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Chapter Text

Jiang Cheng knew they were in trouble.

The pranks and trick of Wei Ying (his adoptive brother) were harmless and most people did not comprehend they were victims of the pranks themselves even after the tricks had been played. But with an old sacred tree cracked, chickens let out from Bai Feng's coop, one cow in the deep waters of the lotus lake, and a broken bone to the impish boy himself, it was unlikely for them to avoid a punishment, and it will likely be severer than the ones they usually endure on other days.

After their return from studying at Cloud Recesses. The situation within the inner home of Lotus Pier was tense and (stressful) than beforehand, with Jiang Cheng's mother becoming stricter with them. The times before they had left, she would have only thrown hurtful words and threatened to hit them. She never truly raised a hand against him or Wei Wuxian, but something had changed. Jiang Cheng did not have any hope for his brother because this prank of his caused trouble not only for the disciples but also for the people of the village, and this time there was someone hurt from his antics. His mother would show no mercy even if it was Wei Ying with the broken arm

That was why the moment Yanli-jie saw them coming  up one of the pier´s pathways, Jiang Cheng asked her to take Wei Ying to the medic while he would attend their mother. Wei Wuxian objected and tried to go with him but he could do nothing with an arm like that. A-Li understood and just give him a worried glance then let him go before ushering Wei Wuxian away.

 The elder siblings would regret that decision later regarding their younger brother.

Jiang Cheng wanders past his father’s office and noticed him leave with worried face, heading at a brisk pace to the infirmary. “He never showed such a face when Jiang Cheng was hurt, ever” the boy reflected within his mind.

Jiang Cheng gave an attentive knock on his mother´s door, before entering inside to witness a disciple whispering something in her ear. Judging by the expression on his mother´s face it was the news of the disaster made by his Ying-gege.

The disciple briskly walked out of the room after delivering the unpleasant news, throwing the Yunmeng heir a gaze full of pity as they passed, closing the door behind them swiftly. Yu Ziyuan had her back facing away from him. "Shouldn’t you be with that servant? Holding onto his hand, like always?" she said disdainfully with a hint of disgust.

 The boy clenched his fist, hanging stiffly at his side. Jiang Cheng felt something dangerous charged in the air between the two of them, but he still decides not to yield “I came to take the punishment”

Jiang Cheng's response causes Madam Yu to spin around in clear fury, "You didn't do it, I know you're too coward to attempt something like the foolishness I just heard, even if you had half the wit to plan it yourself." She spat out her violet eyes glaring into her son's mauve-gray ones.

The young heir of Lotus Pier stood firm  in both his stance and decision, refusing to react to the insult his mother had given him, and waited for her to finish speaking. "Yet, you are willing to take the punishment of that scum!"

Jiang Cheng stood with an expression of calm, "He is injured." He informed careful not to mention the name of his brother. The information was enough for his response, but as expected, his mother still wanted to discipline Wei Ying, even knowing he was injured. So Jiang Cheng swallowed his fear and disappointment, and kneeled in front of the door, preventing her from stepping through to discipline his older brother.

The boy could almost hear his mother's knuckles crack with her anger, "You certainly want to take the punishment from the one attempting to steal your place as the heir!?" Yu Ziyuan barked towards her only son and youngest child. Jiang Cheng's only response was to lower his face further into the kowtow, to the point where he was inches from touching the wooden floor. "Fine then." whispered the Violet Spider, and Jiang Cheng felt the relief running through his body.

Then he heard the familiar sound of Zidian sparking, and he did not have the time to think nor the comprehension to feel fear when he felt the first lash against his backside. The surprise and painful lash from Zidian ripped a scream from his delicate lips.

"Shut up and take your punishment like a man!" screamed the raging Madam Yu.

The next hit didn't take long to dig into Jiang Cheng's upper back, and he bites his lips hard enough until he could taste blood, but that didn't stop a few tears to escape from his eyes. His back felt as if it was lit on fire and burned painfully, so while nothing but a pit of dreadful coldness settled low in his stomach.

 No wonder the punishments with discipline whip, and even worst with a spiritual weapon like Zidian, were restricted only to the worst crimes, like murderers or rapists. A part of Jiang Cheng wondered if the little mischief with his brother deserved such a harsh treatment, but the next electric lash came, and he could no longer hold his arms in place. His mother coldly snorted at it. "Pathetic."

The young Jiang heir could only agree with his mother's words because he was indeed pathetic. Jiang Cheng couldn’t even withstand how many hits were there? 4? 6? 10? He simply expected this would free Wei Ying from a similar treatment.

Another lash came down, and he could feel something thick and warm trickle down his back. 'That must be my blood.' Jiang Cheng hysterically thought though a part of him could care less, as he only wanted to end the agony.

CRACKLE! Jiang Cheng thought absently that maybe he will die of this pain burning throughout his body.

CRACKLE!  His eyes flutter close, and all he can distinguish between the mist of foggy pain are the sweet eyes of his sister and the bright smile of his brother.

CRACKLE! He hears a distant cry, and then nothing.

Nothing.

Chapter Text

POV Yanli

A shiver runs down Yanlin´s back, and she knew by her instincts it wasn´t because of Wei Wuxian´s arm wound. It wouldn´t be the first time nor the last time both her brothers got hurt while playing,  A-Xian should be perfect in a few days, even less with his high level of cultivation skills.

-Shijie, are you all right?- A-Ying was watching her with worried silver-moon eyes when she got lost in her thoughts.

 It never stopped to astonishing her how little he cared about himself and how much he could worry about others. ‘A-Xian, you should worry about yourself more’ She thought quietly before giving a gentle smile, the deep unsettling feeling did not go away. “I´m alright, A-Ying”.

Fortunately her father arrived in a hurry to check on Wei Ying, after they reassured him she asked him to take care of the boy while she went and got them some food from the kitchen.

Jiang Fengmian agreed readily and gave her a soft tap on her head. Jiang Fengmian then started to talk animatedly with Wei Ying. Yanli smiled at the sight before she left the healing ward.

  ‘A-Cheng is taking too long’ Yanli reflected with deep worry, and the heavy unease feeling refused to leave her stomach. Her didi was supposed to report to their mother, so the punishment on  Wei Wuxian could wait a little longer and give his arm some time to heal, but something was suspicious.

Yanli swiftly wandered down her A-Niang´s section of Lotus Pier, and towards her inner chambers. She noted the air was tense with desolation and that it was far too quiet.

¡Crackle!

Yanli felt the air in her lungs leave her sharply all at once. ‘It couldn´t be, right? A-niang is our mother and would never dare commit such a mounstrosity’. Jiang Yanli bolted to were the noise came from.

¡CRACKLE!

“What a waste of space” Yanli hear her mother utterly coldly precisely as she pushed the door to her inner room opened, and then she spotted Jiang Cheng laying on the floor in a puddle of his own blood “Jiang Cheng!” she cried with horror and anguish as she bolted over to didi´s side

Two pair of hands pulled her away from her little brother, some disciples carefully raised him. The older of the three Jiang siblings was still stunned, thinking of what she saw, wondering what happened ‘how did this happened’

“ Don´t make such a fuss, child” Yu Ziyuan coldly spoke cutting of her daughter from her spiraling thoughts “ Jiang Cheng will be perfectly fine in a couple of days” she calmly cleaned Zidian of red blood, her didi´s blood  “ This will teach him not to meddle”

That was the moment she understood. Their mother, no from this day on, Yu Ziyuan will no longer be part of Jiang Yanli´s family. Yu Ziyuan had done this, she had hit him, hit her little brother with Zidian simply because he had refused to let no harm come to Wei Ying. A child that the woman hated for past misunderstandings, for resentment to a death woman and problems with their father. None of her brothers had anything to do with those disputes between the adults, and yet every day the boys were put in the middle of their fights and ended hurt by their words, and lately by their hands.

Yu Ziyuan headed to the door, but for the second time that day one of her children blocks the way. Except this time the one challenging her authority did not remain head down, but looked her directly in the eyes with the fury of a true mother tiger that had found her cubs hurt.

Jiang Yanli had witnessed her mother shout out obscenities to the memory of a dead couple; whisper insults in her brother's ear, and even slap her adoptive brother after he broke only a dish. Yanli wasn´t stupid, but she hates to intervene in arguments, and it was even more uncomfortable if those arguments involved were her parents.

She always felt so useless watching her brother´s get hurt, so small and helpless. However, in never crossed her mind that one day the life of her brother would be in danger, solely because she chose to ignore the warning. But that will stop now, because if she didn´t step up, if she let that woman raise her hand one more time against the boys, Yanli would never forgive herself

The eldest of the Jiang siblings brooded all this while she watched the attendant spiders take the body of her brother to the infirmary. When she saw the one she once considered her mother walk away as if nothing happened, she did not care if her intention was to go to the kitchen for dinner or as she suspected, to search for Wei Ying and give him the same treatment she gave to Jiang Cheng

She would face her head on the legendary Violet Spider and ensure that those two stay safe "You will not approch them" Yanli spoke with such intensity and sharpness, unlike her usual gentle manner, that Yu Ziyuan was petrified of her daughter. "You will never touch any of them, or I swear on my life you´ll regret it". Before Yu Ziyuan could recover from the astonishment of her own daughter, threatening her, the elder sibling had left and headed back towards the infirmary

Inside the healing room, there was chaos. The healing Chief and his two protégés move around the bed where Jiang Cheng was placed by the spiders. They applied tonics, warded his meridians an placed needles in his injured body.

When Wei Ying saw her coming, he threw himself into her arms while sobbing eyes as if she was their savior. "Shijie! What happened? Madam Yu´s spiders brought A-Cheng in like that and refused to give any explanation, and our didi won´t wake up, and-" Yanli, in any other circumstances, would have found Wei Ying´s babbling nonsense cute, but now it´s only a mirror of her own panic and despair.

"it was her, Yu Ziyuan did this, and she never gave it a second thought about it" Everyone in the room glanced at her with different degrees of astonishment. Astonishment because of the dire action she took, or noticing Yanli´s tone full of hate. It didn´t matter when Jiang Cheng coughed blood, causing Wei Ying to hold on her almost painfully. The healers kept attending to the young heir.

" Will he be fine?" Wei Wuxian asked with a broken voice as he stared at the bruised, bloody, and limp body of his didi.

----

Yanli could only feel rage as she watched her little brother cry, while her other brother lay broken and battered in the medical bed. Jiang Cheng was laying face down as a trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth. Above him, three healers strived to repair some of the damage Zidian had inflicted. Even when Yanli could only see half of her brother´s face, the pain he must be feeling made his young face look pale, as it constricted itself in a grimace of pain.

 The laceration in his back run from the beginning of his neck to the end of his tight, some of them surrounded his torso till they disappear in the front, beyond the bed sheets.  Jiang Yanli felt her stomach drop seeing the amount of blood in the wood floor and had to take a deep breath when she distinguish something white sticking out of his back wounds

----

The healing chief, Jiang Gangzi, glanced at them from behind the beaten body of his Jiang Cheng and consider the question Wei Ying asked for a moment “We will do our best young master and mistress” was his calm reply.

 Yanli swallowed the lump in her throat as Wei Ying squeezed her arm in reassurance for them both. One of the other healers, a young woman with light green eyes , one of the newest recruits, spooked uncertain “Maybe a little help from Gusu would be beneficial, my lady, they have songs that can help with the healing”

 The chief healer gave a nod of agreement when noticed their doubts and opposition to leave the younger teen alone, Gangzi smiled gently at Yanli and Wei Wuxian “ You two can´t do much here currently, so go see our sect leader and ask him to send a letter to Cloud Recess.”

The two teenagers agreed and left the room with a last glance at their didi. The image of Jiang Cheng having sharp and laborious breathing, as some tears fell past his eyelashes showing his pain even when unconscious pained them.

 Finally Jiang Yanli had to drag Wei Ying by the arm to leave their young brother in the hands of the healers. Together they headed to Jiang Fengmian´s office  where he retired after visiting Wei Ying just a few of minutes ago. it seemed almost impossible that he did not hear the disturbance or that no one informed him about what happened with his young heir. Wei Ying stopped before knocking the door as if a terrible thought startled him. “What if… if something…A-Cheng, oh god´s heaven there was so much blood” Wei Wuxian sobbed.

 Yanli gave her brother a tight hug, giving him strength and taking some for herself “A-Cheng is strong, he will fight and we just have to make sure he wins. We will help him” she whispered while holding Wei Ying close to her. She didn´t know what will happen when the door opens. Her father was indifferent in the best cases of whatever concerned the youngest of three of them. But just as she promised that Yu Ziyuan would never touch her boys again, if their father refused to help them, to help his son Jiang Cheng, he would become a stranger just like her mother. She, with Wei Ying, will find another way to save their didi, and that no harm will come to him ever again.

Chapter Text

Wei Ying could not understand how he went from joking with Jiang Fengmian to fearing for the life of his dear brother.

He hardly had said goodbye to sect leader Jiang when the doors of the infirmary slammed open, letting in the spiders of Madam Yu, who were carrying a bleeding body. The noises they made at their arrival caused the healer who stayed to check over Wei Wuxian to look up sharply ready to scold who ever made so much noise, but at the sight in front of her eyes she called her fellow healers for help.

The infirmary room wasn't that huge, and now there were five people inside. One of them was bleeding nonstop, and another a frightened teenager in the middle of three chaotic healers. The spiders came in with no words and left in the same manner. Wei Ying headed to leave too, to give the healers room to heal the heavily injured person, and he was nearly at the door when he froze in utter shock hearing one of the healers scream in surprise, "That's the Young Master Jiang!"

Wei Ying felt his blood turn to ice, "What did you say!" Wei Wuxian spun around with wide terrified eyes. 

The healers ignored him however to focus on saving their patient's life. It was only when Wei Ying stepped as close as possible without getting in the way that he recognized the exquisite robes his didi had been wearing earlier that morning. The robes of deep lavender and mauve were now shredded beyond repair and soaked in blood. 

Jiang Cheng's handsome and delicate face was covered by his sweaty disheveled hair. Wei Wuxian watched with a tense expression as one of the healers gently pushed back his hair and cleared his face to check that Jiang Cheng was still breathing and had no other wounds on his head. Luckily there were none on his face, but what was usually a frown from anger or annoyance now showed terrible pain, distress, and agony, as his sharp cheekbones once a healthy flush, since Jiang Cheng was the most easily embarrassed person in the world, now appeared sickly pale instead of jade-like often worn by the Lan brothers.

“We need more gauze!” said one of the healers as they gently covered the penetrating wounds on his didi's back.

“The bleeding is not stopping!” added another in a panic and concern tone. Wei Wuxian felt as if he was in a nightmare as he watched his precious didi fight for his life.

 The chief healer turned to the second helper and senior assistant and asked calmly, “A-Ron, bring the needles”.

 Although there were three healers attending to Jiang Cheng, it seemed they were missing hands in their struggle to keep the Jiang heir alive. Wei Ying found the gauzes on a nearby table and passed them to the healer who had asked for them. Wei Ying was so close to his brother that he could identify how terrifying his injuries were.

Part of his once smoothed skin hung loose to the point where it jiggled as it bled profusely that once the healer cleaned an area and put the flapping piece of skin back in place, another healer appeared to seal the small veins with a strange sticky fluid. However, to Wei Ying, it seemed like his didi's blood kept gushing out from everywhere. 'And… that was…'  “Bone, yes”, replied a healer. Apparently, without realizing it, Wei Wuxian had spoken out loud. “I hope he has no damage to his lungs, as that would be problematic”.

