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Lotus Pier was never quite the same after it had fallen.
Jiang Yanli, of course, knows this intimately.
Even though Jiang Cheng had tried his best to rebuild everything just the way it had been before it burned, it would never be exactly as it was before.
Her mother’s chambers could be rebuilt, but they would never smell of the sweet spiced citrus incense she burned at night. Her father’s study would never again be a place for her to seek his comfort, or his wisdom, even if Jiang Cheng refused to touch it in his memory.
And they could fill the training grounds with as many new disciples as Jiang Cheng could recruit, but she would never again hear the voices of the shidi and shimei she’d grown up with, see them blossom into senior disciples, or lead the new generation as their elders had before them.
There were many things, indeed, that would never be the same.
But the markets just outside of the pier? Oh, those were exactly as they’d left them.
It was a comforting thing to see when they’d first returned. Jiang Yanli had nearly teared up the first time she’d seen the familiar row of market stalls, the loud chatter of the crowd standing in stark contrast to the haunting empty halls of Lotus Pier. Wen Chao and his men had apparently seen no use in destroying non-cultivator civilian merchants. A small kindness fate had given them in the wake of so much tragedy.
And now, in the long stretching months of rebuilding, Jiang Yanli finds herself frequenting the markets often. She was never much of a cultivator, so she can’t help much with training new recruits. Jiang Cheng refuses to let her help with any aspect of the rebuild, and more often than not she can’t even find Wei Wuxian when she goes looking for him.
What else is there for her to do? She could spend her days carefully stitching embroidery in pavilions that only served to remind her how much she’d lost. She could wander the quiet halls, all but feeling the echoes of her parents, her friends, who would never greet her again. She could simply waste away in her chambers.
Or she could cook. But ultimately, there is only so much food she and her brothers can eat.
This is, inevitably, how she finds herself in the situation she is in now.
With nothing to do and a restless urge to be anywhere apart from the gnawing silence of the Jiang main halls, she’s been frequenting the markets much more than she probably should. More often than she’s ever been able to, really. Jiang Yanli is well aware of how violently her mother would disapprove of this, of how her father would have tried to gently guide her into doing something else, if they had still been here. She is also keenly aware of how much Jiang Cheng would not like this, but what he does not know cannot hurt him, and he is much too busy to keep an eye on her at all times these days.
More often than not, she ends up perusing the same vegetable stall in the north corridor (because they often have the best deal on aromatic greens) and in these past few months, she has struck up a friendly relationship with the vendor.
Ye Meixiu, as she had introduced herself, is a few years younger than Jiang Yanli herself. She helps her family tend a small farm in the close countryside and travels into the city once every two weeks to sell part of their crop. She is not yet married - a fact that she had laughingly offered in commiseration when Jiang Yanli off-handedly mentioned her own broken engagement. And she shares Jiang Yanli’s love of cooking, which is what ignited the friendship in the first place.
It had been a quick blossoming companionship, in the end. Ye Meixiu had noticed her frequent visits and one day she’d asked what Jiang Yanli was planning on making. The excitement in her eyes when Jiang Yanli had answered, and the genuine curiosity she’d shown as she’d asked her so many questions about it, had endeared her almost immediately. From then on, whenever Jiang Yanli made her way to the market, she would bring a small portion of a few dishes she’d made for her to try. Needless to say, they had become fast friends ever since.
Now, Jiang Yanli’s routine includes preparing special dishes, or saving small portions of specific meals, and packing them up to bring to the market on days she knows Ye Meixiu will be in town. When Ye Meixiu is free for a few hours in the afternoon, they sit under the shaded seclusion of a willow tree by the water, and they share small treats, exchange recipes, and simply talk until Ye Meixiu has to return to work. And at the end of the day, Jiang Yanli returns home, her spirits lighter. It quickly becomes one of the few things she looks forward to, as the days pass by and Lotus Pier slowly becomes more and more foreign to her as the rebuild nears completion.
It is on one of these days that Jiang Yanli’s life takes a very abrupt turn.
By the time she makes her way down to the market, it has already been a particularly stressful week.
A-Cheng had been consistently moody and preoccupied all week. Reconstruction of the disciple dorm halls was stagnating amidst tense compensation negotiations with local carpenters and, even if he tried to hide it from her, she could see it weighing on him.
A-Xian, on the other hand, had gone missing from the main Jiang grounds for nearly four days straight. She hadn’t know where he was for a majority of the week. Any time she asked Jiang Cheng, he would just grumble and reassure her that he was fine , but it was so much like those three months when he’d just been gone . When she couldn’t help him, couldn’t do anything--
So, she, of course, spent more time in the kitchens than she typically would allow herself, stress cooking in anticipation of plying A-Xian with a warm meal when he returned. Because he would return.
And he did return. With a grin and a laugh that felt so jarringly false in her ears, and no offered explanation of where he’d been. She tried not to dwell on it. Instead, she brought fresh, warm buns to his rooms with the hope that he would sit and talk with her for a while, as they used to do so often when they were younger. He’d taken them, thanked her, made an excuse about being too tired, and promised to share lunch with her the next day. Even with the slight disappointment of being unable to spend time with him, her nerves had been quelled by the reassurance that he wouldn’t go hungry.
A reassurance that was quickly abated the next morning when she found the leftover buns she’d put away in storage had grown in number overnight.
Jiang Yanli sighs, an uncomfortable dread heavy on her shoulders as she navigates through the bustling market. Her steps are slow and deliberate, her mind far away from the vendors calling out their wares around her.
When she finally catches sight of Ye Meixiu's stall amidst the chaos of the marketplace, it is as if she’s come across a small, refreshing oasis.
Ye Meixiu’s voice rings out over the crowd as she waves her over with a bright smile, “Jiang-guniang!”
With a polite wave of her own, Jiang Yanli makes her way over to Ye Meixiu’s stand. They chat for a bit while Jiang Yanli picks out a few ingredients she needs for a recipe she wants to try out over the next week, and when she is finally done, Ye Meixiu bundles them up for her and hands off vending duty to a young man who’d been resting in the shade behind her.
“Was that one of your brothers?” Jiang Yanli asks, as they make their way to the little spot they’d claimed over the last few months.
“Yeah, I dragged him along with me today because he didn’t have anything better to do.” She says, laughing a bit, “You can see how much help he is though. He’s a lazy little thing these days.”
Jiang Yanli chuckles along with her, “He is young, still. He will learn responsibility as he grows.”
As they settle down onto their blanket laid out beneath the willow branches, Ye Meixiu sighs.
“Ah, jiejie, I’m afraid I don’t have anything to share with you today.” She says, patting the pockets of her skirts.
Jiang Yanli waves her off, gesturing to her own basket.
“That’s no trouble, really. I’ve plenty to share.” Jiang Yanli replies.
Ye Meixiu nods, “As always, I await jiejie’s genius with great anticipation. Even if this humble merchant has nothing to give her in return.”
Jiang Yanli chuckles softly at Ye Meixiu's words, her heart feeling lighter in the presence of her kind friend.
"Oh, please, don't flatter me so," she says with a warm smile, reaching into her basket to reveal an assortment of treats. There are some of those same fluffy steamed buns filled with spiced minced pork she’d made for A-Xian, in addition to more than a few rice pancakes, a carefully-sealed container of hutangfen, and two different varieties of preserved candied peach slices.
Ye Meixiu’s eyes widen in delight at the sight of the delicious spread.
“Oh, you spoil me!” Ye Meixiu exclaims, already reaching for a steamed bun.
Jiang Yanli laughs softly at Ye Meixiu's excitement, her heart swelling with warmth at her friend's genuine appreciation. For a short while, they eat in silence. The willow branches sway gently in the breeze above them, casting dappled sunlight onto the two women enjoying their picnic by the river. As Jiang Yanli watches Ye Meixiu savor each bite, she can't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. The worries and anxieties that had plagued her in recent days seem to momentarily fade away in the simple pleasure of sharing a meal with someone she cares for deeply.
Occasionally, Ye Meixiu will ask her questions about how she’d achieved a specific texture or flavor, or what spices she’d used in different dishes. Jiang Yanli answers happily, simply glad to share her knowledge and passion with her friend.
After a short while, when they have all but finished eating, Ye Meixiu gently clears her throat, drawing Jiang Yanli's attention.
"I must confess, I still feel guilty for not being able to offer you anything in return for your generosity," Ye Meixiu says softly, her expression tinged with regret.
Jiang Yanli reaches over and places a gentle hand over her friend’s, "There is no need, truly. Sharing food with friends is one of life's greatest joys," she replied with a reassuring smile, “I have plenty to share, Meixiu. We didn’t even finish most of it.”
She looks down at the leftovers still spread across the blanket, her brow tense. And then she settles her gaze on Jiang Yanli for a long moment. There is a question on her mind, Jiang Yanli can tell. In all of the time they have spent together, Ye Meixiu has never been one to hold her tongue. She wonders what could be stopping her now.
Whatever it is, she seems to overcome it, as Ye Meixiu squeezes her hand and sets down her empty bowl.
