Chapter Text
Li Daiyu is working on a case for Burial Mounds when Nie Huaisang comes crashing into her personal office.
"I need your help to ruin a clan, " He declares as soon as he steps in, and Li Daiyu suppresses a sigh.
Now, Li Daiyu doesn't hate Nie Huaisang. She quite likes him. True, Nie Mingjue- Da-ge, he tells her to call him, may treat Nie Huaisang according to the helpless baby brother act he pulls on, but Li Daiyu knows that it's just that - an act. Nie Corps would be destroyed, if it isn't for Huaisang's ingenuity. And only Da-ge is unaware of how cunning his younger brother is.
Nie Huaisang is an evil genius, but he helps Li Daiyu as well, and though she isn't much of a fan of his tactics, she knows that such methods are necessary when she is dealing with... say, Jin Zixun, or Su She, for an example. Apart from the occasional less than legal support she gets from him, Daiyu likes Nie Huaisang for a variety of reasons.
They enjoy the same artwork, pottery, has quite a similar taste in fashion, and Nie Huaisang actually puts down the helpless act around her, so she gets to enjoy his sharp wit and amusing remarks as well.
He is one of her closest friends, you could say.
At the same time, Li Daiyu is a practitioner of law, so just because Nie Huaisang comes and demands that he needs to destroy a clan, Li Daiyu isn't just going to help him.
Before she hears him out, of course.
"Sit down. And close the door. Just because you engage in ambiguous revenge plans does not mean I can assist you, " She instructs him, rolling her eyes when he pouts at her.
"Unless it's for the right causes, of course, " She adds then, smiling when his pout becomes a fully terrifying smirk that promises misery and pain to those who will be it's recipients.
"I knew I could count on you, " Huaisang beams. He is wearing one of his signature silk shirts, a pale green one, a scarf around his neck, and is carrying a beautiful fan in his hands. He looks like he came out of a fashion show, not to discuss the possible ruin of a major clan.
(Daiyu knows its a major clan. Nie Huaisang wouldn't require her assistance for any minor ones. )
"I did not agree yet, " She reminds him pointedly. Nie Huaisang smirks at her again.
"When I tell you the name of this clan, you will agree, " He says with such conviction, Daiyu begins to wonder what clan has offended the Nies. There is one clan she personally loathes, and surely that group of miserable people hadn't done anything to harm the Nies, if any of them has any brains, which then again, Daiyu doubts heavily.
"The Jiangs, " Nie Huaisang's eyes flash as he says the name, his voice dripping with hatred and loathe. An emotion Daiyu could relate to, without any preamble.
The Jiangs are horrible, misguided, narcissistic, rude, condescending- she could go on, and one understands the point - abusive people, with whom she does not wish to waste a second of her life with. Still, much as Daiyu loathes to admit it, they are a major clan, with a successful business chain. Point is, they are influential, and it wouldn't be ideal to go against them.
She says so much to Nie Huaisang as well.
"Much as I abhor those ill bred vultures, they are still a major clan. What is your sudden desire to bring them into ruin? " She asks.
Nie Huaisang scowls, his eyes darkening. "Isn't the fact that they ruin every discussion between the clans with those ridiculousness enough? They are the biggest obstacle to Burial Mounds! They keep making stupid claims which you have to deal with! "
This was, unfortunately, true. Ever since Burial Mounds achieved its immense success, the Jiangs have been a pain. They keep making ridiculous accusations about the company, its legitimacy, the quality of their service, the leadership- every little thing and Daiyu is tired of facing them yet and yet again. Still, this isn't enough for her to just decide that the Jiangs needed to be ruined.
"It is my job. And people very rarely pay attention to their idiocy nowadays, " Daiyu tells him.
Nie Huaisang stares at her through narrowed eyes. "They blamed Jiang Yanli’s broken engagement on Wei-Xiong, " He spits out. "Something about his terribly volatile and violent nature, "
Daiyu sighs when she remembers that particular accusation. When Wen Ning had pointed that... particular conference to her, she'd just stared at in incredulity. She'd listened to Jiang Wanyin's intolerable voice speaking even more intolerable, stupid words.
It had been the news of the century, when Jin Zixuan himself had taken the initiative to break his engagement off to Maiden Jiang. The union between the two clans had been arranged at their birth by their mothers, then was broken and postponed until they were of age. That had happened after Wei Ying had punched the living daylights out of the Jin heir for daring to grab his shijie inappropriately.
Personally Li Daiyu had never understood the Jiangs' reaction to that even then - why throw out the boy who protected their daughter's honour? Not just throw him out - Wei Ying had been nigh vilified, as if it was a crime.
The betrothal was reinstated two years ago, and there were many speculations that the much awaited Jin-Jiang union would finally be pushed through.
The twist in the story was though, Jin ZiXuan broke it off and had further declared that there was no possibility for a second reinstatement either. Of course that had sparked enough rumours and many speculations, though Jin ZiXuan had announced that this was due to mutual differences that were impossible to ignore, and this would not harm the clan's relations.
