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Lan Wangji remembers the first time he fell for Wei Ying. It was love at first sight; the moonlight shining upon them, Wei Ying grinning as he tried to offer him a jar of Emperor’s Smile and the fight that ensued. Then, when Lan Qiren subjected Wei Ying to punishment in the Library Pavilion, he spent hours being bothered by Wei Ying. That’s why when his brother suddenly told him that he was dating Wei Ying, Lan Wangji felt like he was plummeting from the skies to the earth.
Lan Wangji knows he isn't as sociable as his brother. But sometimes, he wishes that it was him that Wei Wuxian was smiling at. He knows he follows the rules too much, a man of few words and should smile more. Yet, the other party is his brother. He can't bear to separate them even if it pains him to see Wei Wuxian happy with his brother, not him. He resists the urge to be petty to his brother because that is against the rules. He must be free of worldly matters, as per his courtesy name. He must avoid the earth and mortal matters like his sword, Bichen.
Funny enough, despite being able to read his mind, his brother fails to see the reason for his anger. So does Wei Ying. They think he is angry that Wei Ying is taking away his brother and friend from him. He would often follow them on their dates to remind his brother of his sect duties and was also tasked by Lan Qiren to make sure they didn't do anything inappropriate. Like kissing. Or holding hands, which they did. Oh Uncle, if only you had known. It is a blessing in disguise that Brother does not see that he is in love with Wei Ying.
As a result, he could never let his brother know about this original composition he made, just for Wei Ying. He cannot know and it will remain his little secret. Lan Wangji feels ashamed for coveting his brother’s lover, and he does not want to hurt his brother either. He finds himself content if it means that Wei Wuxian would be happier with his brother rather than him. At least he has a reason to see Wei Wuxian and spend time with him, even as a third wheel.
Sometimes, he does question why Wei Ying treats him the way he does. The rabbits he gave him are happily living in the plains he set aside for them. He hadn’t heard of Wei Ying giving the rabbits to Lan Xichen, but he happily takes pride in how Wei Ying had given him a gift over his brother. Though later Lan Xichen did come to know about it, and offered to help expand the population by adding in rabbits. Lan Wangji sees the need to reaffirm that the rabbits are not given by Wei Ying, and is relieved that they weren’t.
Endure. What a beautiful word. It consists of the character for knife, and heart. The word expresses how to endure means a knife stabbing one’s heart. Lan Wangji finds himself endlessly writing it when he cannot bring himself to write poems about what could have been. Papers of the character ‘忍’ would be stacked away in a corner, never to see the light of day. Was this how his father… No, what his mother felt as she was left to rot away in the gentian house? Lan Wangji stopped doing it the moment he realised how much of a waste of paper it was. The trees have no reason to suffer with him.
After Wei Ying left the Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji would get told by Lan Xichen how beautiful Yunmeng was. So Lan Wangji heads off to take a look, secretly. He heads to the places Lan Xichen told them they went, ate from all the stalls he had eaten the food with Wei Ying, hoping that he could encounter Wei Ying there. He does not, but he slowly imprints the memory of Yunmeng into his mind. That for the day they finally meet in Yunmeng, Lan Wangji would be able to tell him that he did try those things. There’s a small benefit to being the brother of Wei Ying’s boyfriend after all; he gets updates about him, and gets to know him better by proxy.
When they separated, he was angry at his brother for letting go so easily. Their sect upbringing meant that they would fall deeply for one, and it made him feel that the love between Lan Xichen and Wei Ying was not… strong. Yet a part of him was relieved that he no longer had to compete with his brother for their fated one. Unfortunately, that did not mean Wei Wuxian would come flocking to him. He is a coward and he knows it. He can be brave enough to fight the Wens and put his life in danger to save someone, but he is not brave enough to confess his love.
