Archive of Our Own

Lán Wàngjī is fuming, for all his life, he has kept his emotions neutral, avoiding conflicts, such as this as much as possible, but today he is literally pissed off. He could feel his face heating up.

He knows that he is incapable of controlling his emotions right now, because, of the audacity of the people sitting in front of him.

Lán Wàngjī was also surprised by the use of words that is going to leave his mouth, especially since he is not good at speaking in general. But he ceases that specific emotion to stand by his words, glaring at everyone in sight.

“If all of you do not accept Wèi Yīng as MY cultivation partner, then I believe there isn’t a need for this discussion.” He called out to the table, very much startling almost everyone with his strong words.

Niè Huáisāng snapped his fan open and covered his face, not wanting to face the wrath of Lán Wàngjī’s brilliance. Providing a slight smirk underneath that fan, despite not bringing a plan for this Discussion Conference, he craved a small bit of dramatic flair that Lán Wàngjī has inside of him.

Jiāng Wǎnyín did not cower under the scowl in front of him, his fuming anger for Wèi Wúxiàn, but not directed at the person itself.

Jīn Líng seats next to his uncle, looking at him nervously.

“Shūshu, he can’t just talk about Yīng-Shūshu like this…”

He’s right.

Jiāng Wǎnyín had nothing to fear from Lán Wàngjī, not that the latter know either way. He knew he had to protect Wèi Wúxiàn, he knew he had to right his wrongs…

“I believe–”

“Hánguāng-Jūn, I believe it might be wrong to use your… condescending attitude for this discussion. It might be unfair since you and the Yílíng Lǎozǔ have such a close connection, it might not be right for you to be a part of this decision.”

Lán Wàngjī’s eye twitches at the statement from Sect Leader Yao, Jiāng Wǎnyín is also most certainly angry when he is interrupted, by a Sect Leader who despises Wèi Wúxiàn.

To be frank, he knows almost everyone at this table has a hatred for the Yílíng Lǎozǔ, but he is no longer what his title claims. The letter exchanges between the two brothers say that much.

In how Wèi Wúxiàn takes the younger disciples, for he claims that they are named little ducklings, out on night hunts. As well as teaching them creative uses of talismans, and the dizi.

And that Lán Wàngjī has a small shack made for Wèi Wúxiàn to experiment on talismans. And even more so, the two love birds have a small farm made at the back of their house, with a hoard of rabbits living in the meadow there, with the constant energy for the greens the duo brings.

“Then this discussion is over. I, Lán Wàngjī, of Gūsū Lán, refuse the seat for the role of Chief Cultivator.”

Yells were made across the room, but Lán Wàngjī the majority and walked out of the Conference Hall in The Cloud Recesses, leaving Jiāng Wǎnyín and Niè Huáisāng to diffuse the situation, and an angry uncle to stomp out after Lán Wàngjī.

“Wàngjī! Stop right there this instant!” Lán Qǐrén hissed out, as he chased after the said man, making sure his speed was slow enough not to break any rules.

“Yelling is prohibited, Shúfù.” Lán Wàngjī speaks out, without remorse for ever stepping out of some important conference.

“I – Hmph. Look, Wàngjī. I understand you want to protect your… partner. But you, also have to understand here. This is not just based on your point of perspective, you cannot just step down from such an important role in political discussions such as this. As a Chief Cultivator, you have to empathize with everyone and recognize why different ideas and opinions would affect different people, you cannot just step down because you have an emotional connection with Wèi Wúxiàn.”

Lán Qǐrén softly says, not wanting to cause a commotion while speaking to his nephew.

Lán Wàngjī was silent, thinking about his uncle’s words, before speaking out.

“Shúfù, with all due respect. Wèi Yīng has secrets of his own, I understand it, and I respect it. There are things that are hard for him to speak of, but his heart is pure, he is still the mischievous and talented disciple that first stepped into Cloud Recesses when he was fifteen, and that has never changed. If you understood from his point of view, you would realize how much he has suffered, and how much of this was completely unfair.”

Lán Qǐrén was stunned by how much his nephew could say in this case, speaking more in a sentence than he had for a long time.

“I should go, Wàngjī bids goodbye to Shúfù.” He makes a quick bow before making an exit.

Lán Qǐrén spends a long time watching as the man in white robes descends the stairs, with a red ribbon tied together with the sacred Lán ribbon, flourishing his ponytail, possibly a new look Wèi Wúxiàn was testing out for his partner.

A heavy sigh leaves his lips and turns around to see a panicked Jiāng Wǎnyín leaving the building in a hurry, and stopping in front of the former to greet him.

“Sect Leader Jiāng Wǎnyín greets Elder Lán Lǎoshī, I just… I just want to apologize, for my brother – I mean, for Wèi Wúxiàn to be the cause of this… commotion. That man can cause trouble even when he is not here.”

