Chapter Text
Why?
That was the question reverberating in Lan Qiren’s mind.
Why would the Yiling Patriarch, Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian, demonic cultivator and corruptor of his nephew, risk his life to save Lan Qiren?
The attack had been completely unexpected. It was the second day of the cultivation conference at Cloud Recesses and Lan Qiren had decided to clear his head by going for a walk in the back hills, away from the petty politics that frustrated him so much. He had heard the discordant sound of guqin coming from the bamboo stand to his left, then a masked cultivator had swept in to attack. Lan Qiren had easily parried the initial strokes but realised with dawning horror that he could no longer access his spiritual power. When he started to cough up blood and collapsed to his knees his unknow assailant, standing on a boulder across the clearing shouted out, “This is for Su She”, before launching his sword at Lan Qiren’s chest. It had all happened so fast. The flash of sun reflecting off the blade as it shot towards him; the black shape with a blur of red which flew across his field of vision and then the sight of his nemesis falling to the ground with the sword impaled in his chest. His assailant was equally stunned and paused a moment before summoning his sword back. It never reached his hand, as another shape, white this time, swooped in and launched his own sword towards the assassin. Lan Qiren watched as the man’s body fell in one direction, his head propelled in another.
“Wei Ying!”
The anguished cry came from Lan Wangji as knelt by his fallen husband and immediately started transferring spiritual energy. More disciples were entering the area as Lan Qiren struggled to his feet.
“Fetch the healer”. He pointed at a young disciple who was gaping at the sight. “Inform the sect leader there are enemies in Cloud Recesses”.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬~
As they were walking slowly towards the Jingshi the question settled in Lan Qiren’s mind. Why would the Yiling Patriarch, of all people, risk his life to save Lan Qiren? He was aware that this was not the first time he owed his life to this young man, but the incident at the Burial Grounds last year was different. He had merely been one of many cultivators present when they fell into Meng Yao’s trap. He had assumed Wei Wuxian’s actions then had been a cynical move, made out of desperation to mitigate some of the murderous hatred levelled at him that day. After all, hadn’t even Meng Yao made a similar choice all those years ago in the Unclean Realm? But this was different. There was nothing to be gained by saving Lan Qiren. He did not need Lan Qiren’s favour when the Chief Cultivator was his husband. He did not need to impress the cultivation world when they now knew he was innocent of most of the charges levelled against him. Lan Qiren could not think of a single reason for the Yiling Patriarch to have taken such a risk. He could, however, think of plenty of reasons for him to have stood by and applauded the assassin’s endeavour.
~
When Lan Qiren had realised that his nephew was intent on marrying the Yiling Patriarch, he knew he could not forbid the union without risking losing Wangji forever, so he had kept his objections to himself. That did not mean he had embraced his nephew’s choice of partner, far from it.
The weapon he needed for his campaign against the usurper was surprisingly handed to him by Wangji himself. Apparently the Yiling Patriarch was to be allowed to teach! At Cloud Recesses! As Master, Lan Qiren was informed and also made aware of this new teacher’s limitations - he had no golden core. It seemed both Wangji and Xichen were aware of this, as well, he suspected, as a few of the junior disciples who had been contaminated by the Yiling Patriarch’s influence during the investigation leading to Jin Guangyao’s downfall. How this came to be, was not explained. It could be that somehow the sacrifice summons did not work on a golden core, although Lan Qiren had always assumed one’s golden core was inextricably linked to one’s soul. That would suggest he lost it prior to his death. Whatever the case when combined with his wicked tricks, it made him the least suitable teacher for young cultivators that Lan Qiren could imagine. He needed to fight the intruder and his lines of attack would be to focus on the enemy’s weakness.
As young cultivators, the disciples were expected to be able to tolerate extreme cold. If, in the winter months, Lan Qiren removed the braziers from the classrooms when he knew the Yiling Patriarch was due to teach this was merely to aid their learning. Lan Qiren’s entire life was dedicated to the Lan rules and these confirmed the righteousness of his actions. You must conquer your bodily needs.
The first time he observed the Yiling Patriarch shivering in front of a class on talisman creation gave Lan Qiren a sense of enormous satisfaction. That was, until Wei Wuxian showed the disciples how to make the most powerful heating talisman he had ever seen and proceeded to place then all round the room.
