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Chapter Text

                On the day that Lan Xichen presented Gusu was packed with people. Normally presenting was a fairly personal experience, even amongst the larger sects. While the results were not secret by any means usually the individuals had a chance to adapt to their new societal role before it was made public.

                Unfortunately for Lan Xichen, at least in Jiang Cheng’s opinion, his presentation occurred on a day that that was meant to be a Gusu run night hunt, so there was little room left for processing the information within the household, before the Lans would have to answer the big question on everyone's minds.

                Despite the questionable timing Jiang Cheng was not particularly nervous for the elder twin Jade. Although a lot of experts on the subject warned of the dangers of “guess” diagnosis', everyone did it. Sometimes there would be a surprise like when Xue Yang presented as an Omega and other times the results were boringly obvious like Nie Mingjue becoming an alpha.

                To be quite frank Jiang Cheng had been shocked by his own result some time ago. But as far as he was concerned Lan Xichen was the perfect example of a Beta. He got along well with all types of people, didn’t have too many overall mood swings, and was neither pushy, nor easily ignored. Perhaps, the Jiang thought to himself, he might even be an alpha, albeit a gentle one.

                While slightly more of a stretch than beta it was not impossible, and apparently JC was not the only one to believe so,

                “What do you think he’ll be? My money’s on alpha. Zewu Jun’s cultivation is so intense that he barely uses it to keep down property damage, and any time you look over at him he’s calm, even if the rest of the room is in an uproar. That kind of steel mentality can only come from the top of the chain.”

                “I don’t know, I’m leaning towards Beta personally. Sure he’s strong, but it would be odd for an alpha to be able to share with or listen so well to his Uncle. Plus he’s super gentle, I really can’t imagine him jumping someone in a heated rage or anything.”

                “But if you’re talking gentle you don’t think he could possibly be-”

                “No!” The other voice answered scandalized, “aren’t those types small, wimpy little things? Who ever heard of such a tall, muscular looking omega? Don’t even joke like that, it’s too disrespectful. Imagine if Grandmaster Qiren hears you.”

                Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes at that, debating whether to stay at Gusu or go home. Due to Wuxian not feeling well both he and Yanli had stayed back already though, so there was no one’s opinion to ask on the subject.

                The Night Hunt was clearly cancelled for the time being and he felt odd to be standing amongst such disrespectful gossip mongers. It was neither their business, nor his, overall. But another part of him lingered, anticipating and curious, particularly because Lan Xichen was a late bloomer.

                In a world of alphas, betas, and omegas not all were equal. Even a month's difference in age usually made those of the same general designation higher or lower in power. The earlier one presented the more common or less likely to present the specific trait’s designated to that subgender, the latest were often considered the ‘pure breeds’ suspected to be the elites of their designation categories.

                This is why no one had worried or questioned Lan Xichen up to this point and why it wasn’t so shocking that it was only happening now. In the world of A/B/O later was better, unless you were particularly scared about your overall result. JC himself hadn’t been happy to present before Wuxian, but he had been relieved by the results at the very least.

                After a few minutes of debate in a crowd of nosy people Jiang Cheng decided that if were him he would have been terrified to be surrounded and judged by so many people, particularly for something that was not under his control. He remembered the fear quite well and figured that a few less people might not be a huge improvement, but it was something.

                Signaling to the disciples he’d brought with him JC turned around, causing people to move and splitting the crowd before him down the middle. Some Jiang disciples might have been curious themselves, but none verbally said so as they fell into step behind their leader.

                Jiang Wanyin moved leisurely yet powerfully like a confident jungle cat as he began to leave, but before he got too far clapping sounded as Lan Huan stepped out into the sun. Everyone’s attention turned to him, except for Jiang Cheng and his followers. The crowd held its breath until suddenly Lan Xichen said loudly and clearly,

                “I’ve presented. I am an omega.”

                Time seemed to stand still and even Jiang Cheng could not keep himself from faltering in his step and turning towards the voice in astonishment. Gasps of surprise sounded from all around him.

                And though it wasn’t his result, though it shouldn’t have bothered him, though it was someone else’s fate, Jiang Cheng felt his heart ache.

                Lan Xichen stood there, bright and cheerful as usual, face smiling against the whispers and the gasps, and Jiang Cheng thought to himself that the other must have been trying to be brave and felt that there really was no sadder sight.

Chapter Text

                Seconds after Lan Xichen’s announcement the crowd really got chaotic. Although Jiang Cheng had wanted to leave he found himself unable to continue to do so when he saw a near riot begin to occur. Lan Xichen having presented as an omega after having successfully run one of the largest sects, particularly the one in charge of the education of children was huge politically. In a world of traditional roles and values it was practically unheard of.

                The powerful Wens and Jins, as well as many of the minor sects, were immediately in an uproar. The majority of these elitist or power vacuum hungry cultivators could not believe that a person that they had followed could turn out to be an omega of all things.

                Even Nie Mingjue had frozen briefly at the news, warring between different traditional and modern views that he held, before deciding to put his pact as a sworn brother over his reservations of ABO hierarchy. At least to the Nies, who had originated from one of the most disrespected professions of origin, could understand resistance to predetermined roles.

                Jiang Cheng, who had been so nervous during his adolescence that such a thing might happen to him, couldn’t just walk away from the scene. He looked around at those suddenly against Xichen who had only recently shared tea with and listened to him looking like the man had deceived them all, when there was little to no way that Xichen could have known himself. Even if he sensed something changing within he couldn't have fully understood until his body was ready and he presented, just like everyone else.

                Such pretentious fair weather allies were like dung stuck on ones shoe, best disposed of as soon as possible. Jiang Cheng’s anger crackled as he grabbed Sandu, keeping it sheathed as he had no attention of shedding blood over such a thing. Instead he walked through the crowd flagged by his men using the blunt end to push people away from his personage as he went.  

                The Lans, Nies, and Jiangs attempted to quell the tension, the latter of the two making their way to the front. Lan Qiren had escorted Xichen back inside before returning to deal with the outside cultivators.

                Grandmaster Lan Qiren was probably the most well respected beta of the cultivation world, but in this tense atmosphere most people would feel that there was no substitute for a powerful alpha suppression technique.  With this in mind both Nie Mingjue and Jiang Wanyin stood in the front. The two glanced at each other briefly, before unleashing large amounts of androstenone into the atmosphere at nearly the same time.

                With their combined dominating pheromones things finally came to order, at least enough for Lan Qiren to send Non Nies and Jiangs away to cool down with the promise of a Sect meeting to follow up within a couple weeks once things were more settled, in order to discuss what was to happen moving forward.

                A good portion of the crowd was not happy about it, but except for the Wens the other groups were weaker physically than either the Jiangs or Nies, so they decided not to push their luck. The Wens were torn between two different factions so they were not as united, so although it was tense they agreed to leave for the time being and figure out what to do about it politically at home.  

                Once Nie Mingjue saw that the trouble makers and the majority of other people had left he excused himself as well. Although he had helped, a part of him was torn, and all in all he didn’t feel that it was quite appropriate for an alpha to stay around and speak with a newly presented omega.

                But Jiang Cheng, who had wanted to leave before anyone lingered, worried. The cultivation world had quite a negative reaction to Xichen’s new status. They acted as if he had done something wrong. And although the Lan had gone inside he must have seen or heard some things first, and he certainly knew that the chaos had been about him.

                Jiang Cheng would have hated it. He’d have blamed himself and felt disgusting and unworthy. He would have locked himself in his room and quit everything, or at least he would have wanted to. He knew that Xichen was a different person than him but it still could not have been easy. And so he stayed were he was long after many others had gone and thought long and hard what, if anything he could do.

                Eventually as the crowd lessened Lan Qiren noticed this and offered a place for Jiang Cheng’s men in gratitude for his help. Once Jiang Cheng had dismissed them to the offered quarters Qiren figured that the young cultivator had other things on his mind and at the time he could honestly use someone to talk to after all the excitement of the day, so after some time of silence he asked,

                “Would you care for a cup of tea?”

Chapter Text

                Jiang Wanyin nervously sat down before a delicately crafted tea set. Not only was he terrified of breaking something, but he also felt like a bit of a creep for staying as an alpha after such news. He could only hope that it didn’t appear as if he were lying in wait for Lan Xichen’s first estrus.

                It didn’t help that he couldn’t explain why he was actually there, except that he felt the need to talk to Xichen and assure him that becoming an omega wasn’t the end of the world, even if Jiang Cheng wouldn’t have believed that himself had the shoe been on the other foot.

                Thinking of this task, but wanting to keep everything as proper as possible Jiang Cheng gave a polite bow to Grandmaster Qiren before sipping the tea in front of him. Unfortunately for him Qiren chose this moment to ask,

                “So I take it you are here to propose to Lan Huan now that you know he’s an omega?”

                Jiang Cheng immediately spit out the tea from his mouth and spilled the rest from his cup on to the table in shock. The Venerable Grandmaster sat as still as stone pretending that some of the spit liquid wasn’t dripping from one of his sleeves as Jiang Cheng coughed up what seemed to be half of a lung, his face burning a bright red in embarrassment at the implication.

                Qiren remained still as some of his disciples tried to clean the offending liquid, before fading back into the background. Once Wanyin could breathe again to talk he blurted,

                “W-why on earth would you think that?!”

                Qiren tutted, still slightly annoyed at being spit upon and now feeling somewhat defensive of his nephew,

                “Why wouldn’t I? Upon Xichen presenting you immediately took action to protect the Lans then looked reluctant to leave. Once the surprise dies down Xichen will be in high demand as you may well know, and politically two major sects marrying would be optimal. The heirs alone would be worth it, being both powerful and beautiful. I admit that having such foresight is rather commendable, though that doesn’t mean that I’ll acquiesce to your request so quickly.”

                Jiang Cheng’s face could perhaps not get more crimson than it was now, floundering at the sudden unexpected accusation,

                “But it wasn’t just me! Sect Leader Nie stayed and fought as well!” he protested.

                “Nie Mingjue fought because it was his duty as Xichen’s sworn brother and as you can see he didn’t stay afterward.” Qiren pointed out before taking a sip of his freshly poured tea.

                “Grandmaster Qiren pardon my ignorance!” Jiang Cheng said bowing apologetically, “I didn’t mean to make you think that I was some alpha who instantly viewed Lan Huan as a way to climb up the political ranks. He’s not an object to be used as far as I’m concerned.”

                Lan Qiren looked over at the insistent Jiang finding the other to be quite sincere,

                “I’ve always found you to be respectful and upright before, so I believe you. Although for future reference I would not be opposed to such a union if it were you.”

                Jiang Cheng set his formerly righted tea cup safely down at that, deciding to give up on actually trying to drink. At this rate he was likely to choke on it, or worse break the cup, if he didn’t stop. Feeling the need to say something however, he tentatively responded,

                “…Thank … you?”

                Lan Qiren smiled at that finding the alpha before him to be extremely agreeable. Although now that he thought about it,

                “If marriage wasn’t your intention than to what do we owe the pleasure of this extended visit?”

                Now that he was asked so directly, Jiang Cheng had to come up with an answer to that himself. Although it was honestly just to talk and cheer up Lan Xichen if he said so, coming from an alpha, wouldn’t it sound pretty suspicious? After a few seconds of not being able to figure out how to explain himself in a way that didn’t seem sketchy he decided the best idea might be to make excuses and come back at a more appropriate time. But before he could come up with an excuse let alone use one a sweet scent like fresh mountain air mixed with tea leaves suddenly entered his nostrils.

                Jiang Cheng looked up at that as Lan Qiren followed the Jiang’s line of sight soon after.

                “Lan Huan?! What are you doing here?” Jiang Cheng asked, quickly averting his gaze as if he had been caught doing something wrong, as he didn’t want to create any misunderstandings or act ungentlemanly.

                “That’s funny,” Lan Xichen said with a bit of a chuckle, “considering I live here how about you tell me why you’re here first?”

                Being asked once again caused Jiang Cheng to feel very much like he had been too audacious deciding to stay after such an announcement. Everyone else had left, so how could he have thought not to? No matter how innocent his reasoning was, tongues would certainly wag, and he didn’t want Xichen to think that he’d come to claim or harass him of all things.

                Clearing his throat and continuing to avoid eye contact with Xichen, Jiang Cheng rose from his seat, focusing on Qiren as he said,

                “I just wanted to make sure that everything was okay here and since everything seems to be in order I’ll just be taking my leave.”

                Jiang Cheng bowed between the two of them before heading for the door as if his life depended on it. But Lan Qiren stopped him before he could quite make it,

                “Jiang Wanyin aren’t you forgetting something? What about your men?”

                “You can have them.” The Jiang said in his hurry to escape.

                “What?” Qiren questioned as Xichen teased behind him,

                “You mean as a betrothal gift?”

                Jiang Cheng turned beat red once again at that, turning around abruptly before shaking his head profusely, and daring to look Xichen in the eyes in surprise. Having had a long day, the usually well put together Lan had a few strands of hair out of place. Part of JC wanted to fix it, but most of him wanted the earth to swallow him whole and end the embarrassment. Instead he found it more important to clarify,

                “N-NO! That’s not what I meant, I- well…  Just tell the Jiang disciples to come back to Yunmeng when you see them! They’re grown cultivators they’ll figure it out! Grandmaster Qiren, Sect Leader Lan, good day.” he said in a clear goodbye, bowing quickly once again before practically running down the mountain.

                Xichen sent a disciple to tell the other Jiangs to catch up to their leader before following the path the alpha had made as he zigzagged as if being pursued with his eyes. Xichen smiled in amusement,

                “He’s cute.” He said to his Uncle, who interestingly didn’t, or perhaps couldn’t, disagree.

Chapter Text

                It took nearly a month for Jiang Cheng to muster up the courage to attempt to try to talk to Lan Xichen again after the last catastrophe. In fact, he would have liked to have just forgotten the whole business, but his father had been dealing with what felt like countless meetings of individuals about the subject. Quite a number of them were questioning Lan Xichen’s ability to rule his sect, and it was beginning to bother Jiang Cheng.

                As the future leader of the Jiang Sect his father often insisted on his being there to get an idea of what the job entailed and to see how he handled things. Being a Beta, Sect Leader Jiang Fengmian was fairly good at dealing with and reassuring many types of people. Jiang Cheng knew that he had little to no chance of that himself. Listening to the whining and having to deal with some of the most blatant sexism that he’d had to personally witness was causing him to feel on edge.

                Holding back was not what alpha’s were particularly known for and Jiang Wanyin felt like he was just about out of tolerance when someone once again decided to ask Jiang Fengmian if he had any intention of supporting Xichen’s leadership of the Lan Clan now that they knew he was an omega. Although he had done well up to this point JC’s fuse finally hit the powder and he could no more contain his anger than a firework could put out a fire,

                “Why are you asking him this?!” The alpha snapped at the chauvinistic man before them.

                His father frowned at him, clearly disapprovingly before sending out a warning in the form of a harsh,

                “Wanyin!”

                Jiang Cheng, who was used to his father’s disappointment, didn’t even bother to look over at him before standing up to move closer to his target,

                “We aren’t the Lans, nor are we related to any of them. The Lans are perfectly capable of making their own political choices about their own sect, so why in all of the cultivation world, would you come to us? Better yet why would we, whose motto is literally “attempt the impossible” ever go against the Lan’s for something so natural? Why would anyone ever give a damn about the reproductive organs of another sect leader unless it was because they want to procreate with them? I don’t give a damn if Lan Xichen sprouts tentacles from his bellybutton let alone that he’s an omega!”

                Of course this last line caused a scandalized look from both his father and the current last straw perpetrator, but Jiang Wanyin ignored this in favor of continuing to make a point,

               “The bottom line is that Zewu Jun is a good leader. People who don’t have their heads up their asses listen to him and things work out, he has ties to over half of the major sects due to his friendships alone, and he’s managed one of the most interpersonal sects for years without a problem. If his Uncle, who is one of the most well respected men in the Cultivation world trusts him, then I certainly think that the peons need not worry about it.”

                At this point Jiang Cheng was dangerously close to the man before him. His father walked over, pulling him away from the other and quickly snapping,

                “Go cool down.”

                Jiang Cheng grit his teeth getting more angry at that,

                “Why? Do you agree with him? Do you think I’m going to suddenly take a swing at him because I’m an alpha and I’m angry? If I were going to do that I would have just gone to it directly don’t you think?”  The Alpha growled, but didn’t budge, making sure to prove his point, “gender designation doesn’t automatically make you an idiot or a monster or basic, it’s just the luck of the draw. Any one of us could easily have ended up as something else with just a hairs difference genetically.”

                Letting out a sigh to calm himself down he added what he felt was the main point,         

                “Xichen didn’t become a weak idiot just because he found out he was an omega. What changed isn’t who Xichen is, but your attitudes about him. Now that’s the problem you should be dealing with.”

                Whether he agreed with that or not, Jiang Fengmian kept frowning at him and the younger Jiang was tired of even listening in on this one. Had he been the sect leader he would have shut this down after a few of these comments. It wasn’t anyone’s business but the Lans who their leader was and honestly there weren’t better choices than Lan Qiren or Lan Xichen. Did they expect Wangji to take over? What if he turned out to be an omega when he presented too, would they pick from the scraps of the rest of them? Such thoughts were utterly ridiculous and Jiang Cheng no longer had the tolerance to even look at such sexist scum.

                So he turned around and walked away without being dismissed or explaining or any of that. If they wanted to enforce traditional stereotypes and gender roles than speaking down to Betas was an alpha’s prerogative, father or no. And although his father was not against Xichen and didn’t act like he was a supporter of these roles he toed a line that Wanyin found to be dangerous. Considering their sect it should have been an obvious ‘let people do what they want’ mentality. Instead of backing Jiang Cheng up and then later admonishing him for the way he said it or whatever his father had chosen to work against him. To disapprove. To glare.

                Sometimes Jiang Cheng wanted to know what the hell he had done wrong in his life to deserve the way his father treated him. There must have been something somewhere, for it was glaringly obvious to all that paid any bit of attention that whatever he did he couldn’t please him. Not attempting to follow the family motto, not presenting as an alpha, not trying to be just like the son he liked most Wei Wuxian. Nothing. Perhaps that was why he felt he could understand Xichen’s current predicament. Life was always just so unfair. If you got one thing you lost another.

                It was this particular event and auto pilot walking, then sword gliding that ultimately lead Jiang Cheng back to the gate of Gusu. Being so wrapped up in his own thoughts that it took the guards prompting him for him to realize where he was and what he’d done. Yet when asked what he wanted to do he squared his shoulders and said definitively,

                “I wish to speak with Lan Xichen.”

Chapter Text

                “An Alpha and Omega alone in a room without an escort, are you out of your mind?!” Lan Qiren questioned his nephew, shocked by the others proposition.

                Lan Huan shook his head lightly before commenting,

                “I’ve been alone with plenty of alphas before and lived to tell the tale.”

                “That was before you presented!” Qiren insisted, beginning to pace back and forth, “I know you find Wanyin to be ‘safe’ and I’ll admit that I have personally always felt something of a kinship with the boy due to our seemingly similar personalities, but an alpha is still an alpha and you are just learning about your new status. Let’s say it’s not purposeful, you could both still find yourselves in trouble due to even just natural hormones!”

                “Jiang Wanyin and I are both perfectly capable of controlling ourselves. I’m not sure which of us you have the most concerns about losing control, but I assure you that whatever I do or don’t do is entirely my own rational choice. You’ve raised me to be self disciplined and my status has not changed that. As for Jiang Wanyin you saw him last time, his reaction to my pheromones were quite adorable rather than alarming don’t you think?”

                Lan Qiren felt a headache coming,

                “It doesn’t have to be me, but at least bring a beta in with you, or minimally have Wangji stand outside the door. I don’t believe either of you would dare do anything with him close enough to sense it, and if anyone would be able to stop the both of you it would be him.”

                Xichen was about to comment on this when the person escorting Jiang Cheng from the gate had arrived. Having clearly heard the last statement from Lan Qiren he made a polite bow before agreeing to it on his own end,

                “Grandmaster Qiren and Sect Leader Lan I am sorry to disturb you so suddenly. I assure you that I have no bad intentions and will of course agree to an escort of whatever kind you are comfortable with and deem to be appropriate. I am not here to foster rumors or speculation myself so I’d be grateful for the witness.” The Jiang said formally.

                Lan Xichen looked the other over appreciatively, but was still annoyed at the idea. He understood that Jiang Cheng had his best interests in his mind, but it was pretty clear that the alpha was unaware of Xichen’s feelings on the subject and hadn’t bothered to ask. Feeling mischievous, Xichen looked at his Uncle and asked,

                “Would you agree to a lack of escort if I told you that we plan to follow the Gusu rules and policies regarding such a visit?”

                Lan Qiren’s eyes widened and mouth gaped at that in astonishment,

                “Are you serious? Are you sure? Such a thing cannot be undone as you know!”

                Xichen looked Jiang Cheng over with his arms crossed, before smiling a little and nodding,

                “Mmm.”

                Lan Qiren turned to look over at Jiang Cheng in wonder before asking,

                “Do you agree to follow Lan policy and rules on this matter? Are you fully aware of what such a visit signifies?”

                Jiang Wanyin tilted his head a bit confused. Of course being in someone else’s territory he would have to agree, particularly since Lan Huan seemed to want a more intimate conversation than what could be had with escorts. Jiang Cheng himself could understand such a thing since he’d have been devastated by all of it, let alone by the fact that in such a scenario if he’d been born a Lan he’d have clearly been treated as a child the second he presented. It must have been quite annoying to go from the person who makes the rules to the one who is under the oppression of all of them.

                Lan Qiren’s over dramatics however gave him pause. He was not familiar with all of the Gusu rules and laws despite having been schooled in them some time ago. Then again who could remember thousands of rules from school? Even less so would he have remembered the ones specific to the Alpha, Beta, and Omega dynamic since he had not presented at the time. It’s hard enough to remember rules that apply to you let alone those that did not at the time.  

                A part of Jiang Cheng wanted to ask what the specific rules were again, but when confronted with the serious look on his former teacher’s face he couldn’t just say that he didn’t know or didn’t remember. How shameful would that be, particularly to his sifu? And although Grandmaster Qiren looked so serious and shocked it was also true that the Elder Lan had always been notoriously over the top and dramatic when it came to the rules, so there was no real reason to be nervous if he was the only one concerned.

                Jiang Cheng glanced up at Lan Xichen who smiled back at him lightly and didn’t look particularly freaked out or unhappy himself. Surely the Lan who knew the rules best of his generation would not have put himself under any great disadvantage. So Wanyin supposed it would be fine to agree and then ask Xichen the terms and conditions to better follow them once they were alone and he could save his former teacher’s face.

                So the Jiang slowly nodded after some thought and said,

                “If Xichen is not opposed to such a means then I too shall agree of course, whatever Xichen wishes I will oblige.”

                Grandmaster Lan searched the boy’s face for doubts and found none. All he could see was kindness and sincerity. Qiren wanted to probe further to be sure feeling that although the other man was an alpha there was something naïve and innocent in his character that made even the beta want to protect him. He was about to insist on hearing the exact details from the other man’s own lips when he was prevented from doing so by his own nephew who had come up and grabbed the Jiang’s hand suddenly, pulling him slightly before a flustered Jiang Cheng retracted his own hand with a promise to follow along, not wanting to be seen as taking advantage.

                Qiren however knew if that if anyone were taking advantage now it was his own nephew as Lan Huan said,

                “You heard the man and I’m sure you now have many preparations to make all things considered. Now that he’s agreed to it please excuse us for we’ve much to discuss in private.”

                “But what about all of the m-” the Grandmaster began, only to be interrupted before he could finish by Xichen,

                “I clearly don’t need them anymore, feel free to announce the happy news or burn them for all I care. The decision is made anyway.”

                Jiang Cheng was slightly curious about these odd interactions, but Lans were pretty mystical creatures to begin with. A lot of them seemed to have secret codes and tons of rituals and traditions, protections from living undisciplined lives and whatnot. Combining that with the fact that he wasn’t generally a particularly nosy person he did his best to stay out of it. It helped that he was still blushing lightly from when Xichen had taken his hand.

                Seemingly in a hurry, perhaps from his Uncle’s delay tactics, Xichen came back and was clearly about to grab his hand again. Such intimacy was too much for the innocent alpha to take so instead he moved quickly behind Xichen and did his best to stay out of the other’s reach. After a few seconds of trying to get a hold of the alpha and missing, Xichen laughed in amusement and decided to respect the other’s wishes,

                “Alright I get it, if holding hands with me is too much at the moment then do make sure to keep up, okay?”

                Jiang Cheng nodded from behind him and obediently followed the Lan in front of him, not caring that usually alphas would have grabbed Xichen’s hand after such a statement as a point of bruised pride. But Wanyin was true to his word and refused to do anything that might disgrace either party, or ruin Xichen’s reputation. He truly respected the other and could never be so harsh as to ruin someone’s future just for his own pride's sake.

                To Jiang Cheng being an alpha was a privilege and a responsibility, one that he did not take lightly. A person’s designation was not earned, but fate. Although he felt that perhaps all of the luck of his life had given him the ability to be alpha he felt that he needed to be worthy of such a title. To him protection was more than just physical. It was being respectful, standing up for what was right, suppressing those who would take advantage even if that sometimes meant oneself, and that was what he was prepared to do.

                 Walking behind Lan Huan however Jiang Cheng found himself curious. There was nothing visual to indicate that the other was an omega. The other was pretty tall, beating out Jiang Cheng by a good three centimeters much to the alpha’s chagrin. Combining his height, packed muscles, and wide shoulders Jiang Wanyin mused that if he’d wanted to he could have hidden behind such a man. Not that he would need to or anything, but the thought was fascinating to him, especially considering how so many people viewed omegas as tiny, scrawny weaklings. The juxtaposition between Xichen and the ‘ideal’ omega caused Jiang Cheng to chuckle a bit to himself, but he generally liked things that went against the status quo so it was a bonus to him.

                Once they arrived at their destination, Lan Xichen opened the door for the other ushering him inside while looking a little playful. An omega being gentlemanly towards an alpha could be seen as somewhat disrespectful depending on the party in question, but Jiang Cheng had grown up in a carefree environment and he didn’t see anything particularly wrong with the host or even the first person to the door doing it, so he thanked him as he stepped into the room.

                What surprised him more than the opening of the door though was that Xichen quickly closed and locked it, causing Jiang Cheng to tense. What could this mean? This couldn’t possibly be the protocol that Lan Qiren had referred to, could it? Wasn’t Xichen afraid of sullying his own reputation with such a move? Should he protest for the other’s sake?

                But Xichen’s face was light and smiling as always as he moved further into the room, sitting himself on one side of a small tea table where they could chat. Wanyin glanced back at the door but didn’t want to be rude by unlocking it. Perhaps Xichen was merely uncomfortable with the thought of being overheard in case the topic was sensitive.  So Jiang Cheng let it go and walked over to sit across from the older male.

                Once he looked settled he decided he’d probably ought to ask what the protocol was immediately,

                “Your Uncle mentioned rules of some kind for being alone without an escort as Omega and Alpha in the Lan Clan, I would hate to break my word but I was too ashamed to explain that I didn’t remember that particular rule being mentioned while in school.”

                Xichen’s mouth twitched a bit in amusement as he poured the other some water and responded,

                “Don’t worry for now, it’s not something you can easily break or do wrong here anyway. We’ll discuss it more after we have a nice chat, shall we?”

                Jiang Cheng was confused but nodded, not sure if listening to the omega specifically was part of it. In case it was he drank the glass in front of him obediently,

                “What would you like to discuss then?”

                “Let’s start with you instead,” Xichen said enthusiastically, resting his hands underneath his chin and looking curious, “you’ve gone to an awful lot of trouble just to be able to see me alone. I’m curious as to what’s so important that you agree to our conditions so readily Alpha Jiang.”

                Having been referred to by such a nickname combined with Xichen’s enticing looks and scent all seemingly directed at him at once Jiang Cheng was beginning to feel a bit hot. He had statements and questions of course, but he wasn’t sure how he could speak at the moment. He downed the water in front of him, causing Xichen to fill up the glass again as he tried to cool himself down.

Chapter Text

                After a few minutes of focus, Jiang Cheng was able to calm himself down enough to look Lan Xichen quickly in his eyes and say,

                “I wanted to come and let you know that I think you are a wonderful leader and no matter what others say about your designation I still support you. Omega or not, you’ll always be Zewu Jun.” 

                He said this with great sincerity, yet Lan Xichen did not seem particularly moved by this statement,

                “Ah so you’ve come because you feel badly about the results then have you? That’s funny, Meng Yao didn’t like the verdict much either. What did he say again? Ah yes he whined about how Mingjue is now his only option.” Xichen said with a grin seemingly attempting to lighten the tense atmosphere.

                Unlike the intention though this only served to cause Jiang Cheng to look at him with more pity as he said,

                “I’m sorry to hear that, I know you and Guangyao have been close for a while. I’ve always been alone so I’m not sure how it feels to lose someone simply for presenting differently than expected. Still you shouldn’t be punished for a biological fluke. Is Jin Guangyao so traditional that he’s not willing to try? Although it’s rare I don’t see anything wrong with two omegas being together,” Jiang Cheng started out passionately, but then considered something and blushed a little as he admitted, “then again my clan’s kind of known for the ‘do what you want’ motto. I take it that it might be harder to justify in sects like the Lans or the Jins huh?”

                 Lan Xichen smiled gently at the Jiang as he explained

                 “I’m afraid that you’ve gotten the wrong idea. Meng Yao and I are just friends, he’s just sore because now he can’t use me as an excuse to make Mingjue jealous anymore… well he’ll probably still try, but it will be a lot less effective for him.”

                  “Oh,” Jiang Cheng said surprised, and a bit embarrassed about jumping to conclusions, but relieved that Xichen was not hurting in that way at least, “well good. But in the future whoever you fall for you should go for it. Becoming an omega doesn’t have to limit your whole life or anything. If you stay true to who you are I’m sure you could have anyone or anything you want.”

                  Xichen nodded, raising his tea cup which Jiang Cheng reciprocated before stating,

                  “You seem rather passionate about the subject. It’s good to see someone with such power is so enlightened.”

                 Jiang Cheng did not often feel very powerful so this phrasing confused him a little bit, but he supposed to someone who was recently claimed as an omega being an alpha would seem like that. He wasn’t sure how to respond to such a statement however, but it seemed that Xichen was not quite done anyway,

                “That being said I can’t help but get the distinct impression that you feel sorry for me somehow. Excuse me if I’m wrong, but if so may I ask why?”

                Feeling that the answer was fairly obvious yet seeing Xichen’s inquisitive face on the subject JC knew he had to say something, but he didn’t quite know how to put it. He wracked his brain for a few seconds before deciding just to say whatever came to mind,

                “It’s just that you presented as an omega, so… I figure that would be a lot to take in.”

                Lan Xichen leaned back for a second, taking in as much of Jiang Cheng as he could for a moment, before leaning forward again and quite sincerely saying,

                “Why should you feel sorry for me? Is an omega such a bad thing to you?”

                Surprised by the statement Jiang Cheng suddenly met the others eyes, shaking his head wildly,

                “N-n-no, it’s natural and important of course, but it does create a lot of barriers, particularly when it comes to leadership, and it must be difficult to adjust to the thought that one day you could have a human being inside of you. If you didn’t suspect you could be one than I’d guess… well it could be overwhelming… is all. People find all kinds of reasons to hate on and exclude others, I just feel bad thinking that could be happening to you.”

                “I can’t say I haven’t had to deal with some small minded people's attitudes towards my continued leadership recently, as well as marriage proposals, and letters from men and women who are dying to dominate the great Zewu Jun now that they know, but the problem is not with me being an omega, but with other people’s attitudes about it.”          

                Jiang Cheng nodded in agreement, having said something similar in the presence of his father just before he’d come.

                “I agree.” He said quietly as Xichen continued, standing up as he said,

               “But people will always judge based on lack of knowledge. They’ll be happy trying to put others into neat boxes and call it ‘their place.’ But when it comes to alpha and omega designations I don’t understand why there are such harsh beliefs and gender roles. How does the ability to create a life cause anyone to be viewed as weak?!”

                Jiang Cheng had no answer for that himself and put his hands up in the air as surrender to prove he was not one of those kinds of people as Xichen pushed the table out of the way with his leg. Jiang Cheng was very aware that by doing so he now looked a bit funny sitting there on his knees with Xichen towering over him, but considering the subject he didn’t want to move as of yet,

                “To me the ability to grow a human being inside of a person is not a burden but a super power! Imagine waking up one day and finding out that you have the power to protect and form a human being or a future cultivator! Why is this considered a weakness? Shouldn’t it be seen as a strength?”

                Jiang Cheng nodded emphatically not wanting to rile up the Lan any more than he already inadvertently had. It was pretty clear that although he had come to help his words may have back fired. Xichen had not originally been upset by the designation from what he was gathering, but he seemed a bit pissed now, and considering that JC had only ever seen the other smiling politely or genuinely it was a bit intimidating to see him like this. A part of Jiang Cheng wished that he could somehow capture this moment and show all of the people who’d come to talk about Xichen’s fitness to be leader after being designated how powerful he actually was. He wondered would they change their tunes then?

                “How about you? You’re an alpha right? People say they respect alphas, but the reputations don’t reflect that do they? People always act like alpha’s are overpowered monsters. Like they have no control over themselves and simply can’t help but act out, dominate, and put those underneath them in their place. Are you like that Wanyin?” he asked pulling Jiang Cheng’s hand against his stomach forcefully, “does this make you feel some primal instinct that you just can’t help? Are you getting ideas, alpha?”

Chapter Text

                Jiang Cheng pulled his arm back and stood up, beginning to retreat at Xichen’s forcefulness,

                “Of course not! Alphas who can’t keep control of themselves are scum,” He spat out, feeling sickened by the very idea, “anyone who uses such an excuse should be controlled by others or society until they can. Whether it’s difficult or not it’s possible, such excuses are ridiculous!”

                Lan Xichen stopped advancing for the time, as he wasn’t trying to appear as a monster either, saying,

                “Omegas are the same. Heat or no heat we can fight to control ourselves. Like all people we win some times and fail other times.  I don’t know if you were ever upset to be an alpha before or not, but I’m happy to be an omega. I’m proud to. In the future I’ll be able to share a connection with my offspring that male betas and alphas cannot even fathom. I’ll be able to know someone before they are even born. Is that not amazing? Aren’t others the more pitiful for not being able to? I feel worse for those alphas and betas that will have to do their best to catch up with their children’s lives and work so much harder to bond.”

                The way Xichen spoke about being an omega was a wonder to behold. It was said so eloquently that even he briefly thought that being born an alpha might have been a shame, but imagining his father if he had managed to squashed that. Still he was happy to see Xichen so passionate about his designation, despite the world, and the short sighted.

                “I can see that my assumptions of your feelings on this matter were entirely incorrect. I deeply apologize if I’ve offended you and I sincerely want to congratulate you on such a beautifully received designation. Whatever happens I want to assure you that you have my complete and utter respect and support. And in the future whomever you decide to have children with is a very lucky person.” Jiang Cheng said sincerely, bowing out of respect for Xichen’s position on the matter.

                 At that Xichen let out somewhat of a Cheshire like grin, which made the normally innocent, sweet looking man look slightly possessed. He slowly crouching down until he was eye level with the Jiang, though still a few centimeters above him due to their height difference. A slightly uncomfortable Jiang Cheng scooted back a few inches nervously, but was soon held in place by Lan Xichen’s finger under his chin,

                “Do you truly feel that way Jiang Wanyin?” he asked in practically a coo, although uncomfortable the Jiang nodded with a bit of a gulp before Xichen continued, “and do you know what alpha I have set in my sights by any chance?”

                Still attempting to avoid eye contact, though it was getting more and more difficult to do, Jiang Cheng shook his head no, but Xichen kept looking at him so he felt that he had to so he said,

                “I-I don’t know. If I had to guess… maybe Nie Mingjue?”

                Xichen chuckled slightly at that scooting forward still in the crouched position using his toes as he went,

                “Do you really think so? How precious. I’ve never seen Mingjue like that, we are also only friends, and it’s a good thing to since A’Yao is head over heels for him. Mingjue is valiant and strong willed, like a steady rock. I prefer someone less predictable. Someone who appears tough on the outside, but is actually quite emotional and gentle when it comes to the heart. A loyal, adorable, expressive partner. Can you think of anyone like that?” he teased.

                Jiang Cheng’s face was bright red, but he still dared not imagine that the other man could possibly be referring to him. There was no way in his mind that of all of the options that could be had by Zewu Jun that he would be picked, so he guessed again,

                “Ah of course you mean Wei Wuxian. He hasn’t presented yet though so I’m not sure if he’ll be able to give you the family you’ve been hoping for. Not to mention I’m afraid that might get a little uncomfortable since your brother seems particularly fond of him. Not saying that you don’t have a chance of course! Wuxian would have to be crazy not to pick you, but… well actually he really isn’t completely right in the head to be quite honest, so either way I hope you won’t take offense if he-”

                Here Lan Xichen rested his hands on both sides of the other boys face, pulling him closer as he chuckled,

                “A’Cheng is so silly. I can’t tell if you’re avoiding the facts or honestly this humble, but oh my Gusu you are making me want to kiss you so hard right now.”

                A now honestly stunned Jiang Cheng felt his jaw drop as he looked into the intensity of Lan Xichen’s eyes. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing and yes there was so much intensity and sincerity there that he couldn’t say it was a lie either. His mind tried to make sense of it all, but became overwhelmed. The man in front of him was strong and beautiful, like a sculpture from a professional artist. He didn’t look like the textbook definition of a tiny, weak omega and he certainly didn’t act like it. Jiang Cheng was not only flattered, but excited. His heart speed up wildly and he nearly leaned forward to claim that kiss, but then he stopped himself, digging his fingernails into his palm to maintain control of his own actions.

                Lan Xichen had presented fairly recently as an omega, so he knew there was some chance that what the other man was saying was pre-estrus induced. For some time after presentation it took the body a while to begin to regulate itself. With his rational mind he felt it was unlikely that Lan Xichen would go from making zero moves to suddenly being so passionate. In that case it was more likely that the others hormones were out of whack and without understanding them it would be more difficult to think rationally and speak truthfully on such a matter.

                Jiang Cheng was not a monster. He was a gentleman. Combining that with the fact that Lan Qiren and in his right mind Lan Xichen trusted him he couldn’t betray that trust. But at the same time he wasn’t sure how to explain it, especially because he didn’t want to offend the other man by bringing up the hormone possibility. Considering how Xichen had reacted to his perhaps not most eloquent reassurances before he would probably be very pissed to hear the Jiang suggesting that his feelings were possibly just hormones.

                Instead of saying something quite like this Jiang Cheng retreated a few feet, only to be followed quickly by the other. He gently, but firmly took the Lan’s arms into his grip in an attempt to create space as he dared to sincerely look into the other’s eyes,

                “Lan Xichen it is my honor that you’d even say as much. Any one of any designation would be over the moon to hear those words coming from you. But kisses are such precious things, especially if it’s your first. I’m sure recently you might be feeling urges, everyone gets that way of course, but doing something so special without being absolutely sure about how you feel about the other party is too sad. Don’t waste such a precious moment on someone who doesn’t deserve it and who hasn’t earned it.”

                Realization flashed behind Xichen’s eyes at the other’s statement and Jiang Cheng smiled a little sadly, but understandingly, thinking that the other must have realized that it really was just hormones and that he’d almost made a grave mistake. Jiang Cheng could not help but be a little depressed and disappointed at that thought. Although he had said it himself and he felt good about stopping anything that Xichen might view as a mistake later or as him having taken advantage of the other, but if that look and those words had really belonged to him how beautiful would that be? He could stop himself from taking advantage, but he couldn’t stop the small hope that had formed within him. He could hold his head up high and righteously, but his heart had taken some damage.

                But Jiang Cheng was wrong about the revelation that Lan Xichen had come to. Xichen had felt some frustration himself at the Jiang’s words. Although the other tipped toed around it he was still, to some degree, treating him as a hormonal omega. He wanted to debate this, even though he knew that Jiang Cheng had only the best of intentions, but something else the Jiang had told him left him feeling excited and stunned. Something that the other had given away without meaning to, causing Xichen to finally speak to ask in wonder,

                “Have you never kissed before?”

                Jiang Cheng froze at that. He honestly didn’t want to answer such a question. Most alphas pride would not allow them to admit to something like that, but after such a speech, and in line with his own ideals and beliefs he couldn’t back out or lie. He felt a bit defensive though, so rather than looking completely embarrassed, Jiang Cheng squared his shoulders, looked the Lan in the eyes, chin partially up defiantly sayings,

                “No, I haven’t,” The defensive part of him wanted to add something fresh to it, like ‘What’s it to you?’ or ‘It’s none of your business,’ but he couldn’t in such a circumstance. He was the one in other peoples business at the moment anyway, so he bit the inside of his lip to control himself before adding, “I told you a kiss is a special thing, I’m waiting for the right person too.”

                Although he said this in a very manly fashion, the tips of his ears were burning, and no matter how it looked or sounded Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but think that it must have come off as super cheesy. He was debating making yet another break for it, to later be dubbed as Escape from Gusu Part 2, when Lan Xichen held his face with both hands,

                “Jiang Wanyin how are you so perfect? You’re so cute I could just eat you up!”

                This time the nervous Jiang placed his own hands on Xichen’s wrists and gently pried them off of him, before getting up and stepping away,

                “What are you a Tao Tie? I have no desire to be eaten thank you.” Jiang Cheng bristled, feeling mortified at being called cute, and not being able to even compute anyone thinking that he was perfect in any way.

                Lan Xichen was not deterred by this in the least getting up to follow him while continuing to tease him,

                “But Jiang Cheng we may have very different ways of classifying being eaten. I assure you it will not be your loss.”

Chapter Text

                While Lan Xichen was enjoying the reactions of the alpha cultivator, Jiang Cheng was beginning to feel like things were getting out of hand. It was not that he didn’t have interests and urges, but besides not being able to tell entirely how much hormones were affecting the omega, he also had complete respect for Lan Qiren and refused to do anything that would betray the trust that his shifu had given when he’d allowed the two to be alone. He was a gentleman damn it, even if currently he had to be stubborn about it. Not to mention he was in no way experienced and didn’t want to hurt anyone.

                So as Xichen looked about ready to launch himself at him, Jiang Wanyin put his hand out to block the other from getting too close,

                “Lan Huan please maintain some distance for propriety’s sake! Your Uncle has made a big concession in leaving us alone to talk, we can’t dishonor him by being so familiar. Also, think of your marriage prospects. As of now you have your pick of the cultivation world, don’t waste such a chance on teasing me.” Jiang Cheng insisted.

                “And what if I want to pick you?” the Lan questioned running his finger tips across the other’s arm.

                Jiang Cheng looked as if he’d been slapped in the face as he answered with gritted teeth,

                “Your joke goes too far Lan Xichen.”

                Xichen frowned at that,

                “What joke? What waste? Who dares make you feel such things? If I can have my pick of the cultivation world, then why can’t it be you? If I dare to try, do you really dare to not respond?”

                The Jiang alpha was stumped. He thought back and there was certainly some validity in what Xichen was saying. JC himself didn’t dare to imagine that Xichen was serious. He had written it all off as hormones, rebellion, the enjoyment of his own reactions, but Xichen had been quite open, even to the point of being forward. Could he honestly be serious? Jiang Cheng still didn’t dare to believe it,

                “… but you’re too perfect, and your choices must be nearly infinite, surely you want to think things over first?” The Jiang insisted.

                Xichen beamed,

                “Jiang Cheng finds me perfect?”

                “Do you only hear the words you like?!” The Jiang demanded, inching his way closer to the door.

                Xichen nodded casually following,

                “Yes, it’s my greatest feature! It helps me stay so positive!”

                Jiang Cheng did not necessarily disagree with this statement, but it reminded him a bit of Wei Wuxian and he decided at this point he had said his peace and it was best to go home,

                “I won’t dispute that fact, although I’m sure plenty of people find you so. It is getting late however, so I thank you for your hospitality, but I’d better get going.” The Jiang said with a bow, preparing to turn and leave.

                Lan Xichen however had other plans, slipping in front of him and blocking the door,

                “Trying to escape again?” he questioned, still looking quite amused.

                “Not escaping, just saying goodnight for now.” Jiang Cheng insisted, attempting to sneak under one of the other’s uplifted arms, only to get caught in the omega’s firm grip leading to Xichen giving him something similar to a back hug.

                “I’ll not make it quite as easy as last time.”

                It was difficult for the alpha to extract himself when he was trying so hard not to touch the other man. This made for a pretty funny looking scuffle until somehow the Jiang had managed to come face to face with a mischievous smiling looking Xichen. With a sigh the Jiang pressed,

                “Be good.”

                Xichen let go of him briefly to get a grip on the other’s waist and pulled him closer,

                “How good do you want me to be?” he breathed.

                At this Jiang Cheng grabbed the outside of the other’s wrists and detached the Lan with a sudden strength that surprised the omega. With a little smirk of victory all his own, Jiang Cheng suddenly made a run past the door straight down the hall. He looked back, wiggling his eyes playfully and feeling quite victorious, until he turned around and noticed that Grandmaster Qiren happened to be on this same path. Eyes widening as he feared colliding with the venerable beta, Jiang Cheng threw his body off course causing him to crash into the wall hard.

                Lan Qiren and his nephew’s eyes widened in horror as they watched it as if in slow motion. Xichen started running down the hallway exclaiming,

                “Jiang Wanyin, are you alright?!”

                “Slow down, are you trying to join him?!” his uncle snapped at his nephew, before turning from his closer position to examine the Jiang saying, “Son, why is it that every time I see you you’re running?”

                Xichen arrived soon afterwards and began checking the other’s body fretfully looking for damage. An embarrassed, but adrenaline rushed red Jiang lied to preserve at least some of his dignity,

                “I have a very busy schedule.”

                Qiren’s left eyebrow rose in suspicion at that,

                “How can it seem to be busier than a Sect Leaders?”

                Jiang Cheng tried to create some distance between himself and the fussing Lan Xichen as he responded,

                “Preparation for a position often takes more efforts than the actual responsibilities of continuation. I also feel that men should reflect on themselves. Lately I feel I should do so more and more often.” At that he looked over at Xichen nervously.  

                 Qiren considered this and nodded after some thought,

                 “What you say makes some sense. I am glad that Xichen’s future partner is willing to do so, but family is equally important so I hope that you can work some on your time management to be able to juggle both.”

                 The physically and pridefully hurt Jiang Cheng wanted to quickly respond and avoid any arguments, so at first he began,

                 “Of course, this is also something I should reflect on. Grandmaster is wise as always, I will keep it in-”

                 Suddenly Jiang Cheng paused. Internally he re-wound and realized that something Qiren said hadn’t sounded quite right, but it was possibly an important detail so he asked,

                 “Grandmaster pardon, but did you just say ‘Xichen’s future partner?’ That can’t be correct, right? I must have heard it wrong. If I didn’t, who is his future partner exactly?”

                 Qiren frowned, looking sternly,

                 “As of today of course that would be you, why else would I have allowed a one on one conversation alone between you two? The Lan rules Xichen suggested, didn’t you know what they were?”

                 Jiang Cheng looked over at Lan Xichen accusingly,

                 “What is he talking about Lan Huan?”

                 The Lan in question looked back at him beaming and shamelessly said,

                 “Thanks to the Lan rule Wanyin is now mine!”

                 JC’s response,

                 “…”

Chapter Text

          Finding out that a recently presented omega used obscure family rules learned back in his school days to trick Jiang Cheng into marriage was something that the young alpha felt no one could have imagined let alone predicted or prepared for. Realizing it was the ever angelic Lan Xichen who had done so was a further blow. How was he supposed to escape when the Lans felt that he had made a promise to marry?!

          “Grandmaster Qiren let’s be reasonable. You can’t possibly have expected me to remember a rule that didn’t even apply to me back in our school days and abide by one I was tricked into,” Jiang Cheng implored, “surely there is another way I could make this right? We sincerely didn’t do anything to disrespect ourselves!”

           “Reasonable? What isn’t reasonable? Is it unreasonable to expect a student to remember a teaching? Is it unreasonable to assume that said student would ask for clarification of a rule if he didn’t? Are you saying the rules of the Gusu Lan Sect are unreasonable? Or that a marriage with the most eligible omega Lan Xichen is? Please enlighten me since you view my sect in such a way!” The teacher snapped, causing Jiang Cheng to bow his head in an apology, kow towing before him, not that he was acquiescing mind you as he still countered,

           “Of course not Grandmaster, I am just shocked. How could I agree to something I didn’t even know? Shouldn’t the proper party explain themselves? Although I didn’t know I’m afraid your nephew was the one to bring up the rule so he did and yet did not give sufficient warning. Although I am sure you were not a party to it I feel I’ve been tricked. Marriage is a serious matter where one should tread lightly. Although I should do the honorable thing how could this mean an instant wedding? It’s best to get to know a person first before such a decision lest a mistake be made. Please reconsider.”

           Lan Qiren looked a bit flustered at this, attempting to decide what to do in such a situation, but glancing at Xichen the Lan male did not look upset, but was rather starry eyed at the unconventional alpha. Qiren frowned at that and decided to take a pause,

           “Wait a minute, I must discuss this with my nephew first. Do not try to leave on your own however, the guards will not allow it either way.”

           Jiang Cheng stayed bowing on the floor, not daring to move until the Lan’s were in another room before sitting back up and waiting. He glanced slightly at the guards considering whether he could take them, then decided he could, only to give up the thought not wanting to insult Grandmaster Lan Qiren any further. He did wish he could telepathically get his mother over there though, since she was the most formidable opponent against the Lan elder. But for now he merely sat on the floor wondering why he was so easy to trick.

           Meanwhile, Grandmaster Lan Qiren and Sect Leader Zewu Jun had entered a room out of ear shot of the Jiang. If an onlooker were to view the two they might have been quite confused about the state of things in Gusu, for looking at Xichen you’d have assumed he was near ascension, yet looking at Qiren you’d question if he’d heard news of a near immediate apocalypse.

            Lan Qiren had pulled Xichen into said room for clearly important matters, but Xichen seemed to be having something of a hard time concentrating. He kept looking at the door fondly seemingly quite anxious to get back to his alleged ‘fiancé’.

            “Lan Huan,” Qiren started softly, before raising his voice a little, and then finally snapping, “Lan Xichen? Zewu Jun!”

             At the last name Xichen finally looked over at him, blinking a little in surprise, but still overall happy,

             “Yes Uncle?”

             “What are you doing? Do you not understand the severity of the situation? We need to be brainstorming right now.”

              Xichen sighed slightly dreamily, before gushing,

              “I was just thinking about how attractive Wanyin is. Did you see how even though he was angry at me he didn’t use pheromones to attempt to punish me or to control the situation? He didn’t even think about it, how manly is that? Ah, how could such a perfect alpha exist?! I’m glad I’ve snatched him before the other omegas wise up!”

               Qiren frowned at his enthusiastic nephew before bluntly albeit tentatively as if afraid of the answer questioning,

               “Xichen did you happen to… did you actually… did you really purposely trick Jiang Wanyin using the Lan rules?”

               “Mmm!” Xichen agreed still beaming at him, “I couldn’t resist! Good thing he was too proud to ask for a reminder, although I’ll have to thank uncle for being someone that A’Cheng really looks up to and doesn’t want to disappoint~”

               Lan Qiren practically felt slapped in the face by that particular remark. It was hard to think of the fact that his nephew had done something so underhanded and was oddly proud of it, but to realize that the respect that Jiang Cheng had for him was part of the reason for the boy’s downfall was a little too much. At that he staggered slightly over to the tea table and sat down hard,

               “That poor boy, what have I done?!” he exclaimed.

                Xichen snapped out of his daydreaming at that and went over to coax his uncle to his side. He called for the closest disciple to them to bring tea. When that was accomplished he poured a cup for his uncle and spoke gently,

                “Uncle you seem to be disappointed. I know you felt I did wrong, but I cleverly secured A’Cheng before another sect tries. You saw how cute and naïve he was, if it’s not me who’s to say he won’t find a more dangerous opponent? That being said I also know that you were particularly fond of him, wouldn’t it be nice to have an in law who takes your side, hmm?”

                Lan Qiren sipped his tea thoughtfully before responding with a sigh,

                “Frankly Jiang Wanyin is certainly the most ideal candidate for your marriage partner, but we can’t trick him into it! What kind of basis for marriage is treachery?”

                “Treachery is quite a strong word uncle, I feel that Jiang Cheng has pretty strong feelings for me.”

                “Fear?”

                Ignoring his Uncle’s interruption the Lan continued,

                “Perhaps playing dumb about the rules is merely to save face. But even if not are you really prepared to ignore the Lan rules to get him out of the marriage agreement? Especially knowing that after this it will be quite a difficult task to convince him to join our family next time?”

                Lan Qiren felt that he was in between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand he really did want to be in laws with the Jiang heir, but on the other he didn’t want the innocent Jiang to suffer at the hands of his surprisingly crafty nephew. Yet the Lan rules were also persuasive, how could the Lan sect continue to be taken seriously if they didn’t stick to the rules? Should clear lack of knowledge of the rules be factored in? If they were, wouldn’t people moving forward just feign ignorance to any rule they disliked? That was certainly not the kind of precedent that he wanted to set.

                The moral Lan began to feel a headache coming on. He thought for a few minutes, but couldn’t make a decision just sitting there, so after he finished off the tea that he wanted he stood up saying,

                “We can’t leave him waiting for too long, but I’m not sure what is the true right thing to do. For now let’s discuss it with the boy and see if we can come up with an agreeable solution. Perhaps after speaking with him I’ll know what to do.”

                Lan Xichen wanted to pout a little, having been pretty sure of convincing his uncle, but he was afraid that if he pushed too much more his Uncle would lose patience and take Jiang Cheng’s side completely, so he agreed and dutifully followed him back to where the alpha was left.

                Upon their return both Lan’s were surprised to see Lan Zhan sitting at the place where Jiang Cheng had just been, with no sign of the Jiang anywhere. Curious and concerned Xichen looked at his little brother and asked,

                “Wangji, did you happen to see Alpha Jiang?”

                Lan Zhan nodded while clarifying,

                “Mm.”

                Lan Xichen smiled at that assuming that the Jiang must have gone to the bathroom or something. With so many witnesses, including the esteemed Hanguang Jun not to mention the surrounding disciples there was no way Jiang Cheng had escaped so easily. Satisfied he took his seat and signaled for his Uncle to do so as well. Lan Qiren came to a similar conclusion and was fine with waiting, especially considering he and his nephew had inconvenienced the boy already themselves.

                But after quite a few minutes both the elder brother and the uncle were beginning to get a bit worried. Lan Xichen was the first person to dare to say something,

                “Wanyin seems to be taking a long time, perhaps I should go see if he’s alright?”

                Lan Qiren seemed a bit concerned himself, so quickly agreed,

                “Lan Zhan what washroom did Jiang Cheng head towards?”

                “None.” The young Lan answered causing both of the other Lan’s to look at him.

                “Then where is he?” Lan Xichen asked, suddenly having a bad feeling.

                Lan Zhan looked over at his brother, with a slight satisfied look,

                “I got rid of him.”

Chapter Text

                Two sets of eyes stared at the youngest Lan in shock and horror at his words.

                There were two ways that one could interpret the words ‘got rid of him’ and neither one was pleasant to the Omega Lan’s ear, but one was more concerning to Lan Qiren, which is how both Lans in question ended up reacting immediately.

                “Lan Wangji no.” Xichen said while the venerable beta Lan Qiren snapped,

                “What do you mean by got rid of him?!”

                Lan Wangji blinked before responding, with full conviction,

                “Saved brother.”

                The two elders looked puzzled as Lan Zhan thought back to the previous events of the day:

                As far as Lan Zhan and the Gusu Lans were concerned it had been a crazy month. The minute his brother had presented as a “pure breed” omega it seemed as if the cultivation world had ceased to function.

                The day it had all happened Lan Zhan had already been in a bad mood. Xichen had not been feeling well for a good month prior to that day, to the point that the Lans had seriously considered cancelling the Night Hunt in the last week. But many preparations had already been made, his uncle worried over the politics and concerns of not keeping their word as a righteous sect, and even Xichen himself had insisted it go on with or without him, pointing out that it wasn’t like Sect Leaders generally participated in the actual hunt itself so it should be fine.

                Lan Zhan had not liked seeing his brother looking so fragile. Xichen was non-aggressive normally to other people, but he wasn’t weak. He had a strength and ability with people that Lan Zhan was often amazed by, but lately he had been often irritable, lethargic, and crampy.

                Since the Lans taught the subject of ABO differentiation it did not take long to realize what was about to occur to Xichen, although exactly when was elusive. But despite their scholarly knowledge on the subject it had been quite some time since any one had actually done it. And quite frankly neither he, nor his Uncle, had been able to give something that Xichen needed: Physical comfort.

                As the days went by, even without heat Lan Xichen began to get more “touchy feely” than before. Of the three of them he had always been the one less troubled by physicality, but it had increased tremendously as of late. Lan Qiren and Lan Zhan wanted to give him such support, but both of them were terrible at feelings, literally and emotionally. Although Xichen was his own brother, Lan Zhan often tensed whenever the other initiated a shoulder lean let alone a hug and Qiren might even be considered worse than him, for whenever Xichen attempted a hug with the elder, the beta turned bright red and practically beat the other man’s back in an attempt at comfort that was very dissatisfying for both the viewer and the receiver.

                For this reason both more stoic Lans had felt sorry for Lan Xichen. Not having an omega or even an affectionate beta in the immediate family was difficult. And it would be a cold day in hell when Lan Qiren could stand giving orders or even permission to non-family members to make up for it.

                There were only two people that Lan Zhan had ever felt comfortable with touching or being touched by, the first had been his mother who’d been long gone by now, and the second had been the most confusing and unexpected person that one could ever have imagined, the yin to his yang, Wei Ying.

                Speaking of which, besides the fact that he was concerned for his brother, he’d also been perplexed by his reaction to hearing that Wei Wuxian was not able to attend the night hunt. Although he couldn’t understand it himself, that was honestly the last straw.

                Due to these factors and the fact that he hadn’t expected his brother to present suddenly on that day, he had accepted a mission well away from the night hunt. Someone had to take care of it anyway since it was a pressing issue and Lan Wangji found that he was in the need of a good punching bag to vent out his frustrations on.

                While fighting off evil creatures was cathartic and fun he had not been pleased to come home and hear about the concerning situation that had occurred in his absence. Lan Zhan was instantly ashamed that he hadn’t been home to defend his brother and their home.

                For these reasons he was originally somewhat grateful to Nie Mingjue and Jiang Wanyin for their defense, but when a disciple told him that the Jiang had stuck around for while to speak to Qiren afterwards he changed his mind.

                ‘Taking advantage.’ Wangji thought, becoming a little stormy. But as some days passed he was happy that the Jiang hadn’t come back and it seemed that perhaps he’d misjudged the alpha, which satisfied Lan Wangji until suddenly the marriage proposals began to flood in.

                It had taken about a week for the sects to process the fact that Lan Xichen had presented as an Omega. Many of the Clans were not comfortable with the thought of an omega leader, the possibility of which was unprecedented. Most of the Leaders of the sects still held very traditional views of gender roles, but although they were more or less against Xichen’s rule, many a sect, major or minor, came to realize that while they might not want Xichen to rule, the opportunity it presented due to the possible power vacuum, particularly if Lan Zhan also presented as an omega in the future, was well worth a cancelled night hunt. Even more significantly it was worth a marriage.

                After that tons of offers came pouring into Gusu. Whether it was looks, health, personality, or power Lan Huan, while not quite usual for an omega was considered the omega catch of his generation.

                For weeks Wangji had seen petitions for marriage sent to his uncle who promptly handed over and relayed these messages to Xichen to see what he thought of them.

                This view of his elder brother as some kind of prize annoyed the younger Lan. Using techniques of meditation he had tried to stay out of it, but once he’d heard that Su She of all people had even sent a proposal Lan Wangji had met his limit!

                From then on whenever he had the chance he destroyed any and all proposals that he could himself manage to get a hold of before his Uncle saw it.

                At one point he had even decided to talk over how his elder brother was feeling about them. Xichen looked particularly tired that day and perhaps a little melancholy. He’d clearly been surprised by Wangji’s questioning and had let out a sigh,

                “I guess it’s flattering to have so many options and admirers, but sadly none of them excite me. I’m a real person with feelings to match and I’d rather not be a tool for someone else. If I’m to marry there’s only one sweetheart that I feel is right for me.”

                Lan Zhan had listened closely and come to the only logical conclusion to be had, Lan Xichen was in love with another omega, the most likely of which was his own sworn brother Jin Guangyao.

                With this knowledge in the back of his mind Lan Zhan took a few days to process this before coming to the decision to support his brother’s choice. Although Jin Guangyao was a sneaky person and their relationship unconventional by anyone’s standards LZ decided that he would do as his brother had always done for him, be supportive.

                With this in mind Lan Zhan began to consider the barriers Xichen might have to face besides those created by society and his thoughts come down to one key factor: Nie Mingjue.

                For Many years there had been rumors about the “relationship” of the 3 sword brothers. Prior to Lan Xichen presenting there had still been Nie Mingjue and Jin Guangyao to consider. Had Lan Xichen become a beta they’d have had an interesting societal dynamic that could have left Lan Xichen an acceptable societal choice for either of them, but omega x omega relationships were even rarer than alpha x alpha, so getting Meng Yao to agree would likely be tricky, particularly with the possible option of a strong alpha sect leader as a counter point.

                Considering the nature of skinship between both Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao he thought his brother might at least have a chance. More than one person had suspected as much in their younger years. Meng Yao had been particularly flirtatious even during classes, which suddenly strengthened Lan Zhan’s resolve.

                Taking these factors into consideration Lan Zhan began to form a strategy. First he would attempt to block all further marriage proposals. Then he would contact and figure out the feelings of both of Xichen’s sworn brothers for clarification.

                For this last purpose he had visited the Unclean Realm. There he’d asked Mingjue about his intentions,

                “None. Your brother and I will always just be friends.” Minjue said as he trained his disciples.

                These words did not however clarify the Nie’s feelings towards Meng Yao which he summed up unhelpfully with,

                “No comment.”

                Next Lan Zhan decided to find and question Meng Yao, who suspiciously lived in Mingjue’s manor. Being more of a talkative person overall Jin Guangyao naturally initiated the topic of Xichen and asked how he was doing. Lan Zhen noted this interest and tried to lay the foundation for his brother by being polite and as eloquent as was possible for him,

                “Good.”

                Which for someone like Lan Zhan was more effort than it looked.

                Despite this ground work truth to tell whenever Mingjue passed by Meng Yao’s eyes followed him. The ever observant Lan Zhan picked this up and attempted to block any further view the Jin had of the Nie by aiming the movements of his head exactly in front of said view. Pretty soon a now annoyed Meng Yao noticed this and attempted to brush him off, which was both telling and dissatisfying to Lan Huan’s younger brother.

                When Lan Zhan went back home again he asked for Xichen and was told by the disciples that he was currently busy. When further pressed about why he was then told that Jiang Cheng had arrived to discuss something with Zewu Jun. The ever observant Lan noticed the disciples avoiding eye contact and blushing until it suddenly hit him that the fox must have come for the hen while the rooster was away!”

                Thus a very serious looking Lan Zhan glared as he questioned,

                “Where are they?”

~

                It took a few moments to get the Lan disciples to spill the beans, but when told what had happened it was worse than Lan Zhan had thought. After a brief conversation with Lan Qiren the two had somehow headed up heading to a room, alone!

                Every Lan knew the significance of an alpha and an omega being allowed to speak together alone.

                Clearly the Jiang had taken advantage of his absence and his brother! He had no idea how the Jiang had managed to get past the near impenetrable defense and force of his uncle Lan Qiren, but he was not going to allow his family to be bullied!

                Feeling just in his cause Lan Zhan had quickly headed to the location they’d last been seen by the disciples who’d informed him only to find them missing. Like a detective Lan Zhan searched the area and at last found a very uncomfortable, twitchy looking Jiang alone in a room. Lan Zhan narrowed his eyes happy to make the other squirm. Of course he should be made to feel uncomfortable now that he knows there is someone to stand up to him back in the house.

                Lan Zhan quickly made a beeline for the man stepping in front of him before demanding,

                “Leave.”

                The Jiang looked started and then glanced around nervously before asking in a surprisingly timid voice for an alpha,

                “Can I? Really?”

                Elated at the clear menace he must have been exuding in order to scare away the Jiang alpha , but still maintain an arrogant facade, Lan Zhan responded favorably,

                “Mmm. Get out.”

                Unexpectedly the Jiang jumped up, eyes wild as he made a quick bow of politeness. Even more shocking though was that right after that the Jiang gave him a quick hug that Lan Zhen felt was a personal attack, before saying,

                “Thank you! Thank you so much! I won’t tell anyone anything that happened here and I’ll never do it again, okay? Please tell Grandmaster Qiren and Zewu Jun that I’m sorry.”

                At that the Jiang made a break for it, the guards hesitating in setting him free until they received an icy glare from the youngest main line Lan. Who were they to disagree with the esteemed Hanguang Jun? So they let him go.

                Lan Zhan sat down in the newly vacant seat feeling both self satisfied from the result, but still a little uncomfortable due to the hug,

                “Shameless.” He said allowed before asking for tea.

                He was in the middle of trying to figure out if the coward Jiang alpha had been apologizing about sneaking in to harass his brother or the sudden hug when his family entered the room. Both men walked in, looked around, and then immediately inquired about Jiang Cheng.

                Considering they’d not been in the room with him, Lan Zhan had suspected that the two had left the Jiang where he was in order to think up a plan to get rid of him and not disgrace the sect. Luckily he had taken care of that himself. So after a teasing initial response he boasted,

                “I got rid of him.”

                If only he’d understood what he’d done he might not have said it so smugly.

Chapter Text

                Following Wangji’s abrupt confession both Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen were feeling like they were back to the drawing board. Grandmaster Qiren rubbed his temples and decided to take a seat, indicating a disciple in the wings to bring him tea, while a very distressed Xichen looked at a confused Lan Zhan in disappointment,

                “I know you meant well Wangji, but do you have any idea what you’ve just done? I was this close to securing that alpha,” the Lan said holding up his fingers indicating a centimeter, “then you came in from who knows where and scared off my prey!”

                Qiren frowned concerningly at his nephew,

                “I don’t like you calling him that.”

                Lan Xichen waved his hand dismissively,

                “That’s what Meng Yao calls the alpha he’s targeting, it just means the person that you want to be with.”

                “... I think you need to spend less time with Meng Yao.”

                Xichen ignored this statement from his uncle, putting his hands on his hips and staring down at his little brother,

                “Anyway what do you have to say for yourself?”

                Lan Zhan blinked up at Xichen and repeated,

                “Saved brother.”

                Lan Huan felt particularly impatient at this point. Perhaps it was because of his incoming hormones, or the fact that he was so close to capturing the beautiful Jiang, but he was honestly upset with his baby brother, a huge rarity. He let out a frustrated growl before snapping,

                “Omega or not you don’t need to save me, particularly from Jiang Wanyin. Frankly if anyone needs saving in this scenario it’s him! Jiang Cheng is literally the most innocent man I’ve ever met, across all differentiations. What’s he going to do to me that I can’t take, he couldn’t even bring himself to hold my hand?!”

                Qiren paused mid sip of his tea feeling uncomfortable at the words,

                “Lan Huan why is it that today every time you talk I feel like we are becoming the bad guys?”

                “Don’t worry Uncle I plan to be as gentle with him as possible if I ever get the chance to see him again.”

                “… maybe I should leave the room.”

                Lan Zhan felt very confused by his brother’s words, particularly considering his early work and conclusion. He had never heard his brother talk much about the Jiang before besides little things here and there, so he wasn’t sure why Xichen was suddenly so invested, unless the older Lan was hormonal or had really kept it in. He decided for now to go for verification,

                “What about Jin Guangyao?”

                Lan Xichen sighed upon hearing that, quickly sitting across from, but at the same table as his brother, for a more direct look at his eyes as he answered,

                “Meng Yao and I are honestly just friends. It has nothing to do with our omega status, we just aren’t each other’s types. We are compatible as friends, but nothing more. I’m attracted to Jiang Cheng, I have been for a while but we generally don’t get to interact. Thankfully he came over to make me feel better and I had my chance … briefly.”

                Lan Zhan frowned considering this. He supposed his brother really didn’t get much of a chance to see the Jiang considering he didn’t go to school with the rest of them, being older and a sect leader, but why was he so infatuated with the Jiang with so little interaction? It was a bit baffling, but his brother was clearly upset so he thought it would be best to apologize first,

                “Sorry brother.” He said putting on his best baby brother look.

                Despite being frustrated Xichen couldn’t resist caving when his brother was like this. It reminded him of when the younger Lan was little and used to follow him around like a tiny duckling. With this thought in mind Xichen patted his brother’s head gently as he replied,

                “I’m sorry too Wangji, I should not have snapped at you considering you were trying to do a kind thing. I was frustrated and I’m afraid I took it out on you. Will you forgive me?”

                Lan Zhan nodded solemnly and there was a brief silence before Qiren put his tea cup down with a comically long sigh, before seriously saying,

                “It’s very likely that Jiang Wanyin is home by now so what’s the plan?”

                Lan Xichen rose from his spot before Wangji, before walking over to the side so that he could face the two of them as he considered what the next step should be. Then suddenly his concentrated frown turned into a smile that caused Lan Qiren some concern, before the omega said,

                “Escaped prey doesn’t often go to the hunter, so the hunter surely must go to the prey.”

                Qiren eyed his nephew suspiciously,

                “If you continue to talk about hunting this poor boy I am definitely putting you under house arrest for Jiang Wanyin’s own protection.”

                Lan Xichen continued to smile,

                “I’m not going to hurt him Uncle. We are merely going to visit the Jiangs and claim our new family member.”

