Chapter Text
CHAPTER ONE
Wen Ruohan knew his sons were not truly talented. Wen Xu at least had decent cultivation, but was as rash as the Nie. Though, for being his heir, he's severely lacking in many areas.
But Wen Chao has no redeeming qualities. Wen Mao would have beheaded him on the spot. As, apparently, was pointed out to him by a surprisingly talented Jiang disciple during the disaster that was Wen Chao's grab for glory in seeking the Xuanwu of Slaughter.
His orders had been clear and simple. Humiliate, but do not harm the heirs. And for as long as possible. Even Wen Zhuliu could do nothing to limit the boy's incompetence.
War was brewing, though there were better ways to manage the clans. But his sons had become more of a liability than an asset. He considered the intelligence he's received. Two boys, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, injured and swordless, killed the Xuanwu of Slaughter. Apparently they worked hard to save each other as well. Quite desperately at that.
They were matches in cultivation as well, from his sources. It would not be easy for them if they sought marriage, but if they quietly became cultivation partners... It would be an annoyance as is.
Wen Ruohan continued to ignore his useless son's ranting, as he kept reading the intelligence on Wei Wuxian. While a talented head disciple for the Jiang, he's clearly wasted. And no one bothered to properly adopt the boy. Most focused on his father and spoke down to him, but Wen Ruohan remembered the boy's mother. Her cultivation was truly exceptional. It seems the Jiang have squandered her greatest gift to her son, so he doesn't overly outshine their heir.
Really, why didn't they just betroth him to their daughter? He could have brought the Jiang to new heights. In fact, he has no betrothal at all. And despite reports of a flirty nature, not one affair. Curious.
The man would fight the Xuanwu of Slaughter to keep the second Jade alive, but not accept a single proposal. Neither has the Jiang heir, for that matter. But Wei Wuxian has been kept glued to the Jiang heir's side. Was Fengmian hoping they would be cultivation partners, with one taking a wife for legitimate heirs? It might help Jiang Wanyin to eventually catch up in cultivation. But again, a waste of the true talent.
"Father, I wish to go to Lotus Pier and claim Wei Wuxian's head for the insult he has given the Wen clan!" The disappointment shouted loud enough to lift Wen Ruohan's head from the report.
"Could you? If you stood against him in single combat, could you take his head?" Wen Ruohan asked calmly.
"I... He fights dirty, that son of a servant has no honor! He'd never fight honorably in a duel." Wen Chao sidestepped the question in exactly the wrong way.
"It seems a failing of the cultivation world that his father is mentioned like an insult, while he so resembles his mother. In talent, cultivation, and intelligence. She was once nearly my equal, and like other heirs, I sought her hand once. Her son appears to have even more potential, yet he's held down by who his father was. The clans are truly wasteful fools. You wish for the chance to take his head, Wen Chao? Then I shall arrange your opportunity."
To his pleasure, his useless son was silenced with terror. His excuses would not be enough.
"Go to your rooms. I will inform you of what will happen." Wen Ruohan had enough of dealing with him. He had a far better idea of how to proceed. The coward all but ran from the room.
"Summon Wen Qing and her brother. Also, contact Jin Guangshan. Lanling will host an emergency discussion conference, where the swords of their disciples shall be returned. Both my sons will be in attendance."
Wen Ruohan would fix another mistake of the clans. If the boy's father is holding him back, then he simply needs a better one. And Wen Ruohan would find it refreshing to have an intelligent son for once. He would use the boy's nature and loyalty to bind him to the Wen.
If it comes to war or himself, the boy would only make one choice. But resentment could poison his plans.
"I have a sketches of Wei Wuxian's parents... somewhere. Have our finest artist make fine portraits of them. One of each of them separately, one of them together with a baby. They are to be made with utmost skill as soon as possible." Wen Ruohan knew Fengmian was too scared to allow the boy to practice proper filial piety. "Have fine tablets of them made as well, equal to any in our ancestral hall."
Servants scurried to see his orders done.
"Wen Zhuliu, you will only protect Wen Chao until the discussion conference. You will receive a new assignment then. You may go rest."
"Of course, Wen-zongzhu."
