Work Text:
Lan Zhan isn't built for Lotus Pier.
He realizes so the moment he comes down from the breezy mountains to the much more humid south. It doesn't at all help that Uncle had insisted that they take a boat there, despite Lan Huan's incessant assurance that Lan Zhan is, in fact, old enough to take Bichen on for long-distance travel.
He should be more prepared than this, especially with his brother orchestrating a scholarly visit so Lan Zhan could come here.
This is going to be one of the more embarrassing favors Lan Zhan owes his brother, and he is in no way excited for all the teasing he will have to endure. But still, this is more than he could have ever hoped for, so he'll consider the sweltering heat a necessary sacrifice.
So, here he is, overdressed and overheating in the middle of the Yunmeng summer sun. He's already taken off two layers of clothing; what more would it take for him to not internally explode? Is this why Wei Ying likes to strip down whenever he's close to a body of water?
(He probably should not be thinking about that right now.)
Lan Huan, the menace, snorts. He's sitting right in front of him; and with so little space on this boat, Lan Zhan quite literally has no other choice but to endure his presence. "You'll get used to it, didi," he says. "Let your boys buy you new robes if you really can't stand it."
Lan Zhan scowls.
"What? They're rich."
All of the Great Sects are, but that isn't the point. Lan Zhan knows Uncle has already sent a missive informing Yunmeng Jiang of his upcoming visit.
For diplomatic and scholarly ventures like these, it's fairly normal to expect accommodations and the occasional gifts. Lan Zhan has even attended small meetings with his brother in Caiyi a couple of times, so it's not like this is his first foray into meeting important people from other Sects.
And yet, Lan Zhan is a little nervous. Of what, exactly, he doesn't really know. This is the first time in about three months that he's seen Jiang Cheng again, six months for Wei Ying. He's written and read very long letters, sent them recipes, given them updates about the three little bunnies multiplying at an alarming rate. All things considered, this should be nothing new to him, but it feels like it is.
"Wangji," Lan Huan says. When Lan Zhan looks up to him, he smiles. "Remember how you wouldn't talk to Huaisang after months of not seeing him?"
Lan Zhan nods.
"Afterwards, you start getting over the awkwardness and act like best friends again, no?"
"...we're not best friends."
"Sure."
"Ge."
"You eventually realize you're not actually strangers, right?" Lan Huan says. "It's like this. You're just not used to seeing them every day like you used to. Give it a few hours or days, okay? You shouldn't be expected to act a certain way immediately after we dock, neither should they."
Lan Zhan thinks about what he expects from Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng when he arrives. Does he want them to come running to the dock? Does he want them to hold back? If he manages to pick which way he wants to be welcomed, would he be upset if they did the opposite?
"I will speak with the Sect Leader in private after we've done your preliminary welcome," Lan Huan smiles knowingly. "After that, you'll be free of me. If I don't see it, no one knows about it."
Lan Zhan looks at him with narrowed eyes. "You don't have to be at the Inn before sunset."
Lan Huan shrugs.
"Alright," Lan Zhan says. "Send Mingjue-ge my regards."
-
Whatever greeting Lan Zhan expects doesn't even happen right when their boat docks.
The first person to do that is Jiang Fengmian, who looks elegant despite the heat that's about to roast Lan Zhan through his robes. He has a semi-pleasant smile—not that kind from a family member eagerly awaiting his arrival, but similar to the one his brother pulls out when they're in meetings with other sect leaders.
Lan Zhan isn't new to these things, so he thinks he manages an aptly polite greeting after his brother is done with his.
"Looking for some people?" Jiang Fengmian asks him, looking a little sympathetic. "They have...duties at the private Pavilion. You have permission to come and greet them there right after this."
Then, he gestures to an unexpected person behind him.
There, hiding behind his fan, stands Nie Huaisang. He is, clothing-wise, better equipped to handle the hot and humid Yunmeng air. He's finally free of the simple, Lan-appropriate wardrobe, opting for more color than Lan Zhan is used to seeing from him.
