Over the next two days Wei Wuxian felt like he was hanging on by a thread, living from letter to letter, the moments in between stretching out like torture.
He wasn't able to summon the cruelty to stay away for breakfast, lunch or dinner again, though Lan Wangji's sad eyes and careful silences were almost worse than his disappointment would have been. Lan Wangji seemed to have given up on any attempt to clear the air, not opening his lips at all unless it was to inform Wei Wuxian of an update he had received from his brother.
Wei Wuxian in turn shared what his shijie wrote him.
Jiang Yanli was still trying to look on the bright side of things, detailing every bit of progress that was made extensively while glossing over worries and mishaps.
She wrote that the elderly and children were growing a little tired—there had been some tantrums and sore feet—but she was glad to have remembered packing salve against blisters and Han Xia had successfully gone hunting and put meat on everyone's plates, thus lightening up the mood.
Lan Xichen's letters most likely included similar attempts at staying positive, but Lan Wangji recounted their contents so bluntly that they were all lost.
The situation in the south was bad. Sects which Lan Xichen's group had expected to aid were found with corpses hanging at the gates and the Wen sun covering whatever clan insignia had formerly been on display.
One greater battle had been fought so far, for a small sect from the east of Guangdong, but Gusu Lan had arrived only as most allies had fallen to Wen swords already and the outcome had been bloody and disheartening. For now, Lan Xichen had taken his men to retreat and search for survivors.
As soon as there were no more letters to share, tension inevitably fell over the Jingshi. Wei Wuxian couldn't bear staying longer than it took for their bowls to be cleared off the table. It was like he was having strained business meetings instead of sharing meals with his husband.
He knew it was entirely his fault too, in so far as he hadn't cooperated when Lan Wangji had offered to talk things out at least.
But how could they talk?
If he mentioned how much Lotus Pier was on his mind, Lan Wangji would just disapprove again.
Wei Wuxian honestly didn't know what to do—half of him wanted to just throw himself into Lan Wangji's arms and beg for forgiveness, the other half shied away from even the thought of intimacy that wasn't whole-heartedly meant.
He even entertained daring another attempt at convincing Lan Qiren to let him go to Yunmeng a few times, but he could never bring himself to.
Seeking out Lan Qingzhao was out of the question, and even visiting Lan Chuanli and Yuan Xiang when he was like this didn't seem like a good idea. Better not to drag his own miserable self into their happy home.
No matter how much Wei Wuxian chided himself for wallowing in self-pity, he just couldn't stop imagining all that might have already happened in Lotus Pier or ruminating over the arguments he'd had with Lan Wangji again and again and again, alternately descending into anger and heart-rending guilt.
It was like this that he was approached by a disciple after he had finished teaching a class and handed a letter.
Caiyi's new magistrate had invited Wei Wuxian to come for a social visit.
Apparently, the man was interested in speaking about the welding tool he had been shown at the Mu estate.
Wei Wuxian almost couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at the fine seal the letter had been signed with, immediately annoyed.
He really had more important things to be doing than speaking to some stuck-up official.
Except... he hadn't, really.
If anything, this was as good an excuse as any to get away from the Cloud Recesses for a little longer and try clearing his head.
Grabbing Suibian and deciding to just go for it, he ran to the sect gates, then made off towards Caiyi Town.
Wei Wuxian didn't really remember the late magistrate. He had only ever seen the man once after all, months and months ago when Lan Qingzhao had taken him to the guy for Biling Lake's waterborne abyss.
All the nastiness that had followed with the man's son had not served to leave a good impression either. To say the least.
As he arrived at Caiyi's magisterial office now, it immediately became clear that the new magistrate had a highly impressive number of people working for him, certainly more than magistrate Yang had had.
Wei Wuxian was received at the gate by two guards in official-looking armor, then escorted through the main pleasure garden where more guards were stationed at about every corner. Once in the main hall, he was promptly accosted by an entire roster of ever-smiling servants who seemed to want nothing more than to plump him up with sweets and wine.
The hall itself had received a few changes. Pretty collectibles and valuable baubles were tastefully lining every shelf, strange exotic plants towered high in elegant vases and the large monitor lizard figurine that was curled up behind the ornate head seat was quite possibly alive. Wei Wuxian was pretty sure it occasionally flicked its tongue in his direction.
After he had been plied with Emperor's Smile for a fen a young man in elegant robes squirreled into the hall and introduced himself as the magistrate's assistant.
"On magistrate Hua's behalf, let me welcome Wei-gongzi to Caiyi. The magistrate will be with us shortly," the guy said with natural sincerity. "I hope the refreshments have been to Wei-gongzi's liking so far?"
