Chapter Text
Once they had arrived at the edge of burial mounds, they waited until a surprisingly haggard and emaciated Wei Wuxian arrived. Lan Xichen remembered a young man constantly joking with Jiang Cheng and Nie Husisang, and one of the few people who had the ability and willingness to push Wangji’s limits. Now he looked and acted more like one of the pale, wordless, corpses he controlled.
“Zewu-jun. Lianfang-zun. What do you want?” He asked without any traditional formalities.
Despite this, Lan Xichen gave a brief bow, and got straight to the point as well. “We seek the aid of esteemed doctor Wen Qing, for we suspect Lianfang-zun has contracted some sort of illness.”
Wei Wuxian gave a harsh and dry laugh, a distorted version of the one in his youth. “You are both intelligent men, so surely you would not insult me or Wen Qing by insisting that she treat a man who helped enslave her direct family and murder her brother.” His knuckles went stark white as he clutched the flute at his belt. “So tell me, why are you here?”
“Zewu-jun speaks the truth.” Jin Guangyao interjected for the first time. “However, you fail to see how it will be beneficial to you and the Wen remnants. It would help soothe the sect's anxieties if they had proof they were using their skills and talents to aid others. Additionally, I would be indebted to you and Doctor Wen, and you would have another ally within Koi tower.”
There was a long moment where Lan Xichen could do nothing but hold his breath.
Finally, “Very well. You may enter, however this is not a promise of treatment. That is ultimately Wen Qing’s decision.” With a sharp nod Wei Wuxian turned in his heel and started making his way up the mountain. The other men could only follow.
*
“Interesting.” Lan Xichen’s heart plummeted. ‘Interesting’ in a medical context always meant difficult or impossible to cure.
“You won’t die,” Wen Qing says. Relief swells through Lan Xichen and he takes a deep breath. “Not for a while at least.”
“Oh.” Meng Yao blinks. Then he plasters on the smile he uses when talking to his father, Jin Zixun, and Sect Leader Yao. “Thank you for taking the time-”
“I didn’t finish. There is an excess of metal in your body, that is harming it. If nothing changes you will be dead within a few years. However, if we remove the metals your health will not deteriorate, and strengthening your golden core should counteract the symptoms.”
“Do you know where the excess of metals is originating from?” Lan Xichen asked.
“It is difficult to say, however the symptoms are similar to cases I’ve seen in aristocratic non-cultivators. Jin Guangyao, do you use any cosmetics?”
The man blinked, the only hint of confusion. “Yes. Cinnabar and powder, nearly everyone does.”
“You mean nearly all of the cultivators in Lanling. Who have strong golden cores that can mitigate any harm caused by them.”
Meng Yao gave a begrudging tilt of his head. “Well, I suppose so.”
“The current theory is that these cosmetics are derived from metals that can be toxic to the human body over extended periods of time.”
“Thank you for the advice, I will refrain from using face creams, and minimize use of cinnabar.”
Wen Qing shook her head. “I fear within Koi tower you will always be exposed to these substances. Additionally, the contamination has been ongoing for so many years, the symptoms will continue. The only way to counteract it is through strengthening your golden core, dual cultivation would be the most efficient method.”
Wen Qing delivered this information with a calm, unaffected air. The same could not be said of either of the men in the room. Jin Guangyao flushed bright red as Lan Xichen restrained himself from making any sort of noise.
“Surely, there must be another way-”
“Oh, there must be? Once you find out about it please let me know.”
“Forgive my Doctor Wen, it's just, well who would even agree to help me with,” He waved his hands, searching for the right words. “such a thing?”
“I would.” It came out without thinking, surprising all three people in the room. Shame whirled inside Lan Xichen; making such an offer was basically taking advantage of the situation in order to satisfy his own desires. Still, the thought of Meng Yao continuing to grow ill, or someone else assisting Meng Yao during his time of need was too sickening.
“Sect leader Lan would indeed be an ideal candidate, with a strong and well formed golden core. It appears that the two of you have some things to discuss. I will be outside. Once you have reached a conclusion, let me know if you require any further consultation.” With that, Wen Qing swept out of the room leaving the two men alone.
The silence hung heavy in the air. Lan Xichen could feel Meng Yao’s eyes on him, yet stubbornly refused to meet them, instead staring at the dirt floor.
“Zewu-Jun, you are too kind,” Lan Xichen closed his eyes, anticipating the rejection that those painfully gentle, polite words signaled. “This lowly one sincerely appreciates your offer, however I could never bring myself to sully your esteemed self.”
“Please don’t say that.”
“Forgive me, I truly appreciate your willingness to make such a sacrifice-”
“No, no forgive me, I should not have made such an offer and overstepped your bounds. There are plenty of other cultivators that will be able to assist you.”
Meng Yao gave a dry laugh. “Zewu-Jun is ever the optimist! I do not wish to force anyone out of a sense of obligation, and there is hardly a plethora of cultivators vying for my affections.”
Somehow this hurt worse than if Jin Guangyao had just stabbed him with Hensheng. “A-Yao, I have known you for many years. You are ambitious, you are calculating, but you are not cruel,” Meng Yao snorted. “I understand that you do not return my affections but please do not mock them.”
Lan Xichen’s eyes remained closed, so he could not see the bewildered expression that spread over the other man’s face. His eyes were still shut when he felt the press of chapped lips on his own. Meng Yao’s lips were rough and clumsy, the kiss itself lasted only seconds, and it was the most magnificent thing that had ever happened to Lan Xichen. He was permanently ruined for all future kisses.
“Did you mean it?” Jin Guangyao asked, his eyes bright and face flushed with something different from his earlier embarrassment.
For once, Lan Xichen was devoid of any words.
“Do you truly hold affection for me? If I misunderstand-”
“No, you do not misunderstand. Nothing would bring me greater joy than being your cultivation partner.”
“What will people say?”
“Does it matter?”
The ensuing kiss proved that no, the opinions and gossip of the rest of the cultivation world was entirely unimportant.