He is fearful of Wei Wuxian’s reaction. That Wei Wuxian would see him as trying to replace his brother. Or worse, he just does not really see how Lan Wangji feels, just like everyone else. So he gives Wei Wuxian some space before even trying to approach him. Unfortunately, the Qishan Wen sect does not give them any reprieve. Shortly afterwards, the Cloud Recesses burns, his brother’s whereabouts unknown and his father in critical condition. Lan Wangji finds himself limping in an indoctrination camp. Wei Wuxian worries over him but because he is his friend and his ex’s brother. Not a lover. No. Wangji, stop .
“You know, we already broke up right? You didn’t have to be mad at me for flirting with Mian Mian. I know how much you love your brother Lan Zhan. But he is a sect leader and I am the son of a servant. It was never meant to be.” Wei Wuxian speaks, to comfort himself or Lan Wangji? “He will have to marry a woman to continue the bloodline. I won’t ask him to forsake his duties for me. Plus, I am free to find whoever I want, right? Maybe I haven’t found the right one.” He smiled.
Lan Wangji wondered how hollow that smile was. He plays Wangxian for Wei Ying as the man laid feverishly on his lap. This will be the one and only chance he could convey his feelings without revealing it out in the open. A gut feeling also tells him that this may be the last time they will ever have this, so Lan Wangji cherishes it as much as he can, searing it into his memory. He feels ashamed for not telling Wei Ying how much he loved him.
He was right. After the events in Xuanwu, Lotus Pier burns and Wei Ying was nowhere to be found. Three months later, after tiring himself with days of frantic searching, he finds Wei Ying completely steeped in resentful energy with ghouls by his side. The warm sunshine that emanated from him had faded. He has no idea how Jiang Wanyin can fail to see how Wei Ying is suffering despite being, you know, brothers . Or how he sees his adoptive brother as a weapon . He ignores the screams of Wen Chao when he stomps down the stairs.
There is constant friction between them throughout the Sunshot Campaign. Wei Ying continues to deflect his concerns, or twists it into something else he never meant. He mistakes his requests to return to Gusu with him as an attempt to imprison him. Lan Wangji curses his inability to communicate, as everything escalates into massive misunderstandings beyond repair.
“Wei Ying, come back to Gusu with me.”
“Why? Did Lan Xichen send you?”
“No, Wei Ying, I—”
“I thought better of him, and you.” Wei Ying leaves him there, unaware of the damage he had done.
When he confesses to his brother that there is someone he wishes to bring back, his brother sympathises with him.
“Wangji, are you all right?”
It is ironic that his brother cannot understand the source of his suffering. Oblivious to what happened to his former boyfriend, and to his brother’s feelings for said person. Maybe his clan was right; the Lans are doomed in love, be it finding their love like he and his father, or understanding it like his uncle. Lan Wangji does not know how long he can take this. He later makes the biggest mistake of his life by kissing Wei Ying when the latter was blindfolded at Mount Baifeng.
He knew Wei Wuxian was jesting, as Lan Xichen said they had not kissed and his tendency to flirt with girls is a facade, but it made him even guiltier knowing he stole a first kiss that was never meant for him. Being in love hurts so much, especially when you will never be their first.
He dropped by Yiling to see how Wei Wuxian was doing. What he saw was definitely not pleasant, as Wei Wuxian had grown thinner. His smile that shone like sunshine had faded, but he still found joy in living as much as he could.
“I gave birth to him!” Wei Wuxian joked with the child in his arms.
He certainly would make for a good parent, Lan Wangji thinks. How he wishes to have a family with the one he loved, no matter their blood relation. Wei Wuxian swung both ways after all. Later, upon seeing the state of Burial Mounds, Lan Wangji resisted the urge to offer the Gusu Lan sect’s help to him.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I’ve made my choice Lan Zhan. I need to walk on this path all by myself. And there’s no way I’ll ever accept the Gusu Lan sect’s help. Old Man Lan would probably have a qi deviation if I were to shamelessly come ask for help when I dated its sect leader previously.”
“You mean…”
“I will not trouble Xichen. He has his own responsibilities and obligations too as the Venerated Triad. I cannot impose on him.”
“Brother would have helped you.”
“Don’t get me wrong, Lan Zhan… there are just some things that your brother cannot do, and I will not force him to act if he does not want to.”
