Chapter Text
After bowing to them, Wen Ning (Ghost General now retired) and Lan SiZhui (recalling his memories as a toddler - Wen Yuan - and reconciling it with the person he was raised to be - Lan Yuan/Lan SiZhui) walked off together, beginning the journey to pay respects to their blood clan, first in QiShan and then to DaFan proper. Likely a cenotaph would be placed in both locations.
The cultivation world was well connected, and there were people who were willing to deal with the GusuLan and help them along their way, even if Wen Ning was still seen as The Ghost General. They would return to Cloud Recesses eventually, Lan SiZhui returning to his established life. Wen Ning could decide what he wanted to do, perhaps learning to control his abilities, while his friends and family were disconnecting him from the unwanted title of Ghost General.
Lan WangJi watched them leave until they were completely out of sight, contemplating what to say next.
Wei WuXian tapped Chenqing against his head in thought.
"Lan Zhan, let's go. Where to next?" Wei WuXian said, laughter tinged with excitement at the road ahead.
He led Little Apple in the direction opposite to where Wen Ning and Lan SiZhui had departed.
"Let's go, Little Apple!" Wei WuXian spoke, even as the bells on Little Apple's harness jingled sweetly. "Come."
The few steps on the path were accompanied by him twirling Chenqing in his left hand. It was something he'd picked up in his previous life, and resumed once he'd had a flute in this one too.
He'd thought Lan WangJi followed, but the footsteps he'd become accustomed to were now absent. He stopped, turning back to look at where he'd started walking. Lan WangJi continued standing where he'd stopped, one hand gripping BiChen, the other tucked behind his back as he'd done since before they'd even met more than two decades ago now.
"Lan Zhan, you're-" There was a brief pause in his words. "-Not coming?"
It took a moment. Lan WangJi fought to regain his composure. There were so many things he wanted… to do, to say, to know. He was feeling all of it.
Finally, he turned to look at Wei WuXian, eyes full of regret. His face otherwise didn't betray much thought or emotion. That is, unless a person knew what to look for. Lan XiChen knew, had learned largely due to being Lan WangJi's older brother. Wei WuXian learned during their years of friendship what to look for.
I must return to Cloud Recesses. Xiongzhang needs me - he's going to seclude himself for a time. I can't go with you to wander the world, even though I want to. I want you to come with me, but will not force you.
Lan WangJi didn't speak. Wei WuXian read it all in Lan WangJi's face, along with things he couldn't identify, even as the latter lowered his eyes to the ground. He understood. Lan Zhan - Lan WangJi - Hanguang-Jun - The Second Jade of GusuLan - was deeply honorable. Duty came before desire. Family. Honor. In the aftermath of the events at the Guanyin Temple in Yunping, his duties had increased, especially with Lan SiZhui on a leave of absence to honor his original family.
"Lan Zhan, I'll go with you to Cloud Recesses." Wei WuXian walked back to him, Little Apple's bells jingling.
There was a flicker in Lan WangJi's eyes. "No need."
Wei WuXian stopped in front of him, tucking ChenQing into his belt, leaning over Little Apple, bringing him to Lan WangJi's line of sight. "Your brother needs you. Your family needs you. You need me as moral support. It's the least I can do. Although your Elders and your Uncle won't approve."
Lan WangJi's eyes were on the ground again, repeating his words. "No need."
"On Phoenix Mountain, I said I once felt you were my be-sen zhiji. You said then it was still true. And it is. It's been true since we were fifteen. Through death and life. We've been through a lot together. You stood with me even when I pushed you away. I didn't want to taint you. I didn't want you discovering my missing golden core, which caused the change in my cultivation. I'm no longer on your level and may never be again, even now. Let me be your support. It's the least I can do. I might go wandering for a bit once Cloud Recesses is more stable, to determine who I am in this world now, but I will return to you if that's what you want."
Lan WangJi lowered his head slightly, looking down, then raising his head again, meeting Wei WuXian's eyes. He didn't speak. It was his way of affirming his desires, as it had been for decades.
Wei WuXian smiled, his eyes turning crescent shaped, his smile beaming. It lightened something in Lan WangJi, though he didn't verbalize it.
"Okay. That's settled. Let's return to the Cloud Recesses and see what duties are required of you."
#
They arrived back in Gusu a few days after, following the most expedient route, traveling by boat for part of it. Both knew the route well enough to travel quickly.
Approaching the main gate into the compound, though, Wei WuXian slowed the pace, fidgeting with ChenQing.
"Are you sure I'll be allowed in? I mean-"
"Wei Ying, if they do not allow you in, I will leave with you."
"You'd force the issue?! But you're interim head of clan."
"I do not know that. ShuFu may be running things right now. You came with me to help me. At the very least, you are my guest. If Shufu or the Elders won't accept it, they do not accept my help either."
