Jin Ling had argued long and hard about not needing to marry. There is one person he likes but they're just as young as he and he'd never say he was ready to marry them. What's being insisted is that he's too young for his new position as Sect Leader and at least if he married someone older and more experienced then it would give some semblance security in Lanling. Jin Ling had argued it's hardly necessary. Jiang Cheng hadn't been that much older than he was when he became Sect Leader but there had been mumblings about temperaments and different situations.
All in all, Jin Ling's protests had fallen on deaf ears and he wasn't skilled enough to make the right political moves to get himself out of this -- even Jiang Cheng had agreed it would be best and Jin Ling could scarcely believe it. His uncle had assured him a good match.
Jin Ling had barely had any time once he'd learned the identity of the person chosen for him and not by him to even process it before a lavish wedding is rushed. Now, the ceremony is done and he's in the chamber with his new spouse, trying very hard not to think about the expectations of a wedding night. He ordered the servants to bring more wine, his hands clenched at his sides. He's furious that this had happened but more than anything he's a little scared and even sadder. He knew his parents' marriage had started out as an arranged one but it had been broken off... It'd ended up a partnership they chose and Jin Ling had romanticized that idea for years silently, secretly wanting to find that for himself too.
Now? He turns to look at the spouse.
"Did you want this?" he asks, the first words he's spoken of his own volition to the other since finding out.
When word reached Cloud Recesses that arrangements were being made for the young Sect Leader Jin to marry someone much older to provide some sort of guidance, Sizhui knew he had to intervene in a way that would provide the least amount of political upheaval. He knew that Wei-qianbei and Hanguang Jun both thought the very idea is laughable and left room for the possibility for the older spouse to take advantage of Jin Ling and possibly rule the Jin sect in their ways instead of how Jin Ling would have wanted to run it. In his heart, he knew that his friend would be protesting at every angle possible.
With many, many late discussions that had to involve the Chief Cultivator, they managed to find a solution. Jin Ling will marry. But it will be to someone closer to Jin Ling's age. Someone well versed in courtesy and rules to be able to advise with a wise mind but not take power for themselves. All that had been provided to the young Sect Leader Jin was that it would be a member of the Gusu Lan Sect. His spouse had been shrouded in the finest red silks and gold embroidery that was offered with a red veil covering their face, masking their true identity. They didn't even speak when they took their bows or when they were led to the wedding chamber.
Still, familiar eyes watched as Jin Ling paced almost like a caged tiger with his fists clenched, waiting for the right opportunity to reveal who was under the red veil. Still, the spouse sits, ever patient and waiting for Jin Ling to settle.
"I would not have agreed if I hadn't," Sizhui replies softly. He waits for Jin Ling to lift the veil for the reveal.
Jin Ling is frustrated still at waiting to know who his spouse but he's
also hesitant to uncover the other's face. They hadn't spoken and Jin Ling
hadn't missed that -- so when he poses the question he half thinks they're
going to stay mute about it. He crosses his arms as he studies the other's
form as if that's enough to tell him who's there and how much they do or
don't want to be there. But then, there is an answer, soft... the voice
familiar and his brow furrows.
So he finally comes closer, closer enough that he can unmask the other's
face, finding himself face to face with someone he'd finally had to admit
is a friend.
"What...?" he is surprised, too surprised to be angry. How could it be
Sizhui? Why wouldn't the other had told him before now? Is this all just
some joke?
It’s easier to breathe without the veil. Even Sizhui had to admit that it
was hot under it. He had been dressed like a groom but veiled as a bride,
some of the Lan elders even took some glee in providing some make up for
him, much to Jingyi and Hanguang Jun’s chagrin. By elders, he means that
Wei-qianbei had a hand in putting a little color on his lips and cheeks and
lining his eyelids with charcoal.
“When I heard about the arrangement, I spoke with Hanguang Jun about my
concerns and he brought it up to the Jin elders. After that, it was decided
that you would benefit from someone who was skilled in cultivation and
courtesy but does not wish to take power for themselves.”
That much is true. Sizhui had not asked much of his fathers but he had
asked Wei-qianbei, who had the displeasure of attending said meetings with
Hanguang Jun, to inform him of how those talks went and what the results
were.