"I like the wine, thank you."
It was actually an understatement.
The very moment Wei Wuxian's lips had touched his first sip of alcohol he'd realized how insanely he'd been craving a drink.
That it was very good alcohol was a plus.
The young man seemed to have picked up on some of his true meaning. His eyes twinkled.
"It is fortunate our hospitality has not been found entirely wanting, then."
Meaningfully, he threw a concerned glance at Wei Wuxian's untouched plate of extravagant cakes.
"Magistrate Hua likes to share the rare delicacies he obtains from foreign merchants with his most valued guests, but I should have taken care to offer a milder alternative as well, knowing as I did that the Gusu Lan sect values a healthy and unpretentious diet."
"It's fine, it's fine, no need to bother," Wei Wuxian said, lifting his jar of Emperor's Smile. "It's not so much the food as I'm simply completely satisfied so long as I have a drink in my hand."
The assistant chuckled, his easy smile returning. "That is good then. Ah, may I inquire whether Wei-gongzi has prearranged dinner plans? If not, this one would be delighted to relay the magistrate's personal wish to host the young master for dinner."
"Oh. That's quite generous."
Though he wondered why they were making such a fuss about him, Wei Wuxian felt himself smiling. It wouldn't do to be a sour sack while the guy was trying so hard.
"I'm really honored, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline. My husband is expecting me home for dinner."
"If that is the case, magistrate Hua will of course understand," the young man reassured him without missing a beat. Looking up he sharply gestured at a servant that had appeared out of nowhere. "Bring up another five jars of Emperor's Smile. Wei-gongzi must not run out if we can help it."
The servant immediately rushed away.
Wei Wuxian huffed out a laugh. "I would politely decline, but I'm not so good an actor that I'll be able to convincingly say no to more free wine, even for politeness' sake."
"I would absolutely insist in any case," the assistant reassured him with good humor. "Please make yourself as comfortable as you can, Wei-gongzi. If there is anything at all you might want do not hesitate to apply to me."
By the time the servant returned magistrate Hua himself arrived as well.
While his young assistant assumed position at the side of the room with alert eyes, magistrate Hua indulgently spread himself out on the head seat.
He seemed quite ordinary.
Wei Wuxian didn't know what he had expected—based on the guy's peculiar passion for rare goods perhaps someone more like Nie Huaisang.
Magistrate Hua was a rotund man in his late forties or early fifties that looked the typical official. He was dressed very well but conservatively, his body was clearly entirely unfamiliar to physical labor, his hands were plump and well-manicured, and his shoes were spotless.
He greeted Wei Wuxian with a fatherly air that seemed designed to put people at ease, then easily transitioned into inquiring about his and Mu Lijuan's welding stick. For once Wei Wuxian wasn't in the mood to discuss talismanry though.
"From general report, I must admit I had imagined you a tad more... cheerful," magistrate Hua mused with levity once the conversation had reached a natural lull.
Wei Wuxian wiped his mouth, setting his newest jar of Emperor's Smile down. "Not much to be cheerful about these days."
The man's eyes crinkled.
He held out his cup to his assistant. The young man immediately came forward to deftly fill it with red juice from an ornate golden carafe.
"Is Wei-gongzi by any chance occupied with news that came from the southwest? I heard Yunmeng's principal cultivation sect is in trouble."
Wei Wuxian couldn't hide his startled expression quickly enough to escape magistrate Hua's beady eyes.
The magistrate toasted him. "If this old man is not mistaken there is some history between Wei-gongzi and the family who leads that sect... I was given to understand you were once indentured to them as a servant? Such instincts must be hard to shake."
"I grew up in Lotus Pier, and my father was a servant there for a time," Wei Wuxian clarified, somehow irritated by the man's way of mentioning instincts. "But I was the head disciple."
The magistrate hummed curiously. "I confess the distinction between such positions is not completely clear to me."
With an apologetic glance at Wei Wuxian, his assistant stepped closer to his master's shoulder. "As head disciple Wei-gongzi would have been a direct subordinate to his sect leader," he hinted, voice discreetly lowered. "It is the highest position a disciple can hold without directly belonging to the clan."
"Ah? Now, is that so? Well then, I apologize if my words caused any slight, Wei-gongzi," magistrate Hua chuckled, not seeming very sorry. "I am just an uninvolved politician, unfamiliar with cultivation society."
"You seem rather interested in cultivation society for an uninvolved politician," Wei Wuxian couldn't help but remark.
The man laughed. "Guilty as charged. In this old man's defense, while you cultivators can afford to ignore an ordinary man's matters unless there is a ghost haunting his chambers, the dynamic is not reciprocal."