If it is not the difference in statuses, then what conflict did Wei Ying have with my brother? Lan Wangji grew confused.
“Thank you for your concern though, Lan Zhan! It’s just that this is really out of your control.”
Indeed, it really was. His back burned, with thirty-three lashes criss crossing and overlapping with each other as he laid helplessly in his room. The pain lasted for days and even when the burning sensation faded, it ached on cold, rainy days. When he hears of the siege on Burial Mounds led by none other than Jiang Wanyin, Lan Wangji could not help but wonder where did the camaraderie between Jiang Wanyin and Wei Wuxian disappear to. Granted, if it had been his brother or uncle lost in the crossfire, he would mourn for them and willingly accept punishment, as he had done for disobeying his elders to protect Wei Ying. He would not do what his father did, and would face their wrongs head on. Even if he has to punish Wei Ying in such a scenario, it will not change the fact that he loves Wei Ying.
“I am sorry I didn't know. If I had, I would have—” Lan Wangji sees his brother’s pained expression as he holds his hands tightly.
“It is not your fault, Brother. You have nothing to apologise for. I chose to do this. Even if you weren’t there, I might have never confessed to him.” He felt his eyes burn and vision blur.
“But he shouldn’t have done that to you! You are badly hurt and yet…” Lan Wangji closed his eyes, replaying the scene, fresh in his mind.
“Wei Ying, I love you!”
“Get lost… get lost…” Each word stabbed his heart.
“I know him. He would have returned your feelings had it been made known to him.” Lan Xichen pointed.
Lan Wangji has many regrets and it stung to be reminded by his brother one of them.
“I do not wish to burden him with my feelings and make him feel that he is obligated to return them. I treasure him, and his friendship too. I may not have his love, but I still wanted to keep our friendship.”
“Wangji… You are far too selfless.”
His brother tends to him as much as he could. Perhaps he felt guilty for being a bad older brother for not being able to see his suffering. Lan Wangji disagreed. Lan Xichen had done the best he could. With an absentee father, Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen raised him the best they could. Lan Xichen bore the weight of being the sect heir, becoming sect leader at a far too young age. Knowing this, Lan Wangji studied hard so he would be able to help out in the sect and relieve his family’s burdens even a little bit.
With him unable to move, his brother became his window to the world. He informs him of the siege the sects would be bringing to Burial Mounds. Lan Xichen also goes as far as to not participate in the siege, and even withdrew the Gusu Lan disciples from the siege. He did tell Lan Wangji he would try to save Wei Wuxian, but made no promises. Lan Wangji hoped, until the very end.
“Brother?”
“I am sorry. Wei Wuxian is dead.” Lan Xichen’s voice, tinted with concern, drops the bomb on Lan Wangji.
He flinched, and the pain on his back shot throughout his aching body. It hurts. No matter what he did, he only prolonged the inevitable. Nonetheless, Lan Wangji stubbornly forced himself to move. His body screamed in protest, but he needed to see it for himself. In the wee hours of the night, he got on Bichen and flew. When he arrived, everywhere was a wasteland. The huts the Wen remnants had built were razed to the ground. He doesn’t see a single living soul in sight. Lan Wangji continued to search frantically, with a hope that maybe, maybe Wei Ying survived and hid somewhere.
He does not find Wei Ying, not even a single thing that he could keep to remember him by, but he hears a cry of a child hidden in a tree trunk. A-Yuan was feverish, and Lan Wangji cradled him in his arms.
“Xian-gege, don’t go without A-Yuan...” the boy drifted off.
He brings the child back home. The fever wiped his memories, but at least he can protect what was left of Wei Ying. He renamed the child to Lan Yuan, with the Yuan for wish. He did not know what his original name was, but with his new name, he hopes the child can live a better life. If forgetting Wei Ying was what Lan Yuan needed in order to move on, then so be it. It spares him from having to tell a toddler that the ‘Xian-gege’ he knew and loved has died. He did not want to put the child through what he had as a young child yearning for his mother.