Lan Qiren remained undeterred. He had noticed that the Yiling Patriarch enjoyed spending time in the library, something he would not have believed from his impressions of the young Wei Wuxian. It gave him another line of attack, however. Cultivators should be able to dispel simple wards, so it was not unreasonable to insist that all the more advanced material have simple warding spells placed on it. With the low levels of spiritual energy available to him the Yiling Patriarch would be able to pick out a few books but would soon find himself struggling if he wanted to carry out more extensive research. Lan Qiren had not meant to cause actual harm, only to prevent the Yiling Patriarch from indulging a pastime he found enjoyable. When he heard the Yiling Patriarch had been found passed out in the library, he had suffered a moment of guilt, until he reminded himself of all the harm this young man had inflicted in his two lives. Unfortunately, Wangji realised the cause of his husband’s collapse and had spoken to Xichen who had just resumed his role as sect leader. The wards on all books had been removed.
His most successful campaign had been from mundane task of timetabling. The Yiling Patriarch had been assigned to teach archery to the middle group of disciples. As Grand Master, Lan Qiren set the location for lessons, as well as the schedule. For young cultivators who had just learned to manoeuvre their swords it would be good practice for them to reach the next class in this manner. If the archery ground was therefore changed at the last minute to a location far up the side of the mountain, at least an hour’s walk for a normal person, from the last lesson (also taken by the Yiling Patriarch) it would force them to sharpen their skills. He could not resist finding a reason to walk past the usual archery range at just the right moment. He saw the Yiling Patriarch read the notice pinned there explaining where his pupils were. He saw a slump to his shoulders and, as he turned to walk back to the Jingshi, a look of sad resignation on his face. He had not expected to be spotted as he stood in the shadows, but something must have alerted the other man to his presence. He turned and looked at Lan Qiren before bowing with a brittle smile on his face, then walked slowly away.
~
Back at the Jingshi the healers were working to stem the flow of blood while Lan Wangji was continuing to transfer spiritual energy.
“How is it?” he asked in a strained voice.
The head healer, Lan Kun, shook her head.
“It’s too early to say. Without a golden core he will need a continual transfer of spiritual energy for at least three days, probably longer. Even then I cannot guarantee anything. You can’t manage that on your own.”
“He won’t be on his own. I’ll help”
That was Sizhui of course.
“Me too. And I’m sure all of the disciples he teaches will as well.”
Jingyi this time.
Lan Qiren reflected on his least successful attempt at driving off the Yiling Patriarch, by trying to turn his students away from him. He had not spoken to them explicitly, but had made it known that anyone who was too attached to their new teacher would find themselves with harsher punishments when they inevitably broke the rules. Whenever a junior disciple spotted Lan Qiren in the same space as Wei Wuxian, they would put on a perfect Lan mask of indifference, however, when he caught them unawares their devotion to the new teacher was evident, and he often caught the sound of enthusiastic participation whenever he passed the classroom.
“Hanguang-Jun if I might?” The Lan Kun’s voice was hesitant.
“Mn?”
“It would be more efficient if you were to reduce the flow of spiritual energy. Without a golden core Master Wei is not able to store any extra that is not used to maintain his body. If you permit, I will monitor the flow and let you know when you are the optimum transfer rate. That way you will be able to continue for longer before depleting yourself.”
Wangjj nodded and the healer placed her fingers on the pulse point.
“There. Keep it at that level. Will you be able to show your son the correct flow when he takes over?”
Wangji had a stubborn look on his face and Lan Qiren could sense his resistance to the idea of anyone else to helping with this task.
“Mn.”
“Lan Suzhui, Lan Jangyi. Could you help me carry these back to the infirmary?” she spoke to the two young disciples.
Lan Qiren watched as they all left and then he was alone with Wangji. He had not meant to speak but the question came out before realising he had spoken it aloud.
“Why?”
Wangji looked at him in puzzlement.
“Why did he do it? Why risk his life to save mine?”
“He is Wei Ying.”
Lan Qiren waited. He knew his nephew took his time to find the right words, but it seemed this time there was nothing more he planned to add.
“I don’t understand.”
Wangji sighed with frustration.
“He is Wei Ying……”
This time he was clearly searching for a different way to explain.
“You see the Yiling Patriarch. You have never seen Wei Ying.”
“Wangji I still don’t understand. They are the same person, aren’t they?”
Wangjj I turned to look at his husband and that soft look that only this man could produce stole over his face.
He spoke softly and hesitantly at first.
