Chapter Text
The first few days of rest were bearable. As loath as he was to admit it, Jiang Sheng had needed the rest.
The deep, bone-tired exhaustion that had been weighing him down for months had finally begun to lift. His golden core, which had felt strained and tender like an overworked muscle, was slowly recovering. He could feel his Qi flowing more smoothly now, less sluggish and painful and it reacted better to him than it had before.
When he was not asleep or meditating, his siblings had taken it upon themselves to entertain him.
Jiang Yanli brought him meals and sat with him, sometimes chatting about her newest recipes (which she often brought to him to try), or updating him on the latest sect gossip. Who would have known this slight little sister of his was such a gossip monger?
Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng took turns keeping him company, their bright energy a welcome distraction. More often than not, the two would fight to speak over each other, each wanting to be the one who caught his attention first. Tang Tang would be at their feet, chiming in with a bark every once in a while so that someone would scratch him on the belly.
Meng Yao had taken to sticking by his side permanently, watching over him like a hawk. The boy had become even more attentive and Jiang Sheng sometimes worried that it was now Meng Yao’s turn to exhaust himself. Initially, the boy would begin his visitation early in the morning and left late at night, but it was clearly not sustainable as the next day, Jiang Sheng awoke to Meng Yao dragging his mattress into his room and placing it on the floor by his bed before curling up on it and settling back into sleep.
He had other visitors beyond his siblings. Jinzhu had popped in a few times, each visit carrying a new bundle of herbs which she brewed for him and watched as he drank to ensure that he finished the concoction.
His mother would barge in with a new lecture for him every now and then, though, she would bring small treats for him as she continued her admonishment. His father often slipped in with new trinkets from the markets to amuse him.
Even Meng Shi visited a few times, often following Jiang Yanli, both carrying tiered lacquered boxes full of food for him and Meng Yao.
For the first few days, it was almost... nice.
But by the end of the first week, the restlessness began to creep in.
By the second week, Jiang Sheng was actively fighting the urge to sneak out to the training grounds in the middle of the night. His body felt recovered, or recovered enough by his standards, anyway. His Qi was stable. He could manage some light cultivation exercises, surely?
Except his family was clearly in tune with his intentions.
"Gege, where are you going?" Jiang Cheng's voice stopped him one morning as he tried to slip out early whilst Meng Yao was asleep by his bedside.
"Just to the library, A-Cheng."
"I'll come with you!" And just like that, his plan for some intensive reading on advanced sword techniques was replaced by reading primer texts to his little brother.
Another day, whilst Meng Yao was behind the folding screen, taking a bath, Jiang Sheng had thought to sneak away to the training grounds, only to find Wei Ying there, watching him like a cat who had caught its prey. The moment grey orbs locked onto his form, he knew he was in for it.
"Gege! You are not supposed to be here!" the unruly menace alerted, and immediately a sharp "Jiang Rongxiu!" erupted from nearby. Jiang Sheng nearly jumped out of his skin when he whirled toward the sound only to come face to face with a raging Yu Ziyuan.
He was then subjected to an extensive tongue-lashing from his mother, who promptly marched him back to his rooms immediately after.
Where he was confronted by a thoroughly panicked Meng Yao, who had pulled him back to bed before he could even explain himself.
The only person he had not been caught by was Jiang Yanli, but it seemed that she was aware of his escapades and upon her next visit had begun her onslaught of guilt-tripping which had ended with him promising to rest and recover before continuing his training.
Turns out, his sweet little buns had such vicious and cunning personalities lying under their tender looks and bright smiles.
As much as he appreciated their concern, it was maddening and he could feel himself falling behind on his cultivation and training and it was itching at him. Every day spent under this suffocating supervision was a day left underprepared for what was coming. Wen Ruohan was out there, and Jiang Sheng was stuck, being babysat by his siblings.
By the third week, Jiang Sheng was ready to climb the walls.
That evening, after enduring yet another lecture from his mother about "patience" and "proper recovery," his mother had finally allowed him some light administration work and so he retreated to his room with a stack of correspondence he had been neglecting. Among them was a letter from Lan Qiren. A response to his earlier inquiry about advanced Qi circulation techniques which he had not had an opportunity to read given his falling unconscious.
He picked up his brush to write a response, a brief apology for the late reply and a small request for advice on his situation.
Lan Laoshi
I hope this letter finds you well. I must apologise for the delay in my response; I have been recovering from an extended period of exhaustion and was unable to attend to correspondence in a timely manner.
I am grateful for your previous guidance regarding advanced Qi circulation techniques. As I resume my training, I find myself in need of further instruction to ensure that my cultivation progresses safely and efficiently. Specifically, I seek advice on methods to stabilise my Qi while gradually increasing my training intensity, without risking strain or regression.
Any insights or recommendations you might offer would be most appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your time and guidance.
Jiang Rongxiu
He read it over once, twice, then sealed it before he could overthink. Hopefully, Lan Qiren would understand his predicament and not immediately assume that he had experienced Qi deviation.
The letter was dispatched with the morning correspondence.
And then came the waiting.
The days crawled by with agonising slowness.
