Chapter Text
The morning had been rather lovely if he did say so himself. He'd gone out to walk leisurely around the peak passively greeting the waking disciples and wandering hallmasters in the early sun hours. The trees rustled softly at his steps while leaves danced gracefully in the air.
Yue Qingyue wistfully wondered if Shen Qingqiu would accompany him for a walk if he asked. Ever since the qi deviation that nearly made Yue Qingyue have one himself from stress, Xiao Jiu Shen Qingqiu has been incredibly civil and dare he say friendly. He hadn’t growled insults at anyone, or picked fights with other peak lords, or berated his disciples for every little thing, in fact, it was almost like he was a different person. He was so eerily passive that they actually tested him for possession with Hong Jing in secret, but the sword did not react in any way. Mu Qingfan had diagnosed that it was likely selective amnesia after that.
He explained how Shen Qingqiu seemed to still be his general aloof and cold self, still distant as ever but in a completely different sense. Shen Qingqiu seemed to only know them as strangers he just happened to know. He didn't seem to know the (rather complicated) history he had with anyone, including Yue Qingyue himself. Believe him, he tried, after much hesitation and mild panic. He made subtle hints about their shared past alleys and filth, slaves, the number nine all expertly said in the guise of genuine troubling news from a large trading town near HuanHuan palace. But yet not a single reaction, no burning acidic glare strong enough to melt steel, no aggressive snap of a fan demanding him to stop talking, no suddenly leaving the room in churning anger, no gritting teeth or violent snarls at him. Nothing. just nothing.
All Shen Qingqiu showed was slightly scrunched brows behind his fan and nothing else. As if he had truly forgotten who they were…
Was it selfish to wish he’d remembered? That all the pain and suffering they went through wasn't weighed on him alone? That he looked at him with scorn but with bitter familiarity.
And yet… his gaze now was nothing but passive recognition with simple empathy and politeness, it felt like a second chance he couldn’t let pass, that this Shen Qingqiu would not look at him with hate and sorrow but joy and kindness. His emotions were like crashing currents and Yue Qingyue couldn’t help but feel guilt at never addressing their broken relationship, how he took so long that the universe itself took the option away and gave him a different one that only stirred his insides.
But before Yue Qingyue could continue his self pity the distinct whooosh sound from a cultivator flying by on high speeds reached his ears. Looking up just in time to to see Qi Qingqi and Liu Qingge landing in front of him, he could see two other peak lords not to far behind, Wei Qingwei by his large bulky statue, and Mu Qingfan by the slight reflecting light from his small glasses and the vague disappointment emanating from him.
“Yue-shixiong!”
He turned his attention back to the first duo. “Good morning Qi-shimei, what can I help you with?”
Qi Qingqi straightened, a bit red faced as she bowed in greeting, Liu Qingge followed suit just as Wei Qingwei and Mu Qingfan landed right next to them and bowed along.
“Good Morning Yue-shixiong” Qi Qingqi said as she rose from her bow. “ I have some matters of urgent discussion that I believe we should tackle right away” Emphasis in that last bit.
“Of course Shimei” Yue Qingyue said. “I suppose you are all here for this reason as well?” he asked the rest of the peak lords.
“Yes.” Liu Qingge responded.
Wei Qingwei did a so-so hand motion before saying “ Looking at the evidence first, don’t want to make assumptions” he shrugs slightly.
Mu Qingfan looking half exasperated, half resigned sighs “ I'm here for the same reasons as Wei-Shixiong, and as a witness I guess…”
Yue Qingyue's eyebrows rose faintly. He looks back at Qi Qingqi “Alright.. Qi-shimei tell me what's going on”
There's been a new rumor going around the sect, an alarming rumor. As many rumors in Cang Qiong, it involves Shen Qingqiu, but the odd part is that Shang Qinghua might also be involved…?
Recently, two packages arrived at Qing Jing peak, now that isn't uncommon in any way but the conundrum started with who was delivering the package and the package itself.
Two young, beautiful women arrived at Qing Jing peak's delivery building carrying the packages. Two medium-large size, greatly ornate, very beautiful wooden chests normally used for expensive items. No disciple nor hallmaster knew the ladies or whom the chest were for. The women looked around, searching, but before anyone could approach them and ask. No other than the Qing Jing peak Lord himself appeared to greet the women. The women eyed Shen Qingqiu warily before being presented with a piece of paper. They eyed him again before handing him the goods and descending down the mountain.
Shen Qingqiu had never gone out of his way to pick up a package personally, that is, if he even ordered something in the first place. Cause believe it or not, the Qing Jing peak Lord rarely if ever splurged money in anything unless it was essential. So to do this even while being his new self was incredibly out of place.
