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Chapter Text

It was seven in the morning and the halls of Cloud Recesses were filled with sounds of shuffling feet. The confused murmurings of disciples pulled abruptly away from training broke through the usual quiet of the secluded mountain temple.

Though the cold season was descending on Gusu, Jingyi could feel a light sheen of sweat sticking to his inner robes from this morning’s lesson. He pulled his arms deeper into his sleeves and shivered. A strange feeling of unease settled over him.

The morning started out just like it always did. Jingyi woke at the crack of dawn and forced himself to eat a bland breakfast in the dining hall and then found himself fifteen minutes late for training — again.  He spent the next two hours getting his ass handed to him by Lan Sizhui who was a far better swordsman — and cultivator — than Lan Jingyi could ever hope to be.

The shrill clang of the warning bell rang, and the juniors were summoned to the meeting rooms.

At least we’re getting an early break.

The juniors would usually be kept in the training hall until noon when they would break off for a meal. This was followed by an afternoon of meditation. He certainly didn’t mind the upset of the schedule he’d found monotonous and welcomed anything that would shake up the routine.

However, everything had seemed topsy-turvy since Wei Wuxian officially married into the Lan Sect just over half a year ago. At least Jingyi could find some entertainment in Wei Wuxian’s antics which somehow seemed to infuriate Lan Qiren even more than his own.

Wei Wuxian knew how stifling the three thousand rules were and he struggled with them every day just as Jingyi did.

Jingyi had always been louder than the average Lan clan disciple and generally said whatever came to mind even when he knew he shouldn't. His back sported a multitude of reminders from the punishments he'd received over the years and was certainly the junior disciple most familiar with the cold springs. Sometimes the urge to shout and run and speak out of turn was so overwhelming he had no choice but to give in to it.

It's not like he wasn't trying his best. He really was. Someday, after Lan Xichen stepped down, he would likely become the next leader of the Gusu Lan clan.

No stress or anything.

Jingyi watched as Jin Ling pushed through the crowd with Lan Sizhui following behind at a respectable distance. The voices of other disciples passed over them as they made their way down the long corridor.

“I hear the great Sandu Shengshou is on his way here with an army from Yunmeng," one said.

“I heard he’s coming for a bride,” another whispered.

Jingyi cringed. If it was true, he wondered which accomplished Lan Sect female would have the misfortune of marrying into the Yunmeng Jiang Clan. He'd only met the sect leader on a few occasions and none of his experiences had been particularly pleasant. Especially on that night-hunt last year when Jingyi embarrassed himself by falling off his sword in front of everyone.

So pathetic.

“No way. I heard he was forbidden to take one from the matchmakers!”

Jin Ling scoffed, “Who dares tell a sect leader what they can and cannot do?”

Lan Sizhui silenced the other disciples with a disapproving look — gossiping was forbidden in the Cloud Recesses after all — and placed a reassuring hand on Jin Ling’s shoulder. Jingyi watched as Jin Ling all but melted under Lan Sizhui's attentions and turned his face away to hide a smile.

Sect Leader Jin Ling was here as a fellow student studying under Lan Qiren but everyone with half a brain knew the real reason was to get closer to Lan Sizhui. Jingyi expected an official proposal of marriage from the Jin Sect as soon as Jin Ling’s training was complete.

Jingyi rolled his eyes at both his friends and led them down to the main meeting room. If there was a visiting sect leader, they were expected to be present for the welcoming. He didn't dare be late for the second time today.

****

Jingyi took his respective place behind Sect Leader Xichen and a crowd of Gusu Lan elders on a raised platform at the front of the room. Lan Sizhui stood off to his left just behind the ever-steadfast Lan Wanjii and his overly energetic husband, Wei Wuxian.

Jin Ling, though technically a sect leader, waited on the sidelines with the other visiting disciples. The mood was somber and Jingyi felt a stark relief for Sect Leader Lan Xichen’s calming presence.

Jingyi isn’t privy to the diplomatic decisions his elders made but the added security around Cloud Recesses in recent months couldn’t be for nothing.

There were some things he did know. Like how ever since the Wen Clan remnants (including Wei Wuxian) were accepted into the Gusu Lan sect six months ago — all for Lan Wanjii’s sake, relations with the Yunmeng Jiang clan had been rocky at best. There were whispers that war between the clans had been imminent but were stopped by a last-minute peace treaty.

Jingyi also knew that Lan Wanjii flat out refused to give up Wei Wuxian to the extent that Lan Wanjii was ready to walk out of Cloud Recesses forever. Lan Xichen bargained with all the remaining major sects to ensure his brother would not lose Wei Wuxian or be exiled from the clan.

How romantic.

Lan Wanjii was willing to throw everything away to save Wei Wuxian. His home, family and potentially even his own life if it came down to it. Jingyi could only hope to find a love so pure, so steadfast, that nothing — not even three major sects could diminish it.

Jingyi took a moment to smooth down his white robes and hoped his forehead ribbon was relatively straight. He traded a questioning look with Lan Sizhui as the contingent of visitors finally filtered into the meeting hall.

Sect Leader Jiang entered with quick, purposeful strides into the room. He was followed by at least thirty armed Yunmeng Jiang disciples. The deep purple robes that billowed around him were more intricate than any worn in the Cloud Recesses — even more so than Jin Ling's and that was no easy feat. Sandu was held in a clenched fist and his long fingers were turning white. Zidian sparked a bright purple on his right hand.

Sect Leader Jiang’s thick hair was smoothed back and gathered at the crown of his head where it was held in place by a silver hair piece. It looked more practical than those found in Gusu and Jingyi suddenly — alarmingly — wondered what Sect Leader Jiang would look like if his hair was let down completely.

Would it soften that severe look? Or make him even wilder?

This meeting was obviously important, and he really should be paying more attention but Jingyi couldn't pull his eyes away.

Sect Leader Jiang was impressive when he was mad. It looked like he could take on a whole army on his own.

And he probably could.

Jingyi tried not to fidget as Lan Xichen stood to greet the Yunmeng clan disciples with a deep, formal bow that was not returned by Sect Leader Jiang. Jingyi's blood boiled at that obvious slight against the Lan clan but pursed his lips and said nothing.

Be cool, Jingyi.

Sect Leader Jiang reached into his robes and pulled out a piece of parchment. His fingers gripped the paper so hard Jingyi was surprised it didn't crumple under the sheer weight of Jiang Cheng's anger. He’d only met the sect leader on a few occasions, but he knew the entire cultivation world feared Jiang Cheng’s wrath. To have it focused solely on them was making his heart pound in his chest. Jingyi took some deep breaths to steady his mind.

“Welcome, Sect Leader Jiang, to what do we owe this visit?” Sect Leader Xichen asked as politely as ever, ignoring the obvious insult.

Sect Leader Jiang’s jaw tightened as he took a few steps toward the dais and crushed the letter in his hand. His voice was a low rumble that made Jingyi's knees a little weak. “Lan Xichen, it’s only been six months into our agreement, and you dare cancel?” His voice rose as he spoke, “Did you forget how the Yunmeng Jiang Clan looked the other way when Wei Wuxian and the Wen remnants moved to Gusu? Did you forget the terms of our peace treaty so quickly?”

“Those terms were voided when the matchmakers deemed you unfit as a husband,” Lan Xichen explained, “How could we send you our best cultivator if we could not be sure of their health and happiness?”

Gasps were heard throughout the meeting hall and more than one Yunmeng Jiang clan sword was unsheathed in anger.

Jingyi was speechless. If the Lan clan cancelled a marriage contract it would be considered exceptionally disrespectful not only to Sect Leader Jiang himself, but to his clan as well.

How could the elders let this happen? Sect Leader Jiang coming for his bride should be of no surprise to anyone. 

“Matchmakers be damned, if the Lan Clan won’t adhere to the marriage contract," Sect Leader Jiang swore, "I will bring an army to the gates of Cloud Recesses."