“Came with me to search for the Yin iron…. Cared for me when my leg was broken by the Wens… Acted as a distraction to allow the other sect heirs to escape from the Tortoise of Slaughter…..Gave his…”
He paused then carried on.
“Nearly died saving us all in the Sunshot campaign… Gave up his family and safety to save a group of innocents from slaughter. Held the most powerful object in the cultivation world but never used it for his own advancement. Kept the juniors safe at Yi City. Uncovered Jin Guangyao’s duplicity. Acted as bait to save the lives of those who wanted his death at the Burial Mounds.”
Wangji looked back at Lan Qiren.
“That is Wei Ying”
Lan Qiren considered his answer. He was aware of all these events of course but it was clear that Wangji’s interpretation of them had been vastly different to his own. Lan Qiren had seen an arrogant and impetuous young man who delighted in showing off, who pursued heretical ways in his pursuit of power, and who carelessly brought damage to those who were closest to him; whereas Wangji, it seemed saw selflessness and heroism. It still did not explain why Wei Wuxian would choose to save him of all people.
“Those incidents, they all benefited him as well, he protected people he cared about. I still don’t understand why he would save me,….He can’t care for me, not after all I have done to him since he moved here.”
Wangji’s face turned hard.
“What did you do?”
Lan Qiren felt the world tilting under his feet. He had assumed that Wei Wuxian told Wangji everything. The always seemed inseparable. He had been surprised there had been no complaints from Wangji, but assumed he had chosen not to challenge his uncle’s authority in the teaching of the disciples. Thinking back, he should have realized that would never have happened. Wangji was single minded in his defence of his husband. It was one of the reasons Lan Qiren had been so afraid of the relationship. Wei Wuxian held far too much power over the chief cultivator. For whatever reason, however, it seems Wei Wuxian had not told Wangji of the silent war waged by Lan Qiren.
“Tell me!”
That tone transported Lan Qiren to the days when he was a child and his father demanded he explain which rules he had broken. It was a deeply ingrained habit and he found himself compelled to confess. He gazed out of the window as he described all the petty actions he had taken to thwart Wei Wuxian, and by listing them he had to acknowledge they had been petty. When he was finished, he glanced back at Wangji and flinched at what he saw. He had never seen such anger on his nephew’s face. If it had not been for his need to keep up the transfer of energy to his husband, Lan Qiren was sure he would have been facing Bichen at this moment.
“Leave!”
“No.”
Wangji’s face became even more livid before he turned his back on his uncle in a clear dismissal.
“You will need the help of the clan…… They…. I will need to make sure they all understand that I support any help they can give.”
He might as well not have been there for all the response he got to that.
Lan Qiren moved away from the bed, behind the privacy screen and knelt at the table before pulling paper and ink towards him. He started to write notices and two letters. Lan Sizhui returned as he was finishing the last of these.
“Send these to sect leaders Jiang and Jin by emergency courier. Then post these in the main hall. Get the kitchen to send food. Your father will need to keep his strength up, as will you if you plan to help him……..And make sure there is always a junior disciple standing ready to carry messages, both night and day.”
Sizhui glanced at the notices and bowed his acknowledgement before rushing to comply.
Silence fell in the Jingshi as Lan Qiren started to meditate but was interrupted by softly spoken words from behind the screen.
“Wei Ying. Don’t leave me. ……….I’m sorry I did not see that you were unhappy. When you are well, we will leave here. Find a place where you are respected, where you can find the happiness you deserve.”
Was Lan Qiren eavesdropping on this conversation, or was he the intended recipient? Either way he was struck by the enormity of his failure. He would lose Wangji. Cloud Recesses would lose one of its most accomplished cultivators. Xichen would lose the brother who had been his closest source of support since the events last year. He reached for the familiar anger at the Yiling Patriarch but found instead that his anger at himself was now the stronger emotion.
He thought about what Wangji had said, how he saw Wei Wuxian. How could he tell whose interpretation was correct? He had always been sure of his own opinion, his own values, based on the rules. Wei Wuxian had broken so many of these so how could he be a good man? He had chosen demonic cultivation. Lan Qiren knew that was wrong, that it was a sign of a corrupt individual who lusted for power, just as Wen Ruohan had. But Wei Wuxian had just saved his life at risk of his own and this was the sign of a selfless, a righteous man. How was he supposed to make sense of this? Was he the Yiling Patriarch, grand master of demonic cultivation; or Wei Ying beloved of Lan Wangji?