Wei Ying didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Luckily, his Shijie arrived at that moment, and he decided to choose and cry instead. They both hugged tightly as they watched the healers fight to save Jiang Cheng's life. Wei Wuxian's A-Cheng, his beloved and always moody didi. 'Get up brother! Please, I promise I won't cry if you are only making fun of me for being a sentimental idiot!'  Wei Ying knew however that his brother was a lousy prankster, besides he would never be so cruel to leave Shijie and him alone, right?

When the healers told them to ask Jiang Fengmian for help, Wei Ying almost breathed a sigh of relief. The Head Disciple was ready to help in any way, but there was so much blood everywhere, and he did not want to lose a glimpse of his little brother. Yanli took him by the hand, encouraging him to let the healers do their job.

And so it seemed like only an instant he found himself in front of the sect leader and his savior while still holding Yanli's hand. There was sweat between their palms, but neither had loosened even a little grip on the other. Jiang Fengmian got up immediately when he saw them come in and worriedly asked “Are you all right A-Ying? Do you have pain anywhere?” While checking his wound. Wei Ying could only shake his head, and Jiang Yanli began to tell what happened to Jiang Cheng. Wei Ying had to hold back tears as he remembered the pitiful state of his didi.

Leader Jiang seemed to calm down after the explanation. Wei Ying guessed that was because he surely already had a plan to help his heir, surely everything would be fine. Surely Madam Yu had not been the one who injured her own son. 'But that's a big lie and you know it.'

Jiang Yanli ended her story by asking, begging her father to send for their best healers from Gusu Lan. But surely there was no need to beg. Jiang Fengmian was the kindest man he knew, and he always cared about the well-being of everyone under his care right?

“Hmm, my lady can be severe sometimes, but I'm sure Jiang Cheng will be fine, no need to bother another sect for it.” Jiang Fengmian calmly and passively replied with an indifferent tone.

He felt his sister tense beside him, but Wei Ying didn't understand how Uncle Fengmian, a-cheng's father, could react like this. Maybe he hadn't understood well when A-Li explained the situation to him, as he could not have dismissed the life of a child so easily. His own son.

“Jiang Cheng was disciplined with Zidian, not just any whip or even our discipline whip.” Jiang Fengmian returned to his desk calmly and attempted to reassure his protégé. “Some time ago, I agreed with my lady that she would take care of the discipline and training of the sect, so if she decided it was a pertinent punishment, I can not intervene”.

 Wei Ying then recalled all the rumors he had ignored, all the comments Madam Yu made bitterly spat about Fengmian favoring a street child over his own son and heir. “What if it was me?" Wei Wuxian asked with a thick lump in his throat, already dreading and knowing the answer.

Jiang Fengmian immediately hardened his expression, “You are not her son, she has no right to discipline you like this”, he decreed as if he was defending Wei Ying right's, showing finally to Wei Wuxian that to the sect leader he was a priority over everything and everyone else.

But I am only a disciple, and it would be your right to scold me.

But he is YOUR child, and it is YOUR responsibility to take care of him.

He felt the words stuck in his chest, unable to escape past his lips, and wonders if it was possible that the man he had admired so much, the one who had rescued and protected him, who sang lullabies to him when he had nightmares and told him sweet stories about his parents, was the same man who sat in front of him, so uncaring and ruthless with his own son. He wanted to scream, to hit something to make him understand. "I understand sect leader Jiang," Jiang Yanli clenched his hand, implying it was not the time to argue. 

"We will retreat now," said his sister, leaving a very puzzled Jiang Fengmian in his office. Wei Ying followed her, not comprehending how it was that she didn't defend her brother in the face of such injustice. It wouldn't be that she was the same as Jiang Fengmian? His sweet Shijie, who always patted him on the head when his pranks left him with bruises, and made her lotus soup when any of them were feeling down, surely she wouldn't let her brother die, right?

But Wei Ying was no longer sure of anything. After all, the man he admired the most had turned out to be a top-notch asshole, so it was also possible for his sister to suddenly become an unfeeling woman? Maybe he should secretly write to Lan Zhan, oh he hoped he wouldn't have to hide his intentions from Jiang Yanli, but if she didn't help Jiang Cheng then Wei Ying would find a way by himself.

"A-Xian," a voice interrupted his dark thoughts, "Pack your things and A-Cheng's. I will write to Zewu-jun and we will leave tonight if possible."

Wei Ying looked up in surprise. In front of him, his shijie had the most serious expression he had ever experienced from her. It was not the sweet girl who carried him on her back once, nor the sister who scolded gently but firmly. She was an heiress of the Jiang clan with all the blood of the fierce lady Yu, and Wei Ying scolded himself for presuming his A-Li would ever stop taking care of them.

"I will write to Lan Zhan too, maybe he will read the letter before Zewu-jun reads yours because he doesn't much correspondence,” Yanli gave a nod of understanding before turning to her room, probably to write such a letter and pack her own belongings. “Shijie, where will we go?" Yanli didn't turn, but only by hearing the voice of his shijie did Wei Ying feel stronger.

 “This is no longer a safe place for you, Gusu has better healers, but Qinghe is closer, we will go to the Unclean Realm” Wei Ying ducked his with agreement and ran to his room.

He had a letter to write.

Chapter Text

Lan Zhan was finishing copying some texts when a letter arrived. The Younges Lan knew who had sent the letter even before seeing the letter itself and the lotus print representative of Yumeng Jiang sect. At first receiving letters from the irresponsible and daring Wei Ying was annoying, much like his own presence was when he attended Cloud Recesses for a time, but it soon became pleasant to read the descriptions of his hometown, his training and his mischief. 

Lan Zhan did NOT rush to open the letter, he simply postponed his duties, as they didn´t need to be done until later tomorrow over, and it would also be rude to wait for an answer to the letter.

Lan Zhan

I hope you’re okey, I’m not so well.

I need your help. Jiang Cheng is wounded, and leader Jiang did not allow us to ask for help from other sects. You may think I’m exaggerating, but I really fear for my Shidi’s life.

Lan Zhan will you help me with this? I know you’re good with healing song,s and a healer said it would do a lot for Ah-cheng’s wounds.

Shijie and I are planning to leave for Qinghe, I hope we’ll be there by tomorrow

Wish us luck.

Lan Wanji rereads the contents of the letter, processing its contents as much as possible. To say he was surprised was a little bit of an uderstatement. That the letter was so short was also surprising, as Wei Ying’s shortest letters were at least two pages long and the longest ones up to six, and that only added urgency to the matter. But what worried him most was that Sect Leader Jiang didn’t want to ask for help. Was he too proud or simply downplaying the issue? Either way, the young man believed that although Wei Ying might be disrespectful and bold, he would not to play this type of joke when it involves his siblings. If Lady Jiang supported the idea of escaping, then things must be really bad.

Without wasting any more time, he took the letter and went to where his uncle and brother were sitting and discussing the classes to be given out next year. Lan Zhan was eager to get help for Young Master Jiang, although sometimes he thought that the young Lotus was stubborn and angry. He couldn’t say that he disliked him as Jiang Wanyin was responsible and interested in learning. Besides, an innocent life always had to be protected. Lan Wanji was sure that both his uncle and brother would accept in sending help. Lan Wangi knew his shifu had great affection for the young heir Jiang while he was his pupil at Gusu, and suspected his brother also had some favoritism for the young lotus.

When he arrived at hir uncle’s office, he found his two relatives in a conversation. Both men were surprised to see him there because they knew how strict Wanji could be with the schedule he had imposed on himself, and now he must be practicing Guqin.

His brother looked at him with concern, immediately noticing something was wrong as his uncle frowned, ready to scold him for finishing his lessons early “Shifu, please read this” said the younger nephew, before he could be questioned or reprimanded. Dubiously Lan Qiren took the letter that his nephew had given him, and his expression went utterly black with wrath as he read the contents. “Young Wei Wuxian is one of the most troublesome students I’ve ever had, it’s probably a joke”

“It’s not a joke” the firmness of such a statement surprised Lan Qiren but not so much Lan Xichen as he had already seen how emotional Wanji could be when it came to young Wei Ying. “Wei Ying would not joke like this about his brother.” The youngest of the three said.

 Lan Quiren nodded thoughtfully, his eyebrows furrowing as he passed the letter to Lan Xichen, who became very serious as he read the contents of the letter “Xichen, have you not received correspondence from Jiang-guniang?”

Lan Xichen slowly lowered the letter, and without wasting any time, he called in two disciples. One disciple is ordered by him to go and bring the chief healer, while sending the other disciple to pick up any mail from his office.

Lan Zhan thanked him with his eyes, but his uncle Qiren was not happy. Apparently he needed an explanation “Uncle, if it is as A-Zhan says, Young Master Wei would not joke about this type of matter, then it is imperative to send help as soon as possible. It is the right thing to do for more than one reason”

That seemed to reassure Lan Qiren who gave a nod before taking a sif of his lukewarm tea. “Brother, Qinghe?” the young Lan asked as he still did not understand this part of the letter

“  I am also concerned about that part A-Zhan, moving a seriously injured person is dangerous, but I know the Jiang-guniang and she is not someone who would act impulsively.”

The three Lans remained silent, contemplating the implications of what was said. Soon a young woman brought the correspondence, and Xichen hastened to open the only letter with a lotus seal equal to Lan Zhan´s own letter. The letter seemed longer than the one written by Wei Ying, and at the end Lan Xichen was pale and his eyes wide open with fear and concern

“Zidan” a shiver ran down Lan Wangji´s backside “How can this be?!” interrupted Qiren, but didn’t let anyone respond as he snatched the letter from Xichen’s hands

Lan Zhan frowned at the clan’s rules were being broken, but decided to leave the reprimand for his uncle for another time, and instead glanced questioningly towards Lan Xichen, but the elder Lan spoke before Xichen could “This is more serious than I thought” Lan Xichen gave a nod, recovering from the surprise. Lan Qiren passed the letter to Lan Wangi as he started giving directions “Since those two plan to leave the sect secretly, we must be careful not to reveal their fate, or cause a stir” The two Jades both gave a nog in agreement, thinking how they should act

Again Lan Qiren gave the directions before the two of them developed any plan “Lan Zhan you will go with the healer, you will play the songs Calm and Healing as much as possible to help young Jiang Wanyin”

“Ucle!” exclaimed Xichen, Lan Zhan looked at him with surprise at his indignant tone. He knew his older brother was better at some songs, since Lan Zhan was specializing in interrogation, but did not understand the intensity of his claim. Lan Zhan was still better than almost any disciple.

“Xichen”, said his uncle softly. “I know how you feel about Jiang Cheng’s condition, but your absence would be much more noticeable than Lan Zhan’s, I will allow your brother to go because politically it requires an influential member to go to show our support, plus he is the best in healing songs after you, but we still don’t know how it will all turn out and as I said, we must be discreet”  Lan Xichen  looked down defeated and rubbed his hands on his clothes, a nervous gesture he (used to) had since his childhood and only his family knew about

“Okay uncle, Lan Zhan, please take care of him”.

 Upon seeing his brother’s aching look, the understanding came suddenly to Lan Zhan. “Brother, I promise” Lan Xichen nodded resignedly. The brothers withdrew to quickly prepare what was to be required, while Lan Qiren explained everything to the healer.

Only an hour later,  the youngest Jade left for Qinghe with a firm promise to keep the younger Jiang alive, for Wei Ying, for his brother, for his uncle. He remembes the days when he studied quietly with the young man, who would ask ingenious but always respectfully questions and who would invite him for a walk before curfew or with whom he shared  exasperated looks by the nonsense of his companions. He also wanted to save him, to get to know him better, to be his friend.

End notes: This chapter is much shorter than the previous ones, and I think it doesn’t have as much angst as the past ones, but I wanted to show what happened in Gusu before continuing.

Chapter Text

Xiao Yun had just finished cleaning up the infirmary, still in shock that young master Jiang was still alive, as even a cultivator with a well-developed core could have perished from such injuries.

“Healer Fuqian, remind me why we can't go kick Madam Yu's ass?” Xiao Yun hadn't been in the Jiang sect for long, but she knew the two young masters and the young mistress. All three of them were all kind and responsible, although in their own way. All the disciples and regular staff that appreciated them were acting strange to her with what had happened, as only rumors circulated and not one indignant whisper ran through the corridors. In the end, no one seemed to want to raise their voice for the atrocity done against Young Master Jiang. BY HIS MOTHER NONETHELESS!

“Are you crazy?” exclaimed the man. Although he didn't seem very upset by her suggestion, he even ignored the disrespectful way in which she used the leader’s wife’s name. The young apprentice shrugged her shoulders 

“It's just that in Gusu…”  When she mentioned the other sect, the man fell silent without knowing what to say.

The expression of Jiang Fuqian, who was the head healer, softened as he responded with gentle care. “Each sect is managed differently, I'm sure something like this would not even have happened in Gusu.”

 Xiaoyun nodded emphatically, “But why don't we do anything? Why doesn't Sect Leader Jiang do anything if the young master is his son?”

 Jiang Fuqian stopped for a moment to organize some packages to think of a response. “The Sect Leader… well there are many rumors. I didn't want to believe them, but seeing how things have happened and turned out, maybe there is some truth to them.”

Xiaoyun was curious about the nature of such rumors, but she was learning to be more patient even if she didn't like the rumors, and least if they were about the people she respected. “And what about those rumors that have to do with people not saying or doing anything, Head Healer Qian?"

Jiang Fuqian gave her an annoyed look as he finished organizing a few more medical packages, and then sat down next to Young Master Jiang Cheng to replace the wet bandages on his back. “Since it was the young master's mother who hurt him, and his father didn't speak out a word of punishment, if you wish to make any claim against them, it would be up to the next family member to take the claim to the authorities. In this case, the young masters and the young mistress only have each other, since they have no uncles or close cousins, and their grandmother lives in another sect. The young lady Jiang would be the one who could complain to the authorities, but she is still considered a child, and the worst thing is that the authorities would have to ask for help from Jiang Fengmian himself.”

Young Master Jiang let out a pained whine as he felt the bandages on his back were removed, but he did not wake up or move. Xiao Yun was grateful that he was still unconscious, so he could escape some of the pain she knew without a doubt he must have been feeling.

“We are just simple disciples of the sect, cooks, gardeners, servants, and healers. We have no authority or power to protect our young masters or young mistress. We cannot challenge cultivators as powerful as Madam Yu or Sect Leader Jiang, at least not head-on.” Xiao Yun heard the frustration in her master's voice. He must have known the truth of these matters long before Young Master Jiang was even born. It was even likely that he was the one who welcomed him into this world.

“If anyone wanted to fight for Young Master Jiang, they would face Sect Leader Jiang's indifference or Madam Yu's wrath and end up either expelled from the sect or flogged.” The young woman clenched her fists in annoyance, everything her Master Fuqian spoke of made sense.

“But there must be some way?”

 “There is no one else, no other person of authority who can help. In theory, the first disciple could challenge Sect Leader Jiang, but Jiang Fengmian chose a boy who’s just learning how to use a sword. I don't know what the elders were thinking when they allowed it. The Jiang elders who could do something but won’t because most of them are too old or too scared of Madam Yu to face her alone. They also could not just care about the young master's health as long as they keep their own position.”

“Then we can't really do anything?” Xiao Yun asked indignantly.

 Jiang Fuqian looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “I didn't say that.”

It was at that moment that the elder siblings of the Young Master, Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian, entered the infirmary, each carrying a pair of large qiankun bags and wearing identical expressions of determination. "Healer Fuqian, is it possible to move Jiang Cheng onto a sword for flight?"

