Chapter Text
“Wei-xiong?! You came?!” Come the delighted gasp of one Nie Huaisang.
He was resigned himself to yet another long-suffering Discussion Conference. This would be his first Discussion Conference in Lanling Jin, but he had heard things from Da-ge. The food and wine they served were excellent, of course since Jin Sect has money to burns and flaunts, but that doesn’t make up to its terrible companies and atmosphere.
Case in the point, Nie Huaisang regretting of splitting up from Da Ge in search of something to entertain himself, only to ends up having to listen to Jin Zixun talking his ears off about wine and something something so-called priceless treasure.
How did he end up like this? Was this Karma?
He was suffering and wish someone else come to save him, when the gods above answered his plea.
To be exact, Nie Huaisang turned his head for five seconds, before his eyes zeroed to the only person in the room who wear black. A familiar person.
“Ah, Nie-xiong!” Wei Wuxian greeted. “I missed you!”
“Me too!” Nie Huaisang beamed. “Can’t believe I meet you here!”
Nie Huaisang noted with interest that somehow, Wei Wuxian looks healthier than when he was under Jiang’s care. Looks better. His cheeks are properly filled with meat and no longer he has black eyes concealed under make up, and his robes, a very high-quality robes made from fine silk with red embroidery that looks very familiar but somehow Nie Huaisang can’t place it what exactly. A small part of him was irritated that Wei Wuxian grow even taller than before, leaving Nie Huaisang as the dwarf of the group.
Speak of group,
“What is this son of servant doing here?!” Nie Huaisang almost forgot about Jin Zixun. Almost.
What a shame.
Wei Wuxian glanced at this fat peasant with cool eyes. “And you are?”
Wow. Jin Zixun turned red so fast, he thought only Madam Yu and Jiang Wanyin capable of such feat. Were they somewhat related?
“You…!” He gritted his teeth and Nie Huaisang slowly fanned his face because, yuck, his breath smells. “Do you have no manner, you son of a servant?!”
To his irritation, this draws attention.
Yet Wei Wuxian stays calm.
“First, I was asking politely so there is no need to yell. That, too, is a bad manner.” He scolds. “Second, I was invited as plus one.”
There’s unspoken “otherwise I won’t even deign to step a foot here even if you pay me to” radiating from Wei Wuxian.
Something that he won’t do back when he was still affiliated with the Jiangs.
Was being rogue, being independent and freely in charge of his own action and consequences, doing things on his own terms, could bring so much change? Such a confidence?
Maybe it is. Wei Wuxian no longer have to thread carefully between Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Wanyin’s less than stellar temper (he remember the previous Discussion Conference where Wen Ruohan himself scolds and make derisive remarks on said temper). He no longer had to underplay his ability. He can freely do what he wants, be comfortable in his own skin without fear of punished for simply being himself.
Yeah.
Nie Huaisang could see that.
But that brought question, where did he afford such high-quality clothes? And who invites him? Was Wei Wuxian affiliates with another clan? But who—
“Oh yeah?” Jin Zixun cut through Nie Huaisan’s monologue with his horrible voice. “And who would invite someone like you?”
“Is there any problem?” A cool, collected voice cut sharp.
Wen Xu had inserted himself into the conversation.
“Greetings to Wen-gongzi.” And here he goes, boot-licking mode on. “Pardon for unsightly display but this son of a servant need to be taught his position!” He pointed at Wei Wuxian with sneering triumphant face.
Nie Huaisang was ready to go into Wei Wuxian’s defense but,
“Wei Wuxian is the Wen Sect’s honored guest.” Wen Xu stated with eyes narrowed. “Any slight or insult towards him would be taken as disrespect to Qishan Wen as a whole.”
Jin Zixun turned pale in shock.
“W-wha..” He gaped, not unlike fish out of water. “What do you mean?! He is just a son of a servant! Ungrateful brat that bite hand that feeds him! How could—”
Pressure spikes up and nearly sends Nie Huaisang to his knees, if not for Wei Wuxian holds him. Giving a squeeze at shoulder, as if trying to reassure Nie Huaisang that it will be alright, Wei Wuxian turned to Wen Xu.
