This is our fate, I'm yours (Lan Sizhui and Jin Ling)

[notaturnip]

Lan Sizhui has known who his soulmate was since he was six years old.
He used to lie awake tracing his fingers over the characters on his inner arm, amazed at how it came to pass that a foundling boy like him could have a soulmate in the great and influential Jin clan. He vowed, back then, that he would try and become the very best disciple of the Lan clan he could possibly be in order to be worthy of his soulmate. He worked hard to follow all of Hanguang Jun's instructions, to learn as much as he could. It wasn't just about his soulmate, of course, he was grateful to Lan Zhan for taking him in when he had nobody else, and he wanted to do well for his sake as well, but he'd be lying if he said the name on his arm didn't motivate him even more.

When he met Jin Ling, back then, accompanying Lan Zhan on a visit to Carp Tower, he hadn't gotten on very well with him. Sizhui was serious and thoughtful and remembered his manners, and Jin Ling... well, he was a little volatile. Sizhui decided he must not have gotten his mark yet, and he didn't want to embarrass him by bringing it up, so he patiently waited for Jin Ling to be the first to mention it.

The years went by and it became more and more likely that the lack of mention was deliberate. In fact, when Sizhui tried to bring up soul marks as a gentle way of getting to that point, Jin Ling would shut him down - angrily, too. He did that with everybody, and soon they all learned not to bring it up around him.

Eventually, Sizhui was forced to come to the heartbreaking conclusion that Jin Ling was disappointed. That he didn't want him.

He threw himself into his studies again, this time to try and forget. If he couldn't have the happiness of true love in his life, he could at least be someone his father and his sect could be proud of.

Mostly, he was glad that one of the many Lan principles forbade discussion of soulmarks, it meant people were less likely to bring them up around him, too, and that he had a reason to change the subject when they did. Even Jingyi didn't know what his mark said - though not for lack of trying, certainly.

Still, he became friends with Jin Ling - he couldn't bring himself to stay away, and the other boy certainly didn't seem to mind him being around either - and they often went on Nighthunts together, along with Jingyi and Zizhen, and they were getting pretty good at it, they worked well together.

This one was proving a little more difficult than usual, though, and the four had become separated.

"Jin Ling?" Sizhui called, moving carefully through the forest "Jingyi? Zizhen?"

Comments

[pierpressure]

In reply to that, Jiang Cheng lifts his head and looks questioningly at Lan Wangji. What he means to imply is - the Jins are richer and can happily afford a bride price that could represent Sizhui's worth, and Jin Ling is the nearest thing Jin Guangyao has to an heir. So it would make sense for him to be the groom in the situation, but really Jiang Cheng doesn't mind.

Unfortunately, he's still mad at Lan Wangji so it looks a bit like an accusing glare, as if he thinks being a bride is beneath his nephew.

(Jin Ling, for his part, isn't entirely sure if it makes a difference, but he glances at Sizhui to see if he cares.)

[notaturnip]

Sizhui is torn - on the one hand he doesn't really care, bride price or dowry what does it matter? He doesn't mind where they live, either, as long as it's together.

On the other hand... what if he really is a Wen? How much danger would he be in, living with the Jin?

He looks at Jin Ling, finds himself smiling without even thinking about it. No, he doesn't care. He trusts everything to be fine.

Wangji, on the other hand, narrows his eyes stubbornly. He certainly isn't sending the last surviving Wen to live at Carp Tower, not least because he refuses to quite let go of his son.

"Jin Rulan."

Guangyao's smile stiffens slightly.

"Are you sure that's the most sensible arrangement? Consider that Jin Ling is currently my only heir, and Cloud Recesses may... well, may not be suitable for the kind of lifestyle he is accustomed to..." he says delicately.

[pierpressure]

Jin Ling is surprised by the bluntess of the statement, the idea either would have a preference as strong as that sounded for what he considers irrelevent.

And then... did Jin Guangyao imply he was a spoiled princess who couldn't handle a humble lifestyle? He squirms in his seat.

Jiang Cheng, however, has instantly straightened up, his glare intensifying as he tries to work out what Wangji is playing at. Not content with having Wuxian's child, is he trying to steal Yanli's as well?

He doesn't see Jin Guangyao giving up on this, so decides to let it play out between them, and he glances away to check on his nephew, who does attempt to stop squirming under his gaze.

Meanwhile even Lan Xichen is turning to his brother, questioningly.

[notaturnip]

Sizhui can tell this is making Jin Ling uncomfortable and Jiang Cheng angry, and he looks to his father with a hint of panic in his eyes - please don't let this be ruined at the very first hurdle!

Wangji looks at Xichen - mostly to avoid the pleading look he knows Sizhui is giving him - and tries to explain with his expression that he doesn't think it's a very good idea to send Sizhui to live with the Jin.

