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Chapter Text

If Wen Xu had to put up with his menace of a little brother encroaching into his lessons, space, life… One. More. Time. He feared his father would have to deal with not having a spare heir anymore.

There were so many ways he could think of to deal with Wen Chao. Torture. Hanging. Drawing and quartering him. Ripping out his tongue- ahem.

So many ways to deal with him! Why can’t his father understand that Wen Chao is clearly quite useless in every single way! It must be because Wen Chao’s mother is doing something to curry favour.

Unfortunately, Wen Xu has only just begun his more rigorous studies on how to be a sect leader recently, so he’s not sure which tactic she’s using, but there has to be one she’s using to get her son to be… more than he should be! Wen Xu didn’t care that it was his brother by blood! Only half, anyway! He was a thousand, no, a million times better than that dimwit, and as soon as they realised it, the better.

Wen Xu stopped and looked around. There were many stalls all calling out for people to buy their wares, more than Wen Xu could see, especially with the crowd around. He wasn’t tall enough. He just needed-

“Hello there, son, are you all right? Lost?”

Wen Xu looked up at the man who greeted him and smiled politely, “No, sir, just visiting. My father is nearby, I assure you.” He was not nearby. He was in Qishan. Wen Xu had caught a cart going out of the territory earlier in the day. When the man asked if he was sure, he waved him off, “Yes. Yes, sir, I assure you. Don’t you recognise my robes? Do you not trust me?”

He didn’t let the man respond before walking briskly back down the road. Probably, by now, his father had sent people out to find him and bring him home. What a pain.

He needs to find a way to prevent his having to spend time with Wen Chao. He hated his little brother. But how?

Suddenly, a loud scream resounded through the road, followed by the sound of barking dogs.

One of the vendors sighed, “Here we go. A-Ming, pull the wares back a bit. I don’t want them destroyed by charging dogs or mangy mongrels.”

What is the difference between- Wen Xu’s thought was cut off when he came near the end of the stalls and found a small boy had tripped there, dogs hot on his tail.

Wen Xu blinked and opened his mouth when the boy scrambled up, quickly dodging a dog’s jaws and darting behind Wen Xu’s legs, nearly knocking him off his feet, cowering against the corner of the building Wen Xu had stopped near.

When Wen Xu righted himself, the dogs reared up in front of him and growled. Wen Xu heard a whimper from the kid and then stared at the dogs, putting his hands on his hips and glaring at them. “Just who do you think you are, chasing kids around? If I had my sword already, you’d be sorry!” He stomped his foot and leaned forward towards the dogs, and bared his teeth when they bared theirs. When that didn’t send them fleeing, Wen Xu reached into his sleeve and drew out a talisman. “Go away!” He bent and threw the talisman.

A series of loud bangs erupted from it, causing the dogs to scurry away, howling, towards the forest.

He straightened after a beat, one hand still on his hip. He raised his chin and scoffed, “Serves them right. They dare approach me, growling and all - don’t they know their betters? I’d never raise such mean and… unkempt… hounds- I bet Wen Chao would, though…” He scowled, turning towards the boy who was still cowering by the building.

Wen Xu went over and nearly kicked him, but then thought better of it. That probably wouldn’t accomplish anything.

So he sighed and bent down at his waist toward the boy, fists on his hips, “Hey! Xiao-líng lǐ! The dogs are-”

The boy uncovered himself and threw himself at Wen Xu, arms securing themselves around his legs, almost throwing Wen Xu off-balance yet again. “Thank you gege! Thank you thank you thank you so so so so much!”

Wen Xu had extended his arms to his sides, pinwheeling, to maintain his balance as best he could yet again. When he didn’t feel the boy let go, he looked down.

The boy was holding onto Wen Xu for dear life it seemed.

Wen Xu pursed his lips and dropped his arms, aiming to startle the boy with the sound of him slapping his thighs, but the boy didn’t budge even when he was nearly whacked in the face by Wen Xu’s left hand. “Yah! Xiao-líng lǐ! I can’t move! What, are you not a líng lǐ? Are you a xíongmāo now?”

At that, he was released, the little boy sitting on the ground now, looking up at him. “I’m not a bear!”

Wen Xu crossed his arms and bent at his waist again. “You’re not? Xiao-xíongmāo?”

The boy shook his head wildly. “No! You called me a líng lǐ first! I’m a xiao-líng lǐ! And you’re a cultivator, right, gege?” He smiled really wide at Wen Xu, his eyes nearly closing with its intensity.

Wen Xu closed his eyes and scoffed, “Of course, I am! I just…” He stood straighter. “I just haven’t gotten my sword yet, that’s all! Fuqin says my golden core is quite strong for my age! I already learned basic talismanry, even! It only needs a little spiritual energy to work!”

The boy tilted his head and said, “Oh! Mama talked about spiritual energy! She said that all cultivators have it! A-Die said that I will have a… a golden core? A golden core! And I’ll be just like A-Die and Mama when I grow up!”

Wen Xu looked down the street as the sun got lower, seeing the shop owner who brought his wares back from the street moving everything back into it. He looked down at the boy, “Aiyah, what are you still doing on the ground? Don’t you have any self-respect? Up, up, xiao-líng lǐ. What’s your name?”

The boy blinked and stood. He dropped into a semblance of a formal bow and said, “I’m A-Ying! I’m six years old!”

Wen Xu hummed, “Do you know your family name? Where are your… your mama and A-Die?”

A-Ying hummed and furrowed his brow. “Um. My A-Die said that Mama and he were going on a night-hunt, but they haven’t come back yet! It’s Wei! Wei Ying! What’s your name, gege?”

Wen Xu thought for a moment. This boy was small, but he seemed good enough. He definitely needs some help, and Wen Xu thought he would definitely be wayyy better than Wen Chao.

Wen Xu smiled down at Wei Ying and crouched down to take his hand, testing for spiritual energy like he had been shown. “I am Wen Xu, first son of Wen-zongzhu of the QishanWen clan!”

Wei Ying tilted his head, “A-Die said that…that the Wen clan were one of the five great sects, right?”

Wen Xu blinked. Wei Ying had exceptional meridians that were just opening up. A little flame. And… okay, he was cute. There, he said it. “Yes. We are. Perhaps the greatest of the greats!” He threw his arms out above his head, watching as Wei Ying’s eyes widened and he burst into a sunshine grin, mimicking Wen Xu’s movement.

And that is it!

Wen Xu smirked as Wei Ying started to twirl around, his arms still raised. Wen Xu stopped him and took his hands in his own. “A-Ying.”

Wei Ying blinked. “Gege?”

Wen Xu nodded. “I think that you would do well as my little brother! Much better than my current brother.”

Wei Ying blinked again. “Gege has a brother?”

Wen Xu sighed and took Wei Ying’s hand, heading back towards the opposite end of town. “Unfortunately. He is an imbe… imbec… oh, what was that word. Shoot. Well! He’s an idiot, A-Ying. And mean. He’s useless! He can’t do anything.”

Wei Ying skipped next to him. “Anything?”

Wen Xu let out a big sigh, rocking the top of his body forward and back, “Nothing! He doesn’t even know how to hold a sword properly! He always ends up holding his practice sword backwards! He stabs himself! How is he going to be a cultivator if he’s such an idiot?”

Wei Ying tilted his head again, “He won’t?”

“Exactly, Xiao-líng lǐ. He won’t. And that’s the issue. How is he to represent our sect if he can’t do anything? He’ll make a fool of himself and us!”

Wei Ying hummed.

Wen Xu squeezed his hand. “Though, you won’t have to worry about that. Not yet anyway.”

Wei Ying asked, “Why, Xu-gege?”

Wen Xu said, “Well, you’re clearly going to be a great cultivator one day-”

“Yes!” Wei Ying exclaimed, “like Mama and A-Die and Xu-gege!”

Wen Xu had to hold back the wide smile he felt creeping. “I’m not quite there yet, but like you saw, I already have talismans pretty much perfectly understood. And you can continue to just say gege, it’s not like I’ll let Wen Chao get close to you.” He flicked his hand in the air. “Anyway, Fuqin says that I am progressing spectacularly and that it won’t be long before I get my sword.”

“How long, gege?” Wei Ying began to swing Wen Xu’s hand as he skipped, but Wen Xu didn’t mind it as much as he expected.

“Only one year! I’m twelve now. Fuqin said that most of the other sect heirs will get theirs when they turn fourteen! Can you believe it?”

Wei Ying shook his head so fast he got dizzy and Wen Xu had to hold his hand tighter to make sure he didn’t fall flat on his back.

Well… he’s pretty tiny.

“Come along, Xiao-líng lǐ. Up you get.” He held out his arms and Wei Ying hesitated until Wen Xu beckoned with his hand again.

Wei Ying bent his head a bit but came forward. They were almost out of Yiling. When he was close enough, Wen Xu took him in his arms and let him sit in the crook of his elbow. “You’re too small, A-Ying. Aiyah, how old did you say you were? Six? You don’t look six. Hmph. Don’t worry, though! Fuqin will take you in. He has to. Or I’ll run away again, with you at my side! We’re both going to be great cultivators in the future. I can feel it.”

Wei Ying threw his arms above him again, “Yay!”

Wen Xu had to use his qi to maintain his balance, stopping briefly.

Wen Xu laughed, despite the balance issue. If a Wen servant were there, they wouldn’t have believed it. They would have expected him to blow up at the child and scold him for nearly upsetting his equilibrium. Normally, admittedly, Wen Xu would have.

But not with Wei Ying.

“Yes! Exactly! But don’t do that again.” He glared while scrunching his mouth to try and minimise the glare’s horrible and terrifying natural effects, and carried Wei Ying to a stall right outside the city that sold horses. He bought one, placing his new little brother in front of him once they both mounted, making Wei Ying hold very tightly to the horse’s mane as he rode back to Qishan and to not let go.

Wen Chao couldn’t even properly get on a horse, unlike Wen Xu.

As far as Wen Xu was concerned, Wen Chao no longer existed.

Chapter Text

“Gongzi! We found you!”

Wen Xu got off the horse and then flapped his hands, beckoning at Wei Ying, who leaned down from the horse, almost falling, until Wen Xu caught him. Placing the child on the ground and taking his hand, he made his way to the Fire Palace stating to the guards, “You did not. I came back and you happened to be the first to see me. Don’t misunderstand it.”

The two guards looked at each other and bowed, “Yes, Wen-gongzi.”

Wen Xu raised his head, Wei Ying mirroring him with a grin. “I have a new horse. See that it is put in the stable.”

“Her name is Xiao-Pingguo!” Wei Ying butt in.

Wen Xu blinked and looked down at Wei Ying blankly.

Wei Ying just smiled at him.

After a moment, he smiled back and said, “Right. See that Xiao-Pingguo is properly cared for.”

He didn’t stay long enough at the entrance to see the guards bow once again. He went into the Fire Palace and pulled Wei Ying along with him. “Welcome to your new home, A-Ying! Let’s go see Fuqin.”

“Okay!” Wei Ying began to skip, looking around excitedly.

Wen Xu could tell he was intimidated a bit, though. Wei Ying held his hand almost too tightly until Wen Xu squeezed their hands, allowing Wei Ying to relax and skip even more vigorously. Of course, he stopped in his tracks when they arrived in the main hall. Wen Ruohan was seated in his throne, a table was placed in front of him, allowing him to review a stack of papers. He looked up and squinted his eyes at them.

Wen Xu let go of Wei Ying’s hand and bowed, “Fuqin.”

Wei Ying followed, only shaking slightly, “Wen-Zong… Wen-Zongzhu.”

There was a silence when they raised, only broken by the crackle of the red fires surrounding them.

Wei Ying stepped just slightly behind Wen Xu, who reached back to take his hand again.

After they resettled together, Wen Ruohan spoke. “Xu-er. What do you have there?”

Wen Xu raised his chin, ignoring the use of the word “what” rather than “who.” “This is Wei Ying. He is my new brother.”

Wen Ruohan laughed, raucous and booming.

Wen Xu tightened his hold on Wei Ying’s hand, who had hid himself fully behind Wen Xu.

Wen Ruohan spoke, “Oh? And what makes you say such a thing?”

Wen Xu didn’t hesitate. With as much of a glare as he could muster, he said, “Reality.”

The room was silent but for the crackle of flame again.

A servant by one of the doors nearest Wen Ruohan started to fidget.

Wen Ruohan said, “Wei. Hm.”

When silence once again reigned, Wen Ruohan waved his hand, dismissing, with a severe frown on his face. “I will announce it. Leave. I have much to do.”

Wen Xu bowed, “Yes, Fuqin.”

He hastened out of the room, pushing Wei Ying in front of him.

Wei Ying watched Wen Ruohan as he left, as best he could. He made eye contact and maintained it, not backing down.

He didn’t like it.

He didn’t like him.

When they had reached the family wing, Wen Xu bent in front of Wei Ying and took him by the shoulders, “You’re my brother, Xiao-Líng Lǐ. Do you understand? Fuqin as good as claimed you. That’s the best we’ll get. You won’t have to interact with him much. I promise, okay?”

Wei Ying nodded quickly and Wen Xu smiled. “Good.” He pointed to one of the doors and waited for Wei Ying to look at it and then back at him. “Go into my room, okay, A-Ying? We’ll get one for you soon.”

He turned to a servant who had conveniently made her presence known. “You! Can you get me some warm water for a bath and clothes fit for a young master of the age of six? I also need snacks. Healthy ones.” He didn’t wait for her to answer before following Wei Ying into the room.

,Else All and Subjects

has only not that known be it Let

,Ying Wei

deceased recently of son only

,Sanren Cangse

,Sanren Baoshan Immortal of Daughter and Disciple

,Changze Wei and

cultivator rogue renowned and JiangYunmeng of disciple first former

 that but ,found been

to son third the as accepted been has he

,Ruohan Wen

.WenQishan the of Leader Sect and Clan

.all for proper and necessary is position this of Acknowledgement

    Ruohan Wen

****

“Very good, Wen-san-gongzi!” The swordmaster smiled and clapped as Wei Ying lowered his practice sword.

Wen Xu sat to the side. He had finished his training for the day earlier, but that was because he was older.

It had been a couple weeks since he had brought Wei Ying back with him and he could confidently say that his life had significantly improved after he was able to have fun with a brother but ignore Wen Chao at the same time, how glorious.

As Wen Xu came out of his revelry, he picked up the back end of what was being yelled at him. “-ang! Xiongzhang! Xiongzhang!”

“Wen-er-gongzi, it’s your turn to show me your steps!”

Wen Chao, who had been trying to get Wen Xu’s attention for a while, cut himself off, giving Wen Xu a reprieve from what had already become the source of a headache.

Wen Chao smiled widely and jumped down to grab his own practice sword.

Wen Xu smiled when Wei Ying ran up to him, dropping his wooden sword to jump at Wen Xu.

Wen Xu caught Wei Ying and spun him around. “Good job, Xiao-líng lǐ! You’ll be a master swordsman before you know it!”

Wei Ying smiled, “I need to be able to help you, gege.”

Wen Xu smiled too, but also sighed, ruffling Wei Ying’s hair, “I’m glad you’re so eager, A-Ying, but you should first and foremost be doing it for yourself. You’ll be strong without me doing anything at all. You’ll be the second disciple behind me yet.”

“Xiongzhaaaang! Why aren’t you paying any attention to meeeee? Who even is that inter- interloo- that brat? Pay attention to meeee!! I’m much better with the sword than he is!”

“Er-gongzi, please be aware of where you swing your sword. If it were real, you risk impaling someone.”

Wen Chao stopped and glared at the swordmaster. “If they get near me, why is it my fault?”

He turned from the swordmaster to look at Wen Xu, “Xiongzhang!”

“What is it, Wen Chao? What do you want?” Wen Xu finally looked up, putting Wei Ying behind him so that he could cross his arms.

“Look!” Wen Chao screamed.

He went through the forms that Wei Ying just had, however, he didn’t have a good stance and performed the forms as if he were about to fall the entire time.

When he finished, there was a sigh from the swordmaster as Wen Chao beamed. “See!? Xiongzhang, wasn’t I great? Come play with me!”

“Wen Chao, that was absolutely phenomenal.” Wen Xu said.

Wen Chao began to boast again before he was cut off as Wen Xu continued, “Everything you just did was wrong. Your form was off, you would have fallen immediately had anyone come at you from literally any side. You didn’t aim your sword, you just swung it. You will miss your target nine times out of ten and every time, you will be stabbed by your opponent and end up bleeding out-”

“Gege… isn’t that mean to say?”

“-hold on, A-Ying. – And you’ll die before you even know it. The tenth strike would maybe cause your opponent to have a minor wound, but nothing worth mentioning because 1/10 of a spar is not worth gloating over. The swordmaster will continue to guide you, you’ll need it. And it’s not playing, it is training, so you can fucking survive… excuse my cursing. Come on, Xiao-líng lǐ. Let’s work on your writing skills. I also heard that your room is almost entirely done! How do you want to decorate it? Do you feel comfortable leaving my room now? I think…”

Wen Xu could see Wei Ying give Wen Chao a tiny smile as he turned to follow Wen Xu, but he quickly guided him in front of him so that Wen Chao couldn’t see Wei Ying anymore. I should have Wei Ying train at a different time than Wen Chao. He’s only been training for about a week and a half and is already way ahead of Wen Chao right now.

As they left, they didn’t really see what happened. Wen Chao seethed. He had tears streaming down his face. “That street rat will pay.”

Chapter Text

In the Sun Palace throne room, Wen Ruohan sat placidly, his arms resting at his sides as he smirked small enough for the woman, his second wife, not to notice.

His second wife was not one he favoured, but her beauty and standing were enough to get her what she wanted in terms of marriage. She had dark brown hair done up extravagantly, gems glittering in the multiple hair sticks adorning her updo. She had many rings on as well as one single necklace with a large jewel hanging down into her breasts, her bright red robes embroidered with silver thread shaping flames were just slightly too small, and her golden sleeves were only just too wide, engulfing her hands when she let them fall, just briefly, as she gestured wildly while exclaiming.

“It is unacceptable that that… that street rat seems to be exceeding my A-Chao! Who even is he? Why is he here? He’s making our son look bad! Why, if it were up to me, he would be tortured-”

“Are you questioning my heir?” Wen Ruohan interrupted.

“Your heir?!” The woman screeched before she remembered herself. “Zongzhu-”

“Yes, my heir, the one who brought said street rat into the family in the first place.”