Jingyi didn't know how the Lan clan could possibly get out of this marriage pact. If Sect Leader Jiang allowed them to break the contract with no repercussions, all surrounding sects would view him as weak. Nothing would stop them from breaking other contracts in the future.

No, Jingyi was certain Sect Leader Jiang was leaving with a bride today or the Lan clan would be readying for war. 

After a tense silence Wei Wuxian leaned back on the dais and teased, “Well, it looks like you already have brother. Why don’t you send them away and we can sit and discuss it over breakfast? All this yelling is giving me a headache.”

“Wei Wuxian!” Sect Leader Jiang warned.

Wei Wuxian was the last person Sect Leader Jiang would bargain with.

Lan Xichen interrupted smoothly, “As the contract was specifically with a Lan clan heir, you are aware we only have two that are currently unwed; Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi. This is another reason we canceled the marriage contract. We assumed you may want the ability to bear an heir and as you can see,” he gestured, “Our options are limited.”

Oh.

Oh no.

Jingyi’s palms started to sweat, and a buzzing rose in his ears. Suddenly his robes were too tight, and it was hard to breathe. Was it just him or was it suddenly stifling in there?

His eyes darted across the hall to Jin Ling whose face was ashen. Lan Sizhui’s body quivered almost imperceptibly where he stood on the dais.

Jingyi forced himself to breathe as he made eye contact with Sect Leader Jiang. Sect Leader Jiang who was standing right there, demanding this clan honour a marriage contract Jingyi had known nothing about. Why wasn’t he told? Was the plan to cancel it all along?

Jingyi tried to school his features as he’d been taught every day for the past twenty years but could only gape at Sect Leader Xichen. Jingyi never wished he’d paid attention to Lan Qiren’s teachings more in his whole life.

Breathe, Jingyi.

A feeling of dread washes over him. What if Sect Leader Jiang chooses Lan Sizhui? Jingyi couldn’t picture life in Gusu without his friend. Not to mention both Sizhui and Jin Ling would be devastated.

Of course Sect Leader Jiang would choose Lan Sizhui. His friend is a beautiful, soft spoken and brilliant cultivator. Why would anyone pick Jingyi over someone as graceful as Lan Sizhui? Suddenly he understood why his friends were so stricken with fear.

Would Jin Ling dare speak up for Lan Sizhui? Jiang Cheng was his uncle, after all. 

Sect Leader Jiang rolled his eyes and waved at his disciples to put their swords away. “The marriage contract was to ensure there is a long-term sustainable peace between our clans.”

Jingyi was left breathless as the Sect Leader made eye contact with him once again and said, “And I will not be leaving empty handed.”

The tips of Jingyi's fingers were tingling now and his grip was slipping from his sword. He wiped the palm of his left hand on his robes. If he fumbled now, he would never live down the embarrassment.

Lan Qiren, Sect Leader Xichen and the elders turned to discuss the demands privately. Jingyi took a moment to look around the room at the confused Lan clan members, the angry Yunmeng Jiang disciples and finally at Sect Leader Jiang himself. His chin was raised, back straight and everything about him exuded intensity and control and yet — Lan Jingyi noticed the hand holding Sandu was also clutching a nine-pedaled lotus bell. Jingyi tilted his head and tried to think clearly. If he remembered correctly, the bell was meant to calm the mind and steady the focus.

How interesting.

Maybe Sect Leader Jiang wasn't as unwavering as he seemed.

When the elders finished their private discussion, Sect Leader Xichen turned and paused for a short moment. When he addressed the room again, Jingyi’s entire world comes crashing down.

“As Lan Jingyi is our only blood heir, we are willing to trial Lan Sizhui as your cultivation partner. If, after a month-long trial period you are both still willing to marry, we will then honour the contract. You must swear to adhere to the rules of the trial and Lan Sizhui must be treated with respect for the duration of his stay at Lotus Pier. For however long that may be.”

As he spoke a lot of things happened at once. Wei Wuxian voiced his disbelief, Jin Ling gasped in shock and outrage and the usually graceful Lan Sizhui stumbled backward as cheers of victory came from the ranks of the Yunmeng disciples.

But Sect Leader Jiang looked anything but victorious. Jingyi swore his eyes darted down to the ground in disappointment. What other outcome could he possibly be expecting?

Jingyi knew he had to do something to stop this. Sizhui was meant to be a Lan — maybe not by blood but he was more of a Lan than Jingyi would ever be.

Jin Ling couldn’t lose the love of his life and Gusu couldn’t lose Lan Sizhui. 

While everyone quarreled, Jingyi took advantage of the confusion to step down from the dais and approach Sect Leader Jiang, alone. He knelt and laid his sword at Jiang Cheng's feet. He was almost too afraid to look up. Jingyi knew he was a class beneath the sect leader, his own cultivation nowhere near a level befitting the great Sandu Shengshou.

Jingyi couldn’t believe the first time he'll speak to him will be to suggest this.

Sect Leader Jiang eyed him warily, but Jingyi could see a flicker of interest on his face. It gave him the confidence to continue. He had to make Jiang Cheng understand — had to save Sizhui and Jin Ling or their happiness would forever be forfeit to this political fiasco.

And he’d beg prostrate on his knees if he had to.

“I am also a Lan Clan heir, Sect Leader Jiang. Would you be open to a marriage contract between us instead?” He paused, took a steadying breath and glanced at Jiang Cheng's surprised face.

“I have a lot of love to give, and as Lan Sizhui is spoken for, I would very much like the opportunity to trial as your cultivation partner.”

Jingyi's balance swayed and Sect Leader Jiang reached out a hand to steady him. Jingyi was inherently aware that all eyes were on them. Then Jiang Cheng's hand paused so close to his forehead ribbon that Jingyi's breath hitched and he ignored the impulse to pull away. 

My . . . ribbon.

Would Jiang Cheng dare touch it? In front of all these people? Does he know the significance of it? Surely he must, his own brother married into the Lan Clan.

Jingyi heard the soft clink of metal as the chain from zidian passed close to his ear.

“LAN. JING. YI.” Lan Qiren roared from his seat and, as he’d never heard a raised word come from Lan Qiren’s lips, Jingyi’s shoulders shook in surprise.

Jingyi sensed frantic movement from behind him and brought a startled gaze up to Sect Leader Jiang. He asked with more than a hint of desperation, “Yes or no?”

He need an answer quickly.

“Sect Leader Jiang this will not be tolerated, Lan Jingyi is set to become the next leader of the Lan clan when he . . .”

Warm fingers grazed Jingyi’s hair as he hears a murmured, “Yes,” From the man towering above him. Jingyi’s body goes almost limp with relief. The whole room goes still.

Lan Qiren was quiet.

The elders and disciples were quiet.

Even Wei Wuxian was quiet.

Jingyi picked up his sword and stood, puffing out his cheeks in an entirely un-Lan like fashion and exhaled all the stress he'd been bottling. 

Sect Leader Jiang declared loud enough for all to hear, “It is done. The verbal contract is sealed between Lan Jingyi and myself.”

Everyone in the cultivation world knew a verbal contract between two consenting cultivators in front of Sect Leaders was unbreakable.

Turning slowly, Jingyi gave a wary smile to Lan Sizhui whose pale face was both shocked and relieved, his hand clasped firmly, desperately, in Jin Ling's.

Jingyi could feel his resolve starting to slip and his legs started to shake. He bowed respectfully, as if he hadn’t just up-ended his sect’s plans and left them without an heir.

He smiled apologetically and made a beeline for the exit. A strong hand gripped his elbow and stopped him up short.

Jiang Cheng informed him sharply, "We're leaving within the hour. Go pack."

The hour. What about his things? What about a last walk around the place he'd called home for the last nineteen years? Would he ever be allowed to return?

