Chapter Text
ACT I
“My brother returns next week,” announced Lan Wangji, one morning at breakfast.
Wei Wuxian looked up from his food, mouth still full of steam bun. Mere seconds ago, they had been idly discussing lesson plans for the youngest disciples. Not too in depth, since Wei Wuxian was barely a person this early. A segue would have been nice for his sluggish brain, but he was awake now.
“O-oh…” He swallowed the dough stuffed in his cheeks. When it was clear that Lan Wangji wasn’t going to follow that up on his own, he went on, “He… he’s doing better, then?
Lan Wangji did not indicate one way or the other. He was staring contemplatively into his bowl of congee, as if it were a million mile away.
A year had passed since Guanyin Temple and Lan Xichen’s ensuing seclusion from society. In that time, Wei Wuxian knew that Lan Wangji often checked on his brother, but they rarely spoke of those visits. He had no idea what people did in seclusion, besides… meditate, he guessed? He didn’t even know for certain where Lan Xichen had been this whole time. And Wei Wuxian never asked, wary and respectful of their privacy.
That had never stopped him wondering, though, if isolating oneself was truly a solution for grief.
Not in any rush, Wei Wuxian sat patiently until his husband finally raised his head and met his waiting gaze. “Xiongzhang has decided to return on his own accord. He would not do so carelessly.”
“Hmm…” Wei Wuxian knew Lan Wangji well and could read beneath anything he said. The younger Lan evidently had some reservations – or was, at least, anxious for Lan Xichen’s state of mind.
But Wei Wuxian really had nothing to go off of, here. Lan Xichen could be eager to get back to the world, for all he knew. Or, he could just be bored of sitting in a cave, or wherever.
“This is good news,” said Wei Wuxian, attempting to reassure his husband, yet it came out more like a question. He talked himself into believing it, “I’m sure he wouldn’t come back prematurely. He probably misses everyone! And won’t it be nice to have his help running the sect again? Poor Lan Zhan, you’ve been stretched pretty thin lately…” He beamed. “Maybe you’ll have more time for your poor, neglected husband.”
Wei Wuxian was anything but neglected. On the contrary, he was very well-attended to by his husband on the daily, publicly and privately. As usually evident by a visible hickey or two.
The joke did not pass over Lan Wangji, whose lips quirked into that small smile of his. Wei Wuxian wanted to kiss the corners. But Lan Wangji sobered quickly, eyes askance once more. Clearly something plagued his mind, and Wei Wuxian couldn’t have that. Any trouble for Lan Wangji was his, too, after all.
Wei Wuxian reached over and squeezed his hand. “Lan Zhan, are you worried?”
Lan Wangji stared down at the gesture. He overturned his own hand to intertwine their fingers, comforting himself by rubbing Wei Wuxian’s knuckles with his thumb. “There have been rumors…” he said slowly, “about my brother.”
At Wei Wuxian’s perplexed, oblivious reaction – Gossip? About Lan Xichen? – he elaborated, “About the circumstances of his seclusion and his… relationship with the deceased.”
“Ah.”
The deceased was a delicate way of saying Jin Guangyao.
No topic was off limits between these two. There just hadn’t been much occasion to dwell on the aftermath of Guanyin Temple or the lead-up to the tragedy, what with running the sect, teaching the juniors, their own night hunts, their very auspicious matrimony, and Lan Wangji’s various Hanguang-jun duties… Plus, unless Lan Wangji brought it up himself, Wei Wuxian tended to steer clear of any topic sensitive to the Lan family.
For instance, he had already heard the tale of the Twin Jades’ parents. He never had to hear it again. Once was enough to understand the weight it had left on the Lan brothers.
Now that Lan Wangji had brought it up, though, there were certain mysteries to Lan Xichen that piqued Wei Wuxian’s curiosity.
“Lan Zhan…” He loosened their hands so he could stroke the smooth inside of Lan Wangji’s palm. “Was Zewu-jun…”
He stopped. Feeling guilty, he pulled away.
“Wei Ying?”
“I just – I don’t want to pry. I’ve been wondering about something, for a while. Maybe it’s better if I don’t ask, though.”
A frown threatened Lan Wangji’s visage. “There is nothing you cannot ask me.”
Wei Wuxian huffed a laugh. It was a very typically charming Lan Zhan thing to say. “You say that, but…”
His husband’s eyes were earnest as ever.
“Okay, well…” His nerves slowed down the words that followed, “Was Zewu-jun… in love… with Jin Guangyao...?”
Those aforementioned rumors were similar to exactly this.
Everyone knew that Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao had been sworn brothers, of course. Wei Wuxian also knew that when Lan Xichen had been on the run from the Wen army, Jin Guangyao – then just simply Meng Yao – had been the one to shelter him. A rather romantic set-up, some might argue. Then, Lan Xichen had been the only one in contact with Meng Yao while the latter was undercover in Nightless City. Another sexy scenario, in Wei Wuxian’s opinion. Then there was all the time they had spent together afterwards, enough for Jin Guangyao to learn and tamper with the Lan guqin cultivation.
Never had Wei Wuxian considered it, back then. To be fair, he had been somewhat preoccupied with his own problems. Inventing demonic cultivation, betraying the clans, spiriting away with the Wen survivors, dying, coming back to life, solving a murder… All of it, very distracting.