Guangyao, meanwhile, is waiting for a response to his point, and he also glances to Xichen.

"Er-ge.." he pauses, clears his throat "Lan-zongzhu. What are your thoughts on this matter? What objections does your clan have to Lan Sizhui taking the role of bride?"

"A-die, bofu, it's really alright, I don't mind either way." Sizhui whispers, keeping his tone as polite as he can manage.

[avunculi]

Jin Ling makes significantly less effort to manage politeness.

"Jiujiu," he hisses at Jiang Cheng, who turns a stern look back.

"Be quiet," he says. Its not actually a reprimand, and after a second, Ling decides not to take it such.

What Jiang Cheng means is 'here is an opportunity to learn how your xiaoshu gets his way, and when to stay out of things,' and Jin Ling is just experienced enough to recognise a 'teaching opportunity' when it's being pointed out to him.

But he still glares at his jiujiu, because he doesn't appreciate his soulmate being used as a teaching tool like this.



Lan Xichen looks at his brother with quiet concern.

"Lan Zhan," he says quietly. "I'm sure Lan Sizhui would be happy..."

He sees it of course, but he wants to make sure his brother is sure before he presses his case.

[notaturnip]

Guangyao stays quiet for a moment, allowing the conversation to play out between the brothers - hoping that Xichen can talk some sense into Wangji, mostly. He's also curious about it, because Sizhui doesn't appear to have an issue with being the bride, and Xichen hasn't yet offered an explanation, which suggests he either isn't sure what Wangji's objection is - or it's something they don't want to share.

"If you could explain your issues, I'm sure we can find a way to work past this..." He prompts after a moment, all smiles and sympathetic concern "I'd hate for anything to get in the way of the boys' happiness if it can be avoided."

The implication, of course, being that Wangji is the one getting in the way - which he hopes will prompt Sizhui to put more pressure on him.

Wangji spares a slightly irritated glance towards Guangyao for his continuing interruptions before looking back to Xichen - this time more uncertain, questioning - is he sure that he'll be happy? Is he sure he'll be safe?

[pierpressure]

Jiang Cheng is watching that conversation curiously. He is beginning to get an idea of what Lan Wangji's problem is, and he's not entirely sure how to address it.

"If you're doubting Jin Ling's ability to take care of his soulmate..." he tries pointedly. Which makes the nephew in question gawp for a second.

Lan Xichen looks over at Jiang Wanyin, assuming naturally that he's also aware of the name on his nephew's arm, and is making the same point. So he turns back to Lan Zhan.

"I'm sure he can," he says.

Surely Lan Wangji trusts Jin Ling?

[notaturnip]

Sizhui's brow furrows in confusion, glancing between his father and Jiang Cheng - surely that's not what this is about? Why would that be a concern?

Wangji gives Cheng a sharp look, eyes narrowing slightly as though he's trying to work out if he is saying what Wangji thinks he's saying. Eventually, though, he looks away. It's clear that everybody is against him here - that wouldn't normally stop him, but he looks to Sizhui and he can see the confusion and concern in his eyes and he realises he can't explain what his issue is without revealing things he doesn't want to, and without being able to explain it he's only hurting his son.

"Sizhui can fulfill the role of bride, but they must visit regularly." He finally says stiffly.

"I'm sure we can come to an agreement on where they'll spend their time that everyone will find favourable," Guangyao says quickly, relieved to move on from the unexpected sticking point - he still isn't even sure what that was all about.

[avunculi]

As soon as the question of who is the bride is settled, Jiang Cheng picks up the tea in front of him and drinks from it. After receiving a significant look, Jin Ling follows suit.

Ling, who among the persons present has the second-least idea of what just transpired, scowls to himself. He looks at Sizhui to apologise for the behaviour of all the present adults, but especially the rudeness of his Jiujiu.

The man in question is satisfied, but annoyed that he had to put himself out like that - hopefully Jin Guangyao will think he ment to imply something about Carp Tower's wealth. What Lan Wangji and Xichen infer about what he thinks, he doesn't care.

Cheng almost says something about the boys being welcome at Lotus Pier, but realises he isn't sure how he feels about a Wen coming there. He'd better work it out, though - he's not going to push Jin Ling away.

"Lotus Pier will provide gifts to Cloud Recesses, of course," he says intead, to underline that this isn't a negotiation between just two sects.

Given the Lans' dietary habits, he'll omit the meat from Yunmeng that they traditionally include. There'll be extra fish to make up for it.

[notaturnip]

Sizhui's returning look is equally apologetic - he has a suspicion why his father was being so stubborn, but it's based on only a vague idea that he has no way of proving, so he really can't explain it properly.

"As will the Jins," Guangyao says, not to be outdone - he's not going to get so competitive that Sizhui's bride price will end up being ridiculous, but he will be carefully considering the optics of it, making sure that it puts the Jin sect in a good light.

