Chapter 99
Wei Wuxian wasn't going to cry. He wasn't. But as he stood in the rooms that they had been set up in at Lotus Pier to get ready in, he couldn't help but want to.
"Don't you dare cry," Er-ge threatened him as he placed one of his braids over his head in a folded position while he and Da-ge worked on braiding other sections of his hair. A-Yu's job was to place in decorations that he and Nie Huaisang had picked out strategically while A-Lian was focusing on doing something simpler for her younger brother and cousin.
"I wasn't going to," Wei Wuxian lied despite his red eyes as he finished the section he was working on, passing it off to Nie Huaisang to style while he moved onto the next strand.
"You are," Nie Huaisang complained, "A-Ying, I've worked way too hard on this wedding and its' aesthetic for you to ruin it over tears now. Don't make me summon your husband and have him stop you from crying.
Wei Wuxian faltered at that, knowing the threat was real. Because even if the tears were somewhat happy, Lan Zhan would get rather worried about him, given Wei Wuxian was also just as sad that his Er-ge was marrying out of their sect, and in turn that would make Lan Zhan sad, and if there was one thing he absolutely could not do, it was make Lan Zhan sad.
"Er-ge, don't be mean," Wei Wuxian whined as Nie Huaisang twisted another braid, laying it delicately over his hair and pinning it in place.
"Not mean," Nie Huaisang remarked, with a fond look, "A-Ying, Da-ge, you know I want this right? This is a good thing. I love Jiang Cheng. I want to marry him. I'm not sad by it. I'm not being forced. I'm marrying him because I love him and want to spend the rest of my life with him."
"Why can't he marry into the Nie," Wei Wuxian complained, "You're the one who promised you were going to steal him from the Jiang when we were in Cloud Recesses and his father was being mean to him. Why can't we steal him and have him in our sect. Then you wouldn't need to leave."
"Wei Ying," Er-ge sighed, "You know as well as I do that it is not an option. Besides, Lotus Pier isn't the same as it was back then. It's not a sect filled with tension and fear. It's not one where people need to walk over eggshells because they're worried about upsetting the leaders. It's one now with love and joy. A-Cheng and Yanli-Jie have worked very hard to reshape it after. It's my home now. But that doesn't mean Qinghe isn't my home too. It will always be my home. And I'll visit you and Da-ge all the time."
"We won't all be in the same place all the time," Wei Wuxian said, wanting to cry for real, "Da-ge is going to be rotating his time between Qinghe and Cloud Recesses, and when he's in one place Lan Zhan and I will be in the other. And you'll be here. It's not fair."
"You're welcome to stay in Qinghe all the time," Da-ge offered him, "Then you'll see me when it's our turn in Qinghe."
"Or stay in Lotus Pier with me year-round," Er-ge offered him.
"You're both making fun of me," Wei Wuxian pouted, "Da-ge, you're supposed to be on my side! He's leaving us! You're supposed to be just as upset about it."
"Who said I'm not upset?" Da-ge raised a brow at him, "He's my didi just as you are. And I plan on threatening Jiang Wanyin again before the wedding that he better treat Sang-er well if he doesn't want to face a painful death. But at the same time, I cannot be so selfish as to keep you both as my little brothers and not let you live your lives. I have only ever wanted you both to have everything you've ever wanted and more. I've wanted you to each grow into the people you were meant to become without anything hindering you. And you have. You are such strong people. I have and always will be proud of all three of you."
"Da-ge," Nie Huaisang said, looking touched.
"Da-ge," Wei Wuxian said, feeling moved.
"Da-ge," Mo Xuanyu said, as Da-ge touched him on the head, also acknowledging him with his remarks.
"My little brothers," Nie Mingjue said, looking proud of them.
"How much did you drink with Nie Zonghui last night and cry over this?" Nie Huaisang said, teasing him.
"So much," Nie Mingjue said, answering both questions readily, "When Mo Xuanyu gets married, I'll cry then too. But my feelings are more about you being grown up before my very eyes. I only want you to be happy. And I know Jiang Wanyin makes you happy."
