BOC AU: Elder but Younger Sister Chapter 10: Rest

A full week passed for Shen Qingyi in the blink of an eye. 

After so many monotonous days, so many things happening made time seem to slip forward into a blur that she wished would slow down, so she could savour the moments more.

Especially the moments with her new brother. She had spent but a week with him, and she could safely say that she liked him… and that he liked her. A fast friendship, and he really did feel like the brother she was supposed to have. A sibling who cared for her. Bu had brought her grand gifts, but everything he had ever done had been out of spite. Jin gave her small things…but she would rather a pile of dung from Jin than a city from Bu—at least she would have known they were about to do something fun and foolish if Jin gave her that.

She was also making progress! His reactions to her hugs had started getting less awkward. He no longer looked uncomfortable, and there was little hesitation when he hugged her back. They pushed, and shoved and prodded at each other.

It was childish. Qingyi knew it was utterly immature. And yet, after three years of confinement… she found she didn’t really care. 

It was enjoyable. So she was enjoying herself. And they were not just the moments where they played. What was more profound were the quiet moments they shared. They meditated under the tree every morning. Qingyi guided him through his sword forms with father watching on. Jin showed her all sorts of fascinating medical things.

They ate their meals and cooked together. They read scrolls while seated side by side, Jin once using her legs as a foot rest. They practised their calligraphy with father, seeing who could make the best piece.

They went through the city, roaming where they pleased. Qingyi had eaten all sorts of new and fascinating things. She had seen a great play that she had never seen before. She helped Jin with his clinic, and played with that delightful rooster again. Bi De was quite the character!

Finally, they went with father to a merchant of grand repute. A powerful magnate who had for father the finest ores—he was going to be making for Qingyi a sword to replace the one she lost. Not yet for Jin, for they needed to better ascertain which blade he would use, but father asked Jin if he desired anything.

Jin had said a frying pan. Father had complained mightily about the request, but Qingyi knew that he had brought the finest Spirit Iron, and had taken her with him while Jin was on an errand to speak to chefs about what one would look for in a pan.

With her father making it? Soon Jin would have the finest frying pan on the continent.

She still had nightmares, some nights, but even they were not so bad. When they came, when her Qi roiled and twisted, when Bu bound her again, her father’s qi would arrive like a bolt from the heavens, enveloping her, cradling her, and driving away the spectre that haunted her dreams.

Last night, after a particularly bad dream, Jin had poked his head in, and seen the state of her. He asked no questions… but a couple minutes later, he arrived with warm milk and honey rice porridge. A strange combination… but it had made her feel better. He and father had both sat beside her, until she had fallen asleep again.

….mother would have loved Jin. But she was gone, and Qinyi hadn’t had nearly enough time with her. Qingyi wanted to carve each and every moment she spent with her family into her soul. To always be able to remember these moments, here and now.

Even moments like these.

“Now, have we learned our lesson?’ Father asked. He stood before Qingyi and her brother, his arms crossed, and his eyebrow raised.

Qingyi considered his words as she dangled upside down from her ankles. Her brother hung beside her.

Qingyi had never been punished like this before. It was quite the novel experience; Father had made it sound so funny, and it was!

They had indeed gotten father back for his transgressions when he had made Jin fall on her when he was training. 

Father had gone out for a moment, and made the mistake of leaving out one of his calligraphy projects. 

His prized brush had been replaced with one of goat hair; his paper was riddled with tiny scratches and fingerprints that would make a work bleed and pool terribly, his ink was watery and weak, and his tea had been replaced with boiled weeds.

A collaborative effort on their part. It had been very fun coming up with everything.

“I regret nothing.” she declared.

Jin stuck out his tongue and made a truly loud and long farting noise.

Father’s lips twitched, as he tried not to laugh. He was annoyed at what they had done, but was clearly performative. Jin had carefully bundled father’s actual project away so it wasn’t damaged.