Jiāng Wǎnyín shakes his head in disbelief as Lán Qǐrén stares at him, silently wanting to pry into the issue going on with Wèi Wúxiàn, to know why the presence of the said person is so important to both his nephew and the Sect Leader of Yúnmèng Jiāng, but… gossip is forbidden.

So instead, he says, “It’s quite alright, Wàngjī has always been… protective for people he loves since young, he’s quite stubborn that way. I am not at all surprised by his actions today, it would honestly be a miracle if no one spoke of the case with the Yílíng Lǎozǔ.”

Jiāng Wǎnyín just gave a very sour face, much like the splitting image of when he was young. And Lán Qǐrén resisted smirking from remembering his past, back when the only thing giving him a headache was the son of Cángsè Sànrén.

And before Lán Qǐrén could stop himself, his hand reached out for Jiāng Wǎnyín’s head and gives it a light pat.

“Take good care of yourself, Sect Leader Jiāng.” And Lán Qǐrén turned to return to the Conference room, leaving a very confused Jiāng Wǎnyín alone.

It wasn’t till Xūshí that Lán Qǐrén decided to pay a visit to his younger nephew and his partner, after having his meal at the Hánshì with the older nephew.

Lán Xīchén’s words are still etched in his mind, his walk heavy from his heart.

“Shúfù… I know you are not exactly fond of Wàngjī’s choice. To be frank, I am also quite woeful by that piece of information, but I do sympathize with him.”

Lán Xīchén poured another cup of the citron green tea he knows his uncle enjoys, before continuing.

“A-Yīng has made some… very choices that are certainly worth rethinking, but he gave up the luxury he had for a group of harmless Wēn remnants. He protected them, and we criticized him. And like what Wàngjī said, he must have topics he still isn’t up for talking about. So maybe, we shouldn’t push either of them to make choices they are not comfortable with.”

Lán Xīchén took a quick sip, resting his lips for a while. He certainly has not talked that much ever since his last visit from A-Yīng last week.

“I know you, Shúfù thinks that Wàngjī can do better than being with A-Yīng, but after all, Lán’s only love once.”

Lán Qǐrén lets out a small huff and shakes his head.

“I do not think that way! I mean, of course, I had that thought in the past, but I am supportive of Wúxiàn possibly being my nephew-in-law. If only Wàngjī would just finally court him…”

Lán Qǐrén had that last sentence only for himself, but Xīchén heard it anyways and hid his laughter behind his sleeve, and pretended to take another sip of his tea. The visit ended with Xīchén giving some of the baked sweets A-Yīng had given last time.

The moonlight is bathing Lán Qǐrén’s robes, and he stares up at the moon and wonders, what he could do differently for his family so that Wàngjī could be Chief Cultivator, in how he and Wúxiàn could finally be together, without the whole Cultivation World trying to pull them apart, in how Xīchén could step out of seclusion with a light heart.

He selfishly wishes all of it could come true, that’s all he wished for his family to have, to be completed. That’s where his love lies, his love for his family.

By the time Lán Qǐrén reaches the Jìngshì, he immediately regrets not bringing something small to visit them with. Xīchén has told them how Wúxiàn would often bring the baked good and sweets that are now in his possessions.

He couldn’t possibly give these baked sweets as a gift, and the fact that he wishes to visit them with serious intention, a gift would have been the icebreaker.

He could retreat and find some other day to talk about it, but the last day of the Discussion Conference is literally the next sun up, and he couldn’t risk Wàngjī’s words to cause a permanent impact on the Cultivation World.

Truth to be told, he could see how Wàngjī is often upset about having to leave his husband alone for a meeting, or matters requiring a Chief Cultivator, but he also knows that Wàngjī took up the role because he didn’t want there to be another Wēn Ruòhán or Jīn Guāngshàn to take over events such as this, one war was already tiring enough. Too many lives, innocent or not, were already stolen by these kinds of leaders.

Standing in front of the Jìngshì, he hesitates on knocking on the door, not wanting to accidentally interrupt the two’s personal time.

Come on, Qǐrén! This is supposed to be good for the future of the Cultivation World! If you don’t do this, who knows what will happen the next day?

Just then, he felt a small thump by the corner of his feet, and then a light pull on the end of his hànfú. His hands instinctively went to the sheathe of his spiritual weapon, prepared to ward off any demonic creatures that had the capability of breaking through the Cloud Recesses.

Standing in formation, only to find a fawn rabbit nibbling on his hànfú, and following a pregnant silence, leaving Lán Qǐrén absolutely stunned.

The rabbit seems to have no recognition of the man who can easily her with the swing of his sword and pulls the clothing more.

Lán Qǐrén took a few light swings of his hand, wanting to scare the rabbit away, only for the rabbit to continue minding her own business.

With a heavy sigh, Lán Qǐrén kneels down quietly and slowly reaches his hand out to the bunny’s soft back.

“A bunny, huh? How did you… Ah, right. Wàngjī kept all of you here, didn’t he?”

The rabbit rubs her own face down with her paws and stares at Lán Qǐrén so intensely as if he is an abnormal creature.

