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Jiang Cheng was angry. Screw that, he was absolutely livid. He was having the worst morning of his life. First, he had woken up in a cold bed bereft of his husband. Then, he had thrown up all over his robes, even though his morning sickness was supposed to have faded months ago. Next, his disciples had taken to following him around like a group of protective chickens, reaching out to steady him whenever he so much as took a step forward, while clucking on and on about some useless matter or another.
It was bad enough that he looked like a beached whale, but it grated on his nerves to be coddled like a child. He was Sandu Shengshou, for goodness sake! He could take care of himself, thank you very much. His protests about having this many disciples following him were largely ignored, and his husband simply smiled serenely whenever he brought the matter up.
Speaking of his husband…
“Where is Lan Xichen?” He growled, glaring at the nearest disciple. He stepped forward, trembling in every limb, and bowed.
“S-Sir! Sect Leader Lan…” Wang Haibin trailed off, looking around at his senior brothers and sisters for help. He was one of the younger senior disciples, and was the newest addition to the pack surrounding him. Jiang Cheng’s glare intensified when he looked over to see all of them avoiding his eyes.
“Fine! Since all of you are useless at telling me the whereabouts of my husband, I’ll find him myself!” He huffed, gathering his robes up and taking off in a run. Immediately, multiple sets of footsteps were heard as his disciples began to chase after him.
“Sect Leader Jiang!” Multiple scandalised shouts were heard throughout Lotus Pier as the disciples tried to chase after their misbehaving Sect Leader. Their chase brought them to Jiang Cheng’s office, from which he’d been banned after entering his seventh month of pregnancy. His husband had asked him to take a break until their twins were born, and in a moment of weakness, he had agreed.
Well, his husband wasn’t here to stop him now.
“Please don’t run, Sect Leader Jiang! Running is dangerous for the baby.” Wang Haibin stepped forward hesitantly, panting with every word. His body was tensed up, as if Jiang Cheng would attack him for daring to speak up against him. He had half a mind to do so, but decided against it because it wasn’t his priority at the moment.
His priority would be to find that stupid husband of his.
“Haibin. Come in with me. The rest of you, scram.” He said, trying to reach for the door before Wang Haibin politely opened it for him. Life was hard when one was pregnant, Jiang Cheng decided. For one, he had lost the muscular figure that he was so proud of. For another, he had just lost his husband as well!
“Sect Leader Jiang? How can I help you?” He bowed, holding Jiang Cheng steady as he sunk into his chair. Running really wasn’t as easy as it used to be. In fact, he probably waddled more than he ran. His disciples had probably let him reach his office first so that they could avoid another humiliation induced meltdown on his part.
“Since we’re alone now, you can’t look to your senior brothers and sisters for help.” Jiang Cheng rubbed his hands evilly, grinning when he heard Haibin gulp nervously. “Where. Is. Lan. Xi. Chen.” He enunciated, raising an unimpressed eyebrow when Haibin began to shiver.
“He received a letter from Gusu Lan this morning. It was apparently an extremely urgent matter, and Sect Leader Lan left almost immediately after reading it.” Haibin whispered, as if Jiang Cheng was going to eat him at first opportunity. How could Lan Xichen just leave him like that?! Surely, nothing could be more important than his pregnant husband, right?
“Alright. Pack my things. We’re going on a trip.” Jiang Cheng said, rising to his feet as Haibin instinctively helped him up. 3, 2, 1. Jiang Cheng smirked when his words finally got through the fog surrounding Haibin’s brain.
“S-Sir?! A trip? Where are we going?” Haibin asked, gaping at Jiang Cheng as he reached down to take Sandu from the rack he usually left it when he wasn’t using it. He frowned when he found dust on it, making a note to lecture his disciples about how to properly clean his office, and care for his sword.
He might as well make use of the help, since he was going to get it whether he liked it or not.
“We're paying a visit to Cloud Recesses, of course. Since my darling husband decided to leave me without saying goodbye, we'll just have to go see him to make sure that he didn't forget about us.” Jiang Cheng replied, petting his enormous belly. He watched as Haibin began to pale, slowly and then all at once.
“Sir?! I don't think that's safe. Sect Leader Lan wouldn't want you to do this!” Haibin exclaimed, hurrying after Jiang Cheng as he moved single-mindedly towards the gate of Lotus Pier. He smiled in glee when he found the hallways abandoned. At least his disciples still listened to his commands. Either that, or they trusted Haibin enough to think that he would be able to stop a rampaging Jiang Cheng.
“Well, he'll have to be here to stop me if he doesn't want me to do this.” Jiang Cheng spun around when they reached the gate. He huffed, glancing around as if his words would summon Lan Xichen into existence at his side.
