Chapter Text
Jiang Yanli , first child of Jiang Scent learnt from a young age that she cannot achieve the impossible . Her core does not hold up under cultivation, with the amount of energy it drains from her each time. They have tried. Doctors have shook their heads. It isn't too bad when she's a kid at first - she could swallow it down. She always has, no matter how bitter the medicine, without complaint .
Softly, she has to put away neatly the dream of flying high on a spiritual sword. When Yanli was young, she had turned to the kitchens as an escape. At least she can wield a knife for her loved ones, even if she can't stand on a sword. Beyond, her parents' voices echo and fights. She busies herself here among the pots and pans, her place of comfort, the quarters furthest from the pavilion or the courtyard, almost the most private part of the sect. Where her hands do not have to be idle, and can work on something soothing. Stirring, chopping, peering into the soup as if for answers.
When she found 5 year old Wei Ying , who tried to run away , she lead him and Jiang Cheng to the kitchens, the warmest place she has ever known .
After marriage many things changed for better or worse . She was far away from the peaceful Lotus ponds . But she had a small pond her husband built for her . She was still respected by servants but she was covered in more gold accessories . She pretended to never see her father-in-law touching inappropriately to some random women or sending night outside .
She should be happy . She married the man she lover and he also felt the same . Even if it felt like too fast too hurried. Even if it felt like building houses with weak base.
She should be happy . Her marriage alliance gave Jiang Sect the political support in the crucial time . Like she didn't bring dowry during marriage . Like her father-in-law was not eager for the marriage because of the power of her Xianxian .
Right now she sat in front of her mirror in her chambers in Lalling . Here whispers followed her both sides like her constant companion .
'The new Lady of Jin is weak , nothing like the ones that had come before her'
"It was unfair"
...while Jiang Yanli had the best of everything while being...
" wholly undeserving of it. "
It's fine. It's fine
Yesterday she got invited by her mother in law to go a local temple with her . Like the a good girl she said yes before she could think . Her brother , well one brother , was coming . He didn't tell about timing in his letter , so she wanted to be there when he arrives .But it would be rude to go and say that to her mother-in-law , so she shut up and stayed silent . That's the way of maintaining peace she knows. Besides she would come back from the temple early. What could go wrong ?
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