On his way back, he bought a jar of Emperor’s Smile. He then drank it, and woke up the next morning with the Wen brand on his chest. The position was exactly where Wei Wuxian had his. Lan Wangji did not despair at this ‘imperfection’ on his body. It was normal to have scars as a cultivator. Though he may be unfilial for defacing the body his parents had given him, it reminded him that he would never forget Wei Ying for the rest of his life.
His brother had been worried sick when he found out, scolding him in frustration and pleaded with Lan Wangji to love himself more. Apparently, he had caused trouble by breaking into some storage rooms and sought for a flute. Lan Wangji could imagine how pained Lan Xichen felt, seeing his brother in a completely heartbroken drunken state. He apologised to him, and reassured him that he would do better. His brother seemed doubtful, but did not press him on it, fortunately.
Uncle was displeased, but it dawned on Lan Wangji how utterly calm he felt when his uncle launched into a tirade of how unbecoming he was. That it was not the end of the world that he disobeyed him or the rules. He wonders how he came to think otherwise. Perhaps the threat of losing his monthly visits to mother made him fastidious to the rules. Regardless, Lan Wangji continues to live on. He resumed his punishments, kneeling in day and night, and raised the rabbits Wei Ying gave him. Out of curiosity, he buried Lan Yuan in rabbits once, and cared for Lan Yuan the best he could.
When he made a full recovery, he returned to the cultivational world as Hanguang-jun, and continued ‘being where the trouble was’ for thirteen years, until Lan Yuan, now known as Lan Sizhui, began his first night hunt with no supervision with other fellow Gusu Lan juniors. They encountered a demonic arm at the Mo Manor, but not without casualties and a certain ‘lunatic’ going missing. Lan Wangji did not think anything of it, and brought the juniors to the next night hunt.
When he heard the familiar tune of Wangxian echoing in the winds, Lan Wangji’s heart skipped a beat. Only one other person in the world knows this song. Wei Ying. He came back. He immediately set to sheltering Wei Ying from Jiang Wanyin. It is not that he does not trust Jiang Wanyin with Wei Ying, but he knew that Wei Ying was not prepared to talk to him yet. Thirteen years is a long time, and Wei Ying must be still trying to catch up.
Though Wei Ying keeps up the terrible act of the homosexual lunatic and pretending to be in love in him to chase him away, Lan Wangji persisted in keeping him by his side. Yes, even that means foiling Wei Ying’s 12th attempt to escape from him and pretending to be not affected by Wei Ying’s ‘affections’. Honestly, his troublemaking antics never change. Lan Wangji could not help but smile.
At the entrance to the Cloud Recesses, they meet his brother there. Lan Wangji anxiously looked at Wei Ying, who did not really show any reaction, before looking to his brother, who smiled.
“Wangji, you seem to be in a good mood. It is rare for you to bring guests back. Treat them well.” Lan Xichen then left for his matters with Jin Guangyao, walking past Wei Ying.
“Where do we bring him?”
“The jingshi.” Lan Wangji then went to find his uncle.
Right, how could he forget? Wei Wuxian had liked Lan Xichen before. Now with a clearer mind, there’s a chance that Wei Wuxian would return to him. Lan Wangji steeled his heart for that eventuality. He never had any chance. He blindly continues to pine for a man who would never return his love. Love was irrational that way. He knows, drugged heavily with it. Wei Wuxian continues to fool around, but helps with the demonic arm and piecing together this resentful corpse.
As they dug deeper, Lan Wangji began to fear for his brother. It seemed clear the culprit behind all this was Jin Guangyao, a man Lan Xichen deeply trusted. Though he may be angry at his brother for abetting the man’s crimes, it was even worse when Lan Wangji considered the possibility that his brother may not really know about it. He knows his brother well. He never wanted anyone hurt, although albeit too passive when it came to mediating. If he found out the true nature of Jin Guangyao… he can never recover.
Lan Xichen was his pillar in the time he mourned for Wei Ying. He needed to find a way to soften the blow. But how? After dealing with the gravedigger and Xue Yang, he still has no idea what to do. He hears from Wei Wuxian telling the juniors the story of Xiao Xingchen, Xue Yang and A-Qing. Seeing Song Lan walk away with the two swords, Lan Wangji wondered if they could have had a happier ending in another world. But such hypothetical thoughts shall remain hypothetical, for they can never materialize, just like the hopeful romance he wished for as a young, innocent teenager.