There were people he had to say goodbye to.

Jingyi didn't trust his voice not to crack so he wrenched his arm out of Sect Leader Jiang's grip and ran.

Chapter Text

It wasn’t one of his finer moments come to think of it, but Jingyi just couldn’t spend another second in there. The weight of what he'd done finally caught up to him and his traitorous body said it was time to move.

Sect Leader Jiang's presence beside him was overwhelming — that iron grip on his elbow unwavering. Between that and the disappointment emanating from Lan Xichen, Jingyi’s resolve had finally broken.

And rightly so! This morning he'd woken a Lan in Gusu and just a few frantic hours later he was betrothed to the leader of the Jiang clan. A man who had the reputation of being quick to anger and having very little patience.

So, Jingyi tossed all decorum and high-tailed it out of there before he’d even realized his feet were moving. At least he didn't have to worry about breaking the rules anymore.

Jingyi’s steps faltered and he nearly burst into tears when he saw the building he’d run to without realizing it. He spent the hour kneeling in front of his parent’s tablets in the ancestral hall. Nowhere near physically nor emotionally ready to leave Gusu.

Jingyi wanted to crawl into his bunk and hide.

Would Sect Leader Jiang come for him? Would he scold him or worse . . . punish him for not meeting the deadline that was set out for him?

Jingyi was too exhausted to care.  

He tried to overcome the anger he felt at his clan for keeping them in the dark about the marriage contract. He took a deep, calming breath and rested his forehead against the cool floor.

Jingyi ignored the gentle flutter of robes as someone knelt next to him. Had Lan Xichen come to talk him out of it? Too bad. His mind was made up.

Could it be Sect Leader Jiang followed him here to make sure his newly betrothed didn’t keep running all the way out of Cloud Recesses? It’s not like the thought hadn’t crossed his mind. Jingyi could never do that to Sizhui.

Someone had to go to Lotus Pier today and it may as well be him.

In hindsight it shouldn’t have surprised him to see Lan Sizhui’s watery gaze when he finally sat up. Jingyi was immediately pulled into a tight hug and both his hands were gathered close to Sizhui’s chest.

“We will never forget this, A-Yi," Sizhui gushed, “I can’t believe you would do something so . . . so completely selfless like that!”

Jin Ling waited just outside the entrance to the hall and added, “If you ever want for anything please come find me in Lanling.”

He blushed almost as red as the vermillion mark on his forehead and said, “I can’t imagine losing A-Yuan. Thank you.” Jin Ling bowed deeply, and Lan Sizhui smiled.

Get it together Jingyi. You can do this for your friends.

He shot them both a fake grin and ignored the sensation in his chest he was starting to think was his heart breaking.

Would he never have the kind of love his friend’s share? It seemed impossible for who could come to love Sect Leader Jiang? The matchmakers themselves forbade him from taking a bride and that couldn't bode well for Jingyi.

He bowed once more to his parents as they exited the ancestral hall. His body felt weightless and his movements slow, as if he was just going through the motions.

Sizhui handed him a small bundle and explained with a soft smile, “Sect Leader Jiang is waiting at the gate for you. He doesn’t seem very pleased, so I’ve packed some of your favorite things. Sect Leader Xichen promised to have the rest sent right away so you should have them in the next few days."

"Everyone’s waiting in the hall to wish you farewell.” Sizhui's voice cracked on the farewell and Jingyi had to turn his head away or he’d start crying again.

“Don’t worry about me, I’m sure I’ll fit into Lotus Pier in no time. Maybe I'll finally learn how to swim there.” He said with a false bravado that he’s sure Sizhui and Jin Ling saw right through. Even so, he squared his shoulders and led them back to the meeting room. Somehow, he managed to keep his cool as one-by-one people came to say goodbye.

He was given a list of written rules for the trial and a paper talisman pressed urgently into his hand by Lan Xichen. He was told to activate it with his spiritual energy if he ever felt threatened or mistreated by Sect Leader Jiang. The Lan clan would come retrieve him as quickly as possible.

Lan Qiren wouldn't even look in his direction. That’s fine, Jingyi was already used to being a disappointment to him.

All too soon, he was making his way to the gate. Sect Leader Jiang didn’t know Jingyi had the talisman and the sheer knowledge he could call for assistance if needed lifted some of the weight that settled on his shoulders.

That is — until he saw Sect Leader Jiang pacing at the gate. Jiang Cheng’s arms unfolded, his displeasure at being kept waiting clear on his face.

“Finally. We have a long and arduous journey ahead of us today, come.”

The Yunmeng Jiang disciples filed into two ranks behind them, blocking the view of the gate and providing no opportunity for Jingyi to change his mind even if he wanted to.

So, Lan Jingyi did the only thing he could and fell into step behind Sect Leader Jiang. Then he faltered.

In Gusu it was customary to walk one step behind your sect leader. Did they have the same custom in Yunmeng? Then again — Sect Leader Jiang wasn’t technically his sect leader. At least not yet.

Should Jingyi match his steps or would Sect Leader Jiang be offended? He didn’t have to worry for long because Jiang Cheng reached a hand back and pulled Jingyi to him.

"Walk with me," Sect Leader Jiang commanded, dropping his hand almost immediately. Jingyi stumbled forward the short distance and their arms touched for a moment before Jingyi backed away.

Was that . . . a blush he saw on Jiang Cheng’s face? It was as out of place as Jingyi's white robes in the sea of purple.

The soft chime of bells that hung from the Yunmeng disciple's waists were the only thing that cut though the awkward silence. They pointedly ignored each other as the troop left Gusu behind and made their way to Lotus Pier.

Chapter Text

When the parade of boats finally pulled up to Lotus Pier, Jingyi was speechless. The docks were a bustling hub of activity. Workers loaded and unloaded goods while vendors yelled their wares in the streets. Children weaved between them, running and shouting playfully.

It was a far cry from the somber environment he just came from.  

The boat jostled to a stop and Jingyi thought Jiang Cheng was awaiting his reaction. He forced a small smile to his lips and said, “I haven’t been to Lotus Pier in ages. I’d forgotten how busy it was.”

Sect Leader Jiang nodded once in agreeance. “We’ve grown into a major trading port in the last decade,” Sect Leader Jiang stepped onto the dock and held out a hand to help steady Jingyi, “It took a lot of time and effort to re-establish Lotus Pier, but it was worth it.”

Jingyi had forgotten Lotus Pier was rebuilt from the ground up after the Wen Clan destroyed it years ago. It was an impressive feat for someone who had just lost much of his family.

The wooden planks of the docks turned into a dirt path that led to the marketplace. As they walked along people stopped to bow their respects to the sect leader. Jingyi was largely ignored so he took advantage of the time to take in the various wares. They passed colourful carts laden heavy with foods and other items for sale. He hovered too long at the kite maker’s cart and had to jog to catch up with the sect leader. Spicy aromas reached him, and his stomach rumbled loudly in protest.

Jingyi could suddenly think of nothing else but how to get his hands on all the food. He hoped they would eat soon — it felt like a lifetime had passed since he ate breakfast in Gusu.

As they reached the main house the Yunmeng disciples dispersed around them and disappeared.  Jingyi was ushered into the great hall by servants and he eyed the large lotus throne at the front of the room. If he was to wed the sect leader, another would be erected next to it just for Jingyi’s use.  

“I have work to catch up on, now. The servants will show you to your room,” Jiang Cheng said dismissively.

What? Like hell.

Jingyi wasn’t going to sit around wondering what he was supposed to do. He had far too many unanswered questions for that. Was he expected to share meals with Jiang Cheng? Was he meant to continue his training with the Yunmeng disciples or does a cultivation partner have no need for that? Just what was it he was meant to do here?

 “Uh, I thought maybe we could talk about your expectations of me first.”

