Chapter Text
There are many things about his new life that Wei Wuxian had not expected. He had not expected to fall in love with Lan Zhan. He had not expected his son to be alive. Most of all he had not expected to be brought back at all. He certainly had not expected to be dragged into a conspiracy. So perhaps in his long list of things he did not expect this hardly made the list, but it certainly could not deny that it had in fact made the list. Well she had made the list.
The girl, Wei Ying made a note to discover her name as soon as he possibly could, and entered the room very quietly. If it had not been for Nie Huaisang’s eyes turning to her as soon as she stepped in, she might have easily blended into the other junior Nie disciples. She could not be any older than fourteen or fifteen. There’s a fierceness to her features, particularly in her brow and chin. However what does end up catching his eyes are the sculpt of her nose, the sharpness of her cheekbones, and the unmistakable deep violet of her eyes.
Under the table, he reaches for Lan Zhan’s hand giving it a gentle squeeze. Even if he does not know her name or how she got there. He knows exactly who’s child this is. Nie Huaisang makes eye contact with him and while they may not be telepathic the meaning is crystal clear. He manages not to stare at her for the rest of the meeting but it does take a great deal of effort on his part not to do so.
Once the discussions come to an end, Nie Huaisang ushers the teenager over to both Wei Ying and Lan Wangji. She fixes Wei Ying with a curious gaze as she offers a bow to the pair of them. “I am Nie Rong, courtesy name Meixiu. It is a pleasure to meet you Hanguang-Jun and Master Wei.”
“A-Xiu is my only niece.” Nie Huaisang offers with a smile behind his fan. Wei Ying feels Lan Zhan stiffen at that, eyes narrowing. While it might not be so obvious to people who did not spend a great deal of time examining his husband’s face, Wei Wuxian most certainly saw the change in expression. “A-Xiu is very gifted, I have been considering sending her to study in Gusu when the spring begins. Alas I have been so reluctant to part with my beloved niece.”
The words are full of affection and Nie Meixiu straightens, a familiar smile playing across her lips. Wei Ying felt his heart ache, it had been so long since he had seen that smile. But then the expression fades into something serious as her gaze fixed upon the two before her. “I have not had a chance to offer my thanks before today, but this one thanks you both. For your help in putting my father to rest.”
The tension in Nie Huaisang’s face rises deeply, but if Meixiu notices she does not acknowledge it. If she has more to say it gets lost in a shout and a splash from outside. The teenager excuses herself to assess the damage to her fellow junior personally. Wei Ying also takes the moment to excuse himself and Lan Zhan. But not before another calculated look from Nie Hauisang.
Despite how early the hour is, Wei Wuxian makes a beeline for their room, hastily locking the door and setting up silencing talismans around the room as quickly as possible. Lan Wangji, darling that he is, opens his arms as soon as husband finishes setting up the precautions. To Which Wei Ying literally tosses himself into the warm embrace. Comforting strong fingers smooth over his spine and it takes Wei Wuxian a moment to realize that he is shaking with mixed emotions. “I don’t know where to begin.”
“Mn. Start where you are ready.” Lan Zhan’s steady hands anchor him to the world of the living. A tender kiss pressed to the other's temple as he continued to tremble with the force of the afternoon's revelations.
“She is Jiang Cheng’s daughter.” Wei Ying feels his husband stiffen at that. “I don’t know how she ended up here. Whether she’s Chifeng-Zun’s daughter as well, I don’t know. But she’s definitely Jiang Cheng’s. She’s too young to be Shijie’s daughter and she looks too much like Madam Yu not to be a Jiang.”
Strong digits continue their gentle ministrations. Wei Ying is well aware that his husband holds no love for his former martial brother, especially after everything that has happened. When Lan Zhan does speak, his words seem very careful. To the casual observer his eyes would seem to have their usual stoicism, however his husband is an expert at reading his face. “It is very unlikely that she is Chifeng-Zun’s child.”
“Oh, does my husband know something that I do not?” The words hold not bite. Especially as another peck is pressed to his other temple.
“Chifeng-Zun would not have a child without my brother’s knowledge.” The words are intense and matter of fact. But also leveled with a deep sadness. “They had considered such things before his death. If they did have children, they had planned to marry and adopt. I heard them discuss several times. After Nie Mingjue’s health began to fail, brother informed me that they decided against such things. Even with that, if he did have a child. I highly doubt it would be with Jiang Cheng. Especially not without telling my brother.”
Wei Ying considered that for a moment. That decision made sense and while he’s not an expert at such things as guess children’s ages, she was definitely too young to have been born or even conceived before his health began to fail. “No, that does not make much sense does it. I can only assume that Jiang Cheng doesn’t know about her. Because if he did he would have definitely taken her back to Lotus Pier without a second thought.”
The hands at Wei Ying’s back slide up, over the back of his neck to touch his face. The couple share a look of understanding. Wei Wuxian may have mixed feelings about his former martial brother, rightfully so. Her existence was a further complication to them. It was unfair to keep him in the dark about his offspring, especially with his desperation for family. Nie Meixiu however, was definitely old enough to choose her loyalties and home. It is a difficult situation to be in to say the least.
In the end they decide to keep the information carefully hidden between the two of them for now. They do, decide to tell Wen Ning when they return to Gusu. After that they will tell Lan Xichen an edited version, if nothing else so he does not suffer a shock heart attack by his former partner’s child appearing out of nowhere in the decade and a half since his death. The bigger issue is finding out however much the girl-Nie Meixiu, Wei Ying corrects himself, herself knows.
If Nie Meixiu does know then they will not pursue her choice not to contact Jiang Cheng, they will not force her to do so. Clearly she has found her family in the Unclean Realm. While they are fairly certain that Nie Mingjue is not her father, it is impossible to deny that she has similarity in appearance to the other Nie clan members. They will not force her out of her home to pursue a bond that she has no interest in. However, if she does not know, it is her right to be told and be given the chance to make the choice herself. Even born out of wedlock, Jiang Cheng could easily legitimize her if that is what she wanted.
They stay together, wrapped in each other’s arms for a while. Fingers caressing one another with no urgency, only love. They only break apart when someone knocks on the door to tell them that dinner has been prepared.