"Young Master Nie has volunteered to take you there," Jiang Fengmian says.
With a quick salute to his seniors, Lan Zhan essentially shoots off past Nie Huaisang, adamant about staying in front of him.
Nie Huaisang catches up anyway, whispering as soon as they're out of earshot. "They stole lotuses from someone else's side of the river," he says. "Oh, don't look at me like that. I'm not going to stick around and witness...whatever it is you three do. Come on. Hurry, before one of them decides to sneak out and rush to greet you."
Turns out, Lan Zhan doesn't really care how they greet him.
His first glimpse of them in months is enough to make him forget whatever expectations he might have had from them or himself. Wei Ying, of course, is the first to get up from where he's kneeling, stops, and decides right then and there that he'll rush at Lan Zhan at full speed. Jiang Cheng seems to catch himself in the middle of getting up, remembers they're still being punished for something, and drops back down to his knees.
"You're really here! Wait—" Wei Ying pulls away from the embrace to really look at him, as if he can't believe what he's seeing. "You're real! You really did come!"
" A-Xian," Jiang Cheng scolds, but his eyes are on Lan Zhan. "Not too loud!"
"Ah!" Wei Ying shrugs. "Lan-Er, I'm afraid you'll have to greet Jiang Cheng from the floor. I really shouldn't even get up."
Lan Zhan hesitates as he steps further into the pavilion, feet brushing against the varnished wood, like he's about to venture into very unfamiliar grounds. Everything about Lotus Pier is different, from the climate to the decor, even the flowers carved into the Pavilion are some Lan Zhan’s never seen before.
"Ah, I suppose this wasn't the welcome we've been planning," Jiang Cheng says.
For the first time, Lan Zhan notices they're wearing a different style of robes. There are much fewer layers—something Lan Zhan should have taken more seriously before coming here—and it looks so light and airy compared to the ones they wore to combat the cold of Gusu.
Wei Ying snorts. "A-Cheng brought out this new set of robes today—"
"Wei Ying!"
"Do you like it, Lan Zhan?" Wei Ying comes up behind him, as if peeking at Jiang Cheng from behind. "I do. They should really save this dye for A-Cheng, don't you think?"
Before Lan Zhan can say anything, he hears a short, almost gruff "ew" from behind him. He turns, and sees Nie Huaisang making his escape from the scene. Lan Zhan doesn't properly register his embarrassment for a good few moments, but it will surely haunt him for weeks from now on.
"So good of Nie Huaisang to help you out, A-Zhan," Jiang Cheng says.
-
It hits him like a tidal wave; to witness the tense, uncomfortable atmosphere supper at Lotus Pier brings.
"If you're not going to eat," Nie Huaisang whispers to him from his other side. "At least move your food around. This'll take a while."
Lan Zhan had never really understood what people mean when they say they have a complicated family dynamic. His relationship with his father and the very obvious absence of his mother isn't the most ideal, but he thinks Lan Huan is fine and Uncle is fair most times. If he doesn't see it too much, it's more or less just something that pops up when he has a lot on his mind.
The only other person he's even come close to knowing anything about seems rather fine. Nie Huaisang, who's talked about arguments with his brother before, at least has one steadfast presence in his life.
"Lan-er gongzi," Jiang Yanli says. She has a pleasant smile like Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng always say, a voice that's calm and soft and a little timid. "Don't hesitate to ask for more if you want."
Lan Zhan nods in thanks, but he doesn't ask for more. He doesn't think he has the appetite to handle...whatever it is that's going on in front of him right now.
He's not as socially inept as most people think. He knows she only asked him to distract from the fact that some words are getting thrown around, the kind that's probably not meant for outsiders to hear.
"I'm sure you know to keep up with Wei Wuxian's sword forms. Calligraphy isn't where you're supposed to focus your energy right now," Madame Yu says, looking down at her bowls. Everyone else in the dining hall knows who she's addressing.
