Pitched Normal

50

Huaisang was quite thrilled. He could not help but fan himself in absolute excitement. Wei WuXian agreed to go to Caiyi with him today! He had to admit it came somewhat out of the blue, but he was not going to turn a gift away. He had been wanting to speak with him for such a long time, and trying to find a good time to actually talk was difficult enough. He had suspected perhaps, when Lan Wangji had come to ask him about the rumors regarding Wei Wuxian, he may actually be able to speak wtih his friend, but to see the Lan boy actually make good on his promise was something Huaisang probably should have expected but did not. Sure they had rules, but who follows all of those rules anyawys? He knew there was too many to possibly follow to the exact precept every time all the time.

So when the First Jade had stopped by him and given him a mischeivious smile Husaisang had almost run away, but instead, he had stood his ground. He did not know whether this was about his grades or something else, but hearing that Lan Wangji and Wei WuXian would be going to Caiyi, and Wangji wanted to know if he would like to come along whilst the Second Jade did some busienss in town and hang out with Wei WuXian was almost a gift in the mouth! And nothing of his grades was even mentioned! Well, he had mentioned that he spoke with his brother and would like to talk to Huaisang about a personal matter soon enough, but Husaiang knew that personal matters meant that his brother was not pissed with him, which meant that he had not been spoken to about his poor and barely average grades (though who could blame him how many old people did he really NEED to know?).

Now, Husaiang had made sure to doll up. Not enough to draw suspicion of the Jade, he definitely did not want Lan Wangji thinking he was trying to steal his man, but he did want to be presentable, and so with a brand new fan, and freshly ironed grey robes, Huaisang jumped, barely restraining himself from running (circumventing the rule by jumping and 'skipping' something Wei WuXian had told him and Huaisang had taken to immediately), and rushed to the front of the Cloud Recesses. The second Jade and his best friend were already there.

"Young Master Wei!" Husaiang greeted happily, fanning himself excitedly. "I did not think I would be able to see you anytime soon! You seemed so horribly busy, and I had so much I wanted to talk to you about." Wei Ying laughed, a tinkling thing, and more genuine than anything Huaisang had heard up to now. Lan Wangji linked his arm into the other, and they were soon off, Huaisang and Wei Ying speaking about nothingness really. It did not bother him. He had plenty of time to ask the things that he truly wanted to, and he did not want Wangji to think that he was getting on him or anyone around him. Much less think that he was on Jiang Cheng's side or something similar that would undoubtedly go dastardly.

They came to a restaurant, where Wangji promptly disposed of them, telling Wei Ying that he would be back quickly, and tucking his hair behind his ear, leaving Huaisang smirking knowingly, before speaking to the vendor, probably to cover all expenses. When the Second Jade was out of sight, and they had ordered their food and were simply sitting and waiting, Huaisang took his chance, not knowing if he was ever going to have another opportunity to speak with Wei Ying alone. Things had been so tense lately, and getting Wei Ying alone was almost impossible. If not even further from that!

"I had to ask you some things, Wei-Xiong, and I don't want you to think I am looking down on you, or if I am being too personal just let me know..."

"Sang-ah, you know that won't be the case! Just ask away!" Wei Ying truly did seem so much happier than the first of the lectures.

"You are betrothed to Wangji-xiong, I know, but...Why is Young master Jiang acting so...so unreasonable?" The question was more than genuine. He knew it came out almost scared, but he could not help it! With how he was acting, Huasiang knew that there was a risk for the other to try and attack him soon enough. "I know he has always had a temper, but it is getting insane! Nobody can stand to be around him anymore. I know you care about him, Wei-Xiong, but I am worried about you. You got taken from the Jiang chambers, and it is as if the entire world is ending, but everyone knows-even if it hasn't been mentioned yet-that you and Wangji-xiong are betrothed or something. After all, Wangji-xiong does not typically hang out with anyone other than Xichenge and he is spending all his free time with you!" Husaisang saw Wei Ying's eyes go sad.

"I don't really know. I would have thought he would be happy for me. You have probably guessed by now," his shoulders were sagged, voice sad, resigned, Husaiang found he hated it. "The Jiangs don't particularly like me, I mean I am not even allowed to wear their clan colours!" The boy gave a depreciating laugh. Huaisang shivered at the sound. "So when Lan Zhan and his brother talked to Master Jiang and lady Jiang, I thought it would be simple. They get rid of me, don't have to deal with me darkening their doorstep anymore, I mean I know they don't like me. It isn't hard to see. Jiang Cheng cares, kind of, but he sees me more as a means to an end, and doesn't even realize it. It took me forever to see it. Lan Zhan was actually the one who noticed before even I did. Isn't that hilarious?" Wei Ying closed his eyes, clearly trying to keep composure and failing rapidly. "BUt they tried to reject the betrothal! XiChen assured me that he saw to it that it was settled, and that we will be marrying, but I just don't understand why they would refuse? It is a marriage, and an advantageous one at that. I almost had to sucede to manage marrying Lan Zhan." Huaisang's eyes went wide and wild. He had not known that.

"Would you have?" Wei Ying nodded sadly.

"I would have, and perhaps that is just a family trait. My mother and father did the same, for love."