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Gossip and rumors are forbidden in the Gusu Lan Clan. But Elder Lan kept stumbling upon them anyway. What could you expect from the younger generation? In recent years, Lan Qiren had generally become more tolerant of it. After all, there were things that posed a greater danger — to the world and to his nerves — than teenagers' gossip.
A demonic cultivator who seduced his nephew, for example… Ahem…
Thus, Lan Qiren simply let the children amuse themselves, pretending not to know anything, as long as it didn't bother him or cause discipline problems. Who knew that today he would have to stay longer working on scrolls, and the Lan disciples, accustomed to his usual schedule, would settle down right on the grass beneath the classroom windows.
The sun was setting, casting long shadows on the neatly trimmed grass. A light breeze carried the scent of evening freshness and blossoming plums. Lan Qiren sat at his desk, sorting through scrolls, and involuntarily listened to the voices drifting up from below.
"Nonsense, how could this even happen?" objected one of the group. By his voice, Lan Qiren recognized Lan Kexin, a calm and thoughtful sixteen-year-old disciple. "It's physiologically impossible."
"It's Hanguang-jun and the Yiling Patriarch!" retorted the youngest of them, thirteen-year-old Lan Fan. There was a childlike conviction bordering on fanaticism in his voice. "Nothing is impossible for them! I'm not the only one who says so. The others told me about how such things happen… between men. And about what symptoms there are when…"
"You're too young to be listening to such stories," Lan Kexin frowned, adjusting his slipped ribbon. "I'm telling you, it's just gossip."
"I'm not so sure," drawled Lan Zishu. Judging by his voice and smacking sounds, he never missed an opportunity to snack. Despite being fifteen, he constantly shirked training and night hunts, preferring quiet evenings with food and a book. "When I was in the village, I heard the ladies at the herbalist's shop discussing how the Yiling Patriarch had been increasingly requesting anti-nausea decoctions. And also calming incense for deep sleep and body ointments. Not to mention his strange food preferences."
Lan Qiren set down his scroll, feeling a vague unease beginning to stir somewhere in his chest. Spend another hour listening to Wei Wuxian and what he was up to again? He was already fed up with him. Could he maybe do without this headache at least while working?
The Elder was about to look out the window to threaten the disciples with punishment and gain some long-awaited peace, when suddenly…
"But that doesn't mean the Yiling Patriarch is expecting a child with Hanguang-jun!" exclaimed Lan Kexin, looking at his friends with a skeptical gaze. "Anyone can feel nauseous, and Teacher Wei has always preferred strange snacks. And I'm more than certain that the other 'strangeness' everyone's talking about can also be explained somehow."
"What else do you think it could mean?" Lan Fan interjected, waving his arms. "The signs are obvious. He's expecting a child."
HE WHAT.
Lan Qiren gripped the windowsill so tightly his knuckles turned white, and the wood creaked pitifully. He had only just come to terms with the fact that his best student, one of the jades of the Lan clan, had tied his life to a demonic cultivator, a lazy, shameless rogue. But this… He had never expected such surprises from them.
Wei Wuxian and Wangji were expecting a child?
Indeed, this was Hanguang-jun and the Yiling Patriarch. As the children said, nothing was impossible for them. They would surely have found a way if they wanted to.
But was it really true? When was Wangji going to tell him? Or did his nephew not know anything yet either?
Wei Wuxian, carrying a child? He never sat still for a second, getting into foolish trouble out of boredom and sheer arrogance! Could the reckless and frivolous Wei Wuxian take care of an infant? Of course not!
Of course, Lan Qiren was sure that his nephew would become an excellent father and role model for the child, nurturing his potential and strength. However, Wei Wuxian would be an obstacle on that path, leading the child astray with jokes and foolishness not worth a moment's attention.
"Do you want to bet with the others?" Lan Fan declared confidently, his eyes sparkling. "I've already put in a couple of gold pieces. I've seen how strangely Teacher Wei behaves myself. He eats strange food in huge quantities, sleeps in the middle of the day all the time, complains that the incense is too strong. In a couple of months, he'll probably be buying new clothes a few sizes larger."
Lan Kexin shook his head doubtfully, looking away.
"But he's always been that strange. It's just part of his nature. Besides, how can you argue about someone else's personal life?"
"Well, I'll take that bet," Lan Zishu immediately agreed, licking crumbs off his fingers. "And I'll treat you to dinner with my winnings. At that dinner, you'll be happily eating at my expense, Mr. Skeptic. Better think about this: how will they announce this news to the other clans? That will be fun!"
Lan Qiren sat back down at his desk, deciding he'd had enough. His hands were trembling — whether from anger or confusion, he didn't know. On one hand, this was the Yiling Patriarch's child, who had already brought enough chaos. On the other hand, it was Hanguang-jun's child, a worthy husband, a man of honor. Not to mention that the child would become a new branch of the Lan lineage.
He didn't want to think about how to announce this news to the cultivation world.
But who knew if the rumors were true? Lan Qiren would have to find out for himself.
That same evening, while all the disciples were busy with training, he had a chance to observe. Dusk was falling over Gusu Lan, painting the sky in shades of purple and pink. The air grew cooler, filled with the scents of evening herbs.