Much like Cheng, he will be omitting certain usual staples that the Jin would provide, knowing that anything too ostentatious would not be welcomed at Cloud Recesses.

"We will draw up an inventory of the intended bride price and have it sent for your approval. If further discussions are needed at that point, we can arrange them." Guangyao continues - he doesn't expect there to be any further discussions, those tend to only crop up if the brides family think they aren't being properly compensated for their child's worth. "We would expect a similar inventory of the intended dowry prior to the wedding, if that is acceptable to you?"

Wangji just nods stiffly - he doesn't have any issue with standard formalities, he's just worried about Sizhui.

"Shall we then move on to the matter of the wedding? I expect a longer engagement would be appropriate, until Ling is a little older and both boys have completed their cultivation training, what are everybody's thoughts on that?"

[pierpressure]

"We don't need to wait," Ling interrupts, keen that they don't waste any time - time in which Wen Yuan could ruin it all at any moment just by showing up. Jiang Cheng, however, shuts him up with a stern look.

"You're not of age yet, Jin Ling."

To Jin Guangyao, he nods his agreement. Ling, especially, should be absolutely sure that this is what he wants, befre rushing into things.

[notaturnip]

Sizhui, similarly, feels that sense of urgency - he almost echoes Jin Ling's sentiment with his own, before Jiang Cheng speaks and he realises it's not fair, anyway. It's selfish, to want to jump into this, to take as much as he can get before anything else ruins it.

Especially when that anything else might be certain truths about himself.

Lan Wangji, of course, absolutely agrees - the longer he can keep Sizhui away from Lanling, the better, in his opinion.

"Yes."

Guangyao smiles - a little strained, at how difficult it is to get more than a word or two out of Lan Wangji, but at least this point isn't one of contention - with the adults, anyway.

"Very well. I propose an official engagement, and a further meeting once Jin Ling has come of age to arrange when the wedding will be at that point. In the mean time, we can arrange for regular visits."

Mostly to stop the two of them sneaking off to do it anyway.

[pierpressure]

Warring in Cheng's mind at all events like these is his dislike of Lan Wanji and his dislike of Jin Guangyao.

The former runs hot and deep, as the Light Bearer played a significant part in stealing Wei Wuxian away from Yunmeng and apparently also kept that man's child a secret from his family. (Yes, Wen Yuan is not Wei Wuxian's actual family. Jin Ling is Wei Wuxian's actual family, but... well, Cheng's feelings are complicated.) If Jiang Cheng could betroth his nephew to anyone it would definitely not be the ward of Lan Wangji. He might even prefer a Wen who wasn't also a Lan.

On the other hand, Jin Guangyao is annoying and arrogant and has done many many things that Cheng has to admit were deeply wrong, which played just as big a part in Wuxian leaving the Cultivation World - and his sect - behind. And yet Cheng has to spend so much of his life playing nice with Guangyao, pretending that they're friends, working in Jin Ling's best interests, putting up with that patronising smile all the time.

So, even though he hates Lan Wangji for all that he's been complicit in, and for what he still enacts upon Cheng's nephew, Jiang Cheng has to admit that he takes some satisfaction in the way his taciturn manner winds Jin Guangyao right up, gets under his skin in a way Cheng has never managed to do.

He nods in confirmation.

"This is acceptable to us," he says. And though right now he can't quite work himself up to inviting Wen Yuan into Lotus Pier, he expects he will have to make that sacrifice. He's just going to have to work up to it.

[notaturnip]

Lan Wangji just nods in agreement. Guangyao smiles through gritted teeth at how much he's having to carry this entire conversation.

Still, at least he's mostly getting his own way.

"Does anybody have anything further they think ought to be discussed, or are we all content to agree with the arrangements as specified and formally recognise the engagement?" He offers, looking around at the other adults - keen to get this over with before there can be any more stubborn disagreements from Wangji.

Sizhui almost holds his breath - it's not as though this is, really, the last time anything can go wrong - there'll still be negotiations over the bride price and dowry once proposed (probably), and then there's planning the actual wedding, but that's all in the future and right now the only thing standing between him and being officially engaged to Jin Ling is this final agreement.

[avunculi]

Jin Ling does hold his breath. He looks at Sizhui and bites his lip, which he lets go when he glances respectfully at Sizhui's father and uncle, and then at his two uncles, sending visual daggers at his Jiujiu in case that one has anything to say to make it worse.

(Really, it's just that his Jiujiu is the only person he really feels comfortable enough with to subject to this kind of improper glare)

Cheng's scowl at him is to say stop looking at me in that tone of voice. I'm on your side, here before he turns back to the room and agrees.

"We have nothing further to discuss," he confirms.