"Of course," Jiang Cheng says, swallowing, clearly meaning to say something else. They're sitting across Lan Zhan and Nie Huaisang, too far for any of them to whisper to him or squeeze his hand in reassurance. The stiffness in Jiang Cheng's shoulders, though, is very visible.
Madame Yu's eyes slide over to Wei Ying. "Don't drag him into trouble now."
"Yes, Madame," Wei Ying says.
No one's raising their voice, being openly confrontational, or saying what they mean to say. Which, for Lan Zhan, makes it so much worse.
It's like the few moments Lan Huan has been angry with him, the kind where his brother would say everything is fine when it is truly not. Like the times Uncle had been disappointed in Lan Huan.
Somehow, Lan Zhan suspects this has been going on for much longer than he had ever experienced.
"My lady, they've just begun to come down from the high of summer," Jiang Fengmian says. "I'm sure they will take things more seriously when there's less to do in Lotus Pier."
Madame Yu stares back at her husband as if she can't believe he would say that right now. "We can all hope so," she says. She moves minutely, as if looking for something. Her eyes land on Nie Huaisang, who is seemingly still busy with his food. Then, to Lan Zhan's surprise, her gaze moves over to him. "Maybe we should ask Second Young Master Lan how he stays ahead of his studies."
The silence that follows is the worst part of the evening so far, Lan Zhan thinks. There's a shrill, almost whistling sound that grows louder and louder in his ears the longer the silence stretches.
At least move your food around, he recalls. Apparently, Nie Huaisang left very crucial information as to why he would need to do that.
He notices, very suddenly, that all attention is on him. Nie Huaisang openly stares at him, mouth agape, chopsticks lifted right before he's about to bite into his food. Jiang Yanli and her father stare down at their food as if avoiding something inevitable. Madame Yu is in no way worried or in shock herself, as calm as if they'd been all having a pleasant conversation all evening.
There is, however, an utter lack of surprise on Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying's faces.
Lan Zhan bites the inside of his cheek, knowing this is something he needs to thread very, very carefully. It's one thing to hear about it, to find out little bits and pieces of the jagged lines that comprise Lotus Pier, but it's an entirely different thing to come face to face with it—to be the direct subject of it.
"I believe I do nothing different from Wei Wuxian and Jiang Wanyin, Madame," Lan Zhan says.
He doesn't know if he's crossing any lines, offending anyone, or getting his beloveds into more trouble than they seemingly already are. Lan Zhan has never been in the middle of such a tense familial dynamic before. He doesn't know how to navigate it. He has never been in such a loose, domestic setting to fully understand where his place is in the moment.
So, he falls back on what guilts him the least: honesty.
"Wei Wuxian's sword forms are impressive even for most seniors, and Jiang Wanyin's calligraphy is leagues ahead of most older Lan disciples," Lan Zhan says. He's not sure how long he'll be able to sustain this, to keep speaking without stumbling on his own words. He's not defending or explaining himself, but he strangely feels more vulnerable. "I try my best to not fall behind."
Lan Zhan doesn't know what he expected, but it's certainly not the way Madame Yu's expression loosens. Rather than looking pleased, though, she looks swayed by whatever Lan Zhan says. As if all of this were just a trial, an argument, and Lan Zhan's words seem to carry more than he thought they did. "Are you?"
"En," Lan Zhan says.
His gaze moves to the tables across him, and sees surprise on their faces. Lan Zhan doesn't know what he'd done to have earned that.
When all is settled, right before Lan Zhan has the chance to escape the dining hall to somewhere more private, Nie Huaisang leans in and says, "you should really start talking to your uncle about dowry."
Lan Zhan, for the first time in his life, very nearly smacks someone in the face.
-
"Apologies," Jiang Cheng whispers to him as they take a long, unhurried walk by the docks.
Everything about the Lotus Pier riverside is straight out of a romance book. There's a long, long line of stalls lighting up their entire route. Children are walking around, way past the time they should be up in the Cloud Recesses. The river rushes gently, its sound a calming cadence amidst the cheerful, light noise of chatter, fried food, and metalware. All of this is under the bright moon that makes the waters look purple.