Honestly, Li Daiyu thought Jin ZiXuan reasonable enough, and probably half the people who knew the two as well. Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan weren't much suited for each other, and the woman is certainly not skilled enough to deal with the viper's nest the Jin clan is, much less help her husband out.
Of course the Jiangs didn't think this was reasonable, and two days later they had released a statement blaming Wei Ying for this broken engagement, with a number of ridiculous accusations accompanying.
'Wei Wuxian played a part in my sister's broken engagement. He was the reason it was broken in the first place, thanks to his violent and troubled behaviour. Even now, he continues to undermine the family that took him in when he was nothing more than a street urchin, '
Li Daiyu had wasted one hour wondering if anyone in the whole clan had any brains.
Who on earth was stupid and self centered enough to not realise the reason were themselves? Jin Zixuan himself had grown a backbone to break his pre arranged union with Jiang Yanli and Daiyu couldn't blame him for going against his mother.
Who would want to willingly associate oneself with a clan such as theirs?
She'd been just plain exhausted after that ridiculous stunt. Blaming Wei Ying for this didn't even make sense. Wanyin claimed that the two kept meeting in secret and that was what somehow led to Jin ZiXuan realising this woman was not suited for him.
Did Wanyin know that Wei Ying was the CEO of the tech company that was working with the Jin clan at that time? Jin ZiXuan was the one overseeing the operation with them, and of course he'd have to meet Wei Ying in person. Scratch that, did Wanyin even know that the Jins were focusing on a new app? At this rate Daiyu honestly felt pitiful for the future of the Jiang business if this was the heir.
That stupid accusation had sparked so much rumours. Wanyin may as well just announced that he suspected Wei Ying and Jin ZiXuan to be in a relationship, but Daiyu supposed, even stupidity had limits. Still, that had been enough for the rumours to spread like wildfire, and it had been a terrible two weeks of overworking for her, with the addition of a walking thundercloud Lan Wangji, and a miserable Wei Ying because his 'Zhan-Zhan' was sad.
As she is thinking back, Daiyu regards Nie Huaisang thoughtfully. "Now that you do mention, they have been a terrible nuisance, "
He seizes up on that. "See? Exactly what I mean. They are a disgrace to the major clans, "
Daiyu agrees with that wholeheartedly. With their behaviour, they make the Jins seem like tolerable people. Barring Jin Guangshan and his reprobate of a nephew Jin Zixun, of course.
Still, at the same time, apart from their general unpleasantness, the Jiangs weren't criminal. She says as much to Nie Huaisang. "Much as I agree, they still are.... law abiding individuals, "
His face twists in disgust at that. "Are we forgetting what that witch did to Wei-Xiong? " He spits in anger. "That was criminal, "
Daiyu's face twists with unbridled rage as she remembers the scars on Wei Ying's back, and his tiny voice as he had described the cruelty he'd suffered under those monsters, as if he was discussing the weather with her.
That had happened almost five years ago. She'd begged him to take action against them, but Wei Ying had refused time and time again, saying he wanted to let go of the past. She wasn't happy about his choice, but respected it nonetheless. She couldn't imagine how terrible it would be to drag up memories as painful as that.
She reminds Nie Huaisang of Wei Ying's decision again. "I know they are monsters dressed in delicate purple silks. But are you forgetting that Wei Ying wants to let go of everything? He doesn't want to press charges, and he doesn't want a scandal. We should respect that, "
Nie Huaisang smiles. "That's because he has a terribly big heart, and is the epitome of kindness. Too bad for him, I am not. I will not rest until that bitch is ruined, " His smile speaks volumes of his anger and hatred towards the Jiang.
Daiyu sighs. Sometimes it's just easier to go along with Nie Huaisang's schemes. And in all cases, the thought of the Jiang clan's downfall is delightful.
Daiyu leans back in her chair, tapping her fingers thoughtfully on the polished surface of her desk. The wheels in her mind turn as she contemplates the potential repercussions of getting involved in Nie Huaisang's plan to ruin the Jiang clan.
"I can't just agree to this without a solid plan in place," she finally says, her gaze steady on Nie Huaisang. "If we're going to take down a major clan, we need more than just disdain for them, "
Nie Huaisang grins, seemingly delighted by Daiyu's cautious approach. "My dear Daiyu, you underestimate the power of strategic chaos. I have a plan, and I assure you, it's as intricate as one of your legal arguments."
Daiyu arches an eyebrow, intrigued. "Let's hear it then. But remember, I won't jeopardize my reputation without a foolproof strategy."
His grin just widens, clearly happy about having won her over. "I knew you'd agree, " He says in a smug voice, and Daiyu doesn't bother correcting him. She isn't the image of forgiveness and kindness like Wei Ying either. She'd have agreed with Nie Huaisang soon enough.
"So what do you have up your sleeves, Huaisang? " She asks instead, her eyes narrowing as she takes in his calculating smirk.
It widens even more. "Enough to ruin their legacy for the next century, Daiyu, " He hums.
Well. It seems she has a dinner date that evening.