Chapter Text
Jiang Cheng was excited, practically vibrating in Wei Wuxian’s hold as they flew to Qishan. A-Die had never taken him to a conference before, saying that Jiang Cheng still had a long way to go before his manners were fit to attend one, but it seemed that he had changed his mind.
He knew he was supposed to be older, Wei Wuxian having told him that something had happened on a night hunt and suddenly he was five again, and so far they didn’t know the cure for the curse. It was why he was finally getting to go to a conference even if his manners were bad. Wen-zongzhu had said so and a-Die wasn’t going to disobey him.
Nightless City came into view and Jiang Cheng gasped, even more excitement flooding him as he took in the sight of the city, brightly lit by all the lanterns and ever-flowing lava around it. The jutting and jagged rocks made it look dangerous, along with the lava that fell through the cracks of them. The air was warm, warmer than Lotus Pier ever got, and Jiang Cheng could feel his golden core (his teenage golden core!) working to keep him cool and comfortable.
“So cool!” Jiang Cheng whispered, leaning down to look into the lavafalls they were flying over, and Wei Wuxian laughed at his awe.
They touched down at the main gates and were greeted by a pair of Wen disciples, who offered them a respectful greeting before passing them off to a servant who would lead them to their rooms. Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but frown at that, knowing it was rude that Wen-zongzhu didn’t come to greet them himself, but he didn’t voice it. A-Die had told him to be quiet and not make a fuss once they landed or else he wouldn’t be allowed to attend another conference, and he really wanted to attend another one.
The room they were led to was simple but spacious, all dark wood and red accents. There was a large open space where a low square table sat, with a red pillow on each side. Beyond that, an archway separated the room, and there was an arhat bed on either side of the wall, with red bedding at the foot of the mattress.
“Only two beds?” A-Die asked, surveying the room. Jiang Cheng stayed still, restlessly shifting from one foot to another with the desire to explore the small space. He was a sect heir and it was unbefitting to run wild in front of others, even servants.
A-Yu, the servant that had led them here, nodded slightly. “Yes, Jiang-zongzhu. One for you and your heir, unless you wish to share a bed with him.”
A-Die frowned a little. “Is it possible to get another bed brought in? A-Xian will be rooming here as well.”
A-Yu smiled and gave a small bow. “Jiang-zongzhu should not worry about his head disciple as we have prepared a room for him and all the other disciples as well. They will all be well cared for.”
“I can always sleep with a-Cheng,” Wei Wuxian said, grinning wickedly down at Jiang Cheng. “I’m already used to him kicking me in his sleep, I’m sure his little baby legs won’t even be felt!”
Jiang Cheng pouted at him, stomping his foot. “I don’t kick in my sleep! And even if I did, it’s better than snoring like a congested bear.”
Wei Wuxian gasped. “ A -Cheng, how mean! I snore like a dainty kitten.”
“A-Cheng, that’s enough,” a-Die said, quieting them both. “I suppose A-Xian can sleep in the other room, you do need your own space.”
“No, it’s fine. I like sleeping with Wei Wuxian.” Jiang Cheng said quietly, shifting from foot to foot. He had thought Wei Wuxian would be sleeping in the same room and he was a bit disappointed to learn that he wouldn’t. “Or I could go sleep in the other room?”
“Absolutely not!” Wei Wuxian gasped dramatically. “Little kids shouldn’t be sleeping alone in strange places! You never know what creeps are lurking around.”
“It would be no trouble to bring in another bed,” A-Yu said, still smiling and bowing. “It may take a while to get it properly set up but we can always arrange for it to happen when Jiang- zongzhu is at dinner. And I assure you, honored guest, there are no creeps lurking within these walls. Qishan Wen takes the safety of its guests very seriously.”
“If it’s not too much trouble,” A-Die said, a relieved smile on his face. “I would hate to cause such a fuss on the first day.”
“It’s no trouble at all.” A-Yu smiled more than the Jiang servants did. Jiang Cheng wondered if she was really happy or just good at faking it; it wouldn’t make him happy to have to drag and place another bed into a room clearly made for two. “This one shall take her leave. Please let this one know if you require any more assistance.”
“Dibs on this bed!” Wei Wuxian said once the servant had vanished through the door, quickly making his way to the bed on the left and throwing himself on the mattress, earning a pout from Jiang Cheng.
“But I wanted that one!”
…
Jiang Cheng was being stared at. He knew he was, he could feel all of their eyes on him during the welcome speech and as he carefully ate his dinner. His nerves were on fire and he was trying very hard to keep his anxiety from showing or making a mistake while eating; he wanted to make a good impression and not embarrass A-die or the sect.