Lan Zhan's romantic heart would have loved to bask in it, if it weren't a little bit distressed.
"No need," he says.
He looks to Wei Ying, who's walking ahead of them. Wei Ying seems to be scoping out the stalls to find them something to potentially try, as they did back in Caiyi. None of them have brought up the incident until now.
"I don't know about your uncle, but Mother likes to gauge what people think of me and Wei Ying. Wants to know how we're doing Cultivation-wise, you know the sort. Well, she could just ask, but she doesn't really do that. Not directly."
Lan Zhan hums, urging him to continue. He does so when he thinks he doesn't really have anything substantial to say. What can he add to that, really?
Uncle always opts to be direct about things. He tells Lan Zhan and Lan Huan when they're doing well and when they're not. He praises them for doing what is expected and immediately corrects them as soon as they break the rules. Lan Zhan has never quite had to read between the lines with Uncle.
"Does anyone want vegetable pies?" Wei Ying pops in, hands behind his back, smile unwavering. Lan Zhan can tell he's heard what's being spoken about.
"Too much, A-Xian," Jiang Cheng says.
Wei Ying shrugs. "I'm trying to find something Lan Zhan won't find in Gusu."
"Well, they have those," Jiang Cheng says. "It doesn't have to be food, you know."
"A-Cheng, you made me run around to find nice things for you two and tell me it didn't matter all along! You said food would be great!"
"You—" Jiang Cheng says. "I said it'd be great, not that it's the only option!"
With that, Jiang Cheng marches forward past Wei Ying; presumably to find something nice to show Lan Zhan. He's very lightly stomping—which, based on the look Wei Ying shares with him, is an objectively adorable thing.
"What were you two whispering about?" Wei Ying asks, falling to a step beside him, pinky intertwined with Lan Zhan's. His smile is more relaxed now, but Lan Zhan knows it's taken some effort to brush off whatever complicated feelings he might have had. "I know you two introverts like to gossip. So, which is it, huh? Who's the poor soul you guys were judging a moment ago?"
Sometimes, Lan Zhan wonders how the three of them worked out for this long. Jiang Cheng often resorts to overthinking every single little detail. Wei Ying dismisses a lot of important discussions he should be having with himself or other people. Lan Zhan doesn't always know how to read and respond to certain things.
"I wasn't lying," Lan Zhan says.
He feels Wei Ying's pinky go a little tense, before it relaxes once more. "Hmmm? You never lie, Lan-er-gege."
"I did not say that at supper just to defend you," Lan Zhan reiterates. "I truly am trying to keep up with you both."
He's trying his hardest to convey what he means. It's rare for him to care what a person thinks or feels about him, after all.
"And who said you're way ahead of us?" Lan Zhan looks up to find Jiang Cheng standing a few steps away from them, a velvet ribbon in the prettiest violet hue in his hand. His soft smile is that of relief, playfulness, and adoration all at once. "Anyone who doesn't keep up is gonna get left in the dust."
He feels Wei Ying softly nudge him. For a moment, for a night, he thinks they'll never run into any problems for the rest of their lives.
-
"So, you're the brother with the bad taste."
If Lan Zhan were less rigid, he would have jumped in shock as Nie Huaisang seemingly popped behind him out of nowhere. Instead, he manages a scowl.
Fortunately for them both, Nie Huaisang had the decency to lower his voice that the merchant wouldn't hear. Lan Zhan had been looking to buy something nice for his beloveds, preferably as pretty as the violet ribbon that winds through Lan Zhan's hair.
"What? Huan-ge gives great gifts," he says. "Also, he likes Da-ge, and I think that's a sign of great taste if I ever see one."
Nie Huaisang implies there can only be one brother with good taste, and Nie Mingjue is the one who is; so, doesn't that mean Nie Huaisang would have terrible taste? Lan Zhan wants to say all that, but he doesn't want to ruminate on stupid things. Instead, he chooses escape.
