In the end, the meeting with the elders' council was indeed moved up in schedule.
Instead of in the afternoon as had been planned originally, every disciple of import now gathered at noon, crowding into the hall of the sky pavilion with excited urgency.
While Lan Qiren had erred on the side of caution when it came to the justifiability of Jin Guangshan's actions, Gusu Lan's elders didn't seem to share the same compunctions. Before Lan Xichen had even opened the meeting everyone was already speculating with their neighbors without any regard for lowering their voices.
Jin Guangshan's name was mentioned at least as much as Wen Ruohan's was, appearing to get equal treatment by virtue of belonging to the more shocking news—that Qishan Wen had managed to occupy most of the south, while highly concerning, wasn't half as interesting as Jin Guangshan slaughtering multiple small clans in his own territory.
Ever since Lanling Jin's sect leader had refused point-blank to join the effort against Qishan Wen the Cloud Recesses as a whole had already been disinclined to think very well of him—now any remaining reservations to speculate about Jin Guangshan himself turning out a villain seemed officially gone.
Lan Xichen had a hard time keeping the assembly civilized.
"Remember Zhengzhou Wu, that small sect near Pingyang?" an elder with a long white beard exclaimed. "Didn't the Wens also claim they had plotted against them some way or another before wiping them out without any investigation? It sounds as though Jin Guangshan has taken a page out of Wen Ruohan's book!"
"Is there any proof his wife and heir are even injured in the first place?!" another cried.
"Everyone, please!" Lan Xichen begged, at last raising his voice. "While there are certainly parallels between Jin-zongzhu's most recent actions and Qishan Wen's past tactics, we mustn't derail into speculation! Please remember what we have come here to discuss!"
Finally, he had the attention of most.
Releasing a breath, Lan Xichen went on, "Wen Ruohan's forces have all but claimed Guangdong and Guangxi and are currently leading an assault against Yunmeng Jiang. If Yunmeng gets taken as well, then all our southern borders would be facing claimed Wen territory."
"Xichen, do we have confirmation Lanling Jin has indeed sent disciples to aid Lotus Pier?" Lan Xiaobo asked. "If not, it might be wise to consider dispatching some of our own to help Yunmeng Jiang after all."
Surprised, Wei Wuxian felt a jolt of hope run through him.
"Jiang Fengmian had the chance to join the alliance months ago and he refused! If he wanted Gusu Lan's help he could have deserved it then!" elder Zu raised his voice.
"I must agree," Lan Chen chimed in drily. "Gusu Lan has other allies in Yunmeng. Jiang Fengmian had ample chance to join the alliance after his heir returned home. That he still has not is his own folly."
Indecision was clear on Lan Xichen's face.
He sent a glance to his uncle, as though looking for advice.
But Lan Qiren didn't make any move to speak.
"Perhaps... it would be wise to investigate Lanling Jin's involvement before deliberating further on this matter. I suggest we dispatch a group of scouts into Yunmeng to report on sightings of Jin troops," Lan Xichen proposed.
Lan Xiaobo nodded, seeming satisfied.
Elder Zu still seemed nettled but just grumbled something unintelligible.
Lan Chen too inclined her head, a thoughtful frown on her face.
While Lan Xichen deflated, clearly relieved to have satisfied everyone, Wei Wuxian's shoulders slumped with slight disappointment.
Though he supposed this was better than nothing.
"Regardless of the outcome of Qishan Wen's attack on Lotus Pier, we need to ready ourselves for future opposition from our southern borders," Lan Xichen continued, voice steady again. "As must we prepare to aid those allies that still remain beyond them. Tingshan He has already been targeted. Tangxi Yang may be next." He nodded at Lan Xiaobo. "Thanks to tanggu the Cloud Recesses themselves will soon be protected by a maze array of extraordinary fortitude, but I fear there are many more battles coming Gusu Lan's way."
Some elders murmured nervously.
Lan Xichen's eyebrows furrowed in determination. "We managed to oppose Wen Xu and the disciples under his command, but fighting Wen Ruohan's forces in Guangdong has taught me that we cannot let down our guard. At this time, Gusu Lan must make use of every possible resource at our disposal."
"What do you suggest, Xichen?" Lan Xiaobo asked.
Lan Xichen took another breath, letting his eyes trail over everyone's expectant faces.
"The Cloud Recesses have always trained men and women separately. But I was recently made aware of the fact that the female disciples' training is lacking," he said.
The room grew silent.
Many elders shared surprised glances.
Before any of them could get their bearings, Lan Xichen turned to look at Wei Wuxian where he was sitting at Lan Wangji's right.
"A-Xian, I am aware you have already been burdened with the male junior disciple. But under your instruction many of them have flourished. I would like you to teach the female junior disciples as well."
Completely caught off guard, Wei Wuxian could only blink at him.
"Xichen!" an elder who had finally found his voice exclaimed. "This is..."
