The news of Nie Huaisang's engagement to a girl of considerable inheritance spread through both the Secular as well as the Cultivation World like wildfire.
Caiyi Town's gossipers were all excitement, loudly discussing how the young lady Mu had been seen wandering the markets so often, it had surely been in hopes of glimpsing her forbidden suitor!
One particular waiter even proclaimed he had seen the two young lovers taking tea together with a friend one time!
The women sighed in great sympathy for maiden Mu's steadfast love and her quiet endurance of her horrible half-brother's abuse. Most whispered they'd always thought that Mu Shun had something strangely cold about him.
Young Nie-gongzi, who was to elevate Mu Lijuan into the splendor of a life as a great sect heir's wife, was praised by them with flowery words for not having given up on her despite the difficulties. It surely was a match made by the heavens themselves!
While Caiyi Town was in high spirits over the fact that by now, two local young maidens were going to marry into great cultivation sects, noble families from elsewhere began to wonder whether they shouldn't try appealing to cultivation sect leaders on behalf of their own daughters.
Unfortunately, if rumors were to be believed, both the promising Second Jade of Lan as well as that prodigious Wei-gongzi from Yunmeng had turned out to cut their sleeve, but weren't both the First Jade of Lan as well as the young Jiang sect heir still available?
(No one quite dared to consider Chifeng-zun's own lasting bachelorhood.)
The other sect leaders, who were appraised of the news in the form of a curt missive from Chifeng-zun himself, were mostly thrown into restlessness.
While some still hadn't recovered from a similar, albeit quite a bit more peculiar missive that the Gusu Lan sect had only recently sent them regarding their second young master's highly unusual engagement, others couldn't help but to take notice of the strengthening ties between Qinghe and Gusu.
Hadn't Chifeng-zun been there when the Lan sect had managed to vanquish that waterborne abyss? The rumors about the event itself were greatly unbelievable, but surely that part hadn't been false?
And wasn't he a good childhood friend to Zewu-jun too?
Furthermore, rumors had escaped the Unclean Realm itself that Chifeng-zun had made greatly advantageous deals with the Lan lately which had left him in an unusually pleasant mood.
When only a few months later curious stories could be heard everywhere which said that revolutionary offices were being erected throughout both Qinghe and Jiangnan that supposedly allowed the two befriended sects immediate communication with one another, the Cultivation World didn't even bother to lower its voices anymore.
Apparently, that young Wei Wuxian who was to marry the Lan sect's Lan Wangji was not only greatly favored by both Zewu-jun and even Lan Qiren, but had additionally revealed himself to possess fearsome intellect.
It was said he was the mastermind behind both the Lan sect's glorious victory over the waterborne abyss as well as their new communication method with the Nie!
In addition, the very girl Nie Huaisang had chosen to marry had turned out responsible for crafting Wei Wuxian's inventions, and the three of them reportedly got along splendidly!
Weren't all these news indisputable signs that the two great sects were cooperating in a way the Cultivation World hadn't seen in long ages?
Minor sect leaders hastily spoke with their advisors and head disciples whether it wouldn't be wise to rethink their allegiances.
Considering unsettling stories that had been spreading about the Wen sect's recent machinations which had already brought upon gruesome fates for an alarming number of minor sects, it was clear to every last one of them that furthering good relations with the Lan and the Nie might be a good move in times as these.
The other great sects had quite differing reactions to all the news.
Yunmeng Jiang's sect leader was mildly accepting while his wife was gripped by a heightened zeal to secure an advantageous match for her own son, as well as by great fury over the Lan and Nie sects' gall to exclude the Jiang sect from a revolutionary method that, in her opinion, should have been owed to Yunmeng Jiang for raising its inventor in the first place.
Even greater displeasure could be felt from the direction of Lanling's Koi Tower.
Jin Guangshan had been quite irate lately—first he had heard murmurings that Gusu Lan had managed to secure a golden goose for themselves by shamelessly betrothing their second son to that bastard of Jiang Fengmian's.
Then he'd had to hear that the Jiang sect leader in question had acted most foolishly in the process, letting Gusu Lan snatch up this purported genius without even batting an eye or demanding sufficient compensation.
Considering Lanling Jin's plans with Yunmeng Jiang—A-Xuan seemed to find puzzling pleasure in exchanging letters with that plain girl who was betrothed to him lately—Jin Guangshan was really quite vexed by his future allies.
Not even the possibility of seeing the Nie brat's new fiancé in the future who was rumored to be a rare beauty could cheer him up.
Madam Jin on her part had been astonished by recent news. She had thought that Nie Mingjue's younger brother was whimsical and immature and so was a little suspicious of the supposed love he held for that girl he was courting.
Her opinion on the Wei boy had been based on her best friend's complaints and her own apprehensions regarding dear A-Li's affections for him. However, Zixuan's newfound appreciation for A-Li let her feel greatly reassured as of late and she now came to different conclusions.
He must not actually be Jiang Fengmian's bastard if he was discarded so easily, she thought to herself with a little bit of envy.
At least Lan-er-gongzi's engagement to the boy—regardless of how utterly peculiar the matter was in itself—had put a stop to his irritating proximity to A-Li, which was more important than ever, now that Madam Jin had grown certain that Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli did not in fact share the same father.
Her husband didn't waste any time thinking about Wei Wuxian's ancestry as soon as reports about the brand-new communication offices the Lan and the Nie were establishing reached his ears.
How dare that son of a servant out of the blue invent something that rivalled the Jin sect's own secret communication technique? It was really very insulting!
Considering also that some of Lanling Jin's longstanding connections seemed to find the heightened cooperation between Lan and Nie greatly interesting, Jin Guangshan had every reason to be annoyed with recent developments.
A reputable sect leader from the Zeng sect of Rizhao had even dared to politely appraise the Lanling Jin sect of the fact that he would not be renewing any of his standing contracts with them.
When it had been reported shortly afterwards that this very sect leader had travelled to the Cloud Recesses to start trade talks, Jin Guangshan had sent his table flying in anger.
Then he had escaped both Koi Tower and his wife in search of the nearest brothel to go relieve some stress.