                Lan Qiren looked skeptical, but Lan Zhan thought about the fact that Wei Wuxian was there and how he wanted to see more of Jiang Cheng to judge if he could truly trust him with his brother and instantly agreed,

                “I’ll come.”

                Xichen smiled at that and then turned to his Uncle expectantly,

                “How about you Uncle? I believe your presence will be very important to making this work, especially considering the reputation of Madam Yu.”

                Lan Qiren considered the situation once again, before rising from his seated position and nodding,

                “Although I have reservations considering your concerning semantics when referencing this poor boy I cannot stand by as someone escapes from the consequences of the Gusu Lan rules so easily. We will go and see what we can do, but I warn you I will not stand to see the pure young alpha harmed, even if it’s by my own nephew.” he stressed this last sentence, which Xichen quickly agreed to,

                “I assure you Uncle that I will protect Jiang Cheng well.”

                “Even from yourself?” Lan Qiren pressed, to which Xichen hesitated before saying,

                “Within reason, yes.”

                Lan Qiren wasn’t sure what that meant, and he was positive that he did not want to know. He did however vow to himself that if Wanyin did marry Xichen he would do his best to protect the poor child that had fallen into his nephew’s trap. With this in mind he said,

                “In that case I suppose we should get going then, the journey to Yunmeng will take longer with me coming along considering my age and health.”

                Xichen shook his head,

                “No need to rush too quickly. It’s better to be well prepared and safe than speedy. Anyway we have to make some preparations before we go,” here Lan Xichen’s eyes became calculating and Qiren could swear he saw an evil glint lurking beneath those normally angelic orbs as Xichen finished, “We can’t go to our soon to be in laws empty handed after all.”

                And for just about the first time in the entirety of his nephews life, Lan Qiren wondered if it was too late to switch in Lan Zhan as the Sect Leader of the Gusu Lan, for right now his nephew looked more like a Demonic Cultivator than a righteous one.

Chapter Text

                Upon being released by Lan Zhan alpha Jiang Cheng raced home. Although he was somewhat naïve, particularly for an alpha, he was still aware that Lan Qiren was a man of strict rules and principles. Lan Xichen would likely change his mind once his hormones had balanced, but Qiren probably would not.

                Thankfully for Jiang Cheng, Lan Wangji had given him a way out. Now all JC needed to do was get a little help from his parents and Lan Xichen wouldn’t hate him for taking advantage of him in a weak moment.

                That being said there was a small part of him that couldn’t help but think back to the way his cheeks flushed and his heart had raced when Xichen came on to him.

                Although he’d been nervous he’d also been flattered and excited. Lan Huan was not only as beautiful as a piece of art, but he was also exciting. Despite not being a Jiang there was an air about him that fit what JC had always been asked to be. Not quite like Wuxian, but a more mature and honest type of free.

                For a few minutes Jiang Cheng indulged his interest where it could do no harm, before working to put himself together to explain everything to his parents,

                ‘If only Zewu Jun actually liked me for me how different life could be.’

                But of course Jiang Cheng saw this as a selfish thought and he would not ruin an omega’s future for his own sake, or anyone else’s for that matter.

                Soon after these thoughts Lotus Pier came into view and Jiang Cheng’s mind shifted to the topic of how to explain the possible emergency. Although no one had directly pursued him, he could not be sure of how quickly the other Lans would find out and act. So it was best to make haste.

                The Jiang alpha wasted no time, even using his sword and cultivation to propel himself faster.

                “Father! Father! We have a possible emergency!” He called as he entered the usual meeting hall only to find a surprising amount of people practically flooding the hall.

                Jiang Wanyin was suddenly afraid that something dire had happened to Yunmeng in his brief absence. Could the cultivator he’d lashed out at before have called in his sect as revenge?

                Putting aside his own situation for the time being Jiang Cheng anxiously made his way through the crowd. He soon noted that all around were residents of Yunmeng, which lessened his panic a little. Even if war had been declared at least it hadn’t started without him.

                Besides that factor the people around him all looked happy and excited. Due to this the fear and guilt he’d felt about before began to melt away and his true purpose in rushing back returned.

                By the time he’d spotted his father who was shaking hands and beaming, he had blocked everything else out. Quickly he ran up to the man and said in a nervous voice,

                “Father, I’ve just come back from Gusu and we have a problem, you see-“

                “Yanli go fetch your brother some more food, it seems as if he’s run out.” Jiang Fengmian interrupted, ignoring Jiang Cheng as he greeted the next person.

                Yanli glanced over at Jiang Cheng looking a little sorry for him before going to obey.

                Jiang Cheng didn’t immediately take offense to this as he was sure his father was still angry about him storming out earlier and was perhaps making a point. Wanyin took a deep breath before apologetically taking a hold of one of his father’s sleeves in order to get his attention, stop him from rushing off, and showing sincerity as well as vulnerability.

                This slightly did the trick in that Fengmian stopped to look at him, but he quickly pulled his sleeve out of the other’s grip. JC felt rejected, but still did his best to explain,

                “Father after we talked I went to Gusu and, well, it’s a long story, but-”

                Again Fengmian cut him off, but this time he didn’t ignore him. Instead he looked at his son as if he were a pebble stuck in his shoe as he said,

                “I don’t have time for any of your over dramatics right now. Can’t you see that something has happened? Or are you so selfish that you didn’t even notice that your brother presented today?!”

                Jiang Cheng took a few steps back from his angry father and this time looked at the focal point of the room. At the center of everything sat a happy looking Wuxian surrounded by congratulatory people, snacks, and liquor. While Wuxian was quite often viewed as “the life of the party” now he was literally the center of it.

                Looking at Wuxian like a pauper in front of a prince Jiang Cheng paused. A part of him that had always been nervous about this day when he’d finally find out what Wuxian presented as and whether he was once again to be judged and found wanting because of it. Despite being an alpha Jiang Cheng pulled his arms across his body touching both elbows with his hands in something of a self hug. Now was finally the moment of truth. He had seen it coming when he was sick for the cancelled night hunt, but hadn’t wanted to admit it, even to himself. But now he needed to know, if only to grieve,

                “What… what did he present as?” he asked meekly, causing his father to raise his nose slightly in disgust, before remembering that the topic was about his favorite person and smiling somewhat smugly said,

                “He’s a pureblood omega.”

                JC’s arms dropped to his side and he closed his eyes for a second to process. The rock in his heart should have moved away. He should have been happy now that the worst hadn’t happened, but as he opened his eyes and looked at the affectionate gaze his father showed now that his attention turned towards the Wei and somehow the rock grew bigger.

                Sure Wuxian was “purer” than him, but besides that why was his treatment so different from Wuxian’s even before they presented. The young Jiang had been had been terrified of the possibility of becoming an omega, specifically because he felt that his father would use such a ‘weakness’ in order to find a way to hand over the sect to Wei Wuxian. Plenty of people had assumed that the thirsty for love, obedient Jiang was likely to end up being an omega, and the talented, mischievous Wei an alpha. JC had heard it so many times that when he presented as an alpha he had cried. Even though he’d been happy with the result it had been a shock and he felt he had no knowledge on how to become a good one. His father had been embarrassed and disgusted by this behavior, but he could no sooner have stopped himself from crying then as he could now.

                Tears began to form in his eyes and upon turning back to look at him Jiang Fengmian had the same reaction that he’d had to that sight as he’d had before,

                “Must you be like this every time our family presents? If you can’t control yourself at least have the decency to go to your room and not bother anyone else, I’ll not have you ruin this for Wei Ying.”

                Jiang Cheng tried to reign in his emotions; although he was heartbroken he couldn’t let this effect things with the Lans. Wiping his eyes and clenching his fists he visibly reigned himself in,

                “Congratulations for your son’s presenting. I hate to take you from such a joyous occasion, but if we don’t act soon than you may quickly be at war or hosting an engagement ceremony.” JC said bluntly.

                Jiang Fengmian’s eyes widened at that,               

                “Engagement ceremony?! Whose?! I haven’t authorized any engagements yet, Wei Wuxian just presented!”

                “It would be my engagement Father.” JC explained feeling tired and out of patience. Each word his father said to him today was like a stab to his heart.

                Jiang Fengmian looked at his son incredulously,

                “Who would want to marry you?” Then something like a light bulb came to him, “Oh come to think of it there was a recent marriage proposal sent to the property, but I forgot all about it. I figured they’d go away on their own. Did you happen to see them before they could forget about it?”

                Jiang Cheng frowned, surprised that he’d received such an offer,

                “Who was it?”

                JF tilted his head trying to think and shook it when he couldn’t immediately recall,

                “I can’t remember. I feel like it had an X in it though, or maybe a U … or was it a Q? Whatever the case, I hardly have time to pay attention to such things. After Wuxian’s party we can all look into it and figure it out. No need to be so extra about it. War you even dared to say? Over you? What confidence you have son!” he said with a snort.

                “Jiang Fengmian the one who seems to have a lot of confidence in yourself is you. Listening to how you speak to A’Cheng one would really have to question if he’s actually yours.” A clear, cold voice stated as Madam Yu made her way to them, parting the crowd with supreme female alpha energy as her two beta maidservants followed up on either side, yet slightly behind from her looking menacing.         

                Jiang Cheng breathed slightly easier upon seeing her. He wanted to throw himself into her arms for safety, but as much as she loved him she was not the touchy feely type. Instead he ran over and leaned against her arm with his own until she gently, but decisively moved him to about an inch away and behind her.

                Jiang Fengmian’s eyebrows furrowed as Madam Yu added,

                “Could you perhaps think that I cheated on you to have him or were you honestly so obsessed with Wuxian’s mother that your biological son reminds you of the fact that you could never have her?”

                Suddenly the party atmosphere was over and it was no secret that Jiang Cheng would later be blamed by his father for this too.

                But even worse he was once again the cause of a fight between his parents, and worst of all it was in the middle of a party. Dozens upon dozens of eyes stared at him and the parents before him and once again JC was reminded that the only attention he could ever get from his house was negative.

Chapter Text

                The mere presence of Madam Yu alone was enough to finally get Wei Wuxian’s attention. Considering the circumstances the once festive atmosphere of Wuxian’s presentation turned awkward and soon the Jiangs called it off and retired to their family’s meeting room.

                On one side of the room sat Jiang Fengmian with newly presented Wuxian to his right and two disciples behind their chairs. On the other was Madam Yu with Jiang Cheng next to hers, flanked by two loyal warrior maidservants from pre-marriage, and Yanli was in the very middle. To an outsider it looked more like a war council than a family meeting.

                Feeling badly about spoiling Wuxian’s party when faced with him, Jiang Cheng said,

                “Congratulations on presenting Wuxian, I’m glad to see that you’re looking better.”

                Wuxian smiled at the other, wanting to give his little brother a hug, but being stopped by Jiang Fengmian who snapped,

                “Don’t lie to him and say things you don’t really mean. Wuxian I know you’re kind, but he ruined your party with his selfish nonsense, so you can be angry about it.”

                Wuxian shook his head. He didn’t think that JC had anything to do with ruining his party. In fact, he felt particularly close to the alpha and it hadn’t been complete without his little brother there in the first place. Madam Yu was the scary one and even though Wei Wuxian was grateful to Jiang Fengmian  for adopting him into the family, he didn’t like how he treated Jiang Cheng most of the time. But the two people he could never confront were Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu, one because he was his benefactor and the other because she was as scary as the bogeyman. So he tried to signal what he could to JC through his visual, while the elders argued,

                “Don’t talk about my son as if he isn’t here! You love to blame him for your own faults don’t you?” Madam Yu snapped back.

                Jiang Fengmian frowned,

                “Your son? He’s also mine, so I also have a right to his discipline and education. How is it my fault that he’s so jealous of his elder brother that he can’t even let him enjoy one party?!”

                “Oh, so you do claim him as your son then? That’s interesting. You say that he’s jealous, but even if so, would he not have a right to be? When my Cheng presented you barely acknowledged it, let alone threw a party. But for your unrequited crush’s child you put together a banquet practically within the hour! If only you could have adopted your love child sooner perhaps I wouldn’t have had to work so hard to get pregnant in the first place!”

                Madam Yu wasn’t lying. In the ABO cultivation world females of all classifications could get pregnant, but their fertility was to varying degrees. Alpha females had the most difficult time managing it. Many alpha females were lucky to have one child come to full term and many health effects could occur. In fact, her first Yanli was born physically weak because of such complications, but despite that Madam Yu pushed herself to do the near impossible and eventually even had a healthier child in Jiang Cheng. This miracle in a normal household should have made not only Madam Yu, but Jiang Cheng, both honored and special, but Jiang Fengmian had treated it in the same manner as an unwanted child since adopting Wuxian. This point of contention was at the height of the Jiang clan family issues, and the conjecture of JF’s feelings, which for unknown reasons he refused to clarify. Once again he avoided this topic when answering, furthering the suspicions as usual,

                “Jiang Cheng presented as an alpha, what did he need a party for? Alphas should be strong and not coddled. As they say, ‘Spoil an omega, respect a beta, discipline an alpha.’ “

                Madam Yu let out a humorless laugh at that,

                “As if you’d have coddled Wanyin had he been born an omega or as if this was the first time you’ve done so with Wei Wuxian! Face facts Fengmian, you actively work to be disappointed in A’Cheng and to what end now? Wuxian is neither blood nor an alpha or beta and your blood Wanyin is the former and thus your only viable heir now. You weren’t disgusted by your sons reaction to becoming an alpha, you were angry that your plans to usurp his position were all for nothing! And now you celebrate because as a ‘pure bred’ omega you think you can get Wuxian a leadership position through marriage, is that it?”

                Both JC and WWX who were getting attacked by the opposite adult were feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Each side prepared ammo allegedly against the other, but all of the verbal arrows seemed to hit the ones the opposite were protecting instead.

                The  more rebellious of the two was quite over this and asked,

                “Can we be excused?”

                The answers “Yes” and “No” both came respectively and Yanli, who was feeling sorry for both boys decided to interject since there was a clear need for mediation,

                “Wei Ying has a point, unless either of them are being asked to speak it’s better for them not to be present for such a conversation.” She stressed, prepared to take them out herself.

                “Of course you’re on your father’s side,” Madam Yu said with a sigh, “but no one will be going anywhere until I get to the bottom of this.”

                None of the Jiang siblings dared to blatantly contradict Madam Yu, so there was nothing but to sit back and continue the torture. Even the adults were silent for a few minutes as if they were in a stalemate, until JF suddenly announced,

                “I won’t accept this Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen marriage proposal from the Lans. Although JC got us into this mess with his stupidity there should be a way to appease the Lans without it.”

                He paused for a moment whispering to a disciple to bring him something. Jiang Cheng felt suddenly grateful for the moment despite talks of his stupidity. Although his father was harsh on him at least he wasn’t willing to attempt to use Lan Xichen’s higher rank of Sect Leader to cast him out.

                Just as JC was feeling his father’s possible care, Madam Yu sneered at her husband, before snapping,

                “How do you plan on appeasing the rule obsessed Lans? You are hardly Lan Qiren’s equal when all is said and done, and why not marry Jiang Cheng into the Lans? It’s a fairly profitable arrangement, and I’m sure it’s not for Wanyin’s sake that you’re saying so.”

                “I’ll give them Wei Wuxian as compensation. He can relocate to Gusu and give them intelligent and formidable heirs.” Jiang Fengmian announced suddenly shocking everyone except Madam Yu whose face looked livid,

                “And Jiang Cheng cannot?!” she snapped at the implication.

                Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian looked at each other horrified and perplexed. Jiang Cheng couldn’t believe that his father would sacrifice Wei Wuxian for him or dare to view him as an object to be replaced by something better, and Wei Wuxian couldn’t believe that the man that was his benefactor suddenly seemed to want to get rid of him now that he’d differentiated into an omega.

                The first of the two to respond was as usual Wei Wuxian,

                “Sect Leader Jiang I can’t marry Lan Xichen! For one thing we’re both omegas, so I literally can’t give him any heirs and for another his younger brother is more my – um… well I mean… anyway it will be a great dishonor to Xichen if I cheat on him with his brother in the future, it’s really too dangerous!” he finished.

                Jiang Cheng also felt that it was unfair,

                “Father it was really just a misunderstanding and I can’t let Wuxian suffer for my own mistakes! Can’t we find a non-marriageable way of compensating? I could do physical labor or something for some appropriate amount of time. Do you think they’d accept that? Or I could be publicly punished to make up for any loss to Xichen’s reputation. Surely there must be something suitable.”

                “Not to Xichen, to Lan Zhan, and from Wei Wuxian’s words it sounds like we have more of a reason to offer him.”

                At those words Wei Wuxian quit protesting. He wasn’t about to argue about marrying Lan Zhan either way, but the innocent, naïve Jiang Cheng, who didn’t understand what Wei Wuxian had meant was still distraught,

                “But Lan Zhan hasn’t differentiated yet, so we don’t know what he’ll be! Wuxian can’t guarantee heirs and I’m really not comfortable with sacrificing Wuxian for my sake.”

                Madam Yu laughed sharply,

                “Jiang Cheng you little fool, since when does your father do anything just for your sake? Can’t you see he’s just using your faux pause in order to secure Wuxian’s marriage to the likely heir of the Lans?”

                Jiang Cheng shook his head confused, why would his father want Wuxian away from him? Wei Wuxian was his favorite and Gusu was a pretty fortified place, it didn’t make sense to put Wei Wuxian in that oppressive atmosphere away from him. Gusu was the very opposite of Wuxian’s personality,

                “I don’t understand, why would he want that?”

                At that moment the disciple of Jiang Fengmian had instructed came back with a letter and handed it to the Sect Leader. Jiang Fengmian looked it over and nodded quite satisfied,

                “Anyway you’d like to view it I’ve found our way out. Never fear Jiang Cheng you won’t have to marry Xichen. Here I have the escape method for you and I’ll offer Wei Wuxian’s hand to Lan Zhan as compensation if necessary. There’s just one thing you have to do in order to right your wrongs.”

                Wei Wuxian gave a smiley thumbs up to his younger brother indicating that he was quite fine with the arrangement. Although still skeptical, Jiang Cheng was also curious,

                “What’s that?”

                Jiang Fengmian handed over the paper in his hand to JC with a serious no-nonsense expression as he said,

                “Agree to marry Xue Yang.”

Chapter Text

                “Xue Yang?!” All three siblings questioned in horror before Jiang Fengmian nodded,

                “Yes, that’s the omega that sent a request for Jiang Wanyin’s hand before this event. I wasn’t originally going to accept it, but luckily I kept the dated document. Since this proposal was sent before the incident, we can just explain that Wanyin is already betrothed, and then offer Wei Wuxian as compensation.”

                “But Xue Yang’s a sociopath! If he has to be betrothed either way we’re better off marrying him to Lan Xichen!” Wei Wuxian shouted, alarmed.

                “Father you can’t possibly be serious.” Yanli questioned looking distressed at the very notion.

                But the one the most concerned was a very pale Jiang Cheng who suddenly felt his fear and anger surge at his father’s plan and said,

                “I can’t be with Xue Yang! Isn’t he a suspected murderer?! I don’t want to ruin Xichen or Wei Wuxian’s life or anything, but I also can’t agree to marry Xue Yang of all people!”

                Jiang Fengmian sneered at his son,

                “An alpha that’s afraid of a defenseless omega? Can’t you handle even that much for your family? Do you really mean to start a war with the Lans for something as trivial as this?”

                “Differentiation has nothing to do with it! Hasn’t he already harmed two alphas before?! I know you don’t like me, but is it really necessary to get me killed over this?!” Jiang Cheng snapped back.

                “If you don’t like it than you’d better run away instead! You can’t even handle your own problems yet you have the audacity to talk back to me? You’ve got a lot of nerve!”

                A loud snapping sound startled the two as Madam Yu deemed to speak,

                “Jiang Fengmian so help me Baoshan Sanren if you attempt to chase my son off disgracefully than you may as well go first!”

                Jiang Fengmian frowned,

                “Omegas generally move to the other family’s estate and Xue Yang has no sect, or living parents, so if Jiang Cheng marries him the man will come here and we can keep an eye on him. He won’t easily harm Jiang Cheng surrounded by all of us, but there are many alphas that would do Wei Wuxian harm if he leaves, so it’s better to marry him off to the reputable Lans so as not to worry. I doubt Lan Qiren will accept both brothers marrying into the same family. Wei Wuxian also liked Hanguang Jun first, so it shouldn’t be ruined by Jiang Cheng’s sneaky actions.”

                “Sneaky actions?! One minute you call him an idiot, then calculating the next! You throw him to the wolves and with the same mouth you say you’ll be there to protect him! If anyone is sneaky it’s you Jiang Fengmian!” Madam Yu snapped, “if you were an alpha I’d break your teeth to make it more difficult for you to spew such nonsense!”

                A voice sounded outside of the family meeting room and a disciple was allowed in to announce that a sect leader had arrived to discuss marriage candidacy. Jiang Fengmian looked startled and got up before walking in front of Jiang Wanyin, staring down at him and saying,

                “Fine then, I’ll leave the decision up to you. Marry Xue Yang and deal with the consequences yourself with support from your family, or rescue yourself only despite being at fault and ruin the lives of two defenseless omegas because of your mistakes and selfishness.”

                When put like that what decision could Jiang Cheng honorably make? After all he couldn’t hurt Xichen and Wuxian for his own mistake. And besides, he thought to himself, his life wasn’t worth much anyway.

~

                The Jiang family watched closely as the leader entered, trailed by the usual retinue of disciples and family members. He glanced around at the awkwardly quiet Jiangs before deciding to break the ice,

                “We’ve come to discuss marriage, but judging from the atmosphere I feel I should ask, are we interrupting something?”

                 But besides Jiang Fengmian, the rest of the Jiangs didn’t even know where to start.

Chapter Text

         “Sect Leader Jin, what an unexpected surprise.” Jiang Fengmian responded as Jin Guangshan looked around curiously at the tense faces of the rest of the Jiang family.

         “I apologize for not sending advanced notice, but I’ve been rather preoccupied as of late. Is it convenient to talk now or shall we reschedule?” The Jin leader asked patiently.

         Jiang Fengmian, who was quite happy with the prospect of a break from the tense conversation and who had already spread enough guilt to assume his youngest son’s compliance waved his hand to dispel the thought as he responded,

         “Nonsense, this is a perfect time to discuss the marriage,” then glancing to the side for a final reminder of what was to be done if anyone arrived while he was in discussion with Guangshan he added, “with any luck today will solidify the marriages of all of my children.”

          Jin Guangshan’s eyebrow rose at that just as Madam Yu opened her mouth to retort, but before she could get out the words strong arms embraced her from behind causing her to look over her shoulder, before realizing who it was and saying,

           “Xiaoting?!”

           Madam Jin smiled back at her best friend, before promptly sitting on the floor herself and looking up at the other adoringly,

           “Ziyuan it’s been too long.”

           Both the Jin and Jiang servants and disciples who had come in looked at her in horror and scrambled to set up a place for the esteemed Madam Jin next to Madam Yu. For her part looking down at the adorable sight Yu Ziyuan couldn’t help but pat the head of her omega friend gently, her stern mouth relaxing to an affectionate smile, before helping her up and setting her on a seat next to her instead once it was together.

           “Be good.” Madam Yu insisted, but it was a very gentle order, if it could even be called that.

            Jiang Fengmian and Jin Guangshan glanced at their wives a bit awkwardly, before Guangshan, who was politically inclined so who knew who had most of the real power of the Jiang’s decided to ask the head of the house,

            “Madam Yu, may I borrow your husband for a while?”

             Madam Yu considered this as her best friend placed a hand on top of hers waiting to be able to talk without the annoyance of their husbands around.  Ziyuan wondered for a second if she dared leave the two scheming men alone in a room or not. But glancing back at her friend and thinking that she was particularly invested in her daughter marrying Xiaoting’s son anyway, so she responded,

              “You can keep him for all I care.”

              Jin Guangshan grimaced at the very thought, but made a slight bow at the permission, before opening one arm towards the door to indicate for Jiang Fengmian to lead the way to a more private location, which Fengmian quickly and happily did.

               With their fathers off to another room and their mothers distracted with each other this left the Jiang siblings and a very uncomfortable looking Jin Zixuan, who had been forced to come along and felt rather ganged up on by the other three, two of which who were admittedly preoccupied, and one of which, the one whom his parents would make his future wife, who blushed at him, but also glanced at her brothers due an obviously distressing conversation from before. Therefore it was awkward to say the least.

~

                Inside a more intimate meeting room that Jiang Fengmian tended to use for more secretive sect business, sat the Current Jin and Jiang Sect Leaders. Still a bit preoccupied from the drama from before Jiang Fengmian signaled for a disciple to bring in tea, while Jin Guangshan studied the other’s face, noting the signs of anger and stress displayed across it.

                When the tea came and Jiang Fengmian was dazing at it without sipping the Jin drank from his own cup before questioning,

                “Is anything the matter Fengmian? You seem a bit…distracted?”

                Jiang Fengmian blinked, remembering himself and shook his head,

                “No, sorry I’m just dealing with a bit of an issue with my children, not Yanli related mind you. I do beg your pardon.”

                Jin Guangshan waved his hand dismissively deciding to come back to his curiosity once his own plans were settled,

                “No need for the pardon, we are practically family after all, which is why I came today.”

                Jiang Fengmian nodded, relaxing at the expected proposal,

                “Do you mean about Zixuan and Yanli?”

                Jin Guangshan nodded pleased,

                “Yes. I know that we were waiting to solidify things until my son differentiated, but I’m afraid that he’s a bit of a late bloomer and although that’s wonderful for his status, it’s delaying things for too long. Then I was thinking to myself: oughtn’t the kids have time to live together and grow as a couple before they have children anyway?”

                Jiang Fengmian was a bit surprised and suddenly wary by the seeming rush. The union of Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli had actually been decided prior to their births from their mothers. Jin Guangshan had no need to protest this match since his agreement not only created a strong political marriage, but also helped Madam Jin turn a blind eye to a good portion of his extra marital affairs. Jiang Fengmian had not been quite as happy with it, concerned that the promiscuous apple might not fall far from the adulterous tree. Considering this and the rush Jiang Fengmian questioned rather bluntly,

                “Why the sudden rush? Jin Zixuan didn’t get himself into trouble now did he?”

                Jin Guangshan quickly waved his hand to dispel the accusation,

                “Perish the thought. Of course not, my Jin Zixuan is a pillar of virtue I assure you. No, it’s not due to any scandal or anything. In fact, to prove it I will even add an easy divorce clause should such a thing happen within the year if it eases your heart.”

                “Then why?”

                Jin Guangshan sighed and looked straight at the other leader,

                “Truthfully? I’m beginning to get to that age where I’m anxious for a grandchild. I know such a thing is nearly impossible until differentiating, but at least if they are married when Jin Zixuan does they can get right to it, instead of waiting to get past all of the red tape and all.”

                Jiang Fengmian eyed the Jin carefully checking for any suspicious signs but was surprised to see that Jin Guangshan looked quite earnest. By this very day all of his own children had differentiated, all differently, and yet besides listing the potential of each member to have them, he had not put much thought into the grand children themselves. In fact, it was too hard to think of at the moment, except for the fleeting thought of how cute Wuxian’s would be.

                Considering the fact that Jin Guangshan was willing to include a divorce clause Jiang Fengmian was willing to believe that at the very least there wasn’t a scandal. He still wondered if there was more to in or not, but quite frankly his wife would likely actually kill him if he tried to break off the one engagement she had arranged for so long. And honestly he had bigger issues to tackle. But to make sure he asked,

                “Are sure that you want to rush to before differentiation? I know Yanli is a female beta and all, but what if Jin Zixuan differentiates into an omega? Although not impossible, it would be quite difficult for them to then procreate.”

                Jin Guangshan let out a bit of a laugh,

                “My son? Of course he’ll be a pure alpha! And even if he’s a beta it will be no problem, and doubtful that it is for him to become an omega, Yanli is still a female so he will just have to work extra hard. Let’s face it, whatever it is it’s just a matter of time. Our wives won’t care what the differentiation is so we might as well get used to it.”

                Jiang Fengmian considered this and it was true that there was his real reason to wait unless his daughter preferred to, so he nodded, saying,

                “I’ll talk it over with Yanli and her mother. In the meantime feel free to find an auspicious date.”

                Jin Guangshan nodded vigorously taking a paper out of his sleeve and handing it over,

                “As it so happens I’ve already prepared it. See if your family agrees when you can and us Jin’s will take care of the preparations. My son’s got quite the eye for such thing, and good taste to boot!”

                Jiang Fengmian’s eyebrow quirked at the Jiang’s comment that sounded like admitting that Jin Zixuan had at least some omega-like attributes. Upon seeing the suspicion the Jin sect leader rolled his eyes saying,

                “You can’t apply old rules to a new generation Jiang Fengmian, just look at the recent Lan Xichen differentiation. One can never know. Besides your youngest is an alpha, if Jin Zixuan ends up an omega and the couple really can’t make it happen we’ll just send him in for a but if a romp with Zixuan. Then at least the same genes will be passed.”

                At the mention of both Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng in the same sentence Jiang Fengmian’s eyes furrowed. Jin Guangshan worried that he was upset about the thought of using his alpha son in such a way added,

                “Of course that’s only a last resort. I’m sure my Zixuan and your Yanli will be just fine on their own.”

                Jiang Fengmian, noting the new tone, shook his head,

                “No, sorry it’s not that. I’d just prefer not to hear Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng in the same sentence is all.”

                Remembering the earlier tension from the room before and having completed his task, Jin Guangshan felt a bit like probing, especially since the Lans of all people were involved. It was very difficult to get any fun gossip on such a rule abiding sect. And who knew when such information might work to ones advantage?

                Considering that Lan Xichen had just differentiated into an omega and that Jiang Cheng was an alpha the elder Jin couldn’t help the first guess that came to mind, so with a gasp he questioned,

                “He didn’t knock the Lan up did he?!”

                Jiang Fengmian who had been a bit out of it and had just begun sipping his tea in contemplation immediately spit it out at that,

                “Of course not!” he said angrily.

                Jin Guangshan calmed down a bit,

                “Well then what did he do?”

                Jang Fengmian looked the Jin right in the eye and said,

                “He spent time alone with Lan Xichen without an escort.”

Chapter Text

                Because this explanation was in fact way too vague and since Jin Guangshan had come when he was particularly vexed and in need of a non-familiar ear, Jiang Fengmian poured out the whole situation to a very concerned and intrigued Jin Guangshan. By the time he was done catching the Jin up on his conundrum, the cogs of Guangshan’s mind had already processed the news, decided on the problem points, and had come up with the best solution… for himself of course.

                “I see, so ultimately you are trying to find a way to make up for Jiang Cheng’s Lan impropriety and secure Wei Wuxian’s safety then?”

                Jiang Fengmian nodded, glad to be talking to who he, for now, considered a rational person who gets it,

                “Yes, but practically the whole family was against it. They aren't even considering my proposal that we marry Jiang Cheng off to Xue Yang since he'd proposed before Xichen. They are just selfishly protecting Jiang Cheng at Wuxian’s expense. They wouldn’t dare do that if Wuxian was a blood relative, but you know how it is with adoption.”

                Actually Jin Guangshan would not know of such a thing. Technically he hadn’t even adopted all of his own blood related children from his various affairs, but ever the sneaky politician Jin Guangshan played along, clicking his tongue as if in solidarity, even as he began to lay down his plan.

                “But Wei Wuxian is definitely not your biological child right?” Jin Guangshan asked tentatively.

                He would normally not have asked something so to the point and possibly upsetting to the sect leader, but it was of the utmost importance to his tentative plan that he find out.

                Expectantly, Jiang Fengmian bristled at that,

                “Just because he isn’t my biological son doesn’t mean that I’m going to throw him to the wolves because of my idiot biological one!” he snapped.

                Jin Guangshan held up both hands as if in surrender,

                “I wouldn’t dream of suggesting such a thing. I was just wondering if you had really looked at all avenues of possibilities.”

                Jiang Fengmian wasn’t sure what the other man was getting at so he asked bluntly,

                “What do you mean?”

                Jin Guangshan, feeling that Jiang Fengmian really wasn’t the brightest bulb in the cultivation world, tried to be semi-subtle once more,

                “How would you like it if you could keep Wei Wuxian here in Yunmeng with you always?” the man questioned.

                Jiang Fengmian frowned,

                “Of course I’d like that, it’s my dream goal to have him stay, but being an omega unless I refuse to let him marry that seems quite impossible to swing, and I can’t be selfish enough to deprive the world of his likely magnificent offspring. That’s why I need to at least send him to the Lans. He’ll be well taken care of there, even though he won’t like the restrictive atmosphere.”

                “Exactly right, I can’t imagine him living happily there.”

                Jiang Fengmian sighed,

                “It’s not the perfect solution, but at least he’s attracted to Hanguang Jun. Hopefully he’ll fall hard for his husband and not mind the environment so much.”

                “But that’s not what you really want is it?” the Jin questioned, looking at him as if he were a Djinn ready to grant the other's wish.

                Jiang Fengmian stared back eyeing the other warily,

                “What are you trying to say exactly?”

                Jin Guangshan leaned forward conspiratorially,

                “What if I told you that you could not only have Wei Wuxian stay with you, but also have him influence the future of the Jiang sect and even your descendants?”

                “If you have an idea then will you just spit it out?” the Jiang said impatiently.

                Jin Guangshan, while unable to believe the levels of denseness of the man before him, could not let it go. He had plans for his grandchildren to be married into either the Lan or Wen sects and was not particularly ready to make a choice on which as of yet. After all, each generation is different and he’d want to see the benefits of both before deciding. Options were best, particularly when many of the Wen’s were prone to lunacy.

                He couldn’t help but think however, that it was too bad that Jiang Cheng wasn’t his grandchild. Having secured the affections of a member of both groups, two of the most powerful of the sects, albeit one was not a direct descendant per say, seemingly without trying was no ordinary feat. But it was even worse that Wanyin’s wonderful potential was wasted on his blind father. If it were Guangshan he’d have rewarded his son for securing the most powerful Lan in marriage. But Jiang Cheng was not of his own descendancy so he supposed he should be grateful for the Jiang leader’s stupidity, or lack of foresight. But as Jin Guangshan always said stupidity of others is often opportunity for the intelligent and since beating around the bush was clearly not working he decided to get straight to the point,

                “If you really want Wei Wuxian to stay with you, why not marry Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying to each other instead?”

Chapter Text

                “Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian?! But they are brothers!” Jiang explained, disgusted and scandalized at the very notion.

                “Not biologically speaking they aren’t,” Jin Guangshan reminded calmly, taking a sip of tea before continuing, “and it would certainly be a better reason to turn down the others. You could explain that it was a birth promise or the last wishes of Wei Wuxian’s mother and settle the whole business.”

                Jiang Fengmian hesitated. Although he’d always felt that Wei Wuxian was his actual child since adopting him he had to admit that while a bit awkward, it was tempting. At least enough to not throw the thought away so easily,

                “But if I don’t give the Lans one of the kids then what do I do?”

                Jin Guangshan looked at the other and knew that the only one left in Jiang Fengmian’s mind was Yanli, but Jin Guangshan would be damned if he let that go since it was his own way in,

                “Such a small matter is only problematic because of the Lan sect's views. I’ve done a lot worse to an omega alone then just talk and lived to tell the tale. But if Qiren really insists why not offer a marriage to a future grandchild? Between my son and Yanli, and Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng he can have his pick of one of them.”

                Of course Jin Guangshan if deciding on the Lan route would make sure to put his own plan in place when the time came. And if he decided on the Wens then the Lans could easily have the Jiang child. For him it was really a secure win-win situation.

                Jiang Fengmian could not help, but imagine such a scenario. For honestly wasn’t it the best of both worlds? Although he was positive that there would be protests from literally everyone, he was sure that his wife would come around if she was told that Jiang Cheng would never have to leave and she was given mother-in-law rights to Wei Wuxian. Would she secretly prefer it knowing that at least Jiang Cheng’s child would be doted upon by him for being something of an ultimate Jiang?

                The idea was so perfect that he almost couldn’t believe that he’d never thought of it before. Although there would certainly be barriers. He had never mentioned such a union’s possibility previously so it would be somewhat difficult to get others to believe that it was a long term plan. But considering that everyone knew how he treated and doted upon Wuxian it wasn’t impossible to be believed.

                He was not naïve enough however to think that it would be easy to convince the Lans to let things go. The grandchild agreement was the best option there, but he was still unsure if the Lans would take offense to this or not. He supposed that he could use Jiang Cheng’s suggestion and force the boy to hard labor as an apology. Then there was Xue Yang’s offer, which was easy to dismiss for now, but if Wen Ruohan decided to get involved, as the leader of the most powerful sect in the cultivation world, it could be problematic. And at the very least he had to keep the proposal to show the Lans. Perhaps he could make it seem as if Jiang Cheng was a player like Jin Guangshan, then Qiren and Ruohan might be disgusted by him and let things go easier.

                Although it was somewhat risky and he didn’t know if it would work out in the end, he could not soon let go of this possibility. And as he thought Jin Guangshan let him, watching the subtle changes in his look and eyes.

                Jin Guangshan spotted in Jiang Fengmian’s gaze that which was very familiar to him. A look that pleased him who had sewed the seed of the idea in the first place. It was a glimmer of hope and more importantly greed. It was exactly that look that caused Jin Guangshan to pat himself on the back and stay silent while Jiang Fengmian thought things out.

                And he was never so pleased at the luck of his skills and timing. For at least for him everything was working out perfectly.

Chapter Text

                “Oh, Yu Ziyuan how I’ve missed you! It’s been ages! What do you say we abandon our husbands and run off together?!”

                While Jiang Fengmian and Jin Guangshan were busy building selfish castles in the sky, the Jiang siblings and Jin Zixuan were watching something of a show from the behavior of Madam Jin and to a lesser degree Yu.

                A displeased son of said women frowned at his mother before commenting,

                “If you’re going to say such damning things why don’t you both just go get a room together?!”

                “Why son, that’s a fantastic idea!” Madam Jin responded favorably, getting up and pulling on her best friend’s arm, “Ziyuan dear, why don’t you take me to your bedroom, these chairs are much too far apart and it’s inconvenient to talk in front of the children.”

                Jin Zixuan looked alarmed,

                “Are you actually going?!”

                Madam Yu shook her head at Madam Jin,

                “Don’t mislead the children, besides it’s a bit inappropriate to invite yourself, as an omega, into the quarters of an alpha. If you’re still so naïve how can I protect you from such a cruel world? Also, what would your husband think?”

                “My husband certainly has no room to be questioning why I’m alone in a room with anyone. Besides we’re both women anyway, alpha or omega be damned. If not there’s no way I would have let you marry that toad Jiang Fengmian in the first place!”

                “You didn’t, when you heard about it you cried for a month and then told your dad that you’d literally marry anyone because it no longer mattered anymore.” Madam Yu pointed out, looking a bit amused.

                “Which is why I married Jin Guangshan!”

                Madam Yu glanced over at the horrified children and considered her friend’s way of speaking,

                “Perhaps it would be best to at least separate ourselves from the children for now.”

                Jin Zixuan looked about ready to protest, but Madam Yu put a hand up to stay him,

                “I promise to be a perfect gentle woman.”

                Zixuan didn’t love this phrasing, but since ultimately it was more his dad’s problem than his own, and because he really didn’t want to see or hear his mother while she was acting like this he decided to save himself the hassle and waved them off.  

                A more happy than Jin Zixuan had ever seen her Madam Jin grabbed the female alpha’s hand and started skipping down the hall like a school girl, as if she were taking Madam Yu to her own room.

~

                When they both arrived Madam Jin immediately threw herself on the bed before rolling around a few times and looking up at her best friend. For the sake of decorum Madam Yu chose to be seated at her vanity facing the other instead of joining.

                Madam Jin pouted at the distance,

                “You’re too far away from me Xi~” she whined.

                “Close enough for an alpha I’d say.” The other responded sternly.

                Changing tactics Madam Jin looked around to make sure that they were alone except for Madam Yu’s two most trusted beta disciples, before asking in a more serious manner,

                “So, what’s the matter Ziyuan? I can tell you're upset.”

                Madam Yu let out a sigh. Most people didn’t notice her emotions outside of anger, but her personal disciples and Madam Jin were a different story. When faced with someone who knew her so well and while currently in her own private room she decided to open up a bit,

                “Oh the usual, Fengmian’s trying to get rid of our Wanyin so that he can replace him with Wuxian.”

                Madam Jin shook her head,

                “Ridiculous! I must say Jin Guangshan is not much of a husband, but he at least puts our Zixuan first and Lanling knows he has options. Men are just so unreliable. But don’t you fret, if he so much as tries it tell him that as an alpha you’re claiming your right to be sect leader if he does. Heaven only knows why you gave him any power in the first place.”

                “Well whatever the reason being I oughtn’t regret it now. All our baby did was have a talk with Lan Xichen after differentiating and now Fengmian wants to marry him off to Xue Yang.”

                “Xue Yang?!” Madam Jin questioned, sitting up in alarm, “how on earth did a meeting with a Lan end up with a possible engagement to a murderer?!”

                At that of course Madam Yu opened up about all that had happened and was so distracted that she had no idea how but she ended up laying on the bed with Madam Jin soothing her by rubbing her temples.

                “There, there Xi, we’ve known for a long time now that men are terrible. You ought to have him fixed so that he can never have another child again. But don’t worry we’ll protect our A’Cheng together, whatever happens. Your children are like my very own to me.”

                Madam Yu leaned her head against the other,

                “I feel much more relieved when I’m with you Xiaoting. If only you’d been born a male omega instead life could have been so much easier.”

                “Well there’s no accounting for taste,” Madam Jin teased, “but at least we got children out of it I suppose.”

                Madam Yu chuckled at that,

                “Yeah, but what did we get them into by doing so?”

                “Never mind that’s their worry now. We brought them into this world, what they do with the rest is on them.”

                Normally Madam Yu might have agreed, but in this case it really seemed as if Jiang Cheng hadn’t had much of a chance. Jiang Fengmian really had not deserved a second shot, for he never even appreciated it.

Chapter Text

                While both mothers and fathers plotted, vented, and schemed, four currently very awkward young cultivators sat staring at each other in the main meeting room. Jin Zixuan had situated himself in the middle chair originally occupied by Jiang Yanli. Yanli, Wei Wuxian, and Jiang Cheng were now together on the side that had sat Madam Yu, with the eldest patting the youngest brother’s hand comfortingly.

                Jin Zixuan, feeling rather out of place, had his nose up high in the air, looking rather arrogant and self righteous, but actually he was just nervous to be stuck and outnumbered in a room with the three Jiangs. Not that this was a current problem, as Wei Wuxian and Yanli were trying to sooth the youngest so they paid him no attention. For Jin Zixuan it was a bit comical to see an alpha, youngest or not, being coaxed by his beta and omega siblings. But the Jiang siblings clearly didn’t see any problem with this,

                “Don’t despair A’Cheng, I’m sure Sect Leader Jiang didn’t really mean for you to marry Xue Yang, he’s probably just panicking because he’s overwhelmed. We won’t let that mean omega hurt you.” Wuxian coaxed petting the alpha’s hair.

                Yanli nodded enthusiastically as she held his hand,

                “Yes Didi, mom is also against it so don’t worry too much. We know you didn’t mean anything untoward with Lan Xichen either and it wasn’t right of them to make such decisions without talking with our parents anyway. How can the Lans dare to bully our innocent A’Cheng like that?” Yanli soothed as Jiang Cheng played with his hands nervously, looking particularly innocent with his frightened wide eyes,

                “But father is right that it’s my mistake and I can’t selfishly ruin the future of so many omegas, let alone start a war and put so many disciples from all sides at risk.” A’Cheng said worried.

                “The adults are all just being extra. You don’t have to sacrifice your body and happiness because you wanted to show support to Lan Xichen in what you viewed as his time of need. How about this: I’ll be selfish for you. When the Lans come I’ll pull a huge fit and demand to be in your place instead? I’ll also talk to Sect Leader Fengmian and insist on him not bringing up Xue Yang. The Lans can’t be entirely unreasonable on the subject.”

                Jin Zixuan, who had been formerly concerned that he was going to be picked on as the odd one out, had been listening the siblings coaxing and had slowly become annoyed at being blatantly ignored and out of the loop. Whatever topic had come up seemed to be of some interest, at least gossip wise, and since he had no idea how long his parents would take, and he was obligated to be family with these people soon enough he felt he had every right to enter the conversation,

                “Sacrifice his body… you do realize that you are talking to an alpha right?” Jin Zixuan questioned, before looking at the cute, innocent Jiang Cheng and questioning, “at least I think he’s supposed to be one, but are you all actually sure? He doesn’t exactly give out very dominating vibes.”

                Wei Wuxian, who knowingly disliked him, turned quickly to glare at him and snap,

                “If you don’t know anything about it than do us all a favor and don’t talk. A’Cheng is a great and gentle alpha. You wouldn’t question his designation if you saw him in battle. But alphas can be taken advantage of just as much as betas and omegas depending on the right one, and A’Cheng is shy and pure so of course he’d likely be the one at a disadvantage from a powerful, scheming omega!”

                Lan Yanli, who rather liked the shy Jin and had a better understanding that the other was prone to hiding his nervousness and embarrassment under an arrogant persona and words, gently urged Wei Wuxian back to his seat before saying to him,

                “A’Xian be a bit nicer, Zixuan will be family soon and we were a bit rude first not including him in the conversation. Let’s not be harsh to each other.”

                Wuxian rolled his eyes at the Jin and pouted a bit, but settled down as well as could be expected at that, for he very much respected Jiang Yanli if not the Jin at the very least. Jin Zixuan blushed a little, grateful, but still attempting his arrogant demeanor as Yanli turned to him,

                “I’m sorry that we were rude, it’s been a bit chaotic today. A’Cheng felt upset about the way that a lot of alphas were treating Sect Leader Lan Xichen after differentiating, so he went to go show his support. Somehow the differences of Sect Rules got a bit confusing, due to our sects free-er style and the Lan’s strict style, so now the Lans want A’Cheng to take responsibility for having a chat alone with Xichen by marrying him. But father feels that A’Xian’s chances to marry into the Lans if his brother does are very unlikely and A’Xian liked Lan Zhan first. Then Xue Yang sent a letter of intention that father was going to throw out but right now he seems to feel that A’Cheng marrying Xue Yang is best, particularly for him to take responsibility. But obviously the rest of us don’t find that route to be particularly appealing considering the Xue’s reputation. And I believe that is what we got up to when you arrived.”

                Jin Zixuan listened closely to all of the details, nodding that he understood when he did. He wanted to thank her due to her clear and concise explanation, as well as including him and being so open about it, but he was too shy to do so, so he merely said,

                “I see.”

                While Zixuan was feeling better for being in the loop, Jiang Cheng who had just had everything summarized about his current predicament covered his face with his hands in shame,

                “Zixuan is right I’m a horrible alpha. Look at the mess I got us all in!”  

                At that an overprotective Wuxian snapped at the Jin accusingly,

                “Look what you’ve done!”

                Of course he couldn’t dwell on the Jin, choosing instead to rub circles on his Didi’s back,

                “Don’t listen to that peacock he hasn’t even differentiated yet so what does he know about anything. A’Cheng is a great alpha, it’s all of these crazy people around you that are messing things up. My baby Cheng is the cutest, sweetest alpha ever.”

                “… you people do know what alphas are supposed to be like right?” Jin Zixuan questioned after hearing such a bizarre way of referring to the best alpha.

                “I know that you’d be a better anything if you just sat and looked pretty instead of speaking such elitist nonsense.” Wuxian snapped back.

                Jiang Cheng however was still having something of a nervous breakdown as he said to the air,

                “This has been such a long and confusing day! I don’t know what to do to fix my faux pas, everyone hates me, I’m being judged by a guy that hasn’t even entered our family yet for being a crappy alpha, how could my life get any worse than right now?!”

                “Hi honey I’m home.” An amused voice called, entering the room in a rather showy way, with a number of very important sect members following along after him.

                Jiang Cheng’s eyes widened both in shock and fear, although the day was bad, he had not expected such terrible timing. The sight of the omega sent the already overwrought Alpha off and despite the fact that he hated to show weakness in public he couldn’t help but burst into tears,

                “I’m wrong as usual!” he called before burying his face into his sisters neck, who had come over to engulf him protectively in her arms and glare at the new comers.

                Wei Wuxian for his part stood in front of his two siblings protectively, his eyes full of fire as he looked upon the new comers. The Jin looked bug eyed that Wuxian would dare to stand against such a strong sect, but Wuxian didn’t look fazed by the show of strength before him as he played with the weapon casually in his hands, but kept his eyes hawk-like on the people before him,

                “Sorry we have no honey here, Jiang’s much prefer spice.”  

Chapter Text

              The room was silent for a few seconds before the guest in question laughed, eyes sparkling with mirth and a tinge of madness as he responded,

              “What a coincidence, not only do I love spice, but I’m pretty spicy myself.” He said with a wink as two Jiang disciples scurried out of the room, clearly to announce the new arrivals to Jiang Fengmian and Madam Yu.

               “I’m sorry Xue Yang, but this room is already at capacity,” Wei Wuxian stated directing all of his ire at the problem person in question, “but I’d be happy to show you the door, maybe even explain how announcing yourself first rather than barging in works.”

               Xue Yang let out a peel of laughter, enjoying Wuxian’s big show of bravado,

               “Ah Wei Wuxian, I think you severely underestimate this room. Nevertheless if you really feel that way than most of you can leave for the time being, I’d be more than happy to spend alone time with my future alpha~”

               Jiang Cheng’s eyes widened nervously at that and the wink that followed, to the point that even Yanli pushed him behind her where he peeked over her shoulder not wanting to be surprised. He was nervous at the idea of being alone with another omega, particularly Xue Yang, after what happened at the Lans, wondering if he was unaware of some kind of new general courting ritual about being alone together as alpha and omega, in which case he should probably inform his mother since she was also with an omega at the moment.

               The thought of being with his strong, courageous, protective mother became rather a good idea to him, so he whispered into Yanli’s ear that he’d go get her, and Yanli nodded in agreement, before the youngest Jiang sprinted out of the room towards the direction of his mother’s quarters.

               Xue Yang as well as the rest of the Wen retinue followed him with their eyes until he was out of sight, before Wuxian stepped in the way.

               “Spoiled sport.” Xue Yang said amused, before snapping his fingers, to which the Wen disciples scattered, finding seats for the important Wens and Xue Yang on their own.

               One of the disciples when he was done indicated for Wen Qing to take a seat, but she refused, clearly in protest of this whole situation and having to be part of it. She was just thankful that her younger brother wasn’t there since he would have been devastated by the Xue and Wen’s actions and more importantly Wei Wuxian’s angry responses.

                Wen Chao and his elder brother Wen Xu had no problem with it themselves, settling in for a good show, the former of which was flanked by Wen Zhuliu. But Wei Wuxian, Jiang Yanli, and Jin Zixuan all noticed that thankfully the main player wasn’t there. As bad as it was to have so many upper Wen’s arrive, Wuxian felt he could handle the ones present, the most difficult one being Wen Zhuliu, but if the elder Wen deemed to show up than Madam Yu would definitely be needed sooner rather than later.

                Wei Wuxian’s eyes narrowed at the main Wen branch’s display before him. He had already been annoyed by the Jin invasion and now he was dealing with an even more snotty and privileged sect. If they had come to annoy him it would have been one things, but the first had come for his elder sister and now the second was coming for his brother making him lose his patience rather quickly. Would the next sect that arrives come for him then?

                “Well you’ve certainly made yourselves at home,” Wuxian half growled at them, causing smirkish smiles to form on the main Wen’s faces, which made an interesting comparison to the deeper frowns from Wen Zhuliu and Qing.

                “But of course we should, we’ll be family soon after all.” Xue Yang said batting his eyes antagonistically at the other.

                 Wuxian’s brows furrowed, fingers moving to his weapon of choice as he responded,

                “It will be a cold day in hell when I allow that to happen.”

                “Then perhaps we can send you ahead to check the temperature for us.” Wen Xu offered from his seat, looking equally well settled, but also like he’d like nothing better than to do as he said.  

                “Perhaps, but before that how about a little musical accompaniment for your visit? I have just the right entertainment prepared for such an occasion.” he threatened looking particularly happy to take out his dizi, spinning it around his fingers before bringing it up to his lips.

                “Wei Ying.” Yanli warned nervously, noticing that they were currently vastly outnumbered in the room, paying particular attention to the infamous core crusher.

                Wuxian was ready to sooth her and get down to business when Fengmian and Sect Leader Jin re-entered the, causing the situation to shift once again,

                “Wei Wuxian that’s enough.” Jiang Fengmian snapped as Jin Guangyao noted the important players in the room, shook his head to himself at the shame of having the Wen sect as your audience, and slipped over to stand behind his son and watch the scene unfold.

                Wei Wuxian hesitated, considering defying the sect leader, but feeling badly to do so to his benefactor, so he let out a sigh and begrudgingly put his flute away to the amusement of the seated Wen’s who enjoyed the others inability to do what he wanted,  eyeing him like he was a well trained dog. But what Wei Wuxian found more disturbing was Xue Yang’s disappointed look, as if he’d been very much looking forward to some kind of punishment from the Wei, causing Wuxian to be even more against the thought of Xue Yang ending up with his innocent baby brother.

                Before more could be argued and discussed the lighting flickered as a cold win swept through the room which darkened ever so slightly. The Jins and Jiangs turned towards the source and watched as a man dressed in dark black robes that dragged and seemed to spread out across the floor as he went. The room fell into silence at the sudden entry. Everyone, even including his own loved ones shivered and felt the intimidation of his presence as the Wen leader moved and eventually paused in front of the Lotus throne.

                A nervous but determined Jiang Fengmian scrambled over to sit upon the throne, as if nervous that the dark yet charismatic Wen would suddenly claim his seat. When he got there however he called over a disciple and ordered another seat be prepared for the Wen leader as well as more tea. Wen Ruohan himself did not scramble or bow even for politeness sake, but watched the Jiang settle in as if he were a spider eyeing his potential next meal.

                Suddenly quite concerned as to why the Wen’s would send all the major members of the family to Yunmeng, Jiang Fengmian suddenly began to question the marriage proposal further. Xue Yang might be the Wen’s second most influential disciple, but he did not come across as particularly loyal or so outstanding as to be above others. He was clearly more of a hatchet man than even the Core Crusher Wen Zhuliu. He was revenge, insanity, and chaos. It was one thing for Xue Yang to have taken a random fancy to Jiang Cheng, but it was another for Wen Ruohan to come to personally make sure that it happened. Was this some kind of actual trap? Or did the Wen leader seek an alliance, but not want to ‘sell off’ his children so he decided on one of his adopted two?

                Zhuliu was clearly the one a person wanted to keep around, particularly because of his loyalty despite his own conscience, but perhaps Ruohan was afraid that Zhuliu’s conscience might one day supersede his loyalty. With Xue Yang there would be no such issue, since one has to have a conscience to be convinced by it.

                Whatever the case Wen Ruohan was not a person to be ignored, so Jiang Fengmian decided to probe a little, to be sure that this visit from him was actually and entirely related,

                “Sect Leader Wen, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”

                After a brief pause Wen Ruohan smiled slightly, in a way that was neither sinister, nor friendly, as he settled down into a seat that had been brought for him,

                “We’ve come to discuss marriage. I hear you have an alpha that is quite popular with the omega’s as of late. After some discussion Xue Yang and I have decided that we ought to take him off the market, don’t you agree?”

                It was practically an order and it caused Jiang Fengmian to begin to sweat as he sat on the Lotus throne. He glanced over and was upset to see that his wife was missing, not even registering the other important missing person, as his mind thought a mile a minute wishing for someone who could contend with the powerful alpha from the Jiang to be present. Turning down Xue Yang as his own entity was one thing, but turning down Alpha Sect Leader Wen Ruohan of the most powerful Sect of the cultivation world was another.

                 Wei Wuxian looked like he wanted to protest yet again and Fengmian, afraid for his impetuousness to get himself or the Jiang clan into trouble, shot him another look in an attempt to silence him and then gave Yanli a look as well, causing his daughter to indicate for Wuxian to settle down to wait and see.

                 Jiang Yanli also knew that her younger brother would be sure to bring their mother, who was just about the only one she could imagine of the elders present who stood a chance at arguing against the Wen leader. All Yanli could think to do was stall until her mother got there. For as it was Madam Yu seemed to be just about their only chance of getting out of this meeting without a potential massacre.

Chapter Text

                For about the third time that day alpha Jiang Cheng found himself running for his life… or well at the very least his innocence. He couldn’t believe how short of a time it had taken for his life to get so much more complicated. How nice it would it had been if all he’d had to deal with today was Wei Wuxian’s Presentation as an omega? Alas there was no turning back time, but he still held onto the hope that if anyone could protect him from the Wens it would be his formidable badass mother Madam Yu.

                Jiang Wanyin skidded down the halls, feet barely touching the floor in his haste.  Had he been able to think more clearly he might have even used his sword to fly there he felt in such a need for speed. But before his brain could catch up with his legs he found himself scurrying into his mother’s living quarters, even ahead of the disciple who had also come to warn her of the new arrivals. Normally A’Cheng would have announced himself and waited to be called, but he was in such a state of mind that he simply ran in.

                Upon spotting his mother he opened his mouth to spill out what was happening, but was soon shocked to see another person on her bed, the Omega Jin no less. Feeling embarrassed at catching his mother in a seemingly intimate embrace with the Jin, the young alpha blushed and quickly looked away. Both Madam’s noticed the rather obvious reddening on the young Jiang’s face. Madam Jin chuckled a little, not caring what it looked like, while saying,

                “He’s honestly so cute!”

                This caused the Jiang to turn his face the opposite way so that his back was too them as now he was blushing for a different reason.

                “Don’t tease the boy so, he’s still an innocent,” Madam Yu said, rising from the bed and standing next to her son, which caused Madam Jin to pout and roll around a little as the elder alpha questioned, “what’s the matter?”

                Jiang Cheng’s face was soon raised as Madam Yu signaled for him to look at her. When he did he saw no embarrassment or shame so he figured he had jumped to conclusions. He was still a little worried about the appropriateness of his mother lying in bed with an omega, no matter what they were doing, particularly after the day’s events, but it was also true that females seemed to be allowed a little more intimacy together than males without repercussions. Perhaps he just didn’t get it because he wasn’t a female. He felt a bit ashamed for jumping to conclusions, but there were more pressing issues to deal with at the moment,

                “Xue Yang is here and he’s not alone. A bunch of the upper Wens have come with him. Wuxian is agitated and seems about ready to fight them, and I’m afraid without you there they might try to take me away right now, particularly if Father gets back before you.”

                Madam Yu grit her teeth,

                “I’d like to see them try.”

                Madam Jin rolled to the edge of the bed and stood up, looking suddenly serious as she did so, before making her way over to link arms with a dangerous looking Madam Yu,

                “In that case we really ought to greet your guests Ziyuan. It sounds like they really need a lesson in etiquette before they leave, preferably with their tails tucked between their legs.”

                Madam Yu nodded, shooting a look at her two beta disciples, which flanked her and Madam Jin as they walked. Jiang Cheng, feeling somewhat comforted by his mother’s indomitable spirit, but still a little confused about the complexities of her “friendship” with the Jin followed along as if shielded by the group in front of him.

                By the time they reached the main hall where all of the drama was going down she saw her husband practically shaking at the site of the Wen, while Wen Ruohan looked very much like he was both at home and having some level of fun toying with the nervous Jiang. Madam Yu’s nose lifted in disgust at the site, her head moving upwards in disdain. Madam Jin let go of the other’s arm, figuring that the Yu would look more intimidating without her and eyed her husband and son looking like they were watching an unrelated drama from the corner. She decided, with many reservations, to go join them, more for the vantage point so that she could watch and fawn over Madam Yu’s presence than anything else though.

                As Madam Jin moved over to the other Jins the two beta disciples pulled closer, yet stayed behind their master, in a formation that looked very much like a human shield to block the outsiders from Jiang Cheng. Yanli and even Jiang Fengmian let out a sigh of relief at the entrance of Madam Yu, but Wei Wuxian still watched his brother and the surroundings closely, in case anyone tried anything funny, particularly from behind.

                The scent of another dominant alpha in the air caused the already annoyed Madam Yu to naturally emit her own androstenone. The pheromones were by no means at their maximum, but were so strong that those who had presented: omegas, alphas, and even betas suddenly squirmed in their seats to varying degrees. At the scent of it Wen Ruohan’s attention was drawn to Madam Yu, mouth smiling, but eyes greedy and dangerous. He chuckled darkly, looking lazy but interested as he turned his head, eyes raking over her form before drawling,

                “Yu Ziyuan, I’m so glad you could join us, and I see you brought your son with you. Shall I take this as permission from the real source of power in Yunmeng then?”

                Ziyuan sneered at the arrogant alpha before her,

                “My permission is not granted so easily, particularly to an alpha who can’t seem to rise from their seat. What’s the matter Ruohan, does my natural pheromone make you too weak in the knees to face me standing up? Or were you sickly before that?”

                Jiang Fengmian and Jin Guangshan’s jaws practically hit the floor at the daring words of the female alpha just as the Wen’s were getting riled up at the disrespect. But Ruohan raised his hand to stay any actions from his own side, and Madam Yu’s position, eyes, and confidence never faltered.

                Her countenance and confidence intrigued Ruohan enough to cause him to rise from his seat and begin to walk towards her. Still Ziyuan looked at him as if bored and disgusted more than anything else. For the Wen who was even feared by his own children upon occasion it was surprising and exciting to see someone who didn’t naturally bow down and cower to him. A part of him was attracted, but another part of him wanted to push her buttons and see her submit to him just as everyone else in his life had. And so the two faced off, alpha against alpha, to see who would fold first.

Chapter Text

             Wen Ruohan stood across from Madam Yu curiously for a few seconds before purposefully unleashing androstenone causing chaos throughout the room as the people around him attempted not to buckle down before him: family, friends, and foes. Yu Ziyuan’s knees did not buckle however, instead she purposely sent out her own alpha pheromones, like spiritual snakes entwining and attempting to choke out his own.

              From behind Yu Ziyuan, Jiang Cheng’s own pheromones began acting up as if in response to the two warring alphas. He was normally very in control of his alpha pheromones, but as the other alphas in the room fought not to submit to the two powerful ones before them Jiang Cheng fought to control his from entering the fight. Shocked by this surprising turn of events the Jiang stumbled backwards, which was quickly noticed by Wei Wuxian, who was somehow holding his own against the heavy and oppressive atmosphere despite being an omega, likely due to his curious dabbling with demonic cultivation. Wuxian rushed over to his little brother as a fearful Wanyin breathed erratically, warning,  

               “Wuxian I can’t control it!”

               Wuxian grabbed his brother, worried that the Jiang was being overwhelmed like most of the rest of the room,

               “It’s okay Cheng Cheng, it’s not your fault and you’re not alone.” He said pointing at the others who were struggling.

               But Jiang Cheng shook his head even as he clung to his brother’s shirt, eyes wide as he explained,

               “It’s not that. My pheromones, they want to fight. I can’t calm down! I can’t stop it! If Mom and Sect Leader Ruohan don’t stop soon I’m going to-” At that the rims of the Jiang’s eyes began to turn red and words failed him as he let out a gasp, that sounded much more like a growl. He felt dominance and anger begin to radiate within him, overturning most sense and reason.

               He had never believed that alphas couldn’t control themselves, but right now he wanted to rip the other two alpha pheromones apart, and consume them as if they were his own. It didn’t matter that some of it was his mother’s and the other was the head of the most powerful sect in the cultivation world, the part of him that was wild and alpha wanted to take it in, to control it, and dominate everything before him.

               He had felt hints of a dominant nature here and there growing up, but never to this degree. He’d always assumed that it was merely his alpha nature, as common as he was always taught that he was. It hadn’t occurred to him that he could be unique considering he had presented earlier than regulated to become a pure alpha. But now, having been exposed to the strength of two of the most powerful alphas of the cultivation world he could see that something was different in him than in the other alphas around him. Something that caused both pride and fear inside of him before his logic began to slip away.

                Now suddenly that little bit of remaining rationale, the part that understood the true power of the classification that most alpha’s viewed as weakest and beneath them, but not Jiang Cheng, rose to the surface. Like a person drowning reaches for air Jiang Cheng suddenly knew what he needed. It was not a more dominant alpha, or a more rational beta, there was only one classification that could help him now,

                “Wei Ying I need an omega!” Jiang Cheng whispered, even as the uncontrollable part of him clouded his face and mind, beginning to pull him under into that sea of androstenone and boiling anger.

                Wuxian didn’t fully understand why, but he responded worriedly,

                “It’s okay A’Cheng, I’m an omega remember? You’re going to be fine. Just tell me what I have to do to help and I’ll do it!”

                Beads of sweat began to appear as Jiang Cheng shook his head trying to keep control of himself,

                “No Wuxian, not you. I need - You have to get-”

                But the name of who he would have called for never left his lips, for it was at that moment that he was fully consumed by the scary, rageful alpha pheromones inside of him. With the last threads of his usual self Jiang Cheng pulled himself from the Wei adding desperately,

                “Away!” for fear of what he might do.

                Suddenly to the surprise of the two alphas who had thought they were the only contenders around them an overwhelming androstenone caused both of them to falter and turn their heads to look at the source of the new pheromones, only to be shocked by who it belonged to.

                 Jiang Cheng, as if possessed, moved towards the two looking dangerous, causing the two powerful alphas to eye him warily. For both of them instinctively sensed who was the biggest threat in the room.

Chapter Text

There was no trace of the sweet, naïve Jiang Cheng left before them, merely an alpha body that dominated darkness walking towards the cultivation world’s two most powerful alpha amidst a storm of warring androstenone as if it were merely a squabble between two toddlers. While most of the others in the room mainly struggled not to be overwhelmed by the two alphas, Jiang Wanyin slipped between them into that sea of alpha pheromone as if he were slipping into the shallow end of water, soaking it up as he went. No matter what designation the people in the room were, they were clearly all shocked at first, none more so than the pure alphas who were used to being on top of the “food chain” so to speak and finding that position particularly vulnerable at the moment.

Of course, while both were surprised, eventually there were bound to be two completely different reactions, for one was a current enemy cultivation sect Leader and the other was Jiang Cheng’s very own mother.

Wen Ruohan, who found the young alpha to be a suddenly dangerous element thrown into the situation, responded first, wanting to put the Jiang back into his place, below him. He reached out his hand quickly, preparing to hit into the vulnerable part of the other’s stomach, but was instantly stopped by the Jiang alpha who grabbed that same hand and twisted it roughly, pulling downwards until even Wen Ruohan was forced onto his knees before him, his eyes wide as he looked up at the cold, slightly growling face before him.

Of course such an action was not well received by most of the Wens. Not that anyone but the core crusher could attempt to do anything about it, but with what small bits of mobility they currently had Wen Ruohan’s sons snarled and attempted to lunge forward towards the Jiang. Alpha Jiang Cheng chuckled darkly, eyeing them with amusement as his androstenone kept them from completely disobeying him, causing them to look like tethered attack dogs confined to a small area. He only spared them a few seconds however, before going back to ignoring them in favor of looking down at the pure alpha as if debating what was to be done about him.

Wen Ruohan, who had not had cause to feel fear in quite some time, began to feel a bit nervous. He had not known that the Jiang alpha that he had come to claim for one of his subordinates had such raw, animalistic power. The true reason behind his acceptance of Xue Yang’s idea of proposal had mainly been for the purpose of a marriage alliance to help bring the Jiangs properly in line. Of all of the sects of the cultivation world it was the Jiang’s that Wen Ruohan had found to be the most difficult to rule.

Moralistically the Lans were a bit of a problem, but if left to their own devices it would be unlikely for them to enter the affairs of the other clans without reasoning. The Nies weren’t much of an issue, having come from butcher stock and focusing mainly on a warrior path they were just barely over the line to count as one of the main sects as it was, so the Wen did not foresee an issue. The Jins were not ones for losses, so they bowed and scraped to whatever side they needed to for survival, which Ruohan made sure meant the Wens. Which left the Jiangs whose motto was “Attempt the Impossible” but might as well have been “We do whatever we want Wens or not.” The Jiangs were certainly likely the first ones who would cause the practically god-like Wens to worry. And that was before Ruohan realized that they had been hiding such a high level alpha.

No wonder he’d heard that Wanyin had been voted the Most Eligible Alpha Bachelor by a cultivation majority of omegas! For the young alpha to be able to bring Wen Ruohan to his knees on pheromone and arm twist alone was no easy feat. The Wen Sect Leader had also dabbled in the demonic path and other forms of adding power, yet somehow he seemed to be little match for the monster that was Jiang Wanyin. He was not sure if he was impressed by the young man and wanted him in the family even more, even if that meant changing the target to a more direct family member than Xue Yang, or if he needed to reassess the dangerousness of the young alpha, who when fully matured, would be seemingly impossible to stop or contain, and put an end to the Jiang’s life to protect himself and his family from the danger the Jiang posed.

But that was yet to be seen. There was not much he could do to the other in this state as it were, and from what he could see in his limited viewpoint no one else of his group could do much of anything either. It was hard to tell if Wen Qin still had any of her own ability to move for she was very still, keeping her eyes on the situation, but not looking as pained as those who he knew were trying to get to him, such as his children and his faithful Core Crushing partner. But the oddest, yet not completely surprising sight, was in the glistening eyes of Xue Yang, who, rather than being afraid, looked just about ready to jump the young alpha’s bones.

Silence had prevailed for a few minutes as everyone had tried to figure out what had happened and control their bodies and hormones, but the first words that were spoken seemed unfitting of the situation they were set in, as Xue Yang suddenly announced, while biting his lip,

“That’s so hot!”

