Work Text:
Lan Wangji has a secret.
A secret that no one has figured out yet for all his years of living, and not even his dear Wei Ying has yet to find out in their years of marriage or even before. Or Lan Sizhui who unknowingly witnesses this secret happen in his years of seclusion. Even his brother hasn’t figured it out despite being able to tell his expressions on his face or his uncle thankfully.
And the secret in question is that he has a good friend or sister-like figure.
Like he would ever tell her that, if he could. But nevertheless, she is like one to him. This dear friend was an apothecary for starters, and a genius. And that if Lan Wangji could, he would never let Wei Ying and her alone together in a room if they caused chaos with their genius minds.
Ah, his dear friend, Maomao was a dear one, as she was a quiet comfort throughout the years for him.
And he is quite grateful for that and he wonders if she felt the same way towards him. After all, they have been friends for a long time at this point, and yet no one has found out.
But Lan Wangji does wonders when will that happen for himself or Maomao in question.
As the letters they send each other are quite improper and chaotic someone could say. But also would definitely break many Lan rules. And yet, he finds himself loving it every time. Despite the one major problem, that the two of them have for their friendship.
Despite that, Lan Wangji loves Maomao as his sister like figure and a good friend to have. And hopes that she stays safe as the latest letters of her adventures never seem to fail on surprising him at this point.
Especially when she talks about that mysterious Jinshi fellow, he often heard about. Or the events that surround her family.
With that in mind, Lan Wangji should probably write another letter as soon as possible as the latest one was a few weeks ago. And he hasn't had the chance to write one due to the activities of night hunts, Lan sect duties, Wei Ying and the juniors.
So he better get to writing one soon, maybe during his quiet time with not-his bunnies. Wei Ying's words not his.
Or maybe when he spends some time with a certain helper.
Yes, either one will work well, Lan Wangji thought as he was working out some last minute paperwork for the sect. As it was only a matter of time before Wei Ying came back from his duty, he also thought and then smiled on seeing his husband soon. So he continued his work that had to be done.
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Maomao has a friend, well she has many friends, powerful people. Not like she isn’t powerful herself with her intelligence.
But this friend was special.
As this friend has been there back when she was small and still learning to be apothecary. Still learning from her Pa, who still had money management problems back then too. Specifically, when he had all kinds of people for patients. Or dealing with the pharmacy he set up at the brothel. So she really needed this friend back then and was grateful for him.
Her friend, Lan Wangji or what she calls him Wangji. Or in a teasing way, Xiao tu zi for his love of bunnies.
She knew he had another name but she also knew that his husband of his had the honor of calling him that. So she wouldn’t pry due to also knowing Wangji and his husband love each other very much.
Due to the letters she and her friend send each other back and forth. And the rambles that she gets from him about his husband too.
Speaking of the letters, Maomao found them to be something to look forward to throughout, the days of the past and now. But ever since, the day she got the letter from Xiaolan as a form of goodbye, she truly realized how lucky she is in this world.
How lucky she is to have a good friend from her younger years till now.
And so, she really appreciates Wangji for the years of their friendship. Especially since the way their letters get sent to each other is weird but happens due to the help of a cute helper too.
Anyway, Maomao hasn’t heard from her friend in a couple weeks, so it was only a matter of time she would hear from Lan Wangji again. As she knew that, he was busy with everything that happened with his family and other matters. Like the different sect matters she hears from his letters.
And, she herself too find herself busy at times due the duties of an apothecary in the imperial palace. But also visiting her Pa when time allowed her too, as well. Which she informs him of as well in return in their letters.
As it was only a matter of time before she got wrapped up in something or Jinshi asking her to do something.
Or maybe even the discovery of new poisons, Maomao thought delightfully as she worked on her experiments as she does in her free time. Much to the distaste of her Pa and others like Jinshi.
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Little did Maomao know, that the helper that she and Lan Wangji mentioned watched her do this and happily chirped on at her actions. That she saw through a nearby window. And quickly flew from a tree branch, went to the ground. Then opened a hole in the ground and went to her beloved friend who had a letter ready for her.