MDZS Fanfic

Red Strings of Connections

Chapter 25 Trouble in Cloud Recesses

One of finest, quiet, normal days in Cloud Recesses, today, the lesson took everyone in Murals of Lan Clan's ancestors; Lan Qiren deliberates everyone about their clan's history through generations, AND NORMALLY Wei Wuxian would be with Lan Wangji during this tour, but the said stony-faced cultivator is currently out and nowhere. So, instead, Wei Wuxian is with Jin Zixuan and Nie Huaisang.

"So the founding father of the Lan was a monk; no wonder. To enter the secular world for the sake of one person—"should you leave, I too shall leave, this life shall not remain in the world"—with such attitude for a founder; how come did he give birth to such unromantic descendants?"

This is one of the topics within the guest disciples around Wei Wuxian, Nie Huaisang and Jin Zixuan who could hear them clearly, although they are doubting that Lan Qiren actually hears these; nevertheless, they wouldn't whisper this if the Lan Master is near them anyway.

"Is Wangji-xiong unromantic too Ying'xiong?" Nie Huaisang whispered to Wei Wuxian, covering his mouth with his fan, all curious.

Wei Wuxian narrows his eyes towards the Second Young Master Nie before replying, "Who are you? Tiao Reinshun? Here I thought I'm safe from her and her minions, to think that she also has minion within Nie Clan!"

"Aiya! Shizun is not the only one who interested in your progress with Wangji-xiong!"

"Lower your voice more Nie Huaisang, their relationship is still in secret."

"There's nothing going on between us!"

"At least "there's nothing yet"."

"Don't join him Sect Leader Jin..."

Jin Zixuan and Nie Huaisang snicker quietly.

Going through the murals once again, Wei Wuxian took this chance to whisper something to Jin Zixuan which made him blush, frown and look sharply at Wei Wuxian.

After a short silent and frowning at the younger lad, Jin Zixuan sighs and told to Wei Wuxian about the situation in Jinlintai, specifically about his marriage with Jiang Yanli.

Jiang Yanli is the eldest daughter of Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Cheng's elder biological sister. Has moderate temper, nothing exceptional—steady in speech, but nothing memorable. Her looks were above average, and her talents were nothing astounding. When compared to other beautiful maidens of various clans, she'll be easily overshadowed.

These are what people would say about Jiang Yanli, and unfortunately for someone who always alone and has habit of eavesdropping, Jiang Wanyin or better known in Zhuque Sect as Chengcheng hears them, and as words getting out from Jin Zixuan makes his face redder and redder.

He did not catch all the words they are talking, yet he concludes that Jin Zixuan is insulting his Shijie, and it is something he cannot tolerate at all.

Jiang Cheng didn't even hear Jin Zixuan's own thoughts about Jiang Yanli which makes Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang grin on how head over heels in love their friend.

With reddened face, Jiang Cheng stomp his feet towards the Zhuque-Jin-Nie trio, and without a word punches Jin Zixuan who has completely no idea why he must receive such a rage.

Quickly, despite all shock, Wei Wuxian gets in-between of the two.

"What's up with you Chengcheng?"

"Fuck off Wei Wuxian! That bastard doesn't deserve my Shijie!!!"

"Huh? Just what are you talking?"

Blind in rage, Jiang Cheng would launch another punch and doesn't care if Wei Wuxian will be caught in it, but before he could land it at the unmoving young master, a strong hold stops him.

"Let go bastard!" Jiang Cheng halted and seemed to be woken up from his rage after seeing the one that stop him; the other is looking at his being without expression on the face except his eyes which holds great menace towards him.

"Lan Zhan!"

Nie Huaisang sighs in relief, while Cong Zhuliu, O Zhangyao and Li Yang all went to Wei Wuxian's side.

"Wei Ying."

"I'm fine, I'm fine Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian, answer into Lan Zhan's silent concern, jogging on Lan Zhan's side.

O Zhangyao gives a small bottle of ointment to Jin Zixuan, who accepted it.

"Thank you."

Probably other than Wei Wuxian, and Nie Huaisang no one actually knew what's the cause of commotion.

Thanks to Wei Wuxian's quick intervention, Jiang Cheng is the only one that get punished by kneeling at the zen garden of Cloud Recesses. He doesn't accept the fact that Jin Zixuan didn't get the same treatment despite Wei Wuxian's and Nie Huaisang's attempt on explaining it to him.

On that very same day, Madam Jiang and Madam Jin were called in Cloud Recesses.

"This is stupid! Jiang Cheng won't do something like that! Me and Madam Jin has been friends since our prime, and you are saying Jiang Cheng ignored that friendship and just went into sprint? Didn't you instigate it, Wei Wuxian?"