"He does," Nie Huaisang said firmly, looking at Wei Wuxian, "I wouldn't be marrying him if he didn't. You know me, San-di. No one can make me do anything I do not want to do. I want to marry A-Cheng. I want to spend my life with him and raise a family. I want to manage a sect, not as a sect leader but as a Furen and deal with all the politics he hates dealing with. You know how much I love navigating politics."
"Don't bleed the Nie dry with your trade agreements," Da-ge warned him.
"Never," Er-ge scoffed, "The Nie is my sect. I would only ever suggest things to benefit them. The Lan however, are a completely different matter. Both of their Twin Jades are in love with my brothers. They have no room for argument. And the Jin stand no chance against me."
"Good luck to Jin Zixuan," Wei Wuxian snickered. And to Lan Zhan and Xichen-ge. They were going to get wrecked by Nie Huaisang and his trade agreements.
The four of them finally finished on Nie Huaisang's hair and Da-ge stepped back, before looking very hard like he was trying not to react.
"Er-ge," Wei Wuxian said, feeling tears running down his face again, "You look beautiful."
"Wei Ying!" Nie Huaisang said, without much heat, as he took in his own appearance.
"Er-ge," Wei Wuxian said, throat closing, "I'm really happy for you. I am. I love you so much. You are the best Er-ge that I could have ever hoped for. I am forever thankful that it was the Nie who found me. That it was you who found me."
"You were the one who found me, when I was in the alley," Nie Huaisang reminded him.
"We found each other," Wei Wuxian settled, "But it doesn't change the fact that you were always there for me. Even though you were only a few months older than me, you took such good care of me. Every time I had a nightmare. Every time I wanted to try something new, you went along with it, as long as it wasn't completely unsafe. You looked for me for months when I was missing. You're the best Er-ge ever, and I love you so much."
"Wei Ying," Nie Huaisang said, looking touched, and Nie Mingjue started crying then too.
"You were so small when you were born," Nie Mingjue said, shaking as Meng Yao stepped in then, rubbing Nie Mingjue's back, "And now you're getting married. Two of my Didi's are married. A-Yu, you're not allowed to grow up, okay?"
"Okay," Mo Xuanyu said readily.
"Da-ge," Nie Huaisang said, with a tight voice, "Both of you stop before you make me cry. I worked really hard on my makeup! It's taken me hours to perfect. Don't you dare make me mess it up."
"Okay," Da-ge said, taking a deep breath, "Okay. No more crying. We should head out anyways. It's almost time for the auspicious hour, after all. We do not want to be late to your own wedding."
"No, we don't," Er-ge said, smiling as he stood, placing a veil over his head.
The guests were already seated in the main pavilion, over-looking the lake. Er-ge had Jiang Cheng build the pavilion while they were rebuilding Lotus Pier, stating that the spot was absolutely perfect, with the view, and that it would be a crime not to take advantage of it. And Jiang Cheng had obviously gone along with it, since it was Er-ge requesting it.
And it was the perfect spot for them to get married at, at the edge of the lake, surrounded by their family and their friends, and well, the rest of the cultivation world as well.
Jiang Cheng was already waiting at the edge of the pier, with the tablets of his parents set up next to that of Nie Huaisang's two mothers and father. Da-ge, Wei Wuxian, and Mo Xuanyu accompanied Nie Huaisang towards Jiang Cheng, as everyone turned to look at their precious brother getting married, and despite the few murmurs about A-Yu's presence, one glower from Jiang Cheng shut them all up.
Meng Yao had shuffled A-Lian and A-Yuan over to where Lan Jingyi was sitting next to Lan Zhan and Xichen-ge, and as they approached Jiang Cheng, three of the Nie brothers sat close by, opposite to where Jiang Yanli was sitting, next to Jin Zixuan.
Their son, Jin Rulan had accompanied them for the wedding, but was too young to be expected to sit through the ceremony, and was as such set up in the nursery that Jiang Cheng had spent hours creating in the rooms his sister resided in, alongside several nannies watching him.
