Chapter Text
Everyone at Lotus Pier works hard to prepare for Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s upcoming wedding in the following months. After the public execution of Xue Yang, an endless amount of cultivators asked to join the Jiang and Nie sects despite some of the earlier wariness and criticism of the sheltering of the Wens. After the Dafan Wens had spent so many months living in Lotus Pier,the minor sects finally realized that they were truly not a threat. Rather, most of their criticism had been aimed towards the Jin sect.
Now, with Xue Yang dead and the Jin sect finally stabilized after weeding out countless traitors, Jiang Cheng can finally focus on the grand celebration ahead. He spends the first half of the month sending out invitations and the other half on preparing the actual festivities. Wei Wuxian had spent an entire month making his own gift for his fiance. Traditionally, these gifts would have been prepared by his parents, but since that wasn’t an option, he’d opted to make the gifts himself.
Both Jiang Cheng and his sister had been in awe at the finishing result: an intricate scarf made with silk and embroidered with bunnies. He’d also carved a hairpin with a jade rabbit. Lan Wangji and his brother had returned a large number of gifts: a variety of Wei Wuxian’s favorite spices, jars of Emperor’s Smile, a porcelain set, herbs, and tea. Lan Xichen had even included a book of music scores, written by famous musicians from all different sects throughout history. Unexpectedly, Lan Wangj had also made a rabbit hair ornament for Wei Wuxian. Huaisang had given Wei Wuxian a fan decorated with bunnies and clouds, the setting of the painting very closely resembling Cloud Recesses.
It was a lot more than what Jiang Cheng had received during his own wedding, but he had no complaints. He was more than satisfied to give his brother a grand wedding since he hadn’t had that luxury himself. The Jiang sect was a lot stronger and stable than it had been during the months right after the war.
They arrive in Cloud Recesses three days for the other traditional wedding procedures before the actual wedding ceremony. A Jiang elder is chosen to represent the Hao Min Po* to conduct the Hair Combing Ceremony the night before the wedding.
(* A/N: Means ‘fortune lady’, must be someone with great fortune and living parents, children and grandchildren)
The Nies arrive the next day.
“Have you seen Wei-xiong’s wedding hanfu yet?” Huaisang asks as soon as they’ve finished greeting one another.
“Of course! Who do you think helped him pick it out?”
“I assumed it was your sister,” Huiasang chuckles. “Who helped her with her own wedding hanfu?”
“Madam Liang,” Jiang Cheng replies. A-jie told me that MianMian helped her out as well. I don’t know who else can help Wei Wuxian with his hanfu. It only makes sense that I am the one to help him, being his brother and all.”
“I’m guessing it’s the usual black and red colors?” Nie Huaisang opens his fan and smiles. “Yes. Black represents ‘water’, a good representation for our sect and red is the normal color to wear on one’s wedding day. Besides, I knew he’d want to wear his favorite colors.”
“Of course. He’d never agree to get married wearing any other color. It represents who he is. Other than Jiang purple.”
Later that afternoon, the young Jiang disciples and shidis take out the items prepared for the door games.*
(*A/N: Door games are usually prepared by the bridesmaids to test the groom’s determination to marry the bride and to win approval from the bride’s family. Though since there are two grooms, LWj will be the one challenged since WWX is marrying out of the sect. The games typically involve the groom eating something spicy, sour and bitter to prove he can endure every stage of marriage )
Lan Wangji is able to endure every challenge, surprising all the Jiangs by his unexpected strong endurance to the spicy dish that the Jiang disciples had prepared. Though Jiang Cheng can barely hold back his snickers as he watches the red creep up the face of the Second Twin Jade, despite keeping a straight face.
A-jie smiles and hides a laugh behind her sleeve as well and they walk to stand in their appropriate places in the Lan ancestral hall. Wen Qing and Wen Ning stand beside him while the rest of their family stand a row behind. Lan Xichen stands across from him next to Lan Qiren. The rest of the Lan elders stand behind them. As more guests come in, Jiang Cheng catches sight of Nie Huaisang briefly and they exchange nods before he and his brother go to stand next to the other Nie guests. Jin Zixuan and Jin Ziyao stand next to one another with little Mo Xuanyu clinging shyly to Jin Zixuan’s side.
