Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Three Poisons XII

He still hadn’t caught the name of the song. A rush of heat surged to his face, and his head and joints burned with pain. The buzzing in his ears lingered.

When he woke again, Wei Wuxian opened his eyes to see not the dark ceiling of the cave nor Lan Wangji’s pale and handsome face, but a wooden board with a funny string of kissing figures drawn on it.

This was a doodle he had drawn at Lotus Pier, on his own bed.

Wei Wuxian found himself lying on his wooden bed. Jiang Yanli was reading a book, her delicate brows raising in surprise as she put down the book and called out, "Wei Wuxian!"

Wei Wuxian said, "Sister!"

He struggled to sit up. His limbs no longer burned, but they were still weak, and his throat was slightly dry. Wei Wuxian asked, "Am I back? When did I get out of the cave? Did Uncle Jiang come to rescue me? Where’s Lan Wangji? And Jiang Cheng?"

The wooden door opened, and Jiang Cheng walked in, dragging a white porcelain jar with one hand. He barked, "What’s with all the yelling?"

Then, turning to Jiang Yanli, he said, "Sister, you made the soup. I brought it over for you."

Jiang Yanli took the jar and scooped some soup into a bowl. Wei Wuxian said, "Jiang Cheng, come here!"

Jiang Cheng said, "Why should I? Do you want to kneel down and thank me?"

Wei Wuxian said, "It took you seven days to rescue me? Were you trying to get me killed?!"

Jiang Cheng said, "Are you dead? Then who’s talking to me right now?"

Wei Wuxian said, "It only takes five days to get back to Yunmeng from Moxi Mountain!"

Jiang Cheng said, "Are you kidding? You only count the time coming back and not the time going there? Besides, when I got there, I had to lead people all over the mountain to find that old banyan tree, dig open the blocked cave that Wen Chao and his men sealed, and get you out in seven days. You should be grateful!"

Wei Wuxian realized he had forgotten to account for the travel time. After a pause, he admitted, "I guess you’re right. But why didn’t Lan Zhan remind me?"

Jiang Cheng said, "Just seeing you is already annoying enough for him. Do you expect him to listen carefully?"

Wei Wuxian said, "You’re right about that!"

Jiang Yanli finished serving the soup, which contained chunks of lotus root and ribs, all a pinkish color, slightly tender from simmering, with a rich aroma. After not eating for days, Wei Wuxian couldn’t handle anything too heavy, but the soup was perfect. He thanked his sister and started sipping the soup, asking as he ate, "Is Lan Wangji rescued too? Is he here? Or did he go back to Gusu?"

Jiang Cheng said, "Of course he went back. He’s not one of us. Why would he stick around? He’s already back in Gusu."

Wei Wuxian said, "He went back alone? What about his family in Gusu…"

Before he could finish, Jiang Fengmian walked in. Wei Wuxian put down his bowl and said, "Uncle Jiang!"

Jiang Fengmian said, "Stay sitting."

Jiang Yanli handed Wei Wuxian a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, but Wei Wuxian exaggeratedly pouted and didn’t take it, saying, "It’s delicious!"

Jiang Cheng said, "Can’t you wipe your own mouth?"

Jiang Yanli laughed, wiped Wei Wuxian’s mouth and chin, and happily took the bowl out. Jiang Fengmian sat in the spot she had just vacated and looked at the white porcelain jar, seemingly wanting to try some soup, but the bowl had already been taken away by Jiang Yanli. Jiang Cheng said, "Father, are the Wen family still refusing to return our swords?"

Jiang Fengmian turned his gaze away and said, "They are celebrating recently."

Wei Wuxian said, "Celebrating what?"

Jiang Fengmian said, "They’re celebrating Wen Chao’s solo victory over the Tortoise of Slaughter."

Upon hearing this, Wei Wuxian almost rolled off the bed. "The Wen family killed it?!"

Jiang Cheng sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Otherwise? Did you really expect them to say you did it?"

Wei Wuxian said, "The Wen dogs are spouting nonsense and shamelessly claiming credit. It was clearly Lan Wangji who slayed it."

Jiang Fengmian smiled slightly and said, "Is that so? As it happens, the second young master of the Lan family told me it was you who did it. So, who really killed it?"

Wei Wuxian said, "Let’s just say we both contributed. But the main killer was him. I just crawled into the beast’s shell to drive it out. Lan Wangji guarded outside, and after three grueling hours, he finally wore it down and finished it off."

He recounted the main events of the past few days to Jiang Cheng and his father. Jiang Cheng listened with a complicated expression and after a long pause, said, "It’s pretty much what Lan Wangji said. So, you two killed it together. Why give him all the credit?"

Wei Wuxian said, "It’s not about taking credit. It’s just that, compared to him, I really didn’t do much."

Jiang Fengmian nodded and said, "Impressive work."

To have slain a giant beast over four hundred years old at the age of seventeen was more than just "impressive work."

Jiang Cheng said, his voice tinged with envy, "Congrats."