"A-Cheng," Nie Huaisang said, smiling up at his future husband brightly.
"A-Sang," Jiang Cheng said, looking at Wei Wuxian's Er-ge as if he were the sun in the sky, "You look so beautiful."
"I had some help," Nie Huaisang said as he took Jiang Cheng's hands in his own.
"As the auspicious hour is nearing, we will begin with the bows," Da-ge said, as he commanded, the senior to the both of them, even if he was of the Nie sect, he was still Nie Huaisang's elder, and would be presiding over the ceremony.
"The first bow, to the heavens," Da-ge commanded, as Er-ge and Jiang Cheng bowed together. There were no immortals serving as elders, though Baoshan Sanren had attended in the audience, want to both have an occasion to meet her great-grandchildren, and support the brother of her grandson. She had, in turn, dragged Lan Yi along for similar reasons, as the woman herself had gained three grandchildren of several generations.
"The second bow, to the parents," Da-ge said, as Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng turned to where the tablets of their parents had been set up, bowing deeply with their respect.
"And the last bow, to each other," Da-ge said, as Nie Huaisang turned towards Jiang Cheng, and the two of them bowed deeply before one another, showing their love and respect for one another.
"A-Cheng," Nie Huaisang said, as Jiang Cheng carefully took off his veil.
"A-Sang," Jiang Cheng marvelled, "So beautiful."
Nie Huaisang closed the gap between them, kissing Jiang Cheng soundly, despite Da-ge letting out a cough. But the two of them were now married, and Wei Wuxian glanced over to where Lan Zhan was sitting, holding their children, as he shot his husband a warm look.
When the two of them finally pulled apart, Jiang Cheng looked over at the audience.
"Please help me in welcoming Jiang Furen to our sect," Jiang Cheng said, as the Jiang and Nie disciples cheered loudly, in a manner one would expect from the two rowdier major sects, and Da-ge looked on proudly, "Jiang Furen has already made huge contributions to our sect even before marriage, helping the efforts to rebuild Lotus Pier to what it is today. He has gone above and beyond for this sect, and I know he will continue to help Lotus Pier flourish. More importantly, he brings me great joy and happiness, and I am elated to marry my childhood friend whom I've loved for a long time."
Nie Huaisang looked like he was going to cry, but he did not shed a tear, "I am ecstatic to marry into a sect that I cherish deeply, and to marry my closest friend. A-Cheng, you've been there for me through the ups and downs of my life. You provided comfort during the war and I've enjoyed growing with you. I want to continue growing with you and spending every day of our lives together."
Da-ge stood then, offering a toast with some wine, "Jiang Furen will always be of the Nie sect," Da-ge said, in a booming voice, "But I am pleased my Er-di has managed to find himself a cultivation partner who treats him well and with respect. I have no doubt that he will serve the Jiang well as their Furen."
"Er-ge, I'm still sad you're marrying out," Wei Wuxian said, voice wavering once more as his brothers laughed, "But I'm glad you chose Jiang Cheng. And I know you will continue to achieve great things and have great happiness. I know because Er-ge will not accept anything less. What Er-ge wants, Er-ge always gets."
The entire audience laughed at that, as Wei Wuxian drank his wine as a toast.
Jiang Yanli offered wine then, giving her own toast, "A-Cheng, I'm so proud of the person you've become over the last several years. You've grown despite having great hardships thrown your way, with the loss of our parents and the loss of our sect. But despite it, you've rebuilt our home greater than anything it has ever been before. You and Huaisang are both wonderful together, and I'm elated to celebrate this day with you."
She drank her wine, before turning to the crowd.
"Please, join us in celebration with the feast we have arranged," Jiang Yanli said brightly, as the attendants of the Jiang sect brough out the first of the dishes Nie Huaisang had painstakingly chosen. Wei Wuxian moved to sit with his husband, as they'd been set up at tables close to the main couple, while Da-ge joined Lan Xichen and Meng Yao opposite to him.