They both paused, and Jiang Cheng grinned when Lan Xichen didn't appear. "See? We're leaving now. If you try and stop me, I'll leave without you." He threatened, before grinning victoriously when he saw the look of defeat in Haibin’s eyes.
Jiang Cheng threw Sandu onto the ground and hopped on, using one hand to support his back. He hadn’t flown for a while, and hadn’t anticipated how unbalanced he was on his precious sword. He had been spoiled, he realised. On the ground, his disciples were always around to steady and balance him. They couldn’t do that for him in the air. Haibin looked at him with concern in his eyes, but Jiang Cheng waved him off.
They reached Cloud Recesses in record time. It was a trip that was supposed to take three hours, and Jiang Cheng had expected that the journey would take even longer than that with his condition. Apparently, his desire to find his husband outweighed his body's ability to fly himself and his unborn child, so they were there in just under two and a half hours.
“Sir? Are you feeling alright?” Jiang Cheng had vomited into the nearest tree after landing. His stomach was still nauseous from his bout of morning sickness this morning, and his symptoms had worsened with the flight. Haibin gingerly held his hair out of the way as he gagged again, with nothing but air coming up.
“I’m fine. Let’s go in. I want to find Lan Xichen.” Jiang Cheng straightened up, his face black like thunder. Here he was, suffering from carrying Xichen’s child, while the man was inside enjoying himself in the comforts of his home. So what if no one from Gusu Lan knew that they were together? So what if he had stayed in Lotus Pier for the past year, so no one knew that he was pregnant? He was going to see Lan Xichen, by hook or by crook!
There was a disciple at the gate who bowed when he recognized Jiang Cheng. He nodded and made to enter, when a hand shot out to block him, causing him to stumble into Haibin.
“I’m sorry, Sect Leader Jiang. I cannot let you in without a jade pendant.”The disciple sounded apologetic, unabashedly staring at Jiang Cheng’s baby bump. Jiang Cheng snorted, righting himself and turning to Haibin with a raised eyebrow. He held his hand out for his jade token.
“S-Sir. I think we forgot to bring the jade token..” Haibin sounded horrified, after looking through his sleeves to find absolutely nothing in them. Jiang Cheng’s face started to fall, and he could feel tears coming to his eyes. He saw Haibin reaching for him, but he stepped away and turned towards the disciple with a look of resolve.
“Get Zewu-Jun for me right now. I want to speak to him.” Jiang Cheng practically growled. It didn’t achieve the effect he wanted, possibly because he looked like a waddling penguin rather than a fearsome Sect Leader. He intensified his glare, and the disciple started to look a little cowed. It had absolutely nothing to do with Haibin picking up his sword and raising it as a threat behind him.
“Zewu-Jun is busy with-” The disciple started, before he was interrupted by another boy that Jiang Cheng recognised as his brother’s son, Sizhui.
“Sect Leader Jiang!” Sizhui bowed. Jiang Cheng nodded with an increasing look of anxiety on his face. He wanted to see his husband, right here and right now! “Please follow me in, Sect Leader Jiang. It isn’t ideal for someone in your condition to stay standing out here.” Sizhui stepped forward to steady Jiang Cheng as they began to ascend the steps that lead into Cloud Recesses. Haibin followed behind, sniffing angrily at the disciple as they passed him.
“Please be careful, Sect Leader Jiang. The steps can be slippery in winter.” Sizhui warned, tightening his grip in case Jiang Cheng were to miss a step and fall. Jiang Cheng wouldn’t admit it, but he was grateful for the help that his brother’s brat was offering him.
“Are you not curious about my condition?” Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but ask. Sizhui had been nothing but polite, and hadn’t even glanced at Jiang Cheng’s enlarged tummy even once.
“Gossip is not allowed in Cloud Recesses.” Sizhui intoned seriously, before smiling. “Congratulations, Sect Leader Jiang. Will it be a boy or a girl?” He asked softly.
“I don’t know yet. I want it to be a surprise.” Jiang Cheng told him. The boy was sensible, he decided. His first question hadn’t been about his baby’s father, but rather about the baby. Sizhui had even congratulated him, something that no one outside of Lotus Pier had done yet.
Their amicable silence was broken when a smattering of footsteps was heard from in front of them.
Jiang Cheng watched in abject horror as Jin Ling and Jingyi ran down the hallway towards them. He didn’t know that his nephew was in Cloud Recesses, since he’d point blank refused to see him until he gave birth. He had half a mind to turn tail and run, but Haibin must’ve read his mind, because the man moved to stand behind him.
“Jiujiu! How could you?! Why didn’t you tell me that you’re pregnant?” Jin Ling screeched loudly.
“Jin Ling. No shouting in Cloud Recesses.” Sizhui pointed out softly.