But Lan Xichen’s reaction to Jin Guangyao’s betrayal and ensuing demise had been extreme – and familiar. Understandably heart-breaking, even just as friends, but also… something else. Enough for Lan Xichen to want to shut himself away. The only thing Wei Wuxian could compare it to was Lan Wangji’s own prior seclusion, and Wei Wuxian knew how much of that had to do with love, even if he hated to remember.
To many, this topic would be absolute taboo. Wei Wuxian was probably the only person in the world who could get away with asking, but that didn’t mean he wanted to. Hearing the minor breath hitch from Lan Wangji, seeing his slow blink in response, Wei Wuxian immediately regretted the question.
“Ah, nevermind! Forget it, you don’t have to answer that.”
Lan Wangji made a soothing hum noise, taking Wei Wuxian’s hand back into his lap. The latter scooted closer, eager and willing to offer any necessary emotional support. Just his existence beside Lan Wangji could do wonders to help. This time, Lan Wangji found comfort tracing the delicate lifelines of Wei Wuxian’s wrist. A ghost of a touch, almost tickling.
“My brother has always been careful to put others before himself,” said Lan Wangji softly, with a hint of forlorn. “In this vein, he would not often reveal his true emotions…” Then, pointedly, “Or act on them.”
Wei Wuxian nodded, heart sinking. It was a non-answer. A yes without saying so.
“Your poor brother…”
“Mn.”
“I can’t even imagine…” Memories of Guanyin Temple flashed across his mind, of a blade piercing flesh, of the collapsing pillars, of Lan Xichen’s empty eyes as he sat at the edge of ruins.
“It is not for Wei Ying to dwell on.”
“I know, but…”
“The conference will occupy him.”
Oh right. Wei Wuxian grimaced, reminded that next week was an annual discussion conference amongst all the clans. This particular one was excessively dull, usually consisting of boastful reports from every clan and asinine proposals for the sake of conversation. Wei Wuxian, personally, would love to skip such an event and totally would have in his younger years. Now, though, he was supposedly a proper adult and married to a man with a respected title. How inconvenient!
“If he decided to seclude himself for another week, no one would blame him. In fact, I could even go keep him company.”
“Wei Ying.”
“Fine, fine, I know.”
Truthfully, he worried for Lan Xichen. The man was willingly exposing himself to the teeth-baring prattle of their elitist society. As someone who had often been the subject of their ridicule, Wei Wuxian knew better than anyone else. Either Zewu-jun was braver than Wei Wuxian already knew, or far more foolish.
Sensing his apprehension, Lan Wangji reached out and gingerly lifted Wei Wuxian’s chin so that their eyes met. The whirring in his head automatically slowed down.
“Xiongzhang can handle himself,” said Lan Wangji purposefully. “This is not something Wei Ying needs to fix.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Wei Wuxian innocently. “You know, Zewu-jun is technically my brother-in-law now. We’ve barely had a chance to bond. Since he’ll be around more, I want to look out for him!”
“Mn…”
Lan Wangji studied him and only found earnestness. All Wei Wuxian ever wanted was happiness for his family, wherever or whenever he was. Now that family extended to anyone related to Lan Wangji – officially, through marriage. The reality of it thrilled them. Fondness grew in Lan Wangji’s gaze, his hold on Wei Wuxian tender at the tips of his fingers.
Wei Wuxian fidgeted in the silence. “Lan Zhan?”
His voice was solemn but full of warmth as he said, “We both did all we could not to repeat our father’s mistakes, but…” He raised the hand in his lap to his chest, over his heart. “I was lucky to fall for Wei Ying… My love is safe in your hands.”
The words strummed through Wei Wuxian like a perfect melody.
“Lan Zhaaaaan,” he whined, and tipped helplessly sideways until he flopped into his husband. Hearing Lan Wangji say those sorts of things never got any easier. But he had a point, this time.
The two of them were remarkably, miraculously, incomparably fortunate to be together.
“Senior Wei, watch out!”
“GAH—!”
WAP.
Wei Wuxian was knocked back on his rear as he just narrowly avoided the graze of claws. This ghoul was not particularly challenging, but for a good thirty seconds there, at least, his mind has been entirely elsewhere.
Luckily, the disciples whom Wei Wuxian took much pride in teaching rushed to his rescue.
Jin Ling, ever the aspiring archer, shot one arrow after another at the ghoul. The maelstrom caused it to flee from Wei Wuxian in a particular direction. Lan Jingyi and Ouyang Zizhen flanked either side of the ghoul and quickly implemented trap flags that Wei Wuxian had invented himself. The ghoul halted in its tracks, letting out a blood-curdling scream as it realized what it had just walked into.
Finally, Lan Sizhui, waiting patiently for his opening, vanquished the foe with a blast from his guqin.
Lan Zhan must’ve shown him how to do that, observed Wei Wuxian, so delighted in all their progress that he hadn’t bothered rising from the muddy ground.
“Senior Wei,” Ouyang Zizhen appeared above him and offered a hand, “are you okay?!”
“Ah, I’m fine, I’m fine!”
By the time Wei Wuxian was on his feet, the four had encircled him. They each had various levels of concern written on their faces. Jin Ling glared at him. Others would assume he was annoyed, but Wei Wuxian knew well enough now that Jin Ling’s face was just like that – like a certain someone.
“You seem a little… distracted.”
“Clearly I wasn’t needed in the first place. Can’t I sit back and watch you youths employ all that I’ve taught you?”
“Is that what you call that?” Jin Ling huffed. “You weren’t even watching! You were in such a daze, that weak ghoul almost sliced you in half!”
