Chapter Text
Wangji spends the morning in his room, reflecting on the importance of being filial and righteous. In the end, it doesn't change anything!
He still wants to teach those Jiang and Nie bullies a lesson. Meditating on the rules quickly turns into daydreaming about taking his sword and fighting everyone who hurt Guangyao.
Even though Wangji is ahead of most of his peers in sword skill and cultivation, he knows he can't expect to win against more than three opponents.
In his imagination, that doesn't matter. Wangji beats up those bullies until they wail and agree to beg Guangyao for forgiveness. Young Master Wei is part of this daydream, too. He grins at Wangji and congratulates him for his righteousness and superior sword skills.
Somehow, this part makes Wangji's ears feel hot. He should be embarrassed, of course. His thoughts are self-important and ridiculous.
Didn't Young Master Wei promise to beat up any Jiang disciple who dared to bully Guangyao when they spoke after the lesson? He seems to be the kind of person who makes all sorts of flippant claims and then really follows through on them.
Young Master Wei is injured, though. He shouldn't fight anyone. It could end in disaster. So wouldn't it be most reasonable for Wangji to step in first and handle all the fighting?
No, it wouldn't be, he reminds himself. It would be most reasonable for Wangji to ensure no fight happens at all.
Reasonable or not, Wangji is going to do it. The idea of getting in trouble with his uncle is unnerving, but the alternative is to die of anger.
By the time Wangji goes looking for the culprits, the guilty Nie disciples have already left for Qinghe, but Uncle is still seeing off those three Jiang disciples right then.
Too late. Wangji clenches his fists.
No! If it has to be this way, Wangji will just beat them up right in front of Uncle. No need to worry about the consequences!
He watches them as they are gathered by the gate, and Uncle lectures and tells them to reflect on their behavior and ask for punishment in Lotus Pier. Ridiculous!
Brother isn't there, but Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian also came to the gate. Jiang Wanyin's face is red, and his mouth is a thin, angry line. Wei Wuxian's expression is not as easy to read, and Wangji can't tell what he is thinking.
Without giving himself away, Wangji takes a turn and climbs down a steep path that leads into the forest. He will intercept the Jiang bullies further down the road.
Doing this doesn't feel very righteous. It's what common villains do to rob innocent travelers. However, these particular travelers aren't innocent, and Wangji doesn't intend to rob them.
It's just him against three others, so no one could claim it's an unfair fight. It doesn't matter to him if he wins or loses this confrontation. All that matters is that he can make sure all of those three will get a taste of what they subjected Guangyao to. It doesn't matter if Wangji also gets a few bruises in the process as well.
He leaves the small mountain path and cuts his way through the undergrowth. Twigs and thorns pull at his robes and tear the fabric. Wangji ignores it and chops away with his sword until he reaches the main road. He walks a bit further up so that he can wait just behind a bend in the road.
As he waits for them to show up, he begins to feel doubtful about his plan. Can this be right? Is this not just the kind of behavior the rules caution them against? Picking fights, following a path of vengeance? This isn't right.
There is a difference between justice and vengeance. Wanting to beat someone to vent one's anger cannot be the former.
Being expelled from the Cloud Recesses lectures is a shameful ordeal. It's a punishment in itself and probably leads to further punishment from the sect that those miscreants embarrassed with their poor conduct. Maybe Wangji should let this go.
He is uncertain. Nothing seems right. Neither option aligns with what Wangji considers just. It's frustrating. It's unbearable, really.
Wangji doesn't have much time to contemplate this because he can already hear the voices of the three Jiang disciples coming down the road.
Wangji's hand is on his sword, but he feels his determination slip away. What is he about to do? Attack them when they appear in front of him?
Wangji still does want them to get a beating, but not like this. Uncle always says not to ever draw one's sword in a fight unless one truly accepts to fight to the death. Not every sword fight ends with one opponent being dead, but every fight might end this way when a deadly weapon is used. It would be foolish to risk that if there was no need. In Cloud Recesses, they never fight outside the training hall or night hunts — and, recently, the war.
