and sings the tune without the words
by Rose Thorne
Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with The Untamed, and make no money writing fanfiction.
Chapter Five
Dear Lan-gongzi,
I hope you do not think my writing to you untoward—I feel you became a good friend during your stay, and I trust that you are helping care for A-Xian during his stay at the Cloud Recesses.
In that spirit, I wanted to let you know that his birthday is coming up on October 31. I don't know if anyone told Lan-laoshi, and I'm not certain A-Xian remembers. Around this time of year he often gets a bit out of sorts, and never seems to know why, but I suspect it has to do with the shift toward winter after being homeless so long and A-Die mentioned the best guess is his parents died in the autumn.
With his amnesia, it's possible he'll be fine, but please be gentle with him during this time—I'm enclosing the recipe for his favorite soup, as that has helped in the past. He says it feels like a hug, and those work, too. He also gets cold easily this time of year.
A-Niang and A-Die are sending gifts for his birthday, as well. It's his first birthday as a Jiang, as officially my didi, and also the first he might remember. Please make it a happy one for him, if you can. Were it possible to have him here or to go to the Cloud Recesses to celebrate with him, we would.
Your tutelage in music has enabled me to continue to learn the konghou. I can play several songs, and I am enjoying the process of learning. A-Lian has taken over the practice konghou and is imitating me—with some success, even. I'm hoping music will be a part of her education, as well, but she's so young it will be something to determine in the future.
I am also learning more about medicines. Kang-daifu has had me memorize plants and go out to gather them for him, and then he teaches me to brew medicine using them. I've actually started a small garden outside my quarters for some of the more common herbs. Just like with cooking, I've found that gardening is a meditative task.
My golden core has strengthened enough that I feel the improvement. My body is frail, but I tire less and have fewer dizzy spells than I did. Would Lan-laoshi be bothered if I wrote to him for further ideas on improving my cultivation, do you think? I know he is very busy.
Now that I use cooking to meditate and my core is improving, A-Niang is fine with me being in the kitchen and learning new recipes.
I know your brother will be wintering here when A-Xian returns, and I would like to ensure his comfort. Please let me know what foods he likes best, with recipes if possible, so I can assist with that. I know he stayed in the infirmary last time, but he will have quarters near A-Xian, and I hope to bring in personal touches that will make it more comfortable.
I hope this letter finds you well.
Sincerely,
Jiang Yanli
Dear Jiang-guniang,
I apologize for the delay in my response. Your letter arrived only two days before Wuxian's birthday, and I focused on preparing a celebration. I imagine you value that over a timely reply, as I would with Wangji.
I was very happy to receive your letter, especially with the news of his birthday, as Shufu was unaware and Wuxian, indeed, did not remember. Fortunately, this made a surprise party all the more surprising for him.
Wuxian seemed down of late, but we didn't know it was related to the change in season. Lan-daifu has ordered he be given more eggs at mealtimes, and that fish be added to his diet. Wuxian is also drinking a tonic each morning and has been told to practice his dizi outside for more sunlight.
Wangji's birthday gift to him was chosen in light of your concerns about his tendency to catch a chill easily. He went to Caiyi while Wuxian was doing his daily meditation with Clarity and purchased a quilted robe to go under Wuxian's outer layer, as well as thicker stockings. Wuxian was very happy with the gifts, especially as Wangji chose a red robe the same color as his ribbon. I'm not sure either of them realizes the significance of the color in light of their troth, but I'm absolutely not saying anything.
Since Wuxian is staying in the jingshi with Wangji, I've also had extra blankets brought in case he is cold in the night. Lan-daifu told him he must let us know if he is cold, as there may be residual health issues from spending so many years suffering exposure. He has promised to do so, and Wangji is watching him closely, as well.
His birthday went quite well. All of the Cloud Recesses enjoyed your soup with dinner, and it turns out he'd already made friends with the kitchen staff, so they went out of their way to cook him Yunmeng specialties. They dyed his chang shou mian red with chili paste, which made him very happy, and he successfully ate it as one continuous strand. They even dyed the eggs red with chili, and the dumplings as well—his portion, anyway. We aren't used to that level of spice here.