Caught. Wei Wuxian pursed his lips. After a reluctant beat, he answered, “I’ve been thinking about your uncle.”
“Which one?” asked Lan Jingyi.
Jin Ling elbowed Lan Jingyi in the ribs, causing him to squawk.
“Zewu-jun,” Wei Wuxian specified. It had been just a couple days since Lan Wangji had broken the news to him about Lan Xichen, and Wei Wuxian could focus on little else besides the man’s broken heart. “I just can’t stop thinking about what a shitty hand he was dealt… Did you all know he’s returning from seclusion next week?
The mention of Lan Xichen significantly sobered the atmosphere. The juniors looked at one another, wondering where this was going.
Lan Sizhui nodded solemnly. “Hanguang-jun told us the other day.”
“So?” Jin Ling crossed his arms, “Doesn’t that just mean he’s feeling better? I thought Lan disciples went into seclusion and came out more… enlightened, or something.”
“Hah! You really don’t understand a thing about Lans,” said Wei Wuxian bluntly.
Jin Ling blanched and looked sideways at Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi, as if they were anomalies for him to decipher. Lan Jingyi quirked an eyebrow challengingly. Jin Ling gulped – looking now like the two were full of explosives and set to go off at any moment.
“Think about it – Chifeng-zun was his sworn brother. Dead. That’s bad enough, right? Then he found out that his other sworn brother, Lianfang-zun, was the murderer. Not only that, but through means that he taught him! Unknowingly he was sowing one of his oldest friends’ demise! But after everything, he still loved Lianfang-zun. He didn’t want him to die... But then he killed Lianfang-zun with his own hands! By accident!”
Wei Wuxian had begun pacing amidst this frank retelling, emphasizing every other word with dramatic gestures. The juniors watched him nervously, but he was far from done.
He threw his hands up theatrically. “What could be worse?!”
Lan Jingyi took this question seriously, stroking his chin sagely. “I don’t know… those three guys in Yi City had a pretty crazy triangle going–”
Lan Sizhui stopped him before he went any further, “Jingyi.”
Ouyang Zizhen looked moved to tears by Lan Xichen’s tale, though. “After all that, I have to wonder if even one year is enough for someone to recover!”
Wei Wuxian sighed woefully, “How did Hanguang-jun get over me?”
Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi looked at each other pointedly, sharing a secret look. They then stared at Wei Wuxian with incredulous pity.
“I mean,” Lan Sizhui looked like he was straining himself, “he didn’t? You just… came back to life.”
“Yeah, that was pretty convenient,” agreed Lan Jingyi.
“Well wh…” Wei Wuxian panicked, “What would have happened if I hadn’t?! Lan Zhan just would have been… sad?! Forever?!”
Lan Jingyi shrugged. “Probably.”
“Jingyi…”
“But that’s terrible!” cried Wei Wuxian.
Ouyang Zizhen shook his head mournfully, as if Wei Wuxian was still dead. “Poor Hanguang-jun…”
“Did you really never think about that?” asked Jin Ling, in that judgmental teenage voice of his.
“I can’t,” Wei Wuxian dragged his hands over his face, “it’s too depressing.” He was having a crisis.
Lan Sizhui hastened to his side, “It’s okay, Senior Wei. Everything’s fine now. You and Hanguang-jun are together, so that’s all that matters, right?”
Perhaps it was pointless to dwell on what could have been. There was nothing Wei Wuxian could have done; he had been dead. He had to move on – there were others in such dire straits, now. “Then how is Zewu-jun supposed to recover? Lianfang-zun isn’t about to sprout up from the grave.”
The juniors exchanged cautious looks, like Wei Wuxian might speak it into existence.
“Certainly not,” said Lan Sizhui, though not entirely convinced. “But if Hanguang-jun can recover, then so too can Zewu-jun. Just… without raising the dead, preferably.”
“Look at Hanguang-jun now,” said Ouyang Zizhen, “he’s never been happier since he married Senior Wei.”
Lan Jingyi nodded. “That’s true. There are days he’s in such a good mood, I only have to redo my reports once.”
“How many times do you usually have to redo them?” Jin Ling gaped.
Lan Sizhui beamed at Wei Wuxian, “Hanguang-jun and Senior Wei are a rare example of romance. Their matrimony even benefits Cloud Recesses.”
Their bliss was his own, it seemed.
“Yes,” Wei Wuxian continued with an astute nod, “Zewu-jun would be lucky to be so happy. Whether through seclusion or through reentering society, I would like to be supportive in whatever helps him achieve that. Perhaps there is something we could do to… ease his transition back into society? After all, Zewu-jun is the more social of the Twin Jades. I’m sure he’d appreciate some companionship...” He added hastily, just to be clear, “Without necromancy.”
Wei Wuxian hummed thoughtfully over Lan Sizhui’s words… Much to consider.
Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian were indeed blissfully wed. Wei Wuxian could not personally recall a time in his life when he had felt so at ease, so safe. Perhaps Lan Wangji felt the same way. And why was that? Well, because they had each other. If it hadn’t been for Lan Wangji and what they had given each other – Sizhui, the rest of their disciples, a loving home, a thriving sex life – then Wei Wuxian’s second life would have been filled with only guilt and despair.
Based on the juniors’ commentary, Lan Wangji’s life had also considerably benefited from their relationship. Of course, there were many ways for someone to be happy. But, as Lan Sizhui was suggesting, the Twin Jades of Lan were very different in some ways, very similar in others. Plus, the loss of love was at the core of Lan Xichen’s seclusion in the first place.