At a sign from the young assistant a servant approached and exchanged a plate of snacks magistrate Hua had finished. Its replacement was filled with the same jiggly cakes Mu Lijuan had had in her workshop.
Taking his time, the magistrate chose one of the larger pieces and ate it with a look of pleasure.
Only as he was done did his gaze resettle on Wei Wuxian.
"In my opinion it all started with the establishment of cultivation bloodlines. From that point onward the sects by and by became very different from the secluded monasteries of old as they are described in the empire's annals. Petty conflict within cultivation society quickly became commonplace. It is such conflict that us officials cannot turn a blind eye to, as it unfailingly affects the general populace and the empire's economy."
Wei Wuxian felt decidedly out of his depth all of a sudden.
He opted for taking another swig of his wine.
Magistrate Hua chose another cake from his plate as well. "In truth, it would not be a stretch to liken the cultivation gentry of the current day to aristocrats with nigh autarchical sovereignty over their direct sphere of influence."
The large monitor behind his chair lifted its elongated head and yawned, revealing rows of sharp lizard teeth. Then it sedately started to move, leaving the hall through one of the hallways at the back, its claws clicking on the polished wood and its long tail dragging behind it.
"The Qishan Wen sect poses not only a threat to cultivation circles," magistrate Hua went on agreeably once he had finished his second cake. "His Majesty the Emperor looks upon the current situation with a worried eye. As his loyal subject it is this old man's duty to act in his interest. After all, who can stop a man of Wen Ruohan's power from setting his sights on the empire once he has defeated his peers? Certainly, no military force could, if the former have already failed."
It was at this point that Wei Wuxian was finally fed up with the strange pleasantness of his voice.
"I beg your pardon, magistrate Hua, but what is it you want from me?" he asked. "If you want to talk politics, I'm hardly the best person from the Lan sect to turn to, and I can't imagine you actually cared that much about a simple welding tool that it made you want to host me."
"Simple, you call it?" magistrate Hua laughed. "You are quite the amusing young man, Wei-gongzi. I can see why the young lady of the Mu family has taken a shine to you."
Irritated by the obvious evasion, Wei Wuxian returned to his Emperor's Smile with a huff.
"In life it is good to always explore multiple avenues, keep all doors possible open to you," magistrate Hua mused amicably. "While sect leader Lan's venerable uncle seemed a reasonable man when he came to visit, it appeared to me that I should also acquaint myself with a more... refreshing personage."
"What do you know about me?" Wei Wuxian asked dismissively, a little offended on Lan Qiren's behalf.
"Your inventions speak for themselves," the man replied, gesturing at him with a third piece of cake in hand. "Tools for communication, monster hunting and craftsmanship, available to your fellow men. Is such a catalogue not the work of a man who looks at the world around him and sees not what he can take, but what he can improve?" He chuckled. "Your familial background seems to have done you well as regards humility."
Wei Wuxian plastered on a smile. "You flatter me."
"Oh no, depend upon it, Wei-gongzi," magistrate Hua smiled back. "This old man means every word he says."
-------
Wei Wuxian was excused from playing houseguest quite soon after.
Stepping back onto the main street he released a long breath. Just as he'd always known, politics just weren't for him. In hindsight it had been foolish to think he might be able to clear his head while visiting a government official, hadn't it?
"Wei-gongzi!"
Turning around, Wei Wuxian saw the magistrate's assistant hurrying after him.
"What is it? Did I forget something in the hall?"
"Ah, no, no," the young man laughed, catching his breath. "I just—I hope Wei-gongzi did not take anything that was said in the wrong manner?" His smile turned worried. "Magistrate Hua has the noblest of intentions, but, well, great men never need to think about the feelings which might be elicited by bringing up someone's past. Just in case there was any offense, this one would like to apologize again."
He bowed.
"Huh? Oh, there's no need," Wei Wuxian assured him. It seemed he'd hidden his disconcerted reaction at being called the Jiang sect's servant less well than he'd thought.
Really, it was not like he minded. He'd been called that his whole life after all—to still mind it now would do him no favors. It was just that he hadn't been able to get what Lan Wangji had said when they'd fought out of his head yet.
"I've heard of your extraordinary affability," the assistant pulled Wei Wuxian back into the present. "It seems rumors were not exaggerated."
Wei Wuxian waved him off. "Again, no worries."
Talk about Lan Wangji, it was already shenshi—Wei Wuxian had less than a shichen to get back home for dinnertime.
"Well then, if that was all? I had better get going."
"Ah... yes, of course. I wish Wei-gongzi a pleasant home journey," the assistant replied, seeming quite disappointed.
