Chapter Text
As time went on, a few years after Mingjue first decided to adopt Wei Ying, now Wei Wuxian, into his family. The ties that Wei Ying has made over the past years were vast. Somehow not only befriending the Lan’s but as well as the only legitimate son of the Jin’s. Xichen was of course the first person Mingjue has confided in over all of those years. Despite their official title being sworn brothers, everyone saw that they have been dancing on a thin line between friendship and romance for some time. Though their relationship has been difficult to maintain with Mingjue, a Sect leader and Xichen heir of Gusu Lan, they made many opportunities to meet.
It helped a lot that Wei Ying and Huaisang loved to cause a lot of mischief in their visits to the Cloud Recess no matter how much Lan Qiren threatened to ban them. Much to his denial, Mingjue thinks that Lan Qiren secretly has a soft spot for his two brothers after he gets over his annoyance. It brings life to the ever so boring Cloud Recess and somehow they both have managed to alter some of the rules, good and bad.
*Cloud Recess, In the past*
“Xichen I could ask Wei Ying and Huaisang to leave Wangji alone, he doesn’t seem much too like them too much” Mingjue said as he watched his younger brothers circle around the younger Lan who gives them the signature uninterested Lan stare
“Da-ge don’t worry Wangji seems to be enjoying their company” Xichen said with his usual smile watching his brother with a curious gaze “If anything Wangji seems to be having fun”
“Hmm if you say so Xichen, you know your brother the best” Mingjue said wondering what Xichen could be talking about, to his Wangji looked just as uninterested as he did for everything else, thou after witnessing Wangji’s hesitation in leaving the Unclean Realm last time, maybe there's more to Wangji than he thinks.
“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan what do you like to do for fun, we can play so many games here” Wei Ying said, almost clinging onto the younger Lan as he talked, making the other members of the Sect give him a disapproving gaze which he paid no mind to.
“Yeah A-Ying is right, there’s so many trees here and I heard you had a lake nearby Wangji-Xiong” Huaisang said just as excited as his brother with the exception of clinging on to Lan Wangji, even he couldn’t get away with that the way Wei Ying can.
Lan Wangji thought for a second but didn’t say anything, just motioning for them to follow him, as they all went back into the woods following a small path, it was visually very unkempt as if no one ever went back there. Soon after a bit they could all spot a small house, cottage almost at the end of the path, it was where Madam Lan stayed.
“Lan Zhan, is it ok for us to be here, Da-ge said this is where your A-Niang stays” Wei Ying said getting somehow closer to Lan Wangji finding the woods around them a bit creepy.
“Hm, uncle said to entertain guests, A-Niang will be happy too” Lan Wangji said walking a bit faster as they neared the house, he’s been wanting to see his mother for a while and he’s happy to introduce his new friends to her.
They walked closer to the cottage and saw a beautiful woman standing at the door of the quaint home. Wei Ying knew Lan Zhan got most of his looks from her, she looked much younger than how old she probably was but Wei Ying wondered why she was here all alone. His own A-Die and A-Niang never strayed far from each other and were always together as much as they could, well actually Wei Ying doesn’t think he’s ever seen Lan Zhan’s A-Die around either.
“A-Zhan is that you, are you breaking the rules now my dear” Madam Lan said laughing at seeing her son come to her a few days earlier than scheduled “Introduce me to your friends A-Zhan this is the first time I’ve seen you around others.”
“A-Niang this is Wei Ying and Huaisang from Qinghe” Lan Wangji said pointing to the boys next to him, this made Madam Lan practically glow in delight.
“A-Zhan now don’t be too formal, children are meant to play and have fun now come on in I still have some toys with me” Madam Lan said motioning them inside.
“It’s nice to meet you Madam Lan” Huaisang and Wei Ying said bowing down to her but were stopped by Madam Lan.
“Now don’t do that, your friends of my A-Zhan I should be the one thank you two sweet boys, it’s ok for you two to call me auntie instead” Madam Lan said, patting the boys on the head and leading them all inside.
*With Xichen and Mingjue*
“Xichen have you seen our brother anywhere, I haven’t seen them anywhere and you know how Huaisang and A-Ying are, always finding trouble” Mingjue said getting up and looking around to see where his brothers went.
“Hmm no it has been a while since we’ve seen them but I’m sure Wangji will keep them out of trouble” Xichen said smiling at Mingjue who gave a slight smile and nodded and sat back down.
“If Lan Wangji can keep Huaisang and A-Ying out of trouble then I will personally thank him and give him some gold” Mingjue said completely serious, it was nearly impossible for Huaisang and Wei Ying to stay out of trouble and if Lan Wangji could, Mingjue would swear he was a heaven official.
“Xichen, where is your brother, he is late for his lessons,” Lan Qiren said, walking towards Mingjue and Xichen with his usual annoyed expression.
“I’m not sure Uncle, Mingjue and I were just discussing that when we last saw them they were heading into the woods,” Xichen said, getting up from his seat, Mingjue following him and heading towards Lan Qiren.
