Two days later, they arrived at Lotus Pier in the early evening.
Lotus Pier was the name of the residence that housed the Jiang Sect, and it was built near a lake. Unlike the other clans' residences, which shut their doors and refused to let commoners come within a boundary miles away, the lively docks in front of the entrance were full of life with vendors selling seed pods, water chestnuts, and all kinds of pastries. The Jiang Sect was well-respected and admired by the citizens of Yunmeng as the disciples often cared for the households of the area, exorcising water ghouls without asking for compensation.
Xiao Zhan felt like he was home. It was his first time here, but he recognized everything, and every face he saw was a familiar one. "Looks a lot different than Gusu Lan, huh?"
Lan Wangji, "Mn."
"Xue Yang, what do you think of this place so far?" Xiao Zhan asked the boy.
Xue Yang sniffed the air. "I think the pastries smell great."
Xiao Zhan burst into laughter and pinched the boy's cheek gently. "You're going to end up with cavities soon."
Lan Wangji, without a word, took Xue Yang to the stall that sold the freshly made pastries. Xiao Zhan wanted to nag him not to spoil the kid, but he moved too fast.
Since Xiao Zhan had sent a letter notifying them of their arrival in advance, Jiang Yanli was already waiting for them at the dock to surprise him. Seeing her martial brother, she ran in light steps toward him and pulled him into an embrace. Xiao Zhan was startled by the sudden hug; he froze like a statue. "A-xian!"
Lan Wangji's eyebrows twitched upon seeing the scene. He had been gone for only a few minutes, and some lady had already thrown herself onto his Wei Ying.
"Shijie." Xiao Zhan awkwardly greeted her while slowly peeling himself from her embrace. "How are you?"
"I feel better now that I see my brother." Jiang Yanli caressed Xiao Zhan's cheek before turning her attention to the guests. She looked over Xiao Zhan's shoulder and saw the good-looking Second Young Master Lan. She bowed courteously with a warm smile. "You must be Second Young Master Lan. Welcome to Lotus Pier."
"Maiden Jiang. I hope you are in good health." Lan Wangji politely responded after realizing that the lady was Wei Ying's martial sister.
"This handsome young boy must be Xue Yang." Jiang Yanli knelt to Xue Yang's eye level and held out her hand. "I am Jiang Yanli. Pleased to meet you, Xue Yang."
Still in the middle of scarfing down his snack, Xue Yang hesitantly took her hand but didn't reply. Xiao Zhan explained on his behalf, "Shijie, please don't take it to heart. He's not used to formal greetings yet."
Jiang Yanli gently stroked the boy's head and smiled so sweetly that her dimples showed. "No worries. You don't have to be formal with me, Xue Yang. Just treat me like a big sister."
Xue Yang nodded and smiled a little at her sisterly gestures. She was as warm and tender as his brother Wei had described.
"Is Uncle Jiang in?" Xiao Zhan looked around the pier. He saw some children from nearby households sneaking into Lotus Pier's fields to watch cultivators practice their swords. Some were even playing with the Jiang Clan's disciples.
"Father is in the study. Mother is currently out for a night hunt. Let's go in. I have prepared your favorites." Jiang Yanli led the way.
Xiao Zhan walked side by side with Lan Wangji, who was holding the boy's slender hand. Xue Yang looked up at him and asked, "Is it necessary to greet them formally, Wangji-xiong?"
"It's a sign of respect. Most people will respect you when you are respectful to them." Lan Wangji answered. He did not mind Xue Yang addressing him as a brother as well.
Xiao Zhan took the empty wrapping paper from Xue Yang's hand and passed him a handkerchief to wipe his mouth. "The man we are going to meet is Sect Leader Jiang, the one who rescued me from the streets. Just copy what your Wangji-xiong does later, all right?"
Xue Yang wiped off the crumbs and grease around his lips. "Okay, Wei-ge."
Jiang Fengmian was already in the large hall when they reached the main house. Wearing the purple robes of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan, his face had a calm and solemn expression as he called out in his smooth voice, "A-ying."
Xiao Zhan lowered his head and greeted him politely, "Uncle Jiang."
Jiang Fengmian raised his eyebrows when he received the proper bow. He looked questioningly at the black attire that Xiao Zhan was wearing instead of his dark purple Jiang sect uniform.