"What, was there something else you needed?" Wei Wuxian asked, confused by the guy's strong self-deprecating air.
The assistant visibly startled.
It seemed he wasn't that good at hiding his emotions either.
For a moment, he seemed embarrassed, then as though he was gathering his resolve.
Finally, he stepped closer and whispered, "Well, to be honest... pardon me but I must ask—will the Lan sect be going to Yunmeng to assist the Jiang sect against the Wen?"
Wei Wuxian felt his eyes widen.
The young assistant hastily waved his hands. "It's just—ever since magistrate Hua told me to invite you, I've been researching the Cultivation World in preparation, and—well, it's just all so terribly interesting! I apologize if I overstepped, Wei-gongzi, my curiosity got the better of me."
Wei Wuxian quickly got his face back under control. "No harm done. I was just surprised."
Laughing self-consciously, the assistant scratched his head. "Ah, yes, I can well imagine..."
Taking pity on the guy, Wei Wuxian admitted, "At the moment it seems Gusu Lan will not get involved."
"Really?" The guy perked up in astonishment. "I would have thought... Oh, sorry, it's just, since Wei-gongzi and Lan-er-gongzi were sent to Qishan to save Jiang-gongzi I wondered if Zewu-jun would dispatch someone to Yunmeng this time as well..."
"Zewu-jun is currently occupied in the south. It appears Gusu Lan will focus on just one front," Wei Wuxian explained, his own bitterness bleeding into his voice a little.
The young man regarded him with something like sympathy. "It must be hard to be displaced by marriage from people one has grown up with, now that they are in danger."
Wei Wuxian averted his eyes, uncomfortable to be read so clearly. "Ah, well, it is what it is."
A short moment of silence ensued.
Then the assistant's face suddenly brightened. "Oh, but then Wei-gongzi must be relieved by the news that recently came from up north! It is Jin Zixuan himself who is coming, is it not?"
Wei Wuxian's eyes immediately snapped back to the guy. "Huh?"
"The reinforcements?" the assistant clarified, his delighted smile dimming slightly. "Those that were seen taking a rest in Huainan City?"
Wei Wuxian still stared at him without comprehension.
The assistant started frowning in concern. "The large group of Jin disciples that is flying towards Yunmeng, led by a young master of the Jin sect that most believe to be Jin Zixuan himself? Surely Wei-gongzi must have heard of it already."
" Jin Zixuan ?" Wei Wuxian repeated in disbelief. "Jin Zixuan is travelling towards Lotus Pier? When and where did you hear this? From who?"
"Ah? Well, uhm, let me think... yesterday for the first time? From one of our confectionery dealers, when he delivered his latest pastry selections from Pingzhou. Yes, I'm very sure he was the first." The assistant nodded confidently. "Apparently, it has been the talk of every tradesman and merchant, from here to Meishan. They blocked all inns and guesthouses for days, paying outrageous sums to the innkeepers to make other travelers sleep outside."
That did sound like the Jin sect.
When Wei Wuxian continued to frown, the assistant added, "They carried flags with white peonies... or is that not the symbol of the Lanling Jin sect?"
"No. No, it is," Wei Wuxian agreed slowly, eyes wide.
The assistant's bright smile returned. "Jin Zixuan must be looking out for the girl he loves. It is quite famously known that he is still pining for the daughter of Yunmeng Jiang's sect leader after all! Really, I can't help but have great respect for him."
Wei Wuxian barely heard him.
Now that he thought about it, he remembered Jin Zixuan's determined face in Qishan well, how he'd declared he would have a word with Jin Guangshan.
So he had actually managed to convince that deadbeat father of his to let him lead reinforcement to Lotus Pier, huh? Wei Wuxian could hardly believe it.
Or maybe he had just rallied disciples on his own and left without telling his father a word?
Yeah, that seemed more likely.
A sudden crash rang inside the magistrate's office, making both him and the assistant start.
A moment later a guard stuck his head out of the gate.
"Meng Yao!" he called, sounding stressed. "It's the doves again!"
"Oh, that's for me," the young assistant said apologetically. "The magistrate's beloved pet lizard is quite the handful once it's decided the messenger doves are its next meal." He saluted with a bright smile, dimples showing on his cheeks. "It was a pleasure talking to you, Wei-gongzi."
"Ah, yeah. Likewise," Wei Wuxian replied, returning the salute.
-------
Wei Wuxian wandered around the wealthy district of Caiyi Town for a while, his mind full of what the magistrate's assistant had revealed. Shops and other passersby flew by him unseen.
Briefly he considered how much trust he should place in a rumor a stranger had told him, but he could not imagine why the assistant would have been lying to him. And merchants were often the first people to know when things happened, well-connected and ever-moving as they were. It wasn't unlikely they'd be the first to bring news from far away.