“I did set out this morning with something to give you. I actually tried one of the recipes you gave me last time! Those sweet dumplings you were talking about - the ones your youngest brother likes.” Ye Meixiu explains, “They turned out really well after I botched the first batch, and I wanted to show you! But when I was setting up my stand this morning, there was an odd woman wandering around the outskirts of the market. She looked like she was having a hard time. Her clothes were ragged and muddy, and she looked half-starved.”
Ye Meixiu takes a deep breath before continuing, “All I could think about was ‘what if that were one of my sisters?’ You know? But it’s not like I have much, and if I came back with missing coins or the wrong amount of crop leftover, my father would definitely know. So I gave her the dumplings I had, instead.”
Jiang Yanli nods, a touch of concern bleeding into her without quite knowing why.
“I think she was a cultivator.” Ye Meixiu says, almost hesitantly, “Like you. But not - or, at least I don’t think she was - part of the Jiang Clan. She didn’t look like it, at least. But what do I know about cultivation clans, huh?”
A soft breeze passes through, playing with the wayward strands of Ye Meixiu’s dark hair. There is a question in her eyes, a jittery uncertainty. Her friend is nervous, frightened that she’s overstepped. Jiang Yanli wants, more than anything, to reassure her that is not the case.
“Was she still there when we left the market?” Jiang Yanli asks.
“I think so. It looked like she’d settled down right across from Old Man Luo’s.”
Jiang Yanli's heart swells with pride at Ye Meixiu's act of kindness, but a flicker of concern for the mysterious woman tugs at her thoughts. She knows that the cultivation world can be harsh and unforgiving to those without proper guidance or resources. Perhaps it was a rogue cultivator who’d found themselves in a bad situation?
For a moment, she considers returning home and telling Jiang Cheng about it, but the thought of adding another task to his already growing pile of responsibilities makes her hesitate. Instead, Jiang Yanli decides to take matters into her own hands. This is something she could handle.
"Meixiu, thank you for sharing this with me.” She says. And then, with a light heart, she gestures to the leftovers between them, “I think we might have enough to spare, hm?”
A grin spreads across Ye Meixiu's face, “If jiejie thinks so.”
By the time they reach the market once more, late afternoon has settled over the city. Summer in Yunmeng is always vibrant and bustling, with vendors calling out their wares and children running through the streets. Jiang Yanli and Ye Meixiu navigate the crowded market with practiced ease, their destination clear in their minds.
As they approach Old Man Luo’s stall, Jiang Yanli spots the mysterious woman Ye Meixiu mentioned earlier. She is indeed a cultivator, her robes dusty and threadbare, but her posture proud and dignified.
Jiang Yanli hesitates for a moment. She can’t see her face, but she knows those robes. A bright, prickling horror spreads through her like fire catching wild kindling. It is all she can do to keep her pace sedate, to stop herself from sprinting over and calling attention in her wake. That, she knows, is something they can not afford right now.
With the final few steps bringing the woman’s face into view, Jiang Yanli’s suspicions are confirmed.
“Wen Qing?” Jiang Yanli asks, barely loud enough to hear over the sounds of the market.
The woman’s head snaps up at the sound of her name, her eyes wide with surprise. She takes in Jiang Yanli standing before her, a flicker of recognition crossing her features before she schools her expression into neutrality.
“Jiang-guniang,” Wen Qing acknowledges with a small nod, her tone guarded yet polite.
Jiang Yanli notices the weariness in her eyes, the subtle signs of hardship etched into her features.
“What are you doing here?” Jiang Yanli asks, her hands itching to pull Wen Qing up from the ground.
Wen Qing glances behind Jiang Yanli’s shoulder, and it is only then that Jiang Yanli remembers Ye Meixiu had been following her.
Ye Meixiu offers a respectful bow to Wen Qing. "Hello again!"
Wen Qing's gaze flickers from Ye Meixiu to Jiang Yanli, a hint of wariness present in her eyes.
"The two of you know each other?” Wen Qing asks.
Ye Meixiu nods, a grin spreading across her face, “Those dumplings I gave you earlier were originally for Jiang-guniang, actually.”
“I see.” Wen Qing replies.
There is a small pause, a hesitation, between them.
The basket in Jiang Yanli’s hands feels as though it’s growing heavier with each breath she takes, threatening to drag her down into the dirt. She doesn’t know what to do, suddenly. It feels as if her thoughts have been stolen from her.
For a moment, all she can do is breathe. And then she rights herself, forcing her focus onto Wen Qing. She notes several things in quick succession. With the mud caked into her sleeves and the ends of her robes, the crests that had once proclaimed Wen Qing’s clan alliance are now obscured, enough so that anyone who isn’t looking closely likely wouldn’t recognize it for what it is. There are distinct, dark bruises peeking out from the ends of her sleeves, and a gauntness to her features that makes Jiang Yanli want to bundle her up and ply her with soup until her cheeks fill out once more. Everything, from the tired slant of her shoulders to the way she doesn’t quite meet Jiang Yanli’s eyes, stands in stark contrast to the proud woman she’d met in those dark, harrowed days following the fall of Lotus Pier.
It makes her feel strangely hollow.
“Meixiu,” Jiang Yanli says.
Ye Meixiu perks up at her side, “Yes?”
“Could I ask you for a very important favor?”
Years ago, when Jiang Yanli’s mother introduced her to Liu Jiayue and explained she would be Jiang Yanli’s personal guard, Jiang Yanli thought the two of them would perhaps be polite acquaintances, at best. She was made aware of the strict, regimented testing her mother put several disciples through to assess physical capacity and loyalty to the Jiang clan, and told explicitly that Liu Jiayue had not only been the sole candidate to successfully make it through, but that she had then been trained by Yu Ziyuan personally for months to ensure she was adequate enough to serve in Jiang Yanli’s shadow.
The day Liu Jiayue took her place at Jiang Yanli’s side, she believed that their relationship would be strictly professional, with Liu Jiayue acting as her guard and, possibly, an informant for her mother whenever Jiang Yanli took a step out of what was expected of her. Their relationship was never meant to extend beyond their roles.
But as the years passed, and Jiang Yanli spent her formative years with Liu Jiayue, she found herself confiding in Liu Jiayue more and more. Whether it was about her struggles with forming her golden core, her worries for her brothers, or the weight of the responsibilities placed upon her shoulders, Liu Jiayue was always there. And, to Jiang Yanli’s surprise, none of what she disclosed ever seemed to make its way to her mother’s ear.
Liu Jiayue, in turn, offered her small bits of her own life. Her passions, her dreams, her secrets. In the summer of her 15th year, Jiang Yanli even made a point to take a particular interest in reading contemporary literature simply because Liu Jiayue had expressed a continued curiosity in it. Jiang Fengmian had thusly gifted her a great many books, and she and Liu Jiayue spent many nights reading into the early hours of the morning together.
It was this trust between them that had bloomed into an acute sense of faith, when Jiang Yanli had lost everything, only to find Liu Jiayue waiting for her ( searching, endlessly, for her) in Qinghe. Jiang Yanli knew then, as they clung to each other in her borrowed chambers, that Jiang Cheng may ascend to Lotus Pier’s throne, but Liu Jiayue would answer to her command alone.
This is why, when Jiang Yanli decides to hide the fact that she’d set Wen Qing up in an inn on the outskirts of the city, Liu Jiayue is the only one she tells.
They fall into staggered steps with each other as they make their way into town. Liu Jiayue is outfitted in her best Jiang disciple robes, a deep shimmering violet silk with golden embroidery around the tight sleeves. When she moves, it shines in the high morning sunlight. It calls attention as she passes by, making it easy for prying eyes to simply pass over Jiang Yanli only a few steps behind her. Her own plain, dark robes and simple hairstyle allow her to blend into the background, an unassuming figure trailing behind the dazzling presence of her guard.
As they reach the inn where Wen Qing is staying, Jiang Yanli scans the area discreetly, ensuring they are not being followed or watched. Satisfied with her quick assessment, she turns to Liu Jiayue and gives her a small nod.
The inn she’d directed Ye Meixiu to book for Wen Qing yesterday is one of the smaller establishments near the northern quarter. It is far enough away from the Jiang main grounds for it to be a considerable walk. (And far enough that there would be very little chance of her brothers, or any of their disciples, discovering her there.)
As they enter the building, Liu Jiayue makes quick work of stalling the innkeep, keeping his attention on her by making several inquiries on YunmengJiang's behalf, just as they'd planned out this morning. And Jiang Yanli simply slips by, up the stairs and into the room Ye Meixiu told her she'd booked for Wen Qing.
Closing the door behind her, Jiang Yanli takes a moment to let her eyes adjust to the dimly lit room. She finds Wen Qing sitting by the window, a book in her hands, her brow furrowed in concentration. At the sound of the door shutting, Wen Qing looks up, and her expression hardens at the sight of Jiang Yanli entering the room.