Lán Qǐrén’s eyes twitch at the sight of the bunny having a staredown contest with him and look away nervously after a few seconds, leaving the bunny to continue licking her own face once again.

“Shoo… Go back to your… habitat – home meadow.” Lán Qǐrén gives his most intense glare to the rabbit, hoping to scare her away, but to no avail.

He knows that Wàngjī has an absolute love for rabbits, besides his husband. He remembers the times when his nephew probably thought no one will know, but he could always see a furry ball here and there when he visits him, even sometimes the rabbit would be on his shoulder, in which he tries to cover it with his hair, most probably not wanting to cause any trouble and avoiding a rule punishment.

There are even times when he sees his nephew sitting in a meadow, with many rabbits running past and cuddling up to his robes, and Lán Qǐrén doesn’t have the heart to tell him that pets are forbidden, or that he has more important things to do than to entertain wild animals.

Lán Qǐrén dazes out by the small moments of the past, before returning to the present when he had real issues to handle, but the poor rabbit doesn’t look like she’s going to leave anytime soon, and despite Cloud Recesses being a safe place for the inability to harm or kill anyone in there.

He gives a small sign for the many times this night and kneels down in front of the rabbit, and slowly reaching out to poke her head lightly, seeing how it does not faze the bunny, he took it as a step forward and stroke her soft head, smiling unconsciously in how the ears swipe behind and flop back from the stroking.

“Let’s you get back there, hmm?” He utters softly, and slowly picks the animal up, before settling her down on his chest, hands supporting her back.

Seeing how the rabbit proceeds to explore around his arms, before making the end of his forehead ribbon her next entertainment, Lán Qǐrén’s entire body freezes at the sight of the bunny touching the sacred ribbon, before swallowing down his fear and starts walking down the Jìngshì.

The trip there is a slight tad on the side of unsteadiness, Lán Qǐrén is just hesitant in making sure the rabbit doesn’t just accidentally slip from his grasp.

He starts thinking about the hilarity of this case, he has lived through years of training and faced many different horrifying cases in his life, but he fears the safety of the bunny more than when a certain devilish woman shaved off his beard.

The painful and slow trip back to the meadow comes to an end, and Lán Qǐrén just sighs in relief at the sight of the many fluffballs of different colors decorating the greenery.

“I had thought that your family had escaped as well, but I suppose it's just the mischievous you.” Lán Qǐrén breaks into a small smile while the bunny just stares at him and releases the end of his forehead ribbon at the sight of his family in front of her.

“Well now, off you go.” Lán Qǐrén carefully puts her down and watches in curiosity as the bunny does not seem to have the intention to leave him alone.

“What is your devilish head thinking of now? Acting just like a Wèi Wúxiàn on his mischievous days, which is… every day.”

The bunny continues staring at him for another few moments before hopping back with its family, but not before bringing more rabbits to Lán Qǐrén, who returns with a surprised expression.

“What are you doing? Bringing your fluffy friends to come to meet me?”

Lán Qǐrén chuckles softly and sits down on the meadow with his legs crossed, and starts petting more of the bunnies that have more courage to be near a new person.

“Shúfù?”

Lán Qǐrén swings his head to find his nephew with an amazed expression.

How many Kè have passed since I was here?!

Blushing heavily, Lán Qǐrén has a small struggle to stand up to face his nephew, trying to get up properly without accidentally crushing the waves of fluffballs near him, and maybe because his legs are already cramping up from being there for too long.

“Oh, allow me.” His nephew says and makes his way towards his uncle, the bunnies hopping away from the sudden intrusion, staying away from his path.

Wàngjī closes his distance from his uncle, and reaches his hand out, prompting the latter to take his hand in support.

“Ahem… Thank you, Wàngjī. I apologize for interrupting your time this late, and… being in your private meadow without permission.”

Instead of a good concealed face of anger, his nephew’s eyes are soft and he shakes his hand.

“Not private, disciples can come. Our Junior Disciples come often to bring the rabbits treats.”

Lán Qǐrén gives a small nod, and Wàngjī continues.

“What brings Shúfù here this late at night?”

Lán Qǐrén freezes at that statement, he didn’t think he had to be in this conversation in this setting.

“I was just… Well, I have some things I would like to discuss with you, and Wúxiàn.”

His nephew seems to understand what the conversation is going to be, by the small frown on his face.

“Shúfù is always welcome to stop by… But, Wèi Yīng is currently… preoccupied.”

Lán Qǐrén raises a brow, and looks down at Wàngjī’s hand, to see a familiar silencing talisman, most likely designed by Wúxiàn, which is commonly used in a setting of silence proofing a room. And his cheeks blushed heavily at the thought of what his nephew wanted to use the talisman for.

“Wàngjī! I did not need to know of the events you and your partner has late at night!”

Wàngjī blinks several times, processing what his uncle is saying, and blushes heavily too.