Wen Ruohan was about to be very annoyed at the crazed subordinate, but suddenly paused, glancing from the Jiang to Xue Yang and back and analyzing the pheromones. Whether Xue Yang was infatuated with the boy or was inclined to a very concerning set of interests was not the problem at the moment. Considering the level of pheromones Jiang Cheng was exuding that caused the room to be under his complete control the Xue’s words might have been more literal and if so Ruohan wanted to know right away, for if the Jiang couldn’t fully control himself, which it looked like he couldn’t although he was controlling the room, then perhaps he would also be able to be entrapped in a more long term way.

Wen Ruohan coughed, trying to breathe in enough air to ask Xue Yang an important question, but although Jiang Cheng did not have him in anything of a choke hold, the thick pressure of the indomitable androstenone made it difficult to do anything without his express permission, making the Wen frustrated, but as always still calculating. He had come up with vague plans to use a malleable alpha to control the wild rebellion of the Jiangs, but now he was wondering how to trap the boy’s beast and turn him into a weapon for the Wens instead, or destroy him if he could not so that such a power in its full glory would not reign justice upon the Wens.

For the first time he wished that either of his own children had been born an omega, for he would give nearly anything in his power to have a grandchild with the possibility of such power, but alas that had not been in the cards. But adopting Xue Yang into his clan was not out of the question, which he would do in a heartbeat if the other could secure a marriage to such an alpha as the heir to the Jiang Sect. Anyone would be a fool if they had experienced such a magnitude of power and did not at least try.

The omegas had been right all along. Jiang Cheng was truly the catch of his generation.  

Chapter Text

Wen Ruohan wasn’t the only Sect Leader in the room calculating how to lock down Jiang Cheng in marriage and use his powers for his own benefit. Jin Guangshan was also deeply debating how to switch the agreement he had with the Jiangs to include that if his son presented as an omega he could be given to Jiang Cheng instead. But having just tried to convince Jiang Fengmian to give JC over to Wuxian he supposed he would just have to stick to the impregnation of his son if such a designation were to occur. At least the genes would still be their either way, through Yanli or JC didn’t much matter to him, but power would be easier to obtain if Zixuan would have been betrothed to Jiang Cheng instead.

While the Jin was considering this Jiang Fengmian was having a hard time not thinking about the tempting suggestion about pairing his own favorite Wei Wuxian with Jiang Cheng. He had always felt something was off about his child, but nothing could have prepared him for what he saw now.

Having been birthed from the formidable Yu Ziyuan Jiang Fengmian had expected that at the very least their children would have been strong, indomitable alphas. Sure most people preferred omegas when it came to childbirth, but he had figured that only strong heirs would be able to survive birth from an alpha like Madam Yu. When Yanli had been born frail, he had been somewhat disappointed about it, but she proved to be a good, filial child, who was more healing than many omegas that he’d come across so he’d gotten over it and was only slightly surprised when she was classified a beta over an omega. But she was a daughter after all so he didn’t take her frailty terribly to heart.

But when Jiang Cheng had been born, a miracle second child from an alpha mother, and a healthy son at that, he’d expected a lot from him. But his son was scrawny, somewhat expected due to the complications of such a birth, but it did not match the image that he’d had for his son and heir. Jiang Cheng was also too much of a goody two shoes, afraid of taking risks or getting into trouble, always seeking to please others, particularly his parents. Sweet, good hearted, nervous, and as Jiang Fengmian saw it: weak. He was nothing like the family motto of “Attempting the Impossible.” To Fengmian it was obvious that he was not going to get the alpha heir that he wanted and that Jiang Cheng would clearly become an omega.

Around the time that the Jiang had first decided that his son would likely be of the fairer gender designation, his best friend and the woman he respected most in this world had left this earth. He knew they’d had a son and asked around about him, but somehow the boy had been abandoned, a shocking fact considering who his parents were. Finding such a fate to be too cruel, Jiang Fengmian began exerting efforts to find the boy. When he did he noticed that the boy was afraid of almost nothing, except dogs, yet despite his fear he had fought with them over food in order to survive. In the eyes of that innocent, yet formidable child he saw a boy that exemplified the very idea of “Attempting the Impossible.” He was a survivor and Jiang Fengmian could only assume an alpha.

Despite this Jiang Fengmian didn’t not automatically jump to the idea of pairing Wei Wuxian with his son when they came of age. Instead, he dreamed and though that if he’d had his way, Wuxian would have been his heir, or if not, then at least he hoped the wild, easily happy, over comer of hardships would help turn his own son into someone more formidable and deserving of the title. Perhaps the competition would do Wanyin good, make him hungrier and more powerful.  Jiang Fengmian even went so far as to get rid of the Jiang’s dogs, his then only friends, due to both Wuxian’s fear and in hopes that it would cause the boy to toughen up from the loss. But to his surprise Jiang Cheng made friends with Wuxian within a few days and seemed to have become attached to something else despite being forcibly detached from his canine companions. At that point Fengmian decided to let things go for a while and see how things managed on their own.

Wuxian’s influence seemed to affect the Jiang heir very little, at least positively. If anything Wuxian led him off the “proper” path now and again, and Jiang Cheng pouted about it, but still went along with it time after time. They did have something of a friendly rivalry, but that often just left the Jiang heir frustrated and at a loss. His son looked like even more of a loser next to the immensely talented and intelligent Wei.

Then Jiang Cheng presented, early even. Fengmian figured he’d be a common omega after all the signs towards that designation, but was shocked to find out that he had differentiated into an alpha instead. He’d been so suprised that he hadn’t reacted much at all from what he could remember. By the time Wuxian presented as a pure omega he’d been prepared for anything, and although it was unexpected it wasn’t nearly half as astounding as finding out now that his biological son was not as common as he appeared.

The alpha before them was exactly the type he had expected to come from his wife. It was what he’d wanted, albeit a little more ruthless from what he could see. There was no sign of the weak, nervous, self-righteous, and kind hearted alpha inside, which should have bothered anyone who called themselves a real parent, but Fengmian was happy with it. Instead he wondered just how formidable a child of Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian’s really would be now. And suddenly something that seemed shocking less than an hour ago, seemed like the only possible answer to the question of what to do about Jiang Cheng’s marriage, at least in his own opinion.

But the other opinion that mattered, perhaps even more was Madam Yu’s of course. Madam Yu, who at the moment stood in awe of her son, watching as he casually brought an alpha on par with herself to his knees. She didn’t spare the Wen much more than a glance at that, not even to revel in the arrogant man’s demise. Instead she looked at her strong son, feeling his image was never more like her family’s then right now.

“Wanyin.” She said fondly to get his attention.

But the reaction from her son was not the usual kind. He didn’t even acknowledge her, seemingly reveling in his dominance over the other person. From up close as she was Madam Yu watched as Jiang Cheng moved his face closer to the Wen’s neck and breathed in. Full body breaths as if he were a Jiangshi consuming his soul or his qi. Although she loved her son and was proud of his power, she did not want him to get to close to such a man or to take anything from him in fear of her son somehow being corrupted by him.

She placed her arm on her Jiang Cheng’s shoulder to stop him, ordering him as she usually did,

“That’s enough Wanyin, don’t taint yourself with the likes of him, Mother will handle this.”

Still Jiang Cheng didn’t respond, if anything he leaned in closer like he just might bite him next. Madam Yu, unused to being defied by anyone outside of her husband frowned, pulling back on his shoulder now to make him face her,

“I said enough.” She said more strictly, a tinge of anger seeping in at being ignored.

Having been partially pulled, Jiang Cheng’s eyes finally locked on to hers. Madam Yu relaxed a little at that, assuming that he’d soon come to his senses after looking at her, but she was quite wrong, for the next thing she knew he had turned to her with a growl, one arm still on the other sect leader, saying,

“Silence!”

Shocked as she was Yu Ziyuan would not tolerate being spoken to in such a way, not even by her youngest. No one told her to shut up in her whole life and she wasn’t about to let her son be the first one, at least without consequences, raging now or not. Feeling angry Zǐdiàn, the family heirloom that she was known for using as a weapon, crackled, announcing her displeasure,

“How dare you talk to me like that? You’re not too old for me to take you over my knee.” She snapped back at him, partially vibrating with rage and the strength that it took to fight the influx of her son’s superior androstenone. She had not bowed down to anyone in her life, let alone her youngest child.

Normally such a statement would cause Jiang Cheng to panic and frantically try to fix whatever he’d done wrong to get back into her good graces. If need be he would show her his cute side to alleviate the situation, acting childishly until she couldn’t help but forgive him. But not today. Now that she honestly looked into the man’s eyes  before her it was as if her son wasn’t there, merely an entity that fed off of the power of other people, and for a second even she was scared.

But Madam Yu was nothing if not brave, so she squared her shoulders and pulled her hand back, preparing to use Zǐdiàn on him, to bring him back to his senses. But no sooner had the purple, electricity charged whip lashed out than this new Jiang Cheng grabbed it, holding it in his bare hands and stunningly not being affected by it at all.

Yu Ziyuan’s eyes widened in horror as she watched her loyal fairly heirloom slide its way from her finger onto that of her son’s. She had not asked it to do so and couldn’t process why or how it was happening for a minute, until suddenly she remembered something her mother had told her when she’d handed it down to her, about how Zǐdiàn would do the bidding of the strongest of the bloodline.

It had been her for so long, something that she had hoped to be able to someday be able to pass down to Yanli or Cheng, but not like this, not when as she looked up into the triumphant face of the man before her who was somehow draining the power of two top class alphas, and didn’t feel that it was her own son.

Chapter Text

            The entire room was oppressed by Jiang Cheng’s dominant androstene. One of the strongest alphas of the cultivation world was on his knees before him, and the other found herself weaponless and fighting with all her strength to prevent from following. Something had to be done and yet there were only two people who had any form of movement, both of them omegas.

            Wei Wuxian was puzzled. He knew he was particularly strong himself and that he had cultivated differently than others. He also spent a lot of time around Jiang Cheng so perhaps he had adapted something of an immunity to whatever this was. But that didn’t explain Xue Yang, who looked quite pleased and more jittery and flirtatious than oppressed. Even though Wuxian could move it was not with such fluidity as the other. After it was pretty clear that JC was somehow draining the others in the room of energy and Xue Yang was getting decidedly closer with seemingly little problem he had to so ask,

            “Why are you fine?”

             Xue Yang looked over with a mischievous little smile,

            “Why are you?”

            Wei Wuxian frowned at the other,

            “I asked you first.”

            “Well if you insist,” the Yang begun, “I assume it’s because we’ve both learned from the same school shall we say.”

             Demonic cultivation. Wei Wuxian had thought so too, but then dismissed it since the Wen’s were known for dabbling in the practice as well, but Wen Ruohan, the core crusher, and all others of that sect outside of Xue Yang were struggling so he shook his head,

            “That can’t be all it is. You and I aren’t the only demonic cultivators here.”

            Xue Yang’s mouth twitched,

            “Aw, I’m disappointed. I was told that you were very observant. Besides our cultivation style, we also have something else in common, do we not?”

            Wuxian looked around thoughtfully before it hit him. Omegas. They were both Omegas. Disciples were generally formed of betas. He saw no alphas or omegas in the ranks of the Wens today. Wuxian considered this before looking over at his little brother and trying to come up with a plan to help him. He knew that this was not what his brother wanted  and that it was dangerous for everyone there.

            He thought about why he and Xue Yang were likely in the best position and then remembered what JC had started to say before he’d lost control. It had to be instincts over knowledge of course, considering JC had never had such an episode as far as Wuxian knew, and he was around him most of all.

            Jiang Cheng had said he’d needed an omega, but for some reason it couldn’t be him. But why?

            Omega pheromones were known to have a calming influence over alphas. Although people liked to act like omegas were weak, fragile things, truth was that if done right omegas could control alphas.

             But generally the way to turn an alpha’s rage and energy into something else often involved a sensual undertone and component. Even if it wasn’t all out there was skinship and attraction involved. Wuxian’s face flushed realizing why Jiang Cheng had told him that it couldn’t be him. JC’s alpha couldn’t be soothed by a brother, what he really needed was a mate,

             “Where the hell is prince charming when you need him?” Wuxian grumbled angrily, sure that of the options Wanyin had Xue Yang would not be his first choice, but he was the only other option available and sadly he seemed to be very interested in the Jiang despite the intimidating atmosphere.

             Xue Yang felt the other omega’s eyes on him and sent a little wave amused. Unlike the others he didn’t mind the oppressiveness around him, in fact he reveled in chaos. He didn’t care if Jiang Cheng killed the lot of the room. Such power and dominance excited him. He felt his omega drawing him nearer and nearer, until it hit him, why Wuxian was eyeing him so strongly, as if making a decision, and why his omega instincts were to move closer. The Yang let out a big smile,

             “He needs me doesn’t he?”

              Wuxian wanted to deny it, but his shocked look gave him away. There were too many witnesses and it was hard to tell if this possessiveness of JC’s or if Xue Yang himself would take advantage of this situation. But unlike the other, Wei Wuxian did care about the people around him and also knew that when Jiang Cheng came back to his senses, if he seriously hurt any of his family members he’d never forgive himself. Was this really the only option he had?! Wuxian looked over at Zidian on his brother’s finger and at the cold, detached look in eyes, wishing he could just do it himself. But if he did he wasn’t sure if either of them would ever be able to look the other in the face again. Feeling pained he admitted,

             “He needs an omega, but I’ll warn you right now if you’re not accepted by him he just might use that whip, or worse. I can’t promise your safety.”

             Xue Yang licked his lips at that,

             “That’s of no matter,” he began looking if anything more interested than before, making his way over to the man who held the fate of the room in his hands before adding with a dark chuckle, “Besides, if anything goes ‘wrong’ as you say, I’ll still be just fine. Unlike you weaklings, I like pain.”

             With that he began to close in on the Jiang’s space, visibly excited by the possibilities. Wei Wuxian felt helpless, wishing to stop it, but needing to let it happen. There was no other alternative.  He knew that if Xue Yang was accepted by JC’s pheromones than he’d be hard pressed to save Wanyin from his fate of a marriage between the two. Especially after cementing it in such a strong way with so many witnesses, particularly the Wens who would certainly use it as leverage. But there was no better option. Hell no option at all.

              Still he couldn’t bear to watch, covering his eyes with his hands once Xue Yang had gotten within reach of the other.

              Wuxian wasn’t sure what he’d try to do exactly, but considering it was Xue Yang he suspected it wouldn’t be something that he’d be able to watch without gouging his own eyes out, particularly since he considered JC to be his baby brother.

              Xue Yang felt hot and reveled in the fact that he was able to get so close to an alpha who could bring the clan leader he’d watched terrify much of the cultivation world to his knees.

              Although he was an omega Xue Yang was not the gentle type. He wouldn’t resolve such a thing softly or romantically. Xue Yang wanted to mark him, sink his teeth into the other’s neck and drain the dominance right out of him, and if that pissed the alpha off all the better. Win or lose both thoughts made him hot.

              Despite the overwhelming aura and power of the Jiang heir even the ‘scary’ alpha seemed exceptionally gentle to omegas. His own mother he may have kept at arms length currently, but Xue Yang was able to walk freely up to him and run his fingers testingly on the other’s neck.

               Jiang Cheng let out a slight warning in the form of a growl, but didn’t attack, which caused Xue Yang to chuckle a little darkly and run his hands down the other’s chest before leaning in, fully preparing to sink his teeth directly into the flesh of that strong neck, but before he could a powerful voice boomed behind him, causing even Xue Yang to be distracted from his task for the moment. Sensing someone standing ominously close behind him, towering over him, Xue Yang quickly turned, pressing his back against JC’s front and leaning on him as if he were a wall, before coming face to face with the menacing figure of who might prove to be his greatest rival as the newcomer demanded,

              “What the hell have you done to my alpha?”

              Although the words came from a fellow omega Xue Yang still shivered. The words were like ice, a far cry from the reputation of the one who’d said them. But of course this only served to excite the Yang Omega further, particularly because he saw the threat of violence behind those normally kind eyes and he wanted to bring it out.

Chapter Text

            When Lan Xichen said that he would not go to Yunmeng empty handed he really wasn’t kidding, but looking at the veritable caravan of items that the omega had managed to acquire in the last couple of hours since Jiang Cheng’s escape left Lan Zhan staring curiously and Lan Qiren frowning and shaking his head,

            “Lan Huan I know I agreed not to go in empty handed, but to be quite honest this is way too over the top for the first meeting… quite frankly it looks like you’re going to try to kidnap him and marry him straight off.”

            “And what’s wrong with that?” Lan Xichen questioned with a smile in front of a number of overly overburdened carts.

            Qiren, who was more and more concerned by the way the recently designated Omega had been acting since he’d officially decided on Jiang Wanyin, questioned,

            “For clarification purposes, are you asking what is wrong with going into the meeting with too many things, or what is wrong with kidnapping another human being?”

            “Both,” Xichen answered before gently pulling his younger brother away from a cart of shiny things that had gotten his attention, before patting his head and saying, “there there be good Wangji.”

            “I literally don’t know where to start right now, so instead I’ll ask this: where on earth did you get all of these things?” Qiren demanded with a frown.

            It was truly a necessary question for the Lan Sect was notoriously monk-like, living lifestyles of discipline and restraint, their rooms and even foods spartan in design, cultivating in a much less materialistic environment than most. The greatest things of value in Gusu tended to be people and books rather than riches. Gusu Lans also rarely accepted payment for most cultivation jobs except when desperately needed and the best gifts were given by students being taught by Qiren, so seeing such a lavish set up, complete with caravans and horses was surely a surprising sight, and certainly in need of explanation.

             “I bought them with the earnings from some side jobs that I’ve been doing. I’m sorry to say that I kept it from Uncle. I wasn’t sure what I or Wangji would be designated as and was afraid that we’d have nothing for dowry just in case the two of us ended up as omegas, and of course even as alphas we’d need to give something to the other household. The carts, horses, and travel items are all rented, but the items are for us to give away. Don’t worry I held some things back for Wangji’s dowry if need be, but since Jiang Cheng is so perfect I need to have a leg up on the competition, for surely there must be some. I'll make more money once I've settled A'Cheng in and he's comfortable.” Xichen explained calmly.

             While Qiren tried to wrap his mind around all of that a couple of the disciples came out carrying something that shocked the old man even more,

             “Why in all of Gusu do you have a bridal palanquin?! Are you planning on riding in it and demanding to be married straight away?! Xichen if you don’t play this a little subtler the Jiang’s wont respect you! How could the intended omega get his own palanquin?!”

             Lan Xichen blinked at that,

             “Don’t worry Uncle I don’t plan to ride on the bridal palanquin, that would be quite silly.”

             “Then why are you even bringing one?!” The elder asked exasperated.

             “I don’t know if Wanyin can ride a horse on his own and he might be too embarrassed to ride on one in public with me, also as you’ve seen he’s prone to shyness, so I figured a nice covered palanquin would be helpful.” Xichen answered.

              “If it’s for Jiang Wanyin’s comfort than why is it wedding themed?!”

              Xichen beamed,

              “Because once he’s in the palanquin we can conveniently bring him back to Gusu to be married and discuss living arrangements comfortably!”

              “… you do realize that Jiang Wanyin is an alpha right?”

              “Of course!”

              “And you know that omegas are normally the ones transported in palanquins to the home of the alpha, yes?”

              “Statistically I suppose that’s true more often than not.” Xichen conceded slightly.

              “THEN WHY ON EARTH HAVE YOU ARBITRARILY SWITCHED ROLES IF YOU’RE TRYING TO CONVINCE THE POOR MAN TO BE WITH YOU?!” Grandmaster Lan Qiren yelled having finally reached the end of his patience.

              Lan Xichen blinked at the elder as if surprised, before saying,

              “Because I look good and dashing on a horse which will give great comfort to the Jiang family knowing that I can protect him and Wanyin should travel in safety and comfort, of course.”

              “WE ARE CULTIVATORS! WE USE FLYING SWORDS FOR TRANSPORTATION! WHY ON EARTH WOULD WE NEED TO TRAVEL BY HORSE OR CARRIAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE?!”

              “We can’t carry this entire dowry on swords.” Lan Xichen reasoned.

              “BUT THERE SHOULDN’T EVEN BE A DOWRY FOR THE FIRST MEETING! WE SHOULD BE BRINGING SOMETHING SMALL AS A TOKEN OF OUR INTEREST AND DISCUSSING IF THERE WILL EVEN BE A WEDDING FIRST! ALL OF THESE ITEMS MAKE IT SEEM LIKE WE ARE DESPERATE TO MARRY YOU OFF AND LIKE WE TRICKED THE BOY INTO IT! WHAT IF THEY THINK YOU'RE PREGNANT OR SOMETHING?!”

              “Technically I did trick him, did I not? But with the best intentions of course, but quite frankly if they think I'm pregnant by Wanyin than one they do not know their son very well, and two if they believe that it can only help my cause so I might have to use that tactic if things don't go well and logistically we can accommodate that in a believable amount of time if they let me have him for marriage right away,” Xichen said slightly distracted by having to gently pull his brother back from peeking into the bridal palanquin teasing, “you’re a bit young to be looking in there Lan Zhan.”

               Lan Zhan didn’t agree, but he didn’t fight it since the glimpse he got wasn’t very exciting, choosing to wander over to where some of the horses to be ridden were, while Grandmaster Qiren looked just about ready to explode,

               “Where did you inherit this from?! Why do I feel a closer familial connection with the man you hope to marry than with you right now?!”

               “Don’t worry Uncle, just go with it and soon I will get you that family connection, although he may be occupied for quite some time before you’ll get to explore your similarities.” Lan Xichen said wiggling his eyebrows happily as he soothed a wrinkle that had gotten on part of the opening of the palanquin when his little brother had been peeking at it.

                Qiren sighed looking rather defeated,

                “I think I need to go lay down and rethink my child rearing decisions.” Qiren said, about ready to turn around and call the whole thing off, damage to the Lan sects reputation or not, particularly considering going with Xichen like this could be equally desecrate their reputation.

                “Sorry Uncle no time, I just have to change and then we really should head out,” he said before calling out to his brother who was seemingly having a staring contest with one of the horses to the confusion of it’s handler, “Wangji we are leaving soon, make sure that you relieve yourself before we do.”

                 Qiren upset about how over the top his nephew was being and annoyed at being paid less attention to than Lan Zhan snarked,

                 “If time was so important than why have you wasted it putting all of this together?”

                 “It’s not a waste Uncle it’s an investment.”

                 Having said so, Lan Xichen hurried inside and put on a beautiful new outfit, before coming back out, excited to finish up the preparations and head to his honey.

                 Poor Qiren’s eyes widened for a second as he thundered,

                 “Such extravagance!”  

                 Lan Xichen glanced down at his outfit, light blue with silver threading that caused parts of it to glitter in what was left of the light of the outdoors. His headband decked out to match, which Qiren found somewhat Ironic since the point of it was a reminder to “regulate oneself” the Gusu Lan motto, which Lan Xichen was currently pretty far from. The whole ensemble seem like something closer to that which the son of an emperor would wear than the head of the strictest, monk-like sect of the cultivation world.

                 After a few moments of indignation the elder Lan calmed down slightly, glad that at least his nephew hadn’t come out in all red,

                 “Still, I suppose it’s better than I had imagined, palanquin aside I might have been forced to disown you if you showed up  to the first meeting in bridal robes.” Qiren said somewhat amused at the absurdity now that it wasn’t a possibility.

                But Lan Xichen waved his hand playfully,

                “Oh no that would indeed be silly Uncle, could you imagine?!”

                 Qiren laughed with him until Lan Xichen added,

                “Of course it’s packed just inside the palanquin, I can’t have it getting dirty on the way. Besides I can’t just walk into the room wearing a bridal outfit, that would scare off my poor alpha way too quickly.”

                 “…”

                 Before Lan Qiren could retort to such an odd thought process Lan Xichen questioned,

                 “Uncle, should I rent you and Wangji a carriage or how would you like to travel in general?”

                 “Horse,” Wangji answered for himself still staring one down at the moment until it blinked and the young cultivator smirked at it in triumph before pointing at it, “this one.”

                 Feeling insulted by the notion, Qiren stubbornly responded,

                 “I, like the cultivators before me, will be flying by sword and I’ll have no problems doing so, unlike you, for all of your planning you’ve forgotten a very important thing: Yunmeng should be traveled to by air or water. For someone so interested in marrying a Jiang you really ought to have done your research, without a boat or on sword you won’t get far past Gusu. That being said let us leave all of this nonsense here and go to Yunmeng with only what you can carry, alright?”

                 Lan Xichen chuckled a little at that,

                 “Oh Uncle you don’t have to worry about that, of course I rented a boat.”

                 Twenty minutes later Lan Qiren found himself, a large caravan, a palanquin, and a concerning amount of Lan disciples and family members on the largest ship that he had ever seen in his life. He could only hope that the Gusu Lan reputation would still be intact after Lan Xichen was through with it.

                 But soon it would be Lan Xichen's turn to be shocked, as he entered the main hall of Yunmeng sect and saw what he could only perceive as a scheming omega rival looking about ready to devour his cute alpha, and his alpha looking like someone had stolen his soul straight out of him. Xichen didn't know which hurt worse to see, but he wasn't about to stand around and take it. As far as he was concerned Jiang Cheng was his perfect alpha, the one he was meant to be with and protect, and no one messes with Xichen's alpha but him.

Chapter Text

                Besides the annoying amount of time it had taken, everything else had been going perfectly well for the plans of Lan Xichen. His rentals, last minute as they might be, had gone smoothly, the dowry he had prepared looked sufficiently generous enough to secure a favorable impression with his future in laws, his little brother seemed to be enjoying horseback riding even choosing to stay mounted while on the ship to Yunmeng, and his Uncle, although refusing his offers of transportation hovered close by rolling his eyes on occasion at what he dubbed the “ostentatious material display of Xichen’s recent Jiang Wanyin obsession.” While judgey, this thankfully kept him at pace with the group and in sight so Lan Xichen did not have to worry about his whereabouts, either too far ahead or behind.

                 Upon arrival at Lotus Pier Lan Xichen re-mounted his rented steed, which was a very intimidating looking war horse with a sweet disposition (at least towards Lan Xichen to the bafflement of its actual owner). Lan Zhan’s horse was less friendly to his little brother, but the younger Lan was clearly enjoying the challenge so Xichen left him to it. Of course he had other things on his mind, like what the reaction of his pretty alpha would be upon seeing him and how many shades of red the other would turn once talks moved to marriage. Xichen was so giddy thinking about it that he could hardly wait. Alas wait he’d have to for it seemed that Lotus Pier was overrun with crowds of people, causing the Lans to wonder if there was some kind of festival in Yunmeng.

                  Curious about whether it was always so busy or if he’d come at a particularly bustling time, Xichen kept his horse at a slow pace so as not to scare, or worse, run over any Yunmeng occupants. But by doing so he and the rest of his entourage ended up on the inside of the crowding. At this juncture Lan Zhan looked scandalized, at least to his brother who knew him best, for his legs were brushed against by people he didn’t know. Meanwhile, Grandmaster Lan Qiren looked smug as if to say ‘that’s what you get for not flying by sword’ showing off his freedom by circling the empty space in the air, but Lan Xichen didn’t mind it.

                   For one thing it made him feel like he was already a part of Yunmeng to be surrounded by its people, for another it didn’t seem to be completely prohibiting his and his dowry’s movement since people slowly made as much space as they could for the caravan, and most importantly he figured he might hear some gossip about the Jiang alpha’s return.

                  Gossip was certainly afloat in the crowds that surrounded them. It was perhaps not the kind that he had wanted, but it seemed to him after a little bit of eavesdropping it was the kind he’d needed. The Yunmeng crowd seemed to have a lot of interesting news that day and they were generous with alleged information on the subject of the Jiang sect leaders and their family. Of course, the Lan’s presence was noted, which seemed to prompt a number of conjectures on the matter of their business.

                Being somewhat slowed down due to the sea of people, Xichen was able to lock on to the conversation of a couple of seemingly informed gentlemen as they gossiped at a volume that they assumed would not likely be heard by others, but they did not know of the superior hearing of cultivators, let alone Lans who spent many times in silence without ear pollution and thus had as exceptional hearing as humans could. But Xichen was glad that they had not taken this into account, for it created an opportunity for him to get some information, although he’d have to follow up with the validity of said information once he met up with Jiang Cheng. One thing, which was stated as conjecture was already suspect, but contained within it possible useful and important information as the Lan Omega was about to find out.

                “Can you believe how busy it is in Yunmeng today? What with the big party at the Jiangs all I had to do was bring my fish there and one of the disciples bought the lot of it directly at a fair price! A whole week’s work done in a day and my wife none the wiser leaving me with a day off and time to visit a tea house, and boy did I get more than just tea there a couple of hours later!” The fishmonger said.

                “Do tell! Some of us had to set up stalls and I heard bits and pieces of things, but tea houses are always the best for information. Was anyone there who actually attended Wuxian’s presentation party? Did it really get cancelled because of wedding talks?” His friend replied.

                At Wuxian’s name Xichen glanced over towards his brother, who was trying to pretend that he wasn’t also listening, but the omega could tell that he was by his ears perking up particularly on the part of Wuxian’s differentiation. Considering that Lan Zhan seemed to have a thing for Wuxian he must be curious about what the other presented as even though he himself had not yet.

                Xichen for his part was more intrigued by the mentions of wedding talks. Were they referring to whatever Jiang Cheng had said regarding the faux pas trap that Xichen set? If so he could only smile imagining the alpha Jiang’s conversation with his father, and although the Lan didn’t want to get his cutie into any major trouble, it would be nice if Sect Leader Jiang worked with the Lans rather than against them. But his smile vanished during the next words spoken by the businessmen,

                “Yes, some of the attendees decided to keep the party going since it ended so abruptly. Witnesses said that the young master Jiang came storming in and demanded the whole thing be stopped, which really got Sect Leader Jiang angry. Can’t say that I blame Alpha Jiang even if he did though, everyone knows he’s Fengmian’s least favorite child. Some said it looked like he wasn’t even invited!” 

                “No! That’s terrible! But I hadn’t heard that one. Over by the stalls people figured that the party got shut down because of the arrival of the Jins. But I guess it doesn’t make much sense for the Jins to stop Master Wei’s party, they could have just discussed marriage at the party as well as anywhere else.”

                Xichen frowned at that. No matter what the men said some of the gossip seemed to be a bit faulty. Jiang Cheng for example was not likely to shut down his elder brother’s presentation, adopted or not. Although he was somewhat aware of the slightly uneasy dynamics of the Jiang household Xichen had helped his Uncle to manage teaching Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian’s class, so he had seen and thus knew of the familial love the Jiang had for the Wei. He didn’t like the gossip to turn against his sweet alpha unfairly, but he was not ready to intervene and thus interrupt as of yet. Particularly since marriage and the Jins were mentioned. While he could only hold the words of these two busybody businessmen with a grain of salt, some details would have to be undeniably true within the gossip and storytelling. If the Jin’s really had shown up to discuss marriage, who exactly were they allegedly coming for and why?

The alleged answer came quickly enough however as the two continued never suspecting that they had the ears of the top 3 Lans of Gusu,

                “Speaking of marriage either Sect Leader Fengmian or the other clans are in an awful rush about it don’t you think? First the Jin’s show up, probably to secure the agreement about Zixuan and Yanli, word around the streets is that Madam Jin promised to let Sect Leader Guangshan do as he pleases with other women just as long as this marriage goes through-” The fishmonger prompted.

                “Seems like an awfully big price in order to secure a daughter-in-law.” His friend put in.

                “Well the word is that Madam Jin hasn’t put out since they had a son anyway and that she had really wanted to get with Madam Yu back in the day but that Yu Ziyuan didn’t see her in that way for whatever reason, so I guess she’s trying to live vicariously through her son’s relationship.”

                “That’s just a rumor I’ll bet, Madam Jin may not be all that interested in her husband, particularly due to his extra marital affairs, but that doesn’t mean she covets a married alpha. Women are often inexplicably close, it’s too hard to tell when it’s friendship or otherwise so it’s best to assume innocence.”

                “You’re just asking to be cheated on with that kind of logic.” The Fishmonger said, shaking his head as if in pity.

                “Never mind that, what about the other sects?” The secondary businessman said, sneaking a glance at the 3 most infamous Lans, who were all listening in, but also smart enough to play as if they weren’t, leaving no noticeable indication that they were.

                 Trusting that this was the case, but still considering himself cautious, the Fishmonger’s friend spoke even more quietly as he asked the other,

                 “Can you believe that even the Lans are here laden with more gifts than I’d ever have imagined considering how frugal everyone says they are. Do you think they just pretend they have nothing and hide their riches from others to appear so monk-like and righteous, otherwise how could they bring all these things?”

                 At this accusation Lan Xichen glanced over at his Uncle, whose face looked thunderous. Xichen could already tell that at the very least when they got home he would be facing quite a disciplinary session for his actions, particularly the staining of the Gusu Lan’s reputation.

                “I’m more interested in how fast they seem to have worked. I suspect they must be here for Wei Wuxian now that he’s presented, maybe they came right away as some kind of revenge against the cultivation sects seemingly going nuts after what happened with Sect Leader Lan Xichen. Although it’s pretty smart of them to secure genius Wei if possible, particularly considering the most eligible omega in the cultivation world is Sect Leader Lan himself.“

                The two men eyed the treasures curiously for a few seconds before the friend added,

                “The level of gifts are a bit confusing all things considered, but maybe because the younger Lan hasn’t presented himself they weren’t sure how to go about it. Or maybe since they don’t care about material objects it doesn’t mean much to them.”

                “Whatever the case they’ve come well prepared and I’m sure it must be for Wei Wuxian because they even brought a bridal palanquin and Hanguang Jun is not only on horseback, but keeps hovering around it. At this rate all of Fengmian’s children will be betrothed by day’s end.”

                “Maybe not all of them, the Jins and Lans are coming for Lady Yanli and Master Wei, but there’s still the young Master after all.”

                “Ah so I take it you don’t know about the arrival of the Wens! Word in the tea house and from someone who claims to be a messenger who saw the very proposal, is that Sect Leader Wen Ruohan not only sent a letter of intent for a marriage between Jiang Wanyin and Xue Yang, but he even came himself to make the offer too difficult to refuse!” The Fishmonger announced triumphantly, as it was one of the best pieces of gossip he’d acquired that day.

                “Xue Yang?!” the other gasped, “The one they say murdered the ill fated lover’s Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen in a fit of jealousy?! How could even Sect Leader Wen Ruohan dare to suggest such a thing?!”

                Lan Xichen’s fists and jaw clenched at that, tightening the reins unconsciously to the point that it caused the horse to stop in its tracks obediently for a second before Xichen righted himself, feeling more of a sense of urgency to get to the Jiang’s in case there was any validity to the conversation they’d overheard.

                “Do you think Wen Ruohan is secretly trying to use Jiang Cheng to punish the Jiang Sect for speaking out against him?” The friend added, oblivious to Lan Xichen’s eavesdropping, even as the Lan passed the two, having quickened his pace. But even further ahead thanks to his incredibly hearing he still heard one more comment,

                “Who knows the minds of men of power? All I know is that I hope for the Young Master’s sake his father finds a way to get him out of such an arrangement. Innocent as the Alpha Jiang seems to be Xue Yang might eat him up alive! At the very least the Jiang won’t be so innocent anymore, assuming he lives to tell the tale.”

                 By the time this sentence finished even the incredible ears of Lan Xichen were out of range of the speakers, for Lan Xichen had given up keeping up with the dowry entirely, a task which Lan Zhan decided to take up in his stead as the omega had taken out his Xiao Liebing, playing a tune to lift the horse that he was riding along with himself into the air, creating a road of clouds so as not to accidentally run over any of the residents of Yunmeng in his haste. Tightening the grip of his lower body and maintaining his posture he managed to gallop on horseback in the air, causing his Uncle’s eyes to widen and to pick up his speed,

                 “Lan Huan how could you dare to show off one of the Lan techniques of the hidden room? If you were in such a rush you should have left the horse with a disciple and flew via sword like the other cultivators, but instead you insist on putting on a show! Don’t think you are too powerful or too old to be reprimanded by me, you just wait until we are back in Gusu!”

                  Although he could hear him there was no air with which to respond between the created path and attempting to keep himself safely on the war horse, so he glanced over looking stubborn but apologetic, before continuing his way until they had cleared the biggest crowds leading up to the Jiang residence. Not wanting to land directly inside the property lest the Jiang disciples take it as a sign of war Lan Xichen landed about half a block before, pulling gently back on the reigns to slow the horse down.  

                   The sentries to the estate were not only surprised to Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren in general, but they were even more so considering the fact that they had just witnessed the Omega sect leader land from the air on a horse and even now he looked down at them from one which was most unusual, for as Qiren had stated previously, most cultivator’s transportation consisted of walking, going by boat, or flying by sword alone. Rarely was one seen with a horse let alone on it.

                    Lan Xichen was normally a very patient man who would no doubt have explained himself thoroughly if he’d had the time. But considering he had no idea when the Wens had gotten there and by what means they might manage to coerce Jiang Fengmian into giving up “his least favorite child” the Lan had no time to waste on civility, let along explanation, so he simply said,

                    “Pardon the interruption but the Lan clan has urgent business with Sect Leader Jiang and Madam Yu. Please lead my Uncle and myself to the Jiang Sect Leaders immediately.”

                     The sentries fidgeted uneasily for a few seconds until one of the braver ones piped up,

                    “Master Lan this is not the best time, I’m afraid the Sect Leaders are in a very important meeting already.”

                    Lan Xichen’s eyes locked on to the sentry who dared to bar his way, looking down at him directly as he said,

                   “Are you saying that the Lan Sect, including Grandmaster Lan who is an elder and has come here with me, is less important than the Jin and Wen sects? Or that we were purposely left out of a veritable multi-sect meeting?”

                    By this time Lan Qiren had landed and sheathed his sword, choosing not to speak, but looking imposing despite standing where Lan Xichen sat, 

                    The sentry who spoke became flustered, stammering out,

                    “O-o-of course not! I wouldn’t dare!”

                    “Then perhaps it is I who is at fault for making it seem like a question due to politeness in my speech, so let’s try this again: Lead us to the Jiang Sect Leaders now, company or not, or a mere possible political discussion may turn to war, got that?”

                    The sentries all nodded, leading the Lan in, one daring to be bold enough to insist that the horse at least could not go in, to which Xichen glared, but slid off and patted the war horse gently as a thanks, before acquiescing to that demand as he and his Uncle followed the Jiang disciple into the room that the other marital contenders were already at. But nothing could have prepared Xichen for the sight of a seemingly soulless Jiang Cheng, nor the harlot that looked just about ready to eat him.

Chapter Text

                By the time Lan Xichen had arrived in the main guest hall it felt like the world had turned upside down. One of the most powerful elders in the cultivation world was on his knees, another was standing utterly frozen in what appeared to be a mixture of anger and horror, the room was filled with various highly powered cultivators who were doing nothing, Wei Wuxian the most feared of the elder cultivators due to his seemingly limitless powers had his eyes closed as if frightened, and the rumored murderer of the famous cultivating duo of Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen looked about ready to devour alpha Jiang Cheng whole. But the most shocking appearance of all to the Lan was the visage was of his alpha.

                A’Cheng was, in Lan Xichen’s estimation, the most adorable alpha of the cultivation world. Xichen had never been into the dominating overly powerful types, if he had been then he might have ended up having to fight Jin Guangyao for Nie Mingjue. No, Xichen’s type was softer than that. He was attracted to beautiful hearts and what was within. In the same way that he could understand the majority of what his brother was thinking, he was also able to see a lot of what others did not. He could see to the heart of people and one of the most beautiful people at heart of the cultivation world was Jiang Wanyin.

                Jiang Cheng was a sweet, soulful yet nervous alpha who always wanted to do the right thing, but was also afraid of what the right thing was. Xichen had seen some glimpses of this at meetings that Fengmian had deemed to bring his sons along for. Although the Lan hadn’t actively pursued the Jiang until Jiang Cheng had come to him the other day, it was impossible not to have taken note of him before that. At least for Xichen.

                While his brother and the majority of the young cultivators had their attention focused nearly completely on Wei Wuxian, Xichen was not the type to be drawn in by such things, instead Xichen’s eyes would fall on others more than not, and eventually the one who he’d begun to look forward to seeing and focused on primarily was Jiang Cheng. Not to say that he didn’t seek out his sworn brother who came along with Huaisang, but time and time again his curiosity about what the Jiang might be doing or thinking got the better of him.

                  Despite what others may have thought Jiang Cheng did not often go with the crowd, on the few occasions he got involved or in trouble it was only after Wei Wuxian had coaxed and convinced him. In class even if Wuxian was doing something eye catching Jiang Cheng would at most give him a look or tell him quickly to stop, before turning around and attempting to ignore it, generally looking like he was afraid of being implicated due to the other. The Jiang was also clearly just not as interested in everything that the Wei did, perhaps due to living with him and experiencing Wuxian’s free and surprising nature consistently.

                   But while the majority of people might say that Wei Wuxian was the best show of the classroom Xichen found that the Jiang was a hidden treasure. It was always interesting to the Lan that the Jiang tried very hard to hide his true feelings when he had such an expressive face. Even the average person could read his expressions, yet still he felt the need to pose as strong and unaffected. But in turn he had the sweetest, kindest, saddest, and cutest expressions. He was even cute when he was angry, even though he struck fear into quite a few people when he was. But Xichen’s favorite was when the other was happy or shy. Angry had its own benefits, but he did not wish such a feeling towards him. But the other’s sadness was the most heartbreaking, particularly because it came across as so expected and resigned. Before he’d ever made a move he’d wished that he could destroy the deep sadness of the other.

                Lan Xichen had seen many different sides to the Jiang, all beautiful in different ways, but whether angry or sad he had never seen him look so soulless as now. It made him want to take a closer look and get to the bottom of things. But before he could do that he had to deal with a certain over enthusiastic and evil omega. With these thoughts in mind he approached, not fearing the consequences as able to do so despite the thick oppressive androstenone filling the room. Once he got close enough he half growled out to the Xue,

                 “What the hell have you done to my alpha?”

                 “Well there goes the theory about demonic cultivation being the difference.” Wei Wuxian said with a smile, happy that the Lan had showed up just in time to hopefully take the Xue’s place. Whatever the elders said he knew that Lan Xichen would be a better match for JC than  Xue Yang for sure.

                  “Unless there’s something he’s not telling us about.” Xue Yang mused, a satisfied smirk blooming on his face at that, amused more than upset by the interruption, refraining from digging his teeth into the alpha, but choosing to flaunt his current position by resting his chin on the alpha’s shoulder while looking at the Lan, his hands running over the Jiang possessively before the other, “I haven’t gotten to do much of anything yet, but you’re just in time to watch me try.”

                  Xue Yang teased as the seemingly possessed alpha’s nostrils flared, turning himself and thus Xue Yang around before eyeing the Lan curiously, a small bit of his coldness thawing. Xue Yang extracted himself slightly annoyed as he wasn’t done talking yet, ducking under the Jiang’s arm to continue his comment, “besides you don’t look marked to me.”

                   Xue Yang smelled the air around them and then nodded to himself satisfactorily,

                   “And neither of you have more than the faint wisp  of each other’s scents, so he is certainly not yours, besides Alpha Jiang seems quite content to have me in his arms.”

                   Lan Xichen’s eyes narrowed as he watched the Xue rub his body and thus scent against his Jiang for a few seconds. But before he needed to deal with it the Jiang himself seemed to get annoyed or overwhelmed, pushing the Xue away with a growl before another explosive burst of anger shot out of him.

                    Xue Yang was not faint of heart by any means. If anything he was excited by the move and no less determined than before to tame the intense mood of the overpowered alpha. He smiled from the ground he’d fell onto, before trying to get up, only to be surprised that suddenly he could not. Considering he’d been able to move just fine a moment ago he knew it had something to do with the overpowered Alpha rejecting him. This lack of ability to continue to play with him or sink his teeth into the other caused the Xue to be frustrated.

                    Lan Xichen watched the rejection of Xue Yang from Jiang Cheng without taking his eyes away from the alpha. A pained expression had flashed behind the cold gaze before the Jiang had spiraled worse than before meaning only one thing, the Jiang inside was fighting his animalistic tendencies and he was still there behind this cold front. Xue Yang had failed to trap him. In Lan Xichen’s estimation the omega had been too rough. Threats do not sooth a savage beast, let alone an alpha anymore.

                     Considering the thoughts of what could sooth the other Lan Xichen reached slowly inside his own robe and took out Liebing, beginning to softly play as Jiang Cheng’s alpha  suppressed the majority of the people and the whole atmosphere of the room. Even the omegas were mostly affected this round, causing Xichen to have to push himself past the weight and pain to play the Song Purification, aka the Song of Clarity focusing his notes and attention on Jiang Cheng.

                      At first a mighty roar emitted from the Jiang, still overwhelmed by all of the emotions that he’d kept back until the dam had overflowed and he’d become this powerful, but unhinged alpha before them. Yet as Lan Xichen played at the cost of cramping from his fingers due to forced music, the oppressive air lightened ever so slightly. Enough that Lan Xichen could begin to move forward and towards the Jiang, his eyes never leaving the other's as he weaved his way over while playing, looking like he was communicating with him in words that no one but they could understand. Lan Xichen closing in on the alpha until they were a mere few inches apart, curious about what Jiang Wanyin would do when he made his next move.

Chapter Text

                If there was any one soul who was the most confused and affected by this whole event it had to be Jiang Cheng himself. After so many years of pressing down emotion after emotion, and arguing that ones gender classification did not define or control people, here he was suddenly unable to control himself, like the monstrous creature that alphas were often portrayed as in novels and whispered about on the streets.

                But what was most devastating to him was the war between the part of him that hated what he was doing and the part that loved it.

                Truth to tell this wasn’t the first taste that Jiang Cheng had gotten of his darker, more dominating side growing up. But he had worked hard to push down that wilder side of him, thinking of them merely as hormonal hiccups of a young alpha, or the overzealousness of justice. A couple of unnecessary punches or kicks to a reanimated corpse, the need to lock Wei Wuxian out of their joint bedroom for a few hours despite the others whining in an attempt to pull himself together and not lash out, mediating extra long under a waterfall in winter to prevent himself from throwing his sisters arrogant fiancé over a cliff, that sort of thing.

                In fact, one of the reasons that Jiang Cheng had paid such diligent attention to Grandmaster Qiren and the Lan lectures in general was because they were all about how to control and regulate oneself. And both prior to being classified and after Jiang Cheng had known that he needed to consistently keep himself in control. Before being classified he feared that he was too emotional, leading him to the idea that he was likely an Omega, but after he’d presented as an Alpha he recognized such incidences as a need for self-control. He realized that it wasn’t that Alpha’s were unemotional, it was that to others their emotions mattered more, because an alpha’s emotions could directly affect a great many people, while an omega’s emotions generally only effected themselves, at least in a negative way.

                Jiang Cheng had never wanted to be out of control. No matter what happened to or around him he said his peace, but held back the dominating pheromones that would force anyone to back down or obey like sheep. He wanted to truly convince people of his side of things and win arguments by reason, but with some, like his father, it would never be. He hated the thought of taking advantage of people so despite losing a lot because of it, he held back over and over again, and luckily as it was not often that alphas challenged each other in the cultivation world, he was able to do so.

                But when the top alpha of the Wen Sect and his mother unleashed their own alpha pheromones it was like breaking open a door that has been locked up for a very long time and unleashing the beast that was within. Whenever he had come close to slipping he remembered that it always helped when the right omegas were around. Call it instinct, but he knew that was what he needed, so with the last bit of will he had he told Wuxian as much as he could of what he needed, but he was unable to get out more of a description then he had.

                After that for a few seconds he really had absolutely no control of himself, and that terrified him, more than the marriage proposals he had received. Words that didn’t feel like his had poured from his mouth and the gentle kind Jiang Cheng that was inside watched in horror as he stole his mother’s weapon with such little effort. His heart was wounded watching the look of anger and betrayal on her face. She was such a brave, strong woman, that it truly hurt him to see her look lost even if it was for a second.

                It was the sight of this, even though his own out of control pheromones that did it. He felt as if he were possessed by something great and terrible. Having spent so much time trying to hold back this part of his very essence Jiang Cheng wracked his brain in order to control himself. The dark part of him wanted to snap the Wen sect leader’s neck and conquer everything in sight, but Jiang Cheng fought against this urge causing the undulating androstenone to double down on most of the people around them as an internal battle was going on.

                It was somewhere around this time that the Jiang felt something approaching him. He looked around wondering how anyone could possibly move in such an oppressive atmosphere that even he felt it, albeit almost as if he was having an out of body experience. When he saw that it was an Omega the inner Jiang panicked slightly, possible murderer or not, he knew that if he hurt an omega he might not be able to live with himself. The growl that came next therefore was actually from the more rational side of Jiang Cheng than the emotional one. An alpha may be able to do a great many things, but resisting an omega might be the most difficult one of them. Particularly when in such a primal state of mind.

                But Xue Yang didn’t back off, touching him in a way that made the rational Jiang Cheng feel somehow violated, but the other part of him curious. Then a voice like music permeated that heavily weighted dark space. A dark back was pressed against him and an angelic warrior-like princely being was before him. The Jiang closed his eyes trying to get a hold of himself as the Xue kept making physical contact with him, chin on shoulder and the whole bit. The alpha tried to stay strong, but it was unwanted and uncomfortable, and the look he was getting from the other omega also bothered him.

                 So, after a bit of tolerance suddenly the confusion and overwhelming emotions spilled out into a mighty roar, like that of an awakening dragon, before the angelic omega began to play a song, like the melody of his own heart. The alpha staggered back slightly, overwhelmed by emotions, but kept looking into the eyes of the musical omega, feeling as if the Lan was administering medicine and the effects would disappear if he dared to look away.

                 The Lan moved closer and closer, the music raising each few steps and beginning to calm him little by little. This was not to say that Jiang Cheng didn’t have to fight with himself anymore. No, the emotions had spilled out like a flood attempting to drown him, but with Xichen there playing his song so strongly and beautifully it no longer felt like just himself and his overwhelming emotions, now it felt as if it were 2 on 1, or as if a tiny leak was created in a well that one got stuck inside. It was hope and Jiang Cheng clung to it.

                 Lan Xichen played until he was so close that had the Jiang been in full control of himself and wanted to he could have played Liebing himself. The song was not enough to lift the suppression of the people around him, but it had been enough to give the Jiang some semblance of clarity. Being so close to the soothing omega, who had begun to emit his own powerful pheromones, like that of a warm and gentle wind began to weave their way through the alphas nostrils, causing his body to slowly take it all in, as if to melt the cold, hard demeanor of the over powered alpha.

                 The alpha part of him was tantalized by the connection and wanted badly to either dominate the one who dared to calm him or become one with him. But the gentleman Jiang part of him hesitated and pulled back, refusing to take advantage of the Lan, even to save himself. Any terrible act committed against anyone felt like it would be too much for him to bear.

                 And so though the Lan was so close the body stayed still as the two sides of Jiang Wanyin internally fought for control. Alpha pheromones fluctuated around him causing most of the rest of the room to feel oppressed one second, but free another, in a rather torturous battle. Until suddenly Lan Xichen dropped Libing, cradled the back of the Jiangs head, and called,

                 “Alpha.”

                 Both parts of the Jiang responded to the call by looking at the Lan in surprise. Then before any thoughts could pass through the Lan leaned forward, kissing him breathless.

                 Jiang Cheng’s body went wild and both parts of him joined together in that exact moment. There was something about the kiss that felt so perfect, like missing a piece of yourself, and finally finding it, that caused the Jiang to react without thinking, kissing back, and leaning into it gently, but powerfully. His hands as if possessed fell to the others waist and dipped him slightly to get a better hold, being slightly shorter than the other in the first place. High level alpha and omega pheromones began to join all around them, heightening the sensations they were feeling, and drawing Jiang Cheng in to that comfortable, fulfilling atmosphere as he pulled off the forehead ribbon to unleash the other’s hair before running his fingers through it, and cradling him even more preciously as he followed his emotions and instincts for once.

                   No one looking at him would have thought that he was a novice at kissing, if some hadn’t known better. He looked about ready to devour the Lan and frankly Xichen looked like he was going to happily let him. Jiang Cheng was just about ready to begin peppering kisses down the other man’s neck, when suddenly his elder brother really couldn’t take the shock anymore and blurted out,

                   “A’Cheng, where on earth did you learn such techniques?! And here I thought you’d never even kissed someone!”

                   Hearing such an embarrassing statement said out loud in public caused Jiang Cheng to pause, snapping a bit out of it. When he paused he pulled away from the Lan and gently settled the other before quickly pulling his hands away. He felt a little out of it, dizzy with the influx from the different pheromones, and tried to clear his head. When his eyes focused he saw Lan Xichen before him, looking slightly undone, and suddenly recalled all that had just happened.

                  Lan Xichen watched fascinated as Jiang Cheng went from nearly ravishing him, to looking half asleep, to beginning to turn a concerning shade of red, to tearing a little at the eyes as if he were about to cry. Wanting to console him and let him know that everything was alright, but being more concerned on whether the alpha was okay or not, he began to ask, when suddenly the great and powerful alpha who had brought Wen Ruohan to his knees in one way and had buckled his own in another, completely fainted before him.

                  Although he had not exactly seen it coming, the Lan was still able to catch the Jiang, before he hurt himself because they were still rather close. Jiang Cheng was surprisingly light for an alpha, causing Xichen’s protective instincts to rise as he glanced around at the chaos surrounding him. He was a bit worried that the others would come after the Jiang in revenge now that he was unconscious so he scrambled to grab his dropped flute and laid the alpha on his lap so that he’d be close.

                  Almost everyone looked puzzled, even as they were no longer under the alphas oppression, but one person while still shocked could not help but blurt out the name for the level of androstenone and power they had all just seen. The person who had heard rumors of such power but who had never seen it themselves said the words that some did not even dare to imagine,

                  “Superior alpha.”

Chapter Text

                Lan Qiren had spent almost his entire life on the pursuit and studies of cultivation. He had read just about every text in the Lan library, forbidden or otherwise. Because of this he was known for his great wisdom and in charge of teaching not only his own disciples, but the sons and daughters of the other main sects. Reading about something however was one thing, but seeing it was quite another.

                When Lan Qiren had come in he was just as shocked, if not more so, by the spectacle in front of him. Debaucherous and primal as it looked normally he would be the first one to speak up and attempt to stop any and all injustice and indecency. But despite himself he had been unable to speak and move. The only thing he seemed to have control over was his eyes, which paid very close attention to the scene before him and for a time verbalizing was not at the forefront of his concerns, instead it was how oddly familiar the scenario was, not to something he’d seen, but something he’d read about.

                So for most of the time that Lan Xichen serenaded and seduced the Jiang into lowering his guard Lan Qiren was watching and trying to put his finger on the words for what they were all experiencing. This was not to say that he didn’t have a brief heart attack when his nephew began making out with said alpha in front of the majority of the leaders of the cultivation world, particularly when he did nothing to protect his forehead ribbon, and for Gusu’s sake they weren’t even dating yet, let alone a married couple! But the joining of the high level omega and the alpha suddenly jostled his memory, so the second that Jiang Cheng had come to, thus letting go of the intense androstenone holding everyone but a few back, he couldn’t help but blurt out the first words that he’d desperately wanted to say,

                “Superior alpha.”

                “What?” Wen Ruohan questioned as he slowly began to get up, with the aid of his now free to move disciples, exhausted from the power struggle as well as losing, holding a hand up to stop his sons or followers from going after the now unconscious Jiang Cheng as he weighed his options and gathered further info in this way.

                “Jiang Wanyin is a superior alpha.” Qiren repeated, but made sure to include the rest of the room, almost all of whom were breathing sighs of relief from being freed from such intense pressure, and trying to get themselves together.

                 “What in the Unclean Realm does that mean?”  Madam Jin questioned, her husband playing with his beard, but looking particularly interested, and he wasn’t the only one.

                 Lan Qiren glanced at the poor boy, wondering if he should even say anything considering the vultures around him, but it was clear that something was going on from what they just saw him do, it wouldn’t help much to keep quiet, so he decided that explaining would be a better help than not,

                  “You all know about general alphas and purebred alphas, and their various levels, since they are most common, but superior alphas, also known as ultimate alphas are exceptionally rare. In fact, prior to today I’ve only heard of one other known superior alpha.”

                  “I’ve never heard of any such alpha. Surely if they’re so powerful we’d all know of them.” Wen Chao snapped, still feeling the sting of humiliation due to his father’s recent loss of face.

                  “To be fair none of us would have pegged the youngest Jiang as having so much power until just now, including his parents.” The Core crusher added, causing Jiang Fengmian to frown, but be unable to disagree.

                   “Then do you suppose we don’t know of them because they decided to live a secluded lifestyle?” Madam Jin questioned curiously, having crossed the room at some point to stand with Madam Yu in such a sneaky fashion that when her husband saw her he had to do a double take to make sure she wasn’t still somehow also next to him.

                  “I suppose you could say that,” Grandmaster Qiren answered, “The last known superior alpha is and was Bàoshān Sànrén.”

                  At such a shocking announcement the room collectively gasped, before quiet descended upon them as each member present thought this over and what it meant to or for themselves.

                  “So he’s like a god now?” Jin Zixuan asked, startled by the very idea, and trying to remember if he’d ever done anything to upset the superior alpha before, grateful when nothing particularly came to mind.

                  “Not exactly, but a hundred years ago people would certainly have said so.  Superior alphas have unfathomable powers, ones that have nothing to do with when they presented. From what I can remember no one seems to know why or how they came to be. It used to be said that they could only come from the survival of a child born of two alphas, but that’s likely just a justification to explain their innate ability to subdue even the purest of alphas. Considering how young Alpha Jiang is what you saw today is likely only the tip of the ice berg.” Qiren finished, causing everyone in the room to look over at the passed out alpha incredulously.

                   “… I’m supposed to believe that an alpha that just passed out from a kiss is on the same level as the great Baoshan Sanren?” Wen Chao scoffed.

                   “He may have passed out, but it was only after bringing your father to his knees.” Xue Yang mused.

                   Wen Chao glared at the Xue, but everyone in the room had witnessed as much, so there was no real point in denying it.

                   “Why didn’t he feel like my child?” Madam Yu asked bluntly.

                   As his mother she knew her child very well, even if she didn’t exactly know what to do with him all of the time, and what he’d done was impossible for him normally, so now that someone seemed to know something about his condition, Madam Yu wanted as many answers on the subject as she could get. The ever supportive Madam Jin had not liked that herself and was currently hanging off her friends arm, rubbing soothing circles on the other’s back.

                  Lan Qiren frowned at the question, thinking, before responding,

                  “It’s been some time since I went over texts on the superior alpha, so I’d have to check back at Gusu to see if this has ever been discussed. I’ve only really seen Alpha Jiang at school and briefly back in Gusu recently, but even I could see that he was behaving rather differently here then previously. I’ll need to do some research before I can answer some things, but even I can’t tell you what say Baoshan Sanren or perhaps one of her disciples could.”

                 At the last statement Jiang Fengmian glanced over at Wei Wuxian contemplatively and Madam Jiang glared at Fengmian, knowing exactly who he was thinking of, the last disciple of Baoshan Sanren that they had known personally was Wei Wuxian’s mother, an alpha woman Madam Jiang was sure that Jiang Fengmian had feelings for way back when, before she’d disappeared.

                 Wuxian felt himself being stared at by the Jiang leader, but he could do nothing personally, for if he knew where his mother was then he wouldn’t have been considered an orphan, now would he?

                 While the Jiangs were thinking of their own ties to Baoshan Sanren Wen Chao tsked in the corner before admonishing Xue Yang,

                 “Too bad you killed the last known disciple of Baoshan Sanren before we could even question him. Wasteful.”

                 Xue Yang stuck his tongue out,

                 “For your information I didn’t kill him, I killed his trifling and backstabbing best friend. He did himself in right before a very romantically planned date, I’ll have you know, and I’m still a little sore about it so don’t bring him up for the time being.”

                 Wen Ruohan lifted his arm to stop their squabbling, before getting back to the main point,

                 “It’s clear that there are some mysteries that will remain with us on the subject of superior alphas, unless by some miracle we can contact Baoshan Sanren. But any information on my future son in law will be much obliged.”

                 “Future son in law? Well aren’t you getting ahead of yourself,” Madam Jiang said with a glare, not forgetting that they’d had an unresolved show down before her son had ended that, “if your best offer is a murderer than I’ll have to ask you to quit dreaming.”

                  Wen Ruohan, ever the businessman, switched tactics,

                 “It doesn’t have to be Xue Yang, I have two other sons as well. If those don’t work there’s also the branch family. I know you’ve had a soft spot for Wen Qing.”

                 Wen Qing looked up in surprise as Madam Yu rubbed her chin in thought,

                 “Wen Qing huh, she’s an alpha but I must say I do like her style. Still, even if I did end up agreeing that might be difficult. Double Alpha pregnancies are basically impossible are they not?”

                 “Surely a superior alpha is above such statistics. But if not Wen surrogates can be used.” Wen Ruohan said silkily.

                 “What an insult! Wen Ruohan your sect isn’t even close to the Jiangs! Madam Yu is my wife’s best friend, so if my Zixuan presents as an omega he should have first dibs to impregnation as Yanli’s spouse. To do that Jiang Cheng ought to remain single up until that point at the very least.” 

                 “Impregnation?! Me?! What in the Unclean Realm Dad?!” Zixuan yelled in shock, face turning bright red at the very notion, “how could you even think of such a thing?! And why are you assuming I’m going to be an omega?!”

                 “Well we can only hope!” Jin Guangshan said, before whispering to the horrified son, “Do you know what kind of power you would hold if you have any connection with the superior alpha of your generation? Think of the children you could have!”

                 “I am not sleeping with siblings and I do not want an alpha, even if it is superior alpha Jiang Cheng! Also how can you even shamelessly ask such a thing, aren’t you afraid of offending the Jiangs and getting the previous engagement called off?!”

                Wei Wuxian let out a whistle at that shocking comment, pulling Yanli towards him and hugging her to console her from the thought of having to possibly share her husband with her younger brother,

                “Wow, that’s gross, and I’m really glad that Wanyin was already passed out for that one, he might not want to ever get up at that.”

                “How dare you suggest such a thing and in front of my beloved eldest daughter too! If it weren’t for your wife I would grind you into ashes for such an insult.” Madam Yu said, eyes flashing dangerously.

                “Honestly I wouldn’t mind Xi, men are gross and I’m always on your side. So if you want to grind him into ashes it’s fine, just as long as you take responsibility for me.” Madam Jin said, batting her lashes at her friend.

                A little curious about the meaning of such a statement Yu Ziyuan decided to ask,

               “What do you mean by taking responsibility for you?”

               Madam Jin smiled, happy just thinking about it as she said,

               “Why marry me of course. Since you are already married and I’ll be a widow I know I’d have to start out as a concubine, but I’m positive that I’ll raise the ranks after a year or two so don’t worry about me.”

                 “…I’m worried about you now, but not in the way that you might think me to be,” Madam Yu said before glaring at Jin Guangshan, “It seems that you will not die today, but mind your tongue or I can make no further promises.”

                 Madam Jin pouted before slinking over to Jin Sect Leader who whispered to her,

                 “Thank you wife, you said all of that in order to save my life, right?”

                 Madam Jin paused for a few seconds, before replying,

                 “… well if you want to take it that way then sure.”

                 “…”

                 Although Lan Qiren did not like the words and actions of his nephew after watching the other candidates he believed that Lan Xichen may actually be the best of the current candidates. Being a man of learning there was something a little intriguing about getting to study a superior alpha, if even for just a short time, but at least he wasn’t affected by thoughts of power, which was a very easily corruptible force. Between a murderer, his sisters future husband, and a couple of crazy Wens, Xichen was beginning to look pretty good. And Qiren was also secretly grateful that he had chosen to remain single considering the number of scary options there seemed to be in the cultivation dating pool. With this in mind and noticing Xichen tightening his grip on the Jiang as he heard the concerning comments around him, Qiren decided to put in an argument to help his own nephew,

                 “Before more bids are made for this poor boys future I must explain that Jiang Cheng ought to technically be considered as fiancéd with my nephew Lan Xichen. For one thing Superior Alpha Jiang came to speak privately with my nephew, agreeing to the rules for such a meeting, and for another as you all saw he fondled Xichen’s forehead ribbon in front of everyone, which would be quite the stain on my nephews image if they do not inevitably marry. Xichen even came with the dowry, which Lan Wangji is bringing over as we speak.”

                  “Fondled is a bit of a strong word, don’t you think?” Madam Yu questioned, but was not particularly against the union herself so she didn’t argue against it. She just didn’t like the word being used in relation to her son. He might have been a bit forceful with it, but it could hardly be considered fondling.

                  “Enough all of you, there is no need to argue so,” Jiang Fengmian began, the others listening closely, “the truth of the matter is that Wanyin already has a fiancé.”

                  The sect leaders in the room paid close attention as the Jiang sect leader paused. Wen Ruohan and Jin Guangshan listened closely for context clues, unsure of their own positions all things considered. Qiren himself thought he must have agreed to uphold the dignity of his nephew, who was after all listed as the most eligible omega in his generation, so it was certainly not Fengmian’s loss. So for the time he said nothing.

                   Madam Yu’s brows furrowed as she tried to figure out if her husband was just trying to buy time or actually meant it. And the siblings and potential suitors stared at the man with baited breath, concerned and unsure of what the man meant. But Jiang Fengmian was quick to explain this time,

                  “Many have wondered and commented on my treatment of Wei Wuxian. I have not made my intentions quite clear, but today with all of this confusion I believe it’s best to explain and clear the air. Jiang Wanyin will not be able to marry outside of the sect. I have selected Wei Wuxian as my future son a long time ago, and it is he who will marry my son Jiang Cheng to make our family complete.”

                  Seconds afterward not a pin drop could be heard from around the room as most eyes widened. Most of all that of Wei Wuxians, who had no idea about any of this and was struck dumb by the very implication. Genius as he may have been his head couldn’t even wrap around the words that the sect leader was saying to him. Him marry his baby brother? There was no possible way, right?

                  But as horrified as Wei Wuxian was at the very notion of such a thing, it was not he who broke the silence of the room. Instead loud and continuous banging noises, from a bunch of objects overflowing and falling onto the ground, clattering, as the person in charge of them had stopped very short upon arrival, causing a huge cart to tip over, cascading like a waterfall.  

                  Turns out that Lan Wangji had just arrived with the dowry, and at this moment his emotions very much resembled the crumbling pieces now all around him, as he took in the impossible words of Jiang Fengmians last declaration.  

Chapter Text

                           The main hall of Yunmeng was in chaos in more ways than one as the contents of an exceptionally large dowry fell, bounced, and rolled around the room as one Hanguang Jun had bumped into it upon hearing that the only person he’d ever been attracted to was somehow affianced and to the other’s own brother no less.

                           Of course he wasn’t the only one scandalized by the statement, judging from the rest of cultivators in the room. But no one looked angrier than Madam Yu, who’s hands immediately began to gather power in the form of purple smoke as she stalked over to her Beta husband while snapping at her two closest subordinates,

                           “Get my children out of here, especially A’Cheng in case I set him off again.”

                           The two beta women nodded, one quickly escorting Yanli out of the room, and the other gliding over to where Jiang Cheng lay, but pausing before Lan Xichen, who looked like he might just fight her right then and there.

                           “Lan Huan.” Qiren called softly, to get his nephew’s attention, before shaking his head no. It would do no good for their cause and it was only beneficial to Jiang Cheng to leave such a toxic environment like this for the time being.

                           The Omega deflated a little at that but took a deep breath, read the room, and agreed, not wanting to get on Jiang Cheng’s mother’s bad side since she was likely his best chance of getting A’Cheng out of such a horrifying arrangement. For both his own and his brother’s sake he leaned forward, stuffed his forehead ribbon that had fallen off before in the other boy’s hand for comfort, and lifted him while standing up in order to hand him over to the female beta. The beta gave a slight bow at him out of respect and for not making her job any harder than it had to be, as she carried the Superior Alpha out of the room.

                           Seeing both of his siblings leaving, Wei Wuxian wanted to follow them, but was stopped by another of Madam Jiang’s subordinates, though not her main one, but she spoke for Madam Jiang upon occasions, like then,

                           “No contenders for Young Master Jiang’s hand in marriage are allowed to be with him right now, until everything is sorted.”

                           Wei Wuxian felt a bit like throwing up at those words. Although he had been adopted he had never thought of either of the Jiang children as anything but his actual siblings, so the implication made him feel ill. Not to mention that it prevented him from taking care of his little brother, who he was quite protective of since he was the older sibling, omega or not. But now was not the time to be adding fuel to the fire, so Wuxian backed off, subtly moving closer to the Lan’s as he did so, since he wasn’t particularly fond of the rest of the room at the moment. Normally he’d have gone to stand by his benefactor, but considering his adoptive father had said the craziest thing that day, in his own opinion, he wasn’t about to back him up on this one.

                           In fact, for once it was the person that disliked him the most that looked about to put that plan to rest. Madam Jiang made sure to control herself until she was sure that her children were well out of hearing range, but the second she believed things were all clear she sent the forming dark purple energy that she’d been gathering straight across the room at her husband, causing him to dodge it, but trip over himself trying as she hissed at him,

                           “You must really think that being a beta makes you impervious to my pheromones, or that I’m somehow weak because I let you rule your own sect despite me being an alpha. But I’ve got news for you Jiang Fengmian, neither are true, and considering that you don’t even discuss such important matters such as the marriage plans of my youngest son and heir, I suppose I’ll have to prove it to you, won’t I?”  

                           When she finished her sentence Madam Yu began to let out very concentrated amount of androstenone into the air in front of her, which the Jiang beta attempted to fight against, but ultimately couldn’t, falling to one knee before her, and taking pains just to breathe.

                           This time Wen Ruohan did not join the contest, deciding that it would be more beneficial for Madam Jiang to win this particular argument. She was at least partial to Wen Qing from his sect so he held his hand up to prevent any further meddling from his own sect.