[notaturnip]

There's a silence as Wangji considers whether or not there's anything else he can do to slow or stop this, but he gives one glance at the pleading look his son is giving him and realises that he can't. He will do everything he can to make sure Sizhui is safe, but he can't stand in the way of his happiness.

He nods.

"I have nothing further to add."

Sizhui tries his very hardest to suppress the smile that threatens to overwhelm his face as Guangyao nods, his own expression working to conceal the relief he feels to have this done with.

"Very well. Lan Sizhui and Jin Rulan are officially recognised as betrothed, to be wed at a date that will be agreed upon once Rulan comes of age."

He knows his nephew doesn't like his courtesy name, but formalities are required here.

[avunculi]

Good, great. Jin Ling's scowl doesn't quite disappear, but it does relax, until he's taken another sip of tea to confirm the arrangement. Then he rises, salutes both Hanguang Jun and Zewu Jun, then his Xiaoshu and Jiujiu, before he turns and leaves with that unlce behind him.

He waits at a safe distance outside for Sizhui, so he can grab his betrothed and complain at how ridiculous their guardians are.

[notaturnip]

When Sizhui spots Jin Ling waiting for him outside, he gives his father another pleading look. Wangji stares back at him, but eventually nods slightly - he just agreed to allow them to marry, he can't really get away with telling them not to see each other.

"Do not be too late." He says, and Sizhui salutes him properly and nods quickly - he'll be on his best behaviour and make it back to their guest rooms before curfew, partly because that's just the kind of person he is and partly because he doesn't want to give his father any reasons to disapprove of him and Jin Ling.

He rushes over to Ling with a breathless smile.

"We made it through!" He says, laughing slightly. He's sure Ling will want to grumble about that, but he'd rather look on the bright side... and then let him grumble.

[avunculi]

Ling's frustrated expression immediately breaks into a smile and he holds his hands out for Yuan to take.

They did, they made it through.

"I'm sorry about my xiaoshu and my jiujiu," he says immediately. "I don't know why they're being like that."

Well, he knows what Guangyao is like. He is sorry about Jiang Cheng, though.

[notaturnip]

"It's okay, I'm sorry about Hanguang Jun," Sizhui admits, taking Ling's offered hands and squeezing reassuringly. He really doesn't know why his father was being so difficult - he's stubborn and determined and set in his ways but he cares about Sizhui's happiness, so he really doesn't understand it.

"They came to an agreement, though, and that's the important thing." He says, with another squeeze of Ling's hands "And I know you're probably not happy about having to wait to marry, but I can wait for you, I can wait forever for you if I have to. I'm just glad I won't have to."

[avunculi]

Ling glances around them before he leans forward and gives Sizhui a quick kiss, knowing that they're probably being watched by some adult or other, but not caring, now it's official.

"I can wait," he says quickly, slightly defensively. He doesn't mean to be, he just wants to be clear that his strength of feeling is just as much, and he's just as romantic.

He doesn't want to explain that the reason he's impatient is he doesn't want his soulmate to turn up and ruin everything. Especially not out loud.

"I'll get to see you more, anyway. I'll make sure you're invited to stay as much as the adults will let you."

[notaturnip]

A brief, chaste kiss is surely fine if they're now officially recognised as soulmates and betrothed to be married, right?

"I know you can." Sizhui reassures with a soft smile, not meaning to have implied otherwise. He also understands the urgency, he thinks, even if Ling doesn't say it out loud. Of course his own uncertainty over whether that soulmate is a different person or not is something that he'd quite like to work out before they get married - as much as it might break his heart, as much as he's terrified of the possibility, he does think Ling deserves to know before they take that final step.

"We can go on night hunts, too, or you can come stay at Cloud Recesses sometimes. I'm sure they can't object to us trying to see each other as often as possible."

[avunculi]

The trouble with Cloud Recesses is that Jingyi's there. And while Jingyi is infinitely preferable to Jin Chan, he does have a habit of pressing Ling's buttons.

Actually, it's probably going to be a good idea to try and be better friends with Jingyi, if he can. After a second's hesitancy, Ling nods.

"I'd love to visit Cloud Recesses," he says. He can handle the rules, probably.

[notaturnip]

Sizhui notices the hesitation, but he can guess it's more about the strictness (and Jingyi) than it is about Sizhui himself or even anything to do with Cloud Recesses as a place, at least he hopes that's the case - he loves his home, and even though he understands why some people don't want to visit it, he thinks it's a shame.

When Ling agrees, though, his smile is bright and pleased.

"It would be lovely to have you there, I can show you all my favourite places. Oh, I can take you to see the rabbits!"

[avunculi]

Yuan's smile is so bright, and so charming, that Ling instantly mirrors it, his hesitation forgotten.

"Rabbits? You have rabbits?"

He doesn't think he's heard about them before. And Yuan seems so enthusiastic about them, they must be meaningful to him.