Therefore…
Wei Wuxian’s face lit up.
“Sizhui, that’s it! You’re a genius!”
“Hmm?” Lan Sizhui peered at him. Then, it clicked. “No – Senior Wei – no, that’s not what I –”
“A genius!”
Lan Sizhui sighed. The other three juniors peered at them curiously.
“What are you two up to?!” asked Jin Ling heatedly.
“Don’t you get it?” Wei Wuxian rounded on them excitedly, “We just have to help Zewu-jun find true love!”
The other three gasped. Ouyang Zizhen’s reaction was the only one that seemed positive.
“Not what I had meant,” Lan Sizhui reiterated to the rest desperately.
Jin Ling gaped at Wei Wuxian. “Have you gone mad?!”
For once, Lan Jingyi was on the same page as Jin Ling, “You can’t be serious!”
Wei Wuxian was very serious. “Come on, it makes perfect sense! His best friends are dead and his little brother is happily married – if we find someone perfect for him, he’ll forget all about those worries! Certainly Zewu-jun will benefit from having someone he can share his own special bond with. But he’s been in seclusion, and is a Lan, and will definitely need our help.”
However, the juniors remained unconvinced. They stared at Wei Wuxian as if the man had grown three heads. Though, it baffled him why they would… Naturally, this was a brilliant idea.
Wei Wuxian exaggerated a pout at them. “Don’t you all want him to be happy?”
Lan Jingyi bristled, “Of course we want him to be happy!”
“Great, so you agree with me.”
“I – no – you –!”
Jin Ling crossed his arms and mocked, “And who exactly do you have in mind as this perfect someone?”
Wei Wuxian chuckled sheepishly, “Well… I don’t really talk to anyone besides Lan Zhan, and you four, and Wen Ning… So my list of potential suitors is somewhat lacking.” He looked at his disciples expectantly. “Does anyone have any suggestions?”
The juniors were silent. Three out of four were very avid about not meeting Wei Wuxian’s gaze. Ouyang Zizhen, however, once he saw that his peers were not going to offer anything, reliably raised his hand.
Wei Wuxian grinned. Why am I not surprised? Of course Ouyang Zizhen, ever the romantic among them, would have some ideas.
“Zizhen, you have someone in mind?”
Ouyang Zizhen nodded fervently, “My cousin. He’s just a little younger than Zewu-jun, single, and a competent cultivator. I’ve always gotten along with him. Plus, he’s attractive and… shorter, and a bit… feminine…” He looked shy to say the last part, “If that’s what Zewu-jun is into…”
“For the record,” said Lan Jingyi loudly, “I hate this conversation.”
Lan Sizhui’s lips were also very, very thin.
But Wei Wuxian tapped his nose thoughtfully. “That could be a selling point.”
“Is that really a good idea?” Jin Ling’s eyes narrowed at them. “Shouldn’t we be aiming… away from anyone who reminds him of Uncle?”
Ouyang Zizhen defended himself, “It’s all we have to go off of!”
“It’s a start,” Wei Wuxian agreed, though he saw Jin Ling’s point. “Zizhen, is your cousin likely to commit patricide? Or fratricide? Or any other kind of murder?”
“I – I don’t think so?!”
“Then I’m sure it’ll be fine. What could it hurt to introduce them?” Wei Wuxian rubbed his hands together, thrilled by this development. Then he snapped one finger up into the faces of the juniors, suddenly serious, “But remember! This is between us. Just the five of us.”
Lan Jingyi gasped, “What about Hanguang-jun?!”
Wei Wuxian waved a hand dismissively. “Lan Zhan thinks I have some complex about fixing things. But this isn’t about me, it’s about Zewu-jun! And his happiness! Which we are going to help find!”
The juniors exchanged another look. They had been doing that a lot.
Despite their doubts, though, Wei Wuxian had the utmost confidence. His plan would undoubtedly work. Wei Wuxian would not rest until he united Lan Xichen with the love of his life, effectively solving all their problems. Yes, that was exactly how he expected things to work out.
What could possibly go wrong?
“...So our agricultural agreement with the civilians of Ezhou has been very fruitful. We agree to guard their reservoirs in exchange for a yearly quota of rice. Additionally…”
It had been this way for about two hours now.
Lan Xichen truly wanted to be engrossed in the conference, he really did. It was the perfect opportunity to catch up with the happenings of their world, to learn anything he had missed while in his year-long seclusion. And this was hardly the first discussion conference to verge on the side of – well, boring. He was well-rehearsed to brave such dismal topics.
However, with such dull topics being discussed, there was little to distract the attendees from the main attraction: Lan Xichen himself.
Many curious eyes wandered his way throughout the conference. Even those presenting would glance his way awkwardly, as if they weren’t sure they should acknowledge him at all. Lan Xichen, though, was determined not to meet any of these speculating glances. He kept his attention solely on those speaking, even if their speech didn’t quite make itself all the way to his brain. No, it was more like a whir in the background. His baser functions were occupied with keeping up appearances. But he nodded along, smiling as expected, regardless.
Those who weren’t gawking at Lan Xichen were only his own family and the people present at Guanyin Temple. Most of them were determinedly looking anywhere but Lan Xichen.
The new, young leader of LanlingJin was especially partial to avoiding Zewu-jun’s gaze. A woman beside him – the head disciple – had to nudge him out of a daze once the speaker had finished. Jin Ling startled and quickly attempted to appear dignified and professional. Even his voice lowered to an octave that was unnatural for his age.