                           Jin Guangshan for his part debated whether to side with Jiang Fengmian or stay out of it, as he had seemingly been able to manipulate the beta before since hadn’t he been the one to open the Jiang’s eyes up to the possibility of a union between Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian in the first place?

                           And so the whole room held their breath as Madam Yu looked down her nose at her husband and continued to speak as he lost face due to the witnesses, which the Yu Alpha before him no longer cared about due to feeling slapped in the face by her husband's seemingly devious, one sided, plan for her son,

                          “How long have you harbored these thoughts while never speaking of them to me?! How can you dare to despise the son we made together for so long and think to marry him off to your special project?! To make him compete with that omega for the rest of his life?! And for what, the honor of your acceptance? As if he should need such a thing from the likes of you!”

                           Jiang Fengmian’s face burned in humiliation as Madam Yu kept him easily in check before most of the Sects leaders. Although Qiren had turned away, focusing on bringing his nephews to him and avoiding watching the awkward scene and wishing he could disappear from the room without drawing attention, for he was superbly uncomfortable with the whole dirty business that had happened since they’d arrived in Yunmeng. Thankfully getting his nephews in line was a good distraction, for Lan Xichen had to be brought back behind him since he kept his arms out in front of him with a frown as if he were still holding an invisible Alpha Jiang, and Lan Zhan kept wandering in the direction of Wei Wuxian who also kept moving closer making both of them look like they were two traumatized attracting magnets.

                          But the main show was still the Jiang Couple’s infighting of course, though so far Jiang Fengmian wasn’t talking and Madam Yu was becoming more agitated by his lack of response,

                          “And what of me?! Did you not factor in my reaction to your little plan? Do you really believe I will allow you to do whatever you like? That I can’t take any power from you that I myself allowed you to have and keep?!” she questioned, glancing at the sect leader’s throne before looking back at him with some determination, “Perhaps you aren’t fit to lead the Jiang sect after all, for all it was your family’s to begin with. Will you only listen to and discuss important matters with me if I make myself the head of the Sect? Hmm? Shall I keep this seat warm until my son is safely on it then?”

                         Jiang Fengmian’s eyes widened as Madam Yu slowly walked over to the Sect Leader’s throne, keeping him floored with her controlled pheromones as she leisurely sat on it, crossing her legs. The Jiang subordinates suddenly in chaos as they debated their own personal loyalties. And although Lan Qiren had been doing his level best to stay out of matters the tension in the room could cut a knife, and he could sense that the other powerful sects were about to weigh in and choose sides as well.

                         Being unable to tolerate the possibility of a sect war and as the most cool headed of the onlookers at the moment, Lan Qiren, took a deep breath and decided to pull rank as the eldest in the room, for although he was a Beta, he was still an elder, and had taught a great many of the major sects children, giving him some say in matters like these,

                         “Everyone please, let us not lose our heads. This is hardly conduct befitting the leaders of the major cultivation Sects. I know that everyone was exposed to superior alpha hormones, but I urge everyone to be reasonable!”

                         Madam Jiang eyed the Lan ready to snap at him as well, but then paused wondering if there wasn’t some merit in what the elder was saying. She did feel particularly riled up at the moment and she had never reprimanded her husband so strongly in public before. She still wasn’t quite sure if that was because he had said literally the worst thing he ever had or because of the superior androstenone that had riled her up. So although she didn’t get off the throne she did drop her pheromone attack on her husband with a “tch.”

                         Jiang Fengmian fell to the ground coughing and sucking in breath quickly as he tried to get himself back under his own control, as Wen Ruohan questioned the elder,

                        “And how pray tell do you expect us to handle this particular situation in a fair manner?”

                        Lan Qiren paused, closed his eyes, and thought for a second until an idea came to him, causing him to open his eyes again as he said,

                       “Since we can’t agree we will have to find fair and impartial judges. Jiang Wanyin himself ought to have some say of course, but he may find it difficult to decide in case there is back lash. But luckily there is one major sect who has no steak in this at all and who’s leader is known for his fairness and morality.”

                       “I would like to point out that you are not impartial this time.” Wen Ruohan pointed out.

                       “Not me,” Lan Qiren said, looking annoyed at the implication that he would ever cheat in such a way, “I’m talking about the one major sect that is not with us today. If anyone can help judge impartially it would be the leaders of the Unclean Realm- I say we leave further proceedings up to none other than Nie Mingjue and the Qinghe Nie Sect.”

Chapter Text

                Lan Qiren’s words lingered in the air for a few moments as the sect leaders around him considered whether to agree or not, but Jin Guangshaun for one, soon scoffed at the idea,

                “Nie Mingjue? You mean one of your nephew’s sworn brothers? The one who is in the running to marry Jiang Cheng? How exactly can he be counted as impartial?”

                Qiren was not fazed by these questions, for he had suspected that some of the Sect Leaders would see a problem with this, for corrupt people tend to find corruption in even the most innocent of situations and it was well known that Nie Mingjue was close with Lan Xichen. So he patiently countered,

                “It is true that Nie Mingjue is one of my nephew’s sworn brothers, but he is also one of the least power hungry and one of the most ethical of the sect leaders out there. I have taught him when he was younger and seen his behavior elsewhere and I’m sure that he would not let his relationships get in the way of a proper judgment. If I felt that he could be swayed by relationships than I would not have considered this method, if that were the case than wouldn’t you be benefited the most in this case?”

                Jin Guangshan frowned, puzzled until Madam Jin rolled her eyes at him and snapped,

                “He’s talking about one of your Bastards, the sneaky little Omega Yao.”

                “Yao? Why don’t I remember a Yao?”

                “You’ve got to be kidding me, he’s literally the most ambitious Jin I know after you! Jin Guangyao, they call him Meng Yao. You practically threw him at the Nie Clan after officially adopting him. Is any of this ringing a bell?”

                “Oh Guangyao! Yes, I remember now, I adopted him so that we’d have an in with the Nie’s, because Nie Mingjue seemed to have an interest in him and Zixuan was already promised to the Jiangs. Huh, I totally forgot about that guy.” Jin Guangshan said with a chuckle, suddenly less against the idea than he was a minute ago, for surely since Guangyao lived there he would have a better handle on the Nie leader than Lan Xichen who could only visit.

                But of course this made Jiang Fengmian, Madam Yu, and Wen Ruohan frown, suddenly questioning things themselves, voiced by Wen Ruohan as he said,

                “It doesn’t sound very fair to those of us outside of the sworn brotherhood.”

                Lan Qiren shook his head before raising his arm up to calm the others,

                “Although we were just speaking of Nie Mingjue, I also included the Nie Sect overall. While I maintain that Mingjue will not likely be swayed by his personal associations he will not be the only one on the council. Nie Mingjue runs the Nie Sect with the help of Jin Guangyao and his heir, his brother Nie Huaisang. I suggest that these two be added to the Nie judges to help balance the scales.”

                “Balance the scales? It sounds more like you’re tipping them in Jin Guangshan’s favor. How could you add his son to the mix? Isn’t it a gamble for you to have him included?“

                “Jin Guangyao goes by the name of Meng Yao in the Nie Sect, and frankly considering the rocky relationship between himself and his biological father Guangshan it is hard to say if he would purposely vote for or against him or his pick. Which doesn’t matter either way since Zixuan isn’t actually in the running as he’s officially engaged to Jiang Yanli,” Lan Qiren logically pointed out to Wen Ruohan, “More importantly for you of the Wens, Meng Yao is something of an opportunist and is every bit as power hungry as his father. So actually I factored him in because he should be more beneficial to you. As the Wens you hold a great deal of power which means nothing to the Nie siblings as far as I know of, but would definitely factor in for Jin Guangyao.”

                Wen Ruohan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. It sounded good, but he was still somewhat suspicious due to the nature of Meng Yao and Lan Xichen’s relationship,

                “You say it would be beneficial to my Sect, but how can that be when Jin Guanyao is sworn brothers with Lan Xichen? Could it not also be said that you have two of your nephew’s sworn brothers on the council that will decide who gets the superior alpha that Xichen wants?”

                Lan Qiren let out a sigh,

                “One second you accuse me of padding it for my sect’s benefit, then for Jin Guangshan’s, and now it’s back to me again?” he vented slightly, before taking a deep breath to center himself and continuing on, “It would benefit me if you did veto the use of Jin Guanyao to be honest, precisely because of how close he is to Xicheng. Nie Mingjue will be most likely to pick the best option for Jiang Cheng, which frankly I believe to be Xichen, but Meng Yao is particularly close with and questionably obsessed with Lan Huan, so he is more likely to not choose Jiang Cheng, whom he’s never seen eye to eye with, for Xichen. He is likely to choose the person who it’s most beneficial to him politically.”

                Wen Ruohan was particularly diligent in keeping an eye on important people from different sects. For this reason he did have some vague knowledge of Jin Guanyao in relation to the two sect leaders that made him note worthy – his father Jin Guangshan, and his sworn brother potentially turned lover, Nie Mingjue. From what he’d heard Lan Qiren seemed to be telling the truth. Since his group was at least taken into account he was curious about the remaining Nie,

                “So if Nie Mingjue will choose who he deems best, which is likely Xichen, and Meng Yao will choose the one who’s political ties would be most beneficial, presumably someone from my clan, then I take it Nie Huaisang is the tie breaker?”

                “Possibly, but not necessarily. You see Nie Huaisang is close friends with both Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian, but he’s closest to the Wei from what I can tell. Because of this he will not only have Jiang Cheng’s well being in mind, but also that of Wei Wuxians,” Lan Qiren replied, calculatingly, “So it will be as fair as possible to all parties included if he is involved. Nie Huaisang will also choose the best option, but based on his own criteria and since he’s an artist and a bit of an odd ball, that will likely be based on his own personal rules, which will differentiate greatly from Nie Mingjue’s criteria. I couldn’t begin to guess his choice to be honest, it could even be Wei Wuxian for all I know. Huaisang’s the wild card in all of this, but will have the Jiang’s best interest in mind.”

                Madam Yu leaned forward on the Lotus throne, looking down at the Sect Leaders below her contemptuously,

                “So you expect me to leave my son’s fate in the hands of the Nies with no say? You must either be joking or do not take us seriously due to witnessing my husband and my internal fighting, but I assure you I am not one to be spoken over or ignored. I will have a say in my son’s marital arrangement.”

                Lan Qiren nodded,

                “I agree. In fact, although the proceedings should be run by the Nie Sect to keep things as fair as possible, I also wanted to suggest two additional members to the council. One of which is indeed you Madam Yu, not only because your son is the party being fought over, but also because it is clear that you’ve already kept an open mind on the subject of who to marry your son. Since you would consider a Wen even after a pheromone fight with the Wen leader, you are the best impartial parental representative.”

                Feeling better now that she was included on the proceedings, and truthfully being more focused on who should NOT get married to her son rather than picking one particular one that should without any data or evidence outside of the few times she’d met any of them, Madam Yu agreed. But Jiang Fengmian furrowed his eyebrows, for besides the possibility of Nie Huaisang the council did not look to be in his favor,

                “I must protest, my wife will not be impartial when it comes to Wei Wuxian.”

                “I’m afraid the choice of Wei Wuxian for Jiang Cheng’s marriage partner will be unlikely to be chosen by most people. Huaisang, Mingjue, and perhaps Meng Yao might be persuaded, which would be the only way to manage it, which still makes the Nie Sect the best choice. It’s difficult for people to code switch from viewing them as brothers to … what you’re considering.” Lan Qiren said in as careful a way as he could manage considering the suggestion.

                “You mentioned that you wanted to add two additional members to the Nie Council if possible. One is my wife, but who is the last one? Could they or could they not be persuaded if Wei Wuxian is the best option?” Jiang Fengmian questioned, curiously.

                “Doubtful, which is why I mentioned the only possible winning scenario for you, for you see the last member of the council will likely be particularly stunned at the suggestion. After all, I propose that the last member of this council be none other than Jiang Wanyin himself.”

Chapter Text

                “Jiang Wanyin?! But his marriage is the point of the whole council!” Jiang Fengmian questioned in surprise.

                “Exactly. It will affect him most directly and he should certainly at least have some say in his future marriage, as I’ve mentioned just before. Also, as a superior alpha if the council chooses someone completely against his wishes the likelihood of a catastrophic meltdown will be much higher. So it’s best for the council to listen to his opinions on the matter.” Lan Qiren explained, leading the adults in the room to consider this last council member.

                While most of the leaders of the cultivation world discussed these things, the younger generation also had their own thoughts. Lan Xichen and Xue Yang listened closely to the proposed words for information that might give them an advantage, Jin Zixuan and Wei Wuxian listened briefly in the hopes that their names would be naturally taken out of the ring, and Wen Qing was contemplating how on earth she’d ended up being dragged into this political nightmare when she was an Alpha herself. But there was one young Lan who was more concerned with getting the attention of his own love interest than he was of paying attention to any specific details about Jiang Cheng.

                Lan Qiren had vaguely kept his nephews in check before he began his proposed suggestion. But once the elder begun to speak, the naturally quiet, blend into the background in nosy crowds Lan Zhan started to narrow in on one Wei Wuxian, consequently abandoning the now quite messy dowry from before.

                In fact, Lan Zhan was so good at this that the other boy hadn’t even noticed he was next to him until he’d literally bumped into him. Startled, due to the sudden touch in the middle of a conversation that he’d been hyper focusing on, Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened at the other boy, before stepping back as if he’d been the one who’d bumped into the Lan.

                Lan Wangji frowned at this and re-entered the other’s bubble causing Wuxian to tilt his head in confusion. The Lan leaned forward, which made Wei Wuxian crane his neck backwards in confusion of what the other boy was trying to do before an annoyed Lan Zhan narrowed his eyebrows and admonished in a whisper,

                “Wei Ying!”

                 Wei Wuxian, who felt that his life was somewhat on the line was not pleased by the distraction, so he stepped back yet again and countered,

                “Lan Wangji, hush!”

                 Lan Zhan could not remember a time, in his entire life, where he had been asked to be quiet. He’d been asked to speak a great many times, but not to be silent. Due to this unprecedented admonishment the Lan actually did so at first, causing Wei Wuxian to direct his attention back to the matter at hand.

                 Of course Wei Wuxian couldn’t be blamed considering his own love life was on the line, but unfortunately, the way he’d gone about it caused Lan Zhan to think particularly introspectively until all of the new council’s candidates were proposed. At which point Wei Wuxian let out a little sigh and turned back to the Lan, before pointing behind him.

                 Lan Zhan turned his head to look in the direction that Wuxian had pointed and noticed that despite all of the sects and their disciples there was in fact an exit that no one seemed to be paying attention to. He turned to look back just as Wei Wuxian quietly passed him with a crook of his finger, before exiting the room into a long hallway on the one side.

                 Although Wangji was still a bit annoyed at being told to be quiet, the sight of Wei Wuxian’s come hither body language compelled him to follow after him anyway. Either way it was important to understand what the other male was thinking, or doing, and why. So Lan Zhan glanced over to his family members, his Uncle steadfastly working to convince the lot of the adults to behave like they were so, and his brother who side eyed him and nodded, before going back to paying attention to what everyone in the room was still saying. With the clear blessing of his elder brother the Lan had no more doubts, slipping into the hall and speeding up to follow a busy seeming Wuxian.

                 “Sorry about before, but I needed to get as much information as possible,” the Wei said continuing down the hall at a faster pace than usual, while the Lan glided across the floor beside him, “I assume you would too if someone told you there was a possibility that they’d marry you off to Xichen.”

                 At those words a horrified Lan Zhan paused, causing Wei Wuxian to laugh at the expression on his face,

                 “Exactly. Blood relations or not, I felt that same horror myself, only mine is actually a distinct possibility, and being the older one in the situation is even worse than being the younger one. Imagine helping raise your younger brother and being prepared to protect them from anything, but then realizing that you’re one of the things you need to protect them from!”

                  Lan Zhan could neither relate, nor imagine it getting much worse than being told to marry your brother. Despite his alleged lack of expression to the general masses Wei Wuxian could somehow tell his thoughts, shaking his head somewhat fondly and amused as he prompted,

                  “You really can’t can you?”

                  Lan Wangji shook his head innocently, causing the Wei to want to stop for a moment and smile at him, before coming to a realization,

                  “Are you really not speaking this whole time just because I told you not to?”

                  Lan Zhan stuck his nose up and looked away, not wanting to appear to be petty, but also not wanting to relent just then, for the Wei had hit the nail on the head.

                  Of course, this only caused Wei Wuxian to laugh,

                 “Oh my, is the great Hanguang Jun actually sulking?” he questioned, coming closer to the other, before adding, “or should I chalk this up to your innate obedience to authority?”

                 Lan Zhan glanced down at him, as Wei Wuxian tilted his head a bit, not able to help teasing him, considering the circumstances and his usual way of making the other Lan pay attention to him back at  school, at least before he differentiated and the world seemed to change so drastically,

               “So I told you to hush and you’ve been silent for all this time. In that case I wonder what you’d do if I ordered you to kiss me then. Would it last as long?” he teased flirtatiously.

                Although Wei Wuxian had just been teasing, Lan Zhan looked down at him quite seriously, causing the air to become heavy with tension and possibility. The undifferentiated Lan looked down at the cheeky Omega’s lips until even the seemingly shameless Wei’s cheeks began to redden and he started to back up, laughing awkwardly,

                “Sorry it was just a joke. Poor taste I know.”

                But Lan Zhan must not have believed him, for just as Wei Wuxian was about to turn away from him the Lan pulled the Omega back to him, leaned down the few inches that were left and pressed his lips against the others.

                Wei Wuxian’s let out a gasp into the kiss, shocked by the sudden gesture. Reading this as a possible no, Lan Wangji stopped sooner than he’d wanted to, pivoting slightly away from the Wei in embarrassment at the rejection.

                Wei Wuxian, who’s mind and body had finally caught up to what had just happened, lifted his hand against his mouth still a bit stunned, before realizing that the Lan had taken his shock badly. Wei Wuxian thought for a few seconds, before running his hands along the front of the others robes, slipping himself in the space in front of the other, and standing slightly on his tip toes as he pressed his own mouth against the Lan’s.

                Hanguang Jun was only still for a few seconds before he began cradling the other’s head in one hand and responding, thankful that he’d not read the signals wrong. And there the two kissed for a few moments, before Wei Wuxian gently pressed Lan Zhan’s chest, causing the other to finish up and back up.

                Considering the ups and downs of the day he’d been having Wei Wuxian was slightly embarrassed to have suddenly done something so impulsive and reckless when he’d meant to sneak into his brother’s room and explain what was going on in the nicest way he possibly could. It was not the proper time to be making out with the youngest twin Jade in the hallway.

                 Wei Wuxian coughed a couple of times and cleared his throat, now that breathing was an available option, before joking to lighten up the atmosphere,

                 “That was hot and all, but I’m not going to lie to you, it’s a bit weird to have kissed me on the day that my pseudo father told the cultivation world that his preference for my marriage is my younger brother. To be honest, if that’s what you’re into I’m afraid I can’t always oblige.”        

                 Lan Zhan ignored this joke, noticing that Wei Wuxian looked particularly vulnerable at the moment despite the sassy words, before hugging the Omega in a manner that made it obvious to Wei Wuxian that it must be a rare occurrence for him, as the Lan breathed,

                 “Wei Ying, don’t marry him.”

                 Wei Wuxian looked up at the Lan, letting out a sigh as he dropped the comedy for the time being as he responded,

                 “I don’t want to marry my brother and I will do my utmost to avoid it, but I can’t make any promises. The truth is I owe Sect Leader Jiang my life, without him I’d still be fighting angry stray dogs for thrown away food scraps, and that’s if I was lucky to make it to this age. So while I can do my best to scare off the council judges, if they end up picking me I don’t think I’ll have much of a choice.”

                Lan Wangji gently lifted a hand up and placed in on one of Wei Wuxian’s cheeks, while shaking his head no in distress, speaking softly to him,

                “Wei Ying.”

                It was only two words, just his name, but somehow Wei Wuxian felt like he understood what the Lan was trying to say, and although he wanted to respond in a positive way, or at least cheekily to lighten things up, he couldn’t bring himself to tease or lie to him this time. Not with such a strong unsaid wish lingering between them. So instead of empty reassurances to make one or both of them feel better Wei Wuxian looked away from the Lan and said,

                “You should go back now, you’re family will be missing you soon.”

                The undifferentiated Lan stared at the back of the Wei for a few minutes not moving, until the Omega took it upon himself to begin walking, water beginning to moisten the inner corners of his eyes as he said shakily, without looking,

                “If things don’t work out in this life by any chance, let’s meet in the next one. If you save me then, even wild dogs wouldn’t be able to drag me away. So take care until next time, whenever that may be.”

                And before Lan Zhan could stop him, or even so much as speak, Wei Wuxian took off running, slipping out of a side window, before dashing across the outside courtyard clearly heading towards the direction of his adoptive sibling’s current abode.

                But although Wei Wuxian was no longer before him, Lan Zhan stayed right where he was, looking in the direction that they omega had disappeared, and there he stayed until his family found him, and led him away- all but his heart, that broken, lingered in that spot long afterward.

Chapter Text

                           By the time Jiang Wanyin came to after his fainting spell he found himself feeling particularly comfortable. With a long, cat-like stretch he ran his fingers under himself, feeling at what was underneath. In a few seconds it occurred to him that he was laying on a bed, which was not particularly comforting considering the last thing he’d remembered that he’d done was make out with Lan Xichen in front of what seemed a lot like the entire cultivation world.

                           He was so nervous at this thought that he kept his eyes closed and squeezed fairly tight as he felt around him for the possibility of another body, not completely sure what he’d do if he actually found one, but also wanting to rip the bandaid off of the inevitable.

                           Luckily, as far as Jiang Cheng was concerned, he felt no other bodies or body heat, even after rolling somewhat dramatically around the bed and getting slightly tangled in the sheets. Finding some comfort and courage in this, the young alpha rolled back to where the bed felt the warmest, and reached just outside of the frame only to latch on to a rather thin arm and retracting his own upon contact as if he’d been burned.

                           He was not so adept that he could figure out who someone was simply from touching their wrist, but it certainly had felt omega like, to the point that he wondered if he should fain sleep until whoever it was went away. But before he could decide on this action a gentle voice interrupted his train of thought,

                           “A’Cheng are you awake? Your soup is getting cold.”

                           Recognizing this voice, but still slightly concerned, Jiang Wanyin cautiously began to open his eyes, adjusting to the room’s light, which was not difficult for it was somewhat dark except for the ambiance of the candles around them. He blinked several times to clear his eyes of its cloudiness before looking towards the direction of the voice and finding his sister there turning to uncover and bring over a bowl of soup.

                           She moved closer to him, scooped some on a spoon, and held it in front of him. Normally Jiang Cheng would be deeply embarrassed by such a babyish action, but he was so happy to see that it was her he opened his mouth obediently and tasted the Lotus soup she’d made for him, letting out a sigh of relief.

                           Yanli smiled at the other and went to give him another round, but this time her little brother pulled away, getting more of a grip on himself,

                           “It’s okay, I’m not hungry now. Besides if I am, I certainly can feed myself, but thank you, I’m always excited to eat your cooking.”

                           Yanli let out a little sigh putting the bowl back down behind her, yet wanting to baby him a bit more, particularly after all the chaos about his marriage prospects. It made her think of the old days when he was just a little boy that she got to take care of, when life was less complicated. It was part of the reason she’d left the room to make him Lotus Root Soup in the first place, when she wanted to keep an eye on him herself. Luckily he hadn’t awoken while she was gone.

                           “It’s okay, you can feed me Jie Jie, I’ll always be your A’Xian.” Wei Wuxian said, entering the area of the candle lights, and batting his eyelashes at Yanli which causing her to smile.

                           Jiang Cheng scowled, about to warn Wuxian not to eat his dinner when his mind drifted off to the question of why he hadn’t eaten something before he went to sleep, which is precisely how the alpha was suddenly flooded with memories of what happened before he’d passed out. But of course these memories seemed even more absurd than the usual dream and as such in a last ditch effort of sanity Jiang Wanyin surmised that this was precisely what those images must have been.

                           He reached over and tugged gently at his sister’s sleeve, with wide eyes as he suddenly and dramatically burst out,

                           “Oh Jie Jie thank goodness it was just a nightmare! You won’t believe the dream I had- … actually it’s too shameful to admit … but not admitting it will make me feel guilty so I suppose I should. In my dream I turned into an uncontrollable alpha monster and even violated Lan Xichen! It was terrible, what do you think it could mean?”

                           Yanli patted his hand comfortingly, before opening her mouth to attempt to gently explain that he hadn’t been dreaming although violation was a harsh word for it, when Wei Wuxian put his hand up to stop her,

                           “Wait a minute Jie Jie, we should confirm something first,” the Wei began.

                           Assuming he was going to take the burden of the truth on himself Yanli stopped and looked at him only for Wuxian to continue in an unexpected manner as he said,

                          “Can you describe this violation of Lan Xichen, in great detail if you please?”

                          At this Jiang Cheng’s face turned quite crimson, and even Yanli’s cheeks turned rosy as well. Wanyin began to twist his blanket in his hands nervously, not wanting to respond, before snapping in embarrassment,

                          “Why is that any of your business?! It’s my nightmare after all!”

                          Wei Wuxian shook his finger at the other boy, before sitting at the edge of the bed with a mature looking expression,

                          “Your business is always my business Didi. I know I can’t pry the information out of you, but if you don’t tell us I can’t tell you what it might mean.”

                          Jiang Cheng frowned, looking at Wuxian skeptically while continuing to worry his poor blanket. Wei Wuxian’s oddly serious expression caused him to consider actually saying something, until eventually he gave in as best he could manage,

                          “Well, we were in front of most of the sect leaders, although I can’t remember the reason, but even the Wens were there. Then it got foggy, but suddenly I was ki-ki-kissing him in front of everyone! Like some hormonal monster alpha! Thank Baoshan Sanren it was just a dream, otherwise I don’t know how I would live with myself!”

                           Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian exchanged a glance, before turning back to look at Jiang Cheng who had moved the covers to just under his nose, but over his mouth as if just showing his mouth to the room was shameful enough after his admission. But in the end Wuxian thought it would be best to rip the Band-Aid off, although he was a bit concerned with his younger brother’s perspective of a violation,

                           “Well I have good and bad news for you. Bad news first: that wasn’t a dream, you really did kiss Lan Xichen in front of most of the sect leaders of the cultivation world.”

                           Jiang Cheng’s eyes widened like saucers and even the tips of his ears were red by the time he hauled the blanket over his whole head and threw himself back down on to the bed with a groan,

                          “Oh my Lotus, please just put me out of my misery then, if my nightmare is literally true than what could the good news possibly be?!”

                          Wei Wuxian tugged at the covers, trying with difficultly to pry them away from his brother as he said,

                         “The good news is that it wasn’t a violation, it was completely consensual and technically he kissed you first.”

                         Jiang Cheng, holding on to the blankets that covered his shame for dear life, began to roll in an effort to shake his brother off of his precious protection as he responded, letting out another groan,

                         “Then your good news is just a placating lie! If that nightmare was a reality than Sect Leader Lan was likely just compelled by my alpha pheromones! He’s newly classified and even Xue Yang was affected. I can’t believe how despicable I am to take advantage of an Omega like that! I’m like some kind of scum villain!”

                          A tired Wei Wuxian let go of the blanket, accidentally sending Jiang Wanyin rolling off of the bed with the removal of opposite force,

                         “Oops, sorry Wanyin,” Wuxian said uncovering his brother whose face was in a pout when the Wei finally got the blanket off of him, “but stop thinking the worst of yourself, Lan Xichen is clearly into you, the whole reason he came to Lotus Pier was to offer you his hand in marriage. He even brought his dowry with him.”

                          Seeing as he’d lost face anyway, Jiang Cheng stood up and pulled the cover around his shoulders like a cape, clutching it tightly, before pacing and saying,

                          “Just because he brought his Dowry here doesn’t mean that he actually wanted to marry me. He probably had to because of his Uncle or his currently unbalanced pheromones or my currently unbalanced pheromones?!  What if he’s just infatuated because I was his first kiss?! And how can you act like kissing is nothing?! Do you have such a large amount of experience that it’s no big deal? Because personally, I can’t say the same!”

                           Wei Wuxian hummed a bit in thought,

                          “Well, I can’t say I’ve made out a ton of times or anything, but it’s not like I never did. Someone even shyly kissed me while I was blindfolded during a night hunt once, but I didn’t make a big deal about it or anything. Guess kissing is different for everyone. Xichen seemed pretty happy with it, so I definitely wouldn’t worry about his end. You seem to have enough you’re dealing with already. And anyway I’m an even newer Omega and I wasn’t compelled by your pheromones or vice versa, so at least it wasn’t me you were making out with. That’s also good news.”

                           Jiang Cheng scrunched up his nose in disgust,

                          “Ew! Of course you weren’t affected, you’re my older brother so you wouldn’t be affected in that way. If I’d made out with you I’d be lower than a scum villain, I’d be some kind of evil demon. Why would you even imagine that?!”

                           Wei Wuxian ran his fingers through his hair before muttering,

                           “We aren’t biological brothers though.”

                           Jiang Wanyin looked at his brother as if he had five heads,

                           “Wei Wuxian you are creeping me out, what exactly are you trying to say right now?”

                           Wei Ying looked over at Yanli who tapped his hand calmly, and decided that it was finally her turn to speak. She signaled for Wei Wuxian to stay in place as she took her youngest brother’s hands in hers and tried to break the devastating news gently,

                           “Well Wanyin, you see… there have been some… developments since you’ve been out of commission so to speak, and since you are so highly in demand the elders have decided that it would be best to settle your marriage prospects soon. Unfortunately, Father has decided on a concerning candidate himself… so there is a very small… teeny tiny … slight chance that you could possibly end up having to marry… A’Xian.”

                           Although he had just recently woken up from a faint, Jiang Cheng felt about ready to pass out once again. Luckily he did not, but he did lose feeling in his legs and plopped down on to the ground in shock, from which Wei Wuxian tried to right him, but Jiang Cheng scooted backwards as if burned,

                           “Wei Ying?! But I can’t marry Wei Ying, we’re brothers!”

                           Jiang Cheng was so disturbed by the thought of being forced to marry his older brother that he felt as if he would soon spit up blood.

                           “I know it’s a shock, but I’m sure everything will work out for the best,” Yanli said, wanting to assure not only him but also Wei Wuxian who she pulled closer to them, “once things have cooled and calmed down a little, like tomorrow afternoon, I’ll have a talk with father and try to convince him to change his mind on even including A’Xian in the candidacy.”

                            “And I’ll do my best to sabotage any and all chances that I may possibly be given. And any and all chances Xue Yang may possibly be given as well for that matter.” Wei Wuxian assured the youngest.

                             Jiang Cheng covered his face with a groan,

                             “Oh Yunmeng, I forgot about Xue Yang in the shock about Wei Ying. Aren’t there any candidates that I can at least tolerate and I haven’t violated recently?”

                             “There’s Wen Qing.” Yanli offered.

                             “Isn’t she an alpha herself?” Jiang Cheng questioned.

                             “There’s no law against it and that didn’t stop you from having that little crush on her before.” Jiang Yanli continued.

                             “Well to be fair I thought I was going to be an Omega at the time and she was one of the gentler alpha options then.”

                             “Forget Wen Qing, she’s fine and all, but from what I’ve seen you and your alpha are most interested in Lan Xichen! So stop doubting yourself and blaming hormones, and just go for him!” Wei Wuxian insisted excitedly.

                              Jiang Cheng snorted,

                             “You act as though I have some say in the matter.”

                             “Actually you do have SOME say, if not all.” Wei Wuxian stated.

                            “What are you talking about?”

                            “It’s been decided that once you’ve recovered we will travel to the Unclean Realm where a special council will be put together to decide who you’ll be marrying of the options, and thanks to Lan Qiren you will get to be on it.” Yanli explained.

                            “Who else is on it?” Jiang Cheng questioned, somewhat skeptically, but wanting to see how much authority on the matter he’d actually be getting.

                            “Besides you? Mother, Nie Mingjue, Nie Huaisang, and Jin Guangyao.” His sister answered.

                            “Who in the Unclean Realm chose Meng Yao? That guy hates me!” Jiang Cheng said throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation.

                            “Don’t worry he’s only one among five.”

                            “Unfortunately so am I, and why is Nie Huaisang involved? What if he decides to use this opportunity as some big prank?”

                            “Why would you have a problem with Huaisang being involved? As our friend he’s bound to be of some help in this much more serious than usual situation.” Wei Wuxian commented puzzled.

                            “Correction: Nie Huaisang is your friend. I’m pretty sure the only reason he ever talked to me is because you do, and because he likes to get a rise out of me like the majority of the cultivation population.”

                            “That’s not true, Huaisang loves you.”

                            “I don’t need any more candidates in that area thank you!” The Jiang alpha snapped.

                            The Jiang siblings paused for a few seconds in thought before Jiang Cheng interrupted the silence by asking his sister,

                            “You said that it was decided to wait until I recovered before setting out to the Unclean Realm for this strange marriage council correct?”

                           Jiang Yanli nodded, but wasn’t sure how that could be construed as helpful since the youngest Jiang was already awake, and although distressed, seemingly able to carry on.

                          But Jiang Cheng did not seem to agree as he threw himself back on to his bed and closed his eyes,

                          “Then the best option is to never recover, isn’t it? So forget I was ever awake and I’ll go into a heavy cultivation coma until I’m too old to sire children or the elder generation is gone, whichever comes first.”

                           “It’s a creative idea, but it will never work. You’re too expressive to fake a coma. Besides, if you do who’s to say the sect leaders won’t just decide that whoever awakens you with a kiss gets to marry you? You’ll definitely not be able to keep cool in that situation.” Wuxian added helpfully.

                            Jiang Cheng turned to look at him with a judgy and horrified expression and the omega pointed at him,

                            “See? You didn’t even last ten seconds.”

                            Jiang Cheng groaned, grabbing a pillow and pressing it against his own face to let out a scream, but when he didn’t immediately lift it Yanli and Wuxian both pulled it away from his now quite flushed face.

                            “Why are you stopping me? Just let me go in peace. There’s no saving me now.” The Jiang let out with an air of melancholy.

                            “Don’t even joke like that.” Yanli said sternly.

                            “I agree. Besides it’s not the end of the world. Worse comes to worse we get married and just live together like brothers and roommates forever, just with different titles. Instead of A’Cheng or Baby Brother I’ll just call you Bao Bei or Hubby, other than that nothing much has to change. We can just become the Yunmeng Prides in a different way.” Wei Ying attempted to console him.

                            “… Where did that pillow go to again?” Jiang Cheng said, looking around, mind refusing to process what his elder brother just said.

                           “I said worst case scenario! It shouldn’t actually get to that, so relax. I have full confidence that I won’t be picked as your spouse anyway. I mean look at the council: you aren’t going to pick me, your mom certainly isn’t going to pick me, so all I have to do is assure that one other person refuses to pick me and it will be impossible. You’ve got to win by three and people don’t pick me for nearly anything around here. So relax… and maybe learn to sleep without pillows for this process because I’m going to be pretty vigilant in getting rid of them until you’ve calmed down some.” Wuxian assured.

                           Hearing the unlikelihood of Wuxian getting chosen gave Jiang Cheng some feeling of calmness in the matter. As long as he at least voted on who he did not want to be with him and his mother chose based on his best interests he should at least not end up with Xue Yang or Wei Wuxian unless all three Unclean Realm additions conspired against him, which he was pretty sure at least Nie Mingjue would not, as he was a pillar of justice.

                           He supposed that as long as it wasn’t his own brother he could live with the consequences. He really didn’t want to ruin Wen Qing or Lan Huan’s lives or anything, but he really couldn’t imagine any sort of peaceful life with the other two. But the most important one to avoid was Wei Wuxian, because even the thought made him nauseous and at least if he ended up with Xue Yang it might have been his karma for defiling the omega Lan and at the very least if Xue Yang did manage to hurt or kill him there would be no need left for pillows to do the job and no one else would have to suffer.

                           It was a real thinker, but unfortunately time was running out until he’d have to make a decision. As he was contemplating the benefits of a Xue Yang win the door slightly opened revealing the cold face of his father half in light and shadow,

                           “Good, you’re finally awake. In that case a messenger will be sent to the Unclean Realm tonight explaining the situation and asking for help and permission to hold the council for your hand in a few days time,” he said, before including the others, “prepare yourselves to travel by then.”

                           “Sect Leader Jiang, could I perhaps be the messenger or at least go with them a bit earlier? I have a standing invitation to the Unclean Realm due to Huaisang and it would be nice to get to chat with him before all of the drama if you will. Besides if there’s any hesitance I could help them to agree if I go.” Wei Wuxian suddenly asked, causing the other two Jiang siblings to look at him curious as to what his plan was in arriving early.

                           Fengmian looked thoughtful for a moment, but relented after a few seconds,

                           “It’s fine by me if you want to go with the messenger, make sure to convince them if they need it since this is a very serious matter after all. I’ll let him know that you’re going with so make sure to pack as quickly as you can.”

                           Wei Wuxian nodded, glancing at his siblings to reassure them, but saying nothing further least it spoil his plans.

                           While Wuxian headed to the door Jiang Fengmian looked back over at Jiang Cheng somewhat condescendingly as he said,

                           “And Wanyin, since you’re prone to fainting you’ll be traveling with your sister by sedan lest there be another incident.”

                           Jiang Cheng’s cheeks reddened at that, for any alpha, let alone a male alpha, traveling in such a manner was actually meant to be quite a humiliation, but he couldn’t argue since he had just recently fainted and it was not as if he could guarantee that he’d not do so again considering all of the recent shocking developments that continued to come up in his life. He couldn’t bare to officially agree to such treatment however so he merely looked away, while Yanli bit her lip in a sorry manner.

                           Feeling that was the end of the matter Jiang Fengmian closed the door as soon as Wei Wuxian passed the archway, walking with him in the direction of his room, a fact that did not escape the detective like Wuxian, who stopped after a few steps and turned to bow politely at the Sect Leader, before asking,

                           “Is there anything else I can do for you Set Leader Jiang?”

                           Jiang Fengmian smiled dotingly at the boy and clapped him on the back, before sweetly saying,

                          “You know Wuxian I’ve always viewed you as part of the family ever since I’ve known of your existence. You’ve always been so brave and carefree, the perfect example of the credo of the Jiang Sect. I must admit I’ve even cursed the archaic rules that would stop the perfect candidate of the Yunmeng Jiang Sect from taking over as Leader some day. Only today did I realize that there could be a way to truly make you family.”

                           Although he wanted to avoid the older man’s gaze then Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but look the other in the eyes searchingly. This man, his benefactor, and the closest thing he felt he’d ever had to a father looked back at him with the utmost sincerity, causing the Wei to swallow nervously wondering if he ought to reconsider his plan. He could not help but feel as if he owed Sect Leader Jiang and sincerely did not want to abandon his savior and benefactor. Could he really do so to avoid marrying Jiang Cheng? Couldn’t he just do as he told Jiang Cheng in his worst case scenario to give the man before him the only thing he’d ever seemed to ask for in return?

                          Before he could make up his mind one way or another Jiang Fengmian looked him in the eyes and said,

                          “I’m sure when you go to the Unclean Realm and see your friend Nie Huaisang you’ll do the right thing, as always. After all only you can protect the Jiang Sect, Jiang Cheng included,” at that Jiang Fengmian began to walk forward, but before he was out of ear shot he added a very fatherly, “safe trip son.”

                           As the Jiang rounded the corner, Wei Wuxian found himself frozen in the hallway, wondering at the words just spoken to him, and more importantly if there was any way to handle this powder keg of a situation in a way that wouldn’t make him seem as if he betrayed one side or the other.

                           By the time Wei Wuxian had managed to pack his bag and slipped out of Yunmeng his bag seemed particularly heavy, but he was certain that it wasn’t the items inside of it that were weighing him down, but rather the heavy life choices each with their own consequences that he was going to have to soon make and the concern that unless some miracle happened he might not have an intact family to go back to when all things were said and done.

                           So, just in case, despite the darkness, Wei Wuxian took a good long look at Yunmeng and the Lotus seed pods that sprouted around them, picking a few as he and the messenger sailed away from port and the rest of the city, until it was no longer in his sight, at which time his head felt a little bit clearer and he braced himself for what he had to do and what was yet to come.

Chapter Text

          The impromptu Main Sect Leader Meeting of Yunmeng ended with the general agreement to let the council as dictated by Lan Qiren decide the final fate of Jiang Cheng’s marital partner. But despite talks of fairness and the like that was not to say that different groups didn’t have their own particular tactical ideas for winning this competition. The recent night hunt had been cancelled after all, so the stakes felt like something similar, but with a superior alpha as the prize to most.

           Other’s strategies would be revealed once more was decided upon, but the current ideas from two of the three main Lan’s were beginning to make the Jin’s and Wen’s look like they were all about fair play, to the concern of their Grand Uncle,

           “Lan Xichen I forbid you from casually visiting your sworn brother’s tonight to get yourself a leg up, it’s already bad enough that you bribed a judge.”

           “I did not bribe a judge Uncle, I had already planned to give all of that dowry to the Jiang’s, the timing is questionable at best, but it was coincidental to begin with. Besides I can’t drag all of those things over to the Unclean Realm, Mingjue, or worse Jin Guangyao, might think I’m trying to marry into the Nie! And we can’t send it back to Gusu, I will lose face and you’ll destroy it.” Lan Xichen insisted rationally.

           “Be that as it may you could have just left it there without comment, did you really have to make a point of explaining that you were leaving a dowry? Madam Yu might consider it a bribe and think you’re some kind of knave!” Lan Qiren argued.

           “Well I can’t just leave a bunch of things for them to deal with and then be like I just wanted to show off. I have to get along with my mother-in-law after all. Unless you want me be like Ye Xian after marriage. It’s bad enough we had to take the horses back with us, I’m regretting not buying them outright as it would have been more impressive. As it is I’ll have to try to convince them to sell me Wangji’s at the very least, he has gotten attached very fast. And additionally it would be disloyal not to keep mine since he's been so sweet and well behaved for me.”

            Lan Wangji who was especially melancholy, even though it would be hard to tell so if you were not a Lan or well versed in his body language, was very much relying on the temperamental horse he was riding to continue forward. His posture was perfect, but it was like a shell with not much inside. Even the naughty horse seemed to feel a little sorry for him and walked calmly behind the other two as they talked, letting out little snorting sounds here and there.

            Lan Qiren looked over, shaking his head, still having refused horse services he was the only one that was floating on his sword, in this case in between the other two, considering abandoning them for the sanity of his room at Gusu. But it was a bit far considering he’d have to pack up and go again to the Unclean Realm early the next day, so he thought about it. Lan Xichen sensed some kind of weakness around these lines so he struck while the iron was hot,

            “Whether I visit my sworn brothers or not we do have to at least go to the Unclean Realm. Most of the disciples can bring back the horses, but we have to be their promptly or I might lose points there. I’m not sure how Wanyin’s mother feels about late comers after all, and could you stand to lose face by arriving late tomorrow if anything were to happen?”

            Lan Qiren frowned, thinking things over as he stood regally on his sword and stroked the beard on his chin. Xichen did have a point, not on the matter of his sworn brothers, but on the fact that they should definitely be heading towards the Unclean Realm and renting some rooms. Once the other’s came it might be difficult to find lodging in a convenient place near where they needed to go to see Sect Leader Nie , and he would sooner jump off a cliff than lose face by getting caught braking the Lan rules of punctuality. After all he would never hear the end of it, particularly from one notoriously rebellious student by the name of Wei Wuxian.

             As if he could literally hear his uncle’s thoughts, particularly the topic being Wei Wuxian, Lan Zhan stared at his Uncle hard until the elder relented,

            “Fine! Fine! Send the majority of the disciples back with the horses, and we will go and rent rooms near the Unclean Realm, but no funny business from either of you! I’m going to go personally to ensure that you two don’t get up to mischief! It will not be said of Lans that we do not live up to the educational hype!”

            Lan Xichen nodded and smiled agreeably of course, and Lan Wangji stared, but refused to get off of the horse, so most of the horses went back with the disciples, but not all of them. Lan Xichen gave some of the disciples orders to hold down the fort back at Gusu, and others to return to them, calculating who would be needed for which job.

            Two hours later Lan Qiren was sound asleep, after having found out that the other sect leaders had also traveled right away which lifted a great burden from him and left him to sleep in peace. Meanwhile Lan Xichen’s night was just beginning.

            Lan Wangji watched curiously with question marks written all over his expression, at least to someone as discerning as Lan Xichen. The elder Lan smiled as he was getting ready, patting the younger Lan’s shoulder, and explained quietly, in an effort not to rouse the elder,

            “Wangji I need you to do something important and keep an eye on Uncle Qiren. He’s pretty regimented so I doubt it will be much of a problem, but stay with him and if he does get up keep him distracted or lull him back to sleep with music or something.”

            Lan Zhan tilted his head questions reading loud and clear even without verbal communication. Lan Xichen continued to explain since the other was put in charge of something and deserved an explanation of some kind,

            “Don’t worry Wangji I’m just going out to see and have a nice chat with my sworn brothers. I understand Uncle’s point on the matter, but honestly it would be rude of me NOT to go chat with them first and neither you nor I can afford to offend either one of them at the moment. Rest assured though I will do everything in my power to make it so that I become Jiang Wanyin’s Omega, and that Wei Wuxian does not.”

             If Lan Zhan had any reservations on the idea before they instantly lifted at the thought of his brother helping Wei Wuxian out of it so that he could woo the other in earnest. He agreed to this plan with a nod and looked over at his Uncle with an innocent sort of determination.

             “There’s a dear,” Lan Xichen said clasping his brother on the shoulder, before heading out into the night, “if I’m not back before Uncle Qiren wakes up at his usual time then something went terribly wrong. Otherwise see you soon hopefully with good news Wangji.”

            Lan Zhan nodded again, but his eyes were fixated on the snoring figure on the other side of the room. Seeing this Lan Xichen chuckled a little to himself, winked encouragingly at his hyper-focused brother, and slipped off into the night in the direction of his sworn brother’s abode and sleeping quarters, with a very un-Lan like plan. Then again Lan Xichen really was much more like his mother than a Lan, although he still had the singularly focused and romantic nature of one. Both of which he was about to prove, if absolutely necessary, that very night.

Chapter Text

                           In the cover of darkness Lan Xichen unabashedly made his way to not only the Unclean Realm, but so stunned many of the Nie disciples with his blinding angelic smile and looks, and his verbal eloquence that he actually managed to slip with full permission into his sworn brother’s room. 

                           There really was no need for him to sneak around per say, for no one was baring him, and he was sure up until the very door of his bedroom Nie Mingjue wouldn’t mind, but Lan Xichen found such moments exhilarating, and truth to tell he wanted to give his notoriously vigilant friend a bit of a surprise.

                           Despite it not being the worst thing one could do Lan Xichen wanted to giggle thinking about the look on his Uncle’s face if he caught him sneaking into an Alpha’s sleeping quarters. Of course it was more funny just to think of it, for he’d have to do a lot more convincing about Jiang Cheng if he really was caught by the elder Lan. Another thought that made him giddy was the possibility of seeing Nie Mingjue asleep. Would he even be frowning and austere in dream land, or would he look peaceful and serene, with the peace that comes from a clear conscience?

                           Of course these were all just fun, romanticized thoughts of the Lan Omega. For he and Nie Mingjue were completely platonic, and Lan Xichen viewed him as his brother, although Lan Wangji was practically his baby so not quite as strong as his biological one. Lan Xichen had always been prone to idealistic, romantic thoughts, even outside of actual romance as in for a partner. But ever since he presented, he was feeling his emotions especially strongly, both the good ones and the bad, as his brain and hormones fought for dominance.

                           Spying the bed Lan Xichen tip toed over until he was next to the Nie’s pillow, he slowly stuck his finger forward, ready to pull the sheet with a finger and see if he could catch the look on the other’s face before waking him, when suddenly he felt flesh against his neck and two seconds later he was in a very secure choke hold, with the feel of a bare chest against his back, as a low gravelly voice growled out,

                           “If you don’t tell me who the hell you are and why you’re trying to sneak up on me in the middle of the night in ten seconds, I’m going to snap your neck like the chicken you are to attempt to attack a sleeping man.”

                           Eyes widening in surprise Lan Xichen slapped the arm squeezing against his wind pipe. After all he would be able to say very little as he was choking.

                           The man behind him seemed to realize the issue and moved his grip to around the others mid forearms so that he still couldn’t move.

                           Lan Xichen coughed for a few seconds as he attempted to catch his breath. But the other man was not at all patient, and he had begun to count the seconds very shortly after finishing his last sentence. So, since he couldn’t talk and there was not much candle light in the bedroom Lan Xichen did the only thing he could do. He bent his knees until the other man was slightly off the ground and launched them both forwards onto the bed, causing the man to go flying over him to practically the edge of the bed.

                           Seasoned warrior that he was however, his captor refused to let him go, and even gripped the other harder so as not to be separated. But Xichen had managed to twist himself so that he was half forward, and to be sure that the other got the point before he did something drastic like strangle him Lan Xichen pressed the side of his head against the others body and rubbed his forehead ribbon against the man’s naked chest.

                           It took a few seconds to process, but once he did he let go of Lan Xichen who lay on the bed breathing heavily while the shocked attacker said,

                           “A Lan?” getting a bit closer the two parties could finally see each other, and the seasoned warrior found himself dumbfounded, “Lan Xichen?! What are you doing here?!”

                           Lan Xichen coughed a few more times and caught his breath for a bit, before he was finally able to face his friend, albeit languidly, with a wide innocent eyed smile, saying,

                           “Nie Mingjue, I may need your help.”

Chapter Text

            Nie Mingjue had been a warrior, a cultivator, and a Sect Leader for quite a long time by now. Because of this he was very aware of his surroundings, and he had trained himself so well that he could even sense trouble in his sleep. Which is how he often caught even a conniving Omega who happened to take his chances every once in a while by sneaking into his sleeping quarters. Mingjue always noticed and disciplined the other, but that didn’t stop the little minx that normally pulled such a trick.

            But it wasn’t only the problematic Omega that had snuck into his room before. There was once in a while a Nie warrior who wanted to test his metal against Mingjue, or an assassin hoping to make a monetary killing, or enemies of any kind, demons or men, thieves and murderers. After all the Unclean Realm was one of the least protected landscapes of all of the major sects, so it was the easiest to try anything on.

            The Nie were respected by the major sects who knew of the Nies disinterest in power and the military exploits of Nie Mingjue himself, but outsiders were not always as agreeable. The stain of the origins of the Nie clan as butchers seemed to blood stain the hands of even the newest generation to those who thought in such ways. Perhaps it was their savage fighting style, their weapons, their military like ways, but they were more feared than loved, even though Mingjue himself was one of the fairest sect leaders there ever had been so far.

            Because of all of these factors when Mingjue heard the sound of the door slowly opening he pulled his pillows under the sheet, slowly slid onto the ground and rolled under the bed to put something on the bottom half of his body. He breathed the others scent in and noting it as an Omega decided against using his weapon, slowly crawling and quietly breathing as he moved out from under the bed and cautiously made his way behind the perpetrator.

            When the omega leaned down to do Baoshan Sanren knows what, Nie Mingjue found his timing and struck by launching into a chokehold at rapid speed. Now that he was closer to the Omega he could tell from the scent that it was definitively not Meng Yao, so he tightened his grip a little more instinctually before he let out his threat.

            The light taps on his arms reminded him that the other couldn’t breathe, so he changed his grip to accommodate it, but was soon surprised by the bold move of the male before him that threw them both on the bed. Flabbergasted at the shamelessness of the Omega Nie Mingjue was about to go much harder core since the other had opened up the possibility when he suddenly had the Omegas face pressed against his bare chest.

            The Nie’s face became redder and thunderous, about to lose it at the audacity when suddenly he felt something across the other’s forehead and realized that the other was truly having a hard time speaking, so was likely trying to identify themselves in some other way. But he couldn’t yet tell if the cloth he had on was due to blindness or what it was until it finally clicked – he had touched a forehead ribbon.

            Confused and suddenly alarmed that a Lan was in his room, he immediately worried if it was just a very strange and stealthy Lan messenger. Was Xichen in danger perhaps? But before he could grill the other the face before him was finally illuminated in the candle’s light and then he really had something to be shocked about, for the intruder was none other than the recently differentiated Lan Xichen, who despite everything smiled at him as if innocent and asked for his help.

            Once Nie Mingjue realized who it was and what he’d said he could barely keep up with his thoughts as the situation was not at all proper and Nie Mingjue was, needless to say, someone who upheld a very strict code of morals. Unfortunately those morals also warred with his concerns for his friend, especially since he could not recall another time when Lan Xichen asked him for anything, let alone help.

            Considering recent events, his first conjecture was the usual when speaking to an Omega, so he helped the Lan to sit up and quickly asked,

            “You need help? Has someone taken advantage of you? If so rest assured I will most certainly get you justice in whatever way you deem fit.” The Nie said looking for bruising on the other in the dim candle light.

            Lan Xichen’s eyes became like a doe’s as he said words that were not matching the innocence of his face,

            “Actually it is I who wants to take advantage of another.”

            Nie Mingjue paused at that, leaning back and away from the other, before remembering that he was very much still shirtless, quickly covering his hands with his chest while he snapped at the other, now self-consciously,

            “How could you say something so shameless and to me of all people? And - Get off my bed immediately and turn around until I can put a shirt on. You’re Uncle would have kittens if he knew you were saying such things while alone with an alpha in their room. What have those hormones done to you?”

            Lan Xichen looked amused but complied, stealthily stealing little glances here and there for the fun and sport of it rather than the interest, while Nie Mingjue scowled at him and finished up as fast as he could. Since Mingjue was being so funny about it, Xichen decided it would be best to explain before the alpha kicked him out of the Unclean Realm for impertinence.

            “As beautifully made as you are Mingjue I really do just see you as a brother. The man I’d like to take advantage of is actually Jiang Cheng, but in order to do so I’ll need your support.”

            Nie Mingjue settled down slightly once he had a shirt on and heard that he wasn’t the one Lan Xichen was after. He let out a sigh of relief,

            “I’m eternally grateful for that, I already have my hands full with one sworn brother after me, I really don’t need to worry about two. There really is too much incestuous implications in the rumor mill about my sect as it is.”

            Lan Xichen shook his head and asked in a teasing voice,

            “May I turn around now Mingjue?”

            Nie Mingjue rolled his eyes, before nodding and pointing to a sit down area away from the bed,

            “Yes, but we will be sitting here as is only proper now that you’ve differentiated.”

            Lan Xichen found the wording funny and teased back,

            “So you’re saying if I were an alpha we could have continued on your bed?”

            But he didn’t want to push his luck so just after these saucy words he went to comply.

            Nie Mingjue did not bother to reply to such provocation.

            Actually Mingjue had been pretty shocked himself when he’d found out that Lan Xichen wasn’t an Alpha or a Beta. He’d fought for his sworn brother but he’d left afterwards to process things and so that no one got the wrong idea about their friendship. Meanwhile here Lan Xichen was sneaking into his room at night like there was nothing different.

            Having had some time to think and discuss the subject with Meng Yao he had come to terms with the situation, but he was still uncomfortable being alone with Lan Xichen for the time being. It was like he had to figure the other out in a whole new light. But interestingly enough, when he actually thought about it more rationally he’d always been protective over Lan Xichen, so perhaps there had been signs before that he’d missed? Of the three sworn brother’s Nie Mingjue was the most conservative and traditional, so it was hard not to see the other without viewing him as almost a new being entirely.

            But truthfully, when he really thought about it, Lan Xichen wasn’t really the one who’d changed. Instead it was Nie Mingjue’s opinion and view that had changed. Feeling guilty about acting like such a confused idiot, Mingjue decided to pursue the matter at hand. After all Xichen was very forgiving and magnanimous about many things, and Mingjue knew most of his bottom lines.

            “Jiang Cheng you say,”  Nie Mingjue questioned aloud recalling his battle partner of the other day, “he wasn’t a bad fighter and it was good that he stood up for you, but what makes him different from any other Lan Xichen suitor hopeful?”

            Feeling quite in his element Lan Xichen leaned forward and began to brag about the other with a big smile, suddenly gushing,

            “More like what doesn’t make him different?! Mingjue, Jiang Cheng has so much going for him. He’s attractive, forward thinking, sensitive, and so innocent and cute you could not even imagine! He’s so perfect that even Uncle approves of him! Although Wangji seems to be on the fence, but he’s a lot more pro my move now that his own interest is in the equation. Oh and Wanyin is not after me for what I can do for him and his descendants. Actually he’s not after me at all!”

            Nie Mingjue blinked, trying to make sense of the passionate words and realized that Lan Xichen felt very strongly on the subject matter, but there was clearly a problem,

            “He’s not after you? Lan Huan I really can’t help you if you’re asking me to help you seduce another alpha. For one I don’t have those kind of skills and for another I’m not close enough to him to set up any casual interactions for you. If you want seduction plans you picked the wrong sworn brother’s room to sneak into.”

            Lan Xichen shook his head,

            “I did not come here for seduction advice from you or Meng Yao, although I do need help from both of you, and your brother if I can have it. It turns out that a bunch of the main sects suddenly decided they wanted Jiang Cheng to marry into their families, but I want to marry him and I’m sure I went the farthest with him.”

            “… the farthest?” Mingjue said faintly, before suddenly standing up, “I’ll kill the bastard.”

            Lan Xichen reached over and pushed the other male back down to his sitting position across the desk and shook his head,

            “No you won’t, it was I who took advantage of him.”

            “…you… took advantage of an Alpha… and you seriously believe that?” Nie Mingjue questioned, not believing it of the somewhat angelic Lan, then again he had made some daring moves within the last half hour so it wasn’t impossible.

            Lan Xichen nodded,

            “Yes, and I can prove that to you when he’s here. He’s as innocent as the Lotus that bears his family crest.”

            “Well I know nothing of the innocence of Lotuses, but I highly doubt there is much innocence in your alpha.” Mingjue said with a snort.

            “If I prove as much would you promise to pick me as his suitor then?”

            “Lan Huan I will not be promising anything except that if he is truly the right choice of the options for you and vice versa than naturally I will, but since this task is brought to me in faith and confidence I won’t be swayed by friendship or kinship. I’m not happy that this mess is about to drop in my lap of all places, but I will do my duty honestly. I will help you in that I won’t count this stunt against you, even though you are clearly trying to sway a judge, because I recognize that you’ve just recently presented and you feel very strongly on this matter.”

            Lan Xichen sighed and put his head back laying with his eyes toward the ceiling with a sigh,

            “Damn your honor Nie Mingjue, I was really hoping to be selfish just this once.” The Lan said for the first time not smiling.

            Mingjue felt a little badly, but he was still firm in his beliefs, so he said,

            “If you two are truly fated than it will happen either way, with or without me, but my best qualities are loyalty and justice, if I lose one of those than who even am I?”

            Lan Xichen smiled at that and sat back up again to look the other in the eyes,

            “That’s true, but I’m not giving up. I’ll prove to you just how suited we are to each other so that you’ll have to pick me.”

            Nie Mingjue ruffled the Lan’s hair a bit playfully, beginning to feel a little more like himself around the other Lan, albeit even more protective, before something occurred to him and his face paled,

            “Oh Lan Qiren I’m in trouble, I touched your forehead ribbon. Forget Jiang Cheng I may have to marry you for honor’s sake.”

            “Don’t order red yet Mingjue, technically it was your chest that touched it, not your hands, and anyway spouses aren’t the only people who can touch forehead ribbons without problem. Family can too. So no worries Nie Mingjue Aren’t we brother’s after all?” The Lan said with a smile so infectious that Nie Mingjue’s own mouth could not help but raise on one side as he nodded his agreement, and it was only partially from the relief that came from not being forced to marry someone that he considered to be his brother.

            Finally the wall that had been built of Lan Xichen’s differentiation as an Omega came crumbling down for the time being, and the two talked and laughed as they had before, relieved to be seen for themselves instead of their orientations.

Chapter Text

          When Wei Wuxian arrived in the Unclean Realm he immediately lost the Jiang messenger. Truthfully speaking the messenger was going to have to go through a lot of red tape to just be able to relay his message and it was actually fairly unlikely that he’d be able to deliver it himself when all was said and done. But the same thing could not be said for the Wei.

          Wei Wuxian was pretty familiar with Huaisang’s area of the Nie Sect’s main estate and he had a direct friendship with Huaisang so he was not about to stand around wasting time when he needn’t. And so he stealthily made his way towards his friends sleeping quarters.

          Unfortunately for him, and unlike the much luckier Lan Xichen, just a hall way before reaching Huaisang’s currently open windowed living quarters he was stopped by a well known sassy omega who attempted to lift his chin up to look down at him even though he was clearly shorter than the Wei, making for a somewhat comical staredown.

          Wei Wuxian did not particularly want to rile up the other man who had some say in both his life and his little brothers at the moment, as well as his friend Huaisang’s, so he paused in front of the other and decided to greet him first,

          “Good evening Meng Yao, I hope you are doing lovely this evening. I’d adore to stay and chat, but I’ve come to hangout and sleepover with Huaisang, so if you’ll just excuse me-” he said, trying to get around the other, which was proving not to be as easy as it looked, but stopped when the Jin dramatically moved in front of him saying,

          “I’m sure that was your intention, but I’m afraid I can’t allow it.”

          Wei Wuxian blinked, tilting his head to the side in confusion,

          “Why’s that? Is Huaisang not feeling well or something?”

          Meng Yao shook his head and tutted at the other before answering,

          “No, Nie Nie is just fine and I for one would like to keep it that way. What business do you have with him to be sneaking into his bedroom at this time of night exactly?”

          Wei Wuxian might not have been happy with the words, but his mouth still twitched in amusement when he heard Meng Yao’s pet name for his friend. Nie Huaisang always whined when he was called it after all, saying it made him sound like such a baby. Wei Wuxian personally liked such an aesthetic so he couldn’t relate, and the tantrum that ensued from its use did not help the youngest Nie’s cause for sure. But as his mission was important he decided to continue the conversation until he could get the proper results.

          “Rather important business actually, I’ve come for a regular good old sleepover and to ask him to kindly vote against marrying me to my little brother if you must know.”

          Meng Yao paused staring the other down for a few seconds, before shaking his head at the clearly confused man,

          “I have no idea what those words could possible mean, but whatever reason you’re here, I’m afraid you’ll have to rent a room for the night and come back in the morning. I don’t generally allow strange men into my baby’s bedroom without a marriage license.”

          “I hate to break it to you, but I’ve been in your ‘baby’s bed’ a great number of times by this point, and I haven’t received any complaints up until now so far.” Wuxian quipped slightly comically.

          But Meng Yao was not amused, beginning to turn red at the very thought, and suddenly calling,

          “NIE DISCIPLES TO ME!”

          At that Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened and he put his hands up as if to stop him,

          “Woah, Woah, Woah not what I meant! I just mean Huaisang and I have been friends for literally ever so we’ve had a lot of sleepovers and nothing much has happened. I’ve certainly never been attracted to him to the point of jumping him. It’s strictly a flirty platonic friendship I assure you!”

          Meng Yao calmed down slightly at that and held off the incoming disciples at arms length, but did not dismiss them. Just in case there was about to be a problem Wei Wuxian hovered one hand over his dizi as Meng Yao snapped,

          “And why exactly is that? Are you saying that my Nie Nie is not attractive?! Who are you to measure the taste of such a refined omega as my darling anyway?!”

          It was then that Wei Wuxian realized that there was clearly going to be no winning with Meng Yao, at least not at the moment, so he let out a sigh, but couldn’t help but try to speak reason. He did wish that Mingjue was around though to deal with the Jin and lead him to his younger brother, since Mingjue had never cared what the two did as long as Huaisang didn’t step on his bottom line,

          “No one actually. Look I just recently differentiated myself, into an Omega, so I’m really no threat to Huaisang’s chastity or whatever, I’ve just come to have an innocent hangout and conversation with a very close friend, so could you please let me just talk to him for a while? You can even chaperone if you’d like and I’ll go get a room at an inn afterwards, but you will be seeing me and a lot more members of main sects as soon as tomorrow either way. If you let me chat with Huaisang I’ll tell you all about it as well.”

          Meng Yao paused for a few seconds, thinking this over, but shook his head in the end,

          “It is a tempting offer, but I just can’t risk it right now. Nie Nie is already acting fairly rebellious as of late as it is, and no offense but you are a completely bad influence."

          “Offense completely taken, Huaisang and I are good and bad influences on each other, it’s not ALL me… wait a minute, I’m supposed to be convincing you not defending my position. Damn it.”

          “Huaisang is a baby angel you take that back this minute!” Meng Yao said offended.

          At this point since he wasn’t getting much of anywhere trying the nice route Wei Wuxian decided to snap back,

          “Huaisang is a genius mastermind of malevolence and I live for it. We are complete equals in mischief I assure you. And anyway he’s not your actual child so I’d like to talk to someone reasonable, like Nie Mingjue the leader of this sect and Huaisang’s actual guardian.”

         Meng Yao looked like he’d been slapped in the face at that,

          “Nie Nie might not be mine biologically, but I have helped to shape and mold that man into the person he is today. He even calls me Mom Yao, so he certainly views me as such.”

          “Yeah, after your obvious brainwashing!”

          “How can you be so bold as to talk about lack of bloodties considering your own origins WEI Wuxian! You could easily marry your brother without issue now that I think about it, so don’t drag your questionable business into my Nie Nie’s sleeping quarters. And as for Mingjue if you think I’m bringing a newly differentiated Omega of ill repute into his room while he’s sleeping quite naked you’ve got another thing coming! And don’t you ever consider my man in the future either!”

          Wei Wuxian looked at the other Omega horrified,

          “Have you ever heard of too much information?! Why on earth would you feel the need to tell me that Mingjue sleeps naked?! Gah, now it’s in my head and I can’t get rid of it! Get out, Get out, Get out!”

          “You stop picturing it immediately you harlot!” Meng Yao insisted aghast.

          “You were the one that put it in my head you evil sorcerer! Oh my Nie so many muscles! Gah I can’t unsee it!” Wei Wuxian said with his eyes closed, as if that would help him be rid of the image.

          “Stop looking at once!” the Jin demanded horrified.

          “He’s not even here so how can I be looking! But imagination is more dangerous and hard to be rid of. Quick distract me!” Wei Ying demanded pulling on the other man’s sleeve.

          Meng Yao wracked his brain, panicking himself, before blurting out the first things he could think about,

          “Oh wait I have it. Go back to thinking about your brother!”

          Wei Wuxian grimaced and grabbed the Jin’s arm squeezing, and snapping in a suddenly much more horrifying deep voice,  

          “Think of something better or I’ll stay on this horrifying ancient asian and greek god-like image of your man, because I refuse to think of my own brother naked!”

          “Oh my Jin you are seeing my Mingjue naked?!” Meng Yao said, whacking the other Omega on the head, before realizing only he could change the image, “Well how the hell should I know who you’d like to see naked! Wait! I’ve got it! Xichen said that his little brother likes you or something! Think of him naked! Yes a naked Wangji – er… no that’s what his brother calls him, a naked Lan Zhan! Yes, are you picturing it yet?!”

          Wei Wuxian calmed down a little for a second before saying in a somewhat horse manner,

          “Yes, but now I have a different problem.”

          Meng Yao looked down and flushed red,

          “That is disgusting!”

          “It is a perfectly reasonable biological reaction and I am positive that you’ve done worse!” Wuxian snapped back, face also red.

          “Why have you come here, to test me?”

          “I came to talk to my best friend, why are you friend blocking someone you allegedly care about?”

          “Well you’re certainly not going to be seeing him like that!”

          “You were the one that made this happen!”

          “That’s only because you were thinking about entering the bedroom of my naked future husband!”

          “Gah it’s back! Quick if you won’t take me to see someone rational in charge of this place then at least stab a needle into the part of my brain that imagines!”

          “Oh my Jin fine! I’ll take you to see Mingjue FULLY CLOTHED I might add and he can deal with you!”

          “Thank the heavens for small favors!”

          Meng Yao again looked at the man from his nose saying,

          “And Mingjue is anything but small!”

          “… okay now you have to be doing it on purpose!” Wei Wuxian accused.

          And for the rest of the walk to Nie Mingjue’s room Meng Yao diligently mantra-ed Lan Zhan’s name to the Wei so that Mingjue would be well off of his mind, while Wei Ying responded in a similar mantra fashion with the words “not helping, not helping, not helping.”

          The Nie disciples were left very confused by these proceedings, but wisely kept out of it, letting the two through for their sect leader to deal with. For dealing with either Wei Wuxian or Meng Yao was way above their pay grade, let alone both. As long as they weren’t destroying any property the Nie warriors were content to look the other way. And save gossiping about it until their off hours which were looking up at this rate.

          As for Nie Mingjue, if he thought that Lan Xichen’s arrival was the only surprising thing this night he would soon find out that he was sorely mistaken.

Chapter Text

                While Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian were nearly single-handedly causing chaos to the Unclean Realm, they were not the only ones who were scheming to secure Jiang Cheng’s hand. After all when one stops to think of schemes two names of the elder generation would have to come to most people’s minds – Wen Ruohan and Jin Guangshan.

                The former was in a tight bind of his own making, and the latter felt that he had one too many candidates. Both of which had, as suspected, taken up residence in inns as nearby to the Nie’s residence as possible, just from different directions so as not to tip their hands or overcrowd,  sending word to the rest of their disciples and family members via their subordinates as they made their own battle plans.

                The Jiangs seemed to be the only major sect involved that didn’t rush over the same night to the Nie territory before the okay. In fact, so many other major sect members had shown up that the locals and lesser patrolling Nie disciples were beginning to whisper about the potential possibility of a sect war, but no one could fathom why, outside of the possibility of retribution for Nie Mingjue’s defense of Lan Xichen the day of the cancelled Night Hunt when the Lan had presented.