Lan Zhan steps away from the table of small trinkets, huffing, hoping to get rid of Nie Huaisang by using his bigger strides to his advantage.
See, this is what happens when Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng leave him to his own devices. He will have no choice but go back to interacting with Nie Huaisang, his once one and only option outside of Lan Huan. What even gave him the gall to speak to Lan Zhan so openly like this? Lan Zhan doesn't remember giving him any permission to.
"Jiang Cheng is almost done with his supplementary classes, so I'll make this quick," Nie Huaisang says, catching up to Lan Zhan because he's the only one crass enough to run around crowded spaces. "Don't buy...Lotus Pier souvenirs. That's boring."
Lan Zhan is slightly offended but continues to walk away.
"Leave them something from Gusu or whatever. Come on, am I the only one with imagination here?"
As much as Lan Zhan hates to agree, he must admit he's not particularly known for being a thoughtful gifter. The last time he'd ever given anyone anything had been the small knot his brother attached to liebing. Even then, Lan Huan only ever considered it a precious gift because he likes to make a big deal out of everything Lan Zhan does.
"Psst!" Nie Huaisang catches his attention again. Then, deliberately, his eyes draw toward Lan Zhan's qiankun pouch—very obviously wanting Lan Zhan to look there, too. "Nothing at all from Gusu? A used towel?"
Lan Zhan turns, and successfully loses him in the crowd.
-
"You can do it, Lan-er!" Wei Ying says, grinning, swimming in circles close to but not directly beside Lan Zhan. His hair is loose, might be tangling into itself right about now, and it floats and moves so gracefully in the water each time Wei Ying submerges completely.
(Brushing that out's gonna be a nightmare, Jiang Cheng had warned Wei Ying earlier, fully knowing said warning would do nothing in the end.)
Even after that incident with Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng in Caiyi, Lan Zhan never willingly and leisurely got into the water. What's so good about it anyway? His clothes are soaked and heavy, and the weight of it pulls him back into the river whenever he tries to surface.
He also doesn't know how to swim. On second thought, that might be the true reason.
"You can't rely on Bichen to get you in and out of the water every time!"
Why not, Lan Zhan thinks silently, petulant. He doesn't have to be underwater all the time. He's trained with Bichen long enough to turn it into a makeshift, navigable raft. He's probably trained enough to carry two people on his sword, so why even try?
Jiang Cheng sits by the dock, right behind where Lan Zhan is still just standing and soaking in the water. Their slightly more reasonable half (third?).
Lan Zhan turns to Jiang Cheng and gives him a look, one that Jiang Cheng immediately understands the moment he sees.
"I don't like to admit this ever in my life," Jiang Cheng snorts. "But sometimes, he's right."
Wei Ying sticks his tongue out. "Almost always."
"See what I mean?" Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes. Unlike Wei Ying, his hair is loosely tied to the back of his head, little hairs escaping from his braids. "Go on, A-Zhan. You're safe with him."
Lan Zhan bites his lip. "What about you?"
Just moments after speaking, Lan Zhan immediately feels regret.
He shouldn't have asked. Jiang Cheng has a non-negotiable supplementary tutoring session he needs to attend, so he has to stay back. Going without him feels like leaving him behind, pointing it out could very well be rubbing it in.
Jiang Cheng's expression doesn't change. Still smiling, pleasant. He shakes his head and says, softly, "It's alright. I'll be your swimming teacher next time. So, endure Wei Ying for now, won't you?"
Lan Zhan looks back to Wei Ying; his smile is soft and endeared, like it's supposed to be a secret. Lan Zhan wonders, a little selfishly, if this is a smile only very few like him will ever see. Not many know loud, open, and welcoming Wei Ying, not really, and Lan Zhan holds the privilege of being one of them like a treasure.
"Ugh," someone says, disgust clear even when the voice is at a significant distance away from them. "I can't believe I have to witness this everyday. How did I even survive Gusu with you three?"