"Lan Zhan, my Er-ge is married," Wei Wuxian said in a tight voice as Lan Zhan passed him their son to cuddle in comfort.
"Die-die don't be sad," A-Yuan said as he hugged him tightly, "If Er-Shu gets married we get more cousins!"
Wei Wuxian looked at his son who was just as brilliant as his father.
"A-Yuan, you're such a smart boy," Wei Wuxian said, patting his head, and A-Yuan tapped his face lightly, "You should ask your Er-Shu and your Jiang Shushu to give you many cousins when we greet them later, okay?"
Lan Zhan gave him an exasperatedly fond look, but didn't protest as A-Yuan nodded solemnly.
He fed their children carefully, as A-Yuan seemed to be in a little bit of a rush to eat, and he could tell from the way Lan Jingyi was also following suit that the two of them had a plan between them which involved finishing their food so they could escape from the mundaneness of the feast.
"Ah, A-Yuan, are you in such a rush to leave me and your Baba?" Wei Wuxian asked him with despair, "Next thing I know, you and A-Lian are going to be getting married too and leave me and Lan Zhan all alone."
"No," Lan Zhan said firmly, "Not allowed. Too young. No marriage."
A-Lian giggled as Lan Zhan insisted that their babies not grow up, and Wei Wuxian beamed at his protectiveness. His husband was so cute when he was being fierce over their babies.
"Won't grow up," A-Yuan agreed readily, "Won't leave Baba and Die-die."
"See that, Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian teased, "Our little radish has promised never to leave us. We can remind him of that when he's older."
"Mm," Lan Zhan said in satisfaction as he nodded in agreement at their children, when A-Yuan tugged their robes asking to leave to go play. They had eaten more than enough, and Wei Wuxian watched as they ran over to drag Lan Jingyi with them, giggling amongst themselves as they played with some of the other children.
He looked over to where Ouyang Zongzhu was sitting, as his youngest and only son looked over at where the kids were playing longingly, and Wei Wuxian frowned, wondering if the sect leader would be so petty that he wouldn't even allow his son to make friends with their children simply because he backed Jin Guangshan.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian leaned into his husband, "What would you do if our children wanted to be friends with people in sects that we do not like?"
"I would support them," Lan Zhan said simply, "Children are not to blame for their parent's crime. Your brother allowed yours and Nie Huaisang's friendship with Jiang Wanyin, and did not protest it in the slightest, even though he did not approve of the former Jiang Zongzhu. If our children wanted to make friends, I would not stop them."
"Because you're too good of a person," Wei Wuxian sighed against him, "My Lan er-gege would always put our children first over his personal feelings, as long as they were not in harm's way. You're such a great person, Lan Zhan. It's why I love you so much."
"Wei Ying is a good person too," Lan Zhan insisted, "He would also never let our children suffer."
"Maybe we can try and convince Ouyang Zongzhu to allow our children to play together," Wei Wuxian posed, "We can offer some trade agreements if it helps soften him up. His son is young. Chances are he just wants some friends his own age. And our babies love having friends."
"And if he says no?" Lan Zhan asked gently.
Wei Wuxian faltered, because that was a very real possibility.
"Then we can't do anything about it," Wei Wuxian slouched, "They're young children. Perhaps if they were older then, they would have more of a leg to stand on."
"We will do our best for our children," Lan Zhan promised him.
"We will," Wei Wuxian agreed, knowing they wouldn't accept anything less.
They ate together happily, and Wei Wuxian only pouted a little when Nie Huaisang snuck off with Jiang Cheng, as the night grew later. How could he when he and Lan Zhan also snuck off to celebrate their own wedding night.
The celebrations continued, as the Nie and Jiang cheered loudly, giving more toasts to one another, while Wei Wuxian beamed like the happy brother he was.
"Wei Wuxian! You have a lot of nerve showing your face here!" Jin Zixun said, standing up as he interrupted the feast.
