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When All is Said and Done
by Em
“It’s not like you’re that great! You’re just an inferior copy of your brother anyway,” A visiting disciple sneers at Lan Wangji.
A disciple of the Yu Clan had been tormenting Nie Huaisang for his clumsiness after he accidentally spilled food on him. Lan Wangji had seen this and stepped in to give him the usual punishment for breaking the rules on etiquette and for the disturbance.
The disciple snapped back and shoved Nie Huaisang again, blaming him for everything. The Nie disciples rushed forward to aid their Second Young Master.
Lan Wangji remains unfazed by the Yu disciple practically yelling at his face, and adds to his punishment.
“Ten strikes with the discipline paddle,” Lan Wangji says, and the offending disciple’s face turns an ugly shade of purple. He spits out curses, and the Second Jade adds, “Make it fifteen.”
The Yu disciple screams in frustration. “You are unbelievable!” He gestures wildly. “You’re the same age as us! What gives you the right to give orders? Are you a clan leader?”
“You will have to copy the rules fifty times,” Lan Wangji says calmly.
“You’re not even a Clan heir! Do you think you’re above us just because you’re from the Big Four?” He continues to scream. “It’s not like you’re that great! You’re just an inferior copy of your brother anyway!”
Lan Wangji looks at him impassively, seemingly unbothered.
“At least your brother is easy enough to get along with! I bet if he were here, he wouldn’t be as uncompromising and unfair as you are,” he continues. “The Lan clan is lucky to have him as the future sect leader instead of someone like you- an emotionless puppet masquerading as a person! Pretty face, a good background, what good is all that when no one likes you? When you’re alone? No friends, no one that cares about you- I mean who would? When you’re this stuck up?”
Lan Wangji’s fingertips twitch, but he continues to look on evenly. The disciples around them were whispering, and his fellow Lan disciples were trying to disperse them. Someone goes to look for Lan Qiren.
“It’s probably because no one raised you with any love,” the disciple sneers. “If I stab you, will you just bleed out GusuLan’s three thousand rules? Did you end up this way because you don’t have a mother?”
Gasps ring out, and Lan Wangji feels like the world has been submerged in water. It feels like he could barely hear anything, but, for some reason, the words about his mother ring as clear as a bell.
“-but then again, you were like this from the start, and your mother and father couldn’t handle how arrogant and unfeeling you are and decided to-”
WHAM!
A loud smack to the face interrupts the Yu disciple mid-sentence and sends him sprawling to the ground. Everyone has gone eerily quiet. Lan Wangji looks up slowly to see Wei Wuxian with an uncharacteristic look of fury on his face.
“What.” Wei Wuxian speaks in a quiet tone that makes everyone freeze. t was a complete shift from his usual demeanor, and it made everyone suddenly wary of him. “What nonsense are you saying?”
The Yu disciple is spitting blood on the stone floor and looking up in surprise at Wei Wuxian. “You-!”
“I’m asking you, what nonsense are you telling Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian asks again as he tries to grab the Yu disciple by the front of his robes. Lan Wangji comes back to himself and manages to step forward and stop him.
Wei Wuxian lets him, but his angry eyes are still focused on the disciple sprawled on the floor.
“Wei Wuxian!” The disciple curses. “Wha- why are you, of all people, interfering? You should be agreeing with me!”
“Ha? In what universe would I ever agree with any of the lies you’re spouting!”
“You said it yourself that he is stuck up and boring! He punishes you more than any of us combined! What right does he have to do that? He just thinks he is better than any of us! Always looking down on us!”
“Shut up!” Wei Wuxian feels how Lan Wangji’s hold on his wrist tightens for a moment before releasing. He frantically grabs Lan Wangji’s hand, to the other’s surprise. “You- you shut up! You don’t know anything! Lan Zhan is the best of us! He is the type of person we should all aim to be! He is patient and kind and the best at everything he does! He isn’t boring or stuck up, he just takes the rules of his Sect more seriously than anyone because of how filial he is!”
The Yu disciple’s face is an alarming shade of red, a mixture of anger and embarrassment. He opens his mouth, probably to verbally attack Wei Wuxian next for embarrassing him but then-
“What is happening here?” Small mercies, it wasn’t Lan Qiren but Lan Xichen who came to stop the brewing fight. The Yu disciple straightens and turns to the elder Lan brother with a smug smile on his face.