At the front, Qingheng-jun’s and Madame Lan’s tablets had been brought out and placed on the table. Wei Cangze and Cangse Sanren’s tablets were there as well. Jiang Cheng had been able to find the tablets of Wei Wuxian’s parents in his father’s study the week before; his mother had never let his Father put the tablets in the Jiang ancestral hall and had had to keep them in his room instead. Wei Wuxian had been filled with shock and gratitude upon being presented to them. He had even hugged and cried into Jiang Cheng’s shoulders.
“Jiang Cheng..you…”
“Get off! Don’t be such a baby!” Jiang Cheng had grunted but he hadn’t pushed Wei Wuxian away.
“Thank you.. ”
“What is there to thank me for? We’re family.”
Everyone soon falls silent as the ceremony begins. Jin Ling coos excitedly upon seeing the red confetti fall from the ceiling and reaches his small hands upwards, waving his hand in the air.
It’s the first time Jiang Cheng is seeing Lan Wangji in any other color other than blue or white. Seeing A-jie in her own wedding dress had been stunning and breathtaking, but this was an entirely different feeling.
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji walk in together, looking stunning in their red wedding hanfus. The lotus flowers on the sleeves had been carefully embedded with a golden thread and silver needle. Granny Wen and A-jie had worked tirelessly on it together, working late into the night. The golden thread had been provided by Madame Jin. On Lan Wangji’s hanfu, there were patterns of clouds and orchids. Jiang Cheng swears he spotted the outline of a bunny as well. The ceremony went on with the three bows of the Baitang: one to the heavens and the earth , one to the parents and the third to one another. Lan Wangji wears the elaborate hairpin Wei Wuxian had made for him. Wei Wuxian on the other hand, wears the Lotus hairpin he and A-jie had given him. Jiang Cheng most definitely did NOT cry.
The wedding was almost, almost as beautiful as his sister’s. The Lan’s weddings were much more elegant and peaceful compared to the excited, loud and festive celebration that the Jins had prepared for their sister’s wedding. The tea ceremony went well with Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji serving tea to Lan Qiren and his relatives first before they served tea to the Meishan Yu relatives that were present. By the late afternoon, the newly wedded couple had disappeared into their bridal chamber. The guests return to their own rooms.
The smaller banquet was held the next morning with only small dishes and servings of tea. Jiang Cheng had almost forgotten how tasteless the food was at Cloud Recesses and again wondered how Wei Wuxian would get used to it considering how crazy his palette is. After the banquet, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji disappear to the backhill, taking Wen Ning, Mo Xuanyu and Lan Yuan with them. Even A-jie had joined them, taking little Jin Ling with her to meet the rabbits that Wei Wuxian always spoke so fondly of. Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing follow after them, but remain at the top of the slope, watching the children play.
“When I studied here, there were only about ten rabbits. Now there’s almost thirty of them. A-jie, Wei Wuxian and I ended up playing with them for a long time.”
“Really?” Wen Qing looks over at him. “You had a soft spot for animals?”
“Not exactly,” Jiang Cheng mutters. He remembers he’d made fun of Wei Wuxian for holding a rabbit, but had not hesitated in the next moment to cuddle it after one was basically thrown in his face.
“I had three puppies when I was young. I had to give them away.”
“Oh,” Wen Qing says softly.”
“I was mad at first but...I gained a brother and a best friend that day. It didn’t mean life was perfect, of course. Having Wei Wuxian as a brother could never be easy. But I think it was worth it.”
“Everything is worth it as long as your family is safe.”
“He won’t really be by my side anymore, not all the time. But Lotus Pier will always be his home.” He scoffs softly. “Of course, being a Lan doesn’t mean he can get away with being my head disciple. He’ll have to travel frequently now that his duties are split between two sects.”
Wen Qing’s lips curve into a smirk.
“Well...his core isn’t strong enough for him to fly on a sword yet, so I expect Lan Wangji will come with him.”
“So I can’t have him to myself for even a day?” Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes. “Should have known.”
Wen Qing laughs.
~
“Hey Lan Wangji,” Jiang Cheng says, arms crossed over his chest the morning the Jiangs prepared to leave to return to Lotus Pier. They had much to prepare for the banquet in a few days.
“Make sure my brother gets enough sleep. He still has his nightmares but he’ll say they’re not bad if you ask. Force him to talk if you need to. And make sure he gets enough to eat as well, he’s already skinny enough, but Wen Qing says his diet has been slowly getting back to normal.”
“Mn.” Lan Wangji nods as if he already knows what he must do.
“The food here is as simple as ever. I’ll send over shipments of Yunmeng spices every month.”