Didn't just this happen the other day with Young Master Wei? Wangji disregarded Uncle's teachings and the rules and Young Master Wei got injured because of it.
Now, Wangji wouldn't feel all that guilty if those Jiang disciples ended up with a few cuts in their arms. However, he wouldn't want any of them to end up with a cut throat or a pierced lung. Can he truly guarantee this won't happen? He can't.
Wangji is about to withdraw and slip away before the others can spot him, but then he hears them laughing. They are in an excellent mood, it seems. Wangji's fury is back at once.
Fine then. Wangji takes his sword and throws it into the grass. Without allowing himself to stop and think, he runs up the road. If he uses his fists instead of the sword, who could criticize him?
In the early afternoon, Xichen is informed that Guangyao has woken up and is now treated by a healer again.
He makes his way over to the infirmary and waits outside while Guangyao is being tended to by the healer. Should he even visit? Or should he wait until Guangyao is well enough to be released? If Xichen were injured and vulnerable, he wouldn't want to be seen by anyone but those who are closest to him.
Then again, Guangyao's family doesn't seem all that close to him, and if he has anyone else, they certainly aren't in Gusu right now. Being alone must not be comforting either. Maybe a quick visit won't be unwelcome. Xichen won't stay long if he notices his presence is unwanted.
When he hears the healer tell Guangyao he can lie back down again, Xichen enters the room.
The sight that greets him isn't what Xichen expected, and it takes him a moment to reign in his shocked expression.
Guangyao's face is covered in purplish bruises. Last night, there was swelling and redness, but this looks much worse. Cultivators recover quickly, and Xichen isn't used to seeing injuries heal slowly.
Besides the bruising, Guangyao's eyes startle Xichen the most. It's painfully obvious that Guangyao had been crying. This realization leaves Xichen queasy with guilt. He assumed that most worries had been settled last night. Clearly, he assumed wrong.
"Guangyao?" Xichen hesitates to come closer. "Are you feeling well?"
It's a stupid question. He is clearly not feeling well.
Guangyao turns to the door where Xichen is standing, and his pained expression morphs into a polite smile.
"This Guangyao is feeling well. Thank you, Zewu-jun," Guangyao says and bows as much as possible while sitting on the bed.
Xichen doesn't believe him. Of course not.
"I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better than last night," Xichen says because he doesn't want to accuse Guangyao of dishonesty. "But I'm sure there is something we can do to help you feel even better. Will you tell me what you need?"
"I don't need anything. I wouldn't want to trouble anyone." Guangyao says, clearly surprised by the offer.
It's hard to believe that there is nothing Guangyao needs when his eyes look so watery. However, Xichen knows perfectly well that sometimes what you need is impossible to obtain.
He says nothing because he doesn't know how to convince Guangyao to trust him. Xichen realizes that the arguments aren't in his favor. Luckily, saying nothing seems to work best at making Guangyao talk.
"I just don't want to be hunted down and spit at, Zewu-jun," Guangyao says desperately. "I don't want to be hated," now he is openly crying. "And I don't want to die. Not tomorrow, not next month, or in a couple of years, or whenever Father decides to anger you. I just don't want to die, Zewu-jun!"
Guangyao is hiding his face in his hands now, and Xichen stands there aghast. Didn't they talk about this last night? Not in so many words, maybe. Xichen went to bed utterly relieved with the outcome, his mind at ease. And now he has to realize that they failed at making it clear to Guangyao that the Lan sect doesn't intend to harm him.
"Guangyao, no. Please don't cry," Xichen tentatively sits down at Guangyao's bedside. "Please accept my apology for failing to make this clear last night. My Uncle and I have no intention of harming you. Sect Leader Jin is a reasonable man. He won't act rashly. But if he does, you won't be harmed for it. You have my word." Xichen promises and carefully places his hand over Guangyao's.
