Chapter Text
Prologue
The dragons were considered by most to be almost Godlike, ancient, mystical and the most powerful of all hybrid creatures. Or at least they were by the ordinary folk and those who had never experienced the good fortune to know one. For the select few who ended up married into the Gusu Lan Sect, befriended or adopted, they knew that the dragons, for all their impressive abilities to achieve great levels of cultivation, were flawed and suffered just like everyone else.
For many years the dragons had sequestered their sect high up in the Gusu mountains, removing themselves from the petty affairs of the humans and their fellow hybrid creatures. This cemented the idea of their superiority, as no other clan dared approach the mountain without just causes or invitation. Not to mention, that even the path to Gusu was long and arduous for the visitors arriving on foot. Purposefully designed to keep the world away and only welcoming those who could soar the heavens.
For many years the dragons retreated, and the rest of the world continued without them. Content to simply turn their gaze skywards in admiration when a dragon lowered themselves to fly out into the world and chase the clouds above other territories. There was no doubt of their strength and their beauty, and it was said by the ordinary people, that if a dragon flew over your town, then you had been blessed.
But although their cultivation had long since outstripped their peers, it had not come without a price. The Lan Sect had always produced dragons and for this current generation, the clan had been blessed by the birth of two. Successive brothers, who they titled the Twin Jades, called so for their physical flawlessness. Then the blessings continued. As they approached adulthood, one presented as alpha, and the Lans continued success was now assured.
But it was never enough to just enjoy the present blessings, and the elders' eyes continued to look forward to the future. Because a dragon needed a strong mate, and an ordinary cultivator wouldn’t do. Even an ordinary omega wasn’t enough. To find someone strong enough to bear a dragon’s young, was no easy task. They would need to be unusual, a hybrid creature themselves and skilled in cultivation. But most of all, they needed to be aesthetically pleasing to the one who held the Sect’s hopes in his hands. The young alpha dragon Lan Wangji was famously cold and had been dismissive of any past presented matches. This had caused upset and frustration from many who viewed his rejections as a slight upon them all.
But whilst the cultivation world sulked and grumbled about the dragons being too high and mighty, and rejecting their eligible matches. The ordinary folk had their eyes on the Lans, wondering who would one day be chosen to bear the next generation of dragons? Who would they be? Where would they come from? How would they manage with such an icy climate and mate?
Chapter One (After the war) Present Day
A letter arrived for Lan Qiren that morning. Lan Xichen had noted it as odd, since it had looked incredibly battered and the paper had been poor quality. Still, all correspondence was treated equally by his uncle, and the letter lay on Lan Qiren’s desk patiently. It was the evening by the time Lan Xichen was summoned back to his uncle’s rooms, to discuss this particular letter.
Lan Xichen walked fast, but steady, careful not to appear as if he were rushing. It was important to remain restrained and dignified, even when there was apparently good news that even pleased his uncle.
Lan Qiren was happy, Lan Xichen could tell by the way his uncle’s scaled tail swished to the side and tucked neatly away around his feet. It tapped a little on the ground in a sign of contentment, with the barest ghost of a repetitive thump on the wooden floor. Lan Qiren was standing a little taller than normal, his dignity ignited, and a satisfied look on his face. Lan Xichen bowed, and his dragon tail slid around him to rest with its pointed end forwards. Showing it empty of weapons and ill intent, in a symbolic sign of respect and acknowledgement of a senior. His uncle nodded, satisfied, then offered him a seat at the table by pointing with his open palm.
“Our search has finally borne fruit,” Lan Qiren said as a servant quickly served them tea, refreshed the incense and left with a low bow. “It seems the one of interest was hiding in an unusual place.”
Lan Xichen felt his tail twitch at the news, in excitement as he anticipated his brother’s reaction to this. The fruit that his uncle had been searching for had everything to do with the younger Jade, Lan Wangji. It had been the younger brother’s reckless behaviour that had caused such upset and turmoil over the last few months.