                Of course, the Nie disciples wanted to report this to the proper authorities, but they all worked militaristically and were always told to present information at the end of their shifts unless there was an emergency. The problem was that none of the Nie disciples could figure out if this technically classified as one or not, for all the visitors had done so far was aid the local economy through purchases, such as eating the local meals and room rentals. And so they waited for the designated guard change since no one wanted to get into trouble if they were wrong on the severity of the situation.

                In the meanwhile, the two sneakiest of Sect Leaders had their own problems to deal with.

                “I know you have an extremely close friendship with Madam Yu, but why specifically did you have to go and pick Yanli of the two biological candidates? Why couldn’t we have waited until the three differentiated when it actually mattered?!’ The Jin sect leader questioned, trying and failing to sound at all patient.

                “Because Yanli came first. Ziyuan and I agreed that our first borns would marry each other well before I was even pregnant. Just like you and I agreed that I would look past your MANY indiscretions provided that you fulfill my requests: 1. My Children are your only rightful heirs, 2. After I give birth to your heir I have no more personal obligations to take care of your needs, 3. My first born marries Ziyuan’s first born, and 4. You don’t bring me any disgusting diseases. If you dare break any of those four rules than you had better be prepared for a life of monogamy my friend.” Madam Jin said seemingly calmly, but her eyes that dared him from an angle caused the Sect Leader to nervously clear his throat, and respond in a more placating manner, 

                “Of course I would never go back on my word to you darling. As always I appreciate your… unwavering loyalty and support. I’m just saying that I don’t think Madam Yu would mind if we say, switched Jiang Yanli for Jiang Wanyin. You’d both still be tied through marriage, and if our son presents as an Omega we can still have grandchildren either way.”

                Madam Jin rolled her eyes at the man, examining her nails for a few long seconds just to keep him waiting, before responding to his idiocy,

                “And what if our only son doesn’t present as an Omega, hmm? Then what? You bring in one of your bastards to finish the job to continue your bloodline? Fat chance. Yanli may be a beta, but she’s a female one, so no matter what our son presents as we still have a chance, even if some are slimmer, to acquire grandchildren from the match, so why would we risk it just because you want to bet on Wanyin?”

                “But honey,” Jin Guangshan pleaded, sitting next to her and patting her thigh with his hand, which Madam Jin quickly removed, “a superior alpha will likely give us many more grandchildren than a beta female and once word gets around about the Jiang heirs special abilities he’ll gain power without even lifting a finger.”

                “You’ve only learned what a Superior Alpha even is today and you’re already assuming that means his virility rates must be higher? Besides how can that be true? If our son ends up as an Omega both he and Yanli still have the chance of having kids, so that argument is ludicrous. Besides if you try to cancel the original marriage contract now you’ll have no chance at the gene pool. Do you really believe our son will be chosen by Ziyuan or her son after you crush Yanli’s dream?”

                Jin Guangshan looked to be thinking which caused Madam Jin to shake her head and sigh at him, before answering for him,

                “Of course not, which means if you even dare to try you’d need all three of the other council members, and you could just imagine the odds you’ll have at persuading your own bastard. Or did you forget about him? Besides, Yanli has the same gene pool as Jiang Cheng anyway, so she has an equal if not better chance of siring grandchildren with elevated abilities, particularly if it generally skips generations. So don’t even think about it. Just be content that thanks to me you even have a chance of including Yu-Jiang children in the first place!” Madam Jin huffed, getting up and going over to a separate seat. 

                Jin Guangshan considered this, and while it was a logical argument, he was loath to give up such an incredible opportunity. Yet it was true that Meng Yao was at best a likely detriment to him, so it was impossible to include his own horse in this race so to speak. But, after careful consideration it occurred to him that there was one or two candidates that would give him a better change at the possibility of still using Jiang Wanyin in the event that his son did end up becoming an omega, for even though it was possible with a Beta female, that didn’t mean it was probable.

                Yes, to the ever self-motivated leader of the Jin Sect, there were a few candidates that could help aid his cause for sure. The first of which was only slightly more likely to win than his own son Wei Wuxian. But after some further thought he was pretty sure that he could also reap benefits if the alpha Wen Qing, who was despite being an alpha, an equal to perhaps slightly better shot than Wei Wuxian. Being another alpha, if a female, meant there would be some possible problems with fertility.

                Being an alpha it was hard to say which of the two- between Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing, would end up having to move to the other’s sect. It would normally be Jiang Cheng as the superior alpha who is heir to a sect and of the main branch, but because the Wen sect was exceptionally overpowered and Jiang Fengmian not so secretly harbored wishes to trade his own heir with that of the Wei there was a very good possibility that the Jiang would end up with the Wens. And if Jiang Cheng ended up with the Wens then he might very well end up with a number of concubines and with the right political savy, he might be able to convince Wen Ruohan to allow his son Jin Zixuan in for procreation. As long as he didn’t piss of Wen Ruohan, which was unlikely if he played his cards right considering his group was the one who got along best with the Wens, there was a chance. If worse came to worse, even if his son didn’t end up an Omega, he could get concubines for his own son and have those grandchildren paired up with the heir created by the Jiangs and Wens. Yes indeed, in that case there was still hope.

                So after a lot of thought the Jin decided that he would not include his son in the ring for now. His wife was right that the chances were too low, and he had time to play the long game any way. But that was not to say that he wouldn’t be involved. Instead he would dedicate his best political efforts towards his two best candidates Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian, and do his level best to destroy the possibilities of Lan Xichen and Xue Yang.

                Xue Yang was a wild shot any way. Jin Guangshan figured even Wen Ruohan would come to the conclusion that there would be no value in a murdered Jiang Cheng. But Lan Xichen was different. He knew and was close to too many people on the council. He was also an exceptionally pure and charismatic Omega.

                So when considering all of the potential risks there was only one candidate he felt he really needed to deal with and watch out for. In order for his goals to be realized he would have to discredit the younger Sect Leader Lan. And so Jin Guangshan turned his considerable political might towards these few things, and at the top of the list was the most important: Get rid of candidate Lan Xichen.

Chapter Text

          While Jin Guangshan had one candidate too few for the selection of Jiang Cheng’s future spouse, Wen Ruohan decidedly had one too many.

          Originally speaking Xue Yang, an omega subordinate, after having hooked up with a blind but powerful alpha that ended up dead, had asked the Wen Sect Leader for permission to use the Wen identity to pursue a possible match with the alpha heir Jiang Cheng. At the time there was no good reason for Wen Ruohan to refuse. In fact, it had been something of an inspired political move.

          The Jiangs were one of the three main sects that often gave him problems, despite the enormous power of the Wen Sect, which was truly at the top of the Cultivation pyramid. And of the three that were problematic the Jiangs were at the top of that. The very nature of their cultivation style of trying the impossible made them a constant burden and threat. While the Lans and Nies had their own issues, the Lans and Nies mostly stayed in their own lanes. The Lans choosing monk-like existences with an emphasis on rules, learning, and teaching, and the Nie’s needing to constantly defend themselves as the lowest-respected sect of the top 5, due to their origins as butchers and intense so far inevitable Qi deviations. But Jiangs involved themselves in anything they pleased and were particularly pesky to deal with once accidentally or purposefully riled up.

          So the idea of gaining anything in the form of an alliance, particularly a humiliating one due to it being a subordinate rather than the true Wen bloodline, not even of the branch group, was a satisfactory resolve to what was often deemed as quite a headache. And if the Jiang heir that was likely to cause trouble for him and his sons once he took over happened to either be too busy to deal with the Wens or happened to die young due to his rough Xue spouse, than all the better in Wen Ruohan’s eyes. Until he had experienced the immense power brought on to him by such a young cultivator, barely weaned from his mother.

          Wen Ruhan had never in his entire life been so powerless as the moment the young alpha Jiang lost his control. It was not a pleasant experience for someone whose pheromones often sent opponents to their knees, to wind up on them himself. But even more than the humiliation of the experience, it occurred to him that had no omegas been present he could have lost his life in such a pathetic way.

          When faced with such overwhelming threat there were only a few things one could do about it:

            1. Eliminate the threat.

            2. Make the threat work for you.

            3. Become subordinate to the threat.

          Wen Ruohan was not easily subjugated, and it was obvious that while the Jiang alpha had done something impressive it came as a lack of control rather than a wielding of it. So if he wanted to use option number one he would have to do so as quickly as possible while the alpha didn’t understand how to wield this power. It was not completely off the table as an option, and Xue Yang might be the only one with the potential to fulfill it. Wen Qing was fairly easy to manipulate due to her brother, but she was resistant to such dirty work, even with her brother on the line and that made her a risk factor that took her off the table for eliminating life. After all he needed to rely on her code as a healer to help him, despite him being a constant threat to her brother’s safety and her own morality.

          That wasn’t to say that Wen Qing didn’t have her own uses. And in fact, she was the perfect candidate for option 2. Making the threat work for you, which at the moment Wen Ruohan was feeling more inclined to.

          You see, although it was not pleasant for him to think of someone existing who had a greater power than his own Wen Ruohan was at heart a power junkie. He had spent his whole life cultivating, researching, and growing his own power in various fantastical ways. Yet, outside of stories of Baoshan Sanren, who was revered as a myth or a goddess, he had never heard of a ‘Superior Alpha.’

          Having experienced the immensity of the power for himself Wen Ruohan was hungry to find out more about it. If he could get the alpha under his own roof using Wen Qing and his own standing in the cultivation world, he would be able to study the alpha up close.  At worst he would be able to use lesser Wens as concubines and give the possibility to a future Wen, although it was frustrating that they would not be of the direct line since he’d only had an alpha and a beta son. At best he might be able to find a way to learn or transfer that immense power for himself, perhaps even weakening the Jiang in the process, with the added bonus of removing a problematic Jiang heir. And who would take his place? The Wei bastard who would never do anything to harm his adoptive brother. In such an event Wen Ruohan would have the best possible outcome. A “Jiang” heir who’s authority would be questioned by his own sect and that of others in the most problematic of all cultivation sects against his own, and the true heir under his rule and thumb.

          So there were in essence two different candidates, each best suited for different options, although he was truthfully more inclined to put power behind Wen Qing, especially when he considered the council before him.

          There were five known agreed upon members of this council: Madam Yu, Jiang Cheng, Nie Mingjue, Nie Huaisang, and Jin Guangyao. So of course if he wanted to manipulate things in his favor he had to know and understand these five, which he sent out and brought in information gatherers out for to assess, and the data that could be found quickly was already in his hands or what he knew from some of them already.

          Wen Ruohan had plenty of knowledge on Madam Yu and Jin Guangyao of course. Although he had just fought with Madam Yu it was mostly over his choice of partner to back up. It was well known that Madam Yu trusted females above males, which is why she had shown interest in the possibility of partnering her son with Wen Qing above the others. So although it was not exactly in the bag considering other political factors there was no way that she was voting for Xue Yang, but there was a high probability that she’d go for Wen Qing. The only other candidate that had any shot with Madam Yu was likely Lan Xichen, but it certainly was not Wei Wuxian.

          When it came to Jin Guangyao it was more simple than that. From the notes he’d gathered this bastard Jin had clear motivations and little to no care about Jiang Cheng at all. The man’s ultimate goals were clear to the Wen in past dealings:

          1. He wanted to either be acknowledged by his father or to destroy him, though the jury was out on which he’d prefer more,

          2. He wanted to gain power,

          3. He was ruthless against those who humiliated him, and

          4. He wanted Nie Mingjue as his alpha.

          It was hard to say whether the last one was personal or politically motivated, or both, but whatever the case these were the well known things about him. A political man was generally a moveable one. Someone you could bargain with. The only possible hiccup with him was that he was sworn brothers with Lan Xichen, so that put the Lan as the only possible barrier. But considering he’d heard that Jin Guangyao was known to flirt with Lan Xichen more than even Nie Mingjue who he actually wanted it was hard to say if this relationship with the Lan would affect it to the positive or the negative. But the main point was the man could be tipped- towards either of Wen Ruohan’s candidates: Wen Qing or Xue Yang.

          Then there was the superior alpha Jiang himself. Despite what he had seen of him, Jiang Cheng’s regular personality was convincible and malleable. Although he had such power coursing through his DNA he was known to be highly moralistic and have daddy issues. Unlike the majority of the world, cultivation or otherwise, he was prone to self-sacrifice and wasn’t particularly interested in power or power struggles. With the right political moves and situations he was sure he could convince the Jiang of either of his candidates as well – for the better good of course.

          The younger Nie, Nie Huaisang, was by all records and accounts weak and easily bullied. He was an overly pampered, princess-like fainting damsel in distress Omega, who relied on his older brother and future-step Jin for everything. He was close friends with the Jiang boys, but prone to mischief and obsessed with arts over war. Most accounts of him by the informed people involve sleepover parties, cute-baby-like pranks, pouting when he did not get his way, and whining when asked to do anything war-like. The exact opposite of his step-brother Nie Mingjue, and easily scared. All of which suited Wen Ruohan’s tastes. He might have some problem convincing the other to include the “scary” Xue Yang, but Wen Qing should fit a princess-like pampered Omega’s style to begin with. And the boy sounded exceptionally easy to be bribed or bullied.

          And that left Nie Mingjue. By all accounts Nie Mingjue might be the hardest one to convince or manipulate. Known for his lack of interest in power, amazing general-like war capabilities, belief in old fashioned gender roles, and insanely high moralistic track, plus his close association with Lan Xichen made him a difficult nut to crack. Thankfully the Wens hadn’t at this point had much interaction with the Nies so there should be no instantaneous bad blood outside of rumors or the usual jealousies. But it was hard to figure out what to do about this specific puzzle piece. Yet every man had a weakness, and it was pretty easy to figure out what this one was. Wen Ruohan decided to take a gamble on how to deal with this Nie. After all if he could convince just three of the others to his cause then it wouldn’t matter anyway. But if he succeeded in finding Mingjues tipping point he could make his choice of whom depending on the pre-votes from others.

          Wen Ruohan next set these aside in order to consider the candidates, most importantly the greatest competitions: Lan Xichen and each other.

          Lan Xichen was a problem for the future as far as he was concerned at the moment. First he had to decide whether to put both of his candidates in or just Wen Qing. Two candidates gave a higher percentage of winning among 4, but also split the votes. If two people ultimately picked Lan Xichen, two picked Wen Qing, and 1 Picked Xue Yang that could lead to a run off. Or worse if each candidate was picked once except for Lan Xichen than he could win by default when the absence of one might have lead to much more of a showdown and thus a possible win. It was a tough choice to be sure, but he decided to bring in both parties to discuss it.

          Wen Qing was lead in looking nervous and confused. Wen Ruohan didn’t blame her for this, for it was not every day that an alpha was offered to another alpha, particularly in political marriages. In all actuality Wen Ruohan didn’t normally go for political marriages, which is why his sons weren’t married to anyone of note. This was the first time he’d felt that a political marriage warranted it. Then again it was under quite rare circumstances in the first place. Whatever the case it wasn’t particularly hard to keep Wen Qing in line due to her weak, slow, cursed, and pathetic excuse for a brother. Without him she really would have been formidable, but her bond with him kept her well under foot. In all honesty she was a brave and amazing alpha, and he’d wished that he could have taken credit for siring her, for though he loved his sons she was better than them except for her far removed blood ties to him. She was not greedy and hard enough however, so though he knew she would likely lightly protest, just a few words would keep her efforts up and keep her in place.

          Xue Yang came in very differently, practically skipping with anticipation. If Wen Qing had a lack of cruelty Xue Yang might have devoured it, for he was full of it. Xue Yang had a lot of qualities that both could get him ahead and prevented him from being at the top. If he had ever felt love, or anything like it, than it was for the blind alpha who’d died. But even that love was tainted with lies and blood on his hands. It was hard to tell just when, why, or how Xue Yang had suddenly decided that he wanted to marry Jiang Cheng. At first Wen Ruohan thought it might have been for political reasons, but if that were so he’d have easily backed off once Wen Qing had been added to the roster. Ruohan wondered if perhaps the Xue had realized something about Jiang Cheng before a lot of the other cultivation world. Maybe after viewing a fight or something? But whatever the Jiang had done terribly wrong he’d gotten the attention of a man who liked to torture even the people he allegedly loved, as well as those he hated. Originally Wen Ruohan meant to send him in as a sort of Jiang punishment and distraction. It would be hard for any alpha to get things done if they have to constantly watched out for their loved ones due to a walking time bomb of a spouse. But so much had changed that this wasn’t even the best option for the Wens now, and this very talk would decide whether Xue Yang was included or taken off of the list of candidates.

          When both parties were settled, Wen Ruo began, with disciples all around, for even having sent a great many to many tasks, the Wens had the most disciples of the cultivation world, which is why they were so formidable,

          “I’ll speak frankly. We have a very good chance of convincing a number of members on the council to our cause, but unfortunately I feel we have one candidate too many. Honestly one of you has a much better chance of success than the other, but I know I’ve made promises. I’m loath to take back my words, but the stakes are quite high and events have changed very dramatically. I’ve decided to hear you both out to determine what to do. Wen Qing you start.”

          As expected Wen Qing didn’t start automatically, but paused and thought her wording over, before speaking tentatively, with a bow of her head,

          “Thank you for your consideration Sect Leader Wen, but I’m afraid I’m not the best candidate for this honor. Please allow me to sit this one out. I do not believe that Sandu Shengshou and I would be a good match.”

          “Oh? And why do you believe that is the case? According to my sources despite you both being alphas now, Jiang Cheng had quite the crush on you.”

          Wen Qing looked up slightly alarmed, before turning her head back down and shaking it no,

          “I do not believe that to be so. Since I am older than him I believe he looked up to me more than he wanted to be with me, and my own proclivities are of a different direction. Please reconsider my liege.”

          “Whatever you’d like to call it he certainly has favored you above others before, and I’m not particularly asking you to be exclusive to him or anything. You’re both alphas so I’m sure you can come to an agreement of some kind, as others of arranged marriages have before you.” Wen Ruohan continued, eyeing her as a cat does with a mouse they are playing with.

          “Speaking of, as we are both alphas there is nothing I can help with, while not impossible it will be difficult to procreate if you’re looking to add Wen lineage with this opportunity. So please reconsider.”

          Wen Ruohan paused for a few seconds, letting silence linger in the air to create the right mood for his next commentary. Conversations like this were like mini-battles and Wen Ruohan always made sure that he was on the winning end of them. After a prolonged awkward silence he suddenly spoke.

          “I suppose I could reconsider,” Wen Ruohan said dangerously, “but that would come with reconsideration about what to do with your poor cursed brother. Shall I reconsider your selection and his protection then, Wen Qing? Or do you feel more favorable to my decisions than you’ve expressed?”

          Wen Qing squeezed her fist together, but didn’t raise it. Wen Ruohan noted it, but didn’t call her out on it, for he had seen her move in such a way numerous times, and quite often got what he wanted afterwards. This time must have been especially difficult for her though, for she dug her nails in causing little crescent moon-like indentations and bit her lip before she could answer, in a manner that made her true feelings quite obvious despite her honeyed words,

          “My brother and I are always grateful for your consideration my liege. Of course I should do anything I can in order to repay your… magnanimousness.” At this she bowed as best as she could muster under her clear fury, which caused Wen Ruohan’s mouth to twitch in amusement.

          Since she had come properly to heel he let go of the clear unhappiness she showed him, not wanting to punish someone so important to his cause unduly. Instead he turned to Xue Yang with the hope of solving the question of whether to include him or not,

          “Xue Yang, I am resolved to include and back Wen Qing for the hand of the superior Alpha Jiang Cheng. I do, however, recognize that I originally gave you permission for your own pursuit for his hand. If it is not of extreme importance to you, I would like you to back out. I would of course reward you for your sacrifice and for breaking my word. But if you still insist on this marriage I will hear you out, though I warn you I may ultimately disagree. The floor is yours.”

Chapter Text

          The room was silent for a few seconds as Xue Yang made a half bow and got his plan in order. Wen Ruohan clearly wanted him to back down from the selection, but Xue Yang was always ready to defend his best interests, so his eyes fell upon the Wen leader as he cautiously began with a look way more innocent than his words might suggest,  

         “Of course because your Excellency has been so good to me, I would like to fulfill your request, but I’m afraid I can’t. In truth, although you’d prefer to cast me aside in this matter, I fear that I’m actually your best shot if you ask me.”

          Wen Ruohan’s eyebrow rose. He was by no means an idiot, so he well knew that Xue Yang was plotting with his own motivations in mind, but it amused and intrigued him to figure out what the Xue was playing at, and perhaps to glean why the other was even interested in the first place,

          “Oh, really? I can’t venture to guess why. I’ve done the calculations and considering the council members you are one of the two least likely candidates. But do enlighten me if you will, assuming you have some information that I don’t.”

          “Wen Qing is a wonderful girl and all, but outside of having a slightly better chance than me in the beginning there are too many problems with leaving all your eggs in such a basket.”

          Wen Ruohan looked over to see Wen Qing who was quite vigilantly staring in front of her as if the conversation had nothing to do with her at all, but her face was paler than usual, and the Wen leader couldn’t help but take this into consideration as Xue Yang continued on,  

          “Think back to what just happened in there. Just Level One of Jiang Wanyin’s superior alpha temper tantrum stilled all of the common Alphas and Betas, Wen Qing included. Level Two brought the most powerful known alpha still living on this plain to his knees. But until the Lans showed up only two people were able to move, both Omegas, one of them being me. What does that tell you?”

          Wen Ruohan’s eyebrows furrowed, for the Omega was clearly referencing his humiliation for Level Two. The alpha was loath to stop him however because the Xue was making a decent point. But of course he had ammo of his own from the same event. So ignoring the question asked of him, for he was sure that Xue Yang would get to the point eventually either way, he countered humiliation with humiliation,

          “But you are forgetting an important point: Jiang Wanyin already rejected you. You can sit here arguing levels, but eventually you were put in your place by him as well. I won’t deny he might have been slightly intrigued by you at some point to allow you movement until nearly the end, but even while being seemingly completely ruled by his hormones he still didn’t choose you overall. You couldn’t hold his attention for longer than a few minutes and yet you want to put your hand in the ring? I don’t know whether to commend you for not giving up or pity you for it.”    

          Wen Ruohan’s hand dig, amongst other humiliating speech, was not lost upon Xue Yang, but the Xue didn’t rise to the bait this time. He knew that what he was saying made sense to the other man, as evidenced by the fact that his biting words did not include a demand to bow out. Revenge was a dish best served cold, and he would need more power to deal with the likes of Wen Ruohan. Power that had already been proven and whom Xue Yang had been so close to taming. What was important for now was getting clearance to continue his plan, by any means necessary,

          “Many a suitor has been rejected before only to triumph in the end, and I don’t believe I’d call that an official rejection. In fact, I’d venture to say that the Jiang overpowered me because he felt guilt. But he only did so after seeing Lan Xichen. The fact that I was free to move before that tells me two important things: 1. His Weakness is Omegas, and 2. He felt guilty.”

          Wen Ruohan pondered this, finding himself nodding along about the first part. The few who were free had surely been Omegas and Xue Yang had gotten away with being quite bold before the Lan showed up. But of course there were still uncertainties and questions to be asked,

          “Why do you think he felt guilty?”

          Xue Yang smirked,

          “That’s simple. Picture Lan Xichen in your mind if you will. Consider his looks and reputation. Sky blue and White robe, chastity forehead ribbon, angelic expression, the quintessential innocent Omega. Purity, Naivety, Motherly, By the Book, Chivalrous. The kind of Omega that every alpha claims they want, that makes them be better, and shames them to be caught in front of.” Here he paused so that the others could do so before continuing with his point,

          “Now picture me: Dark, Forbidden, Sinful, and Sexy. The object of hidden, shameful desires, the dangerous unknown. When confronted with the two an alpha must decide between one head or the other. Today he was frightened out of his domineering state: afraid of his own desires or how he might be viewed or confronted with what he’s always been told he should go for. But deep down who’s to say he didn’t regret his decision afterwards? And even if he in his normal state might not want to be near me, perhaps the superior alpha in him will.”

          Wen Ruohan considered this. He himself was an alpha and he’d seen others, and there was some truth to these words that compelled him and impressed him, although he would not say as much. It was too early to tell what kind of man or alpha the Jiang heir was after all, and it gave him food for thought so he continued to listen to the well prepared Omega,

          “A man may idolize a white moonlight, but the one who ends up in his bed nine times out of ten is a seductress. He may want to protect an angel like Lan Xichen, but when he feels the full force of his animalistic instinct who’s to say he won’t want to punish a bad boy like me? I’m not a logical choice, but few alphas make choices truly based on logic. People more often than not choose based on money, power, and lust, and I’m definitely lust.”

          “I must admit that you make a compelling argument, but this is all based on only Jiang Cheng. It’s unlikely that his mother or the rest of the morally driven council will choose you even if you do sway the animalistic side of the Superior Alpha. His mother certainly won’t.” Wen Ruohan pointed out, watching the omegas face closely.

          “Jiang Wanyin’s mother will never choose me, this I know, but I’m confident in getting the support of most if not all of the others. But in all honesty even if I’m not chosen by the council themselves I still have much value and reasons to help. After all if Wen Qing wins it’s all the same to me, I’m just as happy to be a concubine to Jiang Cheng after all.” Xue Yang offered.

          At that Wen Ruohan was somewhat surprised and taken aback. Considering the other’s strong stance on the subject of being included in the events he had figured that the Yang was fighting for the position of main or only wife, so to suddenly hear that he would lower himself to be a concubine was shocking even to him. Of course showing surprise or encouragement right off the bat was not good for negotiations, so Wen Ruohan questioned,

          “Assuming that Wen Qing wins the favor of the council, why should I agree to make you a concubine?”

          “Because whether I win this placement or not you need me, and I’ll consider that my payment.”

          “Do I? How so?”

          Xue Yang let out a little laugh, looking extremely confident in himself as he began to explain,

          “As I’ve already explained Jiang Cheng himself has a weakness and a need for Omegas. Currently in the running are two Omegas, a Brother, and an Alpha. Despite me not having the best of chances the lowest possible chance is Wei Wuxians. So if I’m included that’s a 66.6% chance of a Wen win. But most importantly you need me because of Lan Xichen.”

          Sect Leader Wen tilted his head in confusion,

          “And how exactly would you help with Lan Xichen?”

          Xue Yang shook his head as if the answer was obvious,

          “Come on, I’m like the exact opposite of him, don’t you think? He’s sweet, I’m sexy. He’s innocent, I’m sultry. We’re both Omegas but we’re in completely different categories. If anyone can get under Xichen’s skin and showcase a different option for JC it’s me, and with any luck if Jiang Cheng gets exhausted from my and Xichen’s catfights then the ever calm, quiet, and anti-dramatic Wen Qing will start looking pretty good, don’t you think?”

          Despite pretending not to be there Wen Qing couldn’t help but cough a bit at that, doing so in order to hide her surprise. But she still refused to do anything else other than stare forward like a soldier, hoping perhaps to get less and less involved.

          “My main point is this,” Xue Yang began, ”If you want to help and back Wen Qing that’s fine by me, but your best chance of getting a Wen in power is through me. She may have agreed to help her brother, but do you really think she’s at all willing to fight for it? You only get so far by force. So win or lose I’ll do it in my own name so you can put all your efforts into your favorite pick, and I’ll do my part to aid us both as well,  as long as you agree to three things.”

          Wen Ruohan considered this and looking at Wen Qing clearly wishing she was anywhere but there, despite being the one he had to send into the fight, he had to agree, but not without further clarification of course,

          “Which are?”

          “1. Don’t get in my way or stop me either from entering the competition in the first place or my specific Jiang-catching, Xichen-removing related schemes, 2. If either I or Wen Qing win officially adopt me into your family, and 3. If Wen Qing wins make me Jiang Chengs first concubine.”

          “You want to be a part of my family? Why?”

          “Yes, I no longer have my own and I’ve done enough in this family to earn it. Besides of all the cultivation leader adopters you are the most balanced. I’m not asking for anything over the top. It can be a branch family for all I care, as long as you agree. I don’t need to be number 1 in your family or with superior alpha Jiang Cheng, just being included is all that counts. If you choose to agree you won’t regret it. After all it will be nearly impossible to deal with Lan Xichen from the outside without a considerable amount of suspicion falling onto the families of other contestants, and who’s to say that the Jiangs won’t cancel the whole thing if it creates the potential for a major sect war? So if you want Jiang Cheng then trust in me and allow me to join. Truth is for this one you need me. In the end 50/50 is still less than 66/34 and no one can do dirty work like I can. In this case I’m indispensible.” Xue Yang finished looking up at the other confidently, his mind obviously scheming even before Wen Ruohan opened his mouth to answer.

          Wen Ruohan leaned back, considering the Omegas words and calculating the best possible outcome for his interests, including what if scenarios that helped him imagine what it might be like with or without Xue Yang. It bothered him that not all of the pieces of the puzzle were aligned just yet. He didn’t know if this special council was going to be just one long debate, or actual physical, mental, and/or emotional tests. Or anything.

          He’d been inclined to exclude Xue Yang before, but after hearing about all of the perks he suddenly was loath to do it. And after all there really didn’t seem to be anything left to lose in this case. He didn’t have to count Xue Yang as the Wen choice per say, but he still benefited whether the other won or lost. And if Xue Yang could at the very least pester and handle the biggest possible threat of Lan Xichen, or both took each other out, than it would have all been worth it. After all if the Xue and the Lan are seen constantly bickering just the thought of either might give the Jiang a headache, and Wen Qing as a quiet healer was the perfect person to turn to next.

          Xue Yang had not asked for anything that crossed his bottom line, it was a bit pushy, but not out of the Realm of possibility. And if he delivered half of what he bragged about it would be well worth it. All in all it was a doable deal and helped him save face and keep his word, at least to a degree. With these thoughts in mind Wen Ruohan clapped his hands together twice, causing the Wen disciples all around to pay attention, as he pointed to the Xue,

          “I must admit that you make a compelling argument, so I have decided to agree. You can enter the running, albeit without my patronage since I will be focusing my efforts on Wen Qing. If you can manage even half of your boast I will fulfill your remaining demands to the best of my ability. But of course nothing comes for free so you must agree to my demands as well. You will get what you want if you, 1. Win the Jiang Marriage for yourself or Wen Qing, 2. Handle Lan Xichen so that he has no chance with Jiang Cheng, and 3. Hand yourself in for punishment should you fail. Three for Three and you’ve got a deal.”

          Without so much as a second thought Xue Yang bowed his head, and quickly accepting, reaching a hand out to shake on it, but looking up at the other with a smirk and twinkle in his eyes, like a snake popping its head up from behind tall grass,

          “Deal, although if I were you I’d choose a different third demand.”  

          “Can’t stomach it?” Wen Ruohan taunted shaking back and then pushing the other further away from himself when it was done.

          “Just the opposite my liege. If anyone knows me well enough they know at least one thing,” Xue Yang said winking at the older man as he announced, “I’m actually a glutton for punishment.”

          Fairly disgusted and wanting to be alone Wen Ruohan waved his arms and sent everyone out for now. He had already taken care of the most difficult aspect of this upcoming battle, but there were still lose ends to tie of course. He didn’t feel particularly happy about so much of his plans hinging on the deranged and unpredictable Xue Yang and he very much felt like he had just made a deal with the devil. But as someone obsessed with power he knew that such a deal was inevitable. For those who sought true power could not get squeamish about the process.

          There might be a time where he would need to cut off the head of the snake, but first he needed to help it to thrive so that it could poison his enemies. Only if the snake turned on him would it need to truly learn its place: under his feet.

Chapter Text

           Nie Mingjue and Lan Xichen were in the middle of catching up on each other’s lives when there was suddenly a knock on the door. The calm and relaxed look on Nie Mingjue instantly morphed into a serious, furrowed eyebrow expression as he gruffly asked,

           “Who and what is it?”

           Lan Xichen tried his best not to smirk at his friend, choosing to widen his eyes innocently and eat from a bag of peanuts that he had been given by a couple of Mingjue’s disciples that had come to set a table and serve refreshments. Mingjue had wanted alcohol, but for his sworn brother’s sake had decided to save it for another time, so the tea and snacks were served instead. And although it was sparse as the average warriors fair, it was still more diverse than the Lan’s had ever been given. Causing Mingjue to want to up the ante each time, as he felt that men should have a bit more meat on their bones than the Lans were generally allowed.

           And so he doted and fretted when it came to Lan Xichen, having just fed him a dessert from his own hand a second ago, which made the other indulge more than he would normally in order to accept his friend’s good intentions.

           But it was because of these rare and open moments that Lan Xichen got to see, that made the changes from cold hearted righteous warrior to warmhearted spoiling Mother hen, all the more interesting and precious. But soon he would see another of Nie Mingjue’s facial expressions as the person on the other side replied,

           “Nie Mingjue put your clothes on and come to the door, we have a visitor that we must take care of and it’s an Omega, so wear as many clothes as you can so as not to tempt them.”

           Nie Mingjue’s eyes widened and he looked down at the scene before him as if frightened, jumping up and whispering in shock,

           “How does he know you are here?”

          Lan Xichen, looking unbothered, offered a peanut to him as he answered in a quiet fashion,

           “I don’t know, assuming that it’s me, but shouldn’t the more concerning question be how does he know that you are in any sort of state of undress?”

           Nie Mingjue smacked the Peanut away, without touching the others hand, before lifting the entirety of the tea table up above his head, whisper snapping,

           “That’s right, if he knew you were here there might already be bloodshed, or a plot, I really hate when he plots! In that case go and hide, I’ll step outside and figure out what he’s talking about.”

           Lan Xichen tilted his head to the side,

           “But why would I hide? I fear if I hide and am found than it will look worse. Why don’t I just open the door for him and we can explain calmly and rationally as brothers?”

           “Are you crazy?” Mingjue hissed, rushing to hide the fully covered tea and snack table so much that he slightly burnt himself but refused to emit sound about it, outside of the sound of the contents of the table being thrown into a large chest and the table itself pushed up against the wall.

           “Are you alright?” Lan Xichen asked, alarmed at the redness on Minjue’s arm, “Should I get something to heal it?”

           “How would that help?! We don’t have time and you haven’t even hidden!”

           “Mingjue are you alright, and preferably clothed in there yet?” Meng Yao questioned from behind the door.

           “Not yet, hold on a minute!” Mingjue said grabbing an extra shirt, and then frustrated at Lan Xichen not moving, picking up the Lan and throwing him on the bed, which much surprised the Lan.

           “Well I definitely know this isn’t going to help.” Lan Xichen said calmly and rationally, but Mingjue merely hushed him and made the bed over him.

           “Shh it will be fine if you just stay quiet and still under there. Meng Yao knows I often put pillows where I’d be sleeping in order to thwart people from attacking me in my sleep.”

           “…How does he know that?” Lan Xichen asked, fairly muffled but still coherent through the bedspread.

           “Nevermind how he knows, just know that he does, and that pillows don’t talk! Can you breathe alright under there?”

           “Hmm, I’ve been in worse.”

           “Fantastic then, be good for now and I’ll be rid of him as soon as I can.”

           “If I’m good and quiet will you vote for me with Jiang Cheng?”

           “IF YOU’RE STILL, QUIET, AND NOT CAUGHT I’LL THINK ABOUT IT OKAY?”

           “Sure ~” Lan Xichen said, before settling down, quieting his breathing and stopping talking.

           Nie Mingjue was fairly sure that Lan Xichen was settled and Meng Yao banged on the door again, yelling,

           “What exactly is taking you so long?! It’s not like you have an extensive wardrobe or anything. Nie Mingjue you had better not have some harlot in there! It’s bad enough that I have one out here!”

           Just before Meng Yao was ready to take the door down himself, Nie Mingjue opened the door, looking down at him angrily, before closing the door behind him.

           “How many times do I have to tell you not to interrupt me in my bedchamber at night unless it’s an emergency?”

           Meng Yao checked over the clearly recently woken Nie Mingjue, judging from his unbound hair and thrown on clothes, and was satisfied that he was dressed, but to him the Nie looked exceptionally overbearing and sexy just like that. True alpha that he was and all. The Jin Omega wanted to stay angry, but instead found himself acting coquettish as he responded,

           “I didn’t even sneak in this time, mostly because I brought this guy and you do tend to sleep naked.”

           At the mention of someone else once again Nie Mingjue glanced over and found that the Omega the other had been talking about was none other than Wei Wuxian, his younger brother’s best friend. He was somewhat happy to see that Wuxian had differentiated into an Omega, because had he not he knew he’d have a ton of arguments with his brother about what was not allowed now, that once was. And that would be a terrible headache.

           Wuxian gave a bit of a wave, and before Mingjue could even ask why he was there in the middle of the night, the Wei stated,

           “Meng Yao won’t let me see Huaisang and for some reason kept insisting that I image you naked.”

           A confused Nie Mingjue frowned and looked over at Meng Yao to see his part of it, who let out a dramatic gasp and snapping at Wei Wuxian and saying,

           “You little lying tattle tale, how dare you,” then he turned back to Mingjue and tried to explain better, “The first part is obviously right. It’s well known that Wuxian is a bad influence on people, I mean look at even Lan Zhan who used to be the apple of Qiren’s eye and you can see that. Not to mention he came like a thief in the middle of the night, and I’ll not have him steal anything physical or otherwise from my Nie Nie. But he wouldn’t be put off. He demanded to see you and then willfully imagined you naked!”

           “That’s a lie, Huaisang and I are equally devious and Meng Yao was the one that kept going on and on about you sleeping naked. Then I asked him to change the subject and he said I should think of my brother naked, can you imagine? The trauma!” Wei Wuxian insisted.

           Mingjue was decidedly not good at dealing with one Omega at a time, so this double teaming of two was leaving him confused as to who to even yell at. Lifting his hands in an attempt to stop the two from fighting, the Nie Sect leader announced as diplomatically as possible,

           “I think the best thing would be for everyone to stop imagining me naked then, how about that?”

           “I have been trying.” Wei Wuxian said frustrated, as Meng Yao answered, “I refuse, that is my right.”

           Nie Mingjue began to rub his temples, feeling a headache coming on at this rate, but he had to keep the conversation moving because he didn’t know how long he could hold Xichen quiet under his sheets for and he definitely knew finding out about that would certainly cause an even bigger headache than now. So he said,

           “More to the point the main argument is about getting time with my younger brother yes? So how about this, Wei Wuxian can go see Huaisang and Meng Yao can chaperone if you find it too concerning. An Omega sleepover is nothing to get bothered about after all.”

           “Well I wouldn’t say that,” Wei Wuxian began, but decided that since it was working in his favor not to push the point, “But I’m totally for an Omega night in. Meng Yao you’re more than welcomed. If you bring liquor I promise that the likelihood of me imagining Nie Mingjue naked would go down tremendously.”

           “That is enough about a naked Mingjue! I bet now everyone in this hallway is imagining it! Mingjue move, we need to discuss this in the privacy of your room before everyones thinking about your naked body! And I am not ending this conversation until that man is outside of this property!” The Jin snapped attempting to push the Nie aside, but not budging him since the Nie stood his ground, attempting to not make eye contact with the other as if his not being able to move was just coincidence.

           “Nie Mingjue,” Meng Yao said dangerously, now eyeing him quite suspiciously, “why are you blocking the way into your room?”

           Mingjue began to sweat a little, not used to even small deceptions after all, and certainly not against someone who knew him so well, but he attempted to stick to his plan by retorting,

           “It’s improper for an Alpha to be surrounded by Omegas in his own bedroom. It will be bad for both of your reputations and I won’t have it. If we must discuss private business than we should go to the War Room instead.”

           “Sounds good to me.” Wei Wuxian answered, turning around, but stopping when Meng Yao countered,

           “You and I both know that the War Room is generally surrounded by your disciples. It’s no place for a private conversation. So why are you being so stubborn then? Nie Mingjue what are you hiding from me in your room?”

           A bead of sweat followed the path from the Nie’s forehead to drip right off of his chiseled chin while he looked warrior forward refusing to meet the other’s eyes,

           “Nothing, I have no reason to hide things in my private quarters, nor do I have any obligation to invite people into my private spaces either. I’ve given you an answer already, no further discussion will change my mind. If you are concerned you can act as an escort, if not then leave the boys be, they’re only friends and both Omegas too boot.”

           “Hmm,” Meng Yao said, even more suspiciously, “fine then, if that’s really how strongly you feel about it, then I’ll agree under one condition.”

           “Yes?”

           “I want a kiss.”

           Nie Mingjue’s eyes widened and looked the Omega in the eyes in shock, before quickly looking away, which of course Meng Yao spotted,

           “What?”

           “You heard me, I’ll only accept and leave if I get a kiss. I’ll even take it myself if you’d like.”

           The Nie dug his hands into the wood behind him trying to keep his command, as Meng Yao ran his fingers over the other’s side causing him to instantaneously move to the side. Inch by inch he went, clearly nervous as the Jin pressed his knee against the others inner thigh causing the panicking Alpha to lower his guard in order to protect himself.

           The Jin ran his fingers over the others face now that he could reach it from this new position of Mingjues and leaned in until the Nie held his eyes shut tighter than his muscles. At which time the Jin opened the door wide and walked in, followed by an amused Wuxian, as the Jin called,

           “If you have a lover in here you’d better warn them, I’m the main Omega of this household and I’m straight up crazy!” The Jin said, just as Mingjue realized his current true intent and scrambled up to join them, closing the door behind him again for the time being since if Xichen was found he definitely didn’t want that getting out.

           “There isn’t any lover, you’re just being paranoid! Who else but you, disciples, or assassins would dare to be in here?” Mingjue insisted, moving to stand before them, but the space was bigger inside his room than in the hall so Meng Yao simply went around him, and Wei Wuxian looked around for a comfortable spot to perch,

           “Then why are you acting so strangely? Nie Mingjue I know you better than you know yourself and you’re greatest weakness is your idiocy about Omegas. The fact that you’d rather take a sword to the chest than a kiss from a sexy Omega is baffling to me. So if you’re acting this weird than I know that there’s an Omega involved, and if not I’m finally going to figure out if you just prefer other Alphas and refuse to tell me.”

           At that Nie Mingjue rolled his eyes,

           “Just because I don’t jump the first Omega to show interest does not automatically mean that I’d prefer Alphas or Betas, Jin Guangyao.”

           “I never said anything about Betas… is that what you’re into then? You brought them up yourself! If you want me to be boring and less reproductive than just say so I can play Beta or even Alpha for you if you’d like.”

           “You are definitely intentionally missing the point now aren’t you?”

           “When was there a point?”

           While the two bickered with each other Wuxian spotted a comfortable looking section on the bed, but there seemed to be a body on the other side, or at least that’s how it appeared. While Meng Yao knew of Mingjue’s habit of making a pillow person for the element of surprise, Wuxian of course did not. Knowing that his original intention was probably lost for the night considering all of the craziness he figured he’d at least satisfy his curiosity about Mingjue’s type.

          So he pulled the blanket up on the free side and stuck his head under only to see the side profile of the person on the other side. Instead of nudity or whatever else he was expecting he only saw the neck down of an unmoving, seemingly unbreathing body of someone with light blue clothes and a long ribbon the end of which was clutched in his hand.

           Eyes widening in horror, Wei Wuxian backed out of the bed and fell onto the floor in shock, causing the other two to turn and draw their attention to him.

           “Oh my Baoshan Sanren, it’s worse than you thought before by far Meng Yao. If you think I’m a bad influence on your precious Nie Nie you had better guess again, because Mingjue’s tastes cannot be beaten. He’s killed a Lan and is sleeping with him in his bed!”

          “What?!” Both Mingjue and Meng Yao questioned in alarm as Wei Wuxian got up and raised his flute towards his lips, preparing to defend himself.

           “Don’t come any closer or I’ll fight back with this guy's animated corpse if I must. I have a good feeling that you won’t be judging anything pretty soon.”

           Then before Nie Mingjue could even wrap his brain behind Wei Wuxian’s odd guess Meng Yao walked forward and ripped the covers off of the bed.

           The change of light caused Lan Xichen to quickly open his eyes, startling Wuxian into a scream, just as the “Body” was identified by a shocked Meng Yao,

           “LAN XICHEN?!”

           The Lan himself yawned startling Wuxian into dropping his flute and shaking his head,

           “Wait you’re alive? Does that mean….? Nie Mingjue you dog!”

           Mingjue himself was seriously considering running into one of the poles in the room just to end it all and avoid the next conversation, but in the end he feared that the walls would come down and hurt innocent Omegas, so he decided not to.

           And for his part Lan Xichen, sat up, yawned, stretched and said, with the most innocent of looks,

           “I was still and quiet like you asked Mingjue, but it seems it wasn’t enough, still does two out of three count?” then he smiled in the way that he had that disarmed most people as he greeted the newcomers, as if he wasn’t just lying barely breathing in another’s bed, “Hello Wei Wuxian, Hi A' Yao.”

           And before anything else could possible get worse or go  wrong Mingjue held up his hand and said,

           “I can explain.”

           To which Wei Wuxian responded,

           “Well this should be good.”

Chapter Text

          Upon seeing a quite disheveled ethereal Omega Lan Xichen rising from Mingjue’s bed like some kind of fairytale princess, the young Jin’s mind immediately began to calculate and process the information. So just after Mingjue commented that he could explain his mind came up with the most logical answer that he could think of, and of course who best to blame. So he looked from one sworn brother to another and then his eyes landed on the guilty party,

          “How could you do such a thing Nie Mingjue?!”

          Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened in surprise that Meng Yao’s first blamed person would be the Nie. Even though that was the more logical of courses, particularly with Lan Xichen looking like a shiny overlarge fairy, he himself had to deal with Meng Yao’s immediate belief so far that Omegas were the seducers so it was a little funny to see the Jin turn full circle just because the one in question was Lan Xichen.

          Nie Mingjue’s mouth opened and closed quite comically, being unable to gather words for the time and now that the body he’d assumed was dead was actually a living Lan Xichen Wei Wuxian put his weapon away and enjoyed the show instead.

          “Oh you can’t blame Mingjue Meng Yao,  honestly it was all my fault. I snuck in here to discuss marriage and taking advantage of a super cute Alpha, and then when he heard you outside the door he panicked because he was feeding me snacks, then he threw me on the bed and told me to be still, that’s all.” The Lan said looking rather innocent despite the strange words.

          “I don’t think that’s helping Xichen.” Wei Wuxain offered helpfully, amused by the wording, but he felt he should help Xichen more than anyone for Lan Zhan’s sake at the very least. Yet he needed the power that Mingjue and Meng Yao were about to wield, and he’d already called one of them something terrible in a way, leaving him indecisive as to who to actually help.

          Meng Yao patted Xichen on the cheek tenderly,

          “I know that’s what you think happened Xichen, but you can’t just listen when alphas tell you to be still on the bed. I know you haven’t been an Omega long, but you must have at least listened to your Uncles teachings on the matter. Omega’s have to protect themselves more than Alphas because Alphas tend to have more muscle on average. That’s why we were made with smarter brains than them, but we have to use those smarts honey.”

          “But I was the one who took advantage of an alpha.” Lan Xichen insisted, still doe eyed.

          “I’m sure that’s what he told you.” Meng Yao said sympathetically, patting the other Omega’s hand.

          “No, I believe he still thinks that he took advantage of me, which is hilarious and so cute. I’m glad you’ve come for I really wanted to tell you, but there’s been no good chance until now.” Lan Xichen answered, actually talking about Jiang Cheng, but not realizing that he hadn’t said the name yet.

          “Don’t tell me that you’ve fallen for him too?!” Meng Yao questioned, looking over at Mingjue.

          Lan Xichen’s face fell,

          “Meng Yao I know he would be great for you politically, but I really have enough contenders for his hand as it is, and of course normally I’d concede, but I’ve already taken his first kiss I’m afraid. Uncle even approves of him, because they are so alike. You’ve never even seemed all that friendly to him before, could it be that you’ve been playing hard to get?”

          Meng Yao bit his lip, having not even considered that Xichen could have fallen for Mingjue, sure Mingjue spoiled the Lan, but he basically treated the other like a baby sister. It was clearly Meng Yao that he favored. Of all of the people to end up having to go against for Mingjue Lan Xichen was the least he’d have ever wanted to, for he couldn’t bare but plot against him or hurt him at all. He’d have sooner hurt Mingjue whom he loved and lusted after, over an angel like Lan Xichen,

          “I’m shocked you could get his kiss, for truly it isn’t easy, but I hate to tell you that I’ve had more of him than that. And I can’t believe he told you it was his first kiss, that bull has been ridden quite a few times before let alone kissed. ” Meng Yao admitted, glaring at Mingjue for saying so, which finally caused Mingjue to step in before Meng Yao was ready to risk it all enough to say,

          “Meng Yao, Xichen is talking about Jiang Cheng. Xichen Meng Yao is talking about…not Jiang Cheng.”

          Meng Yao blinked and then let out a sigh of relief,

          “Oh thank the heavens, that was the worst case scenario of my life. You know I’ve been interested in Nie Mingjue since forever ago, of course I’m not after Jiang Cheng of all people.”

          “Well I don’t know, out of nowhere I went from no known competition to multiple people in like a day, so I couldn’t be sure you weren’t talking about him. But I’m glad to hear that it’s still Mingjue, you know I wouldn’t take him away from you. Besides we only see each other as brothers.”

          “Well I’m fairly sure he views you as more of a sister, but the point is that I totally trust and believe you on that aspect. So no worries on your end, but-” and here Meng Yao turned to look back at a still worried and startled Nie as he said, “This is definitely the last straw for me Nie Mingjue, I’m moving into your room, because clearly you can’t be trusted!”

          “I thought you said you wouldn’t allow a newly differentiated omega into your future husband’s naked room, what since it’s Xichen it’s okay? Wait…do you share him?” Wei Wuxian protested.

          “By a show of hands who votes that we kill Wei Wuxian and hide his body under the floor boards?” Meng Yao suggested, raising his own hand and looking for takers, then scowling at his two sworn brothers, “Why am I even friends with you two if you never choose to kill for my sanity, huh?”

          “My friends would totally support me if I wanted to kill someone for my sanity?” Wei Wuxian commented ‘helpfully.’

          “Not my Nie Nie, nor your siblings, nor your boyfriend Lan, so you are a complete liar.”

          “I was mostly talking about Huaisang and I bet you he would!”

          Now that it was pretty clear that nothing had actually happened with Lan Xichen , Nie Minjue felt much more comfortable, even though he was currently surrounded by non-biological Omegas in his bedroom, which was starting to bother him in a different way as it looked rather harem like, and he could barely handle his own Omega interest let alone the other two in the room.

          “You will not be moving into my room at this time Meng Yao. But since you are sort of listening to reason around your hysteria I’ll explain what happened and hopefully you can calm down.”

          “Well not at this time is not never, so I guess I might relent depending on your story.”

          And so Nie Mingjue went about explaining what happened from the beginning of when he heard something to the top Lan Xichen sprung up from his bed, being careful to explain factual details like,

          “Actually since I smelt Omega I originally thought he was you for all of two seconds, but then I had no idea since his scent changed after his differentiation.”

          To which Lan Xichen questioned,

          “You thought I was Meng Yao when you grabbed me? You two oughtn’t play so roughly with one another, what if someone were to get hurt?”

          “Maybe that’s how they like it.” Wei Wuxian said wiggling his eyebrows, though it left Lan Xichen looking perplexed, and rather than explaining Mingjue continued to the very end.

          Once the story was out and laughter was had by all of the Omega’s mostly at Mingjue’s expense things settled down.

          “Well I’d like to find fault with your story, but that sounds exactly like you and him.” Meng Yao said, now seated around the reset table with a new tea set and snacks, for the ones thrown into his chest had served best as evidence.

          “I told him that it would be worse to find me in his bed, but he insisted. And I really wanted his vote.” Lan Xichen said blowing on his tea to make it cool enough to drink well.

          “Alphas,” Meng Yao said , but then remembered that Lan Xichen had a reason to be here, “speaking of votes what were you saying about a council for Jiang Cheng’s marriage, or whatever?”

          “Oh that’s why I came. A bunch of the sects found out that Jiang Cheng is some kind of Superior Alpha, so when I went there to propose marriage there were already some heavy candidates, even your father was there trying to get Jiang Cheng to impregnate Zixuan if Yanli couldn’t, or something creepy like that. Uncle Qiren convinced them to mediate it through you guys plus Jiang Cheng himself and Mother-in-Law Madam Yu. I wanted to try to get support so I came here first, but Mingjue is Mingjue so he’s being pretty stubborn about it.” Lan Xichen explained, before accepting a piece of cut up lychee from Meng Yao.

          “That’s funny I came here for almost the same reason, except I came wanting people not to vote for me.” Wei Wuxian responded getting his own Lychee and missing his elder sister Yanli since two people were feeding Xichen, and no one was feeding him.

          “What are you on about?” Meng Yao questioned to which Wei Wuxian sighed,

          “I don’t know exactly what happened but out of nowhere Sect Leader Jiang decided the best idea would be to marry me off to Jiang Cheng. He’s done so much for me I can’t outright defy him. And I know it’s because he really wants me to be a true Jiang, but that’s my baby brother. I really can’t get over it. Even if I am forced to marry him I couldn’t touch him or be touched by him in that way, you know?”

          Xichen nodded understandingly, giving Wei Wuxian a cookie since the other looked a bit pouty and he didn’t want to leave the poor boy out, before peeling a piece of fruit and handing it to Meng Yao to return the earlier favor, which coincidentally made Mingjue feel like Xichen was going to stop eating in order to feed others so he grabbed a cookie himself and fed it to the Lan. Wei Wuxian was a bit surprised and amused that Meng Yao didn’t seem bothered by that as the Jin commented,

          “I can’t say that I can relate. I can’t even be adopted by my own father, let alone another’s.”

          “Yeah but I’m sure you can imagine it if you try. In fact since you’re not claimed what if your biological father tried to marry you off to one of your siblings? Of course you’d find it gross wouldn’t you?”

          “No comment.”

          Wei Wuxian gave the Jin a weird look, but turned to Mingjue,

          “What about you Mingjue, you’re half brothers technically with Huaisang right? What if you were forced to marry Huaisang? You can’t even imagine it right.”

          Mingjue rose from his spot at the table looking pale at the very thought,

          “Excuse me, I think I’m going to be ill.”

          “Exactly,” Wuxian said, pulling the alpha back down to continue his point, “it’s just gross. Lan Xichen you couldn’t marry Lan Zhan right?”

          “As much as I love my little brother I definitely couldn’t. Not in that way. Besides we both have love interests that are thankfully not each other.” Lan Xichen said logically.

          “Exactly. So since the council will be made up of you two, Huaisang, Madam Yu, and Jiang Cheng himself, I’m really confident that if just two of you say no I should be safe. Madam Yu wouldn’t pick me if I was the only option, so if I just have your co-operation I could be assured that I will not be chosen.”

          “Yes, instead choose me. I’ve got to be the best option of at least most of the given ones.” Xichen implored handing cookies to both of the future voters as he did.

          “Well Wuxian I doubt I will have any political reasoning to choose you unless you just especially piss me off. So if you leave my baby alone I’m in. But as for you Xichen I just don’t know, you’ve got to be able to do better than boring Jiang Cheng.” Jin Guangyao said looking honest, after all Meng Yao had never very much liked nor exceptionally hated the youngest Jiang. He was just meh in his own opinion, nothing much to speak of either way, and exceptionally overshadowed by Wei Wuxian. He was allegedly another friend of his Nie Nie’s and admittedly a better influence, but both boys were swept away by Wuxian’s “great ideas” so he was not much better for a lack of backbone in the Jin’s opinion either way.

          “Jiang Cheng isn’t boring. If you think that you don’t know him at all. He’s honestly the cutest alpha ever and I just want to hug and kiss and cherish him forever.” Lan Xichen gushed grabbing a pillow as if in substitute for now.

          “Well now I’m even more against it.” Meng Yao said, looking disgusted as if he could see the Jiang there too.

          “As I said before I will not be swayed by anyone. Since this is brought to me to solve I will do so openly and honestly without being swayed either way. If you are best for him Wei Wuxian I will chose you just as I might chose any candidate who most suits him. Friendship aside, I must do what is right. Although it is really odd for me to be saying this about an Alpha; Omegas are usually the ones more in demand. But if he’s the more innocent party, then I will have to answer for him. I cannot have that on my conscience for the rest of our lives after all.”

          Lan Xichen sighed and laid on the floor dramatically,

          “So neither of my sworn brothers will support me in this? How can that be so?”

          “If any other person had asked me to cheat I’d disqualify them right away, but I can’t bare to do that to you. If you’re well suited of course I’ll pick you, but of course this is really for him and as you’ve blatantly admitted to taking advantage of him you’re not in much of a position to argue the point now are you?” Nie Mingjue answered as sternly as he could manage.

          Lan Xichen pouted at him, causing him to want to cave, but holding back for principle’s sake.

          “At least you got to talk to your close friends about it? Without seeing Huaisang I have no idea how he’ll vote. Sanren knows that boy likes a good prank, with my luck he’ll pick me as a joke.”

          “Xichen don’t fret, my choice will be for the best I assure you,” Meng Yao soothed, “as for you Wei Wuxian shouldn’t it be fine if just me, your step mom, and your brother vote elsewhere? You only need three to be disqualified.”

          “Unfortunately I can’t be sure that A’Cheng won’t be swayed. He’s very sensitive and wants desperately to be loved by his father. If Sect Leader Jiang plays the right cards or Jiang Cheng thinks its best he could still vote for me even though I’m sure it would gross him out as well.”

          “We are still talking about an Alpha right?” Mingjue said in disbelief.

          “Not every Alpha needs to be as emotionally constipated as you Nie Mingjue.” Meng Yao snapped pinching him in annoyance, even though he didn’t even like the Alpha he could at least be grateful for the lack of stereotypical actions. 

          “My baby brother is prone to over thinking, and that’s where we all could be in trouble. He’s likely going to pick one of the worst options for himself in order to free up the others. Hero complex and all. So I have to be sure that at least 3 others will keep me out of it. After all there is only one worse choice than me, but at least he can be terminated… theoretically speaking.” Wei Wuxian explained.

          “But now that you’ve said it I wouldn’t suggest it. If the next council is trial for Xue Yang’s murder I’m afraid you’d be caught red handed just by this admission alone.”

          “Well we’ll cross that bridge if we must. But for now we don’t have to.” Wei Wuxian said crunching on peanuts that Lan Xichen gave him.

          There was a short pause which created the understanding that this particular topic was done, each man’s opinion was out and not much was changing there, but suddenly Meng Yao remembered why he’d barged into the room in the first place and brought the topic back to the point,

          “Well now that that’s settled, Mingjue what are you going to do about this rogue omega?” The Jin suddenly demanded of the Alpha, who was so thrown off guard that he nearly choked on his own snack, which caused Lan Xichen to pat his back in worry until Mingjue stopped coughing.

          “How am I the rogue Omega? You apparently sneak into his room on the regular and Lan Xichen imitates a dead body in his bed,” Wei Wuxian protested, before suddenly remembering enough to ask the Lan, “By the way how the hell did you manage to not breath all of that time? I seriously thought you were a dead body until you moved, and I know a thing or two about dead bodies.”

          Lan Xichen let out a little smile at that as Mingjue worked to clear his throat to even be able to talk,

          “Oh that? I just slowed down and quieted my breathing. It’s a Lan technique and is taught to pretty much all of the disciples though some are better than others at it to be honest. I’m fairly gifted at it myself, but no one beats Wangji at it.” The Lan explained.

          By this point Mingjue finally had his voice back, although it was slightly horse, so he turned back to answer Meng Yao,

          “I seriously don’t think it should be a problem. Wei Wuxian and Huaisang have known each other forever and had countless sleepovers, they are both Omegas, and it’s kind of rude to throw him out at this time of night.”

          “How is that rude? You throw me out of your room constantly around this time of night! Don’t tell me you’re willing to create a double standard for this guy, but not me.” Meng Yao said with a glare.

          “I throw you out of my room, not the property, and you full well know exactly why I have to do that.” Mingjue said pointedly.

          “Everything with you is such a double standard Nie Mingjue. You want to talk about knowing people forever, would you say the same if Jiang Cheng had come around for a sleepover? No. Because he’s an alpha and therefore you view him as a threat. Well I’m telling you that Omega’s can be just as threatening as Alpha’s can be, maybe more because we’re constantly  underestimated. And two Omegas can definitely engage in lewd acts. You have no idea what we’re capable of, especially after just differentiating.”

          Nie Mingjue’s eyebrow rose and he let out a snort,

          “How can that be possible? And even if it was at least it’s a fair fight. Alphas with Omegas aren’t.”

          “True, because Alphas are too dumb to realize when they’re being played.” Meng Yao snapped back.

          “Now, now let’s not name call unnecessarily or anything. Instead let’s find a compromise. Meng Yao you’re concerns seem to be about it being too sudden of a visit and the issue of a sleepover with Huaisang right now. Mingjue you don’t want to kick an Omega out in the middle of the night when they planned to stay here and don’t have a problem with him bunking wherever. Wei Wuxian you want to talk to and lobby with your friend to make sure he doesn’t even jokingly vote for you during the council yes? In that case there is a proper solution. What if Wei Wuxian sleeps over, but in a guest room instead, and talks to Huaisang in the morning before anything happens? In this case it’s not at night, he still stays safe and over, and he still gets to talk to Huaisang before the council meeting, which you two will likely get to help decide the time of. Then isn’t it a win, win, win?” Lan Xichen suggested peacefully.

          The three other parties in the room all looked at each other, than back and Lan Xichen then nodded, for it truly was the most diplomatic way of solving the situation. To which Lan Xichen clapped his hands together,

          “Good, that settles it then. If it didn’t I was about to suggest that Wei Wuxian come back to the inn with me and bunk with Wangji. I know Wangji would be happy to.”

          “You’re not sleeping here?” Mingjue questioned with a frown to which Meng Yao pinched him and the Nie continued by way of explanation, “I meant in a guest room, not in mine!”

          “It might as well be mine then since you don’t believe Omega’s ever do lewd activities with other Omegas,” Meng Yao grumbled sourly, “or better yet he can have my room and I’ll sleep in here to make sure you don’t get sneaky again tonight.”

          “No to both of those, I won’t have you taking advantage of Lan Xichen ever, nor me tonight.” Mingjue responded.

          “So you admit that an Omega can take advantage of an Alpha then?”

          “Not without permission or very heavy drugs.”

          “I can do both.”  

          Lan Xichen interrupted the bickering to respond to Mingjue’s direct question to him,

          “Because of the council and the number of people we had to bring I didn’t want to inconvenience you. I have a room with my Uncle and brother at a local Inn and the selected Lan disciples are staying in the surrounding rooms.  I dare say the Unclean Realm will have a good economy boost after this trip.”

          Then the Lan turned back to Wuxian since he hadn’t gotten an answer to his inquiry / tease yet, wanting to gauge the young man’s reaction for his brother’s sake,

          “So what do you say? Lan’s get up pretty early and I know some shortcuts through this property. Want to have a sleepover with Wangji instead?”

          Wei Wuxian, who would normally have been tempted, but who’s last conversation had been pretty sad and dramatic, did not want to lead Lan Zhan on in any way, especially if things didn’t end well and he really did end up married to Jiang Cheng. Because of this he decided it would be best to maintain as much distance with the other as possible. For if he did marry his Didi he was going to live a very celibate life, for he couldn’t bare to touch Jiang Cheng, but he also wouldn’t ruin his reputation by cheating on him with anyone either, even if the other person was Hanguang Jun. So he shook his head and answered,

          “Thank you for the invite, but I think I’d better sleep here for tonight.”

          “Rain Check then?” Lan Xichen teased again, hoping to lighten the mood since the Wei seemed pretty upset when answering, but Wei Wuxian looked a bit like a drooping flower,

          “If Rain ever comes again, then perhaps.” Wuxian responded poetically, causing Lan Xichen to sigh and adding yet another reason to his long list for winning over the council to his side. Not only did he have to protect his own love interests, but also that of his brother as well.

          “Don’t give up hope so easily, rain will come again.” Lan Xichen comforted.

          “Why are you two questioning the future weather, of course it’s going to rain again, if it didn’t we’d all starve? Who predicted that there would never be rain again?” Nie Mingjue said obliviously.

          “Dear Baoshan Sanren I can’t believe this is who I’m attracted to. They’re not talking about actual rain you buffoon, now lift someone or flex your muscles so I can remember why I like you in the first place.” Meng Yao demanded.

          “I’ll pass, I’ll be saner if you give up anyway.” Nie Mingjue retorted.

          “Be nice A’Yao, Mingjue is a very intelligent war strategist, I’m sure he’s just tired from a long day. Let’s all leave his room for now and let him get some rest so that he can think straight and choose the right candidate for A’Cheng during tomorrow’s meeting.” Lan Xichen suggested pulling on the sleeves of both Omegas and walking them out in such a seemly way that although he said so neither had noticed they were outside of the door.

          Mingjue was especially grateful for this. There were still a few things to do before sleeping though, so he delegated for the time being,

          “Meng Yao since you’re the most concerned about Wei Wuxian’s sleeping arrangements you’re in charge of getting him set up in a guest room. Wei Wuxian if the council is tomorrow or whenever a Nie disciple will let you know, otherwise your free to find Huaisang in the morning before hand. I assume it will be the afternoon or evening anyway since I’ve not even received the message yet.”

          Meng Yao let out a sigh, but couldn’t complain since he was the one who had fought so hard to protect Huaisang, so Wei Wuxian had somehow become his problem,

          “Fine then, but you’re lucky your so damned attractive.” He commented to Mingjue before waving goodbye fondly to Xichen and snapping for Wei Wuxian to keep up with him.

          Wei Wuxian himself waved, and looked like he wanted to say something else to Xichen, but hesitated, shook his head, and caught up to Meng Yao without further ado. When the two Omegas were out of sight Nie Mingjue turned back to Lan Xichen, before saying,

          “Since you’re not staying over tonight at least let me walk you back to your Inn. Now that you’ve differentiated as an Omega you really shouldn’t be out walking alone at night.”

          Lan Xichen patted the other’s arm gently,

          “It’s okay Mingjue, I appreciate your concern, but I’m a lot stronger than you might think now. But don’t worry you’ll get used to it and understand better about the true strength of Omegas soon. I believe in you.”

          Mingjue frowned, prepared to protest or at least send disciples with him, when suddenly one of his men came jogging up as if in a run,

          “Sect Leader Nie there is urgent news. A number of Sects have arrived in the village, there are talks of a Sect War, and a messenger from the Jiang’s that we’ve been interrogating has been vetted and has this letter from the Sect Leader of the Jiang!” The disciple said distracting the Nie for a few seconds.

          Mingjue put his finger up telling him to wait for a second to finish up with Lan Xichen before getting to what he basically already knew about thanks to the two Omega sneaks only to find that the Lan was gone. He looked around surprised at the swiftness and stealth of the other, before letting out a sigh and letting it go. In his experience there was rarely a point in arguing with Omegas, because at least the ones around him always seemed to win such things anyway.

          But since he was not pleased by these turn of events Mingjue looked back at the disciple, frowned, grabbed something to write with and jotted his answer down on the same paper of the message he was just given.

          “I don’t have the time to do so now or even exceptionally soon, but clearly the Nie disciples need more intense training and rules which we will remedy as soon as we can. Your intel is late. Send the messenger back with this and tell the men that it is not a sect war, at least not yet, instead prepare for a very intense marriage council,” he snapped thrusting the paper he’d written on at him, “and guard my bedroom door well, because if one more person gets through there without warning and my express permission tonight I will personally sneak into each and every one of the disciples on duties rooms in the future to demonstrate the dangers of being off ones guard.”

          “Y-y-es-s-s  S-sir.” The disciple said terrified.

          With that Nie Mingjue’s door slammed and the messenger anxiously ran to warn the on duty disciples as well as send the Jiang messenger his Sect Leader’s reply.

          Lan Xichen arrived back at his room at the Inn perfectly safely with his Uncle still fast asleep, and a curious Lan Zhan who wanted to hear all about it.  And despite now being exceptionally tired Lan Xichen explained most of it, except for his offer to Wei Wuxian and the other’s answer. Especially since at the mention of Wei Wuxian being there the boy already looked like he might sneak out into the night.

          “Patience Wangji, you don’t want to scare him off. Besides you’ll get to see him tomorrow I’m sure, he can’t very well miss that.”

          Wangji considered this and nodded, although he looked a bit petulant about it. Lan Xichen patted the top of his brother’s head for consolation before slipping into his own room. It was very late for a Lan to be attempting to sleep, and he’d been pretty surprised that Wangji had managed so long since the other was normally even more regulated than him. But of course these were serious circumstances.

          For a few moments as he drifted off to sleep he thought of the day, of Wangji’s situation, and of course of his own. He considered what strategies he should use to help his brother and himself and appeal to the council members amongst other things. But when he fell asleep there was only one person besides himself in it. One adorable alpha to help sooth away the tension of the day, who opened his arms for the other, and Lan Xichen hugged the other back, lifting him happily into the air before laying down with him in a field of Clouds and Lotus Flowers, and  finally the Lan was able to rest comfortable for the night, because even the phantom touch of the man he loved was more soothing than all of the real people. And he hoped one day that he could have the real Jiang Cheng all to himself, if only the Lan proved to be smart enough and the fates were kind.  

Chapter Text

                           While many people around the major cultivation world were plotting and planning, one in particular was decidedly not, and probably should have been. Jiang Cheng could not have planned much if he tried. He wasn’t lucky enough to have gotten much sleep so thinking was completely out of the question.

                           And although with all of the activity hence, there and everywhere, it had only been a night. By early morning an equally zombie looking Sect Leader Jiang entered and demanded that the youngest Jiang pack quickly if he hadn’t already, then meet with the rest of the group downstairs.

                           Jiang Cheng nodded numbly, but didn’t move for some time, so much so that some loyal disciples sent for Jiang Yanli since they didn’t want the heir to get in trouble. When Yanli saw her brother looking like a broken doll, her own heart broke a little, and she began packing for him instead.