The plan came together all too easily. Once Wen Zhuliu left the room, he gestured for one of his more discrete servants to approach.
"I require the matchmaker. The wedding will be between either Wen Qing or her brother and Wei Wuxian. The earliest auspicious date. Have a seamstress make a version of the Wen robes in red and black, as those are the boy's favored colors. Gather other robes in similar colors that would likely fit. They can be altered in Lanling."
"Understood, Xiandu." the elderly man bowed low. One did not live to such an age here without loyalty and discretion.
~~~~~
Wen Qing has been summoned before Wen Ruohan numerous times. She would not usually be overly concerned about that. But for her brother to be summoned as well has her hair standing on end. And they were not summoned to the hall, but a private room. They were encouraged (but really that meant politely threatened) to be discrete about the meeting.
Beside her, Wen Ning was shaking, despite trying his best to be brave. She wished she could comfort or shield him, but could not risk it here. Now.
They waited outside the room for several minutes. This, she was familiar with. A quiet reminder of her place. The "honor" of Wen Ruohan's personal attention required they understand how far below him they remain. She made a subtle gesture to her brother that this was still normal, and he settled a little.
Eventually, a servant opened the door and gestured them in. A tray of tea was placed on the table before Wen Ruohan. A flash of worry was kept hidden behind her mask. Wen Ning was the youngest, and he was terrified. He would shake.
"Please sit. It has been far to long since I've seen my beloved niece and nephew." Wen Ruohan said, then gestured for a young servant to serve them tea sparing her brother.
"Please don't mind or take offense. Liu Lanfen has exceptional tea skills, and I have been enjoying her tea very much. I hoped you might enjoy it with me today."
He was sparing her brother the potential humiliation. He wanted something big then. Once they had their tea, and the girl disappeared for now, Wen Ruohan's gaze sharpened.
"I'm afraid I must ask an unusual personal question. I assure you, honesty is in both your best interests. I intend to adopt an exceptional talent as the behavior of my sons does not reflect the nobility of our great Clan. I have reason to believe he might be a cutsleeve, though that takes nothing from his value. Wei Wuxian is exceptional enough I wish to see him pleased with a betrothal." Wen Ruohan paused, before focusing on Wen Ning, who's eyes were wide. Wen Qing herself froze for a moment. Was her brother going to be forced into a cutsleeve marriage?
"If he would prefer a man as a cultivation partner, would you be amenable to such an arrangement? I understand Wei Wuxian seemed fond of you, enough to vouch for your skill in archery. But it would not do if you have no interest in men. He is honorable and would not wish to be betrothed to someone who would merely tolerate his attention. And I would not wish for my nephew to be in such a relationship if it would make him miserable. Though, I am certain Wei Wuxian would be quite protective of anyone under his care. Please answer honestly, Wen Qionglin. If you have no interest in a man that way, it will never be brought up again."
Wen Qing did not know what to say or do. She knew he was one of the two who slayed the Xuanwu of Slaughter. He was so kind to her brother, he still mentioned him even now. She never dared ask if her brother liked men, as it likely wouldn't matter. If Wen Ruohan said you were marrying someone, that was it.
"But I have been unable to confirm definitively that he does in fact prefer men, so it may not matter. Either way, nothing you say here will be spoken of outside this room. If neither of you would be interested in a match with him, you will never speak of it again. I have others who might suit. But since his character and honor is beyond reproach, enough I wish him to be my son, he is one of few I would consider a worthy match for either of my brother's beloved children. However, remember that heirs would be expected."
She had never heard her uncle speak of anyone with such praise. And it did match what she heard. Honorable, kind, clever, brave, loyal. But free-spirited, flirty though not promiscuous, energetic, mischievous. Not her ideal, but acceptable. But her brother... He could ask for no better protection if Wei Wuxian married him. He was a strong cultivator. Strong enough to help her brother. Being married to a son of Wen Ruohan held dangers, but so did being his nephew.
"I... I would still accept, if it were Wei-gongzi. I can't say I prefer men or women. But... Wei-gongzi is exceptional, as you say. I would be honored if he chose me." Wen Ning was rarely able to control his stutter. Had he been hoping for such a thing, and never dared breathe of it?