“It was decided that you would benefit from a Lan spouse. Hanguang Jun and
Grandmaster took meticulous care in finding a Lan match that would be
harmonious with you.”
Sizhui had been called to offer his insight about the young sect leader to
ensure such a harmonious match. But as they had gone through every
available Lan meticulously, none of them seemed to be a good match for Jin
Ling.
Jin Ling stares at Sizhui for a little too long before his ears go pink and he's drawing away and returning to pacing, his hands clasped behind his back as he listens to the other's explanation. It's probably better that he's married to Sizhui but he still hates that he's in this situation. He didn't need a spouse, he definitely hadn't wanted a spouse he had no say in choosing.
"And it just happened to be you?"
Considering there's only two Lans that don't absolutely annoy him out of his mind it's not that strange but still. It had been Sizhui's idea and now he's here...
He watches as Jin Ling paces. Perhaps he had miscalculated from how the
other had acted around him. He pulls the veil completely off.
"It had always been a choice. It was down to me and one other Lan. If we
both had rejected the offer, then the search would have continued." He
chooses his words carefully. "I agreed to it because of the feelings I have
for you," he says simply.
A marriage should always carry the truth from the beginning and lying had
been forbidden from the Cloud Recesses. He should be honest with his
feelings for the other junior...well, they can't say they are juniors
anymore. His smile saddens a little; he knows it isn't the most ideal
situation for any of them.
"If my feelings are not returned, it's all right. I would wish for you to
be happy, no matter what that entails."
He had already prepared himself to be rejected. If Jin Ling did not accept
him as his spouse, then Sizhui would be happy to be the face of the power
couple while Jin Ling had someone else.
Jin Ling stopped short at the mention of feelings, his stomach jumping a little and he turned to look at Sizhui. His hands curled up at the following words and he shook his head.
"I..." Jin Ling had always been attracted to Sizhui, had softened to him quickly as much as he had tried to keep up pretenses for much longer but Sizhui knew how to calm him, they complimented each other in many ways.
"I do..." he finishes, though saying it in more specific words he can't quite yet but he feels a lot about Sizhui. "We can be happy...right?"
He says that he does and Sizhui keeps his brightened smile to himself.
"We can."
He reaches out to touch Jin Ling's hand.
"We can be together and be happy, if that is what you want."
Feeling bold, he stands so that Jin Ling is not talking down to him. He
steps closer and turns his hand so that they could hold hands with each
other. He keeps his gaze on Jin Ling's face, trying to see what reactions
his husband has toward the situation.
Jin Ling looks at the other's hand on his own and he'd always been attracted to Sizhui but he didn't know what to do with that or anything else. He'd barely managed to master the whole being friends with people thing.
"I do... I just don't know how to do this," he finally says, meeting the other's eyes. To anyone else it's not something he would have been willing to admit.
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secureserver2020-08-19 02:14 pm
OTA (++ age gap)
All in all, Jin Ling's protests had fallen on deaf ears and he wasn't skilled enough to make the right political moves to get himself out of this -- even Jiang Cheng had agreed it would be best and Jin Ling could scarcely believe it. His uncle had assured him a good match.
Jin Ling had barely had any time once he'd learned the identity of the person chosen for him and not by him to even process it before a lavish wedding is rushed. Now, the ceremony is done and he's in the chamber with his new spouse, trying very hard not to think about the expectations of a wedding night. He ordered the servants to bring more wine, his hands clenched at his sides. He's furious that this had happened but more than anything he's a little scared and even sadder. He knew his parents' marriage had started out as an arranged one but it had been broken off... It'd ended up a partnership they chose and Jin Ling had romanticized that idea for years silently, secretly wanting to find that for himself too.
Now? He turns to look at the spouse.
"Did you want this?" he asks, the first words he's spoken of his own volition to the other since finding out.
well...not age gap BUT
With many, many late discussions that had to involve the Chief Cultivator, they managed to find a solution. Jin Ling will marry. But it will be to someone closer to Jin Ling's age. Someone well versed in courtesy and rules to be able to advise with a wise mind but not take power for themselves. All that had been provided to the young Sect Leader Jin was that it would be a member of the Gusu Lan Sect. His spouse had been shrouded in the finest red silks and gold embroidery that was offered with a red veil covering their face, masking their true identity. They didn't even speak when they took their bows or when they were led to the wedding chamber.