"The female disciples already have a sword master!" another elder cried. "A female one! This is highly improper!"
"The women's side is sacred!" a third protested. "Women do not belong on the battlefield!"
"Most other sects let their women fight," Lan Xichen pointed out. "We cannot afford to shelter able-bodied disciples in the sect grounds. A-Xian has been successfully teaching offensive and defensive martial arts that go beyond just sword fighting and standard hand-to-hand combat. Especially to more inexperienced fighters his instruction can make a great difference." His face was set in determination. "As sect leader I must ensure that all my disciples are as prepared for the current struggles as they can be."
"Martial classes have always been carefully divided by gender!" elder Zu cried, clearly scandalized. "Are we to expose our daughters and granddaughters to adolescent boys?! This idea is entirely unfathomable! Wei-gongzi has no qualifications to teach female students!"
"The viability of advanced theoretical lectures where male and female disciples are taught side by side was under contention too at first, but time has shown that there are no issues at all," Lan Xichen argued, nodding at Lan Xiaobo.
Clearly a little startled to be suddenly called on, the elder cleared his throat. "Ah, that's true. A-Zhao faced great opposition when she started teaching mixed classes, but she has produced stellar students over the years."
Elder Zu grumbled something into his beard.
Some other elders were sending one another uncertain looks.
"It was that girl's idea, wasn't it!"
Everyone's heads swivelled around to search for the speaker.
Almost completely hidden between the tall shoulders of male senior disciples sat a small woman with a narrow face. She held her hands clasped so tightly that they were red from strain.
"The guest that came from Qishan," she went on defensively, eyes skittishly flitting about now that she had the attention of the entire hall. "She refused my offer to join daily meditation and asks the girls all sorts of disruptive questions. Zewu-jun, are you certain she is not harboring questionable motives? I—I was informed you met with her alone."
Immediate exclamations rang through the ranks of elders.
Even most senior disciples looked shocked.
"Xichen, is this true?" Lan Xiaobo asked in alarm. "Who is this maiden? Did you really see her?"
"That... ah, her name is Luo Qingyang," Lan Xichen managed. "And yes, I met with her, but—"
He did not get any further.
"There was no call for an engagement!" Lan Chen cried out.
"I heard an injury has left her deformed!"
"A girl like that is utterly unsuitable to become Lan-furen and bear the next generation of the Lan clan!" another elder shouted.
Ears flaming red, Lan Xichen helplessly looked back and forth between them, clearly overwhelmed that they had jumped from him knowing Luo Qingyang's name to marriage to children in a heartbeat. "I did not meet with her for that reason!" he tried to defend himself.
The elders clearly had not heard him.
"She must have been trying to ingratiate herself with Xichen! Girls from other families are taught no shame!" a female elder declared.
"This is why we segregate the young people—nothing good comes from letting the unmarried mingle!" elder Zu cursed.
"Are we sure the girl can be trusted? Isn't she from Lanling?" another asked.
"What if she is spying for Jin Guangshan?! We cannot allow Xichen to be ensnared or history will repeat itself!"
At Wei Wuxian's side Lan Wangji became as still as ice.
Lan Xichen flinched back as if he had been struck.
"Quiet!!!" Lan Qiren barked, rising from his seat in outrage.
With just a single word, he brought everyone's shouting to a deafening standstill.
"Is this how Gusu Lan behaves?!" he asked the hall, beard quivering. "There is no basis to accuse Luo-guniang of any bad character! Jin Guangshan wiped out her sect as well! If we willfully sow misinformation, we are culpable as liars and shameless gossipmongers!"
The face of the elder who had spoken last grew bright red.
Many others were suddenly trying to avoid catching Lan Qiren's eye.
"No nephew of mine would propose without informing me first," Lan Qiren went on more calmly, looking around in challenge.
Wei Wuxian nearly gawked, hearing the old man tell a lie with a straight face. He clearly remembered being asked for his hand by a certain nephew of Lan Qiren's before said nephew had gotten his uncle's permission.
He wisely schooled his face and held his tongue.
"I taught Xichen not to let himself be swayed by his emotions alone," Lan Qiren declared. "If he seeks council of a person, I will believe that person worthy of giving it. Luo-guniang's name and any speculations about her connection to Xichen are not to be mentioned by anyone present here ever again!"
The hall was now so silent one could have heard a pin drop to the floor.
No one dared to object.
Lan Qiren turned around. "Wuxian. You will give your archery classes over to a suitable senior disciple and teach a class of female junior disciples in its stead, abiding by your sect leader's orders."
This time Wei Wuxian was ready.
Saluting, he said, "Yes, shufu."
-------
Lan Qiren's outburst had frightened the elders into remarkable docility.
