[The Jin leader is still young but it's clear he's trying. Mingjue is honestly impressed as he lets him work things out. More impressed by the question he's then asked.
And so, he's honest with him. Partially because that's his nature and partially because he feels the young man has more than earned that from him.]
What Huaisang did was personal and not something I acknowledge as being an action of the the Nie clan. When his contract with Huaisang ended I put stipulations into our contract to ensure that Meng Yao would always have the freedom to be who he wished to be. It is my decision that he has been punished enough and it is time for all of us to heal.
Meng Yao...Jin Guangyao...is a member of the noble Lanling Jin Sect. If it is what you will allow then he should wear the vermillion mark always and wear the colors of your sect in order to honor your clan. He is not Nie though I will use my clan to protect and care for him if you will permit it to do so.
[And then he cups his hands before him and bows to Jin Ling.]
Jin Ling. I humbly ask for your permission to marry your uncle. He will be cared for and given the chance to have the redemption that was stolen from him by Nie Huaisang. He will be loved and he will be cherished which was stolen from him by Jin Guangshan. He will finally be allowed to live in happiness and that will be my goal in life as Nie Mingjue.
[With that, he falls silent, holding the bow and keeping his head lowered.]
[ In many ways, these words were exactly what Jin Ling wanted to hear about this uncle he loved and resented to ever-shifting degrees. He wanted to look forward to a future where he could go back to feeling only one way about Jin Guangyao, where he could once again accept affection and advice and familiar smiles without doubt or suspicion. He didn't want to see his uncle suffering or miserable or with any justification to take matters into his own, harmful hands.
And under that want was the bone-deep conviction that this future simply couldn't exist. Not only because of Jin Guangyao, but because of himself. He couldn't go back to the version of himself that didn't know how far Jin Guangyao had been willing to go against his own sworn brethren; against his own flesh and blood. That him was gone forever and the person in his place listened to Nie Mingjue say the words he so badly wanted to hear and thought "But what if he's lying -- what if it's fake -- what if we're all fools for trusting --"
His jaw worked as he fought with himself for a long moment.
None of these thoughts were for Nie Mingjue to know. The man had come here wanting and willing to put himself in the path of Jin Guangyao's sword, and whether that sword was truly there or not was beside the point. Of all of them, he had the most experience with why he shouldn't, so if he chose to...
When he looked back, Nie Mingjue was still bent in a bow. Jin Ling blew out a long breath and reached out to grip and lift his arms. ]
Stop, enough. You truly believed he can be redeemed? That he wants to be redeemed?
[He doesn't know every detail but he knows enough to understand why this young man would feel this way. Act this way. Mingjue understands better than others probably think he does.
It's why his answer is this:]
I truly believe that if he wants to be redeemed then he can be. And that if he cannot then I will handle the matter as his sworn brother.
[And then likely have to end himself and Xichen as well. There's no way they can go on now beyond being a trio. But that? That he doesn't say. This is a private resolve which he plans to keep to himself as he hopes he'll never have to go to such an extreme.
And no. It doesn't matter to him that one cannot stay dead here. He'll find a way if it means finding peace for the three of them and everyone else. That is what is right.
Finally, he lowers his hands. Tempting though it is to comment on the eye rolling he knows who this young man's uncle is.]
Thank you. I am speaking for them in this but we appreciate your support.
[ He looks into Nie Mingjue's eyes, trying to gauge the depth of his conviction. He barely knows Nie Mingjue outside of stories of a noble and indomitable war hero; stories, he was learning, that couldn't always be taken on faith. But in this, at least, the man seems as sure and steady as a mountain. A knot in Jin Ling's chest loosens. ]
In that case, he'll be your responsibility.
[ With all the formality of a decree.
Jin Ling withdraws his own hands and busies himself with refreshing their teacups. ]
Hmph. I'll be sure to pass on my congratulations to little uncle and Zewu-jun, in any case. [ Him, avoid acknowledging a 'thank you'? Never.
He twists his cup around before picking it up. ]
Zewu-jun deserves to be looked after, too. It hasn't been easy for him.
[Mingjue nods then. They've settled into their agreement now and that is good enough for him. Taking his tea, he has a sip before looking to the young man again.]
Your attitude is so much like Jiang Cheng.
[Comment made, he has another sip of tea.]
Xichen will be within my care too. And I will ensure I have his brother's blessing for that.
[ Jin Ling lowers the cup without drinking from it. ]
What about it? Jiujiu is an accomplished Sect Leader and a powerful Cultivator.
[ He gives Nie Mingjue an assessing glance, checking for any scorn or judgment. Jin Ling would openly criticize Jiang Cheng right to his face - as long as he had a quick escape route - but he wasn't going to give anyone else the space to do it. ]
Hanguang-jun is strict.