                           When she was done she coaxed him to eat something small at least, and then come down to Lotus Pier with her. Jiang Cheng listened numbly and followed, going through the motions like a puppet more than anything.

                           Once on the boat, unlike any other time of his life since Jiang Cheng was a toddler, Sect Leader Jiang insisted on sitting next to his son, and sent Yanli to another boat with her mother. In normal circumstances this would have been everything to Cheng, but now it felt like a terrible burden, and even Yanli looked distressed for him as she was gently led as far away as possible.

                           Jiang Cheng wanted to follow her, but was stuck due to filial piety and power imbalance. But it was awkward and he was already feeling low before hand, so he really wished that he could get out of this, even if it meant throwing himself over the side and swimming the rest of the way if he had to. But instead he sat there, avoiding eye contact lest his father find weakness even in that, and paid exceptionally close attention to his hands as if looking for something.

                           Jiang Fengmian let the youngest fiddle for a while, eyeing him from the corner of his own, and waiting for the right time to strike, while putting together his own game plan. When he felt that the silence had been sufficient enough, he spoke to the other quietly but authoritatively,

                           “What kind of leader of the Jiang do you want to be?”

                           Surprised by this unforeseen topic Jiang Cheng turned to look at him curiously, and questioned his own hearing,

                           “Excuse me?”

                         “You’re mother and I aren’t going to live forever you know. Your sister was born frail and with a damaged core, which put you into the position of heir once you were born. You, who are a lot like your mother in some ways, but unfortunately not in the ways that are particularly reassuring. I’ve wondered for a while if perhaps your weaknesses come from me, but we aren’t very alike after all. Still, I blame myself. But as a leader I have concerns. I don’t particularly want my own lineage to destroy the clan I’ve helped strengthen, one that’s been in the family and thrived for so long. So I wonder, even if it’s not possible in the end, what kind of leader you want to be?”

                           Jiang Cheng let out a sigh, thinking for a few minutes before answering,

                           “Personally I want to be a just and kind leader. Of course I want to protect our family’s legacy, but I want to help the weak and not take advantage of power. I want to maintain political alliances, but I don’t want to just follow whatever people are saying just to do so. I certainly don’t want to be a ruin of the Jiang, but I think that some things need firm touches and other things need softer ones, you know?”

                           Jiang Fengmian shook his head,

                           “Well our Motto does say ‘know it to be impossible but do it anyway.’ But you know such a task isn’t easy on your own, and though I don’t think you’ll like hearing this, particularly from me, you aren’t the one who truly embodies that spirit. But someone else does and I’m sure you know who I’m referring to.”

                           Jiang Cheng looked down at his hands not responding. His adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed back his current emotions. Jiang Fengmian expected this lack of reply, for he was sure it would be unbearable for a prideful boy to say it with his own mouth, so the elder continued,

                         “Being a truly good leader is mostly about sacrifice. We do what we must and should more than what we want, for the sake of others and the good of our Sects. And not everyone is meant to be a leader, and we should know that ourselves. Sadly leaders are often not chosen. Our Jiang disciples have more freedoms than some other Sects, but not in this, and you’ve been around long enough to know who, if given the choice, they would want. Who they tend to cheer for and who beats you at nearly everything, even as a pre Omega. Can you honestly say if given the chance the disciples would choose you?”

                           Jiang Cheng shook his head, without even having to think as hard. It was clear who was the best at everything between himself and the one who his father was pushing, Wei Wuxian. Even his mother who hated the Wei compared him with the other and often found him wanting, and she was the person who was most on his side.

Ever since Wei Wuxian arrived and drove out his canine best friends he’d been compared to the other, and lost. The other was better at so many things, he was the personification of the Jiang Clan, despite not being from the bloodline. Everyone loved him, even Jiang Cheng, though he couldn’t stand the comparison. Within the Jiang Sect Wei Wuxian could do no wrong, making it feel like Jiang Cheng could do no right. If forced to answer who the youngest Jiang believed people would want as a leader, even as an Omega, he would have to admit it would not be him, but Wei Wuxian. But it hurt to hear laid out before him, especially from his father, even though it was a joke to believe otherwise. For his father’s favorite was not difficult to ascertain.

                           Jiang Fengmian saw the vulnerability in the other, and rather than assure him, he pounced on it while the iron was hot,

                           “You have the chance to give the people what they want and still not lose your place. The chance to Sire an ultimate Jiang with our bloodline and with any luck pass on the best traits of our family as well as Wei Wuxians. You wouldn’t have to lose to Wei Wuxian anymore if you became a team. Married couples are as one after all. And how much love and favor would I give a grandson created from yourself and Wei Wuxian? How assured I’d be in the future of our clan, that I might even retire sooner. If you pick Wei Wuxian and convince just two other Council members, everyone could be happy. And isn’t that what you’ve really always wanted A’Cheng?”

                           Jiang Cheng glanced over in surprise at the familiar tone, and he couldn’t help but be entranced by the thought. He looked at his father who looked back at him with the closest thing to love that he had seen for quite a long time. And yet his stomach felt sick. So much so that he suddenly stood up, leaned over the boat and heaved, an easy course of action considering that he thought of Wei Wuxian as a true brother and now was being asked to not only pick him, but even procreate with him.

                           A disgusted voice filled his ears as his father said,

                           “A seasick Jiang? You’ve got to be kidding me. Wuxian isn’t even a Jiang and he can handle all kinds of boats just fine.”

                           By the time he looked back at the other however his father’s face was back to that seemingly loving one, confusing him even more, as he sat back down and wiped his mouth with his hand and arm. He stared at that unfamiliar gaze, the one he had yearned for, for so long. The one he’d once said he’d do anything for. Then after a few seconds he couldn’t help himself but to ask,

                           “If I do as you ask and marry Wuxian, would you love me?”

                           He father frowned for a second, pausing before saying with words that sounded alien to his ears,

                           “Of course I would-  I mean I do, but I’d perhaps show it more if you did so. I wouldn’t have to be quite so strict if the future was basically assured, and I know Wei Wuxian would do right by the Sect- and you of course, so yes, I could perhaps show it more with less worries and responsibilities. It mostly depends on you, and the council I suppose.”

                           Jiang Cheng listened and nodded, his eyes far away. For so long he had wanted to hear that his father loved him. Of course he’d have preferred it to be a love that was unconditional, but such fairytales were no longer believed at this point. Yet here before him was something that he’d always dreamed of, and now he had the means of making it happen, even if it still somehow felt hollow and forced, but even if he couldn’t have that true familial love he was sure his father was truthful about how he’d treat their offspring. He couldn’t bear to imagine having a baby with Wuxian, but imagining the child, girl or boy, he knew he at least wanted his father to love them. He didn’t want them to be missing the love that he had. But he loved Wei Wuxian like a brother as well, and didn’t want to make arbitrary decisions on the others behalf.

                          Here his father, who claimed and seemed to love Wei Wuxian, wasn’t even really thinking for Wei Wuxian’s benefit. So although for his own dream sake he would have accepted it, he couldn’t bring himself to declare it so finally. He had to talk to Wei Wuxian and even his Mom, and both would be a hard sell. But he didn’t want to go ruining anyone’s life for his selfishness.  Yet if there were other ways to claim his father’s love he would have jumped at the chance. He just wished it had been or could ever be something that only affected him.

                          So with a heavy and conflicted heart he said,

                          “I will strongly consider father’s suggestion. I cannot answer you now, because it involves others, and it will be difficult to convince mother, so give me some time and I will make a decision at a later time. Whatever happens I hope that father will understand.”

                          Jiang Fengmian nodded, smiling slightly, as he saw that his words had made a difference in his son’s whole demeanor. He clapped the youngest on the back in a nearly friendly manner as he said,

                          “Of course I will understand you as long as you understand and do what’s best for your clan. Sacrifice is after all the backbone of being a leader. I’m glad to see that you can think rationally on these matters, rather than emotionally. With you and Wei Ying, the Jiang Sect will be in excellent hands.”

                          Jiang Cheng let out a little heartless laugh at that, going along with it and wanting the talk to be over. He stood up, gave his father a proper bow and excused himself, feigning needing to talk with one of the disciples at the far end of the boat. His father, satisfied that the conversation had gone his way and having no other use for his son at the moment, let him go without thought or issue.

                          The youngest Jiang was happy to have escaped, moving to the most inconspicuous part of the boat that was as far from his father as he could manage, before taking deep breaths to control himself. Pushing his emotions down as much as he can, his eyes slightly red rimmed as he concentrated on anything he could but what had happened.

                          By the time his emotions were in check and he looked sad and tired, but as close to normal as he could manage, the boat had touched land. Jiang Cheng looked up to see a Wedding Palanquin before him and froze, hoping it was just some kind of mix up with the Palanquin that should be taking his sister instead. But his father dispelled his hopes once again, by clapping him on the shoulder and with a slightly evil smirk, commenting,

                          “I wasn’t lying about the Palaquin, we really can’t afford you passing out again on the way to such an important meeting. You can share with your sister however.”

                          Jiang Cheng closed his eyes and pushed down his embarrassment, sadness, and anger once again, before rushing into the Palanquin before his humiliation could be elongated. By the time his sister tentatively joined him, worrying her bottom lip, he looked like a frozen statue before her. Since there was nothing she could do to stop this she just hoped her brother wouldn’t take it too hard. It was clearly a purposeful humiliation to have an Alpha sent in a Palanquin and she really couldn’t understand her father’s purpose. But though she couldn’t stop that she at least did what she could. Taking his hand in hers and not releasing it until they arrived at their destination.

                          Jiang Cheng steeled up his courage to leave the Palanquin with tons of eyes watching. Making sure his face was unreadable to all but the most discerning of eyes.

                          By the time they arrived the council was seated, some looking better rested than others. Even his mother was in her place. The Jiang Alpha let out a breath feeling that he was trading one humiliation for another, but doing his best to hide that fact, as he sat in the seat provided to him, and the council was finally declared to begin.

Chapter Text

                Despite his and most of the other’s best intentions, Wei Wuxian did not actually get the chance to talk with Nie Huaisang before the council meeting. Unfortunately the reason for this was actually Nie Huaisang himself, who outright refused to awaken for anything, until he was good and ready, which frustratingly ended up being mere minutes before Jiang Cheng himself was announced to have arrived.

                To this effect Meng Yao was in great spirits, having gotten his way due to Huaisang himself, and was busy now fixing the young Nie’s bed head. Huaisang laid his head on the Jin’s shoulder, still barely awake, having been dragged into the room by his brother and set in between Meng Yao and Mingjue who sat in the very middle of the table. Huaisang yawned and blinked a few times before squinting at the room, eyes widening in surprise when he saw all of the people before him. Suddenly alert, the young Nie bolted upright, looking back at the Jin with surprise and a little bit of annoyance as he asked,

                “What are all of these people doing here? You two haven’t called some sort of intervention or anything have you? Because if you did I’d say you’re both being exceptionally dramatic. Artistic expression is not ‘lazing about.’ In fact, I’m sure most sects would be thrilled to have an artistic prodigy in the family,” Huaisang announced haughtily, banging the desk in front of them before continuing, “Anyway, do I look built enough to follow that psychotic regimen of brother’s? No, I am not. Instead, I’ll just marry someone who can do all of the scary stuff in my place. See, crisis averted. Everyone wins.”

                Jin Guangyao patted Nie Huaisang on his head adoringly,

                “Of course not, and that’s what I like to hear!”

                Nie Mingjue frowned at the two Omegas, rolling his eyes and cultivating for patience, before explaining to the youngest Nie why they were actually there,

                “We’ve come today to discuss the marriage of Alpha Jiang Wanyin.”

                Nie Huaisang raised his eyebrow as Jiang Cheng entered the room, looking worse for wear, but still determined as he sat on the other side of Nie Mingjue, next to who Huaisang remembered to be Cheng’s mother, Madam Yu.

                Nie Huaisang raised his hand to interrupt,

                “I’m sorry, but I do not volunteer as tribute.”

                Xue Yang snorted from his own seat to the left side of the room,

                “Good, because we certainly do not need any additional contenders.”

                Of course many people in the room very much agreed, considering their own interests, which caused Huaisang to relax a little as he responded,

                “Well I’m glad, because although I am an omega, I’m a power omega, so I’d prefer a beta, or if it has to be an alpha a more servantile-like one,” Huaisang continued, “I’ve been paired up with Jiang Cheng by others before and he was such a diva about it.”

                Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth, feeling the familiar comfort of annoyance and anger rising over his sadness, Nie Huaisang’s nonsense occasionally had that effect on him,

                “Huaisang, no one asked. Literally no one, and I was not a diva about it, I merely said no way in hell would I marry you, and to be fair that was after you’d tripped me into the lake and stepped on me to reach the other side!”

               “Which a true gentleman would have done and not complained about the first chance they got!” Huaisang said, before looking over at his elder brother, “See, this is exactly the kind of non-servant therefore non-boyfriend like behavior I was talking about.”

                Nie Mingjue let out a sigh at that, and immediately turned to Jiang Cheng with a slight bow,

                “I apologize for my younger brother’s… actually just for my younger brother, it must be difficult being his friend.”

                Jiang Cheng shook his head and also bowed politely back while responding in turn,

                “No, I’m sorry it must be a great burden to live with him.”

                Minjue nodded in agreement as Huaisang scowled at both of them,

                “Excuse me, but I’m the one who should get the apology, he was the one who refused to behave properly as a rock, just look at that back of his it should have been perfect, but I still almost fell into the lake myself, which let’s face it would have been a real tragedy!”

                To which Nie Mingjue and Jiang Cheng bonded over the ridiculousness of the statement, and omega before them,

                “Really, I’m terribly sorry.” Mingjue apologized again.

                “No, the longer burden is with you I assure you.” Jiang Cheng declared.

                “Forget it, you’re both lucky that I spice up your dull, athletic lives,” Nie Huaisang finished, and to make sure the other two didn’t continue to get off track he decided to change the subject with the clear topic at hand, “But getting to the reason I had to be dragged here, what’s with the sudden and elaborate marriage meeting?”

                Nie Mingjue, not want to continue showcasing his clans problematic, spoiled heir’s nonsense, decided that getting to the main point would actually be beneficial anyway, since he had no idea how long this unrelated issue that got thrown into his lap would actually take, so he decided to begin,

                “My fellow Sect Leaders and cultivators, today we are gathered here, by request of the other Major Sects, to decide on the fate of Alpha  Sandu Shengshou’s potential marriage.”

                “Wait… so you woke me up and dragged me here to be one of a council of glorified matchmakers?” Nie Huaisang asked curiously.

                Mingjue turned to glare at him and whispered,

                “If you don’t shut up until it’s your turn to talk I will be forced to gag you.”

                “Bro, please remember that we are related.” Huaisang shot back cheekily, before Meng Yao leaned over and said,

                “I volunteer as tribute.”

                Unable to deal with these two Omegas Mingjue wisely chose to ignore this to get back to his speech, hoping that he at least got his point across,

                “I’m afraid I have not been given many details, but I do have a list of candidates. Please answer when you are called to be sure that all of you are here and accounted for. If anyone is absent they will be taken off the list in order to narrow things down.”

                “Damn it, you mean all I had to do was not be present?!” Wei Wuxian suddenly blurted causing Jiang Fengmian to glare at him, which he put up his hand in a sheepish apology.

                Nie Mingjue shook his head, concerned for the future of the Cultivation World, before calling out the first name,

                “Wei Wuxian.”

                There was a pause in the audience before the Wei commented,

                “Not here.”

                Causing Mingjue to give him an annoyed look, and for Jiang Fengmian to whisper urgently at him,

                “Wuxian I know you enjoy pranks, but this is a very important meeting and I’m afraid it’s not the time.”

                To which Wuxian responded,

                “But it’s so obvious that I’m here. I was in Sect Leader Nie’s bedroom last night.”

                “Blasphemy!” Meng Yao suddenly snapped, annoyed at the implication.

                Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes,

                “That’s ridiculous you were also there.”

                “Lan Xichen.” Mingjue said attempting to continue the roll call in the hopes of moving on from the subject.

                “Present.” Xichen said pleasantly.

                “Yeah he was there too!”

                “Brother you had three Omegas in your room last night? You won’t even let me have a sleepover with one alpha!” Nie Huaisang pouted.

                “IT WAS A MEETING, SO LET US PLEASE CONTINUE, Xue Yang!” Nie Mingjue practically roared,

                “Yes Sir Sect Leader Nie, and please lower you’re voice a little if you can, I tend to love it when hot men yell at me. Maybe if this doesn’t work out for me you might be interested yourself Sect Leader Nie?”

                “Okay, I want to vote now, I vote Jiang Cheng goes with Xue Yang and Xue Yang leaves MY alpha out of his head.”

                “I’m sorry is this actually brother’s marriage arrangement in disguise?” Huaisang asked curiously.

                “Not it is not and it’s not up for debate, and Meng Yao when we deliberate you had better have a very good, sound, fair, and logical reason for your choice or I will personally discount it as the head of this council!” Nie Mingjue warned before calling out the next name, “Wen… Qing? … Wait… that can’t be right, I thought Wen Qing was an alpha.”

                “I am an alpha, and I’m also present.” Wen Qing said, albeit not happily.

                “Don’t be sexist bro, gender marriage discrimination is so last century. If an alpha wants to be with an alpha who are we to dismiss someone because of that? Sorry for my brother’s ignorance Wen Qing.”

                The female alpha merely nodded, but didn’t look particularly thankful for the conversation.

                “Is that everyone?” Nie Mingjue asked the group, particularly looking at the Jins since he wasn’t sure why they were there.

                “Who, us? No nevermind, we don’t have a good enough candidate. I did consider some outliers but then it would be a whole thing, and anyway I just wanted my son impregnated if possible.” Jin Guangshan admitted, causing the still undifferentiated Jin Zixuan to lose tremendous face and turn bright red at the implication.

                “… okay, that being taken care of if there are no additional contenders-”

                “I should think four for this guy is more than enough.” Meng Yao interrupted to protest.

                But Mingjue ignored him and continued his saying,

                “The council of judges is made up of Myself, Meng Yao of my sect and the Jins, my brother Nie Huaisang, Madam Yu of the Jiang, and of course Jiang Cheng himself the heir to the Jiang Sect. That being said as I only received news of this I am unsure of how to go about such a judgment. I’m a single man and a cultivator of battles. So I will defer to others on this one. Master Qiren, if you would please-”

                The rest of the words Mingjue had were going to be tell me how I should go about this, or what the criteria were, but he was suddenly interrupted by Meng Yao,

                “No need Master Qiren, please allow me as having any one of the participating sects decide on such things could be seen as unfair and call for a mistrial.”

                Lan Qiren nodded in agreement, not wanting to taint the Gusu Lan’s reputation with such unnecessary rumors. But Mingjue looked at the Jin suspiciously,

                “This is not a trial in the first place.”

                “Is it not? We are deciding on a man’s fate, one of the most important aspects of his happiness and life will be his partners. And as such it is our duty to take our time and come up with the best candidate, preferably through a series of tests.” Meng Yao said aloud, but threw in a bonus statement to his Nie Nie on the sligh, “After all I haven’t had any time to make this benefit me yet and you must admit this place can be quite drab so let’s milk this thing while we can.”

                “Tests?” Mingjue questioned, with an eyebrow raised,

                “Yes, tests, trials, whatever you’d like to call them I think the candidates should prove themselves. How can we decide who is best with Alpha Jiang if we don’t know anything about any of them really. Cultivators are expected to go through tests all of the time, why not candidates for marriage. How else could we see how skilled they are or how much they want it?”

                Mingjue, worried that this situation was going to prolong the headache thrust upon the innocent Nie’s was about to protest when Meng Yao distracted him,

                “While loving muscles you really don’t use much of your most important one, do you honey?” Meng Yao said patting Mingjue’s head which caused the other to grab his wrist, to which the Jin replied playfully, “ooh suddenly you’re so bold in front of others?”

                Mingjue predictably dropped his hand like it had been burnt, turning away in anger, and Meng Yao felt self-satisified as he finished up his point,

                “Each of us on this board is vastly different, each with our own criteria. I vote that we each come up with our own way of analyzing the candidates and Jiang Cheng himself. After the five of us go we can decide then if we are ready to vote or if more tests are necessary. If you ask me it’s about the fairest way we can go about this. Don’t you agree?” he said looking at the council one by one and then suddenly saying, “why don’t we vote on this first then? Raise your hand if you agree with me that we should test these candidates as I’ve described?”

                Of course he lifted his own hand, but he was not the only one. Nie Huaisang also did looking amused, but the one that really surprised most of the group, except the one who’d analyzed her seconds before to be sure that she looked interested had her hand raised as well.

                “And all those who disagree?” Meng Yao said, knowing he won before he even saw the glaring Mingjue or the shocked Jiang Cheng lift their own hands.

                At that Mingjue turned to the room,

                “You, who have chosen this panel yourselves in order to decide, do you agree?” he asked and the room let out their own agreement.

                “And you the candidates, do you dare?” Meng Yao challenged, to which the four, two of which who were invested and two of which who had no choice agreed as well.

                “Then there we have it.” Meng Yao said triumphantly to the Nie Sect Leader, but before he could put forth any more of his own two cents, Madam Yu arose authoritatively, causing the room to settle down at her very presence,

                “Very well then. Since it is has been agreed upon I, as the mother of the candidate will go first.”

                The rest of the room was impressed by this, including Meng Yao, because even though he was well known for plots and schemes even he hadn’t decided on the exacts and thought they’d have adjourned right there and give him and the rest of them time. But actually it was even better to get the fun started, so he didn’t mind. He just wondered if she’d thought about this herself.

                “As most of you know it is not easy for an alpha to give birth, particularly with a Beta. Yet I managed it twice which is even more unheard of. My Cheng was a miracle baby and now he’s a miraculous alpha.”

                Jiang Cheng tugged at his mother’s sleeve embarrassed by the reminder of him as a baby, which he didn’t find at all necessary or pertinent. Of course his mother ignored this however, for she had her own reasons to point this out,

                “That being said my Cheng is not the average alpha. He’s sweet, just, and naïve most times, at least when he’s in control of himself. Therefore he needs someone strong in his life to take care of him. I do not care that most of you are Omegas. I don’t need a weak in law and Jiang Cheng needs someone that he can rely on. From what I hear most of you are abnormal for your designations anyway.”

                She looked upon the candidates as if eyeing them for weakness as he finished up.

                “Recently we’ve been denied a Night hunt due to unforeseen circumstances.  So that I can be assured of your ability to protect my son if and when need be, my test for you is just that. But this will not be a normal night hunt. The candidates will hunt alone without teammates or disciples, versing each other on as even a playfield as we can make it. And the point will not be hunting ghosts, zombies, demons, or magical beasts. Instead when it starts you will have one hour to find and save the person who has been kidnapped – my son Jiang Cheng.”

Chapter Text

                           The room was fairly quiet with shock for a few seconds as Madam Yu’s challenge caught up with them, but of course once they wrapped their heads around the situation everyone had an opinion, and things to stay, like the by now completely scandalized Nie Mingjue who blurted out,

                           “You want to test three Omegas on their abilities to physically protect an alpha through combat?! Why on earth would they need to do that?!”

                           “To be precise I want to test four candidates for my son’s hand in marriage, three of which happen to be Omegas and one of which happens to be an Alpha. Every mother wants their child to be protected, and every person has within them the ability to protect and the need to be protected. If I’m to give up my current parental responsibilities, you had better be sure it will only be to someone who can take the responsibilities on themselves.” Madam Yu answered patiently, eyes still focused more on the candidates then the questioners.

                           Nie Mingjue looked over at Jiang Cheng trying to assess if something was wrong with him, just as the Jiang banged his head on the table in front of him in embarrassment, before commenting,

                           “For the love of cultivation Mom, why? When have I ever been kidnapped that we need an entire simulation of it?” he questioned.

                           “Just because you haven’t been kidnapped before, doesn’t mean you will never be. And even if not both the fight and the finding prove the worthiness of candidates. You won’t likely be harmed, so don’t be a baby about it and trust me.” Madam Yu commented in a whisper so that just the two of them should have heard her part.

                           “What do you mean I won’t ‘likely’ be harmed?” Jiang Cheng questioned, suddenly sitting up straight at the odd statement, but Madam Yu ignored him in order to address the four candidates before them after getting a number of agreeing nods from the elders, who thought it was possibly the fairest estimation, all being hard working old school cultivators to begin with.

                           “Sometime between tonight and tomorrow my son will be kidnapped-” Madam Yu said clearly, causing the son in question surprise,

                           “Wait, you are actually going to go through the process of Kidnapping me?! I just figured you’d take me with you and show me where you wanted me at whatever hide out or tree or whatever you found. Why should I actually need to play act being kidnapped.”

                           “Oh Jiang Cheng you won’t be acting I assure you, even though you know it’s my plan,” she said to him, but the next words were clearly for the candidates, “you see although I fully expect the rescuing to need to be during the time of the Night Hunt, I have decided to give you all a chance to prevent it first. In order to test your intelligence, strength, heart, and resolve I feel this is the best way. And I expect that watching a loved one disappear without being able to stop it will be very good incentive to finding and cherishing them,” Madam Yu explained, “but I highly doubt that our little test will end so easily, even if alleged genius’s are among you.”

                           Wei Wuxian avoided eye contact at that, knowing that her eyes would surely flash to him at that and not being wrong. But she didn’t linger there and instead added,

                           “After my son is kidnapped I will give one hour for word to spread on the subject. Once that hour is up the Night Hunt for him will begin. If he is not found within 24 hours there will be consequences. This is a test for four people though. And I will say that there are many ways to save someone. Obviously the first one to find and save Jiang Cheng will likely receives the most points in this challenge and the highest likelihood to get my vote. But do note that not all maybe what it seems and that there are surprises and intricacies along the way.”

                           Jiang Cheng frowned,

                           “Excuse me, but what exactly do you mean by consequences? And when exactly did you have the time to come up with this elaborate scheme and set it up in someone else’s territory?”

                           “Do you dare to doubt me?” Madam Yu questioned her son back and Jiang Cheng shook his head no, because he really didn’t doubt that she’d come up with all this and luck into getting to actually use it.

                           “That’s hot.” Meng Yao said appreciatively, causing Mingjue to look at him strangely, “What? Not in a wanting to be ravaged by a married woman way or anything, but the intelligence and ruthlessness to not only pull of an elaborate scheme within what a few hours, a day at most, is objectively attractive.”

                           “First your mother, and now you?! Damn it you Rat don’t even think of sleeping with this one!” Madam Jin commented, pointing at Madam Yu, while Jin Guangshan pretended he didn’t hear that for sanity purposes.

                           Madam Yu ignored the drama that was in order to briefly acknowledge her son’s response with her first words, before finishing her explanation,

                           “Good, because that’s my challenge and anyone who doesn’t like it, need not participate, but if the original plan goes without a hitch and you are kidnapped-”

                           “It’s still weird that THAT is the original plan.”

                           “-then anyone who doesn’t participate from there will be disqualified from my choices. It’s as simple as that.”

                           Although there were a number of people in the room who did and didn’t want to ask more questions on this subject such a sentence made it final really. Even more so when Madam Yu adjourned the meeting after a few seconds with the statement,

                           “It’s settled then.” before sweeping out of the room, quickly trailed by a clearly distressed looking Yanli and an excited appearing Madam Jin, as well as her two closest disciples.

                           Without her the room remained in an awkward silence for a few minutes, before Nie Huaisang ran over to Jiang Cheng himself, gave him a quick back hug, squished his cheek against the other's and asked,

                           “A’Cheng do you want to sleepover in my room tonight?! I would just love to see how you get kidnapped!”

Chapter Text

                           “Nie Huaisang you will not be having sleepovers with Alphas!”

                           “Why not?! Just last night you had a sleepover with three Omegas, why shouldn’t I be able to have one with one friend alpha?!

                           “It was not a sleepover!”

                           “Fine an orgy then.”

                           “It was definitely not an orgy!”

                           While the two Nie brothers debated in such a manner, Wei Wuxian slipped away from the room. He already knew that Sect Leader Jiang would want to talk with him about the subject, reaffirm his commitment and all of that, but a lot was going on in his own mind and he needed a personal break to think things over.

                           Personally he didn’t like this first assessment one bit. Not that he thought it was bad. The assessment level was actually rather interesting and intriguing, which would have been its own temptation, but more importantly he was honestly trying to lose this competition was he not? Yet in order to do so he would have to allow his brother to get kidnapped and not run to save him.

                           Of course statistically because they were being told about it there shouldn’t be a major amount of danger, but it was after all Madam Yu’s idea, and she was mostly known for her strict, tough love. So while he didn’t believe she’d put his little brother’s life in danger, he did know she was quite willing to toughen him up, so he couldn’t guarantee he’d get off scot free by any means. He didn’t like the consequence part either. It kept ringing in his ear like a personal warning. She’d said it so oddly. Had she meant consequences for Jiang Cheng, in points, for the candidates?

                           The subject nagged and bothered him so much that he didn’t know for some time that he was being watched until something grazed against his side and he threw up his arm in defense. A white robed hand stopped him from completing his quick attack, causing him to blink and then relax into the hold,

                           “Lan Zhan.” He breathed, before pulling his arm back, remembering the last conversation they’d had.

                           The Lan let the other one’s arm go reluctantly, but looked on anxiously,

                           “Wei Ying.”

                           The Wei in question squirmed awkwardly. He kind of wanted to run away, but there was no easy way to do so at the moment. The sects were pretty much sticking together until the end of all of this, so it wouldn’t be the last time they’d come into contact. Wei Wuxian didn’t even know his marital fate yet and Lan Wangji had been pretty obvious with his own feelings last time. Although Wuxian was somewhat annoyed and skeptical that the other seemed to only come to this conclusion at the mention of the Wei’s possible unavailability. Perhaps it was a revelation, but on the other hand couldn’t it have merely been the interest of forbidden fruit? It was hard to say, making the whole situation even more confusing to the Wei.

                           Still thinking about these things Wei Wuxian physically distanced himself from the Lan by a few feet. Until and unless he finished dealing with this Jiang Cheng situation he wasn’t about to get any rumors started with other men, or women for that matter. Because of this he addressed the younger Lan a little coldly and stiffly,

                           “How can I help you Hanguang Jun?”

                           Lan Zhan was surprised by the inflated title. Even when the two had just met the other had teasingly called him in too familiar terms, so it was odd to backtrack now to the most formal. But the Lan was fairly determined to attempt to communicate with the Wei despite communication not being his strong suit,

                           “Where are you staying tonight?”

                           This seeming change of subject confused Wei Wuxian who looked at the “innocent” face of the boy with some scrutiny before answering in somewhat of a huff,

                           “I will likely be staying with the Nies,” he began than with a frown added, “Sorry, I’m not the kind of Omega that I would stay with you, even though you’re undifferentiated, after you’ve confessed. Especially considering the circumstances.”

                           Lan Zhan bit his lip, wanting to respond, eventually after some internal agonizing he blurted,

                           “Don’t save Jiang Wanyin.”

                           Wei Wuxian’s face hardened at that statement. He was already having a hard enough time staying out of it and now even Lan Zhan was trying to sway his decision. Being protective of his brother and rebellious by nature these words made him inexplicably want to do it more. Although the Lan likely didn’t mean it in a bad way hearing someone tell him not to save his brother practically slapped the idea of his brother needing him because he was in danger into his head. Plus someone telling him what to do, considering his personality pissed him off, especially when the other boy really didn’t have a place to say it, even if Wei Wuxian found him attractive it was no excuse.

                           “With what position and right do you have to tell me not to save my younger brother, Hanguang Jun? With what conscience? If it were your own brother, would you be able to so easily ignore his kidnapping? Obviously not. And why should I not rescue him? I have the best access to prevent the kidnapping being his brother, and likely being able to join in Huaisang’s sleepover now that I can actually talk to him. And why is it that every time I see you lately it’s like you’re trying to make me feel guilty about something? Don’t you think its hard enough for me right now without adding fuel to the fire?!” Wei Wuxian blurted in frustration.

                           Distressed Lan Zhan moved closer to him only for Wei Wuxian to retreat the same amount of steps backwards. The Lan noted this and looked over at him apologetically,

                           “I’m sorry.”

                           Surprised to hear such words from Lan Zhan Wei Wuxian felt somehow even worse. But the truth was he was mostly overwrought by his own feelings and all of the problems he’d been having recently. Lan Zhan did have some culpability, but if he looked at it fully truthfully the fact that he was feeling so powerless to help his brother with the fear of what that would mean for himself that he felt utterly selfish and terrible, and the idea of wanting and finally being able to have Lan Zhan but only after it might not be possible was really messing with him mentally.

                           “Why do you even like me anyway? I can’t even protect who’s dear to me right now without worrying about what it means for me. I can’t even just do what’s asked of me from the man that rescued me from starvation. I hesitate to save my brother from the trauma of being kidnapped because it might change the mind of a woman who hates me most of all the candidates. So why me? Why now of all times?”

                           Lan Zhan didn’t have an exact answer for this. He had fought his own feelings originally he knew, but there was one reason that he could think of for the timing,

                           “I don’t want to lose you.”

                           Wei Wuxian felt like crying at these words. Finally someone wanted him this badly, but he couldn’t have picked a worse timing. Had Lan Zhan manned up before all of this council craziness they could be together and perhaps the thought of him with Jiang Cheng wouldn’t have even been on the table. But now everything was complicated and it was a great frustration to him.

                           “You’ve read a lot in Gusu I know. Haven’t you read the saying that goes, ‘What is truly yours can never be lost.’ So if we lose each other than we have only ourselves to blame. It just means we weren’t for each other this round. Hopefully even if we don’t remember each other in the next life we’ll at least remember the lesson. Like I said before if you save me in the next life things will go smoother. But I can make no promises for this life. I can barely figure out what I want to do or not about things right now. All I know is that I can’t let my little brother suffer for selfish reasons.”

                           “I don’t know about other things, but I certainly can help when it comes to not letting Jiang Wanyin suffer,” Lan Xichen said as he walked into the room, “pardon the intrusion, but at the risk of seeming like a busybody I couldn’t help but interject.”

                           Wei Wuxian looked over surprised that he was able to be snuck up upon by anyway, let alone someone normally so attention grabbing as Lan Xichen. But he was somewhat interested in what the other Lan had to say so he non-verbally indicated for him to go on, and as the master of non-verbal communication Lan Huan continued,

                           “I can see how upsetting your current circumstances are and as an overprotective brother myself I can completely understand your position. Should such a scenario be turned around horribly and I be put in your place I too would feel lost, but may I suggest an alternative means to saving your brother without being put into the awkward position of marrying him?”

                           Wei Wuxian blinked a few times in surprise, but couldn’t help but be intrigued,

                           “What do you suggest?”

                           Lan Xichen leaned closer as if conspiratorially and whispered,

                           “Work with me to save your brother, then give me all of the credit.”

                           Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened, surprised that Lan Xichen of all people would say such a thing, and looked at him in confusion,

                           “You aren’t some kind of shapeshifter pretending to be Lan Xichen are you?”

                           Lan Xichen laughed lightly,

                           “If I were do you think I would truthfully answer such a question?” he teased as Wei Wuxian shook his head.

                           “I just can’t believe I’m hearing such words from a Lan, like the Lan of all Lans just under Lan Qiren.”

                           “And why not?” Lan Xichen mused, “if one is doing what they feel to be the right thing, even if others disagree, then why should they count antiquated ideas of good and bad? If by taking credit that’s not mine I can save not only my own brother but also you and yours, why should I not mention or consider it?”

                           Wei Wuxian couldn’t argue such logic, as it was more fitting with his own thought process than many others, but it was still surprising to hear from someone who lived with the Lans and had rarely if ever been punished as far as he knew.

                           “But having seen this side of you, what makes you think I’d pick to help you? If I’m assigning credit for my work it should be to someone I trust with A’Cheng most should it not?” Wei Wuxian countered.

                           “Indeed it should, but your choices are somewhat limited. Would you wish to entrust your brother with the murderer Xue Yang, or give him to Wen Qing so he can be with someone who doesn’t want him only to be used by the Wen Sect? Whatever your new thoughts of me I think it’s safe to say I’m still his best shot. I may not be what I first appear to be, but I do love and care for your brother. And if you can honestly say there is another candidate besides you or I who you view to be a better choice for your brother than by all means, choose another.” Lan Xichen countered, looking confident.

                           Outside of getting out of this messy marriage situation Wei Wuxian hadn’t put a ton of thought into who he wanted to win. He was more concerned about who should never win. He had to admit that back when his brother had gotten out of control he’d been relieved to see Lan Xichen. Of course back then he had viewed him as a pure, immortal like being rather than someone with tricks to play, but all in all if he’d been asked originally he’d likely have picked Lan Xichen or Wen Qing. But he knew that Wen Qing had no feelings for Jiang Cheng and his younger brother already lacked enough love, and needed as much as could be given to him. So amongst the four candidates, even if he had to choose now, he would indeed choose Lan Xichen. The Lan seemed to know this, putting his hand out almost simultaneously with Wei Wuxian’s decision.

                           “So, do we have a deal?” The Lan asked, but seemingly knowing full well what was going on.

                           Wei Wuxian stuck his hand out to agree, but couldn’t help but ask,

                           “Are you secretly an angel or a demon?”

                           Lan Xichen covered the others grip with his shaking back as he answered,

                           “Close. I’m an older brother.”

                           Wei Wuxian as an older brother himself nodded, knowing where the man was coming from, and somehow being more secure in his decision with these words. He just hoped that he was making the right decision for Jiang Cheng. But at least it was the best of the options as far as he could tell.

                           “So, what exactly do you have in mind, and how can I help without drawing attention to myself?”

                           Lan Xichen smiled radiantly at the younger boy as he answered,

                           “Oh but drawing attention to yourself is your gift and exactly what we’ll be counting on. But first, it’s about time you had your sleepover with Nie Huaisang. And this time don’t worry about Meng Yao, he will be otherwise preoccupied.”

                           Wei Wuxian raised a brow in surprise at that statement as he eyed his newly chosen business partner, you could say. He still looked very much like an angel, but the eyes were sharp and calculating this time, and it was amazing to see. Wuxian turned to look over at Lan Zhan who looked much more relaxed at these turns of events, and then back at the surprising strategist that was Lan Xichen. After a few minutes he couldn’t help but send a silent apology to his little brother.

                            Although he was the best of the options the Wei could see that Superior Alpha or not, Jiang Cheng was going to have his hands full with this one. But on the positive aspect, he currently couldn’t think of a better protector outside of himself than this version of Lan Xichen. And that was enough to conspire with the Lan, whose words and deeds relaxed him unexpectedly, enough that even Wei Wuxian was beginning to believe that there might soon be a way out for him. So much so that when Lan Zhan moved closer to him again, this time he didn’t move away.  

Chapter Text

                “I’m soooooooo glad that we’re all able to do this again. I really thought once we all differentiated my brother would make it impossible. I don’t know what Lan Huan said or did to him to make him change his mind, but since it’s to my benefit I’m not going to look into it.” Nie Huaisang said happily to who he counted to be his two best friends, waving a cup of Emperor’s Smile into the air while looking satisfied, while the alpha across from him furrowed his eyebrows and quickly downed his own drink before filling it again, clearly in an entirely different mood as he responded,

                “As I said before when I reluctantly came in to this room, I find this sleepover situation to be highly suspect and if it wasn’t for the fact that my father refused to let me into my own room at the inn there is no way I would even be considering this. The last time I was in a room with only an omega I ended up- NEVERMIND WHAT I ENDED UP DOING-!” he snapped as if Nie Huaisang had purposefully tried to drag it out of him.

                “Well it’s not just one Omega this time if it helps.” Nie Huaisang teased, batting his eyelashes at Jiang Cheng cheekily, before pointing to the last member of the trio. But the Alpha didn’t look right away choosing to continue his speech first,

                “The point is that my reputation must be in shambles by now, between four marriage options and the circus that is this council, and now a publically known sleepover with both a related and unrelated Omega. Speaking of which, I especially know that it can’t possibly be considered fair that one of the alleged marriage candidates is sleeping in the same room as me before marriage.” Jiang Cheng said with a glare at Wei Wuxian who was blinking at him innocently as he drunk one jug of Emperor’s Smile on his own, as Jiang Cheng topped up his own cup.

                “A’Cheng you can’t seriously be considering me to be a proper candidate, can you?” Wei Wuxian asked looking curious as he let out a satisfied noise after finishing a proper swig of his favorite liquor.

                “Rest assured Wuxian, I don’t consider you a proper anything, but facts are facts, and until and unless you can weasel your way out of it, it’s still a valid point and an advantage. And that’s not to mention that if I do sleep here tonight and word gets out it will make both of you likely unmarriageable, which will than make me have to marry you both as concubines, which let’s face it would drive me to insanity well before my time.” Jiang Cheng said, looking quite disturbed at the very idea.

                “Concubines? I thought you always said that you only wanted one spouse in the future. What did all your sudden options make you greedy?” Nie Huaisang questioned, before licking his cup clean and squinting one eye at it to make sure that it truly was all gone.

                “I said I’d make you both concubines, I didn’t say I’d touch either of you. Trust me I would not want to do so, but if it’s my fault that you become unmarriageable than it’s my duty to take you in. Society is cruel to Omegas without counterparts after all.” Jiang Cheng said gloomily, leaning on one arm so that his hair cascaded to one side just thinking about it.

                “Well don’t worry about me, sleepover or not I still have marriageable prospects, and who says I even want or need to marry anyway? Rather than be your concubine I can don a mask and become a strong wandering Omega vigilante, learn the mystical arts, invent objects that no one has ever dared, start my own sect that takes in Orphans, maybe adopt one or two-” Wei Wuxian said dreamily, before getting interrupted by Nie Huaisang,

                “Speak for yourself almighty patriarch! Who dreams of such work. Jiang Cheng, although I’m not attracted to you, if it comes down to it I will willingly become your concubine if you pamper me, buy me art supplies, and I get my own room. As for the physical aspect my brother will undoubtedly want me to at least produce one healthy child so if you don’t want to wear a green hat we’d at least have to-”

                “Alright and on that terrifying note I don’t want to discuss this anymore and now I really, really think that maybe I should ask Sect Leader Nie for a different room. Clearly no good can come of this,” Jiang Cheng said attempting to rise, only to be tackled straight to the bed by his own brother and grabbed around the legs by the youngest Nie, “what the hell are you two doing?!”

                “Jiang Cheng you most certainly can’t get your own room tonight.” Wei Wuxian said to him seriously, before easing up a bit since he didn’t want his brother to get the wrong idea about what he was doing.

                “And why not?!” Jiang Cheng said sitting up and glaring down at Nie Huaisang who was at this point hugging his knees, “and what in the Unclean Realm do you think you’re doing?!”

                “Don’t leave. Cuddle.” Nie Huaisang pouted as Wei Wuxian tried to explain things more logically,

                “Do you really want to be alone tonight after your mother promised to kidnap you? That doesn’t concern you just a little?”

                Jiang Cheng attempted to gently extract himself from the younger Nie, but it proved to be surprisingly difficult,

                “Nie Huaisang were you an Octopus in a past life?” he said attempting to use his foot to gain distance and pry the Nie off of him, “Earlier you were quite determined not to end up on my marriageable candidates list, don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind already!”

                “We don’t need to be romantically involved to have skinship. Best friends and bros can cuddle! And anyway you’re actually more comfortable than I remembered.” Huaisang insisted with a pout as Jiang Cheng decided to use Wei Wuxian as a shield against the Octopus-like Nie by pushing his brother in between then and then continuing his foot kick’s distance away.

                Wei Wuxian went with it for a minute ending up cuddled by Nie Huaisang instead, who sighed and said,

                “It isn’t the same.”

                But apparently it was still acceptable, because he soon lay his head on Wei Wuxian’s lap for a break. Unfortunately his comfort did not last long. After he had been pushed between the two Wei Wuxian had begun to try to air himself out by pulling on his own clothes and eventually got up frustrated, and opened the door to let in some air as he said,

                “Why is it so hot in here?”

                “Maybe the room isn’t the problem, haven’t you ever noticed that alcohol heats you up?” Jiang Cheng commented, taking another swig himself.

                Nie Huaisang who’s head had been dropped immediately upon his friend’s escape frowned at both of his friends as he sat up again, looking at this point a bit disheveled as he exclaimed,

                “You two are terrible pillows!”

                “Thank you.” Both brothers said simultaneously, as neither had wanted the job in the first place.

                Jiang Cheng looked at the open door nervously, bringing him back to the question that Wei Wuxian had asked before about whether he was nervous to be alone tonight or not. He had not answered, not only because Nie Huaisang had been a distraction, but also because he didn’t want to admit that he actually was a bit nervous.

                Although he knew that his mother wanted the best for him there was perhaps even more anxiety being told that you were going to be kidnapped then if he’d been surprised by it.  Then again he supposed he wouldn’t know that truly unless he’d experienced both situations. But besides his father kicking him out of the rooms which for all he knew was a part of the set up, and the inns everywhere around being taken because most of the main sect leaders had taken it up, he had mostly agreed to this sleepover because he didn’t want to be alone.

                If he’d been alone he would have jumped at every slight sound and shadow until the kidnapping happened, and there would be no one to witness it or even know until the next day, because Wei Wuxian’s odd relationship to him aside, the other three candidates all had other places to stay. His mother had suggested that the others could try to stop his kidnapping, but since there didn’t seem to be any additional benefits to doing so, he doubted any of them would bother. Whether he was kidnapped or not wasn’t it all the same to the candidates? It certainly would be easier to find him tomorrow after the kidnapping, when there was a limit to where his mother’s people could literally take him.  So that pretty much left him at the mercy of his mother’s plan, whenever she felt that he’d least expect it.

                Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang, although annoying were the perfect distractions, and although the Jiang Sect’s alcohol tolerance was quite high, he had been grateful to see that Wei Wuxian had brought in enough Emperor’s Smile to at least give it a good try. But since the door had been opened the Jiang was feeling uncomfortable again. Although he was a bit hot himself, having drunken his fair share of the liquor, the open door felt off to him, like some kind of trap or invitation. Whoever his mother sent was surely up to the task of kidnapping a person even in a room of cultivators, door or not, but he certainly didn’t want to make it easier for them by any means.

                “Hot or not how could you leave the door open, especially on a night like today, are you hoping to invite pests in?”

                Getting up, Jiang Cheng began to walk towards the door, but paused and backed away quickly when the doors closed by themselves.

                “Wanyin away from the door!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, grabbing his younger brother’s arm and pulling him behind him protectively.

                The hair on the back of Jiang Cheng’s arms rose in fear as smoke began to fill the room. Although he had been worried and wanted to get things over with he still felt that such a situation was excessive. Even his brother couldn’t help but step in, although he was sure the Wei didn’t want to considering the possible outcomes, but he clearly couldn’t just stand and watch.

                “Cover your mouth with something.” Wei Wuxian said, pulling a black veil out of his breast pocket. Jiang Cheng was not alarmed or surprised by this since Wei Wuxian always had a disguise on him just in case.

                Instead he looked around and there wasn’t much to work with as far as a proper covering around him so he quickly ripped a part of his bed clothes and wrapped it as best as he could around his face. He also grabbed one of Huaisang’s many fans and began waving it towards the smoke to keep it back.

                “Oh my Nie is it happening?!” Nie Huaisang asked excitedly, grabbing onto a pillow and pressing it against his mouth and nose so he could breathe through it and hopefully still get to watch what happened. But as the Nie had stayed in the bed which had been closest to the door when the smoke actually started to come through, and had inhaled the most he was quickly knocked out.

                In the case of a real emergency Wei Wuxian would have worried about and helped the Nie, but considering they all knew the target Wei Wuxian left the Omega to sleep, while he scanned the room for exits. Unfortunately since Nie Huaisang was something of a rebellious child and a sneak, the room he’d been given by this point purposefully didn’t have many human sized exits, or windows, or anything. So the only thing Wei Wuxian could think of was to get them both to lower ground.

                Because of the smoke it was not advisable to talk much, so Wei Wuxian dropped to the ground and then tugged on his brother’s arm to follow, which the Jiang did. Once there, he pushed his brother as far in under the bed as he could and then rolled after him. Wuxian let out a sigh of relief upon seeing the Jiang still alert and awake, and at that the Wei suddenly began to pull at his brother’s clothes, starting to undress him.

                At that, because no explanation was spoken aloud Jiang Cheng slapped his hand and then looked at the other with thunderous anger, and Wei Wuxian could even feel the hairs on his own arms rise. Concerned that Jiang Cheng was getting the wrong idea and definitely on the brink of a major burst of Superior Alpha Androstenone that he was not sure if was going to help or hinder the situation, he decided to speak despite the possible consequences, but he kept it as short as possible,

                “Switch clothes.”

                Jiang Cheng looked down and nodded, relaxing his anger slightly, but he grabbed the Omega’s mask, placed it on his forehead so that the black veil covered everything from his eyes to his chin, before throwing his own part of his night clothes mask to Wei Wuxian, who quickly put it on and then was rolled in the opposite direction of his brother. Even in these circumstances the Wei found Jiang Cheng’s overwhelming obsession with propriety funny, chuckling slightly as he stripped out of his clothes and threw them backwards and his brother did the same.

                By the time that footsteps could be heard in the room the two had already switched outfits and were waiting for their moment. Even the densest person would know where to look for humans if they are not in the obvious places, so it was not meant for a surprise. Wei Wuxian waited for the footsteps to come closer and closer to the bed, until the kidnapper’s were right where he wanted them before using Jiang Cheng’s still hilted sword to swipe across the floor, causing the group closest to them to fall in surprise as Wei Wuxian rolled out from under the bed and began to wave Sandu around.

                Once the Wei was clear Jiang Cheng grabbed onto one of the men’s ankles, causing him to fall backwards, and Jiang Cheng attempting to appear to be his brother came crawling out from under the bed like some kind of demon before lifting his mask just above his mouth and biting someone. Wei Wuxian seeing this frowned, because he knew the other was attempting to appear to be him and now he was questioning how his younger brother actually really saw him, but since he was in the middle of a fight this was not the time to unpack and dissect that. Instead, he popped an incoming kidnapper in the mouth with the hilted sword as Jiang Cheng threw another man across the room.

                Coincidentally the man ended up falling next to the passed out Nie Huaisang, who, used to hugging a pillow in his sleep ended up hugging a now unconscious “kidnapper.”

                In normal circumstances this would have highly amused both Jiang brothers, although one of them would have extracted the kidnapper, but as with everything else there was currently no time for such enjoyments. Both were busy fighting half a room of people.

                Although he was busy with his own battles currently Jiang Cheng noted that Wei Wuxian was not using his sword in the proper way, which would be very obvious to his mother and any of her people. At the moment he was using the sword in the same way he pretty much used his own, which was like more of a bat than it’s original intended use. Of course this wasn’t because the Wei didn’t know his brother well enough to mimic him, it was actually because a spiritual sword only serves it’s one master. Spotting this glaring flaw Jiang Cheng fought backwards until he reached Wei Wuxian’s back. Standing back to back Jiang Cheng subtly moved his hand towards his sword in Wuxian’s hand causing it to open soundlessly. Wuxian noticed the move and pulled it out now that the owner had made it possible, causing the people in front of him to hesitate moving forward now that a sword was unsheathed.

                There was a dangerous pause where everyone in the room began to assess each other, while the sword hovered in front of them and Wei Wuxian began up towards the door. Once he no longer saw any enemies on his own side Jiang Cheng turned around so that his head was directly behind Wuxian’s so that he could pretend to speak, the masks / veils making for a believable scenario as he said,

                “Don’t follow us, or else.”

                After that Jiang Cheng slowly turned back towards the door. Inch by inch they went in this tempting situation until they cleared the threshold and for a second even the ever pessimistic due to his upbringing Jiang Cheng thought that maybe he wouldn’t be kidnapped and his mother would have to pick a different challenge or just let it go, since the Jiang believed that there was no possible way she would vote for Wei Wuxian. Perhaps she had bet that Wuxian wouldn’t help him because he didn’t want to be married in really. But just as he was wondering if he could use this situation as leverage to get his mother to be a little nicer to Wei Wuxian he noticed a figure in the darkness.

                Upon recognizing the person’s face he was stunned. Although he and his brother’s natural protection and survival instincts had made them fight so hard up until this point he had truly believed that the kidnapping had been a part of the test from his mother as suggested. He had been a little confused by the fact that Jinzhu and Yinzhu, his mother’s two top disciples weren’t with them. But now that he was facing the person outside the door his perspective had changed, because there was no way that his mother would send HIM of all people.

                Since Wei Wuxian was facing the other way to protect them from the majority of the group while Jiang Cheng got whoever ended up on his side it was up to the Jiang to take care of this, although he tugged slightly at his own robes that his brother was wearing as a slight warning, causing Wuxian to want to glance backwards but knowing he couldn’t because of the sheer number of enemies in front of him. And as much as he babied his younger brother he was quite confident in Jiang Cheng’s strength and abilities. Even if he would have preferred to be able to protect the other from everything himself.

                Jiang Cheng watched the shadowy figure and noted that the other had bought Wei Wuxian’s farce. For even though the alpha was in front of and looking at him, he was focusing solely on who he must have believed to be Jiang Cheng, but was actually Wuxian. The real Jiang felt immediately uncomfortable about this.

                When the kidnappers were just his mother and other Jiang related and biased people he had no problem changing clothes with Wuxian. Upon arrival his mother would have simply noticed it wasn’t him, realized she was foiled, and before she could attempt to beat the Wei he’d have escaped due to his Jiang popularity. But now that there was actual danger, how could he send his brother in his stead? How could he live with himself if something truly terrible happened to his omega brother in his name? Especially if the rumors about this man were true.

                Taking a deep breath Jiang Cheng made a quick decision. He had to handle things before they got out of hand. Turning back towards his brother Jiang Cheng said,

                “I’m sorry about this Wuxian.”

                Before the Wei in question had time to question this let alone turn around Jiang Cheng ripped the black veil from his face and sent a chop to the back of his brother’s neck, grabbing the other as he fell,

                “Stop.” Jiang Cheng said to the people around him who were confused but set on their goal. They paused briefly and looked at their leader who waved his hand intrigued by the sudden change in events.

                Jiang Cheng picked his elder brother up, placing him on one hip with his face pressed against his neck like a sleeping baby, before picking his dropped sword up with the other hand turning to face the shadowy figure once again, and pressing the blade to his own neck for the time being,

                “It’s me that you came for I’m quite sure, so if you let me put my brother to bed and promise to leave him and Nie Huaisang alone I’ll come with you. If not then your orders had better not have been to take me alive, because one way or another I won’t go until they are safe.”

                The shadowed man waved his arm giving permission and causing the men inside to grab their own fellow unconscious disciples, including the one that Nie Huaisang had been snuggling with. Jiang Cheng lowered and shethed his sword, before walking in and gently placing his brother on the bed, who soon became the new replacement for the Nie’s body sized pillow.

                “Definitely an Octopus.” Jiang Cheng said with a little chuckle despite the circumstances, as he tucked both of them in, conscious of being watched but not knowing what was to come next, so wanting to savor the moment.

                “Thanks for trying anyway Wuxian. I seriously hope I didn’t give you any more brain damage than you already have.” Jiang Cheng teased even though the other was asleep, albeit slightly worried.

                He ruffled the hair of the two Omegas before letting out a sigh, turning around to face the music.

                Jiang Cheng stood tall as he walked towards the man in the shadows, to the point that he did not look much like a kidnapped victim. His kidnapper was no fool however, they both knew that if the Jiang wanted to protect his Omega friends he would go with him as he said. And in a way it saved him the indignity of whatever form they’d originally planned to get him there.

                Yet despite his sacrifice and bravery Jiang Cheng could not help but be frightened,

                “I wish it had been anyone else.” He said to himself, clutching on his sword for emotional support.

                The Jiang alpha sincerely meant it too. For the man he was following now was perhaps the man he feared most in this world. And yet he had to keep putting one foot in front of the other for Wuxian and Huaisang’s sake. For as much as he feared what might soon happen to him, the strongest form of courage he held had always been and would always be for the sake of others.  

Chapter Text

                When it came to people that Jiang Cheng actually feared very few made the cut. Even if he had more on the list before, his recent superior alpha display came with a certain level of confidence towards two major ones, but an encroaching fear of himself and what he was capable of. But if you took away his pressing concerns about his own self control it essentially left three people: two betas and an omega. In other words his father, his brother, and the man before him now who was leading him through dark alleyways to an as of yet unknown location.

                The fear of each person was different of course. He did not fear his brother physically harming him for example, but rather that he would never catching up to him. Never being as brave, or altruistic, or smart or in some ways even as strong as the Wei. Not matching his level and being left behind as it were, and his fear of his father was in some ways tied to this same scenario.

                As much as Jiang Cheng dearly loved his brother he couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened had Wuxian’s parents lived and went about their own business, or more guilty if he’d never been brought home. He’d still have his dogs, his sister’s full devotion, and dare he question or wonder if he might have had a better relationship with his father? His mother would certainly have felt more comfortable and there would assuredly have been less drama, but perhaps there would also have been less light and fun. It was hard to say, but deep within his heart and head Jiang Cheng could not help but have these thoughts, mostly because he’d had to make the most sacrifices because of it, one of which seemingly being his father’s love.

                The fear he held for his father was also not the physical kind. He feared disappointing him, being looked upon as disgusting or lacking in some way, someone constantly judging him and finding him wanting in every capacity. Perhaps he feared his own failure, or being called unfilial in a world where parents meant everything to society. Where a boy who only wanted a head pat or a smile from the man who allegedly helped bring him to life, but couldn’t get that. A part of him felt he would do anything for that, and yet another part of him didn’t even dare to hope for such a thing. Both parts weighted down from years and years of humiliations and disappointments, of watching ones father smile only from a far, and only towards his older brother and sister. The sunshine never reaching him in the shade.

                But the man that Jiang Cheng truly feared the most was the one who could crush the very foundation of his being. Who could, if he wanted to, incapacitate his cultivation with his bare hands- thus cementing both of his other fears- for he’d neither catch up to Wei Wuxian, nor ever get his father’s love and approval if this man broke him. For this boogieman was the beta male known as the Core Crusher, Wen Zhuliu.

                In the ABO Cultivation world there are two major forces at work. One is of course one's differentiation. Alphas, Betas, Omegas, and those Undifferentiated, each with their own unique set of skills, strengths, and weaknesses. The Second force at work, at least for those who have the ability to acquire them in the first place is Cultivation. Like Differentiation, Cultivation also came with unique skills, talents, pros and cons. Combining these traits was necessary for living a complete life. For Cultivators if they lost one or the other they would be living half lives.

                For Jiang Cheng, who always felt that he already lived in the shadows if the Core Crusher destroyed his golden core, it would be the same as completely snuffing out his light once and for all. For a man, alpha or not, who felt that his inner light was already more of a flickering candle than a healthy hearth, it was indeed his biggest fear. In fact, he would rather give up his Alpha designation, than his golden core. For being an Alpha was only good for him, but being a cultivator had helped many people, and he couldn’t even imagine life without being of help to others.

                So when he’d seen that Wen Zhuliu had come to kidnap him he had resigned himself to his fate. Although he could not be entirely sure, his guess was that Wen Ruohan, who he had humiliated when his pheromones had lost control, had lost patience with the idea of a long, drawn out council lead decision. He had put two people in the running, but there were no guarantees, and perhaps that would even spread the votes further. Maybe he even decided it was rigged in someone’s favor in particular or they realized they could just take him and who, unless the rest of the cultivation world was ready fight, would stop him? Which was laughable in his own estimation as his own father didn’t even want him.

                Whatever the case was Jiang Cheng had bitten the bullet, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t nervous. Goosebumps flooded his arms and legs every time the Wen so much as accidentally bumped into him. The only thing keeping him moving forward was the thought that every step forward was a step further away from Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang, making them safer and safer the further he went.

                Eventually the Wen and his following disciples arrived at an Inn. Jiang Cheng’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he was pushed inside and suddenly realized that something was a bit strange about this kidnapping. He had been over thinking so much that it hadn’t occurred to him, but- what kind of kidnapper doesn’t bother to blindfold the victim before they get to their destined location? Was Wen Zhuliu underestimating his ability to escape? Did he secretly want him to, or not? And although he agreed to go along with them, shouldn’t his wrists be tied at least? Did they really not have him as a threat in their eyes?

                Jiang Cheng tilted his head to the side, looking at Zhuliu curiously, who looked back as if suddenly self-conscious himself. But before he could actually ask any questions, which one who was also not gagged could do, there was sudden clapping behind him. Slowly, as if in a horror movie, the Jiang turned around only to find none other than the Omega Wen candidate Xue Yang waving to him from only a few feet away,

                “Oh good, you’re here! Now we can really get this party started!” Xue Yang gushed, linking his arm with Jiang Chengs by snaking it through on the one side, which the alpha quickly pushed away.

                Seeing no remorse or threat or anything from the Xue did not instantaneously calm the Jiang, particularly because Xue Yang was such a wild card. But it did at least cause some confusion. But seeing as the Xue was certainly more of a talker than the Wen core crusher, he decided he could and should at least ask some questions,

                “What exactly is going on here? You kidnapped me, for what? No blindfold, no rope, and you walk me right in, are you doing this for kicks or are you actually looking down on me?” Jiang Cheng questioned, quite confused.

                “Oh baby if you like to be tied up or if you like tying others up than I can definitely accommodate that for you.” Xue Yang purred, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

                Judging from the almost nonchalance of the kidnapping after the actual fight it was starting to not seem like Wen Ruohan was a part of this after all. But if not him, who? And Why?

                The answers were soon to come as Xue Yang quit teasing for the second, took a big swig of alcohol, smiled back at the Jiang and answered,

                “It’s actually very simple. This is my answer to the homework that your mother gave us of course. You’re mother said that we could either prevent the kidnapping or deal with a much longer, more tedious hide, fight, and seek game tomorrow. And as much as I love a good thrashing, for either side, I figured the easiest way to score points was to prevent the kidnapping. And what better way to prevent a kidnapping then to do the kidnapping first?! So I did!”

                Jiang Cheng blinked at the omega in front of him in shock. This whole time he had been worried about losing his golden core and it turned out that Wen Zhuliu had just grabbed him as a part of a defense strategy against his mother’s people? So he had been kidnapped to prevent from being kidnapped?  

                “Aren’t I clever?!” Xue Yang said with a giggle.

                Jiang Cheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the statement and the audacity, so in the end he ignored these words, downed a jug of alcohol, and said,

                “So just how long do you plan on keeping me here?”

                Xue Yang smirked, batting his eyelashes suggestively as he answered the question,

                “I don’t know about you Jiang Cheng darling, but I can go all night.”

Chapter Text

                It took quite some time for Lan Xichen to distract his two sworn brothers enough in order to be so preoccupied that they wouldn’t bother checking in on the youngest Nie and spoiling things, and that was only the first part of what would end up being quite a long night.

                In fact, in order to manage his two sworn brothers the Lan had to resort to misdirection and blatant trickery, especially since there would be concerns on both sides. Mingjue was adamant about Huaisang not having a sleepover with an Alpha, and Meng Yao refused to allow a “bad influence” such as Wei Wuxian to have any long periods of time with his Nie Nie. Normally Lan Xichen wouldn’t have much cared to make such a sleepover happen himself, but of course these were life-altering circumstances and he needed Wei Wuxian to sleep in the same room as Jiang Cheng, not only to guard him, although that was part of it, but to leave an inconspicuous opening for Lan Xichen to come and save the day.

                After having solitified his plan, which hinged on Wei Wuxian’s participation, particularly in the area of acting as a decoy, he first needed to get rid of his sworn brothers… in the nicest way possible of course. Both of them were exceptionally protective of Nie Huaisang, but Huaisang himself did not appreciate either of them telling him who he could hangout with or not, particularly because all of them had been friends before the differentiated and he didn’t think their gender designations should be able to ruin that for them or frankly have anything to do with it since he trusted the people he’d grown up with either way.

                Because Huaisang was clever himself and feeling rebellious it was easy to convince him to help Lan Xichen sew the seeds of misdirection. The Omega Lan told the youngest Nie that if he really wanted to have a sleepover he was going to have to distract Meng Yao with one of the Jin’s greatest weaknesses, as that couldn’t be Huaisang himself if he wanted freedom he suggested that the younger Nie “casually” mention that his brother was eyeing a pretty omega today and that he’d overheard that the omega was very interested and had planned to use the chaos of the whole kidnapping event in order to sneak into Nie Mingjue’s room.

                This might not have worked on any random given day, but because Meng Yao had witnessed the ability of an Omega to sneak into Mingjue’s room the night before, even though it was Lan Xichen himself, it was enough of a concern for him to forget about Huaisang’s issues for the time being and focus his considerable attention on Mingjue’s movements and room.

                In order to keep the ruse going and to distract Mingjue as well, who was perhaps even more adamant about the sleepover not happening once he realized that an Alpha was involved, Lan Xichen decided to handle that part himself. Luckily for him, in his own estimation, Nie Mingjue was hopeless against Omegas, because he believed in and upheld old-fashioned gender norms. So although Mingjue had wanted to follow his brother to ensure the Omega’s reputation and beyond, all it took to slow him down was for Lan Xichen to act as if he was feeling faint on the way out of the main room, asking if the Nie wouldn’t mind helping him to his Uncle’s room in case, the heavenly realm forbid, something happened to him.

                A concerned, flustered, and hopelessly naïve Mingjue not only helped walk him to his room at the Inn in an agonizingly slow manner so as not to hurt the Lan, inadvertently helping give Huaisang time to gossip about questionable omega’s who certainly were attempting to steal a certain Jin’s man, but he also ended up accepting the invitation to stay for a while when Lan Xichen sighed that it really was quite difficult to take care of so many things as a sect without an Alpha to stand up for them when they were being bullied by the owner of the inn who took advantage of them.

                Unfortunately for the very innocent inn owner, who was just happy to be doing business, the ever justice seeking and naïve Nie felt it was his duty to look into the situation, especially considering that it was in his territory. It took quite some time until he was satisified that it was likely a misunderstanding and until Lan Xichen, fake blushing, admitted that he might have misconstrued it since he was feeling especially sensitive at this time due to hormones. That was enough to settle the matter in Mingjues mind and after being assured that all was well he finally headed home.

                Of course to a certain Jin who had been watching his room and now saw Mingjue coming in from who knows where considered this as a confirmation that there was something to be concerned about. He was suddenly paranoid that perhaps Mingjue had been in the Red Light District to relieve stress, but since there was no actual proof of that Meng Yao was determined to confront the other- and either find out as much or make sure that there would be no need or comparison for such a district now that he was here.

                In this scenario Lan Xichen’s plan worked beautifully, outside of his Uncle side eyeing him hard when Mingjue was around. But as much as his Uncle loved justice, he also loved the Lan reputation and his own face, so he didn’t go against his nephew this time. He didn’t particularly know why his nephew was acting like a damsel in distress to an alleged platonic sworn brother, but he also didn’t want to know as he felt it would implicate him and maybe the entire Lan sect unnecessarily. He definitely felt that meeting with a council member during this time was preposterious, and told his nephew at length for some time after that however.

                Lan Xichen for his part was naturally quite patient, and watched dutifully as his uncle tired himself out via a lecture, until he retired for the night, Lan Zhan played a forbidden tune to assure a deep rest for their Uncle, and the two younger Lans were finally able to escape and continue their plan when it was finally safe enough to venture out.

                By the time the two arrived to the proper section of the property Lan Xichen noticed that something was definitely off, and stopped his brother from just barging in. For a sleepover, particularly with the three who were particularly loud by nature and supposed to be enjoying it right now, it was way too quiet. Although Lan Zhan himself might have noticed something off Lan Xichen, as the older brother, Xichen still held up his arm to stop the younger Lan from going forward, making eye contact with the other as he held his pointer finger against his lips in an effort to keep the other quiet, which when you think about it is particularly perplexing since silence was honestly expected from the one in question pretty much all the time.

                Tip toeing much more stealthy across, Lan Xichen frowned at the closed door, before pressing his ear against it to listen for any sorts of sounds or movement. When discussing the overall plan he had asked Wei Wuxian to find an excuse to open the door. Originally this was so that he could find the right timing, sneak into the room, hide somewhere such as under the bed or something, and be on property when the kidnapping happened so that even if he couldn’t intervene immediately, he could at least track the kidnappers in the easiest way. But not hearing anything from inside he began to feel that something must have gone wrong.

                What happened? Was he too late? Did the kidnapping occur before he was able to even lay down the foundations of the plan? Did Wei Wuxian change his mind, or Jiang Cheng refuse to stay?

                Finding the silence to be too eerie and feeling that Nie Huaisang should still be in his own room either way the Lan resolutely knocked on the door, but even after a full minute there was no response. After a quick debate he decided that since something wasn’t right he invited himself inside by opening the door. Lan Zhan, also nervous that something might have happened to Wei Wuxian, followed after him.

                The first thing Lan Xichen noticed was that there had certainly been a fight of some kind, judging from visual look of the place. The smell of alcohol wafted in the air, causing the fairly delicate (smell wise) Lans to scrunch their noses and shake their heads, before their eyes fell to the focal point of many a bedroom, the bed itself.

                There was a decent sized lump or in this case two underneath a blanket on the bed. One leg was sticking out and wrapped a bit around the top so it was fairly obvious even from a slight distance that at least one of the blobs was a human. Fearing that the Wei Wuxian bodyguard tactic had not worked out as well as he’d hoped Lan Xichen moved towards the blobs tentatively, hoping that he was wrong and that one of them was Jiang Cheng. Lan Zhan for his part hoped that neither of them were Wei Wuxian, because if they were what kind of position was this?!