The shadows lengthened in the Jingshi as night approached. Sizhui had brought the food and sat meditating to build up his spiritual energy. The door burst open.
“Where is he? What did that fool do now?”
Jiang Wanyin of course, with Jin Ling following behiind. Lan Qiren had respect for the Jiang sect leader but found his manner loud and rude. He glared at Jiang Wanyin until he bowed to acknowledge him.
“Sect leader Jiang, as I mentioned in my letter, Wei Wuxian has been injured by a sword stroke. He needs a continual transfer of spiritual energy to keep him alive until his body can start to heal itself.”
Jiang Wanyin’s hand clasped his sword and his face paled as he walked into further into the room allowing him to see beyond the screen. Jin Ling followed in his wake. Lan Qiren stood forward so he could also see what they saw. Wangji had barely moved but his stance showed the strain he was under. There was a light sheen of sweat on his face as he looked at the new arrivals. Jin Ling looked distraught, his uncle was harder to read.
“I’ll be in the guest rooms. When you’ve drained yourself dry have someone send for me and I’ll take over.”
Wangji considered this for a moment.
“After Sizhui.”
Jiang Wanyin clenched his teeth.
“Fine!” He swept out of the room. Jin Ling stood there looking unsure what to do. Finally he added “I want to help as well. Whatever the Jin Sect can do, we will. Just tell me what you need.”
Wangji nodded his acknowledgment.
Lan Qiren knew the relationship with Jiang Wanyin had improved over the last few months. Jiang Wanyin had hosted the wedding at Lotus Pier after all, but they could not be described as friends.
It was in the early hours of the morning when Wangji finally ask for help. Sizhui was there in an instant.
“Father. Lie down by his side. Sleep. I am here. I can send for Uncle Jiang when I need to.”
Lan Qiren slept for a while after that. When he woke up, he checked on the sickbed. Jiang Wanyin was there transferring energy but Wangji was not in sight.
“He’s gone to the cold springs. He said something about boosting his energy there. Probably just an excuse to get out of my company for few hours.”
“Did he explain about the transfer rate….because he lost his core….the need to restrict the flow so you do not waste any?” Lan Qiren was unsure how much Jiang Wanyin knew of the lost core. It was not common knowledge that the feared Yiling Patriarch was coreless.
Jiang Wanyin flinched and nodded. He looked almost embarrassed. Lan Qiren itched to get this man’s perspective on Wei Wuxian. Jiang Wanyin had been known for his hatred of his erstwhile brother for the last 16 years and yet they had now reconciled. He must have known him well from their childhood together so his judgement of his actions before his death should have been sound. Was Wei Wuxian’s exoneration of the death of Jin Zixuan enough for Jiang Wanyin to change his mind? Whenever Lan Qiren had seen the two of them together there still seemed to be some animosity between them. He had thought the reconciliation was a political move to cement the relationship between the two sects.
“Sect leader Jiang, may I ask you a question?”
“I’ve got nothing better to be doing.” was the curt reply.
Lan Qiren did not know how to frame the question.
“Judging by the look on your face it has something to do with my idiot brother. Just spit it out, by this point I’ve heard it all before.”
“I don’t understand why he did it…Why he saved me.”
Jiang Wanyin’s face took on an odd-looking scowl, subtly different from the usual scowl. He looked down at his brother.
“You said he lost his golden core.”
The apparent non sequitur threw Lan Qiren. Jiang Wanyin frowned at the puzzlement on his face.
“I thought they would have told you…… those two nephews of yours………. After Guanyin Temple.”
“I don’t follow……What has that got to do with it?”
Jiang Wanyin huffed and scowled in an even stranger way. There was an odd hint of vulnerability in it.
“He didn’t lose it….his core” He took a deep breath as if bracing himself for pain “he gave it away.”
“That’s ridiculous!.... It’s not possible. How could he make up such nonsense?”
Jiang Wanyin looked like he wished he had not said anything. He braced his shoulders and gritted his teeth before he forced out his response.
“It’s not nonsense. I know, because he gave it to me.”
Lan Qiren reeled at the impossibility of such a statement. How could such an operation have happened, but even more impossibly, how could any cultivator willingly give up the ability to manage spiritual energy…. to become mundane?
“How?” was all he managed to enunciate.
“After…..Lotus Pier fell, I was captured by Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu. It was Wen Qing who did the transfer. You remember her? My brother, Wen Qing and her brother….Wen Ning” the last was forced out, “they cooked up this fairy tale about Baoshan Sanren’s secret mountain hideaway. I went to sleep and when I woke up I had a shiny new golden core.” Sect leader Chiang looked as if he were eating the bitterest of Gusu Lan Sect cuisine.
