and sings the tune without the words

by Rose Thorne

Disclaimer: MDZS/The Untamed are not mine.

Chapter Fifteen

Lan-xiangsheng,

We have reports that an assassination attempt on Wen Xu and Wen Chao was successful. Qishan Wen has fallen into chaos.

Some have tried to demand Wen Qing return and ascend the throne and she refuses, saying she would likely be dead within the month.

Smaller sects that were subsumed by the Wen have continued declaring independence, more as there has been a lack of repercussions. The Wen clan is too busy infighting over the sect leader position to do anything about it.

As such, it should be safe to travel, but San-Niang has decided to go to the Cloud Recesses so she can be there to provide extra protection on the journey. She will be there a few days before you are to leave.

We have prepared Lan Wangji's room. Please let me know if any other members of the Lan clan will need accommodations, as well.

Warmly,

Jiang Fengmian

Didi,

A-Niang is coming to bring you home soon. Are we still going to be roommates? Or would you rather have your own quarters? Or if you're used to rooming with Lan Wangji, that's fine too.

The other disciples miss you, and are glad you're coming home. We're all still pretty worried after what happened, and it'll be good to have you back. You being here means less worry—I know the Lan are keeping you safe, but it's easier when we can see you, you know? The disciples you picked from the street are doing well with their studies.

A-Lian has grown since you left. A-Die says she's not a toddler anymore, but a little girl, whatever that means. She's missed you terribly. She's starting to learn her characters some, but she keeps getting ink on her robes. She loved the little stuffed fish you sent for her. How did you know fish are her favorite animal?

Jiejie found out that Jin Zixuan isn't supposed to write to her anymore. I guess his parents are mad about Meng-ayi and Mo-guniang and their sons, but he sent letters through someone else because he doesn't want to stop writing to her, which made her happy. At least he properly appreciates her now. Otherwise I'd have to break his legs.

I guess a lot of stuff is going on in Qishan, because I keep hearing A-Die and A-Niang talk about it when they think I'm not around to hear, and Wen Qing is super nervous. She's not really talking about it, but that might be because our parents said not to.

A-Niang went on a night hunt and brought home a bunch of women. I guess she shut down another brothel and saved them, but I'm not sure where it was. She also brought home some street kids—I guess one of the prostitutes was feeding them and didn't want to leave without them. I think you'll like her when you meet her because you have that in common. She wants to be a seamstress and Meng-ayi is teaching her and the others to read. The kids are already doing okay, learning to read and settling into their barracks—they'll move to apprenticeships if they can't form a jindan, but for now they're safe and fed.

Anyway, Jiejie packed some lotus buns she made to accompany this package, so enjoy them until you can come home and have them fresh. And her soup—I'm eating your portion while you're gone!

Stay safe, dummy.

Jiang Cheng

Jiang-zongzhu,

This is dire news indeed. Wen Xu was only a teenager, and Wen Chao only about as old as Xichen. It would be prudent to send condolences, but to whom? Such letters may need to wait until the matter is sorted out and a new head of the Wen sect has been determined.

While Wen Qing would likely bring peace under a wise ruler, that wisdom was in removing herself from the situation. Her assessment is correct—undoubtedly her and her brother would also be assassinated if she were to return to Qishan.

These smaller sects may be open to alliances, assuming they survive the Wen infighting. I daresay it could prove more widespread than we anticipate, given the size of the sect. Though it's possible to take advantage of the situation for the profit of our sects, such an act could backfire in the long run.

Yu-furen is welcome, as we will not have Nie-zongzhu for additional protection during the trip. Jiang Wuxian will be happy to see her, I'm sure. Though he is happy generally, he misses home and his family, which makes it more likely the boys will often travel between our sects. Hopefully as things settle and they age, they will need fewer people to accompany them.

I appreciate your kindness in setting aside quarters for Wangji, but you may find that Jiang Wuxian and Wangji are inseparable—here they share quarters, as your son has nightmares at times and Wangji wishes to soothe them. I have no doubt they will likely continue to cohabitate at Lotus Pier, so perhaps that should be taken into account.

I hope your other children are well.

Lan Qiren

A-Cheng,

I'm so excited to see A-Niang! I'm glad she saved more women and kids, and I hope they're settling in well. It sounds like the one auntie is super nice.

The Cloud Recesses are really nice, but very cold in winter. They gave me extra blankets and Lan Zhan got me a warm cloak to wear and Lan-xiansheng got me warm robes to keep here. I'm allowed to eat more than three bowls, too, which is good because the cold makes me hungrier.

I've gotten really used to sleeping with Lan Zhan. I mean, in the same room, but if I have nightmares he sleeps in my bed so I know I'm not alone when I wake up. Can we room together? It won't inconvenience anyone, I hope!

I miss you too, Chengcheng. And everyone else, but especially you and Jiejie and Meimei. It's good to know the Yunmeng street kids are doing well. I'm glad they have a home with us, and I think they'll be good cultivators.

Aw, my little lotus is growing up! I bet A-Niang had to get her all new robes, unless she's still using Jiejie's old ones. She got a spun sugar fish that one time, so I figured she'd love one. I chose the prettiest one for her. I'm sure she's doing great with her characters! She's our meimei, after all!

I didn't know it was possible to feel respect for Jin Zixuan, though him writing letters to her in the first place was good. Maybe he'll treat Jiejie the way she deserves. If not, I'll help you.

I feel really bad because I guess the Wen heirs got killed without their dad to protect them. I overheard Lan-xiansheng discussing it with an elder. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, really! I bet Wen Qing is nervous—if they killed the heirs, who's to say they won't try to hurt her or her didi.

Tell Jiejie her lotus buns are amazing! They make me want her soup, too. I guess I can't stop you, but you'll have to also share with Lan Zhan when we come home. He deserves some delicious soup, too!

I'm staying safe, promise.

Jiang Wuxian

Scared about what the election results will bring, as I'm sure many of you are as well. Please know if something happens to ao3 and ffn, like it being banned in the US, I will still try to find ways to post my fanfiction. VPNs exist.

There are a few idioms scattered throughout Lan Qiren's letter, or hints toward them. Like to bring peace under a wise ruler, and taking advantage of a situation for profit.

a-die = dad

a-niang = mom

ayi = aunt

didi = little brother

furen = madam

guniang = lady/young mistress

jiejie = older sister

jindan = golden core

meimei = little sister

xiansheng = teacher

zongzhu = sect leader