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Sandu Shengshou… a cultivator named for his brilliance in battle and famous for his anger, as temperamental as his spiritual weapon, Zidian.
Previously, Jin Guangyao didn’t have many interactions with Jiang Wanyin, not really, until he came to Jinlintai, practically begging on his knees to bring Jin Ling to Lotus Pier.
He was unlike how Jin Guangyao had expected — with every condition his father had thrown at him, he had agreed. He wasn’t cowed in any way, but he knew that what he was asking for was uncommon, and took every stipulation. Who would go so far for the child of a married-out sister?
Jin Guangyao might have said something to his father for Jiang Yanli’s sake — she was kind whenever she had seen him — but his and A-Su’s wedding was near, and he couldn’t risk Jin Guangshan and Qin Cangye’s disapproval after so much strife. So he’d let it be.
Jiang Wanyin had managed to barter for half a year in Lotus Pier with Jin Ling — the colder months. He’d argued winter in Lanling was more dangerous for a baby, in Lotus Pier it was warmer so he should have him for the baby’s health. He’d won over Madam Jin, as she was reluctant for her grandson and her to part ways so soon after her son and Jiang Yanli had died. His father had allowed it as the Jin would benefit from the Jiang sect leader being firmly under their grip. He just wanted more from their agreement, even though the Yunmeng Jiang were still very weak in power and their leader young.
It was Spring now, and it was time for A-Ling to come back to Lanling. Jin Guangyao had been sent, along with a collection of servants to look after A-Ling, to Lotus Pier. The midwife had, of course, been sent with commands to not let anyone else touch the baby on the route back to Lanling.
Their arrival had been welcomed with fanfare, not as much splendour as Lanling Jin would have, but considering the debts they had to pay because of the Yiling Laozu’s actions at Nightless City, it was quite good.
Jiang-zongzhu had greeted them politely and invited them to stay for the night, the trip back would be long without the use of sword travel, and hospitality was important for Yunmeng Jiang’s image.
Later on, in the day Jiang Wanyin invited Jin Guangyao for tea. When he arrived in Jiang Wanyin’s rooms he could hear faint coos and babbles, Jin Ling presumably.
“Ah. Jin-gongzi,” Jiang-zongzhu bowed his head, A-Ling being held tightly in his arms. Little A-Ling clapped his hands and seemed to be having the time of his life, Jiang Wanyin’s expression was steady but a slight upturn to his mouth was visible.
“Jiang-zongzhu.” Jin Guangyao bowed in return, clasping his hands together. He couldn’t help looking towards A-Ling, so small and precious, and smiled at Jiang Wanyin, “He’s grown so big!”
Jiang Wanyin’s smile grew a little larger and Jin Guangyao was silently delighted at his positive reaction. “Would you like to hold him for a while? Just to get used to him. He loves the attention. And you’re his Xiao-shushu,” Jiang Wanyin explained, his voice devoid of any sharpness, and held him out to him.
“Ah, yes.” If Jin Guangyao hadn’t had any prior experiences from childhood in holding babies, he was sure that he would’ve fumbled him, and immediately get stabbed by Sandu Shengshou. It was one thing knowing that Jin Guangshan was his father and therefore Jin Zixuan was his brother, but being acknowledged like this… it felt different in a way that Jin Guangyao couldn’t explain.
And he was holding A-Ling. Jiang Wanyin had been so protective over the innocent babe and yet he let Jin Guangyao hold him? Even his own father hadn’t let him touch A-Ling.
When Jiang Wanyin was bowing over, amusing the baby, Jin Guangyao tilted his head up and gazed at Jiang Wanyin speculatively.
Hm.
Sandu Shengshou, Jiang-zongzhu, Jiang Wanyin.
The man known by the cultivation world as cruel and petty; abrasive and unkind. A man who would mercilessly kill his own shixiong without a second thought. A man to be feared.
The man currently chasing and being chased by two young children, a tiny eight-year-old — or a “seven”-year-old — and a ten-year-old. One clad in bright purples and the other in just as bright yellow.
He took a deep breath of the lotus-infused air of Lotus Pier, watching contentedly at the scene in front of him, soaking in every detail, even the most minuscule. He already knew he would revisit this memory for years to come.
(After all these years, the memories of his mother were imprinted forever in him — he’d memorised every one of her expressions, some harsh, some soft; even so, he still treasured every one. In the privacy of his mind, he could admit… he wanted to know all of Jiang Cheng’s smiles.)
Jiang Cheng, A-Cheng.
“A-Cheng!” Jin Guangyao calls out to the man, “A-S—,” he corrected himself, “A-Yue will be fine playing with A-Ling.” He hesitated, eyes flicking up to Jiang Cheng’s face, and he smiled softly, “Come join me?”