Heading toward the library, Lan Qiren spotted Wei Wuxian in the distance, lounging semi-recumbent on a wooden beam. His eyes were closed, one hand resting on his stomach. He did look more tired and unwell than usual, just as the disciples had gossiped. Shadows lay beneath his eyes, his face seemed pale, and there was an unusual relaxation in his posture, almost exhaustion.
Was it really true? Was a fetus developing inside his body?
What were those two even thinking… It wasn't enough to conceive a child, they also needed to plan everything to take care of it. And of Wei Wuxian. After all, he was his nephew's husband — no matter how much Lan Qiren tried to ignore that fact. He would have to have a serious talk with Wangji and advise him to buy plenty of books. No matter how much Wei Wuxian got on his nerves, Lan Qiren couldn't just walk by.
He had already started climbing the stairs when he suddenly noticed that in his other hand, Wei Wuxian was holding a jug, from which he kept taking sizable drinks… of wine. Wine!
"What do you think you're doing?" Lan Qiren exclaimed, appearing before him like a menacing shadow.
Wei Wuxian started in surprise, nearly tumbling into the bushes, but Elder Lan managed to catch him by the shoulder, preventing a fall. Through the thin fabric, he felt how hot his skin was — a fever that a healthy person shouldn't have.
"Sit still," Lan Qiren ordered, releasing him. "What are you doing?"
"Elder Lan," Wei Wuxian jumped down from the beam with practiced ease and bowed. Lan Qiren examined him carefully. On one hand, he might be expecting a child… On the other hand, he might not. "I'm drinking wine. How can I help you?"
"I know everything," Lan Qiren said bluntly, deciding not to beat around the bush. His voice was firm, but inside, everything trembled with tension.
If the rumors turned out to be true, he needed to find out immediately and start taking calming medicine. And also order a supply for the coming months. Who knew what whims Wei Wuxian, pregnant with a child, might display, if he was already such a handful?
"Uh, you know?.." Wei Wuxian tried to take another sip, but the Elder was quicker and snatched the jug away. The liquid splashed, a few drops falling onto the grass. "Hey," Wei Ying protested, watching the jug with a wistful gaze. "Now I see who Lan Zhan gets his boring nature from."
"I know everything," Lan Qiren repeated with even more force, feeling the blood rush to his face. "There's no point in hiding it. How… Why… Do you even understand that this isn't a joke? This is a huge responsibility! Are you sure you're capable of taking this on? For life! This isn't some week-long adventure you can drop when you get bored."
He spoke, and his voice trembled with anger, with anxiety, with the knowledge that he had already seen how lives could be ruined by thoughtless decisions.
"Ah…" Wei Ying looked at him in confusion, tilting his head. His face held an expression of genuine incomprehension. "What exactly do you know? What responsibility?"
Lan Qiren felt a mixture of irritation and embarrassment. Talking to young girls about their condition was torture enough, but with Wei Wuxian, it seemed even worse. His cheeks burned, and he kept adjusting his collar as if it were choking him.
"About your surprise… For Wangji," he awkwardly forced out, looking away.
"Ooh," Wei Ying smiled, running his hand through his hair. In a way, he even looked embarrassed — the corners of his lips trembled, and a slight blush touched his cheeks. "No wonder the disciples say nothing can be hidden from Elder Lan. But how did you find out?"
"So it's true…"
"You mean the surprise I'm preparing for Lan Zhan for our anniversary?" He looked around, as if checking that no one was listening, and lowered his voice. "I've been trying to keep it a secret. Yes, that's why I haven't been sleeping well. I also caught a cold somewhere. It all takes a lot of time and energy. I have to stay up at night. And on top of that, my husband torments me so much."
Despite his furrowed brows and complaining tone, he ended with a rather smug grin — the very grin that made Lan Qiren's eye twitch.
Lan Qiren chose to ignore that.
"It's no wonder you've been eating more," he nodded, trying to process the fact that the gossip had turned out to be true. "In such… circumstances, a lot of energy is required." So much now needed to be resolved and prepared. He mentally listed what needed to be done first: books, a room, a healer, protection… "When you tell Wangji…" he continued, trying to keep his voice steady. "Prepare him for it. And be gentle. It could be a shock. I don't think he's expecting anything like this. And his difficult past with his parents might make him doubt his own abilities."
"Uh, I don't think it'll impress him that much," Wei Wuxian shrugged, looking away. "Just a little something I came up with to please him."
"A little something?!" Lan Qiren exclaimed before he could stop himself.
The echo of his voice rang out across the courtyard, and several birds took flight with cries. After all, shouting might make that insufferable boy nervous, and in his condition, that should be avoided.
"Some little something…" he continued, lowering his voice. "How did you even manage… Quite a gift. You've always had problems with your imagination. If this is a little something, then what…" he muttered, then cleared his throat. "Anyway, if you need help, you can ask anyone in the clan, and it will be provided. As long as it doesn't break the rules, of course. Especially the strict ones." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I'll inform the others not to pay attention to your other… minor infractions. And I'll help you too, if necessary."