Despite these many rumors and speculations that the sects were trading between themselves with great interest, there was one considerable corner of the Cultivation World which stayed entirely silent.
Not a single clue about Wen Ruohan's opinions on recent developments left the Nightless City's looming walls.
-------
The guest disciple lectures of the Gusu Lan sect ended on a foggy day in spring.
Everywhere around the Cloud Recesses tender shoots were dotting the paths, the air holding the energy of the new year, birds singing and the forests lush with young green.
The masses of snow had melted and filled the mountain streams and on one particular meadow a hoard of white bunnies could be observed gorging themselves on the budding vegetation, much to the bafflement of most Gusu Lan disciples.
Wei Wuxian had been quite amused the first time he and Lan Wangji had found them, mere days after the latter had reluctantly parted with his two bunny friends on the very same meadow. Since apart from Wei Wuxian himself only Lan Xichen knew that his little brother had worried his bunnies might feel lonely outside, he really hadn't been fooling anybody that the sudden appearance of the bunny pack had been his doing.
Lan Xichen had been working hard these past months to get back into his didi's good graces.
After Wei Wuxian had gotten injured during that whole tragic matter with the Mu family, Lan Wangji had silently but staunchly given his brother the cold shoulder for quite a while, much to the latter's misery.
Lan Xichen's obvious devastation had reached new heights on Lan Wangji's birthday, as the latter had, apparently for the first time ever, refused to spent the evening playing music with his older brother. Wei Wuxian had finally had enough, scolding Lan Wangji for being childish and saying that holding a grudge wouldn't help anybody and that they should support Xichen-ge more instead.
With the application of a lot of bribing kisses Lan Wangji had let himself be moved to try.
At first, Lan Xichen had been worried that they were overtaxing themselves, helping him with duties that should be his burden to carry as sect heir, but it had soon become undeniable that, by using the two of them as a sounding board, his paperwork could be finished much more efficiently than before.
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji successfully urged him to be less indulgent with the many sect leaders who sent their letters to the Cloud Recesses to complain about everything under the sun, which had the additional favorable effect that much of the time Lan Xichen had priorly spent trying to appease lazy sect leaders could now be dedicated towards answering civilians' pleas for Gusu Lan's assistance.
Lan Xichen's heart really was too soft for this world, Wei Wuxian had had to conclude, but some people just really needed to be told to shut up and do their own work sometimes!
Some Lan elders had grumbled a little since Lan Xichen had also grown less receptive to their influence over the course of the last few months, gradually carrying himself with more confidence and tenacity, but they hadn't been able to do much since Lan Qiren seemed in favor of the development. Wei Wuxian was simply glad to help lessen Lan Xichen's burden. That was what brothers were for after all, wasn't it?
Even Lan Wangji had softened after seeing how earnestly his older brother was working to improve his judgement.
The gaggle of bunnies had at last sufficed to make him let go of his grudge completely, and Lan Xichen had been visibly relieved as his didi looked upon him warmly once more.
Nie Mingjue had also been coming to the Cloud Recesses quite often lately, first to settle everything regarding Nie Huaisang's engagement and then because the pace of both the crimson seals' as well as the planned communication outposts' development had increased considerably now that Mu Lijuan could finally work for them on her own terms. Nie Mingjue was gratified as the first offices were established and in use just after the new year.
Wei Wuxian himself often visited the Mu estate during these weeks since Mu Lijuan sought his input, Lan Wangji as good as always quietly tagging along. The latter didn't seem to mind how much time Wei Wuxian and Mu Lijuan spent in longwinded discussions about the manufacturing minutia of his inventions, so long as he could pull his fiancé into his lap whenever he wanted during.
Nie Huaisang was there more often than not as well, though he seemed completely uninterested in listening to Wei Wuxian and his own fiancé work, instead dallying around the estate itself and, after he had somehow singlehandedly won over the entire servant staff, making them redecorate the place according to his tastes.
It had taken him only a few weeks to fill one of the gardens with large and beautiful bird cages, holding hwamei, colorful parrots and pigeons, orioles and canaries in every possible color.
When the end of the guest disciple lectures neared at last, Nie Huaisang became a little morose, loudly lamenting that he couldn't bear to be parted from Mu Lijuan when in the Cloud Recesses and loudly lamenting that he would soon be forced to practice his saber again when not.
Wei Wuxian laughingly consoled his friend, trying his best to ignore his own apprehensions about the nearing date.
The evening before the sect leaders should arrive to the Cloud Recesses to pick up their children, he had already said goodbye to all his friends and was lying within Lan Wangji's arms in the Jingshi, feeling a little glum.
Lan Wangji soon managed to skillfully distract him though, kissing his lips until they were puffy and his mind pleasantly dazed, then kissing all other parts of him too so that Wei Wuxian's body had no choice but to untense and follow his mind into a state of lax relaxation.
And so it happened that on the morning the guest disciples left the Cloud Recesses, he was still blissfully asleep in Lan Wangji's bed, bare skin covered in glorious new bruises and body cocooned in soft Lan Wangji scented bedding.
The next few months were fortunately so busy that Wei Wuxian barely had time to feel his friends' absence.
Between Lan Qingzhao's classes, sword master Cai's martial lessons, the occasional meeting with Lan Fang and his own work with Mu Lijuan, Wei Wuxian was kept so occupied that in no time at all spring had almost passed and the great discussion conference drew closer.
While Lan Wangji was busy leading the junior disciples through strict archery practice to prepare for the competitions, Wei Wuxian was often kept behind by Lan Qingzhao to discuss his introduction to the scholars who would attend the Cultivation World's researchers' gathering.
The Cloud Recesses on the whole were quite active lately—it was good that the guest lectures were over at least, since Lan Qiren had his hands full as well, receiving both the Lans' own as well as the Nies' reports about Wen activity. Additionally, multiple minor sect leaders had come to visit Gusu recently to express their wish to seek closer affiliation.
The arrival of one particular sect leader from the east coast of Lanling whose sect was located directly by the wealthy seaport City of Rizhao caused quite the stir.
Rizhao Zeng had always been a great ally of Lanling Jin and that their sect leader should now choose to abandon these ties was highly unusual.