“First Young Master Lan,” The Yu disciple saluted with a pitiful tone. “I have been unfairly treated. Do the Lans not value fairness?”
Wei Wuxian looks like he wanted to strangle him. He opens his mouth to speak, but Lan Wangji shakes his head and says in a flat tone, “Do not interrupt.”
Lan Wangji thinks he does well in masking his feelings, but Wei Wuxian was looking at him with big, sad eyes. He doesn’t know what expression he is making, but his brother takes one look at his face, and when he turns to the Yu disciple, his expression is so frigid that everyone in the area unconsciously straightens in fear.
The Yu disciple shuts his mouth and looks fearful for the first time.
“What. Happened.” There was no questioning tone in Lan Xichen’s voice..
No one spoke, stunned by his icy demeanor. They see now why Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen were called the Twin Jades. The usually smiling Lan Xichen is, surprisingly, scarier than his stoic little brother.
Nie Huaisang steps forward, trembling a little, eyes teary as he recounts the entire scene. Lan Xichen’s face is unreadable when he finishes.
“Young master Wei, Wangji,” Lan Xichen’s tone immediately softens when he calls his brother. Lan Wangji would be embarrassed by it, but he is too busy trying to keep a neutral expression after the incident. “Please head to the Hanshi, I will speak with uncle about the incident and deal with…” He looks at the frozen Yu disiciple, “…this disciple myself. Everyone else, go back to lunch.”
Lan Xichen’s last sentence is said in a neutral tone, but everyone immediately snaps to attention and goes their own way. Many bow hastily to Lan XIchen and Lan Wangji, muttering apologies under their breath.
Wei Wuxian has not let go of Lan Wangji’s hand and instead gently pulls him towards a secluded path. Lan Wangji follows him quietly, eyes locked at their hands.
They walk silently for a few minutes before Lan Wangji looks up and realizes they’re basically going in circles.
Wei Wuxian notices his confusion and says sheepishly, “I don’t actually know the way there? I just wanted to get you away from all that…” He waves his hand vaguely and then sighs in frustration. “Well, all that stupidity! Don’t believe anything that Yu-person said, Lan Zhan. He’s just an insecure, little worm!”
Lan Wangji swallows back the warmth in his chest when he sees Wei Wuxian angry in his behalf. He pulls at the other’s hand, and Wei Wuxian jumps like he forgot they had been holding hands this whole time.
At Wei Wuxian’s wide-eyed look, Lan Wangji slowly starts to let go, but the Jiang senior disciple swallows and grips his hand tightly before he can.
“Are you all right?”
Lan Wangji looks up, confused.
“Earlier you looked…” Wei Wuxian couldn’t describe it and just sighs, “Well… you know. You didn’t look the way you usually look- anyway, what’s important is you know that what he said wasn’t true.”
“So, you’ve said,” Lan Wangji replies.
Wei Wuxian huffs, “It’s the truth. He- Wait, you don’t actually think he has a point?”
Lan Wangji thinks back carefully. He tries to separate his own personal feelings on the matter and focuses instead on the facts.
“He is not entirely incorrect,” he concludes.
Wei Wuxian’s scandalized look is almost funny, Lan Wangji thinks. He makes faces, as if trying to comprehend what Lan Wangji just said, looking outraged by it, yet trying not to appear angry at Lan Wangji.
“Lan Zhan… you…” Wei Wuxian does not know what to say.
Lan Wangji decides to help him out. “I am overtly strict, and he was not happy with it. I am uncompromising.”
“You were just following the rules, and you were right to discipline him! I even think you weren’t harsh enough!”
“I am not as skilled as my brother-”
“You are! You are just as skilled! Just as great!” Maybe even greater, Wei Wuxian swallows back the words, worried Lan Wangji would dismiss his words if he pushes too hard.
That young master of the Yu clan called Lan Wangji an inferior copy of his brother. If Lan Wangji of all people was inferior, then that made that Yu disciple less than an ant- no, even ants have more use than him. Calling him an ant would be an insult to ants, Wei Wuxian thinks darkly.
“I am not as good as my brother. I am difficult to approach and difficult to get along with,” Lan Wangji tells him. “I do not have any friends.”
