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Chapter Text

In this Deserted Pier, the Lotus Blooms

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p r o l o g u e

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As Wei Wuxian lost consciousness in the cave of Xuanwu, he closed his eyes with barely any regret. He had saved a maiden in distress and defeated a monster to save the day, had attempted and went beyond the impossible like a true Yunmeng Jiang’s disciple. He only hoped that Lan Zhan would survive and that the others had successfully escaped.

Under his eyelids, he dreamt.

Wei Wuxian dreamt of Lotus Pier burning to the ground, of Jiang Cheng losing his Golden Core, of him being demonic cultivator, of Shijie and her husband’s being killed in front of his eyes, of himself—

—d e a d.

It was horrifying how real the nightmare felt.

Then suddenly Wei Wuxian woke up gasping under the safety of Gusu Lan’s Cloud Recesses, Lan Zhan’s waiting on his bedside.

In his dream, he had enmity with Lan Zhan.

But now, Lan Zhan was the first person he saw after waking up. He helped Wei Wuxian to sit up and offered him water.

In Lan Zhan’s arms, Wei Wuxian almost sobbed in relief.

It was just a nightmare!

It was not real!

It was a curse of his own imagination!

He was at Cloud Recesses, Lan Zhan was his friend, and Lotus Pier… was... safe?

Was Lotus Pier safe?

“Lan Zhan, what about Jiang Cheng?” Wei Wuxian catapulted into the question so suddenly. Not giving Lan Zhan, who looked as if he just received a slap, a chance to answer, Wei Wuxian continued on, “Why am I not in Lotus Pier? Lan Zhan, please tell me! Lan Zhan!”

Wei Wuxian became frantic the longer Lan Zhan kept his troubled silent.

In the end, Wei Wuxian was defeated by his health and lost consciousness for the second time.

The next time he woke up, it was Lan Qiren who was on his bedside. Then Lan Qiren said,

Young Master Jiang Cheng was captured and killed in his escape.

The Wen Clan used Jiang Cheng as the mean to wage war against Yunmeng Jiang.

Lotus Pier has fallen.

Miss Jiang Yanli was the only survivor.

It was from Second Young Master Nie’s information that Gusu Lan could rescue you and Wangji.

It’s fortunate that you are safe and—

—a l i v e .

That apparently Wei Wuxian woke up from a nightmare into a hell.

A hell where he must kill and war to go home.

Alone under the banner of Yunmeng Jiang, Wei Wuxian fought his way to Lotus Pier.

He killed and slaughtered the Wen without remorse, rampaged with all the rage burning his core, all for the sake to reclaim his home. And when he was drenched in the enemy’s blood, Shijie remained to have his hands in grounding hold.

In this deserted pier where their family was buried with no proper funeral, burned to the ashes that settled onto the very depth of the lake, together they stood to watch the setting sun with only one regret in heart.

To mourn the one unrooted from the beloved Yunmeng, abandoned without respect.

For Jiang Cheng who died far away from his home with n o t h i n g left to bury.

And in this very deserted pier Wei Wuxian made his vow.

He would bring Jiang Cheng home. Even if it’s just Sandu, a single Yunmeng bell, a shard of bone, a speck of ashes, or even a piece of purple cloth.

A n y t h i n g – oh, how Wei Wuxian would.

Because Jiang Cheng deserved to be home.

Only when the Heir of Yunmeng Jiang was home would the Lotus once again bloom.

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p r o l o g u e - e n d

Chapter Text

In this Deserted Pier, the Lotus Blooms

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b a n q u e t

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There is a well-known tale about the Hero of Yunmeng.

Hailed from the Jiang Clan as its head disciple, after the tragedy that befell his sect, the Hero of Yunmeng vowed a revenge on the tyrannical Wen Clan that had created chaos around the cultivation world.

The Wen Clan had intended to devour the Great Clans, including the Yunmeng's Jiang Clan. They destroyed the Yunmeng Jiang Clan and their Lotus Pier, annihilating the whole sect members excepting the Jiang Clan's head disciple and the First Miss of the Jiang. Unfortunately, the Sect Heir Jiang Wanyin was not spared.