It's Nie Huaisang, of course, here to fetch Jiang Cheng so they can both start their extra lessons for the day.
Lan Zhan frowns. It's the only way to stop his eyes from rolling to the back of his head.
Then, without thinking, Lan Zhan says, "no one asked."
Jiang Cheng, in full-bodied laughter, nearly joins Wei Ying in the water.
-
"Ironically, I think Gusu might have the best winds to fly this," Jiang Cheng says, as he carefully dismantles the kite they've painstakingly made for him.
It's in the shape of a beautiful Phoenix, its feathers appearing to be in motion, created by the expert strokes of Wei Ying's hands. It will have to be reassembled when Lan Zhan comes back to the Cloud Recesses; otherwise, it'd be too difficult to travel with.
"You should challenge Huan-ge to a shoot-off," Wei Ying suggests. Lan Zhan thinks he'd come through the window to join them in the small library. "See who could hit the target the fastest!"
"Should have made two, if that was the plan," Jiang Cheng snorts.
He's careful to show the whole disassembly, making sure Lan Zhan sees all the small nooks and ties and where they should go. Lan Zhan sears the process in his mind, though still a little worried he won't make it as stable and resistant as Jiang Cheng had.
Lan Zhan doesn't think he'd have the heart to use it as intended, not when it's made for him by the people who mean the most to him. He's not opposed to buying plain ones to fly with his brother, though. Lan Huan's going to shed tears of joy like the embarrassing person he is.
"Well, if Lan Zhan didn't wait too long to tell us he'll be coming, we would have made him twenty kites."
"...that's too much, A-Xian."
Lan Zhan can't help but smile. He knows Wei Ying means it, and that makes it all the more endearing. "Two would be nice," he says. And because it's highly possible Wei Ying might rush to make a second one right then and there, Lan Zhan adds, "Next time."
Wei Ying grins, turns to Lan Zhan, and bats his eyelashes. Wei Ying knows he's beautiful and uses its advantages liberally. Although, there are no complaints about that. "You'll come back to make copies again, won't you, Lan-erge?" He says. "A-Cheng's been practicing with medical books lately. Maybe he can help you make copies."
"You're the only one not making copies," Jiang Cheng elbows him. "A-Zhan and I are barely making it to the last scroll."
"Wei Ying is...emotional support."
"Exactly!"
Jiang Cheng lightly and playfully slaps Lan Zhan's shoulder. "You don't have to agree with everything he says," Jiang Cheng says. "His head's already swollen. If you keep going, he might explode."
That is an unfair thing to ask, especially when all Lan Zhan's done so far is to give in to whatever they've asked of him. He'd allowed the wild bunnies. Had agreed to join them in areas of Caiyi Uncle had always warned him against. Had omitted a fact or two to get Uncle to send him to Lotus Pier.
Lan Zhan would do anything, perhaps misguidedly, and he's a little afraid of the fact that he's come to this point.
"There you go," Jiang Cheng says. "If you can't figure it out, I'm sure Nie Huaisang would help you."
Lan Zhan blinks, slowly.
"Oh, you didn't know? He's coming back to Gusu with you. Extended studies, I think."
What is he even doing here, Lan Zhan thinks. But Uncle always said it's not honorable to talk horribly about someone else, so he'll have to be content with thinking it. Wei Ying sees it in his face, though, and knows exactly what he's pondering.
"He came here to tell us you were coming," Wei Ying grins. "Technically, Uncle Jiang was only told some Lan scholars would be coming, not that it would be you. That gave us some time to, well, make this for you."
Lan Zhan is about to object to whatever insinuation of friendship that's being implied here, but he doesn't get the chance to.
Seemingly all at once, all three of them catch the sound of footsteps by the doors. The Lotus Pier Library isn't as huge as the one Lan Zhan is used to, so anyone who comes in is immediately heard and seen. In this case, Madame Yu is the one who comes in.
They all rise and offer their respectful greetings. Lan Zhan isn't as quick to get up, which is normally not the case.