“How so?” Lan Xichen asked.
“He is in the protection of the decimated Jiang Sect,” Lan Qiren said, holding up a letter. “The Jiang siblings are currently hiding in Yiling, regathering their people and regaining their strength. They intend to return to Lotus Pier soon and take the huli jing with them. However, our scouts report that the huli jing spends a lot of his time now roaming the burial grounds and may be reluctant to leave.”
The burial grounds were filled with resentful energy and there was only one reason Lan Xichen could imagine anyone would trespass in such a place. You would have to have lost your mind.
“Stories say a huli jing is very rare. Very special. They were worshipped and adored for many hundreds of years. Why is this one scuttling in the dust? Why was he allowed to walk onto the battlefield? He is feral?” Lan Xichen asked. No person who had a care over their wellbeing would dare to enter such a place. Not even the dragons wished to fly over such a dark and evil mountain of death. Why would this huli jing, who they had been loudly searching for, be walking around on such cursed ground? Why would he be hiding, when he was invited to the mountains instead?
They sat for a while in silence, the incense filling the air around them in a calming way. Lan Xichen breathed it in deeply. Why hadn’t this creature made his way here already? Surely, he would have heard the call by now. The Jiangs had clearly been trying to hide him, but for what purpose? Who wouldn’t want to come to Gusu and live like this? Be protected and looked after, with no more earthly worries or cares? He sipped his tea feeling a deep-seated confusion inside and wondered what sort of a creature this huli jing might be.
“Feral or not, it was this huli jing that caused Wangji such madness,” Lan Qiren continued after some time, when it seemed his own thoughts had reorganised themselves also. “He must be found and Wangji must decide what he wants with him. Or our Second Jade will continue to roam the earth seeking him in this craziness.”
Lan Xichen nodded. He missed Wangji. He missed his steadiness and the predictability of him, to always be rational and rule abiding. This new confused version of his little brother had upset the order of things and left Lan Xichen feeling adrift. He had been forced to watch his brother torment himself over the past few months, all for this briefly sighted creature. All the while knowing that this madness was slowly separating them and splitting their paths.
“You mean to offer him to didi as a bride?” Lan Xichen asked.
It was the only clear option, even if it was reckless and potentially disastrous. But the easiest way to break this madness was to start by offering Wangji everything and let him sort through what he wanted. Lan Xichen saw his uncle’s thinking clearly. Wangji was underneath this temporary insanity, sensible and once this madness faded he would see the truth of how things were. If the huli jing was feral and unsuitable, Wangji would find that out himself.
“I mean to offer him as whatever is acceptable to my nephew,” Lan Qiren said, nodding slowly as if he were agreeing with everything Lan Xichen had just thought but not voiced. “But yes, first I will assess the suitability of this creature to be a mate. If he passes the physical requirements, I shall bring him here. It will not be a coincidence that Wangji was attracted to this huli jing. They have been traditional cultivation partners for the dragons since the first known hybrids arrived. Feral or not, how many huli jings do you know of? This one cannot be allowed to escape without consideration.”
“That is true,” Lan Xichen agreed, but he couldn’t hide the worry in his voice.
It had been a daily reminder over the past few years that brides would need to be found for them, and that it would need to happen soon. His marriage would be standard, a pretty beta would be found from some prominent clan somewhere, who would be strong enough to stand beside him, but demure enough to know their place. But for Wangji an uncertain and more spectacular match lay ahead.
Such a match would either bring his brother great joy, or be the worst thing to ever happen to him. Lan Wangji was not someone who would be able to live a life of halves or pretending, his feelings, although reserved, were deep. Lan Xichen had always known that his brother felt things more keenly that he himself did. Whilst he might be able to live a calm and polite life with someone who met the requirements of a mate, Lan Xichen had always known that Wangji would not.