The man himself, though pompous and proud, made no secret at all about his reason for coming though—apparently his harbors had seen increasing Wen presence lately which he found highly concerning. To make things worse, his former business partner Jin Guangshan had refused him any help with the matter. Sect leader Zeng stated plainly that, should Qishan Wen try to usurp his sect, he would not be able to stop them since most of his men were more proficient in trading than they were in combat.
He had however found that Gusu Lan and Qinghe Nie had displayed remarkable resilience and capability lately which had led him to hope that they would not be cowed by Qishan's might as easily as Jin Guangshan apparently was, and so he sought to acquire the two great sects as allies in case the Wen ever overstayed their welcome in his territory.
He also intended to purchase Wei Wuxian's luring talisman, of which he had heard grand stories—since his great wealth came from maritime trade, an easy way to get rid of not only water ghouls but also the mighty threat of waterborne abysses was a good investment indeed.
In return, he offered to share the expensive lacquerwares, silks and tear-resistant paper the Rizhao Zeng sect imported from Dongying, as well as any literature his people had already, and would still come across while trading with the foreigners.
This last offer made Lan Qiren put a satisfied hand on Wei Wuxian's shoulder after the Zeng sect leader had left Gusu again, successfully having acquired both Lan and Nie's agreement to his terms.
Wei Wuxian on his part was a little scared to look into his room in the Lan sect's treasure vaults lately.
When the weather had grown properly warm and the conference was near, he was surprised by new crates appearing inside his guest quarters.
Much to his utter horror, they were filled to the brim with summer robes Lan Wangji had apparently commissioned over the last months. Jiangnan's seamsters and seamstresses had outdone themselves—there were elaborate floral and cloud patterns embroidered onto horrendously precious dark silks and brocades, their edges enriched with silver or golden thread, garnished sashes and fitted belts, tassels and glass pearls hanging from high and low collars, adorning shoulders, sleeves and skirts—and this time all of the clothes were bespelled, protective talismans sewn into them.
There were also new boots, cozy slippers to wear indoors and some elegant headpieces Wei Wuxian was supposed to wear over his ribbon; jade blossoms emerging from golden and silver spun vines to twist through and hold his hair.
Apparently, Lan Wangji found it fit to ignore the rule against lavish clothing completely when it came to dressing his fiancé, happy to drape Wei Wuxian in the most outlandishly expensive things.
Wei Wuxian himself loudly complained for an entire week, flustered and indignant over the unnecessary expenses, but secretly he had found quiet pleasure in wearing the new things and unfailingly seeing Lan Wangji's pale eyes spark with possessive satisfaction, inevitably followed by a hand coming to rest on his hip or pulling him in by the waist.
Really, at the end of things, if it made Lan Wangji happy to see him all dressed up, he would not complain too much.
At least he'd have good things to wear to this year's discussion conference.
It wouldn't do to embarrass Lan Wangji, after all.
-------
Qishan was a beautiful and lush province, high red mountains and fiery earth covered in vast vegetation, deep waters running through canyons and ancient forests.
Wei Wuxian had never been there before.
When Lotus Pier had received an invitation to attend Qishan Wen's discussion conference last year he had been excited to go, to lead the Jiang sect's junior disciples during the announced competitions and make Jiang Fengmian proud of all of them.
He would have chosen the most promising archers among his shidis, would have trained them rigorously so that Yunmeng Jiang's disciples performed to the best of their ability before the eyes of the Cultivation World.
Now, he didn't know who might have been chosen to compete, didn't know how many kites Jiang Cheng had shot while practicing, whether sixth shidi had finally managed to not come in last every time for once.
Instead, he was currently flying with Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen behind the old man, the rest of the Lan delegation some paces behind them, silent white shadows darting through Qishan's blue sky.
The discussion conference would be spanning over four days, starting with a banquet and followed by multiple smaller competitions for the junior disciples and opportunities for the sect leaders to discuss sect matters. The main event, the great field archery competition, would be held on the second morning.
Wei Wuxian himself would not participate—his reason for coming at all was to accompany Lan Qingzhao after all.
He had already loudly promised both Lan brothers to cheer them on though, having talked animatedly with Lan Xichen about everything that was to come while they had flown towards Qishan, the older one laughing when Wei Wuxian had solemnly vowed to throw Lan Wangji flowers during the individual competitions.
Giggling quietly, Wei Wuxian flew closer to Lan Wangji, tugging at his ribbon and earning himself a frown that made a familiar warm feeling rise in his chest.
While he was also looking forward to seeing his friends from other sects in person again soon, if Wei Wuxian were to be honest he was most eager to see Lan Wangji compete.
"Lan Zhan, do you think you can win?" he called over the wind, grinning.
Lan Wangji looked forward again, having liberated the trails of his forehead ribbon from Wei Wuxian's wandering hands.
"Yes," he said, never one for false modesty.
Wei Wuxian snickered and called over to the other Lan brother, "Ah, Xichen-ge, did you hear that? Such self-assurance! How should we tease him for his cockiness? You think we can make him repent?"
Lan Xichen laughed into the wind, looking fond. "A-Xian, I believe you're the only one able to sway Wangji to do anything." He grinned. "What I will promise is to do my best during the competitions myself, however."
"Lan Zhan, hear that? Are you sure that you can beat your older brother?"
Lan Wangji blinked thoughtfully, not answering this time.
Wei Wuxian smirked. "I think you're both equally talented archers. Aiya, Lan Zhan, such a predicament! If your brother ends up shooting better than you, I might not be able to congratulate you as I would have otherwise. I was thinking about letting you choose how you want me to reward you if you manage to place first."
"Wuxian!" Lan Qiren barked in front of them without bothering to turn around.
Lan Wangji had narrowed his eyes at Wei Wuxian. "Mark your words."
Lan Qiren's shoulders could be seen rising and falling as he sighed in by now familiar exasperation.
Wei Wuxian laughed loudly.
Despite Lan Wangji's confidence, it wouldn't be quite so easy to win the archery competitions though. From what Wei Wuxian had seen so far, Jin Zixuan was most likely to pose the biggest challenge amongst their generation aside from the Lan brothers themselves and maybe Jiang Cheng.