He let them hang for a few minutes more, then let them down after he finished “interrogating” them on the whereabouts of his project. His calligraphy retrieved, father absconded to his room, fixing them with a small and suspicious glare while he did so.

The door closed with a click.

Both of them burst out laughing. Jin held out his fist, in a gesture he had taught her. Qingyi bumped it with her own.

“Nice work on the goat brush, Qingyi. It looked great!” he said with a grin.

“Your idea was inspired. I merely made it a reality.” she demurred. The farmer had been most baffled when she had asked if she could shave his goat’s beard for their grand prank. It had been such a perfect recreation of father’s brush that he actually had to do a double take!

“So. what do you feel like doing?” Jin asked.

“The docks, then sword practise?” she replied.

“Sounds like a plan.” he agreed.

And then, they were off together. The mortals—his people—waved to him in the streets, and bowed. But more than that, they were no longer looking at her with suspicion, and offered greetings to her as well! The story she had told the mortals in the clinic of being very ill until her brother helped save her life had quickly made its way around, and made the mortals almost as kind as the mortals that had lived in her home.

She felt a pang of loss. All those people. All the mortals she was sworn to defend. That both of them were sworn to defend. That had done nothing but support and love Bu and he had just—

Qingyi tried to force her thoughts away from the pits of blood and mountains of corpses.

It was over. It would never happen again. It…

“Hey, you want to try something tasty?” Jin asked, his voice cutting into Qingyi’s thoughts.

“Ah…yes?” she replied.

“Great! You’re going to love this stuff. Its nice and hot out today, so it will taste the best…” he narrated, walking forward. Qingyi followed in his wake, listening intently.

His words made the visions fade. The sound of people in the streets returned.

And the “butterscotch icecream” being sold by one of Jin’s mortal servants was indeed very tasty. They made it using an ice crystal in the bottom of a metal bowl. It was a treat only about half the population could eat, however. Most people in the Crucible couldn’t stomach milk, but the variety of “Suo Beis” made sure the man did brisk business. The apple Suo Bei and orange Suo Beis were both delightful.

Qingyi’s mood was much improved as they headed back home, some suo beis in hand as a peace offering to father.

They arrived home soon after.

“Ah, daughter. You’ve returned. There's somebody here to see you!” father said, his voice warm.

Qingyi took her shoes off faster. She could already feel the Qi in the next room, and had a good idea of who it was.

She was swiftly vindicated, when she entered the kitchen and saw the woman sitting there; still as stunningly beautiful and regal as Qingyi remembered her.

“Aunt Minyan.” Qingyi breathed, overjoyed at seeing the other woman again. A small smile formed on Aunt Minyan’s face as she looked Qingyi up and down. Qingyi did not rush to embrace her, even if she dearly wished to, for that was not Aunt Minyan’s style; she was an elegant lady, one that all cultivators should aspire to be! So instead Qingyi paid Aunt Minyan her respects, bowing in greeting. “Its so good to see you again!”

Cold Qi ghosted over her body, inspecting her; it was a gentle touch, probing for injuries and flaws, and on finding none, she felt that same Qi gently cup her chin, and lift Qingyi’s head up to see her.

“It is good to see you well, little one.” she said, her voice gentle. Though her Qi was cold and her smile was small, she was practically radiating happiness.

“We have a guest?” Jin’s voice came from behind her. “Well, we should have enough Suo Bei—” he suddenly froze, his words dying in his throat.

Qingyi turned to her brother, who looked like he had just gotten hit over the head by something, his eyes locked on Aunt Minyan… who Qingyi suddenly realised was not wearing her veil. Her brother was witnessing Aunt Minyan’s full beauty for the first time. Qingyu felt a brief stirring of panic. It was said that her face could drive men mad.

 For a moment, there seemed to be a dull glaze coming over Jin’s eyes as he just stared—before he sucked his cheek into his mouth and bit down, hard. His eyes snapped back into focus, and instantly, her brother was her brother again.