The four great clans worked together to bring down the tyrannical Wen, thus was the Sunshot Campaign. The Hero of Yunmeng made a great contribution in the campaign with his wits and swordplay. His charms gathered cultivators of many backgrounds to follow his lead. Finally, he reclaimed the land of his destroyed clan. Along the way, it was reported that he was looking for the remnants of Jiang Wanyin.

After the fall of the Wen Clan, peace was brought back to the cultivation world. 

Yunmeng Jiang's first disciple rebuilt the Yunmeng Jiang Clan then took the mantle of its Sect Leader.

The First Miss married the Lanling Jin Clan's sect heir. 

Currently, fifteen years after the end of the Sunshot Campaign, it was rumoured that until today, both the Hero of Yunmeng and The First Miss of the Jiang Clan were still searching the remnants of the deceased Jiang Wanyin. 

Lotus Pier, Yunmeng

Today, the morning starts early in Yunmeng. Never as early as those of Gusu, but certainly earlier than Yunmeng's usual standard. The Jiang Sect's household manager, Mo Xuanyu, is certain he wakes up earliest among everyone. After all, today, Yunmeng Jiang Sect is going to receive guests from other clans. 

Yunmeng Jiang Sect is hosting the discussion conference this year. Mo Xuanyu, who is promoted into household manager only last year, feels like tearing his hair bald for having only a month of preparation. He blames Master Wei for this. Yunmeng Jiang Clan's Acting Sect Leader, Hero of Yunmeng, Wei Wuxian—among his many greatnesses, has one flaw of being forgetful. The preparation that should take at least a year, is packed into a month, because the Acting Sect Leader, and Mo Xuanyu quoted, "Forgot about it."

After delegating duties to the servant, Mo Xuanyu practically runs to the Acting Sect Leader's private quarter.

"Please excuse me, Master Wei," Mo Xuanyu says before opening the door to his Sect Leader's chamber. 

Mo Xuanyu sighs in relief when he sees Wei Wuxian is up and about. His personal servant, Xiaochen, is helping him dressing up. 

"Good morning, Manager Mo," Wei Wuxian greets. 

Wei Wuxian always wears a gentle smile and speaks in soft manner. His particular hobby is matchmaking the people around him. People who haven't known the Acting Sect Leader during the war-time often have a hard time imagining Wei Wuxian to be The Hero—a person who survives the atrocity of the war-time and almost single-handedly rebuilds a sect into the current prosperity.

After putting on the belt and hair ribbon on Wei Wuxian, Xiaochen excuses himself.

"The entourage from other clans will start arriving in a shichen," Mo Xuanyu informs at once.

Wei Wuxian hums. "I should be there to greet Shijie and A-Ling."

As an Acting Sect Leader, Wei Wuxian is obligated to greet the other sects' envoy and to be polite at it for the reputation of Yunmeng Jiang. As a person named Wei Wuxian, this discussion conference is no importance of him. The current Madam Jin, Jiang Yanli, is the former First Miss of the Jiang Clan and Mo Xuanyu understands that Wei Wuxian adores her and her son, Jin Ling. Mo Xuanyu has heard that by the end of the war, people speculated that Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli would be wedded to each other, yet to their surprise, Jiang Yanli married Jin Zixuan after passing the Yunmeng Jiang's Sect Leader position to Wei Wuxian. Until this day, Wei Wuxian keeps insisting that he is simply a placeholder, an acting sect leader, and if one day Jiang Yanli's heir wanted to claim back the clan and sect, he will happily give back the position.

The current Jiang Sect is made by Wei Wuxian's hand and only knows Wei Wuxian as their Sect Leader. Mo Xuanyu is certain that the Yunmeng Jiang people will only answer to Wei Wuxian and no one else no matter his title. If given a choice, people in the Lotus Pier will adhere to Wei Wuxian as Sect Leader Wei instead of Master Wei. 

Wei Wuxian steps out of the room and Mo Xuanyu follows. During the walk, Mo Xuanyu explains the progress of their preparation. When they arrive on the training ground, the disciples have been waiting. Wei Wuxian raises his hand to accept the disciples' bows and greetings.

"Jiang Fengyin, Wei Sizhui," Wei Wuxian calls.

The called disciples step up.

Jiang Fengyin and Wei Sizhui are two among many war orphans adopted into Yunmeng Jiang Sect. 