Jiang Yanli allows herself only a quick, full glance at her, refusing to let her gaze linger. She is only in her inner robe, and while it too is stained just as her outer robes were, it is at least in workable condition. Jiang Yanli imagines the outer robes are likely a lost cause at this point. The proud set of Wen Qing’s shoulders only serves to accentuate the deep grooves of her collarbones peeking out from the gaps of a robe that must have fit her well, once.
It is this thought she focuses on, instead of the growing… unease settling in her skin at the sight of Wen Qing - startlingly bare and vulnerable before her.
With the kindness Wen Qing had offered her and her brothers after Lotus Pier fell, and the lengths her brother had gone to save Jiang Cheng's life, the least Jiang Yanli could do is ensure she's fed and in adequate accommodation while in Yunmeng. And if her heart warms at the thought of Wen Qing eating food she herself had prepared for an entirely different reason, well, no one but Jiang Yanli (and Liu Jiayue) needed to know about it. That, she knows, is a thought that is best tucked away.
“Good morning,” Jiang Yanli says, a polite smile on her lips as she steps further into the room, “Have you eaten yet?”
Wen Qing shakes her head, “I’m afraid I haven’t had much of an appetite.”
“Well, I’ve brought breakfast. It’s a new recipe for me, so I hope you’ll try it, even if it’s just a little bite.” Jiang Yanli says, as she pulls several covered dishes from her basket and lays them out on the table, “I also brought two sets of robes for you. They’re plain, but they’re clean. I think they should fit you, but if they don’t we can get you a different set.”
As she sets down the last dish, Wen Qing settles down at the table. Her gaze is skeptical as Jiang Yanli uncovers the first pot, steam curling up into the air and filling the room with the pleasant aroma of spiced noodles. With a hopeful smile, she pushes it toward Wen Qing.
“I appreciate your efforts, Jiang-guniang,” Wen Qing says quietly, her voice betraying a hint of gratitude amidst the weariness. She picks up her chopsticks and takes a small bite of the noodles, her expression softening slightly.
Jiang Yanli watches, her heart swelling with a mixture of relief and joy at seeing Wen Qing eat the meal she’d prepared. She can see the tension in her shoulders ease slightly with every mouthful, and she feels a warmth spread through her at the sight.
As Wen Qing finishes the last of her food, she looks up at Jiang Yanli with a small, genuine smile. "Thank you, Jiang-guniang. That was delicious," she says softly.
Jiang Yanli's smile widens at Wen Qing's words. "I'm glad you enjoyed it.”
Wen Qing nods, but offers nothing more, and for a long moment, Jiang Yanli simply lets the soft sounds of the inn below fill the space between them before broaching the topic she’d been wondering about all night.
“Wen Qing,” Jiang Yanli begins, her voice careful, “I must admit, I was surprised to find you in Yunmeng.”
Wen Qing does not move, nor does she offer anything in response. It is as if her face is carved in stone. Jiang Yanli’s expression falls, only slightly. She knows, logically, the attitude that the cultivation world at large has taken toward any remaining members of the Wen Clan after the war. She knows, but…she had hoped that Wen Qing might have gone untouched by it. The distrust in her eyes speaks volumes, even if she herself has not opened her mouth.
“I know a long time has passed since we last spoke, but I…I would offer you the same sentiment I gave you last we parted: YungmengJiang owes you a great debt, not only for sheltering us in our time of need, but also for giving my brother and I the ability to honor our parents after their death. If there is anything I can do for you, you need only ask.”
“I need to speak with Wei Wuxian.”
At this, Jiang Yanli hesitates. There is a resolution in her voice that tells Jiang Yanli she has thought about this for some time. Perhaps she had even made her way to Yunmeng specifically to call upon A-Xian. Before Wen Qing can take her silence as an outright refusal, she asks, “What do you need to speak to A-Xian about?”
Wen Qing meets her eye, her gaze assessing.
“My brother is missing,” Wen Qing says, “We were separated at some point. I don’t know where they took him."
“ Took him?”
Wen Qing’s jaw sets, her hands balling into fists in her lap.
“Yes. It’s been a few weeks since then. I am worried that if I don’t find him soon…” She pauses, closing her eyes for a brief moment, “He has always been timid, and his cultivation has never been high. I’m afraid, if they’ve taken him somewhere where they…he will not have the will or strength to protect himself.”
A weight seems to find it’s home in Jiang Yanli’s stomach, heavy and palpable. She very carefully does not think of the three months she’d spent watching every doorway, hoping against reason that A-Xian would simply stroll back into their lives.
“Did they…give a reason, when they separated you? When they took him? Perhaps it was a misunderstanding.”
“Do they need one?” Wen Qing replies.
“You did not take part in the war.” Jiang Yanli says, as though it is an objective truth, “Wen Qionglin even acted against Wen Chao’s interests when Lotus Pier fell. You, both of you, do not -”
“A Wen is a Wen to them. It did not matter what case I made, so long as it came from my mouth.”
Jiang Yanli takes a deep breath. She feels helpless. It is not a new feeling, but it stings all the same. What could she do in the face of this? But the thought of bringing this to A-Xian, of asking him to shoulder this burden when he’s been hurting so much as of late…
Wen Qing has likely not seen him since they left her post in Yiling - she cannot know how much the war seems to have taken from him.
Wen Qing must be able to read the hesitance on her face, as when she speaks again, her voice is softer, almost pleading.
“We have not known each other long, Jiang Yanli,” Wen Qing says, “But you, too, are an older sister. I know how deeply you care for your brothers, I have seen it. Would you not also do anything in your power to ensure their safety?”
Jiang Yanli’s heart aches at Wen Qing’s words. She knows the answer to that question without having to think twice. Of course, she would move mountains for her brothers. The thought of either of them in danger sends uneasy chills down her spine, even if she knows that both of them are very much capable of handling themselves. But Wen Qing doesn’t have that luxury, does she?
Sighing, Jiang Yanli asks, “Do you know who took him? If it was a minor clan in Yunmeng, I am certain we can resolve this quickly.”
She does not add that if it is not, if it is instead another of the great clans, it will not be that simple.
Wen Qing takes a deep breath, as if steeling herself for what comes next. "LanlingJin.”
Jiang Yanli feels a bit ashamed that this does not surprise her. It does, however, soothe her nerves just a bit. None of the great clans would bow to pressure from YunmengJiang, given the state they find themselves in, but Jiang Yanli has an established foothold in LanlingJin that can be put to use.
“I see.” She replies, plans forming in her mind already.
“I know that you have close ties to LanlingJin, and would likely not want to hear me speak ill of them. Which is why I believe Wei Wuxian --”
Jiang Yanli holds up her hand, cutting Wen Qing off.
“No,” Jiang Yanli says, and she watches Wen Qing’s face twist in apprehension, “I believe I would like to hear exactly what you have to say.”
Liu Jiayue knocks on the window to Wen Qing’s room a few hours later, just as the sun begins to set. Wen Qing lets her in, and Jiang Yanli watches with contained amusement as Liu Jiayue’s gaze flickers between the two of them, then to the neat array of papers laid out on the table between them.
“Do you think Jiang Cheng will let me take an unplanned trip to Koi Tower?” She asks. Liu Jiayue’s expression cycles through a mix of confusion, apprehension, and resignation in quick succession.
“I believe he may be against it.” She says. Liu Jiayue takes her place at Jiang Yanli’s right side, kneeling just a step behind her place at the table. When she’s settled, Jiang Yanli reaches back and tugs at her hand until she moves forward, enough that they’re sitting beside each other.
Wen Qing sits back down at the table, a long sigh escaping her, “As I said.”
“All I would need to do is ask him. I do not think he will not say no to me.”
"And once we arrive in Koi Tower? There is no certainty we would be able to find someone with the information we need.”
“Madam Jin often knows more than she lets on,” Jiang Yanli says, “And it is not difficult to get her to speak on things she likely shouldn’t. As much as I appreciate the care she’s shown for me over the years, I believe she thinks I have no mind for such lofty things as politics.”
“And if she doesn’t know?” Wen Qing asks.
“Then we’ll find someone who does.” Jiang Yanli replies, turning to her basket and pulling out a few leftover candied peach slices. She presses them into Liu Jiayue’s hand, and watches with content satisfaction as she pops one into her mouth.
“What are we looking for in Koi Tower?” Liu Jiayue raises an eyebrow as she chews on the sweet candied peach slice.
“We are looking for any information on recent movements within the Jin clan.” Jiang Yanli says, and Wen Qing nods in agreement.
“Specifically, any mentions of war camps or refugees, or failing that, any significant deployment of disciples to regions LanlingJin wouldn’t typically have business in.” Wen Qing explains further.
For a brief moment, Liu Jiayue catches Jiang Yanli’s gaze. There is a question in her eyes, an unspoken ‘do we trust her?’ passed between them. With a soft smile, Jiang Yanli places a reassuring hand on her arm.
Liu Jiayue lowers her voice as she speaks, “I have heard whispers of a few new outposts cropping up in the territories LanlingJin took over after the war.”
“How many?”