The woman stopped short, “No! I had presumed- I had thought-” The woman stopped and fell into a kowtow. “Forgive me, Zongzhu, I misunderstood.” She raised into a kneeling position, her chin extended. “Zongzhu, I spoke out of turn. I merely have some… concerns… after my A-Chao came to me speaking of… excelling versus falling behind…”

****

It is true, in a sense, that Wei Ying did pay.

He paid attention in class, paid people for little trinkets he found interesting, and all around became Qishan’s most beloved xiao-gongzi. The people were also quite grateful to Wen Xu, for once, for bringing Wei Ying not only into the territory but into the main family.

Thus, Wen Xu became the second favourite gongzi amongst the people.

Before this, there was no one in the place of favourite or second favourite gongzi.

There was no favourite anything.

Wen Xu would not say he didn’t scoff upon hearing this gossip, but he would say he was happy with the development. His little brother deserved the special treatment, to be perfectly honest. He was well-liked amongst the people and Wen Xu’s own reputation sky-rocketed by association.

Wei Ying learned quickly - he was ahead of his age group in sword training so much so that he was given a bit of a break by the sword-master. He learned economics easily as well, though when Wen Xu asked, Wei Ying only said, “A-Niang and A-Die always made sure whoever needed funds had some. They told me that it was important to… to… to…” He trailed off. 

“Repay?” Wen Xu provided.

“Yes! Thank you, gege, I couldn’t remember the ‘re’ uh… uh…” He snapped like he’d seen the jiejies in the market do.

Wen Xu snorted. “Prefix?”

“Yes! The prefix!” Wei Ying cleared his throat. “Anyway! They said-” He lowered his voice’s pitch, presumably to imitate his father. “‘Wei Ying, it is important to repay everything you take from people. And if you get anything for free, always be sure to be both graceful and grateful when accepting them.’ That’s what they said.”

Wen Xu hummed. “Your parents sound smart.”

Wei Ying grinned, “They were!” His grin lasted for but a moment more before it faded and he looked down.

Wen Xu noticed. He has mixed feelings about Wei Ying’s parents. He’s, of course, grateful to them for having his little brother, but also, if they had survived whatever it was that had obviously killed them, then where would that leave Wen Xu? With Wen Chao? And only Wen Chao? Ew. He didn’t like to think about it. So, he was, in a way, happy that they died. It sounded bad, but he couldn’t help it. The alternative was Wen Chao. No.

It had been about a year and a half at this point. Wen Xu had gotten his sword and named it Cí sǐ (慈死). Wei Ying didn’t like it, and wouldn’t accept that it was a good name until Wen Xu sat him down and explained that he would of course only use his sword to kill yao and guai and fierce corpses and such. “Just for night-hunts, A-Ying, come on. Which would you prefer if you were a fierce corpse-”

“Fierce corpses aren’t sentient.”

“Pretend they are.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, so, which would you prefer? A quick death or a slow one?”

Wei Ying, admittedly, took a minute to think. He eventually smiled bashfully and admitted, “Fast… it means there’s not a lot of… of suffering.”

Wen Xu smiled. “Exactly! See?”

Wei Ying nodded and that was the end of it.

Wen Xu also got a courtesy name but he didn’t like it all that much. Apparently his mother had selected it before she passed but… if even Wei Ying had to smother a laugh upon hearing it, it was bad, okay.

Anyway.

Wen Chao has not improved. At all. He’s gotten worse. Speaking of worse, Wen Xu has been put in charge of finding a use for him. “Fuqin, why is it my responsibility-”

“You are the sect's heir. A-Chao is the spare. He needs to do something worthwhile for the sect. You are his older brother so it is your responsibility.”

Wen Xu replied on reflex, “A-Ying-”

“-Is not my son. He is a wastrel you picked up from the street.” Wen Xu, of course, wanted to argue, but knew he couldn’t. Wen Ruohan continued, “Wen Chao is the sect leader if something happens to you. He needs training. Assign him something. Don’t disappoint me.”

Wen Xu refrained from saying anything that would end up hurting Wei Ying but he had plenty of thoughts.

He bowed as much as was considered respectful and left the throne room only to come face to face with a worried Wei Ying. “Don’t worry, Xiao-Líng Lǐ. It’s fine. I’ll think of something easily.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about, gege.”

“What is it then?”

“Wen Chao.”

Wen Xu scoffed. “Don’t worry about him. He’s a waste of space, but he is my father’s second son.” He never called him his brother anymore. He wasn’t. “He just needs something that is semi-related to running a sect to occupy him to my father’s mild satisfaction. He won’t ever look too closely. We also need something that Wen Chao could do without screwing it up too badly.”

It took a few weeks of throwing ideas around before Wei Ying suggested he did the inventory of feed for the soldiers’ stables. Wen Xu thought about it for only a moment before going to his father to propose the duty. It was a relatively inconsequential responsibility, but something that would technically still fall under the umbrella of what his father wanted. Wen Xu worked around the technicality by saying it was a good way for Wen Chao to “get his feet wet” because it would be a while yet before Wen Ruohan died, much more Wen Xu.

I hope Fuqin doesn’t achieve immortality. Wen Xu shivered. That would be very annoying.

*****

Wen Chao is a failure of a human being. He lost a horse. His explanation was that he thought it was a different horse. Xiao-Pingguo, to be specific. Which he apparently thought made it acceptable.

It did not.

See, Wen Ruohan may not have been entirely in agreement with Wen Xu about bringing Wei Ying into the sect the way Wen Xu had, but he was always happy to bring in another horse that they could use. So, he was a bit… put out.

Long story short, Wen Chao was yelled at for six hours straight by Wen Ruohan and then he was dragged out into Qishan with the soldier whose horse it actually was to locate said horse.

Was it a disaster? Yes. Did Wen Xu laugh? Absolutely.

Wei Ying smiled too but he dragged Wen Xu by the hand to the stables to make sure nothing had actually happened to Xiao-Pingguo. Of course, nothing had. The stablehands had been very attentive - (to Xiao-Pingguo specifically, as well as the other horses, just not when Wen Chao had been given his… task) - They couldn’t openly suspect Wen Chao’s intentions.

But everyone was basically aware.

*****

This had now been going on for a few years. Wei Ying had gotten a courtesy name when he turned fourteen - Wuxian - and a sword, which he named Ānshù (桉樹), was fully incorporated into the dynamics of Qishan, and he excelled in his education. He was even inventing a few things of his own - mostly talismans - which he always got Wen Xu’s opinion on and feedback.

Wen Xu was the first person to test them aside from Wei Ying himself and also the first person to get his own physical copies. He also stole any that Wei Ying placed in front of Wen Chao’s bedroom.

He knew that Wei Ying was just trying to be nice and good, as he always is, but Wen Chao does not deserve even the thought of courtesy. And so, Wen Xu also gets twice the amount as normal for free. Not that Wei Ying knew. Wen Xu may love his little brother, but he has secrets he needs to keep.

Wen Xu has attempted to give Wen Chao varying tasks to accomplish what his father wanted him to but it was anything but easy. He somehow fucked up… everything. Wen Ruohan has insisted that Wen Chao would do better doing practical work.

Wen Xu disagreed. If he couldn’t count correctly (don’t ask), Wen Xu doubted he’d do very well on a nighthunt. However, it was a good way to get Wen Chao away. Well, not entirely, and not explicitly. “Wen Chao.”

Wen Chao walked over to him with a smile on his face. “Xiongzhang, aren’t I doing well?”

He was not.

Wen Xu nodded, “Yeah…” He started to shake his head. “No. No. You're not.”

Before Wen Chao could inevitably make a loud and annoying protest, Wen Xu put up a palm to stop him. “Look, if you don’t shape up, Fuqin will get involved. Do you want that?”

“Fuqin will understand-”

“Yeah, no. Wen Chao, there’s a village not too far from home, in our territory, that has been dealing with disappearances and such. Deal with it.” He began walking away before he turned around and glared at Wen Chao, pointing, “Properly, Wen Chao. Deal with it properly.”

Wen Chao nodded and scoffed, “Don’t worry about it Xiongzhang, I’ll make Fuqin proud.”

Wen Xu thought that that was a concern but there wasn’t anything he could do. His father had called him in earlier that week and had expressed his dissatisfaction with the progress Wen Chao had made in his political abilities. Wen Xu did not care. But it was still his responsibility. Unfortunately.

“Wen Zhuliu will go with you, as per Fuqin’s orders. Don’t abuse his power. Just do the nighthunt.” Wen Xu did not wait for a response before he walked away as quickly as he could without looking as if that were what he was doing.

He made his way to Wei Wuxian’s room and knocked on the door, nearly getting hit in the face with… flame. Flame?? “A-Xian, tell me you didn’t light your room on fire.”

Wei Wuxian looked at him from the centre of the flames and smiled, “They’re harmless. Just prototypes.”

Wen Xu scowled and poked his arm into the room - into the flames - before pulling it out and examining it. No burns.

“You know it’s kind of concerning how unconcerned you were with my being in a potential fire in the palace.” Wei Wuxian said, then stifled a snort, “And also, apparently, you’re cool with potentially giving yourself really bad burns on your hand.”

Wen Xu walked in. “You just said it was harmless, so what does it matter? Also, I didn’t see your body engulfed in flames or covered in ash - I saw you immediately. You’re fine.” He tilted his head, eyes narrowed, “Right?” When Wei Wuxian just rolled his eyes, he looked around. “Can you turn down the flames, though? It genuinely looks like your room is burning down.”

Wei Wuxian smiled as he looked down at what he was tinkering with, “Sorry, gege, I said they were prototypes-” He cut himself off and Wen Xu knew he was sucked into his work again, so he just sat down at the side of the table and rested his chin on his hand, waiting. After about thirteen minutes, the flames died down to a low burn and Wei Wuxian continued, “-so because they’re prototypes, I have really… no way to make the flames go down until they’ve run their course.” He looked up at Wen Xu, “But! Gege, look!” He held up his talisman for Wen Xu to inspect. “Do you remember when Jin-xiong came to visit?” He wiggled his eyebrows twice.

Wen Xu scoffed, “How could I forget?”

Jin Zixuan had come with his father, the Jin sect leader - Jin Guangshan - to discuss trade relations and cooperation. Originally, Wen Xu was supposed to be present during the meeting, but since Jin Zixuan was dismissed, Wen Ruohan also dismissed Wen Xu. So Wen Xu met Jin Zixuan officially and decided the best way to occupy themselves was to go to Wei Wuxian.

It was glorious.

Wei Wuxian immediately latched onto teasing Jin Zixuan about anything and everything. It was quite easy to find things, Jin Zixuan wore his heart on his sleeve, really. That being said, they did become friends pretty easily.

Wen Xu feels confident, also, that Jin Zixuan would remain an ally to the Wen… well, at least to him and what he will do with the Wen sect when his father hopefully, if any gods exist, dies.

Anyway.

Wei Wuxian had insisted that Jin Zixuan should visit again and Jin Zixuan blushed furiously before saying, “I’ll think about it.” Wen Xu thinks he’s pathetic, but has potential. He doesn’t seem to have many friends, either.

“I don’t think he much appreciated your play-flirting.” Wen Xu decided to say.

Wei Wuxian hummed but didn’t acknowledge what he said much before he continued. “Jin-xiong said that it’s hard to see sometimes when going to nighthunt in Lanling because despite his mother’s efforts, not a lot of funds go into lighting up areas outside of truly inhabited areas. So, though the funds are there, they’re not going towards like… public street lanterns.”

“So?” Wen Xu asked.

“So!” Wei Wuxian exaggeratedly motioned around, “because though fire talismans - normal ones, that is - are useful in short-term, they aren’t really in long-term. Thus this.”

The flames had gone out by this point, and Wen Xu hummed, approving. “Good job, A-líng lǐ.”

“Gegeeee.”

“What?” Wen Xu smirked, “You’ve not protested it.”

“Aren’t I getting too old for it?”

“Certainly not!” Wen Xu stood, crossing his arms. “You’re still an affectionate ball of energy. A different ball from what you were originally, but a ball regardless.” Wei Wuxian stuck his tongue out at Wen Xu. Wen Xu rolled his eyes. “My work here is done. I’ll leave you to it. Come to my room if you need anything.”

“Right, right, I gotcha, I gotcha.”

Wen Xu had been in his bedroom for about five minutes before his door burst open. “Wǒ de tiān!” He exclaimed, holding a hand over his heart as papers went flying off of his desk due to his flailing. “Fuck, Wen Qing. If you ever do that again, I can not guarantee you’d like the end result.”

“Your threats are empty when they are directed at me, cousin.” Wen Qing replied easily, walking in, Wen Ning hot on her heels. Wen Qing stopped in front of Wen Xu, arms crossed. Wen Xu raised an eyebrow and mimicked her. Wen Ning squeaked over her shoulder. “Watch my brother while I go talk to Uncle.”

“Why should I?” Wen Xu smoothly replied.

Wen Qing was just as smooth, “Because you’re the only one in the family I genuinely trust.”

Wen Xu scoffed. “That’s it?”

“That’s it. Well, as of this moment, at least.” Wen Qing said, then she scowled, “As I have yet to meet your little brother. You’ve kept him so close to you, there hasn’t been any opportunity. What if he and A-Ning could become best friends? You’re keeping him all to yourself.”

“Jiejie.”

“Hush.”

Wen Xu scoffed. “I’m not keeping him all to myself. You’ve been busy.”

“Well, there’s no hiding anymore. I’m going to talk to Uncle. Don’t wait up.”

“Who’d wait for you!?” Wen Xu yelled after her. She didn’t react nor did she look back at him. He looked back at Wen Ning at the same time as Wen Ning turned back to him. “Ugh.” Wen Xu threw his head back, feeling Wen Ning step closer to him, hovering. Wen Xu raised his head, glaring, “don’t even-” Wen Ning backed up immediately. Wen Xu pursed his lips into a scowl and got up. “Fine. Whatever. You’ll meet A-Xian. Follow me, don’t get lost.”

“Yes, gongzi.”

Wen Xu threw his door open, hiding a smirk as Wen Ning flinched, “We’re cousins, A-Ning. Why are you being so formal?” When all he got in response were stutters, he made his way quickly down the family wing. “It’s all right, A-Ning. We’re here. Try not to throw up. Oh, and stand back, just in case.”

“Of what?” Wen Ning hesitantly asked.

Wen Xu tucked himself against the wall next to the door to Wei Wuxian’s room. He took the door’s handle, twisted it, and threw the door open into the bedroom. He heard Wei Wuxian yelp and flames engulfed the threshold, spilling out into the hallway.

Wen Ning yelped and scrambled back down the hall even further.

Wen Xu smirked when he heard Wei Wuxian’s hardened voice as the flames immediately disappeared. “Wen. Xu. I know that was you.”

Wen Xu strolled in, arms behind his back. “I see you’ve figured out how to call the flames back at will.”

Wei Wuxian scoffed. “Yes. They wouldn’t have even gone off if you hadn’t startled me.”

Wen Xu smiled, “Of course not.” He turned his head to the door, “Wen Ning! Come in! It’s safe, I promise.”

“I don’t believe you!” A call came from the seemingly empty space outside the door.

“They weren’t even hot or dangerous to begin with!”

“I really don’t believe you, sorry!”

Wei Wuxian looked up from where he was scribbling. “Is that one of your cousins you always bring up?”

Wen Xu glared. “I don’t always bring them up. And they’re your cousins, too.”

“Whatever you say, Ge.” Wei Wuxian replied. “Is it Wen Ning?” He asked. When Wen Xu nodded, eyes closed, Wei Wuxian exclaimed, “Wen Ning! I promise Xu-gege isn’t lying! He wouldn’t lie about that!” They heard footsteps hesitantly approach the door. Wei Wuxian raised his voice slightly, “Wen Ning! Come in here! It’s safe, I promise, how about that? I live here, I know!”

There was a moment of both stillness and silence before Wen Ning peaked his head in.

Wei Wuxian grinned, “There you are! Come on in, Wen Ning! Nothing will happen, trust me.”

Wen Ning did, but he still murmured. “You were raised by Wen Xu… I don’t know…”

“Ha!” Wei Wuxian shot up.

Wen Xu scowled, raising a fist in a threat that Wen Ning only mildly flinched at, “What’s wrong with that?!”

Wei Wuxian was smiling widely, “Nothing, gege, nothing! Ahem.” He raised a fist to his mouth and then clapped, smiling when Wen Ning jumped. “I like you, Wen Ning! Gege won’t hit you, he would never - he likes you too much!”

“Wei Wuxian! Stop gossiping!”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened as he looked at Wen Xu innocently, “Is it gossip if it’s true?”

“You-” Wen Xu started, but Wei Wuxian turned from him again.

“Wen Ning! Come here, what do you think of this?” Wei Wuxian sat back down where he had been and held out a talisman to Wen Ning, who hesitantly joined him.

It didn’t take too long after that for Wen Ning to come out of his shell.

****

When a servant came and said Wen Xu was needed in the throne room, though, the room went quiet.

Wen Xu snapped at the servant, “I heard you! Why are you still here?!” After the servant ran from the room, he got up and turned to the other two occupants of the room. “A-Ning, A-líng lǐ, don’t worry too much. Just continue as you were.”

Wei Wuxian raised a fist, “Fight him, gege.”

Wen Ning flailed, then put his hands over his mouth, eyes wide, looking at Wen Xu, “Don’t actually!”

Wen Xu laughed, then smiled with pursed lips, “We’ll fucking see, now, won’t we?” He made his way to the throne room, listening to the sound of Wei Wuxian reassuring Wen Ning fade.

When he arrived in the throne room and stood in front of the throne, he bowed to his father. “Fuqin, you wished to speak to me?”

“Yes.” Wen Ruohan said.

Wen Qing didn’t move, her head held high, but her throat bobbed with a swallow.

Wen Ruohan continued. “A-Chao came back from his night-hunt. The report he made stated the situation with the waterborne abyss has been dealt with-”

It was a waterborne abyss? I thought it was just ghouls…

“-and it has. The village leader sent a letter in gratitude to me. You chose a good night-hunt for your brother. Well done.”

Wen Xu bowed and rose again, flicking his eyes briefly to Wen Qing, before returning them back to his father, “Thank you, Fuqin. Is that all?”

Wen Ruohan flicked his robe’s sleeve. “Not quite. I have Wen Qing here for a reason. You see…” The room became oppressing.

Wen Xu tried not to experience the yin iron as much as possible. It was eerie and seemed to only grant his father more power - Wen Xu did not like what granted his father more power. The other sects aside, the Wen sect did not need his leadership forever. But here it was, brought out.

His father held a hand out and it hovered over it, waiting. “There are four known pieces of Yin iron. I have but one. It is strong and honed - powerful - but it could be more powerful. How am I to execute my plans with only this?”