"Oh… Thank you, Elder Lan," Wei Ying looked touched, confused, and bewildered all at once. He kept glancing at the wine jug, but now made no move to snatch it back, trying to understand what was happening. Intuitively, he sensed that something had gone wrong in this conversation. But what exactly? "But I think I can manage. I even found some excellently aged nettle and ginseng wine for our big day. It sounds terrible, but it tastes great."
First of all, wine? Hadn't Wei Wuxian realized that was strictly forbidden for him now? And secondly… Nettle and ginseng wine?!
And there it was again, his stupidity! The life of a Lan child would have been cut short if Lan Qiren hadn't learned about the foolish wine and his plans. And this was the Yiling Patriarch, famed for his intelligence and insight?
"Have you completely lost your mind?!" he cried out, unable to contain himself, nearly clutching his heart. A pang shot through his chest, and he paused for a moment, pressing his palm to it. Poor child!
"What's wrong?" Wei Wuxian was thoroughly confused. "I've already drunk a whole bottle, it's actually pretty good." He paused, apparently coming to some conclusion. "Aah, you mean that I bought it for myself and Lan Zhan? I'll keep an eye on him when he drinks, so everything will be fine."
"A whole bottle?!" Lan Qiren screamed in horror, his voice cracking into a falsetto. "Don't you know that nettle causes miscarriages? And ginseng causes birth defects!"
"Uh, okay?"
"Wei Wuxian! You… You're expecting a child! How can you talk like that?!"
"Wei Ying?!"
"Senior Wei!"
Wei Wuxian and Lan Qiren turned at the deafening shouts. Staring back at them with equally shocked faces were Lan Wangji and Lan Sizhui. Well, well. Lan Qiren had been so absorbed in his indignation that he hadn't noticed his nephew and the disciple approaching.
All four of them exchanged glances until, finally, their eyes settled on Wei Wuxian. No one dared break the silence. It was so thick it could be cut with a knife.
Lan Wangji's face was red, his ears burning, his eyes darting. It was clear he wanted to say a lot but was embarrassed that they weren't alone with his husband. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, trying to process what he had heard. Lan Wangji frowned, then widened his eyes, then just stared with a piercing gaze that would have made anyone else's knees buckle.
"Wei Ying?" he finally said, trying to pour all the questions and exclamations swirling in his chest into that single address. He reached out his hands, and Wei Wuxian laughed and grabbed them, squeezing them in his own. "Wei Ying, you…"
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian interrupted him, his eyes dancing with mischief. "I'm expecting your child. Why didn't you tell me, husband?" He turned to Sizhui. "A-Yuan, did you know you were going to be a big brother?"
"Senior Wei, is it true?" Lan Sizhui gasped, examining Wei Ying's figure.
Wei Wuxian, as if there were nothing absurd or embarrassing about the situation, spun around, giving a full view of his slender body. His movements were light, almost dance-like, and there was none of the heaviness Lan Qiren had expected to see in a pregnant person.
"Is it really?.." Sizhui repeated, unable to believe it.
"Hmm, we need to ask Hanguang-jun," Wei Wuxian said with a deliberately serious expression, raising his gaze to Lan Wangji. "Er-gege, what do you think? Am I carrying your child?"
One could watch as Lan Wangji's ears slowly flushed with heat — from base to tip, turning translucent pink. Lan Sizhui nearly giggled at such shameless teasing from Wei Wuxian but caught himself in time and looked away, pretending to study the pattern on his robe.
"Mn," was all Lan Wangji could manage.
"But… what kind of surprise was it then?" Lan Qiren forced out with difficulty, feeling the ground give way beneath his feet.
Wei Wuxian laughed again — brightly, infectiously, so that tears came to his eyes.
"So that's what this whole conversation was about, Elder Lan?" He wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "I was just preparing memory stones for my husband's and my anniversary. So that Lan Zhan could see my memories of us through them." He paused for a moment, and his face took on the expression of someone who had just realized something important. But before the others could breathe a sigh of relief and ask new questions, he continued. "But your version sounds even better. Er-gege, what do you say? Would you like me to give you a little baby?"
Lan Qiren nearly slapped his own forehead. His strength left him, and he felt the weight of years settling heavily on his shoulders.
"Mn. Uncle," Lan Wangji hastily bowed — low, respectfully, as if hoping this might soften the elder's anger. Then he suddenly grabbed his husband's hand. "We have to go. A-Yuan, go to the library without me. I'll join you… another time."
"Yes, Hanguang-jun," Lan Sizhui bowed to them both, watching the retreating figures with curiosity and a slight smile. "See you soon, Senior Wei."
"Lan Zhan, are you up to something?" Wei Ying giggled, obediently following his husband, allowing himself to be led away. "Hanguang-jun, do you want a little son? Why the hurry, er-gege?"
Lan Qiren twitched with indignation but said nothing. Fortunately, they had gone far enough that their voices faded, dissolving into the evening air.
"I didn't hear that…" he whispered, massaging his temples.
Gossip and rumors are not forbidden in the Gusu Lan Clan without reason.