                But when Lan Xichen lifted the covers to reveal the two underneath they came to horrible realizations. For Lan Xichen it was horrible to find out that Jiang Cheng had been kidnapped for sure, for he was not one of the two before him. But for Lan Zhan the horror was actually that Wei Wuxian was not only there, but cuddling AND being cuddled by Nie Huaisang! Because there before the two Lans were the kitten-esque duo of Nie Huaisang and Wei Wuxian. And although they were perfectly innocent of all wrongdoings in this case, you would not have believed so to look at Lan Zhan, who very much had to be held back by his older brother in order to not start a sect war right then and there.

Chapter Text

           Wei Wuxian was not sure at first what had awakened him from his slumber, but whatever it was he was neither grateful, nor amused. In fact the first thing he registered before even recognizing that he was awake was pain in form of a splitting headache.

           Grabbing his head between his two hands Wei Wuxian tried to stop the room from spinning well before he realized that he was not alone and that he was supposed to be doing something that he couldn’t quite yet put his finger on. Technically the Wei wasn’t even sure how or why he was awake now as he rubbed his temples in a soothing gesture before demanding at the room, he hardly knew he was in,

           “I am not drunk! I never get drunk, but why does my head feel like it’s splitting in two?” He grumbled, not actually expecting a response as he blinked his eyes slowly and repeatedly as if trying to remember how they function, also attempting to recall what, besides drinking, he was actually doing last night, or before, or whenever.

           Cool water was pressed against his face, causing him to reach out, get it into a better position and actually drink from it, hoping that would clear his head. Finally when he was able to see before him he became even more confused,

           “Lan Zhan what are you doing here? … actually what am I doing here?” he asked groping and looking around him until he realized that he was on a bed, in a room, “Furthermore what are we doing here together?”

           Lan Zhan didn’t answer, but merely handed him another cup of water, before Lan Xichen waved to get the Wei’s attention, causing the still barely coherent Wei Wuxian to frown and ask,

           “Lan Zhan why is there two of you, but also why does one of you not look exactly like you?”

           Lan Xichen would normally have been amused by this, but he felt he was in something of a time crunch and he needed answers from one of the only witnesses to whatever had or hadn’t happened.

           “Wei Wuxian it’s me, Lan Xichen, you’re here in Nie Huaisang’s room and you were having a sleepover with him and your brother. What happened? Do you remember what I asked you to do?”

           Wei Wuxian frowned at the sudden influx of questions, picking up what he could but processing it very slowly. Given information in the statement as well Wei Wuxian was suddenly concerned and curious as he looked around and didn’t see the Nie he vaguely remembered had pass out for some reason before him, although the memory was still a bit foggy, literally and figuratively as it were,

           “Where’s Huaisang?” he asked, suddenly anxious. He might have been literally knocked out but the absence of the last person he was holding was a fairly noticeable difference either way, and for a room’s occupant to not be in was its own type of confusion.

           “Not important.” Lan Zhan practically snapped back.

           Judging from the look that Lan Zhan was giving him Wei Wuxian was actually now more concerned rather than less so.

           “I’ll be the judge of that.” He insisted.

           Ever the diplomat and needing to get more pointed information quickly Lan Xichen responded,

           “Wangji felt that Huaisang would be safer in a guest bedroom for the time being.”

           “Safer from who, or what?” Wei Wuxian said with a frown.

           Lan Xichen hesitated for a few seconds before responding,

           “Well truthfully safer from Wangji for one, but also from potential kidnappers.”

           “Kidnappers?” Wei Wuxian questioned as he attempted to sit up, mind still in something of a brain fog, but feeling something so far not identifiable at the mention of such a subject.

           “I was hoping you could tell me.” Lan Xichen admitted pointing to a few notable spots in the room.

           Wei Wuxian took a few seconds to attempt to process what was going on. His head was practically throbbing so it wasn’t an easy task to do immediately, but eventually after some minutes he realized that although it was Huaisang’s room his brother Jiang Cheng had been there for some reason before yet he also wasn’t around now. Considering Huaisang had been moved to a guest room and Lan Xichen was talking about kidnappers it suddenly occurred to him that if he himself wasn’t kidnapped, and Nie Huaisang wasn’t kidnapped, but kidnappers were still a topic and Jiang Cheng was not in view than logically shouldn’t it have been jiang Cheng that had potentially been kidnapped?!

           At that thought process recovered data suddenly hit him as he remembered about the council and Madam Yu’s contest of choice. Suddenly what had happened just before came back to him, up until the point that he was knocked out from behind. He didn’t know who did it or how he ended up back in bed but he supposed it was likely a Jiang disciple at that.

           Lan Xichen gave the other man a bit of time to process, but was beginning to feel impatient when Wei Wuxian let out a sigh,

           “Damn, after all of that effort they still got him? I have to admit, I can’t say that I’m not impressed,” The Wei said, shaking his head slightly frustrated, before what he’d been asked to do by Lan Xichen popped into his brain and his eyes widened, “The door, I was supposed to leave the door open so that you could sneak in! Sorry about that, I just- wait… I’m pretty sure I did open the door, but then why are you here, but A’Cheng isn’t?” Wei Wuxian questioned scratching his head in confusion.

           “Judging from the state of the room I’d say that there was at least an altercation, but I’m skeptical about it being the Jiang’s considering Wangji and my findings.” Lan Xichen commented lifting a red torn piece of clothing to show the other.

           “Not Jiangs?” Wei Wuxian questioned, suddenly feeling alarmed at the thought as he grabbed and inspected the torn clothes, shaking his head, “How can it not be Jiangs? All of the groups powerful enough to kidnap someone so high up politically are already in the running for a marriage, why ruin it with a kidnapping? Besides A’Cheng and I switched clothes so that could just as easily ripped from my outfit on A’Cheng in the scuffle!” The Wei insisted, although he didn’t like the idea of someone tearing off parts of his clothes, particularly while they were on his little brother, but enthusiasm from a dramatic Jiang kidnapper was more comforting than a tussle with someone from a scary and powerful sect.

           Lan Xichen shook his head, not wanting to burst the other omega’s bubble, but also needing to get quickly down to business as he said,

           “I’m afraid it’s not yours either, I thought it might be considering your current attire, but Wangji said it doesn’t smell like you.”

           “… Doesn’t smell like me?” Wei Wuxian questioned puzzled, eyeing the quieter Lan warily as he sniffed it himself and couldn’t really tell one way or the other, “how does an as of yet undifferentiated former classmate know what I smell like? I barely know what I smell like!”

           Lan Xichen glanced back at his brother, noting that the other had no intention of explaining himself so he answered,

           “Let’s just say that Wangji has always been gifted scent-wise. Of course he also has to have a great interest in someone or something to memorize their scent.” Lan Xichen said pointedly, choosing to say so for his brother’s sake before the Wei blushed quickly, but of course there was a dire need for expediency, so he suddenly stood up, walking a little wonky for a few seconds before Lan Zhan grabbed his arm, righting him, but then not letting go.

           Wei Wuxian nervously extracted his arms, but didn’t physically run anywhere not that he could, before saying,

           “So judging from the coloring of the ripped clothes, assuming that they are not mine, I take it that we are under the assumption that the kidnapping was either the Wen’s doing, or someone who wants us to believe it was the Wens anyway.”

           Lan Xichen nodded,

           “Normally I’d be more skeptical to believe that something is very simple, because it would clearly be a rather sloppy job to leave any sort of evidence, especially as damning as this. But when I take into account all of the candidates, who are the top suspects based off of motive, there are only two possibilities I can actually think of: the Wens who have two candidates and a leader who was recently humiliated by the alpha, or you.”

           “Me?!” Wei Wuxian questioned eyes widening dramatically at the very thought, “why would I kidnap my little brother and with what army?”

           Lan Xichen watched Wei Wuxian closely measuring his statement calmly and rationally,

           “The why is for exactly the reason you’ve stated. Sect Leader Jiang threw you into a situation you have nothing to gain from, but only to lose from really. You don’t want to marry someone you consider your brother, and Madam Yu suddenly comes up with a kidnapping idea. You, being something of a genius might have decided that you really don’t like any candidate for your brother, particularly after our last chat, and if so what better way to avoid a marriage than to hide the bride… ehem husband.” Lan Xichen corrected staring at the other as if he could see into his soul and causing Wei Wuxian to shudder at the surprisingly intense side of Lan Xichen.

           Lan Zhan also watched the Wei, but gave him a reassuring squeeze on his arm, as Wangji would always give the Wei the benefit of the doubt.

           But Lan Xichen continued, eyes never wavering as he continued to explain,

           “You agreed to help me, but when I came you are fast asleep and there’s no sign of Jiang Cheng or an open door, and I find it a bit difficult to believe that anyone could get close enough to you to knock you out and throw you on the bed without you having a recollection for it. Even if someone could manage to defeat you why would they choose to move you to the bed rather than the easy out of leaving you on the floor, particularly when they are in such a rush that they don’t even cover their own tracks. And you’ve said yourself, your tolerance for alcohol is legendarily high, but now you wake up with little to no memories of a few hours ago. Such convenience makes me at least have to wonder if perhaps you might have made your own plans. So just in case I’m going to ask you this once: Did you have anything to do with your brother Jiang Cheng’s kidnapping?”

           Wei Wuxian met intense eyes with his own, he couldn’t say he wasn’t impressed by both the deduction and the confidence to actually ask him to his face. He was also a little bit annoyed not to have thought of or considered such an idea himself, although there were flaws in such a plan that he would have noticed, so he answered bluntly and honestly, now that his head was a tad bit clearer,

           “No offense Zewu Jun, but if I had thought of such a plan, I would not have done such a sloppy job of it and it wouldn’t be a viable option because it would not make Jiang Cheng happy. A’Cheng is someone who is obsessed with what others. He wouldn’t accept being away from family or his disciples, he wouldn’t let people worry and cry over him, and no matter how much convincing I would attempt there is no way he’d run away from the entirety of the cultivation world because of marriage. He would literally rather marry me, who he sees as a brother, if I accepted it just to “not inconvenience others.” One of the only reasons he didn’t automatically marry me before this nonsense is because he doesn’t want to ruin my life or be a burden to me either. In order to pull off a flawless plan I would need his consent in the first place, one that he would never grant. So no, it was not I who kidnapped and hid my brother away, and I’ll swear to it on Baoshan Sanren’s name if you need me to.” Wei Wuxian stated.

           Lan Xichen watched the other closely even for a few seconds after the other was done speaking before nodding half to himself before responding,

           “No need to swear on near deities for me, now that I’ve heard your side of it and watched your expressions I believe you. Which makes the next possible candidate a worst option,” Lan Xichen said, beginning to pace, “the Yunmeng Jiang’s have no good reason to pretend to be another sect, particularly because Madam Yu already stated that she would be doing it so there is no reason for dramatic effect and Madam Yu doesn’t particularly strike me as the type who would be into unnecessary role play, so the next people I am apt to suspect would be the Wens.”

           Wei Wuxian nodded, trying to remember what he could from the night before, rubbing circles on his own temples for a few seconds before Lan Zhan decided to take over and Wei Wuxian let out pleased sounds as he gave up the job to the other boy, focusing his efforts on thinking instead,

           “The Wens… the Wens… I definitely fought people yesterday… I think… Wait I feel like maybe I could remember something about it, but I don’t remember seeing any red, except when I changed clothes with Jiang Cheng, unless it was on the inside of their outfits. Come to think of it I didn’t recognize them, but that wasn’t weird because I don’t see a lot of Madam Yu’s people, I mostly hangout with ones loyal to Sect Leader Jiang Fengmian so I didn’t think- but wait how was I knocked out? I don’t let a lot of people close to me so they’d have to be pretty skilled or- wait A’Cheng at some point when we were fighting he was covering my back, did someone get passed him or- but hold on he said something to me before everything went black… what was it… what was it?” Wei Wuxian wracked his brain while Lan Zhan tended to his headache. Suddenly the Wei felt pressure on the part of his head that got hit and grabbed for it with a hiss.

           Lan Zhan petted away from the spot as an apology, but Wei Wuxian shook his head suddenly remembering,

           “Sorry!”

           “Sorry.” Lan Zhan said outloud feeling admonished for not apologizing verbally.

           “No, not you! That’s what A’Cheng said! He said something like ‘Sorry Wuxian’ and then I passed out and I don’t know what could have happened after that. But just before that he tugged on my clothes like he was trying to tell or show me something, but I was too busy taking care of my side to actually look. But A’Cheng and I had changed clothes so they definitely thought I was A’Cheng. I don’t know where the red clothes piece came from for sure but if he was concerned enough to inform me it couldn’t have been someone very random. Could it have been Xue Yang? He’s cocky enough to still wear red despite trying to be lower key?” Wei Wuxian told then asked the room.

           “The red cloth was from the Nie’s hand.” Lan Zhan answered, having been the one to find it once he pried Wei Wuxian from the other Omega.

           Wei Wuxian’s mouth opened as he remembered something,

           “Oh wow that’s right, Huaisang was cuddling one of the kidnapper’s at some point.”

           “Cuddling a kidnapper? He knew about it? Could he have been in on it?” Lan Xichen asked suddenly alarmed.

           Wei Wuxian shook his head quickly,

           “No, no, not romantically he fell asleep and Huaisang is a big cuddler as you’ve noticed. He must have been wrapped around the guy pretty tight since he fell asleep at the fumes they sent in and clutched at whatever in his sleep. Maybe whoever it was had it inside his robes for all I know.”

           Lan Zhan’s face looked stormy at the thought of Nie Huaisang randomly fondling inside of people’s clothes while cuddlying, considering where he found the Nie himself, but Lan Xichen rubbed his chin thinking,

          “So the red clothes didn’t come from Xue Yang per say, but now that he’s mentioned it does seem to be a sloppy enough job that he is likely involved. Whatever the case all signs point to the Wens, and likely Xue Yang with other factors considered. Knowing this we can’t exactly rest assured for those are not the best of hands to be in and we don’t know what his purpose is. Best case scenario he considers this ‘saving’ the Jiang, but worse case…”

           “Worse case? How is there a worse case scenario?”

           Lan Xichen looked over at the Wei, shaking his head slightly, not wanting to be crass, but needing to get a move on, so he said as tactfully as he could,

           “If Xue Yang has complete access to Jiang Cheng, in a worse case scenario, there is a sure fire way to win against the council and stake your marriage claim.”

           “What’s that?!” Wei Wuxian asked nervously, but desperate to find out.

           “The best way to trap an alpha, and get the full support of the family and the cultivation world can only be and has only ever been one thing, he can attempt to sleep with him and try to get pregnant.”

           Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened dramatically and he reached over and shook the older Lan,

           “Pregnant?! My little brother?! ABSOLUTELY NOT! MY BABY BROTHER JIANG CHENG IS AS PURE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW!”

           “You don’t have to tell me.” Lan Xichen commented, having been the Jiang’s first kiss himself.

           “WELL WHAT ARE YOU LANS WAITING FOR WE HAVE TO GO SAVE MY BROTHER FROM THE CLUTCHES OF THAT INSOLENT VIXEN! WHERE IS THAT BASTARD?!”

           “Don’t worry I’ve had disciples keeping track of the whereabouts of every one of my opponents. If it’s him he won’t easily get away. Besides, no one is touching my precious innocent alpha but me.” Lan Xichen said dangerously, before walking out of the room and talking to one of his disciples who relayed information back.

           “Come you two, I have an alpha to save. And if Xue Yang has touched even one inch of my lovely alpha’s body, than he’s going to have a much bigger grudge on me than the worth of a single finger.” The Lan stated, causing even Wei Wuxian to shiver and hide behind Lan Zhan all the way to the current place of Xue Yang.

Chapter Text

                    Lan Xichen might well have been able to imagine an Omega purposely getting themselves pregnant in order to trap an Alpha, but unfortunately Jiang Cheng could not. He had grown up hearing stories of omega’s being shamed and getting kicked out of their households for such things, even if they had not been willing parties, so he never could have imagined that anyone would actually do it purposely. So no such thoughts crossed his mind as he sat with a touchy feely Xue Yang now in a private tea room drinking alcohol and shaking his head in confusion.

                    But although Jiang Cheng was not thinking those thoughts exactly, he was doing his level best to keep Xue Yang at arm’s length anyway. He had not been happy when he was escorted to a private room with the Omega, not only because the last time something like this had happened a marriage was demanded, but also because he was there forcibly and although he himself hadn’t discounted Xue Yang from his own choices, simply because he was more comfortable with ruining the reputation of a murderer than the others that he cared about, he still couldn’t bear the thought of touching him in such an uncouth manner. And although the Alpha had no experience beyond what he’d done thus far with Lan Xichen, Xue Yang seemed very experienced judging from his relaxed yet forward state.

                    Whatever he might choose later, Jiang Cheng couldn’t bear to behave like an out of control Alpha, nor tarnish his or any other reputation. And so, perhaps through instinct, he kept a close eye and an arms distance away from the clingy Omega for the time being.

                    “Sandu Shengshou you seem so tense! Come on and relax, it’s not like I’m going to eat you.” Xue Yang said with dangerously glittery eyes.

                    Jiang Cheng refused to respond to such a statement, keeping one hand out as a barrier between the two as he deflected and asked,

                    “How long do you plan on keeping me here?”

                    Xue Yang pouted, backing off for a second as he responded,

                    “I’ll let you go after the hour of the Rat, by then it will be a new day and thus should count as having rescued you.”

                    Jiang Cheng nodded as he calculated how long he should have to wait until then, as Xue Yang took this opportunity to sidle a little closer, saying,

                    “Until then let us get to know each other a little better, yeah? Here have more to drink, I’ll even pour it for you as a special service.”

                    Having said this Xue Yang sat up closer to the table and grabbed a cup with one hand, and the bottle Jiang Cheng had been drinking from and began to pour it, the sleeve of his right hand covering the cup briefly and causing Jiang Cheng to frown and look at the other suspiciously as it was set in front of him.

                    Xue Yang looked up at the alpha from his half prone position with wide, innocent looking eyes as the Jiang refused to touch it,

                    “What’s the matter? Afraid I’ll poison you? Why should I want to poison such an attractive alpha? Do you think I chose you for a marriage partner because that’s my motivation? Killing alpha’s I’m attracted to?”

                    Jiang Cheng didn’t respond, but he did push the cup further away from him.

                    Xue Yang let out a sigh at that, sitting up and criss crossing his legs, before facing the other,

                    “I guess you wouldn’t be the first alpha to avoid my hospitality,” he said suddenly looking a bit sad as he continued, “Actually I’m glad we have this time and that this came up. I know there are a lot of rumors about me and what happened with Xiao Xingchen. Normally I let them go to be honest. I don’t much care about what other people think of me anyway. But because I like you, and I don’t want what happened last time to occur again I’d like to tell you what actually happened, if you’ll so oblige me.”

                    Jiang Cheng had never heard the other use such a tone before. In all honesty Xue Yang was pretty maniac and bubbly, so there was something intriguing that touched the kind hearted Jiang when such a strong Omega suddenly spoke so softly. Despite himself the Jiang looked over, noting that Xue Yang was playing with his outfit, fidgeting in a way that seemed self soothing, and the Jiang couldn’t help but feel sorry for the other,

                    “If it’s too hard you don’t have to.” Jiang Cheng assured the Omega, more uncomfortable with seeing the Omega’s sadness than even when the other had been attempting to pounce on him as if the Jiang was his prey.

                    Xue Yang didn’t look at the other, but shook his head anyway,

                    “No I think you ought to know, then maybe you won’t see me as such a monster as everyone else.”

                    Jiang Cheng, by instinct, wanted to deny this, but he wasn’t prone to lying. Most people did view the other as a monster, based off of the reputation of the person that it was believed he killed. Even he hadn’t thought too closely on the matter and believed what he’d heard until now. Which suddenly he felt ashamed about. Everyone deserved to tell their side and such terrible assumptions should not be made without verifiable proof to be sure.

                    Xue Yang glanced over and found the other party to be obviously receptive to the conversation and so he began,

                    “I really loved Xiao Xingchen, which was as much of a surprise to me as to anyone else. Growing up I didn’t experience much love, so to be honest even when I felt it I couldn’t put it into words. As you can expect I wasn’t an easy creature to love back either. Deformed by man and fate, and lacking love I lost my mind for a time. But Xiao Xingchen was only ever kind to me.”

                    Jiang Cheng watched the other speak. Xue Yang didn’t look the Jiang in the eyes, but he also didn’t appear to be lying either, he looked like he was transported back to that time and place, as if he was speaking about what he was seeing, and it was difficult for Jiang Cheng not to be touched by such raw honesty. He stayed quiet, now quite invested as Xue Yang continued,

                    “By the time I met him, really met him not just seen him in passing, he was already blind. But I didn’t care about that. If anything maybe I liked it more, because he didn’t look at me with disgust or pity, and no matter what anyone tried to say to him he treated me wonderfully, better than anybody, even me,” Xue Yang said letting out a quick harsh laugh, “but then again it wasn’t just me. Xiao Xingchen was kind to everyone, like a living deity. Because he was blind people tried to take advantage of him all of the time and it would drive me crazy. Even buying food they would treat him as an idiot, tried to sell him rotting fruit at exorbitant prices, like he was some kind of cash cow or animal, and I hated it. It was so unjust that I wanted them to feel the unfairness. I wanted to pluck their greedy, hateful eyes out and give them to him, but every time I moved to do anything against them he would stop me and smile, hand me a candy, and thank me for helping him shop and get good deals so that I couldn’t help but think that he was either an angel or an idiot, and actually I suppose looking back he was a bit of both.”

                    By this point in the story Jiang Cheng was feeling the unjustness of it all, and the saddest part hadn’t even come up yet. The omega was clearly showing signs of distress having to talk about it, and despite his obsession with propriety the Jiang was not by any means heartless. So as if somehow standing in for the kind Xiao Xingchen he handed the other a cloth to dab his eyes with if necessary and briefly patted the other’s back in support. But he lacked the words to say to help make the Xue feel better, so he felt that the wise thing to do would be to let the other continue, which he did after a short pause.

                    “For a short time everything was perfect and beautiful. We ate together, slept in the same room together, went on Night Hunts together. It was miraculous and harmonious. We even had a pseudo daughter that he had picked up even before I met him. I didn’t even care that she hated me, as long as he didn’t. I made him laugh and he made me feel, and it was beautiful until that bastard Song Lan showed up.”

                    Xue Yang clenched as much of his fist as he could together as he continued,

                    “Song Lan was Xiao Xingchen’s first love you see. And Xiao Xingchen was very loyal to him, despite all of the terrible things that Song did to him. You remember how Xiao Xingchen was blind? Well Song Lan was the reason that he was. Song Lan had lost his own eyes in a fight and blamed Xiao Xingchen for it. Xingchen being who he was didn’t even care that he was unfairly blamed, but even worse he gave his eyes to that ungrateful bastard who took them and then ran away. Xiao Xingchen wasn’t even mad about it. He gave up everything for him only to be dropped at his lowest, but when Song Lan came back it was clear that he was going to take him back without a regret or second thought about it. Despite everything we had together I was going to lose him.”

                    Jiang Cheng could feel his own chest hurt at the injustice of it all, so he could only imagine what the omega was going through as he poured his heart out to him.

                    “I didn’t kill him, but I did try to keep him. On the last day I saw him I had even gone all out to try to win him back. I worked laboriously to create a beautiful date night. Candlelit dinner, of course. Not the most inventive, but what I could manage in that dust bowl of a ghost town. I wanted him to stay with me, I begged him to, but even if he refused to do so I wanted one last night with him. To remember what love even was if that was going to be the last time I felt it.”

                    By this time Jiang Cheng had actual tears in his eyes. He already knew that the ending would not be a happy one, but he couldn’t help but wish for it anyway. He really had a very soft heart. Xue Yang noticed this and casually placed the napkin he’d been given on the Alphas lap, which Jiang Cheng grabbed and embarrassedly dabbed at his own eyes with as the Xue went on,

                    “But when he arrived Xiao Xingchen was erratic. Song Lan and his adopted daughter had by then poisoned him against me. He spoke and accused me of terrible things, and I felt that I was losing him. I tried to hold on to him and begged him to stay. I didn’t care what he thought I did, but I wished for that endless compassion he’d always shown to everyone else before. Who whether it was true or not he could seemingly always forgive. But as it turned out the first and last person that he could never forgive ended up being me. And perhaps since he was such a saint he couldn’t bear that about himself, because the next thing I knew, before I could even guess at his next move to stop him, he plunged his sword straight through his own body killing himself in front of me.”

                    Xue Yang looked down at his hands, opening them as if he could still see blood there,

                    “I rushed over to him and held him in my arms, feeling the life draining from his body. I tried to do everything in my power to stop it, but he had always been such a good cultivator. He left no room for error. And so he died in my arms. I was the only one there and yet I couldn’t even keep his remains as they were pried away from me in my most vulnerable state.”

                    Xue Yang looked up at the devastated Jiang Cheng seriously,

                    “If there was ever a person that I wanted to murder, it was Song Lan, not Xiao Xingchen. And the fact that he’s still out there somewhere traveling around with the sword of the man that I loved is proof enough that I’m not a particularly good murderer. If I was he’d be dead a thousand times over.”

                    Jiang Cheng nodded, feeling that the statement made a lot of sense as he aggressively wiped his face. He hated crying in public, but he couldn’t help himself after such a heartbreaking story.

                    “And if I had really killed him and it was so well known, how could it be that I’m walking around free? If that’s what you can even call it,” Xue Yang said with a sigh, “as cultivators no one can say their hands are completely free of blood anyway, but the murder I’m most notoriously known for is a lie, likely spread from that deplorable bastard Song Lan.”

                    Now that the story was completed Xue Yang looked up and chuckled a little at the sight of the innocent alpha furiously trying to control his tears, before leaning over and wiping a tear away himself,

                    “After that I thought about just throwing in the romantic towel so to speak, but people get lonely among other things. So if you were ever wondering why I might have chosen you I can easily answer that: You remind me of him, Xiao Xingchen I mean. I happened to witness your sweetness and kindness, then I’ve heard your reputation and I thought maybe, just maybe I could give it another try: love that is, or at least something like it. So you don’t have to worry about me poisoning your drink or anything. In fact I’ll even prove it to you,” The Xue said picking up the drink and taking a sip of it, showing it inside his mouth, before tilting his head back and letting it trickle down his throat before taking a big gulp, “see?”

                    Jiang Cheng, who by this time was so sad and convinced by the story that he had felt guilty doubting the other, didn’t even bother waiting to see if there was a delayed reaction from the drink, wanting to show his trust and support, he immediately picked up the drink practically from the other’s hand and quickly downed it.

                    Once he had properly swallowed Jiang Cheng was surprised to quickly and suddenly begin to feel very hot. So hot in fact that he began to squirm and pull at his clothes in annoyance, barely able to articulate for a few seconds, only letting out uncomfortable sounds,

                    “Ung,”

                    Xue Yang’s face morphed into something of a triumphant smirk as he moved closer to the Jiang, caressing the other’s face gently,

                    “Poor thing, you really are so much like him.”

                    Despite suddenly feeling fairly out of it Jiang Cheng knew something was wrong, so he weakly grasped the others wrist,

                    “What did you -?”

                    “Don’t worry, I didn’t poison you, I just gave you something for alphas to help you relax and feel good.” Xue Yang purred as Jiang Cheng lay back and squirmed in discomfort.

                    “S-so hot.” He complained, instinctively kicking backwards with his legs until he reached the wall, hoping to get some support, pulling here and there on his clothes in between thinking better of it and trying to trap his own hands to stop himself from disrobing.

                    “Shh there, there you sweet thing, don’t worry your darling little head, as it happens I tend to be fairly cold-blooded. Come closer and you’ll feel better.” Xue Yang said moving forward, pulling Jiang Cheng’s face into his gland at the side of his neck so that the alpha got a large sniff.

                    At first Jiang Cheng’s body did feel a little better on contact with the Xue’s colder skin, and he nearly relaxed into it until he got a big whiff of the others gland. His eyes widened once he understood how close to the other’s gland he was and he immediately jerked backwards to get away from him, but the Xue pulled him back, this time by his hair, and suddenly the rim of Jiang Cheng’s eyes began to turn red.

                    Xue Yang feeling the subtle change in the other’s body backed his head away, noting this new feature and assuming that he had finally unleashed the wolf inside of the puppy alpha,

                    “You really are a pretty one aren’t you?”

                    Jiang Cheng, who by this point was taken over by baser instincts, began to let out incredibly large amounts of superior androstenone, which quickly oppressed the room. His suddenly broad seeming right hand covered the back of Xue Yang’s skull, tilting the other’s head to get a broad view of the gland at the back of it.

                    Even Xue Yang suddenly felt a little fear creep into his excitement as the superior alpha seemed to weigh his life or interest in his hands, but since the Xue was not innately afraid of death he found himself much more excited than upset.

                    “Vixen,” The Superior alpha breathed at the other, asserting dominance to the very core of the other omega’s being, “You’ve asked for this.”

                    Xue Yang found that even though he wanted to participate and a small part of him, perhaps his survival instincts, wanted to run away, but he could do neither, pinned before the alpha like a dead fly on a scientist’s wall. All he could control was his breathing as Jiang Cheng’s mouth opened, revealing knife like canines that began quickly to descend upon him.

                    The omega felt both terrified and triumphant. The Jiang was under a heavy aphrodisiac and his superior alpha nature had been triggered, leaving the Jiang little room to escape his fate. If Jiang Cheng permanently marked him and slept with him than the Xue knew that the justice obsessed alpha would have to take responsibility even if the Xue didn’t end up pregnant.

                    Xue Yang enjoyed both pleasure and pain, and outside of his first love who was well and truly dead he couldn’t imagine a better partner to fulfill his needs than Jiang Cheng who was part innocent little lamb, part big bad wolf. He’d be easy to manipulate on one end, but still satisfy his baser needs on the other. Xue Yang really couldn’t have planned it better had he tried. And so he closed his eyes, excited to seal the deal, as the Jiang’s shadow engulfed his being and his sharp teeth grew closer and closer to the omega’s waiting gland.

Chapter Text

                Because of Lan Xichen’s previous efforts it didn’t take long to track down Xue Yang and the Wens, but just because one finds their target does not necessarily mean that they can shoot for it without reconnaissance.

                Imagine, if you will, any cultivator from one sect entering the territory, temporary or otherwise, of another sect uninvited. Let me assure you, it doesn’t end well.

                Granted Lan Xichen was coming with some of the best cultivators of the cultivation world. But although he was slightly anxious, he was a strategist by nature.

                It had also been some time since the actual incident, although it’s hard to say exactly how long since Wei Wuxian was out of it and didn’t exactly get a chance before being knocked out and all.

                Lan Xichen scanned the area, and watched, fingers on his chin in thought. Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan were also analyzing, though Lan Zhan was less invested, until Wei Wuxian whipped out his dizi and said,

                “Okay, let’s go save my baby brother.”

                He was about to head forward song-a-blazin’ when Lan Zhan grabbed him by the back of his robe and pulled the Wei behind him, to which Wei Wuxian scowled at the Lan unhappily,

                “What do you think you’re doing?! My baby brother is in there, very likely in peril, and you dare to stop ME?!” Wei Wuxian said, eyebrows raised and eyes indicating how pissed he was, “If you think you’re stopping me from rescuing him you are sorely mistaken Hanguang Jun!”

                Lan Zhan frowned and shook his head obstinately, and Lan Huan, ever the peacemaker and voice of reason, decided to explain his brother’s reasoning, more or less,

                “Wangji isn’t trying to stop you from saving your brother, he is just afraid, as I am that if we enter flutes-a-blazing then it could be detrimental to Wanyin and leave us at a disadvantage. Rest assured we are both here to help you, not hinder you.”

                A fairly steamed Wei Wuxian let out a deep breath at that before turning to look at Lan Zhan for confirmation, who nodded sincerely at that, causing Wei Wuxian to lower his instrument and sigh,

                “I know you’re right and generally I’m a strategist as well, but time is also of the essence and I lost important moments while I was unconscious. A’Cheng is very sweet and innocent and I’m afraid he will be taken advantage of.”

                “So am I,” Lan Xichen admitted frowning at the building before them, “but that’s why we have to play it even safer.”

                Wei Wuxian sighed, but nodded in agreement, pocketing his weapon, and scanning the Inn’s external layout, as he thought.

                In all honesty the Wens had been thorough and had not left much room for maneuverability, a point which soon frustrated Wei Wuxian, who felt a lot like throwing his dizi if it was not going to be helpful,

                “Damn it, rescuing people is a lot easier in novels!” Wei Wuxian snapped.

                “Novels rescue beauties.” Lan Zhan pointed out.

                “Are you saying that my little brother ISN’T beautiful? Because if you are you need your eyes checked Lan Zhan.”

                “… isn’t.”

                “That’s it you are definitely trying to start a fight!” Wei Wuxian said shaking his finger at the younger Lan, who then took hold of it.

                “My brother may be trying to start something with you, but I assure you it’s not fight related,” Lan Xichen interrupted separating the two since Wei Wuxian was getting frustrated, “But anyway everyone has different tastes, thank goodness, but I must agree with Wuxian, A’Cheng is a beauty. He may not be your type Wangji, thank the deities for small favors, but he is objectively pretty.”

                “Thank you!” Wei Wuxian said, emphatically agreeing, “So if this was a book one of these canon fodder disciples would do something stupid right about now, and we’d be able to… I don’t know steal and wear their clothes and sneak in!”

                “Clothes?!” Lan Wangji practically gasped looking scandalized.

                “Yes clothes! That’s how A’Cheng and I confused the Wens about who their mark was until I blacked out, and it was working to so there. And it would likely help right now too.”

                “Nonsense.” Lan Zhan commented back stubbornly.

                “If I was an author right now you’d see, I’d make sure of it, and I’d punish you for your lack of faith in the process so there!” Wei Wuxian declared.

                “Author… wait I believe I have an idea, but I’m going to have to pen something myself. Do you see that Inn closest to this one? Let's go in there for a bit so that we don’t alert them, and we have some business to attend to.” Lan Xichen said, heading out.

                Wei Wuxian hesitated, not wanting to leave the outside area in case there was an opening where he could go help his brother, but was pulled up by the back of his belt and half carried off by Lan Zhan like a stubborn kitten before he swatted the hands away, but decided to go himself.

                Once they were seated Wei Wuxian was surprised to see a few Lan disciples already there, but Xichen, who had used them to watch the Wens in the first place was not, and had more urgent matters to attend to. After asking for tea for the table and writing utensils and paper for himself, the older of the present Lans began to quickly write a note. Wei Wuxian stood up in order to try to read it from his spot across from the other, while Lan Zhan hovered behind Wei Wuxian, but didn’t actively care about the writings themselves. When Xichen was all done he handed the message to one of his disciples before indicating that it was urgent, causing the messenger to hurry out of the inn.

                Wei Wuxian who was unable to have read the whole note from upside down and across from the table while the other wrote it was curious of course, so when the disciple had escaped and the tea was brought over the Wei quickly asked,

                “So, who was that to? What did it say? What did you do?”

                A self-satisfied Lan Xichen looked the Wei straight in the eyes, about to answer directly when he suddenly paused. Being a Lan he was a fan of teachable moments and being himself he often used his brother as a sounding board for his biggest ideas. Because of this he decided to answer a question with a question,

                “Well think about it. How should one deal with a kidnapper?”

                “Utilize a magic flute to control the dead to do your bidding, which would be to rescue one's important person and unleash one's revenge upon the kidnapper?” Wei Wuxian answered causing Lan Zhan to look at him as if scandalized.

                Lan Xichen however chuckled,

                “Unfortunately I think the Wens are familiar with that playbook. No, I was thinking more of the lines of fighting fire with fire, or in this case fighting kidnapping with kidnapping.”

                Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened,

                “Are you suggesting we kidnap a Wen and trade for him?”

                “Not exactly.” Lan Xichen responded.

                “To be clear I wasn’t saying no to the kidnapping of a Wen, I just want to make sure that's the plan,” Wei Wuxian nearly insisted, “he wouldn’t be pleasant company but Sect Leader Wen is oddly a good father so we could probably get Cheng Cheng back by kidnapping Wen Chao.”

                “Thank you, but that will not be necessary. The current plan does not involve kidnapping a Wen, nor starting a sect war.”  Lan Xichen said, beginning to pour tea into the three cups before them.

                “But you said-”

                “Fire and fire is more fire.” Lan Zhan interjected having been unhappy with the irrational statement since it was made, but only now being able to get a word in edge wise.

                Lan Xichen smiled as he commented,

                “Yes, that is true Wangji, but in this case more fire is exactly what we need. In other words, an in and a distraction.”

                “Oh well I can be a distraction.” Wei Wuxian boasted, puffing out his chest as he signaled for a the waiter to bring them more treats, and Lan Zhan glared down the waiter for looking at Wei Wuxian causing the service to become incredibly sparse after delivering the asked for snacks in a rush.

                “You’re not exactly who I had in mind.” Lan Xichen admitted blowing at the tea in his cup.

                “Well then who if not me? Clearly you can’t mean for your brother to distract them?!” Wei Wuxian said slapping the table, but doing his best not to literally spill the tea.  

                “No, no not Wangji either. The distraction I have in mind is someone that even the Wens cannot afford to offend.” Lan Xichen stated as he examine his tea cup.

                Wei Wuxian thought for a few seconds, before his eyes widened in surprise,

                “You can’t possibly mean-?!”

                Lan Xichen smirked to himself slightly, as he thought of his plan. He couldn’t say that he wasn’t also in a rush, as he was not pleased with the thought of not knowing what was happening to Jiang Cheng, but in order for this plan to work he had to trust in Jiang Cheng’s ability to protect himself for as long as it took to rescue him and he also had to wait for help to arrive. If he was going to get Jiang Cheng he couldn’t be short sighted, and he had to keep his spirits up and his wits about him, so it was best to envision his plan working out precisely, for patience and timing would be very important for this plan.

                “Fire with fire. Kidnapping with kidnapping.” He responded as he took a long sip of the tea before him, whose temperature was finally just right.

Chapter Text

                Although a lot had happened in a short amount of time, it is important to note that the main instigator of all the night’s events at this point had seemed to have gone quiet for some time. Indeed while most of the candidates were working preemptively to block Madam Yu’s plan, she herself had seemed unhurried in taking action. Even to the point of her husband Jiang Fengmian, attempting to utilize his status as a spouse in order to see if he could capture his son for Wei Wuxian’s win, beginning to get nervous as he watched her sipping tea seemingly casually.

                “Wife-” the beta Sect Leader began a little timidly, as he tried to gain insider information, “how could you remain so calm after announcing that you plan to kidnap our youngest son? Do you really plan to do so, or were you just bluffing to see what the candidates would do?”

                Madam Yu snorted into her tea cup, finishing a sip before putting it down and glancing at her husband side eyed,

                “Since when do you call me wife in such a sticky tone? And as far as I know we’ve only had one son, how could he be then called our youngest? You alleged to have planned a potential marriage between your Wei and A’Cheng, and yet you still dare to include him as a son even before knowing if the Wei will have the guts or ability to sign the marriage contract? Indeed you are certainly bolder than you’re given credit for.”

                Jiang Fengmian frowned at that, but was not quite ready to give up the task,

                “Whatever our issues, we are still man and wife. Of course your joy is my joy, and your sorrow is my sorrow, and your plans are also my plans. Since there should be no distinction or secrets between spouses, shouldn’t you tell me yours?”

                Madam Yu let out a short sardonic laugh, with no joy in it as she responded,

                “We are also alpha and beta, but you don’t speak of this for fear of a reminder of your own position, even though I handed you the governing of Yunmeng on a silver plate. You also dare to speak of shared emotions, yet my anger has never been your anger. I am tired of your beating around the bush, honeyed words are sour when spoken from the mind rather than the heart, so tell me honestly what you want from me now, or give it up. If you don’t tell me straight forwardly immediately, I won’t answer on this topic no matter what you may say.”

                Knowing that Madam Yu was not one to mince words, Jiang Fengmian decided to play it straight,

                “I want to know what your plans are for Jiang Cheng. When and where do you plan to kidnap him from? What criteria are you looking for outside of just general protection?”

                Madam Yu finally looked directly at him this time, letting out a more honest laugh,

                “Why do you want to know? You’ve never much cared for what A’Cheng was up to before. Where he goes, what happens to him, what he thinks, none of those mattered to you. But now that the knowledge could help your golden boy marry in and take over you suddenly want to know? Keep dreaming Jiang Fengmian. Whatever my feelings are for you I’ll never allow them to help you cheat this time. If you insist to try you’ll simply have to sit, wait, listen, and pay attention. Since you never do I suspect it will be an unbearable task.”

                Perhaps this was part of the reason that Madam Yu hadn’t jumped immediately to signal the kidnapping, or perhaps she had said between today and tomorrow as she bid for what she considered to be the perfect hour. Whichever it was she did leave her husband waiting for some time, doing very little, seemingly purposely to keep him on edge, staring at her with rapt attention. Eventually she couldn’t help but chuckle, looking over at him as if slightly amused as she said,

                “Funny, I don’t think you’ve paid this much rapt attention to me since our wedding night.”

                Jiang Fengmian couldn’t help but flush somewhat embarrassed at that, as Madam Yu snapped her fingers without looking away,

                “Let’s throw him a bone, although dog that he is he still won’t get to chew it well,” she began as she noted one of her top messengers waiting for her signal while looking rather stressed, “how goes the plan?”

                “Madam Yu, begging your pardon, but-” The Yu messenger began awkwardly, before two formidable disciples entered the hall to the right and the left.

                The woman on the right stating,

                “Enough, we will tell her ourselves.”

                The Yu messenger quickly retreated as Madam Yu’s most trust worthy disciples and maids quickly kowtowed before their mistress,

                “Madam Yu pardon our failure. We brought disciples to the Nie Sect heir’s residence at the aforementioned time, but I’m afraid we were too late. Not only was Alpha Jiang not at the residence, but neither were the Nie Heir, nor Wei Wuxian.” Jinzhu announced, with her eyes to the floor.

                Madam Yu seriously questioned,

                “If none of them were there, could it be that the sleepover was just a ruse? If I remember correctly it was the Nie heir himself who first brought up the possibility. Perhaps he was already creating a plan to thwart the kidnapping even then? If so it’s a shame that he’s not in the running for my son’s hand. I hadn’t originally considered him since he seems to be cowardly, but I can’t say I’m not intrigued by his tactical ability, if that’s what it was. I wonder if I could include him as a write in.”

                On the ground next to Jinzhu, the other disciple Yinzhu shook her head lightly as she added,

                “We are afraid that’s not it. Upon our arrival we noted that the room and outer court yard was quite disheveled. It was a sloppy job to a point. We can’t help but assume that it was some level of foul play. Then again Madam did say that the candidates were able to rescue them, we suspect that at best it’s that.”

                Normally Madam Yu would have been quite angry about her son being missing of course, but at the time being she had to agree with her disciple. She herself had opened the door to such a possibility, although she had expected more of an upfront battle then she had now. Then again being an alpha who had married a beta, she truthfully wasn’t used to the ways of average Omegas after all.

                “Well then I suppose we can rule out Wei Wuxian for the time being. He’s a lot of things, but sloppy, in this sense isn’t one of them. Since it’s so I assume that you sent people to follow the clues to figure out where they ended up. It’s fine if we can’t take Jiang Cheng from the original spot, but we can’t easily let them have their way after all.”

                “Answering Madam, we attempted canvassed the area and sent disciples to follow the clues, but at some point, oddly they vanished. Considering that parts of it were sloppy, but others methodically neat we can’t tell if multiple people are in cohoots, or not.” Jinzhu admitted, head nearly touching the floor.

                Yinzhu nodded, but added,

                “Although he wasn’t in his own room, we did eventually find the Nie heir, and question him, but he is either a particularly good actor, or he knows nothing on the subject, including how he ended up in a guest room. We didn’t dare do or inquire more without your permission considering his and our status.”

                Madam Yu shook her head,

                “Then I don’t know whether to praise him for his performance or go find him myself.”

                “I’m afraid that may prove difficult,” Yinzhu commented awkwardly, “once we officially finished with him he ran to his brother’s room and hasn’t exited since.”

                Madam Yu let out a slight laugh at the imagery, but then took a few seconds to think, and found herself somewhat concerned about her son’s whereabouts. She looked over at her husband who looked baffled and shook her head before telling her disciples to rise, beginning to give new orders,

                “Judging from my husband’s reaction it is unlikely that he knows anything himself. Luckily we  have a limited number of contestants the suspects are also few. Split up the disciples and send them to do reconnaissance on the Lans and Wens in particular. At this time it’s hard to say if the plan was sloppy on purpose or due to impulse. Either way Wei Wuxian is likely to be with Jiang Cheng in some compactly or distance to each other, so if you see him you’re likely on the right track. Either way I won’t make it so easy for them to win.”

                Just as Jinzhu and Yinzhu were about to accept the decree, a Yu disciple whispered to the messenger from before who quickly gasped, and threw herself to the floor in front of Madam Yu,

                “Madam, please pardon my interruption, but I have just been informed that a messenger from the Lan is here asking to deliver a message to you.”

                “Is it a Ransom?” Madam Yu queried.

                “I didn’t dare to read it without Madam’s permission.” The messenger replied.

                Madam Yu leaned back in her seat, before snapping her fingers, signaling for the doors to be opened and the Lan’s messenger to be allowed inside. The messenger quickly bowed, and held the message out above his head until Madam Yu glanced at Jinzhu who took it and handed it carefully over to her.

                Madam Yu read the message internally, causing the rest of the room to remain in silence so deafening that they would have all jumped had they heard a pin drop. When she finished it, she handed the letter to Yinzhu ordering it to be stored in a safe place. She waited until her disciple came back before addressing the Lan messenger,

                “Go and tell your Master that we shall be there to meet them shortly.”

                The somewhat terrified but blank faced by nature Lan bowed once again, before rushing out as quickly as his billowing clothes would take him. Once he was gone, Madam Yu looked back at her own personal disciples, this time looking more pissed,

                “Strike my previous arrangements from the record, and listen to me now. It seems that a particular sect member was unwilling to wait for a kidnapping, but preferred to commit one himself. Clearly my reputation does not precede me as I had expected, I fear I will have to remedy that for myself. So if you are not yet ready than quickly prepare yourselves to head to the current location of the Wen encampment to check things out for ourselves. It seems that for all they want my son they are not yet familiar enough with their possible Mother-in-Law. So let’s see who’s brave enough to continue trying once I’m through with them.”

                Jinzhu, Yinzhu, and the rest of the mixed Jiang and Yu Disciples under her command immediately bowed, as Madam Yu arose, and headed straight out the door, flanked by Jinzhu and Yinzhu on either side, with a full retinue of disciples trailing respectfully and obediently behind her. Jiang Fengmian watched half bewitched, before trying to figure out what if anything could benefit his situation, but ultimately decided to trail after her with his own retinue, but alas to anyone who would have seen the view of it, it very much looked like an Empress going to battle, and a semi-favored concubine trailing after her.

                The tiger cub had been kidnapped after all, but soon the kidnappers would have to deal with the inevitable bite back from such a crime, for now the Tigress was on her way, and predators may soon be turned into prey.  

Chapter Text

                           Despite his rather incessant demands, Wei Wuxian remained unable to convince a currently relaxed looking Lan Xichen, to give up any additional information about his plan for the time being. Although Xichen had insisted that he was impatient to help rescue Jiang Cheng, it certainly didn’t look like it to the Wei, as the elder Twin Jade calmly sipped on tea in silence, glancing outside every once in a while, while Wei Wuxian did his best, yet failed to extract information, while batting Lan Zhan’s hands every once in a while the younger Lan attempted to keep feeding him for some reason.

                           Eventually of course the Wei had reached his patience limit, standing up abruptly and stating,

                           “That’s it! If you are not going to tell me who you send a message to or what your plan actually is, or help me rescue my little brother, then I’m not just going to sit here wasting time watching you drink tea and site see! Instead I might as well go save him myself! You are not the only one with well thought out plans around here, so there!”

                           With those words Wei Wuxian turned on his heels and began to leave, just as Lan Xichen calmly put his tea cup down, and quietly announced, as if to himself,

                           “She’s here.”

                           Wei Wuxian, of course, hadn’t heard these words because he had just stepped foot outside, but Lan Zhan who was fretting about whether to follow Wei Wuxian or stay with his brother looked back and forth as if deciding. Lan Xichen found this somewhat amusing, and would have told his brother to go, except that he was very sure, based on his currently information, that the Wei was likely to be back momentarily. This proved to be true as a wide-eyed Wei Wuxian ran back in, head darting back and forth as he looked for a hiding place. But before he found one, he couldn’t help but snap at the currently smiling Lan Xichen, practically yelling,

                           “You called Madam Yu, here?! Are you crazy?! Are all Lans crazy?! Am I crazy for coming here with you both?”  

                           Lan Xichen let out a little chuckle at that, as he stood up gracefully,

                           “Well I did tell you that it’s best to fight kidnapping with kidnapping. Since Madam Yu originally planned to kidnap her son, and since all candidates have to keep in her good graces, whether or not most sect leaders do, the best one to send to deal with the Wei’s is Alpha Yu of course. Also, if it were you who would you trust with your lover’s life? Your love rival or your lover’s mother?”

                           Wei Wuxian shook his head still in disbelief,

                           “But still calling her here is drastic if you ask me, had you played your cards right, plan-wise, you could have kidnapped him instead and won the whole thing with Madam Yu none-the-wiser. Now after a late night tonight you’re going to have to be fresh enough to attempt to save him again tomorrow, even if she does get him back. At this point by not being involved in any of this Wen Qing will have the best chance of it tomorrow.”

                           “You would be right if Wen Qing actually wanted to win, but let’s face it, she clearly looks uninterested so her inclusion is likely forced by Sect Leader Wen. Considering you, me, and Xue Yang are all still up, than as long as Madam Yu is able to stop whatever nefarious plan Xue Yang is up to and takes Jiang Cheng to safety we’re all in the same boat. Besides, this part is actually more of a fail-safe to the plan I’ve been forming since Plan A didn’t work out.” Lan Xichen commented, before heading towards the door.

                           Still feeling frustrated by Lan Xichen’s refusal to tell him the plan the Wei was clearly meant to be some kind of part of, but also wanting to hide before Madam Yu could see him, the Wei quickly hid behind Lan Xichen, whispering in a snappy manner,

                           “Then what is your Plan B?”

                           Lan Xichen shook his head, glancing back at the boy with an angelic-looking smile, as he said,

                           “Sorry Wei Wuxian, but strategists always have a hidden card up their sleeve. I’m afraid for now you’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, I can’t keep my future Mother-in-Law waiting.”

                           With that the Lan stepped out, causing Wei Wuxian to panic, and run back into the restaurant, throwing himself under the table that Lan Zhan was still sitting at, and telling the younger Twin Jade to freeze and not give him away. Lan Zhan initially frowned, but then sat ramrod straight in his seat and seemed to be concentrating at the wall in front of him.

                           One of the wait staff who had seen the part where the Wei had run back and beyond, came over to the table with red cheeks, lifted the table cloth, and kindly informed the man underneath the table that he was in possible violation of some of the health codes, asking for Wei Wuxian to come out from under the table. A bashful Wei Wuxian did so embarrassingly, while Lan Zhan looked at the waiter as if he could by glare alone cause the man to spontaneously combust, until the Wei insisted that the Lan stand up, so he could hide behind him, clinging onto one of his arms while saying,

                           “Nevermind, although Madam Yu is terrifying I still want to know what your brother is up to. You stand in front of me and I’ll hide behind you and try to extract information.”

                           Having Wei Wuxian hanging off of him did wonders for Lan Zhan’s mood. He quickly threw down a generous amount of money to settle the tab plus, before walking forward after his brother, with the Wei clinging behind him. The waiter shook his head in confusion, but as the whole table had been higher up cultivators he decided it was in his best interest to just forget the whole thing, lest he be implicated or someone turned vengeful.

                           Just outside of the Inn Lan Xichen had quickly bowed to a clearly very determined Madam Yu, who paused briefly when she saw the young man’s Lan robes and heavenly appearance. Although she was not one to normally stop herself on the way to things, she figured she should show the Omega some face since he had given her the information in the first place. Not to mention the fact that he might have other important or helpful information for her if she gave him the time of day.

                           “Madam Yu.” Lan Xichen greeted her, bowing respectfully in deference to her status, age, and ABO rank.

                           Madam Yu nodded back, before responding with,

                           “I received your message about my son’s whereabouts. Considering the competition I can’t say that I wasn’t surprised that you would give up such a good chance to take him back for yourself. Could it be that you’re actually not interested in him after all? If so speak now and due to your help I will take that under consideration when I do get to vote.”

                           Lan Xichen shook his head gently, still giving off an angelic vibe as he smoothly said,

                           “On the contrary I care deeply about Jiang Cheng, so deeply that I can’t take the chance that he could get hurt just for the sake of scoring a few points with a judge or two. Whatever my plans I have only Wanyin’s best interests in mind, I assure you.”

                           Madam Yu’s mouth twitched a little at that, clearly slightly amused despite the circumstances. Despite the angelic face his perfect wording made her feel that Lan Xichen was slyer than he first appeared, though she couldn’t prove it yet, and whatever his intentions it had helped her out so she was feeling somewhat magnanimous at the moment,

                           “I would be grateful if that is the case, but I suppose that remains to be seen. Still I can’t help but feel as if I owe you one.”

                           Lan Xichen shook his head lifting a hand as if to wave the very thought away,

                           “Gusu forbid it, there is no owe between Jiang Cheng’s loved ones and I, but if you insist upon it, I will have to save it for a more appropriate time.”

                           Finding the Lan less boring than she would have guessed considering he was a Lan with a stellar reputation, Madam Yu let out a laugh and was about to agree, when the younger brother of the   Lan before her came out, trailed by someone that instantly made her frown. She sent a side eyed glare towards the Wei half growling out,

                           “Of course, I should have expected you to be here, Wei Wuxian, after all where chaos is you’re more often than not, not far behind.”

                           Mood instantly plummeting upon seeing Jiang Fengmian favorite, Madam Yu’s eyes cut back to Lan Xichen as she added,

                           "Rather than leaving it to later I suggest that you use it now, or if not, beware of the company that you keep. They say birds of a feather flock together, but for the sake of my debt I will agree not to hold your present company against you.”

                           Lan Xichen glanced over at his younger brother and the curious but terrified Wei Wuxian, then back. Lan Zhan noticing the disadvantage to his brother and Wei Wuxian, decided it would be best to go back into the Inn for the time being, so he turned around, picked up the Wei and headed back in, figuring that if the Wei still wanted to snoop he could do so just inside instead.

                           In the meantime Lan Xichen bowed slightly again in agreement so as to stay on her good side despite the Wei, but making sure to add,

                           “It seems that my younger brother has a lot of fondness for Wei Wuxian. I suspect that as long as Wuxian is not picked as Jiang Wanyin’s partner my brother will insist on pursuing the Wei instead. Alas if that were so I’m afraid that Madam Yu would see a lot less of Wuxian. Considering the strict discipline of my Uncle and Lan Zhan’s possessive nature, it would be difficult to find time to meet.”

                           Madam Yu’s left eyebrow rose at that, looking at the Lan curiously, before admitting,

                           “I don’t quite know my full opinion on you yet, but you are good, and you’ve clearly done your research,” she said, before glancing at Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian pausing for a few seconds to think, “and I can’t say it’s not tempting, but currently I don’t have the time to consider such a thing. Right now what I need from you is any additional information that you have as quickly as you can give it, so that I can go rescue my son.”

                           Lan Xichen nodded in agreement,

                           “But of course, time is definitely of the essence, and luckily I have managed to acquire some small bit of information that I hope will be of service to you Madam Yu.”

                           At that the elder Lan Jade began to give all of the information that he felt necessary to the operation of saving Jiang Cheng, in the most clear cut and succinct way possible due to lack of time. Madam Yu’s top disciples jotted the information down so that they would be able to refer to it, and once Lan Xichen indicated that was all that he assumed they would need Madam Yu shook her head, saying,

                           “You practically gave us a map to where my son is being stored. You either really could have rescued him or you must be in on the job yourself.”

                           “Well I can assure you I’m not, but words only have value that others give to them and you don’t know me very well as of yet. But if it helps 1- Xue Yang is a rival so there is really no benefit to me working with him, 2- Even if he wasn’t a rival, he’s way too unpredictable for me to work with. As you can see I’m rather meticulous in planning. Although he did somehow manage the job, it’s way too messy for my tastes.” Lan Xichen calmly replied.

                           Madam Yu looked him over briefly, noting that though they had clearly been waiting for a while, Lan Xichen was still as pristine as if he had just walked out from changing, which would have been impressive for anyone, but was even more so considering the light blue and white colors of his robes. Not even a hair was out of place as if nature and the weather itself were somehow also on his side, causing the Yu to admit,

                           “From what I can tell about you so far that actually tracks. But enough chit chat for now, who knows what nefarious plans that crazy omega has for my son.”

                           Lan Xichen gave a slight bow in agreement as he said,

                           “But of course, Jiang Cheng’s safety is of the utmost importance. I wish you well.”

                           Madam Yu nodded, starting to head towards the other in, but paused before even signaling her own people to follow when she realized something. Somewhat surprised she turned around to find Lan Xichen still in the same spot, having clearly not followed her when she began to move,

                           “Aren’t you coming?”

                           “If I thought I could be of any help I would, but for the time being I believe it would be best if Madam Yu puts a stop to Xue Yang’s Shenanigans first. If for whatever reason you need reinforcements the Lan will be here at your beck and call however.”

                           Alpha Yu stared at the boy for a few long seconds,

                           “I can’t tell if you’re too polite, too cowardly, or too clever, but I’m beginning to feel like its more likely the latter.” Madam Yu commented bluntly.

                           “Madam Yu flatters me by the mere suggestion.” Lan Xichen responded, feigning a slight blush, and causing the Yu to shake her head.

                           “Once all of this is resolved I’ll be sure to keep my eye on you.”

                           Lan Xichen widened his eyes, pressing his hands against his cheeks and feigning innocence,

                           “Please no more compliments, you’re making me blush. I see where Alpha Jiang gets his charisma from.”

                           Madam Yu let out a snort at that, but by now she really felt that she had no more time to lose at the moment. She was intrigued to talk to the Lan boy again, after such a conversation, but that was clearly something to be decided later on. So rather than respond she merely saluted to the elegant Omega, and signaled for her disciples to follow, which of course they did.

                           Lan Xichen made sure to keep his facial expression until the entire group had made it out of eye sight, before signaling for his brother to let Wei Wuxian go. Once Lan Zhan put him down, he ran out the door and up to Lan Xichen, giving the elder Lan a glare and wanting to pinch him, but finding that he couldn’t bring himself to actually do it for some reason. Finding this to be the case he decided to complain instead,

                           “Great going Lan Xichen, I may have been inside but I heard everything!”

                           “Of course you did, I was purposefully projecting my voice.” Lan Xichen agreed amiably.

                           “Well then why did you tell Madam Yu that we weren’t going in? If I wasn’t part of your plan than why did you even want to team up with me in the first place?” Wei Wuxian questioned, annoyed.

                           “Firstly you were always part of my plan. Although the first one didn’t work out for whatever reason that I’ll have to analyze later and that one relied more heavily on your participation, you’ve already been quite a help to this one, and I expect I’ll need your assistance at least once more before we are through tonight. Secondly, when did I ever say that we weren’t going in?” Lan Xichen prompted back.

                           Wei Wuxian frowned, stating,

                           “You just sent Madam Yu in and told her to deal with Xue Yang herself just now. Although I guess to be fair you never said I wouldn’t go in, was that the loophole you were thinking of?”

                           “Well yes, I could have, but actually I didn’t say anything about not going in. My exact words were: It would be best if Madam Yu puts a stop to Xue Yang’s Shenanigans first. Then I clearly stated that we would be backups for them if asked, but as you heard for yourself Madam Yu did not ask us to be backups, inadvertently implying that we have her permission to be the A team.” Lan Xichen explained, with a smile.

                           Wei Wuxian processed these exact words for a few seconds before his eyes widened and he suddenly let out a little laugh,

                           “Lan Huan you are sneakier than you look, but honestly I can’t say that I’m not impressed. But now that you secured your permission, can you tell me the plan now?!”

                           Lan Xichen chuckled a bit at that,

                           “Well I don’t want to spoil everything, but I’ll at least tell you your part of it if you insist.”

                           “I insist.” Wei Wuxian pressed, causing Lan Xichen to chuckle before explaining.

                           After he was done going over Wei Wuxian’s new part, complete with the role he’d inadvertently already played, the Wei shook his head somewhat in disbelief,

                           “I got to hand it to you. I’m very good at spotting sly people and figuring out what they’re up to, and as far as I’m concerned at the moment you are the king of surprises.”

                           Lan Xichen shrugged looking innocent.

                           “There is just one more thing I need answered before we head out.”

                           “Oh? What’s that?” Lan Xichen questioned, surprised that Wei Wuxian didn’t take off the second he’d finally gotten his role, since he’d been very impatient the entire time of waiting from the moment he found out that his brother was kidnapped. Xichen couldn’t think of a particular part he’d left out and that would be needed.

                           “I just have to know… Does Grandmaster Lan Qiren know that you’re secretly an evil genius?”

                           Not expecting that particular question Lan Xichen laughed, before pausing as he seriously considered the question, and  answered,

                           “I don’t think he knew before a few days ago, and I can’t be certain without his personal say on the matter, but considering some of the recent statements he’s made in the last few days I suspect he has an inkling by now.”

                           “Good, if Grandmaster Qiren didn’t even know about it, then I don’t have to feel bad about not catching on until now. In the future I have a million more follow up questions, but for now we have an Alpha to save!”

                           And with that both Lans nodded, and the three of them stealthily followed the path that Madam Yu had just gone, using the distraction and opening that Madam Yu and her disciples had just made in order to slip into the Inn unnoticed, which worked exactly as Lan Xichen said it would, like a charm.

Chapter Text

                The gland was mere centimeters away, so close in fact that Jiang Cheng could feel the heat rising from it and sense it pulsating and practically quivering, waiting for him to take a bite. The drugs and dark alpha beckoned for him to claim and punish the other, to force the omega into utter submission and punish him for daring to manipulate a superior alpha. But the true, everyday Jiang fought back fearfully and desperately warring within himself, panicking and fighting harder the closer he got, pissing off even his inner alpha.

                ‘Settle down and enjoy the ride.’ The superior alpha in him practically ordered, but Jiang Cheng was stubborn if anything, so he pressed his hands against Xue Yang’s chest and forced the other as far away as he could manage while under the control of drugs and his darker half.

                With a head forward as if to go for it, and arms pushing the other way, it would likely have looked somewhat comical to an outsider, but it was anything but funny to Jiang Cheng himself at the moment. He hated how out of control he was, felt like he was possessed. He could feel himself losing ground as the drugs hit further and superior androstene filled even his own nostrils. He was so frustrated that he let out a whimper. Had he been in his right mind he would probably have also cried out of frustration, but the alpha within him would never allow such a weakness, and he was holding the reigns right now for sure.

                Jiang Cheng felt like he was fighting for his life, but he was growing cloudy and tired. His mouth moving closer and closer, until he felt hopeless. Still he fought, but eventually he closed his eyes to at least avoid having to see it, like the way children think monsters will go away if they hide behind the covers.

                But then a miracle happened. Just as he was resigning himself to his fate, the fate of a lifetime of guilt, he suddenly sensed something, and opened his eyes just in time to see something long, thin, and white fly between them, separating him from Xue Yang in an instant as the superior alpha within him backed off to swat it away. Jiang Cheng barely had time to register this and the large clang it made when nearly simultaneously the door opened with a bang, purple lighting whip crackling before them, and in walked the last person he would have guessed, or wanted to see him in such a compromising position,

                “Mother?!” Jiang Cheng exclaimed in surprise at the same time that Xue Yang, sensing the environment quickly kowtowed, averting his eyes submissively while saying,

                “Madam Yu.”

                Madam Yu took in the room, quickly assessing her son’s condition, spotting his red neck, ears, and eyes, and turned narrowed eyes on to Xue Yang ignoring him for the time being for the obvious culprit,

                “What did you do to my son?”

                Jiang Cheng blushed, covering his face in shame as he thought about it, before suddenly realizing that the superior alpha part of him was dormant again. He was still feeling hot and uncomfortable below, but at the very least he wasn’t being run by that darker, scarier part of him. Now he only had his libido to contend with. He wondered why that feeling had left. Did it disappear because it was surprised? Or…

                Before he could continue with these thoughts he remembered that there were more pressing and embarrassing things to deal with right now. So he crossed his legs in an attempt to lessen the issue as Xue Yang responded,

                “Answering Madam Yu, I didn’t do anything to him. I simply kidnapped him in an attempt to protect him from being kidnapped, fed him, gave him something to relax him, and suddenly he just lost control of himself and before I knew it he’d nearly marked me. If you hadn’t come in time I shudder to think of what could have happened.” Xue Yang said attempting to play innocent, but he couldn’t help the slight smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth.

                Madam Yu noted, and rolled her eyes, before walking over to her son and checking him over more thoroughly, like a mother lioness assessing a cub after a brush with a larger animal for the first time. Jiang Cheng, embarrassed, squirmed under her appraisal and began to inch away from her as she turned her attention back to Xue Yang,

                “He’s clearly drugged. Superior alpha or not, I know my son and there’s no way he put himself in this situation. He’s virtuous to a fault, and has many admirers as you well know, so as pretty as you are I doubt you were pretty enough to sway him so quickly.”

                Xue Yang smiled up at her, this time more openly cheeky as he questioned,

                “You think I’m pretty?”

                Now that he had at least some control over his body, if not full control due to the aphrodisiac, Jiang Cheng was not about to hang around and end up back in the same situation or worse. So as quietly as he could he began to sneak out of the room overhearing the other two as they faced off, each in their own way.

                “I wonder what gives you the confidence to think that you could get away with kidnapping my son?” Madam Yu questioned walking back and forth pacing like a lioness herding her prey.

                “It’s only because I think so highly of my lady of course. You inspired me with your own kidnapping plans, and you did say that you would permit a rescue before if one dared and could manage it. I dared, and nearly managed it at least, but of course you found me out with your infinite wisdom. I can only help but be even more inspired.” Xue Yang responded, feigning modesty.

                Madam Yu looked down at him ruefully,

                “I may have mentioned kidnapping, but I never said anything about drugging or trapping. Clearly you are an omega of many nefarious skills.”

                “You flatter me,” Xue Yang said feigning a blush, “but as far as I recall there is an old adage that says all’s fair in love and war, and this judging strategy of yours sounds a bit like both in a way. Besides you didn’t stipulate that I couldn’t drug him. I figured since kidnapping was on the table, how could drugging not be?”

                Madam Yu let out a cold snort at that, pausing in a power play to create anxiety in the other for a few moments before continuing,

                “Do you really believe I won’t punish you?” Madam Yu asked Xue Yang curiously, running her fingers over her purple snake bracelet and ring in a clear silent threat.

                Xue Yang half feigned innocence, half bragged as he responded,

                “Why Madam Yu I would be honored to be punished by you, but I believe it could be seen as a little inappropriate don’t you think? For one you’re married, for another you’re an alpha and I’m just a weak little omega, you wouldn’t ruin your reputation over little old me, would you?”

                Madam Yu’s mouth twitched a little impressed, but still displeased,

                “It seems my A’Cheng has attracted quite an intelligent bunch of candidates. I wonder if there is a forthright one among you.”

                “Well if there was it would do me no good to tell you, would it?”

                Madam Yu let out a harsh sounding laugh,

                “Ha, my but you are audacious. Very well, it seems I will have to keep my eye on you as well as the rest. For now your scheme has been thwarted, and I wouldn’t recommend a repeat performance. It might not be proper for me to deal with your myself necessarily, but I still have power, and if you want any chance at earning my vote, or anyone else’s, even if you do win tomorrow I would tread carefully.”

                “I will keep your words in mind Alpha Yu.” Agreed for now, seeing no benefit in fighting her statement at the moment.

                “You would do well to do just that. Alright that’s enough for now I suppose-” Madam Yu said, before preparing to turn her attention to her son, “let’s go A’Ch-”

                Madam Yu paused once she realized that her son wasn’t even in the room. So far she’d felt that she’d been pretty magnanimous, but seeing that her son wasn’t there, she turned back around,

                “More trickery? Really? I know I’ve been fairly tolerant to this point, but omega or not if I don’t leave here with my son tonight I swear, proper or not, I’ll rip out your womb and make sure you can never play the same trick twice.” Madam Yu snapped.

                Xue Yang might have been fine with pleasure or pain, but his womb was important to him and his schemes, who knew when he’d need it again and he’d certainly never win the competition without a womb if anyone was factoring in direct heirs. Besides that he really didn’t have anything to do with the Alphas disappearance,

                “Madam Yu I assure you, I haven’t done anything to him since you’ve entered the room. How could I have the time to hide him when we’ve been talking pretty much the whole time. I wouldn’t even have been able to signal without your knowing, now would I?”

                “You act like you have no subordinates, and like signals can’t be subtle, for all I know your signal is a smirk and you’ve done plenty of that. Now I’ve been as tolerant as possible for this situation. For the time being I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. But right now I’m going to exit this room and look for my son. If I can’t find him I don’t care if he was abducted by immortals you will be the one that bears the brunt of my suspicion and thus my wrath. And your womb will be displayed amongst my personal trophies. Do I make myself clear?” she said leaning down and practically whispering at him, but her eyes were dangerous.

                Xue Yang gulped, confused to actually be feeling a bit of fear, the only two times he’d felt as much in a great many years being from Alpha Jiang and Alpha Yu. He was surprised he could feel such a thing, even though it was tinged with his usual excitement due to his twisted nature. But he definitely wanted to prevent the threat that she spoke of, so he nodded and called for someone, before looking into the others dangerous eyes, gulping and responding,

                “Perfectly. Allow me to help you to look.”

                Madam Yu stood back up, satisfied with her statement, walked out that first door, and began to search. By this time a Wen subordinate bowed and arrived,

                “Awaiting your orders my liege.”

                “Whatever you do find that prey Jiang Cheng. If he doesn’t go home with his mother my womb will!”