“Plans, Fuqin?” Wen Xu asked, because he had to.

Wen Ruohan didn’t react, though Wen Xu knew he was pleased with the question. “Yes, Xu-er, plans. The other sects have become complacent, sloppy, even overzealous for their own agendas. Don’t you agree?”

Wen Xu bowed so his scowl was hidden. “Of course, Fuqin, the other sects do not know what it means to cultivate anymore.”

“Bah.” He heard his father say. “Fools, the lot of them. You see, Xu-er… Yin iron can sense other pieces of itself. A certain… desire to be whole. Binding them. Luring them towards each other, if only spiritually - energetically. Thus, I have located another piece.”

Wen Xu straightened, his hands out still in a bow. “Where is that piece, Fuqin?”

“Cloud Recesses. The home of the Lan sect of Gusu.”

Wen Xu did not react outwardly, though inwardly he wanted to narrow his eyes and ask questions. He looked to Wen Qing, who appeared still composed. He looked back at his father. “You mentioned a plan, Fuqin.”

“Yes, Xu-er. I need Wen Qing, with her precision, to retrieve the yin iron. She will need not only to get into GusuLan territory, but into the Cloud Recesses themselves. That is why… our sect will be attending those patronising lectures that old goat hosts. Lan Qiren, that is…”

Wen Xu knew who Wen Ruohan meant without the explanation, but didn’t say so. He let a smirk overtake his face. He let it be visible. His father would think it was in agreement. He didn’t like his father. He’d only be stronger with more yin iron. But it also means that if he could gain possession of them… “What do you need from me, Fuqin?”

“You’ll go with her, of course. See what the other sect heirs are learning - perhaps we could benefit from knowing, if only to see how far behind they’ve already fallen.”

“Fuqin. Both Wen Qing and I are too old for the lectures.” He watched his father’s eyes narrow, but spoke again before anything more could happen. “Our brothers, however, are the perfect age.” He bowed again, “Fuqin, we could go and escort our brothers - that is, Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning - to the lectures. Interacting with… or, as you said, simply learning what the other sect heirs are learning, could be beneficial, so I will still go, to keep an eye on things. Lan Xichen will be there, I imagine, as will Jin Zixuan, who I am already acquainted with. Lan Xichen and Jin Zixuan are around my age, I suppose, as well as perhaps Jiang Yanli, so Wen Qing and my additions will make it more of an age range… but Wen Ning and Wei Wuxian are in the age group of the majority, including the heirs to the Nie and the Jiang.” He could feel Wen Qing’s eyes burning into the side of his skull, but he continued. “Therefore, I must ask to have more of an entourage of disciples - including our brothers - it could be beneficial to have more connections.” He paused again, but for a moment. He bowed, “If for nothing else than gaining inside knowledge on the inner workings and relationships present within the other sects.”

There was another silence in which Wen Xu almost found himself sweating.

Then, “And what of Wen Chao?” Wen Ruohan asked.

Wen Xu took a risk. “He will remain here. Use him as you see fit. He may benefit from more… direct instruction.”

He looked up. He made eye contact with his father and held it. He saw one single drop of sweat travel down Wen Qing’s forehead down in front of her ear from the corner of his eye.

Wen Ruohan broke eye contact first. “Very well. Wen Chao will remain with me. I have the framework for a task for him to complete at a future time, so… I suppose I will… flesh that out more, yes?”

Wen Xu and Wen Qing both bowed, “Yes.”

Wen Ruohan looked at their bowed heads and flicked the Yin iron away with a swish of his hand. They rose, and he told them, “You two as well as your… brothers… and a select few outer disciples will depart tomorrow.” He chuckled, “Best depart as early as possible. You are already running late to arrive.”

Chapter Text

Wen Qing followed Wen Xu into Wei Wuxian’s room and collapsed onto the bed.

“Um…” Wei Wuxian said, blinking from where he sat with a finished fire talisman prototype in his hand.

“She’s fine.” Wen Xu said, snatching the talisman from Wei Wuxian’s hand and pocketing it unnoticed while Wei Wuxian was distracted. “Just spent more time with Fuqin than I’d recommend.”

“Jiejie?” Wen Ning said, approaching the bed.

“I’m fine, A-Ning.” Wen Qing said, muffled, face buried in the bed. She raised her upper body using her elbows and looked at Wei Wuxian, “Wei Wuxian. Nice to meet you. Good night.”

“You too?” Wei Wuxian said. “A-Ning, you can tuck her in if she genuinely needs… like… sleep.”

When Wen Ning did that, Wei Wuxian looked to Wen Xu, inquiringly.

Wen Xu sighed, “Fuqin wants all of us to go to the guest lectures.”

“Guest lectures?” Wei Wuxian asked.

“Yes. At the Cloud Recesses. Fuqin thought it would do us some good to go interact with the other sects, if only to… how did he put it? Find their flaws and snuff them out, basically, by using their relations and inner workings.”

Wei Wuxian scoffed. “He’s not even trying to hide it anymore.”

“Not at all.”

“So?”

“So what?” Wen Xu blinked, ignoring how Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes, picking up a brush.

“Soooo, what’s our plan?”

“Plan?” Wen Xu smirked.

“Gegeeee.” Wei Wuxian whined, letting the brush he was using fall from his grasp and roll off the table as he slumped over it, white sleeve dipped in ink.

“Sit up, didi, your robes are getting dirty.”

Wei Wuxian shot up. “Gege! Come on!”

Wen Xu threw up his hands. “I really don’t have one! Not a full one, anyway! You know I’m not really the brains of any operation!” Wei Wuxian stared at him. Wen Xu crossed his arms.

“Wen Qing.”

“Wen Qing is your plan?”

“Wen Qing is my plan 86% of the time.” Wen Xu said, ignoring Wen Qing’s semi-asleep scoff.

“And the other 14%?” Wei Wuxian asked.

“Not letting you, myself, or A-Ning get killed.”

“Gegeeeee.”

“Look!” Wen Xu threw his hands up. “Here’s a plan! We’re going to the Cloud Recesses! Make some friends! There! How’s that for a plan?”

“Yeah, sounds great.” Wei Wuxian deadpanned. “Or it would. If I weren’t planning to do that already. And what would Jin-xiong do without me? That’s right, flail and fail.” He stuck out a thumb and angled it down, blowing a raspberry. “And horribly, at that. That aside, I need more friends anyway. Me and Wen Ning were already planning-”

“You were planning to drag Wen Ning along with you. And watch your grammar.”

Wen Ning raised a hand but put it back down when Wei Wuxian responded. “Wen Ning and I, no, I won’t correct who’s doing what, were already planning to make friends who could get us some good yellow-” He cut himself off, pursing his lips as Wen Xu looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “-Literature. Good literature recommendations.”

“Nice save. How old are you again?”

“Fifteen!”

“Too young.”

“You were twelve when you ran away and found me!”

“And I stand by that even though you’ve developed into a smartass.”

“Gegeeee.”

“Look.” Wen Xu made a gesture of acquiescence and Wei Wuxian sat down. “Making friends is the same as making allies. We have the next generation of Jin on our side already.”

Wei Wuxian whispered, “Not his.”

“Right. Careful with that though, the walls have ears.” They paused, waiting, silent and unmoving. A minute went by, and they resumed their positions and conversation as if nothing had happened. “But that’s not all that helpful given his father is still alive, just as much as mine is. So, we need others in other sects. Obviously.”

“But we’re going to the Lan.”

“So?”

“So! I’ve heard they’re all stuffy.”

“Ha!” Wen Xu laughed. “You have, have you? Don’t be so hasty, A-Xian. You never know. Best to be civil, especially with the old goat.”

Wen Ning grimaced.

“Old…?” Wei Wuxian questioned.

“You’ll see. It pays to listen to gossip, even when you’re only four years old. Now, get packed, we’re leaving at sunrise.”

Wei Wuxian shot up, “So soon?! Why the fuck didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Language, didi. And simple.” Wen Xu walked to the door, opened it, walked out a bit and looked back, “I didn’t know until one hour ago. Come on, A-Ning, I’ll carry your sister to her room and then take you to yours.” He ignored Wei Wuxian’s stuttering and walked out to the pleasant buzz of Wei Wuxian’s long, drawn out groan, Wen Ning hot on his heels.

*****

“Wei Wuxian, I swear to every Heavenly Official above, if you don’t move your ass, we won’t even get there in time for the second half of the lectures.” Wen Qing hissed, Wen Ning wringing his hands next to her. There were about five other Wen disciples surrounding them, Wen Xu a bit ahead with seven more. Wei Wuxian, of course, was caught up looking at the stalls.

“But, Qing-jie, there’s so much life here! And look at the alcohol! Cloud Recesses will be a monastery in comparison.”

“You don’t even need to compare them.” A disciple behind Wen Qing whispered to another, both chuckling, until Wen Qing spun on them and glared. They straightened. “Apologies, daifu. I’ll go inform Wen-gongzi that Wen-san-gongzi is dawdling-”

“No need. I’ve already turned around and approached you.” Wen Xu said from behind him, causing the disciple to yelp and jump at least two feet in the air. Wen Xu hummed. “Dang-shidi, your senses are absolute shit. Work on them. Use this time to make sure you don’t get yourself killed on a night-hunt, or, may the gods forbid, if my father sends you to war.” He pushed forward, nudging his shoulder and looking at him significantly for but a moment. He ignored him after that, patting Wen Ning on the shoulder before standing shoulder to shoulder with Wen Qing, his arms crossed just as hers are. “Wei Wuxian.”

“Gegeeeee.” Wei Wuxian said, coming over with his hands behind his back, bent at the waist.

Wen Xu did not even blink. “Move. Or I’ll let Wen Qing deal with you.” He glanced sideways to Wen Qing, who took the cue to crack her knuckles.

“Fine!” Wei Wuxian burst out. He groaned as everyone turned and continued up to the Cloud Recesses. “No fun…”

When they reached the Cloud Recesses, the disciples at the gate glanced at each other and bowed, but one said, “Do you have an invitation?”

Wen Xu answered, “No.”

The other guard stiffly said, “No invitation, no entry.”

Wen Xu’s jaw ticked, and Wei Wuxian stepped up, eyes pleading, hands clasped under his chin. “Honourable cultivators, you must excuse us, the chief cultivator sent us at the last minute after careful consideration. You see, I am freshly able to attend, myself, and due to my unfortunate upbringing-”

“Unfortunate- you-!”

Wei Wuxian didn’t break his pose, but responded, “Not now, gege-”

“Only until you were in your sixth year-”

“That’s not important right now- you see, honourable cultivators…” Wei Wuxian said, renewing his efforts of persuasion with more feeling, ignoring Wen Xu’s grumbling about “When did he learn this and from whom? I want to make them suffer… corrupting my little didi…” Wei Wuxian continued unperturbed. “We were sent with almost nothing. But, I am sure, if you make an exception…?”

The first guard snapped, ignoring the heat rising to his cheeks. “No invitation, no entry.”

Wen Xu groaned, “Ugh! I’ll talk to your leaders myself. Move.” He struck out a talisman and the first guard yelped as he saw flames lick at his robe. Wen Xu walked through with Wen Qing and the disciples following close behind. Wen Ning bit at his fingers but followed his sister as Wei Wuxian gawked before one disciple pushed him forward through the gate.

“Gege! You can’t just-”

“Relax, didi. Don’t you recognise your own talisman?”

Wei Wuxian looked back to see the second disciple kicking dirt at the first, who was jumping up and down in as dignified a manner as he could manage. They looked down when the flames died and then looked back up, blinking. The robes were unharmed. Wei Wuxian turned back to his brother, “Those were prototypes! I can’t believe you swiped one! Gege-”

“Just used it as a distraction, really.” He didn’t acknowledge the accusation. “We had to get in, A-Líng Lǐ.”

“We’re going to be hated.”

“That was already a given.” Wen Qing stated as Wen Xu huffed, muttering again, something about “stupid fathers” and “fucking sociopath.”

They approached the classroom and were able to hear the back end of what appeared to be the YunmengJiang salute.

Wen Xu raised a hand to stop the group until it was over, but he was getting impatient.

When they sat down again, he went inside, “Well! I thought that would never end!” Everyone turned towards the door, wide eyed, as Wen Xu smiled. “QishanWen salute you, grandmaster, Lan-gongzi.” He bowed, only as much as necessary, before straightening. “Do forgive us not only our untimely and late arrival but also our lack of notice nor gift. Short notice begets limited preparation, you see.”

There was a brief silence before Lan Xichen stood, “Of course, Wen-gongzi, excuse us. Are you… here for the lectures?”

“Wouldn’t be here if we weren’t, Lan-gongzi.” Wen Xu smiled.

He turned to his group, “Outer disciples, to the back, find some empty seats. Don’t slack off. Your training leaves much to be desired already.” When they scurried to their seats, he turned back again, “Lan Qiren-xiansheng.” He bowed again, head still raised, looking at Lan Qiren, who stroked his beard. “This Wen Xu would like to thank you for any teaching you may provide. I am a bit on the older side, myself, as is my cousin Wen Qing, however, she could assist the medics if needed, as well as provide a…” He paused, considering, but continued, “more rounded medical education to what may be needed throughout the lectures. I also escort my younger cousin, A-Qing’s brother, Wen Ning, as well as my own younger brother.”

Lan Qiren cleared his throat.

Wen Xu could see Lan Wangji off to the side, narrowed eyes assessing.

Nie Huaisang’s fan was blowing wind so quickly he could feel it, and Jiang Wanyin was frowning.

 Jin Zixuan was trying not to smile. He failed when Wei Wuxian waved at him, waving back, causing Jiang Wanyin’s frown to worsen. Interesting…

Lan Qiren inclined his head, “Forgive me, but I do not see Wen Chao among you.”

“Wen Chao?” Wen Xu blinked. “Who said anything about Wen Chao?”

Lan Qiren’s face went slightly red, but Wen Xu continued, “Surely, years ago, you received my father’s proclamation?” Lan Qiren didn’t reply so Wen Xu scoffed, “How ignorant.” Then he seemed to remember something and returned to smiling, “Apologies, Lan-xiansheng, allow a refresher to your memory. A-líng lǐ, introduce yourself.”

Wen Xu ignored both Wei Wuxian’s glare and Nie Huaisang’s snort.

Wei Wuxian stepped up, “Apologies, Lan-xiansheng, for my family’s tardiness.” He bowed, “This one is Wei Ying, courtesy Wuxian, third gongzi of the QishanWen sect.” He straightened and smiled broadly.

Lan Qiren stroked his beard, but his eyes narrowed, “You are… Cangse Sanren’s son?”

Wei Wuxian’s smile strained, but he replied, “Yes, sir. She was my mother. My father was Wei Changze.”

“Was he?” Wei Wuxian turned to Jiang Wanyin. Jiang Wanyin pursed his lips. “Are you sure?”

“Jiang Wanyin!” Wen Xu smiled, stepping up, arm on his hip. “I presume?” Jiang Wanyin bowed slightly, then Wen Xu replied, “Yes, he was. I found my brother in the streets of Yiling. What was it, two years after they disappeared?” He asked, turning to Wei Wuxian, who nodded. “Right.” Wen Xu turned back to Jiang Wanyin. “And I have it on good authority… that they were quite the attentive parents for the most part, and very happy together. It would do well for you to not heed the hissed comments and hushed whispers of gossips, Jiang-gongzi. I believe that is even one of the rules here, is it not?” He said, turning back to the front, head cocked.

Lan Xichen smiled vaguely, “It is.”

“Right.” Wen Xu said, then turned back to Jiang Wanyin, “I find it better to actually meet someone before jumping to conclusions. This is your first warning, I hope you heed it seriously.” Wen Xu turned before Jiang Wanyin could reply, “Now! Sorry for the delay on the first day of classes! A-Xian, why don’t you… sit there. Jin Zixuan, don’t poke him, I know your worst fears. You can talk to him later. Lan-er-gongzi, I hope you don’t mind my brother sitting next to you?”

Wen Xu smiled as Wei Wuxian turned his head to Lan Wangji and waved. Lan Wangji didn’t react, but he could tell it would be an interesting arrangement. “A-Ning, you sit next to Nie Huaisang, A-Qing and I will sit…” His eyes roamed across the room until two outer disciples sitting behind Nie Huaisang and Jin Zixuan respectively scrambled out of their seats and headed to the back of the room. Wen Xu tilted his head, “How kind. A-Qing.”

After a beat, Lan Qiren cleared his throat. “Right… Well, let’s begin with a recitation of the rules you must abide by. Then… then you are dismissed to further familiarise yourselves with your new environment.”

*****

The call of his name had Wei Wuxian turning around, Wen Ning along with him. “Jin-xiong! What’s- hey!”

He cut off when Jin Zixuan dug a finger into his cheek, “No letters, no visits, nothing!”

Wen Ning gasped and made to bat away the finger, but hesitated when it seemed like Wei Wuxian didn’t really mind - he was whining like he does when Wen Xu ruffles his hair.

Jin Zixuan took his finger back and crossed his arms. “I may be new to having friends, but I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works! Hi, Wen Ning.”

“Hello, Jin-gongzi.” Wen Ning murmured.

Wei Wuxian rubbed his cheek. “I’ve been busy!”

Jin Zixuan huffed. “Well, at least I had MianMian, who likes me and doesn’t abandon me.”

“I didn’t abandon you, come on, Jin-gege!”

“Don’t even start! Do you know-” He cut himself off, looking over his shoulder. “Gotta go, actually.”

“What?”

Jin Zixuan didn’t answer and sped walked away.

“What?!” Wei Wuxian called after him.

“He left because he saw me. Well, not saw - he simply sensed my disdain for him from behind and turned around to confirm his gut feeling.” He heard behind him, and turned to see Jiang Wanyin approaching, arms crossed.

Nie Huaisang also approached, “Hello! Don’t mind Jiang-xiong, he- oh, there goes Jin-gongzi.” He said, looking at Jin Zixuan, who had tripped over a stone and fallen. “I think his cousin saw that- oh, yeah, there you go, he’s running up to him and falling over himself to ask if he’s okay.”

Wei Wuxian turned himself and took Wen Ning’s shoulders to turn him as well, watching what was evidently Jin Zixuan hastily booking it again, Jin Zixun at his heels. “I’ll send MianMian over if I see her, Jin-xiong!”

Jin Zixuan scowled over his shoulder and pushed Jin Zixun in front of him, towards the disciples’ rooms.

Wei Wuxian turned back to the two in front of him with a chuckle and smiled, “How may I help you guys?”

Nie Huaisang snapped his fan open and began to fan himself. “I wanted to meet you. And you.” He said, turning to Wen Ning. “I dragged him along because he was rude to you, Wei-gongzi.”