"This is not a matter that should be spoken of openly. You must not speak of this again, and you absolutely mustn't tell your family about my promise. You understand that, don't you?" Xichen knows he took a significant risk by giving Guangyao his word that he wouldn't be harmed. This defeats the purpose of the arrangement between their sects.
What a joke this is. The Lan sect cares more about their hostage than his actual family cares about him.
As expected, Guangyao bows formally. "Of course, Zewu-jun, this Guangyao won't repeat your words to anyone," he promises earnestly. "Thank you," he whispers then.
Guangyao is trembling and still bowing deep. It looks a bit awkward with him sitting on the bed.
Xichen slowly reaches out to lift Guangyao out of the bow by his elbow. It's too uncomfortable to receive that much gratitude for promising not to kill an innocent person.
"There is no need for this, Guangyao," Xichen says, inching a bit closer to him. "I hope you feel a bit better now?"
Guangyao dries his tears with his sleeves. He looks even younger like this. His hair is messy, and his eyes are red. Xichen wants to hug him. He would like to brush Guangyao's hair and dry his tears, but they aren't that close, so Xichen doesn't want to overstep.
"Thank you, Zewu-jun," Guangyao repeats. Maybe he is a bit overwhelmed.
"This Guangyao needs to confess something," he says nervously. "I lost the book that you gave me. I must have dropped it."
Xichen wonders if Guangyao actually believes there is a chance that Xichen will be irritated with him for dropping this book while being chased down by those bullies or if he is just pretending to be frightened for whatever kind of reason. What use would that be to him? Neither option seems logical to Xichen.
"I'm sure someone picked it up," Xichen says. "I'll look for it later and bring it back to you. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you," is all Guangyao says again.
"Wangji will surely come to visit you as well later. He can pick out a few more books for you to read so you won't be too bored here while you recover." Xichen says.
He doesn't know if he should mention that Young Master Jin Zixuan expressed concern and asked about Guangyao's health. He would like to let Guangyao know, but then he would also have to explain that Jin Zixuan won't visit.
"Those disciple who hurt you yesterday were expelled today. The Lan sect won't allow them to return, and we advised their sects to discipline them thoroughly." Xichen says instead.
"Won't their sect leaders be displeased if their disciples were expelled because of a Jin hostage?" Guangyao asks, nervously playing with his sleeves.
"They were expelled for a grave breach of our rules," Xichen says firmly. "The Lan sect doesn't condone fighting or bullying."
And Xichen especially won't condone any bullying against Guangyao anymore. He will pay close attention to all students.
There is a knock at the door, and a moment later, Uncle enters. Something must be amiss because his expression is thunderous.
"I need to speak to you, Xichen," Uncle tells him.
Xichen nods, and Uncle turns to Guangyao and pauses.
"Why have you been crying?" He demands to know, making Guangyao flinch.
Xichen can tell that Uncle is worried, and if his tone is a bit harsh, it is because he is in a bad mood, not because he is displeased with Guangyao. But Guangyao doesn't know Uncle that well.
"This Guangyao meant no offense," Guangyao puts on his polite smile again. It's still rather unconvincing.
"Guangyao still had some worries, but I believe we were able to resolve all of those." Xichen steps in before Guangyao gets any more frightened.
"It is like Zewu-jun says, Grandmaster Lan," Guangyao agrees.
"You look even worse than last night," Uncle muses and lifts Guangyao's chin to take a look at his bruises. "Are you in pain?"
"Not at all, Grandmaster," Guangyao claims.
Xichen doesn't find that believable.
Uncle frowns. "Do you think I ask you questions because I want to hear lies?"
Guangyao clearly didn't expect this reaction. His cheeks turn pink, and he looks startled.
"Uncle," Xichen starts but is stopped by an angry hand gesture.
"This time, I'll be lenient, but the next time you tell me a lie, you will copy the clan rules." Uncle warns Guangyao.
"Yes, Grandmaster," he says obediently.