Word got out quickly and soon the mystery of what the peak Lord bothered to go and receive personally was. Hanfu, hanfu usually worn by women and ladies of the entertainment and red light district. It's very easy to guess what happened next.
Rumors resurfaced about him and his female disciples came in full force. Word of him planning to do something unforgivable to one of his students.
However you might be wondering what Shang Qinghua has to do with all this? Well the An Ding peak Lord had gotten closer to the other, a development literally nobody and their grandma predicted. Shang Qinghua had been visiting more than usual throughout this whole ordeal which obviously meant he was in it too. The An Ding Lord had always been an odd one, always the coward, he talked too much but meant so little, deterring people from ever getting close to the man to figure out his deal. Well,until now.
The unlikely duo was the perfect target for rumors. A man with so many words aimed at his back and a man with none that truly mattered.
Yue Qingyue listened in horror as Qi Qingqi got more heated as she explained and as Liu Qingge placed his hand on Cheng Luan's hilt. They were still wary and tense of Shen Qingqiu even if he was different now, that animosity never really left.
“ Yue-shixiong I think we should go to Qing Jing peak and confront this issue head on” Qi Qingqi more so demanded than asked.
“ Now now let's not get so-”
“We should head out right now” Liu Qingge stated, not suggested.
“ I-”
“Yue-shixiong” Mu Qingfan sighed, ” I think that for everyone's peace of mind we go to Qing Jing peak to see what is actually happening”.
“Yes” Liu Qingge nodded and then paused, “that” he continued nodding.
“...”
“Right, Ok, let's go” Yue Qingyue resigned, mounting his sword and flying towards the scholarly peak.
Contrary to popular belief, Qi Qingqi was not one to seek out a fight. She was righteous, stubborn and a hothead, sure, but she was compassionate, skilled in many ways and a damn good Shizun. Also contrary to popular belief she was not easily swayed by rumors as many believed, sure she likes to gossip but who doesn't? So, no. Qi Qingqi was not one to believe every rumor she came across. It's just that when a person develops such bad rep from very reasonable assumptions and said person does not only not clear said accusation, but spew vitriol your way when wanting clarification. You start to get an idea.
Shen Qingqiu was a cruel, bitter man, who Qi Qingqi thinks didn't even like being a teacher with how much he punished his disciples for minor mistakes or tackled the problems in his peak by ignoring them.
He was cold and hostile, being kinder to his female disciples only made him suspicious. All disciples look up to their shizuns, there's a certain level of idolizing every disciple has toward their master that often stays even a little after growing. It's easy to exploit that and Qi Qingqi wanted to make sure that wasn't the case
But to all bad he was, Shen Qingqiu was smart and skilled, he was their strategist after all. Qi Qingqi doesn't like Shen Qingqiu, even if he's different now in this case that just made it worse, it means he is unpredictable. Yet Shen Qingqiu is her martial sibling, they made the oath the day they all became peak lords, one can only hope (which she doesn't have a lot of) that this accusation is false, that the rumor is untrue. However if it is not, she'd drag every Peak Lord (or as many as she can) in Cang Qiong to deliver justice.
Bursting through Qing Jing peak's entrance, the group strides straight toward the bamboo hut. People watch with wide eyes as various peak lords go straight towards their shizun's home. Their sudden realization comes to all watching the scene. Quick on their feet, three disciples stop the Peak lords on their tracks.
“ Greetings shishu-s and shigu” A boy with his hair in a top knot bows at them along with the other two, “ I’m head disciple Ming fan”.
“I’m Ning Yingying” The girl to Ming Fan’s left says.
“And this one is Luo Binghe” The boy at the right finalizes.
Distantly, Qi Qingqi vaguely remembers that Shen Qingqiu used to hate the boy before his qi deviation.
“Where is Shen Qingqiu?” ah, straight to the point Liu-shidi.
There’s a slight shift in the air, all peak lords present suddenly turn towards the source. Luo Binghe, a boy that can be no older than 15 years old, seems weirdly menacing as he straightens and gives a placid smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Shizun is unfortunately busy at the moment… with some rather important matter. I’d recommend my shishu-s and shigu to postpone their visit, with a formal announcement for next time too”
Qi Qingqi narrows her eyes at the boy. Seems like this one inherited Shen Qingqiu’s skill of passive aggressiveness. She glances at her martial siblings, Liu Qingge looks the same as ever, impassive. Yue Qingyue smiles amicably at the boy, saying nothing. Wei Qingwei’s face is sheepish as he rubs the back of his neck. Mu Qingfang just grimaces at the general situation.