Jiang Wanyin scoffed, but acquiesced when Nie Huaisang gave him a look. “Yeah. Sorry. I…”

Nie Huaisang snapped his fan shut, “His mother has poisoned him against you, so you need to get to know each other.”

“Nie Huaisang!” Jiang Wanyin burst out.

“It’s true!” Nie Huaisang looked at him, then whipped his head back to Wei Wuxian, hair swinging behind his shoulder. “Anyway!~ I’m Nie Huaisang! It’s good to meet you both!”

Wei Wuxian smiled, “And you, Nie-xiong! Can I call you Nie-xiong?”

“Only if I can call you the same.” Nie Huaisang put a fist to his chin, tilting his head.

“Duh!” Wei Wuxian said.

Nie Huaisang smiled, “Excellent. And you…?” He said, turning to Wen Ning.

“Um, I- Well-”

“This is Wen Ning!” Wei Wuxian volunteered. “He’s my cousin! Wen Ning, say hi.”

“Hello, gongzis.”

Wei Wuxian beamed, turning back from Wen Ning, “He’s shy right now, but I promise that when he opens up, he opens up.”

Jiang Wanyin nodded, “That’s understandable.”

“Introduce yourself.” Nie Huaisang pushed him.

“Do I need to, at this point?”

“It’s polite.”

“And you’d know all about-”

“Of course! I am the epitome of finery and etiquette.” Nie Huaisang unfurled his fan and started fanning himself leisurely. “Obviously.”

“Obviously.” Jiang Wanyin deadpanned. Then, he turned to Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning. “Sorry for this morning. This one is Jiang Cheng, courtesy Wanyin, heir to the YunmengJiang.”

“Oh, were we doing full introductions? I just did the necessary information.” Nie Huaisang drawled.

“What do you want from me?” Jiang Wanyin snapped.

“Aiyaah, Jiang-xiong, can I call you Jiang Cheng?” Wei Wuxian started.

“No.”

“Jiang Cheng.” Wei Wuxian said, going to stand to his side, draping an arm around his shoulder, ignoring the eye-roll it elicited, putting a fist to his mouth. “Listen, Jiang Cheng.” He opened his fist and gestured in front of him, “In this world, there is only so much enjoyment one can have without the proper company, you know? You gotta surround yourself with good people who will stick by you.” He closed his eyes and raised his chin. “And those are hard to come by.”

Jiang Wanyin raised an eyebrow as Nie Huaisang snickered. “And, so?”

“So!” Wei Wuxian said, withdrawing his arm just to whirl in between Jiang Wanyin and Nie Huaisang, slinging both arms across their shoulders respectively. Smirking, he said, “Come to my room tonight, and we’ll have some fun!”

“Xian-ge…”

“Oh, come on, Wen Ning, would gege even protest?”

Wen Ning pursed his lips. “He might.”

“Aiyah, no, he wouldn't, at least, he wouldn’t-” He raised a finger up from Nie Huaisang’s shoulder as he made the point. “-if there’s alcohol.”

“Weren’t you there this morning?” Jiang Wanyin looked at Wei Wuxian, “Alcohol is forbidden.”

“Ah, but that’s only if you’re caught with alcohol, isn’t it?”

Nie Huaisang snickered. “I like the way you think, Wei-xiong.”

“Of course you do! I am an amazing thinker!” Wei Wuxian looked at Wen Ning’s worried face. “Don’t worry, A-Ning! You don’t have to participate.”

“Jiejie-”

“-Won’t know if you don’t spill, will she?”

Wen Ning grimaced. “I suppose not.”

“‘Jiejie’ as in Wen Qing, Wen-xiong? I’d like to meet her sometime.” Nie Huaisang ventured, shushing Jiang Wanyin when he heard the comment, “Of course you would.”

“Sure…” Wen Ning said.

“Excellent!” Nie Huaisang cut in. “I look forward to the formal introduction!” Then, he turned to Wei Wuxian, “When shall we meet?”

“Near curfew.” Wei Wuxian said. “That way, it will be easier to sneak out and in for alcohol.”

“Ah, Wei-xiong, you mean additional alcohol.” Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow as Nie Huaisang smirked, “I have a stash already.”

“Nie Huaisang, seriously…” Jiang Wanyin shook his head.

“Aiyah, A-Cheng, don’t act like you aren’t going to participate!~” Nie Huaisang poked him.

“Don’t touch me.”

“A-Cheeeeengggg.”

“You guys are cute together~” Wei Wuxian said, raising his arms, palms out and backing away when they both protested. “Aiyah, I’m only teasing. I’ll see you guys right before curfew?”

When he got nods, he clapped his hands. “Excellent! Come on, Wen Ning! We’ve got preparations to make, even if you’re not gonna be there!”

*****

Sneaking out for alcohol was a piece of cake. Sneaking back in with two full bottles of Emperor’s Smile, however…

“Oh… aha… fancy meeting you here. Are you… enjoying the moon?”

Chapter Text

“No? Maybe not…” Wei Wuxian chuckled.

Lan Wangji, who had witnessed him climbing over the wall again, - alcohol clutched as tightly as possible, but still very much visible - did not seem amused.

Wei Wuxian’s smile faltered as he stood on the roof. “Um…”

“Venturing out at night is forbidden. Wine is forbidden. Sleep at nine and rise at five.”

“Aha.” Wei Wuxian said, “If… could you just pretend you didn’t see me? I’ll do something for you if you do!”

“Bribing a law-enforcer is forbidden. Mark your words.”

“I always mark my words!”

Lan Wangji did not flinch, nor did his expression of neutrality falter, “Lying is forbidden.”

“Lying? Lan-er-gongzi, I could not be more sincere!” When that still didn’t budge him, Wei Wuxian deflated. “Lan-er-gongzi, just pretend you didn’t see me, please? Please? Lan-er-gege?” He saw Lan Wangji’s eyes dilate. Briefly. “Lan-er-gegeeeeee.”

Lan Wangji blinked. Once. Composing himself ever so briefly. “Promiscuity… is forbidden. Mark your words. Discipline your words and behaviour.” He paused. Then he said, “Frivolous. You must accept your punishment.”

“Frivolous? Me?!” Wei Wuxian said, a hand to his heart, “You wound me. Gotta go!” Then he turned and ran down the length of the wall to get further away before attempting to dismount it. He didn’t get far before there was a bright sword at his throat. “Aaah, Lan-er-gongzi… your sword is as bright as the flames on my robes!”

“You have broken rules. You must receive your discipline.”

“Must I?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think I want to.” He smirked when Lan Wangji’s eyes widened as he watched Wei Wuxian’s own sword come up to rest against his blade. “You best let me go if you want to avoid where I think this is headed.” Wei Wuxian smiled, “Unless, er-gege, you want to fight me yourself and have that be what rests you of your rule-breaker?”

“You-” Lan Wangji said, teeth gritted.

“Me!” Wei Wuxian smiled, pushing their swords a bit towards Lan Wangji. “Catch me if you can, Lan-er-gege!”

What ensued was nothing short of the most thrilling duel Wei Wuxian had ever experienced. It was a dance of swords and a hug of fabric, brushing against each other as they twirled and spun around.

Wei Wuxian laughed delightedly, dodging a swipe and spinning behind Lan Wangji, raising his sword in what would have been a perfectly aimed point to the neck had Lan Wangji not already spun to meet the move, blade pushing blade to the side.

So Lan Wangji didn’t let himself be pinned.

Wei Wuxian smiled. He was all right with that.

Lan Wangji did another swipe at Wei Wuxian’s feet, causing Wei Wuxian to jump to avoid it.

It would have been a brilliant manoeuvre had it not been terrifying when he landed back down and a tile dislodged from the roof, bringing his foot with it as it slid out of place. Wei Wuxian yelped as he tried to move off the tile before it slipped from the roof, but he only ended up slipping with it regardless, falling towards the ground. He vaguely registered loosening his grip on the wine and the sound of it shattering against the pavement below. He closed his eyes and thought, “Well, this is going to hurt,” before his momentum was arrested. He opened his eyes when he felt his back and legs supported, his arms immediately wrapping around a neck-

“Lan Wangji?”

“...Mn.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, then smiled, tightening his arms, “You caught me?” Lan Wangji said nothing, but Wei Wuxian noticed his ears - they had turned bright red. “Thank you.”

“Mn…”

Wei Wuxian giggled, “Ah, Lan Wangji, Lan Wangji, how gentlemanly of you! Saving a poor troublemaking rule-breaker from certain doom due to his own carelessness! No wonder you’re so high up on the list of young masters!”

Lan Wangji didn’t scoff, but Wei Wuxian could tell he probably wanted to.

Wei Wuxian smiled again as his feet dropped and he stood on the pavement.

Lan Wangji also removed his hand from his back, but Wei Wuxian didn’t remove his own hands from Lan Wangji’s neck.

Lan Wangji took his wrists. “Let go.”

“Why?” Wei Wuxian titled his head, watching Lan Wangji’s ears go even redder.

“Improper.”

“Improper?” Wei Wuxian giggled again, “Is it? You saved me, Lan-er-gege. Can’t I hug you?”

“This…”

“Is it not a hug?” Wei Wuxian tilted his head to the other side.

“No.”

“Hm? You’re right! You’re not hugging me, I’m hugging you! You have to release my wrists and wrap your arms around my waist for it to be a proper hug!” Wei Wuxian pursed his lips to refrain from laughing when Lan Wangji’s ears got even redder. Wei Wuxian could feel Lan Wangji’s hands tighten around his wrists.

“No.”

“No?”

“Wei Ying!” The red was spreading to Lan Wangji’s cheeks.

“Ah!” Wei Wuxian said, unclasping his hands from behind Lan Wangji’s neck and moving them down to his shoulders. “That’s me! Lan Zhan!” He smiled wider and moved his hands down even more to rest over Lan Wangji’s chest. “You called me Wei Ying, so I can call you Lan Zhan!”

Lan Wangji’s cheeks were as red as his ears now. “Hold still.” Lan Wangji quickly but gently used his grip on Wei Wuxian’s wrists to bring them down in between them. Lan Wangji released Wei Wuxian’s wrists. “I do not touch other people.”

Wei Wuxian grinned, “You touched me!”

Lan Wangji ignored this comment. “I won’t… make an official report… But I will expect you to report to the library after classes in the afternoon… you must copy the rules fifty times.”

“Fifty times?!” Wei Wuxian clasped them around his mouth, “Lan Zhan! That’s so much!”

“Mn. Will remember.”

Wei Wuxian dropped his hands and whined, “Lan Zhaaaaaan.”

“Wei Ying. Go back to your room.”

“Fine! You’re no fun, er-gege.”

“Mn. No alcohol.”

“They’re broken already!”

“Mn.”

Wei Wuxian sighed, “Fine. You’re no fun. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“...Mn.”

“Yay.” Wei Wuxian clapped once. “Bye, Lan-er-gongzi!”

As Wei Wuxian left, he could feel the piercing gaze of golden eyes on his back, unmoving until he was nearly to the dorms again.

****

“What kept you? You took so long everyone else fell asleep.” Wen Xu said from his place at the table in the dorm room.

True enough, Jiang Wanyin and Nie Huaisang were asleep on the floor on two of the other sides, Jiang Wanyin fell to his left and Nie Huaisang straight backwards, his hand falling over Jiang Wanyin’s chest.

“Or, I suppose the proper term would be that they passed out-” Wen Xu looked at Wei Wuxian as he came further in and narrowed his eyes, “What did you do?”

Wei Wuxian walked in with a sigh, “Ah, Gege, what makes you think I did something?”

“The fact that it’s you. And that look on your face isn’t promising.”

“Don’t know what you mean.” Wei Wuxian said, planting himself down to his place at the table.

“That. Right there. And the fact that you have no alcohol with you. What did you do?”

“Aaah, Gege, I may… have been caught on my way back in.”

“Of course you were. By whom?”

“...Lan-er-gongzi…”

“WHAT?” Wen Xu yelled, ignoring Nie Huaisang’s groan. “You were caught by Lan-er-gongzi?” Wen Xu pulled Wei Wuxian’s ponytail towards him, yanking it back and forth.

“Ow! Ow, ow, ow! Gege!”

“Dumbass! You go and basically get yourself killed, then have the audacity to float back in here?”

“I wasn’t floating!”

“Weren’t you? Sure seemed like it! What am I going to do if the punishments here kill you? Accept Wen Chao back as my brother?”

“He is your brother…”

“Don’t you start with that again! You know what I’ll say!”

“Gegeeee!”

“Should I get Wen Qing? Would that put some sense back into you? Dumbass!”

Wei Wuxian whined again and Nie Huaisang woke up, startled, “Who dumbass?! Me?!”

Jiang Wanyin groaned, hitting Nie Huaisang in the cheek, “Shut uuuup.”

Nie Huaisang swatted Jiang Wanyin’s hand away and sat up, “Wha’ happen?”

Wen Xu rolled his eyes, “My dumbass brother got caught sneaking back in and lost the alcohol he had.”

“Awwww, Wei-xng, ‘ow coul you?”

“You clearly don’t need anymore, Nie-xiong! I think you’re good!”

“Hmmm…” Nie Huaisang hummed, “Wha happen the alcohol?”

“It was confiscated, I imagine.” Wen Xu said.

“Nope! Broken!” Wei Wuxian raised a finger.

“Broke?” Nie Huaisang mumbled, taking Jiang Wanyin’s wrist and waving it back and forth, hitting his chest.

“Broken?” Wen Xu had asked at the same time, eyebrow raised. Then he continued, “How? You didn’t fight him, did you?” When all he got in return was silence, he stood up, “You fought him?! Wei Wuxian!”

“Gege, not so loud!”

“Oh, oh! So you still have the guts to chastise me, your older brother? After fighting with the head of discipline in GusuLan?”

“It’s not like Wen-Zongzhu will care what happens to me!”

“Bullshit! He’ll care if he still wants me to be anything to him!”

“What’s ’appenin’, A-Sang?” Jiang Wanyin mumbled.

“Hmmmm…” Nie Huaisang hummed, before giggling, “I think Wei-xiong is being scolded.”

“Hmph. As he should b’...” Jiang Wanyin mumbled again.

“The disrespect!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed.

“Ignore them, they’re drunk.” Wen Xu cut in. “But you…” Wen Xu groaned, sitting down again to put his elbows on the table and his head in his hands, “Fuck, the way you walked in here. You didn’t flirt with him, did you?”

“Flirt?” Nie Huaisang said, eyes suddenly clearing more. “Flirting? Who? With whom?”

“Did that seriously wake you up from the alcohol?” Wei Wuxian glared.

Nie Huaisang fumbled around his sleeve for his fan and, when he found it, hit it against his forehead, “Gossip about people’s love lives is like having hangover soup injected straight into my bloodstream. Was it you who was flirting? What happened?”

Wen Xu narrowed his eyes at Wei Wuxian, “Of course it was him. Tell me you didn’t.” Wei Wuxian pursed his lips, but said nothing. “Tell me you didn’t, didi, flirt with Lan-er-gongzi.”

Nie Huaisang gasped and opened his fan and began waving it slowly back and forth.

Wei Wuxian huffed, “Define flirting?”

Wen Xu snapped, “Flirting! Do you take me for a fool?”

“Of course not!”

“Wei Wuxian, tell me now if I’m going to lose the only little brother I have.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to me…”

“So you say!”

“Wen-gongzi…” Nie Huaisang cut in.

“What!?” Wen Xu turned on him.

Nie Huaisang swallowed once and then pointed at Wei Wuxian, “Look at him.”

It had been not five seconds since Wen Xu had last had an outburst at him, but Wei Wuxian was already lost in a dreamworld, it seemed.

“No. Oh, no. Are you serious?” Wen Xu said, “What did Lan Wangji do to you?”

Nie Huaisang blinked and Wei Wuxian snapped out of it, blinking as well, before he said, “What?”

“You heard me! You’re too young! No! No, no no. No.” Wen Xu got up, “I’ll be back. I need to do an… interrogation.”

Nie Huaisang’s eyes widened and he began hitting Jiang Wanyin to wake him up as Wei Wuxian got up to try and stop Wen Xu. “I think I’ll take Jiang-xiong back to his room with Jin-gongzi, and retire myself! Don’t worry, we’ll be careful, bye bye now!”

Wei Wuxian nodded but was a bit preoccupied by putting all of his body weight behind his hands on Wen Xu’s chest, trying to keep him from leaving. “Gege, please!”

“Let me go, A-líng lǐ, I just want to find Lan-er-gongzi to talk.”

“Who’s gonna believe that?!” Wei Wuxian protested.

“Everyone, if I make them believe it!” Wen Xu returned.

“No! Stop, wait, just wait, wait, he didn’t do anything!”

Wen Xu stopped pushing against Wei Wuxian’s hands, “Of course he did!”

“Why of course!?”

“Because-”

“It was me! I did flirt! A bit! I couldn’t help it! He was…” Wei Wuxian sighed and gave up fighting, putting no pressure anymore, even taking his hands up to his chin, barely hiding a smile behind their clasped position. “He was gorgeous.”

“Oh, Wen Mao, guide me.” Wen Xu said, rubbing a hand down his face. “What the fuck, didi.”

“He was!” Wei Wuxian insisted.

“Hmmm.”

“He was so-” Wei Wuxian swung his hands down and giggled, practically dancing around the room.

“I don’t wanna hear it, actually, tell Wen Ning tomorrow. And hold still!”

“But I have to say something about it or I’ll explode!” Wei Wuxian flopped onto the bed.

“Don’t care. I’ll confront him tomorrow. Since you’re so insistent on me not storming to find him now. Unless I find out right now that you were once again play-flirting, which- where did you even get that habit?”

“He’s asleep now! Everyone is asleep!”

Wen Xu hummed and glared. “Don’t push your luck. I will wake him up.”

“Don’t. It’s not his fault he gallantly saved me from certain death!”

“What!?” Wen Xu shot over and pulled Wei Wuxian up by the lapels, “What the fuck did you just say!?”

“Oh… did I not mention I nearly fell off the roof?”

“Wei Wuxian!” Wen Xu hissed.

“I’m fine!”

“Like hell! I’m dragging you to Wen Qing come morning, I’m dragging you early, even before classes start. Are you serious?” Wen Xu pushed his brother back onto the bed, his fingers twitching.

Wei Wuxian groaned.

“Serves you right!” Wen Xu glared.

“I’m already getting punished!”

“Good! Are you serious, I ask again.”

“...Yes.”

There was silence before Wen Xu continued, “Go to sleep. We’ll discuss this later when we’re not both tipsy.