Lan Qiren remembered Wen Qing as one of the remnants of her sect who had lived with Wei Wuxian in the Burial Mounds. He had not realized they had met during the war, but that would have explained his loyalty towards the siblings.
Wei Wuxian gave his golden core to his brother.
No one who was set on gaining power would do such a thing. He would have had no way to wield a spiritual sword, no chance to cultivate to immortality. He would be the most powerless individual in the cultivation world……….unless he found a new cultivation path. Lan Qiren reflected on the events of the past. He remembered that Lotus Pier had fallen shortly after Cloud Recesses. He also remembered that Wei Wuxian had disappeared for three months not long after that and had returned with his newly created Stygian Tiger Amulet and wicked ways. Was this the reason he had turned to resentful energy?
He realised he had been standing there in silence for too long.
“Sect leader Jiang, I appreciate your candour. I will leave you in peace. I will ensure someone comes to relieve you when needed.”
“Hmmf! There’s no need to rush.” He nodded towards the hand he was using to transfer the energy. “it’s all rightfully his anyway.”
Lan Qiren sat back at his desk. He was shaken by what he had heard. There was a feeling lurking at the pit of his stomach. He did not want to name it, but the word came unbidden to his mind – shame. All of his attacks on Wei Wuxian had been focused on his lack of a golden core. Lan Qiren had always assumed, if it had been lost before his resurrection, that he had lost it due to some careless act of arrogance. When he considered the idea of willingly giving up his own golden core, even to his brother or nephews who he loved more than anyone, Lan Qiren could not honestly say he would make the same choice.
He thought back on all the events Wangji had listed. He saw again the body of Wei Wuxian falling in front of him. There could have been no hesitation when he chose to put himself in the path of that sword. Had Lan Qiren so misjudged the nature of this man? He knew Wangji was good, loved justice and wanted to work for the betterment of all people. How could he have believed that his nephew was so mistaken in his choice of cultivation partner?
~
The following day members of the Lan Sect started to arrive to offer support with the spiritual energy transfer. Wangji, Jiang Wanyin, Jin Ling, Sizhui and Jingyi were all dangerously depleted by this point despite intense meditation at the cold springs. Wei Wuxian had developed a fever overnight. When Lan Qiren looked around the screen he was covered in a sheen of sweat, his face pinched in pain. He would sometimes murmur a word or phrase. “Shijie” was the only word Lan Qiren could distinguish. Somehow, he looked smaller and younger than usual, not the all-powerful Yiling Patriarch, more like Wei Ying.
As expected, the first to appear were the junior disciples. They approached cautiously at first, as if they feared Lan Qiren would assign then punishment for merely suggesting they would want to help Wei Wuxian. Lan Qiren cringed inwardly at the sight. Most of them were too young to be able to donate spiritual energy and left looking deflated when Lan Qiren gently pointed this out to them. He was more surprised when some of their parents started to show up. Many of these were cultivators who had survived Nightless City. They had every reason not to help Wei Wuxian, having seen friends or family killed on that night.
As Lan Qiren started drawing up a rota to ensure a constant flow of energy, he could not help asking these disciples why they were offering. One man talked about his young son who had lost his older sister to a night hunting accident. Wei Wuxian had spent time with the boy when he was inconsolable with the loss. It seems they had visited the rabbits at the back mountain together and his son had just sat there surrounded by the furry creatures while Wei Wuxian exchanged stories of the sisters they had both lost.
Another father spoke of his daughter who had struggled with talisman creation. She had worked so hard but never seemed to be able to grasp the theory or application and was terrified that she would be punished for her incompetence. When Wei Wuxian had taken over her class, he had noticed how far behind she was and had spent extra time with her. He realized she was someone who learned far better when she could see the immediate application of her work so he took her around Cloud Recesses finding tasks where a talisman would help. Her work started to improve, and she had now caught up with the rest of her class. The daughter in question stood shyly behind her father. Lan Qiren had taught her in the past and had considered her to be incapable of learning talisman work. Her father proudly pushed her forward and she drew up a perfect warming talisman for Lan Qiren’s tea pot.
The biggest shock for Lan Qiren was when Lan Kun joined in the story telling. She had come over to check on any progress and had overheard the last tale. She took an appraising glance at Lan Qiren and hesitated before she spoke.
