Work Text:
A man of principle
Have you ever wondered why Lan Wangji is so much more relaxed about the rules after Wei Wuxian returns to him? Breaking them for him too, jeopardizing the clan's reputation for him and not least his own reputation? There don't seem to be any negative consequences for Lan Wangji.
During these years, the balance of power in the Gusu Lan clan has obviously changed, allowing Lan Wangji to act in accordance with his moral beliefs, which he was previously unable to do.
Lan Wangji apparently succeeds in bringing Lan Sizhui into the Lan clan's main family line as his adopted son, he goes night hunting and lives up to his reputation as Hanguang Jun. He is also able to withdraw from politics within the cultivation world as far as possible. He skips conferences, banquets and similar events where Lan Wangji is expected to attend as the heir to Zewu Jun. More so Lan Wangji is repeatedly on a confrontation course with other clan leaders (Jiang Cheng, Nie Huaisang, Su She).
So, what has changed? I think Lan Wangji's relationship with his brother is different from before the first siege of Burial Mounds.
Lan Xichen is often written in fandom as a person who will protect and support his little brother at all costs, but is that true? Obviously, Lan Xichen is also committed to his role as Lan Zongshu and his two sworn brothers. In particular, his relationship with Jin Guangyao is very close. So his loyalty is divided between many parties. But Lan Xichen is still a man with a strong sense of morality? Wei Wuxian said to Lan Wangji that Lan Xichen is his brother and a man of principle. Lan Wangji replies that Lan Xichen will not spare Jin Guangyao if he finds evidence. But is this really true?
CQL implies heavently that Jin Guangyao had a sexual relationship with Lan Xichen (he wears Lan blue shirts as his bottom layer after he presented as Jin Guangyao and son of Jin Guangshan at Jinlingtai. If there is more than lust between Lan Xichen and Jin Guangyao and it is a love affair, then it can be said that Lan Xichen is behaving rather dishonorably for a Lan. He has no intention of marrying A-Yao. Jin Guangyao is far inferior to Lan Xichen in terms of cultivation, social background and reputation. This relationship is not based on equality (like the one between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian), so one could say that Lan Xichen takes advantage of Jin Guangyao. The latter is dependent on Lan Xichen's goodwill towards him in order to assert himself against Nie Mingjue and consolidate his position in Jinlingtai. Marriage would provide A-Yao with better security, but obviously the stigma of being a cutsleeve makes this undesirable. Basically, Lan Xichen is not willing to risk enough for his sworn brother and maybe, which reflects rather negatively on his character.
Then there's the pursuit of the Wens after the Sunshot Campain. While Lan Wangji sees the prison camp, visits the Burial Mounds and questions Wen Ning after the ambush where Jin Zixuan dies, Lan Xichen and Lan Quiren remain passive. Perhaps they do not want to be politically marginalized, but it is more likely that Lan Xichen does not want to risk going against Jin Guangshan and confronting his son. Gusu-Lan's reputation would make him the most likely person to intervene. So Lan Xichen and his uncle both break the most important rules of their clan without batting an eyelid and without there being any consequences for them. This behavior is also morally extremely questionable and casts doubt on Lan Xichen's character.
And then there's the first siege of the Burial Mounds. Lan Wangji is physically unable to intervene due to his punishment. Wei Wuxian and the few Wen who have survived under his protection are murdered by the Jin, the Jiang and the Lans. A behavior that everyone calls justice, but which violates all important Gusu Lan rules. Only Lan Xichen and Lan Quiren have the power to involve their clan members and thus their entourage in this project. One or perhaps both of them must have been on site and actively involved in what happened. In addition, Jin Guangyao expects Lan Xichen and the Lan Clan to participate in the second seige of the Burial Mounds. Lan Quiren leads the clan's warriors. I don't know how Lan Xichen can justify this to himself, his clan and Lan Wangji.
Of course, it must be remembered that clan detention was not uncommon in ancient China. Whole families were wiped out, expropriated or exiled on the orders of the emperor. Individuals were not granted the human rights customary in the modern times in the West. Common people were often seen by the gentry as insignificant. Easy to put to work, easy to kill.
No consideration was given to old people or children. Furthermore, the concept of (personal) guilt differs significantly between Asian cultures in China and Japan and the view in the West. Nevertheless, this behaviour is clearly criticized in the novel-canon and in CQL and once again casts a bad light on the dual leadership of the Lans, Lan Xichen and Lan Quiren.
I don't know if Lan Wangji ever confronted his brother and let him feel his disappointment, but there's a lot to be said for it (although such behavior from Lan Wangji would actually be a no-go). Lan Xichen no longer acts with the unassailable authority of an older brother now that Wei Wuxian has returned. Lan Wangji's behavior may appear to be compliant, but a closer look reveals that he lives by his own moral code. Moreover, there is no sign that he has to fear any consequences. He can even dare to criticize Xichen (a no-go), disobey his uncle during the second siege (a no-go) and go against the entire cultivation world. I think Lan Xichen needs to actively protect his brother, actively keep his uncle and Elders in check so that Lan Wangji can go his way with impunity (he would otherwise). Has Lan Xichen reflected on the questionability of his moral choices? Does he recognize Lan Wangji's moral superiority? Has Lan Wangji used emotional or other means of pressure? Or is Lan Xichen acting out of self-protection so as not to lose face? Perhaps this is the price Lan Xichen is willing to pay so that the most prominent and strongest cultivator of their time is willing to continue to belong to his birth clan and save face for his zongshu.