All of Lan Xichen's further suggestions—increased patrols along Gusu Lan's southern borders, spending a great chunk of the treasury on speeding up the manufacturing process of new jade tokens so Lan Qingzhao's maze array could be activated as soon as possible and making it mandatory for the headmistress of the women's side to attend all sect meetings—were agreed to with minimal resistance.
Headmistress Xi looked quite flummoxed by the last suggestion, a hint of shame on her face. Considering it had been she herself who had sicced the council on her sect leader only moments earlier, she could definitely count herself lucky said sect leader wasn't the resentful type.
The hall emptied quickly once the meeting was dismissed.
Lan Xichen left last, only preceded by his uncle, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian.
"Thank you, shufu, for your support," he said once the four of them had left the pavilion.
"Xichen, what were you thinking?" Lan Qiren asked. "I knew you were trusting but I did not think you rash! Did you even stop to consider century-old traditions before suggesting what you did in front of the elders?"
It was clear which suggestions he was speaking about.
"I believed it best to be forthright," Lan Xichen said. "And I think changing the female junior disciples' lesson plan is not a bad idea."
"Let us all hope so!" his uncle fumed. "After all, you just overthrew the legacy of your ancestors! I should hope you thought it to be a little more than just not a bad idea ! By Lan An, if this was a whim you are even more foolish than I ever feared!"
Evidently trying not to falter, Lan Xichen raised his chin. "It was not... a whim. I truly believe what I said, shufu."
Lan Qiren released an angry exhale through his nose. "You are showing the folly of your youth, Xichen, you are believing yourself cleverer than all generations before you combined! Women are not suited for combat. If this great idea of yours goes south I will not give you my backing again!"
Flinching slightly, Lan Xichen stared at his uncle with doleful eyes.
"Considering your father's tumultuous history and your own brother's disregard for propriety in the face of passion, I hope you are aware that you cannot allow yourself even the slightest of missteps!"
Lan Wangji's ears flamed red.
Wei Wuxian next to him felt his own face warm.
Unimpeded by their embarrassment the old man continued to drill into his older nephew.
"You are Gusu Lan's sect leader. You before all must set an example and decide with logic not with ardor. You cannot abandon your sense for the first person to make your heart flutter a little! There is no time for such distractions right now! If I see any evidence that you are affected by that girl I will have her personally removed from the Cloud Recesses. Are we understood?"
Lan Xichen looked completely stunned.
At last, he sighed and lowered his eyes.
It was a clear surrender.
"Your leadership is young and unstable," Lan Qiren told him, evidently satisfied by the reaction he had gotten. "I hope for your sake you will not behave this foolishly in the future. I will go now and take my punishment for telling a bald-faced lie to my own elders!"
"Please, shufu, you did so in my support. Let me take it in your stead," his nephew begged.
"No more words from you, Xichen! My lies are my own and so must my punishment be! Do you think you are any good to anyone if you worsen your condition by adding a punishment to your injuries? Go sit at your desk instead!" Seeing Lan Xichen's heartbroken eyes, he snapped, "If you crumble under this trifle, you will not manage leading the sect in the times to come!"
Flicking his sleeve in anger, the old man turned and marched away.
They all watched him stalk down the path in silence.
Once he had disappeared around a bend, Wei Wuxian put a supportive hand on Lan Xichen's shoulder.
The latter deflated beneath his touch. "Shufu is against it. I should have known."
"Once there are results, he'll have to come around. I'll do my best to make it happen," Wei Wuxian promised, smiling encouragingly. "You did the right thing."
"Mn," Lan Wangji agreed.
"You think so too, Wangji?" Lan Xichen asked, eyes hopeful.
His younger brother inclined his head. "The female disciples have untapped potential. Shufu must lack experience with women if he believes they are not suited for combat. Luo Qingyang disarmed Wei Ying this morning."
"Wha—hey!" Wei Wuxian cried, aghast. "I was just distracted! Lan Zhan!"
"That is no excuse. You still lost," Lan Wangji argued calmly.
"I can't believe you would tell on me in front of our own brother! Don't you know I have a reputation to protect? Dabo just gave me new classes to teach, if he hears I lost to Mianmian he will definitely give them to her instead!"
"An outdated reputation deserved to be lost."
"That's it— you're getting tickled!"
Lan Wangji's formerly serene eyes widened in immediate alarm.
This short moment of surprise was all Wei Wuxian needed. Darting forward with perfect precision he dug his fingers into Lan Wangji's sides and wriggled—an aborted noise escaped his victim, before his hands were captured.
"Wei Ying!"
"What, I even warned you! It's not my fault you're too slow to doge!" Wei Wuxian laughed, squirming in the other's hold. "Hey, Lan Zhan, since I beat you just now, does that mean you lost to Mianmian by proxy?"
"That's not how it works," Lan Wangji protested.
Next to them Lan Xichen was snickering into a sleeve.
"Wangji, you should not tease A-Xian if you cannot bear to be teased back."
Wei Wuxian grinned. "At least you have my back, dabo!"