Really, the more he thought about it, the less unlikely it became.
Jin Zixuan, before all others, had taken the lead during Wen Chao's indoctrination, pulling fire onto himself to protect his weaker peers. And he had been devastated when he'd heard of his canceled betrothal. Wei Wuxian had long since stopped thinking about the peacock as an entitled princeling who was good for nothing but making his shijie cry—he'd even say they were friends by now, maybe even good ones.
So why was it that there was a strange knot in his stomach at the thought of Jin Zixuan coming to Lotus Pier's rescue?
A surprisingly brisk wind blew over Caiyi, ruffling his light summer clothes. While he'd been with the magistrate, grey clouds had moved into the sky.
No, of course he was happy about it. Of course he was relieved. Jin Zixuan was doing the right thing after all. Now Lan Qiren could rest easy—with Lanling Jin getting involved he could reason away Gusu Lan's assistance being needed even more efficiently.
Wei Wuxian stopped walking abruptly, almost making a young couple run into him.
Should he let his shijie know?
A few raindrops landed on his nose, dropping out of the grey sky.
Ducking beneath the awning of a close-by flower shop, Wei Wuxian leaned against the wall between arrangements of roses and wildflowers and began writing.
Apparently, Jin Zixuan is coming to Yunmeng with a host of Jin disciples.
For now, I cannot confirm the rumor's truthfulness, but I felt I should not hide it from you.
Once the letter had been sent Wei Wuxian stared at the rainwater starting to drop from the awning, waiting for his shijie to reply. The rain was picking up remarkably fast and people were hurrying to find shelter, some joining him where he was standing.
By the time Jiang Yanli answered him, the first puddles had formed on dry gravel and Wei Wuxian had the elbow of a man carrying large shopping bags in his side and a child was standing on his foot.
Could it really be true?
If there is confirmation of these rumors, please send word as soon as you can, A-Xian.
We are as close to reaching our destination as ever. I hope we will be safely settled in Chongyang tonight. Shao-shimei has left to retrace our steps and see if, from up in the air, she can spot the great barrier array atop Lotus Pier on the horizon.
Perhaps, Han-shijie or Yinzhu could fly after her to also initiate contact with Zixuan's people? A-Xian, do you think it wise?
Wei Wuxian considered this for a moment.
In his heart, he didn't want to advise Jiang Yanli against something she clearly wished to do. The possibility to initiate contact with Jin Zixuan probably seemed like a beacon of light to her right now.
But though Wei Wuxian trusted the peacock, who was to say the Jin disciples he was bringing with him could be trusted likewise? Jin Zixuan was a good man, but a good judge-of-character he was not.
I think it would be best to remain entirely hidden for now, shijie. No matter friend or foe, the less people know your hiding place the better.
Just as Wei Wuxian had sent this message, the door of the flower shop creaked open and the owner stuck his head out.
"Sorry, everyone, but I really need to retract the awning!" he shouted over the noise of the rain.
The people who had taken shelter exclaimed in protest, making the guy grimace apologetically. "It's not made to get wet! Sorry, sorry, please go home, go somewhere else!"
"Damn this weather," the man with the shopping bags cursed under his breath. Trying to shield his purchases with his body, he quickly dashed out into the rain, as did most of the others.
Wei Wuxian carefully returned the lotus blossom seal to his qiankun pouch, then left himself.
His clothes were bespelled and could protect him from getting wet for a short while, but his hair and face were almost immediately drenched. It would be a hassle to fly back to the Cloud Recesses in such weather. Wei Wuxian ran up the street instead, back to where high fences divided Caiyi Town's most well-to-do residences.
He arrived at the Mu estate with his hair plastered to his forehead and mud splattered up to his knees.
A servant received him at the gate.
"Oh, good heavens, Wei-gongzi!" the man exclaimed in shock, immediately holding his umbrella over Wei Wuxian's head too. "Quick, come in, come in!"
"Thank you! Sorry for making you come out in this weather," Wei Wuxian laughed, gladly letting himself be ushered through the gate.
"Do not worry about me, Wei-gongzi, I'm just glad I heard you knock! Ah, the mistress and young lady Luo are in the second side wing's vestibule." He smiled kindly. "Shall I bring you there immediately or does the young master wish to freshen up first?"
"It's really just my over robe that suffered a little," Wei Wuxian assured him. "I'd appreciate being brought there right away."
"Very well, then. This way please, if you would."
The servant led him around the back of the property, to the buildings opposite the garden which housed Nie Huaisang's bird collection. There he took Wei Wuxian to a brightly lit room which overlooked the large pond behind Mu Lijuan's bedchambers.