“My expectations are that you stay out of my way. Running a sect requires hard work and diligence, and I don’t have time to babysit,” Sect Leader Jiang replied.  

“Babysit!” Lan Jingyi sputtered, so angry he forgot momentarily who he was speaking to, “Who do you think you are?”

Small gasps came from the servants and Jiang Cheng turned back around in surprise.

Yeah, okay. Making such a large misstep with the most powerful man in Yunmeng wasn’t Jingyi’s brightest idea but it was pretty par-for-the-course.

He wasn’t a child; he was twenty years old and a Lan clan heir no less. His refusal to let anyone disrespect him has landed him more than a few injuries in the past but it was always worth it.

Sect Leader Jiang paused — a warning flashed in his eyes.

“I’ll send for you when I need you. In the meantime, stay out of trouble.”

Jingyi sputtered in shock as Sect Leader Jiang waved an arm and the servants began ushering Jingyi out of the great room and, subsequently, out of Jiang Cheng’s presence.

What a pompous ass.

Begrudgingly, Jingyi let himself be led down a maze of halls and courtyards. He was too angry to notice they bypassed the usual guest quarters and crossed into a more elaborate area.

The room he was brought to was massive. The walls were decorated with rich tapestries and the bed an obvious focal point as it took up most of the room. Light purple curtains draped down from the ceiling and pulled back to the posts with thick golden rope.

Fresh air came through the open window to his left as he took in plush cushions that adorned the window seat. A library full of old books and scrolls took up an entire wall behind a desk strewn with papers.

“This is the Lotus Pier guest quarters?” Jingyi asked, reluctantly impressed. He didn't remember them being this opulent before.  

One of the servants giggled, “Of course not, this is Master Jiang’s quarters.”

He blushed a deep red and whirled around to protest, almost dropping his sword in his haste.

No way was he staying with Sect Leader Jiang in this room. They hadn’t even had a proper conversation yet and any contact of an . . . intimate nature was forbidden between them during the trial. The rules from the Lan clan had expressly forbidden it until after the marriage ceremony.

“I would rather stay in the guest quarters so if you could show me the way back . . .”

His heart sank as she pursed her lips and shook her head demurely, “This is at Master Jiang’s request. He wanted you to have the best room in Lotus Pier. Master Jiang also thought it would be easier for you if you were already familiar with this room after the wedding.”

She means for the wedding night.

He groaned. Could this day get any worse?

“Don’t worry Master Jingyi, Master Jiang said he may take up residence in Master Wei’s old room for now.” She gave him a small smile, “My name is Meilin, I’ll be taking care of you during your stay.”

Jingyi nodded, exhaustion washing over him.

Meilin bowed and took her leave, saying that she would drop food off for him later if he wished.

After she left, Jingyi tore off his boots and outer robes and flopped face first onto the bed. The sheets smelled like lotus flowers and Jingyi couldn’t help but wonder if they also smelled a little like Jiang Cheng.

As he was drifting off, he remembered their conversation from earlier.

“I’ll send for you if I need you.”

 If he needed him for what?

Suddenly Jingyi wasn’t that sleepy after all.

Chapter Text

Jingyi woke gasping for breath in an unfamiliar room. His legs were tangled in thick blankets and a cold sweat drenched his body. Did he have a nightmare?

Was he still?

Where was Lan Sizhui? His friend should be sleeping in the bed next to him.

The sheets, he realized slowly — brain still foggy from sleep, are more luxurious than those supplied in Cloud Recesses. He threw the blankets back and hissed as his feet met cold floorboards. His head reeled.

As Jingyi’s eyes adjusted to the room, the unfortunate events from the day before came crashing back to him.

The marriage contact, the move to Yunmeng and the sudden end of his days studying in Cloud Recesses with friends.  

He dressed quickly, and his stomach rumbled. Jingyi hadn’t eaten the night before as he’d fallen asleep shortly after diving onto that enormous bed. Someone must have tucked him in to sleep sometime after he’d passed out. Jingyi was pretty sure he hadn’t had the energy to pull back the covers.

It was Jiang Cheng’s bed.

That brought up a whole slew of feelings Jingyi didn’t want to unpack just quite yet.

It must be nearing five am. The chill morning air drifted through the open window and birds were just starting to chirp.  

Jingyi went in search of breakfast but hesitated with his hand on the door. He wasn’t a prisoner and would be damned if he’d let Sect Leader Jiang treat him like one, so he slid the door open and tried to find his own way to the kitchens. Prowling the halls, he realized there wasn’t a soul around. How late did they wake in Yunmeng? Would breakfast even be started yet?

When Jingyi finally found the kitchens, a lone elderly cook stirred a pot above the fire in the warm kitchen. She hummed to herself as she worked, and Jingyi found himself liking her almost immediately.

She looked startled when she finally realized he was there. Pressing the hand that wasn’t holding the ladle to her chest she exclaimed, “Young Master Jingyi, I didn’t see you there! If you’re looking for breakfast, just have yourself a seat. I would’ve brought it up, but you beat me to it.”

“That’s okay, I’d prefer the company. Can I help with that?”

She chuckled. “Now, if Sect Leader Jiang found out you were helping in the kitchen there would be hell to pay. Just have a seat and this will be ready momentarily.”

Jingyi wasn’t sure if she was joking — he hoped she was — but took a seat at the long table nearest the cook. Wei Wuxian would always go on and on about how good food in Yunmeng was, and he was excited to finally try it.

The cook ladled two scoops into a bowl and set it in front of Jingyi. It was the exact same breakfast they served in Cloud Recesses.

Hmm, disappointing.

“Sect Leader Jiang thought you may not want to differ much from your regular routine, so he had me prepare your usual breakfast at your regular time. The rest of the house won’t be up for a few hours though, so I’m afraid there won’t be much to do until around eight.”

Jingyi eyed the bowl of plain congee and water that she’d set down next to it.

“Sect Leader Jiang said that?”

She nodded turning back to clean the main prep table saying, “Oh yes, Master Jiang has been preparing for your arrival for months. I’m sure you’ve noticed the robes he had commissioned for you in your room. Master Jiang even instructed the staff to study Lan clan customs to not offend.”

The chopsticks paused halfway to his mouth.

“Has he been preparing for my arrival, or a Lan clan heir’s arrival?”

The cook paused while wiping the table, tilting her head as if to remember something, “No, I’m pretty sure he mentioned a Master Jingyi before.”

“He mentioned my name . . . before yesterday?”

“Yep, months ago. I’m sure of it. He said, ‘Zhang Li, I’m trusting you to ensure Master Jingyi feels at home in Lotus Pier.’”

She paused, “I know he seems like such a grouch, but he’s been looking forward to this for a long time. It'll be nice to see him happy, finally.”

Sect Leader Jiang has been looking forward to this for a long time? How long exactly?

It was impossible for Jiang Cheng to know the elders and Sect Leader Xichen would offer up Lan Sizhui and for Jingyi to do what he did. Wasn’t it?

Jingyi reeled at this new information, and his stomach twisted. The implications of Sect Leader Jiang planning this entire affair was unforgivable.

Eating was suddenly the last thing he wanted to do but he forced himself to finish what was left in the bowl so he wouldn’t offend the cook.

“Thank you for breakfast. You wouldn’t happen to know where Wei Wuxian’s old room is?”

“Yes, it’s right beside Master Jiang’s of course, wait why do you . . .” By the time she’d turned around, Jingyi was already gone.

****

Jingyi slid the door open and entered as quietly as possible. He gave his eyes a moment to adjust to the dim light. This room was much smaller than Sect Leader Jiang’s.

The bed was tucked into a corner and Jingyi crossed an open space to stand next to it. Sect Leader Jiang looked so peaceful while he slept and Jingyi felt all the stress and anger from the last few days boil over.

How dare he sleep so soundly while Jingyi’s whole life was changed? Without warning, he grabbed a decorative pillow and thwacked Sect Leader Jiang in the face with it as hard as he could.