The succession of the Sect rested on Lan Wangji’s shoulders. As the alpha of the pair, his children would likely be stronger and even if they were not, with an alpha as their sire, they would be considered superior anyway. How much Wangji had thought about this was uncertain and Lan Xichen was reluctant to bring it up without a strong cause. A head in the sand approach seemed to be his brother’s attitude to the situation. Until now of course, with the madness over the huli jing.
“You have reservations?” Lan Qiren asked.
“My brother acted strangely that day. He caused a lot destruction for our Sect over the sight of this huli jing,” Lan Xichen said. “I did not consider this before now, but I am suddenly worried.”
“Speak it,” Lan Qiren invited.
“Will such a creature be safe here, if he is brought to the mountain?” Lan Xichen asked.
This sudden idea dropped down his spine like icy water. Was this why the huli jing was hiding? Were they not the only ones hunting him? How foolish of him not to consider this before. No wonder he was running around the burial mounds, who would dare to pursue him in there? If he was under the protection of the Jiangs, who were themselves mortally weakened and hanging on by a thread, what help could they offer him today? Until Lotus Pier was rebuilt and the walls strong once more, where else could he hide to be untouchable? It suddenly made perfect sense. The huli jing wasn’t feral at all. He was very clever!
“Safe from who?” Lan Qiren asked.
“Safe from revenge? Will this not bring untold unrest and trouble to our door?” Lan Xichen asked. “We can weather it, and we can protect him. But what hornet nest will we be kicking to do so? What further affairs of the world will we be forced to partake in?”
Lan Qiren nodded. He was considering his nephew’s words carefully, then he absentmindedly touched his beard. It was a gesture that Lan Xichen was familiar with, that said his uncle was in deep thought.
“No things are certain. But if we do not bring this huli jing to the mountain, Wangji will continue to search, and he will continue to remain maddened by this. Better he mates this huli jing and begets his children quickly. What he chooses to do with him after that is his affair, but the huli jing will be a mother to the future sect leader and we must weather, like you say, any storm that comes our way.”
(One year ago) The start of the war
The Twin Jades had grown strong on the fresh mountain water. Their scales had become tough and impenetrable, pale and beautiful, gleaming in the sunlight. As boys they were said to be beautiful, with unblemished faces, tall and powerful. Their skills as young men with the sword and the abilities of cultivation became far known, until other Sects looked up at the skies with envy.
The sight of a dragon flying through the sky softened even the hardest of men, thrilled the most cynical and put hope back into the hearts of the broken. They were symbols of power and beauty, flying higher than even the bravest bird, snaking through the sky and wrapping around the mountains.
But even the threat of the dragons descending from the Gusu mountain couldn’t stop wars or prevent the greed of men, and so it was that one clan began to tread on the others and look for more than their fair share. The dragons watched the war begin with detached feelings. The current Sect Leader Lan Xichen was still under the tutelage of his uncle, Lan Qiren and they had both left the mountain together to watch the progress of the unrest. But where one Jade went, the other followed, and so Lan Wangji also ventured forth from the Gusu mountain. Lan Qiren considered the boys to be safe in the clouds, and even if something dared to test them, he believed them more than capable. What could harm a dragon in their scaled forms?
Didi, Lan Xichen said, his words floating into Lan Wangji’s mind as they flew side by side. They circled the battle below them, half an eye on the affairs of the other Sects, the rest of their attention on the feel of freedom. Care to race?
Lan Wangji had flown with confidence that day, knowing nothing could match him for speed. Not even his own brother could catch him, not if he truly stretched his long scaled body and soared like an arrow through the clouds. As an alpha he had reached his majority and had easily outstripped the First Jade for ability. As Lan Xichen followed behind him, Lan Wangji dropped lower, until he could see the faces of the men fighting. His huge shadow looming over the battle and causing many to fall to the ground in terror.