Jiang Fuqian had moved away from Jiang Wanyin’s side and handed over the packages he had been wrapping earlier to Xiao Yun. "A-Yun, I have to entrust Young Master Jiang's health to you. I and your shixiong’s will make some excuse for your absence, since you still have few duties in the sect. I don't think they will notice your absence. Xiao Yun gave a sharp nod and firmly took the packages that she supposed contained medicines and everything necessary for an emergency. Jiang Fuqian turned to Jiang Yanli. “I wish the young master would not be moved for several days, but I understand why you are doing this. I will talk to trusted people to cover for you. I am sure your parents will not notice anything wrong until tomorrow afternoon. My lady must know that Yumeng Jiang will always be supporting you.”

Jiang Yanli nodded gratefully.

Finally, he turned very seriously towards Wei Wuxian, “Young Master Wei.” The elder teen had not been able to stop seeing the grim image of the horrible wounds of his little brother with his own wide open eyes. Upon hearing his name, he was startled a little, but he paid careful attention to the head healer. “You will take Young Master Jiang Wanyin, and if at any time you feel his fever rise, you need to stop and allow Xiao Yun to give him medicine. If you feel the bandages are too soaked with blood, you should stop, and if you feel too tired to continue, then you must stop. Do you understand what I am saying to you?”

Wei Ying nodded quickly, only Madam Yu and Chief Healer Fuqian could make him listen to directions like that, albeit for very different reasons. The chief healers face softened a bit as he saw the apprehension on the teenagers before him. The three placed Jiang Cheng on Wei Ying's back. Then Young Master Wei carefully stood very straight and held his brother's legs tightly around his waist, but seemed to want to burst into tears after hearing the faint whines of pain his precious shidi let out when he was moved.

Xiao Yun made sure none of the packages were missing, and everything was clear outside so they could move. The sun was already setting in the sky when they finished getting everything ready for their escape. Jiang Fuqian stopped her before she climbed on her sword to give her final instructions. “When you reach Qinghe, they should lay the young master down on his stomach and put more ointment and change his bandages. Preferably one or two people should give him some Qi, but very gently, and they should check his meridians.” Xiao Yun already knew all that, and even if not, the head healer had told her at least three times while preparing Young Master Jiang to leave. Xiao Yun didn't mention it to her master, as she was too scared.

They had barely left the infirmary when a few disciples patrolling spotted them. Both groups looked at each other with wide eyes until one of the Jiang disciples made a signal of silence, as he indicated to his fellow disciples in whispers to guard the corridors, while he led Xiao Yun, Jiang Yanli, and Wei Wuxian out of Lotus Pier.

Finally, they reached a clear area. Jiang Yanli took off first, as she knew the way to Qinghe the best. She was followed by Wei Wuxian, who gave a thankful nod to the disciple who helped them flee without being caught. Finally, Xiao Yun rose from the ground and was the only one who saw the patrolling disciples leaning out to witness them leave. She was also the only one who heard the soft farewell of the head healer who had accompanied them. “Have a safe trip, Young Master Jiang, Yumeng Jiang will wait for your return.”

Chapter Text

In the same way, he had priorities in each of those responsibilities. For example, although it seemed his priority towards his brother was to demand he train more with his own saber, his priority was always to make his didi happy (generally supplying him with fans and painting materials would be enough) and lately making shure that the gossip he had been circulating wouldn´t explode in their faces (Although Nie Huaisang would deny being responsible for anything). With his own training, it was easier to define what he had to do. If he wanted to be stronger, he had trained his muscles. If he wanted to be faster, he would train his reflexes and muscles too. If he wanted control, well he was working on that, and he also trained his muscles more just in case.

It took several years of mistakes before he learned how to handle his many responsibilities. It also had taken a few ear pulling by his advisors, several fights with Nie Huaisang about his health until one day he collapsed and made his little brother cry from fright. It was then that he learned that the sect was important, but his first and main priority was his family, including his friends. That's why when he saw a letter in his pile of correspondences with the Jiang Sect symbol and the special paper that only his friend Jiang Yanli used, he didn't hesitate to take it and open it first.

Jiang Yanli had been a good childhood friend, as both were not only the elder siblings, but also the direct blood heirs of three of the four main sect’s. Along with Lan Xichen, the three of them often saw each other at discussion conferences. Nie Mingjue was never a kid who would accept a friendship just because his father encouraged him to or because it would be good for the sect. Thank the gods Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli were kind and sweet kids from the start and didn’t judge. This also made him so far to where he did not have to put up with the hassling embarrassments of his late father trying to get him to have friends. All three of them have been great friends since then.

Dear Nie Mingjue

I hope you and Nie Huaisang are in excellent health and faring well. You must excuse me for how impolite and without courtesy you will find with this letter, but I have little time to write.

A-Jue, something horrible has happened.

 Do you remember in our past letters, I mentioned to you my concerns about how Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian were worsening their behavior towards my brothers? Those fears have now come true. Zidan wounded A-Cheng in a terrible way. I don't know how many times he was hit by the spiritual weapon, but the healers here fear for his life. I’m afraid this is not a good place for him to recover, nor for A-Xian.

To make matters worse, Lider Jiang doesn't want to call in a Gusu Lan healer, you know they are the best with these kind of discipline wounds. I already sent a letter to Lan Xichen, although I don't think him will allow more healers to see my brother, even if an agreement for a healer to go is given. I'm sure that Yu Ziyuan next outburst will be even worse regardless of A-Cheng's state, and it can definitely end the life of one of my brothers.

A-Jue, I know you, and I know that you will welcome us with open arms. I will not wait for your answer, as we will be leaving Lotus Pier tonight after dinner and heading your way. I hope the three of us will arrive tomorrow before dawn. I only beg you to let us stay in secret until I can find a safe place or ensure the safety of my brothers in the Yunmeng Jiang sect.

Jiang Yanli

Nie Mingjue had barely read half the letter before he was already calling for two of his fastest disciples and shouting for Nie Huaisang to come out of the hiding place where he was surely reading everything but his correspondence.

His brother came hastily, probably expecting some type of scolding, but he must have seen something on his face and completely changed his attitude. Sometimes Nie Mingjue wonders if his brother realized how strong he was. Either way, he would need his brother to be level-headed, and have patience as he gives him orders to organize the healers. Nie Huaisang looked confused and scared when he told him that one of his friends was injured and on his way to Qinghe, he felt a little uneasy, but there was no time to explain further to his brother at that moment. Zidian was a dangerous spiritual weapon that could take down ten opponents in one hit. He didn't know the damage it could do if used repeatedly, let alone on a child's still growing body.

Nie Mingjue only hoped to find the Jiang siblings and their adoptive brother in time.

-----------

Qinghe was calm.

Well, there was a peaceful atmosphere, but it was calm as it could be for the Unclean Realm. Nie disciples trained underneath the scorching hot sun, while servants came and went busily with their duties. A certain Nie heir received juicy gossip from letters that he knew would one day come in handy. Yes, it was a good day until...

“Hueisang!” The fan and bird lover was startled out of his lazy daze when he heard his older brother's voice calling out for him. He attempted to hide the letters underneath nearby books, only to realize that he was surrounded by yellow books of dubious nature. 

“Oh where are those silly manuals when I need them?” he grumbled as he searched for something to hide the spring books from his older brother.

"Nie Huaisang, come here!" Nie Mingjue shouted again, and the young teen jumped up happy to avoid being scolded by the contents on his desk, although he wondered what he had done now to make his brother call him. He had finished his training that morning (after pretending to pass out), hadn't bothered anyone in the kitchen (the cooks had set aside a sweet ration especially for him), and was now just answering some mail that no one else could answer. (with more gossip) What could it be? Unless he had found out about his escapades two nights ago in the red light district (his hips were sorry, but he wasn't) “I'm coming Da’ge!”

The younger Nie found his brother giving hasty orders in one of the corridors, and he noticed how he was firmly holding his saber, and Nie Huaisang thought this would be the day of his death. Da’ge only called for him with Baxia in hand if he wanted to make him train until he actually passed out.

Nie Huaisang was about to invent an excuse that he had severe diarrhea to escape the training torture when he looked at his brother's face. Several people believed Nie Mingjue's face only showed two emotions, anger and fury, but Huaisang had learned to read his brother's facial expressions throughout the years. Small gestures since he was a baby, and currently his brother didn't look like he wanted to make him run twenty laps around the training ground, rather he was nervous and worried.

“What happened?” Nie Huaisang asked his mind already, imagining any possible and terrible news that would have put such an expression on his brother's face.

 “Jiang Yanli sent me a letter informing me that Zidian injured her brother. Be prepared to receive them and notify the healers that we have a critical patient coming through our halls.” Without waiting for an answer, Nie Mingjue turned around to call a few disciples to search for the Jiang siblings and their adoptive brother.

“Wait, Da’ge! Wei Wuxian is injured? Zidian is supposed to be Madam Yu's weapon, but..." Nie Huaisang knew of the rumors about how Sect Leader Jiang preferred his friend Wei Wuxian over his own son, and of the Violet Spider's hatred towards him, but he did not imagine that such an important person on the center of politics in the cultivation world would dear to do something like that to a kid of her own sect, no matter if the boy was adopted, 

“No.” Nie Mingjue responded without turning around.

 “What? But it's true, Madam Yu is the one who carries Zidian, but I don't think Sect Leader Jiang would allow her to do that to-”

“No” Nie Mingjue repeated cutting him off, and he refused to glance at him as if he feared his reaction. “Wei Wuxian is not hurt, but it was Jiang Cheng who was hit by Zidian.” Huaisang was stunned, and without understanding what he had said, or more likely in a completely state of disbelief, that his brother handed him Jiang Yanli's letter before he stepped onto his saber and left his little brother with his mouth open in total shock. Nie Huaisang, after reading the letter, would turn his fear into a rare explosion of fury.

“ARGH!”

BOOM!

One of the courtyard pillars had crumbled into pieces underneath Nie Huaisang’s raging fist.

---------

Nie Mingjue took off with his brother's furious shouting echoing in his ears, and he knew that Nie Huaisang had become good friends with Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin during his time at Cloud Recesses. Nie Huaisang had Nie blood, as much as he denied it, and the Nie could be very protective of those they considered family.

He did not stay to listen to the orders his didi gave, with all the authority of a Nie heir he rarely showed. Nie Mingjue took off, giving instructions to his two disciples to look for a small group of Jiang disciples, as they should not be far away since it was now dawn.

Yumeng Jiang was hardly behind, but Nie Mingjue knew that Jiang Yanli did not have much stamina to fly. Since they had secretly escaped, it was unlikely they would have companions to carry her or relieve young Wei Wuxian from holding onto the proud heir he carried on his sword. Or so he wanted to imagine the teen riding his brother's sword with a dissatisfied scowl, just as proud as ever, even when wounded. (he knew it was unlikely.)

Minutes passed, with neither him nor his two disciples finding a trace of the Jiang siblings in the sky. Nie Mingjue was worried because the sword flight should not take this long, even if they had left at midnight and were flying at ground level. They should have arrived a long time ago.

“There!” shouted one of his disciples as they pointed, and Nie Mingjue nearly felt his soul leave his body as he took in the four purple-clad figures. Two of them seemed to be lying on the ground, and Nie Mingjue urged Baxia  to go swiftly towards them.

Upon landing, Nie Mingjue realized the two people lying on the ground were Wei Wuxian, whose sister was changing a bandage on his arm. Nie Mingjue wondered briefly how he had been hurt, and how did he manage to carry his injured brother with a wound of his own. Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian did not take their eyes off of their wounded didi who was the other person lying on the ground and Nie Mingjue thought sadly it would be a while before he would see the prideful young Jiang heir of his memories.

With a reassuring look from his friend, Jiang Yanli let him know that she had everything under control with Wei Wuxian and that she was fine. Nie Mingjue walked over to the younger Jiang, who was lying on his side, while the other person in purple, a girl he didn't recognize, attempted to give him some medicine to drink. It seemed impossible, since Jiang Cheng was still unconscious, but kept stirring every little bit, forcing the female disciple who took care of him to rush to stop him so he would not fall on his wounds and cause further damage.

Nie Mingjue hurriedly placed an arm underneath Jiang Cheng's neck, and the young woman in purple, who must have been a trusted healer, took the opportunity to try to give the boy some medicinal tea to drink. However, Jiang Chen barely swallowed half of it, began to cough weakly, and tried to pull away. Nie Mingjue held him firmly by the shoulder, careful not to touch his bandaged back, which he noted with a tight lump in his throat, was becoming increasingly stained with blood.

The healer tried to give him some more medicine, while Nie Mingjue gently massaged Jiang Cheng's neck, encouraging him to swallow. When they finally emptied the entire bowl of medicine she had prepared for him, the healer seemed to lose all her strength at once, and she sat down with a heavy thud.

“The medicine will work for a short time, but we must find a good place for him to rest and at least two people to give him energy in a controlled way.” She ordered, before shrinking in on herself. 

Nie Mingjue looked at her with a raised eyebrow, “Do you think I'm here to criticize them? Or that my sect will not have enough quality care to serve them as important guests?”

 The young healer blushed intensely from embarrassment and began to stammer an apology. Nie Mingjue thought perhaps Nie Huaisang was right when he said he needed to control how much sarcasm he used when upset. This Jiang disciple and healer was not at fault for Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian being the worst parents in the world.

Before Nie Mingjue decided if he should interrupt and apologize, the healer seemed to regain her speech. “Nevermind! If you came here to help, you should have said so beforehand! Take the young master to a clean and shaded place. Young Master Wei and Young Mistress Yanli, and I will catch up with you.” The healer disappeared and began to give orders right and left to his disciples to help Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian.

They slowly placed Jiang Cheng on Nie Mingjue's back, so that the younger boy could rest all his weight on his chest. The healer made sure he was well secured, before moving away with a worried expression, as she seemed to have wanted to accompany them, but she was in no better condition than the other two, as she was also completely exhausted. “Take care to maintain a smooth but constant flow of Qi towards his central meridians. No intensity or small intervals with interruptions or the young master's cultivation could be affected forever.”

 Mingjue gave a serious nod that he understood, because if Zidian had affected the young heirs meridians then Jiang Cheng would not only prevent his golden core from healing his body, but also put himself at risk of a Qi deviation if not properly treated right away.

“You go first, Sect Leader Nie.” said one of his disciples who was in charge of helping Wei Wuxian who’s expression seemed to seriously contemplate yanking his brother off his back. “We will leave as soon as the young master and young mistress are ready to fly or walk, and we are not that far from the sect.”

Jiang Yanli gently touched Wei Wuxian's shoulder, but her gaze was even more penetrating than her brother's. “Take good care of my brother, A-Jue.” 

Nie Mingjue gave a nod understanding that Jiang Yanli was not currently his friend, but the heiress of one of the great sects, and more than anything, an older sister entrusting him with the life of her beloved younger brother.

“Don't worry, no harm will come to him while he is with me. I will fly fast and safe."

 The elder siblings gave a slight nod, and Nie Mingjue rose carefully from the ground.

On his back, Jiang Wanyin groaned softly with pain, but still remained unconscious. Nie Mingjue gently touched the sharp delicate cheekbone that wasn't leaning on his shoulder to check his fever. “Don't worry Xiao Lianhua, you're safe now.”

Nie Mingjue swiftly and carefully flew over the clouds with his precious cargo safely secured on his back. ‘I hope Nie Huaisang has everything ready, or I'll pull his ears and I won't let him go to the market for a whole month.’ he thought trying to cheer himself up a bit, but was unsuccessful, as his thoughts soon returned to a tangle of ideas. A tornado of negative feelings directed especially towards the two responsible for such an atrocity.

“Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, pray for your son, because if Jiang Wanyin dies, there will be no place in heaven or on earth where you can hide from Yanli or me. I swear on my honor.”

‘Go ahead Qinghe is waiting to return the karma back on you.

Chapter Text

The servants in the Unclean Realm and several younger disciples did not know where the young master Nie Huaisang, who loved to chat with them, write poetry and escape from training, had gone. In front of them, they only saw a man furious, because a loved one was hurt and in danger of dying. "Make sure the supplies in the infirmary are fully stocked.” It was his first order he give to some closer disciple, one of few who knew what Nie Huaisang was actually capable of. 

“We'll take care of it, Young Master Nie!”

 “Bring extra gauze pads too, and look for the senior healers and be ready before they arrive!” The other servants and Nie disciples recovered from the surprise of seeing their delicate young master punch down a solid stone column.

“Right away young master” They shouted in chorus as they all swiftly took off to complete his orders, giving a silent lament to the pillar that needed to be fixed the third time this year alone. ‘We have money, but not much like the Jin! We are not Caishen young masters!’ 

 Nie Huaisang did not stop giving orders and instructions, nor did he accept buts or whys. “You there! Prepare at least three guest rooms, no! Let there be at least five instead!"

“Understood Master Nie", responded another maid who rushed to fulfill his order as if the sect leader had given it.

 "My Lord, we still haven't found the head healer," one of his personal disciples informed him. He had barely blinked at his young master’s show of force, as he had spent his whole life caring for Nie Huaisang. This allowed him to know that the delicate and somewhat whiny so-called good-for-nothing was no more than a facade which hid a Nie with a brilliant mind and a will as strong as his ancestors.

“Where the hell is the head healer, Tiangyu?!” Nie Hueisang shouted in frustration, as his head healer usually went out to distract himself in the nearest town while he didn´t had patients, and he rarely had one since his elder brother only let disciples who were really injured, or in other words on the verge of death, go to the infirmary.

 “Young Master.” Someone tentatively called as they pulled his robe from behind, and Nie Huaisang jumped annoyed and slightly startled.

“What?” the young woman who called for his attention shrank a little as she timidly pointed to the sky where two figures were flying on swords quickly from the north.

 Nie Huaisang frowned deeply, because his Da’ge had headed southeast in a straight line towards Yunmeng Jiang, and these cultivators were coming from the other way, so it couldn't be his brother. For a moment, the painter thought it was one of his complaining neighboring sects, and told himself that if that was the case, he would kick them out of his sect himself. As the cultivators got closer, Nie Hueisang noticed their robes were not purple but pure white.

Nie Huaisang gave out a deep sigh of relief upon seeing two Lan cultivators arrive, and one of them was none other than Lan Wangji, who was not only famous for his ethereal appearance or steadfast and righteous character, but also a prodigy in playing the cultivational music of his sect. Particularly cultivational songs that helped deep healing caused by spiritual weapons and beings. Jiang Wanyin would need to hear them more than once, and for some reason Nie Huaisang was also thankful Lan Xichen was not chosen for this task, as the elder of the two brothers might be better at playing the healing songs. However, Nie Huaisang did not doubt that Jiang Cheng would easily distract him and not allow him to finish the song properly.

 Lan Wangji landed flawlessly and without a single piece of hair out of place, only to witness his companion who staggered as soon as he landed. The Gusu Lan sect was a little further away from Qinghe Nie than Yumeng Jiang, and Lan Wangji must have flown like crazy to arrive so early. It would explain his pale and exhausted companion, surely a healer judging by the backpack he carried on his back and his rather ordinary sword.

 “Jiang Wanyin and Wei Ying?” Lan Wangji bluntly inquired as he directly passed through the stone arch, ignoring greeting courtesies. 

Nie Huaisang was once again thankful that Lan Xichen was not in front of him with his calm smiles and diplomatic greetings, as they had neither the mood nor the head to play the host at the moment. "They have not arrived yet," he replied seriously, 

Lan Wangji frowned slightly, and Nie Huaisang knew he was worried and even as upset as he himself was about the situation that had occurred with the Jiang siblings and their adoptive brother. “I'll go look for them.” Lan Wangji announced, but the Nie Huaisang was swift to stop him.

“You can't!” The younger jade looked at him angrily, almost challenging him to let him go, but Huaisang only tightened his grip on his sleeve. “You don't understand, there isn't a trained healer here. The one who came with you is exhausted, and if you leave and they come from another place, we will waste time going to look for you too.” Lan Wanji pursed his lips in displeasure, but seemed to accept his logic. Of course, Nie Huaisang's logic was always impeccable, thank you very much. 

Minutes passed, and both young men looked like caged lions. Everything was ready, they had even found the head healer and had scolded him for not letting him know where he was or leaving another trained healer in his place.

 Nie Huaisang felt his heart pounding in his chest when a familiar black dot finally appeared in the sky, then lengthened and turned into a larger familiar figure of silvery-green, black, and gray. It was Nie Mingjue, and he seemed to be flying by himself. Lan Wangji wordlessly rose to catch up with two other disciples, while Nie Huaisang squatted on the ground. He regretted for the first time in his life that he didn't carry his silly saber to follow them.

 Luckily, it seemed his brother didn't stop or slow down when the other cultivators reached him, and Lan Wangji didn't get separated from the group either, so at least Wei Ying should be safe or his crush would have left to rescue him. Perhaps Nie Mingjue had returned for more cultivators to help search? Perhaps they had found the siblings, but were exhausted from flying and needed more support cultivators? Maybe they were captured by bandits or monsters? Maybe…? Oh how did he hate not knowing what was going on around him!

 The group soon landed still surrounding his brother from behind, where something purple jerked roughly. “It hurts.” He heard someone whisper, and then he understood his dear friend, the young man with whom he had laughed and joked for months with, and one whom he secretly admired for being so strong and proud. One who also caused him to feel a lot of tenderness for his friend, who was unable to express his feelings and got easily embarrassed. It scared and infuriated him to see how his friend had been broken to such an extent that he was so vulnerable underneath the eyes of many strangers.

Nie Huaisang rushed over to his injured friend, thinking maybe it would be a good idea to cover him up to save him the embarrassment once he recovered. ‘Of course there was nothing wrong with showing pain, but surely Jiang Wanyin wouldn't see it like that.’ A single glance at his back covered in nothing but bloody bandages that barely covered all the wounds made him cling to his cloak that he was untying, as he realized that wounds like this shouldn't be touched by anyone except qualified healers. Swallowing down another frustrated and angry scream, he headed towards the infirmary, followed by his brother and a few of their Nie disciples, who were not actually surrounding his brother, he thought bitterly, but Jiang Cheng as they passed energy to him.

Nie Mingjue deposited the younger teen on the infirmary bed with a gentle care that not even his little brother would have imagined possible. But still, Jiang Cheng whimpered as if he was being tortured, as his legs twitched like he was trying to escape the pain he felt. “It hurts.” Nie Huaisang heard his friend whimper it out softly, with his eyes closed tightly. Nie Huaisang watched his brother inhale sharply as his seafoam eyes glisten as he leaned down and gently brushed Jiang Wanyin’s hair away from his forehead, and whispered soothing words to him that he had once done for Nie Huaisang when he was a child awoken by nightmares.

 Jiang Cheng seemed to calm down a bit with Nie Mingjue by his side, and Nie Huaisang thought perhaps he should retreat to give the healers and Lan Wangji room to begin to heal. However, when the healers discovered his injuries, it didn't matter how loud Lan Wangji played his healing songs. The Yunmeng Jiang heir tossed and turned with all his might moaning and crying, begging his mother not to hurt him anymore. Nie Mingjue looked like a lost puppy, not knowing what to do to calm the young man who was delirious with pain. Nie Huaisang couldn't bear to stare at such a scene and advanced towards them, gently but firmly stopping his friend's shoulder so that she wouldn't move so much. His brother imitated him while he repeated in a broken voice. “You'll be fine, shhh shhh, you'll be fine.”

 When they finally finished treating his wounds, the healer who came with Lan Wangji lit an incense that seemed to calm Jiang Wanyin a bit. Everyone breathed a little easier when his screams and moans turned into a soft ragged cry, and his fighting movements turned into small jerks of lost strength. Nie Huaisang gently let go of his friend's arm, wondering if he should stay or go, since he didn't think there was enough space. Although he wanted to accompany his friend, he cared more that he recovered properly.

 A hand on his robe stopped him, and he was surprised to see that Jiang Cheng had opened his eyes and was clinging tightly to him. "No… don't..." His hoarse voice lost strength from his screams, and his vision clouded again, losing himself in delirium due to fever or pain. However, it was not necessary for Jiang Cheng to finish the sentence because Nie Huaisang understood.

 Jiang Cheng needed him, and he wasn't going to leave, as he took his trembling hand in his, knowing he wouldn't leave his friend’s side as long as Jiang Cheng needed him. Maybe he hadn't stopped him from being hurt in the past, but now he would, and he swore by his fans, by his sect and brother, that nothing would happen to him while he was in underneath his banners and roof.

Chapter Text

Lan Wangji’s hair flutters in the wind behind him as the accompanying healer struggles to keep pace with the second heir of the Gusu Lan sect. The honey-eyed man could almost hear the healer gasping for air, but he would not slow down while the life of a companion, a friend, was in danger. They would have time to recover when they’ve reached their destination.

Rule eight hundred and fifteen, cultivators will fly at a safe speed at all times. 

Lan Zhan was sure his uncle would be disappointed if he saw him flying in such a way, but he couldn't help but think of the letter he had received from Wei Ying and the concern it conveyed. Then his thoughts turned to the letter from Jiang-guniang. The letter his brother had been given seemed frantic and unclear in the face of a worried elder sister. If Madam Yu had hurt even her own bloodline, then maybe Wei Ying was also hurt, and maybe he should have arrived in Qinghe hours ago. What if Jiang Wanyin…

Rule nine hundred and thirty-one, you must not imagine future scenarios without all the facts in the present.

Finally, the Unclean Realm came into focus, and Lan Zhan forgot his pessimistic thoughts as he sped up his pace. He thought he heard a faint groan from the healer before he sped up. When he first landed on the ground, he made sure the healer was alright. As soon as he saw Nie Huaisang, he directly asked about the status of the two people he was most interested in at that time, regardless of whether they were both inheritors of important sects or that he himself was a guest. 

Barging in unannounced.

Rule forty-eight, you will not be impatient.

Rule three hundred and twenty-one, observe courtesy and etiquette at all times.

When Young Master Huaisang told him that neither the Jiang siblings nor Wei Ying had arrived yet, all the worst scenarios he tried so hard to erase from his mind resurfaced. Fortunately, Nie Huaisang managed to hold him back with a strength that Lan Zhan admired, and briefly wondered if his young companion hid more surprises behind his dandy and lazy-like demeanor.

However, despite the logic in Nie Huaisang's arguments for them to wait on the ground, Lan Zhan couldn't help but worry and wish he could nervously pace the stone halls like Nie Huaisang did.

Rule ninety-one, decorum will be-

‘To hell with the rules,’ his brain thought in a voice terribly similar to Wei Ying's, as it cut off his inner chanting of the rules. Thinking about his afternoons with the rambunctious young man led him to remember other times in the library, when his private readings coincided with another young man from Lotus Pier, a much quieter one. If he did make comments, they were surprisingly sincere, but to the point. 

‘It was like if there was no room in your mind for trifles, and that the rules should serve to guide you, not suffocate you. It is useless for me to have decorum in a fight for my life, nor could I be patient if my siblings are in danger of dying, it is unnatural.’

Lan Zhan had not agreed with the Lotus Pier heir then, and he even felt annoyance with the younger teen, thinking he was disrespecting the principles of his sect, just like Wei Ying had. However, now he had a better understanding of what he meant. Jiang Wanyin, in the end, was a human being, implying that whether it was fear, love, hate or joy, no rule would or could make those emotions disappear, and sometimes it was impossible to keep them contained inside.

"They've arrived!" a Nie cultivator exclaimed, looking up at the sky where a person in green was approaching. Lan Zhan wasted no time and swiftly went to help. It was sect leader Nie Mingjue who was flying with a complicated expression on his face, turning back often. For a brief moment, Lan Wangji thought he was being chased, but soon realized he was actually carrying someone on his back, more specifically Jiang Wanyin. "And the others?" He asked without taking his eyes off the wounded man, trying to analyze his wounds hidden underneath the bloody bandages. 

"Safe," Nie Mingjue curtly responded, his eye full of concern, anger, and even an edge of helplessness.

Lan Wangji felt his heart calm, knowing that Wei Ying was not in danger, so he concentrated on helping Jiang Wanyin while they flew. Lan Zhan was not a particular expert when it came to wounds of such magnitude, but he knew that in cases like this, when they put the patient's life at risk, every minute they breathed counted. Seeing the sheen of sweat and the sickly hue covering the normally healthy tawny skin of Jiang Wanyin, and how he struggled to breathe for a semblance of air, had Lan Wangji wishing he had arrived earlier. That he had brought more healers.

Lan Zhan recalls the times when they were studying together at Cloud Recesses, and asked if the younger teen was alright after the short visit from his father, who barely spoke with him. Lan Wangji regrets not speaking or offering Jiang Wanyin to stay a little longer in the safety of Cloud Recesses when he witnessed him jumping in fright (for the fourth time) when an adult called him by his full name.

Rule thirteen, you will not get lost in the past and-

‘Enough! There is no time to utter the rules!’ he mentally ordered to himself as he rushed to give Jiang Wanyin spiritual energy in hopes it will help his golden core heal faster. Lan Wangji was stunned to find however that almost all of his meridians blocked.

“Don't give him too much energy, and when you do only a little and very gently.” Nie Mingjue warned the other cultivators that they had just caught up with them, and they followed his order without hesitation. They soon found themselves descending, careful not to further damage the wounded teen.

Apparently, the spiritual energy they had managed to give Jiang Wanyin was successfully accepted and would help him heal. As they touched the ground, Nie Huaisang quickly led them towards the infirmary with a worried expression. He didn't need to see the older Nie brother to know that he had a terrifying expression on his face as anyone who saw them pass jumped away.

When they finally laid Jiang Wanyin face down on the cot and discovered his wounds, Lan Zhan had to take a deep breath and restrain himself from flying away to Lotus Pier and demanding a duel against Madam Yu and the Jiang Sect Leader.

Throughout his life, Lan Zhan had seen many disciplinary wounds and helped heal some of the disciples who ended up with the worst punishments, but this, this was pure torture. These were wounds made with pure malice and hatred that showed the savage and cruel nature of whoever created them. The fact that it was his mother who had brandished the weapon, and that his father ignored the matter and even refused to seek help, was incomprehensible to Lan Wangji, who grew up with his brother and uncle’s love. Lan Wangji also knew his mother had always loved him, and even though he hardly saw his father, he knew that when he needed help as a child, he intervened through notes or letters from his seclusion. What had been done to Jiang Wanyin was not only against all the rules he had been taught in his sect, but also unnatural, cruel, and heartbreaking.

A tortured and pain filled groan from Jiang Wanyin made him forget any rule or concept of justice, as he returned his sole focus to helping the injured teen heal. Lan Wangji discovered there were more wounds than he thought. Wounds covered every part of Jiang Wanyin’s back and seemed lacerated, inflamed, and there were even parts of his skin that looked white because they were completely torn off and had no blood flow to prevent them from rotting. The accompanying healer ignored his patient's groans and began to firmly remove those pieces of skin to the dismay of all the Nie healers.

"What are you doing?" Lan Zhan assumed to be an "experienced" healer from the Nie sect asked with annoyance. "That skin can be rejoined and used as graft to help Young Master Jiang heal better." 

