Chapter Text
It sounds childish and inexperienced, but Lan Wangji had not expected the gossip.
Of course there would be gossip at the first discussion conference since his secession. Hanguang Jun leaving the Lan sect would be a story to anyone, and he'd had enough questions just around Lotus Pier.
Those questions had been friendly. These were not.
Lan Wangji does not realize until the third night of the week-long conference that the Jiang disciples have been…interfering. That is, they walk with Lan Wangji between locations, keep him company at meals, ask him questions about musical cultivation or if he can spar with them tomorrow or—
And every time, they intercede in a conversation or stem one off before it can start, whatever member of another sect shooed away by Jiang exuberance.
Lan Wangji does not realize it and therefore he grows irritated at the constant company and seeks isolation. This is what finds him walking through the halls, arm behind his back, pondering if he wishes to teach a-Yuan the basics of the guqin, when someone steps in front of him.
It doesn't appear to be intentional; they're walking with another disciple, both their backs turned to him, heads tucked together in the unmistakable posture of two people gossiping.
"I didn't think it was possible," one of them murmurs excitedly, "but did you hear Hanguang Jun call him son?"
Gossip is not against the rules of the Jiang, but gossip about his son is against Lan Wangji's own internal rules, which are different.
"What is so impossible about that?" Lan Wangji asks, loud enough that the disciples can certainly hear him. They turn around, and while one looks chagrined, the other somehow seems more excited.
"Ah, Hanguang Jun," the man says, "we meant no offense. It is just remarkable that such a union would be acknowledged openly."
Such a union? Lan Wangji does not like where this is going. But if there is gossip about a-Yuan, especially improper and incorrect gossip, it will be easier eradicated if he knows what it is. "And which union are you referring to?"
"Ah, only that for the child to be Jiang-zongzhu's nephew, and your son, well…" the woman trails off nervously, looking back to her more enthusiastic companion to speak.
"I mean," the man says, seemingly counting on his good humor to carry him through the interaction (which it will not), "Jiang-zongzhu has only one sister!"
The woman adds, with a slightly pained smile, "I suppose, now that Jin-gongzi is dead, it need not be a secret."
Her companion elbows her, muttering quietly (but not quietly enough), "Even though the child is distinctly older than Jin Rulan…"
For a brief, blissful moment, Lan Wangji does not understand the implications of their words.
Then the moment is over and he suddenly deeply understands said implications, along with an equally intense knowledge that if Jiang-zongzhu hears this rumor in anything but the most controlled environment, a diplomatic incident is the best outcome that will come from it.
"You misunderstand," Lan Wangji tells them as coldly as possible. "Jiang Yuan is adopted."
The cultivators both look skeptical, but the woman covers it with politeness as she nods.
Not enough, then.
"Jiang-zongzhu is simply doing for my son what his father did for Wei Wuxian," Lan Wangji says, very firmly. "My son is not Jiang-guniang's child, and such slander is deeply inappropriate."
"Of course, of course," the man says, and Lan Wangji is almost relieved until he winks at him.
This is serious. These people want a rumor and will not be satisfied with the truth.
If Lan Wangji says that a-Yuan is Wei Wuxian's son…
No. That could bring danger to a-Yuan, given those who hate Wei Wuxian, and then rumors of his parentage might be brought onto the Wen. Such a path must be avoided.
A lie, then. He is no longer bound by the Lan rules, and therefore can do such a thing. Usually Lan Wangji would not consider it, but he cannot stand by as Jiang-zongzhu's sister is slandered in such a way, not when it will affect Jiang-zongzhu so strongly.
"Jiang Yuan's mother…" he says, hating every second, "did not meet the approval of the Lan. She has had nothing to do with the Jiang."
There. How's that for a rumor? Hanguang Jun's illegitimate child causing him to be cast out from his own clan?
This will surely be enough to stifle the other speculation. These two gossips will spread it around, and no one is likely to believe it truly came from Lan Wangji.
Xiongzhang will not be happy with this story, but as long as he suspects it made up by gossips, he will be able to do nothing.
The woman seems appeased, but the man leans in, curious. "Why would Jiang-zongzhu take in your child?" he asks, hushed. "To bring Hanguang Jun into the Jiang sect is admirable, but he had no reason to name your son as his clan—"
"Wangji is my sworn brother," a familiar voice cuts in, cold and sharp. Lan Wangji watches both the cultivators pale, eyes growing wide and arms coming up to bow deeply as Jiang Wanyin approaches. The weight of the sect's leaders presence is almost physical. "A-Yuan is my heir. You may share that as fact."
"Jiang-zongzhu—" the woman begins, only to slam her mouth shut as Zidian screams, bright around Jiang Wanyin's hand and wrist, coiling even up his arm. The light from it is almost blinding, its electricity popping with enough energy to make Lan Wangji's ears faintly ring.
"If I ever," Jiang Wanyin hisses, so much like Zidian in speech, and Lan Wangji had not met the Violet Spider before her death but in this moment he can imagine how much her son emulates her, "hear anyone say such things about my sister again, I will throw them to the lake and let the alligators tear them apart."
Both of the disciples bow even deeper, although they keep their eyes carefully on Zidian. "Apologies, Jiang-zongzhu," the woman murmurs, before they both make a quick exit, likely terrified.
Good. Perhaps that means they will only spread what Jiang-zongzhu told them in the future.
"Sworn brothers?" Lan Wangji asks carefully, hoping it will not be denied.
"You're part of the Jiang, and part of a-Yuan's life, and mine," Jiang Wanyin tells him without looking away from the retreating disciples, "and I won't let anyone stop me from treating you as such."
Lan Wangji feels a rush of belonging, in a way that he hasn't since he found himself at Wei Ying's side.
"After the conference, will we swear properly?" he asks quietly. He would like for it to be the truth in every form, not just intent.
Jiang Wanyin scoffs. "Of course we will," he says, derisive and harsh, but Lan Wangji knows what his tone hides too well to fall prey to the charade.
"Mn." Lan Wangji feels distinctly satisfied with this turn of events. As disturbing as the comments about Jiang Yanli may have been, the things he has learned from Jiang Wanyin because of that conversations are deeply important.
"But enough gossip." Jiang Wanyin lifts a hand, hesitates briefly, then sets it on Lan Wangji's shoulder. "There's yet another meeting happening today and if I have to be the only sane one there I will qi deviate on the spot, so you're coming with me."
"Gladly," Lan Wangji says, and it is the company, not the meeting, that has him saying it.