This gulf in their abilities, might have been a sore subject for another pair of siblings, but Lan Xichen had always accepted his fate. He was a beta and as he followed behind Wangji, he felt nothing but pride for his little brother who would only become stronger, until he was truly untouchable. It was a weight to happily let go of. To allow the baby of the family to now forge the way ahead. He no longer needed to worry for Wangji, not for his safety out here in the dangerous world.
Then to Lan Xichen’s horror and shock, his little brother had suddenly dived from the sky and began to skim the men fighting, dangerously low, and hunting for something with a frightening possessiveness that Lan Xichen had never seen before.
Wangji! What are you doing? Stop! Lan Xichen shouted into his little brother’s mind. Any lower and Lan Wangji would present his soft underbelly to be pierced by sharp swords, and all his advantage of flight and strong scales would have been for nothing.
But whatever it was that had brought Lan Wangji down from the safety of the sky, he did not manage to capture, and he soared up and away from the battle with such force that his tail hit the ground with a sharp crack. The ground broke where it had been lashed, and the soldiers who had been standing nearby collapsed. The roar that Lan Wangji screamed into the emptiness of the sky when he returned to altitude was deafening and made even Lan Xichen flinch. It shook the very clouds as the angry and desperately frustrated sound vibrated through the air. There was screaming from below, fighters abandoning the battle and running in different directions. Lan Wangji turned in the air and dropped back with a lightning flash of speed, swooping over the heads of the terrified cultivators. He was calling for something, his dragon voice humming over the sounds of men’s terror. Lan Xichen tried desperately to understand what had happened, and to call him back, but Wangji kept hunting until the battlefield was deserted and all that remained were the bodies of the fallen.
***
Lan Xichen had raced back for their uncle and when they had both returned, they found the second jade standing forlornly in the middle of the deserted battlefield. He was in his human form, pale antlers glinting silvery blue in the sun, and his tail swishing aggressively side to side behind him. It was kicking blood-stained dust up into the air like a dirty cloud, and Lan Xichen noticed his brother was covered in blood.
“Didi, what are you doing?”
The field had been cleared on one side, bodies lined up neatly up until the point where he stood. Ahead of him the rest remained scattered.
“Searching,” Lan Wangji replied.
“For whom?” Lan Qiren asked.
“The one with the nine tails,” Lan Wangji replied.
It had made no sense to Lan Xichen, but his uncle had nodded with understanding.
“Xichen, help him. Look for a body with nine tails,” Lan Qiren said with no explanation at all. It was a firm alpha order and Lan Xichen didn’t dare to question or to disobey. He might be the Sect Leader in name, but when it came to the hierarchy of their family, their uncle still reigned supreme.
They had searched. Lining up bodies until the sun went down. They didn’t find anyone with nine tails amongst the fallen. Lan Xichen wasn’t sure if they wanted to find this person or not. No one spoke and his brother worked with a furious determination and a burning look of possessiveness in his eyes. He snarled if Lan Xichen got too close to him, and had rushed at him aggressively when he’d spotted a black robed figure in Lan Xichen’s arms. The first jade had frozen in surprise at the aggression in his little brother, but a warning look from his uncle kept him quiet. Lan Wangji had grabbed the figure from his arms, looked at it with some desperation, then placed the unknown man in the line of bodies wordlessly. He had no tails.
It was not until later that Lan Xichen understood what had happened. His brother had taken the dragons into war over the sight of a huli jing. A huli jing who had been fighting alongside the common hybrids like some beast, instead of being worshipped and protected as was its right.
Lan Xichen didn’t blame his brother for wanting the creature, however he did not understand the sudden reckless behaviour. But such was the nature of an alpha, aggressive, impulsive and possessive. It wasn’t for him to comprehend, he just had to accept that beneath Lan Wangji’s cold exterior lay dormant a rage and a desire that spurred all alphas to fight for their mates and protect their Sects. When that mixed with a dragon nature of collecting and hoarding, it made for a strong and potent need to own and claim desirable things. Clearly his brother had seen such a thing in the huli jing and had recklessly dived down from the sky.