“At least five. Most are close to Lanling, but a few are in outlying territories that would be a bit of a task to reach.” Liu Jiayue says, and her eyes dart to Jiang Yanli beside her, “If Jiang-guniang wishes, I could employ a few disciples to investigate.”
“We don’t want this to trace back to the Jiang clan,” Wen Qing says. “It could make things difficult for you if your disciples are found sneaking around newly claimed Jin territory.”
“And the alternative is walking into Koi Tower to ask suspicious questions about inner clan workings?” Liu Jiayue deadpans, “Would that not also make things difficult for us?”
“ A-Yue, ” Jiang Yanli admonishes, “We’re still working out the details.”
“And what is this ‘we’ you speak of, Wen-guniang? Do you expect to simply be allowed to accompany Jiang-guniang into Lanling? Are you not an enemy, wanted by every man who went to war with your clan? They will recognize you and they will detain you before you even step foot on the grounds. And that is nothing to say of what blame they would heap on YunmengJiang for even--”
A creak just outside the door, quiet enough that a non-cultivator likely would have missed it, silences them immediately.
Wen Qing's hand instinctively goes to the small knife hidden in her sleeve as she rises from her seat, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. Jiang Yanli holds up a hand, and gently pushes Liu Jiayue closer to the door.
The floorboards tense, and they can hear something slide, almost silently, against the outside of the door. There was almost certainly someone outside listening to them.
Liu Jiayue moves closer, her hand resting on her sword. In one swift motion, she slides the door open and grabs the eavesdropper by the back of their collar, hauling them into the room. She kicks the door shut not a second later.
To everyone’s surprise, the woman quivering in Liu Jiayue’s grasp is Ye Meixiu. She looks unbelievably frightened, and Jiang Yanli can see tears welling up in her eyes.
"I really didn't mean to eavesdrop, I promise!! I was just ...uhm...I thought Wen-guniang might still be hungry? And my father's out today so I had some free time, so I figured...I just..." Ye Meixiu says, gesturing to the bag tied around her wrist, “And then when I got here I heard voices, and I thought maybe she might be in trouble, so I got closer - but then I heard you talking, and I just…I was about to go back downstairs, I swear.”
Even if Jiang Yanli did not have the trust in her she’d built over these last few months, there would really be no reason for her to be lying to them. She knows Ye Meixiu is largely unaware of the affairs of the cultivation world.
She was likely just trying to do something nice, ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now she has a sword to her neck. A sour taste fills Jiang Yanli’s mouth at the thought. Ye Meixiu shouldn’t even be involved in this. But was it not Jiang Yanli herself who had asked her to bring Wen Qing here, to make sure she was safe? Of course a kind woman like Ye Meixiu would be concerned for Wen Qing and want to make sure she was looked after.
Jiang Yanli is just about to wave Liu Jiayue off when Ye Meixiu exclaims, "If you need to disguise Wen-guniang, I might be able to help!!"
“This isn’t going to work.” Liu Jiayue says. She’s not even looking at them.
“Oh! That looks great Meixiu!”
“Ah, jiejie, you flatter me.”
“That bit there, it really looks like her cheekbones are sharper.”
“Mhmm, and I’m going to add a bit on her jawline too, to give it a bit more of a square shape.”
Jiang Yanli watches with amazement as Ye Meixiu skillfully applies makeup to Wen Qing’s face, completely transforming her features. It is astounding how different Wen Qing looks, after just a short while. Ye Meixiu has, with nothing more than carefully applied dark powder and rouge, managed to change the shape of Wen Qing’s features enough that it is almost like she is a completely different person, unrecognizable even to Jiang Yanli herself.
“They’ll be able to tell it’s her immediately.” Liu Jiayue says, “This is a waste of time.”
Jiang Yanli sighs and pats Liu Jiayue’s shoulder. She would admit, when Ye Meixiu had first suggested this, she too had been skeptical. But with how frightened and apologetic her friend had been, Jiang Yanli had not been able to find it in herself to tell her no.
But now that she can see the results in front of her?
“I think this might work.” Jiang Yanli says. She chooses to ignore Liu Jiayue’s quiet groan of indignation at her side in favor of moving to help Ye Meixiu hold up a small mirror to Wen Qing’s face.
“And for the finishing touch!” Ye Meixiu claps her hands together, and then turns to rifle around in her bag. After a few moments, she pulls out an old dented pair of glasses. She hands them to Wen Qing.
“I found these just outside of the market a few years ago. I was going to try to sell them, but I never got around to it.” She laughs, “Honestly, I’m glad! They’ll be much better served here - I think they’ll help sell you as a ‘scholarly’ type.”
Wen Qing puts on the glasses and looks at herself in the mirror. The frames are slightly crooked, and the glass is scratched, but they do give her a different air. A bit more meek, perhaps. Definitely not someone who would arouse suspicion.
And most importantly…
“With a set of Jiang robes, you’ll look like just another disciple traveling along with me to Lanling.”
It is much easier than Jiang Yanli expected to get her brother’s approval to travel to Lanling. He is not…excited at the idea of re-establishing her engagement to Jin Zixuan, no, that’s not quite how she would describe it. It is more of a practical resignation. Jiang Yanli knows that both Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian would much rather her remain here with them until they all grow old. She also knows that Jiang Cheng is in need of allies, and an engagement to LanlingJin’s heir apparent would present YunmengJiang with a political legitimacy that has been lacking since Jiang Cheng was forced to take up the mantle of clan leader.
So, he lets her go. He even makes travel arrangements for her, and he and A-Xian both see her off at the pier when she leaves. The small traveling party Jiang Cheng had assembled is of little consequence: disciples too new to even think of questioning Jiang Yanli when she insists they stop at an inn along the river for the night, and too inexperienced to notice an addition to their number when they set out the next morning.
Liu Jiayue leads them with quick, practiced authority as they make the long journey to Lanling. If any of them bear witness to the unfamiliar Jiang disciple clinging a bit too closely to her side, they do not mention it. They likely think she is just another new recruit they simply haven’t been introduced to yet. There are, indeed, so many of them these days. It’s difficult to keep track of them all.
Their arrival at Koi Tower is met with little fanfare. Madam Jin greets them, of course, with a…displeased looking Jin Zixuan at her side.
For a moment, Jiang Yanli thinks of Ye Meixiu, and her offer to do Jiang Yanli’s makeup before they left Yunmeng. (‘I can show you how to do it yourself, jiejie. I promise, with this, he’ll faint the second he lays eyes on you!’) She’d turned her friend down in the end. And now, as she takes in the plain boredom written across Jin Zixuan’s face, she is glad. It is strange, she thinks, how detached she feels about it. If this had been only a few years ago, she’s sure a hot brand of shame would have simmered in her gut at his obvious dismissal.
Madam Jin shows them to their rooms and invites her to an early tea the next morning. Jiang Yanli accepts, of course, and even tentatively says she’ll consider taking a chaperoned walk with Jin Zixuan afterward. It is easy to simply nod along as Madam Jin makes excuses for his poor mood and outlines her son’s finer qualities; it is, of course, a well-practiced routine at this point.
By the time she’s settled in her rooms, Jiang Yanli is exhausted. She barely even moves when she hears two sets of soft footsteps approaching. She knows Liu Jiayue has been given the rooms adjoining to her own, as she always has been when Jiang Yanli visits Koi Tower. This time, however, Liu Jiayue has a new roommate accompanying her.
As Jiang Yanli turns her head to look at them, she is once more stricken by how different Wen Qing looks. Her features are even more starkly contrasted in the low light, making the sharpness in her eyes all the more striking. Even so, Jiang Yanli finds herself oddly appreciating the figure she cuts in her borrowed robes, and the way the deep Jiang violet brings out the flushed tones of her skin.
Wen Qing’s gaze meets Jiang Yanli’s, and for a moment, they both simply stare at each other in silence. This is not the place to discuss any part of their plans, moving forward. Privacy in Koi Tower is nothing but a carefully curated illusion.
Liu Jiayue breaks the quiet tension with a huff, “Truly, LanlingJin’s young master is something isn’t he? With the way his mother speaks of him, one would think he hung the heavens himself.”
Jiang Yanli can’t help but chuckle. Liu Jiayue, much like her brothers, has never been fond of Jin Zixuan. It has been a long-standing topic of conversation between the two of them ever since they’d broken into the friendship they have now. What mattered in the end, they’d decided many times by now, is that when the time came they would still have each other. Because Liu Jiayue would follow her to Koi Tower when she married in, of course, just as her mother’s personal attendants had come with her from MeishanYu. It was only natural that Jiang Yanli would do the same.
“You should take down your hair before you settle in for the night,” Liu Jiayue says, moving toward Jiang Yanli’s bags. She pulls out her comb set and gestures for her to turn around.
Jiang Yanli obliges, turning her back to Liu Jiayue. As she revels in the feeling of all of the tight little hairpins slowly sliding from her hair, she catches Wen Qing watching her.
“Hand me one of my combs, A-Yue.”
A moment later, a light green jade comb presses into her waiting fingers. She smiles at Wen Qing and pats the empty space on the bed in front of her.