The tone of his congratulations was rather strange. Wei Wuxian could tell from Jiang Cheng crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow that he was feeling envious. At that moment, Jiang Cheng was probably thinking with some resentment about why he wasn’t the one to slay the beast in the cave. If it had been him, he would have done just as well, if not better. Wei Wuxian laughed heartily and said, "Shame you weren’t there. Otherwise, you’d have gotten a share of the credit too. And you could have kept me company, which would have been nice. These past few days, sitting in silence with Lan Wangji almost drove me crazy."

Jiang Cheng said, "You got what you deserved for meddling. If you hadn’t—"

Suddenly, Jiang Fengmian spoke up. "Jiang Cheng."

Jiang Cheng was startled and realized he had gone too far. He immediately fell silent.

Jiang Fengmian didn’t look displeased, but his expression had turned serious from the previous calm. He said, "Do you realize what you just said was wrong?"

Jiang Cheng lowered his head. "I know."

Wei Wuxian said, "He was just speaking out of anger."

Seeing Jiang Cheng’s defiant look, as if he didn’t truly mean his apology, Jiang Fengmian shook his head and said, "Ah Cheng, there are some things you shouldn’t say even when you’re angry. By saying them, it shows you still haven’t understood the family motto of the Yunmeng Jiang family. You haven’t—"

A cold, sharp voice interrupted from outside the door. "Yes, if he doesn’t understand, what does it matter? As long as Wei Ying understands!"

Like a flash of purple lightning, Yu Zǐyīn swept in with a cold gust of wind. She stood five steps in front of Wei Wuxian's bed, her eyebrows raised. "‘Doing what one knows one shouldn’t do’—isn’t that just like him? He knows it will cause trouble for the family, but he still stirs things up!"

Jiang Fengmian said, "Lady Yu, why are you here?"

Yu Zǐyīn said, "What am I doing here? How ridiculous! I'm being asked this. Do you, the head of the family, still remember that I am also the mistress of Lotus Pier? Do you remember that every inch of this land is my domain? Do you remember whose son is lying in that bed and who is standing here?"

Such questions had been heard countless times over the years. Jiang Fengmian said, "I remember."

Yu Zǐyīn sneered. "You remember, but remembering isn’t enough. This Wei Ying causes trouble every single day! I should have kept him locked up in Lotus Pier and forbidden him from leaving. Do you really think Wen Chao would dare to harm the two young masters from the Lan family of Gusu and the Jin family of Lanling? Even if he dared, would it be Jiang Cheng’s place to play the hero?"

In front of Jiang Fengmian, Wei Wuxian always gave his wife some face and didn’t argue back, thinking to himself, "They wouldn’t dare to harm them? That’s not necessarily true."

Yu Zǐyīn said, "Just wait and see—he’ll bring ruin to this family one day!"

Jiang Fengmian stood up and said, "Let’s continue this conversation back inside."

Yu Zǐyīn said, "Why should we go back? Where should we go back to? I’m speaking here. Anyway, I have a clear conscience! Jiang Cheng, come here."

Caught between his father and mother, Jiang Cheng hesitated for a moment before stepping to his mother’s side. Yu Zǐyīn grabbed his shoulders and pushed him toward Jiang Fengmian. "Family head, there are some things I have to say. Look closely. This is your biological son, the future master of Lotus Pier. Even if you can’t stand him because he’s my son, he still carries the Jiang family name! I refuse to believe you haven’t heard the rumors outside. They say that the head of the Jiang family, after all these years, still harbors unrequited feelings for a certain someone and treats the son of a deceased friend as his own. They even speculate whether Wei Ying might actually be your—"

Jiang Fengmian shouted, "Yu Zǐyīn!"

Madam Yu also shouted, "Jiang Fengmian! Do you think raising your voice makes a difference?!"

The two went out to argue, with Madam Yu's angry voice growing louder along the way, while Jiang Fengmian suppressed his anger to debate with her. Jiang Cheng stood dazed, and after a moment, he glanced at Wei Wuxian before quickly walking out as well.

Wei Wuxian said, "Jiang Cheng!"

Jiang Cheng didn’t respond and quickly strode down the corridor. Wei Wuxian had no choice but to roll out of bed, dragging his aching body after him, shouting, "Jiang Cheng! Jiang Cheng!"

Jiang Cheng kept his head down and continued walking, and Wei Wuxian, furious, pounced on him, grabbing his neck. "You heard me and didn't answer! Are you asking for a beating?!"

Jiang Cheng cursed, "Get back to your bed and stay there!"

Wei Wuxian said, "I can't do that. We need to clear things up! You can't believe those ridiculous rumors."

Jiang Cheng coldly asked, "What ridiculous rumors?"

Wei Wuxian replied, "Those rumors are too filthy to repeat. My parents were well-known people. I won’t let anyone falsely claim me!"

He put his arm around Jiang Cheng's shoulder, forcing him to sit on the wooden railing by the corridor. "Let’s be honest and not keep things bottled up. You’re Uncle Jiang's real son and the future head of the Jiang family. Naturally, Uncle Jiang has to be stricter with you."

Jiang Cheng looked at him sideways.

Wei Wuxian continued, "But I’m different. I’m another family’s son. My parents were close friends with Uncle Jiang, so he treats me more politely. You understand this, right?"