“Of course.” Lan Wangji nods again and dips his head.
“ChengCheng, aren’t you going to miss me?” Wei Wuxian crows out as he walks over after hugging his sister goodbye.
“Who’d miss you?!” Jiang Cheng snorts. “Personally, I can’t wait to get some peace and quiet. And don’t call me ChengCheng!”
Wei Wuxian sticks his tongue out at him in response.
~
When the time comes for the banquet, dishes after dishes are prepared, filling the entirety of Lotus Pier with the fragrance of spices. Jiang Cheng had sent people to buy even more jars of Emperor's Smile for the feast and Uncle Four had even made an entirely new wine for the occasion.
MianMian, Jiang Cheng learns, is surprisingly an excellent cook. Later he learns that MianMian had tried to teach Jin Zixuan how to cook for A-jie in order after the soup incident had occurred. He’d wanted to cook her something to apologize for misunderstanding. Jin Zixuan had left Jin Guangyao in charge back at Carp Tower and now the three of them are standing in one of the hallways, watching the servants and maids. bustle back and forth with their tasks. The two of them had come to Lotus Pier since A-jie had wanted to help out with the preparations for Wei Wuxian’s wedding. They’d arrived a week after her. Jin Ling had been left in the care of Zixuan’s mother.
“Did he manage to cook something edible?” Jiang Cheng inquires. “Though, I’m sure anything is more edible than my brother’s cooking.” MianMian snickers as Jin Zixuan’s face turns red.
“He did, as a matter of fact, make something edible. It took him a few tries though.”
“MianMian, please save me some face. Should my head disciple really be embarrassing me?”
“Now you’ll know how I feel,” Jiang Cheng snorts.
“Hey! Why can’t you say something nice to me on my wedding day?” A loud voice complains from one of the rooms.
“I congratulated you on finding someone to tolerate you to be his husband. Is that not a nice thing?”
“Jiang Chengg!” Footsteps start hurrying in their direction and Jiang Cheng braces himself to get put into a headlock.
“A-Xian, get back here. I’m not done fixing your dress!” The footsteps stop at once.
“Yes, Shijie. Sorry.”
“You two are always like this, aren’t you?” Jin Zixuan asks. There’s a hint of envy in his voice.
“Yes,” Jiang Cheng answers casually.
“A-Yu is a lot younger than me,” Jin Zixuan sighs. “And I try to take care of him but…I don’t really know how to be an older brother. Even with A-Yao, I try to be nice to him, but it’s not easy. A-Li is much more approachable when it comes to being kind to others”
“If you can be a good father, you can be a good brother too,” Luo Qingyang says earnestly. “You were doing everything to make Jin Guang-, I mean Jin Ziyao feel comfortable when he first arrived in Carp Tower.”
“But it was awkward,” Jin Zixuan admits.
“Well, you were awkward around my sister too when you were young and dumb and didn’t realize what love was. You will learn.”
“Just as A-Li on how to be a sibling,” Luo Qingyang adds cheerfully. “She’s amazing at being one.”
“Yes,” Jiang Cheng agrees at once. He nudges his brother-in-law lightly.
“Don’t worry too much about it. Being a brother is easier than being a sect leader...unless you’re Wei Wuxian’s brother,” He adds.
“He’s my brother-in-law now. That’d count,” Jin Zixuan mutters.
“I have Lan Wangji as my brother-in-law now. I never could have imagined that could be possible in this lifetime.”
“Lan Xichen too,” Luo Qingyang adds with a smile.
“Anyways,” Jin Zixuan continues. “Who knows how many other brothers I could have? I always knew they were probably out there somewhere, but I couldn’t consider them brothers because I’ve never met them.”
“Will you go look for them?”
“No...I don’t wish to force them to live in Carp Tower,” Jin Zixuan shakes his head. “Even A-Yu loves Lotus Pier more than LanLing. I don’t wish to force them into the cultivation world when they could be living peacefully somewhere else. They might not even want to see me , considering what my father did to their mothers after conceiving them.”
“Don’t think about them then,” Luo Qingyang says. “You have a bigger family now. With connections to the Lan and Jiang sect. Even the Nie sect now that Sect leader Jiang, Young Master Wei, and Second Master Nie have become sworn brothers.”
“There’s been talk about restoring the Wen sect too. I’ve been talking about it to Wen Qing, I mean,” Jiang Cheng says. “The old Wen sect were cruel and merciless but she wishes to rebuild it under a new reputation and name.”