"The disciples need your assistance," she says.
In the very few encounters Lan Zhan's had, he realizes how much understanding there is between her, Wei Ying, and Jiang Cheng. She doesn't ask them to do anything, doesn't tell them where the said disciples might be, they just know.
As if in a well-practiced routine, they nod, and look to Lan Zhan. He knows that it implies they need to leave for a bit, and that they're a little apologetic that they have to. At least, that's what he hopes they mean.
Lan Zhan watches them go, feeling a little cross that he's being left on his own. He's usually not too demanding of their time, but he'd expected to be with them for longer this afternoon.
His sudden bout of grouchiness momentarily makes him forget that Madame Yu is actually still in the room. When the realization does hit, though, it is awkward.
Lan Zhan doesn't know what to do, with his hands and his words. They should have brought him with them; because now he might actually ruin his chances of ever coming back to Lotus Pier. He instinctively bites the inside of his cheek, wondering if he appears to be cowering as badly as he is on the outside like he is on the inside.
"Are you done for the day?" Madame Yu's question demands an answer, instead of asking for one.
Unable to find his voice, Lan Zhan opts to nod.
Seemingly beyond his control, the hand hidden behind him reaches for the end of a ribbon. It is not like the one Lan Zhan is used to, smoother, comforting, and brighter in color than he has ever worn. Madame Yu's eyes draw to where he's made a very slight movement, but Lan Zhan is unsure if she sees the violet ribbon that he is holding on to like his life depended on it.
"You may join them if you wish," she says. Madame Yu doesn't wait for his response. She turns, and disappears back into the gardens.
-
He runs into Jiang Yanli.
Well, it doesn't just happen. Even for the Jiangs, the back of the storage shed where unusable but untrashable things go is fairly out of their way, especially with an estate as big as theirs. Even Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng admitted they never really go here, but said it's where Lan Zhan should go if he needs someone to get him scraps of fabric for his little research project.
"Lan-er-gongzi, do you need anything?"
Lan Zhan almost forgets to properly greet her in his surprise, barely managing to take the appropriate steps back to face her.
The surprise must show on his face somehow, as a small smile forms on Jiang Yanli's face. "Apologies. No one usually goes here."
Indeed, Lan Zhan thinks. "I've been meaning to ask for some scrap fabric, Lady Jiang," he says, looking around. "I can't seem to find the servant who works here."
Jiang Yanli nods. "Will any fabric do?"
"En."
"Alright," she says, then beckons him back into the main estate. "You should ask the seamstresses for that. These are a little dusty, I'm afraid."
Lan Zhan, like a lost bunny, follows suit.
For a while, Jiang Yanli doesn't talk to him in any substantial way. She asks him about how he thinks of the Yunmeng climate, what he thought of breakfast that morning, and how he'd been doing with his scholarly tasks. Lan Zhan knows this is fairly standard small talk for people who don't really know each other, but it's not like anyone has ever spoken to him so casually before.
She asks about mundane things, everything from his studies, their rules, his curfew, but Lan Zhan sees no reason why he should lie about any of that. He doesn't exactly know how to describe how he's doing academically, but she seems satisfied with his answer.
"Someone should be here to help you find what you need," Jiang Yanli says, stopping in front of their destination, her smile as pleasant as ever.
Before Lan Zhan can thank her, Jiang Cheng appears from the other side of the hall. He looks like he'd been meaning to pass through the said hall, but has stopped very suddenly. Expectedly, in just a few moments, Wei Ying follows behind him. He, too, stops.
Lan Zhan doesn't know what's going on, cannot see Jiang Yanli's face, but he could see the mix of annoyance and embarrassment on Jiang Cheng's.
"Jiejie," Jiang Cheng very nearly whines. "We told you, you are not to interrogate him!"
"...You said that, not me." Wei Ying disclaims, removing himself from the situation.
Jiang Yanli smiles innocently.
Lan Zhan still doesn't know what's going on.