“Fine! Yes, Gege.”

“Don’t fucking cause more trouble.”

“Yes, yes.”

“I can only do so much.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

“I know you’ll burn everything down to protect me. I know.”

“Good.”

****

True to his word, Wen Xu dragged Wei Wuxian to Wen Qing in the morning, ignoring his whines.

“What did this idiot do now?” Wen Qing immediately said.

“Qing-Jie!” Wei Wuxian protested, which didn’t do anything since he was ignored by everyone.

“This dumbass claims he fell off a roof!” Wen Xu answered.

“What!” Wen Qing whirled to Wei Wuxian and glared at him.

“I almost fell off the roof!”

“That’s not what you said last night! You said Lan Wangji had to catch you!”

“Yes, well, he did catch me, so I’m fine, there was no impact.”

“I think I will be the judge of that.” Wen Qing said, yanking Wei Wuxian’s arm towards her.

“Ow! Qing-Jie!”

“Serves you right! Hold still.”

“Why does everyone keep saying for me to hold still?”

“Because you need to be! Quiet.” Wen Qing insisted. After checking him over for a couple minutes, she deemed him unharmed. “Don’t go falling off any more roofs or I may not help you next time.”

“Yes, Qing-Jie…”

Wen Qing scoffed. “I’ll believe it when I see it. A-Ning! Come on, it’s time to go to class!”

When they all arrived, Lan Qiren didn’t say anything, but he did slide his gaze from them to Nie Huaisang, to Jiang Wanyin, as if he knew but couldn’t say anything for sure.

Wen Xu did note that Lan Wangji was looking at Wei Wuxian intently. Wen Xu caught his eye and subtly mimed cutting his throat open. Lan Wangji turned around again.

Hmph.

He sat down and stared down Lan Wangji, daring him to try anything. He saw that finger near Wei Wuxian’s robe, just almost touching.

Lan Qiren droned on and on about one thing or another, Wen Xu was not paying attention, until, of course, Wei Wuxian became the centre of attention.

Now, Wen Xu would never say that he was the most emotionally, mentally… stable person around, but he would like to think his patience is rather hard to run thin. He had a lot to put up with, what with Wen Chao, Wen Chao’s attitude, Wen Chao’s presence, Wen Chao’s insistence on his superiority, Wen Chao’s attempts to impress, Wen Chao’s newest mistress he wrote Wen Xu about for some reason, Wen Chao’s existence, Wen Chao, his father, Wen Ning’s bullies, the future of his sect, and Wei Wuxian.

He did not have time for Lan Qiren to forget who he was talking to.

He also did not have time for Lan Qiren to realise for himself, slowly, what it was he was doing. It would take too long, and Wen Xu didn’t much like what was happening at the moment enough just to let it slide. “Not to interrupt, but I feel I simply must.. Lan-xiansheng, don’t you think you should pose these questions to others in the class to make sure everyone is paying attention?”

The room was silent. Wen Xu took out a talisman paper and rolled it up, rubbing it around his hand with his thumb, watching it pick up static and start to light on fire. “I mean, we are all here to learn from you, it seems kind of unfair…” The talisman lit, and a flame engulfed the tips of his fingers as he dropped the ash and spread his fingers. A disciple nearby flinched and he could see Nie Huaisang open his fan. “Don’t you think?” He raised his eyes, head still tilted near his hand, and stared at Lan Qiren, who remained stock still in the front.

Wei Wuxian was still standing as he had been when he was being questioned, but he had lowered his head to stare at the floor until Lan Wangji hesitated but once before he tugged at Wei Wuxian’s sleeve and he sat back down. Wen Xu felt a breeze pass through and the ash swirled and left his peripheral vision.

Lan Qiren cleared his throat. “Right.” Wen Xu smiled and Lan Qiren cleared his throat again. “Yes, since we’ve reviewed, I pose this question. There once was an executioner with a family - live parents, a wife, and children. Before he died, he executed over 100 people. When he died, it was sudden, and his family was not able to bury him immediately due to public outcry, resulting in his body lying on the road for seven days. Because of this, he became immersed in resentment and began to haunt and resume killing. What should be done in this scenario?” Everyone began to flip through their books until Lan Qiren snapped, “We have reviewed all the information you need! Close your books and think for yourselves!” Several books snapped closed.

One disciple, of the Nie, raised his hand, and spoke when Lan Qiren inclined his head. “There are three steps to dealing with it.”

“Elaborate.” Lan Qiren said.

The disciple’s face burst into flames and he stuttered that he couldn’t think of them at the moment. He sat back down and banged his head on the desk in front of him.

Lan Qiren burst out, “Compose yourself!”

“Sorry, Lan-xiansheng…” The disciple said, muffled, face still on the desk.

Nie Huaisang opened his fan again and hid his face.

Lan Qiren’s face turned an ugly shade of puce before he turned, subtly, to Lan Wangji. “Wangji-”

“It’s too vague.” Wen Xu cut in.

“Wen Xu!” Lan Qiren whirled around. “Interrupting is forbidden!”

“And I will copy rules if I need to, but it stands that the question is too vague.” Everyone was now looking at Wen Xu, some gaping, some with furrowed brows.

“Elaborate.” Lan Qiren said through gritted teeth.

“Gladly.” Wen Xu said, standing. “I now see why Fuqin never sent me here earlier. It would have been a waste of time - we’ve already learned everything.”

Lan Qiren’s face became more of a light violet now. “Get to the point, Wen-gongzi.”

“The point is this.” Wen Xu said, “The answer you are looking for is simple. You first liberate the spirit, then suppress, then eliminate, but only if necessary.” He raised a finger. “Talk to his relatives, fulfill his dying wish, yada yada, suppress the spirit if that fails, and if that fails, you eliminate the spirit completely.”

Lan Qiren hesitated before saying, “...Correct… now…”

“I am not finished, Xiansheng.”

“Wen Xu!”

“It is too vague.”

“You answered correctly!”

“I answered with the answer you want. Your question was too vague. The assumption is that the executioner becomes a resentful spirit. But does it? Will it always, in every universe where the executioner dies? His body was left out, rotting, for seven days. He could become something else, couldn’t he? The process to deal with other things is very much different. If it becomes a walking corpse, then what’s the big deal? But that’s unlikely, because, again, he died with resentment. So, a fierce corpse. Or, someone, within those seven days, could steal the corpse-”

“Gege…” Wei Wuxian started.

Wen Xu gave him a look and he went silent, getting the message to hold his tongue. I won’t bring that up, I’m not stupid. “And that could be a deciding factor in putting his spirit to rest - punish the person who stole my body so that I can rest peacefully. Or would that be too little? What if he wants that person killed? Would we just eliminate the spirit immediately? Specify, Xiansheng.”

It took a moment, but Lan Qiren responded, “What?”

“Specify. Which is it?” Wen Xu asked again.

Jin Zixuan and Jiang Wanyin both sent him a look that would have them hating doing the same as each other had they realised, but he ignored it.

Wen Xu elaborated. “I said the question was vague and provided examples as to why. Is this not a lecture hall where I can ask a question?”

Before Lan Qiren could say something else, Wei Wuxian spoke up, “And what about redirecting the energy?”

“What?” Lan Qiren said, blinking.

“I was thinking… regardless of the- the potential vagueness of the question, would it be possible to redirect the energy away from the spirit and disperse it once it was out of him?”

Lan Qiren straightened. “And how?”

“Well… I haven’t thought of how to get it out of him yet! But if you were able to direct the resentful energy-”

“Then you would be rejected by every cultivator in every sect and your head would be called for! Wei Wuxian, do you realise-”

“Lan-Xiansheng, please remember yourself.” Wen Xu cut in.

Lan Qiren took a deep breath. “Wei Wuxian. That would be heretic.”

“Oh.”

“Oh???” Lan Qiren sputtered, “Oh? That’s all you have to say?”

“I-”

“Get out.”

“Lan Qiren!” Wen Xu yelled, standing.

“Wei Wuxian. Get out!” Lan Qiren yelled, throwing a scroll.

Wei Wuxian yelped and dodged the scroll, standing to walk out of the hall.

Wen Xu was still standing when he said, “Lan Qiren. You are respected as an elder for your wisdom and teaching, but if you can barely stand questions asked back to you that require even the least bit of thought beyond what is generally accepted, I fear you will fall behind as you age and the next generations will have no use for you anymore.”

“You-”

“You have insulted me by your treatment of my little brother. I will not forget this. I will excuse myself from this lecture for today. I have nothing to learn from it, anyway.” And with that, he left the hall.

Chapter Text

“So I avoid talking about puppets and the like because why would I ever talk about that particular aspect of our lives and you go and ask about resentful energy.” Wen Xu said, walking up to Wei Wuxian as he walked towards the exit to the Cloud Recesses.

Wei Wuxian hummed. “It’s not like I wanted to get kicked out. I think Lan Zhan is warming up to me!”

“So I saw.” Wen Xu said, ignoring Wei Wuxian’s confused look. “Lan Zhan?”

“I mean…”

“Don’t elaborate. I don’t wanna know. Actually, as I recall last night, I already know too much.”

“Fine! Whatever, come on! Since you’re here also, why don’t we go eat in Caiyi?”

“We already ate.”

“Did we?”

Wen Xu stopped and raised an eyebrow, scrunching his mouth to the right, thinking. “Well, we had congee and… yeah, no spice, barely anything. Let’s go.”

“There you are, Gege!”

“Yeah, yeah, come on, we don’t have that much time before we’d be noticed having left.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Wei Wuxian mocked, sprinting ahead when Wen Xu subsequently produced a talisman.

“Yah, Wei Wuxian, come get your punishment for being a brat!”

“I’m already being punished!”

“Not enough!”

Wei Wuxian put his hands up to his ears and went, “Lalalalalala!”

“You-” Asshole… Wen Xu had to speed up to catch his brother, who led them to a restaurant.

“I saw their menu and really wanted to try it when we first got here. What do you think?”

Wen Xu squinted at the menu, “Fine.”

“Woohoo! Let’s go!” Wei Wuxian said, dragging Wen Xu inside.

“Welcome, gongzis! Let out early from classes? I didn’t know that was possible!”

“Something like that.” Wei Wuxian smoothly replied, “A table for two, please.”

“Of course! Right this way!”

“Thank you! Come on, gege.”

When they sat down, the waiter handed them menus and Wei Wuxian was quick as lightning. “A jar of Emperor’s Smile with two cups, mmmn, one bowl of Thousand Chili Chicken, ooh, one Pan-Seared Green Chili Pepper, oh! And one bowl of Mapo Tofu! Extra spice!”

“And get him two bowls of plain rice too. So he can extinguish the flames in his mouth.” Wen Xu added.

“Of course, gongzi.” The waiter said, “And… for you, gongzi?”

“Just some wontons, please.” Wen Xu said.

“Boring.” Wei Wuxian said.

Wen Xu gave him a look, “With chili and pepper, if you could.”

“Yes, gongzi. Of course.” And with that, the waiter left.

“Are you going to be able to eat all of that in time to return?” Wen Xu raised an eyebrow. “We may have some privileges because of our… reputations, but I can’t save us from everything.”

“You’re right, that’s Wen Qing’s job.”

“Watch your tongue, didi, remember my own reputation.”

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes, “Like that applies to me.”

Wen Xu tsked, “You have got way too much self-awareness.”

Wei Wuxian grinned and then widened said grin when Emperor’s Smile was placed on their table.

Wen Xu was finished long before Wei Wuxian was, but they did manage to get back to Cloud Recesses right before their presence would have been noticed as lacking.

*****

“Do your punishment, but don’t take it too seriously. It’s not like you’ll ever need to really know the rules and, also, no one but the Lans themselves even care for them. I don’t think even Fuqin cares for them.” Wen Xu said.

“Of course he doesn’t! Zongzhu would probably fly into a rage upon viewing that big ass wall and destroy it.” Wei Wuxian thought for a second. “Then, maybe go into a qi deviation-”

“That would be so easy it would be too easy-”

“Wei Wuxian!”

“Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian returned without thinking, only turning when he had already finished speaking.

Jiang Cheng came running (speed-walking - very fast) with Nie Huaisang hot on his heels (speed-walking - slightly slower). “Wei Wuxian- hi Wen-gongzi.” He took a breath, “Lan Wangji was looking for you. When I saw him, he said to let you know he’s waiting for you at the library and-”

Nie Huaisang cut in, “And if you don’t show up within the next, like, ten minutes, he’ll, and I quote, ‘report you…’ I assume for your little romantic try-”

“AAah, thank you, Jiang Cheng, Nie-xiong! I’ll be off now! Bye, Gege!” And then Wei Wuxian was sprinting towards the library pavilion.

Jiang Wanyin opened his mouth but then shut it again when he noticed Wen Xu hadn’t scolded Wei Wuxian for breaking the rules.

Wen Xu noticed him looking at him and said, “Eh, if he gets caught, it’ll be by Lan Wangji, and at that point, he’ll just get more lines to copy.” Wen Xu squinted for a second. “If they try anything in there…”

Nie Huaisang opened his fan and covered his mouth, “Wen-gongzi, do you perhaps want to spy?”

Wen Xu hummed but then said, “I am above that.”

Nie Huaisang fanned himself, “Are you sure?”

“Huaisang.” Jiang Wanyin said, only getting a shrug in return.

“I know you two still find me intimidating.” Wen Xu said, watching slyly as both sets of shoulders went up, tense. “Not to worry, though. You two are my didi’s newest friends, and you’ve been good to him. Though you may need to forgive him his first friend.”

“Who, Jin Zixuan?” Nie Huaisang asked.

“Jin Zixuan?! Since when!?” Jiang Wanyin exclaimed.

“Since forever, A-Cheng, did you not see when they first arrived? My, you need to work on your observation skills.” Nie Huaisang returned, causing Wen Xu to snort.

“You-”

Nie Huaisang closed his fan with a snap, “We certainly won’t fault our dear Wei-xiong for having friends outside of us. Won’t we, A-Cheng?”

Jiang Wanyin crossed his arms. “Is he even a good friend?”

Wen Xu laughed raucously. “Well, I suppose you’d find out, wouldn’t you, Jiang-gongzi? Through more observation if nothing else?”

Jiang Wanyin rolled his eyes, “If I observe Wei Wuxian any harder, my eyes will fall out of their sockets and melt from the looks he gives Lan Wangji.”

Wen Xu narrowed his eyes, “Careful.”

Jiang Wanyin pursed his lips, “They’re not subtle.”

Wen Xu flexed his hands, “Subtlety is not taught very well in Nightless City.”

“But you want to ignore the obvious, Wen-gongzi?” Nie Huaisang asked as he tapped the frame of his fan to his lips.

Wen Xu hummed in confirmation but didn’t confirm nor deny any more than that.

Nie Huaisang snickered then raised his fan, “Wen-xiong!”

Wen Xu turned his head and nodded, “A-Ning.”

“Xu-gongzi, Jiang-gongzi, Nie-gongzi, hello.”

“A-Ning, what have I told you-”

“That’s probably the most informal he’s gonna get, Wen-gongzi.”

“How would you-”

“He just knows.” Jiang Cheng interrupted.

“Interrupting is forbidden.” Wen Xu said, eyes narrowed.

“I’m not a Lan, and nor are you, Wen-gongzi, and we’re not in class.”

Wen Xu clicked his tongue, “You two are getting bold.”

“We’re just like this, ignore us.” Nie Huaisang waved a hand in triviality.

“Nie-gongzi…” Wen Ning tried.

“Aaaah, Wen-xiong, you’re too cute, don’t you worry, nothing will happen to us; Wen-gongzi likes us too much.”

“And how do you know that? Maybe I’m just tolerating you for my didi’s sake.” Wen Xu said, chin raised.

Nie Huaisang opened his fan and covered his lower face. “That’s the same thing, Wen-gongzi.”

Wen Xu narrowed his eyes but said nothing more.

Jiang Wanyin groaned, “Are you done, A-Sang?”

Nie Huaisang hummed, “Sure, I can be.” He closed his fan and let it dangle from his wrist. “Wen-xiong, do you want to help us - A-Cheng and me, that is - spy on Wei-xiong and Wangji-xiong?”

Wen Ning hesitated. “Um…”

“Report back if you do, Wen Ning.” Wen Xu said.

Nie Huaisang flipped his fan open again and hid a smile behind it.

*****

Wei Wuxian was bored. He was bored and he was only just done with his eleventh copy. He was bored and Lan Wangji was not paying attention to him.

He purposely raised his arms and placed his elbows on the desk, supporting his chin, leaning quite far over the desk. It was a particularly low desk. He didn’t think this through entirely…

“Lan-er-gongzi.” No reaction. “Lan Wangjiiii.” Still nothing. “Lan Zhan!”

“Mn?”

“Ah!” Wei Wuxian shot up. “Lan Zhan!”

“Mn?”

“Lan Zhaaaaaan~! Lan-er-gege!”

“What is it, Wei Ying?”

Wei Wuxian smiled wide and angled himself to the side, falling to the floor. “Nothing, I just wanted to call out to you!”

“Wei Ying… sit up. How many copies have you done?”

Wei Wuxian did not sit up, but he did answer. “Eleven.”

“Mn. Do three more.”

Wei Wuxian sat up, “Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji did not look up from his copying, “Three more and then Wei Ying can take a break.”

“Okay!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, sitting up, twisting to be properly in front of his desk, diligently copying, not noticing Lan Wangji glancing up at him.

They sat in silence again.

Wei Wuxian finished the last line of rules on his fifteenth copy with a flourish that only comes from someone who knows they’re just about done- or, that is, able to take a break. He glanced up at Lan Wangji, who was still copying his own book. Wei Wuxian looked down at his copy and then put it on the stack before looking back up at Lan Wangji. No change. Perfect. Wei Wuxian occupied himself then with drawing.

Lan Wangji, clearly, knew Wei Wuxian’s timing more than Wei Wuxian thought, because after about another ten minutes, Lan Wangji said, “Wei Ying?”

“Almost done!”

Lan Wangji blinked and returned to his writing before he was interrupted again by a bright orange light from across the room. His head shot up as he saw what looked like fire- “Wei Ying!”

“Ssh, Lan Zhan, I’m fine. Wait.”

Lan Wangji didn’t like it much, but he still stood still. He promised himself he would only wait a bit- the fire started moving towards him. Lan Wangji’s eyes squinted and then widened in realisation. “Wei Ying?”

“Do you like it?”

The phoenix hovered in front of Lan Wangji for a moment before dropping a paper in his hand and bursting into ash that fell over Lan Wangji.