Wei Wuxian looked up at the man he was starting to learn the name of because of all the times he'd bothered Wei Wuxian.
"At my own brother's wedding?" Wei Wuxian said in confusion as Nie Mingjue stood angrily, "I was invited?"
He was glad Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang were already gone, because the last thing either of them needed was to see whatever this was. Their wedding shouldn't be ruined because of Jins being stupid and trying to make everything about them, even when it shouldn't be.
"Don't play dumb with us!" Jin Zixun shouted, "Everyone's heard the rumours about the resentful energy at Burial Mounds! You've been going there to try and make a new weapon haven't you?! It wasn't enough that you lost yours, now you are trying to make a new one!"
"I've been in Qinghe, Gusu and Lotus Pier this entire time?" Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Zhan, "We've been a little busy. When would I have had the time to run off to Burial Mounds without any of my family noticing?"
"We all know it's you!" Jin Zixun glowered, "Who else would be able to summon fierce corpses and parade them around Yiling as arrogantly as you? You should be arrested for your crimes! Not sitting here sipping wine as if you own the place."
"This is my brother's sect," Wei Wuxian glanced at him, "I don't own the place. But I do have a private ward here. Who are you and what is your connection to the place again?"
Jin Zixun flushed at that, as a few members of the Nie laughed at him, while the Yao and Ouyang sect leaders whispered amongst themselves furiously.
"Do not spread rumours, do not speak out of turn, do not tell lies," Lan Zhan said in annoyance.
"Besides, Xiandu asked us to take a look at what was happening there," Wei Wuxian shot back, "I doubt he would do such a thing if he blamed me for it. Now. Shut up. You're ruining my brother's wedding. Are the Jin that arrogant that they think they have the right to interrupt celebrations of other major sects? Especially the wedding of a sect leader to the sect heir of another? I'm just glad Er-ge is not here right now. How dare you try and ruin his wedding? If you had a serious grievance against me, you should file it with Xiandu appropriately! Not make a scene at a party!"
"Exactly!" Nie Mingjue said then, standing as he stood menacingly, "Keep it up and your entire sect will not be invited to any functions in the future," Nie Mingjue glowered, "You've been invited in respect given your sects' relationship with the Jiang, however if the Jin keep making commotions like this and showing so much disrespect to my sect, I will formally cut ties with the Jin sect and end all trades and agreements between us."
That increased the murmurs, as Lan Xichen stood then.
"Jin Zongzhu, you continue to dismiss the behaviour of your nephew and other sect members while they are disrespectful towards members of my sect as well," Lan Xichen said firmly, "A-Xian is my brother-in-law. He may still be of the Nie sect, but he is also a Lan as per his marriage agreement. Their children are Nie and Lan. By allowing this disrespect towards him time and time again, you are disrespecting the Lan. As such, unless your sect can get a handle on it, we will also sever ties with the Jin."
Meng Yao looked in between Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen in awe, and Wei Wuxian felt stunned. He knew they were displeased with Jin Guangshan, and he wondered if they were using this a precursor to the trial while they gathered evidence still.
"You and your entire sect have been getting arrogant of late," the leader of the Tingshan He said as he looked at Jin Guangshan in contempt, speaking out while most of the minor sect leaders still whispered amongst themselves, "You want to speak about rumours? How about the rumour that the assassination attempt against Jin Xiao Furen was by a man whose wife killed themselves and their child after Jin Zongzhu raped her? How about the increasing rumours that Jin Zongzhu has been kidnapping women to rape them in the night, encouraging his sect members to do the same. You keep slandering Bixie Jun without any proof of his crimes, and yet you and your sect have done so much worse out in the open."
"How dare you!" Jin Guangshan shouted back, with a bit of a slur to his voice, "The Jin have always been a major sect. They are superior to you and you think you have the right you stand against us? Any of you think you have the right to stand against us? You are nothing. You think we need your trade agreements? We don't! We have enough to sustain us!"
"Father!" Jin Zixuan said, standing finally, "I think you've had enough for the night. We can talk about this calmly in the morning. Please do not make any rash statements. Please turn in for the night."