“Not that! Shúfù! That is not what I meant! Wèi Yīng is just asleep now, and he always likes it when there are silencing talismans placed for his private resting time!”

Lán Qǐrén seriously wishes he could just dig a hole and buries it as his grave now, and stutters out his words, trying to process what to say, before the two people out in the meadow hear a deathly shrill coming from inside the Jìngshì.

And he could barely hear the distant shout of ‘Wèi Yīng!’ from his nephew before he sees the man in white robes dashing past his uncle and running to the sounds of hollering.

His legs start moving without permission and start chasing after Wàngjī, his mind canceling out the rule that running is prohibited.

By the time Lán Qǐrén reaches the Jìngshì, he could see Wèi Wúxiàn thrashing around in his bed and a Wàngjī trying his very best to constraint the man.

He could barely register what Wèi Wúxiàn is saying, with a few words of ‘Qíng-jiě’, ‘gone’, and ‘Shījiě’ spewing out of his mouth.

“Wèi Yīng! Wèi Yīng! Calm! Shh… It’s okay!”

He could see his nephew struggling to keep his partner calm down, and he carefully walks nearer to the distressing scene.

“Wàngjī, you have to calm down too.”

He rarely saw Wàngjī making such an expression, he is frightened to the bone, the guilt swirling around the fright, not knowing how to calm his lover down.

Lán Qǐrén’s hands hover around Wèi Wúxiàn, who was still thrashing in Wàngjī hold.

May I?” He says softly, and the tight nod his nephew gave was all he needed for his fatherly instincts to kick in.

“A-Yīng.”

The name of familiarity makes Lán Qǐrén slightly conscious of whether he is allowed to even call him that, but Wàngjī’s worrying face was enough for him to continue.

“A-Yīng, tell me. What are the five things you can see now?”

He could see that Wèi Wúxiàn is still slightly delirious, so he repeats his questions multiple times until his brain registers them.

“F-Five… things?”

“Yes, five things. Take your time, you don’t have to rush.”

“Five… Lán — Lán Zhàn?”

“Okay, good. Four more, A-Yīng?”

you, my – hic – hands, the bed sheets, and… and the table across.”

Lán Qǐrén tries to calm his own nerves and continues.

Good, good. You’re doing well. And what are the four things you can touch? Can you do that for me A-Yīng?”

“T-Touch? Uhm, my robes… Lán Zhàn’s hand, the bed sheets… and my hands?”

“Okay, you’re doing well. Now, three things you can hear.”

“I can hear the birds chirping, the grass rustling… my heartbeat?”

Lán Qǐrén’s heart almost broke when he saw the A-Yīng looking up at him for confirmation, the fear swimming in his eyes.

“Mn, that’s right. We’re almost done, two things you can smell.”

“I can smell… the sandalwood, and your… citrus tea?”

Lán Qǐrén lets out a small chuckle and nods,

“Yes, Xīchén made me some just now.”

“Citrus is nice… Mn, it’s nice…”

“Alright now, just one last one. One thing you can taste?”

“Salty water...”

Huh.

“Why is the water salty?”

“A-Yīng, You were crying.”

“Oh.”

“A-Yīng? It’s alright now, you were having a panic attack just now.”

“That makes sense… Mmh? Lán Xiānshēng?!”

Wèi Wúxiàn’s eyes widen as he tries to apologize, for what exactly? He still wasn’t really clear.

“Hey, hey. Relax, you’re alright now. I didn’t come here to do anything.”

Wèi Wúxiàn’s eyes flick to his partner, and with a nod from the latter confirms Lán Xiānshēng’s words, he swallows the ball of fear down his raw throat.

“Now, I would get some water for you, stay here. Your throat must hurt by now. Wàngjī, keep an eye on him?”

His nephew gives a small nod before giving his worried eyes to Wèi Yīng

Wèi Wúxiàn is about to make a weak protest only for his partner to glare at him, and he settles down nearer to the latter, wanting to feel his warmth.

Lán Qǐrén takes it as a major sign to leave now to get water, from how uncomfortable he is with the intimacy the two were getting.

After a few amounts of Kè, the man returns with a small bucket of water and a cup.

He ziplines to the boy and sits at the side of the bed, putting the cup in his hand and pouring the water into it.

“Here you go, A-Yīng. Take small sips, don’t rush into it, okay?”

Lán Qǐrén can see that the young man is already starting to feel drowsy, the panic attack must have taken a lot out of him.

“Mnn, thank you, Lán Xiānshēng.”

“Thank you, Shúfù.”

Lán Qǐrén gives a slight nod and passes the cup to A-Yīng.

Said man is halfway to a sloppy bow to the elder, but the warm hands grasping his wrists stop him and guide his hands to the wooden cup.

“Don’t be foolish, kid. Stop wasting your energy on formality.”

Lán Qǐrén resists the urge to break into a smirk when he sees A-Yīng giving a small pout, it sure is even more difficult when the latter just murmurs out that he is not a kid.