“I understand that because of certain reasons, the world holds quite a few misconceptions about him.” Lan Xichen finally broke the silence. “But… I trust what I have seen throughout all these years. I trust that he is not this sort of person. However, I will take this seriously.”
His trust in him is far too deep. Perhaps Lan Wangji should blame himself for not preventing this from happening.
“Be careful, Brother.” he tells him when they parted.
Ever since the incident at Koi Tower, Wei Wuxian has gotten more clingy to him. He even woke up from his coma shouting he would go back to Gusu with him. Lan Wangji attributes it to Wei Wuxian being thankful to him for staying by his side even after being cornered by everyone. No, Wei Ying, I do not want your gratitude. I want you to be happy. When they end up pressed against each other in the hay, hiding from a family, Lan Wangji takes comfort in being near him.
“Lan Zhan, I like you.” Wei Wuxian suddenly blurted out loud and Lan Wangji widened his eyes.
He thought he was dreaming. He stared at Wei Ying as though the man in front of him grew another pair of ears. However, considering the past two months of Wei Wuxian constantly teasing and flirting with him… it could be just another joke. He did pretend to be interested in him to hide his identity and chase him away. Sometimes it made him wonder if Wei Wuxian even remembered his confession at all. Then again, considering his shoddy memory, maybe not.
“Do you mean it?” Wei Ying froze.
Although he regrets saying that, seeing his hurt expression, Lan Wangji needed to know. Since Wei Ying did not continue, Lan Wangji could only assume that he is only viewed as his brother’s replacement. That’s fine. As long as Wei Ying is happy. He looks similar to his brother anyway. Maybe he just can’t smile as often, but they are both devoted, dedicated lovers. He learnt how to cook, and how to take care of Wei Ying’s every need. Going as far as to… well, learning how to pleasure a man. It was a complete accident how he got to learn it, even if he was never ever going to get an opportunity to put it to good use anyway.
He would not discriminate against all forms of knowledge, so long as it aided in eliminating beasts, ghouls and the undead. The more one understands about the world, the more enlightened they become. These thirteen years of helping others had taught him that perhaps being detached from the world is a flaw, than a boon. He thought that would be the end of it, but Wei Ying decided to surprise him. He did not stop trying to flirt with him and did something more. Wei Ying tried to wake up earlier than him, cook for him, and massage him. He also tried to order Lan Wangji’s favourite food, trying to get him to bathe with him so he could wash his hair…
He resisted as much as he could. Wei Ying always showered affection freely, this was no different. But… It has been so long since someone paid so much attention to his needs. As a child, his mother would have done all these without question, because he is her son. Their interactions were restricted to once a month, but his mother made it clear that he was loved. Ever since his mother’s passing, no one had treated him this way. Not even Uncle, and Lan Xichen stopped, fearing that he had outgrown such intimacy.
Lan Qiren wanted him to be the ideal Gusu Lan disciple. He does care for him as he is his nephew, but never showed affection. It is still his own way of loving him, because of what happened with his father must have changed him. His brother was the closest, being able to read his mind and guess his needs, always trying to get him out of his shell. People avoid him, thinking that he is a solitary man who does not feel. But he does feel. Strongly, and he has it suppressed for an entirely good reason.
Lan Wangji began to fear. He stared at his forehead ribbon, which symbolised restraint. If Wei Ying really returned his feelings, then he would definitely be happy. But he did not want to jump into a chasm of no return. He has been pining for two decades now. He can’t take another rejection. The Second Siege tired both of them out, but they managed to survive. He carries Wei Ying, who had fainted from exhaustion.