He bowed, his movements ever so slightly jerky. “Please forgive my uncouth staring, ma’am.” he said, apologising.

Aunt Minyan, on the other hand, had an eyebrow raised and seemed quite impressed.

“And who is this young man?” she asked.

Qingyi puffed out her chest. Her father folded his arms and smirked

“My brother/son!” they declared.

Aunt Minyan’s face froze.

“Your what?” she asked, her voice carefully neutral… but a slight chill in the air forming.

=============================

One day ago:

Tianzhe Minyan, the Divine Falcon of the East Wind, returned to her sect with much pomp and circumstance. The new disciples descended from the ramp behind her onto the hallowed deck of the Godship, their eyes filled with awe as they looked upon their new home.

Minyan had been out ‘on patrol’ her mission ostensibly to travel around the Empire and find promising new disciples for the sect.

It was largely a polite fiction, and every one of her fellow Elders knew it. Instead it was an excuse to visit far off corners of the Empire to find anything that would be able to assist Shen Yu and Qingyi.

She could not dedicate herself fully like the Cloudy Sword Sect. She still had duties. But…he had asked for her help.

So she had helped. She had gone all over the continient—even, on the most recent trip, to the damned Azure Hills. Which had proved to be a…strange place. To Minyan’s surprise, they had reunited one of Minyan’s Watch Captains with her daughter. Little Orchid was a pretty girl, but entirely too weak for the sect. Minyan had allowed her on the ship as a courtesy however, as they scoured the area.

Her crew killed a few bandits that were nearly mortals, and the strongest Spirit Beast they found was at the Fifth Stage of the Initiate’s Realm. Bailu had killed it because it was ugly; patchy fur all over it. Minyan had to hear her complain for hours about the creature’s appearance, and then hours more as Seiyu complained about how gross it tasted.

But then something interesting happened. They stopped for a day in the north of the province; a barren place. There, Little Orchid had been approached by some manner of seer in a tiny town, who then instructed her to tell “the Falcon” that “an important message approaches.”

Little Orchid had been most embarrassed an had apologised profusely for telling her such a thing, but the girl had thought it prudent just in case, which had been surprisingly wise.

After all, the ship was hidden in the clouds, and none of the mortals below would have been able to see it.

They searched for the seer, and never found her. 

Something was afoot.

Minyan ended up leaving the girl in the north, for she had made something of a friend with a mortal girl, and left. For it had been some time since Minyan had returned… and only a fool completely disregarded prophecy.

“We pay our respects to the Admiral!” the disciples on watch roared as one. The Master of the Watch, Shuling, approached, her head lowered differentially.

“A fine crop, My Lady.” The pink haired and pink clothed woman said her eyes roving over the newest crewmates. The harshest taskmistress of the sect looked deceptively bright and cheerful. “I’ll have them processed and quartered for you forthwith. Any I should look out for?”

“Those two. Present them to Song, and that one to Xiaobao for Dongmei’s approval.” Minyan commanded, and Shuling bowed her head. “Was there anything else?” 

“You have a message, Admiral. Delivered by flying sword. We have the Qi signature on record. It has been contained and placed in your quarters, as you dictated,” came the swift response.

Minyan frowned. The seer had been right. There was one man who would message her like this…her heart clenched in her chest.

“I see. I will take my leave then.” she said, turning, and heading to her quarters.

Had the worst finally happened?

When she got there, the first thing she did was read the message.

And then, she was flying out of the sect at best speed.

=====================

For a long time, Minyan had been… displeased with Shen Yu, for his courting of Qinxiao, and his spurning of all others. He had made a grave mistake in choosing that woman, and the wretched creature she had spawned had only confirmed that. 

She had hated that thing long before it had shown its true colours. His eyes had always been disgusting things. Arrogant and grasping, and his smile… it had always felt mocking.