Yinyu, courtesy name Jiang Fengyin, is the head disciple of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect. He comes to the Yunmeng Jiang Sect under the age of five. This year, he is fourteen. Although he is young in age, he is talented enough to be bestowed with Jiang surname and becomes a head disciple in training. It can be said that he has the greatest chance to be the next Sect Leader of Yunmeng Jiang Sect.

Wei Yuan, courtesy name Wei Sizhui, is the adopted son of Wei Wuxian. This year, he will be eighteen years old. Although the person himself doesn't voice any disappointment, many of the disciples has argued that Wei Sizhui should be made the head disciple instead of Jiang Fengyin. 

To the voice of disagreement, Wei Wuxian as the Acting Sect Leader speaks up: being both his son and favorite disciple doesn't automatically qualify Wei Sizhui to be the head disciple and his successor. Wei Wuxian doesn't explain what makes Wei Sizhui unsuitable, though, and therefore even until today, many disapprove of Jiang Fengyin has ostracized the head disciple.

In this year discussion conference, Jiang Fengyin and Wei Sizhui are chosen to represent the sect in the night-hunt competition.

"Don't be nervous and do your best," Wei Wuxian says to his disciples. "Yunmeng Jiang and I do not pressure you for a win. Let's enjoy this discussion conference together."

Ever since the war ended, following the rebuilding of the Lotus Pier, the motto of the Jiang Clan's "Attempt the Impossible" is upgraded into "Be the Best of Yourself" It means each person has different limit on their ability and instead of being the Impossible, they should simply be their best version. 

"Beyond impossible is nothing but regret," Wei Wuxian told them at least once in a while. "Pursuing the impossible might as well means losing sight of the most important thing of yours." Spoken through his own experience, no doubt.

Wei Wuxian, who was once known as the genius youth among his generation, lived through the war. His researches and inventions contributed greatly to the course of the war, and even beyond the war. By the common folks' standard, Wei Wuxian has done and gone beyond the impossible. For whatever he had experiences in that era and for all that he had lost, though, his bitter view on his own achievement must seem like irony. 

After checking up on his disciples, Wei Wuxian goes to the banquet hall and finds everything to his satisfaction. Mo Xuanyu mentally pats his own back. 

Right on time, the guards announced the arrival of the other clans and sects.

As expected, the first to arrive is the Lanling Jin Sect. Sect Leader Jin—Jin Zixuan—arrived with his wife, Jiang Yanli, and their son, Jin Ling. The rest of his sect members are shown to their resting area while the Sect Leader and his family stay for a family conversation.

"Shijie!" Wei Wuxian welcomes exuberantly. 

"A-xian!" Jiang Yanli catches Wei Wuxian's hands into hers. "How are you? You look thinner. Have you been eating well?"

Behind the pair, Jin Zixuan whispers snidely to his son, "Look, your mother always loves her A-xian more than us."

Jin Ling rolls his eyes. Aren't you too old for jealousy, he thought. 

"Dajiu," Jin Ling greets when Wei Wuxian walked Jiang Yanli to her family. "Isn't Yuan-ge with you?"

"Aiyah," Wei Wuxian scolded. "Look at this child. The first thing you are looking for is A-Yuan. Spare some of your attention to your Dajiu, won't you?"

Aren't you too old for jealousy, Jin Ling thought again.

Every year, Jin Ling spends some days in the summer in the Lotus Pier and becomes attached to his Yuan-ge. If Jin Ling make a list of his favorite people, the number one will be Jiang Yanli, the second will be Wei Sizhui, and the third will be Jin Guangyao. His father and his dajiu are somewhere around fifteen to twenty. 

"Dajiu gets enough attention from A-niang," Jin Ling retorts. "Yuan-ge needs to compete for your attention against Yinyu. Since you don't love him enough, he needs me to comfort him."

Even though Wei Sizhui, Jin Ling, and Jiang Fengyin grow up together, for unknown reason, Jin Ling is very close to Wei Sizhui, while on the other hand, hold animosity against Jiang Fengyin. Even before Jiang Fengyin's appointment as the head disciple, Jin Ling has aversion to him. Now, though, Jin Ling openly shows his hostility to the poor Jiang Fengyin. Because of this matter, sometimes Wei Wuxian wants to hang his head on to his palm. 