Jingyi anticipated the roar that came from Sect Leader Jiang, as well as the flailing of limbs as Jiang Cheng struggled to get out of the blankets. What Jingyi hadn’t expected was that zidian was still wrapped around that thick wrist.

Oh no, what have I done?

He scrambled backward as fast as he could go. It wasn’t fast enough, because Zidian sparked to life and wrapped around his ankles. It pulled Jingyi right off his feet. He fell with a groan to the floor and pulled futilely, desperately trying to escape.

He shuffled backwards away from Sect Leader Jiang and wondered suddenly if he had a death wish.

Sect Leader Jiang was enraged. His cheeks were flushed, and his normally stern look was marred by the fact that his hair was mussed from sleep. He was wearing a loose purple under robe that was open to the waist. Jingyi blushed when he realized it was the only thing covering Sect Leader Jiang’s body.

Jingyi realized he’d just basically attacked a sect leader in his bedroom. With a pillow.

It was such a Jingyi thing to do. If Sizhui was in this situation he would be quiet, demure and the perfect cultivation partner. Jingyi just barges in and throws pillows at his intended’s face. A man that could quite literally lock him up and throw away the key. Jingyi gave up trying to get away and instead threw his arms to the side and laughed hysterically.

Because of course he would.

Jingyi felt a fist grasp his robes. He was picked up and tossed unceremoniously onto the bed, ankles still tied tightly with Zidian.

“What the hell are you doing in here?” Sect Leader Jiang loomed over him; fist still gathered in Jingyi’s robes. Zidian crackled. It was the only thing lighting up the room in the pre-dawn hours.

Lie.

“Uh, I got lost. Lost on my way back to my room from breakfast.”

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes and shook him violently, “So you threw a pillow at me? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Jingyi suddenly remembered exactly why he was angry in the first place and grabbed Sect Leader Jiang’s hands, trying to wrestle them out of his robes. They wouldn’t budge. That only infuriated him more.

“You knew I was coming here and not Lan Sizhui. Tell me how you could possibly know that!”

Sect Leader Jiang froze, loosening his grip enough that Jingyi could pull away and sit up.

“Tell me,” Jingyi demanded as Zidian retracted, plunging the room into darkness.

“Look, your sect used you as a bargaining chip,” Jiang Cheng growled, “I just showed up to ensure they abided by the contact and bring you home.”

Jingyi was floored.

“Home? This isn’t my home. My friends aren’t here. I don’t know anyone in Yunmeng, and I don’t even know you!” Jingyi knew he sounded pathetic and he fucking hated it.

“What’s this? Just yesterday you couldn’t wait to throw yourself at my feet and now you want to go home?” Sect Leader Jiang taunted.

Jingyi’s mouth dropped open and his hands clenched another pillow like he meant to throw it as well. It wasn’t like that at all and Sect Leader Jiang knew it.

“You…”

“I . . .  what?” Sect Leader Jiang’s warned, his eyes boring into Jingyi’s.

“The matchmakers were right. You‘re a terrible fiancé. You won’t even do me the courtesy of showing me around your — my — new home.”

“Is that what you’re going on about? Am I not being attentive enough for you?” Sect Leader Jiang leaned in close, his voice a low murmur, “I can fix that easily enough.”

Jingyi froze as Sect Leader Jiang's hand neared the area near his neck where his robes had opened a little during their scuffle.

Jingyi wouldn't let Sect Leader Jiang distract him from his previous question. He knocked the hand away and said, "That still doesn't explain how you knew it would be me that would marry you."

Sect Leader Jiang dropped his hand and shrugged a shoulder, "I'd hoped."

"You'd hoped that it was . . . me. Why?"

"Partially because you were unlike any Lan I'd ever encountered and partially because of that night hunt last year." Though it was dark, Jingyi could see Sect Leader Jiang's usually perfect posture was hunched over as he sat on the edge of the bed.

The night hunt? The one where Jingyi'd made an absolute fool of himself in front of everyone and had to be carried home afterward because he was unconscious?

Sect Leader Jiang rubbed his face with his hands and stood up, moving away from the bed. "I found myself overly . . . concerned for your wellbeing after the incident.”

Jingyi just stared at him, confused.

“I’m not going to spell it out for you Jingyi. Get out - I've got meetings to attend." 

He didn't have to be told twice. Jingyi slid off the bed and ran for the door. 

"And Jingyi?"

He paused, one hand on the door handle. "Yes?"

"Don't come in here unannounced again."

Noted.

Chapter Text

Jingyi spent most of the morning in his room — half on account of being completely and utterly embarrassed by his behaviour and half because he was still processing Sect Leader Jiang’s confession

In his entire twenty years not one person ever confessed their feelings for him. He knew Lan Sizhui and Jin Ling loved him as friends, but that was different. Jingyi had never courted before. He’d never held hands with anyone at the Cloud Recesses and never sent secret letters like Lan Sizhui and Jin Ling often did. He was so inexperienced in every way and wasn’t sure how this made him feel.

Should he be angry? Because honestly — wasn’t he worth courting properly?

What stopped Sect Leader Jiang from approaching Sect Leader Xichen with an official proposal of marriage? Isn’t that how the rest of the cultivation world did this?

When Jingyi was overwhelmed with these thoughts he, reluctantly, pried himself out of bed. Desperate for a distraction, he decided to take this chance to snoop through Sect Leader Jiang’s things. Why not? He’d already tossed decorum out the window.

Shifting through letters on the desk he realized quickly they were purely boring political correspondence. Disappointed, he tossed them back on the desk. The books in the library were promising though, so he spent some time palming through them.

Next, he opened the heavy wooden doors of the wardrobes. Inside hung a variety of brand-new robes in Yunmeng purple, just as ornate as those found in the wardrobe beside it. Jingyi ran his hands down the soft woven fabric. They were beautiful but that didn’t negate the fact they were commissioned long before he was even aware of his move to Yunmeng.

Did Sect Leader Jiang think he could buy his affections?

He gripped the delicate cloth in a tight fist — this wasn't right. Sect Leader Jiang manipulated the Lan clan to get what he wanted.

And what he’d wanted was me.

He slammed the door shut on the offending robes, vowing never to wear them. At the end of the trial, he would tell Lan Xichen he found Sect Leader Jiang unfit to be a husband. He was too moody. Too unkind.

Even if that wasn’t exactly true, Jingyi felt an overwhelming urge to get back at Sect Leader Jiang. If he became interested in Jingyi as a cultivation partner, he should’ve courted him properly instead of giving him no say in the matter.

At the end of the month, he’d just tell Lan Xichen that Jiang Cheng was exactly what the matchmakers said. Not husband material.

But would that put Sizhui in danger of replacing him? Surely Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren would take his words to heart and ban Sect Leader Jiang from marrying anyone else from the Sect. But Jingyi wasn’t so sure. Sect politics were a delicate dance and Lan Qiren knew what he was doing. He wouldn’t put it past him to find the first excuse to marry off Lan Sizhui.

Jingyi was stuck. He had to make it work.

***

Over the next week Jingyi fell into a solid routine. His things arrived from Lotus Pier so he had more robes to wear and could stop bothering Meilin to have them laundered so often.

He’d started sleeping in — because, well, why the hell not. No one from Cloud Recesses were there keeping tabs on him. He’d asked Zhang Li to make him traditional Yunmeng food that he found he adored. If he were going to be there for a while, Jingyi was going to make the best of it.

He also, albeit reluctantly, started training with the Yunmeng disciples.

Jingyi rather enjoyed the quick and brutal fighting style they used. It wasn’t as graceful as the Lan techniques but Jingyi found himself excelling at this new style. His teachers expressed surprise he was picking it up so quickly, but he wasn’t. He was built more for this fighting style than the delicate, graceful dance of the Lan techniques. The other disciples accepted his presence with ease, even going so far as to be quite welcoming.