They also made him lotus seed buns, and he made a joke about jia nu bing that made Wangji's ears turn red. Even Shufu smiled! It wouldn't be inappropriate, given the troth. Maybe I'll ask the kitchen to make one as a joke. I know I will ask that they make him your soup periodically, at the least, as it made him very happy.
Wuxian was a little shy with the well-wishes and gifts, though he has made many friends who wished to help celebrate. As you know, your brother is quite likable and outgoing, though he's more boisterous than most in the Cloud Recesses. Some of the Elders find that problematic, but I think his liveliness is welcome.
He was also happy to receive the gifts from your family, especially the painting of his parents your parents had commissioned. It is hanging in the jingshi so he can enjoy it now. He was also very happy with the little painting from A-Lian, the lotus tea set and tea from you, and the set of carved chopsticks and spoons from Jiang Wanyin. He used the utensils for dinner, exclaiming over the carved deer and longevity symbols, and before curfew he asked Shufu and I to have tea with him and Wangji. The lotus tea was quite nice; he said he knew we would probably have difficulty with the spiced one you sent, as it has peppercorns. I had no idea tea could have peppercorns!
Overall, the birthday was a success. He was a little disappointed in not being able to celebrate with you, but Wangji mentioned perhaps there could be a celebration next year at Lotus Pier to commemorate his adoption with A-Lian, since it's bad luck to celebrate a birthday late. Perhaps you could recommend this to your parents, as it is also something to be celebrated, another sort of birthday. Since A-Lian may not know her true birthday, that may be a solution for hers, as well.
It is also good to hear of your continued progress with your core and music, as well as your work in the healing arts. As for Shufu, I believe he would be delighted to hear from you and to continue to aid you in your cultivation endeavors. In the Cloud Recesses, we often cultivate while soaking in the Cold Spring, and I wonder if something similar could be achieved swimming, like a sort of active meditation? I'm glad to hear your strengthening core has lessened your dizzy spells.
Wuxian isn't fond of the Cold Spring, as it lives up to its name, and since he's sensitive to cold that makes sense. He would likely prefer a hot spring to meditate in, which may not be a bad idea. He has difficulty with stillness, so one of the tutors has given him a puzzle box to keep his hands busy, and it gives his hands something to do while his mind empties. It's been quite effective, and I wonder if it will help other disciples. Perhaps you could try something similar?
I've been researching dizi scores for Wuxian, and I found several konghou scores in the library, including some beginner and intermediate pieces, as well. I've copied them down and am enclosing them in case they interest you.
Wangji often keeps his area sparse, something Wuxian seems to be breaking him out of a little. In the Cloud Recesses, as you can imagine, our decor is largely blue and white, but those colors aren't necessary for his quarters, as I don't believe he's particularly attached to them. He prefers sandalwood incense. He is secretly fond of rabbits, and so decor featuring them would not be out of line. He is also fond of gentians, as they remind him of our mother.
I should mention that our mother passed in winter, and the loss affected him greatly. For months he sat outside her home, waiting to be let in to see her, because he didn't understand. This was shortly before he met Wuxian in Yiling. The anniversary of her death will take place while he is at Lotus Pier, so he may withdraw a little, but I think the change will do him good.
Looking at this letter, I have written more than I expected, but I wanted to tell you of his birthday. Please do not hesitate to continue to write to me, as I enjoyed our conversations at Lotus Pier and would be happy to continue corresponding as friends, if that is not untoward.
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Sincerely,
Lan Xichen
Elder siblings club has started?
Chang shou mian are longevity noodles, carefully cooked so as to be one long strand, with the goal to eat it all in one slurp. Cutting the noodle is considered bad luck, as though cutting life short. Dyed red eggs are also auspicious, as red is a lucky color. That's probably what Lan Wangji was going for with the robe, but Lan Xichen finds it hilarious in light of the troth.
Jia nu bing is a dowry cake or "marry girl cake," given to the bride and her family after the engagement. Traditionally this involves a sponge cake with an internal base of lotus seed paste. So basically, Wei Wuxian's comment referenced the troth and himself as a bride.
I guess what I'm saying is Lan Xichen ships it.