"If you are in too much pain, you will call the healer," Uncle instructs. "If you cry again, for whatever reason, you also call the healer. If there is any problem at all, you will let someone know."
"Yes, Grandmaster," Guangyao says again.
Xichen sighs. Uncle means well, but his words sound intimidating rather than reassuring.
"Wangji will visit you later to keep you company," Xichen smiles to encourage Guangyao. "I'll be back later too."
Uncle scoffs. "Wangji won't go anywhere today. He will stay in the discipline courtyard, and he can thank the heavens if I don't make him kneel there all night."
Oh, so Uncle's foul mood is caused by something Wangji did.
"Come now, Xichen," Uncle motions for Xichen to follow.
Xichen can't deny his immense surprise when he learns what his brother did. Wangji is in quite a state. By the looks of it, this fight must have been intense. Even his robes are in tatters somehow.
What has Wangji been thinking?
Currently, they are in the courtyard behind the library, and Uncle is about to decide Wangji's punishment. Xichen usually would try to argue in his brother's favor and urge Uncle not to be harsh, but there is not much he can say here.
Wangji left the premises without permission to go and pick a fight with the departing Jiang disciples. They fought like commoners — or children — without using their weapons. Thank the heavens for that, at least. Xichen can't come up with any excuses for this.
And besides, it might be more clever not to attract Uncle's attention so that he won't remember that he instructed Xichen to make sure Wangji doesn't cause trouble.
Wangji is kneeling in front of them, and if anything, he looks pleased with himself. Can't he at least pretend to be contrite for Uncle's sake?
"Wangji," Xichen begins because Uncle is too angry to speak, it seems. "your anger on Guangyao's behalf is not unjustified, but that is not how the Lan sect conducts ourselves."
"You," Uncle points with so much force it seems he wants to stab Wangji with his finger. "You behave like a no-good scoundrel. Is this the way I raised you? If this is the way you like to act, why don't you go ahead and kill me right now? I will die of anger otherwise!"
Xichen wishes Uncle would be a little more reasonable.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Uncle demands to know.
"Wangji will accept punishment," Wangji says, still not looking apologetic. "But those disciples deserved punishment as well."
"They were punished, Wangji," Xichen interrupts. "We expelled them and sent them home to be punished by their sects." He sighs. "And throwing punches is hardly a reasonable way to discipline someone."
And if those disciples defended themselves with their swords instead of their fists, Wangji might be seriously injured now, if not dead. Xichen is surprised and relieved that they had the decency to not use weapons against an unarmed attacker. Otherwise, this would have ended so much worse.
"Now, doesn't it look like we are singling out and harassing the Jiang sect? First, you fought Young Master Wei, and now those disciples. What can we tell Sect Leader Jiang if he criticizes our sect for this?" Xichen continues to scold his brother.
He doesn't like being harsh with Wangji, but he would like it even less if the Lan sect lost one of their closest allies over his brother's rash actions.
Wangji does look remorseful now. Xichen isn't quite sure, though, if this isn't just because he was reminded of his fight with Young Master Wei. Xichen knows that his brother feels guilty about that.
"You will do handstands for the rest of the afternoon, Wangji," Uncle tells him. "And if you disappoint me one more time, I will put another disciple in charge of discipline this year."
This is harsh. But Xichen can't protest. Uncle can't play favorites and keep his own nephew in this position if said nephew gets in trouble more often than other students. It wouldn't seem fair.
"Wangji should have his bruises treated first," Xichen says. His brother has a solid golden core and will heal quickly, but Xichen doesn't want him to be in pain until then.
"If he is in pain, he has only himself to blame," Uncle grumbles.
Wangji curtly bows to them and begins walking to the library to do his handstands.
"Wangji!" Uncle calls him back, impatience clear in his voice. "Didn't you hear your brother? Go see a healer first."
Now, Xichen has to smile. Why does Uncle always have to insist on appearing as harsh as possible? Both Wangji and Uncle are this way.