[ Learning how badly he had misinterpreted so much in his life is an agony that Jiang Cheng cannot ignore. After meeting Jin Guangyao in the temple and hearing his words he understands how, in his youth, he had been a fool. The other Sect Leaders had wished for him to 'deal' with Wei Wuxian because they were afraid of what would happen if he and his brother had shared a united front - what would happen if Jiang Cheng had the fearsome Wei Wuxian standing with him. Yunmeng Jiang would have been unstoppable, but in his haste to be a proper leader, to take the mantle that had been thrust upon him, he had been too eager to prove himself.

There are a thousand other choices that he and Wei Wuxian could have made. His regret and hurt over his brother's choice could have softened - he knew, even in the moment, he did not truly blame Wei Wuxian for what happened to Lotus Pier, or for his choices when it came to the Wens. He had been too quick to anger, too hurt, too damaged and filled with pain over his losses. If he had accepted the Wens into Lotus Pier, if he had, perhaps, wedded Wen Qing, if he had chosen a different path... How many lives would be different?

Would Yanli have lived? Her husband? Would a-Ling had grown with parents who loved him, softening the sharp edge that Jiang Cheng had given him? Would he and Wei Wuxian have stood side-by-side, or would he have gone off and got married?

It's stupid to think about those things, idle thoughts that do more to damn him than help him. Jiang Cheng is in no position to make wishes, as if he's ten years younger. He's not his nephew; he doesn't have the world at his feet. He has only bitterness and hurt as his companions, guiding him through all the choices he makes and the rest of his almost eternal life.

Tied up with all of this is just how difficult it is for him to bring Wei Wuxian back here. He does not blame him, not anymore - his breakdown at the temple was enough to put all of that to bed - but there's still hurt inside of him, pain mixed with guilt and regret and bitterness that has had too long to blossom and develop. Jiang Cheng wishes that he was better at this, but with no sister here to translate his snippy words into meaning he fears he will be forever adrift with no anchor.

(A-Ling has Lanling, his his friends. Wei Wuxian has Lan Wangji. Nie Huaisang has Qinghe and his old friend back. What does Jiang Cheng have but loneliness and pain, crushing his shoulders until he crumbles under the weight of it?)

It does not take long for him to move forward to where the shrine is. He hesitates on the edge, staring at the wood, breathing out, before he lifts his head high. He has been here more often than anyone could ever ask of him, beyond duty. He comes for his sister more than his parents, the bitterness of their rejections still a wound unhealed to this day.

When he speaks, his voice is soft and low. ]

I'm back, A-Jie. I know it was not long ago that I was here, but someone has brought a gift for your son. I think they would like your approval before they give it to him. I am sure you'll be happy to see his face, even if it is still stupid.

[ His hands shake as he moves, kneels, bows, squeezing his eyes shut. All these years and his heart still breaks - he still thinks of his sister's body in his arms, reaching for Wei Wuxian, pulling away from him even in death. He doesn't blame her; hadn't everyone preferred A-Xian, in the end?

Breathing out, forehead so close to the ground he feels cold, he has to calm himself down. Purple surrounds him as he stands, casting his long sleeves behind him as he motions, trying to be strong and severe and failing. Wei Wuxian could always see through him anyway. Why try? ]

Wei Wuxian is here, A-Jie. He's come back and he wants to see you. I'm sorry that you're not together anymore, but I think perhaps this is what you would have liked either way.