Lan Xichen huffed out another laugh. "You two, don't let the elders see you fool around like this. Or elder Zu will question A-Xian's qualifications to teach his granddaughter even more."
With a start, Wei Wuxian realized that he would indeed have to train Zu Zhenzhen now.
He pulled a face. "Maybe Mianmian should teach the girls after all? She's somehow managed to get on Zu-guniang's good side while that stick-in-the-mud still looks at me like she thinks shamelessness is contagious."
"A-Xian," Lan Xichen chided, not quite able to hide his amusement.
Suddenly his eyes gained something thoughtful though.
"Actually... perhaps you could ask Luo-guniang whether she would like to assist you? She already knows the female junior disciples and is proficient enough to keep up with you in a spar—it sounds like she would be a valuable assistant. With everything that happened she is bound to benefit from a distraction... and having a sense of purpose here might even soften her dislike for the Cloud Recesses..."
"Yeah, sure, I'll ask her," Wei Wuxian agreed easily. He couldn't help but cock his head and study Lan Xichen's hopeful face a little more closely though.
He had already known that he respected Luo Qingyang, but now, especially after what the old man had said earlier, he suddenly wondered whether he could grow to like her as more than just a friend.
Should he put in a good word for him with Luo Qingyang?
Having her as a sister-in-law would be quite something, wouldn't it! Actually, now that she and Lan Wangji were officially friends that called each other by name, it would be just perfect! And hadn't Wei Wuxian thought just recently how nice it would be for Lan Xichen to marry and have children soon so that Lan Wangji would never be in danger of becoming sect leader?
Wei Wuxian's grin grew in size.
"I'll definitely ask her, and I'll tell her you suggested it too!" he declared. "And Lan Zhan and I will do our best to keep her busy with training so that she won't be sad for long!"
Lan Wangji sent him a glance, probably suspicious about the origins of his sudden enthusiasm.
Lan Xichen just inclined his head. "Thank you, A-Xian. I know I can always rely on you." He sighed slightly. "Well then. It is high time I return to my desk and make myself useful like shufu said. Meishan Yu requested to join the alliance yesterday and I still need to draft a response."
"Mn!" Wei Wuxian agreed, saluting alongside Lan Wangji. "Take it easy, dabo, you're still recuperating!"
"I make no promises," Lan Xichen chuckled, saluting in return.
-------
"I really wonder who the hell the young master from the Jin sect is that is travelling towards Lotus Pier," Wei Wuxian said to Lan Wangji as they were talking on their way back to the Jingshi. "Maybe Jin Guangshan is full of shit and the peacock was never actually injured but instead snuck out of Koi Tower to go help shijie."
Lan Wangji frowned lightly, clearly contemplating the same thing.
"I mean, I really don't think there is anyone else in that snake pit who would willingly do a good deed. Maybe Jin-furen even came with him, she always really liked shijie."
"Jin Guangshan used both their injuries to justify the murder of multiple small sects," Lan Wangji reminded skeptically.
Angry, Wei Wuxian kicked a few pebbles off the path.
"Yeah, I know. Even he wouldn't be stupid enough to do that if he didn't believe he could get away with it. Fuck , that whole business stinks to the heavens. I bet sometime during the next few years it'll come out that those sects were in some way politically opposed to him or something. I don't believe for a heartbeat they were actually suicidal enough to randomly send mercenaries after the precious heir of Koi Tower and the sect leader's wife. It just doesn't make any sense."
Lan Wangji nodded.
"It's a good thing we took Mianmian to the Cloud Recesses." Fuming, Wei Wuxian ripped a few leaves off a bush. "It really was fishy that her sect leader didn't get back to us at all. I should have been more suspicious. Luckily Mianmian stayed here."
"...She might blame herself for not fighting alongside her sect members," Lan Wangji said.
Wei Wuxian sighed. "She was unconscious when we took her back with us. It wasn't her decision to come to Gusu."
"Mn."
They passed a group of junior disciples who had just appeared by the gate between the grounds. All of them greeted them with enthusiastic bows. A little cheered up, Wei Wuxian glanced back over his shoulder at them and smiled.
"Well, whatever. At least Xichen-ge decided to send someone to Yunmeng to check who the young master Jin is that's going to Lotus Pier. If it's some half-baked incompetent cousin of the peacock maybe Lan-shushu will finally agree to dispatch some Lan disciples as well."
Lan Wangji was silent next to him.
Something about his narrowed eyes made Wei Wuxian tilt his head and curiously wait for him to speak.
"When Nie Huaisang warned you about the Wen fleet, he did not state his reasons for contacting you," Lan Wangji finally began. "In hindsight, it would have been more appropriate to contact Gusu Lan through the official channels. Has he justified himself since?"
A little surprised, Wei Wuxian scratched his head and thought back. "Well, no... but hadn't his older brother already left for Pingyang back then? Maybe Nie-xiong doesn't know how to operate the official communication tablets and figured just writing me directly would be faster?"
