Pitched Normal

32

Wei Ying was standing outside the pavilion that led into the guest rooms that he and his brother had been quartered to. He was...unbearably nervous. For one, he knew that Jiang Cheng was already not going to be happy, he knew that, but for two, he did not know how he would take his courting to Lan Wangji. He knew what he was doing, he knew what he wanted, and he knew that the Jiangs would not be happy about it. He did not know why he felt that way. After all, it was not as though Lan Wangji was a bad catch. If anything, it would tighten the relations between Yunmeng and Gusu far more than what they already were. To some extent of course. While he knew that marriages were definitely mostly used to help heighten alliances between sects, similar to how Yanli and ZiXuan's was, he also knew that the Master and Lady of Jiang likely had no intention of him courting, or being courted, nor getting married. 

He knew why that was, and he found himself rather disappointed in it. Being at the Lans, it forced him to admit a lot of uncomfortable things. Not even being at the Lans, it was mostly Lan Wangji. The other opened his eyes to so many things, just in how he and XiChen interacted, and how Wangji treated him. How XiChen treated him. Lan Qiren, even, which was kind of sad considering he was dead sure that the man hated him. Yet, he still treated him with more respect than anyone in the Jiangs ever had besides the Disciples that he trained. He felt more at east at Gusu, despite his bad behavior and the constant reprimands of Lan Qiren, whom apparently was easing up on them, although that could be because Wangji had told him that he was going to talk to the man about his behavior if he continued, though it confused Wei Ying as to why he would do something like that. 

It was just...things like that though. Wangji being willing to stand up for him, in ways that...he feared the Jiangs either could not, or would not. It did not matter either way, he supposed, because in the end Wangji, despite only knowing him for a couple of months, did something that the people he had been living with for years, never really have. He showed him something that was, so far different. He just...had to be certain in his decision. If he left the Jiangs, he had nowhere else to go, but of course, he has been in that situation before, and he knew that he would be more than willing to be in the same situation again, should time be called for it. 

With a new sense of determination, aided with sadness that his thoughts had taken, he made his way to his room, which was shared with Jiang Cheng. He grilled himself mentally, to stay strong, to not fall down. He had to show his resolution, and his determination. He...he knew what real silbingship looked like now, thanks to the Jades, and he most certainly was done being the person that Jiang Cheng walked all over. He had to stand for himself. Lan Wangji had taught him so many things, and he would look forwards to a time where he would be able to continue to learn from him. 

"Where have you been?" He should not have been surprised that would be the first words out of Jiang Cheng's mouth, however, for some reason it did take him by surprise, and he turned to look at Jiang Cheng in shock. 

"What do you mean?" 

"I mean, where have you been? You've been sneaking off who knows where. Not to mention yesterday, I got stuck outside of the Cloud Recesses because of you." Jiang Cheng accused, his eyes wide and his voice flooded with anger. It was practically crashing off of him and onto Wei Ying, who stood his ground, for once. 

"That was in no way my fault." He said, his voice stern but steady. His conviction was obvious. His talking back shocked Jiang Cheng. "Lan Zhan warned everyone, including you, when we were getting close to needing to leave. It is not my fault you decided not to listen to him and keep talking to Young Master Nie." Wei Ying argued back. He was correct, something which caused Jiang Cheng to be thrown off, having not expected this from him. 

"I..." 

"It is not my fault and you know it." Wei Ying said frustrated. His eyes narrowed as he continued to speak. "I am not going to take responsibility because you did not have the gall to actually listen to Lan Wangji." He shook his head frustrated. 

"Lan...Zhan?" Jiang Cheng scoffed. "Since when did you and the Second Jade get so close so as for you to call him Lan Zhan?" He questioned. Wei Ying grit his teeth and his eyes flashed, frustration and annoyance having got the better of him. 

"Since we decided to court each other," He declared, before the shock of actually having stated it in such a way got the better of him, shock flooding his features as he had stated it aloud. He knew that he was going to have to tell Jiang Cheng sooner or later, but...he had not expected it to happen like that...and Jiang Cheng was just staring at him, before he started laughing. 

"You?" He scoffed. "Lan Wangji, the great second Jade, wants to court you? Of all people? Please, no need to make up lies to try and get out of your wrong doings." 

"Get out of my...I already told you, it is not my fault you were so thick headed that you didn't pay attention to the time and ended up kicked out for the night! Furthermore, it is not my fault that you did not listen to Lan Zhan, and for your information, yes, I am intending to court Lan Zhan. He has already spoken to his brother about it, and they are going to draft the official request to send to Madam Yu and Uncle Jiang tomorrow morning. As for now, I don't want to talk to your today." He strode to his side of the room, and huffily pulled the curtains around his bed, sick and tired of Jiang Cheng's behavior and actions. What was wrong with him? 

But even more so, how dare he question Lan Wangji.