But Lan Wangji had missed his prey, fumbled the capture and the huli jing had disappeared in the chaos. Their searching had ruled out the creature's demise, the huli jing had escaped the battlefield, but where he currently was, none knew. But what Lan Xichen did know, was that because of Wangji, the dragons had, whether they liked it or not, returned to the world and entered the fight.
***
(After the war) Present Day
The Jiang siblings stood warily as they faced the expensively dressed stranger in the hotel entrance. They had been dismayed to find that someone had tracked them down at long last, despite their frequent moving, ragged clothing and fake names. They had only recently stopped in Yiling to retrieve Wei Wuxian and now realised that their stealth had been for nothing. If they had been found, then it was clear that the world knew where Wei Wuxian had been hiding since the dragons had issued a sect wide summons for his capture.
How had they known? Wei Wuxian was good at disguising himself, hiding his tails and his ears. He was so skilled at it that often it was a shock when they reappeared. They were so used to seeing him without since all this unrest had begun, that the black plushness of his fur was almost foreign now. Jiang Yanli thought about those tails as she stood here, the ones she had just scrubbed clean of mud and combed all the matts from. A-Xian must have slipped up and shown them again over the time he’d spent in Yiling.
Her brother hadn't been so gentle with the washing, dumping bucket after bucket of water over Wei Wuxian’s head. He’d been neglected, under fed, and now he was asleep upstairs, vulnerable whilst they faced this stranger.
Still, they both bowed politely to this older man, who had made no move to hurt them, and had greeted them both calmly with respect.
“Who are you?” Jiang Cheng asked, he tried to keep the aggression from his voice, but it was not easy. So many were looking for Wei Ying, hoping to collect on the reward from Gusu. But none they had encountered so far had been like this man before them.
“I am Lan Qiren. Grandmaster of the Gusu Lan dragon Sect,” he answered, again with another bow of respect.
Jiang Cheng looked the man over, he was the right age for the claim, he wore the Lan Sect robes, he wore the forehead ribbon. The dragon antlers protruded from his skull and the promised dragon tail was around his feet, with the end of that tail pointing forwards. Jiang Cheng stared at that tail for a minute, knowing he was being rude, but he’d never seen a dragon in person before. At least, not one this close and not one off the battlefield. It had been hard to consider the hybrid fighting next to you when you were both battling undead corpses and enemy cultivators.
“What do you want?” He asked.
“I have come to offer a significant monetary contribution to the rebuilding of Lotus Pier, in return for a marriage negotiation. But, maybe Jiang-zongzhu might spare me the time for a more comfortable discussion? Seeing as we are currently standing in an establishment that serves tea.”
Jiang Yanli gave her brother a sharp look. She was always so good at manners and correct behaviour, and Jiang Cheng knew he had upset her by not offering this first. Being reminded of his manners by this older man was something of a shameful thing.
Jiang Cheng wasn’t in a rush to be polite and welcoming to this dragon who had tracked them down. But there was no other path to take now. So, while the Jiangs sat uncomfortably in each other’s presence, the tea was served, and the older man behaved as if he did this daily. Relaxed and calm.
“So, will you explain yourself now?” Jiang Cheng prompted.
“Certainly. I have come here for the huli jing,” Lan Qiren said without a hint of hesitation.
“Why A-Xian?” Jiang Yanli asked instantly. She was keeping her voice hushed, but her tone carried and a few other guests looked over. The dragon didn't seem to notice. “Many are looking for him. Why do you want him?”
The older man placed his cup back down and gave her his full attention. He seemed unaffected by their nerves or their hostility. Likely he had been expecting both.
“Dragons have historically sought out huli jings as mates,” Lan Qiren, explaining this as if it were black and white fact and not up for discussion. His tone suggested that he thought they ought to be in agreement too. “My nephews need mates.”
“What are you suggesting?” Jiang Cheng asked. His nephews needed mates, disgusting, he didn’t care to know about this. So what did this old man dragon think he was going to do with Wei Wuxian, pass him off to one of them like a prize?