"Shijie, let me show you the way to your room," Wei Wuxian diverts the conversation.

Jin Ling, with an annoyed huff, walks away. It is okay if Wei Wuxian doesn't want to tell him where Wei Sizhui is, Jin Ling is familiar enough with the Lotus Pier and can find his own way.

"You should not spoil him too much, Jie," Wei Wuxian sighs, once Jin Ling is not around the area. "Look, he grows up to be the second peacock."

Jin Zixuan makes a sound of protest and Jiang Yanli chuckles. "I am not the only one who spoil him, aren't I?" she implies that Wei Wuxian too is the culprit of Jin Ling's wayward development.

Wei Wuxian doesn't spoil him that much, he wants to protest. He is just trying his best to care for Jin Ling. If Jiang Cheng was here, he would certainly spoil Jin Ling a lot more rotten than anyone else.

"I notice that Lianfang-jun doesn't come together with you," Wei Wuxian inquires.

Lianfang-jun or Jin Guangyao is Jin Zixuan's half-sibling who makes a great and crucial contribution during the Sunshot Campaign. In fact, he is also the sworn brothers of Lan Xichen of Gusu Lan Sect and the late Nie Mingjue of Qinghe Nie Sect.

"Ah, Qinsu is sick so he will catch up later," Jin Zixuan explains.

Jin Guangyao and his wife, Qinsu, recently lost their son. Qinsu, the grieving mother, has been prone to sickness ever since. 

After sending the Jin couple to their quarter, Wei Wuxian is informed that the Lan Clan entourage has arrived.

"Lan-shifu, Zewu-jun, Hanguang-jun," Wei Wuxian greets his guests. "Welcome to Lotus Pier."

Lan Qiren glares at him, undoubtedly still sore about his teaching experience during Wei Wuxian's stay and study in Cloud Recesses. Before the war, the young Wei Wuxian studies briefly in the Cloud Recesses before being expelled for a brawl with Jin Zixuan. His stay has proven to be a stress inducer for the stickler for the rule Lan Qiren. No one regrets Wei Wuxian's departure from Cloud Recesses, especially not the free-spirited Wei Wuxian who can't be bound by Lan Clan's thousand rules, and most definitely not Lan Qiren who gets closer to Qi Deviation everytime he sees Wei Wuxian's face.

Zewu-jun—Lan Xichen—bows in greeting. He has always been Wei Wuxian's favorite Lan. Despite being the Lan Sect Leader, he is flexible in thought and conduct. Lan Xichen understands that he can't force the Lan Clan's value and idealism on to the world, no matter how good they perceive their self-restraint and justice. The world can never be an ideal place, after all. 

Hanguang-jun—Lan Wangji—follows the example of his brother and bows in greeting. Wei Wuxian is not unfamiliar with Lan Wangji. They studied together in the Cloud Recesses and Wei Wuxian remembered being a menace to the young Lan Wangji. They also teamed up during the war and worked well together during battles. After the war, every half a year, Lan Wangji will come to Lotus Pier by the invitation of Wei Wuxian to play purification tone and inquiry around the place. Lotus Pier is once a site of massacre and has gathered resentment, Wei Wuxian wants the souls that now lay on the bottom of the lake to rest in peace.

If he hopes that a certain soul will answer to the inquiry, he never conveys the wishes to Lan Wangji.

The arrival of the Gusu Lan Sect is soon followed by the Qinghe Nie Sect.

The current Sect Leader, Nie Huaisang, is also a study partner during Wei Wuxian's time in Cloud Recesses. Nie Huaisang takes the mantle of Sect Leader right after the unfortunate passing of his big brother, Chifeng-zun—Nie Mingjue. While he is not ready to be a Sect Leader and has been fumbling his way around, Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao have been rumoured to help him through.

"Nie-xiong," Wei Wuxian tries to put as much warmth and familiarity into his greeting. 

Nie Huaisang seems relieved to see an unintimidating face. He has always been timid by default.

Wei Wuxian doesn't want to admit but there were times he looks down on Nie Huaisang. Wei Wuxian has his sect burned down, the whole clan massacred, and must fight in war to finally return home. Nie Huaisang has stayed away from the war somewhere, untouched by the horror, protected. They are no longer the same carefree youths chasing after birds and pleasure, they have changed to different directions. 