Lan Wangji displayed his elegance as he bowed a salutation in a crisp movement, "Sect Leader Jiang, I am Lan Wangji of Gusu Lan."
Jiang Fengmian returned his bow. "Second Young Master Lan, welcome to the Jiang residence. I hope Wei Ying did not cause much trouble in Gusu."
"Wei Ying did not. Gusu Lan is grateful for his great contributions." Lan Wangji declared. Xiao Zhan nudged him as usual.
"So, I've heard." Jiang Fengmian eyed their closeness. His gentle eyes landed on Xue Yang.
Xiao Zhan placed his hand on Xue Yang's shoulder. "And this boy is the one I mentioned in my letter, Uncle."
"My name is Xue Yang, Sect Leader Jiang." Xue Yang awkwardly clasped his hands in front of him. One of his hands was donning a black glove with a prosthetic that Xiao Zhan had gotten for him to cover his missing digit, which made him less self-conscious about his disability.
"Welcome to the Yunmeng Jiang Clan, Xue Yang. A-Ying told me about you, and I am more than happy to welcome you here to Lotus Pier." Jiang Fengmian smiled tenderly at the boy.
Xue Yang carved a smile on his face, his canine tooth showing, making him look even younger than he was. He stammered, "Thank you."
"Uncle Jiang, thank you for doing this. I hope to discuss this matter further with you after this." Xiao Zhan said.
Jiang Fengmian was a little baffled by the changes he saw in Wei Ying after just a few months of studying in Gusu. The way he spoke, stood, and walked, and the air around him now carried a different impression. This young man in front of him was refined and charismatic. He agreed, "Sure. We'll talk in my study later."
Jiang Yanli emerged with a pot of soup in her hands and set it on the table. Inside the soup were lotus roots and ribs cut into pieces, both a fleshy pink, their surfaces already boiled soft. A rich aroma rose from the piping hot soup. "I hope everyone is hungry. Come and take a seat."
In front of everyone was a small, square table, on which were a few dishes of food besides the soup. Jiang Yanli was indeed good with children. She was gentle and warm with Xue Yang, and the boy opened up to her in no time. After thanking Jiang Yanli for the hearty home-cooked meals, Xiao Zhan left Xue Yang with his martial sister, and the boy did not seem to mind. Jiang Yanli took the boy around the residence for a tour.
Meanwhile, both he and Lan Wangji went to the study to have their talk with Jiang Fengmian.
"A-Ying, you look a little different now," Jiang Fengmian commented.
"I am different indeed, Uncle Jiang," he admitted. His face turned serious. "Uncle Jiang, the matter at hand is imperative. I hope to discuss it with you formally."
Jiang Fengmian had never seen this mature and well-spoken Wei Wuxian before. Taken aback, he said, "Oh, go on then."
"Sect Leader Jiang, I hope to exercise my right as the head disciple of the Jiang Clan to bring Xue Yang here as a guest disciple. Second Young Master Lan is present here as the guarantor as well as Xue Yang's custodian."
Jiang Fengmian understood the situation. "I see. You are worried about my wife's reaction."
In the cultivation world, Madam Yu was known as the 'Violet Spider'. She was ranked third in her clan, the Meishan Yu Sect. She had a cold personality and had never come across as likable when conversing with others since she was young. Just mentioning her name could scare quite a few people away.
Xiao Zhan generally had no regard and zero tolerance for abusive people, especially toward children. He wanted to resolve this issue as formally and amicably as he could.
"Yes," Xiao Zhan asserted. "I do not want that boy to be treated unfairly because she dislikes me. I need you to be impartial, hence this formality."
"Sect Leader Jiang, please consider Xue Yang as my ward. As long as he is to be here without our presence, I hope he will be treated without prejudice."
Jiang Fengmian smiled at their astuteness in handling the issue at hand. "Very well. Since this is a formal request, then we shall abide by its rules. Since Second Young Master Lan here declared his guardianship of the boy, any form of biased treatment will be treated as an offense toward the Gusu Lan Sect itself. Shall we pledge this?"
"It would be best." Lan Wangji affirmed. Xiao Zhan nodded.
Once the official documentations were completed, Xiao Zhan returned to his usual bright personality. "By the way, Uncle Jiang, did Shufu inform you about what I did in Gusu?"
