Work Text:
Fever Pitch
It's hot. Too hot, especially for being the middle of winter. Though, winter in Yunmeng is a lot milder than winter in Gusu anyway. But this is still too uncomfortable, and it makes Jingyi wonder. Did he manage to catch a cold? During such an important diplomacy meeting with Jiang-zhongzhu?
This is already shaping up to be a nightmare. Jingyi rarely, if ever, got sick. His golden core rarely allowed anything in. He must have been too tired or stressed to attempt to fight everything off. But, given recent events, he's not actually surprised that he's tired and stressed.
How is one even supposed to react to being named as Lan Xichen's heir? Yes, Lan Jingyi was chosen as the next Gusu Lan Sect Leader. Not level headed and reliable Lan Sizhui. Lan Jingyi, who had broken so many sect rules in his life that there were now over four thousand. Lan Jingyi, who was as loud and boisterous as he was proud and brave.
The most Un-Lan Lan in existence, was named as the next sect leader. The audacity of them choosing him over Lan Sizhui.
But Lan Sizhui had not wanted the responsibility, had he? He was not envious, but was encouraging. Telling Jingyi that he would be a wonderful sect leader. That he was proud of the fact that both Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren had agreed that Jingyi was the perfect choice. Even Hanguang-Jun had agreed, giving Lan Jingyi a quick, approving nod.
“The audacity,” he mumbled to himself, turning over in the bed he was provided in a rather spacious room. Where he had been laying in contemplation for hours. Well after the hours that most of the Lan were out of their rooms and getting started with their day.
Lan Jingyi did not get sick. Lan Jingyi was stubborn, to the point where Jiang Wanyin himself had ordered him to stay in bed and rest. Lan Jingyi did not have time to rest. Lan Jingyi had responsibilities, though at the moment, he couldn't remember exactly what they were.
It was too hot, and he ended up kicking off the covers and sprawling out over the large bed. Too luxurious for what he was used to. Simplicity, one of the things he had grown up with. Simplicity and sparse belongings. He could get used to this, though, his brain traitorously replied.
Lan Jingyi loved Cloud Recesses. He loved his family, his friends. But he also loved Lotus Pier. Even on the days he could hear Jin Ling complaining to his jiujiu about recent events in Lanling, or how the people looked down at him. Jin Ling, who had also become a sect leader at such a young age. Jingyi doesn't want to think about everything that led up to that point.
They're not happy memories for Jin Ling. Or for Lan Xichen. Or anyone else that was involved, really. He had never had any ill thoughts toward Jin Guangyao before then. It made his stomach turn and he barely managed to keep himself from heaving at the thought of everything the man had put his family and friends through.
Jin Ling becoming the sect leader of Lanling Jin had somehow managed to strengthen the bonds between them, back when they were still juniors and Jin Ling was nervous about becoming the next sect leader. And now, it was Lan Jingyi's turn.
It wasn't how Lan Jingyi planned on living his life in the future. But with Lan Xichen stepping down, he did what was expected of him. He did complain, of course he did. How could they choose him? There were far more competent Lans.
But then, Jiang Wanyin's words rang through his head. “They want things to change. You are hardly incompetent, Lan Jingyi. Change starts with you, and that is exactly what they want.”
It was probably the nicest thing Jiang Wanyin had said to anyone in recent years, let alone a Lan.
Jingyi grimaced, sitting up. His robes were sticking to him, he desperately wanted a bath right now. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to ask, but then Jiang Wanyin was stepping into the room with a tray.
A sect leader was bringing him congee and tea. Surely, he was hallucinating.
“I thought I told you to rest?” Jiang Wanyin asked, a hint of exasperation in his tone.
“It's too hot to rest,” Jingyi retorts, eyeing the tray. “Jiang-zhongzhu, surely you don't have time to be taking care of this one right now.”
Jiang Wanyin huffed, rolling his eyes. “Sit. Eat.”
Jingyi sighed, rolling his own eyes in response. “Fine, but I would like a bath. I'm sticky and uncomfortable.”
“And obviously feeling better than you did in the last three days,” Jiang Wanyin retorts. “If you can sass a sect leader so easily.”
Lan Jingyi cannot help the grin spreading across his face. “This is why you're my favorite, Jiang-zhongzhu,” he says, settling back down and letting Jiang Wanyin dote on him.
“Jingyi,” Jiang Wanyin begins, sighing. “I've told you not to call me that.”
“Oh? But what about propriety?”
“No one is watching.” A quick retort, and Jingyi shuts his mouth and hides his smile behind his hand.
“Alright, Wanyin-ge,” he says, gaze flicking up to Jiang Wanyin's face.
The man just hides his endearment with a not-so-annoyed huff and an eyeroll.
Lan Jingyi is definitely feeling better. Even if he has to face Jin Ling's annoyance later, it's worth it. After all, one day, Jin Ling will also call Lan Jingyi 'jiujiu' if it's the last thing Lan Jingyi does. Even if Jin Ling kills him for it one day, it would be worth it.
As it turns out, five years of courting and a marriage ceremony later, it comes so much easier and with less annoyance from Jin Ling than Lan Jingyi thought it would.