Among the youths Wei Wuxian spend his time closely together, only one of them unchanged, but it is not a decision by choice. Jiang Cheng's life had been snuffed too early.   

"Wei-xiong," Nie Huaisang replies to Wei Wuxian's greeting. "It has been a while."

"Ah, should I call Mo Xuanyu to personally attend you?" Wei Wuxian offers. "After all, you will be more comfortable around a more familiar face. You are the one who recommend Mo Xuanyu to work for our Yunmeng Jiang."

"No need, no need," Nie Huaisang frantically waves his hands. "I am not that close to the kid. I just, you know, see him often during my visit to the Lanling Jin. He is a bit unappreciated because he doesn't put his talent where it is supposed to be. Coincidentally, you are in need of a new household manager, as well."

"I must say, your keenness has helped our Yunmeng Jiang greatly," Wei Wuxian nods. "Mo Xuanyu is disciplined and meticulous. He serves well. Otherwise, I don't have a choice but to make Xiaochen the household manager. He is terrible with number."

Nie Huaisang laughed heartily. 

"I have done a good deed," he says proudly. "Very well, I will accept your offer. I want to make sure that your excellent appraisal on Mo Xuanyu is not simply to appease me."

Nie Huaisang departs after Mo Xuanyu. 

All the guests have arrived and came the night. The welcoming banquet starts. Only then, Lianfang-jun—Jin Guangyao arrives.

"I am very sorry for arriving so late," Jin Guangyao says in lament. 

"I have heard that Madam Qinsu is ill. Does she feel better now?" Wei Wuxian asks.

"She has," Jin Guangyao answers. "I must say, it's a shame I can't bring her with me. Such a merry arrangement shall cheer her," he continues. "Sect Leader Wei."

People flinch. The corner of Wei Wuxian's mouth ticks.

"Please, Lianfang-jun," Wei Wuxian puts his hand on Jin Guangyao's shoulder. "We are all family here. Even Nie Huaisang is casual with me, why doesn't you?" he says as he salutes Nie Huaisang with his other hand. 

Jin Guangyao knows a reprimand when he hears one. "Of course, Master Wei. I just thought that in this occasion, at least, we should be more conscious of our station."

"I shall remember your advice," Wei Wuxian gives Jin Guangyao's shoulder two heavy pats. "I should not hold you out here longer. Come, enjoy the merry. Mo Xuanyu has worked hard to arrange them."

As he watches Jin Guangyao walks to mingle with the other guests, Wei Wuxian with smile on his face, whispers under his breath, "Snake."

Jin Guangyao is an illegitimate son. With great achievement during the war, Jin Guangshan has no choice but to accept that illegitimate son into his household. Wei Wuxian has heard of how livid Madam Jin for being forced to bestow the Jin name to the consequence of Jin Guangshan's infidelity. Oh, Jin Guangyao is always polite, but underneath that simpering, Wei Wuxian has witnessed a cunning snake.

Until today, Wei Wuxian is still wondering why did Nie Mingjue decide to keep him close as sworn brother. It is probably Lan Xichen's coercion, but for that stubborn man to agree to it? All the stress of dealing with the snake must be what actually get him Qi Deviated. 

Wei Wuxian bites his own tongue at the thought. Nie Huaisang is grieving. Wei Wuxian understands his grief. He shouldn't have thought of the late Nie Mingjue so callously and disrespectfully. Secretly, he lowers his head to the direction of Nie Huaisang in apology. 

"Master Wei." Wei Wuxian hears Xiaochen calls. "There is... something."

Xiaochen has lived with him for more than ten years. He is one of the people Wei Wuxian trusts the most. If Xiaochen thinks this something is important, then it must be truly important. Urgent enough for Xiaochen to interrupt the banquet.

Wei Wuxian and Xiaochen walks to the Sect Leader's office. Outside, there has been waiting Jiang Yanli and Jiang Fengyin. Jiang Yanli's face is as pale as a ghost. 

"Jie," Wei Wuxian crows in worry. "What happened?"

"I...," Jiang Yanli stutters, then sobs. 

Wei Wuxian shifts his eyes to Jiang Fengyin for explanation. 