"I also would be honored to accept, if he does not prefer men." Her preferences meant nothing. She'd take him over her other prospects. And he was kind to her brother. That was enough.
"Wonderful. Then I ask that you two prepare your finest robes and prepare to travel to Koi Tower. I asked the Jin to host a conference in Lanling, where I shall address my sons' misconduct as appropriate. And should Wei-gongzi accept a place as my son, I will return the swords as they were meant to be returned at the end of the indoctrination that was shamefully mishandled by my younger son. There need not be excessive violence in the Jianghu, which the Nie seem insistent on. A-Xu went beyond his orders as well, so his position as heir may not remain as such if Wei-gongzi lives up to the potential he seems to possess."
Ah. Wen Qing understands it all now. The boy becomes Wen Ruohan's, to keep his sons in line, possibly because he's tired of their failures. And Wei Wuxian will do it to prevent war. To sweeten the deal, he gets a choice of spouse that will tie him tighter, while still continuing the bloodline. A related concubine will be provided should he choose her brother. Wei Wuxian is already Wen Ruohan's, he just doesn't know it yet. The Jiang would have no choice, and it would be their own fault by not adopting him.
The other clans, especially the Jin, would force them to give up one boy for a period of peace. Especially if he actually punishes his sons publicly to appease them while returning the swords.
The boy may have learned how to navigate the cultivation world while being known as the son of a servant, but he would be unprepared for being the son, and possibly heir, of the strongest great clan. Wen Qing would have to prepare him, regardless of who he chose.
A small part of her hoped he would choose her brother. If she could arrange to speak to him before he makes his choice, she could see if he'd be willing.
A much bigger part of her hopes whatever punishment Wen Chao faces, he doesn't survive.
~~~~~
Wei Wuxian stares at the paper in his hand in disbelief. A message from Wen Ruohan himself. The messenger stands before him waiting for a reply.
Suibian will be returned. He will duel Wen Chao in single combat, to the death, to prove he was the one to kill the Xuanwu. Should he succeed, all the swords will be returned, and Wen Xu will be sent to Cloud Recesses to personally help rebuild it. Without his weapon. The rebuilding costs will be from his own pocket.
Something is not right, but it's not as though he has a choice there. Refusing would mean reprisal against the Jiang for his misconduct. The swords would be destroyed. But accepting means leaving right now with the group of Wen.
"A-Xian... What does Xiandu want?" only Yanli has the courage to ask.
"May I tell them?" he asks the messenger. This wasn't a demand given to the Jiang. It was to only him, and for him.
"Wei-gongzi is expected to act with decorum and discretion. The clans will be informed of the details in Lanling. However, the Xiandu wished you to come prepared to defend yourself and the clans against his son's claims against you in particular. As such, I have been authorized to return your sword at our first stop, so you may arrive under your own power."
So that's what they're allowed to know. So be it, delaying will serve no one.
"I have to go to Lanling first. We'll see each other there." He said with a smile he knew they all saw through. "Do I have time to gather a few things?"
"Of course, Wen Li shall accompany you and carry your belongings." the messenger said.
So, he could bring the bags, but not carry them. No, this wasn't a good situation at all.
"We wouldn't want to hold up our guests. We will bring Wei Wuxian's things to Lanling. The Wen needn't trouble themselves." Yu-furen said, clearly happy to see him gone.
"Yeah, that would be best. I have enough for now." He turned to the family that raised him. Hopefully, this wasn't the last he would see of them. But if it was... He bowed to them, still forcing a smile. "I'll see you in Lanling."
"Don't do anything stupid. We'll be there as soon as we can." Ah, Jiang Cheng was worried.
"I'll be on my best behavior, of course. Don't worry." Wei Wuxian wished he could assure them he'd be fine. He probably would be, if it's actually a fair duel. But clearly, something is going on.
"Then Wei-gongzi, I apologize for the inconvenience, but please travel on Wen Li's sword until we reach the first stop. Your sword is there, and will be returned to you for the remainder of the trip." the messenger instructed.
No more delays then. At least he'll have Suibian again soon. He stepped on the older man's sword, and waved to the family that raised him as they sped away.
Then he only had his worries to keep him company for the next two hours.