Lan Wangji still looked suspicious. "Chifeng-zun cannot be the only one in the Unclean Realm able to operate the tablets. If Nie Huaisang is truly incapable, he could have asked a disciple. Writing you for convenience seems too disrespectful considering the urgency of the matter relayed."
"Hmm." Wei Wuxian frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe he wanted me to warn the Jiangs... though they already knew of the attack themselves. Then again, there is no telling Huaisang would have known that for sure... now that I'm thinking about it, I really wonder how he found out about the Wen fleet so fast in the first place..."
"Inquiry beats speculation," Lan Wangji suggested.
"You know what, you're right, Lan Zhan! If I really think about it Huaisang is quite a bit too suspicious!" Reaching into his qiankun pouch, Wei Wuxian retrieved the bird seal he shared with Nie Huaisang. "Maybe that busybody even knows something about the situation in Koi Tower. Actually, I would be surprised if he didn't."
Lan Wangji inclined his head. "Have him justify himself."
Wei Wuxian sat down on an ornamental rock next to the path, briefly pondering what he should write. "Huaisang is dangerously slippery, I can't give him too much or he will just use something I mentioned and talk himself out of everything. Hmmm...."
Grinning as an idea came to him, Wei Wuxian set his brush to the page and just wrote,
The attack on Lotus Pier and the scandal in Koi Tower
No secrets withheld, what do you know, what are you planning?
Sources too, please.
"There! Let Huaisang handle a cryptic message for once!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed, then briefly blew over the message to make the ink dry faster. Once satisfied, he folded it with quick hands and sent it off.
The rest of the way to the Jingshi, he was pretty excited for his friend's response.
When there had still been none by the time Lan Wangji left to the kitchens to cook their lunch however, he finally grew bored with waiting and wrote his shijie instead.
Jiang Yanli was very worried to hear that Jin Zixuan and his mother had supposedly been injured, and absolutely shocked about what Jin Guangshan had done. She herself reported that Shao Lihua had once more checked on Lotus Pier and seen that the purple sheen of the great barrier array was still visible on the horizon.
As Lan Wangji returned with lunch Wei Wuxian had completely forgotten he had sent Nie Huaisang a letter at all.
And so, he was quite surprised as a response finally arrived in his qiankun pouch, just as he had been about to put a steaming spoonful of spicy egg drop soup into his mouth.
By all appearances his scheme to make Nie Huaisang sweat a little seemed to have paid off—his letter was not only long but also rang decidedly apologetic.
Wei-xiong, you are very cruel to interrogate this poor friend out of the blue!
I will have you know that da-ge was forcing me to train when your message arrived—he yelled so loudly when I got it out that I almost stabbed myself in fright!
What regards Lotus Pier, I just thought you would never forgive me if I didn't let you know immediately as soon as I heard!
Wei-xiong, believe it or not, but this one truly tries to be a good friend—and besides, you can be very frightening when you're angry!
Really, I only heard it by chance anyway! A good acquaintance of one of the art dealers I had over for dinner that day spoke of his cousin's friend, who is a shipwright in Jiangzhou City who mentioned an obnoxious young cultivator that was making himself unpleasant in Jiangzhou's finest brothel while the shipwright had to fix some of his boats.
So, of course, I looked into it more and there I was, learning that an entire fleet of ships with phoenix figure heads and suns on their sails was sailing down Chang River!
So, of course, I wrote you immediately!
I mean, I'm sure you would have done just the same in my situation, wouldn't you, Wei-xiong!
About the Jins though, the rumors are strange. I really don't know much yet at all, and I really wouldn't be writing you anything about it right now, hadn't you cruelly forced my hand, Wei-xiong! Be warned that this is all speculation—I will not be responsible if you act on any of this information!
I couldn't for the life of me find out what kind of nighthunt the peacock and his mother have been on to get injured. You see, Jin Zixuan is known for always taking his spiritual dogs with him when he goes nighthunting, but according to the maidservant of a merchant for comestible goods who regularly trades with the butcher in charge of fixing up premium meat for Lanling Jin's kennels, the man who is in charge of cleaning them said that the dogs haven't been taken out since Jin Zixuan returned from Qishan.
And there has been movement. Allegedly, there are new arrivals in Koi Tower. A young woman and a small child, said to be the former's son. If rumors are to be believed they have been accommodated in the Fragrance Hall near Jin Guangshan's own chambers! Koi Tower at this time is extraordinarily tightlipped and I could not get any specifics yet—again, I repeat, I will not guarantee the truthfulness of my information—but rumor has it the young woman might become Jin Guangshan's first ever concubine!
Even with Koi Tower's current secrecy though, it is a miracle how quiet Jin-furen has been on the matter. I can't imagine a woman of that temper would let injury of any severity stop her from severing her husband's family jewels.