"This evening, this disciple came across Young Madam Jin in front of her family's quarter," Jiang Fengyin bows in salute. "She was already in a state of shock. No one was around. I was worried and decided to ascertain the Young Madam's condition. She has been checked by physician and is physically fine. It's just... there is an artefact...."

"Sandu." Jiang Yanli interrupts. "It's Sandu, A-xian."

Wei Wuxian blinks. Sandu? Jiang Cheng's sword, Sandu Senshou?

"We have safe-guarded the artefact inside your office, Master Wei," Xiaochen informs. 

Wei Wuxian opens the door. On top of his desk is an achingly familiar sword, unsheathed. It is wrapped in talisman Jiang Fengyin probably put on for precaution. Wei Wuxian takes the details on the sword—it is not rusty, but certainly shows the sign of abandon. Sandu's original design has jagged sharp side, now though, the jagged parts has become more uneven with cracks. 

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng had gotten their swords at the same time. For the years they spent together, Wei Wuxian is familiar with Sandu as much as he is familiar with his Suibian. He knows with certainty that the sword is genuine.

Wei Wuxian felt something akin to a punch on his chest, making him breathless. He had been looking for Sandu for so long yet couldn’t find it. Why now? At this moment? Who?

“Jie,” Wei Wuxian croaked. “Where did you find it?”

“I was feeling dizzy and left the banquet,” Jiang Yanli tries to explain. Intertwined in her words are hiccups. “I went to the ancestral hall, to pray. The sword-Sandu-is already there. In front of A-cheng’s offering tablet. I know that something was not right and decided to hide it in my room before informing you. Unfortunately, I was dizzy and confused, then I just couldn’t hold it anymore once I crossed into the Jin quarter. It was not safe, I am sorry. Fortunately, only Jiang Fengyin found me.”

“Someone has designs on us,” Wei Wuxian agrees. “Today out of all the time. I am grateful Sandu is home, but someone certainly means it for a bargaining chip.”

“What should we do?” Jiang Yanli whispers, wringing her handkerchief worriedly.

“This remains secret between us. We wait for the other’s next steps before making a move,” Wei Wuxian declares with decisiveness, showing the shadow of Hero of Yunmeng. “I will not tolerate a traitor.”

Because who else can enter the Yunmeng Jiang Clan’s ancestral hall if not for the immediate family or close retinues.

“Jiang Fengyin, please escort Madam Jin to her quarter,” he continues.

Jiang Fengyin nods and intends to follow the command.

“Wait,” Jiang Yanli says, giving a glance to the sword. “Just, let me, for a moment. Please, A-xian?”

Wei Wuxian sighs. “Of course, Jie.” Then he steps back to let Jiang Yanli walks closer to the sword.

Jiang Yanli had a chance to touch and cries on the sword before Jiang Fengyin found her breaking down in the Jin Clan’s quarter. It was truly fortunate that Jiang Fengyin was the one who found her, otherwise, she might be too emotional for any excuses. The last time she saw Jiang Cheng was before the Wen Indoctrination Camp. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng promised they would be back soon. Only one came home, even then, not before her house burned to ashes that now settles on the bottom of Lotus Pier.

"A-cheng," Jiang Yanli murmurs, hands hoovering on top the sword, not brave enough to touch them the second time. "You promised to come back," she says, not accusingly, but with the relief of a sister who is finally welcoming her brother home.

Wei Wuxian, at the sight of the mourning, burns with myriad emotions. One of them is self-hatred for being the only one coming back. Why was it him and not Jiang Cheng? The guilt always echoes in his worst time. He had been living without Jiang Cheng for fifteen years, but the fifteen years lived together with Jiang Cheng haunted Wei Wuxian still. Losing his golden core probably made him felt less cold. 

During his pursuit of Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu during the Sunshot Campaign, he heard rumours. Apparently, Wen Chao had been boasting about killing the Young Master Jiang. He had let Wen Zhuliu melt the Young Master's core before he personally stabbed the Young Master with Sandu. 

Whether the boastful tale was true or not, Wei Wuxian had retaliated by letting Wen Chao ate his own flesh for having the sheer ideas. He rendered Wen Zhuliu limbless, helpless to witness Wen Chao's pitiful end.

Wei Wuxian was forced to lose the person he was supposed to protect, out there, somewhere he didn't know, in the times he was not aware of. He thought it was merciful enough to let Wen Chao killed himself in front of Wen Zhuliu's eyes. At least, the menace died in front of him, right? 