“I am suggesting we make a match today. The huli jing, Wei Wuxian, is an omega?” the dragon asked.
Jiang Cheng was about to jump to his feet and demand that this old man fight him for his disrespect. How dare he talk about this, like it was perfectly respectable to discuss in the middle of the room, where anyone might hear! Didn’t he know that it was the height of bad manners to remark on something like this? It was for parents to discuss matches…
Jiang Cheng stopped in his anger. Wei Wuxian had no parents and now he, as the Sect leader of the Jiangs, stood in that role. He’d forgotten. His anger and outrage died. The old dragon was being genuine here, approaching the one who Wei Wuxian currently belonged to. Jiang Cheng felt suddenly sick. He wasn’t prepared for this. He couldn’t do this.
“Yes,” Jiang Yanli answered for him, she at least seemed not to be shocked at the direction of this conversation. “A-Xian is very special. He is huli jing and omega. Is this why you have been searching for him?”
The dragon nodded once.
“You are an alpha,” Lan Qiren said suddenly, looking at Jiang Cheng. “Why haven’t you taken him as a mate?”
“My shixiong?” Jiang Cheng spluttered, unable to keep up with the shocks this conversation was giving him. “That is an offensive statement to me!”
Jiang Yanli put her hand gently on his arm to calm him.
“Lan Qiren, please don’t be offended by my brother. It is only that we view Wei Wuxian as another sibling. The idea that he would be Jiang-Furen is unpalatable simply because of that reason. But we want him to have a happy marriage and will not simply give him away as a prize.”
“Giving him to the dragons as a prize is very much what you are doing, Jiang-guniang,” Lan Qiren said sternly. “If we agree today, then Wei Wuxian will belong to the dragons. You will be compensated accordingly as your right as his guardians. If you refuse, I shall speak to him directly. If you all refuse, then you will need to make your arguments with my nephew.”
“Which nephew?” Jiang Cheng demanded to know. “Which one makes a claim?”
“The Sect Leader is a beta. Therefore, Wei Wuxian will be offered to my youngest nephew, Lan Wangji. He is alpha and his children will be the senior heirs.”
Jiang Yanli looked at her brother with apprehension.
“I would see him, before we progress in these negotiations,” Lan Qiren added.
Jiang Yanli grabbed her brother’s sleeve tightly, knowing he was boiling over.
“He is sleeping,” she said. “He has been through a lot recently… we have not had an easy time since the start of the war. We were hoping to bring him home to Lotus Pier soon…”
“I shall not disturb him,” Lan Qiren promised.
Jiang Yanli nodded. They had been cornered and there was no putting this dragon off. But he wasn’t asking to take Wei Ying away right now, he’d come to make an offer. If they decided to decline, there was still a chance for escape later on. But as they climbed the stairs and she knocked on the door, she felt helpless. She felt the sword at their necks, and knew that in reality there was little they could do to keep the dragons away from a huli jing. Hadn’t the dragons scooped up every huli jing throughout history like greedy little children. Snatching up everything shiny for their dragon treasure hoard.
Wei Wuxian was still in a deep sleep, with the golden light of the setting sun shining through the window. Jiang Yanli cursed the sun for hiding the dark circles under his eyes and making him look illuminated and healthy. If he’d looked as he really was, sickly and thin, the dragon might have turned and given it up as a bad job.
“He is satisfactory.”
She felt her brother tense next to her and understood. Satisfactory? As if this old man didn’t have the whole cultivation world hunting Wei Wuxian right now like some common animal. She should hope he was satisfactory!
Lan Qiren looked down on the sleeping huli jing and noted the black fox ears. Logic suggested his tails would be black too. The fur was healthy and shiny even though he looked drawn and his hands were cracked and there was dirt embedded in his nails. This was the result of war and months spent homeless and scampering around the burial grounds like the fox he was. It was nothing that wouldn’t be fixed with some care and some healthy meals.
