Chapter Text
Yu Ziyuan's heart ached at the sight in front of her. Her son, practising sword forms in the late hours of the night… It pained her to see her son working too hard to please someone who barely looked his way.
A thought came to her head.
Maybe.
Just maybe, she can at least change her relationship with her son. Even if just a little. Maybe, her son can be happier.
"A-Cheng"
Her son stilled.
"A-Niang."
A-Cheng puts down his training sword before bowing. She bows back.
After a few bouts of silence, with Yu Ziyuan struggling on how to start the conversation, her son instead says, "Do you need anything, A-Niang?"
"O-of course- I- I mean-" she clears her throat, "May I speak with you for a while?"
A-Cheng's eyes widen for a while before his expression turns apprehensive. And oh, how that pains Yu Ziyuan. To see her son be so cautious around her knowing all too well that she's the one who put that fear in the first place.
"I-" she sighs, talking about your feelings is way harder than she thought it would be. But if talking about her feelings leads to her son's happiness, then what's she got to lose besides her dignity.
"I know that I haven't been the best mother to you or your sister… or that brat your father took in.
But. Know that, no matter what, I-
I love you. So, so much."
Her heart constricts at the shocked expression that appears on her son's face, but she soldiers on. Doesn't know if she should wait for a response or if she should leave and consider seclusion.
Fortunately, her son somehow is more courageous than her and takes her hand in his- and oh gods-
Her son's hands are so small yet so rough and calloused, almost as much as hers and she doesn't know how to process that, and before she can process it her son speaks,
"I know A-Niang. You- you don't have to tell me. Not when I can see it in your eyes when you oversee my training with the other disciples, or when you look over my class papers. Not when I can hear it in your voice when you scold me, or when you used to sing me to sleep when I was little."
The soft smile growing on her son's face shows how sincere he is about his words, and Yu Ziyuan can't help but feel proud and sad at how mature and eloquent her 8 year-old is.
"Oh, A-Cheng," she moves to hug her son close to her "you grew up so fast- too fast." she sniffles. "You didn't have to grow up so fast, my baby. Not for someone who barely looks your way." she tightens her hold on him, wishing she could make him small again and hide him from the world.
"It-... I don't do it for him, A-Niang."
Yu Ziyuan's eyes widened.
"I do it for myself, and for the sect." he pauses. "And, for you."
Yu Ziyuan smiles, "Thank you, A-Cheng."
But you don't have to do this.
She sighs. "You're still a child, A-Cheng."
"But-" "No 'buts', and no interruptions please"
"You don't have to carry the whole sect on your small shoulders. You can enjoy your childhood. Have fun. Laugh. I-
I just want you to be happy."
There were a few bouts of silence as Yu Ziyuan's words settled in.
Jiang Cheng hugs her tight. "Okay," he says softly, "and thank you."
She hugs her son back. "Now go to bed, you still have training tomorrow."
Her son giggles. "Okay."
…
"Goodnight A-Niang…
I love you"
Yu Ziyuan couldn't even respond as her son runs off to his room.
She chuckles. And she hopes.
Hopes that her son will be happier now.
And she won't let any Wen dogs take that happiness away from him. Not this time.
She'll make sure of it.