“I can do yours, if you’d like.” She offers, half expecting Wen Qing to immediately turn her down, and while that would dampen her spirits a bit, Jiang Yanli would understand. The other half expects at least a little bit of protest.
Instead, she is treated to Wen Qing settling down in front of her without a word. It is just a bit thrilling, to be trusted unquestioningly with such an intimate task. Jiang Yanli feels her cheeks flush a bit as she carefully combs through Wen Qing's dark, silky hair. This close, she can catch a hint of the hair oil she’d given Wen Qing, back when this had all started. A small part of her, as irrational as it is, finds the idea of Wen Qing smelling like her strangely pleasing.
As she carefully detangles a small knot in the small, baby hairs at the nape of Wen Qing’s neck, Jiang Yanli finds herself leaning in, just to catch a bit more of it. Her fingers brush over the exposed skin, ever so slightly, and Wen Qing's breath hitches, but she doesn't pull away. Jiang Yanli can feel the warmth radiating from her skin, and it ignites an odd, flickering fire in her belly.
A harsh tug on her own hair draws her back into the moment, grounding her enough to finish combing through and braiding Wen Qing’s hair.
“Are you actually going to follow through with Madam Jin’s suggestion to walk with Jin Zixuan tomorrow?” Liu Jiayue asks, not unkindly. Jiang Yanli can sense that she’s likely already caught on to the reason why she said she’d consider it in the first place.
“I may, depending on how well tea goes with Madam Jin.” She says, “It would be prudent, I think . ”
It will keep up the appearance that we’re here on Madam Jin’s suggestion in the hopes that our engagement will be re-established, is left unsaid between them.
Liu Jiayue nods in understanding.
“I will accompany you then.”
Madam Jin has always been kind to Jiang Yanli. She has heaped praise upon her shoulders since she was just a little girl, complimenting her mild nature and graceful demeanor. When she was young, she felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Madam Jin for her goodwill and support, especially during times when her own mother's expectations weighed heavily on her. It had taken a long time for her to recognize that this kindness, too, came with expectations.
As she sits across from Madam Jin now, she wonders just how she would react if Jiang Yanli told her she holds no intention of marrying her son.
She thinks Madam Jin would not react poorly, at first. She would ask what had happened and would then likely try to convince her to reconsider, as she has done so many times before. (‘He is a young boy, A-Li, he will grow out of this when he’s older.’ ‘Zixuan did not mean that, I promise. He’s just a bit restless.’ ‘I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding, A-Li. He likely meant to say this…’) From past experience, Jiang Yanli thinks there would likely never be a point where Madam Jin would consider her son’s actions so objectionable that they could not be smoothed over with a few sweet words and a push in the right direction.
This is, of course, incorrect.
Jiang Yanli had given up any hope of having an amicable relationship with Jin Zixuan the moment he’d stood by while his cousin insulted her brother right to his face at the phoenix mountain hunt. He hadn’t demanded an apology, hadn’t stepped in to stop him, hadn’t even been able to look her in the eye when she defended him herself.
There were many things Jiang Yanli would tolerate. Insults directed at her were common and she paid them little mind. It did not matter to her what others thought of her . But to disrespect her brothers? There are only so many things Jiang Yanli is willing to forgive, on that front.
Madam Jin sits across from her now, as they settle in for tea under one of the shaded pavilions in Jinlintai’s grand gardens. The one she’s chosen overlooks a small pond, and as Madam Jin starts in on updating her about Jin Zixuan’s latest feats of martial prowess, Jiang Yanli finds herself watching a small flock of yuānyāng. They move gracefully as they float across the surface of the water - two greyed lavender hens trailed by a line of three little ducklings. She watches as they weave through the pond greens, smiling softly when the larger hen rounds up the ducklings and guides them to a safe patch of duckweed they can eat.
Liu Jiayue’s hand presses against her back, a clear reminder that she needs to focus. As she brings herself back in on the conversation, that hand lingers, a familiar comfort that Jiang Yanli is grateful for.
“Do you know if Jiang-zongzhu has given any more thought toward your engagement to Zixuan?” She moves across the table, covering Jiang Yanli’s hand with her own in a gesture that she once would have taken as gentle comfort, “I know you must be anxious about it. I must tell you, Zixuan has been wracked with nerves ever since I told him you would be coming to visit.”
Jiang Yanli privately thinks that that is perhaps not a good thing.
“I’m afraid I have no news regarding my betrothal to give you. Many things have been put on hold until the rebuild is complete. My brother has been working very hard on ensuring the safety and prosperity of our clan members and the surrounding villages,” Jiang Yanli replies, her voice steady despite the discomfort prickling at her skin.
Madam Jin’s smile falters for a moment before she quickly recovers, “Of course, of course. It is admirable how much he has accomplished in such a short time after the war.”
Jiang Yanli inclines her head in acknowledgment, a polite smile on her lips. A quiet tension fills the air between them, then, and Jiang Yanli has a distinct feeling that this bodes ill for her hopes of prying any information from Madam Jin.
She is shortly proven correct when Madam Jin simply waves off Jiang Yanli’s subtle mention of a rumor she’d heard about the Jin Clan housing a few Wen Clan members. She phrases it in such a way to make it seem inconsequential - a passing conversation she’d overheard while having tea at an inn during their travels.
Even as she’s waved off, she presses - delicately probing around the subject in the hopes that Madam Jin would let something slip. A quip at her husband, or perhaps an admonishment of her newly legitimized step-son, something that would convey just a little too much that might point them in the right direction. Still, by the end of the afternoon, she has learned nothing apart from the fact that Madam Jin might be liable to strangle Jin Guangyao if he looks at her the wrong way.
The stroll she had promised to take with Jin Zixuan afterward proves just as unfruitful. They make exactly one circuit through the outlying gardens and though she very carefully attempts to start conversations about a few things she knows interest him, his answers are as short and stilted as they always have been. It results in a quiet, uncomfortable silence that is only worsened by Jiang Yanli’s need to ply him for any information he may have. If she could not get him to speak on something so trivial as archery, or the weather, what would asking deeper questions even accomplish?
For all that he never says an ill word to her while they walk, Jin Zixuan also refuses to look at her, even when she addresses him directly. Every glance she steals at him finds him to be clearly unfocused, his hands trembling, his breath quick despite their leisurely pace. At this point, she assumes it's with palpable anger at being forced to spend time with her. Near the end of their walk he seems to pause, clearly wanting to say something, but as soon as she meets his eye, his jaw clicks shut, and he continues on down the path without a word.
By the end of the evening, Jiang Yanli returns to her guest rooms with little in the way of new information, and a tense feeling in her neck.
Wen Qing is waiting for her when she returns. By all rights, it should be an inconsequential thing - coming back to her rooms and finding Wen Qing waiting for her. In the warm orange tones of the evening, she looks as though she belongs there, sitting at the small desk by Jiang Yanli’s bed wrapped so naturally in her borrowed violet robes.
It takes her a moment to pull her gaze from Wen Qing, her cheeks warm. As she starts readying herself for bed, the unbidden image of Wen Qing, dressed in a pale lavender that mirrored her own springs into her mind, and she tamps it down with desperate resolution. It wouldn't do to dwell on such frivolous matters. Certainly not now, when Wen Qing is rightly focused on finding information about her brother. She, too, should focus on their purpose here.
Thankfully, Wen Qing seems not to have noticed. Or at least, Jiang Yanli thinks she hasn’t, until she finds her hands being gently pushed away from the intricate hairpins holding her braids in place. It’s a light gesture, almost furtive, but it sends a ripple of warmth through Jiang Yanli nonetheless. She looks up, meeting Wen Qing’s eyes.
“You look troubled.” Wen Qing’s hands are steady as she removes each pin and starts to comb through her hair, just as Jiang Yanli had done for her the night before.
Jiang Yanli offers a rueful smile. "It has been an eventful day, to say the least. I fear I have not made much progress."
Wen Qing studies her intently for a moment before speaking again. “I expected as much.”
“That does not mean tomorrow will not be different, however. I will speak with Madam Jin once more at lunch, and in two week’s time, I have been invited to a formal dinner where Jin-zongzhu will be in attendance - that may prove more effective.”
“Two weeks?” A complicated look passes over Wen Qing’s face, and Jiang Yanli rushes to reassure her.
“Yes, Madam Jin assured me he would be there. He is visiting GusuLan for negotiations of some kind at the moment.”
Wen Qing’s expression remains inscrutable for a moment before she nods, her fingers deftly working through Jiang Yanli's hair, “I see.”
Jiang Yanli watches the play of emotions on Wen Qing's face, a mix of concern and something she can't quite decipher. As Wen Qing continues to work on her hair, her touch gentle and comforting, Jiang Yanli feels a sense of peace settling over her.