                “Sir?” The subordinate asked shocked by the statement, wondering if the other was joking around, messing with him, or what.

                Xue Yang looked back at him, face as serious as a heart attack, as he said,

                “No, seriously, she said she’d take my womb. I’d rather she take the one that was from hers. Sadly tonights plan didn’t work, but it’s okay. Once he’s back with his mother we can come up with a new, preferably better, plan. But for now go, I will also join you myself.”

                The subordinate dared not ask any more questioned so he bowed and went to go inform the rest of the men. Xue Yang took a few moments, or rather a few drinks, sighing to himself,

                “What a shame, it was such a good plan. Ah well, you win some, you lose some… but my womb, that I need to keep!”

                Having said that he downed one more drink and some snacks, then rushed out to find and hopefully deliver Jiang Cheng to his mother himself, lest she come back for his bits!

Chapter Text

                Once he had managed to successfully escape the room that his Mother and Xue Yang were in Jiang Cheng leaned up against the door and let out a sigh of relief. But he only paused briefly to do so before crouching down and deciding to get out of the building as soon as possible.

Considering everyone, including his own mother seemed to be out to get him, he’d rather not be kidnapped by his own mother’s group, but even more so he didn’t want to be re-kidnapped by the Wens either. It was already bad enough that he’d been grabbed the first time, and if it happened again in the same night he was a bit afraid that he could get a reputation as a damsel in distress or something.

                Not to mention he currently had other…embarrassing inconveniences as one might say that he’d also rather not get around. Thankfully it was slightly better hidden from his crouching position, although considering how uncomfortable it was he briefly debated crawling, before nixing the idea. Mostly because he really didn’t think he’d be able to mentally or emotionally handle it if he was caught crawling at the same time as his current predicament.

                Upon leaving the room he immediately turned left, following the wall to the closest corner. He wasn’t actually sure why he choose left rather than right. It felt a little like he was being drawn that way, but once he thought that he decided it was silly. Perhaps he just subconsciously wanted to go left because normally he’d go right and he’d figured that his mother would think so too. Yes, he thought, that must be it.

                Once he got to the corner he found himself with three ways to go. Forward, Left, or Right, for certainly he wasn’t going to go back where he came. He decided to follow his instincts rather than his thoughts and found himself once again turning left, but no sooner had he rounded the corner when he bumped into someone.

                Under natural circumstances it could be somewhat embarrassing for a cultivator to bump into some one, but Jiang Cheng soon found that it was much, much worse to bump into someone from a crouching position. Especially against the person in question.

                But it couldn’t be helped, and soon Jiang Cheng found himself in a very questionable position in front of none other than Lan Xichen’s feet. Eyes wide and embarassed, Jiang Cheng instantly backed up causing himself to stumble backwards.

                A concerned Lan Xichen quickly rushed forward, and with a strength that even surprised Jiang Cheng lifted the Jiang up seemingly without much effort. Jiang Cheng instinctively reached out a hand to brace himself as his legs straightened themselves out, only to realize that he had accidently done so by pressing his hands against the others chest. Swiftly realizing this Jiang Cheng dropped his hands as if it caught in the act, and quickly rushed to apologize, his ears redding once again at the very idea.

                “I’m so sorry Sect Leader Xichen, I assure you it was an accident. I wasn’t trying to… well… take advantage or anything… you know.”

                Lan Xichen’s mouth twitched and soon he couldn’t help himself but to smile at the adorable alpha, who was clearly attempting to both make and avoid eye contact in turns.

                “Nonsense, I wouldn’t mind it if you did take some advantages, as long as it’s you.”

                Jiang Cheng’s neck began to redden at that as he shook his head,

                “No, no, no one should take advantage of another. I wouldn’t purposely dream of doing something without the proper permission.”

                “Well in that case I fully grant it.” Lan Xichen said sweetly, moving closer, close enough for the drug induced Jiang Cheng to get a whiff of his scent.

                Despite himself the Jiang began to lean in. He wanted to press his very face against the other’s gland, rest his head in the crook of the other’s neck, and just… bite. It was so very close and there was nothing to stop him now. But suddenly he realized his thoughts, but was even more horrified when he realized that this time, though he could of course somewhat blame the drugs within him, he was not currently under the control of his superior alpha side, causing him to realize that this time at least the improper thoughts were his very own.

                Realizing this Jiang Cheng stumbled backwards in horror,

                “I’m sorry, I can’t, I- I really should be going.” Jiang Cheng said turning around, determined to try either of the other two options instead.

                “Wait!” Lan Xichen called, grabbing the alpha by the wrist, and causing Jiang Cheng to feel like he was being burnt from that spot all the way down to his very toes, and still he couldn’t yet bring himself to let go, instead he let the other man speak his peace, “there are kidnappers everywhere on both sides. Come with us right now and let us help you to escape while your mother and Xue Yang are distracted. Once you are safe and sound, where the others least expect you to be, I will make sure to ensure your mother that you are safe and sound.”

                Through the current somewhat foggy haze of his mind Jiang Cheng tried to register the others words, while continually glancing at the Lans slender, beautiful, unblemished, but strong looking neck. But after a few seconds a few of the others words finally registered in his brain causing him to suddenly realize that the two of them were not, as he had for some reason tunnel vision imagined, alone,

                “We?” he questioned, suddenly even more embarrassed as he looked passed the Omega to find Wei Wuxian laying as if asleep on Lan Zhan’s lap.

                For a second he let out a sigh of relief when he realized that his brother was in no state to have seen all of the embarrassing moments that had just transpired, and Lan Zhan was way too busy staring at the Wei to care enough to see as well. But once that fear subsided he suddenly realized that his brother seemed unconscious and he had no idea why,

                “Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng suddenly exclaimed, rushing towards the Wei only to be fiercely, if looks could kill glared at by Lan Zhan, and held back by Lan Xichen in this new direction once again.

                “Hold on, it’s okay, you’re brother is fine.” He soothed, pulling the Jiang against his chest and petting his hair in the hopes that he’d come down, but Jiang Cheng quickly pushed him away, eyes furrowing as he pointed at the Wei,

                “Do you expect me to believe that? Are people normally just fine when they are unconscious?!”

                “They are when they have chosen to be,” Xichen said, patting the other males hand, since his last move hadn’t worked, “although he is currently fine, he might not be if you disturb him before he returns. He’s actually getting something for me.”

                Jiang Cheng paused, thinking this over and realizing that Wei Wuxian was up to one of his risky, but impressive tricks. He had definitely seen this one before, where he basically transferred his soul into a paper talis-man, but in the past it had been more for spying than retrieving, so Jiang Cheng wondered if he even could. But even if he could why would he do something so risky for a mere object.

                Jiang Cheng’s whole body felt on fire, his brain working overtime to defeat the brain fog he was feeling at the moment, but he knew that he was missing some important information. In his normal mind he was sure all of this would have clicked immediately. But now between the heat, Lan Xichen’s smell, and his desires he felt like he was wading in a river of lotus roots, being held back each step of the way.

                Finally something clicked in his mind in between all of the distractions, and he looked up at Lan Xichen, face still flushed,

                “Wait, you said that we should escape while my mother and Xue Yang are distracted. How did you know that I was kidnapped by Xue Yang, or that my mother was here?”

                Lan Xichen glanced around for a second, before placing a hand on Jiang Cheng’s left shoulder saying,

                “Of course I will tell you everything, but now is not the time. We don’t have long before someone realizes your gone. Once Wei Wuxian is done we really need to leave immediately.”

                “Done with what?” Jiang Cheng said, stepping away from the others hand uneasily, and righting himself, before checking the other over, this time his full countenance, until hazy brain and vision or not he noticed something that wasn’t right.

                “Where is your Xiao?” Jiang Cheng questioned, moving forward, and patting the slightly taller omega down, but still not finding it.

                Lan Xichen did not respond, allowing himself to be patted as he turned his head towards his brother and the Wei, urging them internally if possible to hurry up.

                Jiang Cheng closed his eyes and tried to remember the room he was just in and what had happened. He mostly remembered the Xue’s smell and neck, taunting and urging him, the dark strength of the superior part of him that scoffed at being puppeted by anyone else. But just before his mother had walked in, something had happened. Something fell… no, now that he thought of it, maybe it was thrown. It had been long and white… in the craziness he’d chalked it up his mother’s lightning whip, but come to think of it there should have been more purple, and even more importantly she had come into the room just after.

                Although somewhat unsteady Jiang Cheng began to slowly walk in the direction of Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian, just before he reached the spot they were at the paper Talisman jumped, instrument and all, back onto Wei Wuxian, who snapped straight back into his body, bolting upright, while victoriously throwing a fist in the air, and whispering in glee as he turned his head,

                “I got it!”

                Jiang Cheng finished walking until he was just behind the Wei and noticed that there was a small opening like a window with a curtain covering it, from which Lan Xichen, Wei Wuxian, and Lan Zhan had clearly been watching from, and from which the instrument now in Wei Wuxian’s hand had entered, and from which Wei Wuxian had risked his life via talis-man to return.

                Hazy or not, Jiang Cheng was no idiot. Suddenly the scene all fell into place, and Jiang Cheng turned to Lan Xichen in surprise.

                “It was you. You stopped the bite.”

                Wei Wuxian, having just come to, also then realized that they had finally found his baby brother, and was about to glomp him, when he realized that Lan Zhan was holding him back. Somewhat annoyed the Wei omega turned his head and scowled, but Lan Zhan gestured at his brother’s face and the Jiangs, then back towards the room.

                Before Lan Xichen could confirm or deny Wei Wuxian realized they had a bigger problem,

                “Um guys, as much as I’d love to watch you guys hash this whole thing out, and hug my baby brother to safety, we’ve got bigger fish to fry. It looks like Madam Yu’s just figured out that Jiang Cheng is not in the room.” Wei Wuxian said, rushing to quickly get up only to fall backwards again.

                Lan Xichen glanced behind him, before watching as his brother caught the other boy and stood up himself,

                “I’m afraid your help has cost you something for the time being. It seems you are too weak to escape by yourself. Wangji I’ll trouble you to get Wei Wuxian out of here safely. It wouldn’t do if Madam Yu found him here, as given their history she may assume that he’s in cahoots with Xue Yang. Let’s split up here for now, and meet back at Mingjue’s.”

                Lan Zhan, as if waiting for the chance, quickly nodded and agreed, scooping up the surprised by too weak to resist Wei Wuxian, and dashing towards the staircase, while Wei Wuxian protested weakly smacking the youngest Lan’s chest, and demanding to be returned so that he could help his brother. Lan Zhan ignored his words for the time being, but loud as he was he did draw attention as he went.

                Lan Xichen watched for a few minutes as Wei Wuxian was being taken away, and turned back to see Jiang Cheng watching his brother a little distressed, but knowing that he could never catch up to Lan Zhan in his current state. So he looked back at Lan Xichen with a sigh, and said,

                “I suspect I’ve answered my own question, but it would be nice if you’d admit it, and tell it to me straight.”

                Lan Xichen looked back at the Jiang, but suddenly his ears tuned in to the door around the corner opening and then abruptly closing. Listening to the quick and demanding steps he realized that it was very likely Madam Yu, and if he truly wanted to protect Jiang Cheng from another traumatizing kidnap he was going to have to work quickly.

                “I’m sorry, I don’t have a lot of time to explain it all at the moment, but I promise you that when I have the chance I’ll explain everything. For now all I can say is that yes, I threw Liebing to distract you, and in the hopes that you’d snap out of it before you were forced to do something you’d likely regret. I promise you I did it with the best of intentions, but circumstances as they were I had no time to ask your permission so I apologize if I overstepped. Unfortunately, I will have to apologize to you again, because I will once again be doing something that you may or may not agree with at the moment, due to another lack of time.”

                “You will be doing something to me? What on earth are you planning to do- gasp- Lan Xichen, you put me down right now! This is exceptionally unseemly!” Jiang Cheng hissed, careful not to yell as he somewhat wanted to merely because of the attention and then humiliation it would bring.

                “I’m so sorry, normally I’d do exactly as you ask, but if we want to avoid Xue Yang and your mother you’re going to have to work with me for a bit.” Lan Xichen commented, and although Jiang Cheng’s brain was definitely still not all there, he still sensed that if caught this would not help avoid his potential damsel in distress image.

                Feeling embarrassed, Jiang Cheng pressed his face against Lan Xichen’s shoulder so that he didn’t have to see or be seen, but Lan Xichen proved pretty adept at avoiding people for the time being, which was impressive considering two major clans subordinates were nearly everywhere. But part of this luck, of course, was thanks to Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian who had created some confusion, and whom some people had momentarily confused for Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng, though only briefly,  and mainly by ear.

                Between the drugs, the close proximity to a stunning omega, and being jostled around, particularly being gently hit into by Liebing as Lan Xichen raced silently about, debating the best course of action, Jiang Cheng was beginning to feel pretty breathless himself. Then upon turning a corner the two were nearly spotted, but Lan Xichen quickly ducked into an open and thus abandoned room, and quickly pressed them both behind the door.

                Both Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng held their breaths as whichever group it was made their way quickly passed the room. One of them briefly paused in front of the door, and even entered. Jiang Chengs eyes widened, spotting enough behind the door to realize that it was definitely one of his mother’s disciples. Noting the Jiangs facial expression Lan Xichen quickly pressed the alpha’s face against his chest, hoping to muffle the other’s mouth without his hand in case the Jiang let out a squeak or other sound in surprise.

                After a quick check the Yu-Jiang subordinate left the room, causing Jiang Cheng to let out a sigh. Lan Xichen took a few seconds to listen to the sound of footsteps disappear from his hearing, before setting the other down and letting the Jiang  get a breather.

                Jiang Cheng literally breathed aloud as he took the break, before looking back up at Lan Xichen, who looked down at him with an expression that stole the Jiang’s breath away. Since he had been carried by the other he literally felt covered in the others scent, a scent that felt so soothing and familiar as if he had known it also in another life.

                Lan Xichen had no way of knowing this was what the other was thinking, but he too felt that he smelt of the alpha, and it would have pleased him in a much greater way if he was not consumed with thoughts of somehow losing that scent if they both were caught. It made him want to hold tighter, though he knew that his best course of action was to protect Alpha Jiang, while giving him some space to think and hopefully accept. For now at least it seemed that he had agreed to be rescued. Or so he thought when he turned back around only to look at the Jiang, who was looking at him in a similar way that a predator looks at prey.

                But before Lan Xichen could even decipher or figure out his own feelings about being looked at in that way, he felt himself drawn like a magnet towards the other male. Suddenly he recalled their previous kiss, or was it kisses by now? It was suddenly hard to remember whole being captivated by that animalistic gaze. But he could recall the sensations, the earth shattering, spell binding compulsion to come together as one. Although it was only yet just a kiss it felt entirely like suddenly dual cultivating, or intertwining, or becoming one. And Lan Xichen yearned to do so again, even now under these circumstances, or was the risk also a part of it for him? It was hard to say while hiding behind a door while two major sects looked for the person you were protecting, the one out of perhaps everyone else that you maybe wanted to protect the most, but it certainly felt like it.

                But just at the very second that Lan Xichen thought that he was about to get another taste of that sensation that made him feel better than he could even imagine it must feel to become an immortal, suddenly Jiang Cheng pulled back, looked him in the eye and said,

                “I’m sorry it’s all my fault - I can’t, I just can’t do this to you!”

                At that the Jiang was suddenly out of reach and out the door, leaving even the ever brilliant Lan Xichen at a loss for words. The Lan even found himself pausing and rewinding the scene as if he had missed something. He looked at his hands and felt the place where the other had left, and suddenly realized that Jiang Cheng had been exceptionally warm.

                Of course, having been eavesdropping a few seconds before Madam Yu had showed up he knew that the other had been drugged, and he was acting a little weird, but he thought that perhaps the superior alpha aspect of the other would have diffused the effects of the drug in an effort to regain control. Even watching the almost bite he thought that the superior alpha part of the Jiang wanted more to punish the other, at least scare him. But what if he was wrong?

                Lan Xichen realized that when it came to Jiang Cheng there was a lot more to study on the matter. Luckily, the Lan thought, half smiling, half smirking when he saw Jiang Cheng catch up to a surprised group of Yu-Jiang subordinates, it was an exceedingly interesting, exciting, and unpredictable subject, and he was more than happy to study it for the rest of his life.

                Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng who felt that he had finally got something of a control on himself had quickly escaped from the dangerous clutches of both Xue Yang and then Lan Xichen, both for completely different reasons. Considering his clearly out of control state when it came to Omegas at the moment he knew that his best chance at not biting any innocent omegas, or sullying them in any way was to go home with his mother’s disciples, who on the whole, thankfully, were mainly betas.

                The thought had come to him when he panicked realizing what he suddenly wanted to do with Lan Xichen, miraculously gained at least a short stint of clarity, and remembered the direction that the Yu-Jiang subordinate went in after checking the room.

                Considering how many people were actively looking for him, and the close proximity . He also knew that Lan Xichen might have held him back if he’d figured it out, but once Jiang Cheng yelled in the hallway the Lan would be unwise to give himself away. He couldn’t fight two sects all by himself, no matter how good he was, and if the Lan wanted to stay in Madam Yu’s good graces he definitely couldn’t be caught openly defying her.

                Not that this made Jiang Cheng feel completely relaxed on the subject, but it at least helped. But for the time being what he really felt he needed was to be locked up and detoxed from whatever crazy drug that damn Xue Yang had given him. So as soon as he managed to catch up with his mothers people he quickly shouted,

                “Here I am! It’s me Jiang Cheng, son of Madam Yu! I’m the one you want!” when he spotted the disciple who had entered the room but still not found him, which if he’d had might have lessened the Jiang’s guilt, he couldn’t help but glare, “honestly I was drugged, and I wasn’t even that difficult to find, all of you need to be retrained if this is the best that you can do. And the Wen’s disciples for that matter too! Who doesn’t keep guards outside of the room of a kidnapee?! How can they be so good at capturing people, but so bad at keeping or finding them?!”

                The Beta who had nearly rounded the corner stopped with the rest of a larger group and turned to the Jiang in surprise,

                “Alpha Jiang it’s you!” “Are you hurt?!” “Are you alright?!” “Do you need medical attention?!” Nearly simultaneously a bunch of the Yu Jiang disciples began to talk back, checking him over, and asking tons of questions.

                Jiang Cheng glanced backwards towards the room he was just in with Lan Xichen and saw a shadow pass to the other side of the door, freaking him out least Lan Xichen go crazy, change his mind, and come back for him,

                “Enough of this chatter! I’ve appeared before you so let us get out of here and to an impenetrable room with my mother there to keep watch just outside the door just in case! Lock me up and throw away the key for the love of Yunmeng!” Jiang Cheng said in a panic, before rushing forward, running in the direction of the escape, eventually passing his mother who was surprised to see him so gungho but happy that he was clearly being protected and followed by people of his own.

                Despite his top speed and crazy rambling Madam Yu walked slowly and regally to the exit, pausing just before she was about to leave to set her eagle like glaze on Xue Yang who was peeking over a subordinate’s shoulder to make sure she left. Madam Yu made a point to glance at where the omega’s womb should be if he were not hiding it behind a person, causing the Xue to shiver, and run back to his rooms. After all, now that Jiang Cheng was officially kidnapped he would need a lot of sleep to be able to formulate a whole new plan to rescue him the next day. But at least his womb should be safe… he hoped.

                Lan Xichen, for his part snuck out seemingly unnoticed, except for one Wen who watched him curiously as he went. But this Wen had no intention of stopping him, for they felt it wasn’t there business after all.

                After he escaped he met up with Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian back at Nie Mingjue’s estate. Wei Wuxian was shocked not to see Jiang Cheng until Lan Xichen explained what happened, and Wei Wuxian let out a sigh, feeling defeated for having been unable to prevent the boy’s kidnapping in the first place. Now it would be harder the next day to help without getting any credit. But at least Jiang Cheng was with his mother, which was not the worst possible place all things considered.

                And so both the kidnapee, the creator of the challenge, and all of the candidates all decided to rest up, for tomorrow would be the final decider of the first member of the councils task, and one of the most important members tasks as well, for whoever on this battle technically won two major points, considering that the leader of this challenge could potentially become their mother in law. And so the Unclean Realm and all of its main inhabitants finally got some sleep, and in the morning each prepared in their very own way.

Chapter Text

            The council, minus two members, sat back in their seats, prepared to help judge and assess the very first challenge. Of course the two most important members of the day were not there, and in the end it would be Madam Yu’s choice on this one, but in case of questionable practices by any and all parties it was decided that the others could be something like referees.

            Before the council stood the contestants, most of them looking curiously tired and disheveled. All in fact, except Wen Qing, who tilted her head at the others in surprise. Seconded only by Lan Xichen, who those closest to him including two of the judges and his two family members who were there watching with curiosity could tell had not gotten enough rest, but no one else could, even including the Wen who could have swore they saw them at the Wen’s Inn the night before, but was now somewhat second guessing themselves.

            Whatever the case, Nie Mingjue found himself frowning at the three exhausted parties, shaking his head with a sigh as he said aloud,

            “Why does it seem as if only one of you has truly come prepared to compete today?”

            Wen Qing looked around again, before realizing that Nie Mingjue meant her and frowned at the very idea. The only reason she was well rested was that she had no intention of attempting to save Jiang Cheng in the first place. In fact, she wished one of the other guys had found and rescued him the night before so that they could have either moved on to the next round, or had a break that day, and either way she’d be one negative vote down and only have two more to go to be disqualified. But judging from the looks of the others they’d all failed, meaning that she was going to have to spend the day pretending to compete and hoping not to get caught by the Wen sect leader lest it affect her poor younger brother.

            Speaking of which she remembered that she was being watched now, so although she wanted to kick each of the other three for being useless, instead she nodded to show appreciation at being acknowledged and put on her game face. The other three contenders neither wanted to annoy the judges, nor did they have an excuse, so they stayed silent for the time being, causing Mingjue to cut his admonishments short and get to the main task at hand,

            “As you know today your job is to find and rescue Alpha Jiang. You may do so by any means necessary short of dismembering, killing, or maiming anyone, burning down anything … actually, short of most bloodshed so keep it clean in that sense. Good luck to you all and may the best candidate win.”

            Nie Huaisang held up his fan to stop his brother from rushing the procedure, fanning himself as he interjected,

            “But before we begin we should explain what we the council have decided in order to create a fair competition. Originally we had planned merely to vote on a winner per task given, with that winner winning the overall vote, but since the best candidate is the most well rounded and the first task hasn’t been completed yet we’ve decided to assign points for first through fourth place in each task.”

            “For each of the tasks first place will receive 10 points, second 8, third 6, and fourth 4. If any of the candidates get fourth place 3 or more times, or has the lowest amount of points, they will be disqualified before the final round. The candidate with the highest amount of points in the end will win the council’s vote.” Mingjue continued quickly.

            Wei Wuxian frowned in thought as he murmured to himself, thinking about how to lose based off of this new information. He wondered if it would be easier or harder on him. Whatever it was, it was at least definitely something to think about.

            While he was pondering this Meng Yao decided to say something himself, not to be outdone by Mingjue or Huaisang, he instantly got the contestants attention,

            “At my count you may start,” Meng Yao chimed in has he held up his fingers, detracting one for each count, until he had only a fist as he said, “3…2….1…Go!”

            Despite being two of the main players from the night before, Xue Yang and Lan Xichen were the first of the contestants to quickly run off, going thankfully in opposite direction. Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian however hesitated, eyeing each other for a second before silently repeatedly insisting that the other go first, to the amusement of some and the anger of others. This delay tactic, due to the hawk eyed elders of each side, could not last forever unfortunately for these uninterested parties, so upon Wei Wuxian seeing a look of disappointment on his adopted father’s face, and Wen Qing seeing the obvious threat in her sect leader’s, both quickly dispersed.

            Once Wei Wuxian was out of such an obvious and open area he breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had put on a big show about not wanting to go through with the days task, he actually did want to find and free his beloved baby brother. But he definitely didn’t want to get caught doing so all things considered. Still, with Xue Yang out there as a possible marriageable option he felt he had better tackle that hurdle instead. Especially considering the fact that points were important. If he could somehow distract Xue Yang so that he ended up on last place, then he could take third and keep them both off the likely list.

            Actually now that he thought about it, rather than waste his efforts when Jiang Cheng was clearly just somewhere with his mother and therefore safe as long as Xue Yang didn’t get to him,  he really felt that his unique talents would be best utilized by putting his attention on Xue Yang. He not only wanted to get pay back from his little brother’s kidnapping, but also wanted more information on what fully happened between the two. Sure he’d been a part of a small group that saw some of the ending portion of the situation, but he couldn’t be sure that Xue Yang hadn’t seduced his brother in some way and to some degree before he got there, and until he was able to speak to his brother Xue Yang was the only other person with such information. So while other contestants looked for Madam Yu’s set up and Jiang Cheng himself, Wei Wuxian began to hunt for one unhinged Xue.

            Meanwhile, Lan Xichen, who had separated from the group as early as possible in order to strategize, stood on his sword from up above, looking around from an aerial vantage point, was quite serious on the subject. Knowing since the day before that tracking would be somewhat necessary; Lan Xichen had asked one of the Lan subordinates to bring him a specific spell from the Lan Library. It had taken all night and he’d been busy for most of it so he’d nearly forgotten about it until it was delivered straight into his hands that morning. Having already come up with a strategy for himself, he was about to play it, when he paused having spotted a recognizable face who was moving about especially slowly.

            Lan Xichen frowned eyeing the newcomer warily as he watched the other casually lifting branches, leaves, and even rocks out of the way as if Jiang Cheng could possibly have shrunken to worm size and hid. Such behavior, rather than making Xichen relieved, felt somehow more suspicious.

            Amongst all of the contestants, Lan Xichen knew the least about this one, and the contestant before him was, in his opinion, so different from the others that they needed to be analyzed and possibly dealt with in some manner if need be. And So Lan Xichen quietly and gracefully descended from above, landing fairly silently next to the only alpha and female contestant of their competition: Of course this was none other than Wen Qing.

            Lan Xichen gently tapped on the woman’s shoulder,

            “Pardon me, but may I ask what it is you are doing?”

            Wen Qing turned towards the Lan calmly, not at all startled by his sudden appearance, since as an alpha she had sensed light, gentle, and calming pheromones from above just a while ago. Unlike the majority of the cultivation world however, Wen Qing was not impressed with or attracted to Lan Xichen. That being said he was still a sect leader so she gave him an appropriate bow and responded,

            “I’m looking for Sandu Shengshou of course.”

            Lan Xichen’s eyebrow rose at that, before pointing to the last spot that she had checked, behind a bush that even a rabbit would have had a difficult time hiding in, size wise,

            “And you somehow think he would be found here?”

            Wen Qing didn’t bother looking at the spot he was pointing at, keeping a straight face as she nodded,

            “You never know where a trap door may be. Besides, haven’t you heard the saying, “leave no stone unturned?”

            Having said this she immediately demonstrated her point by crouching down and literally turning a stone in order to prove her point, or lay down her alibi anyway, but for what Lan Xichen could not tell. Her clear disinterest for finding Jiang Cheng should have made Lan Xichen feel relieved, but in all actuality all it did was cause him to feel even more wary and suspicious of her.

            Of course this was not only due to her current acting, but because of previous intel, the kind he had looked up just after Jiang Cheng had fled the scene and before Lan Xichen had gone to attempt to claim his hand in marriage.

            It hadn’t taken a lot of research to find out that Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing had known each other before in school. Being a couple of years older than Lan Zhan’s Gusu class, Lan Xichen had already completed his studies by the time that the next major sect’s children and honored subordinates came along. He himself had popped in to the classroom occasionally where he’d spent most of his attention on his brothers, the Jiangs, and Meng Yao thanks to the latter coming along with Nie Huaisang. There had been less of a care to pay attention to Wens except the few occasions where they started trouble and disrupted the class enough for Lan Xichen to sense it and deal with it, and even then it was unsurprisingly mostly Wen Chao causing the chaos. Wen Qing had been pretty quiet overall, but research and rumor suggested that Jiang Cheng had a crush on her. Not much was said about her feelings on the matter, but Lan Xichen couldn’t imagine anyone besides his elders and little brother not falling for the Jiang.

            Besides that when he racked his brain he did recall them being close in some manner. Once in a while he would see the two chatting from a far. They both gave each other space for the most part, but they still gave off something of a close vibe. Considering the addition of points he wondered if perhaps Wen Qing was playing the long-game, deciding to throw a round in order to cause the rest of them to underestimate her. This was even more reasonable when you realized that she was the only alpha and the only female of the candidates. On the other hand she could just as easily be looking down on her omega opponents. Perhaps she felt she could catch up whenever she wanted because she was an alpha.

            Because of these factors Lan Xichen found himself wary of her, so for the time being he kept something of an eye on her. Wen Qing found this both amusing and annoying. Amusing because she truthfully saw Jiang Cheng as a good friend, but had never had any interest in courting him, and annoying because ever since she found out that the competition would be point based and that there was a chance for escape by consistently being last place she had decided to do her best to get the worst score three times in a row in order to be disqualified. But if Lan Xichen was paying more attention to her than looking for and rescuing Jiang Cheng than he might accidentally stumble into fourth place, thus taking the coveted spot (at least for her and likely Wuxian). So after a few minutes of being watched like a hawk and followed by a suspicious Lan, she paused in looking in the dumbest places for her friend Jiang Cheng, and let out a sigh,

            “I know you may not believe me, but there really is no reason to be cautious of me in this case. Jiang Cheng and I are just friends, and although it isn’t really any of your business if it will get you off of my back and back on track I will say this: I am only in this competition to save a life, that of my brother’s. Sect Leader Wen uses him as bait against me all of the time. If you don’t believe me ask anybody, including my brother, he couldn’t lie if either his or my life depended on it.”

            Lan Xichen thought this over, but still eyed her. Without further research he could only glean so much. He did note that if she were lying she would have to be a very good actress, for she did look fairly sincere. If only he had the power to read minds like people believed he did due to being able to decipher his brother’s unique form of communication, or lack thereof.

            Wen Qing, being fairly intuitive, sensed this and let out a huff of a laugh before lifting a hand to cover her words from potential outsiders who might be able to see them as she said,

            “Actually, rather than Jiang Cheng, I used to have a crush on his sister. She’s more my type if you get my drift.”

            Lan Xichen paused in surprise, looking back at her after a second in contemplation, considering whether to believe her or not. Wen Qing met his gaze calmly and with a little bit of a smirk as she thought of her previous crush. She nearly let out another sigh thinking it was a pity that Yanli had been betrothed since birth, and even more that she actually liked the peacock-like guy. She felt it was a little tragic, even though she also felt that she was also quite happy and content raising her brother and being single. That being said, she was not about to switch to Jiang Cheng. Lan Xichen was inclined to want to believe her, but he still felt cautious about her, perhaps due to being the closest to Jiang Cheng outside of his own family in the first place, but considering, at the very least, she seemed to be determined to throw this first round, he decided that he had more important things to do at the moment than conjecture about her or follow her to continue watching her look in impossible places. So, for the time being, he bid her fair well, and returned to the skies to continue his search.

            And so the very first competition had begun, with three contestants looking for someone, and one very much hoping not to find someone. But little did they know that two of the contestants were not as far away as they might have thought.  

Chapter Text

            “Mother, I know this challenge is important to you and all, but for the love of Yunmeng do you have to be THIS realistic about it?!” Jiang Cheng questioned.

            Normally Jiang Cheng was not one to question his mother. He had the utmost fear –ahem- respect for her, outside of the dark superior alpha within him. He was kind, grateful, and filial, but to be fair to him in this particular instance he was also dangling from the ceiling of a cave-like under ground structure, held mostly by a rope.

            Fortunately even Madam Yu, who had made this decision, had to admit that this method was worth something of a spirited conversation at the very least. But of course she was quite ready to defend her actions,

            “Of course it has to be realistic. How else am I supposed to know which of these so called marriage prospects I can entrust with your life?”

            “First of all I would like to point out that the kidnapping of one’s adult son should not normally be at the forefront of a parents mind, and even if for whatever reason it was they don’t usually actually act on it!” Jiang Cheng insisted wiggling in the air in protest, before continuing, “secondly, does that mean I am expected to just dangle here potentially for hours?!”

            Madam Yu scoffed at the comment, taking a sip from her cup of tea at the makeshift rock table that had been set up for her, her two most trusted disciples from before marriage on either side faces unreadable, with some Jiangs at any currently possible entrance of the cave at the moment, before responding,

            “Whoever told you our sect was normal grossly mislead you, and as for your second question, I’ll have you note that I dangled you in the most comfortable of positions. I even made it so the rope holds most of your weight, and you even have a platform just under you so don’t be so dramatic.”

            Jiang Cheng frowned as he purposely demonstrated just how much of a help the alleged ‘platform’ was. Truthfully the word platform was being exceptionally gracious. What she was referring to as one was the equivalent of a one and half foot thick branch. Considering most of Jiang Cheng’s weight was being held by the rope around him, it was still holding up, but Jiang Cheng had to work hard and concentrate to actually even get a few seconds rest on it. His feet both only fit when he was basically on his tippy toes in the air. When he went to attempt to settle down if he had perfect balance then he could breathe for a second or two before he lost balance and ended up angrily dangling again. He made sure to show this to his mother with a very judgy expression before frowning at her in disapproval once his balance was lost and he began swinging again before he took a break and the rope settled. Clearly he completely disapproved.

            Madam Yu’s mouth twitched, a little amused by her son’s antics. She thought he looked pretty adorable glaring and flailing around via the rope. She had made sure that it should be as comfortable as she could manage in case it really did take hours for her Cheng to be rescued. But she felt the thought of just having him tied up in a chair so…basic and boring. So she ignored her son’s protests, saying,

            “You’ll be fine, don’t be so dramatic.”  

            Jiang Cheng glared at her, not even caring if she noticed and took offense to it, as far as he was concerned he was already being unfairly punished, so he wasn’t worried about righteous punishment for now. But as he rocked side to side he couldn’t help but wonder why his internal superior alpha was allowing this ‘humiliation’, did it not see it as one or worse was it enjoying it because it didn’t consider it to be it’s own problem?

            Whatever the case, Jiang Cheng wanted to exterminate it. It was bad enough that it made him feel like an out of control monster, but the fact that it just did what it pleased and always came at a bad time instead of a helpful time was in the Jiangs opinion absolutely unacceptable. If he had to deal with the bad parts, there should at least be some kind of benefit other than the cultivation world suddenly wanting him to marry into their families, and quite frankly Jiang Cheng was still counting that as a punishment rather than a benefit, after all that was the reason he was dangling in the air like a fish caught and stuck on a fisherman’s hook in the water. Also it was bad enough that his own sect got to see him like this, he would be even more humiliated if the contestants saw him and worse rescued him like some sort of damsel in distress.

            He couldn’t believe that this was the work of someone who called herself his mother…although, on second thought Jiang Cheng realized that actually he could. Because it was his mother. His alpha mother who made a great many men flee from fear in her time. But he still wished that she would cut down on her showmanship and obsession with realism during this asinine kidnapping scenario that she had made up herself. How this was supposed to help her determine her favorite mostly omega marriage candidate Jiang Cheng felt he might never know.

            After a little more squirming his temper began to rise again, and he hissed,

            “Could you at least let me down until there is even the faintest chance that someone is in the area? I know you must have sent some people to track each one of them, so as long as they didn’t lose their tail it’s not like you wouldn’t know.”

            Madam Yu shook her head,

            “No, no whether I sent people to tail them or not we can’t be absolutely sure that we won’t be surprised. All of the candidates seem pretty surprising if you ask me. Besides what if they do lose the tail or the tail has no way to signal me? Or what if one of them is incredibly lucky and just happens upon it without even trying? No son, you’ll just have to grin and bear it for now.”

            “That’s ridiculous! Do you really think that one of them is just going to magically appear from out of nowhere in this random ground cave thing that the Nie’s probably don’t even know exist here? Besides how would they get in before we had at least a few minutes to dangle me from the ceiling? You’ve got look outs and people at all of the possible entrances. What do you think that all of a sudden a brand new opening will just appear out of-”

            A loud bang and an explosion erupted from the ground diagonally behind him, although Jiang Cheng questioned if it could still be called the ground if it was over ones head like a ceiling. It was not directly just above him but rather a bit diagonal, but he still very much had to look up as well as back for this one. The rope however, was still quite securely in place, which was more than could be said of Jiang Cheng’s current dignity and sanity, at least in his own estimation,                                                          

            “-nowhere.” The young alpha finished weakly, his mother eyeing him haughtily.

            “You were saying?” she quipped with a raised brow.

            Jiang Cheng looked back at the now random hole in the ceiling and wisely choose not to respond to that remark, for the time being anyway.

            “Now aren’t you glad that you listened to me and stayed in position?” she questioned, as she rose, preparing herself for a fight.

            “No.” the Jiang stated honestly and stubbornly.

            “You aren’t actually planning on fighting them? You do realize that they all have intense political ties and that you are way overpowered to be doing that, right?”

            “Don’t worry I won’t hurt any of them too badly. I know when to stop.” Madam Yu insisted, cracking her knuckles.

            “Somehow I highly doubt that,” Jiang Cheng said with a sigh nervously glancing up, yet thankful not to see anyone poking their head or anything else through the hole in the ceiling yet.

            “If it makes you feel better I won’t use weapons then.”

            Jiang Cheng let out a little sigh at that. Grateful for that at least.

            “Not that I’ll need them.” Madam Yu finished under her breath as she glided over to stand waiting on the ground just underneath the open hole, like a snake waiting for a rodent to fall into its trap.

            And for his part Jiang Cheng craned his neck to look just slightly behind him at the opening to, willing whoever made the hole to rethink their life choices. Although, he had to admit, he also wouldn’t mind if they at least helped him get down and untied first.

Chapter Text

            Each of the contestants had their own priorities at the moment. Lan Xichen was using his magical locating sheet music, Wen Qing was questioning a colony of ants on JC’s whereabouts, and Wei Wuxian was on the hunt for a man with a missing pinky. The only man thus far unaccounted for was perhaps one of the two contestants that was likely more dangerous when you didn’t hear from them, in this case of course, it was Xue Yang.

            Xue Yang had charted his own course, knowing from the beginning, that the direction any of them took was pure luck. There was no rhyme or reason for his choice, he simply took it, but that’s not to say that he didn’t have something of a strategy.

            You see, as playful as Xue Yang could be, he was also a particularly formidable omega. In his younger years he did, after all, destroy entire minor clans with practically his bare hands, missing pinky and all. As a matter of fact there was a time when he wondered if he would have been quite as dangerous and formidable as an alpha or a beta. He sincerely doubted it, particularly if he’d been a beta. He found betas to be such boring kinds of people, but then again betas were meant to bring order to a chaotic world, and chaos was exactly where Xue Yang felt comfortable.

            Ever since he had presented Xue Yang had used his omega status. It hadn’t slowed him down one bit, rather it helped him thrive. The power of an omega was so versatile. He could play the average alpha like a fiddle. All it took was a brief minute to figure out what kind of role he should play with an alpha. And there were so many cards to play. He had played the weak, damsel in distress. The obedient little omega darling. The fragile child. The invalid. The seductress. The expectant mother. The concerned mommy figure. Whatever an alpha was looking for he could play along. Sometimes it was even fun, nearly like shape shifting, other times he hated it, and you could usually tell by how gruesome or prolonged the demise of said alpha.

            The only one that he felt had been actually real was Xiao Xingchen. Of course Xiao Xingchen had started as a mark, just like the rest of them. And Xue Yang did certainly have his fun with him, in a way that was definitely psychologically damaging to the other. But that had been at the beginning. Eventually even Xue Yang didn’t want to taint the purity of the alpha. Of course Xue Yang didn’t understand love. He understood obsession, possession, and vying for affection. Although he couldn’t see him, Xingchen was still an alpha at heart, only he had the ability to sooth Xue Yang more than vice versa. But his adopted daughter and former lover had ruined all that, at least in Xue Yang’s estimation.

            Xue Yang felt that love had made him weak, and the result had been the same anyway. Xiao Xingchen was dead, whether it was by his hands or not, and anything that was left of him was in the hands of his greatest enemy, the beta ex who had deserted Xingchen before only to return to ruin everything.

            This loss did something more than cause the untimely death of a good man. It also caused Xue Yang to become even more warped, if it was possible, but also even more dangerous, for now he was rarely caught off guard. Instead he came prepared, in this case with some heavy fire power.

            When Xue Yang got, what he assumed to be, far enough away from the competition, he glanced down at his bag with a satisfied smile, gently petting his secret weapons as if they were little pets rather than weapons of mass destruction. He listened and glanced around, until he was satisfied that he hadn’t stumbled upon anything important as of yet. He let out a little sigh at the thought, but covered his special surprises back up, before spotting something from the corner of his eye.

            Xue Yang did his best not to take a second look, but he couldn’t help but smirk, albeit at the ground for now. In all honesty though, he had been expecting as much. It was actually part of his plan, which made it all the more difficult not to get excited when his suspicions were proven to be correct. Unfortunately his bag wouldn’t be much help considering he both wanted and needed to keep this one alive. He nearly wanted to pout at the thought, feeling that life really had a way of testing his patience.

            Although the bag was not meant for his current prey, it was true that he still needed to bag it, so to speak. So Xue Yang looked around briefly, before finding an old seemingly abandoned house, or more like hut if one was being honest, slipping into it as soon as possible.

            The figure he had spotted followed, and Xue Yang watched as the man’s shadow crossed from the outside. The omega kept an eye on the shadows trajectory as he stood on a well worn table, doing his best to make a hole in the roof as quietly as he could. Once he made one the omega squeezed himself through it and crawled across it until he saw a man attempting to listen from outside the door, craning his neck further and further as he heard nothing. Until it clearly occurred to him that he shouldn’t be so out in the opening. Xue Yang watched as the man began to back up, preparing to find cover just in case, but the omega was not about to let him get away with that.

            As soon as the target hit the mark that Xue Yang had guessed he would, the Xue launched himself at the spy. Grabbing the man’s arms from behind and wrestling him to the floor. The man barely knew what hit him, before he ended up a captive. He let out a surprised sound before Xue Yang began to drag the man back into the abandoned house, grabbing a piece of rope and tying the man’s arms together, then tying the rest of him to a chair,

            “Welcome to my make shift humble abode. As you may have noticed I have been expecting you, or rather someone anyway, not necessarily you. I knew a powerful alpha like Madam Yu would have a contingency plan. Unluckily for her, yet more importantly you, I’ve caught you. So now, if you want to save yourself an excruciating amount of pain and energy you should do the sensible thing and tell me where Madam Yu is holding Alpha Jiang. Otherwise even I can’t tell you exactly what I’ll do to you just yet. But as I’m sure you know, my reputation precedes me.”

            Having been taught by the Jiangs from a young age, the man in front of him didn’t initially react. He would not be that easy to break. But he was, in fact, quite nervous, the hairs rising from his neck as he thought of all of the speculation and rumors there were about Xue Yang and what he did to his victims. The Jiang in question bit his tongue so as to distract himself in the hopes that he would not disgrace himself. Although a part of him couldn’t help but think that it was somewhat silly to risk his life and limbs to keep the secret of a competition. It wasn’t as if Sandu Shengshou was actually in danger. But even though it was just a game, he couldn’t help but think that if he gave up the sects position it would have dire consequences of its own. He did not want to get a reputation for snitching and earn the sects distrust. He warred with these two opposing thoughts for a few seconds and Xue Yang let him, watching curiously. But of course he wasn’t content with just leaving the man to consider his options indefinitely, and so after a few seconds he casually said,

            “It’s fine to think, but my patience is not unlimited. You have to the count of ten before I begin to get violent,” Omega Xue practically purred, elongating the first number, “Ooooooonnnne. Twoooooo.”

            After two Xue Yang back handed the Jiang disciple in front of him, causing the Jiangs head to whip to the side, before the man’s eyes opened wide and he accused,

            “But you said you’d count to ten!”

            Xue Yang looked down at the man with a snort,

            “Funny how you instantly trust whatever is said to you. You’d think you’d never been lied to before. But I’m a man of action, if you tempt me with such a smack able face, and give me no reason not to, why should I hold myself back?”

            The Jiang disciples eyes widened in horror as the others madness began to seep out, only then realizing just how bad it actually was. Although such a face amused him, Xue Yang suddenly didn’t feel like playing games anymore. After all the Jiang disciple before him was such a boring, unworthy opponent. And time was ticking. In order to get ahead in the competition he needed to come in first place, and the quickest way to do that was to get directions from a Jiang disciple, and here one had practically been served to him on a plate.

            “Still not talking? How loyal, stupid, but loyal, but that’s okay, there are plenty of ways to make you talk. I’d prefer it be quick, but good things do usually take some time, don’t they?” Xue Yang questioned, grabbing the man by the back of his hair and yanking backwards, foot stomping down between the man’s legs, “but then again maybe you wouldn’t know.”

            Xue Yang reached inside his pocket and pulled out a short blade, preparing to press it against the others neck for his next threat, when suddenly he heard a voice above him,

            “Put the knife down and walk away from the Jiang or you will soon be missing more than a finger.”

            Xue Yang looked up through the hole that he himself had made before, not expecting it to be used against him, and through that whole was a familiar silhouette attached to the familiar voice that he’d just heard. A black and red shadow even in the day, with long black hair blowing in the wind, and a dizi hovering a breath away from the man’s lips.

            “We really should stop meeting like this.” Xue Yang commented, appearing calm despite the potential harbinger of doom, but he did step away from the tied up Jiang disciple to give the figure from above his full attention.

            “How about we agree to not meet again at all?” the voice replied with words that be spelled humor, but a tone that sounded like anything but.

            “Aw, it breaks my heart to hear you say that, after all I always felt that you were a mentor to me, even if we didn’t interact much in person.”

            “Well if you feel that way than step outside, and allow me to teach you a lesson. Of course this one will be much more hands on than you’re used to.” The figure stated, sounding like a grim promise.

            “How could I refuse such a gracious offer?” Xue Yang said, as he made his way out of the structure, and the man above practically floated down, “especially from a grandmaster and all.”

             Said Grandmaster and Xue Yang squared off for a fight, before the Xue crooked three fingers towards himself, egging the other to attack first as he teased,

            “Show me your worse Wei Wuxian, I’ll be sure to remember it.”

            Wei Wuxian didn’t bother with responding this time, instead bringing his dizi to his lips, and beginning the fight.

Chapter Text

            Wei Wuxian was also not your average omega or even your average cultivator. While most people of the major sects outside of the Wen sect, stuck mainly to the Lan teachings with their own sects additional flair, Wuxian traveled to the beat of his own drum.

            From the beginning Wei Wuxian had not been very interested in the sword arts, which was particularly odd for most of the cultivator sects outside of the Nie Sect. Even after he was given and activated the sword he had even named it Subian, aka “whatever.” And that’s about what he thought of it, truth be told.

            Growing up with the Jiang Sect he did enjoy archery here and there, but it was more fun to randomly surprise people with his prowess or verse Jiang Cheng and the other disciples for a friendly game. Truth to tell though the first form of weapon that he fell in love with, so to speak were actually talismans.

            When he was pretty little, he’d realized that Jiang Yanli was actually fairly frail and somewhat sickly. Wuxian had actually been pretty surprised by this. To him his Jie Jie was strong and lovely. Even immediately, recalled her carrying both him and Jiang Cheng, so at first he didn’t believe it. But once a person hears something it’s only human nature to begin looking for signs. Whether to prove it right or wrong is a matter for the individual.

            Jie Jie did not go out much, nor did she have a lot of energy. Sometimes when walking she paused and leaned ever so slightly against the wall skin looking as if it were few shades off from ghostly. She never fought physically and extremely rarely even fought verbally. Instead she used her exceptionally thin wrists and hands to write out talismans for Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian, and after she did she had to go to her room and rest for a long time.

            So after Wei Wuxian figured this out he began to grow the urge to be with her and protect her even more. So one day, Wei Wuxian casually and naturally slipped into the seat next to her, and asked, with his cute face and wide eyes if she would teach him how. At first Yanli had hesitated, but one look at his sweet and determined face she caved and calmly began to teach him all about talismans.

            Although at first Wei Wuxian did it to help and be with his Jie Jie, he was surprised to find how versatile they were and he very much liked them. Talismans could be used in so many different ways and they could be adapted by the user for so many different purposes. It was this perhaps that lead to Wei Wuxian’s inventing nature and curiosity. A whole new world of power had been illuminated before his eyes. Power that could be used for good, like protecting his strong-hearted Jie Jie, and his precious Di Di.

            The second form of weapon that Wei Wuxian would later say “seduced him” was that of one of the Lan instruments. But contrary to the popular beliefs of some, it was not Lan Zhan’s weapon that seduced him, but Lan Xichen’s.

            Lan Xichen was rarely in the classroom during the time that Wei Wuxian and his siblings attended Gusu, but one of the times that he actually was happened to be a time that the Wen’s had crashed the classroom. Students had been presenting gifts to Grandmaster Qiren and Lan Xichen had been present was generally fairly quiet and unassuming outside of his looks and surprisingly happy temperament. But when it looked like the Wens and some of the students were about to go head to head suddenly a soothing, melodious sound pierced through the tension and air and everyone began to instantly calm down. Wei Wuxian had felt it and though it was a good feeling it had given him goosebumps. Lan Xichen hadn’t so much as touched a hair on his head, but with one song he’d changed his whole attitude. It was a power that left him in awe and stirred up something hungry and curious inside of him, and made him think that flutes were quite possibly the coolest of weapons.

            The Lan Sect was the perfect place to learn instrument style magic of course, but Wei Wuxian didn’t want to look like he was blatantly copying Lan Xichen and inevitably he found that playing a Xiao, straight on was cumbersome and got in the way of getting to the point. Not to mention it’s sound was soothing and calming, but when Wei Wuxian fought demons and meant business he was not in the mood to suppress them, but rather control and command them.  

            During the many Lan lectures a hypothesis began to grow inside of him. He began to question everything and didn’t understand why some things that could be used for good were classified as bad, or even more to the point, demonic.

            Eventually Wei Wuxian choose to use a dizi, a black bamboo flute, and began following the path of what was classified as demonic cultivation, which was seen as evil, despite him using it for justice and good. Eventually Grandmaster Lan Qiren banished him from the school for these practices and Jiang Fengmian pulled Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli out as well in protest, Wei Wuxian felt guilty and sorry for this for some time, but did his best to make it up to them in his own way.

            But after that he did become more and more obsessed about proving his theory and testing his hypothesis. Eventually he even wrote about it, created inventions late into the night like some kind of mad scientist, honing his craft. And eventually after using their strange and forbidden techniques he gained a nickname that eventually got to the ears even of Xue Yang,

            “Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation.”

            Wei Wuxian had initially not liked the title, instead he’d thought it just perpetrated the fear, hypocrisy of stereotype of what he was trying to prove it was not. But as he delved deeper and deeper into new and forbidden techniques he had to admit that it was growing on him a little bit. Especially now with Xue Yang across from him looking every bit the crazed menace that he was.

            “If you want the grandmaster of Demonic cultivation here I am. Let’s hope you don’t regret it.”

            With that Wei Wuxian closed his eyes and began to play a song on his dizi. But unlike Lan Xichen’s Liebing, which calmed and restrained, Wei Wuxian’s changing felt like it reached out and grabbed it’s audience attempting to control, dominate, and manipulate.

            Xue Yang let out a screeching laugh as the noise began to sow discord in his ears,

            “Funny that you act so self-righteous, but you use demonic cultivation. What a hypocrite.”

            Wei Wuxian paused briefly to respond, writing a talisman up as he did,

            “Pity that what you lost was just a pinky finger. If it had been me I would have gone for your tongue. Then again there’s still time to rectify that.” Wei Wuxian said as he threw the talisman.

            Xue Yang quietly brought up his sword Jiangxai to block it, then cut the talisman in half, eyes narrowed, but his mouth twisted up into a full blown smirk style smile as he sarcastically responded,

            “Oh no, not my tongue! Then again I wouldn’t recommend it, after all your younger brother is a big fan.”

            At that Xue Yang made another obscene gesture and Wei Wuxian’s face became especially stormy,

            “Get my Di Di’s name out of your mouth, before I break your jaw as a life-long reminder of it.”

Chapter Text

            Xue Yang snickered, reorganizing that he’d soften to the other as he said,

            “Oh, even you want to taste too? Well I had heard that you like to take whatever is rightfully Jiang Cheng’s, but pity that you’re only an omega, just you alone is not likely enough to satisfy me. Oh, but then again you’re not actually a Jiang by blood are you? In that case I wouldn’t mind both. Think of the possibilities, me, you, and your precious-”

            But before Xue Yang could finish his taunt Wei Wuxian was done with listening to him. Dizi in hand, he brought it to his lips, playing a sound so eerie that even Xue Yang’s skin began to crawl. But not one to sit and wait, Xue Yang began to charge forward, brining his sword up and suddenly swinging downwards at the other like he was holding a hatchet. Wei Wuxian quickly rolled to the side just as it landed, sinking into the ground enough that Xue Yang had to pull back aggressively to unearth it, giving Wei Wuxian enough time to step down hard on the other’s hand, causing him to drop it. Xue Yang however was undeterred, abandoning his sword in favor of attempting to grab Wuxian’s dizi.

            Wei Wuxian side stepped just in time to throw off Xue Yang, who stumbled, before catching himself with a little laugh, and suddenly pivoting his body backwards while unearthing a knife from his robes, attempting to imbed it straight into Wei Wuxian and annihilate one of his competitors if possible. But just seconds before it was meant to make contact, a greenish gray hand erupted from the ground wrapping it’s hand around Xue Yang’s wrist and squeezing hard until the knife dropped, before beginning to claw its way out of the ground.

            “Friend of yours?” Xue Yang questioned, ruefully.

            This time it was Wei Wuxian’s turn to laugh as he paused his playing briefly in order to tease,

            “Since you like the thought of playing with three people so much, I figured you wouldn’t mind if I invited some friends to our little match.”

            Xue Yang’s mouth was still a partial smirk as he called his sword over to him and quickly cut off the offending arm,

            “I don’t mind, any man you can take so can I after all. But I am curious, how did you know there would be a corpse here to play with in the first place?” he questioned as the rest of the body stood up in between Xue Yang and Wei Wuxian.

            “Easy, this is the cultivation world, and we are in the Unclean Realm. The Nie’s ancestors were butchers who Qi deviated. Even if there weren’t any dead humans, there ought to at least be a dead pig or two.”

            Xue Yang let out a huff, sounding slightly offended for the first time of the conversation,

            “You think you could have taken me with the undead corpse of a pig? Please even this guy won’t be enough?! Besides I’ve never seen or heard of you raising animals from the dead, is that something you can even do?”

            As if to prove his point he swung his sword and buried it into the corpse. But the corpse didn’t feel it, being dead already, and began to smack and throw punches. Xue Yang realized his mistake immediately and began to hack off the rest of the corpse’s limbs while doing his best to dodge before sticking a talisman of his own on the body and disintegrating it.

            “See?” he added smugly, despite being covered in dirt and bruises, “I even managed to use your own techniques against you.”

            Wei Wuxian casually glanced at the talisman, noting it as a forgery of his own previous ones.

            “Oh, was that meant to be a technique of mine?” Wei Wuxian asked, feigning ignorance of it for the second, “I guess it’s hard to tell when it’s an attempt at a copy. After all there’s no substitute for the original after all. Also there’s something else that you’re wrong about. But it must be difficult for someone like you to keep track, huh?”

            “Oh?” Xue Yang questioned, pressing the top of his sword into the ground, leaning on it briefly like it was a cane, “then I suppose you’d care to enlighten me?”

            Wei Wuxian smiled,

            “It’s not just one corpse you have to contend with. But I’m sure your motto is the more the merrier, all things considered right?” At that Wei Wuxian quickly began to play again, instantly pouring tremendous amounts of energy into his spells. Xue Yang began to turn around slowly, watching as hand after undead hand began to claw their way out of dirt graves and stood in between dug mounts on solid ground, each facing Xue Yang with dead eyes.

            Xue Yang let out a whistle upon seeing such a large group, before saying,

            “My, My Wuxian, that’s a lot of men you have there. Luckily for you if anyone could take them all, it’s me.”

            Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow at the comment. Just as Xue Yang reached into his belongings, unearthing his secret weapons with, but of a put on sigh,

            “My poor babies, I meant to be with you for longer, but mean old Wei Wuxian brought out his toys so of course I have to share mine. But don’t worry, I’ll make more of you next time.” He faux soothed as he held a handful in his left and instantly threw one towards Wei Wuxian.

            Wei Wuxian paused his song, clutching his dizi close to his chest as he quickly dodged. The moment the ball like creation made contact with the ground an explosion occurred, in this case right where Wei Wuxian had just been, to the point that even Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened in surprise as he attempted to briefly assess the damage. But by the time his brain registered an open hole in the earth, his instincts saved him from Xue Yang’s second throw, purposely aimed when he was distracted. In fact, Wei Wuxian had been so surprised initially that had it not been for the fact that Xue Yang had to transfer energy into each ball individually, Wei Wuxian might not have lived to tell the tale.

            By the second narrow miss, Wei Wuxian managed to snap himself out of his shock, placed his dizi back on to his mouth, and began to play, controlling the corpses closest to Xue Yang and keeping an eye on the Xue as he kept moving and playing.

            Xue Yang suddenly lost the ability to use both hands, because soon he began to be overrun by corpses causing him to have to put his handful of ammo here he could get to it and throw it one handed, while using his sword to fend off the puppet-esque attackers with the other. Wei Wuxian used the corpse-like chess pieces each playing its role, and Xue Yang countered by mutilating corpses with one hand and throwing an  explosive every now and again with the other.

            These explosives thankfully got further and further away from Wei Wuxian, but they did begin to do damage to the ground and various corpses. Both cultivators created structural damage as the fought. Xue Yang ruthlessly cut down and fought off corpse after corpse as he stalked Wei Wuxian like prey and Wuxian dodged limbs, gaping holes in the ground, and occasional explosions, while doing his best not to miss a note and it was this very scene that Wen Qing arrived at, and that would soon create a very fateful turn of events.

Chapter Text

63:

            Wen Qing had been perfectly happy searching all of fifty feet within an hour. Of course this was mainly because she had no interest and no intention of winning anything in this competition if at all possible. In fact, her very hopes right now were that the others had completed the task or some portion of it, and she would then be free to find the spot and safely slide into fourth place.

            And as a matter of fact, more than actually looking, or even fake looking, Wen Qing was honestly currently trying to figure out what excuses she could use for getting fourth place on this one without getting her brother hurt.

            Luckily, she already had a pretty good excuse for this one. Point blank she wasn’t a fighter. Wen Qing may have been designated an alpha, but her fighting style had always been poisons, potions, pricks, and medical. Most of which was not applicable or helpful in head to head fights. So even if she had actually wanted to win and marry Jiang Cheng in the first place, she wouldn’t be able to manage to fight Madam Yu, let alone save Jiang Cheng, unless Jiang Cheng had at least feigned a medical emergency of some kind, Madam Yu blatantly allowed her to give him a checkup, and both could out run his mother and the Jiang disciples at an opportune time. So by design and for all intents and purposes pretty impossible as she was at a natural disadvantage.

            She figured she’d probably have to try to get something like third or even second place eventually, especially if something actually ended up in her forte, but for now she figured the problem would be self-explanatory. But alas these dreams were dashed when while “checking” behind a tree she came face to face with a Wen disciple who quickly bowed to her,

            “Sect Leader Wen wanted me to relay a message for him. He wants you to know that even though it’s unlikely for you to do exceptionally well at this task, he still expects you to try. He has people watching the situation, you included, and he also has Intel for you. Here is a map of the most likely places that Alpha Yu may have taken Alpha Jiang in the area.”

            Having relayed his message he handed Wen Qing the map. Alpha Wen frowned looking at it, noting there were only a few places marked, she looked back up at the man, who nodded seriously and added,

            “He said that if you want to keep your brother safe, you’d better try these locations.”

            Wen Qing looked back up at the disciple and nodded,

            “I understand.”

            Having done his job the disciple bowed once again, before slipping back into the shadows and Wen Qing held back a sigh. It was clear that she was being forced to actually attempt to participate, and with spies all around with the ability to hide from her, she had no choice but to try.

            Fingers crossed she picked the first circled area that her eyes landed on, guessing for now and hoping that luck was on her side. And this was precisely how she ended up coming across a battlefield that mostly comprised of explosions and the undead.

            Frankly in the face of such insurmountable odds and two concerningly gifted fighting omegas she kind of wanted to just find the closest safety option if there was such a thing, sit, and eat melons. Or pick a whole new spot entirely and try again, but knowing she was being watched complicated matters. She couldn’t just leave lest someone think it was suspicious that she did. After a few seconds of dodging and debate she settled for watching in some capacity and waiting to figure out her next move. She figured this would or should work for some time either way since she could always say she was waiting for an opening. Whether one came or not could, after all, be a matter of opinion.

            But alas fate has a way of making fools of us all from time to time and that day was Wen Qing’s turn, for after a short while she decided that what she should really do to sell the bit was pretend to attempt to join the fight and “get caught up in it” for a short time thus stating injury as a way to lose realistically. After all she was a medical specialist, so if she managed to get the right timing and get just hurt enough, she might be able to be even more persuasive.

            So Wen Qing entered the battlefield dodging explosives, appendages, and even swords as it became clear to her that the undead must have mainly come from some kind of battle judging from most of them having weapons.

            Weaving between various new types of terrain courtesy of the two demon cultivators did not help matters. At one point she even decided to pick up one of the discarded swords from a corpse that had returned to rest thanks to Xue Yang, in an attempt to at the very least block accidental attacks, which were mainly body parts since she wasn’t actually Xue Yang’s primary target at the moment.

            Xue Yang and Wei Wuxian were so busy with each other that they didn’t actually notice her to be fair. Wen Qing was just fine with that as she analyzed their moves and tried to get the right timing. Also at one point she narrowly missed being blown to smithereens for just ending up within range of Wei Wuxian as Xue Yang took aim. When she vaguely recovered from the shock of that, she spotted it, a small window of opportunity.

            ‘A chance.’ she thought.

            Quickly deciding on the action, Wen Qing jumped up into the air, turning sideways behind a large corpse that had just been blown back by Xue Yang, using the body as a shield for the main impact of the blowback given by the after effects of the next explosion.

            While this did protect the majority of the impact, the torso of the body stayed intact, and between the sheer fallout of the impact and the weight of even just the torso Wen Qing was sent flying back in the direction of the hole that was formed just a few minutes before from the one that had narrowly missed her, as if exacting it’s revenge by attempting to swallow her whole.

            As Wen Qing practically flew towards it, the torso fell away giving her the space to hold up the sword that she’d been using to block and attempt to stab it into the ground in the hopes of stopping herself from falling completely into the hole. Unfortunately there was too much structural damage to the earth around it, so all it did was create a larger hole for her to fall through, bringing the rocks and items embedded into the earth down with her.

Chapter Text

            After his brief interaction with Wen Qing, Lan Xichen made sure to fly about 40 Li away from the scene before checking around him, noting that the coast was clear, and finally bringing his xiao to his lips once again. He closed his eyes reminding himself of his newly learned tracking spell, while simultaneously keeping Jiang Cheng’s image in his mind. As an omega he was able to multi-task well, which was another factor that society seemed to forget to count when labeling the importance of ABO classifications.

            A longing, urgent melody flowed from Xichen’s Liebing, coaxing the Omega, leading him like a gust of  wind leads a fallen leaf, but more gently. Utilizing the power to let go and trust, LXC did not resist the feeling, but let himself be guided by it. With the xiao against his lips and intuition practically pressing against his back, he floated along on his sword. It was too bad that he came across no people, for the omega was truly a picture of elegance and grace as he floated along like a celestial being. Yet when someone would finally have been able to notice, the wind portion of the spell died down as the melody moved into another phase, and the sound all but disappeared.

            Lan Xichen opened his eyes in surprise as he was still playing Liebing when the sound suddenly stopped, replaced by a long golden wisp like thread urging him to follow. Realizing that it must be a part of the spell, LXC gracefully landed, deciding to continue on by foot. Considering the tune had become soundless he could only assume that meant that he was close enough to his target to need to be quiet. After all the origin of the spell was unknown even by the extensive Gusu Lan library, but it’s purpose wasn’t. And most of the time when tracking someone one did not want to be noticed after all.

            So quietly, with the honed ability to be extra silent having grown up in the Gusu Lan, particularly as a main branch member and heir let alone a regular Lan disciple, Lan Xichen followed the thread. Sure enough he soon spotted a cave like opening with clearly identifiable Jiang disciples guarding the way. Not wanting to be spotted before he could assess the situation and come up with his next move, and knowing where to go next exactly, Lan Xichen stopped playing the searching spell, tucking his xiao into his robes for the moment while he figured things out.

            Not wanting to be detected severely limited how much the Lan omega could view, but what he could see from his current position was the few Jiang disciples that were just outside of the cave keeping guard. Lan Xichen noted that they were all betas, causing him to want to sigh. Quite frankly it would be much easier for the omega if the disciples were either alphas or fellow omegas. The former because despite society’s general assessment, Lan Xichen believed that omegas were the designation with the ultimate power over the other classes, Alpha’s especially.

            While most people slated Alphas to be on top, Lan Xichen disagreed. Alphas might be more showy and get a lot of credit for being able to subjugate to a degree, but Betas didn’t particularly enjoy working for them, and Omegas either wanted them or ran from them. Although it was more statistical than case by case, Omegas were admittedly the differentiation that Betas preferred of the two extremes, but Omegas on average had the power to completely alter an Alpha’s mood. As far as Xichen was concerned that meant that Omegas were the most diplomatic and powerful of them all, not to mention the obvious miraculous power of creating a human being from scratch.

            But although it did cause him to want to sigh and pout, he unfortunately was not dealing with the more easily manageable Alphas. Instead he was dealing with the less effected by hormone and pheromone betas.

            LXC dove down deep into the part of his brain that held his general knowledge of betas. Of course, the Beta that Xichen knew the best was Lan Qiren. Unfortunately, Qiren was quite unique for a Beta, so he was not the best gauge. Fortunately there were a lot of disciples amongst the major and minor sects. The Lans themselves had a vast beta majority amongst the disciples. LXC thought back to the few he dealt with the most.

            Betas were fairly relaxing to be around, because they had a lot less hormones and thus a lot less mood swings. A lot of people considered Betas as a whole useful, but boring. Lan Xichen, who quite often saw the best in all of the designations, found them to be on average very reasonable and soothing people. But they were the most difficult of the designations to manipulate due to their generally stable emotions, a fact which his friend Meng Yao found to be very infuriating,

            “Give me an Alpha any day, a Beta peh, what do they know but to stay the course and follow the least interesting option?!” the other Omega had said once during a conversation on the topic.

            Lan Xichen mulled this in his mind for a few minutes pondering and calculating while eyeing the surrounding area and the main points of the cave itself. If he were Xue Yang and thus willing to hurt the Jiang disciples the answer would honestly have been easier. The cave they’d decided on had clear weak points, which made it was usable. Lan Xichen couldn’t help but note these weak points as he thought, before deciding not to cause major destruction. He didn’t want to be cruel to his future family’s sect members after all.

            He watched the movements of the disciples, and tried to time them, but Jiangs were not regimented like the Lans so there wasn’t much of an opening there. Then suddenly an idea came to him. Although he refused to crush the disciples with the weak points, that didn’t mean that he had to leave the weak points alone entirely.

            Lan Xichen quietly slipped through the somewhat wooded area outside and around the left side of the cave, until he ended up against the ground of the cave forming on the side that was not being patrolled so as not to draw attention to it that far out. Once he was there he eyed the ground carefully, running his fingers gently along it until he found the perfect spot. He poked a hole with his finger to mark the spot before slipping his sword gracefully from its sheath, he pulled his arm back and slashed a short, but wide tree clear off it’s now stump, and grabbed it before gently setting it down so as not to alert anyone due to the noise. It took one more chop to the top to divest it of the majority of its foliage leaving essentially a large log to work with.

            Once it was in log form he put it against the spot that he’d previously marked and began to twist it until the entirety of the one side was about 6 inches in the ground. Once it was steady enough to stay put on its own if barely, Xichen released his sword, using his spiritual energy to cause it to hover. He hopped on to it with both feet using it to rise a few feet above the log. Above it, with a veritable bulls eye, Lan Xichen prepared himself before jumping off of his sword and kicking downward towards the log with a good deal of might, causing it to suddenly look much shorter as it pressed in to the chosen spot.

            When he was satisfied with how far in it was and when it was well stuck, he checked the spot that it had lodged. Lan Xichen grabbed his Xiao and began to play, causing the tree to begin to slowly back out of its lodged spot as if it were being sucked back by a small, but powerful vortex.  

            Once the log was dislodged, Lan Xichen checked the spot that it had been to note that it was almost there. But caring about the stability around it Lan Xichen turned back and began to rip off the branches from the part of the log that still had some. When he had a couple of thick ones he began to create a row of them for support on either side of the log made circle.

            Once he felt it was stable enough on the outside Lan Xichen smiled a little as he thought about how mortified his Uncle would be if he saw what he was about to do. Grabbing his sword Lan Xichen dug a circle out at the very middle and kept going until he felt it go clean through. Once there was a big enough hole to be able to accommodate more than his sword, Xichen re- sheathed it and then did something incredibly un-Lan-like: he placed his hands on either side of the hole and pulled until the remainder of the dirt fell away up to the parts that he had reinforced.

            Lan Xichen then stuck his head inside of said opening, pleased that his shoulders would get through, and thus so would the rest of him, and was about to look around when he came face to face with a somewhat amused, somewhat unamused person.

            “And, what, pray tell do you think you are doing?” the voice asked, fists resting against their hips on both sides.

            Lan Xichen, wanting to make a good impression merely smiled back as if he didn’t look like the cat come to steal the cream, as he greeted the voice,

            “Hello, Mother.”