This, more than anything, makes me believe she truly might be on her deathbed.
Especially since there is talk of how much the little boy resembles Jin Zixuan when he was small. I'd bet my best fan and my rare breeding pair of black cockatoos that it's because they indeed share the same father!
Well, then, that was it!
Please, Wei-xiong, if you write again, don't do it while da-ge is forcing me to hold a saber as tall as my torso! This one's life truly was in danger.
Greetings, your friend from Qinghe.
"What the hell?" Wei Wuxian said, sharing a glance with Lan Wangji who had been looking over his shoulder and reading alongside him. "So Jin Guangshan waited for his wife to be out of commission to drag in one of his past lovers and the child they had together?"
"It is the right thing to do," Lan Wangji argued. "Once there is a child, the father must take full responsibility. It is only honorable."
"Sure, but, Lan Zhan, you forget that Jin Guangshan is not exactly an honorable man. The fact that he probably has more unacknowledged children in the world than there are stars in the sky kind of proves that. What is so different about this one that he suddenly steps up?"
Lan Wangji frowned, clearly disconcerted.
Wei Wuxian was already scribbling.
Do you know anything else about the woman and the kid?
Nie Huaisang replied only a short while later.
Wei-xiong, what a surprise!
With how fast you read my letter and sent more questions one might think you're waiting for word from me like a forlorn maiden does for word of her displaced lover!
If Wangji-xiong is currently reading this as well, I would like to have it on record that that was a joke!
I don't know much, only this; the servant of a tradesman who knows the guy that is in charge of trading wine with Koi Tower's kitchen overseer claimed that the woman's name is Mo Luyi and that she is the second young lady of a noble family from the titular Mo Village. Though she herself is of humble origin on the maternal side, she is a remarkable beauty and still in early bloom as regards her age.
The little boy is more of a mystery. But Jin Guangshan claimed publicly that he would not let any further harm come to his family. That he dragged both of them into Koi Tower shortly after all but confirms that this woman and her child fall under the family umbrella, then, doesn't it?
"Well, this doesn't really help," Wei Wuxian sighed. "Mo Village, huh? I'm sure I've never heard of it."
"There is a place with that name near Haiyang City, close to the Lanling border," Lan Wangji suggested.
"Really?" Wei Wuxian wondered, only half interested.
He had no doubt Jin Guangshan had screwed with some woman or another from every single place he'd ever passed through.
Grabbing another slip of paper, he wrote,
What do you know about the Jin-gongzi who is travelling to Lotus Pier?
Nie Huaisang answered even more quickly this time.
Really, Wei-xiong, at this point it seems you're even better informed than I am? Maybe I should be the one asking questions?
I know nothing, I confess, until now I hadn't heard much of it. But there is something I am quite sure about.
To his friends and his brothers, Jin Guangshan quite vocally denounced Yu-furen for her aggression in Qishan. In his words she led an attack on Wen disciples and killed many of them unprovoked!
Apparently, Jin Guangshan called her many colorful names for being rash and angering Wen Ruohan.
And, if you would excuse this friend's wild speculations, I wonder if his wife and son being indisposed might be even more convenient for Jin Guangshan than his bringing an illegitimate heir into Koi Tower already suggests.
One might even wonder whether he might have more plans to enact now that he must no longer worry about his family getting in his way.
But as I said, I'm only spinning wild fancies!
Have a good one, Wei-xiong!
"What bullshit is this about Yu-furen leading an attack against Wen disciples?" Wei Wuxian exclaimed incredulously. "Out of everyone who was present in Qishan she was the one most against staying!"
"She was the most senior disciple present," Lan Wangji thought aloud. "From the outside it might be a natural assumption."
"The peacock was there for the whole ride! Didn't his father ask him what happened? This is all completely nonsensical!"
Suddenly, Lan Wangji froze beside him.
"What, what is it?" Wei Wuxian asked.
"Wei Ying. Do you remember Su Minshan's words in Moling?"
"Huh?" Completely puzzled, Wei Wuxian tossed aside Nie Huaisang's latest letter onto the pile that held his other two. "Why are you bringing up that jerk?"
"He alleged Jin Guangshan had received an ultimatum from Wen Ruohan," Lan Wangji explained himself. "Su Minshan further claimed he was with Wen Xu's forces two weeks, during which the Wen disciples started mentioning it. If he did speak truthfully this means that the ultimatum was given in the two weeks after Wen Xu's attack on the Cloud Recesses had failed."
Wei Wuxian was really quite impressed with Lan Wangji's memory—he had forgotten most of what Su She had yapped about that day.
Nodding slowly, he did his best to follow along.
"Allowing for the time it takes a courier to deliver letters from the Nightless City to Koi Tower and back—or for Jin Guangshan to fly to the Nightless City to be given the ultimatum personally—as well as for the time it takes for the news to then reach Wen Xu's disciples, it stands to reason that the ultimatum was given in immediate reaction to Wen Xu's defeat."