“You still act like one, either way. The most mischievous kid I have ever seen in my life.”

Lán Qǐrén reaches out to give a light pat on his face and observes as his nephew helps his partner grasp onto the cup, with the amount of trembling the boy has.

After a painfully long time, the cup is at its last drop, and Lán Qǐrén automatically reaches out to take it away.

“Now get some rest, do you need anything to help with your sleep?”

A-Yīng just shakes his head and closes his eyes.

“I’m fine… Just, it was hard to sleep without Lán Zhàn around.”

Oh… He was with me at the time, was that the reason A-Yīng had difficulty in his sleep?

“He’ll be here, is it alright if we talk for a while, A-Yīng? I just need to discuss a few issues with Wàngjī, I promise I won’t disrupt your sleep.”

A-Yīng doesn’t seem to react to his words, and by the look of his nephew gently shifting his head down to the pillow, he could safely say that the boy is already asleep.

Lán Qǐrén stands up and walks to the next room, sitting down at the given spot.

This was where A-Yīng made my favorite tea, now that I think about it, it must have been Xīchén who taught him to brew this specific tea.

He patiently waits for Wàngjī to tuck his lover in, before stepping out of the bedroom.

“Shúfù.”

His nephew greets him once again, and Lán Qǐrén just gives a small nod and gestures for him to sit.

The moment when Wàngjī sits down, he starts speaking straightaway.

“Thank you for helping Wèi Yīng, Wàngjī apologizes for Shúfù having to see that.”

Lán Qǐrén just tuts in annoyance.

“Nonsense, such an event is serious, Wàngjī. One should not take it lightly, I don’t suppose I was in the position to watch this issue unfold without doing anything.”

His nephew stays silent for a while and says.

“That was not Wàngjī’s intention, I apologize.”

“Hmph, now. Is this an issue that you are willing to address?”

Wàngjī just bites his lips in nervousness, a habit Lán Qǐrén hasn’t seen since he was young.

“Wàngjī… I know it might be… difficult to speak of it. But the more you bottle up your emotions, the harder it would be for you. And for Wèi-gōngzǐ as well.”

The word ‘Wèi-gōngzǐ’ feels so unfamiliar all of a sudden, and Lán Qǐrén grimaces slightly.

His nephew continues to stay silent, looking down, and starts fidgeting with his fingers.

“I understand that you and Wèi… A-Yīng has topics that you two are not comfortable talking about, I won’t push you about it, but I just wish for you to know that you can always talk to me about it, okay?”

Wàngjī just gives a slight nod, and Lán Qǐrén stands up, preparing to leave.

“I just – just…”

Lán Qǐrén turns around, in absolute silence. He knows that his nephew isn’t good with words ever since young, and he will wait patiently until he can pace himself in what he wishes to speak of.

“Shúfù, can Wàngjī ask…? Will you ever give your golden core away, for someone else?”

That was an odd question. But he knows that there is a point to the story.

Lán Qǐrén sits back down in his seat and cogitates momentarily.

“It is difficult, to give such a thing away… If it was up to me, unless it's a life or death situation, and if it's for someone close to me, I'll be willing to give up my core.”

Wàngjī bites his lips in nervousness.

“I don’t think I can even do it for Xiōngzhǎng if I have to… I would, of course, search for all kinds of alternatives, but… it would be difficult to even give something like… this up. Even for the other party, I don’t think they would be willing to take up one’s golden core.”

It made sense Wàngjī is saying.

“Wàngjī, what brought up this subject?”

“Wèi – Wèi Yīng, he… Jiāng Wǎnyín… There was a time before the sunshot campaign when Jiāng Wǎnyín had supposedly lost his golden core and got it repaired at Bàoshān Sànrén’s Celestial mountain, was… false. There was no Bàoshān Sànrén there to fix his core, Wèi Yīng didn’t even have information about where his martial aunt is.”

Lán Qǐrén's ears are ringing as he pieces the two pieces of information together, and everything makes sense.

Why Wèi Wúxiàn refuses to wield his spiritual weapon.

Why Wèi Wúxiàn only goes to his Shījiě whenever he is heavily wounded.

Why Wèi Wúxiàn claims the burial mounds as his habitat.

A golden core contains spiritual energy, without a golden core, demonic energy can be used in its stead.

If one carries spiritual and demonic energy together as one, it will only harm one’s spirit.

Wèi Wúxiàn was never arrogant and never had a high horse spirit from not using Suíbiàn, it was simply because he couldn’t.

“A-Yīng really has been… tormented his whole life, hasn’t he? Both physically and emotionally.”

His nephew just stares at him with pain in his eyes, and nods.

“All this time, we deemed him as a threat to the Cultivation World, we just accused him of his actions, but we never asked why. Why he did what he had to do.”

Lán Qǐrén's hands clench into fists, as rage starts to fuel his veins.