“Aiyah, no! Sorry, Lan Zhan, that was my own version of the… the Jin butterfly. The ash was supposed to fall over you, the recipient, sure, but it wasn’t supposed to leave a mess! It was supposed to dissipate…”

“Snow?”

“Hm? Oh! Yeah, I guess, like snow. Sorry, Lan Zhan, I’ll work on it.”

“No need.” Lan Wangji said, looking down at the paper the phoenix had dropped, ignoring the ash that fell from his head and slid down the page. He flipped it over and his eyes widened. Just a bit. He was holding a portrait of himself. Wei Wuxian had put a flower in his hair, too.

“Lan Zhan! What do you think?”

Lan Wangji didn’t reply nor move for a second before he put the portrait to the side and took a deep breath. “Ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous? Me?!”

“Mn. Ridiculous.” Lan Wangji replied.

“Lan Zhan!”

“Since rooftop.”

“I’ve been ridiculous since the rooftop?”

“Mn.”

“Lan Zhan!”

“Mn.” Lan Wangji did not budge. He went back to copying.

Wei Wuxian pouted. “At least add something!”

“Utterly ridiculous.”

“Utterl- Lan Zhan! You’re funny!”

“Nm.”

“Yes, you are!” Lan Wangji did not reply, and Wei Wuxian laughed.

“Wei Ying.”

“Mmmnnn?” Wei Wuxian said, exaggerating the response Lan Wangji usually gave.

Lan Wangji stared at him for a moment before looking down again. “Do five more copies and then you may leave.”

“Lan Zhaaaaan!”

“Mn.”

“Lan-er-gege~”

“Not changing my mind.”

“Fine!”

The yellow book he had in his lapel remained there until he had already left, intended prank forgotten amongst teasing calls and papers filled with ink.

****

“You’re insane.” Jiang Wanyin said. “Actually insane.”

“Why is he insane, Jiang-xiong?” Nie Huaisang fanned himself.

Jiang Wanyin glared at him before he picked up a rock nearby and began to toss it into the air, “You, Wei Wuxian, gave him, Lan Wangji, a portrait, okay, what if he didn’t like it? What if he called you out for not focusing on your punishment and destroyed it or something?”

“You’re not my gege, didi.” Wei Wuxian leaned forward, bent at the waist.

Jiang Wanyin raised his chin, “I’m damn well not your didi either.”

“Hmm.” Wei Wuxian said. “Don’t talk back.”

“You-”

“Ssh. Children. A moment, please.” Wen Xu raised a hand, causing silence to descend. He glared up at a nearby tree and shot out a talisman. All four boys looked on as the talisman caught on the tree and a bird of smoke flew from its branches. Wen Xu scoffed. “Fuqin.”

Wei Wuxian was silent and Nie Huaisang looked from Wen Xu to Wei Wuxian. “What could Wen-Zongzhu need to spy on us for?”

“Spy on us?” Jiang Wanyin said, throwing the rock he was holding, “Is that what that fucking bird is for?”

“Yes.” Wei Wuxian said, though he didn’t elaborate.

Wen Xu crossed his arms. “Fuqin has it in his head that there are certain things he needs to…change. There’s nothing to worry about, right now, but I won’t say he’s not looking for something.”

“Gege.”

“What?”

Wei Wuxian looked at him.

Nie Huaisang snapped his fan closed and tapped it to his chin, "I can concur at least." He turned to Jiang Wanyin, "Qinghe is at the foot of the mountain Qishan sits on. More or less... We see that bird all the time."

Wen Xu and Wei Wuxian said nothing.

Nie Huaisang and Jiang Wanyin looked at each other for a moment longer before Nie Huaisang shrugged at Jiang Wanyin, who said, “You can trust us.”

Nie Huaisang let his head fall all the way back before snapping it forward again in an exaggerated nod.

Wei Wuxian smiled at him, but there was silence otherwise.

Wen Xu growled and lit a flame in his hand, extinguishing it just as quickly. “Fuck. I’m going to check on Wen Qing.”

With that he left.

“Well?” Jiang Wanyin said, eyes focussed unerringly on Wei Wuxian. “What’s your sect leader doing spying on the Cloud Recesses and why does your gege need to check on Wen Qing?”

Chapter Text

“Wen-daifu.”

“Wen-gongzi.” Wen Qing said, turning and bowing to Wen Xu.

“As sect heir, I feel it is necessary to ask after your progress.”

Wen Qing bowed again. “Gongzi, there is something of note here.” She kept her head low, her body semi-bowed, hand extending, palm up, towards the waterfall. “But there is a barrier. I am examining it and developing a possible way to breach it as we speak.”

“Good. Fuqin will be pleased, I am sure.”

Wen Qing went into a full bow.

Something in the distance rustled tree leaves.

The air lightened.

“As your cousin, now.” Wen Xu said, raising Wen Qing from her bow, her mouth already displaying a smirk, “How’s it going?”

Wen Qing scoffed, crossing her arms. “Just as I stated, there is something here. A-Ning-” She cut herself off.

“I had wondered where he got off to after gallivanting with Nie-gongzi and Jiang-gongzi.”

“You know very well he wasn’t the one gallivanting.” Wen Qing stated.

“Semantics.” Wen Xu said, waving his hand. “He’s here?”

Wen Qing nodded. “He helped. So Uncle can say nothing of his usefulness or lack thereof. He… he felt something here. That’s what led me to investigate this location. It’s here.”

Wen Xu inclined his head. “It’s here.”

****

“What do you want me to tell you?”

“What can you?” Nie Huaisang asked, his fan dangling from his wrist as he wrapped his arms around his knees, up against his chest.

Jiang Wanyin leaned over, legs crossed, so that he could lean over comfortably, staring at Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian sighed. “Not much.” He looked around. “Look. Wen-Zongzhu is… crazy. He sent out a proclamation claiming I was his third son, yes, but… well, I’m not. I’m the son of two rogue cultivators. Gege found me in Yiling when he was… barely a teenager. He’s the reason I’m here.” Wei Wuxian took a deep breath. “Recently, you may have noticed Wen-Zongzhu has been… overt.”

Jiang Wanyin snorted and Nie Huaisang raised an eyebrow. “That’s one way to put it. He’s already subjugated some minor sects around Qinghe - they don’t call for the Nie for help anymore, but they also…” He paused, then continued, “some of them don’t exist anymore anyway.”

Wei Wuxian hummed. “Yes. Look, there’s not much me, Gege, Qing-Jiejie, and A-Ning can do, but… well, Gege has a plan.”

“Does he?” Jiang Wanyin asked.

“Yes.” Wei Wuxian said, “Gege may not know it, but he has one. He relies on Wen Qing to come up with plans, but he has one nevertheless. Don’t worry, Didi.”

“I’m not your-”

“Oh, just accept it, A-Cheng, this family adopts siblings left and right.”

“And what of you, huh?” Jiang Cheng fired.

“Me?” Nie Huaisang smiled, sitting up and opening his fan to hide his face. “I’ll be marrying in.”

“You-”

Wei Wuxian let out a guffaw, fully breaking any tension that had built.

“Ugh. Whatever. Hey-” Jiang Wanyin said, “Lan Wangji is walking to the library again.”

“He is?!” Wei Wuxian said, whipping his head around. “Lan Zhan! Wait for me! Do you need some company?!”

“Aaaaand there he goes.” Nie Huaisang said, “What was that?”

“I need to have a moment away from him. He’s so-”

“He is.”

“Hey.” Jiang Wanyin said, pinching his nose, “What even-”

“The start of something.”

“I think it was the middle.” Jiang Wanyin said, “I can’t stand him. What the hell.”

“You can.”

“I can, but I don’t want to. He’s-” Jiang Wanyin stood up, stomping his foot. “He’s so oblivious! And annoying! And why does he want to be my older brother so fucking bad?”

“How dramatic, A-Cheng.”

“You shut up!” Jiang Wanyin said, crossing his arms. “I’m never going to address that idiot as…” He sighed. “About the… other point. We shouldn’t have spied. That was a complete waste of time.”

“It wasn’t, and you know it.” Nie Huaisang said, standing. “Wen-gongzi will be pleased with our investigation.”

“If Wen-xiong can even bring himself to speak of it without exploding into flames because of embarrassment.” Jiang Wanyin said. “Gods… Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are hopeless.”

“Already, yes.”

Jiang Wanyin sighed, “Come on. Let’s do something fun while Wei Wuxian is off… gallivanting.” He walked towards Cloud Recesses proper with Nie Huaisang following him, chuckling.

****

Time passed. They became a bit… less careful.

Bastinados to the back for having fun. Wei Wuxian was appalled.

“Serves you right. Dumbass.”

“Why weren’t you included??”

Wen Xu raised his chin. “You know why. I was with Wen Qing and Wen Ning the whole time.”

“What are you two doing?”

“Three-”

“Wen Ning is not doing shit.”

Wen Xu hummed. “I didn’t realise it was I who curbed you and your impulses.”

“Yes, you did, you liar.”

“Wen-gongzi, Wei-gongzi.”

They looked up. “Zewu-Jun.”

Lan Xichen looked at Wei Wuxian, “It is true that you took it a bit too far this time.”

“Zewu-Jun, I didn’t-”

“Wangji is closed off to most. I am glad he has you now.”

“Zewu-Jun?”

“Wen-gongzi.” Lan Xichen said, subtly ignoring Wei Wuxian.

Something about the tone of voice sent Wen Xu a message. “Lan-gongzi.”

Wei Wuxian snapped his head around. “Gege!” He hissed. “Zewu-Jun has a title for you to use!”

“It is all right, Wei-gongzi. Your brother and I are having…” Lan Xichen smiled slightly, “a mutual older brother communication, if you will.”

Wei Wuxian blinked. “See…” He raised a finger, tilting his head. “This is why I want to have a younger sibling-”

“We’re not kidnapping Jiang Wanyin.”

“Gege!”

Lan Xichen chuckled. “Ah, Wei-gongzi, you seem to be getting more lively. Is your back still bothering you?”

Wei Wuxian pouted, “Yes, Zewu-Jun.”

Lan Xichen smiled, “There is a cold pond in the north-side of Cloud Recesses, hidden away, mostly, but accessible to all. The cold there is good for healing. Might you want to try it?”

Wei Wuxian beamed. “Of course! Thank you, Zewu-Jun!”

“And he’s off. Why did he even have me carry- Zewu-Jun-”

“Forgive me, Wen-gongzi, but I don’t believe I misinterpreted your eyes.”

Wen Xu frowned. “Is Lan-er-gongzi in…?”

“Indeed.” Lan Xichen said.

Wen Xu smirked. “This conversation is not over.”

“Of course, Wen-gongzi.” Lan Xichen stated.

“Hmm.” Wen Xu glared.

“Lan Zhan!”

Wei Wuxian watched Lan Wangji flip his tunic on before he turned, “Wei Ying. How did you get in?”

Wei Wuxian leaned on a tree. “Zewu-Jun told me about this place. Lan Zhan, why didn’t you? Aren’t we friends?”

“Cold Springs.” Lan Wangji said. “Wei Ying likes warmth.”

Wei Wuxian hummed. “That’s true! But Wei Ying also likes healing!” He stumbled into the spring. “Cold! It’s cold, Lan Zhan!”

“Mn.”

“Ah, you did tell me, you’re right.”

“Mn.”

“Lan Zhan!”

“Not having a tone.”

“Yes, you were!”

“Mn.”

“Lan Zhan!”

“Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian groaned, then pointed a finger at Lan Wangji, “Lan Zhan, stop walking away from me!”

“It is not any warmer near me.”

“You noticed, huh?”

“Mn.”

“Fine! Fine, fine.”

“Meditate.”

“Aiyah, I will, I will. You’re worse than Gege.” He paused, looking up at Lan Wangji. “Yeah, you’re right, that’s not possible.” Wei Wuxian turned and then furrowed his brow. “Hey… Lan Zhan…” and then there was silence.

Lan Wangji turned, and then the spring appeared to be empty.

When Lan Wangji regained his balance, he was wet and his hair was in disarray. And when he looked in front of him, Wei Wuxian was getting up, not looking much better.

“What happened?” Wei Wuxian sputtered. “Where are we?” He opened his eyes and blinked heavily, getting water that had dripped from his head out of his eyes. “I… don’t think we’ll be doing much more meditating…”

Lan Wangji didn’t respond, but when he stepped forward, Wei Wuxian followed behind, until suddenly he wasn’t.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian yelled, feeling himself pushed backwards - the water made it harder to regain his balance from the push, and he fell again. “Lan Zhan, what was that?” He looked up and met Lan Wangji’s wide eyes. “Lan Zhan! How come I was the only one who-” He got up and tried to approach Lan Wangji’s location again, only to be thrown back again. “Lan Zhan!” He got up again, determined, and made his way back. His eyes widened as he sensed another wave, but before he even had the chance to brace himself, Bichen was unsheathed and blocking the push from reaching Wei Wuxian. “Lan Zhan… that guqin… it’s- how can I- look Lan Zhan! Bunnies!” Indeed, there were bunnies surrounding the guqin that had been sending out energy to knock Wei Wuxian back. “They have little headbands, how cute! Lan Zhan! They’re not being attacked!”

“Wei Ying…”

“Lan Zhan, do you want me to keep being attacked? So cruel, er-gege! I thought you liked me!”

“Ridiculous!”

“So you say, but am I right? Lan Zhan! Your sword is strong, I would know, but it surely can’t keep the attacks from me for long, can it?” There was a stillness in the silence Wei Wuxian couldn’t stand. “Lan Zhan!”

Lan Wangji jumped next to him. “Don’t regret this.”

“I’d like to not be attacked anymore, please and thank you, er-gege~!”

If he could read Lan Wangji just a bit better, he’d probably think to wonder what the headband actually means, but he couldn’t.

So he didn’t.

The headband wound around their wrists, binding them.

They stepped forward, Lan Wangji grabbing Bichen and stowing her. Stepping up, Wei Wuxian braced himself for push-back. There was none. He blinked, then grinned. “It worked!” Wei Wuxian turned his head to Lan Wangji, then leaned his head back and to the side, resting on Lan Wangji’s shoulder. “Thank yoooouuuu, er-gegeeee!”

“Ridiculous.” Lan Wangji shook his head, but from his position, Wei Wuxian could see his ears clearly, and they had turned red, but they seemed to be darker than usual.

Had he already been blushing?

“Lan Zhan-” An echo sounded around the cave, cutting Wei Wuxian off. He shot his head up and turned as much as he could while still bound to Lan Wangji. Lan Wangji turned just his head, but his eyes narrowed. “What is that? Lan Zhan, is that- what that echo mentioned.”

“The Yin iron.” A woman’s voice sounded. They turned back towards the guqin to see said woman seated behind the ice table the guqin occupied, a bunny already in her lap. “Welcome, you two. I am sorry to have seemingly dragged you down here, but I am in need of your assistance, and you seemed the best choice.”

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian looked at each other then back to the woman. Lan Wangji pulled Wei Wuxian down into a respectful kneel. “Lan-Zongshi-san-Zongzhu, this humble descendent is Lan Zhan, Lan Wangji, er-son of the current Lan-zongzhu. Wangji greets his ancestor.” He bowed.

Wei Wuxian stuttered for a second before he too looked at her. “This disciple, Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian, san-gongzi of the QishanWen sect, also greets Lan-san-Zongzhu.” He bowed, and only rose when Lan Wangji rose.

The woman smiled, and looked at Lan Wangji. “You recognise me.”

“Yes.” Lan Wangji said, “Lan Yi.”

Lan Yi smiled wider. “Yes. It is nice to meet my descendent. I can tell you have done well with your studies. You are already quite strong for one so young.” Lan Wangji’s ears went red again, but she couldn’t see it.

Wei Wuxian smiled, only looking away from Lan Wangji when Lan Yi had already once again begun speaking.

Lan Yi continued. “I am sorry you two have been caught down here, but since you have been, I can’t help but imagine it is destiny.”

“Destiny?” Wei Wuxian said.

“Yes. You see… the Yin iron was once owned by Xue Chonghai, a man who went crazy for want of it.”

Wei Wuxian scoffed, “Don’t I know it.”

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji said, emphasising his name.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened. “Apologies! I spoke out of turn! Please forgive me.”

Lan Yi’s expression was hard, but her eyes were soft. “You are familiar with it.”

Lan Wangji stiffened. Wei Wuxian, though, straightened. “Yes. That piece you have is quite familiar to me.”

Lan Yi tilted her head, “How?”

“Allow me to fully introduce myself, Lan-san-Zongzhu. This one is Wei Wuxian, as I stated. There is a reason, though I am the third son of the current Wen-Zongzhu. My gege was the one who found and adopted me - Zongzhu has had almost nothing to do with my upbringing bar acknowledging my position as Gege wanted it within the sect. To be frank, I was on the streets for about two years before Gege found me. My parents had died on a night-hunt. Their names were Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren.”

“Sanren?” Lan Yi started.

Wei Wuxian hesitated before saying, “Yes. She was the daughter and disciple of Baoshan Sanren.”

Lan Yi’s eyes looked far away. “So, she accomplished what she set out to do and had descendents herself, and disciples… and now a son of her daughter sits before me.”

“Lan-san-Zongzhu?” Wei Wuxian asked.

“Nothing.” Lan Yi said, shaking her head. “I’ll explain more later. Go on, little one.”

Lan Wangji pursed his lips, still saying nothing.

Wei Wuxian took his hand and squeezed, which did not go unnoticed by Lan Yi.

Wei Wuxian continued, “Of course. Um. Well, the…” He looked to Lan Wangji, who didn’t move in any way. “I suppose it’s not really a secret either.” He straightened and seriously stated, “My sect leader currently has two pieces of Yin iron in his possession and is… using them. I am more familiar than my gege would like me to be with… the artifact. The Wen have… changed since your time, Lan-san-Zongzhu.”

Lan Yi was silent for a long moment, but neither Lan Wangji nor Wei Wuxian broke the silence. Lan Yi said, “Your gege…”

Wei Wuxian responded, “Yes. Wen Xu. Sorry… He is the da-son of Wen-Zongzhu. He has some… similarities to him, but he doesn’t like him. That’s why… why I’m even here in the first place. I fear I would have died on the streets, torn apart by hungry dogs-” He cut himself off, choking on the words as his throat closed. He looked down at his lap, the hand with the ribbon tied around it at his side, receiving a squeeze this time rather than delivering one, the other hand clenched in his lap. He loosened it when he noticed the feeling of a slight trickle of blood between his fingers.

“Wei Ying...” Lan Wangji said.

Wei Wuxian didn’t look at him. “It’s all right, Lan Zhan, I’m fine.”

