[ The story comes slowly, carefully, and it takes Jiang Cheng a moment to swallow it all down and understand it all.
There had been stories about the former Lan Sect Leader, of course, but he'd never paid too much attention to them, more focussed on his own messy family life to worry overmuch about someone else's. For as long as Jiang Cheng had cared to pay attention to Gusu Lan, Xichen had been the one in charge and directing things, so learning about the previous sect leader and his wife wasn't important at all.
He realises, now, that might have been intentional; burying the story somewhat to make it more difficult for people to see the darker side of what might have taken place in the Cloud Recesses, especially with the implication of a lack of love between mother and father. For all that Jiang Cheng's parents had been at each other's throats constantly, he was sure there was some love between them, at least.
(Or, was it more like Lan than he thought? His mother certainly loved his father, but in return, did he...? Better not to think too much about that).
It makes sense, then, why Lan Xichen would accept this marriage. With no desire to find his other half, his special someone, arranging a wedding for the sake of a decent alliane was a good option. It was not for any particular liking of Jiang Cheng, or any real thought that this marriage might be better than any other, but because he had given up on the kind of love that other people were able to enjoy.
It shouldn't sting as much as it does, but Jiang Cheng came into this marriage knowing he was a poor prize, that he was not worth that much, not until a-Jie recovered his sect. He would never be able to be anyone's special person, and he couldn't be that to Lan Xichen. It's a bitter pill to accept, even as he swallows another long drink of his tea.
This truly was a kindness on the behalf of the Lan Sect Leader, and Jiang Cheng understands it for what it is - just as he recognises his role for what it has to be.
Unfortuntely, Jiang Cheng also doesn't know how to stop his mouth. ]
That was stupid of you. You're not like your father, and you deserved a chance to find someone to love you properly. For being so smart, Lan Xichen, you're also an idiot.
[ Eyes widening, he ducks behind his teacup. ]
... Well. Either way, the choice has been made now. I'm not planning on being a bad husband, no matter what your reasons are, even if I can't cultivate. I can be useful in other ways.
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There had been stories about the former Lan Sect Leader, of course, but he'd never paid too much attention to them, more focussed on his own messy family life to worry overmuch about someone else's. For as long as Jiang Cheng had cared to pay attention to Gusu Lan, Xichen had been the one in charge and directing things, so learning about the previous sect leader and his wife wasn't important at all.
He realises, now, that might have been intentional; burying the story somewhat to make it more difficult for people to see the darker side of what might have taken place in the Cloud Recesses, especially with the implication of a lack of love between mother and father. For all that Jiang Cheng's parents had been at each other's throats constantly, he was sure there was some love between them, at least.
(Or, was it more like Lan than he thought? His mother certainly loved his father, but in return, did he...? Better not to think too much about that).
It makes sense, then, why Lan Xichen would accept this marriage. With no desire to find his other half, his special someone, arranging a wedding for the sake of a decent alliane was a good option. It was not for any particular liking of Jiang Cheng, or any real thought that this marriage might be better than any other, but because he had given up on the kind of love that other people were able to enjoy.
It shouldn't sting as much as it does, but Jiang Cheng came into this marriage knowing he was a poor prize, that he was not worth that much, not until a-Jie recovered his sect. He would never be able to be anyone's special person, and he couldn't be that to Lan Xichen. It's a bitter pill to accept, even as he swallows another long drink of his tea.
This truly was a kindness on the behalf of the Lan Sect Leader, and Jiang Cheng understands it for what it is - just as he recognises his role for what it has to be.
Unfortuntely, Jiang Cheng also doesn't know how to stop his mouth. ]
That was stupid of you. You're not like your father, and you deserved a chance to find someone to love you properly. For being so smart, Lan Xichen, you're also an idiot.
[ Eyes widening, he ducks behind his teacup. ]
... Well. Either way, the choice has been made now. I'm not planning on being a bad husband, no matter what your reasons are, even if I can't cultivate. I can be useful in other ways.