Lan Zhan knew that would be true for any other wound, even for wounds made with normal whips, but it was not the case for the wounded skin caused by spiritual weapons, so the healer Lan explained calmly to their fellow healer. “This skin is nearly rotten due to the lack of oxygen and blood flow given to it. Zidian's spiritual energy will prevent this part of the wounded skin from being useful again, and will only serve to infect his other wounds faster.” The healer explained as he took the scalpel and began to remove all the critically damaged skin and muscle slightly detached from Jiang Wanyin’s back.

The Nie sect’s head healer seemed reluctant to follow the Lan healers orders, but he had to accept that Cloud Recesses had more experience in disciplinary wounds, and also to the fact that he couldn't waste time arguing when Young Master Jiang’s life nearly stood near the doors of Diyu. Lan Zhan thanked the Jade Emperor, as everyone in the infirmary seemed to accept his healer's words and came over to help hold the patient in place while they did the procedure.

Lan Zhan played healing songs to calm the soul and ease pain, with the hopes that Jiang Wanyin would continue to sleep throughout the surgery. A healer lit an incense to help ease some pain away, since they could not give him liquid anesthesia for uncertain reasons. The presence of the Nie brothers also seemed to help calm down the distraught and in pain Jiang Cheng a bit. However, when the time came to clean his wounds and circulate his spiritual Qi to the most damaged areas, nothing could stop Jiang Wanyin from writhing and screaming at the top of his lungs as if he was fighting for his life. (In hindsight he probably was.)

“Stop! It hurts, a-niang! Please! Mercy, a-niang! Mercy!” Lan Zhan clenched his jaw as he concentrated on putting more spiritual energy into the soothing melody he was playing. Nie Hueisang and Nie Mingjue were holding Jiang Wanyin with the utmost care, so that he wouldn't move, as they spoke words of comfort and affection that the injured teen couldn't hear. "I'll be better......a-niang.." The healers seemed just as affected by the boy's words, but they didn't stop removing the torn and infected skin from his back, before cleaning and reapplying concentrated Qi energy. Every action of theirs elicited a moan or begging plea from Jiang Wanyin who’s voice grew weaker with each passing minute.

When the healers finally finished cleaning and treating all wounds on Jiang Cheng's back, the young teen had completely lost consciousness and laid limp like a straw doll on the infirmary bed. It seemed that before he passed out, Jiang Wanyin had managed to say a few words to Nie Huaisang, and Lan Zhan hoped they weren't the last wishes of a dying boy. While the healers were busy bandaging the wounds, Lan Zhan decided to focus on playing his guqin, but now favors melodies to help fully heal the body.

Over Jiang Wanyin’s head, the two Nie brothers seemed to have silent conversation through glances until Nie Mingjue turned away with a growl. “Take care of him!” he demanded, before leaving with a fierce determination in each of his steps. 

Nie Huaisang must have seen the puzzled question on their face (or maybe it was Healer Lan's face, he had been told several times he had a rather expressionless face) and explained his brother was leaving to find Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian, and then to the training area to blow off some steam. Lan Zhan gave a small nod, he also wished to break a few practice dummies with his sword, and absently wondered when Sect Leader Nie was finished with the training grounds if there would be anything left standing.

Despite the rhythmic of the healers moving around and the slow ragged breathing of Jiang Wanyin, peace reigned in the infirmary for a few more hours until Lan Wangji’s fingers slipped from exhaustion and caused a tangled cord to be heard, breaking the peace. Lan Wangji furrowed his eyebrows in displeasure as he glanced down at his hand as if it had personally offended him, and returned to continue playing the healing song again when a hand stopped him. Nie Huaisang looked at him with a serious expression. "I think you and Healer Lan should go and rest for a bit." Lan Zhan frowned, ready to protest, but was interrupted before he could. "Me and Master Healer Ru Tiangyu will take good care of him. Lan-gongzi, you should recover from the flight and from using your spiritual Qi. The healers  and I will take over in the next shift.” Lan Wangji still had some doubt if he should leave, despite the clear logic Nie Huaisang spoke. “Also, his siblings will soon arrive.”

Speak of the mogwai.

The doors of the infirmary burst open with a loud bang. “A-Cheng?!” exclaimed Jiang Yanli worriedly as she hurried over to her injured brother, without even noticing who else was in the room.

“Didi! Oh, Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying seemed to want to do the same as his sister, but he restrained himself to give Lan Wangji a grateful look first, to which he responded a slight nod of his head.

 “It is not necessary,” he responded as he gave Wei Ying a brief squeeze on his shoulder before he left the infirmary along with Lan healer.

Lan Zhan left the infirmary with Jiang Yanli's cries in his ears, and Wei Ying's lost look etched in his soul. He wanted to stay and comfort them, but he wasn't good with emotions or people in general. It was even less so if they were crying with emotional turmoil. He also knew that the siblings needed a moment alone. If he wanted to help Jiang Wanyin and Wei Ying, he had to rest.

A servant guided healer Lan and him to their rooms. Before closing the door, Lan Zhan could see out in the distance Sect Leader Nie fighting against unseen enemies as he threw furious thrusts and shouts of rage when knocking down a poor mannequin with each blow.

Ah, how he wanted to join him despite the exhaustion he was beginning to feel. Lan Zhan comforted himself by thinking that if he slept now, maybe when he woke up, he could see Wei Ying again and talk a little. He hadn't missed the fact that the other teen had a bandaged arm.

In the room he was given, there was no decoration at all. It only held a bed and a small tea table near a roaring fire. ‘Functional.’ Lan Wangji thought with satisfaction, and he barely noticed the firmness of the bed as he laid down.

Sleep immediately claimed him.

It only seemed like seconds had passed, since he closed his eyes when hurried steps and excited voices woke him up. ‘Maybe a few minutes instead?’ he thought as he stood and made his way to the door and opened it. Through his sleepy vision, he saw servants running from here to there carrying blankets and other things. Seeing the sun was about to set, he realized it had actually been several hours, and he felt guilty for sleeping so long, not just for breaking the rules (although ever since he landed, he was trying hard to remember that they weren't in Cloud Recesses and stop reciting every rule in his head), but also because he was worried he had neglected Jiang Wanyin's life.

Lan Zhan worriedly wondered if all the movement of personnel had something to do with the injured man's condition. He briefly stopped a disciple to ask him what was going on, and he shook his head with slight confusion. “I don't know, the Young Master Nie asked us to prepare all the rooms for available guests. I don't know more than that.” The Lan let him go after realizing he had no useful information, ignoring how the boy ran away in fear. He still did not know what was going on. ‘What if it was preparations for a burial?’ he thought scared as he took off down the hallway.

When he entered the infirmary, he let out a soft sigh of relief when he saw that Jiang Wanyin was alive, still unconscious but stable. A Nie healer watched over the injured teen with another girl dressed in Yunmeng purple. In one corner of the room, the Nie brothers, Jiang Yanli, and Wei Ying, were talking in hurried whispers. None of the four turned to see him as he quickly checked on Jiang Wanyin’s condition, ignoring the other two healers. After checking and satisfied his life was not in danger, he turned to address the group, arguing in louder and louder volumes. He did not want them to disturb the healing teen’s sleep.

Wei Ying was the first to notice his presence and approached to speak to him while the others continued talking. Lan Wangji had never seen such seriousness on the usually rambunctious and mischievous teen, and that includes the time they faced the water ghouls when they were students at Cloud Recesses. ‘Maybe Jiang Wanyin had gotten worse, but he didn't realize it, and the healers didn't want to tell him?’ “Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying called out, and it seemed like the black and red robed teen was wearing a half-smile with clear force on his youthful face. “Did you rest?” With Wei Ying asking about his sleep, he thought maybe the situation wasn't so serious?

“Hmm.” he replied softly, which brought out a slightly more sincere smile from Wei Ying. Lan Wangji was glad to see his face relax for a moment, although he didn't know what he had done to achieve that effect. “What is the matter?” he asked, giving a glance to the others who seemed to have finally noticed his arrival. Jiang Yanli was staring at him worried clear in her expression, while Nie Huaisang looked sulky. 

Wei Ying slumped his shoulders with a tired sigh. “We received a letter from Lotus Pier. Well, actually two letters, the first from Sect Leader Jiang, although I'm sure Madam Yu was there when he wrote it, because he wrote a few sentences that completely sounded like her, and the other is from the healer who helped us escape and-” Lan Zhan stopped the young man's verbiage. Wei Ying usually did these things to annoy him when he watched over his punishments in Cloud Recesses, but now he was doing so because he was nervous. He took his hand in his and squeezed it gently, showing his support.

The other seemed to understand his message and took a deep breath. “Lan Zhan, could you write to your uncle and brother?”

 Lan Wangji gave a nod without thinking, as he was sure his uncle and brother were dying of worry. The younger twin jade wanted to write to them as soon as he arrived in Qinghe, so now it was as good a time as any other. “What should I write?”

Wei Ying looked away, Lan Zhan thought he was embarrassed for some reason or afraid he would refuse to ask for help. However, when he looked at him again, he saw only sadness and anger in his silvery-gray eyes. “They're saying we kidnapped Jiang Cheng and stole Zidian.” Lan Wangji was stunned for a second without understanding what Wei Ying was saying and what it implied. “Lan Zhan, they want to declare a sect war.”

Chapter Text

Jiang Cheng slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw with his groggy and blur vision was soft green sheets. ‘Nie Huaisang, Unclean Realm.’ thought his brain lazily as he slowly collected some memories related to the color that covered him, but he dismisses the idea as soon as it arrived.

The young heir attempted to turn around to see where exactly he was. Perhaps he was near Lotus Pier in an inn, or even one of those houses on the outskirts of Yumeng Jiang. He reasoned this within his mind, as he vaguely remembered how his adoptive brother carried him hesitantly on his back, turning every two or three minutes to touch his forehead. Or maybe it was his a-jie who had spoken to him in those moments when he was half awake and half delusional? He didn't think his siblings cared about him to that point. Let alone cared enough to get him out of Lotus Pier to treat his injuries, so the idea of them flying to one of the other sects seemed impossible to Jiang Cheng.

The young teen tried to move harder, which caused him to let out a groan of ill-contained pain. It was then he felt how his back was on fire, and as if a whole horse had decided to sit on his ribs while a hundred iron nails were being driven in simultaneously. The Jiang heir flopped down on the bed as memories of what had happened a few hours ago (or maybe days?) flooded back. He knew he had gone to his mother, terrified and alone, hoping he could take the punishment for Wei Ying, who was his brother and only a child. To take his punishment, or at least halt his punishment, so that he could heal his arm, but he never thought something like this would happen. Jiang Wanyin knew his mother didn't like Wei Ying, sometimes he even suspected she loathed him. Yet, he was surprised by the intensity of hatred in her gaze when she used Zidian to rebuke him.

Holding back tears, he tried to move again, but this time being careful not to raise his head and only turning very slowly, avoiding using any of the small muscles in his back. Finally, he could see the room he was in, an infirmary full of stained glass windows, and in the background he managed to distinguish the logo of the Unclean Realm's Nie sect. ‘Ah, that idiot.’ Jiang Cheng thought between happiness and annoyance with his brother when he realized he had indeed carried him for miles on his sword. It was dangerous and tiring to fly alone from one sect to another, but his brother also carried him while having an injured arm. Wei Wuxian certainly represented the sect's motto perfectly.

Surely his siblings must have been worried sick to do something crazy like this, and he had no doubt they would be watching him closely. He lowered his gaze a little, and indeed at the foot of his bed was the biggest fool in the world, snoring on his arm and next to him a figure in lilac clothes. ‘Oh, jiejie.’ Seeing his sister asleep in a chair that did not appear comfortable, with dark circles under her eyes and messy hair, made his heart ache with love.

Jiang Cheng must have made some noise, because Jiang Yanli opened her eyes, and when she saw he was awake, it made her whole face lit up. “A-Cheng, you're awake.” She softly spoke, taking care that her other brother wouldn’t wake up. Jiang Cheng grunted in agreement, but smiled as she approached the bed, being careful not to touch the idiot Wei Wuxian who was drooling on his sheets.

The girl gently placed a hand on his forearm. “How are you?”

For a moment, Jiang Cheng wanted to answer as he always did, after receiving a scolding, a slap, or even a blow from his mother. After his punishment, he would go to the kitchen with his a-jie and tell her he was "fine", even though they both knew he wasn't. They would both wait for Wei Ying to join them for dinner, and ignore that the youngest of the siblings had new marks on his cheek or body from the unjust punishments given by Madam Yu. However, there were times when neither of his siblings would accept Jiang Cheng downplaying what had happened. ‘This will probably be one of those times.’ he thought softly.

“Don't worry Shijie, I'll live.” The brief squeeze to his forearm made him see that it hadn't been the best answer he could have given. Jiang Cheng was afraid to see tears in his sister's eyes, but he never knew how to comfort her besides patting her on the back, and right now even that wasn’t an option. So he decided to switch to the first topic that came to his mind to avoid a tearful disaster. “A-jie, why Qinghe?”

JIang Yanli stroked his hair with a tired smile. “You were going to need a good healer, and this was the closest great sect.” Jiang Cheng might have believed her if he hadn't known that in other villages or even in Yunmeng Jiang, there were several good healers, and most could be trusted.

When he thought a lot, his eyebrows tended to furrow into a deep frown (Wei Wuxian claimed it was more common for him to look constipated when thinking) but even that small movement hurt too much. So Jiang Cheng tried to relax his expression, though Jiang Yanli had detected her brothers dissatisfaction, so she explained a little more. “The Nie sect is strong and imposing. I don't think anyone will look for us here for a while, and I also know that Nie Mingjue would help us.” That explanation made more sense to Jiang Cheng, although he didn't want to think too much about his sister having to hide because of him, and less about those whom where hiding of.

Jiang Yanli took a cool damp cloth to wipe her brother's forehead, while putting on that innocent expression that Jiang Cheng had come to fear because it implied some mischief or a truly embarrassing comment. “I don’t think you have realized it, but Nie Mingjue was the one who carried you for the last bit of the journey.”

 Jiang Cheng felt his cheeks flush, even though his sister wiped a cold cloth right over his forehead at the time. The youngest of the three siblings looked at her annoyed, trying to hide his own embarrassment. “Sometimes I don't know if Wei Ying was a bad influence on you, or if it’s actually the other way around!” he exclaimed without much feeling.

"Perhaps a little of both," replied Jiang Yanli insolently, and Jiang Cheng refused to comment further, as sometimes his sister could be much worse than Wei Ying. It was better to keep quiet than dig his own grave, as she would show no mercy even if he was on his deathbed.

Jiang Yanli continued to gently clean his face, neck, and hands, making the wounded teen forget his injuries for a moment, as he relaxed more and more under her care. “Lan-gongzi is also here.” She commented as if she had no intention to say those words.

‘Good for him.’  Jiang Cheng thought curtly, ignoring the warm feeling in his chest, knowing that his former study partner was there for him, although he only managed to pronounce something like ‘mbjml’ to his sister, who giggled as if she had understood what he wanted to say anyways, as she kept gently massaging his head. "I think Lan Xichen will be coming here soon too."

Jiang Cheng did not know if the phrase was just his imagination of a hormonal teenager (and medicated, and feverish and in pain) or if his sister believed the heir to the Gusu Lan clan would make such a trip for him. In the end, he could only think vaguely, ‘I hope so, I want to see him soon.’ before exhaustion submerged him back into nothingness.