"Am I Uncle Jiang again?" Jiang Fengmian joked. "No. A-Li received a letter from A-Cheng, and she told me."
Xiao Zhan bobbed his head. "Ah, I see. What did he say in the letter?"
"Something about how you've changed, and some remark about you being a monster." Jiang Fengmian repeated what he had heard from his daughter.
That Jiang Cheng. Just you wait! I am going to make him train to death later!
"Oh, he also mentioned that you defeated a waterborne abyss by yourselves. Did that really happen?" Jiang Fengmian rested his hands on the table, looking directly at the young man who was missing his usual mischievous nature.
Xiao Zhan forced a smile, "Erm. Yes."
Officially, as per Xiao Zhan's request, the report stated that the waterborne abyss was exterminated by Gusu Lan in collaboration with several guest disciples who were left unnamed. He did not want to attract unnecessary attention at this moment.
Jiang Fengmian smiled. "I won't ask why you wouldn't claim such a big credit. You must have your reasons. But well done."
The harsh voice of a woman came from outside the door. "Well done?"
Like a purple lightning bolt, Madam Yu swept inside, bringing in a cold breeze with her. "'To attempt the impossible' is exactly how he is, isn't it? When he fooled around, he brought shame to his clan. When he was supposed to put his clan's name at the top, he refused to do so."
The woman was quite beautiful, her fierceness shining through her delicate features. Her flowing purple robes wrapped around her slender waist. Both her face and her right hand, which rested on the hilt of her sword, were as cold as jade. An amethyst ring adorned the index finger of her right hand.
Jiang Fengmian immediately stood up from his seat. "My Lady, what brings you here?"
Just like Jiang Cheng, she was a natural at sneering. "What am I doing here? What a joke that I am asked such a thing! Sect Leader Jiang, do you still remember that I'm also the leader of Lotus Pier? Do you still remember that every inch of the earth here is my territory?"
Since his marriage, he had heard this question myriad times. Jiang Fengmian answered, "Of course I do."
Madam Yu laughed bitterly, "You do remember, but there's no use if you simply remember. Wei Ying really can't take it unless he stirs up some trouble, can he?"
Xiao Zhan's face was wiped clean of any emotions as he spoke up, "Excuse me, Madam Yu? When exactly did I stir up trouble now?"
Ignoring his question, Madam Yu continued her angry rant, "If you yourself don't pursue advancement, then don't drag Jiang Cheng along with you. You're going to be a bad influence on him."
Xiao Zhan tightened his grip on Suibian and gritted his teeth. "Regardless of what I have achieved and no matter how advanced my skills are, in your eyes, those are all just my faults, Madam Yu."
"You insolentâ" Madam Yu turned her head in his direction to yell, and her hand was already twirling the silver ring on her right hand. However, she stopped herself from fully unleashing Zidian when she saw the elegant Young Master dressed in white.
She hadn't noticed him earlier as she was completely clouded with fury. Recognizing the rolling cloud motif on his outfit, she toned down her anger. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. You are the Second Young Master Lan, I presume?"
Lan Wangji's face was as cold as Antarctica and as hard as the iceberg that sank the Titanic. He nodded, unwilling to bow to the woman who wanted to find fault with Wei Ying without rhyme or reason.
"My apologies that you have to witness this unsightly married couple's quarrel, Second Young Master Lan." Jiang Fengmian was flushed with anger and embarrassment.
Lan Wangji spoke in a tone that could freeze the air, "Sect Leader Jiang, Madam Yu, I hope my ward, Xue Yang, will not be treated as Wei Ying was just now."
"Certainly not, Second Young Master Lan. The document has already been made official," Jiang Fengmian replied. With a sour expression, Madam Yu took the documents on the table and read them. They clearly stated that Xue Yang was a fully sponsored guest disciple under Lan Wangji's protection.
Xiao Zhan somehow couldn't look past the brief moment of purple light. If Lan Wangji had not been present in the room, he could have been hit by it for no reason at all. "Madam Yu, did you mean to take out your whip on me again?"
Annoyed, Madam Yu raised her eyebrows. "And what if I did?"
Jiang Fengmian, "My lady, you are tired. Why don't you go back and rest?"