They then watched two women speak of Jin Guangyao’s misdeeds at Lotus Pier. Whoever was the mastermind who brought Wei Ying back and tried to bring down Jin Guangyao, they were not sparing his brother. But there is nothing he can do. Instead, the next best thing he does is to spend time with Wei Ying, who finally stepped into the place he used to call home. It must have been disorienting for Wei Ying to be brought back to life but still unsure of how to fix his relationship with Jiang Wanyin that had deteriorated to the point of no return.
It almost feels like a date, as Wei Ying brings him to all the places he used to go, eating from the street vendors.
“This is one of the best foods around! There used to be more vendors you know.” Wei Wuxian spoke excitedly.
“I know.”
“You know?” Wei Wuxian looked at him in shock.
“I tried it before.” Because Brother told me about it , he does not say.
“And you never told me?! Lan Zhan! Our time was really wasted, you know!” He gasped.
“But I am telling you now, in Yunmeng.” Wei Ying blushed. “It is never too late.”
“Let’s go! I haven’t shown you one of my favourite childhood places.”
Wei Ying kept climbing up the trees. Lan Wangji was only worried that he would get tired, but he did not. It seemed he was very excited to climb them. They finally arrived at the one Wei Ying was dying to show him.
“Lan Zhan! Look at me, look at the tree.”
He then began to tell the story of how he ended up climbing the tree. On the night he was brought back to Lotus Pier, he got driven out by Jiang Wanyin with the looming threat of dogs, so he ended up climbing the tree to hide. Jiang Yanli, bless her kind soul, went out to search for him. In the end, she had to carry both Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng back, but it became a fond memory for them.
Wei Wuxian hugged the tree branch tightly.
“Lan Zhan, you know all of my favourite vendors because of your brother, right?” Lan Wangji froze. “It’s true that I liked him before, but the person I love is you.” He fiddled with the smaller branches.
“Wei Ying…”
“I don’t know why but… I never showed Xichen this tree. The most we did was hang out and chat, but I feel like he never tried to understand. Spending time with me was the most he was willing to do to go against your uncle. And you’re not a replacement for him because you are different from him, Lan Zhan. You may be the Twin Jades, but the both of you are irreplaceable people. You occupy different parts of my life.”
Lan Wangji halted for a moment, looking up in surprise. Wei Wuxian looked at him with an earnest expression.
“How sure are you of this?” That you are not really using me as a replacement.
“Well, you’re different because Xichen would never smuggle alcohol in like you do, and I think he might have set the rabbits free if I gave it to him. I think he would have not gone against his sect either, because his duty as sect heir is far more important.” He paused. “I never asked for help from Xichen because I didn’t want to put him in a difficult position. Everyone was rebuilding too. It is not something I would ask of you either, because I know how dear the sect and clan are to the both of you.”
“He would have helped if he had known, Wei Ying. And I understand if you still seek companionship from me.”
“No, it’s more than that! Lan Zhan, you are far more than just Hanguang-jun or Second Young Master Lan. You’re the cute, adorable Lan Zhan who would flinch from the sight of a porn book. I didn’t even dare to pull that prank on Xichen you know!”
“Then why?”
“You’re quiet, and for some reason, I just liked your reaction whenever I provoked you. I guess that’s why I was so drawn to you. You were lonely and I wanted to be your friend. For real. And after spending so much time with both of you, I realised that what I want is more than just a friend.”
Lan Wangji blinked, surprised.
“I love you as who you are. I like the way your ears would blush when you are shy, the way you play the guqin, and I like how funny you get when you get drunk! Lan Xichen would never get drunk with me so I don't know if it runs in the family, but I will always prefer you.” Wei Ying smiled. “Because you were there first. I did date your brother, but that is far away in the past now. I do not want to return to that time anymore. What matters is that now you and I are here, and I like you solely. For real. I want to go on night hunts with you, explore places together, and I truly want to go to bed with you every day! It cannot be anyone but you!”
Lan Wangji widened his eyes, and before he could reply, Wei Wuxian hopped off the tree branch. Instinctively, he opened his arms and caught him. They spun around, before Lan Wangji regained his balance, wrapping Wei Wuxian in his embrace. The weight in his arms was heavy, but real . They then parted, with Wei Wuxian looking at Lan Wangji with hope.