“Ah – thank you, Sect Leader Fu. That’s all very – fascinating, and useful. Very good.”
Everyone nodded and murmured agreement to move on – Yes, that was enough of rice talk.
Another minor sect leader was quick to pick back up, “Now, about the nian terrorizing the mountains in Zhoushan…”
The conference dragged on, topic after topic.
On the bright side, this year was GusuLan’s turn to host, so Lan Xichen had not had to travel. They met in the Main Hall of Cloud Recesses, with Lan Qiren presiding. The grandmaster sat in the center of the head of the hall, with his nephews on either side of him. And beside Lan Wangji was his husband, Wei Wuxian, looking bored out of his mind.
Wei Wuxian, who was wearing GusuLan robes.
Mostly white, they incorporated layers of navy for a splash of darkness. Cloud patterns swirled over his shoulders and silver lined his sleeves. The robes were exceptionally sharp and stunning, though not his usual fair. The only thing typical of his attire was the simple red ribbon to tie up his hair. A monumental statement, in this instance. Proof that, despite the new attire, he was still very much Wei Wuxian.
Lan Xichen wondered how often he had previously dressed like this, not to warrant shock or outrage from the gallery. Not even Lan Qiren paid any mind. Wei Wuxian himself didn’t look any less comfortable to be wearing them.
In fact, when he sat beside Lan Wangji, like now, the two were quite a splendid pair. Complementing each other perfectly, they were undoubtedly a couple – one of the very few married, in this company.
The few times Lan Xichen broke his attention away from the speaking cultivators, it was to observe his brother in this new paradigm. Although – not new for them. A year had passed since Guanyin Temple and their ensuing elopement. For a year his little brother had been married, and Lan Xichen wasn’t sure how to handle that.
In the span of the short moment that Lan Xichen watched them, the smallest of insights occurred. Somebody must have said something stupid, because Lan Wangji’s expression shifted by a miniscule. Most wouldn’t have caught it. Lan Xichen could. Wei Wuxian could, too. He looked at his husband for just a second before bursting into a wide grin. Lan Wangji did not meet his gaze. He didn’t have to. Even without a look, they could exchange a mutual thought.
It was easier, actually, to listen about children-eating monsters.
“Then a hunt will take place on Shing-Ngai Mountain, in a fortnight,” Lan Qiren was saying. “Anyone who wishes to aid Sect Leader Zhao should volunteer.”
“LanlingJin will help!” yelled Jin Ling eagerly.
His head disciple sighed.
Wei Wuxian stifled a giggle at his nephew’s outburst.
With the rest of the volunteering that followed, the conference finally wrapped its presentations. Finally, they could rise from their seats and chat amongst themselves. There was still a banquet to follow, but before that was time for superfluous pleasantries. Technically, they should all be following up with each other on action items from the conference, but most were preoccupied with making an impression on the infamous returned sect leader.
“Zewu-jun, welcome back.”
“Sect Leader Lan, wonderful to see you again.”
“Zewu-jun, you’re looking – well.”
Each greeting felt more forced than the last. Lan Xichen assumed he appeared as existentially tired as he felt, and would certainly not be looking well even if he had put in a fair amount of effort that day.
“Sect Leader Lan! I was ecstatic to hear of your return.”
Sect Leader Ouyang was the latest gentry to make his way to Lan Xichen and offer his – well, none of them really offered much. Most likely they were stuck between offering condolences or wondering if that would be appropriate, considering… everything.
“Nasty business, last year…” the man was saying. “Good to see you on your feet.”
Nasty business.
Yes, that was one way they could put it.
“Happy to be back,” said Lan Xichen, instead of reminding Sect Leader Ouyang that he had not been gravely ill or physically injured for the past year. Even if it had, at some points, felt like it.
Beside Sect Leader Ouyang was his son, Zizhen, and a disciple whom Lan Xichen didn’t recognize. The unfamiliar young man bore some resemblance to the father and son, though, so Lan Xichen assumed there was a relation. Whoever this disciple was, he was looking at Lan Xichen quite strangely – as if he had just gazed upon the moon for the first time.
“This is my cousin!” piped up Ouyang Zizhen suddenly.
“Ouyang Junhui,” the cousin introduced himself as he bowed rather intensely. At least ninety degrees at the waist. He sprung up so quickly that Lan Xichen nearly stumbled backwards. “We were once on a night hunt together in Guanling, with LanlingJin. We took down a flock of zhen.”
Lan Xichen had absolutely no recollection of him. “A pleasure to see you again, Young Master Ouyang.”
Ouyang Junhui’s beaming smile twinkled in his eyes.
Admittedly, Lan Xichen was no stranger to these kinds of reactions. As a Twin Jade of Lan, he was accustomed to others ogling him and his brother. The public tended to regale them as such, although Lan Xichen could hardly justify the fanfare. He had long since decided it was best to ignore such gazes. Only once had such eyes elicited any response out of him, and he was in no rush to find that again.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Lan Xichen pardoned himself from the trio, though not before witnessing Ouyang Zizhen giving his cousin a thumbs up – whatever that was about.
He sought his brother, and spotted him in easy conversation with the head Jin disciple. Of course where he found Lan Wangji, he also found Wei Wuxian. This time, surprisingly, Wei Wuxian had his attention already on Lan Xichen, like he’d been watching him. As soon as he saw Lan Xichen approaching, he sprung from Lan Wangji’s side to meet him halfway, eyes twinkling.