And there was always the chance of some unknown talent emerging during such competitions. All manner of different sects from all across the Cultivation World would be in attendance, after all.
It had been some time since a discussion conference of this scale had been held and the Gusu Lan sect's delegation had already passed many groups on their journey, different banners and carriages dotting the paths the closer they came to their destination, other groups of cultivators flying in formation and greeting the Lan politely from afar.
The Nightless City of Qishan was as much the Qishan Wen sect's residence as it was an actual city in itself, both in terms of size and populace. Even from afar it was an impressive sight, the twelve ridges of the Scorching Sun Palace's roof looming over everything in the distance, a clear testimony of the Wens' might, as huge and domineering as a sleeping dragon.
The visiting sects were being greeted in one of the outer districts of the Nightless City, the guest quarters they would be staying in built along a broad and lumbering canal amongst lush and beautiful gardens.
It had been quite some decades since any outsider had actually set foot inside the palace itself, Wen Ruohan having handled audiences and intersect matters exclusively in other parts of the Nightless City. This would hold true for this year's great discussion conference as well.
Gusu Lan had only just landed on the square that was the sects' assembly location when someone called out to them.
Nie Huaisang was standing by one of the flag posts, wildly waving to them with his fan and hurrying over as soon as they had all landed, seeming relieved to have found familiar faces.
After nervously greeting Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen and saying that the Qinghe Nie delegation had already arrived a shichen ago and was in its guest quarters he scurried over to Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, panting a little.
"Wei-xiong, Lan-xiong! You're finally here!"
Wei Wuxian grinned at him while Lan Wangji gave a salute. "Nie-xiong! How are you doing?"
"Ah, Wei-xiong, I think I'll definitely get lost while I'm here," Nie Huaisang cried, holding his sides. "The Nightless City is so huge! I think I saw three horse carriages pass each other on the streets just now! Simultaneously!"
While Lan Qiren was busy talking with an important looking Wen cultivator who seemed to be handling the registrations, another approached them to lead them towards their guest quarters.
As the three of them followed him, Wei Wuxian curiously looked around, thinking that Nie Huaisang was right. They were barely within the outskirts of the Nightless City and the streets were broad enough to hold entire crowds—the air held the all-encompassing bustle of a flourishing capital, vendors crying out for their wares at every corner, the buildings unfailingly high, well-lit and in good condition.
"Nie-xiong, as tall as your brother is you only need to check above everyone else's heads to find him again if you ever lose him," Wei Wuxian suggested cheerfully.
Nie Huaisang nervously dodged a group of passing Wen disciples and his expression turned miserable. "But da-ge is still so mad that I won't be participating in the tournaments! He scolded me so much for skipping training, he even forbade me from visiting Juanjuan for an entire month! You know how poorly I handle missing her, Wei-xiong, I'll get a stress ulcer!"
Wei Wuxian consolingly patted his friend on the back while he sniffled.
The Wen disciple who had been assigned to lead them didn't speak a word the whole way, and didn't either as they reached the guest quarters, wordlessly leading them into the building and down a handful of hallways, at last nodding towards a few doors before leaving again.
Lan Wangji narrowed his eyes at his disappearing back for the discourtesy while Wei Wuxian simply grabbed him and Nie Huaisang by the arms and pulled them into one of the rooms.
It was relatively small though not extremely so. Still, there would probably be some sect leaders who would take offence, not that they could do much about it.
Wei Wuxian quickly checked the walls, the cabinets and decorations, while Lan Wangji walked through the room to evaluate the floorboards.
Nie Huaisang had plopped down by the table, fanning himself and watching them.
"I don't think there is anything," Wei Wuxian concluded after a while, having stepped onto the windowsill to investigate the ceiling and lanterns in their entirety. "I don't sense anything either."
"Mn," Lan Wangji agreed, having just finished checking the bed.
"Well, I would have been surprised if they had bothered, but better safe than sorry," Wei Wuxian mused, jumping down from the windowsill.
There were certain ways a room could be tampered with to make hearing through the walls easier or mess with its occupants some other way, and although both Lan Qiren and Nie Mingjue had thought it unlikely that Qishan Wen would act so blatantly, they had still instructed their disciples to check their guest rooms thoroughly before speaking freely.
"Wen Ruohan has invaded three established clans in Beijiang recently," Nie Huaisang commented, watching Lan Wangji who had started to sort Wei Wuxian's possessions into one of the cabinets, now that they were sure the room was secure. "Da-ge and I heard about it in an inn on the way here."
Wei Wuxian's expression turned grim where he was checking the incense burner once again for good measure. "Do you know anything else? Has anyone made it?"
Nie Huaisang shook his head, fan fluttering nervously. "Two families surrendered immediately and were subjugated, the third resisted and there was bloodshed. Da-ge thinks they're all dead. The sons sometimes let people get away, but Wen Ruohan is quite a bit more thorough. And there were rumors that he has acquired a new scary disciple who was with him this time."
"We must remain vigilant," Lan Wangji decided, standing after he had finished neatly storing Wei Wuxian's clothes away.
Wei Wuxian nodded in determination.
The last months had made it clear beyond a doubt that Qishan Wen thought itself the crown of the Cultivation World and was already initiating steps to make that power absolute.
Lan and Nie disciples hadn't been idle, patrolling through their territory and keeping one another up to date about every last sign of Wen activity.
The Lan sect had received detailed and angry reports about Wen scouts deep in Nie territory who claimed to be following prey on a nighthunt, sneering when Nie disciples demanded they leave. There hadn't been a fight yet, though only barely not. Nie Mingjue was of the opinion that the only reason for that was that Wen Ruohan hadn't given orders for it yet.
Gusu Lan had observed similar scenes in their territory, though they had not revealed themselves to the Wen yet and had thus been able to watch them scout out Jiangnan's northern mountain passes much more blatantly, showing behavior that had decidedly nothing to do with nighthunting.
Most Lan elders were still adamant that the Wen sect would not dare to break the peace between the great sects, but their arguments rang more and more hollow with each new suspicious Wen sighting reaching the Cloud Recesses from one of the communication offices.