"Okay... yeah, that makes sense," Wei Wuxian agreed. "But what are you getting at? Regardless of why or when it was given, we already know what it entailed, right? Jin Guangshan made a dick out of himself during the alliance discussion and didn't join the alliance. I thought we'd been over this."
"Think, Wei Ying," Lan Wangji urged him. "Xiongzhang and Chifeng-zun left the Cloud Recesses to invite sect leaders to our wedding and the alliance discussion a week and four days after Wen Xu had been chased out of Gusu. Wen Ruohan must have contacted Jin Guangshan before that. And so, unless he correctly predicted that an alliance would be formed, he could not have known about it in time to threaten the latter not to join."
Wei Wuxian froze. "That... but..."
"It was Su Minshan who implied the ultimatum was fulfilled by Jin Guangshan's actions during the conference," Lan Wangji said slowly, clearly thinking while he spoke. "But if one takes the timeline into consideration, it cannot be true. Jin Guangshan is familiar with Wen Ruohan and fears him. Wen Ruohan is not a patient man. Jin Guangshan would have acted as soon as possible... Wei Ying. Even earlier than rejecting the alliance, he suddenly called off his son's engagement."
"That—but then—what would Wen Ruohan gain from..." Wei Wuxian stared at Lan Wangji. "You think Wen Ruohan told Jin Guangshan of his plans to attack the Jiang sect?!"
Lan Wangji's face was grim. "It would be a demand for ultimate proof of Jin Guangshan's loyalty. By breaking off Jin Zixuan's engagement, he was clearing the path towards Lotus Pier."
Wei Wuxian frantically shook his head, not wanting to believe it.
Yet, it was all too easy to believe.
He remembered Jin Guangshan simpering and trying to flatter Wen Ruohan during the archery competition. Though he had been entirely ignored, Wen Ruohan must have still taken notice.
Had he learned caution after his first attack on a great sect hadn't ended quite as he imagined?
Had he gotten the taste for an ally he had every reason to believe he could control completely?
"But then... then who is the young master of the Jin sect who is travelling to Lotus Pier?" Wei Wuxian muttered faintly. "You think...?"
"It might not be Yunmeng Jiang who those reinforcements are meant for."
"No! No, that can't be!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed, panic rising. "We don't know yet—maybe it is Jin Zixuan after all, maybe he's snuck out of Koi Tower! The peacock would never let his father attack Lotus Pier while shijie was there!"
Lan Wangji frowned at him, more thoughts already whirring behind his eyes.
"What, what is it, what the fuck, Lan Zhan, this can't be!" Wei Wuxian shouted, jumping up from the floor and grasping his own hair.
Quickly following him to his feet, Lan Wangji urgently grabbed him. "Wei Ying! The assassin who injured xiongzhang. He spoke obscurely. You and your friends were doomed before you even found together. There was no sign of allegiance to Qishan Wen on him, but he was a cultivator. Jin Zixuan and Jin-furen were injured by cultivating mercenaries, making way for Jin Guangshan to do whatever he likes. It is too much of a coincidence!"
Wei Wuxian just desperately shook his head.
"The termination of your shijie's betrothal was very sudden," Lan Wangji said insistently. "You said yourself, many would have found it strange."
"It was very sudden..." Wei Wuxian faintly agreed.
His heart was hammering in his ears.
"It was generally known how much Jin Zixuan had grown to appreciate his betrothal. Cancelling it suddenly raised many eyebrows."
"...Jin Guangshan is very concerned with keeping face."
"Unless those he loses faces in front of will no longer be his concern."
"You think..." Wei Wuxian tried to get his breathing under control. "You really think he's working together with Wen Ruohan?"
Lan Wangji looked him straight in the eyes, holding him steady by both arms. "If Nie Huaisang is right then Jin Guangshan has blamed Yu-furen for killing Wen disciples in Qishan in front of his allies. He is already working to create an excuse for Yunmeng Jiang's annihilation. Just as he did with the small sects in Lanling."
It fit.
It explained things Wei Wuxian had until now never been able to explain.
Jin Guangshan had been waiting to prove his loyalty to Wen Ruohan.
He had known Lotus Pier would be attacked next, but instead of warning the Jiang sect Jin Guangshan had looked for ways to cancel his son's engagement.
When Jiang Yanli had come to Gusu he had found his excuse.
Now he had sent a group of Jin disciples to Lotus Pier to join Wen Chao.
There was no doubt about it.
If this was true, there would be an absolute bloodbath once the barrier around Lotus Pier fell, and no one inside had any chances of surviving it.
-------
They immediately ran to Lan Qiren's office.
After Lan Wangji had explained his theory and Wei Wuxian had handed over Nie Huaisang's letters, the old man was silent for a long time.