“I don’t care! It’s not everyday when your uncle turns up in front of you, obviously pregnant!” Jin Ling screamed. Jiang Cheng could see Jingyi rolling his eyes behind Jin Ling, but he too was staring at Jiang Cheng’s baby bump in wonder. “Is this why you won’t let me visit Lotus Pier anymore?” His nephew implored. Jiang Cheng pinched his nose in frustration, but nodded. His nephew wailed in response.
“Why don’t we move to the Main Hall first? It isn’t ideal for Sect Leader Jiang to remain standing for so long.” Sozhui pointed out. Jiang Cheng could’ve thanked him. They were starting to attract attention, and Jiang Cheng did not want to be the main attraction in the Gusu Lan Zoo, thank you very much. “Jin Ling, why don’t you go call Zewu-Jun? Sect Leader Jiang has urgent business with Sect Leader Lan. You can question your uncle later.” Sizhui continued. Jiang Cheng was ready to worship the ground Sizhui walked on for helping him get rid of his nephew.
They continued walking, with Jingyi accompanying them as well. Jiang Cheng could feel eyes constantly on him, and stopped abruptly in the middle of the hallway, turning to Jingyi. He started with murderous intent, but tried to calm himself down when he remembered that Jingyi was one of Xichen’s favourite disciples.
“What? You want to ask me something right?” His glare at Jingyi was slightly toned down. The boy dragged his eyes up from Jiang Cheng’s bump to meet his hostile gaze.
“H-How did you get pregnant?” Of all questions, Jiang Cheng wasn’t expecting this. He began to smirk.
“A man put his dick-” Jiang Cheng would’ve continued if Haibin hadn’t leapt forward and covered his mouth with a horrified look. Jingyi was beginning to go a little green.
“It is perfectly possible for powerful cultivators to get pregnant.” Haibin turned to Jingyi, explaining with an awkward smile on his face. He didn’t elaborate, and hoped that the boy wouldn’t continue asking further either.
Sizhui cleared his throat awkwardly.
He collapsed onto one of the chairs the moment they reached the Main Hall. Why on earth was Cloud Recesses so big?! His feet ached, his back ached, everything ached. This was all Lan Xichen’s fault! If he hadn’t come to Cloud Recesses, Jiang Cheng wouldn’t have had to follow him!
One thing he found strange was that he hadn’t been let in immediately at the gate. His husband was Zewu-Jun, Sect Leader Lan. He was married to their Sect Leader. Shouldn’t he immediately be allowed in?
“Do you not know about my status?” He turned to Sizhui with a puzzled look on his face.
“You’re Sect Leader Jiang.” The boy answered, equally confused.
Huh. So, his husband hadn’t told anyone about their marriage, or his pregnancy? Was Xichen ashamed of him? Jiang Cheng could feel himself tearing up at the thought. He tried to hold it back, but couldn’t help the tears that started to leak down his cheeks.
“S-Sir?” Haibin sounded helpless as he moved to Jiang Cheng’s side. The three of them stared at him as if he’d grown another head. Who knew that the fearsome Sandu Shengshou could cry? Jiang Cheng began to sob earnestly.
Xichen didn’t tell them because he was ugly, right? He knew he looked like a beached whale, and possibly a main attraction of a freakshow. Even if Xichen didn’t tell the disciples of Gusu Lan, he could’ve told the guards to let him in no matter what, right? Why did the husband of the Sect Leader need a jade token to come in?
His hands came up to rub at his eyes pathetically, and Haibin looked positively horrified. He rubbed Jiang Cheng’s back absentmindedly, and Jiang Cheng reminded himself to give Haibin a raise when they got back to Lotus Pier.
Did Xichen not care about him anymore? He knew that Jiang Cheng hated to wake up cold and alone, but he’d still let him do it anyway! He began to sob more at that, much to the horror of the other three occupants of the room.
“Shimei! I heard- Are you okay?” Jiang Cheng looked up as Wei Wuxian ran into a room, his smile rapidly disappearing at the ridiculous scene in front of him of a crying, pregnant man and three people trying desperately to comfort him.
“Shut up.” Jiang Cheng growled, his tears rapidly drying up at his brother’s appearance.
“Is this why you’ve been hiding in Lotus Pier and refusing visitors? To hide your child that is to be born out of wedlock?” Wei Wuxian asked, plopping down beside his brother. Haibin tried to warn Wei Wuxian to stop, but the man barrelled on without a thought. “I didn’t think that you’d ever had a child out of wedlock!” Haibin was ready to facepalm.
Jiang Cheng glared at Wei Wuxian. The idea that he would have a child out of wedlock was preposterous! However, if Wei Wuxian didn’t even know that he was married, that meant that Xichen hadn’t even told his brother. After all, Hanguang-Jun would never hide anything from his own husband.