At first the darkness received him calmly, but soon nightmares assaulted him. In the darkness of his mind, he could hear his mother screaming in his ear how useless he was, how much she hated him, and he saw his father in the fog turning around, ignoring his cries for help. Being alone in complete nothingness, Jiang Cheng felt on his back a scorching heat that consumed him completely. Everything was pain, there is loud noise around him as if someone is crying desperately, but he cannot get up to ask them to stop or help him. He wants to run, he wants to hide, he wants everything to just stop.

Then he feels someone gently touching his cheek, and he hears worried whispers around him as someone else gently touches his back. They are warm hands that keep the burning away. In the distance, he hears a soft melody that soothes him, and he goes back to sleep. This time he doesn't dream of Zidian, and only the soft sound of the river with his brother's bright laughter and his sister's sweet words.

 Jiang Cheng rests easy for a long while.

The next time he awoke, it wasn't with a soft touch or a whisper against his ear, but an overly strong hand on his shoulder. Jiang Cheng groans, because even though they are not touching his wounds, everything hurts. The person's hand does not withdraw, but now they are covering his mouth, preventing him from letting out any type of noise. The adrenaline finally seems to react in his battered body as he opens his eyes, feeling scared. Jiang Cheng didn't know what to expect, in truth, but he couldn't have imagined his father, Jiang Fengmian, would be in front of him.

Maybe it was because he was very naive in his hope of being accepted and loved, or maybe it was the fever, but in his head he could only repeat in a squeaky voice. ‘Father is here, father came to visit me, father wants to see me.’ This was repeated over and over again, so it didn't seem strange to him that he picked him up without taking care of the pain that the movement caused him. Nor did he suspect something was wrong when he growled at him to be quiet after another pained groan escaped his mouth when he was pulled up. He just had to do what his father asked him to do, and he would stay by his side. Maybe he could read him a story, like he had seen him do when Wei Ying was sick.

When his father pulled him by the arm without looking back, Jiang Cheng could only follow him, biting his lips hard to keep from screaming in pain. “A-die, where are we going?” he asked hoarsely when they left the infirmary. The cold air in Qinghe might not be as icy as in Gusu, but Jiang Cheng still had a fever and shivered from the sudden change in temperature. 

Luckily, the coolness also cleared his mind a bit, so when his father just tightened his grip, urging him to shut up with a, “Don't speak, you'll alert your siblings.” was when the alarms finally went off inside of his head.

How pathetic was it that he only realized his own father kidnapped him when he said they should avoid seeing his siblings, not when he was being dragged half-dead out of bed? Jiang Cheng was so stunned by this new wound in his heart that he didn't feel the tears escaping from his eyes.

The pace at which his father walked was making him dizzy and nauseous, but he forced himself to quicken his stride, as he didn't want him to get mad anymore. Some part of him still hoped maybe he could still please his a-die in some way, and he would finally see it. Going down a step, he stumbled and fell, and could not get up again no matter how hard his father pulled on his arm. Annoyed, Jiang Fengmian leaned down and grabbed him from above, almost at armpit height, and lifted him up in one fell swoop. “As troublesome as your mother, now because of you, the sect is about to fall apart.”

Jiang Cheng felt something break inside himself, and he just let himself go like a rag doll. He could barely hear what his father said to him, and even less the path he took them.

 “To the outskirts of the sect-” Jiang Cheng barely tuned back in to his father’s rant. “Which was what you told the disciples, as they all now refuse to listen to me or your mother.” The man snapped, but his son didn't know what he was talking about, and even if he did, he didn't have the energy to answer. Jiang Fengmian grunted at his silence, apparently they had reached the place where they would take off as his father hit him, ignoring his cries of pain when his wounds collided with his fist.

The pressure in his chest that Jiang Cheng had started to feel since they left the infirmary was only getting bigger by the moment. Now, about to leave the safety of the Nie sect and the only two people who truly loved him, he couldn't breathe. Jiang Fengmian seemed to ignore his son's gaspings, and he placed the two of them on his sword and started to rise off the ground.

In a gasping terrified gaze, Jang Cheng could hear a commotion around him. He managed to distinguish voices and noises of drawn swords, but he didn't know if they were from a friend or foe, as the grip on his arm felt like an inevitable shackle. Jiang Cheng couldn't run away, because where he would he go? Running would mean being alone and lost. Maybe his father could love him if he kept quiet and endured a little longer.

Why was there so much noise?!

Suddenly he was out of his father's hands, and someone else was holding him with great care and speaking to him in a concerned tone. Jiang Cheng saw white and lapis-blue robes, warm golden eyes, and a somewhat sad smile. He wanted to say something to this person, because he didn't want him to be sad and worried. 

But before he could say anything he fainted and greeted the darkness once more.

Chapter Text

In Cloud Recesess, the day was strange, or rather full of unusual events. A few disciples gathered together to talk quietly about what they had seen from morning to evening. First, during the music classes, the young heir Lan Xichen, who was in charge of the class, was totally distracted. Not only did he miss many of the mistakes made by the disciples, but he himself made a few mistakes in some notes without realizing it. The disciples loved their young master and future leader very much, and were worried to see him so distracted.

On top of that, a few other disciples felt shivers run down their back from the things that happened in Grandmaster Lan’s class. Although Lan Qiren seemed to recite the rules and customs of the sect as he always did every morning, he seemed in a special mood that had everyone standing on edge with goosebumps. A young disciple was late for his class. He entered, half running and half stumbling. When he saw that Master Qiren was interrupted from his chair, the poor young man paled, preparing for his punishment, but the old man just told him to sit down and keep quiet. That day, he didn't scold anyone for their missing homework or send anyone to copy rules. The grandmaster even let them go a few minutes before the end of class. They wondered if the Grandmaster was sick, as they looked outside to see if the sun had risen from the west.

But the strangest thing of all had happened just a few minutes ago, when two elders of the Lan sect hurriedly left their daily meetings for the library. The other elders also seemed anxious, and some accompanied Lan Qiren into his study, while others shooed away the passing disciples with intimidating looks.

“What do you think has happened?” asked one of the younger disciples.

“Maybe someone got sick?” answered another, shrugging his shoulders.

“Yes, the second young master hasn't been out all day, and you know how he likes to show off and correct us all the time. So he wouldn't miss it even if he had a fever.” That comment earned him a smack on the head. 

They had taken the opportunity to break the rules a little, and so it gave the younger disciple free rein to his imagination, though most of the sect greatly admired their elders, including the second master, Lan Wangji.

“Silly, second young master went out at dawn to another sect.” growled the biggest disciple of the group. “Some influential person must need help, and they wanted to be discreet.”

The others thought for a few moments, relating everything they had heard through the strange events that occurred throughout the day. Then one of the livelier disciples remembered what he heard when he went shopping in Caiyi Town.

“I heard in town that something important was recently stolen from the Yunmeng Jiang sect, and some ladies discussed whether it was Zidian or if they had kidnapped one of the young heirs.”

The other disciples did not know whether to believe such ridiculous gossip, but they still leaned closer to hear the news. After all, they were teenagers, and breaking the rules was still exciting. The young man who repeated what he had casually heard was moved to be the center of attention. “It is not known what happened, but it is said Madam Yu is furious and has not left her room since it happened, and they also say Sect Leader Jiang sent out a general announcement that whoever was helping the thieves would be openly against the entire clan.”

The young disciples began to murmur among themselves, trying to make deductions as if they were faced with a mystery on a night hunt. “Heh! I heard something different!” another boy, anxious to become important in the conversation. “There are whispers about the clan's disciples revealing the true cruelty of the Sect Leader Jiang and his wife, to the point many have decided to leave the sect. There are rumors that some servants somehow managed to threaten the Violet Spider to seclude herself in her rooms.”

His companions, who had initially listened carefully to him, became skeptical. They believed that somewhat fanciful gossip like this was too far from reality. They were just about to scold the younger man about making up stories when the sound of doors being flung open startled them.

Without realizing it, the Lan disciples had been whispering near the Hanshi where first young master Lan seemed to be, and not in the library with the other elders. The young man in white and lapis-blue robes swiftly left the room with a stormy expression. The younger disciples had never seen such an expression on Lan Xichen’s face, and felt their hearts tremble with fear. However, the young master did not look at them even once, or it was more like he did not see anyone or anything as he hurried away to reach his destination. 

The disciples looked worried as they watched his fading back.

Lan Xichen did not care about what was happening around him while looking for his uncle, nor did he notice he had stepped on a couple of flowers or was about to knock down a poor disciple carrying a pile of scrolls. He did not mind crashing into Lan Qiren's study and for his uncle to send him a look full of reproach.

Only a few hours after his brother's departure did they receive a message from Yunmeng Jiang full of contradictions. It seemed that Sect Leader Jiang had written the letter with a messed up mind, and it began by blaming the young heir Jiang Cheng for an internal rebellion of the sect. Then he stated he was kidnapped and that whoever was hiding him would have them declare war on the sect to end the letter with a great treasure of Lady Yu’s stolen, and asked that if they knew anything, let him know immediately. Not only was it a totally inappropriate and even rude letter, its content was incongruous, and generally the other sects would not be interested in the internal problems that their comrades had. Except for the open threat of war, they might as well ignore the entire missive.

For that very reason, Lan Xichen had retired to his chambers to study the ancient policies on internal rebellions and political wars between two sects, while his uncle would speak with the elders. He had ordered he not be interrupted unless a letter arrived from Yunmeng Jiang or Qinghe Nie, and he had just received a letter from the Unclean Realm.

When Lan Xichen walked in like hell on high water, the elders seemed to be arguing heatedly, or at least as hot-headed as a Lan could afford to be. Several elders seemed to support their uncle, while two or three of the more conservative elders denied him. For his part, Lan Qiren seemed to want to pull at his hair, and when he saw his nephew interrupt the meeting, he wanted to pull him out by the ear.

For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, Lan Qiren had been interrupted by one of his nephews almost smashing a letter in his face. Just like when Lan Zhan handed over the letter written by young Wei Ying with a face full of concern, Lan Qiren did not comment on the impropriety of the whole thing and began to read, repeating the same expressions of surprise and anger as he read the letter Lan Xichen had given him. This time it was a letter written in the neat handwriting of his youngest nephew requesting his presence in Qinghe and…

"They know where he is” his terrified nephew whispered, and Lan Qiren looked up. The young heir looked as perfect as ever, but there was no trace of a smile on his face, and his eyes seemed about to shed tears of frustration. The old man clutched the letter tightly and turned to the elders, who still seemed reluctant to agree with his earlier arguments.

“The Qinghe Nie sect will stand firm in its decision, and so will I. We don't have all the details of the story, but we know that a horrendous and cruel act has been committed, and it's up to you if the Gusu Lan sect will be known for upholding justice or for staying cowardly behind.”

The elders seemed anxious at that comment, because while the cultivation world would take a dim view of what had happened, few would dare to do anything about it. So many elders thought it was a good idea to remain neutral. “Young First Master Lan Xichen and I will depart now, as our support is with the Young Master Jiang whatever his decision is." and his nephew seemed to want to hug him with deep emotion.

 Many of the elders who already supported their decision to disown the Jiang Sect leader and his wife gave a nod in satisfaction. Some gave them advice or bags of full of medicine, while the remaining eventually gave in to the pressure of the majority. Usually, they wouldn't let such influential figures as Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen decide based on their hearts, but the burning gazes of the two persuaded the stubborn elders to keep their mouths shut.

Uncle and nephew were ready to fly within minutes as others offered to go. However, since young Lan Zhan and one of their best healers had already gone, there was no need for so many other people to go and get in the way. Furthermore, neither Lan Xichen nor Lan Qiren wanted to give up their place to visit and support Jiang Wanyin.

Both cultivators rose quickly, although one was flying faster than the other. Lan Qiren stayed a little more behind, taking care to ensure his nephew did not stray from the path or do anything foolish in his haste to arrive quickly. The older man knew that they shouldn't spend all their spiritual energy on the sword flight if they wanted to be of use when they arrived. So with that thought in mind, he forced his nephew to slow down a bit, and from his expression Lan Qiren guessed he was considering breaking some of the rules.

 Lan Qiren was worried about his two nephews and their hearts, which had been given away at such a tender age. The uncle was even worried about that Wei Ying boy, who by being so stuck up and foolish might have done something while his

brother was injured. However, his heart ached for the state of his beloved student, who was so brilliant while he was under his care and tutelage. Lan Qiren always considered him a promising young man, and at the end of his stay, he also realized how kind he was with his fiercely loving heart and tender receptive mind. The Jiang heir was one of the most promising young people he had seen in his entire career as a teacher, and more than anything as a dear student of his.

With a deep troubled sigh, Lan Qiren thought the next generation brought him too many headaches, as one way or another he would end up with more gray hair than his older brother. That also included the fact that Cangse Sanren wasn't there to make fun of him.

---------

Since his didi’s departure, the young sect heir, Lan Xichen, had been more worried and anxious than ever in his life. Not even the day of his official naming ceremony and claiming his spiritual sword Shouyue had he made so many mistakes. He was mildly worried that the eyes of his disciples would pop out of their sockets every time they witnessed a mistake he had made.

Lan Xichen knew that the younger disciples were right to be confused and worried, as they had never heard or witnessed him make a single mistake playing any tune, let alone three in one class period. Nor had they witnessed him tripping over his own clothes, be late to a meeting, or mistake his room for the kitchens. Lan Xichen supposed that if there were spicy things and alcohol in his sect, he would have ate them until he died by intoxication.

But Lan Xichen guessed he was justified in making some mistakes, since his brother had not sent any news at dawn as he and his uncle expected, but instead received a somewhat confusing letter from the Jiang Sect Leader, who sounded desperate and angry. They hadn't decided to respond yet, waiting for more news. Lan Xichen feared the more time passed, the worse the outcome would be.

Then his brother's letter finally arrived after lunch, and Lan Xichen thanked the Jade Emperor that cultivation allowed them to send messages so quickly. He still wished the letter had been sent earlier when he read its contents. Lan Xichen felt his chest ache as he read the description of Jiang Wanyin's state. He clearly remembered how tenacious the young man was in all his practices while he was in Gusu, and how his eyes shined so brightly when he was told he had done well, or how kind he was to his disciples and his family in a somewhat rough and clumsy way. Lan Xichen's first impression of him was that he was a bright boy and sometimes too honest. But seeing him in class, his respectful and shy attitude surprised him, and that contradiction had fascinated him.

Lan Wangji, on the other hand, seemed to find him annoying, although his brother generally disliked people in general. Shortly after young Wei Wuxian left, he had seen his brother and young Jiang Wanyin talking calmly in the library, and was glad his didi had made a friend. So he wasn't surprised by Lan Wangji's indignant tone when writing the letter, as well as his concern for the boy's health.

The second part of the letter was written in a slightly different tone, as if LanWangji wanted to be more formal in writing it to ask for Heir Lan's advice and help, rather than his brother Lan Xichen's.

"Yunmeng Jiang is divided."

“The spiritual weapon Zidian is in possession of Jiang-guniang.”

"They already know where they are, they’ve threatened to come here."

"They demand he be returned, we don't know if they mean Jiang Wanyin or Zidian."

“The leader of Meishan Yu is on her way, I request the sect make its decision.”

Lan Xichen read with growing unease. The last sentence written by his brother, "Xiongzhang, please come soon." was what made him jump up and almost run in search of his uncle.

The man who had raised him might seem harsh and moody, but he was actually one of the kindest people he knew, and he wouldn't let someone hurt a child if he could help it. Lan Xichen also knew that his uncle liked Jiang Wanyin when he was his student at Cloud Recesses, and that it wasn't easy to earn his shifu’s approval, but young Jiang Wanyin had apparently achieved it from day one, along with his subtle affection. So it was no surprise that his uncle was almost as eager as he was to head out to Qinghe. 