"Madam Jiang you are thinking too bad of us, despite we never show any animosity towards you or Jiang Clan." Wei Wuxian kept himself calm in front of raging madam, just taking it like he and his sect's usually do.

"You—calling me by that is animosity itself!"

"But Madam Jiang have you forgotten you agreed to be called "Madam Jiang" if my Shimei defeat Chengcheng. She did win, yes? And we have all members of Zhuque Sect and Lan clan as witnesses. You, yourself and Sect Leader Jiang are also witness to this. So, we all have the rights to call you "Madam Jiang"."

"I don't see why you are so uptight on how you will be call Ziyuan. You are indeed the Madam of Jiang Clan, isn't so? So, it is just fine to everyone to call you "Madam Jiang". From what I see on things, I must say, you should blame your son for being helpless against a younger girl. Anyways that isn't our case why we are called right?"

"Yes," Qingheng-Jun nodded. "Like I reported to you two; Jiang Wanyin punched Sect Leader Jin out of nowhere; there are many witnesses too, and the closest witness are these two young masters, Wei Ying and Nie Huaisang. They are with Jin Zixuan when Jiang Wanyin hurts Sect Leader Jin and accuses him of various things. Jiang Wanyin would also punch A-Ying if weren't stop." He pauses as he turns to Wei Wuxian. "Could the two of you tell us what really occurred?"

"We're talking about the history of Lan Clan and makes various comments on its foundation." Nie Huaisang begun.

"This master is curious, what are those comments you were talking about?"

"Well, that's—Ying'xiong commented that the founder of Lan Clan is a romantic person and their rules also speaking of romanticism."

The three adult blinks in surprise at this.

"You are the only one who thinks the Lan Clan is romantic."

"Madam Jiang, have you even tried to read the clan rules of the Lans?"

"I did when we were teens and study here."

"Then you should have known that there's a rule within it that might have click into the Madams."

"Ying'xiong you seems so aware of the Lan rules, why is that? Oh, never mind I forgot that we are memorizing them."

"In truth Sang'xiong, in Zhuque Sect me and my siblings are required to memorize all the rules of various sect; and there's even a time when we are asked to recite them—the most used rule is the Lan Clans'."

"Why Cangse requires you?"

"They said that it is for our brain development and let this disciple to correct the esteemed Madam of Jiang and I asking for your understanding that I mean no offense, but the one that implicated it is my Shifu, the Head of House of Zhang, O Dokun. Going back to the Lan rules, has there anything that clicks you? Nothing. Then, someone that still memorizing the rules, Sang'xiong anything?"

"A Lan rule that it seems romantic? Hmm? Oh! The forehead ribbons!"

"Correct. Uncle Yue would you be kind and enlightened us about this rule?"

"Of course. The rule is: "One's forehead ribbon must not be removed by anyone other than one's fated person"."

"If you don't think that this rule doesn't imply romantic gesture then—I won't say anything anymore. Now, Sang'xiong please continue."

"Right! So me, Ying'xiong and Sect Leader Jin were talking about the murals; Ying'xiong asked Sect Leader Jin about his relationship with Lady Jiang."

"I say it first, it is simply a misunderstanding. Sect Leader Jin talks about other people's comment about his marriage to Lady Jiang, and they are not talking nicely about her at all. These are probably what Chengcheng have heard."

"Young Master Jiang probably didn't catch Sect Leader Jin's praises to Lady Jiang."

"He spouted so many praises about Lady Jiang that we almost gotten full, only if Chengcheng just eavesdrops carefully."

"So everything is simply—really—just a misunderstanding?"

"Yes, Madam Jin."

Madam Jin heaved a sigh of relief before she turns to her friend, sitting across from her. "What now Ziyuan? Obviously, the one in fault is one and only your son. My son indeed loves your daughter, but your son misinterpreting things and just went rage."

"You should have a long and nice talk with your son about his attitude, he will be the next Sect Leader, and it will be difficult for him if this behavior continues." Qingheng-Jun added.

Madam Jiang gritted her teeth, but no longer speak.

Later, before they could depart Madam Jiang apologize to both her friends, and "with heavy feelings" apologize to Wei Wuxian since Jiang Cheng almost punch him, and thank him for trying to stop Jiang Cheng, since thanks to him, thus Jiang Cheng was given a chance to stay in Cloud Recesses.

Qingheng-Jun informs Madam Jiang that they will be stricter towards Jiang Cheng and tries to straighten his behavior even for a little, Madam Jiang thank them.

Before Madam Jiang left the mountain, she has a heart-to-heart talk with her son. Explain to him of what really Wei Wuxian, Nie Huaisang and Jin Zixuan were talking, and the result of his behavior.

That night, Qingheng-Jun informs Jiang Cheng that Lan Xichen will take care of Jiang Cheng's education on his remaining days in Cloud Recesses.