“Oh, you met Zizhen’s cousin!”
It might have been the last thing Lan Xichen expected him to say. “Ah – yes?”
“He’s cute, right?”
Actually, that might have been the last thing Lan Xichen expected him to say. He had never claimed to understand Wei Wuxian, though, and would not begin now. “I wouldn’t let my brother hear you say that.”
Wei Wuxian laughed so freely. It made Lan Xichen feel like this was already their own private, inside joke. “Oh, don’t worry. No one is as handsome as Lan Zhan. I just mean–”
“Wei Ying.”
Lan Wangji did not go too long so far from his husband, dutifully returning to his side. His hand made a brief appearance upon Wei Wuxian’s hip before it disappeared behind his back again, but not before Lan Xichen caught sight of the gesture.
“Lan Zhan! Isn’t it nice to have Zewu-jun here to split everyone’s attention?” Wei Wuxian said nothing about the cousin and expertly switched topics. “If you need help scaring off the old buzzers, Lan Zhan has an excellent death glare.”
Lan Wangji said nothing.
“See? Just like that!”
“That won’t be necessary,” said Lan Xichen, “I assure you.”
“Are you sure? We’ve used that trick quite a few times,” admitted Wei Wuxian. “Honestly, I’m sure everyone’s relieved you’re here to save them from Hanguang-jun.”
“I doubt that,” said Lan Xichen. “Everything appears to be in order. The sects appear to be at peace, and GusuLan has been fortunate. Wangji has done remarkably on his own.”
“Xiongzhang,” responded Lan Wangji with a bow of his head. Lan Xichen knew his brother was humble, and assumed he would simply drop it there, but – “I have not been on my own. Wei Ying has been by my side.”
To his point, there was less than an inch of space between them.
A warm hue spread over Wei Wuxian’s features. “Ah, Lan Zhan, what are you talking about? You’re too modest! I barely did anything. Really, Zewu-jun, you should be really proud. Lan Zhan was the perfect sect leader! I mean – not more than you. We’re very glad you’re back! Not that Lan Zhan couldn’t handle things, if you weren’t. What I mean is – you’re both ideal! Anyways, I was just glad to help where I could…”
Wei Wuxian awkwardly tucked a strand behind his ear, even redder than before. Lan Wangji, however, could not have looked more fond. His arm wound around Wei Wuxian’s waist, sturdy and reassuring.
Watching them, Lan Xichen felt the sudden urge to scream.
“I had no doubt that Cloud Recesses would be well in Wangji’s capable hands,” he said instead, “and it comforts me even more to know he has someone to rely on.”
Lan Wangji continued to moon over his husband, but Wei Wuxian clocked something over Lan Xichen’s shoulder that shifted his demeanor. It tempted Lan Xichen to turn, and when he did, a teenager was shoved in front him.
“S-Sect Leader Lan!” Jin Ling snapped into a bow. “Allow me to welcome you back on behalf of the Jin clan.”
“Thank you, Sect Leader Jin,” said Lan Xichen.
At least Lan Xichen had never really referred to LanlingJin’s previous sect leader as Sect Leader Jin, specifically. So it didn’t feel entirely bizarre, to call this child that instead.
Behind Jin Ling was the Jin sect’s head disciple, a woman around Lan Xichen’s own age. She had been the one to have pushed the young sect leader forward. Having spent much time in Carp Tower over the years, Lan Xichen recognized her as Jin Jiahao. They had been at many of the same night hunts and discussion conferences, although Lan Xichen admittedly hadn’t paid much attention to her. All he really knew of her was her blunt and, at times, uncouth personality.
She greeted him with a simple “Zewu-jun,” but her smirk spoke volumes. Her voice lilted with amusement. Unlike the others, she wasn’t shying away from how awkward his return was, and seemed to find it all quite funny.
Jin Jiahao nudged Jin Ling and jerked her head at Lan Xichen, prompting him to continue.
“Er…” Apparently, even after a year, the kid was still pretty odd at this. “You should know that you’re welcome back at Carp Tower whenever. If you want. Um, would you want?” His voice faded out as he seemed to start questioning everything to come out of his mouth.
Lan Xichen remembered being young, thrust into leading his sect. He was fortunate to have his uncle and brother, at least, and the experience of filling in for his absent father since even younger.
“Though I guess we wouldn’t blame you if you never wanted to set foot there ever again,” quipped Jin Jiahao, almost laughing at the idea.
“Not at all,” said Lan Xichen diplomatically. “Of course, I would be honored to witness Carp Tower under its new leadership.”
“Enough about Carp Tower!” Wei Wuxian spoke up from behind him and came forward, “I’m sure there are plenty of other places Zewu-jun would prefer to visit. Like Baling! Right, Jin Ling?” He tilted his head and angled a very peculiar gaze at his nephew, trying to convey something that was not for the others to know.
Jin Ling caught on quickly, albeit not subtly. “A-ah… R-right! Of course, Baling is much better than Lanling this time of year. Way better.”
Lan Xichen blinked at the strange turn in conversation.
“Is it?” Jin Jiahao scowled, “I never noticed anything special about it.”
“Y-you just weren’t paying attention,” said Jin Ling.
“You do realize you’re the sect leader of LanlingJin, right? Lanling. Not Baling.”
“Jin Ling just means that one would certainly enjoy Baling city,” said Wei Wuxian. “With the right company, that is.”