[ He seems about to elaborate on that, only to drink his tea instead. ]
I did not mention if that was a negative aspect. I have told him in the past I enjoy that side of him. You should not be so quick to assume the worst.
[Mingjue lifts a brow at him to let Jin Ling know that he maybe needs to chill a bit. But also that he's approving of him rushing to defend his uncle so readily. That's a good trait. He should keep that.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2021-03-15 10:44 pm (UTC)And so, he's honest with him. Partially because that's his nature and partially because he feels the young man has more than earned that from him.]
What Huaisang did was personal and not something I acknowledge as being an action of the the Nie clan. When his contract with Huaisang ended I put stipulations into our contract to ensure that Meng Yao would always have the freedom to be who he wished to be. It is my decision that he has been punished enough and it is time for all of us to heal.
Meng Yao...Jin Guangyao...is a member of the noble Lanling Jin Sect. If it is what you will allow then he should wear the vermillion mark always and wear the colors of your sect in order to honor your clan. He is not Nie though I will use my clan to protect and care for him if you will permit it to do so.
[And then he cups his hands before him and bows to Jin Ling.]
Jin Ling. I humbly ask for your permission to marry your uncle. He will be cared for and given the chance to have the redemption that was stolen from him by Nie Huaisang. He will be loved and he will be cherished which was stolen from him by Jin Guangshan. He will finally be allowed to live in happiness and that will be my goal in life as Nie Mingjue.
[With that, he falls silent, holding the bow and keeping his head lowered.]
no subject
Date: 2021-03-29 07:11 pm (UTC)And under that want was the bone-deep conviction that this future simply couldn't exist. Not only because of Jin Guangyao, but because of himself. He couldn't go back to the version of himself that didn't know how far Jin Guangyao had been willing to go against his own sworn brethren; against his own flesh and blood. That him was gone forever and the person in his place listened to Nie Mingjue say the words he so badly wanted to hear and thought "But what if he's lying -- what if it's fake -- what if we're all fools for trusting --"
His jaw worked as he fought with himself for a long moment.
None of these thoughts were for Nie Mingjue to know. The man had come here wanting and willing to put himself in the path of Jin Guangyao's sword, and whether that sword was truly there or not was beside the point. Of all of them, he had the most experience with why he shouldn't, so if he chose to...
When he looked back, Nie Mingjue was still bent in a bow. Jin Ling blew out a long breath and reached out to grip and lift his arms. ]
Stop, enough. You truly believed he can be redeemed? That he wants to be redeemed?
Then you have my permission. I support you.
[ He paused, rolled his eyes. ]
All three of you.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-29 08:51 pm (UTC)It's why his answer is this:]
I truly believe that if he wants to be redeemed then he can be. And that if he cannot then I will handle the matter as his sworn brother.
[And then likely have to end himself and Xichen as well. There's no way they can go on now beyond being a trio. But that? That he doesn't say. This is a private resolve which he plans to keep to himself as he hopes he'll never have to go to such an extreme.
And no. It doesn't matter to him that one cannot stay dead here. He'll find a way if it means finding peace for the three of them and everyone else. That is what is right.
Finally, he lowers his hands. Tempting though it is to comment on the eye rolling he knows who this young man's uncle is.]
Thank you. I am speaking for them in this but we appreciate your support.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-30 06:21 am (UTC)In that case, he'll be your responsibility.
[ With all the formality of a decree.
Jin Ling withdraws his own hands and busies himself with refreshing their teacups. ]
Hmph. I'll be sure to pass on my congratulations to little uncle and Zewu-jun, in any case. [ Him, avoid acknowledging a 'thank you'? Never.
He twists his cup around before picking it up. ]
Zewu-jun deserves to be looked after, too. It hasn't been easy for him.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-06 07:19 am (UTC)Your attitude is so much like Jiang Cheng.
[Comment made, he has another sip of tea.]
Xichen will be within my care too. And I will ensure I have his brother's blessing for that.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-07 06:01 am (UTC)What about it? Jiujiu is an accomplished Sect Leader and a powerful Cultivator.
[ He gives Nie Mingjue an assessing glance, checking for any scorn or judgment. Jin Ling would openly criticize Jiang Cheng right to his face - as long as he had a quick escape route - but he wasn't going to give anyone else the space to do it. ]
Hanguang-jun is strict.
[ He seems about to elaborate on that, only to drink his tea instead. ]
no subject
Date: 2021-04-07 06:04 am (UTC)[Mingjue lifts a brow at him to let Jin Ling know that he maybe needs to chill a bit. But also that he's approving of him rushing to defend his uncle so readily. That's a good trait. He should keep that.]
Wangji is a Lan. Though why do you say so?
[Enlighten him.]