It is difficult not to lose herself in the soft repetition, her thoughts drifting. For a stray moment, she finds herself imagining a life not her own, a familiar musing that has haunted her dreams for many years. A life spent comfortably, tilling fields and harvesting the fruits of her own labor, a few little ones running around a modest home by a small pond, and…someone, who would smile any time she fed them. That person had always been shadowed, as if they existed just out of her periphery. For a while when she was younger, she could imagine an outline of them, and if she really tried it would take the vague shape of the man she hoped Jin Zixuan would grow into.
Now, that seems just a bit foolish. She thinks that now, if she let herself sink into it, she might find familiar dark eyes looking back at her.
If they find Wen Qionglin, if they’re able to sneak him back to Lotus Pier without any trouble, she thinks that maybe, if she is quite lucky, some small semblance of that dream could become a reality.
Jiang Yanli sighs as she feels Wen Qing tie off the end of her sleep braid, and she chances a glance over her shoulder. Their eyes meet for a long moment before she turns, taking the comb into her own hands. Her touch is gentle, tentative, as she brushes her fingertips along Wen Qing’s shoulder.
“Let me?” She asks, even as Wen Qing is already turning away from her, pliant under her hands.
Her eyes still linger on the fine shimmer of Wen Qing’s borrowed robes as she leans in, gathering her hair in her hands with careful delicacy.
Wen Qing stiffens slightly under Jiang Yanli's touch, and she tries not to imagine that it’s because she feels the same warmth that Jiang Yanli does. But still, as she softly combs through Wen Qing’s hair, she can't help but notice the subtle tension in her movements, the way her breath catches ever so slightly at unexpected intervals.
"You don't have to do this," Wen Qing murmurs.
With the last small knot untangled, Jiang Yanli starts weaving a simple braid, her fingers moving with practiced ease as she replies softly, "I want to. You've done much for me, you know. I do not think there is anything I could do that would even begin to repay what you - and Wen Qionglin - have given me. My brothers live today because of your kindness, and your willingness to put yourself in danger to help when we were in need. It is the very least I could do, Wen Qing, to return that same courtesy.”
Wen Qing remains silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on a distant point beyond the room. She says nothing as Jiang Yanli finishes off her braid.
Perhaps, in another life, things might have been different. One where Wen Qing had not knelt by her side in the weeks after Lotus pier had fallen, when Jiang Cheng wouldn’t wake. If Wen Qing had not let her lean into her warmth on nights when she could not sleep, or spoken so kindly to her when the weight of their losses threatened to drown her. If she had not taken everything Jiang Yanli could give and returned nothing but a smile, a soft hand in her own, and whispered comforts lost in the starless night.
Jiang Yanli ties the end of the braid with a silk ribbon, her movements slow and deliberate. Wen Qing remains, still and silent. It is this lingering that spurs her on, she thinks, as she leans forward slowly. She can see Wen Qing watching her out of the corner of her eye. Her heart flutters in her chest like a small bird as Wen Qing makes no move to stop her from gently drawing her into an embrace.
“We will find him.” She says, as she reaches out to take one of Wen Qing’s hands. That Wen Qing lets herself be drawn close, her hand slipping easily into Jiang Yanli's, feels like a small victory.
Wen Qing's hand is warm in hers, and she can feel the tension slowly ebb away from Wen Qing's frame as she relaxes into the embrace. For a moment, they stay like that, finding solace in each other's presence. It is so much like those long, yawning nights in Yiling that it makes her heart ache.
“We will find him," Jiang Yanli repeats, her voice barely above a whisper.
When Wen Qing finally speaks, her voice is soft, barely audible in the quiet of the room, "I know.”
When Jiang Yanli wakes the next day, it’s to the soft chirping of birds and the warmth of the morning sun alighting her rooms. She feels drained, still. For a few moments, she simply lays in bed, privately lamenting the idea of dressing and meeting Madam Jin for another long conversation that may not lead them anywhere.
She wonders for a moment, feeling the empty bed beside her, just when Wen Qing had gone back to her own rooms. The last thing she remembers of the night before was curling into each other on top of her covers, and holding Wen Qing just as Wen Qing had held her all that time ago.
A knock interrupts her thoughts, and she finds the door to the adjoining room opening before she can call to answer it. Liu Jiayue steps through, her face clouded with annoyance.
“Is Wen Qing in here?” She asks, glancing quickly around the room.
Jiang Yanli shakes her head, sitting up in bed and trying to will the weariness from her body, “I thought she was rooming with you?”
Liu Jiayue sighs, “Her stuff is gone. I thought maybe she…”
Her eye seems to catch on something in the corner, her brow pinching. Jiang Yanli follows her gaze to a dark stack of robes, neatly folded on the dresser. Jiang Yanli recognizes them instantly.
She stands up quickly, her mind racing with worry and confusion. As she reaches out to touch the fabric, a slip of paper tucked between two layers catches her eye. Jiang Yanli carefully extracts it, unfolding the note with trepidation. The elegant script is unmistakably Wen Qing's.
I'm sorry.
As Jiang Yanli reads those words, a chill runs down her spine. The room suddenly feels colder, emptier. She clutches the note in her hand, the paper crinkling with the force of her grip. Panic begins to creep into her chest, curling around her heart like a vice.
Liu Jiayue watches her closely, sensing the change in the air. "What does it say?"
Jiang Yanli swallows hard, trying to steady her trembling hand as she offers the note to Liu Jiayue.
The other woman reads it quickly, her expression darkening. She grits her teeth and lets out a long, frustrated breath, “Do you have any idea where she might have gone?”
It is generally ill-advised to wander around Koi Tower without a guide, but Jiang Yanli has been a guest so frequently she knows most of the pathways by now. Wen Qing, she worries, does not. If she had gone out in hopes of gaining information about her brother another way, she could be in danger. Any reasoning for why she would forsake their plan now, and abandon her disguise as a Jiang disciple only briefly crosses her mind. Jiang Yanli pushes those thoughts aside for now, focusing on the urgency of the situation at hand.
Jiang Yanli takes a deep breath, her mind racing as she tries to come up with a plan. She knows she must act quickly to find Wen Qing before something terrible happens.
"I have no idea," Jiang Yanli admits.
Liu Jiayue sighs, "Well, we have to start somewhere. The gardens and the training grounds are always full of junior disciples, and you know how they love to gossip."
Jiang Yanli nods, "We'll start there then."
Determined, they leave the room in a hurry, making their way through the corridors of Koi Tower under the pretense of taking a morning walk through the gardens, discreetly listening for any whispers or clues about Wen Qing's whereabouts.
The halls are quiet this early in the morning, and on their way to the gardens they see only a few Jin servants, none of which look as though they’ve seen anything out of the ordinary. When they finally make their way to the back grounds of the estate, they catch sight of a group of Jin disciples huddled together in a secluded clearing among the flowering peonies, their voices hushed but urgent.
They stop just out of sight, listening intently to their conversation.
The Jin disciples are animated, their voices carrying a mix of excitement and triumph. Jiang Yanli strains to catch their words, her heart pounding in anticipation of any information about Wen Qing.
"I can't believe we actually caught a Wen dog trying to sneak into Koi Tower," one of the disciples says, a smug grin playing on his face.
“The arrogance of these Wen bastards knows no bounds,” another disciple chimes in, his voice tinged with malice. “Did you see the look on her face when we caught her?”
The three of them laugh, a cacophony of sadistic amusement that makes Jiang Yanli's blood run cold. She digs her nails into the palm of her hand. Wen Qing has been discovered, and by the sound of it, if she isn’t already in danger, she will be soon. Jiang Yanli needs to think of something quick, something that will get them to Wen Qing as quickly as possible.
She exchanges a quick glance with Liu Jiayue, who gives her a nod. She knows, no matter what happens here, Liu Jiayue will shoulder it with her. And so, she steps forward out into the clearing without another moment of hesitation.
The Jin disciples startle at her sudden appearance, but she holds her head high, even as she deliberately softens herself as she addresses them.
“You found a Wen disciple in Koi Tower?” She asks, her voice calm and controlled despite the storm raging within her. The Jin disciples turn to face her, their expressions shifting from amusement to guarded wariness.
One of them, a tall and lean man with a sneer on his lips, steps forward. "Jiang-guniang," he says with a mock bow. "Yes, we caught her trying to sneak into the grounds."
Jiang Yanli forces herself to keep her composure, though her heart is pounding with fear for Wen Qing. "How bold.” She says, “Who would attempt such a thing?”
The Jin disciple who had spoken steps closer, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "She gave us a false name at first, claimed she was just a lost traveler. But we saw through her lies," he boasts, puffing out his chest with pride. "She finally admitted to being a Wen disciple, said her name was Wen Qing."
At the mention of Wen Qing’s name, Jiang Yanli audibly gasps. She takes a step forward toward the Jin disciple, a desperate look crossing her features.
“Wen Qing?” She says, and she allows her voice to break a bit at the end. The Jin disciples, who had not been expecting this reaction, exchange confused glances. “You’re certain she said her name was Wen Qing?”
The Jin disciple nods, "Yes, Jiang-guniang. She was quite the feisty one, I must say. Kept spouting something about protecting her brother, but we all know what the Wens are capable of," he says with disdain dripping from his words.