“He sacrificed his position, his fame, his family, everything! To help the Wēn remnants, which were just a whole lot of elderlies, not even cultivators…”

Lán Qǐrén snaps out of his speech the moment he hears A-Yīng, A-Yīng making a small grumble, possibly from the former’s raising voice, and switches his sleeping position before snoring softly again.

Lán Qǐrén turns back to his nephew and clears his throat.

“My apologies, Wàngjī. I did not mean to raise my voice.”

“That is exactly what I would have done, Shúfù. I was so… peeved, when I heard about it, about the core. Not at Wèi Yīng, but myself. For not being there for him, when he needed someone.”

“Mn, A-Yīng truly is… he has suffered too much, too young.”

Lán Wàngjī turns his head to face his sleeping lover.

“Sometimes, I’m just afraid. Afraid that this is all just a dream, that he is still… gone.”

Lán Qǐrén faces his nephew with regret, if only he could turn back time. He wishes he can change the way he raises both of his nephews, change how he didn’t view A-Yīng with his mother in mind, and change how he could have been there to heat the silent help of those in need.

“The thirteen years of losing Wèi Yīng is so difficult, Shúfù. The two years of being in that cave… I had every hope that Wèi Yīng was still alive, do you know that? I wished I could see A-Yuàn too. I - hic - It was - hic - so difficult for this whole - hic - thirteen years… I –”

Lán Qǐrén is immediately by his side, one arm wrapping around his nephew’s torso, enveloping him in a hug. And the other arm on the top of his head, pushing it to his chest, and the door unlocks.

The river of the dam behind the door starts flowing out, all the years of keeping it to himself, all flow out from Wàngjī’s eyes. He was shaking heavily, his hands grabbing his uncle’s robes.

His cries aren’t the silent one he had growing up, it is loud, in pain, in anger, in sadness, he is practically howling.

It is already hard for Lán Qǐrén to handle this news, but his nephew had kept it in him for so many years, ever since he realized that his mother would not return. Ever since then, he kept so much in him, and Lán Qǐrén had no idea.

“Shhh… It’s okay, you’re okay, let it out. I’m here for you, A-Zhàn.”

It only takes Wèi Wúxiàn another few seconds to step out of the bedroom, his sleeping robes disheveled, his eyes filling with panic.

“Lán Xiānshēng? What happened?! Lán Zhàn, Lán Zhàn! Are you okay?”

Wèi Wúxiàn is already next to his lover by the time he finished his sentence, and Lán Qǐrén nods.

“He just needs time, and more letting out to do.”

Lán Wàngjī’s head snaps up and looks at Wèi Yīng, his eyes rimmed red, snot flowing out of his nose, tears leaking out like a faucet is broken.

“Wèi - hic - Wèi Yīng~”

Wàngjī lets go of his uncle and the latter immediately understands and releases his hug, and hugs Wèi Yīng tightly, latching onto him like an octopus.

“Woah – Okay, okay. Hey, hey, it’s okay Lán Zhàn, everything is okay.”

Lán Qǐrén pours another cup of water and puts it on the table, and pulls out a talisman from his sleeve, designed by the one and only, Yílíng Lǎozǔ, and whispers to A-Yīng.

“I’ll let you two have some privacy, okay? If you need me, I’m just a talisman away.”

“Thank you Lán Xiānshēng, I’ll take good care of your nephew.”

Lán Qǐrén cracks into a genuine smile and walks out of the Jìngshì.

I have no doubt about you taking care of my nephew, Wèi Wúxiàn.

Lán Qǐrén had a difficult time falling asleep the night before, the emotional events certainly took a toll on him, but his overthinking wins over that.

The moment Wàngjī steps into the Conference Hall, the first two things he notices is the slightly still red and puffy eyes hanging on his nephew’s face, and the next thing is the shameless lover of his hanging off his arm.

Lán Qǐrén couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, leading to some curious faces looking at him.

It was absolutely silence throughout the whole hall before Jiāng Wǎnyín speaks up.

“Wèi Wúxiàn! Do you have no shame? Stop latching onto Lán Wàngjī like this in public!”

Lán Wàngjī just glares at the man shouting, and Wèi Wúxiàn cackles.

“Oh come on, Jiāng Chéng! Don’t be like this, your temper is the reason why no maiden would ever approach you!”

The said man’s face just went tomato and smacks Wèi Wúxiàn's arm lightly, not wanting to accidentally harm his former brother, and of course, not wanting to get his head chopped off by the stoic man next to him.

Jīn Líng just stands behind and shakes his head.

“Yīng-Shūshu, you really have no shame…”

The intense yet playful bickering lasts for a while until someone speaks up from behind Jiāng Wǎnyín.

It is Sect Leader Yáo.

Meaning there won’t be anything good coming from his mouth, especially since he was the one who caused the commotion yesterday.

“What is this abomination doing here? Guards! Escort him out immediately!”

The disciples just look around hesitantly, and Lán Wàngjī pulls Wèi Yīng impossibly closer to him, practically covering him with his figure.