"Right now, Lotus Pier's barrier is still holding up. But eventually it'll break— resources will run out or the Wen will figure out a way," Wei Wuxian said urgently, gripping the table to keep himself from gesturing wildly. "It doesn't matter how , fact is, it can't last forever!"
"If Lanling Jin and Qishan Wen are truly working together, Gusu Lan has enemies beyond not just our southern borders, but all our northern borders," Lan Wangji added, speaking clearly. "And should Yunmeng fall as well Jiangling will be entirely surrounded from all directions but where the ocean flanks us to the east."
"You think Nie Huaisang's research is trustworthy," Lan Qiren asked at last, holding Nie Huaisang's letters with a look of open skepticism.
"He may have been a lousy student, but only because he never had a mind that applied itself well to academics!" Wei Wuxian insisted adamantly. "Among everyone I know, Nie Huaisang's ability to gather information is second to none! He may comport himself like a fool but nothing he has ever told me has turned out to be false even once!"
Looking at him with narrowed eyes, the old man fell silent again. Then he frowned and leafed through the pages Nie Huaisang had sent.
Finally, he looked up.
"Wuxian, what do you know about Yunmeng Jiang's barrier array?"
Hope burst through Wei Wuxian like a torrent.
"Unfortunately, not much, Yu-furen never liked me touching confidential documents. The Jiang sect's talisman master once told me that eight cultivators are needed for it though, so I'm guessing the array relies on exact geometrical symmetry. Such arrays often create dome-like barriers that are strong in theory but fairly fragile in practice. If even one disciple stops channeling their energy or channels markedly more or less amounts than the others, the whole thing collapses. They would have to switch people out frequently to avoid it breaking down."
Lan Qiren's face was inscrutable.
He seemed to be thinking deeply for long moments.
Then he looked at his nephew.
"Wangji, your theory is viable. Jin Guangshan breaking off his son's betrothal struck me as very odd as it happened. And he has never had a single honorable bone in his body. If he believes siding with Wen Ruohan to be more advantageous than joining us against him, he will do the former."
Excitement racing up his spine, Wei Wuxian shot up to his knees and threw his hands on the old man's desk. "Does this mean we're going?!"
"No," Lan Qiren said.
Before Wei Wuxian could protest, he already spoke again.
"It means I'm going."
Wei Wuxian stared at him, still leaning over his desk.
"What?!"
"Xichen is still recuperating," Lan Qiren replied, regarding him sternly. "And nothing about increased political relevance changes the fact that you are a high priority target. You and Wangji will stay here and continue to protect the Cloud Recesses."
"You can't keep me locked up in Gusu forever!" Wei Wuxian shouted. "I want to help!"
"Set aside your pride and accept your elder's judgement of the situation!" Lan Qiren barked.
"You're not even giving me a chance!" Thinking quickly, Wei Wuxian added, "I know Yunmeng and Lotus Pier better than anyone in the Cloud Recesses! There are secret routes through the marshlands, hidden entrances into the sect grounds! It would be stupid not to take me!"
"You are still too emotionally invested in the Jiang family!" Lan Qiren shouted back. "I cannot trust you to keep a level head!"
"If you're not taking me with you, I'll follow you in secret."
"Wuxian!!!"
Wei Wuxian stubbornly lifted his chin. "That'll put me in more danger than if you just let me come."
The old man raised a finger at him, his face red with outrage.
" You —this is not a haggling market! I'm telling you to stay, so you're going to stay! End of discussion!"
"Then I'm looking forward to seeing you in Yunmeng, shufu."
"I'm going to have you sealed inside the Jingshi!!!"
"I've studied all seals and barrier arrays in Gusu Lan's library. There is not one I need longer than six shichen to break."
Bristling, Lan Qiren fell quiet, clearly out of ideas.
Wei Wuxian seized the chance.
"Please, shufu," he begged, scooting back and bowing so deeply his forehead touched the floor. "Please. I beg you. Please let me go. Allow me to help. I could not live with myself if I could have done something but didn't. Please, shufu, please let me go."
Lan Qiren didn't immediately respond.
Wei Wuxian remained lowered in prostration and waited.
He hoped it was a good sign that the old man hadn't started shouting again yet.
Finally, after ages of silence, a deeply dissatisfied sigh came from the old man's desk.
"...You will not leave my side," Lan Qiren's curt voice rang through the room. "Neither of you! Unless I say otherwise, you will always be exactly where I can see you!"
Wei Wuxian shot upright with wide eyes.
"And you will be dressed in Lan uniform and wearing your ribbon!" Lan Qiren ordered. "Both Bichen and Suibian will be cloaked by a spell! You will not call each other by name where anyone can hear you!"
"Yes! Yes! Thank you!" Wei Wuxian quickly bowed again. "Thank you, shufu!"
"We are leaving in a quarter shichen!" Lan Qiren barked. "Be ready then or I will leave without you!"