“That’s impossible, that is where your mother is and Wangji would never break the rules,” Lan Qiren said, his face slowly going red with the thought of one of his nephews going against his word.
“You did say for him to entertain the young masters Uncle” Xichen said as he walked the path to his mothers house, Mingjue giving a snicker at his words, Lan Qiren following already thinking of a way to punish Lan Wangji.
As they walked the path towards the cottage they could hear the yells and laughter of children and a woman which made Lan Qiren walk a bit faster. Once they got closer they could see Wei Ying and Huaisang running around with toys in their hands as Lan Wangji watched them with the slightest smile, Madam Lan laughing loudly at their antics. None of the children paid any mind to the incoming company but Madam Lan saw them and gave a smirk at her brother in law.
“Aww Renren is nice of you to come keep me company, now if I could just convince you to cut that beard of yours, you were almost as handsome as my husband when Cangse cut it back then” Madam Lan said giving a loud laugh amusing the Xichen and Mingjue, Lan Qiren’s face was turning a few shades of red before he composed himself and looked at his younger nephew.
“Wangji what are you doing here, your scheduled day isn’t until next week” Lan Qiren said giving him a disapproving look but Lan Wangji was too happy being with his friends to really care.
“Uncle said to entertain guests,” Lan Wangji said, making Huaisang and Wei Ying stop running and burst out laughing.
“Da-ge didn’t you say Lan’s couldn’t joke” Wei Ying said wiping the tears from his eyes from the laughter.
“Only you two could make it happen” Mingjue said, sighing at his brother, amusing as it was to see Lan Qiren’s face turning many different shades, he didn’t want his brother to be the cause of his Qi Deviation.
“A-Zhan, why don’t you and your friends go to the lake while your uncle and I have a talk, I don’t think he’s very happy with me,” Madam Lan said, whispering the last part with an amused look in her eyes.
“Bye Auntie!” Huaisang and Wei Ying said waving back to Madam Lan, Lan Zhan hummed his response and started walking off with the other two boys sticking close by him, mostly Wei Ying clinging onto his arm while Huaisang trails close by.
“Madam Lan you would think now that you’ve been apart of the Sect for years you could abide by the rules by now,” Lan Qiren said giving her a scrutinizing glare, one would think he hated the lady but while he doesn’t approve of his brother marriage to her they have a more or less civilized relationship as in laws.
“Now Renren, how would A-Chen and his dear friend think of you getting angry, I’m sure that’s against the rules,” Madam Lan said, giving a mischievous smile, the smile growing wider as she saw Lan Qiren clear his voice and try to compose himself.
“Mother is good to see you, this is Nie Mingjue, Sect leader of Qinghe Nie,” Xichen said, introducing Mingjue who gave a slight bow to Madam Lan.
“It’s nice to meet you Madam Lan, Xichen speaks highly of you,” Mingjue said trying to be as polite as possible almost as if it was to impress Madam Lan.
“Now none of that A-Chen, A-Jue there’s no need to bow, I’m sure we'll be close as family soon,” Madam Lan said trying not to look too pleased by the reaction Xichen and Mingjue were giving, both turning red with embarrassment.
*With the boys*
“Lan Zhan your A-Niang is so nice and fun, she reminds me of my A-Niang,” Wei Ying said, a solemn look glazed over his eyes for a second before he shook his head and smiled at Lan Wangji.
“Yeah Auntie is much nice than other people here but Wangji-Xiong, Da-ge mentioned your A-Die was in seclusion,” Huaisang said, he was curious why Lan Wangji couldn’t see both of his parents, before his own died they were always around doting on him.
“I do not know...Xiongzhang and Uncle don’t say but the elders do not approve of A-Niang,” Lan Wangji said glaring at the ground as he spoke, Wei Ying and Huaisang got to thinking.
“Lan Zhan, your A-Die is a sect leader,” Wei Ying pointed out, looking as if he just said the most obvious thing.
“Ah, Wangji-Xiong what A-Ying means that your A-Die is sect leader, can’t he just overrule them,” Huaisang said extending on Wei Ying’s statement “That’s what Da-ge did when our elders didn’t want Wei Ying to join with the other disciples,”
“Yeah Da-ge is very scary when he wants to be,” Wei Ying said giving a small laugh then he quickly started running when he heard running water pulling Huaisang with him “A-Sang let’s go.”
The two boys started running towards the water while Lan Wangji stayed behind just looking at them running. He stood there in deep thought, they both had a point, his A-Die was sect leader and runs the Cloud Recesses, if he wanted to he could overrule them. He could see his A-Niang more if his A-Die came out of seclusion, the more he thought about it he realized he really liked having Wei Ying and Huaisang as friends.