The old man was wearing his poor beard out with all his worried stroking these days, by now agreeing with Nie Mingjue wholeheartedly that an eventual attack from Qishan Wen on one of the great sects was unfortunately not unlikely.
The signs were simply too blatant to ignore.
Wen Ruohan showed all the markings of a man who thought himself entitled to their territory.
And the power he commanded was so mighty that he had a real chance of getting it.
Lan and Nie were in agreement to not give anything away during the coming days, instead planning to use this chance to observe how Wen Ruohan would choose to comport himself.
Even if the two sects stood together, Qishan Wen dwarfed them easily after all, both in numbers and power.
If they wanted a chance of opposing him, they had to act intelligently.
Even Nie Mingjue, who was obviously itching to fight, had agreed that it would be foolhardy to make a move without more information.
Would Wen Ruohan put on a mask of civility?
Or would he not even bother to hide his hostility anymore?
-------
The large banquet which was to be held that evening marked the beginning of this year's great discussion conference, providing the first official opportunity for all sects to mingle.
Gusu Lan's delegation followed the stream of cultivators through the streets and up wide stairs towards a grand hall in the middle of the district, lanterns dousing everything around them into a bewitching red glow, huge banners which proudly displayed Qishan Wen's sun fluttering over their heads and obscuring the darkening sky.
Criers stood by the imposing doors leading into the banquet hall and announced the approaching sects to allow them entry.
When the call for the Gusu Lan sect rang through the air, many curious heads turned in their direction.
Next to Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji offered his arm and the former accepted it with a giggle, whispering, "You sure, Lan Zhan?"
Lan Wangji gave a small, decisive nod and then pulled him forwards to follow behind his brother and uncle through the doors.
Inside the banquet hall everything was even more blatantly doused in Qishan Wen red, extravagant furnishing and high ceilings all modelled after or draped in the sect's coat of arms.
Musicians were sitting on a platform in the middle of the hall, playing pieces that filled the air with a majestic atmosphere.
In comparison to the looming white and red above their heads, the floor of the hall was already filled with people donning all manner of different sect colors.
Wei Wuxian would not have attended this banquet had he still been with the Jiang, would have instead been leading his shidis through last organizations and training right now.
He wouldn't have been sorry to miss it either, he thought, as he watched all the self-important sect cultivators, but at least Lan Wangji wouldn't have to suffer the crowd without him.
Their party was eyed with even more interest than they had been outside while they were received by a Wen disciple and shown to their tables and Wei Wuxian noticed some people pointing in his particular direction or whispering while watching him.
He ignored them all, raising his chin and letting the stares pearl off of him while he continued to hold onto Lan Wangji.
Let them gawk all they want, he thought.
The great sects were seated closest to the front of the hall and so they had to pass through quite a number of people until it became apparent that the throne overlooking everything was not occupied.
Either Wen Ruohan had chosen to come late or—gauged by the man standing by the throne who seemed important enough to be a deputy or something of the sort—he would not bother to be in attendance at all this evening.
"Lan-xiansheng," Nie Mingjue's deep voice pulled Wei Wuxian from his pondering.
The Nie sect leader was approaching them with decisive strides from where Qinghe Nie had been seated at the opposite side of the hall, his own deputy beside him.
Nie Huaisang was scurrying after the two as well, struggling to keep up.
After greeting all of them Nie Mingjue pointedly looked at the empty throne, stormy displeasure sparking in his dark eyes. "From the looks of it, perhaps we might not yet be graced with Wen-zongzhu's presence tonight."
Lan Qiren stroked his beard. "It would seem like it."
Nie Huaisang had meanwhile successfully darted around his brother's broad back to sidle up to Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, and while Nie Mingjue began to say something to Lan Xichen, Nie Huaisang leaned closer to them and whispered, "Wen Ruohan's youngest son is the only person of the Wen family who is in attendance tonight."
"Wen Chao?" Wei Wuxian asked, curiously looking around.
Nie Huaisang discreetly pointed his fan to their right. On a platform beside the throne a young man in lavish Wen sect robes was sitting and drinking wine, haughtily overlooking the rest of the room. A glamorously dressed young woman was molded against his side and tantalizingly stroking his chest.
And there was a tall, stern-faced man dressed in all black standing like a silent shadow behind Wen Chao's back.
"He won't even come down to greet anyone, huh?" Wei Wuxian remarked. "Who are those two with him?"
"The girl is his newest conquest, Wang Lingjiao, a former servant of his principal wife," Nie Huaisang disclosed quietly, his fan fluttering. "Apparently, Wen Chao's favor allowed her family to form a sect in Yingchuan recently."
Wei Wuxian hummed. With her getup and flirty demeanor, she appeared more like a prostitute than a young lady from an established family but he supposed it wasn't any of his business.
"That man behind him is named Wen Zhuliu," Nie Huaisang whispered under his breath. "Wen Ruohan has recently recruited him. I heard he played an important role in the Wens' triumph over the clans in Beijiang, though I don't know any particulars."
"Well, given that he guards the Wen sect's second young master tonight, he probably has some skill," Wei Wuxian quietly mused, his friend nervously nodding along.
Wen Zhuliu indeed had something strangely weighty about him even though his youth had not been particularly well maintained and so he had probably begun cultivating later in life.
Somewhere in their vicinity someone spoke loudly in that moment and as Wei Wuxian turned his head, he saw a large amalgamation of gold among the crowd indicating the delegation from Lanling Jin. Jin Guangshan had been the one who had spoken—he was standing next to a man in apricot-colored robes who nodded along with him while the Jin sect leader loudly continued to effusively praise Qishan Wen's finery.
Jin Zixuan was there as well, awkwardly standing next to a young maiden without exchanging a single word with her.
By Wei Wuxian's side Lan Wangji tensed slightly at the volume of Jin Guangshan's waffling. Wei Wuxian soothingly caressed his back.
"Who's that next to the peacock?" he asked Nie Huaisang. There weren't many other young maidens in attendance tonight as far as he could see.
"Ah…" Nie Huaisang smirked and quickly put his fan over the lower half of his face. "Wei-xiong, that is Qin Su, sect leader Qin's beloved daughter."
Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow, wondering why his friend looked so smug. "Laoling Qin? They're Lanling Jin's allies, aren't they?"
Nie Huaisang nodded wisely. "They're a wealthy subsidiary sect of the Jin. Qin Cangye is Jin Guangshan's staunch supporter, or so I've heard." His eyes crinkled further. "And apparently, Qin Su has been quite popular lately."
Wei Wuxian tilted his head, squinting. "What are you not telling us?"
Nie Huaisang leaned even closer to him, though he immediately backed up a little again as Lan Wangji's eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.
"Yu-furen and Qin-furen have supposedly arranged for their children to meet some weeks ago," he hushed, eyes glittering with mirth.
A surprised laugh escaped Wei Wuxian. "What, seriously? Jiang Cheng and her?"
He took another curious look at Qin Su. She seemed demure and had a graceful, almost childlike face.
Jiang Cheng had not written about it.
Wei Wuxian had given both him and Nie Huaisang a crimson seal before they had left Gusu, although the one who had ended up using the seal the most to write him had actually ended up being Jiang Yanli—Nie Huaisang had visited Mu Lijuan and by extension the Cloud Recesses so often that it hadn't really been necessary to write much, while Jiang Cheng's letters had come seldomly and been mostly short and brusque.
"I heard Jiang-xiong had to sweep Lotus Pier's halls in the wake of Laoling Qin's departure from Yunmeng," Nie Huaisang snickered. "And Qin-guniang was overheard telling her father that she found him rude and conceited and did not wish to continue the acquaintance."
Wei Wuxian sighed, unsurprised.
When it came to talking to girls, Jiang Cheng had always had a great talent for putting his foot in his mouth. And since Qin Cangye had brought his daughter into society to mingle this evening it was quite obvious that Madam Yu's efforts had not been fruitful.
He looked around, at last finding Jiang Cheng standing next to his father who was currently in conversation with Baling Ouyang's sect leader.
Wei Wuxian was just contemplating whether he should go over there to speak with him, when Jiang Fengmian's head suddenly turned in his direction as though he had felt him look.
Wei Wuxian whipped his head around before their eyes could meet, a strange shiver running down his back.
Just a few months ago he had travelled to Jiangling City once again to tend to his grandfather's grave for Qingming. Some part of him felt tempted to ask Yunmeng Jiang's sect leader whether he could tell him anything about the Wei family's departure from Jiangling, but that part was overruled by the desire to simply avoid the man entirely.
Lanling Jin's party which in that moment approached Gusu Lan and Qinghe Nie to give a gracious greeting to both sects pulled his mind away from these thoughts.
After some pleasantries had been exchanged, Jin Guangshan having congratulated Nie Huaisang on his engagement with exuberant amicability, the man saluted to Lan Qiren and said, "I heard concerning stories that Gusu Lan recently had trouble with a waterborne abyss?"
Lan Qiren politely returned the gesture. "Indeed. Jin-zongzhu need not worry however, for the matter has been thoroughly dealt with."
Jin Guangshan smiled. "How truly impressive. It does make one wonder." He turned his piercing eyes on Wei Wuxian. "A-Xuan has had good things to say about your most recently accepted guest disciple."
Wei Wuxian bowed politely. "Jin Zixuan flatters me."
"Nonsense, nonsense," Jin Guangshan returned. "As a friend of my son's you must regard the whole of Lanling Jin as most welcoming to you, Wei-gongzi."
Behind his father's shoulder Jin Zixuan flushed, seeming flustered.
Wei Wuxian smiled. "Jin-zongzhu is most kind."
Jin Guangshan laughed. "Ah, such good manners, too! And that when I heard such charming tales of what adventures Yunmeng Jiang's former head disciple got up to in Lotus Pier. It is truly good to see young people mature. I suppose this change can be accredited to the positive influence of Gusu Lan's grandmaster?"
Lan Qiren hummed mildly. "Wuxian has certainly found solid footing within the Cloud Recesses."
Jin Guangshan nodded agreeably. "Since he has become such a good friend to my son, it would be remiss of me not to say that Wei-gongzi has Lanling Jin's blessing to come visit A-Xuan in Koi Tower whenever he so pleases." He turned to look at Wei Wuxian and added, "Why not come to Lanling for the late summer weeks and join A-Xuan for the hunt? Our grounds are well stocked with all manner of game."
Wei Wuxian, who had been more interested in observing Qin Su whose father had followed the Jin sect than in paying much attention to Jin Guangshan's condescending voice, was startled out of his curious observations of her by the man's address.
"Oh," he said, politely saluting once more. "Many thanks for the generous offer. I suppose Lan Zhan and I would be happy to visit if our schedules allow it," he answered a little absentmindedly.
An awkward silence ensued.
Wei Wuxian blinked for a moment, wondering why Jin Guangshan's expression had turned so strained, as he abruptly realized that the man hadn't actually included Lan Wangji in his invitation to visit Koi Tower.
Jin Guangshan caught himself quickly however, laughing loudly as though Wei Wuxian had told a good joke. "Naturally, Lan-er-gongzi must come as well, if he can," he allowed graciously. "Gusu Lan and Lanling Jin's disciples have always been as close as brothers after all."
Lan Wangji wordlessly bowed.
Jin Guangshan cleared his throat, eyes dancing back and forth between the two of them before he once more turned towards Lan Qiren to say, "I suppose I have yet to relay my congratulations on the engagement of your youngest nephew. He and Wei-gongzi certainly make a… handsome pair."
Lan Qiren hummed in gratitude.
Soon afterwards, Jin Guangshan excused himself, once again emphasizing that Wei Wuxian was most welcome to visit Jin Zixuan in Lanling before he left, taking the Laoling Qin delegation with him.
Jin Zixuan threw Wei Wuxian an almost apologetic glance before he followed his father back into the crowd.
In Lanling Jin's place, a rotund man wearing the dark robes of Pingyang Yao came towards them with his retinue, obviously intending to be next greeting Gusu Lan and Qinghe Nie.
Wei Wuxian had just thought that his haughty expression was pretty funny as someone placed a warm hand on his shoulder and he turned around to see that Lan Qingzhao had come to stand by him and Lan Wangji.