Jingyi did everything in his power to avoid Sect Leader Jiang as much as possible. This was made more difficult because they slept in rooms right beside each other.

He’d awkwardly met Sect Leader Jiang in the hall when they were heading to bed. For one terrifying moment he’d thought the sect leader was going to follow him inside, but Sect Leader Jiang just stood and watched as Jingyi slid the door closed in his face.

When Jingyi turned around a gift was waiting for him on his pillow. He turned the silver and purple comb over and over in his hands, fingers trailing over the large lotus flower that graced one side. Would he wear it?

He snorted. Probably not.

Other gifts were left as well; a purple kite from the marketplace, a lotus bell and a few books of poetry. Jingyi tucked them all under the bed, intent on leaving them there.

No matter how hard he tried, sometimes seeing the sect leader was unavoidable. His studies took up most of the day but on occasion he was forced to eat dinner with Sect Leader Jiang. Jingyi kept their interactions as formal as he could, bowing as one would to a sect leader and avoiding all other interaction that could be conveyed as affection.

Somehow their conversations always managed to circle around and end in an argument with one or the other stomping off, enraged.

It was just after the afternoon drills finished on his fourteenth day at Lotus Pier when Jingyi was cornered by Sect Leader Jiang in the yard. After a long day of practice Jingyi wasn’t in the mood for small talk. He tried to sidestep Sect Leader Jiang, but an arm reached out and blocked his escape.

Jingyi eyed him warily but took a step back and bowed, dropping his shoulders too quickly for it to be seen as respectful. The others had cleared out of the yard to clean up before the evening meal — which is what Jingyi should be doing.

What does he want now?

“I’m leaving on a night hunt,” Sect Leader Jiang began, “There have been reports of a haunted forest where people are going missing and I want you to come with me.” Indeed, he did look like he was about to venture out of Lotus Pier. His robes were the same intricate, dark purple that he wore to Cloud Recesses two week ago.

A haunted forest? Part of Jingyi was just aching to see it, to help vanquish whatever evil spirit that was terrorizing the innocents. Another part was dreading having to spend time with Sect Leader Jiang. Well, he rationalized, whenever sect leaders went on night hunts a contingent of cultivators came along, so at least they wouldn’t be alone.

“Yes! Uh, do I have time to change beforehand?” Jingyi gestured down at his disheveled robes, sweat making them stick uncomfortably to his skin.

Sect Leader Jiang’s gaze dropped slowly down the front of Jingyi’s chest to his hips and finally away. Jingyi saw a light blush light up Sect Leader Jiang’s cheeks. Was he that much of a spectacle right now?

“Make it quick, I want to be there by nightfall.”

Jingyi bowed again and then booked it to his room. He was finally getting out of Lotus Pier — even if it was just for a short while.

Chapter Text

Jingyi washed up and changed into fresh robes. He tucked the talisman he’d been given by Lan Xichen into his pocket just in case and met Sect Leader Jiang at the entrance. His stomach dropped when he realized they were totally alone. It was too late to turn back now though, so he climbed onto his sword and followed Jiang Cheng from Lotus Pier to the edge of a dark forest a few hours away.

It was after dusk by the time they arrived and Jingyi shivered from a chill in the air. He could sense negative energy coming from the tree line — something was definitely haunting this forest.

“Do you have any idea what it could be?” Jingyi placed his sword in its sheath and fell into step next to Jiang Cheng who wasted no time pushing branches out of his way. He entered the forest with no hesitation and Jingyi only felt a little of the apprehension he usually did when hunting with the other junior disciples.

“No, but stay close. This forest is thick, and we could get easily separated.”

Sect Leader Jiang had only taken two or three steps into the forest and was almost completely obscured by the trees. Jingyi brushed the branch of a fir tree out of his way and contemplated hanging on to the back of Sect Leader Jiang’s robes so he didn’t lose sight of him completely.

It was almost pitch black in there so Jingyi reached out and folded his hands easily into the robes at Jiang Cheng’s lower back. Jiang Cheng stopped abruptly in surprise.

“What if it’s a ghost?” Jingyi sputtered. He fucking hated ghosts. They were unpredictable and hard to get rid of.

“Don’t tell me you’re scared of ghosts, Jingyi.” Sect Leader Jiang chuckled but kept pushing on, “Don’t worry, little Lan, I’ll protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection! I can handle it on my own!” Jingyi dropped his hands and crossed his arms, indignant. Little Lan indeed. Sect Leader Jiang might tower over him, but he’d be damned if he would give him the satisfaction.

“Okay then, prove it.” Jiang Cheng reached back and grasped his wrist pulling Jingyi out in front of him. Jingyi dug his heels into the soft forest floor because for all his tough talk he did not want to come face to face with a ghost in the pitch dark.

Jingyi gasped when a hard body collided with his own. For a few tense seconds their bodies were completely flush against one another, Jingyi’s back to Jiang Cheng’s front, until Jingyi peeled himself away.

Jingyi was mortified.

“Sorry, Sect Leader Jiang. I guess I’m more afraid than I thought.”

Sect Leader Jiang chuckled but didn’t tease him any further.

Jingyi let Sect Leader Jiang take the lead again and this time, when Sect Leader Jiang gently took Jingyi’s hands and set them on his hips, Jingyi left them there. Wordlessly, he followed Jiang Cheng deeper and deeper into the woods.

Jingyi was over this night hunt already.

***

It wasn’t a ghost but a monster they’d made fairly quick work dispatching. It was almost anti-climactic really. Sect Leader Jiang trapped it with Zidian and held it in place while Jingyi struck it with his sword. The most junior of cultivators could’ve take it on with little help. Jingyi was surprised the monster had enough energy to cause harm in the first place.

Rain began to fall while they made their way out of the forest. Just a sprinkle made it through the branches at first but by the time they left the forest’s edge it was coming down in heavy sheets. The water pooled in lower areas of the trail and soaked them to their very core. It was too heavy to fly through, so they huddled under a canopy of trees. Well, Jingyi huddled. Jiang Cheng stood majestic, as always, as if to glare the storm into submission.

Jingyi shivered, wishing it would let up enough so they could fly back to Lotus Pier. It’d only been a few hours, but he’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be warm.

Sect Leader Jiang slipped off his outer robe and tied it around Jingyi’s shoulders and Jingyi’s breath caught in his throat. The robe was just as wet, but it added an extra layer of protection against the wind and Jingyi was grateful. 

Jingyi almost felt bad about taking the offered robe but Jiang Cheng wasn’t shivering. He just stood there in the rain — seemingly unaffected by the weather. Now, though, Jingyi felt Sect Leader Jiang’s eyes on him. Jingyi realized he was all wrapped up in Yunmeng purple, and thought maybe this was a more dangerous place to be than the haunted forest.

After some time, Sect Leader Jiang tore his gaze away and made the decision to forgo the flight home. They started the trek to the nearest village on foot and Jingyi warmed up a little with the exertion. How Jiang Cheng stayed warm in just two layers was beyond him.

A flicker of light came from just up ahead and Jingyi was quick to point it out, urging Jiang Cheng to think about finding shelter for the night. Jingyi was cold, wet and miserable — not to mention starving.

As they trudged through the muddy streets past closed shops and houses there was one window that was lit up. A small wooden sign hung outside indicating it was an inn.

“Please tell me we’re staying here,” Jingyi said, blowing warm air on his frigid fingers.

Jiang Cheng spent a moment looking at the red light in the window, then up and down the empty street. It really was the only choice.

“What are you waiting for? It’s freezing!”

Sect Leader Jiang smirked and said, “Just remember, this was your idea.”

Jiang Cheng slipped the purple robe from Jingyi’s shoulders, causing the cold rain to seep through once more. When Jiang Cheng was appropriately dressed, they entered the small inn, warmth and light flooded the doorway.