Mu Lijuan and Luo Qingyang were indeed inside, kneeling opposite from each other on an ornate carpet, a game of weiqi between them.
"Xian-ge," Mu Lijuan greeted him, not seeming very surprised at his entry. Once she got a good look at him, she delicately raised her sleeve to her nose. "Oh my, you do look dreadful."
Luo Qingyang was clearly more puzzled by his appearance. She stood and politely saluted him. "Wei-gongzi. I didn't mix up the dates, did I? I'm supposed to come up the mountain tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, no, you're fine," Wei Wuxian sighed. Walking over, he plopped down by the open windows and spread himself out on the floor. "I was just nearby and got caught in the rain."
"Bring a towel for Wei-gongzi, please," Mu Lijuan addressed the servant while Luo Qingyang kneeled again. Once more, she wrinkled her nose at his disheveled hair. "Or perhaps two."
"This moment, my lady," the servant concurred, bowing out of the room.
"You could at least attempt to hide that you think I look like a drowned rat, you know?" Wei Wuxian complained. "I didn't even put my shoes on the carpet, look how polite I'm being!"
"As soon as you stop creating puddles on my rosewood flooring, I may consider it," Mu Lijuan replied snidely, turning back to the weiqi board.
"I didn't know you two played," Wei Wuxian commented, mildly interested. It had been a long time since he'd last played a board game.
"Mu-guniang kindly offered to teach me," Luo Qingyang admitted happily. "I'm really not very good yet."
"For a beginner you are doing very well," Mu Lijuan assured her with a smile. "I couldn't wish for a better student."
The rain had yet to let up even a little as the servant returned to bring Wei Wuxian's towels, roaring against the roof and the trees outside.
Wei Wuxian dispassionately dabbed at his hair and face.
As soon as he was reasonably dry, he turned to his qiankun pouch. His shijie had written again by now—she conceded to his point, agreeing that it would be better not to reach out to Jin Zixuan, though she didn't quite manage to hide her disappointment.
After he had answered her, Wei Wuxian quickly sent a message to Lan Wangji as well, informing him that he was still in Caiyi and would wait out the rain at Mu Lijuan's place.
Once that was done, he returned to lying flat on his back and staring at the pretty ornamentation on the ceiling. Just lying around, listening to the rain and the sounds of the girls placing their stones quickly made him sleepy.
"How did the meeting with magistrate Hua go?" Mu Lijuan asked just as he was about to drift off.
Wei Wuxian pulled a face without opening his eyes.
"Dare I hope that you remembered his name?"
"Of course I did," Wei Wuxian huffed. "But he's the sort of person I like talking to least. If he wants something from me, he should just say so." Opening his eyes, he languidly tossed his qiankun pouch up and down a few times. "I mean, why does he have to speak in riddles? People who pretend to be all mysterious piss me off. His assistant is a decent guy though. Maybe a little overeager."
"Magistrate Hua is most concerned with the safety of the empire," Mu Lijuan told him. "As long as you do not oppose his political interest his heart will be in the right place."
Wei Wuxian huffed again, blowing a strand of frizzy hair out of his eyes.
"That sounds like the goodness of his heart is quite conditional," Luo Qingyang remarked, seeming equally unimpressed.
"Ah, well. As regards politicians that is the best sort you can encounter," Mu Lijuan mused. Then she smiled and pointed at the weiqi board. "Careful, Luo-guniang, that move is not valid. The intersection you chose has been surrounded by me already and so you would be sacrificing that stone. Do you see it?"
Luo Qingyang narrowed her eyes at the board. Then she sighed. "You explained the rules more than once already and here I am still making the same mistakes. I really hope this isn't too boring for you, Mu-guniang."
"It is all a matter of practice," Mu Lijuan assured her smilingly. "And I could never tire of pleasant company."
A low rumble of thunder came from outside.
Evidently, the weather was only becoming worse.
Letting out a long sigh, Wei Wuxian dejectedly put the towels on his face. It seemed he would be late for dinner again.
"Really now, if you continue on like this, I will feel sorely tempted to call you a drowned rodent again. What is with the general air of malaise emanating from you, Xian-ge? You are stinking up this entire room with despair," Mu Lijuan chided disapprovingly.
Wei Wuxian only grunted below his towels.
"Did you... quarrel with your dear husband?"
Instantly, Wei Wuxian emerged from his hiding place to send her a scalding glare.
Moving the towels made the same strand of hair that had bothered him before drop back into his eyes.
It took a couple of tries to blow it away again.
"Lan Zhan and I never fight," Wei Wuxian declared grumpily once he had succeeded.