“It cannot be anyone but you…?”
“Yes, yes yes!” Wei Wuxian nodded enthusiastically. “I know I have a terrible memory, but I will never forget whatever you do for me from now on.”
“Brother… told you?”
It seemed his brother really wanted his affections returned.
“I am sorry for what I did in Nightless City. I really didn’t remember because my memory still has a lot of blanks, but you went against your sect for me, did you?” He looked apologetic.
“It was my choice.” And I will gladly do it again.
The thirty-three scars on his back are a pledge to his love. Wei Wuxian caressed his back softly, trying to soothe the pain that had long faded.
“If it is your choice, then it’s natural that I choose you, Lan Zhan.” He tightened the hug. “I’m so sorry I treated you like that.”
“There’s no need for sorry or thank you between us, Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji replied, wrapping Wei Ying in his embrace.
It felt so surreal. But the warmth that snuggled in his arms told him that it was all true.
They end up ambushing Jin Guangyao with Lan Xichen just as he was trying to dig up something at Guanyin Temple. Lan Xichen was utterly devastated, knowing that everything he knew about his sworn brother had been a lie, and he too was a driving factor into Chifeng-zun’s death. Seeing that Jin Guangyao’s words would hurt his brother, Lan Wangji proceeded to silence him. They fight and manage to overpower whatever men were there. In the scuffle, they discover Su She’s chest was full of holes, incriminating him as the man who cursed Jin Zixun and led to Wei Wuxian’s eventual downfall.
“It seems that when I return to the Gusu Lan sect, I will need to revise our training regimen. How could we have produced someone like you is beyond my understanding.” Lan Xichen coldly spoke.
Jin Guangyao looked at him sullenly. Ever since Lan Xichen had been taken in his custody, the man had not spoken until now.
“Then blame your younger brother for being so pompous all the time!”
“I say, you shouldn’t be blaming Lan Zhan. You chose to compare yourself to him. Su She, I hope you realised that you are actually talented, it’s just that you are not as good as my Lan-ergege!” Wei Wuxian added.
“Wuxian, please .” Lan Xichen pleaded, and Lan Wangji could only snort in amusement.
The moment Nie Huaisang stumbled in by accident, Lan Wangji knew exactly who was the mastermind behind the plan to overthrow Jin Guangyao. Jiang Wanyin and Jin Ling show up, apparently as backup. Jiang Wanyin was absolutely furious that Wei Ying had left without a word.
“Who do you think you are, waltzing in and out of Lotus Pier like a guest?”
“Jiang Cheng…”
Things get messy, as Jin Guangyao reveals Wei Wuxian’s secret before Lan Wangji could silence him— that the Golden Core he lost was actually given to Jiang Wanyin. Lan Wangji was absolutely furious, and in the process, Jin Ling was taken hostage when they were all not paying attention.
“Uncle, why are you doing this?” Jin Ling shouted.
“You all forced me into this. Find me someone to escort me to Dongying, or he dies.”
“Let him go or I will break your legs, Jin Guangyao!” Jiang Wanyin bellowed.
“A-Yao. Know that you will forever be remembered as a dear friend to me, no matter what the world says about you.” Lan Xichen pulled out Shuoyue.
“Lan Xichen! Put down your sword this instant!” Jiang Wanyin demanded, but Lan Xichen ignored him.
“Must you drive me this far, Er-ge?!”
“No one forced you to kill Da-ge. If you had told me about what former Sect Leader Jin had done to you, then I would have helped you. Am I really that untrustworthy to you?” Lan Xichen spoke.
“I…” Jin Guangyao did not know what to say.
“I will take responsibility. Now, hand over Young Master Jin, and let me be your hostage.”
“Xichen!” Wei Wuxian shouted. “Are you crazy?”
“I am not a fool to not recognise that I played a role in this. I am sorry, A-Yao.”
Before they could do anything, the gates opened to reveal Nie Mingjue, sewn together nicely at the neck. Su She dies protecting Jin Guangyao, and although everyone tries to contain Nie Mingjue, the former sect leader of the Lanling Jin suffers a grievous blow, and Jin Ling falls onto the ground, safe and sound. Wen Ning then shows up, and they barely seal Nie Mingjue into the coffin.