It was late, but there were still quite a few people seated in the bar area downstairs. Jingyi was surprised to see women in various states of undress dancing on the small stage on the far side of the room, and a small musician troop entertaining guests.

“Uh, Sect Leader Jiang  . . .”

“Are you looking for a good time sweety?” A well-dressed woman interrupted, running a hand down Jingyi’s chest.

“We’re just looking for two rooms, and nothing more,” Sect Leader Jiang answered, pointedly.

The woman pouted her disappointment but explained she only had one room available and that the others were still in use.

“You’ll have to pay extra for the full night, of course.”

One room? First a downpour and now he’d have to sleep in the same room as Sect Leader Jiang?

Sect Leader Jiang glanced over at Jingyi who tried, unsuccessfully, to pull his eyes from the stage.

“Jingyi.”

“Uh, yeah. That’s fine.”

It was this or the wet forest floor. He watched as a shirtless man sat on another man’s lap and started gyrating to the music.  

Sect Leader Jiang’s voice abruptly pulled him from his thoughts and Jingyi realized he’d already paid and had started walking up the stairs to the second floor.

Jingyi forced himself to follow.

Chapter Text

The room was small and to Jingyi’s horror did end up only having one bed. The bed was a twin and would be a nightmare to fit both Jiang Cheng’s wide frame as well as Jingyi’s. A small bedside table and desk were the only other furniture to speak of.

Though sparsely furnished, it was clean. Jingyi wished he could stoke the fire in the corner of the room and curl up beside it until his bones thawed out. He couldn’t stop the violent chattering of his teeth while he shivered, though he tried his best not to.

Rain pounded on the glass of a small window and loud cracks of thunder could be heard in the distance. The innkeeper — er, Madame — left them to their own devices after ensuring the room was to their liking. She offered the services of her workers one last time, to which Sect Leader Jiang declined.

“Please have food and drink brought up as well as a bath readied,” Sect Leader Jiang instructed.

The Madame agreed and promised it would be up shortly.

Jingyi huddled next to the fire, arms wrapped around himself for warmth.

“Is there a bath house nearby?” Bath houses were a luxury not afforded to junior disciples. Jingyi pictured himself sinking down into the warm water, finally ridding himself of this chill.

Jiang Cheng shot him an incredulous look over his shoulder, “No, you idiot, they bring it here.”

What.

“If you expect me to join you, you must’ve hit your head back there in the forest.” Jingyi tossed his sword unceremoniously into a corner and sat down on his hunches, facing away from Sect Leader Jiang.

“It’s not for me, it’s for you. You need to warm up or you’ll get sick and then HanGuang Jun will have my head.”

“Oh.”

“I’ll bathe after you’ve finished.”

To finalize his point a simple white robe was tossed in Jingyi’s direction. Sect leader Jiang must have found it in the bedside table. Soon, a soft knock came at the door and two servants shuffled in with a large tub and filled it with steaming hot water. A tray of various fruits, breads and cheese was placed on the desk alongside a tea pot.

When they left Sect leader Jiang gave him a pointed look.

Jingyi looked around for a screen but there was none. How would he keep his dignity? He couldn’t just strip naked in front of Sect Leader Jiang!

“Hurry, before the water gets cold.”

“No, I won’t.”

Jiang Cheng clenched his jaw — clearly unused to having his orders blatantly ignored, “So help me Jingyi, I will throw you in clothes and all.”

“Are you hard of hearing? I said, no.”

Jingyi shot to his feet when Sect Leader Jiang stepped closer to him, bracketing his body against the wall with strong arms. If there was an award to be had for pissing off a sect leader Jingyi would be a strong contender, second only to maybe Wei Wuxian.

Sect Leader Jiang’s face was close, his gaze full of anger.

“I’m going to be your husband, Jingyi. Sooner or later, you’ll have to learn to obey me.”

Jingyi barked out a laugh and shoved Jiang Cheng away from him, “Even if I do, you’re crazy to think I can be bullied into doing something I don’t want to do.”

Zidian crackled, but Sect Leader Jiang kept his distance this time, seemingly taking a moment to collect himself.

“Fine, but at the very least you’ll have to learn to be comfortable with me. In two short weeks, you’ll be the new master of Lotus Pier and we will have to work together to ensure the prosperity of Yunmeng. As much as I care for you, I won’t let you shirk your duties. Any of them.”

Jingyi shivered, bit his lip and eyed the tub. It would be nice to feel warm again.

“Go ahead, I’ll turn around,” Sect Leader Jiang crossed his arms and turned away.

“Okay, just . . . don’t look until I’m under the water.”

Jingyi walked over to the tub, pulling at the strings holding his outer robes together. He unwrapped the two outer layers and let them fall to the floor. He made quick work of his trousers and boots but hesitated when he got to his inner robes.

He felt a momentary flash of panic — what would his clan think if they knew he was alone in a brothel with Sect Leader Jiang . . . naked?  

Jingyi hesitated a little too long and shivered as the cool air met his bare skin as his inner robe was pulled slowly from his shoulders by Sect Leader Jiang. Jingyi looked back and, as promised, Sect Leader Jiang’s eyes were still closed. His hands replaced the robes, leaving a warm trail in their wake.

“Get in,” Sect Leader Jiang murmured and Jingyi dipped one foot into the steaming hot water — flinching at the temperature difference. He acclimated fast however, and quickly sank down to his shoulders, his hair fanning around him. The ends of his forehead ribbon sat on top of the water and he pulled his knees up to his chest, looking up at Sect Leader Jiang’s face.

“You can open your eyes now.”

What Jingyi saw there sent an excited shiver down his spine.

Chapter Text

Jingyi sank as low into the water as he possibly could while Sect Leader Jiang hung up his robes by the fireplace to dry. Though he was obviously trying to give Jingyi some semblance of privacy, the room was too small for it to really work.

Jingyi pulled off his hairpiece and started working out the tangles in his hair. There were dead leaves and sticks from the forest. How long had those been there?

He would love to take his forehead ribbon off to scrub his face but even Jingyi knew that was going too far. Lan Qiren would have his hide if he found out.

Running the bar of soap down each arm and down his chest, he gathers a thick lather and then dunked his whole body underwater to rinse it off. When he was done, he realized there were no towels present and he’d left the clean white robe out of arms reach.

He groaned.

“Are you done?” Sect Leader Jiang asked from his seat at the desk where he was sipping tea and pointedly ignoring Jingyi.

“Yes, but I’ve left my robe over there,” Jingyi looked over at the robe, forlorn.

“Oh, and you think I’ll get it for you?”

“If you don’t, I’ll tell Master Wei you took me to a brothel and then the whole world will know it too,” he smiled serenely.

Sect Leader Jiang glowered but brought the robe to him, closing his eyes again and holding out the arms of the robe. Jingyi stood up and turned around, stepping into it and out of the bath. He quickly tied it and wrung out his hair over the tub.

“Do you feel better?” Sect Leader Jiang asked.

“Yes,” Jingyi hopped up onto the bed and leaned against the wall, “Now it’s your turn.”

“Oh, and you’re going to watch, is that it?”

“Maybe. I haven’t decided yet,” Jingyi bluffed, having no intentions of watching at all.

“Well, decide quickly, the water’s getting cold.” Sect Leader Jiang took his hair down and set his hairpiece on the desk. He pulled Zidian off his wrist and set it gently down beside it. Next, he pulled all the rings off his long fingers.

Jingyi was thrown by the casual way Sect Leader Jiang unwrapped his outer robes, hanging them up by the fireside. Jingyi realized he was still staring, but Sect Leader Jiang looked like he didn’t mind it at all.

Sect Leader Jiang slowly disrobed his final layer and made eye contact with Jingyi as he hung that one up as well. Then, he walked casually over to the tub as if he wasn’t completely naked and stepped in. Unlike Jingyi, most of his body was still above the waterline.