Speak of the devil, because Hanguang-Jun appeared at the door. He raised an eyebrow at Jiang Cheng’s pregnant belly, but otherwise didn’t say anything.
“I am not having a child out of wedlock.” He gritted out. Wei Wuxian gasped, and even Hanguang-Jun looked mildly surprised at that. The marriage of a Sect Leader would’ve been incredibly public news, especially the marriage of someone as difficult as Jiang Cheng was known to be.
“You’re married?! To who?” Wei Wuxian shrieked, glancing around wildly. Jiang Cheng wanted to sigh, but moved instead to cover his ears at the loud noise.
His anger rapidly faded suddenly. Xichen was a horrible man, he decided. How could his husband not even tell his brother? Was Xichen disappointed in him? Why did Xichen keep his marriage a secret from his closest family? He abruptly erupted in tears, and Wei Wuxian had the decency to look apologetic for setting him off.
“Wanyin?! What are you doing here?” Lan Xichen suddenly appeared at the doorway, looking around at the crowd of people in the room. Jiang Cheng glanced up at him with a heart-wrenching sob, and Xichen immediately ran to his side.
“Y-You left! You left me!” Jiang Cheng sobbed, letting Xichen wrap his arms around him protectively. He punched Xichen’s chest weakly, still indignant about his husband leaving him. He ignored everyone’s gasp of shock at their intimate act.
“I’m sorry, Wanyin. It’s all my fault. I should’ve stayed by your side. I shouldn’t have left.” Xichen pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, and Jiang Cheng leaned bonelessly against his husband’s chest. Xichen continued to press kisses to Jiang Cheng’s face, ignoring the audience that was staring at them.
“You’re horrible. You left and I had to come all the way here to find you.” Jiang Cheng unconsciously pouted at his husband, who swooped down to claim his lips with his own. Wei Wuxian began to coo at the adorable display, before Jiang Cheng turned to glare at him.
“I’m sorry, my love. How did you come?” Xichen asked, before turning to Haibin for an answer. Also, didn’t I assign more disciples to accompany you? Why is Haibin the only one here?” His eyebrows furrowed.
“We flew here by sword.” Haibin replied meekly. Xichen looked down with a look of horror at his husband. Jiang Cheng looked away petulantly, shifting to sit in Xichen’s lap instead of the cushion on the floor.
“Wanyin! You’re seven months pregnant! How could you fly here on your sword? You could’ve fallen and injured yourself!” Xichen said, agitation clear in his voice. Jiang Cheng straightened with a frown.
“I wouldn’t have had to do that if you didn’t leave! It’s your fault!” Jiang Cheng replied, crossing his arms. “You’re being really mean! You didn’t even tell anyone here that we’re married!” Jiang Cheng pointed out, tears beginning to fill his eyes again. “A-Are you ashamed of me?” He sniffed slightly, much to Xichen’s shock and horror.
“Of course not, my beautiful lotus! Don’t cry, Wanyin. It breaks my heart when you cry.” Xichen tried his best to sooth his upset husband. He nuzzled Jiang Cheng’s hair gently.
“Sect Leader Jiang, please do not misunderstand my brother. I am sure that he is not disappointed in you.” A most unexpected voice spoke up. Jiang Cheng’s tears slowly trickled to a stop as he glanced up in shock at the second Lan brother. He continued when he saw that Jiang Cheng’s, and everyone else’s, attention was on him.
“I guess that the two of got married some time last year, yes? My brother left rather abruptly, without informing anyone. He hasn’t been back since then, nor has he sent any letters to us. It is no wonder that we didn’t know of your marriage, or pregnancy, especially with the closing of Lotus Pier.” Hanguang-Jun pointed out.
“However, I will admit that it was my brother’s fault for neglecting to inform us on this trip. In his defense, he probably wasn’t expecting you to follow him here.” Hanguang-Jun finished. Everyone was gaping at the man, at the sheer number of words that came out of his mouth. Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes, his mind deep in consideration before he nodded. It made sense. He relaxed back against Xichen’s hold,
“Do you forgive me, my love?” Xichen whispered. Jiang Cheng pretended to consider for a moment, but nodded quickly.
“Congratulations on your marriage and pregnancy! I bet Lan Qiren will faint when he finds out, Shimei!” Wei Wuxian crowed, breaking the awkward silence that had descended on the room.
“Do not call me Shimei, or I’ll-” Jiang Cheng threatened, moving to stand before being stopped by Xichen’s arms wrapping tightly around him. He relaxed in his husband’s hold, as everyone around them began to break into cheerful chatter. For the first time since he had arrived, Jiang Cheng felt oddly at peace, seated in his husband’s lap, surrounded by his family.
“What’s going on here?!” Everyone turned as one to see Lan Qiren standing at the doorway of the Main Hall.