Chapter Text
Starting from the end of Lotus Pier, after only a while of paddling, one will notice an enormous lotus lake, more than a hundred miles in length. The wide, verdant leaves and the smooth, pink and purple lotus blossoms brush shoulders against one another. As a breeze blows over, the petals and the leaves sway as if nodding their heads. Amid the purity and grace, one can also feel a naive sense of clumsiness.
At the edge of the pier, in stiff silence, not-minding the echoes of good cheer behind them from vendors and other disciples, stood the main Jiang sect family and Madam Jin with her son.
If one had caught the frowning expressions and stiff shoulders of the young Maiden Jiang and the Head Diciple, Wei Wuxian, they would have been stunned. Both were known to have gentle and bright smiles when greeting anyone, along with cheerful attitudes.
Standing in the middle of their protective stance was the Jiang heir, who was not wearing his usual expression of a scowling temper. No, instead, if one took notice, they would witness the tip of his ears, neck, and cheeks flushing a lovely dusty-rose hue as he stood stiffly, his hands nervously tangling the front of his silvery-lavender robes. A nervous habit that he shared with his elder sister.
They all stood waiting for the Lan envoy to come and for Jiang Cheng to greet his future spouse, the heir of the Lan sect, Lan Huan, courtesy name Lan Xichen.
Though they were due to set off for Cloud Recesses in the next month to further their education, Madame Yu and Lan Qiren decided to keep up with the every three month meetings, so that the two future mates could become closer, before they had to take their three bows in the future.
While the omega Jiang Wanyin was hopeful to attempt an amicable and loving union.
The alpha, Lan Xichen, was not. To put it simply, Lan Xichen did not like nor accept Jiang Cheng for his spouse.
And Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian did not like that. 'Who dared to look down on their precious didi?' When Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian reflected on what the public gossiped about when it concerned the first young master of the Lan sect, they wanted to burst into a fit laughter at how wrong they were.
Eighteen year old Lan Xichen was someone who was described as, and was only known to be, absolutely perfect. His features were as serene and lovely as if carved from white jade, made from a highly skilled artist. His eyes, the color of burnt amber or citrine jewels, were like pools of honey, when reflected in the sunlight, while when he smiled, it was said to be like the sunlight glimmering warm and bright. His personality was said to be even more attractive, gentle and forgiving, willing to look past any mistakes and embrace the faults of others with an open mind. But this revolting mask of kindness was not extended to the one he was arranged to spend the rest of his life with.
Who would have known Lan Xichen was indifferent and cold towards his future spouse? Certainly not their parents, especially when the Lan sect heir had perfected such a clean state pretense after years of practice. It was only after the doors were closed, after all eyes glanced away, that this facade of the perfect alpha would drop.
As the Lan entourage came into view, and they all could see Lan Xichen's beaming face, there were many expressions coming from the Jiang family. While Jiang Fengmian, Yu Ziyuan and Madam Jin smiled at the approach of their old friend Lan Qiren with his nephew, Jiang Yanli's half-smiling face tightened, and Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes. Jin Zixuan had no opinions, he wasn't familiar with Lan Xichen, only hearing about him through from Wei Wuxian's gossiping and Jiang Cheng's gushing. (Though Jin Zixuan knew Jiang Cheng would deny such gushing.)
But Jiang Cheng's face lit up, his stormy clematis-gray eyes had a special sparkle at the sight of his fiance, and his shixiong, who noticed, stepped closer to his side with a disgruntled sigh. Ever since they met, the young master Jiang had been enamored with Lan Xichen. The Lan alpha was handsome, intelligent, talented, what was there not to admire?
They were not close, and Lan Xichen was a few years older, so Jiang Cheng had never expected his affections to be returned in the first place. Even just thinking that this person would soon be his husband was enough to make his cheeks flush a persimmon red. "A-Cheng," Wei Wuxian whines softly, nudging his shidi, "Don't be fooled by him."
"Shut up, Wei Wuxian," Jiang Cheng grumbled back with a little pout, before his eyes went back to the boat arriving at the dock. He hurried to follow behind the adults as they moved forward to greet the guests, who finally stepped foot on the wooden pier.
"Lan Qiren, I hope the trip went smoothly. The Jiang sect is so happy to see you again," Jiang Fengmian beamed, and the other man clasped his hands together to greet him back.
"It is our pleasure to be here. Lan Xichen has been looking forward to this for months. Jin-furen, it's good to see you as well."
Lan Xichen smiled gently behind his uncle, "Yes, I look forward to every trip here. Thank you for having us."
'Fake! So fake!' The only words Wei Wuxian could scream in his head, as Jiang Yanli's topaz-blue eyes widen slightly in disbelief.