Lan Yi looked between them, then spoke. “Cangse Sanren…” Wei Wuxian looked up, and she continued. “I wish I could have met her. Baoshan- Baoshan Sanren was my very dear friend. She was the only one who stood… against me when everyone else stood with me. When they shouldn’t have.” She took a deep breath. “She was one who understood me. I had my own ideas of how to deal with Xue Chonghai’s Yin iron. She did not agree with them. I… it didn’t end as I expected. It ended how she expected. I came here, into this cave, to seal the Yin iron, only after it was too late. My spiritual cognition - my essence, my spiritual energy, was drained trying to confine it here. And my strength is finally failing me.”

“Lan-san-Zongzhu!” “Zongshi-san-Zongzhu!” Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji exclaimed simultaneously.

Wei Wuxian added, “What do you mean? Are you all right?”

“It’s all right. I’m fine, little one, thank you. I’ve been here a long time. You need not worry yourself. I- I didn’t think… it would happen again… but… You are truly here by fate, it would seem.” She looked up at them. “Can I trust you?”

“Yes.” Lan Wangji said.

“Of course!” Wei Wuxian added.

“So eager.” Lan Yi chuckled. “I trust you, then.” She looked at the ribbon tying them and then up to Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji looked back at her, eyes dilating.

Lan Yi smiled, then looked at Wei Wuxian, “How shameless were you?”

“Zongshi!” Lan Wangji burst out.

Wei Wuxian smiled, though he tilted his head in confusion. “Based on Lan Zhan’s reaction just then, I assume you mean with him? Probably quite shameless. He’s fun to tease, Lan-san-Zongzhu.”

“Wei Ying!”

“I’m sure.” Lan Yi said, smiling. She turned to Lan Wangji, “You chose well.”

Lan Wangji’s face burst into flame.

“Lan Zhan? Are you all right? What’s wrong?” Wei Wuxian said.

Lan Yi chuckled. “Oh, yes, very well, Lan Wangji.” She smiled again, but then frowned. “My time is nearing. My presence won’t remain much longer than when you two are able to find your way to the outside again. I must ask you two a favour.”

Wei Wuxian pursed his lips, “I am willing to help, if you wish it, Lan-san-Zongzhu.”

“Of course you are. You remind me of myself, Wei-gongzi. That is why… if destiny lead you here… you and your-”

“Zongzhi-san-Zongzhu.” Lan Wangji interrupted.

Lan Yi looked at him, a smirk growing on her face.

Wei Wuxian didn’t notice, he was too busy gaping at Lan Wangji, “Lan Zhan! This is your ancestor. Not only that, but the rules, Lan Zhan! Interrupting is forbidden in the Cloud Recesses!”

Lan Wangji didn’t react, but Lan Yi burst into laughter. “My, my, Wei-gongzi, you are a joy, aren’t you? It’s quite all right. I understand why he interrupted, though I wouldn’t personally recommend his course of action which made it necessary in his eyes.” She ignored Wei Wuxian’s confused hum, looking at Lan Wangji, “Though he is old enough to make his own decisions in the matter, I suppose. Boys. I have a task for you.” They straightened, and she smiled at them. “There is one other piece I know of. Find it. Keep it safe, along with this one.”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened. “Lan-san-zongzhu… my sect…”

“Your sect is not you, Wei-gongzi, and nor is it your gege. I can see you. You will figure it out. Wangji, I recommend letting Wen-da-gongzi in as well. He may be more helpful.”

Lan Wangji said nothing, but Wei Wuxian nodded. “We’ll be careful. And! I’ll protect Lan Zhan! Don’t worry, Lan-san-Zongzhu!”

Lan Yi smiled, “I don’t think I’ll need to. My good descendant is in good hands.”

****

Wen Qing’s eyes widened, the yells for Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian fading into the background as she neared the waterfall again. “It’s gone.”

Chapter Text

“And the bunnies! I’m so glad they can come out with us.”

“Mn.”

“Although… I am kind of sad their little headbands faded. Yours really did the job, though! Thanks again, Lan Zhan… is it on properly again?”

“...Mn.”

“Good! And… At least the bunnies know their previous caretaker cared for them! Lan Yi approved, didn’t she? She faded after we came back for the second batch, I think.”

“Mn.”

“Ah, look at me! Talking as if you weren't there!”

“Mn.”

“Sneaking bunnies behind your house - for shame, Lan Zhan.”

“Nm.”

“If you say so!”

“Wei Wuxian!” A familiar voice called, making Wei Wuxian look up from the bunnies in his arms. “Jiang Cheng!”

Jiang Wanyin walked up, Nie Huaisang behind him, a hand over his chest and a fan clutched over it. “What the fuck!? Where have you been? Do you know how worried we- your brother’s been? He’s nearly burned Lan-xiansheng alive, like, four times, at least!”

Wei Wuxian looked thoroughly confused, looking to the neutral face of Lan Wangji and back at Jiang Cheng. “What?”

“Dumbass!” Jiang Wanyin burst out, “You-”

“Wei-xiong, do you know how long you two have been missing?” Nie Huaisang cut in.

“Uuuh.” Wei Wuxian laughed awkwardly, “Surely only a few hours at most?”

“Try almost two days!”

“Two days!” Wei Wuxian screeched.

“Not quite.” Nie Huaisang said, “A day and a night.”

“That’s-” Wei Wuxian said, turning to Lan Wangji. “Oh. Gege is going to kill me.”

“Not if you tell me where you’ve been first.” Wen Qing said, coming up behind them.

“Qing-Jie.” Wei Wuxian pouted.

Wen Qing stood next to Jiang Wanyin. “You have bunnies.” She deadpanned.

“Yes! We do!” Wei Wuxian said. “Uh.” He put the bunny in his hands in Lan Wangji’s, the bunny scrambling for purchase on the back of another before Lan Wangji shifted an arm to stabilise it. “It’s a long story that involves whirlpools, caves, and bunnies, but, long story short - it just took us a really long time to figure out where to exit.” Wei Wuxian laughed, “And then the bunnies were still nearby, so we couldn’t just leave them, could we? Lan Zhan said they could stay in a field nearby, right Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji hesitated for barely a minute at his yard being referred to as a “field” before he gave one brief nod with a, “Mn.”

“See?” Wei Wuxian said.

Jiang Wanyin raised an eyebrow and Wen Qing crossed her arms.

Nie Huaisang was the only one who said, “Good enough for me! Wei-xiong, come find Jiang-xiong and me if you survive your brother, okay? We’ll be nearby!”

“Okay…” Wei Wuxian said, “Uh, I’ll see you around, Lan Zhan, make sure those bunnies join the rest, okay? And I’ll find you to work through being in that cave for so long, too, okay? My brother will probably follow me because he won’t want me out of his sight, but I’ll find you, okay?” He winked, hoping Lan Wangji got what he was trying to convey.

“...Mn.”

Wei Wuxian smiled at him, “Thank you, Lan Zhan, you’re the best as always.” When Wen Qing scoffed, he turned to her, “Okay, Qing-Jie. Where is my gege?”

****

“Explain to me again why you are so incompetent as to lose both your own nephew and my didi.” Wen Xu said to Lan Qiren.

“Wen-gongzi, I can not possibly explain that to you-” Lan Qiren began, but was promptly cut off as Wen Xu slammed his hands onto the table.

“Your younger nephew and my didi are not even fully of age yet. They are barely older than children. They have been missing for nearly two days.”

“We are searching.”

“No! No, no, Lan Qiren. I was searching. Wen Qing was searching, Jiang Wanyin was searching, Nie Huaisang was searching, every damn disciple was searching, is searching, hell, I managed to see Lan Xichen search for a bit before you dragged him back here where you have been leisurely drinking tea since you returned!”

“Wen-xiong…” Lan Xichen attempted.

“Not now, Xichen-xiong.” Wen Xu said, not even looking up from Lan Qiren. “You are supposed to be in charge of us, are you not, Lan Qiren? What authority figure much more what teacher abandons his students?”

“I was called for a conference-”

“That conference was not so important. I am well aware of what that conference was for.”

Before Lan Qiren could respond, Wen Qing walked in, Wei Wuxian behind her. “Wen-gongzi, Lan-xiansheng, Zewu-Jun. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji have been found.”

Lan Qiren exhaled and Wen Xu whirled around, stalking forward and past Wen Qing, grabbing Wei Wuxian’s ear. “Where have you been? Are you out of your mind?”

“Ow! Ow ow ow, Gege, mercy! I can explain!”

“Where’s Wangji?” Lan Qiren cut in, eyes narrowed.

Wen Xu glared over his shoulder but Wei Wuxian responded, “At his house.”

“He told you about-?” Lan Xichen asked, before cutting himself off.

Wei Wuxian tilted his head, “We got caught in a current in the cold springs and got lost in a cave system. We were only able to find the exit recently - and there were bunnies nearby, so we rescued them and now they’re in Lan Zhan’s yard.”

“Pets-”

“I am sure, Lan-xiansheng, that Lan-er-gongzi is well aware of the rules.” Wen Xu scoffed.

“Mn!” Wei Wuxian added, not registering the jab. “They’re not pets! They are simply staying where Lan Zhan can see them!”

“That sounds wonderful.” Lan Xichen said, “Wei-gongzi, I am glad that you could help my brother.”

“Of course! Anything for Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian said, not registering the look Lan Xichen sent Wen Xu, who raised his eyebrows.

Lan Qiren huffed and continued to drink his tea.

Wei Wuxian grabbed Wen Xu’s hand. “Come on! I gotta show you the bunnies! Wen Qing’s already seen them!”

“I wouldn’t need to see them even if I hadn’t.” Wen Qing said. “I’m going to find A-Ning and let him know you’ve been found. Since he was worried.”

“Ah!” Wei Wuxian said, “Yes, bring him to Jiang Cheng and Nie-xiong!”

Wen Qing scoffed as Wei Wuxian hauled Wen Xu out of the pavilion.

Wen Xu wrenched his hand away from Wei Wuxian and pulled on his ponytail to stop him, ignoring his complaints. “What’s this about?”

Wei Wuxian pursed his lips. “Trust me?”

“I don’t know that I can.”

“You caaaaan, Gegeeee.” Wei Wuxian whined. “This is important! And we don’t know if we should talk to… adults about this yet.”

“Assigning me as a child still aside…” Wen Xu said. “What is it?” He followed Wei Wuxian behind a house Wen Xu quickly realised belonged to Lan Wangji when he saw him sitting with a bunch of bunnies surrounding him. A bunch of bunnies that scattered once Wei Wuxian bounded over.

“Awww. Lan Zhan! Our children hate me!” Wei Wuxian threw himself next to Lan Wangji, laying on his shoulder and reaching to pat the bunny that had remained in Lan Wangji’s lap.

“Nm.” Lan Wangji said, eloquently.

“They do! Did you see them scatter? I’m the one who-”

“Ahem.” Wen Xu said, walking up to them. “Wei Wuxian. You wanna tell me what’s going on? In this century, perhaps?”

“Right!” Wei Wuxian straightened, (Thank goodness), “Gege, there’s something important we need to discuss with you. Right, Lan Zhan?”

“Mn.”

“Please tell me this isn’t what it sounds like.” Wen Xu buried his head in his hands.

“Huh? What does it sound like?” Wei Wuxian asked.

“Nothing, continue.” Wen Xu said from behind his hands.

He only broke the position to run a hand down his face when Wei Wuxian started off with, “Weeeell.”

Wen Xu sat down, “That doesn’t sound good.”

“Just wait! Okay, so long story short, we met Lan Yi, the third sect leader of the Lan, who had sealed herself into the cave below the cold springs and she had, get this, a piece of Yin iron!”

“What!?” Wen Xu started. “You can’t just-” He cut himself off and looked around. He reached his hand up and performed a hand seal. When no smoke bird materialised on his arm, he sighed. “What the fuck are you talking about?” It wasn’t a question, it was a demand.

“Well…” Wei Wuxian said. There was a bit more to it than what we told everyone, because - well, it’s the Yin iron! Right, Lan Zhan?”

“Mn.” Lan Wangji said from his place next to Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian continued. “There was a guqin belonging to Lan Yi guarding the place. Once we - well… once it stopped attacking me, we approached it and Lan Yi appeared not long after that. I told her what I knew because of… well, being the san-gongzi of the current sect that’s using it, right?”

Wen Xu didn’t respond, but Wei Wuxian acted like he did. “Right. So… well… She had a piece and explained that they could sense each other - the pieces, that is. And when I said that Wen-Zongzhu had two pieces… Well, we were tasked with going on a quest to find the last one and to… uh…”

“Protect them.” Lan Wangji but in.

“Right. That!” Wei Wuxian said.

“Right.” Wen Xu said, “Right, so. Two things.” He raised his hand, two fingers elevated. “First… what will you do with them?”

“Well, she said it would be good to get you involved.”

“Me?”

“Uh-huh. I explained you to her.”

“You… explained me… to her.”

“Yup! She said you’d be able to help!”

“Right…”

“I know you have a plan. You don’t have to tell me now, but…”

“Whatever I’m planning will have to speed itself up, I imagine.” Wen Xu ran a hand down his face. “Okay, so, second thing. You said that there were attacks on you specifically. And that they stopped.” He narrowed his eyes when Lan Wangji tensed. “How did they stop?”

Wei Wuxian paused, “Oh. Did I not say that part?”

“No. You didn’t.” Wen Xu said.

“Oh! Well, Lan Zhan rescued me! Isn’t he gallant?” Wei Wuxian giggled, once again not registering any tension, which was very much present.

“Yes… I’m sure you thought he was quite gallant. A-Ying. A-Líng Lǐ. Tell me.” He motioned with two fingers for Wei Wuxian to lean forward. “How did he rescue you?”

“Well…” Wei Wuxian said. He looked at Lan Wangji, finally registering tension. “Hey… Lan Zhan, are you all right?” He put a hand on Lan Wangji’s arm, quickly removing his hand when Lan Wangji flinched. “Lan Zhan…”

“A-Ying.”

“Why is everyone-?” Wei Wuxian put his hands on his hips as best he could while sitting, narrowly missing elbowing Lan Wangji in the side. “Why is everyone acting like something is about to explode?”

“I just might if you don’t answer me.” Wen Xu said without missing a beat.

“Fine! Testy.” Wei Wuxian slouched, hands clasped in his lap, staring down a bunny. “I noticed that these little guys, at the time, had little tiny headbands on. And they were perfectly fine! Not being attacked, even targeted or threatened! So, I asked Lan Zhan to borrow his headband and he wrapped it around our wrists.”

There was a pause so long, Wei Wuxian almost repeated himself.

Then Wen Xu simply said, through clenched teeth, one word. “What?”

****

Wei Wuxian would like to say he understands what’s happening. He’s very knowledgeable! Normally! But, when the killing aura comes out of his brother… Well, he’s heard about it - you know, from people in the sect, whenever Wen Chao is nearby… but he’s never personally experienced it.

Wei Wuxian’s question is this. What exactly set his brother off? He dragged Wei Wuxian behind him when he went to find Lan Xichen, saying he wouldn’t let him be around Lan Zhan alone anymore which ??? and that even if he insists on the Yin quest, he’d have to be supervised, so even if Lan Yi hadn’t said he should be involved, he would be, which, again, ????

Anyway.

Lan Xichen was actually the one to find them. “Wen-gongzi, Wei-gongzi, have you seen Wangji?”

Wen Xu scoffed, “Oh, have we ever.” When Lan Xichen’s eyes widened, he scoffed. “I would apologise for propriety, but Lan Wangji properly defenestrated propriety, so I don’t feel like it.”

“Gege! What in the world are you even talking about?”

Wen Xu rolled his eyes, then turned to Lan Xichen, “He’s in the newly-instated bunny field.”

“Thank you…” Lan Xichen said, nearly rushing past them.

“Yah!” Wen Xu said, “What’s the hurry? Lan Xichen! I need to fucking speak with you!”

“Gege! Language!”

Wen Xu ignored him. “Lan Xichen!”

“Wei Wuxian! Wen-gongzi!” A new voice sounded.

Wei Wuxian turned from Lan Xichen’s retreating form, “Jiang Cheng! What’s going on?”

“I left Huaisang near the dorms. Classes start again properly tomorrow, you know? But I heard that there’s a night-hunt Lan Xichen wants Lan Wangji for!”

“What’s the night-hunt?” Wei Wuxian said, curious.

“Water ghouls. In Biling Lake.”

“What?” Wen Xu said. “In Biling? But Caiyi is a fishing village.”

Jiang Cheng shrugged. “I’m going to ask if I can join - Yunmeng is very familiar with water ghouls.”

Wen Xu had stopped, not noticing Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian scrambling to find Lan Xichen, nearly pulling each other’s hair.

“Water ghouls… in Biling? Wait…” Wen Xu’s head shot up. “Oh no.”

Chapter Text

Wen Xu did not think they would be so fast.

He had managed to catch Wen Qing and Wen Ning before they also made their way to ask if they could join, and that delayed him.

Angrily seething at Wen Chao from a distance also didn’t help his time management.

It wasn’t the best way to use his time, yes, he knows, but he wasn’t going to kill someone in Cloud Recesses.

That would be messy and would get him in a position he doesn’t want to be.

So he rushed out of the Cloud Recesses.

But he couldn’t fly on his sword until he was in Caiyi, and by then, it would be superfluous. So, he got to the point where he could see the lake when they were renting the boats and boarding them.

“Shit. And A-Ying did go with them. Shit. Shit shit shit.” He rushed to the dock and took to the skies to catch up to the boats.

“Gege! There you are! You made it!” Wei Wuxian yelled into the air, causing everyone to look up at Wen Xu.

“No thanks to you.” Wen Xu said, landing heavily on Wei Wuxian’s boat. “Lan Xichen! I don’t think this is a good idea!”

“Who are you to say that to Lan-Zongzhu?” A disciple in white directed to Wen Xu.

“I have every right to talk to him as I please! I’m the heir to the Wen and he’s also an heir even if he’s practically a sect leader already so you shut up! Zewu-Jun-”

“Lan Zhan, look at me!” Wei Wuxian burst out.

Lan Wangji did, then jumped up and over to Jiang Cheng’s boat. “Wei Ying.”

“Sorry, Lan Zhan! But there was a ghoul under your boat!”

“How do you know?” Lan Xichen said, as they managed to catch up to him, Wen Xu making an effort to propel them within hearing distance.

“I only heard of the concept, but given that I could see Jiang Cheng’s boat and the other disciples’ boats… I noticed that the displacement was different. Lan Zhan’s boat was lower than it should have been. So I made an assumption and it turned out to pay off. Right, Jiang Cheng?”