"So you did, then."
"Did not."
Mu Lijuan just shook her head, clearly deeming him too hard to deal with.
Wei Wuxian petulantly stared at the ceiling for a while, tracing the golden hibiscus flowers palisading the bronze swirls in the center.
While he had most definitely fought with Lan Wangji, up until now he had not considered telling anyone about it. It was clear though, that just by himself he was not getting any closer to resolving things.
Maybe he should seek his friends' advice?
But would they even understand?
Struck by a sudden thought, Wei Wuxian looked at Luo Qingyang who was vacillating between possible placements for her next weiqi stone, a concentrated frown on her face.
"Hey... your parents were servants, right?" Wei Wuxian asked.
Looking up, she raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Ah, yes, that's right. Why are you asking?"
Pushing himself up to sit, Wei Wuxian faced her properly.
"Say, was there ever... do you have..." Frowning, he briefly struggled to find the right words. "Do you have someone from your sect you're close to, who you've always thought was somehow the most important person? And they are higher in rank than you, sure, but... it isn't because of that. But just because—because they are just that important? Because they just mean that much to you?"
"Who are you talking about?" Mu Lijuan asked suspiciously.
Luo Qingyang looked a little less confused. She just cocked her head and said, "Ah... maybe?"
"Who?" Wei Wuxian asked, sitting up straighter.
"Well... after my parents died, I sort of became the official playmate of the sect leader's niece," she said, her expression a little sentimental. "We were born in the same year and there weren't any other young children in the clan at the time. So I became her best friend."
"Are you still on good terms?" Mu Lijuan asked politely.
Luo Qingyang shook her head. "No, we grew apart as we aged. And last year she married some guy from the Jin sect. I haven't heard from her since." Her smile didn't waver. "Still, I'll always cherish the memories we made as children. And I'll always be grateful to her. Thanks to her I was allowed to learn cultivation." Looking at Wei Wuxian she asked, "Does this answer your question?"
Wei Wuxian hummed, lowering his eyes.
"This is about the Jiang family, isn't it?" Mu Lijuan conjectured, squinting at him. "I suppose you have been forbidden from going to Yunmeng?"
"Yeah..." Wei Wuxian agreed.
He fiddled with the damp hem of his outer robe, tracing a mud stain.
"Even Lan Zhan wants to keep me locked up in Gusu this time. I mean... he kind of wanted that last time as well, but he still went with me to get Jiang Cheng out of Qishan. But now... Gusu Lan is already helping other sects so Lan-shushu said Lan Zhan and I need to protect the Cloud Recesses, which is obviously just an excuse to keep us trapped at home."
"Lan-er-gongzi wants to... keep you locked up," Luo Qingyang echoed, enunciating every word incredulously. Then she paused. "Wait, did you just say you two went to Qishan against the Lan sect's orders?"
"Yeah, Lan-shushu forbade us from going," Wei Wuxian agreed, waving his hand dismissively. "But last time, I was determined to go no matter what so Lan Zhan came with me. But now he actually said I have to put my days of servitude behind me ! Can you believe that?"
"So you did fight," Mu Lijuan determined smugly.
"Twice!" Wei Wuxian lamented, letting himself fall back to the floor and covering his eyes with both hands. "And I said so many terrible things, and he's been so sad for days now. I don't know what to do. I just want everyone to be safe but because Jiang-zongzhu didn't join the alliance Lan-shushu doesn't want to help Yunmeng Jiang, and so I'm still doing nothing but teaching classes and going to sleep at fucking haishi every day, like everything is just fine in the world! I just—I feel so fucking useless. And Lan Zhan is miserable and we're not talking and it's all my fault!"
"Huh. Well... if you regret whatever you said to Lan-er-gongzi, you could just... apologize, right?" Luo Qingyang suggested carefully.
Wei Wuxian grabbed one of the towels and clutched it to his chest. "I don't know... since I said those things, doesn't that mean that I really meant them? What would apologizing now even help?"
"Would you mind shedding more light on what exactly these terrible things you said were, please?" Mu Lijuan requested, sounding highly skeptical.
Wei Wuxian tried to remember. "Uhm... I said... I said many things... Lan Zhan tried to clear the air and I said he didn't actually want to talk since he was complaining that I was not being genuine... and then I said talking things out wouldn't help anyway since he would just call me unreasonable again. And then I didn't even apologize when he looked all heartbroken, I just took a bath and went to sleep and we didn't hug at all that entire night!"
"...That is all?" Mu Lijuan turned back to the weiqi board. "With all due sympathy it does not sound like anything was said that could not be remedied by a good apology."