Jiāng Wǎnyín flips his head back, anger radiating from his face.

“Sect Leader Yáo, you will treat my brother with nothing but respect if you still want our sect’s trades to continue!”

Instead of backing down, Sect Leader Yáo raises his voice more.

“This is just the same event as yesterday! The both of you using your emotional attachment to this man to fit in political conflicts such as this!”

Wèi Wúxiàn has a fake smile plastered to his face and tries to ease the tension by excusing himself from the Conference Hall, but his partner would not have it that way.

Lán Wàngjī speaks up next.

“Sect Leader Yáo, mind your words. Or the next blood on my sword will be your head.”

Many gasps were heard across the hall, and Sect Leader Yáo definitely has cats getting his tongue.

As much as Lán Qǐrén appreciates his nephew standing up against his nephew-in-law, this conflict had to stop. Otherwise, blood might really shed in this hall, and no rules can stop Wàngjī from making that happen. He takes a heavy sigh and stands up.

“I believe we should take a break from this discussion as of now. We have other issues to address at hand, as per this Discussion Conference.”

And Sect Leader Yáo did not retort to his suggestion, but instead goes back to his seat and looks at the table idiotically.

Lán Qǐrén takes his seat as well and looks at the duo by the door.

Wèi Wúxiàn is just giving a worried expression, and whispering softly to Wàngjī, which can be seen as a soothing effect as the furrowed eyebrows loosen.

Lán Wàngjī takes his seat at the head, and Wèi Wúxiàn trails by beside him, and Sect Leader Yáo’s eye twitches.

Throughout the whole conference, Wèi Wúxiàn is sitting formally, not making any disruptions, took notes by the side, and does not fall asleep.

If only he had that attitude in my class.

Coming to a more specific discussion on the increase of trade due to climate change affecting one of the sects greatly, Wèi Wúxiàn couldn’t help himself but ask.

“What if we use spiritual energy to harvest the crops instead? Spiritual energy runs through our veins, and it is more on the liquid side to moisturize the soil, the spiritual energy that is obtained in cups is more everlasting than minerals themselves.”

Sect Leader Yáo’s mouth opens and closes, debating on whether to speak up.

“I have experimented with this myself before, in which the crops can also grow faster with the help of spiritual energy. Well, any cultivator with no poisonous blood is very much applicable to be a candidate.”

“This is another trap of the Yílíng Lǎozǔ! He just wants to poison the soil for the crops to go bad, and attack the sect when they’re too weak to defend themselves!”

Jiāng Chéng slams on the table and shouts, “Watch your mouth!”

Wèi Wúxiàn just stares at Sect Leader Yáo for a while before saying.

“I know that was what people called me, but don’t wear my title out. Is it not tiring to talk about the ‘Yílíng Lǎozǔ’ for a century? Aren’t you sick of it? Everything I had to do had a reason behind it, every choice I made is only the best I can think of, if you were placed in my shoes, you wouldn’t have even survived the fall down to the Burial Mounds.”

Wèi Wúxiàn doesn’t realize what can be said and what can’t, he’s just angry at this point, small trails of demonic energy can be seen around him if you look closely enough.

“But what’s more important is what you said yesterday, I heard your snarky comments to my partner, right in front of his face, behind his back.”

Dark red dances around his eyes as he continues.

“You can insult me all you want, Sect Leader Yáo. But do not ever, ever, insult my Lán Zhàn.”

Wàngjī’s eyes widen slightly, and his mouths ‘Wèi Yīng’.

Wèi Wúxiàn stands up, getting ready to leave.

“Oh! And Sect Leader Yáo? If I ever wanted you and your sect to suffer, I would have already done it, right here, right now. And… Who knows? Maybe your sect won’t even suffer from an obnoxious clan leader such as yourself, especially the women I know you have such a low opinion on.”

“You!”

“Wúxiàn.”

Wèi Wúxiàn turns his head to Lán Qǐrén looking back at him.

“Lán Xiānshēng.”

Sympathy is what Lán Qǐrén is feeling.

Wèi Wúxiàn didn’t wait for anything he had to say before walking out of the Conference Hall.

Lán Qǐrén lets out a small sigh and looks at his nephew.

“Perhaps we should take a break for now, please excuse me and Wàngjī for a moment.”

His nephew takes the hint and follows him out of the hall.

“Shúfù.” Wàngjī greets him.

“Wàngjī, perhaps there is a way this can all be solved.”

His nephew tilts his head in curiosity.

A wooden box inside Lán Qǐrén’s sleeves sits heavily as he takes it out.

“This used to be your mother’s.”

Lán Qǐrén opens the box up to show the content inside.

Shining brightly, a ruby red, embroidered necklace, sits inside the box.

Wàngjī’s eyes sparkle at the thought of his mother, as he looks at his uncle, and back at the box.