"Wei Wuxian, come, I want to introduce you to someone," she said. "Qiren, let me steal him away for a moment. He does not need to greet the sect leaders."
Lan Qiren nodded. "Go."
Wei Wuxian glanced at Lan Wangji, hesitant to leave him alone to be accosted by sect leader Yao, but the other boy gave him a small encouraging nod and so he followed Lan Qingzhao's lead away from the front of the hall and towards a small group of cultivators dressed in dark blues.
He recognized the heir of the Tingshan He sect who had attended Gusu Lan's lectures standing amidst them and as the young man noticed him in return he seemed to flush in embarrassment, immediately looking away again, much to Wei Wuxian's puzzlement.
A man with slight stature and expressive eyes parted from the group as they came closer, a young woman following behind him as he met them halfway.
"Qingzhao," he greeted. "I was looking for you."
Lan Qingzhao smiled pleasantly, returning his salute. "Yongrui, how have you been?"
"Very well, very well," the man replied. "Though I'm a little weary from the long journey."
Lan Qingzhao looked pleased. She turned to Wei Wuxian and gracefully motioned towards him.
"This is my student, Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian, please greet an old friend of mine, the Tingshan He sect's head physician, He Yongrui."
Wei Wuxian politely greeted the man.
"Ah, the legendary Wei-gongzi," he said, eyeing him with obvious interest. "One can hear your name mentioned quite often lately. Say, Qingzhao, will he be attending the researchers' gathering with us?"
Lan Qingzhao seemed proud. "He will indeed."
He Yongrui laughed. "In that case I will save my curiosity for tomorrow." He stepped aside, revealing the young woman who had been standing behind him.
"Let me introduce you to my student as well, my friend. This is Zhu Ya—I have recently taken her on as my apprentice."
Zhu Ya fell into a nervous, deep bow.
Lan Qingzhao nodded to her benignly before turning back to the man. "Have you heard anything of interest? I have not yet been able to look at tomorrow's schedule."
Head physician He nodded eagerly. "Wen Qing will be attending once more. Apparently, she has something new to present." His eyes glittered. "I can hardly wait."
Wei Wuxian listened curiously.
During recent weeks Lan Qingzhao had briefed him about the people he might meet tomorrow. Most especially she had advised him not to offend Wen Qing, since, even though she found Wen Qing herself quite sensible, Wen Ruohan would apparently not regard any misstep towards his late cousin's daughter kindly.
Wei Wuxian was briefly distracted from the adults' conversation as he noticed something purple in the periphery of his sight and glanced towards the front of the hall to see that the Yunmeng Jiang sect had come forward to greet the Gusu Lan sect by now.
Guilty relief rushed through him for having avoided the encounter and he quickly turned back towards his teacher and He Yongrui. The latter was still speaking about Wen Qing.
"She leads a small subdivision of the Wen clan and since she is favored by Wen Ruohan the odds are certainly in her favor," he was explaining to his student. "I've even heard that Wen-zongzhu ordered a grand extension to be built to the Nightless City's clinical halls for her just recently."
Lan Qingzhao nodded serenely, her expression mild. "She is indeed a formidable person."
Head physician He instructed, "Zhu Ya, make sure to listen to her presentation closely tomorrow. I should like for you to take her conduct and brilliance as an example."
Zhu Ya's eyes widened in what appeared to be intimidation. She meekly nodded her head.
"Ah, by the way," head physician He added, turning back to Lan Qingzhao. "Did you hear already—apparently the Yao will send someone to attend this year?"
Lan Qingzhao frowned. "Do they plan to present something? I did not know Pingyang Yao had much to show in the way of research?"
"Indeed not, my friend," the man agreed, shaking his head before he smiled, glancing at Wei Wuxian. "I believe they intend to listen to that young student of yours instead. Yao-zongzhu has had much to say about what was heard of his recent accomplishments."
Lan Qingzhao smiled. "It is rare that Yao-zongzhu does not have much to say," she commented calmly.
He laughed. "True that, my friend, true that. The man he'll send is, I heard, a direct relative—we shall expect much of the same eagerness for conversation from him, I think. But, in all honesty, the Yao sect was seen with carriages many believed to carry goods, guarded by disciples. Yao-zongzhu really might be determined to spend a great sum this year."
While Lan Qingzhao inquired after these supposed carriages, Wei Wuxian turned towards Zhu Ya, smiling at the nervous young woman.
"Will it be your first time attending the researchers' gathering, Zhu-guniang?" he asked her.
Zhu Ya jumped, glancing at her teacher but as she found him busy detailing exactly how large the Yao sect's carriages had been to Lan Qingzhao, she had no choice but to answer herself, nodding and shyly lowering her eyes.
Wei Wuxian grinned. "It's the same for me. I wonder how long the whole thing will take?"
Zhu Ya seemed surprised. "You… Wei-gongzi also hasn't attended before?" she asked quietly.
"No, I really have no clue at all what I should expect," Wei Wuxian agreed happily.
The young woman smiled, a little more relaxed. "I heard that—that last year everybody was busy talking for… multiple shichen."
Wei Wuxian sighed exaggeratedly. "Seriously? I really hope we'll get something to eat, then! Imagine, I might interrupt some important speech with my rumbling stomach otherwise. I'd have to bury myself in shame!"
Zhu Ya giggled, blushingly raising her sleeve to her mouth.
Happy to have managed to make her feel more at ease, Wei Wuxian was just about to ask her whether she or her teacher would present anything tomorrow, when an annoyed voice rang from behind him.
"You might want to stop that."
Wei Wuxian turned to see Jiang Cheng standing behind him, arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. "That is, if you don't want Lan Wangji to stink up this entire hall with vinegar."
"Jiang Cheng!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed excitedly, immediately bounding up to the other boy and throwing an arm around his shoulder.
Jiang Cheng squawked and shoved him away from himself, much to Wei Wuxian's amusement.
"I see that recent months haven't cured you from your sour face," he sighed, successfully prodding the other in the side.
"You—Wei Wuxian, you bastard! Stop being stupid!" Jiang Cheng snapped, batting his hand away.