“If you’re open to hearing good things about my patient you may as well know that he’s been giving secret archery lessons to the top class of juniors.”
Lan Qiren’s mouth dropped open before he could compose his face.
“You know my nephew is the best archer in the new crop, don’t you? Apparently, someone told him a story of Wei Wuxian’s performance at the Phoenix Crowd Hunt. When he realized Wei Wuxian wasn’t going to be able to teach his class” she gave Lan Qiren a knowing look at that, “he decided to approach him for individual lessons. They started meeting in one of those clearings by the cold springs. When the rest of his classmates found out they insisted on joining in as well. According to Lan Jingyi Gusu Lan will have no real competition at the intersect archery challenge this year.”
So even Lan Qiren’s greatest victory was a mere mirage. A few days ago he would have been livid at hearing this and yet he was no longer sure that he cared. As the members of his sect queued up to help the notorious newcomer Lan Qiren found he was forced to question the very foundation of his beliefs. He had always felt grounded by the certainty of following the rules. Of course, he realized that it was impossible for anyone to obey all 4000 of them but they were his guide, his map to show him on how to navigate any of the challenges life threw at him. They had told him that his brother’s choice to go into seclusion after following his heart and marrying a murderer, was the right decision. They had given him reassurance when he had sentenced his younger nephew to such a harsh punishment for his defence of the Yiling Patriarch. He was not a fool. He realised that many of the rules were contradictory but had believed that he had the wisdom to interpret the correct application when this occurred. Without the rules what was Cloud Recesses and who was Lan Qiren?
~
Lan Qiren found he needed to take a break from his vigil at the Jingshi. His feet took him without conscious thought to the Sect leader’s office. Lan Xichen had been co-ordinating the investigation into the assassination attempt.
“Xichen, how goes it?”
“We think your assailant was a cousin of Su She. He believed our decision to expel him from the sect was what had led him to align with Jin Guangyao and ultimately to his death. It seems he blamed you for how you interpreted the rules in his cousin’s case which is why he targeted you. We’re not sure if he had any allies in his attack…..How is Wei Wuxian?”
Lan Qiren shook his head.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I admit I shared some of your reservations about Master Wei when Wangji first announced their intention to marry, but I have seen how much he has helped Wangji over the last few months.”
Lan Qiren puzzled over this statement. He knew Wangji was devoted to Wei Wuxian, that he wanted him, but he had never perceived any benefit to Wangji in their marriage. What could Hanguang Jun gain from his partner. In fact, it had always seemed to Lan Qiren to be the opposite. Wangji’s relationship to the Yiling Patriarch could only tarnish his reputation. Lan Qiren was not the only one to still have reservations about the Yiling Patriarch. Xichen must have seen some of this thought reflected on his face.
“Have you not noticed?” He sounded curious as if this was something obvious that Lan Qiren had missed.
“What do you mean?”
Lan Xichen gave a fragile smile and a slight shake of his head as if he were dealing with a very slow pupil.
“You know Wangji better than anyone. Surely you noticed how much he struggled in the cultivation conferences. He knows what to do, but he struggles so much to find the words to persuade others. Master Wei has been helping him. Have you not noticed the notes he started referring to? I asked him about them when I started to take over the sect business again. They were all written out by Master Wei - phrases to use to show his thinking; arguments which would work for specific sect leaders. He has been much more effective at getting his views across with less resistance.”
Lan Qiren scoffed.
“I admit, Wei Wuxian has many talents, but diplomacy is not one of them. He angered every sect in the cultivation world in his first life!”
“Uncle. He was young then and was manipulated into becoming the villain. We backed him into a corner and were surprised when he turned on us. When I think back to that night at Nightless City his arguments were amazingly coherent for a man who had endured such loss and then faced so much hatred and venom. I have spoken to him recently about Sect matters and found him to be knowledgeable and insightful. Wangji is lucky to have his counsel even if he cannot give it openly. He also helped me.” Lan Qiren noticed the cloud descend on his nephew’s features. The one that indicated he was thinking of Meng Yao. “After….. what happened at Guanyin Temple. Master Wei visited me and we talked. He helped me put things in perspective.”