“You have me!” Wei Wuxian yells and then stops at the surprised look on Lan Wangji’s face. He reddens and stutters, “I mean, we’re friends! We are! If you say ‘no’, you’ll break my heart!”
Lan Wangji is quiet. He does not know what to say. It breaks Wei Wuxian’s heart a bit, but he covers it up with a huff.
“Lan Wangji, Lan Zhan! Whether you like it or not, we have a strong bond between us!” Wei Wuxian insists, thick-faced. “You’re my zhiji.”
Lan Wangji’s breath hitches. He is quiet for a moment before he says, “…yes.”
Wei Wuxian feels his heart swell at the confirmation. On impulse, he lifts Lan Wangji’s hand to his face and presses a kiss to the back of it.
Instead of pulling away, Lan Wangji freezes at the gesture. Wei Wuxian is just too happy to notice. He loosens his grip and swings their hands between them.
“Now, how do you feel? Don’t think about that Yu person anymore! You trust me more than him anyway, right? And I am way smarter than him! So, if you follow that logic, then I am clearly right and am to be believed over him.”
“I-” Lan Wangji is definitely not thinking about the incident with the Yu disciple anymore. His heart is beating so fast it was a miracle it hasn’t burst out of his chest yet.
He tries to focus on Wei Wuxian’s last question and decides to humor him just this once.
“Mn.”
The smile on Wei Wuxian’s face could rival the sun, and he leans against Lan Wangji with a contented sigh.
“Now then, shall we go to the Hanshi before your brother sends out a search party for us?”
Lan Wangji looks at him helplessly, squeezing his hand in affirmation. He feels his expression soften, and Wei Wuxian is looking at him like he is the reason the world turns.
“…Mn.”
Lan Wangji knocks politely on his brother’s door and enters with Wei Wuxian when he hears his brother call for them to enter.
The Hanshi was his father’s abode as the official sect leader, but with him in seclusion, Lan Xichen has found himself the new owner of a second home. Officially, he still lives in the separate residence meant for first born heir of the Clan.
Lan Xichen’s face relaxes when he sees Lan Wangji enter. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian greet him as he gestures for them to sit down.
A movement at the corner of the room makes Lan Wangji turn and he sees the Yu disciple standing in the corner looking as pale as a ghost. Wei Wuxian follows his gaze and grimaces, eyebrows furrowing in something like anger.
“Brother,” Lan Wangji is unable to sit down. He finds it strange to sit when there was a guest standing nearby.
“Please sit Wangji,” Lan Xichen insists with a gentle smile. “Do not mind the ah… ‘guest’ he has chosen to stand.”
Lan Wangji notices his brother is addressing the Yu disciple informally. Wei Wuxian sits down decisively, pulling Lan Wangji to sit next to him. Lan Xichen pours them tea, a serene expression on his face.
“Have you spoken with Uncle?” Lan Wangji asks, and Lan Xichen smiles brightly.
“Yes, and he has given me permission to deal with the situation as I see fit,” Lan Xichen explains. Lan Wangji can somehow see the Yu disciple shaking at the corner of his eyes.
Wei Wuxian looks at Lan Xichen with interest. He has a feeling that Lan Qiren had no choice but to give Lan Xichen the right to decide.
‘Your brother is scary’ he mouths at Lan Wangji while Lan Xichen sips his tea. Lan Wangji frowns at him.
“Fifteen hits with the discipline paddle and to copy the rules fifty times- these are the punishments I have assigned to him, brother,” Lan Wangji tells his older Lan. “I believe that will suffice as punishment.”
“Ah, well, I can certainly add that to my decision,” Lan Xichen assures him. Wei Wuxian looks very smug for some reason while Lan Wangji’s brow furrows in confusion.
“It is sufficient punishment for what he has done,” he says, confused.
Wei Wuxian frowns at him, “Those were the punishments you gave him for what he did to Nie Huaisang and for talking back. You need to include punishment for breaking the rules and causing a scene, for his disrespect and discourtesy towards you, and what he said about your parents-”
There was a crashing sound, and Lan Xichen and Wei Wuxian both jump in surprise. Lan Wangji stares in surprise at the broken pieces of his cup in his hand. He had not been aware he had gripped it so tightly.
“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian immediately tries to dry his hand with his own robes. He hisses when he sees Lan Wangji’s slightly red hand. The tea was hot.