Glaring at her, Wei Wuxian insisted, "That's not all!"
His friend raised an expectant eyebrow.
Wei Wuxian kneeled up in agitation. "I also accused him of getting tired of me! Multiple times! And I said he blamed me for dragging him to Qishan! And that he wouldn't understand my point of view anyway and that what I did was none of his business and later I told him to shut up!" Wei Wuxian's eyes widened. "Oh, that was really terrible, he looked like he might cry... how could I say that to him?!"
"Okay, why don't you take a deep breath for now?" Luo Qingyang suggested, seeming genuinely worried.
Wei Wuxian obediently sucked in air.
"Now, just to be clear—you do want to resolve things with Lan-er-gongzi, yes?"
Wei Wuxian quickly nodded.
She mirrored him. "All right. I really think you should just sit down together and talk things out. Don't hold anything back but... stay calm this time. An apology would still be good as well of course."
"You... think that would work? Even though we started fighting when we disagreed the first time?" Wei Wuxian asked, hesitant but hopeful.
"I mean... sure, why not? We can't read other people's minds, no matter how well we know them. Let Lan-er-gongzi explain his own point of view," Luo Qingyang suggested. "It seems as though you've been putting words in his mouth."
"More like testing his devotion," Mu Lijuan muttered under her breath.
Wei Wuxian didn't like the sound of that at all. "What is that supposed to mean?"
His friend looked at him wryly. "Of course you ended up fighting. If you go into a confrontation insecure you are making it nigh impossible to find a productive solution."
"Insecure?!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed. "I'm not insecure!"
"No?" Mu Lijuan raised a fine eyebrow. "Then why did it sound like half of what you were doing was accusing your husband of loving you less for crossing lines? Obviously, you are worried there might be some truth to that. You were trying to force a denial out of him to make yourself feel better. Like a dark twist on fishing for compliments. It is quite manipulative, if you think about it like this."
"Mu-guniang," Luo Qingyang chided in a whisper.
Mu Lijuan just shrugged delicately. "Someone had to tell him."
"That—you really think that's what I was doing?" Wei Wuxian asked in shock, sitting back. "Testing him?"
"For what it's worth," Luo Qingyang addressed him gently. "Lan-er-gongzi clearly loves you, but he was raised into the comfort of a wealthy and influential family. I'm not surprised he has trouble understanding the weight of your gratitude for the Jiang family."
Wei Wuxian turned wide eyes at her.
She smiled encouragingly. "Things probably weren't always easy, but without your old sect you still wouldn't be who you are today, right? You can't just forget about that or cut out the parts of you that they touched."
It seemed like she wasn't just talking about him. Wei Wuxian found himself admiring her ability to smile so calmly.
"It's not a bad thing, I don't think," Luo Qingyang went on. "Sometimes I'm almost glad. It's like I can see the world more clearly than had I been born into the gentry. Don't you agree?"
Wei Wuxian nodded hesitantly. "Yeah, maybe... you really think Lan Zhan would understand? What if we just disagree again?"
She hummed. "As long as both of you understand where the other is coming from and don't begrudge each other your respective opinions, there is no need to agree on everything in the world, right? I actually think that's impossible for two people."
Wei Wuxian frowned, pondering this.
...It made sense.
He and Lan Wangji had lived very different lives before they'd met each other. Of course they would have different opinions on some things.
"You're right," Wei Wuxian said.
He smiled.
"Wow, now it suddenly doesn't seem all that daunting anymore... um, thanks for letting me mope."
"You are lucky to have good, understanding friends," Mu Lijuan said smilingly.
Wei Wuxian pouted. "Last time I checked good friends don't call their good friends drowned rats, especially when said good friends are clearly in dire need of consolation."
"I reserve the right to judge for myself in a case such as you describe," Mu Lijuan shot him down.
"I can't believe how callously you are wounding me after I've been so vulnerable with you!" Wei Wuxian cried, unable to suppress a grin.
Luo Qingyang giggled into her hand.
"But that's not even all I have to suffer! Am I really in the company of good understanding friends when Luo-guniang over there doesn't even allow me to use her nickname?" Wei Wuxian went on, summoning his pout again. "She was so offended to be called Mianmian in Qishan, I don't think she will ever accept my friendship."
"I was delirious with fever!" Luo Qingyang exclaimed in outrage. "And you never even asked if you could use it!"
Wei Wuxian squinted at her. "So, if I asked now, you'd allow it?"
She incredulously shook her head, waving a hand. "Fine! If it makes you happy, I won't stop you."
"Hah!" Grinning, Wei Wuxian rolled himself back onto the floor. "You can't ever take that back, it's too late now!"
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