-
Lan Zhan finishes his assignment right on time. Yes, including the ones Lan Huan made up. He wishes he had more excuses to stay here forever.
"I'll let you say your goodbyes," Lan Huan whispers to him.
They're getting on the boat once more, and it's going to be as unpleasant as the first day, but Lan Zhan thinks that's alright. He's willing to copy the rules a thousand times for a chance like this again. If possible, he'll find himself back on these docks again, and not have to wait until he's permitted long-distance travel on Bichen.
"As much as I want to extend this, we really need to go," Lan Huan says, regretfully. "We're carrying perishables back to Gusu."
Said perishables are crates of Lotus Roots, some sour candied fruits, and sacks of the special variety of rice that only grows in Yunmeng. Based on his estimations, these would be a lot for a relatively informal scholarly visit. Brother says refusing gifts is the rudest thing you can do, so Lan Zhan really has no choice but to accept and load them into their boat.
"Do you have everything?" Jiang Cheng asks, standing beside Wei Ying, a little distance away from the dock. "Your sword? Qiankun pouch? The kite?"
"En," Lan Zhan says. "I will send you letters as soon as I get back home."
Wei Ying smiles. "Missing us already, Lan-erge?"
"Of course," Lan Zhan says, as a matter of fact. There is no point in lying. He looks down at his qiankun pouch, their eyes following his movements as he digs deep into it. When Lan Zhan's hand comes back out, it is with two small pouches. "Magnolia trees for Wei Ying. Gentians for Jiang Cheng."
You would think Lan Zhan had handed them a precious artifact, by the way they reached for and cradled the small gifts in their hands.
Lan Zhan can tell there's a little bit of confusion at first, but they know him better than that. Their expressions change when they realize they're gifts. Pieces of the Cloud Recesses Lan Zhan wants them to have here, in Lotus Pier—small bits of the things he loves.
It's going to take a while for any of these seeds to bloom into how they're meant to. Years, most likely. But, selfishly, he likes the idea of them growing all around Lotus Pier, a cluster that's come from far, far away taking root in the place his beloveds love.
"A-Zhan," Jiang Cheng says. "Do you want them close to the Library? So you can see them when you come back?"
Lan Zhan gets caught up in the when and not if on the subject of his return to Lotus Pier. He'd been meaning to quell their expectations, intending to honestly tell them he doesn't know when he'll have the chance. But things have changed now, hasn't it? He'll come up with something no matter what.
Unlike Jiang Cheng, Wei Ying is silent. He stares at the pouch in his hand, no doubt already thinking of what he could do to make it as pretty and as grand possible for when Lan Zhan comes to see them.
"Brother has made recommendations," Lan Zhan says. "Your return for another summer in the Cloud Recesses. They are considering it."
We might see each other in less than a year, he doesn't say. But they all know what that implies.
They're out here in the open, with all the adults and Nie Huaisang to see them. Lan Zhan cannot get two more kisses on his way out, but it will be enough for now. He's wrapped all the memories he's made and will carry them in his heart all the way back to Gusu. For now.
"Don't forget to paddle when you accidentally fall into the water, Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying says.
With that, Lan Zhan does a salute that's mostly for show, and turns.
-
When he's back on the edge of the dock, Lan Huan is waiting.
For most people, they would think him serene and smiling, but Lan Zhan is his long-suffering younger brother. He knows what a smug Lan Huan looks like.
"Could've at least kissed them on the cheek," Lan Huan says.
It's so quiet that the Jiangs don't hear, but audible enough for Nie Huaisang to snort in the background. The boat rocks slightly as Lan Zhan boards, both from his weight and him suddenly tripping from Lan Huan's teasing.
Lan Zhan feels an eye twitch.
He's not about to lose. He takes a deep breath, straightens his back, and reaches for the collar of his brother's stark, white robes. Then, he pulls at the robes to barely cover the darkening bruise on his brother's neck.
"You should ask Young Master Nie if he has some makeup," Lan Zhan says.
He's nearly thrown into the water, but it's worth it.