Just like his mother. Minyan had hated Qinxiao. Her little smiles that always seemed so full of mockery when they encountered each other. Qinxiao had won, Minyan had lost, and that was going to be the state of things for all eternity.

Then, she met Shen Qingyi. Another one of that woman’s spawn, who had taken one look at Minyan… and declared her the most beautiful and amazing thing in existence. 

In front of Qinxiao. 

Then Qingyi had begged to sit beside her, and listen to her tales, cheerfully abandoning her mother without any remorse… and unwittingly striking a blow that no other had ever struck before.

Qinxiao had pouted. She had been upset. The perfect, serene face cracked and broke.

Minyan had leapt upon that like her namesake striking with full force, and agreed that of course, Qingyi should sit by her and learn from Aunt Minyan.

Qinxiao had looked like Minyan clubbed her over the head.

At first, indulging the child had been petty. A little victory, finally, over Qinxiao. Her own daughter, striking her with such devastating blows? Minyan had laughed so hard her Qi had nearly deviated when she had finally retired to her manse that night.

Yet over time, Minyan found herself enjoying Qingyi. Minyan had no idea what manner of dung Bu was; but Qingyi? Qingyi had inherited everything from Shen Yu.

Her grace and elegance were profound. Her desires were as pure as the heavens, and her soul in the shape of a beautiful sword. Minyan found herself growing more and more to enjoy the girl’s presence… which became a bridge. Shen Yu, who had been so distant ever since his oath to Qinxiao, had started meeting with her again. They told stories and reminisced; like the old times. It was so close to what they had before that Minyan could almost taste it. 

She had even begun to tolerate Qinxiao’s presence—the woman sometimes came along with Shen Yu. She always remained quiet while he and Minyan spoke, an unreadable expression on her face.

And then, one night, after Qingyi had gone to rest, and the three of them had quaffed much Spirit Wine, Minyan had overheard something she was fairly certain she was not meant to overhear, when she had gone out for a late walk, her Qi suppressed and muted.

“You were foolish for not marrying her, husband.” came Qinxiao’s gentle voice, bouncing off the floating rocks around Minyan’s manor. She sounded amused, her tone gently scolding.

The words pounded in Minyan’s head. Shen Yu’s reply was lost, the slight difference in where the two were standing rendering his voice indistinct.

“Ah, I can only pray that I may repay your devotion. And yet.. It has driven a wedge between the two of you. Minyan is one of your oldest friends. I would have never wished to be the destruction of such a beautiful bond.” She said, her voice genuinely sorrowful.

Another response that Minyan could not hear. She kept her Qi reigned in, lest they notice her.

“Perhaps. Or.. perhaps I shall be the first one to make Shen Yu break an oath~” her voice became teasing. “A man has two hands for a reason, no?”

Her laughter, and Shen Yu’s spluttering echoed across the rocks.

Her pride snarled… even as another part of her perked up with hope.

That night, Minyan realised that Qinxiao…. wasn't so bad.

==========================

The other woman realized that Minyan had overheard something that night when they left—and whispered about a meeting for tea when Minyan was next available.

The meeting proved to be quite fruitful, and they scheduled another, for when Shen Yu returned from the hidden realm.

That day never came.

================================

The years had been long and hard. Shen Yu had been relentless, scouring the world for a cure.

He had been dying by inches. Cracking and breaking into pieces. Minyan had helped as she could.

He would not even seek comfort with her. He would not touch her in that way, retreating from her when she had made her intentions clear, guilt written all over his features.

“I will not. Not while my daughter is in that state.” he said.

And… that had been acceptable to Minyan. She did not test his resolve again.

For three hundred years, all she could do was watch while they all failed, again and again.

================================

When Minyan arrived in the crucible, and she felt Shen Yu’s flaring Qi, she could not help the joy that took hold of her soul.

Proud. Unblemished. Blazing like a star that would cut in half the heavens.

It was like he was three hundred years ago.