But in truth the boy was quite remarkably handsome, with a sweet young face. From what Lan Qiren knew of his nephew, he could understand the appeal. The huli jing nature ought to be attractive enough and for many it would be, but Wangji’s tastes were unusual and finding male omegas had proved a challenge. He’d rejected everyone suitable. This boy might indeed be bordering on feral, but he had all the qualities for a good start. The rest could be worked on.
“We will proceed with the arrangements, if you are agreeable?” Lan Qiren said.
“Might we discuss this in private for a moment, and join you downstairs shortly?” Jiang Yanli asked. She needed a moment to just comprehend what was happening at least.
Lan Qiren bowed with acquiescence and turned on his heel to leave. Jiang Cheng shut the door smartly once the dragon had gone.
“You can’t be seriously considering agreeing to this?” He asked, eyebrows raised and looking outraged. “Who do the dragons think they are? Swooping down from the sky to try and snatch him away?”
“We can’t look after him, A-Cheng. Lotus Pier has burned; mother and father are dead, and you are injured. How can we protect him?” Jiang Yanli said. “If it’s not the dragons then it will be someone else. Probably someone very unsuitable and not as kind. It is the dream of many to be desired by a dragon. Who are we to deny A-Xian that?”
“I don’t like this.”
“Neither do I. But he will be married to a Lan dragon! It is his birth rite to belong to them. It is the way of things. Dragons and huli jings. It’s only natural.”
“He belongs with us. This is our brother, and I can’t let him go to them. This Lan Wangji doesn’t deserve it,” Jiang Cheng said. But his voice was wavering in its conviction. His sister was speaking too much sense and it hurt.
“A-Cheng, he is a huli jing. He can’t stay with us forever. It’s unkind. He must be married to be safe. Please, consider this. Not to mention what he did in the war, taking on all that resentful energy and surviving. Many want him for that alone, and not to offer marriage and safety.”
“Who is to say these dragons are telling the truth? They might want to hurt him too!” Jiang Cheng said.
“I don’t think so. Didn’t A-Xian say the dragon went for him twice? He picked him out of the crowd two times. I think this is genuine. I think we can make him safe at last.”
“So we just hand him over? Like a prize cow? Here, he’s all yours! Now give us some money?” Jiang Cheng couldn’t bear to think of how he was considering selling his brother for money and just washing his hands of his future. He had promised to make Lotus Pier safe again, and they were all meant to be together forever.
“A-Cheng… all arranged marriages work this way. My marriage will also be like this,” Jiang Yanli said, referring to her engagement with the Jin sect heir, which was hanging perilously now that their parents were no more.
“I shall consider it, but I don’t like it.”
They sat for a little longer with the decision before going downstairs. In the end they knew there was little chance of escaping this situation, but what they could do was negotiate the best of terms. They could give Wei Ying the best of starts and not give him away without a fight.
“We agree to your proposal on one condition. That our brother agrees to this marriage. We shall bring him to the Cloud Recesses. But you must convince him to accept this, Lan Wangji. If he refuses, then he might be allowed to return home,” Jiang Cheng said. He felt his sister’s encouraging eyes on him and took strength from her silent presence.
The dragon nodded, and his tail swished with a pleased sort of movement on the ground.
“Bring him to Gusu and we shall discuss the terms in more detail. In the meantime, I shall send an advance of the promised donation to the rebuilding of your sect, as a thank you for your time today.”
The Jiang siblings stood stunned as the dragon left. They were further surprised when the landlord informed them that Lan sect members were now standing guard outside and that their bill had been paid.
“The dragon said you’d be leaving for Gusu tomorrow, and to eat well this evening before the journey. He will provide what you need to travel, and I will help arrange it.”
Jiang Cheng looked at his sister with a resigned defeat and then looked at the stairs. Telling Wei Wuxian was going to hurt them both to their very cores.