Wei Wuxian laughed. "Jiang Cheng, no new insults either? I'm really very disappointed in your creativity."
Jiang Cheng scoffed, recrossing his arms.
Seeing that many cultivators near them were stealing glances at the two of them or whispering, Wei Wuxian quickly turned to Lan Qingzhao.
"Master, would you mind me leaving for a moment? I want to quickly catch up with Jiang Cheng," he requested.
Lan Qingzhao studied the two of them, her eyes narrowing at Jiang Cheng who shifted a little uncomfortably under her sharp gaze. Then she smiled mildly and said to Wei Wuxian, "Of course not."
Wei Wuxian saluted politely, then grabbed Jiang Cheng by the sleeve and pulled him away from his teacher and the other two.
"How have you been?" he asked Jiang Cheng while they walked. "Did training go well?"
Jiang Cheng nodded, sniffing. "You know that everything's fine, it's not like we haven't been writing."
Wei Wuxian hummed. "Sure, sure, though a certain darling former shidi of mine cannot be trusted to include everything important in his letters to me, I believe?"
"Don't call me that!" Jiang Cheng complained.
They had reached one of the side doors of the hall and Wei Wuxian laughingly pulled the other out onto one of the balconies to have a little more privacy.
"Aiya, don't be so prickly. I'm just happy to see you again—you've grown so tall in recent months, A-Cheng, almost as tall as your proud former shixiong!"
He successfully evaded Jiang Cheng's outraged shove.
"Don't call me that either if you want to keep all your limbs!" he threatened. "Besides, what do you mean I don't include everything important? You don't have grounds to complain, Wei Wuxian, your letters are stuffed full of so much nonsense that I seriously wonder whether I shouldn't just use them as kindling."
Wei Wuxian gasped in outrage. "Jiang Cheng! Each of my letters is filled with the very essence of my pure love! How can you say such cruel things to me, do you want me to cry?!"
Jiang Cheng scoffed and leaned onto the railing of the balcony. "I don't plan to be gutted by Lan Wangji, so no, I guess not," he said drily.
Very much vindicated, Wei Wuxian hummed in victory and mirrored his former shidi's position. "That's what I thought—Lan Zhan won't take any jokes when people fail to appreciate my loving attentions."
"It's not like he takes jokes in general," Jiang Cheng grumbled.
Wei Wuxian chose to ignore the remark, adding, "So, while I of course never withhold any important details corresponding with my dear friends, I can't help but wonder whether such sentiments are returned in kind?" His smirk widened and he nudged his shoulder against the other's. "I heard… you've been on sweeping duty recently, Jiang Cheng?"
Jiang Cheng's eyes widened and his face changed color in embarrassment. "How do you know about that!" he exclaimed furiously. "Did a-jie tell you?"
Wei Wuxian grinned in satisfaction. "No, no, shijie would never betray you, Jiang Cheng, what are you suggesting?"
"Then how do you know!"
"Hm hm! I've got my sources!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed gleefully.
Jiang Cheng groaned, turning away from him. "Don't gloat, you asshole. It's not like I wanted anything to do with that shit in the first place! A-niang forced me to meet that girl!"
Wei Wuxian curiously eyed his defensive stance. "You didn't like Qin-guniang? I mean, she's pretty, her family's rich and she has good manners, weren't all those things pretty high on that silly list of yours?"
Jiang Cheng clicked his tongue. "So, what? Am I required to spout flattery I don't mean just because her background is respectable?"
"Hmm," Wei Wuxian returned, playing with one of the tassels hanging from the balcony's decoration. "Did she seem like she wanted to be flattered?"
Jiang Cheng huffed, reassuming his former position next to him. "A-jie got along with her," he admitted quite crankily. "Apparently, she told her that she's waiting to be swept off her feet by some fucking gallant hero one day, or some shit. It gives me the hives."
Wei Wuxian thought he could detect the slightest hint of regret in Jiang Cheng's voice.
It was rare that Jiang Yanli got along with other young women of similar social rank, most of them looking down on her mild constitution and weak cultivation. Wei Wuxian knew that Jiang Cheng might be secretly beating himself up at least a little bit over ruining his chance with someone who had been kind to his sister.
"Ah, Jiang Cheng, the day a girl finds it within herself to tolerate your huge ego will be the day snakes grow wings and take off into the vast skies," he lamented, earning himself another outraged shove.
"Shut your mouth, Wei Wuxian," Jiang Cheng cursed. "She was vain and dense—I cannot be blamed that she wasn't fit to become Lotus Pier's next first lady."
Wei Wuxian privately thought that Qin Su probably hadn't been the vain one between the two.
Besides, she counted as one of the most sought-after maidens of their generation, pleasant looks, good background and important connections making her desirable for many families. Wei Wuxian silently cringed a little as he thought that, glad that Qin Cangye seemed to allow his daughter agency in her choice of a partner.
Madam Yu had probably been quite disappointed though.
"Aiya, restrain that potty mouth of yours, Jiang Cheng! How much time did you have to spend together with her anyways?" he asked.
Jiang Cheng scowled. "A-niang and Qin-furen forced us to walk around the piers multiple times a day for one entire fucking week."
Wei Wuxian patted his shoulder in consolation, this time not being shoved off, though probably only barely not. "That bad, huh?"
It sounded like Madam Qin had been greatly in favor of the match too, then. Again, the only thing which had saved Jiang Cheng and Qin Su from simply getting betrothed by their mothers had likely been sect leader Qin's worry for his daughter.
Wei Wuxian really couldn't guess what Jiang Fengmian might have thought about the matter, though he had probably been content enough to leave his wife to her duty of looking for a match for their son on her own.
"She wasn't that pretty anyways—I don't care how much I had to sweep the halls. If I never have to see her again, I'll be better off for it," Jiang Cheng grumbled mulishly.
Wei Wuxian sighed, but let Jiang Cheng have his way, not teasing him for what was obviously him bitterly consoling himself.
Instead, he asked about the shidis and they talked for a while longer, until a Wen disciple finally announced the beginning of the banquet inside the hall, asking the guests to take their seats.