“That will be for the future then?” Luo Qingyang asks quietly. “The future generation can help make the cultivation world a better place.”
“There’ll always be bad people out there. It’ll be inevitable.” Jiang Cheng shrugs. “But as long as there are people willing to remain righteous and fight for justice, they can never win.”
“Mm,” Jin Zixuan and Luo Qingyang say in mutual agreement. They finish talking and go back to helping with the preparations.
“I want to help too!” A small figure runs through the hall.
“A-Yuan, don’t run. You’ll fall and hurt yourself.” Wen Ning hurries to catch up with his cousin.
“Here, I’ll teach you how to cut some paper decorations.” Luo Qingyang is quick to come to relieve Wen Ning of his troubles. “Where’s A-Yu? He can help too.”
“In the kitchen with Yanli-aiyi,”A-Yuan replies. “He's cooking. She says she’ll teach me when I am older.”
“Oh I see. For now, you can help me decorate, okay? Let’s go.” They disappear down another hallway.
Jiang Cheng returns to assessing and overseeing the wedding preparations. The normally purple-decorated Lotus Pier is soon transformed to red.
The doors and walls are covered with red paper cut-outs of the words ‘double happiness’. Red lanterns are hung on the ceiling and red curtains are draped over the door frames and hallways.
“Right.” Jiang Cheng nods, then he blinks. “Will he start wearing Lan robes now?” “I’m sure Hanguang-jun will give him the luxury of wearing whatever colors he wishes. Perhaps a customized Lan sect robe with tints of purple.”
“Of course Lan Wangji would do that for him.” Jiang Cheng hears his sister calling to him and turns away.
“I should go now. Duty calls.”
He leaves to go to the banquet hall, where dishes were already being spread out on each table. The dishes included mabo tofu, spicy steamed Wuchang fish, hot dry noodles, roast duck, pheasant, chicken, stir-fried vegetables, and spicy stir fried lotus roots. For the tables where the Lan guests sat, the spiciness of the dishes are adjusted accordingly.
The entire cultivation world is invited for the wedding, including many minor sects. The Dafan Wens, though no longer seen as a threat, are purposefully seated away from the other sects and closer to where all the Jiang disciples sit. In one of the courtyards, Jiang Cheng catches a glimpse of A-Yuan riding on Nie Mingjue’s shoulders, giggling in delight and not being afraid of the height he’s being held at.
“Your brother has a soft spot for young children. I never could have expected that,” Jiang Cheng comments quietly when Nie Huaisang comes to stand next to him.
“You really didn’t know? Some of the other labor camps my brother liberated, there were children there as well. I don’t believe they were of Dafan Wen, but my brother would never blame innocent children for their parents’ crimes. They’re training to be our disciples now.”
Most of the other Wen civilians they’ve rescued are living in villages around Yunmeng. Most of the children, the ones who’d survived the labor camps, had been put into orphanages or had been taken in by Yunmeng civilians.
“When the children in the villages are of age, I’m sure some of them may want to join,” Jiang Cheng says. “Either way...we’re finally at peace. With Xue Yang and Jin Guangshan gone.”
“I admire you for being so strong and making it here to this point.” Nie Huaisang smiles at him. “Both you and Wei-xiong, I mean.”
“Loss makes you fight harder for what you have left,” Jiang Cheng replies simply.
“I only have my Da-ge...I don’t know what I would do without him.”
Jiang Cheng elbows him lightly.
“What do you mean you only have him? We’re sworn brothers! And I’m sure you’ll find a pretty maiden to love one day! Even Zewu-jun has found someone.”
“Oh!” Nie Huaisang hits his fan against his palm. “ Lady Qin, you mean? San-ge introduced her to him...after,” Nie Huaisang coughs and hides his face behind his fan. “After that reveal.”
“Why don’t you find someone like Lady Luo then?”
“Jiang-xiong!” Nie Huaisang exclaims.
“It was only a suggestion.”
“There’s no way Jin-xiong would let his head disciple and best friend marry into the Nie sect. And I’m sure she doesn’t want to leave either.”
“Don’t worry. You have plenty of time to find someone.” Jiang Cheng waves his hand, gesturing for Huaisang to follow him inside. The other guests had already begun to sit at the tables. Lan Yuan and Lan Jingyi sit at the table with the other junior disciples, their heads together as they whisper to one another.