Lan Qiren needed some time to think and left to stroll the grounds of Cloud Recesses. He had always taken comfort in the tranquillity of his home with its cool elegance, the simplicity of the architecture, the clarity of the rules which governed all of their lives here. Today, however, it gave him no peace of mind. It seemed that every person he spoke to had recognised virtues in Wei Wuxian that he had been blind to. He had always prided himself in his righteousness, in his fairness, but he was now faced with the knowledge that he had grossly misjudged his nephew’s husband. He had been blinded by his prejudice from the first day he met Wei Wuxian and had never allowed himself to consider the possibility that he was anything but an arrogant and power-hungry young man who was drawn to dangerous and perverted cultivation. Every deed he saw of Wei Wuxian’s life he had interpreted through this lens. Wei Wuxian’s action in saving Lan Qiren, however, had forced him to face his own arrogance. Where, before, he had seen only evil and darkness, he now saw a virtuous soul whose light had been illuminating everyone it touched. Wei Wuxian had not been corrupting the youth of Cloud Recesses, he had been nurturing and caring for them in ways Lan Qiren could not, and it had all been done in secret to avoid the petty wrath of Lan Qiren. Some of the most important rules were those defending justice and ensuring the protection of the young. It was Lan Qiren who had ignored these.
With this realisation came a devastating fear. He could lose this. Wei Wuxian could die, or he could leave with Wangji and it would be wholly Lan Qiren’s fault. For the first time he truly understood Xichen’s compulsion to go into seclusion after the revelations about Meng Yao. Lan Qiren knew himself to be unworthy of his position in the sect.
His wandering had brought him back to the Jingshi. As he entered, he saw Wangji was feeding his husband spiritual energy again. The effort it took was etched on his face. The look of determination combined with desperation on his face nearly broke Lan Qiren’s heart. Some might call him a hard man but he had always loved his nephews and never took any pleasure in seeing their pain even when he considered it necessary. He approached the sick bed and placed a hand on Wangji’s shoulder.
“Wangji, let me take over.”
Wangji shrugged his hand off without looking away from his husband’s face.
“Wangji…… A-Zhan, I want to help….. Please, for Wei Ying.”
Wangji looked at Lan Qiren then, and interrogated his face in the way only he could. Whatever he saw there must have convinced him of Lan Qiren’s sincerity as he gave a small nod and moved to make space by Wei Wuxian’s side. Lan Qiren sighed and took up the task of energy transference. This was something he could do. He was not the grand master at Cloud Recesses for nothing. He had vast reserves of spiritual energy and he would use it all if it meant he could repair some of the damage he had inflicted on these two men. Wangji did not leave. He probably did not trust his uncle enough to leave him alone with Wei Wuxian but he must have been exhausted as he lay down on the bed beside his husband with an arm protectively thrown over his shoulders.
~
It was on the morning of the fourth day that Wei Wuxian woke up. Lan Qiren heard Wangji’s voice from behind the screen.
“Wei Ying”
“Lan Zhan”. The voice was faint but felt like a thunderclap to Lan Qiren’s ears. He rushed to call for Lan Kun. Wei Wuxian would live, and Lan Qiren felt he could let out his breath for the first time since he saw that blade coming for his heart. He quietly packed up the evidence of his makeshift guard post and left the Jingshi in peace.
~
Over the coming days Lan Qiren had reports from the healer on Wei Wuxian’s progress. He would not approach him until he knew he was stronger. Lan Qiren feared the conversation he knew he must have, but he would not shirk this task.
He walked to the Jingshi doors and knocked. Wangji answered and just looked at him with no sign of acknowledgement.
“Wangji, can I come in.”
Wangji just blinked at him and made no attempt to move out of his way. Lan Qiren was uncomfortably familiar with this response. He had seen it directed at Sect leader Jiang during the 16 years Wei Wuxian had been dead.
“Lan Zhan, who is it?” Wei Wuxian came up behind his husband and gently moved him away from the door. He looked surprised when he saw who was there but bowed and greeted Lan Qiren, inviting him in to the Jingshi.
“I would like to speak to Wei Wuxian, alone if you are well enough?” He had decided this was a conversation that needed to happen between the two of them although seeing the look on Wangji’s face at this suggestion he now doubted he would be allowed the chance. Wei Wuxian looked from Lan Qiren to Wangji and back again. He then placed a hand on his husband’s arm.
“Lan Zhan, I’m fine. Why don’t you go speak to Sizhui about that matter we were discussing?”
Wangji glared at Lan Qiren for longer than comfortable before leaving. The message was clear You had better not upset him while I am gone!
