Chapter Text
“Wei Wuxian!!” A furious voice pierced the peaceful calm air of Lotus Pier, as laughter, bright and cheerful followed soon after. Two boys, teenagers really, were seen running across the docks. One in clothing soaked to the bone, the purple fabric clinging to his frame as he chased the other.
“Ah! Jiang Cheng, come on! It’s just water!” Wei Wuxian cried as he ducked and weaved out of the grasping hands laughing all the while. The red ribbon which tied his hair up fluttering in the wind and his silver eyes filled with amusement at his little prank.
“Yeah? Then you won’t mind having a little swim too!” Jiang Cheng hissed in return, the previous rage in his voice dwindling as the playful banter the two shared grew.
Wei Wuxian grinned. “Have to catch me first, didi!” He teased as with expert footwork, once more evaded the hands wishing to throw him into the water as he had done just moments before. Jiang Cheng's face flushed at that remark as his fingers barely brushed the black robes Wei Wuxian wore.
The chase continued into the streets, both boys smiling now. They ducked and weaved through the vendors and townspeople who shook their heads in fond amusement. This was a regular occurrence within the kingdom.
Wei Wuxian the adopted son of the Jiangs who ruled these lands was a light-hearted and kind boy, and Jiang Cheng the kingdom's prince and heir who hid his feelings behind a gruff exterior. Brothers not by blood, but family all the same to those who looked close enough.
As the sun began to lower and the day came to an end. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian returned to the main house where the royal family resided. Both were flushed and sweaty as servants greeted them with towels to wipe off the sweat and grime.
“A-Cheng, A-Xian!” A sweet melodic voice called as they both turned to see Jiang Yanli making her way towards them. “Where have you two been? A-Die and A-Niang have been waiting to speak with you both.”
Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng traded a confused glance. They had not heard about any summons or meetings held for today when they had left that morning.
Seeing the boy's confusion, Jiang Yanli let out a quiet sigh. Then with a quick reassuring smile shook her head with fond amusement. “Well… Seeing the state you two are in, I think it best for you both to change. Dinner will be ready soon. They will most likely wish to speak about it then. Go on now.” She urged them both.
They nodded quickly and rushed off as she watched them go. Honestly, what was she to do with them?
~~~~~~
“Jiang Cheng. Wei Wuxian. It has been decided that you both will be heading to the Kingdom of Gusu.” Jiang Fengmian's voice cut through the quiet atmosphere as the meal was coming to an end. “As you are aware, the kingdoms hold annual meetings to discuss the affairs and threats we all share from the Burial Mounds. This will be a bit different. The Kingdom of Gusu is known for its renowned teachings. There you will learn and train with others of your age and strengthen the bonds between our kingdoms. I have already received word that other heirs will be attending as well. With the rise of more powerful fierce corpses wandering the land in recent years it will only help to grow your cultivation.”
Wei Wuxian froze at this news—the seething look he received from Madam Yu who sat beside her husband turned his blood to ice. She scoffed as he met her gaze. From under the table he felt a hand grab his own and give a gentle squeeze of reassurance. Jiang Yanli did not glance at him when she did this, but the message was clear. The nudge against his shoulder from Jiang Cheng was also a nice comfort.
Wei Wuxian wasn’t a fool. Nor were the two people he considered his siblings. They knew of their mother's animosity toward him. They were aware of the rumors that circled him at his adoption into their family, but there was little they could do about it. Within the palace, within Madam Yu’s gaze they could not appear as close as they wished. To hear that he was given this opportunity alongside Jiang Cheng…
“Wei Wuxian. Do not bring shame to us. Though I have my opinion on sending someone like you with my son, clearly, I was overruled.” Madam Yu’s voice cut the air as sparks from the ring on her finger danced from where she had her hand rested against the table. Her violet eyes glaring at him as he quickly lowered his gaze.
“I understand.” He all but whispered, his back giving a sudden ache as he did his best not to flinch. The hand that held his own tightened again as he felt Jiang Cheng tense beside him. This wasn’t good.
“May I be excused?” He asked respectfully as he looked at Jiang Fengmian.
The ruler of Lotus Pier nodded once. Ignoring the gab that his wife had implied so hatefully as he usually did. Unless things became too heated. “Yes. Go and begin packing your things. You both will be heading out in the next couple of days. In the meantime ensure you get your affairs in order before then.”
~~~~~~~
The knock at his door a few hours later did not come as a surprise. Nor did the faces that greeted him as he opened it. Honestly he would have been more surprised if they hadn’t shown up at all.
“The Madam requests your presence in the training hall.” Jinzhu’s voice said in a cold and indifferent tone, her face impassive as she passed on the order from the lady she served. Shadowing her was Yinzhu, another who was loyal to Madam Yu. The two were rarely seen apart and never far from the master they served.
Wei Wuxian did not blame them, nor hold any resentment towards them as they escorted him down the hall. His heart pounded in his chest as he kept his apprehension at what was to come to himself. He knew they were just following orders. Yet, he had lived here for so long after being found by Jiang Fengmian. They never uttered a word of disapproval or came to his defense when Madam Yu decided he needed to be taught a lesson. Even now.
They stopped outside the door, as they announced his arrival. Bracing himself for what was to come, Wei Wuxian went inside, the door closing behind him, leaving him and the madam inside.