The banquet was much louder and more exuberant than the banquet held in Gusu. Jiang Cheng can see Lan Qiren frowning deeply at the loud excited shouts coming from the Jiang disciples as the banquet went on. His frown deepens even more when Lan Jingyi arouses the Lan disciples to join in. Lan Xichen on the other hand, smiles at them and calmly drinks his tea and picks out food from the vegetarian dishes placed out at their table. Meanwhile on the Jiang side of the hall, Jiang Cheng is trying his best to ignore how Wei Wuxian is draped all over his husband while consuming jar after jar of Emperor’s Smile.
“Hey, Cheng-didi, I’m so glad you offered to hold this banquet. I don’t know how I would be able to celebrate without some Emperor’s Smile.” Jiang Cheng barely holds himself back from throwing a piece of food at Wei Wuxian.
“Who’s your didi?!”
“Technically, I’m older than both of you so you’re both my didis,” Nie Huaisang says as he stumbles over, his voice slurred due to having drunk his fair share of alcohol too.
“That’s not how it works,” Jiang Cheng sputters. “Just how drunk are you?”
“Huiasang!” Nie Mingjue scolds, making Huaisang jump about a foot in the air.
“Sorry, Da-ge,” He mutters and he immediately sits back down. On the side of the room where the minor sects sat, it’s mainly quiet though neither he or Wen Qing miss some of the dirty looks cast towards the newly wedded couple. Wen Qing glares back in their direction until they look away, drawing their heads together to whisper things that neither of them can hear. Jiang Cheng ignores them and turns his gaze back towards where a drunk Wei Wuxian is trying to convince a flustered Jin Guangyao to drink a sip of Uncle Four’s new wine. Jiang Cheng sighs and is ready to go interfere when unexpectedly, Nie Mingjue gets there first and chugs the entire cup. Somehow even Lan Xichen had gotten himself drunk after one small sip of alcohol.
As the night goes on, Jiang Cheng has his hand full with one drunk brother, two drunk sect leaders, and one very red-faced uncle in-law.
When the red bean and lotus seed soup is taken out during the end of the banquet, Jiang Cheng can’t help but let out a sigh of pure relief. He and Lan Wangji help bring Wei Wuxian to his room to sleep for the night once the banquet has ended and almost all of the guests have gone home. Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen had been brought to their own guest rooms as well.
“A-Qing, that was one of the most exhausting banquets ever,” Jiang Cheng later complains to Wen Qing that night as they settle down to sleep.
“But you had fun, didn’t you?”
“Sure,” Jiang Cheng huffs. “I’m going to end up cleaning up after him. Again .”
“You look after one another. That’s how it should be and how it will always be.”
“Yeah well...he has Lan Wangji to look after him now, doesn’t he?” A feeling of bittersweetness overcomes him and he turns away to look out the window where the moon is just visible over the still lake, casting its reflection on the water.
“A-Li is in Carp Tower now with Jin Zixuan caring for her. Does that mean you won’t still look after her?”
“Of course not,” Jiang Cheng says immediately. Oh.
“They won’t be around all the time anymore, but that doesn’t mean they’re not here . They’re always with us.” Wen Qing sits down next to him, resting her head on his shoulders
“Yes,” Jiang Cheng sighs.
No matter how far someone is, as long as you hold them in your heart, they’ll always be with you.
The next morning, Jiang Cheng wakes up early and is surprised to see Wei Wuxian sitting on the wooden railing ledge of one of the pavilions.
“Hey,” Wei Wuxian greets him without turning around.
“You’re up early. Where’s your husband?” Jiang Cheng leans against the column of the pavilion.
“Helping A-jie make breakfast.”
“‘A-jie’ huh?” Something softens in Jiang Cheng’s voice.
“Actually, she’s been telling me to address her as that for a while now. I guess I finally listened to her. Even Lan Zhan calls her Yanli-jie.” Hearing this, Jiang Cheng’s lips purse outwards and he rolls his eyes with a snort.
“Should I be calling Zewu-jun ‘Xichen-ge’ now then?”
“He wouldn’t mind it.”
“It’s not proper,” Jiang Cheng mutters under his breath.
“Why not?” Wei Wuxian elbows him.
“It’s weird enough that we call Huaisang ‘Da-ge’. Just because he’s a few months older.”
Three months later
“Jiang Cheng, please sit down. You’re making my head hurt,” Wei Wuxian sighs. They’re all standing outside the medic clinic. Wei Wuxian is leaning against his husband, one elbow on his shoulders.
