Jiāng Chéng has little time to realize his cruelty, Huáisāng has already disappeared, leaving behind his effects and, above all... His fan. The one he loved so much, once. Jiāng Chéng holds a cry of frustration. He must not let himself be reached. He will ask a servant to bring it back to Huáisāng - yes, that is what he should do, as a clan leader. He has already shown enough for today.
A-Chéng... The voice of his Jiě has never been so strong in all these years. A sweet voice, so kindly reprobate. Jiāng Chéng sighs and shakes his head. No, sorry, jiě. I can't do anything. He must think of the Jiāng clan, honour their mother, their father, their ancestors. He does not have time to deal with the affairs of others. It's none of his business. He doesn't want to take a stand on this.
Jiāng Chéng therefore picks up the fan, turns it between his fingers and, with as much regret as at the time when he decided to close his eyes for the Wēn, he leaves the object on a small piece of furniture and asks a servant to go and carry it to the pavilion of Niè Huáisāng. He readjusts his outfit, puts his hair back on and goes out to return to the festivities with all the dignity he has left. He will make himself inconspicuous, but will be present.
Jīn Líng's voice stops him on the way. Jiāng Chéng clenches his fists, unwilling to face his nephew after making such a fool of himself. He keeps his eyes glued to him, listening.
"Jiujiu... The leader of the Niè clan fell in the garden..."
For a moment, Jiāng Chéng remained frozen. He hesitated. His legs are already ready to rush towards the gardens - but his reason pushes him to stillness. Slowly, he turns to his nephew, frowning. At this hour, he does not feel any size in going to scrape off the ground the chief of the Nie. He must not yield. With a dignified, almost haughty air, he replies:
"Jīn Líng, go tell your uncle Jīn Guāngyáo, he's in the best position to take care of it; this is his house, after all."
He wants to appear insensitive, without compassion or empathy. He cannot carry others at arm's length - he no longer wants to, he cannot. If these last years have taught him something, it is that everyone has his problems and that wanting to put his nose in it attracts only misfortunes.
Jīn Líng approaches him with caution.
"Are you all right?"
"Hmpf. Of course" Jiāng Cheng replied sharply, turning away again.
"If you want, we'll go home. We don't care about this banquet!" Jīn Líng replies, his mocking air confronting his concern.
Go home. This notion is comforting to the heart of Jiāng Chen. He has at least his nephew, he is all he has left. He is not alone. But Jīn Líng's house is here at the Golden Carp Tower. You have to be pragmatic.
"You don't think you'll escape the banquet! What will they say about you if you don't even attend the official festivities of your clan?"
Jiāng Chéng gives him a stern look but, despite everything, he is softer than usual. He would like to be able to escape this terrible evening with Jīn Líng, too. And go home. Yes, he would love to be able to find his way home...
"Come, and tell Liǎnfāng-zūn what you saw."
Jīn Líng sighs before nodding.
"Okay ... But after the festivities, I'll go home with you."
Before Jiāng Chéng can answer him, Jīn Líng passes in front of him and enters the reception room to go find his other uncle. The day has progressed, now night has almost fallen. The great hall of the palace is full, as at every conference organized by the chief of the Jīn clan. A real success - and the delight of all cultivators. Jiāng Chéng quickly spots Jīn Guāngyáo in great discussion with Lán Xīchén - these two still seem inseparable. Seeing them approaching, Jīn Guāngyáo smiles at them. Jiāng Chéng bows to the two cultivators, who return his politeness.
YOU ARE READING
I will wait for you
Fanfiction[ COMPLETE ] "Jiāng-zōngzhǔ can guide you for that, his muscles are young and prominent." Of course, his words were spoken loud enough for the Zōngzhǔ to hear them and also attract his angry eyes. Far from sharing the laughter of Wèi Wúxiàn, Huáisān...