Jiang Sheng knew it would take time. He did not expect the reply to come so quickly.
It was only five days later when a servant approached him in the library, where he was reviewing basic sword form diagrams under Meng Yao's supervision.
"Gongzi, a letter has arrived for you. From Gusu."
Jiang Sheng's head snapped up. Meng Yao looked over with interest as Jiang Sheng reached for the sealed letter, the Lan sect seal unmistakable in its elegant simplicity.
He broke the seal and unfolded the letter, heart beating faster as his eyes scanned the neat, precise characters.
Jiang Gongzi
I was pleased to receive your letter and grateful for your attentiveness to your cultivation, though I am concerned by your recent exhaustion. It is good that your golden core has begun to recover; yet, as you have observed yourself, Qi that flows unevenly or without proper control can lead to setbacks if advanced techniques are attempted prematurely.
To this end, I would advise that you train under careful supervision in an environment suited to advanced cultivation. The Cloud Recesses possess techniques and exercises designed specifically to stabilise the golden core while safely expanding Qi capacity and improving control. There, under experienced guidance, you may gradually progress without risking strain or regression.
Given the current circumstances, I believe it would be both prudent and beneficial for you to come to the Cloud Recesses for study. In addition to the specialised Qi training, you will have access to advanced sword techniques and cultivation methods that are difficult to practise effectively elsewhere.
I trust that you will consider this invitation seriously. Your continued development requires not only diligence, but also proper guidance and a structured environment to reach your full potential.
I look forward to your response and, if you accept, to seeing you in the Cloud Recesses soon.
Lan Qiren
Jiang Sheng read the letter once, then twice, hardly daring to believe it.
An invitation to study at the Cloud Recesses. Proper guidance. Access to Lan techniques. And most importantly, an opportunity to access the hidden texts.
"What does it say?" Meng Yao asked, curiosity clear on his face.
Jiang Sheng looked up, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Lan Qiren has invited me to study at the Cloud Recesses."
Thus it was arranged. After a gruelling shichen of debating and convincing, Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan begrudgingly agreed to send him to Cloud Recesses. Along with him, they had insisted that Meng Yao and Jinzhu follow him. This was all thanks to his mother's concerns about supervision, his father's worries about the journey, and both their reluctance to let him out of their sight so soon after his collapse; And they had made it abundantly clear that Meng Yao and Jinzhu were to report any concerning behavior immediately.
Over the next few days, letters flew back and forth between Lotus Pier and the Cloud Recesses with increasing frequency as the details were fleshed out.
Lan Qiren's first response to the news that Jiang Sheng would be accompanied by two attendants was characteristically practical: It is customary for disciples of prominent sects to bring personal attendants. Accommodations will be arranged accordingly. However, I must emphasize that all residents of the Cloud Recesses, regardless of status, are expected to adhere to our rules without exception. This includes attendants.
Yu Ziyuan had snorted when Jiang Fengmian read that aloud. "As if Jinzhu and Meng Yao would cause any trouble. I have no doubt my son would be the problem."
“San-Niang,” Jiang Fengmian had said mildly, though his lips twitched with amusement.
The subsequent correspondence covered practical matters: arrival date, required materials, appropriate clothing, expected duration of study.
Additional correspondence outlined the details more firmly; Jiang Sheng would stay at Cloud Recesses for a year unlike the standard six months and his training would be personally overseen by Lan Qiren. The most recent letter from Lan Qiren had also confirmed that all arrangements on Gusu’s side had been completed:
All arrangements have been finalised. I will expect your arrival on the first day of the fourth month. A guest house has been prepared for Jiang Gongzi, Meng Gongzi, and Jinzhu Nushi, located in the outer residences near the other guest disciples.
I look forward to your arrival and to beginning your instruction. The Cloud Recesses will provide you with the structure and guidance necessary for your cultivation to progress safely and effectively.
The final step was to have all the details outlined in an official letter that was to be signed off by his parents. This had been something the Lan scholar had insisted on.
Jiang Fengmian’s signature was easy to attain. Jiang Sheng only had to outline the details for him and after one glance through, the man’s personal stamp and official sect stamp was inked onto the document.
Yu Ziyuan’s, on the other hand, was much more difficult to obtain. She had not been too pleased at the extension of his exchange, however, after some convincing from Jiang Fengmian and even more reassurances on Jiang Sheng’s part, she had finally allowed it and signed off the official agreement letters.
With both stamps pressed into the document, on its way to Cloud Recesses, the arrangement would finally be official.
In a month’s time, he would leave Lotus Pier for the Cloud Recesses.
A year away from home. A year of structured training under Lan Qiren's watchful eye. A year to strengthen his cultivation, to learn advanced techniques, and if he was careful, to access knowledge that could prove invaluable in the years to come.
A mixture of anticipation and something heavier settling in his chest and an almost childish wish for the month to pass quickly could not help but worm its way through his thoughts.
But there was still one crucial matter to attend to.
His siblings had no idea he was leaving.
They deserved to hear it from him directly, not from servants' gossip or their parents in passing.
It was time to inform his siblings.