“Where is she now?" she asks.
“Oh, you don't need to worry, Jiang-guniang," he says smugly, crossing his arms. "She's in our custody, and we won’t be keeping her around for long. The punishment for a Wen spy infiltrating Koi Tower is clear."
Jiang Yanli’s heart sinks at his words. “I must see her,” she insists, and she plays up the panic in her voice. “It’s important that I speak with her immediately.”
The Jin disciple eyes Jiang Yanli with suspicion, hesitating for a moment. And then he laughs, a harsh sound that echoes through the clearing. "And why would you need to speak with a Wen dog like her? Are they not the ones who annihilated the Jiang Clan?”
This is souring quickly. She needs to reign it back in, but just as she’s about to open her mouth to respond, another voice cuts through the clearing.
"What's going on here?" Jin Zixuan demands, his gaze flickering from Jiang Yanli to the Jin disciples before settling back on Jiang Yanli. The Jin disciples straighten at his arrival, a mix of respect and caution in their expressions.
Jiang Yanli’s heart sinks. This could not be a worse time for Jin Zixuan to appear. She does not have time, nor does she have the patience, to take whatever harsh words he may have for her now that she’s causing a scene in the middle of his family’s gardens.
“Jin-gongzi,” One of the disciples says, stepping forward, “Jiang-guniang is demanding to see that Wen woman we found sneaking around the grounds.”
Jin Zixuan gaze on her does not falter. His face remains impassive as Jiang Yanli takes a long breath, running through any potential options she may have here. Outright claiming Wen Qing’s innocence would go over poorly, without question. Perhaps she could claim Wen Qing owed her something? But that may dig an even larger hole for them to climb out of later.
She just needs a bit of time to think—
“Very well.” Jin Zixuan says, and Jiang Yanli stills, startled.
“If it is important to Jiang-guniang,” He continues, his jaw set and his hands clenched at his sides as his eyes sweep over the group of Jin disciples, “Then she will be taken to see her.” He pauses for a moment, and Jiang Yanli almost flinches as he turns to face her abruptly, “I will accompany you.”
With Jin Zixuan’s unexpected aid, it becomes quick work to get the information about where Wen Qing had been taken. The relief she feels at finding Wen Qing is quickly tempered by the revelation that she’d apparently been taken out of Lanling, to a ‘work camp’ where the Jin have apparently been keeping any Wen cultivators they come across.
They leave soon after, making the journey on sword. Jiang Yanli rides with Liu Jiayue, her mind a whirlwind of fear and determination. Jin Zixuan rides close by, his silence a heavy presence that she cannot ignore. She steals glances at him occasionally, trying to decipher why he might be helping them.
As they near the work camp, a sense of dread settles in Jiang Yanli's stomach. The air is heavy with an ill aura, and she can't help but shudder at the sight of the desolate, dry cliffs surrounding the camp. Rows of makeshift tents stretch out before them, the fabric weathered and torn from use.
Jin Zixuan leads the way, his expression unreadable as they dismount near the entrance. Jiang Yanli follows closely behind him, her steps faltering slightly as she takes in the dismal surroundings. The Jin guards stationed at the gate eye them warily, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords until they catch sight of Jin Zixuan.
"We're here to see a woman who was brought here earlier," Jin Zixuan announces, his voice commanding authority.
The guards exchange uneasy glances before one steps forward to address Jin Zixuan.
“Forgive me, Jin-gongzi, but no one is supposed to enter or leave without express permission.” he explains, his voice tinged with nervousness.
Jin Zixuan’s jaw tightens, his patience wearing thin. “Permission from who? My father?”
Jin Zixuan's question hangs in the air, the tension palpable as the guard shifts uncomfortably under his gaze. Before the guard can respond, Jin Zixuan scoffs, striding forward toward the gate, “If it was my father’s order, they would state it outright.” He calls over his shoulder, “Follow me.”
The guards, despite their previous claims, make no motion to stop them when Jin Zixuan moves past them.
They walk quickly through the tents at the entrance, the harsh sunlight casting long shadows across the dusty ground. Their footsteps echo through the camp, drawing curious glances from the few Jin disciples scattered around who have stopped their work to watch the newcomers pass. Jiang Yanli stays close to Liu Jiayue, her hand tightening around her guard’s sleeve as they make their way further into the camp.
She scans each face they pass, searching for any sign of Wen Qing. The camp is bustling with activity; women and men toil under the watchful eyes of Jin guards, their movements slow and labored from exhaustion. It is, if anything, worse than she had imagined. There are some younger men who could be cultivators scattered in amongst the workers, but most appear to be ordinary civilians that have been forced into hard labor.
A great many of their number are clearly much too old to have even entertained the idea of fighting in the war, and then, as Jin Zixuan stops to talk to one of the Jin guards, Jiang Yanli spots a child. A frail little boy, his thin arms clinging to an old woman’s back. Dread surges through her in an instant. He’s too young. He wouldn’t have even been born when the war began. She feels a surge of anger and helplessness as she watches the child's tired eyes flicker with fear.
Jin Zixuan's voice breaks through her turmoil, commanding and sharp as he speaks with the guard. Jiang Yanli tries to focus on his words, pushing down her rising emotions. She hears only brief snippets of their conversation about Wen Qing's whereabouts.
As Jin Zixuan turns around, he glances at her. It's clear she hasn't managed to hide her distress well, as his own expression darkens when he follows her eyes to the child. He pauses for a moment before he turns back to her, his jaw clenched in frustration, “The guards said a woman was brought in a few hours ago. Wen Qing should be here.”
Jiang Yanli nods. Together, they continue walking deeper into the heart of the camp. The air seems to grow heavier with each step, the collective weight of suffering pressing down on them.
And then she hears it - Wen Qing’s voice ringing out over the sounds of the camp, sharp and clear despite the chaos around them. Jiang Yanli quickens her pace, Liu Jiayue matching her stride as they follow the sound to a small clearing, where a group of Jin disciples are gathered. Among them stands Wen Qing, her back to Jiang Yanli, her long dark hair cascading down her back in disarray.
The rush of relief that hits her at the sight of Wen Qing, alive and whole, is overwhelming.
Ignoring the Jin disciples gathered around Wen Qing, Jiang Yanli rushes forward, and as soon as she reaches her, she pulls her into a crushing embrace. It is such an intense display that her fingers nearly tear through the worn cloth of her robes. Wen Qing, when she pulls back, looks stricken - surprised, in such a way that Jiang Yanli quickly recognizes she can use it to her advantage here.
On the sword flight to the camp, Jiang Yanli had considered a few potential courses of action for how this might play out once they arrived, depending on the condition Wen Qing was in and the circumstances surrounding the Wen Ning. And here, now, with Wen Qing in her arms and a group of Wen that clearly do not belong in a camp meant for cultivators who had participated in the war, Jiang Yanli can think of only one option that might work.
With a gentle hand, she cups Wen Qing’s cheek, her thumb moving to wipe a bit of dried mud from her cheek.
She looks at Wen Qing with open, sincere relief, and leans forward, softly resting their foreheads together, “You’re alive.”
“Wen Qing,” Jiang Yanli says, deliberately loud, her voice filled with as much raw emotion as she can muster, “All this time - where have you been? We sent disciples out to look for you, after we lost contact all those months ago. And when…when…” Jiang Yanli takes a long, shuttering breath, “When we couldn’t find you…I feared the worst.”
Something seems to click in Wen Qing as she speaks, and Jiang Yanli finds herself being held in return. Wen Qing’s hand is warm as it comes to cradle the back of her neck, a soothing, grounding force that sends real shivers down Jiang Yanli’s spine. Still, she needs to focus.
She turns her head, slotting her chin into the groove of Wen Qing’s shoulder until she’s close enough to whisper into her ear, “Did you find him?”
Wen Qing’s voice wavers in her own ear, “ Yes.”
With a deep, calming breath to steady herself, “How is he?”
“He’s alive,” is all Wen Qing gives her, but really, that’s all she needs right now.
Jiang Yanli tenses at the sound of someone clearing their throat behind her. She takes a step away, but her hand never leaves Wen Qing’s.
Jin Zixun stands at his cousin’s side, a clear look of disgust on his face as he watches them. She ignores him completely, focusing her entire attention on Jin Zixuan.
She makes direct, unwavering eye-contact with him, smiles, and then gives him a deep bow.
“You have my deepest gratitude, Jin-gongzi, for your aid in reuniting me with my fiancée.”
A quiet extends between them, stilted and sudden. When she straightens back up, Jiang Yanli finds Jin Zixuan's expression caught between surprise and disbelief. Jin Zixun, beside him, looks positively murderous. Wen Qing’s hand tightens around her own, their fingers threading together like they were meant to be perfectly entwined. Jiang Yanli gives Wen Qing's hand a reassuring squeeze before turning her attention back to Jin Zixuan.
She watches as Jin Zixuan’s eyes flicker from Jiang Yanli to Wen Qing and back again, and she can almost see the thoughts racing through his mind. She knows this moment is crucial - the delicate balance of whether he will believe her teetering on a knife's edge.