“Right.” Jiang Cheng said, “Water ghouls like to cling to things - weight displacement affects even them. Sorry I didn’t notice right away, Lan-er-gongzi.”

“It is all right.” Lan Wangji said. He sent out his sword to hit a water ghoul, as did many others.

They were getting closer to the centre of the lake, but it wasn’t noticeable what would happen.

Yet.

“Zewu-Jun!”

“Wen-xiong?”

“Finally! I’ve been trying to get your attention! This isn’t a normal case of water ghouls!”

“How the fuck would you know?” That same Lan disciple muttered, throwing his sword out again, though Wen Xu heard it.

“Who the fuck are you?? Stop fucking questioning me, you fucking dumbass!”

“Wen-xiong…”

“Sorry. Look, things have been… happening in Qishan and not to put too fine a point on it, but Wen Chao recently went on a night hunt in a village… north-west of here. He came back victorious, but my fuqin told me it was a waterborne abyss!”

“No!” Wei Wuxian burst out. “You’re not suggesting-”

“I am not suggesting, I am outright stating. We need to get in the air. There is no way Wen Chao drained a lake and dispelled an abyss in the time he was out hunting.”

Lan Xichen didn’t even nod. “To the skies!”

They mounted their swords just as they reached the centre of the lake and the waterborne abyss revealed itself.

“Fuck! I knew it!” Wen Xu hissed.

“Su Minshan!” Lan Xichen said.

Wen Xu looked down to see the disciple who was being fucking disrespectful still on his boat, making the sigil to- oh for the love of all the heavenly officials.

“What a fucking dumbass! He can’t even- A-Ying, no!” Wen Xu yelled.

Wei Wuxian had dove down.

Presumably to save the dumbass oh my god his brother was a self-sacrificial idiot.

“Wei Wuxian!” He heard Jiang Wanyin scream, but he couldn’t move.

He couldn’t move.

That fucking disciple was too heavy, Wei Wuxian heaved him onto his own sword before something happened and he was falling.

Lan Wangji dove down and went into the water, only reappearing when he had Wei Wuxian in his hold.

That disciple was just as frozen as Wen Xu was, frozen and useless atop Ānshù.

Wen Xu was filled with so much fear and so much rage, he almost didn’t know what to do with it all.

****

Darkness is not something Wei Wuxian is unfamiliar with.

The Sun Palace… was not sunny.

It was dark, surrounded by lava, and the only curtains that remain open long enough to let in the minimal light available are in his room, Wen Xu’s room, and Wen Qing and Wen Ning’s double room.

It was a bright day today.

He’s glad he knew how to swim, but it hardly did him any good.

The abyss was dark and there were water ghouls all throughout it, of course.

They surrounded him, tugged at him, and he struggled to break free.

How did he get here? He was on his sword… he pulled the disciple onto his sword… the disciple misstepped… oh…

The water ghouls were loud.

Help! Help u̵̡̨̧̞̫͚͂͛̆͒̒̾́͆̾̊̀͝ş̷͍̬̏̋̀̔̇͌͛̀͒̉͋͝͠͝!

Wen-san-gongzi! Is that Wen-san-gongzi?

Wen-san-gongzi, we were w̷̡͉̹͔͚̳̰̥͈͑̃͂̇̓̎͊̕̕ȑ̵͈͓͉̟͌ó̶̡̡̧̼̗̯̭͇̦̅̿̔̑̎͂̓͌̊̽̊͒͂ņ̵̛̛̯̖̯͙̼̱̺͓̝̪̫͉̣͛̊̋̔̂̓͛̄̇̕͘͝g̸̲̓! We werȩ̸̛̱̥͖͍̰͔̫̗̻̞̘̮͓̊̓͑̋̉͊̑̂̐̚̚͝͝͝ ̶̥͔̳̬͖̩̑ẃ̵̡̨̨̺͉̫̼̰̠̱̯̣̬͛̈̒̀̏͘̕ṟ̴̼̬̩͋̅̄͆̌̎̂͊̊̽͑ǫ̷̡̡̛̛̠̲̫̩͕̬͔͉̮͇̿̄͋̋͆͆̐ņ̶̨̲͇̗̰͍̯̭̪̌̆̎̌̑͂̇ͅg̵̢̡̮̹͍̹͚̮̩̯͈̹̩̳̃̋̇͌̏̓͠!

I just want to rest… I̵̛͎͖̙̰̦̺̰̼̲͖̦̿̾̇̾̾̍̅̾͑́̿͂̎͠ͅ ̶̧̧̠̲̫̫̮̦͔̰͗̑̚j̶̢̗̰̜̩̦̟͚̩͂̽́̏̑͊͒̓͐͜ư̵͔̻̝̳͓͒͂̀̑̉̈̃͝s̷̺̬͈̟̥̥̯̥͕͍͉̝̺̈́̃̈́̈͌̅̂̊̕t̶͚͕̩̲̊̂̌̋̏̈̔͂͗̍̕͝ ̷͙̰̻͙̘͐̄͋̀̏̈́͐̐̓̚̚̚͝ͅw̸̧̨̯̦̻̯̆̾͒͋͂͋̀͘͝a̸͉̻̞̻͈͛̏̍͆͜͝n̶̝͊͆̌̓͑̃̓̾̀̽̽̂̕͘ț̴̮̘̞̭͙̹̦͎̈́̿͆͑̚̕͠ ̵͔͕̝͎͙͉̲̍͐́͊͂̿̎͝t̶̙̍̇́̿͂ǫ̶̢̼͕̙͓̱̩̫͎͂͠ ̴͚̼̮̠̩̦͖̱̺́̈́̽̚ŕ̵̜̠̻̱̹̈́́̌e̷̢̛͔̟̟̮̱͌̾͌͋͊͂̀̕͝͝͠ͅş̷̘͕͙̯͓̱͔͈͇̫̯̦̝̣̓͐̕ẗ̸̢͍̭̪̪̝̝̺̬̦̺̫̟́́̃̾̇̾͆̑̎̎̇̌͆͠…

Why didn’t Wen-ë̵̢̻̰̞̬̮̤̝̣́̑̅̽͜͠r̶̮͈̾̈́͆͆́-gongzi help us? Why didn’t he help us? He just s̷̡̓̀̏̿̀͗̄͑̆ę̴̱͍̗̙͍͈͉͔̘̹̠̼̼̝͑̒̈́͗̒͊̿ņ̴͎̤̱̌̾t̶̨̘͎̗̣̱̥̲̱̎̀̐̓̌̓̊̋͗̓́̈͒̈͠ ̵̢̪͈͙͈̮̊̎̅̉̅̽͛͊̚͠͝û̵̱̮̝̪̞̖͉͂̉̀̽̇̓̉̕͠s̶͖̝̣̤̒̽̐̇̇ ̶̧̨̡̖͈̯͇͍͍̰̗̳͉̰͓͋ȁ̷͈̘̯͉̲̼͈̩̃̉̂̒̀͛̍̽̿̚ͅw̸̢̫̻̬̲̯̳̾̆̃̔̒̅̈́̎͘̕ă̵̡̡̗͙̞͖̗͈̘̓͜y̷̡̛̩̯̯̟̠̪̳̹͔̆́̂

Wen-san-gongzi! Do you r̸̙̺̤͖͓̦͈̩͊͆̆͌̈́̓͋̈́͋̌̚̚e̶͖͕̗̎̈́̑m̷̢̢̖̖̂̄͘͘è̶̫̼̤̹̠̞̜͕̣̞̺̔͂̈́͜͝m̷̦̂̅̊̆̀̾͆̍b̶̡͈̩͉͓̤̹͖̲̮̮̺͖̥̒͂̊̓̕ͅe̵̡̙̘̗͎̤̮̩̣͐̐̽̽̋̇͋͘ͅr̷̢̧̛̛̯̪̜̮̯̈́̑̋̎͌̀͊̑͆̈́̐͘͜͝ ̸̱̀̍̔́̓̆̅́̀̉̋̈͗͠͠m̸̢̤̟̹̻̲̦͈̏̋̈ȩ̶̨̖̹̹̹̯͔̰̣̘͕̒̀͒͆̆̾͗̅̇̾͜͝? We used to play when you visited…

It’s cold, it’s so c̴̠͔̺̓́̇o̵̱͕̯̠̹̳̐̈͋̐̈́̚ͅļ̷̖̣̻͙̃͒͂̏̓͜͠d̶͚͔̭̼̏̓͗́̋̈͠…

Come closer, ċ̶͓̙̼̞̟̋͌́̓͋̾͆̔o̶̧͍̙̱͚̝̬͔͈̩̩̙̐̂̈́̐̉́̆͐̐̕̕͜͜͠m̷̭͕̱̜̖͇̼̋̂̽̿̕̕͝ȩ̶̡̛̳̳̮̎̒́̕ ̵̡̢͙̼̠̻͈͔̱̮̟̖̝͍̝̃̅͗͂͆c̵̨̛̥̪̝̠̹̉̔̑̑̈́̀͆́͜͠ͅl̸̛̹̲̻̦̼͈͉͕̼͋̐̈́̃͋̈́̀͑̅̄̌͂͝͝ö̸̘̰̟̩̪̽̏́̈́́ş̵̻̩̦͉̹̱͗̀͒ȩ̸̘͎̭̣̱͕̠̱̈́̏͌͋̆̈́̈̀͘͜r̷̯͚̪͎̊̍̄͂͝…

I’m in pain I’m in pain I’m in PAIN I’m in P̷͔̆̆̀̈̌̄̊͑̓͝A̸̡̢̛͓͇̦̮̩̝̗͒̄̈͐͌̇̉͊̕̕̕͜ͅI̴͎̱͔͙͕̰͇͍̩͔̱͆́̈̾̊̀̈́͐̀̀̾N̸̲̽̑̍͊̒͑̊͒̄̐̌̚͘

Help us! H̷͇̞̗̯̙̭̦͔͚̪͑̇̊̋́̂̓̔͌̈́̂̓̈̚͝ȩ̵͖̬̬̥̯̬͇͎̩̜̍͜͠ļ̵͖̻̮̯̲̰͓̟̜̌̓̍͒͋͋̈́̃̒͌́̏͆̚̚p̴̬͉͚̉̉͛̅̃̎̈́͌̈́̎̌͐͘͝ ̶͉͙̬̻̜̼̘͇̯͍̋̄̓̑̏́͝ừ̶̧̡͚̘̦̬̹̺̖͎͍͍͇̺̋̒͗̾̓̕̚ṡ̶̨̛̩̳̺̘̻͓̖̟̣̼̥̥̫͍͂̈́͗̎̈́͑͛́̂́̈̈́!̶͔̘̤̮̰̼̞̻̜̄ Please!

So loud…

I want to help you… I want to help you…

These were his people. These were Wen sect territory residents. From Qishan.

How long has he been under the water? Is he going to die?

Wen-san-̶̨̼̮̘̺͍͈̗̬̇́̎͜g̵̳̗̻͍̀̔o̵̱̞̭͎͇͙̜̖͑̄̄̒͂̈n̶̡̡͖̺̳̻͍͎̩̗̹͓̻̜̅̎͆͊̔̈́̐͛̉̚g̶̫͑͗ẓ̷̛̀̂́̈́̃̀̆̅͒̀̈̆̾i̷̧͈̤͚̫̙̻͓̦̭̝̾̍͐̄̒̕̕͠, W̶̛̛̛͎̼͈̩̥̰̩̱̞̺̻͛̋͑̏̀͗̽̏̕̕ͅͅͅȩ̴̢͈̺̠̝̫͍͙͓̻͕̦̬͙̓̉͊͋͋̒̐͛͗n̴̡͎͙̖̭̠̩̯͍͕̘̬͈͗͊̉͗̉͑̑͗͛̚̕-̷̡̣̟̟̹̙̗̠̩̖̹̅̉̔̈̈́̇̌̕̕̚͜s̶̮̠͍͗̈͋a̵̡̡͎͍̩̲̖̲͚̠̔͗͑̌̋͆̍͌̔̈́̔̏͂̓̕͜ͅń̵̨̳̘̓͌́͛̏-̷̼͕̈́̋̾̔̍̔̈́̾̚͘͝ͅg̶̨̢̛̠͇̘̞͇̰̝̖͂̅̐̄̌̾́̈́̍͝ờ̶͍̭͙͓̰̜̻̯͖̰̲̤̟̉͌̌͆̓́̿͒́̈́ͅń̶̢͎̘̮̩̟̰͎̮̲̟̙͖g̷̛̱͔̔z̸̧̨̢̡̼̗̱͚̮̲̥̳̼̿̈́̇i̶̮̇̐!̴̻̺̲́͝

Stop. STop. STOP IT STOP IT PLEASE.

And then there was light shining through his eyelids and it felt like he coughed up blood from his lungs where there was only water but no air.

****

“Wei Ying! Wei Ying!”

That’s probably the loudest Lan Wangji has ever been in his presence, but Wen Xu didn’t say anything as he stumbled off of his sword, stumbled his way to Lan Wangji where his little baby brother was cradled in the second jade’s arms, stumbled to his knees next to him, and refrained from doing something stupid like murder when Lan Wangji put his mouth to Wei Wuxian’s and breathed life into him.

His little didi coughed and Wen Xu felt the breath of relief that all of Caiyi seemed to emit.

“I’m fine.” Wei Wuxian coughed, to which Lan Wangji stared at him, Wen Xu closed his eyes and took a deep breath, mouth agape, and Jiang Wanyin yelled, “You fucking dumbass! What would we have done if you weren’t? Do you know how worried I was?”

“I’m okay, didi, don’t worry, I’m okay. Thank you, Lan Zhan. You looked gorgeous with your hair all splayed in the water, I know it.”

“You fucking dumbass!” Jiang Wanyin screeched. “Is this really the fucking time for that.”

Lan Xichen walked over with a relieved face as well. Then he frowned and turned to that fucking disciple. “Su Minshan… what happened?”

The idiot was crying, clutching Ānshù in his grip close to his chest, as if it was a lifeline, which Wen Xu supposed it was.

He cried, “Zewu-Jun…Zewu-” He choked up, but continued, “Zewu-Jun, I- I don’t know! I was- I had- My sword- I lost my sword! I don’t know what happened, it was gone, then the abyss, then- he- Wei Wuxian-”

“That.” Wen Xu said forcefully, standing and walking over to Su Minshan. “Is Wen-san-gongzi to you.”

Su Minshan flinched back. “Wen-gongzi, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!”

“Of course you didn’t.” Wen Xu said between clenched teeth.

“Gege, stop being mean to the boy I saved.” Wei Wuxian laughed, sitting up with Lan Wangji’s support.

“I have every right to be mean to him.” Wen Xu rounded on his brother, emphatic.

Lan Xichen held up a hand. “Let’s return to the Cloud Recesses.”

“Lan Xichen.” Wen Xu said.

“I am well aware, Wen-gongzi.” Lan Xichen said, turning. “Come on.”

“You-” Wen Xu cut himself off when he noticed Lan Wangji picking Wei Wuxian up. “Hey-!”

“Sssh, gege, don’t ruin this for me.” Wei Wuxian slurred.

“You-!”

“Give it up, Wen-gongzi.” Jiang Wanyin walked up. “Fire may weaken jade, but it won’t burn it. Better to just let Lan-er-gongzi do whatever the fuck he wants, the idiot’s already out of it. You and I’ll keep an eye on Wei-xiong whether Lan-er-gongzi likes it or not until he’s able to be looked at by Lan-daifu.” At the look he got, Jiang Wanyin rolled his eyes. “Fine. Until he’s able to be placed in the medical pavilion and looked at by Wen-daifu.”

Wen Xu rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything else as they went back to Cloud Recesses.

****

“He’ll be fine. He needs rest now, but at least closing his eyes won’t cause him to die.”

“Wen Qing!”

“You know that sometimes closing your eyes automatically makes people with head trauma lose consciousness and brain function. Given the amount of strain Wei Wuxian’s entire body went through, we’re lucky.”

Wen Ning walked in semi-quickly with a bowl of water and a rag, handing it to his sister. “Thank you, A-Ning.” She wiped her own forehead with her sleeve, causing Wen Ning to make a sound of distress before taking the rag, wetting it, and wiping down Wei Wuxian’s face.

Jiang Wanyin exhaled as Nie Huaisang wrung his hands.

Wen Xu forced himself to exhale before he breaks something.

Lan Wangji was also here.

Wei Wuxian has not let go of his ribbon which he had apparently grabbed en route.

No one said anything.

Okay, Jin Zixuan almost did, but Wen Xu hit him upside the head, so that was avoided.

Sometimes Wen Xu thinks he is the only thing holding Jin Zixuan back from digging himself into a hole with his words.

Wen Xu knew they knew what that ribbon meant.

He also knows that Wei Wuxian does not.

He glared at Lan Wangji who ignored him. Bad decision.

Lan Xichen came in and Wen Qing snapped, “Okay, I need at least half of you to vacate the premises. There are too many of you here.”

“Row-rr.” Nie Huaisang said and then Jiang Wanyin dragged him out by the ear. “Ow! Ow ow ow A-Cheeeng, what was that for?!”

Wen Xu heard Jiang Wanyin’s very loud “dumbass!” even when they were further away.

Jin Zixuan followed their general direction, looking back every once in a while.

Wen Ning went into the back room again and asked one of the Lan doctors to guide him through disinfecting the same rag Wen Qing had used.

Lan Xichen looked to Wen Qing.

Wen Qing looked around and said, “Well, given the… situation Lan Wangji is in, I understand why he’s still here. And A-Xu-”

“Thank you, Wen Qing, but I’ll speak to Zewu-Jun outside the pavilion.”

Lan Wangji didn’t look at them.

When Lan Xichen led him outside, he said, “I hope that disciple has been sufficiently punished.”

“He has been forced to copy lines one hundred times in handstand position.” When Wen Xu said nothing, Lan Xichen added, “he also received five hits from the bastinados.” Wen Xu scoffed and Lan Xichen continued. “There isn’t that much time left in the lectures. Tomorrow is the lantern festival. Wangji stated he was going on a night hunt not long afterwards.” Lan Xichen looked at him. “He stated he would be taking Wei Wuxian and yourself with him.”

Wen Xu scoffed, “He did, did he?”

“Yes.” Lan Xichen said. “About-”

“Nothing can happen with it right now.” Wen Xu interrupted, not an ounce of shame present. “No one will say anything. A-Ying doesn’t even know, I’m sure.”

Lan Xichen stared at him, but based on the fact that he didn’t say anything, Wen Xu assumed he wasn’t going to point out the violation of the precious rules.