Wei WuXian looked dubious. "If you're sure."
"Come, Wei Ying. We will see what duty has called me to do."
The pair guarding the main entrance were familiar. Both were present at Mo Manor, back at the start of everything.
"HanGuangJun! Wei-Qianbei! Welcome back! Where have you been?!" Lan JingYi ran up to them, disregarding several rules in his enthusiasm. Only technically as they were outside the walls and gates of Cloud Recesses proper. He bowed when he was close enough.
WangJi and WuXian returned the bow.
"JingYi!" Wei WuXian smiled in welcome. "Don't tell me you were looking for us? HanGuangJun maybe, but not me!"
"Doesn't matter. You're both here. Grandmaster Lan needs to see you. It has to do with Zewu-Jun. He'll explain. I was told to watch for your return."
They entered the main complex, going directly to the Orchid Pavilion, where official meetings were held.
The doors opened as they approached.
"WangJi. Wei WuXian. I'm glad you are here. Please come in. JingYi, you are released. Return to your scheduled duties." Lan QiRen's tone brooked no argument.
Lan JingYi bowed, arms circled and hands overlapping. "Grandmaster." He straightened, then turned and left, leaving the three of them alone. His facial expression indicated curiosity but he was Lan enough to obey Grandmaster QiRen instead of staying around and potentially eavesdrop in violation of sect rules. Several of them, in fact.
They entered, and the doors closed behind them as the privacy seals activated.
Entering the inner meeting area, Lan QiRen sat down in his usual spot. Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian sitting directly opposite. It surprised Wei WuXian when Grandmaster Lan moved to pour tea for both of them, then himself.
"I'm glad to see both of you. Before I continue, I need to request nothing you hear from me leave this room. Some of this is widely known, but there are details I want kept to the fewest number possible. Not even the Elders know. I know because I'm part of the immediate family, but I have promised not to tell anyone outside the two of you." The words appeared to hurt even as they were spoken.
WangJi and WuXian traded a glance, then a nod.
"We promise." WangJi spoke for both of them.
It took a moment before Lan QiRen began speaking.
"After the events in YunPeng City at the GuanYin temple, XiChen is in seclusion. We are uncertain for how long. I extracted a promise from him that he will meet with the clan's mind healers. He has promised to make the effort, for his own health and safety if nothing else."
"He has been through a lot." Wei WuXian nodded.
The Grandmaster nodded at the truth of Wei WuXian's statement and continued speaking. "Also, while you've been away, the other clans have decided that WangJi will be XianDu."
"What?!" It was Wei WuXian. Lan WangJi's eyes were merely wide in shock.
"ShuFu?!" Though spoken softly, it filled with questions.
Lan QiRen explained what he knew of the deliberations.
"Initially they wanted XiChen appointed, but he refused, citing the last three who were sect leaders AND Chief Cultivator were corrupt and acted more to benefit their own sect rather than the world as a whole. XiChen was vehement about the next XianDu not being a clan leader. The Nie, Jin and Jiang supported him. In an attempt to prove the lesson learned, they decided WangJi always acted for the duty and honor of the cultivation world. Therefore, he was the ideal choice. XiChen abstained from the vote, citing familial bias."
Duty and honor. It was true, and it was also a way to manipulate someone who lied the ideals into the position they may not want to take.
Wei WuXian turned to the man at his side. "I request HanGuangJun consider this carefully before accepting and not allow the cultivation world as a whole to manipulate him into something he may not want to do." His words were carefully chosen.
Despite himself, Lan QiRen found himself nodding in agreement. "It would appear your tribulations have brought you perspective and insight, Wei WuXian."
"I am looking out for Lan Zhan's best interests, Lan-laoshi. Someone has to. Is it not one of the Lan Rules that one must not abuse their authority?"
Something in Lan QiRen's expression shifted a touch.
"There are many things I can do as Chief Cultivator. The position is due for some serious reform. While I accomplish that, I will protect Wei Ying." Lan WangJi's tone remained serious. "And XiongZhang is correct. There has been too much corruption with a sect leader also being Chief Cultivator. I will accept the position, ShuFu. You will need to be interim clan leader. Otherwise, there will be accusations of hypocrisy."
"I accept those conditions." Lan QiRen's tone was neutral. "I didn't want to be in this situation again, but as XiChen is currently in seclusion and healing from recent events, with extenuating circumstances, it is my duty to step in. Will the JingShi be adequate for food and rest?"
Lan WangJi gave his usual nod, and Wei WuXian nodded as well. The house had multiple beds across multiple rooms, and was more than adequate for two people.
"Then go. I will have food and bath water sent for you."
With that, they were dismissed, and made their way to the JingShi.