Still, familiar eyes watched as Jin Ling paced almost like a caged tiger with his fists clenched, waiting for the right opportunity to reveal who was under the red veil. Still, the spouse sits, ever patient and waiting for Jin Ling to settle.
"I would not have agreed if I hadn't," Sizhui replies softly. He waits for Jin Ling to lift the veil for the reveal.
Re: well...not age gap BUT
Jin Ling is frustrated still at waiting to know who his spouse but he's also hesitant to uncover the other's face. They hadn't spoken and Jin Ling hadn't missed that -- so when he poses the question he half thinks they're going to stay mute about it. He crosses his arms as he studies the other's form as if that's enough to tell him who's there and how much they do or don't want to be there. But then, there is an answer, soft... the voice familiar and his brow furrows.
So he finally comes closer, closer enough that he can unmask the other's face, finding himself face to face with someone he'd finally had to admit is a friend.
"What...?" he is surprised, too surprised to be angry. How could it be Sizhui? Why wouldn't the other had told him before now? Is this all just some joke?
no subject
It’s easier to breathe without the veil. Even Sizhui had to admit that it was hot under it. He had been dressed like a groom but veiled as a bride, some of the Lan elders even took some glee in providing some make up for him, much to Jingyi and Hanguang Jun’s chagrin. By elders, he means that Wei-qianbei had a hand in putting a little color on his lips and cheeks and lining his eyelids with charcoal.
“When I heard about the arrangement, I spoke with Hanguang Jun about my concerns and he brought it up to the Jin elders. After that, it was decided that you would benefit from someone who was skilled in cultivation and courtesy but does not wish to take power for themselves.”
That much is true. Sizhui had not asked much of his fathers but he had asked Wei-qianbei, who had the displeasure of attending said meetings with Hanguang Jun, to inform him of how those talks went and what the results were.
“It was decided that you would benefit from a Lan spouse. Hanguang Jun and Grandmaster took meticulous care in finding a Lan match that would be harmonious with you.”
Sizhui had been called to offer his insight about the young sect leader to ensure such a harmonious match. But as they had gone through every available Lan meticulously, none of them seemed to be a good match for Jin Ling.
“We only found one.”
no subject
"And it just happened to be you?"
Considering there's only two Lans that don't absolutely annoy him out of his mind it's not that strange but still. It had been Sizhui's idea and now he's here...
"What do you get out of this?"
no subject
He watches as Jin Ling paces. Perhaps he had miscalculated from how the other had acted around him. He pulls the veil completely off.
"It had always been a choice. It was down to me and one other Lan. If we both had rejected the offer, then the search would have continued." He chooses his words carefully. "I agreed to it because of the feelings I have for you," he says simply.
A marriage should always carry the truth from the beginning and lying had been forbidden from the Cloud Recesses. He should be honest with his feelings for the other junior...well, they can't say they are juniors anymore. His smile saddens a little; he knows it isn't the most ideal situation for any of them.
"If my feelings are not returned, it's all right. I would wish for you to be happy, no matter what that entails."
He had already prepared himself to be rejected. If Jin Ling did not accept him as his spouse, then Sizhui would be happy to be the face of the power couple while Jin Ling had someone else.
no subject
"I..." Jin Ling had always been attracted to Sizhui, had softened to him quickly as much as he had tried to keep up pretenses for much longer but Sizhui knew how to calm him, they complimented each other in many ways.
"I do..." he finishes, though saying it in more specific words he can't quite yet but he feels a lot about Sizhui. "We can be happy...right?"
no subject
He says that he does and Sizhui keeps his brightened smile to himself.
"We can."
He reaches out to touch Jin Ling's hand.
"We can be together and be happy, if that is what you want."
Feeling bold, he stands so that Jin Ling is not talking down to him. He steps closer and turns his hand so that they could hold hands with each other. He keeps his gaze on Jin Ling's face, trying to see what reactions his husband has toward the situation.
no subject
"I do... I just don't know how to do this," he finally says, meeting the other's eyes. To anyone else it's not something he would have been willing to admit.