Lan Xichen wanted to pull on his uncle's arm to make them fly faster, as he prayed to the heavens that Lan Wangji and the healers kept Jiang Wanyin safe and alive.

Little by little, the landscape changed, and finally after a few hours of flight as the sun went down, they found themselves in the rocky mountains of Qinghe. The Unclean Realm loomed large below them as the two Lan’s took out a black Jade token shaped with the head of an Ox, with the Nie sect seal etched on its forehead from within their robes. The jade ox was similar to the jade cloud tokens, which allowed visitors to pass through Gusu's invisible barrier. However, unlike it, Qinghe's barrier recognized the blood of the sect and their cultivation through using sabers, so the ox pieces had to be touched by the blood of a Nie who consciously wanted to give the person permission to enter freely. Lan Qiren's Ox jade was given to him by the former Sect Leader Nie and Lan Xichen's by the current, who was also his childhood friend.

The dark pieces shimmered as they passed through the barrier. Lan Xichen sped up his flying so that he could tower over the protection of the Nie sect, a high stone wall that protected the Nie sect since its inception. His uncle stopped him for the second time that day as he stared pensively at the wall. “Look at the lights and the flags, they are on high alert. It will be faster to enter through the main door.” His uncle explained very seriously. For some reason Lan Xichen understood he was as anxious as he was to reach his destination, and somehow that made his desperation all the more clearer.

Certainly, it would be much faster to go directly by land than to explain who they were while dodging arrows and spears in the middle of the night without moonlight to help them be identified by the Nie sect disciples.

The Nie´s shot first and asked questions later.

Lan Xichen descended impatient to be received, and the minutes passed, and both Lan’s found themselves a few meters from the large metal door without finding any type of guard stationed.

His uncle looked around worriedly, before suddenly turning off the path as he drew his sword as if he had heard a call for help. Lan Xichen swiftly followed him, straining his ears for any type of noise, but he didn't notice or hear anything unusual. Lan Qiren had always had a knack for finding trouble and troubled disciples. Suddenly he heard it too, a pained moan so soft it would have been easily lost in the wind, but a man's voice hushing him confirmed it wasn't some ghostly whisper.

They turned a corner and behind a mound of rocks, the Lan’s found the two silhouettes in the middle of the night, one that could barely seem to stand on his feet, and the other with a proud bearing that supported him carelessly. Lan Xichen watched as Jiang Fengmian cruelly pulled his own son up against him, drawing a cry of pain from the boy.

Lan Xichen didn't know when he had drawn his sword out, but Shouyue shone with a deadly brilliance like never before. "How dare you," Jiang Fengmian looked at him in complete surprise, without loosening his grip on the boy as he mounted his sword. "Let him go, now," Lan Xichen growled out, his golden eyes glowing with pure anger. His anger turned to fear when Jiang Cheng followed his dad, and it seemed the poor teen was unaware of what was happening around him. When they began to rise, he stumbled a bit. He watched them rise as he thought at a mile a minute of a way to snatch Jiang Wanyin from his grasp without him being hurt further in the progress.

He was just about to attack when a sword flew past him, aiming for Sect Leader Jiang's neck. The despicable man moved slightly with Jiang Wanyin, and the sword quickly changed course.

Lan Xichen was now sure he had never witnessed something so low. “You...!”

A shout at his side exceeded his own exclamation of disgust. “Coward!” It was his uncle who had an expression of anger never seen by his nephew, even when he expelled Wei Wuxian from his class. He spoke with such emotion. "Despicable excuse for a human being!" His uncle's sword returned to his hand as the elder approached his nephew and ordered "Catch him." He attacked again, this time he made his sword come from behind, forcing Sect Leader Jiang to drop Jiang Wanyin.

Jiang Cheng seemed to open his eyes for a moment when he felt his body fall, and Lan Xichen rushed to catch him before he hit the ground. However, no matter how hard he tried to cushion the blow, some tears escaped Jiang Wanyin’s eyes.

Lan Xichen tried to reassure the younger teen as he placed the boy's trembling arms around his neck as if hugging him, or maybe it was himself who was trembling. The future leader of the Lan sect heard Jiang Wanyin whisper something to him with a lost look, before letting his head fall into the crook of his neck. Lan Xichen carried him away, careful not to touch his wounded back, and gave a single glance at the battle raging a few meters behind him. His uncle might be a great scholar of the sect, but he had never neglected his cultivation and training. He was perfectly fine fighting the other man. "Take him away." Lan Qiren ordered him as if he read his thoughts, and being his obedient nephew, he didn't wait for more indications to leave.

Lan Xichen ran as if his life depended on it, which was not too far from the truth. In his arms, Jiang Cheng coughed a little, and the blood glistened on his white clothes. “A-die, sorry… die…die.” He moaned into his savior's neck, and the older teen could only coo softly while holding him. 

Finally, they found a few guards who looked at them with surprise, and Lan Xichen demanded they take him to the infirmary and call more guards to help his uncle. “Easy Xiao Lianhua.” He softly spoke when they finally reached the infirmary, and were quickly surrounded by people who rushed to check on the boy, asking what he had been through. ‘We won't let you go.’ Lan Xichen promised him from within his mind as he stared with a pain filled heart at the bleeding wounds on the younger teen’s back.

Chapter Text

The night air of the Unclean Realm had a certain charm compared to Lotus Pier, with its babbling river blended with the chorus of frogs and the occasional cicada, which encouraged many to continue activities even well past midnight. This has happened many times when her brothers escaped to swim in the moonlight. Meanwhile, in Qinghe, the silence was like a warm blanket that lulled you to sleep, as the walls protected you and attentive disciples of the sect.

Jiang Yanli was one of the few people who refused to give in to the sense of security that the night brought or the fatigue that weighed down on her body. So in the deserted area, the young lady found she thought deeply. She couldn't sleep with the memory of her didi crying uncontrollably after his wounds were cleaned again earlier in the afternoon. Jiang Yanli knew she didn't have a strong cultivation or wasn't charismatic and beautiful enough to get allies to protect them. Hell, she wasn't even a great believer, but for them, for her brothers, she would do whatever it takes.

Long ago, she heard about a certain unusual god. The god was not a warrior god or schoolar god, but he held the title of god of garbage. Despite the unattractive title of the god or the fact that his believers were few and humble, it was not the strangest thing said about him, because it was said he was always accompanied by another man, a demon king dressed in blood red. Prayers to demons were not well seen, and no matter how much that demon walked hand in hand with a gentle god, he was still a being of the shadows.

In the same way that Crown Prince Xie Lian listened attentively to humble and sincere requests, it was said the demon king would sometimes help with those prayers that asked for protection for a loved one. Because there was no greater pain than seeing the one you love the most suffer alone.

Jiang Yanli was not a believer, but if she were, she would surely not pray to a powerful warrior god, nor did she need the help of a learned god of studies. If Jiang Yanli were a believer, she would only pray to someone who would protect her family. Regardless of his title, regardless of the fact that he was a being from the underworld.

“Danxia, Crown Prince, I beg you to protect my brothers from all evil and that their souls are always safe.” Jiang Yanli closed her eyes and prayed fervently for the first time in her life, hoping that that lonely prayer would reach the merciful god. “And if the worst comes to pass, if someone wants to hurt them again. Hua Cheng, Crimson Rain Sought Flower, I beg you to help me. Just as you protected your beloved, I wish my brothers to be safe. Please help me protect them, lend me some of your strength and your fire.” She desperately prayed that those gods and demons existed, and hoped they had once felt the same desperation she felt now, so that when they looked down on her, when they heard her prayers, there was no way they would ignore her.

The weariness became heavier and heavier, and the young woman in lilac robes lost the thought process of her prayers. Her mind wandered back to her last moments in Lotus Pier, when the head healer had pledged his allegiance to them. She also remembers the two violet spiders that had come with the last rays of the sun to deliver Zidian to her. They said the weapon had refused its former owner Yu Ziyuan in the same way that she had lost their loyalty when she wounded her own blood. And more than anything, she remembers the promise she had made herself. She would be strong, as strong as her brothers needed.

Jiang Yanli didn't realize when she was lost in her dreams so deeply until a small pained moan woke her up. Her didi was regaining consciousness, and he was clearly in pain. In a second, she was at his side with a fresh cloth and some water. It seemed her brother was much more coherent than before, and even tried to minimize his injuries so she wouldn't worry. That almost makes her cry, as she hadn't cried since this nightmare started with her brother horribly injured. Jiang Cheng was always so worried about his older siblings that he forgot about himself.

To lighten the mood a bit, she hinted that both Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen had cared for him in a way that had nothing to do with politics. The jokes she made about Nie Mingjue and her comment about Lan Xichen made her little brother blush a pretty color, and the thought that such a grumpy looking boy was actually so shy made her smile as she watched Jiang Cheng go back to sleep.

Jiang Yanli wanted her brother to know that they weren't alone and that there were more people who cared for him besides his siblings. Being honest, it was hilarious to see the reactions of her didi, who normally only showed displeasure or annoyance, but at any mention of those two he became a nervous blushing and pouty wreck.

Jiang Cheng actually looked calmer now than a few hours ago, when even unconscious he had moaned in pain with fever dreams. While conscious, he seemed to know where he was, which also eased Jiang Yanli's worries a bit as she left the infirmary room hopeful and reminded herself to pray again at dawn.

In the middle of the night, there was little to do, but for her she did not doubt a second about her cooking skills. After all, cooking was always relaxing to her, and she knew that her dishes also brought a certain calmness to her brothers. The kitchen was her special place, as there she could shine, just as her brothers did as young cultivators.

A couple of hours later, Jiang Yanli returned with dinner ready. She knew it was past midnight, but she was sure Wei Ying would have no problem eating what she had prepared, and she was even sure that the smell of her food could wake him up and even cheer up her convalescent little brother for a while.

When she walked into the room, she realized Jiang Cheng was not in his bed. So with trembling hands, she sat down the dishes on a nearby table and went to the empty bed.

Jiang Cheng was not there or anywhere else in the room.

At first, she tried to calm herself down, thinking maybe her brother had gone to freshen up or one of the healers took him to another room. “A-Cheng?” Although she barely spoke above a whisper, something in her tone must have alerted Wei Ying, who woke up and stood immediately.

“What's wrong?” he asked concerned, searching around the room as if looking for danger, and when he notices the empty bed where Jiang Cheng should be, his face becomes serious. “Where is Jiang Cheng?”

Wei Ying began to search desperately, turning the bed upside down until the mattress was thrown on to the floor. Then he moved, searching underneath the tables, which led to him searching every corner of the room. However, Jiang Yanli knew he would not find anything and that it was useless to search. They had to do something, although she did not know what, as all she could hear in her head was a white static noise.

Wei Ying dropped some vial in his agitated search, and like a spell, the noise of something breaking startled her, but it was not enough to make her act until a powerful presence gently pushed inside of her and whispered. ‘Think.’ Somehow her disordered thoughts and sensations were controlled, and the fire inside her was not a forest fire running amok, but a volcano that would continue to accumulate heat and lava until she decided to release it. Jiang Yanli knew what to do.

“Enough Wei Ying.” Jiang Yanli was so focused that she didn't see the surprise on her brother's face when he heard her speak with such power. “Go get the guards and tell them to sound the alarm. They shouldn't be too far away.” Wei Ying nodded once and ran away without asking what she would do.

With sure steps, Jiang Yanli headed to the sect's family quarters, where Nie Mingjue hurried out of his bedroom upon hearing the alarm sound. Seeing her, his expression darkened. "What happened?" he asked gently, taking her by the shoulder. 

"He took him away." Jiang Yanli hadn't even thought about it when she spoke, but for some reason she had no doubts about what had happened. "Jiang Fengmian took him away. Took A-Cheng.” Sect Leader Nie's face turned stormy upon hearing her.

It seemed he was going to say something when an alarm bell interrupted them, and they had found something in one of the exit doors.

Together they went to where the bells rang. Almost reaching the gates, many hurried footsteps were heard coming from where the alarm sounded. With a horrible foreboding, Jiang Yanli stopped the elder Nie firmly. 

The group soon caught up with Jiang Cheng, and she didn't see how many people surrounded her brother. She didn't know who was carrying him, nor did she hear what the man next to her growled in anger. She could only see her brother leaning against a cultivator's chest, with a mess of bloody bandages gasping for breath. For a second, she could see tears falling from his closed eyes as he whispered softly ‘A-die’ before the group passed them and headed towards the infirmary.

In the same way that the world stopped when she saw his brother pass by, everything came back with greater intensity when she heard a guard's warning. “Sect Leader Jiang is trying to escape!”

The fire ran through her veins again, and Zidian came to life in her hands.

She didn't know if Nie Mingjue followed her or not, she didn't care. As she passed, cultivators hurriedly stepped aside and bowed, some in respect and some in fear. With purple lightning surrounding her and the promise of death in her gaze, no one knew where the kind young woman who was the eldest daughter of the Jiang sect went.

Sword strikes could be heard outside the walls. A few disciples watched, ready to intervene, but were too fearful to break up a fight between two great cultivators. Jiang Yanli had no problem directing the violet whip at that despicable man.

Jiang Fengmian flew away and crashed into a tree. The other white and lapis-blue clothed cultivator whom he had been fighting silently moved away, and Jiang Yanli didn't give him a thought. All her attention was on his opponent. Sprawled on the ground without dignity, Jiang Fengmian glanced at her surprised. The sect leader’s purple clothes were dirty and he had some cuts. Jiang Yanli thought that even if he had been dressed in the best clothes and jewelry, he would still be the most pathetic being in the world.

"My nu’er, this father of yours…" a cut on his cheek made him shut up quickly. 

"How dare you call yourself father? How dare you touch my brother?” The man underneath her feet gulped and backed away slowly, finally realizing he wouldn't find help from her.

“My dear, I assure you that Jiang Cheng.” The swords collided again, and this time father and daughter faced each other in a quick succession of blows. Jiang Yanli knew she was no match for Jiang Fengmian even if he was injured, so she had to finish it quickly. For the second time that day, Zidian whipped Sect Leader Jiang. 

The whip wrapped around him, before slamming him against the stone wall. “Don't you dare!” With that blow, Sect Leader Jiang lost his grip on his sword and looked at her fearfully.

With a pull, she forced Zidian to tug at the man’s feet until he fell before her. “You don't deserve them!” She spat with such fury that she didn't know when she had pressed her sword to the neck of that filthy being once her father, as a few drops of blood trickled down his throat. 

A firm hand rested on her shoulder, stopping her from pressing the blade further. Jiang Yanli didn't even blink. “He doesn't deserve them, he's not worthy of them or you, nor of you dirtying your hands with his blood.”

Lan Qiren spoke with suppressed anger, but his grip was gentle, inviting her to move the edge of her sword away. Jiang Yanli looked once more at those cowardly eyes that avoided her gaze. "You're right, Grandmaster Lan." Zidian retracted back into ring form, and then four Nie cultivators held the discarded Sect Leader Jiang in their grip. “If you get close to either of them again, if you look at them again, you’re going to regret it.” Jiang Yanli didn't know what Jiang Fengmian saw in her eyes to make him take a step back, but he seemed to believe her and her threats.

 Before turning around to leave, she gave one last glance at Nie Mingjue, who gave a nod without saying a word, he would take care of everything.

"I need a healer," she heard her former father moan behind her.

Jiang Yanli did not know which disciple had hit him to silence him, and from the way she heard it seemed more than one. She had to remember to ask who had done it as she went to prepare a special soup for them.