"Well, let us go in now," Yu Ziyuan declares, before sweeping a glance back at the children, "Don't cause too much trouble when playing around." Her voice sharpens at the end, eyes gazing directly at Wei Wuxian, and the head disciple swallows. Last time, he hadn't meant to push Lan Xichen into the lake, but as he observed the Lan sect's heir's indifference towards his shidi, he couldn't help it. Anyway, it was the other boy's fault for standing so close to the piers, who would've known he couldn't swim?
Yu Ziyuan patted her son on the head before the adults left the teenagers alone. After a moment of silence, Jiang Cheng broke it to with greeting his fiance nervously, "Lan Xichen, it's nice to see you again." He softly and shyly spoke with a bow.
Lan Xichen nodded curtly, the smile on his face was tight, and Wei Wuxian really wanted to just go over and punch him in the face. Jiang Yanli was quick to think of a way out of the awkward situation, asking Jiang Cheng to come with her to get some snacks, and the siblings hurried off.
"Who would've thought the great Lan-da-gongzi doesn't even have any words for his husband-to-be?" Wei Wuxian mocked now that Jiang Cheng wasn't around. He really had no idea what his shidi liked so much about Lan Xichen.
But what he truly couldn't understand was why Lan Xichen couldn't offer even an ounce of affections for his shidi. "I don't think words are necessary between us," Lan Xichen replied simply.
Even Jin Zixuan, who had been quietly observing, frowned at this statement, "Jiang Cheng has been looking forward to meeting you."
"Then I believe that's his problem. I don't think I've ever done anything for him to admire me." Lan Xichen's smile was absolutely infuriating.
"He's trying to get along with you," Wei Wuxian pressed, producing the fakest grin on his face.
"I never asked him to?" Lan Xichen raised an eyebrow.
What Wei Wuxian hated most was this high and mighty attitude. He roughly pushed aside Jin Zixuan, who tried to hold him back after seeing his shaking and clenched fists, and stepped over to Lan Xichen and stared up at him. Lan Xichen wasn't intimidated, and he only asked sarcastically, "Are you going to push me in the water again, Wei-gongzi?"
"Since you asked so nicely." Wei Wuxian gathered all the strength that a fifteen-year-old boy could, and he shoved Lan Xichen into the lotus lake, ignoring the horrified gasp Jin Zixuan let out behind them.
The news that the Jiang head disciple had pushed the Lan sect heir into the waters again reached Madam Yu's ears in a panic. All the adults made their way outside, only to witness Lan Xichen climbing his way out of the water, his robes completely soaked, and a smug Wei Wuxian with crossed arms standing on the piers. "Oh! So, you've learned how to swim. Congratulations." Wei Wuxian enthusiastically clapped, unaware of the glaring eyes behind him.
"Wei Ying!" Madam Yu's stern voice screeched from behind him, and the said boy flinched, head snapping back. "Go kneel in the ancestral hall," she demanded, and even Jiang Fengmian couldn't say anything to defend the boy.
Madam Yu didn't dare to go for harsher punishments in front of others, so Wei Wuxian quickly darted off before the decision changed, but not before glaring at Lan Xichen, who glanced back at him with equal contempt.
Madam Yu rubbed her forehead as Jiang Fengmian gave an apologetic smile to Lan Xichen, who was calmly fixing his wet robes. "I'm so sorry for A-Xian pushing you into the lake."
Lan Xichen shook his head, and even Madam Yu could detect the tight smile he gave, "It's no problem, Sect Leader Jiang." He responded softly.
"I don't understand why he acts this way when he knows better." Madam Yu scowed as Lan Qiren gently grabbed her by the arm and escorted her away as he threw a glance at his nephew to continue behaving himself instead of aiming to retaliate in a sneaky way.
"A-Xian needs some time to reflect. I hope you won't take his misdeeds as cruel." Jiang Fengmian stated once more before he gave a half-respected bow to someone of Lan Xichen's station, before he quickly followed after his wife and friend who went back to talk with Madam Jin, who had stayed behind.
When the Jiang siblings came rushing back with the snacks, they were greeted with a soaked Lan Xichen and an awkward Jin Zixuan. When Jiang Cheng stepped forward, wanting to offer the Lan sect heir some cookies and an offer to bring him some towels to dry off, when Lan Xichen held up one hand, cutting him off with a cold reply, "There's no need. Please stay away from me, Jiang Wanyin."
Taken aback by such words, Jiang Cheng's shock was displayed openly on his face as he watched the other boy trudge away. Both Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan were quick to come to his side and pat his back, comforting him with their words, but Jiang Cheng won't give up.
This time, they might not have the chance to get along, but when he leaves to study in Gusu, they'll most definitely form some type of friendship.
It was all that Jiang Cheng hoped for.