Xiao Zhan gave a mirthless laugh. He now possessed the body of Wei Wuxian and saw the countless thin streaks of scars made by the whip on his back. He was angry on behalf of not only Wei Wuxian but also Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli. He loathed people who maltreated and harmed a child simply to vent their anger and bitterness. Whether it was physical or mental abuse, there was no justification for it. "Uncle Jiang, out of respect for you, I always held it in. I endured those punishments by using a first-class spiritual weapon for petty things like breaking a vase in the past. But now, Madam Yu wanted to lash me for asking a logical question. It is a bit too much, don't you think?"
Lan Wangji glared at the silver ring around Madam Yu's finger. "In the past?"
Madam Yu gritted her teeth. "So what? You are the son of a servant. Servants should know their place. I can treat a servant of my household however I like!"
Jiang Fengmian raised his voice. "My lady!"
Xiao Zhan scoffed. "Yes, my father was a servant. Does talking about my deceased parent make you happy, Madam Yu?"
Jiang Fengmian shook his head, trying to diffuse the tension that his wife had brought upon him, "A-Ying, I never thought about your father like that. He was my friend first, and you are not a servant."
Xiao Zhan smiled at him, "I know, Uncle Jiang."
Madam Yu simply wanted to let out the resentment in her heart, even if it made no sense. She laughed harshly, "How wonderful. Raising someone else's child with such passion, Sect Leader Jiang, you really are a very nice person!"
Jiang Fengmian shouted, "Yu Ziyuan!"
Madam Yu also shouted, "Jiang Fengmian! Do you think raising your voice will change anything?!"
Jiang Fengmian stood up. "Let's talk when we get back."
Madam Yu scoffed. "Talk about what? Get back where? I'll talk about it right here. I have nothing to be ashamed of anyway!"
Lan Wangji could not watch the shouting match any longer. "You should be ashamed, Madam Yu."
Xiao Zhan shook his head at the unbecoming display. "Madam Yu, I knew you hated my late parents and me as well. In fact, I knew the reason for your hatred. To be honest, I don't care. Hate me all you want. However, I am certain about one thing. From now on, I won't allow anyone to abuse me or anyone I care about."
Getting rebuked by two inexperienced cultivators, Madam Yu lost control of her temper. She unleashed Zidian, and the whip sizzled in her cold hand. Xiao Zhan was quick to react. He caught the whip that was lashed in his direction and yanked it entirely out of the woman's hand, causing her to stagger forward. Madam Yu's eyes widened, and Jiang Fengmian stared in horror at his wife for committing such an act. She muttered, "Jinzhu, Yinzhu."
Her loyal aides dashed into the room at her call. "Madam?"
"Get Zidian!" Madam Yu yelled and pointed her shaky index finger at Xiao Zhan's hand.
Lan Wangji stepped out and stood tall in front of Xiao Zhan, whose one hand was clenching the lifeless whip. The almost translucent blade left its sheath, and a blue glare resonated throughout its length. "Stop," he uttered in a low gravelly voice, glancing at the twin. "One step forward, Bichen will slice you without mercy."
Hearing the sword's name and looking at the tall body that emitted an aura of frost with eyes as sharp as knives, the two hesitated. The head disciple of the Jiang Clan behind the ice-cold young man had an even more terrifying atmosphere around him that made the hair on the back of their necks stand up. They looked at their master, waiting for her further instructions. Madam Yu was speechless. Jiang Fengmian signaled for them to withdraw, and they obeyed.
Xiao Zhan handed over the whip to the stupefied Jiang Fengmian. As soon as the older man touched Zidian with his hand, it retracted obediently, immediately turning into a ring that wrapped itself around one of his fingers. Jiang Fengmian froze at once. Madam Yu had never said that she had let Zidian recognize Jiang Fengmian as its master as well.
"What is the meaning of this, my lady?" Jiang Fengmian asked.
Madam Yu was rooted in place, yet to recover her wits from the shock. Jinzhu and Yinzhu stood at her left and right without a word, but astonishment was written all over their faces. Xiao Zhan casually brushed off his palm that had caught the electrified whip. It tingled with a slight superficial burn but nothing more.
"I think it's time for us to leave this room, Uncle Jiang. I apologize for my rude outburst just now. We'll see you in the morning," Xiao Zhan politely excused himself.
Jiang Fengmian forced a smile. "Sure. We'll talk tomorrow."
With a tacit agreement, Lan Wangji sheathed his sword and walked with Xiao Zhan toward the exit.