A Means to an End (WangXian)

Caiyi

It did not take long to reach Caiyi. Though Lan Wangji wished it was quicker.

Jiang Wanyin kept making snide remarks the entire way down the mountain. It was mostly ridiculing Wei Wuxian for one thing or the next. Mentioning that maybe Lan Wangji was a bad influence if Wei Wuxian had changed so dramatically. Then he called him shameless for staying in the same home with another man from a different sect. Wei Wuxian didn't fully realize the intent with those words, but he knew it was offensive.

He defended Lan Wangji afterwards, but Jiang Wanyin just made a petty remark back.

It wasn't until Lan Wangji saw Wei Wuxian shrink in on himself enough that he wordlessly casted the silencing charm over Jiang Wanyin, effectively shutting him up.

No one in the group seemed to truly understand where this anger was coming from. Though, Wei Wuxian had an inkling as he knows Jiang Wanyin the best. However, the others felt perplexed, if not angered by the encounter.

Everyone had an unanimous agreement that this is not how families should treat each other. Lan Wangji and Nie Huaisang both had more of a burning hatred for the Jiang heir, after all, he is the one that caused Wei Wuxian the most pain. It was also obviously clear how uncomfortable his shidi's words caused him.

Jiang Wanyin glared hatefully at the Lan, cursing him under his closed lips. He had half the audacity to report him right here and now. Surely using the silencing charm on someone outside of the Cloud Recesses was prohibited.

However, the group ignored the aggressive gestures from the Jiang and continued on their way to Caiyi. This was meant to be a peaceful trip. They didn't want him spoiling it.

Wei Wuxian stuck close to Lan Wangji after that. He appreciated Lan Wangji's interference.

He couldn't quite decide how to handle his relationship with the Jiang heir. Things felt very different between the two.

Wei Wuxian would be lying if he said he wasn't warped with fear and guilt when it came to the hot head. Everything that happened has caused there to be an offset to their relationship, and Wei Wuxian hadn't given himself much time to process it.

Though he realizes that he still cares for him and sees him as his shidi. He also thinks he needs more time to fully think about how he will handle things further.

Their relationship has not always been great after all, and it certainly ended in disaster last time.

The silencing charm wore off by the time they reached the bustling, yet quaint town of Caiyi. Jiang Wanyin chose to remain silent momentarily, lest the Lan decided to cast the charm on him again. 

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath of fresh air. He loved coming to Caiyi. It was the perfect mixture of a large crowd, yet still peaceful enough to fit right into Gusu.

Wei Wuxian was not great around large crowds anymore. It made him feel cornered and sometimes he would panic. However, Caiyi was different. It was crowded, sure, but people were not screaming at each other, or shoving through to create a path, or haggling out sales and deals. Things were tranquil and much more calm.

Wei Wuxian appreciated that.

"Alright. I need to head to the closest Yàoshī. How about we meet for lunch in about an hour and a half?" Wen Qing proposed.

The group agreed. "Jie, I'll come with you," Wen Ning said.

"I want to check out some of the stalls," Wei Wuxian admitted. There was a particular one he had seen before that he would like to visit again.

"I will go with you," Lan Wangji stated.

Jiang Wanyin scoffed. "You're going nowhere without me."

Nie Huaisang grimaced. He didn't like the idea of Jiang Wanyin going with Wei Wuxian. He was sure to cause trouble and that is something that Wei Wuxian did not need. "I'll come along as well," he said. He figured he could cause some sort of distraction if the Jiang got too brash.