He beckoned over two male attendants, who all but ushered Jin Guangshan away despite him trying to protest.
"Jin Zixun, apologise right now," Jin Zixuan ordered, "You had no right to cause a scene. The Jiang have always been our close ally, and you have caused a commotion at the wedding of my wife's brother. You attacked his husband's brother. This was not the time or place, and others have suggested. Pack up your things and return home. Now."
Jin Zixun started protesting as well, but Jin Zixuan gave him a hard look, as he summoned a few disciples to escort him out."
"I formally apologise, on behalf of my sect," Jin Zixuan said, bowing out towards the others, "My father and cousin should never have caused a disruption at such a major event. I will provide a suitable gift for the Jiang for the disruption, the Nie for the attack on their heir, and the Lan for the insult. I hope you can find it in yourselves to forgive us."
"This will not ruin the night," Nie Mingjue said firmly, clearly wanting the night to be about his brother, "We will address this properly later. For now, this is still a wedding and a celebration. It should be treated as such."
"Please, enjoy the festivities," Jiang Yanli said, placing a hand of support on her husband's shoulder, but still acting as a daughter of the Jiang sect.
"This is a party," Wei Wuxian agreed, "No need to allow something insignificant to ruin the occasion. Let it be but a blip in the night and not what you remember."
He raised his glass then, facing the others, "To my brother and to Jiang Wanyin. Even though they're long gone, may their marriage be filled with joy and happiness."
His toast rang out as everyone drank to it, and the previous confrontation was quickly forgotten, as the celebrations continued.
Jin Guangshan paced his chambers after they'd returned to Lanling, feeling anger pulse through him. It had been that way for weeks, fury at the cultivation world for constantly looking down at him. He should have been Xiandu. He should have been the one sects were clamouring about to get on their good side.
Instead, they bent over backwards for the Lan. They worshipped the Nie. They praised the Jiang. And they looked down on the Jin.
It wasn't right.
"Uncle," he heard his nephew call out as he knocked on his door, "You summoned me."
"Yes," Jin Guangshan said, beckoning for his nephew to come inside and close the door so they could talk, "I have a task for you."
Jin Zixun smirked as he sat lazily on the couch. His nephew may not have been the most capable, but he would do whatever Jin Guangshan asked for without questioning him. And that was enough.
"The Tingshan He sect have been disobedient as of late," Jin Guangshan said with a scowl, "They are agreeing with the Lan's proposal for watch towers and have begun implementing it between our shared borders without permission. And moreover, they disrespected us publicly at the wedding. They stood against us as if they were worth anything. That act of rebellion cannot go unpunished. They must be made to pay for their crimes."
"Those lowly cultivators think they have the power to stand against the Jin sect," Jin Zixun said with fury, "They're looking down on us. I will punish them accordingly, Uncle! They will not get away with their insubordination."
"No, they won't," Jin Guangshan agreed, "They need to be taught a lesson. They need to be taught that they cannot stand against the Jin. Because if they are not, then everyone will think that the Jin sect is something to scoff at. As it is, your cousin has been distancing himself, allying more and more with the Jiang. It is a disgrace to the Jin."
"He is easily swayed by a woman," Jin Zixun said, casually, "Weak to her wiles."
"He is," Jin Guangshan agreed, "He needs strong supporters by his side if he is to be the next Jin Zongzhu. Those who will not hesitate to take action and do what is needed in order for the Jin sect to survive. I've always valued you, Jin Zixun. I know you are capable. And I know you will do what is necessary."
"Whatever it takes, Uncle," Jin Zixun agreed, "What do you ask of me?"
Jin Guangshan smiled at that, as he reached into his robes and took out a piece of stone that he had been working hard to cultivate and create over the last few months. Was it perfect? No. But it was a remnant of what Xue Yang had left behind before he went on the run. And it was more than enough to achieve what it is he wanted to accomplish.
He smiled, before saying "I want you to teach them a lesson that they will never forget."