Jiang Cheng snorted, "He doesn’t dislike me because he’s strict; he just doesn’t like me."

Wei Wuxian said, "Nonsense! No father dislikes his own son. Don’t think such nonsense! And those who spread rumors? I’ll beat them until even their moms don’t recognize them!"

Jiang Cheng said, "It's true. He doesn’t like my mother, and because of that, he doesn’t like me."

This statement was indeed hard to refute.

It was well-known among the prestigious clans that Yu Ziyin and Jiang Fengmian had trained together in their youth and had known each other since their teens. Jiang Fengmian was gentle and refined, while Yu Ziyin was strong and cold. Despite being well-matched in status, not many people had ever thought of them as a couple. Later, when Zangse the Wanderer made her debut and happened to meet Jiang Fengmian in Yunmeng, they hunted together several times and admired each other greatly. Everyone speculated that Zangse might become the next mistress of Lotus Pier.

However, unexpectedly, the Meishan Yu family soon proposed a marriage alliance with the Yunmeng Jiang family.

The then Jiang family head was quite interested, but Jiang Fengmian was not. He didn’t appreciate Yu Ziyin’s character and believed they were not a good match, politely declining several times. However, the Meishan Yu family applied pressure on the young and still-unestablished Jiang Fengmian from various angles. Soon after, Zangse and Jiang Fengmian’s most loyal household servant, Wei Changze, became partners and left to travel the world. Jiang Fengmian finally gave in.

Although Jiang and Yu became a married couple, they were an unhappy pair, often living apart and unable to communicate. Apart from consolidating family power, it was unclear what else they had gained.

The Yunmeng Jiang family’s founder, Jiang Chi, was a wandering hero. The family values openness, honesty, and freedom. Jiang Cheng resembled his mother in both appearance and temperament, which didn’t align with Jiang Fengmian’s preferences. Despite various teachings since childhood, Jiang Cheng couldn’t be adjusted to his father’s liking, so Jiang Fengmian had always seemed less fond of him.

Jiang Cheng shrugged off Wei Wuxian's hand and stood up, venting, "I know! I'm not the kind of personality he likes, nor the kind of heir he wants. He thinks I’m unworthy to be the family head and doesn’t understand the Jiang family’s principles or spirit. Yes!"

He raised his voice, "You and Lan Wangji worked together to kill the Tortoise of Slaughter, fighting bravely! It’s remarkable! But what about me?!"

He punched a pillar by the corridor, gritting his teeth. "...I’ve also been running around for days, exhausted, without a moment of rest!"

Wei Wuxian said, "What about the family principles?! Just because there are family principles, do we have to follow them? Look at the Gusu Lan family’s principles, over three thousand rules. Do you really have to follow every single one? Can people even live like that?"

He jumped off the railing, saying, "Also, to be a family head, do you have to follow family traditions and principles? Throughout the generations, have all the heads of the Yunmeng Jiang family been the same? Even the Gusu Lan family had exceptions like Lan Yi. Who could deny her strength and status? When it comes to the famous figures of the Lan family, who could overlook her String Killing Technique?"

Jiang Cheng fell silent, seeming to calm down a little. Wei Wuxian put his arm around his shoulder again and said, "In the future, when you become the family head, I'll be your subordinate, just like our fathers. The Gusu Lan family has their Twin Jewels, but we in Yunmeng will have our Twin Prodigies! So, shut up. No one can say you’re unworthy to be the family head, not even you. If they do, they’re asking for a beating."

Jiang Cheng snorted, "In your current state? Who can you beat?" With that, he patted Wei Wuxian's chest. Although the iron brand wound had been treated and bandaged, the sudden pat caused immense pain. Wei Wuxian roared, "Jiang Cheng!!! Come here!!!"

Jiang Cheng dodged his palm strike and said, "If you're in so much pain now, why did you try to be a hero? Serves you right! Consider it a lesson!"

Wei Wuxian said, "Was I trying to be a hero? I had no choice, my body moved faster than my thoughts! Don’t run! I’ll spare your life this time, but answer me! There’s an embroidered pouch in my belt, it’s empty, did you see it?"

Jiang Cheng said, "The one from Mianmian?"

Wei Wuxian sighed, "I'll ask her for another one next time."

Jiang Cheng frowned and said, "There you go again. You don't really like her, do you? She's pretty enough, but her background isn't great. She's probably not even a disciple. She looks like the daughter of a household servant."

Wei Wuxian said, "What's wrong with being a servant? I'm the son of a household servant too."

Jiang Cheng said, "What comparison is that? Which servant gets treated like you do? The master even peels lotus seeds and makes soup for you. I didn't even get to drink any of that!"

Wei Wuxian said, "If you want some, just ask Elder Sister to make more. By the way, speaking of Lan Zhan, did he leave any message for me? Did they find Lan Xichen yet? How's the situation at his family?"

Jiang Cheng said, "Are you still expecting him to leave a message for you? Lucky he didn't leave a sword wound on you. He's gone back. They still haven't found Lan Xichen, and Lan Qiren is swamped."

Wei Wuxian asked, "How's the Lan family head doing?"

Jiang Cheng said, "He's passed away."