“Wei Ying?” Lan Wangji stepped closer to his husband, “Do you wish to visit Baling?”
Considering Sect Leader Ouyang was one of the Yiling Patriarch’s biggest critics, this was highly doubtful.
“No way,” Wei Wuxian responded viscerally, “but…! I’m just thinking – Zewu-jun hasn’t gotten out much and, well, maybe he’d like to – you know, get out and travel a bit! Stretch his wings! And what better place this time of year, right?”
“Right!” agreed Jin Ling over-enthusiastically.
“And with such hospitable hosts!” continued Wei Wuxian. “Why – just look at Zizhen! A little gentleman! Not that Zewu-jun would want to hang out with a kid like Zizhen. Although isn’t his cousin Junhui closer to Zewu-jun’s age, Jin Ling?”
“Yup! Much closer!”
Lan Xichen couldn’t help squinting his eyes ever so slightly. This was… odd. Even Lan Wangji scrutinized Wei Wuxian’s current state. Though his expression appeared as blank as usual, Wei Wuxian was purposefully avoiding direct eye contact with him.
“I know!” piped Wei Wuxian, as if an idea just popped into his head – but not really. “He’s here, isn’t he? Why don’t I go get him – Jin Ling, you too?”
“Right!”
The two scurried off, clearly in cahoots about – something. Lan Wangji trailed after his husband.
“Wei Ying–?”
When they were gone, Lan Xichen and Jin Jiahao were left at a loss. Jin Jiahao peered after them suspiciously.
“What the hell.”
Indeed, agreed Lan Xichen silently. “Miss Jin, if you’ll excuse me…”
She grinned, “Oh sure, you should get away before they come back. Maybe I’ll tell them you went to piss or something.”
However crass, he was thankful for her effort.
Cloud Recesses did not have the biggest of receiving halls, so the mingling ended up spilling out into the courtyards. In a miracle, no one outside immediately approached him, so Lan Xichen took the opportunity to slip away from the merriment.
Before, he would have never shirked his obligation to grin and bear it all. And actually, when the evening had begun, he had not anticipated so much fatigue at this point. For a year he had been able to wear his actual emotions on his face. Slipping the smile back on again, for so long, under such scrutiny, was exhausting. So he drifted away until he came upon an isolated bridge, connecting one hill to another. A bubbling brook and lazy waterfall ran beneath it.
The night was cool and misty, though not enough to hide the moon, whose light glittered across the stream. Lan Xichen rested his elbows on the bridge’s railing and let out a long, releasing, pent-up sigh.
“Couldn’t take it anymore either?”
Lan Xichen jumped and jerked toward the voice. Leaning against a nearby pillar and conveniently shrouded by shadow was Jiang Cheng. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was staring passively at the brook.
They had already done the whole show of a proper greeting between sect leaders when YunmengJiang had first arrived, so it would be superfluous to do it again now.
Besides, neither of them were quite in the mood for more courtesy, if they could afford not to.
It itched Lan Xichen not to be proper, though. “Just some fresh air before the banquet. Overall, I’d say things have all gone smoothly.”
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. “It’s difficult to go awry with those dull topics. Not that I’d put it past this crowd to argue over anything.”
Lan Xichen allowed himself a chuckle. Even if Lan Xichen had been thinking the same thing, he would not have said so aloud. Were Lan Xichen more daring, he might have pointed out that Jiang Cheng himself could be the short fuse in a room. Though, that fuse never really sparked in professional settings.
Actually – since Jiang Cheng seemed like the only one uninterested in Lan Xichen, he felt more at ease than he had all evening. “It has… been a while since I’ve spent so long among so many people.”
“They’re piranhas,” said Jiang Cheng. He looked back toward the light of the Main Hall. “If you’re out here, then they’re all talking about you in there, you know.”
He was probably right, Lan Xichen realized. Not that he could do anything to stop them. Still, the bluntness was a blessing. “Then I’ll thank Sect Leader Jiang for having the grace to refrain from participating in the gossip.”
Jiang Cheng huffed. Maybe amused, though maybe just humoring him.
“And you?” Lan Xichen rebounded, “What separates Sect Leader Jiang from his Yunmeng disciples in Cloud Recesses?”
Jiang Cheng opened his mouth, likely about to lie boldly on the Lan’s grounds, when their answer came on the wind. The cold air of Cloud Recesses carried Wei Wuxian’s animated voice across the courtyards.
“Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan, have you seen where your brother has gone?”
Not that Lan Xichen was necessarily hiding... but he slipped deeper into the shadows, closer to Jiang Cheng – now side-by-side. Whatever Wei Wuxian was up to, he was fairly confident he didn’t want any part in it – even if it had nothing to do with the man’s nefarious cultivation techniques.
Jiang Cheng was staring at him. “Why is Wei Wuxian looking for you?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
He snorted. “Whatever it is, I would avoid it. Even if it’s not exactly malevolent, it’s definitely not good.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
For a few seconds, they just stood there together.
“...He’s your brother-in-law now.”
The statement caught Lan Xichen off-guard. It was… true. Although, he had not thought about it like that until that very moment. It was odd to consider that Lan Xichen now had a more official relationship to Wei Wuxian than Jiang Cheng currently did.
Jiang Cheng was looking not at him but pointedly at the stream again. His expression didn’t give away much, but the tightness of his jaw was visible in the moonlight.