Finally, Jin Zixuan clears his throat, but even so, his voice is still strained as he all but squeaks out, “Fiancée?”
Jiang Cheng arrives at Koi Tower not even a day later, storming in to Koi Tower with a small group of Jiang disciples in tow. Liu Jiayue is with them, as Jiang Yanli had sent her ahead to explain the situation when it became apparent they would need to officially petition LanlingJin for Wen Qing to be released from their custody. The look Liu Jiayue gives her from across the room tells Jiang Yanli all she needs to know. Her brother may not know all of the details, but he would sooner abdicate his place as clan leader than call her judgment into question in public.
This holds true, even as the Jin court convenes and Jin Zixun questions the validity of Jiang Yanli’s betrothal claim. Jiang Cheng does not flinch at the mention of the betrothal, he merely grits his teeth and throws back a biting remark about Jin Zixun having a suspicious interest in YunmengJiang's affairs.
“Jiang-zongzhu was aware of the betrothal, then?” Madam Jin asks. Jin Zixuan is standing at her side as she sits in LanlingJin’s golden throne, a seat usually reserved for Jin Guangshan. In his absence, however, Madam Jin has taken up rule over the proceedings. Jiang Yanli is not sure if this is a point in their favor or not - while Jin Guangshan would certainly be difficult to deal with, she cannot imagine Madam Jin taking the news that Jiang Yanli is engaged to someone other than her son very well.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Cheng answers, “Yes. Terms were set at the start of the Sunshot Campaign, after an extended period of time where Wen-guniang and her family sheltered my sister, Wei Wuxian, and myself from Wen Chao’s men, at great personal cost.”
While Jin Zixun sputters in outrage, Jiang Cheng turns to his sister with a small nod - a promise that they would speak about this extensively later on. Jiang Yanli meets his gaze with gratitude shining in her eyes before turning back to face the court.
"The terms of our betrothal outlined protections for Wen Qing’s family, in the event that the actions they took to shelter us resulted in harm befalling the DafanWen." She says, her voice unwavering. "As this is the case, Wen Qing, as well as her family, should be placed under YunmengJiang’s supervision."
Madam Jin's face remains impassive at the declaration, her fingers drumming sharply against the arm of her golden throne. At her side, Jin Zixuan leans over to whisper something in her ear. Her expression darkens considerably as he speaks, her eyes flickering over to Jin Zixun.
Jin Zixun shoots a venomous glare towards Jiang Yanli, his voice dripping with disdain as he retorts, "You expect us to simply hand over a bunch of dangerous Wen cultivators to YunmengJiang based on some flimsy betrothal claim?"
“Indeed. Affairs concerning war criminals that have been entrusted under LanlingJin’s care should only be decided upon with the clan leader present, should they not?” Jin Guangyao, who has been conveniently silent until now, says, “It would only be right to wait until Jin-zongzhu has returned to decide whether-”
“No.” Madam Jin’s voice cuts through, “YunmengJiang will take Wen Qing, and any affiliated members of her family, into their custody.”
Jin Guangyao tenses, his eyes darting over to where she sits on Koi Tower’s golden throne, “Madam, I really think it would be wise to…”
A glare stops him short this time, effectively shutting off any protest in the room.
Jin Zixun's face turns an alarming shade of red, his fists clenched in fury. "Bomu!" he sputters.
Madam Jin rises from her throne, her gaze icy as she stares down Jin Zixun. "Quiet, Zixun. I have made my decision."
With a wave of her hand, guards step forward to escort Wen Qing and her family towards Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng.
“YunmengJiang will take custody of Wen Qing and her family. However, as our clan leader is not currently present, and as this matter arguably concerns all clans who were subject to Wen Ruohan’s tyranny, we will reconvene at a later time to ensure YunmengJiang bears the larger cultivation world no threat. Does YunmengJiang agree to these terms?”
After a moment of tense silence, Jiang Cheng inclines his head in a begrudging nod. "YunmengJiang agrees to these terms," he says.
Jiang Yanli feels a mix of relief and apprehension settle in her chest. She exchanges a glance with Wen Qing, who gives her a small, encouraging smile.
Madam Jin's decisive actions may have temporarily resolved the situation, but Jiang Yanli knows that this is far from over. The delicate balance of power among the sects is shifting, and she can sense the undercurrent of tension that lingers in the air.
Still, even if this is a temporary concession, it is still a victory. Wen Qing will be safe, Wen Ning will be cared for, and the rest of their family will hopefully find peace and solace in Yunmeng.
Before she leaves, Jiang Yanli spares one last look at Madam Jin. She sees a flicker of something in that steely gaze, a hint of approval maybe, or perhaps understanding. Jiang Yanli bows respectfully, silently thanking Madam Jin for this small kindness. When their eyes meet once more, there is a soft, hesitant smile greeting her. Madam Jin's smile fades as quickly as it appeared, her mask of authority slipping back into place. But Jiang Yanli catches that brief moment of connection, and she cannot help but think that perhaps Madam Jin’s support was not as conditional as she’d come to think it was.
“When did you say they would be here?”
A gentle breeze floats through the pavilion, carrying with it the scent of late summer lotus blooms. As Jiang Yanli unpacks the last of the dishes she’d packed away in her basket, she smiles at Wen Qing, sitting on the woven mat beside her.
“Only a few minutes more, I think.” She replies, and with a content sigh, she settles down next to her.
Wen Qing nods, her eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of movement. The soft lapping of the water beneath the pier is the only sound breaking through the gentle tranquility of the afternoon.
Jiang Yanli’s smile widens as she catches Wen Qing tugging at her sleeves out of the corner of her eye.
Now that everything is settled, and Wen Ning and the rest of Wen Qing’s family are safe in Yunmeng, Jiang Yanli finds it increasingly difficult to not spend an inordinate amount of time indulging in her new favorite pastime: buying Wen Qing new robes and embroidering them herself.
The set she’s wearing today cascades down her figure like a waterfall of silk, the warm lavender reminiscent of the soft hues of a sunrise over Lotus Pier. Jiang Yanli had spent weeks stitching the delicate golden lotus flowers along the hems, each petal sewn with love and care. She watches as Wen Qing absentmindedly smooths down the fabric, a small smile of her own playing on her lips.
"If you keep looking at me like that, that guard of yours will tell your brother we need another chaperone," Wen Qing says softly, her gaze finally meeting Jiang Yanli's.
Jiang Yanli laughs, “Am I not allowed to enjoy the company of my betrothed?” She says, “Am I not allowed to find her beautiful?”
Wen Qing levels her with an unimpressed look, making a point to shuffle a bit farther away when the soft rustle of footsteps start to make their way toward the pavilion.
“By your brother’s reckoning? We should not even be allowed in the same city before the wedding.” Wen Qing quips.
“Indeed, we wouldn’t want to cause a scandal, would we?” Jiang Yanli grins, a thrill running through her as she keeps her eye on the entrance to the pavilion. She leans in close, her hand finding Wen Qing’s under the table. With their fingers entwined, she presses a small piece of candied peach she’d saved into Wen Qing’s palm.
Wen Qing meets her eye, and Jiang Yanli feels that settled warmth in her core kindle into something more, sending flickering little sparks down her spine. Without a thought, Jiang Yanli closes the short distance between them, their lips meeting in a soft, lingering kiss. And for one fleeting moment, it’s just the two of them, lost in the comfortable quiet of the afternoon.
The sound of a throat clearing interrupts their silent exchange, and they both turn to see Liu Jiayue standing at the entrance to the pavilion, a weary annoyance written across her face.
Beside her, Ye Meixiu gasps, her eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement, “When did this happen?? You have to tell me!!!”
Jiang Yanli chuckles at the sight of her friends' reactions, feeling her cheeks flush with a mixture of embarrassment and joy. She squeezes Wen Qing's hand under the table.
"Well, it seems we've been caught," Jiang Yanli says, her voice carrying a hint of mischief. Wen Qing rolls her eyes but there's a softness in her gaze as she looks at Jiang Yanli, her lips curving into a fond smile.
Liu Jiayue raises an eyebrow, her arms crossed over her chest in mock disapproval. "You two are insufferable," she teases, as she settles down across from them.
Ye Meixiu follows her, setting her own basket down beside her. She pats the top of it, a wide grin on her face.
“Well, since this is the first I’m hearing of this, I think we should celebrate.” Ye Meixiu says, reaching into her basket to pull out a small, wrapped satchel, “I made more of those sweet dumplings you never got to try, jiejie!”
As Ye Meixiu unwraps the satchel to reveal a new batch of those same sweet dumplings that had started all of this, Jiang Yanli's heart swells at the sight of her friends. The air is filled with the soft murmur of laughter and the comforting aroma food, lovingly prepared for these few cherished people she’s come to treasure. And Jiang Yanli watches each of them, savoring the moment as the afternoon sun casts a warm glow over their little gathering, feeling warm and wholly content for the first time in a long, long time.