Chapter Text

Darkness was all that existed, that was his world, a  darkness  so peaceful that Jiang Cheng was barely aware of himself, floating in the deep blackness of nothingness. Just as if he was being lulled to sleep, he was slowly losing himself, forgetting that there was ever anything else outside of the void of darkness.

There was no sadness, no anger, no reason to grieve if you had no memories of a past. But there was also no laughter, no affection, no love, no joy. Jiang Cheng just flowed and everything seemed perfect as it was. 

Until he felt a disturbance. 

Voices coming from everywhere, sometimes whispering, sometimes crying and sobbing like little ripples disturbing a peaceful lake, they became more and more difficult to ignore. First they were like wind on sand and gradually they gathered strength, turning into leaves rolling on cobblestone ground, and there was something about them that touched a strange feeling inside him, and Jiang Cheng wanted to hear them clearly, wanted to tell them to be quiet, wanted to embrace that warm feeling and at the same time turn away and drift back into the quiet nothingness in which he had been floating.

There was no light to guide him and no landmark to move by, but those whispers seemed to gain strength, almost as if they were pulling him to the surface. Pleading for him not to be lost in the void.

The voices were soon taking on an identity, they were people he used to know well, among them his sister and brother were pumping him constantly

"Chengcheng when you wake up we'll go play, just the three of us."

"A-cheng I made your favorite food"

"Little brother, we're all waiting for you"

Jiang Cheng could almost see the worried faces of those people, Yanli as beautiful as ever but with tears in her eyes and Wei Ying totally disheveled, anxious with a tearful and guilty look. He felt a surge of affection so intense that it made him aware of his body once again, and he realized that everything hurt, but especially his chest was aching, where there was a pressure that would not disappear. Now he was no longer a shapeless mass floating in the nothingness. He was Jiang Cheng, brother of Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian why could it be that he had forgotten them?

"Meimei, come on everything is too boring if I can't make you sulk like a kitten"- Wei Ying said and he felt someone jumped on top of him to hug him, he didn't hear what happened next but surely someone pulled the idiot off him. Ah, that brought a feeling that was familiar to him, affection tinged with some kind of irritation at his shixiong's clowning around.

"Didi, your suitors are waiting for you, don't keep them waiting too long"-although his older sister's voice sounded as sweet as a lullaby, as full of affection as ever, Jiang Cheng could make out a certain teasing air in her words, she was prodding him to be embarrassed as always when they talked about love affairs, to wake him up so that he would shut her up. He could feel his body more and more, right down to his fingertips. He wanted to open his eyes to tell them to shut up at once! Why were they saying such shameful things! 
They were both foolish fools who were wearing out his patience (Yanli taught his best tricks to Wei Ying after all), now Jiang Cheng could remember them, because he loved them with all his heart and because they made him equally desperate. Those were not the only voices he managed to recognize. Jiang Cheng distinguished the gentle hand of a certain scholar clearing his forehead. 

"Cheng-xiong I miss you, let's go drink when you wake up...don't take too long, Dage has been grumpy since you got hurt" Yep, Hueisang was a fool too, but he was also a good friend.

 And to his surprise there was also the voice of a certain old woman he barely remembered from his early childhood
"Little boy you must not be afraid to wake up, your grandmother is here to take care of you and your siblings" That Yu grandmother he only saw a couple of times as a child but who hugged him more times than his mother and father combined, who taught him instead of scolding him, who comforted and defended him while he was in the Yu sect visiting, had come back just to take care of him.

He felt his chest grow warmer and lighter, hadn't realized how hard it was to breathe until a certain invisible weight was lifted from him. He was not alone.

But there were two voices that brought him back to the light more strongly than the others, pulled him again and again out of that darkness and reminded him of all he had to live for. One voice was deep and powerful, incessantly repeating "Xiao Lianhua*". The other voice, almost as deep, but with a gentle and sweet cadence was just as annoying repeating incessantly "Wanyin" in his ear. Sometimes these two voices spoke together, sometimes he felt his hand being held with the care one takes the petal of a flower, he even felt the unmistakable warmth of a chaste kiss on his bare forehead.

How impertinent! so shameless!

To his bad luck when he finally got enough strength to lift his eyelids it was during one of the embarrassing times when the two leaders were beside him whispering nonsense that made him want to vomit rainbows, and perhaps gave him butterflies in his stomach. The point was, he couldn't have picked a worse time to wake up.

He wasn't surprised that when he managed to open his eyes they were both staring at him intently, as if they were waiting for something, as if they had spent the last few hours in the same position. Jiang Cheng wondered if the fever affected his brain because he wasn't startled by Zewu-jun's piercing gaze and the affection that ChiFegn Zun's smile gave off, he actually found the concern on their faces tender, though he would never admit it out loud.
Both cultivators jumped to their feet when they noticed that he had opened his eyes.

"Wanyin! Welcome!"

" Xiao Lianhua, you are awake!"

Tsk how noisy.

But he didn't push them away as they each took one of his hands or caressed his increasingly red face.
The irritated exclamations they drew from the little lotus after a while of adoring drew everyone's attention. Soon Jiang Cheng was surrounded by crying teenagers and worried doctors. 

Whoever passed in front of the infirmary and saw so many people rushing in would think they were giving away hot bread and sweet cookies. The young man let them check on him, ask him how he was doing, settle him in bed at least 5 times, and gently cup his face. He seriously loved these people, but it was starting to get way too much. He allowed himself to watch everyone's faces before clearing his throat to ask them for water and giving a meaningful look to a Lan healer, who seemed quite sensible.

He didn't guess wrong as the lady soon pulled everyone out to talk to him alone, except Yanli and also allowed Wei Ying to stay under the promise to keep his voice low and not hug him as if he was trying to rip his guts out again. 

"First of all I would like to talk to you about the state of your body, from there we will see how you want to proceed with your treatment" said the healer once they were alone.  Yanli sat down beside him and gently took his hand while Wey Ying stood on the other side with his hand barely brushing his shoulder. Jiang Cheng would not have been able to hear the healer if they were not by his side.
Without the healer saying anything he already knew his condition was not good, he could feel his lungs struggling to expand, his back tugging and complaining at every movement, there were parts of his body aching that he never thought would hurt. And worst of all was his core, once healthy and lively it now seemed as fragile as glass, surrounded by bruised veins that could crack and be like projectiles towards his fragile center. 

But what made him break out in a dry sweat was not the prospect of what he would have to face to regain his cultivation and his body, but the memories. Since he woke up he remembered again and again his father ruthlessly taking him out of the infirmary without caring about his physical and mental health in order to recover the fragile power over a sect that had abandoned him, and the memories of Zidian on his skin, of the face deformed by the anger of his mother who unloaded her hatred for an unhappy marriage on his body, they made him feel sick. Both of them were on the verge of killing him, and he doubted they were pleased that he was still alive. 

"Now that we discussed the young master's condition, I must apologize" said the healer and to the young jiang's surprise, the lady bowed deeply showing her sincerity "No child should suffer what you experienced, it is the adults' responsibility to see to your safety and we have all failed to do so, I hope in the future you will not find yourselves as lonely again as you were these years" Jiang Cheng wanted to ask Lady Lan to stand up, it was no one's fault but his parents and himself for being a disappointment as a son. The lump in his throat was so big he felt himself crying and from Wey Ying's expression he felt the same way, but neither said anything and the healer remained bowed. "We accept your words, master healer, and we appreciate it" conceded Jiang Yanli with all the dignity of a sect leader.

That seemed to satisfy Lady Lan, she stood up and softened her gaze as she settled on Jiang Cheng "Young Master Jiang I must say your case is amazing, few adult cultivators would have survived more than a dozen Zidan lashes, you did it as just a child with a young core. I am absolutely certain that you will be able to make a full recovery, but you must be disciplined, for Zidian's wounds go beyond the body. You must teach your body to stand on its own, to walk and then to run, likewise you must cultivate the most basic exercises before you even think of swinging your sword again."

Jiang Cheng nodded only once, beside him his brothers remained silent, surely they had already heard this explanation. Still, he could feel the anger and frustration emanating from both of them.  "As for the matter of his safety and guardianship, his parents are forbidden to see him or speak to him, on pain of death" Jiang Cheng was the only one who was startled and the movement made him wince. The doctor paused and looked at him sympathetically ending the topic of his parents "You have several places to choose from where you will spend your recovery. Before I list them and tell you the advantages of each you should know that Gusu Lan, Qinghe and Meishan Yu will support you unconditionally, and personally, whatever you decide I will accompany you throughout your recovery. For now rest and regain strength, then we will begin your rehabilitation."

After that, the doctor quietly withdrew. Despite the long work ahead, young Jiang Cheng first needed to heal his soul before regaining a healthy body. There was no one better than his brothers to heal that great wound, and perhaps Yanli and Wei Ying could also heal their own wounds. None of the three brothers had escaped unscathed from the abuse and neglect for so many years in that family. The adults would have to live with it on their conscience. 

Finally alone, the brothers settled Jiang Cheng back into his green-sheeted bed, saw to it that he drank water and ate something light, he had been through too many emotions in a short time and had just awakened from a coma of several days. But as painful as it was they couldn't avoid talking about those who had hurt him so much, it was inevitable if they wanted their little brother to heal, just like cleaning a contaminated wound by removing dead skin and pus. 

"Tell me" Jiang Cheng hurried them after his brothers could find no more excuses to pap around him like mother hens. Wei Ying seemed to deflate as Yanli straightened up, mentally preparing to speak a painful truth. "Shortly after we arrived here, Leader Jiang declared war on those who would hide and help us." Jiang Cheng opened his mouth, ready to ask about the trouble the Nie and Lan would get into for helping them so openly, but Yanli was quick to calm him down knowing how guilty his little brother might feel if he thought anyone had suffered because of him "Before the Nie or Lan could declare any action all of Lotus Pier rioted and had him and Madam Yu interned." Jiang Cheng felt nausea rise in his throat, did his father really hate him that much? If he was willing to threaten war then it must be true "While we recover, the chief healer will be sect leader temporarily, Meishan Yu will act as sect protector and while Gusu and Qinghe volunteered as benefactors" Jiang Cheng was a little surprised by that decision, being a direct protector of a sect or its representative and supporter were very compromising positions, all three sects could be attacked politically for it.

But Jiang Cheng had not been there as the three leaders discussed who would have the pleasure of punishing Madam Yu and Jiang Fengmian, as well as the honor of hosting them while the youngest Jiang recovered, and then educating them. The memory of how  Lan Quiren and Grandma Yu almost grabbed each other by the hair to be the sect's protectors brought a smile to Yanli's face, but her expression was short-lived, she knew her little brother would be saddened by the following news, but she and Wei Ying had already overcome any filial feelings towards the scum who had conceived them and who bore them, they deserved no pity whatsoever. And they would take care that Jiang Cheng did not feel guilty about justice finally falling on those two he called parents.

"Jiang Fengmian was removed from his position as sect leader without honors, he will remain in confinement in Lotus Pier while the next heir takes the position, after that he will be expelled from the country to spend the rest of his days exiled as a servant to a distant island" Jiang Cheng closed his eyes, remembering those last moments in his father's arms, how he had coldly held him and how his touch had hurt him. He had spent so many years longing to be embraced by his father and when the man had finally come close it was only to stab him through the heart.}

He knew how slaves were treated, and he had heard horrible stories about slaves in faraway countries being treated like animals or less. This time he felt no remorse for Jiang Fengmian's fate, but he knew that there would always remain in his heart the wish that at least once his father had looked at him, embraced him and loved him.

"And ...a-ni...mother?" 

Yanli went over to tuck her brother in , gently pulled the blankets up to cover Jiang Cheng's neck, covering him from the cold, gently touched his forehead checking his fever, and sweetly removed the hair from his face as if to release the presence of such a woman from his mind. Yanli wished that Jiang Cheng, just like Wei Ying, would forget that Madam Yu should have been the woman who cared for them and loved them, who should have been a mother to them and instead was a monster wearing the face of a bitter woman. She did not deserve the title of mother and in Yanli's heart, she could never redeem herself, no matter how cruel the punishment that Grandma Yu put upon her might be

"Madam Yu was dismissed and her cultivation was blocked and sealed the moment the trial was over" Jiang Cheng felt short of breath and little by little the blood was leaving her face "The leaders of Gusu, Qinghe and Meishan took care of it, in a moment they will get to destroy her core completely but only after she survives the physical punishment they appointed for her, which will be applied according to Meishan Yu's laws. After her core is sealed she will be taken to the Yu sect as an outcast. Master Yu Lin, the interrogator of Meishan Yu, will be in charge of her punishment there" Yanli could see Jiang Cheng swallowing saliva, undecided on what he should feel knowing the dark future of his progenitors. 

To be excluded from the cultivation world and sent as a slave abroad was punishment enough and never heard of, but for the core of a top-tier cultivator to be totally destroyed after a torture specially designed for the worst kind of people, that was only heard of in the old discipline books, now disused because of their cruelty. Yanli would not be surprised if either of them tried to end their miserable lives before the punishment was carried out, especially the coward Jiang Fengmian, but none of the great leaders would allow them such an easy way out... actually Yanli hoped they would, so their punishment for trying to escape their sentence would be to be beheaded in front of the sect and have their bodies left in the forest for the beasts to eat, never to be venerated or remembered.

Jiang Cheng continued without saying anything. They were the people who gave him life, whom he should have honored and respected, but they should also have been the ones who cared for him, who should have guided and nurtured him, but instead he only received scornful looks, shouts, blows. The only maternal love he knew came from his older sister who also lost her childhood too soon. The only person who was always by his side while he was learning to write, while he was training was not his father but his older brother. It had been many years since his parents were no longer part of his family, he just hadn't wanted to accept it. 

But now he could say goodbye to them in his heart, because his little family of three was more than enough for Jiang Cheng, and he knew that there were more people willing to love him, to be his friends or family, to love him.

Even knowing the terrible things his parents had done he could not be happy about the fate that awaited them, he did not want to think about it. And that was the only thing he told his siblings. He wanted to sleep, he wanted his mother to hold him, he wanted his father to tuck him in. But only Wei Ying and Yanli stayed by his side until he fell asleep again, and that was all he needed.

Meanwhile in Yumeng Jiang a man was stripped of his leader's robes and taken as god brought him into the world to the first ship bound for Spain. Lotus pier refused to tolerate such scum a second longer, they didn't need him and the rest of the world would care little if the former leader in disgrace was present or not at the leader naming ceremony.

As for a certain woman with a stormy expression ... her former spiders did not wait a second after receiving the letter from their leader Madam Yu to seize the former lady of Lotus Pier, they had no mercy when they dragged her to the carriage that would take her to the sect she hated so much, nor did they hold back with their blows to shut her up when she spoke ill of the young Jiang masters, they had denied her as their mistress just as Zidan did when she was stained by the blood of Jiang Cheng. From that moment on, she was not worthy of any consideration, she would be humiliated until her pride was shattered and tears of regret covered her withered face.
 And perhaps those people who once should have been loving and understanding parents would come to understand the wrong they did, perhaps they would come to repent, but it would be too late to ask for forgiveness and death would claim them as its own to drown in sorrow until their next life.

As for Jiang Cheng, a morning full of choices awaited him in the safety of Qinghe, a future surrounded by people who would support and care for him. There would be days when the pain would be too much, that sadness would threaten to bring him down, but Jiang Cheng would always rise up. And one day the scars would begin to fade just as the bitter memories of his childhood to give way to a bright future, with his husband... or husbands? with his brothers and friends who would never let him cry or bleed again, for he was the most beloved lotus of YumengJiang.