“Then look somewhere else!” Jiang Cheng snaps. His anxiety is making him irritated now. It had only been less than half a shichen since Wen Qing had gone into labor.
“Fine.” Out of the corner of his eyes, Jiang Cheng sees Wei Wuxian turn to stare into Lan Wangji’s eyes instead.
“She’ll be fine.” Granny Wen’s hand on his shoulder makes him stop pacing. “My granddaughter has helped plenty of women give birth, including A-Li’s. Either way, the Jiang healers will make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“Right,” Jiang Cheng breathes out.
Another incense of time passes before the wailing of an infant cuts through the silence. The healer comes out with a smile on her face.
“Congrats, Sect leader! You have two healthy children. Two daughters!”
“Wait, two?” Wei Wuxian sits up, his eyes lighting up. “Twins then?”
“Yes.”
Jiang Cheng inhales and exhales sharply before following the healer inside.
“Jiang Cheng, I could hear you stressing out from outside,” Wen Qing says the moment he comes inside. “ You should really have more confidence in me. I’ve delivered plenty of babies.”
“That’s what I said,” the healer says. “But it’s hard to calm our leader down.”
“What kind of husband wouldn’t fret?” Jiang Cheng huffs, but his annoyance dies away when he has one of his daughters in his arms.
“Names...what should we call them?”
“Jiang Yu…,” Jiang Cheng says, not taking his eyes off the baby in his arms. “For a carefree future.”
“Jiang Liu for our second daughter. Willow trees have always been my favorite.”
“Then we can grow one here,” Jiang Cheng says. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
“We had more things to worry about than growing trees,” Wen Qing snorts in reply.
“Qing-gugu, A-yuan hold?” Lan Yuan bows politely at them before asking. After spending a few months in Cloud Recesses, he’d already learned many of the Lan principles and manners.
“You can see her, but not hold. She’s still too fragile,” Wen Qing explains, patting the bed with one hand.
“This is A-Liu, your cousin.”
“Liu-meimei,” Lan Yuan says softly, his eyes wide.
“A-Ling, come see as well.” A-jie enters the room, holding A-Ling in her arms. Her eyes shine with tears of happiness upon seeing her two nieces.
“Ling-didi used to be this small,” Lan Yuan says, tilting his head. “He got big.”
“You were once that small too, A-Yuan,” Wen Ning laughs.
“Nuh-uh, A-Yuan always a big boy.”
“Meanwhile, your Xian-gege is still three years old,” A-jie laughs.
“A-jie!”
Jiang Cheng blocks out the sound of his brother’s loud complaints and holds his daughter close to his chest like she’s the most precious person in the world to him. She was, of course, among many others in his family. No matter what difficulties they faced, nothing was more important than family. Nothing was more important than keeping their family safe. And they’d done that and would continue doing so for many years to come.
BONUS SCENE:
Five years later
“A-Ling, come swimming with me!” Lan Yuan’s loud squeal breaks the silent meditation Jiang Cheng had been having near the pavilion. Silence was futile in the summer during these past few years at Lotus Pier.
“I don’t want to swim!” Jin Ling pouts. “Ask A-Yu instead!”
“I already did. She’s in the healing pavilion with Qing-gugu again. What are they up to anyways?”
“She’s learning boring stuff,” Jin Ling huffs.
“It’s not boring!” Lan Yuan immediately comes to his aunt’s defense. “Her boring stuff was what healed your scraped knee last month. Be grateful!”
“Bu-”
“A-Yuan is correct,” Jiang Cheng cuts in with a stern voice. The two children freeze and turn to bow in greeting towards him. “Is that anyway to talk about your jiuma?”
“Sorry, Jiujiu.” Jin Ling ducks his head.
“Go run off and play then. And find A-Liu to join you if A-Yu won’t come. Make sure your Wen-shushu is watching nearby if you’re going into the water alright?”
“Yes, jiujiu.”
“Yes, shushu.”
Jiang Cheng watches the two small figures run away, one in white, the other in yellow. For a moment, he sees two other figures, one in purple and the other in black before it fades back to white and yellow.
He returns back to his meditation spot in the pavilion. As he sits down, he feels the gentle breeze brushing the hair against his face and hears the croaking of frogs. Somewhere in the distance, there’s the laughing of children and splashing among the water. He smiles lightly, closes his eyes and lets the sound of home flow through him.