“It was what your father gave to your mother, as a courting gift. And their relationship was purely based on love, but sacrifices had to be made to please the Lán Elders. I’m not saying that you and A-Yīng would ever be like that, but I just want you to know that you should not be afraid because I am sure that your love will be stronger than anyone thinks. It already is. But I wish to have A-Yīng under Gūsū Lán’s protection as well, I too, don’t want him to be hurt anymore.”

Tears are leaking out of his nephew’s eyes, and it made Lán Qǐrén realize that the conversation they had last night must have unlocked a side of him.

“Aiyoh, why are you crying already? Come here.”

Lán Qǐrén uses his sleeves to wipe the tears off his face and unexpectedly kisses the crown of his head.

“Save the tears for him saying yes.”

“Does that mean we have your blessing?”

Lán Qǐrén is surprised, blessings are meant to be asked for the parents, and his heart blossoms at his nephew asking for his instead.

“Of course, silly. Why would I suggest it if I didn’t accept it?”

Lán Wàngjī didn’t hesitate in hugging his uncle, burrowing his face into his shoulder.

“Thank you, Shúfù.”

“You’re welcome, Wàngjī. Go on then, I’ll keep things running here.”

His nephew gives a slight nod and rushes to the Jìngshì, where he knows his future husband would be at, probably burying himself under all of the bunnies in the meadow.

Lán Qǐrén steps back into the Conference Hall and goes straight to Sect Leader Yáo.

Jīn Líng is standing in front of the man, and outright glaring at him.

“ – Family! And you have to respect that!”

Sect Leader Yáo was about to retort back when he sees Lán Qǐrén from the corner of his eyes.

“The acting Chief Cultivator has left for an important occasion, and I shall take over as a temporary Chief Cultivator for this discussion. Now, the only discussion I will talk about is regarding you, Sect Leader Yáo.”

“M-Me? Not you too, Lán Qǐrén. You were one of the people who despise the Yílíng Lǎozǔ!”

“Opinions change, Sect Leader Yáo. I was opened to another perspective. Now, I believe our relationship with Yáo Clan is significantly damaged from the excessive calling of two people very dear to me, and of course, harming a Sect Leader is against the rules, which is why…”

Lán Qǐrén puts one of his hands on the table, and another up in the air, palm facing forward.

“I, Lán Qǐrén, of Gūsū Lán, declare to disband all trading and management relationships with the Yáo Clan. Does anyone second my motion?”

Sect Leader Yáo’s eyes widen and darts around the room, his face pale.

Jiāng Wǎnyín didn't hesitate in stepping forward and putting his palm up.

“I, Jiāng Wǎnyín, of Yúnmèng Jiāng, second the motion, and would like to do the same.”

“I, Jīn Rúlán, of Lánlíng Jīn, follow with the decision.”

“I, Niè Huáisāng, of Qīnghé Niè, would also disband any connection with the Yáo Clan.”

A few of the smaller clan follows some doesn’t. But Sect Leader Yáo's fate is set either way, with no protection from the four major clans, his path as a sect leader is doomed.

Sect Leader Yáo's face turns impossibly white with every passing vote to disband the connections between his clan and the others.

Lán Qǐrén is the one that ends the votes.

He makes a formal bow to Sect Leader Yáo.

“Thank you for coming to this Discussion Conference, Sect Leader Yáo. But I believe you have more pressing issues to settle back in your clan, besides that, you are also banned from stepping into Cloud Recesses ever again. Of course, your clan disciples can still come for this year’s learning, but do not expect an invitation for next year.”

Sect Leader Yáo is absolutely speechless, proper words couldn’t come out of his mouth, and Lán Qǐrén smirks at that sight, before turning around and leaving the Conference Hall, satisfaction filled to the brim.

“Really?!”

Lán Qǐrén nods softly and continues sipping on his tea.

“My dìdì! Getting married! Please excuse my tardiness, Shúfù. But I am just so happy!”

Lán Qǐrén chuckles softly.

“So am I, A-Huàn, so am I.”

Xīchén is most certainly surprised by his uncle’s familiarity with him, but he doesn’t question it, he just accepts it.

“Sounds like we have a wedding to plan for then! Or you know, just be there by their side.”

Lán Qǐrén stops in his tea sipping, staring at his nephew.

Does this mean… Is this what I think it is?

“Shúfù… I think it's time, I’m ready.”

Lán Qǐrén tries not to keep his hope high and asks warily.

“Ready for…?”

Xīchén gives a wide grin and nods.

“Ready to be out of seclusion.”

Lán Qǐrén’s heart skips a beat and tears up.

“I’m so proud of you, A-Huàn. I truly am. Welcome back.”

Lán Qǐrén and Lán Xīchén stand up to make a former bow to each other.

“It’s good to be back, Shúfù.”

And yes, it really is good to be back.

Lán Qǐrén realizes that he has always been too fixated on wishing he could change the past, but he knows, that he should focus and enjoy the present, what happened in the past, stays in the past.

Lán Qǐrén is happy to be with his family, with his two nephews, his nephew-in-law, and his grandnephew.

I really am very happy.