*In The Unclean realm, Present Day*
Wei Wuxian and Huaisang were having a great time together and were always attached at the hip no matter what, if you saw one then the other would not be far behind. Mingjue was glad to see them getting along so well, they would have each other for many years to come. Ever since the last visit of Jiang Fengmian he has been contemplating on taking his brothers to Lotus Pond, as much as his own blacksmiths were renowned for their skills focused on sabers instead of swords. Jiang Fengmian took his children back with him and he thought about sending a letter to Xichen to meet them in Lotus Pier instead. Wei Wuxian no matter how determined and talented he is at the Saber, it wouldn’t hurt for him to have a backup weapon and he will be damned if his brother is ever unprepared. Huaisang himself even had two weapons no matter how hidden they were. Mingjue didn’t understand why his brother preferred a war fan and whip but as long as he was safe it didn't matter to him.
“Da-ge! Da-ge! We’ve been calling you for so long~, if you think so hard the frown lines will never go away,” Wei Wuxian said as he pulled down Mingjue’s robes to get his attention.
Mingjue looked down at his youngest brother and picked him up in his arms. Wei Wuxian is getting much bigger, soon he might get to the point where Mingjue can no longer pick him up like this and even now he kinda struggles to properly hold him. The older Wei Wuxian and Huaisang get the more Mingjue starts to fear what is to come when they have to go out in the world.
“Wei Ying…Would you want to go to the Jiang’s and get a sword of your own?” Mingjue asks, making Wei Wuxian tilt his head in confusion.
“But Da-ge, why would I do that when you got a Saber for me?” Wei Wuxian says, it made no sense to him, he liked the idea of a sword but there was really no need to have one.
“Just to be safe A-Ying, and it would make you seem cooler to the other disciples right?” Mingjue exclaims slightly cringing at the fact he was lying to Wei Wuxian but it was for his own good even if he did not know it yet.
“Hm! You’re right! Huaisang and I will be the best ever,” Wei Wuxian nods excitedly and jumps down running to tell Huaisang that he was getting a sword.
Mingjue sighs at his youngest brother but there is a smile on his face at the innocence in his demeanor. Now, how to convince Xichen to go with them so he does not kill Madame Jiang if she were to say anything insulting to Wei Wuxian. It would be easy to convince Lan Wangji to come if it meant being with Wei Wuxian, no matter how much it bothered him the other boy did have a way of calming Wei Wuxian’s behavior.
*With the Lan’s*
Lan Wangji has been wanting to see his friends again for a long time, finally a few years later the dates all finally aligned and he was traveling with his brother to the unclean realm. It had been an annoyance to change direction towards Lotus Pier at the last minute but he shall let it slide in favor of being Wei Wuxian and Huaisang. While he didn’t like the thought of making friends with the Jiang heirs he was happy to do it if he could see Wei Ying and Huaisang again.
“Wangji I see you plotting, you have to be nice to the Jiangs, they’ll be great allies in the future, just try and be civil please,” Xichen said pleading with his brother not wanting a repeat of last time
When Lan’s find people they like they are immediately extremely protective of them. Since Wei Ying and Huaisang were the sole reason he and Wangji went to speak to their father to leave seclusion and overrule the elders about their mother it made Wangji almost possessive of them.
When another Lan disciple decided to complain about them to their uncle, Wangji immediately declared a duel with him and severely injured the disciple. Then when their uncle wanted to punch Wei Ying for his loud behavior Wangji started arguing with his uncle, now it was a more one sided argument with Wangji declaring that Wei Ying is too good and deserved to be an exception for the rule and their uncle being too shocked to respond. When Wei Ying and Huaisang had to leave and go back to Qinghe, Wangji wanted to duel the sect leader to keep them in the Cloud Recesses but agreed to be able to visit them and send letters in the end.
Wangji hated the thought of others being around his friends but tolerated it for the most part. Xichen wasn’t very sure if tolerance was the word, Wangji would menacingly glare at others who got too close to his friends until they would leave.
“Xiongzhang I only wish to protect them from others” Wangji said denying any plausible ideas that he was almost possessive of his friends
“Hm if you saw so Wangji just no bloodshed please, I would like to keep an alliance with the Jiang Sect” Xichen said as he looked out of the carriage and saw that they were arraigning at the gates
Wangji hummed in compliance but he promised nothing, if one of the Jiang children dared to insult his friends then it was their own fault whatever happens. He was getting excited, well as excited as a Lan could get as they got closer to the gates. He looked out the carriage next to Xichen and saw Wei Ying waiting by the gates as Huaisang was next to two other children, he guessed the Jiang children, talking to them.
“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan we have so much to do, I have new talisman to try” Wei Ying yelled excitedly to Wangji who gave a slight smile back, the carriage stopped at the gates and the two jades stepped off
“Hm, Wei Ying is talented” Wangji said which made Wei Ying turn slightly red with embarrassment but still gave a wide smile
Xichen stood by and smiled as he watched his brother go off with the rest of the children. He looked to the side and saw Mingjue and his smile grew wider as he walked towards him. He stopped in his tracks as he heard a woman yelling in the distance. Xichen sighs and knows that Madame Jiang is out training the disciples, it would be in her favor that she stay away from his childr- his brother and his friends. Xichen shook off the previous thought and went to walk closer towards Mingjue.