Lan Qiren sighed and entered the Jingshi where he was invited to sit at the table. Wei Wuxian offered him tea and proceeded to pour as the silence started to stretch. Now he was here, Lan Qiren felt suddenly tongue tied. Wei Wuxian was looking at him with a puzzled expression, clearly trying to work out what this visit was about.
“Grand master Lan, was there something you needed?”
“I owe you an apology.” There, he had said it. It felt like one of the hardest phrases he had ever spoken.
“Oh? What for?” Wei Wuxian looked guarded now, as if he was expecting some insult to follow rather than anything else.
This was harder than he had expected. Lan Qiren realised that he had hardly ever apologised for anything in his life. Perhaps that was yet another failure. He looked down at his teacup then up again at Wei Wuxian who was waiting patiently for a response.
“I have misjudged you….. I have made you feel unwelcome… I have treated you with disrespect. I am sorry Wei Wuxian. You are my nephew’s husband and father to Sizhui.” He took a deep breath, “you are family and deserved my protection, not my contempt.”
A look of astonishment crossed Wei Wuxian’s face followed quickly by a bright, dazzling smile.
“I think that is the nicest thing you have ever said to me,” he gave a sly look before adding “uncle.”
Lan Qiren found himself oddly moved to be addressed this way. He braced himself for his next question.
“I know Wangji wants to leave, but I am asking you to consider staying. To make this your home. I know I do not deserve any favour from you, but I genuinely believe it is better for both Wangji and you to stay here. I would not want my actions to drive you away from your home. I think you have had too little stability in your life, and you deserve the chance to settle in a place where you are valued.” He looked directly at the other man as he spoke. “Wei Wuxian, you are greatly valued at Cloud Recesses.”
A tear was making its way down Wei Wuxian’s cheek although he was still smiling softly.
“I have already told Lan Zhan that I have no desire to leave, but thank you.”
“No thanks are needed! In fact, the opposite. I need to thank you also. You saved my life when it would have been so much more convenient for you to have let me die.”
Wei Wuxian waved his hand and looked vaguely embarrassed. “No need. It’s what you do for family.” Another smile followed.
Lan Qiren thought to himself it’s what you do for far more than just family, but decided to keep that to himself. He rose to take his leave but added as he was turning “There is something I would like you to see if you feel up to it. After the afternoon lessons have finished would you meet me at the wall of discipline.” There was a look of trepidation on Wei Wuxian’s face but he gave a quick nod.
~
Later that day Lan Qiren waited in the main courtyard by the wall of discipline with Xichen by his side. He had discussed this plan with Xichen the day before and had received his amused agreement. There were many whispered comments coming from the disciples as they passed. He spotted Wangji and Wei Wuxian slowly making their way towards the wall and felt a happy sense of anticipation. It may seem like a small token of gratitude to most people, but to Lan Qiren this was the greatest gesture he could imagine. He saw Wangji look at his brother in confusion and then look at the wall. Wangji’s face was never expressive but Lan Qiren could see the awe in his eyes as he noticed the latest addition to the disciplines.
Exemption from the rules can only be granted by the sect leader to those deemed worthy.
A look of gleeful delight sprang onto Wei Wuxian’s face when he spotted it.
“Lan Zhan, do you think your brother will let me drink alcohol?”
“Mn”
“Will he let me run?”
“Mn”
With a wicked glint in his eye Wei Wuxian added “can I associate with evil?”
“Wei Ying would never.”
“I ‘ve spotted a flaw in this discipline, Lan Zhan. How can someone become worthy if they don’t follow the rules? Ah, it’s one of those impossible tests that no mortal can pass.” Wei Wuxian gave a dramatic sigh “I’m doomed!”
Xichen stepped forward still with an amused smile on his face before becoming more serious.
“Wei Wuxian, I have decided that your character is such that you can make your own judgements as to which of the rules of discipline to follow and which to ignore. You were not born into the Lan sect and therefore it is fair that you should not be constrained by all our rules. I trust you to not misuse this power and to act in the best interest of the sect.”
We Wuxian’s face grew solemn at this pronouncement. He bowed to Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren.
“I will attempt to be worthy of this trust at all times.”
Lan Qiren looked towards Wangji who had one of those soft smiles which were solely directed at Wei Wuxian. He saw Lan Qiren’s look and gave a brief nod before bowing also to his brother and uncle. Lan Qiren knew he was not yet fully forgiven but it was a start. He did not mind. Wangji and Wuxian were staying at Cloud Recesses and that was all that really mattered.