“Sect Leader Nie, don’t you dare.” Lan Wangji coldly spoke.
“I’m sorry! I don’t know, I don’t know!”
“No one will stop you from your revenge, but don’t drag my brother into it.” Lan Wangji continued.
“He is right to pursue his desire for revenge.” Lan Xichen stepped in.
“Brother!”
“It makes sense, if one thinks about it. Aside from us, who would go this far to bring justice back for Da-ge? A-Yao has hurt far too many people. Huaisang, know that although Da-ge doesn’t approve of your tactics, he would still be proud of you in the end. I am sure he will not resent you further. Perhaps he should have resented me for aiding in his death.” Lan Xichen looked up at the sky.
Nie Huaisang and Jin Guangyao remained silent.
“What do you intend to do with him, Brother?”
“A-Yao’s situation is not simple, so I will need more time to reconsider. He may have committed many crimes, but he is still the kind person who helped me in my darkest times.” Jin Guangyao looked at Lan Xichen in shock. “I will keep him in the Cloud Recesses for now and let Uncle conduct a fair trial for him.” He then turned to Wei Wuxian. “Wuxian, you were right all this time. I should have listened to you back then. We could have avoided this tragedy altogether.”
Jin Guangyao would be thrown into Lan Queen’s custody so as to ensure a fair trial. Lan Xichen would only watch from the sidelines now. Still...
“Xichen, you shouldn’t blame everything on yourself.” Wei Wuxian sighed.
“Brother?”
“Wangji, I never told you exactly why I broke up with Wuxian, did I? Well, I broke up with Wuxian because he told me to look into why mother had killed that Lan elder. To understand her better. I refused, so we both decided that we weren’t a good fit for each other and went our own separate ways. It was a valuable experience nonetheless. I experienced so many things I would have never had if I never dated him. So don’t worry Wangji, I have no intentions of getting together with Wuxian again. ”
“Do you believe me now, Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian teased. “I’m more compatible with you!”
“Will you need support, brother?” Lan Wangji still seemed unconvinced.
“I will.” Lan Xichen looked solemn, but firm. “You should go ahead first. Elope with him.”
“Brother?!” Lan Wangji coughed, having nearly lost his composure at that suggestion.
“All the things that happened here… I can no longer run away anymore. No matter what, I cannot bring Mingjue back to life and all of us can never be the same ever again. I know I will heal, and that he would never want to see me dejected like this. I’ll definitely need your support, Wangji, but I think your happiness with Wuxian is long overdue.” He looked at Wei Wuxian. “You better treat my brother right this time, or else.” His tone made everyone in the room shiver .
“Of course! But Xichen, remember that you don’t have to blame yourself for everything.”
“Thank you. I will go handle everything now.” Lan Xichen turned to his brother. “A-Zhan, I think mother would be so happy for you.” He then left to meet Lan Qiren, who had come at an untimely moment.
“He will get better. If he can’t, we’ll be there to help him, right, Lan-ergege?” Wei Wuxian cheerfully piped.
Before they could leave, however, Jiang Wanyin came up to Wei Wuxian, demanding answers about the Golden Core. It certainly hurt to see that while Lan Wangji could still be good terms with his brother, Wei Ying did not have the choice of rekindling his brotherhood. Perhaps some things are just not meant to be. It must have pained Wei Ying to do this, but I know he will heal. And he will be there when he needs him.
Then, Lan Sizhui caught up with them and Wei Wuxian was overjoyed to learn that the little A-Yuan had grown up safely. The boy now remembered his earliest memories, and Wen Qionglin finally made a decision where it did not involve Wei Ying, which was to bury the ashes of the Wen remnants back in their ancestral tomb.
“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian beamed at him as he beckoned him on top of the donkey.
Lan Wangji could see the twinkle in his eyes, reminiscent of the younger days where they knew nothing but joy. Finally, that smile of sunshine is now directed back at him.
They truly do have a love as pure as jade.