“I suppose he is,” returned Lan Xichen. Then, as if already diffusing a situation, “I’m relieved that their union didn’t seem to cause any strife between our clans.”
Jiang Cheng’s eyes sharpened at him. “Why would it?” he snapped.
Before Lan Xichen could respond, the subject of their conversation came bounding up the walkway.
“Ah! Zewu-jun! There you are!”
Wei Wuxian had somehow shaken Lan Wangji, but had gained another satellite. The cousin, Ouyang Junhui, was back. Following Wei Wuxian’s comments about the man’s appearance, Lan Xichen actually looked this time. More out of curiosity than interest – because why had Wei Wuxian brought it up at all?
Upon a second glance, Ouyang Junhui was indeed as Wei Wuxian described him: cute. He was petite, only up to Lan Xichen’s chin, and had a mild disposition upon smooth features. Most would certainly hail this young man as handsome, attractive and all that. For Lan Xichen, however, he couldn’t help but feel… unsettled. Like looking back on a strange and faded nightmare.
“We’re about to start the banquet, and I –” Wei Wuxian was practically skipping when he saw Lan Xichen, but froze immediately upon seeing who his company was. “Oh – Jiang Cheng.”
Jiang Cheng was already pushing himself off his pillar. “I’m leaving.”
With that, he brushed past the three other men without another word. Apparently that hadn’t changed over the last year, despite the camaraderie between Wei Wuxian and Jin Ling.
Lan Xichen mourned his absence – which left him completely at the mercy of Wei Wuxian. He guessed that this Ouyang disciple was also in on it, whatever it was. Yet Lan Xichen continued to put on his most welcoming smile.
“Young Master Wei, how can I help you?”
“Oh, oh, nothing!” Wei Wuxian waved his hand dismissively. “But look – I found Ouyang Junhui for you!” He pulled the youth forward and presented him like a prize.
Lan Xichen had not been looking for him. “Yes, Young Master Ouyang and I have met.”
“Twice now,” Ouyang Junhui reminded everyone.
“Yes, twice,” agreed Lan Xichen, even if he only remembered the introduction fifteen minutes ago.
“Perfect!” Wei Wuxian delighted, “then I’ll leave you two to catch up!”
He bounced away before Lan Xichen could protest. Although, Lan Xichen wasn’t sure what to protest – being left to converse with a stranger? It was hardly malicious, even if it was suspicious. So Lan Xichen regarded Ouyang Junhui with all his good manners. Chatting with another sect’s disciple was hardly the worst thing he’d been through.
Luckily, Ouyang Junhui wasn’t all that obtuse. In reference to the man that had just left them, “He’s a bit… strange, isn’t he?”
“Wei Wuxian does take some getting used to, for most people.”
“My uncle always spoke about him like he was some sort of monster,” admitted Ouyang Junhui, “so I was expecting something supernatural about him. But he looks pretty normal to me. Pretty, even.”
Lan Xichen could not disagree, but he treaded carefully. “My brother certainly thinks so.”
Ouyang Junhui turned to him fully with a smile that was pleased with Lan Xichen’s response. “Of course…” Suddenly, he gave Lan Xichen a pointed once over, “no one really compares to the Twin Jades of Lan, do they?”
Oh. Well then.
It might be an exaggeration to say Lan Xichen’s fight-or-flight response activated, but it was close.
He dodged a proper reply in lieu of, “I heard the banquet was about to begin. Shall we return to our tables?” When he gestured for Ouyang Junhui to lead, though, the man only looked more thrilled at such a show of chivalry.
When they reached the entrance to the Main Hall, Lan Xichen was ready to make a beeline for a table in his usual spot. Already on the move, he said, “It’s been a pleasure, Young Master Ouyang, but–”
Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi cut him off.
“Zewu-jun,” they bowed like perfect Lan disciples, in perfect unison – as these two could.
At first, Lan Xichen was relieved. Lan Sizhui – a pillar of sanity in their family – would surely never get mixed up in any nonsensical scheme. And Jingyi – who admired the Twin Jades more than anyone – would never contribute to his misfortune. Surely these two disciples were here to rescue him.
But to his dismay, they gestured to two tables off to the side.
“Zewu-jun, Young Master Ouyang, why don’t you take your seats here?”
Lan Sizhui both looked and sounded reluctant to deliver the message. At least he had the spine to look Lan Xichen in the eye – unlike Lan Jingyi, who was avoiding looking directly at them. The boy’s face was bright red and looked like he wanted to run away and hide.
Lan Xichen met their betrayal level-headedly. Eyes were already on him, so any sort of scene would surely get people talking.
“Very well…”
So Lan Xichen sat beside Ouyang Junhui, who preened at this opportunity. Before the banquet had even begun, he poured into a one-sided conversation.
“Do you remember when – in Guanling – you first found the zhen nest? I was so impressed. I’d never seen such a kind of search array, and the way you showed no hesitation fighting the flock – actually, at one point, I swore I was done for, but then you…”
His voice faded into the background of Lan Xichen’s mind.
Lan Xichen was mentally busy, piecing something together. He glanced from Wei Wuxian, to Jin Ling, to Ouyang Zizhen, to Lan Jingyi, to finally Lan Sizhui. All of them had the gall to avoid eye contact. Except Lan Sizhui, who looked at him apologetically from across the room and mouthed a very sincere – but still traitorous – Sorry…
As Ouyang Junhui continued to wax poetic about their meeting that Lan Xichen had no recollection of, it clicked.
Ah. So that was what was happening.