It was just so hard! He could feel the eyes of sect leaders and disciples on him, scrutinizing him, judging him. He wasn’t sure how the grown him acted, but he was doing his best to be very quiet and unassuming. Wei Wuxian was making it more difficult, with his constant chatter with both Jiang Cheng and the disciples around them and putting a lot of food into Jiang Cheng’s bowl that he couldn’t possibly finish. It made him want to yell at him to stop but he had to remain calm like a good sect heir.
Wen-zongzhu made him the most nervous. Before they had arrived, both a-Niang and a-Die had told him to be wary of the man and not do anything that would attract his attention. That he had a bad temper and an even worse personality, that children were the one thing he despised the most, and that he would eat Jiang Cheng if he was bad during the conference! Well, the last part was said by Wei Wuxian, and a-Jie scolded him when it made Jiang Cheng cry, but he was sure there was some truth to it. Wei Wuxian wouldn’t lie about that!
It had been a scary moment when Wen-zongzhu had arrived late to the banquet and had made his way down the hall to the dais at the end, his eyes lingering on Jiang Cheng as he passed. He was sure he hadn’t done anything in the time he was there to offend the Wen sect and he hoped it was due to Wen-zongzhu expecting a seventeen-year-old and not a five-year-old. He still occasionally looked at Jiang Cheng during the dinner, his face impassive and head tilted slightly, but thankfully not angry.
As the night went on, Jiang Cheng found it harder to not kick up a fuss. The Lan sect had already left and, given how much Wei Wuxian had complained about the strict bedtime, that meant it was after nine and he was tired. It was hard to tell what time it was since Nightless City was really bright and the banquet was still lively.
Letting out a yawn, he tugged on his a-Die’s robes, trying to get his attention. “ A-Die, I’m tired. Can I go to bed?”
A-Die paused in his conversation with Nie-zongzhu, giving Jiang Cheng a slightly annoyed look. “Already? It can’t be too late.”
Nie-zongzhu spoke before Jiang Cheng could. “It is. The Lans have already retired.”
“Ah, I had not realized,” A-Die said, looking a little flustered.
“It’s okay, I’ll take him to bed!” Wei Wuxian said, starting to stand but a-Die stopped him.
“No, it’s alright, I’ll take him,” a-Die said, standing and motioning for Jiang Cheng to do so as well. “Apologise, Nie-zongzhu, we will have to continue this another time.”
Nie-zongzhu waved his hand. “Don’t worry about it. Sleep well.”
“Thank you,” a-Die said, taking Jiang Cheng’s hand before addressing the disciples. “You all can stay as long as you like.”
With that, he led Jiang Cheng out of the hall. After a few minutes of walking in silence, a-Die spoke.
“A-Cheng, you need to tell me next time you want to go to bed. You can’t be staying up so late.”
Jiang Cheng looked down. “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to interrupt you and Nie-zongzhu’s talk.”
A-Die sighed, sounding tired. “I understand but it’s not good for you to stay up too late. You get cranky and are hard to wake up in the morning.”
Jiang Cheng continued to look at the ground. “Okay. I’m sorry.”
“You keep saying that, but are you?”
Jiang Cheng didn’t respond, just kept looking down and walking. He really wanted to go to bed now.
…
“So the rumors were true, huh? Poor Jiang-zongzhu, going from a nearly grown heir to a child again.”
“At least he’s cute. Did you see his little cheeks? It makes me long for when my Haoran was still little.”
“All that time and work, down the drain. He has to start from scratch.”
“I doubt there was much effort put to start, with that bastard of his still around.”
“Do you think he’ll—”
“No, the Violet Spider would kill him in his sleep!”
“Haha, so true!”
“You know, he used to say his son was too disruptive to come to conferences, but I’m starting to doubt that.”
“Such a polite young master he was today! I wish mine would take a few lessons.”
“Ha! You’re son is horrid!”
“You!”
“He doesn’t seem to like him, does he? I mean, I’ve seen distant fathers, but even Wen-zongzhu looks at his sons at least once!”
“Well, the boy does look like his mother. You suppose that’s why he didn’t want him at conferences? Five days alone in a room with someone you don’t like would be horrible.”
“Still, that’s his son! He can’t dislike him that much.”
“Ah, I’m not sure. He looks that way…”
“Do you think he would even notice if his son just vanished?”
“What?”
“Haha, I don’t know, don’t mind me, I really don’t know!”
“A-Yu, Zongzhu wants to see you after the banquet. He has an assignment for you and a few other servants.”
“Thank you, A-Feng.”