Looking back at the kids, the girl– Ning Yingying looks deceivingly serene with her eyes closed if not for the thin line her lips are making. The Head disciple– Ming Fan is side-eyeing the boy with slight panic. “Shizis, would you tell this Sect Leader what's this matter you speak of?” Yue Qingyue enquires calmly, making clear use of his position to get answers. Now, Luo-shizi looks about ready to throw hands at his shibo as he nibbles his lip into his smile. Shen Qingqiu’s head disciple appears ready to throw hands at his martial brother if he starts throwing hands at one of their martial uncles and all the while looking mildly nauseous at all of the peak lords in front of them.
“Where shizun is, is none of your-” “He’s in a meeting!” Ning Yingying steps in before her Luo-shidi can say something beyond disrespectful.
“A meeting?” Wei Qingwei speaks up this time.
Ning Yingying nods furiously “Yes! Yes! Shizun is currently in a meeting and had informed us not to disturb him!”
The Peak lords glance at each other. Silently revising if there was anyone of importance currently on the peak enough to stop this many Peak lords from seeing their own martial brother.
Mu Qingfan clears his throat, “ Ning-shizi, would you tell this one who Shen Qingqiu is meeting right now?”
“Mm? Oh! Uuh…Shang shishu..?”. Bingo.
Qi Qingqi and Liu Qingge instantly began their march toward the bamboo house once more, the rest of the peak lords following close behind.
“!!!”
“ Shishu-s! Shigu! I ask you to turn back!” Ning Yingying looks panicked
“Please turn back shishu-s, shigu— shizun cant meet you at the moment!” Ming Fan begs as he tries to keep up with them.
“NO!” Luo Binghe stood in front of them, blocking their path. Arms wide as he barricades the entrance to the bamboo forest.
Liu Qingge just... lifts him by the scruff, tossing him toward the boy's martial sibling. He lands right in front of Ming Fan, said boy tripping on Luo Bighe and faceplanting into the soil.
They are right at the door, Qi Qingqi reaches for the handle and swings it open. The main room is barren. “Huh…”
Liu Qingge cranes his neck to look past her, “Where are they?!” he scowls. Good question is what they are all thinking. If not in Shen Qingqiu's main room, where else could they be? Shen Qingqiu doesn't have an office, his working table is still in the main room only partially divided by a lattice arch, which there's no one on. Could they be somewhere on the peak? Then why did those disciples want to stop them so badly? Where are the-
Clink
The faint sound of metal hitting each other.
Thud
The sounds are muffled.
Thud
Coming from the door across the dining table, next to a shelf full of scrolls and books.
Thud
That door leads to Shen Qingqiu's bedroom.
no
No
NO
Qi Qingqi rushes at the door, Liu Qingge and Wei Qingwei to her side matching her speed. Something breaks on their path but she isn't listening with the blood rushing to her face.
“Qi-shimei please calm down-” SLAM!
Yue Qingyue gets cut off as the door slams open, calling out the name of the center of this whole problem “SHEN QING–”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Silver and gold clink softly, glinting along the precious stones they are paired with. Resting on hair smooth as silk and dark as ebony, atop chestnut waves that seem soft as fur. Silk weaved tight with care is draped loosely, its delicate embroidery paired with soft paintings draw your eyes to exposed shoulders. The smooth, plump skin is a provocative sight in it of itself. Yet one's eyes could not help but gaze at those faces even if it wanted to. With soft painted lips, and smooth skin adorned with the warm color of blood. Beautiful and yet dangerous, a poison one would be grateful to drink. Piercing jade and golden hazel eyes, look at their direction. Shocking the breath out of their lungs.
Shen Qingqiu and Shang Qinghua gaze at them in shock. Frozen like the world around.
And then–
Clank!
The soft brush Shang Qinghua was holding towards Shen Qingqiu face falls to the floor, vibrant reds from the brush's tip scattered in the air in a small cloud. The sound rings for longer in their ears than it should. There is no other noise after that, no soul daring to make even the slightest whisper.
But someone had to break the silence or this would be mighty awkward for the ones that were being ogled at.
“H– Hey guys…” Shang Qinghua finally breaks the silence. The long sleeves of his robes shoot up to cover his face as he delivered the pitiful attempt at a greeting.
And with a flick of a wrist Shen Qingqiu’s fan snaps open in his hand as he follows his friend's lead. “Greeting everyone” a water calm voice greets them. “If this one may ask” acid seeping into calm waters " What could you all be doing in my house?” He hisses at them.