“Madam Yu… You wanted to see me?” He asked with a bow, keeping his head lowered. There were a few moments of tense silence as he stayed bowed. He knew from previous encounters it was best not to move unless she had told him.
He heard the crackle as the silence was finally broken. It didn’t come from words. No, that would’ve been too kind. It came from the air that was filled with electricity, the sound of the air being cut as the whip lashed out with violent force.
Wei Wuxian did not cry out as he fell. He learned that tears and pleads would fall on deaf ears. Instead, he curled up on the ground, his core swirling in his chest as each strike descended with brutality.
Each strike sent more pain, more agony. He took it all in silence. Only the occasional gasp or grunt of pain escaped.
10… 15… Wei Wuxian’s vision blurred. The scent of blood, his blood permeated the air, the sound of his flesh being torn and he prayed. He prayed to whatever gods there were left in this world that the pain would end.
It didn’t. Not till Madam Yu had once more sliced his back to ribbons. Not until her rage receded. Not until her whip once more transformed into a ring as she stood over his bloodied form.
“Clean this mess up. I expect you to be in top form for training tomorrow morning. And understand Wei Wuxian. My husband may have adopted you, but you are not a Jiang. You are nothing more than some worthless trash that he decided to pity. Do not forget your place when you go to Gusu. You are not a prince. Do not shame our kingdom further by thinking you are anything more than a son of a servant and whore.” She hiss spitefully in his ear.
A flash of rage. Red and burning like the blood that continued to flow from his injuries. He wanted to say something—to defend his parents who he could barely remember. He said nothing though as his body shook.
She gave him one more derisive sneer before her footsteps receded. The door to the training hall closed. Once he heard nothing more, Wei Wuxian let his tears fall.
“Xianxian… are you…. Oh… gods… what has she done to you? Jiang Cheng! Help quickly!” Jiang Yanli’s voice echoed in his fading mind as his vision blurred. He hadn’t heard the door open…
“Fuck! How could she…?”
“There is no time. Quickly, pick him up and get him back to his room!”
A flash of purple and he flinched away. A whimper low and broken escaped. Another curse… Jiang Cheng's voice.
“It’s ok, Wei Wuxian. It’s ok. She’s gone. We’re going to help you. You're going to be ok.” The voice murmured as he felt his body getting lifted. Another pained whimper… and then blessed darkness.
The night came in flashes of consciousness. Searing pain, gentle hands. The scent of herbs. Curses of anger.
When he was finally held onto a shred of consciousness, all he felt was numb. The familiar walls of his room and the sight of his siblings beside him. He saw Jiang Yanli’s quiet tears and shaky hands. He could see Jiang Cheng's clenched fists and a storm of fury on his face.
“I’m ok…” His voice was dry and raspy as he tried to comfort the two. He knew better than to try and sit up. So all he could do was lay there. The bandages were tight around his chest.
“You're not ok. Nothing about this is ok.” Jiang Cheng hissed as he turned to face him. “What if she didn’t stop? What if we hadn’t come to check? You would be dead!”
Wei Wuxian tried to smile. “Aww, you do care.”
“Of fucking course I do!” Jiang Cheng spat back. “You… no matter what others say about you… you are our brother.”
Wei Wuxian stayed silent at that remark. It was rare for Jiang Cheng to admit his true feelings on anything and a surge of affection spread through him.
“A-Cheng is right. You are our family A-Ying. And we are powerless to stop her from hurting you.” Jiang Yanli’s voice shook as she took one of his hands in her own.
“Hey… It's ok.” He tried to reassure them again. “I’m ok.”
The looks he received made him chuckle. Which also sent a jolt of pain as his back seized. He closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing to a more acceptable level as the wave of pain washed over him.
“This cannot go on any longer.” Jiang Cheng announced once his eyes opened once more. There was grief in those purple eyes. Yet, a strong resolve as he straightened up to his full height.
Jiang Yanli glanced at her younger brother. “What are you saying, didi?”
“I’m saying that once we leave for Gusu… Wei Wuxian cannot come back here.”
All the blood seemed to drain for Wei Wuxian's body as he looked at his brother with horror. “You… What?”
Jiang Cheng sighed as he sat himself on the edge of where Wei Wuxian lay. His face was pensive and tired. More than someone of his age should be. Not only was Jiang Cheng the future ruler, he also had to clean up after his mother. “I can’t watch this anymore. I can’t walk around wondering if once you're out of sight that my mother will have you in her grasp. What if next time she takes her ‘punishments’ too far and kills you? You're not safe here.” He hissed, fingers digging into his knees. “This is your home and you're not safe here and it kills me to say that it’s better for you to be exiled then dead. Once… once I’m crowned… you can come back if you wish to.”
Wei Wuxian’s mind raced as he looked at Jiang Yanli. He saw her thoughts clear as day. She agreed.
“You know he won’t let me go that easily…” His voice barely a whisper. They didn’t need to ask who he was referring to.
“We will figure it out once we get there… for now rest.” Jiang Cheng said as he stood.
He didn’t argue. Not having the strength nor will to do so as he watched the two people who cared about him leave the room. There was nothing more to be said. No arguments he could make to change their minds, because in the end he knew they were right.
He just hoped that whatever his sibling had in mind to get him out of their parents clutches did not come back to burn them all.