Wei Wuxian wished he can burn Jiang Cheng's last moment in his own eyes, instead of wondering how he met his end. Was he in pain? Did Wen Chao truly torture him? Did he simply stumble in his escape? Oh, how he wished he could die in Jiang Cheng's place. Maybe, the world could be a different place than it is now. Maybe, Uncle Jiang and Madam Jiang would still live. Maybe, Lotus Pier would have a better peace. Maybe, maybe, maybe. Wei Wuxian's head was full of scenarios of possibility.

"Master Wei," Xiaochen calls out.

Wei Wuxian glanced at the call.

Jiang Yanli and Jiang Fengyin have left the room, leaving the two of them alone.

Wei Wuxian flicked extra talismans to make sure the silencing and protection spell hold.

“Master Wei,” Xiaochen repeats, putting up his hands on salute and bows his body in deference. “This servant understand that you find Yinyu—I mean, Jiang Fengyin—suspicious. As the head disciple of the Jiang Sect, he has access to the ancestral hall. Why was he at the Jin Clan’s quarter at that time, we know he doesn’t have any assignment or duty around the area, making the encounter seems more deliberate than a coincidence. Or if he was not the culprit, he might be manipulated or coerced to be an accomplice. However, with all due respect, Master Wei. This servant is asking you to put your trust in Jiang Fenyin, if not, please put your trust on my judgment on Jiang Fengyin’s character. I believe that he is not the perpetrator nor accomplice.”

Wei Wuxian listened.

Xiaochen, or should Wei Wuxian say Lianchen, is a war orphan he adopted from the outskirt of Yiling—a beggar child who like to hang out with dogs more than with human. Wei Wuxian was inspecting the seal on the Burial Mound’s barrier when he found the boy staying too close to the barrier and cuddling with too many dogs that Wei Wuxian was comfortable with. Wei Wuxian felt a compulsion to pluck the boy from among the dogs and bring him to Lotus Pier.

The boy was kicking up a storm when he found out he was kidnapped from his evil lair. He tried to escape several times to go back to Yiling. When asked, he said he doesn’t want to stay in a place without his dogs. Wei Wuxian had never made a rule that dogs are forbidden in Lotus Pier, but his people understand his fear of the canine, and it became an unspoken rule among the Lotus Pier’s residents that dogs are not allowed in Lotus Pier.

One way or another, the boy reminded Wei Wuxian of certain someone and arbitrarily he decided to name the boy, Lianchen. The boy was not allowed to keep dogs in Lotus Pier but Wei Wuxian sent his subordinate to accompany the boy to pick up his dogs. The dogs would be adopted by the people near Lotus Pier and the boy would be allowed to visit them.

Wei Wuxian was planning to keep Xiaochen as a disciple, but the boy had no talent whatsoever, and thus get delegated to be a kitchen staff, and household staff, and stable staff, and finally to be Wei Wuxian’s personal servant. Apparently, Wei Wuxian was the only living person who can tolerate Xiaochen’s attitude.

Such boy would later pick up a stray himself and raised the stray to be the head disciple of Jiang Sect.

Jiang Fengyin is like a brother to Xiaochen, so Wei Wuxian understands his concern.

“But do you understand that this also means the suspicion points at you too?” Wei Wuxian asks. “You can be the one to manipulate Jiang Fengyin to do your bidding. Jiang Fengyin follows your words like a rule more than he follows his Sect Leader.”

Xiaochen bows deeper. “This servant has no disposition nor ability to scheme and execute such plan.”

“Xiaochen,” Wei Wuxian sighs. “You know you are cleverer than most. Do you know why I keep you? Because you know when to be discreet.”

“A servant is a not a person therefore they don’t have eyes and ears,” Xiaochen answers.

“See,” Wei Wuxian walks to his desk where Sandu is still on top of. “Therefore, stop worrying about things. Keep pretending to be an ornament with no eyes, ears, and mouth. Whether Jiang Fengyin is involved or not, we will know when the other party makes move. When the time comes, I don’t care whoever it is, they will pay for playing with my family.”

The burning candles has its fire flickers, coiled in smithereens of resentment.

b a n q u e t – end