Qingyi too, looked like she had stepped out of the pages of the past, her eyes filled with such joy on seeing Minyan. 

Yet there was a third. A young man, who walked into the room. Who looked upon Minyan’s bared face… and forced himself back to his senses. Apologising for staring at her so intently.

Of course, that was when his true nature was revealed, and Shen Yu’s words to her resounded again in her mind. 

“I will not. Not while my daughter is in that state.”

Yet here was a child.

============================

The tale quickly quashed all irritation, however. Minyan listened intently as she ate a rather pleasing treat, the frozen juice of an apple, mixed with spices.

A promising young man, adopted from the streets of the Crucible, who helped to save Qingyi’s life.

That was more than acceptable. And the young man before her was part of the reason that Shen Yu was whole again. 

Qingyi was eager to sing his praises, as was Shen Yu, and their tales swiftly weaved a tapestry.

A tapestry of a young boy with nothing, who fought for and earned everything he had. A medical genius. A man who inspired the love of the mortals by his acts, yet remained humble, knowing that he was just starting his own journey.

He was so far from Bu that it was almost funny. Though… she didn’t know what was wrong with that creature. It had to be some strange and cruel quirk of the heavens. Perhaps, somehow, he had been a reincarnated demon from birth? 

That was one of the few ideas Minyan could come up with that made any sense.

However, the creature deserved little attention. Instead, she watched the two children as they spoke of their adventures.

Minyan watched the two. Qingyi and Jin. Qingyi was supposed to be the Elder, and yet… the boy acted a lot like how Minyan remembered her Elder brother acting, all those centuries ago.

….he even looked a bit like him, with the freckles on his cheeks, and the bright smile.

=================================

Eventually, the children retired for the night—and then Minyan was alone with Shen Yu.

Unlike the past three hundred years of brief, sombre meetings, it was like they were young again.

The wine flowed freely. Shen Yu’s laughter was booming, as they reminisced on the good times, and the best times.

They sat together so close their bodies brushed against each other.

Shen Yu turned to her. His steel-grey eyes looked deep into hers.

“Minyan… thank you. For all the years you’ve stayed by my side. For everything you’ve done for me. It's a debt I do not know how to repay. Even after I harmed you, you still…” he trailed off, and looked to the side, vulnerable for a moment. Vulnerable with her. Minyan’s heart pounded in her ears. “I never wanted to hurt you like that. I had thought…that what we had was lesser than it was, and that was my mistake. I was a fool. And Qinxiao…. She even said as much.”

“I know.” Minyan said quietly. “We were…talking.” Shen Yu’s eyes widened. Minyan’s lips twisted. “I wanted to hate her so much. I wanted her to be a thief, irredeemable. I wanted her to gloat. Instead, she thought the story we wove together was more important than her being the only woman in your heart.”

The words were ever so slightly bitter. To this day Tianzhe Minyan hated that Qinxiao was better than she was.

Shen Yu looked into her eyes, and found only honesty. He was, for the first time in a long time, at a loss for words.

“...she will always be there.” Shen Yu said. “I cannot give another my whole heart.”

“And that is fine. I shall not take that part. Just as I shall not take the part reserved for your daughter, nor the part reserved for your son. To try that would be the kind of greed the heavens punish.” She said, and straddled his hips. He did not resist her, his hands coming to rest on her waist. “But I will no longer hesitate. I hesitated before, and lost something precious.”

“I do not believe I deserve such devotion. From either of you.” he whispered.

…her words reached him. His arms wrapped around her waist, bringing her closer to him.

“You have fought long and hard. You have endured trials beyond imagination. Now hero, your quest of three hundred years is complete, and you are victorious. Rest, and be at peace.” she said, her arms sliding up, and her fingers burying themselves in his hair.

Shen Yu, tall and proud, slumped ever so slightly into her embrace, like a great weight was lifted form his shoulders. A long breath escaped his lips.

Shen Yu rested.