“I…” Lan Wangji starts, as he blinks. “I apologize.”
“Wangji…” Lan Xichen says with a worried furrow to his brows. He turns to the Yu disciple frozen in the corner. “You, go bring a healer.”
The Yu disciple doesn’t question it and immediately gets out, walking as fast as he can without breaking the rules.
“Wei Wuxian, go with him.”
Wei Wuxian’s eyes snap towards Lan Xichen. “But-”
“Please,” Lan Xichen tells him gently, but firmly. “I will take care of Wangji.”
Wei Wuxian hesitates but eventually nods. He brushes a concerned fingers against Lan Wangji’s warm cheek before he goes out to go after the Yu disciple.
The door closes with a quiet slide, and Lan Xichen takes both of Lan Wangji’s hands into his.
“It is all right that you are upset.”
“I am not upset,” Lan Wangji says automatically. His brother smiles at him with sad eyes.
“The things he said were not true and were just meant to hurt you.”
“I am not hurt.”
“Lying is forbidden,” Lan Xichen reminds him gently.
Lan Wangji straightens and assesses his hands. He changes his words. “I shouldn’t be hurt. He is entitled to his opinions.”
“His opinions do not reflect the truth.”
“…but what is the truth?” Lan Wangji asks quietly.
“That you are a good person, Wangji. You feel more deeply than most, and you are the kindest person I know. A lot of people care about you and our mother and father, regardless of the circumstances, they loved us very much.” Lan Xichen sits next to his brother, allowing him to lean on him.
Lan Wangji is quiet.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For causing brother such trouble-”
“Wangji,” Lan Xichen puts a careful arm around his shoulders in an almost hug. “You are not at fault; there is no need to apologize. But please remember that if this happens again, please be sure to tell me.”
Lan Wangji thinks about it before he says, in all honesty, “I will think about it.”
Lan Xichen huffs out a laugh as he shakes his head in amusement. “Very well.”
Later, Wei Wuxian comes back with a healer and a very traumatized Yu disciple. Lan Xichen looks at the disciple’s face and gives Wei Wuxian an approving nod. Lan Wangji gives the two of them a suspicious look.
Lan Wangji’s hands are fine after he is passed some spiritual energy and given ointment. Wei Wuxian is very relieved and loudly declares that he will help Lan Wangji with everything while his hands recover, like carrying his books for him or feeding him.
Wei Wuxian stays true to his words and Lan Wangji’s ears are as red as a tomato the entire time.
Lan Xichen assigns a Lan disciple to carry out the punishment Lan Wangji gave. Although Lan Xichen wanted to send the Yu disciple back home for his discourtesy, the political ramifications would not allow him to do so. As Sect Heir, there was only so much he could do when the majority of the Lan Elders opposed such a harsh punishment when no violence occurred, and it was a first offense.
However, when the Lan Elders tried to impose a punishment on Wei Wuxian for his violent act against the Yu disciple, Lan Xichen exercised everything in his power to prevent it. On that day, the Lan Elders witnessed the true potential of the Lan Xichen’s leadership, and it was a sight to behold. They all conceded in the end, out of respect and also relieved that they were leaving the future of the Lan Sect in such capable hands.
The Yu disciple continues to walk around with a scared look on his face until one day a letter appeared on his bed. The next day he voluntarily left Cloud Recesses in a hurry.
Nie Huaisang is the one who recounts the funny scene of the Yu disciple hastily packing his bags, not even having the decency to stop by Grandmaster Lan’s classroom to inform him of his departure. He just left a hastily written note on his bed and vanished.
“Good riddance!” Wei Wuxian says with a wide grin. “Now I don’t have to keep threatening him, and I can spend more time with Lan Zhan!” Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes at the words and scoffs when Wei Wuxian goes running the moment he sees Lan Wangji in the distance.
“Running is forbidden,” Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng could hear the familiar scolding of the Second Young Master Lan. The two politely avert their eyes when Wei Wuxian kisses Lan Wangji’s cheek and pulls him to who-knows-where.
“Wonder what made him leave?” Jiang Cheng thinks out loud, trying to change the subject and banish the sickly sweet scene he had just witnessed from his mind.
Nie Huaisang says nothing and just smiles.
All’s well that ends well.
FIN