“Wen Xu, calm down.” He spoke softly, patting his arm. “Look. This is banquet, it’s your chance to relax and unwind before you had to go to Discussion Part and deals with Political mumbo jumbo. Don’t stress yourself prematurely.” Smiling mischievously, he pokes Wen Xu in the head. “Or you might get wrinkles, cultivation be damned.”
Miraculously, Wen Xu eased out the pressure.
“You’re right.” He threw Jin Zixun a disdainful look. “He is not worth it. Let’s go.”
“Ah, wait a moment,” Wei Wuxian stopped him, “can Nie-Xiong come with us? I missed him. Well, if Nie-Xiong doesn’t mind, that is.”
“Nah, I doubt you are worse company.” Nie Huaisang tried to wave it off as he follow Wei Wuxian and Wen Xu to somewhere more pleasant.
He glanced at the two men before him, wondering how did they know each other to the point of being in name basis. Then his eyes notice something.
The embroidery and style of their robes mirroring each other.
It took all of Nie Huaisang’s self-control to not scream or rip his fan into two.
He was too goddamn late!
When he heard Wei Wuxian was exiled from Jiang Sect because reasons (which he know was a load of bullshit and cover up for Madam Yu and Jiang Wanyin can no longer tolerate of being surpassed by Wei Wuxian), Nie Huaisang had planned to approach him. To offer a spot in Nie Sect. Sure, it means alienated the Jiang and cause political problem, but nothing he can weather off. And personally, in his opinion, Wei Wuxian was worth all the troubles!
He is a genius with heart of gold! A good companion! Nie Huaisang really need some brains and sense of humor after being surrounded with muscles for his whole time (no offense da ge), but,
But Wei Wuxian had gone! Vamoose from Jianghu! No news beyond some letters he got once in a while and even then it did not show much! Next thing happens, the Wen already stake their claims over him! Why else Wei Wuxian was named as honored guest and was given a black version of Wen Sect robes?! The style of Main Family at that!
HOW and WHEN?!
Da ge was right! The Wens are asshole! They got headstart before anyone else and refuse to play fair!
The AUDACITY!
.
The glass in Jiang Cheng’s grasp is in danger of being shattered, with the way the Yunmeng Jiang heir clenched it so tightly. His eyes glared hatefully at one eyesore that has the audacity to laugh as if he owned this event. As if he has any right to be here.
Wei Wuxian. That son of a servant…!
After being sheltered by the Jiang, saved from street, fed, given clothes and education, instead of being grateful, he was being greedy! When Yunmeng Jiang is not enough for him, he leave and Join the Wen!
That ungrateful Son of a Servant!
A-Niang was right!
He should have been left in the street to die! Wei Wuxian is just a waste of resource! The dog that bite hands that feet it!
Jiang Cheng has half a mind to storm over there and giving Wei Wuxian a piece of his mind. Even better if he could make that ungrateful bastard kneeling on the ground, begs for mercy, like someone of his station should be when facing with his betters! He doesn’t deserve to walks among them and—
Suddenly chills climbs on back of his spine.
Jiang Cheng whirled around to see who it was that give him the evil eyes.
His own purple eyes landed on pair of red.
Wen Ruohan himself stare straight at him, even while he was surrounded by minor sect leaders. He stares straight at Jiang Cheng with narrowed eyes and sharp smile, like predator contemplating whether to pounce its prey or not. The mouth parted open, and despite being physically afar, across the room with noisy people, Jiang Cheng can hear him just fine.
“Act upon your thoughts and I will make sure Yunmeng Jiang is razed to the ground.”
The glass almost slipped from Jiang Cheng’s grasp, when his whole body feels numb.
Wen Ruohan is serious.
And worst part of it all,
IS BECAUSE OF THAT DAMN WEI WUXIAN!
Why?! Why is someone the likes of Wen Ruohan, the Sect Leader of biggest, wealthiest and strongest sect, put so much care at that damn traitor Wei Wuxian?! What did Wei Wuxian give him, to have direct protection and backing of Wen Sect?!
Why him? Why it was always him?!