Jingyi, never having seen another naked man before, was speechless. Are they all that beautiful?

Sect Leader Jiang was muscular, toned and covered in a myriad of scars Jingyi could only assume was from the Sunshot Campaign. His whole body felt hot and he knew he was aroused.

“Jingyi.”

Jingyi swallowed and it was a moment before he could speak.

“Yes?”

“Stop gawking and come wash my hair.”

Jingyi could, and should, tell him to piss off but he wasn’t thinking clearly, at all, and found himself kneeling next to the tub, hands lost in Sect Leader Jiang’s hair.

Silently, he began lathering soap and massaging it into the wet hair until it was completely covered, and Sect Leader Jiang dunked his head under the water to rinse it off.

“Good. Now do the rest.”

“The . . . rest?”

Sect Leader Jiang took Jingyi’s hand holding the soap and trailed it down the front of his chest, all the way down until it hit just the top of the water. His grip was loose and Jingyi knew he could pull away if he wanted.

Jingyi took a deep breath and dragged the soap back up Sect Leader Jiang’s chest and then rubbed it in with his other hand. It was impossible not to notice how affected Jiang Cheng was by this. His breathing increased as he watched Jingyi work.

Jingyi looked down, there was nothing stopping him from going under the water. . .

A sharp knock at the door startled them both, and Jingyi pulled away completely.

The Madame poked her head around the door and said, “Another room just became available if you were still looking.”

Both Sect Leader Jiang and Jingyi were silent and the Madame gave them a knowing smile and bowed out of the room.

Sect Leader Jiang looked over at Jingyi and said, “I guess it’s time for bed.”

**

As Sect Leader Jiang finished his bath, Jingyi ate the forgotten food and then dove under the covers.

“Do you think the rain will let up by morning?” He asked.

Sect Leader Jiang, now dressed in his fresh robe, moved over to the window and looked outside but the night sky was too dark to discern whether the storm was moving on.

“Hm, it better. I have a lot of work to get done.”

Jingyi rolled his eyes and said, “Forget about it, nothing you can do from here anyway.”

“Shut up and go to sleep.” Sect Leader Jiang turned the lanterns off one by one and Jingyi realized he was going to sleep in this small bed with Sect Leader Jiang and be expected to keep his hands to himself.

He couldn’t lie — seeing Sect Leader Jiang like that, his confidence and control . . . Jingyi suddenly wished they were together under less nefarious circumstances.

But they weren’t. And it would do Jingyi good to remember that.

Jingyi scooted over as close to the wall as he possibly could and stared up at the paint peeling off the ceiling while he waited. When the room was bathed in darkness Jingyi felt the blanket he was lying on top of be pulled back. A warm body joined his under the blanket and he sucked in a sharp breath.

“You stay on your side and I’ll stay on mine,” Jingyi said sharply, and squished himself up against the cool wall, fully intending to ignore his bed partner and go to sleep when a hand settled on the back of his neck.

“Why are you so always so angry with me?”

“Why wouldn’t I be angry with you?” Jingyi retorts, shrugging off his hand.

After a moment Sect Leader Jiang said, “I know we can be good for each other, if you would just open up and talk to me.”

“You really want to know what I think?”

“I do.”

Jingyi bit his bottom lip and thought about the thoughtfulness Sect Leader Jiang had shown him over the last two weeks. He’d ensured Jingyi had the nicest room in Lotus Pier, that his breakfast was ready when he needed it and had his staff study Lan customs. Jingyi thought of all the gifts and time Sect Leader Jiang had set aside from his busy schedule for him over the last two weeks of which Jingyi ruined with his vicious attitude.

If only he’d courted him properly. Now Jingyi felt like a prisoner.

“I think you’re a coward.”

He felt Sect Leader Jiang draw back.

“A . . . coward. Tread lightly, Jingyi.” Sect Leader Jiang’s voice was terse. He was not happy.

Jingyi pushed on, “You were too scared to approach the Lan clan with a formal courting request or betrothal negotiation for me. Sounds pretty cowardly to me.”

Silence.

“Jingyi, turn around and look at me.”

“No.”

Sect Leader Jiang sighed and pulled Jingyi away from the wall. He put one hand gently under Jingyi’s chin and tipped it up, staring into his eyes.

“I formally requested to court you once a year ago — it was denied by Lan Xichen. Four months later I requested another and again, it was denied.”

Jingyi’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

“The Lan clan wouldn’t enter negotiations with me on either occasion so when the opportunity came to sign the marriage contract, I took it. I couldn’t think of any other way to have you.”

“They . . . they didn’t tell me.”

Sect Leader Jiang’s voice was soft when he answered, “I know. When they cancelled, I went berserk. I took thirty of my best cultivators and went after you.”

“And then they offered up Lan Sizhui, but you weren’t there for him.”

“I wasn’t leaving without you.”

Tears welled up in Jingyi’s eyes and he hid his face in Sect Leader Jiang’s chest. Strong arms wrapped him in a warm embrace and pulled him even closer. They fell asleep like that, the crackle of the fire the only sound in the room.

Chapter Text

A light, rhythmic sound woke Jingyi in the night. It took him a few moments to realize it was coming from beyond the wall, and even longer to recognize it was the sounds of two people moaning.

He felt a rush of blood head south as he lay there, listening. Moments like these were meant to be private, and it felt like he was intruding. But, he supposed, privacy was unlikely to be found in a brothel.

Jingyi was still wrapped up in Sect Leader Jiang’s arms and he twisted his lower half away, moving so his back was tucked against Jiang Cheng’s body. As he shifted, he felt an unmistakable hardness there, and something in the air changed.  

Looking back, he realized Sect Leader Jiang had been awake all along.

Jingyi wanted to test the waters so he lightly pushed back on that hardness, once, twice, three times. Rutting against him, fueled by the couple next door and Sect Leader Jiang’s earlier confession. His body was flushed, and he was unmistakably aroused.

Still, Jingyi hadn’t been prepared for a large hand to grab him by the hair and pull his head back. Or the hand splayed on his lower abdomen stilling his movements, for that matter.  

Now he’s done it.

“Be still. Do not tease me, Jingyi,” Sect Leader Jiang’s voice whispered into his ear, as if his patience were wearing thin.

Jingyi gasped, “I wouldn’t dream of it, Sect Leader Jiang.”

"Jiang Wanyin, Jingyi. Please call me by my courtesy name."

"Jiang Wanyin," Jingyi whispered, testing the name on his tongue. 

They lay in a tense silence together for a few moments, listening to the sounds crescendo next door and Jingyi wiggled his hips against that hold and whined.

“Jingyi, there is only so much restraint a man can possess.”

“Please, I want you.”

Sect Leader Jiang pulled Jingyi back, so he was lying flat and kissed him, tongue sweeping inside his mouth, wet and warm. “Do you even know what you’re asking for?”

Jingyi was heady, and arched his hips up aching for contact, “I know you’ll be the first one to have me.”

“Jingyi, we’re not married yet. If your clan finds out they will take you away and I will never see you again.”

“How would they possibly find out? It’s just us, here in the dark. No one will know.”

Sect Leader Jiang is silent for a little too long and Jingyi let his legs fall apart gracefully, grateful of the darkness, but wanting to make his point known.

“You’re being unfair,” Jingyi nipped at his lips, “I know you want me; I can feel that you do.”

Sect Leader Jiang deepens the kiss but pulls away saying, “I cannot risk it, I cannot risk losing you Jingyi. Not for one moment of carnal lust. I couldn’t bare it.”

Jingyi pouted but allowed Sect Leader Jiang to pull away and he shuffled back to his corner by the wall. He tapped Sect Leader Jiang on the nose, and asked, “So can we move the wedding up, Jiang Wanyin?”

And Sect Leader Jiang laughed.