I'm simply doing what is right," he commented, but before he could go any further into it, a golden butterfly appeared, using the secret Jin technique, murmuring a message in Jin Zixuan's ear that caused the man to rapidly turn pale, jumping to his feet.
"What happened?" Jiang Cheng demanded, and Wei Wuxian sat up straighter.
"A-Li's in labour," Jin Zixuan said, faintly, "I need to go. My child is about to be born. I can't believe she talked me into coming here so close to her due date. Thank you for having me, but I need to leave right now."
"I'll come with you," Jiang Cheng said frantically, "A-Jie's in labour. She should have her family with her."
He paused then, remembering he wasn't just his sister's brother, but he was a sect leader. Who managed an entire sect. So leaving all of a sudden without any warning would certainly be challenging.
"Go," Nie Huaisang said, pressing a kiss to Jiang Cheng's cheek, "I'll manage things here while you be there for Yanli-Jie. And I'll make sure everything is running smoothly before joining you. You should be there for the birth."
"A-Sang," Jiang Cheng said tightly, "Thank you. I love you."
"I love you too," Nie Huaisang smiled knowingly, "Now go. You don't want to miss it, do you?"
"Definitely not," Jiang Cheng shook his head quickly before running after Jin Zixuan, ready to fly to Lanling.
"Well that was dramatic," Wei Wuxian commented, "Yao-ge, are you sure you don't want to go too? It is your niece or nephew too."
"I'm not sure my presence would be welcomed, especially without Nie Mingjue or Lan Xichen," Meng Yao shook his head, "Besides, I'll see the baby after they're born. This isn't about me, it's about the child. And I did promise I'd accompany you both to Gusu afterwards."
"We'd manage just fine if you wanted to go," Wei Wuxian told him, "But it is your choice. Either way, you're the fiancé of two sect leaders and if Jin Guangshan said anything, he'd risk offending both of them. And well Jiang Cheng cause lets be real, Er-ge would be furious and Jiang Cheng likes keeping Er-ge happy."
"Damn right he does," Nie Huaisang agreed, "No one is allowed to bully Yao-ge. Not on our watch."
Meng Yao gave them both a fond look, "Truly it is fine. I would not be able to offer much during the birth anyways, and it is far more important that the baby's father is there. Jin Zixuan offered to bring the baby to visit anyways once they were old enough to travel. And there's always the hundred day celebration. I'll have plenty of opportunities to meet Jin Rulan in the future.
"I can't believe you got the Jin to agree to name their heir after the Lan cause you're a sap," Nie Huaisang shook his head, looking amused more than anything.
"It's not my fault that their names are so beautiful," Wei Wuxian shrugged, "Especially Lan er-gongzi. He truly is the most beautiful Lan of all."
"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan simply sighed.